Saturday, January 25, 2025
Elon Musk - Did He or Didn't He?
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
"Just put on an extra sweater"
People who tell me that don't know enough about me.
So I am here to educate.
Many people with neuromuscular diseases are cold intolerant.
But unfortunately, but with limited physical abilities, including arm movements, wearing extra layers of clothing can make moving even more difficult, if not impossible.
This morning it had snowed a little, so I wanted to go outside.
I put on a thermal undershirt, long sleeved turtleneck, zip up fleece jacket, and a puffer jacket. Getting the puffer jacket on over the other layers was difficult, but I made it. But even without the jacket, wearing the other layers made it hard for me to raise my arms to reach things, carry things or comb my hair. Not just difficulty moving my arms; my shoulders feel heavy too.
Today I chose warmth over ease of movement.
But I could make that choice because I didn't have to go anywhere.
I didn't have to worry about how my hair looked.
I didn't have to get on a bus or reach the elevator buttons or assemble packets of resources at work.
So just keep that in mind the next time you see that I'm cold, or that I say I'm cold.
Decisions aren't easy.
Solutions sometimes result in problems.
But we do the best we can.
librarianintx
Sunday, January 19, 2025
"Storytelling is a Powerful Form of Advocacy"
Words to Live By
Wednesday, January 01, 2025
Favorite Books from 2024
I read 36 books in 2024.
I am only in competition with myself when it comes to how much I read.
I have friends who read many more books than I do.
I was in a reading slump for part of last year.
I hate reading slumps.
When I am enjoying a book so much that I don't want to put it down, that is a happy place for me.
Here are my favorite titles from last year:
"I Will Always Write Back" by Martin Ganda and Caitlin Alifirenka: The true story of two middle schoolers, one from the Midwest and the other from Zimbabwe, who began a lifelong friendship as pen pals.
"The Goldie Standard" by Simi Monheit - a Jewish grandmother is on a mission to marry off her granddaughter to a 'nice Jewish doctor'
"Have a Little Faith: A True Story" Mitch Albom - Mitch connects with his childhood rabbi and an African American pastor and learns about faith and connection
I also found two new authors to like:
Carolyn Meyer - YA historical fiction
John Glatt - true crime
librarianintx
Great Quote for the New Year
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Home
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Survivor Season 47 Finale: My Thoughts (Spoilers)
But really how much of a spoiler is it? :)
Congrats Rachel!
Rachel dominated the last few weeks of the season, winning immunity challenges and leading the way to eliminate two strong players: Andy and Genevieve. She played her idol in a memorable tribal council when everyone but Sue was planning her ouster. She won the final immunity challenge, rewarded Sue's loyalty, and was able to sit back and relax as Teeny and Sam battled in the fire making challenge. Well, no one was able to relax during that. It was a nail biter!
Anyway, Rachel deserved to win. She became the fifth woman in Survivor history to win four individual immunity challenges. Sam tried hard to make his case to the jury, but for me he came across as condescending and too aggressive. He gave Rachel her props after she won, but during the interrogation he downplayed the importance of winning challenges. Of course he did, because he didn't win anything, except the fire making challenge. Getting to the finale doesn't mean that you deserve to be there, or that you deserve to win.
Speaking of props, I want to express my admiration for both Sue and Teeny. No, they didn't win. But Sue won a challenge, almost won others, found an idol, was loyal, and that loyalty got her to the end. Teeny lost the fire making challenge, but I blame the wind, not her ability to keep the fire going. She should be proud of what she accomplished. And yes, Sam should be proud for not giving up, on himself or the fire he created.
I also want to say that even though I was not a fan of Andy's or Genevieve's, I appreciated how strong and hard they played. They were fun to watch.
And finally, a shout out to the men I was rooting for and mourned as each one was sent packing: Sol, Gabe, and Kyle.
Looking forward to Season 48!
librarianintx
DWTS Finale: My Thoughts
Yes, its been weeks.
Oops.
Anyway, congratulations to Joey and Jenna on winning the season!
Overall, I wasn't a huge fan of the freestyles this season.
Stephen and Riley's was my favorite, and the most memorable IMO. Joey and Jenna's was second for me.
I thought Chandler and Brandon would win, and I'm sad for them that they came in third, although I'm happy for Ilona and Alan that they were runners up.
As always, I love this show, and thoroughly enjoyed this season.
I love witnessing the journeys and seeing the growth, as individuals, and as dancers.
Maybe next time I'll have to time to blog every episode.
Until next season Dance Fans!
librarianintx
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
DWTS Finale: Who Will Win?
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
DWTS Semi Final Part 2
DWTS Semi Finals Part 1
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
DWTS Halloween Nite
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Ranking the Contestants on DWTS
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Dancing with the Stars - Disney Nite
Dancing with the Stars: Soul Train and Hair Bands Nites
Hello Dance Fans,
I'm going to discuss both nights because I'm so behind in my recaps.
I thought I would love both nights.
I am a big fan of both kinds of music.
I was a hair metal girl in high school, although I didn't call it that at the time.
I enjoyed Soul Train Nite better than Hair Metal Nite.
I liked the music both nites.
But the music on hair metal nite was so loud, so energetic, that I felt several of the couples fell short of the intensity and enthusiasm needed.
Plus Gene Simmons was just....ew. Creepy and gross. And his scoring was terrible. Please don't have him back.
On Soul Train nite my favorites were Ilona & Alan, Joey & Jenna, Jenn & Sasha, and Chandler & Brandon.
I LOVED Ilona's look - the pink looked so pretty on her, and I loved her hair with bangs.
I agree with Bruno - that was arguably the sexiest Viennese Waltz I've every seen. Jenn & Sasha were smoldering! Tiny rant though - Alicia Keys is a soul singer, but she's too young to be a Soul Train singer. Anyhoo...
I think the night belonged to Chandler & Brandon. They managed to Cha Cha to hip hop and make it look super cool.
One more thing to say about Soul Train Nite - Brooks & Gleb. They hyped up the sex appeal of their dance SO MUCH that I didn't think it was that good or that sexy. I mean, they ARE hot together; they don't have to push it on us. And once again it took them too long to start dancing. Jenn & Sasha put the sex in Soul Train Nite without having to announce it. They just WERE sexy.
As for Hair Metal Nite - I can say proudly that I knew all the songs :)
I also want to thank America for making the right decision on the voting by eliminating Eric and Reginald
Here is my take:
I understand that DWTS is a popularity contest.
It is NOT a dancing competition.
And I'm fine with watching the celebrities who have no dance experience.
But if you are going to be on a show like this - I want to see some growth, some improvement, some amount of trying. A week or two of your pro partner dancing around you while you stand there is...bearable. But if you can't do better than that, for whatever physical or mental reason - you should withdraw. It's not fair to the other contestants. I did feel very badly for Eric Roberts. He has wanted to be on the show for so long. But he just couldn't physically do it.
Anyway, I feel that Joey & Jenna owned Hair Metal nite. Their Tango was sensational! Chandler & Brandon were very good also.
librarianintx
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Big Brother Season 26 Finale - My Thoughts (SPOILERS)
I am happy with who won, but I wish the vote had been closer.
At the same time, I understand why it wasn't.
I do think Chelsie was the mastermind, and she did influence some of Makensy's decisions, especially getting Leah out.
Big Brother is a tough game to play.
You get close to people, you form alliances, you are together 24/7, and then if you want to win the big money you often have to eliminate a friend, an alliance member, maybe even a crush, and take someone to the end who doesn't deserve to be there.
I am so glad that Makensy chose loyalty and integrity over money.
I hope she feels that she did the right thing.
And I hope she is proud of the game that she played.
This Texas girl is proud of that Texas girl.
And I was thrilled to see two strong women at the end.
I was not surprised to see Tucker win Favorite Houseguest.
I was happy that Quinn was in the top 3 for that prize.
But Angela also being in the top 3?!?!?!
Look - I'm sure Angela is a very nice person.
But in the Big Brother house, she was manipulative, paranoid, and a bully.
Anyway, it was a very fun season.
Congrats Chelsie, and thanks Big Brother!
librarianintx
Saturday, October 12, 2024
October 10 was World Mental Health Awareness Day
I'm only two days late. :)
https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2024/10/ten-ways-take-action-world-mental-health-day/
Prioritize your mental health.
Take it as seriously as your physical health.
Because your mental health can impact your physical health in several ways.
Self-care is an important part of mental health.
Too many of us self-sabotage instead of practicing self-care.
click here to learn more about self-care: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2023/05/25-small-powerful-ways-to-take-action-for-mental-health/?ref=moodfuel.org
Here are a few ways that I focus on self-care:
eating nutritious food
exercise
taking one day at a time
journaling
focusing on gratitude
making time for hobbies
What I need to work on:
hydration
sleep
setting boundaries
not procrastinating
Self-care is not selfish.
Self-care is important for a healthy, satisfying, fulfilling life.
librarianintx
Big Brother Season 23: My Thoughts on the Top 3 (SPOILERS!)
First of all, I have absolutely loved this season!
I was in a tv slump before the season started, but BB brought me out of that.
I thought I would hate the whole AI thing, but it was pretty cool.
What I loved most, though, were the contestants this season - this was an awesome group!
Very diverse and entertaining!
Yes, my favorites are in the jury house (Quinn and Kimo) but I think Chelsie and Makensey both deserve to win.
I hope they are sitting next to each other at the end.
That will be a battle royale.
Cam DOES NOT deserve to win. Point blank.
Luckily I am 95% sure that the jury agrees with me.
Thanks for a super fun season Big Brother!
I'll be watching and rooting for the ladies tomorrow night.
And who do I want to win favorite houseguest?
My top 2 are Quinn and Kimo, of course.
I also wouldn't mind if Chelsie, Makensey, or Cedric got the votes.
I think Tucker might win, though.
librarianintx
Monday, October 07, 2024
Dancing with the Stars Oscar Nite
Well, the next episode is going to air in less than an hour, so I better write my recap.
And I'll have TWO to write this week!
Let's get the bad stuff out of the way first.
Anna Delvey.
The good news is - Bye girl bye!
She was not the worst dancer ever on DWTS.
But she by far had the worst attitude of any contestant.
If you are trying to improve your image as a celebrity, you don't do it by acting cold and distant and closed off. She didn't give us any reason to give her a chance. The ballroom does not need her negative energy. This is our happy space.
Now, moving on to the good stuff...
My three favorite dances of the night:
Dwight and Daniella's Foxtrot.
Dwight and Daniella are my favorite couple so far.
Dwight is like a gentle giant, and Daniella is his Tinkerbell.
He is so big, but so graceful and light on his feet.
Their dance was magical.
Ilona and Alan's Salsa
I absolutely love their chemistry!
Their Salsa was athletic, exciting, sensual, and SO MUCH FUN!
And of course the song is from one of my all time favorite movies.
I wish they had received 8's, but I understand that the transitions were a little clunky.
Chandler and Brandon's Rumba
Chandler and Brandon are gorgeous together.
The choreography was beautiful.
Overall, the performances were slightly underwhelming compared to week 1, but there was still plenty to enjoy.
Can't wait for tonight!
librarianintx