text:
Monday, February 28, 2011

Lost Encyclopedia - Paul Terry and Tara Bennett

Okay - I fully admit it - I am a die hard Lost fan. But, I never watched it on television. (Lots of channel switching, avoiding articles and covering my eyes and ears...) Instead, I always asked for the latest season on DVD for Christmas.  And Christmas 2010 brought the final chapter to this intricate addictive show.

But - I will be starting from the beginning again - yes one of the few shows I will re watch. And accompanying me this time will be the Lost Encyclopedia.

It's the ultimate reference for fans - a 400 page coffee table book filled with over 1500 glossy colour photos and very, very detailed information...

Each and every character that appeared, however briefly, is profiled - including all the passengers on the original flight. Some of them, I didn't even realized appeared on all seasons, such as Cindy the flight attendant. Of course, the main characters are covered in great detail, their connections on and off island and just about anything connected to their story. So many connections that I had forgotten or overlooked on my first watch.

It's not just the people covered either. Each of the Dharma stations is profiled as well as the other settings such as the camps. As someone who works in a library, I was always fascinated by what Sawyer was reading (I think my favourite was Are You There God, It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume) and the book references. All covered, as is the music, the Dharma Initiative food brand, the animals, the nicknames Sawyer used for everyone, the meaning of the hieroglyphics at the temples and of course those famous numbers. (Can you list them?) And soooo much more! Lot of obscure minutia to be found - the ingredients for those Apollo candy bars include yak butter and mouse toes.

Quoting the executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse:
"What you saw on television, the show itself, was the ten percent of the iceberg above the water. But the majority of our time in the writer's room was spent constructing the part below it. The details. The timelines. The intricate backstories of the passengers of Oceanic 815, not to mention the people who inhabited the island long before them. Then we put them altogether and let what happened, happen.

Now that the show is over, there has been great curiosity in our process...a desire to see those details in 'offical' form....And so now you hold the first and only official LOST ENCYCLOPEDIA."
See for yourself - get a peek inside the Lost Encyclopedia.

Definitely the definitive guide to own for fans of Lost. And now if you'll excuse me, Season 1, Disc 1 is waiting.....

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Winner - Altar of Eden

And the lucky winner of a copy of Altar of Eden by James Rollins, courtesy of Harper Collins is:

Congratulations! I've contacted you by email for your mailing address. Please respond within 72 hours. Thanks to all who entered - check the sidebar for ongoing giveaways.

Friday, February 25, 2011

The Midwife of Venice - Roberta Rich

The Midwife of Venice is Roberta Rich's debut novel. And it's one I wouldn't have discovered on my own - so, thanks Jessica for the great recommendation!

Hannah Levi is a midwife in the Jewish ghetto of Venice in 1575. When a Christian nobleman asks her to attend his wife, she initially refuses. After all, it is forbidden by law for a Jew to give care to a Christian. But he is desperate - his wife has been labouring for 2 days and is near death. Against the wishes of her rabbi, Hannah agrees - the nobleman has agreed to pay an exorbitant fee. That fee will allow Hannah to buy back her husband Isaac, who has been captured and forced into slavery in Malta.

The Midwife of Venice is full of rich historical detail - the social mores and customs of the time, religious differences and a fascinating look at midwifery. The chapters alternate between Hannah in Venice and Isaac in Malta and their continuing struggle to be together. Isaac's chapters are just as full of historical detail, but the characters in these chapters seemed a little overdrawn, such as the nun who buys Isaac. It is Hannah and her tale I enjoyed the most. Her character came to life on the page.

Rich has successfully combined history, suspense and romance into a fascinating page turner. My only complaint - it ended too soon! But it looks like a sequel is in the works - I'll be picking it up for sure.

Read an excerpt of The Midwife of Venice. For book clubs - there is a reader's guide.

**Congratulations to Roberta Rich - The Midwife of Venice is #8 on the Globe and Mail hardcover bestseller list!**

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Over the Counter #43

What caught my eye this week as it passed over my library counter and under the scanner? Books iwth big numbers on the covers! First up was 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die edited by Robert Dimery. I was actually kind of suprised at how many I knew!

From the publisher Universe Publishing - a division of Rizzoli Publishing:
"This latest addition to the best-selling 1001 series offers more than ever— the world’s biggest and best playlist, referencing over 10,000 must-download songs. This book offers more than any previous book in the series. While each main entry profiles and illustrates 1,001 primary songs, it places that song into a contextual web of music history with references to other songs that are musically related. Thus, each entry points to alternate versions, covers, riffs, and influences effectively expanding the total number to 10,000. From the Beatles to Beyoncé, from Elvis to Elvis Costello, from Frank Sinatra to Rufus Wainwright, the full spectrum is covered chronologically and includes additional ancillary lists of "must-hear" songs grouped by subgenre and other special categories. Each song is analyzed by an international team of critics who explain why you must hear it. Included are key details such as lyricist, composer, producer, and label, making this a music treasure trove perfect for anyone into music, addicted to downloading, or those just getting started."

And the next up was 1000 Ultimate Experiences from Lonely Planet.
From the publisher Lonely Planet:

"Want to know where the greatest markets are or the best value destinations? 1000 Ultimate Experiences brings together 1000 ideas, places and activities to inspire and entertain for travellers and lovers of life-lists alike. Get inspired and start ticking off those boxes of places you've always wanted to see and things you've always wanted to do. Who knows where you'll end up!

•Sleep under the stars in a Bedouin tent in Jordan
•Find out the best beaches to swing a hammock
•Jump on board the Ghan for a trip through Australia's remote Red Centre
•Spot Banksy's art in Bristol
•Come on, get happy in Bhutan"

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But... I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Q&A with Eleanor Brown - The Weird Sisters

I am thrilled to have Eleanor Brown, author of The Weird Sisters stopping by today for some Q and A!  This debut novel is garnering lots of press - it was a five star read for me.

Have you always aspired to be a novelist? If you weren't writing what would be your chosen path in life?

I haven't always wanted to be a novelist, but I have pretty much always wanted to be a writer. I grew up in a family that prized reading, and to me writing is just being a part of that conversation. I'm so lucky to have been able to make that part of my life on a large scale.

For a living? Wow. I suppose I'd still be doing something with reading - being a bookseller or a librarian. Occasionally, though, I do get these wild hairs to do something completely different, like become a manicurist or open a cheese shop. That kind of fantasy is good for the soul, I think.

I'm sure you have been asked this in every interview so far, but please indulge me! Where did the idea for The Weird Sisters spring from? Why Shakespeare?

Writing a novel, at least for me, isn't about a single inspiration. It's like (and forgive the cliche) rolling a snowball down a hill. So I started off with wanting to write a story about three very different sisters that explored the idea of birth order, and then other ideas started attaching themselves to that core - what it means to be an adult, whether redemption is possible, what to do when you are asked to do the thing you think you cannot, and eventually I had a novel.

As for Shakespeare, I can't remember where exactly in the snowball that came, but I was thinking about my characters' names and the way our names shape who we are. And then I wanted to write about the way families communicate, and I thought about how this very literary-minded family might speak in the words of authors. And voila, Shakespeare!

And how did you choose the quotes you used?

The quotes came in a mixture of ways. When i was doing the initial research, I made a list of great lines I came across, or ones I thought might relate to topics in the novel. And some of those I used, but more often than not I'd hit a point in a scene where I'd need a quote and didn't have quite the right one, so I'd go scrambling back to my Complete Works and scour until I had something workable.

It was extra tricky because part of the point of their communicating in these quotes is that they are completely out of context, so I couldn't search topically, I had to go more by the right words that could be taken out of context. I also made a point to avoid many of the most commonly quoted lines, so I couldn't fall back on "Out, damned spot!" every time I needed something.

I see that you are the youngest of three sisters. Did you draw upon any of your own experiences in writing The Weird Sisters? What do your sisters think of the novel?

If I hadn't grown up in a family of three sisters who happened to fall fairly strictly into the birth order stereotypes, I don't think I would have been interested in writing this particular story. But the Andreas family are all their own, and they don't bear much resemblance to my family at all.

I'm fortunate that I've heard nothing but supportive things from my family. My parents still live near Washington, D.C., where I grew up, and when The Weird Sisters hit a local bestseller list, I joked that it was because my parents had bought all the copies in the area.

The books lying about, the fantastic idea that a library card can solve anything ( I work in a public library!) all speak of someone who loves books. Was/is this true of your home? Any authors that have influenced you? What do you enjoy reading?

Oh, book lovers and librarians are my very favorite people! My parents really taught me to love books and reading - taking me to the library every week, giving me books as gifts, talking to me about literature and writing and reading to me. Like the Andreas family, I will read just about anything in a pinch, but I will stop traffic to get to a new book by Alice Hoffman, Pat Conroy, Stephen King, or Maeve Binchy. I love each of them for different reasons, but I just can't put their books down.

Are you surprised by the reception that The Weird Sisters has enjoyed?

I think shocked is more like it! As a writer, you live so much in your own head that it's kind of startling when people you don't know start talking to you about something you created. I kept my expectations modest, so everything feels like a wonderful surprise.

But what's underlying the shock is gratitude and happiness - I'm so grateful to the readers who enjoy the book and tell other people about it. And I'm happy that the book I wrote as an attempt to understand some things in my life is speaking to other people as well. It's just amazing.

I'm really looking forward to your next book - can you tell us anything about it?

Wow, thank you! I am totally superstitious about talking about works in progress, but I have been doing a lot of thinking about love and marriage and divorce. We'll just have to see where that takes us!

Eleanor, thank you so much for taking the time to stop by!

Thank you so much for inviting me to visit, and thank you even more for the gorgeous review of The Weird Sisters you posted. I'm unbelievably touched.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

A Red Herring Without Mustard - Alan Bradley

A Red Herring Without Mustard is the third book of Alan Bradley's Buckshaw Chronicles.

I fell in love with Flavia De Luce - the 11 yr old protagonist in Bradley's award winning first book - The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. (my review)

Flavia, her two older and (according to Flavia) odious sisters live with their preoccupied father in a crumbling mansion in 1950's England. Flavia has ensconced herself in the east wing, home to an ancestor's formidable chemistry lab. Flavia is enthralled by all things scientific, but especially poisons.

 A Red Herring Without Mustard opens with Flavia stopping in at the fortune telling booth at the local church fete. Startled by the Gypsy's pronouncement, Flavia inadvertently sets fire to the woman's tent. In an effort to make amends she drives the elderly woman and her caravan to camp on her family's estate. However, when she goes back to check on her (being Flavia) in the middle of the night, she finds the woman near death from a beating. Having saved her life, Flavia sets out to discover who the dastardly perpetrator of such a nasty deed could be. The plot thickens as seemingly unrelated events muddy the waters. Plenty of red herrings abound.

I've said it in past reviews of Bradley's books and I'll say it again. The mystery is always fun, but it is the character of Flavia that enthralls me. She is old beyond her years, with an indomitable spirit and her inquisitive mind is always entertaining!

"Still, because the old boy deserved it, I gave Uncle Tar's portrait a brisk Girl Guide salute, even though I'd been drummed out of that organization, quite unfairly I thought, by a woman with no sense of humor whatsoever. 'Honestly, Miss Pashely, I'd have told her, had I been given half a chance, 'the ferric hydroxide was only meant to be joke.'"

" I had long ago discovered that when a word or formula refused to come to mind, the best thing for it was to think of something else: tigers, for instance, or oatmeal. Then, when the fugitive world was least expecting it, I would suddenly turn the full blaze of my attention back onto it, catching the culprit in the beam of my mental torch before it could sneak off again into the darkness. Thought-stalking, I called the technique, and I was proud of myself for having invented it."

In this third offering though, there seems to be a bit of a chink in her armour. She is still trying to come to terms with her mother's absence and this makes her a little more real and vulnerable. More of a personal note has been injected into this third offering.

What's the appeal of an eleven year old protagonist for adults? Well, for me - I always wanted to be Harriet the Spy and outwit the adults.  Bradley has created an utterly original, engaging character in Flavia. Trust me - these books are absolutely addicting reads that end far too quickly. I'll be eagerly awaiting the next in the series - Seeds of Antiquity.

Get a sneak peek - read an excerpt of A Red Herring Without Mustard. Or join the Flavia fan club!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Giveaway - So Close the Hand of Death - J.T. Ellison

I have a copy of J. T. Ellison's newly released Taylor Jackson thriller - So Close the Hand of Death  - to giveaway this week.

What's it about?

"Across America, murders are being committed with all the twisted hallmarks of the Boston Strangler, the Zodiac Killer and Son of Sam. The media frenzy explodes and Nashville homicide lieutenant Taylor Jackson knows instantly that The Pretender is back...and he's got helpers.
As The Pretender's disciples perpetrate their sick tributes – stretching police and FBI dangerously thin – Taylor tries desperately to prepare for their inevitable showdown. And she must do it alone. To be close to her is to be in mortal danger, and she won't risk losing anyone she loves. But the isolation, the self-doubt and the rising body count are taking their toll: she's tripwire-tense and ready to snap.
The brilliant psychopath who both adores and despises her is drawing close. Close enough to touch...

With her beau, FBI profiler Dr. John Baldwin, So Close the Hand of Death follows a revenge-filled Homicide Lieutenant, Taylor Jackson, in her battle to stay strong and remain sane while fighting with the one person she’s out to get."

 Get a sneak peek - read an excerpt of So Close the Hand of Death. You can find J. T. Ellison on Facebook and on Twitter as well.

One copy up for grabs, open to US and Canada. Simply leave a comment to be entered. Ends Sat March 12 at 6 pm. EST. Good luck and check the sidebar for ongoing giveaways.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Winner - To Have and to Kill

And the randomly chosen lucky winner of a copy of To Have and to Kill by Mary Jane Clark, courtesy of Harper Collins is:

I've contacted you by email for your mailing address. Please respond within 72 hours. Thanks to all who entered - check the sidebar for ongoing giveaways.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

The Devil's Star - Jo Nesbo

I read my first Jo Nesbo book a couple of years ago (The Redeemer) and absolutely loved his recurring character - Detective Harry Hole. Nesbo is a an award winning Norwegian writer whose books are making a splash in North America as well.

The Devil's Star opens with a deliciously drawn scene that starts the book in a most unexpected way.  With no one else to call on, Inspector Moller sends Harry Hole to the scene - it looks like a minor incident. It turns out to be anything but....

Seemingly random victims are turning up in various parts of Oslo, with phalanges missing and star shaped diamonds left with the bodies at every scene. Harry is still on the case, but must answer to Tom Waaler - a cop Harry suspects of being very dirty, but he can't prove it.

Nesbo has created an incredibly intricate and very clever plot, one with twists and turns I didn't see coming at all. Just when I thought the story was going right, it quickly veered left. There are many players and each has a story to tell - both cops and suspects. Nesbo fleshes each of these out with lots of detail that makes for an incredibly absorbing and fulfilling  read. The action is non stop and the story is told at breakneck pace. Short chapters from the killer add to the tension.

But it is Harry that makes this series so enjoyable. Harry is the walking wounded - his alcoholism has cost him the woman and child he loved. Moller has covered for him for many years, but can't any longer. The one thing that has driven him all these years has been his work. He is a brilliant detective, making connections that others miss. Is his career to end? What then?
"The clock above the door showed 9:15. The day had hardly begun and Harry already felt drained of energy, like an old, dying lion who hung back from the pack when once he could have challenged the leader. Not that he had ever nurtured ambitions of leading the pack, but things had taken a nosedive anyway. All he could do was lay low and hope that someone would throw him a bone."

Just a fantastic series. If you enjoy Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series, you would love Harry Hole. For all those new fans of Scandanavian writers, you'll want to read Nesbo.

Check out what others on the TLC Book Tour thought.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Over the Counter #42

The latest two books to catch my eye as they passed over my library counter and under my scanner this week were both about bento boxes - something I'd never heard of before. Seriously cute food in a cute little box.

First up was Yum-Yum Bento Box by Crystal Watanabe and Maki Ogawa.

From the publisher Quirk Books:

"Oh, boy-obento! These cute, yummy, healthy lunches are all the rage in Japan, where mothers think of them as an expression of love for their children. Yum-Yum Bento Box is one of the first cookbooks in English devoted to these healthy and adorable meals–they’re fresh, they’re tasty, and they’re almost too cute to eat!

Each step-by-step recipe in Yum-Yum Bento Box is simple and adaptable. Readers will learn how to form their favorite foods into a variety of shapes-from zebras, panda bears, and monkeys to kitties, piggies, and puppy dogs. Chapters include instructions for classic bento boxes and character-driven bentos (called Kyaraben), plus shopping advice, general tips and tricks, and much more. Stop wasting money on prepackaged lunches-and start making beautiful, healthy bentos!

CRYSTAL WATANABE makes bento boxes for her two preschool-aged children; her Web site “Adventures in Bento Making” is a popular forum for bento makers worldwide. MAKI OGAWA is a mother whose bentos have been featured in many Asian magazines. She lives in Japan."

And Kawaii Bento Boxes - Cute and convenient Japanese Meals on the Go. by the Joie Staff.

From the publisher Japan Publications:

"More than 70 ideas for making portable meals that are as much fun to look at as they are to eat-and they're not just for kids.
A bento box meal (single portions of different foods packed in one reusable container) is a Japanese tradition that lends itself well to today's busy lifestyle. Although bento boxes are available to take out from restaurants and food stands, they are most frequently prepared at home, very often by parents wishing to provide their children with delicious, healthy, fun-and environmentally- responsible-lunch and snack-time alternatives.
Kawaii Bento Boxes offers dozens of recipes and menus. For each box, the authors include detailed instructions for cooking, seasoning, decorating and assembling the components as well as an icon indicating how long it will take to prepare. The meals are not just easy to make, they are tasty, nutritious and economical, with each portion carefully calculated so that there are no leftovers. There are also suggestions for the right container for each meal. Most of the ingredients used are familiar and available to North American cooks. Here are whimsical creations like soccer balls and animal faces made from shaped rice, tulips cut from dyed hardboiled eggs, hearts and stars carved out of vegetables, and much more. Perfect for parents looking to liven up their children's school lunches or park snacks, or for busy people who want to fix a quick and cheerful meal to take to work, Kawaii Bento Boxes highlights the Japanese passion for making food a treat for the eyes as well as for the mouth."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But... I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Giveaway - 21 Day Weight Loss Kickstart - Neal D.Barnard MD.

So....did you eat all your Valentine chocolate already? (And you're eyeing up those Easter bunnies that are out there already?) Here's a giveaway you might be interested in. 21 Day Weight Loss Kickstart by Neal D. Barnard, MD.

From the publisher The Hachette Book Group:

"For years, Dr. Neal D. Barnard has been at the forefront of cutting-edge research on what it really takes to lose weight and restore the body to optimal health. Now, with his proven, successful program, in just three short weeks you'll get fast results-drop pounds, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improve blood sugar, and more. With Dr. Barnard's advice on how to easily start a plant-based diet, you'll learn the secrets to reprogramming your body quickly:
Appetite reduction: Strategically choose the right foods to naturally and easily tame your appetite.
Metabolism boost: Adjust eating patterns to burn calories faster for about three hours after each meal.
Cardio protection: Discover the powerful foods that can help reduce cholesterol nearly as much as drugs do in just weeks.

Whether you are one of the millions who are anxious to get a jumpstart on weight loss or who already know about the benefits of a plant-based diet but have no idea how or where to start, this book is the kickstart you've been waiting for. Complete with more than sixty recipes, daily meal plans for the 21-day program, tips for grocery shopping, and more, this book will teach you how to make the best food choices and get your body on the fast track to better health."

Two copies up for grabs, open to US and Canada, no po boxes please. One win per household. Closes Sat. March 1st at 6 pm EST. Good luck and check the sidebar for ongoing giveaways.

Get a head start - read an excerpt.

Monday, February 14, 2011

The Weird Sisters - Eleanor Brown

Eleanor Brown's debut novel The Weird Sisters is an absolute gem. I was hooked from the first few pages. And as I turned the last, I sat quietly and savoured the story in my mind.

Cordelia (Cordy), Bianca (Bean) and Rosaline (Rose) Andreas are three sisters all named after Shakespearean characters by their father, who is a Bard scholar.

"We wear our names heavily. and though we have tried to escape their influence, they have seeped into us, and we find ourselves living their patterns again and again."

An event in each of their lives has each of them heading home again...
"We came home because we were failures. We wouldn't admit that, of course, not at first, not to ourselves, and certainly not to anyone else. We said we came home because our mother was ill, because we needed a break, a momentary pause before setting off for the Next Big Thing. But the truth was, we had failed and rather than let anyone else know, we crafted careful excuses and alibis and wrapped them around ourselves like a cloak to keep out the cold truth."
Each is surprised and not overly happy to find the others there. "See, we love each other. We just don't happen to like each other very much."

What follows is an absolutely mesmerizing story of the complicated relationships between sisters, between parents and children and the search each sister undertakes to find herself and her place in family and life.
 "Who would Bean be if she dropped her beautiful mask? Who would Cordy be if she stepped up to the plate in her own life? Who would Rose be if she weren't the responsible one anymore?"
Brown's characters fairly leap off the page - I could hear their dialogue and picture their actions so clearly. (And maybe hear some of my own sisters' words as they spoke...)

Brown has a way with words. Some of her descriptive passages had me reading them twice...."Bean pulled a heavy towel form the stack of laundry, unwinding it from the lascivious position it had gotten into with a pillowcase."

The Andreas family are lovers of  the written word. They often connect (and dad most often) by quoting Shakespeare passages. "Our family has always communicated its deepest feelings through the words of a man who has been dead for almost four hundred years." Their home overflows with books, often laying about half finished, picked up and read by the next person to pass by. And there's nothing that can't be solved by having a library card. (!)

The Weird Sisters is written in first person plural style. This took me a bit to get used to and I found myself trying to determine who was narrating for the first little bit. But it seemed to work - it seems as each sister is contributing to the narrative, instead of just one of them.

This one was a five star read for me - one to recommend to the women in your life - sisters, mothers, daughters and friends. (Books clubs would love this one too)

Read an excerpt of The Weird Sisters. You can find Eleanor on Facebook as well.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Winner - The Girl in the Green Raincoat

And the lucky randomly chosen winners of a copy of The Girl in the Green Raincoat by Laura Lippman, courtesy of Harper Collins Publishers are:

1. Christina
2. pinkflipflops

Congratulations! I've contacted you by email for your mailing address. Please respond within 72 hours. Thanks to all who entered - check the sidebar for ongoing giveaways.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Private - James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

James Patterson and Maxine Paetro have teamed up again for their 8th successful collaboration. Private is the first in a new series featuring former Marine Jack Morgan. Morgan inherited both money and his business from his incarcerated father. The name of the firm? Private.

With money being no object, Morgan is able to hire the best in every field. Private's  forensic labs are better than many law enforcement agencies. And discretion is the word at Private, as they cater to high profile cases.

Private has three cases running at the same time in this initial outing. Jack's best friend's wife has been murdered. A look into her background uncovers she's not the woman her husband thought. The owner of an NFL team approaches the firm to investigate possible corruption at a crucial level. And last but not least, some sicko is killing young schoolgirls - 18 to date. The local police force agrees to let the Private firm assist them with this investigation. (This stretched believability a bit)

I have been listening to all of Patterson's books now. I find that they're pretty good entertainment in audio format. Nothing to tax your brain, but a story that does keep you engaged while leaving your hands free. All the prerequisites for a classic Patterson are there - suspense, killers, a personal storyline, romance/sex and short chapters with cliffhanger endings. Although the name dropping was meant to let us know that Jack moves in certain circles, I found naming celebrities more than once simply gratuitous.

I liked the Jack Morgan character and the book ended with an opening to a sequel, which I would listen to. The support team is an eclectic bunch, some with secrets of their own. I did have to laugh when one of Jack's love interests turned out to be a bonny colleen from Ireland. The same character with a different name appears in the Det. Michael Bennett series.

Peter Hermann was the reader. He has an excellent speaking voice, clear and easily understood. His voice radiates emotions easily. And he did a passable job with that Irish colleen!

All in all, a good listen. Hear for yourself. Or watch the book trailer.

Patterson and Paetro's next collaboration - 10th Anniversary - a Women's Murder Club book is due out May 2/11.

The Hachette Book Group has reissued Private in a unabridged value priced edition releasing Feb. 22.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

The Death Instinct - Jed Rubenfeld

I was intrigued by the description of Jed Rubenfeld's latest book The Death Instinct:

"On Sept.16 1920, a horse-drawn wagon carrying 100 pounds of dynamite and a quarter-tone of cast-iron slugs exploded in front of the Morgan Bank and the New York Stock Exchange - in the very heart of New York's Financial district. More than 400 people were killed or injured. It was the deadliest bombing in the nation's 150-year history - and was the first terrorist attack on American soil. To this day, the reason for the bombing - and its perpetrators- remain a mystery. In The Death Instinct, Jed Rubenfeld offers the thrilling story of what happened on that day."

My first thought was to wonder if this event truly happened or if it was a great fictional idea. Well, it really happened. Jed Rubenfeld has taken numerous factual historical events and combined them with his idea of what may have happened. Many significant historical figures are also 'brought to life' including Madame Curie, Sigmund Freud, and prominent politicos of the time.

The Death Instinct features the two protagonists from Rubenfeld's first novel - The Interpretation of Murder - (I hadn't read this one) - Dr Stratham Younger and NYPD Captain James Littlemore. I was initially enthusiastic about this pair - especially Littlemore- his powers of deductive observation reminded me of Holmes. As the story continued though, I felt I never really engaged with the two of them. We are privy to some of what drives them and some personal moments, but these subplots felt extraneous. I felt as though they were only the vehicle to get to the next piece of  the plot.

And there were many, many parts to the plot. A few too many perhaps.  I finished the book as I wanted answers to some of the more baffling occurrences put forth. At 464 pages, the story seemed too drawn out.

Rubenfeld wrote his undergrad thesis on Freud and he draws upon this knowledge to espouse many of Freud's theories. I must admit, I found them a little tedious after the first few initial analysis.

Where this novel shone for me was in Rubenfeld's historical research and his theory of what may have transpired. There are interesting parallels to today's headlines.  An okay, not great read for me.

But that's just my opinion. Check out what others thought on the TLC tour. Or read an excerpt of The Death Instinct.

(an interesting side note - Rubenfeld is the husband of author Amy Chua, whose book Tiger Mom has been making some news)

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Over the Counter #41

Well two books caught my eye this week as they passed over my library counter and under my scanner. Cakes from two very different points of view...

The first is Cake Wrecks by Jen Yates.

From the publisher Andrews McMeel:

"Have your cake and laugh at it, too, with the sweet treat known as Cake Wrecks: When Professional Cakes Go Hilariously Wrong. From the creator of the ultrapopular blog, here are the worst cakes ever, including the ugly, the silly, the downright creepy, the unintentionally sad or suggestive, and the just plain funny. With witty commentary and behind-the-scenes tidbits, Cake Wrecks will ensure that you never look at a cake the same way again.

Since May 2008, Jen Yates has been blogging about such confectionery calamities at her popular Web site, winner of the 2008 Blogger's Choice Award™ for Best Humor Blog, and three 2009 Weblog awards (Bloggies™) for Best Writing on a Blog, Best New Blog, and Best Food Blog. Yates now offers up this inspired photo collection with over 150 Cake Wrecks, including 75 percent never-before-seen content."

And at the other end of the spectrum is Cake Boss by Buddy Valastro.

From the publisher Simon and Shuster:

"In this heartfelt memoir, master baker and star of the #1 hit TLC show, Buddy Valastro tells his inspiring story—and recounts his family's warm memories from a lifetime of living, loving, and cake making.
Television viewers have fallen in love with Buddy Valastro, master cake maker, and his funny and fiery family, proprietors of Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey, on the smash hit TLC series Cake Boss. Now, to coincide with Carlo's 100th anniversary, cake designer extraordinaire Buddy Valastro brings together his passion for baking and his high-energy family stories in the pages of this charming, heartwarming book—complete with 25 recipes and tips that will make every reader the "cake boss" of their own kitchen.

Buddy's beautifully designed cakes are the stuff of legend—and so is the remarkable story of his father, a beloved pillar of the community and himself a talented baker who set the stage for his family's rise to the pinnacle of their industry. Cake Boss recounts the story of Buddy's life and of his family's bakeshop, originally established in 1910 and now a Hoboken, New Jersey, landmark and culinary tourist destination. Here also are twenty-five recipes for Carlo's Bakery's most sought-after pastries, pies, cupcakes, and cakes, an irresistible combination of time-tested old-world recipes and modern creations, all founded on a rock-solid "old-school" baking foundation and classic techniques.

This is the incredible true story of how Carlo's Bakery came to be, how one hard-working family realized their patriarch's dream of making their beloved bake shop a household name. The special bond and loving dynamic of the Valastro clan make this an uncommonly touching and truly inspiring memoir."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But... I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Giveaway - Altar of Eden - James Rollins

Thanks to the generosity of Harper Collins, I have a new mass market copy of Altar of Eden by James Rollins to giveaway.

From the publisher:

"Baghdad falls . . . and armed men are seen looting the city zoo. Amid a hail of bullets, a concealed underground lab is ransacked—and something horrific is set loose upon the world.

Seven years later, Louisiana state veterinarian Lorna Polk investigates an abandoned shipwrecked fishing trawler carrying exotic caged animals, part of a black market smuggling ring. But there is something disturbingly wrong with these beasts—each an unsettling mutation of the natural order, all sharing one uncanny trait: incredibly heightened intelligence.

Joining forces with U.S. Border Patrol Agent Jack Menard—a man who shares with her a dark and bloody past—Lorna sets out to uncover the truth about this strange cargo and the terrorist threat it poses. Because a beast escaped the shipwreck and is running amok—and what is about to be born upon the altar of Eden could threaten not only the future of the world but the very foundation of what it means to be human. "

Read an excerpt of Altar of Eden.

Simply comment to be entered. Open to US, Canada and International. Ends Sat. Feb. 26th at 6 pm EST.

Monday, February 7, 2011

The Help - Kathryn Stockett

The Help by Kathryn Stockett is a novel I've heard nothing but good things about, but haven't read yet. Resident guest blogger Julia has - and it's one she is passionate about! After this review, I have to read it. Thanks for lending me your copy Julia!

"I told Luanne I would write a review of The Help for her blog, because I absolutely loved this book. When I finished it, I did not want to start another book because I didn’t want to let go of these characters. I wanted to keep them with me for just a little bit longer.

However, I find I am having trouble describing all the emotions this book arouses. Let’s start with a description of the plot. The book is set in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960’s. A time when the light was shining on long-held beliefs and practices like segregation, and “northerners” were coming to Jackson to try to show them another way to do things. As with all great social change, there are still people living their lives, and trying to figure out where they fit in their changing society. This book is the story of three women living in Jackson: two maids, Aibileen and Minny, and one privileged white women, Skeeter. As the world around them starts to show the people of Jackson a different way of doing things, Skeeter starts to question her friends, and most particular Miss Hilly, the chair of the Junior League. Skeeter hatches a plan that she hopes will launch her career as a writer. She plans on writing a book about the experiences of black maids, and Skeeter and Aibileen manage to convince a number of the maids to tell their stories to Skeeter.

From the first page of the book the reader is wrapped in the language and accents of the three women whose stories become intermingled. Stockett moves easily from the accents of Minny and Aibileen, to that of Skeeter and the other white women. There are some touchingly funny moments in the book, as we learn about the relationships the maids have with the children they care for, who eventually become their bosses. Not to give anything way, just know that “toilets” are discussed several times throughout the book.

When we read about Jackson, Mississippi in 1960 it is hard to believe that the world was like that, just 50 years ago. The maids were not allowed to eat at a table with white people. If a maid was out in town during work hours, they had to be dressed accordingly (in their white maid uniform). Slavery had been abolished, but little else seemingly had changed.

There has been criticism of this book – some saying this is just another book by a white woman trying to explain the black experience. I think the important message from the book is about women and their relationships. How situations can throw people together to form unlikely friendships and support systems. Stockett has written a book about great change in the southern states, in an entertaining, personal, and intelligent manner.

I repeat what I said at the beginning; I love this book and have no hesitation recommending it!

Read an excerpt of The Help.  The movie version of The Help will be released in August 2011.
What a great review! As always, thanks Julia!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Get Energy - Denise Austin

I have been reading Get Energy by Denise Austin off and on for the last couple of weeks now. I was expecting sound advice on exercising and eating right, but I was pleasantly surprised by the wider scope Austin has taken. In fact she herself states that Get Energy is not an exercise book, but is a "book about empowering your body and loving your life and tapping into the volcano of energy within you . Energy involves not just what you eat and how often you move, but how you think, how you choose to feel, and how well you take care of yourself, body, mind and spirit." Having been sick a lot this winter and being sick of winter, I found her advice quite constructive and motivating. Just what I needed to give myself a kick start to revisit my goals.

The book starts off with a look at what is zapping your energy, with some great questions. Based on your answers, some of the following chapters are recommended for the areas you need to focus on the most.  But I found all of them worth reading.  Changing your outlook, balancing life, finding pleasure in every day and powering up at midlife were the chapters I most identified with.

The third part of the book is a great two week plan, laid out with suggestions and alternatives to change your existing habits to ones that will help invigorate you throughout the day. This section is great and one I'm going to utilize.

There is a section on stretching included as well as some interesting little 'revive in five' and peace pocket boxes scattered throughout the book with great ideas to stop and revitalize in a short amount of time.

I really enjoyed this book and will be rereading it again and certainly putting into practice many of the positive ideas presented. Most of them are simple and doable. We just have to start!

 Read an excerpt of Get Energy.

You can find Denise on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

And thanks to The Hachette Book Group, I had three copies of this wonderful book to giveaway. Those winners are:

1. cookster 77
2. jholden
3. ladydoor1

I've contacted you by email for your mailing addresses. Please respond within 72 hours. Thanks to all who entered - check the sidebar for ongoing giveaways.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Over the Counter #40

The latest book to catch my eye as it passed over my library counter and under my scanner this week was Drives of a Lifetime - 500 of the World's Most Spectacular Trips. There are quite a few Canadian entries - some of them I've already driven and a few I had already made plans for later this year.
From the publisher National Geographic Books:

"Both a practical guide and an inspiring travel gift book, Drives of a Lifetime highlights 500 of the world's best car trips. The eclectic list takes readers across stunning natural landscapes of mountain, coastline, glen, and dale; into charming towns and out-of-the-way hamlets; to palatial estates, lovely gardens, and intriguing historic sites; and through bustling, thriving cities all over the world map. From America's scenic byways to the side lanes of Tuscany and the rugged dirt roads of Australia's outback—and hundreds of inviting routes in between—Drives of a Lifetime shows off the highlights of each area and tells readers exactly how to make the drive themselves. Since roads trips are a beloved cultural touchstone for Americans of every generation, Drives of a Lifetime will capture a huge and diverse audience." Peek inside.

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But... I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Three Seconds - Roslund & Hellström

Scandanavian authors have just exploded on North American reading lists following the runaway success of Stieg Larsson's books.

Finished that series and looking for another? You've got to try Three Seconds by Anders Roslund and Börge Hellström from Sweden. This pair are Sweden's number one crime writers. Here's the interesting thing - Roslund is an award winning journalist and Hellström is a an ex con. The combination of their talents and viewpoints have made their books a hit. Three Seconds was the Best Swedish Crime Novel of the Year in 2009.

Piet Hoffman is a police informant, deep undercover, having infiltrated the Polish mafia.  One last mission and the cops will have what they want and Piet can 'retire' into anonymity with his family. The job - go into the worst prison in Sweden and take control of the drug trade. With assurances that they'll try to get him out if things go bad, Piet agrees. But once he's in - he's on his own...

DI Ewert Grens is unaware of Piet Hoffman until his name comes up in a murder case. As Grens follows the threads of his investigation, it leads to more than just a simple murder. Ewert Grens is a character I want to read more of. He is an emotionally wounded man and very eccentric, but also terribly clever.  Past cases are alluded to, but this never detracted from this book as a stand alone.

I couldn't put this one down.  It's a  gritty, gripping read that delves into the shadowy underworld. An intense, intrically plotted story that kept me turning pages. The ending was very clever - loved it.

Three Seconds is now on the New York Times bestseller list. Follow Roslund & Hellström on Twitter and Three Seconds on Facebook.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Giveaway - To Have and To Kill - Mary Jane Clark

I have a brand new hardcover of Mary Jane Clark's latest book - To Have and to Kill - to giveaway!

From the publisher Harper Collins:

"New York Times bestselling author and mystery writer par excellence, Mary Jane Clark kicks off her delicious new Wedding Cake mystery series with To Have and To Kill. A tasty departure from her thrillers featuring KEY News television anchor Eliza Blake (Dying for Mercy, It Only Takes a Moment), To Have and To Kill introduces readers to actress-turned-wedding cake decorator Piper Donovan, who discovers that the heat in the pastry kitchen can be hotter—and deadlier—that she ever imagined…and that her creative new enterprise is anything but a piece of cake. Foodies and fans of cable TV’s Amazing Wedding Cakes, as well as Faye Kellerman, Jayne Anne Krentz, and Diana Mott Davidson readers are going to eat this one up.
New York Times bestselling author Mary Jane Clark delights readers with her tasty new mystery
Piper Donovan never imagined that decorating wedding cakes could be so dangerous! A struggling actress with no immediate prospects and a recently broken engagement, Piper moves back in with her parents to take stock of her life. She steps tentatively into the family bakery business and finds herself agreeing to create a wedding cake for the acclaimed star of a daytime television drama. But soon someone close to the bride-to-be is horribly murdered and it seems that that someone is ruthlessly determined to stop the wedding.

With the help of her former neighbor, Jack, a handsome FBI agent with a soft spot for the gorgeous cake-maker, Piper moves closer to the truth. And as she narrows in on a suspect, she realizes that it's hotter in the kitchen than she may be able to handle. . . . "

To be entered, simply leave a comment. This one is open to all - US, Canada and international. Ends Sat. Feb 19 at 6 pm EST. Good luck and check the sidebar for ongoing giveaways.


Content-Type: application/http; msgtype=response

WARC-Identified-Payload-Type: text/html

WARC-Type: response

text:
Fleet Management Services | Trust your fleet of vehicles to Lube ‘n Go.

Our comprehensive program will ensure your vehicles receive the preventative maintenance the manufacturer recommends. Performing necessary services can prevent major repair costs and help keep your fleet on the road.

With 11 convenient locations, we are here to serve you.

Submit Your Fleet Management Service Application

Please upload and submit your completed Fleet Management Services application below and we will be in touch with you soon. Thank you for your interest in Lube 'n Go as your fleet services provider.

warcinfo:
robots: classic
hostname: ip-10-143-241-238.ec2.internal
software: Nutch 1.6 (CC)
isPartOf: CC-MAIN-2017-39
operator: Common Crawl Admin
description: Wide crawl of the web for September 2017
publisher: Common Crawl
format: WARC File Format 1.0
conformsTo: http://bibnum.bnf.fr/WARC/WARC_ISO_28500_version1_latestdraft.pdf


text:
Welcome to Lucid INK or LINK.

LINK will be dedicated to bringing book information to the masses. Reviews and rating of recently read books, reader's advisory, general book information, personal reading and publishing thoughts, reviews of book websites, and links to book websites are just some of the things I will try to cover from this site. I invite anyone and everyone who would like to participate in this bookish discussion. However, I will have 3 ground rules to begin and may add others as needed.

1. No Attacks. Users may argue as heatedly as they like about topics, but hostile or mean spirited comments aimed at other users and not at their comments will be stricken.

2. No SPAM of any kind. Sell your junk elsewhere. SPAM will be stricken.

3. No nonsense posts. Nonsense posts or post which clearly have no connection to the conversation will be stricken.

That's it. I hope there's no need for additional rules and I hope that many people will enjoy this site.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Book Review: Moonshadow by J.M. DeMatteis

The Compleat Moonshadow by J. M. DeMatteis
This is one of those books which gives one hope for the future of graphic novels. Unfortunately it was written/drawn about 20 years ago and since then the medium hasn’t progressed greatly. The book shows the possibilities of strong plot, character and allegory use in the medium of comics. Unfortunately the graphic story telling world still (to a greater degree) continues to cling to one genre (superheroes). There’s nothing wrong with that genre. It has its own possibilities, but imagine if the only kind of books written were romance novels or maybe only science fiction, or mysteries. Sounds pretty boring doesn’t it.

Moonshadow shows that a grand story can be told and yet still encompass a simpler tale of coming of age. All this is well told with humor and depth. The book covers its goals with the panache and ability of any well written novel and actually does a better job of capturing that painful point between kid and adult than most novels. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve known who (after reading this book) said that Moonshadow felt like a story of their own coming of age. It's a bitter sweet treat to get a chance to get reacquainted with those awkward years of grasping for adulthood... Those precious moments when enlightenment was an all consuming goal. I say it's a treat no one should pass up.

I can't recommend this one enough.

Moonshadow gets an A+.

1 comment:

vfdvgf said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.


text:
Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Hosick wedding belles : Are you related?

A short while ago, a friend of mine who runs a Vintage store created a theme of “Weddings” for her shop and was looking for old wedding photographs to add to her window display. I had found a bundle of very beautiful photos in an opportunity shop for her, but after the month’s display, they were returned to me. I became fascinated by these beautiful photos and wondered why they had been discarded. They were in excellent condition, and more importantly, they had names and a date written on the back. I did some random searches on ancestry.com.au, but could not find any one researching these names, so I did a bit of sleuthing of my own.

Three of photos show the wedding of Arthur Leslie RODDA to Frances Kathleen (Nancy) HOSICK that took place in April 1933. The wedding took place at the Scot’s Church in Sydney, while the reception was held at the nearby Petty’s hotel and the photographs taken by the “La Dore Studios – Orange [NSW]” show the luxurious interior of this then prestigious establishment.

The groom, Arthur Leslie RODDA was born in Bourke, NSW to parents George James RODDA (?-1894) and Anne Amelia COWLING (1862-?) in 1888. Arthur Leslie served in World War 1, and his war diaries are to be found in the “Records of the European War Collecting Project, established by the Trustees of the Mitchell Library in 1918”, entitled Rodda diaries, 1917-1919” as a part of the collection of the State Library of New South Wales. A biographical note on the catalogue entry describes Arthur Leslie RODDA in the following way: “Arthur Rodda, a bookkeeper from Bourke, N.S.W. enlisted in Dubbo, N.S.W. on 12 Oct. 1916 aged 28 and embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A68 Anchises, 24 Jan. 1917. He served with the 35th Battalion in France and Belgium. He entered hospital 27th Oct. 1917 and did not again see active duty. He returned to Australia on the Adriatic, 29 April 1919”. The National Archives of Australia give his Service number as 3491’. According to The Australian Cemeteries Index, Arthur Leslie died on 6 May 1972 aged 84 years and is buried in the Presbyterian section of the Castle Hill Cemetery.

Frances Kathleen Hosick inside Petty's Hotel

The bride, Frances Kathleen HOSICK was born in Hay, NSW in 1906 to parents Frederick Harold HOSICK (1874-1957) and Kathleen Lismore MOORE (1883–1940). Her father Frederick was at the time of the marriage, the station manager at Toorale Station near Bouke, NSW. Frances’ two sisters, Freda Mary born 1908, and Alison Lismore born 1912 were both born at New Angledool, a locality in upper western NSW near the southern border of Queensland, served as her bridesmaids.

Hosick sisters
Two more sons were born to Frederick and Kathleen in Argentina; Frederick Alexander (Sandy), 1920 in Buenos Aires and Robert Daniel (Bob) in Pamplona in 1918. Both served in World War II, with Sandy being taken as a POW, while Robert Daniel, served in the RAAF.

A description of the wedding including details of the dress, flowers and wedding party was found on Trove, and nicely adds the colour needed to these beautiful photographs.

 1933 'RODDA—HOSICK.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 24 April, p. 4, viewed 9 May, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16974522

RODDA - HOSICK Wedding Party

A search of the Ryerson Index found that Frances Kathleen RODDA (HOSICK) passed away on the 7th October 1994, with a death notice appearing in the Sydney Morning Herald on the 8th October.

Another photo in the group I acquired shows Alison Lismore HOSICK who went on to marry Daniel "Keith" Lovedale BOYD in 1937 at Chatswood NSW, with her sister. The notation on the verso reads “To The Rodda’s, Love from Ali”

Alison and Katheen Hosick

The youngest sister, Freda Mary HOSICK married George Alfred SHARLAND, an engineer from Burwood, in Hornsby, NSW in 1951. The brothers, Frederick Alexander married Marie Teresa O’MARA at Elizabeth Bay in Sydney during 1941, while Robert Daniel married Marjorie Jean FOWLER in 1944 in Sydney, NSW.

According to the Australian Electoral rolls, before the marriage, in 1930, Arthur Leslie was working as a bookkeeper and was living with his mother in Bourke, NSW, while his wife to be, Frances Kathleen had been living in Ben Boyd Road, Narrabeen, NSW in February 1933 and was working as a Stenographer. The 1937 Australian Electoral Roll shows the couple living in Glenary Avenue, Bondi, NSW with Frances engaging in Home Duties while Arthur Leslie is described as a “Merchant”. At the time of this wedding the electoral roll shows the still unmarried sisters living with their parents at Toorale Station near Bourke.

I have made many additional discoveries regarding the Hosick family and this information can be found on have my newly created basic ancestry public Member Tree “Rodda – Hosick Family Tree”, my user name being OtteryL .

Due to the 100 year rule, I cannot check to see if any children were born to these couples, however the image of their weddings is of elegant, poised and beautiful women and I would dearly love to reunite these images with a close family member.

Ancestry.com.au Family trees
Australian Electoral Rolls on ancestry.com.au
Australian Cemeteries Index
National Archives of Australia
New South Wales BDM Historical Indexes
Photographs in personal collection of author
Queensland BDM Historical Index
Ryerson Index
State Library of NSW Manuscript collection


text:
Monday, September 27, 2010

Coming Soon: Artwork by Carol Walker-Morin

Tree Love
Oil Pastel on Cardboard
19 3/4" x 20"

During the month of October, Lucy's Art Emporium will host the bold, colorful artwork of Carol Walker-Morin. Morin likens her creative process to meditation, explaining that she trusts her intuitive sense of design and composition while playing with color and form.

Walker-Morin's work draws on the beauty of nature. She uses acrylic and oil pastel to create achetypal images of trees, labyrinths and the human form. These images radiate peace and positive energy.

The show will run from October 6th through November 6th with an opening reception on Friday October 8th from 5-7 PM. The reception is free and open to the public who are invited to meet the artist and enjoy light refreshments.

No comments:

Post a Comment


text:
Friday 6 March 2009

Interspecies Loving, or, Get-You-In-The-Mood Friday #1: classic cat and dog

This edition of Interspecies Lovin' Friday might just have an anthropological edge for the same money, so hang on in for the ride. Today, we are featuring the classic dog and cat scenario: a volatile and needy situation at the BEST of times.

Here we have a classic moment of edge of interspecies cuteness. The cat finds the chihuahua so godammed cute, he just can't stop himself... these things are so often about subdom issues when it comes down to it.

In the next video, it is clear what is going on is that the siameses had been bored of each other's company for a very very long time, the sheer sameness of it all. And then the puppy arrived... The classic three lover relationship. The love seems to be truly shared around. Note that the dog is not a chihuahua. Only with this species variation could this situation be so harmonious.

The following pair of videos, when viewed in tandem, will help you to learn something. Ok, so look at this first. The picture of interspecies grooming harmony (with a little subdom edge, clearly, if you scrape the vaseline lensed surface away). There is simply no question about it: the chihuahua is this cat's bitch.

Now. Take a look at this. Same cat. Same chihuahua. But realer. More complicated. Also the introduction of cat #2. We are ready for more.

Have you noticed how the cats are ALWAYS the dominant partner?

But can they really get along? I mean, outside of the sofa, the bed, the livingroom floor? Tune in next friday! We might have donkeys. I am not promising anything, Cindy.

Myspace looks different today

They've prettied up the song player. You can see it on some of the links I'm embedding today. And no, I have not forgot that is Cute Friday. I will be getting you hopped up on some small cute servings later this afternoon.

So, today's post is simple. It is What I Am Listening To Right Now.

Started last might with The Bowmans, for the second time. To be honest, I find something a little twee and clicheed about their songs, but godammit the sound of their voices together is just gorgeous. Their tone is not hugely varied, but it is thick and luscious. Lullaby-like.

They will probably not like this appraisal if they come across it. Nobody likes less than total enthusiasm when you've worked your arse and pocket off for months to make a labour of love. I dig that. But I also dig that I can listen to this stuff and it is not the kind of stuff I would normally find interesting, but I can hear the beauty in it. The last three songs of this myspace selection are particularly smokin', actually. The Bowmans are selling their new album now, from their myspace page.

I'm not a fan of earnest/cryptic Americana to be honest, but I can't get enough of Gillian Welch for instance. It's amazing how tiny the degrees are between what leaves you indifferent and what makes you ache with desire.

With Welch and Rawlings, it's again the gorgeous complementarity of their sound together, but it is also the sheer dryness of the tone, this desert-like tone, and their incredibly specific, clear, simple, hip, unclicheed songwriting.

Ok, so I've just watched Pete Doherty being interviewed by Pat Kenny, the most untalented, unsocial man to have a lifelong career in chatshow interviewing.

And then there's part two of this interview. Watch the kid on drugs shine over the man who thinks he's interviewing him for a bank clerk post. Does Pat Kenny not understand the notion of actually trying to get the best out of your guest? Clearly he's done his apprenticeship under the tutelage of Gay Byrne, particularly those interviews where Byrne grilled American mistresses of bishops who bore said bishops sons, like it was the Spanish Inquisition, rather than noting Byrne's natural hammy friendliness at times. Unfortunate choice of influence, but then I guess you can't always choose what you become influenced by, can you Pat Kenny? I'm sure that Pat Kenny has met excellent listeners in his time, but he hasn't noticed, clearly. Because if he was listening to this interviewee bearing his fucking soul for him, he would have noticed that the business of becoming mixed up in drugs was not the coolest thing that Pete Doherty thought he had ever done.

Ireland is an island nation of course, with a certain narrowness of outlook, and perhaps Parkinson's matey and gracious warmth was just a bridge to far to emulate. To be honest, I really put it down to the fact that Pat Kenny is good at numbers, and talking about economics on the radio, and really committed when he is doing that.

But when he's interviewing humans who are Different To Him, he misses every last bit of the good stuff. In this interview he sounds like a moralising tabloid, missing the humanity. He's clearly prepared to interview a half-conscious junkie, and instead gotten a lucid and openhearted junkie, and he can't even recognise this. There is a difference, mister Kenny, between 'asking tough questions' and 'endlessly harping on the same question 15 different times'.

So. The part of this interview that set off a hurrah in my heart was when Doherty tells Kenny that all the questions he has asked him in this interview were about "drugs or Kate. I bet you couldn't mention a single song I've written." And the answer from Kenny is that no, he couldn't. And Doherty responds with " well that is what I would like to do. I would like to put a melody in your heart and your head, and that that would be the first thing you would think of when you think of me". And then he sings his song.

Pete Doherty also has a record out next week. Two of his songs are up on myspace.

Thanks to Paula, who linked to Pete in one of her last posts on her blog.

Thursday 5 March 2009

Closed Zone

This is a very short piece of animated simplicity, made by Yoni Goodman, the animation director of Walz With Bashir. It's a little window of metaphor of life in Gaza.

Sayin it like it is, and spamming twitter with it

This is what a twitter spammer looks like. You can block them, and that is what I do, but you know, I paused at this guy's bio. I mean, he's getting at the core of the human condition in five words there.

Tuesday 3 March 2009

Sita sings the blues

I watched this a couple of days ago and it soothed my soul and the world caught fire. It's a full length animated film available in full, for free, here. It has been created from the mind and heart of Nina Paley, and she has woven some profound human archetypes, stories that resonate again and again in our lives, into this fabric of her own story, using the songs of Annette Hanshaw and the classic Hindu story of the Ramayana. It is wonderful, and profound and funny and gorgeous. It made me cry and it made me hot.

Nina moved from San Francisco to India to follow her husband, who had taken a job there. What she found when she went after him was coldness and withdrawal, leading to him dumping her by email while she was in New York for a meeting. Unable to move back to San Francisco, and with her marriage in tatters, she took a flat in Brooklyn and grieved. And five years later, she gave us this.

She has released it openly, on a creative commons license, available for anyone who wants to download it, and it is also streaming freely online. She has written about how important it is to her that stories and music that she found in the public domain be released back to that domain without restriction. And so she is now in a position of having to buy herself 'out of copyright prison', in other words pay the holders of the copyright to the songs used in the movie, $50,000 for their use, even though the songs were written over 80 years ago. If you are moved, this is how you can help her on her way.

This movie tells Sita's story so beautifully and elegantly and with such truth, accuracy and insight. What a gift.

Monday 2 March 2009

What has happened to Katie Shea?

This post is a special request from my budding flea fanbase in Oahu, Hawaii (hi guys! squeak squeak squeak squeeeeeak!! Hurrah!). They wanted something they could read.

For the humans, this is an excerpt from my lovingly tended, daily fed spam folder, which reassures me: "you will become popular among the hottest women" (phew, eh?) and then proceeds somewhat cryptically, "Show off with your power and star". I guess it's time to finally do something with that Betelgeuse I've had tucked away in storage in my parents garage for a while.

This urging was sent to me by Katie Shea.

Katie used to be such a lovely robust, salt of the earth Irish woman. Now, she has become a soothsayer of sex. I admire her versatility in this celtic rodent economy, and wish her all the best with her future career.


text:
Monday, May 28, 2007

Talk at SOAS: The typology of number borrowing in Berber

Just a quick note for London readers: I'm going to be giving a talk on Wednesday in room B111 at SOAS, on "The typology of number borrowing in Berber" - basically the same talk I gave in Cambridge, expanded a bit (for example, I've added a section on Northern Songhay.)

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Why people say silly things about historical linguistics

I recently realised that a lot of popular misconceptions about language evolution derive from uncritical use of the "family" metaphor. In families, a person has kids and then stays around, alongside the kids, for many years... they may live to see their great-grandchildren. The parent and the child may show a family resemblance, but will certainly be separate individuals. If you're told that languages come in "families", and "descend" from past languages, then it seems perfectly reasonable to imagine those ancestor languages lingering on alongside their descendants, and to imagine that the minor changes occurring daily within the language you speak are completely different from the sharp discontinuities that would have to occur for a new language to emerge.

But languages don't work that way at all: a language's "descendants" are (with rare exceptions) simply the various results of its own changes in the mouths of various communities. It's usually meaningless to talk about one living language being the "ancestor" of another one; in such cases, both are descendants of the same ancestor, even if (as infrequently happens) one has changed significantly less than the other. (Revived languages, like Sanskrit, are arguably an exception.) The same mistake is frequently made in popular understandings of biology, for the same reason; people imagine that chimpanzees (say) are humans' ancestors, when in reality the very fact that chimpanzees exist alongside humans proves that, while both species share a common ancestor, that ancestor was neither of them (or, looking at it another way, has equal right to be described as either of them.)

Friday, May 25, 2007

Songhay materials

Songhay is a close-knit family of languages in West Africa, spread by the medieval Songhay Empire, that happens to be rather relevant to my PhD. It has no close relatives; the best guess is that it's Nilo-Saharan, but if it were spoken in the Americas, it would undoubtedly be classed as having no relatives whatsoever, and the resemblance to other languages is not strong. It has some rather interesting syntactic patterns. Throughout the family, NPs are organised as follows: possessor - head - adjective - determiner - plural marker, eg Kwarandzie adra kedda gh yu (mountain small this pl) "these small mountains", Sidi L`arbi n iz yu n targa (Sidi Larbi 's child pl 's canal) "Sidi Larbi's children's canal". While at least one other West African family, Mande, has this NP order, the only case I am aware of offhand outside Africa is Ulwa in Nicaragua. Even rarer worldwide is a feature found in a number of centrally located Songhay varieties: having two distinct classes of verb, one - the vast majority - requiring SOV word order (ie preverbal objects), and the other (including such verbs as "follow", "marry", "want", "see", "fear", "bring", at least in Gao) requiring SVO order (ie postverbal objects.)

Anyway, for me this has been a great week for finding materials on Songhay. Jeffrey Heath has updated his webpage, adding work in progress on the nearly undocumented dialect of Humburi as well as several others (I will find the Tadaksahak wordlist especially useful; aside from Songhay, readers may also want to check out his Dogon materials.) On a missionary website (though I strongly disapprove of such work, it does have useful byproducts), I found a good hour of fairly comprehensible audio in Tadaksahak, an inadequately documented Northern Songhay language important for my purposes; and SOAS library just informed me that the copy of Ousseina Alidou's unpublished dissertation on Tasawaq, an even more important language for comparisons to Kwarandzie, has at long last arrived from Hamburg. Above all, I got an email from a kind contact from Tabelbala, with some more Kwarandzie audio files.

For other Songhay materials, try Relative Clauses in Tadaksahak, Some Verb Morphology Features of Tadaksahak, Northern Songhay Languages in Mali and Niger, Southern Songhay Speech Varieties in Niger, The Zarma Website, Zarma Dictionary, Notions élémentaires pour apprendre le Zarma, La dénomination en Zarma, Lexique kaado-français...

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Prenominal adjective borrowed into Arabic from Persian?

A major interest of mine lately is the way in which lexical borrowings can affect syntax, dragging bits of the source language's word order with them. I came across what looks like a nice example of this in a book on Gulf Arabic. In Kuwaiti dialect, as in all dialects of Arabic, adjectives normally follow the noun. However:
The (Persian) adjective kooš precedes the noun it qualifies. It does not occur in association with defined nouns. It is not inflected for gender or number. Thus:
    kooš walad, bint    a good boy, girl
(T. M. Johnstone, Eastern Arabian Dialect Studies, London: Oxford University Press 1967, p. 147.)
Only trouble is, my Persian grammar doesn't say anything about the Persian adjective in question being pre-nominal, and virtually all adjectives in Persian are post-nominal. Does anyone know more about this?

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Learn Oneida!

Came across a great new site, the Oneida Language Revitalisation Program, consisting mainly of an extensive audio phrasebook of Oneida, the Iroquoian language native to upstate New York. There's also a teaching grammar and dictionary at Oneida Language Tools, and some video at Tracy Williams' site. It's great to see this much material online for a language with less than two hundred speakers; this should make it a lot easier for would-be speakers to make a good start at learning it.

Translation and propaganda

Horrifying news from Palestine - a Hamas Mickey Mouse is telling Palestinian kids to "annihilate Jews"! Or not. In fact - after running on a wide range of media, few of whom I suspect will bother to correct their story - this story was independently quickly exposed by several sources, such as Angry Arab, Ali Alarabi, and Brian Whitaker; MEMRI (the Israeli secret services-linked outlet that provided it) made the mistake of providing a video allowing any Arabic-speaker to confirm their mistranslations. With just a bit of spin, the kids' show in question was turned from merely propagandistic to verging on Bond-villain-esque:
* nqāwim, "we will resist", is rendered as "we will fight";
* biṭuxxūnā l-yahūd "the Jews shoot us", is rendered as "we will kill the Jews" (!);
* 'astašhid "I will be a martyr" as "I will commit martyrdom" (I don't think that's even an English expression, but never mind);
* 'ustāđiyyat al-`ālam, literally "professorship of the world" (in context, they clearly mean being at the intellectual forefront of the world), is rendered as "masters of the world".

When challenged on the translation of "biṭuxxūna l-yahūd", the ex-colonel in Israeli military intelligence who runs MEMRI, Yigal Carmon, apparently resorted to insisting that because "yahūd" (Jews) comes at the end, it must somehow be the object! ("Even someone who doesn't know Arabic would listen to the tape and would hear the word 'Jews' is at the end, and also it means it is something to be done to the Jews, not by the Jews.") It is rather difficult to imagine someone running an organisation dedicated to translating Arabic being unaware that subjects in Arabic commonly follow the verb (especially when a pronominal object suffix (-nā "us") is present, as here).

The moral in all this for English-language media is clear: when some helpful organisation sends you a free translation of some foreign-language article or program, do look a gift horse in the mouth, and check the translation with an independent source first. As for readers/viewers of the media in any language - caveat lector! But you no doubt already knew that.

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

I'm a bit busy getting my core chapter ready to hand in, so just a quick post on an English word I spotted lately: agflation. The term confirms the ever-increasing productivity of "-flation" as a suffix; the phenomenon is rather alarming.


WARC-Identified-Payload-Type: application/xhtml+xml

text:
November 15, 2013 in Uncategorized

Show at Edgehill – Nov. 23

Join us Saturday, Nov. 23 for the final Cause a Scene show of the year!

November 9, 2013 in Uncategorized

ATL – Nov. 14!

Smith’s Olde Bar. Nov. 14. Late night. Rock.

November 5, 2013 in Pics and Vids, Uncategorized

Herald Underground video

Enjoy this kick-back version of “Clean up my heart,” filmed with Herald Underground at WKU If you like this, join Joel, Adam, and Ben on Nov. 7 at Smoker’s Abbey for some new tunes and an intimate acoustic set.

August 26, 2013 in Uncategorized

New shirts

The new shirts are in! Design by the crazy-talented Sarah Doriani. Expect to see these this week at Music City Roots, and of course at Live on the Green!


text:
Stillhave10fingers's Blog

  • Advertise with us
This blog is written by Stillhave10fingers | 0 entries so far

DISCLAIMER: Any posts on LJ are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of LJ. LJ will not be held liable for the actions of any user.

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics


text:
Lekoz Deck

  • Advertise with us
Project by Steve posted 09-30-2010 01:19 AM 1839 views 1 time favorited 2 comments Add to Favorites Watch

Although not technically wood, I figured this PVC deck was worth a post. My crew and I built it this spring for a local Tap & Grill. As mentioned, the deck and trellis beam are framed with PT and covered in PVC decking. I used Natural stone vaneers for the corner pillars and aluminum rail with glass inserts to finish it off.

2 comments so far

View GaryCN's profile

297 posts in 3691 days

#1 posted 09-30-2010 04:49 AM

Can you see the Blue Water bridge from there? Nice Job.

-- Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati

View BillyJ's profile

622 posts in 2960 days

#2 posted 09-30-2010 04:59 AM

Very nice work. I like the glass work, too.

-- I've never seen a tree that I wouldn't like to repurpose into a project. I love the smell of wood in the morning - it smells like victory.

Have your say...

You must be signed in to post the comments.

DISCLAIMER: Any posts on LJ are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of LJ. LJ will not be held liable for the actions of any user.

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics


text:
tkroupa's Blog Archive

  • Advertise with us
This blog is written by tkroupa | 2 entries so far
View tkroupa's profile

68 posts in 1617 days

Roll top desk just acquired

Subscribe to blog entries (RSS)

By subscribing to the RSS feed you will be notified when new entries are posted on this blog.

Blog Series

DISCLAIMER: Any posts on LJ are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of LJ. LJ will not be held liable for the actions of any user.

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics


text:
Thursday, November 18, 2010

I'll be back....

As I have mentioned previously, this month I am doing NaNoWriMo.... which for those outside of the know- this is a novel writing challenge.  Write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days.  I am on track... with over 43,000 words typed.

Being the kind of person who gets addicted to things rather easily, I have become addicted to writing, to my characters, and to completing the challenge.

So, my blogs, and my LUNCH have taken a hit.  I have been living on coffee........  Good coffee....  but coffee..... and anything that can be cooked/prepared in 10 minutes or less.

I should have the novel finished by the weekend, and then I shall be back in force, needing a new addiction to fill the void.  (I was tempted to learn Italian, but that may take longer than a month).

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Wordless Wednesday - Italian Roast

I'm doing NaNoWriMo this month..... this is what I exist on writing a novel in 30 days while working full time.  Fool. :D

Monday, November 1, 2010

Bagels and me are best friends.

Lunch in my new bagel bento...

One LAT with mayo wholemeal bagel.
Bottom layer has a bananino, strawberries, mini toffee pops, ginger (not the sugary kind).
And I took an apple for morning tea.

Muffin Tin Monday - I didn't manage a theme.....

Well, I just had one of those days where I spent the whole thing chasing my tail.  I got home, and was not interested in doing MTM, then I stopped, and just did it.  And I was pleased that I did.

Here we have, with no panache or style:
1.  Green grapes
2.  Gingernuts
3.  Marshmellow ducks
4.  Berry yogurt
5.  Strawberries
6.  Caramel sandwiches.

At least the strawberries and grapes were harvest-y?


WARC-Truncated: length

text:
Enter a Private Luxury Treatment Center Within 24 Hours
Call Now 1-888-744-0789 100% Private

Enter a Private Luxury Treatment Center Within 24 Hours

Click to Call 1-888-744-0789

Autistic Drug Addiction and Rehab

Getting through the process of substance abuse rehabilitation can be extremely difficult. However, this process is oftentimes significantly more challenging when a patient also suffers from autism. Autism is a collective term for a group of disorders that affects emotional, mental and behavioral processes for people; it is frequently diagnosed during childhood or early adolescence. There are several different varieties of the specific conditions that are considered part of autism spectrum disorders, all of which affect the human body in different ways.

Common Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnoses

Some forms of autism can be rather mild, whereas other manifestations of autism can be extremely severe and play a highly debilitating role in the life of the patient. However, the National Institute of Mental Health reports that the most common diagnoses for autism spectrum disorder include:

  • Rett syndrome
  • Asperger syndrome
  • Childhood disintegrative disorder
  • Classic autistic disorder
  • Pervasive development disorders not otherwise specified

Evidence-Based Integrated Treatment for Autism Dual Diagnoses

Before selecting a rehabilitation center for aiding in dual diagnoses that involves autism and a particular aspect of substance abuse, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration suggests enrolling in programs in which there are:

  • A cognitive behavioral approach
  • Practitioners who have been cross-trained to deal with both issues

  • A thorough integration of services (including medicine)
  • Motivational integrations

Treatment Facility Criteria+

There are a variety of treatment facility options for people with autistic co-occurring disorders to choose from. In order to determine the one that may be most helpful for you and your particular afflictions, it is necessary to review the accreditation and licensing status of such a facility, as well as to look over any relevant criteria for staff members such as nurses, therapists and counselors. The best of these facilities can base their treatment options and procedures on research practices and typically have some sort of literature on this subject, as well as programs for aftercare that may prove instrumental in preventing relapses.

Staff members should also have a significant amount of experience in helping patients with autism and with whatever substance abuse issues you may be experiencing. Options will typically include both inpatient and outpatient facilities, with treatment varying considerably in the amount of time a patient spends in a particular rehabilitative institution. Part of the amount of time that patients will need to spend in the formal rehabilitative process depends on how severe the symptoms of autism and substance abuse are, as well as what sort of methodology is used to help patients. Common methodologies that have shown effectiveness in treating autistic patients with substance abuse issues include cognitive behavior therapy, holistic therapies, as well as conventional 12-step treatments.

Treatment Process for Those With Autism

According to the National Institute of Mental Health’s Alliance for Research Progress, individuals are most vulnerable to the onset of drug dependences during the same time that they are most susceptible to mental disorders, which is from ages 12 to 25. For co-occurring autistic disorder patients, the most effective forms of treatment integrate aspects of dealing with what symptoms of autism are manifest as well as with the effects of substance abuse in a concurrent manner. This treatment process for most dual diagnoses patients that are autistic involves two principle components.

The first of these is a withdrawal process, in which the physical (and certain psychological) components of addiction are addressed. During this initial step, it is necessary for patients to get accustomed to doing without the substance they demonstrated a previous habit of using. During this stage, you will frequently be monitored by nurses and treatment center workers, while some rehabilitative institutions attempt to mitigate the discomfort that is a part of this process with the use of medication. Once this step is completed, you will then begin the more arduous process of dealing with the psychological causes of your substance abuse, which is oftentimes intrinsically related to whatever form of the autistic spectrum you have been living with. This component of the rehabilitative process frequently involves therapeutic counseling, and may also involve group work as well.

Group work has shown to be highly advantageous to patients in the past for the simple fact that group settings allows for people to contextualize their issues and needs in a manner in which they can see them from the perspective of others. However, due to the wide variety of symptoms that affect those with autism spectrum disorders, group sessions may not be practical for you until you are further along in the rehabilitative process and have already accomplished most of your recovery from substance abuse. Traditionally, group therapy is really helpful for preventing relapse. Individual counseling sessions that relate specifically to such a patient’s form of autism and form of substance abuse are generally more beneficial until this point. However, most substance abuse treatment centers have their own policy for therapy and counseling.

Doctors and scientists are not certain as to what exactly the cause of autism spectrum disorders may be, and as of yet there is no certain cure for people with some form of this condition. However, modifications to diet, along with training and medication, can help alleviate symptoms so that those with this condition can lead happy, productive lives. A report compiled by the National Academy of Sciences states that approximately one out of every five children, teenagers and toddlers has a mental, behavioral or emotional disorder.

Future Preventive Measures to Avoid Relapse

Rehabilitation is an ongoing process that usually never ends. Several years’ worth of sobriety can be undone in one day, which is why most former addicts will constantly say that they are still recovering from their addictions — for however amount of years since they last engaged in substance abuse. In light of this fact, one of the most effective things that autistic dual diagnoses rehabilitation centers can impart upon you is the means to help you from returning to such centers as a victim.

Oftentimes, the methodology employed by such centers specifically for this purpose utilizes a good amount of education about your particular form of autism and the effects that substance abuse can have on this condition and other aspects of your mental, cognitive and emotional processes. In many instances, this component of the rehabilitative process is done in a confidential setting. Also, it is frequently advantageous for recovering addicts, particularly those of dual diagnoses, to engage in group sessions for some time after they have been released from a top exclusive addiction rehabilitation center.

Doing so allows former patients to remember how easy it is to transgress and commit their previous errors. Also, group settings engender a social atmosphere which is usually extremely useful for people with autism, especially in light of the social challenges this condition presents for these individuals.


text:
Premature Trackulation: The Paper Raincoat, Rewind

by Landry on April 7, 2009

The Paper Raincoat is the quirky progeny of Brooklyn songwriters Amber Rubarth and Alex Wong.

Their storyline developed around a central character (Grace) has blossomed into a string of songs told by the pair in narration of the character’s interface with and experiences in the world.

The danger of a project such as this is excessive theatrics or emotional disconnect. Rubarth and Wong, however, defeat that possibility, sincerely entrenched in the pages of this interesting and accessible story.

Rewind‘s spunky carnival flair offers an authentic vignette of an endearing, palpably believable human being.

The Paper Raincoat on Myspace

    Leave a Comment

    Previous post:

    Next post:


text:
Something Fun: Raashan Ahmad, Soul Power; Lambada mp3

by Landry on July 20, 2009

Lambada [mp3]

From Raashan Ahmad‘s collection of ealy 2009 recordings with various artists, Soul Power.

Soul Power Track List
1. Mobstar Life – Produced by Woodstock
2. Move – feat. Aceyalone produced by Kas One
3. Stay – Produced by Raashan Ahmad
4. Soul Train – feat. Wafeek/Ragen Fykes Produced by Ebo
5. Breath – feat. Aima Produced by Kas One
6. Lambada – Produced by Headnodic/Kat O1O/Raashan Ahmad
7. Day after Day – Produced by Stefonix
8. Celebrate – Produced by Headnodic
9. Fairy Tale – feat. Ragen Fykes Produced by Headnodic
10. Money – feat. Alex Newman Produced by Kas One
11. Cornbread – Produced by D.J. Enki
12. Patience – Produced by Stefonix cuts by D.J. Vajra
13. Oakland – Produced by Kat O1O
mixed/mastered or generally loved up “at the last damn minute” by my homie headnodic.

    Leave a Comment

    Previous post:

    Next post: