Welcome to THE LAST LECTURE book club About This Page:

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by Cheriemek

I will have to think of a way I thought I was doing something Randy-like.....

Welcome, Cheryl! Can't wait to hear your story!

[DISNEY03]

I just got the book today and I will start reading it tonight. I can't think of a Randy story right off the top of my head but the only thing that comes to mind immediatly is that my family and friends are always commenting to me about how I never mind my kids getting so dirty. Now, let me just say that I DO mind but kids will be kids so I let them. I soak their clothes later and wash them up when they're done but I never tell them they can't have anything or play with something because it will be to messy. I'm rambling sorry, I'll check in after I read a little bit.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by DISNEY03

I just got the book today and I will start reading it tonight. I can't think of a Randy story right off the top of my head but the only thing that comes to mind immediatly is that my family and friends are always commenting to me about how I never mind my kids getting so dirty. .

That is a funny Randy story! I'm glad you got your book! Welcome!

[scottjs]

Well not sure what to do here. I don't want to be negative about the book, so I don't have much to say. Sorry. Thanks anyway.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by scottjs

Well not sure what to do here. I don't want to be negative about the book, so I don't have much to say. Sorry. Thanks anyway.

Be honest! It sounds like you are not particularly loving the book, it that right? Well, DISH! You've got me curious to hear your opinion!

[Sandra Bostwick]

OK, I've read the intro. I was very struck by the author's thoughts about how to spend his limited time.

Also, with fall just around the corner here in Jersey, I've been getting that "feeling" I always get when summer is coming to a close and school is ready to start again.

For me, I decided to think about what would I most like to urgently accomplish that I've been putting off for one reason or another? I mean things that are important to me personally. Here is what I am promising.

1: I'm going to return calls from a few really interesting people I've met at various conferences or places and set up times to get together. I mean, they've called me, so the ball is in my court!

2: I'm going to finish the book I've been working on about this amazing WWII POW from Stalag Luft III (The Great Escape) and GET IT PRINTED somehow! This man is over 85 years old now, and, while my time may not be running out, I don't feel comfortable dragging my feet much longer on this one.

3: I'm going to do this book club and get to know all of you.

Would anyone else like to come up with a few important things that they'd like to accomplish? If not, what did you think of the intro?

And Scott, feel free to add some lively debate and controversy. I'm sure you'll have us rolling on the floor either way!

Hope to hear from someone soon!

[graygables]

Sandy, I know how you feel about Autumn. For some reason, it is my energizing season.
~I'm going to get serious about the book I'm writing myself.
~I'm going to make some cards to send to people with handwritten notes rather than relying on email so much.
~I'm going to CLEAN my living room and get the scrap space settled so DDs, MIL, and I can start having some scrapbooking crops.
~I'm going to regain my focus on my schoolwork

[lukeandbrookesmom]

I think I am Randy-like thanks to my Grandma. She always believed in using her (what most people would consider) good china - her Waterford - everyday. Her thoughts were, 'it's only a piece of glass, if it breaks, it breaks.' That's how I am. I have my own set, and many pieces left to me from Grandma - all over the house. The kids play with the candy dishes, put their toys in them - whatever - it's just a piece of glass Why would I store it away, never to be seen and used - that's crazy! Sorry, I rambled. Just use that special china - what's more special than your family?

[DISNEY03]

Sandra, thank you for the encouragement and Judi, this year I'm going to use my special Mickey china. Well it's not actually china but it is a setting for 12 and every plate is a countdown of the 12 days of Christmas. I bought it years ago and the kids have never even seen them. They would love them, their 3&4.
I'm really enjoying the book and it's very easy reading. What an inspiration!

[scottjs]

Ok I will in all fairness devide my review into two parts!!! The first part will be the actual book and lecture. That part is very very good. Well not getting drunk and waking up next to Cameron Diez good, but good. The second part is how much the book actually helps me!! And that is the part that I think is not so good(More like getting drunk and waking up next to Elmer Fudd). Now I have to go work for a while but I promise when I come back to write more and more gibberish about everything. Its what I do best!!! (hey Sandy I get your sorry you asked me to explain more about what I thought of the book!!) Ok see you soon. And what do you know --Elmer Fudd wants breakfast. For a cartoon character he sure can eat.

[scottjs]

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch really pretty much sums up what we all go through. We are born--we live--we shop at Macy's and we die. (Usually oweing Macy's money). It is the choices that we make that come back to haunt us in later days. And some people actually do manage to make their childhood dreams come true. That is unfortunately where Randy and I differ a great deal. He was a Professor and lecturer at a major college while I have achieved little. What I had hoped for in the book was a way to make more of my dreams come true. Now perhaps that is unrealistic. But that is how I approach most self help books. Which is what I assumed this book to be. Randy had not promised anything like that though. So maybe what we have here is a failure to communicate. Even though he does communicate very well. He was a success!!!

I, however, well am not sure that anybody needs my family history. Lets just say that I was born with less gifts then Randy was. Nobody ever said life was fair. So for people who tend to get more out of life anyway I would recommend the book. And for me--well maybe I will go read it again. This feels like a good place to stop in case anybody has any questions or wants to call the police on me.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by graygables

Sandy, I know how you feel about Autumn. For some reason, it is my energizing season.
~I'm going to get serious about the book I'm writing myself.
~I'm going to make some cards to send to people with handwritten notes rather than relying on email so much.
~I'm going to CLEAN my living room and get the scrap space settled so DDs, MIL, and I can start having some scrapbooking crops.
~I'm going to regain my focus on my schoolwork

GREAT GOALS!! Tell us about the book you are writing! (It isn't OT because we are talking about goals, dreams and such.)

I am so happy, I just spent another 2 hours interviewing the POW who is the subject of my book, getting more details. After agonizing floundering and lack of direction, I seem to be headed into the home stretch. Like you said-energizing season!

An interesting thought on fall- I usually find a whole bunch of bird eggs each spring. I save them all in a glass box. They remind me of how life renews itself and how creation starts "stuck" in a small enclosed place sometimes, then busts out and flies free. WELL, I fould not a single egg all Spring. Summer went by, and the same thing, no egg even though I walked around looking hard.

A week ago, I'm not even looking, and there is a tiny perfect shell where some little bird just flew from. The timing was perfect because Spring and summer were kind of "stuck" seasons for me this year, but I feel like fall is going to be my time for flying and making things happen. What a great omen for a grat Autumn!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by lukeandbrookesmom

I think I am Randy-like thanks to my Grandma. She always believed in using her (what most people would consider) good china - her Waterford - everyday. Her thoughts were, 'it's only a piece of glass, if it breaks, it breaks.' That's how I am. I have my own set, and many pieces left to me from Grandma - all over the house. The kids play with the candy dishes, put their toys in them - whatever - it's just a piece of glass Why would I store it away, never to be seen and used - that's crazy! Sorry, I rambled. Just use that special china - what's more special than your family?

OK, you are all inspiring me! I really liked your story. It's nice that you remember your Grandma so fondly.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by DISNEY03

Sandra, thank you for the encouragement and Judi, this year I'm going to use my special Mickey china. Well it's not actually china but it is a setting for 12 and every plate is a countdown of the 12 days of Christmas. I bought it years ago and the kids have never even seen them. They would love them, their 3&4.
I'm really enjoying the book and it's very easy reading. What an inspiration!

I can't wait to hear about how your Mickey Christmas China goes over with the kids.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by scottjs

Ok I will in all fairness devide my review into two parts!!! The first part will be the actual book and lecture. That part is very very good. Well not getting drunk and waking up next to Cameron Diez good, but good. The second part is how much the book actually helps me!! And that is the part that I think is not so good(More like getting drunk and waking up next to Elmer Fudd). Now I have to go work for a while but I promise when I come back to write more and more gibberish about everything. Its what I do best!!! (hey Sandy I get your sorry you asked me to explain more about what I thought of the book!!) Ok see you soon. And what do you know --Elmer Fudd wants breakfast. For a cartoon character he sure can eat.

Scott, you truly have a way with words! What a master of imagery! I laughed, I cried, your post changed me!