An update!
1. Pass Comps so that I can... - DONE! April 13, 2011
2. Graduate with a MLIS in May. - DONE! May 10, 2011
3. Read at least 50 books this year. - DONE! December 24, 2011 - barely!
4. Travel somewhere super fun. - DONE! November 2011 - New York and Boston!
5. Decrease my debt. - Semi-done? I would have said DONE! but I bought a new vehicle today, so now I have more debt. But if I only count credit card debt, it would be a resounding DONE!
6. Be healthier overall. - DONE! Lost 25 pounds since the beginning of the year.
Overall, pretty good job on keeping resolutions. I should write more for next year.
However, I don't think I'm going to keep this blog in 2012. I think it is time to shut 'er down. It's been fun, but I rarely update it any more. And if decide to continue blogging, I think I'll do it somewhere else. Who knows? We'll see.
Showing posts with label ramble. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ramble. Show all posts
Friday, December 30
2011: A Review
2011 has been full of all sorts of lessons and life events. For example,
* I graduated with a Master's degree.
* I got a new vehicle.
* I learned I'm getting a new nephew early next year.
* I learned that I can do summer reading programs! They are exhausting, but I can do them! And survive!
* I learned that Aussie tour guides are the BEST!
* I learned that the Atlanta airport is massive. And has insanely steep escalators.
* I learned that I still love Boston.
* I got to travel! To New York and Boston! <3
* I still love my job.
* I sorta miss school.
* I LOVE my Kindle. I don't know how I ever lived without one. Especially for long trips.
* My niece is made of awesome. She cracks me up so much.
* I'm sad there are no more Harry Potters, whether in print or film.
* I saw a Broadway play - Wicked! It was AMAZING.
* I saw Jason Mraz perform an acoustic show at Carnegie Hall, which was awesome.
* Walking snacks are SO great. Driving snacks are pretty okay, too.
* I'm a healthier me!
* I graduated with a Master's degree.
* I got a new vehicle.
* I learned I'm getting a new nephew early next year.
* I learned that I can do summer reading programs! They are exhausting, but I can do them! And survive!
* I learned that Aussie tour guides are the BEST!
* I learned that the Atlanta airport is massive. And has insanely steep escalators.
* I learned that I still love Boston.
* I got to travel! To New York and Boston! <3
* I still love my job.
* I sorta miss school.
* I LOVE my Kindle. I don't know how I ever lived without one. Especially for long trips.
* My niece is made of awesome. She cracks me up so much.
* I'm sad there are no more Harry Potters, whether in print or film.
* I saw a Broadway play - Wicked! It was AMAZING.
* I saw Jason Mraz perform an acoustic show at Carnegie Hall, which was awesome.
* Walking snacks are SO great. Driving snacks are pretty okay, too.
* I'm a healthier me!
Saturday, July 9
2011 Resolutions Update
2011 is half over. Where does the time go!?
At the beginning of the year, I made the following resolutions. And all are completed or in some stage of completion.
1. Pass Comps so that I can... - DONE! April 13, 2011
2. Graduate with a MLIS in May. - DONE! May 10, 2011
3. Read at least 50 books this year. - Half completed as of July 1, 2011
4. Travel somewhere super fun. - In the planning stages!
5. Decrease my debt. - Working on it!
6. Be healthier overall. - Working on it! Have lost at least ten pounds this year and am more cognizant of what I eat/drink.
2 completed, one half-completed, and two in various stages of completion. 5 and 6 will not be completed in one year, but a sizable dent or changes can take place in 2011. Those will likely be on next year's resolution list as well. I may up #3 to 75 or 100 books for next year. It would also be interesting to keep track of how many picture books I read and how many times a week I read them, too.
At the beginning of the year, I made the following resolutions. And all are completed or in some stage of completion.
1. Pass Comps so that I can... - DONE! April 13, 2011
2. Graduate with a MLIS in May. - DONE! May 10, 2011
3. Read at least 50 books this year. - Half completed as of July 1, 2011
4. Travel somewhere super fun. - In the planning stages!
5. Decrease my debt. - Working on it!
6. Be healthier overall. - Working on it! Have lost at least ten pounds this year and am more cognizant of what I eat/drink.
2 completed, one half-completed, and two in various stages of completion. 5 and 6 will not be completed in one year, but a sizable dent or changes can take place in 2011. Those will likely be on next year's resolution list as well. I may up #3 to 75 or 100 books for next year. It would also be interesting to keep track of how many picture books I read and how many times a week I read them, too.
Saturday, June 18
Speed Zone Ahead
This will be random. You have been warned.
--
I graduated(!) with my M.L.I.S. in May 2011. I am so pumped! I'll be more pumped when I get the actual diploma, but I'll live until then, I suppose.
--
Summer reading programs take a lot of work to prepare and implement. I see lots of kiddos and teens each week and I hope to see more as the summer progresses. I love my job, but I do have a question: Does anyone know how many calories are burned while performing a story time?
--
I love watching So You Think You Can Dance. It makes me want to dance, even though I cannot. Well, I can dance, but it isn't pretty. Anyhow, last week's results show really irritated me. To send NO ONE home when some of the solos of the bottom three couples seriously sucked? That's ridiculous. And now that four are going home next week, we'll probably lose someone really great. Blah. Why do I even watch these shows?!
--
I started this blog in 2005 for no better reason than to rant and rave to no one at all, but it seems that I now have followers. I'm not sure what this means and I'm not sure if the so-called followers really read the blog or just found something interesting once and saved it for later. I don't really get the followers thing. But if you are following, hello to you and comment on things if you like. Some of the older posts are particularly humorous and crack me up when I need a good laugh. However, for the most part, this thing is rarely updated because I don't want to say anything work-related that may get me fired.
A few years back, my mother had a blog where she commented on work things and she was fired for it, even though there was NOTHING in her employer's policies that prohibited the blogging about work things. So now I censor myself on a day-to-day basis, which REALLY infuriates me because I am a librarian and we are against the censoring of things as a whole. Free speech and all that jazz. Free speech doesn't help you much in a state of at-will employment.
I sometimes wonder if I moved to a different area of the United States if I would have to censor myself so much. Sometimes, it seems certain areas are more encouraging of speaking your mind than others.
Anyway.
--
I really LOVE the new Foo Fighters album. It's awesome. Sometimes I take it out of my car's cd player to listen to something else but I always put it back in within 24 hours. I can't get over it. I love it.
--
I hate road signs that say "Speed Zone Ahead." There's no speeding up in a speed zone, which is what my brain thinks should happen. No, it's actually a reduction of speed that it supposed to take place. Shouldn't the signs say "Reduced Speed Ahead" instead? I know such signs exist or existed at one time. "Speed Zone Ahead" is not logical.
--
I love my niece. She is the greatest. She makes me laugh. After a long battle, I have finally gotten her to say "You got it, dude!" in her cute, nearly 2 year old voice. What can I make her say next?
--
The end. :D
--
I graduated(!) with my M.L.I.S. in May 2011. I am so pumped! I'll be more pumped when I get the actual diploma, but I'll live until then, I suppose.
--
Summer reading programs take a lot of work to prepare and implement. I see lots of kiddos and teens each week and I hope to see more as the summer progresses. I love my job, but I do have a question: Does anyone know how many calories are burned while performing a story time?
--
I love watching So You Think You Can Dance. It makes me want to dance, even though I cannot. Well, I can dance, but it isn't pretty. Anyhow, last week's results show really irritated me. To send NO ONE home when some of the solos of the bottom three couples seriously sucked? That's ridiculous. And now that four are going home next week, we'll probably lose someone really great. Blah. Why do I even watch these shows?!
--
I started this blog in 2005 for no better reason than to rant and rave to no one at all, but it seems that I now have followers. I'm not sure what this means and I'm not sure if the so-called followers really read the blog or just found something interesting once and saved it for later. I don't really get the followers thing. But if you are following, hello to you and comment on things if you like. Some of the older posts are particularly humorous and crack me up when I need a good laugh. However, for the most part, this thing is rarely updated because I don't want to say anything work-related that may get me fired.
A few years back, my mother had a blog where she commented on work things and she was fired for it, even though there was NOTHING in her employer's policies that prohibited the blogging about work things. So now I censor myself on a day-to-day basis, which REALLY infuriates me because I am a librarian and we are against the censoring of things as a whole. Free speech and all that jazz. Free speech doesn't help you much in a state of at-will employment.
I sometimes wonder if I moved to a different area of the United States if I would have to censor myself so much. Sometimes, it seems certain areas are more encouraging of speaking your mind than others.
Anyway.
--
I really LOVE the new Foo Fighters album. It's awesome. Sometimes I take it out of my car's cd player to listen to something else but I always put it back in within 24 hours. I can't get over it. I love it.
--
I hate road signs that say "Speed Zone Ahead." There's no speeding up in a speed zone, which is what my brain thinks should happen. No, it's actually a reduction of speed that it supposed to take place. Shouldn't the signs say "Reduced Speed Ahead" instead? I know such signs exist or existed at one time. "Speed Zone Ahead" is not logical.
--
I love my niece. She is the greatest. She makes me laugh. After a long battle, I have finally gotten her to say "You got it, dude!" in her cute, nearly 2 year old voice. What can I make her say next?
--
The end. :D
Sunday, April 24
Me Without You
I wrote this poem in February 2004. And while I have thought about it many times over the years, it has become relevant to me again in recent months.
"Me Without You"
Nowhere to go, nowhere to hide
To hide, I can only retreat inside
Inside, I watch myself be strong
Strong, although I know its wrong
Wrong, because I'm not at fault.
At fault, at fault, who is to blame?
It's only salt --
Salt to our invisible wounds.
Wounds that sprung up overnight.
Overnight, they metastasize without the light
The light that shines at morning sun
Sun that never rises in our hearts --
What's done is done.
Done and gone, tick-tock, our time is gone.
Good-bye, good-bye, my weary heart wants rest.
Rest will not come until I pass the test.
The test, it looms in impatient waiting
Waiting for my spine to quit fading.
Fading, fading, fading fast
Fast, it's gone. This cannot last.
Last is final; final is through.
Through, we're through. It's me without you.
"Me Without You"
Nowhere to go, nowhere to hide
To hide, I can only retreat inside
Inside, I watch myself be strong
Strong, although I know its wrong
Wrong, because I'm not at fault.
At fault, at fault, who is to blame?
It's only salt --
Salt to our invisible wounds.
Wounds that sprung up overnight.
Overnight, they metastasize without the light
The light that shines at morning sun
Sun that never rises in our hearts --
What's done is done.
Done and gone, tick-tock, our time is gone.
Good-bye, good-bye, my weary heart wants rest.
Rest will not come until I pass the test.
The test, it looms in impatient waiting
Waiting for my spine to quit fading.
Fading, fading, fading fast
Fast, it's gone. This cannot last.
Last is final; final is through.
Through, we're through. It's me without you.
Monday, January 17
The Last of the First
Tomorrow is my last first day of school. Or last first day of classes. If I go by first days of school categorized by a full year of school, I've had 19 first days. If I count individual semesters in college in addition to years of elementary, middle, and high school, I've had 13 years of primary education coupled with 13 semesters of secondary education, for a total of 26 first days.
Should I have a count of the number of first days I've had? Probably not.
Four years ago, I was starting my last semester of undergrad. Most students would have thought they would be experiencing their last first day of school after an undergrad degree. But I knew then I would get an advanced degree of some kind.
But I don't think I'll go back to school again. I don't think I will get a more advanced degree than this. So, this is it.
And it's weird.
Should I have a count of the number of first days I've had? Probably not.
Four years ago, I was starting my last semester of undergrad. Most students would have thought they would be experiencing their last first day of school after an undergrad degree. But I knew then I would get an advanced degree of some kind.
But I don't think I'll go back to school again. I don't think I will get a more advanced degree than this. So, this is it.
And it's weird.
Friday, December 31
New Year's Resolutions 2011
This year, I hope to:
1. Pass Comps so that I can...
2. Graduate with a MLIS in May.
3. Read at least 50 books this year.
4. Travel somewhere super fun.
5. Decrease my debt.
6. Be healthier overall.
1. Pass Comps so that I can...
2. Graduate with a MLIS in May.
3. Read at least 50 books this year.
4. Travel somewhere super fun.
5. Decrease my debt.
6. Be healthier overall.
Wednesday, December 29
Resolutions 2010: A Review
End of the year. How did I fare?
1) Read a Tolstory. Preferably Anna Karenina. Preferably cover to cover.
I really tried to do this. I tried on two separate occasions with two different translations and still could not make it a quarter of the way through. The second time I at least made it past 100 pages, but I could not get into it. Usually, if I'm not into the book within the first 100 pages, I let myself give up. Therefore, I gave up.
2) Be more aware of my budgetary constraints.
I did better on this. Made a move to better pay my way in the world and incur the least amount of debt possible. I was amassing a nice fall-back cushion when car woes made me poor in November.
3) Read at least 50 books in the year. I probably read close to that this year (if not more), but I didn't keep track. Therefore:
4) Keep track of the books I read during the year.
Did it! 66 total chapter books! And I kept track, too. Go, me!
5) Being more organized in all aspects of life, not just work and/or school.
Hmm. Not so sure I did as well with this one. Not sure what I meant to accomplish with this goal, either.
6) See more than one live musical performance by a favorite musician. This one will be the most tricky, I'm afraid.
Success!! It took until the end of September, but I saw Jason Mraz when he came to Searcy, AR this year. I wanted to see Dave Barnes and had a close opportunity to do so, but I didn't want to go by myself. Guess I'll just have to take some concert leaps and see some live music solo.
I consider meeting most all my resolutions a success! #1 was an obvious fail and I'm not really sure what #5 was all about, but #2-4 and #6 worked out okay. Might have to make resolutions for 2011.
1) Read a Tolstory. Preferably Anna Karenina. Preferably cover to cover.
I really tried to do this. I tried on two separate occasions with two different translations and still could not make it a quarter of the way through. The second time I at least made it past 100 pages, but I could not get into it. Usually, if I'm not into the book within the first 100 pages, I let myself give up. Therefore, I gave up.
2) Be more aware of my budgetary constraints.
I did better on this. Made a move to better pay my way in the world and incur the least amount of debt possible. I was amassing a nice fall-back cushion when car woes made me poor in November.
3) Read at least 50 books in the year. I probably read close to that this year (if not more), but I didn't keep track. Therefore:
4) Keep track of the books I read during the year.
Did it! 66 total chapter books! And I kept track, too. Go, me!
5) Being more organized in all aspects of life, not just work and/or school.
Hmm. Not so sure I did as well with this one. Not sure what I meant to accomplish with this goal, either.
6) See more than one live musical performance by a favorite musician. This one will be the most tricky, I'm afraid.
Success!! It took until the end of September, but I saw Jason Mraz when he came to Searcy, AR this year. I wanted to see Dave Barnes and had a close opportunity to do so, but I didn't want to go by myself. Guess I'll just have to take some concert leaps and see some live music solo.
I consider meeting most all my resolutions a success! #1 was an obvious fail and I'm not really sure what #5 was all about, but #2-4 and #6 worked out okay. Might have to make resolutions for 2011.
2010: A Review
This year has been the Year of the Paper-Writing. I feel like that is all I have done this year. Other not-so-flashy highlights and things I learned:
* I must have traveled to Tulsa 20-some-odd times for class this year. The drive is loooong.
* I read 66 books this year, not counting the at least four or so I read five times a week during story time. The last book I read this year, I read it within four hours. Completely blew through it in one sitting. It. Was. Awesome. And. Insane.
* I completed 15 hours of grad school. Another six to take in the spring semester and Comps to pass in order to graduate in May 2011.
* I got a new position within the organization where I already worked. I love it.
* People let you down. I suppose it is human nature to fail other people, but it doesn't make it suck any less.
* Finding a craft to fit a story time theme sounds easy in theory, but it really isn't. Especially when you have to prepare for one hundred kids, which is about half of what I see on a weekly basis.
* I really love Converses and pajamas. If I could spend all day in Converses and pajamas, it would be a very wonderful day indeed.
* Finding teen crafts and activities is even harder.
* I'm starting to see a light at the end of my grad school tunnel. I hope it isn't a train (i.e., failing Comps and being pushed back until December).
* I want to go to Boston for a visit.
* My car has cost me a lot of money this year: four new tires and a new windshield only scratches the surface.
* Glee has lost some of its original luster.
* I want a more luxurious vehicle. Being as that I drive a lot for work, I don't think that is an unreasonable desire.
* Many kids I went to school with got married or engaged within the last year. Makes me feel really stupid... or really smart. The feeling changes depending on the day.
* Apple computers are AWESOME! Apple repair service is pretty great, too.
* Kindles are super fun. :)
* I like Ben Affleck as an actor. And a director. And who knew how versatile and awesome Matt Damon would become when we first saw him way back when? Not me!
* I wish I was better at _________. Fill in the blank.
* My niece is wondermas. And I don't like the way niece is spelled.
* I still really want to write a book, but I don't know what to write. I have characters, dialogue, and some scenes, but nothing to warrant a full book.
* I wish that I had seen more movies this year. In the theater or otherwise. I've watched a fair bit of television, but I truly feel that all I have done is write papers or do homework. And I'm sick of it. If I don't get to graduate this semester, I think I will go on a bender. I'm not sure what a bender would entail for me, but I think that is what will happen, unfortunately.
2010 was just another year. Nothing superbly fantastic occurred. I managed to post at least once a month, except for November, which is more months than I've done in the last three years. So, yay me!
* I must have traveled to Tulsa 20-some-odd times for class this year. The drive is loooong.
* I read 66 books this year, not counting the at least four or so I read five times a week during story time. The last book I read this year, I read it within four hours. Completely blew through it in one sitting. It. Was. Awesome. And. Insane.
* I completed 15 hours of grad school. Another six to take in the spring semester and Comps to pass in order to graduate in May 2011.
* I got a new position within the organization where I already worked. I love it.
* People let you down. I suppose it is human nature to fail other people, but it doesn't make it suck any less.
* Finding a craft to fit a story time theme sounds easy in theory, but it really isn't. Especially when you have to prepare for one hundred kids, which is about half of what I see on a weekly basis.
* I really love Converses and pajamas. If I could spend all day in Converses and pajamas, it would be a very wonderful day indeed.
* Finding teen crafts and activities is even harder.
* I'm starting to see a light at the end of my grad school tunnel. I hope it isn't a train (i.e., failing Comps and being pushed back until December).
* I want to go to Boston for a visit.
* My car has cost me a lot of money this year: four new tires and a new windshield only scratches the surface.
* Glee has lost some of its original luster.
* I want a more luxurious vehicle. Being as that I drive a lot for work, I don't think that is an unreasonable desire.
* Many kids I went to school with got married or engaged within the last year. Makes me feel really stupid... or really smart. The feeling changes depending on the day.
* Apple computers are AWESOME! Apple repair service is pretty great, too.
* Kindles are super fun. :)
* I like Ben Affleck as an actor. And a director. And who knew how versatile and awesome Matt Damon would become when we first saw him way back when? Not me!
* I wish I was better at _________. Fill in the blank.
* My niece is wondermas. And I don't like the way niece is spelled.
* I still really want to write a book, but I don't know what to write. I have characters, dialogue, and some scenes, but nothing to warrant a full book.
* I wish that I had seen more movies this year. In the theater or otherwise. I've watched a fair bit of television, but I truly feel that all I have done is write papers or do homework. And I'm sick of it. If I don't get to graduate this semester, I think I will go on a bender. I'm not sure what a bender would entail for me, but I think that is what will happen, unfortunately.
2010 was just another year. Nothing superbly fantastic occurred. I managed to post at least once a month, except for November, which is more months than I've done in the last three years. So, yay me!
Saturday, October 30
Oh, Harry Potter...
During the late 1990s, when the Harry Potter books were in their infancy, I refused to read them. I was certain that they were full of satanic verses and theories.* As a church-going Christian teenager, the books were not for me. Plus, everyone expected you to read them and I enjoy being contrary.
In the summer of 2001 or 2002, after the fourth book had been published, my wonderful Grandma came to stay for a few weeks. She brought a hardcover edition of the fourth book with her for my sister and me to read. It languished in various corners of the house until, one day, I ran out of things to read (oh, the horror!!). Reluctantly, I picked up Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, certain that I would hate it. That I probably wouldn't even finish it.
I couldn't have been more wrong. I LOVED it. The characters, the description, the writing... wonderful, suspenseful, thrilling, incredible. I couldn't wait to read the others. I did have to wait, of course. And because library-going had become rare in that time, I saved up my money to purchase the books at WM. I got the first two in paperback (horrid for me, as I love hardcover) and the third in hardcover. I read them quickly, devouring the adventures of Harry, Ron, and Hermione and the requisite, ever-increasing danger of Lord Voldemort. (Interesting fact: My copy of the fourth book actually went to Harvard when I lent it to a teacher. Harvard!)
When the fifth book came out, I had purchased it on Amazon and it arrived on my doorstep the day it was released. I purchased the next two books the same way. I would swallow the books in one gulp, it seemed, finishing the books within a day. It had become customary for me to re-read all the books before the new book came out, too.
Upon finishing the seventh book, I felt disgusted by what had happened. I had always pegged Snape as a bad guy. To learn that he had, in fact, been as good as Dumbledore claimed was disappointing. And I didn't want Harry with Ginny. I always felt he had more in common with Hermione (although, I see that he and Hermione are more like brother-and-sister than potential love interest). And finally, I was disappointed with how the prophecy was circumvented by making Harry an unintended Horcrux. It seemed to me, from the prophecy and the final books, that Harry should die in the process of killing Voldemort. For him to live and have the "Nineteen years later" epilogue seemed wrong. I remember thinking that Rowling took the easy way out; instead of living with the sadness of killing Harry off, she devised some way to keep him alive, even though it seemingly went against everything previously written.
Disgusted by what had happened in the last book, I packed up all my books and promptly gave them away.
I continued to watch the films as they had been released (the fourth and fifth films being major disappointments), but I did not re-read the books. In November, the first part of the film-version of the final book will be released. I finally felt it was time to re-read the books once again. So, in the beginning of September, I picked up the first book and read through the entire series within a month's time. As I have little free time, all the reading came just before bed or during lunch at work.
It was a WONDERFUL visit back to the land of Hogwarts. Nice to see all the old gang back together again. And it was nice to see that Rowling's writing was just as excellent as I'd left it. It was TERRIBLE to finish the final book. I wanted to start the entire series all over again. I wanted to spend more time at the Weasleys, more time at Hogwarts, more time with Harry, Ron, and Hermione and all their friends and enemies.
As I finished the fourth and fifth books, I rewatched their respective film counterparts and realized how much those two films completely butchered the books. However, I am looking forward to the final two films... generally, the films are entertaining, despite their maiming of the text. The fourth and fifth films were the least enjoyable of the series, though. Whether this is due to the dark nature of those books, I am not sure.
It will be hard to say good-bye to the Harry Potter film franchise, just as it was hard for me to say good-bye to the Harry Potter books this year. Things that are really great and wonderful are terribly difficult to leave behind. Good thing the books are widely circulated in print and digital formats so that I may continue to read them forevermore.
*The books are not satanic. While they are about wizards and witches, the books are more about the battle between good and evil, with Lord Voldemort and his Nazi-like ideas of one race (the pure blood Wizarding race!) being the Devil figure. Harry and his friends that fight against Voldemort are like the ordinary individuals who continue to rally against evil in the world.
In the summer of 2001 or 2002, after the fourth book had been published, my wonderful Grandma came to stay for a few weeks. She brought a hardcover edition of the fourth book with her for my sister and me to read. It languished in various corners of the house until, one day, I ran out of things to read (oh, the horror!!). Reluctantly, I picked up Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, certain that I would hate it. That I probably wouldn't even finish it.
I couldn't have been more wrong. I LOVED it. The characters, the description, the writing... wonderful, suspenseful, thrilling, incredible. I couldn't wait to read the others. I did have to wait, of course. And because library-going had become rare in that time, I saved up my money to purchase the books at WM. I got the first two in paperback (horrid for me, as I love hardcover) and the third in hardcover. I read them quickly, devouring the adventures of Harry, Ron, and Hermione and the requisite, ever-increasing danger of Lord Voldemort. (Interesting fact: My copy of the fourth book actually went to Harvard when I lent it to a teacher. Harvard!)
When the fifth book came out, I had purchased it on Amazon and it arrived on my doorstep the day it was released. I purchased the next two books the same way. I would swallow the books in one gulp, it seemed, finishing the books within a day. It had become customary for me to re-read all the books before the new book came out, too.
Upon finishing the seventh book, I felt disgusted by what had happened. I had always pegged Snape as a bad guy. To learn that he had, in fact, been as good as Dumbledore claimed was disappointing. And I didn't want Harry with Ginny. I always felt he had more in common with Hermione (although, I see that he and Hermione are more like brother-and-sister than potential love interest). And finally, I was disappointed with how the prophecy was circumvented by making Harry an unintended Horcrux. It seemed to me, from the prophecy and the final books, that Harry should die in the process of killing Voldemort. For him to live and have the "Nineteen years later" epilogue seemed wrong. I remember thinking that Rowling took the easy way out; instead of living with the sadness of killing Harry off, she devised some way to keep him alive, even though it seemingly went against everything previously written.
Disgusted by what had happened in the last book, I packed up all my books and promptly gave them away.
I continued to watch the films as they had been released (the fourth and fifth films being major disappointments), but I did not re-read the books. In November, the first part of the film-version of the final book will be released. I finally felt it was time to re-read the books once again. So, in the beginning of September, I picked up the first book and read through the entire series within a month's time. As I have little free time, all the reading came just before bed or during lunch at work.
It was a WONDERFUL visit back to the land of Hogwarts. Nice to see all the old gang back together again. And it was nice to see that Rowling's writing was just as excellent as I'd left it. It was TERRIBLE to finish the final book. I wanted to start the entire series all over again. I wanted to spend more time at the Weasleys, more time at Hogwarts, more time with Harry, Ron, and Hermione and all their friends and enemies.
As I finished the fourth and fifth books, I rewatched their respective film counterparts and realized how much those two films completely butchered the books. However, I am looking forward to the final two films... generally, the films are entertaining, despite their maiming of the text. The fourth and fifth films were the least enjoyable of the series, though. Whether this is due to the dark nature of those books, I am not sure.
It will be hard to say good-bye to the Harry Potter film franchise, just as it was hard for me to say good-bye to the Harry Potter books this year. Things that are really great and wonderful are terribly difficult to leave behind. Good thing the books are widely circulated in print and digital formats so that I may continue to read them forevermore.
*The books are not satanic. While they are about wizards and witches, the books are more about the battle between good and evil, with Lord Voldemort and his Nazi-like ideas of one race (the pure blood Wizarding race!) being the Devil figure. Harry and his friends that fight against Voldemort are like the ordinary individuals who continue to rally against evil in the world.
Friday, July 23
Walk On
Yesterday, when you were young,
Everything you needed done was done for you.
Now you do it on your own
But you find you're all alone,
What can you do?
You and me walk on
Cause you can't go back now.
You know there will be days when you're so tired that you can't take another step,
The night will have no stars and you'll think you've gone as far as you will ever get
But you and me walk on
Cause you can't go back now
And yeah, yeah, go where you want to go
Be what you want to be,
If you ever turn around, you'll see me.
I can't really say why everybody wishes they were somewhere else
But in the end, the only steps that matter are the ones you take all by yourself
And you and me walk on
Yeah you and me walk on
Cause you can't go back now
Walk on, walk on, walk on
You can't go back now
-The Weepies
Everything you needed done was done for you.
Now you do it on your own
But you find you're all alone,
What can you do?
You and me walk on
Cause you can't go back now.
You know there will be days when you're so tired that you can't take another step,
The night will have no stars and you'll think you've gone as far as you will ever get
But you and me walk on
Cause you can't go back now
And yeah, yeah, go where you want to go
Be what you want to be,
If you ever turn around, you'll see me.
I can't really say why everybody wishes they were somewhere else
But in the end, the only steps that matter are the ones you take all by yourself
And you and me walk on
Yeah you and me walk on
Cause you can't go back now
Walk on, walk on, walk on
You can't go back now
-The Weepies
Wednesday, June 16
Rooney Retrospective
Dear Rooney,
I first learned of you (heard you, saw you) when I watched The Princess Diaries in 2001. Other than that, your music was pretty hard to come by in those days. Two years later, when your first album was released in late May 2003, I drove to three different stores in two different cities (some 30 minutes or more in distance) in search of the album. It was before I had access to iTunes, so it had to be done. (It was good practice as I did it again in 2005 for Jason Mraz's Mr. A-Z album. Good music can be hard to come by sometimes.) I remember the day I first got the album so clearly not because I drove so much to get it but because it was my last day of high school. The seniors had graduated on the previous Friday, but we had to attend the following Monday and Tuesday in order to make up for snow days. I could barely contain myself all day. The thought of finally getting hands on two things that I had wanted for so long was nearly unbearable.
The year turned out to be a fantastic one for me, Rooney-wise. When I went off to college in the fall, I found out about you playing Juanita's in Little Rock in September. My roommate, a friend, and I travelled to LR to see you guys play. The opening acts were The Sounds and Palo Alto. It was my first concert. I had a huge test the next day and I studied all the way to LR. Even though I barely passed the test, it was worth it. I loved seeing you perform live and I really didn't care for the class.
In November of 2003, I got the chance to see you perform (again with The Sounds) in Fayetteville at Dave's on Dickson. I went this time with my roommate and my mom. We also met a friend that we had met online. He brought a couple of friends, too. This time, armed with a disposable camera, I took pictures of the show (which I still have). The show was awesome. Afterwards, I got one of the guitar picks that had been thrown out into the audience (thanks, Mom!) and got to meet you guys. You signed my album, which I still have tucked away somewhere. I also spoke with some members from The Sounds, who were hilarious in their descriptions of Arkansas weather (it rained heavily both nights I saw you play in Arkansas that year).
In April 2004, I got to see you open for Michelle Branch at the University of Arkansas. My sister and my friend came along this time. Our seats weren't close (at the November 2003 show, I touched the stage most of the night), but we had so much fun dancing in the aisles at the back of the stadium. My sister was exhausted on the way home and fell asleep in the back of my tiny extended cab truck. Rooneywas the anthem of my freshman year of college.
I haven't seen you live since 2004. I've kept up with you, though. I purchased Calling the World in 2007, once I graduated college and had moved in with my aunt and uncle in Texas. The album kept me company whenever I drove back and forth from Texas to Oklahoma, which was fairly frequently. And today, I purchased Eureka. Love what I'm hearing in the new songs, kids. Great stuff.
You guys are playing somewhat near to my location this summer. I would love to see you again, but I just don't know if it will be possible. Responsibilities such as work and grad school are hard to ignore. I would really love to be at the August 25th show, as you'll be opening for Hanson. The amount of wonderful music plus the fantastic venue is almost too much to pass up. We'll see.
In any case, I would like to thank you for defining and enhancing specific portions of my life with your catchy, dance-inducing sounds. You're freakin' awesome and you make life fun.
Sincerely yours,
tk
I first learned of you (heard you, saw you) when I watched The Princess Diaries in 2001. Other than that, your music was pretty hard to come by in those days. Two years later, when your first album was released in late May 2003, I drove to three different stores in two different cities (some 30 minutes or more in distance) in search of the album. It was before I had access to iTunes, so it had to be done. (It was good practice as I did it again in 2005 for Jason Mraz's Mr. A-Z album. Good music can be hard to come by sometimes.) I remember the day I first got the album so clearly not because I drove so much to get it but because it was my last day of high school. The seniors had graduated on the previous Friday, but we had to attend the following Monday and Tuesday in order to make up for snow days. I could barely contain myself all day. The thought of finally getting hands on two things that I had wanted for so long was nearly unbearable.
The year turned out to be a fantastic one for me, Rooney-wise. When I went off to college in the fall, I found out about you playing Juanita's in Little Rock in September. My roommate, a friend, and I travelled to LR to see you guys play. The opening acts were The Sounds and Palo Alto. It was my first concert. I had a huge test the next day and I studied all the way to LR. Even though I barely passed the test, it was worth it. I loved seeing you perform live and I really didn't care for the class.
In November of 2003, I got the chance to see you perform (again with The Sounds) in Fayetteville at Dave's on Dickson. I went this time with my roommate and my mom. We also met a friend that we had met online. He brought a couple of friends, too. This time, armed with a disposable camera, I took pictures of the show (which I still have). The show was awesome. Afterwards, I got one of the guitar picks that had been thrown out into the audience (thanks, Mom!) and got to meet you guys. You signed my album, which I still have tucked away somewhere. I also spoke with some members from The Sounds, who were hilarious in their descriptions of Arkansas weather (it rained heavily both nights I saw you play in Arkansas that year).
In April 2004, I got to see you open for Michelle Branch at the University of Arkansas. My sister and my friend came along this time. Our seats weren't close (at the November 2003 show, I touched the stage most of the night), but we had so much fun dancing in the aisles at the back of the stadium. My sister was exhausted on the way home and fell asleep in the back of my tiny extended cab truck. Rooneywas the anthem of my freshman year of college.
I haven't seen you live since 2004. I've kept up with you, though. I purchased Calling the World in 2007, once I graduated college and had moved in with my aunt and uncle in Texas. The album kept me company whenever I drove back and forth from Texas to Oklahoma, which was fairly frequently. And today, I purchased Eureka. Love what I'm hearing in the new songs, kids. Great stuff.
You guys are playing somewhat near to my location this summer. I would love to see you again, but I just don't know if it will be possible. Responsibilities such as work and grad school are hard to ignore. I would really love to be at the August 25th show, as you'll be opening for Hanson. The amount of wonderful music plus the fantastic venue is almost too much to pass up. We'll see.
In any case, I would like to thank you for defining and enhancing specific portions of my life with your catchy, dance-inducing sounds. You're freakin' awesome and you make life fun.
Sincerely yours,
tk
Tuesday, June 1
That Was Then, This Is Now
And yet so many things are the same. This report is several days old and is from Rachel Maddow at MSNBC. It brings to light a similar Gulf oil spill by a related company in 1979. For almost 10 months, the well leaked oil into the Gulf. Nothing could stop it -- none of the techniques being used now worked then, either. And the 1979 well was only in 200 feet of water! The only thing that stopped the leak was a relief well.
History repeats itself because we don't learn from our mistakes. When will we ever learn to take note of things that happen and strive to keep those things from ever happening again? Shouldn't we be focusing our efforts on building a relief well instead of trying a top kill or throwing garbage at something environmentally devastating?
History repeats itself because we don't learn from our mistakes. When will we ever learn to take note of things that happen and strive to keep those things from ever happening again? Shouldn't we be focusing our efforts on building a relief well instead of trying a top kill or throwing garbage at something environmentally devastating?
Monday, February 8
Tired
This is going to sound ugly or inconsiderate, but I am tired of hearing about Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans. Saints fans feel as though this Super Bowl win has finally changed their luck or started to make things better after the disaster that struck in 2005.
People of New Orleans, I have six words for you: You. Live. Mostly. Below. Sea. Level. Below sea level! And your city borders the Gulf of Mexico, which is a hot bed of hurricane activity many months of each year. You have to take into account that a hurricane could come along and devastate your area. So, because you voluntarily live in New Orleans, you should make emergency plans in the event of a hurricane. Additionally, because you voluntarily live in a city that is at or below sea level and that borders the Gulf, you accept the danger of hurricanes. So, buck up, rebuild, and MOVE ON!
People that live in Tornado Alley seem to accept that tornadoes are going to happen. And after a tornado does happen, the people get out, clean up, rebuild, and go on with their lives. You don't hear them whining about it all over television or making remarks of how a sports team's win finally puts the area back on the map and/or rejuvenates the city/area.
So, people of New Orleans, while you're out in the streets celebrating Mardi Gras this month, take a moment to assess your surroundings. Stop whining about your hurricane woes. If you're going to continue to utilize this "Oh, poor pitiful us! We were trampled by a hurricane!" routine, I'm going to have to request that you move to higher ground and that the United States close all of New Orleans for good.
The end.
ETA: I am sorry that your city was obliterated and that many people died and are still missing. But stop complaining. And move somewhere else.
People of New Orleans, I have six words for you: You. Live. Mostly. Below. Sea. Level. Below sea level! And your city borders the Gulf of Mexico, which is a hot bed of hurricane activity many months of each year. You have to take into account that a hurricane could come along and devastate your area. So, because you voluntarily live in New Orleans, you should make emergency plans in the event of a hurricane. Additionally, because you voluntarily live in a city that is at or below sea level and that borders the Gulf, you accept the danger of hurricanes. So, buck up, rebuild, and MOVE ON!
People that live in Tornado Alley seem to accept that tornadoes are going to happen. And after a tornado does happen, the people get out, clean up, rebuild, and go on with their lives. You don't hear them whining about it all over television or making remarks of how a sports team's win finally puts the area back on the map and/or rejuvenates the city/area.
So, people of New Orleans, while you're out in the streets celebrating Mardi Gras this month, take a moment to assess your surroundings. Stop whining about your hurricane woes. If you're going to continue to utilize this "Oh, poor pitiful us! We were trampled by a hurricane!" routine, I'm going to have to request that you move to higher ground and that the United States close all of New Orleans for good.
The end.
ETA: I am sorry that your city was obliterated and that many people died and are still missing. But stop complaining. And move somewhere else.
Friday, January 15
Jon Stewart = Awesome
Jon Stewart, awesome is thy name. Pat Robertson and Rush Limbaugh? There are no appropriate names for you two other than idiot.
Wednesday, January 6
I Really Don't Know About Some People... Pt 2
Bear Grylls. We've met previously. However, you have pushed the Holy-Moly-Oh-No-He-Didn't factor to new heights. I seriously do not know what to do or think about you. I mean, I thought you were completely off your rocker when you drank elephant poo juice, but this new survival technique really takes the cake. Giving yourself an nasty sea water-filled enema on a raft in the Pacific ocean is too much. In fact, the "too much" line was crossed about 80 million miles back (especially when you factor in that the water was filled with bird droppings!!) and yet you continue to soldier on.
I realize that you're trying to teach people a lesson and you even referenced a family that survived a lost-at-sea situation by hydrating via enema. And it's great if that is what you need to do. But, seeing as how you are being followed by a camera on a separate raft (or large ship-like boat), how can you really claim that the enema was something you needed?
You can't. And really, I think you have a strong obsession with poo. You're either drinking poo juice or shooting poo-filled water up your arse.
Honestly, you could have just described the general mechanics of an at-sea enema instead of actually performing one on yourself. I don't know why you felt the urge to bare your buttocks and shoot poo-filled water up your arse in the middle of the ocean while a person filmed you. You baffle me. I can't begin to comprehend your ways, Bear.
Please refrain from doing things like this in the future. I don't want to mention anything Bear-related ever again.
I realize that you're trying to teach people a lesson and you even referenced a family that survived a lost-at-sea situation by hydrating via enema. And it's great if that is what you need to do. But, seeing as how you are being followed by a camera on a separate raft (or large ship-like boat), how can you really claim that the enema was something you needed?
You can't. And really, I think you have a strong obsession with poo. You're either drinking poo juice or shooting poo-filled water up your arse.
Honestly, you could have just described the general mechanics of an at-sea enema instead of actually performing one on yourself. I don't know why you felt the urge to bare your buttocks and shoot poo-filled water up your arse in the middle of the ocean while a person filmed you. You baffle me. I can't begin to comprehend your ways, Bear.
Please refrain from doing things like this in the future. I don't want to mention anything Bear-related ever again.
Wednesday, December 30
2009: A Review
What did I do in the year 2009? What did I learn in the year 2009? Let me count:
* I started graduate school, which turned out to be more difficult and stressful than I anticipated. I'm in the "swing of things" now, so it's not as stressful.
* I quit my job to work at a small public library. In doing so, I took a pretty not-so-great cut in pay. However, I must remember that experience will pay off more in the long run.
* Hospitals are not fun to sleep in or stay in for any length of time.
* I enjoy my new job far more than I ever enjoyed my old job.
* Indie films or other films off the beaten path are usually my favorite films! Hooray!
* I became an aunt to a precious little kidling. Baby AC, 7/30/2009!
* Glee has found its way into my life. Snark + Songs = Awesome! Also, Jane Lynch is even more awesome than I thought possible!
* White Christmases are beautiful, but not so great for the driving around.
* I found a new author that I like! And she's got a new book coming out next year. Hooray!
* I went to the beach for the first time. Walked on the beach for the first time! Saw the ocean for the first time! Stood in the ocean for the first time!
* Visited the states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida -- four states I've not visited before 2009.
* Discovered a town called Transylvania in Louisiana. Stopped in Transylvania. Did not see Dracula, Edward Cullen, or Bill Compton.
* Became outraged at the idea of mixing/mashing classic literature with weirdness such as sea monsters and zombies. Sense and Sensibility doesn't take place near water. How can there be sea monsters?!?!
* Saw Jason Mraz in April. Always a wonderful experience.
I'm sure that there is more to report, but I can't think of what those are at the moment. I reserve the right to edit this list as necessary.
* I started graduate school, which turned out to be more difficult and stressful than I anticipated. I'm in the "swing of things" now, so it's not as stressful.
* I quit my job to work at a small public library. In doing so, I took a pretty not-so-great cut in pay. However, I must remember that experience will pay off more in the long run.
* Hospitals are not fun to sleep in or stay in for any length of time.
* I enjoy my new job far more than I ever enjoyed my old job.
* Indie films or other films off the beaten path are usually my favorite films! Hooray!
* I became an aunt to a precious little kidling. Baby AC, 7/30/2009!
* Glee has found its way into my life. Snark + Songs = Awesome! Also, Jane Lynch is even more awesome than I thought possible!
* White Christmases are beautiful, but not so great for the driving around.
* I found a new author that I like! And she's got a new book coming out next year. Hooray!
* I went to the beach for the first time. Walked on the beach for the first time! Saw the ocean for the first time! Stood in the ocean for the first time!
* Visited the states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida -- four states I've not visited before 2009.
* Discovered a town called Transylvania in Louisiana. Stopped in Transylvania. Did not see Dracula, Edward Cullen, or Bill Compton.
* Became outraged at the idea of mixing/mashing classic literature with weirdness such as sea monsters and zombies. Sense and Sensibility doesn't take place near water. How can there be sea monsters?!?!
* Saw Jason Mraz in April. Always a wonderful experience.
I'm sure that there is more to report, but I can't think of what those are at the moment. I reserve the right to edit this list as necessary.
Best Movies and Television Series of the Decade
As the decade dwindles to a close, there are a lot of "Best of" lists popping up. I set out to create my own "Best of" list. While some of my choices are more frivolous than others, these films are not necessarily films that I watch on a regular basis. These are films that I feel represent the decade or, rather, my experience of the decade.
Now, I tried to pare down my list of movies to ten, but it became difficult. I can rank the first few, but then the rankings blur and I can't decide. Therefore, I have 25 movies on my list:
The Departed
Ocean's 11
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Atonement
Erin Brockovich
Memento
The Last King of Scotland
Brokeback Mountain
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Oh, Brother Where Art Thou?
Fracture
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Crawford
Garden State
Crash
Little Miss Sunshine
Frequency
Lars and the Real Girl
Away We Go
The Life of David Gale
Runaway Jury
Life as a House
Revolutionary Road
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Gone Baby Gone
Making a Top 10 list for television series was a bit easier:
Alias
Gilmore Girls
Scrubs
Boston Legal
Veronica Mars
The Office
Commander-in-Chief
Crossing Jordan
Bones
Jack and Bobby
Now, I tried to pare down my list of movies to ten, but it became difficult. I can rank the first few, but then the rankings blur and I can't decide. Therefore, I have 25 movies on my list:
The Departed
Ocean's 11
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Atonement
Erin Brockovich
Memento
The Last King of Scotland
Brokeback Mountain
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Oh, Brother Where Art Thou?
Fracture
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Crawford
Garden State
Crash
Little Miss Sunshine
Frequency
Lars and the Real Girl
Away We Go
The Life of David Gale
Runaway Jury
Life as a House
Revolutionary Road
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Gone Baby Gone
Making a Top 10 list for television series was a bit easier:
Alias
Gilmore Girls
Scrubs
Boston Legal
Veronica Mars
The Office
Commander-in-Chief
Crossing Jordan
Bones
Jack and Bobby
Sunday, December 27
New Year's Resolutions
Well, it's time for some good ol' resolutions. While I generally don't make resolutions or keep any silly resolutions that I make. But this year, I decided to make a few and I'm going to record the resolutions here. Hopefully, in a year, I can come back here and reflect on the job well done. Or not.
1) Read a Tolstory. Preferably Anna Karenina. Preferably cover to cover.
2) Be more aware of my budgetary constraints.
3) Read at least 50 books in the year. I probably read close to that this year (if not more), but I didn't keep track. Therefore:
4) Keep track of the books I read during the year.
5) Being more organized in all aspects of life, not just work and/or school.
6) See more than one live musical performance by a favorite musician. This one will be the most tricky, I'm afraid.
Six is probably a good healthy number of resolutions. I think I'll stop there.
1) Read a Tolstory. Preferably Anna Karenina. Preferably cover to cover.
2) Be more aware of my budgetary constraints.
3) Read at least 50 books in the year. I probably read close to that this year (if not more), but I didn't keep track. Therefore:
4) Keep track of the books I read during the year.
5) Being more organized in all aspects of life, not just work and/or school.
6) See more than one live musical performance by a favorite musician. This one will be the most tricky, I'm afraid.
Six is probably a good healthy number of resolutions. I think I'll stop there.
Monday, December 21
Mystery Contained in an Envelope
Many years ago (probably my senior year in high school or 2003), I wrote myself a letter. Then, I sealed the letter in an envelope and threw it in a huge Gateway box filled with various items from my childhood and teen years. I forgot about the letter.
Nearly two years ago, I went through the large box and kept only the most essential items. While doing this, I found the letter. The letter is addressed to me and instructs me to not open it until January 1, 2010. I moved the letter to the top drawer of my chest of drawers.
For a year and a half, the envelope has stared at me and taunted me every time I opened the top drawer. It begs to be opened, but I've been good. I've not opened it yet. And in less than 10 days, I can finally open it.
I have no idea what the letter says. I'm assuming that it says something about being a journalist, as that was the plan in high school. I'm really excited to read the letter and interested in knowing what high school me wrote for future (now) me.
I really can't wait to read this letter.
Nearly two years ago, I went through the large box and kept only the most essential items. While doing this, I found the letter. The letter is addressed to me and instructs me to not open it until January 1, 2010. I moved the letter to the top drawer of my chest of drawers.
For a year and a half, the envelope has stared at me and taunted me every time I opened the top drawer. It begs to be opened, but I've been good. I've not opened it yet. And in less than 10 days, I can finally open it.
I have no idea what the letter says. I'm assuming that it says something about being a journalist, as that was the plan in high school. I'm really excited to read the letter and interested in knowing what high school me wrote for future (now) me.
I really can't wait to read this letter.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)