Audible book review - Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

I've have this book on my audible wish list from the very beginning. I first heard if this book from the author. When asked if she had a favorite book of the ones she had written she answered without hesitation, "Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow." As I've read other books by this author I was intrigued by her rapid response. The book did not disappoint. A retelling of a fairy tale, it is a Norwegian tale and was completely foreign to me. While baring some resemblance to Beauty and the Beast, it was different enough to remain new and fresh. I used every opportunity to listen too it and finished it within two days. Here is a link to the Audible page for this book. It was read by Jessica Roland who did a good job with the different characters.

Plot: based on the fairy tale East of the sun and west of the moon, winter has not left the Northland for decades, some say a hundred years. People are able to scrape by but often not by much. It's even harder when there are lots of children to feed. Olaf, the woodcutter has nine children. When his wife gave birth to a girl instead of boy who would be able to help support the family she was upset and refused to den give her a name. Olaf, who loved the child, was disappointed by his wife's decision but as the naming of girls is the wife's duty, he could do nothing but call the girl "the Pika," which simply means "the girl." Given the nickname "lass" by her eldest brother, Hanspater, the Pika came to accept her mother's rejection and instead sought the company of Hanspater who had returned from sea after a five year voyage. However, Hanspater is not well. He only sits by the fire and carves words in a strange language or figures that he may throw into the fire. He does make some useful things that he sells to help the family, but he appears to be broken. The Pika wants more than anything to see her brother whole. In an attempt to help him she asks a boon from the White Stag, a mythical creature she helped free from a thicket. When it is unable to help her brother it instead gives her the ability to speak with animals. While this is useful and causes her to be much sought after to help with difficult animals in also brings a giant ice bear to her families house when she is seventeen. It requests that she come and live with him in his palace for a year and one day. In return her family shall have the wealth her mother has desired for years. How hard could it be, to live with such a chreature for a year and a day in a palace with servants? Harder than the Pika thought possible.

My personal favorites; This book reminded me of Beauty by Robin McKinely in all the best ways.Both are fairy tale retellings and both cover similar, but very different stories. They are both very well written and have good pacing and flow between scene and conflicts. In addition, Jessica Day George does a great job with foreshadowing. She also doesn't pull any punches. Bad things happen to good people and evil is truly villainous. The characters are fun and believable and I didn't feel like the Pika was acting older than her age, which is something I often struggle with.

Considerations: As I said, Jessica Day George doesn't pull any punches and there are characters who die, not just "disappear" or rather when they disappear we learn that they were killed. Another consideration is that as part of her year and a day in the ice bear's palace there is a man that shares her bed. This is given the proper weight in the Pika's mind and she is uncomfortable with this. However, despite the potential there is no sexual actions or references that take place because of this arrangement. I look forward to reading this to my daughter when she is ready for books of this size.

Overall the book was wonderful. It kept me guessing about some things until the very end and held me captive until the final word. I definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to read something that feels familiar and yet is a very different fairy tale than what they're used to. The total length was 7 hours.

Single home family

It's official we are a single home family again. For the last six months we have been paying two mortgages and ,through the grace of God, making ends meet and then some. We've learned many things over this time and are glad that we can apply them now without having to. A little background on the situation.

A little over a year and a half ago we started the relocation process from the small mining town we lived in to be closer to family. We had planned on it for months, but were finally able to take steps. This included putting the 1955 cinder block "veterans" home we had purchased and remodeled up for sale. After months of nothing we decided to rent it out so we weren't just taking a hit and could move into a new house. We had renters in it for a little under a year before they purchased their own home and then t was empty. In the meantime we had purchased our currant home so we had to find the funds to pay the two mortgages. We got really creative on many different things. This is what instigated me riding the bus, something I was glad to do and who he'd saved us $200 a month in gas.

But the house had sold. Papers have been signed and we are just waiting for the money due to us comes in. It is a great financial and emotional relief to have that and over with. We're looking to rebuilding our savings and me being able to finish my Masters. I am very thankful that the house has sold and am so grateful to God for the lessons learned and miracles performed in our behalf.

Audible Book Review - Freefall by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams

It's taking me longer to get through this series than others. This might have something to do with the fact that Angel and I started listening to it together in the car, but than started listening to books on CD as it was a little easier than the speakers on our iPad. This is book three of six in the series and I'm glad to be half way through. I've enjoyed the series but for some reason I'm a little apprehensive about the remaining 45 or so hours to the end of the series. While this book wasn't as action packed as the last one, the conflicts were very real. It was a shift from more external to internal conflicts. However, this book seemed to drag on a bit more than others, but that might have been the huge break that I had between the first and second half. Here is the link for the Audible page for the book. The book was narrated by Steven Crossley who continued to do a good job with the series.

Plot: Will, Chester, and Elliot have sunk lower than they ever thought possible. With the revelation of the Styx's plot and the truth about Rebecca they have no idea how they are going to get out of their predicament. Still on the run and fighting for their lives against the monsters of wasteland they now inhabit, they are rescued by an older woman named Martha who takes them in. However, things get worse as Elliot becomes ill and they have no idea how to care for her. Ultimately they must decide if they are to stay with Martha or try to seek help for Elliot elsewhere. Meanwhile, Miss Burrows, Will's mother, has become revitalized. She is still looking for her family and doing so in the face of people suspecting that she did them in herself. She is looking for help when help finds her, and it's someone that the knows Will quite well. In the end Sylvia Burrows might become more than just a pawn in the games that are played. But before that her family will be reunited and split apart again. She and Dr. Burrows will come to know the danger they face and what is really going on. In addition, Will must learn who to trust and distrust and discovers not only more about the inner world of the earth but more about his father.

My personal favorites: I found the scientific premise interesting and even plausible in specific ways. Like a good reader I was happy with the gnats I strained and was able to swallow the camels that were presented. I was also content with the shift from a dominate external conflict to internal conflict. There was plenty of external peril and action, but it seemed that the tension was more internal. The characters remained true to form and were believable in their thoughts and actions. I wanted to throttle Dr. Burrows a couple of times, but I could understand his motivations and rational. I didn't agree with them, but I could understand them. The same was true to many of the other characters.

Considerations: Like I mentioned earlier, this book felt a little slower. Whether this was because internal conflict tends to be slower or the large break I had between starting and finishing the book, I don't know. There were parts where the characters we in a state of limbo a couple of times (as they fell deep into the Earth) and the pacing seemed to lag. Like the last two books, the Styx are not nice and can be quite ruthless - although there is not as much of them as the last book.

Freefall was good, and I enjoyed it for the most part. The slower pacing and the things that took me away from it made the experience a bit more laborious than I like. I have the next one Closer but am listening to something a little different to recharge. I think the thing that is wearing on me is that it seems that nothing seems to resolve, only get more convoluted. I would like to start seeing some resolution in the next book.

Christmas Update

I apologize for missing my usual post on Monday. And then for not posting Tuesday. I will not apologize for not posting Wednesday for reasons that I hope are obvious. When I started this blog I thought in many ways that it would be akin to the weekly E-mail I get from my mother or the letter updates I get from my father. As many people are sending out Christmas cards at this time with updates of what has happened this year the thought occurred to me to do something similar on my blog. I guess the thing that makes me hesitate is that I've been posting weekly blog posts about the big events that have happened since April. As my mother's note in the Christmas card she sent us said, "You know what we've been up to." That is not all the handwritten note said.

The other thing that makes me hesitate is that my blog is completely public. Even unlike my Facebook page this has no privacy settings. I'm okay with that and willfully acknowledge the implications.

As I thought about what to post, my mind drifted to what Christmas means to me and why I enjoy it so. Having five days off of work (the weekend, a personal day, and two for the holiday) was certainly nice. Receiving some enjoyable gifts is always pleasant. Being able to watch my kids open their gifts and watch their faces and excitement. The best part was being able to be with family. Monday we spent the bulk of the day at my parents. My sister, Babe, asked if Kanga and Tigger wanted to go sledding with her and her friends. So we went down a little earlier than originally planned and had some fun. Dinner was a little later than planned, but mostly due to some question as to who was coming when. It's great fun trying to coordinate schedules, isn't it? I enjoyed chatting with my parents, playing Ogre with my brother, and doing the Christmas program that my family has done every year since 1968. It's a great reminded about the reason for Christmas and that it is just one part of Christendom.

Tuesday was Angel's family's Christmas party and again, we chatted played games, and enjoyed family. I consider myself very blessed to get along with my in-laws and enjoy their company as much as my own family. I get a find of trill watching Angel and her sisters open their gifts from Grandma Nae as Nae has very good taste and a good eye for size and style. This year they got very fuzzy, very swanky jackets. Both Monday and Tuesday we got home well past the kids bedtime and had to carry them up to bed asleep. They handled everything pretty well, although Tigger is still struggling with his potty training.

Christmas morning, I opened by eyes to my children and wife asking if I was ready to go open presents. Normally I'm up pretty early, but for some reason I was still sound asleep when they were ready to go. Angel had done some work on the kids play room and so they got to see the changes and additions there. Like my father, I handed out gifts for the kids and Angel to open. We enjoyed ourselves until noon when we went to my Grandmother's for dinner. It was particularly nice because those that hadn't been able to come on Monday were there, so we had all of my siblings, spouses, and children there. We came home after chatting and some simple celebrations and put the kids to bed early (since they were up late the two nights before). Angel and I played some games with her Leeroy and his wife (online) and then called it a night since I had to come into work today.

All in all, we saw lots of family in just the right doses and in just the right settings to have a lot of fun. I do feel truly blessed to have the family that I do.

Book Review - Dandelion Fire by Nathan. D. WIlson

A couple of weeks ago my wife and I finished 100 Cupboards, a book that we got from the library and listed to on our commute. Read by Russell Horton, the books are on Audible and if you have an account there I recommend them. We started Dandelion Fire the very day we completed 100 Cupboards and enjoyed every minute of it. The story continues pretty much where the previous book left off and continues with the characters we loved and introduces us to a couple of new ones. We learn more about the past and are able to start to understand how the magic works. I liked the way it was set up and it have several twists that I didn't see coming. Didn't see them coming at all. I was happy that the characters were able to grow and develop and while I was infuriated with one of them, I couldn't fault her pre-teen logic.

Plot: After the adventures of the early summer that led to the 100 cupboards being discovered and opened, Henry is facing the prospect of returning to his own parents who have been rescued from the rebels that captured them during their trip to South America. Unfortunately, he doesn't want to return. His parents are getting a divorce but more dismal is the fact that he knows that if he returns he won't be able to do any of the things that he has come to love. However, Henry has a plan to avoid the lawyer that will be sent to fetch him - he intends to hide in the cupboards. Despite the danger and damage that was done the last time the cupboards was used Uncle Frank has yet to plaster over them. Henry plans are solid, but are derailed when he's struck by a bolt of lightning, or by what appeared to be lightning, and is changed forever. Blinded and in pain Henry is kidnapped by an evil wizard, Darius. Henrietta, knowing of Henry's plans to hide in the cupboards, goes looking for him and ends up lost herself. Frank and Dotty and the other two girls are frantic as they try to find out what happened to both of them. That's when things get really bad. In the end, Henry is reunited with family and finds out he is a seventh son of a seventh son, Frank sets out to find his birthplace, Henrietta learns the truth about her grandfather and Darius becomes stronger than even he thought was possible. And who would have thought of the power of a dandelion.

My personal favorites: This book was more intense than the last, or rather it was intense more often than the last. The author did a good job of balancing the tension so we had periods of calm interspersed with both victory and defeat - so it wasn't desensitizing. As I mentioned, I really hated one of the characters, but it was because she was a well written pre-teen and thought and acted like one - as frustrating as that is. Uncle Frank and Zeke were awesome, as they were in the first. We also get to meet some new heroes that are equally awesome. I liked the way that the enemy was not weak. When Darius first appears it's a terrifying encounter as it appears that our heroes are powerless against him. Also, unlike young adult books where the adults are idiots and the "kids" have to do everything the challenges that Henry and his fellow young characters are ones that are more realistic to his abilities. I also have never thought of dandelions in the way they portrayed them here. It was rather philosophical and even a bit inspiring. Not that I'm going to spare them when the spring comes.

Considerations: Like I mentioned, this book was a little more intense and a little more violent, but again, nothing graphic. The action is well blocked and nothing I would hesitate to read to my children when they reach the age of nine or ten. There really is nothing in this book that I found objectionable.

We started the next book, The Chestnut King, as soon as we finished this one. We really enjoyed Dandelion Fire and have even discussed adding it to our collection. The total length was just over 10 hours.

Busy Day

Saturday was a good day, if quite busy. As I look back on it, it reminds me of my mother's letters that she writes to the family most weeks. I often read those and wonder, "How does she do it all?" Not that I'm expecting that kind of reaction from a description of my own activities on Saturday, but that I look back on it and think, "Wow! we did a lot that day.

Saturdays, in general are the days that Angel and I get to sleep in. As we normally get up a 5:45 "sleep in" is entirely relative. Kanga and Tigger are generally up at about 7:00 (sometimes 6:30), so that's when we generally have to roll out of bed. Usually to referee some tiff between the two. Interestingly enough despite Angel's absolute abhorrence for the morning that's when we tend to be the most productive. We rolled out of bed to the usual Saturday morning clatter and did a load of laundry and cleaned the kitchen before heading over to the church for our ward's Christmas Breakfast at 9:00. We sat with friends and enjoyed some good, simple food, talking and enjoying ourselves. The Primary kids (ages 3 to 11) had a brief program where they formed a nativity scene (just posed) as one of our neighbors read from Luke 2. Then they sang a few songs, with the adults joining in on a couple of verses. The really crazy thing was that all of the kids sat completely still the whole time! Everyone commented about it and Kanga received a could of particular complements. Probably because she's been known to tear around the building like a mad woman. She was very pleased that she got to wear an angel costume and likes the attention she gets from being so still.

After breakfast we stopped off at the library to return books, got gas in the car and dropped off some items at the Deseret Industries before meeting Bub and driving up to Logan to help Muscles and Darpa move into their new home. We got there after they had already loaded most of the truck, but we were able to help them unload and start getting settled. Their ward turned out in force to help and we actually got the truck unloaded pretty quick. Kanga and Tigger had fun with one of the neighbor kids. My nephews and eldest niece were with their other grandparents. It was good to see M and Jate there as well as my parents, an uncle, and half dozen cousins. An added plus was that my grandfather showed up to drop off stuff for lunch for everyone that was helping. This meant that we had a second meal that day that we didn't have to fix. The moving went well, with the exception that their fridge didn't fit. When we finally left they were discussing how to tackle the problem - but in the meantime the fridge will be in the garage. Muscles really likes their fridge, and I can't blame here. It's really nice.

We drove back home, worn out but feeling pretty good. Upon arriving I called some friends of ours that had invited us over for games that night. After a brief discussion it was decided that we would have dinner with them and then let the kids play with toys while we played games. They're a great family that has kids about the same age as ours - if opposite genders from ours (i.e. they have an oldest boy, followed by two girls.) With that decided Angel crashed for a nap while the kids played, and I spend some time on the computer. With a little over an hour and a half to dinner time I started making cookies to take over to dinner. At that point Bub called and asked if he could come use our kitchen mill to grind cornmeal and flour. He arrived and we were able to put two pounds of popcorn and wheat through the mill and he ended leaving with a gallon sized ice cream bucket of meal and flour as we were slipping out the door to dinner.

Dinner, the third meal we didn't have to prepare that day, was fun with the kids and with Jeff and Emily. We've known them for just over a year now and have often talked about getting together for games and have just never made it work. We had pizza and veggies and spend dinner chatting and getting to know each other even more. Afterwards while the kids played in the basement the we adults played Ticket to Ride (European edition). It was a lot of fun and by the time we got home it was well past the kid's bedtime. Angel and I threw in one more load of laundry and she fell asleep as I drove tanks through the Afghan desert on the computer. It was a long day, and a busy one, but a very good day as well.

Audible Book Review - A Christmas Carol by Cha

I've watched A Christmas Carol every year for as long as I can remember. I've seen at least two different plays, and 4 different film versions. My family has also read the story together a couple of times before I moved out. My father reads the book every year in December and enjoys watching the three different versions films they own. They will usually also catch a performance of the play at the local theater. With my last book coming to a close at the beginning of December, I thought that it was time to review the story again. It is one that I do love and has a very timeless message. Here is the link to the Audible page for the book. While there are several versions of A Christmas Carol I was drawn to this one as it was narrated by Tim Curry, a particular favorite actor of mine. I cannot fault his performance for he did a very good job.

Plot: Ebenezer Scrooge is the reason why the word "scrooge" has the meaning it does. A miser, a grump and a uncaring and unfeeling man, Ebenezer does nothing but what is good for business and cares nothing for his fellow man. As the story opens on Christmas Eve Ebenezer has plenty of opportunity to express his disgust with the cheer, generosity, joy, and selflessness that comes with the holiday. When asked if he would like to donate to a poor fund he flatly refuses, saying that his taxes go to support the poor houses, prisons, and workhouses and that the poor must go there. In response to the petitioner's response that "many would rather die" then go there Ebenezer replies, "If they are going to die then let them do it, and decrease the surplus population." Such a man is Ebenezer Scrooge. However, that night he is visited by his old partner, Jacob Marley, who had died seven years ago that very day. At first unbelieving, but later convinced to the true spectral form of his visitor he learns that should his live go on unchanged a horrible fate awaits. Jacob has been sent to tell him of his chance of redemption - visitations from three spirits who were to show him what was, what is, and what is to come. The spirits come and Ebenezer is shown what Christmas really means and why we should care about it.

My personal favorites: This story is associated with Christmas because of the setting and the title. It revolves around the holiday and it uses it to demonstrate the lesson that it teaches. It is not just a Christmas story. As Ebenezer says, "I will strive to keep the Christmas spirit all the year long." The story is one of citizenship in the human race. The spirits that visit Ebenezer are not kind to him. His lifestyle has been established over decades. The chain he wears, as Jacob Marley describes "is a ponderous chain!" That kind of tradition requires a pretty big shock to help him break old habits. Through Ebenezer we are able to see what effect our actions can have over others - particularly our inaction. I love the way that Dicken's teaches us this lesson. While many are familiar with the film versions (or plays) of the story, I have let to see a single version that contains all of the things that Dickens put in the original story. While those dramatized versions can convey the message of the story, the novel provides much deeper insights and convictions that make it the literal timeless story that it is.

Considerations: I've often wondered about the line from the song, "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" that say, 'they're be scary ghost stories.' While dramatized versions of the story designed for children (like Micky's Christmas Carol and the Muppet's Christmas Carol downplay the suspense in some ways, what Ebenezer experiences can be quite terrifying. As I said earlier, the spirits are not kind to Ebenezer. It happened to be late at night as I was listening to the part where Jacob Marley appears and I found myself quite unnerved. Bear that in mind when listening.

This is a book I will return to every year at this time. I have found myself turned off before by overly sentimental, holiday stories. This is one that I have never tired of. Like my father, I find the reminder of what is truly important at this time of year, and every time of year, to be needed in life. On, a side note my favorite film version of this story is the 1984 version done with George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge. The story is a short one - only 3 and a half hours long - so it fits into any schedule.

Audible Book Review - The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany by William L. Shirer

I picked up The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany (here after Third Reich) on October 25, and started it at once. I finished it this morning (Dec 10). At 57 hours it is the longest book I've listened to so far and took me longer because of  And I loved it. I first heard of this book from my father who owns a hardback copy that sits on the self downstairs by the computers. When I was in high school I remember him taking it down and saying, "It's time again." When he finished he told me that he likes to read it every ten years or so to remind himself of what is possible when people don't pay attention. The story of Adolf Hitler's rise to power is one that is shocking and incredible. It's amazing that corruption on such a scale was not only practiced but believed on the scale that it was. Adolf Hitler somehow got away with what might be considered the biggest con in the world. A con that revived and subsequently destroyed Germany's economy as well as killed millions of people through terror, war, and extermination. Shirer was a journalist in Germany during  Hitler's reign. He was present for many of the pre-war events and even heard many of Hitler's speeches. In addition to his own observations Shirer was able to get official documents, captured from the Nazi regime. Such a collection of documents including memos, meeting notes, diaries and journals. The extent of the documents leaves very little unknown - even in regard to "secret" meetings. Shirer was also present for the Nuremberg Trials and used testimony from them as source material to expand the narrative. Here is the link to Audible's page for the book. Overall the book was captivating and intriguing. As my father said, it's good to be reminded of what is possible when people don't pay attention. With history's hindsight we can see exactly how bad it can be. The book was narrated by Grover Gardner who did a great job.

Plot: The scope of the book is explained in the title. Starting with a brief history of the young Adolf Hitler, Third Reich really starts with Hitler's decision to enter politics and his introduction to National Socialism. As the Nazi party later became a cult to Hitler we get a fairly detailed understanding of the man from his decision to join to his death at his own hands. Beyond a history of Hitler's leadership in the party Shirer also discusses the intellectual basis of National Socialism (Aryan race supremacy - a very flawed science); what life was like under Nazi rule; and the political, military, and economic decisions of the Nazi leaders. The "bloodless" victories over Austria and Czechoslovakia, the conquest of Poland, Norway, Denmark and France, and the conflict with Britain and the USSR are all discussed as part of Nazi history. Those conflicts are discussed from a political standpoint - they are not a blow-by-blow or strategy and tactics. In many ways, the first two years of the war take more time to discuss because of the political machination that took place whereas the last three years were more of a straight up fight. Shirer is very good at pointing out the "might have beens" of history. He does so without condemnation to the individual players, but more as an admonition that should history start to repeat itself that those that have seen these events in the past will recognize the signs and will act in ways to stop it. Because Shirer had so much material to write Third Reich he is able to give names and dates without fear of error. It is probable that this book has a near complete list of all the players involved with Nazi Germany from those that led it to those that served it to those that opposed it and were affected by it. While it is impossible to cover everything Third Reich does a very thorough job at helping readers (and listeners) understand how the Nazi party was able to be voted into power and then destroyed Germany from the inside out.

Personal favorites: I really like how thorough Shirer was with the topic. I felt like every possible topic about Nazi Germany was discussed. The wealth of sources was incredible as well. I was impressed and very pleased when Shirer mentioned the extensive interview he personally had with General Franz Halder. I was also liked hearing the author's personal comments about the Nazi leaders as well as personal experiences. As the book is centered on the history of the Third Reich and not Shirer's memoirs such personal remarks are not extensive but add a nice flavor to the historical narrative. It was fascinating to hear of the political side of the war - I've spent more of my time on the military side.

Considerations: The biggest consideration is that the book is massive. 57 hours is a big commitment, but you do get your credit's worth (or $50 if you buy it). Also, a book about Nazi Germany includes the atrocities that they committed the biggest being called by them "the Final Solution to the Jewish Problem." The book does relate a number of wrenching scenes- descriptions of the extermination squads at work, medical experiments, and other such depravities. While such things cannot be discussed without details that may make some uncomfortable such descriptions are kept as straight forward as possible and were not gratuitous or the focus of the book.

Ever since my father's last re-read of this book, I've thought about it. Audible was the perfect way for me to enjoy it and learn so much about a small group that took over a modern country and started something that changed the world for ever more. The book teaches us some valuable lessons - the biggest of which is to stand up for what we know is wrong. Such lessons are best learned through history and may we ourselves pray to never experience them ourselves. As mentioned, the total length was 57 hours.

College memories

It gets to be late in the evening and I don't feel tired and I feel the need to stay up just because I am and not feel "the need" to go to bed. This is irrational. Don't get me wrong. If I have to get up in the morning I will make sure that I'm in bed by the time I need to be. The problem arises when it's not that time yet and I'm still up. I feel a need to fill the space. I had a roommate that would stay up to all hours watching TV. He didn't do it in our room, so I never had an issue with it, but I did start to wonder. I have always been a bit of a late owl but he was worse than me. I asked him once if he "suffered from insomnia." He replied that he didn't suffer from anything that he just slept when he was tired. I thought about that and while it did make sense, I also knew that sitting in front of a TV is not conducive to feeling tired. Once morning I woke up and noticed that he wasn't in his bed. My first thought was, "He doesn't get up early, so he must not have gone to bed yet." I was right. He stumbled into the room just as I was swinging my legs to the floor. I was still amazed. "You can't honestly tell me that you are just now going to bed." He didn't, he just collapsed on the bed and was asleep almost immediately. We had a class together that morning. We had a quiz in class. My roomie didn't make in time to take it.

Maybe the reason why I was thinking about old roommates is because we watched Monsters University this weekend. It was a good film that had some real character depth. I like the perspective on it and the way it fed into Monsters Inc - which I saw my freshman year of college. My cousin, a good friend and I would get out of class early enough to catch a matinee. We watched The One, K-Pax, Ocean's 11, and Monsters Inc on opening weekends that way. We liked Monsters Inc. so much that we went back with a larger group of friends the next day for an early showing. So we watched it twice in 24 hours. Great film. Anyway, watching Monsters University got me thinking about many of the different stereotypes about college. I think that I see through many of them because I work at one. Granted, there is plenty of things that may be accurate and I just don't see them. For the most part, I think that college is what you make it. Whatever you want to get out of it you will. 

What I am thankful for, (in no particular order)

With Thanksgiving this week I feel the need to express my gratitude for many things.

• The sunrise, sunset, and all the beautiful moments in-between.
• My family - past, current, and future (no, there is no announcement there)
• My wife who is the most perfect person for me possible and who has more patience then she gives herself credit for.
• My daughter, Kanga, who keeps me on my toes and is willing to listen to her old man try to explain everything from jake brakes and airfoils to why we go home everyday.
• My son, Tigger, for being (mostly) potty trained and for being so curious.
• Our home in a wonderful, rural, northern Utah town that we adore.
• Indoor plumbing and warm showers.
• Good books, great books, and excellent, life-changing books.
• Music of all kinds that energize, relax, excite, and calm me.
• My body that is able to put up with the abuse I give it.
• Food and eating.
• My wonderful job with great people.
• My recent trip to Boston, MA - a chance for me to explore our nation's early history.
• My religion which buoys me up in times of trial, comforts me in times of sorrow, strengthens me in times of trouble and gives me joy despite the trials, sorrows, and troubles.
• My mind which still seems capable of learning despite challenges.
• The opportunities that are available to me and the ability to identify the best ones.
• The freedom that I enjoy from political oppression and violence.
• My ability to choose.
• Access and opportunity to work out and improve my physical fitness.
• Hot chocolate - enough said.
• Warm blankets on cool nights.
• Modern technology that provides communication, entertainment, and education in ways never before dreamed.
• The freedom of choice.
• A religion and faith that inspires me to be more and which gives me happiness and peace.
• The challenges that help me to grow and that teach me to be more.
• The way my kids greet me when I see them after work.
• Our hot tub, even if it's simple and has issues.
• The opportunity to live where and when we do.
• A wonderful professional office with excellent coworkers.
• The approach of the Christmas season and the excitement and kindness it brings.
• The opportunity to record my experiences, thoughts, and feelings in this blog.

Book Review - House of Hades by Rick Riordan

With the holiday break from work, I was able to finish House of Hades (Book 4 in Heroes of Olympus) in relatively short order. If you haven't read books one through three, you should read those first, i.e. there will be spoilers to those books in this review. But I will do my best not to spoil this one. I enjoyed all of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians books and particularly liked the Kane Chronicles (featuring Egyptian myth and legend). I like The Heroes of Olympus more than Percy Jackson and the Olympians because it adds the culture of the Romans and introduces such fun characters as Leo, Jason, Frank, Hazel, and Piper. Percy and Annabeth are cool and all, but I like meeting new people. And let's face it, the Romans are cool! House of Hades didn't disappoint in the grand scheme. I do have to say that it did have a different vibe for me and I didn't think that some of the tricks that Annabeth and Percy used should have worked, but I still enjoyed myself.

Plot: The heroes of Olympus have been split. The two groups have to shut the Doors of Death or the demigod forces will be overrun with monsters that cannot die. Annabeth, who had just recovered her mother's statue, and Percy have fallen into the very depths of Tartarus - the dark underworld where all monsters come from and return to when they die - and will close the doors from that side. Jason, Piper, Leo, Hazel, and Frank with the newly rescued Nico are headed for Greece to find the House of Hades where they can close the doors from the mortal side. The 800 pound gorilla in the room is how will Percy and Annabeth get out if they shut the doors. While the heroes struggle with this question there are plenty of other things to keep them distracted. With Gods struggling between their Greek and Roman personas it's hard to know what is going to happen. Not to mention Percy and Annabeth. With Nico being the only other demigod to travel to Tartarus, they don't know how they are going to survive the realm of monsters, titans, and giants. They don't even know if they can drink the water. The situation seems drastic and hopeless but as we all know, these heroes were chosen for a reason and there are few things that they can't do. And overcoming drastic and hopeless situations is something they excel at.

Personal favorites: As usual, Riordan writes a good story. I still love the characters in this series and we're able to see more of them. Frank and Leo both have some great development and have to face personal challenges. Hazel and Piper also have some good victory moments. As I mentioned, I really like the non-Percy and Annabeth characters and feel that they add a lot to the world. Percy and Annabeth are great and we get some good development from them as well. The pace was consistent and it was a fun ride. There were some good discussions on what it means to be a true friend and about choosing who you are going to be.

Consideration: There is the usual non-graphic violence in this one as in the other books in the series. There is a scene where there are two references to homosexual attraction. The scene did not discuss anything beyond the fact that such feelings were felt - there was no mention beyond what could be considered "a crush." The reference does not feel forced and builds on the character in question. I did not mind the reference and while I do not support particular behaviors of the homosexual community I was not offended or distracted by the scene. I have to mention that while the last book ended in a cliff hanger the size of Tartarus (literally), the ending to this book felt "too easy." I think this was because of the near constant state of stress from Percy and Annabeth as they waded through Tartarus meant that the tension was already pretty high when they met the climatic battle for the book, so you were a little desensitized to peril. The only thing that caused me to role my eyes a little was some of the tricks that various monsters fell for. Stupid villains aren't hard to overcome, so it doesn't help the heroes look any more heroic when they beat the monsters with tricks that work on anyone less than 5 years old. Small annoyance, not a deal breaker.

I enjoyed the book and immediately loaned it out to by wife's brother who started reading it as soon as he got it. I'm looking forward to the last one and can't wait to see what happens to the characters. The total length was just (barely) under 600 pages.