Monday, January 30, 2012

Beware of the Dragon

Chinese new year: Dragons in literature quiz

..email me (bdenor@lsol.net) with answers. The most correct wins a grab bag full of neat stuff. Deadline...next Monday! In case of a tie, a random draw will determine the winner. I'm not kidding, there is neat stuff in the grab bag.



China celebrated its new year on Jan 23. We're entering the year of the dragon: one of the most revered years of the Chinese calendar. To celebrate, test your knowledge of literature's finest firebreathers

1. “There he lay, a vast red-golden dragon, fast asleep; thrumming came from his jaws and nostrils, and wisps of smoke, but his fires were low in slumber. Beneath him, under all his limbs and his huge coiled tail, and about him on all sides stretching away across the unseen floors, lay countless piles of precious things, gold wrought and unwrought, gems and jewels, and silver red-stained in the ruddy light.” Which dragon?

JRR Tolkien’s Smaug
Ursula Le Guin’s Orm
Robin Hobb’s Tintaglia
The dragon from Beowulf




2. Which colour are the two dragons who fight in front of Vortigern and Merlin in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s The History of the Kings of Britain?


Red and black
Black and white
Red and white
Silver and Gold


3. Who turns into a dragon in CS Lewis’s The Voyage of the Dawn Treader?


Eustace Scrubb


Reepicheep
Caspian
Lucy


4. How are dragons brought back to life in George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series?



Humans are sacrificed by the sinister Red Priest to bring dragons back to the world


Fossilised eggs hatch after lying in a funeral pyre
Life is brought to stone statues of dragons
Lizards are genetically modified to become dragons




5. “Never laugh at live dragons,” says Bilbo Baggins, wisely. But which of the following is not one of JRR Tolkien’s dragons?

Glarung Smaug Ancalagon Erkenbrand




6. What is the point of the dragons in Anne McCaffrey’s Pern series?



They are the only source of fuel for the stranded explorers
They protect the planet from a deadly threat which falls from the skies
Battling and killing a dragon is the ultimate test in young Perneses' journey to manhood
They guard the settlers’ treasures




7. Which author created a world in which dragons begin life as sea serpents?


Robin Hobb
Terry Goodkind
Robert Jordan
Ursula Le Guin





8. Who dreamed up Norwegian Ridgeback and Hungarian Horntailed dragons?



Terry Pratchett
JRR Tolkien
JK Rowling
Cornelia Funke




9. What is the name of the dragon in Christopher Paolini’s bestselling young adult series?


Eragon
Saphira
Icefyre




What am I reading? Obedience by Jacqueline Yallop. I'm only on page 2...so this info is coming from the back cover


"A once bustling convent in the south of France is closing, leaving behind three elderly nuns. Forced, for the first time, to confront the community that she betrayed decades ago, sister Bernard relives her past.


At thirty, sister Bernard can hear the voice of God. when you young Nazi soldier asks her to meet secretly, she agrees. And so begins the horrifying and passionate love affair that will deafen the heavens and define her life, tempting her into duplicity. Obedience is a powerful exploration of one woman's struggle to reconcile her aching need to be loved with her fear of god's wrath."



I'll let you know...cheesy, predictable, or provocative.

Monday, January 23, 2012






There’s trouble lurking around every bend, down every path, and in every nook and cranny of the palace. Unless audience members attending UW-Manitowoc’s production of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” are willing to help, poor Snow White is destined to spend her life in the forest with “the noisy birds, and lots of icky things.” According to producer, Kathy Palmer, this version of the classic fairy tale relies heavily on audience participation to keep the story moving.”




Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be presented at




UW-Manitowoc




Thursday, Jan, 26...7:00


With the exception of the dwarfs, three actors take on all the roles needed for the show, often making quick costume and character changes in front of the audience.


Cathi Burish, Riverview Kindergarten Center Principal, plays the evil Queen determined to be the most beautiful woman in the land, promising to “slime” anyone attempting to help Snow White. She transforms herself into a gypsy trinket seller, and an aged apple peddler. Burish has performed in Heart-A-Rama, and numerous other local theatre and music productions.


As the narrator, Keith Shaw sets up the story line for the audience, and leads the children through creative activities as part of the story. With his help, they awaken Snow White who falls asleep and rattles the windows with her snoring, and warn Snow White of impending dangers. Keith morphs into the mirror’s reflection, and the huntsman who must do the Queen’s bidding or else. When an Italian Prince rides in on his trusty steed to insure a happily-ever-after ending, that’s Keith as well.



Keith Shaw, seasoned theatre veteran, is back on the boards after a successful career as principal of Lincoln High School. Shaw is best known for his recurring role as Eddie in the Historic Forst Inn’s popular musical “Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up.” His skills as a quick costume change artist were honed in “Greater Tuna,” in which he was challenged to play nine different characters, each with a distinct look and persona.


Corrie Skubal, Riverview School family liaison educator, plays the title role of Snow White. Skubal’s Snow White is a bit funky, with a colorful wardrobe, and a spirit to match. “It’s Snow White’s good heart that makes everyone want to protect her,” commented Skubal. In fact, the entire audience must help hide Snow White when the Queen learns that she is safe and happy living in the forest. Skubal has performed with Masquers, and Heart-A-Rama where, coincidentally, she played Snowy in a twisted re-telling of the familiar tale.


The story would not be complete without the other title characters – seven dwarfs. Keith Shaw plays the lead dwarf, and the remaining six will be chosen at random from the audience. The six will be on stage for nearly half of the show, and interact with all three characters.



According to Palmer, “The non-traditional staging and whimsical approach to the story, and characters freshens up this favorite fairy tale.” Palmer has produced numerous children’s plays and musicals, earning her audience favorite recognition for her quirky portrayals in several of those productions.


“In a show like this, I like to keep things simple”, explained Bev Denor, director. “The simplicity keeps kids focused on the story, and also shows them how easy it is to create pieces for their own backyard productions.”


Madeline Hansen is student director. Maddie has been on hand to help with several shows produced through the Continuing Education Department at UW-Manitowoc. She performed in that group’s all-student musical, ‘Really Rosie” and has participated in theatre at Lincoln High School under the direction of Bill Hansen.


Chris Lochmann provided construction assistance, and Pat Smith is lighting and sound designer.




Bev Denor has directed locally for a number of groups including Heart-A-Rama, Masquers, the Historic Forst Inn, Silver Lake College, The Children’s Center of the Arts, and LaDeDa’s Three-Dollar Theatre. Along with Kevin Hansen, she co-founded the travelling improv troupe, Bad Timing. She has taught theatre at Valders High School and UW-Manitowoc in addition to directing plays through the Continuing Education Department at UW-Manitowoc including “The Taffeta's,” “ A Taffeta Christmas,” and “Honky Tonk Angels”.





Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children. They will be available at the door the night of the show. For more information, call Kathy Palmer at 683.4702.

Monday, January 16, 2012

The Joy of Books




Today is Dr. Martin Luther King Day...a day of service. After you enjoy the funky dancing books video, go out and do something nice...just because. If you don't have time today, find time tomorrow, or the next day...better yet...find time today, tomorrow, the next day.....


What you do doesn't have to be big, life-changing, or time consuming. With so many people locally facing a job crisis, often leading to financial insecurity, helping may seem futile. True, we may not be able to change their circumstances but, we never know what impact a simple gesture can have. Now, I'm not going all Oprah on you, but once in a while I receive a perfectly timed message from someone , so I can attest that a small action at the right time is very powerful.


In general, I'm a grumpy pragmatist, steering clear of the live-your-bliss acolytes. But, I do have some peeves that unnerve me because they do nothing to better the world, or those around us. First, smart, selfish people annoy me. I figure, if you have some brainpower, you ought to share it. Whether you're a scientist or an artist, sometimes we just have to give of our skills and ask nothing in return.


Second on my list are wealthy, self-absorbed people. You know them. They are the people who give and give and give...and announce it every chance they get. Their giving may be charity, but their actions are not charitable.


Then there are talented, lazy people. That's simply a very personal one because I have always searched for something I can do well, but apparently am destined to live in the land of mediocrity. Utilizing a talent is hard work, but what a WOW! it offers when those talents are shared. I know too many people who have amazing skill sets, but are highly unmotivated. Give me an ounce of that talent, will you?!


My final pet peeve is all too common, and eliminating this one on all levels would just make everyone happier. Nastiness. There are way too many people who think they can snap, belittle, gossip, and name call, but then negate it all by doing or saying something nice. Well, that doesn't work.


So, in my perfect world, these habits would not exist. If we can clear our lives of judgement, ego, selfishness, and laziness, we would be living in a service centered culture. Hmmm...I am happy to say that none of my friends fall into the pet peeve pitfalls mentioned above. They are all generous, talented, kind, happy people for whom every day is day of service.


So, thanks for getting to the bottom of this purge. Go ahead, consider that your service for the day, but I know you'll find something even more important to do!

*****What am I reading? The Hunger Games...for the second time. I am baffled by the popularity of a book about kids killing kids. Maybe my book discussion group can help me with that.

Monday, January 9, 2012

We Couldn't be Happier!

Like everyone else, I am surprised to see that 2012 has arrived. In retail, October through December are a blur, and while those months, and those sales are so important, I enjoy the rhythms of the remaining months much better.




With the growth of internet sales and e-readers, more and more people ask how we're doing. My favorite question has been "I know so many people who got Kindles. What will you do?" Well, I didn't know I was expected to do anything. I hear that someone even chastised Kindles buyers on Facebook, saying they were affecting my business. While I appreciate the shout out of support, I am hoping that post does not begin a flurry of unfounded speculation.


The fact is, we had a great 2011, and are looking forward to 2012 and many years beyond. Of course, the foundation of our stability is our customers, who for 15 years keep opening our doors, often to buy books, and sometime just to stop in to say "Hello." Either way, we are grateful, and happy to be the kind of shop where we know people's names, their kids' and pets' names, as well as preferred book genre and coffee drink.



Terri, Debbie, Matt (and always in our hearts - Jenny, Brendo, Jacque, and Emily) bring loyalty, kindness, and knowledge to work with them, and have never ever suggested that the meagre wages, and varied responsibilities of a bookstore employee just don't cut it for them. Chris keeps our computers running smoothly, and his patience has helped me overcome tons of keyboard phobia. It is hard for me to think of myself as their employer. When we first opened, my accountant and business consultant warned me against hiring friends, but that philosophy hasn't been comfortable or successful for me. Maybe I just have nicer, more reliable friends that other employers!




Realistically, I understand that the publishing industry is changing. I am keeping an eye on those changes, and making subtle adjustments. Stats from professional bookselling organizations tell us that 80% of the books sold nationwide are still traditional paper copies. My guess is that percentage is higher in Manitowoc. When we first opened, 15 years ago, I learned early never to become too over-confident, or too smug. There was a gift shop next to us that had constant traffic. Traffic I envied. But, one Sunday, the owner closed its doors in the middle of the day, never to return...leaving inventory to the bank. We were sad to see it go, but it was a lesson I took to heart, and have not taken my eye off our business for a single day since then.




So, that's a sort of "State of the Store" report for you. I look forward to 2012...meeting new people, staying in touch with others, and opening boxes and boxes of books as they arrive at our back door.






*****What am I reading? I'm in swashbuckling mode...just finished The Man in the Iron Mask and decided to backtrack and read The Three Musketeers. After that, if I haven't burnt out...perhaps Kidnapped or Treasure Island.