...
Yes . . .I am way behind the curve on this one.
But I still like the idea, the video, the music.
Hate me if you must . . .though I would prefer a hug. ...:minism:...
...tom...
Friday, May 7, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Chattanooga Choo Choo
...
Going old school here. When music had form, function, and was actually performed rather than 'produced'.
...tom...
Going old school here. When music had form, function, and was actually performed rather than 'produced'.
...tom...
Saturday, March 20, 2010
My desktop, March 20, 2010...
...
It has been a while since I shared a desktop view. Not that I imagine my reader or three are continually checking for the next one. My hit counter would certainly not indicate they are.
This one continues my theme of 'space' pictures. Is there really anything more beautiful, challenging, or exciting than the idea of exploring and living in space..?? Not for me.
This selection is from APOD, posted February 16, 2010:
What's that approaching? Astronauts on board the International Space Station first saw it far in the distance. Soon it enlarged to become a dark silhouette. As it came even closer, the silhouette appeared to be a spaceship. Finally, at just past 11 pm (CST) last Tuesday, the object, revealed to be the Space Shuttle Endeavour, docked as expected with the Earth-orbiting space station. Pictured above, Endeavour was imaged near Earth's horizon as it approached, where several layers of the Earth's atmosphere were visible. (continued at the APOD page.)
I think the idea of having something beautiful on one's desktop is a good idea. If it can not be my beautiful family . . .the beauty of space will be a close second choice.
...tom...
.
It has been a while since I shared a desktop view. Not that I imagine my reader or three are continually checking for the next one. My hit counter would certainly not indicate they are.
This one continues my theme of 'space' pictures. Is there really anything more beautiful, challenging, or exciting than the idea of exploring and living in space..?? Not for me.
This selection is from APOD, posted February 16, 2010:
What's that approaching? Astronauts on board the International Space Station first saw it far in the distance. Soon it enlarged to become a dark silhouette. As it came even closer, the silhouette appeared to be a spaceship. Finally, at just past 11 pm (CST) last Tuesday, the object, revealed to be the Space Shuttle Endeavour, docked as expected with the Earth-orbiting space station. Pictured above, Endeavour was imaged near Earth's horizon as it approached, where several layers of the Earth's atmosphere were visible. (continued at the APOD page.)
I think the idea of having something beautiful on one's desktop is a good idea. If it can not be my beautiful family . . .the beauty of space will be a close second choice.
...tom...
.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Onion bullsh!t...
...
A little off color for me . . .but too funny (and true) to resist sharing.
Breaking News: Some Bullshit Happening Somewhere
"I'm just some phucking guy."
Too funny.
...tom...
.
A little off color for me . . .but too funny (and true) to resist sharing.
Breaking News: Some Bullshit Happening Somewhere
"I'm just some phucking guy."
Too funny.
...tom...
.
Monday, March 1, 2010
OnlineTaxRevolt dot com
...
Look at your pay stub. Not your 'take home' pay amount. But your total earnings before any taxes are taken out. Now add in another 7-plus percent taxes paid by your employer.
Imagine getting all that gross income. Imagine not having to worry about 'net' income ever again. Except for the deductions you choose to make.
Look at your tax return as you prepare it this spring. Not at the $200 or $2000 you might get back. Instead look at the thousands of dollars they take from you. Every day, every week, every month, every year.
It is time to tell them no more. It is time to remind them they work for you not you for them.
It is time for you to educate yourself about the true cost of our current tax system and the inequities and outrageous impact it has on every citizen of the country.
Visit Online Tax Revolt dot com and join up. Sure it is a superficial, silly effort ...perhaps in the end meaning nothing.
But ya gotta start somewhere.
Just like Peter Finch in the old school film Network ...as some point you have to get up, go to the window and shout:
" I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE! "
It is time people. Let's stop the nonsense.
...tom...
.
Look at your pay stub. Not your 'take home' pay amount. But your total earnings before any taxes are taken out. Now add in another 7-plus percent taxes paid by your employer.
Imagine getting all that gross income. Imagine not having to worry about 'net' income ever again. Except for the deductions you choose to make.
Look at your tax return as you prepare it this spring. Not at the $200 or $2000 you might get back. Instead look at the thousands of dollars they take from you. Every day, every week, every month, every year.
It is time to tell them no more. It is time to remind them they work for you not you for them.
It is time for you to educate yourself about the true cost of our current tax system and the inequities and outrageous impact it has on every citizen of the country.
Image source: Zzyzx11 via Creative Commons license
Visit Online Tax Revolt dot com and join up. Sure it is a superficial, silly effort ...perhaps in the end meaning nothing.
But ya gotta start somewhere.
Just like Peter Finch in the old school film Network ...as some point you have to get up, go to the window and shout:
" I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE! "
It is time people. Let's stop the nonsense.
...tom...
.
Monday, February 22, 2010
one in 1.75 Billion...
...
A recent online solicitation I received:
"WIN $5,000 A WEEK for Life!"
Geezus..!! Where do I go to sign-up..!?!
Of course, once I check it out a little more thoroughly ...this missive from Publishers Clearing House ...once I check it out thoroughly I see the odds of winning are "1 in 1,750,000,000"..!! One in one point 75 Billion..!! And I thought the Powerball lottery odds were long..!!
Lets see, what is the current world population ...sleeper runs off to 'Google it'. Hmmm, just over 6.8 billion peeps, number courtesy of your tax dollars.
So if aliens were to swoop down and abduct 4 random earthlings from the entire world's population . . .that would be about my odds of being implanted with an anal probe. Or of winning the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes. Ha. Like that is gonna happen
Hey, did you hear that..?!? Strange lights and noises outside my bedroom window ...I better go investigate. Well ...as soon as I complete my Publishers Clearing House entry..!!
...tom...
.
A recent online solicitation I received:
"WIN $5,000 A WEEK for Life!"
Geezus..!! Where do I go to sign-up..!?!
Of course, once I check it out a little more thoroughly ...this missive from Publishers Clearing House ...once I check it out thoroughly I see the odds of winning are "1 in 1,750,000,000"..!! One in one point 75 Billion..!! And I thought the Powerball lottery odds were long..!!
Lets see, what is the current world population ...sleeper runs off to 'Google it'. Hmmm, just over 6.8 billion peeps, number courtesy of your tax dollars.
So if aliens were to swoop down and abduct 4 random earthlings from the entire world's population . . .that would be about my odds of being implanted with an anal probe. Or of winning the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes. Ha. Like that is gonna happen
Image source: Clinton Steeds via Creative Commons license
Hey, did you hear that..?!? Strange lights and noises outside my bedroom window ...I better go investigate. Well ...as soon as I complete my Publishers Clearing House entry..!!
...tom...
.
Friday, February 12, 2010
' Say what..?!? ' Number 5
...
It has been more than a while since I have posted one of these 'unique phrases' posts. I would like to think I have a ton of new and entertaining phrases to share.
Well sure . . .I would like to say that...
.
As always, these are simply short phrases that I have encountered while reading on the web. They either strike me by their 'musical sound' or their discordant cacophony. As always, the artificial arbiter I use for this 'unique' label is, of course, the ubiquitous Google dot com.
What defines my 'unique phrases'..?? Generally they are two or three words with a handful or less of distinct 'Google hits'. They also have to have been used intentionally, in some unique (there is that word again) way that communicates an idea in a novel manner. Kinda like pornography: hard to define ...but you know it when you see it.
You would think with all the millions of monkeys, like you and I, pounding on all our keyboards out here on the web ... you would think everything that could be said would have already been said. But not true ... thank gawd.
Unique two word phrases are worth more than three or four word phrases to me. I mean, obviously the more words you start stringing together the more likely you are to craft a new phrase. But much longer than four just gets silly ... so I try to notice and identify only two-, three-, and four-word phrases. Think of it as gold, silver, and bronze medal-worthy.
Anyway, enough explanation. Let's see what we got this time...
Unique phrases I have crafted or discovered:
One unique result found for "homosexual yard sale"
No results found for "veiled linear veneer"
Four unique results for "drowsily sunny"
A unique find of "nobly ignoble trickster"
Anyway, there is the next installment of my little web reading-n-writing obsession. Hopefully I will not be so late with the next 'unique phrases' post.
Hey, if you have any examples of your own please share them in a comment..!!
...tom...
.
It has been more than a while since I have posted one of these 'unique phrases' posts. I would like to think I have a ton of new and entertaining phrases to share.
Well sure . . .I would like to say that...
.
As always, these are simply short phrases that I have encountered while reading on the web. They either strike me by their 'musical sound' or their discordant cacophony. As always, the artificial arbiter I use for this 'unique' label is, of course, the ubiquitous Google dot com.
What defines my 'unique phrases'..?? Generally they are two or three words with a handful or less of distinct 'Google hits'. They also have to have been used intentionally, in some unique (there is that word again) way that communicates an idea in a novel manner. Kinda like pornography: hard to define ...but you know it when you see it.
You would think with all the millions of monkeys, like you and I, pounding on all our keyboards out here on the web ... you would think everything that could be said would have already been said. But not true ... thank gawd.
Unique two word phrases are worth more than three or four word phrases to me. I mean, obviously the more words you start stringing together the more likely you are to craft a new phrase. But much longer than four just gets silly ... so I try to notice and identify only two-, three-, and four-word phrases. Think of it as gold, silver, and bronze medal-worthy.
Anyway, enough explanation. Let's see what we got this time...
Unique phrases I have crafted or discovered:
One unique result found for "homosexual yard sale"
A phrase used by an Epinions user while reviewing the novel The Time Traveler's Wife. Is a puzzler to me how a 'yard sale' could be 'homosexual'. But there it is.
No results found for "veiled linear veneer"
A phrase thrown out in a longish message board thread: "So I think this whole thread is much more cyclical in nature than its rather thinly veiled linear veneer would have one believe."
To this day I have no idea what they meant, in the context of the thread. But it sounds good.
Four unique results for "drowsily sunny"
A writer on Epinions was thinking of warm summer days while reviewing Henry and Mudge in the Green Time.
"But reading the drowsily sunny Henry and Mudge in the Green Time made me long just a little for warm summer days with shorts and bare feet, with picnics and hoses."
Sure evokes time and setting for me.
A unique find of "nobly ignoble trickster"
If you were to try to identify a fictional character that phrase might describe . . .well, Robin Hood seems as good a match as might be made. 'Nobly ignoble' has more than a few Google hits. But pairing it with 'trickster' is unique phrasing of the highest order.
Anyway, there is the next installment of my little web reading-n-writing obsession. Hopefully I will not be so late with the next 'unique phrases' post.
Hey, if you have any examples of your own please share them in a comment..!!
...tom...
.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
How to write a love letter...
...
A review I wrote a couple of years ago on Epinions.
Somehow, it seems appropriate right now, given the season...
Other People's Love Letters: 150 Letters You Were Never Meant to See
OK, OK. I confess. This book is not really about 'how to write a love letter'. I am just shamelessly throwing myself at the web search engine spiders.
Perhaps my sticky net caught you also my dear reader. If it did perhaps you are searching for the perfect words to reveal your heart's anguished desire to claim that of another. If you are on such a mission ...I envy you.
I envy you that feeling of your bursting heart that has so muddled your thoughts that you are having trouble embellishing 'I love you..!!' When perhaps that is all your desired one really needs to read ...and to hear.
Other People's Love Letters: 150 Letters You Were Never Meant to See are the random samplings of love letters collected from ordinary people with ordinary lives yet extraordinary loves. We all know that no flame burns as hot as the one in our own heart. We all know that no pain stabs as cruelly as that felt in our own broken heart. Luckily many of us are driven to tell each other just that. Just as luckily, we often find the written word an empowering way to 'speak our heart'.
Those extremes, and every feeling in between, are captured between the covers of this book. Editor Bill Shapiro first read a love letter not meant for his eyes when ...
.
.
Read the rest at the review page on Epinions dot com.
...tom...
.
A review I wrote a couple of years ago on Epinions.
Somehow, it seems appropriate right now, given the season...
Other People's Love Letters: 150 Letters You Were Never Meant to See
OK, OK. I confess. This book is not really about 'how to write a love letter'. I am just shamelessly throwing myself at the web search engine spiders.
Perhaps my sticky net caught you also my dear reader. If it did perhaps you are searching for the perfect words to reveal your heart's anguished desire to claim that of another. If you are on such a mission ...I envy you.
I envy you that feeling of your bursting heart that has so muddled your thoughts that you are having trouble embellishing 'I love you..!!' When perhaps that is all your desired one really needs to read ...and to hear.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
Other People's Love Letters: 150 Letters You Were Never Meant to See are the random samplings of love letters collected from ordinary people with ordinary lives yet extraordinary loves. We all know that no flame burns as hot as the one in our own heart. We all know that no pain stabs as cruelly as that felt in our own broken heart. Luckily many of us are driven to tell each other just that. Just as luckily, we often find the written word an empowering way to 'speak our heart'.
Those extremes, and every feeling in between, are captured between the covers of this book. Editor Bill Shapiro first read a love letter not meant for his eyes when ...
.
.
Read the rest at the review page on Epinions dot com.
...tom...
.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
The Snowman
...
Like a carefully arranged photo album, the pictures of The Snowman share one special day, and night, of one little boy. We know nothing about him, neither his name nor where he lives. We only know this special day is cold and snowy.
Told without words, dozens of smaller and larger pictures tell the story of the creation of 'the snowman' and his interactions with the young boy as he comes to life. The previous reviewer described the artwork as "crayon-brushed" while I might describe them as chalk-drawn. Regardless, they are soft, warm, and inviting and easily flow together to tell the story.
Our young man wakens to a fresh and still falling snowstorm and hurries outside to build a snowman. Rather than a typical '3-ball' snowman, this snowman is piled high with arms carved into his sides. The obligatory pieces of coal, scarf and hat, and other household items complete his form.
That evening the young boy awakens from his sleep (or is he dreaming..??) and goes outside to find his snowman doffing his cap and shaking the boy's hand. His arms work..!! He has legs..!!
Our new friends proceed to explore the house, the world, of the little boy. A pet cat, TV, lights, stairs, clothes, hot water, the flames of a stove, a skateboard and many more household items are all shared with the snowman. The joy of the snowman climbing into a deep chest freezer in the garage is a favorite pic of mine. What could be more natural for a snowman..?!?
As if to repay the boy for sharing the delights of his human world, the snowman takes the boy flying into the winter sky. Yes, a snowman can fly ...you did not know this..??
Read the rest of my review of The Snowman at the review page at Epinions.com.
.
Like a carefully arranged photo album, the pictures of The Snowman share one special day, and night, of one little boy. We know nothing about him, neither his name nor where he lives. We only know this special day is cold and snowy.
Told without words, dozens of smaller and larger pictures tell the story of the creation of 'the snowman' and his interactions with the young boy as he comes to life. The previous reviewer described the artwork as "crayon-brushed" while I might describe them as chalk-drawn. Regardless, they are soft, warm, and inviting and easily flow together to tell the story.
Our young man wakens to a fresh and still falling snowstorm and hurries outside to build a snowman. Rather than a typical '3-ball' snowman, this snowman is piled high with arms carved into his sides. The obligatory pieces of coal, scarf and hat, and other household items complete his form.
That evening the young boy awakens from his sleep (or is he dreaming..??) and goes outside to find his snowman doffing his cap and shaking the boy's hand. His arms work..!! He has legs..!!
Our new friends proceed to explore the house, the world, of the little boy. A pet cat, TV, lights, stairs, clothes, hot water, the flames of a stove, a skateboard and many more household items are all shared with the snowman. The joy of the snowman climbing into a deep chest freezer in the garage is a favorite pic of mine. What could be more natural for a snowman..?!?
As if to repay the boy for sharing the delights of his human world, the snowman takes the boy flying into the winter sky. Yes, a snowman can fly ...you did not know this..??
Read the rest of my review of The Snowman at the review page at Epinions.com.
.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The Lovely Bones
...
No. Not a review of the recently released film. But my thoughts about the novel on which the film is based.
The Lovely Bones does not waste your time. Seventeen words into the story you learn of the ultimate horror:
"My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name Susie.
I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973."
By the end of this first chapter Susie Salmon is dead and you know the murderer.
I can tell you this 'spoiler', author Alice Sebold can write this 'spoiler', because The Lovely Bones is so much more about the loss of a loved daughter, sister, friend than it is about 'who-done-it'. So much more about everyday moments of grief that erode the strong foundations of a family, moments of grief that break the strong bond between husband and wife, moments of grief that fracture the the strong love of a mother for her children. The Lovely Bones is so much more about budding youth and innocence lost than it is about police, chase, clues, law-and-order.
Lured, raped, murdered, dismembered, hidden . . .perhaps never to be found, Susie narrates this tale from the safe, comforting confines of her heaven. Did you know everyone has their own 'personal' heaven? Susie's heaven is the imagined environs of a High School campus that the earth-bound—the murdered—Susie will never know. She shares her heaven with others, their heavenly desires intersecting with hers. Music, playful dogs, peppermint ice cream, glorious sunsets fill her heaven. From the gazebo of her heaven ("our neighbors, the O'Dwyers, had had a gazebo. I had grown up jealous for one") she watches the earthly world she will never walk again.
Read the rest of my review of The Lovely Bones at my review page at Epinions.com.
...tom...
.
No. Not a review of the recently released film. But my thoughts about the novel on which the film is based.
The Lovely Bones does not waste your time. Seventeen words into the story you learn of the ultimate horror:
"My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name Susie.
I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973."
By the end of this first chapter Susie Salmon is dead and you know the murderer.
I can tell you this 'spoiler', author Alice Sebold can write this 'spoiler', because The Lovely Bones is so much more about the loss of a loved daughter, sister, friend than it is about 'who-done-it'. So much more about everyday moments of grief that erode the strong foundations of a family, moments of grief that break the strong bond between husband and wife, moments of grief that fracture the the strong love of a mother for her children. The Lovely Bones is so much more about budding youth and innocence lost than it is about police, chase, clues, law-and-order.
Lured, raped, murdered, dismembered, hidden . . .perhaps never to be found, Susie narrates this tale from the safe, comforting confines of her heaven. Did you know everyone has their own 'personal' heaven? Susie's heaven is the imagined environs of a High School campus that the earth-bound—the murdered—Susie will never know. She shares her heaven with others, their heavenly desires intersecting with hers. Music, playful dogs, peppermint ice cream, glorious sunsets fill her heaven. From the gazebo of her heaven ("our neighbors, the O'Dwyers, had had a gazebo. I had grown up jealous for one") she watches the earthly world she will never walk again.
Read the rest of my review of The Lovely Bones at my review page at Epinions.com.
...tom...
.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Do the Right Thing...
...
They are the hot topics of today: the economy, health care, the war on terror, energy, taxes. They were hot topics in the last presidential election cycle; Nostradamus is not needed to predict they will remain hot topics for many years, and many elections, to come.
Mike Huckabee, former Baptist pastor and Republican Governor of the Democrat-controlled state of Arkansas, shares his thoughts on these topics and more in Do the Right Thing: Inside the Movement That's Bringing Common Sense Back to America. As the book is subtitled, he shares his view from inside the movement and from his perspective as a past candidate for the highest office in the land.
There have been other calls for 'common sense' in government: the seminal call of Thomas Paine in 1776 in his pamphlet Common Sense,
... the liberal views of Dr. John Ekerd found in A Return to Common Sense, and the conservative rantings of Glenn Beck in his Common Sense: ... book.
The thing about common sense is ...it is not so common, a thought attributed to many over the years, Sun Tzu, Euripedes, and Voltaire among them. This tasks the reader of any tome calling for 'common sense' to measure the validity of the author's plea and motivation.
Mike Huckabee roots his call to "do the right thing" in his experiences during the 2008 Republican presidential primary campaign. In a long and winding tale that is at times biographical, at times a travelogue, at times a 'psychology 101' tome, and at times history lesson he never leaves his reader lost or bored.
...
Read the rest of my review of Do the Right Thing: Inside the Movement That's Bringing Common Sense Back to America at my review page at Epinions.com.
...tom...
.
They are the hot topics of today: the economy, health care, the war on terror, energy, taxes. They were hot topics in the last presidential election cycle; Nostradamus is not needed to predict they will remain hot topics for many years, and many elections, to come.
Mike Huckabee, former Baptist pastor and Republican Governor of the Democrat-controlled state of Arkansas, shares his thoughts on these topics and more in Do the Right Thing: Inside the Movement That's Bringing Common Sense Back to America. As the book is subtitled, he shares his view from inside the movement and from his perspective as a past candidate for the highest office in the land.
There have been other calls for 'common sense' in government: the seminal call of Thomas Paine in 1776 in his pamphlet Common Sense,
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
... the liberal views of Dr. John Ekerd found in A Return to Common Sense, and the conservative rantings of Glenn Beck in his Common Sense: ... book.
The thing about common sense is ...it is not so common, a thought attributed to many over the years, Sun Tzu, Euripedes, and Voltaire among them. This tasks the reader of any tome calling for 'common sense' to measure the validity of the author's plea and motivation.
Mike Huckabee roots his call to "do the right thing" in his experiences during the 2008 Republican presidential primary campaign. In a long and winding tale that is at times biographical, at times a travelogue, at times a 'psychology 101' tome, and at times history lesson he never leaves his reader lost or bored.
...
Read the rest of my review of Do the Right Thing: Inside the Movement That's Bringing Common Sense Back to America at my review page at Epinions.com.
...tom...
.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Christmas fever redux...
...
For some reason I just seem to have had a rekindling of my Christmas spirit...
Surely it could not have been finding this pic that perked up my mistletoe..?!?
.
...please scroll down . . .hey, it is a cheap ploy to build some suspense...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Picture is from the website of the Bakken Amusement Park in Klampenborg, Denmark.
Apparently each July, for forty-some years now, they have a gathering of Fathers Christmas & Christmas Elves ...to celebrate the off-season I guess. See this webpage for more information in English. Or the Danish website here, with a direct link to the Christmas pages found here.
Almost enough to make me believe in the big guy again...
...tom...
.
For some reason I just seem to have had a rekindling of my Christmas spirit...
Surely it could not have been finding this pic that perked up my mistletoe..?!?
.
...please scroll down . . .hey, it is a cheap ploy to build some suspense...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Picture is from the website of the Bakken Amusement Park in Klampenborg, Denmark.
Apparently each July, for forty-some years now, they have a gathering of Fathers Christmas & Christmas Elves ...to celebrate the off-season I guess. See this webpage for more information in English. Or the Danish website here, with a direct link to the Christmas pages found here.
Almost enough to make me believe in the big guy again...
...tom...
.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Ink, Paper, Holiday gift ideas...
...
One of the earliest Christmas presents I remember receiving as a child was a set of Hardy Boys mystery books. One in particular, about a lost gold mine, really caught my imagination. I have never been able to pin that early memory down to one specific book but the imagined world of the Hardy boys swallowed me up. Frank and Joe were my BFF.
From that gift, and probably others before it and many since, has grown a love of books, their words, and their images, both on the page and in the mind. That so many writers are able to create and 'bring alive' both fiction and reality is a wonder to me.
It is no coincidence that decades later I found myself writing a silly review of another book--a tale I had loved forever--and posting it as my first review ... on Epinions.
Since that pitiful start years ago I have kept the focus of my 'Epinions time' on writing book reviews and reading the reviews of others.
In that time I have found myself reading so many wonderful reviews of books that I just knew I had to read . . .but sadly, most remain unread.
Regardless, these reviews were gifts to me. As a pointer to this book or that one, as a brief moment enjoying the thoughts of another Epinions member about a favorite or not-so-favorite book. Any 'book lover' loves to hear the thoughts of others about their favorite books ...and books they have never heard of before. Those shared thoughts are true gifts any day of the year. Those are gifts I find every day here on Epinions for all to enjoy.
In that spirit I will share some links to reviews of books that I have loved discovering and reading here. These are links to reviews and 'bottom lines' from some of the most helpful book reviews I have found on this site. I guarantee that if you click on one or ten you will find a gift suitable for some member of your extended 'gift-giving tree'.
Who would not love a charming book for Christmas..??
Always a mix of sweetness and sorrow
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
review by befus
The Bottom Line: A wonderful book to read and to savor, and to enjoy with a young person you love.
Tori Amos Inspired This Female Empowerment Poetry...Written by a Man
Blueberry Girl by Neil Gaiman
review by smiles33
The Bottom Line: Beautifully illustrated, this poem celebrates young girls becoming strong and independent women. It would be a unique gift for pregnant moms and likely to captivate older girls.
Letters of Love to Christopher Reeve ~ Care Packages
... by Dana Reeve
review by Jev04again
The Bottom Line: This book has it all – touching moments, humor, surprise, spirit, and above all else – abiding love.
--snip--
Make sure to read the rest of my book gift idea essay:
Paper, ink . . .and the journey of a lifetime..!!
. . .at Epinions dot com
--snip--
The Bottom Line
So there ya go. A 'baker's dozen' of the fifty-some book reviews that I have rated 'Most Helpful' here on Epinions.
Click one, click 'em all ...and read. If none of them inspires you to click a shopping link to consider the possibility of gifting one of your loved ones . . .then I have failed my task here miserably. My task in this essay and my task on Epinions for the last 9-plus years.
But not to worry ...I guarantee you will find at least one to be just the right book for someone on your gift list . . .or even for yourself.
Enjoy.
One of the earliest Christmas presents I remember receiving as a child was a set of Hardy Boys mystery books. One in particular, about a lost gold mine, really caught my imagination. I have never been able to pin that early memory down to one specific book but the imagined world of the Hardy boys swallowed me up. Frank and Joe were my BFF.
From that gift, and probably others before it and many since, has grown a love of books, their words, and their images, both on the page and in the mind. That so many writers are able to create and 'bring alive' both fiction and reality is a wonder to me.
It is no coincidence that decades later I found myself writing a silly review of another book--a tale I had loved forever--and posting it as my first review ... on Epinions.
Since that pitiful start years ago I have kept the focus of my 'Epinions time' on writing book reviews and reading the reviews of others.
In that time I have found myself reading so many wonderful reviews of books that I just knew I had to read . . .but sadly, most remain unread.
Regardless, these reviews were gifts to me. As a pointer to this book or that one, as a brief moment enjoying the thoughts of another Epinions member about a favorite or not-so-favorite book. Any 'book lover' loves to hear the thoughts of others about their favorite books ...and books they have never heard of before. Those shared thoughts are true gifts any day of the year. Those are gifts I find every day here on Epinions for all to enjoy.
Image courtesy of jurvetson at flickr.com
In that spirit I will share some links to reviews of books that I have loved discovering and reading here. These are links to reviews and 'bottom lines' from some of the most helpful book reviews I have found on this site. I guarantee that if you click on one or ten you will find a gift suitable for some member of your extended 'gift-giving tree'.
Who would not love a charming book for Christmas..??
Always a mix of sweetness and sorrow
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
review by befus
The Bottom Line: A wonderful book to read and to savor, and to enjoy with a young person you love.
Tori Amos Inspired This Female Empowerment Poetry...Written by a Man
Blueberry Girl by Neil Gaiman
review by smiles33
The Bottom Line: Beautifully illustrated, this poem celebrates young girls becoming strong and independent women. It would be a unique gift for pregnant moms and likely to captivate older girls.
Letters of Love to Christopher Reeve ~ Care Packages
... by Dana Reeve
review by Jev04again
The Bottom Line: This book has it all – touching moments, humor, surprise, spirit, and above all else – abiding love.
--snip--
Make sure to read the rest of my book gift idea essay:
Paper, ink . . .and the journey of a lifetime..!!
. . .at Epinions dot com
--snip--
The Bottom Line
So there ya go. A 'baker's dozen' of the fifty-some book reviews that I have rated 'Most Helpful' here on Epinions.
Click one, click 'em all ...and read. If none of them inspires you to click a shopping link to consider the possibility of gifting one of your loved ones . . .then I have failed my task here miserably. My task in this essay and my task on Epinions for the last 9-plus years.
But not to worry ...I guarantee you will find at least one to be just the right book for someone on your gift list . . .or even for yourself.
Enjoy.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Comfort and Joy
...
Lifetime cable network is currently in the midst of their 'Falalala Lifetime movie marathon' for the holiday season. If you need your first light dose(s) of holiday schmaltz/cheer ...flip the channel over to Lifetime. (Can I use 'schmaltz' to describe a Christmas-time movie..?? Is that kosher..??)
Jane (Nancy McKeon) is a yuppie career businesswoman, too busy enjoying the perks of her VP position for a family life. And her boyfriend ...what a jerk. Flirting with other women right in front of her, taking business calls on his Bluetooth, refusing to turn it off for her while they dine out. I know he is screwing around behind her back. Scumbucket.
On Christmas Eve she slides her car on a snowy street and crashes. Coming to, she finds her husband(!!) opening the door and helping her out of the car. She has crashed right in front of their house. Well, his house. No ...their house.
Husband, house, two kids . . .everything but a dog..!! What is this strange world she now lives in..??
It is movie time with sleeper..!!
Of course, she immediately tries to touch bases with the people in her 'old' life. Her secretary at work knows her ...but not in the same situation she remembers. Her boss at work has no idea who she is, certainly not as one of his VPs. Someone else is living in her apartment.
Luckily her parents still remember her. Veteran character actor Paul Dooley and TV-veteran Dixie Carter (best remembered as Julia Sugarbaker / Designing Women) are delightful in limited roles. Though they do little to help Jane adjust to her new life.
Will Jane ever accept what has somehow happened..?? Will she ever recapture the ten years she has apparently lost..?? Will her husband Sam (Steven Eckholdt) worm his way back into her heart..?? Will her kids find the Mom they know and love inside this now-amnesiac mom..??
.
.
.
Read the rest of my review of Comfort and Joy at my review page on Epinions.com.
...tom...
.
Lifetime cable network is currently in the midst of their 'Falalala Lifetime movie marathon' for the holiday season. If you need your first light dose(s) of holiday schmaltz/cheer ...flip the channel over to Lifetime. (Can I use 'schmaltz' to describe a Christmas-time movie..?? Is that kosher..??)
Jane (Nancy McKeon) is a yuppie career businesswoman, too busy enjoying the perks of her VP position for a family life. And her boyfriend ...what a jerk. Flirting with other women right in front of her, taking business calls on his Bluetooth, refusing to turn it off for her while they dine out. I know he is screwing around behind her back. Scumbucket.
On Christmas Eve she slides her car on a snowy street and crashes. Coming to, she finds her husband(!!) opening the door and helping her out of the car. She has crashed right in front of their house. Well, his house. No ...their house.
Husband, house, two kids . . .everything but a dog..!! What is this strange world she now lives in..??
It is movie time with sleeper..!!
Image courtesy of eye of einstein at flickr.com.net
Of course, she immediately tries to touch bases with the people in her 'old' life. Her secretary at work knows her ...but not in the same situation she remembers. Her boss at work has no idea who she is, certainly not as one of his VPs. Someone else is living in her apartment.
Luckily her parents still remember her. Veteran character actor Paul Dooley and TV-veteran Dixie Carter (best remembered as Julia Sugarbaker / Designing Women) are delightful in limited roles. Though they do little to help Jane adjust to her new life.
Will Jane ever accept what has somehow happened..?? Will she ever recapture the ten years she has apparently lost..?? Will her husband Sam (Steven Eckholdt) worm his way back into her heart..?? Will her kids find the Mom they know and love inside this now-amnesiac mom..??
.
.
.
Read the rest of my review of Comfort and Joy at my review page on Epinions.com.
...tom...
.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Pink Glove Dance...
...
Something fun and catchy, just because.
. . .and because it is for a good purpose...
If only my 'hospital employer' was this fun..!!
Hat tip to dianapinions at Epinions dot com.
...tom...
.
Something fun and catchy, just because.
. . .and because it is for a good purpose...
If only my 'hospital employer' was this fun..!!
Hat tip to dianapinions at Epinions dot com.
...tom...
.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
100 words almost everyone confuses & misuses
...
The large precinct room was open and claustrophobic at the same time. Large, solid columns spaced too close together told you immediately this was not modern construction. Old worn chairs butted up against too-small desks piled too high with papers, folders, and open, crumb-filled donut boxes. From the overflowing trashcans it was hard to tell when the cleaning crew had last been through.
From a desk near the back the tired (even at this early hour) police captain pointed a bony finger at a sergeant and beckoned him over.
Murphy, get over here..!!
Yes cap'n..??
Whadda ya mean 'yes cap'n'..?! Give me your report, damn it..!!
Sorry captain.
He quickly jabbed both hands into his pockets. One eventually found and drew out a wrinkled sheet of paper; the other came out empty, going to his forehead to wipe a thin film of sweat from his furrowed brow.
We done what you ordered, captain. Me and Lebowski rounded up all the (his eyes dropped to the crumpled paper and he slowly, almost moving his lips, read the words...) we rounded up the '100 words almost everyone confuses & misuses'. I got the list of 'em right here.
A wordle of the words used in: 100 words almost everyone confuses & misuses
Image courtesy of wordle.net
He stuck the sheet out toward his captain, but when he showed no interest Murphy pulled his hand back. He waited impatiently, his eyes had the look of a dog's eyes, waiting for a reward after obeying a command.
The captain slumped deeper into his chair, if that was possible. This was really the best man I had for this job..?? he thought.
Read the rest of my review of 100 words almost everyone confuses & misuses at my review page at Epinions.com.
...tom...
The large precinct room was open and claustrophobic at the same time. Large, solid columns spaced too close together told you immediately this was not modern construction. Old worn chairs butted up against too-small desks piled too high with papers, folders, and open, crumb-filled donut boxes. From the overflowing trashcans it was hard to tell when the cleaning crew had last been through.
From a desk near the back the tired (even at this early hour) police captain pointed a bony finger at a sergeant and beckoned him over.
Murphy, get over here..!!
Yes cap'n..??
Whadda ya mean 'yes cap'n'..?! Give me your report, damn it..!!
Sorry captain.
He quickly jabbed both hands into his pockets. One eventually found and drew out a wrinkled sheet of paper; the other came out empty, going to his forehead to wipe a thin film of sweat from his furrowed brow.
We done what you ordered, captain. Me and Lebowski rounded up all the (his eyes dropped to the crumpled paper and he slowly, almost moving his lips, read the words...) we rounded up the '100 words almost everyone confuses & misuses'. I got the list of 'em right here.
A wordle of the words used in: 100 words almost everyone confuses & misusesImage courtesy of wordle.net
He stuck the sheet out toward his captain, but when he showed no interest Murphy pulled his hand back. He waited impatiently, his eyes had the look of a dog's eyes, waiting for a reward after obeying a command.
The captain slumped deeper into his chair, if that was possible. This was really the best man I had for this job..?? he thought.
Read the rest of my review of 100 words almost everyone confuses & misuses at my review page at Epinions.com.
...tom...
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Gaylord Texan Hotel/Resort
...
When I volunteered at my workplace to travel out of state for special training I had no idea of the sweet perquisites that would come with it.
Traveling to the Dallas area and staying at the Gaylord Texan Hotel and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas was the best part of the experience. If only that annoying 'workplace training' nonsense had not kept getting in the way of really enjoying myself..!!
The Gaylord Texan is one of four colossal U.S. resort facilities operated by the Gaylord Hotel corporation. At their website, the company's founding and ongoing business philosophy is said to be recognized as the "only multi-property hospitality company guided by a single focus: extraordinary meetings and conventions."
With 1500-plus rooms it might seem it would be easy to feel that you would be lost as an individual guest. But I never felt that way. Every question or need I had was met with prompt and helpful answers or solutions. I am sure part of that was simply the fact I was but one guest sponsored by a much larger local corporation that provides hundreds of guests per year at six nights each. It surely represents a business niche worth protecting.
.
...Read the rest of the review at my Epinions dot com review page.
...tom...
.
When I volunteered at my workplace to travel out of state for special training I had no idea of the sweet perquisites that would come with it.
Traveling to the Dallas area and staying at the Gaylord Texan Hotel and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas was the best part of the experience. If only that annoying 'workplace training' nonsense had not kept getting in the way of really enjoying myself..!!
The Gaylord Texan is one of four colossal U.S. resort facilities operated by the Gaylord Hotel corporation. At their website, the company's founding and ongoing business philosophy is said to be recognized as the "only multi-property hospitality company guided by a single focus: extraordinary meetings and conventions."
View of hotel atrium, from a ninth-floor room. Image source: tripadvisor dot com
With 1500-plus rooms it might seem it would be easy to feel that you would be lost as an individual guest. But I never felt that way. Every question or need I had was met with prompt and helpful answers or solutions. I am sure part of that was simply the fact I was but one guest sponsored by a much larger local corporation that provides hundreds of guests per year at six nights each. It surely represents a business niche worth protecting.
.
...Read the rest of the review at my Epinions dot com review page.
...tom...
.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Route 66 Backroads || journeys from 'the Mother Road'
...
'Route 66'
The name conjures an icon of the American way of life: always on the road seeking the next grand vista ...the next travel adventure, breaking through all obstacles of geography, climate, and native populations unfortunate enough to stand in the way of manifest destiny.
As the Old West and the frontier vanished and the automobile became a fixture in American life, Route 66 became the 'Mother Road' of the American dream. "From Chicago to Santa Monica, Route 66 Backroads takes you on a tour of the Main Street of America and beyond."
... snip ...
The Bottom Line
So how does Backroads work, as a total package..??
.
...Read the rest of the review at my Epinions dot com review page.
...tom...
.
'Route 66'
The name conjures an icon of the American way of life: always on the road seeking the next grand vista ...the next travel adventure, breaking through all obstacles of geography, climate, and native populations unfortunate enough to stand in the way of manifest destiny.
As the Old West and the frontier vanished and the automobile became a fixture in American life, Route 66 became the 'Mother Road' of the American dream. "From Chicago to Santa Monica, Route 66 Backroads takes you on a tour of the Main Street of America and beyond."
Image source: kbeeg at flickr.com
... snip ...
The Bottom Line
So how does Backroads work, as a total package..??
.
...Read the rest of the review at my Epinions dot com review page.
...tom...
.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Customer service is NOT dead...
...
I am on the generic Amazon dot com customer e-mail list. Occasionally users receive offers and suggestions for products based on their previous purchases and ratings at the site.
Several days ago I received an e-mail with this one, 100 Words for Lovers. as a featured product for me.
Any reader of this blog would know this is a product that might interest me, no surprise there. But what was a surprise was the fact it was tagged with a '1% Off' 'sticker'.
My gawd..!! 1 percent..!! Quick, do the math, six cents..!! Be still my beating heart..!!
Well, that was just too rich and too silly to let pass 'uncommented'. So I dug through the Amazon website, found the customer service email address and dashed off a quick note to them:
I mean, I just had to thank them for their marketing savvy..!!
They state at the site that they will try to respond in less than 24 hours . . .and respond they did:
...sigh...
"...and it's great to know we've succeeded."
Well, I guess I should have expected the 'form letter approach' rather than a 'yeah, that is a pretty silly offer, ehh..??' reply.
Go get 'em, Amazon dot com. You certainly wowed this customer.
...tom...
.
I am on the generic Amazon dot com customer e-mail list. Occasionally users receive offers and suggestions for products based on their previous purchases and ratings at the site.
Several days ago I received an e-mail with this one, 100 Words for Lovers. as a featured product for me.
Any reader of this blog would know this is a product that might interest me, no surprise there. But what was a surprise was the fact it was tagged with a '1% Off' 'sticker'.
My gawd..!! 1 percent..!! Quick, do the math, six cents..!! Be still my beating heart..!!
Well, that was just too rich and too silly to let pass 'uncommented'. So I dug through the Amazon website, found the customer service email address and dashed off a quick note to them:
hey there...
I appreciate in these tough economic times that you are going all out to help the struggling consumer.
Your recent e-mail notice of a $5.95 book offered at 1% off is a great example. It is not every day that a consumer can save _six_cents_ on a purchase. I mean, every penny counts . . .I guess.
So thanks again.
...tom...
I mean, I just had to thank them for their marketing savvy..!!
They state at the site that they will try to respond in less than 24 hours . . .and respond they did:
Hello,
Thanks for sending us your comments! We want to provide service on a level customers will remember, and it's great to know we've succeeded.
We look forward to filling your next order!
Please let us know if this e-mail resolved your question:
--snip--
Best regards,
Anu S.
Amazon.com
We're Building Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company
...sigh...
"...and it's great to know we've succeeded."
Well, I guess I should have expected the 'form letter approach' rather than a 'yeah, that is a pretty silly offer, ehh..??' reply.
Go get 'em, Amazon dot com. You certainly wowed this customer.
...tom...
.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
My desktop, October 15, 2009...
...
Yes, there is a theme here. Astronomy pics often take my breath away. Particularly those of Astronomy Picture of the Day. The one shared here is from September 27, 2009.
At about 100 meters from the cargo bay of the space shuttle Challenger, Bruce McCandless II was farther out than anyone had ever been before. Guided by a Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU), astronaut McCandless, pictured above, was floating free in space. McCandless and fellow NASA astronaut Robert Stewart were the first to experience such an "untethered space walk" during Space Shuttle mission 41-B in 1984. The MMU works by shooting jets of nitrogen and has since been used to help deploy and retrieve satellites. With a mass over 140 kilograms, an MMU is heavy on Earth, but, like everything, is weightless when drifting in orbit. The MMU was replaced with the SAFER backpack propulsion unit.
Beautiful, just beautiful. Certain worthy of greeting me each day as I sign onto my home computer...
...tom...
.
Yes, there is a theme here. Astronomy pics often take my breath away. Particularly those of Astronomy Picture of the Day. The one shared here is from September 27, 2009.
At about 100 meters from the cargo bay of the space shuttle Challenger, Bruce McCandless II was farther out than anyone had ever been before. Guided by a Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU), astronaut McCandless, pictured above, was floating free in space. McCandless and fellow NASA astronaut Robert Stewart were the first to experience such an "untethered space walk" during Space Shuttle mission 41-B in 1984. The MMU works by shooting jets of nitrogen and has since been used to help deploy and retrieve satellites. With a mass over 140 kilograms, an MMU is heavy on Earth, but, like everything, is weightless when drifting in orbit. The MMU was replaced with the SAFER backpack propulsion unit.
Beautiful, just beautiful. Certain worthy of greeting me each day as I sign onto my home computer...
...tom...
.
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