Book Review: The Road to Dune

 

The Road to Dune, published in 2005, is a book that details the process of making the Dune Saga. It contains a collection of deleted and alternate chapters for the original Dune novel and Dune Messiah. The book also features a collection of letters written by and to Frank Herbert detailing the process of getting the original book published. It concludes with a collection of short stories written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, which are also included in the book Tales of Dune.

The hardcover version of the book is just under 400 pages. It reads fairly quickly, especially if you have read the other novels in the series. One of the most interesting parts of the book is the original outline of a portion of the Dune novel, titled Spice Planet, which shows part of the overall story planned out but with less character development. And, many of the characters had totally different names and backgrounds. For example, House Atreides was called House Linkam, and the Harkonnens were called Hoskanner. It also has some elements that were removed from the final version of the book.

Ultimately, I would describe this as an interesting read, but not necessarily a must-read. If you have read the entire saga, then it gets close to must-read territory, as it provides a look into what was changed in the published novels from the original concept and a bit about the process of finding and collecting all the source material that would result in prequel novels and two concluding novels being written.

Workout Update: Lift 4: Day 40

Day 40 was legs HIIT. It was another tough one in which you do three blocks of single-leg lunge jumps for sixty seconds, triple bear for forty-five seconds, soccer sprints for thirty seconds, and jump squats for fifteen seconds. Then, you do two burnout blocks, performing every exercise for thirty seconds with no breaks. Then, the core block has you doing side planks. So, the only easy thing about the workout is the warm-up and cooldown. 

Product Review: Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Drain Opener

 

This is an excellent drain opener that can be used in toilets (which will get it into the main line), garbage disposals, or bathroom sinks. I had a very clogged sink in my upstairs bathroom that other drain openers couldn't unclog, but a couple of days after pouring this down the drain, it drained as quickly as the other sinks. Ultimately, while it is a bit pricier, it absolutely works. If you have one or more drains in your house that drain slowly, this is definitely worth trying before you call a plumber.

Workout Update: Lift 4: Day 39

Day 39 was the shoulder workout, which was the interval format. So, it has three blocks consisting of two weighted exercises and one HIIT exercise. The HIIT is not too bad, but there are 180 squat jumps in block 3. I did have to drop set on the front and lateral raises in the second and third block, but for all the other exercises, I was able to maintain the higher weight from last week.  I was also able to do more unmodified HIIT exercises for a longer period of time. I did not have to modify high-knee runs or speed skaters at all, but I did have to jump back into the modifications for the 180 squat jumps. Then, I had to modify the core exercises. 

Product Review: CCidea DVD Storage Bags

 

This set of three storage bags is designed to hold physical media such as DVDs, Blu-rays, or video games. They are very sturdy and can hold around 40 individual disc packages, give or take. Unlike some storage bags, they do not have dividers throughout the interior (just a single open space), so you can fit more in them. Once they are closed, they prevent dust and protect against spills. They are not padded, however, so you do not want to bang them around or drop them. They are wide enough to hold most box sets; however, there are some longer boxes (such as the original Friends Blu-Ray release or the Star Trek Motion Picture special edition release) that are too wide for this to hold unless you turn them lengthwise, in which case you will not be able to get many discs in them. 

I have a huge physical media collection and got several of these to package them for a move this past summer. They work wonderfully and work much better than packing discs in boxes, which can get very heavy. I absolutely recommend them.

Blu-Ray/TV Series Review: Bewitched: Season 2

 

The 38-episode second season of Bewitched aired during the 1965/1966 TV season. All of the main cast members (Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, Agnes Moorehead, David White, Alice Pierce, and George Tobias) returned for season two; however, Alice Pierce's role was reduced throughout the season as she was sick with cancer and passed away before the season finished filming. Mary Grace Canfield was cast as Abner's sister, Harriet, who was house-sitting while Abner and Gladys were out of town, and filled a similar role to Pierce's nosy neighbor who sees Samantha using magic. The guest cast included several notable guest stars. Paul Lynd returned in a completely different role from his first-season role, now playing Samantha's uncle, Arthur. Bernard Fox and Alice Ghostley made their first appearances in the series in roles different from the ones they would play as recurring characters in later seasons. Other guest stars included James Doohan (who would go on to play Mr. Scott in Star Trek), Maureen McCormick (who would later play Marcia Brady on The Brady Bunch), Eve Arden, and Richard Dreyfuss. Marion Lane and Maurice Evans reprised their roles as Aunt Clara and Maurice, respectively.

As of this writing, the Blu-Rays are only available in the complete series release. The individual seasons are available on DVD. In the Blu-Ray set, the second season episodes are spread across three discs. They are all in black-and-white as originally filmed and aired. The only bonus material on the second-season discs is commentary tracks for a couple of episodes, created for the Blu-Ray release. It has been released on DVD a few times, including one version with the episodes in color and another with them in black and white.

The series continues to be a story-of-the-week sitcom, but every so often, the writers do reference earlier plotlines. There is one major ongoing serial arc this season: Samantha's pregnancy and the birth of Tabitha. This was done to write Elizabeth Montgomery's real-life pregnancy into the show. A couple of the episodes this season were repeats of season one episodes (the Christmas Episode and the episode in which Samantha meets Darrin's parents), with the opening scenes reshot, but the bulk of the episodes playing as they aired in season one. This may have been done to give Montgomery time off toward the end of her pregnancy. The episodes are mostly good, but some of the material is very dated (and outdated now). As is the case with many older sitcoms, some of the jokes would never be used today, but overall, it is a very family-friendly sitcom. Ultimately, it is a good season that is worth watching, especially if you watched it when it originally aired or watched the reruns as a kid.

Workout Update: Lift 4: Day 38

Day 38 was the mid-week rest day, so I did the stretching routine from Lift 4. It went well, and again, I can tell my flexibility and overall range of motion are getting better. I am getting deeper into the stretches, especially the hamstring and hip stretches.

Workout Update: Lift 4: Day 37

Day 37 was the back and biceps workout, which is a 50/50 workout this week. The lifting portion of the workout was not too bad--three blocks, each consisting of a back exercise and a biceps exercise. The HIIT portion was brutal, however, mainly because your heart rate is elevated during the lifting portion, due to the extremely short breaks between exercises and sets. The sixty-second exercise was catchers jumps, the forty-five-second exercise was wide mountain climbers, and the thirty-second exercise was 180 squat jumps. Then you finish with core and stretching. I was able to use the heavier weights for the lifting portion and did not have to drop set. And, during the HIIT portion I was able to do each exercise unmodified for part of the time, but I did have to take a couple unscheduled breaks to catch my breath.

Product Review: Fresh Wave Orange Odor Removing Gel

 

This is a two-pack of odor-removing gel. It is perfect for use in spaces such as kitchens or bathrooms. The smaller, more enclosed space it's in, the stronger the scent it gives off and the longer it lasts. I have one in my kitchen, which is open to the living room and partially open to the dining room, and one in my workout room downstairs, which is basically a second living room. I have been using them for about 3 months (as of this writing). The one downstairs is about 2/3 full, and the one in the kitchen is about 3/4 empty.

These have a pleasant, non-overpowering citrus scent, at least if you have them in a relatively open space. They are a bit more expensive than some similar products, but they last much longer. Ultimately, they are worth the price and if you like citrus-scented air fresheners.

Workout Update: Lift 4: Day 36

Day 36 was the start of week 6, which meant the chest and triceps workout. This week, it is a circuit workout with two main blocks of work that alternate two chest exercises with two triceps exercises, then there is a burnout block that alternates wide push-ups with triceps push-ups. 

This is a tough workout. I started each block using the increased weight from last week, but I had to drop set on a couple of the exercises (the skull crushers and single side crushers). Thankfully, the core component did not include planks, so you can just lie on your back for the last three minutes. 

CD/Music Review: 10,000 Maniacs: Hope Chest

 

Hope Chest, released in 1990, is a remix album by the group 10,000 Maniacs that compiles and remixes the tracks from their early albums, Human Conflict Number Five and Secrets of the I Ching. Natalie Merchant, who is probably the group's most popular member, sings lead vocals on most of the tracks, but John Lombardo sings lead on the track "Anthem for Doomed Youth."

The album comprises 14 tracks, totaling just over 46 minutes in run time. The tracks are okay if you are into 1980s alternative rock (which is much different than what alternative rock would become in the 1990s), but none are as good as the group's biggest hits, like "Because the Night," which were popular as the group drifted a bit more toward mainstream pop and became more polished. The CD liner includes a couple of pages detailing the band's history, pictures, and lyrics and production notes for the tracks. Ultimately, it is not one that I would call a must-listen, but if you are a fan of the group, it is worth checking out.

Workout Update: Lift 4: Day 35

Day 35 was a rest day, so I did the flexibility and mobility workout from 25-Minute Speed Train. Again, I felt that my flexibility and range of motion have definitely improved since last week. Not by leaps and bounds, but incrementally. I still have a ways to go to get to where I want to be, but every improvement is good.

Book Review: Rising Tiger (Scot Harvath Series #21)

 

Rising Tiger, published in 2022, is the twenty-first book in the long-running series of action-adventure/spy novels by Brad Thor. As with many of the books in the series, Thor blends fictional elements with real-world events. Most of the events in the book are set in India, where Harvath is tracking the people responsible for the death of an American operative and friend. There are a few other storylines that intersect with that one, including a fictional Chinese weapon that is responsible for the real-life Havana Syndrome that affected US Intelligence agents. There are a few new characters in the book that could make appearances in subsequent novels, and several of the regular side-characters from the series appear. The most significant character omission is Solvi, Harvath's fiancée, who is mentioned but is not directly involved in any of the storylines.

The hardcover version of the book is 320 pages long (with a few additional pages of thank-yous and notes that Thor includes at the end of every book). It reads very much like his prior novels, so if you have read previous novels, this one will read as quickly or as slowly as those did. The storyline in this book is mostly self-contained. Thor does refer to events from prior books, but nothing so critical that you would not be able to follow the story in this book if you have not read the others. The only thing that you would miss is the development of the established characters. Ultimately, the book tells a good story with a nice blend of action and suspense, while incorporating some drama and humor along the way. It is absolutely worth the time to read.

Workout Update: Lift 4: Day 34

Day 34 was a rest day, so I did both of the recovery routines: the stretching routine followed by roll and recover. Both of them went well. I definitely had a couple of knots in my quads that the foam rolling helped with, and my flexibility continues to improve.

CD/Music Review: Christina Aguilera: Lotus

 

Lotus is the seventh studio album by Christina Aguilera. It was released in 2012 and contains either 13 tracks (on the standard edition of the album) or 17 tracks (on the deluxe edition). As with her past few albums, Aguilera co-wrote and produced several of the tracks on the album, which includes a wide range of topics and mixes genres and styles. It features a mix of upbeat pop and dance-style songs and ballads. Two singles were released from the album: "Your Body" and a duet with Blake Shelton, "Just a Fool." Both of them are good, but neither became a massive hit.

The CD liner features pictures of Augilera, lyrics, and production notes for each song, as well as several thank-you messages at the end. The album has a very similar feel and tone to her last few albums, which may be appreciated by some and found to be cookie-cutter by others. While the songs on the album were not as popular as some of her earlier hits, they feature a good mix of songs that showcase Aguilera's vocal range and talent. If you are a fan of Aguilera's it is worth listening to and, depending on your tastes, some of the tracks are worth adding to a playlist, even if you would not listen to the entire album multiple times. 

Workout Update: Lift 4: Day 33

Day 33 is legs. It is a 50/50 workout and probably the hardest workout of the program up to this point. Both because you are increasing the amount of weight you used from two weeks ago, and because the HIIT moves are brutal. By the time I got to the HIIT, I was beat, so I was taking a lot of breaks. But I made it through the best I could. Thankfully, the core portion was not extremely difficult, and stretching is always good.

Product Review: Small Parts Organizer

 

This is a double-sided organizer that is perfect for holding small parts or accessories such as screws, nails, bolts, washers, or things like craft supplies (e.g., beads), or small electronic components such as resistors. Each side has 15 smaller compartments, separated by dividers, and two larger compartments that can hold things the size of socket heads, small wrenches, or Allen wrenches. Each side has clips that will hold its respective side shut. When you turn it over, the things in the compartments mostly stay in their respective compartments, but items such as small nails may fall out of their compartment (but not the case as a whole) because there is some space between the tops of the dividers and the lids. 

It would have been nice if one or two of the compartments had individual lids that could be closed to prevent small items from falling out of the compartments when the organizer is moved from place to place. That is what knocks it down a star for me. It is made from relatively sturdy material, but I would be careful not to drop it because if one of the sides popped, you would be picking things up for days. The clips do seem to keep each side pretty secure, however. Overall, it is a good value for the money and a good way to keep small accessories organized and in one place.

Product Review: Wool Ironing Mat

 

This is a relatively small ironing mat. It is 14" x 11" and is best suited for ironing small items such as t-shirts. I could be used to iron a dress shirt in a pinch, but it would be a bit hard to use it for items much larger than that (like a suit jacket). It is perfect for someone with limited space who cannot accommodate a full-size ironing board, or for those who only need to iron occasionally. It is thick enough to protect whatever surface you put it on, and it does not slide around. The one drawback is that it is not really big enough to set an iron on and reposition what you are ironing, which is why you want to stick with smaller items. Ultimately, it works, but if you iron a lot, you will definitely need something larger than this. 

Workout Update: Lift 4: Day 32

Day 32 was the shoulders interval workout. I used the increased weight for most of the sets, but I did have to drop set on a couple of exercises in the third block. The cardio exercises were okay in this workout, but not the ones I like the most. I was able to do the 180 squat jumps for part of the time. This round has been the first one I have attempted them.  

Workout Update: Lift 4: Day 31

Day 31 was the mid-week rest day, so I did the flexibility routine. It went well, and I felt like I had a little bit more range of motion than I did last week. It was definitely nice to have a rest day, especially after yesterday's circuit workout.

Book Review: Star Wars: Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss

 

The Glass Abyss is a 2024 Star Wars canon novel written by Steven Barnes, set shortly after the events of The Phantom Menace, centered around the character of Mace Windu. In it, Windu receives a posthumous message from Qui-Gon Jinn, asking him to help the inhabitants of an Outer Rim planet called Metagos. Windu travels to the planet where its inhabitants live underground because the surface has been turned to glass as a result of a solar flare, to aid the members of a farming clan called the Sa'ad in dealing with the crime lords, led by a being named Chulok. 

The hardcover version of the book is just under 400 pages long. It is a fine ancillary story, but I believe it would have been better suited as a young adult novel, as it is not closely tied to the main Skywalker saga storyline (although Anakin is mentioned a couple of times and Yoda makes an appearance toward the end of the book). For the most part, the adult canon novels have advanced (or fleshed out) the main storyline of the era in which they are set, and the young adult and junior novels tell the side stories (which the story in this book is). That said, Barnes does a good job fleshing out the character of Mace and providing a backstory for the character that was not seen in the films. What knocks it down a couple of stars for me is that this version of Mace does not feel like the same one that was in the movies. It would be one thing if the version of Mace in the book were a much younger version of the character, but I could not envision Samuel L. Jackson's character from the films in this story. It just seemed like Mace Windu was shoehorned into a story that he did not belong in. Ultimately, it is an okay story, but it is not one of the must-read canon novels.

Workout Update: Lift 4: Day 30

Day 30 was the week five back and biceps workout, which was a circuit workout. I attempted to increase the weights for most exercises, but because of the circuit format, I was drop setting in the first block in the second and third sets, and I used a lower weight than I intended for some of the exercises in the second block. Next week, when it is the 50/50 format, I will try to bump up the amount of weight again. The circuit format makes it very hard because you are doing four exercises back to back. It is not easy with light weights by the time you get to the third set of the blocks, and it can be damn near impossible if you are using heavier weights. Of course, the workout finishes with a core block and then stretching.  

Product Review: Amazon Basics Compact Plastic Trash Can

 

This compact trash can is ideal for use in small spaces, such as bathrooms, RVs, dorm rooms, or outdoors on a deck or porch. Personally, I use it on my front porch to put dog poop bags in, so I do not have to put them in the large can in my garage, and potentially stink up the garage (especially in the summer). The lid closes to keep animals out (to an extent), and a foot pedal allows you to open it without bending down. It also has an inner liner that can be pulled out, making it easier to replace a bag. Anyone considering it should note that it is very small (just six liters) and will not hold a lot. So, if you plan to use it in a bathroom, unless your bathroom is tiny and you need to conserve space, it would be better in a guest bathroom that is not frequently used; otherwise, it will fill up quickly.  

Product Review: 3-in-1 Bathroom Sink Drain Strainer

 

This is an excellent bathroom sink strainer that prevents debris from entering your drains and allows for easy plugging and unplugging of the sink as needed. It comes in a two-pack, which is convenient if you have multiple bathrooms or a bathroom with two sinks. The basket will catch anything large, and the bottom of the basket can be removed for easy cleaning.

One of the sinks in my master bath was horribly clogged and drained extremely slowly. After replacing the old plug with this and pouring a drain opener down the drain, water now drains very quickly, at the same rate as the other sink. And, these look much nicer than the old plugs. They will universally fit most bathroom drains and do not require any tools to install (unless you need a wrench or screwdriver to remove the old flange). This is a great value and absolutely worth the price.

Workout Update: Lift 4: Day 29

Day 29 was the start of week 5, which was chest and back again. This was a 50/50 workout, so you do three blocks of lifting, each block consisting of one chest exercise and one triceps exercise. Then, you do three blocks of cardio/HIIT. The HIIT exercises were more difficult this week, but not horrible. I did have to drop set on both exercises in block 2, but I was able to use increased weight for the first sets in each block and in all three sets of blocks 1 and 3. So overall, it was a good workout.