Mental Floss provides the best of the best again.
Today they include a write-up on Tom Lehrer, and his memorably funny and educational music. For the best selections of the Tom Lehrer videos, be sure to check out these 2 links highlighted in yellow in the Mental Floss post: "flash animation" and "ly."
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Quote of the Day, 8/23/06
In honor of "Words on Wednesday" I offer the following thoughts on "right words." And a howdy and thank you to Douglas from Quote Puzzler for pointing out the Twain quote!
Joseph Conrad
He who wants to persuade should put his trust not in the right argument, but in the right word. The power of sound has always been greater than the power of sense.
Mark Twain
The difference between the almost right word and the right word is the difference between the lightning- bug and the lightning.
Dorothy Parker
As artists they’re rot, but as providers they’re oil wells; they gush. Norris said she never wrote a story unless it was fun to do. I understand Ferber whistles at her typewriter. And there was that poor sucker Flaubert rolling around on his floor for three days looking for the right word.
Words on Wednesday - Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Here's something to keep the kids busy. Have them compete to see who can find the most smaller words hidden in any of these three large words.
My 3rd-grade enrichment reading teacher gave us the first word as a challenge, and I won. But I think I only got about 300 words of the 16,725 possible. Maybe I got 1,000. Fuzzy memory may work in my favor here. Yeah, I got over 1,000. Anyway, I remember I won a pencil-topper that was an orange. I was pretty darn proud.
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Nonsense word from Mary Poppins
34 letters
16,725 words can be made
Floccinaucinihilipilification
Describing something as meaningless or worthless
29 letters
1,272 words can be made
Antidisestablishmentarianism
Being against people who oppose the establishment (church)
28 letters
8,175 words can be made
My 3rd-grade enrichment reading teacher gave us the first word as a challenge, and I won. But I think I only got about 300 words of the 16,725 possible. Maybe I got 1,000. Fuzzy memory may work in my favor here. Yeah, I got over 1,000. Anyway, I remember I won a pencil-topper that was an orange. I was pretty darn proud.
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Nonsense word from Mary Poppins
34 letters
16,725 words can be made
Floccinaucinihilipilification
Describing something as meaningless or worthless
29 letters
1,272 words can be made
Antidisestablishmentarianism
Being against people who oppose the establishment (church)
28 letters
8,175 words can be made
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
There Must be a Children's Book in This Story!
Well, he didn't get far, but for him I'm sure it was the trip of a lifetime.
Quote of the Day, 8/22/06
Today's quotes come from Berkeley Breathed, creator of the Bloom County comic strips.
Negative humor is forgotten immediately. It's the stuff that makes us feel better about our lives that lives long. Much more satisfying. Enter children's books.
It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
By the way, next time you're in the market for a great Christmas story, check out A Wish for Wings that Work. Very sweet, very funny, and beautifully illustrated (of course). In fact, here's another Breathed quote, from A Wish for Wings that Work.
It was a good morning to fly, even if it had come late and slow and so cold that a penguin feared his nose might freeze and drop off like one of the icicles hanging over the porch.
"Fly," Opus whispered to himself as he ran to the top of Duck's Breath Ridge at dawn to watch the snow ducks soar above. "Fly!" he whispered as he lifted his wings and waited to be swept up beneath the fading Christmas moon with the other birds.
But it was on mornings such as this that Opus's heart grew as cold as his nose. A penguin can surely say the word fly, but he cannot do it.
Anne of Green Gables, Japan, Germany...
For people who love Anne of Green Gables, here is a clip from the Japanese anime series Akage no Anne. To keep things interesting, this is the Spanish airing of the German version of the opening to the Japanese animation. I find that heartwarming.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Leave the Map, Take the Journey?
I have a fascinating story idea kicking around in my head. Every day another piece becomes clear, and it's beginning to get exciting.
I have not started writing yet.
I'm sorely tempted to take all these ideas, which are now jotted on various scraps of paper that are perilously close to becoming coasters for drippy water-bottles, and put them into a sort of story map. My worry is that the mapping might take all the fun out of the idea, and leave me at a loss for words.
The other option is to just start writing. But I desperately want to KNOW where the story is going before I start, as I feel that will make my writing better. Then again, my best non-fiction writing always came about when I started with no clear plan, wrote the first sentence, and let that take me wherever.
What to do? What to do?
I have not started writing yet.
I'm sorely tempted to take all these ideas, which are now jotted on various scraps of paper that are perilously close to becoming coasters for drippy water-bottles, and put them into a sort of story map. My worry is that the mapping might take all the fun out of the idea, and leave me at a loss for words.
The other option is to just start writing. But I desperately want to KNOW where the story is going before I start, as I feel that will make my writing better. Then again, my best non-fiction writing always came about when I started with no clear plan, wrote the first sentence, and let that take me wherever.
What to do? What to do?
Quote of the Day, 8/21/06
My copy of Jane Langton's The Diamond in the Window arrived today, and I am happily curled up with beverage on hand and book in hand. Here is the second paragraph (the first being where we find out that Edward wants to be President and wants a different name):
Eddy took out of his pocket a collection of bottle caps, matchboxes, and pennies and arranged them on the ground in a decorative pattern. If only fathers and mothers would be more careful when they chose names for their children! If only they would pick names that sounded well in Backwards English! "Edward Hall," for example, was all right in ordinary English, but it was terrible the other way around -- "Drawde Llah" didn't sound like anything. But "Robert Robinson" -- there was a name! If you turned it backwards and softened the "s," it was transformed into a name as strange and fantastic as that of an ambassador from some foreign land -- "Trebor Nosnibor"! Edward put his two ambitions in life together and whispered under his breath, "Introducing the President of the United States, Trebor Nosnibor." How glorious! Edward sighed.I picked this paragraph out because it occurs to me that for a few years of my childhood I had a habit of turning names and words backwards too -- probably inspired by this book. As a note, my name is a horror backwards, even worse than Drawde Llah.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Quote of the Day, 8/20/06
From Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time:
There was a whirring, and Mrs Whatsit, Mrs Who, and Mrs Which were standing in front of them, and the joy and love were so tangible that Meg felt that if she only knew where to reach she could touch it with her bare hands.
Mrs Whatsit said breathlessly, "Oh, my darlings, I'm sorry we don't have time to say goodbye to you properly. You see, we have to -- "
But they never learned what it was that Mrs Whatsit, Mrs Who, and Mrs Which had to do, for there was a gust of wind, and they were gone.
But I Never Learned the First Mnemonic
Scientific American is seeking a new planetary mnemonic!
Many thanks to Debra over at the DEBLOG for pointing this out.
My entry has been submitted, though I don't think I gave it my best, so I may have to try again.
Many thanks to Debra over at the DEBLOG for pointing this out.
My entry has been submitted, though I don't think I gave it my best, so I may have to try again.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Quote of the Day, 8/19/06
Thinking today about learning, and curiosity...
Dorothy ParkerI had to smile at the Adams quote, because it was exactly what I was thinking when I stumbled on this set of quotes for today -- I always find good stuff I'm not looking for when I go looking for something else.
The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.
Eleanor Roosevelt
I think, at a child's birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift should be curiosity.
Franklin P. Adams
I find that a great part of the information I have was acquired by looking up something and finding something else on the way.
Go Away Ma, I'm Watching TV!
A recent study finds that for children undergoing medical procedures, watching cartoons does more to reduce pain than the presence of a parent.
Link to article
Here's the quote I found particularly interesting:
Link to article
Here's the quote I found particularly interesting:
The effectiveness of watching TV in reducing pain raises some concern about TV's power in the home.... "If TV can overcome pain better than mothers do, it can influence children's attitudes and attention more than parents," [Dr. Carlo] Bellieni speculated.
Friday, August 18, 2006
A Little Poetry for You (W.H. Auden)
It's Poetry Friday! From W.H. Auden, a poem entitled "Stop all the Clocks." Another one you may remember from a movie -- read at the funeral scene in Four Weddings and a Funeral. It's incredibly sad, and with a perfect use of the perfect words.
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.Go here for the rest of the poem. It's worth it.
Quote of the Day, 8/18/06
We went to the Davis Mega Maze in Sterling, MA today. In honor of the occasion, here are two quotes related to mazes:
We made it through in just over an hour, but we were lucky -- we took one good turn and suddenly found ourselves at the finish without a clue how we had gotten there. Usually, we have to spend a lot of time strategizing and scoping out our path from the top of one of the bridges. (Not that I'm convinced such strategizing is helpful, but it makes us feel some small degree of control.)
Here are two pictures of what things look like from a bridge in the middle of a corn maze. From inside the maze, all you see is corn and paths, with lots of amusing stops along the way to keep you from getting bored or nervous, but still, basically corn and paths.
Alexander Pope
A mighty maze! but not without a plan...
Henry David Thoreau
The world seemed decked for some holiday or prouder pageantry ... like a green lane into a country maze, at the season when fruit-trees are in blossom.
We made it through in just over an hour, but we were lucky -- we took one good turn and suddenly found ourselves at the finish without a clue how we had gotten there. Usually, we have to spend a lot of time strategizing and scoping out our path from the top of one of the bridges. (Not that I'm convinced such strategizing is helpful, but it makes us feel some small degree of control.)
Here are two pictures of what things look like from a bridge in the middle of a corn maze. From inside the maze, all you see is corn and paths, with lots of amusing stops along the way to keep you from getting bored or nervous, but still, basically corn and paths.
6th Carnival of Children's Literature is Up at Castle of the Immaculate
For a great round-up of blog posts on topics near-and-dear to children's lit bloggers ...
... to this month's Carnival of Children's Literature, hosted this month at Castle of the Immaculate.
RUN...
DON'T WALK
... to this month's Carnival of Children's Literature, hosted this month at Castle of the Immaculate.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Quote of the Day, 8/17/06
On good and evil...
Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers
There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast.
Joseph Conrad, Under Western Eyes
A belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness.
Things You May Not Know About Chuck Norris
I am posting this for my dad, who I know will find this funny.
But anyone else interested in reading 14 Amazing Chuck Norris Facts should read Chris Marshall's great list. My favorite by far is #13, but you've got to see the whole list to truly appreciate it.
Jersey Girl, thanks for the heads up on this!
But anyone else interested in reading 14 Amazing Chuck Norris Facts should read Chris Marshall's great list. My favorite by far is #13, but you've got to see the whole list to truly appreciate it.
Jersey Girl, thanks for the heads up on this!
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Words on Wednesday - Word Squares
I'm starting a new series of posts, Words on Wednesday. Every Wednesday I'll hunt down some sort of word game, fun word site, or other language-related amusement and post it here, under the "Words on Wednesday" title.
Here's a nice word challenge I found today. Go ahead and try it -- it'll keep you young.
By the way, the answer to #1 is here, which you can peek at if you highlight the box just below. I'll leave the other 6 to you to solve.
Also, on puzzle #7, consider what might be even more cool about this answer, if the first word started with a different letter.
Here's a nice word challenge I found today. Go ahead and try it -- it'll keep you young.
By the way, the answer to #1 is here, which you can peek at if you highlight the box just below. I'll leave the other 6 to you to solve.
A R I A
R I N G
I N T O
A G O G
Also, on puzzle #7, consider what might be even more cool about this answer, if the first word started with a different letter.
A Child's Love of Reading
Okay, so part of me was saying, "Yeah right, this kid has that vocabulary." Perhaps I'm just jealous. And it's still a pretty good ad, worth watching if you ever think about how reading can inspire a child.
Ad for the !ndigo Love of Reading Fund.
Ad for the !ndigo Love of Reading Fund.
Quote of the Day, 8/16/06
A few thoughts about antagonists in general (see post below about antagonists in Children's Literature):
Edmund Burke
He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.
Ernest Bramah (from Kai Lung's Golden Hours)
It has been said... there are few situations in life that cannot be resolved promptly, and to the satisfaction of all concerned, by either suicide, a bag of gold, or thrusting a despised antagonist over a precipice on a dark night.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (from "The Final Problem")
You know my powers, my dear Watson, and yet at the end of three months I was forced to confess that I had at last met an antagonist who was my intellectual equal. My horror at his crimes was lost in my admiration at his skill.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Great Antagonists of Children's Literature
UPDATE - The list so far (242):
101 Dalmations: Cruella DeVil
Acceleration: Initially anonymous murderer
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Pap
Alice in Wonderland: The Queen of Hearts
Amandine: Amandine
Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents: Maurice
The American Girl mysteries: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
Among the Walnuts: The Uncles
Anatopsis: Mr. Pound
Angelina Ballerina: Priscilla
Angelina Ballerina: Penelope
Angelina Ballerina: Mrs. Hodgepodge
Anne of Green Gables: Mrs. Barry
Anne of Green Gables: Rachel Lynde
The Anne of Green Gables series: Jen Pringle
The Artemis Fowl series: Artemis Fowl
The Artemis Fowl series: Opal Koboi
The Arthur series: Binky Barnes
The Baby-Sitters Club : Cokie
The Baby-Sitters Club mysteries: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
The Babymouse series: Felicia Furrypaws
A Bad Boy Can Be Good for a Girl: The unnamed bad boy
Bambi: Hunters
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Herdmans
The Bobbsey Twins series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
Body of Evidence series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
The Book of Dead Days: Valerian
The Borrowers: Mrs. Driver (the cook)
The Borrowers series: Human Beans
Boy Heaven: Kristy
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Veruca Salt
The Charlie Bone series: Ezekiel Bloor
The Charlie Bone series: Manfred Bloor
Charlotte's Web: The farmer
Charlotte's Web: Templeton the Rat
The Cherry Ames series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
The Chet Gecko series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Childcatcher
The Chronicles of Prydain: Arawn
Cinderella: The Step-mother
Cinderella: The Step-sisters
Coraline: The Other Mother
Counting on Grace: Mr. Wilson
Devilish: Lanalee
The Diamond in the Window: Jacaranda (Prince Krishna's Uncle)
The Diary of Anne Frank: The Nazis
The Disney Fairies series: Vidia
Dragon Rider: Nettlebrand
Dream Spinner: The old man
Dumbo: The Ringmaster
The Edge Chronicles: The Gloamglozer
Eight Cousins: Aunt Myra
Ella Enchanted: Lucinda
The Emily of New Moon series: The Murray aunts and uncles
Emily's Quest: Dean Priest
The Emperor's New Clothes: The 2 Tailors
The Encyclopedia Brown series: Bugs Meany
The Encyclopedia Brown series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
Ender's Game: The Buggers
Enna Burning: Sileph
Eragon: Galbatorix
Fairest: Queen Ivi
Fairest: Skulni
Fairy Realm: Valda
Fairy Realm: The Bins Family
Fairy Realm: Mrs. Tweedie
Fairy Realm: Her teacher
The Fairy Rebel: The Fairy Queen
The Fallen quartet: Verchiel
Fantastic Mr. Fox: Farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean
The Fear Street series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
Fly By Night: Mr. Kohlrabi
Freckles: Black Jack
Frindle: Mrs. Granger
A Girl of the Limberlost: Mrs. Comstock
Goldilocks and the Three Bears: Goldilocks
The Goose Girl: Curdken
The Goosebumps series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
Gossamer: The Sinisteeds
The Great Brain: Mr. Standish
The Grinch who Stole Christmas: The Grinch
The Guardian of Time trilogy: The Order
Hansel and Gretel: The Step-mother
Hansel and Gretel: The Witch
The Hardy Boys series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
The Harry Potter Series: all Death Eaters
The Harry Potter Series: Filch
The Harry Potter Series: Draco Malfoy
The Harry Potter series: Severus Snape
The Harry Potter Series: Professor Umbridge
The Harry Potter series: Voldemort
The Harry Potter series: Aragog
The Harry Potter series: Fluffy
The Harry Potter series: The Basilisk
The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray: The Wych-Kin
The His Dark Materials series: Mrs. Coulter
The His Dark Materials series: Father Luis Gomez
The His Dark Materials series: Lord Carlo Boreal
The His Dark Materials series: Mrs. Coulter's unnamed golden monkey
The His Dark Materials series: Regent Metatron
The His Dark Materials series: The Authority
The Hobbit: Smaug the Dragon
The Hobbit: The Spiders
Holes: The Warden
The Hollow Kingdom: Marak
The Hollow Kingdom: Hugh Roberts
Homecoming: Great-Aunt Cilla
Hoot: Dana Matherson
The Horse and His Boy: Rabadash
Horton Hears a Who: The Wickersham Brothers
Howl's Moving Castle: The Witch of the Waste
I, Coriander: Arise Fell
Inheart: Capricorn
Jack and the Beanstalk: The Giant
James and the Giant Peach: Aunts Sponge and Spiker
The Jennifer Scales series: Various spies, double agents, other bad guys
The Jungle Book: Shere Khan
The Keys to the Kingdom series: Day-of-the-week villain
The Last Battle: Shift the Ape
The Lightning Thief and Sea of Monsters: Luke
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: The Witch
Lionboy: Rafi Sadler
The Little House series: Nellie Oleson
The Little Mermaid: The Sea Witch
The Little Princess: Mrs. Minchin
Little Red Riding Hood: The Wolf
Little Women: Aunt March
Lord of the Rings: Boromir
Lord of the Rings: Gollum
Lord of the Rings: The Ringwraiths
Lord of the Rings: Saruman
Lord of the Rings: Sauron
Lord of the Rings: Worm-Tongue
The Loud Silence of Francine Green: Sister Basil
Magyc: The Supreme Custodian
Mary Poppins: Miss Andrew
Matilda: Miss Trunchbull
May Bird and the Ever After: Bo Cleevil
May Bird and the Ever After: The Bogie Man
The Meanest Doll in the World: Mimi
Meg mystery series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
Men of Iron: The Earl of Alban
The Midnighters trilogy: The darklings
Miss Nelson is Missing: Miss Viola Swamp
Molly Moon's Hypnotic Time Travel Adventure: The Majaraja
Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism: Miss Adderstone
Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism: Primo Cell
Mortal Engines: Thaddeus Valentine
The Mouse and His Child: Manny Rat
The Nancy Drew series: Deirdre Shannon
The Nancy Drew series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
The NeverEnding Story: Gmork
The NeverEnding Story: The Nothing
The NeverEnding Story: Xayide
The NeverEnding Story: Ygramul
A Northern Light: Grace Brown's Fiance
A Northern Light: Pa
Oh My Goth: Jade
Oh My Goth: The principal
Oliver Twist: Bill Sykes
The Orphan Prince: The Black Wolf
OutCast: Cassandra's grandfather
Ozma of Oz: Princess Langwidere
The Penderwicks: Mrs. Tifton
The Pendragon series: Saint Dane
The Peter and the Starcatchers series: Lord Ombra
Peter Pan: Captain Hook
Peter Pan: Tinkerbell
The Pinhoe Egg: Gaffer Farleigh
Pinocchio: The fox
Pinocchio: The cat
Pirates!: Captain Bartholome
Playing in Traffic: Skye
Poison: Alethar, Lord of Phaerie
Pollyanna: Aunt Polly
Prince Caspian: King Miraz
Princess Academy: Katar
Princess Academy: Tutor Olana
The Princess Diaries series: Lana Weinberger
The Prophet of Yonwood: Brenda
The Prowlers quartet: Jasmine
Pure Dead Magic: Lucifer Strega-Borgia
Pure Dead Magic: Pronto
Rapunzel: Enchantress
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm: Aunt Miranda
Redwall: Cluny the Scourge
Ring of Bright Water: man who attacks otter
Rose in Bloom: Charlie
Rumpelstiltskin: Rumpelstiltskin
The Saddle Club: Veronica diAngelo
Secret Under My Skin: Marella
Secrets of Dripping Fang: The Onts
The Series of Unfortunate Events series: Count Olaf
The Series of Unfortunate Events series: Count Olaf's accomplices
The Series of Unfortunate Events series: Vice Principal Nero
The Series of Unfortunate Events series: Carmelita Spats
The Series of Unfortunate Events series: Esme Squalor
The Shadow Children series: The government baddies
Sideways Stories from Wayside School: Mrs. Gorf
The Silver Chair: The Queen of the Underland
The Sleeper Conspiracy: Tyler Garrett
The Sleeper Conspiracy: Various spies, double agents, other bad guys
Sleeping Beauty: The Wicked Fairy
The Sneetches: The star-bellied Sneetches
Snow White: Wicked Stepmother
Snow-White and Rose-Red: The dwarf
The Somebodies: The Blue Queen
The Spider and the Fly: The Spider
The Spiderwick Chronicles: Mulgarath
Spy Mice: Roquefort Dupont
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes: Mr. Byrnes
Stormbreaker: Herod Sayle
Stormbreaker: Mr. Grin
Stormbreaker: Nadia Vole
Straight on 'til Morning: The Lost Boys
Struggling Upward: Coleman
Struggling Upward: Randolph
Such a Good Girl: The father
Surrender: Finnegan
The Swallows and Amazons series: Great Aunt Maria
The Taffy Sinclair series: Taffy Sinclair
The Tale of Bluebeard: Bluebeard
The Tale of Despereaux: Botticelli
The Three Little Pigs: The Big Bad Wolf
Through the Looking Glass: The Red Queen
The Tooth Fairy: Jessica
Treasure Island: Long John Silver
The Trixie Belden series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle: Captain Jaggerty
Tuck Everlasting: The Man in the Yellow Suit
The Twits: Mr. and Mrs. Twit
The Two-Minute Mysteries series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
The Uglies trilogy: Various spies, double agents, other bad guys
The Westing Game: Grace Windsor Wexler
The Westing Game: Angela Wexler
The Witches: The Grand High Witch
The Wizard of Oz: Wicked Witch of the West
The Wizard of Oz: The Wizard
The Wizard of Oz: The winged monkeys
Wolves of Willoughby Chase: Miss Slighcarp
A Wrinkle in Time: It
The Young Wizards series: The Lone Power
Please use the comments box to add to this list!
Who do you love to hate?
I've been faithfully reading Jen Robinson's Book Page since I discovered it about a week ago. Diving into the archives, and the wonderful links in the sidebar, I found two fantastic lists Jen has put together: Cool Girls and Cool Boys from children's literature. I encourage folks to take a look at these lists and offer more suggestions if you think of other cool boys and cool girls.
Jen's blog also pointed me to two other lists worth checking out: Cool Teachers and Librarians from children's literature.
Okay, so here's my idea for a list: Great Antagonists in Children's Literature. Antagonists can range from the truly evil to the deep-down-not-so-bad, but always they are pitted against our heroes and we inevitably root against them in one way or another.
To save people from any anguish over putting a somewhat sympathetic "bad-guy" into the same list with the likes of Voldemort, I'm splitting this list into two categories. The first few entries for each group are shown below to get it started.
So I ask again, who do you love to hate?
Group 1: Hate Them or Love to Hate Them
Voldemort from the Harry Potter series
Count Olaf from the Series of Unfortunate Events series
Cruella DeVil from 101 Dalmations
Group 2: Love Them Despite Their Misguided Ways
Severus Snape from the Harry Potter series (book 7 to reveal whether he moves to other category)
Nellie Oleson from the Little House series
Aunt March from Little Women
Aunt Miranda from Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
Don't forget to add your thoughts in the comments!
101 Dalmations: Cruella DeVil
Acceleration: Initially anonymous murderer
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Pap
Alice in Wonderland: The Queen of Hearts
Amandine: Amandine
Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents: Maurice
The American Girl mysteries: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
Among the Walnuts: The Uncles
Anatopsis: Mr. Pound
Angelina Ballerina: Priscilla
Angelina Ballerina: Penelope
Angelina Ballerina: Mrs. Hodgepodge
Anne of Green Gables: Mrs. Barry
Anne of Green Gables: Rachel Lynde
The Anne of Green Gables series: Jen Pringle
The Artemis Fowl series: Artemis Fowl
The Artemis Fowl series: Opal Koboi
The Arthur series: Binky Barnes
The Baby-Sitters Club : Cokie
The Baby-Sitters Club mysteries: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
The Babymouse series: Felicia Furrypaws
A Bad Boy Can Be Good for a Girl: The unnamed bad boy
Bambi: Hunters
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Herdmans
The Bobbsey Twins series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
Body of Evidence series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
The Book of Dead Days: Valerian
The Borrowers: Mrs. Driver (the cook)
The Borrowers series: Human Beans
Boy Heaven: Kristy
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Veruca Salt
The Charlie Bone series: Ezekiel Bloor
The Charlie Bone series: Manfred Bloor
Charlotte's Web: The farmer
Charlotte's Web: Templeton the Rat
The Cherry Ames series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
The Chet Gecko series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Childcatcher
The Chronicles of Prydain: Arawn
Cinderella: The Step-mother
Cinderella: The Step-sisters
Coraline: The Other Mother
Counting on Grace: Mr. Wilson
Devilish: Lanalee
The Diamond in the Window: Jacaranda (Prince Krishna's Uncle)
The Diary of Anne Frank: The Nazis
The Disney Fairies series: Vidia
Dragon Rider: Nettlebrand
Dream Spinner: The old man
Dumbo: The Ringmaster
The Edge Chronicles: The Gloamglozer
Eight Cousins: Aunt Myra
Ella Enchanted: Lucinda
The Emily of New Moon series: The Murray aunts and uncles
Emily's Quest: Dean Priest
The Emperor's New Clothes: The 2 Tailors
The Encyclopedia Brown series: Bugs Meany
The Encyclopedia Brown series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
Ender's Game: The Buggers
Enna Burning: Sileph
Eragon: Galbatorix
Fairest: Queen Ivi
Fairest: Skulni
Fairy Realm: Valda
Fairy Realm: The Bins Family
Fairy Realm: Mrs. Tweedie
Fairy Realm: Her teacher
The Fairy Rebel: The Fairy Queen
The Fallen quartet: Verchiel
Fantastic Mr. Fox: Farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean
The Fear Street series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
Fly By Night: Mr. Kohlrabi
Freckles: Black Jack
Frindle: Mrs. Granger
A Girl of the Limberlost: Mrs. Comstock
Goldilocks and the Three Bears: Goldilocks
The Goose Girl: Curdken
The Goosebumps series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
Gossamer: The Sinisteeds
The Great Brain: Mr. Standish
The Grinch who Stole Christmas: The Grinch
The Guardian of Time trilogy: The Order
Hansel and Gretel: The Step-mother
Hansel and Gretel: The Witch
The Hardy Boys series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
The Harry Potter Series: all Death Eaters
The Harry Potter Series: Filch
The Harry Potter Series: Draco Malfoy
The Harry Potter series: Severus Snape
The Harry Potter Series: Professor Umbridge
The Harry Potter series: Voldemort
The Harry Potter series: Aragog
The Harry Potter series: Fluffy
The Harry Potter series: The Basilisk
The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray: The Wych-Kin
The His Dark Materials series: Mrs. Coulter
The His Dark Materials series: Father Luis Gomez
The His Dark Materials series: Lord Carlo Boreal
The His Dark Materials series: Mrs. Coulter's unnamed golden monkey
The His Dark Materials series: Regent Metatron
The His Dark Materials series: The Authority
The Hobbit: Smaug the Dragon
The Hobbit: The Spiders
Holes: The Warden
The Hollow Kingdom: Marak
The Hollow Kingdom: Hugh Roberts
Homecoming: Great-Aunt Cilla
Hoot: Dana Matherson
The Horse and His Boy: Rabadash
Horton Hears a Who: The Wickersham Brothers
Howl's Moving Castle: The Witch of the Waste
I, Coriander: Arise Fell
Inheart: Capricorn
Jack and the Beanstalk: The Giant
James and the Giant Peach: Aunts Sponge and Spiker
The Jennifer Scales series: Various spies, double agents, other bad guys
The Jungle Book: Shere Khan
The Keys to the Kingdom series: Day-of-the-week villain
The Last Battle: Shift the Ape
The Lightning Thief and Sea of Monsters: Luke
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: The Witch
Lionboy: Rafi Sadler
The Little House series: Nellie Oleson
The Little Mermaid: The Sea Witch
The Little Princess: Mrs. Minchin
Little Red Riding Hood: The Wolf
Little Women: Aunt March
Lord of the Rings: Boromir
Lord of the Rings: Gollum
Lord of the Rings: The Ringwraiths
Lord of the Rings: Saruman
Lord of the Rings: Sauron
Lord of the Rings: Worm-Tongue
The Loud Silence of Francine Green: Sister Basil
Magyc: The Supreme Custodian
Mary Poppins: Miss Andrew
Matilda: Miss Trunchbull
May Bird and the Ever After: Bo Cleevil
May Bird and the Ever After: The Bogie Man
The Meanest Doll in the World: Mimi
Meg mystery series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
Men of Iron: The Earl of Alban
The Midnighters trilogy: The darklings
Miss Nelson is Missing: Miss Viola Swamp
Molly Moon's Hypnotic Time Travel Adventure: The Majaraja
Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism: Miss Adderstone
Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism: Primo Cell
Mortal Engines: Thaddeus Valentine
The Mouse and His Child: Manny Rat
The Nancy Drew series: Deirdre Shannon
The Nancy Drew series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
The NeverEnding Story: Gmork
The NeverEnding Story: The Nothing
The NeverEnding Story: Xayide
The NeverEnding Story: Ygramul
A Northern Light: Grace Brown's Fiance
A Northern Light: Pa
Oh My Goth: Jade
Oh My Goth: The principal
Oliver Twist: Bill Sykes
The Orphan Prince: The Black Wolf
OutCast: Cassandra's grandfather
Ozma of Oz: Princess Langwidere
The Penderwicks: Mrs. Tifton
The Pendragon series: Saint Dane
The Peter and the Starcatchers series: Lord Ombra
Peter Pan: Captain Hook
Peter Pan: Tinkerbell
The Pinhoe Egg: Gaffer Farleigh
Pinocchio: The fox
Pinocchio: The cat
Pirates!: Captain Bartholome
Playing in Traffic: Skye
Poison: Alethar, Lord of Phaerie
Pollyanna: Aunt Polly
Prince Caspian: King Miraz
Princess Academy: Katar
Princess Academy: Tutor Olana
The Princess Diaries series: Lana Weinberger
The Prophet of Yonwood: Brenda
The Prowlers quartet: Jasmine
Pure Dead Magic: Lucifer Strega-Borgia
Pure Dead Magic: Pronto
Rapunzel: Enchantress
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm: Aunt Miranda
Redwall: Cluny the Scourge
Ring of Bright Water: man who attacks otter
Rose in Bloom: Charlie
Rumpelstiltskin: Rumpelstiltskin
The Saddle Club: Veronica diAngelo
Secret Under My Skin: Marella
Secrets of Dripping Fang: The Onts
The Series of Unfortunate Events series: Count Olaf
The Series of Unfortunate Events series: Count Olaf's accomplices
The Series of Unfortunate Events series: Vice Principal Nero
The Series of Unfortunate Events series: Carmelita Spats
The Series of Unfortunate Events series: Esme Squalor
The Shadow Children series: The government baddies
Sideways Stories from Wayside School: Mrs. Gorf
The Silver Chair: The Queen of the Underland
The Sleeper Conspiracy: Tyler Garrett
The Sleeper Conspiracy: Various spies, double agents, other bad guys
Sleeping Beauty: The Wicked Fairy
The Sneetches: The star-bellied Sneetches
Snow White: Wicked Stepmother
Snow-White and Rose-Red: The dwarf
The Somebodies: The Blue Queen
The Spider and the Fly: The Spider
The Spiderwick Chronicles: Mulgarath
Spy Mice: Roquefort Dupont
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes: Mr. Byrnes
Stormbreaker: Herod Sayle
Stormbreaker: Mr. Grin
Stormbreaker: Nadia Vole
Straight on 'til Morning: The Lost Boys
Struggling Upward: Coleman
Struggling Upward: Randolph
Such a Good Girl: The father
Surrender: Finnegan
The Swallows and Amazons series: Great Aunt Maria
The Taffy Sinclair series: Taffy Sinclair
The Tale of Bluebeard: Bluebeard
The Tale of Despereaux: Botticelli
The Three Little Pigs: The Big Bad Wolf
Through the Looking Glass: The Red Queen
The Tooth Fairy: Jessica
Treasure Island: Long John Silver
The Trixie Belden series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle: Captain Jaggerty
Tuck Everlasting: The Man in the Yellow Suit
The Twits: Mr. and Mrs. Twit
The Two-Minute Mysteries series: Every thief, kidnapper or general bad guy
The Uglies trilogy: Various spies, double agents, other bad guys
The Westing Game: Grace Windsor Wexler
The Westing Game: Angela Wexler
The Witches: The Grand High Witch
The Wizard of Oz: Wicked Witch of the West
The Wizard of Oz: The Wizard
The Wizard of Oz: The winged monkeys
Wolves of Willoughby Chase: Miss Slighcarp
A Wrinkle in Time: It
The Young Wizards series: The Lone Power
Please use the comments box to add to this list!
Who do you love to hate?
I've been faithfully reading Jen Robinson's Book Page since I discovered it about a week ago. Diving into the archives, and the wonderful links in the sidebar, I found two fantastic lists Jen has put together: Cool Girls and Cool Boys from children's literature. I encourage folks to take a look at these lists and offer more suggestions if you think of other cool boys and cool girls.
Jen's blog also pointed me to two other lists worth checking out: Cool Teachers and Librarians from children's literature.
Okay, so here's my idea for a list: Great Antagonists in Children's Literature. Antagonists can range from the truly evil to the deep-down-not-so-bad, but always they are pitted against our heroes and we inevitably root against them in one way or another.
To save people from any anguish over putting a somewhat sympathetic "bad-guy" into the same list with the likes of Voldemort, I'm splitting this list into two categories. The first few entries for each group are shown below to get it started.
So I ask again, who do you love to hate?
Group 1: Hate Them or Love to Hate Them
Voldemort from the Harry Potter series
Count Olaf from the Series of Unfortunate Events series
Cruella DeVil from 101 Dalmations
Group 2: Love Them Despite Their Misguided Ways
Severus Snape from the Harry Potter series (book 7 to reveal whether he moves to other category)
Nellie Oleson from the Little House series
Aunt March from Little Women
Aunt Miranda from Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
Don't forget to add your thoughts in the comments!
Someone Else to Watch Your Language For You
I mentioned in an earlier post the delightfully funny Grammar Cop series over at Banterist.com. I thought I'd offer a few quick links to some of the ones I find particularly good....
...this one from the American Stock Exchange entrance
...this one about the self-obsession of French cheese
...this one from the martial arts studio
...this one, which I'm laughing about too much to summarize
...and lastly, this one, which has a nice variety of infractions.
Here is the full archive of all the Grammar Cop posts.
...this one from the American Stock Exchange entrance
...this one about the self-obsession of French cheese
...this one from the martial arts studio
...this one, which I'm laughing about too much to summarize
...and lastly, this one, which has a nice variety of infractions.
Here is the full archive of all the Grammar Cop posts.
A Little Poetry for You (Robert Frost)
From Robert Frost, a poem entitled "Nothing Gold Can Stay." You may remember this as the poem Ponyboy read to Johnny in The Outsiders. Even before I connected the poem to the book and movie, this one made me a little weepy.
Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leafs a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Quote of the Day, 8/15/06
Three quotes about how much time it takes to be brief:
Cicero (also attributed to many others)
If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.
Pascal
This [letter] would not be so long had I but the leisure to make it shorter.
Thoreau
Not that the story need be long, but it will take a long while to make it short.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Not Exactly West Side Story
I can't thank Greg (of Gotta Book fame) enough for offering this link today.
I passed up an adjunct teaching gig this morning, and now I'm feeling sort of sorry that I missed the chance to witness things like this.
I passed up an adjunct teaching gig this morning, and now I'm feeling sort of sorry that I missed the chance to witness things like this.
My 101st Post - Farewell to the Green
In honor of my 100th post, which was the Quote below, I have shed the green -- it was getting on my nerves.
Hope the blue proves more soothing.
Hope the blue proves more soothing.
Quote of the Day, 8/14/06
I found this quote today and thought it worthwile. It's attributed to George Bernard Shaw (in a letter to Golding Bright), which means if I can grab me a copy of GBS' Advice to a Young Critic, it should be there.... Anyway, good stuff:
You say you are hardly qualified to write books just yet. That is just why I recommend that you try...One progresses in this as in all things by resolutely making a fool of onesself.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Playing with Words - Symmetry
What is word symmetry? According to Fun With Words, The Wordplay Website, a symmetrical word can be rotated on an axis point and come out to be the same word.
So for instance, MOM has vertical symmetry because it can be rotated on it's vertical axis without changing the word (imagine drawing a line down the middle of the O, and flipping the word on that line). But if you rotated MOM horizontally, you would get WOW -- therefore, MOM does not have horizontal symmetry.
Some words that do have horizontal symmetry include BED and COOK.
Check out Word Play for some examples of pretty long words with vertical or horizontal symmetry, but before you do, can you guess the following:
You'll find the answers here.
So for instance, MOM has vertical symmetry because it can be rotated on it's vertical axis without changing the word (imagine drawing a line down the middle of the O, and flipping the word on that line). But if you rotated MOM horizontally, you would get WOW -- therefore, MOM does not have horizontal symmetry.
Some words that do have horizontal symmetry include BED and COOK.
Check out Word Play for some examples of pretty long words with vertical or horizontal symmetry, but before you do, can you guess the following:
1. A word that has 180-degree rotational symmetry (if you grabbed the bottom right corner of the word, and spun the word halfway around so that this corner now became the top left, and you ended up with the same word)?
2. A word that has horizontal symmetry when in capital letters, but vertical symmetry when in small letters?
You'll find the answers here.
Quote of the Day, 8/13/06
Two from Helen Keller:
I seldom think about my limitations, and they never make me sad. Perhaps there is just a touch of yearning at times; but it is vague, like a breeze among flowers.
It is for us to pray not for tasks equal to our powers, but for powers equal to our tasks, to go forward with a great desire forever beating at the door of our hearts as we travel toward our distant goal.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
NRKII Work - Magnetic Poetry in Action
I finally went back to magnetic poetry today, after a long time away. Although the results aren't always great, the process is good discipline because it forces me to condense thoughts into small phrases, and in many ways, it creates a situation where the language drives the thoughts rather than the other way around.
Today, the words available at Poetry in Motion were just horrible and I could not put them together into anything coherent. Over at Shadow Poetry, which is a little harder to use but otherwise identical, I came up with this (forcing myself to stay under 20 words, as I would have done on Poetry in Motion):
If you're looking for the links to try your hand at this yourself, please read my earlier post on magnetic poetry.
Today, the words available at Poetry in Motion were just horrible and I could not put them together into anything coherent. Over at Shadow Poetry, which is a little harder to use but otherwise identical, I came up with this (forcing myself to stay under 20 words, as I would have done on Poetry in Motion):
Writing my father
I grow sweet.
A child emerges
written in rhyme
not by a poet
not me.
If you're looking for the links to try your hand at this yourself, please read my earlier post on magnetic poetry.
Quote of the Day, 8/12/06
I listened to this song on my way home last night, and the lyric has been sticking with me all day. This is from an Irish folk song, "The Water is Wide."
The water is wide -- I cannot get o'er.
Neither have I the wings to fly.
Give me a boat that can carry two,
Then both shall row -- my love and I.
The Old Man and the ABCs
Greg over at Gotta Book has a fun challenge for creative thinkers.
Think up book titles for the kids' books that adult authors would write.
A couple of my favorites:
And one of my own suggestions:
Think up book titles for the kids' books that adult authors would write.
A couple of my favorites:
Hemingway -- The Old Man and the ABCs
Christie -- And Then There Were None: a Counting Book
And one of my own suggestions:
King -- The Lemonade Stand
More Encouragement to Write Poetry
Debra over at the Book-Blog is holding a haiku contest. I'll get to work on mine in the morning and post it here.
Update: the haiku must contain the word "prose" in it. Here is my first attempt:
Update: the haiku must contain the word "prose" in it. Here is my first attempt:
Prose is the apple.Thanks for the challenge Debra!
Poetry is its liquid,
grainy, tangy crunch.
Rowling + King + Irving Event Now on Video at MSN
The video recording of the J. K. Rowling, Stephen King and John Irving benefit reading is available on MSN Video. It was a great evening, so I encourage you to check it out.
USE THIS LINK FOR AN EVENING WITH HARRY, CARRIE AND GARP
I didn't see this email in my inbox until late Friday, but it looks like the video is still up if you want to see it!
Keep in mind the show was a benefit, so if you do watch, feel encouraged to make a donation. From Stephen King's newsletter:
Proceeds from the readings benefit two non-profit organizations: The Haven Foundation, which helps freelance performing artists and writers whose accidents or illnesses have left them unable to work www.thehavenfdn.org, and Doctors Without Borders/ Medecins San Frontieres (MSF), the international independent medical humanitarian organization www.doctorswithoutborders.org.
USE THIS LINK FOR AN EVENING WITH HARRY, CARRIE AND GARP
I didn't see this email in my inbox until late Friday, but it looks like the video is still up if you want to see it!
Keep in mind the show was a benefit, so if you do watch, feel encouraged to make a donation. From Stephen King's newsletter:
Proceeds from the readings benefit two non-profit organizations: The Haven Foundation, which helps freelance performing artists and writers whose accidents or illnesses have left them unable to work www.thehavenfdn.org, and Doctors Without Borders/ Medecins San Frontieres (MSF), the international independent medical humanitarian organization www.doctorswithoutborders.org.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Did J.K. Rowling Really Have the Best Shoes?
You decide. Even with an image this fuzzy, I don't think it's a tough call.
Wanna Smile?
And because I just can't get enough of the things they post on Mental Floss, here's a fantastic father-son (or mother-daughter?) shot to brighten your day.
Click here.
You're welcome.
Click here.
You're welcome.
Longest, Most Beautiful Sentence
Robin over at Big Window put forth a new writing challenge yesterday, again courtesy of Bernadette Mayer. Thanks for the prompt Robin!
Here is my response, which isn't even close to meeting the full-page requirement, but is the longest coherent sentence I could come up with. Not sure if I'd call it beautiful, but it doesn't stink.
Here is my response, which isn't even close to meeting the full-page requirement, but is the longest coherent sentence I could come up with. Not sure if I'd call it beautiful, but it doesn't stink.
After slipping on her scarf and mittens and easing out the back door in search of mental distance from the chaos in her kitchen, she found herself struck by the solitude of a lone loon gliding softly to land on the lake, placing itself in the midst of a million gold sparkles in the sunset water, drifting alone as hermit in the woods making no sound and desiring no company; and she held her breath -- afraid to evict the creature with even the slightest unwelcome noise -- and imagined herself so solitary, soaring, silent, and softly drifting where her soul would take her, and she cried quietly in the fading light.
Quote of the Day, 8/11/06
Sticking to a show-tunes theme for the moment (see below post), I'll offer some thoughts from Stephen Sondheim. I like how much of what he says could apply to any type of writing.
And this, from "Send in the Clowns"...
Every writer I've ever spoken to feels fraudulent in some way or other.
For me it's more fun to find an unexpected moment for a character to sing when you don't expect them to.
The worst thing you can do is censor yourself as the pencil hits the paper. You must not edit until you get it all on paper. If you can put everything down, stream-of-consciousness, you'll do yourself a service.
And this, from "Send in the Clowns"...
Just when I'd stopped
Opening doors,
Finally knowing
The one that I wanted was yours,
Making my entrance again
With my usual flair,
Sure of my lines,
No one is there.
Name these Tunes
1.
In the roaring traffic's boom,
in the silence of my lonely room,
I think of you.
2.
You're a Boticcelli,
You're Keats,
You're Shelly!
You're Ovaltine!
3.
Oh, I feel that I could melt ;
Into Heaven I'm hurled !
I know how Columbus felt,
Finding another world.
4.
They told Marconi
Wireless was a phony
It's the same old cry
5.
Never saw the sun shining so bright
Never saw things going so right
Noticing the days hurrying by
When youre in love, my how they fly
6.
When the things youve planned
Need a helping hand,
I will understand ...
Note: Answers posted in comments
In the roaring traffic's boom,
in the silence of my lonely room,
I think of you.
2.
You're a Boticcelli,
You're Keats,
You're Shelly!
You're Ovaltine!
3.
Oh, I feel that I could melt ;
Into Heaven I'm hurled !
I know how Columbus felt,
Finding another world.
4.
They told Marconi
Wireless was a phony
It's the same old cry
5.
Never saw the sun shining so bright
Never saw things going so right
Noticing the days hurrying by
When youre in love, my how they fly
6.
When the things youve planned
Need a helping hand,
I will understand ...
Note: Answers posted in comments
Star Trek Life Lessons
A special note for my brothers, and any other Trekkies out there.
Check out this site for some Trek-related fun.
Check out this site for some Trek-related fun.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Quote of the Day, 8/10/06
From Adrienne Rich:
And here's a section from Rich's poem "Victory"...
Women’s art, though created in solitude, wells up out of community.
And here's a section from Rich's poem "Victory"...
I guess you're not alone I fear you're alone
There's, of course, poetry:
awful bridge rising over naked air: I first
took it as just a continuation of the road:
"a masterpiece of engineering
praised, etc." then on the radio:
"incline too steep for ease of, etc."
Drove it nonetheless because I had to
this being how— So this is how
I find you: alive and more
Name One Book...
Thanks to Kelly over at Big A little a for stealing this book meme, which I now steal from her.
1. One book that changed your life?
No question, Little Women. I was 9, and it was the first book of such substance I read on my own. It opened up a world of other books by Alcott -- I still remember my disappointment that she was dead and wouldn't write any more! -- and then a succession of other great writers.
2. One book you have read more than once?
I keep a few books on my nightstand that I love reading pieces of. Currently, I've got Dear Enemy at hand, which is a sequel of sorts to Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster. In many ways, Dear Enemy is better than the first, in its humor and energy.
3. One book you would want on a desert island?
Also easy. Some sort of survival guide so I could identify edible vs. poisonous plants. But, assuming I get to take that one for free, I'd probably choose an unabridged complete works of Robert Frost.
4. One book that made you laugh?
William Goldman's The Princess Bride, which was even better than the movie. Goldman creates a wonderful voice as the editor/narrator of this book.
5. One book that made you cry?
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. I got to the end and could not believe what I had just read.
6. One book you wish had been written?
My grandfather's memoirs. I would love to know more of his story.
7. One book you wish had never been written?
So many choices for so many different reasons. Perhaps any book by Madonna.
8. One book you are currently reading?
Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov, among others.
9. One book you have been meaning to read?
I've been meaning to get past book 2 on the Lemony Snicket books, and past book 3 on the Artemis Fowl series. I got sidetracked months ago.
10. Now tag five people:
Ooh, I don't know the etiquette here. Must I tag people, or can I just leave it as open-forum. Post your answers in comments, on your blog, or not at all, as you wish.
1. One book that changed your life?
No question, Little Women. I was 9, and it was the first book of such substance I read on my own. It opened up a world of other books by Alcott -- I still remember my disappointment that she was dead and wouldn't write any more! -- and then a succession of other great writers.
2. One book you have read more than once?
I keep a few books on my nightstand that I love reading pieces of. Currently, I've got Dear Enemy at hand, which is a sequel of sorts to Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster. In many ways, Dear Enemy is better than the first, in its humor and energy.
3. One book you would want on a desert island?
Also easy. Some sort of survival guide so I could identify edible vs. poisonous plants. But, assuming I get to take that one for free, I'd probably choose an unabridged complete works of Robert Frost.
4. One book that made you laugh?
William Goldman's The Princess Bride, which was even better than the movie. Goldman creates a wonderful voice as the editor/narrator of this book.
5. One book that made you cry?
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. I got to the end and could not believe what I had just read.
6. One book you wish had been written?
My grandfather's memoirs. I would love to know more of his story.
7. One book you wish had never been written?
So many choices for so many different reasons. Perhaps any book by Madonna.
8. One book you are currently reading?
Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov, among others.
9. One book you have been meaning to read?
I've been meaning to get past book 2 on the Lemony Snicket books, and past book 3 on the Artemis Fowl series. I got sidetracked months ago.
10. Now tag five people:
Ooh, I don't know the etiquette here. Must I tag people, or can I just leave it as open-forum. Post your answers in comments, on your blog, or not at all, as you wish.
Davis Mega Maze Opens Today!
I'm so excited. August 10 is opening day for the Davis Mega Maze -- a very cool and generally pretty elaborate corn (maize) maze located in Sterling, Massachusetts.
If you're in New England, or even New York, take the kids or a friend and make the journey. It is well worth it.
I've faced the Davis Mega Maze challenge 3 of the last 4 years, and am happily making plans for this year's trip. Ooh, and this year, the maze will change every day, so I may go two or three times!
Here's a shot of the 2003 maze, which I went through once with adult friends, and once with my brother and his kids.
If you're in New England, or even New York, take the kids or a friend and make the journey. It is well worth it.
I've faced the Davis Mega Maze challenge 3 of the last 4 years, and am happily making plans for this year's trip. Ooh, and this year, the maze will change every day, so I may go two or three times!
Here's a shot of the 2003 maze, which I went through once with adult friends, and once with my brother and his kids.
Dolly-Books
If you have a child under age 5 and you live in Tennessee, you can sign your child up to receive a free book every month until age 5. The program was started by Dolly Parton for her home county, and now covers all of Tennessee.
This sounds like a good program. If you agree, and are interested, they also have a spot where you can make a donation to support a child's library.
This sounds like a good program. If you agree, and are interested, they also have a spot where you can make a donation to support a child's library.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
I'm Also Exactly 1/2 Cat 1/2 Dog and Only 12% Sociopath
Here's a good test to help break down your language/speech use.
Here's my linguistic profile:
Here's my linguistic profile:
| NRKII's Linguistic Profile: |
| 50% General American English |
| 35% Yankee |
| 5% Dixie |
| 5% Upper Midwestern |
| 0% Midwestern |
Quote of the Day, 8/9/06
This story has come up in a variety of contexts in the last two days, so I took today's quote from Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra's Don Quixote, written in the early 17th century.In the following passage, Sancho Panza has just asked his friend how he could be a knight on a quest without having a reason that drove him to it. Other knights, says Sancho, have clear motivation...
'That's exactly it,' replied Don Quixote, 'that's just how beautifully I've worked it all out -- because for a knight errant to go crazy for good reason, how much is that worth? My idea is to become a lunatic for no good reason at all, and to ask my lady, seeing what I do without cause, what she imagines I might do if I really had one?'
Brain Teaser
From a game called I.Q. Challenge, a brain teaser:
A boy is captured by a cruel master who tells him he will have to become a servant to one of his two sons, Theo the Terrible or Angus the Awful. The boy is determined to escape such a punishment. The master gives the boy one chance to make a single statement that will decide his future. If what he says is true his is to serve Theo the Terrible, but if what he says is false he is to serve Angus the Awful. What does the boy say to earn his freedom?
The answer is posted in the comments.
A boy is captured by a cruel master who tells him he will have to become a servant to one of his two sons, Theo the Terrible or Angus the Awful. The boy is determined to escape such a punishment. The master gives the boy one chance to make a single statement that will decide his future. If what he says is true his is to serve Theo the Terrible, but if what he says is false he is to serve Angus the Awful. What does the boy say to earn his freedom?
The answer is posted in the comments.
You Think You Can't Wait for Harry Potter to Get Here?
Over on the Blue Rose Girls blog, Libby posts a great piece about one child's unique perception of Harry Potter.
It adds dramatic context to my memory of the young girl hopping and hugging and crying when she saw J. K. Rowling at the benefit reading last week.
It adds dramatic context to my memory of the young girl hopping and hugging and crying when she saw J. K. Rowling at the benefit reading last week.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Ghost in the Machines, Still
This morning my ghost set off the smoke/carbon monoxide detector again. I was in the shower, and I am proud to say I took the time to rinse my hair before responding to it (being reasonably certain that I was not having an actual fire or CO problem).
As I had predicted, there was no actual issue, so I'm back to the electrical issue vs. haunting debate.
Now here is where it gets interesting. I checked by blog stats earlier today, and before I logged on, someone did 2 keyword searches that led them to my blog. The keyword searches entered:
By the way, names submitted so far include:
As I had predicted, there was no actual issue, so I'm back to the electrical issue vs. haunting debate.
Now here is where it gets interesting. I checked by blog stats earlier today, and before I logged on, someone did 2 keyword searches that led them to my blog. The keyword searches entered:
ghosts setting off carbon monoxide alarmsI'm hoping that one of my previous readers, forgetting the name of my blog but remembering that I had posted about my ghost's antics, did this search. If so, please let me know. If not, then my ghost is 1) very clever about modern electronics like the laptop and internet, and 2) announcing his presence in ingenious ways.
ghost set off smoke detector
By the way, names submitted so far include:
CosmoI have not settled on any of these, and would welcome more suggestions.
Topper
Kirby
Ely (short for electrical)
Enigma/Iggy
Quote of the Day, 8/8/06
From Archimedes:
Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world.All day today I've been running into stories and posts about the Archimedes Palimpsest, a document over 2000 years old which is being deciphered at Stanford. I don't know why this story intrigues me so, but I even watched a good bit of the hour-long webcast where they demonstrate the (admittedly pretty cool) technology they are using to uncover text that was previously "lost."
Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time
Eric Berlin has posted the best "seemed like a good idea at the time" story I've read in a while.
It definitely tops my tale of biking full-speed into the back of a parked car (I was racing a friend, and I had a bad habit of watching the ground when I biked).
Yep, Eric, you win hands down.
It definitely tops my tale of biking full-speed into the back of a parked car (I was racing a friend, and I had a bad habit of watching the ground when I biked).
Yep, Eric, you win hands down.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Reality TV We Wish We Had
Over on mentalfloss.com, the best idea for "whacky Reality TV show" was chosen. As a poetry enthusiast, my preference was definitely runner-up David's "American Idyll" idea, though I found his "So you think you deserve to live?" proposal quite fresh as well.
Quote of the Day, 8/7/06
Two thoughts on time, both idle and productive....
T.S. Eliot
Time you enjoyed wasting is not wasted time.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
So much of our time is preparation, so much is routine, and so much retrospect, that the path of each man's genius contracts itself to a very few hours.
Brain Test: Functioning at 40%, Even with Sympathy Points
I'm still laughing at how poorly I did on this quiz, emailed to me earlier today. See the comments for the answers, and for my pathetic score. But first, try it for yourself:
Okay clear your mind.
1. What do you put in a toaster?
2. Say "silk" 5 times. Now spell "silk." What do cows drink?
3. If a red house is made from red bricks and a blue house is made from blue bricks and a pink house is made from pink bricks and a black house is made from black bricks, what is a green house made from?
4. It's twenty years ago, and a plane is flying at 20,000 feet over Germany (If you will recall, Germany at the time was politically divided into West Germany and East Germany.) Anyway, during the flight, TWO engines fail. The pilot, realizing that the last remaining engine is also failing, decides on a crash landing procedure. Unfortunately the engine fails before he can do so and the plane fatally crashes smack in the middle of "no man's land"between East Germany and West Germany. Where would you bury the survivors? East Germany, West Germany, or no man's land"?
5. Without using a calculator - You are driving a bus from London to Milford Haven in Wales. In London, 17 people get on the bus; In Reading, six people get off the bus and nine people get on. In Swindon, two people get off and four get on. In Cardiff , 11 people get off and 16 people get on. In Swansea, three people get off and five people get on. In Carmathen, six people get off and three get on. You then arrive at Milford Haven. What was the name of the bus driver?
Okay clear your mind.
1. What do you put in a toaster?
2. Say "silk" 5 times. Now spell "silk." What do cows drink?
3. If a red house is made from red bricks and a blue house is made from blue bricks and a pink house is made from pink bricks and a black house is made from black bricks, what is a green house made from?
4. It's twenty years ago, and a plane is flying at 20,000 feet over Germany (If you will recall, Germany at the time was politically divided into West Germany and East Germany.) Anyway, during the flight, TWO engines fail. The pilot, realizing that the last remaining engine is also failing, decides on a crash landing procedure. Unfortunately the engine fails before he can do so and the plane fatally crashes smack in the middle of "no man's land"between East Germany and West Germany. Where would you bury the survivors? East Germany, West Germany, or no man's land"?
5. Without using a calculator - You are driving a bus from London to Milford Haven in Wales. In London, 17 people get on the bus; In Reading, six people get off the bus and nine people get on. In Swindon, two people get off and four get on. In Cardiff , 11 people get off and 16 people get on. In Swansea, three people get off and five people get on. In Carmathen, six people get off and three get on. You then arrive at Milford Haven. What was the name of the bus driver?
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood on DVD
My house is undergoing a little construction this month, which means that my TV, Tivo, and entire DVD collection are on the kitchen counters. This makes mealtimes a blast. It also means that every time I go to the kitchen I get another glance at my DVDs, or at least at the top of each pile.
What's on top? The Court Jester, The Green Mile, and the Muppets (3 episodes). I recommend them all.
What's not there at all, even deep down in the piles? Episodes of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Why? Because until today I did not know they had started releasing Mister Rogers episodes on DVD. There are only 4 DVDs available (well, 5 if you count the documentary, which also looks good), but it's a start.
I haven't decided which to buy: the "Adventures in Friendship" DVD with the trolley, or the "Adventures in Friendship" DVD with the sweater.
What's on top? The Court Jester, The Green Mile, and the Muppets (3 episodes). I recommend them all.
What's not there at all, even deep down in the piles? Episodes of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Why? Because until today I did not know they had started releasing Mister Rogers episodes on DVD. There are only 4 DVDs available (well, 5 if you count the documentary, which also looks good), but it's a start.
I haven't decided which to buy: the "Adventures in Friendship" DVD with the trolley, or the "Adventures in Friendship" DVD with the sweater.
Quote of the Day, 8/6/06
I was searching online for a good quote about "distinction," thinking specifically of Fluorescent Magenta, Girl of Distinction, and what I might be able to do with the right context around that word. It's funny though, how you can happen upon the most unrelated, but still highly entertaining wrong finds in internet searches. What do we call these finds? Netcidents perhaps?
Anyhow, here's the quote I found, and it made me so nostalgic for Laverne and Shirley, and specifically their theme song, I just had to include the lyrics as well (forgive the misspellings, I could not find a definitive source).
Anyhow, here's the quote I found, and it made me so nostalgic for Laverne and Shirley, and specifically their theme song, I just had to include the lyrics as well (forgive the misspellings, I could not find a definitive source).
The American distinction between the schlemiel and the schlimazl ... says the former spills the soup, the latter is the one into whose lap it falls.... Whereas comedy involving the schlimazl tends to be situational, the schlemiel’s comedy is essential, deriving from his very nature in its confrontation with reality.
Ruth R. Wisse, The Schlemiel as Modern Hero, University of Chicago Press (1971)
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.
Schlemiel, schlimazl, hasenfeffer incorporated.
We're gonna do it!
Give us any chance, we'll take it.
Give us any rule, we'll break it.
We're gonna make our dreams come true.
Doin' it our way.
Nothin's gonna turn us back now.
Straight ahead and on the track now.
We're gonna make our dreams come true.
Doin' it our way.
There is nothing we won't try.
Never heard the word impossible.
This time there's no stopping us.
We're gonna do it.
On your mark, get set, and go now.
Got a dream and we just know now.
We're gonna make our dream come true.
And we'll do it our way, yes our way.
Make all our dreams come true.
And do it our way, yes our way.
Make all our dreams come true.
For me and you.
"Making our Dreams Come True" written by Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Quote of the Day, 8/5/06
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe novels make for great reads and great movies as well. Here are a few memorable lines from two classics -- note the fun metaphors! ... Now that I've put these quotes in here, I'm itching to go read some Chandler.
The Big Sleep
The General spoke again, slowly, using his strength as carefully as an out-of-work show-girl uses her last good pair of stockings.
Dead men are heavier than broken hearts.
What did it matter where you lay once you were dead? In a dirty sump or in a marble tower on top of a high hill. You were dead, you were sleeping the big sleep, you were not bothered by things like that. Oil and water were the same as wind and air to you. You just slept the big sleep, not caring about the nastiness of how you died or where you fell. Me, I was part of the nastiness now.
Farewell, My Lovely
I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun.
The voice got as cool as a cafeteria dinner.
I walked back through the arch and started up the steps. It was a nice walk if you liked grunting. There were two hundred and eighty steps up to Cabrillo Street. They were drifted over with windblown sand and the handrail was as cold and wet as a toad's belly.
Fluorescent Magenta, an Update
I cracked open my new box of Crayola crayons today (this was a birthday present, a nod to my Fluorescent Magenta posts from a few weeks back), and immediately spilled a couple of crayons onto the floor. I didn't see which ones fell out, but thought, "Wouldn't it be funny if...."
The crayons that spilled? Shocking Pink. Hot Magenta.
Coincidence? I think not. It's a sign I tell ya. A sign.
The crayons that spilled? Shocking Pink. Hot Magenta.
Coincidence? I think not. It's a sign I tell ya. A sign.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Quote of the Day, 8/4/06
Many thanks to www.twainquotes.com for supplying a quick reference that contained exactly what I was looking for tonight. The following is excerpted from a letter written by Mark Twain:
To get the right word in the right place is a rare achievement. To condense the diffused light of a page of thought into the luminous flash of a single sentence, is worthy to rank as a prize composition just by itself... Anybody can have ideas--the difficulty is to express them without squandering a quire of paper on an idea that ought to be reduced to one glittering paragraph.
Letter to Emeline Beach, 2/10/1868
No, it's Play that FUNKY Music White Boy
Check out mentalfloss.com, and today's explanation of the word mondegreens. You'll probably get the gist of this post's title then.
I'm adding this site to my "fun places to visit." I also might have to get a t-shirt.
I'm adding this site to my "fun places to visit." I also might have to get a t-shirt.
No Really, there is Nothing More Relaxing than Sailing in Maine
But if you'd rather, you are more than welcome to come to New Jersey and help me fix up my house (a never-ending, but I promise you thoroughly cathartic, exercise). Aaah, the joys of coming back home....
I Read the First Holy Tango Poem and am HOOKED
Somewhere in all my blog-hopping these past 7 days, I came across a recommendation for a book called Holy Tango of Literature. I wish I could credit the blogs along the way that helped me find the author's blog that helped me find the author's book because I ordered the book, it came today, and in just one page of reading I am completely thrilled!
Holy Tango is from Francis Heaney. It is a compilation of parodies based on taking the poet's or playwright's name and making an anagram to form a new title, and thus a new topic for the parodied work. Ouch, that's a wordy explanation. Easier to show than tell, I think, so here's the poem that had me laughing right away:
(For the poetry-challenged, this is a parody of T. S. Eliot's "Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," which is one of my favorite poems for its sound, and which you can refer to here for comparison.)
Holy Tango is from Francis Heaney. It is a compilation of parodies based on taking the poet's or playwright's name and making an anagram to form a new title, and thus a new topic for the parodied work. Ouch, that's a wordy explanation. Easier to show than tell, I think, so here's the poem that had me laughing right away:
(For the poetry-challenged, this is a parody of T. S. Eliot's "Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," which is one of my favorite poems for its sound, and which you can refer to here for comparison.)
TOILETS
T.S. Eliot
Let us go then, to the john,
Where the toilet seat waits to be sat upon
Like a lover's lap perched upon ceramic;
Let us go, through doors that do not always lock,
Which means you ought to knock
Lest opening one reveal a soul within
Who'll shout, "Stay out! Did you not see my shin,
Framed within the gap twixt floor and stall?"
No, I did not see that at all.
That is not what I saw, at all.
The the stall the people come and go,
Reading an obscene graffito.
We have lingered in the chamber labeled "MEN"
Till attendants proffer aftershave and mints
As we lather up our hands with soap, and rinse.
3 Books from my Childhood I'd Still Recommend
There are actually a great many books from my childhood I'd still recommend, but the great many are not what this post is about.
A few weeks ago I posted a list of books I was reading when I was 8 to 12 years old. I was thinking about this list again today, because I came across my copy of The Westing Game, which made me think of The Diamond in the Window, which then made me think of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, which made me want to ...
1) jump onto Amazon and find a copy of Diamond,
2) re-read all three books this weekend, and
3) throw out a hearty recommendation to anyone looking for older treasures.
I've linked each of the books above, to make it easy for you to check them out.
A few weeks ago I posted a list of books I was reading when I was 8 to 12 years old. I was thinking about this list again today, because I came across my copy of The Westing Game, which made me think of The Diamond in the Window, which then made me think of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, which made me want to ...
1) jump onto Amazon and find a copy of Diamond,
2) re-read all three books this weekend, and
3) throw out a hearty recommendation to anyone looking for older treasures.
I've linked each of the books above, to make it easy for you to check them out.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
A Little Poetry for You (Walt Whitman)
From Walt Whitman's "Starting from Paumanok" (in Leaves of Grass):
Whitman's poetry moves fast, doesn't it? When I read this out loud, I find myself hurrying, and a little breathless.
I will make the true poem of riches,
To earn for the body and the mind whatever adheres, and goes forward, and is not dropt by death.
I will effuse egotism, and show it underlying all—and I will be the bard of personality;
And I will show of male and female that either is but the equal of the other;
And sexual organs and acts! do you concentrate in me—for I am determin’d to tell you with courageous clear voice, to prove you illustrious;
And I will show that there is no imperfection in the present—and can be none in the future;
And I will show that whatever happens to anybody, it may be turn’d to beautiful results—and I will show that nothing can happen more beautiful than death;
And I will thread a thread through my poems that time and events are compact,
And that all the things of the universe are perfect miracles, each as profound as any.
I will not make poems with reference to parts;
But I will make leaves, poems, poemets, songs, says, thoughts with reference to ensemble:
And I will not sing with reference to a day, but with reference to all days;
And I will not make a poem, nor the least part of a poem, but has reference to the Soul;
(Because, having look’d at the objects of the universe, I find there is no one, nor any particle of one, but has reference to the Soul.)
Whitman's poetry moves fast, doesn't it? When I read this out loud, I find myself hurrying, and a little breathless.
Quote of the Day, 8/3/06
I daresay I have enough quotes in the entry below, but as I've commited to the quote-a-day rule, I'll give this a go....
My blog's been very King-y lately, so I'm putting him aside for a bit to look elsewhere for good things. Tonight, I'm turning to Louisa May Alcott, and the following entry from her journal in 1868 (The Journals of Louisa May Alcott). This was a few months before she wrote Little Women, when she was still struggling to make her writing pay the bills.
My blog's been very King-y lately, so I'm putting him aside for a bit to look elsewhere for good things. Tonight, I'm turning to Louisa May Alcott, and the following entry from her journal in 1868 (The Journals of Louisa May Alcott). This was a few months before she wrote Little Women, when she was still struggling to make her writing pay the bills.
I am sorry to leave my quiet room, for I've enjoyed it so much.People may have the impression that, while writing all those girl-books, Alcott must have been living a sheltered life, cared for by her parents and able to focus on her writing for the pure joy of it. The fact is, Alcott churned out her writing like a one-woman manufacturing plant; she wrote for a paying audience, not for herself, and she did it to support her parents, herself, her sisters, and her sisters' kids. Even after she became successful and independently wealthy, even after she became chronically and debilitatingly ill, she continued to work her craft as a business. And one more little-known fact: when she sat down to write Little Women, she said, "I plod away, though I don't enjoy this sort of thing. Never liked girls, or knew many...." (I added the emphasis.)
Written eight long tales, ten short ones, read stacks of manuscripts, and done editorial work. Acted for charity twelve times.
Not a bad two month's work. I can imagine an easier life, but with love, health, and work I can be happy, for these three help one to do, to be, and to endure all things.
Stephen King, John Irving and J. K. Rowling
NRKII at "An Evening with Harry, Carrie and Garp" (a benefit reading at Radio City Music Hall, August 2, 2006).This is a horrible picture I've included, but it's the only one I got. More on that later.
As I was cruising into the Holland Tunnel at 6:15, I thought I'd be way too early and stuck out in the horrendous heat.
As I was searching for a place to park at 7:00, I was shouting, "It's my birthday! I can't be late to see Stephen King, John Irving and J. K. Rowling on my birthday!"
Both panic attacks were nonsense of course. I parked a few blocks away, and arrived at Will Call at 7:15 with only 2 people in front of me. Picked up my ticket and went right into the theater.
Unfortunately, they confiscated my camera, so I didn't get any photos from inside. Tried using my phone to get the inside of the theater before the show, but that picture was even worse than the outside shot. Just as well, as I didn't want to take pictures during the readings anyway (though plenty of people who snuck their cameras/cellphones through the security check were not so shy about snapping photos while the authors read).
I sat next to a woman who immediately introduced herself as Olga. She was also there alone, and explained that her cousin had come with her but was sitting way up front. We were about 30 rows back, which was fine. Olga was a Rowling fan, and not terribly familiar with King or Irving, other than a couple of movies. She told me a few times that she'd never been to an event like this, and she wondered what it would be like. As if I had a scintilla of a clue, I answered that I thought King would be great, Rowling would probably be pretty good, and Irving might be decent. (I would see later that I completely underestimated Irving.)
The crowd was a mix of King fans, Irving fans and Rowling fans. Probably mostly the latter -- there were a decent number of kids in the audience, and the screaming when Rowling was mentioned or introduced seemed louder, maybe because there were more Rowling fans, or maybe because King and Irving fans are less screamy.
I brought a notebook with me, in case I got a chance for an autograph. Even though I was 30 rows back, I knew they were going to call some people up from the audience who had submitted questions ahead of time. By the way, my questions were something along these lines:
For Stephen King - what character would you like to write about again?Anyway, I wasn't called up, I didn't get to ask my questions, and I didn't get autographs, but I did have my notebook and pen which allowed me to take notes, in the dark. I'll try to interpret my scribbles and describe the evening further.
For John Irving - what character or event didn't want to get written?
For J. K. Rowling - what character or description have you written that has surprised you?
Surprise Host
The only personalities billed for this event were the three authors, so I was happily surprised when Whoopi Goldberg came out to introduce the show. She talked about each of the authors, and praised them:
They are forces greater than any of the supernatural characters in their books.On the topic of bringing the authors together, she remarked how much different some of the worlds the authors created might have been if brought together. On Harry and Carrie: "If that little wizard boy had just asked that poor girl to the prom..."
Stephen King
Tim Robbins did the introduction for Stephen King, another pleasant surprise. He talked a lot about Shawshank Redemption, making a bit of a joke out of the name and how badly people mess it up ("scrimshaw... scranskank..."). Robbins said of King:
In addition to his ability to scare you, he has the compassionate heart of a great writer.As Stephen King was announced, eerie music played, and King came out of the dark through back-lit fog. He took his chair -- which looked a lot like the electric chair from The Green Mile -- and talked a bit about what he was going to read. He decided, he said, to read us something "gross." He hoped we hadn't just eaten dinner -- if so, he was sorry.
King read the pie-eating-contest scene from his story "The Body" (made into the movie Stand by Me). It was funny, contained vivid characters, and was, in fact, gross. I'm surprised nobody had to go running out when all the story-vomit started. I'm surprised I didn't have to block my ears.
Halfway through his reading, when the audience was captivated and laughing, King stopped, and said, "They pay me to make this up!" Then he paused, and followed with, "And it's the BEST. JOB. in the WORLD!"
John Irving
Stanley Tucci introduced John Irving, saying:
Anyone who finds his characters outlandish hasn't been paying attention to ordinary life.Irving sat in a leather easy chair and read the "Little Lord Jesus" chapter from one of my favorite novels, A Prayer for Owen Meany. (This novel inspired the movie Simon Birch, which is another way of saying it wasn't really the same story, but it had some of the same characters and incidents). The chapter describes the preparations for the annual Christmas pageant.
I had predicted that Irving might not be a great reader, and boy was I wrong! First of all, he did his character's voices with impeccable accuracy, and considering Owen Meany's voice was a mousy falsetto, that's no small effort. Also, Irving had great facial expressions. At one point he was reading Owen Meany's rendition of the Announcing Angel, and when he got to the words, "unto you is born... a savior, who is Christ the Lord," Irving put on a comical expression of boredom and exasperation (perfect for Owen's feelings at that moment in the book).
The best thing about Irving's reading though, was that he cracked himself up a few times. The chapter he read was quite funny, and once in a while, when the audience would break up with laughter, he would as well. I loved the fact that he found his own writing funny -- it would be a shame if he were bored by it.
J. K. Rowling
Kathy Bates came on to introduce J. K. Rowling. She praised Rowling for bringing children back to reading in a way nobody had managed before her. Bates said even the Harry Potter movies hadn't kept kids away from reading:
Harry's legions went eagerly to the movies, and then faithfully back to the books.Rowling walked on stage to a somewhat-frenzied cheer. The young girl in front of me was jumping up and down, hugging her mother, then jumping up some more. She was enthralled and practically in tears at the sight of Rowling.
Rowling's chair was a gothic, red-velvet job, looking as if straight out of the Hogwarts library. She mentioned how she had missed out on the "vomiting" theme of the evening (there was a little vomit in Irving's reading too), but then pointed out that she was content because she had the best shoes. The camera zoomed in and on the big screens above the stage we got to see Rowling's feet and her admittedly fantastic shoes.
Rowling read from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. She selected the scene where Dumbledore goes to see Tom Riddle at the orphanage to tell Tom that he's been accepted to Hogwarts. It was a shorter reading than the others, as she wanted to leave some time for questions.
During the first questions to Rowling, the one thing she said that struck me was about why she would stop the Harry Potter series at 7 books: "I admire the people who go out when people still want more." This made me think of baseball players who retire before they become "has-beens." Or TV shows that are never as good in the final seasons as they were at the outset.
Q and A
The Question and Answer segment was moderated by Soledad O'Brien. They selected several people from the audience who had submitted questions in advance, and Soledad introduced each one before the question was posed. The most interesting of the questioners was Salman Rushdie, who came up to the microphone with his son, I think, and posed a question to J. K. Rowling.
Here are some of the points of interest from the Q&A. Be careful though, Rowling struggled with all her questions because she did not want to give away too much about the next book, but there are still a couple of Harry Potter spoilers in what follows!
Rowling, asked if Aunt Petunia actually loves Harry:
You will see in book 7 there is a little more to Aunt Petunia than meets the eye.Rowling, asked if Dumbledore would reappear in book 7:
Don't expect Dumbledore to do a Gandalf.Rowling, asked by Rushdie if Snape is good or bad, with the assumption that Snape is good and Dumbledore is not really dead:
I'm going to have to be explicit. Dumbledore is DEFINITELY. DEAD. You need to move through the 5 stages of grief. I'm trying to help you all get past the first stage, denial. Though, the second stage is anger, so maybe we should end this soon.Irving, asked if he'd write a sequel to any of his novels:
I need to know the ending of the novel before I begin. Not just the ending, but the tone of voice of the ending. It's impossible to think past the end [for a sequel] because the ending meant so much to me, it is where I begin.King, asked how he lived such a regular-guy life in Bangor, Maine:
I'm here and tonight I get to be on stage and this big deal, but I'm going to be home on Saturday and Tabitha is going to tell me to take the garbage out and empty the dishwasher.He also mentioned that he considers himself a husband first, a father second, a man of his time and community third, and only after these can he be a writer.
Soledad O'Brien finished with a question she posed to all three authors: "Which 5 characters of your creation would you like to take to dinner?"
King: MY characters? Are you kidding? I'll take Harry Potter to dinner.And that was the end of the evening. I said goodbye to Olga, left the theater, went back to the theater for my confiscated camera, and came home... an older and enlightened me.
Rowling: Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, Hagrid
Irving: Dr. Larch, Owen, Patrick Wallingford, Melanie, Hester, Emma
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Quote of the Day, 8/2/06
I now have two copies of Stephen King's On Writing, becaused my mom was kind enough to hunt one down and send it to me. Which means I will definitely find my original (third) copy any moment now.
Here's a bit from the book -- I'm sure I'll quote more at another time, perhaps even tomorrow.
Here's a bit from the book -- I'm sure I'll quote more at another time, perhaps even tomorrow.
You can approach the act of writing with nervousness, excitement, hopefulness, or even despair -- the sense that you can never completely put on the page what's in your mind and heart. You can come to the act with your fists clenched and your eyes narrowed, ready to kick ass and take down names. You can come to it because you want a girl to marry you or because you want to change the world. Come to it any way but lightly. Let me say it again: you must not come lightly to the blank page.
Abuse of Language
Over on Banterist, Brian Sack has a great recurring bit called "Grammar Cop," where he includes photos of publicly displayed grammatical errors. Check out today's, as well as some of his archives.
Meantime, here's my initial list of grammar pet peeves. Feel free to suggest others.
Your and You're
Your means belonging to you. Your pimples are huge.
You're is short for you are. You're going to have to do something about those pimples.
Its and It's
Its means belonging to it. I love that restaurant but I can't remember its name.
It's is short for it is. The restaurant you love? It's Mama Leone's.
Their, There, They're
Their means belonging to them. The twins got their tattoos at that tattoo parlor.
There is a location that is not here. Yeah, that tattoo parlor over there.
They're is short for they are. They're very small tattoos.
Would've, Could've, Should've
Would've, Could've and Should've are short for Would have, Could have and Should have.
Would of, Could of and Should of are wrong, no matter how right they may sound!
Meantime, here's my initial list of grammar pet peeves. Feel free to suggest others.
Your and You're
Your means belonging to you. Your pimples are huge.
You're is short for you are. You're going to have to do something about those pimples.
Its and It's
Its means belonging to it. I love that restaurant but I can't remember its name.
It's is short for it is. The restaurant you love? It's Mama Leone's.
Their, There, They're
Their means belonging to them. The twins got their tattoos at that tattoo parlor.
There is a location that is not here. Yeah, that tattoo parlor over there.
They're is short for they are. They're very small tattoos.
Would've, Could've, Should've
Would've, Could've and Should've are short for Would have, Could have and Should have.
Would of, Could of and Should of are wrong, no matter how right they may sound!
A Writing Challenge, answered
Robin over at Big Window called my attention to a writing exercise that seems useful. The challenge is to write something while looking in a mirror, and not use the word "I." Here's my first go at the challenge:
Mirror Girl
Who is she?
She is not the she from yesterday.
Will she still be here tomorrow?
Is she only a brief visitor --
as fragile as the glass reflecting her?
Look too closely,
and she becomes unfamiliar --
a collection of crumbling parts.
But squint a bit,
and you might see the she you remember.
This looking glass
is meant for looking --
not dissecting.
Go ahead and squint.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Quote of the Day, 8/1/06
With a decided "thunk!" a package of books landed on my porch this afternoon. I'm excited to see my replacement copy of Stephen King's On Writing, which I'll quote from tomorrow in honor of my trip to see him read tomorrow evening. But also, I forgot that I ordered a replacement copy of Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov.
Today's quote is from Pale Fire, but first, a little explanation and a book recommendation. Pale Fire is an extraordinary novel in that you might not realize it is a novel. It is set up as a 999 line poem, written by a Robert-Frost-like poet named John Shade just prior to his death; there is a forward to introduce the poem, and substantial commentary after the poem. Note that in my copy, the forward is 17 pages, the poem is 47 pages, and the commentary is 229 pages. There is also a several-page index at the back.
Here is where it gets very cool -- the forward, index and substantial commentary are in the voice of the poem's editor, a man who knew the poet briefly, and who believes that the poem was actually written about his own experiences ... as the exiled king of Zembla. He annotates the poem completely in his own delusional context. It is a lot of fun to read, though not nearly light enough to be what I'd call a good "airplane/beach book."
The quote is from the forward, when you are not yet sure that the person voicing this forward is nuts. In this passage, the editor is commenting on his respect for the poet:
Then the editor goes on:
Today's quote is from Pale Fire, but first, a little explanation and a book recommendation. Pale Fire is an extraordinary novel in that you might not realize it is a novel. It is set up as a 999 line poem, written by a Robert-Frost-like poet named John Shade just prior to his death; there is a forward to introduce the poem, and substantial commentary after the poem. Note that in my copy, the forward is 17 pages, the poem is 47 pages, and the commentary is 229 pages. There is also a several-page index at the back.
Here is where it gets very cool -- the forward, index and substantial commentary are in the voice of the poem's editor, a man who knew the poet briefly, and who believes that the poem was actually written about his own experiences ... as the exiled king of Zembla. He annotates the poem completely in his own delusional context. It is a lot of fun to read, though not nearly light enough to be what I'd call a good "airplane/beach book."
The quote is from the forward, when you are not yet sure that the person voicing this forward is nuts. In this passage, the editor is commenting on his respect for the poet:
I am looking at him. I am witnessing a unique physiological phenomenon: John Shade perceiving and transforming the world, taking it in and taking it apart, re-combining its elements in the very process of storing them up so as to produce at some unspecified date an organic miracle, a fusion of image and music, a line of verse.
Then the editor goes on:
Let me state that without my notes Shade's text simply has no human reality at all since the human reality of such a poem as his... has to depend entirely on the reality of its author and his surroundings, attachments and so forth, a reality that only my notes can provide. To this statement my dear poet would probably not have subscribed, but, for better or for worse, it is the commentator who has the last word.Check this book out if you get a chance. As I said, it's good fun!
A Little Poetry for You (Phil Rizzuto)
From one of my favorite books of poetry, O Holy Cow, the Selected Verse of Phil Rizzuto:
This is a great book if you're a baseball fan, especially if you ever listened to Phil Rizzuto do color commentary for broadcasts of Yankees games. He could interweave the game with whatever random story he wanted to tell, and make it all come out as ... well ... poetry.
Reversal of Opinion
And he hits one in the hole
They're gonna have to hurry.
THEY'LL NEVER GET HIM!
They got him.
How do you like that.
Holy cow.
I changed my mind before he got there.
So that doesn't count as an error.July 10, 1992
Seattle at New York
Dave Fleming pitching to Andy Stankiewicz
First inning, no outs, bases empty
Mariners lead 1-0Hero or the Goat
All right, this is it,
The whole season coming down
To just one ball game,
And every mistake will be magnified,
And every great play will be magnified,
And it's a tough night for the players,
I'll tell ya.
I know last night,
Being in the same situation many times
With the great Yankee teams of the past,
You stay awake,
And you dream,
And you think of what might be,
If you are the hero or the goat.October 14, 1976
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST PLAYOFF
Final game
Kansas City at New York
Pregame show
This is a great book if you're a baseball fan, especially if you ever listened to Phil Rizzuto do color commentary for broadcasts of Yankees games. He could interweave the game with whatever random story he wanted to tell, and make it all come out as ... well ... poetry.
More from Mr. Rogers
A friend saw my Mr. Rogers quote below, and sent me this wonderful link from Mr. Rogers' acceptance speech for the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmys.
If you ever loved Mr. Rogers, grab your hankie before you watch.
To watch the clip, first, open Real Player. If you don't have Real Player, you can download it for free from here.
In Real Player, select File/Open and for location, paste in this link (without the line break):
rtsp://rm.z1.mii-streaming.net/media/pbs/quicktime_real
/mr_rogers/RememberWhen/emmy1.rm
If you ever loved Mr. Rogers, grab your hankie before you watch.
To watch the clip, first, open Real Player. If you don't have Real Player, you can download it for free from here.
In Real Player, select File/Open and for location, paste in this link (without the line break):
rtsp://rm.z1.mii-streaming.net/media/pbs/quicktime_real
/mr_rogers/RememberWhen/emmy1.rm
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