Book Review: Across the Universe! I loved it!

I finished reading a novel that I couldn’t put down.
The good news – I just read at the author’s web-site that it is a trilogy! So, I glad to know more is to come.
“Across the Universe” is a sci-fi novel by Beth Revis.


Here is my video review for this book:



Here is the link for the book:



Here is an interview with the author:



Here is the book trailer:




Here is my friend Morgan's book review:

Ethics and organ donations.

I had recently read "The Unit," a fictional dystopia novel where people who are considered "disposable" (or un-needed) go to the unit and wait until they're made to give organ donations. They live until they have their final donation.

The book has stuck with me for a while. I've read two more novels since then and The Unit seems to stay in the back of my mind.

I've been taking an ethics course in counseling during my leisure time as well. I had recnelty did a group project on end of life care.

Some of the findings were that the cost for a person in an intensive care unit during the last part of their life can be very expensive. Some people may wish to have a natural death opposed to being kept alive by machines.

I had read this article Friday. It is about a proposed policy to give organs to younger people who are more healthy.

I don't have any comments about the article below, but I felt it should be passed along to others who'd like to read it:



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/23/AR2011022306875_2.html?sid=ST2011022308018

long lost cartoon.

When I was a kid there was short cartoons that I would love to see again and show my brother and sister.

The first was a cartoon that featured this weird little pair of legs in a kinda arch, picture 1/2 the Golden Arches from Mc Donnalds walking around, being chased by this big crazy spider. The spider would bounce with it's big eye and a bunch of little spiders were also chasing after the feet. They ran through a castle in a spiral stair case.

I don't think it had any words -- but it had this funny little music that went along with it.

Anyone spot anything like this on line or in a old Nick toons bootleg? I'd love to see these again.

What am I going to read next?

I finished reading The Unit. It is a sad dystopia. It was a book that has really stuck with me. The main character is sent to “The Unit” because she has reached (40 or 50 years of age) and she has no children. The government determines this makes her dispensable and unneeded for the economic growth of their society. So, they send her to the unit, where she is expected to make donations to people who are needed. People in the unit donate parts of their body like kidneys and stem cells until they’re required to make their final donation: heart or lungs. The main character falls in love with an older man at the unit. What will happen then? You might want to read that book. You can read my previous book review of the Unit and my process of learning that I like to read a dystopia -- by clicking here.

What book are you going to read next?
I received a package slip on my door today from UPS.

I have a package from Amazon.com.!

Who wants to know what book it is?

And it is…

“Across the Universe” by Beth Revis.

This will be the 10th book I've read in 2011 or (11th book) if you include the book on ethics that I've read for class (which was really long). But this is the 10th book that I've read for leisure and enjoyment this year.

This book isn’t the same as the previously released “Across the Universe” movie.

Here is an interview with the author:

Here is the link for the book:


I had read several positive blogs and book reviews about Across the Universe.
I’ve recently discovered that I mostly like reading dystopias and future related stories. Of course, I’ve read many dystopia books in the past like, The Road and The Stand. I just recently became aware that I often read these types of books.

I finally ordered “Across the Universe” after seeing my friend Morgan’s video book review:




Here is the book trailer:



You may want to go to this Amazon link to read more about the book and decide if you’d like to read it too:

I don't even know how to write.

"I don't even know how to write."

I love this video.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

There are rumors on the internet that someone is going to redo The Wizard of Oz, but I couldn’t find any solid information.

My brother Jimmy and I were discussing the new movie while in Borders bookstore last weekend.

We had seen a poster for the original Wizard of Oz.

I told my brother that it will probably be a Tim Burton movie and he’ll probably get Jonny Depp to play a character, probably the Scarecrow.

So, we decided to make our own decisions about who will play the new roles.

Scarecrow? My brother and I both agreed that it would probably be Jonny Depp if it is a Tim Burton movie. I think they need to break-up, but my I’m certain the Tim and Jonny Bromance is for life.

Dorothy? My brother Jimmy said probably Natalie Portman. I think she’d make a good Dorothy. I’d like to see Amanda Bynes as Dorothy. Of course, she is one of my favorites.
The Lion? Probably Seth Rogin. I would like to have seen Chris Farley as the Lion. May he rest in peace.

The Tin Man? Maybe Steve Corella or Ben Stiller.

The wicked witch? Nicole Kidman played a good evil person in the Golden Compass. Maybe she could be the wicked witch. But I’d like to see her as the good witch.

Who should play the wicked witch? Hmm. Lindsay Lohan? Just kidding. I like Lindsay and wish her the best. I sent her a copy of my self-improvement book, "Discover Hidden Secret Wisdom." I thought it would be great if she walked out of rehab carrying a copy of it. Okay -- that is shameless attempt at self-promotion of my book.

A young Dakota Fanning would have made a good Munchkin! But she may be too old for that now. I'm not sure.

The flying monkeys will probably be in 3D.

My thoughts: I like older movies. I don't think a new Wizard of Oz will ever be as good as the first one. But I don't know yet.

I loved Charlie in the Chocolate Factory -- but didn't like the new one with Jonny Depp.


So there we have it:

A Tim Burton Wizard of Oz, starring Natalie Portman as Dorothy, Johnny Depp as the Scarecrow, Seth Rogin as the Lion, and Ben Stiller as the Tin Man.

Here is the Internet Movie Database link for the real making of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1320309/

The movie and book are great for children.
You can ask a kid -- what would you go to Oz for?
The tin man needed a heart.
The lion needed courage.
The scarecrow needed a brain.

I've heard a technique where some counselors say if you had a magic pill, how would things be different. Of course, I don't suggest using that with people in substance abuse. Maybe say if you had a magic wand, how would things be different. Now, I'd like to add a new question after watching the Wizard of Oz (cinema-therapy), if you could go to Oz, what would you ask for?

Of course, I can hear the little ones now, I want a pony that changes colors.

inspiration for creativity.

I love books.

I enjoy reading them. I like making them. I love a bookstore, too!

I follow an interesting blog that posts old letters (often from famous people).

Today, one was posted that I found inspirational.

Tim Burton had written a children's book when he was 18. He had sent it to Disney for publication. Disney sent a very polite rejection letter.

I like how Burton has been persitent in making things from an early age. He has given the world many creative works.

You might not want to make books like I do, but I'm sure you want to create something with your life.

This post inspires me to continue making things in life and to be persistent.

Read it here:

http://www.lettersofnote.com/2011/02/giant-zlig.html

Waldenbooks is closing.

It is with great sadness that I announce that the Waldenbooks at the Crossroads Mall in Beckley, West Virginia is closing. They're also closing the Waldenbooks at the Ashland Town Center in Ashland, Kentucky. It is the one that I live close to now. Grrr.

I’m very upset about this. This was my hometown local bookstore.
Waldenbooks is a division of Borders.

Borders had announced bankruptcy last week.

I’d guess these are the potential reasons for the bankruptcy. Based on my personal experiences:

Electronic books (e-books) are being purchased, so people aren’t going to the store. I buy a lot of my books on my kindle now.

Many best-sellers are often more affordable at Wal-Mart or Sam’s club.

Many books can be purchased online at Amazon.com for better prices.

I’d argue that we still need bookstores. They’re vital for many reasons. They expose books to a wider range of people who may not have access to e-books (like younger children).

I am very bitter. I may have to take this with a spoon of sugar (as Mary Poppins) would say. Is that the right movie I'm quoting? I don't know.

In good news, I did receive a $10 promotion code for Amazon this week. This was included with a special offer for buying magazines at amazon.com. I purchased two of them for my mother.

Well -- Maybe Amazon will be your new bookseller:

Dystopia.

I've been reading Lenore's blog on books.
Lennore has covered Dystopias during the month of Feb. 2011 and I've loved it!

Do you read dystopias?

I do.

I’ve always been fascinated with books and movies about dystopias.

I’m not sure why I enjoy reading dark and disturbing stories.

I’ve always enjoyed “end of world” movies like:

• Planet of the Apes (1968 and 2001)
• Escape from NYC (1981),
• Mad Max (1981),
• The Running Man (1987),
• Cyborg (1989),
• Time Cop (1994),
• Twelve Monkeys (1995),
• Water World (1995),
• Artificial Intelligence (2001),
• The Island (date?),
• Children of Men (2006),
• The Wikerman (2006), and
• Doomsday (2008).
• Ember City (book and movie)
• War of the Worlds
• 1984
• and many others

Movies about an awful future always get my attention. I plan to go see Battle of L.A. when it is released. Hope it is good.

I'm sure there are others, but these are the ones that I recall.

There is one Twilight zone episode that I particularly enjoyed. I think it was called Obsolete. It was where citizens become obsolete and they’re killed.

I’ve been reading a dystopia called, The Unit. It is written by Ninni Holmqvist.
Here is the summary of the book:

Women at the age of 40 and men at the age of 50 who don’t have children must go to the unit. They’re seen as unneeded by society. Once at the unit, a person is considered “Biological material.” They do medical experiments on the residents of the unit and they take a kidney or other body item from a person at the unit and give it to a person in society.

They do provide a nice place for people at the unit. They got to eat nice, too.

I’ve only read half of the book at this time. I think this is good so I don’t accidently give away any spoilers in this review.

Here is the book trailer:



Here is an amazon link for the book in case you’d like to read more about it:



I’m excited to find out the rest of the story.

More on Dystopias:

I also follow a Presenting Lenore -- a blog on books.

She is doing a series of book reviews on dystopias for the month of February, which I enjoy.

She recently posted a link for the short-story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson.
Basically, people draw names and the person who wins is stoned to death.

You can read this short story by clicking here.

I found this short-story to be very disturbing. Several of her followers had commented that they had read “The Lottery” in school. I’m 31. I don’t recall reading “The Lottery” in school. This may have been the first time that I had read it. However, I was a slower learner and may not have comprehended the story or remembered it had I read it in middle school.

I think teenagers should read the Lottery. A post-discussion should focus on topics such as Social Conformity – doing what other people are doing. and Empathy – considering how other people feel. And Ethics – doing the right thing, and mindless obedience - following orders without thinking.

I immediately thought of the late 90s music video “Man that you fear” by Marilyn Manson while reading “The Lottery.”

I had seen the video on MTV during this time and it had always stuck in my mind. I did a google search on that video and found that it was based partially on Jackson’s short-story “The Lottery.” See this link for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_That_You_Fear

I re-watched the Manson video on YouTube and it made more sense now.

Here is a link for the Mason video:

X-Men

I can't wait for the X-Men First Class Movie



Here is a fun X-Men comic that includes a motion comic DVD, too.

The history of Wonder Woman.

I love Max Ride (as I told you in my last blog.) Max is a female super hero.

I thought I'd tell you about The History of Wonder Woman -- a Film.

Okay -- I love super heroes. I've never been a real big fan of Wonder Woman. I think this film seems exciting. Wonder Woman is the first female super hero.

This film is being created by two women from Oakland, Cali.

I think this is great. There need to be more female heros.

I love Max Ride (Awesome series)

I’ve been reading the Max Ride series by James Patterson.

I love this series.

They’re young adult (YA) sci-fi books.

I had purchased book 4 last July. I didn’t realize that it was a series at that time, so, I had to go back and read the first four books.

Of course, I don’t want to give away all the goodies and secrets from the book. I’ll give you a brief overview of the characters in the story.

A group of children all have wings. They can fly. They had been science experiments in a lab, which they hated.

• Max Ride is the leader. She is fearless and almost tomboy like. She watches over the rest of “the flock.” She has a voice that talks in her head. It tells her things like she is expected to save the world.
• Fang is the next oldest. He grew up with Max. They like each other a lot.
• Nudge is the talkative one.
• Iggy is the blind one.
• Gas is younger. He likes explosives.
• Angel is the youngest. She has the ability to read minds and a slight ability to control people.

Throughout the books, the flock develops other abilities, too, which I won’t tell you now, so you can discover them on your own.

The bad guys are the scientists who do experiments on them. They create other things too, like Erasers, which are part human and part wolf like. They later create Erasers that have wings.
Each book has an adventure.

Angel is my favorite character! The 7th book is called “Angel.” It was released this week! So, I’m excited. I’ve ordered it and it should be here soon.

Here are the books I’ve read at this time:

Book # 1: The Angel Experiment

Book # 2: Schools out forever

Book # 3: Saving the World and other extreme sports

Book # 4: The Final Warning

Book # 5: MAX

I’ve not read book # 6 yet, but my loving good parents had picked me up a copy of this book about two weekends ago. I plan to read it next of course.

Book # 6: Fang

Book # 7: Angel


I believe the series will end in 2012 with an 8th book.
I’ve also heard rumors of a potential movie. That would be so awesome.

I don't keep the books. I give them away after reading each one.

I do collect the Max Ride comic series with art by NaRea Lee. They're so cool.

Here are the first three:

The fourth one is expected to be released in April 2011. I'm going to pre-order it from amazon.com tonight.

Get $10 coupon if you spend $20 in magazines!

This deal is so good -- I had to share it with you:

Through February 28, spend at least $20.00 in the Magazine Store and receive a $10.00 promotion code by March 4 to use across Amazon.com.

This offer is good on any magazine in the Magazine Store

Go to this link to check out all of the magazines:

Click Here for Magazines at Amazon.com

Captain America!

I love super heros!

What can a hero teach you about becoming successful in life?


Here is the Captain America preview:

empathy

Here is a cover of a Imagine.

I think this video inspires empathy.

Watch it here:



I feel a calling to be in the helping field. I want to help make the world a better place. - danny.

Dreams of Cancer

I dreamed last night that a woman who I once had a crush on had cancer.

I had gone out with this woman a few times while we were in college and I had known her in high school. However, we never were a couple. I always liked her.

In my dream, I saw her being pushed in a wheelchair into the lobby at the psychiatric hospital where I work at. I noticed her face and realized that she had wrinkled skin and had lost a lot of weight. She looked shriveled. I immediately went to her. I wanted to ask how she was doing, but I knew I couldn’t ask her that question because of her condition. She told me she had cancer. I felt so sadden to learn this and feared that I’d lose this person from my life.

Staff pushed her in her wheelchair out of the lobby. She smiled and waved at me. Then she was out of sight. I knew I couldn’t and wasn’t permitted to go back and talk with her more because I was not on her “Release of Information” list. Plus, I was in a hurry to leave and get to a class.

Here are some of the reasons why I could have had this dream:
1.) My professor had told me that his wife had a third remission of her cancer the night before I had this dream.
2.) My uncle Bill had lost the battle to cancer earlier this year. He would have had his recent birthday.
3.) I had seen some updated pictures of this woman on her facebook page. I started to email her that I thought her pictures were good, but I hit delete before I sent them. The dream may have been a symbolic way of telling me that she is gone from my life in a way. It may mean that I have problems with letting go.

Do I need a book on dreams?

Here are some interesting books:

Logan Magazine is Awesome!

I received the winter 2010-2011 edition of Logan Magazine today!

I’m good friends with Logan.

Her magazine is all about fashion and lifestyle for young people who have disabilities.

I’m a Recreational Therapist for children with mental health needs and I find this magazine to be very valuable.

I use stories from Logan Magazine for motivation and inspiration.

Naturally, I want to help these children to overcome their struggles and to help them reach their highest potential.

You might want to consider ordering Logan Magazine. You can even order it with paypal.

You can do so at her web-site.

Go here:

http://www.loganmagazine.com/subscribe.html

The Shape of Design.

Here is a book that I pre-ordered from kickstarter today.
I'm really excited about this.

Have a nice day!

Hope you're having a wonderful day.

your friend,
Danny.