My FINAL Reactions To Ray's Book Part III: Sad To Finish; Excited For Another Good Read!...

Hello my dearest blog followers, 

I am going to be brief in this post just to tell y'all that I finished this book, EVERYTHING AND A KITE by Ray Romano that I posted 2 parts on this blog!    I'm not going to blog a lot about it now, but perhaps more later! OVERALL, its pretty funny and a very good book!

Finally, Last Friday I went to the book release book for Scott Blackwood's first, new novel called We agreed to meet just here which won the AWP Award Series in the Novel. 

I wrote a feature story about Scott Blackwood last semester (my first feature story that I got published).  

  *  Click here to read this story.

  * Click here to go to the webpage for this new novel.

  * Click here to order the book through the publisher of this novel.

  * Click here to buy it on Amazon.

(the photo to the right is from the Amazon store website link above)

I hope to blog to you again soon--- sometime when I find the time!

Stay warm,

Daniel

Is New Technology Helpful Or Useless?

Hello my dearest blogger readers,

I would like to quickly share with you about a few of new technology gadgets that I just heard about, plus one that I have just put my hands on personally!  Through this new technology exploration, I hope to give you an insight in my take on if new technology is helpful or useful.  

First, is what appears to be an awesome technical gadget called "Kindle 2" that just came out a week ago.  

Kindle Envy! (Posted [LINK] using ShareThis)

Here's the quote technical specifics: 

source: http://new.catholicmom.com/2009/02/12/kindle-envy/ 

• Slim & Lightweight: Just over 1/3 inch and 10.2 ounces
  
• Books in under 60 seconds: Get books delivered in less than 60 seconds; no PC required
  
• Improved Display: Reads like real paper; now boasts 16 shades of gray for crisp images and text; even reads well in bright sunlight
  
• Longer Battery Life: 25% longer battery life; read for days without recharging
  
• More Storage: Take your library with you; holds over 1,500 books
  
• Faster Page Turns: 20% faster page turns
  
• Read-to-Me: Text-to-Speech feature means Kindle can read every book, blog, magazine, and newspaper out loud.
  
• No Wireless Bills: No monthly wireless bills, data plans, or commitments. Amazon pays for Kindle’s wireless connectivity so you won’t see a monthly wireless bill.
  
• Large Selection: Over 230,000 books, plus U.S. and international newspapers, magazines and blogs available
  
• Low Book Prices: New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases $9.99, unless marked otherwise
  

Now, I would like to tell you about the photo at the top of this post and how I became to know about Griffin Technology's iTalk Pro: a recording device for your iPod!   ~ I already have posted a video blog and podcast episode on this topic.  Here are the links:

• Griffin Technology: iTalk Pro webpage
  
• Buy the iTalk Pro CHEAPLY-USED-LIKED NEW on Amazon!
• My Video Blog(vlog) #6:  Using the iTalk Pro for the 1st time: behind the scenes video to the 1st audio approx. 2 min. recording! 
• PhotoCast09: And, Now Back To Our Regular "new" scheduled Programing
• 1st Soundseeing Tour: a great end to a busy week

Lastly, I would like to tell you how cool internet radio is and backbone! Check out this link for more information on creating radio networks: Backbone! 

And now I am currently listening to a very interesting Journalism lecture from Standford University called: Is News Journalism Under Siege?: A Conversation with the Editors of Newsweek and Time, with Jim Kelly, Mark Whitaker, Richard Stolley at the The Aurora Forum at Stanford University.  To Listen: Go to the iTunes Store or standford.edu and search for Journalism ---> audio and video! I highly recommend this.  I've just started listening! 

Oh boy, How cool is the new technology that I've listed above!

Talk to y'all soon!

Stay cool,

Daniel

My Reactions To Ray's Book Part II: Many Ironies & Still A FUNny Read!

Hello my dearest readers & blog followers,

I'm back after two weeks since last blogging! And, now its time to get back to part II of my reading reactions(RR) to Ray's Book. I'm listening to and following along to the audiobook read by Ray, himself--which, I think, makes it even funnier! In case I forgot to tell y'all in part I of my reactions to Ray's book, I'll tell you know, that I am reading this FUNny book (by stand-up comic and star of his hit sitcom, Ray Romano) for FUN! (do you see my "irony-wordplay-" fun?!) This is, as I previously stated in sentence #2 is part II of my reading reactions (RR) to Ray's book--As Of Tuesday, 1/27/2009.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING DISCLAIMER: Any thoughts, reactions, or commentary mentioned are those not necessarily of those of the creators, or authors, of any of the works that I've mentioned here.

And, now here are my REACTIONS - thoughts -- "QUICK-BRIEF REACTIONS TO CHAPTERS 3 THROUGH 7 (PAGES 23 THROUGH 95)

• Chapter 3: Dad (Pages (pp.) 23-35) : I found that I could somewhat relate to Ray's dad with my dad -- both try to be funny...and, I think, that both Al Romano and my dad (same first letter) are both funny in their own unique way.

• Chapter 4: Single Guy (pp. 36-49) Since I am single, this chapter was very inspiring to me.
• Chapter 5: Married Guy (pp. 50-70) I learned a little bit about married life, through Ray's view on being married--as a guy!
• Chapter 6: Sports Guy (pp. 71-77) For this chapter, I'm not that interested in sports--as whole, but appreciated the humor that was instilled in the chapter by the very funny man, Ray Romano!
• Chapter 7: The Baby (pp.78-95) One thing that I found interesting in this chapter was on page 80-- when Ray makes what I like to call a war movie-story irony -- when he says, "It's a common war story that parents tell all the time. ... It's 'Saving Private Cryin'" (pg. 80, Romano)

First, how's that for a citation!
AND second, I found that the last bit of the quote, "Saving Private Cryin"(pg.80, Romano) was very FUNNY AND, like I previously said (but will say it again for "dramatic effect:when Ray makes what I like to call a war movie-story irony"(me, this blog post).

***PLEASE NOTE: I ONLY HAVE JUST BRIEF NOTES for chapters 3 through 6, AS OF NOW, but if I think of any additional notes, I may or may not add to it, IT'LL BE FREEWRITE!

BTW(by the way), I just REALIZED TODAY after my first 2PM English 101, Intro To Composition, that my practice this summer of "annotating" and "reacting to" and "quotating" text from Ray's book, among another article that I read on Busted Halo (http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/god-on-campus) and underlined, jotted down notes n the margins --- just like what I learned from my English 100 class, and what is said in the "binding document", the syllabus for English 101. -- SO, I PREPARED MYSELF AND I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT ... OR DID I??? (that's for you go figure out through context and reading between the lines!)

In other book-reading news, I'd like to tell y'all that as of Monday, Jan. 26th, I discovered via search for christian artists on iTunes a NEW (as of this year, 2009) an audiobook by Christian Artist, Chris Tomlin, called "The Way I Was Made: Words and Music for an Unusual Life (Unabridged)-Two Parts (which cost about $5.95, but I think deducted MORE- 'cause my gift card credit got way lower---more than what I (yes, I) calculated. So, this morning (Tuesday, Jan. 27th, 2009), or maybe it was last night(Monday, 1/26/09), I brought the audiobook--and plan to listen to it soon when I'm on the train or walking, or working. The reason for my getting this audiobook by Chris Tomlin is simple: Well, for starters I enjoy his christian music, and two, I read two (how numerally-ironic) customer reviews and 5-stared reviews that were HIGHLY recommended! So, there! But, wait, I forgot to glance down at my notes, since I got "somewhat" ramble on, so here it is: I am thinking about (and did) buy that audiobook (new, and of this 2009) year! WEll, I think, now I pretty much said the reason... I think that my notes that I scribbled down late last night was more must to jog my memory (if I needed them), as per always what rambled and scribbled notes are meant for! (at least that's what I think, ... do you agree?--Post a comment to this post in response!)

• To Buy Chris Tomlin's book that I mentioned here, you can buy it from amazon.com by clicking here. (other ways of buying the audiobook are available through this link as well)
  
• To Download Chris Tomlin's book that I mentioned here, via audible (this is the SAME as through iTunes audiobook... its interconnected: audible.com and iTunes... trust me, I've recently just downloaded it!

***PRICING FOR THE BOOK AND AUDIOBOOK ARE ALSO AVAILABLE BY CLICKING THE LINKS ABOVE!

Well, I hope that ya'll enjoyed the 2nd part to my book review. Any feedback (if you like, don't like, improvements, or just feedbacked comments), then please feel free to post a comment on this post and/or email me at dan18writer@gmail.com

Talk to y'all soon! ~ Happy Reading and God Bless!

Stay Warm,

~Daniel

Celebrating Two Decades: Happy Birthday To Me!

Me at 20. (1.14.09)

Hello Friends & Family,

Today, I celebrate my 20th birthday... that's right, I am now--2 decades old! It is a little hard to believe that I'm sitting here today, no longer 19 years old nor a "--teen", but as a young adult. A 20-year old. Many people, perhaps you who are reading this, might ask me if you see me today, if I have any special, big plans today -- and to that, I saw that I don't have any "big" plans today, except to just relax. On the other hand, later today--probably later tonight, we are going to go out for ice cream -- yeah, I said it: Ice Cream... in this Chicago Winter Cold and Snow! And then, in celebration of my birthday today, on Friday, Jan. 16th, we are going to go out and see a movie-- as a family. So, in essence my birthday celebration will continue over the next two days! So, this post is going to be brief-- 'cause all I really wanted to "share" or "update" ya'll on is the fact that its my birthday and the "Big Two O"! So, on behalf of all the birthday greetings that I get from ya'll--whether it be a comment to this blog post, Facebook Wall postings, Facebook Messages, Email birthday greetings, letters or cards in the "snail mail", a simple "happy birthday" in person, or whatever other birthday greeting that I receive today, I would like to thank you all! Thanks!

Happy Birthday To Me!

~Daniel

Video Blog #5: Talking About My L.D.

Hello viewers of my video blog series,

[A DAY OF FIVE'S: Please count how many references to the number "5" (five) that I make in this post. -- post a comment to this post with you answer. -- SO HOW MANY CAN YOU COUNT? ]

I am going to be embedding (and linking) my 5th video blog post. For those of you who are not "disability-terminology knowledgeable", then I please read below in the outline AND watch the pre-recorded video of this 5th video blog. And, hey, late last night/early this morning, I came out with my 5th episode of my podcast (correct me if I"m wrong, via comment to this post)-- AND today's date is this 5th... WHAT A DAY OF 5'S!!!

I would really appreciate your feedback via posting a comment to this post, first, and then second via email at feedback.photocast@me.com

So, here is is (and below is my outline of which you can follow along with the video...): (PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS A FEW SECONDS PAUSE AT THE BEGINNING BEFORE I BEGIN... PLEASE DON'T BE ALARMED!... THANKS FOR UNDERSTANDING!)

Free TV : UstreamCheck out this ustream Video: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1032270 VideoBlog#5:Talking About My L.D.1/5/09.

Video Blog 5: Talking About My L.D.
OUTLINE
(Monday, Jan. 5th, 2009, recored at approx. 7:30 PM, CST through approx. 9:00 PM CST)

I. OPENING: Welcome to my 5th video blog post and today I will be talking about a topic that is dear to my heart. I am going to be talking about my learning disability (otherwise called, "L.D."). This is the first time that I am, publically, reading these reflections by me and talking about it. As I read 3 selections of which I wrote for 3 different subjects, I will follow up the reading with my reflective comments to my writing.

II. Back Story -- READ an EXCERPT OF MY personal essay that was for my ENG 100, paragraph 2 / WITH MY REFLECTIVE COMMENTS

III. Q & A: More About m L.D.: READ 8 Answers to questions from my SIUC Achieve Program Case Information Form/ WITH MY REFLECTIVE COMMENTS

IV. DISCUSSING MY LEARNING DISABILITY IN ESSAY FORM: Read my "Anne Ford Scholarship Essay" (of which I didn't win this past spring 2008) / WITH MY REFLECTIVE COMMENTS / PLUS, I READ MY 3 LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM 3 TEACHERS AT WHS!(WITH MY "WISPERED" COMMENTARY!)

V. CONCLUSION: THANK YOU FOR LISTENING, AND IF YOU HAVE ANY FEEDBACK PLEASE EMAIL ME AT: feedback.photocast@me.com /
⁃ CLOSING SONG: From the Podsafe Music Network @ http://music.podshow.com, with a song called : "Lost on Block Island" by Matthew Ebel (genre: pop rock), and can be found at this address: http://music.podshow.com/music/listeners/artistdetails.php?BandHash=280202729dad1ad3a780a4d20afbe39b

⁃ look forward to hearing from ya'll on what you thought of this 5th video blog posts, as well as any ideas for future video blog posts. so, this is me, Dan, signing off, and until next time, come again soon, BYE, ALL!

Happy Winter ~ Stay warm,
-Daniel

p.s. my birthday is next wednesday (1/14/09) and I"ll be... 2 decades old... you do the math!

Happy NEW YEAR! ~ 2009

*PLEASE NOTE: I TOOK THE ABOVE PICTURE -- AND ADDED THE EFFECT: "EDGE BLUR"

MY NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS -- 2009, NEW YEAR: 

(with my commentary-explanation)

1) to eat healthier (just look at my "belly"... but I have some great encouragement that I would like to thank: my sisters, Stefanie and mostly-Caroline for hiding those cookies and other snackly, junkely foods, and also as per always-my parents, who, in my opinion, should still be together, and lastly the Healthy Catholic Podcast, hosted by Fr. Roderick-- for his great health tips, inspiring feedback, his inspiring words-- thanks, Fr. Roderick!)

2) to exercise--more --by walking and going to the Five Seasons(work out gym club)

3) to grow more in my spiritual life -- perhaps pray the rosary a couple times a week, like what I got out of the Shellbourne College Retreat that I attended for the 2nd time this past Oct. 31 - Nov. 2, 2008.

4) to try to get a "full-time" or "part-time" job this summer ('09) @ the Apple Store-- North Michigan Ave. (BUT NOT a sales clerk)--something with actually using the Mac computers, since could be described as a "Mac Geek"-- "I'm in love with everything apple!(BUT windows computers are okay too, for I got an "A" in CST 100-01, that's computer science and telecommunications 100- section 01, and the course title was: essential computer skills.  :)

5) to go back to my practice-test creating and way of studying in college -- I was so good at in high school, but this fall 2008 term I just must of forgot-- now I know!

*that's about all that I can think of now-- and is a pretty good new years resolutions that I can think of. What do you think?

WHAT'S your New Years Resolutions for this 2009, new year? -- post a comment to this post and tell me.----I look forward to hearing your feedback/comments to this post!

photo above: I got this photo in an email reply from a fellow TOT-or (someone else who went to the Theology-On-Tap, see my latest post on my spiritual blog.

My Reading Update: My Reactions to Ray's Book- Part I

Hello my dearest blogger readers,

I would like to share with you my Book-Reading Update. This is Part I To Some Thoughts on my reading of the book Everything and a Kite by Ray Romano.

Monday, Dec. 29th PM--- around 5 or 6-- early evening: I IMed the library reference desk (AIM: westmontrefdesk) to ask if they had this book that I heard about on Ray Romano's website, and after a few minutes (of I guess them searching the library "data base"), they found it, put it on hold for me, and then...

Same Day--- a little bit later: I drove to the library, with my sister (Stefanie) who needed to pick up a book that they had on hold for her, or at least she thought--ended up not getting the book that she had originally asked for (crazy, yeah I know!) I then got it, checked it out, and then after us searching around the movies and such that the library had (hey, its free renting!), we left the library and drove home (since I drove there to the library, Stef' drove back-- see how, two brother-and-sister-drivers share off the driving).

Same Day-even later--closer to 7 or 8 and/or even 9 or 10 PM: later that evening: I sat down in my comfy, circular chair (I forgot the name of it, but its round as a circular), that is in a brown leopard print, and I started reading: 1st the book flap (front and back flaps), then the dedication page, then I scanned the table of Contents page, then the Author's Note (pages ix-x), and then I started this book: with reading chapter 1 ("Nimble-Minded", and then after a quick break (of which I started listening to the Daily Breakfast with Fr. Roderick episode #590 "Christmas Presents"), I read chapter 2 ("Mom").

Below, are some of my thoughts in reaction to the first two chapters of this book.

-- of what I can recall from reading the first 2 chapters, this book seems to be based upon incidences from Ray's own life, which is also similarly what his stand-up routines are based on. You see I recently, as of a couple of years ago, brought (from the Borders in La Grange-- I remember it visually as it were yesterday) the first stand-up comedy CD from this star of Everybody Loves Raymond, which is called "Ray Romano: Live at Carnegie Hall". So, since I have (not recently as of now, but recently as of a couple of years ago), from both this stand-up comedy CD and watching a behind-the-scenes featurette that was on the last disc of season 1 that showed his Letterman Appearance stand-up routine, am able to recall some of his comedy-- so my reading of the first two chapters of this book, there were many similarities between his stand-up comedy and this book (well, at least the first two chapters).

--But, as Ray says in chapter 2, on page 9, "This book is by no means an autobiography. It's just observations on my life. ..."

--In the first chapter, about (or so) on page 4, he talks about the title of this first chapter"Nimble-Minded", and how he says on page 4, "... a magazine article I had recently read where a reporter described me as a 'nimble-minded comic Ray Romano.'" And how he goes on and says further on page 4, "OK, you ready for this? I had to look up the word 'nimble.' Are you catching the irony in that? He was calling me smart, and yet I was too dumb to understand it."

-- Well, after reading that line (or perhaps after reading the title of this first chapter), I, myself, had to look up that word "nimble." But, unlike, Ray, I had a dictionary in hand, well actually on my computer--as a widget on the dashboard.

--Further down on page 4, Ray says, "I couldn't find a dictionary, so I tried to remember where I'd heard 'nimble' before. The saddest part is the only thing I could think of was the nursery rhyme "Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick." So I did some deductive reasoning. 'Well, let's see. 'Nimble' must be related to 'quick.' It couldn't be 'Jack Be Slow, Jack Be Quick.' That wouldn't make sense, even I know that So when he calls me nimble-minded, he must be giving me a compliment." Ray goes on at the end of page 4 to say, "If any magazine writers are reading this and want to compliment me in the future, use words like 'good.'"

--So, from what I can recall from this first chapter, it seems as if I am similar to Ray Romano -- well at least in the sense of having to look up a word as "nimble."

Well, that's about it for now. But, be stay tune to my blog, 'cause I'll be trying to post frequent updates on my reactions and thoughts to this book... and the reason for that is because it keeps you reading, if you are telling other people (well in this sense, blogging to you all) about the book and my reactions. (and did I forget to mention---that I am reading this book for fun?--well, I am! and I think that it will be a FUNny read!

Happy New Year to all of you, and Happy Reading!

 ~Daniel