Throwback Thursday-Diners Drive-Ins and Dives (2007-Present)

There is nothing in the world like your favorite local restaurant. Walking into this restaurant and ordering your favorite dish is akin to going home and eating a favorite meal as only a loved one can make it.

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (2007-Present) has been a staple of the Food Network schedule for over a decade. Hosted by Guy Fieri, the viewer is taken all over the country (and all over the world) to restaurants that while are not exactly high-end, are extremely pleasing to the taste buds of their patrons. Visiting establishments of varying sizes and cuisines, Fieri takes the viewer to the kitchen where one member of the kitchen staff walks the viewer through the step by step process of creating at least one popular dish from the menu.

I really like Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. While it technically falls under the banner of reality television, it doesn’t feel like reality television. It feels like your taking a road trip and along the way, stopping for a delicious meal at a restaurant that you might have walked into, had you not decided to go on the road trip.

I recommend it.

 

Seven Steps on the Writer’s Path: The Journey from Frustration to Fulfillment Book Review

Nathaniel Hawthorne once said the following:

“Easy reading is damn hard writing.”

In 2003, veteran writers Nancy Pickard and Lynn Lott co-published the book, Seven Steps on the Writer’s Path: The Journey from Frustration to Fulfillment. Using their experience and the experiences of other writers, the authors guides the reader through the process of writing via a series of 7 steps. The 7 steps are as follows: Unhappiness, Wanting, Commitment, Wavering, Letting Go, Immersion, and Fulfillment.

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed because the process of writing is universal, regardless of whether one is working on their first novel or their tenth novel. From my perspective, the book is a reminder that while writing is never easy and success is never guaranteed, there is always something to be learned in the process.

I recommend it.

New Randy Rainbow Video-“Trump’s Favorite Things! – A Randy Rainbow Song Parody”

The ability to laugh in the face of uncertainty or fear is one of best coping mechanisms that human beings have.

Especially when it comes to politics.

Randy Rainbow released his latest video earlier today. Entitled “Trump’s Favorite Things! – A Randy Rainbow Song Parody”, he uses  the song and the mood from “My Favorite Things” from the The Sound of Music as a backdrop for the video.

Anyone who knows my blog knows that I adore Randy Rainbow. Every time that he releases a new video, it makes my day. I saw him perform live in August.

The man is brilliant, the man is funny and most of all, his videos alleviate the stress that goes hand in hand with state of American politics these days.

On Being Stuck: Tapping Into the Creative Power of Writer’s Block Book Review

Ask any writer and they will tell you that writer’s block is the most difficult part of writing.

In her 2016 book, On Being Stuck: Tapping Into the Creative Power of Writer’s Block, Laraine Herring not only that writer’s block is real, but literally walks her reader out of it and back to writing. While other successful writers have said that writer’s block is an excuse to not write, Ms. Herring understands that not only is it real, but it does stop the writing process in its tracks. In addition to comforting the writer during their writer’s book, she includes writing exercises and basic yoga moves/breathing exercises to relieve the stress from the writer’s block.

I really like this book. It’s easy to criticize your fellow writer they are stuck due to writer’s block, it’s harder to bring them out of it and back to writing. I especially appreciated the basic yoga moves/breathing exercises because getting up and moving is often the best way to decrease stress or anxiety.

I recommend it.

Where We Go from Here: Two Years in the Resistance Book Review

For many voters, Bernie Sanders was the surprise candidate during the 2016 Presidential Election. For many Americans, he spoke to them in a way about the issues that affected their lives that felt direct and personal.

His new book, Where We Go from Here: Two Years in the Resistance, is about what we as Americans need to do to move forward with the progressive agenda. Written in a linear style that starts with the 2016 Presidential election and ends earlier this year, this book is both a call to action and a reminder of the work that needs to be done to ensure that the American democracy is not a sham.

Many of my regular readers know that I voted for Hillary Clinton two years ago. Back then, something about Bernie Sanders did not sit right with me. But after reading this book, I appreciate and agree with his political views in a way that I was not able to before.

I recommend it.

Thoughts On The First Night Of Hanukkah

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah.

For me, Hanukkah is the story of survival against all odds. It can be argued that the Hanukkah is essentially the story of military victory, but for me, it is so much more.

It’s about a minority group who in spite of assimilation and persecution is not only able to beat back the conquering army, but also able to openly celebrate who they are.

It’s no secret that throughout most of human history Jews have been at best tolerated and at worst, murdered. But we survived and we are still here. Hanukkah speaks to the miracle of the holiday, the human ingenuity and the human strength to survive when all seems lost.

Wherever you are, if you celebrate, have a Happy Hanukkah.

 

Thoughts On SNL’s Impression Of The Late President Bush And His Reaction

There was a time in this country when political satire was merely part and parcel of the way that the voting public viewed those who they voted into office.

In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, Dana Carvey portrayed then President George H.W. Bush on Saturday Night Live.

It was brilliant, it was funny and most of all, the real President Bush laughed along with the rest of America.

With his passing yesterday, the country is in mourning for not just a President, but a politician who understood and appreciated the value of political satire.

These days, depending on where you stand on the political spectrum, political satire is either a way to let off the stress one feels about those currently in the corridors of power or it is deeply offensive.

As I stated in yesterday’s post about the late President Bush, I was too young back then to have a reaction to the decisions he made while in office. But I look back now and if nothing else, I appreciate that he understood that political satire was an important aspect of the American political scene.

It would be nice if the current White House resident understood that.

 

Rebecca Book Review

After one’s spouse passes on, it is common for the surviving spouse to remarry after a period of time. The question is, has the surviving spouse moved on or does the memories of their late husband or wife live on?

In the classic novel, Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier, the main character is a young woman who is only named once in the story. Working as a paid companion for a wealthy American socialite, she meets Maxim de Winter in France. Maxim is a good twenty years older than the narrative, wealthy and a widower. They quickly fall in love and marry.

After the honeymoon, the newlyweds arrive at Maxim’s estate, named Manderley to start their new lives together. But something is off. Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper can only be described as sinister. Though the late Mrs. de Winter, Rebecca, has passed on, her presence is still felt. Can the narrative discover the secrets of the past, or will Rebecca haunt them forever?

I’ve heard of this book, but I’ve never read it until now. I am so glad that I did. I was on the edge of my seat, wondering what secrets this house held and how long it would be before those secrets were revealed.

I recommend it.

 

Harry Potter: A History of Magic Review

Harry Potter is a literary phenomenon. J.K. Rowling‘s books about the boy who lived has inspired an entire generation to love reading and believe in the power of magic.

Harry Potter: A History of Magic opened at the New York Historical Society on October 5th.

The exhibit tells both the story of Rowling’s writing process and the myths that inspired her as she wrote the novels. Containing historical artifacts, original art and pieces of the pre-publishing manuscript, the exhibit is a new spin the story that we all know and love.

I am not a huge Potterhead, but I loved this exhibit. It is engaging, fascinating, but most of all, it is incredible fun. As a writer, I enjoyed it because her process of writing was no different from any other writer’s. It inspired and reminded me that good writing is hard work and hard work hopefully leads to professional success.

I absolutely recommend it.

Harry Potter: A History of Magic will be at the New York Historical Society (170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024) until January 27th, 2019. Check the website for ticket prices and museum hours. 

 

RIP President George H.W. Bush

Few things bring a country together like the passing of a former President.

This morning, it was announced that former American President George H.W. Bush passed away last night. He was 94 years old.

The patriarch of the Bush political dynasty, President Bush led the country from 1989-1993. Two of his sons followed in their father’s footsteps. George W. Bush was President from 2001-2009. Jeb Bush was Governor of Florida from 1999-2007 and a Presidential candidate during the 2016 Presidential election.

He is remembered not just a President. He was a World War II veteran, a public servant, a husband, a father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

I don’t remember much about his time in office. I too young back then to know or understand how his leadership was impacting the country. But I can respect someone who understands what they are getting into when they get into politics. It’s not about them or their needs/ego/desires. It’s about serving the American public and realizing that the voting public, not the special interest groups or billionaires, are the ones who the politicians are responsible to.

I also deeply respect that his marriage to his late wife, Barbara Bush lasted 73 years. If we are lucky enough, we will find someone to spend nearly three-quarters of a century married to.

May his memory be a blessing to all of us, especially those who knew and loved him best. RIP.