Bookmarks make wonderful gifts for the avid reader or student.
Colorful Bookmarks
These bookmarks are actually made using the Zazzle skinny business cards. They are
available in packs of 20 - and you can personalize the back of the card with your name.
...
...
Labels: abstract, art, art. store, bookmarks, books, businesscards, gift, gifts, shop, shopping, store, zazzle
When you are going through Hell
Thought for the day from a Bottle of Honest Tea .
"When you are going through Hell - keep going".
A quote from Winston Churchill
Here's an interesting blog post from Dave Shearon's Blog on the quote - and the song by Rodney Adkins and his song by the same title If You're Going Through Hell.
This is great advice for anyone who is going through Hell.
Just keep going.
Because if you stop and stand still, you just might get burnt to a crisp.
So keep moving until you come out on the other side.
Winston Churchill on Wikipedia
and
Hell on Wikipedia
Winston Churchill on Amazon.com
and
Hell on Amazon.com
Labels: books, food, quotes, self-help, shop, shopping, spiritual, store
Breakfast and Books Labels: books, food, hollywood, reading, restaurants
In the six years I have lived in Hollywood, I have never been to the IHOP on Sunset Blvd.
So after dropping off some books at the Library on Sunset and La Brea, I decided to give it a try.
Frankly, that part of town is not one of the best areas. And there is a bus stop right in front of IHOP so I always see strange people there.
But the IHOP itself is really nice.
There is plenty of free parking in the back. And inside the restaurant it is very nice.
They gave me that big pitcher of Coffee - so I drank to much caffeine. Fresh Orange Juice ...
And I got the Mushroom and Spinach Omelet - which had real fresh spinach and real fresh mushrooms.
Very tasty.
And I remembered to bring my vitamins with me. So I took those with my breakfast :)
I am reading the book "It Works for Me: Celebrity Stories of Alternative Healing" by Heide Banks.
Its a very interesting book, with true stories of what alternative treatments celebs use for their health.
I think it gives a good overview of different alternative practices, for a variety of different health problems.
Blood and Lunch
I take a long lunch break for a trip to a Lab-or-a-tory....
Dr. My-Guy, has given me paperwork to get lots of blood drawn.
(Cue house organ playing vampire music.)
Its not so scary though, because the lab is across the street from the Beverly Center
in beautiful Beverly Hills.
I stop and park in the Beverly Connection .
Then I walk the three city blocks to the lab.
There is only one little elderly woman in there, with her personal nurse.
Soon the Lab Tech is processing my paperwork, and leading me to that special blood-drawing chair.
She doesn't mess around.... After trying to find a vein in my arm, I tell her "Its useless, just take the blood from the top of my hand."
She does - and it is very painful. Even with the baby butterfly needle.
Even more painful when she pulls the needle out and I yelp.
She says "See I didn't want to take it from your hand, because I know that hurts."
I reply "Yes, it hurts - but its the only way you can get the blood."
I look down and there are Four vials of my blood on the table.
I am all done, and I remember that I parked three city blocks away. Not a good idea since I just lost all that blood.
I walk very slowly and take my time, as I head back to the Beverly Connection.
Soon I am at the Souplantation , having a wonderful lunch.
And replenishing my blood supply and glucose level with a big healthy salad - and a tuna pasta salad.
I sat and read Carl Sagan's book The Varieties of Scientific Experience: A Personal View of the Search for God .
A very interesting viewpoint on God and the Creation of the Universe. I thought a book like this would be difficult to understand because its scientific. But I found it a very easy book to follow.
My mid-day trip to get my blood drawn, actually turns out to be pretty relaxing as I have lunch.
If you check out the Beverly Connection website, you will get some information on the remodeling they are doing to the mall.
What I saw in the Parking area as you drive up, looked really nice. It looks like it will end up being very up to date.
Once lunch was over, I head back to work ...
UPDATE: Blood Tests all normal. Cancer Tumor Marker Test 29.27 .. all normal !
Labels: beverlyhills, books, doctor, health, restaurants
Morning in Studio City Labels: books, hollywood, losangeles, restaurants, studiocity
I was trying to rush out the door to get to my bank in Studio City before it closed.
My car insurance company sent me some kind of small refund, and I wanted it in the bank today.
I was in such a rush, I decided to hop on the Hollywood Freeway, near Hollywood and Bronson.
It was completely backed up all the way to Hollywood Blvd.
Being impatient, I sped over to the Freeway entrance on Argyle and Franklin.
It too was backed up all the way to Franklin.
I decided to just get on it, and go ...
And I was so right.
If I had taken Cahuenga - it would have taken me forever.
The parking lot to the Ford Amphitheatre was filled with - Motorcycles.
Cahuenga Blvd ..... all Motorcycles...
I was trying to see what was going on, but I was to busy hitting the gas so I could get to the Barham exit, and make it to The Bank.
Alas, and Alack ! No, I did not make it in time ...
I got to the bank and 1:20 ... and therefore I had to use the ATM machine.
Funny, when you deposit a check in the ATM machine, they won't even show it until the next close of a business day.
I remember - back in the olden days - when you would deposit a check in the ATM, and it would kind of subtract out of your account, because they had to "hold the funds" in order to clear the check.
I am sure the banks eventually got in trouble for that..
Well, my money's not hitting my account till Monday night ... but I decide to head out to The Good Earth for Breakfast anyway,
I have a yummy veggie omelet, toast, and I ask for a fruit cup in stead of potatoes.
It was still alot of food.
I sat and read a very interest book.
Fame Junkies: The Hidden Truths Behind America's Favorite Addiction by Jake Halpern
Its a very interesting book about "The Celebrity Culture" - and America's addiction to fame.
Imagine my surprise, as I am reading the book - and there is an interview with someone I know.
Only in Hollywood.....
Books I Am Reading
As far as books go, I prefer history, biographies, self-help and religion.
But as far a religion and self-help go, I like to keep it somewhat mainstream.
I am a member of a Presbyterian church, and I just like to keep things that way.
But alot of people I know starting to recommend the Abraham books to me.
Abraham is a non-physical entity who gives these ideas to
Esther Hicks and Jerry Hicks.
And do I have trouble accepting advise from a Non-physical Entity ?
Yes, I do.
I think its alittle strange, and not the path I choose to follow.
But so many people where saying how great these books are.
And I open-minded enough, that I think I can read something and pick out what I need and leave the rest.
So from the Los Angeles Public Library I checked out:
The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent
The Law of Attraction
and
Ask and It Shall Be Given
And yes, the books were good. There were alot of self-help tips in there.
And alot of what was said in the book makes alot of sense.
Alot of it just strikes me at Positive Thinking.
And I really do believe that its true - how you think and what you think, will make a big difference in your life.
I personally prefer the book "The Power of Positive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale .
This is a classic self-help, positive thinking book.
And Norman Vincent Peale bases his positive thinking on The Bible.
And for me, The Bible stands the test of time - more than that of a "non physical entity".
The Abraham books have some good ideas, and I think alot of people could benefit from the ideas. I personally just won't get caught up in what or whom they say is behind the ideas.
Breakfast and Shopping
I'm back in Studio City this morning.. this time the city has power and there are no traffic problems to get there.
Breakfast at Dupars Restaurant.
I order the Veggie Delight Omelet. Filled with grilled zucchini, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms and Parmesan.
When it arrives, it smells absolutely wonderful.
And it was as yummy as it smelled.
I spent my breakfast time, starting to read a really great book.
Great Comedians Talk About Comedy by Larry Wilde.
This book contains wonderful interviews with famous comedians including Woody Allen, Milton Berle, Jack Benny and Phyllis Diller.
During the interviews these outstanding comedians give very interesting information on how they got started in comedy. They share the styles and techniques they use as comedians, and so much more useful information.
This book should definitely be on the "Must Read" list for any actor interested in performing comedy.
After breakfast, I made a grocery shopping trip to Trader Joes ,
since it is in the same shopping center as the restaurant.
I pick up three more bottles of the Trader Joes Cranberry Juices that I have started to love so much.
This time I decide to try the Cranberry Hibiscus Tea Blend.
I also treat myself to the Trader Joes Gingeroos - Ginger Cookies, which have real crystallized Ginger chunks.
Those will go great with the Trader Joes Organic Decaf Chai Green
Ginger is a great spice for improving your health.
After that, it is time for a brief walk, up and down a part of Ventura Blvd.
I take some pictures with my camera, and I will eventually post them on my Flickr account.
These days the Flickr account seems to be running behind, now that I am keeping the blog roughly one week caught-up. I just wish I had more time for internet things.
Links:
Great Comedians Talk About Comedy
Omelet Cookbooks
Ginger cookbooks
Labels: books, food, reading, restaurants, shopping, studiocity
Books and Music Selections
What I've Been Reading:
Fast Food Naton by Eric Schlosser
Yes, I know fast food is bad for me. I really try never to eat it. I keep Amy's Kitchen healthy frozen pocket sandwiches in the freezer for those times I am in a rush. And Cascadian Farms Organic Granola bars in the kitchen cabinet.
But besides the health issues, there are ecomonic and moral issues surrounding the Fast Food industry that we should all be aware of.
I listened to the book on tape of Fast Food Nation, and it made me much more aware of the other issues that I need to take into consideration when buying fast food.
Just the chapter on how french fries are made, is enough to scare you.
The Funny Thing Is... by Ellen DeGeneres
Totally funny.... Ellen does have alot of humorous insights into life.
My favorite: She talks about difficult packaging is to open, like a package of batteries that you buy at the store.
But a package of light bulbs - in a flimsy little cardboard container.
Very humorous, with stories that everyone can relate to.
What I've been listening to:
Mozart Concerto No 23
If I am stressed out, Classical Music
I listen to it at the office and in the car, and its wonderful and puts me into an entirely different frame of mind.
Piano Concertos
Los Angeles Radio station KMozart, 105FM KMZT, recently switched to 105 FM over to 1260 AM. I just can't seem to get 1260 AM all the time, I can't get AM at office. I can listen at home though.
It looks like I will buying more Classical CDs.
Labels: books, music, shopping, store
Lost - Episode 14
That had to be the best episode of Lost in a while.
The ending was terrifying..
Nikki poisons Paulo with a spider bite that paralyzes him.
Then the spider bites her too, so she ends up paralysed.
Everyone thinks they are both dead - and they hold a touching funeral service as they get buried alive.
Wow ! Being buried alive is definitely NOT the way to go....
---
Links:
Lost Episode guide on ABC TV
Lost DVDs
Music from the ABC Series
Lost Season 2 soundtrack
Lost - The Board Game
Lost - Official Magazine
Labels: books, music, television
Amazing Grace
Over at the Arclight this evening.
I wasn't really sure what I wanted to see. I just arrived in the lobby, and stood there looking at the marque.
I decided on seeing "Amazing Grace" .
I am so glad I picked that movie !!!
Very inspirational and moving - and it made me want to go out and save the world.
Just one warning - it is an English Period Drama taking place in the 18th century - you know, the types where the male characters are wearing white wigs and the female characters are in long poofy dresses. So if those kinds of movies are boring to you, then grab a big cup of coffee before you go, but I recommend that you still check it out.
William Wilberforce leads the fight to end slavery in 18th century England. The movie shows how he basically had to teach English society as to why it was wrong to capture and ship slaves to England. The movie also shows the physical pain he was in while he lead this fight. He suffered from the stomach ailment colitis . And the only thing to treat it back then was Laudanum , which is made from opium.
He was also the founder of Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, though the film only briefly touches on this.
William Wilberforce is a man who did alot of great things in his day.
Its a wonderful movie, the acting was outstanding. And the costumes and 18th century period setting was perfect.
I highly suggest that you go see this movie, to learn about an important piece of history, and to learn about William Wilberforce.
After the movie, I decide to look up William Wilberforce on the internet.
I ordered the book, 365 Days With Wilberforce from Amazon.com. This is a daily devotional book, of Wilberforce's writings.
It arrived just a few days after I ordered it, and I find his writings very inspiring.
Then I went to the the Los Angeles Public Library website, and placed "holds" on the following books:
Real Christianity
William Wilberforce, God's Politician
Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce
Amazon.com has many more books about and by, William Wilberforce.
Here are a few other links about the man and the movie:
amazinggracemovie.com , the official site
and
IMDB.com
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Labels: books, cinema, film, movies, reading, spiritual
Books I Am Reading
Signs and Wonders by Albert Clayton Gaulden . Its a book about learning to hear God, and knowing how God speaks to us.
and ... The Dalai Lama .....
I have been listening to "Advice on Dying and Living a Better Life as a book on tape. It is about Buddhist techniques for mastering the fear of death and finding spiritual enlightenment.
Currently Reading
I am currently listening to a book on tape of
Sailing the Wine Dark Sea... Why the Greeks Matter
by Thomas Cahill
All this ancient greek history ... its reminding me of my college Theatre History classes.
Dern, those Greeks were smart for their time.
I think I am going to check out more of Thomas Cahill's books from the Los Angeles library .
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