Author: Crystal

Our 10 Favorite Lines from Sherlock the TV Series

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Sherlock.  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle brought him to life in print, but of all actors that have brought him to life on screen; none have done so quite like Benedict Cumberbatch.  Sherlock makes a seamless transition to the 21st century with Cumberbatch at the helm, and it’s a character that you immediately identify and possibly empathize with; or, you are simply intrigued by his “high-functioning sociopath” behavior.

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I’m a proud member of the fandom that began in 2010, and one of the many that are anxiously awaiting the series’ return in 2017.  The previous seasons are a streaming repeat on my television at home, and tablet when I travel.  While we all patiently (or not so patiently) wait, I’d like to share some of my favorite quotes from the series.

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Top Ten Things Ben Franklin Gave the World

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307 years ago, a man by the name of Benjamin Franklin was born.  Of all the founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin has always been my favorite.  Don’t get me wrong – the majority of them were all educated, some inventors, some with wisdom beyond their time that would last through centuries.  But, Benjamin Franklin, the son of a soap maker, he continues to affect our lives in ways that many of us don’t even realize.  Here are just a few ways:

Bifocals: Yes.  Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals, after becoming tired of having to change glasses for up close and far away.

“Remember that time is money” — Words said by Ben, that are still repeated today. Perhaps your boss has used those words today?

Electricity:  I didn’t put this at number one, only because of course electricity “existed” before Benjamin Franklin.  So he didn’t invent it, but it’s because of him that we began to understand it A LOT more. He also coined many new terms in relation to electricity including: Charge, Conductor, Positively, Negatively, and Battery (more on batteries in a moment)

Odometers: We may not look at them everyday,  but they are definitely in all of our automobiles.  As PostMaster, Franklin wanted to keep track of routes delivering the mail.

Batteries: The battery might have many incarnations today, but Ben is the one who first developed the name and experimented with his “Franklin Battery.”

“A penny saved is a penny earned” — It’s a little bit of a misquote from what was originally said by Franklin – but I certainly cannot count the number of times this was said to me by my parents and grandparents.

Public Libraries: Franklin created the first U.S. public library so the less fortunate could expand their minds.

Swim Fins:  Ok, so maybe we don’t use swimfins everyday.  But, he did invent them at the age of 11. (His were just used on the hands instead of the feet)

“Benjamins” — The Pennsylvania Gazette was a printing press owned by Benjamin Franklin that began printing the first paper money in Philadelphia and Delaware.  (Even with misspellings thought to ward off counterfeits.) Over a century later, an image of Franklin was used on the $100 bill, and many of us call them Benjamins to this day.

Freedom:  Yes, we have him to thank for this.  He was one of the 5 men to draft the Declaration of Independence. He was also one of only 4 men to sign the Treaty of Paris, which ended the American Revolutionary War and acknowledged the United States to be a free, sovereign and independent nation. 

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from Ben Franklin?

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Crystal is Store Manager at Half Price Books Flagship in Dallas, Texas.

David Bowie Fashions through the Decades

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Fashion! Turn to the left!

Fashion! Turn to the Right!

Oooh, Fashion!

David Bowie is as synonymous with fashion as he is with music.  From Diamond Dogs to Scary Monsters.  In honor of his 66th birthday, let’s put on our red shoes and dance through fashion trends during the decades of David Bowie.

The 1960s – The Redhead

David’s signature locks showed us all that being a red headed stepchild actually looked good! Ginger was definitely the color to have on your head.

The 1970s – Glam Rock

The trend that describes a musical style as much as a fashion style.  Don’t like your hair? That is totally fine – Just cover it with a wig!  Don’t like your face? Not to worry – Just paint one on that you like! Feeling a little short? No big deal – Heels are now ok for girls and guys alike!  And let’s not forget the beginning of bling with all that glitters and sparkles.  Who was at the center of all of this?  Ziggy Stardust.

The 1980s – Goblin King

Sure there were many styles in the 80s, but I want to focus on my favorite.  The style that proved that being the bad guy can always be in fashion.  David Bowie as the Goblin King in Labyrinth.  With a hairstyle and eye makeup that have re-emerged on fashion runways through the years.   David Bowie was certainly holding the crystal ball to see into fashion trends.

The 1990s – Goatee

The facial hair pattern that is still worn by so many men (including my husband.. on rare occasions).

The 2000s – Re-inventing the Mustache

The 2000s re-introduced us to Bowie, the actor.  When we say mustache, so many of us think Burt Reynolds in the 1980s, we so often forget the 90s – the 1890s in fact with Mr. Nikola Tesla.  David Bowie’s portrayal of Tesla showed us that it’s not only cool to be geek but it’s also cool to sport the ‘stache.

So what’s your favorite Bowie incarnation? — Crystal

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Crystal is Store Manager at Half Price Books Flagship in Dallas, Texas.

26 New Words to Learn on National Dictionary Day

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October 16th is National Dictionary Day.  Of course, October 16th makes perfect sense to be Dictionary Day since it is also the birthdate of Noah Webster, the father of the American Dictionary. 

In celebration of Dictionary Day, I’ve decided to share an alphabetical list of words I know only because I saw them in a dictionary.  Hmm, I wonder how many I can try to use while talking with someone today.

Achromatopsia – Total lack of color vision

Brevirostrate – Having a Short Nose

Clithridiate – Key-hole shaped

Dactylonomy – Counting using one’s fingers

Eccedentesiast – One who fakes a smile

Floccinaucinihilipilification – Estimation that something is valueless.

Gargalesthesia – The sensation caused by tickling

Hippopotomonstrosesquipedalian – pertaining to a very, very long word

Interfenestration – The space between two windows

Jentacular – Pertaining to Breakfast

Kakorrhaphiophobia – fear of failure

Libanotophorous — producing incense

Margaritomancy — divination using pearls

Nudiustertian – the day before yesterday

Omphalopsychite – One who meditates by gazing at the navel

Pandiculation – Stretching and yawning before going to bed or after waking up

Quomodocunquize – To make money by any means possible

Rhonchisonant – making a snorting or snoring noise

Scolecophagous – One who eats worms

Tinctumutation – Chance of color

Ultrichous – Having wooly hair

Vigesimation – The act of killing every 20th person

Wasserman – Man shaped sea monster

Xenoglossia – The alleged power of a person to communicate with others in a language which he has never learned.

Yogibogeybox – materials used by a spiritualist

Zoanthropy – delusion of a person who believes himself changed into an animal

How many new to you words can you find today? — Crystal

P.S. Editor’s Note: When Crystal submitted this post, she said, “That was the LONGEST spell check ever!” We can see why 🙂

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Crystal is Store Manager at Half Price Books Flagship in Dallas, Texas.

One-Hit Wonder Playlist

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Oh, the times I have failed when someone has asked me, “Who is the original artist of this song?”

Of course, I have convinced myself that they are asking this question because they’d like to hear the song rather than hinting that I shouldn’t be singing it. 

I have found that no song can get stuck in your head like a One-Hit Wonder.  After listening only a few times, you may very well know many of the words – but, you most definitely have the chorus memorized, and sing it in your car or in the shower like you are starring in your own rock concert.  (Note to everyone: Singing alone in the car or shower will prevent being asked the question “Who sings this song?”)

Here are 15 of my favorite One-Hit Wonders.  I can’t see into the future, but I predict you will want to sing along to some!

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(1) Nena, 99 Luftballoons (2) Europe, The Final Countdown (3) Carl Douglas, Kung Fu Fighting (4) Vicki Sue Robinson, Turn the Beat Around (5) Belle Stars, Iko Iko (6) Taco, Puttin On the Ritz (7) Toni Basil,  Mickey (8) Tom Cochrane, Life is a Highway (9) Blind Melon, No Rain (10) Soft Cell, Tainted Love (11) Lipps Inc., Funkytown (12) 4 Non Blondes, What’s Up (13) The Buggles, Video Killed the Radio Star (14) M , Pop Muzik (15) Bobby Boris Pickett, Monster Mash

What’s your favorite One Hit Wonder? — Crystal

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Crystal is Store Manager at Half Price Books Flagship in Dallas, Texas.

Happy Birth Anniversary, Marilyn Monroe

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For those that know me, there is one thing that everyone can unanimously agree on.  I am a HUGE Marilyn Monroe fan.  I’m not quite sure the why, how, or when that it started, but from a very young age I was in love with Marilyn Monroe.  Maybe it was her beauty or the fact that I had no idea who this woman was, but yet I saw her face EVERYWHERE. Over two decades, I’ve built my collection of Marilyn memorabilia from books, puzzles, plates, glasses, figurines, posters, purses– the list just goes on.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize the reasons why I love Marilyn so much.  I adore how every photo of her captivates you. You’re forced to stop and look.  How you can see the difference between Marilyn Monroe and Norma Jeane in the pictures. Marilyn – the bombshell, the legend, the sensual woman full of humor; and Norma Jeane – the sad, unsure girl who, just like all of us, lacks self-confidence and just wants to find love.  Like so many others I’ve read countless books and biographies about Marilyn Monroe, and watched every movie (most multiple times).  But, my favorite things about Marilyn have always been her quotes.   Her words are so simplistic yet inspiring.  Each one has a truth behind it, and so many are words spoken by Marilyn that we think inside our heads but never say out loud about the insecurities of being a woman, the worries of not being beautiful enough, the process of trying to gain confidence in yourself.

Here are just a few of my favorites:

  • “I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they’re right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”
  • “I am good, but not an angel. I do sin, but I am not the devil. I am just a small girl in a big world trying to find someone to love.”
  •  “If you’re gonna be two-faced, at least make one of them pretty.”
  •  “I don’t mind living in a man’s world, as long as I can be a woman in it.”
  •  “Success makes so many people hate you. I wish it wasn’t that way. It would be wonderful to enjoy success without seeing envy in the eyes of those around you.”
  •  “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.”
  • “I want to grow old without facelifts… I want to have the courage to be loyal to the face I’ve made. Sometimes I think it would be easier to avoid old age, to die young, but then you’d never complete your life, would you? You’d never wholly know you.”

Happy Birthday to the woman who became a legend, to the woman that will always remain young and beautiful, and to the woman who never found out who she really was.

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Crystal is the Store Manager at Half Price Books Flagship in Dallas TX.