Confession: I haven't started a book since I ended A Visit From the Goon Squad while in one of the airports from the Chicago fiasco (note to self- write strongly-worded letter to United Airlines while the anger is still semi-fresh). Reading is on par with exercise to me: non-negotiable for sanity and health. Or, so I thought. Apparently I've allowed it to become negotiable, since the past two weeks have consisted of work, the dogs, and moving. Reading has not been fitting into this equation, since by the time I'm able to sit down for more than two minutes at the end of the day all I want to do is sleep. It makes me very sad. And it must be remedied pronto. Something is missing...
Reading Rainbow Revisited
Today, I was inspired. No, it wasn't the students, it wasn't the sense of accomplishment that comes with grading 100+ assignments, or the improvement in the stock market. It was my Reading Rainbow shirt and the very emphatic conversation I had touting the show's merits to a semi-jaded individual who has never seen it, nor seemed very impressed by my description. What? Now in awe of the Rainbow and LeVar? Unacceptable! Hence, inspiration to do some Rainbow/LeVar research.
Confession: When I picture LeVar he's always wearing his Star Trek visor, which I guess let him see because he was blind? Or... I don't even know. All I remember is once he took the visor off on Star Trek and it creeped me out.
Anyway, what is our dear LeVar up to these days?
First of all, he's gotten pretty old, in fact even older than my mom, who's no spring chicken. LeVar is a whopping fifty-four years old, complete with grey hair- a far cry from his youthful exterior back in the day. Not that looks matter. Since the show ended in 2006 it appears like he's been up to a whole lot of nothing important. Guest appearances here, a few attempts at directing, blablabla- what could even remotely measure up the The Rainbow?
But, it gets better. Sort of.
He's relaunching Reading Rainbow through his company called RRKidz (LeVar, seriously, if you're teaching kids literacy you should spelling "kids" correctly). Much like the show, it will include voice overs for stories, but also LeVar on different locations and... games. That's the one caveat- it's an iPad ap. First of all, I don't have an iPad, and if I did I wouldn't let my future child touch it (that or anything else remotely of value- and do not give me any of that "it will be different once you have kids" crap). Second of all, it's a subscription based service, which is a far cry from PBS. But, at least the show has been semi-resurrected.
People like to remake the opening song:
There is nothing better than a crowd of drunk people singing the theme song to Reading Rainbow...
Books on Your Back- Two for the Price of One
In honor of the seven million t-shirts I have folded and put into closets (more so the husband's than mine), here are two bookish shirts for you, brought to you by my favorite and yours (okay, probably not) threadless.com:
Yes, a little hard to see, I know. Stop whining and move closer to the board or copy from your neighbor! Oh, wait... you guys aren't fifteen year old hormonal teenagers copying notes on symbolism. Instead, just click the direct link to see this cute little $20 shirt featuring different story covers.
Yes, a little hard to see, I know. Stop whining and move closer to the board or copy from your neighbor! Oh, wait... you guys aren't fifteen year old hormonal teenagers copying notes on symbolism. Instead, just click the direct link to see this cute little $20 shirt featuring different story covers. 
Holy-moly golly-gee, do my eyes deceive me? It's a bookcase meant to look like a color TV. Sneaky, sneaky. One has to notice that they use a middle-aged model with a slightly round tummy. I like it. Take that Cosmo.Back to unpacking. And by unpacking I mean going upstairs, taking a shower, and going to bed, because I've reached the point to where if I have to open another box I'm going to beat the nearest available person over the head with it. There's only one person that lives with me. Sucks to be him.
August Reviews- I Know, I Know
I should be packing right now, but I need a break- the last three days have consisted of car load after car load of boxes, when I'm not hanging out with my favorite 180 teenagers. So, sticking with the motif, here are the August reviews, a little late (I know, I know):
Book 1: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
343 Pages
A Box Of: Dead bodies
Yes! Dead bodies! Let's start it off bloody and violent, just like the crime novel In Cold Blood. This was for my AP students and chosen by our English Chair, but I enjoyed it as well. For those who aren't familiar, it's the story of how a midwestern family is brutally murdered... in cold blood. Get it? Get it? Anyway, I could lecture you on ethos, pathos, logos and a plethora of other rhetorical strategies employed by Capote, but now is not the time. If you like mysteries than give this a try (warning: a little slow to start).
Book 2: Indian Killer by Sherman Alexie
432 pages
A Box Of: Dead bodies
Yes, another box of dead bodies- these killed by the even more brutal mysterious Indian Killer that plagues Seattle in Alexie's novel. This was for book club, and like always, I appreciated the opportunity to discuss literature with intelligent people that don't answer questions with "idk." I must say that the story itself was better than the actual writing, but it was a quick, entertaining read that I enjoyed. Another mystery for those who love to guess "whodunnit."
Book 3: The Accidental Athlete by John Bingham
216 pages
A Box Of: Fat, clogged arteries, and tennis shoes
I keep going back and forth about whether or not I liked Bingham's memoir; when I wrote the review for Amazon I was about to run the Disneyland Half Marathon and was pumped about running, so I was kind. Now, I'm not sure. I appreciate the message that it doesn't really matter if you're fast or slow, talented or a klutz, as long as you try and enjoy yourself while exercising, but I felt somewhat bored at times. It can be read in an afternoon, so it's not like you're plowing through War and Peace, but there are definitely better running books out there.
Book 4: A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
352 pages
A Box Of: Yearbooks and other nostalgic inducing memorabilia
I'd been looking forward to this book for quite awhile, even before Egan won the Pulitzer for it. It was a solid read; the narrative was so obviously crafted, the characters developed, and the language perfected. The novel begins with two characters, Bennie and Sasha, and then winds through their past to give the reader a better idea of how they end up they way they do. While the plot may jump around through time with different narrators, the underlying current of punk rock, identity acquisition and choosing your own path remains constant. There were a few slow spots, but as a whole I definitely recommend it.
I hope to get through one book in September. Two if I'm lucky. Twelve if I break my legs and am bed-ridden.
Book 1: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
343 Pages
A Box Of: Dead bodies
Yes! Dead bodies! Let's start it off bloody and violent, just like the crime novel In Cold Blood. This was for my AP students and chosen by our English Chair, but I enjoyed it as well. For those who aren't familiar, it's the story of how a midwestern family is brutally murdered... in cold blood. Get it? Get it? Anyway, I could lecture you on ethos, pathos, logos and a plethora of other rhetorical strategies employed by Capote, but now is not the time. If you like mysteries than give this a try (warning: a little slow to start).
Book 2: Indian Killer by Sherman Alexie
432 pages
A Box Of: Dead bodies
Yes, another box of dead bodies- these killed by the even more brutal mysterious Indian Killer that plagues Seattle in Alexie's novel. This was for book club, and like always, I appreciated the opportunity to discuss literature with intelligent people that don't answer questions with "idk." I must say that the story itself was better than the actual writing, but it was a quick, entertaining read that I enjoyed. Another mystery for those who love to guess "whodunnit."
Book 3: The Accidental Athlete by John Bingham
216 pages
A Box Of: Fat, clogged arteries, and tennis shoes
I keep going back and forth about whether or not I liked Bingham's memoir; when I wrote the review for Amazon I was about to run the Disneyland Half Marathon and was pumped about running, so I was kind. Now, I'm not sure. I appreciate the message that it doesn't really matter if you're fast or slow, talented or a klutz, as long as you try and enjoy yourself while exercising, but I felt somewhat bored at times. It can be read in an afternoon, so it's not like you're plowing through War and Peace, but there are definitely better running books out there.
Book 4: A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
352 pages
A Box Of: Yearbooks and other nostalgic inducing memorabilia
I'd been looking forward to this book for quite awhile, even before Egan won the Pulitzer for it. It was a solid read; the narrative was so obviously crafted, the characters developed, and the language perfected. The novel begins with two characters, Bennie and Sasha, and then winds through their past to give the reader a better idea of how they end up they way they do. While the plot may jump around through time with different narrators, the underlying current of punk rock, identity acquisition and choosing your own path remains constant. There were a few slow spots, but as a whole I definitely recommend it.
I hope to get through one book in September. Two if I'm lucky. Twelve if I break my legs and am bed-ridden.
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
I initially typed "abstinence" instead of "absence." Ugh. What fun would that be? Anyway, to the point. So, in case you can't tell, blog-world has definitely been on the back burner lately, and will continue to be so for a little while more. Cue groans of agony and despair.
In case you care, here's why:
In case you care, here's why:
I went to Chicago for two days earlier this week to see my favorite (and only) little brother graduate from Navy Bootcamp. The flight situation was horrendous and United made my first day of traveling a living hell (4 hour direct flight turned into 11 hours of traveling, two flights and a lost opportunity to actually see the city).
Then, I ran the Disneyland Half Marathon today with my younger sister. Wasn't my best, wasn't my worst, and, more importantly, it was her first half.
We're moving! We finally bought a house and now- well, I'll spare you the details about painting and packing. I did have to sit down and explain to the books that their current cardboard box houses are only temporary and that they will soon have more shelf room and, even better, a room dedicated to them (our "formal living room" will actually be a library). They took it well.
So, I will be back with my August reviews soon (and I even managed to read four books last month), but until then make sure your heart is growing fonder. And that you're not abstinent.
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