I am really getting sick of hearing about this uproar about stores using” Happy Holidays," instead of Merry Christmas.
Its like, "are you serious?" Who cares either way?
First of all, I don't think the shopping aspect is exactly what the "Christmas" part of the season is supposed to be about, so who cares if secular, non religious businesses (like restaurants and shopping centers) decide to make every single person who walks in the door feel included and welcome? Not just the majority! What’s wrong with making sure that no feels excluded? (um, hello, Happy Holidays INCLUDES Christmas...) Why should anyone be expected to stereotype and assume you celebrate Christmas?
Besides, every major store I walk into is completely decked out for Christmas, including nativity stuff, and very rarely do you see even a fraction of all other winter holidays combined.
But most importantly, I think its pure hypocrisy for "Christians" to be out boycotting, picketing, or sending out rude or demanding letters. None of these actions bring about feelings of peace, love, generosity, joy, or goodwill that are supposed to be what the season is all about.
Instead, they promote anger and irritation...from store employees and management, to shoppers who have to walk by the picketers, to people at home checking their email and instead of getting kind Christmas wishes, they get angry letters urging you to join in their angry party.
Jesus was the last one to exclude anyone, as I understand it. So why do these people want businesses to do just that?
Jesus was born in lambing season, which was not the end of December. The early Christian church used the pagan holiday of Yule, or Winter solstice, as a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus to incorporate "old beliefs" with the new. As such it is really appropriate to say "Happy Holidays," acknowledging the need for holidays, gathering, community and love and light in the darkest, coldest nights of our year. That's why so many holidays are clustered around this time of year!
A celebration of Jesus's birthday maybe important to many people, but it is not the only thing this season is about, even for those who celebrate Christmas.
"What?" You say? Well, it is not!
This season is about love, and family. Light through the darkest nights. Hope and peace and kindness. Its about making children of all ages laugh and believe in magic, and learn about the joy of giving. It is about gathering with friends and family, and giving and receiving, gifts and time, and love.
Happy Holidays is the term used for the season, spanning Thanksgiving, to New Years. Jesus's birth, like the birth of any child, should be greeted with the best of humanities intentions, trying their best to welcome the new life into a world full of peace and love and compassion.
If you spend the season any other way, particularly in anger, then I'm afraid that you may be missing the whole point of the season.
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Sims update (Generation 1 and 2)
Ok, Generation 2 is ready yo take off, so I wanted to do an update to help me remember thier family histories.
I started out with four families. Lisa and Kelly Terra, Carson and Jai Blaze, Jeff and Casey Aquarius, and Jim and Kate Windes.
Each family had two children:
Lisa and Kelly Terra adopted Brandi and Beatrice
Jeff and Casey Aquarius had twin boys, Bryan and Kyan.
Carson and Jai Blaze adopted Hannah and Aaron
Kim and Kate Windes had James and Gina.
All the children grew up and became close friends, and all eight children went on to attend Sim State University.
Bryan Aquarius graduated with honors with a degree in mathematics, and Brandi Terra graduated with honors with a degree in Philosophy. Bryan and Brandi became engaged in their senior year of college. They got married after graduation, and now have a toddler, named Bradley, and a newborn neamed Bridget.
James Windes, who was Bryan's roommate in college, also graduated with honors with a degree in mathmatics. He married Brandi's sorority sister, Hannah Blaze, who graduated Sim U with honors with a degree in Biology. They have a newborn named Amy, and I have the suspicion that there will be another on the way, soon!
Aaron Blaze, Gina Windes, and Beatrice Terra started their junior year at Sim State U by moving out of the dorms and into thier own small house. Aaron and Gina are quite the couple on campus. They are so in love! Beatrice has a crush of her own on Kyan Aquarius, who is currently residing with the popular Sim State Fraternity.
Ah, they grow up so fast!
And of the first genreation sims? Well, Jeff, Casey, Carson, Jai, Jim, Kate, Kelly, and Lisa retired and moved to Shady Acres. A peaceful, quiet community with a small pond, chess sets, book cases....and a balcony full of juke boxes, bars and hot tubs! These sims are living life in the lap of luxury! Recently, Lisa passed away. But her ghost is till around...haunting the halls of Shady Acres...and with good reason. Apparently, her lover, Kelly, has had a crush on Jim...and neither the living Kate, nor the ghost of Lisa, are too pleased with the situation.
Life never gets old in Veronaville!
I started out with four families. Lisa and Kelly Terra, Carson and Jai Blaze, Jeff and Casey Aquarius, and Jim and Kate Windes.
Each family had two children:
Lisa and Kelly Terra adopted Brandi and Beatrice
Jeff and Casey Aquarius had twin boys, Bryan and Kyan.
Carson and Jai Blaze adopted Hannah and Aaron
Kim and Kate Windes had James and Gina.
All the children grew up and became close friends, and all eight children went on to attend Sim State University.
Bryan Aquarius graduated with honors with a degree in mathematics, and Brandi Terra graduated with honors with a degree in Philosophy. Bryan and Brandi became engaged in their senior year of college. They got married after graduation, and now have a toddler, named Bradley, and a newborn neamed Bridget.
James Windes, who was Bryan's roommate in college, also graduated with honors with a degree in mathmatics. He married Brandi's sorority sister, Hannah Blaze, who graduated Sim U with honors with a degree in Biology. They have a newborn named Amy, and I have the suspicion that there will be another on the way, soon!
Aaron Blaze, Gina Windes, and Beatrice Terra started their junior year at Sim State U by moving out of the dorms and into thier own small house. Aaron and Gina are quite the couple on campus. They are so in love! Beatrice has a crush of her own on Kyan Aquarius, who is currently residing with the popular Sim State Fraternity.
Ah, they grow up so fast!
And of the first genreation sims? Well, Jeff, Casey, Carson, Jai, Jim, Kate, Kelly, and Lisa retired and moved to Shady Acres. A peaceful, quiet community with a small pond, chess sets, book cases....and a balcony full of juke boxes, bars and hot tubs! These sims are living life in the lap of luxury! Recently, Lisa passed away. But her ghost is till around...haunting the halls of Shady Acres...and with good reason. Apparently, her lover, Kelly, has had a crush on Jim...and neither the living Kate, nor the ghost of Lisa, are too pleased with the situation.
Life never gets old in Veronaville!
Monday, December 05, 2005
Sounds good to me!
A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them. After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road.
It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like Mother of Pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side. When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"
"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.
"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked. Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up." The man gestured, and the gate began to open.
"Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveller asked.
"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."
The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.
After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road which led through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence. As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.
"Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water?"
"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there". The man pointed to a place that couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in."
"How about my friend here?" the traveller gestured to the dog.
"There should be a bowl by the pump." They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it. The traveller filled the bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog. When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree waiting for them.
"What do you call this place?" the traveller asked. "This is Heaven," he answered. "Well, that's confusing," the traveller said. "The man down the road said that was Heaven, too."
"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's Hell."
"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"
"No. I can see how you might think so, but we're just happy that they screen out the folks who'll leave their best friends behind."
It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like Mother of Pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side. When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"
"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.
"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked. Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up." The man gestured, and the gate began to open.
"Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveller asked.
"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."
The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.
After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road which led through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence. As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.
"Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water?"
"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there". The man pointed to a place that couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in."
"How about my friend here?" the traveller gestured to the dog.
"There should be a bowl by the pump." They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it. The traveller filled the bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog. When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree waiting for them.
"What do you call this place?" the traveller asked. "This is Heaven," he answered. "Well, that's confusing," the traveller said. "The man down the road said that was Heaven, too."
"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's Hell."
"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"
"No. I can see how you might think so, but we're just happy that they screen out the folks who'll leave their best friends behind."
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Rent, 3rd time around
GOD I can not wait for the DVD. Anyway, I have further observations to make about this fantastic film, but I will be blogging about that tomorrow morning, in between finishing my report cards and playing the Sims (Hannah and Brandi need to finish their second semester of junior year, at the very least) but I digress...
So yes, I went to see Rent again with Grant tonight, and yes I loved LoVeD LOVED it again. Real standouts are Angel, Collins and that Roger...total cuties, I am so drawn to them...and Mark, of course, Mark.
Today 4 U - Proof Positive
God, I have thought about so many things to blog about in the past few days but it is always RENT that gets me on here. You guys must be so sick of hearing about it! Oh well, some observations tomorrow, and then we'll see abotu moving on...that is until I see it again!
So yes, I went to see Rent again with Grant tonight, and yes I loved LoVeD LOVED it again. Real standouts are Angel, Collins and that Roger...total cuties, I am so drawn to them...and Mark, of course, Mark.
Today 4 U - Proof Positive
God, I have thought about so many things to blog about in the past few days but it is always RENT that gets me on here. You guys must be so sick of hearing about it! Oh well, some observations tomorrow, and then we'll see abotu moving on...that is until I see it again!
Echinacea is not an appropriate form of health insurance.
Just thought you should know.
Let's open up a restaurant in Santa Fe, andf save from devestation our brains...
Let's open up a restaurant in Santa Fe, andf save from devestation our brains...
Report Cards
It's that time of year already.
Have I mentioned how much I love this class??? They are seriously an all around awesome group of kids! I am so lucky this year!
Have I mentioned how much I love this class??? They are seriously an all around awesome group of kids! I am so lucky this year!
Friday, November 25, 2005
My Space
The more I think about it, the more I think My Space sucks. EVERYTIME I hear about anything in connection with this website it is always bad. ALWAYS.
I feel old. But seriously. Kids these days.
All teenagers want to seem older. I understand that. It sucks. They usually regret it, but it happens.
But now it happens on the internet for the whole world to see. The whole world. Anybody. No matter their intentions.
And teenagers are so stupid. They put their first and last names, their cities and states, and then post slutty pictures of themselves. Charming.
I am really upset right now. I think I'll go. Have a good cry.
I feel old. But seriously. Kids these days.
All teenagers want to seem older. I understand that. It sucks. They usually regret it, but it happens.
But now it happens on the internet for the whole world to see. The whole world. Anybody. No matter their intentions.
And teenagers are so stupid. They put their first and last names, their cities and states, and then post slutty pictures of themselves. Charming.
I am really upset right now. I think I'll go. Have a good cry.
Rent, Round 2
Better than the first time. Love. It.
Except: The Roger/Mark fight was even more lacking this time... it REALLY needs to be in there. I pray its on the DVD.
It passed by so much more quickly this time. It didn't feel like 2 hours. It was beautiful. I think the first time I was really worried about whether:
A: it would be good
and
B: Donna and Tammy would like it.
This time I was way more relaxed, and I knew it was awesome, so I just totally enjoyed it.
Oh, and Donna? I was in the same auditorium as last time and there was no annoying green line....I guess they listened to us!
Except: The Roger/Mark fight was even more lacking this time... it REALLY needs to be in there. I pray its on the DVD.
It passed by so much more quickly this time. It didn't feel like 2 hours. It was beautiful. I think the first time I was really worried about whether:
A: it would be good
and
B: Donna and Tammy would like it.
This time I was way more relaxed, and I knew it was awesome, so I just totally enjoyed it.
Oh, and Donna? I was in the same auditorium as last time and there was no annoying green line....I guess they listened to us!
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Rent
Ok, I am currently in my post-haze fog, complete with my headache from that good solid cry I had a two thirds into the movie (although I must admit I shed a few tears at the very beginning, just seeing it on the big screen....)
I don't really know even how to begin this one. One big question I have is I wonder how people who have never seen it before will react to it. I am going to be very careful to not put any spoilers in here. But being me, a true renthead, someone who could actually say and or sing virtually every line in the movie, well, I loved it. It was more vivid and real then I could ever have imagined it. I've often wondered what it would be like to actually live in the city (of course, in better circumstances than this) so it was often difficult to visualize the general setting for me, and this movie did that amazingly well.
For the most part, I think that Chris Columbus did a great job sticking to the original material. I can go piece by piece and described what was awesome, but it mostly was, so I guess instead I'll do the few minor things that I thought were lacking, because there are very few things to mention.
1) I thought the scene with engagement party scene was distracting and out of place. There must have been a better way to show where Jo Ann was coming from. Although I enjoyed the song in this setting, very humorous, the build up was to jarring to make it worth it. And, despite it, I don't think enough was done to bring out Joann's character. In addition, I missed Maureen's comment regarding Maureen and Mark's friendship "I can't take them as chums..." and, for that matter, Mark and Joanne’s friendship in general was majorly glossed over.
2) I am really disappointed that they took at the fight between Mark and Roger and Mimi's "Goodbye Love" section. I really hope this comes as an extra on the DVD. It makes their reunion so much sweeter and provides much more context.
Thing I really liked:
Most of the songs they changed into dialogue truly did work well in the context of the movie. Of course, that’s why seeing the play is awesome, because you'll get all of those little snippets sung for you, but in this context it was fine. I did miss the big "Christmas Bells are Ringing" scene, right before Maureen's protest, because that is my favorite song to sing... I like those medleys...
Also, every song they did sing was so amazingly powerful. You know how when you watch Saturday Night Live, they have these really great sketches, and then they just have these really cheesy, weak endings that leave you like... oh, well, it was a pretty good sketch, I guess...? Well at the end of each one of these incredible songs, you'd be like, "God, how will they end this scene without it coming across as cheesy or weak?" And you'd find yourself praying for the scene to not be ruined...and it never was! The scene often would hold for a moment to give yourself time to catch your breath and then cut to a new scene.
Highlights...
God, It was like seeing the play from the front row. Seeing their faces, their reactions, awesome.
Tango Maureen...this was the one song that stuck in my head when I first saw the play in London, 1998. And I thought the film version was bang on. I think that Tracie Thoms is so adorable!
La Vie Boheme - Always a favorite in the play, and the movie did not disappoint either. I think this scene would be so much fun to act out and dance too. For the most part, the camera didn't distract (As in, very occasionally, the camera would pan in and focus on one person when I wanted to back away and watch the scene from distance, more like a stage. But this was very rare) "Actual Reality, Act Up, Fight Aids!"
The original cast (or most of it) was a brilliant and totally perfect choice.
Adam Pascal really is a perfect Roger...you wanted to hug him and kick his ass at the same time. And he is so darn cute! I love when Collins shakes his head on the subway during the Sante Fe song.
Jessie L. Martin was also charming and brilliant as Collins. His voice has so much power and emotion, and he was so sweet and happy singing his love song to Angel.
Idina Menzel is an awesome Maureen, perfectly confident, sexy, and she has that powerhouse voice. And her moo... well... wow
Taye Diggs played a perfectly smart ass Benny...although I think a few key scenes that show a but more of his humanness were cut out...
It was so awesome to see Wilson Jermaine Heredia play Angel, and he did an awesome job (I am running out of adjectives!) I loves seeing Jai Rodriguez in the role on stage, but I am so glad that Wilson did this for the film version. I really think he did a good job of showing Angel's kindness, sincerity, and loving, giving nature.
Tracie Thoms, the new Joanne, did a great job in the role she was given...I don't think the script showed enough of her personality, she seemed far to at ease in Maureen's world, but I think Tracie herself worked the material well. And what a beautiful voice...a great match for Idina and Jessie.
Rosario Dawson, the other newbie, stepped right into the role as Mimi and she was amazing. She ia a fabulous singer and dancer!
And of course, Anthony Rapp. The film would not have been complete without him. Although I have never seen him on stage, he is the Mark that I always visualize. Amazing.
Ok, I guess I should give it a rest. I am seeing it again on Friday, so I may comment more then.
Go see it.
"Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No other road, no other way, no day but today!"
I don't really know even how to begin this one. One big question I have is I wonder how people who have never seen it before will react to it. I am going to be very careful to not put any spoilers in here. But being me, a true renthead, someone who could actually say and or sing virtually every line in the movie, well, I loved it. It was more vivid and real then I could ever have imagined it. I've often wondered what it would be like to actually live in the city (of course, in better circumstances than this) so it was often difficult to visualize the general setting for me, and this movie did that amazingly well.
For the most part, I think that Chris Columbus did a great job sticking to the original material. I can go piece by piece and described what was awesome, but it mostly was, so I guess instead I'll do the few minor things that I thought were lacking, because there are very few things to mention.
1) I thought the scene with engagement party scene was distracting and out of place. There must have been a better way to show where Jo Ann was coming from. Although I enjoyed the song in this setting, very humorous, the build up was to jarring to make it worth it. And, despite it, I don't think enough was done to bring out Joann's character. In addition, I missed Maureen's comment regarding Maureen and Mark's friendship "I can't take them as chums..." and, for that matter, Mark and Joanne’s friendship in general was majorly glossed over.
2) I am really disappointed that they took at the fight between Mark and Roger and Mimi's "Goodbye Love" section. I really hope this comes as an extra on the DVD. It makes their reunion so much sweeter and provides much more context.
Thing I really liked:
Most of the songs they changed into dialogue truly did work well in the context of the movie. Of course, that’s why seeing the play is awesome, because you'll get all of those little snippets sung for you, but in this context it was fine. I did miss the big "Christmas Bells are Ringing" scene, right before Maureen's protest, because that is my favorite song to sing... I like those medleys...
Also, every song they did sing was so amazingly powerful. You know how when you watch Saturday Night Live, they have these really great sketches, and then they just have these really cheesy, weak endings that leave you like... oh, well, it was a pretty good sketch, I guess...? Well at the end of each one of these incredible songs, you'd be like, "God, how will they end this scene without it coming across as cheesy or weak?" And you'd find yourself praying for the scene to not be ruined...and it never was! The scene often would hold for a moment to give yourself time to catch your breath and then cut to a new scene.
Highlights...
God, It was like seeing the play from the front row. Seeing their faces, their reactions, awesome.
Tango Maureen...this was the one song that stuck in my head when I first saw the play in London, 1998. And I thought the film version was bang on. I think that Tracie Thoms is so adorable!
La Vie Boheme - Always a favorite in the play, and the movie did not disappoint either. I think this scene would be so much fun to act out and dance too. For the most part, the camera didn't distract (As in, very occasionally, the camera would pan in and focus on one person when I wanted to back away and watch the scene from distance, more like a stage. But this was very rare) "Actual Reality, Act Up, Fight Aids!"
The original cast (or most of it) was a brilliant and totally perfect choice.
Adam Pascal really is a perfect Roger...you wanted to hug him and kick his ass at the same time. And he is so darn cute! I love when Collins shakes his head on the subway during the Sante Fe song.
Jessie L. Martin was also charming and brilliant as Collins. His voice has so much power and emotion, and he was so sweet and happy singing his love song to Angel.
Idina Menzel is an awesome Maureen, perfectly confident, sexy, and she has that powerhouse voice. And her moo... well... wow
Taye Diggs played a perfectly smart ass Benny...although I think a few key scenes that show a but more of his humanness were cut out...
It was so awesome to see Wilson Jermaine Heredia play Angel, and he did an awesome job (I am running out of adjectives!) I loves seeing Jai Rodriguez in the role on stage, but I am so glad that Wilson did this for the film version. I really think he did a good job of showing Angel's kindness, sincerity, and loving, giving nature.
Tracie Thoms, the new Joanne, did a great job in the role she was given...I don't think the script showed enough of her personality, she seemed far to at ease in Maureen's world, but I think Tracie herself worked the material well. And what a beautiful voice...a great match for Idina and Jessie.
Rosario Dawson, the other newbie, stepped right into the role as Mimi and she was amazing. She ia a fabulous singer and dancer!
And of course, Anthony Rapp. The film would not have been complete without him. Although I have never seen him on stage, he is the Mark that I always visualize. Amazing.
Ok, I guess I should give it a rest. I am seeing it again on Friday, so I may comment more then.
Go see it.
"Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No other road, no other way, no day but today!"
Rent Reviews
I have been reading Rent reviews and some of them are particularly nasty. It is amazing to me, that someone can see a story full of such beauty, with an inherent message of trying to "measure your life in love" and not find any positive message to pass along.
Some common gripes: The message is outdated, as dealing with issues such as disease and loss, and choosing to live each day for today are messages that don't apply to today. (One article even said the topic of AIDS is not relevent to our modern day audiences... really? and Aids has been cured and no longer affects our lives anymore? I must have missed that news flash!
Also, that Christopher Cloumbus had the nerve to stick the original material and to not change it/modernize it/add anything new.
All I can say to that is...Thank God! I am glad that the first version of this fabulous story matches so closely to the original! For all the people who have not been able to see the musical, this is their opportunity to see it, in all of its glory.
No day but today!
Some common gripes: The message is outdated, as dealing with issues such as disease and loss, and choosing to live each day for today are messages that don't apply to today. (One article even said the topic of AIDS is not relevent to our modern day audiences... really? and Aids has been cured and no longer affects our lives anymore? I must have missed that news flash!
Also, that Christopher Cloumbus had the nerve to stick the original material and to not change it/modernize it/add anything new.
All I can say to that is...Thank God! I am glad that the first version of this fabulous story matches so closely to the original! For all the people who have not been able to see the musical, this is their opportunity to see it, in all of its glory.
No day but today!
Saturday, November 19, 2005
and another thing
As I think about the movie I do keep thinking of other things that jumped out at me, for example, how they students learned to block or defy the imperious curse, and how Harry was able to do it, and how this came in handy with VOldermort at the end. Not huge, but again something that jumped out at me.
Of course, the whole house elf thing jumped out at me, but I understood it, and it was okay, to me.
In contrast, I think they dragged on the dragon scene a bit too long...could have been trimmed down, and the time could have popped in a few more details.
I guess it was originally thought that this should be made into two films, but they decided to do one instead. Well what about making one long one (3 hours or so) and having an intermission, like some of the old flicks? Thats how I saw Lawrence of Arabia...) Just a thought...
Of course, the whole house elf thing jumped out at me, but I understood it, and it was okay, to me.
In contrast, I think they dragged on the dragon scene a bit too long...could have been trimmed down, and the time could have popped in a few more details.
I guess it was originally thought that this should be made into two films, but they decided to do one instead. Well what about making one long one (3 hours or so) and having an intermission, like some of the old flicks? Thats how I saw Lawrence of Arabia...) Just a thought...
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.
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!
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!
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Harry Potter Tickets
I bought them for Friday evening....this time we decieded to go for digital projection instead of IMAX....
Conversations I'd like to have with people
"Hello, sir? Why, exactly, did you choose to wear pants with patches shaped like guns stitched on to them? What message were you trying to convey? They don't look particularly bad ass, or scary...and yet they promote an undeniable sense of violence. I am jus wondering why you think thats cool. what is it about promoting violence that you enjoy? Is that what you want to be remembered for? Why is this the message, of all messages, that you want to spread? Just curious."
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Disney Teacher's Award
Ok...I just got a packet informing me that I was nominated for the Disney Teacher of the Year award. The interesting thing is that I was nomintated with my last name as Benedict at Allen school, but I can't think of anyone here who would have nominated me. So it must be someone who knows that I moved and my new name and all that jazz.
Its pretty awesome to be nominated (and I would love to know who nominated me!!!) I don't think I am going to apply, however, because I don't think I am ready yet. If I were to actually be a finalist, I would really want to feel like I have earned it, and I think I need more experience to be that teacher. One of the essay questions is (paraphrase) How do you teach creatively and still meet the demands of the required curriculum? And at this point, I don't think I do, because I am too busy trying to teach the curriculum.
In any case, I feel incredibly honored to have been nominated.
Did I mention that I would love to know who nominated me????
Thanks!
Its pretty awesome to be nominated (and I would love to know who nominated me!!!) I don't think I am going to apply, however, because I don't think I am ready yet. If I were to actually be a finalist, I would really want to feel like I have earned it, and I think I need more experience to be that teacher. One of the essay questions is (paraphrase) How do you teach creatively and still meet the demands of the required curriculum? And at this point, I don't think I do, because I am too busy trying to teach the curriculum.
In any case, I feel incredibly honored to have been nominated.
Did I mention that I would love to know who nominated me????
Thanks!
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
New York, New York, A helluva town
So tomorrow, I am off to New York City. Grant is already there. Today he went to the Statue of Liberty and saw Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
I am flying out tomorrow afternoon, and should arrive around midnight or so which should make for a unique subway ride into the city itself.
Ever the faithful journalist, I will be recording the trip on our honeymoon blog which will now become the Grant and Bobbi Family Vacations blog . So check it out if you want to.
Love,
Peace, and all good things knowing that I am going to the city of RENT
I am flying out tomorrow afternoon, and should arrive around midnight or so which should make for a unique subway ride into the city itself.
Ever the faithful journalist, I will be recording the trip on our honeymoon blog which will now become the Grant and Bobbi Family Vacations blog . So check it out if you want to.
Love,
Peace, and all good things knowing that I am going to the city of RENT
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Only in California?
Temperature? mid sixties. This morning on the playground, a little girl wearing pink shorts, a pink, short sleeved shirt, and a pink scarf.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Rent clips!!!!
If you check out the Rent Blog there are clips from the movie...Mark, Roger, Benny, Collins, Maureen and Joanne each have one... and I'm sure Angel's and Mimi's will come soon.
Mark's has me so excited, Collins' has me energized, Roger's gave me chills, Joanne's has butterflies of anticipation in my stomach, and Maureen's has me intrigued...but I have watched Mark's the most!
Sooooooooooooo excited.
"To riding your bike midday past the three piece suits, to fruits, to no absolutes..."
Mark's has me so excited, Collins' has me energized, Roger's gave me chills, Joanne's has butterflies of anticipation in my stomach, and Maureen's has me intrigued...but I have watched Mark's the most!
Sooooooooooooo excited.
"To riding your bike midday past the three piece suits, to fruits, to no absolutes..."
Play List for Karaoke Revolution Party
Have I posted this yet?
Karaoke Revolution Party
(I've Had) The Time of My Life
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing
Ain't Too Proud To Beg
Always
American Woman
Brick House
Call Me
Crazy
Crazy in Love
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me
Drive
Dust in the Wind
Endless Love
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Everywhere
Fame
Fly
For You I Will
Headstrong
Greatest Love of All
Here I Go Again
I Don't Wanna Be
I Left My Heart in San Francisco
I Love Rock and Roll
I Will Always Love You
If You Could Only See
I'll Be
Material Girl
Me and Bobby McGee
Pain
Pieces of Me
Play That Funky Music
Start Me Up
Superstition
Sweet Caroline
Take On Me
Takin' Care of Business
That's Amore
The Game of Love
Time After Time
Truth Is
Turn The Beat Around
Unforgettable
Uptown Girl
Waiting For A Girl Like You
What I Like About You
Who Can It Be Now?
You're My Best Friend
Karaoke Revolution Party
(I've Had) The Time of My Life
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing
Ain't Too Proud To Beg
Always
American Woman
Brick House
Call Me
Crazy
Crazy in Love
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me
Drive
Dust in the Wind
Endless Love
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Everywhere
Fame
Fly
For You I Will
Headstrong
Greatest Love of All
Here I Go Again
I Don't Wanna Be
I Left My Heart in San Francisco
I Love Rock and Roll
I Will Always Love You
If You Could Only See
I'll Be
Material Girl
Me and Bobby McGee
Pain
Pieces of Me
Play That Funky Music
Start Me Up
Superstition
Sweet Caroline
Take On Me
Takin' Care of Business
That's Amore
The Game of Love
Time After Time
Truth Is
Turn The Beat Around
Unforgettable
Uptown Girl
Waiting For A Girl Like You
What I Like About You
Who Can It Be Now?
You're My Best Friend
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Prince Charles and Dutchess Camilla
Charles and Camilla are visiting the States. I think they are such a romantic couple. Its a real life fairy tale, im my opinion...true love wins out over popularity, or status, or expectation... love against the odds. Its the stuff romance novels are made of! I am so happy for them. I heard at a state dinner, he referred to her as his "darling wife..." sigh. romantical.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Rice a Roni
You know, this is really good stuff. I usually have a box on the weekend if Grant has to work. yesterday, I had the fried rice kind. Its really pretty easy to make...you are supposed to cook the rice vermecelli mix with 2 table spoons butter or margerine until the vermecelli becomes golden brown...but, well, whatever...once the butter is melted I move on...it always turns out fine, im my opinion! I don't know where I'm going with this. I think, primarily, I am trying to avoid correcting this stack of essays. I guess I should go now.
Bye.
Bye.
Friday, October 28, 2005
I'm not the only one...
Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
- John Lennon
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
- John Lennon
Saturday, October 15, 2005
This Morning
Ok, so normally when I wake up in the morning, I get up and turn off the alarm as fast as I can (which is on the other side of the room) and then I put in my contacts, and then (hee hee) go back and lay down for a few more minutes of warm lazy time before jumping in the shower.
So this morning I am laying there in my warm lazy time, and struggling to stay awake. Usually this isn't a problem, but I have been known to dose a bit when I go back to bed.
So, I roll over to check the clock to make sure I hadn't overslept, when I realize that:
A) I haven't put my contact in yet,
and B) The alarm hasn't gone off yet,
because it is 2:30 in the morning.
I really don't want to know how long I was laying there trying to actually keep myself awake. Thant has never happened before.
Yikes. I I am so tired.
So this morning I am laying there in my warm lazy time, and struggling to stay awake. Usually this isn't a problem, but I have been known to dose a bit when I go back to bed.
So, I roll over to check the clock to make sure I hadn't overslept, when I realize that:
A) I haven't put my contact in yet,
and B) The alarm hasn't gone off yet,
because it is 2:30 in the morning.
I really don't want to know how long I was laying there trying to actually keep myself awake. Thant has never happened before.
Yikes. I I am so tired.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Red Ribbon Week
Today, my kids were asked to come up with a Red Ribbon (Drug Awareness and Prevention) slogan. I just about busted a gut when I heard this one, in perfect accent:
"Mare - uh - juh - won - uh
is bad, mmmmmm-kay?
"Mare - uh - juh - won - uh
is bad, mmmmmm-kay?
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Rent Soundtrack is Here!
The Rent soundtrack is here and available!!!
"HOW DO YOU MEASURE A YEAR?"
Rent - In theaters Nov. 23 (69, 935 minutes from the posting of this blog)
"HOW DO YOU MEASURE A YEAR?"
Rent - In theaters Nov. 23 (69, 935 minutes from the posting of this blog)
Friday, October 07, 2005
Over..what's next...
Well, Back to School Night is over. Yuck. No fun. I don't know if I am giving parents what they really want to hear or what. I ddi't get a lot of feedback. Oh well. I had plenty to say! I talked for the whole 30 minutes easily.
Today after school I am going to home school Amy and then I am going to Pasadena for a weekend conference. It will be a sort of nice mini vacation, I guess...thats how I am looking at it! The conference is all about GATE stuff, So it should be useful. I'll get a lot of information!
Laterz
Today after school I am going to home school Amy and then I am going to Pasadena for a weekend conference. It will be a sort of nice mini vacation, I guess...thats how I am looking at it! The conference is all about GATE stuff, So it should be useful. I'll get a lot of information!
Laterz
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Back to School Night
Back to school night starts in ten minutes. I hate the waiting. I am not a patient person. I want to get this over wth. I hope that I don't speak to quickly, so there is a whole lot of time left when I am done. I hope I make a good impression. I am being judged tonight. Yikes. Classroom presentations are so much easier. Maybe I should have practiced what I was going to say. Hee hee! Oops. Oh well. I have to pee. I always have to pee when I am nervous. But then I don't really have to pee. If I were going to go the the bathroom, that little pee pee muscle would give me a wink and a tear and that would be all she wrote. I am sure you are thinking about what a lovely visual that is. Three minutes. I should publish this and go. I hope that tear doesn't roll down my leg. Wish me luck. It will all be over in one hour!
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Just sittin around
Hi. I am sitting here in my classroom. Grant is setting up my printer on my computers. He is wonderful. I just finished correcting my papers. We're going to go see Grandma at her rehab facility tonight. We were going to swing by Dinseyland, to, but I don't think we'll be making it. I have Back to School Night in two days. I am not close to ready.
If it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done.
If it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Choc Walk
Buenos nochas,
I did the Choc walk at Disneyland this morning. It was awesome! I really had a good time. I was impressed by how many people showed up, by the number of charecters who cheered us along the way, and really by the whole experience all the way around. Next year I would like to be more organized and actually get a team going. Today, Angie, Cori, and Kevin, Amy's brother, went. Kevin is just the sweetest kid ever.
I am super tired, however. Its been a long day.
peace, tonight...
I did the Choc walk at Disneyland this morning. It was awesome! I really had a good time. I was impressed by how many people showed up, by the number of charecters who cheered us along the way, and really by the whole experience all the way around. Next year I would like to be more organized and actually get a team going. Today, Angie, Cori, and Kevin, Amy's brother, went. Kevin is just the sweetest kid ever.
I am super tired, however. Its been a long day.
peace, tonight...
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Home Schooling
I started home schooling yesterday. Actually, she was still in the hospital, so we started there. It felt so right. That was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. I felt like a hero! I am sure that I make the same difference to all of the students in my class, but I just felt different.
I felt like she really wanted to be there. She wanted to learn. She pushed on, even though she was in pain.
What a tough, strong, brave little girl. I admire her so much!
Also, I must admit, there is some pride going on, knowing that she was in my class last year and that she was able to work through all of the beginning of the year stuff with no problem...especially in math! It made me feel like i did a good job last year!
But most importantly, it makes me feel good to know that I am making her happy. Let me tell you, she laughed out loud once during a story, and I am living to hear that laugh now. It was one of the most honest, good sounds I've ever heard.
I felt like she really wanted to be there. She wanted to learn. She pushed on, even though she was in pain.
What a tough, strong, brave little girl. I admire her so much!
Also, I must admit, there is some pride going on, knowing that she was in my class last year and that she was able to work through all of the beginning of the year stuff with no problem...especially in math! It made me feel like i did a good job last year!
But most importantly, it makes me feel good to know that I am making her happy. Let me tell you, she laughed out loud once during a story, and I am living to hear that laugh now. It was one of the most honest, good sounds I've ever heard.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Big Brother 6
"As for Maggie... Sure, you may consider your blank stares, and apathy a strategy but I assure you that it is not. You, Maggie, represent those in our society who sit around quietly and watch the good people of this world go down in flames. And when the dust begins to settle you feast on what’s left."
- Kayser Big Brother Blog
- Kayser Big Brother Blog
Monday, September 19, 2005
Thunder Storm
We are having a true, honest to God thunder and lightning storm!!! I can't think of the last time we've had a lightning storm here like this...
Its funny,at physical therapy today, we were commenting on how mice the weather is, and someone said that the weather was reporting possible rain for tomorrow. We were all, yeah, right, clear skieswarm weather...
A few hours later I looked outside and it was gettin' all cloudy...I laughed and passed the story on to Grant...and now, sure enough...
Poor Kanga, though. She is wiggin out!!!
Its funny,at physical therapy today, we were commenting on how mice the weather is, and someone said that the weather was reporting possible rain for tomorrow. We were all, yeah, right, clear skieswarm weather...
A few hours later I looked outside and it was gettin' all cloudy...I laughed and passed the story on to Grant...and now, sure enough...
Poor Kanga, though. She is wiggin out!!!
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Speaking of "Patriotic" issues...
Our school sang "God Bless America" during a flag ceremony last week. It got me thinking. How could singing such a song during a school wide ceremony (not performed in an artistic or cultural sense, such as at a concert or performance) not be considered endorsing a certain belief system? True, no one forced the students to sing the song. Students could choose not to sing it. But still, it just seems odd, in retrospect.
There are many patriotic songs that mention God or have religious overtones, but my specific thought regarding "God Bless America" is that the song is essentially a prayer, is it not? The singer is talking to God, making requests..."stand beside her, and guide her..." Is this an appropriate song to sing in a public school? Does express the ideals of freedom and patriotism that we want to teach our children in a civil setting?
But is sure is a pretty song to sing. And I love to sing.
There are many patriotic songs that mention God or have religious overtones, but my specific thought regarding "God Bless America" is that the song is essentially a prayer, is it not? The singer is talking to God, making requests..."stand beside her, and guide her..." Is this an appropriate song to sing in a public school? Does express the ideals of freedom and patriotism that we want to teach our children in a civil setting?
But is sure is a pretty song to sing. And I love to sing.
Old Friends
Yesterday afternoon, I went to see an old friend from high school. It is so funny. In both of our lives, so much has changed, and yet, to me anyway, our time together was just the same. We were good friends for a while, and our time yesterday felt very much like old times.
It got me thinking. Alot. I talked Rob's ear off last night. Then I talked Grant's ear off when he got home from work.
My water is boiling. As a side note, for those of you who have read my honeymoon blog, I found that really good Lipton orange, passionfruit, and jasmine green tea that I discovered on our cruise. They sell it at Vons and at Walmart.
Anyways...
There are some core values that my friend and I both have stuck to, and I think that makes a difference. We can relate, still, in many ways.
I think that if I bumped into other people from high school, our time together would be very strained. And would leave me feeling very sad. My meeting yesterday didn't make me sad. I feel very hopeful.
But also, I feel very introspective, as I often do after hearing news from the past.
It is so odd, becasue I feel like that wasn't my life. I don't know that person that went to Edison, played in the band, sung in the choir. Its like that whole part of my life is a hazy cloud. Rob keeps me grounded in this aspect. He REALLY knew me in high school, and he knows me now, and I think that what he tries to tell me all the time when I get into this mood is that, deep down, I am still very much the same person that I was in high school. I just don't think very many people knew who I really was. I don't think I let it be shown very much. But Rob saw it.
But still, the person I was, outwardly, is the mystery. I wish I could remember, so I could understand why...alas, I don't know if this is making any sense at all. And as I am sure a lot of people who are asking...does any of this really matter? Who cares who I was 10 years ago? The time has past. move on.
I know.
But its like this big hole that I don't remember, but I feel like I should be able to.
How can I figure out the big mysteries of life and the world if I can't even figure out the tiny mysteries that exist inside my own head?
Don't you love when I get in these introspective moods? Hee hee.
It got me thinking. Alot. I talked Rob's ear off last night. Then I talked Grant's ear off when he got home from work.
My water is boiling. As a side note, for those of you who have read my honeymoon blog, I found that really good Lipton orange, passionfruit, and jasmine green tea that I discovered on our cruise. They sell it at Vons and at Walmart.
Anyways...
There are some core values that my friend and I both have stuck to, and I think that makes a difference. We can relate, still, in many ways.
I think that if I bumped into other people from high school, our time together would be very strained. And would leave me feeling very sad. My meeting yesterday didn't make me sad. I feel very hopeful.
But also, I feel very introspective, as I often do after hearing news from the past.
It is so odd, becasue I feel like that wasn't my life. I don't know that person that went to Edison, played in the band, sung in the choir. Its like that whole part of my life is a hazy cloud. Rob keeps me grounded in this aspect. He REALLY knew me in high school, and he knows me now, and I think that what he tries to tell me all the time when I get into this mood is that, deep down, I am still very much the same person that I was in high school. I just don't think very many people knew who I really was. I don't think I let it be shown very much. But Rob saw it.
But still, the person I was, outwardly, is the mystery. I wish I could remember, so I could understand why...alas, I don't know if this is making any sense at all. And as I am sure a lot of people who are asking...does any of this really matter? Who cares who I was 10 years ago? The time has past. move on.
I know.
But its like this big hole that I don't remember, but I feel like I should be able to.
How can I figure out the big mysteries of life and the world if I can't even figure out the tiny mysteries that exist inside my own head?
Don't you love when I get in these introspective moods? Hee hee.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter got a rating of PG 13.
Not too worried...so did Star Wars...
Not too worried...so did Star Wars...
Physical Therapy
The range of motion on my wrist is almost back to normal, which is nice. Connie, my wonderful therapist, says I am doing awesome. The one thing that is interestiong - when I first sat in there I saw this peg board that looked like a pre schooler puzzle...with different sized round pegs that fit into appropriate sized round holes. I thought it looked kinda fun...
I have to use that contraption now. I have to use this gripper thing to pull out each peg and put them back in. It looks so simple. It sounds so simple. But it is a pain. Sigh. I hate that thing!
I have to use that contraption now. I have to use this gripper thing to pull out each peg and put them back in. It looks so simple. It sounds so simple. But it is a pain. Sigh. I hate that thing!
Back to School
I am so excited to be back to school! So far I love my new class. It is so hard to feel like you fit in at a new school but I know it will happen eventually.
I introudiced some GATE strategies and I think I did a pretty good job with them! I am a bit stressed about how I am going to get everything done but I'm sure it will work out!
I introudiced some GATE strategies and I think I did a pretty good job with them! I am a bit stressed about how I am going to get everything done but I'm sure it will work out!
Big Brother
I am so proud of Janelle. I hope she takes it all. If not, she still kicked butt with all of the prizes and America's Choice. We love you Janey!
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
School starts Thursday
I hate this time of year...its always the anticipation that kills me.
School starts Thursday...
School starts Thursday...
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Wicked!
While I am at it, I never posted about Wicked!, probably because I had a broken wrist at the time! But anyway, the Mosich's were kind enough to take Grant and I to see Wicked. It was awesome! I really like the play adaptation. It is light and fun! It is coming back to Orange COunty in August and I really want to see it again. I would put it in my top ten list for sure...maybe even top five...
But since I really have Rent on my mind...how about a little trivia...
Idina Menzel, Elphaba in the original broadway cast of Wicked, got her start on broadway in the original cast of...Rent...as Maureen! She is also playing Maureen in the up and coming movie version...
Also, she is now married to Taye Diggs, (They married in Jan. 2003), whom she met on Rent...as he played the original Benny! They are also in this movie together...
And to bring it back to Wicked, Taye came to Wicked for a while and played Fiyero opposite Idina!
But since I really have Rent on my mind...how about a little trivia...
Idina Menzel, Elphaba in the original broadway cast of Wicked, got her start on broadway in the original cast of...Rent...as Maureen! She is also playing Maureen in the up and coming movie version...
Also, she is now married to Taye Diggs, (They married in Jan. 2003), whom she met on Rent...as he played the original Benny! They are also in this movie together...
And to bring it back to Wicked, Taye came to Wicked for a while and played Fiyero opposite Idina!
Rent, the movie
OH MY GOD I am so excited about Rent coming out. The previews are giving me chills I am so excited!!!! If you haven't seen a trailer yet you can go to the Internet movie database and search for rent and view the trailer there. Also, the movie blog just provided a link to the new trailer (look in the august archive if you can't find it.)
Gosh! I am SO EXCITED!!!! Its at times like this I lived in New York so I could truly be a Renthead. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Ok, I know that I have a lot of Rent stuff since I started this blog...becasue I've been lucky enough to have had many encounters with it lately. 8 years ago if I was blogging, you would have had to deal with this type of enthusiasm for Les Miserables. but as for now...
AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Have i mentioned how excited I am that Rent is coming out as a movie? So I can watch it over and over again until it come to me live...
No DAY but TODAY!
Gosh! I am SO EXCITED!!!! Its at times like this I lived in New York so I could truly be a Renthead. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Ok, I know that I have a lot of Rent stuff since I started this blog...becasue I've been lucky enough to have had many encounters with it lately. 8 years ago if I was blogging, you would have had to deal with this type of enthusiasm for Les Miserables. but as for now...
AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Have i mentioned how excited I am that Rent is coming out as a movie? So I can watch it over and over again until it come to me live...
No DAY but TODAY!
Friday, August 19, 2005
Gearing up for an awesome Fall
There are some exciting things in the entertainment world coming up this fall...here are a few things to keep an eye out for:
Movies:
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets opens in theaters on November 18th. This is the movie version of Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts. I'll probably see this on IMAX.
Also coming out this November on the silver screen is the movie version of Rent. The movie stars much of the original broadway cast. I am super excited to see it,and I am hoping that they do a good job with it and that they stay true to the original. God, would I love a great version of Rent to watch at home!
TV:
CBS is already gearing up for a great season, starting with a twist on the best reality/game show ever. Premiering Tuesday, September 27th, the 8th season of The Amazing Race features families of four, including racers as young as 8 years old! This should provide a nice break from all of those whiney couples trying to decide if their relationship will last. CBS has already published the team bios if you want to check them out.
In addition, CBS has published the bios of the 16 new Survivors. Survivor Guatemala premiers Thursday, September 15. If the picture is accurate, it looks like they may be back to basics, with teams divided up evenly with regards to age and sex (the picture shows the players already wearing team buffs).
Video Games:
The Sims 2 is coming out with its second expansion pack this fall. The Sims 2: Nightlife will feature new community locations to visit, including lounges, nightclubs, fancy restaurants, and bowling alleys. Sim romance will be amped up, with more complicated chemistry formulas...life aspirations, personality, and astroloical signs will now play an important role in determining whether certain sims are attracted to each other. Speaking of which, a new life aspiration will be added..."pleasure seeker" will become a new lifelong aspration that sims can choose, joining the original five aspirations (family, romance, wealth, knowledge, and popularity). Last, but not least, sims will now be able to have their own cars, so they will not have to rely on taxis and carpools to get where they need to go!!!
And finally...
Konami is releasing the fourth version of their popular Karaoke Revolution game with Karaoke Revolution Party. This version will have a feature that allows two players to sing the same song all of the way through at the same time and be judged seperatly. It will have the most ectensive song list ever, with 50 songs, and (hold on to your hats)...it will have a SING AND DANCE mode that uses the Dance Dance Revolution dance pad!!!!!!! Here is the song list:
Karaoke Revolution Party
(I've Had) The Time of My Life
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing
Ain't Too Proud To Beg
Always
American Woman
Brick House
Call Me
Crazy
Crazy in Love
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me
Drive
Dust in the Wind
Endless Love
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Everywhere
Fame
Fly
For You I Will
Headstrong
Greatest Love of All
Here I Go Again
I Don't Wanna Be
I Left My Heart in San Francisco
I Love Rock and Roll
I Will Always Love You
If You Could Only See
I'll Be
Material Girl
Me and Bobby McGee
Pain
Pieces of Me
Play That Funky Music
Start Me Up
Superstition
Sweet Caroline
Take On Me
Takin' Care of Business
That's Amore
The Game of Love
Time After Time
Truth Is
Turn The Beat Around
Unforgettable
Uptown Girl
Waiting For A Girl Like You
What I Like About You
Who Can It Be Now?
You're My Best Friend
Movies:
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets opens in theaters on November 18th. This is the movie version of Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts. I'll probably see this on IMAX.
Also coming out this November on the silver screen is the movie version of Rent. The movie stars much of the original broadway cast. I am super excited to see it,and I am hoping that they do a good job with it and that they stay true to the original. God, would I love a great version of Rent to watch at home!
TV:
CBS is already gearing up for a great season, starting with a twist on the best reality/game show ever. Premiering Tuesday, September 27th, the 8th season of The Amazing Race features families of four, including racers as young as 8 years old! This should provide a nice break from all of those whiney couples trying to decide if their relationship will last. CBS has already published the team bios if you want to check them out.
In addition, CBS has published the bios of the 16 new Survivors. Survivor Guatemala premiers Thursday, September 15. If the picture is accurate, it looks like they may be back to basics, with teams divided up evenly with regards to age and sex (the picture shows the players already wearing team buffs).
Video Games:
The Sims 2 is coming out with its second expansion pack this fall. The Sims 2: Nightlife will feature new community locations to visit, including lounges, nightclubs, fancy restaurants, and bowling alleys. Sim romance will be amped up, with more complicated chemistry formulas...life aspirations, personality, and astroloical signs will now play an important role in determining whether certain sims are attracted to each other. Speaking of which, a new life aspiration will be added..."pleasure seeker" will become a new lifelong aspration that sims can choose, joining the original five aspirations (family, romance, wealth, knowledge, and popularity). Last, but not least, sims will now be able to have their own cars, so they will not have to rely on taxis and carpools to get where they need to go!!!
And finally...
Konami is releasing the fourth version of their popular Karaoke Revolution game with Karaoke Revolution Party. This version will have a feature that allows two players to sing the same song all of the way through at the same time and be judged seperatly. It will have the most ectensive song list ever, with 50 songs, and (hold on to your hats)...it will have a SING AND DANCE mode that uses the Dance Dance Revolution dance pad!!!!!!! Here is the song list:
Karaoke Revolution Party
(I've Had) The Time of My Life
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing
Ain't Too Proud To Beg
Always
American Woman
Brick House
Call Me
Crazy
Crazy in Love
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me
Drive
Dust in the Wind
Endless Love
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Everywhere
Fame
Fly
For You I Will
Headstrong
Greatest Love of All
Here I Go Again
I Don't Wanna Be
I Left My Heart in San Francisco
I Love Rock and Roll
I Will Always Love You
If You Could Only See
I'll Be
Material Girl
Me and Bobby McGee
Pain
Pieces of Me
Play That Funky Music
Start Me Up
Superstition
Sweet Caroline
Take On Me
Takin' Care of Business
That's Amore
The Game of Love
Time After Time
Truth Is
Turn The Beat Around
Unforgettable
Uptown Girl
Waiting For A Girl Like You
What I Like About You
Who Can It Be Now?
You're My Best Friend
Monday, July 25, 2005
Hi! I am married!!!
I know its been a while...its such a pain to type with this broken wrist...plus i have, you know been getting married!!!
We are making a
honeymoon blog to keep a trip diary of our special vacation, so check there for updates...I will be back here to blog in a few weeks!
Love ya!
We are making a
honeymoon blog to keep a trip diary of our special vacation, so check there for updates...I will be back here to blog in a few weeks!
Love ya!
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Saturday, June 11, 2005
i broke my wrist
Actually, I fractured it. At Skate night for school. mixed reports on how bad it is. The ER doc said it was a nice clean fracture. The Workman's comp clinic implied that it was bad. I won't know for sure till i see the orthoperdic guy on monday. he is a hand and wrist specialist.
It is my right arm, and yes, i am right handed. I had to switch the mouse buttons. Report cards are going to be fun.
My wedding starts in 6 weeks and fourty minutes.
It is my right arm, and yes, i am right handed. I had to switch the mouse buttons. Report cards are going to be fun.
My wedding starts in 6 weeks and fourty minutes.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Open House
I love heartwarming stories from my student's parents:
At Open House last night, one of my parents shared this story with me. As she was getting out of the shower one evening, she was singing. Her son, a first grader in my class, covered his ears with his hands and moaned, "Please, Mom, don't sing...don't...I have to listen to it all day at school from Ms. Kramer!"
YES FOLKS, that is the impact I have on children....
At Open House last night, one of my parents shared this story with me. As she was getting out of the shower one evening, she was singing. Her son, a first grader in my class, covered his ears with his hands and moaned, "Please, Mom, don't sing...don't...I have to listen to it all day at school from Ms. Kramer!"
YES FOLKS, that is the impact I have on children....
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Thinkin'...again
I found Rosie's Blog the other day and I have read the whole thing. It has really got me thinking that I had made a mistake about my Rosie after all.
I am ALMOST done with school. I have a few loose little ends to tie up and I will be all finished.
I am particularly nervous about tomorrow when I have to present my project. I don't know why I am so nervous, I just am. I hope not a lot of professors show uu to watch. (sigh)
What else? So I still haven't seen the Amazing Rac finale and I still haven't heard who the winners are. That's Amazing!
I am pretty behind on Survivor as well. Last person I saw get voted off was Stephanie. Sigh.
I am going to go work on homework now. I am procrastinaing. (me, procrastinate??)
I am ALMOST done with school. I have a few loose little ends to tie up and I will be all finished.
I am particularly nervous about tomorrow when I have to present my project. I don't know why I am so nervous, I just am. I hope not a lot of professors show uu to watch. (sigh)
What else? So I still haven't seen the Amazing Rac finale and I still haven't heard who the winners are. That's Amazing!
I am pretty behind on Survivor as well. Last person I saw get voted off was Stephanie. Sigh.
I am going to go work on homework now. I am procrastinaing. (me, procrastinate??)
Thursday, May 12, 2005
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
www.GobletOfFire.com
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
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.
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.
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
I'm sorry, Mom and Dad
Dear Mom and Dad,
Please forgive me for all of the times you took me to your office and I made a big long chain with all of your paperclips so that when you went to pull one out they would all stick together and need to be unhooked from each other.
Today, at the copy machine, I realized the error of my ways, and I am deeply sorry for what I am sure amounted to hours of tiny annoyances.
Please forgive me for all of the times you took me to your office and I made a big long chain with all of your paperclips so that when you went to pull one out they would all stick together and need to be unhooked from each other.
Today, at the copy machine, I realized the error of my ways, and I am deeply sorry for what I am sure amounted to hours of tiny annoyances.
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Rent the movie
For those of you interested, they have cast for Rent the movie and are filming….it will be released this November (well, that is the current plan…) Interesting to note…they cast someone for the role of “Alison Grey.”
And Look! Most of the Original Cast! Isn't that refreshing?
And Look! Most of the Original Cast! Isn't that refreshing?
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Last day of vacation
So...we woke up and packed...always a fun time... and checked out of our wonderful Marriot room.
We headed down towards San Jose, stopping to eat at Fudd Ruckers, which reminded me of Flakey Jakes, where Betty used to take us.
Anyway, Grant gor an Ostrich burger and I got a cow burger, and we loaded our fries up with nacho cheese sauce...plus I got a strawberry shake and Grant got a kona coffee shake and it was one of those perfectly heavenly meals...
We arrived at the Winchester Mystery House early in the afternoon and we did the estate tour. It was really quite interesting...for those of you that don't know the story, here is my brief summary...
Sarah Pardee married the guy who owned the Winshester Rifle Company (his father started the business and he continued it, and improved it, particularly by making a quality repeating rifle...)
Sarah Pardee Winchester had a daughter who died 20 days after she was born, and many years later her husband died of Tuberculosis.
As the story goes, she was deeply grieved for the untimley losses of her family, and went to see a psychic. This psychic told her that her family was being haunted by the spirits of all of those whose lives were lost by the Winchester Rifle, and if she wanted to live (and not fall to the curse) She would need to travel to where the sun touches the sea (west) and build a house for the spirits to dwell in. Here is the kicker, Sarah interepreted this to mean that as long as she continued to build the house, the spirits would not harm her...
So sarah came out west and bought a farm house, and began building. For the next 32 years, she had carpenters build the house non stop, 24 hours a day, adding rooms on to rooms, building new rooms around existing rooms, and creating a mansion with all sorts of oddities...Tiffany stain glass windows built into walls with rooms on both sides of the wall so that no sunlight touched the room, staircases that go into the ceiling, a window in the floor, a chimney that travels four stories up and stops just a foot and a half below the ceiling (there is an old myth that spirits enter and exit the house through chimnies, so perhaps Sarah was trying to confuse them...?).
Sarah held nightly seinces to talk to the spirits, and these talks led to her hand drawn plans for the carpenters to build the next day. As such, there are no blue prints and no formal apporvals for anything in the house.
Other interesting things...Sarah had a fascination with spiderweb designs, as evidenced in many of the stain glass windows. in addition, she was obsessed with the number 13...many staircases had 13 stairs, there were 13 bathrooms (and 13 windows in the 13 bathrooms) She had 13 palms lining the front driveway...oh, yeah, and another old wives tale says that if you install a post upside down in ahouse, it will bring you good luck. Every post in Sarah's estate was installed upside down.
(By the way, besides the large sum of money she recieved as being the heress to the Winchester fortune, she recieved revenues from the companies stocks and bonds which amounted to $1000 a day. ..in case you were wondering how she could afford this!)
In any case, there are so many interesting things, it is definatly worth checking out!
After our tour, we had some time before a flight, but we headed to the airport anyway, to see if we could fly Standby on an earlier flight. We got on (the flisht had about 20 empty seats) So after being subject to a polite but thourough body and barry on baggage search (yup, we got pulled aside...probably becasue we switched flights...) We got on a plane about 40 minutes after dropping our car off at the airport, and even got to move to the emergency row becasue nobody wanted to sit there. Sweet....
All in all, it was a great trip...have I mentioned how much I love traveling with Grant?
Other interesting things about the house...
We headed down towards San Jose, stopping to eat at Fudd Ruckers, which reminded me of Flakey Jakes, where Betty used to take us.
Anyway, Grant gor an Ostrich burger and I got a cow burger, and we loaded our fries up with nacho cheese sauce...plus I got a strawberry shake and Grant got a kona coffee shake and it was one of those perfectly heavenly meals...
We arrived at the Winchester Mystery House early in the afternoon and we did the estate tour. It was really quite interesting...for those of you that don't know the story, here is my brief summary...
Sarah Pardee married the guy who owned the Winshester Rifle Company (his father started the business and he continued it, and improved it, particularly by making a quality repeating rifle...)
Sarah Pardee Winchester had a daughter who died 20 days after she was born, and many years later her husband died of Tuberculosis.
As the story goes, she was deeply grieved for the untimley losses of her family, and went to see a psychic. This psychic told her that her family was being haunted by the spirits of all of those whose lives were lost by the Winchester Rifle, and if she wanted to live (and not fall to the curse) She would need to travel to where the sun touches the sea (west) and build a house for the spirits to dwell in. Here is the kicker, Sarah interepreted this to mean that as long as she continued to build the house, the spirits would not harm her...
So sarah came out west and bought a farm house, and began building. For the next 32 years, she had carpenters build the house non stop, 24 hours a day, adding rooms on to rooms, building new rooms around existing rooms, and creating a mansion with all sorts of oddities...Tiffany stain glass windows built into walls with rooms on both sides of the wall so that no sunlight touched the room, staircases that go into the ceiling, a window in the floor, a chimney that travels four stories up and stops just a foot and a half below the ceiling (there is an old myth that spirits enter and exit the house through chimnies, so perhaps Sarah was trying to confuse them...?).
Sarah held nightly seinces to talk to the spirits, and these talks led to her hand drawn plans for the carpenters to build the next day. As such, there are no blue prints and no formal apporvals for anything in the house.
Other interesting things...Sarah had a fascination with spiderweb designs, as evidenced in many of the stain glass windows. in addition, she was obsessed with the number 13...many staircases had 13 stairs, there were 13 bathrooms (and 13 windows in the 13 bathrooms) She had 13 palms lining the front driveway...oh, yeah, and another old wives tale says that if you install a post upside down in ahouse, it will bring you good luck. Every post in Sarah's estate was installed upside down.
(By the way, besides the large sum of money she recieved as being the heress to the Winchester fortune, she recieved revenues from the companies stocks and bonds which amounted to $1000 a day. ..in case you were wondering how she could afford this!)
In any case, there are so many interesting things, it is definatly worth checking out!
After our tour, we had some time before a flight, but we headed to the airport anyway, to see if we could fly Standby on an earlier flight. We got on (the flisht had about 20 empty seats) So after being subject to a polite but thourough body and barry on baggage search (yup, we got pulled aside...probably becasue we switched flights...) We got on a plane about 40 minutes after dropping our car off at the airport, and even got to move to the emergency row becasue nobody wanted to sit there. Sweet....
All in all, it was a great trip...have I mentioned how much I love traveling with Grant?
Other interesting things about the house...
Saturday, April 02, 2005
SF Day 2
We leave tonight! Back to the real world of work and school and writing papers...sigh.
But, let me tell you all about yesterday!
We drove into the city yesterday...(Yes, I actually drove around the city...up and down those steep, scary hills...I can't wait until Grant can do the driving.)
We had lunch at Round Table...they delivered Grant's pizza relly quick,but mine didin;t come out for 20 more minutes, by which time we had finished Grant's and i made two trips to the salad bar. So only a quarter of my pizza got eaten, so we gave the rest to a bum sitting outside and went on our way.
I drove down Lombard Street, which thankfully was NOT crowded. Next, we drove to the Exploritorium, which was really crowded...We spent a few hours there, and then left. We had reservations for thr Tactile Dome, but not until 6:45...
So we went towards Fisherman's Wharf, and lucked out by finding a spot the block abovr Ghiredelli Square...a free spot! We walked the 5 blocks or so to Fisherman's Wharf and took a bay cruise on the Red and White fleet. The had personal head sets to listen to the tour, which made it easier to hear then in SAeattle when they spoke on a microphone.
After out tour, we went back to Ghiredelli Square and had, you guessed it, Ice Cream Sundaes. This time, I had the Cable Car, which was a scoop of chocolate ice cream, chocolate chip, and rocky road, with Hot fudge and marshmellow topping. Grant had the warm cookie bottom sundae, which was a hot fudge sundae with a warm cookie...on the bottom (imagine that). You know what is so sweet about Grant? He always gives me his cherry.
After our sundae snack, we drove through the city again, therough the Italian districe and China town, and then back to th Explorotarium for our tactile Dome experience. The museum closed at 5 so unless you were going in the dome, you couldn't go in.
The tactile DOME is a labrynth that you climb through compleatly in the dark...pitch black...you use your hands to crawl, slide down and navigate your way through. It was very cool. We went through twice.
When we were done, we took the advice of the employees, and left our car there, and walked to Chestnut Street to have dinner. We found this place called Asqew Grill, just of Chestnut, which had different kinds of skewers. It was really good. Grant got balsamic Beef, and I got Thai BBQ chicken, and we got an appitizer of grilled asparagus. Yummy!
we walked back to our car and drove across the Golden Gate Bridge and through Berkley to get home. it was a little bit longer, but we thought a new route would be nice. And it wwould have been, if one of the bridges we went across (not the GOLDEN Gate) didin't have work being done on it which slowed us down ALOT!
over all it was a very good trip, and it is not over yet! Today, we are going to the Winchester Mystery House! I'll tell ya all about it, later. But now, we must pack!
But, let me tell you all about yesterday!
We drove into the city yesterday...(Yes, I actually drove around the city...up and down those steep, scary hills...I can't wait until Grant can do the driving.)
We had lunch at Round Table...they delivered Grant's pizza relly quick,but mine didin;t come out for 20 more minutes, by which time we had finished Grant's and i made two trips to the salad bar. So only a quarter of my pizza got eaten, so we gave the rest to a bum sitting outside and went on our way.
I drove down Lombard Street, which thankfully was NOT crowded. Next, we drove to the Exploritorium, which was really crowded...We spent a few hours there, and then left. We had reservations for thr Tactile Dome, but not until 6:45...
So we went towards Fisherman's Wharf, and lucked out by finding a spot the block abovr Ghiredelli Square...a free spot! We walked the 5 blocks or so to Fisherman's Wharf and took a bay cruise on the Red and White fleet. The had personal head sets to listen to the tour, which made it easier to hear then in SAeattle when they spoke on a microphone.
After out tour, we went back to Ghiredelli Square and had, you guessed it, Ice Cream Sundaes. This time, I had the Cable Car, which was a scoop of chocolate ice cream, chocolate chip, and rocky road, with Hot fudge and marshmellow topping. Grant had the warm cookie bottom sundae, which was a hot fudge sundae with a warm cookie...on the bottom (imagine that). You know what is so sweet about Grant? He always gives me his cherry.
After our sundae snack, we drove through the city again, therough the Italian districe and China town, and then back to th Explorotarium for our tactile Dome experience. The museum closed at 5 so unless you were going in the dome, you couldn't go in.
The tactile DOME is a labrynth that you climb through compleatly in the dark...pitch black...you use your hands to crawl, slide down and navigate your way through. It was very cool. We went through twice.
When we were done, we took the advice of the employees, and left our car there, and walked to Chestnut Street to have dinner. We found this place called Asqew Grill, just of Chestnut, which had different kinds of skewers. It was really good. Grant got balsamic Beef, and I got Thai BBQ chicken, and we got an appitizer of grilled asparagus. Yummy!
we walked back to our car and drove across the Golden Gate Bridge and through Berkley to get home. it was a little bit longer, but we thought a new route would be nice. And it wwould have been, if one of the bridges we went across (not the GOLDEN Gate) didin't have work being done on it which slowed us down ALOT!
over all it was a very good trip, and it is not over yet! Today, we are going to the Winchester Mystery House! I'll tell ya all about it, later. But now, we must pack!
Friday, April 01, 2005
Our Evening Downtown
Hi all! Well, last night, we took the Bart across the bay and the streetcar to Fisherman's wharf. It was packed down there! It was so crowded it almost wasn't enjoyable. In any case we walked through Pier 39, and over by the submarines where they had a tribute to the old sea side boardwalk carnivals, complete with about 100 old time machines, the movie flips, the press a button to see what your career would be, fortune telling machines and the like.
We got some fish and chips and clam chowder for dinner, and sat on a wall on a corner and listened to some street musicians play. After that, we went to Ghiredelli Square and had desert...Yummy sundaes for us from the Soda Fountain.
It was a nice evening, and we really enjoyed ourselves, but we were pretty tired.
When we got back we went to the Concierge Lounge, and had some snacks. The guy working it was having a lot of fun, this being the "eve of April Fool's Day" He put a sign on the door that said "Welcum to the Hilton Conseeerge. And he had "Centerpieces" on each table, for example, a jar of Olives or trays of Peanut Butter.
We went back to our room to plan the day and I pretty much just vegged in front of the TV. The bed is so comfortable...
Speaking of whcih, I wanted to describe our room for you, becasue it is oddly layed out becasue of its shape. The hotel shape is a long trapezoid. We have the second to last room so our room is shaped almost like a triangle. You walk in to the room and yo are in a short hallway, with the bathroom to the right and the closet to the left (this is like a rectangle attatched to the triangle) Around the corner, is the main part of the room. The wall on your left is straignt, like you'd expect, but the wall on the right is at an angle...making the base of the triangle. The bed is on that wall, so it faces at an angle instead of straignt. The TV is in the top corner of the room. At the opposite side from where you walk in, there is a chair and a little table. I don't know if that was a good description or not...somehow, I doubt it!
Have a good day...don't get fooled!
We got some fish and chips and clam chowder for dinner, and sat on a wall on a corner and listened to some street musicians play. After that, we went to Ghiredelli Square and had desert...Yummy sundaes for us from the Soda Fountain.
It was a nice evening, and we really enjoyed ourselves, but we were pretty tired.
When we got back we went to the Concierge Lounge, and had some snacks. The guy working it was having a lot of fun, this being the "eve of April Fool's Day" He put a sign on the door that said "Welcum to the Hilton Conseeerge. And he had "Centerpieces" on each table, for example, a jar of Olives or trays of Peanut Butter.
We went back to our room to plan the day and I pretty much just vegged in front of the TV. The bed is so comfortable...
Speaking of whcih, I wanted to describe our room for you, becasue it is oddly layed out becasue of its shape. The hotel shape is a long trapezoid. We have the second to last room so our room is shaped almost like a triangle. You walk in to the room and yo are in a short hallway, with the bathroom to the right and the closet to the left (this is like a rectangle attatched to the triangle) Around the corner, is the main part of the room. The wall on your left is straignt, like you'd expect, but the wall on the right is at an angle...making the base of the triangle. The bed is on that wall, so it faces at an angle instead of straignt. The TV is in the top corner of the room. At the opposite side from where you walk in, there is a chair and a little table. I don't know if that was a good description or not...somehow, I doubt it!
Have a good day...don't get fooled!
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Here in Oakland
We scrached our original plan of driving on the freeway through San jose to get to Oakland, and instead took the beautiful highway 1.
We stopped at a beach and looked at the tide pools, as well as did some rock climbing that would make our mothers cringe.
We arrived in Oakland (that Bay Bridge is a trip!) and checked in to our hotel. We are staying at the Marriot here, and the lldy who checked us in was really nice. We have concierge access, and a room on the 14th floor overlooking the bay and downtown San Francisico!
We are going to head into downtown tongiht, and have dinner at Fisherman's Wharf...
More to come tonight!
We stopped at a beach and looked at the tide pools, as well as did some rock climbing that would make our mothers cringe.
We arrived in Oakland (that Bay Bridge is a trip!) and checked in to our hotel. We are staying at the Marriot here, and the lldy who checked us in was really nice. We have concierge access, and a room on the 14th floor overlooking the bay and downtown San Francisico!
We are going to head into downtown tongiht, and have dinner at Fisherman's Wharf...
More to come tonight!
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Grant and I spent our day on the boardwalk. It was a lot of fun! We went on a bunch of rides. The park has a very nice, amusement park (not carnival) family friendly feel to it.
Oh! ALso, it had fascination, this game we discovered in Reno...you roll a ball up into a grid and try to get it to go through 5 in a row to getg a bingo...it is so addicting. I love that game!
We also had lots of yummy food...we had a gyro, garlic fries, a deep fried twinkie, a shaved ice, a pretzel with cheese and a hot fudge sundae...yummy...my kind of diet.
The weather was nice...Spring Break for sure...Grant got a sunburn on his nose and cheeks..and it was pretty crowded down there.
We also played miniature golf, which was fun...although Grant was in an interesting mood...for example, did you know that it is a miniature golf rule that as long as the ball is still moving you can hit it as many times as you'd like with your club or your foot and it still only counts as one stroke? Yeah, neither did I.
We finished our Boardwalk day with two games of bowling...grant bowled a 137 and a 98, and I bowled a 100 and a 102. That was fun!
For dinner, we went to the Ideal bar and Grill at the beginning of the pier. they had lobsteron Wednesdays for 12.95 (a whole Maine Lobster.) Apparently, they ran out while I was there (after I got mine) so we got there just in time. yipee! Grant got Mahi Mahi. Although the food was very good, the service was terrible. We only got our water refilled once...fourty minutes after we sat there, after our food was delivered and mostly eaten...the waitress never came around! It was bad...she got a measly tip...and we are usually pretty good tippers.
We walked to the end of the huge pier...the pier has a two lone road and a parking lot on it...plus a whole bunch of shops and restaurants. Then we walked back to our hotel totally beat! We are so tired that we opted not to drive out to the store to get Grant some aloe.
I tried to publish this and lost it so this is my second try, so I am not going to reread and edit this tonight. Maybe I will tomorrow.
Tomorrow we had to 'Frisco...its been a great trip so far! Good night, all!
Oh! ALso, it had fascination, this game we discovered in Reno...you roll a ball up into a grid and try to get it to go through 5 in a row to getg a bingo...it is so addicting. I love that game!
We also had lots of yummy food...we had a gyro, garlic fries, a deep fried twinkie, a shaved ice, a pretzel with cheese and a hot fudge sundae...yummy...my kind of diet.
The weather was nice...Spring Break for sure...Grant got a sunburn on his nose and cheeks..and it was pretty crowded down there.
We also played miniature golf, which was fun...although Grant was in an interesting mood...for example, did you know that it is a miniature golf rule that as long as the ball is still moving you can hit it as many times as you'd like with your club or your foot and it still only counts as one stroke? Yeah, neither did I.
We finished our Boardwalk day with two games of bowling...grant bowled a 137 and a 98, and I bowled a 100 and a 102. That was fun!
For dinner, we went to the Ideal bar and Grill at the beginning of the pier. they had lobsteron Wednesdays for 12.95 (a whole Maine Lobster.) Apparently, they ran out while I was there (after I got mine) so we got there just in time. yipee! Grant got Mahi Mahi. Although the food was very good, the service was terrible. We only got our water refilled once...fourty minutes after we sat there, after our food was delivered and mostly eaten...the waitress never came around! It was bad...she got a measly tip...and we are usually pretty good tippers.
We walked to the end of the huge pier...the pier has a two lone road and a parking lot on it...plus a whole bunch of shops and restaurants. Then we walked back to our hotel totally beat! We are so tired that we opted not to drive out to the store to get Grant some aloe.
I tried to publish this and lost it so this is my second try, so I am not going to reread and edit this tonight. Maybe I will tomorrow.
Tomorrow we had to 'Frisco...its been a great trip so far! Good night, all!
The Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Grant and I went to the Boardwalk today. We rode many of the rides...the whole feel of the place is very fun and amusement park like....clean and family friendly...
It was Spring Break for sure...the boardwalk was packed and it got pretty warm...mid to high 70's. Poor Grant got a sun burn on his cheeks and nose!
We had lots of yummy carny food...a gyro, garlic fries, a deep fried twinkie, a shaved ice, a pretzel with cheese, and a hot fudge sundae...yeah, thats my kinda diet!
We also played a round of miniature golf, during which Grant was in a very interesting mood...(did you know that as long as the ball is rolling, and doesn't stop moving, you can hit it as many times as you want with your club or your foot and it still counts as one stroke on the score card? yeah, neither did I...
We also bowled two games...Grant got 134 and then 97...I got 100 and then 102.
Oh! I forgot! They also had fascination...that game we played in Reno, where you roll the red ball up and try to get five in a row based on the circles it rolls in too...oh...so addicting!
For dinner, we went to the Ideal Bar and Grill at the beginning of the pier. They had a live maine lobster for $11.95. SO I got Lobster and Grant got Mahi Mahi (About 30 minutes after I ordered they ran out of Lobster...I probably got the last one!) The food was good, but the service was lousy...She got a low tip...and we're usually really good tippers. She never checked on us or refilled the water...the kitchen server brought out the food and she ddin't come back to see if we needed anything for like 30 minutes. It was bad.
Anyway, after dinner, we walked to the end of the pier. The pier is huge...It has a two lane road and parking, and lots of shops and restaurants. We were beat..we booked it back to the hotel, and opted not to go out to the grocery store to purchase soma aloe for Grant's face.
Tomorrow, we leave Santa Cruz and head up to San Francisco...what a great trip so far!!!
It was Spring Break for sure...the boardwalk was packed and it got pretty warm...mid to high 70's. Poor Grant got a sun burn on his cheeks and nose!
We had lots of yummy carny food...a gyro, garlic fries, a deep fried twinkie, a shaved ice, a pretzel with cheese, and a hot fudge sundae...yeah, thats my kinda diet!
We also played a round of miniature golf, during which Grant was in a very interesting mood...(did you know that as long as the ball is rolling, and doesn't stop moving, you can hit it as many times as you want with your club or your foot and it still counts as one stroke on the score card? yeah, neither did I...
We also bowled two games...Grant got 134 and then 97...I got 100 and then 102.
Oh! I forgot! They also had fascination...that game we played in Reno, where you roll the red ball up and try to get five in a row based on the circles it rolls in too...oh...so addicting!
For dinner, we went to the Ideal Bar and Grill at the beginning of the pier. They had a live maine lobster for $11.95. SO I got Lobster and Grant got Mahi Mahi (About 30 minutes after I ordered they ran out of Lobster...I probably got the last one!) The food was good, but the service was lousy...She got a low tip...and we're usually really good tippers. She never checked on us or refilled the water...the kitchen server brought out the food and she ddin't come back to see if we needed anything for like 30 minutes. It was bad.
Anyway, after dinner, we walked to the end of the pier. The pier is huge...It has a two lane road and parking, and lots of shops and restaurants. We were beat..we booked it back to the hotel, and opted not to go out to the grocery store to purchase soma aloe for Grant's face.
Tomorrow, we leave Santa Cruz and head up to San Francisco...what a great trip so far!!!
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
On the trains in Santa Cruz
Grant and I woke up at around 8:30 this morning. We had breakfast in our hotel room...a combo of stuff we bought and stuff they had at the continenetal breakfaast (which wasn't much...English Muffins and Breakfast danishes...)
We walked down to the Boardwalk, but they didn't open until 11:00. We looked at the train times, and decided to drive up to Roaring Camp and try to catch the 10:30 Beach Train. We made it on time and took the Beach train, which began by going through a Redwood forest, and went down into Santa Cruz and back to the Boardwalk. This time, everything was opened at the boarkdwalk, and people were visiting, despite a little bit of drizzle held over from the morning rain.
We rode the famous, 80 year old Giant Dipper rollercoaster, which was quite fun. Then we walked around and looked at all of the rides. Lunch was good, old fashioned carny food...corn dogs, and a chocolate dipped cone for Grant and a rootbeer float for me! We walked down to the water and then it was time to head back to the train.
After we returned to Roaring Camp, we had 30 minutes before the next train (the narrow gauge steam train) departed, so we took a short .8 mile hike through a redwood grove.
The narrow gauge was very neat...we sat in the very back, so when we went backwards on the switchbacks we had a front row clear view. It was very cool.
After this train ride, we jumped in our car and headed up to the Mystery Spot, which supposedly has magnetic anamolies and spaces that refract light in different ways. The majority of the tour is identical to the Haunted Shack at Knott's Berry Farm, but there were some interesting features....for example, the trees in the vicinity all had branches growing only on one side of the trunk...
In any case, it was fun!
For dinner we had pizza from a place down town...it was yummy...and a salad with chicken, pecans, and gorganzola cheese.
We made it back to the hotel in time to watch American Idol and Amazing Race with a bag of popcorn...(speaking of Amazing Race...see what i mean about Amber? She has yet to make one damn decision in any game she's ever been on except for who's coat tails to ride...they are sitting at the bottom of the water tower waiting to see if the other team is going to complete the fast forward, and Rob's asking Amber to make a decision, wait, or go on, and she sits there and hems and haws the whole time, and never makes a decision, until the other team finishes and the decision is made for her! grrrr....)
One thing I forgot to mention in my previous blogs. I lost my ring! Not my engagement ring, so stop panicking, but the claddagh ring Grant got me 3 years ago for my birthday. I haven't taken that ring off in three years. We both saw me wearing it on the plane, and I realized when I got to the hotel that my ring was gone! Weird! It wasn't loose or anything, as as I mentioned before, I never take it off...it was just gone...sigh...
See ya manana! (Happy Birthday, Bobby G!)
We walked down to the Boardwalk, but they didn't open until 11:00. We looked at the train times, and decided to drive up to Roaring Camp and try to catch the 10:30 Beach Train. We made it on time and took the Beach train, which began by going through a Redwood forest, and went down into Santa Cruz and back to the Boardwalk. This time, everything was opened at the boarkdwalk, and people were visiting, despite a little bit of drizzle held over from the morning rain.
We rode the famous, 80 year old Giant Dipper rollercoaster, which was quite fun. Then we walked around and looked at all of the rides. Lunch was good, old fashioned carny food...corn dogs, and a chocolate dipped cone for Grant and a rootbeer float for me! We walked down to the water and then it was time to head back to the train.
After we returned to Roaring Camp, we had 30 minutes before the next train (the narrow gauge steam train) departed, so we took a short .8 mile hike through a redwood grove.
The narrow gauge was very neat...we sat in the very back, so when we went backwards on the switchbacks we had a front row clear view. It was very cool.
After this train ride, we jumped in our car and headed up to the Mystery Spot, which supposedly has magnetic anamolies and spaces that refract light in different ways. The majority of the tour is identical to the Haunted Shack at Knott's Berry Farm, but there were some interesting features....for example, the trees in the vicinity all had branches growing only on one side of the trunk...
In any case, it was fun!
For dinner we had pizza from a place down town...it was yummy...and a salad with chicken, pecans, and gorganzola cheese.
We made it back to the hotel in time to watch American Idol and Amazing Race with a bag of popcorn...(speaking of Amazing Race...see what i mean about Amber? She has yet to make one damn decision in any game she's ever been on except for who's coat tails to ride...they are sitting at the bottom of the water tower waiting to see if the other team is going to complete the fast forward, and Rob's asking Amber to make a decision, wait, or go on, and she sits there and hems and haws the whole time, and never makes a decision, until the other team finishes and the decision is made for her! grrrr....)
One thing I forgot to mention in my previous blogs. I lost my ring! Not my engagement ring, so stop panicking, but the claddagh ring Grant got me 3 years ago for my birthday. I haven't taken that ring off in three years. We both saw me wearing it on the plane, and I realized when I got to the hotel that my ring was gone! Weird! It wasn't loose or anything, as as I mentioned before, I never take it off...it was just gone...sigh...
See ya manana! (Happy Birthday, Bobby G!)
Monday, March 28, 2005
First Night in Santa Cruz
Its 9 pm...Grant has not slept in 28 hours, and he is in suprisingly good spirits...much better than I would be!
I forgot to mention our luck....when we first set up the computer we got a wireless internet signal, so we do not have to use our cell phone to access the internet! Cool beans!
So, we went to K-mart and Albertsons and got some snackins, Then we came back and unloaded our stuff. Grant did some research and found a Chinese restaurant, so we went there for dinner. The Chinese place was SO good! We shared a two Chicken dishes...Chicken and asparagus, and another chicken dish with a Chinese name that was really good as well. Plus, we had a candied cashew appetizer...yummy! Everything was fresh...really good!
We are ready for sleep...especially Grant! We are pleasently full, content, and happy to be together...
(Have I mentioned how much I love this guy???)
Plans for tomorrow...the beach train, down town santa cruise, and some little village that is close by, but I can't remember the nema and I don't want to get up to find it, so I'll leave you in suspense and tell ya'll about it manana!
I forgot to mention our luck....when we first set up the computer we got a wireless internet signal, so we do not have to use our cell phone to access the internet! Cool beans!
So, we went to K-mart and Albertsons and got some snackins, Then we came back and unloaded our stuff. Grant did some research and found a Chinese restaurant, so we went there for dinner. The Chinese place was SO good! We shared a two Chicken dishes...Chicken and asparagus, and another chicken dish with a Chinese name that was really good as well. Plus, we had a candied cashew appetizer...yummy! Everything was fresh...really good!
We are ready for sleep...especially Grant! We are pleasently full, content, and happy to be together...
(Have I mentioned how much I love this guy???)
Plans for tomorrow...the beach train, down town santa cruise, and some little village that is close by, but I can't remember the nema and I don't want to get up to find it, so I'll leave you in suspense and tell ya'll about it manana!
Arrival in San Jose/Santa Cruz
Hi All! Grant and I departed from LAX at 11:30 (although our flight was supposed to take off at 10:00...apparently there was a loose knob in the cockpit, so we had to change planes, after sitting on the original plane for 45 minutes....) But all's well that ends well, and we arrived safely in San Jose at 12:30.
We rented our car from Enterprise and drove down to Santa Cruz via the infamous windy road, and pulled into our motel. The lady at the front desk was really nice and she gave us lots of nice ideas...the room itself is basic but nice...(except Grant thinks the lavender pink trim is funny...) it was recently redone, and it has new carpet and floors in the bathroom. Plus, it has a mini fridge and microwave!
We are within walking distance of the boardwalk.
We are going to head out to the grocery story to get some snackin's.
I am suprised Grant hasn't passed out yet...he woke up at 5 PM yesterday evening and worked from 11-7 last night...he hasn't slept for 23 hours and he's still going...poor guy!
Talk to you later!
We rented our car from Enterprise and drove down to Santa Cruz via the infamous windy road, and pulled into our motel. The lady at the front desk was really nice and she gave us lots of nice ideas...the room itself is basic but nice...(except Grant thinks the lavender pink trim is funny...) it was recently redone, and it has new carpet and floors in the bathroom. Plus, it has a mini fridge and microwave!
We are within walking distance of the boardwalk.
We are going to head out to the grocery story to get some snackin's.
I am suprised Grant hasn't passed out yet...he woke up at 5 PM yesterday evening and worked from 11-7 last night...he hasn't slept for 23 hours and he's still going...poor guy!
Talk to you later!
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Writing Away
I am writing my chapter 4 for my fianl project. Sigh. It is fun, but long. And I hope that it is clear. Sigh.
Anywho, wanted to mention that I saw Lion King last week. I really enjoyed it...the music was good, the costumes amazing...I thought the sets were lacking, however. After seeing that Moses play, and seeing them use digital projection for the background, I thought of the possabilities of using digital projection in the background to show some of the African landscape...could be awesome...
Anywho, wanted to mention that I saw Lion King last week. I really enjoyed it...the music was good, the costumes amazing...I thought the sets were lacking, however. After seeing that Moses play, and seeing them use digital projection for the background, I thought of the possabilities of using digital projection in the background to show some of the African landscape...could be awesome...
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Amazing Race and Survivor
Well, I know I am behind...I have just watched the first episode of Amazing Race. I love this show...
Anyways...The recording I had started just after they began introducing the teams...so I missed Rob and Am-bah's little autobiography...which I suspect would have turned me off instantly.
As it is, the first opportunity I had to see them was when they were all lined up and listening to Phil remind them of the rules. I must say, for an instant, I thought, "You know, it is kind of cute that they were lucky enough to meet on a show like Survivor and fall in live and have this opportunity..." Yes, I admit it, for an instant, I softened toward them and they actually had a chance to win my respect and not automatically want them off my wonderful show...
Of course then the race began and they opened their mouths and, well....nope. They bug me. Want them off...
Here is the problem with them so far. Rob has a mouth...its cute and funny at times, but overall it comes of as dumb-cocky. Sigh.
And poor Amb-ah is such a little girl. She really is so clueless. For example, when the other couple was chasing down the bus in the airport parking lot and Rob and AMber were like "go, go, go..." and then the couple got on and Gretchen says, "I bet you were like 'go, get going' huh?" Amber goes, "Not neccesarily..." Which to me is about as weak and little girl as you can get...like "Uh oh, Mommy and daddy caught me in a lie and I am not able to lie convincingly about it, nor am I able to just laugh off the truth...so I give a luke warm answer..." Sigh.
But the saddest thing overall (besides the fact that I am going to be late for work again...)
Is that Rob and Am-bah just have a general distrust for people. They feel that people are always against them and trying to bring them down...and so they treat people back in a sneaky way becasue that is how they percieve others treating them. Now, granted, a lot of other teams DO want to bring them down...but besides them knowing that Rob and Amb-ah have already won Survivor, coulddn't it also be a bit like selg fulfilling prophesy? I mean here's the cycle...they expect people to want to bring them down, so they are sneaky and rude back, which in turn makes people want to bring them down more.
If people are friendly, others attitudes towards them will change...
But have you noticed that they are totally seperate from the group? Thus far,t hey seem to have done little socializing with the other teams...It comes across as stuck up...
Oh well, we'll see as I catch up watching the shows!!!
Gotta go, so all ill say about Survivor is at least it is shaping up to be a good seasobn...finally! There is hope for the show...
Sorry bout all the typos!
Anyways...The recording I had started just after they began introducing the teams...so I missed Rob and Am-bah's little autobiography...which I suspect would have turned me off instantly.
As it is, the first opportunity I had to see them was when they were all lined up and listening to Phil remind them of the rules. I must say, for an instant, I thought, "You know, it is kind of cute that they were lucky enough to meet on a show like Survivor and fall in live and have this opportunity..." Yes, I admit it, for an instant, I softened toward them and they actually had a chance to win my respect and not automatically want them off my wonderful show...
Of course then the race began and they opened their mouths and, well....nope. They bug me. Want them off...
Here is the problem with them so far. Rob has a mouth...its cute and funny at times, but overall it comes of as dumb-cocky. Sigh.
And poor Amb-ah is such a little girl. She really is so clueless. For example, when the other couple was chasing down the bus in the airport parking lot and Rob and AMber were like "go, go, go..." and then the couple got on and Gretchen says, "I bet you were like 'go, get going' huh?" Amber goes, "Not neccesarily..." Which to me is about as weak and little girl as you can get...like "Uh oh, Mommy and daddy caught me in a lie and I am not able to lie convincingly about it, nor am I able to just laugh off the truth...so I give a luke warm answer..." Sigh.
But the saddest thing overall (besides the fact that I am going to be late for work again...)
Is that Rob and Am-bah just have a general distrust for people. They feel that people are always against them and trying to bring them down...and so they treat people back in a sneaky way becasue that is how they percieve others treating them. Now, granted, a lot of other teams DO want to bring them down...but besides them knowing that Rob and Amb-ah have already won Survivor, coulddn't it also be a bit like selg fulfilling prophesy? I mean here's the cycle...they expect people to want to bring them down, so they are sneaky and rude back, which in turn makes people want to bring them down more.
If people are friendly, others attitudes towards them will change...
But have you noticed that they are totally seperate from the group? Thus far,t hey seem to have done little socializing with the other teams...It comes across as stuck up...
Oh well, we'll see as I catch up watching the shows!!!
Gotta go, so all ill say about Survivor is at least it is shaping up to be a good seasobn...finally! There is hope for the show...
Sorry bout all the typos!
Amazing Race and Survivor
Well, I know I am behind...I have just watched the first episode of Amazing Race. I love this show...
Anyways...The recording I had started just after they began introducing the teams...so I missed Rob and Am-bah's little autobiography...which I suspect would have turned me off instantly.
As it is, the first opportunity I had to see them was when they were all lined up and listening to Phil remind them of the rules. I must say, for an instant, I thought, "You know, it is kind of cute that they were lucky enough to meet on a show like Survivor and fall in live and have this opportunity..." Yes, I admit it, for an instant, I softened toward them and they actually had a chance to win my respect and not automatically want them off my wonderful show...
Of course then the race began and they opened their mouths and, well....nope. They bug me. Want them off...
Here is the problem with them so far. Rob has a mouth...its cute and funny at times, but overall it comes of as dumb-cocky. Sigh.
And poor Amb-ah is such a little girl. She really is so clueless. For example, when the other couple was chasing down the bus in the airport parking lot and Rob and AMber were like "go, go, go..." and then the couple got on and Gretchen says, "I bet you were like 'go, get going' huh?" Amber goes, "Not neccesarily..." Which to me is about as weak and little girl as you can get...like "Uh oh, Mommy and daddy caught me in a lie and I am not able to lie convincingly about it, nor am I able to just laugh off the truth...so I give a luke warm answer..." Sigh.
But the saddest thing overall (besides the fact that I am going to be late for work again...)
Is that Rob and Am-bah just have a general distrust for people. They feel that people are always against them and trying to bring them down...and so they treat people back in a sneaky way becasue that is how they percieve others treating them. Now, granted, a lot of other teams DO want to bring them down...but besides them knowing that Rob and Amb-ah have already won Survivor, coulddn't it also be a bit like selg fulfilling prophesy? I mean here's the cycle...they expect people to want to bring them down, so they are sneaky and rude back, which in turn makes people want to bring them down more.
If people are friendly, others attitudes towards them will change...
But have you noticed that they are totally seperate from the group? Thus far,t hey seem to have done little socializing with the other teams...It comes across as stuck up...
Oh well, we'll see as I catch up watching the shows!!!
Gotta go, so all ill say about Survivor is at least it is shaping up to be a good seasobn...finally! There is hope for the show...
Sorry bout all the typos!
Anyways...The recording I had started just after they began introducing the teams...so I missed Rob and Am-bah's little autobiography...which I suspect would have turned me off instantly.
As it is, the first opportunity I had to see them was when they were all lined up and listening to Phil remind them of the rules. I must say, for an instant, I thought, "You know, it is kind of cute that they were lucky enough to meet on a show like Survivor and fall in live and have this opportunity..." Yes, I admit it, for an instant, I softened toward them and they actually had a chance to win my respect and not automatically want them off my wonderful show...
Of course then the race began and they opened their mouths and, well....nope. They bug me. Want them off...
Here is the problem with them so far. Rob has a mouth...its cute and funny at times, but overall it comes of as dumb-cocky. Sigh.
And poor Amb-ah is such a little girl. She really is so clueless. For example, when the other couple was chasing down the bus in the airport parking lot and Rob and AMber were like "go, go, go..." and then the couple got on and Gretchen says, "I bet you were like 'go, get going' huh?" Amber goes, "Not neccesarily..." Which to me is about as weak and little girl as you can get...like "Uh oh, Mommy and daddy caught me in a lie and I am not able to lie convincingly about it, nor am I able to just laugh off the truth...so I give a luke warm answer..." Sigh.
But the saddest thing overall (besides the fact that I am going to be late for work again...)
Is that Rob and Am-bah just have a general distrust for people. They feel that people are always against them and trying to bring them down...and so they treat people back in a sneaky way becasue that is how they percieve others treating them. Now, granted, a lot of other teams DO want to bring them down...but besides them knowing that Rob and Amb-ah have already won Survivor, coulddn't it also be a bit like selg fulfilling prophesy? I mean here's the cycle...they expect people to want to bring them down, so they are sneaky and rude back, which in turn makes people want to bring them down more.
If people are friendly, others attitudes towards them will change...
But have you noticed that they are totally seperate from the group? Thus far,t hey seem to have done little socializing with the other teams...It comes across as stuck up...
Oh well, we'll see as I catch up watching the shows!!!
Gotta go, so all ill say about Survivor is at least it is shaping up to be a good seasobn...finally! There is hope for the show...
Sorry bout all the typos!
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters
On March 8th, I got a score of 40,900.
Today (March 16th) I got a score of 281,300 the first time, and 250,550 the second time...(Although, both times the ride stopped so I had some extra, non moving time to shoot...plus know I know which targets are worth the most...!)
Today (March 16th) I got a score of 281,300 the first time, and 250,550 the second time...(Although, both times the ride stopped so I had some extra, non moving time to shoot...plus know I know which targets are worth the most...!)
Monday, March 14, 2005
Um, Hello Mario...you are killing my cast...
What is up with this? Mario Vazquez dropped out of Idol. WTF? I can't wait to hear this one...
Sunday, March 13, 2005
American Idol's Rent Cast
Ok, I have been watching American Idol and as everyone knows, the boys are smokin hot.
I also think the boys make up an almost ready-made Rent cast, some of the girls may fit as well...Check it:
Mark - Anthony Fedorov
Angel - Mario Vazquez
Collins - Anwar Robinson
Roger - Bo Bice?
Benny - ???
Mimi - Nadia Turner
Jo Ann - Vonzell Solomon
Maureen - ???
Whatcha think?
I also think the boys make up an almost ready-made Rent cast, some of the girls may fit as well...Check it:
Mark - Anthony Fedorov
Angel - Mario Vazquez
Collins - Anwar Robinson
Roger - Bo Bice?
Benny - ???
Mimi - Nadia Turner
Jo Ann - Vonzell Solomon
Maureen - ???
Whatcha think?
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Sims
I have finally started playing the Sims 2.
I have four families.
Jim and Kate Windes, and Kate's father Air live on 60 Element Ave. They just had a son, named James, who has grown into an adorable toddler.
Jai and Carson Blaze, and Carson's mom, Fire, live at 62 Element Ave. Jai and Carson have recently adopted a little baby girl, whom they named Hannah. Hannah just had her birthday and is now a toddler.
Jeff and Casey Aquarius live at 64 Element Ave with Casey's dad, Water. They have just given birth to twin boys, Bryan and Kyan, and are currently raising them into toddlers.
Kelly and Lisa Terra live at 66 Element Ave with Lisa's mother, Earth. They have not yet adopted any children. However, Earth and Water have a little something going on 9tehy were recently caught down at the community lot in the jacuzzi...although I don't think they were relaxing....if you know what I mean...
Stay tuned as I continue to play goddess with my little sim families...I must say, I was extrordinarily excited to have twins!
I have four families.
Jim and Kate Windes, and Kate's father Air live on 60 Element Ave. They just had a son, named James, who has grown into an adorable toddler.
Jai and Carson Blaze, and Carson's mom, Fire, live at 62 Element Ave. Jai and Carson have recently adopted a little baby girl, whom they named Hannah. Hannah just had her birthday and is now a toddler.
Jeff and Casey Aquarius live at 64 Element Ave with Casey's dad, Water. They have just given birth to twin boys, Bryan and Kyan, and are currently raising them into toddlers.
Kelly and Lisa Terra live at 66 Element Ave with Lisa's mother, Earth. They have not yet adopted any children. However, Earth and Water have a little something going on 9tehy were recently caught down at the community lot in the jacuzzi...although I don't think they were relaxing....if you know what I mean...
Stay tuned as I continue to play goddess with my little sim families...I must say, I was extrordinarily excited to have twins!
Survivor and the Amazing Race
Boy is this season putting me in a bad mood.
First, I am desperate that Survivor, (once my favorite show but now has officially sucked for two seasons in a row), will do something to impress this season. I am holding out hope, but I just don't know...
(Have you heard my idea yet Survivor people??? Here is a recap!
18 Survivors. 3 teams of six.
No mixing up teams or swirching folks or changing to two tribes. Keep it at the 3 original teams until the merge.
THEN, once the merge hits, if tribes stay along tribal lines, cool....because they will have to team up with another team to dominate...there will be no one team eats the other becasue there will be a third element...a third block of votes...)
Survivor starts tonight, so we shall see.
Second, Amazing Race announced the next season starts in two weeks. Could I be much happier when I hear this? Not really...as Amazing Race is now more of a favorite than Survivor...and then, in a blink of an eye, my elation turns to shock, revulsion, and sunk into what has now become anger and depression. Sigh. Rob and Amber. From Survivor.
Just ro recap: Rob is the guy who on two seasons played the exact same lying, back stabbing game, and still made it to second place in All Stars
(Um hello, All Stars, did you not see the other seasons??? Did you really let someone play the exact same game and make it to second place? All Stars, you should be ashamed. You learned NOTHING.)
Now, Rob wasn't the sneakiest, dirtiest player on the block, but after a while, his likability just wore off. I hate a man who is full of himself.
Amber is the chick who on two seasons played the exact same "sit in the shadows and ride on someone else's coat tails so that they look like the bitch or the ass while she just looks like the niave little lost girl that she is, unable to make her own decisions" and still won All Stars
(Um, hello, All Stars...did you not see the other season? Did you really let people play the exact same game and not split up the two of them when you had the chance? Did you learn nothing? Have I mentioned that you should be ASHAMED to have called yourself All Stars?)
Amber is the most annoying player on the planet, becasue she didn't DO anything. She didn't even actively fly under the radar. She just walked around like a big ditz in a bikini doing everything she was told.
So now, I have to suffer through the Amazing Race with Rob and Ambah (Not a mis type. That schmuck Rob can't even pronounce her name correctly.) Lord help me. My only hope is that they are off early...like the Big Brother couple form two seasons ago. Is the first episode too much to ask for?
And to top it off Enterprise is being canceled.
Let's Pray for a good season of American Idol.
First, I am desperate that Survivor, (once my favorite show but now has officially sucked for two seasons in a row), will do something to impress this season. I am holding out hope, but I just don't know...
(Have you heard my idea yet Survivor people??? Here is a recap!
18 Survivors. 3 teams of six.
No mixing up teams or swirching folks or changing to two tribes. Keep it at the 3 original teams until the merge.
THEN, once the merge hits, if tribes stay along tribal lines, cool....because they will have to team up with another team to dominate...there will be no one team eats the other becasue there will be a third element...a third block of votes...)
Survivor starts tonight, so we shall see.
Second, Amazing Race announced the next season starts in two weeks. Could I be much happier when I hear this? Not really...as Amazing Race is now more of a favorite than Survivor...and then, in a blink of an eye, my elation turns to shock, revulsion, and sunk into what has now become anger and depression. Sigh. Rob and Amber. From Survivor.
Just ro recap: Rob is the guy who on two seasons played the exact same lying, back stabbing game, and still made it to second place in All Stars
(Um hello, All Stars, did you not see the other seasons??? Did you really let someone play the exact same game and make it to second place? All Stars, you should be ashamed. You learned NOTHING.)
Now, Rob wasn't the sneakiest, dirtiest player on the block, but after a while, his likability just wore off. I hate a man who is full of himself.
Amber is the chick who on two seasons played the exact same "sit in the shadows and ride on someone else's coat tails so that they look like the bitch or the ass while she just looks like the niave little lost girl that she is, unable to make her own decisions" and still won All Stars
(Um, hello, All Stars...did you not see the other season? Did you really let people play the exact same game and not split up the two of them when you had the chance? Did you learn nothing? Have I mentioned that you should be ASHAMED to have called yourself All Stars?)
Amber is the most annoying player on the planet, becasue she didn't DO anything. She didn't even actively fly under the radar. She just walked around like a big ditz in a bikini doing everything she was told.
So now, I have to suffer through the Amazing Race with Rob and Ambah (Not a mis type. That schmuck Rob can't even pronounce her name correctly.) Lord help me. My only hope is that they are off early...like the Big Brother couple form two seasons ago. Is the first episode too much to ask for?
And to top it off Enterprise is being canceled.
Let's Pray for a good season of American Idol.
Sick Days and Mormons
Hi all!
I have been hit with a pretty bad cold the last few days and I am finally feeling human again. Taking a sick day is such a pain int he ass becasue you have to make sub plans anyway...and they are more trouble then they are worth. Sigh.
So I have officially staryed my Final Masters Project. Topic? Internet Resources for the Steps of the Writing Process. Yipee! I have chapter one done and I am on my way to doing chapter 2. Sort of. I have lots of research that needs to be done.
I have been doing lots of thinking about those Mormons. I watched a moviea few weeks ago called "Latter Days" about an Mormon missionary (Aaron) who falls in love with a "party boy" named Christian. Although the movie has some weak points, in my opinion, with the edits (some scenes, I felt, cut way to quick....without giving time to pause and let the message sink in...) as well as some not so clever dialouge...I really enjoyed the film over all (In fact, I watched it again the next day.) It was very beautiful in that both characters helped the other grow. Most obviously (and heavliy touted in the reviews) Christian helps Aaron come to terms with who he really is, and to except love, even as a homosexual, which he has been taught all of his life is an evil lifestyle. Aaron, however, helps Christian come to terms with his own views of being gay...by letting helping Christian discover his true depth of character and compassion, and his ability to reach out to others.
After watching the movie, i went about my Mormon research, rereading their temple ceremonies and such, and I came upon a website called http://www.exmormon.org that I found fascinating. It relates stories and articles about people who have chosen to leave the Mormon religion and why.
What is it that fascinates me about Mormons? Not the underwear! Seriously. I think because, to truly be a Mormon, you have to be everything that I am not. You have to be someone who doesn't question, who doesn't seek, who doesn't think or quest. Mormons are not to read anti mormon literature. Much of the truth of their religion is hidden from them. Mormons should not ask questions. And for many Mormons, that is fine. It is so different from what I am. I must question, I must analzye. I want to know all, or as much as I possibly can. I can't just except.
Many argue that Ignorance is Bliss. Perhaps, for many, that is the true. And I can understand that. I have stumbled across potential truths that are not happy or positive. But for me, at least I am prepared. I want the truth. I want to know.
I have been hit with a pretty bad cold the last few days and I am finally feeling human again. Taking a sick day is such a pain int he ass becasue you have to make sub plans anyway...and they are more trouble then they are worth. Sigh.
So I have officially staryed my Final Masters Project. Topic? Internet Resources for the Steps of the Writing Process. Yipee! I have chapter one done and I am on my way to doing chapter 2. Sort of. I have lots of research that needs to be done.
I have been doing lots of thinking about those Mormons. I watched a moviea few weeks ago called "Latter Days" about an Mormon missionary (Aaron) who falls in love with a "party boy" named Christian. Although the movie has some weak points, in my opinion, with the edits (some scenes, I felt, cut way to quick....without giving time to pause and let the message sink in...) as well as some not so clever dialouge...I really enjoyed the film over all (In fact, I watched it again the next day.) It was very beautiful in that both characters helped the other grow. Most obviously (and heavliy touted in the reviews) Christian helps Aaron come to terms with who he really is, and to except love, even as a homosexual, which he has been taught all of his life is an evil lifestyle. Aaron, however, helps Christian come to terms with his own views of being gay...by letting helping Christian discover his true depth of character and compassion, and his ability to reach out to others.
After watching the movie, i went about my Mormon research, rereading their temple ceremonies and such, and I came upon a website called http://www.exmormon.org that I found fascinating. It relates stories and articles about people who have chosen to leave the Mormon religion and why.
What is it that fascinates me about Mormons? Not the underwear! Seriously. I think because, to truly be a Mormon, you have to be everything that I am not. You have to be someone who doesn't question, who doesn't seek, who doesn't think or quest. Mormons are not to read anti mormon literature. Much of the truth of their religion is hidden from them. Mormons should not ask questions. And for many Mormons, that is fine. It is so different from what I am. I must question, I must analzye. I want to know all, or as much as I possibly can. I can't just except.
Many argue that Ignorance is Bliss. Perhaps, for many, that is the true. And I can understand that. I have stumbled across potential truths that are not happy or positive. But for me, at least I am prepared. I want the truth. I want to know.
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Survivor Pulau
Ok, so they are starting with 20 Survivors. At first, I was genuinly annoyed by this...(the fact that they are starting with 20 but getting rid of three on the first night...) I mean, that is no time to get to know any of the survivors of anything. But you know what I realized...to us it may be pointless, but to those three who get kicked off (or whatever) the first night, it will still have been an incredible adventure for them, so why the hell not?
Onther interesting thing...the buzz is that they will be starting as one team. Very interesting....trying to manage 20 people on one team with no supplies. SOunds like it will make for some interesting play!!!!
Later
Onther interesting thing...the buzz is that they will be starting as one team. Very interesting....trying to manage 20 people on one team with no supplies. SOunds like it will make for some interesting play!!!!
Later
2005
Well, time just doesn't quit passing, does it?
So how is everyone?
What as been going on with me?
Last night, I went to a bachelorette party. It was oe of those home parties where they sell sex toys. It was A LOT of fun! It was so fun and well done and everyone seemed to have a good time. I was afraid that it might be uncomforable, but it really wasn't!
We've been back in school for two weeks. Two weeks! Time seemed to pass so slowly but when I think back I can hardly believe that two weks has passed!!! Hmmm...
I start school again in two weeks. I need to get up to school and do some research for my project. I am getting nervous to start, but mostly, anxious, because I just want to get done.
I have been trying to enjoy everyday for where I am at and nnot constantly look for the future for happiness. The past few years, that has been mostly easy to do, with so much to be happy with, my wonderful Grant, my home, my job, my puppy...all things that I love (well, the job has been not so good lately but....)
However, I must admit that I am quite anxious for this school year to end...for my masters to be completed, for my wedding to Grant, for our amazing honeymoon...so much to look forward to this year! And in september, who knows what I'll be doing, where I'll be teaching, but with more free time with my masters finished, I can pursue other adventures...voulenteer work, scrapbooking time, and something else I have in mind right now....we'll see!
I hope everyone's New Year is going well thus far!
Love,
So how is everyone?
What as been going on with me?
Last night, I went to a bachelorette party. It was oe of those home parties where they sell sex toys. It was A LOT of fun! It was so fun and well done and everyone seemed to have a good time. I was afraid that it might be uncomforable, but it really wasn't!
We've been back in school for two weeks. Two weeks! Time seemed to pass so slowly but when I think back I can hardly believe that two weks has passed!!! Hmmm...
I start school again in two weeks. I need to get up to school and do some research for my project. I am getting nervous to start, but mostly, anxious, because I just want to get done.
I have been trying to enjoy everyday for where I am at and nnot constantly look for the future for happiness. The past few years, that has been mostly easy to do, with so much to be happy with, my wonderful Grant, my home, my job, my puppy...all things that I love (well, the job has been not so good lately but....)
However, I must admit that I am quite anxious for this school year to end...for my masters to be completed, for my wedding to Grant, for our amazing honeymoon...so much to look forward to this year! And in september, who knows what I'll be doing, where I'll be teaching, but with more free time with my masters finished, I can pursue other adventures...voulenteer work, scrapbooking time, and something else I have in mind right now....we'll see!
I hope everyone's New Year is going well thus far!
Love,
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
WDW New Tickets
In order to make vacations more customizable, Walt Disney World has come out with a new ticket program that applies to all guests and starts on Jan. 2 2005. Previously, there were basically two multi day ticket options...the park hopper, and the park hopper plus. The park hopper ticket allowed you to enter any of the four major parks (Magic Kingdom, MGM, Animal Kingdom, or EPCOT) on each day of use, as many times as you want...so you could go to one park in the morning, another park in the afternoon, another int he evening etc. The Park Hopper Plus also included options to go to the water parks and Pleasure Island. All tickets never expire.
The new ticket program, called "Magic Your Way" was planned to give guests more options when buying their tickets. First, there is a base price multi-day ticket. If you just buy the base price ticket, it entitiles you to entry into one park per day of the multi day tickets. If you want park hopping, you pay to get the park hopping feature. If you want plus options (like water parks) you pay a fee to add that feature. These tickets expire 14 days after first use, unless you add on the "no expiration" option, which again adds another fee.
Although all these fees sound like alot, the base ticket is lower than the old park hopper ticket. The longer you stay, the more money you save. In fact, kevin yee of www.miceage.com printed a cost comparison that shows that if you purchase a 7 day ticket with all options, it is actually $1 cheaper then the 2004 ticket! However, if you purchase a 4 day ticket the price is 28$ more then the comparable 2004 ticket.
As you can see from the following chart (taken from www.mousesavers.com) the first few days on the base price are significantly more, but the lonfer you stay, the less the increase...with the 7 day ticket being only a few dollars more than the 6 day ticket!
My only complaint is that the tickets expire now. I guess it makes sense with the new prices (why wouldn't you pay a bit more to double the length of your tickets?) and you can add no expiration as an option, but that is one of the few options that cost more as the number of days of the base ticket increases.
ANyway, here is the info from mouse savers. Check out teh website, www.mousesavers.com for more info.
Magic Your Way Base Ticket
(gate price for admission to one theme park per day, including tax)
# Days Adult (ages 10 and up) Child (ages 3-9)
1 $63.63 $51.12
2 $126.74 $102.24
3 $182.12 $145.91
4 $197.03 $157.62
5 $205.55 $165.08
6 $208.74 $167.21
7 $211.94 $170.40
10 $222.59 $177.86
Add-on purchases to the base ticket include:
Park Hopper Option - Adding the Park-Hopper Option lets you come and go as you please through all four Disney theme parks on the same day or every day for each day of your pass. Extra cost on top of the base-price ticket is a flat rate of $35 ($37.28 with tax). This works out to just over $5 per day on a seven-day ticket, but obviously it adds a lot proportionally to the cost of a one-day ticket.
Magic Plus Pack - This option provides the choice of admission to Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, DisneyQuest, Downtown Disney Pleasure Island or Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex. Extra cost on top of the base-price ticket is a flat rate of $45 ($47.93 with tax). You get a set number of visits to the Magic Plus Pack attractions, depending on the length of the ticket you buy. The flat rate gives you:
1-day ticket - 2 visits
2-day ticket - 2 visits
3-day ticket - 2 visits
4-day ticket - 3 visits
5-day ticket - 3 visits
6-day ticket - 4 visits
7-day ticket - 5 visits
10-day ticket - 5 visits
As you can see, there is a big incentive to buy the longer passes, so that you'll get more "pluses" for your money. If you will be visiting the water parks and/or DisneyQuest at least twice, this add-on is definitely a good deal.
Magic Your Way Premium Ticket - This ticket combines the benefits of the Park Hopper option and the Magic Plus Pack option. Extra cost on top of the base-price ticket is a flat rate of $80 ($85.20 with tax).
No Expiration Option - Regular Magic Your Way Tickets expire 14 days after their first use. Choosing the No Expiration option means you are free to come back and take advantage of unused days at any time. Extra cost on top of the base-price ticket is:
2-day ticket - $10
3-day ticket - $10
4-day ticket - $15
5-day ticket - $35
6-day ticket - $45
7-day ticket - $55
10-day ticket - $100
The new ticket program, called "Magic Your Way" was planned to give guests more options when buying their tickets. First, there is a base price multi-day ticket. If you just buy the base price ticket, it entitiles you to entry into one park per day of the multi day tickets. If you want park hopping, you pay to get the park hopping feature. If you want plus options (like water parks) you pay a fee to add that feature. These tickets expire 14 days after first use, unless you add on the "no expiration" option, which again adds another fee.
Although all these fees sound like alot, the base ticket is lower than the old park hopper ticket. The longer you stay, the more money you save. In fact, kevin yee of www.miceage.com printed a cost comparison that shows that if you purchase a 7 day ticket with all options, it is actually $1 cheaper then the 2004 ticket! However, if you purchase a 4 day ticket the price is 28$ more then the comparable 2004 ticket.
As you can see from the following chart (taken from www.mousesavers.com) the first few days on the base price are significantly more, but the lonfer you stay, the less the increase...with the 7 day ticket being only a few dollars more than the 6 day ticket!
My only complaint is that the tickets expire now. I guess it makes sense with the new prices (why wouldn't you pay a bit more to double the length of your tickets?) and you can add no expiration as an option, but that is one of the few options that cost more as the number of days of the base ticket increases.
ANyway, here is the info from mouse savers. Check out teh website, www.mousesavers.com for more info.
Magic Your Way Base Ticket
(gate price for admission to one theme park per day, including tax)
# Days Adult (ages 10 and up) Child (ages 3-9)
1 $63.63 $51.12
2 $126.74 $102.24
3 $182.12 $145.91
4 $197.03 $157.62
5 $205.55 $165.08
6 $208.74 $167.21
7 $211.94 $170.40
10 $222.59 $177.86
Add-on purchases to the base ticket include:
Park Hopper Option - Adding the Park-Hopper Option lets you come and go as you please through all four Disney theme parks on the same day or every day for each day of your pass. Extra cost on top of the base-price ticket is a flat rate of $35 ($37.28 with tax). This works out to just over $5 per day on a seven-day ticket, but obviously it adds a lot proportionally to the cost of a one-day ticket.
Magic Plus Pack - This option provides the choice of admission to Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, DisneyQuest, Downtown Disney Pleasure Island or Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex. Extra cost on top of the base-price ticket is a flat rate of $45 ($47.93 with tax). You get a set number of visits to the Magic Plus Pack attractions, depending on the length of the ticket you buy. The flat rate gives you:
1-day ticket - 2 visits
2-day ticket - 2 visits
3-day ticket - 2 visits
4-day ticket - 3 visits
5-day ticket - 3 visits
6-day ticket - 4 visits
7-day ticket - 5 visits
10-day ticket - 5 visits
As you can see, there is a big incentive to buy the longer passes, so that you'll get more "pluses" for your money. If you will be visiting the water parks and/or DisneyQuest at least twice, this add-on is definitely a good deal.
Magic Your Way Premium Ticket - This ticket combines the benefits of the Park Hopper option and the Magic Plus Pack option. Extra cost on top of the base-price ticket is a flat rate of $80 ($85.20 with tax).
No Expiration Option - Regular Magic Your Way Tickets expire 14 days after their first use. Choosing the No Expiration option means you are free to come back and take advantage of unused days at any time. Extra cost on top of the base-price ticket is:
2-day ticket - $10
3-day ticket - $10
4-day ticket - $15
5-day ticket - $35
6-day ticket - $45
7-day ticket - $55
10-day ticket - $100
Happy Holidays
Hi all! I hope that your Christmas and New Years are going well! My break is flying by. i don't want to go back to school yet, and I still have 4 days (only 4 days???) Life is grand right now with no worries...no immediate worries that it (although there is a little nagging voice in the back of my head saying..."you need to start your research...you need to plan your wedding..." although we have done some wedding stuff.
We have our honeymoon planned and pretty much booked (Thanks to Grant). We are going to spend two nights at the Grand Californian (our wedding night and the next night, so that we can actually see the hotel and go to Disneyland and relax a bit before we rush off on the plane...
Then we are going to fly to Orlando and spend three days at Disney World. (Our way of incorporating one of our favorite destination spots into our honeymoon...something old, right?) Next, we are flying to Puerto Rico and spending 2 days there before leaving on a southern carribean cruise. After the cruise, we are going to spend 6 nights on St. Croix, at a cute little cottage on the beach...how exciting and awesome is that?
Other things we did on our break...we spent 4 days in Laughlin, which was actually quite nice. We had fun, but I ddin't win anything. I think Grant broke even. Christmas eve was spent looking at Christmas Lights and spending time with family. On Christmas Day, we went over to Grant's parents house, and spent another family day together. (do you know how wonderful it is to have my parents and Grant's parents as friends?)
I hope that your holidays are going well...that they are relaxing, peaceful, and full of love. Happy Holidays!
We have our honeymoon planned and pretty much booked (Thanks to Grant). We are going to spend two nights at the Grand Californian (our wedding night and the next night, so that we can actually see the hotel and go to Disneyland and relax a bit before we rush off on the plane...
Then we are going to fly to Orlando and spend three days at Disney World. (Our way of incorporating one of our favorite destination spots into our honeymoon...something old, right?) Next, we are flying to Puerto Rico and spending 2 days there before leaving on a southern carribean cruise. After the cruise, we are going to spend 6 nights on St. Croix, at a cute little cottage on the beach...how exciting and awesome is that?
Other things we did on our break...we spent 4 days in Laughlin, which was actually quite nice. We had fun, but I ddin't win anything. I think Grant broke even. Christmas eve was spent looking at Christmas Lights and spending time with family. On Christmas Day, we went over to Grant's parents house, and spent another family day together. (do you know how wonderful it is to have my parents and Grant's parents as friends?)
I hope that your holidays are going well...that they are relaxing, peaceful, and full of love. Happy Holidays!
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Romantic Comedies
Last night, I watched Notting Hill, and I decided to give you all a list of my favoritwe romantic comedies. They're great to watch when you are feeling pissed about your job... (o:
(Not in any particular order:)
Notting Hill - Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts...Julia plays a world famous actress, Hugh plays a regular guy from Notting Hill... almost a fairy tale in reverse, with the regular guy falling in love with the famous women (instead of the peasent girl and the prince...) two very strong characters, both bringing something different to the relationship, a fantastic tale of some intrinsic truths about true love...compromise, understanding, and honesty. Very sweet and very funny.
When Harry Met Sally - Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan - Two aquaintences, become friends. During their friendship, they learn all about each other, and begin to see each other's quirks as charms...(I love the way Harry describes Sall'y food oreringhabits later in the movie, something like, "She orders things in a way that the chef didin't even know it could be so good...) The two try for a Will and Grace type platonic relationship, except that neither is gay...so eventually, as Harry tells Sally on thier first meeting, sex does get in the way... A beautiful, funny story with a great cast...one of my all time favorites...great sound track...
The American President - Michael Douglass, Annette Benning - The story of a political lobbyist and the widowed American President...similar to Notting Hill, can they fall in love with the whole world watching? But charming in its own way. Michael Douglass plays a president who is trying desperatly to have his own life and be a popular president, a role he idealistically believes is true, while opponents of his use every trick to turn his personal life into media fodder. (I love idealists...) My only beef with this movie...I thought they had sex way too fast...they barely knew each other, hadn't spent much time together yet...I don't know...it just didin't come off as romantic...but all in all a great movie...warm and charming...great supporting cast (Michael J Fox, Martin Sheen) Again one of my favorites...
Those are a few of my favorites...sigh...
(Not in any particular order:)
Notting Hill - Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts...Julia plays a world famous actress, Hugh plays a regular guy from Notting Hill... almost a fairy tale in reverse, with the regular guy falling in love with the famous women (instead of the peasent girl and the prince...) two very strong characters, both bringing something different to the relationship, a fantastic tale of some intrinsic truths about true love...compromise, understanding, and honesty. Very sweet and very funny.
When Harry Met Sally - Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan - Two aquaintences, become friends. During their friendship, they learn all about each other, and begin to see each other's quirks as charms...(I love the way Harry describes Sall'y food oreringhabits later in the movie, something like, "She orders things in a way that the chef didin't even know it could be so good...) The two try for a Will and Grace type platonic relationship, except that neither is gay...so eventually, as Harry tells Sally on thier first meeting, sex does get in the way... A beautiful, funny story with a great cast...one of my all time favorites...great sound track...
The American President - Michael Douglass, Annette Benning - The story of a political lobbyist and the widowed American President...similar to Notting Hill, can they fall in love with the whole world watching? But charming in its own way. Michael Douglass plays a president who is trying desperatly to have his own life and be a popular president, a role he idealistically believes is true, while opponents of his use every trick to turn his personal life into media fodder. (I love idealists...) My only beef with this movie...I thought they had sex way too fast...they barely knew each other, hadn't spent much time together yet...I don't know...it just didin't come off as romantic...but all in all a great movie...warm and charming...great supporting cast (Michael J Fox, Martin Sheen) Again one of my favorites...
Those are a few of my favorites...sigh...
Education
Crikey...everytime I get on here, its for a long winded mish mash update...but really, since I am, by nature, long winded and mish mashy, I really can't be much suprised.
So, report cards are done, one more final for school, and one more week until Christmas Vacation. Wowzers. Unbelievable. Time flies. All that jazz...
I am really not liking my job. I know, you hear that all the time. But it is so dissapointing becasue I thought I would love my job. But I don't. I don't feel like I am teaching, I am reading a script. I can't do thematic units or literature circles. It is very frustrating. Let's just say that I know I can be a good teacher, but education, right now, isn't about teaching children, providing them with experiences (which everyone knows are a lot more memorable and impressionistic then everyday school lessons...think back to when you were in school...what do you remember? What left the lasting impressions. I can pretty much guarentee that those experiences, by and large,are not happening in public schools these days)
Thanks to a beuracratic educational system, National Laws trying to control schools (which are suppposed to be run state and locally), there needs to be numbers...quantitative data....unfortunatly, these are children, and no situation is ever the same, and no set of numerical data can express what true learning and understanding is taking place.
Sometimes, education has immediate effects...more often then not, the big lessons are learned far in the future, and these effects can't be measured on a written test. Unfortunatly, we are not teaching...we are preparing students to take tests.
For a positive view of this line of thinking, it gives state and national governments data, however unimportant in the large scheme of things, to work with to try to "improve" education, unfortunatly, int he wrong direction.
In the middle of the continuam, if education continumes in this manner, adults in our next generation will now how to fill out multiple choice tests, but have little experince in real world problems, critical thinking, multiple perspective thinking......
worse case senario, the government is forming education to train people to be what they want of their next genreation of citizens, not radical free thinkers who will try to change and possibly improve our world (like great thinkers in the past...Jefferson, Franklin, King...) but little lemmings trained to not think or question, but to fill out forms and tests....scary.
Well, that was much more than I had anticipated saying! I even had to go back and change the beginning of the post, becasue I had said at one point, "I am not going to get into it, but..."
Anyways, that is the tip of th ice berg of how a LOT of people are feeling about education these days. I read an article the other day that commented on the same ideas. I should find it and quote it for you. In the mean time, well, arg!
So, report cards are done, one more final for school, and one more week until Christmas Vacation. Wowzers. Unbelievable. Time flies. All that jazz...
I am really not liking my job. I know, you hear that all the time. But it is so dissapointing becasue I thought I would love my job. But I don't. I don't feel like I am teaching, I am reading a script. I can't do thematic units or literature circles. It is very frustrating. Let's just say that I know I can be a good teacher, but education, right now, isn't about teaching children, providing them with experiences (which everyone knows are a lot more memorable and impressionistic then everyday school lessons...think back to when you were in school...what do you remember? What left the lasting impressions. I can pretty much guarentee that those experiences, by and large,are not happening in public schools these days)
Thanks to a beuracratic educational system, National Laws trying to control schools (which are suppposed to be run state and locally), there needs to be numbers...quantitative data....unfortunatly, these are children, and no situation is ever the same, and no set of numerical data can express what true learning and understanding is taking place.
Sometimes, education has immediate effects...more often then not, the big lessons are learned far in the future, and these effects can't be measured on a written test. Unfortunatly, we are not teaching...we are preparing students to take tests.
For a positive view of this line of thinking, it gives state and national governments data, however unimportant in the large scheme of things, to work with to try to "improve" education, unfortunatly, int he wrong direction.
In the middle of the continuam, if education continumes in this manner, adults in our next generation will now how to fill out multiple choice tests, but have little experince in real world problems, critical thinking, multiple perspective thinking......
worse case senario, the government is forming education to train people to be what they want of their next genreation of citizens, not radical free thinkers who will try to change and possibly improve our world (like great thinkers in the past...Jefferson, Franklin, King...) but little lemmings trained to not think or question, but to fill out forms and tests....scary.
Well, that was much more than I had anticipated saying! I even had to go back and change the beginning of the post, becasue I had said at one point, "I am not going to get into it, but..."
Anyways, that is the tip of th ice berg of how a LOT of people are feeling about education these days. I read an article the other day that commented on the same ideas. I should find it and quote it for you. In the mean time, well, arg!