Well I did say to watch this spot for my review of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows".
My son (who works at a local movie theater) went to Wal-Mart last night after he got off work at 11:30. I mean, really, who would go to Wal-Mart when the BooksAMillion in town has had enormous parties for the the last 3 Potter releases? And, this is the Redneck Riviera.. do people here read?
Apparently a lot do. My son was given a Hufflepuff armband and told he would probably pick up his book about 4am. He came home and went to bed. Smart kid.
So I got up about 9 this morning and jumped in the shower. This would amaze anyone who knows me. I usually sleep until about 11 on Saturdays and shower after I have spent time in the pool.. maybe mid afternoon.
I was at Target before 10 and the entire transaction took less than 5 minutes, it took longer to pick up breakfast for the family. I finished 2 chapters while sitting in the drive through line.
What can I say about this book without giving away the ending, the list of dead, the list of those who lived? I can say I cried once in the first 100 pages and again throughout most of the last 100. I can say that it was a fitting ending for "the Boy who Lived". I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know and spending time in the magical world that J.K. Rowling created and Harry, Ron and Hermione inhabited.
I cannot say that this book was well written or that it was great literature. I cannot say that it was not.
I read quickly. I have an insatiable curiosity to find out the ending, whodunit, what happened, who lived. I do not (the first time I read a book) pay attention to a lot of details. I just have to find out how it ends. I now know how the Harry Potter saga ends. I have passed the book off to my son who is reading it as I type. I will start the entire journey over from the beginning and will, most likely, take the journey again and again, once a year or so, as I do with Stephen King's "The Stand". If I were an author, I would ask for nothing more. And as a reader, I can give no higher praise.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
An Update on Life
I ranted and raved about the unfairness of it all on this post, so I just wanted to let everyone know that my ex and his new wife are having a girl. I am still not happy about the entire thing, but I am hoping that if, by some sort of miracle, my ex decides to actually parent this child, the fact that it is a girl will make it easier for my son to deal with.
As far as what I talked about here, the attitude is "Let's watch and see". So I have to go have it done again in a few months. Doesn't that sound awesome?
As far as what I talked about here, the attitude is "Let's watch and see". So I have to go have it done again in a few months. Doesn't that sound awesome?
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Friday, July 13, 2007
A Movie Review for You!
Ok, it's really for me, but that is ok, too.
Now I have mentioned before that I love all things Harry Potter. I started reading the books because my son was reading them and I wanted to ensure they were appropriate, but then I loved them myself. I eagerly await each new book and I eagerly await each new movie, but I have not been as impressed with the last 3 movies as I wanted to be. I have spoken to people who have not read the books and they didn't seem to understand my upset after "Prisoner of Azkaban" and "Goblet of Fire". I thought there was too much information left out of each movie and that movie-goers would be lost and confused. I was quickly told that this was untrue and people who had not read the books thoroughly enjoyed the movies. So I was lost and confused. "How is that possible?" I thought.
So I went to see "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" at the first midnight showing. By 1AM, I wondered why I was not at home in bed asleep. It wasn't that it was a bad movie, not really. The special effects were very nice and the sweeping scenes of London, Hogwarts and Hogsmeade were beautiful. It wasn't that the information that did not make it from the book to the movie was all that important to the story line. Did the fact that Ron recieved the Gryffindor prefect badge instead of Harry or that Ron made Keeper of the Gryffindor Quidditch team make a huge difference in the story line? No. So why was I upset?
Well, I have had several days to think about it and I finally realized... the things that are being left out of the movie are the things that make me LIKE these characters in the book. They are the things in the story line that make them human.
*WARNING* *POSSIBLE SPOILERS*
In "Order of the Phoenix" there are no ghosts, there is no Dobby, there is very little Snape. Dolores Umbridge has been watered down so that she is simply annoying not truly hateful. This is the O.W.L. (Outstanding Wizarding Level) year for Harry, Ron and Hermione and that is BARELY addressed. The only exam that was included was Defense Against the Dark Arts and that, technically, wasn't completed due to Fred and George. If Fred and George's "skiving snackboxes" were addressed at all, I missed it. Kreacher was done well, but again, he wasn't around long to enough to get to know. I never truly felt Harry's rage and angst like I did in the book. I never truly felt Siruis' restlessness or resentment of being cooped up. I felt like Hermione's cleverness with the D.A.D.A. coins and the parchment that everyone signed should have been included (I actually read somewhere that Ron was left out more so that Hermione could be included, where?)
The Department of Mysteries battle through the brains, the time turners, and everything else I didn't really miss. I thought the battle was well done. But the "Avada Kedavra" was never used on Sirius in the book. I have seen it hinted by J.K. Rowling that Sirius may return in "Deathly Hallows", how can he return in the movie? We all know that is the killing curse. (And that may or may not be true).
So in case you missed my opinion, I didn't really enjoy this movie. The cinematography was great, the acting was ok, but the storyline was subpar. If I hadn't read the books, I wouldn't care about these people AT ALL.
So, I will wait as patiently as I can for one more week and then I will say Good-bye to Harry, Hermione, Ron and the rest of the wizarding world.
Watch this space for my review of the book!
Now I have mentioned before that I love all things Harry Potter. I started reading the books because my son was reading them and I wanted to ensure they were appropriate, but then I loved them myself. I eagerly await each new book and I eagerly await each new movie, but I have not been as impressed with the last 3 movies as I wanted to be. I have spoken to people who have not read the books and they didn't seem to understand my upset after "Prisoner of Azkaban" and "Goblet of Fire". I thought there was too much information left out of each movie and that movie-goers would be lost and confused. I was quickly told that this was untrue and people who had not read the books thoroughly enjoyed the movies. So I was lost and confused. "How is that possible?" I thought.
So I went to see "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" at the first midnight showing. By 1AM, I wondered why I was not at home in bed asleep. It wasn't that it was a bad movie, not really. The special effects were very nice and the sweeping scenes of London, Hogwarts and Hogsmeade were beautiful. It wasn't that the information that did not make it from the book to the movie was all that important to the story line. Did the fact that Ron recieved the Gryffindor prefect badge instead of Harry or that Ron made Keeper of the Gryffindor Quidditch team make a huge difference in the story line? No. So why was I upset?
Well, I have had several days to think about it and I finally realized... the things that are being left out of the movie are the things that make me LIKE these characters in the book. They are the things in the story line that make them human.
*WARNING* *POSSIBLE SPOILERS*
In "Order of the Phoenix" there are no ghosts, there is no Dobby, there is very little Snape. Dolores Umbridge has been watered down so that she is simply annoying not truly hateful. This is the O.W.L. (Outstanding Wizarding Level) year for Harry, Ron and Hermione and that is BARELY addressed. The only exam that was included was Defense Against the Dark Arts and that, technically, wasn't completed due to Fred and George. If Fred and George's "skiving snackboxes" were addressed at all, I missed it. Kreacher was done well, but again, he wasn't around long to enough to get to know. I never truly felt Harry's rage and angst like I did in the book. I never truly felt Siruis' restlessness or resentment of being cooped up. I felt like Hermione's cleverness with the D.A.D.A. coins and the parchment that everyone signed should have been included (I actually read somewhere that Ron was left out more so that Hermione could be included, where?)
The Department of Mysteries battle through the brains, the time turners, and everything else I didn't really miss. I thought the battle was well done. But the "Avada Kedavra" was never used on Sirius in the book. I have seen it hinted by J.K. Rowling that Sirius may return in "Deathly Hallows", how can he return in the movie? We all know that is the killing curse. (And that may or may not be true).
So in case you missed my opinion, I didn't really enjoy this movie. The cinematography was great, the acting was ok, but the storyline was subpar. If I hadn't read the books, I wouldn't care about these people AT ALL.
So, I will wait as patiently as I can for one more week and then I will say Good-bye to Harry, Hermione, Ron and the rest of the wizarding world.
Watch this space for my review of the book!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Of Course They Were Important, Of Course They Mattered, BUT
They are dead. All of them. Every single one of the group of gentlemen whom we refer to as "The Founding Fathers" is dead. And this (in case you were wondering) is not a recent thing.
Look, I appreciate what these men did. I love America and I love being American and I am grateful to those men for the Declaration of Independance, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. But I don't care what they would have wanted for today. And they would not care about my opinion, not then and not now.
Honestly, I am sick and tired of hearing about what the Founding Fathers would have wanted. Did they want you to have a gun? Well, sure, a musket, because that is all the fire power they had in the 1700s. Did they have a Christian faith? Maybe, but they also stated in the Bill of Rights " that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; ". So don't tell me how to worship or when to worship or who to worship. Did they want this country to be a democracy? Somewhat, but run only by white, land-owning men over the age of 25.
The part that absolutely amazes me is when women tell me that this country should do something (whatever) because it is what the Founding Fathers would have wanted. I just stare open mouthed. Because the Founding Fathers didn't think too highly about women. We were chattel, property, slaves. (Some were better treated than slaves, but some were not). We weren't allowed to vote, own property or speak our minds. So, women, when you want to tell me why I should believe, vote, feel a specific way because it is what the Founding Fathers would have wanted, keep in mind, I don't have to listen to you. And they certainly would not have.
Look, I appreciate what these men did. I love America and I love being American and I am grateful to those men for the Declaration of Independance, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. But I don't care what they would have wanted for today. And they would not care about my opinion, not then and not now.
Honestly, I am sick and tired of hearing about what the Founding Fathers would have wanted. Did they want you to have a gun? Well, sure, a musket, because that is all the fire power they had in the 1700s. Did they have a Christian faith? Maybe, but they also stated in the Bill of Rights " that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; ". So don't tell me how to worship or when to worship or who to worship. Did they want this country to be a democracy? Somewhat, but run only by white, land-owning men over the age of 25.
The part that absolutely amazes me is when women tell me that this country should do something (whatever) because it is what the Founding Fathers would have wanted. I just stare open mouthed. Because the Founding Fathers didn't think too highly about women. We were chattel, property, slaves. (Some were better treated than slaves, but some were not). We weren't allowed to vote, own property or speak our minds. So, women, when you want to tell me why I should believe, vote, feel a specific way because it is what the Founding Fathers would have wanted, keep in mind, I don't have to listen to you. And they certainly would not have.
Monday, July 9, 2007
To Change or Not to Change?
I got married the first time when I was 19 years old (I know, stupid!). It never occurred to me NOT to change my name. I was going to be Mrs. Dipshit of all Time, which I was actually excited about at that time.
Now, it is 21 years later. I am a 40 year old, divorced mother of one full grown "adult" 18 year old and I am getting married again in the fall. We have been together for a lot of years and we are sure this is forever. My problem is that I am not 19 anymore. I have grown up a lot since then, had a kid, was in the military, raised my kid, bought a house, established credit, etc. I don't want to change my name again, this is the person that I have become and I rather fond of me. However, it feels strange to keep my first husband's last name, especially since he has remarried and is having another baby, but for some reason it is really bothering my son if I have a different last name than his and, of course, while my fiance' is being very supportive he really wants me to change my name.
My advice to anyone marrying would be to NOT change your name at all ever. I always thought it was necessary to have the same last name as the children, but I really wish I still have my maiden name.
Does anyone have any advice?
Now, it is 21 years later. I am a 40 year old, divorced mother of one full grown "adult" 18 year old and I am getting married again in the fall. We have been together for a lot of years and we are sure this is forever. My problem is that I am not 19 anymore. I have grown up a lot since then, had a kid, was in the military, raised my kid, bought a house, established credit, etc. I don't want to change my name again, this is the person that I have become and I rather fond of me. However, it feels strange to keep my first husband's last name, especially since he has remarried and is having another baby, but for some reason it is really bothering my son if I have a different last name than his and, of course, while my fiance' is being very supportive he really wants me to change my name.
My advice to anyone marrying would be to NOT change your name at all ever. I always thought it was necessary to have the same last name as the children, but I really wish I still have my maiden name.
Does anyone have any advice?
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
What Can I Say?
I can't say anything about the Scooter Libby BS. I was in class last night, so I didn't get the news until this morning and I can't come up with anything new. It is, of course, being blogged to death and it should be. I guess I feel like even though this is a travesty, it is just one in a line so long it would cross North America more times than I could count.
I wonder what those fine men who wrote the Declaration of Independence were doing on July 3, 1776? Were they angry? Were they hostile? Or were they just weary? In mind, spirit and body? That is they way I feel.
Somebody give W a blowjob so that we can impeach him.
I wonder what those fine men who wrote the Declaration of Independence were doing on July 3, 1776? Were they angry? Were they hostile? Or were they just weary? In mind, spirit and body? That is they way I feel.
Somebody give W a blowjob so that we can impeach him.
Monday, July 2, 2007
And Another Thing
Speaking of commercials, could we stop having to look at tampons, douche and ED drugs during Wheel of Fortune? People, I am eating!
The Little Darlings
Recently over on BogsBlog, Pete had a very thoughtful post on this nation's children and the fact that the government seems to be removing their rights to free speech, and even to free thought.
I agree with him. Our children need to be raised to question the adults and authority figures in their lives, because it is their responsibility to continue doing just that as they become adults and look to their state and national governments. However, I think they should be able to do this using respect, and intelligence, and thoughtfulness, not snotty tones and foul language. Temper tantrums, cursing, eye rolls and belligerence are not going to help your cause, I don't care how old you are.
I found this story over on MSNBC about how children are portrayed in TV commercials as super snotty brats who speak to their parents (and others) in totally inappropropriate ways. Now, before you jump all over me, I know children speak in that manner, I could tell you about the rude tone of voice used by my son to me just day before yesterday. I could also tell you that he will not be using it again on me.. until tomorrow. (Working 14 hour days yesterday and today). Sometimes I manage to act like an adult and explain to him that I do not appreciate his tone of voice, sometimes I use a tone that is worse back at him, but this is in the privacy of my home. We are not a TV family. *
The TV ad that makes me want to throw the little jerk in TimeOut is a mini-van commercial. I could not even tell you for which complany. The dad has been working on a Tree House for the boys for several weekends and it is finished. The dad is excited, but the little brat says "Does it have leather seats? Does it have a DVD player?" and then to the other little kid "Do you have any fours?"
Why the hell do these little monsters have keys to the mini-van? The DVD player does not work unless the vehicle is running, at least in auxillary mode. And it is summer, they aren't even sweating!
I would yank those keys without a thought and then sell the famous tree house on Ebay. Or donate it to an underprivileged section of the city. Or set it on fire!
And I wonder why my son uses that snotty tone on me!
*I am not saying that TV families have to be like Leave it to Beaver, or The Brady Bunch, but I have the option of turning off the shows with bratty children, I really should not have to change channels to get away from the commercials. Hey, my son didn't want The Simpsons until he was 15!
I agree with him. Our children need to be raised to question the adults and authority figures in their lives, because it is their responsibility to continue doing just that as they become adults and look to their state and national governments. However, I think they should be able to do this using respect, and intelligence, and thoughtfulness, not snotty tones and foul language. Temper tantrums, cursing, eye rolls and belligerence are not going to help your cause, I don't care how old you are.
I found this story over on MSNBC about how children are portrayed in TV commercials as super snotty brats who speak to their parents (and others) in totally inappropropriate ways. Now, before you jump all over me, I know children speak in that manner, I could tell you about the rude tone of voice used by my son to me just day before yesterday. I could also tell you that he will not be using it again on me.. until tomorrow. (Working 14 hour days yesterday and today). Sometimes I manage to act like an adult and explain to him that I do not appreciate his tone of voice, sometimes I use a tone that is worse back at him, but this is in the privacy of my home. We are not a TV family. *
The TV ad that makes me want to throw the little jerk in TimeOut is a mini-van commercial. I could not even tell you for which complany. The dad has been working on a Tree House for the boys for several weekends and it is finished. The dad is excited, but the little brat says "Does it have leather seats? Does it have a DVD player?" and then to the other little kid "Do you have any fours?"
Why the hell do these little monsters have keys to the mini-van? The DVD player does not work unless the vehicle is running, at least in auxillary mode. And it is summer, they aren't even sweating!
I would yank those keys without a thought and then sell the famous tree house on Ebay. Or donate it to an underprivileged section of the city. Or set it on fire!
And I wonder why my son uses that snotty tone on me!
*I am not saying that TV families have to be like Leave it to Beaver, or The Brady Bunch, but I have the option of turning off the shows with bratty children, I really should not have to change channels to get away from the commercials. Hey, my son didn't want The Simpsons until he was 15!
Friday, June 29, 2007
What a Wild Ride!
As I have mentioned before in this space, football is my game. While I didn't play, I have always loved it and it has grown into a full blown obsession. Well, college football. Ok, ok, University of Florida college football.
So while it isn't my favorite, and I don't go out of my way to watch it, I have mentioned that I have been very impressed with this year's (and last year's) National Championship winning basketball team. They had already made history by being the only team to ever win back to back titles with the same 5 starters. Now they have made history again by being the only school to have 3 members picked in the first 10 picks of the first round of the NBA draft. WOW. These young men have just started on their lives and have already broken records. I hope they continue to make their dreams come true!
Congratulations to Al Horford, Corey Brewer, Joakim Noah, Chris Richard, and Taurean Green. You managed to bring the trophy to Gainesville twice and, hopefully, get an education in the bargain. The Gators will never forget you!
So while it isn't my favorite, and I don't go out of my way to watch it, I have mentioned that I have been very impressed with this year's (and last year's) National Championship winning basketball team. They had already made history by being the only team to ever win back to back titles with the same 5 starters. Now they have made history again by being the only school to have 3 members picked in the first 10 picks of the first round of the NBA draft. WOW. These young men have just started on their lives and have already broken records. I hope they continue to make their dreams come true!
Congratulations to Al Horford, Corey Brewer, Joakim Noah, Chris Richard, and Taurean Green. You managed to bring the trophy to Gainesville twice and, hopefully, get an education in the bargain. The Gators will never forget you!
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