Thrill the World

*UPDATE* I took down the video because I was worried it was making my blog load slowly. You can still see it here.

This is too great not to share. A bunch of people in San Francisco attempted to break a world record with the most people dancing to "Thriller" at the same time. This is a clip of one group in Dolores Park in SF. I wish I had known about it. I would love to learn this choreography!

Earthquake!

Well, I got to experience my second earthquake last night. I was watching television and the house started shaking as if a giant truck had just driven by. It wasn't enough to knock anything down. Toulouse didn't care for it. He jumped up on the couch with me. It is a very strange feeling indeed. I hope that is the only Halloween trick that I get this year.

I have a feeling that it will be a pretty low-key Halloween for me today. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday filled with lots of candy!

*UPDATED* Adam Update (last one?)

It looks like Adam, the little burned kitten, will be adopted as early as next week. He is doing great and has grown a lot of new fur. And he has the sweetest face!

See current photos here.

One of the greatest things about Adam's story is that he has brought attention to the evils of animal cruelty and also to the plight of homeless cats in our area. He is our own spokeskitty!

More good news: the two girls who burned Adam have plead guilty and are awaiting sentencing. I hope we send a swift and strong message about how we don't tolerate animal cruelty by people like these girls or by people like Michael Vick!

*UPDATE* Adam is officially being adopted by his caretaker Tina! I am so thrilled. Tina has been with Adam constantly since he was brought in and they have a very special bond. The above photograph of Adam and Tina is borrowed from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. What a wonderful happy ending!

LBC Freebie of the Day

Get a free coupon for any one size or flavor of Nestle Juicy Juice up to $3.50.

LINK

Reunion (with food)

I went to my 10-year college reunion last weekend in San Antonio. I actually didn't spend much time at the reunion. I decided I would rather bum around San Antonio and see what has changed. And eat lots of good Tex-Mex food. Gosh, I miss Texas food. I stuffed myself silly. I found this article today over at Homesick Texan and it made me evern hungrier for Tex-Mex! I am constantly searching for a good cheese enchilada with rice and beans here in California. So far, I haven't found it.

Besides eating, I got to visit lots of museums in San Antonio including the new Museo Alameda which is just wonderful. We also attended a Branford Marsalis concert which was great. Since we went to the concert, I had to cut my attendance at the reunion reception short. It felt like I didn't recognize anyone! But I did see a lot of great people and did a little catching up. And I had brunch with my buddies Sonya, Melanie and Suni on Sunday morning at our old favorite haunt, Madhatter's.

I miss Texas a lot. I'd love to live there again. But my husband refuses to leave California. Oh, well. Guess I'll have to plug along in wine country. (without decent Mexican food!!!)

LBC Freebie of the Day

Get a free bag of Halloween candy at KMART!

Go to this link.

Enter the code: Terry Ravas

They will e-mail you a printable coupon for one free bag of Halloween candy. It lists the participating brands but there are good ones like Hershey's, Reese's and Kit Kat!!!!

Wake Up!

Clearly, someone has been videotaping my cat.

THE REINCARNATIONIST by M. J. Rose

There was a movie that came out many years ago starring Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson called "Dead Again." I could not get that movie out of my head while reading THE REINCARNATIONIST. For those of you that really enjoy fast-paced novels of intrigue and suspense, you will probably like this book.

Archaeologists uncover the tomb of one of the last Vestal Virgins in Rome and an artifact in the tomb may hold the key to reincarnation. Many individuals are desperate to get their hands on the artifact and the race to possess it is the focus of the plot. Several of the characters in the novel experience spontaneous past-life regressions, so the story encompasses not only the present but also ancient Rome and the mid-1800s.

I found this book to be a very enjoyable read. However, if you are a reader who enjoys tidy endings, you may be a bit frustrated. I felt as irritated as I did with the final episode of the SOPRANOS. I needed more! I couldn't believe the story ended where it did. Still, it was a fairly satisfying book.

WITCH'S TRINITY by Erika Mailman

I found WITCH'S TRINITY to be quite chilling. And not because it is particularly gruesome. I think it bothered me because deep down I feel that we are still capable of reaching such depths of mob mentality.

The book focuses on the Inquisition and witch trials in Germany in the 1500s. A small German town has been suffering from famine and a priest arrives in town to help them find a "solution." The story is narrated by an old woman named Gude who fears the consequences of the priest's actions. I found it hard to put the book down. The idea of burning women as witches seems ludicrous in this day and age. And yet it wasn't so long ago when mobs would lynch black men in the South. Or how about the McCarthy hearings where friends denounced each other? It is easy to get along with everyone when things go right. True character comes out when things go wrong. This historical novel is a cautionary tale for all of us.

Singer-Songwriters I Know

We went to see two of my musician friends play last night. They are so freakin' talented! It is a joy to hear them play. One of them is Ms. Heather Combs. Heather's band has been voted "Best Band in the Bay Area." Gary and Heather have been friends for years and she even played our first dance song at our wedding last year. The other musician is Mr. Rob Giles. I actually grew up with Rob back in Texas. We went to elementary school together all the way through high school graduation. Coincidentally, he and Heather are buddies from college. Small world! They are both wonderfully talented musicians and I can't wait to hear them both play again at the Live.Music.Now event at the end of the November. It's sure to be wonderful concert event. If you are in the Bay Area, don't miss it!!!

LBC Freebie of the Day Part 2

Get a free sample of Carmex. I love this stuff and my husband is a total addict!!!

LINK

LBC Freebie of the Day

Get a free sample of Bain de Terre's hair strengthening mud masque.

LINK

I'm Only Happy When it Rains (at night)

I had a rough night on Monday night and I was also sick all day yesterday. Yuck. Stomach ailments are the worst! But I was thrilled when it started raining yesterday evening. It rained through most of the night. I always do my best sleeping when it rains. I still miss a good Texas thunderstorm but I will settle for a nice heavy rain. At night, that is. It was perfect weather to read my current book, WITCH'S TRINITY. I hope to finish it soon and I will post a review.

LBC Freebie of the Day

Get a free sample of BASIS sensitive skin bar soap.

LINK

SCANDAL OF THE SEASON by Sophie Gee

If you are a fan of historical fiction, you will probably enjoy SCANDAL OF THE SEASON. This book explores the story behind Alexander Pope's famous poem, "The Rape of the Lock." The story centers around a group of young people in the fashionable London social scene. There is Jacobite intrigue and a lot of husband-hunting! And right in the center of everything is young Alexander Pope.

The book is a very quick read with a simple premise. It would be a good vacation read.

This and That

My hubby took me to see Nellie McKay last night. I just love her! She's so cute and talented and very very funny. Her style is indescribable. If you haven't heard her music, she's kind of like Billie Holiday meet Liz Phair with a little comedy thrown in. I really enjoyed the show and Gary did too.

On a shopping note, I am a big fan of SPANX bodyshapers. They are so great. But I can never afford them. Well, my League is doing a fundraiser and you can get 25% off through October. I'm going to stock up!!!

Just go to the SPANX website and enter the promotion code: NAPA.

Drowning in Books!

I just picked up a bunch of books from the library and now I am overwhelmed. Help!!!

Here is my current "to be read" pile from the library:

AWAY by Amy Bloom

GHOST WRITER by John Harwood

ROAD by Cormac McCarthy

SCANDAL OF THE SEASON by Sophie Gee

SPECIAL TOPICS IN CALAMITY PHYSICS by Marisha Pessl

STILL SUMMER by Jacquelyn Mitchard

STRAWBERRY FIELDS by Marina Lewycka

WITCH'S TRINITY by Erica Mailman

I am currently reading:

ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MIRACLE by Barbara Kingsolver

AGAINST THE DAY by Thomas Pynchon (still!!!)

I better get busy. I wish work didn't get in the way of my reading time.

LBC Freebie of the Day

This one may take a little work but it's a good one. Be sure you are hooked up to a printer before you start.

Get a FREE package of Kraft LiveActive Cheese snacks from the Prevention website.

LINK

Keep refresing the page until the green LIVEACTIVE banner shows up on the top of the page. Click on the banner and then you can print the coupon. Can't wait to try it!!!

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I know it's a little early but I was wondering if you could add a little something to your list. I've been a very good girl this year. I think it might be hard to get this down my chimney but I have faith that you can do it.

Your biggest fan,
Malady

LBC Freebie of the Day Part 2

Get a free sample of new Dunkin Donuts coffee.

LINK

LBC Freebie of the Day

Sorry that I haven't been finding a lot of these lately...

Get a free sample of Jergens moisturizer.

LINK

ART THIEF by Noah Charney

I have been looking forward to reading this book since I have a background in art history. My overall rating: not bad.

The story centers around a number of paintings that are disappearing around Europe. Several investigators try to solve the mystery and figure out if there is a connection between the thefts.

The book had a "Thomas Crown Affair" feel to it. Some of the discussions within the story about the nature of art and its value are really great. I felt the main flaw of the book was that there are just too many characters. It gets confusing to jump from one character to another and from one storyline to another. It makes it a little difficult to follow the story. And although I liked the ending, I still found it a little confusing. Still, it makes for a good quick vacation read.