Dear friend,
You could hardly expect me to let this particular date go by without any sort of post, now could you? Yes, once again, it's my birthday. So, once again, I'm posting a birthday post.
I did my usual sort of celebration, lunch with my dear mum, shopping and new Breyer horse model. There was, however, an unexpected event added to my day.
I live, pretty much, in the country and many of the people around here own either horses or cows. These aren't farms or ranches, just that the homeowners live on enough land that they can keep a few animals around. I'm very used to driving past a certain house on our street and seeing about half a dozen cows in a fenced in area. Just like normal today, we drove past this house and saw the cows. One thing was out of the ordinary, however, a calf was on the wrong side of the fence.
The rest of the cows, still safely standing inside the fence, were looking with what I could only assume was a mixture of concern and curiosity at this little creature who seemed to have no idea how to get back in to "mommy."
Since they were so close to the road, and it would be a terrible thing if the poor little calf got hit by a car, we pulled into the driveway, hoping to alert the owner of these cows that their calf had escaped. The little black thing walked slowly in front of the car, eventually moving over to the side of the driveway to let us past him.
No one was home.
This was a problem. I have no idea how to deal with cows. My mother has no idea how to deal with cows. We couldn't figure out how to get back down the driveway without "pushing" the calf back toward the road.
The cows still inside the fence walked up and down, following the calf for every step he took.
Mom decided to pray, and that seemed to push the little calf closer to the fence, and away from the road.
Just then, we noticed the very large hole in the fence that the calf must have gone through to make his escape. I decided to get out of the car and see if I could coax the calf back through the hole.
Standing outside the car, a few feet from the adorable, and obviously nervous, little calf I realized how very large his mother was.
I suddenly worried that this huge animal might think I was some sort of threat to her baby. The fence was already damaged, and this cow was staring at me, just a few feet away.
I decided to just go for it anyway, and moved a little closer to the calf. My mom had gotten out of the car now, and the calf had two choices, either walk closer to either of these two strange women, or jump through the hole in the fence.
Praise God, he chose the fence.
He immediately walked back to his mother, and the whole group of cows (I suppose they're called a herd?) walked away from the fence, surrounding the calf.
So, for my birthday, I saved a calf's life. How was your day?
It was a fun birthday. I must remember to call the neighbors and urge them to fix the fence...
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Monday, December 12, 2011
Where have I been all this time?
Dear Friend,
It seems to have been quite a long time since I last used this blog of mine. I haven't been particularly busy, I'm sad to say, so it isn't that I haven't had time to write. I have simply lacked either motivation or inclination.
I had truly intended to make 2011 a year of writing, writing and more writing. I started off pretty well at the beginning of the year. It seems, though, that much like what happens to my other self-improvement projects, my enthusiasm tapered off. I still love writing, I still have thoughts I like to explore through putting my views down on paper, or in a word processor, as it may be, but I seem to have been in a different phase lately.
I'm not making promises. I won't say, "Next year I'll write at least once a week." I just know that if I were to do that I'd disappoint myself, not to mention any readers this blog might still manage to get.
For now, I'd like to wish my readers a Merry Christmas, a Blessed New Year, and God's Grace to their lives. I'll figure out what I'm doing with this soon.
It seems to have been quite a long time since I last used this blog of mine. I haven't been particularly busy, I'm sad to say, so it isn't that I haven't had time to write. I have simply lacked either motivation or inclination.
I had truly intended to make 2011 a year of writing, writing and more writing. I started off pretty well at the beginning of the year. It seems, though, that much like what happens to my other self-improvement projects, my enthusiasm tapered off. I still love writing, I still have thoughts I like to explore through putting my views down on paper, or in a word processor, as it may be, but I seem to have been in a different phase lately.
I'm not making promises. I won't say, "Next year I'll write at least once a week." I just know that if I were to do that I'd disappoint myself, not to mention any readers this blog might still manage to get.
For now, I'd like to wish my readers a Merry Christmas, a Blessed New Year, and God's Grace to their lives. I'll figure out what I'm doing with this soon.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
So that's what I'm supposed to do!
Dear Friend,
I read the most recent blog entry by Adam Young, entitled How To Get Over It. At the end of the entry he says, "If you need me, I’ll be in my fuzzy turtleneck with a bowl of cereal staring out the kitchen window. I like the way the rain sounds against these old bay windows." It reminded me of the Relient K song "Jefferson Aero Plane" and got me wondering.
Apparently, friend, eating cereal and staring out of windows is a legitimate way of dealing with emotional problems. If this is true, why haven't I done so? I can't remember ever grabbing a bowl of cereal and staring out of the window, rainy day or not.
Usually, if I'm having cereal I will occupy myself by reading the box, either the back where they advertise whatever other product they wish to sell me or sing the praises of the product I'm already consuming, or I read the nutritional information.
Apparently, for all these years, I've been doing it all wrong. I need to eat cereal in a melancholy and introspective fashion, preferably in the cold, if all this talk of fuzzy sweaters and open windows is any indication.
Thank you, Owl City and Relient K, for showing me the error of my ways, and presenting me with a new way to handle my emotional dilemmas.
I read the most recent blog entry by Adam Young, entitled How To Get Over It. At the end of the entry he says, "If you need me, I’ll be in my fuzzy turtleneck with a bowl of cereal staring out the kitchen window. I like the way the rain sounds against these old bay windows." It reminded me of the Relient K song "Jefferson Aero Plane" and got me wondering.
Apparently, friend, eating cereal and staring out of windows is a legitimate way of dealing with emotional problems. If this is true, why haven't I done so? I can't remember ever grabbing a bowl of cereal and staring out of the window, rainy day or not.
Usually, if I'm having cereal I will occupy myself by reading the box, either the back where they advertise whatever other product they wish to sell me or sing the praises of the product I'm already consuming, or I read the nutritional information.
Apparently, for all these years, I've been doing it all wrong. I need to eat cereal in a melancholy and introspective fashion, preferably in the cold, if all this talk of fuzzy sweaters and open windows is any indication.
Thank you, Owl City and Relient K, for showing me the error of my ways, and presenting me with a new way to handle my emotional dilemmas.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Late night music and thoughts
Dear Friend,
Did you know that the voice of Jiminy Cricket in Disney's Pinocchio was Cliff Edwards aka Ukelele Ike? (It hurt me to spell Ukulele like that, just so you know.) I didn't find that out until a few days ago. That video is of his song "Night Owl" played over a clip of His Girl Friday, one of my favorite movies. I didn't realize that he was in His Girl Friday, either... I'm learning a lot lately. (Like Cliff was friends with Buster Keaton, who also played uke, useful facts like that.)
I play ukulele now. My skills are... not great, but every day I practice, and it's fun. The instrument is so happy and sunny that playing it can't ever be anything but fun. It's far easier than guitar (though I'm still trying with the guitar) and less strict than piano (or at least my way of learning piano).
My main problem with this lovely little instrument is my voice. I'm not comfortable singing, even without an audience. I've tried and tried to sing while playing, but my voice drops so low I can barely hear it. That's quite a feat, singing so that you can't hear your own voice. I don't think that I can't sing, I know that no one will be offering me a recording contract if they heard me, but stray cats won't howl at the sound of my voice, either. I can carry a tune, I just need to convince myself that, since I'm just having fun with it, I don't need to be astounding to sing. I can just be adequate.
So, enjoy some music folks, it's too fun not to.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
I Quit
Dear Friend,
I quit the Camp NaNoWriMo. Sorry, but the motivation just wasn't there. I still love the character I was writing about, and may someday try again to tell her early story. Or I might just leave it in flashbacks or my own head as I write other stories with her. Who knows, but there's still plenty of possibilities.
This experience has left me thinking about quitting, and when it's OK or not OK to give up. I don't like to quit. I guess hearing the phrase "Winners never quit and quitters never win" so many times in my life actually set the idea firmly in my brain. Even when I hate doing something I keep at it. Most of the time, anyway.
The biggest thing I ever quit was piano. I started piano lessons around age eight, and continued steadily until almost eighteen. I had a large range of teachers, from great to horrible. The worst of my teachers would change the fingering of pieces, making them harder to play, so that my fingers would look pretty. Even when she was telling me that I knew she was full of garbage, and I wasn't one of those kids who questioned my teachers.
My last teacher was a great teacher, and I learned a great deal from her. Most likely, if I hadn't moved while she was my teacher I would have kept learning from her for a long time. However, I did move, and when I thought about looking for a new teacher, even working on an audition piece, I was less than enthusiastic. I had learned a good deal from this teacher, but I hadn't had a lot of fun. She entered me into a lot of competitions, so a good deal of my practice time was preparing for those, and I never actually liked the compositions she chose for me to compete with.
That was when I realized, I had been playing songs I either didn't care about or outright didn't like for ten years! I loved that I knew how to play piano. I loved the sound of the instrument, I loved classical music. I didn't love playing only classical music. By the time I could play a song well I had analyzed and memorized and gone over the music so much that it didn't sound like music anymore. It sounded like an exercise. Music wasn't fun.
So I quit.
I've tried a few times in the ten years since to get back into piano, and am on a pretty good run right now. I can play and enjoy it. I've missed a lot of really important years of practice, and I've forgotten a lot of things that I should remember, but I like doing it now.
Don't get me wrong, it's still work, hard work, but I'm able to go at the pace I want, and play what I like. I'm considering going back to a teacher, but for now I'll enjoy making music. Not perfect music, just music.
I quit the Camp NaNoWriMo. Sorry, but the motivation just wasn't there. I still love the character I was writing about, and may someday try again to tell her early story. Or I might just leave it in flashbacks or my own head as I write other stories with her. Who knows, but there's still plenty of possibilities.
This experience has left me thinking about quitting, and when it's OK or not OK to give up. I don't like to quit. I guess hearing the phrase "Winners never quit and quitters never win" so many times in my life actually set the idea firmly in my brain. Even when I hate doing something I keep at it. Most of the time, anyway.
The biggest thing I ever quit was piano. I started piano lessons around age eight, and continued steadily until almost eighteen. I had a large range of teachers, from great to horrible. The worst of my teachers would change the fingering of pieces, making them harder to play, so that my fingers would look pretty. Even when she was telling me that I knew she was full of garbage, and I wasn't one of those kids who questioned my teachers.
My last teacher was a great teacher, and I learned a great deal from her. Most likely, if I hadn't moved while she was my teacher I would have kept learning from her for a long time. However, I did move, and when I thought about looking for a new teacher, even working on an audition piece, I was less than enthusiastic. I had learned a good deal from this teacher, but I hadn't had a lot of fun. She entered me into a lot of competitions, so a good deal of my practice time was preparing for those, and I never actually liked the compositions she chose for me to compete with.
That was when I realized, I had been playing songs I either didn't care about or outright didn't like for ten years! I loved that I knew how to play piano. I loved the sound of the instrument, I loved classical music. I didn't love playing only classical music. By the time I could play a song well I had analyzed and memorized and gone over the music so much that it didn't sound like music anymore. It sounded like an exercise. Music wasn't fun.
So I quit.
I've tried a few times in the ten years since to get back into piano, and am on a pretty good run right now. I can play and enjoy it. I've missed a lot of really important years of practice, and I've forgotten a lot of things that I should remember, but I like doing it now.
Don't get me wrong, it's still work, hard work, but I'm able to go at the pace I want, and play what I like. I'm considering going back to a teacher, but for now I'll enjoy making music. Not perfect music, just music.
Friday, July 01, 2011
Camp NaNo novel, chapter One
Dear Friend,
I've decided to share with you my (unedited and just written, right now) first chapter of the novel I'm writing this summer.
I've decided to share with you my (unedited and just written, right now) first chapter of the novel I'm writing this summer.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Writing by the seat of my pants (again)
Dear Friend,
The Office of Letters and Light is doing another writing event, like National Novel Writing Month, but instead of holding it in November they're doing it in the summer, for two months. It's called Camp NaNoWriMo! For at least the month of July (the beta testing month) I will participate by writing another 50,000 word novel in the course of one month. Depending on how that goes, I may decide to do it again in August. That's right, two novels in two months, then a break for two months to do it again in November. I could possibly write three books this year. Wow.
The most interesting part of this is, I haven't planned very much this time. I came up with my plot two days ago, and I haven't outlined any of it yet. I have only three characters thought out, too. What's weird is that I'm taking a character from my previous NaNovel (written last November) and going back in time and writing about her adolescence. In all of my writing about this character I've "known" that she grew up with two particular friends, so naturally you would think that those two characters would feature prominently in the story of her childhood, right? Wrong. I also knew that every summer those two friends would be gone, visiting family, leaving the main character alone. I'm setting this novel in the summer, so her friends are gone. Am I crazy? I've just made this much harder for me, but I'm looking forward to the challenge. Besides, in 50,000 words I can probably get back to the point where her friends have come back home. I've been able to think up two characters for my main character to interact with, though, and I think it will set up some interesting story telling ideas.
So, tonight, midnight, I'll start my crazy method of writing stories. I hope I last the whole month, for the third time.
The Office of Letters and Light is doing another writing event, like National Novel Writing Month, but instead of holding it in November they're doing it in the summer, for two months. It's called Camp NaNoWriMo! For at least the month of July (the beta testing month) I will participate by writing another 50,000 word novel in the course of one month. Depending on how that goes, I may decide to do it again in August. That's right, two novels in two months, then a break for two months to do it again in November. I could possibly write three books this year. Wow.
The most interesting part of this is, I haven't planned very much this time. I came up with my plot two days ago, and I haven't outlined any of it yet. I have only three characters thought out, too. What's weird is that I'm taking a character from my previous NaNovel (written last November) and going back in time and writing about her adolescence. In all of my writing about this character I've "known" that she grew up with two particular friends, so naturally you would think that those two characters would feature prominently in the story of her childhood, right? Wrong. I also knew that every summer those two friends would be gone, visiting family, leaving the main character alone. I'm setting this novel in the summer, so her friends are gone. Am I crazy? I've just made this much harder for me, but I'm looking forward to the challenge. Besides, in 50,000 words I can probably get back to the point where her friends have come back home. I've been able to think up two characters for my main character to interact with, though, and I think it will set up some interesting story telling ideas.
So, tonight, midnight, I'll start my crazy method of writing stories. I hope I last the whole month, for the third time.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
New Owl City Album, you know I had to write about it, didn't you?
Dear Friend,
Remember how I'mobsessed with a fan of Owl City? Well, this past Tuesday "All Things Bright and Beautiful" came out, and nothing was going to stop me from getting it. (Actually, I just downloaded it, like everything of Adam Young's, it all came from ITunes.)
Between bouts of listening to nothing but the Beatles I've managed to play this new album almost enough times to memorize the lyrics, and I thought I'd just write down a few thoughts on it, track by track. (I'm getting the track order from Amazon, since downloading it after pre-ordering put the second version of Alligator Sky as a different album. If the order is wonky, don't blame me, blame Amazon.)
1. The Real World: Honestly, not the greatest opening for the CD, but good. Very typical of Adam; dreamy, electronic sound and sweet, surreal lyrics. "Reality is a lovely place/but I wouldn't want to live there" 3/5
2. Deer in the Headlights: I love the opening of this, especially since it made my Mom stop and say, "What sort of instrument is that?!" Lots of energy and catchy. The lyrics are also quite funny. 4.5/5
3. Angels: So far the odd numbered songs are leaving me a little cold. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad song, and I love singing along with it, but it's no "Fireflies." The highlight is the line "I believe there are beautiful things seen by the astronauts." 3/5
4. Dreams Don't Turn to Dust: I love it. I'm not sure I can get very eloquent about why, probably my usual reason for liking optimistic songs. Upbeat, idealistic, fun, and I love the percussion. 4/5
5. Honey and the Bee: Joined by Breanne Duren, this song is so sweet and lovely. I have always liked how Adam and Breanne sound together, her voice is so sweet and girly compared to his geeky boy sound. Guitar in this song is great, too. 4/5
6. Kamikaze: I LOVE this song, though I don't actually understand what he's singing. I know that sounds stupid, but it's true. His shouting in the chorus just energizes me, and I love the beat of the song, along with the sounds. 4.5/5
7. January 28, 1986: This really just works as an intro to "Galaxies", so I'll move on.
8. Galaxies: I've been waiting for this song for literally months. I loved it from the time he put the samples on his website. I love the energy, the Christian theme, they words, everything. I don't even mind that possibly half of the lyrics are "da, da, da, da." If this were the only song on the album I'd have thought it was worth the money. 5/5
9. Hospital Flowers: Back to the odd numbers not grabbing me. It's a slow song, and to me, depressing. I realize that the idea behind it is supposed to be optimistic "Happiness returned to me/Through a grave emergency" but it bums me out. It will probably be good for those blue days, though. 2.5/5
10. Alligator Sky (feat. Shawn Chrystopher): I've listened to this song so many times I don't know if I'll ever bother to listen to it again. It was the first single, and downloaded automatically when you pre-ordered the album. All I can say is Owl City and rap don't really play well together. I like the song, but often wished I could hear it without the rapping. Now that I have the album, I can. Hard to rate, though, I'll give it a 2/5
11. The Yacht Club: Joined by Lights. (I probably didn't capitalize her name properly, sorry) It's not a bad song, but really, the poor odd numbered songs. I don't really get the lyrics, and can't connect to it. I like the collaboration with Lights, and I'll definitely listen to this often. 3/5
12. Plant Life: I want to know how much of this song was Adam Young and how much was Matt Theissen. I can imagine Relient K doing this song (actually, I want to hear them do it.) I love this song to pieces and bits. I think I listened to it three times in a row last night. I adore the waltz tempo, the imagery, the accordion (?) just everything. I love everything about it. 5/5
13. How I Became the Sea: Um, wow, I feel like I'm dreaming a very bizarre dream whenever I hear this song. It's an amazing feeling, and I'm fascinated by the song, but in a way I can't tell if I actually like it, you know? (So much emotion that my sentences run on, apparently) 4/5
14: Alligator Sky: Ah, finally, the real "Alligator Sky." I love it. I feel like most of my comments are repeating themselves, so I won't elaborate, other than to say, Adam, please, no more rapping. 4.5/5
15. Lonely Lullaby: This isn't actually on the album. It's available through Owl City Galaxy, though. I've written about it before, but that was more of how the song made me feel. I'm over that now, by the way. It's still a lovely song, and I think he should have put it on the actual album instead of making it an online "club" type of exclusive. I hate that sort of thing. The song itself earns 4/5
There you go, my thoughts on Owl City's "All Things Bright and Beautiful." Check it out, you might like it.
Remember how I'm
1. The Real World: Honestly, not the greatest opening for the CD, but good. Very typical of Adam; dreamy, electronic sound and sweet, surreal lyrics. "Reality is a lovely place/but I wouldn't want to live there" 3/5
2. Deer in the Headlights: I love the opening of this, especially since it made my Mom stop and say, "What sort of instrument is that?!" Lots of energy and catchy. The lyrics are also quite funny. 4.5/5
3. Angels: So far the odd numbered songs are leaving me a little cold. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad song, and I love singing along with it, but it's no "Fireflies." The highlight is the line "I believe there are beautiful things seen by the astronauts." 3/5
4. Dreams Don't Turn to Dust: I love it. I'm not sure I can get very eloquent about why, probably my usual reason for liking optimistic songs. Upbeat, idealistic, fun, and I love the percussion. 4/5
5. Honey and the Bee: Joined by Breanne Duren, this song is so sweet and lovely. I have always liked how Adam and Breanne sound together, her voice is so sweet and girly compared to his geeky boy sound. Guitar in this song is great, too. 4/5
6. Kamikaze: I LOVE this song, though I don't actually understand what he's singing. I know that sounds stupid, but it's true. His shouting in the chorus just energizes me, and I love the beat of the song, along with the sounds. 4.5/5
7. January 28, 1986: This really just works as an intro to "Galaxies", so I'll move on.
8. Galaxies: I've been waiting for this song for literally months. I loved it from the time he put the samples on his website. I love the energy, the Christian theme, they words, everything. I don't even mind that possibly half of the lyrics are "da, da, da, da." If this were the only song on the album I'd have thought it was worth the money. 5/5
9. Hospital Flowers: Back to the odd numbers not grabbing me. It's a slow song, and to me, depressing. I realize that the idea behind it is supposed to be optimistic "Happiness returned to me/Through a grave emergency" but it bums me out. It will probably be good for those blue days, though. 2.5/5
10. Alligator Sky (feat. Shawn Chrystopher): I've listened to this song so many times I don't know if I'll ever bother to listen to it again. It was the first single, and downloaded automatically when you pre-ordered the album. All I can say is Owl City and rap don't really play well together. I like the song, but often wished I could hear it without the rapping. Now that I have the album, I can. Hard to rate, though, I'll give it a 2/5
11. The Yacht Club: Joined by Lights. (I probably didn't capitalize her name properly, sorry) It's not a bad song, but really, the poor odd numbered songs. I don't really get the lyrics, and can't connect to it. I like the collaboration with Lights, and I'll definitely listen to this often. 3/5
12. Plant Life: I want to know how much of this song was Adam Young and how much was Matt Theissen. I can imagine Relient K doing this song (actually, I want to hear them do it.) I love this song to pieces and bits. I think I listened to it three times in a row last night. I adore the waltz tempo, the imagery, the accordion (?) just everything. I love everything about it. 5/5
13. How I Became the Sea: Um, wow, I feel like I'm dreaming a very bizarre dream whenever I hear this song. It's an amazing feeling, and I'm fascinated by the song, but in a way I can't tell if I actually like it, you know? (So much emotion that my sentences run on, apparently) 4/5
14: Alligator Sky: Ah, finally, the real "Alligator Sky." I love it. I feel like most of my comments are repeating themselves, so I won't elaborate, other than to say, Adam, please, no more rapping. 4.5/5
15. Lonely Lullaby: This isn't actually on the album. It's available through Owl City Galaxy, though. I've written about it before, but that was more of how the song made me feel. I'm over that now, by the way. It's still a lovely song, and I think he should have put it on the actual album instead of making it an online "club" type of exclusive. I hate that sort of thing. The song itself earns 4/5
There you go, my thoughts on Owl City's "All Things Bright and Beautiful." Check it out, you might like it.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
End of May Random Thoughts
Dear Friend,
It's that time again! Time for a random list entry here at Dear Friend! Isn't that exciting? Random thoughts commence in 3... 2... 1....
1. I bought a ukulele, and boy is she fun! I can play Yellow Submarine, though I can't really sing it.
2. Speaking of Yellow Submarine, I'm in a Beatles mood/mania the past few days. I blame Beatles Rock Band, because it's loads of fun and the music is great.
3. I can't pinpoint why, but I anticipate being in an Elvis mood/mania next. I don't know much about Elvis, and have seen a grand total of 1 movie that he's been in, but I'm getting interested.
4. Jem is now playing weekdays on the HUB network. It couldn't be more 80's in it's "outrageous" music, fashions, and to be honest, stupidity. I love it.
5. I'm glad to know that the next season of Chuck will be the final. The last two seasons were all right, but I don't like it as much as I did when it first started.
6. Psych will not be on this summer, since it's been delayed to the fall season. I don't think summer will feel like summer without Psych.
7. Eagerly awaiting the new season of Leverage. I don't remember if I wrote about it here in my blog, but last year I was scary obsessed with that show. It is such fun to watch.
8. Even numbered random thoughts are better than odd numbered, don't you think?
It's that time again! Time for a random list entry here at Dear Friend! Isn't that exciting? Random thoughts commence in 3... 2... 1....
1. I bought a ukulele, and boy is she fun! I can play Yellow Submarine, though I can't really sing it.
2. Speaking of Yellow Submarine, I'm in a Beatles mood/mania the past few days. I blame Beatles Rock Band, because it's loads of fun and the music is great.
3. I can't pinpoint why, but I anticipate being in an Elvis mood/mania next. I don't know much about Elvis, and have seen a grand total of 1 movie that he's been in, but I'm getting interested.
4. Jem is now playing weekdays on the HUB network. It couldn't be more 80's in it's "outrageous" music, fashions, and to be honest, stupidity. I love it.
5. I'm glad to know that the next season of Chuck will be the final. The last two seasons were all right, but I don't like it as much as I did when it first started.
6. Psych will not be on this summer, since it's been delayed to the fall season. I don't think summer will feel like summer without Psych.
7. Eagerly awaiting the new season of Leverage. I don't remember if I wrote about it here in my blog, but last year I was scary obsessed with that show. It is such fun to watch.
8. Even numbered random thoughts are better than odd numbered, don't you think?
Saturday, May 07, 2011
I love Exapno Mapcase!
Dear Friend,
As I mentioned in my last entry I'm very much into comedy lately. When I want to laugh there aren't many sources of nonsense and merriment as reliable as the Marx Brothers. In watching so many Marx Brothers movies lately I got a little curious about them, especially Harpo. Harpo is my favorite of the brothers by a landslide, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that he had written a book, entitled Harpo Speaks.
After a friend pointed out to me that I could read part of the book at Amazon.com I decided I had to read this book. Fortunately one of the local library systems out here is wonderful at acquiring books if you put them on hold.
The first day I had the book checked out I read ten chapters. Did you read that? Ten chapters! These chapters weren't exactly small. But it was fascinating to read about his childhood. Reading about how he was consistently pushed out of the window of his second grade classroom every time the teacher left the room made me laugh and feel sorry for him at the same time. His descriptions of his daily life on the streets made me almost feel like I was right there with him. His life sounded hard, and lonely and fun and filled with family and just plain interesting. It was turning out to be an amazing book.
Then he met Alexander Woolcott. Don't get me wrong, obviously Harpo liked the guy, and had a lot of fun with him and his crowd, but... and I hate to put a "but" in there, I wasn't impressed. The things Harpo wrote about Aleck, and the Algonquin Round Table stuff didn't interest me. Sure, some of the stories he had to tell about that time in his life was funny, but most of it I breezed through, waiting for him to get back to talking about working with his brothers.
Eventually, though, the story moved on, thankfully. His description of his trip to the U.S.S.R. was a great read, and if you read it, you'll understand what the title of this entry means. My absolute favorite chapter of this book was the one in which he described meeting his wife, Susan. Everything after Susan came into his life was interesting to me. I loved to read about his family, and to see how obviously loved his kids. I guess I'm sappy that way.
My only real disappointment in the book was that there was so little written about his brothers. Most references were to Chico, especially stories about how the fact that they could pass for twins made trouble for Harpo when they were young. There were a few references to Gummo and Zeppo, but very little about Groucho. There also wasn't much said about making their films.
Still, this book was an interesting, funny and sometimes touching read. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who wanted to know more about Harpo. And, let's be honest, who doesn't want to know more about Harpo?
As I mentioned in my last entry I'm very much into comedy lately. When I want to laugh there aren't many sources of nonsense and merriment as reliable as the Marx Brothers. In watching so many Marx Brothers movies lately I got a little curious about them, especially Harpo. Harpo is my favorite of the brothers by a landslide, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that he had written a book, entitled Harpo Speaks.
After a friend pointed out to me that I could read part of the book at Amazon.com I decided I had to read this book. Fortunately one of the local library systems out here is wonderful at acquiring books if you put them on hold.
The first day I had the book checked out I read ten chapters. Did you read that? Ten chapters! These chapters weren't exactly small. But it was fascinating to read about his childhood. Reading about how he was consistently pushed out of the window of his second grade classroom every time the teacher left the room made me laugh and feel sorry for him at the same time. His descriptions of his daily life on the streets made me almost feel like I was right there with him. His life sounded hard, and lonely and fun and filled with family and just plain interesting. It was turning out to be an amazing book.
Then he met Alexander Woolcott. Don't get me wrong, obviously Harpo liked the guy, and had a lot of fun with him and his crowd, but... and I hate to put a "but" in there, I wasn't impressed. The things Harpo wrote about Aleck, and the Algonquin Round Table stuff didn't interest me. Sure, some of the stories he had to tell about that time in his life was funny, but most of it I breezed through, waiting for him to get back to talking about working with his brothers.
Eventually, though, the story moved on, thankfully. His description of his trip to the U.S.S.R. was a great read, and if you read it, you'll understand what the title of this entry means. My absolute favorite chapter of this book was the one in which he described meeting his wife, Susan. Everything after Susan came into his life was interesting to me. I loved to read about his family, and to see how obviously loved his kids. I guess I'm sappy that way.
My only real disappointment in the book was that there was so little written about his brothers. Most references were to Chico, especially stories about how the fact that they could pass for twins made trouble for Harpo when they were young. There were a few references to Gummo and Zeppo, but very little about Groucho. There also wasn't much said about making their films.
Still, this book was an interesting, funny and sometimes touching read. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who wanted to know more about Harpo. And, let's be honest, who doesn't want to know more about Harpo?
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