Let’s answer some questions … if you have a few minutes, please share your thoughts in the comment section. Answer one question, answer them all, it’s up to you.
Is the book always better than the movie? Are there any exceptions?
Usually, yes. It’s just too difficult to cram all of the little details that make a story great into a 2-hour movie. It’s nearly impossible to portray dense characters that are fully developed in the book onto the big screen.
There is only one exception to this rule that I can think of: Chocolat.
I saw the movie with Johnny Depp (*DROOL*) and was naturally curious to read the book. This is one of those few times that I actually liked the movie more than the book. The screenwriter inserted a love story between Vianne and Roux and though it was only a secondary story line, I thought it really gave the story an interesting twist (and I’m a sucker for romance, obviously). The real story, of course, was the spiritual battle between one’s duty to God and one’s natural inclination to be tempted with worldly pleasures (in this case, the sweet temptation of chocolate and other sweets). I ADORED the movie and really enjoyed Harris’ interesting and somewhat tormented characters.
Describe the longest road trip you’ve ever taken.
We try and take one big family vacation together every year. And several years back, we decided to go camping in the Rockies. It took us two days to get there. We drove to some hole-in-the-wall campground in Kansas (actually, it was a pretty nice RV park), spent the night and then drove into the Rockies the next day.
It was a LONG road trip simply because there wasn’t a lot to see. Just miles and miles of plains and crops. Though it was boring, it was also relaxing as the roads were straight, the weather was nice and there wasn’t a lot of traffic. It was a bit eerie though because gas stations and towns were few and far between, so I worried a bit about running out of gas or having some sort of mechanical issue. But God protected us and the trip was uneventful. We arrived safely and we got back home safely.
We enjoyed the Rockies so much, that we would all like to go back some day (though we’ve since sold the camper), rent a cabin and explore more hiking trails.
What’s the perfect age to retire? How will you know you’re ready?
I don’t think anyone can give a definitive age – it depends on the individual and what that individual wants out of life.
For me, never. I never plan on retiring. Though I may not be working somewhere for a paycheck, I plan on staying busy doing a variety of things at all times. Whether that’s traveling, or writing, or being with family, or watching grandkids (*crosses fingers that there ARE grandkids*) or whatever. I have no intentions of staying at home and waiting to die. My in-laws stay very busy (almost too busy, in my opinion) and though I wish they would slow down sometimes, I have to admit, they get around pretty well for their ages. And it’s in large part due to the fact that they stay so busy.
Actually, I say I won’t be working any where, but I might be, now that I think about it. Kevin and I don’t expect to collect Social Security when we reach that age because it doesn’t look like there will be any more money in the coffers to PAY us. (Thanks to our greedy, over spending politicians). So, we may not have a CHOICE to not work.
That thought doesn’t really bother me, though. I enjoy working and it’ll keep my body active so … we’ll see.
Do you feel obligated to finish all books you start reading?
I used to, but I don’t anymore. Life is simply too short to waste on terrible stories.
I’ve been trying to download more books to my Kindle, mainly because they’re free. I look at the reviews and if most of the reviews are pretty positive and the book is free, or cheap, then I’ll download it to my Kindle and check it out. I have a tendency to stay with the same authors and I’d really like to branch out and read lesser known writers.
The latest “free” ebooks I downloaded to my Kindle are “Invisible” and “Back on Murder.”
Do you think money can buy happiness?
No. But it can certainly make life a lot less stressful.
We were just discussing this question at the dinner table the other day. Now that Dude will be looking for a job soon, we’re trying to impress upon him the importance of choosing a career that he will like (or at the very least, tolerate), and that will make him a decent living.
This is especially important for a man, because if he gets married and has children one day, if they choose for the wife to stay home with the children (which, I hope they do because my opinion is, why bother having children if you’re going to have other people raise them), then he will need to make some decent money in order to support him.
(This goes hand-in-hand with living within one’s means and not spending more than one makes so that it’s possible for one spouse to stay home to begin with. Again, if the wife [or husband] isn’t willing to sacrifice her career, at least until that child starts school, then why have children at all? There’s nothing wrong with choosing to remain childless, but often times, having a full-time career and trying to be a full-time parent just doesn’t work out and the kids are the ones to suffer. Having children is about sacrifice and committing ourselves to raising those children. I’ll step off my soapbox now).
Making money and being comfortable is nice, but living life and focusing on one’s family is even better. As always, it’s all about balancing one’s priorities.
Write From Karen 