Category Archives: Essays

Mostly true. Names may have been changed to disguise the guilty.

June 3, 2012 · 7:56 pm

Spreading the Love

I thought I’d share some of the blogs that I follow. Check them out- you might enjoy them as well!

In no particular order:

  • So Far Untitled – A nice bloke over in the UK that seems to be on a similar journey- has a day job but really wants to write. I find his stuff very easy to read and enjoyable. Check out his blog here.
  • Thaddeus Miles 365 Project Page – About halfway through a daunting challenge- a photographer, he’s taking or posting a photo every day in 2012. He’s got a great eye and has posted some really amazing photos. Take a look here.
  • Joe’s Shitty Ideas – Funny stuff; quick hits in the spirit of “Shit My Dad Says!”. Instead of a crusty Dad, the author has a friend, Joe, notorious for, well, shitty ideas! Read about a shitty idea here.
  • Sparkling By The Way’s Blog – Disclaimer: written by my wife’s best friend. If you like your humor somewhat sardonic, this is for you! Read it here.
  • Panekroom’s Blog – Big disclaimer: I sleep with the author! 😉 My wife’s very funny blog. Check it out here.

Enjoy- and good reading!

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June 2, 2012 · 8:03 am

Free Books for Kids!

Day 2 of my 30 Days of Write challenge. I woke up this morning tired (late night last night with the rehearsal dinner for a friend’s wedding) but energized and ready to write! I was thinking about the flip side of writing- reading. This seemed like a great opportunity to spread the word about a great summer reading activity (that is FREE!) for kids from Barnes & Noble.

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May 30, 2012 · 9:15 pm

Movies or Films?

This post’s title is a little misleading- I’m not looking to engage in a debate of popcorn flicks versus fine films. I’m interested in answering one of those irritating questions that gets into the back of your mind and won’t leave- like relatives from out of town in your guest room…

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May 27, 2012 · 5:01 pm

“Saving Private Ryan” Changed My Life

We are halfway through a beautiful Memorial Day weekend here at Casa di Panek. My father, who lives with us, worked hard all week on the various outdoor tasks culminating in the boys being able to swim in the pool Friday night. It was the perfect start to a long weekend.

Later that evening, after the boys were in bed, I was flipping channels on TV and found AMC starting their War Heroes Weekend by playing a favorite- The Dirty Dozen. It’s the kind of movie that will stop my channel surfing regardless of what point the movie is at. Friday evening I picked it up just as Major Reisman (Lee Marvin) gambles on the Dozen’s tenacity to beat the stiff-necked Colonel Breed’s unit.

Doctor in the soon-to-be hijacked ambulance: “But you’re wearing red force insignia!”

Jim Brown’s deadpan menace: “That’s right- we’re traitors!”

Love it!

I got to pondering, as I often do, about the movies and my love of film. Keeping in the spirit of the War Heroes Weekend, I thought that a story about another great WWII movie, Saving Private Ryan, would be appropriate.

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May 8, 2012 · 8:48 pm

The Blog Post from the Black Lagoon

My middle boy, the Noodle, is in Kindergarten this year. It’s the beginning of May, which means it’s PARP time! PARP- Parents As Reading Partners- is designed to build a love of reading in children by engaging parents to spend 15 minutes a day reading to their children. Designed in New York State in the late 1970’s, the PARP program is an idea that I can really get behind.  I think if we can teach children that reading can be fun we’ve given them a powerful tool to spur lifelong learning.

The Noodle and the Goon have just been tucked into bed but right before that we spent about 20 minutes reading tonight. The selection tonight was a series that is an old favorite in our house, going back to when my 13 year old was starting Kindergarten. We read our entire series of the “Black Lagoon” books. Have you heard of them? On the reading list tonight:

  • The Teacher From the Black Lagoon
  • The Principal From the Black Lagoon
  • The Gym Teacher From the Black Lagoon
  • The Librarian From the Black Lagoon
  • The School Nurse From the Black Lagoon
  • The Custodian From the Black Lagoon
  • The Music Teacher From the Black Lagoon
  • The School Bus Driver From the Black Lagoon

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