Good material about life
925440
This is a reunion album of sorts for The Chocolate Watchband, a mid to late 60s group based in San Jose, California. While a number of anthologies have been issued before and after this disc came out in 1999/2000, around the time several former members - the personnel shifts in the band have been significant, so referring to any of them as something other than former - did a one off gig in San Diego organized/hosted by Mike Stax of Ugly Things. The disc itself is a bit puzzling. Not only is it without any sort of label, copyright or ownership data, the liner notes which are kind of hyperbolic in nature direct you to a website address that is wrong. It's got a bootleg feel to it...or at least my copy does. That may be a story unto itself, as I have no idea of the source from which I got this CD. It was in a stack of CDs that I acquired from various sources - Norton, Ugly Things, Sundazed, Distortions and eBay, to name but a few - and, as a result, I don't know from whence it came.

That doesn't really matter, because the music on this album is really quite beautiful. The few four or five cuts seem to me to be at odds with the remaining six. The first group tend to have a tougher design that evokes a harder 60s type garage sound. The lyrics reflect this too, presenting the proto-typical challenges aimed at cheating girlfriends and anger at society. Thus, the narrator admonishes his lover that all manner of falshood can be forgiven but, 'Don't Lie About Love.'

Then, in mach the same manner as flipping an LP brings you new and different music, the back half of this album changes tone. It begins with 'I Miss Love,' where freedom is presented as the being paid for with loneliness. There follows other songs - still marvelously written, performed and produce - are more mature in tone and message. They range from statements in the belief that mankind can yet straighten itself out to a paean ('Right Coast Girl') to the type of companion one hopes and needs - fitting to the sense of this second package of songs - with whom you want to spend your life.

And, these splendid songs - that despite or maybe because of the age and tenure of the performers seem so apt; so appropriate, so personal and so very meaningful to those who have experienced life - are something you can listen to over and over and still hear new things.
4972785
I read the e book of Individual Power that I was able to buy from the author's website. She shares very honestly show she lost everything and had to re-build her life from scratch. She didn't have child support, she lost it all, and shares how to re-create your life so that it's the kind of life you've always wanted. There's a lot of information about people in society who are suffering from injustice in many areas. There's also a section called `Evolving Spiritually' that gives good information that's helped me understand a lot more about spirituality in general.  I look forward to when the book is back in print. It's helped me learn how to create a new life, and it reads with sincerity.
3845926
Here's a bit from the story of the life and death of Life magazine. I used to enjoy Life greatly and now miss it. I appreciated this look inside, be it actual and factual or not. The messages were all good. After renting it on Amazon, I went out and bought the DVD.
240945
I like the straight-forward language full of passion of tennis. It is a relaxing, Sunday afternoon reading when you started to think what life would be like for a successful professional and wonderful teacher if he pursued completely on his hobby? The true story is: He will never stop exploring other possibilities of life. Yes life is a balance of careers, hobby, love, it is also an art, a novel, a song you can make your own with your whole life time. There will be no all-time-winner, but you can be the life hero who dare to pursue and share your story.
2837028
It's not just about gardening.  It's also about life in general.  Lots of good ideas and things to try.  It's a nice relaxing read!
2671640
I found this to be a worthwhile read with the caveats that, like a lot of self-help books, there was a some filler and that much of the focus of the book didn't address my life.

The author carried with him an assumption that women reading the book would be working moms and that their concerns and stresses would concern juggling work and child-rearing. I suppose it's a statistically safe bet, but it also meant that much of the book, while interesting, was not germane to my life.

I've noticed that these types of books also tend to encapsulate some fairly simple advice, but adds a lot of anecdotes and repetition, and this book is no exception. It's almost as if they're trying to sell you on something you already own. Once the "selling" was over and the book began in earnest, I found it to be well-written, interesting, and helpful.

What I did like is the central advice of the book. The concept that working to improve weaknesses is not as important is playing to and celebrating your strengths, that there's no great value in a balanced life, because not all areas of your life are going to be equally rewarding. There was some insight in there that I'll take with me.

There's also a quiz on what role you play in life. I was impressed with the results that say I'm an equalizer, because it describes my motivations and interests accurately and in a way I've never seen before. The author made me realize some strengths that I'd overlooked and now I can make efforts to bring more of the things I truly enjoy into my life on a more regular basis.

Filler aside, a focus that doesn't reflect my life aside, I'm better off for having read this book and my guess is that if you're a woman who is wondering why with all the choicest you have, all the blessings in your life, happiness still eludes you, that you'll come away with some answers and solutions
4182828
I like the material. It is interesting. I wish the material was arranged in a little friendlier way. Sometimes it is difficult to find a specific passage.
1744346
I enjoyed reading the stories about Anne and her friends and family. I felt that the author not only spun a good take but she also presented some wonderful thoughts about life and its meaning. These stories have many good points about how one should face the many problems and crises of life. Joys and sorrows are met and sometimes the way they are handled is not the best. But how often do we make mistakes in decisions and choices in life? None of us are perfect in our ways but we must learn to face the consequences with courage and determination to do better next time.
1078031
This was a good book!

I picked it up in the clearance  section of a bookstore. My original intention was to give it to my 15 year old niece, for inspiration. But then after quickly reading through it I decided to just give it to my mom instead. I felt it was more appropriate.

The subject matter is diverse. These women are caretakers, charity starters, cancer survivors, CEO's, moms, daughters, etc. I think the message is wonderful in the book. The photos of these women holding their meaningful objects are great. It's a REAL person, could be your next door neighbor, could be your teacher/ doctor/ etc. I liked how each of them was holding an object of some significance representing what they did. I liked the short descriptions. I actually would have liked the descriptions to be a bit longer. I wanted to hear a little more about the progress or where they got to that important point in their life, or what HAPPENED after. Not novels, but just a little more then the 2 or 3 paragraphs they had. A little more depth and substance would have been good. But I understand why they kept it so short. It really is meant more of a table book then a biography.

Still, I liked this book. I think it would make a great gift for your favorite woman/ women.
725578
I personal enjoy reading about a persons life. I would recommend this book and actually have, to my son who enjoys reading about the space program and the astronauts.
2371908
this book arrived in good condition and has lots of funny content, although there are articles that are more like lessons of life.
1839144
This book provides an interesting view of life that could be useful to many people.
3266851
Deep thought material that will make you contemplate how you live your life moment-to-moment. Wish I had some friends read it so that we could discuss it at a deeper level.
4198921
I have to admit that most of what I read in this book I already knew and knew well partly because I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) by profession myself. That in itself does NOT by any means mean that I have all the answers (or come close to having them) nor have I necessarily been in the happiest of relationships. True I have only been married once to the same man for over fifteen years, however, there is so much more we can ALL learn from each other and each others real life experiences. What I appreciated from this book was that the author was able to glean from his own personal experiences what he can conclude as being "best practices" for people in general. Sometimes that is, in fact, the best way to teach, keeping in mind, of course, that what works for me may not necessarily work for you. I like the fact that the book seemed to emphasize taking personal responsibility in how a marriage/relationship works: "those who are happiest in relationships are those who work on it. They talk to each other. They read books. They seek help."  I liked that the author felt one can achieve happiness at ANY age "We are never too old or to weary to enjoy the simple pleasures of life." I liked that he felt "Whatever the question, love is the answer."  This is a good book. I would recommend it.
2973887
This book is targeted at high-school and college age young people, but it is also well suited to junior-highers (particularly as related to identity) and to twenty-somethings who may still be wrestling with the issues it addresses.
The author's purpose is to help readers think about three areas of life which he defines as identity, making choices, and belonging, and what it means to follow Jesus through what is often a tumultuous time of life. Jeff Baxter hits issues head on, from dealing with doubts, to pressure and stress, to sexual promiscuity. He talks candidly about the real issues of real life.
The author uses a structured and concise approach written in a casual and conversational style that goes right to the heart of each of those areas. I found his treatment of identity and choices to be fast-paced and refreshing, like a cool drink of water on a hot day. The third section on belonging was more like a tall latte, made to savor and to enjoy more slowly. It is the longest section of the three (and rightly so), because it deals with the more complex issues that are involved in relationships with other people. All three sections are divided into four or five short chapters and each chapter ends with questions (to draw the reader into thinking about those topics in their own life), and short lists of web resources and books that deal with them in greater depth. These lists make the book as much a reference manual as a read. It also makes the book valuable and appropriate for parents, teachers, and youth pastors trying to get a better understanding of the young people who are part of their lives.
(Full disclosure: I am acquainted with the author because we both formerly attended the same church.)
1497927
Good information for people going through a difficult time. I found it helpful.
4626696
This book is about life and how we live it during and after a tragedy. It shows how people can overcome whatever life throws at a family.