Life at Gray Gables

Thursday, August 13, 2015

50 Signs that you are ADDICTED to....READING!

I tried everything to get to sleep last night. Well, everything except closing the book and putting it on the nightstand. Let's not get too crazy. ;-)

The first step is to admit that YOU HAVE A PROBLEM.

I know... this is not easy, it is not something YOU want to do.

OK, I'll go first.... I admit it- I have an addiction to reading. EEK!

By using my own personal experiences, and asking a few other fellow addicts (Yes, I am talking to YOU!),

I have compiled 50 signs that:

YOUR LOVE OF BOOKS MAY HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF HAND!!!

1You find yourself dropping character names into everyday conversation as if they're your friends.

2You regularly say no to social engagements to read.

4You are a member of two or more book clubs.

5You're supertired at work because you stayed up way too late reading just one more chapter, and then another.

6You're always making your partner or friends crazy by reading aloud lines from the book you're reading.

7You can't wait for the weekend to have two days of uninterrupted reading time.

8You look forward to long flights because you can get some good reading in.

9You get more than a little defensive of your favorite authors.

10You lug around paperback and hardcover books in your purse all day.

11Reading causes you to miss your bus stop on a regular basis.

12You've been late to work to finish a book.

13You've slept on the couch to keep reading when your boyfriend wants to go to bed.

14You know the book will be better than the movie before it's out.

16You've read more books than seen movies in the last month.

17You've sunk into a state of depression after finishing a really good book (also called a "book hangover").

18You avoid going to lunch with co-workers so you can read while you eat instead.

19You've ended friendships over book disagreements.

20There are literally piles of books in every room of your house.

21You bring home way more library books than you can actually read before they're due.

22You spend a majority of your vacation time reading, and that includes your honeymoon.

23You will kick someone out of book club if they don't read the book.

24You've made your love of reading permanent.

25Your Pinterest boards are basically a visual library.

26You always have at least two books ready to read once you finish one.

27You get excited when a book you love is over 1,000 pages because you know it will last longer.

28You don't want to reread books because they won't count toward your Goodreads goal.

29Almost every day you think at one point "I'd rather be reading."

30You literally wear your love of reading.

31You start to ration your reading when a book you love nears the end.

32You email publishers asking for advance copies of books.

33You read in the car even if you get carsick.

34Your friends know which bookstore is your favorite because you spend so much time there.

35You spend more time on Goodreads than Facebook.

36You won't give up your seat on the subway because you can't read if you're standing in a packed train.

37You put your Kindle in a Ziplock bag so you can read it in the bath/swimming pool on vacation.

38When the ending of a book is bad, you take it really personally.

39You know that ebooks will never replace real books.

40Sometimes you sound like a broken record trying to convince your friends to read your favorite book.

41Nothing beats when the books you've been dying to read are in stock at the library.

42You will forget to eat, sleep, and breathe when you get to the climax of a book.

43People try to tell you to "get out more." They just don't understand.

44You have multiple editions and versions of your favorite books.

45Your second-favorite activity after reading is organizing your bookshelves.

46You ALWAYS have a book on you . . . just in case.

47Reading while walking has caused some near disasters.

48You've yelled at loved ones for bothering you while you were reading.

49You've definitely fallen in love with characters in a book before.

50When you complain about your arms being sore, people assume you've been working out. But you know the truth.

KAMSTUTZ09

@KelleyAmstutz

/kel.amstutz

KAMSTUTZ09

Also posted on: https://kam0900.wordpress.com

Monday, July 27, 2015

Walk like an Egyptian....

If you are anything like me, you are obsessed with Egypt...History...and King Tut. So, when I saw the three (3) night mini series, creatively called "Tut", you know my DVR was all set and ready to RECORD!

Of course, I was over-excited to watch, but waited to have a cram session (my personal way). So there I was this past weekend, locked into a six (6) hour movie seat (on my couch) watching, with anticipation, the cute Avan Jogia, as he played the one, the only, infamous King Tutakhamen.

Let's break down some history, as I have learned throughout my education and let's be real, a lot on my own because I think it is taught on a condensed schedule!

We all know King Tut (Tutankhamen or Tutankhamun) was the youngest Pharaoh to rule Egypt at the tender age of 9, serving for 10 years, or until his early demise at the age of 19, around 1324 B.C.

Everyone with me so far?

OK, we also know that he was notable for reversing the religious reforms that his father had established. Tut's success was not truly appreciated though, until his successors felt the aftermath of such shifts of power. The thing is, his legacy was wiped cleaned after his ruling/death and his remembrance was lost..until his tomb was found by Howard Carter in 1922.

Tut's tomb was sealed before this finding, for more than 3,200 years. All his artifacts that went to the after-world with Tut were still intact at this point in modern day. It is because of these artifacts that made King Tut the most Famous Pharaoh in the world.

Taking it back...

King Tut was the grandson of the Great Pharaoh Amenhotep II, and the son of Akhenaten, who was one of the most controversial figures in the history of Egypt's New Kingdom in the 18th dynasty. Akhenaten upheld the centuries-old religious system to favor worship of a single deity, the sun god Aten, and moved Egypt's religious capital from Thebes to Amarna.

Early in Tut's reign, he was able to reverse Akhenaten's reforms, and revive worship of the God Amun.

He also restored Thebes as the Religious center.

He worked with his powerful advisers to restore Egypt's stature in the region.

Those advisers would also be future pharaohs.

Who was King Tut?

King Tut was tall, but frail. He had a crippling bone disease in his clubbed left foot. He is the only known pharaoh to be seated while involved in physically activities.

(Inbreeding is what likely contributed to this poor health and ultimately early death)

King Tut was married to his half sister, Ankhesenamun. The did not have any children, as the two daughters that they had been given were both born stillborn.

An infection in a broken leg, is what was thought to have caused his early death, but DNA tests have found that Malaria might have been the cause as well.

It is also important to note that his tomb's small size might indicate an unexpected death and rush for his burial by Ay, who succeeded him as pharaoh. None the less, his tomb was packed to the ceiling with gold artifacts.

The Pharaoh's who followed Tut chose to ignore his reign, tainting his connection based on his father's religious upheavals. It is thought that within a few generations, Tut's tomb entrance was blocked by stone and forgotten.

Back to the SHOW!

Please note, you can watch on Spike.com until August 23, 2015.

The TV movie (mini-series) on Spike has a little bit of everything, even a Game of Thrones, Vikings flair with battle scenes, sex, and watching the Pharaoh ascend towards greatness.

The first night, POWER, we watch a young King Tut, at the age of nine, being forced to make powerful decisions and ultimately being deemed "weak" for not killing a betrayers son in front of his father.

PART ONE: POWER

Controlled for nearly 10 years by the powerful Vizier Ay and the formidable General Horemheb, Tutankhamun is determined to wrest control of his kingdom.

Tut (Avan jogia) grows up and into his shoes of a powerful leader, under the watchful eyes of both his Grand Vizier Ay (Sir Ben Kingsley) and General Horemheb (Thrones' Nonso Anozie), both who are savoring their own dark agendas to seek power of Egypt. We watch as Tut's friend and confident, Ka (Once upon a Time in a Wonderland's Peter Gadiot)lust for Tut's sister wife, Ankhe (Tyrant's Sibylla Ankhe).

Tut is out of touch with reality. He has no idea what is happening outside of the palace walls, and only begins to understand the greater meaning of power after his friend Ka brings such to the surface.

Tut goes out into the kingdom and finds himself in front of a village girl, Suhad, (Twisted co-star, Kylie Bunbury) where she introduces him to beer for the first time, much different from the wine he is used to experiencing as royalty. But, Tut, unbeknowst to the army who patrols outside the palace, finds himself the subject of trouble.

We go through installment two, BETRAYAL, where we watch the General betray the King, leaving him for dead after battle. Then, we watch Ankhe betray the King, after thinking him dead, with Ka.

PART TWO: BETRAYAL

While the Mitanni continue their plot to conquer Egypt, Tut must contend with an illness spreading throughout the kingdom and a betrayal from his most trusted inner circle.

This is where the romance really begins between Suhad and Tut, as she heals him after being left for dead. He learns that she is half Mitanni. (whom are trying to take over Thebes)

We continue to flow into the third and final installment, DESTINY, where we see Tut return to Thebes, only to walk in on his friend, Ka, being crowned King in a ceremony where he is marrying Tut's wife. This is the ultimate betrayal and we watch Tut kill his betrayer. It is now known that Ka also accompanied the General is finding a hurt, but alive Tut after battle and leaving him for dead.

PART THREE: DESTINY

Tut sets out to achieve final victory against the Mitanni, and must destroy the last of his enemies within the Palace to secure his place in history.

The General is also imprisoned. He is used as an accessory for battle, but the betrayal is thick and is known.

Ankhe is pregnant with Ka's child, but must deceive King Tut into thinking that it is his, as to not seal her doomed fate.

There are so many moving pieces at this point of the series. There is a religious over-throwing that is happening, a battle with the Mitanni, who are trying to invade and take over Thebes and a budding romance with Suhad and King Tut, who finds herself at the hands of Ankhe, and in ultimate danger.

Destiny is what is found after the battle ensures, Tut finding trust within Lagus, who caused him to fight for reality in the first installment.

We all know the ultimate ending, but this trilogy did an impressive job creating a story, documented history and tying all the pieces together for an outstanding performance.

YOU DIDN'T THINK I WAS GOING TO TELL YOU EVERYTHING DID YOU???

This was done right.

Spike TV went all out, and we all got our money's worth in the viewing, from the sets, locations, and costumes, which were tasteful, amazing and engaging.

I give this mini-series two thumbs up and RECOMMEND everyone to watch, check it out. Yes, I know it is 6 hours total, but totally WORTH it.

Hubby even enjoyed it, with all the sex and battles! ;)

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

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Thursday, July 16, 2015

I've had ENOUGH!

I usually do not do controversial post. I stay far, far away from HOT topics at all costs.

But you know what?

Today. Yes, Today, I have had it "up to here"!

I have family members fighting. I have friends fighting. It is crazy! It seems like no matter where we turn...someone is offended by something.

Yes, you all know what I am talking about, so don't sit there and act like you don't!

One person thinks the Minion movie has curse words in it, the other thinks that algea blooms are going to kill us all. (I can neither confirm, nor deny this statement) Others are complaining about that parent...you know the one..that made a silly mistake or posted something that they meant to be funny, but we think it was inappropriate and will ruin their kids forever.

I mean, do I have to continue... really...

I know you have all seen these rants...and more, which shall remain nameless. They are sometimes on blog posts, social media accounts.... Sometimes they will say "An Open Letter To (you fill in the blank!)." Following this sweet dear diary opening, is a verbal assault focusing on belittling, bashing and name calling (oh no she/he didn't!) when that person does not share the same opinion.

I guess, the thing is...well, we are all individuals. We are so lucky to live in a country where there is freedom of speech, for both opinions in such case!

Guess what I am seeing though... Adults (well...TBD) fighting on social media. I see them turning words, spinning them to make them the victim (and yes, both sides are guilty), using name calling and foul language. It then escalates to derogatory racist or sexual comments directed at the person whom they do not agree with. They bully. They belittle. They, well, like I said...are not acting like Adults!

It has gotten absolutely out of control. I actually HATE my social media accounts these days because every-time I look at anything, there is a fight ensuing just under the surface. (not to mention the bad things that Nancy Grace likes to trickle in my new feed to just depress my entire day!)

I think it is time for me to put my foot down people...and tell you ALL to:

S T O P ! ! !

Seriously, it has gotten out of hand. Yes, we are all entitled to our own opinions, but, since when is:

YOUR opinion the ONLY opinion.

You want to post things on your Social Media account, wait for a reaction, then go ape shit crazy (yea, it's totally a thing!) on those who may or may not have valid points and want to shine a little light on your one sided opinion.

No one is telling you to preach this other opinion, but perhaps it can (or can not) give you perspective into someone else's mind.

And truth be told people, the Media...they are not speaking words of bond...THEY LIE ya'll!

I know some of you are heart broken right now by that realization, but it's OK.

We are all entitled to think what we wish. We all have freedom of speech, however, that freedom does NOT mean that we do not have freedom from the consequences of our said speech!

Whew... I know what you all are thinking...I am bringing the HEAT today!

When YOU put something online, it is out there FOREVER! Let's repeat that... FOREVER! It is there for EVERYONE to see. You can't hide from it. You can't deny it once your name is associated to it. Your words are your own, so preach them carefully on that good old Social Media Network that you choose as your outlet and try to NOT brainwash others into your ideals.

Now I want to go to that ugly five (5) letter word that I wish did not exist. In our children, YES, Life at Gray Gables just went through a whole year of this (in Kindergarten, people) of BULLY-ing. It is NOT OK for our children to BULLY.

So, why is it OK for parents to bully one another online?

Would you say these things if you were having a conversation with this person because they did not agree with YOU?

It is in these moments that a keyboard is turned into a WEAPON of sorts as the words you spew are coming from a hurtful/hateful place. I don't think that this is OK at all people.

Now, to reiterate, I am NOT saying that you should agree with everyone. That is crazy talk! I don't even agree with everyone.

However, I think that when you choose to share your OPINION, act respectfully. Understand that before you post that you will get negative feedback because, after all, this is YOUR opinion.

If someone does not agree with you, why do you feel the need to respond back to them?

Let it go!

(Thank you Anna and Elsa!)

Are these people's lives so sad that they have nothing better to do but troll and respond to those who feel different than they do? I really just don't understand.

I need to bring truth to you all also...I have seen adults have a civilized discussion.

Shocking, right!

I have seen a heated debate of two opposing political sides, they did not agree, but both listened to the other and instead of trying to convince the other side to... well, join them on their DARK SIDE, they shut up and listened.

It's just an opinion people. And everyone is entitled to their own.

My Motto: To each their own!

At the end of the day, only YOU can control what you post online and how you take the response to said post.

However, words to leave you with...

"If you can't say something nice...don't say anything at all!"

I think we all have forgotten this, which is a shame.

That's all.

Book is closed...

Wednesday, July 15, 2015