Saturday of Book Reviewing – Vonnegut’s Happy Birthday, Wanda June

This is a play! Which is both new and exciting coming from Kurt Vonnegut’s brilliant, beautiful library. It was, however, also very strange. It was funny, as all his work is, but since it was dialogue driven I almost couldn’t tell he had written it. There’s still his distinct humanist positivity going on, but without his elaborate descriptions and carefully chosen details, I will say it fell a little short for me. This play was really a serious bout of ‘buts’ for me. It was entertaining, but I expected more. The characters were interesting, but they didn’t make me think the way his previous protagonists have. This wasn’t my favorite, but Kurt Vonnegut is still KING. Continue reading “Saturday of Book Reviewing – Vonnegut’s Happy Birthday, Wanda June”

Saturday Of Book Reviewing – Green’s Looking For Alaska

I imagine many have read this book before myself. Since it’s so well known, I rather think I’ll ‘review’ it by continuing a trend I started with BJ Novak’s novel: answering John Green’s discussion questions at the end! There are a few, so bear with me folks, along this journey of general thought over specific details.

Some Intentionally Vague and Broad Discussion Questions Continue reading “Saturday Of Book Reviewing – Green’s Looking For Alaska”

15 on the 15th: Ohio is for Lovers

Home to the Buckeyes and a  notably non-rectangular US state flag. One of a kind, isn’t it?

Black Veil Brides – Wake Up

Andy Black/Biersack/Sixx is Black Veil Brides’ only original member and he is originally from Ohio. I just got to see these guys live last Thursday at The Fillmore here in Denver. They put on one hell of a show. Continue reading “15 on the 15th: Ohio is for Lovers”

The Secret Keeper’s Weekly Writing Challenge #123

So the rules are simple. Write a poem or flash fiction and incorporate these five words:

SUN / BOOK / ACT / STAND / WAR

Because I’m a sucker for the style, I chose to follow the structure of a villanelle. Here goes my entry:

The Wolf Who Cried Continue reading “The Secret Keeper’s Weekly Writing Challenge #123”

Saturday of Book Reviewing – Harris’ Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values

Disclaimer #1: This book was written by a gentleman who does not believe in God, nor in free will. His perspective is both enlightening and potentially damaging to those who wish to hold tight to an exclusively religious worldview. To be frank: straight up avoid this book if you think people can only live by a moral code given by a higher power; nothing he writes will make sense to you. Continue reading “Saturday of Book Reviewing – Harris’ Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values”

Communication and Identity: Waking Up with Sam Harris Reflection

Harris @23:45: “Yeah, that’s why I think identity politics is so toxic in my view, ’cause if identity is paramount, communication is impossible; like because you haven’t shared my specific experience or you don’t have the same skin color, same gender, there’s no bridge between us. And there’s no chain of reasoning from you to me, that should trump anything I currently think because what I think is anchored to identity, and we don’t share an identity.”  Continue reading “Communication and Identity: Waking Up with Sam Harris Reflection”