tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506Thu, 16 May 2013 06:26:46 +0000kenpoabout-mediybnlgiveawayholidaysbooksfamilypoliticszombiesvideotattoozenquotesstuff-and-nonsenserelationshipscommunicationgeekphotosminionssame-sex marriage"Shared pain is lessened; shared joy, increased — thus do we refute entropy" ~ Spider Robinsonhttp://onezenmom.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)Blogger302125http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/M1opvMI59pMidH5VMaxnDg?authkey=Gv1sRgCNLs_4_TkMzjFw&feat=directlinkonezenmomhttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-2315044377216247752Wed, 08 May 2013 18:21:00 +00002013-05-08T11:21:07.659-07:00about-mezombies<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SXOJTyz9tRs/UYqTunVNv7I/AAAAAAAAFs8/mhco1rSPoCQ/s1600/Dead+blogs+-+Blogs+die+every+day.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SXOJTyz9tRs/UYqTunVNv7I/AAAAAAAAFs8/mhco1rSPoCQ/s200/Dead+blogs+-+Blogs+die+every+day.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It was Miss Zen. In the Library. With the Candlestick. </i></td></tr> </tbody></table> Zee Blog, She iz dead.<br /> <br /> Well, she's taking a really long dirt nap, anyway. <br /> <br /> I thought about trying to reanimate her. I mean, it's not like I have anything else to do with this athame and chicken blood ... but, if you read/watch Sci Fi, you have to know those things almost never end well.<br /> <br /> So, rather than risk unleashing a brain-craving, blood-sucking, soul-stealing creature from hell, I'm just gonna let her nap. You're welcome.<br /> <br /> You can still <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/p/best-of.html">rifle through her pockets for loose change</a>, if you'd like. <br /> <br /> And, no, I'm not going to explain or justify or wax philosophical about it. I'm just gonna let her sleep.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lHM60F-kPxE/UYqWUyWTzvI/AAAAAAAAFtI/XcKe4kic4_8/s1600/go-on-without-me-chipmunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lHM60F-kPxE/UYqWUyWTzvI/AAAAAAAAFtI/XcKe4kic4_8/s320/go-on-without-me-chipmunk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> Pfft. Screw THAT. <i>I'm</i> not dead. I'm just available in less concentrated doses ... <br /> <br /> <a href="http://twitter.com/onezenmom"><img alt="OneZenMom on Twitter" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-04HAI2YZzIw/UNOCzO5ZYNI/AAAAAAAAFms/pbqeHjljSZs/s800/50-tweet.png" title="" /></a><a href="http://instagram.com/onezenmom/"></a><a href="http://onezenmom.tumblr.com/"><img alt="OneZenMom on Tumblr" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GL3_oOeuWCM/UNOCy7gy3RI/AAAAAAAAFmo/WsXP1BBjk8s/s800/50-tumblr.png" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/onezenmom/"><img alt="OneZenMom on Flickr" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Yan0m9BoEjM/UNOG7NHx52I/AAAAAAAAFnk/Ml8upI9TBOc/s800/50-flickr.png" title="" /></a><a href="http://instagram.com/onezenmom"><img alt="OneZenMom on Instagram" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5yBy2q3nY9o/UNOCwropr2I/AAAAAAAAFmQ/qGasVvXLzZs/s800/50-instagram.png" title="" /></a><a href="http://pinterest.com/CandaceDM/"><img alt="Pinterest" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Bw90-z4Wsps/UNOCx5War7I/AAAAAAAAFmg/pxqysNZbdKM/s800/50-pinterest.png" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1630590"><img alt="GoodReads" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k_8nktrt1mM/UYqOx3E5qDI/AAAAAAAAFss/B8eNYaZa24Q/s800/goodreads-stained.png" title="" /></a> <br /> If you know my real name ... you can find me on Facebook and Google+, too.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> And don't worry, I'll keep that chicken blood in the freezer, just in case. If I'm suddenly inspired to start randomly rambling again, we can all <strike>set fire to</strike> celebrate the resurrection of my undead blog together. <br /> <br /> <i>Namaste,</i><br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=m104H7Cevg4:GKb8Jc0Qpqc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=m104H7Cevg4:GKb8Jc0Qpqc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=m104H7Cevg4:GKb8Jc0Qpqc:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=m104H7Cevg4:GKb8Jc0Qpqc:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=m104H7Cevg4:GKb8Jc0Qpqc:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=m104H7Cevg4:GKb8Jc0Qpqc:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/m104H7Cevg4" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/m104H7Cevg4/fin.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)1http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2013/05/fin.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-2552519342825272321Wed, 09 Jan 2013 19:57:00 +00002013-01-17T08:59:24.642-08:00photosdiyThere are exactly 200 screws in my kitchen cabinets.<br /> <br /> I know this because I removed and replaced Every. Single. One. of them by hand last week.<br /> <br /> Loyal readers may recall that&nbsp;<a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/search?q=resolutions">I don't really do New Year's Resolutions</a>. I figure that if you're going to do something, just do it. Right this moment. And then the next moment. And then the next.<br /> <br /> But, I also know that sometimes we walk around with a big list of "shoulds" and "wannas" and "somedays" in our heads and it can be hard to find the "right" time to get started on them. And it can be even hard to follow through and actually finish them. So, I get why some people grab onto the new year as a good transitional time to start that new project or set that new goal.<br /> <br /> Quite a few of my "somedays" are centered around home improvement. We bought this house when I was 3 months pregnant with The Professor. For those keeping count, he's 8 now. We knew the new Casa de Zen would need a lot of updating and TLC and we've put in quite a few DIY hours on projects like painting rooms, adding pool fencing, remodeling the <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2010/04/is-that-allen-wrench-in-your-pocket-or.html">guest bathroom</a>, moving from a septic system to the <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/07/i-have-bad-feeling-about-this.html">city sewer</a>&nbsp;(oh yeah, that one was fun), keeping up with <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/05/attack-of-killer-ants.html">pest control</a>, and even <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/01/torture-of-chalkdust-collects-on-my.html">knocking down a wall</a>, to name a few.<br /> <br /> But one of the more public areas of the house that hasn't gotten a lot of attention so far has been the kitchen.<br /> <br /> A full remodel is pretty high on the list of things I'd do with a sudden financial windfall. As I don't have any rich aging relatives and I don't play the lottery, I don't see that happening anytime soon. So, since ripping it all out and starting from scratch isn't really an option, I've had a lot of "shoulds" in my head about that room for a lot of years now.<br /> <br /> Last week, I decided it was time to turn one of those "shoulds" into a "did" ...<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="font-size: large;">BEFORE</span></b></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BwbXpqPARwA/UO29rVI2zSI/AAAAAAAAFog/A8G2gVllCBU/s1600/kitchen-cabinets-2013.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BwbXpqPARwA/UO29rVI2zSI/AAAAAAAAFog/A8G2gVllCBU/s1600/kitchen-cabinets-2013.png" /></a></div> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="font-size: large;">AFTER</span>&nbsp;</b></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <br /> Okay, so, the "before" is actually kinda early in the "during" and the "after" is really more like "not-quite-done-yet". but, you get the idea.<br /> <br /> No, it's not the "new" kitchen I fantasize about. But, I&nbsp;think it's quite an improvement for a few dollars' worth of paint and supplies, about a week of my "spare" time, and a little (okay, it felt like a lot of) elbow grease. (And, looking at that before picture a little closer, at least one glass of wine. Apparently.)<br /> <br /> I'm genuinely pleased with the results aesthetically and financially. Physically, I'm still recovering. ;)<br /> <br /> But you know what the best part is? It's looking at my kitchen and thinking,<i> "I did that. Me. With my own hands. All by my onsies."</i> Kinda makes me want to thump my chest or maybe roar just a tiny bit.<br /> <br /> There are a lot of ups and downs of home ownership. But, I gotta say, the completion of a home improvement project is a pretty damn satisfying up.<br /> <br /> So, what kind of DIY projects are on YOUR to-do list for 2013?<br /> <br /> &nbsp;<span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> P.S. - Because it really wouldn't be a OneZenMom home improvement project without at least one moment like this:<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yLoS72H_dm8/UO3IhVn0yjI/AAAAAAAAFo0/UPiMW87Xv7k/s1600/2013-01-04+18.05.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yLoS72H_dm8/UO3IhVn0yjI/AAAAAAAAFo0/UPiMW87Xv7k/s1600/2013-01-04+18.05.34.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div> <br /> <i><br /></i> <i>"Work is love made visible." - Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet</i><br /> <br /> <b>EDITED: </b><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /> <br /> Oh, did I mention I also painted my front door recently?</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--XBACdUrQcw/UPRo4EC949I/AAAAAAAAFpU/N2XKpUhY4Es/s1600/541250_4320721188092_935361234_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--XBACdUrQcw/UPRo4EC949I/AAAAAAAAFpU/N2XKpUhY4Es/s640/541250_4320721188092_935361234_n.jpg" height="640" width="312" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Allons-y!</div> <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=vl1e4kq52ww:HYvD6BtTRdw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=vl1e4kq52ww:HYvD6BtTRdw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=vl1e4kq52ww:HYvD6BtTRdw:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=vl1e4kq52ww:HYvD6BtTRdw:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=vl1e4kq52ww:HYvD6BtTRdw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=vl1e4kq52ww:HYvD6BtTRdw:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/vl1e4kq52ww" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/vl1e4kq52ww/work-is-love-made-visible.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)2http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2013/01/work-is-love-made-visible.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-1249924666610988672Mon, 07 Jan 2013 17:38:00 +00002013-01-07T09:45:57.177-08:00<i>“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” ~ Rudyard Kipling</i><br /> <br /> I've been keeping an annual reading log on my blog since 2008. While I haven't been doing much else in the way of blogging lately, that's one thing I'd like to keep.&nbsp;So, more for me than anything else, the 68 books I read in 2012 ...<br /> <br /> <div id="gr_custom_widget_1357579735"> <div class="gr_custom_container_1357579735"> <h2 class="gr_custom_header_1357579735"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1630590-candace?shelf=2012&amp;utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" style="text-decoration: none;">Good Reads: 2012</a> </h2> <div class="gr_custom_each_container_1357579735"> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1357579735"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/254827497?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2)"><img alt="Catching Fire" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1268805322s/6148028.jpg" /></a> </div> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1357579735"> <img alt="5 of 5 stars true" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_5_of_5.png" title="5 of 5 stars, it was amazing" width="75" /> </div> <div class="gr_custom_title_1357579735"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/254827497?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Catching Fire</a> </div> <div class="gr_custom_author_1357579735"> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/153394.Suzanne_Collins">Suzanne Collins</a> </div> </div> <div class="gr_custom_each_container_1357579735"> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1357579735"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/254830490?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3)"><img alt="Mockingjay" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1294615552s/7260188.jpg" /></a> </div> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1357579735"> <img alt="4 of 5 stars true" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /> </div> <div class="gr_custom_title_1357579735"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/254830490?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Mockingjay</a> </div> <div class="gr_custom_author_1357579735"> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/153394.Suzanne_Collins">Suzanne Collins</a> </div> </div> <div class="gr_custom_each_container_1357579735"> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1357579735"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/252192538?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Sensei: A Thriller"><img alt="Sensei: A Thriller" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1311982131s/685388.jpg" /></a> </div> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1357579735"> <img alt="3 of 5 stars true" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /> </div> <div class="gr_custom_title_1357579735"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/252192538?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Sensei: A Thriller</a> </div> <div class="gr_custom_author_1357579735"> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/308364.John_Donohue">John Donohue</a> </div> </div> <div class="gr_custom_each_container_1357579735"> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1357579735"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/246217088?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Darkness Under the Sun"><img alt="Darkness Under the Sun" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1283734467s/9242764.jpg" /></a> </div> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1357579735"> <img alt="3 of 5 stars true" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /> </div> <div class="gr_custom_title_1357579735"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/246217088?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Darkness Under the Sun</a> </div> <div class="gr_custom_author_1357579735"> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9355.Dean_Koontz">Dean Koontz</a> </div> </div> <div class="gr_custom_each_container_1357579735"> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1357579735"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/265529405?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel"><img alt="Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348927644s/37596.jpg" /></a> </div> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1357579735"> <img alt="3 of 5 stars true" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /> </div> <div class="gr_custom_title_1357579735"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/265529405?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel</a> </div> <div class="gr_custom_author_1357579735"> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10896.Eoin_Colfer">Eoin Colfer</a> </div> </div> <div class="gr_custom_each_container_1357579735"> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1357579735"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/276185394?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Once In A Blue Moon"><img alt="Once In A Blue Moon" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1281385190s/8813139.jpg" /></a> </div> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1357579735"> <img alt="2 of 5 stars true" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_2_of_5.png" title="2 of 5 stars, it was ok" width="75" /> </div> <div class="gr_custom_title_1357579735"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/276185394?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Once In A Blue Moon</a> </div> <div class="gr_custom_author_1357579735"> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/243596.Brenna_Lyons">Brenna Lyons</a> </div> </div> <div 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Turner</a> </div> </div> <div class="gr_custom_each_container_1357579735"> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1357579735"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151885040?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="The Day of the Dead (Cassandra Palmer, #3.1)"><img alt="The Day of the Dead" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1266722664s/7623711.jpg" /></a> </div> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1357579735"> <img alt="3 of 5 stars true" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /> </div> <div class="gr_custom_title_1357579735"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151885040?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">The Day of the Dead</a> </div> <div class="gr_custom_author_1357579735"> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/38066.Karen_Chance">Karen Chance</a> </div> </div> <div class="gr_custom_each_container_1357579735"> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1357579735"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/411968894?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Optical Delusions in Deadwood (Deadwood Mystery, #2)"><img alt="Optical Delusions in Deadwood" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1305684013s/11185287.jpg" /></a> </div> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1357579735"> <img alt="4 of 5 stars true" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /> </div> <div class="gr_custom_title_1357579735"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/411968894?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Optical Delusions in Deadwood</a> </div> <div class="gr_custom_author_1357579735"> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4605878.Ann_Charles">Ann Charles</a> </div> </div> <div class="gr_custom_each_container_1357579735"> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1357579735"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/338762959?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Magic Dreams (Kate Daniels, #4.5)"><img alt="Magic Dreams" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335771977s/13627865.jpg" /></a> </div> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1357579735"> <img alt="5 of 5 stars true" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_5_of_5.png" title="5 of 5 stars, it was amazing" width="75" /> </div> <div class="gr_custom_title_1357579735"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/338762959?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Magic Dreams</a> </div> <div class="gr_custom_author_1357579735"> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21748.Ilona_Andrews">Ilona Andrews</a> </div> </div> <br style="clear: both;" /> <center> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/"><img alt="goodreads.com" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/widget/widget_logo.gif" style="border: 0;" /></a> </center> <noscript> Share <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/">book reviews</a> and ratings with Candace, and even join a <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/group">book club</a> on Goodreads. </noscript> </div> </div> &nbsp;<span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=RgQt8LFX9wk:mFWs0t4uyA8:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=RgQt8LFX9wk:mFWs0t4uyA8:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=RgQt8LFX9wk:mFWs0t4uyA8:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=RgQt8LFX9wk:mFWs0t4uyA8:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=RgQt8LFX9wk:mFWs0t4uyA8:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=RgQt8LFX9wk:mFWs0t4uyA8:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/RgQt8LFX9wk" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/RgQt8LFX9wk/the-most-powerful-drug.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)0http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-most-powerful-drug.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-9064181625532811960Tue, 09 Oct 2012 23:52:00 +00002013-01-14T12:23:11.851-08:00photosholidaysMy son wants matching costumes to match for&nbsp;Halloween - Ninjas. Cuz ninjas are cool. His was pretty easy to find:<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SI0IkFaiPUg/UHRpwoqTqMI/AAAAAAAAFho/30Bz00w8kj4/s1600/ninja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SI0IkFaiPUg/UHRpwoqTqMI/AAAAAAAAFho/30Bz00w8kj4/s1600/ninja.jpg" /></a></div> Then we asked the costume store clerk to help us find a "matching" women's ninja costume. She brought us to this:<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PTTFT2r09pE/UHRrf7Pfo0I/AAAAAAAAFhw/qbA6SDo1K2Q/s1600/01136274.detail.a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PTTFT2r09pE/UHRrf7Pfo0I/AAAAAAAAFhw/qbA6SDo1K2Q/s1600/01136274.detail.a.jpg" /></a></div> <b>The mom in me thought: </b><i>Holy Hell, Lady, I'm going trick-or-treating with my 8-year-old, not to a bacchanal at Hefner's house.</i><br /> <br /> <b>The martial artist in me thought:</b><i><b> </b>Her boob would fall right out of that thing if she tried to do a good side kick.</i><br /> <br /> Both me's were pretty disgusted that this was the only women's ninja costume we could find at FIVE STORES.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SZ7wuqNLVaI/UHR6qXcN1UI/AAAAAAAAFkg/-5cawgB1o-g/s1600/2012-09-23+20.55.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SZ7wuqNLVaI/UHR6qXcN1UI/AAAAAAAAFkg/-5cawgB1o-g/s200/2012-09-23+20.55.40.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a>So, I spent a bit of time with my pal, Google ... and came away rather horrified at the differences in the men's and women's versions of the "same" costumes.<br /> <br /> Of course, I had to share ... enjoy the photo gallery as I rant on.<br /> <br /> I get it: Men and women are built differently -&nbsp;<span class="st"><em>Vive la différence!</em></span>&nbsp;<br /> <br /> And there's nothing wrong with fitted or feminine costumes.&nbsp;Personally, I'd much rather wear a costume that's cut for my curves, than some one-size-fits-none sack.<br /> <br /> But a LOT of these costumes sprint right past "fitted" or "flattering" or even "sexy" and dive straight into the <i>ridiculously&nbsp;skanky </i>end of the pool.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mbyb15C1ozQ/UHR6CLHF76I/AAAAAAAAFiA/sR7cqxuTZi4/s1600/2012-09-23+18.40.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mbyb15C1ozQ/UHR6CLHF76I/AAAAAAAAFiA/sR7cqxuTZi4/s200/2012-09-23+18.40.43.jpg" width="200" /></a>I get that some costumes have a built-in sexy factor.&nbsp;But it bugs me that&nbsp;most of the female versions of what should be gender-neutral costumes are gratuitously over-sexualized.<br /> <br /> There's an implication that a woman can't actually&nbsp;<i>be&nbsp;</i>these characters - &nbsp;Instead, we're relegated to <i>hyper-sexual parodies</i> of them.<br /> <br /> And before someone starts accusing me of slut-shaming all those sweet college girls and hot MILFs who just want to have a little fun on Halloween: I'm not saying there's anything <i>wrong</i> with sexy outfits <i>per se</i> - on Halloween or any other day. (Well,&nbsp;it's probably not a good idea to wear your "naughty nurse" outfit to your kid's fall pageant; but, hey, that's up to you.)<br /> <br /> <i><b>(Caveat:</b>&nbsp;there's nothing inherently wrong with an ADULT dressing in a sexy costume.&nbsp;You DO NOT want to get me started about the trickle down trend of "sexy" tween and kids costumes. Anybody who thinks a "sexy" kids costume is a good idea can just go stand over there in your wrongness and be wrong.)</i><br /> <br /> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ADonEvDHt8s/UHR6bV1YsxI/AAAAAAAAFiI/mBCtRQrhHB4/s1600/2012-09-23+18.41.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ADonEvDHt8s/UHR6bV1YsxI/AAAAAAAAFiI/mBCtRQrhHB4/s200/2012-09-23+18.41.25.jpg" width="200" /></a>I'm not even saying that I wouldn't ever wear a "sexy" costume - I would and I have.<br /> <br /> But there's a line here somewhere, and I'm afraid we've trampled across it in our fishnets and&nbsp;stilettos.<br /> <br /> It's getting to the point where it's becoming difficult to even&nbsp;<i>find </i>women's costumes that are NOT all bustiers and mini-skirts.<br /> <br /> Seriously:&nbsp;Google "women's police costume". Let me know how many pages it takes you to find one that is not "sexy".<br /> <br /> Take a look around a&nbsp;Halloween&nbsp;store (IRL or online, take your pick). I estimate a&nbsp;10:1 ratio of "sexy" costumes to "normal" costumes for women &nbsp;- as opposed to something more like 1:50 for men.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zbotLwyq7wk/UHR6cGjwknI/AAAAAAAAFiQ/KtQf6fYo5Mk/s1600/2012-09-23+19.18.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zbotLwyq7wk/UHR6cGjwknI/AAAAAAAAFiQ/KtQf6fYo5Mk/s200/2012-09-23+19.18.56.jpg" width="200" /></a>And yet there are many women who rush to defend the continued skankification (technical term) of women's costumes as "empowering" because we're "embracing our sexuality".<br /> <br /> Bullshit.<br /> <br /> Turning Halloween&nbsp;costumes into glorified masturbatory aides is not how you "own your sexuality".<br /> <br /> Is it really too much to ask for some middle ground between "men's" costumes and "sexy" costumes?&nbsp;Is it really so hard to make a woman's costume that acknowledges my gender without objectifying it? Are there really so few women who would prefer that?<br /> <br /> What does that say about us?&nbsp;What does it say to our kids?<br /> <br /> <br /> Just wanna be a ninja,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span> <br /> <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> Wanna see something really scary?&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> More comparisons of "men's" and "women's" versions of "the same"&nbsp;costumes:</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9A2ttBpLqjI/UHR6rZqFqGI/AAAAAAAAFko/3H_bK9wY5ME/s1600/2012-09-23+20.59.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9A2ttBpLqjI/UHR6rZqFqGI/AAAAAAAAFko/3H_bK9wY5ME/s200/2012-09-23+20.59.11.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> It's like they were&nbsp;separated&nbsp;at birth.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WIkjfbm-0MU/UHR6dv-9imI/AAAAAAAAFig/k-MhrM6FiFU/s1600/2012-09-23+19.43.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WIkjfbm-0MU/UHR6dv-9imI/AAAAAAAAFig/k-MhrM6FiFU/s200/2012-09-23+19.43.27.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Accio robe.&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg0oy917QKI/UHR6eAVlrVI/AAAAAAAAFio/JQUt-TfVets/s1600/2012-09-23+19.45.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg0oy917QKI/UHR6eAVlrVI/AAAAAAAAFio/JQUt-TfVets/s200/2012-09-23+19.45.54.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Hers has about a 10th of the fabric and you KNOW it still costs more.</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4wkfCW3hMTw/UHR6fxCEn0I/AAAAAAAAFi4/nIBkgdYvJ7E/s1600/2012-09-23+19.55.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4wkfCW3hMTw/UHR6fxCEn0I/AAAAAAAAFi4/nIBkgdYvJ7E/s200/2012-09-23+19.55.23.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Yeah, this seems historically accurate to me.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xeo7gm-jB4o/UHR6hcusePI/AAAAAAAAFjI/0_G0QfU4758/s1600/2012-09-23+20.02.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xeo7gm-jB4o/UHR6hcusePI/AAAAAAAAFjI/0_G0QfU4758/s200/2012-09-23+20.02.19.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> You don't even want to see the Red Riding Hood costumes.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2SxP87GHKE/UHR6iRs0PsI/AAAAAAAAFjQ/zLl40cVuK1Y/s1600/2012-09-23+20.07.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2SxP87GHKE/UHR6iRs0PsI/AAAAAAAAFjQ/zLl40cVuK1Y/s200/2012-09-23+20.07.24.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> These two live in the same climate, right?</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ft_vYMjQY-M/UHR6kVfvq5I/AAAAAAAAFjg/-pYXO4bi5hs/s1600/2012-09-23+20.17.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ft_vYMjQY-M/UHR6kVfvq5I/AAAAAAAAFjg/-pYXO4bi5hs/s200/2012-09-23+20.17.32.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> "Hey, you know who could be sexier? The cowgirl doll from that kids movie."&nbsp;</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k6LX5givtRs/UHR6lbxKXLI/AAAAAAAAFjk/4iUWEHfXVQc/s1600/2012-09-23+20.20.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k6LX5givtRs/UHR6lbxKXLI/AAAAAAAAFjk/4iUWEHfXVQc/s200/2012-09-23+20.20.38.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> He's covered neck to toe in inflammable protective gear.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> She apparently repels flames with the power of her cleavage.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eGsFQj7T6qY/UHR6mChCzVI/AAAAAAAAFjs/3VIu42tP37w/s1600/2012-09-23+20.32.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eGsFQj7T6qY/UHR6mChCzVI/AAAAAAAAFjs/3VIu42tP37w/s200/2012-09-23+20.32.18.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> What? That's totally standard issue women's prison uniform.<br /> Except during the nightly pillow fights, then they go naked.</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zqeHD_NtRDk/UHR6mzUSsQI/AAAAAAAAFj0/vSboVTJY7hM/s1600/2012-09-23+20.44.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zqeHD_NtRDk/UHR6mzUSsQI/AAAAAAAAFj0/vSboVTJY7hM/s200/2012-09-23+20.44.19.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Oh, look a sailor. And, um, ... a Rockette?</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ti9TycdG8pU/UHR6nI558QI/AAAAAAAAFj8/z4_G8mqcoWM/s1600/2012-09-23+20.44.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ti9TycdG8pU/UHR6nI558QI/AAAAAAAAFj8/z4_G8mqcoWM/s200/2012-09-23+20.44.44.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Insert "booty" pun here.</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZOqyu6Mubw/UHR6nx0-x7I/AAAAAAAAFkE/U3bqBfpupuI/s1600/2012-09-23+20.45.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZOqyu6Mubw/UHR6nx0-x7I/AAAAAAAAFkE/U3bqBfpupuI/s200/2012-09-23+20.45.11.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Those heels are going to destroy the turf.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1qJZtcJd6-U/UHR6pQeadrI/AAAAAAAAFkY/FaZs_UeR2ZE/s1600/2012-09-23+20.50.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1qJZtcJd6-U/UHR6pQeadrI/AAAAAAAAFkY/FaZs_UeR2ZE/s200/2012-09-23+20.50.46.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Well, the hat and the magnifying glass are the same.&nbsp;</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dux04sVqT-I/UHR6coxMezI/AAAAAAAAFiY/zSHzr-XXQBo/s1600/2012-09-23+19.26.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dux04sVqT-I/UHR6coxMezI/AAAAAAAAFiY/zSHzr-XXQBo/s200/2012-09-23+19.26.26.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> They both have a whip, but somehow only hers implies bondage. I blame the tiny hat.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iV_VTzHwE_M/UHR6oVXXB1I/AAAAAAAAFkQ/TQ1THhie6bU/s1600/2012-09-23+20.48.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iV_VTzHwE_M/UHR6oVXXB1I/AAAAAAAAFkQ/TQ1THhie6bU/s200/2012-09-23+20.48.50.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Holy Skank, Batman!</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> They actually managed to make a comics costume even MORE slutty than the comics usually do.</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rPYDUK7pnOo/UHR6saJDyeI/AAAAAAAAFk0/bLVagsD0sN8/s1600/2012-09-23+21.05.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rPYDUK7pnOo/UHR6saJDyeI/AAAAAAAAFk0/bLVagsD0sN8/s200/2012-09-23+21.05.59.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Ho Ho Ho meets 'Ho 'ho 'ho.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=B1r4d0ulh1c:uPjB5n37Cak:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=B1r4d0ulh1c:uPjB5n37Cak:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=B1r4d0ulh1c:uPjB5n37Cak:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=B1r4d0ulh1c:uPjB5n37Cak:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=B1r4d0ulh1c:uPjB5n37Cak:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=B1r4d0ulh1c:uPjB5n37Cak:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/B1r4d0ulh1c" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/B1r4d0ulh1c/always-be-yourself-unless-you-can-be.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)2http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2012/10/always-be-yourself-unless-you-can-be.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-4471672233555594625Mon, 01 Oct 2012 23:51:00 +00002012-10-02T08:38:40.589-07:00books<br /> <div class="prezi-player"> <style media="screen" type="text/css">.prezi-player { width: 550px; } .prezi-player-links { text-align: center; }</style><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="400" id="prezi_cyqpelkxjm3d" name="prezi_cyqpelkxjm3d" width="550"><param name="movie" value="http://prezi.com/bin/preziloader.swf"/><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"/><param name="allowFullScreenInteractive" value="true"/><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"/><param name="wmode" value="direct"/><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"/><param name="flashvars" value="prezi_id=cyqpelkxjm3d&amp;lock_to_path=0&amp;color=ffffff&amp;autoplay=no&amp;autohide_ctrls=0"/><embed id="preziEmbed_cyqpelkxjm3d" name="preziEmbed_cyqpelkxjm3d" src="http://prezi.com/bin/preziloader.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowFullScreenInteractive="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="550" height="400" bgcolor="#ffffff" flashvars="prezi_id=cyqpelkxjm3d&amp;lock_to_path=0&amp;color=ffffff&amp;autoplay=no&amp;autohide_ctrls=0"></embed></object><br /> <div class="prezi-player-links"> <a href="http://prezi.com/cyqpelkxjm3d/banned-books-week-2012/" title="Banned Books Week 2012">Banned Books Week 2012</a> on <a href="http://prezi.com/">Prezi</a></div> </div> <br /> What are YOU reading this week?<br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=ySF7XQStWto:WfPFUnja-hU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=ySF7XQStWto:WfPFUnja-hU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=ySF7XQStWto:WfPFUnja-hU:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=ySF7XQStWto:WfPFUnja-hU:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=ySF7XQStWto:WfPFUnja-hU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=ySF7XQStWto:WfPFUnja-hU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/ySF7XQStWto" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/ySF7XQStWto/banned-books-week.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)0http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2012/10/banned-books-week.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-3032123705763447481Fri, 14 Sep 2012 20:46:00 +00002013-05-08T11:33:58.435-07:00minions<i><span style="color: #741b47;">Dear Princess Celestia,</span></i><br /> <i><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></i> <i><span style="color: #741b47;">This week, I learned that there are still people who have really backward notions about gender roles and that society is&nbsp;probably even harder on boys&nbsp;with non-traditional interests than it is on girls ...&nbsp;</span></i><br /> <br /> ###<br /> <br /> My 5 year old loves My Little Pony.<br /> <br /> We don't have TV programming, so we didn't catch the MLP trend until it came to Netflix a few months ago. On a whim and a recommendation from a friend, I decided to watch the two-part premier with my kids one Saturday morning. A few weeks later, we'd finished all of Season 1.<br /> <br /> When Season 2 came out, they watched it almost every day. The 8 year old is slightly less enraptured by the show than the 5 year old. But they were both completely engaged by the characters and stories and were cheering their hero Ponies through all of their adventures.<br /> <br /> Recently, the 5 year old has became the proud owner of a small herd of plastic Ponies and their varied <i>accoutrements</i> as well as a fairly awesome Canterlot Castle where the Ponies like to party several days a week.<br /> <br /> The neighboring super heroes and villains, and sometimes a talking car or two, will pop in for a tea party or a epic battle every now and then, too.<br /> <br /> Oh, have I mentioned that both my children are boys?<br /> <br /> I didn't think that was worth mentioning because, well, it shouldn't be.<br /> <br /> But, it kind of is, huh?<br /> <br /> I was reminded of that by the&nbsp;checker's double-take when Bam-Bam (the aforementioned 5 year old) proudly declared that he couldn't wait to get home and play with it.<br /> <br /> And I was reminded when a co-worker gave me a confused look and asked "Aren't both your kids boys?", when I mentioned how much they liked the show.<br /> <br /> And I was reminded when the clerk at McDonald's asked me if our Happy Meals would be "for a boy or girl" and I had to clarify that they were for boys, but we wanted the My Little Pony toys, thankyouverymuch.<br /> <br /> And I was reminded when we were in the toy section at Target (looking for a Princess Celestia to complete Bam-Bam's collection) and this random Dad was openly mocking his son for wanting to buy a toy that was *gasp* pink.<br /> <br /> It was <i>really </i>hard to keep my mouth shut and walk away from that aisle (with our Princess Celestia tucked happily in our cart). And all I could think was: OhMyBob, is this really still a thing?<br /> <br /> It IS 2012, right?<br /> <br /> Just checking. 'Cause, yeah, apparently this still a thing.<br /> <br /> Maybe not for me. And, of course, not for you, Gentle Reader.&nbsp;<span style="background-color: white;">You're much to evolved for that.</span><br /> <br /> But, for some people, yeah, this is still a thing. <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tE5rt1eES2g/UFOi-6zH1cI/AAAAAAAAFhY/eexa08hH8kc/s1600/deal_with_it____twilight_style_by_j_brony-d4d2m5u.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tE5rt1eES2g/UFOi-6zH1cI/AAAAAAAAFhY/eexa08hH8kc/s200/deal_with_it____twilight_style_by_j_brony-d4d2m5u.png" width="191" /></a></div> Bam-Bam doesn't know that some people would think My Little Pony is "for girls" (Though, he's already asked me why some of his favorite toys are in the&nbsp;"pink aisle" while others are in the "hero" aisle.)&nbsp;I hope that if/when he learns that, it won't diminish his enjoyment of one of his favorite shows/toys. And you never know - he's a pretty headstrong little kid who's never worried much about what other people think. So, maybe it won't faze him at all.<br /> <br /> But, I still <i>hate </i>the idea that some adult or kid will tell him that something he loves is "wrong". I dread the moment that he would reject something he enjoys not because he's ready to move on, but because someone <i>else</i> is uncomfortable with his tastes.<br /> <br /> I admit, I have a bit of a chip on my shoulder about this topic.<br /> <br /> When I was little, I always liked "boy" toys.&nbsp;Even with fantastic parents and other adults who were great about not telling me what girls could or couldn't do, I learned quickly that others - including most of my peers - were not as open-minded.<br /> <br /> I wanted to play with Castle Grayskull when the girls on my block were all about decorating their Barbie Dreamhouses. And I didn't understand why my brother and his friends didn't want me to play superheroes with them. And I couldn't figure out why the local librarian kept trying to get me to read Little House on the Prairie when I was there to check out sci fi adventures.<br /> <br /> So I learned to fit in.&nbsp;I never lost my tomboy-geek interests, but I kept them largely hidden for almost my entire childhood - feeling like they were something taboo. Something I could only share with a special few.&nbsp;I played dolls and dress-up and I pretended I didn't know what Star Wars and Spider-Man were. I watched GI Joe and and Justice League in secret and hid my books in my backpack until no one was around but my family.<br /> <br /> By college, I was well on my way to my current philosophy: I don't care what anyone else thinks I should or shouldn't like or do. You can think it. But you're wrong and <i>I</i> won't be defined or limited by <i>your </i>lack of imagination.<br /> <br /> But even with this now-innate&nbsp;philosophy, I admit my knee-jerk reaction is defensive to small-minded people who get stuck on their ideas of gender roles. Even now as a happy, confident, 38-year-old geek and mom ... I still sometimes have to work really hard not resent someone who wants to tell me what I - or my sons - can or can't do based on their limited ideas of gender roles.<br /> <br /> Add to that my Momma Bear instincts to protect my sons, and I almost feel sorry for anyone who tries to tell my kid he "can't" like "girl stuff".<br /> <br /> ###<br /> <br /> <i><span style="color: #741b47;">... But, even though there are still those who insist on trying to fit people into old-fashioned little gender boxes early and often, I hold out hope that my sons will never feel the need to hide their joys because others might not approve. That, instead, they will always be surrounded by people who love and celebrate who they are and what they love.</span></i><br /> <i><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></i> <i><span style="color: #741b47;">Friendship is magic,</span></i><br /> <i><span style="color: #741b47;">Zen</span></i><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=lVmK6CLI440:hQnnsGCB_Lc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=lVmK6CLI440:hQnnsGCB_Lc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=lVmK6CLI440:hQnnsGCB_Lc:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=lVmK6CLI440:hQnnsGCB_Lc:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=lVmK6CLI440:hQnnsGCB_Lc:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=lVmK6CLI440:hQnnsGCB_Lc:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/lVmK6CLI440" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/lVmK6CLI440/stay-gold-pony-boy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Candace McIlroy)4http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2012/09/stay-gold-pony-boy.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-6961694419281994258Fri, 06 Jul 2012 17:49:00 +00002012-07-06T10:51:29.836-07:00minions<div style="text-align: right;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IoSXM-oXV3o/T_clCi-ndQI/AAAAAAAAFhI/Ko5BkFtya7U/s1600/030608_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IoSXM-oXV3o/T_clCi-ndQI/AAAAAAAAFhI/Ko5BkFtya7U/s320/030608_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <b>CAST OF CHARACTERS</b><br /> <b><br /></b><br /> <b>The Professor</b><br /> <i>Age</i>: 7 going on 12<br /> <i>Career Goal</i>: Mad scientist<br /> <i>Interests</i>: Mythbusters<br /> Plants vs. Zombies,&nbsp;<span style="background-color: white;">Legos,&nbsp;</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white;">Star Wars,&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white;">Reading,&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white;">Karate</span><br /> <i>Catch-Phrase</i>: "Let's build one!"<br /> <br /> <b>Bam-Bam</b><br /> <i>Age</i>: Just turned 5<br /> <i>Career Goal</i>: Super Villian<br /> &nbsp; <i>Interests</i>: Angry Birds<br /> Phineas and Ferb<br /> Action Figures,&nbsp;<span style="background-color: white;">My Little Pony</span><br /> Chaos and destruction<br /> <i>Catch-Phrase</i>: "Ak-waaaard." <br /> <br /> <b>Mommy</b><br /> <i>Age</i>: 38<br /> Designated Straight Man</div> <br /> <br /> <i>Bam-Bam: "Mommy, can I have cow milk?"</i><br /> <i>Me: "What's the magic word?"</i><br /> <i>Bam-Bam: "Abracadabra!!! </i><br /> <br /> Bam-Bam: "Mommy, can I have a donut?"<br /> Me: "I don't have any donuts."<br /> Bam-Bam: "How 'bout you ask your phone to find us a donut shop an' you can get some donuts for you an' me?"<br /> <br /> <i>The Professor: "Mommy, I got bit by an ant today. What's gonna happen to me?"</i><br /> <i>Me: "Probably nothing."</i><br /> <i>The Professor: "Oh ... But I MIGHT turn into Ant Man!"&nbsp;</i><br /> <i>&nbsp;Me: "I suppose that's possible."</i><br /> <i>The Professor: *fist pump* "YES!!!"</i><br /> <br /> The Professor, sending Bam-Bam down the big, curvy slide first: "Are you dead?"<br /> Bam-Bam: "No!<br /> The Professor: "Okay, I'm coming down." <br /> <br /> <i>Me: "What do you want to be when you grow up?"</i><br /> <i>Bam-Bam: "I will be a Villain!" *evil laugh*</i><br /> <br /> Bam-Bam, consoling the dog on his impending doggie vaccinations: "Whatever you do, just don' look at da shots ... And, after, maybe you get a lowipop." <br /> <br /> <i>The Professor: "Why is Dr. Who's time machine a phone booth? If I had a time machine, I'd make it a bouncy house, to have fun on the way."</i><br /> <br /> Bam-Bam, drawing a picture-story: "Ok, Daddy, now you are suwownded by lava and dere's a 3-eyed dragon wif sharp teef. An' you don' have your sword."<br /> <br /> <i>‎Bam-Bam, crying in his bed after the Professor brought home a Mother's Day craft from school.</i><br /> <i>Me: "What's wrong?"</i><br /> <i>Bam-Bam: "I didn't make a mother's day present."</i><br /> <i>Me, heart melting: "It's okay, sweetie, I don't need a present. I just want to spend the day with you. You don't have to give me anything."</i><br /> <i>Bam-Bam: "Okay ... But you won't forget to get me things for Christmas, right?"</i><br /> <br /> Me: "What do we call an animal that only eats meat?"<br /> The Professor: "A carnivore!"<br /> Me: "And an animal that only eats plants?"<br /> The Professor: "An herbivore!"<br /> Me: "And an animal that eats both meat and plants?"<br /> Bam-Bam: "A mommy-vore!"<br /> <br /> <i>Car: *rattling* a little over a bumpy part in the road.</i><br /> <i>Bam-Bam: Oh no! She's breaking up! We gotta jump for it!</i><br /> <br /> Bam-Bam: "I'm good at hopping. Hopping is my talent. ... And my other talent is being cute."<br /> <br /> <i>Bam-Bam, walking into my bathroom just after my shower, wrinkling his nose, declaring: "It smells like girl in here." and marching out.&nbsp;</i><br /> <br /> Me: Want to help me pick out what to wear today?<br /> Bam-Bam: No. Daddy can do that. I really don't want to see you naked.<br /> <br /> <i>Me: Oh, look at the cool pic @grantimahara tweeted.</i><br /> <i>The Professor, so awed there is a real danger he might suck all the air out of the rooom: "Grant Imahara?!? The MythBuster who was raised by robots!?! That's SO cool!"</i><br /> <br /> Bam-Bam, running into my room at 6:30 a.m.: "Mommy, there's a black puddle in the living room!"<br /> <span style="background-color: white;">Me, following them back to the living room: "Oh dear ... That's dog diarrhea."</span><br /> The Professor: "What's diarrhea?"<br /> Me: "It's dog poop."<br /> The Professor: "Ewwwww, Bam-Bam, it's melty dog-poop!"<br /> Bam-Bam: Oh darn. I was hoping we struck oil.<br /> <br /> <i>Bam-Bam, meditating:</i><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/66u7RLmWjkQ/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/66u7RLmWjkQ?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/66u7RLmWjkQ?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div> <br /> Miss me?<br /> <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Calligraphy'; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Dwc2E-7u2yE:5O8UTEZFfqI:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Dwc2E-7u2yE:5O8UTEZFfqI:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Dwc2E-7u2yE:5O8UTEZFfqI:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Dwc2E-7u2yE:5O8UTEZFfqI:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Dwc2E-7u2yE:5O8UTEZFfqI:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=Dwc2E-7u2yE:5O8UTEZFfqI:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/Dwc2E-7u2yE" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/Dwc2E-7u2yE/stuff-my-kids-say.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)5http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2012/07/stuff-my-kids-say.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-1002539779114184281Fri, 11 May 2012 22:18:00 +00002012-05-11T15:55:47.542-07:00It seems North Carolinans and President Obama have raised quite the hullaballo about same-sex marriages again this week.<br /> <br /> This is an<a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/search/label/same-sex%20marriage"> issue I'm fairly opinionated about</a>. So I've found myself talking and writing about it again this week. But ... there's just nothing new to say here, folks. It's all been done.<br /> <br /> The President supports the right of gays to marry. You know what, that's actually kind of fantastic. But it doesn't&nbsp;<i>change&nbsp;</i>anything, especially not the minds of the people who oppose it. <br /> And conservatives in North Carolina passed an all-but-redundant law declaring that only heterosexuals can marry in their state. Again, nothing much has changed.<br /> <br /> It's deja vu all over again.<br /> <br /> Here in California, we've been fighting against <a href="http://www.noh8campaign.com/article/about">Prop. 8</a> - the ballot initiative to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry - since 2008. As someone in the apparent voting minority in my state, I&nbsp;feel for those 40 percent or so of compassionate minded North Carolina voters who opposed their state's amendment to institutionalize civil inequality.<br /> <br /> But all these "new" headlines are really the same old story: People trying to impose their opinion on others to the point of stooping to create a second class of citizen.<br /> <br /> Hell, when you get right down to it, North Carolina's new amendment and California's Prop 8 and other anti-gay marriage actions are all just eerily&nbsp;reminiscent&nbsp;of the same arguments that were put forward to argue against racial integration and inter-racial marriages - 50 years ago.<br /> <br /> I'd have hoped we'd have evolved further than that by now.<br /> <br /> Maybe I'm lazy or impatient or just plain tired of all the animosity, but, since the anti-gay marriage proponents don't seem to have any <i>new </i>arguments to put forth, I'm not going to waste time crafting new counter-points.&nbsp;Instead, I think I'll just recycle a bit ...<br /> <br /> <b>From <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2008/10/still-waiting.html">Still Waiting</a>, 28 October 2008</b><br /> <b><br /></b><br /> <i>I still have yet to hear one - just ONE! - rational reason why Californians should pass Proposition 8 - which is an attempt to alter our State Constitution to define "marriage" as a "only between a man and woman".<br /> <br /> <i>The most basic premise of our State and Federal Constitutions - the very foundation of our whole Nation - is that ALL people are EQUAL under the law. How can anyone possibly reconcile that deeply held American value of equality with the intention and consequence of this Proposition?</i><br /> <br /> Proposition 8 puts discrimination INTO our Constitution. It requires the government to treat it's citizens differently under the law. And that undermines the very foundation of equality and civil rights we ALL enjoy as Americans.<br /> <br /> Whether you personally approve of homosexuality or not is irrelevant. The real question we are deciding is whether or not the Government can pick and chose which of its citizens may have certain civil rights and which may not.<br /> <br /> <i>Is that really a slope you want to start travelling down?</i><br /> <br /> <b>From <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/02/dont-divorce-us.html">Don't Divorce Us</a>, 6 February, 2009&nbsp;</b><br /> <br /> <i>I still don't understand why people want to control who other people love and marry. Or why they think they have the right to.&nbsp;I hope the courts will have the courage to correct this injustice. And I hope that more people will be able to grow their compassion and embrace equality. </i><br /> <br /> <b>From <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/03/by-any-other-name.html">By Any Other Name</a> 25 March 2009</b><br /> <br /> <i>Can we just give everybody in California a freakin' dictionary&nbsp;and move on?&nbsp;News Flash: The word "marriage" has more than one meaning.&nbsp;Let's make it simple:<br /><br />Marriage:&nbsp;1) A religious or spiritual union or rite,&nbsp;2) A legal contract with set rights and responsibilities defined by law.<br /><br />Religions of any kind are free and welcome to set any limits they see fit on Definition #1. But, in this country, no religion has any business trying to legislate Definition #2 to force others to live by their beliefs.<br /><br />If you want to live in a theocracy, you might try Iran or Saudi Arabia. I'm sure those are lovely places to live. As long as you do and think and be exactly as the church/government believes you should.</i><br /> <br /> <b>From <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/05/but-i-dont-want-to-go-among-mad-people.html">But I Don't Want To Go Among Mad People</a>, 28 May 2009</b><br /> <br /> <i>Substitute "gays" for, say, "Catholics" or "women" or "blacks" or "left-handed". Now substitute "marriage" for "voting" or "driver's license" or "due process" or "free education".<br /> Maybe then you will see how disturbing and wrong this precedent is.<br /><br />Fundamental rights should not be up for popular vote. Ever.&nbsp;Equality means that everyone is treated equally under the law unless there is an overwhelming reason not to. As soon as we start carving out certain rights for some and not for others, we put all of our rights in danger.</i><br /> <br /> One of the most basic premises of our legal system is that the rights of the minority are <span style="font-weight: bold;">not</span> subject to the whims of the majority.</i><br /> <br /> <i>How far down the rabbit hole do we need to fall before people realize that they are only hurting themselves by insisting on creating haves and have-nots?</i><br /> Will you only realize the damage you have done when it is your rights on the chopping block?<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <i>"If everybody minded their own business, <br />the world would go around a great deal faster than it does."</i><i>~ The Duchess, Alice in Wonderland</i><br /> <i><br /></i></div> <b>From&nbsp;<a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2010/01/all-animals-are-equal-but-some-are-more.html">All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others</a>, 11 January 2010</b><br /> <br /> <i>The rights set forth in our Constitution seem so simple; we sometimes take them for granted now. But, for our founding fathers, it was a paradigm-changing philosophy that set their fledgling constitutional republic apart as a nation of new ideals.<br /> <br /> We have, as a nation, not always lived up to those ideals of equality. But we've been moving in the right direction - slowly but surely - throughout our history. Socially, each generation has learned to be just&nbsp; a little more compassionate and tolerant than the last. Legally, the precedents over the last 200 years have been building a ladder toward that high-minded ideal set forth by our founding fathers so long ago.<br /><br />And today, the Courts will hear a case that could throw us back down to the bottom rung.<br /> <br /> If the "majority" of voters can decide that a whole class of people can be denied equal treatment under the law - in any form - then who or what will be next?</i><br /> <br /> ### <br /> <br /> If you want a fresher opinion, you might check out Newark Mayor Cory Booker's excellent analysis of the subject:<br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y4Z7tl7Vy8U" width="560"></iframe> <br /> <br /> You can also read <a href="http://blogs.babble.com/dadding/2012/05/09/obama-marriage-equality/">Whit Honea's perspective over at Dadding</a>. His is, as always, a compassionate and reasonable voice.<br /> <br /> And then there's this sweet and simple sentiment from the very fun and funny <ahref="https: #%21="" harto"="" twitter.com=""><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/harto">Hannah Hart</a>: <br /> </ahref="https:><br /> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center"> Why does North Carolina gotta hate? I just wanna make blanket forts with my lady and our babies. — Hannah Hart (@harto) <a data-datetime="2012-05-09T02:33:14+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/harto/status/200050767330148352">May 9, 2012</a></blockquote> <script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"> </script> When news like North Carolina's new amendment drags my spirit down, people like these give me hope.<br /> <br /> Namaste,<br /> <br /> &nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Calligraphy'; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Jk_8O2Ldrn0:SvaRWkYSpv0:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Jk_8O2Ldrn0:SvaRWkYSpv0:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Jk_8O2Ldrn0:SvaRWkYSpv0:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Jk_8O2Ldrn0:SvaRWkYSpv0:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Jk_8O2Ldrn0:SvaRWkYSpv0:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=Jk_8O2Ldrn0:SvaRWkYSpv0:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/Jk_8O2Ldrn0" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/Jk_8O2Ldrn0/its-all-been-done.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)3http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2012/05/its-all-been-done.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-3723403724123676994Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:30:00 +00002012-02-17T07:45:42.055-08:00booksdiy<br /> Behold: My creation! *lighting crashes* Mwahahahahahaha!<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FR0pNUmd-E/Tz19tCZDdUI/AAAAAAAAFYw/NgWxbkuZ3xc/s1600/Photo+Feb+16,+7+12+43+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FR0pNUmd-E/Tz19tCZDdUI/AAAAAAAAFYw/NgWxbkuZ3xc/s320/Photo+Feb+16,+7+12+43+AM.jpg" width="273" /></a></div> <br /> I'd seen these <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/82880755/book-purse-purse-clutch-made-from-kahlil?ref=sr_gallery_36&amp;ga_search_submit=&amp;ga_search_query=book+purse&amp;ga_view_type=gallery&amp;ga_ship_to=US&amp;ga_page=7&amp;ga_search_type=handmade&amp;ga_facet=handmade">cute</a> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/59407328/to-kill-a-mockingbird-book-purse">little</a> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/88740715/harry-potter-book-purse-deathly-hallows?ref=sr_gallery_38&amp;ga_search_submit=&amp;ga_search_query=book+purse&amp;ga_view_type=gallery&amp;ga_ship_to=US&amp;ga_search_type=handmade&amp;ga_facet=handmade">purses</a> <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/263390278176700227/">made</a> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/81054022/wuthering-heights-book-purse-handbag-by">from</a> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/85833431/book-purse-handbag-hunger-games-by?ref=sr_list_3&amp;ga_search_submit=&amp;ga_ref=auto&amp;ga_search_query=the+hunger+games&amp;ga_view_type=list&amp;ga_ship_to=US&amp;ga_search_type=handmade&amp;ga_facet=handmade%2Fbags_and_purses">books</a> at Etsy and other places and, being a huge <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/search/label/books">book nerd</a>, of course, I lusted for one of my own.<br /> <br /> But they seemed so expensive, when I knew they could be made for so much less money. And yet, I was too intimidated to try to make one myself. (My crafting projects too often end in tears and feelings of inadequacy.)<br /> <br /> But, after a friend of mine made this gorgeous bag for herself ... <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeFwhGDnbPU/Tzvu9O7qwRI/AAAAAAAAFUA/-GGRkfgOmmU/s1600/382657_10150523471501894_647636893_10491590_81240302_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeFwhGDnbPU/Tzvu9O7qwRI/AAAAAAAAFUA/-GGRkfgOmmU/s200/382657_10150523471501894_647636893_10491590_81240302_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XGUiWo_P96M/Tzvu9bEL5pI/AAAAAAAAFUI/FN2hd1rA4Pc/s1600/385863_10150523471436894_647636893_10491589_797805728_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGrC2QbzoaY/Tzvu-CDVB3I/AAAAAAAAFUQ/qXUQNwaICLI/s1600/386687_10150523471341894_647636893_10491588_652587593_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGrC2QbzoaY/Tzvu-CDVB3I/AAAAAAAAFUQ/qXUQNwaICLI/s200/386687_10150523471341894_647636893_10491588_652587593_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <br /> &nbsp; ... I got the guts to try to make my own. <br /> &nbsp; <br /> I took bits and pieces from several tutorials I found online and Frankenstein'd my own method of doing it.<br /> <br /> Mostly, this involved me thinking, <i>"Now, how how can I do that without any sewing?"</i> Cuz, you know, laziness is the mother of invention. Or something like that. <br /> <br /> As I'm generally pleased with my results, I thought I'd share the method to my madness.<br /> <br /> <b>PROLOGUE</b><br /> <br /> Frankly, I was too focused on figuring out how to make it work to really document my steps very well, though I did, obviously, snap a few pics along the way. So, as far as step-by-step tutorials go, this is a little weak. Think of it as more of an inspirational report than a how-to manual. ;)<br /> <br /> <b>TABLE OF CONTENTS:</b><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9sWskPfwNXc/Tzvviz3J8dI/AAAAAAAAFUg/ccub6jXHZOU/s1600/Photo+Feb+12,+3+12+04+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9sWskPfwNXc/Tzvviz3J8dI/AAAAAAAAFUg/ccub6jXHZOU/s200/Photo+Feb+12,+3+12+04+PM.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div> <ul> <li><b>A hard-cover book</b><br />Just this once, you should judge a book by its cover: I find older books and children's books have some of the best covers. But, for this, I chose one of <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/?series_id=577536">Barnes &amp; Noble's Leatherbound Classic Series</a>. Specifically, <i><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/barnes-noble-leatherbound-classics-the-vampire-chronicles-anne-rice/1106658783?ean=9780307291653&amp;itm=39">Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles</a></i>. My friend used <i><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/barnes-noble-leatherbound-classics-grimms-complete-fairy-tales-brothers-brothers-grimm/1106658811?ean=9781435114890&amp;itm=11">Grimm's Fairy Tales</a></i> from the same series. It was actually really hard to choose just one book - they had so many of my favorites with such <i>gorgeous</i> covers! I wanted to buy them all. But, then, I get that feeling in bookstores all the time. The final deciding factor for me was size: The Anne Rice anthology was more than twice as wide as most of the others, meaning a bigger purse.</li> <li><b>Coordinating fabric</b><br />How much depends on the size of your book. I bought four fabric quarters - two each of a Gothic-looking black/purple tie-dye and a bright arterial red to complement my blood-sucking fiends theme - and that was <i>more </i>than enough - even with a few mistakes and re-cuts. (Most of the bags I've seen use only one fabric. But I wanted different colors for the sides and lining.)</li> <li><b>Purse handles</b><br />I went with pre-made. My friend made her own out of wire and beads. It doesn't really matter, as long as they coordinate with your book/bag.</li> <li><b>Glue</b><br />I mostly used fabric glue - the kind you can buy at any craft store for hemming and the like. But you could use hot glue or other kinds of crafting glue. </li> <li><b>Cardboard</b><br />Sturdy, but not too thick. Enough to cover the front, back and spine of your book.&nbsp;</li> <li><b>Plastic report cover</b></li> <li><b>A utility knife, scissors, 2-3 blank pieces of paper, a pencil and maybe a ruler</b>.</li> </ul> All of these supplies cost me somewhere in the neighborhood of $35-40 - including the $20 book.<br /> <br /> You'll note that this list does NOT include a sewing machine or a needle and thread. Again, this is sheer sewing-aversion on my part. My bag is sew-free. Yours doesn't have to be. Just substitute "neatly sew a lovely hem" for "glue the shit out of it" and you're good to go. ;)<br /> <br /> Or, if you're the sewing type, you should check out this great <a href="http://www.hungrypanda.net/blog/2010/02/book-purse-tutorial/">how-to article at Hungry Panda</a>. I loved the <i>concept</i> of her design, but the thought of all that sewing made me start to hyperventilate.<br /> <br /> <b>CHAPTER 1: </b><b>Remove the cover</b><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xUo6G0gowpM/TzwSOj7nnDI/AAAAAAAAFYI/JkbLBh4AGX0/s1600/Photo+Feb+12,+9+37+56+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xUo6G0gowpM/TzwSOj7nnDI/AAAAAAAAFYI/JkbLBh4AGX0/s200/Photo+Feb+12,+9+37+56+PM.jpg" width="137" /></a></div> Yes, this is absolutely the most painful step - you have to cut the pages from the book. I <i>know</i>! I might have wept a little. I recommend doing it quickly - like ripping off a band-aid.<br /> <br /> Use your utility knife to cut through the end paper and stitches holding the cover to the pages. But, carefully, so as not to cut any pages or the spine binding itself. Because we <i>are </i>going to recover that book when we're done, are we not?<br /> <br /> Now that your book is naked, take it's measurements: Use blank paper to trace the front and back covers and spine. Then stand the book on it's edge, open it to the width you want your bag to open to, and trace that triangle outline all the way around the book, including a straight line along the front opening.<br /> <br /> <b>CHAPTER </b><b>2: </b><b>The Guts: Preparation&nbsp;</b><br /> <br /> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PEPTTbg9wsE/TzwSffZONpI/AAAAAAAAFYQ/98pE8V9t4kc/s1600/Photo+Feb+13,+11+28+05+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PEPTTbg9wsE/TzwSffZONpI/AAAAAAAAFYQ/98pE8V9t4kc/s200/Photo+Feb+13,+11+28+05+AM.jpg" width="167" /></a>From <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Book-Purse">this article at Wiki-How</a>, I borrowed the idea of using fabric-covered cardboard inserts for the bottom and sides of the bag, to help reinforce the the book/bag and make installation easier:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wTL1akS5g6U/TzwMpaKam-I/AAAAAAAAFXo/oQMAcpDgQ8o/s1600/Photo+Feb+12,+9+37+23+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wTL1akS5g6U/TzwMpaKam-I/AAAAAAAAFXo/oQMAcpDgQ8o/s200/Photo+Feb+12,+9+37+23+PM.jpg" width="160" /></a>Cut out two pieces of thin cardboard that are just a little smaller than the front and back covers of your book and one that is just a bit smaller than the spine.<br /> <br /> The finished pieces should fit all together inside<i> </i>your book, while it is closed, without going over any of the edges. Check this sizing and then double-check it. And then check it again. THEN, use fabric glue to cover the cardboard with your fabric.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> (As you can see, my craftier-than-I-am friend added some awesome pockets to the lining of her bag. I do love pockets, but they didn't fit into my no-sew agenda, so they got left on the drawing board for this bag. If there's ever a sequel to this project, I'll probably try to add pockets.) <br /> <br /> <b>CHAPTER </b><b>3: Handles</b><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ryY16cfqYVM/TzwN7EHBK-I/AAAAAAAAFXw/PXfOgH0t-NE/s1600/Photo+Feb+12,+9+37+02+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ryY16cfqYVM/TzwN7EHBK-I/AAAAAAAAFXw/PXfOgH0t-NE/s200/Photo+Feb+12,+9+37+02+PM.jpg" width="195" /></a></div> I went with a single loop handle and attached them to the middle of the bag with one strap for each. You can see on my friend's bag that she went with the half-loop handles that attach to the bag in two places, requiring a total of four straps. There are pros and cons to each, but really it's your preference.<br /> <br /> To attach the handles, I cut two long strips of the red fabric I used for the "guts" of the bag and "hemmed" the long edges with fabric glue. (Don't worry about the short edges.)<br /> <br /> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-RJRohSTmE/TzwN8wcPZII/AAAAAAAAFYA/gow4hi0Fn0E/s1600/Photo+Feb+13,+12+14+12+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-RJRohSTmE/TzwN8wcPZII/AAAAAAAAFYA/gow4hi0Fn0E/s200/Photo+Feb+13,+12+14+12+PM.jpg" width="200" /></a>I just looped the fabric through the handles and glued the bottom part of the fabric securely to each side of the inside of the book cover - making sure that the handles were even with each other vertically and horizontally.<br /> <br /> I think this method of using one strap per handle is a little easier than trying to make sure that FOUR handle straps are all even and equidistant. But, again: I'm a lazy crafter. The potential drawback to this method is that the strap sits right in the middle of the purse, so it could get in the way of the ...<br /> <br /> <b>CHAPTER </b><b>4: Clasp/Closure</b><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmLif8cHBLA/Tz1_ZmkrEKI/AAAAAAAAFY4/BiwTH5Hx5_U/s1600/Photo+Feb+16,+7+15+45+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmLif8cHBLA/Tz1_ZmkrEKI/AAAAAAAAFY4/BiwTH5Hx5_U/s200/Photo+Feb+16,+7+15+45+AM.jpg" width="156" /></a></div> A lot of the tutorials I saw used ribbon and a button - one mounted on each side of the bag in the center, to hold the book/purse closed. I liked the concept, but, as I said, my "middle" was kinda taken up by my strap. So, I just moved my button over to one side. I used a satin-covered black button and thin black leather twine that I had on hand, rather than a ribbon.<br /> <br /> I threaded the leather through the button, leaving a long tail and secured that to the inside of the book with glue and electrical tape (No, it's not pretty, but it's strong and no one will ever see it.) with the button just poking out over the top of the book. On the opposite cover, I secured a loop of the black leather the same way - again, with just enough poking over the top of the book to be able to hook around the button and hold the bag closed.<br /> <br /> One word of advice that I was thankful that my friend shared with me: Check the distance on this closure carefully and use something that has a little "give" for the strap. You want the book to stay closed, but not so tightly that it cuts off your storage space inside. I considered elastic, but I didn't have any on hand to try out. Plus, I liked the black leather. Hey, who doesn't? ;)<br /> <br /> <b>CHAPTER 5</b><b>: S</b><b>ide Panels</b><br /> <br /> I'm not gonna lie to you, Marge: This was the hard part. If you have access to another pair of hands, this is the time to call in reinforcements.<br /> <br /> I found several slightly different, but all good, methods for doing this online. If it weren't for my severe allergy to sewing, I probably would have used <a href="http://www.curbly.com/users/Chrisjob/posts/4164-Curbly-Video-Podcast-How-to-Make-a-Handbag-out-of-a-Recycled-Book-">this one at Curbly</a>. But, I did this instead:&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Take that triangle tracing from waaaay up there in Chapter 1 and add about an inch to the sides and a couple of inches to the top. This is the template for cutting out the side panels for your bag.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> Double over your fabric and cut a triangle from your template. Glue/hem the two sides of the doubled-over fabric together. Repeat, so that you have two equal-sized side panels.<br /> <br /> I stole this idea from&nbsp;<a href="http://www.epbot.com/2011/06/jen-yates-and-quest-for-worlds-best.html">Jen Yates at EPBOT</a>: Cut a medium weight plastic (like the kind you'd use for a report cover) into two horizontal strips about 1 inch tall and about an inch shy of the length of the top of your triangles.<br /> <br /> Hem (glue) that plastic strip into the top of the fabric and crease it in the middle, so that the point of the crease points to the inside of the bag. This helps the side panels to fold inward, as opposed to outward, when the bag closes.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GOq_evU8lVQ/Tz2KPtAMOzI/AAAAAAAAFao/ibAp8mOFl_k/s1600/bag-step-7-diy-1109-de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GOq_evU8lVQ/Tz2KPtAMOzI/AAAAAAAAFao/ibAp8mOFl_k/s200/bag-step-7-diy-1109-de.jpg" width="200" /></a>Glue the bottom point of the triangle to the inside of the spine of the book on one side - carefully checking the height before gluing to make sure the panels reach, but do not go past, the top of the book cover. Ditto on the other side.<br /> <br /> <i>Yes, I wish I had taken pictures of this part. But I didn't. Fortunately, <a href="http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/book-bag-craft-1109#slide-1">Country Living</a> did, for their very excellent tutorial on the subject.</i> <br /> <br /> Now take the spine-sized piece of cardboard that you covered in fabric earlier and glue it down on top of the edges of the triangles that you just glued down.(You can wait until step 6 to do this, but I thought doing it now was easier and less messy.)<br /> <br /> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IrtSpc3kMJ8/Tz2KQNwlfxI/AAAAAAAAFaw/z6OpemgvJgw/s1600/bag-step-9-diy-1109-de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IrtSpc3kMJ8/Tz2KQNwlfxI/AAAAAAAAFaw/z6OpemgvJgw/s200/bag-step-9-diy-1109-de.jpg" width="156" /></a>Glue the long edges of the fabric up along the inside of the book covers.<br /> <br /> That is <i>so much harder</i> than it sounds. Seriously, that one sentence does not accurately convey the contortions and cursing required to hold the book open at just the right angle with one hand while simultaneously holding the fabric in place with another hand while gluing the fabric down with another hand. Yes, that's at least three hands - that's my point!<br /> <br /> So, learn from my mistakes: Either get another hand or two to help you hold the book in place or put together some kind of contraption to prop the book open at the right angle while you are gluing the sides. <br /> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4sTYiHFdBEw/Tz2BsrcpFgI/AAAAAAAAFZA/s4cNetUAED0/s1600/Photo+Feb+16,+7+15+25+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4sTYiHFdBEw/Tz2BsrcpFgI/AAAAAAAAFZA/s4cNetUAED0/s200/Photo+Feb+16,+7+15+25+AM.jpg" width="153" /></a></div> <b>CHAPTER 6</b><b>: Guts: Installation</b><br /> <br /> Once you've got the side panels glued in place and have let them dry - I took my time and let each side dry a bit before moving on to the next - then it's all down hill from here: <br /> <br /> Just take the cardboard "guts" that you covered in fabric earlier and glue them in place to the insides of your bag. I used some paper clamps to hold the insides to the cover while the glue dried, which really doesn't take long.<br /> <br /> <i>Voila</i>! You now have a lovely book-bag perfect for every nerdy occasion! <br /> <br /> <i>But, wait!</i> There's still one last thing to do: <br /> <br /> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IgQ_OOt0yQY/Tzv01a6mvgI/AAAAAAAAFXQ/z_fnE_E25LQ/s1600/Photo+Feb+13%252C+5+38+04+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IgQ_OOt0yQY/Tzv01a6mvgI/AAAAAAAAFXQ/z_fnE_E25LQ/s200/Photo+Feb+13%252C+5+38+04+PM.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>CHAPTER&nbsp; 7</b><b>: Re-cover your book!</b><br /> <br /> Unless the pages of the book you used were un-salvageable, you'll want to re-cover them to save the book for actual reading! Don't worry: It's not hard.<br /> <br /> I <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-bind-your-own-Hardback-Book/step7/Mark-and-cut-out-the-cover-boards/">re-covered the pages of my book</a> with cardboard and some light denim fabric I had lying around. It's certainly not as pretty as the original cover. But the pages are protected and readable. :)<br /> <br /> <b>EPILOGUE</b><br /> <br /> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aYnSYZAL5Ss/Tz2EZPfWytI/AAAAAAAAFaA/suezTcp8ds4/s1600/Photo+Feb+16,+7+13+42+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aYnSYZAL5Ss/Tz2EZPfWytI/AAAAAAAAFaA/suezTcp8ds4/s200/Photo+Feb+16,+7+13+42+AM.jpg" width="200" /></a>I know I don't usually do this crafty-mom thing on my blog (or in real life!).<br /> <br /> But, I'm so pleased that I was able to make this successfully, that I want to share. Who knows, maybe there's some other book-loving-but-sewing-challenged person out there feeling, as I was, a little intimidated by this particular project.<br /> <br /> So, if you want your very own "book bag" - don't be afraid to try it. And absolutely DO post a link to a pic here if you make one of your own!<br /> <br /> No, my bag is not "perfect" - but it's mine. I made it. And I had fun making it. And that'd be enough right there to make me love it.<br /> <br /> Bonus: It's a gorgeous book cover and I think I did a half-way decent job of transforming into a fun and useful bag. I even took it on it's first outing the other night - to my son's school's "Literacy Night". It seemed a fitting debut. I can't wait to wear it to even more geeky places. <br /> <br /> <b>The End,</b><br /> <b>&nbsp;</b> <br /> &nbsp;<span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=gzMBX5-a2so:A7PiLcrYITw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=gzMBX5-a2so:A7PiLcrYITw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=gzMBX5-a2so:A7PiLcrYITw:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=gzMBX5-a2so:A7PiLcrYITw:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=gzMBX5-a2so:A7PiLcrYITw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=gzMBX5-a2so:A7PiLcrYITw:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/gzMBX5-a2so" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/gzMBX5-a2so/feelin-crafty.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)4http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2012/02/feelin-crafty.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-4848362508822822013Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:29:00 +00002012-02-14T12:46:15.136-08:00Happy VD! ;p <br /> <br /> Yeah, I know, I've pretty much made it clear<a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/search?q=valentine"> in the past</a> that I'm not a big fan of V-Day.<br /> <br /> As far as February holidays go, I much prefer those that involve <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/search?q=groundhog">prognosticating rodents</a>, as opposed to a made-up (I know, technically, they are all made-up, but you know what I mean.), commercialized, over-sentimentalized holiday designed to squish the most complicated of all emotions into a 24-hour window of "displays of affection". <br /> <br /> Still ... I'm not entirely unsentimental.<br /> <br /> In fact, this year, I'm offering a glimpse of my soft white underbelly by admitting that I am kind of a sucker for<b> romantic movies</b>, well, some of them, anyway. I know! It's so ... so ... <i>girly</i>! But, I can't help it. I just have a soft spot for them. Many of them live happily in my DVD cabinet next to my action flicks, sci-fi collections and kung-fu movies. There are even a few classic musicals dancing around in there. It's an eclectic neighborhood of a cupboard, to be sure, but they all get along.<br /> <br /> <b>So, in honor of Valentine's Day, here are 21 of my favorite romantic movies, in no particular order: </b><br /> <br /> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vODj5QS7saI/Tzq0yAsh-TI/AAAAAAAAFTI/kG6jbBH6hqA/s1600/the_princess_bride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vODj5QS7saI/Tzq0yAsh-TI/AAAAAAAAFTI/kG6jbBH6hqA/s200/the_princess_bride.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093779/"></a><br /> <i><b>1. </b></i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093779/"><i><b>The Princess Bride</b></i></a> One of my all-time favorite movies of any sort and smashing good tale of "Wuv. Twue Wuv."<br /> <br /> <i><b>2. </b></i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050105/"><b><i>An Affair to Remember</i></b></a><br /> This is a remake of the classic <i>Love Affair</i> from 1939, and it's a story that's been re-told on the big screen several times, but this Carey Grant and Deborah Kerr version will always be my favorite. I still tear up at the end. Every. Time.<br /> <br /> <i><b>3. </b></i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094812/"><b><i>Bull Durham</i></b></a><i><b> </b></i><br /> <i>"Well, I believe in the soul, the cock, the pussy, the small of a woman's back, the hanging curve ball, high fiber, good scotch, that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days."</i>&nbsp; ... Nuff said.<br /> <br /> <i><b>4. </b></i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034583/"><i><b>Casablanca</b></i></a><br /> Really? If I even need to explain this one, you should just stop reading now.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-t3oG96D-I/Tzq1RWAtGsI/AAAAAAAAFTg/EQozuYC5uXo/s1600/Wall-E+Eve+Xmas+Lights+feb9+09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-t3oG96D-I/Tzq1RWAtGsI/AAAAAAAAFTg/EQozuYC5uXo/s200/Wall-E+Eve+Xmas+Lights+feb9+09.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <i><b>5. </b></i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0910970/"><i><b>Wall-E</b></i></a><br /> I don't care if he is a trash-bot - don't even try to tell me that the montage of him trying to wake and woo the dormant EVE is not some of the most sweetest footage ever, animated or otherwise. Speaking of ...&nbsp; <br /> <br /> <i><b>6. </b></i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1049413/"><i><b>Up</b></i></a><br /> If you know anyone who doesn't get at least a little choked up by the end of the first 10 minutes of this film, check their pulse.<br /> <br /> <i><b>7. </b></i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038787/"><i><b>Notorious</b></i></a><br /> More Carey Grant - gawd, I love that man - this time paired with Ingrid Bergman in a war-time spy thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Okay, I know Nazi Germany doesn't sound romantic, but, if you haven't seen it, you're gonna hafta just trust me on this one. There's this one kiss - omg, I melt.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mGNhMFqOOL0/TzrEkX9WR8I/AAAAAAAAFTo/xhvkCpVTCf0/s1600/Breakfast+at+Tiffanys+Kissing+in+the+Rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mGNhMFqOOL0/TzrEkX9WR8I/AAAAAAAAFTo/xhvkCpVTCf0/s320/Breakfast+at+Tiffanys+Kissing+in+the+Rain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <i><b>8. </b></i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054698/"><i><b>Breakfast at Tiffany's&nbsp;</b></i></a><br /> Bittersweet and charming, this one is Audrey Hepburn in one of her best roles.<br /> <br /> <i><b>9. </b></i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047437/"><i><b>Sabrina (1954)</b></i></a><br /> Audrey Hepburn again, in a lighter role this time and paired with Bogart in a classic romance with some very cute moments.<br /> <br /> <i><b>10. </b></i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056923/"><i><b>Charade</b></i></a><br /> We've already established my love for Audrey Hepburn and Carey Grant, so how can I NOT love them together? Especially when they're hip-deep in espionage <br /> <br /> <i><b>11. </b></i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046807/"><i><b>Brigadoon</b></i></a><br /> Gene Kelly sings and dances his way around the Highlands of Scotland with Cyd Charisse while sarcastic Van Johnson cracks wise - that would be enough to make me love it right there. But, there's a sweet and sappy romance at the heart of this fanciful musical that just appeals to the fairy-tale loving little girl in me.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LKIcMPorAOk/Tzq1Dy4v0zI/AAAAAAAAFTQ/ppFiz66NtMA/s1600/Dirty-Dancing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LKIcMPorAOk/Tzq1Dy4v0zI/AAAAAAAAFTQ/ppFiz66NtMA/s200/Dirty-Dancing.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <br /> <i><b>12.</b></i> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092890/"><i><b>Dirty Dancing</b></i></a> "Nobody puts Baby in a corner." I was about 13 when it first came out , so it will always be a formative romance for me and it still makes me *sigh* a little, and remember what it feels like to fall in love for the first time.<br /> <br /> <i><b>13. </b></i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091790/"><i><b>Pretty in Pink</b></i></a><br /> Again - a formative one for me, as were almost all of John Hughes' films. His movies felt very "real" to a lot of teenagers at a time in life when it's hard to find anything to connect to at all. For the nostalgia factor alone, this would continue to be a favorite.<br /> <br /> <i><b>14. </b></i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098635/"><i><b>When Harry Met Sally</b></i></a><br /> The anti love-at-first-sight romance. Sweet, funny, quirky - everything love (and a love story) should be.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UlV5MsC9AQY/TzrFlkEgXXI/AAAAAAAAFT4/uwCqGv0IU2Y/s1600/french-kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UlV5MsC9AQY/TzrFlkEgXXI/AAAAAAAAFT4/uwCqGv0IU2Y/s200/french-kiss.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <i><b>15.</b></i> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113117/"><i><b>French Kiss</b></i></a><br /> Another quirky love-in-strange places theme with the adorable, everybody-loves-her Meg Ryan. But it's Kevin Kline who really makes this movie for me.<br /> <br /> <i><b>16.</b></i> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120591/"><b><i>Armageddon</i></b></a><br /> The innocent joy of sweet, romantic love and the heart-wrenching sacrifice of omg-it-still-makes-me-cry parental love, both reflected in the unbelievably sweet face of Liv Tyler. Bonus: Steve Buscemi trying to ride a nuke.<br /> <br /> <i><b>17. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114924/">While You Were Sleeping</a></b></i><br /> I love Sandra Bullock, and she and Bill Pullman are so quirky and cute in this. I can watch this one over and over.<br /> <br /> <i><b>18. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1041829/">The Proposal </a></b></i><br /> One of the few more recent romances to make more than a blip on my radar. Probably more for the fact that I adore both Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock than because of anything genius in the movie itself. But it has some really sweet and funny moments that give it re-watch-ability for me.<br /> <br /> <i><b>19. </b></i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138097/"><i><b>Shakespeare in Love</b></i></a><br /> I like to think the Bard himself would have liked this tale casting himself as a star-crossed lover.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mgSbgQbQjJM/TzqzpZqd3OI/AAAAAAAAFSg/TLsI-VaQqAI/s1600/Say-Anything.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mgSbgQbQjJM/TzqzpZqd3OI/AAAAAAAAFSg/TLsI-VaQqAI/s200/Say-Anything.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <i><b>20. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098258/">Say Anything</a></b></i><br /> How can you not love that moment? Gawd, I haven't seen this one in ages. I might have to go watch it now.<br /> <br /> <i><b>21. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088247/">Terminator</a></b></i><br /> Shut up. It is TOO a romance. <br /> <br /> I'm sure I've left out other great movies, trying to keep the list manageable. And, as you can see, my tastes tend to run to mostly older movies. <b>What romantic movies would YOU add the list</b>? Do you have favorite "classics"? Are there other modern romances you think I should give a try?<br /> <br /> Gentlemen: These questions are not just for the ladies of the club; don't be afraid to chime in on this, too! My movies tastes generally run to "guy flicks" anyway. Share!<br /> <br /> Love,<br /> <br /> &nbsp;<span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=xORbF24RMdM:bZBJxGR8Jbw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=xORbF24RMdM:bZBJxGR8Jbw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=xORbF24RMdM:bZBJxGR8Jbw:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=xORbF24RMdM:bZBJxGR8Jbw:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=xORbF24RMdM:bZBJxGR8Jbw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=xORbF24RMdM:bZBJxGR8Jbw:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/xORbF24RMdM" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/xORbF24RMdM/as-you-wish.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)10http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2012/02/as-you-wish.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-7088027419950739046Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +00002012-02-01T05:00:00.147-08:00photoscommunicationgeek<br /> If you haven't waded into the new <a href="https://www.facebook.com/about/timeline">Facebook Timeline</a> yet, you'll be thrown into the deep end shortly.<br /> <br /> *Pause for mandatory moaning and groaning*<br /> <br /> I know, I know. I wasn't a huge fan of most of Facebook's "improvements" over the last few years, either. But, we survived them. Got used to them, even. And, like it or not, it's Facebook's pool - we just swim in it. So, strap on your goggles and arm-floaties and take a deep breath. (Shut up, you know you are <i>so </i>not getting out of the water.)<br /> <br /> Knowing resistance was futile, I decided to dip into FB's Timeline a while back, while it was still optional, to give myself some time to play with it. So, I figured I'd offer my <b>Good, Bad and Ugly (and Pretty) </b>report on the subject:<br /> <br /> <b>THE GOOD</b><br /> <br /> Honestly, I kind of like the aesthetics of the Timeline.<br /> <br /> It took me a few days to get used to it. But, once you do, it's a fairly intuitive interface. It's basically just a vertical chronological list of of your posts: statuses, photos, app updates, etc. are all in one long line going from the present alllllll the way down to "Born."<br /> <br /> Yep, FB's timeline is now, literally, your whole life scrolling before your eyes.<br /> <br /> Of course, for most people, the years between "born" and "joined facebook" on your Timeline are pretty much blank - but they don't have to be. You can add "life events" to your timeline - complete with a photo/video, a story, a location, and "tags", should you so desire. You can list marriages, divorces, births, deaths, moves, education, personal achievements, the addition of a pet, the installation of new body art and just about any other kind of personal milestone you can think of.<br /> <br /> I added my sons' births (month and year only) and a few other tidbits. But, to be honest, I don't know anyone who's used these life events much or gone back to add to their pre-fb years. But it'll be interesting to see how people use it going forward.<br /> <br /> The scroll-through-your-whole-life format also makes Facestalking easier. That could be a good or a bad, depending on which side of the stalkee/stalker relationship you happen to fall ... which brings us to ... <br /> <b><br /></b><br /> <b>THE BAD</b><br /> <br /> Privacy. Of course. Let's face it, FB doesn't have a great track record with respecting your personal privacy.<br /> <br /> And, at first glance, the new Timeline feels like FB trying yet again to make your personal information more public. But, really, the Timeline doesnt change any of your personal privacy settings - it ony makes the content that was already out there a little easier to navigate.<br /> <br /> With the FB Profile, users had to scroll through pages and pages and pages of posts to see your "old" stuff. Now, they can use the hand-dandy mini-timeline to the right of your home page to jump to any given month or year of your life. <i>"Gee, I wonder what Zen was posting back when she started that new work assignment ... let's just zip on over to June, 2009 and take a little look-see, eh? Ooooo, she had some anger issues ... let's just change the privacy setting on those." </i><br /> <br /> But, that's the good news about the bad news: You still have the same level of control over the privacy of your posts. You can scroll through your timeline (or your "activity list" - a streamlined version of your timeline that only you can see) and select the audiences for each post: Don't want your boss to see those pics of you on the fishing boat last year?&nbsp; You can delete it, remove it from your timeline, or limit the audience to your "fishing buddies" group. Up to you.<br /> <br /> Personally, I've been using FB's friend lists (personal friends vs work colleagues vs family vs acquaintances, etc.) to limit visibility of specific posts for a while now, so it wasn't too difficult to go back through and police a few of my random older posts that might not be suitable for all audiences. <br /> <br /> BUT, if you've been on FB a long time and/or have a lot of old posts that you're concerned about, it could be pretty grueling to go back through your entire timeline to set privacy settings<b> </b>on each one. If FB sticks to it's current Timeline rollout process, you should have one week between your Timeline activating for <i>you </i>and when it goes public. If you have questionable or need-to-be private past posts, I suggest using that week wisely. You can use the handy "view as" near the top right to see how your Timeline will appear to specific friends or the public. <br /> <br /> Your <b>photo </b>albums privacy settings should remain unchanged, but your photos will be a little more prominent in your timeline now. So, don't forget to check those settings, too.<br /> <br /> The other privacy related potential danger-zone you might want to check is the "<b>Map</b>" ... <a href="http://jlellis.net/blog/facebook-timeline-and-the-map-privacy-concerns-and-how-to-fix-them/">This is a good article about that</a>. <br /> <br /> The truth is that you should never pretend that ANYTHING you put on the web is ever really "private".&nbsp; But, at least with a little bit of work, your FB content shouldn't be any LESS private that it already was.<br /> <br /> <b>THE UGLY</b><br /> <br /> <br /> With the roll-out of the Timeline, FB has cranked up <b>App sharing</b> to an 11. To <a href="https://www.facebook.com/about/timeline/apps">hear FB tell it</a>, this is a good thing. To me, this is more like over-sharing on steroids. T.M. effing. I.<br /> But, again, you have some options (Under Accont Settings: Apps): You can delete or deauthorize an app, of course. But you can also change the sharing default of most apps to limit the audience that is bombarded with your latest eating, shopping, listening, reading, watching, traveling, decorating, and grooming activities. <br /> <br /> <i>Please. Do. This.</i><br /> <br /> It's not that I don't want to know about every little thing you're up to ... okay, yes, it partly IS that ... but, to me, this over-sharing detracts from "real" communication and connection, rather than adds to it.&nbsp; It just turns into so much visual White Noise on my screen. After a while, it gets hard to tune out the trivial and I'm a lot more likely to miss the important stuff that you actually WANT me to read. <br /> <br /> <b>THE PRETTY</b><br /> <b>&nbsp;</b> <br /> One new feature I quite like about the Timeline is the "Cover Photo". Kind of like a blog header, the cover photo takes up the whole top of your Timeline and is the first thing people see when they visit your page.<br /> <br /> (One note of caution, even if the rest of your profile is locked down tight and private, your Cover photo will be public. No way out of that, currently. So, choose wisely.) <br /> <br /> Some <a href="http://blog.mad4flash.com/2011/10/10-amazing-facebook-timeline-covers-and-photos/">people </a>have gotten really <a href="http://dailylinked.blogspot.com/2011/10/30-creative-facebook-cover-designs.html">creative</a> with <a href="http://www.demortalz.com/2011/10/02/creative-facebook-timeline-profile-cover-photo/">their </a>Facebook <a href="http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/16-creative-ways-to-create-your-facebook-timeline-cover-photo/">Covers</a>. But you don't have to be a graphic artist to use the Cover Photo: Just upload a new pic or choose one of your existing ones - landscape-orientation works best, of course. If the image is too small, FB will add a border around it. If it's too large, you can drag it about to place it just how you want.<br /> <br /> If you want to add a slightly higher degree of difficulty, you can make a custom Cover - the size is 851 by 315.<br /> <br /> Or, feel free to <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/onezenmom/FbCovers?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIW67tqK4ceafQ&amp;feat=directlink">steal one of mine</a>: I've been playing with some just for kicks and giggles.<br /> <br /> <i>Because I'm a geek. That's what we do for fun. Shut up.</i> :p<br /> <br /> <b>YOUR TURN</b><br /> <br /> So, have <i>you </i>tried out the new Timeline yet? What do you like and dislike about it? Any <a href="http://mashable.com/2012/01/24/facebook-timeline-roll-out/">tips or tricks</a> to share?<br /> <br /> If you hate it ... well, the final bit of good news is that FB seems to "improve" it's interface about every 12.6 seconds. So, if you hate it, just wait a while. I'm sure they'll come up with something you hate even more very shortly. ;p <br /> <br /> Embracing change,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span> <br /> <br /> <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/onezenmom/FbCovers?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIW67tqK4ceafQ&amp;feat=directlink"><b>ZEN'S FB COVERS </b></a><br /> (<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/onezenmom/FbCovers?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIW67tqK4ceafQ&amp;feat=directlink">click through</a> for full sizes)<b> </b><br /> <br /> This one reminds me of a few bloggers I know: <br /> <table style="width: auto;"><tbody> <tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/v995xyqvyTRIKt5I8Uh9PqOqj4szx5w0XCFKpcu3wAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="107" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-905RM8yxY0Q/TyHuUdQV6kI/AAAAAAAAFLQ/31tvad4X8Fw/s288/fb-cover-typewriter.png" width="288" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/onezenmom/FbCovers?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIW67tqK4ceafQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite">fb-covers</a></td></tr> </tbody></table> For the geeky coffee lover: <br /> <table style="width: auto;"><tbody> <tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lre-Mc6uOOk8a4b-VTBVyKOqj4szx5w0XCFKpcu3wAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="107" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lDIJuv_dQk4/TyMsSaa_wiI/AAAAAAAAFPc/KCRCIjpsTFI/s288/fb-cover-caffeine-2.png" width="288" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/onezenmom/FbCovers?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIW67tqK4ceafQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite">fb-covers</a></td></tr> </tbody></table> Duh. I had to have a Zen Garden cover: <br /> <table style="width: auto;"><tbody> <tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ryJbDRGNVqXw2NtudFGRtKOqj4szx5w0XCFKpcu3wAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="107" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uMpsD7NKgJ4/TyHuV2wU3tI/AAAAAAAAFMA/Z_kQQL7r5w0/s288/fb-cover-zengarden.png" width="288" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/onezenmom/FbCovers?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIW67tqK4ceafQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite">fb-covers</a></td></tr> </tbody></table> For TheOneSFD: <br /> <table style="width: auto;"><tbody> <tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/h3tKS7owPQAcmI90WQmzWaOqj4szx5w0XCFKpcu3wAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="107" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qPztbkv-PKU/TyHuE4B77NI/AAAAAAAAFIY/RKWNzuLcKo0/s288/fb-cover-boba-1.png" width="288" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/onezenmom/FbCovers?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIW67tqK4ceafQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite">fb-covers</a></td></tr> </tbody></table> I so wish I had taken this: <br /> <table style="width: auto;"><tbody> <tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pLzFzw3ficQ1IB79jKAR8KOqj4szx5w0XCFKpcu3wAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="107" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-so54T9m7_LU/TyHuS1PkODI/AAAAAAAAFK0/udv2-GhE17g/s288/fb-cover-sw-ymca.png" width="288" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/onezenmom/FbCovers?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIW67tqK4ceafQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite">fb-covers</a></td></tr> </tbody></table> Who doesn't love Calvin and Hobbes? <br /> <table style="width: auto;"><tbody> <tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SyNgkuuz6Z7nztV5bPmoMaOqj4szx5w0XCFKpcu3wAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="107" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pGDnBR9AFII/TyHuFQRuYPI/AAAAAAAAFHo/NXpFYl8Xgro/s288/fb-cover-calvin-and-hobbes-dancing.png" width="288" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/onezenmom/FbCovers?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIW67tqK4ceafQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite">fb-covers</a></td></tr> </tbody></table> Ever have one of those days? <br /> <table style="width: auto;"><tbody> <tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/B3RaxCLgKPn4p0yrbXxWmaOqj4szx5w0XCFKpcu3wAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="107" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zUtQBKwx0KI/TyHuG-NKSXI/AAAAAAAAFIM/WXH9FZz2EvQ/s288/fb-cover-crime-scene.png" width="288" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/onezenmom/FbCovers?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIW67tqK4ceafQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite">fb-covers</a></td></tr> </tbody></table> Good advice all the time: <br /> <table style="width: auto;"><tbody> <tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/l3i3Ukh1LBObLFxV8cnpgqOqj4szx5w0XCFKpcu3wAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="107" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bXvGWvLP4oA/TyHuHF2en7I/AAAAAAAAFII/n_9lpZyoYGU/s288/fb-cover-dont-panic.png" width="288" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/onezenmom/FbCovers?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIW67tqK4ceafQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite">fb-covers</a></td></tr> </tbody></table> For the Browncoats: <br /> <table style="width: auto;"><tbody> <tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/31q-H9MI4MDHXH-aO4XIeKOqj4szx5w0XCFKpcu3wAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="107" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wsz-1vhIykg/TyHuI1mdiII/AAAAAAAAFIs/FdKTZo9Ocxw/s288/fb-cover-firefly-rebellion-joy.png" width="288" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/onezenmom/FbCovers?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIW67tqK4ceafQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite">fb-covers</a></td></tr> </tbody></table> Goes without saying: <br /> <table style="width: auto;"><tbody> <tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lPP2oN99xlXioUF_CsXNAKOqj4szx5w0XCFKpcu3wAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="107" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OyYOeRBct2c/TyHuKBtQ_3I/AAAAAAAAFJI/itUGIU5R5fs/s288/fb-cover-mad.png" width="288" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/onezenmom/FbCovers?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIW67tqK4ceafQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite">fb-covers</a></td></tr> </tbody></table> This one's for Mathew and Megan: <br /> <table style="width: auto;"><tbody> <tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HHQjiJB49nnl4ndHGWnufqOqj4szx5w0XCFKpcu3wAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="107" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HS7Vm39fwqU/TyHuK1aakGI/AAAAAAAAFJU/Lht6XDqAFh4/s288/fb-cover-portal.png" width="288" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/onezenmom/FbCovers?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIW67tqK4ceafQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite">fb-covers</a></td></tr> </tbody></table> And for the Whovians: <br /> <table style="width: auto;"><tbody> <tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bROKHQq-EDJhcQALzS67IqOqj4szx5w0XCFKpcu3wAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="107" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4JCAuL6d8eM/TyHuTF6QM6I/AAAAAAAAFKw/D1lmH_STzVc/s288/fb-cover-tardis-1.png" width="288" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/onezenmom/FbCovers?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIW67tqK4ceafQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite">fb-covers</a></td></tr> </tbody></table> And for all of us still waiting for our letter from Hogwarts:<br /> <table style="width: auto;"><tbody> <tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TDMq8K4CE3tsaGo8qY30YKOqj4szx5w0XCFKpcu3wAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="107" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4jXQxAA0tEY/TyLmoQ91sgI/AAAAAAAAFOc/ve-oo2Sq9EM/s288/fb-cover-mischief-managed-1.png" width="288" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/onezenmom/FbCovers?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIW67tqK4ceafQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite">fb-covers</a></td></tr> </tbody></table> <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/onezenmom/FbCovers?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIW67tqK4ceafQ&amp;feat=directlink">But wait, there's more ...</a><br /> <br /> <br /> (Disclaimer: Some of these Covers are my original work, but most are derivatives of other people's images. I don't claim copyright on any of them.)<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=wWYoioytR70:jJCYhmtJiN4:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=wWYoioytR70:jJCYhmtJiN4:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=wWYoioytR70:jJCYhmtJiN4:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=wWYoioytR70:jJCYhmtJiN4:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=wWYoioytR70:jJCYhmtJiN4:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=wWYoioytR70:jJCYhmtJiN4:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/wWYoioytR70" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/wWYoioytR70/timelines-they-are-achangin.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)4http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2012/02/timelines-they-are-achangin.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-271472527945904975Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:34:00 +00002012-01-16T09:34:04.661-08:00tattoobnlabout-meSo, this is new. <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dFne6gIhdnA/TxI30ScQfDI/AAAAAAAACBE/eX6nnU_kh5I/s1600/Photo%2BJan%2B14%252C%2B5%2B42%2B17%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dFne6gIhdnA/TxI30ScQfDI/AAAAAAAACBE/eX6nnU_kh5I/s320/Photo%2BJan%2B14%252C%2B5%2B42%2B17%2BPM.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> <br /> Artfully yours,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span> <br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/w7ijCSs6n_g" width="420"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=nIgK0uQ30xU:H2BgCZh2HUo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=nIgK0uQ30xU:H2BgCZh2HUo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=nIgK0uQ30xU:H2BgCZh2HUo:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=nIgK0uQ30xU:H2BgCZh2HUo:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=nIgK0uQ30xU:H2BgCZh2HUo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=nIgK0uQ30xU:H2BgCZh2HUo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/nIgK0uQ30xU" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/nIgK0uQ30xU/kick-at-darkness-till-it-bleeds.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)1http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2012/01/kick-at-darkness-till-it-bleeds.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-8373381062659313592Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:14:00 +00002012-01-06T08:32:21.368-08:00videostuff-and-nonsenseI vlog'd. <br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wjZixA9S9xI" width="560"></iframe><br /> <br /> <blockquote class="tr_bq"><br /> <i>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tule_fog">fog</a> comes</i><br /> <i>on little cat feet.</i><br /> <br /> <i>It sits looking</i><br /> <i>over harbor and city</i><br /> <i>on silent haunches</i><br /> <i>and then moves on.</i><br /> <i><br /> </i><br /> <i>~ Carl Sandburg (1878-1967)</i></blockquote><br /> <br /> Happy commuting,<br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=-azXWHdDcog:pLTN3c3NjAs:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=-azXWHdDcog:pLTN3c3NjAs:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=-azXWHdDcog:pLTN3c3NjAs:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=-azXWHdDcog:pLTN3c3NjAs:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=-azXWHdDcog:pLTN3c3NjAs:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=-azXWHdDcog:pLTN3c3NjAs:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/-azXWHdDcog" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/-azXWHdDcog/on-little-cat-feet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)5http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2012/01/on-little-cat-feet.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-7790884944930899778Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:53:00 +00002012-01-06T08:14:47.769-08:00booksHappy New Year!<br /> <br /> I've pretty much <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/01/resolved.html">established the fact</a> that I <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2010/01/theyre-more-what-youd-call-guidelines.html">don't have much use</a> for <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/01/irresolute.html">New Year's Resolutions</a> in general. But, for 2011, I did set a resolution-like goal for myself: To read a minimum of 60 books.<br /> <br /> Based on recent years, that seemed like a realistic, but challenging goal.<br /> <br /> I'm pleased to say I made it to 61. Though, I have to admit, I know I could have read more. There were a few times this year when I went weeks without any "pleasure reading" at all - which is very unlike me and is probably a testament to just how crazy 2011 was. (As is the dearth of posts here on the ol' blog-front, I know.) In fact, about 45 of those 60 books were all read in the first 6-7 months of the year. So, fall and winter were obviously pretty lacking in "me-time". <br /> <br /> Still, I've set the <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/challenges/207-2012-reading-challenge">same goal for 2012</a> ... but (shhhh!) I'm secretly hoping to beat it buy a greater margin than my stunning one-more-than-planned in 2011. ;)<br /> <br /> Like my reading lists for the last few years, 2011 was chock full o' brain candy and speculative fiction. But there are a few exceptions.<br /> <br /> One notable standout - for me - is an actual best-seller! I almost never read those. I guess I'm something of a ... what's the opposite of a books-snob? Wait, I think that's still a book snob. Just a different kind. ;)&nbsp; But, in general, if it's "popular", I'm almost almost instinctively averse to reading it. Strange, I know. But, still true.<br /> <br /> And yet, something about this one appealed to me ... so, for one of my last reads of 2011, I got a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0545265355/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=zen06d-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0545265355">The Hunger Games</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=zen06d-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0545265355" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> on Kindle ... and read it straight through (virtual) cover to cover in about 4 hours. And then I did the exact same thing with it's two sequels. (Those are on my 2012 list.) I have to admit - they were really good books. You should read them.<br /> <br /> <i>What did YOU read that was pleasantly surprising this year? :) </i><br /> <br /> Happy Reading,<br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> <b><i>"We read to know that we are not alone." ~ C.S. Lewis&nbsp; </i></b><br /> <br /> <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2010/12/good-reads-2010.html">Good Reads 2010</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp; <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/12/inside-of-dog-its-too-dark-to-read.html">Good Reads 2009</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp; <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/01/wear-old-coat-and-buy-new-book.html">Good Reads 2008</a><br /> <br /> <style media="screen" type="text/css"> .gr_custom_container_1325632449 { /* customize your Goodreads widget container here*/ border: 1px solid gray; -moz-border-radius:10px; -webkit-border-radius:10px; padding: 10px 5px 10px 5px; background-color: #FFFFFF; color: #000000; width: 300px } .gr_custom_header_1325632449 { /* customize your Goodreads header here*/ border-bottom: 1px solid gray; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 5px; text-align: center; font-size: 120% } .gr_custom_each_container_1325632449 { /* customize each individual book container here */ width: 100%; clear: both; margin-bottom: 10px; overflow: auto; padding-bottom: 4px; border-bottom: 1px solid #aaa; } .gr_custom_book_container_1325632449 { /* customize your book covers here */ overflow: hidden; height: 60px; float: left; margin-right: 4px; width: 39px; } .gr_custom_author_1325632449 { /* customize your author names here */ font-size: 10px; } .gr_custom_tags_1325632449 { /* customize your tags here */ font-size: 10px; color: gray; } .gr_custom_rating_1325632449 { /* customize your rating stars here */ float: right; } </style><br /> <br /> <div id="gr_custom_widget_1325632449"><div class="gr_custom_container_1325632449"><h2 class="gr_custom_header_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1630590-candace?shelf=2011&amp;utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" style="text-decoration: none;">2011 Reading List</a><br /> </h2><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/156031506?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="The Day After and Other Stories"><img alt="The Day After and Other Stories" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1292888732s/9971026.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/156031506?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">The Day After and Other Stories</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/37075.Wil_Wheaton">Wil Wheaton</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and sf</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/140211036?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Kick Ass"><img alt="Kick Ass" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266599131s/615941.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/140211036?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Kick Ass</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064.Maggie_Shayne">Maggie Shayne</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76597609?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Black Magic Sanction (The Hollows, #8)"><img alt="Black Magic Sanction" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1310918991s/6547188.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76597609?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Black Magic Sanction</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17054.Kim_Harrison">Kim Harrison</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/147437109?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Blameless (The Parasol Protectorate, #3)"><img alt="Blameless" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1293436281s/7719355.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/147437109?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Blameless</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2891665.Gail_Carriger">Gail Carriger</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/121486680?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Bayou Moon (The Edge, #2)"><img alt="Bayou Moon" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1307445460s/7130616.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/121486680?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Bayou Moon</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21748.Ilona_Andrews">Ilona Andrews</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/92460662?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1)"><img alt="Storm Front" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309287471s/47212.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/92460662?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Storm Front</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/149745490?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Unshapely Things (Connor Grey, #1)"><img alt="Unshapely Things" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309138300s/388793.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/149745490?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Unshapely Things</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/221073.Mark_Del_Franco">Mark Del Franco</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/150827436?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Beg For Mercy (Mercy Hollings, #1)"><img alt="Beg For Mercy" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519wb916NwL._SL75_.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/150827436?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Beg For Mercy</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/784176.Toni_Andrews">Toni Andrews</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151019214?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="How to Traumatize Your Children (Self-Hurt)"><img alt="How to Traumatize Your Children" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51t2jCziIfL._SL75_.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="2 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2cnulzsnzwz8f.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_2_of_5.png?1325627663" title="2 of 5 stars, it was ok" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151019214?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">How to Traumatize Your Children</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/944205.Various">Various</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011, funny, non-fiction, and parenting</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151025392?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Curran (Curran POV, #1)"><img alt="Curran" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1289094693s/9394156.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="5 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://dkt27ch3b0vq7.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_5_of_5.png?1325627663" title="5 of 5 stars, it was amazing" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151025392?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Curran</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/203070.Gordon_Andrews">Gordon Andrews</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> urban-paranormal-fantasy and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/153590789?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Hunter"><img alt="Hunter" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1297394071s/10433835.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/153590789?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Hunter</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/37075.Wil_Wheaton">Wil Wheaton</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and sf</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/126011822?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Serenity: Those Left Behind (Serenity, #1)"><img alt="Serenity: Those Left Behind" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172027943s/133765.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/126011822?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Serenity: Those Left Behind</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18015.Joss_Whedon">Joss Whedon</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011, graphic-novel, and sf</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/125500112?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="The Guild"><img alt="The Guild" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1289350918s/8693600.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/125500112?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">The Guild</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3440476.Felicia_Day">Felicia Day</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and graphic-novel</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/126011784?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Better Days (Serenity, #2)"><img alt="Better Days" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255729070s/3186100.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/126011784?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Better Days</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18015.Joss_Whedon">Joss Whedon</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011, sf, and graphic-novel</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/155462391?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Fool Moon (The Dresden Files #2)"><img alt="Fool Moon" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309280371s/91477.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/155462391?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Fool Moon</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> urban-paranormal-fantasy and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/155680284?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Grave Peril (The Dresden Files, #3)"><img alt="Grave Peril" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1317388072s/91476.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/155680284?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Grave Peril</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> urban-paranormal-fantasy and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/156095551?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Wicked Appetite (The Unmentionables, #1)"><img alt="Wicked Appetite" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316728039s/8205669.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/156095551?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Wicked Appetite</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2384.Janet_Evanovich">Janet Evanovich</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> funny, mystery-suspense, and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/152107128?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Sizzling Sixteen (Stephanie Plum, #16)"><img alt="Sizzling Sixteen" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HZhqoFcRL._SL75_.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/152107128?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Sizzling Sixteen</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2384.Janet_Evanovich">Janet Evanovich</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> funny, 2011, and mystery-suspense</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/155805500?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Summer Knight (The Dresden Files, #4)"><img alt="Summer Knight" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1322780887s/91478.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="5 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://dkt27ch3b0vq7.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_5_of_5.png?1325627663" title="5 of 5 stars, it was amazing" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/155805500?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Summer Knight</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> urban-paranormal-fantasy, mystery-suspense, and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157183410?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Kitty Goes to War (Kitty Norville, #8)"><img alt="Kitty Goes to War" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312061172s/7662235.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157183410?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Kitty Goes to War</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8988.Carrie_Vaughn">Carrie Vaughn</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> urban-paranormal-fantasy and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/150847354?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Angel Of Mercy (Mercy Hollings, #2)"><img alt="Angel Of Mercy" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519DJIiOimL._SL75_.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/150847354?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Angel Of Mercy</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/784176.Toni_Andrews">Toni Andrews</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> urban-paranormal-fantasy and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/150847378?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Cry Mercy (Mercy Hollings, #3)"><img alt="Cry Mercy" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1285213494s/6056671.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/150847378?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Cry Mercy</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/784176.Toni_Andrews">Toni Andrews</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> urban-paranormal-fantasy and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151038539?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="A Girl's Guide to Guns and Monsters"><img alt="A Girl's Guide to Guns and Monsters" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1280824618s/7269507.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151038539?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">A Girl's Guide to Guns and Monsters</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/26064.Martin_H_Greenberg">Martin H. Greenberg</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151038882?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Sherlock Holmes in Orbit"><img alt="Sherlock Holmes in Orbit" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1178945495s/858860.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151038882?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Sherlock Holmes in Orbit</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/54475.Mike_Resnick">Mike Resnick</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> sf, 2011, and mystery-suspense</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/159112400?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="A Girl's Guide to Guns and Monsters"><img alt="A Girl's Guide to Guns and Monsters" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1265662770s/7619046.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/159112400?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">A Girl's Guide to Guns and Monsters</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/26064.Martin_H_Greenberg">Martin H. Greenberg</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76598398?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Sunken Treasure: Wil Wheaton's Hot Cocoa Box Sampler"><img alt="Sunken Treasure: Wil Wheaton's Hot Cocoa Box Sampler" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1234551521s/3962785.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76598398?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Sunken Treasure: Wil Wheaton's Hot Cocoa Box Sampler</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/37075.Wil_Wheaton">Wil Wheaton</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and non-fiction</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/101327332?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Hard Magic (Paranormal Scene Investigations #1)"><img alt="Hard Magic" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1311276584s/7303068.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/101327332?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Hard Magic</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/168090.Laura_Anne_Gilman">Laura Anne Gilman</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> urban-paranormal-fantasy, mystery-suspense, and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/149750580?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Secrets of the Demon (Kara Gillian, #3)"><img alt="Secrets of the Demon" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1279144652s/8107779.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/149750580?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Secrets of the Demon</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/852078.Diana_Rowland">Diana Rowland</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011, mystery-suspense, and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/163052388?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Spirit Dances (Walker Papers, #6)"><img alt="Spirit Dances" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51d2KhH7KLL._SL75_.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="0 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_0_of_5.png?1325627663" title="0 of 5 stars, " width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/163052388?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Spirit Dances</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8695.C_E_Murphy">C.E. Murphy</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/170978332?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Magic Mourns (Kate Daniels, #3.5)"><img alt="Magic Mourns" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1306015342s/11027748.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/170978332?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Magic Mourns</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21748.Ilona_Andrews">Ilona Andrews</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151898689?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Indulgence in Death (In Death, #31)"><img alt="Indulgence in Death" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1292915498s/7685763.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151898689?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Indulgence in Death</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17065.J_D_Robb">J.D. Robb</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and mystery-suspense</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/166093774?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="The Atlantis Complex (Artemis Fowl, #7)"><img alt="The Atlantis Complex" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1274866326s/7005865.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/166093774?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">The Atlantis Complex</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10896.Eoin_Colfer">Eoin Colfer</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011, fantasy, and kids-ya</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/170978790?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Fathers and Sons (Curran POV, #2)"><img alt="Fathers and Sons" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517UJE-SQ6L._SL75_.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/170978790?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Fathers and Sons</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/203070.Gordon_Andrews">Gordon Andrews</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/125354786?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="You Suck (A Love Story. #2)"><img alt="You Suck" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168444145s/33453.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/125354786?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">You Suck</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16218.Christopher_Moore">Christopher Moore</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011, urban-paranormal-fantasy, and funny</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/114760334?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="River Marked (Mercy Thompson, #6)"><img alt="River Marked" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1305738320s/8087906.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/114760334?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">River Marked</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/40563.Patricia_Briggs">Patricia Briggs</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/121486774?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, #5)"><img alt="Magic Slays" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1288727226s/8559047.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="5 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://dkt27ch3b0vq7.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_5_of_5.png?1325627663" title="5 of 5 stars, it was amazing" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/121486774?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Magic Slays</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21748.Ilona_Andrews">Ilona Andrews</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/156031933?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Pale Demon (The Hollows, #9)"><img alt="Pale Demon" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1280381240s/8138071.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/156031933?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Pale Demon</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17054.Kim_Harrison">Kim Harrison</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157086135?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Death Masks (The Dresden Files, #5)"><img alt="Death Masks" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1297555961s/91479.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157086135?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Death Masks</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157086222?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Blood Rites (The Dresden Files, #6)"><img alt="Blood Rites" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1272455867s/99383.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157086222?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Blood Rites</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087694?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Dead Beat (The Dresden Files, #7)"><img alt="Dead Beat" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309198026s/17683.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087694?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Dead Beat</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/179941325?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Mysteria (Mysteria #1)"><img alt="Mysteria" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309198299s/30199.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/179941325?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Mysteria</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1429808.MaryJanice_Davidson">MaryJanice Davidson</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/180505479?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Phenomenal Girl 5 (Elite Hands of Justice, #1)"><img alt="Phenomenal Girl 5" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1323073019s/3564777.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/180505479?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Phenomenal Girl 5</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1508570.A_J_Menden">A.J. Menden</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087742?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Proven Guilty (The Dresden Files, #8)"><img alt="Proven Guilty" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171229615s/91474.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087742?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Proven Guilty</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> urban-paranormal-fantasy and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/181727644?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Smokin' Seventeen (Stephanie Plum, #17)"><img alt="Smokin' Seventeen" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320505764s/9583508.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="5 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://dkt27ch3b0vq7.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_5_of_5.png?1325627663" title="5 of 5 stars, it was amazing" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/181727644?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Smokin' Seventeen</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2384.Janet_Evanovich">Janet Evanovich</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011, mystery-suspense, and funny</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151898732?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Treachery in Death (In Death, #32)"><img alt="Treachery in Death" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1285908143s/8315872.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151898732?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Treachery in Death</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17065.J_D_Robb">J.D. Robb</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and mystery-suspense</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/182389799?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="The Electric Church (Avery Cates, #1)"><img alt="The Electric Church" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266888716s/1765771.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/182389799?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">The Electric Church</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/809148.Jeff_Somers">Jeff Somers</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and sf</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087799?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="White Night (The Dresden Files, #9)"><img alt="White Night" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309552288s/91475.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087799?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">White Night</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087818?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Small Favor (The Dresden Files, #10)"><img alt="Small Favor" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1298085176s/927979.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087818?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Small Favor</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/188695637?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="The Digital Plague (Avery Cates, #2)"><img alt="The Digital Plague" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266787293s/2395444.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/188695637?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">The Digital Plague</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/809148.Jeff_Somers">Jeff Somers</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and mystery-suspense</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/222051762?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Good Eats: The Early Years"><img alt="Good Eats: The Early Years" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255644785s/6567682.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/222051762?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Good Eats: The Early Years</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/58480.Alton_Brown">Alton Brown</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and non-fiction</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/222051813?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Good Eats 2: The Middle Years"><img alt="Good Eats 2: The Middle Years" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1279088747s/7997408.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/222051813?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Good Eats 2: The Middle Years</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/58480.Alton_Brown">Alton Brown</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and non-fiction</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/187268945?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Blood Work"><img alt="Blood Work" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320500477s/9532901.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/187268945?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Blood Work</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17054.Kim_Harrison">Kim Harrison</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/230679077?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Necroscope (Necroscope, #1)"><img alt="Necroscope" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170652860s/66655.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/230679077?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Necroscope</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20602.Brian_Lumley">Brian Lumley</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/246218329?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Silver Shark (Kinsmen #2)"><img alt="Silver Shark" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316029956s/12620241.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/246218329?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Silver Shark</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21748.Ilona_Andrews">Ilona Andrews</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/243062707?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Explosive Eighteen (Stephanie Plum, #18)"><img alt="Explosive Eighteen" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320458880s/11746513.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/243062707?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Explosive Eighteen</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2384.Janet_Evanovich">Janet Evanovich</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011, mystery-suspense, and funny</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/221479919?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Down These Strange Streets"><img alt="Down These Strange Streets" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1311280365s/10559622.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/221479919?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Down These Strange Streets</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/346732.George_R_R_Martin">George R.R. Martin</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/92463310?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Shady Lady (Corine Solomon, #3)"><img alt="Shady Lady" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1302689192s/6767883.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/92463310?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Shady Lady</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/835348.Ann_Aguirre">Ann Aguirre</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/251841900?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="New York to Dallas (In Death, #33)"><img alt="New York to Dallas" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SYAK%2BcDKL._SL75_.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/251841900?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">New York to Dallas</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17065.J_D_Robb">J.D. Robb</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> mystery-suspense and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/252217087?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People who are Poking the Box and Making a Difference"><img alt="Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People who are Poking the Box and Making a Difference" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Pq95ZCDAL._SL75_.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/252217087?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People who are Poking the Box and Making a Difference</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1791.Seth_Godin">Seth Godin</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and non-fiction</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/251036691?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Heartless (The Parasol Protectorate, #4)"><img alt="Heartless" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309148956s/8356487.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/251036691?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Heartless</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2891665.Gail_Carriger">Gail Carriger</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> urban-paranormal-fantasy and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/150858752?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)"><img alt="The Hunger Games" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1293504845s/2767052.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="5 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://dkt27ch3b0vq7.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_5_of_5.png?1325627663" title="5 of 5 stars, it was amazing" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/150858752?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">The Hunger Games</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/153394.Suzanne_Collins">Suzanne Collins</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/254612566?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="The Umbrella Academy, Volume 1: Apocalypse Suite"><img alt="The Umbrella Academy, Volume 1: Apocalypse Suite" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1277485130s/2795053.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/254612566?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">The Umbrella Academy, Volume 1: Apocalypse Suite</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1218557.Gerard_Way">Gerard Way</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011</div><br /> </div><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <center><br /> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/"><img alt="goodreads.com" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/widget/widget_logo.gif" style="border: 0;" /></a><br /> </center><br /> <noscript>&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; Share &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.goodreads.com"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;book reviews&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; and ratings with Candace, and even join a &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.goodreads.com/group/"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;book club&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; on Goodreads.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; </noscript></div><br /> </div><script charset="utf-8" src="http://www.goodreads.com/review/custom_widget/1630590.2011%20Reading%20List?cover_position=left&amp;cover_size=small&amp;num_books=100&amp;order=a&amp;shelf=2011&amp;show_author=1&amp;show_cover=1&amp;show_rating=1&amp;show_review=1&amp;show_tags=1&amp;show_title=1&amp;sort=date_read&amp;widget_bg_color=FFFFFF&amp;widget_bg_transparent=&amp;widget_border_width=1&amp;widget_id=1325632449&amp;widget_text_color=000000&amp;widget_title_size=medium&amp;widget_width=medium" type="text/javascript"> </script><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=KurXYyM2krM:_DDmteJLnIc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=KurXYyM2krM:_DDmteJLnIc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=KurXYyM2krM:_DDmteJLnIc:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=KurXYyM2krM:_DDmteJLnIc:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=KurXYyM2krM:_DDmteJLnIc:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=KurXYyM2krM:_DDmteJLnIc:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/KurXYyM2krM" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/KurXYyM2krM/we-read-to-know-that-we-are-not-alone.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)1http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2012/01/we-read-to-know-that-we-are-not-alone.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-4486941870768671002Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:16:00 +00002012-01-06T08:16:42.046-08:00holidaysHappy Holidays! <br /> <br /> This is normally the time of year when this agnostically atheist Taoist with Buddhist leanings goes on a bit of a tear about things like the ridiculousness of people getting offended by the use of "Happy Holidays" vs "Merry Christmas" or the differences between secular and religious holidays of the season. <br /> <br /> But, frankly, it's all been said. <br /> <br /> And I'd rather spend the very few minutes I have free for blogging today to just wish *everyone* a jolly holiday - whichever one or two or six you choose to celebrate and whichever way you choose to celebrate them. <br /> <br /> We observed the Winter Solstice earlier this week, and today, we're baking cookies and pies and other yummy things for the first of two Christmas feasts this weekend. <br /> <br /> Personally, I'm kinda looking forward to Boxing Day, too. Any excuse to celebrate works for me. ;)<br /> <br /> Take a minute to tell me what and how YOU celebrate this time of year?<br /> <br /> Happy Chrismahanakwanzayulestice,<br /> Zen<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=-JKnpz1G6gg:0NhYFdJSZn0:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=-JKnpz1G6gg:0NhYFdJSZn0:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=-JKnpz1G6gg:0NhYFdJSZn0:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=-JKnpz1G6gg:0NhYFdJSZn0:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=-JKnpz1G6gg:0NhYFdJSZn0:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=-JKnpz1G6gg:0NhYFdJSZn0:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/-JKnpz1G6gg" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/-JKnpz1G6gg/dear-buddha-please-bring-me-pony-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)2http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/12/dear-buddha-please-bring-me-pony-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-6007418108596345165Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:50:00 +00002011-10-14T14:09:29.097-07:00about-me<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c8W7M6VIAy4/Tph0RW4_spI/AAAAAAAAFBo/_QPID7nSUg8/s1600/7+x+7+Award.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c8W7M6VIAy4/Tph0RW4_spI/AAAAAAAAFBo/_QPID7nSUg8/s1600/7+x+7+Award.png" /></a><a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/SeattleDad">SeattleDad</a> over at <a href="http://liayf.blogspot.com/2011/09/linkin-blogs.html">Luke I am Your Father</a> - one of my favorite Dad Bloggers - posted this fun little meme the other day and "tagged" me to suggest I might like to try it, too. You know what? He was right. This is kinda neat. And, hey, it's not like I have a lot of fresh content on here lately. Might as well delve into the archives for a bit of fun, eh?<br /> <br /> <b>MOST BEAUTIFUL: </b>This is a tough one to start with. I'm not sure that anything I write is "beautiful". Still, if anything comes close to it, I suspect it must be this: <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/05/moments-in-life-well-lived.html">Moments in a Life Well-Lived</a> - the eulogy I delivered at my Grandfather's funeral.<br /> <br /> <b>MOST HELPFUL:</b> I'm not so much with the helpful. Unless you find sarcasm to be therapeutic? But I suppose<a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2010/04/you-must-be-this-tall-to-ride.html"> You Must Be This Tall to Ride</a> - my Disneyland-in-a-Day plan - must have <i>something </i>useful for some people, because I still get a ton<i> </i>of hits on it every week. Or maybe people just like the picture. *shrugs*<br /> <br /> <b>MOST POPULAR</b><b>:</b> Going by <i><b>visitor stats</b></i>, I get <i>tons </i>of hits on <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/06/kick-ass-chicks-2-moving-pictures.html">this post</a> <i>every single day</i> ... but I suspect that is because it has the word "chicks" and a three-letter word for your posterior in the same sentence. (Didn't post the title because I already feel bad enough for accidentally diverting people looking for hot bums to my post about fictional heroines. Sorry guys, I'm not intentionally misleading your pr0n searches, I swear!) <b>BUT </b>... going by <i><b>comments</b></i>, this post is probably one of my more popular posts: <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/11/im-not-extrovert-but-i-play-one-on.html">I'm not an extrovert, but I play one on the interwebs</a><br /> <br /> <b>MOST CONTROVERSIAL: </b>I'm about as non-confrontational as they come. But I do have opinions about controversial specific topics and I don't mind sharing them. I'd like to think I usually do so in a rational manner rather than in a trollish tone. Whatever the reason, I can't say as I've ever had any real "controversy" about a post. Maybe it's just because my readers are all so nice? ;) Still, if there were any controversy to be found, I suspect it would be either in my annual <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/12/merry-merry-quite-contrary.html">Xmas Rant</a> or one of my numerous posts in support of <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2010/01/all-animals-are-equal-but-some-are-more.html">Same Sex Marriage</a>. <br /> <br /> <b>MOST SURPRISINGLY SUCCESSFUL: </b>This little meme surprised me not only because it just seemed to flow so easily that it almost wrote itself, but also because it turned out that other people seemed to like it too: <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/06/where-im-from.html">Where I'm From</a> <br /> <br /> <b>MOST UNDERRATED:</b> This is a tough one. Because saying a post is underrated is like saying it "deserves" more attention. I don't write for attention. I write because I love to write. Because it helps me process my thoughts. And sometimes just because it's fun. I do enjoy interaction with readers: Those "oh-wow-we-have-something-in-common" moments are great. But I don't think my posts "deserve" attention or comments. Still, if I have to choose ... I quite like this post, which I don't think many people have seen: <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-know-its-here-somewhere.html">I know it's here somewhere </a><br /> <br /> <b>MOST PRIDEWORTHY:</b> Next to my post about my grandfather's death, this is probably my favorite. Again, this one just seemed to flow with no effort. It's simple and yet, I like to think, somewhat poetic. <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/06/but-if-life-were-only-moments-then-youd.html">But if life were made of moments, then you'd never know you had one </a><br /> <br /> (Yes, I know I totally cheated and linked up more than one post for couple of those topics. I'm indecisive. Sue me. ;) And now I'm going to cheat again by linking to my <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/p/best-of.html">Best Of</a> page and suggesting that you might find other interesting reads there or elsewhere in my archives. Ooo, I feel like such a meme-rebel.)<br /> <br /> Now, the rules of this meme are that I should pass this along to seven other Bloggers. Well, I think I've just proven I'm not much for following rules. But, in this case, I'm happy to oblige, because I'm always happy to help point people to blogs I enjoy. I don't know if they'll want to play along and post their own 7x7 links. But, even if they don't, these are seven links that are worth clicking over to. Good reads. Seriously. :) <br /> <ol> <li><a href="http://theonesfd.blogspot.com/">TheOneSFD</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.daddygeekboy.com/">DaddyGeekBoy</a></li> <li><a href="http://kcanedo.blogspot.com/">Brutalism</a></li> <li><a href="http://didactic-pirate.blogspot.com/">Didactic Pirate</a>&nbsp;</li> <li><a href="http://www.whithonea.com/">Honea Express </a></li> <li><a href="http://ruggerjay.typepad.com/pet_cobra/">Pet Cobra</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.hipmamab.com/">HipMamaB</a></li> </ol> <br /> Oooh, that was harder than I thought to just list seven! Let me channel my inner rebel again and suggest that you should check the "Blogs You Should Read" section in my sidebar for more links to smart folks. AND, if you are so inclined, I invite <b><i>you </i></b>to try this meme, too, even if I didn't "tag" you! If you do, please share the link! I'd love to read it!<br /> <br /> Resting on my laurels,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> PS: You really should click over and visit <a href="http://liayf.blogspot.com/">LIAYF</a>, too. Not only is he a great blogger, he's a great dad and a great husband and that really shines through in his writing. I'm absolutely terrible about leaving comments (anywhere) lately. But I still love reading his posts. <i>Plus</i>: He and his wife are planning to adopt and YOU just might be able to help! So go say "hi" to him and the Missus and their adorable son, will ya? ;)<br /> <br /> <a href="http://liayf.blogspot.com/2011/09/were-adopting-you-can-help.html"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/hmNLN.jpg" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Fv1efjOf3SA:u45yinHld4g:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Fv1efjOf3SA:u45yinHld4g:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Fv1efjOf3SA:u45yinHld4g:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Fv1efjOf3SA:u45yinHld4g:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Fv1efjOf3SA:u45yinHld4g:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=Fv1efjOf3SA:u45yinHld4g:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/Fv1efjOf3SA" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/Fv1efjOf3SA/seven-give-or-take-few.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)3http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/10/seven-give-or-take-few.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-120440757314891573Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:16:00 +00002011-09-29T12:18:31.200-07:00bookspolitics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv2YWKsXsKI/ToSv3kH8QhI/AAAAAAAAFA0/lBWh6yN4O08/s1600/BBW_Web_Badge_801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv2YWKsXsKI/ToSv3kH8QhI/AAAAAAAAFA0/lBWh6yN4O08/s1600/BBW_Web_Badge_801.jpg" /></a></div>It's <a href="http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/">Banned Books Week</a> ... you might be surprised by some of the titles on the <a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/ideasandresources/free_downloads/2011banned.pdf">2010-2011 List of Challenged or Banned Books</a> as reported by the <a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/index.cfm">American Library Association</a>. <br /> <br /> Even though I advocate for <a href="http://www.oif.ala.org/oif/">Banned Books Week</a> every year, and post these lists <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/search?q=banned+books">every year</a>, I'm always still surprised by some of the thoughts and ideas that people want to censor. Though I have to admit that it doesn't surprise me that the vast majority of these challenges come from parents.<br /> <div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: right;"><blockquote><i>"Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us." ~ Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas</i> </blockquote></div><br /> As always, bear with me as I whip out my soapbox and make my annual open declaration in support of freedom of thought:<br /> <br /> Look, I get it: I'm a parent. I want to protect my kids from all that "bad" stuff out there, too. And I agree, wholeheartedly, that it's perfectly acceptable - important and necessary, even - for parents to guide their children's content-intake.<br /> <br /> You, as a parent, should absolutely be as aware as possible of what your child is reading, viewing or playing. And you have the right and responsibility to censor that content as you see fit FOR YOUR OWN CHILDREN.<br /> <div style="text-align: right;"><blockquote><i style="color: #b45f06;">Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too. ~Voltaire</i> </blockquote></div><br /> Please note my oh-so-subtle emphasis there. Attempting to remove a book or other material from the public domain is NOT a parental right - it is an act that infringes on the rights of others.<br /> <br /> Even the best of motivations - to protect children from inappropriate content - has a hugely detrimental effect on one of our most fundamental rights: The freedom to think and to express those thoughts without censorship by the government.<br /> <div style="text-align: right;"><blockquote><i> <span style="color: #b45f06;">"Congress Shall Make No Law Respecting an Establishment of Religion, or Prohibiting the Free Exercise Thereof; or Abridging the Freedom of Speech, or of the Press; or the Right of the People Peaceably to Assemble, and To Petition the Government for a Redress of Grievances." <br /> ~ First Amendment</span></i></blockquote></div>&nbsp;Even more than protecting my kids from the "dangerous" thoughts of people I don't agree with, I am personally and passionately compelled to protect that right for my kids. <br /> <br /> Are there books that I personally wouldn't mind going away forever? Yeah, in theory. There are some pretty reprehensible thoughts out there.<br /> <div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: right;"><blockquote>"If we don’t believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don’t believe in it at all." ~ Noam Chomsky</blockquote></div><br /> But I would - and do - still defend their right to exist. And, in my opinion, none of the books on this year's <a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/ideasandresources/free_downloads/2011banned.pdf">Challenged or Banned Books</a> list or on the <a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/index.cfm">Frequently Banned Books</a> list come even close to that level of "inappropriate content". <br /> <br /> <i>But, that's just the point</i>. It's not <i>my </i>opinion that matters for <i>you</i>, nor <i>your </i>opinion that matters for <i>me</i>. <b>You only get to decide for you.</b><br /> <br /> So, here's the deal: <i>You </i>stay the hell away from my public library with your black marker and red pens, and <i>I</i> won't give you kid a gift-wrapped copy of the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Boxed-Childrens-Contains/dp/0747593698?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=zen06d-20&amp;link_code=btl&amp;camp=213689&amp;creative=392969">Harry Potter collection</a>, and we'll all get along just fine, 'kay?<br /> <div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: right;"><blockquote><i>"The paper burns, but the words fly away." ~ Akiba ben Joseph</i> </blockquote></div>Enjoy your book,<br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen </span><br /> <i></i><br /> <br /> Don't forget to check out the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/BannedBooksWeek">Banned Books Week Virtual Read Out</a> on YouTube.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=jaPnxKe1k1k:0EQ4wdThEYw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=jaPnxKe1k1k:0EQ4wdThEYw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=jaPnxKe1k1k:0EQ4wdThEYw:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=jaPnxKe1k1k:0EQ4wdThEYw:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=jaPnxKe1k1k:0EQ4wdThEYw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=jaPnxKe1k1k:0EQ4wdThEYw:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/jaPnxKe1k1k" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/jaPnxKe1k1k/paper-burns-but-words-fly-away.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)2http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/09/paper-burns-but-words-fly-away.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-4948989792618263839Tue, 06 Sep 2011 23:39:00 +00002011-09-19T10:35:04.582-07:00geek<i>"Nerd!"</i> <br /> <br /> Once upon a time, hearing that from my classmates made me cringe. <br /> <br /> I was the girl in the twisty pig-tails with her nose stuck in a book while the other kids played on the jungle gym; the one who actually took pride in raising my hand in class and knowing the right answer. I was the girl who would really rather go home and play with my brother's Masters of the Universe and Star Wars action figures than go out and play Barbie or Cabbage Patch dolls with the girls down the block. And I was probably the only girl on that block who couldn't decide who she wanted to date more: Han Solo, Gambit or Starbuck. (What? I like the bad boys, so sue me. I totally had a thing for Wesley Crusher, too, if that helps.)<br /> <br /> I learned pretty quickly that it wasn't "cool" to be a nerd - especially a nerd of the girl variety. So, I learned to be a little bit "in the closet" about my geek girl tendencies for most of my school years. <br /> <br /> But in college - I learned to embrace my nerdiness. Partly because it was around that age that I started to realize that what random people think of me is nowhere near as important and what <i>I</i> think of me. And partly because I found, for the first time, friends who shared my interests. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, it was okay to be smart. It was cool to quote scifi movies. It was fun to spend a Saturday in a Buffy marathon.<br /> <br /> And it was finally okay for me to <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/12/coming-out-of-geek-closet.html">buy and wear the awesome "guy" tees</a> that I secretly coveted as a little girl. (I cannot tell you how desperately unfair it was that only boys got to have superhero Underoos when I was a kid. I am still traumatized by the injustice of it all.)<br /> <br /> Still, even then, I was buying "guy" shirts. They just didn't make "nerdy" tees for girls.<br /> <br /> Today, it's a little easier to find geek girl gear than it once was (yay!), but it's still more of a man's world when it comes to nerdy apparel.<br /> <br /> When I find a cool place to buy new and fun nerdy tees and accessories - AND when that place actually sells shirts made to fit over *gasp* <i>boobs</i> and not just skinny basement-dweller torsos and Comic Book Guy proportions - my previously oppressed inner geek girl gets pretty excited. <br /> <br /> So when the nice folks at <a href="http://www.nerdyshirts.com/">NerdyShirts</a> asked me to check out their site and *ooooo* pick out a free t-shirt to try out ... well, I'm not gonna lie, Marge, I kind of *<i>squeeed</i>* a little. Then I got to shopping.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_MiaXMG2-bk/Tnd9M6dpWfI/AAAAAAAAE-A/e0TRajnOkH8/s1600/watchmen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_MiaXMG2-bk/Tnd9M6dpWfI/AAAAAAAAE-A/e0TRajnOkH8/s320/watchmen.JPG" width="222" /></a></div>I have to admit, I spent a loooong time browsing around <a href="http://www.nerdyshirts.com/">NerdyShirts</a>. I had a really hard time picking out just one shirt <strike>to get my grubby little hands on</strike> to review for you, my awesome readers, who I love and would <strike>pimp myself out</strike> offer up my review services for. <br /> <br /> First: My one little criticism ... the selection at <a href="http://www.nerdyshirts.com/">NerdyShirts</a> is not as broad as some other similar sites. BUT, the fact that they have a whole section of "girl" shirts that's <i>almost</i> as big as the "guy" section goes a <i>long </i>way for me.<br /> <br /> The prices are really pretty good, too - most of their shirts are $14.99. That's better than a lot of other similar online shops by at $5-$10. But the lesser price doesn't mean lesser quality. Based on the shirt that I got (see awesome pic above) these are not cheap, thin, flimsy tees - it's got decent material and construction that should last as least as long as your average scifi tv series. (Kidding! It will totally outlast most of those.) ;) <br /> <br /> I also <i>really </i>like that you can easily filter your search results by gender and size and theme - cuz, you know, sometimes you want an XL <a href="http://www.nerdyshirts.com/shop-by-themes/star-wars-t-shirts">Star Wars</a> shirt for your favorite geek guy and sometimes you're looking for a size small vintage <a href="http://www.nerdyshirts.com/shop-by-themes/comic-books">comic book</a> tee for your gal pal and sometimes you need a last minute birthday present for your medium-sized brother the recovering <a href="http://www.nerdyshirts.com/shop-by-themes/funny-video-game-t-shirts">Nintendo-addict</a>.<br /> <br /> My verdict: Overall, <a href="http://www.nerdyshirts.com/">NerdyShirts</a> is a great site: Easy interface, quality products, good prices - and, my personal favorite - a great "girls" section. Oh, and apparently, these guys never read the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition, because, if you're not happy, they've got a great return/exchange policy, too. <br /> <br /> True story: I've already picked out my brother's xmas present from <a href="http://www.nerdyshirts.com/">NerdyShirts</a> and I suspect Santa will be doing a bit more shopping there before the end of the year. <br /> <br /> So: Geeks and Gamers and Nerds (Oh, my!): Check it <a href="http://www.nerdyshirts.com/">NerdyShirts</a> yourself and let me know what YOU think?<br /> <br /> Let your geek flag fly,<br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=8gbVkXLsEIo:MQcoB5DnyII:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=8gbVkXLsEIo:MQcoB5DnyII:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=8gbVkXLsEIo:MQcoB5DnyII:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=8gbVkXLsEIo:MQcoB5DnyII:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=8gbVkXLsEIo:MQcoB5DnyII:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=8gbVkXLsEIo:MQcoB5DnyII:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/8gbVkXLsEIo" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/8gbVkXLsEIo/geek-girl-meets-nerdyshirts-love-story_06.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)3http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/09/geek-girl-meets-nerdyshirts-love-story_06.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-999920136318608540Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:47:00 +00002011-07-27T12:48:16.841-07:00minionsstuff-and-nonsensefamilyWe've inherited a cat.<br /> <br /> A kitten actually.<br /> <br /> As she was something of an unexpected addition, were a bit at a loss at first for a proper name for our latest refugee.<br /> <br /> Our other two cats are Mojo-Jojo - black-as-pitch with a hellish temper and an overdeveloped sense of her own importance, sometimes referred to a Basement Cat - and Mocha - a sweet Siamese mix with a tendency to shed and drool, also known as Ceiling Cat.<br /> <br /> This latest feline refugee is something of an in-betweener: She's a sweet and somewhat fearless little ball of fluff - a gray tabby with little white boots to match the tip of her tail.<br /> <br /> "Boots" seemed an obvious choice. But as she doesn't show any signs of talent for the long con, we decided against it. <br /> <br /> The Professor's first choice was "Sneaky Ninja Kitty" after she affected a daring escape from her carrier right under our noses on her first night home and managed to stay hidden for almost an hour. But that was a bit of a mouthful.<br /> <br /> Bam-Bam offered up "Bam-Bam" and "Mr. Potato Head" as possible monikers. But we convinced him that having more than one of each would just get confusing.<br /> <br /> After a few more rounds of suggestions from the kids that would have had even Hollywood Moms doing spit-takes, I decided to pull out the big guns. And I sat down to read to the boys <i>Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats</i>.<br /> <br /> Then I had them sleep on all they'd learned about the Naming of Cats. The next day, they made their decision.<br /> <br /> And so, I'm pleased to introduce you to Ms. Jennyanydots:<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nF2uhLU5fvM/TjBpFfKlXsI/AAAAAAAAEns/m_FE6JOpnBw/s1600/jennyanydots.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nF2uhLU5fvM/TjBpFfKlXsI/AAAAAAAAEns/m_FE6JOpnBw/s320/jennyanydots.JPG" width="196" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <br /> When the day's hustle and bustle is done, then the gumbie cat's work is but hardly begun,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=wUfvpuLhLzs:IroIBcFzXMo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=wUfvpuLhLzs:IroIBcFzXMo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=wUfvpuLhLzs:IroIBcFzXMo:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=wUfvpuLhLzs:IroIBcFzXMo:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=wUfvpuLhLzs:IroIBcFzXMo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=wUfvpuLhLzs:IroIBcFzXMo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/wUfvpuLhLzs" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/wUfvpuLhLzs/naming-of-cats.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)5http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/07/naming-of-cats.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-3764044068480096336Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:50:00 +00002011-07-19T17:55:28.091-07:00minionsfamilyMy father-in-law's funeral service was today.<br /> <br /> At one point, the pastor invited people to come up to the mic to share a personal memory of my father-in-law. After several people spoke, my 4-year-old, who had been standing a few feet away from me holding my own father's hand, calmly pulled away from his Papa and confidently strode up to the pastor. <br /> <br /> Silently, solemnly, he met the pastor's eyes and pointed to the mic. <br /> <br /> The smiling pastor lowered the mic and lifted my son, who clearly and boldly pronounced to the assembly: "I hafta go Potty."<br /> <br /> The crowd dissolved into giggles and guffaws as my Dad caught up to my little Bam-Bam and led him off to take care of business.<br /> <br /> I have to tell you, I think my father-in-law would have been rolling in the aisles with laughter.<br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=dHdyDdzy8H0:YM1cUzbEUXA:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=dHdyDdzy8H0:YM1cUzbEUXA:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=dHdyDdzy8H0:YM1cUzbEUXA:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=dHdyDdzy8H0:YM1cUzbEUXA:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=dHdyDdzy8H0:YM1cUzbEUXA:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=dHdyDdzy8H0:YM1cUzbEUXA:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/dHdyDdzy8H0" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/dHdyDdzy8H0/laughter-and-tears.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)9http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/07/laughter-and-tears.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-3956304292196235303Fri, 15 Jul 2011 22:51:00 +00002011-07-15T15:54:07.704-07:00booksOn a whim, I set a goal to read 60 books in 2011. Seemed a realistic, but satisfying number. And I'm pleased to report that, as of about the midway point, I'm ahead of schedule at 45.<br /> <br /> Those playing the home version of <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/search/label/books">Zen's Book Bingo</a>, will find several of the "<a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/05/scifi-junkie-kick-ass-chicks.html">usual suspect</a>" <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/08/building-mystery.html">authors</a> and <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/05/sf-junkie-books-that-suck.html">series</a> and <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/05/confessions-of-scifi-junkie.html">genres</a> on this (half) year's list.<br /> <br /> One pleasantly surprising new-to-me author this year is <a href="http://www.jim-butcher.com/">Jim Butcher</a>. People have been telling me for years that I'd like the stories of Harry Dresden, Wizard for Hire. But I just never got around to picking one up before. So glad I did: Part gritty hard-boiled detective, part urban fantasy, all fun.<br /> <br /> I also really enjoyed <a href="http://wilwheaton.typepad.com/books/">Wil Wheaton's latest stories</a> as well as <a href="http://www.darkhorse.com/">Dark Horse</a> Graphic Novels based on <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303461/">Firefly</a>/<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379786/">Serenity</a> and <a href="http://www.watchtheguild.com/">The Guild</a>.<br /> <br /> And I still totally want to lick <a href="http://www.ilona-andrews.com/">Ilona Andrews</a>' brain every time I read something new of hers (theirs) - they are just so deliciously fun!<br /> <br /> But, hey, here's the whole list ... check it out ...&nbsp; <br /> <style media="screen" type="text/css"> .gr_custom_container_1310765839 { /* customize your Goodreads widget container here*/ border: 1px solid gray; -moz-border-radius:10px; -webkit-border-radius:10px; padding: 10px 5px 10px 5px; background-color: #FFFFFF; color: #000000; width: 300px } .gr_custom_header_1310765839 { /* customize your Goodreads header here*/ border-bottom: 1px solid gray; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 5px; text-align: center; font-size: 120%; font-size: 80% } .gr_custom_each_container_1310765839 { /* customize each individual book container here */ width: 100%; clear: both; margin-bottom: 10px; overflow: auto; padding-bottom: 4px; border-bottom: 1px solid #aaa; } .gr_custom_book_container_1310765839 { /* customize your book covers here */ width: 39px; height: 60px; overflow: hidden; margin-right: 4px; } .gr_custom_author_1310765839 { /* customize your author names here */ font-size: 10px; } .gr_custom_tags_1310765839 { /* customize your tags here */ font-size: 10px; color: gray; } .gr_custom_rating_1310765839 { /* custoimize your rating stars here */ float: right; } </style><br /> <br /> <div id="gr_custom_widget_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_container_1310765839"><h2 class="gr_custom_header_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1630590-candace?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" style="text-decoration: none;">2011 read (Jan-Jul)</a><br /> </h2><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/182389799?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="The Electric Church (Avery Cates, #1)"><img alt="The Electric Church" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266888716s/1765771.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="3 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/182389799?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">The Electric Church</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/809148.Jeff_Somers">Jeff Somers</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151898732?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Treachery in Death (In Death, #32)"><img alt="Treachery in Death" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1285908143s/8315872.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="4 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151898732?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Treachery in Death</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17065.J_D_Robb">J.D. Robb</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/181727644?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Smokin' Seventeen (Stephanie Plum, #17)"><img alt="Smokin' Seventeen" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1297164109s/9583508.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="5 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_5_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="5 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/181727644?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Smokin' Seventeen</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2384.Janet_Evanovich">Janet Evanovich</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087742?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Proven Guilty (The Dresden Files, #8)"><img alt="Proven Guilty" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171229615s/91474.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="4 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087742?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Proven Guilty</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/180505479?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Phenomenal Girl 5 (SHOMI)"><img alt="Phenomenal Girl 5" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266709567s/3564777.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="3 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/180505479?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Phenomenal Girl 5</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1508570.A_J_Menden">A.J. Menden</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/179941325?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Mysteria (Mysteria #1)"><img alt="Mysteria" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309198299s/30199.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="3 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/179941325?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Mysteria</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1429808.MaryJanice_Davidson">MaryJanice Davidson</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087694?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Dead Beat (The Dresden Files, #7)"><img alt="Dead Beat" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309198026s/17683.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="4 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087694?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Dead Beat</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157086222?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Blood Rites (The Dresden Files, #6)"><img alt="Blood Rites" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1272455867s/99383.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="4 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157086222?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Blood Rites</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157086135?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Death Masks (The Dresden Files, #5)"><img alt="Death Masks" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1297555961s/91479.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="4 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157086135?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Death Masks</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/156031933?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Pale Demon (The Hollows #9)"><img alt="Pale Demon" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1280381240s/8138071.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="4 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/156031933?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Pale Demon</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17054.Kim_Harrison">Kim Harrison</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/121486774?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, #5)"><img alt="Magic Slays" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1288727226s/8559047.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="5 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_5_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="5 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/121486774?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Magic Slays</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21748.Ilona_Andrews">Ilona Andrews</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/114760334?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="River Marked (Mercedes Thompson, #6)"><img alt="River Marked" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1305738320s/8087906.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="4 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/114760334?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">River Marked</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/40563.Patricia_Briggs">Patricia Briggs</a></div></div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/125354786?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="You Suck (Love Story, #2)"><img alt="You Suck" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168444145s/33453.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="4 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/125354786?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">You Suck</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16218.Christopher_Moore">Christopher Moore</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/166093774?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="The Atlantis Complex (Artemis Fowl, #7)"><img alt="The Atlantis Complex" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1274866326s/7005865.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="3 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/166093774?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">The Atlantis Complex</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10896.Eoin_Colfer">Eoin Colfer</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/170978790?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Fathers and Sons (Curran POV, #2)"><img alt="Fathers and Sons" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1305275259s/11357023.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="4 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a 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stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151025392?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Curran</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/203070.Gordon_Andrews">Gordon Andrews</a></div><div class="gr_custom_review_1310765839"><br /> </div></div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/150827436?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Beg For Mercy (Mercy Hollings, #1)"><img alt="Beg For Mercy" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519wb916NwL._SL75_.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="3 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/150827436?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Beg For Mercy</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/784176.Toni_Andrews">Toni Andrews</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/149745490?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Unshapely Things (Connor Grey, #1)"><img alt="Unshapely Things" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309138300s/388793.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="3 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a 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href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/121486680?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Bayou Moon</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21748.Ilona_Andrews">Ilona Andrews</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/147437109?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Blameless (The Parasol Protectorate, #3)"><img alt="Blameless" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1293436281s/7719355.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="4 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/147437109?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Blameless</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2891665.Gail_Carriger">Gail Carriger</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76597609?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Black Magic Sanction (The Hollows, #8)"><img alt="Black Magic Sanction" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1275630248s/6547188.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="4 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76597609?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Black Magic Sanction</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17054.Kim_Harrison">Kim Harrison</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/140211036?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Kick Ass"><img alt="Kick Ass" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266599131s/615941.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="3 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/140211036?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Kick Ass</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064.Maggie_Shayne">Maggie Shayne</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/159112400?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="A Girl's Guide to Guns and Monsters"><img alt="A Girl's Guide to Guns and Monsters" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1265662770s/7619046.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="3 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/159112400?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">A Girl's Guide to Guns and Monsters</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/26064.Martin_H_Greenberg">Martin H. Greenberg</a></div><br /> </div><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <center> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/"><img alt="goodreads.com" border="0" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/widget/widget_logo.gif" /></a><br /> </center><br /> <noscript>&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; Share &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.goodreads.com"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;book reviews&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; and ratings with Candace, and even join a &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.goodreads.com/group/"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;book club&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; on Goodreads.</noscript></div></div><script charset="utf-8" src="http://www.goodreads.com/review/custom_widget/1630590.2011%20read%20%28Jan-Jul%29?cover_position=left&amp;cover_size=small&amp;num_books=60&amp;order=d&amp;shelf=2011&amp;show_author=1&amp;show_cover=1&amp;show_rating=1&amp;show_review=1&amp;show_tags=1&amp;show_title=1&amp;sort=date_read&amp;widget_id=1310765839" type="text/javascript"> </script><br /> <br /> What have <i>YOU</i> been reading lately? I <i>love </i>book recommendations! In fact, if you're on <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1630590-candace">GoodReads</a>, or <a href="http://zenmom.paperbackswap.com/profile/">PaperBackSwap</a>, pop over and <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1630590-candace">"friend" me</a>, so I can poke my nose into <i>your</i> reading list. ;)<br /> <br /> Words, words, words,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen </span><br /> <br /> <i>"I have always imagined that Paradise will be some kind of library."<br /> ~ Jorge Luis Borges</i><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=1wnSBN9F33c:x9Jk2FddVMo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=1wnSBN9F33c:x9Jk2FddVMo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=1wnSBN9F33c:x9Jk2FddVMo:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=1wnSBN9F33c:x9Jk2FddVMo:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=1wnSBN9F33c:x9Jk2FddVMo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=1wnSBN9F33c:x9Jk2FddVMo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/1wnSBN9F33c" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/1wnSBN9F33c/i-have-always-imagined-that-paradise.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)5http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/07/i-have-always-imagined-that-paradise.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-5909798853361484361Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:48:00 +00002011-07-12T09:54:34.277-07:00familyzen<i>"Give sorrow words: the grief that does not speak<br /> Whispers the o'er-fraught heart, and bids it break."</i><br /> <i> ~ William Shakespeare Macbeth, Act 4, Scene 3</i><br /> <br /> <br /> <blockquote><i>"Whatever became of the moment when one first knew about death? There must have been one. A moment. In childhood. When it first occurred to you that you don't go on forever. Must have been shattering, stamped into one's memory. And yet, I can't remember it. It never occurred to me at all. We must be born with an intuition of mortality. Before we know the word for it. Before we know that there are words. Out we come, bloodied and squalling, with the knowledge that for all the points of the compass, there's only one direction, and time is its only measure."&nbsp;</i><br /> <i><br /> ~ Tom Stoppard</i><br /> <i>Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead</i></blockquote><br /> Inhale. Exhale. Gone.<br /> <br /> Death is a wound - a hole where our loved one used to fit snugly. <br /> <br /> It might be a violent puncture, leaving you bleeding out and fighting for every breath. It might be a slow burn, devouring you by inches. It might be an illness, weakening you from within.<br /> <br /> We know, from experience, the wound will heal over. Time will knit ragged flesh together, transmute the pain to numbness, cover the gaping emptiness with layers of scar tissue.<br /> <br /> Still, we fight it, for a while. We huddle over our wounds like protective mothers, hating and loving the pain. Because to heal is to admit that life goes on, that the clocks don't actually stop, that the stars and the moon still shine. Without them.<br /> <br /> Every day is a step farther from the love we knew. Every day the now becomes the then. Every day is another layer of memories sliding in on top of the old.<br /> <br /> Every day becomes a reminder that our entire lives are spent within the tiniest span between the breaths of the universe.<br /> <br /> Inhale. Exhale. Gone. <br /> <br /> The knowledge would be humbling to the point of paralysis. <br /> <br /> If it weren't for those moments.<br /> <br /> Those moments that are so beautiful, so painful, so brilliant that they rip the breath from your lungs and scream through your brain: <i>This</i> is life! <i>This</i> is why! <i>This</i> is what is so fucking amazing about this fragile existence that we persevere through the knowledge that we are only candle flickers on an insignificant rock at the ass end of the universe.<br /> <blockquote><i>"You would know the secret of death. But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life? ... If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life. For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one. ... For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?</i><br /> <i><br /> ~ Kahlil Gibran</i><br /> <i>The Prophet</i></blockquote>The ultimate irony is that the knowledge of death is what makes every moment of this life so heart-achingly beautiful. And the ultimate tragedy is that we are so preoccupied with "life" as a whole that we miss SO many of those moments. Because they're not just the big moments. They're the "normal" moments, all day, every day, every moment. If we just stop to live them.<br /> <br /> Inhale. Exhale. Gone.<br /> <br /> But, oh, what comes between.<br /> <br /> <object height="486" width="299"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jNVPalNZD_I&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jNVPalNZD_I&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="486" height="299"></embed></object><br /> <br /> <br /> Namaste,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=P-iKza5IoJM:Mltvkn7Erns:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=P-iKza5IoJM:Mltvkn7Erns:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=P-iKza5IoJM:Mltvkn7Erns:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=P-iKza5IoJM:Mltvkn7Erns:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=P-iKza5IoJM:Mltvkn7Erns:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=P-iKza5IoJM:Mltvkn7Erns:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/P-iKza5IoJM" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/P-iKza5IoJM/give-sorrow-words.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)5http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/07/give-sorrow-words.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-3121249137282709213Wed, 06 Jul 2011 22:26:00 +00002012-01-06T08:32:21.369-08:00relationshipsstuff-and-nonsenseAs the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2009518/Carolyn-Bourne-Mother-law-hell-sends-email-bride-Heidi-Withers.html">story</a> goes, Mrs. Carolyn Bourne of England sent this email to her future step-daughter-in-law after a family weekend that, apparently, quite ruffled her fur. Before she knew it, her little rant had gone viral and she was making <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?searchPhrase=carolyn+bourne">headlines </a>halfway around the globe.<br /> <br /> This is apparently one of three emails the genteel Mrs. Bourne - also dubbed by the media as "Momzilla" - dashed off to her step-son's fiancee, Heidi Withers. <br /> <br /> (Read it with a British accent - makes it even more scathing.)<br /> <blockquote><i>It is high time someone explained to you about good manners. Yours are obvious by their absence and I feel sorry for you.<br /> <br /> Unfortunately for Freddie, he has fallen in love with you and Freddie being Freddie, I gather it is not easy to reason with him or yet encourage him to consider how he might be able to help you. It may just be possible to get through to you though. I do hope so.<br /> <br /> If you want to be accepted by the wider Bourne family I suggest you take some guidance from experts with utmost haste. There are plenty of finishing schools around.<br /> <br /> Please, for your own good, for Freddie’s sake and for your future involvement with the Bourne family, do something as soon as possible.<br /> <br /> Here are a few examples of your lack of manners:<br /> <br /> When you are a guest in another’s house, you do not declare what you will and will not eat – unless you are positively allergic to something. You do not remark that you do not have enough food. You do not start before everyone else. You do not take additional helpings without being invited to by your host.<br /> <br /> When a guest in another’s house, you do not lie in bed until late morning in households that rise early – you fall in line with house norms.<br /> <br /> You should never ever insult the family you are about to join at any time and most definitely not in public. I gather you passed this off as a joke but the reaction in the pub was one of shock, not laughter.<br /> <br /> You should have hand-written a card to me. You have never written to thank me when you have stayed.<br /> <br /> You regularly draw attention to yourself. Perhaps you should ask yourself why.<br /> <br /> No one gets married in a castle unless they own it. It is brash, celebrity style behaviour.<br /> <br /> I understand your parents are unable to contribute very much towards the cost of your wedding. (There is nothing wrong with that except that convention is such that one might presume they would have saved over the years for their daughters’ marriages.)<br /> <br /> If this is the case, it would be most ladylike and gracious to lower your sights and have a modest wedding as befits both your incomes.<br /> <br /> One could be accused of thinking that Heidi Withers must be patting herself on the back for having caught a most eligible young man. I pity Freddie.</i></blockquote><br /> <br /> That, kids, is what we in the writin' bid'ness call "<a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/irony">Irony</a>". <br /> <br /> I know I'm just a crass American with no business chiming in on finer points of eti-quette and pro-to-col ... but I do know about a bit about trying mothers-in-law. So, I've taken the liberty of channeling my inner Dear Abby and drafting a little missive of my own:<br /> <br /> <i>Dear Mrs. Bourne:</i><br /> <br /> <i>I hope your letter made you feel better.&nbsp;</i><br /> <br /> <i>I'm guessing it felt pretty good to blow of some steam at Heidi Withers. I bet raking her over the coals made you feel superior and in control. You probably even managed to justify to yourself that your little lecture might even be good for Ms. Withers - that it might inspire her to "improve" herself. </i><br /> <br /> <i>But we both know that's bullshit.</i><br /> <br /> <i>Oh, I don't blame you for needing to vent. In fact, I think that can be quite a healthy and helpful exercise. But, oh, Mrs. Bourne, don't you know the proper button to push as the end of such a missive is almost always "DELETE" rather than "SEND"? </i><br /> <br /> <i>I've been guilty of dashing off angry, frustrated words many times, myself. There but for the grace of "Save as Draft" go I. So, trust me, I understand the urge.</i><br /> <br /> <i>I just hope those few moments of shallow enjoyment you got from lashing out at the girl were worth it. Because whatever short-term pleasure you may have derived from your verbal flaying will likely soon be overshadowed not only by the embarrassment of the media frenzy it ignited, but also by the possibly irreparable damage you have done to your relationship with your step-son, your future daughter-in-law, her family, your family and, potentially, your future grandchildren </i><br /> <br /> <i>If *I* was your future daughter-in-law, my reaction to your email would have been to immediately re-categorize you from someone I might have someday grown close to based on our mutual connection, to someone to be tolerated at annual visits. I hope, for your family's sake, that Ms. Withers turns out to be a more forgiving sort than I am.</i><br /> <br /> <i>And poor Freddie. Your words and tone imply a complete lack of respect for your step-son as well as a a rudely dismissive attitude toward his personal judgement. Again, if it were me, there would be some serious mending to be done to repair that rift. </i><br /> <br /> <i>The funny thing is: I actually agree with you on a few points in your letter. Based solely on the content of this email, I'd say it's entirely possible that Freddie's fiancee is as irritating as you make her out to be and that she may, indeed, need to work on her manners and good judgement.</i><br /> <br /> <i>But this email makes it equally obvious that Freddie's Step-Mum could use a manners refresher as well.</i><br /> <br /> <i>The main difference is that Ms. Withers is not much more than a child and you, Mrs. Bourne, are old enough to know much better. </i><br /> <br /> <i>If you'd truly intended to help or "improve" your future daughter-in-law, you know there are a dozen different better ways to have approached the perceived flaws in her character. No, this email was intended to hurt </i><i>her and to make </i><i>yourself feel better, plain and simple. As such, </i><i>you are the one who should pull the stick out of your arse and apologize to the lady in question, as well as to your step-son.</i><br /> <br /> <i>If Freddie does marry Heidi, you'll all be happier for the quick and honest extension of an olive branch with a side of crow.</i><br /> <br /> <i>For future reference, remember that you catch more flies with honey then with vinegar, even if they are diabetic.</i><br /> <br /> <i>Toodle-pip,</i><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=bTOeDyQu9G4:WDWomoD5LKw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=bTOeDyQu9G4:WDWomoD5LKw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=bTOeDyQu9G4:WDWomoD5LKw:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=bTOeDyQu9G4:WDWomoD5LKw:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=bTOeDyQu9G4:WDWomoD5LKw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=bTOeDyQu9G4:WDWomoD5LKw:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/bTOeDyQu9G4" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/bTOeDyQu9G4/hello-pot-this-is-kettle-youre-are-so.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)4http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/07/hello-pot-this-is-kettle-youre-are-so.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-1091697080453696466Wed, 29 Jun 2011 19:34:00 +00002011-06-30T09:20:31.613-07:00stuff-and-nonsensefamilyabout-meI am from science fiction stories and Saturday morning cartoons.<br /> <br /> I am from summers that melt and winters that drizzle.<br /> <br /> I am from acres of farmland, spring fruit blossoms and fall harvests.<br /> <br /> I am from laughing voices raised over classic rock radio in crowded kitchens with kids and pets underfoot; from hand-me-downs and potlucks; camping and fishing; climbing trees and running around barefoot. <br /> <br /> I am from mom's patience, dad's temper, brother's humor.<br /> <br /> I am from fierceness and freckles.<br /> <br /> I am from more-the-merrier and anything-for-family and own-your-choices.<br /> <br /> I am from logic and reason, from compassion and kindness, and from just doing the laundry. <br /> <br /> I am from the Emerald Isle and the Dust Bowl, pan-fried chicken and homemade biscuits.<br /> <br /> I am from hallways lined with photo collages, doorways climbed by faded pencil marks, concrete impregnated with tiny hand prints, cedar chests filled with handmade quilts.<br /> <br /> I am from simple homes and strong roots. From extended families and generational gatherings. From births and deaths, celebration and mourning, love and loss - all made better by the sharing.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> <br /> <i>Inspired by: <a href="http://www.swva.net/fred1st/wif.htm">Where I'm From</a> and <a href="http://theonesfd.blogspot.com/">SFD</a> and <a href="http://twobusy.typepad.com/twobusy/2011/06/where-im-from.html">TwoBusy</a>.</i><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=pP5sJ9eJlkc:sWYQdgiaOCw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=pP5sJ9eJlkc:sWYQdgiaOCw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=pP5sJ9eJlkc:sWYQdgiaOCw:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=pP5sJ9eJlkc:sWYQdgiaOCw:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=pP5sJ9eJlkc:sWYQdgiaOCw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=pP5sJ9eJlkc:sWYQdgiaOCw:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/pP5sJ9eJlkc" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/pP5sJ9eJlkc/where-im-from.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)8http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/06/where-im-from.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-1206002250116666918Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +00002011-06-30T09:04:59.253-07:00stuff-and-nonsenseDear Dental Office:<br /> <br /> I know I'm OCD, but it's annoying that you force me to confirm my appointment by phone the day before. Um, it's an APPOINTMENT. By DEFINITION, we have both agreed to be there at the appointed time and place. If I can't make it for some reason, I will call and tell you. Because that's what responsible adults DO. Don't make me call just to tell you that I'm NOT breaking the appointment. It's a waste of my time and kind of insulting.<br /> <br /> Chronically punctual, <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> ###<br /> <br /> Dear McDonald's:<br /> <br /> "Sweet" should not be the default for iced tea. Sugar or sweetener should be an option, not a standard ingredient. But, even if I accept the fact that you make me specify that I DON'T want you to add extra stuff to my drink ... when I clearly and repeatedly make that distinction and you STILL give me sweet tea, it makes me kinda stabby. <br /> <br /> Never been accused of being sweet,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> ###<br /> <br /> Dear Undergarment Industry:<br /> <br /> Is a DD-cup sports bra that actually supports without suffocating REALLY so difficult? Really?! I mean, the world is full of engineering marvels, but comfortable full-figured underwear is beyond the reach of modern science? All I want is to be able to run and jump and throw some kicks and punches without giving myself black eyes or cinching myself into a whalebone corset. Is that really too much to ask? <br /> <br /> And as long as we're on the subject, can you please 'splain to me why >D sizes cost so much more than A-C? It's - what? - an extra 6 inches of fabric and underwire? I suspect your overhead is not so adversely affected that I should really have to pay half-again to twice as much as the less-endowed ladies. But, if you ARE going to overcharge me, could you at least make the a few more of the pretty ones in full-figure sizes, too? The C cups get a lovely variety of colors and patterns and fabrics to pick from, and the curvy girls get to choose between the exotic options of "white" and "nude" in cotton or polyester? Seriously, bra dudes, not cool.<br /> <br /> Desperately Seeking Support Garments,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> ###<br /> <br /> Dear "Gentlemen" standing around outside the store:<br /> <br /> There's a difference between an appreciative glance and a predatory stare. The first might get you a smile. The second is likely to get you a sidekick to the knee if you step any closer. <br /> <br /> Just sayin',<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> ###<br /> <br /> Dear iPad auto-correct:<br /> <br /> If you don't stop changing "onezenmom" to "obese mom", Ima sit on you.<br /> <br /> Just fluffy,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> ###<br /> <br /> Dear Gods of Potty Training:<br /> <br /> Please just tell me what animal you need me to sacrifice to get my now-4-year-old to learn to love the potty. Pleeeeeeeeaaaaassssssee?!?!?! We're going on 7 years of diapers and Pull-Ups and I'm just about at my limit here. I've tried every method and tip and trick in the book, and even made up a few more - no joy.<br /> <br /> Ready for some divine intervention,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> ###<br /> <br /> Dear You:<br /> <br /> Yeah, you - reading this sad excuse for a blog - thanks for sticking around through the thin times. Thanks for not purging me from your RSS feed or deleting me from your blogroll. Thanks for still taking the time to stop by and read and comment on the meager offerings I've been serving up lately. *fingers crossed* I do hope to get back to writing - and reading - blogs again, soon.<br /> <br /> *mwah*<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=A8e6XZvBks8:fBtZu3EQAZ8:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=A8e6XZvBks8:fBtZu3EQAZ8:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=A8e6XZvBks8:fBtZu3EQAZ8:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=A8e6XZvBks8:fBtZu3EQAZ8:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=A8e6XZvBks8:fBtZu3EQAZ8:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=A8e6XZvBks8:fBtZu3EQAZ8:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/A8e6XZvBks8" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/A8e6XZvBks8/better-than-therapy-letters-ill-never.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)21http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/06/better-than-therapy-letters-ill-never.html