Thirteen Reasons Why by: Jay Asher

PLOT: Clay Jensen, a somewhat shy California high school student, returns home from school one day to find an anonymously-sent package sitting on his doorstep. Upon opening it, he discovers that it is a shoebox containing seven cassette tapes recorded by the late Hannah Baker, his classmate and emotional crush who recently committed suicide. The tapes were initially mailed to one classmate with instructions to pass them from one student to another, in the style of a chain letter. On the tapes, Hannah explains to thirteen people how they played a role in her death, by giving thirteen reasons to explain why she took her life. Hannah has given a second set of tapes to one of their classmates, the identity of whom Clay later discovers, and warns the people on the tapes that if they do not pass them on, the second set will be leaked to the entire student body. This could lead to the public embarrassment and shame of certain people, while others could face physical harassment or jail time. Through the audio narrative Hannah reveals her pain and suffering, and the slide into depression that ultimately leads to her suicide.

OPINION: This book was an easy and great read. I couldn't put it down I had to know what happened. I was thanking an old co-worker who let me borrow this book and he told me something even better. He said the book was being made into a movie & that the lead part was going to Selena Gomez. That is awesome she will play a great Hannah. I felt for Hannah the entire book. She only wanted someone to reach out to her and be a friend. Instead she trusted the wrong people and was done dirty on all different levels. I also felt for Clay he wanted to be close to her but was so shy and too scared to show his true feeling. The ending was fitting & I didn't want it to be over.

The Help by: Kathryn Stockett

PLOT: A look at what happens when a southern town's unspoken code of rules and behavior is shattered by three courageous women who strike up an unlikely friendship.

OPINION: What a great book. It was very eye opening of how black people where treated around the time of the civil rights movement in the 1960's. I am really excited to watch the movie.

Water for Elephants by: Sara Gruen

PLOT: A veterinary student abandons his studies after his parents are killed and joins a traveling circus as their vet.

OPINION: Loved, loved, loved this book. I was hooked from the prologue. I felt so bad for the elephant Rosie. I wanted to kick August’s ass so many times. I was so happy when Jakob finally had enough and stood up for Marlena & Rosie. I also loved Walter a.k.a. Kinko. He was one of my favorites. I cannot wait to see the movie.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon 3D

PLOT: The Autobots learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the Moon, and race against the Decepticons to reach it and to learn its secrets.

OPINION: How could you go wrong with giant machines fighting? We both enjoyed it and we love 3D. I did however think the movie was a little long. Two and a half hours were a bit much. They needed to wrap it up. I also liked the new love interest. She was a nice addition to the movie. I also loved his parents. They didn’t play a big role but they always make me laugh.

The Social Network

PLOT: A chronicle of the founding of Facebook, the social-networking Web site.

OPINION: I fell asleep about half way through this movie. What I did watch of it was good. I had Aaron tell me what happened in the end.

Mockingjay by: Suzanne Collins

PLOT: Mockingjay is the third installment of The Hunger Games trilogy by American author Suzanne Collins. After her rescue by the rebels, Katniss willingly agrees to become "the Mockingjay", a symbol of the rebellion against the Capitol.

OPINION: I loved the way this book ended. I was so worried at first with Peeta losing control & not knowing what was real & what wasn’t. I loved reading about the Capital. I was drawn into every page and every word. I didn’t want it to end.

Catching Fire by: Suzanne Collins

PLOT: Catching Fire is the second book in The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins. As the sequel to the 2008 bestseller The Hunger Games, it continues the story of Katniss Everdeen and the fictional, futuristic nation of Panem. Due to the events of the previous novel, a rebellion against the ruling Capitol has begun, and Katniss and fellow tribute Peeta are forced to return to the arena in a special edition of the The Hunger Games.

OPINION: I loved this series! It is one of my favorites. I was shocked that Katniss & Peeta had to go back into the games. It made me so mad. I loved reading about the other victors from the other districts. I was so sad about the stylist. He was one of my favorites.

Bluestone Turnpike Trail

The Hunger Games by: Suzanne Collins

PLOT: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becoemes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

OPINION: I loved every word of it. I couldn't get enough. The ending had me in tears.

Dead Reckoning 'SooKie STaCKHouSE Series' by: Charlaine Harris

PLOT: With her knack for being in trouble's way, Sookie witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is now known to be two-natured, suspicion falls immediately on the anitshifters in the area. But Sookie suspects otherwise, and she and Sam work together to uncover the culprit-and the tisted motive for the attack.

But her attention is divided. Though she can't "read" vampires, Sookie knows her lover, Eric Northman, and his "child" Pam well-and she realizes that they are plotting to kill the vampire who is now their master. Gradually, she is drawn into the plot-which is much more complicated than she knows.

Caught up once again in the politics of the vampire world, Sookie will lear that she is as much of a pawn as any ordinary human-and that there is a new queen on the board...

OPINION: I love all the Sookie books. This one is not any different. There was not a whole lot that went on in this book. I love that fact that she is with Eric.

2011 Relay For Life

Twin Falls

"The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest" By: Stieg Larsson

PLOT: Lisbeth is recovering in a hospital and awaiting trial for three murders when she is released. Mikael must prove her innocence, but Lisbeth must be willing to share the details of her sordid experiences with the court.

OPINION: I love the Millennium series. I didn’t want this series to end. Lisbeth Salander was a great character to follow. She is very independent and smart. She is a tough girl & didn’t let her past get in her way. This book (third in the series) was my favorite. I was hooked from the beginning. I am so excited for the movie to come out. The first movie should be out sometime this year.

Skyline

PLOT: Jarrod and his pregnant girlfriend Elaine travel to Los Angeles to meet his old friend and successful entrepreneur Terryand his wife Candice. Terry gives a party in his apartment for Jarrod and offers a job position to him in LA. Terry's assistant and lover Denise (Crystal Reed) and his friend Ray (Neil Hopkins) sleep in the couch in the living room, but in the dawn of the next morning, the group is awakened by mysterious beams of blue light. Ray stares at the light and is taken by the mysterious force. The group of friends try to escape from the alien invaders.

OPINION: It was ok. No real plot so don't expect much from this movie.

Black Swan

PLOT: A ballet dancer wins the lead in "Swan Lake" and is perfect for the role of the delicate White Swan - Princess Odette - but slowly loses her mind as she becomes more and more like Odile, the Black Swan.

OPINION: Love, love, love this movie. It was very dark and a couple of parts I wasn’t sure about. Overall I thought Natalie Portman did an excellent job. She was very believable. I wanted more. I didn’t want the movie to end.

Love and Other Drugs

PLOT: Maggie (Hathaway) is an alluring free spirit who won't let anyone - or anything - tie her down. But she meets her match in Jamie (Gyllenhaal)




OPINION: This movie was cute. I liked it. They were screwing all the time... a lot of Tits and Ass. And it had a few funny parts in it.

Inception

PLOT: In a world where technology exists to enter the human mind through dream invasion, a highly skilled thief is given a final chance at redemption which involves executing his toughest job to date: Inception.



OPINION: This was the second time I’ve watched this movie. I’ve fallen asleep both times. The first time I fell asleep in the theater but it was after a long day at the county fair. I also fell asleep at Lisa’s last night. I almost made it though. I missed the last half an hour of it. But we have it on Blue-Ray so I’ll watch it again when I’m not so tired. I’ve always been a fan of Leonardo Dicaprio too.

American Idol Season 10

I love American Idol this year. The talent is amazing. The new judges are awesome too. Jennifer Lopez is gorgeous. She is so beautiful & genuine. I thought with Simon gone the show would suck but I have say I don't miss him at all. I do think that Jennifer & Steven is a little too nice at times but it works. I have a few favorites so far. Stefano is my top person & I'm so glad he was picked as a wild card. I love to hear him sing. Paul McDonald is another one of my favorites. His smile is radiant. I love that fact that he is a little different from the others. Pia is beautiful and an amazing singer as well.

STEFANO LANGONE

PAUL McDONALD

PIA TOSCANO

Dolphins save Doberman stranded on sandbar

By Chad Smith
Pocono Record Writer
March 02, 2011

When Audrey D'Alessandro of Paradise Township was on vacation last week in Florida, she and a team of rescuers came together to save a dog trapped in a canal near her vacation home. And who else made up that team of rescuers? Her husband, firefighters — and two dolphins.

It all started when D'Alessandro and her husband, Sam, walked out of their home on Marco Island, near Naples, to go fishing. Behind the home is a canal where "we saw these two dolphins and they were splashing and making this big commotion," said Audrey D'Alessandro, a 16-year Pocono resident.

Dolphins usually swim through the canal behind the home, as it leads into the Gulf of Mexico, but this time the dolphins weren't just passing through.

"They were just there, in one place, splashing water against the canal wall," she said.

When the couple went to investigate, they saw that an 80-pound Doberman pinscher had fallen into the canal. The dog was standing on a sandbar and was half submerged in the water. (It was low tide at the time.) The dog, which had gone missing from someone's home 12 hours prior, was too weak to bark, she said, and the dog couldn't get back onto land because it couldn't climb up the canal wall, which was several feet high.

By the time D'Alessandro, who works as a delivery and labor nurse at St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem, lowered herself into the canal to get onto the sandbar where the dog was standing, the dolphins had already gone.

Sam D'Alessandro, of the engineering firm RKR Hess Associates in East Stroudsburg, called firefighters who, along with his wife, helped hoist the dog out of the water. The dog, Turbo, was shaking and wasn't even able to the stand when he got out of the water. The dog belonged to someone who lived eight blocks away.

"The owner was putting up 'lost' posters when the cops told her that the dog was found," Audrey D'Alessandro said.

A few days later Turbo and his owner came over to the D'Alessandros. All are now friends.

The D'Alessandros, who have a yellow labrador of their own, said that other news agencies in Florida were contacted and for the rest of the time the D'Alessandros were on Marco Island, they were almost like local celebrities.

"People pulled up to us when were driving and said, 'You're the couple that saved that dog,'" she said. "I said, 'Yeah, sure.' But I think it was really those dolphins."

Kurt Cobain - 2.20.67 – 4.5.94

Nirvana - Negative Creep - Live



Nirvana - About A Girl (MTV Unplugged)




We've been listening to a little Nirvana here lately. Today, I saw on some friends facebook page it was Kurt's birthday. I decided to post a couple videos. It's hard to pick just one cause I have so many favorites. He died too young. Love you Kurt, your music lives on.

Rihanna "LOUD"

I love this CD. It's awesome! My favorites are in BOLD. She only has three videos so far. S&M is a little wild. I like that song but it isn't one of my favorites (at the moment). I've been listening to the CD nonstop in my car & while on-line. Well, on-line when Aaron isn't listening to something like right now he's listening to De La Sol.
1. S&M

2. What's My Name Feat. Drake

3. Cheers (Drink To That)
4. Fading
5. Only Girl (In The World)

6. California King Bed
7. Man Down
8. Raining Men Feat. Nicki Minaj
9. Complicated
10. Skin
11. Love The Way You Lie Part II Feat. Eminem

Kelty Jaunt

Kelty Jaunt Daypack Backpack
This lumbar pack holds everything you need, including folders for a commute to work or supplies for hiking the trail. Spotlighting padded shoulder straps and a 750 cubic inch storage capacity, this daypack is comfortable and functional.


Thank you Lisa for our new Daypacks. The colors even match my Kelty Trekker 3900 ST.

53rd annual Grammy Awards

I really enjoyed watching the Grammy awards last night. The performances were awesome and I was happy with most of the award winners. I’m happy for The Black Keys winning a couple of Grammy’s. I was just introduced to them on Friday at Liz & Trent’s. It’s two guys & they are really good. I was also excited for Lady Antebellum taking home some Grammy’s too. My favorite performance of the night was Rihanna featuring Drake & Usher featuring Justin Bieber & Jaden Smith.

Record of the Year:
* Need You Now, Lady Antebellum
Nothin' On You, B.o.B. feat. Bruno Mars
Love The Way You Lie, Eminem feat. Rihanna
F*** You, Cee Lo Green
Empire State of Mind, Jay-Z and Alicia Keyes

Album of the Year:
* The Suburbs, Arcade Fire
Recovery, Eminem
Need You Now, Lady Antebellum
The Fame Monster, Lady Gaga
Teenage Dream, Katy Perry

Song of the Year:
* Need You Now, Lady Antebellum
Beg, Steal or Borrow, Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs
F*** You, Cee-Lo Green
The House That Built Me, Miranda Lambert
Love The Way You Lie, Eminem, feat. Rihanna

Best New Artist:
* Esperanza Spalding
Justin Bieber
Drake
Florence and The Machine
Mumford & Sons

Best Pop Vocal Album:
* The Fame Monster, Lady Gaga
My World 2.0, Justin Bieber
I Dreamed a Dream, Susan Boyle
Battle Studies, John Mayer
Teenage Dream, Katy Perry

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance:
* Lady Gaga, Bad Romance
Sara Bareilles, King of Anything
| Beyoncé, Halo (Live)
Norah Jones, Chasing Pirates
Katy Perry, Teenage Dream

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance:
* Bruno Mars, Just the Way You Are
Michael Bublé, Haven't Met You Yet
Michael Jackson, This Is It
Adam Lambert, Whataya Want From Me
John Mayer, Half of My Heart

Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals:
* Hey, Soul Sister (Live), Train
Don't Stop Believin' (Regionals Version), Glee Cast
Misery, Maroon 5
The Only Exception, Paramore
Babyfather, Sade

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals:
* Imagine, Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No. 1, Jeff Beck & Oumou Sangare
Airplanes II, B.o.B, Eminem & Hayley Williams
If It Wasn't For Bad, Elton John & Leon Russell
Telephone, Lady Gaga & Beyoncé
California Gurls, Katy Perry & Snoop Dogg

Best Dance Recording:
* Only Girl (In The World), Rihanna
Rocket, Goldfrapp
In For The Kill, La Roux
Dance In The Dark, Lady Gaga
Dancing On My Own, Robyn

Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals:
* Tighten Up, The Black Keys
Ready To Start, Arcade Fire
I Put A Spell On You, Jeff Beck & Joss Stone
Radioactive, Kings Of Leon
Resistance, Muse

Best Hard Rock Performance:
* New Fang, Them Crooked Vultures
A Looking In View, Alice In Chains
Let Me Hear You Scream, Ozzy Osbourne
Black Rain, Soundgarden
Between The Lines, Stone Temple Pilots

Best Rock Song:
* Angry World, Neil Young
Little Lion Man, (Mumford & Sons
Radioactive, Kings Of Leon
Resistance, Muse
Tighten Up, The Black Keys

Best Rock Album:
* The Resistance, Muse
Emotion & Commotion, Jeff Beck
Backspacer, Pearl Jam
Mojo, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Le Noise, Neil Young

Best Alternative Music Album:
* Brothers, The Black Keys
The Suburbs, Arcade Fire
Infinite Arms, Band Of Horses
Broken Bells, Broken Bells
Contra, Vampire Weekend

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration:
* Wake Up! Everybody, John Legend, The Roots, Melanie Fiona & Commo
Nothin' On You, B.o.B Featuring Bruno Mars
Deuces, Chris Brown, Tyga & Kevin McCall
Love The Way You Lie, Eminem & Rihanna
Empire State Of Mind, Jay-Z & Alicia Keys n

Best Rap Song:
* Empire State Of Mind, Jay-Z & Alicia Keys
Love The Way You Lie, Eminem & Rihanna
Not Afraid, Eminem
Nothin' On You, B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars
On To The Next One, Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz

Best Rap Album:
* Recovery, Eminem
The Adventures Of Bobby Ray, B.o.B
Thank Me Later, Drake
The Blueprint 3, Jay-Z
How I Got Over, The Roots

Best Country Collaboration With Vocals:
* As She's Walking Away, Zac Brown Band & Alan Jackson
Bad Angel, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert & Jamey Johnson
Pride (In The Name Of Love), Dierks Bentley, Del McCoury & The Punch Brothers
Hillbilly Bone, Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins
I Run To You, Marty Stuart & Connie Smith

Best Country Song:
* Need You Now, Lady Antebellum
The Breath You Take, George Strait
Free, Zac Brown Band
The House That Built Me, Miranda Lambert
I'd Love To Be Your Last, Gretchen Wilson
If I Die Young, The Band Perry

Best Country Album:
* Need You Now, Lady Antebellum
Up On The Ridge, Dierks Bentley
You Get What You Give, Zac Brown Band
The Guitar Song, Jamey Johnson
Revolution, Miranda Lambert

"The Girl Who Played With Fire" by: Stieg Larsson

PLOT: Crusading publisher Mikael Blomkvist has decided to run an explosive expose of a wide-ranging sex trafficking operation. Just before the piece is published, two people are brutally murdered. The fingerprints on the murder weapon belong to his friend, the troubled hacker genius Lisbeth Salander. Blomkvist, convinced of Salander's innocence, plunges into an investigation. Meanwhile, Lisbeth herself is drawn into a murderous game of cat and mouse, and is forced to face her dark past.

OPINION: I loved everything about this book. I was glued to the pages from the start. I didn’t know what to expect and I was surprised as I read. I love Lizbeth Salander! She is a bad ass chick. I can’t wait for the movies. It’s going to be awesome.

The Town

PLOT: As he plans his next job, a longtime thief tries to balance his feelings for a bank manager connected to one of his earlier heists, as well as the FBI agent looking to bring him and his crew down.

OPINION: I fell asleep watching this one. We watched this at Lisa & Helder’s house. Travis & Lynette came over for dinner & to drink a few beers. We didn’t start the movie till after 11pm. At that point I had already consumed a couple of beers and started on some wine at dinner. What I saw of the movie it was ok. Aaron said it was very predictable.

"Treasure Hunt" Herald Dispatch

2nd gift card spent

Merle Norman Cosmetics
945 4th Ave Suite 114
Huntington, WV 25701-1446
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M.C. Handbags
Black Genuine Leather