Dia duit!

I have begun (in earnest) studying the Irish language. I had puttered around with it in the past off and on, but decided to really give it a go. I am really enjoying myself.

Dd 11 says I sound like I am choking in the back of my throat. I need to work on making my CH sound more subtle, but still distinguishable.

The program I am using is imersion based, which means they aren't actually EXPLAINING anything, just showing pictures and saying ... something ... in Gaeilge. I have to learn to recognize what they are saying, repeat it, and (I hope) figure out what it means. It is actually working pretty well. Though, I do miss having someone spell out exactly what I am learning.

The pronunciation is the hardest part and I am sure I have a terrible accent. With time and practice I think it will get better.

It is nice to learn some of the language of my ancestors. It makes me feel like I haven't totally been disconnected from where my family came from, well, the Irish side that is. I don't know if I could handle Norwegian. ;)

Sla'n ! (How do you put accent marks using an American keyboard?)
That means Good-bye.

And, for your visualy enjoyment...
Dd 9 constructing her gingerbread (graham cracker) house back in December.

Movie / Book Review Time!

My husband recently told me, with a cute little pouty face, that his favorite blogger had not posted in a while. I told him Zirbert had a life and family and day job and everything, so not to be upset. He told me he had been talking about Palai Eboulethen. Yeah, well, I have a life and family and all that. Plus, most of my online communiques have been sent out via Facebook or, more rarely Twitter. Sorry this old stand-by has been a little neglected.
+++++

Book Slash Movie Review Time!

Recently I (and then two of my daughters, the hubby, and brother) read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series of children's books by Rick Riordan. (Not kiddie-picture books. These were written for the Harry Potter, Chronicles of Prydain crowd. Perfect for my 11 and 12 year old kids, and me, who never managed to fully grow out of a rolling fantasy adventure.) I read the books before I knew there was a movie coming out, but recently enough to be delighted by the news.

Which should I start with, Book Review or Movie Review? Well, I could mix them together.

Both were EXCELLENT.

The movie took the usually shortcuts of leaving out some scenes and characters completely for time considerations, which I have come to expect and I do cut movie makers some slack for that. Still, the camp was cut drastically short and I really missed Mr. D, who did not appear in the movie at all. Also missing from the movie was Clarisse, whom I did not miss.

There were changes to the story that I don't understand as well, as they would have had little effect on the run-time of the movie. Why remove all mystery about who Percy's father was? Figuring that out was part of the fun of the first book. It added a touch of mystery. Oh well. I do suppose they would have had to extend the camp scenes in order to bring the mystery out and explain it. Still, that would have been a good thing. Characterizations suffered for the rush through slow parts to get to the excitement.
They changed the "law" from THE BIG THREE (Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades) SHALL NOT HAVE CHILDREN to GODS CANNOT HAVE CONTACT WITH THEIR DEMIGOD OFFSPRING. What is up there? I realize that the Law covered a series of books originally, but only one movie here, but still... The books were way cooler on this. Since when do movies NOT set up for sequels? That is pretty much standard practice now-a-days, yes? It is as if the studio did not expect the movie to do well and therefore made sure their story could fully be told in only one film. On some level I can respect that, but the extended story was better.

Removing the theft of Hades' helmet was a choice I guess I can understand, but I think the book made more sense. Maybe they thought it would make the movie too much longer (which I do not agree with) or they thought that the theft of another powerful magic/divine item/symbol would cloud the plot for viewers, which I can see them thinking, but also do not agree with. The multi-faceted plot to start a war with the gods made more sense than everyone trying to gang up on Zeus by getting his bolt.
+++++

The acting was passable where the main children were concerned. The girl playing Annabeth (Alexandra Daddario) looked so much like Tiffany Amber Thiessen, that if I didn't know Ms, Theissen was an adult now (having seen her on a few episodes of White Collar) I would have thought it was her. (Ironically, Miss Daddario also played a part on White Collar, though I never saw any resemblance between the two actresses there. Then again, I do not remember them ever appearing together.)
The boy playing Percy needed a haircut, but that is somewhat regrettably in style these days and can be forgiven, I guess.
Grover was fantastic. The Lotus dancing scenes were a treat.

The background children were a bit wooden. The campers fighting did not look natural at all. It was painful to watch. Again, if the camp scenes had been extended the director and casting agents might have paid more attention or been more picky. *sigh*

The adults were fabulous. Pierce Brosnan, always so debonair as a slick Remington Steele or James Bond, was WONDERFUL as the hairy, gruff, centaur warrior Chiron. Outstanding!

I would not have chosen Sean Bean for the roll of Zeus, myself. And I would have been wrong. He was amazing.

It was too bad Athena was little seen in the movie. The lovely Anna Kanakarides was wasted on a one-line part. Too bad. She was great. She should have had more to do. (The fake accent was unnecessary, though. I blame the director, not Ms Kanakarides.)

Uma Thurman as Medusa was incredible. When I saw her name in the opening credits I expected she would be playing Athena, or Aphrodite (who was woefully cut out of the film) but she was a treat as the slick and stylishly evil Medusa. Very cool.

I loved Rosario Dawson's Persephone. That character was so much better than the one presented in the book. Persephone has always been one of my favorite mythological characters. There isn't much written about her actual personality, but I had filled in the gaps with my imagination. Riordan's imagination was very different than my own, but the movie was more in line with what I liked. And leaving Demeter out entirely, if she were going to be like the book's version, was a wise choice.
+++++

There were parts of the movie that were really great. The CGI effects were very well done.
I have never been particularly impressed by the story of Theseus and the Minotaur, but after seeing the fight between that monster and Percy last night, I have to give that beast more respect, I would not want to meet him in real life.
The Hydra scene was an IMPROVEMENT on what was in the book. The Nashville, TN Parthenon location beats the St. Louis arch hands down for atmosphere that fits the Mythology-in-Modern times setting of the story. And the Hydra was ... (running out of adjectives) mind-blowing! Much better than a chimera and an echidna...oops, excuse me...much better than a chimera and Echidna. (I did really miss the "I am the Mother of all Monsters, not an egg-laying hedgehog! I hate Australia!" line, though.)
+++++

Despite how much I liked the movie, there was one glaring (to me) area where they fell down on the job. Blame it on my being a classics major.
Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, seems to have done his homework well when it comes to accurately presenting ancient Greek mythology. His acknowledgments include classics professors and I was not able to find any mistakes in his ancient facts as presented (even to explaining how the eternally virginal Athena could have a daughter.) The modern lives, facts, and circumstances are his creation, but still remain true to the personalities presented in mythology. The movie took all that and just washed it away for the sake of ... I don't know what.

#1 (minor complaint) How hard is it to have contacts for Annabeth and Athena so their eyes are GRAY instead of blue? If ancient bards and historians made a point of telling us what color Athena's eyes are, why just ignore it? (I admit, that is very minor.)

#2 No Cerberus? That scene from the book was really cute. Time, I guess. But the presence of the three-headed dog guardian is a staple when heroes are journeying into the Underworld. Could it be that the movie creators were afraid of being compared to Harry Potter? Yeah, well, that was inevitable, so changing the MYTHOLOGY to suit hypothetical critics smacks of insecurity. Probably the same insecurity that led to the removal of the Oracle and her prophecy / set up for sequels. Boo to the movie guys!

#3 The Lotus Eaters were not EVIL!!! They were, in fact, quite friendly. They had what they thought was a great life and had no problem sharing with those they met. They were not evil in The Oddysey and they were not evil in Riordan's book. The movie decided they should try to trap people. Why? To make the scene more exciting? Isn't a casino where all your dreams come true exciting enough? There are flashing lights and games and a roller coaster and dancing; why do you need villains?
+++++

All together, I LOVED the series and recommend it to any child (or adult) who likes a good adventure story. I also recommend it to educators looking for a way to get kids to read AND learn some Greek mythology. I recommend the movie along the lines of former statement, but with a cautious warning concerning the latter, thanks to movie writers apparently not knowing, or caring about, staying true to mythology.


10 out of 10 asterisks for the books **********

8 out of 10 asterisks for the movie (-1 for mythology revisions, -1 for bad sword fighting) ********--

For your visual enjoyment...my number 1 fan. Isn't he handsome?

Best Gift I received of 2009

Amazon Kindle

I love it! We are far enough from large bookstores to feel a crunch. There are book stores in Oxford, but they tend to be small and not necessarily carry the books I want. Add to that my health problems of the past year and you have me, sitting at home not reading new books.

With the Kindle I can download books from home instantly. They tend to be cheaper than even many paperback versions. I was shocked at the selection available. It's HUGE!

I loaded it with kids books for our trip to Kentucky for myself and the girls. They love it as much as I do. (Though once they have read all the new books I loaded on that may fade.)

Happy January!

Resolution time!

I fully realize that I almost NEVER keep my resolutions more than a few days, let alone for always. The longest I went was March once.

This year may go the same way, but if I don't try then I am guaranteed to not make a change.

I found some very interesting, Bible-based health books. The primary one in the group is What Would Jesus Eat? (Yeah, I made fun of that the first time I saw it in the book store too.) But it is basically the Mediterranean style diet that has been pushed for a few years as being the most healthy for humans, with a generous dash of scripture and history tossed in.

Also included on my new reading list are books by the same author on biblically treating diabetes, high-blood pressure, and arthritis. Now, these are more than "Pray and if you have enough faith God will send a miracle" books (though prayer is certainly a part of the mix) They rely more on clearing out much of the pollution modern "conveniences" have brought to our bodies, and especially come down hard on guck like fast food.

I know this isn't going to be an easy change. I have eaten like a modern American for all my life. Truth be told, it hasn't served me well, but I am attached to what I know.

For now I am reading through the books and drinking more water and less soda. The really interesting changes come when I start seeing what I can do about eating fish (a lot) and whole grains. Cutting out red meat and processed carbs is not as easy as it sounds.

I'll keep you up to date.

Here is Amazon's Don Colbert list
http://www.amazon.com/Don-Colbert/e/B001IQXMG4/ref=sr_tc_2_0

For your phot-viewing wonder! I present dd9 doing her school work. Enjoy!

New TV Review part II

V - Started late in the season (relatively speaking)

I don't feel like going in too much depth.
My first concern was how they would make things interesting when anyone over the edge of 30 remembers the basic gist of the 1980's miniseries. They solved that problem by not making the "reptile-ness" a secret from the audience. (Though it is not know to most characters in the show.)

Altogether, I liked the pilot and will continue to watch.

The teenager is annoying, but I remember being annoyed by Robin (the teenager who got pregnant) in the miniseries, so that comes as no surprise.

Eight out of Ten asterisks ********--

Palai Eboulethen's Fall TV Review

New Shows!
(those I bothered to watch)

Eastwick- Everybody is typically in a huff about the "witch thing." Blah, who cares? It is not a how-to on witchcraft. It isn't any more dangerous than Harry Potter (which also caused a hubbub), or Charmed (ditto), or Bewitched. I do not know of anyone protesting Elizabeth Montgomery's studio, blah blah blah. Then again, I was not around when it was new. I just saw reruns that nobody cared a whit about.
That said, this is not a great show. It goes too far out of its way to be sexy. It would have been better if it had not. Now, I realize that sex is a major part of the novel (or so I have heard) and the movie that the series is based on. OK, I get that. They go too far here, though. I never would have guessed something could make me wish for the days of Charmed. But here you have it.
The worst part is I am enjoying the rest of the story. I don't know if I can watch it though. Too much sex. Maybe if I were a 20-something who wasn't getting any I would find it enticing. As it is, not so much.
Two out of Ten asterisks **........

Stargate Universe- Wow! OK, there is a lot to say. Originally my post was going to be about how firing the gifted cameramen of SG1 and SGA was a mistake. And that the budget cuts that led to them borrowing someone's camcorder rather than using the steadycam were regrettable. The more recent episodes have let go of the "found footage" feel that had become oh-so-chic. Thank goodness! No need for me to make the snide comment about the Sci Fi Channel airing the bastard love child of Stargate and Battlestar Galactica. (But seriously! Why cancel those shows if you are going to replace them with a mixed up duplicate?)
As to more recent episodes...I am left with wondering who at the Sci Fi Channel (I refuse to call it SyFy, which my entire brain says should be pronounced SIFFY) chose that the problem with Action Adventure Science Fiction was the Action and the Adventure. If things do not get interesting I am going to have to bail, and that really makes me sad, since I really WANT to like this show and am willing to give it all kinds of slack just because it is SG.
I cannot be interested in a show about a raving megalomaniac trying to save a bunch of whiners. Especially when all he is trying to save them from is Suffocation, Starvation, and Slow, Boring Death.
Three out of 10 asterisks ***.......

Flash Forward- my first thought when I heard about this concept (after the "Oo, this might be interesting!) was...but what will happen once they reach the point they all saw? Where will the series go after that? I suppose we'll just have to cross that bridge when we get there.
So far I am really enjoying the mystery and attempt to piece together what happened. I could do without some of the angst, but I can see where it would actually be there if this were real. (Believe it or not, many science fiction fans, myself included, are real sticklers for whether something in their shows happens as it would if this were real life.) If "Oo,woe! my marriage is going to end!" or "Oo, woe! why didn't I see anything?!" get's too heavy, the show will get boring. So far the writers seem to have the right mix of pace and mystery. We'll see if they can keep it up.
Seven out of Ten asterisks *******...

Wow! I cannot believe that I am only watching 3 new shows. I would have worn it was more. Oh well, nothing else interested me enough to bother. I know V doens't start for a little while. We'll see how that goes. I am not sure how they are going to pull it off when everyone remembers the story from the 1980's miniseries. And I miss Morena Baccarin's hair. It was SOOO lovely! Why is it cut so short?!

Palai Eboulethen's TV Fall Season Review

This may come as a surprise to you, since I have said in the past that my family does not subscribe to cable TV, but I LOVE watching good TV. The adjective in that sentence is the main reason I do not feel "deprived" by not having cable. There are some shows I do enjoy, and they are generally available to watch online now, so I can enjoy what I do want without much of what I do not. (I also hope that online viewings are kept better track of than the antiquated Neilson ratings, so that my actual preferences get some consideration. I could be too optimistic there, though.)

So, to the shows I have seen recently, we'll begin with returning series...Hmm, should I go alphabetically, in order by weekly broadcast, by age, popularity? I know, worst to best in my opinion. Or should I go best to worst?

WORST to BEST

Smallville- I have loved Smallville for years. I like the Superman mythos, I liked the writing and acting in the show. Our (my husband's and mine) main complaint was too much teen angst, but seeing as it was a WB (and later CW) show, we cut it some slack there. (That would be like complaining about too much sportiness in an ESPN series.) BUT...this season, after one episode I am left with a deep sense of "Why should I care?" followed by "Meh" I'll tune in this week, but if I am not grabbed by the brain and shaken it will be the last time.
Two out of Ten asterisks **........

Heroes- Ditto **........

Bones- Seems to be progressing much as it has in the past. This isn't a bad thing, since it was a great show. They are, however, dallying very close to crossing the Moonlighting line, wherein they relieve the romantic tension and the spark goes out of the show. Things may go differently, I hope they do. Besides all that, I have no complaint about the season so far.
Five out of Ten Asterisks *****.....

The Mentalist- I am glad that Season 1 did not resolve the Red John serial killer plot line, but I am also glad they have backed off a little. The best part of this show is the way Patrick Jane interacts with the witnesses/suspects and the CBI team.
Five out of Ten Asterisks *****.....

Dollhouse- This was one of my most looked-forward-to premiers. That is possibly simply out of the joy that it managed to have a Season 2 premier at all. So far it isn't ruined or changed too badly. I was worried that Joss Whedon, out of trying to answer other people's problems with the show, would change Echo too much, bring out too much Caroline. The problem is, I didn't like Caroline, I liked Echo. If she changes, I want her to evolve forward, not backward. So far, so good this season.
Six out of Ten Asterisks ******....

Ghost Whisperer- The addition of a child to an established series is often seen as a kiss of doom to an already failing show. Ghost Whisperer may or may not be on it's last legs, but they circumvented the Baby Blues by skipping 5 years in the first episode. I think it was a good move. It remains to be seen whether Aiden will be a benefit to the show or not.
Six out of Ten Asterisks ******....

Numbers- Likewise (see above) moving esptablished characters relationships to other levels. The season premier spent most of its hour without Amita answering Charlie's proposal (we thought.) I think that was a good move, making the answer not as important as other things going on. The show might continue as before. I hope it does. It has been a nice departure from my normal Sci Fi/Smart Comedy TV menu.
Six out of Ten Asterisks ******....

Dexter- Another show that made changes, this one BOTH taking a realtionship to another level and adding a baby. Oddly enough, it seems to have enriched things, at least for the viewer, and at least in the first episode. I still cannot verbalize why I even like this show that I didn't expect to like, but when I gave it a chance, I did; and the marriage and baby hasn't ruined it so far. Keep that up.
Seven out of Ten Asterisks *******...

Fringe- This show has shaken off a lot of my friends' "X-files" clone complaints and really made itself worth watching. I actually like it better than X-files. I have never liked when a show uses amnesia for any reason other than comedic effect, and then they only get to do it once. But, Olivia's amnesia seems to be useful right now, so I'll cut them some slack.
Eight out of Ten Asterisks ********..

Supernatural- Talk about bringing out the BIG GUNS! The show went from hunting ghosts and vampires to demons, then angels got in on the actions and now Lucifer walks and Cas wants to find God. Wow! It does make for some interesting TV. (I can accept fictionalized views of religion if done with respect. So far it has been, as much as can be expected from a battle-hardened warrior who feels put upon by the powers-that-be.) My main concern is, where do they go from here? No matter how this season turns out, really, where can you go after pulling out all the stops like this?
Eight out of Ten Asterisks ********..

Castle- Ah yeah, Baby! This show rocked last season and the first episode in this was just as fabulous. I was a little worried that the Becket's Mom's murder case deal would cloud over the fun with (gasp!) a plot arc, and it still thereatens, but it hasn't interfered too badly so far, and the hilarious team of Castle, Becket, and those other two guys rolls on. This is one of my favorite shows.
Nine out of Ten Asterisks *********.

Next time on Palai Eboulethen's unpronounceable blog...NEW Fall Shows (the ones that at least looked interesting enough to try out.)

*************************************************************

Bleeding Heart Barbie is so happy! Now that President Obama runs the car companies, every car can be a hybrid and stop killing the world. Yay!

Sept. 11 Tribute - Doreen J. Angrisani

Doreen Angrisani

Doreen J Angrisani was born in Queens, New York and lived there with her sister and brother-in-law.

She worked for Marsh & McLennan for 23 years. She started as a clerical worker and over time worked her way up to management. Something like that takes hard work and dedication. But, her job was not her life. Form all that I can find, Doreen loved the finer things in life, family, good music, and Mets baseball.

Wherever I read about Doreen, either from fmaily memorials or notes left by former coworkers, her love of classic rock music is mentioned. For that reason I ca't think of a more fitting memorial than to add some MUSIC to my normally silent blog. I chose songs I hope Doreen would have approved of.

Under Attack

Last weekend's battle of the driveway ended in a draw, although our side did manage to rescue one hostage. Both sides continue to eye one another warily without making any overt moves to continue hostilities.

Recent intelligence reports, however, indicate that covert maneuvers by the enemy are attempting to flank our position and take the bunker from the rear. Sneaky devils! Another hostage has been captured! Rescue attempts cannot be put into action for another 24 hours. By that time, who knows how far the enemy may have advanced?

This battle has been brutal all season. In past years, initial forays were met with swift retribution and incursions were stopped before they could gain a foothold. Unfortunately, last year the bunker's new generals were somewhat lax in their continued surveillance and security measures. That, coupled with injuries and fatigue this year have left a prime opportunity for invasion. If it isn't stopped soon, we may be overrun completely!

(Last week we cut back some of the weeds in our driveway, but only moderately took after the kudzu. It is mostly around the edge of the drive where we do not drive, so it has been ignored, this year and last. It does creep in bit by bit.

Kudzu on the parking lot, where we do not drive.


The kudzu had grown up and was starting to cover one of our fir trees (bushes) but we cut it back and got the poor thing free.

The freed hostage (view from my bedroom window.)


I just saw that kudzu around the side and back of the house, where no one ever goes, has grown up into and all over one of the holly bushes in the rear. It is very close to the house and if we leave it it will start covering the walls.

Kudzu growing up holly bush. I had to look out the back window at an odd angle to see it. (Pay no attention to spider webs. I figure if I leave them long enough I won't have to decorate for Halloween. It isn't procrastination, it is preparation!)


The kudzu on the holly is perfectly visible from my daughters' bedroom windows. Did they think to mention it? NO)

Daughter's window. Why wasn't this reported? (Could she be a kudzu agent?)





Small sample of what kudzu can do. There are trees under there!

What am I up to?

(trying to avoid a What Is For Dinner? entry)

So, how have I been spending my time?

On the computer- Facebook (FarmTown, Farkle), listening to talk radio streams, watching TV (mostly things I have seen before) including Burn Notice, Warehouse 13, Eureka, and eagerly awaiting the new seasons of Monk and Psyche (and later Chuck, Heroes, Lost, and Smallville)

Reading-
the Bible, the "in a year" schedule I am on has me in the middle of Psalms right now and I just started Romans.
Fantasy Pulp- I had gone for a long time without endulging in frivolous reading, but I recently started a 6 book series, well, a month ago. I am about to start Book 6.

Handicrafts-
Crosstitch- Well, I am not sure yo ucan call it that. I have been doing Blackwork, which is basically outlining, rather than X-ing. (Traditioanlly done in black thread, I am actually using other colors.) I also stitched the names of our family members to go along with the next item...

Quilting- I had a idea to make a wall quilt with a tree and then have seperate apple motifs with the names of out family members stitched on them. I have the names stitched, but have not made either the apples or pieced the tree quilt. It is still kind of in the planning phase. (I have a lot of things in the planning phase.)

Nothing has been done in- Knitting, Crochet, Jewelry making, sewing, doll customization, web design, gardening, photogrpahy

Home School-
We have been taking some time off, but will be getting back into the thick of things starting next week. Also, I decided to take a more active role in PEAK, a good idea for the group's facilitator. If everything I have planned comes about we will have an activitiy once a week (almost.)

In the works for PEAK-
American Girl Book Club
Monthly Birthday parties/planning meetings
Ancient Civilization Days (a new civilization every month)
Science Fair
Art Fair
US State Geogrpahy/Culture Fair
World Geogrpahy/Culture/Food Fair
History Fair
Photography Fair
Physics/Inertia Demonstration
Bowling Field Trip
Swimming field trip
Automobile Museum Field Trip
Memphis Zoo field Trip
Poetry Fair
Thanksgiving Play

And, as a therapy for my hermetic tendencies, I am going to try to make it to all of these (and whatever there is that I forgot to mention) I already know that i am going to start tothink to myself, "Why did you commit to that?! I want to just stay at home!" But by then it will be too late! I will have boxed myself in! Hahahaha!

Oh, I almost forgot...
Role Playing-
Just in case you had mistaken me for a grown-up...
Mostly Forgotten Realms. Not using 4e, can't stand it enough to buy the books. I have been picking up 3e and 3.5 for pretty good bargains on eBay.
DH is running a game for me alone set in Sigil (planar hub) in which the Prime Material plane is Forgotten Realms, should I decide to go there. My character is a psion.
I am planning a game for the whole family (Yes, we are teaching our girls to play, so sue me.) based in FR (3e, or maybe starting in 2e and working forward) The characters will be signing on to a merchant caravan. I want to start in Waterdeep (Northwestern coastal metropolis) and work my way along trade routes across the whole continent. So much of FR has printed source material that there is something for everywhere, even if I do not use modules. (I hate modules.)

There you go.
I am off to watch this week's Burn Notice.

This is Cumberland Falls in April 1998. We went there to celelbrate our 1st wedding anniversary. It had been a very raainy Spring and the river was UP. In some places the walkways to see the falls were flooded.

Recent Knee Pain

Since February I have had increasing pain in my knees. It started light, only when I went up or down the stairs. Then it was not light, when I went up or down the stairs. Then it was light all the time. Then it was not light, all the time. Walking across a room became something to be avoided.

I did some research and thought it might be arthritis. I had always thought arthritis would come on more slowly. I went from "OK" to "Can Barely Walk" in a month. Also, everything I read, and the people I talked to, saaid that arthritis gets better and worse according to barometric pressure. I saw no real difference in the pain based on weather changes.

I haven't been to see a doctor. I hate going to doctors. My husband is trying to get me to go, but I keep putting it off. Nothing I have read has said anything about a treatment option that I need a doctor for, unless I want my knees replaced, which I don't think is quite necessary yet. The websites I saw said to loose weight, take ibuprofen or naproxin (Advil or Aleve), try to stay off the knees, and maybe menthol cream (Ben Gay). I have been doing all of that and it helps a little. (Except the weight loss, which is too slow to see improvement yet.)

And something told me that it didn't quite fit the arthritis self-diagnosis. So, I continued my research.

Another possibility presented itself. Tendonitis

I think I had avoided anything that focused on sports medicine when I did my first research, which is why I missed it. Tendonitis fits my situation better.

The pain started when I moved my desk from upstairs (where my bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom is) to downstairs and started having to go up and down the stairs 5 or 6 times a day. A sudden change of physical activity can cause a tear in the tendon.

Now, if a person is in good shape going up a few flights of steps every day is no trouble. I fully acknowledge I am not in good shape. I am working on that. (Of course, having trouble walking does not make exercising easy.)

Anyway, tendonitis is not subject to atmospheric pressure changes. Check.

Tendonitis is caused by an injury, such as from sports or a sudden change in physical activity. Check.

Pain can be caused in NEARBY areas due to prolonged favoring of the injured area. Check. (This is what caused me to revisit the arthritis self-diagnosis. For the last couple of weeks my knees had not been hurting much at all, but my calves felt like daggers were going through with each step.)

Last week after we got back from our vacation I bought a cane. I decided to make that concession to my vanity in favor of being able to walk a little more comfortably. Within two days the pain in my calves was GONE and the knee pain is easing up considerably.

I think I am going to be ok.

My husband has said he will give me a few more days before he insists I see a doctor.

I think I can put him off. I do actually feel like I am getting better.

DD10 wearing some silly glasses.

Back from Vacation

We went on vacation this weekend. My husband's grandfather was visiting my in-laws, as he does for a few days about this time every year. The visit was short, but nice. The weather was fabulous and not too hot.

My husband and I pledged to each other that this was our "Stress-Free Vacation." Anytime blood pressures started to rise or voices got a little higher pitched, we stopped, thought things through, adn decided either on whatever decision we actually wanted, or to forestall the decision until such a time as it could be made with no stress. It was marvelous.

I hate driving through Memphis, Tennessee. Driving through Nahville on our way to Kentucky never bothered me the way Memphis does. I would drive 50 miles out of our way if I could to avoid Memphis. However, I generally just grit my teeth and pow ahead, paying as close attention as I can to highway direction signs and trying not to let crazy dirvers get to me. It is usually only 30-45 minutes of the 7 hour trip.

Traffic on the I-55 Mississippi River bridge was horrible. There was construction being done lane by lane as best they could, to do repairs without having to close the bridge. We had slow going headed north but never had to actually stop. We could tell the south-bound lanes were not so lucky.

"Good thing we are going this way."

"They are not likely to have it all done by Tuesday."

"We could take a different route on our way home."

That started a spark of thinking on our parts. I know of two other ways to cross Tennessee on our way from Kentucky and proceed further southward. Of course there are others, but they don't really count.

"We could go through Jackson (TN) and down through Corinth, like we did when we lived in Tupelo. Or we could go through Huntsville. It adds and hour and a half to the drive time, not counting whatever time we spend IN Huntsville, seeing friends or doing whatever."

"Sounds good. Let's do that!"

I know very well that there is almost 0% chance we would have sat in stopped traffic for 10 minutes, let alone an hour and a half, if we had just driven through Memphis on our regular route. But the spirit of the week was fun and fancy free. And we had not visited our old home city in years.

We thought about going to see tourist sights, and Yes, Huntsville, Alabama has quite a few, but that wasn't really in our budget, so we passed. We drove around the city pointing out to the girls our old stomping grounds, apartment complexes, and the hospital where two of them were born.

I am amazed at how much one state university can change in 6 years. They must be doing well, funding-wise.

As we drove past the old dorms I noticed a fraternity-sorority row and pointed it out to DH. I pulled in and parked at his fraternity's house (built 3 years ago, it turns out) to let him go in to see if there were brothers there to show him around. he acted at first like he wasn't that interested, but then I ended up having to go fetch him after 20 minutes.

We got to have lunch with a friend, even bumped into a friend we hadn't been able to contact, randomly. The girls had fun even on what could not have a been a great day for them, and we got home with a day to spare for Dh to recuperate from vacation before heading back to work.

All in all it did indeed turn out to be a stress-free vacation.

Can you believe that I was in 6 different states over the past week? Pretty impressive for someone who doesn't normally travel so much. The girls only went to 5, since they never crossed the Ohio river into Indiana, which Dh and I did while we had a date night, leaving the girls to their grandparents (and great-grandfather.)
Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, and Alabama.

How is your kung fu?

My husband and I went to see Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen last night. That being the case, you might expect this to be a review of that movie. Sorry. There are hundreds of other blogs you could read that in. My movie review series involves DVDs in my family's collection. Today...

Forbidden Kingdom

This is, I hear, the only movie with Jackie Chan and Jet Li together. Both men are very talented at the martial arts and the transition of such to the silver screen. They aren't bad actors either. My husband said he did not recognize Jet Li in the Monkey King costume until nearer the end of the movie. We ahve thought it over and we believe this was because he was smiling and laughing so much. Jet Li does not smile and laugh much in his movies. Jackie Chan often smiles and laughs in his movies. I did not recognize him in his make-up as the old shop keeper until nearer the end of the movie.

It is a fun fantasy movie, set in mythical ancient China rather than the more usual (for westerners) mythical ancient Europe. There are some incredibly funny parts, wonderful action/fight sequences. The plot is great, a little predictable, but still with some twists that caught both of us jaded movie-goers by surprise.

I loved the character of Sparrow. When I get the time I plan to design a custom Barbie for her and for the Wolf Witch, but lets not have this review devolve (evolve?) into a discussion of custom dolls.

There was one part of the movie that really struck a chord with me, moreso than the rest. It was a discussion between Jason (played by Michael Angarano, who is not Shia LeBouef) and The Drunken Master, whose name I forget (played by Jackie Chan.) They are discussing Kung Fu, what it is, what it means, what it needs, etc. The Master tells the student that the essence of kung fu is not the fighting, it is being the best at what you do, no matter what you do. It is an artist capturing beauty in a way that touches the soul. It is a butcher cutting meat to a perfect cut. To have kung fu, whatever is your trade or passion, you must study, learn, practice, and do your best.

So, as Sparrow asked Jason, I ask you...How is your kung fu?

Here is a picture of a timber wolf I took a few years ago at Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville, Indiana.

Happy 4th

300

Despite being a classicist, I have only seen the movie 300 three times. Since my Dear Husband has seen it ... more ... times, I decided to let him write this entry's movie review from our DVD collection.

What is it that makes this movie so great?
First is the sheer heroism. The story is ancient and true, and absolutely heroic. I know, people don't believe in heroism, but there it is - confirmed historical fact.

Other points are arguable - whether the adrenaline-pumping action, the witty dialogue, or just that the underdogs bloody up the pompous bad guys. At the risk of being to clever, I will chalk all this up to the excellence of the craft. While no movie is everyone's flavor, this movie is well-done from start to finish, even in the scenes I don't like. The story, the acting, the writing, the directing are all extremely well done.

I would also argue that this is true back in the story itself. The Spartans were truly great warriors, and this depicts (with some artistic license) their excelence of the craft as well. Any movie that depicts people doing amazing things by their skill and diligence is likely to be a hit. If the makers of said movie also perform with great skill and diligence, then you've got a sure winner.

The odes to freedom and the fight against tyranny attract me just surely as the other points I made. While people in high offices of the world, even occasionally here in the USA, seem to consider people merely as resources or worse, I have always felt the passion for freedom that the movie describes. I suspect this is true for many people around the world. This story is from a time long since gone and a place around the world from where I sit now. I find it comforting that people so foreign to me can have so much in common with me (and trust me, as much as we "inherit" from the Greeks, the Spartans would be unrecognizably foreign to us). As is directly mentioned in the movie, Xerxes uses a massive army of slaves, and they are barely a match for 300 free men. I find it alarming that so many people think the opposite on these issues, but that's for another movie review.

Now, there are things I would change. It seems like every movie today has either a love scene or at least a topless woman. Perhaps the award committees have this as some absurd requirement, or perhaps some "critics" don't consider it "real art" without some flesh. The sex scenes and nudity in most movies just get in the way, and that's especially true in this movie. I would give examples, but this is one of those things that mature people already understand. If you don't get it, me rambling on about it won't help you.

Similarly, I'd also drop some of the exageratedly long shots of the king groaning in defiant pain. I don't have a problem with the idea of the scene, but it's another one of those award-show requirements that it last an extra thirty seconds for no reason. I wish Hollywood would realize that it's becoming a joke about such things in the real world. In those dramatic pauses at the star's face, I can no longer help but hear a director in the background yelling "and hold that pose for the award shot!... hold... hold...hold...hold...hold...hold...hold..."

Despite those peeves (which I feel are more like commentary on all movies today), I still love this movie. These and other problems I'm sure people have (the violence? it's about Spartans!) barely dent my admiration for this movie.

RebelAngel's score 3 stars-*** DH's score 5 stars-*****

Bleeding Heart Barbie cried when she heard about the fly. She thought President Obama knew better than to take the life of one of the Universe's creatures. However, she understands that everyone can need teaching in some area. Bleeding Hear Barbie and her friends atPETA are offering the President a humane fly trap. She suggests that if Obama would just shut his trap, things would be much better.

Camp Rainbow

This week we are having our Camp Rainbow summer festivities here at Our House. It
may sound corny, but it works if done well. The house work will be game-ified. There will be prizes for who can do whatever fastest or best. We will have weed-pulling races in the yard, as well as washing the car and cleaning the patio. I'll have prizes and awards, and music, and whatever else I can think of to make cleaning our house the most fun we have ever had. Sock mopping is always a favorite with camp Rainbow campers.

I have craft supplies that need to be put into storage. I think we'll chuck them into a box from across the room and award points for making it in. In the afternoon, after "camp" activities are done, we'll go to the park or for nature walks, or to the zoo or something else cool and fun.

I have plenty of yard work that needs to be done that can be made fun. There are more than enough weeds, as well as ivy that needs to be trimmed, and sweetgum saplings from seed balls that fell from our front yard tree and were lucky enough to hit dirt rather than parking lot (We have a parking lot.) Since I am not fond of sweetgum seed balls, I do not believe that we need to allow 5 more sweetgum trees to grow. I like sweetgum trees just fine, but I hate the ugly, prickly seed balls. (Could be worse, though. Could be bodach trees.) The yard work will be fun, I think. One way or another.

Also, since kids at summer camp do not have to do school lessons, we will also be taking the week off. That certainly gets some smiles around here. I just hope they do not forget everything we have learned.

Upon learning that I intended to cut down sweetgum saplings, Bleeding heart Barbie has tied herself to one of them in a vain attempt to save my yard from deforestation.

Never Give Up, Never Surrender

It occurs to me as I go throught this blog, rereading past entries and laughing at my own clever wit, that i promised to review my movie collection. (I also promised a bible commentary and to blog every day, but that is neither here nor there.)

Finally, I give you...

Hmmm...I probably should have chosen a movie before I started this. One moment, please

Oh Mandy, well you came and you gave without taking
But I sent you away
Oh Mandy, Well you kissed me and stopped me from shaking
And I need you today
Oh Mandy.

Galaxy Quest
This is a Trekkie movie. not a Star Trek movie, but a movie written for Star Trek fans. If you are not specifically a Trek fan but enjoy science fiction; you will probably still enjoy it. It pokes good natured fun a tthe Star Trek stereotypes and eccentricities. Even if scifi isn't really your thing, but you still like a good action/comedy, I don't think you would hate this.

For the trekkie, though, this film is the Mothership calling from home to say you were always her favorite, even if no one else can see how special you are.

Tim Allen does superbly. He never was someone I would peg as an action hero (Buzz Lightyear notwithstanding) but since his character is "not quite an action hero" it fits.

Alan Rickman has been a favorite villain actor of mine for many years. Die Hard, Quigley Down Under, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Harry Potter (sort of)
He only really played a good guy in Truly, Madly, Deeply and no one has ever seen that movie but me, so it hardly counts.
This movie brings out his comedic talent as even Marvin the robot from The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy does not. (another movie in my DVD collection)
I loved that, as much as Alexander professed to hate his prsthesis, he was still wearing it off-hours.

Sigourney Weaver hasn't been this funny since Ghostbusters (chucklefest that Alien was.) She was very good in Galaxy Quest and it was clear she was having fun.
There is an interview in the bonus features where she discusses the absurdity of the movie's plot (in a good way.) Imagine an invasion by freaky aliens...whom do we need to save us? Well, Sigourney Weaver made movies where she kicked some alien butt. Let's get her!

Sam Something-or-Other (IMDB; Rockwell) was hilarious as Guy, the Extra.
Wouldn't you hate to find out you were living a movie and you are just Crewman #6?...and the character's name is actually Guy! I love it!

The acting is good all around. Also in this film are Adrian Monk and Veronica Mars' dad. Just kidding.

I LOVE Tony Shaloub! Wings, 13 Ghosts (not a fav of mine), Men in Black, Monk...Are my husband and I the only people who remember Stark, Raving Mad? Tony's character on that (very short-lived) series was just about the exact opposite of Adrian Monk.
But enough about all that. The character of Fred Kwan (not his real name) is unphased by anything! Nothing gets to him (exceot operating the tranporter) I love it. Who else could eat cheese crackers while their shuttle is about to crash on an alien planet?

I love this movie. My husband and I often quote it to each other in weird, nerd-based (and even sometimes in normal) conversation.

This one is 5 stars. *****


DD11 starting to practice her geisha skills, in case she cannot be an astronaut.

Today was really great!

We didn't do anything special, but ended our brief hiatus from schooling to hit things back in full stride. No one seems to have forgotten what she had been learning earlier, and everyone seemed to grasp today's new concepts easily. And I didn't feel overrun, probably because I spent about an hour going over workbooks and files last night to prepare. Who would've thought?

So, in the interest of continuing what works, I believe I will spend a brief time this evening preparing for tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow will go smoothly as well.

Since I cannot spend so much time going up and down stairs anymore, I am planning to move my personal office into our sunroom and much of the resources we need here to the dining room. I was really stoked when we moved in to have the garage all to myself for a classroom, but now it is hard for me to get to and is sitting neglected. The dining room will be easier. And if things don't turn out that way...I can always switch back. I am flexible that way.

Math progreses, as math is wont to do. Reading leaps forward in unpredictable bounds, but I can take it. Science notes get lost, and then found, and then expanded upon. And we still haven't done Social Studies today, but what the heck, it'll keep for later.

Now, everybody make a sad face...


OK, now...back to normal!

What should I write about today?

I am sorry I have not been by here much. Life goes on outside the blogosphere and requires my attention more urgently.

School is going well. Division, Division, Algebra for Math. Europe for Geography. Eyeballs for Science starting next week. Do you know the difference between a rod and a cone?

DH said he saw a trailer for the new V series that looked like a serious dig at PrezO. Maybe the series is and maybe it isn't, but the trailer certainly was. I haven't seen it yet, personally, what with life going on and all that.

DD8 was baptised Sunday without a hitch. Her maternal grandparents were in attendance as well as her maternal paternal great-grandmother. (My parents came and my dad's mother.) I have pics but won't be posting any just now.

We are planning our summer vacation. We'll be going to Kentucky to visit my in-laws. We may go by Mammoth Caves. The girls enjoyed it the last time we went. I don't really know how I feel about the idea.

What is for dinner tonight? I have no clue. It is already 4pm, better decide, eh?

Bleeding Heart Barbie has a very important announcement.
She is just overcame with sadness and all sorts of bad feelings over the plight of Hostage Bunny. Until that poor bunny is released she will be on a hunger strike.

Discovery

For someone who has gone t ochurch all her life, you would think I knew pretty much what is in the Bible. (and I do, more or less, just nowhere near as much as I should)

I have been reading through since New Years. This is new for me, I generally don't bother. (That sounds terrible, doesn't it?) I have tried in the past and somewhere in the first five chapters of Leviticus I just can't keep on. The stories of the Old Testament are all familiar, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Elijah, Esther...I know the STORIES, but in my reading just now something profound stood out to me. It didn't change what I already believed or thought, it just phrased it in a way I find truly beautiful and profound.

1 Kings 19:11-12

A gentle whisper