Tropical Paragon's World

Through the Headphones 54

2008-11-23T07:44:00.002-04:00

Well, I’m in the process of uploading a selection of music on my iPod that would keep me entertained during the long journey I’m about to embark upon.

I have Christmas with the Chipmunks, Best 100 Love Songs, Top 100 Rock, Now That’s What I Call Music and Classic Disney – 60 Years of Music.

What else do I need?

Cover to Cover 54

2008-11-23T07:39:00.003-04:00

When I had finished school and was in the process of looking for my first job, I bought a copy of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. Have you ever read a book that you found yourself able to relate to at different times in your life?

Well, I remember reading how Jane went about finding herself a suitable job as a governess when she felt like she was ready to leave teaching at the boarding school. At the very time, I was applying for my first job, and like her, I was successful in finding something that was perfect for me.

Later on, right before I left home to come to the UK, I made time to re-read the book. On that occasion, the part of the book that I related to, was when Jane was making preparations and travelling on her own to her new home and place of employment. Wasn’t that exactly what I was also about to do?

Now, it just occurred to me, that if I had my book here with me and I would read it now, the part of the book I would probably relate to, is when Jane found out the truth about the other woman in Mr. Rochester’s life and her having to leave although she loved him dearly.

Anyway, Jane Eyre is a timeless piece and you should definitely read it if you haven’t already.

Lights, Camera, Action! 54

2008-11-23T07:34:00.003-04:00

I have so much to do and so little time to do it in.

However, I did make time to watch two really good films recently about extremely influential men of the 20th century.

The first was the 1982 movie Gandhi starring Ben Kingsley as Mahatma Mohandas Gandhi.

The second was the 2007 movie Goodbye Bafana starring Dennis Haysbert as Nelson Mandela.

What was strange about watching both these movies, was that I am very much aware that they depict actual events and people. Yet, some of the things I saw, seemed to be so unreal…my mind just couldn’t completely accept that such atrocities were really inflicted to people by other people…that it is a part of history and not just some work of fiction!

Every child should see movies like these. It really helps to put life into perspective.

Through the Headphones 53

2008-11-16T01:00:00.003-04:00

In all my music blog entries, only once I blogged about a Trinidadian band – Karma. There are so many popular bands and solo artistes that I’m not sure who to mention and who to skip but I have to settle on just 2 for now.

I think I will blog on the popular soca band, Xtatik with lead singer Machel Montanoas my first choice. From their first album Heavy Duty in 1997 and 12 albums later, this band has gained much international repute playing in Carnivals in both the US and UK. Click here to access all the albums on Machel Montano HD.

My second choice is the rapso j’ouvert band, 3Canal with Wendell Manwarren, Roger Roberts and Stanton Kewley. Their first song Blue in 1997 was an immediate and spontaneous hit and their 1999 single Talk yuh Talk was a powerful social commentary which became an anthem for the disadvantaged and dispossessed. Since their emergence they have recorded 9 albums. Click here to listen to their music.

Cover to Cover 53

2008-11-16T00:55:00.001-04:00

There are many world-renowned Trinidadian authors but I’ve chosen to focus on 3 in particular to blog about.

Samuel Selvon (1923–1994) - is known for novels such as A Brighter Sun (1952), The Lonely Londoners (1956), Ways of Sunlight (1957), Turn Again Tiger (1958), Those Who Eat the Cascadura (1972) and Moses Ascending (1975).

Ismith Khan (1925–2002) – is known for his semi-autobiographical The Jumbie Bird (1961), followed by The Obeah Man (1964) and The Crucifixion (1987) which develops ideas from both earlier novels.

V S Naipaul (Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul) (born in 1932) – Naipaul was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990 and awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2001. He is credited with 15 works of fiction, inclusive of The Mystic Masseur (1957), Miguel Street (1959) and A House for Mr. Biswas (1961)

Lights, Camera, Action! 53

2008-11-16T00:50:00.001-04:00

In Trinidad, our television and movie industry is still in its development stages. While researching any movies that may have been filmed or based upon Trinidad and Tobago, I was amazed to find quite a long list. My poor knowledge and recollection can only recall Men of Gray and its sequel Men of Gray II – Flight of the Ibis.

On television, there are the yearly talent shows like Mastana Bahar, 12 and under, Teen Talent and Scouting for Talent that are produced and aired.

Also, soap opera-wise, while growing up, there were such programs as Calabash Alley and No Boundaries. More recently, Westwood Park took centre stage, with Season One even being sold on Amazon.com.

Through the Headphones 52

2008-11-08T20:54:00.000-04:00

Haven't quite gotten around to doing any. Sorry!

Cover to Cover 52

2008-11-08T20:52:00.001-04:00

Haven't quite gotten around to doing any. Sorry!

Lights, Camera, Action! 52

2008-11-08T20:50:00.001-04:00

I’m in the process of fulfilling my goal of watching all the movies that won the Best Picture Award. So, this week I’m not going to blog about any particular movie(s) but I’m posting a list of movies that are apparently worth seeing. They were all nominated for the Best Picture Award in this century but did not capture the prize.

Through the Headphones 51

2008-11-01T20:25:00.002-04:00

Didn't get around to doing any this week!

Cover to Cover 51

2008-11-01T20:20:00.002-04:00

While doing some research on a book I was reading, I stumbled upon the author Helen Baker. I haven’t read any of her books as yet but I thought they sounded interesting and worth sharing. If you are a Jane Austen fan, then you will definitely want to read these Helen Baker novels:

Connivance – which is a continuation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion
The Book of Ruth – which is a continuation of Pride and Prejudice
Playfulness – which is a continuation of Mansfield Park

If you have read or should read any of them, drop me a quick comment and let me know your thoughts about them.

Lights, Camera, Action! 51

2008-11-01T20:15:00.002-04:00

I like the demanding roles that Jodie Foster portrays in some of her movies.

I recently saw The Brave One (2007) where she played the role of Erica Bain, a woman who sets out for revenge against the persons who brutally attacked her, killed her fiancé and stole her dog.

I also got a chance to see Flightplan (2005) where she played the role of Kyle Pratt, a bereaved mother whose daughter goes missing during the flight while taking her deceased husband’s body home for the funeral.

I saw Panic Room (2002) soon after it was released and here she played the role of Meg Altman, a mother takes her daughter and escapes to the panic room of their own house as three criminals threatens them.

If you are interested in suspense/drama movies, then I highly recommend seeing all three of them.

Through the Headphones 50

2008-10-25T22:10:00.001-04:00

Since I’ve been ill, I don’t have any enthusiasm to blog about any books or music this week.

Cover to Cover 50

2008-10-25T22:05:00.001-04:00

Since I’ve been ill, I don’t have any enthusiasm to blog about any books or music this week.

Lights, Camera, Action! 50

2008-10-25T22:00:00.001-04:00

Since I’ve been ill, I don’t have any enthusiasm to blog about any books or music but I am going to take a quick look at a Bollywood flick and its Hollywood counterpart.

U, Me Aur Hum was released this year and stars the real-life couple Ajay Devgan and Kajol as an old man who tells a story to an old woman upon a cruise ship.

Compare this to The Notebook which was released in 2004 where an old man reads a story to an old woman in a nursing home.

Both movies had a common theme - as someone said once “no matter what obstacles came their way, both couples ended up together because all through their life they always fell in love many times but with the same person.”

Through the Headphones 49

2008-10-18T20:02:00.001-04:00

Cover to Cover 49

2008-10-18T20:01:00.003-04:00

It was recently recommended that I should read the Flambards Series as it was sure to be to my liking. I have not been able to get my hands on copies of the books as yet but feel free to leave your opinion of the books if you have already read them.

The four books: Flambards, The Edge of the Cloud, Flambards in Summer and Flambards Divided were written by Birmingham-born British author K. M. Peyton and were awarded both the 1969 Carnegie Medal and the 1970 Guardian Award for Children’s Fiction.

This is the plot as I read on Wikipedia:

Christina Parsons, who has been shunted around the family since she was orphaned at five years old, is sent to live at Flambards with her mother's half-brother, the crippled Russell. Her Aunt Grace speculates that Russell plans for Christina to marry his son Mark in order to restore Flambards to its former glory using the money that she will inherit on her twenty-first birthday. Mark is as brutish as his father, with a great love for hunting, whereas the younger son William is terrified of horses and aspires to be an aviator. Christina soon finds friendship with an injured William, who challenges her ideas on class boundaries, as well as a love for horses and hunting. William and Christina eventually fall in love and elope at the end of the first book.

'The Edge of the Cloud', the second novel in the series, continues directly from the end of the first book and follows William and Christina's relationship and his aviation, with a back-drop of upcoming war, suffragettes and the death of Mr Dermot and Sandy (William's friends). The book culminates in William and Christina's marriage, with the knowledge that he will join the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) three days after the end of their honeymoon.

A widowed Christina gives birth to William's daughter Isobel in 'Flambards in Summer', and falls in love with Dick (the former stable-lad), who has returned to Flambards to manage the farm.

In 'Flambards Divided', Christina and Dick find soon after their marriage that they want different things in life. He falls in love with Clara, Isobel's nursemaid, and Christina falls in love with Mark who has been changed in the war. Although she states "No-one will ever be the same as William", she ends 'Flambards Divided' happily, with the knowledge that she and Mark will marry as soon as laws are changed so that a man can marry his brother's widow.

Lights, Camera, Action! 49

2008-10-18T20:00:00.003-04:00

This week I am again blogging about 2 movies…the Bollywood movie Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic which reminds me just a little bit of the Hollywood movie Nanny McPhee.

Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic was released this year and starred Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukherjee.

Nanny McPhee was released in 2005 and starred Colin Firth and Emma Thompson.

Both movies will enthral kids because they come filled with magic and mischievous children who perform some of the most hilarious antics. You really need to see both movies to compare which is better.

Through the Headphones 48

2008-10-11T20:27:00.002-04:00

My friends the Bs (who I have referred to several times in previous blogs) recently presented me with an extremely generous gift of a purple 1GB Apple iPod. I'm not too sure what I did for them to deserve it but I am nevertheless grateful, more so for having gained their friendship than for the actual token.
I will make the effort to put their gift to good use and once again start listening to music with the added benefit that I will have something to blog about for this entry more often than not!

Cover to Cover 48

2008-10-11T20:26:00.002-04:00

These two books are what I’d call feel-good inspirational stories for children. Written by Frances Hodgson Burnett, the books I am referring to are The Secret Garden and A Little Princess.

The Secret Garden was first published in 1909 and the main protagonist is Mary Lennox while A Little Princess was first published in 1905 and Sara Crewe was the leading young lady. Both books started with the girls living in India where their fathers were stationed in the army and then after unfortunate circumstances, they found themselves living in their parents’ homeland of England. Mary’s personality undergoes an amazing transformation throughout her story, while Sara manages to maintain her lovely personality in spite of the all hardships she had to face.

Both these books are timeless pieces of literature for young girls.

Lights, Camera, Action! 48

2008-10-11T20:25:00.002-04:00

I’m blogging about 2 movies this week…the Bollywood movie Satte Pe Satta which just happens to be loosely based on the Hollywood movie Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

You really need to see both movies to compare which is better.

Satte Pe Satta was released in 1982 and starred Amitabh Bachan as the eldest of the seven brothers and Hema Malini as his wife.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was released in 1954 and starred Howard Keel and Jane Powell.

Through the Headphones 47

2008-09-27T20:07:00.001-04:00

I heard these songs by Toni Braxton the other day and I couldn’t help but relate to them completely.

“How can an Angel Break my Heart”
(verse 1)
I heard he sang a lullaby
I heard he sang it from his heart
When I found out thought I would die
Because that lullaby was mine
I heard he sealed it with a kiss
He gently kissed her cherry lips
I found that so hard to believe
Because his kiss belonged to me

(verse 2)
I heard here face was white as rain
Soft as a rose that blooms in May
He keeps her picture in a frame
And when he sleeps he calls her name
I wonder if she makes him smile
The way he used to smile at me
I hope she doesn't make him laugh
Because his laugh belongs to me

“Unbreak my Heart”
(verse 1)
Don't leave me in all this pain
Don't leave me out in the rain
Come back and bring back my smile
Come and take these tears away
I need your arms to hold me now
The night are so unkind
Bring back those nights when I held you beside me

(verse 2)
Take back that sad word good-bye
Bring back the joy to my life
Don't leave me here with these tears
Come and kiss that pain away
I can't forget the day you left
Time is so unkind
And life is so cruel without you here beside me

Cover to Cover 47

2008-09-27T20:06:00.003-04:00

One of my friends recently introduced me to the Anne series written by Lucy M. Montgomery between 1908 and 1921, which follows the life of an orphan Anne Shirley who lives on Prince Edward Island in Canada. There are 8 books in the series (I was able to borrow 4 to read and got the other 4 as e-books).

The books are as follows:
Anne of Green Gables [Anne is 11-16]
Anne of Avonlea [Anne is 16-18]
Anne of the Island [Anne is 18-22]
Anne of Windy Poplars [Anne is 22-25]
Anne’s House of Dreams [Anne is 25-27]
Anne of Ingleside [Anne is 34-40]
Rainbow Valley [Anne is 41]
Rilla of Ingleside [Anne is 49-53]

I think this is a worthy collection in any home library.

Lights, Camera, Action! 47

2008-09-27T20:05:00.002-04:00

This week I’m going to blog about a Bollywood movie – two in fact – with the same name.

The original Don was released in 1978 and starred Amitabh Bachan in the title role. The new Don was released in 2006 and starred Shah Rukh Khan. The storyline from the original had been changed a bit, the action and music was more modern of course, so there were things I liked and disliked about both versions. In the end it’s up to each person who sees it, to say for themselves, if the original or the new one is better.

Through the Headphones 46

2008-09-13T19:47:00.001-04:00

I know I haven’t blogged about music in a long time but considering what my topic is this week, I thought it would be nice to do so. Here are a couple songs by Shania Twain that I love listening to mainly because of the romantic lyrics (I seem to be in a mood to listen to music like this recently).

Forever and For Always

From This Moment On

Cover to Cover 46

2008-09-13T19:46:00.001-04:00

Now apparently, I’ve committed a grave sin. I have yet to read a single book by Jane Austen, which I need to rectify as soon as possible. I recently bought a copy of Jane Austen’s Guide to Dating written by Lauren Henderson. It’s a dating guide based on the stories portrayed by Austen’s characters in Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Mansfield Park, Emma and Northanger Abbey. Interestingly enough, there are also parallel modern stories and advice that is geared to contemporary relationships.

Lights, Camera, Action! 46

2008-09-13T19:45:00.001-04:00

Now I have to admit I’m not a fan of watching Sex and the City (a huge understatement since I’ve seen only about 2 episodes in my life!) but I recently watched the movie and once I caught up with the storylines of the four main characters, I have to say I rather enjoyed it although I was surprised at the explicit naked and sex scenes (a good reason for me to start watching the TV series). The movie (as does the series) stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon. When Carrie got “stood up” on her wedding day and Miranda found out her husband cheated on her, I couldn’t stop myself from crying (keep in mind I’m dealing with my own drama). For fans of the series, it is a definite must-see.

Through the Headphones 45

2008-09-06T20:02:00.000-04:00

I can't say that I've had much interest in music of late. A bit of a depression seemed to have settled over me of late.

Cover to Cover 45

2008-09-06T20:01:00.000-04:00

I recently started reading His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman. I'm still on the first book, The Golden Compass, and there are The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass to read next. To be honest, I'm finding it a bit hard to get captivated by the story but I do like the whole concept of humans having a symbiotic relationship with creatures called daemons, who are able to change form when their human counterparts are children and then later assume one image which reflects the nature of the humans they are bound to.
Philip Pullman is a British author who has also written two companion pieces to the trilogy, entitled Lyra's Oxford and Once Upon A Time In The North. The third companion yet-to-be-written book, The Book of Dust, is tentatively set for release in 2009.

Lights, Camera, Action! 45

2008-09-06T20:00:00.000-04:00

I have to admit reading the book has created the desire to watch the movie The Golden Compass as well. I have a feeling I will probably enjoy watching the movie more than reading the book (which is a strange statement for me to make because usually I feel the other way around). My friend has promised to borrow it for me. The movie was released last year and starred Dakota Richards as Lyra and won the award for Best Achievements in Visual Effects at the 2008 Academy Awards, so I’m certain it is worth watching.

Through the Headphones 44

2008-08-30T21:36:00.000-04:00

We still do not have internet at home. So again I do apologise for not being able to post any movies/tv, books or music this week. My friend was gracious enough to allow me to use his wireless laptop to quickly post these couple of brief entries. I would do proper posts as soon as we’re back online at home.

Cover to Cover 44

2008-08-30T21:35:00.000-04:00

Lights, Camera, Action! 44

2008-08-30T21:34:00.001-04:00

Through the Headphones 43

2008-08-24T03:22:00.001-04:00

We still do not have internet at home. So again I do apologise for not being able to post any photos, movies/tv, books or music this week. I would as soon as we’re back online at home.

Cover to Cover 43

2008-08-24T03:21:00.002-04:00

We still do not have internet at home. So again I do apologise for not being able to post any photos, movies/tv, books or music this week. I would as soon as we’re back online at home.

Lights, Camera, Action! 43

2008-08-24T03:21:00.001-04:00

We still do not have internet at home. So again I do apologise for not being able to post any photos, movies/tv, books or music this week. I would as soon as we’re back online at home.

Through the Headphones 42

2008-08-16T20:05:00.000-04:00

I should mention that at the moment, we do not have internet at home, a problem we hope to get resolved soon. I have to thank our neighbours for allowing me to use their computer to check my emails and to post this journal entry in my blog (couldn’t let my 1st anniversary of blogging pass by without marking it). However, I do apologise for not being able to post any photos, movies/tv, books or music this week. I would next week, if we get everything sorted out.

Cover to Cover 42

2008-08-16T20:04:00.000-04:00

Lights, Camera, Action! 42

2008-08-16T20:03:00.000-04:00

Through the Headphones 41

2008-08-09T20:05:00.006-04:00

Didn't listen to any music worth mentioning this week.

Cover to Cover 41

2008-08-09T20:04:00.004-04:00

Didn't do any reading worth mentioning this week.

Lights, Camera, Action! 41

2008-08-09T20:03:00.003-04:00

Now that I have once again joined the ranks of the unemployed, my friend and I had the opportunity to watch the extended versions of all three of The Lord of the Rings movies. As you may or may not know (just in case you’ve been living under a rock), LOTR is an epic fantasy tale which was written by JRR Tolkien between 1937 and 1949. The 2001–2003 release of Peter Jackson's widely acclaimed Lord of the Rings film trilogy prompted a new surge of interest in Tolkien's works. The trilogy is based on the three-volume book and consists of three live action fantasy epic films: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002) and Return of the King (2003).

Through the Headphones 40

2008-08-02T20:05:00.001-04:00

Stumbled across this interesting article.

AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs

Feel free to check it out yourself.

Cover to Cover 40

2008-08-02T20:04:00.003-04:00

When I was younger I never got the opportunity to read The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank so when I saw a copy of "The Definitive Edition" (apparently there were different versions published) being sold in a second-hand bookstore, I did not hesitate to purchase it. The synopsis reads: "In July 1942 Anne Frank and her family, fleeing the horrors of Nazi occupation, hid in the back of an Amsterdam warehouse. Anne was thirteen when the family went into the Secret Annexe and, over the next two years, she vividly describes in her diary the frustrations of living in such confined quarters, the constant threat of discovery, hunger and tiredness, and above all, boredom. Her diary ends abruptly when, in August 1944, she and her family were finally discovered by the Nazis."

Anne's initial entry reads: "I hope I will be able to confide everything to you, as I have never been able to confide in anyone, and I hope you will be a great source of comfort and support."

That struck a chord in me because I can relate to it immensely, having that need to be able to open up and share my inner-most thoughts and feelings with someone without fear that the person would use it against me to suit their own purposes (which has unfortunately happened to me already). Her relationship with her mother is similar to that of mines with my mom so I was able to again relate.

My favourite quote from this book is "You can be lonely even when you're loved by many people, since you're still not anybody's 'one and only'" as it epitomises what I've always felt. Also, I fully appreciate her belief about love: "Love, what is love? I don't think you can really put it into words. Love is understanding someone, caring for him, sharing his joys and sorrows. This eventually includes physical love. You've shared something, given something away and received something in return, whether or not you're married, whether or not you have a baby. Losing your virtue doesn't matter, as long as you know that for as long as you live you'll have someone at your side who understands you, and who doesn't have to be shared with anyone else!"

This book is a definite read for all teenage girls and young women.

And here is an interesting tidbit...the only member of the Secret Annexe to survive the Holocaust was Anne's father Otto H. Frank who died on 19 August 1980...my birth date!

Lights, Camera, Action! 40

2008-08-02T20:03:00.001-04:00

Stumbled across this interesting article.

AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movie Quotes

Feel free to check it out yourself.

Through the Headphones 39

2008-07-26T20:30:00.000-04:00

My friend recently acquired a copy of The Very Best of Barry Manilow. There were 12 tracks on the CD but my favourites are Can’t Smile Without You, Could It Be Magic, Stay and If I Should Love Again (yeah, the pathetic romantic part or me still lives, go figure!) Feel free to visit the official website to find out more about Barry Manilow.

Cover to Cover 39

2008-07-26T20:29:00.000-04:00

One of my friends surprised me with an early birthday gift of a National Geographic Magazine subscription. I got my first issue a couple days ago and I’ve promised him that I would be reading each issue from cover to cover!

My friend who I am staying with has a Readers Digest Magazine subscription. Each issue has quite a lot of interesting articles and features, a worthwhile read as well.

So I have quite a bit of reading material around the house to keep me busy.

Lights, Camera, Action! 39

2008-07-26T20:28:00.000-04:00

Ugly Betty is hilarious and sweet, a television show I thought I would not have liked from watching the commercials but as it turned out, I was terribly wrong.

America Ferrera plays the role of Betty Suarez, (a character I can relate to somewhat) who is out-of-place in the high-fashion world where she works as personal assistant to Daniel Meade (played by Eric Mabeus), son of the publisher of Mode Magazine. The only reason the publisher hired her to be his son's secretary, is that he thought Betty was someone who Daniel would never sleep with. However, Betty's hard work and determination earns Daniel's respect, as she helps him find his way through the shark infested waters of the fashion industry.

In spite of Betty’s appearance, she manages to find love with nerdy-accountant Henry Grubstick (played by Christopher Gorham). You have to admit, it must be love if she could overlook a name like Grubstick and can forgive him his indiscretion that got another woman pregnant!

I could either think “Even Ugly Betty can get a man, so what the hell is wrong with me then?” or I could think “If Ugly Betty can get a man, then so can I!”

That’s positivity in action, ent?

Through the Headphones 38

2008-07-20T03:08:00.000-04:00

I have a wisdom tooth growing out and the pain I’m suffering at the moment overshadows any desire to watch movies, read books or listen to music. Hopefully I’ll be feeling better by next week!

Cover to Cover 38

2008-07-20T03:07:00.000-04:00

I have a wisdom tooth growing out and the pain I’m suffering at the moment overshadows any desire to watch movies, read books or listen to music. Hopefully I’ll be feeling better by next week!

Lights, Camera, Action! 38

2008-07-20T03:05:00.004-04:00

I have a wisdom tooth growing out and the pain I’m suffering at the moment overshadows any desire to watch movies, read books or listen to music. Hopefully I’ll be feeling better by next week!

Through the Headphones 37

2008-07-12T20:55:00.003-04:00

After too many weeks to count, I'm finally actually blogging about music again!!!

Last weekend, we had an impromptu bar-be-cue at home (despite the fact that it was raining and had heavy winds!) and that gave us the opportunity to play some music out loud for the whole terrace to hear (and probably complain about!)

A couple of the CDs we listened to were of a very popular Trini crossover band called Karma, the brainchild of Jewanlal Bissambhar and his children.

Since its inauguration Karma has produced six albums, Evolution, A.B.C (another bad creation) party mix, Secret 48, Karma Mangalam, Destiny and Karmasutra. Karma is currently working on their 7th and 8th albums, Destiny 2 and Band Ah D Year.

Cover to Cover 37

2008-07-12T20:50:00.002-04:00

Work has been really busy lately, I haven't been sleeping well and I get daily headaches...so reading is the last thing I feel inclined to do these days.

Lights, Camera, Action! 37

2008-07-12T20:45:00.001-04:00

The 2006 movie The Breakup, starring Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn should be just the kind of movie I need to be watching these days.

Instead, I end up watching sappy movies like Definitely Maybe, the 2008 movie starring Ryan Reynolds, who after one disastrous relationship followed by another, gets a last chance at happiness with the woman who had always loved him but he overlooked because he considered her only a friend (like most idiot guys who can't see what's right in front of their eyes!!!)

Through the Headphones 36

2008-07-06T10:19:00.003-04:00

Last week, like so many before, I did not bother to comment on anything music-related. This week is no different. Like I explained to someone recently, "I wake up, go to work on the bus (no music there), sit at a desk whole day (no music allowed), come back home on a bus (again no music), help make dinenr, eat, watch tv or a movie or read, then sleep...that's basically been my routine over the last couple of months. I've stopped borrowing my friend's mp3 player for the bus rides because I don't seem to be in a mood to listen to music at all, especially after all that has happened...maybe I should start listening to break-up songs!!! But won't that just depress me even more?

Cover to Cover 36

2008-07-06T10:15:00.002-04:00

A couple of co-workers recommended this author to me….Khaled Hosseini. They both read his first novel, The Kite Runner and said it was a good read. Apparently, the book was made into a movie as well. I haven’t gotten my hands on either the book or movie as yet to see for myself, but maybe you would have more luck…if you do, let me know what you think. The author also has a second novel out, A Thousand Splendid Suns so keep your eyes out for it too.

Lights, Camera, Action! 36

2008-07-06T10:13:00.001-04:00

I recently got the opportunity to look at all 14 episodes of the 2006 television series Justice, about a powerful LA law firm that handles high-profile cases. It was really entertaining and I still find it unbelievable that it was cancelled after only one season! Starring Victor Garber (who I personally find always have a remarkable on-screen presence), with his catch-phrase "Like I always say... If you've got the right lawyer with you, we've got the greatest legal system in the world," speaks volume for the approach they take to fighting and winning their cases for their clients.

Photos 36

2008-07-06T10:03:00.002-04:00

More pictures from my email "Beijing Olympics Garden".

Through the Headphones 35

2008-06-28T21:38:00.000-04:00

Since it's all about finding things to distract me, I haven't been listening to any music, since love songs are the last possible thing I want to hear!

Cover to Cover 35

2008-06-28T21:36:00.001-04:00

In an attempt to keep my mind occupied, I borrowed my friend's daughter's "The Chronicles of Narnia" collection. They're really small compared to the books I usually read, that I spaced them out over a period of a week, reading them one each day in order. The movies The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (based on Book 2), Prince Caspian (based on Book 4) and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which is in pre-production (based on Book 5) are all centred around the adventures of the Pevensie siblings. They make a reappearance in the finale book, The Last Battle but otherwise the other books have other "Sons of Adams and Daughters of Eve" playing the role of protagonists and the favoured of Aslan. The biblical allegories are too blatant to miss; nevertheless, they contain enough magic and adventure to interest most children. The Narnia Chronicles were written by Clive Staples Lewis between 1950 and 1956. It is interesting to note that the books were not published in the same order that they are read in today.

Publication order	Chronological Reading order
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)	The Magician's Nephew
Prince Caspian (1951)	The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)	The Horse and His Boy
The Silver Chair (1953)	Prince Caspian
The Horse and His Boy (1954)	The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Magician's Nephew (1955)	The Silver Chair
The Last Battle (1956)	The Last Battle

Lights, Camera, Action! 35

2008-06-28T21:34:00.000-04:00

A couple months ago I raved about Ironman and thought that it had been thee best action movie I’ve seen for this year. Well, I’ve been looking at a lot of television and movies lately (again, to keep myself occupied) so I had the pleasure of going to see The Incredible Hulk in cinema (starring Edward Norton as Bruce Banner/ Hulk) . Now, I never particularly cared for the Hulk on the whole, he being way down, almost last on my list of favourite superheroes (Batman being #1), but the graphics and action in this version of the movie makes it a must-see and puts it in serious competition with Ironman for my best action movie for this year. I’ve seen both of them in cinema, so now I need to wait to see them both at home on dvd to see if my first impression was right or if it was all influenced by the big screen.

Photos 35

2008-06-28T21:32:00.000-04:00

I got these pictures in an email entitled "Beijing Olympics Garden" and thought they were worth sharing.

There were quite a lot, so I'll post some more on my next blog.

Through the Headphones 34

2008-06-01T13:06:00.000-04:00

Check on my next blog.

Cover to Cover 34

2008-06-01T13:05:00.001-04:00

I recently found a couple books on the bookshelf written by the best selling contemporary author Anna Maxted. I just finished reading Being Committed and I’m currently reading Behaving Like Adults. I must say, I like her style of writing and the way she approaches the issues that people are really faced with instead of focusing only on romance and sex. I hope to get my hands on her other books to read as well: Getting Over It, Running In Heels and A Tale of Two Sisters.

Lights, Camera, Action! 34

2008-06-01T13:03:00.003-04:00

The topic of Death reminds of two television shows which I never particularly fancied but which I did watch from time to time when there was nothing better to watch.

The first is Haunted, which was cancelled after 12 episodes. Starring Matthew Fox as an ex-cop who after having a near-death experience discovers he has the ability to see and communicate with restless ghosts of murdered people who ask for his help in solving their deaths.

The second is Ghost Whisperer, which remarkably has held on for 3 seasons (62 episodes). Starring Jennifer Love Hewitt as a newlywed who has the ability to communicate with the earthbound spirits of the recently deceased to help send their important messages to the living and allow the dead to pass on to the other side.

Through the Headphones 33

2008-05-17T20:05:00.000-04:00

Check my next blog!

Cover to Cover 33

2008-05-17T20:04:00.000-04:00

Check my next blog!

Lights, Camera, Action! 33

2008-05-17T20:03:00.000-04:00

My friend has introduced me to a really interesting British drama series called Judge John Deed starring Martin Shaw as the high court judge who is not afraid to question the establishment in the name of justice. He is a well-learned, highly intelligent, witty, modern-day King Solomon. Of course, he’s far from being perfect! He suffers major commitment phobia and as a result he has wanton womanising habits…come to think of it…in that regard he reminds me of my friend!...no wonder he likes watching the show so much!

Photos 33

2008-05-17T20:02:00.000-04:00

New Age Furniture

Through the Headphones 32

2008-05-03T20:05:00.002-04:00

As sad as this may be, I haven't listened to any music in a long time! Haven't even been listening to the radio, so I have no idea what's new. This is a long weekend, since tomorrow is a Bank Holiday, so maybe I'll get a chance to do so.

Cover to Cover 32

2008-05-03T20:04:00.001-04:00

I’ve developed a liking for Danny Wallace’s articles that appear every Thursday in the ShortList Magazine “For Men With More Than One Thing On Their Minds” that is freely distributed on the streets. He writes about his many life experiences, which on the surface appears to be very “normal” but when you read between the lines, his insights are very thought-provoking. His intro reads: “Danny Wallace is a man but he’s still learning some of life’s hardest lessons.” You can check it out at ShortList.Com.

Lights, Camera, Action! 32

2008-05-03T20:03:00.000-04:00

We went to see Ironman on the opening night and I absolutely, 100%, loved it. I can’t imagine there being another movie this year as action-packed! Starring Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark / Ironman; Gwyneth Paltrow as his loyal personal assistant Virginia “Pepper” Potts and Terrence Howard as his friend Jim Rhodes. A definite must-see.

Photos 32

2008-05-03T20:02:00.001-04:00

Got these in an email recently...thought they were worth sharing.

Through the Headphones 31

2008-04-20T02:30:00.002-04:00

This week I’m not going to blog about any known song or artist but about a song (and a dance) that my friend’s daughter did for us the other night. It really is worth mentioning. The song goes like this:

Shawty had them Apple Bottom Jeans [Jeans]
Boots with the fur [With the fur]
The whole club was lookin at her
She hit the flo [She hit the flo]
Next thing you know
Shawty got low low low low low low low low (and at this point the dance takes her to the ground)

Them baggy sweat pants
And the Reeboks with the straps [With the straps]
She turned around and gave that big booty a smack [Ayy]
She hit the flo [She hit the flo]
Next thing you know
Shawty got low low low low low low low low (and at this point the dance takes her to the ground)

Keep in mind, my friend’s daughter is almost 10 years old and until she sang this song for me, I had never heard it...a sure sign I'm getting old. I had to actually Google it to find out who sang it!

Cover to Cover 31

2008-04-20T02:25:00.002-04:00

I'm currently reading "You're in Charge - A guide to becoming your own therapist" by Janette Rainwater (copyright 1979!) and I'm finding so many things to ponder and blog about in the future. For now, I can tell you what the back flap says: "This dynamic and positive book shows you how to take charge of your personal and sexual relationships, your physical health, and your mental equilibium, and the numerous practical exercises, designed to put you firmly in control of your life, include meditation, keeping a journal and working with your dreams." I'm finding it really interesting and will share my insights into it sometime soon.

Lights, Camera, Action! 31

2008-04-20T02:20:00.003-04:00

The TV sitcom Friends, which ran from 1994-2004, 10 seasons of non-stop humour based around the lives of 6 friends, epitomises the ups and downs most friendships face. Starring David Schwimmer (as Ross Geller), Courteney Cox (as Monica Geller), Matthew Perry (as Chandler Bing), Jennifer Aniston (as Rachel Green), Lisa Kudrow (as Phoebe Buffay) and Matt Le Blanc (as Joey Tribbiani). This is a must-see, and dare I say it, a must-own series!

Through the Headphones 30

2008-04-05T22:10:00.002-04:00

Keeping with my UK theme, it’ll be remiss of me if I don’t blog about the Spice Girls, UK’s most successful all-female pop group which was formed in 1994. The members consisted of Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice), Melanie Brown (Scary Spice), Emma Bunton (Baby Spice), Melanie Chisholm (Sporty Spice) and Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice). Their debut album Spice in 1996 went multi-platinum and this was followed by Spiceworld in 1997 which tied in with their movie with the same name. The album became a huge hit worldwide, lengthening the so-called "Spicemania" fever at that time. In 1998, Ginger Spice left the group and four remaining members released their third album Forever in 2000 but the album saw a huge drop in sales compared to their last two albums. In 2007, the entire group (including Ginger spice) reunited and their fourth album Spice Girls Greatest Hits was released and is currently being supported by their accompanying world tour. For information on the Spice Girls, visit their official website: http://www.thespicegirls.com/

Cover to Cover 30

2008-04-05T22:05:00.003-04:00

The Metro is a free daily newspapers that is commonly distributed on public transportation here, so on most mornings, I'll pick up a copy to read during my long bus ride to work. One section I look forward to is the comic strip Nemi by 32-year old Lise Myhre, which is originally a Norwegian comic strip that is published in the UK newspaper after translation into english.

The protagonist is Nemi Montoya, a mid-20s woman with a very Gothic-style (always wear black clothes and has very pale skin) and who has very little in common with most of the rest of the world. She is an enigma: both tough with attitude, not afraid to speak her mind, and at the same time, can be sensitive, displaying her loneliness (something we have in common) and her fondness for spiders and dragons. She mostly baby-sits for a living, goes to pubs and drink with her friend Cyan and one-night stands ending with her waking up next to complete strangers are quite common. Nemi's apartment is almost always a mess, she hates most reality shows and she is a vegatarian and has an uncontrollable passion for chocolate (something else we have in common!)

Nemi has a unique way with children!

Nemi and her approach to fanatics.

Nemi has a way of putting things into perspective!

Nemi's social life.

Volume 1 of Nemi, a 144-page fully illustrated book was published last year, with Volume 2 expected to be released later this year!

Cover of Nemi, Volume 1, by Lise Myhre

Lights, Camera, Action! 30

2008-04-05T22:00:00.001-04:00

Like I said in an earlier blog, there aren’t many British television shows that I particularly have any interest in but sometimes, I do find a movie to my liking. One such movie is Hot Fuzz which was released last year and is an action/comedy British movie. It stars Simon Pegg as Sgt. Nicholas Angel, an over-achieving police officer who makes the rest of this team look bad so he is transferred from the great metropolis city of London to the quiet country town of Sandford where he is paired up with PC Danny Butterman (played by Nick Frost). On the beat, the pair stumbles upon a series of suspicious accidents and events and their mystery comes complete with fantastic action and great humor…a definite must-watch movie!

Through the Headphones 29

2008-03-23T16:20:00.001-04:00

Haven’t been listening to music much lately either…except on the bus if I’m feeling sleepy on my way to work, but it’s more or less the same songs over and over, since I haven’t gotten around to adding any new music to the mp3 player (and probably won’t until I have free use of my computer again in about a month’s time).

Cover to Cover 29

2008-03-23T16:20:00.000-04:00

Haven’t gotten any new books to blog about this week…between work and cleaning the house for the arrival of our guest, I still haven’t been able to finish reading the last few books I blogged about as yet.

Lights, Camera, Action! 29

2008-03-23T16:15:00.000-04:00

The most recent movie I’ve seen is Alvin and the Chipmunks based on the classic children’s television series of the same name which ran from 1983 to 1991. A frustrated songwriter David Seville (played by Jason Lee) adopts three musically inclined chipmunk brothers, Alvin (the mischievous leader), Simon (the brainy one who wears glasses) and Theodore (the chubby impressionable one), and we see their adventures as they work together to find success in the music world.

This is what the Chipmunks looked like in the 20th Century on the TV series!

This is what the Chipmunks look like now in the 21st Century in the movie!

Through the Headphones 28

2008-03-08T20:55:00.002-04:00

My friend who I am staying with told me recently that he sometimes listens to music by foreign artistes, although he cannot understand a single word that they were singing. He probably thought I'd find it weird but I don't since I also do the same thing. He was introducing me to the music of Alizée Jacotey, a 23 year old singer born in Corsica, whose music he really likes. I never heard of her before, but I rather liked her music although she can not be considered a "fashion icon" (based on the awful outfits she wore for one of her concerts). While researching her for this blog, I found out that she has 3 albums, Gourmandises (2001), Mes Courantes Électriques (2003) and Psychédélices (2007).

Now one foreign artiste I like listening to is Ayumi Hamasaki, a 29 year old Japanese pop singer. I first heard her music in the late 1990s and I loved the melody of some of her songs (again I don't know Japanese so I couldn't understand the lyrics). Later on, I did find the english translations for a couple of the songs that I really liked such as “Seasons” and “Never Ever”, and that only re-enforced my liking for her music. I lost the CD that one of my Japanese penpals had sent me with her music so I should probably try to get some more and see if now, years later, I still find her music to my taste. Her first album was A Song for XX (1999) followed by LOVEppears (1999), Duty (2000), I am… (2002), Rainbow (2002), My Story (2004), Miss(Understood) (2006), Secret (2006) and Guilty, her ninth and most recent album which was only released on January 1, 2008.

Cover to Cover 28

2008-03-08T20:50:00.001-04:00

I recently got my hands on Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan Series in e-books (pdf format). Now as most people, I'm quite familiar with the story of Tarzan as depicted in various versions of the movie that I have seen (including animated) but I have to admit I never had the opportunity of actually reading the books. So, imagine my surprise when I found myself immensely enjoying the first book of the series, Tarzan of the Apes! One would think that the familiarity of the story would make the book a bit boring but instead I couldn't stop reading it and couldn't wait to start the second book, which I completed reading in less time than it took me to read the first. I’m devouring them quickly to say the least. Also surprisingly, I find myself relating to Tarzan’s drive to find companionship, to find a place where he feels like he truly belongs, to be willing to do almost anything for the people he loves…it turns out this King of the Jungle is my kindred spirit!

Here is the list of books I have:

Book 1 - Tarzan of the Apes

Book 2 - The Return of Tarzan

Book 3 - The Beasts of Tarzan

Book 4 - The Son of Tarzan

Book 5 - Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar

Book 6 - Jungle Tales of Tarzan

Book 7 - Tarzan the Untamed

Book 8 - Tarzan the Terrible

There are more books in the series but those are all I have at the moment. Hopefully, I'll get the chance to read the others too one day.

Lights, Camera, Action! 28

2008-03-08T20:45:00.003-04:00

Have you seen the movie Beowulf? It is a definite must-see for everyone who loves CGI. I haven’t seen it on an Imax screen as yet, but I can just imagine how awesome that experience will be since it’s already pretty amazing on a normal screen! The characters look so real, I had to keep reminding myself that they weren’t living, breathing actors!

Look at these screen shots and you tell me if it don't look real?

Through the Headphones 27

2008-02-23T22:05:00.001-04:00

Like all female teenagers at that time, I have to admit I liked listening to boy bands like Backstreet Boys and N’SYNC. Even today, there are some of their songs that I still love especially for the lyrics.

Backstreet Boys came into existence in 1993 also in Orlando, Florida in the US. Original member Kevin Richardson left the group in 2006 to begin a family, leaving only Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough, A. J. McLean and Nick Carter. Their main style of singing is Pop and their official website is www.backstreetboys.com.

I simply love their song “As Long As You Love Me”

Although loneliness has always been a friend of mine

I'm leaving my life in your hands

People say I'm crazy and that I am blind

Risking it all in a glance

And how you got me blind is still a mystery

I can't get you out of my head

Don't care what is written in your history

As long as you're here with me

I don't care who you are

Where you're from

What you did

As long as you love me

Who you are

Where you're from

Don't care what you did

As long as you love me

N’SYNC came onto the music scene in 1995 in Orlando, Florida in the US. The members were Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick and Justin Timberlake. Their genres included Pop, Bubblegum pop, dance-pop, teen pop and R&B. N’SYNC announced a "temporary hiatus" in spring 2002 and the band has not recorded new material since. The group's official website shut down in summer of 2006, and in 2007, it was confirmed that the group had broken up.

Here are two of their songs that I love listening to:

God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You

Can this be true?

Tell me, can this be real?

How can I put into words what I feel?

My life was complete

I thought I was whole

Why do I feel like I'm losing control?

I never thought that love could feel like this

and you've changed my world with just one kiss.

How can it be that right here with me

there's an angel?

It's a miracle...

Your love is like a river

Peaceful and deep

Your soul is like a secret

That I never could keep

When I look into your eyes

I know that it's true

God must have spent...

A little more time

On you...

(A little more time, yes he did baby)

In all of creation

All things great and small

You are the one that surpasses them all

More precious than

Any diamond or pearl

They broke the mold

When you came in this world

And I'm trying hard to figure out

Just how I ever did without

The warmth of your smile

The heart of a child

That's deep inside

Leaves me purified

This I Promise You

When the visions around you,

Bring tears to your eyes

And all that surround you,

Are secrets and lies

I'll be your strength,

I'll give you hope,

Keeping your faith when it's gone

The one you should call,

Was standing here all along..

And I will take

You in my arms

And hold you right where you belong

Till the day my life is through

This I promise you

I've loved you forever,

In lifetimes before

And I promise you never...

Will you hurt anymore

I give you my word

I give you my heart (give you my heart)

This is a battle we've won

And with this vow,

Forever has now begun...

Just close your eyes (close your eyes)

Each loving day (each loving day)

I know this feeling won't go away (no..)

Till the day my life is through

This I promise you..

Over and over I fall (over and over I fall)

When I hear you call

Without you in my life baby

I just wouldn't be living at all...

Cover to Cover 27

2008-02-23T22:00:00.001-04:00

As I mentioned on a couple previous blogs I recently got my hands on a few e-books written by the husband and wife writing duo, Charles Norris Williamson and Alice Muriel Williamson.

Over the last couple weeks I read out two more of their books... My Friend the Chauffeur and The Princess Passes which were both written in 1905.

Now, again these books were turn of the century, with English-American characters set in the time period when the car was still a novelty and automobiling was a favourite pastime of the rich.

The style of the authors for both books had the stories being narrated from the points of view of the different characters, which was so unlike their approach to the first two of their books that I read and blogged about earlier.

I much preferred My Friend the Chauffeur where I felt the story flowed, although their trip seemed to be never ending, it was filled with mishaps and adventures but I was forced to endure the personalities of Prince Dalmar-Kalm and of Mrs. Kathryn Stanley Kidder. On the other hand, The Princess Passes dragged along so unbearably, the two main characters meeting in Chapter 9, by which time, I had lost whatever interest I may have had in the book and found myself reading not for enjoyment, and not because I wanted to see how the story unfolded (unfortunately, it was pretty obvious) but because I simply wanted to finish it off, hoping that I would find a redeeming quality about it to blog about. I didn’t. The descriptions were long-winded and either the woman had a male figure, voice and mannerism or the man was a complete and utter idiot for not being able to see through her disguise after meeting her just once!

So although I still have 4 more of their books to read, I think I need to take a break from them for a while…going to dig through my friend’s bookshelves and cupboards to see what I can find of interest to read.

Lights, Camera, Action! 27

2008-02-23T21:55:00.002-04:00

Last night we went to see Jumper in the cinema and I must say after all the hype about it, I was not very impressed. Don’t give me wrong, it was good, but for some reason I expected it to be better. It’s basically about a genetic anomaly which allows certain people to teleport anywhere. David Rice (Hayden Christensen) discovers that he has this gift, which apparently has existed for centuries (but that’s all we found out about it) and finds himself in a war that has been raging for thousands of years between "Jumpers" and those who have sworn to kill them called Palladins. Rachel Bilson plays the role of Milli, David’s crush since he was 5 year old, who he sweeps away to Rome on their first date, gets arrested and almost killed. All in all, it is a movie worth seeing, if only for the awesome shots of Egypt, the Grand Canyon, Rome etc.

Through the Headphones 26

2008-02-17T05:55:00.000-04:00

Haven’t listened to any music whole week!

Cover to Cover 26

2008-02-17T05:50:00.000-04:00

I’m now in the process of reading a new book. Will blog about it next week.

Lights, Camera, Action! 26

2008-02-17T05:45:00.000-04:00

Last weekend, we went to the cinema to look at Penelope starring Christina Ricci. In synopsis, it is a romantic tale about a young aristocratic heiress born under a curse to have a pig’s snout for a nose until she finds true love with "one of her kind for the spell to be broken." It was a definite modern fairytale worthwhile for children.

Through the Headphones 25

2008-02-09T23:15:00.000-04:00

Years ago, when I first heard “If you ask me to” (the version by Patti La Belle which I prefer to Celine Dion’s version) I fell in love with it. Recently, I’ve discovered to my utter amazement that this friend of mines (a clueless guy and he reads my blog so he knows this is for his benefit) thinks I have the extraordinary ability to read minds! I was blessed with a few talents at birth and have developed many skills over the years, but mind reading is not one of them! I’ll be lying if I tell you how many times I have to tell him that if he wants/needs something, he has to just tell/ask me. He says he doesn’t want to infringe on women’s lib so he prefers I decide to do things on my own. So here’s the dilemma…I’m a bit old-fashioned and I like to please. So I prefer people tell me what they want/need and give me the choice to do or not do it. I just hope he finally understands that about me. Anyway, this song just highlights that if you take the risk and ask for what you want, who knows?...you may just end up getting it!

“If You Asked Me To” by Patti Labelle

Used to be that I believed in something,
Used to be that I believed in love,
It's been a long time since I've had that feelin',
I could love someone,
I could trust someone.
I said I'd never let nobody near my heart again, darlin',
I said I'd never let nobody in,
But, If you asked me to I just might change my mind,
And let you in my life forever,
If you asked me to I just might give my heart,
And stay here in your arms forever.
If you asked me to,
If you asked me to,
Somehow ever since I've been around you,
Can't go back to being on my own Can't help feelin',
darlin', since I've found you,
That I've found my home,
That I've found my home.
I said I'd never let nobody get to close to me, darlin',
I said I needed, needed to be free,
But, If you asked me to I just might change my mind,
And let you in my life forever,
If you asked me to I just might give my heart,
And stay here in your arms forever.
If you asked me to
If you asked me to
Ask me to I will give my world to you baby
I need you now (I need you now)
Ask me to and I'll do anything for you, baby,
For you, baby.
If you asked me to,
I'll let you in my life forever,
If you asked me to,
All you gotta do is ask me to,
All you gotta do, All you gotta do
All you gotta do is ask me to
If you ask me to (I'll give you my word, I'll give you my heart)
Everything, Everything Baby
If you ask me to, just ask me to

Cover to Cover 25

2008-02-09T23:10:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned on a couple previous blogs I recently got my hands on a few e-books written by the husband and wife writing duo, Charles Norris Williamson and Alice Muriel Williamson.

This week I read out two of their books...Winnie Childs, Shop Girl which they wrote in 1914, 1916 and Secret History Revealed by Lady Peggy O'Malley (1915) .

Now, genre-wise, both books can only be described as historical romances which can prove to be worthwhile for persons interested in stories written at the turn of the century, with English-American characters set in the time period when young ladies were debutantes and married for titles and wealth rather than love.

Winnie Childs, Shop Girl was an okay read throughout, although it is a far-cry from what I consider a love story since the woman (Winnifred Childs) and man (Peter Rolls Jr.) in question spent only a few brief days in each other's company and for the majority of the book they were apart, having no communication whatsoever and neither having confessed their feelings for each other. What really peeved me about this book, was that Ena Childs who was the sole cause for the couple's time apart, did not get her deserved comeuppance at the end of the book (true she did not get the Earl she had wanted to propose marriage to her, but she did end up with a Marquis!).

Secret History Revealed by Lady Peggy O'Malley managed to capture my attention from the get-go with the protagonist, Lady Marguerite O'Malley being a high-spirited no-nonsense girl who loses her heart to Captain Eagleston March who in turns falls in love with her elder more beautiful sister, Lady Diana O'Malley. Admittedly, all the drama about the El Paso fiasco bored me, which was a shame since the "secret" was centred around it but at least the salvation for the European War was that Eagle's and Peggy's paths crossed. Again, what irked me about this story is that the villain did not get his just-desserts! They had the evidence right there in their hands and destroyed it! Fine, even if they weren't planning to use it at that moment, they should have at least kept it as insurance for some time in the future.

So I'm on to another of their books...I just hope there aren't any annoyingly pretentious women in this one too!

Lights, Camera, Action! 25

2008-02-09T23:05:00.000-04:00

Romantic on-screen duos…you know, those couples who bring magic to the silver screen and have so much chemistry that every movie they star in is a success because they make you believe that their love is real!

Two such couples are Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol from the East (Bollywood) and Richard Gere and Julia Roberts from the West (Hollywood).

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol

Anyone who has seen Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995) and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) would have to agree with my statements. They also starred opposite each other in a few other movies, but the most notable in my mind are Karun Arjun (1995) and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001).

Richard Gere and Julia Roberts

Their first great hit was Pretty Woman (1990) and years later there was Runaway Bride (1999). Now this one is disputable because I have friends who either love these movies with a passion or find them annoying and insist that the only thing about them is their soundtracks! You watch them and be the judge.

Photos 25

2008-02-09T23:00:00.000-04:00

Check out these cool dresses made entirely out of balloons…can you imagine what will happen if you were wearing this and some naughty person were to sneak up behind you with a pin or needle?

Through the Headphones 24

2008-02-02T22:20:00.000-04:00

While going to work on the bus the other day and listening to music on my friend’s mp3 player (which he is generous enough to lend me), it occurred to me just how songs on it I like (the sappy romantic part of me I suppose) that I haven’t blogged about as yet.

One such song is (for me a classic) Eternal Flame by The Bangles. The lyrics that sticks to me go something like this:

Close your eyes, give me your hand, darling

Do you feel my heart beating, do you understand?

Do you feel the same, am I only dreaming?

Is this burning an eternal flame?

I believe it's meant to be, darling

I watch when you are sleeping, you belong to me

Do you feel the same, am I only dreaming

Or is this burning an eternal flame?

Say my name, sun shines through the rain

A whole life so lonely, and then you come and ease the pain

I don't want to lose this feeling

Another song is Stickwitu by The Pussycat Dolls. The lyrics go something like this:

I don't wanna go another day,

So I'm telling you exactly what is on my mind.

Seems like everybody's breaking up

Throwing their love away,

But I know I got a good thing right here

That's why I say (Hey)

Nobody gonna love me better

I must stick with you forever.

Nobody gonna take me higher

I must stick with you.

You know how to appreciate me

I must stick with you, my baby.

Nobody ever made me feel this way

I must stick with you.

Then there is The Tide Is High by Atomic Kitten. The lyrics I like go something like this:

Every time that I get the feeling

You give me something to believe in

Every time that I got you near me

I don't believe that I want it to be

But you know that I'm gonna take my chance now

I'm gonna make it happen somehow

And you know I can take the pressure

A moment's pain for a lifetime pleasure

I have to admit that I haven’t been listening to a lot of recent music these days. I should probably start to do so again sometime soon.

Cover to Cover 24

2008-02-02T22:15:00.000-04:00

I know…I know…I am really lapsing badly. I’ve only just started reading a new book but am no where close to finishing it as yet. I’m usually so exhausted (more mentally than physically) on most days after work, that I fall asleep after only reading a couple pages. But I’ll keep at it…PROMISE.

Lights, Camera, Action! 24

2008-02-02T22:10:00.000-04:00

Do you know what I’ve learnt to enjoy? Animated series that are based on movies.

Two such television shows are Men in Black and The Mummy.

Men in Black: The Series (1997)

Jay, Kay and Elle are back as the men (and woman) in black, a top-secret organization set up to deal with extraterrestrial immigration and keep the general public from knowing that aliens have arrived on Earth.

The Mummy: The Animated Series (2001)

Set one year after The Mummy Returns, this series follows the adventures of Alex O'Connell and his archaeologist parents, Rick and Evy in the Quest for the Lost Scrolls. After accidentally raising the Mummy from the dead, eleven year old Alex gets into a bind with a magical manacle which gives him the ability to have visions of the lost scrolls. While being tracked down by the Mummy, he and his family must race across the globe to locate the lost scrolls, which is their only means of unlocking the manacle and sending the Mummy abck to him tomb.
Check out the official website: http://themummytv.com/

Through the Headphones 23

2008-01-27T04:05:00.000-04:00

My friend recently got me a copy of Natasha Bedingfield’s album "Pocketful of Sunshine". I’m actually listening to it now for the first time as I work on my blog. From her album “Unwritten” I liked the title track “Unwritten”, “These Words”, “Frogs and Princes” and “Single”. I’m hoping there’ll be a couple of songs in this album that I will like too. I will have to remember to blog about my findings in a subsequent entry.

Cover to Cover 23

2008-01-27T04:00:00.000-04:00

I more recently got my hands on four more e-books by Charles Norris Williamson and Alice Muriel Williamson and I haven’t gotten a chance to start reading the first set yet much less this second set. Again, I’ll blog about them as soon as I get around to reading them.

These are the new ones that I’ve gotten now:
The Princess Passes (1905)
Winnie Childs – The Shop Girl (1914, 1916)
The Heather-Moon (1912)
Secret Mystery Revealed By Lady Peggy O’Malley (1915)