September 25, 2014... End Of Month Update

Here it is, the last week of September... and here we are.  My blog postings about Roald Dahl books & movies have been put on hold as I try to get a handle on "stuff."

It's weird. Or more accurately, a conundrum, in similar vein as, "What came first, the chicken or the egg?" I'm talking about mental illness.  Here's what I mean.  I love to read.  I have always loved to read, and before I learned to read, I loved being read to.  I also love watching movies.  I love escaping into a good story.  I love sitting back and absorbing a riveting tale.  Anything that makes me laugh, I relish wholeheartedly.  As with engaging discussion or meaningful conversation, reading and movie viewing make my brain happy. Okay, so not as much my brain, but me.  I'm happy when it seems my brain is functioning properly.  My brain has been stuck for a while and now anxiety has set in.  Or did anxiety present itself first?  I don't know.   See... chicken  or egg?

My brain is not at it's optimal functioning mode at the moment; hasn't been for a few weeks now.  "Optimal" being relative due to the fact that chemical imbalances in my brain require taking medication.  Most of the time this medication is effective and efficient.  But there are those times when my brain just does not seem to want to stick with the program. I'm not sure what triggers this; I don't like it.  It makes it difficult to feel comfortable in my own skin.  And how my body presents that is with bouts of depression and anxiety.  That's where I am now.

My blogging has come to a halt, all interest in reading and movie watching has ceased, and my YouTube channel activity is non-existent, no matter how much brainstorming and planning I've done.  The worst part, though, is finding that no matter what I say or do, someone either becomes annoyed or dismissive towards me.  I don't like how I feel when this happens so I start to shut down.

Maybe it's the seasonal change.  But I doubt that because it still seems it's the height of Summer and temperature is still passing the hundred mark.  The calendar might say Autumn, and my entire being might long for an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, but all I can do is wait. Wait, for the first day that the air conditioner no longer hums all day and night.  Wait, for the first chill in the night's air.  Wait, for a reason to smile.  Wait.

So, until I come out of this self-imposed cocoon state, I'll resign myself to the fact that this is how things are and all I can do is go about day-to-day tasks on automatic pilot, try to fade into the background while doing everything possible not to bother those around me.

Yeah, that's where I am now.

One Word... CHOCOLATE!

One word... chocolate.

More words?  How about rich, creamy, luxuriously delicious chocolate.  Yes, please.  Another word... gold!  Well, golden, actually. I like gold. Imagine guilded gold with the next word.  Next word... ticket.  To a chocolate factory?! Heck, yes!  

So there you have it:  A Golden Ticket - finding one of five, wrapped around a chocolate bar... among millions of candy bars distributed the entire world over - allowing entrance and tour of a famous chocolate factory!  That lucky Charlie Bucket.  Forgive me, all the excitement at the thought of a scrumptiously sweet milk chocolate candy bar; I guess I've gone a bit off track.  Sure, I'll get to more about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but first...

My desk!
Welcome September:
 The season of freshly sharpened pencils,
squeaky pink erasers,
ink filled ball point pens,
and books! Books! I gotta have books!

'Tis the season.  It's been ages since a calendar was marked indicating return to classes for me.  However, as a parent, I've been through the process of enrolling and registering my children for the start of a new academic year over the course of thirteen years.  Stocking up on school supplies has always been my favorite thing about the whole back-to-school production. Which is funny because I hardly ever write on a paper any more... does anyone? Even school enrollment is done online these days, so printers are doing all the work.  Nonetheless, I've gathered all my implements and study material today to help me share the wonderous works of author, Roald Dahl, as September rolls on. I'm also excited to learn more about illustrator, Quentin Blake.

Roald Dahl was born, 13 September, 1916, and to say, "What a life?!" would be an understatement.  He is mostly known for the fantasies he created in his head which, lucky for us, were made into books - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is one of his most loved. The book was published in 1964 in the U.S. as a children's fantasy novel.  The story was inspired by what could only be described as a child's wildest dream... the opportunity to be a chocolate tester/expert reviewer!  Dahl actually went to school near a chocolate bar company, and well.... 

Illustrated by Quentin Blake

Thanks son,

for introducing me to

Roald Dahl's books

over 12 years ago.

Good Times.

You
     are
          just
               going
                    to
                         have
                              to
                                  read
                                        BOY.

I'm about to re-read it myself.

UPDATED 09/03/14  10:15PM

Hello September!

September is here! And, it could not arrive soon enough... I love this month. Why? It's the whole notion of starting fresh as it is usually back-to-school time.  As someone who was not particularly fond of going to school; once I arrived and settled into my seat, everything was good.  Grade school was mostly a good experiences, but there were some types who made some days, well... stink!

That occasional  unpleasantness was certainly made up for by wonderful friends, teachers and after school activities.  I even liked attending Summer school sessions.  My favorite subject was reading and it was the only subject in which I made good grades.

So, in celebration of back-to-school time, a love of reading, and September being Roald Dahl-apalooza, I'd like to dedicate this month's blog posts to one of my favorite book authors.  Notice I did not specify 'children's' book author.  Why?  Because I didn't discover Dahl's books until I became a mom.  I recall those evenings when one of my children and I would be rolling on the floor with laughter... literally.  The Charlie books were hysterical, James and the Giant Peach, a treasure. But the two books that really captured a sense of whimsy and adventure - sprinkled with mischief and danger -  were Roald Dahl's autobiographical stories collected in BOY and GOING SOLO... I recommend them to everyone; young and old.

Happy Birthday, Roald Dahl, and Happy 50th Anniversary Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  It's a month long celebration... join me, won't you.

In addition to re-reading and sharing some of Dahl's books here, I will also be reviewing movies adapted from books, like Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, The Witches, Fantastic Mr. Fox, of course,  Charlie and the Chocolate Factor and  Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory 

Roald Dahl Month: September

Celebrate Roald Dahl Month this September or any month of the year! Explore and enjoy Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach or any of the other Dahl masterpieces. Plan a splendiferous event in honor of Roald Dahl's birthday on September 13th, or on any other simply marvelous day! Downloadscrumdiddlyumptious activities and a gloriumptious bookmark. See below for these wonderful ideas and more.

~~~~~

VLOG OF THE DAY:  Testing. Testing...

Link source:  

• www.roalddahl.com
• www.puffin.co.uk
• www.teachervision.com