The other day I forgot my book at home when I was going to work with some time to kill.
[CHORUS: How could you forget your book??]
I know, I know.
So I was looking in the book section of said job, and this book caught my eye: "Divergent," by Veronica Roth. I flipped through it a little, and it looked interesting. I bought it.
My goodness, it is really good. At first glance, it may seem like a Hunger Games rip-off, but I assure you, it's not. It's like HG with a edge. A very psychological edge. And darker. It is dystopian, so the two have that in common. Very futuristic with a moral caste system.
It would make a really good movie. I'm only half-way through it.
I'm not that much into fanfiction. I've looked on some sites for Twilight fanfiction, and I did find one story in particular that I liked, but now I can't find it. I guess I'll keep looking. There was this book that someone, named Jean Rush, wrote called "First Light," about Renesmee, Bella and Edward's daughter. I thought it was okay. I didn't really like it when Nessie went with the Volturi, and I know a bunch of people didn't like the ending. But, really, if you think about the Twilight series as a whole, it kind of makes sense.
Rush wrote a sequel to "First Light," called "First Light: Rising Sun." It's told from Leah's perspective. Leah isn't one of my favorite characters, but I thought I'd give it a try. I actually liked it a lot more than I thought I would. About halfway through it switches to Nessie's perspective. And more of the central characters get to be involved in this one. There was this one major plot twist that I left me wondering, "How on earth is this going to get worked out?" But it does.
Speaking of Twilight, we got the first teaser last month for Breaking Dawn 2!! Yay! It was really good, and it left me wanting more.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
"Everything was so clear."
I had to start this post with a quote from Bella Cullen as she awakens to her new vampire life. It's quite fitting, I think. It's the ultimate HD vision.
I have quite resigned myself to the fact that I will never have "vampire vision." And, frankly, I am quite okay with that.
I was a preemie, and I won't go over all of the details, but suffice it to say that life could have handed me a worse deal. The major issue that I've had to deal with is my vision. I've had glasses since I was about one and a-half years old. I had a cataract in one eye when I was a teenager (and it's common for us to have them at that time).
So anyway.... I was overdue for glasses this time around. There was a package deal where you could get contacts, glasses, and an exam for so much, so I decided to go with that. I have a mixed history with contacts. Back when I was about 8 or 9, it was decided that I would try contacts because the doctor said it would be good for my peripheral vision. I don't remember sticking with them for very long, because I hated having them put in. Mom would put them in for me and it was a big struggle.
Fast-forward to the present: So I went to the doctor's, and everything was good. She started questioning me after looking at pictures of my retinas. *Let the auto-pilot begin* After mentioning "retinopathy of prematurity", everything clicked into place. She even called in her third-year medical student to come see me. Show and tell, I felt like.
A short time later it was time to try out the contacts. I must commend the third-year, and the technician. They had the patience of Job. Dilated eyes + contact lens tutorial = disaster. I'm usually tired as all-get out after my eyes are dilated. It took me like, forty-five minutes to get the contacts in and out. I was sent home with the contacts.
I skipped the next day, then cautiously tried them out the next. My, but they were pretty nice. I've had them for about a week now, and sometimes I still fight to get them in, but it's better. Sunglasses are a nice friend. I picked up my glasses Sunday, and they're working out, too.
I was a preemie, and I won't go over all of the details, but suffice it to say that life could have handed me a worse deal. The major issue that I've had to deal with is my vision. I've had glasses since I was about one and a-half years old. I had a cataract in one eye when I was a teenager (and it's common for us to have them at that time).
So anyway.... I was overdue for glasses this time around. There was a package deal where you could get contacts, glasses, and an exam for so much, so I decided to go with that. I have a mixed history with contacts. Back when I was about 8 or 9, it was decided that I would try contacts because the doctor said it would be good for my peripheral vision. I don't remember sticking with them for very long, because I hated having them put in. Mom would put them in for me and it was a big struggle.
Fast-forward to the present: So I went to the doctor's, and everything was good. She started questioning me after looking at pictures of my retinas. *Let the auto-pilot begin* After mentioning "retinopathy of prematurity", everything clicked into place. She even called in her third-year medical student to come see me. Show and tell, I felt like.
A short time later it was time to try out the contacts. I must commend the third-year, and the technician. They had the patience of Job. Dilated eyes + contact lens tutorial = disaster. I'm usually tired as all-get out after my eyes are dilated. It took me like, forty-five minutes to get the contacts in and out. I was sent home with the contacts.
I skipped the next day, then cautiously tried them out the next. My, but they were pretty nice. I've had them for about a week now, and sometimes I still fight to get them in, but it's better. Sunglasses are a nice friend. I picked up my glasses Sunday, and they're working out, too.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Snow White and the Huntsman
Today I went to go see "Snow White and the Huntsman." It's really a different film, and certainly a different Snow White and fairy tale.
The special effects were good, and so was the cinematography. The weather is cloudy with barely a sunny day, adding to the dark mood of the film. The sequence in the Dark Forest kind of reminded me of when the warrior goes to see this giant creature in "The Neverending Story." There are cool special effects. It appears that the guys who did Lord of the Rings also worked on this film, based on two characters. And did we have a Narnian fan when it came to the stag in the forest??
Now... to the acting. Charlize Theron will certainly take home the MTV Movie award next year for Best Villain, hands down, and if for some reason she doesn't, then she's robbed. It's in this way that the title is somewhat misleading, it seems to me.
On to Kristen.... Snow White here seems more like a supporting character. Her acting seems a bit understated, and she didn't get as much development as the Queen did. I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe it's because we don't know quite everything she's thinking, as we do with the Queen.
Liam Hemsworth did a good job as the Huntsman.
It's an okay movie.
The special effects were good, and so was the cinematography. The weather is cloudy with barely a sunny day, adding to the dark mood of the film. The sequence in the Dark Forest kind of reminded me of when the warrior goes to see this giant creature in "The Neverending Story." There are cool special effects. It appears that the guys who did Lord of the Rings also worked on this film, based on two characters. And did we have a Narnian fan when it came to the stag in the forest??
Now... to the acting. Charlize Theron will certainly take home the MTV Movie award next year for Best Villain, hands down, and if for some reason she doesn't, then she's robbed. It's in this way that the title is somewhat misleading, it seems to me.
On to Kristen.... Snow White here seems more like a supporting character. Her acting seems a bit understated, and she didn't get as much development as the Queen did. I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe it's because we don't know quite everything she's thinking, as we do with the Queen.
Liam Hemsworth did a good job as the Huntsman.
It's an okay movie.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
You Sank My Battleship!
Today I went to go see "Battleship." I know critics have been panning it, but I wanted to give it a try.
Michael Bay got served. He does not have a monopoly on blowing stuff up any more. That honor now goes to Peter Berg, formerly an "M.D." from the Chicago-area hospital "Chicago Hope." (Come on... tell me you remember....)
And it's Pop-O-Matic Trouble when the "beings" go after our tracking and defense systems, keeping the ships, etc., at bay with... something. These beings aren't all bad, they just want to control the satellites, blow up some ships, and phone home. They're half-Terminator, half-walrus. They sort of go out of their way to not kill humans, for some strange reason.
Maybe they're waiting for the "Independence Day" sequel?
And oh, yes, Eric the Vampire/now commander of a ship (AKA "Alexander Skarsgard") gets killed.
Spoiler Alert.
Was not expecting that.
And yes, there is a little game of "Battleship" played. It was pretty neat how they snuck it in there.
This movie wasn't really that bad. The subplot of the Japanese fleets and veterans helping out was cool. The special effects were awesome. The script could have been better in some spots. For everyone dissing Rihanna's acting, she really didn't get that much of a chance to act.
Something was wrong with the theater's sound system. The music was way too loud out of the left side, so I complained. "They" turned the music down, but then you couldn't really hear the actors. So someone else complained. Then the music was just too loud again. On a good note, "we" talked to the manager and got free passes. He was really nice about it.
Michael Bay got served. He does not have a monopoly on blowing stuff up any more. That honor now goes to Peter Berg, formerly an "M.D." from the Chicago-area hospital "Chicago Hope." (Come on... tell me you remember....)
And it's Pop-O-Matic Trouble when the "beings" go after our tracking and defense systems, keeping the ships, etc., at bay with... something. These beings aren't all bad, they just want to control the satellites, blow up some ships, and phone home. They're half-Terminator, half-walrus. They sort of go out of their way to not kill humans, for some strange reason.
Maybe they're waiting for the "Independence Day" sequel?
And oh, yes, Eric the Vampire/now commander of a ship (AKA "Alexander Skarsgard") gets killed.
Spoiler Alert.
Was not expecting that.
And yes, there is a little game of "Battleship" played. It was pretty neat how they snuck it in there.
This movie wasn't really that bad. The subplot of the Japanese fleets and veterans helping out was cool. The special effects were awesome. The script could have been better in some spots. For everyone dissing Rihanna's acting, she really didn't get that much of a chance to act.
Something was wrong with the theater's sound system. The music was way too loud out of the left side, so I complained. "They" turned the music down, but then you couldn't really hear the actors. So someone else complained. Then the music was just too loud again. On a good note, "we" talked to the manager and got free passes. He was really nice about it.
Monday, May 21, 2012
The Oscar Goes To...
Well, not hardly.
The MTV Movie Awards are in a couple of weeks. And the only reason I'm writing about them is because a few movies that I like are up for some awards. So here are the categories / movies I care about:
Best Movie:
The Help
The Hunger Games
Breaking Dawn
This is such a tough category. I love these three movies. The Help and HG just slightly edge out BD. It's like a potato chip; I can't pick just one, since I love both of those. But I guess I'm going to have to.
My Pick: Uggggghhhh. OK. The Help.
Best Kiss:
Between The Hunger Games and Breaking Dawn
Breaking Dawn, during the wedding. For reasons of nostalgia. The "prom song" from Twilight is played. It's a really nice sequence. HG didn't really seal the deal for me because I didn't think it really counted. Yet.
Female Performance:
Jennifer Lawrence. She played a great Katniss.
Male Performance:
Josh Hutcherson. He was good as Peeta.
On-Screen Transformation:
I consider the term "transformation" as something that changes during a movie, like Cinderella, etc. But Elizabeth Banks was good as Effie in HG. I haven't seen "My Week with Marilyn," but it seems like Michelle played it well. They both certainly looked their parts.
Gut-Wrenching Scene:
I was going to say Hilly's pie scene in The Help, but I saw the new Mission: Impossible film, and the Dubai hotel sequence kicks it out of the park.
Fight:
HG was nominated, but the garage fight in Mission: Impossible was pretty cool.
Cast:
Between "The Help" and "The Hunger Games," it's another hard choice. I'm going with "The Help." Again, I loved both movies, but it seems that HG had a lot of wonderful individual performances, while you see characters really interact in "The Help." If that makes any sense at all.
Dirt Bag: There really was no contest for me. Bryce Howard as Hilly.
PS: The thing I spoke of last post is still coming. It is. Really.
The MTV Movie Awards are in a couple of weeks. And the only reason I'm writing about them is because a few movies that I like are up for some awards. So here are the categories / movies I care about:
Best Movie:
The Help
The Hunger Games
Breaking Dawn
This is such a tough category. I love these three movies. The Help and HG just slightly edge out BD. It's like a potato chip; I can't pick just one, since I love both of those. But I guess I'm going to have to.
My Pick: Uggggghhhh. OK. The Help.
Best Kiss:
Between The Hunger Games and Breaking Dawn
Breaking Dawn, during the wedding. For reasons of nostalgia. The "prom song" from Twilight is played. It's a really nice sequence. HG didn't really seal the deal for me because I didn't think it really counted. Yet.
Female Performance:
Jennifer Lawrence. She played a great Katniss.
Male Performance:
Josh Hutcherson. He was good as Peeta.
On-Screen Transformation:
I consider the term "transformation" as something that changes during a movie, like Cinderella, etc. But Elizabeth Banks was good as Effie in HG. I haven't seen "My Week with Marilyn," but it seems like Michelle played it well. They both certainly looked their parts.
Gut-Wrenching Scene:
I was going to say Hilly's pie scene in The Help, but I saw the new Mission: Impossible film, and the Dubai hotel sequence kicks it out of the park.
Fight:
HG was nominated, but the garage fight in Mission: Impossible was pretty cool.
Cast:
Between "The Help" and "The Hunger Games," it's another hard choice. I'm going with "The Help." Again, I loved both movies, but it seems that HG had a lot of wonderful individual performances, while you see characters really interact in "The Help." If that makes any sense at all.
Dirt Bag: There really was no contest for me. Bryce Howard as Hilly.
PS: The thing I spoke of last post is still coming. It is. Really.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Coming Soon...
Okiedokie.... something is coming... something bigger than any of us alone...
[Okay, I'm done with the "Twilight/Eclipse" reference.]
Seriously though, I'm pretty excited about it, but it's not going to manifest for a week or so.
But I'm feeling crafty... ;-)
[Okay, I'm done with the "Twilight/Eclipse" reference.]
Seriously though, I'm pretty excited about it, but it's not going to manifest for a week or so.
But I'm feeling crafty... ;-)
Monday, May 14, 2012
Food Findings, etc.
My mom made chicken salad with grapes and pecans; it was really good.
How to dress up frosting: take buttercream-flavored frosting, add a little vanilla extract, and a spoonful of sour cream. It's also very good.
I really want to make a unique cake, like a cake with characters. Something cool.
I did a handmade Mother's Day card, and that went over very well. I hadn't made a card since I was eight or something.
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