BBC America: Bringer of Joy

Seriously, sometimes I think I should just pipe in all British tv channels into my home. Why do the Brits seem to have so many shows that rule? The first thing I want to pimp is something I refer to as girl porn, also known as the British costume drama.

In 2004, the BBC aired North and South, a miniseries based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell. Thanks to netflix, I was able to watch it in my home a few weeks ago. North and South has basically everything you could want in a British miniseries, there's the brooding, mysterious, hot Mr. Thornton (played awesomely by Richard Armitage aka Sir Guy on Robin Hood, also currently on BBCA). You also have the smart, stubborn, and beautiful Margaret Hale (played also awesomely by Daniela Denby-Ashe). North and South is part Pride and Prejudice, part Jane Eyre, and part Communist Manifesto.

Set in 1850's England, North and South tells us how Margaret's family is forced to leave the wondrous South of England for the factory filled North town of Milton (which was supposed to represent real-life Manchester). Margaret and Mr. Thornton clash from the get go and well, you'll have to watch to see how it all ends up.

Squater was making fun of all of my swooning over this. I mean, there is like one kiss in the whole thing and yet its one of the most romantic things I have ever seen. Plus, fighting for worker's rights. What is not to love? I am going to read the book the miniseries was based on when I get a chance.

The other show that you all need to watch ONDemand (well, except for B-Mart since she's already watched it) is Jekyll. Jekyll is the retelling of the old story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I can't tell you what makes this show so great except that it is creepy and campy all at the same time. For some reason that appeals to me. Also, I love the lead actor James Nesbitt. He's amazing as Jekyll. Half the time he's just chewing on the scenery but he does it in such a good way. Plus, he does really look insane when he's doing some of his Hyde bits.

The way the show ended they totally left it open for a season two. I really hope they do something more with this show because they ending has me so intrigued.

A to Z cds: Day 45

211. Get Rich or Die Tryin ~ 50 Cent (last listen: 1-3 years): One of my favorite workout songs is In Da Club. When you run to that it just puts you in an awesome grove or it does for me anyway.

212. Power of the Dollar ~ 50 Cent (last listen: never)

213. Try Whistling This ~ Neil Finn (last listen: 1-3 years): Another thanks goes out to Bill for this introduction. Neil Finn, former lead singer of Crowded House and more recently guest star on Flight of the Conchords, is a super talented singer and songwriter. I really love the vibe of this cd and how mellow and meaningful it is.

214. Perpetual Motion ~ Bela Fleck (last listen: 1-3 years): This is another cd that got me through many hours of writing papers. I really think it's interesting to hear classical music on non-classical instruments, like the banjo that Bela uses. Also, I just realized this cd features Joshua Bell (who I never knew existed before reading The Princess Diaries).

215. Floetic ~ Floetry (last listen: 0-3 months): I really bought this cd because I heard the song Floetic on M2. The rest of the cd is a little too mellow for me personally. I guess I was hoping more of this songs would sound like Floetic. However, the cd is solid R&B music in the vein of Jill Scott.

A to Z cds: Day 44

206. Evita Soundtrack (last listen: 5+ years): I was really expecting to not like this soundtrack when I put it in the player. I was partially right. All the music only songs were pretty crappy but the songs with lyrics weren't bad. I forgot how much I liked Antonio Banderas' singing voice. Madonna's not so bad either.

207. Sebastopol ~ Jay Farrar (last listen: never): Well, here's what I found out. I like Jay Farrar. I mean, I knew who he was. Hometown boy done good via Wilco, Son Volt, etc. but I had never really gotten into them, and by extension Jay, before now. So here I am to say that Jay Farrar is pretty rad. I do love the Cahokia Mounds song on Terrior Blues. It is a very fitting song for that place.

208. Terroir Blues ~ Jay Farrar (last listen: never)

209. Stone, Steel, and Bright Lights ~ Jay Farrar (last listen: never)

210. The Dutchess ~ Fergie (last listen: 0-3 months): Were Carole Frick to read this entry, she might be a tad disappointed in me. She sort of ragged on Fergie when we went to dinner on Friday. Personally, I like this cd even though it wasn't at all what I thought it was going to be. It's a lot slower and less dancey than I would have liked. But it's not bad. I do love Fergalicious. I can't help it. And, much as I want to hate "Big Girls Don't Cry" she tats up the super hot Jess Mariano (aka Milo V.) in the video. So, apparently, the girl's got some taste.

Don't know how much posting will happen this week as it's the first week of classes here. I am starting Arabic again and it's the real deal this time since it's everyday. Plus, work has just been nutty lately, as it always is when school starts back up. So, hopefully you'll get some new content on Wednesday and maybe I will tell you how that morning's Arabic class went i.e. how many cute 18 year old boys are in my class. Heh.

A to Z cds: Day 43

199. Encore ~ Eminem (last listen: 6 months - 1 year): I found this disc to be somewhat disappointing. I sort of hoped that Eminem was past all of the farting/pooping noises and I'd hoped he head in a more political direction; upon reflection I should have realized that boys never get over the desire to making farting/pooping noises (Squater has taught me this lesson many times). Unfortch, aside from Mosh there really isn't anything political on this disc.

200. Funky Divas ~ En Vogue (last listen: 3-5 years): Featuring such gems as My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It), Free Your Mind, Giving Him Something He Can Feel, and Give It Up, Turn It Lose; this cd is basically an indicator of some of the music I loved as a sophomore/junior in high school. Of course, I was also listening to Pearl Jam, so, back off.

201. Runaway Love ~ En Vogue (last listen: 5+ years): I have no good explanation for this except that I was hanging out with a very toxic person and I was working at Little Caesar's Pizza.

202. The Memory of Trees ~ Enya (last listen: 5+ years): Kill Me.

203. Scorpion ~ Eve (last listen: 3-5 years): I basically bought this cd for the song "Let Me Blow Your Mind"

204. Amplified Heart ~ Everything But The Girl (last listen: 1-3 years): I first encountered EBTG via the "She's Having A Baby" Soundtrack. I don't remember when exactly I got this cd but I've had it for a good ten years at least. I don't listen to it as much as I probably should. It's one of those discs that I love but tend to forget about. The disc is mellow and beautiful. The song you all would probably know best is Missing. Plus, COWBELL!

Favorite sons: Troubled Mind, Missing, Walk the Same Line

205. Everwood Soundtrack (last listen: 0-3 months): I love this cd. Whenever I play this disc it just makes me feel happy and sad all at the same time. This disc contains covers of seventies music by current artists, one original song by Jump, Little Children and the theme music from the show. The song Cathedrals by Jump, Little Children gives me chills every time I hear it, that's how beautiful it is. Plus, I love the theme to Everwood; it's always listened to with a little bit of longing like maybe they didn't really cancel one of the best shows I've ever seen. Someday I will get over Everwood being canceled. I promise.

Favorite songs: Cathedrals, Summer Breeze, Father and Son, Love Song

A to Z cds: Day 42

197. The Marshall Mathers LP ~ Eminem (last listen: 0-3 months): I was a reluctant Eminem fan. I didn't want to like him. I remember sitting one night in Squater's Main St. apartment listening to his friend Marcy talk about how Eminem was a poet. I remember laughing at her. I remember thinking that Marcy was as dumb as I thought she was. It's easy to hear the words faggot, bitch, ho or to hear him talk about killing him wife and dismiss him as a hateful person. And I am not sure you would be wrong; I mean, on some level I think we are all hateful people. What pisses people off is that Eminem says what he thinks. He says all the scary horrible things that sometimes you think. What? Like there aren't times that you have wanted to kill someone you love. It doesn't mean you act on it; sometimes it means you write a song about it. I've been accused of not being a feminist because I like Eminem and that really makes me angry because isn't feminism all about choice? I mean, I don't tell my stay-at-home mom friends that they aren't feminists because they are even if they choose to stay at home and not work. But I am digressing here. As much as it pains me to say that Marcy isn't a complete retard, she was right. Eminem is a poet and he's a poet who tells you himself that you shouldn't take him so seriously. Which is why I think most of his hateful lyrics are really just a way to sell cds. This disc contains one of the most beautiful and terrible songs ever, Stan. I imagine that if you ever reach any real level of fame you get the crazies and the song Stan is a tribute and a warning to and about fame.

Favorite songs: Kill You, Stan, Who Knew, The Way I Am.

198. The Eminem Show ~ Eminem (last listen: 3-6 months): I love this cd. I love it from beginning to end, well except that song Sing for the Moment because I really have never cared for Aerosmith.

Favorite songs: White America (you really should watch this video), Square Dance, Business, Hailie's Song, Say What You Say, My Dad's Gone Crazy

So many meetings. So little time for music.

A to Z cds: Day 41

190. The Revolution Starts...Now ~ Steve Earle (last listen: 1-3 years): Wow! I forgot how much I loved this disc. Earle does dissent a great service on this disc with songs like F the CC and Condi, Condi. If you've never listened to this disc, well, now is the time to start.

191. Head to the Sky ~ Earth, Wind, and Fire (last listen: 3-5 years)

192. All 'n All ~ Earth, Wind, and Fire (last listen: 1-3 years)

193. Greatest Hits ~ Earth, Wind, and Fire (last listen: 0-3 months): So sue me, I like EWF. Some people mock me for this, I am looking at you, Angie and Scott. But they just make me want to dance.

194. 8 Mile Soundtrack (last listen: 1-3 years)

195. Ken Burns Jazz Collection: Duke Ellington (last listen: 3-5 years)

196. Under Construction ~ Missy Elliot (last listen: 1-3 years): This is Missy's disc that basically declares, "I'm not a fatty anymore." And I love it, or at least the music part of it. She does a little too much of the talking before and after the songs for me. But more annoying is the fact that those tracks aren't separate. Favorite songs: Go To The Floor, Work It, Gossip Folks.

A to Z cds: Day 40

186. The Bootleg Series vol. 5: Live in 1975 ~ Bob Dylan (last listen: never)

187. Desire ~ Bob Dylan (last listen: 1-3 years) The last time I recall listening to this disc was when that huge snow storm hit Indiana my first Christmas in Madison. I remember coming home to feet of snow in my yard and shoveling snow to this cd. Something about the beat of the song Hurricane and the snow was very poignant.

188. Infidels ~ Bob Dylan (last listen: never)

189. Love and Theft ~ Bob Dylan (last listen: 1-3 years)

It's Friday and I don't feel much like blogging

So, it looks as though you are prefer fall, it won with a whopping 66% of the votes. Shockingly, no one voted for summer as their favorite season. Something tells me this is due to the fact that we are no longer school kids.

So, now I am curious who is your favorite John Cusack? Enquiring minds want to know.

Finally, on the t-shirt front: I need to pimp two shirts. The first is a new Glarkware Now or Never. For those of us who love and miss Arrested Development, there is Annyong, Hermano! The other shirt is from GMYH. GMYH fulfilled my wish and created a girly version of Steely Dan Sucks. I can't thank him enough.

A to Z cds: Day 39

Forgot to post this yesterday and no time for music listening today with all these freaking meetings and coming in late because I had to meet the electrician at my pad.

181. The Bootleg Series Vol. 6: Live in 1964 ~ Bob Dylan (last listen: never): This double live album got lost in the shuffle of DiRRty unloading a ton of music on me at once. In fact, this first disc of this doesn't even work. However, disc two has an awesome cover of "It Ain't Me, Babe."

182. Highway 61 Revisited ~ Bob Dylan (last listen: 1-3 years):

183. Planet Waves ~ Bob Dylan (last listen: never): I was pretty impressed by this cd considering I'd never listened to it before. It's sort of typical Dylan and that's never a bad thing.

184. Blood on the Tracks ~ Bob Dylan (last listen: 6 months - 1 year)

185. The Basement Tapes ~ Bob Dylan (last listen: 1-3 years): The first cd of this has a more rock and roll and bluesy feel to it that I remember.

A to Z cds: Day 38

175. Taking the Long Way ~ Dixie Chicks (0-3 months): This cd is amazingly good. The song "Not Ready To Make Nice" is great. I have a lot of respect for these ladies especially considering most country music stations won't play their music anymore. It makes me sad to think if you don't want to spout a bunch of Toby Keith nonsense then the country music industry will push you aside. I love that they are ashamed that Bush is our President. I'm ashamed too and most Americans should be. On the non-political side, the song Lullaby is just beautiful. Plus, Natalie Maines is married to the ridiculously hot (and half Persian) Adrian Pasdar. Lucky bitch.

176. The Grey Album ~ DJ Danger Mouse (last listen: 6 months - 1 year): This inventive, rockin' mashup of The Beatles White Album and Jay-Z's The Black Album is amazing. Danger Mouse samples music from the Beatles and sets it to Jay Z's lyrics. I have to say that this cd is often in heavy rotation at work and in the car. It's funny because sometimes I will be listening to The Beatles and I will expect Jay Z to come in and rap or I will start rapping the Jay Z lyrics. Conversely, I actually like this disc better than Jay Z's Black Album. I keep thinking that disc is missing something when I hear it because I am waiting for the Beatles samples to kick in. If you don't have this disc and want it drop me an email.

177. Spend the Night ~ The Donnas (last listen: 1-3 years): This disc is full of fun, chic rock. And I mean rock. The Donnas do not mess around with rock music. And I love them for that. Honestly, I need to get a hold of more of their stuff because this disc always puts me in a good mood. It's nice to have a disc of music by girls who are just using boys for their pleasure. I like empowered chicas. These girls are bitchy and I like that. I think they would be fun to hang out with. Favorite songs: Take It Off, Who Invited You, Too Bad About Your Girl, Take Me to the Backseat

178. The Best of The Doors (last listen: 5+ years): I've had this since my senior year of high school when my then boyfriend thought "Light My Fire" should be our song. I was never a big Doors fan but since he loved them so much I said fine. I am not sure I've listened to this double disc since then with the exception of a few listens in college. Although, in retrospect there are quite a few songs on this double disc that I like.

179. The Chronic ~ Dr. Dre (last listen; 3-5 years): You forget how groundbreaking something is when it becomes mainstream. Relistening to this disc reminded me of how different it was to all the other rap out at the time and how much Dre has influenced the way rap is today. This cd, now 15 years old, still sounds fresh. Plus, if it wasn't for Dre we'd never have had Snoop or Eminem. For those finds alone the man is a genius.

180. 2001 ~ Dr. Dre (last listen: 3-5 years): This cd rules. I love "Forgot about Dre" and "Education." Didn't you, bitch?


Tomorrow is the final day of NACO training so I will be back to posting on Thursday. I know you can't wait to see what happens next in the a to z cd roundup.

Superbad is going to rule

If you have half a brain you will go see this movie.

Honeymoon in Purdah

Allison Wearing stole my idea. Admittedly, she stole it about four years before I had it but that is neither here nor there. The bitch stole my idea.

Wearing's Honeymoon in Purdah: An Iranian Journey is the tale of Allison and Ian's almost six month journey through Iran where they pose as man and wife. In reality Allison and Ian are just good friends and roommates, who both find men attractive. Being single and gay, respectively, neither would really be welcome as travelers in Iran. But by posing as a married couple they are more than welcome in Iran. The book details Allison's remembrances of her journey.

It's not an easy journey, especially for Allison. She has to wear a chador, which on it's best day is hot and annoying to wear. She struggles with her inherently Western outlook on life and how that colors her perceptions of Iran and Iranians. Things in Iran move much slower than a Westerner would be accustomed to. For example a twelve hour bus trip take two days.

The thing that I found most remarkable about the book are her constant tales of kindness. One of the things that struck me over and over while reading this book were how often Allison and Ian are forced to rely on the kindness of strangers. And more importantly, those strangers often provide for them in ways beyond their expectations. I thought a lot about how America must seem to travelers. Can you imagine the average American just inviting a stranger (who barely speaks their language) into their home for dinner and a place to sleep? I can't. And yet, this happens over and over again for Allison and Ian.

What disappointed me about this book is that Allison never really describes the places she visits. She spends so much time describing the people that the place in some ways seems lost in the shuffle.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the people of Iran. I think it's very hard for us to separate the people from the government. Americans, in general, aren't very good at that. And I think that this demarcation is very important in our current situation.


Books Read in 2007:

Honeymoon in Purdah: An Iranian Journey ~ Allison Wearing
The Princess Academy ~ Shannon Hale
Avalon High ~ Meg Cabot
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ~ J.K. Rowling
A Thousand Splendid Suns ~ Khaled Hosseini
The Bermudez Triangle ~ Maureen Johnson
Fray ~ Joss Whedon
The Dragonriders of Pern ~ Anne McCaffery
Embroideries ~ Marjane Satrapi
13 Little Blue Envelopes ~ Maureen Johnson
The Cider House Rules ~ John Irving
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ~J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix ~ J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ~ J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ~ J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ~ J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone ~ J.K. Rowling
The Good Men: A Novel of Heresy ~ Charmaine Craig
An Abundance of Katherines ~ John Green
The Count of Monte Cristo ~ Alexandre Dumas
Looking For Alaska ~ John Green
Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest ~ Stephen Ambrose
Drinking, Smoking, and Screwing: Great Writers on Good Times ~ edited by Sara Nikles
Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood ~ Ann Brashares

A to Z cds: Day 37

169. So Much Shouting, So Much Laughter ~ Ani DiFranco (last listen: 1-3 years): This double live album is pretty awesome. I love her little rants about the media and Clear Channel.

170. Evolve ~ Ani DiFranco (last listen: 6 months - 1 year): I can pretty much get behind any cd that has a 10 minute song about how Bush sucks and has frakked up our country and large parts of the world.

171. Knuckle Down ~ Ani DiFranco (last listen: 0-3 months): I like this new release. It took me a while to get into it but I find that's a solid disc from Ani. It will be interesting to see what happens with her next cd and see if motherhood changes her music.

172. The Pimp & Da Gangster ~ Dirty (last listen: never): Krazy Karl ordered this cd for DiRRty but then didn't give it to him because DiRRty said mean things about Generalissimo Pat. You know how testy Krazy Karl can be. Really, this cd isn't that bad. It's not great but I've heard worse rap music on the radio.

173. Wide Open Spaces ~ Dixie Chicks (last listen: 1-3 years): Favorite songs: There's Your Trouble, You Were Mine

174. Fly ~ Dixie Chicks (last listen: 3-6 months): This is the cd that really got me into the Dixie Chicks. The first time I heard the song "Goodbye Earl" I was pretty much hooked. It's twisted and funny. Some people tried to make me feel bad for liking the Dixie Chicks but those people also own Creed cds. So, they really have no room to say shit about shit. Also, there isn't a song on this cd that I don't like. They're all gems.

A to Z cds: Day 36

167. To the Teeth ~ Ani DiFranco (last listen: 6 months - 1 year): I love this cd but sometimes it makes me feel a little down. I mean "To the Teeth" is a great but sad (because it's true) song about our world. Then there's "Hello Birmingham" and really who doesn't love a haunting song about the killing of abortion doctors? Don't get me wrong, I love that Ani is out there saying all this stuff but it can sometimes be hard to listen to this disc. Thankfully she lightens the cd with gems like "Wish I May", "Freakshow", and "The Arrivals Gate."

168. Revelling/Reckoning ~ Ani DiFranco (last listen: never): Don't know why I've never listened to this double disc; I just know I haven't. It's pretty good but much more mellow than Ani typically gets.



It's a short day at work today cos B-Mart and Jester (aka Mrs. GMYH) are coming to visit me this weekend. We should be hitting The Arch and the AB Brewery tour. Plus, Ted Drewes!

Jill Scott: Gettin in the Way

Well, I was trying very hard to post the newest Jill Scott video from her soon to be released cd but youtube is being shitty. So, you get this classic video; this is one of my favorite Jill Scott songs. She rules.

A to Z cds: Day 35

161. No Angel ~ Dido (last listen: 3-6 months): I never really wanted to like Dido. When she came out I thought of her as just another Jewel, Joan Osborne, blah, blah, blah. But then I heard what Eminem did with her song "Thank You" (which actually isn't on this cd) and then I heard the song "Here With Me" in Love Actually and I came around. She doesn't do anything particularly earth shattering in terms of changing music but she's got a really great voice.

162. Ani DiFranco ~ Ani DiFranco (last listen: 0-3 months): What can I say about Ani? She's brilliant. She makes me think. And she makes me want to be a better person. She told the douchebags at the record labels to shove it and has made her own career. She started her own record label out of the back of her car. And now she's a successful musician. Even though this is her first cd, I've only had it since June. I haven't had too much a chance to listen to this disc as I've been A to Zing it for some time now.

163. Not So Soft ~ Ani DiFranco (last listen: 3-6 months): Favorite songs: Not So Soft, Itch, Gratitude, The Whole Night

164. Not A Pretty Girl ~ Ani DiFranco (last listen: 6 months - 1 year): This was the first Ani cd that I went out and bought. My pal Angie had been making me mix tapes and I was really digging what I heard. So, I told her some of my favorite songs on the tape and she suggested this cd. She wasn't wrong. This cd is probably my favorite of all my Ani cds. Favorite songs: Worthy, Not A Pretty Girl (video linked to someone who used Hermione clips from HP movies), Sorry I Am, Asking Too Much (which is easily in my top five fave of all Ani songs)

165. Dilate ~ Ani DiFranco (last listen: 6 months - 1 year): Favorite songs: Untouchable Face, Outta Me Onto You

166. Little Plastic Castle ~ Ani DiFranco (last listen: 0-3 months): I recently got to see Ani for free under the Arch. It was an awesome show. She played a lot of songs off this disc and I am glad as I really like this cd. Favorite songs: Little Plastic Castle, Fuel, Gravel, Two Little Girls, Independence Day

Weeds Season Two

I really love the Showtime's show Weeds. If you don't know, Weeds is the story of suburban widow Nancy Botwin and her transformation from stay-at-home mom to the marijuana queen of suburbia.

Season one of Weeds was good and pretty funny but season two was great. They keep the funny and then also go a little dark. Nancy's involved with a DEA agent; she and Conrad decide to grow their own strain. Heylia's not pleased. The Armenians are not pleased. Nancy's kids are in a pickle too. Silas becomes a bigger asshole than you thought he could although Shane really comes out of his spazzy phase. Oh and then there's the awesome Doug/Celia interplay. Plus, Uncle Andy. Hee. I think he might be my favorite character of all.

Anyway, this show is great at showing how people are not what they seem. Most people look at Nancy and just see a soccer mom but she's a freaking drug queen.

Season two ended with quite a cliffhanger. I'm very excited to see how season three picks up where things left off. Honestly, the biggest question I have at this point is are Nancy and Conrad finally going to fuck? And if so, can we please see more shirtless Romany Falco? Thanks, Showtime.

If you aren't watching this funny and sometimes dark show, you should be. Go rent season one and two because season three starts on Monday. Gotta get some of that MILF weed.

ETA: Read this TWoP interview with Weed's very own Sanjay.

My wallet is screaming

Threadless is blowing up!

For those of you who aren't in the know, Threadless is opening an actual store in Chicago. I have talked about my Threadless addiction before but now I know this is a stop that will have to be made when I return to Chicago (date t.b.a.). I am only glad that this store wasn't opened when we had Girl's Weekend because that would have made the weekend even more costly than it already was.

But, I have to say that I have been more than happy with every Threadless shirt I've purchased whether it was for or for a friend. In fact I bought Squater this gem called "The Morning After" and he called me one night to tell me that he got six compliments on the shirt in one day and he loves his "Stabby McKnife" shirt too. I love my "Communist Party" shirt. I love it so much that I wear it to work.

I wish much luck to Allison, Andrew, Jessie, and Bill. Because I know if I lived in Chicago I would have real problems with not going to this store at least once a week.

A to Z cds: Day 34

155. The Photo Album ~ Death Cab For Cutie (last listen: 0-3 months)

156. Transatlanticism ~ Death Cab for Cutie (last listen: 0-3 months): The first Death Cab cd I ever got and probably my favorite cd of theirs. Not that I don't love their other stuff too.

157. Plans ~ Death Cab for Cutie (last listen: 0-3 months)

158. Picaresque ~ The Decemberists (last listen: 6 months-1 year): Another group that Bill got me into.

159. Black on Both Sides ~ Mos Def (last listen: 3-6 months)

160. The New Danger ~ Mos Def (last listen: 0-3 months)

Sorry for the lack on commentary. I have had lots of meetings and more NACO training tomorrow.

Booky goodness

This past weekend I finished two books, although neither book is the book listed on this blog as the book I am currently reading. I have to thank B-Mart for both of these finds as she's the one who turned me on to Meg Cabot and Shannon Hale.

Avalon High tells the story of Ellie. Ellie has just moved to Annapolis, MD with her Medieval Studies professor parents who are on sabbatical. But something's not quite right about Avalon High. Like how can you explain how all the main characters share the same names or really close variations as those in Arthurian legends? Maybe it's because they are Arthur and his close friends and enemies reincarnated! I know! The book was really well done and very cute. Plus, I just love Meg Cabot. She's awesome. There is a follow up to this book in graphic novel form and I think I will be interlibrary loaning it soon.

I also read The Princess Academy by Shannon Hale. The Princess Academy tells the story of Miri. Miri and the other girls of Mount Eskel are told that priests have seen that the new Princess of Danland (where Mount Eskel is) will come from Mount Eskel. As Mt. Eskel is basically the boonies, the royals send a teacher to instruct all girls between ages 14-17 the ways of being a princess. Miri is at first an outcast and later a leader and savior of not only the girls of the Princess Academy but also the entirety of Mount Eskel. But Miri has bigger issues like does she really want to be the Princess or does she want to be with her true love Peder? When B-Mart mentioned Hale as her favorite Young Adult author I thought I should check her out. B-Mart is right; Hale is very good. I will be getting my hands on her other books. I will also be giving this book to my niece for Christmas.


I am sorry to report that because I was helping my sister and brother-in-law move into their new house I was unable to see the previously mentioned stripper at my parents house. I am sure you are as disappointed as I am.

Books Read in 2007:
The Princess Academy ~ Shannon Hale
Avalon High ~ Meg Cabot
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ~ J.K. Rowling
A Thousand Splendid Suns ~ Khaled Hosseini
The Bermudez Triangle ~ Maureen Johnson
Fray ~ Joss Whedon
The Dragonriders of Pern ~ Anne McCaffery
Embroideries ~ Marjane Satrapi
13 Little Blue Envelopes ~ Maureen Johnson
The Cider House Rules ~ John Irving
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ~J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix ~ J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ~ J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ~ J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ~ J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone ~ J.K. Rowling
The Good Men: A Novel of Heresy ~ Charmaine Craig
An Abundance of Katherines ~ John Green
The Count of Monte Cristo ~ Alexandre Dumas
Looking For Alaska ~ John Green
Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest ~ Stephen Ambrose
Drinking, Smoking, and Screwing: Great Writers on Good Times ~ edited by Sara Nikles
Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood ~ Ann Brashares

A to Z cds: Day 33

151. Turn off the Radio: Mixtapes Vol. 1 ~ Dead Prez (last listen: 3-5 years): I guess I had forgotten that this "mixtape" was almost a full length disc. There are a few gems on here and two songs that end up on RBG. It's not bad but I don't think it's their strongest work either.

152. RBG: Revolutionary but Gangsta ~ Dead Prez (last listen: 0-3 months): When I first heard this second full album by DP, I have to say, I wasn't all that impressed. It had such a different vibe from Let's Get Free. However, in the ensuing years I have come to love this album as much if not a bit more than their first album. Another record where I have a hard time picking one song I like more than others. But if I have to choose I am going with Radio Frequency, W-4, Hell Yeah (speaking of which, when I visited NYC, we passed Nostrand Ave on the subway. I was all, why do I know that? And then DiRRty rapped for me and I figured it out),Way of Life, and D.O.W.N.

153. Dead Prez Presents M-1: Confidential (last listen: 1-3 years): Again, this cd is solid but it's missing something. I think that the focus is too much on M-1 and I think he needs a little more Stic. Alas, I am not really going to complain too much when there's song called "Land, Bread, and Housing."

154. We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes ~ Death Cab for Cutie (last listen: 0-3 months): First things first, thanks, Bill. Bill introduced me to Death Cab and lots of other groups but I really LOVE me some Death Cab. Favorite songs: 405, Company Calls, Company Calls Epilogue, Scientist Studies.



I have NACO training tomorrow and a vacation day on Friday. So, I will be coming back on Monday with all sorts of gems (like going to your brother's surprise 30th birthday party in which a stripper comes to my parent's house. Yes, my sister-in-law is just that classy.) and more A to Z cds. Have a good weekend!