Saturday, March 27, 2010
Happy Birthday
Today is Christopher's 12th birthday. That's as hard to say -- and write-- as it is to believe.
We're watching a really good episode of Sponge Bob (okay, that's probably redundant) and eating homemade pancakes -- not the kind you get from the drive-through place.
Chris has enjoyed opening some wonderful birthday cards, which are now artfully arranged --by Mom -- on the breakfast counter.
While we're dealing with some challenging issues regarding his Asperger's, we're also grateful that Chris is such a compassionate and loving person. And that he's thrilled that his birthday gift today is a trip to Barnes and Noble.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
As part of our spring break STAYcation, we've gone to movies this week.
Yesterday we watched demi-gods battle villains on behalf of Olympus.
"Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the Lightning Thief" would not have been my first choice for a matinee, but my 11-year old son really wanted to see it. And, he's suffered through enough Jane Austen adaptions for PBS to warrant my indulgence. He's read the entire Percy Jackson series books by Rick Riordan.
I went, frankly not expecting a whole lot. And, as is usually the case when you're not expecting a lot, I was pleasantly surprised. In fact, I spent most of this movie trying to figure out how it could have been made an even BETTER movie. It teetered on really good at several junctures. If they'd only worked a little harder on the dialogue -- and pandered a little less to the pre-teen set (or the director's perception of what the pre-teen set finds interesting.)
Even Roger Ebert gave the movie three stars.
I agree with Roger that Pierce Brosnan's graceful and convincing portrayal of a centaur is certainly worth a look-see. I liked that as well as Uma Thurman's amusing turn as Medusa (who takes a licking but keeps on ticking.) And, the location shooting was interesting, even delightful.
There's also a scene shot at Nashville's Parthenon in my native Tennessee.
But, the best part was listening to my son after the movie's conclusion.
"They left out Chronos. They didn't mention the chimera. That part in Nashville was really in the second book..."
Everybody's a critic.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6b/Lightning_thief.jpg
Monday, March 15, 2010
Now back to blogging
Can't believe it's been so long since my last post. It's Spring Break and I have a little extra time (not really) and it's time to get back to blogging.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Short Subjects
Over the past week and a half I've thought of half a dozen topics about which I would love to blog.
They include
They include
- Jessica Savitch
- why clocks are a big deal in southwest Ohio/Cincinnati
- avatars
- Paula Deen
- 6th graders learning to do the fox trot
- the time Tim Allen rented the casita next to ours at a remote Mexican resort
Trying to decide which to tackle first?
Friday, January 22, 2010
Long may you run
Conan's last musical guest is Neil Young, singing Long May You Run.
I could be wrong but wasn't this song used as a commercial>
I could be wrong but wasn't this song used as a commercial>
Well, it's been a while.
I'm going to try to commit to blogging once a day.
Tonight, I am sad. Erich Segal died.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/books/20segal.html
Erich Segal was the author of Love Story. I just posted my opinion of that book --and really, the subsequent movie on FaceBook.
Here's what I wrote:
I'll never forget Love Story. I went under protest, so ready to roll my eyes and laugh dismissively at the schmaltzy plot. By the times credits rolled, I was grabbing the leftover concession stand napkins to wipe my eyes. I still remember the beautifully photographed images from that film. (Okay, Boston IS pretty photogenic.)
And, the comments on FaceBook?
From my friend Joyce McMillion Teems: I remember the snow.
To which I replied: Loved those scenes -- and also the one where Oliver's little sports car is racing along the thoroughfare in Boston.
And, then my former anchor guy, Tracy Rowlett: He was a pretty popular guy for a while and admitted using a tried and true formula to write "Love Story" because he needed the money. Always appreciated his honesty.
More in moment.
I'm going to try to commit to blogging once a day.
Tonight, I am sad. Erich Segal died.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/books/20segal.html
Erich Segal was the author of Love Story. I just posted my opinion of that book --and really, the subsequent movie on FaceBook.
Here's what I wrote:
I'll never forget Love Story. I went under protest, so ready to roll my eyes and laugh dismissively at the schmaltzy plot. By the times credits rolled, I was grabbing the leftover concession stand napkins to wipe my eyes. I still remember the beautifully photographed images from that film. (Okay, Boston IS pretty photogenic.)
And, the comments on FaceBook?
From my friend Joyce McMillion Teems: I remember the snow.
To which I replied: Loved those scenes -- and also the one where Oliver's little sports car is racing along the thoroughfare in Boston.
And, then my former anchor guy, Tracy Rowlett: He was a pretty popular guy for a while and admitted using a tried and true formula to write "Love Story" because he needed the money. Always appreciated his honesty.
More in moment.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
January 3
It's a blue-gray winter day, rapidly devolving into a bitterly cold dusk.
We're three days into the new decade and cozily wrapped in our cocoon, watching the Dallas Cowboys next to a lovely fire beneath a mantel stripped of its Christmas greenery and now adorned with eight votive candles and Aunt Grace's bust of the Egyptian princess Nefertiti.
It's the Feast of Epiphany (celebrated early this weekend) and it's looking good for the Cowboys
We're three days into the new decade and cozily wrapped in our cocoon, watching the Dallas Cowboys next to a lovely fire beneath a mantel stripped of its Christmas greenery and now adorned with eight votive candles and Aunt Grace's bust of the Egyptian princess Nefertiti.
It's the Feast of Epiphany (celebrated early this weekend) and it's looking good for the Cowboys
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