September « 2010 « ENTERTAINMENT REALM

FOOD: easy Quinoa and black beans

September 29, 2010

As a vegetarian Quinoa [pronounced Keen-wah] is a staple for me. It’s a grain and a complete protein (win-win).

This is an easy dish to make and you can add all kinds of beans (sometimes I use chickpeas) to it.

1 c. quinoa (I buy in bulk at Whole Foods as it’s much cheaper)
2 c. vegetable broth or water (I like the flavor from the veg. broth)
1 can black beans
2 cans mandarin oranges

Boil the veg. broth and quinoa and then lower to simmer. Cook for about 15 minutes until all liquid is absorbed. Let cool a bit then add the can of black beans (rinsed) and the 2 cans of mandarin oranges.

Delicious and nutritious.

Modified from a recipe from Veganomicon.

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Posted by Amy Steele

BANNED BOOKS WEEK: Lessons from a dead girl by Jo Knowles.

September 29, 2010

Jo Knowles writes a decent story about teenagers and the challenges they face to fit in among their peers. Particularly in high school when kids start to experiment with drinking, pot and sex. Lainey gets befriended by a popular girl named Leah when she’s younger. Leah is the pretty one and Lainey is the timid folower. But instead of being a friend who’s always there for Lainey, Leah sexually abuses Lainey but explains to her that they are just “practicing” for boys. As the two grown older Lainey’s perceptions of friendship change and she realizes that Leah treated her poorly When Leah moves to a new school, Lainey makes her own friends but still sees Leah at parties where Leah becomes relentless in her teasing. In the end, it’s that age old story of being true to yourself and happy with yourself which is nearly impossible for high school.

banned for sexuality, underage drinking, same sex romance.

Age 14+

Grade: C+

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Posted by Amy Steele

Music Video: The Ting Tings, We’re Not the Same

September 28, 2010

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Posted by Amy Steele

Q&A with author Koren Zailckas [FURY]

September 28, 2010

Koren Zailckas follows up her best-selling memoir Smashed, which focused on her drunken years in high school and college, with FURY. This time Koren discovers that for many years she’s been avoiding her own anger by letting it just fester instead of releasing it. FURY takes the reader through Koren’s therapy, experimentation with homeopathic remedies and dealing with several major personal crises as well as her problematic relationships with her mother and sister. FURY is fastidiously researched and a compelling read about an emotion few people, even fewer women care to acknowledge or discuss.

Amy Steele: Why did you decide to focus your memoir on anger?

Koren Zailckas: In the beginning I had no intention of writing another memoir. Someone suggested that I write about my female friends. My female relationships have always been intense. It occurred to me that I was more interested in writing about female anger. I wanted to write an objective, journalistic book about American attitudes about anger, about remedies for rage. A few years into the project it became clear to me that I was uncomfortable with the topic. I didn’t know how to express anger and since I’d quit drinking I couldn’t use alcohol as an escape from these emotions. I had this horrible break-up and went home to stay with my parents which was the worst place to be as angry and emotional as I was.

AS: When I picked it up, I expected there to be more of a personal connection. Which there ended up being . . .

KZ: It began with a whole lot of research.

AS: Why do you think anger is okay for men or more acceptable for men than for women?

KZ: Men have their own hang-ups. Men fear being the bully. I do think that anger is a particular challenge for women. A study came out a few months ago from the University of Quebec that women who express anger in the workplace are considered professionally unstable.

AS: I’ve been fired or left jobs for walking away from a situation that made me angry.

KZ: Men who get pissed off in the workplace are seen as more powerful and more commanding. It increases their status at work.

AS: Did you have a specific goal in mind that you hoped to accomplish?

KZ: I wanted to retain my sanity because sometimes it just seemed like my world was falling apart. Eventually after this breakup I began to see that anger was really my issue. I was writing this book more or less in real time. I knew that I needed to learn how to express my feelings towards people. In my family you’d just go away, go off on your own and deal with your emotions by yourself and come back and pretend that nothing happened. I learned I had to embrace my anger sometimes. I didn’t want to use a partner to get rid of all my childhood feelings: to say to him what I wanted to say to my parents.

AS: How did you approach the project?

KZ: I wanted to see what psychologists, theologists and sociologists thought about anger. I wanted to get every perspective I possibly could on anger. It turned out that was a defense mechanism—putting on this scholarly/ academic hat prevents you from getting too close, too emotional. At a certain part in the book, I decided to tell the story of my past and my relationship with my mom.

AS: There are a couple quotes I like. One is: “women’s tears are just as often an assertion of anger.”

KZ: Women are more inclined to cry out when they are angry than men are. That was something I did for a long time. I would cry when I got pissed off and just say, “I’m just upset.” I had some depressive bouts in my life that were just anger.

AS: What did you find most useful in dealing with your anger [of course besides writing about it]?

KZ: [The homeopathic remedies] were very interesting. My good friend is into homeopathy and so she sent me all these remedies. I think that since I had to take the remedy for whatever it was I was feeling that day, I had to wake up and be really in tune to my moods and identify what I was feeling. That was helpful.

AS: How did your feelings about anger change in writing FURY?

KZ: I’m a lot more trustful than before. I always thought that anger and love weren’t compatible and you couldn’t really fight with anyone in your life without them leaving. In my family you’d get iced out and get the silent treatment from people you had arguments with. I learned it’s essential to get angry and anger is a natural, normal human emotion. Sometimes anger can be a positive force for change.

Buy at Amazon:
Fury: A Memoir

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Posted by Amy Steele

Banned Books Week [Sept 25-Oct 2]– 100 Most Banned/Challenged Books from 2000-2009

September 27, 2010

per ALA

1 Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling
2 Alice series, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
3 The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
4 And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
5 Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
6 I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
7 Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz
8 His Dark Materials (series), by Philip Pullman
9 TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Myracle, Lauren
10 The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
11 Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers
12 It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris
13 Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey
14 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
15 The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
16 Forever, by Judy Blume
17 The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
18 Go Ask Alice, by Anonymous
19 Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
20 King and King, by Linda de Haan
21 To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
22 Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar
23 The Giver, by Lois Lowry
24 In the Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak
25 Killing Mr. Griffen, by Lois Duncan
26 Beloved, by Toni Morrison
27 My Brother Sam Is Dead, by James Lincoln Collier
28 Bridge To Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson
29 The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
30 We All Fall Down, by Robert Cormier
31 What My Mother Doesn’t Know, by Sonya Sones
32 Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya
33 Snow Falling on Cedars, by David Guterson
34 The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things, by Carolyn Mackler
35 Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging, by Louise Rennison
36 Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
37 It’s So Amazing, by Robie Harris
38 Arming America, by Michael Bellasiles
39 Kaffir Boy, by Mark Mathabane
40 Life is Funny, by E.R. Frank
41 Whale Talk, by Chris Crutcher
42 The Fighting Ground, by Avi
43 Blubber, by Judy Blume
44 Athletic Shorts, by Chris Crutcher
45 Crazy Lady, by Jane Leslie Conly
46 Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
47 The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby, by George Beard
48 Rainbow Boys, by Alex Sanchez
49 One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, by Ken Kesey
50 The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
51 Daughters of Eve, by Lois Duncan
52 The Great Gilly Hopkins, by Katherine Paterson
53 You Hear Me?, by Betsy Franco
54 The Facts Speak for Themselves, by Brock Cole
55 Summer of My German Soldier, by Bette Green
56 When Dad Killed Mom, by Julius Lester
57 Blood and Chocolate, by Annette Curtis Klause
58 Fat Kid Rules the World, by K.L. Going
59 Olive’s Ocean, by Kevin Henkes
60 Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson
61 Draw Me A Star, by Eric Carle
62 The Stupids (series), by Harry Allard
63 The Terrorist, by Caroline B. Cooney
64 Mick Harte Was Here, by Barbara Park
65 The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien
66 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred Taylor
67 A Time to Kill, by John Grisham
68 Always Running, by Luis Rodriguez
69 Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
70 Harris and Me, by Gary Paulsen
71 Junie B. Jones (series), by Barbara Park
72 Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison
73 What’s Happening to My Body Book, by Lynda Madaras
74 The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold
75 Anastasia (series), by Lois Lowry
76 A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving
77 Crazy: A Novel, by Benjamin Lebert
78 The Joy of Gay Sex, by Dr. Charles Silverstein
79 The Upstairs Room, by Johanna Reiss
80 A Day No Pigs Would Die, by Robert Newton Peck
81 Black Boy, by Richard Wright
82 Deal With It!, by Esther Drill
83 Detour for Emmy, by Marilyn Reynolds
84 So Far From the Bamboo Grove, by Yoko Watkins
85 Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, by Chris Crutcher
86 Cut, by Patricia McCormick
87 Tiger Eyes, by Judy Blume
88 The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood
89 Friday Night Lights, by H.G. Bissenger
90 A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle
91 Julie of the Wolves, by Jean Graighead George
92 The Boy Who Lost His Face, by Louis Sachar
93 Bumps in the Night, by Harry Allard
94 Goosebumps (series), by R.L. Stine
95 Shade’s Children, by Garth Nix
96 Grendel, by John Gardner
97 The House of the Spirits, by Isabel Allende
98 I Saw Esau, by Iona Opte
99 Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret, by Judy Blume
100 America: A Novel, by Frank, E.R.

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Posted by Amy Steele

QUOTES on Frustration

September 27, 2010

I’m so poor. I’m so poorly utilized. I’m ridiculously single. I’m broke, I’m frustrated and I don’t have any health coverage.
–The Low Life [film]

I don’t hate myself, as a general rule. I’d say the best way to describe it is that I have moments of self-loathing at fairly regular intervals.
–Janeane Garofalo

Tonight I am ugly. I have lost all faith in my ability to attract males, and in the female animal that is a rather pathetic malady . . . I don’t care about anyone, and the feeling is quite obviously mutual. What is it that makes one attract others?
–Sylvia Plath, Journals

I’m not miserable. I’m just not there yet.
–Ally McBeal [TV show]

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Posted by Amy Steele

OMD, History of Modern: CD review

September 26, 2010

OMD
History of Modern
Label: Bright Antenna/ILG
Release date: September 28
Grade: B+

History of Modern is marvelous. I’ll admit I don’t think about OMD that much. I wore out my cassette on my walkman in college playing “So in Love” and “Secret.” But when I heard that OMD original members Andy McCluskey [lead vocals/ bass/ keyboards], Paul Humphreys [keyboardist/vocalist], Martin Cooper [keyboards, saxophone] and Malcolm Holmes [drums, percussion] had reunited to release a new album, I immediately grew curious and nostalgic to hear it.

In its first release in 14 years, OMD merges its own formidable electronic roots with new styles and arrangements. This is a recharged OMD that manages to maintain its own identity and signature sound. OMD sounds less reined in and produced. On the first track, “New Babies, New Toys,” the intro certainly is reminiscent of the late 80s but quickly develops into its own catchy song. The mostly melancholy “If You Want It,” soars with its optimistic chorus. OMD approaches love and personal issues with conflicting emotions. The songs resonate with honesty and dreaminess. “Pulse” churns with its captivating groove. “Sometimes,” my favorite song on History of Modern, is a haunting song with pensive lyrics: “Sometimes I feel like a motherless child,” and “if I express myself/ it just drives you away.”

History of Modern will not disappoint OMD’s older fans and should easily attract new fans with infectious beats, a free spirit and new fangled synth hooks.

Buy at Amazon:
History of Modern

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Posted by Amy Steele

MUSIC video: OK GO “White Knuckles” [yeah I know 3 mil. have seen it]

September 26, 2010

**4 lbs of dog treats were used every day in the making of this video. And for the humans, 3-4 coffee runs per day.
**OK Go has joined with The ASPCA to donate money to a special OK Go fund: “The Rural Rescue Dog Fund.” If you are interested, go here

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Posted by Amy Steele

Banned Books Week [Sept 25-Oct 2]: Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2009

September 25, 2010

10 Most Challenged Books of 2009:
source: ALA

1. “TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: Nudity, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group, Drugs

2. “And Tango Makes Three” by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
Reasons: Homosexuality

3. “The Perks of Being A Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Anti-Family, Offensive Language, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group, Drugs, Suicide

4. “To Kill A Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee
Reasons: Racism, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

5. Twilight (series) by Stephenie Meyer
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group

6. “Catcher in the Rye,” by J.D. Salinger
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

7. “My Sister’s Keeper,” by Jodi Picoult
Reasons: Sexism, Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group, Drugs, Suicide, Violence

8. “The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things,” by Carolyn Mackler
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

9. “The Color Purple,” Alice Walker
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

10. “The Chocolate War,” by Robert Cormier
Reasons: Nudity, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

author Jodi Picoult [My Sister's Keeper, Nineteen Minutes] tweeted:

“My Sister’s Keeper was one of the top 10 books banned by school libraries this year. Frankly, I think that means I’m doing something RIGHT.

The most common reasons my bks are banned offensive language and sexual situations. I have yet to meet a HS kid who hasn’t seen/heard worse.”

Jodi, already one of my favorite authors who picks HOT/controversial subjects to explore through her novels, is now that much cooler

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Posted by Amy Steele

Banned Books Week [September 25- October 2]

September 25, 2010

Today is the first day of Banned Books Week. It’s the ideal time to celebrate Freedom of Speech and the freedom to READ. Whatever one chooses. Check out exhibits at your local library.

Fantastic video from Thomas University: