Author: MichelleMcHatton

I'm a writer. I'm also a wife and a parent who works too much and lives too little. In addition to writing I also love to read, listen to music, travel, cook, I enjoy looking for bargains at flea markets or thrift stores, Christmas, football and of course writing! How did I come up with the title of my blog? Two things: 1. I live in New England (duh) and 2. Canadian singer Alan Frew once arrogantly told me to "get a New England life"--again--DUH! I already HAVE one!
Review: “Magnificent Vibration”

Review: “Magnificent Vibration”

by MichelleMcHatton

What do a middle-aged divorced loser named Bob Cotton, a nun trying to find herself named Alice Young and an oversized uneducated Latino named Lexington Vargas have in common?  One would think not very much but in Rick Springfield’s debut novel “Magnificent Vibration”, the three come together in a wild adventure that takes them from the highways of Los Angeles to the Highlands of Scotland.

When Bob Cotton steals a copy of the book “Magnificent Vibration” from a bookstore, he is faced with the utmost curiosity when he finds the phone number 1-800-CALL-GOD written in the book.  As any person questioning God’s existence while on the verge of suicide may do, Bob gives it a call and has a few words with The Man Upstairs.

Feeling despondent following his chat with God, Bob visits a bar where God once again contacts him while he’s in the men’s room.  Because of Bob’s disbelief, God not only gives Bob a white streak in his hair a’ la Charlton Heston, he also sets one of the sinks in the men’s room on fire.  Bob then manages to get the attention of Alice, an attractive woman in the bar who also has a copy of “Magnificent Vibration” sans the phone number.  Before Bob can decide whether he wants to bed Alice or not, Alice reveals that she is a nun who is trying to find herself.  Considering the two ironically both have a copy of the same book, and Bob has spoken to God, they decide to visit a coffee shop to discuss the situation.

Upon leaving the coffee shop, they encounter Lexington Vargas, a behemoth of a man with a somewhat simple educated mind but a strong knowledge of life on the streets.  He too owns a copy of “Magnificent Vibration” and his also has a phone number in it.  Also for God.

Following a crazy plane crash, they meet and quickly deject Merikh, whose name they discover means “Angel of Death”.  An unexpected e-mail to Alice from a law firm in Scotland leads the three to Inverness.  There they discover Alice has inherited a house as well as something that will change the course of mankind.

Springfield entertains his readers with this well-written, humorous tale of sexual exploitations and life’s ups and downs.  His portrayal of God (also known as the Omnipotent Supreme Being and Arthur) is comical as well as philosophical.  In the end we are left to wonder:  are we merely chess pieces in this game of life, responsible for what happens to us, or is there a Higher Power who is in charge?

“The future belongs to young people with an education and the imagination to create.”—President Barack Obama

“The future belongs to young people with an education and the imagination to create.”—President Barack Obama

by MichelleMcHatton

Today the graduates of Worcester Technical High School will experience something not everyone will get to experience in their lives:  a commencement speech made by the President of the United States made at their graduation.

Principal Sheila Harrity took over Worcester Tech in 2006, taking it from one of the lowest-performing institutions in the state to becoming a Blue Ribbon School in 2013.  Ms. Harrity is also recognized as National High School Principal of the Year and was honored by the president at the National Teachers of the Year event at the White House on May 1.

When the White House contacted Harrity about having President Obama speak at the commencement, she was in tears.  Then she held an assembly to notify the students of the event.  Since then the school has been all a buzz with the pending arrival.

President Obama has a strong initiative in wanting to reform education in America, to make it better, more accessible and more affordable for everyone.

As Obama has stated:  “We have an obligation and a responsibility to be investing in our students and our schools. We must make sure that people who have the grades, the desire and the will, but not the money, can still get the best education possible.”

That is what Principal Sheila Harrity has succeeded in doing at Worcester Tech.

 

One girl’s courage

One girl’s courage

by MichelleMcHatton

Imagine waking every day as a female knowing that your love of reading, math, science, learning…just wanting an education, could get you killed.

I’m grateful for young women like Malala and Kainat who have the courage to stand up for what they believe in.  No girl should have to risk her life because of the desire to learn.

I couldn’t fathom not being able to read a book, attend a seminar or get an education because I’m a female.  Knowing I can do this makes me very proud to be an American.

Other than the Taliban’s warped thinking that females should not be educated, their reasoning for shooting these girls is unclear.  However, I think I may have the answer:  fear.  The Taliban are so fearful that these females will achieve something substantial in their lives, something the Taliban will never do.  Because the Taliban are nothing but a bunch of cowards.  These females will continue on with their educations, and with what they learn, they will outsmart the evilness of the Taliban and make the world a better place.  Not just for females but for everyone.

 

The Longest Way Home

The Longest Way Home

by MichelleMcHatton

I’ve started reading Andrew McCarthy’s book “The Longest Way Home:   One Man’s Quest for the Courage to Settle Down.”.  I haven’t gotten too far into it yet (okay, I’ve only read the dust jacket), but if it’s as well written as some of the travel articles he’s written, I’m sure I’m in for a real treat.

In comment to McCarthy’s statement about Americans being afraid to travel, I have to ask “why shouldn’t we be”?  One minute you’re on a plane flying from Boston to wherever and end up crashed in a skyscraper in Manhattan.  You can hop a train in Switzerland during your vacation and become a bombing victim.

Don’t get me wrong.  Traveling is a great thing.  I love to do it myself.  But it’s become a much higher risk for people today than even 20 years ago.  The world is a much scarier place today than it was back in 1992.  It’s enough taking a risk traveling to work every day, not much to a far off destination somewhere halfway around the world.

Aside from fear, another reason so many Americans, and people in general, may not travel so much anymore is financial.  When the airlines are charging $100.00 a bag, what average American family can afford to fly to Orlando?  With gas prices the way they are, driving there isn’t much cheaper.  And forget international travel.  It’s costly enough to travel within the United States; what average American traveler can afford to fly OUTSIDE the U.S.?

No wonder so many people are opting for “staycations” these days.  Besides, it’s a great way to relax and enjoy reading “The Longest Way Home” and dream of your ideal travel destination.