So Long 2012! Hello 2013!

2012 has been one heck of a year.  I would say for me personally, it has been one of my most eventful (with London, LA, and whatnot).  I'm hoping your 2012 was one to remember as well.

As we say goodbye to 2012, we are also welcoming in 2013. No matter what this past year has held for us, this is a brand new start.  A time to make resolutions we won't keep through January and pay a great deal of money for gym memberships and weight loss programs we will drop in a few days to weeks.  

It can also be a wonderful opportunity to get your life in check.  Take a look at yourself.  Is this where you want to be in ten years?  If it isn't, what do you need to do in order to get there?  Help to better yourself and others in 2013.

Happy New Year's Eve.  Be safe, be smart, and be ready for whatever tomorrow may bring...the rest of your life.

What's Eating Gilbert Grape - By Peter Hedges

This is the first non young adult book I have read in awhile.  If you have not picked up on the theme yet (or are randomly searching the web for this book you would never know), I am trying to read my way through books my favorite films were based on.  My favorite movies just happen to have Johnny Depp in them.  So here we go:

This is the story of Gilbert Grape, and how he deals (or evades dealing with), everything in his life that is eating away at his soul.  For his entire life, he has lived in Endora, Iowa, a small and dull place where everyone knows everyone’s business, and there is never anything exciting going on. 

Gilbert is the man of his house, ever since his father hung himself and his older brother (Larry) moved away.  He has two older sisters, one of whom also got out of Endora (Janice), and another, Amy, who takes care of the house.  Gilbert has a younger sister, Ellen, who is a conceded pain in the butt, and an intellectually challenged younger brother, Arnie, who was never supposed to live past ten.  They live with their mother, who has not stopped eating or left the sofa since her husband committed suicide.  Who was once the talk of the town for her beauty, Bonnie Grape now weighs a few hundred pounds.

Arnie is turning eighteen, which is a huge milestone his mother claims is all she wants to see reached; that would be a miracle.  Gilbert has to deal with his dysfunctional family, his mundane job at the local food store (being squashed by the major food store that recently moved in), self loathing, a secret affair he has been having for ten years with an upstanding woman in the society, and looking after Arnie. 

Among other things, a gorgeous girl (Becky) comes into town to visit her grandmother, whom Gilbert becomes smitten with (as do all of the men of the town).  He struggles with his feelings for Becky, as she is a mixture of a tease and a woman wise beyond her years.  Gilbert just can’t figure his life out right now.  One thing is for certain, and he does not want to die in Endora; he just needs a way out.  By the end of the book, things begin to fall into place for Gilbert, who can finally start life anew.

I liked the book, but it was not my favorite.  I personally like the movie, and even reading with the cast in my mind, this book did not compare to the film (although the author also wrote the screenplay).  A book such as this, the reader desperately wants to empathize with Gilbert, but he comes off as a jerk.  Not that certain people don’t deserve to be happy, but the author makes it really difficult to feel sorry for him.  When bad things happen to good people, it is an outrage.  When bad things happen to self-centered sticks in the mud, it can be more easily brushed aside.

I’m glad I read this book, but do not see myself reading it again anytime soon.  The ending had such potential, and then fell flat.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!

And if you do not celebrate Christmas, I wish you a very happy December the 25th.

Well That Was Pointless...

So if you did not get the memo, the world did not end yesterday.  Silly prediction.  Now what am I going to do with the bomb shelter I built?

Words of the Moment – Christmas Carol Edition

Around this time of year, we have been inundated with Christmas songs in stores, on the radio, and at parties.  Even if you do not celebrate Christmas, the songs are difficult to evade. 

This year I have been realizing how extensive the vocabulary in the songs actually is.  Aside from the ever-present words such as “merry,” “bells,” “snow,” “Christmas,” “tree,” etc, there are some interesting gems.  These are only a few I heard the last time I had the radio on.  There are plenty more good ones out there.  I hope you will listen to these carols a bit differently after thinking about a few of the words:

Cloven – adjective – split; divided

“It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”

“Still through the cloven skies they come.  With peaceful wings unfurl, and still.”

Laud – noun – a song or hymn of praise

“What Child is This?”

“Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring him laud.”

Lowing – noun – the calling sound made by bovine animals, such as cows

“Away in a Manger”

“The cattle are lowing, the poor Baby wakes.”

Noel – noun – is an alternate word for “Christmas”

“The First Noel”

“The First Noel, the Angels did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay.”

Wassailing – verb – engaging in the act of drinking; toasting

“Here We Come A-Wassailing”

“Here we come a-wassailing among the leaves so green.  Here we come a-wand'ring so fair to be seen.”

Yore – noun – time long past

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”

“Here we are as in olden days.  Happy golden days of yore.”

Yuletide – noun – a religious festival that has been absorbed into and equated with the celebration of Christmas

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”

“Have yourself a merry little Christmas.  Make the Yuletide gay.”

Comic Corner: Getting Even

I hope you get everything you want for Christmas!

Prayers for Newtown Connecticut

If you have not heard the news yet, this morning there was a terrible shooting at an elementary school in a town in Connecticut. A tragedy. 20 students and 7 adults so far have died. The children were no older than ten years old. It is unthinkable, and yet it happened. This is one of the worst school massacres ever.

My heart, thoughts, and prayers are with all who have been affected by today's events in any way.

Secret Santa

Do you have just too many people to buy presents for this year?  You have your friends, your parents, your children, your spouse, your siblings, their spouse, their children, your cousins, your godchildren, your child’s teacher…AHHH!!!  Before you know it, not only are shopping the entire year, but your paycheck is gone.

Here is a money and time saving idea.  If you have a close circle of friends or distant (but close) family members you all exchange presents with each year, why don’t you try a Secret Santa?  Around November, you write each name on a piece of paper, and you draw to see who you’ll be shopping for (unless you pull yourself – redraw!).   That way each of you only has to buy one present (for that group anyway).  You can spend a little bit more on it, and have more brain power to think of a thoughtful gift.  And when you set a dollar amount beforehand, everyone knows they’ll be getting a decent gift (unless you have bad shoppers in the circle, in which case you need to plan better on who you invite).

This is also a great way to include people who may be a little lonely around the holidays.  They do not have to shop for everyone they know, just one special friend.

This is the season for giving.  Whenever that can be made a bit more easy, why not?

Comic Corner: Christmas Driving

Drive Safely this Christmas Season, and be prepared for everything!

Cookie Swap!

Almost everyone loves cookies.  And at Christmas time there are so many yummy types of cookies, that not many people have the time to bake them all (not to mention the expense).  Even if each batch only made a dozen, making twelve kinds of them would be insane!

So, why don’t you collaborate with a few friends and do your own cookie swap?  If you had even six people, each with a family of four, making two dozen cookies would allow everyone to get the variety of the holiday without all of the wasted cookies (if there is such a thing).  And if you doubled that, everyone could even have two of each cookie!

This way you could make your favorite recipe (even if you double it so you have extras), and when your friends come together, you have a smorgasbord!

If you are like me and love your sugar products but don’t have the time, money, or energy to bake everything, gather some friends, plan out who will bake which, and have a cookie swap!  Also a perfect opportunity to have a small party, and perhaps even a contest for the best cookie!  Have fun with it!  Happy baking! 

You Can't Always Get A Wonderful Life

Who is ready for our favorite Christmas movies and songs to be played over and over and over again, until we want to run away screaming and pleading for summer?

Me!!!

Enjoy your Christmas Season (unless you do not celebrate Christmas, in which case I hope you have a marvelous December)!

December?

     Is it just me, or does it feel as if 2012 started…yesterday?  Time seems to be going by quicker and quicker as I get older.  I could only imagine if I had children.  When five years goes by in the blink of an eye, a baby will have grown into a child.  It is surreal how fast time is moving, and yet it always seems as if what I want is a day away. 

     Take time to enjoy the now.

     Relish today.

     Yesterday is over, and tomorrow is not here yet.  2013 will be here before you know it.  And then 2014.  Then 2015.  It doesn't slow down, so enjoy the ride while you’re on it.

Wreck-It Ralf

     Who doesn’t love a good Disney movie?

     This is the story of the antagonist of a video game (“Fix-It Felix Jr.”) by the name of Wreck-It Ralf.  Ralf has been destroying a building over and over again for thirty years, as Felix follows him around and repairs the damages.  When the game is over, Felix is rewarded for saving the people of the building, and they throw Ralf from the roof.

     Ralf was programmed to do bad things, but he is not a bad guy.  He has to play the role of the villain, but just wants to be a hero.  He decides to leave his game and go searching for one where he will be excepted and he can win the prize at the end.  He just wants to be respected and welcomed, instead of feared and ignored.

     He soon ends up in a game called “Hero’s Duty,” where he sees how difficult it can be to be the hero.  Nonetheless, he wins the medal in the end.  Now to return to his game, where he thinks he will be welcomed since he has proven he is a good guy.  Unfortunately, one thing leads to another, and he becomes stranded in a game made entirely out of candy (“Sugar Rush,” a racing game).

     Here he meets a young girl named Vanellope, who is considered a glitch because there is something astray in her programming.  For this reason, no one likes Vanellope, and she lives alone in a secret location.  The two outcasts become an odd pair, and try to help each other achieve their dreams.  If they could just get around the evil King Candy, who wants neither Ralf nor Vanellope to be a part of his game, everything would be fine.

     This was a cute movie.  It is an original idea, which is difficult to find nowadays.  The story took you through different generations of games, and even had some classics (such as Pacman).  You’d go from the pixilated game of “Fix-It Felix, Jr.” to the high definition game play of “Hero’s Duty.”  It showed the evolution of arcade games, and made you think about how the characters must feel.  After all, they are programmed to do the same motions over and over again, all day and every day.  Even if you are the hero, that can be taxing.

     I liked this film a lot, and look forward to seeing it again.  I give it an 8 out of 10.  Wreck-It Ralf is rated PG and runs 101 minutes.

Stupid Sayings - Bit of a Rant

People are scared of being silent.  They need to respond to everything, even if their colloquial expressions are meaningless and stupid when you think three seconds about them.  If you use any of the following, I strongly urge you to cease IMMEDIATELY and spare us all of the unnecessary noise!

"If I had a nickel…[for every time that happened]…"

     Oh really?  Your boyfriend sleeps with your identical twin thinking it is you quite a lot then?  Chances are no matter why you are saying this, if you really DID have a nickel for every time something happened, you’d have…one nickel.  Say nothing and save everyone the aggravation!

"Everything else is frosting on the cake."

     I don’t know about you, but I eat the cake for the cake.  In fact, I usually scrape off the frosting!  If they are trying to get the point across that everything else is extra goodness, they should say something like “everything else is ice cream next to the cake.”  And many people are lactose intolerant, so that is not appealing to them either.

"The world is your oyster."

     So are we saying that when you get a piece of sand in your shoe, that that festering that takes place is just your body trying to make a pearl?  Not going to happen.
     Why would you want the world to be an oyster anyway?  They are smelly, slimy, and a lot of people are allergic to shell fish.  Seems like a bad combination if you ask me.



"The Peanut Gallery."

     Again.  I'm not a nut...not a peanut at least...and what about the whole allergy thing (maybe there are just too many allergies in this world)?  Are we trying to kill the people of the world with these sayings?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, my fellow Americans!

Today is a day that we do what we should be doing each and every day: being thankful for what we have.

Have a wonderful day!

I am Thankful for...

I am thankful everyday for so much.  But in the spirit of Thanksgiving this week, I have decided to share some of the things I am currently most thankful for (in no particular order).

I am thankful for everyone who ever actually reads what I post online.

I am thankful for my health.

I am thankful for my family and friends.

I am thankful for Johnny Depp, and all he has directly and indirectly done for me.

I am thankful for my abilities, talents, and gifts.

I am thankful for the opportunities with which I have been fortunate to have.

I am thankful that I have a job (no matter how much I complain about it).

I am thankful for heat/AC (during appropriate months), electricity and cable, running hot and cold water, that I have food in the refrigerator (sometimes too much), a car to get me from point A to point B, and that I have a safe place to sleep at night.

Cloud Atlas

     I am not going to lie.  I have little idea on what this movie was about.  I am not saying that there are not deeper, meaningful messages.  I am just saying that the average viewer will not get many or any of them after trying to decipher what the plot of the film is.

     It is a story of reincarnation, and how one person’s life affects another’s, with acts of kindness or crime having ripple effects throughout history.  Basically, there is a cast of eight actors who through a series of quite intense makeup and costume effects, are transformed into numerous different characters in many points in time (some of which remain unrecognizable, until revealed in the ending credits).  The movie bounces between these stories, and the audience needs to keep up on who is where and when, and what is happening. 

     The cast is quite impressive: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugh Grant, and Susan Sarandon to name a few.  However, this does not distract from the confusing intertwined plotlines that bounce from one generation to another and back again.  For example, one story begins in London in the year 2012.  The opening scene is almost entirely unrelated to the rest of the story, so it is easy to forget the time period as they go back and forth.  The actors being in all of the storylines also did not help you keep them straight.

     “Cloud Atlas” is a lot to process and take in.  It is a movie you need to see more than once, because it is not possible to catch every nuance the first time around.  I’d give it a 5.5, because it was not dumbed down enough for me to comprehend it.  The effects and makeup were amazing though.  The movie is rated R, and quite lengthy at 172 minutes.

Five Years

A lot can happen in five years.  

Five years ago today, I was diagnosed with cancer.  I've been through a lot since then.  I've also done and seen more in these past five years than I did in my entire life beforehand.

I was given a precious gift: a second chance at life. 

I try to enjoy every moment, and just be thankful I am here today to experience it.  

I often think if November 14, 2007 had turned out differently, what I would have been able to achieve.  I equally wonder had it not occurred, what I would never have been able to accomplish.  Take things as they come, and try to make the best of it.

Today, I look back and think about everything I have done over the past five years.  Then I imagine what I will be able to do in TEN. 

You are only limited by your imagination and your determination. Live life well.

Happy Veterans Day

In America, November 11th is Veterans Day, when we honor all those who have served for our country.  

We honor those men and women who have dedicated their lives and made sacrifices to protect us and our rights.

Remember your heroes, even if you've never met them.

Peter Pan - By J.M. Barrie

     This is the book of the play and movies of the same name.  It was first produced in a theatre in London on December 27, 1904.  Since then, it has been adapted multiple times into various media.

     It is the story of a young girl named Wendy Darling, and her two brothers John and Michael as they struggle with growing up.  One night, a boy who never grows any older, Peter Pan, flies into the nursery where the children are sleeping, and loses his shadow.  Yes, his shadow becomes detached from his body.

     He is so upset by the fact he cannot reattach his shadow, that he ends up waking Wendy, who is overly nurturing, and sews his shadow back on for him.  He is so elated that he takes Wendy and her brothers back to the Neverland where he lives with the lost boys (boys who were lost as young children).  He wants Wendy to be a mother for all of them, since they are missing and in desperate need of the love of a mother.

     The children fly to the Neverland, also home to pirates, Indians, fairies, and mermaids.  Wendy quickly becomes a mother to the children, including her own brothers.  As time passes, the Darlings seem to have forgotten from where they come, and that Wendy is not truly their mother.  The Neverland seems to have a power of the children that causes them to forget what life was like before they arrived there.  Peter’s short term memory is so bad, that you can never tell if what he’s saying is the truth or not.  Wendy remembers the most, and thinks about the parents and home she left behind.  But even she begins to think that some of her memories may only have been dreams.

     The pirates are led by Peter’s archenemy Captain James Hook (rightfully named since a hook replaces an arm that was lost in battle with Peter and fed to a crocodile, which now tirelessly follows Hook around to get the rest of him).  The pirates are endlessly chasing the lost boys around the Neverland, and finally manage to outwit and kidnap them; all save but Peter.

     Peter rescues the boys and Wendy from the pirate’s captivity, and battles Hook man to boy.  After this, Wendy and her brothers fly back home.  Their parents had all but given up hope that their children would one day return, when they finally do.

     This is an interesting story to read, especially since it is self-aware that it is speaking to the reader.  It is written with the imagination of a child, and reminds us that adults forget how to believe in the fantastical, which is why they no longer see it.

     One of the biggest take away messages is about how time is always chasing after us.  The crocodile who is chasing after Hook had swallowed a ticking clock, which would warn Hook that he was coming for him.  When the clock ran out, the animal was able to move about unnoticed, and was able to surprise his prey.  Peter is trying to outrun time, and is inexplicably succeeding at remaining young forever.  But while he remains young, he loses Wendy, someone he cared deeply for.  We should not try to fool with the hands of time, but just remember what our youth was like.  That was the worst part about the story; that the adults had these wonderful adventures and were able to do incredible things, only to forget that it even happened.  Mature without forgetting.

Election Time!

Are you an American Citizen?

Are you at least 18 years of age?

Have you registered to vote?

If you answered "yes" to all of these questions, get your butt out to the polls and vote TODAY!!!  Not only is there always important spots to vote for, this is a PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION year!  If somehow you have been living under a rock the past few months and do not know who is running, look it up NOW, then get out there and VOTE!!!  Every vote does count (no matter what you think).  There is no excuse (unless one of the above does not apply to you).  If you are at least 18, you could (and should) have registered by now.  If you are registered, you could have requested an absentee ballot and submitted it by now.  Don't be lazy and don't make excuses.  If you do not vote, you do not have the right to complain about the results and consequences.  Get educated, and exercise your right to VOTE.

Hurricane Sandy

The Northeast part of the United States just got hit by Hurricane Sandy.  Where I am, we did much better than last year during Hurricane Irene.  We had power for the duration of the storm, and no flooding.

For others, they were not so lucky.

By the coast of Connecticut, as well as New York, flooding was a big issue, as the strong winds made the waves rise more than many structures were prepared for.

While storms like this throw into sharp perspective that humans
do not stand a chance against the more powerful...

...and intelligent, nature...

...Possibly more disturbing is the realization that "The Day After Tomorrow"
may not be much further off than that after all.

It is heartbreaking to watch the news and to see the havoc this storm left in its wake.  Houses were torn in half, properties were literally moved by the strength of the water, and others burnt down.  With the advanced notice of this storm, people were able to evacuate high risk areas, which meant the fatality rate for Sandy was not as bad as some hurricanes.  But it still left many people either without homes, or with extensive damage.

Be thankful for what you have, and do not expect to have a tomorrow with anything.

Happy Halloween!!!

Tonight is the night when the kids hit you up for candy, you get to dress up as anything you want without having to answer to your family, and you can have a lot of fun scaring your friends (or yourself).

No matter if you are 7, or 107, just remember to be smart and safe about the way you choose to celebrate tonight, and that your parents check all of the candy you bring home before you eat any.

Happy Halloween!!!

Halloween Coloring Pages?

To get into the spirit of Halloween, I thought I would look for some coloring pages online.  Just one problem I had with some of the results.  How exactly are you supposed to color them?  A skeleton, and a moon with clouds...I'm all about being creative, but even so.  Pretty sure the main color for both of these is white.  "Look Ma!  All done!  And I stayed inside of the lines!"

I sometimes appreciate some assistance, but I'm going to keep looking for more of a challenge.

Mrs. Headless Horseman

Halloween is coming, so put on a happy face!

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

     I am in the Halloween spirit, and just read “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving.  It is a short story that has spawned one of the most beloved ghost stories: the tale of the Headless Horseman. 

     This tells the story of Ichabod Crane, a scrawny school teacher from Connecticut who moves to the small Dutch community of Sleepy Hollow, New York.  The town is believed to be under a sort of enchantment, and all of the residents like to share tales of ghostly encounters; the most popular of which is that of the Headless Horseman, who rides his steed in the middle of the night.  Ichabod is quite superstitious, and thoroughly enjoys these stories.

     Ichabod falls in love with a young woman by the name of Katrina Van Tassel, who just so happens to be the daughter of the richest man in the area.  He sees himself winning over Katrina’s heart, and becoming the heir to her father’s fortune.

     As Katrina is rich and beautiful, Ichabod is not the only one with his eye on her, and has to compete with one of the most revered and feared men in New York, who goes by the name of Brom Bones.

     One night the Van Tassels through a party at their manor for the townspeople, at which Ichabod has a marvelous time dancing, filling his face, and sharing ghost stories.  That is of course, until he is rejected by Katrina, and has to make the long journey back home at witching hour.  His imagination runs ramped as he passes by “haunted” areas, with each gust of wind a sign of his imminent death.  Then he comes face to face with a horseman in the shadows, and runs for it.  Well, it would have been face to face, had the horseman had a head.  As fast as Ichabod’s horse goes, he is unable to shake the Headless Horseman from riding his tail.  The Horseman throws what appears to be a head at Ichabod, which knocks him off of his horse.  Ichabod is never heard from again.

     I like this story because you just do not know how the story ends.  Ichabod could have been carried away to the underworld, he could have fled the state, or it could all have been a prank.  You just do not know for sure.  It is a great read around Halloween and good to see the original inspiration for many favorite movies.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

A teenager named Charlie (played by Logan Lerman), narrates various events throughout his life to an anonymous pen pal, only referred to as “Friend.”  We quickly learn that Charlie has led a quite difficult life, but the details are not fully there as to why it was so hard, or how he has been coping.

When Charlie beings high school, he is determined to turn his life around, make some friends, and enjoy life.  That is not as easy as he originally thinks, as the lunchroom soon makes obvious to him.  Even people he was once friendly with, will no longer speak to him, much let allow him to sit at their table or invite him to a movie night.

Charlie meets a senior, Patrick (played by Ezra Miller), who is a bit of a class clown, but has deeper issues than meet the surface.  He also has an amazing step sister, Sam (played by Emma Watson).  The two take Charlie under their wing, and show him what a great time life can be, even with the bumps in the road everyone has to deal with.

While Charlie begins to fit in, we see more and more flash backs of his troubling childhood, which revolve around his aunt, and get the message that this woman he idolized is a big factor in his issues.

This movie is interesting.  It is based on the book by the same name, and deals with issues a lot of children have while they are growing up.  It shows that adolescence is not easy, but reminds us that there are amazing people out there who can help us through it.  They are the friends we will never forget, no matter where life takes us after high school.

I would give this movie a 6.5.  It was good, but slow moving, and left a lot of questions open-ended.  It is definitely a drama, and not to be seen purely for entertainment.  The film is rated PG-13, and runs 103 minutes.

Happy Mole Day!

     Chances are, you had no idea today was such an auspicious occasion as Mole Day!  The rest of you are probably thinking, what the heck is Mole Day, and why is there a holiday in honor of a fuzzy rat?

     A mole can be many things.  It can be: 1) an unwanted growth on your body.  2) a spy who gets into the ranks of the government as a double agent. 3) a small mammal with velvety fur that lives mainly underground. 4) a large and powerful machine used to bore through rock to forge tunnels. Or 5) Avogadro's Number (6.02 x 10²³) [used in Chemistry]

     Mole Day is based on definition number 5.  A mole in grams of a particular element, is equal to the atomic mass of the molecule.  For example, oxygen’s atomic mass is 32, so one mole of oxygen gas weighs 32 grams.  This relationship was discovered by Amadeo Avogadro, who the number is named after.  In general, a mole of any substance (even cheeseburgers), contains 6.02 x 10²³ items.  Fun Fact: One mole of blood cells would be more than all of the blood of all of the humans on Earth.

     In honor of the number, the day is celebrated from 6:02 am, to 6:02 pm on October 23^rd (6:02, 10/23).  Not much unlike Pi Day, which is held every March (on 3/14).

     If you are not into chemistry, you will most likely never think about this number again.  However, it is quite important in the field of science, so this day was established to foster interest in chemistry around the world mainly through activities done inside of the classroom. 

     And the sky is the limit with how you can get creative with this day.  Some classes have mole-themed parties, play mole games (like Mole-opoly), or make mole day posters.  Each year the National Mole Day Foundation (US) releases a theme for that particular holiday.  The theme for 2012 is “Molar Eclipse.”  Past themes include “Moles of the Caribbean,” “Double Mole Seven,” and “Remember the Alamole.”  Check out http://moleday.org/ for more information on the holiday and project ideas.

Six Word Memoir

Quick exercise that was shared with me.  Write your memoir in six (6) words.  Here's my first stab at it:

Riddled with challenges, conquered by determination.

And who is to say you can only have one?  It can change as you do.  Feel free to revise or rewrite as necessary!  

Through the Looking-Glass

     “Through the Looking-Glass” is the sequel to “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” written by Lewis Carroll.  Alice has another fantastical dreamlike adventure.  As Alice is lounging about her living room, she wonders what it would be like to live inside of a mirror, where everything would be the reverse of life on the outside.  As the title says, she quite literally, and rather quickly, travels through a mirror (or looking-glass) into another dimension.

     She leaves the looking-glass house and finds herself in a beautiful garden.  No matter which path she takes to get away, she ends up straight back at the house.  Along the way she meets the Red Queen (not to be confused with the Red Queen from her previous adventure down the rabbit hole).  Not far from where they are standing is a grand game of chess, which Alice proclaims she would like to join.  The Queen instructs Alice on how she can become a queen at the end of the game, and will start off as a pawn.

     Throughout Alice’s course to the finish of the game, she inexplicably finds herself in situations that would be considered absurd and impossible if she were back in the real world, but since she is through the looking-glass, it is just accepted. 

     People disappear or transform before her eyes, and everyone is keen on reciting poetry no matter how much Alice objects.  She encounters two twins, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the White Queen, and Humpty Dumpty before she makes it to the end of the game, where a crown materializes on the top of her head.

     The Red and White Queen scrutinize Queen Alice, and soon fall asleep and disappear without an explanation.  Alice then awakes back in her world, wondering if she was in her own dream or someone else’s.

     This story is every bit as confusing as “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”  You have to have the mind set to suspend your disbelief and take everything as it comes.  If you over analyze or question everything, this may be very difficult to get through, although it was aimed for children.  Both stories are definitely beneficial to read in order to understand and appreciate all of the cinematic adaptations.

     The book reads like a dream, and leads one to wonder whether Alice has an incredible imagination, or if she should seek psychiatric assistance.

What is Luck?

“Luck”

What is “luck”?

Good things happening to those who deserve it?

Being prepared to pounce when opportunity knocks?

What is “luck”?

How would you define someone who is “lucky”?

How could you identify them?

Are they simply enjoying what they’re given?

Or are they given more than others

Which in turn makes them happy?

Can you be lucky and unhappy?

Are “luck” and “happiness” synonymous?

Can you have one without the other?

Are you destined to have either both or neither?

What is luck?

Do you have any?

Who do you know that does?

What do they have that is different than you?

“Luck.”

Happy 10/11/12

I love it when the date is special.

Today is 10/11/12 (if you write the month before the day).

Have fun today, as you'll never see another one like it!

Reticent

Reticent - adj - reserved; not inclined to speak freely; restrained

The reticent worker did not say anything when his coworker took the credit for his production plan.

Wanted Ad

Single sock seeks sole mate.  Seeking that special someone who enjoys long walks in the park, warming up by the fire, and stretching out on the couch after a long day on your feet.  Pass times include playing footsy and football.  Cotton blend a must, matching color a plus.

Movies I Can't Wait to See: Lone Ranger

Official Disney Trailer of Lone Ranger (2013) released on October 2, 2012

Staring Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer

October has Arrived

It’s October.  Time for breast cancer awareness, Halloween, and everything pumpkin-flavored. 

That’s right!  Autumn has arrived.  The air is getting crisp, the leaves are changing colors, and it’s time for the fairs (at least where I live).

I personally LOVE the fall.  Not only is Halloween coming (which is a great excuse to eat a lot of candy and dress up as something your aren't , but it is a wonderful season which reminds me that Christmas is only a quarter of a year away!

Happy October!

Jubilee

The Word of the Moment is:

Jubilee - noun - a specially celebrated anniversary, especially the 50th; an occasion of rejoicing

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee was a momentous occasion the whole nation celebrated.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

     I am on a kick right now where I am reading all of the children’s classics I never got through when I was technically a child.  I do believe you can keep the mindset of a child for as long as you live.  Life is so much more enjoyable that way.

     The previous two books I read were quick reads.  I just finished “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” by Lewis Carroll, and I would not exactly say it was easy.  Most everyone knows the story of Alice who follows a white rabbit wearing a waistcoat down his hole (the rabbit is wearing the waistcoat; not Alice).  But I think you can never fully appreciate a story until you read it in its original form.  (Eventually I will read “A Christmas Carol.”)

     This is the first of two stories (the sequel, “Through the Looking-Glass” I will write on when I finish it).  Alice, a young girl, begins by sitting near her sister on the bank, without much to do.  Then a white rabbit in a waistcoat runs by looking at his pocket watch, and proclaiming that he is late.  With nothing else to do, Alice follows him down his hole, with not a thought on how to get back out.

     From then on, the story reads very much like a dream.  Alice comes across curious creatures and predicaments, and does not even question when bottles of drink make her shrink or cakes make her grow.  She then meets a philosophic caterpillar who smokes, a hatter perpetually stuck in teatime, and a Cheshire cat that not only smiles, but can disappear.  Alice has trouble conversing with anyone because what shouldn’t make sense apparently does, and what should make sense no longer does.  Everyone seems to be on the same page aside from Alice, who has difficulties making heads or tails of why a pack of cards are the queen’s guards, or why the queen wants everyone beheaded.

     It is an interesting read, but not quite logical.  It is one that you should read more than once and do research into in order to get the most meaning from it.

10 Things Irritating Me Today

When you find something EXTREMELY funny, but no one else does.  So much so that you are laughing uncontrollably and not one understands why.  All the worse when it was something that you said.

When someone is talking on the phone in an enclosed public area, and just WON’T get off!  They just keep going and going like the Energizer Bunny.  You can’t help but hear what they are saying, and it’s usually just plain uncomfortable.

When you have chosen a seat on a mode of public transportation, only to discover that the person next to or behind you is clearly contagiously ill.  You don’t want to be rude and move, but you are not ready to die just yet (as you never know what they have without performing a full medical exam, and chances are you are complete strangers as well as in public, so that might not be the best option).  What do you do now?

When there is a screaming child on the plane with you.  Shrill noises are all the worse at 30,000 feet in a pressurized cabin in the middle of the night.

When you want to do something but don’t have the time, and then when you have the time, you don’t want to do it anymore.

Waiting in line.  Amusement parks it’s bad because you are in line longer than on the ride.  This gives you time to be anxious for the excitement of the ride, or to regret your decision for allowing your friends to peer pressure you into a contraption that has killed three guests in the past month.  And in the grocery store, it is just annoying that your over-priced ice cream will be soup by the time you get through.

That there are so many television stations, and rarely anything on.  You hear more positive things about the shows from the time when there were three channels, than you do about the ones on nowadays.  Either the shows truly were “all that,” or anyone who is old enough to remember them is just embellishing vague memories.

Gas prices.  There is no reason why the cost to fill up your tank is the same as just buying a new car every time you hit empty.

How some actors on TV or in movies are plain awful, and yet still are getting jobs.  If a monotone pale twig can play a vampire’s girlfriend, why the heck aren’t I in films already?

When the commercial break is so long that you forget what show you are watching.

Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day!!!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

     I just finished reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (no comments on my age).  I had never read it before, but often find myself in an argument on which movie did the book justice.  I figured it was time I support myself with having read the book.

     If you do not know the story, it is about a young boy named Charlie Bucket, whose family is slowly starving to death.  They live right down the street from the most amazing chocolate factory in the world, owned and operated by Willy Wonka. 

     Wonka’s factory has never been seen by anyone, but produces the most amazing candies ever imagined.  One day, he announces he has hidden five golden tickets underneath the wrapping paper of five ordinary chocolate bars.  The lucky finders of these tickets will receive a special tour of his factory, and all the candy they could ever eat.

     Charlie receives only one bar a year, but manages to find a ticket since the story is centered on him.  When he goes to the factory, the other four children are rotten to the core, and slowly meet their end inside the factory.  When Charlie is the only one left, he receives the biggest surprise he could ever imagine.

     I really enjoyed this book.  I like to read books for children and young adults from time to time, as they are enjoyable and a quick read (as maybe you can tell since I've finished two in a short amount of time).  This book had similarities to both movies, but I can say with full confidence that Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) is the truest to the story.

     It is a wonderful read, with interesting lessons to be discovered.  If you have not read anything by Dahl yet, I would recommend this as a starting place.  Happy reading!

The London Eye Mystery

      I just finished reading “The London Eye Mystery” by Siobhan Dowd.  It is a young adult novel, which is sometimes quite relaxing to read.  I feel more accomplished when I am able to read 50 pages in the same amount of time as I usually cover 15.

     The story is told through Ted, a young boy with Asperger’s Syndrome.  His Aunt Gloria and cousin Salim come down from Manchester to visit Ted’s family in London, before they move to New York City.  On their stay, Salim wants to ride the London Eye, but when they get there the queue is much too long.  A stranger offers Salim his ticket, as he has changed his mind about going on the large Ferris wheel.  Salim gladly takes it, and Ted and his sister Kat watch as Salim boards the pod.  Ted and Kat track the pod Salim is in as it slowly makes its way back down.  Thirty minutes pass by, and when the pod Salim entered opens, he is nowhere to be found.  Ted and Kat have to figure out what happened to their cousin, as the police and their family are little help.  How can someone disappear out of a sealed pod?

     I chose the book because I very much miss London.  I then genuinely liked reading it.  It is always interesting to see the world through someone else’s point of view, especially when that person’s mind works drastically differently from yours.  As Ted struggles to read people’s body language, he picks up on clues that even the trained detectives are missing.  It is something to read.

     I particularly enjoyed how much of the British culture was incorporated into this book.  The author goes into detail of the tube system (London’s underground), as well as use words such as “quid” and describe locations within the City of London.  It brought me back, and I hope it will take you somewhere enjoyable.

September 11th

Eleven years ago today, America endured one of the worst acts of terrorism that could ever be imagined.

I would just like to take a moment to remember all who were affected by these events, and all still living with repercussions of that dreadful day in 2001.

May nothing like this happen ever again, anywhere.

Screenless Results

     Way back I talked about going a whole day without looking at any electronic screens.  No cell phones, TV, computer, digital clocks, etc.  Have you tried it yet?  You really should.  Just 24 consecutive hours.  No big deal.

     I did try it, as I said I would.  It was not torture, but it was difficult.  I actually did it for 48 hours.  You do not realize how many screens are in our lives, until you can no longer look at them (not necessarily something you would have to worry about, but this gets you to appreciate the technology and time away from said technology in our every day lives).

     The most difficult thing I had trouble with, is not using the clocks I am used to.  I had no alarm clock, so was woken by the sun.  How it used to be in the old days.  You get up with the sun, and go to bed when you're tired and can no longer work in the dark.  Why do we try to stay awake as many hours as possible during the day?

     You need between 8 and 10 hours of sleep a day for your body to function properly and remain as healthy as possible.  So why then are we working 10-14 hours a day, getting up so early, and going to bed so late?  There is so much to appreciate in life, and being mesmerized by an electronic device or pushed beyond our physical limitations takes away from everything.

     Ironic that you just may need to power down to be powered up.

Comic Corner - Pickles

Unexpected Trip

     In London I met a lot of great people I am not sure if or when I will ever see again, let alone the circumstances that may or may not have our paths ever cross again.  It is bittersweet; I had the opportunity of sharing in their company and learning from them while I could, and now have the internet to stay in touch with them.  It’s not the same as going to the pub or to the cinema with them, but it will have to do for now.

     One friend I made over there decided she was going to go to Los Angeles the month after returning, and invited me to come along.

     This was a wonderful experience.  I was able to spend more time with her, and made it to California, which was yet another thing on my Bucket List.

     For a week I stayed on Hollywood Boulevard, where I was able to walk the street and see the stars in the sidewalk of hundreds of icons, past and present.  The famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre was down the road from me, as was the home of the Academy Awards (the once Kodak Theatre, now the Dolby Theatre).  I had the chance to put my hands and feet in the cement where the likes of John Wayne, Judy Garland, and George Clooney.

     During my stay we also went to Universal Studios, put our feet in the Pacific Ocean, went on the Warner Brothers' Studio Tour (where I got to walk on the set of the Ellen DeGeneres Show!), and spent a day in Disneyland. 

Universal Studios

At Universal Studios, there was a section that was dressed like Westminster.  I felt as if I had stepped into old London, and it was wonderful!

Disneyland. Magical.

The Warner Brothers's famous water tower.

Palm trees were everywhere!

The Pacific Ocean at sunset. Beautiful!

Yes, I took a picture of my food. I really liked that there were so many burger places on the West Coast. Many were simple and easy to come by.  Some were inexpensive, which made me very happy.

     I just want to point out: eight weeks in London and I met quite a few celebrities.  One week in Hollywood, and nothing.

     I had such a good time. Hollywood did not have the same safe and homey feeling that London gave me, but it was a nice place to visit (and maybe work one day!).

Who are you Really?

     I am not going to lie.  This is a long read, but I think it is worth the time to explore a bit into who you are (I would not have written it otherwise).  This is taken from an exercise we did in one of my classes a few years ago, and I really learned a lot about myself from it.  It is interesting to do on your own, or with family or friends.

     Answer this question for me: Who are you? 

     Now I want you to think about a few things for a moment.  How did you answer that question?  Chances are you said something along the lines of “I’m Johnny Depp.”  Of course you would have filled that in with your own name.  However, if you ARE Johnny Depp, please message me IMMEDIATELY so we can have a more intimate conversation.  If not, just keep reading.

     How do you define yourself?  Is it by your name?  Ethnicity?  Religion?  Occupation?  Family?  Friends?  Health?  Accomplishments?  Aspirations?  Hobbies? Who you know?

     A completely fictitious example you’ll never know if it was based on real people or not, would be as follows:

     I’m Katrina Smith, a British thirty-five year old pediatric doctor living in Australia.  I’m from a wealthy family, I know the Duke of York, and I have chronic asthma.  I have three articles published in prominent doctorial magazines around the world, and I love to travel.  I hope one day to cure childhood diabetes.

     But who IS she?  Are we defined by these words?  These labels?  Or is there something deeper than that?  What makes us us?  We are all individuals, but there could be dozens of Katrina Smiths on the planet.  Some of them may be pediatric doctors, others could have English blood, and I’m sure a few of them have come from wealthy families or are living with asthma.  

     What makes us us?  More than that, how do we define it?

     When you get a moment, gather 5-10 small pieces of paper.  On each one, write one thing to describe yourself.  It could be your age, name, characteristics, or roles you play.  Examples are “sister,” “father,” “survivor,” “actor,” etc.  Once you have done that, read them over.

     Now I want you to get rid of one.  The thing you least identify yourself as, or the thing you are most willing to abandon.

     Now another.  You should be weaning out some of the extraneous definitions, but this could still be difficult.

     However many you had to begin with, get down to two.  What are they?  What do you think that says about you?

     Now choose the label that you would never give up (or the one you’re more willing to give up).  What are you left with?  Who are you?

     This obviously does not describe the entirety of who you are.  You may have had trouble limiting who you are down to ten things.  But this gives you insight into something that may be the most near and dear to your being.  

     Some people may have thrown their name out immediately, as they have no fondness for their given one.  Others may have kept it as their number one choice.  Some may have not even thought to write down their religious affiliation if they have one, because it is just not an important aspect of their lives.  Others may have kept that until the end, because they would be more willing to give up their possessions and even their life, than they would be to abandon their beliefs.

     What you chose to write down and which you easily discarded or struggled to hold on to, say a great deal about who we are.  Even if some of these characteristics change over time.  We are, after all, ever growing and changing ourselves.

School Year Begins Again

     Where I am, it is time for another year of school.  The “year” runs September through June when you are on that sort of calendar.  The summer break has once again come and gone away.  What are your plans for this school year?  It is okay if you are no longer in class, but you can still set goals for yourself to learn something new or work on a skill.

     What do you want to accomplish?

     My goals are usually quite similar from year to year.  I want to try my best, stay on top of my work, and improve.  I also want to be a bit healthier in my lifestyle, and to continue to go after my dreams.

     This summer has been fantastic!  I have achieved so much that I thought was (not impossible), but was further out than it was.  I went to my first movie premiere(s), lived on my own in another country for a few months, was an extra in a film, jumped off of a cliff, and was on TV.  It has been wonderful, and what I hope is only the beginning of a beautifully triumphant life.  I never would have gotten where I am today without my dreams and determination.  If you don’t have either, I hope you find some.  They are the easiest road to becoming successful.  Good luck to you, and have a fabulous school year.

Magnanimity

Magnanimity - noun - a noble generosity; the virtue of being great in heart and mind

Donating your pay check to save the bees was a selfless thing to do; your magnanimity is humbling.

Johnny Depp Grants a Make-A-Wish

Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins and Katie Vandrilla (Make-A-Wish recipient). Photo by Peter Mountain

By Katherine Vandrilla

"The Make-A-Wish Foundation gives children facing live-threatening illnesses the one thing they want most. Never did I expect to be on the receiving end of this immense generosity.

As a teenager I was diagnosed with leukemia, a blood cancer, and was told that I qualified for a wish. I knew instantaneously what I’d choose: to meet Johnny Depp. If you know one thing about me, it’s that Johnny Depp is a huge part of my life. I discovered him at the age of 12, and have never looked back. 

In the beginning, he was my favorite actor and the reason for my dream of acting. When I got sick, he became so much more than that. He gave me something to look forward to. I had to meet the man who had brought so much joy to my life.

Mid-September of 2011, after four years, my family told me that Make-A-Wish had called and we were being sent to London to meet the man of my dreams. Within a few hours my parents, brother and I were half across the world.

The whole experience was surreal. A limo picked us up at our hotel and we were taken to Pinewood Studios where Johnny was filming Dark Shadows, a movie based on the TV show of the same name. In the film he plays Barnabas Collins, a man who was cursed by a witch to spend eternity as a vampire. He was then buried for 200 years until he is accidentally unearthed in the year 1972.

At the studio we were shown props from the movie by the man who created them—and someone whose work I’ve admired—David Balfour. We also had the opportunity to watch them filming next door via a monitor. Then came the big moment. The moment I had been waiting for eight years. It was time to meet Johnny. But it wasn’t only him; Tim Burton, the director of the film and my favorite one at that, was also with him.

No words could ever describe how meeting them felt. To be in the same room as the man of my dreams was unbelievable. It was magical and utterly perfect—much more than I had ever dreamed it would be. There were a couple other Make-A-Wish children, and we were able to speak with Johnny and Tim for a while. We also had some one-on-one time with each of them.

I have never been as happy as I was on that day. I spoke with Johnny about acting, and told him how much he has meant to me. It is an experience I will never forget, and has given me precious memories for a lifetime.

After the day of my wish, my family had a few days to explore the City of London, with just enough time for me to fall helplessly in love with it. The foundation also sent us to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, as well as took care of all of our expenses.

After our walk among the stars, it was time to return to real life. I can never say enough good things about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Johnny Depp, Tim Burton, or Dark Shadows. It was the happiest week of my life, and I am so glad my family was able to share it with me.

Dark Shadows comes to DVD on Oct. 2. For more information on the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit http://www.wish.org/."

This is a clip of an interview I found about the Wish: (not the best quality, but oh well!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNZ15_2kZeM
It was originally found here (but I think the link is not active anymore; sorry!)
http://www.ctnow.com/videogallery/71915507/News/One-Girl's-Wish-To-Meet-Johnny-Depp-Comes-True 

The original story was taken from here: (the link is no longer active; sorry!)
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/berlincitizen/article_efaf12e0-ead1-11e1-aae5-0019bb2963f4.html#.UDKRo7USxRs.blogger

And an update about Katie can be found on the Make-A-Wish website:
http://wish.org/wishes/wish-nation-blog/2015/august/from-wish-kid-to-wish-granter#sm.0000rrtn451ahbefwwsmyembbvp1w