Thursday, September 29, 2005
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
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The Count of Monte Cristo
Too tired. Somebody else said this. Great book!
Edmond Dantés, is about to marry his sweetheart and become a captain of a vessel. He is framed by three enemies as a Napoleonic conspirator, shortly before Napoleon's return from Elba in 1815. Dantés is imprisoned in the Chateau d'If, by the politician Villefort who is anxious to conceal his own father's machinations on behalf of Bonaparte. Educated by the Abbé Faria, Dantés remains in the French Alcatraz 14 years, before he manages to escape, in a highly dramatic manner. He flees to the island of Monter Cristo, and locates a fabulous treasure, hidden since the time of Renaissance. As the Count of Monte Cristo and with the wealth of the treasure Dantés destroys his enemies and shows the wrong side of the bourgeois world. - The novel originated from Dumas' acquaintance with Jérôme Bonaparte, Napoléon Bonaparte's brother, whose younger son Dumas took occasionally on short educational journeys. Returning from Elba, Dumas spotted another island, the deserted Monte-Carlo, about which he determined to write a novel in remembrance of the trip.
Edmond Dantés, is about to marry his sweetheart and become a captain of a vessel. He is framed by three enemies as a Napoleonic conspirator, shortly before Napoleon's return from Elba in 1815. Dantés is imprisoned in the Chateau d'If, by the politician Villefort who is anxious to conceal his own father's machinations on behalf of Bonaparte. Educated by the Abbé Faria, Dantés remains in the French Alcatraz 14 years, before he manages to escape, in a highly dramatic manner. He flees to the island of Monter Cristo, and locates a fabulous treasure, hidden since the time of Renaissance. As the Count of Monte Cristo and with the wealth of the treasure Dantés destroys his enemies and shows the wrong side of the bourgeois world. - The novel originated from Dumas' acquaintance with Jérôme Bonaparte, Napoléon Bonaparte's brother, whose younger son Dumas took occasionally on short educational journeys. Returning from Elba, Dumas spotted another island, the deserted Monte-Carlo, about which he determined to write a novel in remembrance of the trip.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
The Cruise
Sharon reminded me that I haven't posted about the cruise.
Had a WONDERFUL time! Will most definitely do it again. Thank you Jonathan for the wonderful wine & cheese basket! Lisa and I didn’t get home until 1 a.m. Lisa downloaded pictures; here's the site
http://community.webshots.com/user/caribcruise05
We LOVED Key West. We literally saw the entire Island and I was surprised by how clean and pretty it is. I was expecting a beach like town and it was quite the opposite. It gave both Lisa and me the feel of a small Charleston, but with sided homes, rather than bricked. Got to see Hemmingway’s house and all the cats!
On to Mexico the next day. All I can say is what an experience…..especially for my blonde daughter. The first vendor in Mexico called her Barbie! The vendors were literally following both of us down the road. Two guys kissed me and Lisa got 2 marriage proposals. We had a wonderful meal in Mexico, and because Lisa is of legal age to drink there, she ordered a pina colada and we toasted. Lisa did a fine job of bartering with the locals. In fact, she was much better at it than me. I ended up buying junk I didn’t even want because the vendors are such pests! Got to see a Mayan ruin and a 1,000 year old church.
On to Miami for South Beach. The Beach is beautiful and the shops were chic. Did not meet up with my brother, but that worked out ok.
On the cruise ship we bonded with another mother-daughter who dined with us, and 2 single women who were celebrating their divorces. Carnival did a really nice job of making the experience fun. There’s something to do for everyone and you can stay as busy or not busy as you want.
On our last day Lisa and I went to the Casino on the ship to gamble a bit. Lisa’s very first pull on the slot machine netted her $125! Talk about a great way to end the cruise! Of course the food was fabulous, and I ate too much, but no regrets!
Had a WONDERFUL time! Will most definitely do it again. Thank you Jonathan for the wonderful wine & cheese basket! Lisa and I didn’t get home until 1 a.m. Lisa downloaded pictures; here's the site
http://community.webshots.com/user/caribcruise05
We LOVED Key West. We literally saw the entire Island and I was surprised by how clean and pretty it is. I was expecting a beach like town and it was quite the opposite. It gave both Lisa and me the feel of a small Charleston, but with sided homes, rather than bricked. Got to see Hemmingway’s house and all the cats!
On to Mexico the next day. All I can say is what an experience…..especially for my blonde daughter. The first vendor in Mexico called her Barbie! The vendors were literally following both of us down the road. Two guys kissed me and Lisa got 2 marriage proposals. We had a wonderful meal in Mexico, and because Lisa is of legal age to drink there, she ordered a pina colada and we toasted. Lisa did a fine job of bartering with the locals. In fact, she was much better at it than me. I ended up buying junk I didn’t even want because the vendors are such pests! Got to see a Mayan ruin and a 1,000 year old church.
On to Miami for South Beach. The Beach is beautiful and the shops were chic. Did not meet up with my brother, but that worked out ok.
On the cruise ship we bonded with another mother-daughter who dined with us, and 2 single women who were celebrating their divorces. Carnival did a really nice job of making the experience fun. There’s something to do for everyone and you can stay as busy or not busy as you want.
On our last day Lisa and I went to the Casino on the ship to gamble a bit. Lisa’s very first pull on the slot machine netted her $125! Talk about a great way to end the cruise! Of course the food was fabulous, and I ate too much, but no regrets!
The Interruption of Everything
I actually listened to this book on tape, and it was great! It was written by an African American woman, and narrated by one, and she made it fun to listen to!
It's about a woman who takes care of everyone, husband, kids, mother-in-law, sister and nieces and nephews. She has many interruptions in her life, including twin sons in college, one with girlfriend, one in band and changing majors; husband going through midlife crisis; mother at initial stages of alzheimers; sister on drugs and threatened with jail time; live in mother-in-law with new boyfriend. It goes on and on. Much of this is comical and though it sounds 'heavy', it's not.
In the end Marilyn realizes she needs to find time for herself.
Good read.
It's about a woman who takes care of everyone, husband, kids, mother-in-law, sister and nieces and nephews. She has many interruptions in her life, including twin sons in college, one with girlfriend, one in band and changing majors; husband going through midlife crisis; mother at initial stages of alzheimers; sister on drugs and threatened with jail time; live in mother-in-law with new boyfriend. It goes on and on. Much of this is comical and though it sounds 'heavy', it's not.
In the end Marilyn realizes she needs to find time for herself.
Good read.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
--I've read several books that I haven't blogged, and by now my mind is foggy on them. However, this is one that I read and HIGHLY recommend. It's a true story of life in Savannah, GA. Apparently a movie was made several years ago, but I just got around to reading the book. Kim and Jim suggested it, and I'm glad they did.
***Antique dealer and restorer Jim Williams (the accused murderer)'s circle of friends, acquaintances and enemies spreads into every nick and cranny of life in Savannah. From his lawyer Sonny, who represents Uga, the bulldog mascot of The Georgia Bulldogs football team, to The Lady Chablis, the cross dressing female impersonator, this group gives proof to the saying that variety is the spice of life. (She is hysterical!)
Along for the ride are keen observers of life like Joe Orton, disbarred lawyer, fraudulent real estate developer, and musician. Then there is his on-again off-again fiancée Mandy, who controls the finances in an attempt to keep Joe's creditors from eating up the profits of their bar, and Joe from writing any more bad checks.
Joe's idea to recoup his losses by house-sitting for wealthy individuals who are on tours of Europe, then throwing open the doors of the same house for tours, quickly runs him afoul of the Historical Society of Savannah. Not only has he pissed them off for stealing their business but these houses have little or no historical value.
Reall this is about life in Savannah, a murder and trials. It's a great read!
***Antique dealer and restorer Jim Williams (the accused murderer)'s circle of friends, acquaintances and enemies spreads into every nick and cranny of life in Savannah. From his lawyer Sonny, who represents Uga, the bulldog mascot of The Georgia Bulldogs football team, to The Lady Chablis, the cross dressing female impersonator, this group gives proof to the saying that variety is the spice of life. (She is hysterical!)
Along for the ride are keen observers of life like Joe Orton, disbarred lawyer, fraudulent real estate developer, and musician. Then there is his on-again off-again fiancée Mandy, who controls the finances in an attempt to keep Joe's creditors from eating up the profits of their bar, and Joe from writing any more bad checks.
Joe's idea to recoup his losses by house-sitting for wealthy individuals who are on tours of Europe, then throwing open the doors of the same house for tours, quickly runs him afoul of the Historical Society of Savannah. Not only has he pissed them off for stealing their business but these houses have little or no historical value.
Reall this is about life in Savannah, a murder and trials. It's a great read!
