RobertYokoyama

The humor of Jonathan Goldstein comes from his honesty about things.

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:45:42 +0000

This book chronicles every week of Jonathan Goldstein's 39th year of life. He is a Canadian radio host with a show called Wiretap. A lot of these subjects come from his radio show and his newspaper columns. I can identify with a lot of the things that Jonathan Goldstein discusses in this book. Both of us spend a lot of time thinking about what to eat for our next meal. He thinks about the loss of his hair like I do. He admits to thinking about his sexual fantasies. The humor of Jonathan Goldstein's material comes from his honest opinions about these subjects.

He writes about foods that I have never heard of. He talks about his love of melba toast. Melba toast is simply toast topped with cheese or pate. Melba toast is usually served with soup. He makes a reference to a food called poutine. Poutine is French fries topped with gravy and cheese curds. This food sounds like it would give me a heart attack, but it is something that I would like to try in moderation. He also makes a reference to a food called souvlaki. This is a shish kabob made with lamb. I want to thank Jonathan Goldstein for raising my curiosity and for making me hungry.

There is a sentimentality in Goldstein's personality that I like. He puts copies of poems in his wallet. I love to read poetry. Putting poems in my wallet is something that I do whenever I find words of encouragement. Goldstein writes about taking a trip to Puerto Rico in an attempt to find out if holds any romantic allure for him. This is a place where his parents spent their honeymoon. I think that his trip to Puerto Rico is a beautiful way to honor his parents. I love Goldstein's relationship with his toy poodle named Boosh. This is a pet that he treats like an extra sibling and a room mate. I had a dog for seventeen years, so I can relate to the close relationship between a grown man and his dog. I enjoy the humor and sentimentality of Jonathan Goldstein very much.

This is a great travel memoir with an interesting title.

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:31:33 +0000

Savannah Grace introduces me to a new word with the title of this book. A sihpromatum is a blessing that seems like a curse in the beginning. This is a great word to add to my vocabulary. I will look at every new experience as a sihpromatum from now on. The title of the book is the hook that caused me to read it. Savannah Grace spent two months travelling through China and Mongolia as a fourteen year old girl. She recorded her experiences on an online blog. She has crafted this fascinating memoir using those blog entries. I have never been to China or Mongolia. I would like to try some of the activities that Savannah describes in this book. I love to take a mud bath in the caves of China. I would love to visit the Great Wall of China. I learned the bricks that formed the Great Wall were made of rice. I never thought that Mongolia would be a country that I would like to visit, but Savannah changes my opinion of the country. I would love to attend a festival in Mongolia that celebrates horse racing, ball room dancing and rap music. I would also enjoy riding wild horses and camels through the Gobi Desert. Savannah describes unusual foods that she ate. I don't know if I would try roasted gopher or fermented horse milk, but these foods sound intriguing. This book is the first volume of Savannah's travels. I look forward to reading other books by Savannah Grace in the future.

Kinky Boots is a musical about two people working together trying to make a shoe factory work.

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 01:06:33 +0000

I will never look at a pair of boots or shoes the same way again. Kinky Boots makes me believe that shoes can truly be one of the most beautiful things in the world. "The Most Beautiful Thing In the World" is definitely one of my favorite songs. These are all superb songs written by Cyndi Lauper . Billy Porter shines in his role as Lola. Stark Sands is equally excellent as Charlie. Their duet "Everybody Say Yeah" is an upbeat number that makes me feel good. Stark Sands shines on the musical number "Soul Of A Man". Billy Porter sings a very moving song on the beautiful tune "Hold Me In Your Heart" "Raise You Up" and Just Be are two songs that make me feel empowered. This song celebrates a person's individuality and their right to do their own thing in life. "Sex In The Heel" are "In This Corner" are two songs that pump me up. Jennifer Perry sings on In This Corner. She has a strong voice and really stands out in her role as Trish. I love the funky feisty spirit of these songs. Kinky Boots is the best musical in many years. This cast recording is proof of that. I love this music.

This is a powerful book.

Thu, 6 Jun 2013 12:42:40 +0000

I have a greater sense of empathy for victims of abuse and neglect because of this book. I have to thank Tom Kizzia for that. He is a journalist from Alaska and author of this book. It is hard to believe that an entire family that includes fifteen siblings would be abused by the family patriarch in the twenty-first century, but it actually happened in a town called McCarthy in Alaska just eleven years ago. I admire the courage of each family member to end the abuse and seek help. I have heard of physical and sexual abuse before. There are examples of that in this book. The worst form of neglect in my opinion is a parent who deprives their child the right of a child to get an education. This family of seventeen people lived in a log cabin with just a Bible and a copy of the novel Pilgrim's Progress by Paul Bunyan. I have never read this book. I am motivated to read it to see if I can gain any insight from it. I would also like to visit Alaska because of the descriptions in this book. The town of McCarthy is located within Wrangell St. Elias National Park. It is a place where I can fish, hunt and even walk on a glacier. I can also take a tour of a copper mine too. These activities sound like so much fun to me. Pilgrim's Wilderness is an emotionally powerful book about the subject of abuse. The descriptions of life in Alaska gives this book a visual quality that I love.

It is neat to read a biography about someone with a love for science.

Sun, 26 May 2013 05:44:24 +0000

I do not have the aptitude for a career in science. It is neat to read a biography about a person who does though. Mary Sherman Morgan invented the rocket propellant called hydyne in 1958. Her invention helped launch America's first satelite and rocket. Her invention did not have a long lasting impact in rocket science, but it established the contest between the United States and Russia in the space race in the 1950's and beyond. Mary Sherman also tested nitric acid, which is the main ingredient in the composition of dynamite. Her weapons helped American soldiers win World War II. I admire Mary Sherman Morgan. She experienced prejudiced attitudes by men who thought that a woman could not succeed in science. She possessed an obsessive curiosity about science. I learned that one of the challenges that a chemical scientist faces is trying to figure out which chemicals match together to create the desired outcome. This book makes me think about the every day application of chemistry. There is an example of how chemistry happens every time a person drives a car. The author of this book is Mary's son George. I like reading the things he learned about his mother while doing the research. She became a rocket chemist after completing high school and two semesters of college. I have never heard of a person with this level of intelligence. People like Mary Morgan remind me that I can learn more outside of a class room than in one. I just need to have an open mind to try new things. I love this book.

This book is informative and artistically appealing.

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:29:33 +0000

I love this book because I learned about Mohandas Gandhi. I am inspired to approach my problems in life in a less aggressive way because of his life. I must confess that I knew nothing about how Gandhi's 100 mile salt march led to India's independence from Great Britain. I did not know that salt and cloth were taxable items that made Indian people poor and British people rich. I learned that he also supported voting rights for the most socially out cast people by going on a food fast. I am simply inspired by the courage of Mohandas Gandhi. I love all the historical aspects of this book. It is rare for me to learn something from a children's book.

This book is beautifully illustrated by an artist named Thomas Gonzalez. My favorite illustration is one of Gandhi bathing in the Arabian Sea in the morning. The colors of the sea and water is so vivid. I also love the picture of Gandhi waving behind a background of clouds. This illustration symbolizes Gandhi's warmth and compassion. The writing in this book is easy for readers to understand. I learned a little bit about Gandhi's achievements. This book also makes me think about his legacy too. This book is aimed for kids. Kids under ten will love the pictures in the book. Adults will love the pictures and the words in the book.

This is an entertaining new album from Vampire Weekend.

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:16:41 +0000

The album title is the hook that caused me to buy this CD. I thought this music would be dark and scary, but I found that the majority of the songs on this album to be completely opposite of that. Erza Koeing has such a soothing voice. He makes this album worth listening to. The other three band members really compliment Erza's vocals with their instruments. The best songs on this album are the songs that involve some sort of personal struggle. My favorite song is "Ya Hey". This song is about trying to find a place to call home and not finding it. My other favorite song is "Everlasting Arms". This song is about struggling to find love in someone who not there. This song has rather bleak lyrics, but it has a beautiful tone. "Unbelievers" is a song about pondering about what happens to people who die who do not believe in God. This is a thought provoking song. "Finger Back" is a song with graphic violent lyrics. This song has such a pleasant tone that I did not even pay attention to the lyrics. "Worship You" is a song about looking for direction and guidance. Chris Tomson provides a superb beat on the drums with this song. "Diane Young" is a song that simply infuses me with energy. I love this tune. I am still trying to deceipher the lyrics of this song. "Step" is a pretty love song. I love the piano playing by Chris Baio here. "Hannah Hunt" is a song about the intimacy between a man and a woman in a relationship. "Hannah Hunt" is another beautiful track with melodic piano playing. "Modern Vampires of the City" is an entertaining album by Vampire Weekend.

The adventure of mountain of mountain climbing is captured well in this book.

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:42:15 +0000

Broughton Coburn captures the spirit of adventure that mountain climbing creates. He also captures how dangerous mountain climbing can be with this book. I didn't even know that an American climbing expedition made it to the top of Mount Everest in 1963. I enjoyed reading how this group of adventurers endured such perilous weather conditions to reach their goal. They spent more than three months climbing the mountain. They encountered such physical challenges like experiencing a lack of oxygen and having the wind blow away their tents. Anyone who has the courage and patience to climb a mountain is a hero in my book. I learned that over 3,700 people have climbed Mount Everest since 1953. I am amazed to learn that only 240 people have died on Everest since 1953. I am surprised by the diversity of people in this climbing expedition. This group of climbers included a glacier scientist, historian, radio operator, sociologist psychologist. All of these people contributed to the success of this endeavor. I learned a little bit of geography in this book. I learned the Grand Tetons is in Wyoming and that K2 mountain is in Pakistan.

I am inspired by the accomplishments of one climber of the 1963 expedition He is the late Barry Corbet. He continued to climb mountains in Wyoming after becoming paralyzed. He started the disability magazine called New Mobility. This is something I read occasionally He also assisted in the passage of the Americans with Disability Act in 1990. I am a person with a disability. I feel very connected to the work of Corbet because of my disability. I will probably never climb a mountain, but I know that it is a possibility because of Barry Corbet. This short biographical information about Corbet feels me with a sense of hope. It raises my enjoyment and opinion of The Vast Unknown.

Blind Curves is a great travel memoir.

Mon, 6 May 2013 02:45:27 +0000

Blind Curves is an excellent travel memoir. It reminds me not to be afraid of the unknown and to attack challenges in life. Motorcycle riders can experience extreme joy and sudden sorrow as well. Linda Crill went on a ten day 2500 mile road trip through the Pacific Northwest with three other people. I really enjoyed the friendship that develops between these people. I admire her accomplishment because of how difficult it is. Crill is very honest in explaining how difficult is to do things like shifting gears and braking on a motorcycle. I really admire the coordination it takes to operate a motorcycle. Motorcycle riding requires mental and physical concentration. This is a theme that Crill communicates well. This road trip helps Linda rediscover happiness after her husband passes away from cancer. She experiences ten days of mostly pure happiness. A sense of prolonged happiness is something I am always trying to achieve.

I like reading about things like riding through snow and up hills and mountains. This is because I have a physical disability. I will probably never get to do these things by myself. There is a visual quality in Linda Crill's writing. She makes me feel like I am riding a motorcycle with her. I would love to see and do some of things that she describes in this book. I would love to visit the town of Leavenworth in Washington State just to eat some German food. I would love to see the giant redwood trees in Eureka and the beautiful Crater Lake in Oregon. This book is beautifully illustrated by an artist named Kevin Miller. I love his illustrations of a biker woman with long flowing hair on a motorcycle. There is another illustration of a computer blowing up. I like the caption under the illustration that failures facilitate change. This is a saying I will remember the next time I fail at something. The illustrations in the book really compliment the text well. Blind Curves is an excellent read.

I love the poetry of Charles Coe.

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:56:03 +0000

I love the poetry of Charles Coe. Most of these poems reveal a facet of the personality of Edith or Connie Coe. These are the names of his late parents. "Riverside Park" is a poem that stands out to me. This is a poem about Edith Coe's experience of encountering racism as a teenager in Indianapolis. She had gravel thrown in her face when she tried to catch a bus on the way to the amusement park Another poem that stands out is "No Return Policy". This is a poem about the experience about his parents being denied the right to return broken furniture. Charles Coe reveals that his mother never lost her sense of dignity and self respect enduring such racism. "Joan Of Arc" is another poem about his mother. The poem is about the inner strength she possessed to protect herself and the people she loved. I liked this poem very much. "A Symphony Of Crickets" is a poem about his personal experience of feeling awkward about wearing a suit to the symphony to see violinist Issac Stern perform. This poem motivates me to get into the music of Issac Stern and listen to it. I learned that Charles Coe is also a jazz singer. I want to listen to his music after reading his poetry. I am always interested how a person gets interested in cooking. "How My Father Learned How To Cook" is a poem about how his father learned how to cook. His cooking lessons were a form of punishment for stealing a neighbor's tomatoes and throwing them at cars as a kid. He writes about his father's talent for cooking Thanksgiving dinner in a "A Change Of Menu". This poem contains vivid images of delicious food that makes me hungry."Steel" is a reference to the thirty-five years that Connie Coe spent working at a Chervolet car factory. Coe communicates the physical danger involved in this job and how hard he worked. Charles Coe honors his parents in most of these poems. I love every poem in this collection He inspires me to try and write poems about the influence my parents have had on me.

Willie makes these classic country songs sound fresh.

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 05:03:17 +0000

No one can sing about the feeling of being in love like Willie Nelson. There is a honesty and wisdom in his voice. He makes me believe in every word of every song. His love songs are superb. I especially like the tunes "You'll Never Know" and "I'll Keep On Loving You". He also makes believe that it is possible to fall out of love. "Is The Better Part Over" is a beautiful song about what it feels like when the spark in a relationship fizzles out. "Shame On You" is an upbeat song about finding out that a lover has been unfaithful. "Twilight Time" is a song that makes me warm and cozy. I have to mention all the talented musicians on this album. His sister Bobbie accompanies Willie beautifully on the piano. Mickey Raphael plays the harmonica on the album. His instrument gives the song "Matchbox" a jolt of energy that I enjoy. He compliments Willie's vocals well. I love the music on this album.

Great satisfaction can be gained from doing dirt work.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 02:30:48 +0000

I admire the work that Christine Byl has done. Her efforts makes it possible for tourists like me to enjoy the national parks in the country. Byl writes about her experiences of working as a trail dog in Glacier National Park in Montana. She also writes about her experiences of working in Denali Park in Alaska. Trail dogs are a crew of people who make hiking trails easier to walk on and enjoy. I have never done physical work because of a physical disability that I have. This book makes me want to get dirty though.. She creates a visual spectacle with her descriptions of the natural environment and the duties of a trail dog.

I would love to chop down a tree with an axe. I would also like the idea of making steps out of rock for people to walk on. I think digging holes with a shovel sounds like a good exercise. Great satisfaction can be gained from performing physical work. This is something that Byl communicates clearly in this book. I can enjoy activities like looking at beautiful orchids and larch trees because of Christine and other traildogs. I would enjoy picking salmon berries and look at puffin birds at Prince William Sound in Cordova, Alaska. I have never heard of these two things. Byl raises my curiosity for the environment by mentioning these two things. This book expands my knowledge of geography and the environment so much. This is an excellent book.

I am so happy that John Denver's music is still revered and respected by so many people

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 17:42:31 +0000

I will always love the music of John Denver. It is so gratifying to hear his music revered on this CD. I love all the tracks, but my favorite is "Sunshine On My Shoulder". This song sounds so peacefully performed by pop group Train. I love the wisdom and warmth of Lucinda Williams on the song "This Old Guitar". This song communicates how much loved to create music on the guitar. Amos Lee delivers a bluesy version of "Some Days Are Diamonds". He makes me believe some days are better than others. Allen Stone delivers a superb version of "Rocky Mountain High". This song makes me so carefree. I love this song. I never thought I'd hear Dave Matthews cover a John Denver song. He sings the song "Take Me To Tomorrow". This song has thought provoking lyrics. This song makes me contemplate my purpose on this planet. This song is very moving. A singer named Kathleen Edwards covers the song "All Of My Memories". This song communicates John's feelings of living on the road playing his music. I love the sentiment of this song very much. "Take Me Home Country Roads" communicates John's pride of being a country boy. Emmylou Harris sings this song so well. I have never of Evan Dando. He is a singer with a such a soothing voice. He performs the song "Looking For Space". I love the lyrics of this song. I feel like I am looking for an identity in the world. Evan Dando makes me feel hopeful that I will find my place in the world. I love the music on this CD.

I have more respect for the work that mechanics do because of this book.

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 01:17:30 +0000

Learning how to repair a car is a valuable skill. I have more respect for what auto mechanics do after reading this book. This memoir is about a young woman's experiences of spending six months learning how to became an auto mechanic. Ethel Sue Edwards proves that a woman can fix a car as well as a man can. I don't know anything about car repair, so I truly admire the skills that Edwards learns. I enjoyed reading about how Sue Edwards bonds with her classmates by learning to speak urban slang. Her nickname is Sue Woo. I am surprised to learn that this means gangster in urban slang. Her classmates remind me a lot of myself. Most of them are hormonally charged young men who think about women and food all the time. I can relate to all of the humor in this book. I am surprised to learn that this means gangster in urban slang. I learned of a new website called urbandictionary.com. I can use urban slang if I ever move to that kind of environment.

Fixing cars sounds like a great way to get a work out. I could get a work out by changing and patching tires. I could also get dirty by changing the oil in a car. I think the most interesting task a mechanic performs is fixing an oil leak. I learned that a dye is used to determine if a car is leaking oil or not. It is so much fun visualizing all of things happening with a car. I will pass on this bit of information to my family and friends. She alludes to a car that has an electrical fire, but she does not elaborate on what to do. I want to learn what to do if a car has an electrical fire. I don't drive a car, but this is another piece of information I can pass on to the people I know. I enjoyed this book very much.

I love all the songs on this album by Blake Shelton.

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:32:39 +0000

This is another fine album from Blake Shelton. This album is entitled "Based On True On A True Story". Blake certainly can tell a story with his music. He shares a little bit of his personality in each song. "Boys Round Here" is a song where Blake sings about how proud he is to be a country boy. He enjoys talking about trucks and girls. He also enjoys drinking beer. Blake seems like a man that I would like to hang out with. This is a very enjoyable first track. My other favorite track "My Eyes." This is a song about a how a beautiful woman can make a man feel. "Doing What She Likes" is a song about all the little things that a man can do to make a woman feel special. Blake provides me excellent tips I can use to find a girlfriend. Many of these songs are love songs, but Blake sounds great singing them. "Still Got A Finger" is a song for all the people who work hard every day to make a living. I know this a country album, but this song really rocks. I love the spirit of this song very much. "Granddaddy's Gun" is another song I like. Blake makes me believe that a gun is something I can be proud to pass on to the next generation."Country On The Radio" is a song about how much Blake loves country music. I love the banjo and fiddle playing on this track. "Sure Be Cool If You Did" is a song about how a special woman can change a man's life forever. This song makes me feel hopeful that I will find a special woman soon. "Do You Remember" is a pretty song about remembering all the things that makes a man fall in love with a woman. I love this album. This CD makes me love country music even more.

I am motivated to take a road trip because of this book.

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 01:16:47 +0000

Peking to Paris is a memoir about the experience of lifetime for a woman named Dina and her husband Bernard. They participated in a motor rally race from Peking to Paris in 2007. They drove 7901 miles in thirty-five days a 1940 LaSalle Coupe. The car is like an athlete in this book. Dina and her husband restored this car to run at a peak performance. They equipped this car with a global positioning system a new engine and fuel tank. I found myself rooting for their Lasalle Coupe to win the race just like I would root for a real athlete. There are 250 other competitors driving classic cars like Studebakers and even a Ford Model T that is 100 years old. I don't drive, but I get a sense of how gruelling and gratifying driving can be. She makes me want to jump in a car and go for a drive around the world..This is the first competition that I have read about that is not fierce contested or mean spirited. Just finishing a race of this magnitude is a major achievement.

Bennett takes me for a trip around the world in the pages of this book. I would love to see Badaling. This is the most visited spot of the Great Wall of China. This is also where the motor race begins. Anything that old and that large and beautiful is appealing to me. I would also like to see Lake Baikal in Siberia. I learned that Baikal is the largest freshwater lake in the world. She also describes driving through a sand storm. Bennett also had the time to watch attend the ballet in Moscow. I admire the grace of ballet dancers. This is something I would check out as a tourist. The spirit of the adventure of travelling is well captured in the pages of this book. I enjoyed it very much.

A Curious Man is a fascinating biography.

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 03:25:36 +0000

I love this biography of Robert Ripley. I grew up watching Ripley's Believe It Or Not in the eighties, but I knew nothing of the man himself. I thank Neal Thompson for writing such a comprehensive biography. Ripley was a man who worked hard and truly enjoyed all the things that money could buy. For all of this success, he was also over worked and lonely in his personal life.

Ripley's legacy can seen in books, museums, current television shows and even museums. Ripley became a successful radio and television show host too. He accomplished all of this without finishing high school. I truly admire Ripley's success because of that. Ripley's art work expands my definition of what a cartoon is. His cartoons stretched the limits of human imagination. One of his cartoon drawings showed an African man with a twenty eight inch horn growing out of his forehead. There are no photos in this book. I found an image of this online. Ripley travelled to places with unusual names too. He visited a place called Hell, Norway and Santa Claus, Indiana and over 200 countries in his life time. Travelling is something I aspire to do more of.

Neal Thompson also includes trivia facts from his own research. I learned that Ripley's brand of cartoons is still in print today. It is the longest running cartoon in existence today. I also learned that the first cross puzzle was created in 1913 by John Pulitzer. I learned that Ripley was the first person to support the idea of Hawaii becoming a state decades before it did and that he first proposed a plan to make the Arizona a memorial in Pearl Harbor. A Curious Man is an entertaining biography. It not only chronicles a fascinating life. It is filled with neat trivia facts from the author too.

The information in this book will make me a more confident job seeker.

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 21:44:05 +0000

What drew me to this book is the title. When Can You Start is a such a positive sounding title. The information in this book will come in handy when I am applying for a new job. Freiberger spends an entire chapter about how to address a personal weakness. I found this chapter most helpful, because I do not think of my weakness when I am working. My weakness is that I can sometimes be close minded to the suggestions and ideas of my coworkers. I can take steps to improve this by taking the time to read their lesson plans and listen to their ideas. I am hopeful that I can turn my personal weakness into a strength with countinued practice. Freiberger emphasizes preparation for an interview works both ways. I have to be prepared to answer question as well as ask them. I often forget to ask if there are opportunities for advancement in a job. I will also remember to ask how I will be evaluated on the job once I get it.

Freiberger offers tips to different groups of people in another chapter in the book. He offers job tips to people who have been fired as well individuals who have a disability. His advice to people who have been fired is to try to appear as positive as possible. I can do this by treating that previous job as a learning experience. Freiberger's advice to individuals with disabilties is to place the focus on a person's abilities and not their disability. I have a physical disability, so this piece of advice is very important for me to remember. I work with individuals with developmental disabilities.. I can share the information I learned in this book with them. I truly believe that the information in this book will make me a more confident job seeker.

"The Blue Room" is an album for people who love jazz and easy listening music.

Wed, 6 Mar 2013 07:01:28 +0000

I love the voice of Madeleine Peyroux. My favorite track on this album is"You Don't Know Me". This is one of four songs by Ray Charles on this album. He recorded this song 51 years ago for a country album. Madeleine Peyroux makes this song her own with her unique musical arrangements. This song features beautiful trumpet playing. I have never this song with trumpet playing. It only plays for about thirty seconds, but it is sounds very special. Peyroux also covers the song "Bye Bye Love". I love her jazz rendition of this song. It sounds smooth and cool. I am surprised to learn that Ray Charles also recorded this song.

I also love the song "Bird On A Wire". I love the lyrics of the song. I think this song is about the need to forgive myself of the mistakes I have made in my life. This song really speaks to me. "Changing All Those Changes" is probably the only Buddy Holly song that I have never heard before. This song is about making a change in attitude and moving on after a relationship does not work out. This is a pleasant song. I will never get tired of listening to this song. It puts me in a good mood. Madeleine Peyroux transforms the country classic love song "I Can't Stop Loving You" into a bluesy love song. I love her rendition of this song. She makes me forget the original and makes me love her version more. Larry Goldings plays the organ on this track. I think his playing gives this track a romantic uplifting tone. "Desperadoes Under the Eaves" and "Guilty" are two songs about people struggling with addictions to alcohol and drugs. In "Desperadoes Under the Eaves", the person still seem to struggle with booze. In the song "Guilty", the person is trying to overcome addiction and return to a loved one. Both of these songs are very moving lyrically. "The Blue Room" is Madelene Peyroux's best album since "Careless Love". Peyroux proves with this album that a great song is timeless. She also proves that a great song can also rise above one genre of music.

This album makes me a bigger fan of country music.

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:46:24 +0000

Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell are perfect duet partmers. Each song communicates a different aspect of human emotion. My two favorite songs are "Hanging Up My Heart" and "Open Season On My Heart". The first song is a rather pleasant country song about being heart broken. It features great steel guitar playing. "Open Season On My Heart" is also about feeling heart broken, but the tone is much slower and sad. I can feel the pain in Rodney Crowell's voice on this song. I love the song."Black Caffeine". It is a bluesy country song. I can relate to the lyrics because of my personal addiction to caffeine in all forms. "Bull Rider" is a song about taking life by the horns and hanging on for the ride. I love the fiddle playing on this track. "Spanish Dancer" is not a country song. This song was written by Patti Scialfa. She is known for writing rock and pop songs. The musical arrangements with the accordion and acoustic guitar make this song definitely country though. This song is about falling in love with a male Spanish dancer. Emmy Lou sings about being smitten by this man's charms so well on this song. "Bluebird Wine" is a song that spark my interest simply because I did not know that such a drink existed. This song makes me want to drink some. Maybe I can be happy like Rodney Crowell after drinking some bluebird wine. "Back When We Were Beautiful" and "Old Yellow Moon" are two songs that touch my heart. "Old Yellow Moon" is a superb duet album. It makes me a bigger fan of country music.

Theater Quick Tip by RobertYokoyama

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 08:01:38 +0000

I am going to act in a play entitled Caney Ridge Boys next month. It is set in Virginia during the Great Depression. I play a farmer in a coal mining town. . My barn gets burned down and I have to learn how to move on after this happens. It is a very small part, but I love doing theater when I can.

This is a fascinating biography

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 06:04:39 +0000

Monte Reel introduces me to the fascinating life and achievements of Paul du Chaillu with this book. Paul du Chaillu was the first white person to explore Africa and write about his experiences in the mid nineteenth century.

Paul du Chaillu's research in his first book was criticized for the lack of professional details in it. This motivated him to expand his knowledge in the fields of geography, astronomy and photography. I admire his work ethic to become a more professional in his work. His second book about his explorations in Africa was successful as a result. Paul du Chaillu also wrote a book about living in Scandanavia and also studied Russian later in his life. His life was full and exciting.

I love the influence that Paul du Chaillu's work had on popular culture. There are poems and words to dances created to honor the gorilla. I find this amusing, because I do not find anything beautiful about gorillas. I admire Monte Reel's skill as a researcher in finding these references. Paul du Chaillu's work was the inspiration for the film King Kong and the novels of Jack London.

I wish this book came with a map of Gabon in Africa. It would be interesting to see exactly where Paul du Chaillu travelled. Monte Reel sparks my curiosity to learn. Some of the references in this book in the fields of astromony and literature. Paul du Chaillu also wrote a series of children's books about gorillas. I have never read a children's book about gorillas. It would be fun to read. I have never taken an astronomy class before, but Reel makes a reference to a group of three stars called the Sword of Orion. I am interested in learning more about astronomy because of this scientific reference. Monte Reel also makes reference to a stringed instrument called the ombi. It is made from the roots of a tree. I found this book to be entertaining as well as informative.

I believe in the power of negative thinking.

Tue, 5 Feb 2013 01:44:40 +0000

I never thought that negative thinking could lead to postitve results. Bob Knight is a famous college basketball coach. I have never played basketball, but I love to watch the sport. Bob Knight makes references to some of my favorite basketball players like Isaiah Thomas and Michael Jordan. These players made adjustments to their game that lead to success on the court. The stories of these famous athletes remind me that I should be open to making adjustments in my life if I want to succeed in anything.

The central theme of this book is the power of negative thinking. Negative thinking will help me avoid all of the pit falls that I can happen when I try something new. I am thinking about going back to school again to pursue a masters degree for a while now.I can use the information in this book to choose a program that is suited to my abilities. I studied the social sciences in graduate school before. I failed to look at all of the problems that I could encounter. I did not pass my class, and I dropped out as a result. Saying that I can't do something is not a bad thing. This is another piece of advice that I will remember. I should be more aware of my limitations now that I am in my forties. Bob Knight reminds me that having the will to prepare to do something is the key to success.

Bob Knight makes some interesting historical and literary references to emphasize his points. I did not know that Napoleon failed to prepare when attacking Russia. He lost thousands of soldiers because of his lack of foresight. "The Charge of Light Brigade" is a poem that reminds me that failure can happen to anyone. The wisdom that Knight gains from history and literature impresses me. I really enjoyed everything about this book.

Pieces of Light is a fascinating book on the subject of memory.

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 01:17:46 +0000

The scientific study of human memory is always evolving and very complicated. Charles Fernyhough provides stories from his own life. He also includes stories from other people. These stories make the subject of neuroscience interesting to me. I learned so many things about memory from this book. These are just some things that stand out. The process of remembering something is an active process. It is not merely an act of retrieval. It involves making connections with things that I already know. I learned that I am encoding new memories when I am actually doing something new. I learned that different parts of the brain process memories in distinct ways. The amygdala is the part of the brain that stores the emotion of a memory. The hippocampus helps people form connections to other memories. Fernyhough is a psychologist. He also has a degree in natural sciences from Cambridge. He shares his experience of feeling lost on the campus of Cambridge in one chapter. I find it amusing that such an educated man like Fernyhough can get lost on a campus that he lived on for seven years. I learned that locational and meaning based memory work together to help a person remember. Another chapter in this book is about his ninety-three year old grandmother named Martha. He interviews her to learn more about her experiences during World War II. I learned from this chapter that changing the context of an interview helps a person remember more things. He changes the language of the interview from English to Yiddish. He also brings in another woman around his grandmother's age. Changing these variables helped his grandmother unlock more memories. Fernyhough discusses a new form of hypnosis therapy called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. This therapy eases the trauma of a painful event. Fernyhough shares the story of a man who was involved in a car accident that caused the death of another man. This new therapy involves following a LED light, but it also centers around reframing the memories of the survivor of the accident so that the experience is not as painful as before. Fernyhough also makes many literary references to illustrate different aspects of memory. Wind In The Willows by Kenneth Grahame is a book that illustrates the importance that smell has in triggering memories. The theme of Rudyard Kipling's poem "Lichtenberg" is about the power of smell triggers memories of an Australian soldier in the Boer War. I appreciate Charles Fernyhough for raising my interest in literature again. Pieces of Light is entertaining and informative book.

Branding is the skill of presenting myself to the public.

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 06:02:15 +0000

Branding is a life skill according to Karen Kang. I define branding as the skill of presenting of what I have to offer to the public. Karen Kang is a branding strategist. She has helped many individuals and companies reinvent their image and achieve their potential. Kang also has a journalism background. Her ideas are practical and easy to follow. I have many careers that I want to explore. I would love to explore a career in social media and writing. I also want to continue explore a career of acting on stage. I can reposition my professional profile to do this. I can write a reposition statement that highlights my skills as a job empowerment teacher to change jobs. Each career goal I have requires me to send a different message to a different target audience. This book forces me to reassess the skills I have and what makes me stand out as a person. Kang devotes one chapter to the subject of creating an ecosystem. An ecosystem is a group of people who can support me in reaching my goals. I have to create a new ecosystem for each goal that I set for myself. Before I make a career switch, I believe I can increase my value in my job as a job empowerment instructor by writing down the skills and contributions I have made recently. I can also write down the areas of my job that I need to improve on.

I love exploring social media. Karen Kang offers advice on how to make my profile on Twitter and Linked In more professional. Her suggestion is to devote ninety percent of my profile content to my area of expertise and ten percent of my content can be informal. The content of my profile content is the exact opposite. It is something that I can change immediately to open up more job opportunities for myself. The charts and tasks contained in this book will help me create a visual representation of my strengths and weaknesses. I like the emphasis on quality networking versus quantity of networking. It is more important to have a small network of people who know and support me than to have a stack of business cards. The information in this book is invaluable. I just have to learn how to narrow my career goals and decide what I want to focus on.

This 2013 Grammy Nominees CD is a true celebration of music.

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 06:10:08 +0000

The songs on this disc are a true celebration of music. Yes, there are perennial Grammy nominees on here. Katy Perry's song "Wide Awake" continues her string of hit songs . Rock Hall of famer Bruce Springsteen contributes the patriotic "We Take Care Of Our Own". Kelly Clarkson's hit song "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger" confirms her talent as an singer.

This CD also makes me a fan of some new artists..The song "Shake It Out" by Florence and The Machine stands out..This song reminds me to let go of the past. Florence Welch's voice is very uplifting. This song makes me feel empowered. "Madness" by Muse is another song I enjoy. It is a techno rock love song. I love the beat of this song very much. Rock is well represented here with two songs by Jack White. His guitar riffs on the track "Freedom At 21" are superb. The song rocks. "Lonely Boy" is a song that will get me on my feet any time I hear it. Another gem is "Hold On" by Alabama Shakes. Brittany Howard's soulful sincere voice ensures this group will hopefully make music for many years to come. "The A Team" by Ed Sheeran is a song that raises my social consciousness to people who are homeless and struggling to survive. This song is very touching. "Wanted" is a pretty country song that reminds me to look for the inner beauty in a woman. I hope that people will take the time to listen to these new artists and enjoy this disc overall.

This book raises my interest in science.

Sat, 12 Jan 2013 02:12:16 +0000

It took Christoph Irmscher ten years to write this biography of Louis Agassiz. I found this to be a fascinating biography of a nineteenth century scientist. I knew nothing about the man before. I read this book. Irmscher is an English professor at Indiana University. He does an excellent job of researching. He picks out the most interesting aspects of Louis Agassiz's life. One of Agassiz's passion is the study of jellyfish. I learned that a jelly fish's body is ninety-eight percent water. also learned that a jellyfish melts as soon it leaves the water. These may seem like very simple facts about jellyfish. It is enough information to make me want to learn more about them. I also learned that a starfish has five eyes. There is a reference to an animal called the guanaco in this book. I have never heard of this animal, Irmscher raises my curiosity to find more information about this animal with this one reference.

Agassiz's other passion is the study of glaciers..He wrote an entire book about how glaciers move, and the impact glaciers can have on the physical environment. Irmscher devotes an entire chapter of the book about Agassiz's attitudes about race. I found it interesting that a nature scientist would be interested in matters about race. Agassiz opposed slavery. He even worked on a commission to put former slaves to work after the Civil War. Agassiz could not embrace social equality between black and white people This is not an unusual stance for people in the nineteenth century. I admire Agassiz's efforts to help former slaves find jobs though.

Irmscher spends another chapter on Louis Agassiz's wife Elizabeth. She founded a school in Massachusetts for girls and taught English. She even served as the first President of Radcliffe College. She wrote a book about marine life and about her journey to Brazil with her husband. I am so impressed by the achievements and intelligence of Elizabeth Agassiz. A whole entire book could be written about her life based on the information that Irmscher provides. Christoph Irmscher raises my interest in zoology and geology with this biography.

Lincoln is my favorite film of 2012.

Mon, 7 Jan 2013 22:46:37 +0000

Lincoln is my favorite film of 2012. It shows the determination of an American president to pass the thirteenth amendment. This is the amendment that outlaws slavery. Steven Spielberg makes me feel the drama and significance that voting for an amendment can have This film also shows many different facets of the personality of Abraham Lincoln. Daniel Day Lewis gives a superb portrayal of the our sixteenth president. Lincoln was a man who had few years of formal education, but he possessed great knowledge. In one of my favorite scenes, he talks about one of Euclid's geometric axioms to demonstrate his belief in equality. Lincoln is also portrayal as a grieving father who has lost his young son. He is also a loving father who allows his son Robert to make his own decisions in life. Lincoln was also a man who had compassion for anyone no matter what race they belonged to. There are excellent supporting performances in the movie. Tommy Lee Jones who plays the Chairman of The Ways and Means Committee. He is a proponent of the 13th amendment .He works for thirty years to see it come to fruition. There is another excellent performance by David Straithairn. He is known mostly for his work in the Bourne action films. He plays secretary of state William Seward. He fears that passage of the 13th amendment will lead to strife and problems among the states in the Union. Sally Field gives her best performance in years as first lady Mary Lincoln. I also enjoyed the fiddle music provided by composer John Williams.

This book makes me want to study the Bible and learn more history and different languages.

Mon, 7 Jan 2013 22:12:17 +0000

Crisis Of Faith is a book that has two very different plot lines. The first plot line involves a group of academic people trying to remove all examples of slavery, sex and violence in the Bible. The second plot line involves a scientist who tries to unleash a pesticide into the food supply that will sterilize all women. These two plot lines are interesting but so unrelated. When Eliza Wood ties these two plot lines together, the outcome is unbelievable and implausible. I wish these plot lines were connected just a little tighter in the book. I cannot give this book a perfect rating because of this. This book makes me want to do my own research in the Bible to find examples of slavery, sex and violence. Eliza Wood introduces me to a new word called theodicy. Theodicy is the concept of why God allows evil in the world. This is something that I have wondered about for many years. I am sure that I will discover the answer to this question through my research. Another note worthy aspect in this book is the information that Eliza Wood provides in the appendix. She provides a history of slavery. I learned that the first African slaves arrived in North America in 1585 and settled in St Augustine, Florida. I also learned about the prevalence of women clergy in countries like South Africa, New Zealand and Pakistan. There is also a list of different versions of the Bible. I am surprised to discover that there is a Farsi Ebook Bible and an Icelandic version of the Bible. I have never seen these languages in written form. I am curious to see what they look like. Eliza Wood raises my curiosity about religion so much with the information she provides in the book and appendix. I love when a book motivates me to learn something new.

The law of attraction will help me achieve my dream of becoming an actor

Wed, 2 Jan 2013 20:34:19 +0000

I have never heard of the law of attraction before reading this book. I really believe in the power of positive thinking and self actualization. I also believe in putting positive energy into everything I do. These ideas are the foundation for the law of attraction. Aan Frazier is the mother of four children. She is also an elementary school teacher. She has a lot of practical experience of motivating people to focus and think more positively. In fact, she offers twenty-one different ways I can help me to think more positively. I have a habit of getting angry too quickly. This is the most helpful thing for me to remember. I get frustrated easily and give up at whatever I do. Another thing I have to get better at is practice being thankful for the things I have. I am constantly of thinking of the things I don't have. This creates negative energy that I do not want to have. I like the idea of writing my goals in the present tense on a piece of paper. Some of the things that Aan describes in this book are happening in my life right now. My dream is to become a theater actor. I took the necessary steps to achieve that last year. I met someone involved in theater, and I actually performed in a small stage play. I met another person shortly after who can help me continue my dream of becoming an actor. I am interviewing people right now. They are sharing their personal stories of being homeless in Hawaii. These stories will be made into a play that I hope to perform in this fall. I can achieve all my dreams with the law of attraction.

I want to look at great works of art after reading this book.

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 08:21:20 +0000

Michelangelo's Last Painting is entitled Christ On The Cross. The painting is lost according to the British Museum What remains is a black chalk drawing of Christ On The Cross. This painting is the focal point of the novel. The painting is a gift from Michelangelo to a wealthy Italian widow named Vittoria Colonna in the sixteenth century. I never thought that such an old religious drawing could contain images of Adolf Hitler and Osama Bin Laden. This is an amazing and scary thought Andrew Boemi makes me believe that this could be a possibility throughout most of this book. Each chapter of this book is set in a different locale. One chapter is set in Lake Como in Italy near the Italian Alps. Another chapter is set in the British Museum in London. I would love to visit these gorgeous places. Another thing I learned from this book is how art work is analyzed. A painting is analyzed and appraised by looking at the age of the canvass, the quality of the wood, and of the pigment in the painting. This book sparks my curiosity to look at other paintings and learn more about them. There is a reference to another painting entitled St. Mark Defending Venice Against Satan. The title of this painting makes me want to see what this looks like. This painting depicts Venice as a woman who helps St. Mark. A passion for art brings a man named Richard and a woman named Sao together. The theme of romance is always interesting to me. I enjoyed this book very much.

Perdu is an exciting vampire novel. I can't wait for a sequel.

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 01:36:26 +0000

The title of this novel is the only hook I needed to pick it up and read it. Perdu is a French word for a soldier on a dangerous mission that results in tragedy. I thank Raeden Zen for teaching me a new foreign and fascinating word. This is a novel about the search for a vampire serial killer in New York in the near future. This vampire does not bite people on the neck. It bites people on the femoral artery in the leg. I never seen a picture of this before. It is a gruesome image that causes me to imagine what this would look like. Raeden Zen keeps the reader in suspense T about the true identity of the killer. This is a sign of a talented writer. There is a romance between a Federal Bureau of Investigations field agent and a female reporter. I like how they work together to try to solve the case.

This novel contains a character named Mireille. She has the ability to change minds and influence the actions of other people. She also has the ability to change from a male to a female. She is a definitely a character with the potential to develop. He also introduces a character named Zan. He is mysteriously found in a space capsule as a baby. It is implied that he possesses special abilities too. I can not wait to see how Zan develops in a later novel. There is a short passage of a song in Spanish in this book. Zen motivates me to learn Spanish. I want to know what this means. Perdu is a novel that leaves me hanging. I want to see what happens to these characters. I am waiting in eager anticipation for a sequel.

Single Effort is a book that gives me confidence that I can find a special woman.

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 06:21:16 +0000

I will use some of the tips in Single Effort to improve my chances of finding a date. I admire Joe Keller for sharing his experiences with other people. Raising two children alone while trying to meet and date women is not easy. I already do some of these things to meet women that Joe Keller suggests. I recently volunteered to interview and assist homeless people for a play that I am working on. He also suggests taking an adult education class. This would definitely help me to broaden my interest and meet single women. I just have to find the time to take a class. Keller suggests using soy candles in my house. They last longer, burn easier and smell great. This is a great way to create a romantic atmosphere in my house. I will definitely invest some money and buy some soy candles. Keller devotes an entire chapter on wine. I am not a wine drinker, but I think that any knowledge that compliments a meal is worthy of learning about. I love to eat fish and vegetables. I learned to pair these foods with a white wine like Chardonnay Keller's idea that every single man should be a Good Knight or a gentleman is something I really like. I use a wheelchair, so I can't hold open a door for a woman or pull out her chair. However, I can practice being respectful and appreciative to every woman I encounter. He explains the things that should go into a man's dating kit. These things include a breath freshener, a Colgate mini brush, condoms and a compliment. I always try to compliment a date on something besides her appearance. None of my dates have ever lead to anything sexual. This is valuable information to remember if my relationships ever become physical though. I love the positive tone of this book. I believe that I can find a special woman if I continue to make an effort.

Fresh Off The Boat is about a young man's determination and his love for food.

Sun, 9 Dec 2012 23:40:13 +0000

Fresh Off The Boat is a memoir about the life of Eddie Huang. He has a passion for food that I admire. I am half Taiwanese, so I understand the Chinese food references that he makes. He describes a dish called Dan Dan noodles that I love. It is a spicy noodle dish with Chinese peppers, pork and green onions. He is also the only person I have read who puts tomatoes in beef noodle soup. Cooking is the most enjoyable form of creative expression for Eddie Huang. Eddie also introduces me to a dish called Salta that I haven't heard of. Salta is a stew made with carrots, onions and okra. The food reference make me very hungry, but they add to my enjoyment of the book.

Huang also writes candidly about the prejudice and discrimination he has faced in his life. Eddie shares his experience of being rejected for a newspaper job because of his appearance. He has also been called derogatory Chinese slang names because of his race. He talks about his experiences with drug abuse in this memoir too. Reading about his passion for learning is one of my favorite things about the book. His experiences about going to college and law school is just more proof that education can transform a person's life. Huang makes many references to hip hop artists and songs that I do not know, but that does not prevent me from enjoying this book. He owns a successful restaurant called Baohaus in New York. This restaurant serves a variety of Chinese dumplings. Baohaus serves a broccoli dumpling and a curry pork chop dumpling that I would love to try. Eddie Huang is living proof that anyone can transform their life with hard work and determination.

Keep It Real is a reminder that depression is a serious problem.

Fri, 7 Dec 2012 01:38:50 +0000

Keep It Real Tel Aviv 2.0 is a book about the relationship between a nameless young man and the woman he loves. This book is set is Tel Aviv in the near future. I would visit Tel Aviv just to see the beautiful Dead Sea that Ariel Weisbrod describes. Keep It Real makes me think about the fine line between happiness and depression. It is sad to think that the only thing that determines a person's happiness is often the presence or absence of another person Weisbrod shows how drugs can completely transform a young man's physical, mental and emotional state. This book is a reminder that depression can be passed on from one generation to the next. Keep It Real is a work of fiction. Ariel Weisbrod's intention is to remind people that depression is a real problem that can lead to tragic outcomes. I enjoyed reading this book very much.

I will use this book to write my own books.

Tue, 4 Dec 2012 20:23:00 +0000

The Kindle Publishing Bible inspires me to publish my own book. Tom Corson-Knowles explains how to do this. He has written books on how to make money on Twitter. He has also written a book that teaches business owners how to use Facebook. I am thinking about writing a book that offers tips and practical advice to job seekers who have disabilities. I have experience in this field. I am convinced that Kindle is the perfect platform to get my book out there. I learned about the importance of creating a book title that will attract readers. I also learned the importance of choosing the right category and keywords for my book. Choosing the right category and keywords will improve the chances of my book being read. The other important piece of advice that he gives is how to deal with negative reviews of my book. Tom recommends responding to the negative review and even reporting it. I have done in this past with the negative reviews I have received from books that I have reviewed. It has helped me become a trustworthy reviewer and a better writer. Corson Knowles also provides a list of websites to use to promote my book for free. I didn't know I could do that, so this list is very helpful. This book has inspired me to finish writing my job tips book and explore other subjects for books. I can use my Kindle to do more than just read books.

Alicia Keys is a girl on fire on this album.

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:24:39 +0000

"Girl On Fire" is an excellent new album from Alicia Keys. The piano instrumental "De Novo Adagio" is so smooth and enchanting."Girl On Fire" is the title track. It reminds me that women can have it all. This song empowers me as a man, that is how moving this song is. Alicia proves that she is a girl on fire with this song. "New Day" is my other favorite song. It has a positive message and a great beat. This is one of those songs that can change my outlook on life. "When It's All Over" is groovy jam that reminds me to live for today and not worry about tomorrow. "Listen To Your Heart" is a very relaxing song. This song makes me forget all my problems. I could listen to thos song all day "Brand New Me" is a song that features lovely piano playing. This song reminds me that I have power to transform my life. "Not Even The King" is a pretty song that reminds me that true love is priceless. "Tears Always Win" is about missing a loved one. "Fire We Make" is a song about creating that special fire with someone. These two songs are probably the most soulful on the entire album. "That's When I Knew" is a song about that special moment when people first fall in love. These songs are very smooth and soulful. "Limitedless" is a song that gets me on my feet. This song has the same spirit of a belly dance song. This song makes me feel spiritual. "101" is a pretty song that expresses elements of frustration and hope in a relationship. I love this new album.

Death My Own Way expands my defintion of art.

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 21:15:32 +0000

The main character in this book is a man who is dying of cancer. The premise may sound depressing, but the book is not. Death My Own Way is a good reminder. It reminds me that a person can choose to die in a peaceful and respectful way. This is a lovely message to communicate about death. The main character is intentionally naked in this book. He symbolizes a person who is not afraid of death and has nothing to hide. This novel is set in one evening in Central Park. Graziano makes Central Park sound like an excellent place to meet people. He makes me want to visit New York and make some new friends.

Death My Own Way expands my definition of art. Graziano communicates these theories of art by using homeless people. Each homeless character has a different opinion about what art is. There is a musician and a teacher among this group of homeless people. Graziano reminds me to value the opinions of homeless people. What I learned from read this book is that art is not just a painting on a wall. It is an expression of love. It is the end result of a series of failures. This book implores me to find the art and beauty in my own personal experiences. Each piece of art communicates a vitality and a passion for life. Death My Own Way is a thought provoking book.

I like the themes in the poetry of Thomas Lux.

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 06:13:43 +0000

I love the poetry of Thomas Lux. I like the themes of his poems very much. There is no poem entitled "Child Made Of Sand", but it is an excellent hook that caused me to buy this book. My favorite poem in this collection is "Outline For My Memoir". This poem is about the different events in his life. He writes about peddling milk with his father as a youngster. He also writes about the joy of becoming a father and raising his daughter in his forties and fifties. He regards his forties and fifties as the best time of his life. I enjoy the sentiment of this poem very much because I am in my forties right now. "Fishing" is my other favorite poem. This poem is about the adventure of fishing. This poem captures the sensory experience of fishing. I like the image of baiting a worm on a hook. The satisfaction of frying a freshly caught fish is expressed well in the poem. "Dead Horse" is another poem that I like. Any poem that expresses the love of an animal is beautiful and worthy to read. Thomas Lux pays tribute to his mother in the poem "Soup Teachers". He writes about her hard work as a cafeteria worker and telephone operator. I love the spirit of this poem because all mothers work hard. Thomas Lux sparks my interest in the poetry in French poet Gerard de Nerval with the poem "Rue De La Vieille Lanterne". "The River Of Nuts" is an interesting title for a poem. There is an image in this poem of a river filled with trout and nuts. This delightful image makes this poem special to me. I love this collection of poems by Thomas Lux.

This disc contains Kelly's greatest hits and a couple of new hit songs.

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 20:48:55 +0000

It is hard to believe that Kelly has been around for ten years. Her music moves me. "Miss Independent" is my favorite song. This song may be intended for a woman, but the funky groovy tone appeals to a man like me. "Breakaway" is the most uplifting song of her career. I think this song is very empowering. Kelly sings about having a broken heart better than anyone. "Behind These Hazel Eyes" and "Since You've Been Gone" would have to be my favorite heart break songs in recent years. "A Moment Like This" and "Stronger" are two songs that make me feel better about my life. "Because Of You" is the most beautiful song about the negative aspects one person can have on another person. "Don't Rush" is a new song to me. This is one of those song that becomes an instant classic. Vince Gill duets with Kelly on this song. Their voices sound great together. "People Like Us" is another new song to me. This is an upbeat song that infuses me with energy. This song reminds me to stay postive every day of my life. "Already Gone" is a beautiful song about a relationship that did not work out. Kelly soars vocally hitting some high notes here. I enjoy this greatest hits album very much.

This is an insightful book about the power of positive reinforcement.

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 23:54:01 +0000

Green Beans and Ice Cream provides insightful information on the subject of positive reinforcement. Using ice cream as a positive reinforcer to get someone to eat their green beans is a clever thing to do. This is what my own mother did to get me to eat my vegetables too. Bill Sims has created positive reinforcement systems to increase productivity in companies like Disney and Coca Cola. I work for an employment organization for individuals who have disabilities. I perform dual roles. I am a job empowerment teacher and as a regular support worker. It is very important to me give and receive positive reinforcement every day, for the simple fact that I have a strong desire to perform my duties better.

I believe that positive reinforcement can help me become a better teacher and employee. I need to clearly define the behaviors I want my students to have to get them to work harder. This is probably the most important lesson that Sims is trying to communicate. Sims also explains the difference between the three different kinds of positive reinforcement. There is tangible reinforcement in the form of money. There is social reinforcement in the form of verbal praise. There is also self positive reinforcement. This is motivation to do a good job for the pure love of the job. I have been fortunate to receive all three forms of positive reinforcement on the job. Green Beans & Ice Cream is the kind of book that motivates me to strive for excellence in my job.

I give Susan Boyle a standing ovation for every song on this disc.

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 20:38:12 +0000

Susan Boyle is one of the best singers performing today. I would give Susan Boyle a standing ovation for every song on this disc. She sparks my interest in watching all these classic productions on stage again. My favorite track is Susan's duet with Donny Osmond. This song is entitled "All I Ask You". This song is from The Phantom Of The Opera. Their voices compliment each other beautifully. This classic song is very romantic. "This Is The Moment" is another great duet song from the the musical Jekyll and Hyde. I have never heard of this song before buying this CD. This song is very uplifting. This song reminds me that I can make any moment special. "You'll Never Walk Alone" gives me hope that I will always have someone to lean on in tough times. "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" is a song that features lovely piano playing. This song encourages me to dream and to work hard to make my dreams come true. "Bring Him Home" is a song about the love for another person. This is a great song Les Miserables. Susan Boyle has the ability to make any song her own. She does this with the song "Out Here On My Own". This is a song about self reliance. This song also reminds me that people depend on each other to survive. "Send In The Clowns" is a song that simply gives me hope that a better day is just on the horizon. I love the music on this disc.

This book makes me want to learn more about Picasso's work.

Sat, 3 Nov 2012 22:50:51 +0000

The target audience for this book seems to be for children, but I enjoyed it too. It makes want me to explore Pablo Picasso's art work more. I love the paintings in this book. His paintings challenge me to be analytical. I like when a book tries to make me smarter. There is an oil painting entitled Arithmetic Art that challenges me to find numbers hidden in common objects like a flower, a person head or a wineskin. The geometric colorful shapes are fun to look at. There is another painting entitled Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. This painting features women in a Paris brothel. Picasso's use of color is excellent. This painting features women with pink flesh, but it has a lovely blue and gray to contrast the pink color. I learned that Pablo Picasso won the Lenin peace prize. This fact motivates me to learn more about Vladimir Lenin. This book alludes to the fact that Picasso also sculpted, wrote poetry and enjoyed photography, but it does not go into detail about these pursuits. I wish the authors elaborated more on the other things that Picasso did. This is why I am giving this book four stars. Picasso's most famous painting is entitled Guernica. I have heard of this painting before, but I did not know any specifics about it. This painting is Picasso's response to the Nazi air raid of a Spanish village called Guernica in 1937. This painting shows people and animals with a look of panic on their faces. This is not a happy painting, but I have never seen anything like it. There is another painting of a woman weeping while ironing. This painting reflects Picasso's melancholy blue period. I like how Picasso expresses sadness in this painting. This book would have been perfect if the authors included more information about Picasso's other pursuits like poetry, photography and sculpture.

This collection of short stories reminds me of all the sacrifices made by our veterans.

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 06:01:47 +0000

I enjoyed this collection of short stories by Allen Learst. Learst reminds me about the sacrifices soldiers make and the problems they encounter. Some Vietnam veterans suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. Others may experience being homeless and unemployed. These kinds of experiences make me appreciate their sacrifices more.

My favorite story in this book is "Animoosh". I love the unusual title of this story. It sparks my interest to find out what this story is about. Animoosh is an Ojibwa word. It means little dog. Learst is masterful in blending elements of triumph as well as tragedy in this story. This story is about the rescue of a dog and the loss of a young man's life during a fishing trip. This story also makes a reference to kind of fish that I have never eaten before called smelt. I would eat this fish if I ever got the chance to.

"Gondwana" is another interesting story title. It is a reference to a song by Miles Davis. It is a story about a Vietnam vet who suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. This story is a direct parallel to the story "Under Ice" because the mother of this soldier suffers from mental illness.

I have an empathy for each character in every story. Learst makes his characters restless and flawed just like real people.There is a young woman searching for her biological father in the story "Take Me To The Gold Monkey". "Shadowboxer"is about a boxer and Vietnam Vet who accidently kills someone in a strip club "Snakes and Dragons" is a story about the son of this boxer who yearns to have a relationship with his father. All of the stories in "Dancing at the Gold Monkey" are very moving.

I love this book of short stories.

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 03:08:37 +0000

"The Immanence of God in the Tropics" is an excellent collection of short stories. George Rosen served in Kenya as a Peace Corps volunteer. I really get a sense of what life in Kenya is like in his stories. My favorite story is Mobley's Troubles". This is a story about the friendship between an elderly American missionary and an orphaned African youth. This story shows that human beings are capable of acts of kindness and compassion. They are also capable of acts of violence and cruelty. "Our Big Game" is a story about a soccer game between two Kenyan schools. This story gives me an appreciation for the sport of soccer. Kenyans also take pride in a simple thing like a piece of samba wood. I have never worked with samba wood or even seen a picture of it. It is fun visualizing what this kind of wood looks and feels like. This simple story sparks my interest in a piece of wood. It is a good thing when a story can spark any kind of interest in me. "The Sauna After Ted's Funeral" is a story about a man who rescues a young boy when a dam floods. This story is a reminder that ordinary people can perform extraordinary acts of courage. This is the first story set in a sauna I have ever read. This story proves that men can open up any where. The title story is set on the beautiful East African Arab run island called Johanna. Johanna is a place where I chase butterflies and look at birds and insects. This story makes me think about the role religion plays in my life. It makes me think about how I should pray and why. This story is about is having a respect of people from different religions. Rosen approaches the subject of religion with an open mind. I really appreciate the respect and intelligence of this story. "A Second Language" is about an American teacher who strives to learn Spanish by visiting Mexico. I am drawn to any story where the character learns something. This is an entertaining collection of short stories.

Fujisan is a collection of thoughtful and moving short stories.

Tue, 9 Oct 2012 10:25:44 +0000

Fujisan is the best collection of short stories I have read in a long time. It is the first in which a mountain is the common thread in all stories. Mount Fuji is a symbol of the natural beauty of Japan. It is also a symbol of strength, hope and physical challenge for climbers. These four stories by Randy Taguchi are different in theme and tone. I love how the characters in each of these stories are bonded in some way. "The Blue Summit" is a story about the relationship between a convenience store manager a female coworker develop. This story also touches on the theme of mental illness and about how life does not always turn out the way people expect it too. Short stories can educate as well as entertain. "Sea Of Trees" does just that. This is a story about three teenagers who go on a camping trip in the forest.I did not know that a forest of trees existed at the base of Mount Fuji. This forest has a reputation for being a place where people commit suicide. This story touches on the theme of how friendship changes over time but it also covers the subjects of life and death. "Child of Light" is about a group of women who climb Mount Fuji together. Climbing a mountain is such a physical challenge and the reason why these women climb the mountain is what makes this story so fascinating. The main character is a young obstetrics nurse who struggles with her job and issue of abortion. there is also a character in this story who suffers the pain of losing an unborn child. Every character in this story is developed and well rounded. They seem like real people to me. I could empathize with every one of them. "Jamila" is a story about a female hoarder nicknamed Jamila and a young city employee who works in the office of Environmental Quality. He is assigned to get this hoarder to get rid of her trash. I have never heard of a person working in environmental quality before. Taguchi makes me believe there could be a need for a job like this in the future. The stories in Fujisan are thoughtful and very entertaining.

"Babel" gives me an appreciation for the folk rock genre.

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 22:01:33 +0000

The album "Babel" makes me a bigger fan of folk rock music. The voice of Marcus Mumford makes my heart soar on the title track. "Ghosts That We Knew" is a slower tempo track. Every chord of Marcus Mumford's guitar is beautiful. This song is very soothing and reflective to me."The Boxer" is one of my favorite songs of all time. I have never heard this song with a banjo accompaniment. The banjo playing by Country Winston Marshall makes this song special for me. "I Will Wait" is a track where all four musicians perform in perfect unison. Ted Dvane plays the upright bass. Ben Lovett brings his energy on the keyboards on this song. This is an upbeat love song. "Holland Road" is a track that features the mandolin. This instrument makes a goregous sound. It gives this song a romantic tone that I love. "Not With Haste" is a song that I originally heard on the the soundtrack for the animated movie Brave. It is listed under the song title "Learn Me Right". This song fills my heart with a sense of hope. I don't care what title this song is listed as. It is simply superb. "Hopeless Wanderer" is a song that starts off slow, but it picks up in the middle. I really love the musical arrangement on this track. "For Those Below" is a pretty song with fiddle playing. This song has a spiritual theme in the lyrics that I love. The music of Mumford and Sons gives me a new appreciation for the folk rock music genre.

These poems are challenging to understand, but they truly make me feel smarter.

Sun, 23 Sep 2012 00:26:01 +0000

I did not know the definition of the word selvage. It is defined as a edge of a woven piece of fabric. Linda Gregerson expands my vocabulary with this poem. This review is kind of my way of saying thanks for doing that. I bought this book for another reason. It is because of the gorgeous painting on the cover. It is a sixteenth century painting entitled Saint Peter Healing With His Shadow by an artist named Masacchio. The painting has a lovely shade of green. It also features Saint Peter sitting on a cot with a patient look on his face. Gregerson provides a poem entitled "From The Life Of Saint Peter" to accompany the painting. This is the kind of poem that makes me believe that a person can perform great miracles. This poem reminds me that religion can be a fascinating theme for a poem. The title poem contains a lovely image in this poem of four thousand geese swimming tightly together in a river. This is something I have never seen in real life. It is so much fun envisioning what this would look like. The title poem is also a reminder that racism is still very prevalent in society today. Gregerson sparks my interest to learn about the Roman poet Ovid and King Theseus of Athens. I like how Gregerson captures the spirit of these characters in her poems. "Lately, I've Been Taken To" is a poem about the humor of suffering from hearing loss. "Blink" is a poem abour a man who dies while trying to harness a horse. This poem is a reminder that a human life can be gone in a blink of an eye. She alludes to a photographer by the name of Emil Mayer in the poem. He is a photographer who worked in Vienna in the early 20th century. This poem motivates me to research Emil Mayer and look at the beauty of his photographs. I love the collection of poems in this book. They are a challenge to understand, but these poems really make me think. I feel smart when I finally comprehend what a poem is trying to convey. I love these poems.

I love this album by Pink

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 09:07:08 +0000

"The Truth About Love" is an excellent album by Pink. She is not afraid to sing what she thinks and feels. This is what makes this album Pink's finest work. I have never heard the word slut in a pop song before. "Slut Like Me" does not demean women. It empowers them in a way. Pink is just singing that women have the same kind of sexual desires as men do. This song might turn some people off by the title, but I hope it doesn't. The title track is the best song about unconditional love I have heard. Pink shows her tender side with this song. I have never heard a song about infidelity from a woman's point of view. Pink accomplishes this with the song "Where Did The Beat Go". This song offers a new perspective on the subject of cheating. "Walk Of Shame" is the best song on the album. It has a great beat that gets me moving. The piano playing on the song "The Great Escape" is beautiful. This is a song about not giving up on a friend in need. "Beam Me Up" is a tender melodic song with lovely guitar playing. "Just Give Me A Reason" is a duet with a singer by Nate Ruess. This song is about a man and a woman trying out the problems in their relationship. "Try" is a song that motivates me not to give up and keep moving forward. I love the spirit of hope in the songs "Just Give Me A Reason" and "Try". I love this new album.

This is a children's book about a dragon with an unique personality.

Sat, 15 Sep 2012 09:22:46 +0000

When Verdell Comes To Visit is a children's book about the friendship between a dragon named Verdell and a little boy. Clayton J. Liotta gives Verdell the dragon an unique personality. Verdell is a dragon who loves to cook and play on swings. He is also a dragon who likes to shop and has an extensive knowledge of trees. Clayton Liotta makes a dragon a friendly and lovable character. Liotta completely changes the way the way that dragons are perceived by children with this book. There is an illustration of Verdell racing on a shopping cart that is funny to look at. My three year old nephew loves the illustration of the gorilla who rejects vanilla ice cream. Every last word of each line rhymes with the last word from the next line. This makes the book fun to read aloud to my nephew. This is another book that will get children to adopt a love of reading. I love this book.