Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Our New Year’s Resolutions:
We at Weird News B.N.I. pointed out last year the importance of sharing resolutions, in order to have a greater chance of success. If you look up you will see that we did in fact make our resolution this year. (That and that we will need a new tag line in a day.) So we are once again sharing our resolutions, so February we can’t be like “No, we didn’t have and resolutions that we have failed at.” (Unless we delete this post!) Any way here are this years resolutions:
1. Write an average of at least 10 pages a week handwritten, 5 typed or a combination of the two (for example 2 typed and 6 handwritten). This blog does not count unless I am writing a fictional story or poetry.
2. Maintain my current weight or loose weight.
3. Read at least a total of 1825 pages, (i.e. an average of 5 pages a day.) of religious or spiritual writings. As our pastor suggested everyone have a new year’s resolution for their spiritual life, but not pick something unreasonably big for them we will let you know now we A. hope to read more then that and B. are going to be generous in what fits into the category just in case. For example, we are including in it fiction. (Note: to husband, you can not use this to make me read the Narnia series to the kids, you know how I feel about its “Symbolism.” “Hello, descendants of Adam, my name is Aslain and I’ll be your blantly obvious representation of Christ today.”)
1. Write an average of at least 10 pages a week handwritten, 5 typed or a combination of the two (for example 2 typed and 6 handwritten). This blog does not count unless I am writing a fictional story or poetry.
2. Maintain my current weight or loose weight.
3. Read at least a total of 1825 pages, (i.e. an average of 5 pages a day.) of religious or spiritual writings. As our pastor suggested everyone have a new year’s resolution for their spiritual life, but not pick something unreasonably big for them we will let you know now we A. hope to read more then that and B. are going to be generous in what fits into the category just in case. For example, we are including in it fiction. (Note: to husband, you can not use this to make me read the Narnia series to the kids, you know how I feel about its “Symbolism.” “Hello, descendants of Adam, my name is Aslain and I’ll be your blantly obvious representation of Christ today.”)
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Note:
We at W.N.B.N.I. are not trying to over inflate our number of books by having saved a bunch of short, simple to read books for the end of the year. All of the books we have read after book 100 have been Christmas gifts.
A Book in Review – The Greatest Stories Never Told
Book Count: 103
The Greatest Stories Never Told: 100 tales from history to astonish, bewilder, and stupefy By: Rick Beyer
Non-fiction: history 199 pages 2003
This book is based off of the Timelab 2000 series that was on the History Channel in the year 2000. If you recall they were a series of commercial length bits on different unusual bits of history. This book has a couple paragraphs on each event and then a couple pictures, notes, ads or other things on the event mostly from its time. Many of these 100 things were things that the average person wouldn’t know. A few were more well known, but not the type of things you learned in history class (like how a piece of tape was the downfall of Nixon.) It was a collection of fun facts and tidbits that was an easy read in chapters perfect for a few minutes here and there of reading.
The Greatest Stories Never Told: 100 tales from history to astonish, bewilder, and stupefy By: Rick Beyer
Non-fiction: history 199 pages 2003
This book is based off of the Timelab 2000 series that was on the History Channel in the year 2000. If you recall they were a series of commercial length bits on different unusual bits of history. This book has a couple paragraphs on each event and then a couple pictures, notes, ads or other things on the event mostly from its time. Many of these 100 things were things that the average person wouldn’t know. A few were more well known, but not the type of things you learned in history class (like how a piece of tape was the downfall of Nixon.) It was a collection of fun facts and tidbits that was an easy read in chapters perfect for a few minutes here and there of reading.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
A Book in Review – Diary of a Fairy Godmother
Book Count: 102
Diary of a Fairy Godmother By: Esme Raji Codell
Fiction: young adult, fantasy 170 pages 2005
This is the story of a young witch named Hunky Dory. She goes with her aunt to crash the party welcoming a new born princess named Aurora. She learns about fairy godmothers and after her aunt curses the baby with death on her 16th birthday, Hunky Dory feels sorry for her and changes it to a 100 year sleep. This good act makes her feel like she had never done before and she starts to wonder if she could be a fairy godmother. This story is her working out what she wants to do with her life, stay a witch or risk everything to be a fairy godmother. It also connects with many great folklores on witches and stories about witches and fairy godmothers.
Diary of a Fairy Godmother By: Esme Raji Codell
Fiction: young adult, fantasy 170 pages 2005
This is the story of a young witch named Hunky Dory. She goes with her aunt to crash the party welcoming a new born princess named Aurora. She learns about fairy godmothers and after her aunt curses the baby with death on her 16th birthday, Hunky Dory feels sorry for her and changes it to a 100 year sleep. This good act makes her feel like she had never done before and she starts to wonder if she could be a fairy godmother. This story is her working out what she wants to do with her life, stay a witch or risk everything to be a fairy godmother. It also connects with many great folklores on witches and stories about witches and fairy godmothers.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
A Note to Self: Lady Cottington’s Pressed Fairy Book
Book Count: 101
Lady Cottington’s Pressed Fairy Book By: Terry Jones
Fiction: fantasy 60 pages 1994
This is a book based on the story from 1907 of the girl that took pictures of fairies. It is set up like a flower pressing book from that time, but she pressed fairies into the book. The book starts when she was a child and tells the story of her life with fairies. It does a good job of changing writing to show her changes in age. And it had some OK watercolours of fairies and goblins and other such things.
Lady Cottington’s Pressed Fairy Book By: Terry Jones
Fiction: fantasy 60 pages 1994
This is a book based on the story from 1907 of the girl that took pictures of fairies. It is set up like a flower pressing book from that time, but she pressed fairies into the book. The book starts when she was a child and tells the story of her life with fairies. It does a good job of changing writing to show her changes in age. And it had some OK watercolours of fairies and goblins and other such things.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
A Book in Review – Scratch
Book Count: 100
Scratch By: Troon McAllisster
Fiction: sports, humor, court room drama 375 pages 2003
This is a story of a golf ball created by a Caltech physicist to be the world’s best golf ball. This ball cost more than any other ball and has no ads by the creators by still flies off the shelves, because people think it is so great. It is also the story of an illegal counterfeiting golf ball ring. And then the story of the civil case against the makers of the ball by their competition. It is a fun read that is very funny at times. As a non golfer it took a while to get into the story, but this didn’t stop me from enjoying the story.
Scratch By: Troon McAllisster
Fiction: sports, humor, court room drama 375 pages 2003
This is a story of a golf ball created by a Caltech physicist to be the world’s best golf ball. This ball cost more than any other ball and has no ads by the creators by still flies off the shelves, because people think it is so great. It is also the story of an illegal counterfeiting golf ball ring. And then the story of the civil case against the makers of the ball by their competition. It is a fun read that is very funny at times. As a non golfer it took a while to get into the story, but this didn’t stop me from enjoying the story.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Movie Quotes:
We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.
-elf
SANTA! OH MY GOD! SANTA'S COMING! I KNOW HIM! I KNOW HIM! -elf
I passed through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and then I walked through the Lincoln Tunnel.
-elf
Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?
-Christmas vacation
You'll shoot your eye out, kid. - A Christmas story
Every kid, at the back of his mind, vaguely but insistently, believes that he will be struck blind before his 21st birthday. And then they'll be sorry. - A Christmas story
Christmas was on its way. Lovely, glorious, beautiful Christmas, upon which the entire kid year revolved. - A Christmas story
-elf
SANTA! OH MY GOD! SANTA'S COMING! I KNOW HIM! I KNOW HIM! -elf
I passed through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and then I walked through the Lincoln Tunnel.
-elf
Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?
-Christmas vacation
You'll shoot your eye out, kid. - A Christmas story
Every kid, at the back of his mind, vaguely but insistently, believes that he will be struck blind before his 21st birthday. And then they'll be sorry. - A Christmas story
Christmas was on its way. Lovely, glorious, beautiful Christmas, upon which the entire kid year revolved. - A Christmas story
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
End of the year time
Once again it is the end of the year. We at WNBNI would like to remind you it’s the time for last minute tax write-offs. Now is the time for end of year giving to charities. Although in the past we listed various charities info, with the current economy it is sooo easy to think up many a charity in need. So find one to help today.
Monday, December 22, 2008
New Year's Resolutions
As you may remember at the start of this year we resolved to read 100 books this year. A quick look as our posts show that we are reading 100 now. So it is time to think about next year, and look back to the start of this year. How have your resolutions gone? What are you doing this coming year? Remember sharing goals with others increases the chance that you will succeed.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Happy Solstice,
Yule, Yalda, Dongzhi, Midwinter, Longest night and/or and other holidays for today based on the changing length of day and night.
A Book in Review – The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern
Book Count: 99
The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern By: Lilian Jackson Braun
Fiction: mystery 267
This is a book in which Koko the cat and his human, Jim Qwilleran solve a number of crimes while working on an interior design magazine for their paper. The crimes all connect with the magazine in that ever place that gets photographed for the magazine is connected to a crime soon after. These crimes include, murder, prostitution and theft. Also the cat enjoys eating a good Danish modern chair.
The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern By: Lilian Jackson Braun
Fiction: mystery 267
This is a book in which Koko the cat and his human, Jim Qwilleran solve a number of crimes while working on an interior design magazine for their paper. The crimes all connect with the magazine in that ever place that gets photographed for the magazine is connected to a crime soon after. These crimes include, murder, prostitution and theft. Also the cat enjoys eating a good Danish modern chair.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Back to normal
As the number of shopping days until Christmas wind down, most people have either finished shopping, or know what they will be giving. For this reason the last few books we read this month will go back to our normal “A Book in Review” or “A Note to Self:”
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Gifts for Book Lovers- The Changing Face of War
Book Count: 98
For: Military historians
The Changing Face of War: Combat From the Marne to Iraq By: Martin Van Creveld
Non-Fiction: military, history 278 pages 2008
This is a book that looks at the changes in warfare in the last century. It also talks about earlier wars when explaining how fighting of the first World War developed. It goes mainly over WWI, WWII, the cold war, and modern fighting including both U.S. wars in Iraq, Israel’s wars and fighting in North Ireland. This book goes over many aspects of these fights and gives info on the wars as well as brakes down winning and loosing strategies.
For: Military historians
The Changing Face of War: Combat From the Marne to Iraq By: Martin Van Creveld
Non-Fiction: military, history 278 pages 2008
This is a book that looks at the changes in warfare in the last century. It also talks about earlier wars when explaining how fighting of the first World War developed. It goes mainly over WWI, WWII, the cold war, and modern fighting including both U.S. wars in Iraq, Israel’s wars and fighting in North Ireland. This book goes over many aspects of these fights and gives info on the wars as well as brakes down winning and loosing strategies.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Crazy Busy:
OK, so we were planning on making lots of holiday posts for all the December holidays. As you can see that hasn’t happened. We, like everyone else this time of year has gotten crazy busy. That, and as we have been actually turning the computer off to save energy, when we are free its off and we don’t want to spend 5 minutes to turn it on. But, we are done with our Christmas shopping. Now in order to have more free time we just need to: wrap presents, send out cards, make cookies, visit friends, visit family, make more cookies, baste fruitcakes, fill stocking, 20 other things we can’t think of now, and all the day to day things we had to do any way. It should be no problem!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Gifts for Book Lovers- Chosen
Book Count: 97
For: Ted Dekker fans, teens, and people into: The Lord of the Rings”
Chosen, The Lost Books #1, by: Ted Dekker
Fiction: young adult, sci-fi/ fantasy, adventure, religion 260 pages 2007
As the “For:” bit gives away a lot of info on a book, I’m going to start there. This book is a story about a group of 16 and 17 year olds and so has been written as teen or young adult fiction. However, you will get more out of it as a Ted Dekker fan as it has references to other books of his in it. For example, one sceene involved the main character of the book “Skin” and it appears that one of the main characters in this book is from the “Circle Trilogy”. This book also is about an earthlike land with connections with our world and starts with a map; in a very “Middle Earth” type way. It is about a world where a group of people live in a forest and must defend themselves from the “Horde” that live in the surrounding desert. The Horde use to be people like them, but they got an illness, that turns them into stupid killer by not bathing in special waters every day giving to the people by Elyon (God). Four teens that joined the forest guards to protect the people from the Horde are given a mission to find a set of lost books by a giant white bat. (angel) This is the story of them deciding on if they will take the mission and getting threw the desert, looking for the first lost book.
For: Ted Dekker fans, teens, and people into: The Lord of the Rings”
Chosen, The Lost Books #1, by: Ted Dekker
Fiction: young adult, sci-fi/ fantasy, adventure, religion 260 pages 2007
As the “For:” bit gives away a lot of info on a book, I’m going to start there. This book is a story about a group of 16 and 17 year olds and so has been written as teen or young adult fiction. However, you will get more out of it as a Ted Dekker fan as it has references to other books of his in it. For example, one sceene involved the main character of the book “Skin” and it appears that one of the main characters in this book is from the “Circle Trilogy”. This book also is about an earthlike land with connections with our world and starts with a map; in a very “Middle Earth” type way. It is about a world where a group of people live in a forest and must defend themselves from the “Horde” that live in the surrounding desert. The Horde use to be people like them, but they got an illness, that turns them into stupid killer by not bathing in special waters every day giving to the people by Elyon (God). Four teens that joined the forest guards to protect the people from the Horde are given a mission to find a set of lost books by a giant white bat. (angel) This is the story of them deciding on if they will take the mission and getting threw the desert, looking for the first lost book.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Shameless Begging
It is once again that time of year when we at Weird News B.N.I. put together a list of ideas to give the Computer Cultured American (i.e. nerds and geeks) in your life. While you all full well know 1) what a CCA wants and 2) we are only shamelessly trying to get you to give us these things. Anyway here are some gift ideas, that keeping with the: you really don’t need help with this theme, can all be found on-line. This year in addition to my favorite geek on-line store of Think Geek (http://www.thinkgeek.com/) I will also use a new favorite on-line store of oddities to list from, Archie McPhee (http://www.mcphee.com/)
* Candy and Mints: Sure we geeks all love strange Japanese candies, but we have found even stranger mints to try, including: anise flavored Absinthe mints, Decaf, Double Short, Low-Fat Mochaccino Mints and grog flavored Pirate Mints, just don’t get us flavorless Nihilist Mints, or Chum Bucket Mints. And how about some Wasabi or Shakespearean insult gum?
* What’s more fun than a Glow-in-the-Dark Flesh Eating Zombies Play Set? The Horrified B-Movie Victims to go with it.
* The Ultimate Geek Pen, it’s the ultimate!!!
* Geek temporary tattoos, w00t!
* A Desktop Carnivorous Plant set, good for really, really small annoying bosses.
* 20 questions pocket mind reader, its minutes of fun!
* Dread Pirate Roberts Action Figure, add your favorite “The Princess Bride” quote here.
* Candy and Mints: Sure we geeks all love strange Japanese candies, but we have found even stranger mints to try, including: anise flavored Absinthe mints, Decaf, Double Short, Low-Fat Mochaccino Mints and grog flavored Pirate Mints, just don’t get us flavorless Nihilist Mints, or Chum Bucket Mints. And how about some Wasabi or Shakespearean insult gum?
* What’s more fun than a Glow-in-the-Dark Flesh Eating Zombies Play Set? The Horrified B-Movie Victims to go with it.
* The Ultimate Geek Pen, it’s the ultimate!!!
* Geek temporary tattoos, w00t!
* A Desktop Carnivorous Plant set, good for really, really small annoying bosses.
* 20 questions pocket mind reader, its minutes of fun!
* Dread Pirate Roberts Action Figure, add your favorite “The Princess Bride” quote here.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Gifts for Book Lovers- The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy
Book count: 96
For: people who like sci-fi, comedies, teens
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by: Douglas Adams
fiction: sci-fi, comedy 309 pages (including bonus section on movie) 1979
First, I know that this is one of the books that I should have read back in high school. It was on my list, but even with reading half a dozen books in a week I didn't get to it. Second, I haven't seen the movie, but reading the section on it makes one appreciate what goes into making a book into a movie. Now about the book. It starts with the end of the earth and ends with a trip to a restaurant. It is the opposite storyline of most every book, and that is what makes it great. That, and fjords.
For: people who like sci-fi, comedies, teens
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by: Douglas Adams
fiction: sci-fi, comedy 309 pages (including bonus section on movie) 1979
First, I know that this is one of the books that I should have read back in high school. It was on my list, but even with reading half a dozen books in a week I didn't get to it. Second, I haven't seen the movie, but reading the section on it makes one appreciate what goes into making a book into a movie. Now about the book. It starts with the end of the earth and ends with a trip to a restaurant. It is the opposite storyline of most every book, and that is what makes it great. That, and fjords.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
St. Nicholas Quiz
-find out how much you know about the real Santa Claus.
1. The name Nicholas means this in Greek.
A. Fat, happy man
B. Joy of father’s life
C. Victory of the people
D. Traveler of the sea
2. The Feast of St. Nicholas is on what date?
A. December 6th, you just wrote about it
B. December 25th, that’s why he is connected with Christmas
C. January 6th, the last day of Christmas
D. March 15th, the ides
3. How are saint’s feast days traditionally set?
A. The day they were born
B. The day they died
C. The day they did their 1st miracle
D. What day is free on the calendar
4. Which of these is St. Nicholas NOT a patron saint of?
A. Travelers
B. Pawnbrokers
C. Brides and Grooms
D. Dwarfs
E. Prostitutes
F. Sailors
G. Children
5. What job is it known that St. Nicholas had during his life?
A. Galley Slave
B. Bishop of Myra
C. Shepard
D. Prince of Mycenaean
6. Why is St. Nicholas known for his gift giving? (According to tradition)
A. He was a very rich member of nobility when he joined the monastery and the abbot made him hand out his wealth to all of the poor villagers in the town.
B. He started the tradition of giving gifts on Christmas as a way to help people understand the meaning of the day more.
C. He never actually gave gifts to people, when translating his life story from Greek to Latin a monk made a mistake causing the confusion; he actually was a gifted story teller.
D. He tossed bags of gold into a house of a poor man for his girl’s dowries to prevent them from becoming prostitutes.
7. What country (using modern day ones) did St. Nicholas live in?
A. Greece
B. Turkey
C. Italy
D. Iran
8. Where is the body of St. Nicholas currently?
A. Greece
B. Turkey
C. Italy
D. Iran
Answers:
1. C. Victory of the people
2. A. December 6th, you just wrote about it
3. B. The day they died
4. D. Dwarfs
5. B. Bishop of Myra
6. D. He tossed bags of gold into a house of a poor man for his girl’s dowries to prevent them from becoming prostitutes.
7. B. Turkey
8. C. Italy
1. The name Nicholas means this in Greek.
A. Fat, happy man
B. Joy of father’s life
C. Victory of the people
D. Traveler of the sea
2. The Feast of St. Nicholas is on what date?
A. December 6th, you just wrote about it
B. December 25th, that’s why he is connected with Christmas
C. January 6th, the last day of Christmas
D. March 15th, the ides
3. How are saint’s feast days traditionally set?
A. The day they were born
B. The day they died
C. The day they did their 1st miracle
D. What day is free on the calendar
4. Which of these is St. Nicholas NOT a patron saint of?
A. Travelers
B. Pawnbrokers
C. Brides and Grooms
D. Dwarfs
E. Prostitutes
F. Sailors
G. Children
5. What job is it known that St. Nicholas had during his life?
A. Galley Slave
B. Bishop of Myra
C. Shepard
D. Prince of Mycenaean
6. Why is St. Nicholas known for his gift giving? (According to tradition)
A. He was a very rich member of nobility when he joined the monastery and the abbot made him hand out his wealth to all of the poor villagers in the town.
B. He started the tradition of giving gifts on Christmas as a way to help people understand the meaning of the day more.
C. He never actually gave gifts to people, when translating his life story from Greek to Latin a monk made a mistake causing the confusion; he actually was a gifted story teller.
D. He tossed bags of gold into a house of a poor man for his girl’s dowries to prevent them from becoming prostitutes.
7. What country (using modern day ones) did St. Nicholas live in?
A. Greece
B. Turkey
C. Italy
D. Iran
8. Where is the body of St. Nicholas currently?
A. Greece
B. Turkey
C. Italy
D. Iran
Answers:
1. C. Victory of the people
2. A. December 6th, you just wrote about it
3. B. The day they died
4. D. Dwarfs
5. B. Bishop of Myra
6. D. He tossed bags of gold into a house of a poor man for his girl’s dowries to prevent them from becoming prostitutes.
7. B. Turkey
8. C. Italy
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Christmas letter:
Its that time of year again. The time I'm to make up a Christmas letter about all the great things that happened this year. And of course, I need to fill a page up with 4 lines worth of information. And unlike school papers and resumes I can't just make it all up, as I will see these people again. So, does anyone out there have any good ideas on b.s.ing a Christmas letter? And not writing one is not a choice as the one who doesn't write it thinks its such a great idea.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Reminder:
We at W.N.B.N.I. would like to remind you that we have many holiday posting from earlier years. Remember to look threw earlier post, so we don't have to repeat things every year. (Not that we won't repeat somethings. [Blanint gift begging coming soon!])
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Gifts for Book Lovers- Splintered Icon
Book count: 95
For: mystery lovers, people who liked "The Da Vinci Code"
Splintered Icon by: Bill Napier
fiction: mystery, suspense 357 pages 2003
First, this book starts with a flash forward, which is annoying for two reasons. A: it in no way notes that it is a flash forward so it is confusing. B: once you find out that it is a flash forward it kind of messes things up as you know a very important part of the story a head of time. also, the writer is British so at times you need to translate a word or two from The Queen's English to American. Besides that the book was a fun read. It's about a old journal written by a sailor that many people want to get their hands on do to what it is about. It is also about a ancient icon that may contain apiece of the True Cross, a calendar, religious fighting, & non-albino members of Opus Dei.
For: mystery lovers, people who liked "The Da Vinci Code"
Splintered Icon by: Bill Napier
fiction: mystery, suspense 357 pages 2003
First, this book starts with a flash forward, which is annoying for two reasons. A: it in no way notes that it is a flash forward so it is confusing. B: once you find out that it is a flash forward it kind of messes things up as you know a very important part of the story a head of time. also, the writer is British so at times you need to translate a word or two from The Queen's English to American. Besides that the book was a fun read. It's about a old journal written by a sailor that many people want to get their hands on do to what it is about. It is also about a ancient icon that may contain apiece of the True Cross, a calendar, religious fighting, & non-albino members of Opus Dei.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Book Count: November
Number of books read: 7
Pages read: 1638
Average number of days to read a book: 4
Average number of pages read in a day: 55
Number of more books to read to reach goal: 6
Pages read: 1638
Average number of days to read a book: 4
Average number of pages read in a day: 55
Number of more books to read to reach goal: 6
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