booksmusiclife

Hello everyone!

I had a comment from a very influential person in my life about my blogs. She told me that I should review or talk about a book and/or music that I actually DIDN’T like:) She got me to thinking…this blog doesn’t have to be upbeat ALL the time, right?

Paulo Coelho-The Devil and Miss Prym

I picked up this book because I had heard great things about this author. I’m not so sure I should have picked this one first.

The premise of this book is a stranger goes into a very small town and buries 11 bars of gold in their forest. He then tells a young lady who is the “town” barmaid, that she is to tell the villagers that the 11 bars of gold will be theirs to use as they see fit if they murder someone in the village within one week. The village is in desperate need of repairs and updating. This money could save the village from dying out. The young woman ponders this “deal” for a couple days and finally tells the villagers. She is certain they will drive the stranger away and not even think twice about his offer. Much to her surprise, they consider the “deal”. The villagers select someone to murder. Meanwhile the young woman strikes a “deal” with the stranger herself. She is betting on the villagers…in their goodness. She believes they will not go through with it. The stranger says if she is right SHE can have the gold. If not…well we know the “deal”.

This is supposed to be the classic battle between Good and Evil. Specifically the Good and Evil that lies within one person. It asks the age old question-are people inherently Good or are people inherently Evil? Which one?

As much as I was/am extremely intrigued by the plot and the subject, this book falls short in many ways. First and formost, Coelho creates characters that are unreachable. He does not “flesh” them out. Most of them are one dimensional. As a reader, it is essential that you care-one way or another-about some character in a novel. Some character in the book must strike a chord with the reader. Whether that chord is in a good sense or bad…either you really love the character or hate the character so much you HAVE to read on…is irrelevant, but a chord MUST be struck. None of the characters in this book “strike” a chord. Other than Miss Prym, I cannot even recall another character’s name.

The second problem is the validity of the argument the book puts forth. Are people essentially Good or Evil? How can you know? Circumstances may appear to one person that suggests another is fully, completely and good person, yet another may know he/she is not. And vice verse. Can people be inherently Good AND Evil? I think he could have incorporated and explored that thought more in the story, so as to not make it so “black and white”. People are never just “black and white”… There is always a little “grey” area to every person. Do you agree?

On a scale of 1 to 10 in terms of entertainment value I would rate this book a 6. It is, however, beautifully written with some very nice descriptions and passages. I am sure others will think I am completely off my rocker. Oh well.

This is just my humble opinion:)

Duffy-Rockferry

When I first heard Duffy’s single “Mercy”, I thought “WOO HOO!!!!! We are finally getting back to singable music with a great beat and lyrics that are actually understandable!”. I picked up her CD, Rockferry.

Disappointment abounds!!! The rest of the CD does not live up to the energy and originality that “Mercy” showed Duffy can portray. Again, somewhat like “The Devil and Miss Prym”, I cannot definitively tell you the name of any other song or any lyric from any other song on this CD. I was expecting much more, as “Mercy” is funky and gritty at the same time.

Sorry, Duffy! I’m thinking this should be a “pass” for most people. Or at least wait until it gets into the “Reduced” Bin before it should be bought. Full price for this was not worth it!

College Years…Were they supposed to be good?

I was driving home the other day and I heard a radio host talking about his “good ‘ole college days”. It got me to thinking. Were they supposed to be good? I wish I could tell people that my college days were filled with partying, making friends and hanging out in my dorm room, but I can’t. Seriously, I cannot even remember if I ever just “hung out” with my dorm room co-habitants or went to any parties (other than the ones I was on the waitstaff for).

When I was a junior is high-school I left school at 10:30am and caught a bus to the community college. Got there by 11:15-ish. Went to class/studied/practiced until 10:00pm. Caught the final bus into the city. Then the last bus out to the ‘burbs, getting home and falling into bed by around 11:30/12:00. If I was in a show, I would skip practicing/studying(do it at rehearsal), however, I still got in around the same time. Just before I graduated from high-school, I obtained my Associates Degree in Music Education. WOW!!! I thought. I am ahead of the game. Subsequently, attended an Ivy League school in my home town(hated it!). Left after two(2) semesters. Took a semester break,then “found” my college on Long Island. Moved down there with my 1980 Mustang(car payment and insurance payment as well) and tried my best to get my degree(s).

I have to tell you, I worked two(2) jobs and a work study job to put myself through college. Sometimes I lived on just a can of tuna per day. I couldn’t afford a meal plan. I couldn’t afford to go to the bars to party. Occasionally, I “splurged”, went to Pathmark and bought a package of Mallomars (the BEST cookies EVER). 

My two(2) jobs were waiting on tables at a popular restaurant and being the “Coat Check Girl” at a VERY fancy, upscale dining establishment. Work study consisted of working in the theatre somewhere…most of the time in the tech area helping with sets, lighting(YUP! I hung from the ceiling 50 feet in the air hanging lights) and costumes. As part of my major(s) I had to be involved in a certain amount of productions and because I had a Dance/Stage Management minor, I also had to stage manage a certain amount of productions and choreograph several dance pieces. My final year came and I also had to create/perform in a thesis.

My college years were tough. Several times I was almost asked to leave because I could not pay my tuition and fees. There was one Dean, who took pity on me and “slid” me through”. He didn’t excuse any tuition or fees. He just helped me “push it off” until “later”. I will be eternally grateful for his help. He helped me get my degrees. I did it.

Why am I telling you this? Because I am currently sitting on almost $50,000 worth of student loans that I cannot repay. I will probably never be able to repay these loans. I have negotiated. I have written letters. I have tried and tried and tried…to no avail. When the government wants money from you there is not negotiation. There is no “helping” you out. Make no mistake, I borrowed very little…my actual loan amount add up to roughly20% of that figure, however, the astronomical interest rates and fees that are “added” on when repayment comes, make it damned near impossible to pay them back.

I worked my ass off for the college education I received. I worked harder than I had ever worked. I paid my “dues”. I learned. I went to EVERY class. Rarely, did I EVER miss a lecture, class or even outing.

I met every requirement for an Associates Degree in Music Education.

I met every requirement for a BFA in Musical Theater with a Minor in Dance/Stage Management.

I met every requirement for a BFA in Music Therapy.

And what do I have to show for it? $50,000+ in debt. That’s why I cannot remember hanging out with my dorm roommates. That’s why I cannot remember going to any parties or bars. That’s why I cannot remember all the “Good ‘Ole College Days”.

I was too busy working my ass off trying to get through them.

I got my education…

Was it worth it?

Good night!! Watch out for those bedbugs!

 “I respect Faith, but Doubt is what gets you an education”… Wilson Mizner

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