Thursday, December 23, 2021

It Couldn't Happen to Me: Three True Stories of Teenage Moms by Beth Johnson

 


I bought my copy from Thrift Books. Ever am I delighted I did!! Everyone possesses an intelligence of some sort. These young ladies learned harshly the perils of misdirection. I am thankful they continue to persevere. I feel optimism for each of them: Johanna, Rasheedah, and Rachel. I would love to know how they have prospered despite the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.


Live and learn AND/OR

read and learn through the lives of others.

rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A Grand Night

 Travel back in time to listen to this performance. 








Wednesday, December 22, 2021

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia



Gimme more, gimme more, gimme more!!! Not 'gon put up a fight!!! Tell me more, tell me more, tell me more!!! When I placed a hold for this book at the library, I wasn't aware that it ran first in a trio. During reading, I placed holds for the next two books. Rita Williams-Garcia proves herself a phenomenal writer. I refuse to spoil the story. In eager anticipation, I wait for the next books!!!

rating: 5 out of 5 stars

 

Saturday, December 18, 2021

A Christmas Present that Arrived A Week Early

Keith Richards (born on December 18,1943 Saturday) loves books, too!!! He maintains an expansive library in each of his homes. If you want to read more about his love of the written word, I implore you to read At Home With Books: How Booklovers Live with and Care for their Libraries by Estelle Ellis.






Great musicians possess theory of mind. Keith Richards' facial impression indicates broad-mindedness on this photograph with the great Aretha Franklin.


Himawari House by Harmony Becker

 


A book that breaks life with gentle candor. I love this book!!! I won't spoil it but Miss Becker illustrates the varying experiences of adapting to foreign soil. No one is too good or too wise. They suffer yet they ascend. The sparseness of the prose initially rattled me but I grew fond of it. Thank you, Harmony!!!

rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Friday, December 17, 2021

Lucky directed by Laura Checkoway

 


Truth beauty, beauty truth.~ John Keats

This woman has survived tumult. She is capable of love but in the film, we see her directing her love towards her family. On a lighter note, those of us who feel trapped by not investing in our appearance, watch this documentary and see if you are still willing to not make yourself beautiful. Since the end of filming, Lucky sees the worth in herself and has begun the process of healing.



Monday's Child

 

Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace.
Wednesday's child is full of woe,
Thursday's child has far to go.
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child works hard for a living.
And the child born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and blithe, good and gay.

This fortune-telling poem dates to 1838. 

According to "Monday's Child",

~Emicida works hard for a living.
~Froid and Cynthia Luz are full of woe. (I hope not! They're a couple and they're raising children.)
~Peter Doherty is fair of face.
~Carlos Barât is full of grace. 
~Gilberto Gil is loving and giving. ( He is lifelong friends with Caetano Veloso. Both excel at musicianship and singing. Water seeks its own level.)
~Caetano Veloso is loving and giving. (I met him and I am convinced he provides love and generosity.)






Emicida (born Leandro Roque de Oliveira on August 17, 1985 Saturday)



Froid (born Renato Alves Menezes Barreto on September 1, 1993 Wednesday)


Cynthia Luz ( born Cynthia Helena Ribeiro Luz on January 12, 1994 Wednesday)





Peter Doherty (born March 12, 1979 Monday)


Carlos Ashley Raphael Barât (born June 6, 1978 Tuesday)




Gilberto Gil (born Gilberto Passos Moreira Gil on June 26, 1942 Friday)








Caetano Veloso ( born Caetano Emanuel Viana Telles Veloso on August 7, 1942 Friday)









Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso- two men who love each other and occupy the position of immense creators.

Every luminary in this post maintain the positions of sibling and parent. I pray that their children and siblings love, respect, and honor them. I pray their children realize the wisdom of their example and obey the path of love. The Heavenly Father is love and He reveals himself through art. The Heavenly Father is the Master Creator and He pours His love onto us. I see it especially in these individuals. 

Embrace the pantheon of art!!!! 

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Réflexion (en français)

 Je suis allé à une fête d'anniversaire dans un club de l'ancien Hollywood Park Casino vers 2007-2009. Je suis allé au Savoy Club pour voir Daley ("Alone Together") jouer le samedi 6 juin 2015. Nous avons attendu 3 heures et 43 minutes. Je me suis régalé en attendant. Il y avait des clips vidéo et le club Savoy sert des TACOS !!! (C'était la première fois que j'allais dans un club depuis mon expérience au Hollywood Park Casino.) Tout le monde était agréable, sans coups de poing ni agressivité. Je suis toujours ravi d'avoir attendu. Une invitée surprise est arrivée ce soir-là : Marsha Ambrosius. Nous avons éclaté de joie !!! "Alone Together" sonnait exquis même en direct !!!! J'ai réalisé quelques leçons précieuses cette nuit-là. Yvonne Orji ne trompe pas quand elle dit que l'attente est sexy. J'ai aussi rencontré quelqu'un d'autre ce soir-là. Vous vous souvenez de Darlene Ortiz ? Elle était la petite amie d'Ice-T avant son mariage avec Coco Austin. Darlene Ortiz se tenait devant moi en ligne avec son amie. Elle était gracieuse et cela m'a surpris à quel point son style avait évolué. Elle était toujours chic mais pas révélatrice comme elle l'avait été. Lorsqu'elle s'est retournée, je l'ai immédiatement reconnue. Son visage était toujours aussi charmant. Sa silhouette aussi. Elle m'a dit qu'elle écrivait un mémoire. Je suis ravi d'écrire ce paragraphe. Cela m'a rappelé que je n'avais pas encore lu ses mémoires.

Cabo San Lucas, au Mexique, était ma destination pour les vacances de printemps en 11e année. Ma mère, ma tante et moi sommes allés dans l'État de Baja California Sur. Une nuit, nous nous reposions de la journée. J'ai dit à ma tante : "Je veux sortir." Alors nous (ma tante et moi) avons marché sur le trottoir. Cherchez et vous trouverez. Nous n'avons pas marché longtemps. J'ai remarqué un lieu LIT. Cap Wabo Cantina !!! Le club de Sammy Hagar. Nous avons dansé follement. Il faisait encore plus chaud car il n'y avait pas de climatisation dans le club. ROCK CLASSIQUE!!! Je suis monté sur le podium. Tante a choisi de rester par terre. Une autre dame sur le podium a bu beaucoup d'alcool. Elle a commencé à agiter ses poings au rythme de la musique. Elle était si excitée qu'elle m'a donné un coup de poing dans le nez. J'ai doublé. Il était évident pour moi qu'elle n'était pas au courant de ce qu'elle avait fait. Son amie : « elle est ivre. Une fois que j'ai fini de me frotter le nez, j'ai dit à tante qu'il était temps pour nous de retourner à l'hôtel. Elle a accepté. CALIENT !!!

Le Savoy était la seule fois où je suis allé seul dans un club jusqu'à présent. Une autre leçon s'est manifestée. J'avais lu que "toutes les filles sont belles à minuit". Un homme que je n'avais pas remarqué s'est approché de moi. « Non, je dors dans mon lit, monsieur. Bonne nuit et soyez prudent. Ma mère m'avait déposé et était venu me chercher au Savoy. Pas de honte, pas de jugement.


Postscript : Pour ceux qui ne le savent pas, le Savoy est à Inglewood, en Californie. Il s'appelle officiellement le Savoy Entertainment Center. J'ai commandé des tacos au poulet avec de la coriandre et de l'oignon. Vous pouvez manger des tacos à votre guise.

Reflexión (en español)

 Fui a una fiesta de cumpleaños número 21 en un club en el antiguo Hollywood Park Casino alrededor de 2007-2009. Fui al Savoy Club para ver a Daley ("Alone Together") actuar el 6 de junio de 2015 el sábado. Esperamos 3 horas y 43 minutos. Disfruté mientras esperaba. Se mostraron videos musicales y el club Savoy sirve TACOS. (Era la primera vez que asistía a un club desde mi experiencia en el Hollywood Park Casino). Todos fueron agradables, sin puñetazos ni agresividad. Todavía estoy encantado de haber esperado. Una invitada sorpresa llegó esa noche: Marsha Ambrosius. ¡Estallamos de alegría! "Alone Together" sonaba exquisito incluso en vivo. Esa noche me di cuenta de algunas lecciones valiosas. Yvonne Orji no engaña cuando dice que la espera es sexy. También conocí a alguien más esa noche. ¿Recuerdas a Darlene Ortiz? Ella era la novia de Ice-T antes de casarse con Coco Austin. Darlene Ortiz estaba parada frente a mí en línea con su amiga. Fue amable y me sorprendió lo mucho que había evolucionado su estilo. Seguía siendo elegante, pero no tan reveladora como lo había sido. Cuando se dio la vuelta, la reconocí de inmediato. Su rostro seguía siendo encantador. También su figura. Me dijo que estaba escribiendo unas memorias. Estoy encantado de estar escribiendo este párrafo. Me recordó que todavía tengo que leer sus memorias.

Cabo San Lucas, México fue mi destino de vacaciones de primavera en el 11 ° grado. Mi mamá, mi tía y yo nos dirigimos al estado de Baja California Sur. Una noche estábamos descansando del día. Le dije a mi tía: "Quiero salir". Así que nosotros (mi tía y yo) caminamos hacia la acera. Busca y encontrarás. No caminamos por mucho tiempo. Noté un lugar LIT. Cabo Wabo Cantina !!! Club de Sammy Hagar. Bailamos maniáticamente. Hacía aún más calor porque no había aire acondicionado en el club. ¡¡¡ROCK CLASICO!!! Subí al podio. La tía decidió quedarse en el suelo. Otra dama en el podio bebió mucho alcohol. Ella comenzó a agitar los puños al ritmo de la música. Estaba tan emocionada que me dio un puñetazo en la nariz. Me doblé. Para mí era obvio que ella no estaba al tanto de lo que había hecho. Su amiga: "está borracha". Una vez que terminé de frotarme la nariz, le dije a la tía que era hora de que regresáramos al hotel. Ella estuvo de acuerdo. CALIENTE !!!

El Savoy fue la única vez que fui solo a un club hasta ahora. Otra lección manifestada. Había leído que "todas las chicas se ven bien a medianoche". Se me acercó un hombre que no había notado. "No, estoy durmiendo en mi cama, señor. Buenas noches y esté seguro". Mi mamá me había dejado y recogido en el Savoy. Sin vergüenza, sin juzgar.

posdata: Para aquellos que no lo sepan, el Savoy está en Inglewood, California. Se llama oficialmente Savoy Entertainment Center. Pedí tacos de pollo con cilantro y cebolla. Puedes comer tacos al contenido de tu corazón.

Reflexão (em português brasileiro)

 Fui a uma festa de aniversário de 21 anos em um clube do antigo Hollywood Park Casino por volta de 2007-2009. Eu fui ao Savoy Club para ver Daley ("Alone Together") se apresentar em 6 de junho de 2015 no sábado. Esperamos 3 horas e 43 minutos. Eu me diverti enquanto esperava. Foram exibidos vídeos musicais e o clube Savoy serve TACOS !!! (Foi a primeira vez que frequentei um clube desde minha experiência no Hollywood Park Casino.) Todos foram agradáveis, sem socos ou agressividade. Ainda estou feliz por ter esperado. Um convidado surpresa chegou naquela noite: Marsha Ambrosius. Nós explodimos de alegria !!! "Alone Together" soava requintado mesmo ao vivo !!!! Eu percebi algumas lições valiosas naquela noite. Yvonne Orji não está sendo enganosa quando diz que a espera é sexy. Também conheci outra pessoa naquela noite. Lembra de Darlene Ortiz? Ela era namorada de Ice-T antes de ele se casar com Coco Austin. Darlene Ortiz estava parada na minha frente na fila com sua amiga. Ela foi gentil e me surpreendeu o quanto seu estilo havia evoluído. Ela ainda era chique, mas não reveladora como antes. Quando ela se virou, eu a reconheci imediatamente. Seu rosto ainda era adorável. Sua figura também. Ela me disse que estava escrevendo um livro de memórias. Estou muito feliz por estar escrevendo este parágrafo. Isso me lembrou que ainda não li suas memórias.

Cabo San Lucas, no México, foi meu destino de férias de primavera na 11ª série. Minha mãe, minha tia e eu descemos para o estado de Baja California Sur. Uma noite, estávamos descansando do dia. Disse à minha tia: "Quero sair". Então nós (minha tia e eu) caminhamos para a calçada. Procure e você deve encontrar. Não andamos por muito tempo. Notei um local LIT. Cabo Wabo Cantina !!! Clube de Sammy Hagar. Dançamos loucamente. Ficou ainda mais quente porque não havia ar condicionado no clube. ROCK CLÁSSICO!!! Eu subi ao pódio. A titia preferiu ficar no chão. Outra senhora no pódio bebeu muito álcool. Ela começou a acenar com os punhos ao som da música. Ela estava tão animada que me deu um soco no nariz. Eu me dobrei. Era óbvio para mim que ela não sabia o que tinha feito. Sua amiga: "ela está bêbada". Assim que terminei de esfregar o nariz, disse à tia que era hora de voltarmos para o hotel. Ela concordou. QUENTE!!!

O Savoy foi a única vez que fui a um clube sozinho até agora. Outra lição se manifestou. Eu tinha lido que "toda garota fica bem à meia-noite". Um homem que eu não tinha notado se aproximou de mim. "Não, estou dormindo na minha cama, senhor. Boa noite e esteja seguro." Minha mãe me deixou e me pegou no Savoy. Sem vergonha, sem julgamento.

pós-escrito: Para quem não sabe, o Savoy fica em Inglewood, Califórnia. É oficialmente chamado de Savoy Entertainment Center. Pedi tacos de frango com coentro e cebola. Você pode comer tacos o quanto quiser.

Reflection

 I went to a 21st-birthday party at a club at the former Hollywood Park Casino around 2007-2009. I went to the Savoy Club to see Daley ("Alone Together") perform on June 6, 2015 Saturday. We waited 3 hours and 43 minutes. I enjoyed myself while waiting. There were music videos displayed plus the Savoy club serves TACOS!!! (It was my first time attending a club since my experience at the Hollywood Park Casino.) Everyone was pleasant, no fisticuffs or aggressiveness. I am still delighted that I waited. A surprise guest arrived that night: Marsha Ambrosius. We erupted with joy!!! "Alone Together" sounded exquisite even live!!!! I realized some valuable lessons that night. Yvonne Orji is not being deceptive when she says the wait is sexy. I met someone else that night, too. Remember Darlene Ortiz? She was Ice-T's girlfriend before he married Coco Austin. Darlene Ortiz was standing in front of me in line with her friend. She was gracious and it surprised me how much her style had evolved. She was still chic but not revealing as she had been. When she turned around, I recognized her immediately. Her face was still lovely. So was her figure. She told me she was writing a memoir. I am delighted that I am writing this paragraph. It reminded me that I have yet to read her memoir. 


Cabo San Lucas, Mexico was my spring break destination in the 11th grade. My mom, my auntie, and I headed down to the state of Baja California Sur. One night, we were resting from the day. I told my auntie: "I want to go out." So we (my auntie and I) walked onto the sidewalk. Seek and ye shall find. We didn't walk for long. I noticed a LIT venue. Cabo Wabo Cantina!!! Sammy Hagar's club. We danced manically. It got even hotter because there was no air conditioning in the club. CLASSIC ROCK!!! I went on the podium. Auntie chose to stay on the floor. Another lady on the podium drank plenty of alcohol. She started waving her fists to the music. She was so excited she punched me in the nose. I doubled over. It was obvious to me she wasn't cognizant of what she had done. Her friend: "she's drunk." Once I finished rubbing my nose, I told Auntie it was time for us to return to the hotel. She agreed. CALIENTE!!!


The Savoy was the only time I went to a club by myself thus far. Another lesson manifested. I had read that "every girl looks good at midnight." A man who I had not noticed approached me. "No, I am sleeping in my bed, sir. Good night and be safe." My mom had dropped me off and picked me up from the Savoy. No shame, no judging. 


p.s. For those who don't know, the Savoy is in Inglewood, California. It is officially called the Savoy Entertainment Center. I ordered chicken tacos with cilantro and onion. You can eat tacos to your heart's content.



Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Frida Kahlo: The Brush of Anguish by Martha Zamora


My love does not cease for Frida Kahlo. This tome provides light detail of her life. It doesn't provide immense analysis but it is pleasing for someone who wants a brief sketch of her life.

rating: 5 out of 5 stars
 

Look Again by David Bailey

 




I laughed quite a bit with this book. He's cantankerous and honest. He doesn't deny his shortcomings. He wasn't vile about sex even though he has a reputation for lots of it. I didn't know anything about him until I read this book. I love the dishing about days long gone. He has a raucous tale.

rating: 4 out of 5 stars