Me and my eReader

It has been 2 months, one vacation and three down loaded books read and two in the "book" since my eReader and I have been together. It is time to review, evaluate and confess about our relationship.

I do not love my eReader. It is not that it is MY eReader but any eReader.

I bought a Kobo fronm Borders. Why this one? Well B&N Nook was eliminated as a choice because of reviews read. The Kindle from Amazon because I wanted to go to a store and actually meet MY eReader first hand. And the back of it was a lovely quilted lavendar. Price was not bad except I got talked into getting the replacement insurance that came with the protective cover.

Neither of these were needed.

What I don't like about Kobo.

1) It is possessive. It does not want to be shared with anyone. One of the joys of a really good read is to share it with someone else. Kobo will not do that.

2)Sure Kobo is good companion on the airplane. BUT when you want it most, on takeoffs and landings. Its use is a No No. If you try and sneak it, the flight attendant says "I can see the glare".

3)I was naive or mislead or whatever about the cost of downloads. Like iTunes, I thought down loads would be free or $9.00 +/-. NOT the books I want. Sure it came with about 150 FREE books. All classics that I have already read or not interested in. That is why I didn't red them in the first place. Even the $5.00 books wouldn't probably my choice at a bookstore or library. What I wanted was to hear a book review on NPR and go directly to download it to my friend Kobo. These books are either not available Or are the same price or more than at my favorite bookstore COSTCO.

What I DO like about Kobo.

1) Fits into a purse and is a good companion in a Dr's office. But so is small paperback.

2) My Kobo is a very nice bed reading companion.

All in All. An electronic device I could do without.

Buyers Remorse. Not really. But not the best of my purchase of 2010.

The King's Speech - A review

This is a truly great movie. I give it 5 *s, which in my rating system means: A very rare film -"Get thee to the theater ASAP". Not only is it a very interesting story but it has 3 excellent performances in the key roles. King George VI had a severe stutter since about the age of 5. Teasing by his brother and taunting by his father, King George V only made it worse. In adult hood and married with two daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret, he is faced with having to give public speeches after his brother abdicates and he becomes King at the beginning of WWII.

Colin Firth, passed over for an Oscar for "A Single Man", certainly will be in the forefront this year. Helena Bonham Carter, as the wife who becomes the beloved Queen Mom is fabulous as the woman who finds that man who will help her husband. Geoffrey Rush plays Lionel Logue the man who becomes the King's therapist and friend for the rest of his life.

A great film, deserving of the seven Golden Globe Nominations it received. Surely it will also get the attention of the Academy awards.

The Pinata

No party in Mexico is complete without a pinata

for the beauty of them. Everyone anticipates the joy of the children when it is time to break them open and scramble for the candy.

During the Christmas season pinatas are being made in many shops. They take on all shapes and sizes.

A pinata consists of a papier mache bowl in the center. This will hold the wrapped candy. Paper cones are made to attach to the bowl. They can be made in all shapes and sizes.

Christmas Trees of Mexico

Mexico is also as big as the US when it comes to decorating trees.

This first is one from outside of a restaurant.

It was decorated in baskets with various foods in them.

Baskets are big on trees, something not seen on our trees.

The second is a tree of sand. Sand sculptures are made along

the Malecon (boardwalk). Young men make the sculptures and wet them down to keep them in shape. They have dishes to collect donations. I have never seen a young girls do this.

Nativity Scenes, Creches

Nacimientos is the Spanish word for manger scenes. The first photo is from the church in Nogales Mexico and the rest are from Puerto Vallarta.

You will notice that there is no Baby Jesus in these scenes. The Mexicans put the Baby Jesus in

the cradle on Christmas Eve

Mexican Fast Food

While wandering around Nogales yesterday and before I broke my camera I had the thought that Mexico had to been the originator of fast food.

Mexicans love to eat food from street stalls. But unlike our mass produced fast food, these vendors all offer home made right in front of you food.

This was true in Nogales as well as it was in Puerto Vallarta. During the Posadas, the streets were lined with such stalls. However Mexicans eat from them on a daily basis.

Do I snack from them? I have to confess, that as good as the food looks, I don't eat it.

Many years ago I ate street food while at the Copper Canyon and brought home some serious intestinal bad things. Since then I just look and salivate.

AzBuddy is very sad today.

Maggie Mae dropped her camera today and it is totally broken. Can't even download the neat photos she took in Nogales. As you who follow her blog know, taking snapshots is very important hobby for her. And she fears that Santa will not think that she has been good enough to deserve a new one.

But she has plenty of photos downloaded to keep the blog going. Including Christmas photos from Mexico.

So folks, keep checking in with AzBuddy and see what Maggie Mae is up to.

A different kind of movie.

Lars and the Real Girl is a different kind of movie than Black Swan. And it is more my kind of movie. This is a understated but very funny movie about a shy awkward young man who develops a delusional relationship with a life size doll. This relationship is so real that all of the people in this small community are drawn in in support of Lars. I don't think that it is a mistake that this occurs in a very cold and snowy town. The best part of this film is that it is sooooo funny but the characters are very serious. Oscar nominated for best original screenplay in 2008. The Academy should have included Ryan Gosling as Best Actor. This kind of "serious" humor is very difficult to pull off. Think of Peter Sellars at his best.

The entire ensemble contribute to a very fine film.

A Must rental @ 4****

Black Swan - Review

This is probably one of those movies that will get great press, everyone will love but that I found just OK. It is a difficult movie to review because it is one of those that they caution not to discuss the ending. Although I found the ending not too surprising. I doubt that it is a very accurate portrayal of life in ballet. However bitchiness probably does exist in this competitive arena. The cinematography was unsettling with too close of close-ups. I have mentioned this annoying trend before. Also the shaky hand held camera technique that is popular has no business in this film. There is no doubt that Natalie Portman has knocked herself out in this role. Supporting roles by Winona Ryder and Barbara Hershey are excellent. I was caught confused by the numerous bloody theatrics in that it was hard to tell the reality of the viewer from the reality of Nina the ballerina.

Puesta del Sol

Last of the Sun sets. We leave the Pacific today.

But nothing beats the beauty of the Sunrise and Sunset on the Santa Rita Mountains.

More blogs about Mexico to come.

Autobus

We ride the bus about twice a day. It is the easiest way around town or out of town.

Down town is 7 minutes and 70 cents.

It is just a bit more south of town to the Botanical Gardens or the Boca of the River Tomatolan.

It is quite a bumpy ride and not the

most

comfortable seats but people watching

is interesting.

Once in a while musicians of one kind or another with board and entertain for a few pesos until he gets off a few stops later.

Some drivers

personalize their buses with the names of wives or girl friends.

Buses are always a place for politeness; signs to

remind people to allow the elderly, the blind,

the pregnant woman

and the handicapped to sit down.

The Indigenous Peoples

The religion of the masses of Mexico is a mix of Catholicism and the beliefs of the indigenous past. No where is this seen more than in the festivities of Christmas and of Easter.

We have visited frequently in December and this

coming Spring Break we will be here with the family and should be able to observe some of the Easter celebrations.