The Firm by John Grisham : The R R & R Review : !

Well, this is another book that kept me up past midnight. Very engrossing story of Mitch McDeere, who accepts a position with a law firm, while he had several offers from several other firms, and soon regrets it. This firm is caught up in some bad business that he soon becomes privy to. This book is a wild ride ; I would say take your time with it as it's hard to keep up with all the characters and shenanigans. On top of that, all the main characters end up with one or more alias ; one character even ends up with three (I think) and even comments she hopes she can keep up with them all. Mitch is one busy dude, becoming involved with both the Mafia and FBI. Ranger Brad recommends, as long as your brain is ready to keep up with everyone and everything...

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The Invasion of Sam Walton... On My Street!

I have finally found out what the construction is about at the end of my street which I have walked by... Walmart is arriving on my street... a street of nothing now but apartment complexes. Granted it won't happen any time soon as they have just begun. I'm not sure how I feel about this. On one hand, it would make shopping for me a lot more convenient. Oh by the way, there is a Sams across the street from where my street dead ends near my apartment... so Sam Walton will be represented on both ends of my street! On the other hand, I think it might increase traffic on my street too much... which is not all that light to begin with. Also, I have a slight problem with Walmart's monopolizing attitude of taking over the world it seems... I'm sure a lot of mom & pop places have been put out of business by Walmarts in small towns. Then again, I would probably still shop there if it were that convenient... we'll see how it goes...

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Reading & Radio Resource

What do you know, some more r's... LOL. This is an organization I've been looking into. They record audio books and news for the visually impaired. I am interested in volunteering for them ; it sounds right up my alley since I love to read. I went on a tour of the place the other day and it seems neat ; everyone has their own booth to record in and a cubbyhole to keep the book they are working on. And there are plaques of recognition for so many hours of service. My next step is to tape an audition, which requires some study ; some of the words on these pages I don't know how to pronounce and accuracy is important. I will keep posted on how this progresses...

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Malcolm X(1992) : The R R & R Review

This is a biography of the controversial black leader directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington in the title role. It is mostly very good, involving and educational. It runs about 200 minutes and the first hour or so is kind of slow going, tracing his childhood and early life as a burglar, pursuer of white women, etc. It really picks up when Malcolm Little is imprisoned and is introduced to the Muslim faith by a fellow inmate. He is transformed into a charasmatic leader when he gets out, even able to lead several people marching down a street, in a memorable scene. On the personal front, his wife is played by Angela Basset, who I always like. But please tell me, who proposes marriage over the phone??? and who would accept over the phone... :>)

Malcolm X believed in separation for blacks and whites until he made a pilgrimage to Mecca, in a great sequence, where his beliefs are softened, and comes to realize Muslims come from all races. This change in his views eventually leads to his assassination while he's giving a speech, in front of his wife and little girls. If you can keep a dry eye while Ms Basset wails over her brutally murdered husband's body, you have a lot more restraint than I do. The film ends with actual footage of Malcolm X... Ranger Brad recommends... as long as you have 3 and a half hours in your schedule...

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Oh, The Weather Outside's Been Frightful...

Well, we had record snowfall in Dallas Thursday... it snowed day and night! It sure was nice to look at the whiteness from inside... with a hot chocolate. It's times like that I count my blessings I have a roof over my head... there have been times when I haven't, but thankfully it was never like the other day. There are a lot of trees around my complex and a lot of limbs fell from the weight of the snow! I know people up north think we are wimps as they have snow all the time :>) Truth is, I am so sick of this weather, figuratively and literally. I have gotten sick for the second time this season... think I'm getting over it now. I am so ready for spring and baseball season... bring it on!

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"1st To Die" By James Patterson : The R R and R Review

This is the first in a series known as the Women's Murder Club. It's formed over time by homicide inspector Lindsey Boxer, when she realizes she needs help with a sick, perverted series of murders of just-married couples, that come to be know as "The Honeymoon Murders". Let's just say the groom is always murdered first and the bride is always defiled in some way... AFTER she's killed! Over the course of the case, she enlists the help of her best friend Claire, medical examiner, also Cindy, a rising crime reporter, and Jill, a district attorney. They join forces and decide to conduct their investigation independent of the police force. The girls are all likable and the book works best when they meet up to discuss their clues. There are a couple of subplots that really get in the way a little bit, I think. I think Mr Patterson spends too much time on the relationship that blooms between Lindsey and her partner, and wasn't all that believable to me... but does provide some touching moments toward the end. Overall, a good, exciting, twisted story. One thing I will tell you, nothing is as it seems. I will look forward to reading more in this series. Ranger Brad recommends...

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A Raisin In The Sun(1961):The R R & R Review

I've seen this this afternoon. This is one special film. Starring Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee. Walter Lee Younger(Poitier) lives in poverty with his wife, sister, mother and young son, who has to sleep on the living room couch. They have a chance for something better when his mother(Ms Dee) receives a life insurance check for $10,000 from her late husband. However, mother and son clash on what to do with the money, which causes some tension(and him to turn to drinking) : he wants to invest in a liquor store, she ends up buying a more spacious house in a white neighborhood, which also causes tension. Walter Lee is pissed that she has "crushed his dream", but in a touching scene, she gives him the remainder of the money left from the house to put aside for sister Beneatha's medical school dream, the rest for a checking account for him, then tells him he is now "head of the household". This is based on a play, and each actor has a chance to shine. I always tend to like films based on plays. The sister provides some comic relief, she's a little different, to say the least. I recommend this highly, especially the last monologue by Poitier. Very moving...

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