Every now and then, when you're on stage, you hear the best sound a player can hear. It's a sound you can't get in movies or in television. It is the sound of a wonderful, deep silence that means you've hit them where they live. -Winters
I went to Wicked the musical today. If anyone has been to it before they know that the stage, the costumes, the music, the plot is amazing. It is transfixing! Incredible! Amazing! As I was sitting in the dark auditorium and the audience was hushing, I was struck by the thought that the arts have the ability to transform thoughts, ideas, and feelings. It seems that paintings, sculptures, photographs, plays, musicals, songs, and other manifestations of creativity can take people out of their humdrum lives, away from the stresses of the day-to-day, and into a world where the limits are only set by what can be imagined. The beauty of humanity is that people empathize with others through arts.
Music takes us out of the actual and whispers to us dim secrets that startle our wonder as to who we are, and for what, whence, and whereto. –Emerson
I am transfixed by the thought that emotion that can be captured in a photograph, drawing, or song. To be able to touch the heart of others who are unknown to you and come from a different context is a humbling power. The power of the arts is in its ability to make people embrace humanity.
Once the mind has been stretched by a new idea, it will never again return to its original size. -Holmes
One of the most wonderful and terrible things about creative arts is that often the most thought provoking and remembered are the things that make us disquieted, uncomfortable, unsure. By providing cognitive dissonance, art forces us to re-examine beliefs we hold true and ideas we were once sure of. Once we confront these emotions and assimilate the new perceptions and perspectives into our frames of context then our world becomes a little bigger, a little more tolerant, a little more forgiving, a little more passionate. The world could use a little more of all of these things so embrace the arts, the artist in you, the art around you no matter if it is a masterpiece or a crayon drawing taped to the fridge.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Prejudice much?
Well, I usually don’t get annoyed with cars or mechanics but I was really annoyed with the Saturn guy. So let me back up. Yesterday, I went to get some “too good to pass up” sale items from around the city…you know pencils for 10 cents, folders for a penny, scissors for 12 cents…thing that make teaching and shopping a rewarding experience.
So I drove to Wal-mart (I’m not proud but I am cheap ☺) I parked my car, Pacifico, and went to turn off the engine as one does when they are parking a car. I turned and nothing, I jiggled and then turned nothing, I jiggled and then turned and then swore and nothing. So I moved my car to a different spot assuming that Pacifico was having a bad day and tried again. Nothing again. Now I am extremely annoyed at having my day of shopping nirvana interrupted.
I drive to National City to the Mile of Cars in attempt to go to the dealership there. I drive up and down Mile of Cars Way and don’t see a Saturn dealership. I get out my new GPS toy and program in and sure enough there is one in the area and it takes me to where the Saturn dealership used to be…now it is a Subaru dealership. So I then look at the next closest dealership…Kearney Mesa (about 15 miles away).
I drive up there and park in the service area and go inside. Of course there is your usual smattering of semi-annoyed/bored people sitting around looking at magazines that they have no interest in….Muscle Cars Today, Homemaking in the 21st Century, Pop Culture R Us….you know these magazines-the herpes of waiting rooms around the world. There are also the usual cast of mechanics and service people…all named Joe, Mike, Tom, Bob, or some other one-syllable name. Lee (my service guy) asks what the problem is and I look straight at him and say, “My car won’t turn off.” He looked at me like I was quite possibly the dumbest person on earth. I was expecting this so I smugly watched as he went to my car, got in and then tried to turn it off. He shifted gears, tried again. Jiggled the key and tried again. Essentially repeating the same few steps that I went through. He got out and said in a truly astounded voice, “It really won’t turn off” I refrained from using the phrase, “No shit” but was willing him to get the message by my general body language.
We went back inside and he took my information. When looking up my name he asked if it was under my parents name…I know I am young looking but honestly! He then took at deep breath like he was preparing to inform me that I only had 2 weeks to live and said in a very serious manner, “Well it is either a problem with your key or your ignition.” Again I had to refrain from stating aloud the phrase that was bobbing around in my head. He said it would be a few hours and I replied that there was nothing I was planning on doing besides reading Outdoor Fishing and Hunting Weekly and luckily I could do that here. After I had settled among the various secondary characters in the waiting room he came out again and with a grim expression informed me that he was going to have to keep it overnight. I called the Greifes and they rescued me from Kearney Mesa.
Fast Forward to this morning. Lee at the Saturn dealership called and informed me that it would be this afternoon before Pacficio was ready so I happily gave up my to do list in favor of sleeping and watching Netflix. My friend Michael drove me up to Kearny Mesa and on the way I was venting about how irked I was when mechanics treat me like I am to stupid to understand even the most basic concepts about cars and maintenance. Anyway, I picked up my car and it was cheaper than they had quoted which was a delight.
Michael and I went to dinner as we had already driven up north. We went to the Teri Café, which is an amazing Asian place that has great food. I ordered my usual Chicken Teriyaki bowl and Michael got something that was soup like. When we got our food the guy gave Mike (who is Chinese) chopsticks and me a fork. Talk about salt in the open wound of self-concept/esteem.
Pacifico is now back at home, safe and sound. I ate my chicken, veggies, AND rice with chopsticks to prove to that guy that I too know how to use chopsticks…I really showed him! Now if I can find a way to stick it to the mechanics!
So I drove to Wal-mart (I’m not proud but I am cheap ☺) I parked my car, Pacifico, and went to turn off the engine as one does when they are parking a car. I turned and nothing, I jiggled and then turned nothing, I jiggled and then turned and then swore and nothing. So I moved my car to a different spot assuming that Pacifico was having a bad day and tried again. Nothing again. Now I am extremely annoyed at having my day of shopping nirvana interrupted.
I drive to National City to the Mile of Cars in attempt to go to the dealership there. I drive up and down Mile of Cars Way and don’t see a Saturn dealership. I get out my new GPS toy and program in and sure enough there is one in the area and it takes me to where the Saturn dealership used to be…now it is a Subaru dealership. So I then look at the next closest dealership…Kearney Mesa (about 15 miles away).
I drive up there and park in the service area and go inside. Of course there is your usual smattering of semi-annoyed/bored people sitting around looking at magazines that they have no interest in….Muscle Cars Today, Homemaking in the 21st Century, Pop Culture R Us….you know these magazines-the herpes of waiting rooms around the world. There are also the usual cast of mechanics and service people…all named Joe, Mike, Tom, Bob, or some other one-syllable name. Lee (my service guy) asks what the problem is and I look straight at him and say, “My car won’t turn off.” He looked at me like I was quite possibly the dumbest person on earth. I was expecting this so I smugly watched as he went to my car, got in and then tried to turn it off. He shifted gears, tried again. Jiggled the key and tried again. Essentially repeating the same few steps that I went through. He got out and said in a truly astounded voice, “It really won’t turn off” I refrained from using the phrase, “No shit” but was willing him to get the message by my general body language.
We went back inside and he took my information. When looking up my name he asked if it was under my parents name…I know I am young looking but honestly! He then took at deep breath like he was preparing to inform me that I only had 2 weeks to live and said in a very serious manner, “Well it is either a problem with your key or your ignition.” Again I had to refrain from stating aloud the phrase that was bobbing around in my head. He said it would be a few hours and I replied that there was nothing I was planning on doing besides reading Outdoor Fishing and Hunting Weekly and luckily I could do that here. After I had settled among the various secondary characters in the waiting room he came out again and with a grim expression informed me that he was going to have to keep it overnight. I called the Greifes and they rescued me from Kearney Mesa.
Fast Forward to this morning. Lee at the Saturn dealership called and informed me that it would be this afternoon before Pacficio was ready so I happily gave up my to do list in favor of sleeping and watching Netflix. My friend Michael drove me up to Kearny Mesa and on the way I was venting about how irked I was when mechanics treat me like I am to stupid to understand even the most basic concepts about cars and maintenance. Anyway, I picked up my car and it was cheaper than they had quoted which was a delight.
Michael and I went to dinner as we had already driven up north. We went to the Teri Café, which is an amazing Asian place that has great food. I ordered my usual Chicken Teriyaki bowl and Michael got something that was soup like. When we got our food the guy gave Mike (who is Chinese) chopsticks and me a fork. Talk about salt in the open wound of self-concept/esteem.
Pacifico is now back at home, safe and sound. I ate my chicken, veggies, AND rice with chopsticks to prove to that guy that I too know how to use chopsticks…I really showed him! Now if I can find a way to stick it to the mechanics!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Have you ever played Uno...ok, it's nothing like that
Over the last few months I have played cards with a lot of great people. For the sake of time and efficacy I am posting the rules to the games here so get some decks of cards and play on.
Canadian Salad
Players: Any number greater than 3
Number of decks: 3-5 people= 1 deck; 6-10 people = 2 decks; 11-15 = 3 decks.
Score: Low score wins!!!
Time Commitment: 20 minutes or so
Object of the game: To not take “tricks” and not turn tricks….ha! This game is played like Spades except there are NO TRUMPS at all, and only six hands are played.
Rules
*You MUST follow suit lead if possible.
*On multiple deck games, when two identical winning cards fall, the first one thrown wins trick.
*Deal the whole deck and the person to the left leads the first trick.
The tricks are as follows
First No tricks Each trick = 10 pts
Second No hearts Each heart = 10 pts
Third No queens Each queen = 25 pts
Fourth No K of spades K of spades = 100 pts
Fifth No last trick Last trick =100 pts
Sixth** All of the above Points count as above
**It’s easier to keep track of the score after each trick during the last trick
Threes
Players: 2 or more
Number of Decks: 2
Scoring: Low score wins!!!
Time Commitment: 5-20 minutes per hand
Object of game: To get rid of all of the cards in your hands. Each card in your hand is worth 1 point at the end of the round.
Rules:
First person takes 4 cards and then tries to make either a set or run of three or more.
If they cannot make a set or run of three then they need to keep drawing until they can.
Once they put their set/run in the middle of the table then they can knock on the table and pass the cards or say “Pass”.
The next person draws 4 and tries to lay down a new set/run or add to the existing cards, if they can’t play then they keep drawing until they can play something.
This continues until someone discards all of their cards.
*All cards on the table must be in sets or runs of three or more.
*The cards can be rearranged as desired to create opportunities for play as long as there are still three in each set/run at the end of that player’s turn.
Hand and Foot
Players: 4 (2 teams of 2), 3 (cut-throat….every man for himself)
Number of decks: 4…if more than 4 are playing then add one deck for every person.
Score: High score wins!!!
Time Commitment: 1 hour..a little more if you have more people
Object of the Game: The aim is to get rid of cards from your hand (11 cards), and then from your foot (11 cards), by melding them. A Meld is a set of three to seven cards of equal rank placed face up on the table. A Meld cannot have fewer than three cards. After a Meld of three or more cards has been started, you can add further cards to it until there are seven, which makes it a book. Then it becomes a Book. You can meld cards of any rank from A, K, Q, ... down to 3. Deuces and Jokers are wild cards and can be used in melds, as long as there is at least one more real card than wild cards. You cannot meld wild cards alone.
Every round you pick up two cards and then discard one.
There are two types of books:
A Clean(No Wilds) Book = 500 pt.
A Dirty(Wild) = 300 pts
First team/person out = 100 pts.
Card Values:
Jokers = 50 points (Wild Card)
Deuces = 20 points (Wild Card)
Aces = 20 points
Eight through King (8-K) = 10 points
Three through Seven (3-7) = 5 points
RED THREES = -300
Round Points-You must lay down at least the round points to play ONLY the first time someone lays down in that round per team/person.
Round 1, cards points must total at least 50 to play
Round 2, cards points must total at least 90 to play
Round 3, cards points must total at least 120 to play
Round 4, cards points must total at least 150 to play
In order to go out, you must:
1. Have reached your Foot and played it completely.
2. Have at least one Red Book and one Black Book.
3. If you are in partners, your partner must “get into” their foot and play it at least once.
In order to pick up the discard pile the following criteria must be met:
1. You must have 2 matching cards in your hand
2. You must be able to play the top discard
3. You must have the required round points
The top discard may give you the required round points, no other cards below can be used to give you the round point when you first lay down.
SCORING:
You receive two scores per hand. One for the books, then the combined face value of all cards played on the board, booked or not. Once your books have been counted then all the cards you played, including those in the books, are added up at the card point value.
This applies to all players, not just the person going out. If you did not go out, and are caught with cards in your Hand and/or your Foot, those points count against you. If you did not go out and you have books and or cards on the board, those points count for you.
Canadian Salad
Players: Any number greater than 3
Number of decks: 3-5 people= 1 deck; 6-10 people = 2 decks; 11-15 = 3 decks.
Score: Low score wins!!!
Time Commitment: 20 minutes or so
Object of the game: To not take “tricks” and not turn tricks….ha! This game is played like Spades except there are NO TRUMPS at all, and only six hands are played.
Rules
*You MUST follow suit lead if possible.
*On multiple deck games, when two identical winning cards fall, the first one thrown wins trick.
*Deal the whole deck and the person to the left leads the first trick.
The tricks are as follows
First No tricks Each trick = 10 pts
Second No hearts Each heart = 10 pts
Third No queens Each queen = 25 pts
Fourth No K of spades K of spades = 100 pts
Fifth No last trick Last trick =100 pts
Sixth** All of the above Points count as above
**It’s easier to keep track of the score after each trick during the last trick
Threes
Players: 2 or more
Number of Decks: 2
Scoring: Low score wins!!!
Time Commitment: 5-20 minutes per hand
Object of game: To get rid of all of the cards in your hands. Each card in your hand is worth 1 point at the end of the round.
Rules:
First person takes 4 cards and then tries to make either a set or run of three or more.
If they cannot make a set or run of three then they need to keep drawing until they can.
Once they put their set/run in the middle of the table then they can knock on the table and pass the cards or say “Pass”.
The next person draws 4 and tries to lay down a new set/run or add to the existing cards, if they can’t play then they keep drawing until they can play something.
This continues until someone discards all of their cards.
*All cards on the table must be in sets or runs of three or more.
*The cards can be rearranged as desired to create opportunities for play as long as there are still three in each set/run at the end of that player’s turn.
Hand and Foot
Players: 4 (2 teams of 2), 3 (cut-throat….every man for himself)
Number of decks: 4…if more than 4 are playing then add one deck for every person.
Score: High score wins!!!
Time Commitment: 1 hour..a little more if you have more people
Object of the Game: The aim is to get rid of cards from your hand (11 cards), and then from your foot (11 cards), by melding them. A Meld is a set of three to seven cards of equal rank placed face up on the table. A Meld cannot have fewer than three cards. After a Meld of three or more cards has been started, you can add further cards to it until there are seven, which makes it a book. Then it becomes a Book. You can meld cards of any rank from A, K, Q, ... down to 3. Deuces and Jokers are wild cards and can be used in melds, as long as there is at least one more real card than wild cards. You cannot meld wild cards alone.
Every round you pick up two cards and then discard one.
There are two types of books:
A Clean(No Wilds) Book = 500 pt.
A Dirty(Wild) = 300 pts
First team/person out = 100 pts.
Card Values:
Jokers = 50 points (Wild Card)
Deuces = 20 points (Wild Card)
Aces = 20 points
Eight through King (8-K) = 10 points
Three through Seven (3-7) = 5 points
RED THREES = -300
Round Points-You must lay down at least the round points to play ONLY the first time someone lays down in that round per team/person.
Round 1, cards points must total at least 50 to play
Round 2, cards points must total at least 90 to play
Round 3, cards points must total at least 120 to play
Round 4, cards points must total at least 150 to play
In order to go out, you must:
1. Have reached your Foot and played it completely.
2. Have at least one Red Book and one Black Book.
3. If you are in partners, your partner must “get into” their foot and play it at least once.
In order to pick up the discard pile the following criteria must be met:
1. You must have 2 matching cards in your hand
2. You must be able to play the top discard
3. You must have the required round points
The top discard may give you the required round points, no other cards below can be used to give you the round point when you first lay down.
SCORING:
You receive two scores per hand. One for the books, then the combined face value of all cards played on the board, booked or not. Once your books have been counted then all the cards you played, including those in the books, are added up at the card point value.
This applies to all players, not just the person going out. If you did not go out, and are caught with cards in your Hand and/or your Foot, those points count against you. If you did not go out and you have books and or cards on the board, those points count for you.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Books, Books, and Yes More Books
I know some of you think that I only read children's books....which is mostly true. If you are looking for some good end of summer reads before school resumes or life gets crazy then here are some of my favorite "adult" books.
Travel:
In a Sunburnt Country, Bill Bryson
Anyone who knows me well knows that I have a deep love for this kind of chubby, kind of dry, kind of rambling, completely amazing writer. He has a way with words that makes sense to me. If you walk into a library and see anything by him-you will not be disappointed…if you are then you should go see a doctor because your sense of humor is not in working order.
Non-fiction:
Microtrends: The small forces behind tomorrow’s big trends, Mark Penn
This is a fascinating book about trends that are affecting politics, commerce, and other landscapes in America. It provides short vignettes about different trends of less than three million people that can and do have great impact on society.
Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping, Paco Underhill
You will literally never go into a store without thinking about some of the basic concepts that my friend, Paco (ok…we’ve never met but I think we could be friends) discusses. As you can tell I love consumer trends (even though I hate shopping…enigma aren’t I) and this book is the one that started it all for me.
Buyology: Truth and Lies About Why We Buy, Martin Lindstrom and Paco Underhill
This book I read just because Paco wrote it and I was very impressed. It uses vignettes to map the neurology of buying and what certain brands make us feel on a biological level.
Freakenomics, Steven D. Leviitt
Oh gosh! This might be one of my favorite books of all time. It you think economics is boring then you are as wrong as Richard Simmons in sweat pants! All I can say is READ IT…you will love it-unless you are Richard Simmons and then all bets are off.
A Short History of Nearly Everything, Bill Bryson
This book is not short but it does cover nearly everything. DO NOT READ THIS BOOK…you need to listen to it on cd. If you do not heed this warning and start reading this book then you will be overwhelmed. It also has a pretty extreme evolutionary bent so if you get riled up about that then do your blood pressure a favor and read something else. It is a comprehensive history of scientific progress and worth the listening time especially if you have a long commute.
Lies My Teacher Told Me; Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong, James Loewen
A great book for teachers. Read it with an open mind…think upon the things presented and let it give rise to being aware of prejudices and biases. It has a really good chapter on poverty and every teacher should read that chapter at least.
Rethinking Globalization, Teaching for Justice in an Unjust World
This book has short non-fiction stories from around the globe about different topics related to globalization and what it is doing to cultures, people, and places.
Fat Land; How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World, Greg Critser
Don’t read this if you ever want to enjoy a donut or potato chips for a while. It is very similar to Fast Food Nation and Supersize Me in the sense that it explores a lot of the politics and things behind the national food scene. It is an extremely honest look at food and how Americans relate to food.
Mouse Tales: Behind the Ears Look at Disneyland, David Koenig
This is by far the best 10 cent book I have ever purchased at a used book sale (and I have bought a lot of used books). The expose book has chapters about deaths, practical jokes, behind the rides, history, and even the lawsuits that have taken place at the Happiest Place on Earth. If you like Disneyland, or even if you are ambivalent like me, this is an interesting read! Plus it will give you more things to discuss at awkward social gatherings...believe me sometimes you need to state how many people have died while riding the Matterhorn to break the ice (the number is 2 in case you were curious).
Biographical/Auto-biographical:
Across the Wire: Life and hard times on the Mexican border, Luis Alberto Urrea
By the Lake of the Sleeping Children: The secret life of the Mexico border, Luis Alberto Urrea
These books are hard to read but are extremely well worth it. Luis documents his time working with the people who live in the dumps of Tijuana. He describes with both shocking honesty and refreshing humanity the lives of the people who change his life.
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, Bill Bryson
This book on CD is read by the author and I suggest listening to it. Bill (he’s my friend like Paco) relives his childhood growing up in small town America in the 1950’s. He is a delightful writer who shares his stories with wit and wonder.
Shakespeare: The World as Stage, Bill Bryson
A great look at how William has changed the English language and the influence he had on writers, theater, and culture.
Etymological:
Made in America: An Informal History of the English Language and How It Got That Way, Bill Bryson
The only thing I love more economic books are books about the history of words!!! This is a great book about how Americans have ruined, improved, and change English.
Alphabet Juice, Roy Blunt Jr.
An alphabetical look at words that are rich in history or funny in the way in which they came to be. A good bathroom book…a little daunting to read all in one shot.
Word Wizard: Super Bloopers, Rich Reflections, and Other Acts of Word Magic, Richard Lederer
Short stories about language and the way in which it is used, misused, and sometimes abused. An excellent book to read if you are a social misfit because then at parties instead of standing awkwardly by the French onion dip you can entertain the other guests with stories of obscure words and expressions…it works for me ☺
Short Stories:
Woman Hollering Creek, Sandra Cisneros
The author goes above and beyond in her short stories of women. She does an amazing job of connecting the stories with great writing, a whole lot of heart, and a true representation of women throughout their lives, ages, and cultures.
House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros
This book is half poetry, half short stories but completely amazing. I absolutely love the figurative language. Cisneros writes about her life growing up in the barrio and gives glimpses into a child’s life that are both humorous and heart wrenching.
Religious
Ragamuffin Gospel, Brennen Manning
If you are going to read one religious book (apart from the NKJV) hands down it should be this one. This book is an amazing reflection of what could be if people chose to live their lives as if it is indeed God’s grace that makes us worthy of love. If you are unsure, undecided, or just plain fed up with organized religion this book makes a strong case for getting back the basics.
What’s So Amazing About Grace, Philip Yancey
Another great book that gives vignettes about what it means to be gracious, graceful, and be forgiven by grace. If you are interested in the application of grace in and through your life it is worth a read.
Travel:
In a Sunburnt Country, Bill Bryson
Anyone who knows me well knows that I have a deep love for this kind of chubby, kind of dry, kind of rambling, completely amazing writer. He has a way with words that makes sense to me. If you walk into a library and see anything by him-you will not be disappointed…if you are then you should go see a doctor because your sense of humor is not in working order.
Non-fiction:
Microtrends: The small forces behind tomorrow’s big trends, Mark Penn
This is a fascinating book about trends that are affecting politics, commerce, and other landscapes in America. It provides short vignettes about different trends of less than three million people that can and do have great impact on society.
Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping, Paco Underhill
You will literally never go into a store without thinking about some of the basic concepts that my friend, Paco (ok…we’ve never met but I think we could be friends) discusses. As you can tell I love consumer trends (even though I hate shopping…enigma aren’t I) and this book is the one that started it all for me.
Buyology: Truth and Lies About Why We Buy, Martin Lindstrom and Paco Underhill
This book I read just because Paco wrote it and I was very impressed. It uses vignettes to map the neurology of buying and what certain brands make us feel on a biological level.
Freakenomics, Steven D. Leviitt
Oh gosh! This might be one of my favorite books of all time. It you think economics is boring then you are as wrong as Richard Simmons in sweat pants! All I can say is READ IT…you will love it-unless you are Richard Simmons and then all bets are off.
A Short History of Nearly Everything, Bill Bryson
This book is not short but it does cover nearly everything. DO NOT READ THIS BOOK…you need to listen to it on cd. If you do not heed this warning and start reading this book then you will be overwhelmed. It also has a pretty extreme evolutionary bent so if you get riled up about that then do your blood pressure a favor and read something else. It is a comprehensive history of scientific progress and worth the listening time especially if you have a long commute.
Lies My Teacher Told Me; Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong, James Loewen
A great book for teachers. Read it with an open mind…think upon the things presented and let it give rise to being aware of prejudices and biases. It has a really good chapter on poverty and every teacher should read that chapter at least.
Rethinking Globalization, Teaching for Justice in an Unjust World
This book has short non-fiction stories from around the globe about different topics related to globalization and what it is doing to cultures, people, and places.
Fat Land; How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World, Greg Critser
Don’t read this if you ever want to enjoy a donut or potato chips for a while. It is very similar to Fast Food Nation and Supersize Me in the sense that it explores a lot of the politics and things behind the national food scene. It is an extremely honest look at food and how Americans relate to food.
Mouse Tales: Behind the Ears Look at Disneyland, David Koenig
This is by far the best 10 cent book I have ever purchased at a used book sale (and I have bought a lot of used books). The expose book has chapters about deaths, practical jokes, behind the rides, history, and even the lawsuits that have taken place at the Happiest Place on Earth. If you like Disneyland, or even if you are ambivalent like me, this is an interesting read! Plus it will give you more things to discuss at awkward social gatherings...believe me sometimes you need to state how many people have died while riding the Matterhorn to break the ice (the number is 2 in case you were curious).
Biographical/Auto-biographical:
Across the Wire: Life and hard times on the Mexican border, Luis Alberto Urrea
By the Lake of the Sleeping Children: The secret life of the Mexico border, Luis Alberto Urrea
These books are hard to read but are extremely well worth it. Luis documents his time working with the people who live in the dumps of Tijuana. He describes with both shocking honesty and refreshing humanity the lives of the people who change his life.
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, Bill Bryson
This book on CD is read by the author and I suggest listening to it. Bill (he’s my friend like Paco) relives his childhood growing up in small town America in the 1950’s. He is a delightful writer who shares his stories with wit and wonder.
Shakespeare: The World as Stage, Bill Bryson
A great look at how William has changed the English language and the influence he had on writers, theater, and culture.
Etymological:
Made in America: An Informal History of the English Language and How It Got That Way, Bill Bryson
The only thing I love more economic books are books about the history of words!!! This is a great book about how Americans have ruined, improved, and change English.
Alphabet Juice, Roy Blunt Jr.
An alphabetical look at words that are rich in history or funny in the way in which they came to be. A good bathroom book…a little daunting to read all in one shot.
Word Wizard: Super Bloopers, Rich Reflections, and Other Acts of Word Magic, Richard Lederer
Short stories about language and the way in which it is used, misused, and sometimes abused. An excellent book to read if you are a social misfit because then at parties instead of standing awkwardly by the French onion dip you can entertain the other guests with stories of obscure words and expressions…it works for me ☺
Short Stories:
Woman Hollering Creek, Sandra Cisneros
The author goes above and beyond in her short stories of women. She does an amazing job of connecting the stories with great writing, a whole lot of heart, and a true representation of women throughout their lives, ages, and cultures.
House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros
This book is half poetry, half short stories but completely amazing. I absolutely love the figurative language. Cisneros writes about her life growing up in the barrio and gives glimpses into a child’s life that are both humorous and heart wrenching.
Religious
Ragamuffin Gospel, Brennen Manning
If you are going to read one religious book (apart from the NKJV) hands down it should be this one. This book is an amazing reflection of what could be if people chose to live their lives as if it is indeed God’s grace that makes us worthy of love. If you are unsure, undecided, or just plain fed up with organized religion this book makes a strong case for getting back the basics.
What’s So Amazing About Grace, Philip Yancey
Another great book that gives vignettes about what it means to be gracious, graceful, and be forgiven by grace. If you are interested in the application of grace in and through your life it is worth a read.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Nebraska...land of straight roads and soy
Sometimes driving alone, I find myself enjoying the things that are so common, so usual, so ordinary. Like the sweet smell of rain showers that take me back home to lazy summer afternoons. The hypnotic repetition of delineator posts. How Nebraska seems half full of corn, half full of old tired looking barns, but all the way full of I-80 running like a silver stream to the horizon. The excitement about the destination and what is to come. The gentle ping of bugs losing their fight with a windshield. Corn rows quickly comng into and going out of focus at a dizzing pace. The earthy and rich smell of feedlots- "That's the smell of money, kids." Humid air that is almost tangible and weighty. Heat haze looking like a tiny pool in the middle of a black sea of asphalt. The rumble of a semi, like a gaint woken from slumber. The neon yellow and green spats of insects, like a Pollock on my windshield. Dust bits and chaff thrown by the farmers mowing the median; how sweet that smell of grass, and dust, and summertime is. The heinous zing and startle of the rumble strips as my tires fly over them. The quiet charm of towns that once were but are now shadows of the past-forgotton and forlorn. The calm that surrounds as the sun quickly dips past the horizon and makes the world a wash of vermillion, scarlet, ruby, tangerine, and saffron.
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