Mountain Views News          Saturday, October 6, 2012

9

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

 Mountain Views News Saturday, October 6, 2012 

SEAN’S SHAMELESS 

REVIEWS: 

JASMINE’S CORNER

Book Reviews by Jasmine Kelsey Williams 


Review By Sean Kayden

WHAT HAPPENED TO MY SISTER By Elizabeth Flock

 ‘What Happened to My Sister’ is a profoundly moving companion piece to the novel ‘Me & 
Emma’, which makes this choice even more worth your while if you give it a chance. With 
‘What Happened to My Sister’ acting as a sequel, this novel picks up where ‘Me & Emma’ 
left off, with eight-year-old Carrie Parker and her mother ready to make a fresh start in their 
lives and to move on from the trouble that had befallen them in their previous story. 
‘What Happened to My Sister’ does bring a new element this time around: hope, a little bit 
of positivity, and a sense of optimism. However, even though there are positive changes, this 
story still explores a dark side of starting a new life, which comes in the form of something 
unexpected. This is what gives ‘What Happened to My Sister’ 
its edge; that something drastic can occur at any point 
in time within the story and as a result, the reader will be 
pulled in yet again by its mystery just as its predecessor has 
done. Another fresh point on this is the introduction 
of three new characters that take Carrie Parker under their 
wing by the names of Ruth, Honor, and Cricket Chaplin 
and almost become the family that Carrie never truly had. 
The book makes a smooth introduction with these characters 
by having a chapter with Carrie’s and Cricket’s names 
as a header underneath the chapter number and then proceeds 
to tell their perspective on the story. As the story progresses, 
each character’s perspective weaves with each other’s, 
building up to a pivotal moment for all involved, which 
means that the reader will be anticipating what the fate will 
be for Carrie and all others involved throughout. 
‘What Happened to My Sister’ takes the story of ‘Me 
& Emma’ and builds upon it, making it more inspirational, 
moving, and adding emphasis to the mother-daughter relationship 
which not only will speak to readers, but will speak 
volumes on holding on to the happiness that can be uncovered 
at any stage in life, be it childhood or adulthood.

LORD HURON

The aptly titled Lord Huron’s 
debut album really strikes 
a cord with the American 
people. In the age we live in, 
lonesome dreams are ever 
so apparent. “Lonesome 
Dreams” is a vast, ambitious, poignant piece of 
music. It echoes along the borders of Fleet Foxes with 
its harmonies, but they shouldn’t be restrained to 
just sheer comparisons. While Lord Huron may not 
be completely treading new ground, they’re at least 
carving their own path. It seems we’re all figuring 
how to do so and “Lonesome Dreams” may just be 
the soundtrack that leads you down it. There is this 
alluring attribute, a wistful sound that magically 
spans over the course of the 10-track album. The 
dreariness of long days and sleepless nights are 
alleviated thorough this tranquil resonance. It’s the 
epitome of a true American album and while the 
revelations exposed may not be all that new, it doesn’t 
mean they are any less true. 

 There is this sort of “western” vibe implanted 
into the album. I can’t help but not to envision a 
cavernous landscape where you’re free to roam to 
wherever you’d like when listening to Lord Huron. 
The deep, but new age folk sound is probably why I 
feel this way. The themes of immortality, impending 
doom, and helplessness blues can be discovered here, 
but also the whimsical cheerfulness in songs such as 
“Time To Run.” The record, an even keel of optimism 
and perennial caution, remains embedded in the 
blood that pumps out the veins of this album. Each 
time I listen to a song over again, I find something 
new, something worth mentioning. For example, 
“End of the Earth,” is about taking that leap of faith 
and seeing where you end up. “What good is livin’ 
a life you’ve been given, if all you do is stand in one 
place,” permeates through one’s soul because it’s true 
and we should all believe in this statement. 

 “Lonesome Dreams” arrives at the ideal time 
of the year. It still hums along to a buoyant summer 
resonance, but also unequivocally finds itself in 
the melancholic autumn season. Once again, there 
is this perfect balance to the album. While every 
little sound, nuance, lyric, and sentiment may not 
work every time, the effort alone deserves praising 
nonetheless. Singer-songwriter Ben Schneider, the 
man behind Lord Huron, audaciously steps outside 
the box that everyone else seemingly jumps into these 
days. With this hovering layer of hope and idealism 
on “Lonesome Dreams,” it’s becomes a place where 
the heavy hearts, dreamers, and un-conformists can 
meet and unite as one. 

Grade: 8.2 out of 10 

Key Tracks: “Ends of the Earth”, “Lonesome Dreams”, 
“The Man Who Lives Forever”, “Brother (Last Ride)” 

Artist: Lord Huron 

Album: Lonesome Dreams

Label: IAMSOUND

Release Date: October 9th, 2012


HEALTH & FITNESS

THE JOY OF YOGA

BUILDING TAPAS (HEAT)

ene
The practice of building tapas is building internal heat. Which in 
yoga speak is building austerity. This “heat” builds character. It 
builds greater self -control. It is the heat we build from the inside 
when we are working hard. It is the heat that lets us know we have 
accomplished something. With tapas you can exercise your will. 


It is that something in you that allows you to say “No” sometimes and 
to say “yes” sometimes to things you normally wouldn’t consider.

We can create tapas several ways. The fastest way is through pranayama, or breath practices, 
that heat us up. Breath practices that fuel the internal fire. But we can also build tapas 
through asana (yoga postures). Some styles of yoga create a heated environment and we 
begin to sweat immediately. But the traditional way is to create tapas from inside. We do 
sun salutations and challenging poses that create heat in the belly. Think of it like a pilot 
light. It lights us up. We turn on the furnace inside. There is a point where we have created 
this heat and it leads to a feeling of wellbeing and accomplishment (seratonin?).

But we do not want to build too much heat. We want to keep a cool head. So that is why 
we must cool it down and bring the breath back. A good teacher will help you build heat 
and sustain it, then cool you down. So then, when you are resting, you can feel that internal 
light, that brightness that makes you unique. 

 
So build the heat. Keep it burning. Cool it down. And feel the pilot, always lit, ready to light 
your way. 
Namasté, René


“WHO SHOT DOC AT THE SOCK HOP?” ON 

OCTOBER 21 AT SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE

“Who Shot Doc…? At the Sock Hop?” is billed as “The 1950’s

Musical Murder Mystery.”

 The scene is the Hillview High Gymnasium, decorated for the 1952 Fall Formal, 
themed “Once in a Blue Moon.” So come prepared to enjoy an evening of fun, costumes 
(optional) and…murder! Dress up in your poodle skirt or formal, leather jacket or sport 
coat and bow tie, and relive this special event with an interactive murder mystery filled 
with song and dance!

YOU guess the murderer.

 This is a presentation of SanZman Productions Renaissance Murder Mystery Players. 
At Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024. Ample 
free parking behind theatre. Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Admission: $20. Seniors