Into the Wild

Into the Wild-Jon Krakauer
Published in 1997
224 pages

I had to read this book for school, so there is some baised. The plot of the book is spelled out right on the front cover. It is about a twentysomething boy left his well-to-do family, vanished, and was later found dead in Alaska. The story isn't about how he died, more like how he lived and all the people he encountered. Krakauer also tries to piece together bits of evidence to find out why the kid just took off. Overall, it was a decent read, but around page 120, it started getting dull until the end. Overall: B

Fun & Games

If your life was a movie, what would the soundtrack be?

So, here is how it works:
1. Open your iTunes
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. Next question, hit the next button
6. Don't lie!

Opening credits: Everybody wants you-Josh Kelley
Waking up: Run for your life-The Beatles
First day at school: The way you look tonight-Frank Sinatra
Falling in love: Say it Right-Nelly Furtado
Fight song: I'll cry instead-The Beatles
Breaking up: Sweetest Goodbye-Marron 5
Prom: A Message-Coldplay
Life: Affirmation-Savage Garden
Mental Breakdown: Become-Goo Goo Dolls
Driving: Another Devil Dies-Badly Drawn Boy
Flashback: Waiting Game-Yellowcard
Getting Back Together: Miss California-Dante Thomas
Wedding: Miss Independent-Kelly Clarkson
Birth of a child: Eight Days a Week-The Beatles
Final Battle: Easy Love-Badly Drawn Boy
Death Scene: Misery-The Beatles
Funeral: The Sun and the Moon-Mae
End Credits: Victory-Puff Daddy

This was fun!

Just a great day

Sometimes, a great day comes along. That was today. It snowed. And it was beautiful. I cleaned and listened to podcasts, which makes me very happy and productive (and I hate feeling unproductive). I read a little (for pleasure). And overall, I really did nothing. But is was a great nothing and it's made all the much more better considering the fact that tomorrow, all I have to do is work three hours. One more day, then it is a long haul to spring break and then to ap exams. So, I will continue on my happy day. I will finish mugglecast 73, watch a movie, then end the day with a lovely episode of House.

So now we're here and now is fine/So far away from
there and there is time, time, time/To plant new seeds and watch them grow/So
there'll be flowers in the window when we go
Travis-Flowers in the Window

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men-John Steinbeck
Published in 1937
112 pages

It is a quick, easy read that stays with you after you set it down. I certainly understand the book and the symbolism in it, but I'm still not sure about it. It tells the tale of two men, George and Lennie, who go around from place to place because Lennie continues to do bad things unintentionally. I loved the majority of the book, but the ending threw me off. I won't spoil anything, but it is a very profound ending. I guess what it comes down to is that I would have liked more. It ends fast and abruptly. Overall: A-

17 books for 2007

Here is the list of the 17 books I plan to read in 2007.

The Great Gatsby-F. Scott Fitzgerald
How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization-Franklin Foer
Pride & Prejudice-Jane Austen
Catch-22-Joseph Heller
Of Mice and Men-John Steinbeck
Bridget Jones' Diary-Helen Fielding
The World According to Garp-John Irving
Under the Tuscan Sun-Frances Meyes
Flowers for Algernon-Daniel Keyes
Sherlock Holmes-Arthur Conan Doyle
Into the Wild-Jon Krakauer
Beatles-Bob Spitz
The Slightly True Story of Cedar B. Hartley (Who Planned to Live an Unusual Life)-Martine Murray
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream-Barack Obama
The Littlest Hitler-Ryan Boudinot
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic-Alison Bechdel
The Ladies of Grace Adieu-Susanna Clarke

It is a long list, but I look forward to reading all of them. And if Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows should come out, there will have to be some list editing.

Books open your mind, broaden your mind,
and strengthen you as nothing else can.-William Feather

My 2007 Resolutions

Here is my 2007 resolution list.

Read 17 books*
This is a big one for me. I always want to read, but never do. So this is the year. 17 books in 52 weeks.
Watch 30 movies
Since my and Cassie's movie list is about a mile long and growing, I figure 30 is a good start.
Try new fruits.
My list includes grapefruit, pears, peachs, plums, kiwi, starfruit, apricot, and a variety of berries.
Try sushi
I've been waiting until I can have real, fresh sushi, not just grocery store stuff.
Finish a crossword puzzle
This is another big one for me. I've come close, but I've never actually done it.
Save $1700
Gotta keep saving that money.
Apply to college
I can't believe that I am already doing it this year. It's crazy.
Go a week without watching TV.
Just because it's sounds like a challenge. Can't do this until House is over!
*Disclaimer: If Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows comes out, this will be reduced due to extensive preping and re-readings.

my "resolutions"

In the year 2007 I resolve to: Reunite the Spice Girls. Get your resolution here.

In the year 2007 I resolve to: Become a modern-day Johnny Appleseed. Get your resolution here.

In the year 2007 I resolve to: Spend more time snuggling puppies. Get your resolution here.

Welcome 2007!

(nytimes.com)

Welcome to 2007 and here is to hoping it is a brilliant year filled with love, hope, joy, and peace!