Christmas Shock

THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE OF GOD: In this book, which can be considered as one of the most original, daring, and significant contributions to contemporary spirituality in general and to Christian theology, philosophy, and anthropology in particular, Dr. Maalouf ‘s method is neither to build an abstract or utopian system nor to preach or sermonize. His approach is to question, explore, suggest, and invite the reader—erudite or not, Catholic or not, politically correct or not—to a new level of comprehension and way of seeing things. Whoever, however, and wherever we are, our everyday lives could become the place and time where the sacred and the secular meet. He proposes that our challenge, then, is how to be Christlike and not just “Christian.” Then the true miracle of Christmas can become the miracle of transformed messengers and a transfigured world in which “all things [come] into being through him” (John 1:3).

For Keely Stafford this holiday season already left something to be desired. First, she'd caught Bradley Alexander, her now ex-fiance, in the act with another woman. Then he—and millions of dollars—had gone missing, and the police thought she was involved. Talk about a blue Christmas! She needed help, and she was about to get it—from a most unlikely, if rivetingly handsome, source…. From Lex Alexander, black-sheep brother of said ex-fiance. He'd left home at eighteen and had returned only to get the family fortune back. It looked like lovely, fragile Keely Stafford was the key to everything he was looking for. And money was just the beginning…

CultureShock! Munich is the must-have guide for anyone who is interested in the real Munich. Packed full of practical information as well as interesting trivia on the colourful customs and workings of this historic city, this book will help make your stay in Munich as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Learn how to choose suitable accommodation, how to get around efficiently and how to assimilate into the local society. Get acquainted with the various festivals and events that are hosted in this city of castles and museums. Discover the beautiful parks and popular local haunts. Find out what makes the people of Munich tick and how to make new friends in a foreign country and discover the best places to eat and drink. Whatever your wants, needs or interests, CultureShock! Munich has the answer, equipping you with the tools and confidence for a pleasant time in this culturally and historically rich city

CultureShock! Chicago is an insightful and thorough guide that will help you make Chicago your home. Discover the real Chicago beyond the usual tourist attractions and the gloss of promotional brochures and be acquainted with the reality of living and working in this exciting city. Find out what lies behind the Chicagoan façade and how to make friends in your new community. Chock-full of useful information to help you settle in, CultureShock! Chicago covers a wide range of practical issues such as how to negotiate the grid and get around the city, what to expect from Chicago’s extreme weather, how to find suitable accommodation and how to conduct business and manage your finances, among others. It also explores the many excellent recreational facilities in this vibrant and cosmopolitan city. CultureShock! Chicago is the one book you will need to make a success of living, working or studying in Chicago.

Phillip Dexter and his family moved to the pristine city of Quanah, Texas in the summer of 1988 seeking the American Dream. Ronald Dexter left Edmonton, Alberta to work for the powerful oil giant Tricon Enterprise. Life was great until the horrifying accident one summer night in 1991 changed all their lives. With a greedy and reckless CEO, Tricon Enterprise works to shield the real truth behind the tragedy. Phillip's desire to seek revenge for his father's death pits him against the powerful oil giant, Tricon Enterprise, the legendary CEO Frank Beasley, and his son Mark Beasley. Phillip's quest for revenge is at a standstill, with the powerful oil giant the CEO having the upperhand. That is until fate sides with the young boy. Julie Matheson and her family arrive in Quanah from Houston. Mark Beasley's best friend and biggest ally Aaron Jennings has one slight flaw. He's in love with the same girl as Mark. With one man's jealousy, and another's desire for revenge; the giant oil firm gets taken for the ride of a lifetime when the powerful CEO is cut down in cold blood. Now, the hunter becomes the hunted. Friends become enemies. Enemies become friends. Greed, murder, betrayal, and jealousy pit one against another when they seek to outscheme each other to take control of the giant oil company, the money, and the ultimate prize - Julie Matheson. In the end, though, will any of them being standing while they chase the prize?

In this small book Dr. Ashok Nain tries to convey a message to the common man that it is through everyday small and unexpected experiences that one learns the real lessons of life. These experiences build one’s character and make the person he ultimately becomes. Circumstances, under which one is born, brought up, the opportunities one comes across and the decisions one makes are the important aspects to one’s future. Dr. Nain also makes an honest and sincere effort to portray his experiences, analyze them and from them learn lessons so that life’s fundamental object of seeking basic happiness can be achieved. He states that happiness invariably comes “slowly and stealthily like a thief in the night” and concludes that it comes only when the mind is free of fear and clear of negative thoughts. Thus, the purpose of our lives should be to harness the mind and keep it free of these negative thoughts and emotions. The book is certainly worth reading!

From December 1957 through October 1959, Chicago TV viewers were held in thrall by "Marvin," the ghoulishly hilarious host of WBKB-TV's late-night horror film series Shock Theatre. Marvin and his lady friend "Dear" (her face ever hidden from the camera) introduced thousands of Chicagoland youngsters to such classic Universal chillers as Frankenstein, Dracula and The Wolf Man. This history of Shock Theatre focuses on the series and its creator, Marvin himself--in real life, the multi-talented Terry Bennett, whose wife Joy played "Dear." Terry's son Kerry Bennett provides an affectionate foreword, while celebrated horror host Count Gore De Vol (Dick Dyszel) supplies the afterword. Included are dozens of photos and vintage advertisement reproductions, as well as two appendices featuring a resume of Terry Bennett's career and a list of films telecast during his two-year Shock Theatre run.