Comments for Simple Things http://simplethings.today.com "We are proof that God has a sense of humor" Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:00:18 +0000 http://www.today.com/version-2.3.1 Comment on Read Any Classics Lately? by dfallis http://simplethings.today.com/2009/06/05/read-any-classics-lately/#comment-166 dfallis Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:05:01 +0000 http://simplethings.today.com/2009/06/05/read-any-classics-lately/#comment-166 My personal favorites (Trading with the Enemy & The Dark Side of Camelot) won't be among the "classics" because they do not show the best side of politicians--LOL--guess our grandkids can look forward to having read one of 15--that Barack Obama will have written by the time he finally falls out of power...God help them! http://gyroscope2000.today.com My personal favorites (Trading with the Enemy & The Dark Side of Camelot) won’t be among the “classics” because they do not show the best side of politicians–LOL–guess our grandkids can look forward to having read one of 15–that Barack Obama will have written by the time he finally falls out of power…God help them!

http://gyroscope2000.today.com

]]> Comment on Read Any Classics Lately? by xpressoutloud http://simplethings.today.com/2009/06/05/read-any-classics-lately/#comment-163 xpressoutloud Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:25:51 +0000 http://simplethings.today.com/2009/06/05/read-any-classics-lately/#comment-163 I have a profile in a site called Shelfari.com. It’s one of those sites for bookworms. I love reading and knowing what other people read about. There was a discussion about the classics not long ago. This is what I wrote regarding what makes a classic. “In my opinion, for a book to become a classic it does have to stand the test of time. And to do so, it must leave something behind. 1- Weather it created unforgettable characters and I said unforgettable not likable (Romeo and Juliet are the eternal symbol of forbidden love). 2- Was set in a way that the reader can travel through time and be there (All quiet on the western front… I don’t know take your pick). 3- Or if it portrayed an event (fictional or real) that became a symbol (say Big Brother in 1984. Who doesn’t get that reference now, and not only due to the reality show, how about surveillance cameras in the bank or on the street and buildings?). 4- How about how a book influenced a generation or public opinion? (Uncle Tom’s Cabin). 5- Or simply because it speaks to the reader." I have to say that you are right there are so many books out there that many read the classics when they were in school and pick one up once in a while. But the discussion also talked about the books that readers consider will become the “new classics”. Regarding this you might want to read The Book Thief, many (I haven’t read it yet) think it will go on the list soon. As for me, I think The Boy in Stripped Pajamas will also be added to the list (FYI not the movie, the book). You will immediately notice the difference in styles when you open these books but the themes are timeless. Give them a try you might find that you are now more interested in the “new classics”. The Book Thief by Zusak Markus and The Boy In Stripped Pajamas by John Boyne Happy reading and if you feel like commenting on either of them (I plan to read The Book Thief soon) I’m a fellow blogger here www.xpressoutloud.today.com [I promise not to tell you if you are right or wrong. It's reading it’s always a matter of opinion] I have a profile in a site called Shelfari.com. It’s one of those sites for bookworms. I love reading and knowing what other people read about. There was a discussion about the classics not long ago. This is what I wrote regarding what makes a classic.

“In my opinion, for a book to become a classic it does have to stand the test of time. And to do so, it must leave something behind.

1- Weather it created unforgettable characters and I said unforgettable not likable (Romeo and Juliet are the eternal symbol of forbidden love).

2- Was set in a way that the reader can travel through time and be there (All quiet on the western front… I don’t know take your pick).

3- Or if it portrayed an event (fictional or real) that became a symbol (say Big Brother in 1984. Who doesn’t get that reference now, and not only due to the reality show, how about surveillance cameras in the bank or on the street and buildings?).

4- How about how a book influenced a generation or public opinion? (Uncle Tom’s Cabin).

5- Or simply because it speaks to the reader.”

I have to say that you are right there are so many books out there that many read the classics when they were in school and pick one up once in a while. But the discussion also talked about the books that readers consider will become the “new classics”.

Regarding this you might want to read The Book Thief, many (I haven’t read it yet) think it will go on the list soon. As for me, I think The Boy in Stripped Pajamas will also be added to the list (FYI not the movie, the book). You will immediately notice the difference in styles when you open these books but the themes are timeless. Give them a try you might find that you are now more interested in the “new classics”.

The Book Thief by Zusak Markus and The Boy In Stripped Pajamas by John Boyne

Happy reading and if you feel like commenting on either of them (I plan to read The Book Thief soon) I’m a fellow blogger here www.xpressoutloud.today.com

[I promise not to tell you if you are right or wrong. It’s reading it’s always a matter of opinion]

]]> Comment on At A Loss for Words by sillysally http://simplethings.today.com/2009/05/27/at-a-loss-for-words/#comment-160 sillysally Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:33:48 +0000 http://simplethings.today.com/2009/05/27/at-a-loss-for-words/#comment-160 feeling glad you got sunshine? feeling glad you got sunshine?

]]> Comment on At A Loss for Words by hatednation http://simplethings.today.com/2009/05/27/at-a-loss-for-words/#comment-157 hatednation Thu, 28 May 2009 22:59:02 +0000 http://simplethings.today.com/2009/05/27/at-a-loss-for-words/#comment-157 Ahh, we finally got some reprieve from the rain, but now its just hot.. Ahh, we finally got some reprieve from the rain, but now its just hot..

]]> Comment on Feeling Small by janet http://simplethings.today.com/2009/05/15/feeling-small/#comment-144 janet Sat, 16 May 2009 08:54:43 +0000 http://simplethings.today.com/2009/05/15/feeling-small/#comment-144 Awesome! Such insight! This week one of my drug court participants had the most awful toothache, and as expected, no money or insurance. I was able to find a dentist with a heart who pulled the tooth for free. Now why have I gone about doing that for all these years? I would like to think I am just such a good soul, but I know that my chosen path to help others at some level stems from a deep-seated need to be needed and the feelin' good that comes from it. There is a psych theory out there, Rogerian I think, that says no one does anything unless it benefits them in some way, i.e., makes them feel good, something in return, looks good, etc. I buy that theory! Not to say people don't do kind, generous, selfless things for all the right reasons, but on some level there is a 'payback' or they would not keep doing it - now that is where I really sit 'behaviorialist'. My participant left me a phone message of thanks that made me cry because the underlying message was "I never thought anyone would do something for me, a no-good addict." Yep, fed my need. BTW Missy, I need you , so just don't forget that :O) Thanks for hearing out my theory of why we do what we do and why if we motivate our children, ourselves, and others positively (make them feel good in appropriate ways for appropriate behaviors) our world will be a better place . . . you make it a better place you know? Awesome! Such insight!
This week one of my drug court participants had the most awful toothache, and as expected, no money or insurance. I was able to find a dentist with a heart who pulled the tooth for free. Now why have I gone about doing that for all these years? I would like to think I am just such a good soul, but I know that my chosen path to help others at some level stems from a deep-seated need to be needed and the feelin’ good that comes from it. There is a psych theory out there, Rogerian I think, that says no one does anything unless it benefits them in some way, i.e., makes them feel good, something in return, looks good, etc. I buy that theory! Not to say people don’t do kind, generous, selfless things for all the right reasons, but on some level there is a ‘payback’ or they would not keep doing it - now that is where I really sit ‘behaviorialist’.
My participant left me a phone message of thanks that made me cry because the underlying message was “I never thought anyone would do something for me, a no-good addict.” Yep, fed my need. BTW Missy, I need you , so just don’t forget that :O) Thanks for hearing out my theory of why we do what we do and why if we motivate our children, ourselves, and others positively (make them feel good in appropriate ways for appropriate behaviors) our world will be a better place . . . you make it a better place you know?

]]> Comment on I told You There Were Dragons! by ambrosiavenus http://simplethings.today.com/2009/03/31/i-told-you-there-were-dragons/#comment-93 ambrosiavenus Sat, 04 Apr 2009 01:19:36 +0000 http://simplethings.today.com/2009/03/31/i-told-you-there-were-dragons/#comment-93 Blogs are a great way to get some writing in. Nothing beats a good vent session like a way to express it. I have 5 (not as much time for them lately, though) and I've found they're great therapy and provided the inspiration for some work I'll eventually publish. Cool blog! Keep up the writing! Blogs are a great way to get some writing in. Nothing beats a good vent session like a way to express it. I have 5 (not as much time for them lately, though) and I’ve found they’re great therapy and provided the inspiration for some work I’ll eventually publish.

Cool blog! Keep up the writing!

]]> Comment on “Celling” out by maxiegirl http://simplethings.today.com/2009/04/01/celling-out/#comment-90 maxiegirl Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:04:56 +0000 http://simplethings.today.com/2009/04/01/celling-out/#comment-90 I need to clarify my comments. I remember how we raised kids "safely" years ago. Some people were worse and babies did get hurt. I hate thinking about their being a law about everything. Baby seats and seat belts are some of the good laws. Sorry if I wasn't clear. I hadn't had breakfast yet. (I run on California time.) I need to clarify my comments. I remember how we raised kids “safely” years ago. Some people were worse and babies did get hurt.

I hate thinking about their being a law about everything. Baby seats and seat belts are some of the good laws.

Sorry if I wasn’t clear. I hadn’t had breakfast yet. (I run on California time.)

]]> Comment on “Celling” out by maxiegirl http://simplethings.today.com/2009/04/01/celling-out/#comment-89 maxiegirl Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:56:50 +0000 http://simplethings.today.com/2009/04/01/celling-out/#comment-89 When my kids were little, I used to let my toddlers stand beside me, behind my shoulder, when I was driving. I thought that was safer than them just running around in the car while i was driving. We forget so quickly that people did that and thought nothing of it. I consider myself an intelligent person, yet one of my kids has a small scar on her forehead, the result of her being launched from the back seat and into the padded dash when I stopped quickly because a child ran into the street in front of me. I missed the other kid, then raced my own to the doctor. We need to be enlightened about these things, but yes, I think the government regulates everything and I don't like it. Still, if someone who thinks she's intelligent can not do the right thing, what about the pudding heads who don't use their brains at all? Maybe just rules for them, not for me. When my kids were little, I used to let my toddlers stand beside me, behind my shoulder, when I was driving. I thought that was safer than them just running around in the car while i was driving. We forget so quickly that people did that and thought nothing of it.

I consider myself an intelligent person, yet one of my kids has a small scar on her forehead, the result of her being launched from the back seat and into the padded dash when I stopped quickly because a child ran into the street in front of me. I missed the other kid, then raced my own to the doctor.

We need to be enlightened about these things, but yes, I think the government regulates everything and I don’t like it.

Still, if someone who thinks she’s intelligent can not do the right thing, what about the pudding heads who don’t use their brains at all?

Maybe just rules for them, not for me.

]]> Comment on I told You There Were Dragons! by maxiegirl http://simplethings.today.com/2009/03/31/i-told-you-there-were-dragons/#comment-87 maxiegirl Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:12:49 +0000 http://simplethings.today.com/2009/03/31/i-told-you-there-were-dragons/#comment-87 I loved the post. You are a writer and your blogs prove it. Marilynne I loved the post. You are a writer and your blogs prove it.

Marilynne

]]> Comment on Passing the Buck by mandasparkle http://simplethings.today.com/2009/03/26/passing-the-buck/#comment-80 mandasparkle Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:10:53 +0000 http://simplethings.today.com/2009/03/26/passing-the-buck/#comment-80 Completely agree with you! Completely agree with you!

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