This previous weekend was pretty busy. Comic-Con was wrapping up, and so we got the new trailer for "Catching Fire." It was really neat; there was a lot of great tidbits in it.... Katniss and Peeta... The new tributes, more of the Capitol, and even a bit of the Games. You could tell the special effects are greater. It was just a great trailer, overall.
And the second arrival... A little baby named George Alexander Louis.
Sent from my iPad 2
Friday, July 26, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Sprouts
I have gone to my fair share of concerts, and attended DVD release parties for Twilight and Hunger Games.... I'm used to waiting in line. (And yes, I'm wishing I could be at Comic-Con...)
But today was the first time I'd ever waited in line for the opening of a grocery store. I'd heard interesting things about Sprouts, and this morning I was able to go to the grand opening.
I got up very early....
5:11am
"I got here about 10 minutes ago and there's about 15- or so people in line. Most of them brought their camping chairs. Weather isn't too bad. I got about 4 hours of sleep."
5:45am
"There's about 15 more people behind me now. I've been sitting on the ground. Leaning against the row of grocery carts. Someone near me brought a blanket to sit on and is watching a DVD. We're lucky it's not raining. Listening to my "Twilight" playlist and have tried to get a little shuteye. Enjoyed part of my PB bagel 'sandwich.'"
6:05a --
"I got here about 10 minutes ago and there's about 15- or so people in line. Most of them brought their camping chairs. Weather isn't too bad. I got about 4 hours of sleep."
5:45am
"There's about 15 more people behind me now. I've been sitting on the ground. Leaning against the row of grocery carts. Someone near me brought a blanket to sit on and is watching a DVD. We're lucky it's not raining. Listening to my "Twilight" playlist and have tried to get a little shuteye. Enjoyed part of my PB bagel 'sandwich.'"
6:05a --
They are giving out muffins and coffee. Got the muffin [I don't drink coffee, really....] Employees gave out bands for the free goody bag, and there were about 20 or so more people in line. And a local high school band arrived. They started playing early. ** I wondered if they got paid, or at least got free food. **
At around 6:30, people stood up and "officially" got into line, which now stretched to Panera.
The store opened on time, and the employees welcomed everyone inside, giving high fives. I went to the bulk section. It was very neat. 12 flavors of gummi bears? Yes, please. I eventually made it to the outer aisles, where I found my favorite Annie Chun's seaweed snacks. Buy one, get one free? Of course! In all reality, I should have bought more (only bought 4, total).
It was very crowded, but still fun. And I swear I ended up in one of their pictures on Facebook. :-). I'm looking forward to going back.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Zombies Wear Prada
So I finally finished reading "Revenge Wears Prada." It was nice. You get all of your favorite characters, and Andy's in a good place: she gets married, has a baby, and a cool career. What was surprising was *who* she has that career with. The only thing I didn't really like was the "smash cuts"- one chapter, she's about ready to have a baby; in the next, the baby's already several weeks old. I suppose the pacing would have been a lot slower had the author take us through every single important event.
[SPOILER ALERT]
What I had a hard time with was "discerning" who the "Revenge" part was with. It's not from who you would think.... at first.... I think it actually comes from a few different people, and it's more along the lines of betrayal.
However, overall, it's a bittersweet yet satisfying ending. I would love to see this as a movie, but I don't think it would happen.
***
I went to see "World War Z" on the day it opened. You may remember one of my posts a few months ago about us fans of the book unsure of what the film would be like, to say the least.
Here's my verdict: it wasn't that bad. The worldwide feel that you get from the book's "interviews" is still here. Brad Pitt's character goes around the world to places that haven't quite been extensively explored in other films: South Korea, Israel, and WHO headquarters. There are some very cool action sequences involving an airplane, and Israel. The zombies are fast. Almost too fast.
How the zombies are finally conquered was quite an interesting twist that I wouldn't have foreseen. (Yeah, I do need to reread the book.)
[SPOILER ALERT]
What I had a hard time with was "discerning" who the "Revenge" part was with. It's not from who you would think.... at first.... I think it actually comes from a few different people, and it's more along the lines of betrayal.
However, overall, it's a bittersweet yet satisfying ending. I would love to see this as a movie, but I don't think it would happen.
***
I went to see "World War Z" on the day it opened. You may remember one of my posts a few months ago about us fans of the book unsure of what the film would be like, to say the least.
Here's my verdict: it wasn't that bad. The worldwide feel that you get from the book's "interviews" is still here. Brad Pitt's character goes around the world to places that haven't quite been extensively explored in other films: South Korea, Israel, and WHO headquarters. There are some very cool action sequences involving an airplane, and Israel. The zombies are fast. Almost too fast.
How the zombies are finally conquered was quite an interesting twist that I wouldn't have foreseen. (Yeah, I do need to reread the book.)
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Book Find
So... "Revenge Wears Prada" comes out today; it's the sequel to "Devil Wears Prada." I was just shopping in my area. I found that Twilight-themed scrapbook paper that I'd previously only seen online, and a store near me got it in stock.
Later on I stopped at Target (more Twilight trading cards!) where I went to the books, and they had one copy of "Revenge." Signed. Could not pass it up.
Later on I stopped at Target (more Twilight trading cards!) where I went to the books, and they had one copy of "Revenge." Signed. Could not pass it up.
So now I'm thinking I'll have to get another copy to read, and Mom bursts that bubble, going "Just read it."
Sigh.
Until paperback.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
The Hope Bracelet
Those "gray" beads are actually supposed to be bluish, but they pick up colors from what's around them. I got those from Walmart; really happy with that choice. I've nicknamed them "blue jean beads."
This is a personal piece for me. What inspired this, in part, was a quote: "Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly." (A proverb) I discovered this quote a few years ago when, well, let me just say, this was what I needed.
Friday, April 19, 2013
My History of Cooking
Apparently, when I was little, I could crack an egg with one hand.
That's what my mom tells me.
I suppose I got it from my grandmother. Nan had a long history of cooking and baking. She passed away when I was eight, and my memories associated with her are baking and being my only babysitter. Years later, people would still remember things she made, such as a lemon chiffon cake.
The recipe that I most connect her with is Divinity. Ah, the elusive Divinity. See how it prowls across the barren landscape... Ok. It doesn't prowl. But it is very elusive and temperamental. Made from mainly eggs whites, powdered sugar, and (traditionally) pecans. We did walnuts. You have to do this recipe exactly right. Under the right conditions, or else it turns out like rubber cement. It did, one out of the two times Mom and I made it.
When I was a little older, I would sometimes watch cooking shows with Mom on PBS on Saturdays. Our favorites were the ones with Julia Child, especially the series with Jaques Pepin. (Those were the best ones.)
Several years ago, Mom found a box of Nan's recipes and took it upon herself to organize and type them up. That was easier said than done. Some were newspaper clippings, but most of them were in Nan's handwriting. Furthermore, the recipes were often in shorthand and sometimes didn't have exact measurements, and Mom had to figure them out. Mom collects recipes, and I have too, for a while. Just look at my Pinterest board.
In getting me to try new foods as a toddler, Mom would hide her judgements/distaste of them. It worked. I loved sometimes-considered unconventional foods (shrimp pizza, anyone?). I absolutely love Brussels Sprouts and cauliflower. I am rather proud, and shocked, that I got her liking seaweed salad at the Japanese restaurant.
That's what my mom tells me.
I suppose I got it from my grandmother. Nan had a long history of cooking and baking. She passed away when I was eight, and my memories associated with her are baking and being my only babysitter. Years later, people would still remember things she made, such as a lemon chiffon cake.
The recipe that I most connect her with is Divinity. Ah, the elusive Divinity. See how it prowls across the barren landscape... Ok. It doesn't prowl. But it is very elusive and temperamental. Made from mainly eggs whites, powdered sugar, and (traditionally) pecans. We did walnuts. You have to do this recipe exactly right. Under the right conditions, or else it turns out like rubber cement. It did, one out of the two times Mom and I made it.
When I was a little older, I would sometimes watch cooking shows with Mom on PBS on Saturdays. Our favorites were the ones with Julia Child, especially the series with Jaques Pepin. (Those were the best ones.)
Several years ago, Mom found a box of Nan's recipes and took it upon herself to organize and type them up. That was easier said than done. Some were newspaper clippings, but most of them were in Nan's handwriting. Furthermore, the recipes were often in shorthand and sometimes didn't have exact measurements, and Mom had to figure them out. Mom collects recipes, and I have too, for a while. Just look at my Pinterest board.
In getting me to try new foods as a toddler, Mom would hide her judgements/distaste of them. It worked. I loved sometimes-considered unconventional foods (shrimp pizza, anyone?). I absolutely love Brussels Sprouts and cauliflower. I am rather proud, and shocked, that I got her liking seaweed salad at the Japanese restaurant.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
The Host
Today I took Mom with me to go see "The Host." I didn't really have any expectations for it. I wasn't all that interested in it until I saw the trailer. As you may remember, I slogged my way through the book.
But now I'd like to give it another try.
Because I liked this movie.
I had misgivings about Saorise as Melanie when I first heard about it, because she seemed a little young, but she's the right age for this role. Diane is really good as the seemingly nice Seeker, and she plays the villain well near the end.
The story wasn't too hard to follow, and the filmmakers handled Melanie and Wanderer's conversations well.
I guess the aliens really liked Ikea. And chrome cars. And white.
Aspects I really liked were the cave sets and desert scenery. The aliens, in their basic form, are actually really pretty. The special effects were decent, and the closing credits were pretty. (Well, they were.) The ending sets the stage for a sequel, which there may be; at least in novel form, for right now. Mom liked it, too.
PS: tried the Raising Caine's restaurant today. Another pleasant surprise.
But now I'd like to give it another try.
Because I liked this movie.
I had misgivings about Saorise as Melanie when I first heard about it, because she seemed a little young, but she's the right age for this role. Diane is really good as the seemingly nice Seeker, and she plays the villain well near the end.
The story wasn't too hard to follow, and the filmmakers handled Melanie and Wanderer's conversations well.
I guess the aliens really liked Ikea. And chrome cars. And white.
Aspects I really liked were the cave sets and desert scenery. The aliens, in their basic form, are actually really pretty. The special effects were decent, and the closing credits were pretty. (Well, they were.) The ending sets the stage for a sequel, which there may be; at least in novel form, for right now. Mom liked it, too.
PS: tried the Raising Caine's restaurant today. Another pleasant surprise.
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