Today...

Book.... Night Fall Nelson DeMille
Movie.... Mamma Mia
TV.... Gary Unmarried, Big Bang Theory, Bringing Home Baby
Video Game... Wii fit, Paper Mario
Internet Activities... Update website, blog
Around the house... laundry, straighten up the house

Water for Elephants, The Glass Castle

I just read two books - Water for Elephants and The Glass Castle.

Both of them were great books, if you are looking for a good read.

Water for Elephants takes place on a traveling circus in the early part of the 20th century. It is a rich detailed description of the politics and workings of the traveling circus during the prohibition and The Great Depression, when circuses - and everyone - was struggling to stay afloat. It is also about growing old, as the protagonist is reliving his time in the circus while he is living in an elderly home. A beautiful story.

The Glass Castle is sort of like an "Angela's Ashes" type tale... a story of a family growing up in poverty and hard times and parents who have a, shall we say, different view of what a parents role should be. However, as a child growing up in the family, what to someone on the outside may seem horrific seems to her as, well, more or less, normal. Of course, the older you get, the less crap you are willing to accept. This is a tale of a family of children who made the best out of the circumstances they were dealt, and then became determined to not repeat the cycle in their own adult lives.

19 Minutes

I just finished "19 Minutes," by Jodi Picoult. Almost everyone I know says that "19 Minutes" say that it is their favorite Picoult book.

I enjoyed it. I thought it was really good. However, I don't think it was my favorite. There were too many plot issues... the whole plot about the older brother who got killed by the drunk driver.... so? The only way I can see that that helped was to give the mom a sympathetic reason to not go through her son's room to be aware of the guns and stuff.

Anywho. A good read - you'll like it... much better than Mercy and Change of Heart, but I like The Tenth Circle and Plain Truth better...

Reading

I love to read. So much. Too much, maybe. When I read a book, I get totally absorbed in it. I don't understand NOT liking to read.

I am reading a book called "Change of Heart" - Jodi Picoult's newest one. So far, eh, I don't know. I am way at the beginning, still, (page 80 of 400 and something...) but there are these things happening that suggest that there may be supernatural things occurring... now, I don't mind reading  supernatural  books, but it seems to be a little off putting in her novel, because thats not what she usually writes.

Plus, I am not sure if I am crazy about the message her book might be leading up...

On the other hand, it could be that there is a logical explanation for everything that is happening and I just haven't figured it out yet. We shall just have to wait and see.

 
Which to me, is the best part of books!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Finally! Seriously, they should have done this for books 4, 5, and 6, too. And possibly book 3.

I hope someone makes a TV series out of it. 2 seasons. 24 48 minute episodes. Or as many as it takes to tell the story full, completely, and accurately.

Here is the story:

'Deathly Hallows' films are scheduled to be released in November 2010 and May 2011.

By Geoff Boucher, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
1:11 PM PDT, March 12, 2008

WATFORD, England -- It's official: Eight will be the magic number for the "Harry Potter" film franchise.

After months of rumors, Warner Bros. and the producers of the massively successful movies will announce Thursday that they plan to split "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," J.K. Rowling's seventh and final "Potter" novel, into two blockbuster films -- one to be released in November 2010 and the second in May 2011.

The films will be titled, simply, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II," according to producer David Heyman. Director David Yates, who returned for his second tour of Potter duty with "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" and is quite popular with the cast, will direct both "Deathly Hallows" films, which will be filmed concurrently. Screenwriter Steve Kloves also returns and, by completion of the franchise, will have written seven of the eight films.

10 Jobs

10 for Tuesday -

10 Jobs I would love to have (if I had the ability) and/or (if I wasn't a teacher) and/or (if I could make a living doing it.) -

Presented in no particular order...

1) A singer.

2) A fiction writer

3) A Disney Imagineer

4) A year round camp counselor

5) A radio talk show host

6) A TV show series writer

7) A Travel Book Writer/Travel Magazine Writer

8) A Disney Tour Guide

9) A stand up comedian

10) A Broadway Legend

Maybe some of those jobs could be combines and it is not 10 actual songs, but hey, it is cool!

Today is a happy day!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

I just finished reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Book 5.

I have no read through the series several times, but I never get bored. I love JK Rowling's writing style. The books are so entertaining and interesting to read.

I am feeling rather gloomy now, as I have just finished the book, though. I am feeling very anxious about book 7 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I don't know how it is going to end, but I know that there is more sadness to come. Also, I am dreading the end of the series, because the books themselves are so fantastic. I wonder what Rowling's future writing plans are, or if she is done.

I wonder if my questions will be answered. I wonder if I will be satisfied with the ending. I hope, after so many gloomy endings, that Book 7 will end with triumph and joy. Harry deserves that. I love that he has a hero complex.

I am trying so hard to avoid spoilers. I want to read news and websites, but I am so afraid I will read something that I don't want to know yet.

Harry Potter countdown....

SO, it is officially summer, and hear I am, rereading the Harry Potter books and rewatching the movies to prepare for the 5th book, and, most importantly, the 7th book!!! I am so excited (and yet, sad that it will soon be over!!!)

I am hoping that all of my questions will be answered. That it will be a satisfying ending. That it will be really long so I can enjoy reading it. And that the ending won't be spoiled for me.

Blah!

So,
I just finished reading, "There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom," by Louis Sachar, to my class.
I totally started crying at the end. Full on tears rolling down the cheeks. I love that book. I wish I could write stories like that. Stories that make people cry. Stories that move people.  Maybe some day. You never know!

I am about to start reading through the Harry Potter series, starting with book 1, in preparation for the release of the 7th book.  I am going to start with a copy of, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," which I purchased in London.

I am feeling bitter and cranky about the end of the year party.  the cost is $40 a person. I am so cheap. But I don't want to pay $40 to go. But I want to go. I think I am going to ask if I can go and not eat. Seriously, I don't want such a huge meal for lunch.

OK. Thats it for now. 

---

Paper Cranes

The paper crane has become an international symbol of peace in recent years as a result of it's connection to the story of a young Japanese girl named Sadako Sasaki born in 1943. Sadako was two years old when the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan on August 6, 1945. As she grew up, Sadako was a strong, courageous and athletic girl. In 1955, at age 11, while practicing for a big race, she became dizzy and fell to the ground. Sadako was diagnosed with Leukemia, "the atom bomb" disease.
Sadako's best friend told her of an old Japanese legend which said that anyone who folds a thousand paper cranes would be granted a wish. Sadako hoped that the gods would grant her a wish to get well so that she could run again. She started to work on the paper cranes and completed over 1000 before dying on October 25, 1955 at the age of twelve.

On Tuesday, I went to visit Amy in the hospital. She is not doing very well. Her tumors have grown back since the radiation and the chemotherapy is not reducing her cancer. Instead, her cancer is spreading. She is on a lot of pain medication. When she is awake, she spends time in the craft room making crafts, which she loves to do. Her whole room is decorated for Christmas. I spent the evening with her on Tuesday.

On the way out of the hospital, I noticed a large Christmas tree in the lobby.

As I looked closely, I realized that the tree was decorated...

...with paper cranes.

Fun Day At Sea

Thursday was our "Fun Day at Sea." After breakfast, Gina and I read by the pool for a while, and Jessica went to the Casino. Jess didn't want to sit in the sun anymore. Meanwhile, I had a soar throat and felt a cold coming on so I didn’t want to be in the casino around the cigarette smoke, so I joined Gina by the pool.

We all met up to watch the Newlywed/Not-so Newlywed game, which was funny, but could have been much funnier if he had the contestants say their own answers. Instead, they wrote their answer down and he read them aloud to us. However, it was all quite funny!

While there some girls dressed up in costumed handed out a flier that announced that the San Juan Sensations would be performing on the ship at 4:30 (not a Carnival sponsored event.) We thought we might come back for it.

Jessica went back to the cabin to take a nap while Gina and I went back out to the pool. I was reading "The Other Women," and almost finished with it. At around 4:30, Gina and I decided to go check out the girls dancing thing.

It was awful. I don’t know what other way to put it. It was so awful it was funny. It was like this weird classical dance. The thing is, the choreography was the same for every single song. Fast or slow, strong beat or melodic flow, the dance moves were these same slow spins leg lifts, strange jumps, and circles. I don't know how to describe it to you without Gina and I doing our fabulous demonstrations. The craziest thing was, at the end, the dance coaches came out on stage with the girls and clapped and danced along... like, I don't know, the girls doing their finale by themselves wasn't enough. Then, as the girls took their bow, their coaches came out at the end and took one, too, and stayed center stage until the curtains closed, with the girls behind them. It was very odd.

My theory? Some yuppie ex cheerleader couldn't stand that her glory days were over, so she started this dance club. What did you need to join the dance troupe? Not talent (The even announced that this was their last stop for touring this year - you would have thought the mistakes would have been adjusted by this point...) - Now, all you needed to join was $3000 to pay for your costumes and you Carnival Cruise trips. You may not be able to dance, but at least your outfit would look good.

Anyways, we went back to the room, took showers, and began packing. Before dinner, we went out and found our favorite photographer (Dushyant), and he took some more cute pictures of us.

Dinner was, as usual, madness. The main event for this evening was that one of the girls had persuaded one of the cabin stewards to give her their Carnival Name tag. SO for the rest of the evening, any Carnival person who walked by (waiters, photographers, bar tenders...) the girls would ask, repeatedly, "Can I have your name tag????" Over and over again, even when the person said no. Again, the parents said nothing.

After dinner, we went up to buy our last minute pictures. There were so many good ones to choose from! We ended up buying a total of 8 pictures. Most were taken by Dushyant. (If you go on Carnival's Paradise and he is there, get him to take your pics. He is awesome!) Then we swung by the casino to play that game where you try to bump quarters off of the ledge... we won a t shirt! Jessica put the quarter in that won it so she got to keep the shirt.

The show that night was Shout, and I thought it was the best show of the cruise. We knew almost every song, the singing and dancing were incredible - very high energy. After dinner we headed back to the casino to play the quarter game some more. At midnight we went to the adult comedy show which was pretty good, although by this time I was feeling really tired and congested.

The next morning, I was up by 6 (I couldn't sleep anymore I was so stuffy...) but that was fine because there was a problem on our fun pass bill that I had to go resolve. (They charged us for pictures that we didn't buy.) It was a mistake and they refunded it.

The girls got up around 8:00 and we went and had breakfast before departing the lovely Carnival Paradise.

What a fantastic trip!

The DaVinci Code

In the past eight days I have:

Seen The DaVinci Code movie

Attended a talk by Josh McDowell at a nearby Church

Read a book called "The DaVinci Code: A Quest for Answers" by Josh McDowell

Reread "The DaVinci Code", by Dan Brown

I had planned to blog about my reaction to all of these things put together, but I feel as though the blog would be inadequate. My hope was to have some equal examination of both points of view: The theories presented in The DaVinci Code and why parts of them could be plausible, and the point of view that these theories are absolutely fictional in basis.

I understand that much more evidence than this would be needed to really come up with a historical response, but I was hoping to just come up with an intellectual one.

Unfortunately, I found McDowell's book, overall, to be extremely unhelpful.

First of all, it seemed to me that the McDowell was too interested in laughing at the characters and making subtle digs at the author. I could have done without the cheap shots.

Secondly, he tries to point out Brown's inaccuracies with a few examples of mistakes Brown made when describing architecture (the same examples he used both in his speech and in his book.) However, I was astounded to realize when I reread the novel, that Brown points out hundreds of "clues," and McDowell seems only to be able to refute a few of them. Not very convincing.

Granted, Brown claims at the beginning of his book that all descriptions of architecture and art are accurate and McDowell was able to find one mistake that I have confirmed thus far.

Next, McDowell sometimes argues irrelevant claims. I am not sure why he chooses to dispute claims that aren’t made in the book. For example:

McDowell states that Silas is referred to as a monk but that there are no monks in Opus Dei. However, the book refers to Silas as a monk because of the way he dresses, but when he officially announces himself, (or anyone officially talks about him) he is then referred to as a "brother," or a "numerary", which Opus Dei does have. So he is arguing a moot point. Brown never states in his book that Opus Dei has monks. He describes Silas as a monk from other's perspectives because that is how he appears.

Finally, and most irritatingly, every time McDowell made a really good point that I wanted to follow up on, he would reference me to another DaVinci code debunking book. How irritating. He complains about Dan Brown's sources, and yet many of his own (and most of which that claimed really intriguing points) simply refer to other authors who are clearly writing with the same agenda: "The Truth behind the DaVinci Code", "Breaking the DaVinci Code," "The DaVinci Deception," "DaVinci, Fact or Fiction." etc. This is not to say they are his only references. McDowell has many more. But again, almost every time he stated a fact and sited it that I was curious about the source, it was one of these books. Very frustrating.

So, as such, I do not recommend McDowell's book. Also, I feel I have much more research to do to look for the answer I want. If the authors of all these DaVinci-bunking books are merely a ring of authors quoting each other, I may have a problem. We'll see.

“…every faith in the world is based on fabrication. That is the definition of faith – acceptance of that which we imagine to be true, that which we can not prove. Every religion describes God through metaphor, allegory, and exaggeration, from the early Egyptians through modern Sunday school. Metaphors are a way to help our minds process the unprocessible. The problems arise when we begin to believe literally in our own metaphors.” – The DaVinci Code

The Da Vinci Code Message Boards

I've been hanging out over at the Da Vinci Code message boards on the IMDB and I have found some thread titles that were quite amusing.

For example:

"Is atheism a religion?"

"There is more truth to the Da Vinci Code then the Bible, True or False?"

"what has God done for us lately? Let's see..."

"The DaVinci COde is setting the stage for the Antichrist!!!"

"I bet a lot more athiests will be praying..."

"Why Christianity is fake"

"Who are you guys talking to"

"This is about movies. Not GAYS or RELIGION please respect"

"To all the ITS JUST FICTION parrots"

"STOP IT! I'M JEWISH! AAAAGGGHHHH!"

"If we evolved from monkeys, how come there are still monkeys today?"

"Can anyone be intelligent and religious?"

"Why did God give us unwanted body hair if we came from Adam and Eve?"

"INTELLIGENT DESIGN"

"Regarding all the "Why do Christians say I'm going to hell" questions."

"This book was written on a fourth grade reading level."

"Jesus Saves"

"Athiests - IF GOD WERE PROVEN TO EXIST"

"You guys need therapy"

books and stuff

I just read "The Sisterhood of the traveling Pants." I really enjoyed it, and boy did some of those stories hit home! I can't wait to read the next two books! They are pretty popular, and so they are always checked out at the library! I am currently reading "YaYa's in Bloom." I can't quite wrap my mind around these stories...they are so confusing. The characters are so complex.

Anyway. we had a great camping trip this weekend. My Belle dog is so skittish in the tent when it is windy. it is pretty funny! Thats all for now!

Harry Potter one more thing

One thing I that would have been funny that they left out was the whole revenge on Rita Skeeter...trapping her in a jar when she turnes animangus into a mosquito...

But the movie was quite emotionally heavy at the end and that may have taken away from it. Just a thought.

The only truly big mistake that I think was ever made (so far) in the films was to not take a minute and go into detail about who Wormy, Moontail, Padfoot and Prongs were in the 3rd film.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Well, they did it again. They took the book, made the right cuts here and there, and came out with a brilliant adaptation of the book. I was very impressed by the film. I think they chose all the right stuff to keep in, and nothing felt seriously missing.
I guess if I had to choose something that could have intileed more fear about the death eaters, would have been that instead of having them burn the camp, it would have been better for them to actually have performed the Imperiso curse on some people, particularly muggles, and have them dancing in the air. But really, that's nit picking big time.

Also, I do think they jumped scenes about quickly at times, but thats just the nature of the beast, I think, when you are taking a 700 plus page book and turning it into one movie.

But honestly, truly, what I really enjoyed the most, was the acting on Daniel Radcliff's part. I've always liked him, but I never really felt that he delivered the emotional impact that I wich he would. This film was a real transition for him. At one point I was extremely tense and saddened by what had happened, but it was Daniel's response in the scene that actually made me cry. I was very impressed. Also, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, James and Oliver Phelps (The Weasly twins) and especially Mathew Lewis (as Neville Longbottom....) he was brilliant! And, as always, I was impressed by Micheal Gambon, really much more the sprightly Dumbledore I had always pictured, and Jason Isaccs still gives me the perfect creeps as Lucius Malfoy.

Great Movie!

Harry Potter Tickets

I bought them for Friday evening....this time we decieded to go for digital projection instead of IMAX....

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Movie

The first teaser trailer for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is avialable now! The film is due out in November!

www.GobletOfFire.com

Disney Press Release about the new fireworks show: Remember, Dreams Come True

What follows is the Disney press release about the new fireworks show, Remember....Dreams Come True. I am so glad that I found this release, because I have been so excited ever since I was lucky enough to see the sneak preview on Monday. Let me tell you, this show is awesome...and exceeded all expectations. The best part, ahnds down, was the e-ticket in the sky sequence. It will give you chills and fill you with excitement. I don't know how you can not see this show without leaving feeling amazed. Hands down, excellent.

As I said, I am glad I found this press release becasue it gives you hints without spoiling the show...something I can't manage to do because I get to excited whenever I talk about it.

TIP: If you go, be sure to see it on Main Street, from a vantage point where you can easily see the castle and the Matterhorn. Put up with the crowds. I promise you, it will be worth it!


From the earliest days of Disneyland, Tinker Bell has been the official hostess of "The Happiest Place On Earth" and now, as part of "Remember . . . Dreams Come True," Disneyland guests will see her in a truly unprecedented presentation (a first for any Disney theme park in the world). Beginning with a dramatic launch from the peak of the Matterhorn (approximately 13 stories high), the famous pixie will follow an astonishing 500 foot long flight pattern (sustaining air speeds of up to 20 mph). Illuminated with "pixie dust," Tinker Bell will literally dip, glide and soar over Fantasyland.

Five spectacular "Acts" comprise "Remember . . . Dreams Come True":

* Magic Starts With a Wish – The show begins with an elegant vocal introduction by Hollywood legend Julie Andrews, Honorary Ambassador of the "Happiest Homecoming on Earth."

* Our Disney Storybook Friends - Beloved Disney characters – including Cinderella, Aladdin, and Pinocchio – share their individual "wishes" through dazzling special effects, soaring music and brilliant fireworks.

* Tinker Bell Unlocks the Magic – Tinker Bell makes an entirely new and unbelievable appearance, reminiscent of her flights of fancy from the familiar opening sequence of The Wonderful World of Disney television series. Her appearance will amaze audiences and defy explanation as she enchants Sleeping Beauty Castle.

* Walt's Dream – "E-Tickets in the Sky" - The audience will be reminded of the wish that started it all - - Walt Disney's dream of Disneyland, explained in Walt's own words using archival audio tracks. What follows is an exciting and heart-warming journey through the various lands of Disneyland – each to be depicted through favorite Disneyland songs, familiar phrases from some of the Park's most popular attractions (nearly 25 highlighted from the past and present) and illustrated through the enchantment of fireworks.

* Wishes Everlasting – Tinker Bell returns and enchants the entire Park as the show concludes with a heart-tugging and unforgettable golden finale of Disney wishes, reminding everyone of the timeless magic of Disneyland.

The show features over 25 familiar Disney tunes and Disneyland attraction themes recorded by a 72-piece orchestra and showcases over 80 pieces of attraction music, sound effects, familiar vocal sound-bites and voice-overs. Custom pyrotechnics were developed specifically for the show and include such unique colors as black rose, neon pink, rose amber and steel blue. Custom specialty shells include Cubes, Eye Pattern, Bulls-Eye, Kaleidoscope, Happy Face, Twisting Bees, Steel Blue Jelly Fish, Blooming Flower and Scintillating Star Pattern.

Check out that cute little yellow book...

Go on, click on it...