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I watched H2G2 the movie over the weekend. I was excited to see it and the begining started verbatem from the book.. then it started to skim a bit.. then it went way off... I knew the movie was different from the book.. and overall it didnt do a bad job.. they didnt so much change the story and change the order that it was told in... I guess it I cant be objective on this one, because it was much different... Overall I was not thrilled with it. On one point in particular I was disapointed that they did not explain the towels. This is one of the great bits in the book.. and a favorite part of the culture.. but it was skipped... was that to appease the geeks (inside joke) or just skipped for time?
I was surprised that the movie only covered the first book, I expected it to cover the first 2.. but I guess that leave it open for a sequel.. the movie ended as the book did with a teaser about The Resturant At The End Of The Universe.
I also watched Gorky Park (movie) this weekend. This was better done, but deviated from the book in minor ways... In the end Pribluda is killed, yet in the book he lives and becomes important to Arkady in the time spand between Gorky Park and Polar Star. There are a few other points I was unsure of.. but it has been SOO long since I read the book.. and I cant seem to find my copy of it now.. I will have to look further for it!
Monday, November 28, 2005
The Resturant At The End Of the Universe (65)
The Resturant At The End Of the Universe
Douglas Adams
I read the next book in the H2G2 trilogy.. there were parts I had forgotten about this.. and other parts that are different than the radio series. Since the radio show came first, should this be considered the ultimate authority?
Douglas Adams
I read the next book in the H2G2 trilogy.. there were parts I had forgotten about this.. and other parts that are different than the radio series. Since the radio show came first, should this be considered the ultimate authority?
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Hitchhikers Guide To the Galaxy (64)
DON'T PANIC!
The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy
Douglas Adams
What can you say about this book? You are not a real geek unless you have read it and embraced it! There is so much of this book in normal society (not just pop culture). This is how it all began with Arthur's house getting bulldozed right before the end of the Earth... Ford, Zaphod, Trillian, and of course, Marvin, the paranoid android!
The book *very* closely follows the BBC radio broadcast (which came before the books) but the book does add extra details. We actually see Zaphod as he steals the Heart Of Gold.. and more insite into Zaphods quest.. and how he has imprinted his secret plans on his brain.
Enough of this.. it is time for lunch....
At the Resturant At The End Of The Universe!
The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy
Douglas Adams
What can you say about this book? You are not a real geek unless you have read it and embraced it! There is so much of this book in normal society (not just pop culture). This is how it all began with Arthur's house getting bulldozed right before the end of the Earth... Ford, Zaphod, Trillian, and of course, Marvin, the paranoid android!
The book *very* closely follows the BBC radio broadcast (which came before the books) but the book does add extra details. We actually see Zaphod as he steals the Heart Of Gold.. and more insite into Zaphods quest.. and how he has imprinted his secret plans on his brain.
Enough of this.. it is time for lunch....
At the Resturant At The End Of The Universe!
The United States Of Eurpoe (63)
The United States Of Europe
T. R. Reid
This is a book that I was introduced to by Dear Reader I enjoyed the book and HIGHLY recommend it.. even though I did not agree with all of his points.
The main thrust of the book is that Europe has united and is now an economic power to be reconded with. No longer can the USA set economic and social policy for the world.. Europe by their sheer size can shape things in their image.
And their image is heavy on the socialism... free health care and income for everybody... It is like communism without the state run industries - lol.
The book was a wonderful view of different parts of the new Europe. Including the early beginings of the EU in the 1950's up to the current form. With a wonderful chapter on how they did the physical currency change over.
If you have any interest in Business, History, Europe, Socialism, etc. I think you would enjoy this book!
T. R. Reid
This is a book that I was introduced to by Dear Reader I enjoyed the book and HIGHLY recommend it.. even though I did not agree with all of his points.
The main thrust of the book is that Europe has united and is now an economic power to be reconded with. No longer can the USA set economic and social policy for the world.. Europe by their sheer size can shape things in their image.
And their image is heavy on the socialism... free health care and income for everybody... It is like communism without the state run industries - lol.
The book was a wonderful view of different parts of the new Europe. Including the early beginings of the EU in the 1950's up to the current form. With a wonderful chapter on how they did the physical currency change over.
If you have any interest in Business, History, Europe, Socialism, etc. I think you would enjoy this book!
Appetite For Destruction (62)
Appetite For Destruction: The Days of Guns N Roses
Danny Sugerman 1991
This was an 'unauthorized biography' and it was horrible! It was like someones college thesis... He spent most of the book comparing GnR to classical artists (think Plato), and evidently thier only contemparies worthy of them are The Rolling Stones and Jim Morrison.
The book dealt at length with their drug use.. since this was so 'shocking' that a band would flaunt drug use in the age of 'just say no'.. Um... I remember the 80's and it was assumed that EVERYBODY was doing drugs - lol
This book was written before Use Your Illusion came out.. so it talks a bit about the upcoming album.. November Rain was compared to Stairway to Heaven - arrrgh.
The only good thing was the book did remind me of some of the GnR songs I love.. so I listened to a bunch of their music... Skip the book and listen to Appetite.. you will be happier in the end!
Danny Sugerman 1991
This was an 'unauthorized biography' and it was horrible! It was like someones college thesis... He spent most of the book comparing GnR to classical artists (think Plato), and evidently thier only contemparies worthy of them are The Rolling Stones and Jim Morrison.
The book dealt at length with their drug use.. since this was so 'shocking' that a band would flaunt drug use in the age of 'just say no'.. Um... I remember the 80's and it was assumed that EVERYBODY was doing drugs - lol
This book was written before Use Your Illusion came out.. so it talks a bit about the upcoming album.. November Rain was compared to Stairway to Heaven - arrrgh.
The only good thing was the book did remind me of some of the GnR songs I love.. so I listened to a bunch of their music... Skip the book and listen to Appetite.. you will be happier in the end!
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Genealogy
I have started working on my genealogy again. I have not done much with it in the past 10 years.. and last week I started looking through it again and getting some stuff organized.
The Internet is a great help in this now. I was able to find my G-grandfather (Fekete) death record.. CA listed deaths online.. I had suspected he moved there but was not sure.. next step is to get a copy of the death certificate and that should fill in some more information, such as his parents names.
I think I also found this mans entry to the US in the Ellis Island records, and I definately found my other g-grandfathers final entry.
So yesterday I went to the State Library. I use to go there to research the microfilm Census records. Now instead of going through the microfilm you sit at a computer and use Ancestory.com to look up records. This is SO much quicker (and easier on the eyes). Plus this is a huge advantage as I can not afford the $99/qtr that the service costs. So yesterday I was able to find the 1920 Census record for my grandfathers family which filled in some dates on his brother and sister. I also found the 1930 census record for the sister who was married and had a son at this time. I also found the 1930 record for my grand father who was living in K'zoo at the time. This was the first time my father appeared on the Census.
I also found some records on my mothers family. I know most of this information, but it was interesting to see that they often had other people living with them. In 1920 the youngest son and his wife were living at home, and in 1930 the widowed sister of my g-grandmother was living with them. Also interesting to see some of the questions they asked the family.. especially about if they rent or own home and how much it is worth.. My grandfather F was renting a home for $30/mo, his sister in Chicago was renting home for $50/mo, and my mothers grandmother owned her home valued at $8500 all pretty low prices 75 years later!
The Internet is a great help in this now. I was able to find my G-grandfather (Fekete) death record.. CA listed deaths online.. I had suspected he moved there but was not sure.. next step is to get a copy of the death certificate and that should fill in some more information, such as his parents names.
I think I also found this mans entry to the US in the Ellis Island records, and I definately found my other g-grandfathers final entry.
So yesterday I went to the State Library. I use to go there to research the microfilm Census records. Now instead of going through the microfilm you sit at a computer and use Ancestory.com to look up records. This is SO much quicker (and easier on the eyes). Plus this is a huge advantage as I can not afford the $99/qtr that the service costs. So yesterday I was able to find the 1920 Census record for my grandfathers family which filled in some dates on his brother and sister. I also found the 1930 census record for the sister who was married and had a son at this time. I also found the 1930 record for my grand father who was living in K'zoo at the time. This was the first time my father appeared on the Census.
I also found some records on my mothers family. I know most of this information, but it was interesting to see that they often had other people living with them. In 1920 the youngest son and his wife were living at home, and in 1930 the widowed sister of my g-grandmother was living with them. Also interesting to see some of the questions they asked the family.. especially about if they rent or own home and how much it is worth.. My grandfather F was renting a home for $30/mo, his sister in Chicago was renting home for $50/mo, and my mothers grandmother owned her home valued at $8500 all pretty low prices 75 years later!
Monday, November 14, 2005
Poe (62)
Mystery & Terror: The Story of Edgar Allan Poe
by William Schoell
This was a brief biography of Edar A Poe... Can't really say that I learned anything new. When reading about Poe's life you just get the overwhelming sense of self destruction.. over and over again.. you would see the same patterns... When he gets something good going for himself.. he seems to ruin it.. mostly with his drinking. But also has a great deal of anger, which he unleased at other writers in his 'reviews' In his day Poe was known better as a critic than as a writer.
The other trend that comes up again and again is the idea that people own him something/that he is not getting what is due to him. He could be a hard worker, but often felt things were beneath him.. Or that others were having sucess when he had more talent. etc.
I think what I am going to try to do is to start reading more Poe... I have a book of his complete works.. I am going to start reading a few stories a week in an effort to get thought them all.
I am currently reading several books at once right now, and rather like it.. I dont complete as many books, but in general I find it enjoyable.
by William Schoell
This was a brief biography of Edar A Poe... Can't really say that I learned anything new. When reading about Poe's life you just get the overwhelming sense of self destruction.. over and over again.. you would see the same patterns... When he gets something good going for himself.. he seems to ruin it.. mostly with his drinking. But also has a great deal of anger, which he unleased at other writers in his 'reviews' In his day Poe was known better as a critic than as a writer.
The other trend that comes up again and again is the idea that people own him something/that he is not getting what is due to him. He could be a hard worker, but often felt things were beneath him.. Or that others were having sucess when he had more talent. etc.
I think what I am going to try to do is to start reading more Poe... I have a book of his complete works.. I am going to start reading a few stories a week in an effort to get thought them all.
I am currently reading several books at once right now, and rather like it.. I dont complete as many books, but in general I find it enjoyable.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Surreal
I went to the library last night.. needed to return some things and decided to look for a book of Escher's works. Unfortunately everything was out, but I picked up a couple of books on Dali. I had never really studied his paintings Persistance of Memory was really the only one I was familiar with. Some of his works are very interesting! I found 3 that I especiall like. The Endless Enigma (1938), Sun Table (1936) and Invisible Sleeping Woman, Horse, Lion (1930). You can view Dali's works including these here .
If you are intersted in Escher you may view his works here. We will get to my favorite Escher's on another day :)
If you are intersted in Escher you may view his works here. We will get to my favorite Escher's on another day :)
Monday, November 07, 2005
Weekend
Had to work at 6am on Saturday.. not much going on.. got home about 10 am, exercised, then we went to the Peanut Barrel, after lunch came home had took a nap for a few hours. In the evening watched Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back.. MM has been dying to see the Star Wars movies.. Watched Return of the Jedi on Sunday. I put a hold on the newer 3 at the library.. I have not seen those yet.
Saturday night it started raining fairly hard, and Sunday had high winds.. and much cooler. Went for a walk in the woods yesterday, and there were several large tree limbs down and at least 1 whole tree down. The rain and wind brought the leaves down.. they are thick on the yard!
I started reading The Tomorrow Files again. This is one of my very favorite books.. I think half of it is the newspeak - type vocab.. and half of it is that I think this is maybe how the world should be run.. I am thinking more and more that the 'personal freedoms' issuses need to be rethought.. as the needs of the many outweight the needs of the few or the one.
Saturday night it started raining fairly hard, and Sunday had high winds.. and much cooler. Went for a walk in the woods yesterday, and there were several large tree limbs down and at least 1 whole tree down. The rain and wind brought the leaves down.. they are thick on the yard!
I started reading The Tomorrow Files again. This is one of my very favorite books.. I think half of it is the newspeak - type vocab.. and half of it is that I think this is maybe how the world should be run.. I am thinking more and more that the 'personal freedoms' issuses need to be rethought.. as the needs of the many outweight the needs of the few or the one.
A World Called Solitude (61)
A World Called Solitude (61)
by Stephen Goldin
This was actually a pretty decent book. It is a Science Fiction book I picked up years ago at a library sale. It is the story of Birk he is the only human person on a planet. As the story progesses we learn the background of him and the story. The Earth is taken over by a dictator and Birk, a famous inventor, falls out of favor with him and is sent to a prison labor camp. Later while being moved to colonize another planet the prisoners muntiny and kill the crew and each other. Birk is the only survivor the crash landing. He learns he is on a world with no people.. yet a world with everything he needs. Robots take care of the cities, and everything is as the original inhabinants (who he calls the Makers) left it thousands of years before.
Birk grapples with his lonelyness, but is generally happen on "his" planet.
A ship crashes into in... they find several survivors.. including 2 women and his spirits soar.. over a few days all but 2 people die.. the robots have extensive medical knowledge and can only save one.. they do a transplant from one to the other and save 1 woman. After several weeks of recovery Birk tells her of the lonely world they are trapped on. The girl is a military officer who has escaped after a surprise attack on New Edo by a new race of aliens. She wants to get back to warn Earth and other planet outposts of the threat. Birk will not hear of it.. this brings back feelings of how he was mistreated on Earth.. and the fact that by giving up hope he has endured this planet.. if the girl brings back hope he thinks is delicate mental state will be shattered.
And interesting premise.. being alone on a planet.. everything provided for you.. just no people...
by Stephen Goldin
This was actually a pretty decent book. It is a Science Fiction book I picked up years ago at a library sale. It is the story of Birk he is the only human person on a planet. As the story progesses we learn the background of him and the story. The Earth is taken over by a dictator and Birk, a famous inventor, falls out of favor with him and is sent to a prison labor camp. Later while being moved to colonize another planet the prisoners muntiny and kill the crew and each other. Birk is the only survivor the crash landing. He learns he is on a world with no people.. yet a world with everything he needs. Robots take care of the cities, and everything is as the original inhabinants (who he calls the Makers) left it thousands of years before.
Birk grapples with his lonelyness, but is generally happen on "his" planet.
A ship crashes into in... they find several survivors.. including 2 women and his spirits soar.. over a few days all but 2 people die.. the robots have extensive medical knowledge and can only save one.. they do a transplant from one to the other and save 1 woman. After several weeks of recovery Birk tells her of the lonely world they are trapped on. The girl is a military officer who has escaped after a surprise attack on New Edo by a new race of aliens. She wants to get back to warn Earth and other planet outposts of the threat. Birk will not hear of it.. this brings back feelings of how he was mistreated on Earth.. and the fact that by giving up hope he has endured this planet.. if the girl brings back hope he thinks is delicate mental state will be shattered.
And interesting premise.. being alone on a planet.. everything provided for you.. just no people...
Dearborn
On Friday MM did not have school, so we also took the day off and went to Greenfield Village. You could not ask for a nicer fall day. It was sunny and nearly 70 degrees. Fall is the perfect time to visit the Village, as there is almost nobody there.. no fighting through crowds and waiting in lines! Bought the transportation pass.. this allowed us to ride in a Model T :) Also took a Model A bus and took a horsedrawn carriage ride around the Village. Also walked through many of the buildings.. including Wrights Cycle Shop, where Wilbur and Orville worked on their airplane, as well as Edison's Menlo Park Lab, and the home Henry Ford was born and raised in.
For lunch we went into Dearborn.. I had looked up resturants and marked a few on my GPS before we left. Actually it was hard to find an american resturant.. as Dearborn is so heavily Arabic, most of the resturants have a Middle Eastern Theme We went to Jim's Family Resturant on Michigan Ave. An unassuming place.. went in and it has the old family resturant feel to it.. a row of booth, and a lunch counter, gleaming stainless steel backdrop. The review I read said something about this being a Polish resturant.. we sat down and I looked around and I had to smile when I saw the framed picture of Pope John Paul II on the wall... I knew it would be ok them :) Had the Polish sampler.. Cabbage Roll, perogie, kielbasa and sauerkraut.. it was very good! It seemed to be a family owned resturant as well with everybody speaking with a thick accent... the experience was wonderful and I think we have a new favorite eatery in Dearborn.
For lunch we went into Dearborn.. I had looked up resturants and marked a few on my GPS before we left. Actually it was hard to find an american resturant.. as Dearborn is so heavily Arabic, most of the resturants have a Middle Eastern Theme We went to Jim's Family Resturant on Michigan Ave. An unassuming place.. went in and it has the old family resturant feel to it.. a row of booth, and a lunch counter, gleaming stainless steel backdrop. The review I read said something about this being a Polish resturant.. we sat down and I looked around and I had to smile when I saw the framed picture of Pope John Paul II on the wall... I knew it would be ok them :) Had the Polish sampler.. Cabbage Roll, perogie, kielbasa and sauerkraut.. it was very good! It seemed to be a family owned resturant as well with everybody speaking with a thick accent... the experience was wonderful and I think we have a new favorite eatery in Dearborn.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Halloween 2005
Halloween went well! The weather was in the 60's and very nice..
I ran out to Target on the way home and picked up some candy.
The kids were excited and had fun. MM was a grim reaper in a very cool black costume. MA was a unicorn in a very cute pink outfit. Mom took them out for a while, and I handed out candy.. the dog about wore himself out jumping up everytime someone came to the door - lol
Then I took the kids out heading in the other direction.. could not believe how MUCH candy they collected.. we just went in the few blocks around our house!
I did good with the candy only having a few pieces.. I got some Crunch bars with carmel.. WOW are they good! Almost too good - lol
I ran out to Target on the way home and picked up some candy.
The kids were excited and had fun. MM was a grim reaper in a very cool black costume. MA was a unicorn in a very cute pink outfit. Mom took them out for a while, and I handed out candy.. the dog about wore himself out jumping up everytime someone came to the door - lol
Then I took the kids out heading in the other direction.. could not believe how MUCH candy they collected.. we just went in the few blocks around our house!
I did good with the candy only having a few pieces.. I got some Crunch bars with carmel.. WOW are they good! Almost too good - lol
Unknown Man #89 (60)
Unknown Man #89
Elmore Leondard
After Bandits, I had to read another Leonard book to get back in the groove. I chose this one because it was listed as the favorite of Gregg Sutter. Sutter is Elmore's researcher. This was classis Leonard.. set in Detroit.. great scam.. characters on the fringe of life.. once again a minor character steps up to have a big impact on the ending.. in this case it was Raymond. The ending was a bit different.. it appears the main characters actually GET the money..
This book also has some references to other Leonard books. The characters have some meetings at Sportee's a bar which is also used prominently in Swag, and I believe also mentioned in Stick.
Elmore Leondard
After Bandits, I had to read another Leonard book to get back in the groove. I chose this one because it was listed as the favorite of Gregg Sutter. Sutter is Elmore's researcher. This was classis Leonard.. set in Detroit.. great scam.. characters on the fringe of life.. once again a minor character steps up to have a big impact on the ending.. in this case it was Raymond. The ending was a bit different.. it appears the main characters actually GET the money..
This book also has some references to other Leonard books. The characters have some meetings at Sportee's a bar which is also used prominently in Swag, and I believe also mentioned in Stick.
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