About Me

Hi there. I teach English, History, and German courses at the secondary and collegiate levels. My home state is Illinois, but I have traveled and lived all over the place. I am a Navy Veteran and was fortunate enough to have been stationed in Scotland for four years in the 80s. Fast forward–I started college late at age 30 and now have a few expensive pieces of paper to show for myself. I’ll be paying back student loans until I’m 63. Ha! How brilliant is that?

I wrote a historical novel set in 1900. It would be great if you decided to buy The Knife with the Ivory Handle on Kindle or Amazon HERE. Meet the characters in “Inside the Gold Plated Pistol” in the tab above. My goal is to write a series of novellas that captures the historical climate of Americans in the 20th century.

Check out the second novel set in 1928 called Inside the Gold-Plated Pistol.

I enjoy sharing my photography when I travel. I annually escort students, adults, and families to Europe and beyond. Jim and I like to explore the Southwest; you will frequently see our hiking/camping trips posted.

Movies have been a part of my entire life. I like to write about films, the stars, and the way directors make movies. If you are willing and able, check-in on the 13th of the month to participate in a discussion about the film industry. Would you like to be a co-host? Wonderful! Let’s talk.

I have many interests but consider watching movies, writing, blogging, reading, photography, and shooting pool favorite ways to occupy my time.

EMAIL ME AT:  CBRUCHMAN@YAHOO.COM 

Have a great day,  CB

P.S. I use my own photographs whenever possible and do my best not infringe on anyone’s toes. I will use IMDb for the details about my film posts. The analysis is all me.

170 thoughts on “About Me”

  1. Hi Cindy – thanks for the visit and your interest over at ‘through the luminary lens’. I tried the link to your website above and couldn’t get it to work to. I pasted it to my search window, and then was able to look over your novel, which looks like a ‘good read’! Just thought I’d let you know.

    Peace to you – Bruce

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  3. Hi Cindy, We’ve been enjoying your blog and only now read your “About” page. I was in Scotland in the 80s too as a student- you might enjoy this post I wrote about it, Maggie and Me: http://wp.me/p2X3ub-fE
    I wonder if it will ring any bells with you. Where were you?
    Cheers, Eliza

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    1. Hi Eliza! Wow! 🙂
      I loved your article–how cool to be a student. I couldn’t agree with you more, I loved the music (Tears for Fears and U2) and living in northern Scotland on the coast was one of the high points of my life. Read my posts about it, if you will!
      https://cindybruchman.wordpress.com/2013/04/04/scotland-memories-actors-and-books-part-i/

      https://cindybruchman.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/scotland-memories-favorite-actors-and-films-part-ii/

      Glad for your comments!

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  8. Speaking of … Stargate and Star Trek are for sure movies I can watch often. I like historical fiction, So I will definitely check out your book! Have you ever been on the Scribd site? You could offer it there. Have a great week, Cindy! 🙂

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    1. Hi! Well, it would be great if you found the time to read my novel. You can get pretty cheap on Amazon….;)
      I am researching for the second installment. It’s a fun hobby. Haven’t heard about Scribd, so will check it out! Thanks for your attention and kind words, cheers 🙂

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  9. BTW, for some reason, the above link to your site brings up an error message. Something wrong with the “com” word. Nonetheless, I found it, was sent to Amazon.CA … Presto, I got the book on my tablet’s Kindle! I look forward to reading it! 🙂

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    1. Yessss! The music is divine. I never tire of it. The cast, the chemistry, the music–nothing beats the cliffside heart-wrenching contemplation with the dress flapping, the expansive scenery, the music–emotional ecstasy. Thank you! 🙂

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  11. Hi Cindy, thanks for following my Movies and Music Cafe blog, I hope you enjoy your dining experience. I like the look of your blog so far. I’ll have a good look around. Thanks

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  13. Cindy, I just finished reading your book, and I must say I am in awe. And a bit speechless. And moved. I am so glad I read it. I will write a post about it, I just have to share it with others. I am really hoping some will order and read it … like I said, speechless!! 🙂

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    1. YOu are fantastic for saying so! Gosh, I’m speechless myself. Thank you so much for your support! It took me 3 years to write it. First the research for my Masters in History at ISU. Then I went for the MFA in Creative Writing and I turned what I learned about the historical climate of 1900 into the novel. It was a wonderful experience. I am researching the second novel. As always, my issues are time. I love this blog and that gobbles up time. Then I am a full time teacher at a high school and I also teach on-line for a community college. I’m getting older, and getting up at 3am to write like the olden days is hard to do. Your support and kind words fills me with joy. Thank you!

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      1. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on the second book!

        I had wondered about writers taking years to write a book, whereas others crank them out faster. I am writing a book right now, about an Ontario murder. It has been just over a year now since I began that project. I can easily say that I won’t finish it this time next year. Lots of research yet to do, like travelling to the town in question, and God willing, interviewing someone. I love research!!

        Yes, blogging does take up a lot of our time. That’s why I stopped writing daily posts. And then, there’s life! LOL

        Have a great weekend, Cindy! 🙂

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    1. Hi Andrew! Well, shucks! Glad you followed. You are a funny guy, too. I see you are from Bergen County! I lived in Fairview for a few years. Now I’m in Arizona, and that’s all right by me 🙂

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    1. HI Michael and thanks for thinking of me. Your approval means a lot and hope you will continue to visit and comment. It’s easy to “like” a post, but taking the time to chat makes blogging worthwhile.

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  17. I was just in a playful mood today, so I made you a video. It’s on my YouTube page. Actually, I was practicing making videos, and hopefully promote my own book someday 🙂

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    1. I can’t believe you! Remind me to nominate you for President of my fan club. Geez, I’m so flattered. Naturally, when your book comes out, I will buy it, and interview you and promote it. I have been feeling a little down in the dumps because it seems impossible to be a writer and self-publishing just doesn’t have the same clout. But you give me the motivation to finish the first draft of the second novel. I thank you so much!

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      1. I really am quitting for the night. I really had fun doing it, learning a new software. If I do get it going again, I’ll let you know! 🙂

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    1. You are a saint. Naturally, I put your youtube creation on my ‘about me’ page. You are too cool. You have given me the inspiration to get down to business and create the first draft my second novel. Bless you 🙂

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  20. Oh, I am delighted to have discovered your blog (thanks for stopping by to read one of my book reviews). I have quickly looked through some of your posts and want to spend more time (a lot more time!) reading them. I absolutely loved your perceptive and well-considered review of ‘Water for Elephants.’ It’s not easy to write a thoughtful review, and I enjoy reading a good one. Yours more than qualified!

    I see you’ve a historical novel published and available for sale on Kindle. I will definitely be checking it out. Best of luck to you in all your writing endeavors.

    Kate

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    1. Dear Kate, I couldn’t be more flattered or pleased. I will reciprocate and check out your posts as well. 🙂 Thanks so much for the support and please let me know what you think of The Knife with the Ivory Handle, wouldn’t you? Cheers, you made my day 🙂

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    1. Howdy Michael, and thanks so much for thinking of me. I respect your blog and enjoy your intelligent posts. Your support and affirmation is more than an award for me 🙂

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  22. Hi Cindi, just realized I don’t have your e-mail address so excuse the message here. I wanted to let you know my review of ‘The Knife with the Ivory Handle’ will be reviewed on my blog tomorrow. I thoroughly enjoyed it! You can e-mail me at sdan2364 [at] btinternet [dot] com. SD

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  23. Hey Cindy. Love reading this! BTW, I’ve been searching for your web address. You gave it to me and I put it in my address book. It’s not there now! Could you pass it along again when you have a chance?

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  24. Hi Cindy. I happened to browse your blog through some links and I am glad I landed up here Many of our interests matches. Looking forward to read more from you.

    Cheers
    Aanchal

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  26. Love the phrase Liebe dein Leben. I am an army brat with childhood time in Germany. I am going to learn as a mantra ‘Nine out of ten things you worry about don’t come true. Thank you, and thank you for visiting my blog.

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  27. That personal mantra….I come up daily with at least 57 things to worry about–.sounds like I’m not alone! I will adopt this mantra (though I’m worried I’ll forget to) and repeat it at every meal.

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    1. LOL. I made it up. I’m proud of that. I’m a worry wart and it’s impossible for me to relax unless I drink. So, when I was younger it was help for me to deal with self-imposed anxiety. Now I’m at a comfortable age where it’s not necessary for me to worry anymore. I’m just fine whether anyone else thinks so or not 😉

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  28. Cindy, let me start by answering your question: the 4 films:
    One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
    American Beauty
    Local Hero
    Tsotsi

    Thank you for the follow on my humble wee blog, it is greatly appreciated and you are warmly welcomed aboard. Let me now take a fuller tour.

    MM 🍀

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  29. Hi there. I could not help but notice that you teach Holocaust studies. I am interested in this as I live in an apartment block here in Vienna where some people were taken from and sent to Auschwitz and Riga. Some were murdered there. Vienna also has many remembrance plaques, including one outside the main door of my building, commemorating the people that were affected.

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    1. Welcome, Zambian Lady! When I visited Vienna, we stayed in the Jewish district where numbers +30,000 were reduced to near nothing. It was quite close to the historic district and I loved my visit there even though it was only for a few days. How significant and humbling you are living in the building where families once lived before atrocities occurred. Please feel welcome to comment more and share your thoughts.

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    1. Nice question! Nope. If they can’t do it right, they shouldn’t even try. I think you can still be a great actor without the accent. Jimmy Stewart never tried. Who are you thinking about?

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      1. Sean Connery I guess. But I was thinking about Hanks too, and how I thought his voice in The Terminal wasn’t bad at all. Cumberbatch and Redmayne changed their speech patterns for their latest films which is impressive in itself, but changing accent must be hard too.

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  31. Pingback: What?! 4 Years Already? (ANNOUNCEMENTS) | Tranquil Dreams

        1. I wrote it when I attended Goddard College. I misssssss the week retreats when all you had to do was write and listen to people discuss writing. They fed you, kept you warm, and the scenery was inspirational. Sigh.

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  33. Hi Cindy, I dropped in to thank you for the like on my post on the Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum. I often see you through Sandra Danby’s and Kate Loveton’s blogs, and it was a great delight to see you come through in support of my post. You may also have seen Sandra’s recent announcement of the upcoming publication of my memoir. What an exciting time as you well know. Hope yours is doing well. GG

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  37. Hi Cindy, I just linked to your blog in a comment I wrote to a response to one of my stories (“Traveling Companions”). You have one of the most entertaining blogs I’ve come across – I love your blog posts about films and stars, and the intelligent, graceful way in which you discuss them.

    I linked to you because one of the persons who commented on my story mentioned a film about Bob Dylan in which he was played by five different people (including Cate Blanchett!) and I wondered if you were familiar with it.

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    1. Hiya, Kate. But of course! I highly recommend ‘I’m Not There’ (2007). 😉
      I enjoy your blog very much, Kate, and value you as a virtual friend! Thanks again for your support. Check out today’s post about Philip Glass and The Hours. I think you might like it!

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  38. I love movies, but don’t see as many as I’d like. Not sure about my four favorite, but am embarrassed to say that one of them would be Gone with the Wind. Can’t help it. Love it. Another movie that comes to mind that I loved loved when I was 15, and when I saw it again a few years ago, smiled throughout? HELP! (Beatles). Yup. But I like melodrama too. Remember Ordinary People that Robert Redford directed? (I think that was the name.). The Way You Were. Oh, for sure. Actually, I could go on and on now…West Side Story, absolutely, but it makes me cry too much…

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    1. You have great taste! I love all the movies you mention. I think Robert Redford films are beautiful. I remember Timothy Hutton’s winning performance–loved the book. West Side Story–my gosh, I know every line and get chills every time I watch the prologue and the song when they are in the garage. “Boy, boy, keep coolie, cool, boy!” The dancing is magnificent. 🙂 I have used boxes of tissues over that film.

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  39. Pingback: Encouraging Thunder Award | vinnieh

  40. This is a great page, Cindy. I love that you persisted over that diploma past the time most people give up. You have obviously seen to it that you become well educated. Love the aesthetics here, too.

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  41. Hi Cindy. Just took a look at your page. You’re an interesting person indeed. Your expensive pieces of paper are well worth the loan you took to get them. I’m not a trained teacher, my field is business and administration but I’ve done a lot of teaching in my time and enjoyed interacting with graduate level people in the process around Asia. Each of my academic achievements and professional studies have cost me blood, sweat and tears and I had to do my studies while working so it was quite wearing. But you do get a sense of accomplishment when you get that piece of paper. Have you noticed when you complete a course of study you feel like you should still be into it and miss all the research and discovery in learning? They say if you don’t continue your inquiry into your profession and life in general after grasping the piece of paper you don’t deserve to keep it because you’re not up to the mark any more. I think that’s true. When I retired I decided to take a course in journalism to keep my mind active. It was then I developed an interest in blogging my stories. It’s a hobby I enjoy. All the best with your book writing.

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    1. Thanks, Ian! Yes, I agree, too, after all those years researching and writing and thinking, it’s a shame if it all goes along the wayside. I have no delusions of grandeur. I just liked the skills I developed and like dabbling with investigating and thinking about culture. I agree, too, that blogging is an avenue for that. Keeps my mind active. I love being a teacher; I enjoy sharing what I know and hearing what others have to say. At the end of the day, it’s about connecting. That’s all that matters.

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  42. Pingback: Movie Quote of the Week – 10/9/15 | Drew's Movie Reviews

  43. Hi Cindy. I was looking for a way to contact you, but can’t find an address. I have something I’d like to talk with you about. You can contact me on my website About Us page. Nothing serious, but had an idea for us. Hope you are well!

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  44. Pingback: Movie Quote of the Week – 10/16/15 | Drew's Movie Reviews
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  50. Just finished a lovely visit with you on your website and am looking forward to following this New Year of 2016.

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