New Year's Resolution Recap

Today is the last day of January. We are one month in to 2012 and I thought it would be apropos to check in with my New Year's resolutions which I had posted here. So, lets review, shall we?

New Ad Campaign!

I am totally starting a love-affair with Vista Print. Although their website looks a little dubious, I had seen their ads so much and was willing to give one of their promotional campaigns a try. Last week, I order 100 "free" postcards as advertisements for Mary's Historical Programs. They charged me to use my own design, but it was only a paltry $4.99 and the design is saved now for future use, and the charged shipping which was six dollars and change. Thus coming to under $12.00 for the entire order. Not bad at all.

In Defense of "History is Booooooring"

Normally, I refrain from the "multiple letters for emphasis" typing, but the complaint of history being boring is often spoken this way...usually by begrudging high school students. This remark used to drive me absolutely wild it's so ludicrous. I have learned, however, that high school history teachers can make history incredibly boring, so I'm a bit more sympathetic when I hear such things.

Wise Words from Winston

Winston Churchill is one of most delightfully quotable people. Today, I reference Churchill's speech to England after a Blitz during WWII:

I realize the audio is a bit difficult, but he says "Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never-in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."

The entire speech can be read here.

No Apologies

I have been feeling very negative these past few days, which has made it difficult to blog. In my first post, as I have mentioned plenty of times since then, I said I never wanted to whine or be annoying in Mary's Modern Mishaps. I am finding that I am often frustrated because I am so worried and wrapped up in other people's feelings, I never do what I want. So, today, I don't care. Today, I am going on a tangent.

Concert: February 11, 2012, Bridgeton, NJ

Just before Christmas, a Civil War monument was vandalized in Bridgeton, NJ. A complete synopsis on the incident can be found here. Some lovely fellow reenactors are having a benefit concert on February 11, 2012 at the Everett P. Marino Center at 7:30 p.m. The cost is (tax-deductible) $10.00.

To find out more information, please check out the link here: http://www.12thnjvolunteerscok.org/Bridgeton_Civil_War_Monument_Vandalized.html

ROFLMAO! History Major Memes

Although I have known what a meme is for quite some time now, I have fairly recently learned they are called, "memes" and I still don't know how to pronounce them, but they can be quite entertaining. I was delighted to discover an entire genre (I guess I can call it a genre) of meme's dedicated to history majors called The History Major Heraldic Beast.

Top Historically Educational Children's Songs

It's really amazing how many songs from children's movies, or just nursery rhymes teach an accurate history lesson. As always, no particular order to the list:

Top Historically Educational Children's Songs

1) "Sister Suffragette" from Disney's Mary Poppins. I would be lying if I said that whenever this song pops in my head (which is far too frequently) I really, really want to create a program called, "Well Done, Sister Suffragette!" for Mary's Historical Programs. Anyway, despite Mrs. Banks debatable parenting skills, you simply can't deny what a catchy tune she has...no wonder she sings it all the way home. Also, when she mentions Mrs. Pankhurst being clapped in irons again and Mrs Whitman-Allen chaining herself to the prime-minister's car, that stuff totally happened. Too bad Katy Nana was such a killjoy.

100 Years, What Have We Learned?

Not much, evidently. I'm not the first and I certainly won't be the last to compare the current cruise ship tragedy to the Titanic tragedy that happened just shy of a century earlier.

Unconventional Weight Loss Plans

One of my, and probably many others', New Year's Resolutions is to drop those extra pounds I've been toting around since 2011. I have been using the treadmill at Greg's house which has been tolerable, but I don't have one at my house, so I need to come up with a regime for when I'm home. I like to multitask, so I was thinking to myself, "How can I make the most of my exercise time?" The solution, of course, was to learn some history at the same time which I can turn-key to my lovely readers. Read on to discover some of the more unconventional weight loss plans...

Friday Night Movie Review: How it Works

My Friday Night Movie Reviews are, first and foremost, my opinion. I will try to be diplomatic in my reviews and explain the ratings I give in each category. The highest Overall Score a movie can receive is 100, unless, it is based on a true story, in which case it will receive the highest Overall Score of 90.

Old Maid: Not Just a Card Game

While reading an Ann Rinaldi book, at the tender age of 16 or so, I took note that the main character's sister was distressed to be 19 going on 20 in 1861 and, therefore, in great need to find a husband. By war's end, she was 24 and engaged to be married; narrowly missing the stigma of being an "Old Maid." The ages stuck with me through the years, so I am pleased to announce that, this week, I turned 24, am engaged to be married, and not an Old Maid by the 19th century's standards!

Friday Night Movie Review: Sneak Preview!

I'm currently in the middle of watching Band of Brothers for the first time, so I don't have movie to review tonight, but I should have it ready for next week. To tide you over, here are some promos for historical movies coming out this year!

New Year's Resolutions

I have been meaning to write this post for a good five days now, which hasn't been helping me accomplish my New Year's Resolutions at all, but I suppose better late than never, right? I am one of those people who sets half a dozen or more New Year's resolutions, but I'm also one of those people who firmly believe until you say you give up, you haven't yet. Just a head's up, my resolutions are half  "ways to better myself" and half "goals of varying importance I wish to accomplish" so, without further ado here are:

Mary's List of New Year's "Resolutions"!

(As Always, in No Particular Order)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, Everyone! To celebrate, Mary's Historical Programs is running a ten day special: Book a 2012 at any point in the year in the before January 10th and get 50% off! Call 732-915-2506 or email maryh@maryshistoricalprograms.com to book now!