Scrapbook Saturday – October 2020
Katie 
Jon McLaughlin at Stage One
Sunday night, Jon McLaughlin took his 15th Anniversary Indiana tour to Fairfield. Initially tickets went on sale for The Warehouse which is the larger of the two spaces run by the Fairfield Theater Company. The floor is entirely flat so I got myself VIP front & center tickets. Last week it was announced that it would be moving to the smaller Stage One and our tickets would be “comparable”. Well, Stage One has 2 steps to get from the main floor to the front row – and no railings. I typically avoid this due to my disability and will get row C which is even with the main floor – no steps involved. But since I had also purchased the VIP option I figured I’d be stubborn and stick it out. I ended up getting moved to front row still, but almost the entire rest of the front row never ended up showing up? So strange.
At 5:45 it was time to check in for the VIP portion of the night, where we got a Jon CD and then had him sign it, photos, chat, Q&A and he did one song with his band for us. He answered 3 or 4 questions and then it was time to wait for doors. Kris ended up coming to check on his merch so we had a nice chat preshow where I got to tell him how excited I was that he and Jon were touring together!
Kris opened and while his set was shorter than I am used to, he absolutely killed it. I could feel the shift in the crowd the moment he won them over with a few notes on “Out Alive”. His banter was on point and I particularly enjoyed when he asked if he could play a new song and then teased that everyone thought everything he was playing was new. (For the record, none of the songs he played were new to me!) He also got the crowd doing a sing-a-long for Hallelujah For Now. After his set was over the guy behind me exclaimed “Wow. He was good!”
Then it was time for Jon to take the stage. I love the way he tells stories and intertwines jokes right into them. His delivery is hilarious. I had asked him during the Q&A if there were any songs he felt differently about 15 years later and he said he felt different about all of them and touched on there being some he hadn’t played until he did the 10 year anniversary. One he went into in more detail during the show saying for some reason he absolutely hated one of the songs (Just Give it Time) and had wished it wasn’t on the album and that Far From Home was (it is now on the deluxe version). His retelling of being a bit nervous playing it 10 years in and then getting to the end and realizing he couldn’t remember what it was he hated and that it should have been on the album was just hilarious. He also slipped a couple newer songs into the set and said it would only be two since he sold the tour as an Indiana 15th anniversary and that is what we were going to get. When we got to the encore I knew just what songs were missing so it was no surprise when he started with Indiana. He ended up going into another story about someone from CT who he was writing songs with who was in the crowd (he was at the VIP portion pre-show so I heard a bit about him writing) and did a song that he had written, which unfortunately I don’t remember the name of. Then it was time for my favorite song that I had been bracing myself for all night. “I’m surrounded by darkness. Is someone coming at me with a guitar?” (No) “We will wait. We will sit here until I get this guitar.” Finally, to laughter, a guitar was handed to him and he came front stage without a mic to finish off the night with Beautiful Disaster. I thought I was ready for it. I was not.
Book Review: Party Like a Rockstar
Even after seeing the title “Party Like a Rockstar” it didn’t occur to me that this book was from the author of the song of the same title that our local radio station was absolutely OBSESSED with back when it came out. Not until he started mentioning the lyrics he wrote out and I was singing along, did I make the connection. I wasn’t surprised when Connecticut was on the short list of states that was playing the song. I feel like they played it every hour back in 2008 or 2009!
This book is by J.T Harding, who I actually know as “JTX” or “The JT Experience”. His story was a very interesting one, he was adopted at birth and had dreams of being a rockstar. He talks about touring with other bands, getting his chance on stage, making it big with his song and writing songs for other acts. I was kind of surprised how many country hits he had written because those songs all seem like they’d be a lot different than the song of his I was familiar with. He even talks about a song he wrote for the Jonas Brothers!
This book was a fun one, a bit of a rollercoaster at times and one I didn’t want to put down. I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
This fun and fast-paced rock-and-roll memoir from hit singer-songwriter J.T. Harding shows what it takes to go from South Detroit to the top of the Nashville charts.
In PARTY LIKE A ROCKSTAR, J.T. Harding charts his life from a kid growing up in Michigan to a chart-topping songwriter living in Nashville and working with country music stars like Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney. As a kid playing rock n’ roll in his parents’ garage, Harding’s was a world in which every taste of new music—from KISS to Prince and everyone in between—was a revelation. Inspired by his favorite artists, Harding abandons the classic “American Dream” and runs away to Los Angeles, where he forms a band and becomes part of the music scene there, all the while selling records to his favorite artists and producers at Tower Records.
A story of youth, rebellion, and determination, PARTY LIKE A ROCKSTAR is a memoir for music lovers and an invaluable how-to guide for anyone who wants to learn how to write a hit song. Fun and heartfelt, Harding’s memoir is the story of one man’s unshakable love for rock and roll, how it guided him through some of the greatest tragedies—and greatest triumphs—of his wild and unvarnished life.
Book Review: Surrounded by Narcissists
Surrounded by Narcissists is a book that will help you deal with the narcissists you may have in your life and how to identify if you do have any in your life (and I’m willing to bet most of us do whether it be in our family, friends or coworkers). A lot of this book made me think about things and figure out where thoughts are coming from and how to combat them. The parts on social media were a lot to handle too because I think that’s where I interact with most of the narcissists in my life – online.
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
Part of the bestselling Surrounded by Idiots series!
Internationally bestselling author Thomas Erikson shares the secrets of dealing with everyday narcissists.
Are the narcissists in your life making you miserable? Are you worn out by their constant demands for attention, their absolute conviction they are right (even when they’re clearly not), their determination to do whatever they want (regardless of the impact), and their baffling need to control everyone and everything around them?
In this thought-provoking, sanity-saving book, Thomas Erikson helps you understand what makes narcissists tick and, crucially, how to handle them without wearing yourself out in the process. With the help of the simple, four-color behavioral model made famous in Surrounded by Idiots, Erikson provides all the tools you need to manage not just the narcissists around you but everyday narcissistic behaviors as well–something that is becoming more widespread in the age of social media.
Engaging and practical, Surrounded by Narcissists will help you free yourself from the thrall of others’ toxic agendas so you can pursue a happier, more fulfilling and successful life.
Book Review: Queen Elizabeth
I absolutely love reading this Little People, Big Dreams books because they tell you all about historic figures in a way that’s easy to understand because the books are geared for kids. As someone who rarely paid attention in history class (Where were Hamilton and SIX in the 00s?) there is a LOT I don’t remember or never bothered to pay attention to in the first place so I like catching up on what I’ve missed in a cute and easy to learn way, even if I am an adult.
With the Queen’s recent death, I had heard a bit more about her but this book starts when the future Queen was just a young girl and tells about how her father became King and she became the Heir, goes into her wedding to Prince Philip and then the death of her father which led to her becoming Queen. It showed some of her harder moments as Queen and some of the fun ones she had as well.
Although this book was released recently, it only follows the Queen’s life up until 2021.
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
In this book from the critically acclaimed Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch of modern times.
Little Elizabeth loved dogs and horses and dreamed of living on a farm. But, one day, she heard chants on the streets. Her uncle Edward had renounced the Crown, which meant her father would be the next king, and she heiress to the throne. From that day on, she had to learn how to one day be the queen.
When she was only 13, World War Two broke out across the globe. Elizabeth bravely served as an ambulance driver, and after the war ended, she fell in love with and married the charming Prince Philip. In 1952, she was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom, and for the next 70 years she would serve as a beacon of continuity, looking after her subjects and serving the country she reigned over.
This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the monarch’s life.
Little People, BIG DREAMS is a best-selling series of books and games that explore the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream.
This empowering series offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardcover versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. Boxed gift sets allow you to collect a selection of the books by theme. Matching games and other fun learning tools provide even more ways to make the lives of these role models accessible to children.
Inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world with Little People, BIG DREAMS!
Book Review: From Tadpole to Frog Prince
Another STEM Fairy Tale I just couldn’t wait to read. Again, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineer and Math and I truly believe this all needs to be introduced to kids at an early age to get more of them interested in it. This time Dr. Gnome-It-All tells us a story “From Tadpole to Frog Prince”. This time we start out by learning about a fable and that our story will end with a moral. We also learn about the life cycle of a frog – hence from Tadpole to Frog Prince – a retelling of The Frog Prince, with its STEM twist.
Another really funny and informative read and I can’t wait to see what other STEM Fairy Tales there are for me to explore…
I received a free e-copy of this book from Net Galley in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
A fresh look into the classic tale of The Frog Prince from a scientific point of view. Explains STEM concepts as they appear in the story and gives readers a new perspective on an old favorite fable. Includes a glossary and bibliography for further reading.
Dr. Gnome-It-All is host of the most popular internet show found on the World Wondrous Web—STEM Stream. In graphic-style format, he teaches his audience about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, while entertaining them with adaptations of timeless fairy tales. STEM Fairy Tales explains science concepts as they appear in the story and gives readers a new perspective on favorite fables
Book Review: The Goats Gruff and the Baa-dly Built Bridge
When I saw there were STEM Fairy Tales I was ALL IN on reading them. If you’re not aware, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and I am all about young kids (especially girls!) learning all they can about STEM early. This book is a retelling of The Billy Goats Gruff with a STEM twist. (Did I mention this book is narrated by a gnome? Can it get any better than that?) In between the story about the goats, the gnome fills us in about bridges and gives information about them from an engineering standpoint but in an easy to understand way. There’s also a list of his favorite bridges which makes me feel better because I have a list too! This story was really funny in addition to being really informative and it is never too early to get your kids into engineering!
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
A fresh look into the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel from a scientific point of view. Explains STEM concepts as they appear in the story and gives readers a new perspective on an old favorite fable. Includes a glossary and bibliography for further reading.
Dr. Gnome-It-All is host of the most popular internet show found on the World Wondrous Web—STEM Stream. In graphic-style format, he teaches his audience about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, while entertaining them with adaptations of timeless fairy tales. STEM Fairy Tales explains science concepts as they appear in the story and gives readers a new perspective on favorite fables.
Book Review: Find Your Magic: A Journal
Find Your Magic is a journal to help you create the magical life of your dreams through intention setting and following your path to joy. The book begins in Spring and starts with a prompt for rebirth, which seems fitting if you’re looking to recenter yourself and connect with nature and yourself. Each prompt throughout the journal gets you to think about yourself – things that may be in your way, things that make you happy, etc. Some of the answers come easy and others you have to dig deep and really think about yourself and sometimes about how others perceive you in order to complete the journal entry. The journal ends in winter with a lot of reflection on yourself in the past year, finishing off with your top 5 shining moments of the year and what they say about you.
I think this journal will help you learn a lot about yourself and ground you. Just reading through it and not doing any of the prompts, it really made me think and reflect on myself.
I received a free e-copy of this book from NetGalley in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
Reflective meditations and thoughtful journal prompts for every season help you connect with nature and the magic of the world around you on the path of mindfulness and self-care.
Brimming with rituals, wishes, and enchantments to encourage spiritual growth, the Find Your Magic journal is an illuminating guide to harnessing the Earth’s power for personal reflection. Featuring beautiful illustrations, it reveals how magic can be used as a force for good that protects and promotes our well-being, attracts abundance, and brings about prosperity.
Touching on topics like personal self-care practices and the importance of finding your place in nature, Find Your Magic is organized by the seasons and features meditations and prompts like:
For Spring
In many cultures and spiritual traditions, the cleansing bath is not just for the sweat and dirt of your skin, but it’s a spiritual purification as well. Think of it as cleansing your spirit, energy, or aura. The most important part of the ritual bath is what you bring to it yourself: your magic. Imagine clearing out stagnant energy from your body, washing off the energy of others, and emerging fresh from the ritual.
How will you intentionally cultivate your thoughts and goals while engaging in this mindfulness practice?
For Winter
This is the time of year where the Earth is at rest. Silence and stillness are fundamental to well-being, and they are often undervalued. The quiet—a kind of magical emptiness—is where our brains and bodies can rejuvenate and restore themselves.
When was the last time you cultivated a quiet moment, one without background noise, busy activity, or a time limit that you were rushing against?
Featuring the beautiful and introspective nature creations of Russian artist Selcha Uni (@selchauni, @stars_and_needles), the soothing, dark-toned illustrations will guide your mind to a place of calm awareness where you can develop your magical relationship with the world around you.
The Everyday Inspiration Journals series has a guided journal for every self-improvement journey. Whatever your personal goal, whether it is to incorporate more positivity into your life, or to slow down and find calm, or to hone your spell-building craft, or something else, you will find in this series an elegant journal in which you can record your thoughts, aspirations, and progress. With a simple, easy-to-follow structure, each journal is filled with powerful prompts and helpful trackers to illuminate your way.
Book Review: Twain Illustrated
Twain Illustrated contains three stories from Mark Twain, will illustrations added. The first is Emerson, Holmes, and Longfellow – which is also known as Twain’s December 17, 1877 Speech at the Hotel Brunswick in Boston. The second is The Facts Concerning The Recent Carnival of Crime in Connecticut and finally the third, Running for Governor. None of these had been something I had read before, so getting to read them as well as have the illustrations worked in to break the text up was a nice treat.
I received a free e-copy of this book from Net Galley in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
Twain Illustrated: Three Stories by Mark Twain, is a collection of three classic Mark Twain stories, illustrated by Marc Johnson-Pencook. All three stories, Emerson, Holmes, and Longfellow, The Facts Concerning the Recent Carnival of Crime in Connecticut, and Running for Governor, show why Mark Twain is recognized as a master of wild, American humor. But unbelievably, when Twain teams with contemporary-classic illustrator Marc Johnson-Pencook, his humor grows even wilder yet. For Marc displays his own brand of mastery depicting the outrageous scenes that shape each Twain story. Forty-three of his pen & ink illustrations are interspersed throughout this collection of stories, which is respectfully adapted and illustrated to capture and hold the attention of modern-day, middle-school readers. But these stories are not just for them! Modern-day adults love illustrated literature, too, especially when Mark Twain tells the stories that generate such wildly-imagined images. All readers will be pleased to discover that Mark the author and Marc the illustrator work perfectly well together, almost as if they share the same mind across the decades.