Lawn Gnome Assassin

The Half-Blood Prince

2009-07-19T15:08:50Z

Okay. For those of you who haven't seen it- this post will probably be SPOILERIFIC.

And for those of you who absolutely loved it- please don't lynch me, okay? I'm just stating my opinions.

*deep breath* Okay. Ready? Here we go.

From a pure movie standpoint- I'm confused. Let's go through the confusion step-by-step.

1) Why was Harry riding trains and chilling in Cafes? And how? Now- it has been established that he has a sizeable bank account at Gringotts, but I'm positive that there is no exchange office to covert Galleons and Sickles into muggle money. And I'm also positive that Harry didn't get a summer job, so WHERE is all this money coming from?

And someone will probably point out at this moment, that Harry is a wizard. This is true, but as we learned from the last movie- Harry isn't allowed to do magic outside of Hogwarts. Hmm...

My roommate did point out that you can exchange at Gringotts, but really- if Harry could exchange easily from wizard money to Muggle money, then why didn't he just rent a room out each summer over The Leaky Cauldron, and be done with the Dursleys? Sounds like a plausible plan, yes?

2) Is Harry homeless? Where were the Dursleys? Where's the satisfying escape from the torture and insanity that is living with THOSE particular Muggles for the summer?

3) The movie pretty much picks up right where the last movie ends. Give or take a week or three. So... where's the grief? Sirius Black has just DIED. His godfather. The only relative who truly cared about Harry is gone. And nothing. Did we just forget about Sirius?

4) The 'random' acts of violence in London. MUGGLE London. Apparently a bridge collapsing makes news, but it's just kind of background. Scusi? A new bridge like that just collapsing out of the blue should be a bit more important. And the acts of violence in Diagon Alley- am I supposed to believe that those are just random, too?

5) Where's the fear? Where's the extra measures of protection that the Ministry of Magic should be taking and advising other wizards to take? The whole wizarding world just received confirmation (last movie), that the Dark Lord is indeed back. That all his lovely Death Eaters have broken out of Azkaban, and are on the loose. Yeah, Hermione and Ron sort of mention it, but that's all. There was no sense of urgency... no tangible state of panic, or at the very least- some heightened wariness.

6) The train interaction with Draco was kind of pointless. Harry didn't really learn anything from eavesdropping on Draco, and I think it's also funny that this movie seemed to delight in Ron's trouble with girls, and all those teenage hormones, YET Draco's new 'friends' weren't really mentioned. I mean, seriously- do you think Draco would've actually listened to Pansy so obediently like that? It doesn't make sense. And where were Crabbe and Goyle?

7) The extra security measures were poorly explained. I suppose the Apparating Death Eaters being repelled should be sufficient, but again- you can't apparate into or out of Hogwarts. That's standard. So that should not have been used to illustrate the heightened security, and it doesn't explain why they were searching students' trunks, and charming the Hogwarts gates.

8) What were they doing all day, besides Harry taking top marks in Potions? Were there not other classes we could have at least seen a bit of? We didn't even see Snape's Defense Against The Dark Arts class, and that has ALWAYS been a point of interest, as every year- that teaching position has the highest turnover/mortality rate.

9) What was the point of the whole Death Eater Hide 'N Seek game outside of the Burrow? And blowing up the Burrow- that was just fun and games, was it? And apparently no one (not even Ron and Ginny) seemed the least bit put out that they were now HOMELESS.

10) Fenrir Greyback. Besides the wanted poster in Diagon Alley- he's not explained AT ALL. What's the point of even having him in the movie?

11) The whole scene with Ginny and Harry in the Room of Requirement. Why was that needed? Instead of burning the book, or destroying it with magic, or simply putting it BACK in the Potions cabinet, why did they need to go to the Room of Requirement to get rid of it?

12) In the scene with Dumbledore and Draco- what's with the entourage? Does he really need Bellatrix and the others to watch him? What was the point of spending all that time fixing the Vanishing Cabinet so they could enter Hogwarts? And then what? Laugh gleefully, then leave? It DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

13) And the whole wandlights thing to dispel the Dark Mark. That's fine, but it seemed a little too rock concert for me. I really felt like getting out my lighter and singing something by Queen. Possibly "We Are The Champions".

These are my observations solely on the movie itself. Truthfully- I feel like this was the most eye candy so far. And that's really all it was- eye candy. Dazzling special effects, Stunning CGI, but other than waay too much time being spent on Ron and Lavender Brown's relationship (and what Hermione thought of it)- there wasn't really much substance.

And now- my thoughts as someone who has read the book:

Truthfully- this is the first time that I have felt that reading the book first was a bad idea. Of course- I read it when it first was released four years ago, so I can't unread it, but it puts me in a difficult position. I know I have to disassociate. Just mentally think that the HP books and the HP movies are different universes. Similar, but different. And I'm fine with that. The problem is- this truly would've been a decent movie, had I NO IDEA what to expect. But I do. And I am disappointed.

See- having read the book before- I have known in each movie where we're supposed to wind up. Sure- the journey may be different, but for the most part- the crucial plot points were there, and we arrived at our destination more or less intact. For this one- I feel like I fell out of the carriage somewhere, and was possibly dragged behind it for a bit.

So much was left out, and so much felt kind of like an afterthought! Let's go through a few, shall we?

1) Sirius has just died. Where's the grieving? And in the book- Hermione spends probably a month or so, waiting for Harry to go psycho with grief over Sirius. But apparently- we have no feelings over Sirius' death at all.

2) And where's the whole scene where Harry inherits Grimmauld Place and Kreacher? That's going to be important later. Or at least, it should be.

3) Wizards are not cowering in fear. The Ministry is not sending out vague pamphlets on how to protect yourself and your family against Dark Magic. Harry is wandering all over London on trains, and the best we get is a vague question by Dumbledore. They seemed to be much more protective when Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban (third movie), but now- it's like they just shrugged and moved on.

And WHAT ABOUT THE BRIDGE!!! Seriously! A whole new bridge collapses in Muggle London and nothing much is said about it at all. Harry mentions it once. It's eye candy and afterthought. And the wizards who died? Even a brief mentioning would have helped establish the mood that the Death Eaters are out of control and that NO ONE is safe. Not even Muggles. And the attacks on shopkeepers in Diagon Alley were not random. They had a purpose. But none of that was explained in the movie.

4) And not even a nod to the fact that Fudge has been sacked as Minister of Magic and replaced. Well- unless it was in the Daily Prophet... I didn't read all of that.

5) Potions is the only class we see. So no alluding to the fact that next year- Harry will be an adult. Which means at least a little time should have been devoted in the movie to the three learning how to Apparate. Or hell- you don't even have to put it in there- just mention it, like you did everything else. In Order of the Phoenix- you at least mentioned that Fred and George just learned to Apparate, so they are doing it EVERY CHANCE THEY GET. In this movie- nothing.

6) While I did like the emphasis on how Draco's task was eating at him, there was no real explanation as to what he was doing with the cabinet... until the scene with Dumbledore. That conversation seemed to sum up everything that should have been explained before... or at least a little more detail and thought should have been devoted to it.

And these are my biggest pet peeves from this movie:

7) Back to the entourage. WHY did Draco need to fix the cabinet, so the Death Eaters can enter Hogwarts, only to have them laugh gleefully at Dumbledore and LEAVE? Draco spent MONTHS working on that cabinet, right? It still makes no sense.... unless it's for a CRUCIAL fight that wasn't at ALL in the movie. The Battle for HOGWARTS was extra important! It was pivotal! I can seriously forgive the omission of every single other thing in this movie, EXCEPT FOR THAT.

8) I was fine with Dumbledore's fall off the tower. But seriously- the dispelling of the Dark Mark- that's supposedly the only tribute we get for this great man? The man even the Dark Lord didn't mess with? We don't even get a memorial service? I bawled at the memorial service scene in the book. And if you know me- it takes a lot to bring me to tears. Yet- I was inconsolable for a good hour or two. But this scene in the movie didn't even threaten tears. All we got were a lot of wandlights, and Fawkes leaving. While I love the colors of Fawkes, and his wingspan was impressive, why did we need to see that? It was an artsy bit of crap! Totally unnecessary!

All in all- I feel like I could've totally skipped this movie, and would not have missed much. And that saddens me. It also terrifies me. Because for the last two movies to make any sense at all- they are going to have to explain a LOT of things they so conveniently left out of the last three movies. And I'm afraid that when they do- the explanation will make no sense. and I'm also afraid that they will stick to the eye candy route we're on, and the end of this journey will not justify the grandness with which it began.

Been Playing Hammerfall

2009-01-11T04:28:26Z

So I've been playing a game called Hammerfall. It's a really decent RPG. Check it out, and if anyone who wants to join my Guild can do so here:

http://tellafriend.socialtwist.com:80/web/redirect.jsp?-736021588511057478511

Stranger Than Fiction

2008-10-06T18:08:47Z

So- I'm having issues which will prevent me from being at work on time.

And honestly- when I have issues- I have issues!

What happened: I broke the deadbolt lock on the front door. And the way the landlord designed it- you have to lock the deadbolt, to lock the door. This way- it keeps you from locking your keys inside the house.

My roommate left the house earlier this morning. Said the lock was working fine. Now mind you- 'fine' is a relative term in our house, considering the fact that you have to struggle with the lock every day, just to get the door unlocked or vice versa. But it was working 'fine'.

Now- when I go to leave- I put my key in the lock, and turn it to lock the door. And it just keeps turning. I do two full revolutions before it dawns on me that SOMETHING IS WRONG. (Yes- I'm a bit slow. Move on.) So- I try to remove my key from the lock, and it won't budge. Okay... maybe I have the key upside down. So I turn the key 180 degrees and I try again. It won't budge. CRAP. Now I can't lock the door, and I can't leave, because the car keys are kind of on the same ring. Plus- this is not the neighborhood to leave your door unlocked... if you want to keep your stuff, that is.

So- first thing I do is call into work and tell them I'm going to be late. Last time I called in late- I had locked my keys in my car. That sounded plauseable. This sounds weird! Seriously! If I was the supervisor- I'd have a hard time believing it. But sometimes life is stranger than fiction.

Second thing I did was call the roommate. She found the scenario to be fun! (Sarcastically speaking.)

Third thing I did was call the landlord. He's going to get a locksmith out here. Then I tried to get my key out of the door. It finally came out, but so did about 5 little brass beads. As I'm sure deadbolts don't have extra beads sitting around in them.. like confetti- Im sure that was a really bad thing.

So now I have to call my landlord back and see if he has an estimate about when this locksmith guy is coming, so I can figure out the logistics of getting a key to my roommate, who is already at work. Because the original plan was for me to leave (and leave the door unlocked. What?!), and he would get the locksmith out here to exchange the deadbolt and make a key. Okay- bad plan. Because I'm assuming you'll be here to supervise the deadbolting, but that means you'll have a key and we won't. And as my roommate gets home about 4 hours before I do- this will leave her with almost no way of getting in. But say she gets a key- that's all well and good, but she leaves the house at 8 am. That would still leave me with no key to lock the door. Hmm...

At least this means former roommie will no longer have a key. (Long story. And for the record- I don't have a problem with former roommie- I have a problem with someone who no longer lives here having a key, just in general.)

A little weirdness for you...

2008-09-20T18:02:15Z

57 seconds

adais @ 2008-09-20T12:40:00

2008-09-20T17:54:33Z

From the Tennessean.com:

85% of Nashville-area stations are out of gas, AAA says

The gasoline shortage that has plagued Middle Tennessee for more than a week, and which took a turn for the worse Friday, will probably persist for at least several days, state and industry officials said.

At least 85 percent of the stations in the Nashville area were without gasoline Friday morning, AAA Auto Club South estimated, and those that had it were running out quickly, despite regular deliveries to the region.

"This has been a tough time as the gasoline shortage has put a strain on all of us for the past several days," Gov. Phil Bredesen said in a statement late Friday. "For the next few days we will continue to see supply shortages, so I encourage motorists to conserve gas as much as possible."

The gasoline shortage in Middle Tennessee appeared to grow worse just as the shortage has been easing in other parts of the country.

The average price for unleaded gasoline in Knoxville was $3.796 a gallon on Thursday, the cheapest in the state, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report. The average price there had reached as high as $4.652 a gallon on Monday.

Prices also have been coming down in Nashville. The average price of regular unleaded gasoline in Nashville was $4.084 a gallon, down from a record high of $4.131 set Tuesday.

But with gas stations unable to get the supply they need, it's a moot point what the price in Nashville is, said Randy Bly, a spokesman for AAA.

"Until the pipeline can get filled with a good supply of gasoline, it's going to be a
couple of days of roughing it in terms of gasoline," Bly said.

The shortage began shortly before Hurricane Ike hit landfall near Galveston, Texas, a week ago. The hurricane delivered a glancing blow to the oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, but it nonetheless managed to knock out power to many of the refineries in that area.

Those refineries supply much of the gasoline for Middle Tennessee. The gasoline is transported to the region, but spurs off a single pipeline, the Colonial Pipeline, also send gasoline to most of the Southeast.

A Colonial spokesman said Friday that deliveries to Nashville had returned to levels that preceded hurricanes Ike and Gustav, which hit Louisiana earlier this month. The Department of Energy also said Friday that power had been restored to all refineries and fuel processing plants in the Houston area.
Stations are inundated

Because gasoline travels the pipeline at an average speed of 3 to 5 miles per hour, it could be several more days before Nashville's supply fully catches up to demand, industry officials said.

The lengthy shortage has meant that even the least panicked of drivers have started to run low of fuel, and on Friday, drivers started flocking to filling stations as soon as tanker trucks had arrived.

At one station, a Daily's Shell in Brentwood, lines formed down Old Hickory Boulevard and Franklin Road as drivers waited for available pumps.

Many said they had tried to hold out on refilling until supplies returned to normal, but after a week of waiting, they were forced to give up and come in for fuel.

"I heard Governor Bredesen said it's temporary, but there are an awful lot of pumps that are closed," said Julie Beazley, a South Nashville resident who said she spent much of the morning looking for fuel. She found one after following a fuel truck until she came to the Shell station.

"I'm hoping it's temporary. I want to live with faith."

State and industry officials say stockpiling on the eve of the storm, followed by a sharp drop in fuel deliveries to the state, appear to be the root causes of the problem.

Even after gas station operators raised prices to more than $4 a gallon and supplies ran low, Middle Tennessee drivers have bought twice as much gasoline as normal in the past week, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said, citing data compiled by the Tennessee Oil Marketers Association.

State officials urged drivers to avoid unnecessary trips, car pool or use public transit and avoid frequently refilling their tanks until supplies have returned to normal.

"When people top off, all they're doing is making the situation worse," TEMA spokesman Jeremy Heidt said. "The gas they put in their tank is just gas that's not going into somebody else's. We are all in this together."
Nashville is 'pinch point'

The shortage appears to exist in only a few isolated pockets along the Colonial Pipeline, AAA said. Reports of tight supply also have come in from Charlotte, N.C., and parts of the Atlanta metro area, but other cities, including Birmingham, Ala., and Knoxville, have bounced back to normal.

"Nashville is probably going to be the pinch point right now," Heidt said.

The shortage has not hit the Memphis area, which receives its gasoline from a different source.

The area is connected to the Capline pipeline, which starts far from Ike's devastation in St. James, La., and much of its gasoline is refined in the Memphis area itself.

Tanker trucks and barges have been delivering some fuel to Middle Tennessee from places where there have not been shortages, but neither method can match the Colonial Pipeline's capacity, which can carry more than 100 million gallons of refined gasoline a day.

State officials have been working with the Department of Energy to reroute shipments to Tennessee. They also have been monitoring state fuel supplies to ensure there is enough gasoline for fire engines, ambulances and other emergency vehicles.

In the meantime, Nashville residents short on gas appear to have one option remaining: The Metro Transit Authority said Friday that Nashville's buses have plenty of fuel.

"We have plenty to keep our buses rolling this weekend and through next week," MTA spokeswoman Patricia Harris-Morehead said.

--------------------------

This is stupid. No one else is having this crisis- we're just special. And my job is nowhere near any of our 2 public transportation methods (bus and train), and cab would be waaaay too expensive. So what does this mean? This means that I've been trying to refill my tank all week, but every station I passed was out of gas... or out of gas by the time I reached the pump. This also means that I was running low last night, and I could not find a station to fill up that didn't have a stupid amount of wait time. The two I found had a line sooo long, that I would have literally run out of gas IN the line. So I coasted home practically on fumes.

So I spent 2 hours of my life this morning waiting in a line to fill up my roommate's car, and my 2-gallon gas can, so I can have enough gas to start MY car, and go stand in that horrendous line again. But that's a job for tomorrow. Roommie and I have a wedding to go to today, so I don't have time to get back in that line.

So yeah. That's the stupidness in my city right now.

adais @ 2007-09-02T21:05:00

2007-09-03T02:08:14Z

So I arrived in Atlanta around 10:30 on Saturday. There's six of us in one room. That's okay. I was informed I needed to register. That's not okay. The line has already started to queue around three quarters of the building. And rumor has it- the wait to register is FOUR HOURS. Why am I here again? Oh yeah- Jason Momoa.

So- I get to the room and drop my stuff, and we go down the elevator, to get into the Line of Doom. As we exited the elevator- I ask her which way to go. She said it didn't matter. Since the elevators are in the cylindrical center part- any exit will pretty much get you where you want to go. So I head off in one direction, and my roommate goes the other way. And guess who she almost literally runs into? That's right- JASON MOMOA. And by the time she found me- he was gone. Crap!!!! No use searching for him- apparently he was coming back from one of the panels, so he was getting INTO an elevator. Ah, well.

So- I get in line, and in an effort to do penance for dragging me down to Atlanta- my roommate joins the line with me. Even though she already registered 2 days earlier. And we wait... and wait... and wait. Luckily- it only takes 2 1/2 hours. Now I'm all official. We go up the stairs and try to go to the Stargate panel, but that line is already out the other door, and around the building, so we figure there's no way we're getting in there. As we were leaving, we passed right by Paul McGillion! There really wasn't much else to do, so we got dinner and went back to the room.

Today- I got up bright and early, because the Harry Potter panel with Matthew Lewis, and James and Oliver Phelps started at 10 am. Plus- I was in a public parking lot, so I had to go pay for another day. So I reached the panel room at about 9:00, and it was already PACKED. I was one of the last few people they let in. It was pretty good. Matthew has a bit of a beard going, but it looks good on him. Then I went to the Exhibitors Hall to see what good bits they were selling. I'm thinking of going as Zoe from Firefly next year (yes- I've already registered for next year), so there were some great leather vests that I'm thinking of buying. But- I'll need to see which color I need to get, and what exactly it looks like, so I don't get the wrong one. After that- we went to lunch.

After lunch, we went to get in line for the next Stargate panel (we learned from yesterday). We arrived at 1 pm (the panel started at 2:30), and there was already a crowd. When dude counted us, we ended up being like 173 in line. So- they made us queue the line out the door and around the corner. And we waited... and waited... and waited. We ended up getting pretty good seats- we were about 9 or 10 rows back. I was about 3 seats from the center aisle, so I had a pretty good view. So in comes the panel- Corin Nemec, Christopher Judge, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, Lexa Doig, her hubby, Michael Shanks, Vanessa Angel, Claudia Black, and Alexis Cruz. Let me just say that this was the BEST panel I've been two. I've never laughed sooo much. Even if you weren't a Stargate fan- you would've had soo much fun. The only person who didn't say much was Vanessa. But then again- she was only in like three episodes of SG-1. Most of the SGers have been working together for 10-11 years. The Atlantians for 3 years. And Chris Judge really stole the show! He had everyone cracking up the whole time.

I have to say- everyone looked BETTER on the panel, than they do on TV. Even Jason. He's such a hottie.

Life is taunting me.

2007-08-31T01:10:50Z

So- my roommate is systematically trying to get me to like all of her favorite shows. This way she has someone to talk to- someone who's probably as crazy as she is.

Let's run through the list:

Lost
Smallville
Dr. Who
Veronica Mars
Grey's Anatomy
Heroes
Kyle XY
Stargate: SG-1
Stargate Atlantis

Now- I'm already a fan of Lost and Smallville, so no prodding was needed. Dr Who just won't stick. (Which is surprising, because I'm a fan of pretty much ALL things British). Veronica Mars grew on me, although I can miss episodes and not freak out. Grey's Anatomy is GREAT, and the spin-off happening this fall looks good as well. I have not seen Heroes at all, because I would have come in on episode 12, and I refuse to start it mid-season. So since it was just released- I can start watching that one. I've heard good things about it, so I'm going to give it a whirl.

Kyle XY had to grow on me, but its a cute series. I'm not much a fan of Stargate SG-1, but I loooooove Stargate Atlantis. Which brings me to my point. My favorite character on Atlantis is Ronon Dex, played by Jason Momoa. My roommate is at DragonCon today through Monday. She has been calling my cell phone a bajillion times, and I finally know why.

My roommate wanted me to go to DragonCon with her, but as I have this job thing, and stuff- it wasn't really convenient. There were other reasons I decided not to go, as well.

BUT- Jason Momoa is at DragonCon. Last minute surprise guest.

Now I have to drive down to DragonCon.

Life is taunting me. It just said in a Nelson Muntz voice, "Ha Ha!!".

I heard it.

Harry Potter

2007-07-21T16:57:41Z

You can read this: no spoilers whatsoever.

So I had reserved my copy of the 7th HP book with Barnes & Noble, and I spent most of last night in Barnes & Noble- waiting for them to give it to me.

But I have it. YAY!!!

And am currently reading it. YAY!!!

Anyway- so my dad calls at about 8:15 this morning.

Him: Hey- whatcha doing.

Me: READING!

Him: Oh. Okay. Hey- when did that Harry Potter book come out?

Me: About 8 hours ago. Hence the READING response.

Him: Oh. So whatcha doing today?

Me: R-E-A-D-I-N-G.

Him: Ah. I see. It's that a children's book?

Me: Just because the main character was a child when it started- does not make it a children's book. It's universal.

Him: Okay, just checking. Talk to you later then.

Me: Okay, bye.

For reference- my dad loves to read- he just doesn't understand the Harry Potter hype. He hasn't read any of the books or seen any of the movies. It's just not his thing. And I understand that. Which is why I have not wasted breath, time, or effort in trying to convert him.

And now for the most recent coversation with my dad (as in five minutes ago):

Me: Hey- you doing anything today that will put you out and about?

Him: Yeah.

Me: Like out my way?

Him: Why?

Me: Can you bring me some food. You know- like... food?

Him: Don't you have food you can cook?

Me: Yes, but-- I'm READING.

Him: Ah. Well- I'm going to this flyer stuffing thing for --insert mayoral candidate name here--.

Me: Why?

Him: Because she supported us at work, so we have to go support her. Want to come?

Me: Well I would, but I don't think it would work out.

Him: Why?

Me: Because I'll be trying to read, and people will want to talk to me and stuff. Just wouldn't work out well. Besides- how many times can you give people the 'Can't-you-see-I'm-reading?!?' look, before it loses it's desired effect?

Him: Yeah- that wouldn't work out too well.

Him: So- I can bring you food, but it'll probably be after the flyer thing.

Me: No problem. I'll be here.

As you can see- my dad is awesome. He doesn't understand the whole -must-read-harry-potter-NOW thing, but he understands.

I love my dad. :)

So

2007-07-14T20:02:35Z

Haven't posted in a while.

Been lurking... reading Friends' posts, but haven't really stopped to post myself.

There is a main reason why:

I'm addicted to Neopets.

They're cute. What can I say?

Also- if you have time- go over to I Can Has Cheezeburger. Once you get over the obvious headache that the lolcats can't spell- you'll be fine.

OK Go - Here it Goes Again [LIVE]

2007-06-11T01:54:32Z



"OK Go - Here it Goes Again [LIVE]" on Google Video
OK Go performing "Here it goes again" live @ MTV Awards 2006

Yes- I realize it's lip-synched. But- you can't expect intricate treadmill choreography and vocal perfection. It's just not done.

But- just the fact that they did the treadmill thing live, and no one stumbled, or cracked their head open is just next to awesome!

WHY?

2007-05-06T23:05:53Z

Why when they say Craft Fair and Exhibition, is there never a knitter's/knitting booth? Or even a crocheting booth!

Does it not classify as a craft?

If weaving is a craft, surely knitting is a craft.

If creating a cow with wings and a propeller and selling it for $40 is considered a craft, then surely knitting is.

Just thought I'd share.

OMG!!!!

2007-04-29T18:30:31Z

If you have not gone to see the movie HOT FUZZ, put down whatever it is you're doing and GO. NOW!!!!

I didn't have the intention to see Hot Fuzz last night. I wanted to see Kickin It Old Skool. But my roomie didn't want to see that. So- I conceded, and bought tickets to Hot Fuzz.

It's starts off as a regular comedy. Reminded me of Super Troopers, or something of the like. Then all of a sudden- it's like Quentin Taratino burst on the movie set, and took over directing- guerilla-style.

All of a sudden- there are explosions and car chases, and comic-like blood, and I had to blink. Is this the same movie? Did I fall asleep on the calm comedy (cause it was past my curfew), and wake up on the next movie? Did someone make a Transporter 3, and fail to sign Jason Statham to the contract? Cause he missed out- really. This movie is great!

Yarp! (Don't ask. You'll have to see the movie.)

It is truly an awesome movie. I dare say it's the best movie I've seen so far this year. If Spiderman wasn't opening next week- I'd see it again.

Okay. SOMEBODY knows where I can find it.

2007-04-23T00:02:00Z

So- I'm asking.

I'm about to date myself, here, but I'm looking for a specific game.

I played it in 7th grade. I doubt it was new then, but that was around the year 1990.

It was a game called PSYCHOTIC.

I played it on a Macintosh SE.

I refuse to believe that this game has just faded into non-existence.

I mean Oregon Trail has been around FOREVER, and just about everyone has played that.

So I ask you. Reach back into your memories.... dust off those musty volumes of your school days.

Does anyone remember playing a game called PSYCHOTIC. It's an RPG- you're an escapee from a mental institution, and hilarity ensues. I mean this game has everything in it, including getting lost in the Twilight Zone. It's hard to describe, because well- other than finding various weapons and creating mayhem- there really is no point.

But I like it.

And I want it.

Anybody? Anyone? *crickets chirping*

One more (knitting) thing...

2007-04-08T04:12:12Z

Instead of wondering if I may need help-

I swelled with pride today, as I figured out I have a bigger yarn stash than my second mother- who also knits.

Squee!

Yeah- I definitely need help.

Magic Socks

2007-04-08T03:57:08Z

WARNING- this post contains knitting terms.
If you don't want to humor me, skip it.

So- I've been reading books by Stephanie McPhee (The Yarn Harlot"), and in them- she proclaims her love of knitting socks. She really goes on and on and on about them.

Uh, yeah. I've avoiding knitting socks like the plague.

Why? Because I AB-SO-FREAKIN-LUTELY HATE double pointed needles (dpns). I hate them with a passion. I think that's why I never finished my hoodie- the sleeves are on dpns.

It's why I hate finishing hats- you finish on dpns.

So- in all of my knitting books, I'd calmly flip right past any mention of socks. Sure- they're beautiful, and probably feel wonderful on your feet; but I refuse to brave dpns for them. And the diagrams of what has to be done to put in that heel- I shudder to even think about it.

So- it may surprise you to know that I signed up for a sock knitting class. Bet you thought I'd walk through hell in a gasoline g-string, before you'd EVER catch me in a sock class, yes? Well, normally- you'd be right.

HOWEVER- some clever knitter found a loophole in the 'no socks' contract- they found a way to knit socks on circular needles. Entirely. No part of the sock has to be taken off the circular needles.

WHOHOO!!!

So- of course I have to check this out myself. I signed up for the class, and we had our first meet today. She showed us how to start at the toe, and work our way back to the heel. And starting from the toe- I've almost reached the instep of the foot. Next week, we'll do the heel, then up and out. I'm excited. This means I have absolutely no excuse now for not knitting socks.

Yay! Share my joy! (Just nod and smile. Thank you!)

Training

2007-04-03T22:27:49Z

Okay. So I've been in my current position in name only for the past week and a half.

I just started the actual training for this position today.

We've always known the date I would start training, but the location was always kind of vague. They finally figured out last week, that since I'm not an actual new hire (I'm a transfer)- there's no need for me to actually attend the orientation in Alabama that would have happened yesterday. They just sent me my training book and schedule. But I'm thinking that maybe I should have attended. Perhaps things would not still be so vague.

I reported to the office downtown this morning for training a little before the appointed time. And apparently- the "Guess What Happens Next"-style of training is still in effect, because no one has a clue. No one knows I'm coming, what room I'm supposed to be in, or who I'm supposed to report to. So they give me the codes to get in and out (apparently we have triumphed over the high school hall pass technology- you now need a code just to get to and from the restroom), stick me in a room, and leave me.

Umm.

Okay.

So- I figure this is some extreme test of self-reliance, so I crack my training manual, and try to figure out what the hell I'm supposed to be doing, and how to get to it on the computer.

So- I find the CBT I'm supposed to do, but it will not load on that computer. So now I have to seek out someone to help me figure out why my computer is being stupid. I find some random person, introduce myself, and drag her back to help me. We then figure out that I'm in the wrong room- and this computer doesn't have the right environment to support this CBT. So- I move rooms. We load the CBT on the computer in the new room, and it pops up, no problem.

One question though: If I'm going to be doing CBTs all day for FOUR DAYS- why can't I just do this inside the branch where I'll be? Why did I have to come all the way to this completely clueless branch and harrass complete strangers? I'm not blaming them for their cluelessness, it's just- I don't feel I had to GO anywhere, just to sit and stare at a computer screen for 7 hours. Or am I wrong?

So- it's kind of unnerving, when you hit lunchtime, and there's no one to say okay, go to lunch. Or when it's time to go home- okay, wrap it up for the day- I'll see you tomorrow. I'm just used to at least telling someone I'm going to lunch. Here- there's no one to tell. It's just weird. And I'm just a little paranoid.

At least the lack of supervision means there's no one there to give me funny looks, as I knit while doing the CBTs. Hey- they are snooze-worthy. If you expect me to stay awake- you'll overlook my knitting. Besides- the 97% and 98% on the two assessments I took today says I'm doing SOMETHING right. Right?

So- tomorrow is more of the same. Yippee.

Let me just say...

2007-03-25T14:23:58Z

AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

There. I feel better now.

Okay, so you may have noticed that I have been watching the Korean drama, "Palace". (I think I may have mentioned it once or twice... or I could just be hallucinating, and thought I said something about it)... Anyway- I've been watching the Korean drama, "Palace".

I was about six, maybe seven episodes into it, when I had a sudden breakdown (No- not breakthrough- breakdown), and figured out that I really, REALLY wanted this lariat necklace:

Okay? Are you up to date? Good. I've been searching everwhere, and I can find close variants...

Like the one at Tiffany's (http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/item.aspx?sku=17006444&search_params=t+lariat-s+0-p+1-l+-h+-c+-r+166-x) for an absurd amount of money.

I refuse to pay that much for one necklace. But of course- it's Tiffany's. Why should I expect reasonable prices?

And I know the next question: Did you check Ebay?

Yes, I did. Nothing there is remotely close to this necklace. *sigh*

I'm going to keep Googling, and maybe head over to Amazon, and see what I can find. I KNOW this necklace is out there, and I KNOW I can get it for under $100.

This is my my mission. So let it be said, so let it be done.

Jacked from groovechica

2007-03-22T01:17:52Z

My marriage age:

[X] I know how to make a pot of coffee.
[] I keep track of dates using a calendar.
[] I own more than one credit card.
[X] I know how to change the oil in my dad's car. And my own!
[X] I do my own laundry.
[X ] I vote every election.
[X] I can cook for myself.
[] I think politics are exciting.
[X] I balance my checkbook.
[ ] My parents have better things to say than my friends.

total: 6

[X] I show up for school/college/work every day early.
[X] I always carry a pen in my pocket/purse.
[] I've never gotten a detention.
[X] I have never smoked a cigarette.
[X] I have never gotten completely trashed.
[X] I have forgotten my own birthday at least once.
[X] I like to take walks by myself.
[X] I've watched talk shows.
[X] I know what 'credibility' means without looking it up.
[ ] I drink coffee at least once a week.

total: 8

[X] I know how to do the dishes.
[X] I can count to 10 in another language.
[X] When I say I'm going to do something I do it.
[X] My parents trust me.
[X] I can mow the lawn.
[X] I can make adults laugh without being stupid.
[X] I remember to water the plants.
[X] I study when I have to.
[X] I pay attention at school/college.
[X] I remember to feed my pets.

total: 10

[X] I can spell 'experience' without looking it up
[] I work out on a regular basis.
[X] I clean up my own mess.
[ ] The people at Starbucks know me by name.
[ ] My favorite kind of food is take out.
[X] I have gained weight since middle/high school.
[ ] The first thing I do when I wake up is get caffeine.
[X] I can go to the store without getting something I don't need.
[X] I understand political jokes the first time they are said.
[X] I can type quickly.

total: 6

[X] I have realized that the weather forecast changes every hour.
[ ] My only friends are from my place of employment.
[X ] I have been to a tupperware party.
[X] I have realized that no one will take you seriously unless you are over the age of 25 and have a job.
[X] I have more bills than I can pay.
[] All my friends are older than I am.
[X] I can say no to staying out all night.
[X] I use the internet every day.
[X] My wardrobe hasn't changed in a while.
[X] I can read a book and actually finish it.

total: 8

grand total: 38
add up all the number and repost this as: "MY marriage age is..."

Yeah!

2007-03-20T13:04:15Z

Now that's what I call wishing me a Happy Birthday!

I'm a Borders bookstore nut, so of course I'm in their Rewards programs.

Well- to celebrate my birthday, they sent me 15% off of 1 item, ANNNNNNNND...

a coupon for a free dessert.

I know that's only like $4, but I have always welcomed free food.

Plus, some other stores/companies sent me birthday wishes, but they didn't actually GIVE me anything besides a corny e-card. That's why Borders rocks.

I've finally found...

2007-03-17T04:28:32Z

the thing that's worse than moving.

And that is throwing away.

With moving- you just pack it in boxes and go. You don't even have to look at it.

With throwing away- you have to look at and through everything to make sure there isn't something you might need in the bunch.

And thanks to my hereditary pack rat tendencies- I have more stuff than I should.

Ugh, I'm tired of STUFF.

Household Hint

2007-03-11T20:47:24Z

For those of you who hate bugs.

You know- those random unwanted guests. Whether it be caterpillars, centipedes, earwigs, stinkbugs, ants, spiders, etc etc etc

You know how you're always nowhere near a can of bug spray?

Try those great Scrubbing Bubbles. Spray them with it, and they suffocate. Cleaning and killing all rolled into one! lol

But it's true. Try it sometime.

Why?

2007-03-11T20:38:15Z

Why does Murphy's Law always come into play when I need to get something done?

So- I'm working on the baby blanket for my friend, and I run out of green.
At 5:15 on a Saturday.

The only place I know of that has this particular shade of green is Tucker Yarn. It takes me 25 minutes to get there, and they close at 5:30 on Saturdays. CRAP!!!

So now I have to wait until Monday morning to get more green, which puts me 1 1/2 days behind. And with the elevated time table for moving- I'm not going to be done before I move. This will have to be mailed, too.

Guess I''ll just focus on the Trinidad hat I promised another friend... that I was too lazy to make. THAT can be completed by the end of Tuesday.

Stephen King goes political...

2007-03-09T15:38:47Z

Yes- you heard right!
And with a whole new Department- the DOF!!

Department of Fun

Okay.

2007-03-06T02:45:58Z

Been switching out the songs on my mp3 player. You know- putting some fresh stuff on there... or in this case- going old school.

I came across my White Town album (Women In Technology), and I had to put Your Woman on there.

And because I like to share- here's the video.

Ivan Shaw... why do I know that name?

2007-02-25T12:13:32Z

I've been watching this series called The Book of Daniel. It's about an Episcopal priest named Daniel and his family. That in itself sounds normal, right? Wrong. Add the fact that Daniel has a Bishop for a father, a bi-sexual sister-in-law, Victoria (who's husband leaves her for his 28-year-old secretary... whom she also begins dating), a gay son, Peter (who has one foot in the closet and one foot out), an adopted, oversexed son, Adam, and a drug-dealing daughter, Grace (but that was just a phase, right?). Throw in the fact that Daniel sees and talks to Jesus, and you have a humorous series that's almost a cross between 7th Heaven and Father Ted.

I don't exactly remember seeing this series on NBC (for all of the four episodes that aired), but I must have. Because Ivan Shaw (plays adopted son, Adam) rings a bell... And I looked him up on IMDB-- this is the only thing I would have seen him in. I occasionally watch daytime soaps, but All My Children is not one of the ones I occasionally watch. So I think maybe I saw one of the four episodes when it aired, and didn't think about it, because I couldn't find it again after that...