THIS GUY
turned the big thirty-wonderful years old today
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HUSBANDMAN.
(Sorry I never have the appropriate numbered candles)
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
in 2011 I'm going to.....
In 2011, I'm going to run a 10K.
In 2011, I'm going to run a half marathon.
In 2011, I'm going to go back to daily reflections (because on some idle day in September, I know this book is going to tell me to clean my linen cupboard and I need that in my life).
In 2011, I'm going to read 100 books of my choosing.
in 2011, I'm going to work harder on the letting go of things I can't control. Life's too short to be worried about that kind of stuff anyway, right?
In 2011, I'm going to run a half marathon.
In 2011, I'm going to go back to daily reflections (because on some idle day in September, I know this book is going to tell me to clean my linen cupboard and I need that in my life).
In 2011, I'm going to read 100 books of my choosing.
in 2011, I'm going to work harder on the letting go of things I can't control. Life's too short to be worried about that kind of stuff anyway, right?
Catching Fire (The Hunger Games Trilogy)
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins has been getting a lot of publicity. We discussed reading it for book club several months ago and it got vetoed. The description of the first book made all of the new moms cringe with horror. A survivor-type fictional reality games scenario that sends children (12-18) into a battle to the last living didn't sound entertaining to anyone.
But then the boss told me even he had read the books and loved them.
And then a girlfriend read the series and said it was worthwhile. So I decided I'd give the trilogy a try.
I really enjoyed the first book. The book details the 74th hunger games. I thought the contestant deaths would be hard to read about, and while some were harder to read about than others, the book made up for it in plot and conflict resolution.
The 2nd book, Catching Fire, details the 75th Hunger Games, because it is the 75th games, the game makers decide to make it a best-of-the-past-winners challenge. A game, which previously meant any winner was set for life, now means something completely different.
And if you haven't read the series you should quite reading here....unless you are the type of person to read the whole wikipedia summary before you finish the book...as some people (cough) I might know have been known to do.
My favorite part from Catching Fire is the internal dialogue Katniss has with herself:
The Berries. I realized the answer to who I am lies in that handful of poisonous fruit. If I held them out to save Peeta because I knew that I would be shunned if I came back without him, then I am despicable. If I held them out because I loved him, I am still self centered, although forgivable. But if I held them out to defy the Capitol, I am someone of worth. The trouble is, I don't know exactly what was going on inside me at that moment.
The Final Book, Mockingjay, picks up at the end of the 75th hunger games and carries through the districts revolt against the Capitol. I must admit that while I was cheering for Peeta over Gale the whole series, I was disappointed in the quick gloss over of Gale at the end.
My favorite excerpt from Mockinjay is (from Katniss again):
I think that Peeta was onto something about us destroying one another and letting some decent species take over, because something is significantly wrong with a creature that sacrifices it's children's lives to settle it's differences. you can spin it anyway you like, Snow thought the hunger games were an efficient means of control. Coin thought the parachutes would expedite the war, but in the end, who does it benefit? No one. The truth is, it benefits no one to live in a world where these things happen.
But then the boss told me even he had read the books and loved them.
And then a girlfriend read the series and said it was worthwhile. So I decided I'd give the trilogy a try.
I really enjoyed the first book. The book details the 74th hunger games. I thought the contestant deaths would be hard to read about, and while some were harder to read about than others, the book made up for it in plot and conflict resolution.
The 2nd book, Catching Fire, details the 75th Hunger Games, because it is the 75th games, the game makers decide to make it a best-of-the-past-winners challenge. A game, which previously meant any winner was set for life, now means something completely different.
And if you haven't read the series you should quite reading here....unless you are the type of person to read the whole wikipedia summary before you finish the book...as some people (cough) I might know have been known to do.
My favorite part from Catching Fire is the internal dialogue Katniss has with herself:
The Berries. I realized the answer to who I am lies in that handful of poisonous fruit. If I held them out to save Peeta because I knew that I would be shunned if I came back without him, then I am despicable. If I held them out because I loved him, I am still self centered, although forgivable. But if I held them out to defy the Capitol, I am someone of worth. The trouble is, I don't know exactly what was going on inside me at that moment.
The Final Book, Mockingjay, picks up at the end of the 75th hunger games and carries through the districts revolt against the Capitol. I must admit that while I was cheering for Peeta over Gale the whole series, I was disappointed in the quick gloss over of Gale at the end.
My favorite excerpt from Mockinjay is (from Katniss again):
I think that Peeta was onto something about us destroying one another and letting some decent species take over, because something is significantly wrong with a creature that sacrifices it's children's lives to settle it's differences. you can spin it anyway you like, Snow thought the hunger games were an efficient means of control. Coin thought the parachutes would expedite the war, but in the end, who does it benefit? No one. The truth is, it benefits no one to live in a world where these things happen.
Blue is the new white
This year, blue is the new white in our house (because I couldn't find any white tea lights). And straight is the new round. I haven't had the advent wreath out the last couple years due to a small group of little people who can't keep their mitts off it. But I got a new one this year. I love, love, love it.
First Sunday of Advent is the prophecy candle, it is a reminder that Jesus' coming was prophesied before he was born. The candle is purple as a symbol of his royalty as the King of Kings.
The 2nd candle is the Bethlehem candle, reminding us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. It too is purple as a sign that the King of Kings was born in a manger.
The Third Sunday is the Shepherd's candle. The candle is pink and represents God's love and faithfulness. We are reminded that God send the angels to proclaim his arrival to common man and that he still uses ordinary people to spread the good news.
The fourth candle is the Angel's candle. The Angel's candle is also purple reminding us it was a King's birth they were announcing. As we light this flame we are reminded of the Heavenly hosts that proclaimed Christ's arrival by "Behold, I bring unto you good tidings and great joy!"
The last candle, a white candle, is lit on Christmas day. A reminder of the birth of our Lord. As the prophets promised long ago, you have come to us once again; and with the shepherds we are filled with wonder and amazement.
And let us all pretend that I posted this educational post sometime closer to Christmas than I did.....But you know....I'm a slacker.
First Sunday of Advent is the prophecy candle, it is a reminder that Jesus' coming was prophesied before he was born. The candle is purple as a symbol of his royalty as the King of Kings.
The 2nd candle is the Bethlehem candle, reminding us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. It too is purple as a sign that the King of Kings was born in a manger.
The Third Sunday is the Shepherd's candle. The candle is pink and represents God's love and faithfulness. We are reminded that God send the angels to proclaim his arrival to common man and that he still uses ordinary people to spread the good news.
The fourth candle is the Angel's candle. The Angel's candle is also purple reminding us it was a King's birth they were announcing. As we light this flame we are reminded of the Heavenly hosts that proclaimed Christ's arrival by "Behold, I bring unto you good tidings and great joy!"
The last candle, a white candle, is lit on Christmas day. A reminder of the birth of our Lord. As the prophets promised long ago, you have come to us once again; and with the shepherds we are filled with wonder and amazement.
And let us all pretend that I posted this educational post sometime closer to Christmas than I did.....But you know....I'm a slacker.
Reflections
This is the one where I tell you how I did on my 2010 resolutions.....
1. Take better care of myself....Umm, who let me start with this one, I say yes so yes!
2. Become a creme brulee master....Let's see: I ate creme brulee at every restaurant opportunity I got, Lawrence made creme brulee in my kitchen while I sat at the counter and took notes, but I still don't technically have my own ramekins or torch yet....
3. Run 100 miles total this year.....drum roll please.....and the number is....182 miles.
1. Take better care of myself....Umm, who let me start with this one, I say yes so yes!
2. Become a creme brulee master....Let's see: I ate creme brulee at every restaurant opportunity I got, Lawrence made creme brulee in my kitchen while I sat at the counter and took notes, but I still don't technically have my own ramekins or torch yet....
3. Run 100 miles total this year.....drum roll please.....and the number is....182 miles.
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