May 2012 – Page 2 – Concert Katie

Book Review: Jeremy Lin

Katie May 24, 2012 0 Comments

Jeremy Lin: The Reason for Insanity is a book by Timothy Dalrymple. With the success of Jeremy Lin in such an interesting way, everyone seems to have jumped on the Linsanity Bandwagon. (And as you can tell by my posts today, many are writing books about him.)

Timothy tells the story of the games that started Linsanity with the history of Jeremy and his family intertwined, so the story is not in chronological order. (It is almost as if there are “flashbacks” to Jeremy’s earlier days, which is an interesting approach). Each chapter is based on a game that Jeremy played in, and then there is the flashback information as well.

This is a short book, easy to read, and tells the story of Jeremy growing up as well as his professional career with the Knicks and Linsanity.

I recieved a free e-copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in order to write this review.

Harvard graduate Jeremy Lin recently became a New York Knicks phenomenon and he’s the NBA’s first American-born player of Taiwanese descent. The book will chronicle Lin’s high school, college and early career in the NBA with particular emphasis on the media explosion surrounding his success as starting point guard with the Knicks. It will explore how Jeremy’s faith, family, education and cultural inheritance have contributed to his success. The book will also include interviews with basketball experts on Jeremy’s future in the NBA.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Timothy Dalrymple is Director of Content for Patheos.com. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Stanford University, a M.Div. at Princeton Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. at Harvard University. A former elite gymnast whose career ended when he broke his neck in warm-ups for a competition, Dr. Dalrymple has written and spoken broadly on faith and sports issues. His interviews with Jeremy Lin over the past two years, followed the basketball phenomenon even before his emergence on the world stage.

Book Review

Book Review: Linspired

Katie May 24, 2012 0 Comments

Mike Yorkey, who wrote Basketball with a Purpose, writes a biography about Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin and the evolution of “Linsanity”. Unlike the other biography on Lin I read, this one focuses a bit more on Lin’s faith as well as his basketball career and how he keeps things balanced.

This book is in depth at 184 pages, and follows from Jeremy’s younger years and being taken out of games because he scored the maximum number of points allowed, to choosing a college and ultimately attending Harvard (he got an 800 on his SATs for Math when he was a FRESHMAN!) to play basketball for the Crimson, with his parents paying his tuition because they did not have athletic scholarships.

Drafted by the Warriors, he got cut a couple of times and was ultimately “riding the pine” for the Knicks until to coach decided to take a chance and put him in. What happened next – was Linsanity – as you probably have already heard about.

While on the road, he has a lot more free time (unlike college when he had to do classes and school work on top of playing) and he finds that this time is best spent with God (and not getting tricked by girls who want his money). He has a great support system around him who send him sermons and devitionals so that even if he can not attend church he can keep up his relationship with God in a way that works for him. (There are church services held an hour before each NBA game – which the home and visiting teams are welcome to attend. This happens before every game – regular season and post season but seems to be a fairly well kept secret to those not in the NBA)

Lin’s story is truly inspirational – he grew up wanting to play in the NBA and he made his dreams come true and is now enjoying a spectacular ride!

I received a free e-copy of this book to review from the publisher through NetGalley.

About the Book

Linspired, written by bestselling sports author and journalist Mike Yorkey, reveals the inside story of the remarkable and meteoric rise of Jeremy Lin, superstar of the New York Knicks and the first American-born player of Chinese/Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA. Containing eight pages of full-color photos, Linspired also features in-depth interviews with Jeremy Lin himself-the player behind “Linsanity.”

Book Review

Book Review: Jeremy Lin

Katie May 24, 2012 0 Comments

Those of you who follow Basketball or live in the New York Area might have heard about a little thing called “Linsanity” that has been taking over since February. Point guard Jeremy Lin had a fantastic run for a few games – coming seemingly out of nowhere as the newest underdog that everyone loves.

Bill Davis does a great job giving the background on Jeremy Lin. How his parents met, how both of his parents supported him playing basketball growing up and his time in highschool in California. It follows his career to Harvard and then getting chosen to play in the NBA – a dream of Jeremy’s since before he could remember. He got traded from team to team before finally ending up as a New York Knick and getting thrown in the game to see what would happen. Each of the games that began the linsanity is recapped in this short 88 page biography.

Also touched on is Jeremy’s faith and how he remains the same guy and has not let the over night success story get to his head. A great book for anyone looking to find out more about this underdog who is taking america by storm!

About the Book

This true story is truly “Lin-sane!”

The world is exposed to an individual like Jeremy Lin only once in a generation. His journey has taken him from practicing lay-ups on the court at the local YMCA to hitting last minute game-winners on the grand stage at Madison Square Garden. This book charts Jeremy’s life story, from the streets of Palo Alto to the dormitories of Harvard to the major arenas throughout the country. Through exclusive interviews, play-by-plays, and colorful recollections, we get an intimate look at Jeremy’s story. It is one of unyielding determination, true faith, and unimaginable success.

Book Review

Book Review: Night Sky

Katie May 23, 2012 2 Comments

Night Sky is narrated by Jameson, a high school senior who has been in love with his best friend Sarah for 3 years, but recently “lost” her to Eric, the guy he helped her get for her boyfriend. One day on the way home he meets Sky, a college girl who just moved in a few doors down with her grandparents from Alaska. At first, he finds that she is just a distraction from pining over Sarah, but quickly he begins falling for her.

Sky tells Jay that if they are going to be even just friends she wants nothing but honesty from him all the time. The two agree to this and quickly Jay realizes that the honesty was what he was missing with his relationship with Sarah and that is probably why he was never able to tell her that he had feelings for her.

Jay has all sorts of problems going on in his life – the loss of his friendship with Sarah because her new boyfriend doesn’t like their friendship and his parents may be on the brink of a divorce. All this time Sky is there for him, but he never really finds out a lot about her. He soon finds out that although Sky wants honesty, she is not really honest about her past and why she is going back and forth to Alaska.

When Sky leaves Jay isn’t sure if he is ever going to see her again, but the short time that he spent with her has taught him more about himself and how to act than he will ever know.

This book is a fairly quick read, 29 chapters and just under 200 pages. I had no problem reading it in half of a day. The story kept me interested and I felt like I was with the characters throughout most of the book. All the characters were likeable (well, most of them) and you were really rooting for Jameson to find out what he wanted out of life and for things to go his way.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone!

I received a free e-copy of this book from Tribute Books in order to participate in the Blog Tour with this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

Kindle buy link
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007C5TMLE/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=tributebooks-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B007C5TMLE

Nook buy link
http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=dcSBhG3Rj8w&subid=&offerid=239662.1&type=10&tmpid=8433&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.barnesandnoble.com%252Fw%252Fnight-sky-jolene-perry%252F1109102038

PDF buy link
https://www.payloadz.com/go/sip?id=1567843

About the Book

After losing Sarah, the friend he’s loved, to some other guy, Jameson meets Sky. Her Native American roots, fluid movements, and need for brutal honesty become addictive fast. This is good. Jameson needs distraction – his dad leaves for another woman, his mom’s walking around like a zombie, and Sarah’s new boyfriend can’t keep his hands off of her.

As he spends time with Sky and learns about her village, her totems, and her friends with drums – she’s way more than distraction. Jameson’s falling for her fast.

But Sky’s need for honesty somehow doesn’t extend to her life story – and Jameson just may need more than his new girl to keep him distracted from the disaster of his senior year.

About the Author

Jolene grew up in Wasilla, Alaska. She graduated from Southern Utah University with a degree in political science and French, which she used to teach math to middle schoolers.

After living in Washington, Utah and Las Vegas, she now resides in Alaska with her husband, and two children. Aside from writing, Jolene sews, plays the guitar, sings when forced, and spends as much time outside as possible.

She is also the author of The Next Door Boys and the upcoming Knee Deep.

Some helpful links related to Night Sky

Night Sky web site:
http://www.night-sky-book.com

Night Sky Twitter hashtag:
#NightSky

Night Sky GoodReads page:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12588673-night-sky

Jolene Perry’s Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002038196677

Jolene Perry’s Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/JoleneBPerry

Jolene Perry’s Website:
http://www.jolenebperry.com/

Jolene Perry’s Blog:
http://www.jolenesbeenwriting.blogspot.com/

Jolene Perry’s GoodReads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4944599.Jolene_B_Perry

Tribute Books website:
http://www.tribute-books.com

Uncategorized

One direction setlist

Katie May 22, 2012 0 Comments

This post contains spoilers of the set list for one directions first headlining north American tour. If you do not want to be spoiled stop reading now!

I’m warning you!

Na na na
Stand up
I wish
I gotta feeling
Stereo hearts
Valerie
Torn
Moments
Gotta be you
More than this
Up all night
Tell me a lie
Everything about you
Dj zayn
Use somebody
One thing
Save you tonight
What makes you beautiful

I want

Action Item Concert Meet and Greet Photos

Bamboozle 2012

Katie May 22, 2012 0 Comments

There have been a couple of Bamboozle’s in the past I have wanted to attend but never did simply because I thought going would be too much for me. However, this year Action Item was playing and the girls agreed to push me in the wheelchair so that I wouldn’t be tripping all over the Asbury Park boardwalk all day.

There was a bit of confusion trying to find where we should be parking – the Bamboozle website kept saying additional handicapped information would be coming – but Sunday was the last day of the festival and nothing was ever added. We parked at the Monmouth Race Track and took a $10 shuttle to the festival – there were coach bushes so they had no trouble storing the wheelchair underneath.

When we got to the area to scan our bracelets, none of the walkways were big enough for a wheelchair and it almost seemed like we were the first one to attempt to go through in a wheelchair (which couldn’t have been the case because I saw 3 or 4 others in wheelchairs once we did get in – but from the reaction of the staff it seemed like they hadn’t had to deal with any before)

Kicking Daisies were already on at the Paramount Stage and since it was right across the way from the Temple of Boozle stage where Action Item was, we figured we’d check them out since the girls had left and were replaced by 2 guys. It seems like the guys were going over pretty well with the other girls in the crowd, but my group all agreed that we prefered the group with Caitlin and Carly.

After Kicking Daisies set we went across the way to Temple of Boozle and Ashland High was performing. This is Trace Cyrus’ (Miley’s brother) new band. I was not all that impressed with him and I don’t think it was simply because I was excited to see Action Item.

Then it was finally time for Action Item. They started their set with the new song Marching Band – with an actual marchin band backing them. It was pretty awesome. I kind of started kicking myself at this point that I didn’t bring my good camera – but I wrongly assumed the stages would be outside and I wouldn’t have to worry about it being dark. That’s what I get for not properly doing my research! This room was also apparently not equipped with an ADA area so there was no decent viewing area from the wheelchair. I just kept rolling further and further back to be able to see them all. The set was short, but it was good!

After the set we headed over by the merch table and Brian and Anthony came by and we got to chat and take photos. At this point we werent sure if we would stick around for the signing because it was not until 7:30 – but we ultimately decided we might as well stay.

We wandered around a bit outside on the boardwalk – and it was FREEZING. I ended up buying a Bamboozle shirt to put over my tank top and Kerri bought a hoodie – she was also in a tank top. The temperature dropped like 20 degrees from when we got there to this point – it was nuts.

There were skydivers coming in on the beach and a few stages outside. We went back inside to try and warm up (but it didnt really work) and then went to get a bite to eat. $3 per chicken tender. Gotta love it. Then we decided we might as well just get in the Action Item signing line because the quicker we got through the line the quicker we could get home. We heard Gaslight Anthem’s set and Brand New’s while we were waiting – they were on the main stage. There was also a sinner stage nearby but we couldn’t quite make out who was performing.

Finally it was 7:30 and time to meet Action Item. Mark was up first, then Dan, Brian, Anthony and David. Dan was talking to me a bit about what bands we saw and if I liked Brand New (I wasn’t really paying attention enough to their set) and then David talked to me about why I was in the wheelchair and we said we were having some trouble with it on the sand so he said that if he knew how to make things hover he would do it so we wouldn’t have so much trouble. haha. How sweet. Then Anthony ended up spilling his red bull all over himself and the table and David just kind of sat there rolling his eyes and the line got held up to clean the table up so the girls got to chat with the guys for a bit longer than we should have – but you have to take advantage of those kinds of things!

Then our shuttle driver had NO idea how to get us pack to the parking lot we were in. I’m not sure how these drivers had NO clue where they were going (the guy there didn’t either) yet it was the 3rd day of the festival. Did they all just do the route once and then they were done for the weekend? You’d think at the very least they’d all get print outs with the best directions there and back!

Overall, despite it being FREEZING cold towards the end – it was a good time and we can definitely consider it a success (except for the fact that we didn’t ask Action Item when they were touring again so we don’t know when the next time we will see them is!)

Book Review

Book Review: Madhattan Mystery

Katie May 22, 2012 0 Comments

While Madhattan Mystery by John J Bonk is a kid’s book, I couldn’t pass up the chance to read a mystery story set in New York City no matter who it was geared towards. Madhattan Mystery starts off in one of my favorite NYC spots – the Whispering Gallery at Grand Central. Here, one of our main characters, Lexi, overhears a couple of guys talking about planning to steal stuff and bury it somewhere. She writes down a few clues and forgets about it when it is time to have dinner with her Aunt and brother, Kevin.

The next day, the newspaper is reporting that Cleopatra’s Jewels have been stolen from the Met and Lexi wonders if maybe she over heard the robbers while at Grand Central. She calls the police to give them a tip on what she over heard, but they figure she is just a kid and don’t take her call seriously.

She ends up enlisting the help of her aunt’s neighbor, Kim Long Levine, a budding journalist. Kevin, Kim and Lexi end up skipping going to the summer camp they are enrolled in and go on a massive treasure hunt throughout Manhattan trying to find the missing jewels and to capture the reward.

They have to try and figure out what the clues that Lexi wrote down were and the news coverage also gives them more clues to go on as well.

I won’t tell you if they end up finding the jewels or not – you’ll have to check out Madhattan Mystery for yourself if you want to find out!

I received a free e-copy of this book from the publisher through Net Galley in order to write this review.

About the Book

This exciting mystery lets readers in on all the best-kept secrets of the Big Apple.

All set to spend their summer in New York City with their aunt while their father is honeymooning with his new wife, Lexi and her younger brother Kevin’s snoozy summer plans turn into high-stakes adventure when Lexi overhears a plot to steal Cleopatra’s famous jewels from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Joining forces with budding investigative journalist Kim Ling Levine, they ditch day camp to track down the thieves and rake in the reward money. Can Lexi, Kevin, and Kim find out who’s behind the jewel heist without getting into too much trouble themselves?

For fans of the classic From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler comes a hilarious whodunnit that will keep readers guessing to the very end.

JOHN J. BONK is a former musical comedy performer turned writer who has hung up his tap shoes to devote his time to performing on the page. He is the author of the comic middle-grade novels, Dustin Grubbs: One-Man Show and Dustin Grubbs: Take Two! He lives in a high-rise in the heart of Manhattan with his indefatigable kitty, Dinah Blue.

Action Item Concert

Action Item to play Denver Outlaws Preshow

Katie May 21, 2012 0 Comments

I just got word about an awesome Action Item show that is going to be happening on Saturday June 2. Unfortunately for me, it is in Denver – but I thought I would post about it anyway for those of you who may live in the area. (And if you’re not sure you like Action Item – it is definitely a great opportunity to see what they are all about if you are in the Denver area!)

The concert is free with your admission to the Denver Outlaws lacrosse game and tickets start at just $10!

Here’s all the details:

Who: Action Item at the Denver Outlaws vs Chesapeake Bayhawks Lacrosse game preshow
What: Performing a pre-show concert!
Where: Sport Authority Field at Mile High Denver, CO
When: Saturday June 2 at 5pm MDT

And here is the press release with more information about VIP tickets to meet the band!

Action Item to Perform Free Concert

DENVER – The band, Action Item, will hold a concert in the South Stands of Sports Authority Field at Mile High prior to the Denver Outlaws’ June 2 game against the Chesapeake Bayhawks the team and band announced on Tuesday.

“We’re truly honored to be a part of this special event,” Action Item guitarist Anthony Li said. “It’s an incredible opportunity to play at a lacrosse game in the city we love at the stadium of some of our favorite sport teams. We can’t wait to build up excitement with a great pregame show.”

Action Item, based out of New Jersey, released its first album titled The World And I in 2008. The group consists of Li, Brian Cag, Mark Shami, Dave Buczkowski and Dan Brozek.

The show will begin at 5 p.m. MDT and VIP concert seating is available, which includes a meet-and-greet with the band and a ticket to the Outlaws’ game vs. Chesapeake for $35. For more information, visit http://www.actionitemband.com/.

Tickets are available via Ticketmaster or by calling 303-OUTLAWS.

http://outlaws.majorleaguelacrosse.com/press-release/5103/action-item-to-perform-free-concert

Travel

Tulsa Trip #4

Katie May 21, 2012 0 Comments

May 11-14 I took my 4th trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma – the home of Hanson. On Friday, I drove to Newark (and parked in the wrong parking lot – oops!) and met up with my friend Kim. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 7:35 and as soon as we hung up after she called to let me know she was on her way – I got an email from United that we had been delayed to 8:40. We were super early but went through security, got a bite to eat and hung out waiting for the flight. The best part of the delay was when we got delayed from 8:58 to 8:59. We finally got to Tulsa around midnight and our friends picked us up and brought us to the hotel!

Saturday morning we had to check in for the weekend and then we headed to the Dilly Deli for breakfast and then the rest of the girls were participating in the bowling tournament. I tagged along and was the official score keeper. (I think this made our game go much faster as we were the first team done – no shuffling between bowling and keeping score at the same time to slow things down)

After bowling we hopped in line for the I Heart Hanson store – the line was not moving AT. ALL and we realized that the crew went to lunch from 12-1. We waited *3* hours and I ended up spending $230. I got 3 shirts, a trivet, pot holder, clothes pins, buttons, pens, pencils, activity book, bandanas, pillow, trivia game and a poster (I think that’s everything, but probably not.) Isaac rode by on his bike and waved while we were in line.

We headed back up to the bowling alley assuming things would be running late, but 20 minutes after it was supposed to end there was no sign of anyone. (Apparently Zac had showed up) We decided to go to lunch/dinner/whatever at Mexicali and then my other group of friends picked me up. (It was crazy bouncing between groups so I had a chance to hang out with all my friends!)

With the other group I went to the Golden Driller – probably my favorite thing in Tulsa. Then we got a tweet that Hanson would be having a beer tasting at McNellie’s and to meet them there at 8. We were right around the corner when we got the tweet notification and ended up being one of the first groups there. We ordered a “Zac” beer and hoped the guys would show up. Isaac and Taylor ended up downstairs and so we went down there to see PURE CHAOS. It was insane. Somehow we ended up right by the door Taylor came out of and found ourselves in the middle of a mob. We got a photo w/ him and then they left. Apparently girls chased them – but I couldn’t see because 2 of my friends had barricaded me so I wouldn’t get trampled by everyone going nuts.

After that, there was a crazy fight (although I don’t believe it was Hanson related) and a bunch of girls waiting by the back door of Hanson’s office… and then I went back to the hotel for the night.

Sunday morning we went to the Tulsa Zoo – tickets were 50% off. It was super, super hot out and I didn’t pack any shorts so it kind of made things miserable (especially when we went in the rainforest) and a lot of the animals were just not interested in doing anything but laying in the shade (I cant blame them!) I was able to get all 8 pennies from the zoo and we got to ride the train from one end to the other which was fun. And I got a blue raspberry icee 🙂

Then I switched groups again and hung out in the hotel for a bit before grabbing a (gross) bite to eat at quiktrip. We went to the block party outside of cain’s, colored a buffalo and sat down under a bridge in the shade until it was time to line up for the show. Major line drama and chaos ensued.

After the show (which Ive already recapped so no need to talk about it again) we went to Dennys for dinner – never again.

Monday we had a flight at about noon from Tulsa to Houston and then a 2 hour layover before a 3:36 flight back to NJ. We got stopped at security – the Hanson trivia game was too dense to see through and it also came with a timer so it ended up looking like a black box with a timer. Fortunately after a quick inspection of our luggage we were good to go. Our first flight was no problem, I slept through most of it. Then we went to find out gate in Houston only to find that it had been changed in the time we checked getting off the flight and made it to the other terminal. We waited and around 3pm started boarding.

We started movies on the screens on our seats (I chose Happy Feet 2) and pulled away from the gate. Then a lot of time went by and we still hadn’t made it into the air. Apparently there was a problem with the AC that they were trying to fix but were having trouble. Then they needed maintenance so we had to go to a gate. Then we had to leave the plane. And then they kept updating us but it was never with good news. Engine restarts didn’t help, replacement parts weren’t working. They gave us $5 snack voucher to grab something to eat. When we got back from getting a snack we were told we were getting a new plane. Of course then the plane had to de-plane, get cleaned, etc. We ended up taking off about the time we SHOULD have been landing in Newark. Instead of arriving at 8:20, we got there at 12:20. I ended up making it home at 3am and was glad that I took Tuesday off of work! No way was I going to be fun to be around after going to bed that late! (And they did offer us some sort of compensation. We had 3 choices to make on a special site that the captain gave us the URL for while we were still in the air. Not sure I want to deal with United again though after delays both ways, we’ll wait and see.)

Ultimately, the weekend was a lot of fun and it was great to see a bunch of my friends that I don’t see nearly often enough and of course, my favorite band.

Book Review

Book Review: Bare Naked Lola

Katie May 20, 2012 0 Comments

Lola Cruz is a private investigator. She gets hired by The Royals to investigate mysterious and threatening notes that the Royals Dancers have been receiving. In order the find out more information about what is going on, she joins the dance squad replacing one of the team members that left around the time the notes began.

While working on the case, one of the dancers gets killed just after Lola was talking to her. While the entire team was shocked over her death, one of the team members confides in Lola and lets her know that both she and the dancer that was killed were both members at a local nudist resort.

Now Lola has to decided if she wants to bare it all in order to get more clues to figure out who was sending the notes and who killed Jennifer. She ultimately decided that solving the case and making sure that none of the other dancers end up hurt or killed as well.

This was a very fun mystery book to read – humorous at times as well. Lola is latina and does use a lot of Spanish phrases. Some I knew from takin spanish classes and others I had no idea what they meant. I didn’t bother to look any of them up, it didn’t really make the story any harder to understand if I didn’t. I would definitely recommend this book anyone looking for a fun mystery book for the summer!

I received a free e-copy of this book from the publisher through Net Galley in order to write this review.

About The Book

Going undercover is second nature for Private Investigator Lola Cruz, but she’s out of her league when the case of a murdered Royals Courtside Dancer leads her to a local nudist resort. Parading around the sidelines of Sacramento’s professional basketball scene in a barely-there cheerleading outfit is one thing—but parading around in nothing but smile? If she has any chance of hiding this from her traditional family and on-again/off-again boyfriend Jack, she’s going to have a lot more than her duct tape bra and killer dance moves to keep under wraps….