Brrrrr....I am so glad Spring is here

Spring brings so many new and beautiful beginnings. 2011 is no different, unless you are me, which you are not. Sorry. But 2011 brings so many new beginnings. We have an accepted offer on a house and hopefully will be closing in May, June carries the beginning of Summer and the beginning of my married life. Besides my wedding, there are three other friends starting their married life. But besides all these wonderfully amazing beginnings, winter still has a hold on the lands of Wisconsin. 34 degrees on april 20 is a great day. A great day to stay inside and dream about the warm days and the wonderful beginnings of spring.

A Bad Turn

The Wheel of Fortune...it is an interesting concept to think about. Times are good and times are bad. The Wheel turns and the cycle begins again. You are on top then you are rolling in the dust of life...This week was a low point for people I know. At the beginning, two good friends of mine broke up after a long rough patch. Early in the week a family I knew well when I was in middle and high school were accused and charged with child abuse. Around midweek a friend in college had a heart break. His sister died in a car accident. Life will get better as the wheel begins its climb towards the top. The climb is hard and getting over heart break and embarrassing realizations of your family will take time, but life will get better. RIP Megan Clift and my thoughts are with the children I grew up with.

Delay

As amazing as January was for reading, I have come to an almost stand still. I gained a full time job which decreased my time to read, as well as my ability to stay up past 9pm. No with wedding invitations to get out the door, I have found myself at a stand still...a delay in my yearly goal to read all the books I have not read but own. I am currently reading The Children's Book and I find that the even though I enjoy the book, it is slow and I cannot find myself reading much more then 10 pages before falling asleep. Now is the time for determination. I will finish this book, despite its lack of interest and rather lazy sunny sunday afternoon feel to it, I will finish it...but only after I finish my invitations...

Green Bay Packers

SUPER BOWL CHAMPS!!!


Go Pack Go! What a game. Hats off to the Steelers. As much as I loved the close game (probably only because we won) I could have used a bit less stress on the heart. But 'Gosh darn it, I'd do anyting for da Packers'. Way to go guys. The Lombardi Trophy is back home.

Image found from Google. I do not own.

Titanic and Byzanium

Who would have thought that the Cold War, radioactive elements and the Titanic would all be connected in some way or form? But they are in Raise the Titanic! I mostly picked up this book because I am fascinated by the Titanic. But the book written by Clive Cussler was written before the Titanic was actually discovered. In Raise the Titanic! radioactive material, Byzanium, is needed for a defense project by the US. The Russians figure out the super secret defense project and decide that since the Byzanium was found on Russian soil that the Byzanium belongs to Russia to use as they deemed worthy. But Dirk Pitt and NUMA will not allow that to happen. Sparing the total recap of the book, I loved it. A lot of the book was set up but I love the historical treasure hunt to find the location of the hidden item and the fact that the Titanic was involved was awesome. Not alot about the Titanic was actually discussed other then her miraculously perfect condition (considering being on the bottom of an ocean for 76 years and being struck by an iceberg) and that she wasn't found right below where she sunk. Totally intact, NUMA led by Pitt raised the Titanic and she is brought back to New York. The last few chapters when the Titanic finished her maiden voyage brought tears to my eyes. How awesome would that be if the Titanic would be able to be salvaged...awesome.

Pitt seemed less Dirk Pitt-ish then other books of the Dirk Pitt series I have read, except at the end. Since he is also a Titanic fanatic, maybe it was her presence that led Pitt to subdue his arrogant, womanizing behavior. But I enjoy reading about Pitt and he held his own and was pretty much amazing in the book. Cussler did a great job with this book and I love the forward discussing the discovery of the Titanic and how despite the similarities of Cussler's mind and the actual facts of the Titanic, Dirk Pitt was the first to see her. Amazing...

One of the most interesting books I have read. It may not be the best written or the next literary masterpiece but my fascination with the Titanic and the love of a good action adventure, not to mention the Cold War interest as well, makes this book awesome. I am top shelf-ing Raise the Titanic!.

Plays at the beginning of the blizzard

I love reading Shakespeare! So far I have read three comedies and one tragedy. I really like the comedies, but I feel I should read a tragedy I have little background in (I read Romeo and Juliet) and see what I think of them. Maybe Othello or Julius Cesare.

I really liked Taming the Shrew, it was a very interesting play to read. I can see why it is so controversial. I do not agree with women being submissive towards men, but as a comedy, Taming of the Shrew was funny. Upon completing Taming of the Shrew, I did a little research to figure out if Shakespeare really meant the play to be as anti-feminist as the play is or if more satirical in nature. Mixed reviews all the way around the board, from the little shallow research I did. I'm going to choose to take the view that the play is entertainment and meant to be funny rather then caring a message of whoever.

Let me know reasons to change my mind if you disagree. :) I love discussions on books!

Now I have done a very good job at reading the books I in my possession to cut down on the amount of unread books I own. Out of the 32 days of 2011, I have read 7 books and am in the process of reading three of them. One as a book club book (The Wings of a Falcon), one for my own knowledge (Idiots guide to Tarot) and the last as one step closer to my goal in 2011, (Raising the Titanic). Now to grab Raising the Titanic and a blanket and settle in for the blizzard which will cover the land in another 5-10 inches of snow. You got to love Wisconsin Winters.

Snow!! :)

Lots of snow is heading this way and I am excited for the prospect of having work canceled, a warm drink and a book while I sit in my apartment. But in all reality, I'll go to work and earn a living like everyone else. But one can hope right?

10-20" between today and tomorrow. Bring it on! I like winter.

Stay safe everyone! :)