Word Association for November 18th

Here we go again.

1. Toasty :: Warm
2. Allegations :: False
3. Herb :: Seasoning (Okay, I had seen a little further down the list)
4. Bacon :: Eggs
5. Neck to neck :: Race
6. Simon :: Peter
7. Heels :: Toes
8. Fundamentals :: Essentials
9. Middle :: School
10. Seasonings :: Poultry

Thursday Threesome for November 15th

This week's edition is brought to us by Santa's little helpers (already?) and The Back Porch.

Onesome: Classic-- get togethers? Is that on the list for next week, say about Thursday? ...or do you 'lone wolf' the Thanksgiving season?
I will be getting together with my family. This is our fourth year in Dallas, so that part is relatively new. But I always spend it with my family.

Twosome: Christmas-- Ready or not, here it comes! Complete with shopping and decorations and wants and needs and yeah... Are you ready for the experience? ...or does a nice South Seas cruise sound like a workable alternative?
Bring it on! I can't wait to pull out my Christmas music without feeling funny for listening to it. And I will probably put up my outside Christmas lights tonight while the weather is still pleasant.

Threesome: Elves-- and other helpers? Do you have any lined up to assist on Thanksgiving Day? ...or to decorate in the weeks to come. ...or do you even need them?
On Thanksgiving Day I will be one of the elves. As to getting ready for Christmas, it's the Mark show. I have never had a roommate who really was interested in helping decorate. And they certainly aren't interested in helping me shop for my family and wrap presents for my family. I never have understood that last part. :)

Signing Traps

So I actually did something this weekend! All of it Saturday. It involved lots of driving. And with gas prices as they are, that's rather expensive.

First up was a book signing down at Mysteries to Die For. They had several of the authors who had written stories for the anthology Hollywood and Crime. The stories sound much darker then I normally read, but I really wanted to give it a try. The panel was fun. And I was able to pick up Mr. Monk in Outer Space at the same time, which I am loving.

Then that night, I went to Glendale and met up with Angelique to see The Mousetrap at Glendale Centre Theatre. Master's had done it my first semester here, but that was 12 years ago. I remembered the villain, but I had forgotten just about everything else. I remembered just about everything before we were told, however. Once again, they did a great job. I am so glad I started going to that theatre!

Sunday was a quiet day around the condo after church.

Monday night, the men's Bible study I've started attending had a dinner instead of our regular meeting. It was nice to hang out and fellowship with them. And the food was delicious!

Mini Review: Green Water Ghost

In the sixth mystery in the Luanne Fogarty series, author Glynn Marsh Alam shows no signs of letting down her fans. Green Water Ghost opens with Luanne and boyfriend Vernon on a walking tour of a nearby swamp. The discovery of new bones mixed in with the old changes things, and the two are soon called on to dive a nearby pond looking for more bones. How did the bones get there? Who are they? Is someone covering up a murder?

I still love this series. The writing is vivid, making you feel as if you are there in the swamp with Luanne. I could feel the crisp air and cold water when she had to dive. The characters are sharp as well. And the plot is entertaining with several twists I never would have expected.

Once again, Glynn Marsh Alam has proved what a wonderful writer she is.

If you'd like to read more, check out my full review of Green Water Ghost.

Word Association for November 11th

Before I get to this, I want to wish you a Happy Vetran's Day.

Okay, down to business.

1. Treadmill :: Going No Where Fast
2. Stroke :: Golf
3. Exclusively :: Contract
4. Lash :: Eye
5. Red carpet :: Movie
6. Credit card:: Spend
7. Points :: Mortgage
8. Domestic :: Chore
9. 21 :: Blackjack
10. Inject :: Drugs

Not Much

You know that feeling of being busy but not having much news to report? That's me.

I'm busy keeping up with TV shows (while I can. More on my take on the strike next week). And write reviews. Which is rather funny considering I was going to take it easy and write fewer reviews this month. You didn't actually believe that, did you? Cause I did. So far, I've got 8 reviews posted this month at Epinions and 7 at Amazon with one more waiting in the wings. Ah, to really truly slow down.

The good news is that I should make the top 1000 at Epinions when they update their stats this month. They only do it once a month. I don't quite have the numbers yet, but expect to tomorrow. And it will probably be mid week next week before stats are updated. For months I've been trying to predict whether I would make it this month or next month. But I've had a huge influx of hits in the last couple of weeks, which has really helped. The only problem would be in the threshold moved up more then normal this month. So we'll have to wait until next week to see for sure.

One thing that has really helped is my review of Bee Movie. The short version? It's only okay.

Other then that, I hung out with Clint and Kurt last Friday night, which was fun. Clint starts his new job tomorrow, so I have a feeling I won't see him much any more, which will make me sad. But such is life.

Thursday Threesome for November 8th

Welcome to this week's edition, brought to us by cell phones and The Back Porch. And I have a feeling I will have boring answers, too.

Onesome: Motorola--, Sanyo, Samsung? Which brand of cell phone are you most pleased with?
Since I don't have a cell phone and don't know the brands of anyone who does, I don't even know where to begin.

Twosome: Phone-- time, and more time, and more time... Okay, are you one of those who simply lives on their phone? ...or do you consider phones a necessary evil?
I don't live on the phone (and I've got them at work and home), but that's not because I hate the phone. I just don't seem to use it that often.

Threesome: Tools-- of the trade? Do you use your phones more for work use or for personal use?
Personal use, definitely. Even here at work I bet that half my (limited) phone time is for personal stuff. I should point out I talk on the phone one or twice a day at work max, so it really isn't that much.

Mini Review: The Kite Runner

So, after having read and loved A Thousand Splendid Suns, I picked up Khaled Hosseini's first novel, The Kite Runner.

This book centers on two boys, Amir and Hassan. The two are friends growing up in 1970's Afghanistan.

Frankly, friends is too strong a word. Hassan is devoted to Amir, but Amir treats him in a very fickle manner until one day Amir witnesses an act of evil being done to Hassan and both their lives change forever.

I didn't find this book nearly as enjoyable as his other. I found the plot predictable and was one step ahead of the story the entire time. And it didn't provide nearly the glimpse into Afghan history and culture the other one did. But the characters were still strong and I was pulled through the entire book.

In the end, this book is obviously a first novel. Okay, but not the great literature deserving of the praise everyone gives it.

If you'd like to read my full review of The Kite Runner, follow the link.

Word Association for November 4th

Welcome to this week's word association.

1. Assets :: Liabilities + Equity
2. Concern :: Worry
3. Over the top :: Overacting
4. Supplies :: Staples
5. Mustache :: Trimmer
6. Doug :: Boy
7. Coach :: Carter
8. Bleachers :: Sports
9. Stripes :: Stars
10. Assortment :: Random

Thursday Threesome for November 1st

Welcome to the first post of November. This week's edition is brought to us by procrastinators and The Back Porch.

Onesome: Time is-- your friend? ...or your enemy? It's your call, but how do you feel about "time"? Are you in need of a spare cupful? ...or are you set?
I think Time is. I wouldn't say it's a friend, and it isn't an enemy. I know it is there, and I'm okay with it.

Twosome: on my-- way out the door, the last thing I check is to see.......
is that the lights are out

Threesome: "Side--out Sports"... I just love that name. Have you seen any fun signs or slogans lately you can share with the gang?
Nope. No one creative around here.