I finished my email to my Spanish cousin not too long ago. I hope she was able to understand it okay. I know enough Spanish to get by, but I don't have a lot of confidence in my written or spoken Spanish-language skills. I kept the note short to start. I hope we'll be able to keep in touch from here. We'll see.
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Movies 2006 (4)
Page Turners 2006 (7)
Lindsay Moran: Blowing My Cover: My Life As A CIA Spy
A really enjoyable read, filled with insight on a deceitful, and mostly unilluminated job. (****)Rich Smith: You Can Get Arrested For That
Amusing in parts, but thin in substance overall. (*)Fish, A Remarkable Way To Boost Morale And Improve Results
Nice small compact inspirational way to live a productive and happier work life. (****)- Christopher J. Walsh: No Timeouts: What It's Really Like To Be A Sportswriter Today
I thought I was getting more practical insight into the world of a sportswriter than I actually got. Though examples of stories and the author's progression was nice, I thought it padded the book to make it longer than it needed to be. (**) Dan Brown: The Da Vinci Code
Much better than the movie; the plot moves well. (****)Dan Wetzel: Glory Road: My Story of the 1966 NCAA Basketball Championship and How One Team Triumphed Against the Odds
Much better than the movie, as it provides more insight behind the story of Don Haskins and Texas Western; would have liked more about the players and their perspective on playing for him. Probably falls somewhere between 3 & 4 on the star rating. I guess I'd just like a more comprehensive telling of the story. Actually, though people may come out of the book/movie with the idea that this was the first time 5 black players took the basketball court at the same time and won a championship, that actually happened in 1957 (9 years earlier) when Tennessee State won the NAIA championship. (***)Leif Enger: Peace Like a River
Enjoyed this book, my first of 2006. The characters stay with you, left me wanting more. Had some trouble with the old west references, but nonetheless the prose painted plush pictures. (****)
Audio Books (6)
J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince
It was an enjoyable read, and even more fun to listen to. Jim Dale does a great job with the various voices, giving the characters even more life. (*****)Pat Conroy: My Losing Season
Really liked this one, a detailed look at a basketball season, and a past, that shaped the author's future. (*****)Nick Hornby: A Long Way Down
I loved this book and could easily identify with traits of all the characters in it. By far my favorite of the audiobooks (quite well-read, I thought, by the people doing the reading) I've listened too, and among my favorite books, period. Had me laughing out loud (some dark and profane humor, but in step with the characters) and alternatively left me melancholic and feeling for the characters and what they were going through. An interesting look at a serious subject. (*****)- Cynthia Kadohata: Kira-Kira
A beautiful and touching story. Can't add more to that now. (*****) Noah Adams: The Flyers : In Search of Wilbur and Orville Wright
Enjoyable listen, particularly when discussing the relationship the Wright brothers had with their sister Katherine and their father. Delves more on the location of their rise to prominence in aviation, rather than on the technical accomplishments themselves. Still getting used to audiobooks, so my attention waned in spots, but I liked the story, and the places and their descriptions are intriguing. (****)Jon Stewart: America (The Audiobook): A Citizen's Guide To Democracy Inaction
My first audiobook. Very funny (and quite profane) in parts, quite satirical, and an easy listen. This version is an abridged version of his print book. (***)
Page Turners 2005
penn
listening after dark
Allisonlives.com
Lyrics
Shadows are falling and I'm running out of breath; keep me in your heart for awhile. If I leave you it doesn't mean I love you any less; keep me in your heart for awhile. When you get up in the morning and you see that crazy sun; keep me in your heart for awhile. There's a train leaving nightly called when all is said and done; keep me in your heart for awhile. Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo. Keep me in your heart for awhile. Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo. Keep me in your heart for awhile. Sometimes when you're doing simple things around the house, maybe you'll think of me and smile. You know I'm tied to you like the buttons on your blouse; keep me in your heart for awhile. Hold me in your thoughts, take me to your dreams Touch me as I fall into view. When the winter comes keep the fires lit and I will be right next to you. Engine driver's headed north to Pleasant Stream; keep me in your heart for awhile. These wheels keep turning but they're running out of steam; keep me in your heart for awhile. Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo. Keep me in your heart for awhile. Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo. Keep me in your heart for awhile. Keep me in your heart for awhile.--Warren Zevon
A Window Into Other Worlds
- Allison
From her own "biolog" description: "a cool onlooker--quiet and reserved, observing and analyzing life with detached curiosity and unexpected flashes of original humor." - April
My mind is like a vacuum---I just keep losing the bag. - April (wanderlust)
April's 100+ day journey in words, pictures - Audrey
An overly ambitious 19 year old, ready to the change the world - no matter what it takes. - Jess
Quite an interesting "milkcrate" to rummage through. - Kim
A very thoughtful and engaging weblog intertwining faith and life. - Leah
Someone who likes maps and can find Leiden on one. - Mark
This guy that falls down a whole lot and lives to write about it.
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