C is for Cloud Atlas #AtoZChallenge

I recently read (listened to) Cloud Atlas, by David Mitchell. I admit, it started off not only a little slowly for me, but practically right in the middle of an ongoing story. In other words, it didn't start off with any real introduction or back story, but in the middle of a journal as it was being written.

That being said, I thought it was an excellent novel. I haven't seen the movie yet, but plan to. The premise of the novel is that everything is connected - our actions, good or bad, affect those around us and ultimately history. It also toys with the concept of reincarnation, without actually every directly discussing it.

These are concepts I've been musing about lately. I'm currently reading (listening to) Time and Again by Jack Finney and just finished To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis. Both are excellent, and both deal with time travel, which is a pretty interesting concept.

By the way, Time and Again by Jack Finney was recommended by Stephen King at the end of 11-22-63 (mentioned yesterday). Everything is connected... huh? huh? :)

So, do I think time travel is possible? Yes... I agree with the theory that time is not an absolute, but can be manipulated. Do I believe in reincarnation? Yes, I believe we have lessons to learn, and each life is a new lesson. This fits in with so much of what I have observed and what I believe.

Anyways, back to the books, I found myself sort of irritated with one of these novels in that someone went back in time and caught a bus, observed an event and left. They didn't change history... or did they? By catching that bus - no one got on the bus with them, so the bus stopped for them - the caused a string of small ripples that affected countless others. Perhaps someone had originally missed the bus, but now they made it. I think about things like this when I just can't seem to leave on time in the mornings, then pass a bad accident on the road that I missed by only moments.

Have you read any books lately that have challenged you to think outside of your box? What do you think about time travel?

Oh... and would you believe that today's photo prompt is "Future".

What better symbol of the future is there, than the face of our children? 

B is for Books #AtoZChallenge

As you likely know, I love books. Ever since my dad handed me a Nancy Drew novel when I was 7, I have been hooked. I was that kid who stayed up way past bedtime with a flashlight reading under the covers.

Nowadays I do most of my "reading" during my commute. Just about everyone asks me how I can stand driving two plus hours a day (one to work, one back). and the answer is simple... audiobooks. As much as I love books, I love audiobooks even more!

Here are a few of my favorites that I have listened to over the past year...

I read IT by Stephen King as a teenager, and basically avoided his books after that. However, since I am quite the JFK buff, I had to get this time travel novel. What would happen if someone attempted to stop the JFK assassination?? Sign me up! Great books

Which lead me to...

Wow, this book was just fascinating! Suddenly an entire town is cut off from the outside world inside this huge bubble. It's a compelling journey into how people react under pressure. This novel is going to be made into a mini-series sometime soon.

By this time I was fascinated by Stephen King novels. Not enough to listen to IT, or The Shining, or any of his other scary novels, but he has quite a few that don't involve creepy clowns, like...

The Dark Tower series has seven books in it. The series is now complete, so it's a good time to check it out... i.e. no waiting for the next book to come out! 

These links will take you to Amazon, not to Audible.com, in case you still read books. However, if you have a long drive, or want to listen to a book while you clean the house (seriously, you get soooo much done, without hardly even realizing you're doing it!) then I highly recommend audiobooks. Audible.com typically has an offer of one or two free books if you sign up - no obligation. That's how they hooked me - three or four years ago :)

And here's today's Picture of the Day - On the Wall (had I found a Bug on the wall - tonight's post would have been totally different LOL). You can see my collection of JFK Assassination Conspiracy books up on the top here and that envelope under the bear? In there are newspaper clippings my grandmother saved from the days after... how's that for neat?? :)

One of my bookcases... on the wall... :)

A is for Attitude #AtoZChallenge

I have a sign in my office that reads:

Happiness is a Choice

Simple, yet profound.

Is it true? Yes, I believe it is. We make dozens, perhaps hundreds, of choices every single day; many of them are how we perceive the world and the people around us. If we choose to be unhappy, choose to assume the negative - we will be unhappy and see only negative. 

So today (or you know, tomorrow - it's late, go to bed already) I challenge you to make the choice to be happy. If the world around you seems negative, brush it off and be positive. Push that positive energy out from yourself like a bubble. (Yeah, kinda like a hamster ball - but please, don't bump into walls (over and over)).

Don't let the naysayers get you down. Avoid negativity. Smile. Laugh. Laugh at yourself. Don't take life too seriously, no one gets out alive anyways. 

Attitude is everything. And while you're at it, maybe you could use these words of wisdom...

I hope you have an amazing day!

_________________________

Speaking of attitude... here's my Photo of the Day:

Gotcha!

Hey... *bang bang bang* is this thing on?

Wow, it has been almost a year since I blogged! There's really no excuse, it's not like I haven't had things to blog about. Heck, I've even composed some fantastic posts... in my head. Sorry you guys missed them :)

Well, there's good news. I have once again joined the A to Z Challenge. This will be my third year in a row! I have done incredibly well with them in the past, and plan to blog consistently once again.

Here's the calendar:

If you're interested in trying the challenge yourself, I encourage it! Click on the link above or to the right. It's a great way to discover some great new blogs and some awesome new readers.

As has been my tradition, I plan to do a photo challenge as well. I find that it helps my come up with topics to write about, and also adds interest and color to my posts.

I Googled and found this one:

I'm looking forward to blogging again, and am hoping this ends my blogging dry spell not only for April, but for good.

As always, thank you for reading <3 p="">

Mondays

I think we can all agree that Mondays often leave a lot to be desired. Well, from now on you can think to yourself..

"Hmmm today sucked, but at least I didn't get shot with pepper spray!"

That's right, Lenny got pepper sprayed right in the face this morning. Don't worry, it was on purpose and he knew it was coming - it was part of his training to be a Correctional Officer. But still... pepper spray isn't the best way to wake up in the morning... I'll take my coffee, thank you.

In other news - I have yet to finish my first painting, but have started on my second...

I call it... Monday Morning. Or Remember to wash new paintbrushes before you use them.

Yes, the canvas is all black. I'm actually prepping it to paint something similar to the picture at the bottom, although I probably won't actually work on this one next. I think it's be cool to paint on a black canvas - can't wait!

Everyone has been super supportive of my new hobby - thank you!

Finally, for you sunset lovers...

Tonight's Sunset

So remember folks, next time you have a rough Monday... at least you didn't get pepper sprayed. Unless you did, of course. In that case... well... hopefully that's the worst part of your day.