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

My Christmas Greetings To You All!

A Special Message with regards to photos at the beginning of this post:

Christmas Photos, taken by me--of course, will be coming soon to this blog... some christmas photos that you can look forward to include, but might not be limited to: our christmas tree with all the presents wrapped underneath, and beside, the tree.  So, seeing that its very late, or very early-- that is whichever way you look at it!, I am going to try to post some photos in another post, hopefully today, but if not tomorrow or the next--seeing that it'll still be the christmas season!  Meanwhile, be sure to check out my photo page of my pictures of the Lincoln Park Zoo Lights!

Merry Christmas To All My Dearest Readers, 

The first thing that I must say to you is that I am currently writing this very early in the morning on Thursday, December 25th, 2008-- Christmas Day, and why you may ask? Well, for no reason-- I just felt like it.  As I am writing this christmas greetings blog post to you all, I am listening to some christmas music from a playlist that I've put together in my iTunes called "Holiday-christmas Tunes." 

So, now I would like to tell you-- briefly-- what my day was like on Christmas Eve--Dec. 24th-- yesterday.  Amid brief segments of cleaning my "so much dreaded by me, and all" bathroom, and some "light cleaning/organizing of my desk-top area, as well as putting away some clean "darks"--two loads-- of clothes, I managed to catch up on some podcasting listening-- some great SQPN, Catholic contented podcasts!    

Before I started listening to a couple of SQPN podcasts, I should probably mention to you that I finished listening to the last two parts of the Young Adult Ministry-Archdiocese of Chicago--'s Advent Reflections: Be Watchful! -- which I highly recommend, but now that its Christmas, its a little bit too late for advent reflections--- what we need now is Christmas reflections or celebrations!!!   I started with listening to the latest episode of Catholic in a Small Town, which was episode: CST #111: Mad Mac , which was very interesting, entertaining, and funny--at times, per always!  I highly recommend this catholic podcast, as I do most all SQPN catholic podcasts that I've listened to.  

Soon after finishing to CST podcast (catholic in a smalltown podcast, not to get confused with my, or anyone's, Computer Science and Telecommunications class(es)!), I began my Daily Breakfast with Fr. Roderick marathon-- since I was in "drastic" need to catch up on about 4-5 episodes of the Daily Breakfast catholic, "SQPN- talk show" podcast!  The following is the run down of the episodes that I listened to today (in list form): --- I finished up listening to Fr. Roderick's travel tales from his (I believe it was a...) 5 day trip to Rome and the Vatican! ... 

• Daily Breakfast 585 - The Vatican Gardens (released: December 20, 2008)
• Daily Breakfast 586 - The Vatican Museums  (released: December 22, 2008)
• Daily Breakfast 587 - For The Birds (released: December 23, 2008)
• Daily Breakfast 588 - Nativity Scene (released: December 24, 2008)

*The Episode 589,"The Gift of Christmas"-- which is a special "A Christmas Breakfast with Fr. Roderick", I currently am planning on listening to episode 589, on Thursday, Dec. 25th -- on Christmas Day, even through it was released on December 24th.  

I recommend that you check out this page, that SQPN wishes everyone a merry christmas! 

Also, I recommend that you check out SQPN's Christmas Gift for You, by clicking here. 

It's getting late, and I need my sleep for a morning-- later morning than this as I am writing this blog post,--- for unwrapping presents, and of course taking pictures of my sisters and dad opening their presents!  But, first I must tell you all about, briefly--or as brief as I can be, about my christmas present to my sisters... it was a photo college of the both of them-- here let me explain if you are all curious... For my sister, Stefanie, I made a photo collage of pictures of her-- just her, or mostly her. And, similar, yet uniquely different in its own way, a photo collage for my sister, Caroline.  This is a home made gift for my sisters from me, their big, older, and very "mature" brother!  I got the idea from a front page article on the Torch (RU's student newspaper) that was in the last issue of this fall 08 semester (issue 12).   The article had mentioned some different gift ideas that you could "home-make."  And the article mentioned for those who always have a camera in hand (I'm paraphrasing here) to use their many photos has a gift... so after many hours of tirelessly working with photos of my two sisters, I created them each both individually uniquely different a photo college for the both of them.

Before I leave you, I would like to give you, yet another, link, but this time its of my Video Blog #4-- that I made on Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008, of which I have a special guest on-- who is my best friend, Kyle Erickson. I very much and highly recommend that you watch it and then post a comment or email me your feedback on what you think!!!   In the video, we basically just ramble on for about half an hour (about 28 minutes) on many different topics.  I would like to say now that Kyle is truly a very special friend of whom I enjoy spending time and just hanging out with him!!!-- and I think that this video blog #4 shows just how "whacky at times" and how true friends the both of us all-- even after graduating from Westmont High School!  So, check it out by clicking the link above for the video blog #4 and then add a comment to this post or email me your feedback to this video blog #4-- and this post as as whole! 

Well, now its getting late, but I hope to be back soon with perhaps some christmas photos, and perhaps some commentary, and maybe even a short "special" christmas greeting video blog (#5)!-- who knows!..you're just have to wait and see!  But, now I need my sleep-- however short/petite it may be, ... well that's just how it is for me, or most any college/or student on winter break!!! (or for that matter any time during the academic year!!!)

So, on behalf of myself and everyone in my family, I would like to wish you all a very blessed, holy, and merry christmas!   

May you all have a peaceful, blessed, and merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas,

  ~ Daniel

ERROR IN PREVIOUS POST CORRECTED, PLUS BOOK-READING NEWS!

To learn more about the book, or rather, to buy the book, then go to the Halo Store on Busted Halo, and then click on the "Books" category near the left hand margin, and then from their click on the "Young Adult Spirituality" category, and from there scroll down the list of product names(titles) until you come upon the title for this pictured (above) book called Googling God: Religious Landscape of People in Their 20s and 30s. The book costs $16.95. 

While you are here at the Busted Halo website, then I heartily recommend that you check out this site--mainly for young adult Catholic's in their 20s and 30s.  

Hello my blogger readers,

  The first item on the agenda for today's "daily" blog post is that of a correction that I would like to make.  I was, or had planned to, upload my video blog post #3 to the previous post (the one right before this one) and for some unforeseen, by me, reason I could not get it to upload to this blog, so don't worry folks, 'cause I am providing you all with a link that you can see my video blog #3... please click on the following link to be directed to my Video Blog #3. 

  In book-reading news, I don't worry have that much to report, as of now, but perhaps at a later date.  I am just going to leave you all with the title of the book that I just currently started reading ("for fun").  Here it is:

GOOGLING GOD:

The Religious Landscape of People in their 20s and 30s

by Mike Hayes

   Perhaps once I get a little bit more reading done(as previously stated, I am only at the very beginning--I've read the following beginning sections: acknowledgments, Foreword; and am currently reading the introduction.  ONCE I GET A LITTLE BIT MORE READ, I am going to blog/journal to you some of my "reader response" thoughts on this book, as I am reading, so you all will get a "live", as I am reading this book, insights, reactions, thoughts, and comments about this book that I have. -- SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT you can all look forward to! 

 So, until the next time that I blog to you, I hope that you all had a happy thanksgiving last week--that you all were stuffed with food, are going to have a nice spiritual advent preparation for Christmas!  So, on behalf of myself, I would like to wish you all a very spiritual and joyous advent, as well as a chilly, yet hopefully still very much warm winter! 

Take Care,

 Daniel