Book Review: Star Wars: A Valiant Vow

 

A Valiant Vow, published in 2025, is a junior novel set during Phase III of the High Republic novels. It was written by Justina Ireland. It is set around the final battle between the Jedi/Republic and the Nihil. It is actually the second-to-last Phase III novel, leading up to the final adult book, Trials of the Jedi. In it, a group of Padawans and Younglings join Imri Cantaros, who is working to help people on the planet Archio, when the Nihil's Stormwall comes down. The Jedi have to deal with the Blight and Nihil scav droids, which begin attacking everything once the Stormwall is deactivated. Churro the Hutt, who was introduced in an earlier junior novel, is also heavily featured in this book. 

The hardcover version of the book is just over 260 pages, but it has some illustrations that reduce the substantive page count a bit. It read pretty quickly, and can easily be finished in a day or two. Ultimately, it is an okay side story, but not one I would classify as a must-read. 

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 45

Day 45 was shoulders. This week, it is a LIFT format, so there are three blocks of triple sets and a burnout block. I was able to increase the amount of weight I used for some of the exercises, but I was drop setting a lot, especially in the third block. The burnout was not horrible, and thankfully, the core component did not include any planks. 

Book Review: Edge of Honor (Scot Harvath Series #24)

 

Edge of Honor, published in 2025, is the 24th book in the long-running series of action thrillers centered around the character of Scot Harvath by author Brad Thor. Unlike most of the other novels in the series, the events in this book are set in the United States. In it, Harvath and his wife, Solvi, are thrust into the middle of what appears to be a terrorist attack near the Norwegian embassy, but it is quickly determined to be more than meets the eye. A series of interconnected attacks reveals a political conspiracy involving government officials that threatens to bring down the new President.

The hardcover version of the book is just over 320 pages. The style and tone are the same as the other novels in the series, so it will read as quickly or as slowly as those do (assuming you have read some or all of the prior books). The storyline in this book is mostly self-contained, so you can follow what is going on even if you haven't read the prior novels. However, it does help to have read the earlier books because by this point, the author does not rehash the backstories of the main characters; he just assumes readers know who everyone is. Ultimately, if you have enjoyed the prior books in the series or just enjoy the action-thriller/spy novel genre, this is worth reading.  

Product Review: Niffgaff Home Gym Storage Rack Organizer

 

This is a small rack that can be screwed into a wall that can hold lightweight fitness equipment like loops, bands, belts, jump ropes, or the like. It comes with multiple screws: one set for wood and another for drywall (along with anchors). It is very sturdy once it is mounted. The space between the extensions is not very wide, so you would not be able to put anything like a barbell or small dumbbells in it (and it is not sturdy enough to hold anything that heavy anyway). It is small, so if you have a lot of things you want to hang, you may want to get a couple of these or look for a larger one. Ultimately, however, if you have resistance bands or loops that you want to get up off the floor or don't want to hang on some other piece of equipment (or over a doorway), this is a good, inexpensive option.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 44

Day 44 was chest and back, and quite frankly, it sucked. It is a LIFT HIIT format this week, and I was flipping off the screen multiple times. I had to drop set most of the exercises, because this one stacks exercises targeting the same muscle group in each block. Blocks 1 and 3 has two back exercises and blocks  2 and 4 has two chest exercises. So, basically 24 reps working the same muscle with no rest. Then, both HIIT exercises require you to be in plank. So, yeah, it was horrible. But, I made it through (although I was totally slacking during HIIT). 

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 43

Day 43 was the start of week 7, which meant the first of two leg workouts. This one was a LIFT workout, so you do triple sets with a burnout block at the end. It was brutal, but I was able to increase the amount of weight for each exercise.  

Product Review: Lauren Harold Workout Equipment Storage Stand

 

If you work out at home, chances are you have quite a bit of exercise equipment taking over your workout space. This is a very good stand that can help keep your workout area organized and clear. It is tall, with four sections: a top shelf that can hold things like yoga blocks, a back that can hold hooks that can hold small items like handles for workout bands, rubber or fabric loops, or the like, two dumbbell racks, and a bottom basket that can hold things like kettle bells, medicine balls, small weight plates, etc. It also has a basket that hangs on the side to hold things like foam rollers or rolled-up yoga mats, and a bar where you can hang bands or a towel. You can either put wheels or feet on the bottom. The wheels lock, so I think it makes more sense to put them on so you can move it more easily, if necessary.

It comes in pieces and has to be assembled. All of the parts are clearly labeled, and the instructions are easy to follow. It comes with an Allen Wrench/Screwdriver combination tool, but it will go much quicker (especially if you are assembling it without help) to use an electric screwdriver or drill. One person can assemble it (I was able to put it together in about an hour), but you will have to move it and reposition it quite a bit. So, if you have another person available to help assemble it, it will go much faster. There were a couple of issues that dropped this down a star for me. First, the screws that are supposed to secure the bar that connects the two sides of the side basket are not big enough to actually secure the bar. They screw into the bar itself tightly, but do not actually secure the bar to the side pieces, so you can just lift the bar off the sides even with the screws in place. It does not seem like this was a matter of a single bad screw, because I tried all three screws (you get one extra of each screw and bolt), and each had the same problem. It still works, but it is definitely a flaw. Second, some of the parts were very difficult to line up with the screw holes, and I had to use a hammer to get them in place, which made putting it together harder than it should have been. Ultimately, however, if you are looking for a relatively inexpensive storage option for workout equipment, this is a good option.

4k-UHD/Movie Review: Don't Worry Darling

 

Don't Worry Darling is a 2022 film starring Florence Pugh, Olivia Wilde, Harry Styles, and Chris Pine in the leading roles, and a supporting cast featuring Sydney Chandler, Nick Kroll, Gemma Chan, Kiki Layne, and Dita Von Teese. Olivia Wilde also directed and was one of the producers of the film. It is a hard movie to classify, as it blends genres, specifically thriller, mystery, drama, suspense, and sci-fi. Pugh and Styles play Alice and Jack Chambers, who live in a 1950s desert "company town" run by Pine's character, Frank. Each morning, all the men go off to work at a secretive compound called Victory Headquarters in the middle of the desert, and are not allowed to discuss what they are working on, while the women are all homemakers who spend their days shopping and gossiping. It is implied that the men are working on some kind of national security project akin to the Manhattan Project, but as the movie progresses, we learn that not everything is as it seems. It is hard to fully describe the film without giving too much away, but if you combine bits of The Stepford Wives, The Matrix, Inception, The Truman Show, and The Astronaut Wives Club, you would get something like this.

The 4k set is a two-disc set containing a UHD disc and a standard blu-ray. The A/V quality of the UHD disc is outstanding. The movie looks and sounds wonderful in UHD, with both audio and video near reference-quality. The bonus content, however, is very sparse. It is just on the standard blu-ray disc and consists of just a making-of featurette that runs just over 17 minutes and one deleted scene. The movie is well-written and very well-acted. Pugh's character is the centerpiece of the movie, and she does an excellent job in the leading role, but the entire cast does a great job in their respective roles. The writers do an excellent job of not giving away too much too soon. While you know very early on that something is off about the town and its people, they do a good job of not making everything obvious. Ultimately, it is an excellent film that is absolutely worth the time to watch. 

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 42

On day 42, I did the lower-body recovery workout from Lift More. It had been a couple of weeks since I did this one, but I maintained my flexibility level. I was also able to work some knots out of my legs on the foam roller, which felt nice.  

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 41

On Day 41, I did the two recovery workouts from Lift 4. I really would not say that I made a significant improvement over last week, but I did not regress either. So there is that.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 40

Day 40 was the last regular workout of week 6. It was arms and followed the LIFT/HIIT format. As with most of the workouts in Phase 2, I had to drop-set for many of the exercises, but I was able to increase the weight for the first set of every exercise. It definitely helped that in each block, the supersets alternated between a bicep exercise and a triceps exercise, so each muscle group got more rest. The HIIT was definitely tough, and the first move requires some coordination. The core component was not as bad as yesterday's since you lay on the bench for both exercises.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 39

Day 39 was the second leg day of the week. It was tough, but not horrible. This followed the LIFT format, so you do three blocks of triple sets. This one has the Romanian/Bulgarian deadlifts, so it was automatically tougher. The only thing I do not like about the workout formats is that, unlike with Lift 4, where you could reliably increase the amount of weight you are using every couple of weeks, with this one, you have to jump around from week-to-week. The first part of the core portion is tough, but the second exercise is not too bad. 

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 38

Day 38 was the shoulder workout for the week. It follows the LIFT/HIIT format, comprising four blocks of supersets. This week, the exercises are ordered so a higher-weight exercise (i.e., an exercise that works a larger muscle) is paired with a lower-weight exercise (i.e., an exercise that works a smaller muscle). This HIIT is different this week, and definitely presents a coordination challenge. And, of course, you finish with core and stretching.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 37

Day 37 was chest and back, which was a LIFT workout. So, you get three blocks of triple sets (although the last block has just two exercises, one of which is done on one side and then the other), and a burnout block. I increased the weight I used for each exercise, but there were a couple where I had to drop-set after the first set. I was pretty worn out by the time I got to the burnout round. It was another in which the burnout would not have been so bad if it had been a single set, but three sets made it brutal. The core component was not horrible, however.  

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 36

Day 36 was the start of week 6. It was Legs again, this time following the LIFT/HIIT format. Like last week's workout, you work hamstrings, glutes, quads, and calves. I mostly stuck with the same weight I used last week, but in the fourth block, I dropped the amount of weight on the front-loaded narrow squats down to 30 lbs from the intended 35, since it was paired with calf raises, and I figured I could do 40 lbs for those easier than I could for the squats and I had to use the same weight for both since there would not be enough time to change the SelectTech weights. The HIIT was tough in this workout, starting with that high plank, jumping into bear, lifting your hands off the floor in bear, jumping back, alternating with an Icky shuffle with a step-back lunge. And of course, you finish with core and stretching. It was definitely a challenging workout.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 35

On day 35, I did the roll and recover routine from Lift 4. I was not as active today as I was yesterday, but I was putting books away and moving them from room to room. So again, even though it was an off day, I was active.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 34

On day 34, I just did the Lift 4 stretching routine. I was pretty active today unpacking and organizing books, breaking down boxes, etc. So, even though it was a rest day, I did get in a bit of a workout.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 33

Day 33 was the final day of week 5, which was arms; biceps and triceps specifically. It was a brutal workout. It consisted of three blocks of triple sets, which were not horrible, but then you had a burnout block. If the burnout had been a single set, it would not have been horrible. However, in the burnout, you do 45 seconds of triceps dips, 45 seconds of bicep curls, and 45 seconds of triceps push-ups with no break between them (you only get as much time as it takes to stop one exercise and start the next). I was spent by the end of the first set of the burnout. By the second and third, I was just holding the top of the dip position and doing micro push-ups on my knees. The core portion was tough to. So basically, by the time you finish, even doing the cooldown is hard. 

Book Review: Marilyn: The Ultimate Look at the Legend

 

Marilyn: The Ultimate Look at the Legend is a book by James Haspiel and published in 1991. It is a cross between a coffee-table book and a biography about Marilyn Monroe. Haspiel was a fan of Monroe living in New York, who ultimately became friends with her during the last eight years of her life, from 1954 to 1962. He was among a group of teenage fans who basically followed Monroe everywhere she went when she was in New York, taking pictures of and interacting with her. She befriended many of them, including Haspiel. The book contains several pictures (many of which had never been seen before the book was published) of Monroe, as well as letters she wrote to Haspiel and memorabilia she signed for him. The first half of the book contains more pictures than text, and the latter half contains more text. 

The hardcover version of the book is just over 200 pages long, but because there are so many pictures, it reads very quickly. It is interesting to learn just how close fans could get to the most famous actress in the world at the time, and the fact that the authorities basically allowed them to camp outside her hotels and apartment complex. Haspiel even tells a story about punching a cop who tried to get him to stop loitering. You definitely get the idea that Haspiel, while he may not have been in the closest part of Monroe's inner circle, was very close to her and probably spent more time with her than any fan of any movie star has ever had the opportunity to since then. He did not seem close enough to her to know exactly how many pills she was alleged to have been taking, or see some of the erratic behavior that she was exhibiting toward the end of her life. Either that or just did not feel like including those details. He does mention, however, that Marilyn looked haggard the last few times he saw her. The final chapters discuss her death, and Haspiel absolutely does not believe that Monroe committed suicide. He absolutely believes she was killed, and while he does not name who he believes murdered her, it is clear from the context in the chapter in which he discusses her death who he believes did it. Ultimately, it is a very interesting book with several good pictures. It is a must-read for anyone who is a fan of Monroe's. 

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 32

Day 32 is the second leg workout of the week. Basically, you do all of the exercises that you did not do on Monday, so it is another "full" leg workout that works hamstrings, quads, glutes, and calves. I was able to go heavier, and because the exercises were split, I could perform the ones that required using 35 or 40 lbs with the SelectTech dumbbells without an issue, where I would need two 35 lb bells and then one 40 lb bell. It would be impossible to change the weight within the limited time between exercises without falling behind if you had to do that. This is a LIFT/HIIT workout, so after you kill your legs off, you have to do HIIT. The first move is in a high plank, doing knee tucks, and then four plank jacks. Then you do square squat taps.  At least you get to lay down on the bench for core, so there is that. 

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 31

Day 31 of Lift More is shoulders, and it is brutal. It is a LIFT style workout, but you are doing three blocks of triple sets and a burnout block. You do every exercise on the tracking sheet, with no rest between the exercises, or really between the sets or blocks. You get barely enough time to transition. Then, the burnout is three exercises for 45 seconds with no rest between them. And, of course, you finish with core (which is the "easiest" part of this workout) and a cooldown. This is a workout in which you should not try to increase the weight you are using. Even if you stay with the same weight you have used for the past couple of weeks, chances are you will need to drop-set one or more of the exercises. Even Joel was using 5 lb dumbbells for a couple of exercises at the end. This is probably the most challenging workout of the program so far.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 30

Day 30 marks the second day of week 5 in Lift More. Today was chest and back, again alternating the sequencing of the workouts. This one followed the LIFT/HIIT format, containing 4 blocks of two exercises. In each block, you do one back exercise and one chest exercise. And the goal is to increase the amount of weight you are using. I was able to increase the amount of weight I used for each exercise, but in the fourth block I had to drop set both the incline chest flys and back flys. The HIIT was tough today. You alternate 2x2 mountain climbers and four high knees (moving laterally) followed by four butt kicks. Of course, you finish with core and stretching to cooldown. 

Blu-Ray/TV Series Review: Bewitched: Season 3

 

The 33-episode third season of Bewitched aired during the 1966/1967 TV season. It was the first season to be broadcast in color and the first season with significant cast turnover, with Sandra Gould taking over the role of Gladys Kravitz after Alice Pearce passed away during season 2. As a result, the role of the Kravitzes was significantly reduced in season three, although George Tobias and Gould appeared more toward the end of the season. The series continued to be primarily a story-of-the-week procedural, but some storylines extended throughout the season. The most significant arc this season was whether and to what extent Tabitha (who was aged between seasons and played by the combination of Erin and Diane Murphy) inherited Samantha's powers. Aside from Pearce, the other casting change was Kasey Rogers taking over the role of Louise Tate. Of course, Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, Agnes Moorehead, and David White all reprised their roles. Marian Lorne, Maurice Evans, and Paul Lynde all reprised their recurring roles, and Bernard Fox made his first appearance as Doctor Bombay in the season finale.

The 33 episodes are spread across three discs. As of this writing, the individual seasons are only available on DVD. The DVD set is also a three-disc set. The blu-rays are only available in bundled sets, such as the complete series set. The A/V quality is outstanding, and the episodes look wonderful in HD, especially now that they are in color. There is no bonus material on the third season discs, but they can be played with English captions. 

The series continues to be a good, but very dated, sitcom. Some of the jokes that were acceptable in the 1960s would probably not be used in a show made today, just as some jokes that can be used in today's sitcoms would not have been used when Bewitched was made. Some of the themes and jokes can be very misogynistic, but the show used the witchcraft elements as a metaphor for equal rights for women and minorities. Ultimately, if you liked the first two seasons, this one is absolutely worth watching.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 29

Day 29 was the beginning of Week 5. The format and sequence of the workouts change this week, so today was the first of two leg days. In Phase 2, you do not separate hamstrings and glutes and quads and calves, you do exercises from both workouts each day. This one was a lift workout, but instead of two blocks of quad sets, you do three blocks of triple sets. There is one new exercise in this workout, Bulgarian lunges using the bench. You have one foot on the bench and you do lunges with your back leg elevated. I began that one using 15 lb dumbbells, but had to use no weight in the third set because I was getting too off balance. For the other exercises, I mostly increased the amount of weight I used, aside from the calf raises, but that was mostly because I was using 35 lbs for deadlifts, and I can only use the Bowflex adjustable dumbbells for anything 35 lbs or higher.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 28

Day 28 was the second rest day, so I did the two recovery routines from Lift More. I did the upper-body routine followed by the lower-body routine, which I think is the best order to do them in, since the foam rolling portion of the upper-body routine also helps loosen up your hips. I again found that I had a bit more mobility and could get a little deeper into the various stretches. And, the foam rolling felt really good as I had a lot of knots in my legs.