Party in the USA
Miley Cyrus
Performed in American Sign Language
Does that guy look like the happiest person alive?
via BCC
Friday, October 30, 2009
Family Fun
We went to the pumpkin patch for an afternoon of family fun.
It was all slides, corn mazes, and other hands on entertainment.
I did manage to catch this image.
It seems I was the only one bothered/amused by this odd juxtaposition of images.
On Gender and Sexuality
Re: Why JT is Awesome
So Lisa has outgrown her little weight set but we are not quite ready for the big stuff yet. So while perusing the on-line bulletin board at work I saw a Bowflex for $250 and I snapped it up. After getting it set up in the dining room (yes, the dining room. Lisa is so dedicated she packed the table off to the basement) we began reading the manuals. Of course they have a very well-built shirtless young man working out with the machine in all the demonstration pictures.
So Lisa has outgrown her little weight set but we are not quite ready for the big stuff yet. So while perusing the on-line bulletin board at work I saw a Bowflex for $250 and I snapped it up. After getting it set up in the dining room (yes, the dining room. Lisa is so dedicated she packed the table off to the basement) we began reading the manuals. Of course they have a very well-built shirtless young man working out with the machine in all the demonstration pictures.
Me to Lisa: Hey, that guy looks just like me. We could be twins.
JT, looking at the manual with Lisa: No Dad, he is much manlier than you.
I Love you too buddy.
Then riding in the car JT hears Bonnie talking with Lisa about going out with her girlfriends back in California.
JT: Girlfriends? I didn’t know you were a lesbian.
I do not know the gender of these two, it just was cute and I wanted to use it.
This was quickly followed by a conversation about Bonnie's work as a nurse.
Bonnie: I was dispensing drugs to a patient.
JT: You use drugs too!?!?!?!
Yeah, that’s right JT. Your Aunt Bonnie is a Bisexual Drug Abuser.
The parties must be great!
All the Women Agree
I was using the restroom at work the other day and I noticed on top of the urinal was a coffee cup ring. That means a previous patron of the porcelain* had placed his coffee on the top as he made a deposit.
All my coworkers agree – just plain icky.
*sweet alliteration
Bonus Toilet Shot
Don’t You Love Me Anymore?
With the rise of social media like Facebook and Twitter, we have a corresponding rise in digital rejection. Not surprisingly, this CNN article explains that online rejection feels just as bad if not worse than real life rejection.
"I think the thing that is often clearly worse online is when it's relatively anonymous, and people use that as a cover and are more cruel than they would be otherwise," said Jean Twenge, a University of San Diego psychologist who has studied the way social networking affects personality development.
And then we have this UCLA Researcher;
"If you'd asked me a few years ago if you'd get the same effect online as you would in person, I'd say no way," Baldwin Way said. "I thought doing something in person would have stronger effects than doing something online, but interesting data has come out in the last few years that show mental representations are just as powerful as the real thing."
Of course since I started this blog and using Facebook I have experienced various forms of online rejection, but I know I can be an obnoxious a-hole like all the time so it is to be expected. That said, two stand out particularly.
A former sister missionary from my England Coventry days that I didn’t know very well had friended me through the mission facebook group. Now I generally I do not keep up with people’s facebook accounts beyond the initial checking out of the photographs (just to see how many kids they’ve got and how old they look). What I usually do is to read through the recent status updates on my front page and make comments where appropriate.
One day I saw a post by this woman about how tired & rundown she was, plus she also needed to lose weight. Did anyone one have any suggestions? So I naturally commented that I had heard good things about Crystal Meth. Ha ha – I know. Pretty much the standard drivel I am known for, but by the end of the day she had defriended me. Now that doesn’t bother me much at all because I didn’t know her very well, but at the same time she justified every stereotype about the uptight, persnickety, self-righteous Utah Molly Mormon ever said. So I find it very funny and I will get a lot of mileage out of that story for years to come. (To be fair I was using a heavily tattooed and pierced face as my picture too – very scary to the MoMo behind the Zion curtain).
Case two involves a church member from my teenage youth. They are a year younger than me and even though I have tried to make contact with them over the years they have always just ignored me. I used to excuse it by saying they obviously are not involved much with the online community, but alas they maintain an active blog and participate on facebook. They are also friends with just about all the people I am from that same time period. The only conclusion I can draw is that at sometime I really offend them – I just do not know how. I do not doubt that I did something; it is just frustrating knowing that I can’t even try to make amends.
The article finishes with this advice:
"You have no facial expression online; you have no tone of voice online; it's very easy to misinterpret phrasing in an e-mail. You have to be very careful about your wording and be more explicit with people when you're making or removing connections," Sepp said. "That's why it's so important to connect with people that you actually know."
So please remember I never intentionally try to tick off specific individuals online, so if you think I was just ask for an explanation. More than likely it was my self amusing sense of humor falling flat with the masses. Remember ME = OBNOXIOUS… If you don’t believe me I can give references (like Lisa).
As far as facebook goes, please feel free to friend me. I maintain two accounts, one for personal stuff and photos, and one for all mafia wars all the time. If either of those interest you just email me and I will send you the information.
"I think the thing that is often clearly worse online is when it's relatively anonymous, and people use that as a cover and are more cruel than they would be otherwise," said Jean Twenge, a University of San Diego psychologist who has studied the way social networking affects personality development.
And then we have this UCLA Researcher;
"If you'd asked me a few years ago if you'd get the same effect online as you would in person, I'd say no way," Baldwin Way said. "I thought doing something in person would have stronger effects than doing something online, but interesting data has come out in the last few years that show mental representations are just as powerful as the real thing."
Of course since I started this blog and using Facebook I have experienced various forms of online rejection, but I know I can be an obnoxious a-hole like all the time so it is to be expected. That said, two stand out particularly.
A former sister missionary from my England Coventry days that I didn’t know very well had friended me through the mission facebook group. Now I generally I do not keep up with people’s facebook accounts beyond the initial checking out of the photographs (just to see how many kids they’ve got and how old they look). What I usually do is to read through the recent status updates on my front page and make comments where appropriate.
One day I saw a post by this woman about how tired & rundown she was, plus she also needed to lose weight. Did anyone one have any suggestions? So I naturally commented that I had heard good things about Crystal Meth. Ha ha – I know. Pretty much the standard drivel I am known for, but by the end of the day she had defriended me. Now that doesn’t bother me much at all because I didn’t know her very well, but at the same time she justified every stereotype about the uptight, persnickety, self-righteous Utah Molly Mormon ever said. So I find it very funny and I will get a lot of mileage out of that story for years to come. (To be fair I was using a heavily tattooed and pierced face as my picture too – very scary to the MoMo behind the Zion curtain).
Case two involves a church member from my teenage youth. They are a year younger than me and even though I have tried to make contact with them over the years they have always just ignored me. I used to excuse it by saying they obviously are not involved much with the online community, but alas they maintain an active blog and participate on facebook. They are also friends with just about all the people I am from that same time period. The only conclusion I can draw is that at sometime I really offend them – I just do not know how. I do not doubt that I did something; it is just frustrating knowing that I can’t even try to make amends.
The article finishes with this advice:
"You have no facial expression online; you have no tone of voice online; it's very easy to misinterpret phrasing in an e-mail. You have to be very careful about your wording and be more explicit with people when you're making or removing connections," Sepp said. "That's why it's so important to connect with people that you actually know."
So please remember I never intentionally try to tick off specific individuals online, so if you think I was just ask for an explanation. More than likely it was my self amusing sense of humor falling flat with the masses. Remember ME = OBNOXIOUS… If you don’t believe me I can give references (like Lisa).
As far as facebook goes, please feel free to friend me. I maintain two accounts, one for personal stuff and photos, and one for all mafia wars all the time. If either of those interest you just email me and I will send you the information.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Most Awesome Thing I Saw On The Internet Today - Thursday
Just in time for Halloween is the home made dinner treat - MEAT HAND!!!!
Full post on the how to with lots of pictures can be found at the Not Martha blog.
These two yahoos from Iowa were to cheap to get face masks before robbing an apartment, so they used PERMANENT MARKER instead.
Surprisingly the police were quickly able to identify them???
via Arbroath
Now if you have HS kids like us, then you will recognize the original of this song.
via List of the Day
Just Plain Cute
Maintainence Issues
A long time ago I was asked at church by the powers to be to start a Ward blog. I said I would but stipulated that it would require regular participation from said powers among others. No problem they said. But after a couple 100 posts by me and no other participation I was about to give up. I decided to move out on my own and personally invited over a dozen individuals to help out and with one lone exception (thanks Renee - you are awesome) they completely ignored my requests. So I am in the process of killing it and bringing over all the links and content worth saving here.
So hence the lull in posts here as I have been dealing with that among other things. I am also expanding my links on the side posts, so if you want your blog listed email me and it shall be done.
Thank you for your patience and I will hopefully have regular content again (I do have three more book reviews to post but you have already had two today already - I will hold them for now).
So hence the lull in posts here as I have been dealing with that among other things. I am also expanding my links on the side posts, so if you want your blog listed email me and it shall be done.
Thank you for your patience and I will hopefully have regular content again (I do have three more book reviews to post but you have already had two today already - I will hold them for now).
Most Awesome Thing I Saw On The Internet Today
I am going to try a new regular post where I will attached links to the stuff I really liked that day.
To start off I want to share this bulliten board post from my work's intranet. It is from the "FREE" board and has the following content:
One of our 2 farm cats had her first baby late this summer. I am afraid it won't survive outside in a Minnesota winter so I would like to give it away to a home that will keep it indoors. It is completely black with light gray tiger striping on its back. It does eat cat food but it is not litter box trained as it is living under our front steps. It's very friendly and purrs loudly when pet and is probably about 2 months old. I don't have a picture of it but it looks very similar to the kitten on the left of the attached photo. I don't recall which sex it is either.
Maybe I am not a cat person but the attached picture with the above qualifier (in bold) made me laugh for a good long time.
To start off I want to share this bulliten board post from my work's intranet. It is from the "FREE" board and has the following content:
One of our 2 farm cats had her first baby late this summer. I am afraid it won't survive outside in a Minnesota winter so I would like to give it away to a home that will keep it indoors. It is completely black with light gray tiger striping on its back. It does eat cat food but it is not litter box trained as it is living under our front steps. It's very friendly and purrs loudly when pet and is probably about 2 months old. I don't have a picture of it but it looks very similar to the kitten on the left of the attached photo. I don't recall which sex it is either.
Maybe I am not a cat person but the attached picture with the above qualifier (in bold) made me laugh for a good long time.
Yeah, that one on the left is sooooooo distinctive!
Gods Behaving Badly - Book #97
-------------+----------------------------------------
Title Gods Behaving Badly
-------------+----------------------------------------
Author Marie Phillips
-------------+----------------------------------------
Genre Fiction
-------------+----------------------------------------
Pages 292
-------------+----------------------------------------
Publisher Little, Brown and Company
-------------+----------------------------------------
Copyright 2007
-------------+----------------------------------------
Synopsis (from web-site)
Being a Greek god is not all it once was. Yes, the twelve gods of Olympus are alive and well in the twenty-first century, but they are crammed together in a London townhouse-and none too happy about it. And they've had to get day jobs: Artemis as a dog-walker, Apollo as a TV psychic, Aphrodite as a phone sex operator, Dionysus as a DJ. Even more disturbingly, their powers are waning, and even turning mortals into trees-a favorite pastime of Apollo's-is sapping their vital reserves of strength. Soon, what begins as a minor squabble between Aphrodite and Apollo escalates into an epic battle of wills. Two perplexed humans, Alice and Neil, who are caught in the crossfire, must fear not only for their own lives, but for the survival of humankind. Nothing less than a true act of heroism is needed-but can these two decidedly ordinary people replicate the feats of the mythical heroes and save the world?
Why I read It
I liked the title and the author is English. I saw it on the GoodReads website. BTW, if you are a member of Goodreads please friend me.
The Good
Great concept. The 12 Greek Gods are all still alive and well, living in a London row house. A quirky and fun little book.
The Bad
Too Short! I wish this had been fleshed out a lot more – like 600 pages worth. Otherwise, being Gods they tend to be a little crass at times – especially Aphrodite and Apollo.
The Ugly (my opinion)
Great little book and idea. Well worth the few hours it takes to read. FYI – it has been optioned by Ben Stiller – so maybe a movie one day?
The Truth? (other reviews).
New York Times
Mormon Mentions
None
Author Biography
Marie Phillips is a British writer. Her novel Gods Behaving Badly, a comic fantasy concerning Ancient Greek Gods living in modern-day Hampstead, was first published in the UK in 2007, later becoming a bestseller in Canada. She is the daughter of Nicholas Phillips, Baron Phillips of Worth Matravers.
Title Gods Behaving Badly
-------------+----------------------------------------
Author Marie Phillips
-------------+----------------------------------------
Genre Fiction
-------------+----------------------------------------
Pages 292
-------------+----------------------------------------
Publisher Little, Brown and Company
-------------+----------------------------------------
Copyright 2007
-------------+----------------------------------------
Synopsis (from web-site)
Being a Greek god is not all it once was. Yes, the twelve gods of Olympus are alive and well in the twenty-first century, but they are crammed together in a London townhouse-and none too happy about it. And they've had to get day jobs: Artemis as a dog-walker, Apollo as a TV psychic, Aphrodite as a phone sex operator, Dionysus as a DJ. Even more disturbingly, their powers are waning, and even turning mortals into trees-a favorite pastime of Apollo's-is sapping their vital reserves of strength. Soon, what begins as a minor squabble between Aphrodite and Apollo escalates into an epic battle of wills. Two perplexed humans, Alice and Neil, who are caught in the crossfire, must fear not only for their own lives, but for the survival of humankind. Nothing less than a true act of heroism is needed-but can these two decidedly ordinary people replicate the feats of the mythical heroes and save the world?
Why I read It
I liked the title and the author is English. I saw it on the GoodReads website. BTW, if you are a member of Goodreads please friend me.
The Good
Great concept. The 12 Greek Gods are all still alive and well, living in a London row house. A quirky and fun little book.
The Bad
Too Short! I wish this had been fleshed out a lot more – like 600 pages worth. Otherwise, being Gods they tend to be a little crass at times – especially Aphrodite and Apollo.
The Ugly (my opinion)
Great little book and idea. Well worth the few hours it takes to read. FYI – it has been optioned by Ben Stiller – so maybe a movie one day?
The Truth? (other reviews).
New York Times
Mormon Mentions
None
Author Biography
Marie Phillips is a British writer. Her novel Gods Behaving Badly, a comic fantasy concerning Ancient Greek Gods living in modern-day Hampstead, was first published in the UK in 2007, later becoming a bestseller in Canada. She is the daughter of Nicholas Phillips, Baron Phillips of Worth Matravers.
TTFN - Book #96
-------------+----------------------------------------
Title Ttfn
-------------+----------------------------------------
Author Lauren Myracle
-------------+----------------------------------------
Genre Young Adult Fiction
-------------+----------------------------------------
Pages 229
-------------+----------------------------------------
Publisher Amulet Books
-------------+----------------------------------------
Copyright 2006
-------------+----------------------------------------
Synopsis (from web-site)
Told entirely in instant messages, this sequel to the hugely popular "ttyl" follows Maddie, Zoe, and Angela through the new flirtations, fixations, and frustrations of 11th grade. Now high school juniors, Zoe, Maddie, and Angela continue to share "instant messages" with one another as one of them experiments with marijuana, another gets her first boyfriend, and the third moves three thousand miles away.
Why I read It
It was on the list for most banned books, and it was part two in a series (ttyl is book 1).
The Good
Good lively discussion between our three girls; Angela, Maddie, and Zoe. Being written in all text messages the plot moves very quickly. Also it is a good insight into the mind of teen girls, especially given I have one rapidly on the way.
The Bad
I like the sparse style of the all text message format, but I sometimes miss all the detail you get in a traditional novel. And a lot of extreme things happen to these three young women over a very short period of time.
The Ugly (my opinion)
A good little book which can be used to understand the language of instant messaging and the minds of teen girls. I can see why some parents might be distressed by the content, but I would have no problem with my teen daughter reading it.
Why It’s Banned
Teen sex, drug use, drinking, and profanity. Plus they occasionally lie to their parents and one runs away from home. Frank talk about sexual things and brief mentions of cutting and pedophiles.
Mormon Mentions
None
Author Biography
Lauren Myracle is the author of many young adult novels. Myracle earned a BA in English and Psychology from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and after that, she worked for some time as a middle-school teacher. Myracle later earned an MA in English from Colorado State University and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College. She has written many novels, including the best-selling "IM" books, ttyl, ttfn, and l8r, g8r.
Title Ttfn
-------------+----------------------------------------
Author Lauren Myracle
-------------+----------------------------------------
Genre Young Adult Fiction
-------------+----------------------------------------
Pages 229
-------------+----------------------------------------
Publisher Amulet Books
-------------+----------------------------------------
Copyright 2006
-------------+----------------------------------------
Synopsis (from web-site)
Told entirely in instant messages, this sequel to the hugely popular "ttyl" follows Maddie, Zoe, and Angela through the new flirtations, fixations, and frustrations of 11th grade. Now high school juniors, Zoe, Maddie, and Angela continue to share "instant messages" with one another as one of them experiments with marijuana, another gets her first boyfriend, and the third moves three thousand miles away.
Why I read It
It was on the list for most banned books, and it was part two in a series (ttyl is book 1).
The Good
Good lively discussion between our three girls; Angela, Maddie, and Zoe. Being written in all text messages the plot moves very quickly. Also it is a good insight into the mind of teen girls, especially given I have one rapidly on the way.
The Bad
I like the sparse style of the all text message format, but I sometimes miss all the detail you get in a traditional novel. And a lot of extreme things happen to these three young women over a very short period of time.
The Ugly (my opinion)
A good little book which can be used to understand the language of instant messaging and the minds of teen girls. I can see why some parents might be distressed by the content, but I would have no problem with my teen daughter reading it.
Why It’s Banned
Teen sex, drug use, drinking, and profanity. Plus they occasionally lie to their parents and one runs away from home. Frank talk about sexual things and brief mentions of cutting and pedophiles.
Mormon Mentions
None
Author Biography
Lauren Myracle is the author of many young adult novels. Myracle earned a BA in English and Psychology from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and after that, she worked for some time as a middle-school teacher. Myracle later earned an MA in English from Colorado State University and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College. She has written many novels, including the best-selling "IM" books, ttyl, ttfn, and l8r, g8r.
NOTE: Only of interest to me, but book one in the series was the 69th book I read this year and this is the 96th - Pretty, pretty cool.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Night of the Barking Spiders*
I have a collection of gas related images that I have saved over the last year. They kind of speak for themselves.
*On my mission we found an old letter that a sister missionary had sent to her old companion. In it she graphically described the wonder Night of the Barking Spiders they had enjoyed.
*On my mission we found an old letter that a sister missionary had sent to her old companion. In it she graphically described the wonder Night of the Barking Spiders they had enjoyed.
Look Again
Clever, but not fooled
But this one took me a while to see the "truth"
I wish I still had an original version to check this out.
Finally, two parties I really wish I was at
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Elfish Gene - Book #95
-------------+----------------------------------------
Title The Elfish Gene: Dungeons, Dragons, and
Growing Up Strange
-------------+----------------------------------------
Author Mark Barrowcliffe
-------------+----------------------------------------
Genre Memoir
-------------+----------------------------------------
Pages 277
-------------+----------------------------------------
Publisher Soho Press
-------------+----------------------------------------
Copyright 2007
-------------+----------------------------------------
Synopsis (from web-site)
In the summer 1976, twelve-year-old Mark Barrowcliffe had a chance to be normal. He blew it. While other teenagers were being coolly rebellious, Mark—and 20 million other boys in the 1970s and 80s—chose to spend his entire adolescence pretending to be a wizard or a warrior, an evil priest or a dwarf. He had discovered Dungeons & Dragons, and his life would never be the same. No longer would he have to settle for being Mark Barrowcliffe, an ordinary awkward teenager from working-class Coventry, England; he could be Alf the Elf, Foghat the Gnome, or Effilc Worrab, an elven warrior with the head of a mule.
Armed only with pen, paper and some funny-shaped dice, this lost generation gave themselves up to the craze of fantasy role-playing games and everything that went with it—from heavy metal to magic mushrooms to believing that your bike is a horse named Shadowfax. Spat at by bullies, laughed at by girls, now they rule the world. They were the geeks, the fantasy wargamers, and this is their story.
Why I read It
I have read two of Barrowcliffe’s previous novels (Girlfriend 44 & Infidelity for First-time Fathers) and enjoyed them. I was doing a periodic check for his books on my library’s computer catalog and saw this one.
The Good
On its surface this is a memoir by a stand up comedian discussing his fascination with D&D growing up. On a deeper level this is a fantastic look on what it means to be a young man striving for adulthood. Particularly good was his recounting the loss of his best friend.
At the end of the day we cycled home, Billy ate his chips at the bottom of the hill but said he didn’t fancy coming back to my house for more gaming; he’d had enough for one day. Finally, it penetrated. Something was really wrong.
“See ya,” he said.
“See ya,” I said.
I did. Twenty-five years later.
The Bad
Being a comedian he is very funny, sometimes a little crassly so. If I could fault this book for anything I would have wanted him to push the D&D a little bit more into the background and focus on the human story a little more. But that is just showing my bias.
The Ugly (my opinion)
A funny book that is a good look at what it meant to be a youth in the earliest days of D&D, the cutting edge so to speak. Working out your own rules and helping in some respects to bring the whole role playing gaming world to where it is today.
It also helps understand (a very little bit) all of my peers who seem to be totally enamored with D&D as adults. I mean, I understand the appeal of participating in a fantasy world, the camaraderie of hanging out with your friends, and being somebody your not. It is just at the end of the day I prefer the sex with women (or in my case the woman).
FWIW, this book is not dismissive or unfair to D&D at all. So if you do play the game I think you will find this very enjoyable.
The Truth? (other reviews)
Wired
Mormon Mentions
None. But for me this was fun on a slightly different level. I spent five months of my church mission in Coventry, so my Mormon experiences opened up this story in special ways.
Author Biography
Mark Barrowcliffe grew up in Coventry, England. He worked as a stand-up comedian before writing his first hit novel, Girlfriend 44. He has written two other acclaimed comic novels, Lucky Dog and Infidelity for First-time Fathers. He lives in Brighton, England.
Title The Elfish Gene: Dungeons, Dragons, and
Growing Up Strange
-------------+----------------------------------------
Author Mark Barrowcliffe
-------------+----------------------------------------
Genre Memoir
-------------+----------------------------------------
Pages 277
-------------+----------------------------------------
Publisher Soho Press
-------------+----------------------------------------
Copyright 2007
-------------+----------------------------------------
Synopsis (from web-site)
In the summer 1976, twelve-year-old Mark Barrowcliffe had a chance to be normal. He blew it. While other teenagers were being coolly rebellious, Mark—and 20 million other boys in the 1970s and 80s—chose to spend his entire adolescence pretending to be a wizard or a warrior, an evil priest or a dwarf. He had discovered Dungeons & Dragons, and his life would never be the same. No longer would he have to settle for being Mark Barrowcliffe, an ordinary awkward teenager from working-class Coventry, England; he could be Alf the Elf, Foghat the Gnome, or Effilc Worrab, an elven warrior with the head of a mule.
Armed only with pen, paper and some funny-shaped dice, this lost generation gave themselves up to the craze of fantasy role-playing games and everything that went with it—from heavy metal to magic mushrooms to believing that your bike is a horse named Shadowfax. Spat at by bullies, laughed at by girls, now they rule the world. They were the geeks, the fantasy wargamers, and this is their story.
Why I read It
I have read two of Barrowcliffe’s previous novels (Girlfriend 44 & Infidelity for First-time Fathers) and enjoyed them. I was doing a periodic check for his books on my library’s computer catalog and saw this one.
The Good
On its surface this is a memoir by a stand up comedian discussing his fascination with D&D growing up. On a deeper level this is a fantastic look on what it means to be a young man striving for adulthood. Particularly good was his recounting the loss of his best friend.
At the end of the day we cycled home, Billy ate his chips at the bottom of the hill but said he didn’t fancy coming back to my house for more gaming; he’d had enough for one day. Finally, it penetrated. Something was really wrong.
“See ya,” he said.
“See ya,” I said.
I did. Twenty-five years later.
The Bad
Being a comedian he is very funny, sometimes a little crassly so. If I could fault this book for anything I would have wanted him to push the D&D a little bit more into the background and focus on the human story a little more. But that is just showing my bias.
The Ugly (my opinion)
A funny book that is a good look at what it meant to be a youth in the earliest days of D&D, the cutting edge so to speak. Working out your own rules and helping in some respects to bring the whole role playing gaming world to where it is today.
It also helps understand (a very little bit) all of my peers who seem to be totally enamored with D&D as adults. I mean, I understand the appeal of participating in a fantasy world, the camaraderie of hanging out with your friends, and being somebody your not. It is just at the end of the day I prefer the sex with women (or in my case the woman).
FWIW, this book is not dismissive or unfair to D&D at all. So if you do play the game I think you will find this very enjoyable.
The Truth? (other reviews)
Wired
Mormon Mentions
None. But for me this was fun on a slightly different level. I spent five months of my church mission in Coventry, so my Mormon experiences opened up this story in special ways.
Author Biography
Mark Barrowcliffe grew up in Coventry, England. He worked as a stand-up comedian before writing his first hit novel, Girlfriend 44. He has written two other acclaimed comic novels, Lucky Dog and Infidelity for First-time Fathers. He lives in Brighton, England.
I can turn in my man card now
I was really enjoying this song in the car and wondering who the new awesome rocker chick was.
Oh the shame, but at least I can party with Cenny now.
Oh the shame, but at least I can party with Cenny now.
So Wrong, So Funny
Of course there may be pending prosecution.
and here is a bonus video (it is only 30 seconds and non graphic, but very funny; especially the reactions from the car)
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
The Nothing Job - Book #94
-------------+----------------------------------------
Title The Nothing Job
-------------+----------------------------------------
Author Nick Oldham
-------------+----------------------------------------
Genre Fiction Mystery
-------------+----------------------------------------
Pages 218
-------------+----------------------------------------
Publisher Severn House
-------------+----------------------------------------
Copyright 2009
-------------+----------------------------------------
Synopsis (from web-site)
Reluctantly agreeing to track down and arrest three wanted and very dangerous criminals, DCI Henry Christie's philosophy is that anything that keeps him at the cutting edge of coppering can't be all bad. His efforts to trace these felons take him from the north of England, across the Mediterranean and then back again. But then he is unexpectedly asked to close down the investigation into a fatal police shooting in an adjoining force where a low-level gangster suspected of murder has been shot dead during a police raid. It should be a fairly straightforward job but, Henry being Henry, he never accepts anything at face value. As he delves into the
shooting, ruffling feathers as he goes, he uncovers a number of worrying connections. Failing to heed warnings to watch his back, Henry charges headlong into the midst of a terrifying conspiracy and finds himself much closer to the cutting edge than even he could have wanted...
Why I read It
I picked it off the shelf because the author’s name sounded British. The blurb on the front cover said this book belongs with any fan of British police procedurals. So it was a mystery about a British police officer – all my favorites.
The Good
The writing had good flow and the mystery was okay.
The Bad
About three quarters into the book it seemed the author was all over the place with three separate plots. In the last bit he manages to bring everything together in a contrived way. It seems he had the several plots in mind and just couldn’t pick one. The other problem, and this is just me here, it is one of an ongoing series. I really need to read the earlier works to understand the characters.
The Ugly (my opinion)
As stories go, Meh. That said I do enjoy the British police procedurals and the writing was decent. I will definitely go back and read one or two of the earlier books before passing final judgment on the author.
Mormon Mentions
None.
Author Biography
Born on 26th April 1956 in what was then the tiny village of Belthorn (actually in 65 Belthorn Road – mums were very hardy in those days), up on the moors high above Blackburn, Lancashire, Nick is the well-reviewed author of ten highly regarded crime novels featuring DCI Henry Christie, such as Nightmare City, Dead Heat, Psycho Alley and Critical Threat.
After a depressing year in a bank after leaving college, Nick joined Lancashire Constabulary at the age of 19 and served in many operational postings around the county before retiring in 2005.
He lives with his partner, Belinda, on the outskirts of Preston.
Title The Nothing Job
-------------+----------------------------------------
Author Nick Oldham
-------------+----------------------------------------
Genre Fiction Mystery
-------------+----------------------------------------
Pages 218
-------------+----------------------------------------
Publisher Severn House
-------------+----------------------------------------
Copyright 2009
-------------+----------------------------------------
Synopsis (from web-site)
Reluctantly agreeing to track down and arrest three wanted and very dangerous criminals, DCI Henry Christie's philosophy is that anything that keeps him at the cutting edge of coppering can't be all bad. His efforts to trace these felons take him from the north of England, across the Mediterranean and then back again. But then he is unexpectedly asked to close down the investigation into a fatal police shooting in an adjoining force where a low-level gangster suspected of murder has been shot dead during a police raid. It should be a fairly straightforward job but, Henry being Henry, he never accepts anything at face value. As he delves into the
shooting, ruffling feathers as he goes, he uncovers a number of worrying connections. Failing to heed warnings to watch his back, Henry charges headlong into the midst of a terrifying conspiracy and finds himself much closer to the cutting edge than even he could have wanted...
Why I read It
I picked it off the shelf because the author’s name sounded British. The blurb on the front cover said this book belongs with any fan of British police procedurals. So it was a mystery about a British police officer – all my favorites.
The Good
The writing had good flow and the mystery was okay.
The Bad
About three quarters into the book it seemed the author was all over the place with three separate plots. In the last bit he manages to bring everything together in a contrived way. It seems he had the several plots in mind and just couldn’t pick one. The other problem, and this is just me here, it is one of an ongoing series. I really need to read the earlier works to understand the characters.
The Ugly (my opinion)
As stories go, Meh. That said I do enjoy the British police procedurals and the writing was decent. I will definitely go back and read one or two of the earlier books before passing final judgment on the author.
Mormon Mentions
None.
Author Biography
Born on 26th April 1956 in what was then the tiny village of Belthorn (actually in 65 Belthorn Road – mums were very hardy in those days), up on the moors high above Blackburn, Lancashire, Nick is the well-reviewed author of ten highly regarded crime novels featuring DCI Henry Christie, such as Nightmare City, Dead Heat, Psycho Alley and Critical Threat.
After a depressing year in a bank after leaving college, Nick joined Lancashire Constabulary at the age of 19 and served in many operational postings around the county before retiring in 2005.
He lives with his partner, Belinda, on the outskirts of Preston.
A Little Bit Wicked - Book #93
-------------+----------------------------------------
Title A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and
Faith in Stages
-------------+----------------------------------------
Author Kristin Chenoweth with Joni Rodgers
-------------+----------------------------------------
Genre Biography
-------------+----------------------------------------
Pages 224
-------------+----------------------------------------
Publisher Touchstone
-------------+----------------------------------------
Copyright 2009
-------------+----------------------------------------
Synopsis (from web-site)
In this exuberant, candid memoir, entertainer Chenoweth provides an intimate look at her life as an actress, a Christian, and a small-town girl in the big city, reflecting on how faith and family have kept her grounded in the dysfunctional rodeo of show biz. color photos.
Why I read It
Kristin Chenoweth is the cutest person alive.
The Good
Very self depreciating and full of fun facts I never knew.
The Bad
Focused on the good and only briefly touched upon the bad. That said it’s her life and she can remember it anyway she wants.
The Ugly (my opinion)
A delightful book well worth the time to read. Kristin comes across as a genuinely nice person.
The Truth? (other reviews)
New York Post
Mormon Mentions
None
Author Biography
Kristin Chenoweth is an American singer, musical theatre, film, and television actress, and author. Some of her best-known roles have included her role as Sally Brown in Broadway's You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, her role as Glinda in Broadway's Wicked, and her role as Annabeth Schott in television's The West Wing. She most recently appeared in the role of Olive Snook on the ABC dramedy Pushing Daisies for which she won the 2009 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy. Chenoweth is also the face of Jude Frances jewelry.
Chenoweth has a distinctive speaking voice. In FHM's March 2006 issue, she compared her voice to that of Betty Boop.
Chenoweth is a classically trained coloratura soprano, and well known for her skilled singing technique and artistic interpretations. She has a vocal range of four octaves. Chenoweth is able to sing the note "F6" (1396.913Hz), also known as "F above High C".
Title A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and
Faith in Stages
-------------+----------------------------------------
Author Kristin Chenoweth with Joni Rodgers
-------------+----------------------------------------
Genre Biography
-------------+----------------------------------------
Pages 224
-------------+----------------------------------------
Publisher Touchstone
-------------+----------------------------------------
Copyright 2009
-------------+----------------------------------------
Synopsis (from web-site)
In this exuberant, candid memoir, entertainer Chenoweth provides an intimate look at her life as an actress, a Christian, and a small-town girl in the big city, reflecting on how faith and family have kept her grounded in the dysfunctional rodeo of show biz. color photos.
Why I read It
Kristin Chenoweth is the cutest person alive.
The Good
Very self depreciating and full of fun facts I never knew.
The Bad
Focused on the good and only briefly touched upon the bad. That said it’s her life and she can remember it anyway she wants.
The Ugly (my opinion)
A delightful book well worth the time to read. Kristin comes across as a genuinely nice person.
The Truth? (other reviews)
New York Post
Mormon Mentions
None
Author Biography
Kristin Chenoweth is an American singer, musical theatre, film, and television actress, and author. Some of her best-known roles have included her role as Sally Brown in Broadway's You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, her role as Glinda in Broadway's Wicked, and her role as Annabeth Schott in television's The West Wing. She most recently appeared in the role of Olive Snook on the ABC dramedy Pushing Daisies for which she won the 2009 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy. Chenoweth is also the face of Jude Frances jewelry.
Chenoweth has a distinctive speaking voice. In FHM's March 2006 issue, she compared her voice to that of Betty Boop.
Chenoweth is a classically trained coloratura soprano, and well known for her skilled singing technique and artistic interpretations. She has a vocal range of four octaves. Chenoweth is able to sing the note "F6" (1396.913Hz), also known as "F above High C".
Joni Rodgers is a critically acclaimed novelist and New York Times bestselling memoir guru who applies the fine art of fiction to the creation of well-crafted memoirs.
Born into a family of gospel/bluegrass musicians, Joni grew up on stage, opening for huge-haired country music legends of the 60s and 70s. She continued performing until 1994, when she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She used the chemo downtime to complete her first two novels, both of which made regional bestseller lists and were short-listed for awards. Joni's memoir, Bald in the Land of Big Hair (Harper Collins 2001), garnered glowing reviews around the world, was excerpted in Good Housekeeping, condensed by Reader’s Digest, and is now in its severalth printing. It also launched Joni's public speaking career and brought her to the attention of celebrities and others who began asking her to help them tell their stories. Film rights for the first book Joni collaborated on were optioned by Columbia; another project is currently being adapted for Broadway.
Between novels and ghostwriting projects, Joni volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and does peer counseling with other cancer survivors. She also mentors young writers through her blog, "Boxing the Octopus". Married to jet plane mechanic/wine maker Gary Rodgers since 1983, Joni is the proud mother of two fine young adults. She lives in Houston, Texas and happily commutes to both New York and LA.
Up in the Air - Book #92
-------------+----------------------------------------
Title Up in the Air
-------------+----------------------------------------
Author Walter Kirn
-------------+----------------------------------------
Genre Adult Fiction
-------------+----------------------------------------
Pages 303
-------------+----------------------------------------
Publisher Double Day
-------------+----------------------------------------
Copyright 2001
-------------+----------------------------------------
Synopsis (from web-site)
Ryan Bingham is a 35 year old career transition counselor at a Denver-based management consulting company, Integrated Strategic Management (ISM). He flies around the country firing people. Ryan is trying to get to one million frequent flyer miles before he leaves or he's fired from his employer.
He is divorced and his younger, disturbed sister is about to embark on yet another disastrous relationship. Ryan is positioning himself to be hired by MythTech, a shadowy company in Omaha.
Ryan inhabits a world of Palm Pilots, rental cars, salted almonds, Kevlar luggage and nameless suite hotels where e-mail and voice mail are the communication norm. He takes a lot of pills and spends time with women in Las Vegas. Ryan fears that someone may be furtively cashing in his precious miles, which would be tantamount to stealing his soul.
Why I read It
I heard a segment on NPR about the Toronto Film Festival in which they praised the new George Clooney movie based on this book. I always like to read books being made into movies so I picked this up.
The Good
The character was engaging and I like the idea of following a person who is a consistent air traveler.
The Bad
The plot was all over the place, and only took shallow dips in each location.
The Ugly (my opinion)
Having read the book I still have no idea what it is about. I await the movie to explain it to me.
The Truth? (other reviews)
Entertainment Weekly
Mormon Mentions
All over the place. The protagonist has a sister who lives in Salt Lake City and the LDS church is an ongoing background character. Anotherwords it is in show but doesn’t have any lines. Nothing good or bad is really said about the church, it is just there.
Author Biography
A 1983 graduate of Princeton University, he has published a collection of short stories and several novels, including Thumbsucker, which was made into a 2005 film featuring Keanu Reeves and Vince Vaughn; Up in the Air, currently in production as a feature film directed by Jason Reitman; and Mission to America. In 2005, he took over pioneer blogger Andrew Sullivan's shoes for a few weeks while Sullivan was on vacation. He has also written The Unbinding, an Internet-only novel that was posted in Slate magazine.
He has also reviewed books for New York magazine and has written for The New York Times Book Review and New York Times Sunday Magazine, and is a contributing editor of Time, where he has received popularity for his entertaining and sometimes humorous first-person essays among other articles of interest. He also served as an American cultural correspondent for the BBC.
In addition to teaching nonfiction writing at the University of Montana, Kirn was the 2008-09 Vare Nonfiction Writer in Residence at the University of Chicago. He received his B.A. English at Princeton University in 1983, and studied English Literature at Oxford University.
Title Up in the Air
-------------+----------------------------------------
Author Walter Kirn
-------------+----------------------------------------
Genre Adult Fiction
-------------+----------------------------------------
Pages 303
-------------+----------------------------------------
Publisher Double Day
-------------+----------------------------------------
Copyright 2001
-------------+----------------------------------------
Synopsis (from web-site)
Ryan Bingham is a 35 year old career transition counselor at a Denver-based management consulting company, Integrated Strategic Management (ISM). He flies around the country firing people. Ryan is trying to get to one million frequent flyer miles before he leaves or he's fired from his employer.
He is divorced and his younger, disturbed sister is about to embark on yet another disastrous relationship. Ryan is positioning himself to be hired by MythTech, a shadowy company in Omaha.
Ryan inhabits a world of Palm Pilots, rental cars, salted almonds, Kevlar luggage and nameless suite hotels where e-mail and voice mail are the communication norm. He takes a lot of pills and spends time with women in Las Vegas. Ryan fears that someone may be furtively cashing in his precious miles, which would be tantamount to stealing his soul.
Why I read It
I heard a segment on NPR about the Toronto Film Festival in which they praised the new George Clooney movie based on this book. I always like to read books being made into movies so I picked this up.
The Good
The character was engaging and I like the idea of following a person who is a consistent air traveler.
The Bad
The plot was all over the place, and only took shallow dips in each location.
The Ugly (my opinion)
Having read the book I still have no idea what it is about. I await the movie to explain it to me.
The Truth? (other reviews)
Entertainment Weekly
Mormon Mentions
All over the place. The protagonist has a sister who lives in Salt Lake City and the LDS church is an ongoing background character. Anotherwords it is in show but doesn’t have any lines. Nothing good or bad is really said about the church, it is just there.
Author Biography
A 1983 graduate of Princeton University, he has published a collection of short stories and several novels, including Thumbsucker, which was made into a 2005 film featuring Keanu Reeves and Vince Vaughn; Up in the Air, currently in production as a feature film directed by Jason Reitman; and Mission to America. In 2005, he took over pioneer blogger Andrew Sullivan's shoes for a few weeks while Sullivan was on vacation. He has also written The Unbinding, an Internet-only novel that was posted in Slate magazine.
He has also reviewed books for New York magazine and has written for The New York Times Book Review and New York Times Sunday Magazine, and is a contributing editor of Time, where he has received popularity for his entertaining and sometimes humorous first-person essays among other articles of interest. He also served as an American cultural correspondent for the BBC.
In addition to teaching nonfiction writing at the University of Montana, Kirn was the 2008-09 Vare Nonfiction Writer in Residence at the University of Chicago. He received his B.A. English at Princeton University in 1983, and studied English Literature at Oxford University.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
How We Decide - Book #91
-------------+----------------------------------------
Title How We Decide
-------------+----------------------------------------
Author John Lehrer
-------------+----------------------------------------
Genre Nonfiction
-------------+----------------------------------------
Pages 259
-------------+----------------------------------------
Publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
-------------+----------------------------------------
Copyright 2009
-------------+----------------------------------------
Synopsis (from web-site)
From the acclaimed author of "Proust Was a Neuroscientist" comes a fascinating look at the new science of decision-making. Lehrer explores two questions: How does the human mind make decisions? and How can those decisions be made better?
Why I read It
I love this topic.
The Good
A lot of examples which bring the main points of decision making right to the front.
The Bad
Not a lot, but you have to have some interest in the subject. It also may upset some of your preconcieved notions of why you do what you do.
The Ugly (my opinion)
Great book which shouuld stimulate some interesting debates. I really love the quote from Neils Bohr.
"An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field".
The examples of demonstrating the difference between a psychopath's decision making process was particularly fascinating.
The Truth? (other reviews)
New York Times
Mormon Mentions
None
Author Biography
I'm a Contributing Editor at Wired and the author of How We Decide and Proust Was a Neuroscientist. I graduated from Columbia University and studied at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. I've written for The New Yorker, Nature, Seed, The Washington Post and The Boston Globe. I'm also a Contributing Editor at Scientific American Mind and National Public Radio's Radio Lab.
Title How We Decide
-------------+----------------------------------------
Author John Lehrer
-------------+----------------------------------------
Genre Nonfiction
-------------+----------------------------------------
Pages 259
-------------+----------------------------------------
Publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
-------------+----------------------------------------
Copyright 2009
-------------+----------------------------------------
Synopsis (from web-site)
From the acclaimed author of "Proust Was a Neuroscientist" comes a fascinating look at the new science of decision-making. Lehrer explores two questions: How does the human mind make decisions? and How can those decisions be made better?
Why I read It
I love this topic.
The Good
A lot of examples which bring the main points of decision making right to the front.
The Bad
Not a lot, but you have to have some interest in the subject. It also may upset some of your preconcieved notions of why you do what you do.
The Ugly (my opinion)
Great book which shouuld stimulate some interesting debates. I really love the quote from Neils Bohr.
"An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field".
The examples of demonstrating the difference between a psychopath's decision making process was particularly fascinating.
The Truth? (other reviews)
New York Times
Mormon Mentions
None
Author Biography
I'm a Contributing Editor at Wired and the author of How We Decide and Proust Was a Neuroscientist. I graduated from Columbia University and studied at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. I've written for The New Yorker, Nature, Seed, The Washington Post and The Boston Globe. I'm also a Contributing Editor at Scientific American Mind and National Public Radio's Radio Lab.
Why We Suck - Book #90
-------------+----------------------------------------
Title Why We Suck: A feel good guide to
staying fat, loud, lazy, and stupid
-------------+----------------------------------------
Author Dr. Denis Leary
-------------+----------------------------------------
Genre Nonfiction
-------------+----------------------------------------
Pages 240
-------------+----------------------------------------
Publisher Viking
-------------+----------------------------------------
Copyright 2008
-------------+----------------------------------------
Synopsis (from web-site)
Would like to not SUCK?
Do you know other people who SUCK?
Would you like to tell them how to SUCK less or how to possibly become totally SUCK-free?
Then buy this book, because inside Dr. Denis Leary is ready to help you overcome all the sucky things that make you such a suckass. Not to mention all the fat, loud, lazy and stupid suckholes you have to deal with at the office, family gatherings or while using public transportation.
Part memoir, part self-help tome but definitely a full-time funny assault on all the posers, politicians and pop culture icons who have sucked in public for far too long, this book is a call to arms for everyone who feels the way the good doctor does:
Skinny jeans are for skinny people.
Men will never change. Not even into clean underwear.
If God didn’t want us to eat meat, why did he make the cow so slow? (Ever eaten a cheetah-burger? Nope. And you never will.)
Buy this book and you will hopefully laugh out loud, call your mom a little more often and never vote for a member of the Bush family ever again.
At the very least, though, you’ll have yourself a nice big twenty-six-dollar coaster to place your drink on while you watch TV. And isn’t that reason alone to buy it?
Why I read It
I think Denis Leary is funny because he is extremely honest. Plus I like the title.
The Good
Very funny and VERY insightful. If you have ever been frustrated by the touchy feely, politically correct, can’t face the truth bullshit that is modern society; than this book will speak to you. If not, you probably need to read this book and get your head on straight.
The Bad
He writes like he talks; very fast and all over the place. It is really hard to keep up and you are only reading him. Needless to say he is very profane and many would label him insensitive.
The Ugly (my opinion)
Loved it, but be aware what you are getting into if you read it. For example, his premise that most parents who classify their little angels as special or gifted in some way are really trying to justify that they are not totally asshats in another. That might upset a few people who don’t want to face the truth.
The Truth? (other reviews)
USA Today
Mormon Mentions
None
Author Biography
Denis Leary is a five-time loser at the Academy Of Television Arts And Science’s annual Emmy Awards. Most recently he lost in the category of Best Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or Movie for his role as Michael Whouley in HBO’s Recount.
Denis has previously lost four times for Best Actor In A Drama and once for Best Writing In A Drama, all those nominations emanating from his work on FX’s critically acclaimed ‘Rescue Me’.
He was also nominated for a Best Actor Golden Globe by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for the drama, which follows New York City firefighters.
Once again — he lost.
Mr. Leary hopes to one day get nominated for — and more than likely not win — an Oscar, a Grammy and a Tony Award.
In 2006 he was given an Honorary Doctorate In The Fine Arts from his obviously well-informed and very selective alma mater Emerson College, located in Boston, Massachusetts.
To celebrate this achievement and share his wit and wealth of knowledge with the rest of America, Dr. Denis Leary has written ‘Why We Suck — A Feel Good Guide To Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy And Stupid’, which will be published by Viking Press in November of 2008.
Dr. Leary hopes this comic memoir and self-help tome will not only change the world, but also sell enough copies to pay for the university educations of his two teenage children.
And a boat.
Denis really, really wants a boat.
One of those big ones with people whose job it is to just be on the boat all the time in case — on some sudden whim or just a champagne bender — you decide you want to go for a ride on the ocean and look at giant fish.
Like whales.
Who are actually mammals.
(What any mammal is doing still hanging around underwater while the rest of us are up here on dry land enjoying cheeseburgers, Heidi Klum and the internet is way beyond Dr. Leary’s area of expertise.)
Dr. Leary thinks having full-time, boat-bound butlers would be pretty goddam cool.
Also, the more copies of ‘Why We Suck’ he sells, the more likely it is he could get nominated for — and, of course, not receive — The National Book Award.
In his long and storied entertainment career Denis has also never won The Stanley Cup, The Nobel Peace Prize or an argument with his wife.
Title Why We Suck: A feel good guide to
staying fat, loud, lazy, and stupid
-------------+----------------------------------------
Author Dr. Denis Leary
-------------+----------------------------------------
Genre Nonfiction
-------------+----------------------------------------
Pages 240
-------------+----------------------------------------
Publisher Viking
-------------+----------------------------------------
Copyright 2008
-------------+----------------------------------------
Synopsis (from web-site)
Would like to not SUCK?
Do you know other people who SUCK?
Would you like to tell them how to SUCK less or how to possibly become totally SUCK-free?
Then buy this book, because inside Dr. Denis Leary is ready to help you overcome all the sucky things that make you such a suckass. Not to mention all the fat, loud, lazy and stupid suckholes you have to deal with at the office, family gatherings or while using public transportation.
Part memoir, part self-help tome but definitely a full-time funny assault on all the posers, politicians and pop culture icons who have sucked in public for far too long, this book is a call to arms for everyone who feels the way the good doctor does:
Skinny jeans are for skinny people.
Men will never change. Not even into clean underwear.
If God didn’t want us to eat meat, why did he make the cow so slow? (Ever eaten a cheetah-burger? Nope. And you never will.)
Buy this book and you will hopefully laugh out loud, call your mom a little more often and never vote for a member of the Bush family ever again.
At the very least, though, you’ll have yourself a nice big twenty-six-dollar coaster to place your drink on while you watch TV. And isn’t that reason alone to buy it?
Why I read It
I think Denis Leary is funny because he is extremely honest. Plus I like the title.
The Good
Very funny and VERY insightful. If you have ever been frustrated by the touchy feely, politically correct, can’t face the truth bullshit that is modern society; than this book will speak to you. If not, you probably need to read this book and get your head on straight.
The Bad
He writes like he talks; very fast and all over the place. It is really hard to keep up and you are only reading him. Needless to say he is very profane and many would label him insensitive.
The Ugly (my opinion)
Loved it, but be aware what you are getting into if you read it. For example, his premise that most parents who classify their little angels as special or gifted in some way are really trying to justify that they are not totally asshats in another. That might upset a few people who don’t want to face the truth.
The Truth? (other reviews)
USA Today
Mormon Mentions
None
Author Biography
Denis Leary is a five-time loser at the Academy Of Television Arts And Science’s annual Emmy Awards. Most recently he lost in the category of Best Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or Movie for his role as Michael Whouley in HBO’s Recount.
Denis has previously lost four times for Best Actor In A Drama and once for Best Writing In A Drama, all those nominations emanating from his work on FX’s critically acclaimed ‘Rescue Me’.
He was also nominated for a Best Actor Golden Globe by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for the drama, which follows New York City firefighters.
Once again — he lost.
Mr. Leary hopes to one day get nominated for — and more than likely not win — an Oscar, a Grammy and a Tony Award.
In 2006 he was given an Honorary Doctorate In The Fine Arts from his obviously well-informed and very selective alma mater Emerson College, located in Boston, Massachusetts.
To celebrate this achievement and share his wit and wealth of knowledge with the rest of America, Dr. Denis Leary has written ‘Why We Suck — A Feel Good Guide To Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy And Stupid’, which will be published by Viking Press in November of 2008.
Dr. Leary hopes this comic memoir and self-help tome will not only change the world, but also sell enough copies to pay for the university educations of his two teenage children.
And a boat.
Denis really, really wants a boat.
One of those big ones with people whose job it is to just be on the boat all the time in case — on some sudden whim or just a champagne bender — you decide you want to go for a ride on the ocean and look at giant fish.
Like whales.
Who are actually mammals.
(What any mammal is doing still hanging around underwater while the rest of us are up here on dry land enjoying cheeseburgers, Heidi Klum and the internet is way beyond Dr. Leary’s area of expertise.)
Dr. Leary thinks having full-time, boat-bound butlers would be pretty goddam cool.
Also, the more copies of ‘Why We Suck’ he sells, the more likely it is he could get nominated for — and, of course, not receive — The National Book Award.
In his long and storied entertainment career Denis has also never won The Stanley Cup, The Nobel Peace Prize or an argument with his wife.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
The Body Fat Solution - Book #89
-------------+----------------------------------------
Title The Body Fat Solution: Five Principles
for Burning Fat, Building Lean Muscles,
Ending Emotional Eating, and Maintaining
Your Perfect Weight
-------------+----------------------------------------
Author Tom Venuto
-------------+----------------------------------------
Genre Nonfiction – Fitness
-------------+----------------------------------------
Pages 293
-------------+----------------------------------------
Publisher Avery
-------------+----------------------------------------
Copyright 2009
-------------+----------------------------------------
Synopsis (from web-site)
The Body Fat Solution is Tom Venuto’s complete program to lose body fat, build muscle—and keep the weight off for good.
By now, we all know that we gain fat when we take in more calories than we burn. But we’re not always rational creatures when it comes to food. Venuto provides a sound plan that will help us put the brakes on overeating by pinpointing the mental roadblocks and emotional eating patterns that are preventing us from losing weight for good. Guiding readers to dig deeper, The Body Fat Solution explores:
· Why it is so difficult to balance calorie output with input
· What prevents people from eating appropriately and exercising more
· The emotional and psychological factors that sabotage Success
Tom Venuto reminds us that calories do count! But The Body Fat Solution is neither super low carb nor super low fat, and he steers clear of demonizing entire food groups. Instead, Venuto shows how to personalize an eating plan that takes into account your unique metabolism and calorie needs. He then presents workout programs to maximize the success of the diet plan that are fast and efficient, enabling you to quickly achieve your goal of replacing fat with lean muscle.
Tapping into his years of training expertise and personal experience, Venuto helps readers change their relationship with food, empowers them to take charge of their lives, and delivers a program that promises dramatic and permanent results.
Why I read It
The subject interests me and I have a lot of respect for Tom Venuto.
The Good
Good straight forward discussion on why most diets fail, especially over time.
The Bad
Venuto has a extensive and extremely detailed ebook that he has sold for years but I have always been to cheap to buy it. He said in interviews that people sometimes just want to know how to flip a switch and not necessarily all the whys on how it works. This book was written to fill that need so consequently it doesn’t have all the nerdy details. That is more indicative of my own cheapness than the books shortcomings.
The Ugly (my opinion)
Good book providing solid information. Nothing complex and if you were to follow his advice you will see improvement in you body and your health. Tom does a large online presence so you can find numerous articles with a simple Google search. Here are a few podcasts in which he is interviewed – well worth the listen.
The Truth? (other reviews)
Diets in Review
Mormon Mentions
None
Author Biography
Tom Venuto is an internationally recognized fat loss expert, nutrition researcher and natural (steroid-free) bodybuilder. Since 1989, Venuto has been involved in virtually every aspect of the fitness and weight loss industry - as a personal trainer, nutrition consultant, motivation coach, fitness model, health club manager and freelance writer.
Tom's articles on nutrition, training, fat loss and fitness motivation have been featured on hundreds of websites worldwide. Tom has also been featured in IRONMAN, Australian IRONMAN, Italian IRONMAN (Olympian's news), Natural Bodybuilding, Muscular Development, Exercise for Men, Men’s Exercise and Men's Fitness, as well as on dozens of radio shows, including Martha Stewart Healthy Living (Sirius), WCBS and ESPN-1250.
Tom is the founder and CEO of The Burn The Fat Inner Circle and author of the best-selling e-book, Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle. His newest book, The Body Fat Solution (Hardcover Avery/Penguin), is a #1 Amazon.com best seller, focusing on accountability and the psychological, emotional and social factors that sabotage fat loss success.
Bonus Information
Downloadable Podcast Interview with Tom
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Hollywood is like High School with Money - Book #88
-------------+----------------------------------------
Title Hollywood is like High School with Money
-------------+----------------------------------------
Author Zoey Dean
-------------+----------------------------------------
Genre Fiction
-------------+----------------------------------------
Pages 278
-------------+----------------------------------------
Publisher Grand Central
-------------+----------------------------------------
Copyright 2009
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Synopsis (from web-site)
Twenty-four-year old Taylor Henning has just landed her dream job as an assistant at a major movie studio. But when her catty coworkers trick her into almost getting fired, she realizes that the old saying "Hollywood is like school with money" just may be true. The thing is, Taylor wasn't exactly a social butterfly in high school-how is she supposed to do any better the second time around? That's when she meets her boss's popular sixteen-year-old daughter Quinn, and has an epiphany: maybe this teenager can teach her how to use her queen bee tactics to succeed in the Hollywood popularity contest. Quinn comes up with a plan to teach Taylor one lesson a week-everything from "Fake it 'til you make it" to "It's *never* your fault"--and soon Taylor finds herself winning the war against rival assistant Kylie. Until, that is, she's directed to steal Kylie's boyfriend, and something happens that's not in the game plan: Taylor falls for the guy. Now she must do the impossible-- harness her inner mean girl while staying true to herself.
Why I read It
I liked the title. Yes, sometimes that is all it takes.
The Good
Fun, well written, excellent flow, and even a little insightful.
The Bad
Think of any major romantic comedy that you have seen and you have got the plot. Good girl is being treated badly by the bullies, so she decides to become one of them and beat them at their own game. Just as she succeeds the truth comes out and her world crashes down around her. As she stews in the shambles that is left she learns she should have always stayed true to her inner self. It ‘s then that everything works out. You can be a good person and beat the bad people without being bad yourself – Cue the power ballad!
The Ugly (my opinion)
I actually kind of like romantic comedies (The Proposal was fantastic ) so the book was pretty good. I would be surprised if we don’t see it on film one day.
The Truth? (other reviews)
The Review Broads
Mormon Mentions
None
Author Biography
Zoey Dean is the author of the national bestselling A-LIST books, as well as the TALENT series. Her novel PRIVILEGED inspired the CW TV series by the same name. Zoey divides her time between Beverly Hills and several small islands in the Caribbean. She is currently working on the next juicy A-LIST novel, coming soon!
Title Hollywood is like High School with Money
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Author Zoey Dean
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Genre Fiction
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Pages 278
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Publisher Grand Central
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Copyright 2009
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Synopsis (from web-site)
Twenty-four-year old Taylor Henning has just landed her dream job as an assistant at a major movie studio. But when her catty coworkers trick her into almost getting fired, she realizes that the old saying "Hollywood is like school with money" just may be true. The thing is, Taylor wasn't exactly a social butterfly in high school-how is she supposed to do any better the second time around? That's when she meets her boss's popular sixteen-year-old daughter Quinn, and has an epiphany: maybe this teenager can teach her how to use her queen bee tactics to succeed in the Hollywood popularity contest. Quinn comes up with a plan to teach Taylor one lesson a week-everything from "Fake it 'til you make it" to "It's *never* your fault"--and soon Taylor finds herself winning the war against rival assistant Kylie. Until, that is, she's directed to steal Kylie's boyfriend, and something happens that's not in the game plan: Taylor falls for the guy. Now she must do the impossible-- harness her inner mean girl while staying true to herself.
Why I read It
I liked the title. Yes, sometimes that is all it takes.
The Good
Fun, well written, excellent flow, and even a little insightful.
The Bad
Think of any major romantic comedy that you have seen and you have got the plot. Good girl is being treated badly by the bullies, so she decides to become one of them and beat them at their own game. Just as she succeeds the truth comes out and her world crashes down around her. As she stews in the shambles that is left she learns she should have always stayed true to her inner self. It ‘s then that everything works out. You can be a good person and beat the bad people without being bad yourself – Cue the power ballad!
The Ugly (my opinion)
I actually kind of like romantic comedies (The Proposal was fantastic ) so the book was pretty good. I would be surprised if we don’t see it on film one day.
The Truth? (other reviews)
The Review Broads
Mormon Mentions
None
Author Biography
Zoey Dean is the author of the national bestselling A-LIST books, as well as the TALENT series. Her novel PRIVILEGED inspired the CW TV series by the same name. Zoey divides her time between Beverly Hills and several small islands in the Caribbean. She is currently working on the next juicy A-LIST novel, coming soon!
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