Doctor Who? I Want My Doctor Back!

After seeing the finale of season 7 of "Doctor Who," I remain convinced that I want my Doctor Who back!  And I don't mean just David Tennant as the 10th Doctor, who was my "first" and thus my favorite.  I liked Christopher Eccleston, and Matt Smith grows on you.  But I mean, I wish Russell T. Davies was back at the controls of the T.A.R.D.I.S.  (And while I'm making wishes, I want him to please revive "Torchwood" in some format.  Perhaps a Steampunk Torchwood, where we see Captain Jack joining the Torchwood team during the Victorian period as seen in the season 2 episode "Fragments.")

I haven't exactly pin-pointed my disconnect with "Doctor Who" since Steven Moffat took over as head writer. After all, he wrote some of the best episodes when he was a guest writer, such as "Blink" and "Girl in the Fireplace." And he does a brilliant job with "Sherlock."  He could just write more "Sherlock" episodes, and I'd be fine with that.  Perhaps what my friend Melissa said about him not able to write female characters.  I saw some interesting comments on Twitter -- and an on an excellent blog--tonight from some people who also felt that his depiction of women characters lacked dimension and humanity.

I like the Doctor's new companion, Clara Oswald, but mostly because she's not Amy Pond.  In "Asylum of the Daleks," there was potential for Clara to be a feisty, strong character. Except for the Neil Gaiman episode (which was more in the spirit of Davies' writing), the character of Clara seemed to  be plot device for Moffat to set up more "wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey" "Who" story lines that completely ignore his predecessor's stories and characters.

Just how much better I think Davies was for "Doctor Who" can be inferred from my essay "Why the Doctor and Rose Tyler Kant Be Together," which is a chapter in "Doctor Who & Philosophy" (Open Court Press, 2010).

At least the Doctor (my Doctor!) and Rose will be together again during the 50th Anniversary special airing this November.

Namaste.

Hungering for "Hunger Games"

I finally finished the "Hunger Games" trilogy. It ended as I hoped, but reading about  the denizens of  of Panem was quite nerve-wracking.

Namaste, Katniss Everdeen.

"..But is Wil Wheaton Evil?

What more can a fan of "The Big Bang Theory" ask for after five seasons of delightful storytelling, side-splitting humor, and geek-worthy references to pop culture?  A chance to write about one of her favorite television shows.  This month, "The Big Bang Theory & Philosophy," part of the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series, was released, and I had the pleasure of writing chapter five: "...But is Wil Wheaton Evil."  Wil Wheaton--geek god, author, blogger, and actor--plays himself in a recurring role on the show. Sheldon Cooper, having been "devasted" in his childhood because Wheaton didn't appear at a Star Trek convention.  When he later meets Wheaton, who played Ensign Wesley Crusher on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," Sheldon dubs him "Evil Wil." But is he truly evil?  And what exactly makes a person evil?  Read on, my fellow geeks

Namaste!

Words Softly Spoken

Nighttime beckons,

Words softly spoken.

Nightingale, an ode

By poet Keats.

Like a rose awaiting morn,

His kiss a drop of dew.

Eyes flutter, sleep awaits.

His voice

Embraces me, pillowed with dreams.

DMS, 10/24/11

Sweet dreams as you listen to Benedict Cumberbatch's divine reading of "Ode to a Nightingale" by John Keats, the inspiration for this poem. (YouTube upload courtesy of xXWeGotCharacterXx.)

Namaste.

Summer Reading Program -Not Just for Kids!

Me! The girl in the pig tails receiving her cherished award, 1975.

Many of us remember eagerly joining the summer reading program at our local library when we were kids. Each summer vacation during elementary school, my cousin and I would sign up at the North Babylon Public Library, New York and get a bookmark and a themed page – a jungle or a castle, for example – with a reading log on the back. Each time we’d read a book, the librarian would give us a lion or giraffe sticker, or a princess, knight, or dragon to decorate our page.

Of course, the more books you read, the closer you came to finishing the colorful picture.


At the end of the program, the library hosted a ceremony for the kids and parents, and we’d go up on stage, shake hands with the librarian, and receive a ribbon and a certificate of completion. A photographer took our photos, as if we were Hollywood stars. And, you know? We were stars! We read all those wonderful stories and learned about different people, places, and things! What a great achievement it was to read all those books!

My cousin Neil, front row, center.

The joy of immersing myself in a good book didn’t fade when I reached adulthood – and not just because I’m a librarian. Many of us read for pleasure or edification on a regular basis, as we can see by the many patrons who come to our libraries each day to check out books or to attend our book discussions. It is because of our patrons, who asked for more book-related events during the summertime, that we started a summer reading program for adults.

Since summer is a busy time, instead of offering a formal book discussion series – which requires a lot of time and commitment – we decided to provide a summer reading program modeled after the children’s perennial favorite at my library, the Palm Beach County Library System. We learned that other libraries around the country were having success in engaging adults in this self-paced reading activity. By using the same theme as the state’s Florida Library Youth Program, we teamed up with our Youth Services Department to produce programs that appealed to all ages of the community. Now adults, as well as children and teens, can participate in a fun reading program like the one my library sponsors. Please visit your local library for more information or see the full story at http://www.pbclibrary.org/story-srp-2011.html

Namaste.

Turn Left

Amazing the turns our journeys take. I came across this love story between Alan Lundgard and Emilie Gossiaux thanks to a tweet by The Nation's Chris L. Hayes. The story comes from Radiolab.

Sad.

Hopeful.

Inspiring.

We all need to live. We all need to love. We all need to believe.

Namaste.

Headline: Death on the Nile

When we think of Egypt, we think of the Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Nile. Right now in this point of time, the nation's people are in peril. If the people of Egypt don't survive this government's terror, will their rich cultural heritage die, too? To read more about Ancient Egyptian history, see the excellent overview at The British Museum's web site.

To the people of Egypt:

Em hotep nefer weret. Assalaamu alaikum. Peace.

Namaste

Headline: The Next Bush v. Gore?

I cringe every time Florida makes the national news. We still haven't recovered from the hanging chad debacle. A Florida judge rules the federal Health Care Law unconstitutional. Read Time.com for the details.

I don't know if I can finish this post...

Writing. Chatting.

Does writing a 175-word book review for Library Journal and chatting online with a new friend count towards my writing for the day?

Namaste.

"The Glades: Sunny With a Chance of Homicide"

The Glades by Clifton Campbell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Any fan of Carl Hiaasen, Randy Wayne White, Elmore Leonard, or Tim Dorsey will love A&E's new tv series. I was hooked after reading this pilot script!



View all my reviews

"Librarians are Awesome"

Wil Wheaton's latest blog post is titled "Librarians Are Awesome." He emphasizes the value of libraries and the importance of reading.

Make it so, Wil!

Back from the End of the Universe

After a rather prolonged absence from the blogosphere, I've decided to make a New Year's Resolution (it's not to late to do so, is it?) and try to write *something* in my blog every day. Why?

1) After attending (well, hosting actually: cf. Writers LIVE! 2011) a very inspiring talk by author Michael Koryta, I decided one of his writing tips would be very helpful in keeping me motivated to write. My fellow librarian, Mimi Curtis, who is an aspiring Young Adult author, also attended his talk and agreed that his writing tip would be useful. What was his tip: "Write 1500 words a day." Don't set time limits, he said, but try to write a designated number of words as your daily goal. Okay. So maybe 1500 words for a blog post might be a stretch, but at least I can try for a bit more than my few 140-character-Tweets that I've been tweeting.

2) I came across some interesting and unique blogs recently in my quest to expand my online community and share ideas with fellow Sci-Fi fans. Ones that are not affiliated with a major website like syfy.com or bbcamerica.com, and the like.

These are cool:

The Last Wordslinger

Allyn Gibson

And while I'm at it, I should mention my fave amateur sci-fi blogger: GameCouch (Full disclosure: GameCouch is a buddy and fellow co-worker, but I know good writing when I see it)

I'm counting on my followers (all three of you!) to help me stick to this resolution. (Tweet me @literarylattes).

Thanks!

Namaste.

Flash Forward to no "Flash Forward"

ABC's "Flash Forward" is supposedly being cancelled after one season. Having invested hours of time watching this compelling sci-fi drama and following the twists and turns of its intricate plot, I am left wondering why we bother watching new television series on network TV if these programs are never given a chance to develop an audience (such as ABC putting "Flash Forward" on hiatus for three months). According to the network, the show received poor ratings. Yet, there is a big online following, such as on the fan page of Facebook and on the official ABC site. Maybe the Nielsen system needs to be disbanded? Networks can instead get input from the show's dedicated fans via online social networking sites and the like.

Namaste.

Walking in Circles

Some days all I feel like I have been doing is walking in circles: in tackling my daily chores at home, my assignments at work, my plans for the future, my path in life. I even walk in circles when it comes to writing. My blog is an obvious example, having not written an entry in months. Same goes for my print journal. Yet, it's not that I haven't written at all: I've tweeted (Follow me on Twitter @literarylattes), I've updated my status on Facebook, I've met my deadlines for my Library Journal book reviews, and I'm writing publicity for the events we are planning at my library. I've even achieved a major writing goal: I'm getting a chapter published in a forthcoming book (one with "real" editors and a reputable publisher, too). Stay "tuned" for more exciting details!

For the past few months, though, one area of my life in which I am trying to not walk in circles is my quest for the elusive "Ideal Body Weight." (See "Healthy Weight Chart"). One of the tools I'm using on my journey is, in fact, writing. I'm keeping a Food Journal to track my thoughts, feelings, what I eat and drink each day, and how much physical activity I do. It's hard work, this journal. It's time-consuming, it's emotional, it's eye-opening, but ultimately, it's a writing-related activity that is very much worth my time, my facing my emotions, my achieving awareness of how I treat and care for my body.

We are starting a 12-week health challenge at work, so I've joined up for extra motivation. I am growing my circle of support among my friends and co-workers, one of whom has started her own weight-loss blog (See Yvette Morales' inspirational Seriously Seeking Skinny).

I'm even finding snippets of humor to help me "get over myself" and just enjoy my journey:

"Of course, this is what writers do when they're not writing, they walk in circles around food an decide whether or not to eat, as if taking a bite will somehow make a bit of dialogue work or help create a missing scene (it never does). This is why the Weight Watchers meetings at Fourteenth Street and Ninth Avenue are packed with women writers, including Kit, who has reached her goal weight twice in the last year. Eating and writing are the husband and wife of creativity." --from the delightful novel Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani.

The best advice I can share from all this is to just stop walking in circles. You never know what you may achieve if you don't.

Namaste.

The Big Bang Theory and Wil Wheaton

The much-maligned Wil Wheaton will be making a guest appearance on the ultimate show for geeks, "The Big Bang Theory." Okay. I think Wil Wheaton is a good actor, and I *liked* his character Wesley Crusher on "Star Trek: The Next Generation." As a proper geek, I even have an original Wesley Crusher action figure. Actually, I have two: one in a mint-condition package and one that I opened and which I've kept in my car since 1993. It's the only tchotchke I keep in my car other then my plush VW Beetle Daisy. It serves as a talisman to keep my warp drive, I mean my engine, running smoothly.

The Big Bang Theory

Shared via AddThis

I just read an article about Mr. Wheaton's appearance on TBBT tonight. It mentioned that he has over 1.5 million followers on Twitter. Of course, I *had* to immediately go to my twitter account @literarylattes and follow him @wilw. I also see that he has a blog: WWdN:In Exile
It looks interesting.

If you haven't checked out TBBT yet, you are missing a treat. Even non-Geeks that I know like the show. It's one of the few comedies on network television that is worth giving up 30-minutes of your time.

Namaste.

TheNovelWorld: It's My Birthday Book Giveaway

How exciting! Nari, author of "The Novel World" literary blog, is hosting a book giveaway, and I am one of the winners! Thanks Nari!

Please visit her blog:

http://thenovelworld.com/2009/09/16/its-my-birthday-book-giveaway-winner-2/#comment-2015

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New Friends fromThe Twitterverse

I am meeting some really nice people on Twitter. People who care about literature, current events, culture--about the world around them. These are some of my favorites who blog as well as tweet:

The Novel World
Read her interesting blog about books and libraries, wish her a happy birthday, and participate in her fun book give-away:
http://thenovelworld.com/2009/09/01/its-my-birthday-book-giveaway/

Fellowette
Enjoy her insightful blog focusing on literary criticism called The Egalitarian Bookworm (Chick?)


Namaste.

Tweeting from My Blog

Keith Olbermann said last night that those who "tweet" are too lazy to "blog." Yet, is it that the writers are too lazy or that the readers are?

Namaste.

Top 2: Adam Lambert

Want more American Idol videos? Click here.

Idol Thoughts on Adam Lambert

Yesterday, the Web was percolating with the news that Adam Lambert, this year's "American Idol" runner-up, is gay. To most of us who were Adams' fans, that was not "news." Knowing he was gay or not doesn't change the fact that he is a talented artist.  Throughout the competition he was gracious to the judges and kind towards his fellow contestants. Each week he spiced up the show with his edgy interpretations of different songs. 

Okay.  So he wore black nail polish and eye liner.  This is not shocking to anyone familiar with the history of rock music.  The 1970s: the Glam Rock of Ziggy Stardust (we know him as David Bowie), KISS, Alice Cooper, Elton John. The 1980s: the New Wave bands, Adam Ant, the Goth Rock of The Cure. the Big Hair Metal Bands.  Next to some of these rockers, Adam's style is rather tame.

Still, who could possibly care about his sexual orientation or the fact that he wears nail polish when you hear him sing with such gorgeous full tones, extraordinary range, and passionate storytelling?  

I can't believe I'm admitting this, but when Adam sang the Gary Jules' and Michael Andrews' version of Tears for Fears' "Mad World," I actually bawled my eyes out.  It was the most soul-wrenching aural and emotional experience I had felt in a long time, particularly since I have been dealing with an equally soul-wrenching heartbreak.  But I have to thank Adam for touching me in this way, hard as it is to admit such emotional outpourings.  He brought joy back in to my life with his music.

Namaste.