Booking Through Thursday (Cereal)

 

From Booking Through Thursday:

What' the oddest thing you've ever read? (You know, something NOT a book, magazine, short story or poem)

            I read any and all things at all times (excepting car manuals, directions on how to put things together and Nutritional Information on the backs of food--they boring, and truly unnecessary as there are people who can tell me the information located in these tiny fonted tomes).
            There is nothing more entertaining than reading the t-shirts and signs at concerts, sporting events and protest parades.
            And, I still read everything...just ask the kids who get in trouble for wearing inappropriate t-shirts. "Nobody else noticed", they say. I just smiley blithely as I tell them the rules about those kinds of t-shirts at school.

I own this t-shirt, actually my whole department does.

30 Day Song Challenge: Day Fourteen

Day Fourteen: A song that no one would expect you to love      

 

          This is a really hard one...songs I love people know about and songs I hate people know about too...um, I do know that people have been surprised at my taste in music sometimes and have said, "Oh, I didn't know you liked [fill in band/song here]", but I don't really hear that often as my taste are myriad and vast.

          When it does come up, it goes a little something like this...from my...

• peppy, chipper friends, "Stephanie, I can't believe you like Ani DiFranco!"
• Grrrrl friends, "Stephanie, I can't believe you like Britney Spears!"
• U2-aholics, "Stephanie, I can't believe you like Coldplay!"
• my Jazzy friends, "Stephanie, I can't believe you like Kanye West!"
• my students, "Mrs. Hasty, I can't believe you like Godsmack!"
• my rocker friends, "Stephanie, I can't believe you listen to Christian Rock!"

         and, on and on and on...I just like GOOD music, I don't care what genre.

         This is not a cop-out! And, after much deliberation and surveying of my friends (well, at least the two that were in my room last evening)...I'm choosing "Boot Scootin' Boogie" by Brooks and Dunn, although this song is a foundation of my high school experience (we even did a pom routine to it), people here are shocked I like (actually have a deep love for, but we can get into that later) Country music. Does this surprise you?

The 30 Day Song Challenge

Day 01 – Your favorite song

Day 02 -- Your least favorite song

Day 03 -- A song that makes you happy

Day 04 -- A song that makes you sad

Day 06 -- A song that reminds you of someone

Day 06 -- A song that reminds you of somewhere

Day 07 -- A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 08 -- A song that you know all the words to
Day 09 -- A song that you can dance to
Day 10 -- A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 11 -- A song from your favorite band
Day 12 -- A song from a band you hate
Day 13 -- A song that is a guilty pleasure

Day 14 – A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 15 – A song that describes you
Day 16 – A song that you used to love but now hate
Day 17 – A song that you hear often on the radio
Day 18 – A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Day 19 – A song from your favorite album
Day 20 – A song that you listen to when you’re angry
Day 21 – A song that you listen to when you’re happy
Day 22 – A song that you listen to when you’re sad
Day 23 – A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 24 – A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 25 – A song that makes you laugh
Day 26 – A song that you can play on an instrument
Day 27 – A song that you wish you could play
Day 28 – A song that makes you feel guilty
Day 29 – A song from your childhood
Day 30 – Your favorite song at this time last year

Word of the Week: Odious and Weekly 100 Words

Sorry, I didn't post about this last week and instead posted about another book. I was debating on whether or not I should do two words etc., but decided against it. Here's my post:

Here are my 100 words from Limitless by Alan Glynn p211:

I continued drinking over the weekend, mostly vodka, and mostly at home. After all, what else was there to do? I'd just become the subject of a full-scale murder investigation--albeit, and very conveniently, under an assumed name--so surely, in the circumstances, a little drinkie or two could hardly be seen as anything other than appropriate. I wasn't making any further pretense at reading 'the material' either, so I gave in for a while and went back to watching the news on TV. This quickly became all I wanted to watch and again I found myself wading the hours of mindless...

This meme is hosted by Ruthi at Ruthi Reads!  The object is simple:  share exactly 100 words from the book you are currently reading, and no spoilers!  Be sure to include your book's title, author, and page number in your post.  Head over to Ruthi's site and add your link to your book!  Happy Reading!

50 Books in a Year: Book #16 Limitless (The Dark Fields)

 "He had come a long way to this blue lawn, and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him, somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city, where the dark fields of the republic rolled on under the night." ~The Great Gatsby

          Book #16 came out in 2001 and was aptly titled The Dark Fields from The Great Gatsby. In releasing the movie adaptation they changed the book title to match the movie, rereleased it and Limitless (The Dark Fields) was born.
          I truly stumbled upon Limitless, first in a bookstore and second, in the theatre and would not have watched it (and, therefore not have read it) if I would have just watched the previews; previews that made the movie seem more like Wall Street III and not the techno-thriller it is. Even Bradley Cooper was not enticing me to watch this, what I believed, over-done premise.
         And, then I saw the book and read the back, all of the sudden it sounded Science-Fictiony (yeah, that's a word) and cool. I did not buy the book then, though, didn't have time as we were on our way to a different movie.
        Time passed.
        Last Monday, I had the whole day to myself and the idea of watching a movie in the theatre all alone seemed appealing. The movie was pretty (nice wardrobe, cinematography that genuinely astounded me and, well, Bradley Cooper) and made me feel really, really good, like I could conquer the world good--the intro is trippy, the action intense, and there's this scene with a pool of blood that had me on the edge of my seat. The perfect movie to watch alone. I had time, not only, to watch it as an action film, but to think about it as a cautionary tale, which it is, how could a movie about the ultimate drug not be. I even got to watch the credits all the way to the end and learned that the director is the same guy who directed and wrote The Illusionist (which is a lovely short story itself, found in The Barnum Museum, should you ever get the chance to read it, and the movie is beautiful and mesmerizing) and Interview with the Assassin (a strange, but intriguing little film). I downloaded the book onto the Nook as soon as I got home. I love a good technothriller as the genre brings together all the suspense and action of the Bourne trinity with deliciousness of a good science fiction story. The movie did not let me down and so far the book is fast-paced and has me on the edge of my seat, frankly, I want to be reading it right now, as I am almost finished...and, if Eddie's descent is as meteoric as his rise, I can't wait.

Do It With All Your Heart

Sure, I'd like to have "faith like a child", I'd also like to have perseverance like a child. I am amazed at how hard the tiny tot works, and she works everyday learning how to climb stairs, climb desk, understand words and eat using a utensil and she does it with all of her heart. Although I watch her struggle at it and sometimes fall or get frustrated because she can't get it, she doesn't stop until she does, and then she gives herself a little hand clap and a Lila Jane sized, "Yea!" and goes on to the next task.

Philip K. Dick-itis...it's a disease, I swear!

          Ok, so here's the deal, I read a ton of science fiction and yet...I am always surprised that another Philip K. Dick story/movie has been turned into a film. Case in point that little film over there The Adjustment Bureau. My friends and I went to watch it one Friday and pow, at the very beginning the screen reads something like "based on the story 'The Adjustment Team' by Philip K. Dick" and, as in previous years, I go back home rummage through the books I have, and, no I don't own "The Adjustment Team" (it seems that the stories used for movies are in different Dick volumes spread across the Earth, nay the Universe), so, I began my search on the interwebs...found the story, read it and thought what I always think when I read a Philip K. Dick or watch the movie of a story I've already read (this has only happened one time with Minority Report)..."What the deuce? Some of the themes match and the premise is the same, but this story is very, very, oh my dear, different." And, I come to the same conclusions I always come to, "The story is changed because it is addressing a modern era and must be changed." And, then, because the itch has been scratched, down the Philip K. Dick spiral I go...I buy another book, I research and I talk about and I write about all that I know about the master of Science Fiction. I stop only when I feel satiated once again, I stop only when I feel I have read what must be the next movie or book by him, and everytime...I fail. Philip K. Dick-itis has no cure. I mean he wrote over 100 short stories alone and then you have to add in the novels...what mere mortal has the kind of time to find, buy and read them all? I do have to admit though, I'm getting pretty close.

Films and the stories that go with them:

(Links to stories where available, otherwise links to B&N)

Blade Runner

Movie: 5 Stars

I remember watching this movie when I was a kid and being mesmerized by Daryl Hannah. Her character, Pris, still haunts my dreams. Add in Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young (in her 1st of 2 roles worth watching) and others directed by Ridley Scott and you have yourself a cult classic that I didn't realize, until watching the extras on the anniversary edition, took so much out of everyone.

Story: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

4 Stars

 
Because I read the story about 8 years after watching the movie, I don't really feel the same connection and well, the story is different enough that I was disappointed...I tried not to be, but, well...um...

A Scanner Darkly

Movie: Never seen it, it's in my Netflix queque

Novel: A Scanner Darkly

Never read it, I suppose I should put it on my TBR...

Total Recall

Movie: 4 Stars

This movie genuinely rocks my socks off, I remember how high-tech it was at the time. My husband and I watch it often, we have it on Blueray for some reason, I think we've also made all of our friends watch it. They don't seem to feel as passionate about it as we do, maybe they, too, should have seen it when it first came out.

Story: We Can Remember It For You Whole Sale 

4 Stars

I enjoy this story VERY much, although it is still different than the movie. To me, it isn't so different that the essence is lost...the movie just modernizes it.

Minority Report

Movie: 4 Stars

This really is the perfect SF cop thriller. I'm out of breath just thinking about the lovely ride it puts you on. Strung-out cop realizes that he has to forget the past to save an unknown. I love the scene with the umbrella.
Story: Minority Report 
3 1/2 Stars

The cop and the ending are very different, but this story is a fun ride that you can definitely tell was written Mid-20th Century, and I like Mid-century.

Next

Movie: Never seen it, it's in my Netflix queque

Story: The Golden Man

Never read it, I do own the book in which it lives...now...

Paycheck

Movie: 4 Stars

Ok, so if you read about a movie and hear that it's bad because it doesn't hold true to the original concept in any way, you watch the movie first, and, frankly, I like it a lot. The idea that no matter how hard we try we can't stop the inevitable is always interesting to me, and it's brought to you with a lot of action and, well, Ben Affleck.

Story: Paycheck

4 Stars

I like that this story still has the themes and I like that it is very different the movie. The movie would not have read well. I'm pretty sure I would not have thought this if I'd read it first. So good this story is.

The Adjustment Bureau

Movie: 5 Stars

Romance in a Dick story, what???? But, I love it! It's so pretty and, well romantic.

Story: The Adjustment Team

4 Stars

No, romance, but other than that the story is the same. Really! In thinking...I may even give this story 4 1/2 stars...

Check out more stories and films...here.

The Friday Five: Condiments

I love doing surveys and questionnaires. I love reading peoples answers to surveys and questionnaires. They are a weakness of mine, and in looking for topics for my blog to make it easier for me to post everyday once school started...I found this. So, Fridays we're taking a break from talking about reading and books and words to answer silly surveys and questionnaires. Feel free to post your answers below, on your own blog, or both!!! Ideas from Friday5.org

Condiments

1. What’s something that demands ketchup?
2. What’s the best thing to do with the leftover packets of cheese and red-pepper flakes you get with pizza delivery?
3. What’s something (besides salad) that’s good with salad dressing?
4. What’s a condiment you’re especially brand-loyal to?
5. What’s the weirdest use of condiments you’ve seen by other people?

Answers

1. McDonald's french fries.
2. Stuff them in the fridge until the little container on the side of the door gets too full and then throw them away, only to start all over again...it's a fun game.
3. Pizza, especially if it's Mazzio's ranch salad dressing.
4. Heinz ketchup, wait is peanut butter a condiment? If so, Peter Pan PB, too!
5. Ketchup on pancakes...*gag* or, as Lila Jane would say, "Ew, icky..."