I love this - check it out!

For Your Listening (and Viewing) Pleasure: Boom De Ya Dah, from the Discovery Channel

Olympic Update

Some of the AWESOME feats that have occurred already in Beijing:

• US men beat the French in the 4X100m freestyle relay with an UNBELIEVABLE final leg by Lezak! "Smash them," huh? Time to eat your words!
• Michael Phelps wins the first 3 of 8 gold medals. In the latest gold, he left the entire field behind and smashed the world record in the process.
• The US not only wins the women's fencing saber final, but SWEEPS it - gold, silver, bronze.

Stay tuned for more awesomeness!

Let the Games Begin!

The 2008 Beijing Olympics have begun at last, and if the 8/8/08 opening date has anything to do with it, these Games should be lucky indeed.

The Opening Ceremonies, at least, were absolutely awe-inspiring. I've wracked my brains for adjectives great enough to describe beauty and wonder of the ceremony, but everything I think of seems small and unworthy when compared with the event I'm trying to describe. I'll just list some of the many amazing things witnessed during the Opening Ceremonies (I can't list EVERYTHING, or this post would be PAGES long):

• First of all, the Bird's Nest Stadium itself. The place is completely original and absolutely beautiful in its deceptive simplicity. And it's HUGE too!
• 2008 drummers (that's right, 2008) all drumming in perfect rhythm.

• The giant scroll on the floor that opened up into the world's largest LED screen
• The dancers who became human calligraphy brushes
• The Tai Chi performers (2008 of them, again) who formed a giant, filled-in circle around a group of schoolchildren. As one announcer noted, try getting ten friends together and having them to stand in a circle. It's not easy.
• The Parade of Nations, especially:
• Lopez Lamar, the United States flag-bearer, who survived genocide as one of the Lost Boys of Sudan and went on to become an Olympic athlete.
• Yao Ming carrying the Chinese flag alongside a nine-year-old survivor of the Sezchuan earthquake survivor who went back into the rubble of his schoolhouse to save two of his friends.

• The Torch Lighting - oh my word. It was incredible. Li Ning, a former gymnast who is still one of China's most famous athletes, was literally lifted into the air and carried around the top of the Bird's Nest by wires as he "sprinted" past images of the Torch Relay that were projected behind him. Then, the giant cauldron (see picture at top) appeared out of the side of the Bird's Nest and was lit by Li. AWESOME.

All I can say is, if the Opening Ceremonies are this amazing, I can't wait for the rest of the games. I am, of course, going to be watching as much Michael Phelps action as I can, but I'm one of those crazies who will watch EVERYTHING in the Olympics. Its the only time that I find myself cheering on athletes in sports like wrestling, badminton, beach volleyball, and rowing (to name a few). I've already watched Michael Phelps dominate in the Men's 400 m, seen Australia's Stephanie Rice hold on to win the Women's 400, cheered on Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh as they beat the Japanese team in an early beach volleyball match, and applauded as Team USA put on a strong show in the early days of the Men's Gymnastics competition.

I am SO excited for this!

Favorite Fictional Females Countdown #2: Hermione Granger

Put on your S.P.E.W. badges, help yourself to today's special of sugar-free Chocolate Frogs (remember, her parents are dentists!), and raise your butterbeer bottles high for our countdown's "enchanting" runner-up: Hermione Granger!

Name: Hermione Jean Granger

Featured in: All seven novels of the Harry Potter series

Portrayed (in the films) by: Emma Watson

House: Gryffindor

Patronus: Otter

Boggart: Professor McGonagall telling Hermione that she failed everything

Affiliations: The Trio, Dumbledore's Army, S.P.E.W., The Order of the Phoenix (though she is not technically a member).

Special Skills: Where do I start? She's the best in her year in every subject at Hogwarts, and for good reason: it takes her very little time to memorize, understand, and flawlessly perform spells or potions of any kind. According to Lupin, Hermione is "the brightest witch of (her) age" he's ever met. In fact, the only spell that she has any trouble with at all is the Patronus Charm - she can do it, but it isn't easy for her. Hermione also has a mind for strategy and organization that has helped Harry and Ron many, many times.

Why She Rocks: Oh. My. Goodness. Where do I begin? Hermione may be described most often as "brainy" (and she certainly is), but that label doesn't even begin to describe what makes Hermione such a great character. One only has to look at Hermione's house placement to realize that there is more to this girl than her incredible brain power. She has all the smarts (and then some) to be placed in Ravenclaw (the house of "wit and learning"), but the Sorting Hat places her in Gryffindor- the house "where dwell the brave at heart." Her bravery is obviously great enough to overshadow her intelligence - and thats saying something. Looking for her examples of her bravery? Well, besides the obvious (her heroic actions at the climax of nearly every book), Hermione's bravery is shown most often in her tireless efforts to stand up for those who suffer injustice, especially her friends.
Hermione is a loyal friend who does not hesitate to stand up for - and beside - those she cares for, no matter what the danger might be. Just consider the resounding smack that Malfoy received when he insulted Hagrid. Or, even better, recall Hermione's response to Harry when he told her (and Ron) that they shouldn't undertake the dangerous Horcrux hunt with him: "You told us once that there was time to turn back if we wanted to. We've had time, haven't we?" Hermione is strong, compassionate, and brave - and yes, smart - and I think she is an incredible role model to all of us girls who grew up with her.

Oh, and one of the biggest reasons Hermione rocks? Harry and Ron would have been died a thousand times over without her. Seriously. The series would have been one short, thoroughly depressing book without Hermione Granger.

Book Updates

News has been arriving lately pertaining to pending releases in two of my fandoms: Harry Potter and Twilight (I'm a new member of this second fandom, and not as fanatical about it as I am about HP, but I'm still excited). Here are the updates:

Twilight:

Breaking Dawn, the last book in the series (or at least the last book featuring Bella in the storytelling role) is coming out in less than two days. Stephenie Meyer was on Good Morning America today, and the only thing she revealed (which she also revealed in a Entertainment Weekly article) was that she DID write a Bella/Edward wedding in BD (big surprise). Other than that, all the teasers we have for the next day and a few hours are the BD quotes on www.stepheniemeyer.com.

Malinda and I are going to a midnight release party at Barnes and Noble. Costumes, of course, are involved: Malinda will go as Bella and I will be dressed as Victoria (yes, I decided to go over to the Dark Side this time).

Yes, we're big nerds. SO SUE US.


Harry Potter:

Today is the birthday of both J.K. (Jo) Rowling and her brainchild, Harry Potter. In honor of this (I assume), Jo announced that The Tales of Beedle the Bard will be released to the public in December, and all the proceeds will go to charity. The book will include the tales (translated from the original runes by Hermione) and notes from the private collection of Albus Dumbledore. Clearly, this is awesome. Short of the promised encyclopedia (or Scottish Book, as it is now referred to), this is the best gift we in the Potter fandom could hope for.

Other news: The teaser trailer for HBP FINALLY came out. I think its incredible. Not only did it give us our first glimpses of little Tom Riddle, but it also made a point of showing how the thoughts of little Tom influence grown-up Voldemort: "I can hurt people who are mean to me," as we see Dumbledore battling in the center of the ring of fire (!). I can tell they've changed some things, but already I can sense that the important things - the theme, the coherent thread of the story - were left intact. That's why I love Yates as a director: I just get the feeling that he GETS it, you know? He understands that the important part of the story isn't always the magic. More often, the important part is the underlying emotion.

Favorite Fictional Females Countdown #3: Captain Kathryn Janeway

Beam on in to the cafe and have cup of coffee, black, in honor of the stellar number 3 on the countdown, Captain Kathryn Janeway.




Name: Kathryn Janeway
Rank: Captain (later, Admiral)
Played by: Kate Mulgrew
Special Skills: Captain Janeway has intelligence, scientific knowledge, strategic abilities, and diplomatic skills in spades. These skills help Janeway keep her crew together (with remarkably few fatalities) throughout their journey home. Janeway also has a distinctly commanding presence and great skills as a leader. Both of these things help Janeway lead her crew through the long journey.
Why She Rocks: Of course, she is the FIRST FEMALE STAR TREK CAPTAIN EVER (in a serires, at least), so that gives her major points. But it isn't just that fact that she broke the gender barrier - she's also the best captain of them all (yes, I said it. I know the Kirk and Picard supporters will be screaming in outrage, but I stand by my opinion). Let's put it this way: If all the Star Trek captains had a winner take all, no-holds-barred fight, Janeway would wipe the floor with all of them. She combines sharp intellect with the gut instincts of a natural leader, the rational, skeptical thinking of a scientist, and fierce determination to get her crew home. Janeway is not one to second-guess herself. She is confident, strong, and determined, but she is also compassionate and caring especially when it comes to her crew. These last two traits are particularly important because Janeway is in the unique position of captaining an isolated crew that must work together and turn to one another for support and friendship. Other captains might not be up to turning a crew into a family, but Janeway is.
Of course, Janeway's awesomeness is not confined to her intellectual or emotional abilities. No, Janeway can definitely kick some ass when she needs to. Just watch the episode "Macrocosm" if you don't believe me. And Janeway's authoritative, commanding presence cannot be denied. The fact that she is able to communicate that commanding presence while still maintaining her femininity makes it even better. So what if she is a petite woman with soft blonde/brown hair? Janeway proves that women can be tough and authoritative too. There is not a moment on Voyager when it is not absolutely clear that Captain Kathryn Janeway is in charge, period.

My favorite Janeway moment, which also happens to illustrate my last point nicely - unfortunately, I don't know what episode it's from: Janeway is on the bridge, and a conversation via viewscreen with a hostile alien has just ended badly - the alien essentially hung up on the captain (baaaad move). A battle is imminent, but Janeway keeps her cool. She glares at the screen, then turns, walks in a slow, controlled manner back to her chair, and sits down very composedly. The entire bridge is silent. Then: "Battlestations." Instant action. The hostile aliens won't know what hit them. THAT is the power of Janeway, my friends.

Check out some kickass Janeway clips right here:



And this one is just for fun - it's all about the many hairstyles of Kathryn Janeway:

Favorite Fictional Females Countdown #4: Lorelai and Rory Gilmore

That's right, ladies and gentlemen. Number four on the Favorite Fictional Females Countdown is a tie, because who could split up this fabulous mother/daughter duo? Let's all have a cup of STRONG coffee (so strong only a Gilmore could love it), a burger from Luke's, and some quadruple chocolate brownies to celebrate our favorite girls from Stars Hollow.

Names: Lorelai Gilmore and Lorelai (Rory) Gilmore
Featured in: Gilmore Girls
Portrayed by: Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel (respectively)
Special Skills: Both girls have a superhuman tolerance for coffee, chocolate, and junk food. They are also both blessed with brains, humor, and an unbelievable knowledge of culture, popular and otherwise.
Why They Rock: Many, many reasons. They have the sort of mother/daughter relationship that almost anyone would envy. Both women are strong, intelligent, and driven individuals who are great role models for girls today. Lorelai has an independent, rebellious spirit that has helped her go her own way and create a happy, successful life for herself even after becoming pregnant at sixteen. Rory has intelligence paired with humility and a kind heart that endears her to everyone in Stars Hollow. Plus, the girls have THE BEST QUOTES EVER. A few examples:

Lorelai: So, apparently, I'm now the Reigning Lorelai.
Rory: Huh. I guess you are.
Lorelai: It's a lot of responsibility.
Rory: Well, sure.
Lorelai: I mean, it's mostly ceremonial stuff nowadays. Declaring knighthoods, opening supermarkets. But now and then, you get to banish someone or pose for a stamp.
Rory: Neat. And coins.
Lorelai: Yeah, and coins. You know, someday you'll be the Reigning Lorelai.
Rory: I don't like that idea!
Lorelai: Why not? You get a cape.
Rory: Because if I'm the Reigning Lorelai, then that means you'll be gone.
Lorelai: Gone? No, not me. I'll step down way before that. I'm not going to pull a Queen Elizabeth on you, make you wait around forever, force you to develop interests in polo and architecture.
Rory: I am scared of horses.
Lorelai: I know that.
Rory: So there's a cape, huh?

Lorelai: Mom, it's just a pretend wedding. J-Lo has them all the time.

Lorelai: [at the town meeting, when everyone is talking about the bad things that Jess has done] I hear he controls the weather and wrote the screenplay to Glitter!

Rory: [talking about Paris] Can you say crazy anal micromanager?
Lorelai: Not five times fast.

Lorelai: Can I use the fun cutter thingy?
Luke: Not if you call it the fun cutter thingy.
Lorelai: Please?
Luke: Cut the boxes, not your hands.
Lorelai: Good tip, you should teach!

Rory: So, is this party Grandma's having going to be a big deal?
Lorelai: Not really. The government will close that day. Flags will fly at half-mast. Barbra Streisand will give her final concert... again.
Rory: Uh-huh.
Lorelai: Now, the Pope has previous plans, but he's trying to get out of them. However, Elvis and Jim Morrison are coming and they're bringing chips.

Emily: You were on the phone?
Richard: Long distance.
Lorelai: God?
Richard: London.
Lorelai: God lives in London?
Richard: My mother lives in London.
Lorelai: Your mother is God?
Richard: Lorelai...
Lorelai: So, God *is* a woman.
Richard: Lorelai.
Lorelai: *And* a relative. That's so cool. I'm gonna totally ask for favors.
Richard: Make her stop.
Rory: Oh, that I could.

Lorelai: [to Rory] I have to know where you are at all times, especially when you have my shoes on.

Lorelai: Okay, I think we just found the first room in the history of the world that would've made Liberace say 'Whoa. Step back. No one's that gay.'

Lorelai: Hey, I have kind of a crazy idea.
Rory: Those are never comforting words coming from you.

Lorelai: Hey, you didn't wake me up.
Rory: I set the clock.
Lorelai: Yes, but see, the clock stops ringing once I throw it against the wall giving me ample time to fall back to sleep. You, however, never stop yapping no matter how hard I throw you, thus insuring the wake up process.

Lorelai: Heh, you know what I just realized? "Oy" is the funniest word in the entire world.
Rory: Hmm.
Lorelai: I mean think about it, you never hear the word "oy" and not smile. Impossible. Funny, funny word.
Emily: Oh dear God.
Lorelai: "Poodle" is another funny word.
Emily: Please drink your drink, Lorelai.
Lorelai: In fact, if you put "oy" and "poodle" together, in the same sentence, you'd have a great new catchphrase, you know? Like, "Oy with the poodles already."
Rory: Hehe.
Lorelai: So from now on, when the perfect circumstances arise, we will use our favorite new catchphrase:
Rory: Oy with the poodles already.
Lorelai: I'm telling you, it's knocking "Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Willis?" right out of first place.

Mamma Mia! Here I go again...

For your listening pleasure: "Dancing Queen," the ABBA hit sung in the movie (and play) Mamma Mia!



I make a point of seeing the every new movie that is based on a Broadway play (since I will likely never see the show on Broadway), so I saw Mamma Mia! with my mom and my Aunt Louise last night. Let's just say that the exclamation point at the end of the title is completely justified. The movie is an explosion of color, song, dance, and breath-taking scenery. Is the acting Oscar-worthy? Not even close. I laughed myself silly every time Pierce Brosnan put on his "I am a sexy singer" face. However, the so-so acting matters little in light of the jaw-dropping song-and-dance numbers and the fact that the actors are all obviously enjoying themselves.

On the topic of movie musicals, Entertainment Weekly has counted down its picks for the top 25 movie musicals of all time. I haven't seen all of the movies, but nearly all of my favorites made the list. The movie I was happiest to see on the list was Beauty and the Beast, my all-time favorite movie, which Entertainment Weekly described as "one of the great love stories in any medium"(heck yes it is!). Other spot-on picks by EW: Once, The Music Man, The Sound of Music, Chicago, Mary Poppins, Singin' in the Rain, and The Wizard of Oz (a well-deserved #1).

"Kicking It, New School": Entertainment Weekly gets it (mostly) right

Entertainment Weekly online has a new article that lists the 25 top new classic death scenes. In this case, "new" means '80s on up, and while I haven't seen all of the movies on the list, a few of the picks are completely justified. Here are the ones that made me say "YES!! Of course!" when I saw them on the list:

• Mufasa's death at the hands (er, paws) of his brother in The Lion King. This was the scene in which Disney scarred me and the rest of my generation for life. Seriously, this is the one moment in a Disney movie that most people will admit to crying to.
• Jack's death in Titanic. Jack tells Rose to "never let go" of her promise to not only survive, but to live her life to the fullest; later, when Rose must decide between being saved by the lifeboat or staying with Jack's frozen body, she says a heartbreaking goodbye by telling Jack that she will never let go of the promise she made. And while it is a sad and terribly beautiful scene, there is one thing that has always bugged me. A Facebook flair says it best: "Surely there was room for one more on that door, Rose?"
• Cedric Diggory's death in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." I remember the shock of Cedric's death when I read the book for the first time. It marked the first major death to occur on the page in the Harry Potter books and on screen in the Potter movies. For the first time, we believed that death was a real possibility in the Potterverse, and that none of the characters were safe.
  
• Westley's "mostly" death in The Princess Bride. Because who didn't feel the need to shout "NOOO!!" when they saw wonderful Westley tortured and killed by that machine?

To read the entire list, check out the article at Entertainment Weekly.

Smile

I heard a cover of "When She Loved Me" (from Toy Story 2) while I was shopping at Joann's today. I admit, it made me smile.

Just wanted to mention that.

Favorite Fictional Females Countdown #5: Thursday Next

Yes, it's finally back! After a long delay, I've finally gotten around to continuing the countdown. So lets all celebrate with a cup of coffee and a slice of Battenburg cake (scratch that, make it TOAST!) in honor of lady number 5 on our countdown: Thursday Next!

Name: Thursday Next (NOT Thursday1-4 or Thursday5)
Featured in: The Thursday Next series, by Jasper Fforde. The series features the books The Eyre Affair, Lost in a Good Book, The Well of Lost Plots, Something Rotten, and First Among Sequels.
Special Skills: The big one - she can jump into books and navigate her way through the BookWorld. She uses her considerable strength, smarts, and instinct to face - and conquer - situations that few humans have ever even considered.
Why She Rocks: She. Kicks. Ass. Seriously. Let's look at the facts. Thursday is member of SpecOps, the organization that handles crimes that are too strange or too specialized for the normal police force to handle, and Jurisfiction, the police force within books. Both jobs require detective skills, street smarts, quick thinking, and lots of physical strength. I mean, think about it: you have to have your wits about you to beat the Hades family, outsmart a rogue member of the BookWorld, evade the grammasites, and get your husband uneradicated. In addition, Thursday never shrinks away from the chance to join Spike on his highly dangerous missions. Thursday does not back down from wrongdoers or dangerous situations. When the world (or the BookWorld) is in danger, Thursday is the one you want on your side.

For more information about this awesome character, check out her Wikipedia page.
Also be sure the visit the official Thursday Next website, with links to the Goliath, SpecOps, Swindon, Skyrail, and Toast board websites.

"Don't Talk About Religion and Politics"

In my Intro to Mass Media class, the topic of politics came up frequently, mainly because our first group project focused on the presidential campaign. One day, our professor mentioned something about church-going liberals. A guy in the front of the class snorted in disbelief. "There are church-going liberals?" he scoffed. "I didn't think those existed."

I wanted to raise my hand and say, "Here's one! Take a good look!" His comment touched a nerve. More importantly, it reminded me of one of the many things in my life that seem (to others) to be contradictions - I am an art-loving, Harry Potter-reading, liberal-leaning moderate who also goes to church and tries to follow the morals taught to me by the Bible. Others - like the guy in my class - seem to think these things are irreconcilable. I don't believe that.

The reason I'm thinking about this is because I saw a piece on CNN about religion and how the two parties are trying to connect to religious voters. Which party relates better to church-goers? It really depends on your view of religion. My roommate is a dedicated liberal as well as a devout Lutheran. My aunt and uncle are also very devout Christians, though they are confirmed conservatives.

In my personal opinion, a lot of the values on the liberal side of the coin coincide with those taught by Christ. He tells us to love one another and to love our neighbors as ourselves - liberals have a history of pushing for inclusion. He tells us to care for the poor - liberals are known for working to set up programs that help the poor and get universal health care for those who can't afford it. We are called to be stewards of the earth - the Democratic party has a good record on environmental issues.

These are just my opinions. I know there are many ways in which the Republicans also embody Christian values. And I haven't included the ways in which the different political parties relate to other religions, mostly because I don't know enough about other religions to give an opinion. I welcome any other comments/ideas/opinions on this topic.

WALL-E!

Pixar is the animation king, and that's a fact.

When they can take a love story between two robots and make it not only believable but beautiful, the magic of what Andrew Stanton and his brilliant team of animators are doing cannot be denied. And the love story IS beautiful - from WALL-E's first glimpse of EVE zooming around Earth to their dance among the stars - mostly because of its wonderful simplicity and its unshakable truth: we all want someone to share our life with - someone to hold our hand.

The animation is also extraordinary. Really, I wish I had a stronger word to use - breathtaking might be a good one. Pixar continues to outdo itself with the absolute brilliance and clarity of it settings and characters. We all thought nothing could get better after The Incredibles, then Ratatouille proved us wrong. WALL-E once again raises the bar for beautiful animation. I can't wait to see what comes next.

Of course, the movie is not perfect (nothing is). The human part of the story - which involves the evolution of the humans into sedentary, oblivious beings that are unable to to anything on their own - was not as magical or as well explored (though it contained an important message) as the robot part. I also missed the dialog. Though the animation did a wonderful job of conveying the emotions of the story, the writer in me would have liked some more dialog to help out.

These are small complaints. Mostly, the movie was very good. I know that the audience I watched with - a sold out audience, by the way - laughed almost from start to finish at the many, many sweet, funny, and clever moments.

Anyway, in honor of this great movie, today's special is cupcakes - in a cup! :-)

The Host

Today's Special: Cheetos (for Wanderer) or a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream (for Ian). And some strong coffee for those late-night readers, like me.

Stephenie Meyer's latest (and first non-Twilight) book is AMAZING. Very few books grip me strongly enough to keep me reading late into the night. In fact, I can narrow that category down to the Harry Potter series and a few select other stories. Into that pantheon I now add The Host, an electric, insightful, imaginative, and profoundly moving book that kept me reading until 4:30 am and left me sobbing through the last chapters.
The story centers around Wanderer, a member of an alien race that is colonizing Earth by taking over the bodies of the planet's human inhabitants. In most cases, the human consciousness disappears; however, Wanderer's host, a young woman named Melanie, will not give up. Melanie's love for her boyfriend and her brother overwhelms Wanderer and leads her to join them and their community of renegade humans hiding in an underground cave system.
The novel beautifully explores the ideas of love, humanity, and belonging in a way that feels new and fresh. Love is what keeps Melanie fighting. Love is what creates an unbreakable bond between Wanderer and Earth, giving her a sense of belonging she has had nowhere else. And Wanderer comes to understand that love is inexplicable, powerful, and most rewarding when it must be fought for. The Host also examines war and the possibility of understanding between enemies in a very natural, realistic way that feels neither preachy nor overly optimistic. For me, the relationship between Wanderer and Melanie was one of the best parts of the book. The two begin as enemies, but they develop a grudging alliance that becomes, over time, a bond of sisterhood. I think their relationship holds the idea of hope: if we can understand each other, really understand, maybe we will see that there is not as much to fear in the "enemy" as we thought - that the differences are not as big or important as we believed.

For Your Listening Pleasure: Yael Naim

This song more or less sums up my life and, I think, the lives of all of us who sometimes feel like fish out of water. It is also delightfully quirky and has been stuck in my head for the last couple of days. So to share my enjoyment, here is "New Life" by Yael Naim.

The Austen Endeavor: Persuasion

Today's Special: A very British cup of tea and a sweet biscuit (go on, have some - Jane would)

In my quest to read all of Jane Austen's six major novels, I have now finished three: Emma, Pride and Prejudice, and now Persuasion. Perhaps it's because this is the only Austen book about which I knew nothing before reading, but I think this is my favorite Jane Austen book that I've read so far. Here's why:

• Anne Elliot. She is a very admirable character who is also easy to relate to. She's not a rebel, but she is strong - she is the rock and the voice of reason when everyone else is panicked or carried away with emotions. I also like the fact that Anne, the one who is persuaded to give all her life, is finally able to have her own happiness.
• Captain Frederick Wentworth. He's another dreamy leading male in the tradition of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Knightley. Wentworth is just the sort of strong, honorable, passionate, and constant man that women all over the world dream of finding.
• The love story. Every moment between Anne and Frederick, no matter how small, seemed to be charged with electricity. One complaint: As a reader, I would have liked a little more of a payoff when the two characters finally got together - a kiss would have been nice after all the characters went through.
  
• Thought-provoking themes, including:
• Manners vs. honesty
• Class vs. individual strengths/accomplishments
• The importance of self-determination (and the difference between steadiness of principle and obstinacy of self-will).
• The strengths and weaknesses (mainly the weaknesses) of the class system.

Just three more novels to read: Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park, and Northanger Abbey. I'll probably read S&S next, since I already own it.

Vampire Road Trip

Ok, I admit it.

Edward Cullen and the rest of the Twilight-verse have gotten to me.

I still don't think the Twilight books are all that great, and my prior critiques still stand. That said, the books are strangely addictive. I attribute this quality almost solely to Edward Cullen, the series's dreamy cross between Romeo and Mr. Darcy (with, oh yeah, the whole vampire thing thrown in). I can't help it - the guy is damn near perfect, and I find myself daydreaming about him and finding songs on the radio that relate to him and Bella. (I'm a young female with a good imagination and a love life that sucks - what do you want from me?).

Anyway, the point of my confession is this: My cousin Melanie and I have decided to take a trip to Forks, Washington, the home of the Twilight series. The trip will begin on August 26 and end August 28. Here's the itinerary so far.

August 26:

• Head out in the morning so we can get an early start.
• Take the ferry from Edmonds to Kingston
• Drive northwest on 104, then merge onto 101, which goes through Forks.
• Stop at Port Angeles for lunch/dinner, depending on the time of day. Twilighter note: Port Angeles is where Bella went shopping (with Angela and Jessica), went to the movies (with Jessica and Jacob, at different times), and was rescued by Edward. We'll be eating at Bella Italia, the little Italian restaurant where Bella and Edward eat (or rather, Bella eats with Edward sitting at the table with her).
• Arrive in Forks. We might do a bit of sight-seeing in the evening, time permitting.

August 27:

• Sight-seeing in Forks! Among the points of interest (provided by the Forks website):
• Forks High School - attended by Bella and the Cullen "kids."
• Forks Police Station - Bella's father, Chief Charlie Swan, works here.
• Forks Outfitters and the town Thriftway - Bella's main in town shopping destination.
• Forks Community Hospital - where Bella is treated by Carlisle after the car accident
• Head out of Forks toward La Push. Sights to see:
• Cemetery near which the Cullens played baseball (unfortunately we won't be able to see Edward's meadow).
• La Push, where the Quileute Reservation is. Sights to see:
• First Beach - Bella reunited with Jacob Black and learned the truth about Edward. We're going to be on the lookout for a upturned tree just like the one Bella and Jacob sat on.
• The reservation, or as much of it as we are able to see.

August 28:

• Finish up any sightseeing not already done, and then head back to Kent/Newcastle!

Not quite dazzled...

I finally read Twilight, the book series that seems to have become the new Harry Potter (in terms of hard-core, obsessive fans) among girls in their pre- or early teens. With the combination of facebook flairs and my cousin and roommate both gushing about the books, I finally gave in and borrowed the book from my cousin Melanie.

My take?

Eh. I've read better.

In all honesty, the book struck me as not much more than the wish-fulfilling writing of a teenage girl. Its the story that any girl wants to live: she moves to a new town, meets an impossibly hot guy, falls in love with him, and finds out that he loves her too. Yes, there is a complication - he's a vampire, and even though he is a "vegetarian" (he eats animals, not humans), her blood just happens to be "his brand of heroin." However, everything else is just too soap opera-y and mushy for me. I felt like I was in a teen girl's hormone-induced daydream.

Other complaints: The beginning of the novel was very slow. I have nothing against description and setting of the scene, but the pacing must be right as well. In this book, it took forever for something to really happen. There was also much too much explanation... over and over and over again. I wanted to shake the characters and tell them to get on with it. And Edward's Peter Parker/Clark Kent bit - "I love you, but I can't be with you because you might be hurt" - would have been fine if he had stuck with it, rather than doing his "Now I want to be with you, now you should stay away" thing. It really grated on my nerves. She loves you, you love her, just go with it. And Bella struck me as really whiny. I live in Washington... its not THAT bad. Suck it up, girl.

Good points: The novel did pick up eventually, and once it did, it was difficult to put down. I admit, the story is strangely addicting. I also came to appreciate the psychological dilemma: the one person that you love is also the one person you could hurt the most (or, in Bella's case, the one who could hurt you the most). It isn't logical, but then, love is hardly ever logical. And Edward, for all his flaws (and he has them - but that might just be because some of the things he said reminded me of my ex) is still very, very dreamy. I wouldn't mind finding a boyfriend like him. I liked the rest of his family as well.

Bottom line: Twilight is a good book for teenage girls (or women who are young at heart). If you don't fit in that category, you'd do best to walk right on by the Twilight display at your local bookstore.

"Prince Caspian": Courage in Faith

Faith is never easy. By definition, faith means believing in things even when they cannot be seen or proven. Courage is necessary and not always easy to find, especially when one must stand up against powerful people who mock or disparage one's faith. I've struggled with my own courage over the years, sometimes lamenting the fact that I find it so difficult to speak openly about my faith or to stand up to those who disparage it. The book and movie "Prince Caspian" brought to mind my personal struggle recently, particularly in the character of Lucy and her faith in Aslan.

In the story, Lucy sees Aslan as she, her siblings, and Trumpkin make their way along the river to meet with Caspian at Asland's How. Lucy is the only one to see Aslan, and she tells the others that he is on the other side of the river, beckoning the group to follow him. Peter and Susan doubt that Lucy saw Aslan, while Trumpkin flatly refuses to believe in Aslan at all. Only Edmund believes Lucy - she was, after all, the one who told the truth about the wardrobe, and no one believed her then either - but the two of them are outvoted by the rest of the group. The five travelers take a different route, which leads them straight to the Telmarine army (or, in the movie, into a plan that leads to a disastrous attack on Miraz's castle).

When she finally comes face to face with Aslan and tells him that she knew she saw him, but the others didn't believe her, Aslan asks Lucy why she didn't follow him anyway. Lucy is surprised - she couldn't just off on her own, could she? It is not easy to go against your older siblings (and an older dwarf), even when your faith is strong. But then Lucy realizes that she really could have, because she wouldn't have been alone - Aslan would have been with her.

Following the path of Christ is not always easy. The modern world often scoffs on those who put their faith in something other than that which when be seen and touched. People encourage Christians to take matters into their own hands rather than wait for God, and to follow their own pleasures rather than follow the example of Christ. Its easy to see the reasoning in these arguments, just as it was easy to see the logic in the path favored by Peter, Susan, and Trumpkin. And it is easy to understand why many people wouldn't want to follow Christ's path - it often involves denying pleasures, suffering through hardships, and waiting for something that is not guaranteed to come.

Lucy believed. Lucy was ready to follow Aslan. But the others were unwilling, and Lucy did not want strike out alone with only faith to guide her. However, this is exactly what Christ asks us to do. Just as the fishermen left everything to follow Christ, we are asked to place him above all else, trusting that God will take care of us. Believe me, I know this is scary. And to be honest, I cannot even begin to claim that I have given my mind, body, and soul to the service of God. I care about what my friends and family think, and I don't want to leave them or have them leave me. But I also have faith. I believe that God knows far more than I could ever know, and that it is best that his will be done. I want to be able to do what Lucy didn't - to say, "I'm taking this path. The rest of you should follow it too, but follow me or not, this is the way I'm going."

I hope I can be strong enough.

Favorite Fictional Females Countdown # 6: Jessie

"You never forget kids like Emily or Andy... but they forget you." - Jessie

For Your Listening Pleasure: "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" by Emmylou Harris, and "When She Loved Me," by Sarah MacLachlan, to celebrate fabulous female number six - Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl!

Name: Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl (or just Jessie)
Featured in: Toy Story 2 (and, coming in 2010, Toy Story 3!)
Voiced by: Joan Cusack
Special Skills: She's the only Pixar character (and only Disney animated character that I know of) that can yodel, she can more than hold her own in hand-to-hand fighting (she would have beaten Woody even if he'd had both his arms), and she has a strong sense of duty when it comes to "critters" who need help.
Awards: Jessie won the Patsy Montana Entertainer Award from the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, and Joan Cusack won the Annie (Animation) Award for Best Voice Acting by a Female in a Feature Film.
Why She Rocks: Jessie was the first in a memorable line of strong female characters to come from Pixar Animation Studios. Thanks to prompting and suggestions from the movie's female producers and from Joan Cusack herself, the Toy Story series changed from a mostly male affair to a story featuring a strong female in a prominent role. Jessie is a smart, sassy woman who is not afraid to speak her mind or stand up for herself, even against Woody. She's also quite active, full of life, and ready to take full advantage of the chance to stretch her legs outside of her cramped storage box. However, behind Jessie's exuberant and playful demeanor is the broken and wary heart of a toy whose beloved child (a girl named Emily) outgrew her and carelessly gave her away. Indeed, it is Jessie's story that gives Toy Story 2 its heart and its emotional core, providing an insight not only into Jessie's past but also into Woody's greatest fear - that he will one day be cast aside by Andy. Happily, Jessie finds a new home with Andy and all of Andy's toys at the end of the movie and is finally part of a loving family again - and she catches the attention of Buzz Lightyear, who becomes a bit smitten with our girl. Of course, the best Jessie moment in the movie comes at the film's climax, when Jessie and Woody are escaping from the plane. Jessie, in true strong female fashion, saves Woody from falling to a crushing death beneath the wheels by grabbing his arm just as he slips. This part of the scene was, in fact, influenced by Joan Cusack. Originally, Jessie was slated to be the one who slipped from the beam and was caught by Woody, but Cusack suggested they reverse it, not only to show Jessie as a stronger character but also to keep the scene from being too "typical" (way to go Joan!) Jessie also shows strength in her ability to take the (literal) "leap of faith" necessary to trust Woody and let go of the plane, allowing her and Woody to swing to safety.

Woody: Jessie! Let go of the plane!
Jessie: What, are you crazy!?
Woody: Just pretend its the final episode of "Woody's Roundup!"
Jessie: But it was canceled! We never saw if you made it!
Woody: Then let's find out together!
(Jessie looks at Woody for a moment, then lets go of the plane. With a yell, the two swing through the air and land to safety on Bullseye's back)

Check out Pixar's character description here.

Here's a video of "When She Loved Me," the heart-wrenching, Oscar-nominated song that relates Jessie's time with Emily:


And, just for fun, a song for the cowgirl who has some sad memories in her past:

Clinton or Obama? The Question Continues...

As most know by now, Hillary won Pennsylvania by a considerable margin, despite being majorly outspent in that state by Obama.

What does this mean? Well, it means we get to keep doing what we've been doing for a while now - watch Clinton and Obama duke it out in an increasingly heated race for the nomination. Obama still leads in delegates, the popular vote, and states won. However, the loss in PA called into question his ability to win large states and his chances in a general election against McCain. Next up we have Indiana, which is up in the air, and North Carolina, which is (I believe) leaning towards Clinton. None of these states will be enough to give either candidate a clear lead, so the nomination will likely be up to the superdelegates.

So, my take on all of this?

I've been leaning toward Obama for a while now. He seems like a fairly straightforward man (for a politician) who really has goals he wants to accomplish to make our nation better. I also believe his experience in a global community will help him change the image of the U.S. from an arrogant loner cowboy country to a partner for global cooperation.

That said, there are plenty of good points about Clinton too. Of course, I would love to see a woman occupy our nation's highest office, and the fact that I helped get her there would be something to tell my grandchildren. In addition, I think her health care plan is the best out of all the plans the candidates have put forth. Clinton has proposed making health care mandatory for all, with government subsidies for those who cannot afford health care. I think it makes sense, and it would work within the system we already have in place.

Political pundits say this race for the nomination is hurting the Democrats, and on some level, I agree. However, there is a school of thought that says there is no such thing as bad publicity. The Democrats are now directly in the public eye, getting their issues out to the people, while McCain is only occasionally mentioned in the news. Maybe that's a good thing?

I don't know. All I know is that I watched both Clinton and Obama speak the other night after PA primary, and I am still undecided.

WALL-E Update

First of all: I just took another look at IMDb, and John Ratzenberger's participation in the movie is now listed at "rumored," as is the involvement of Sigourney Weaver and Kathy Najimy. I would think that such things as cast lists would be released by now, since the movie is only about 2 months away from opening, but I guess not. Anyway, I REALLY hope that Ratzenberger will be in the movie... I think its a nice tradition to keep.

Second: I've become aware of something of a controversy (among fans, at least) about the similarity of WALL-E to another famous robot with a personality - Johnny 5 from Short Circuit. I think its probably just coincidence - there are some similarities, but there are also quite a few differences. Take a look:








The "feet" look a lot alike - but they also look a lot like the tires (or whatever they're called) used by backhoes and other heavy construction equipment. Aside from that, WALL-E and Johnny 5 have different bodies (boxy vs thin and rectangular), different eyes (binocular-like vs. camera-lens-like) and at least slightly different arms. Bottom line: I don't think there are enough similarities to accuse anyone of stealing.

UPDATE (again): The "rumored" disclaimers have been removed from names on IMDb's WALL-E page. So that means a DEFINITE role for John Ratzenberg, right? *crosses fingers and hopes*

Favorite Fictional Females Countdown #7: Luna Lovegood

"Don't worry. You're just as sane as I am." - Luna Lovegood

Today's Special: A goblet of ice-cold pumpkin juice and a bowl of Freshwater Plimpy soup - or a plate of chocolate frogs for those who don't particularly like Plimpies - to celebrate number seven on our Favorite Fictional Females Countdown: Luna "Loony" Lovegood!

Name: Luna "Loony" Lovegood
Featured in: The Harry Potter book series, starting with Order of the Phoenix (Book 5), and the Harry Potter film series, starting with the fifth movie.
Played by: Evanna Lynch
Special Skills: A keen skill for observation, a special knack for perceiving and stating uncomfortable truths, a mind that is open to anything - even her father's outlandish theories - and unflappable bravery and loyalty that make her an valuable friend to Harry and an asset to everyone on the side fighting against Voldemort.
House: Ravenclaw
Patronus: Hare
Affiliations: Dumbledore's Army
Why She Rocks: The qualities listed above are huge points in Luna's favor, but they only scratch the surface of why Luna is such an awesome character. Luna is wonderful because she is just unashamedly and unapologetically odd. She doesn't just march to the beat of her own drum - this girl is dancing to an entire orchestra that no one else can hear. And the best part is that she doesn't mind what other people think. Luna is aware that others call her odd, but their teasing doesn't affect what she does. Luna will go on searching for Crumple-Horned Snorkacks, stating her father's wild theories as though they were fact, and wearing dirigible plums dangling from her ears because that is who she is. And we wouldn't want it any other way. After all, this "Loony" Luna is the same one who stood by Harry's side three times as he fought Death Eaters and who gave him the most helpful words of comfort after Sirius was killed, for she too had seen a loved-one die. Luna - just as she is - is one incredible girl, and an awesome part of the Harry Potter world.

For more info about our favorite "loony" witch, check out this excellent page at the Harry Potter Wiki.

Hooray for WALL-E!

I just saw the trailer for Wall-E, the upcoming film from Pixar, and all I can say is:

YES!!! WOOHOO!!! Bring it on!

I am incredibly excited for this movie! First of all, its from Pixar, a studio that has yet to disappoint - a point they made in excellent fashion by showing shots from all the previous amazing Pixar films in the Wall-E trailer. Pixar consistently makes films that feature not only beautiful animation but also memorable, loveable characters and strong, moving stories that make you forget all about the technical aspects of the film and just let yourself get caught up in the storytelling.

Reasons I'm especially excited for Wall-E:

• The movie is directed by Andrew Stanton, the same man who directed the AMAZING Finding Nemo. Bottom line: this guy knows what he's doing.
• "EVE," the female robot who befriends Wall-E, is one tough chick. It's nice to see some girl power on the silver screen. :-)
• I found out that it WILL have the voice of John Ratzenberger. I didn't see his name on the cast list at IMDb, but I read a press release that confirmed that his voice is in the movie. John Ratzenberger is considered Pixar's "lucky charm" (he's been in every Pixar movie to date), so his presence in the film is a good sign.

Let the Torch Burn On

Of all the Olympic Games that I have witnessed in my life, none have stirred up as much controversy - before the games even begin - as the Beijing Olympics of 2008.

I understand the position of those protesting the Olympics this year. China is guilty of many human rights violations - that cannot be denied, and I would never try to deny it. I sympathize with Tibet's desire for independence, and I certainly don't support China's actions in Darfur.

I do, however, support the spirit of the Olympic Games - a spirit of brother- and sister-hood among all nations, a celebration of all that is good about humanity.

Criticize China if you feel that is the right thing to do (and I believe they should be condemned) but do not drag the Olympic Games down at the same time. I am particularly angry toward the people who have tried to douse the flame of the Olympic torch as it makes its relay around the world. How does extinguishing a flame that represents the unity of people from around the globe in a common purpose help to support human rights?

I believe it is possible to let the Games go on without necessarily supporting China's actions. Let's all try to remember the meaning of the Olympic Games and hope that it is that message that comes through all of this.

April 16 - Remembering Virginia Tech

Today marks the one year anniversary of the Virginia Tech massacre. Please join me in praying for the families and friends of the 32 people who were killed on that tragic day. I also pray for students and faculty in colleges and schools everywhere, that a tragedy like the one at Virginia Tech will be prevented from ever happening again.

If you would like to learn more about the massacre or send condolences, visit this website.

In Memoriam

Ollie Johnston, a legendary animator from the golden age of Disney animated films, passed away yesterday at the age of 95.

Johnston was the last surviving member of Disney's Nine Old Men, a core group of animator/filmmakers that brought us some of the most beloved animated films ever.

Ollie Johnston's impressive list of Disney classics include:

• "Snow White"
• "Fantasia"
• "Bambi"
• "Pinocchio"
• "Cinderella,"
• "Alice in Wonderland,"
• "Peter Pan"
  
• "Lady and the Tramp"
• "Sleeping Beauty"
• "101 Dalmatians"
• "Mary Poppins"
• "The Jungle Book"
• "The Aristocats"
• "Robin Hood"
• "The Rescuers"

Ollie Johnston and his amazing talent and dedication helped lead Disney and animation itself to the heights they have reached. Without Ollie Johnston's influence in the early days of animation, we wouldn't have any of the classic tales that he helped bring to life. Furthermore, there wouldn't have been "The Little Mermaid, "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin," "The Lion King," or any of the other animated masterpieces that have been made since his time at Disney.

So here's to you, Ollie Johnston. Thank you so much.

Favorite Fictional Females Countdown #8: Dory

Ok, so she's not human... or even humanoid. But she is female, and certainly one of the funniest, most memorable, and most lovable Pixar characters yet created. In my book, that more than earns her a spot on this countdown.

Everyone, please put your fins together for the one, the only... Dory!

Name: Dory
Featured in: Finding Nemo
Voiced by: Ellen DeGeneres
Special Skills: She is very friendly, even toward sharks. She is incredibly loyal and will follow her friend across the entire ocean. Oh, and she can speak whale!
Why She Rocks: So many reasons... If Marlin is the heart of the Finding Nemo story, then Dory is the soul, keeping everyone swimming along with a smile and a song. Nothing can bring down this eternal optimist, not even "Mr. Grumpy Gills" himself. So she has a little trouble remembering things... she more than makes up for it with her friendliness, spirit, and loyalty. Let's face it... Marlin would not have made it to Nemo without Dory.

Extra points for Dory- she has the best quotes! Some examples:

• [singing] Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim.
• [playing with a baby jellyfish] I shall call him squishy, and he shall be mine, and he shall be my squishy!
• [dreaming] Uhhh... the sea monkeys have my money... yes, I'm a natural blue...
• [angler fish's light approaches] Yes, I see... a light. Hey, conscience, am I dead?
• I can read? That's right, I can READ!
• [translating "whale"] Okay, he either said, "move to the back of the throat," or he "wants a root beer float".
• [reading a door] Hey, look. "Esc-a-pay". I wonder what that means? That's funny, it's spelled just like the word "escape."
• [to the angler fish after Marlin and Dory trap him] No no no eating here tonight, you're on a diet!
• [in response to Marlin saying he's stuck with a fish who can't even remember her name] Boy, I bet that's frustrating.
• I suffer from short term memory loss. It runs in my family... At least I think it does... Where are they?

And Dory's most touching quote - pretty much sums up the theme of the film:

• [after hearing about Marlin's promise to Nemo] Huh. Well that's a funny thing to promise. [Marlin: What?] Well, you can't never let anything happen to him. Then nothing would *ever* happen to him. Not much fun for little Harpo.

Some political satire with your coffee?

Its an election year, the campaigns are heating up, and serious issues are dominating the airwaves. So what better time could there be to add some levity to the proceedings?

Enter "The Capitol Steps," the finest in musical political humor.

This spoofing singing group specializes in satirizing the crazy world of American politics - as the group's motto says, "We put the MOCK in Democracy." The best part is that no one is safe from the these satirical singers. They mock all aspects of the political spectrum equally - left, right, and center.

Check out "The Capitol Steps" and their latest straight-from-the-headlines satirical songs here at their home page.

And here is one of my favorite songs that the group wrote/performed:

Favorite Fictional Females Countdown #9: Helen Parr a.k.a. Elastigirl

Today's Special: A cup of strong coffee and a slice of chocolate cake (she deserves it!) for #9 on our countdown: Helen Parr a.k.a. Elastigirl!

Name: Helen Parr a.k.a. Elastigirl
Featured in: The Incredibles
Voiced by: Holly Hunter
Special Skills: She can stretch, flatten, and bend her body any way she wants, she's great a thinking on her feet, and she can more than hold her own in hand-to-hand combat. And she can fly a plane!
Why She Rocks: This hardworking wife and mother of three is not your typical suburbanite. She is a superhero who was forced into hiding with her family after a wave of anti-superhero sentiment swept the country. Helen is fiercely devoted to and protective of her family. She is not afraid to voice her opinion and stand her ground, and she eschews the idea of standing aside and letting others save the world. Quotage (thanks to IMDB):

Bob: Wait here and stay hidden. I'm going in.
Helen: While what? I watch helplessly from the sidelines? I don't think so.
Bob: I'm asking you to wait with the kids.
Helen: And I'm telling you, not a chance. You're my husband, I'm with you - for better or worse.
Bob: I have to do this alone.
Helen: What is this to you? Playtime?
Bob: No.
Helen: So you can be Mr. Incredible again?
Bob: No!
Helen: Then what? What is it?
Bob: I'm not...
Helen: Not what?
Bob: Not... I'm not strong enough.
Helen: Strong enough? And this will make you stronger?
Bob: Yes. No!
Helen: That's what this is? Some sort of work out?
Bob: [shouts] I can't lose you again!
[calms down]
Bob: I can't. Not again. I'm not s-strong enough.
Helen: [kisses him] If we work together, you won't have to be.
Bob: I don't know what will happen...
Helen: Hey, c'mon. We're superheroes. What could happen?

Helen is one tough, crime-fighting superheroine, and well deserving of a Top Ten spot. For more info about this awesome character, check out Pixar's description.

Favorite Fictional Females Countdown - #10: Willow Rosenberg

Today's special: a cup of decaf coffee and a kosher butter pecan turtle bar to celebrate my favorite member of the Scooby Gang - Willow!

Name: Willow Rosenberg
Featured in: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
Played by: Alyson Hannigan
Special Abilities: Huge intellect, masterful knowledge of computers (especially when it comes to breaking into sites/computers where access is denied) and, oh yeah, she becomes a majorly powerful witch.
Why She Rocks: I think most young girls (or women who were once young girls) will agree that Willow is the character with whom it is easiest to identify. She begins the series as a teenage girl who, despite being incredibly brilliant and gifted, is very shy and insecure, particularly around guys. Despite her insecurities, Willow is always there for her friends, particularly Buffy and Xander. She (along with Giles) is the brains of the Scooby Gang, giving Buffy much needed info that helps her defeat the vamps, demons, and other beasties in Sunnydale. Through facing her fears (over and over and over again), Willow gains confidence and a sense of who she is. I love seeing Willow's growth from shy teenager to powerful witch over the course of the series. I'm also grateful to this show and to Joss Whedon for giving us a case on television where a character's homosexuality and same-sex relationship is not used for laughs but rather treated with just as much depth and attention as any other part of the show. I think Willow's brilliance, compassion, and confidence (which she gained as the show went on) make her a great role model and a worthy #10 on this countdown.

Favorite Fictional Females Countdown!

Have a cafe mocha and a chocolate chip cookie on the house, because today it is time to give those fabulous women from movies, television, and books their due!

The idea came to me after I watched the TV Guide Channel's countdown of TV's Sexiest Women of All Time. If they can do it, why can't I? I'll be counting down my top ten favorite female characters from all my favorite forms of entertainment (not just TV).

Of course, this list will be highly subjective and based solely on my own movie, TV, and book preferences. For a more objective (and strictly Disney) heroine countdown, look at this list of the Top 25 Heroines. This list is based on voting by site visitors/contributors.

I'll begin the countdown with my next post. Stay tuned!

Today's Special: A Taste of France

Today's Special: a nice hot cup of Cafe au Lait (coffee with steamed milk) and a chocolate croissant.

Why, you ask? Today is a celebration:

I finally bought my tickets to France!

That's right - Daphne and I will be in Paris from September 4th through the 15th!

PARIS!! Can you believe it?!

We decided to go to Paris last fall when we both confessed a desire to travel in Europe - and what is more quintessentially European than Paris? We plan to see everything we can possibly see and have the experience of our lives!

Here is a preliminary list of the sights we want to see - but we'll surely see much, much more:
- Notre Dame
- Versailles
- Montmarte
- The Bastille
- The Louvre
- The Eiffel Tower
- The Arch de Triomphe
- The Moulin Rougue (too bad it doesn't come with Ewan MacGregor)
- Sacre Coeur

For Your Listening Pleasure: Sara Bareilles and Anna Nalick

Introducing Tiana

This is why I am excited about new Disney films again:

Disney is going back to traditional 2-D, hand-drawn animation (for the first time since 2004) with 2009's The Princess and the Frog.

I don't have anything against computer animation - or rather, nothing against GOOD computer animation. Pixar, for example, makes AMAZING animated films. However, I am less than impressed by the rather ho-hum quality of the latest non-Pixar Disney films. No moving story lines, no musicals - what is that about? I want the rich tradition of the Disney films back - the awesome films I grew up with. I want something along the lines of Beauty and the Beast, not Chicken Little.

Fortunately for all of us, The Princess and the Frog seems to be a return to awesome, traditional Disney films - it will be hand-drawn, a musical, and the first Disney film since Aladdin to feature a princess (if you don't count Enchanted). Additionally, this film will feature the first African-American Disney Princess, named Princess Tiana (voiced by Anika Noni Rose) and it will be set in 1920's Jazz Age New Orleans.

Other reasons I have high hopes for this movie:

• The film will be directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, who directed The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Hercules - that's an impressive resume in my book.
• Most of the voice cast is made up of actors who have Broadway experience - the highlight is Anika Noni Rose, who was in "Dreamgirls." This means no more "sound-alike" singing voices, which I've always considered something of a cop-out. Instead, we'll have a princess in the tradition of Jodi Benson (Ariel) and Paige O'Hara (Belle), who both spoke and sang their roles.
• Randy Newman (who wrote the score for A Bug's Life, Monster's Inc., Cars and both Toy Story films) will be writing the music for The Princess and the Frog. To be honest, I would have been happier if the legendary Alan Menken - the man who wrote the soundtrack to my childhood with his scores for The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Hercules - was doing the score, but Randy Newman is great as well, so I'm not worried.