The Ocean's Dreams

Interpretation

2008-05-15T10:42:00.000-07:00

Now I want the water to wash away all my sins The wind to blow away my thoughts without meaning The fire to burn away my thickened skin

Dance of Fate by Epica is a fantastic song. The music is amazing, and that is why I've listened to the song as many times as I have. However, I was reading the lyrics to this song and I was struck by the Christian elements these particular lines have.

Knowing that Epica is not a Christian band, I've never really tried to interpret their lyrics. I listen to them for the music alone, not for what they're singing about. Yet now I realize that, even though they are not Christian, their lyrics still hold a good deal of truth.

Now I want the water to wash away all my sins...

Are we not to be washed with the water of regeneration? Do we not ask God, as the Psalmist does in Psalm 50:10, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me"?

The wind to blow away my thoughts without meaning...

As humans, all of us struggle with this. How often do we think about absolutely nothing of consequence? I know I do it an alarming amount... And apparently God knows, too: “The Lord knows the thoughts of man; he knows they are futile.” (Psalm 94: 11) Should we not pray for God to blow away those "thoughts without meaning"?

The fire to burn away my thickened skin...

How easily we grow apathetic! It's so easy to look at the world around us through uncaring eyes... and even easier to look at the sin within us without any remorse or concern. Sometimes it takes the fire of suffering to shake us out of our apathy, so that we can see our sin for what it is, and so that our faith, "being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:7).

Just a few thoughts I had on this song...

Unknown Comments

2008-05-08T18:03:00.001-07:00

I received two comments on my last post from an Andrew Clarke--this post is for him, if he visits again.

As a rule, I make a point of not "accepting," as it were, comments from people who I don't know. Generally, these comments are simply spam, so I don't make a big deal about them. However, since these two comments appeared to actually be legit, I thought I would address them.

The internet is a weird place. There are people there who most certainly do not have the good of others at heart. Now, I'm not saying that this is the case with the person who commented on my post. However, I'm merely explaining my reasoning behind deleting those comments.

You really can't be too careful on the internet, and that is why I always delete comments from people who I don't know. Therefore, Andrew, if you're still around, please understand that it's nothing personal--it's just my rule.

Failure

2008-05-07T23:17:00.000-07:00

I've already failed at my "new beginning." In fact, that's what brings me to this post... Failure! As I pondered the fact that I've already failed to update my blog, I got to thinking about how we fail everything.

There is nothing that we do perfectly. Even when we do a phenomenal job on something, we still fail in one aspect or another. Maybe we do such a good job that we become prideful. Or maybe in the attempt to do something well, we lose track of the real point of what we're doing.

Mostly, we fail to give all glory to God. Even if we do perform perfectly in every aspect, the second we fail to acknowledge that it was only by God's grace that we were able to do so, we still fail. If we get so caught up in the moment that we cease to keep Christ ahead of us, we fail.

This seems like a depressing thought, but it really isn't. Although the fact that we fail to honor our perfect God perfectly may be depressing, the knowledge that His love for us is unchanging despite that is a wonderful thought indeed. Even though we constantly fail Him, He never gives up on us! All He does is give us chance after chance, and the strength to try again.

What a great God He is!

Please God... give me the strength to try again.

A New Beginning

2008-04-16T10:43:00.000-07:00

It has been over eight months since I last updated this blog, so I decided it was time to start over completely.

Well, alright--not completely. I'm not deleting all my previous posts or anything, and I'm keep the same name. But you get the idea... I chose a new layout to signify that I'm trying to start afresh.

While I enjoy doing short, random "fun posts" on my xanga, I've decided that I should continue with my more serious posts here. I've been terrible about writing this year... While I've been writing a few articles a month for TCP, I've written practically nothing else. This is a sad turn of events. I used to write all the time, but this year... something has happened. I'm not sure what. However, I am determined to remedy this--I will not forget how to write.

For this reason, this blog will mostly consist of movie/music/book reviews, articles, any poems I may write, and perhaps a couple short stories. Check back frequently, and if you see me becoming lax in updating, feel free to chew me out! It might just motivate me enough to keep writing.

Thank you all--check back soon!

Neglect

2007-07-31T12:37:00.000-07:00

ne‧glect[ni-glekt] –verb (used with object)

1.	to pay no attention or too little attention to; disregard or slight 2. me, in regards to my blog.

Wow, I can hardly believe that it's been over a month since I posted on my blog . . . I'm afraid that my xanga took priority in my blogging habits, and I've been neglecting my "real" blog. For that I am terribly sorry.

Not much has been happening in my life lately--one of the reasons for the lack of updates. (After all, I'd rather not post at all then post boring stuff and drive my viewers away!) Perhaps two of the most exciting things that happened in the past month are in relation to Harry Potter... that's right, you guessed it--both Order of the Phoenix and Deathly Hallows came out this month!!

My brother, sister, dad, and I, along with three friends, went and saw Order of the Pheonix at midnight on the 10th/11th. What a fantastic experience! We had an absolute blast... if you care to hear/read more about that night, you can check out my xanga--I wrote a quite enthusiastic "review" of the night.

I also read Deathly Hallows (in its entirity) last Monday. I would have read it on Saturday (the day it came out), but since it is my brother's birthday present, I thought I should probably let him read it first... So, I tried to wait patiently, and then read it on Monday. It was amazing! In my opinion, it's the best of the series. It's quite depressing at times (I was shocked at how many characters she killed!!), but it leaves you with the most satisfied feeling. . . Jo really did a great job with it, and I think at least most of her fans are still that--her fans! Really a great book. I loved it...

So, those were two highlights of my month. Shawnzo also came and spent the weekend with us a couple of weeks back (we got another group together and went to see OotP again while he was here), so that was great fun. We also had our church picnic, which was a blast, too. We got in a huge water fight that day, so I was soaking wet by the time we were driving home... but it was worth it! We all had a great time, I do declare.

And that's about it... at least, that's all I can think of. One thing I'm looking forward to: we leave for Lake Tahoe in less then two weeks!! This is always a highlight of my year, and I absolutely cannot wait to go... it should be a fantastic vacation, as always. I'll take lots of pictures (we always do!) and post some when we get back.

Now I must leave you all... for now, at least. I will try and update more frequently from now on, but no promises! You know how I am... >_>

Cheers!

One Week Later...

2007-06-20T20:51:00.000-07:00

I seem to be liking the "one week" motif. The 6th... the 13th... So here I am again, on the 20th!

I don't really have much to report, except that I've been on a Nightwish craze all day. I did nothing but listen to Oceanborn for over three hours this afternoon, and man... it was awesome! I hadn't heard anything off that album (except for Sleeping Sun), and I'm extremely impressed. I think I might like it almost as well as Once, and that's saying a lot! I think tomorrow I'll listen to the entirity of Wishmaster. I've heard a few songs from that album, but I've never listened to it all the way through. So, we'll see what I think of that one.

I'm really getting excited about Dark Passion Play. While I'm not 100% certain that I'll like Anette's voice, I'm still impossibly excited to hear more of Tuomas' brilliant songs. He really is a genius... I can't wait to hear more Nightwish.

I'd have to say some of my favorites from Oceanborn are 'Moondance,' 'Stargazer,' 'Gethsemane,' 'Swanheart,' 'Sleeping Sun,' and 'Nightquest.' They're all totally awesome... I particularly love 'Moondance' because it's just instrumental. It is alternatingly beautiful and driving, and I totally adore it! It's really a song you can bounce to. I highly recommend Oceanborn, and particularly 'Moondance.'

Also, '10th Man Down,' 'Away,' and 'Over the Hills and Far Away' from the Over The Hills and Far Away single are amazingly awesome. '10th Man Down' has got to be a new favorite of mine...

I love Nightwish!!

It's interesting to see how our brains make connections...

2007-06-13T19:28:00.000-07:00

I was talking to a friend on the phone yesterday and we were discussing memories... How, for example, certain songs remind you of certain books, or certain CDs remind you of certain places.

A few years ago, my brother, sister, and I were all absolutely obsessed with Evanescence. However, I haven't listened to any of their music in a long time. But today, I felt the sudden desire to listen to Fallen. So, I did.

Instantly, I was reminded of being with my brother and sister at Lake Tahoe, sitting down in the basement and singing Ev songs at the top of our lungs.

Funny how that works, isn't it?

It's also interesting how my voice range has increased... apparently singing Nightwish and Within Temptation has helped. Evanescence, which always seemed impossibly hard, is a piece of cake! *sings*

How can you see into my eyes like open doors?
Leading you down into my core, where I've become so numb...
Without a soul, my spirit sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it back home...

Wake me up inside, wake me up inside
Call my name and save me from the dark...
Bid my blood to run, before I come undone
Save me from the nothing I've become...

Now that I know what I'm without
You can't just leave me
Breathe into me and make me real...
Bring me to life

Wake me up inside, wake me up inside
Call my name and save me from the dark...
Bid my blood to run, before I come undone
Save me from the nothing I've become...
Bring me to life...

Frozen inside without your touch, without your love, darling.
Only you are the life among the dead...
All of this time I can't believe I couldn't see
Trapped in the dark, but you were there in front of me.
I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems
Got to open my eyes to everything...
Without a thought, without a voice, without a soul
Don't let me die here...
There must be something more
Bring me to life...

Random Apologies...

2007-06-06T13:54:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry that I haven't been updating my blog! I'm afraid my life has been quite busy (but boring) lately. . . I had my last finals this week. But now I'm done, and I'm unbelievable relieved! Additionally, something that's adding even more excitement to my life is the fact that there is barely over three weeks of waiting left before my sis and I leave for WI!! *squeals excitedly*

As for updating my blog. . . I have a few movie reviews floating around in my head, so hopefully I'll have those posted within the next week or so. Also, I started a new blog (a xanga, actually) that I've been updating daily. Not long posts or anything, but just random things that occured/happened to me. So, if you're bored with this blog, you can check out WhispersofRain.

And now I'm off to work. . . Adieu!

(Wow. I spoke French! It must be French Kiss wearing off on me. . . I watched it twice in the past 24 hours! )

At World's End

2007-05-27T00:28:00.000-07:00

Tonight we went and saw the third Pirates movie and... It was adventurous!

We had a wedding this afternoon, and we didn't leave the reception until about 5ish. After that, we drove over to the Hodson's house and hung out over there. Then we got involved in playing their Wii, and sort of . . . lost track of time. Next thing we knew, it was six thirty. And the showing we wanted to go to was at 7:15.

First, when we realized what time it was, we pretty much gave up on going. We were thinking it would be better to just hang out and stuff... but then my brother stated very decidedly that he wanted to go. And I seconded him.

Rush! We all piled into the Hodson's van, andRuth drove us down to the movie theatre. We jump out of the car and practically run over to the box office. Then we look down the sidewalk and see a rather sizable line that has formed outside the theatre . . . for Pirates.

Worry! While Ruth bought our tickets, the guys went over and started keeping a place in line. By the time we girls got over there with them, we only had to wait about a minute before they let us go inside. We hurried in to the stadium, hoping that we could get seats together . . . and proceeded to get what were possibly the best seats in the house.

Six seats, all together, in the very middle of the stadium, in the back row. And the seats even tipped back, even though they were in the back! It was awesome. I was so thrilled. We had perfect timing! =D It was like we planned it!

So, we sit back and get ready to enjoy ourselves. We laugh at the self-proclaimed "stunning special effects" in Ghost Rider. We tell stories about friend's friends meeting Nick Cage. We sarcastically applaud bad commercials. Basically, we have fun. Then the movie starts, and we sit back for some great swashbuckling Pirate adventures! And, for about an hour, everything goes great!

And then the power goes off.

Climactic scene! Biting-of-the-nails! Much intent on the screen--and flick! The screen goes dark, and the emergency lights turn on. "The end!" someone exclaims. "Four years until the next installment!" someone chimes in.

Then the emergency lights turn off, and only the exit lights are lit. A somewhat confused murmur goes around the theatre. Did the power go off, or what? Sure enough, a worker comes in a second later and explains that a transformer blew right next to the theatre, so they're temporarily without power. But the movie should be back on in just a minute.

Just as promised, a few seconds later, the lights turn off, and the movie starts up again! We missed a couple minutes of it, but it wasn't anything crucial (I guess), so that was fine. And the rest went without a single glitch, so that was good.

As for the movie . . . It was infinitely better then the second one, although that wouldn't take much. I had heard some bad reviews of it, so I wasn't going in expecting too much. But still, I was expecting lots of cool Pirates and everything related to Pirates. And I wasn't disappointed! As I said, it was better then the second.

There were a lot of different plotlines worked in, but I think that the movie was long enough to make those plot threads all weave together really well. I mean, the movie is almost three hours long! That's plenty long for multiple plotlines! ^_^ I really thought they did a good job.

The ending . . . I'm not too sure I liked the ending. I think out of our group, I liked it the most. But it was still . . . I don't know. It was kind of irritating. And frustrating. And sad.

But I don't want to spoil anything, soo... I'll shut up before I give something away. =P Just suffice it to say, that it was waaaaaay way better then number II, and it's somewhere close to number I. Great movie. I really loved it. I'd go see it again in the theatre, even though tickets are outrageously expensive. It's worth it.

Drink up, me hearties, yo ho!

Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow...

2007-05-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

Saying goodbye to your friends is never easy. In fact, it's almost impossibly hard. Especially when you know that you will most likely never talk to them again.

I had my last Grammar & Composition class today, and I was actually astonished at how much I cried as everyone said goodbye to each other... You really don't realize how much you love people until you have to say goodbye to them.

I had become extremely attached to Mrs. T, and to all of my fellow students over the course of this year, and saying goodbye was really hard. Even though I did manage to attain a few of their email addresses, I know it won't be the same. Never again will we have incredibly off-topic tangents that make us die laughing. Never again will we hear Mrs. T give her hilarious exclamation of: "Thanks a LOT, Troxell!" Never again will we be subjected to the plottings of the evil David and his angelic twin. Never again will we see Alyssa's insanely long, but amazingly encouraging and helpful comments when we do peer reviews. Never again will the Davids and the Chrises have to ask Mrs. T: "WHICH ONE? L or C? L or S?"

God has blessed me so amazingly with this class. He gave me a wonderful teacher who made even the dullest concepts enjoyable. He gave me hilarious and helpful fellow students who kept the class intriguing (and random!). I can't even begin to thank Him for the incredible blessing this class was to me... I learned so much. And, wonder of wonders, I grew to love labeling word functions, AND diagraming! Hooray for hoogie boxes! Stair-step highrises! Highrise slash-heads! Only Mrs. T could make diagramming so much fun...

Thank you heavenly Father, for giving me this class. I have learned more in these 32 classes then I thought was possible. Thank you for my fellow students, and for my wonderful teacher. Thank you for all the valuable lessons you have taught me through this class--for the overseas students' amazing stories, for Mrs. T's faithful guidance... You are so good...

Now Watching: Spiderman 3 The IMAX Experience

2007-05-15T18:01:00.000-07:00

After weeks of looking forward to it, I finally saw Spiderman 3! And on the amazingly huge IMAX screen!

But the day was not without adventure... For weeks, we had been planning on going to the 1:20 showing. However, as always seems to happen, we were running late and there was traffic! So, as we sat helplessly in stop-and-go traffic, the clock trudged steadily along until it decided that it was a good idea to say 1:00.

Thankfully, this was as we were getting off the freeway and pulling into the theatre parking lot. So, we scrambled hurriedly out of the car and raced to the box office. There wasn't much of a line (thank goodness!), so we made it to the ticket window relatively quickly. This is what happened:

Ticket buyer #1 (I can't remember which of us it was): "One for IMAX Spiderman."
Ticket dude: "The 1:20 showing?"
Ticket buyer #1: "Yup,"
Ticket dude: "We're sold out... next showing is at 4:10."
Us: "O_O."

I found this exchange quite hilarious, as I had just been saying on the way over that I didn't think that IMAX stadium would ever fill up all the way. *koff* Shows what I know!

Anyways, after a quick discussion, we decided that we would just hang out around the theatre, and then go to the 4:10 showing. So that's what we did! We bought our tickets, stowed them somewhere safe, and then hung out. The teenagers (plus one 20-year-old) of the group walked over to Barnes & Nobles, since my sis had to pick up two books that she had on hold there. I also gave in and bought Shawn Twilight. I would've bought New Moon too, but they had misplaced all six copies. o_O *lol*

After we had completed our book-browsing, we walked back over to the theatre (with only a few fights breaking out between the guys) and headed into Fudrucker's for lunch. Mmm... burgers! =D By the time we finished eating (And laughing hysterically at many amusing anecdotes told by our table mates), it was about time to go line up for the show. Which we did.

We had about ten people in front of us, I think, so we were pretty sure we would get good seats. Which we did, although we were maybe a bit too far forward. Oh well. The screen is so huge, it doesn't really matter where you sit! It's still crazy-awesome. My caffeine was kicking in at about this point, so I was going totally crazy as I waited for the movie to start.

At 4:10 sharp, the movie started! No trailers, just the movie! And oh man, it was awesome! I think, even after seeing it only once, I like it more then either of the other two! It has a lot more depth to it then the first two, and is considerably more serious. I mean, a main character dies! And oh man, that sucked... I would have cried rather hard, but I had promised a certain person that I wouldn't, soo... *rolls eyes* Curse you, Shawn! ;)

Anyways, it's a great movie. I definitely want to go see it again (so I can cry properly)... Maybe after that, I'll write a real review of it! =D But yes, it's definitely an awesome movie! I'm not quite sure why it's getting such horrible reviews--I'd recommend it for any fan of Spidey, and even some people who aren't fans!

One more thing: Peter going emo = Hilarious.

Check it out!

2007-05-02T16:22:00.000-07:00

Okay. August 3rd cannot get here fast enough. *glares at calendar*

Sleep-lag

2007-05-02T07:24:00.000-07:00

sleep lag:
–noun
a temporary disruption of the body's normal biological rhythms caused by a short period of sleep after a long period of waking time.

Okay, so I just made up that word. Still, it's about how I feel right now... :P

I set my alarm for 6:45 before I finally went to bed at about 1:30 this morning, planning that, when the alarm went off, I'd hit snooze until about 7:45 and then get up for my class. So, 6:45 came, I hit snooze a few times, then looked blurrily at the clock, saw the "-:00" and decided: "Well, I'll just get up now... that'll give me longer to get my pre-class stuff done."

So, I got up, re-read my composition, submitted it, and then looked at the timestamp groggily. 7:20... I still had over an hour until my class!

Needless to say, I was a little angry. *rolls eyes* I've almost done this on several previous occasions, but this is the first time I actually got up and woke myself up too much to go back to bed. :P

Ah well. It gives me time to do some fun stuff before class... like blogging! ^_^

On that note, you have my apologies for not writing as frequently as I usually do. I just feel like I don't have anything incredibly interesting to write about, and I don't want to bore you. heh. I'll try to be updating at least once a week, though... Even if it's a short post, and not about anything spectacular.

Well actually, I suppose I do have something spectacular: last week, my sis and I booked our flights out to WI!!

So, the dates are now set, and we have our seats picked! We're flying Jetblue, so we got to choose our own seats. I've got the window seat on both flights! *is excited* I've never flown before, so I'm very excited... and a little freaked out. :P I'm not sure how I'll handle the height. o_o I think I'll just not think about that, and think about the fact that I'm going to WI instead!

59 days!! ^_^

Technology

2007-04-27T08:03:00.000-07:00

There are some times when I think computers are one of the greatest inventions of our day, and others when I hate them so much I could smash my computer. Unfortunately, today I feel the second way about my computer.

For the third week in a row, I was kicked out of my biology class and unable to return. Needless to say, this was extremely frustrating, particularly since it happened right at the beginning of class, so I was unable to amass any participation points. And the very frustrating thing is that I can't for the life of me figure out what is wrong with the computer!! My G&C class has been working fine, but for some reason, my computer is tired of biology. *sighs*

It's also very disappointing because I only have four classes left this year, so I really don't want to miss any. Hopefully all the problems will be resolved so that class will work without a glitch next week... *sigh*

Pottersschool registration is also today, and since it looks like it might be pottersschool that is having the problem, that might be bad. So, if you would be praying for everything to go smoothly, that would be much appreciated! Please pray for the Gilberts as they try to get everything sorted out--I'm sure they would be grateful.

The Beauty of Creation

2007-04-14T21:41:00.000-07:00

I'm home from my vacation!! It was an absolutely amazing trip, although it seemed far too short. I had forgotten how positively beautiful it is up there during the spring. . . Not that it's not beautiful normally, but it's particularly gorgeous in the spring!

Here are a few pictures for you! I have a lot more, but I'm too lazy to go through all of them at the moment. >_> I'll probably post more later on. But for now, enjoy the beautiful-ness!

^^The front pasture. It's such a beautiful green, especially during the spring...

^^Looking down the driveway, towards Emmigrant Lake.

^^One of the many beautiful sunsets we had... *sigh*

And one morning, we woke to this:

SNOW!! =D

And there you have it!

Vacation

2007-04-06T15:17:00.000-07:00

As I said in a previous post, my family and I are traveling up to Oregon for Easter. We leave tomorrow, and I will not be posting on my blog for the week we are up there. So, when I don't update, please don't worry--I'll be updating again in a week or so!

Your prayers would be appreciated--both for traveling mercies, and for God's blessing on our trip. This is the first time I have been up to OR since my great-grandmother passed away, so I'm sure it will be hard. Your prayers are much appreciated.

I will take lots of pictures while we are up there and post a few when we get home. It is so beautiful there in the spring!

Memories

2007-04-05T12:03:00.000-07:00

Over the last month or so, I have become completely obsessed with the band Within Temptation. I think I first heard of them about a year ago when I saw a Phantom of the Opera music video set to Angels. Shortly after that, I saw another Phantom vid set to It's The Fear. I saved both videos and listened to those songs repeatedly for awhile, and then pretty much forgot about them.

And then, just a few weeks (or maybe it's been months, I don't know!) ago, I heard Memories. Aaaaand I totally fell in love with that band... They are quite amazing. Some other favorites are Somewhere, Our Farewell, Stand My Ground, Jillian (Give My Heart), and Our Solemn Hour. Bittersweet is also quite beautiful.

But yes, they are a fantastic band. Somewhat like Nightwish in style (they're both goth), but Sharon's voice is quite different from Tarja's. I love their music!! I also happen to adore the official music video for Memories. Which is saying a lot, as I generally despise music videos. This one happens to be awesome, though. Here it is on youtube:

Also, here is a banner I made with screencaps from the music video. I had fun with this. ^_^

Review of Inkheart

2007-04-04T13:49:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, I reviewed Inkheart for my G&C class. I thought some of you might be interested in reading the completed review. Be warned, however: It beith a very long review. =P

SPOILER ALERT: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

Inkheart

In this critical review we will evaluate Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. Inkheart begins during the night, with gentle rain tapping against the window of a young girl’s bedroom. This soft but persistent rain keeps the girl, Meggie, awake, and the desire to read the book under her pillow draws her to the window. And as she sees the stranger through the rain-smeared glass, her life changes forever. Meggie’s father, Mo, knows the stranger as Dustfinger, and both Mo and Dustfinger seem strangely worried about a particular book and another stranger called Capricorn.

Only a few hours after Dustfinger’s appearance, Meggie and Mo set off with Dustfinger on a journey that swiftly turns into a much more dangerous adventure than any of them expected. Along the way, Meggie learns that her father possesses the extraordinary ability to “read things out of books.” As Mo reads aloud, objects and even characters from the story he reads come to life, as if his voice has drawn them from the pages and into his world. This explains Mo’s curious connection with Dustfinger: he read Dustfinger out of a particular book called Inkheart. Dustfinger has come to tell Mo that Capricorn, another character who Mo read out of Inkheart, is trying to get his hands on every copy of the book from which he came—and he will stop at nothing to achieve his goal.

Inkheart is both an entertaining and thought-provoking story, and Funke uses the adventures her characters go through to teach valuable lessons, not the least of which are courage and hope. All of the heroes and heroines in Inkheart are courageous to some extent, but a few moments of bravery stand out. Towards the end of the story, for example, as Meggie talks with the evil “Magpie,” she fearlessly states that if the Magpie will not help her, she will bite her own tongue “so hard that it swells up . . . and [she] won’t be able to read aloud.” Darius also gives a fine example of courage when he protects Meggie from the Magpie. Although Darius has always seemed timorous and even cowardly, he does not hesitate as he gallantly “[wraps] his thin arms firmly around the Magpie . . . [and does not] let go.” Meggie’s aunt Elinor exemplifies hope as, in one particularly dire situation, she thinks, “the story must have a happy ending. It wouldn’t be right otherwise!”

Many themes work their way into the pages of Inkheart, but particularly the general theme of man vs. self and the specific theme of hate ruining a life. Dustfinger is torn apart by conflicting emotions: he desperately wants to return to his story and the life he always knew, and he is willing to go to almost any lengths to do so, but his conscience still wars against him. In particular, Dustfinger finds the task of betraying Meggie to be much harder than he expected. However, even as his guilty conscience stirs, he “[pushes] the tiresome feeling away” and convinces himself that “the girl [has] nothing to do with him . . . [and] he [has] no reason to feel like a miserable double-dealing villain.” Despite this reassurance, however, Dustfinger still feels guilty for his actions, and he constantly struggles with himself throughout the story. Additionally, we see the specific theme of hate ruining a life as Funke delves more deeply into the life of Capricorn. We learn that ever since his fifteenth year, Capricorn has toiled to suppress any “weakness” of character he might have—weaknesses like compassion and love. Now that he has achieved his goal, he lives an utterly self-centered life, consumed with hatred, a thirst for power, and cruelty, and without the faintest tinge of love or happiness.

Cornelia Funke’s style of writing in Inkheart is both practical and intriguing, and she uses concise descriptions to pull her reader into the story. In the moment that Meggie first sees Dustfinger, Funke’s brief statement that he “[is] little more than a shadow” and that “he [keeps] on staring at the house” gives a tantalizing glimpse of the mystery this character will bring to the story. As she describes the morning on which the three set off on their adventure, Funke again introduces an almost eerie foreshadowing of what is yet to come: “And so they set off, without saying good-bye to anyone, on a morning that still seemed much too early and smelled of rain.” While Funke uses unique, lengthy words on occasion, she avoids the snare that many other writers slip into; she does not overpower the rest of her writing with these “showy” words. Funke’s well-balanced use of dialogue also entices her reader into the world of Inkheart, as well as her use of different literary styles.

Of all the books in the world, only a select few appeal to a large variety of people. Inkheart falls among those few. Though written mainly from a child’s point of view, InkheartInkheart in Germany alone, Inkheart also appeals to people from many different countries. In addition, readers who love engaging stories and believable characters will appreciate Inkheart simply because of the story itself—a story where the characters in books quite literally come to life. Inkheart deals with issues that are both mature and intriguing, and because of this, the story appeals to both children and adults. This tale of adventure is also one that will draw in boys and girls alike, as it has relatively equal portions of action and character development, appealing to both male and female readers alike. Although German-born Funke has had particular success in her homeland, selling over 3.8 million copies in Germany alone, Inkheart also appeals to people from many different countries. In addition, readers who love engaging stories and believable characters will appreciate Inkheart simply because of the story itself—a story where the characters in books quite literally come to life.

Through the example of Capricorn’s rule over “his village,” Funke demonstrates the downside of both a social and political dictatorship, while also using the story itself to convict her reader. Capricorn seems to implement a somewhat dictatorial atmosphere in the way he relates to the people around him. His followers treat him almost like a god, with profound reverence and the willingness to do almost anything for him, though this humble obedience seems to come not from love for their leader, but from the fear he has inspired in their hearts. Although Inkheart does not contain any other specific economic, political, or spiritual teaching, the story itself causes the reader to consider many serious issues. For example, after reading Inkheart, I realized how much I take my world for granted. I never considered how I would react if my life was suddenly turned upside-down as Meggie’s is in Inkheart. Above all, I felt a heightened appreciation for my family and my friends, and I realized how much I should cherish them—after all, who knows when Silvertongue might come along and read one of my siblings into another story! Inkheart’s tales of love, courage, hope, kindness, and loyalty would also serve to encourage and inspire others. Funke holds up these examples of excellent character traits in such a way that she encourages her readers to imitate her characters.

On the whole, Inkheart is a relatively serious book, and Funke causes her readers to truly empathize with her main characters. Nevertheless, she still makes fun of a few select characters. Basta, for example, has an extremely superstitious nature, which Funke frequently ridicules through her other characters. When Basta orders Flatnose not to kill a cat because doing so “is unlucky,” Flatnose responds in frustration, “ Superstitious garbage! . . . You could drive a man crazy, the way you carry on: . . . Oh, watch out, you put your left boot on first, that’s unlucky; oh my, someone yawned – mercy me, that means I’ll fall down dead tomorrow!” At the same time, however, Funke also shows a genuine caring for her other main characters, detailing their triumphs and struggles so passionately that her reader cannot help but sympathize with them. When I first learned that Dustfinger had betrayed Meggie and Mo to Capricorn, I felt a wave of disappointment and sadness wash over me. In much the same way, I felt dark amusement as Dustfinger taunted Basta in the crypt, eventually outwitting the evil knife-wielder.

Countless characters fill the pages of Inkheart, and Funke has a talent for making even the most stock characters unique. For example, Capricorn seems at first glance to be the ever-present, predictable “bad-guy.” However, as Funke develops him more and more, Capricorn takes on a personality all his own. Fenoglio, the man who wrote Capricorn into existence, calls him “the unapproachable,” and says that his heart “is a stone . . . a black stone with about as much human sympathy as a lump of coal.” This description certainly fits the merciless Capricorn. Mo provides a perfect foil character, his goodness and kindness shining in stark contrast to Capricorn’s heartlessness. He repeatedly risks his life for Meggie, and resolutely searches for a way to send the heartbroken Dustfinger back where he belongs. Even in the face of danger, Mo does not hesitate in doing what is right. As Capricorn says to an imprisoned Meggie, “[Mo will] come here even though he knows I won’t let him go again, any more than I will let his daughter go. He’ll come all the same.” Capricorn and Mo, along with Meggie and Dustfinger, are the characters that carry this story. With polar opposite personalities and morals, the clash of good and evil in these characters keeps Inkheart engaging.

Funke writes Inkheart from a third-person omniscient perspective, occasionally offering little pieces of information that only she, as the narrator, knows about her characters and her story. For example, when describing the night in which Inkheart begins, she explains that “[it was] the night when so much began and so many things changed forever.” Inkheart also quite aptly fits the monomyth of literature, with summer as the first season of the book. Meggie and Mo live happily together during this season, and Meggie has few cares in the world. However, summer swiftly transforms into fall as Meggie and Mo must leave their home. Fall rapidly degrades into winter, with Mo’s capture and Meggie’s subsequent quest to save him that only results in her own capture. However, when things seem at their most hopeless, winter slowly gives way to spring as Meggie and Mo conquer all odds and are reunited.

Perhaps more noticeable than any other aspect of Inkheart is the love of literature that spills from Cornelia Funke’s pen onto every page of her novel. From the carefully-chosen quotes that begin every chapter to the way she turns the books in her story into main characters, it is clear that Funke writes because she loves to do so. Her adoration for the written word pours into the tale she tells; we see an example in Meggie’s loving explanation that “books have to be heavy because the whole world’s inside them.” Funke’s reverence for books also demonstrates itself clearly throughout the book, even in the brief but pithy statement that Mo “[hates] to see dog-eared pages.” Towards the beginning of the book, Funke makes use of the famous quote, “Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly.” Inkheart, with all of its twists and turns, is certainly a story that falls into the last category.

Late Is Better Then Never

2007-04-04T08:17:00.000-07:00

I'm afraid I've become a stranger to my blog again. I'm sorry everyone, I have failed you. *hangs head* But then, this wasn't entirely my fault. It was something of a forced hiatus that I went on... Long story, don't ask. *koff* I'm still not sure how frequently I'll be posting in the near future, but I thought, even once is better then... nonce?

Nothing really spectacular has been happening lately. This week is midterm week, and I, thankfully, finished my midterms yesterday. They went surprisingly well, and I am so relieved to be done with them. Now I only have to finish up my lab notebook, submit the report, and I'm free! For a week at least.

My family and I (minus my dad, unfortunately) are going up to my grandparent's house in OR for the week. I'm so excited!! I haven't been up there in the spring for a long time, and I'm anxious to see it all green and beautiful. It looks like Scotland up there! *happy sigh* I will take pictures and post some when I get home. *nod*

Also, my sister and I are tentatively planning a trip to WI this July. It is still very much in the concept-stage, so I won't say anything more then that. But, if you all could be praying for the details to work out, that would be much appreciated!

And now I am about to go to my first Grammar & Composition class of 4th quarter! Wow... I can't believe it's fourth quarter. It seems like the school year just started! It can't be almost over!! I think for the first time in my life I actually don't want the school year to be over. I love my online classes so much, I'll be very sad when they end...

Announcements, announcements, announcements!

2007-03-16T08:27:00.000-07:00

Today this blog is celebrating it's 1st birthday!!

How amazingly awesome is that? It's hard to believe it's been 12 months since I started this ramble . . . although it also seems a lot longer then a year. Funny how that happens, isn't it?

Anyways. I know I've been rather sporadic in my posting of late, but I'll hopefully be posting on a more regular basis now. In the meantime, please don't give up on me ever posting again. I promise I will.

Article from Relevant Magazine

2007-03-07T14:48:00.000-08:00

I was browsing the website of "Relevant" magazine (a magazine that Mrs. T has read several articles from in my G&C class) when I came across this article. It is quite long, but I thought it was very interesting...

For thousands of years, the Church was everything for communities. People not only went to church for worship and Christian fellowship but for connection to information and the community around them. Church was a major weekly event in people’s lives, because there wasn’t much to rival it. This was the time before a plethora of leisure activities, TV, movie theatres, radio, Internet, telephones and massive amounts of publishing on every subject imaginable.

We look to the media for everything in the West; including influences on theology. The amount of messages competing out there for our attention and acceptance are so varied that it’s nothing short of overwhelming. The Church is no longer seen as the sole proprietor of truth and spirituality. Church attendance continues to drop. But just listen to songs on the radio, dialogue on TV and in movies. Theological messages—veiled and not so veiled—are everywhere, creating a swamp of spirituality. And so the Church struggles to have its voice heard.

The problem is that the Church believes it must compete with commercial enterprises, mass marketing and the entertainment industry to reach and influence people. Our society is bombarded by hidden messages and subtle imperatives as never before in history. These powerful messages come to us through ads, entertainment and even company logos (icons of identity). These messages imply that to succeed, to be loved, to be beautiful, to be influential, we must conform to or buy into something. And so we do. It is absurd.

Many western churches are using these worldly methods in hope of attracting listeners, converts and members—as if to say somehow it will be our arts, programs and entertainment that attract people to the Gospel. The question has become, how can we make Christianity and church look cool? Or, at least, how do we keep Christianity and church from looking uncool? How do we market God to a world of consumers? These are entirely the wrong questions. These questions lead us into a paradigm of unbiblical values.

I know a pastor that calls Sunday morning “show-time.” How does calling church “show-time” impact theology and our message? Most ministers I know spend much of their time event planning and advertising for things like movie nights, sporting events, meals, band rehearsals, marketing schemes and special effects for Sunday morning service. If these things are paramount, then seminaries should be giving MBA’s instead of MDiv’s.

I am not saying that having sports programs, videos, special lighting, dramas, rock bands and marketing is evil and without merit. But when these things become the focus, they pull us off track. When the majority of a minister’s time is spent on all these cool tools, there is a problem. I realize there will always be different kinds of churches. That is not just a fact, but a necessity. Diversity is essential. The Reformation taught us that.

The question is, where is the focus? And you can easily answer that by looking at how time and money is spent. Many churches are focused on what is called the A, B, Cs: attendance, building and cash. Many churches spend 90 percent of their time and resources on preparing for Sunday mornings and 10 percent on discipleship. You value most what you measure. I am measuring the disconnected status and lack of spiritual depth among many Christians in the Church. I am calling for a shift in focus.

We want people to have this enriching spiritual life, but we communicate on Sunday mornings that most of it is fluff: i.e. flashy music, videos, dramas, dances, cool lighting, announcements, ads for upcoming events and multiple transitions. Many times, we create spectators rather than participators. I am not saying there are not good results with the model that we have. Many people have come to know Christ and have matured. But just because I can use a wrench instead of a hammer to drive nails doesn’t make it the best tool for the job.

The problem is many ministers of our time believe that the Gospel and Christian community is not enough to pull in the masses. Instead they try and attract people with marketing methods because the world has persuaded them that this is how to reach people. The result is that many churches have forgotten how to preach the Gospel. The Gospel has been marginalized in all our motivational sermons, programs, busyness and fun. The focus and trust is not on the power of the Gospel but in our powers of persuasion. What did Paul say in 1 Corinthians 2:4? “ My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power” (TNIV).

Unfortunately, the power of God in the proclamation and revelation of the Gospel has been minimized. Our trust in church growth theory, imported and translated from corporate America, has shifted our focus. The non-Christians are now called the “un-churched” or in other words, the “un-institutionalized.” Is that our goal, to “church” people? And so we wonder why people are feeling dry and disconnected from God even though they are active in their church. It’s a vicious cycle.

Nevertheless, I believe the Church is still vital. We are relevant, but not as a show, product or media. Church is not in that worldly category. It’s when you try and put church in that category that things go wrong, like trying to fit a square peg in a circular hole. Church is a sanctuary, an alternative from all the shows, products and media. Church should be simple in preparation, presentation and participation. Church should be a time of undistracted prayer and worship—a time of learning and fellowship. But we have corrupted these virtues for the sake of competing with a multimedia and commercialized world. The simple is subversive today. That’s why you hear statements like “simplify and intensify.” Simple is counter-cultural. I recommend that we take the same time and money used to make church what it is now into a simpler form. I dare say most have no idea what that would even look like.

Once again, we need a change in focus. The Western Church has tried hard to remain relevant to the modern world around it by trusting worldly methods and simultaneously but futilely rejecting those methods true values of consumerism; which creates total confusion.

Churches are not tooled for such simplicity, nor do they have a vision for it. They have multiple full time and part time staff members to help create and maintain all the programs and methods; to keep the church running like a YMCA or Broadway production. It’s not easy to change. People’s livelihoods are at stake to one degree or another. But change is never easy and some changes are impossible with men. But nothing is impossible with God. God can change His Church and use us to reach more people if we shift our trust onto him and away from the methods of the world.

Currently Watching: Battlestar Galactica

2007-03-07T00:35:00.002-08:00

So, Monday night I was introduced to the world of Battlestar Galactica . . . and all I can say is: how did I miss this show for so long?? It is absolutely, totally, and in all other ways, amazing!! I really can’t put into words how much I love it . . . and I’m only five episodes into the first season!

The show begins, for anyone who doesn’t know, with a four-hour (well, more 3 hour) miniseries. So, last night, my dad, brother, sister, and I all plopped down in the living room and proceeded to watch the miniseries . . . and the first two episodes. And I didn’t even notice the 4 ½ hours ticking by. It was that good.

We watched three more episodes tonight (er, last night), and I love it even more. The story is totally awesome, as is the action. I mean, the space-battles are just wicked. I totally love the sound the Vipers make right before they fire their guns. *grin* But really, what makes the show so great is all of the amazing character development. It’s quite incredible . . . The acting is brilliant, and the scores . . . Oh man, the scores are amazing. We actually bought all three scores last week, and I have been listening to them non-stop ever since. Hehe. Just fantastic.

I believe my sis is going to post a more detailed review over at her blog, so I’ll leave all the technical stuff to her genius. But I just wanted to post here and say . . . Battlestar Galactica is the best TV show I’ve ever seen… w00t!!

Also. I believe my hiatus is over now. Hooray! ^_^

Inkheart

2007-02-17T14:14:00.000-08:00

For anyone interested in the Inkheart movie that is currently being filmed...

This is an exerpt from Cornelia Funke's website where she talks about visiting the set of Inkheart:

"I flew to the set again in January... [and] it was absolutely enchanting! ... I sat in Elinor`s library to do an interview for the DVD (and learned what pictures she has on her walls!) I walked into Capricorn`s church and his living room. I saw Dustfinger stand in the rain in front of Mo`s and Meggie`s house and I saw Mo chase Meggie up the stairs to get her into bed. I saw Dustfinger with burned hands in Capricorn`s kitchen and Resa caring for him. Believe me Paul Bettany will break all your hearts in this scene. He is such an incredibly wonderful Dustfinger. As for Eliza and Brendan - I saw a scene with them in the van and it seemed like they stepped right out of my book! So brilliant. I ... just received the scene in which Mo reads from the 1001 Arabian nights. Andy Serkis as Capricorn is perfect. He is so dark and scary - and funny too! And Brendan read so wonderfully that I was not surprised when the gold coins started to rain from the ceiling."

I am so incredibly excited about this movie!!! Especially since the author says that the cast is so amazing. She also said this about Helen Mirren as Elinor:

"Helen Mirren is incredible. I still can`t believe she took the part. Of course she looks very different from the Elinor I described in my book but she is nevertheless so perfectly Elinor, that I will suggest for the script of Inkspell to make her part bigger than it is in the book. Otherwise it would be such a waste! I can`t wait to watch her do a scene!"

*bounces* I can't wait to see Inkheart!!

To conclude, here is the first promo still I have seen. It's of Meggie, and all I can say is that she looks pretty darned good!!

An Apology and a Poem

2007-02-13T12:02:00.000-08:00

You have my deepest apologies for not posting this past week. It seems like I just have had nothing interesting to post about, and I didn't want to bore you with another totally-random-and-rather-pointless post. But I feel guilty leaving all of my visitors alone, so I thought I would post the "happy" poem that I promised. It's nothing spectacular; just something I thought of while looking at some pictures.

I'll Meet You

I'll meet you where the sky meets the sea
Where the waves crash against the shore
When the shadows dance across the sand

I'll meet you where the fire meets the clouds
Where the gulls fly through the flames
When the sun is sinking to its death

I'll meet you where the moon meets the black
Where the stars dance on the midnight stage
When the world is still in its sleep

I'll meet you where the stream meets the ocean
Where the sound of laughing waters fills the silence
When the air is peaceful and the morning is calm

I'll meet you across the world
I'll meet you throughout time
No matter where I am
No matter where you are

I will meet you

Warning: Advertisement

2007-02-02T23:05:00.000-08:00

Please forgive me while I do a little shameless advertising...

Blood Diamond re-opened in theaters today, and I would highly recommend that anyone who missed it previously go see it. It is an excellent film, and one that I definitely recommend--in spite of the harsh language and violence. For those of you who have not seen the trailer, you can find it here.

Hmm... I wonder if Warner Bros. will pay me for this ad? *wink*

Side Note: My sister just posted an awesome review of this movie over at her blog. Check it out! =D

A Totally Random and Rather Pointless Post

2007-02-02T12:00:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's February already! This year is already flying by at an alarming pace... It seems like just yesterday that it was the second of January! But now it's the second of February, semester finals are over, second semester is beginning, and it's only 15 days until my birthday.

Wow. That's quite strange to think about... hehe. I'm very excited though, because our winter break falls squarely over the week of my birthday! So, my school gave me a birthday present! Unknowingly, of course, but they did it nonetheless! *is happy*

And now onto another topic... Last night, we watched The Aviator with Leonardo DiCaprio and Cate Blanchett. Wow... it was a really amazing movie, and I have definitely decided that Leonardo DiCaprio is one of my favorite actors ever. Even after all the horrible things I said about him in the past. *sheepish grin* But yes. Excellent movie. You can probably expect a more detailed review at some point. ^_^

On another exciting note, my friend Amy (who wrote the awesome poem) and her family are coming over for pizza tonight! I'm very excited!!! :D Counting down the hours, Ames! hehe. This should be a very fun night... *nods wisely*

I am also happy to announce that I only have one more biology experiment to finish up and then I'm done for this semester! For those of you who didn't know--I had to do nine experiments and lab reports this week. Because, being the procrastinator I am, I put them off until the week my notebook is due. *koff* But now I'm almost finished! And I'm very happy about it... hehe.

Also, I have been listening to a lot of old rock--Pink Floyd and Queen, particularly. Favorite songs: Who Wants To Live Forever? by Queen, High Hopes by Pink Floyd, Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd, The Post War Dream by Pink Floyd, and The Show Must Go On by Queen. I'm also in love with Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits. Plus a lot more, of course. So yes, old music is awesome. ^_^

And now I will bring this totally-random-and-rather-pointless post to a close. Cheers!

Keep Myself Numb

2007-01-31T14:42:00.000-08:00

For lack of anything better to post, here is another "poem" that I wrote. Be forewarned--it is another depressing one.

Keep Myself Numb

My dreams, my hopes, are shattered
They lay in pieces around me,
Mocking my pain
I try not to remember
What tore me apart
But it frightens me
I don't want to forget
Don't want to remember
I hold the pieces of my heart
In my bloodied hands
I try not to think
Try to keep myself numb

... I promise the next one will be happy. =P

Now Watching: The Illusionist

2007-01-30T21:31:00.000-08:00

I went into this movie with quite high expectations. My grandfather--who, I must say, is a rather severe movie critic--positively raved about it when he and my grandma were here in December, so I went into it with a high standard. And, happily, I wasn't disappointed!

The film is set in turn-of-the-century Vienna. Edward Norton plays Eisenheim, a stage magician who has amazed almost all of Europe and is now setting his sights on Vienna. His show attracts the attention of the Crown Prince (played by Rufus Sewell), along with the woman he intends to marry. While at one of the shows, the Prince volunteers this woman to assist Eisenheim on the stage--and the magician recognizes her as his childhood sweetheart, Sophie von Teschen (played by Jessica Biel). What follows is a tale of love, betrayel, loyalty, jealousy, and, above all, illusion.

Overall, it is a very good film. The casting is excellent, although some of the accents sound a little weird (I'm still trying to figure out what kind of accent Edward Norton was supposed to have), as is the direction, and, above all, the cinematography. It is absolutely beautiful to watch, and Dick Pope certainly deserved his Oscar nomination for the cinematography--this is one of the most gorgeous films I've seen since Girl with a Pearl Earring. Just lovely.

An intriguing story, coupled with excellent acting, directing, and cinematography, as well as those always-popular plot twists, make this film a definite must-see... and beware: nothing is as it seems. 10/10

Rated PG-13 for some sexuality and violence.

The Edge

2007-01-24T14:49:00.000-08:00

I have decided to post any "poems" that I may happen to write. I put "poems" in quotations because it's more free-verse then a poem. But anyways... Here's a poem that I wrote a couple of months back.

The Edge

What is my use?
What have I done?
There's nothing for me
In this life that I lead.
My family is dead,
My friends have all gone.
They left me in despair.
And in my despair
I step towards The Edge.

There's no one to save me,
No one to stop me from this fall.
I'm helpless to stop it
The Edge utters its call.

The Darkness calls me,
it beckons me closer.
The sky is so blue,
The cliff is so black.
The dark is so close now;
I run towards The Edge.

The Darkness surrounds me,
It muffles my breath.
My fear is Its tool
My feet slip on the rock.
I drag myself back,
It pulls me closer
Terror is my weakness
It siezes control.
And as the Darkness surrounds me,
I plunge past The Edge.

Acadamy Awards Nominations

2007-01-23T19:44:00.000-08:00

The nominations for the Acadamy Awards were announced this morning, and I am very pleased to say that my candidates for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor were both nominated!

I was actually quite surprised when I saw that Leonardo DiCaprio was nominated for 'Blood Diamond' instead of 'The Departed.' I was expecting it to be the other way around, but I was very glad to be proven wrong. He definitely deserves it.

Djimon Hounsou was also nominated for his role in 'Blood Diamond,' and I think he really has a good chance of winning. He was amazing.

'Blood Diamond' also brought in three other nominations, and another favorite of mine this year, 'The Prestige,' took two. How very exciting!

Now I just have to wait until the end of February and see what happens!

Early Morning Musings

2007-01-19T06:30:00.000-08:00

I think I might finally understand why my mom loves getting up early in the morning.

Because I'm sick, I slept most of yesterday. For those of you who don't know, this is standard procedure for me when I'm ill--I give my body a rest as my immune system works its butt off making those nice little antibodies that kill the baddies who decided to attack me.

Anyways, because I was asleep for a large chunk of the day yesterday, I woke up at 2:30 this morning and was unable to go back to sleep. Since I have my biology class at 6:45, I decided to just get up and do this and that while I watched the clock tick. After all, four and a quarter hours isn't all that long!

At about five o'clock, I went out to get my third cup of tea (another thing about sick-little-me is that I only drink tea. The caffeine helps the antibodies work... or, at least, that's the idea). As I waited for the water to boil, I strolled around the living and dining room, just listening to the silence.

It was the same as when I stay up very, very late: that absolute peace that just makes my mind wake up. Without all the distractions from my family moving around the house, I felt like I could really think. It was a quite nice feeling...

This does not mean I'm turning into a morning person. I'm still a night-owl, through and through. However I think that, every now and then, I just might set my alarm for 5:00 and go out and watch the sunrise over our fence...

I never have done that...

Now Watching: Blood Diamond

2007-01-18T13:53:00.000-08:00

Sierra Leone

, Africa. 1999.

Solomon Vandy is a Mende fisherman with little education. Every day, he sends his oldest son, Dia, off to school and helps to nurture the boy’s desire to become a doctor. Although they are poor, he and his family are happy.

Danny Archer is a Rhodesian who has lived in Africa almost his entire life. He is a former soldier who has turned smuggler, and his entire life is spent smuggling diamonds out of Africa in order to make money.

In a country torn apart by the blood diamond trade, Solomon’s family is suddenly rent apart. When their town is attacked, Solomon’s wife and children run for their lives, and Solomon is capture and sent to work in the diamond fields.

When Danny discovers that Solomon has unearthed an incredibly rare pink diamond in the diamond fields, he latches onto the chance of obtaining this diamond and selling it for, quite literally, a fortune. Danny promises Solomon that he will help him find his family if, in return, Solomon will split the money he earns from the diamond with Danny. Desperate to find his family, Solomon agrees, and an amazing story begins to unfold.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Danny Archer in a way that is both believable and unforgettable. He flawlessly slides through the countless character changes that Danny goes through, and makes you sympathize just enough with Danny to hope that he ends up right in the end.

Djimon Hounsou lands a spectacular performance as Solomon Vandy. He commands you to feel the pain that Solomon goes through as his family is torn from him, and the untainted love that he shows throughout the film is the true heart of the story.

Jennifer Connelly plays Maddy Bowen, an American journalist who finds herself caught up in the middle of this war. She is continually seeking to put a stop to the cruelty that results from the blood diamond trade, and her search for a compelling story is what ties her to Danny and Solomon.

James Newton Howard delivers another amazing score that does not take away from, but only adds to, the drama of the story. Edward Zwick’s directing is just as amazing as it was in ‘The Last Samurai’, and I am definitely interested in seeing more of his films.

Overall, it is an absolutely incredible film—thought-provoking and moving, with excellent acting, directing, and scoring. I would actually be quite pleased to see DiCaprio and Hounsou win the Oscar for Best Lead and Best Supporting Actor, respectively. They both deliver absolutely superb performances, and make you believe in their characters.

In my opinion, ‘Blood Diamond’ is the best film of 2006, and one that is definitely at the top of my list for Best Picture come Oscar time. However, for fear of pumping it up too much and having you be disappointed when you see it, I will leave it at that.

One final promise, however . . . You will never look at a diamond the same way.

Rated R for strong violence and language. I submit this review with warnings for the same. While the violence is not actually that graphic, the language definitely merits a strong caution.

Overall rating: 10/10

I Hunt the Night

2007-01-15T21:09:00.000-08:00

It is my pleasure to post a poem that my friend Amy wrote. While it probably won't have the same significance for those who have not read Twilight and New Moon by Stephanie Meyer, I hope you will still enjoy it.

I Hunt the Night
By Ames

Stalker in shadow,
Hidden from view.
It's so dark down here
For the moon is new.
Bright pinpricks above,
The stars cast faint light.
But it doesn't matter,
For keen is my sight.
I streak through the shade:
No fear holds me back.
There's just one things I fear,
And it's not the night's black.
I fear what I hunt.
I hate it, as well.
Because it exists,
In the dark I must dwell.
A creature of evil,
Some think of me.
But I'm not the bad guy;
This, someday, they'll see.
I hunt the bad one.
The evil is my prey.
The humans will see this;
They'll see it someday.
When they've all shunned me,
Bidden me begone,
They'll all see their error;
They'll see they were wrong.
When their throats are exposed
And poised to be rent,
In terror and despair
They'll wonder where I went.
For I am their savior,
The Protector, their light.
The only one with the strength
To protect them from Night.

Prowling along,
My nose to the ground,
My ears both are pricked
To catch the softest sound.
I smell only earth;
I hear only wind.
I growl with impatience...
'Til the scent I find.
I freeze in my tracks,
Stand still as stone.
The wind I ignored
Now chills to the bone.
Instinct kicks in:
My fear dissipates.
As frozen I stay,
Breathless, the earth waits.
And then with a rush
And a flash of fierce rage,
I leap like an animal
Loosed from a cage.
I run like demon
Fresh out of hell.
The scent is now stronger:
It's all I can smell.
I'm hot on the trail:
My heart starts to quicken.
As I race towards my prey,
I feel the air thicken.
Charged as with lightning,
The air is now still.
The earth waits in silence,
Expecting the kill.
My blood is like fire
As it flows through my veins.
My head is pounding...
The darkness reigns.
I run with a purpose.
All flee me in fright.
They dare not oppose me
As I hunt the Night.
And I know I will triumph,
And evil will die.
For me, only do...
There is so try.
No game do I play,
Nor is this a mock-fight.
It's the most deadly of dances...
For I hunt the Night.

Please leave feedback, and I will relay it to Amy. I'm sure she'd appreciate your comments!

Scenes from San Francisco

2007-01-13T16:06:00.000-08:00

For lack of anything else to update, I thought I'd post a picture that I took in San Francisco. It's nothing much, but I love how the sun looks in it, so...

There you have it. I hope you enjoyed this episode of "Scenes from San Francisco." We'll see you all next week...

Live Together or Die Alone

2007-01-12T13:36:00.000-08:00

For anyone interested, here is my latest essay...

Live Together or Die Alone

In this age of freedom and intellectual independence, many easily push aside any offer of help. We have become obsessed with the idea that we can do whatever we want by ourselves. Even when we do need help, we oftentimes resist the offer, refusing to make ourselves dependent on another. Fearing that dependence on our family or friends signifies weakness or immaturity, we oftentimes ignore any assistance that presents itself to us. While independece can, to some extent, help us in our lives, we must understand that an absolutely self-reliant person cannot possibly exist. Whether we want to admit it or not, we all depend on others for our survival.

Many examples exist to prove the folly of total self-reliance, and we find one vitally important example in the military that protects our country. What would happen if all of our soldiers suddenly decided that they wanted to become absolutely independent—if they decided that they would stop listening to orders and start to do whatever they wanted to do? Of course, we understand that this would lead to chaos in our armies and, as a result of this chaos, they would not adequately protect our land. Success in battle depends entirely on the soldier’s ability to obey commands and to aid his comrades. If every soldier worried only about himself and no one else, then the army as a whole could not possibly succeed. Our soldiers must rely on one another to watch each other’s backs, and they must also work together to achieve their common goals. Without this dependence, our military would fail.

Sadly, the majority of teenagers nowadays think only about the time when they can leave home and become independent—free from their parents’ “over-protection” of them. While we realize that we must grow up and become independent at some point, we must also recognize how much we do depend on our parents. Many teenagers struggle as they attempt to adjust to life outside of their childhood home, and many also slip into immoral activities once they no longer have the hand of discipline over them. Clearly, we not only depend on our parents to support us as we grow up, but we also depend on them to shape our minds, our consciences, and our ways of thinking. Because of this, we must see the dangers that thrust themselves upon us if we “break away” from our parents’ guidance too early. We must carefully prepare ourselves to face the trails of the world before we go out to face them.

We find another example of the importance of dependence on another at the foundation of our life, our country, and even the entire world. Two thousand years ago, one Man came to give aid to His children throughout the world. God sent His only Son to the world to save sinners, and only by relying entirely on Him can we receive salvation. If we shake off His offer of salvation and merrily go our own way, we will only doom ourselves to eternal destruction in the fires of Hell. But by accepting His loving hand and by falling upon His sacrifice, we will stand before our God on judgment day and hear the words, “well done, good and faithful servant.” Only by depending on Christ can we survive, and only when we entrust ourselves entirely to His hands will He save us from the damnation that most assuredly awaits us otherwise.

As Bernard Shaw once aptly said; “we are all dependent on one another, every soul of us on earth.” Although we might not admit it, this statement has proven itself time after time throughout the course of history. Human beings simply cannot survive alone—they require the help of others. From the armies that protect us, to the parents who shape our thinking, to the Savior who died for our salvation so many years ago, we constantly rely on others for our survival. Absolute independence cannot exist. We all rely on each other, and we must accept this fact. Only then can we live, and only then can we die.

So there you have it. Next up, gun control!

Adventures in San Francisco

2007-01-10T11:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we visited the ginormous city of San Francisco. I had not been there in years--so long that I rememered almost nothing about it. The only thing I did remember was eating clam chowder down at Fisherman's Warf.

Anyways, we got a decent-sized group together, all piled onto BART at about 11:30 (after a ridiculous search for a parking spot that led us to the movie theatre parking lot across the freeway), and arrived in San Fran about 50 minutes later. We came up in Union Square and took the cable car over to Fisherman's Warf, where we all got some clam chowder. It was quite delicious!

After we ate, we walked around Fisherman's Warf a bit and then went to Ghirardelli Square. They were handing out samples of Ghirardelli chocolate, so I got my bit of chocolate for the day. I was happy... ^_^ By then, it was beginning to be dusk, so we decided to take the cable car back to Union Square and then walk to the Bank of America building. And yes, we went up all 52 floors on the express elevator.

Boy, my ears still haven't recovered... *lol* It wasn't so bad going up, but when we came back down, all of us were holding our ears. heh. But it was still a lot of fun. We went up to the resturaunt at the top of the building, and sat next to the huge windows that look out over the city. I was rather freaked out at first, but then it was fun... We were a loooong ways up...

It got dark while we were up there, so we got to see all the lights in the city come on. It was beautiful. We all got sodas, and after we had finished, we walked back to Union Square and hopped back on BART to take us home.

It was an awesome, but tiring day. I definitely want to go back to San Francisco soon! It's a fun city, although I don't really like all the people. lol. Too many of them! Still, I had a blast, and it was even better because we went with friends.

Here are just a few pictures from the day...

Some of the boats down at Fisherman's Warf

I loved how these trees looked, lining the street...

Looking back up at the city from one of the docks.

The beautiful ship Balclutha.
She was built in Glasgow, Scotland in 1886

The Ghirardelli sign, obviously...

And finally...

The Golden Gate Bridge, at dusk, from the 52nd floor of the BoA building.

Goodnight, San Francisco!

Happy New Year, everyone!!

2007-01-02T23:00:00.000-08:00

...two days late. =P

Oh well, better late then never, right?

So yes. 2007 has officially arrived. I can't believe it... it seems like it was just yesterday that it was the beginning of 2006! But now it's 2007... wow. Quite unbelievable.

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful 2007! God bless you all. :)

Book Review

2006-12-22T10:31:00.000-08:00

Currently reading: Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

“About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him—and I didn’t know how dominant that part might be—that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.”

For the past month or so, one of my best friends has been nagging and nagging me to read ‘Twilight’ by Stephanie Meyer. I was rather reluctant to do so, as I’ve never really read vampire stories and I definitely was not interested in reading a vampire story that is also an “I” book. (As a general rule, I don’t like “I” books…) However, my friend continued to bug me until I grudgingly put it on my library queue.

Now, you’re probably going: “Alright, alright, enough already… we know; you got the book, read it, and liked it.” Quite true… but don’t rain on my parade! Let me continue this gripping story…

Twilight came in at the library on a Thursday night. I glanced at the cover (see above), read the back (also see above), and decided: “Okay, maybe I will actually read this…”

Very wise decision, as it turns out.

I sat down that night and began reading… and continued to read until the wee hours of the morning. I was definitely not expecting it would fall into the very small category of books-I-cannot-put-down, but I was very quickly shown to be wrong. As two o’clock drew closer, I realized: “Okay, I really need to go to sleep… my biology class is in barely over four hours!”

So, grudgingly, I set down the book and managed to force myself to sleep. Believe me, that was not an easy task. By two o’clock, I was into the climax of the book, and it was very hard to a) put the book down in the first place, and b) manage to push it out of my head enough to allow me to go to sleep. However, I managed to do both.

The next morning, after my biology class, I leapt back into bed and refused to set the book down until I finished it.

I must say, I was very sad when it ended… I wanted it to go on and on, but, alas, all good things come to an end, don’t they? However, I was very pleased that I had also requested the sequel (New Moon) at the library. The first chapter of aforementioned sequel is at the end of Twilight and I, foolishly, decided to read it.

Bad idea!

Talk about a major cliff-hanger ending… I was instantly ripping my hair out and counting how many days it would take for New Moon to come in. As it so happened, I was fifth in queue at the library, which meant that it could, technically, take as much as 15 weeks before it came in. By now, I’m only second in queue… so I shouldn’t have to wait too much longer. *whew*

However, back to the topic at hand!

If you were to ask me what I loved so much about Twilight, I would probably be unable to answer. My sister and I have decided that it’s one of those books that you just have to read for yourself. If I tried to describe it in more detail, you would probably think it either sounds a) incredibly stupid, or b) incredibly weird. It is neither, but I really cannot describe it without it sounding that way…

I think part of what I adored about it is how well Stephanie Meyer develops her characters. She does not do it with paragraph after paragraph of descriptions—in fact Bella, the main character, is never described past the fact that she has dark hair (although I have a very vivid mental picture of her nevertheless). To be honest, I really cannot describe how I got so attached to Edward, Bella, Charlie, Alice, Jasper, et al… It just happened.

To bring this rather lengthy, uninformative review to a close, all I can say is that you should read it. It is highly enjoyable, and quite engrossing… My only suggestion is that, unless you have New Moon at the same time as you have Twilight, don’t read the chapter at the end of Twilight. You’ll *most likely* wish that you hadn’t…

Overall, it is a very enjoyable book to spend a day reading… Particularly if you're a fan of an unlikely, very abnormal romance. Or vampires. And don't worry--it's not at all a typical highschool romance. I despise those sorts of books... *gag* This is a good romance. ^_^

I do believe I'll give it a 10/10. Excellent read!

A Surprise!

2006-12-21T09:16:00.000-08:00

I got a Christmas present today... from JK Rowling, of all people. =D

Okay, so maybe it wasn't a present soley for me... it was a present for all Harry Potter fans, big and small, young and old! Do you care to guess what it was? Indeed! That's the one!

Jo released the title for book seven!! Through a very elaborate game that you can play at Jo's official site, she gave the title to all of us fans. (If you want to play it, click on the erasor on the desk and that'll begin the game...)

But now, without further ado! The title for the *sniff* last book in the series is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Very interesting... I suppose it will make more sense once we've read the book, right? Right now it's just sort of like... O_o Odd. Okay.

Thank you, Jo!! Merry Christmas!!! =D

The End of a Year and Sickness Remedies

2006-12-20T11:11:00.000-08:00

I submitted my final school assignment of 2006 last night.

Wow. That's hard to believe... I cannot believe that it's almost 2007! Craziness. This year has flown by so quickly, I can't believe that it's almost Christmas. o_o Wow... less then a week, for Heaven's sake! That is insane...

Although, I do believe it's sinking in that it's the Christmas season... care to guess why?

Yup, you got it. I'm sick. x_x Granted, I don't feel nearly as horrible today as I did yesterday. Yesterday I was mute (killer sore throat), exhausted (my little body working hard to kill all those baddies), coughing (I always cough when I'm sick...), sneezing (bad nose!), and totally stuffed up...

Today I'm just exhausted, coughing, and my head is about to explode. I'm not sneezing so bad, and my sore throat is pretty much gone.

*deep sigh*

As usual, my remedy of sleeping away the entire day worked. I didn't wake up until after 2 o'clock in the afternoon, and then I just lay around all day watching movies. Didn't do anything strenuous--I figured my immune system was having enough of a workout. hehe...

But yes, I'm feeling better now. Definitely not 100%--my head really does feel like it's about to explode--but at least I can talk again. heh... When you're as talkative as me normally, you'll understand how hard it is to go a whole day without talking. =P

Unfortunately, this lovely illness means I'm not going to be able to go Christmas caroling tonight! *cries* I was so looking forward to this, especially since we missed last year as well... and now I have to come down sick. *cries some more*

*sigh* Hopefully I'll be well enough on Saturday to go carol. We shall see...

But enough of my ranting.

I think I am about ready to come back and start posting... I have a book review that is dying to be written and posted, so check back for that.

Merry Christmas!!!

Hiatus

2006-12-05T17:02:00.000-08:00

As you might have guessed by now, I'm taking a bit of a hiatus from my blog. I'm afraid that it was starting to be a nuisance to update and, instead of totally burning myself out on updating, I've decided that a better course of action is to just take a break. I hope you understand, and please don't be to angry with me! I will hopefully be back in the near future, so don't stop coming entirely. Until then, cheerio!!

-Dreamer-

Happy Thanksgiving, One and All!!

2006-11-23T17:41:00.000-08:00

I pray that your Thanksgiving is full of all the things that you are most thankful for... May God bless all of you in the coming year!!

I am most thankful for... my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ: I am nothing without Him. For my dear family and friends. For my kind and loving Church family. For the warm and comfortable house I live in. For the delicious dinner I just had, and for my mom for preparing all that food.

I know there are a million other things that I am thankful for, but if I tried to write all those things down I would be here all night... most of all, though, I want to thank my God for blessing me and my family so amazingly this past year.

Love to all! <3>

More Prestige...

2006-11-17T12:53:00.000-08:00

So! I went to see "The Prestige" again last night with a group of friends and I loved it even more this time around... This is actually an email that I wrote to someone, but I thought I would post it here as a sort of review... It's addressed to someone who has not seen the movie, just fyi. ^_^

It made so much more sense the second time around!! Everything was clicking in my mind as I watched it and I kept thinking: "That's what that meant!" or "Oooh, that's what he said!" hehe. Granted, it didn't have the shock element that it had the first time we saw it, but it was still fantastic. Two members of my group were both seeing it for the first time, so that was fun... One of them was my Mum and she gasped several times. She kept on leaning over to one of my friends (who had seen it with me previously) and asking: "Should I cover my eyes??" hehe. (Which, actually, you don't need to do if you watch it. There are a few scenes that you think will be horrible to watch, but they actually are not. It's very tastefully done--like Batman. *nod* There's hardly a drop of blood throughout the entire film.)

When it was over, and we were asking Mum if she liked it, she said exactly what I expected, "Yes, I thought it was good, but it is horrible." That really is true... it is not a fun movie to watch by any stretch of the imagination, but it is excellent. It makes a very strong example of just what obsession can do to a person. Both magicians start out as nice, lovable, characters, but by the end you have absolutely no pity for them--particularly Hugh Jackman's character. The depth of his obsession (and the things that he does because of it) is completely... evil. It really is an incredibly thought-provoking, well-done film.

I honestly can't stress how brilliantly done that movie is... It really struck me this time. On the way home, my brother, sister, and I were all exclaiming over just how alike the entire layout of the movie is to the magic acts throughout it. It is incredible. It was even more amazing this time around because you notice so much more... It really is a movie that you should see at least twice. You really must try to see it... I really think you would appreciate it.

However, I must say... don't be surprised if, when you first come out of the theatre, you can't decide whether or not you like it. It took quite awhile for it to sink in enough for me to decide I liked it. My suggestion: Talk about it on the way home! It's really as you discuss things that you realize how good it was... *nod* So that's my little piece of advice! ^_^

Note: There was another thing that struck me. There is one quote that one character in the movie says that applies exactly to the movie: "Once you know the secret, it's really quite simple." Sarah says this to Borden after he explains the bullet-catch to her, and seeing the movie the second time around and "knowing the secret," it really was "quite simple." However, as Borden replies, it is "still dangerous." Granted, the movie is not exactly dangerous, but there are still new things that you notice the second time around that you didn't notice the first time.

I say again: The movie is a magic-act. And a brilliant one at that. If you haven't seen it yet, see it as soon as you can! It's not one you would want to miss... 10/10!

Freedom!!

2006-11-14T20:06:00.000-08:00

My composition midterm wasn't nearly as bad as I expected it to be... I did a sort of "pretest" myself where I wrote a five-paragraph composition in forty minutes with no be verbs. I think that helped me because I realized I could do it. And as it ended up... I had an hour instead of forty minutes!

*whew* I misread the guidelines apparently. I had forty-five minutes of writing time and fifteen minutes of outlining time. So that instantly took away some of the stress... and I found a topic which I felt like I could write on and... well... I wrote! It all went by so fast. I was done writing it with 27 minutes to spare, actually! It was wonderful. I'm so thankful...

Now comes the wait for the grade... I hope I do good! :-\

On a side note, I got an A on my biology test, for which I am very happy. :) So yes... the stress is slowly decreasing. Now I just need to finish my experiment reports and I'll be FREEEEEE!!!!!!!

...For a week. ^_^ Yay Thanksgiving break!!

"FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!" (Mel Gibson style!)

Butterflies and Writing

2006-11-14T11:25:00.000-08:00

So, I'm totally freaking out right now... I'm relieved to be done with my lab report and module test, but today the real trial begins--my composition midterm. It will only take me forty minutes (at least, I hope it will only take me forty minutes...), but it's working up the courage to actually start that's the problem. I'm very nervous, to put it lightly. The butterflies in my stomach are making me sick... x_x

I also have a ton of biology experiments to do today and tomorrow. Thankfully, I only have to write informal lab reports on them, so that will go quicker... But still. I have a lot to do. So please, be praying for me. For my comp, please pray that I would be able to think clearly under the pressure and be able to come up with ideas easily--and that my punctuation and active writing would come easily as well. And for bio... well, just prayer that I'll get the experiments done by the deadline. I would appreciate that very much...

Note: I changed my audio clip again. Now it's a suite that I made from three different songs from the Van Helsing score by Alan Silvestri. Enjoy!! ^_^

I'm actually planning on changing the clip every week (on Saturdays), so you have about four days to listen to it. Hope you like it... I had a blast making the suite. For anyone interested, the three songs are: Journey to Transylvania, Who Are They To Judge?, and Reunited.

For Anyone Interested...

2006-11-14T00:29:00.000-08:00

Check out the new Spidey trailer!

... I can't wait for May. ^_^

Fire and Rain

2006-11-13T11:29:00.000-08:00

Oh, the lovely sound of a fire crackling merrily in the fireplace, and the rain sprinkling loudly on the roof. *sighs happily* Fall has, indeed, set in.

A Bit of Art

2006-11-11T20:46:00.000-08:00

Wow, I haven't posted any photoart on this blog in a long time, but since I have finally done a bit of photoshopping, I decided to post 'em... ^_^ Yesterday I suddenly felt the need to make some X-Men avatars... And what resulted were nine (yes, only nine) Logan avatars. I'm working on making more, but here's what I have so far...

Hope you enjoyed. I'm planning on *finally* updating my site on Monday, so check over there, too. ^_^ Cheers!

Technical Difficulties and Worried Celebrations

2006-11-08T08:55:00.000-08:00

My grammar & composition class got cancelled. *cries*

Last week, Mrs. Troxel's microphone was quite sick, and now it has completely died. So, during my class time, she is driving 60 miles to the "microphone technician" to get it repaired. *sigh* So, needless to say, I'm very disappointed... I love this class. And I really needed this one because Mrs. T was going to be talking about the midterm which we have to take next week. I'm already nervous enough about it, and now I don't even have Mrs. T to explain it... *shiver*

However, she emailed this morning and said, because I'm doing so well on the grammar portion of my weekly assignments, I'm exempt (sp?) from that section of the midterm. Hooray!! And there was much rejoicing...

No really, that makes me very happy. And it's quite funny because I feel like I have been doing horrible on all my worksheets... but I'm actually not. So that's an unexpected surprise. :)

However, everyone has to write the composition for the midterm, no matter their grade. And that's what I'm nervous about, because I only have forty minutes to write it. Eeek!! *trembles* I take days to write a paper!! How am I supposed to do it in forty minutes??? o_o *is very scared*

Would you please be praying for me??

2006-11-04T16:31:00.000-08:00

Remember, remember, the Fifth of November, The Gunpowder Treason and Plot... I know of no reason why the Gunpowder Treason should ever be forgot...

We watched V for Vendetta last night. I must say I found it extremely interesting, although there were certainly parts I disliked. It's rather confusing at times, and I feel like if I watched it again I might understand it better... but overall, I think I liked it. It's an interesting storyline, and the acting is quite good. Needless to say, I was considerably astonished with the latter--Natalie Portman with an English accent??

I am beginning to think that, perhaps, that girl really can act. She really did a quite amazing job in V, although her accent was, at times, quite cheesy. Hugo Weaving was awesome as V, but then, we already knew he's awesome. The fact that you never see his face throughout the entire film was a nice added touch.

As to the storyline... A man attempts to overthrough a totalitarian government. Pretty simple, right? No, not really... not when you have as many sub-plots running through the main plot as the Wachowski brothers put in this film. It kept me guessing until the very end, and there were several twists and turns that I most definitely didn't see coming.

There were certainly things that I didn't agree with, but really, I thought it was an interesting, well-done, well-acted film. I wouldn't mind seeing it again, although not too soon... It's not one that I'd watch over and over again, I don't think. Still, I enjoyed it. Probably a 8/10, although that rating might change once I've thought over it for a little while longer/seen it again.

Remember, remember, the Fifth of November, the Gunpowder Treason and Plot... I know of no reason why the Gunpowder Treason should ever be forgot... But what of the man? I know his name was Guy Fawkes and I know, in 1605, he attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament. But who was he really? What was he like? We are told to remember the idea, not the man, because a man can fail. He can be caught, he can be killed and forgotten, but 400 years later, an idea can still change the world. I've witnessed first hand the power of ideas, I've seen people kill in the name of them, and die defending them... but you cannot kiss an idea, cannot touch it, or hold it... ideas do not bleed, they do not feel pain, they do not love... And it is not an idea that I miss, it is a man... A man that made me remember the Fifth of November. A man that I will never forget.

Note: Too bad tomorrow's Sunday, or I would wait to post this until the 5th... That would be fun. Oh well... The 4th will have to do.

I've Decided That I Really Don't Like Computers.

2006-11-01T11:02:00.000-08:00

No, really, I think they're awesome. It's just when they don't work that I get irritated with them! =P Let me 'xplain... I was supposed to read my argument composition in G&C class this morning, and my microphone decided it would be a really brilliant idea not to work. *anger*

The irritating thing is that it was just working!! So yes... that frustrated me to no end. But at least I have a nice, understanding teacher who was more then willing to read it for me. Thank you Mrs. T!! :) (As it happens, she was experiencing her own microphone troubles, so she sympathized with me...)

And now that I'm done ranting about malfunctioning technology...

I have discovered another movie that I am very anxious to see. It comes out December 8th and it is called Blood Diamond. Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, and Djimon Hounsou star (yes, it's a Leonardo DiCaprio movie and I actually want to see it... try not to faint...), and Edward Zwick directs. Zwick is the guy who directed The Last Samurai, for anyone interested. It looks like a really good movie... *nod* I really want to see it.

Here is the trailer for it at apple.com: http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/blooddiamond/large.html

I have two other trailers for it as well, but I don't think they're quite as good as that one. Still, if you're interested, post a comment and I'll post the links for those as well. ^_^

NOTE: I have been watching that trailer over and over and over again... it is so well done. And I absolutely adore the music at the end. That's part of what makes it such an amazing trailer. That song gives me the shivers... *shivers* Enjoy!!

A Prestigious Film

2006-10-27T23:47:00.000-07:00

So, my brother, sister, and I, along with two friends went and saw The Prestige at 4:00 this afternoon... And all I can say is wow...

It is most certainly not a happy movie. It's exeedingly dark, and rather sad at times... but it is excellent. We were all silent as the credits rolled (which is very rare... we're usually all jabbering during the credits), and once the credits were over and we were walking out of the theatre we were asking each other:

"So did you like it?"
Response: "I don't know... I think so."

It's very true. It's a movie that you have to think about for awhile before you decide whether or not you like it. I definitely thought it was good right from the start, but it took a few minutes to shake off how disturbing it was and realize that I really did like it. By the time we had talked about it for a few minutes, I started to think that I had liked it... then by the time we had taken our friends back to their house, I had decided that I really liked it... and by the time we were back at our house eating our pizza, I realized that I really loved it.

The way it is filmed is brilliant. A review I read put it perfectly: The movie is laid out like the magic act. There's the pledge, then there's the turn, and they don't give you the prestige until the very end... And the suspense that builds up is incredible. I loved how they would show something that was going to happen, but then they would show the audience's response to it instead of showing it actually happen. It was a very unique way to go about it, and I really liked it...

It really is an excellent movie. It's not a happy story. But it is definitely very good... It's so complex, it's amazing. I'm sure there's a million things that I didn't get... which is why I'm dying to see it again. I'm hoping to get together a large group of friends and go see it again within the next few weeks. The two friends who came today want to go see it again, as well, so they'll probably come. ^_^ But yes, I really need to see it again...

But it's amazing. For anyone who hasn't seen it: definitely see it. It's excellent.

Eragon

2006-10-26T19:22:00.000-07:00

For anyone looking forward to the Eragon movie... Two new trailers have emerged online in the past few weeks, so I thought I'd post the links to them. ^_^ The first is a music trailer--no diologue, just video with soundtrack in the background. It shows a lot of new footage, however, in a very short space of time. The best way to go about watching it is in slow-mo. That's the only way to see everything. *lol* The second is the international trailer. It also has a lot of new footage in it, and it gives a better synopsis of the storyline.

Music trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/eragon/traileri/trailer_lg.html

International trailer: http://www.shurtugal.com/content/mandm/media/2006/october/1/eragon_intl_trailer_hi.php

I'm getting very, very excited about this movie... It looks like they're changing quite a few things from the book, but it still looks like it will be awesome.

Also, here are a few promotional stills...

An Apology and the Irish's Fight

2006-10-25T12:41:00.000-07:00

You have my deepest apologies for not updating these past few days... it just seems like I haven't had a spare moment to do so! But now I'm here--Wednesday is my "least-busy" day of the week, so I finally have time to update. :) I shall try my hardest to make sure these long periods between posts does not become a habbit. *scared look*

This is an article that I wrote for Grammar & Composition... I was racking my brain all week as to what I was going to write my article on. It had to be six paragraphs, so I knew it needed to be something I was interested in and knew something about... but what in my life is interesting?? It got to Saturday night, late, and I still had no idea what to write on... and then it struck me. I'll write it on Notre Dame's Fighting Irish!

A little bit of backstory as to why I chose this topic...

My family and I love watching Notre Dame football, partially because my great-grandpa went to school and taught at Notre Dame, and also because they're just an amazing football team. And also, I faaaar prefer watching college football as opposed to pro football because, in college, the players play because they love to play, whereas pro players most likely play for $$$. If you get my drift...

So anyways, on Saturday night my dad, mom, sister, and I watched the Irish face-off with UCLA at The House that Rockne Built--ie, Notre Dame's home stadium. It was a spectacular game--one of the best I've seen in a long time. And as I lay in bed Saturday night, anguishing over what I was going to write my article on, and still on an adrenaline rush from the game, I suddenly realized: "For heavens sake, write it on the Irish!!" Strangly, I was immediately able to go to sleep. It's amazing what a withdrawel of stress will do... So, on Monday, I started my article. Here is the finished result! It's not as good as I would have liked it to be, but we'll see if Mrs. Troxell likes it... :)

Fight on, Fighting Irish!

In the city of South Bend, Indiana, in 1887, one of the greatest college football teams ever known leapt onto the playing field, although in all honesty, they did not exactly leap to the best start. Notre Dame’s “Fighting Irish” began their career with two nearly winless seasons, their first win coming at the end of the 1888 season when they defeated Harvard Prep by a score of 20-0. Although this may not seem the best start for a football team, by the end of the 1912 season, the team had amassed 108 wins and suffered only 31 losses, and Notre Dame has continued to climb the ranks of college football ever since. Many brilliant coaches have taken the helm of equally brilliant teams, leading the Irish through many glorious seasons. Building on the success of these men, the current Notre Dame team continues to follow a long-standing tradition of sports excellence—and fans love the Irish more than ever.

At the beginning of the 1918 season, Knute Rockne became the head coach of the Irish and ushered in one of the most famous and successful periods of Notre Dame’s football history. Rockne recruited George “the Gipper” Gipp as an Irish player in spite of the fact that Gipp had never even played organized football, and Gipp went on to become one of Rockne’s star players. Gipp proved himself to his coach and to the world as an extremely versatile player, but in 1920, two weeks after becoming Notre Dame’s first “All-American,” Gipp sadly died an early death from pneumonia. History did not forget Gipp, however, and in December of 1951, on the 31st anniversary of his death, his name entered the College Football Hall of Fame. In addition, during the second World War, the United States named a liberty ship after him—the SS George Gipp. However, his dying words eventually brought him the most fame as he reportedly spoke his “win just one for the Gipper” line. President Ronald Reagan used this line as the political slogan for his presidential campaign, and coach Knute Rockne later used Gipp’s words to inspire the Irish team when the US Army team threatened to defeat Notre Dame.

Army came into its match with Notre Dame in 1928 as an undefeated team, while the Irish had already suffered two losses. For the first half of the game, Army led and seemed entirely in command of the match. At half-time, however, Rockne came into the locker room, looked around at his players, and delivered his account of Gipp’s last words:

"I've got to go, Rock. It's all right. I'm not afraid. Some time, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go in there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be then, Rock. But I'll know about it, and I'll be happy."

Knute’s speech, although possibly fictional, inspired the Irish to upset the game and win 12-6. This example shows only one of many spectacular wins for the Irish achieved under Rockne’s leadership.

After Knute Rockne died in a tragic plane crash in 1931, his place as head coach passed from man to man—some talented, some not. Notre Dame rocked back and forth between recognition as one of the best teams of the time to one of the worst. Frank Leahy proved one of the more notable coaches after the Rockne era, holding the second highest win percentage in college football—just below his predecessor, Rockne. Leahy coached the Irish for eleven seasons and led them to 87 wins with a mere 11 losses, pushing them forward into 39 straight games without a single loss. Under his leadership, the Irish won four national championships and celebrated six undefeated seasons. When Leahy departed from the team in 1954, the Irish suffered the same fate as they had after Knute Rockne retired, passing from coach to coach with only a few brilliant victories mixed in among the grave disappointment of many losses. Yet now, in 2006, the Fighting Irish have regained a great deal of their former Rockne and Leahy glory under the careful watch of Charlie Weiss, Notre Dame’s 18th head coach.

As the start of the 2005 season drew near, the Irish inaugurated Weiss as head coach of the team, and in that first year he led the team to nine victories and three losses, with a post-season appearance in the Fiesta Bowl. Although the Irish lost the bowl to Ohio State University, Charlie Weiss had clearly created a strong influence over the team already. One of the most memorable games came when the University of Southern California met Notre Dame at the Irish’s home stadium—“the house that Rockne built”—in South Bend. USC’s Trojans had won the last three matches with Notre Dame by 31 points each, and they came into the 2005 match with 27 straight wins under their belt. However, this game became legendary when Notre Dame’s quarterback, Brady Quinn, took his team down the field for a touchdown within the last two minutes of the game, bringing the Irish ahead 31-28. Notre Dame pushed their opponents to a fourth down, but Trojan quarterback Matt Leinart threw a 67 yard pass which put his team inside the Notre Dame ten yard line. Two plays later, the Irish flushed Leinart from the pocket and forced him to scramble towards the end zone, hitting him at the one yard line and causing him to fumble the ball out of bounds. Despite the fact that the ball had tumbled out of bounds, the clock ticked down to zero, and the Notre Dame students flooded onto the field in celebration, delirious with the idea of finally beating USC. But once the officials regained control of the situation, they placed the ball inside the one yard line and put seven seconds back on the clock. Although initially stopped short by the Irish’s defense, Leinart surged into the end zone and scored the touchdown that won the game. Even though the Fighting Irish lost, fans and critics alike immediately dubbed it one of the best games in college football history, and it will certainly go down in history as exactly that.

Charlie Weiss’ 2006 team promises to deliver as excellent a performance as they did last season, and it boasts essentially the same cast of characters as the ‘05 season—Brady Quinn returns as quarterback, Jeff Samardzija as wide receiver, Tom Zbikowski as defensive back and punt returner, and Darius Walker as half-back, to name just a few. Both Brady Quinn and Jeff Samardzija hold many school records, and Brady Quinn has broken countless records that he himself set only a few years back. Quinn holds over 30 separate Notre Dame records, and Samardzija recently matched the school record of 22 career touchdown catches—the same day Quinn passed his 10,000th yard, also a record. Add Walker and Zbikowski into this mix, and a fine list of football “stars” appears. But the Irish work as a team; a single player does not separate himself from his teammates and shove himself solely into the limelight. In fact, the Irish players do not even put their names on their jerseys as all other players in the sport do. Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish fight as one, and what a formidable fight they bring to anyone who opposes them!

Many thanks to my sister for reading it over with me, pointing out things I should change, and helping me remove those pesky "be" verbs. :)

Some Sister-Time and a Good Movie

2006-10-21T13:06:00.000-07:00

Last night my sister and I watched the 1999 version of Mansfield Park. I started reading the book a couple of weeks ago, and liked it enough to want to see the movie. At first I hesitated, though, thinking that if I saw the movie I might not be inspired to finish the book. However, I've heard that the book is rather different from the movie, so I'm sure I will still finish the book. And I'm very happy that I did not wait to see the movie...

It stars Francis O'Connor as Fanny Price, and I must say she did an excellent job. I don't think of her as the greatest actress ever (although she is quite brilliant in The Importance of Being Earnest), but she did a wonderful job with this film. I didn't recognize anyone else in the cast, except for Sophia Myles who plays Fanny's younger sister. But that doesn't mean a thing. It was very well acted, and I loved the guy who played Edmund. He was perfect.

I'm not going to write a detailed review right now. I need to see it one or two more times before I do that... What a pity--I'll have to watch it again. *mock sigh* hehe. It really was a sweet movie... it's right up there with the other Austen films--Emma, Sense & Sensibility, and Pride & Prejudice. It was funny, like Emma, but there were also some serious aspects to it as well, like Sense & Sensibility. All in all, it was a very enjoyable way to spend two hours... Especially since I watched it with my sissy.

I Have Decided I Officially Love the Nolan Brothers...

2006-10-20T10:21:00.000-07:00

I've been waiting and waiting for The Prestige to come out, ever since I first saw the trailer back in July... actually, go back before that--ever since I first heard that the three main characters were played by Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, and Michael Caine. Now I read a review and discover that, just like last summer's Batman Begins, Christopher and Jonanthan Nolan have created a potentially gripping movie without junking up the plot with profanity and immorality.

Granted, I haven't yet seen the actual film. It only came out today, and, unfortunately, I have school so I can't go see it. *pouts* It would have been awesome to see it on opening day but, alas, I shall have to wait for a different day. Still, from the the trailer and reviews I have seen, it sounds like an interesting and thought-provoking film. I'll let you know what I think once I've seen it!

In the meantime, you should go watch the trailer. Just click on the title up there and it'll take you to apple. ^_^ Enjoy!

Be warned, however... The first time I saw the trailer I was totally weirded out, going: "Uhm, okay, that looks bizarre." *lol* It improves on you. It really does... just watch it a few times. *nod* Now I watch the trailer and go: "Oh my socks, I can't wait for that movie to come out!!"

And it has finally arrived!

On a side note, Flags of Our Fathers also looks like a very good film, although it's rated R. Still, check out the trailer for that one as well. It looks excellent.

Note: It's quite cold at 6:30 in the morning.

2006-10-20T06:44:00.000-07:00

I'm waiting for my biology class to start, and I am getting quite chilly! My window being open might have something to do with it, but I'm still getting the distinct impression that Fall has, indeed, set it! Hooray! Gone are the days of laying awake at night, miserable because of the heat. Now I just need my little nose warmer and I'm set!

On a side note, sorry about not updating yesterday. I had a rather busy day (school and my job) and by the time I got home it was rather too late to blog. So, you have my sincere apologies! But now I have to run--Mr. Rosenoff is about to start the lecture. I shall try and post again later on today. Cheerio!

2006-10-18T11:24:00.000-07:00

The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age, called the Third Age by some, an Age yet to come, an Age long past, a wind rose in the Mountains of Mist. The Wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning...

Yes, I started The Wheel of Time. So far I'm only up to chapter three, but I'm already engrossed... That's why I was hesitant to start the series--because I knew that, as soon as I did start, I wouldn't read another book until I had finished it. But oh well, I had to start sometime and I'm glad that I did! I'll let you all know what I think when I'm finished...

^_^

Wild About Harry—Not About Witchcraft

2006-10-18T10:11:00.000-07:00

In the nine years since Bloomsbury released the first Harry Potter novel in Britain, a constant debate has raged as to whether or not Christians should read these books. Many have blasted the books by saying that they endorse magic and witchcraft. J.K. Rowling does use magic as the main tool in the forming of her stories, but she also uses the tools of friendship, loyalty, bravery, and self-sacrifice throughout the entire series. Nevertheless, many critics of the novels have even gone so far as to suggest that these books not only promote real-world magic but also encourage young children to become involved in the Wiccan religion—a religion that promotes such “real magick.” One woman, self-proclaimed “occult expert” Caryl Matrisciana, claims that, because of many similarities between the magick of Wicca and the magic of Harry Potter, the books lure children into Wicca. However, the clear differences between Wicca and the magic contained in Harry Potter prove the utter falsity of this statement. Despite countless critics who say the books endorse nothing but evil, J.K. Rowling’s stories actually contain significant positive elements, within both the characters and the ongoing story itself. Those who dismiss the books as “evil” and “occultic” reveal their ignorance of the story’s true meaning.

Mrs. Matrisciana, in an hour-long video made in 2001, claims that numerous similarities exist “between the spells and magic used in Harry Potter and those used in the witchcraft of the Wiccan religion.” Yet J.K Rowling derived almost all of the spells in Harry Potter from Latin words with meanings similar to the desired result of the spell. For example, the spell Expelliarmus, used to disarm an opponent, means “to expel a weapon” in Latin. Another example comes from the spell Accio, which summons an object to the spell caster. In Latin, Accio means “to summon.” Should the reader require further proof, Terri Paajanen, a practicing Wiccan, states, “True spells require practice, experience, and the focused control of will. Shouting a phrase in Latin and waving a wand won't get you very far in the real world.” Now, if Harry Potter truly did represent and promote the Wiccan “religion,” and used Wiccan spells, why would a Wiccan blast down the magic of the books? Quite simply, because the magic in Harry Potter does not at all represent the magick in Wicca—or any other real-world magic or sorcery.

Another example that Mrs. Matrisciana brings against the books comes from a chapter in which Professor Trelawney, the teacher of divination at Hogwarts, prophesies “a message of death in a very realistic trance state.” We learn later that Professor Trelawney predicts the death of at least one of her students every year, but none have yet died. She prefers the dramatic, and frequently falls into these “realistic trances” for effect. I feel bound to point out that of all the magic taught at Hogwarts School, only one subject exists that remotely resembles any “true” magic—divination—and out of all the subjects taught, the students view divination as the least useful or practical, and some find it simply ridiculous. Hermione Granger, one member of the famous trio of the Harry Potter books, refers to divination as “a very wooly discipline,” and such a statement perfectly describes the subject. Rowling uses divination to subtly poke fun at the “real-life magic,” even to the extent of having Professor Trelawney teaching her students how to read crystal balls and tea leaves. Much hilarity ensues when she tries to get Ron Weasley to read his crystal ball, and he responds that he sees “an old bat with oversized specs,” referring quite obviously to Professor Trelawney’s own reflection in the ball. Divination provides a way to lighten the mood of the books, and the students rarely take the class seriously. Neither should the reader.

Yet another thing that Mrs. Matrisciana brings against Harry Potter comes from a part in the fourth book in which a servant of Voldemort kills a friend of Harry’s. Mrs. Matrisciana states, “The diabolical truth in this is an intentional human sacrifice, a symbolic human sacrifice and very necessary for the ritual that is about to take place within the next page or so. In serious magic, a human sacrifice is essential for the power to work.” In response to this claim, I would like to point out that Voldemort portrays the very definition of evil in the book. He provides the driving force behind all of the bad wizards, and the good wizards relentlessly fight against him and his followers. When one of Voldemort’s followers kills this boy, Rowling portrays it as both evil and tragic, and it serves to further prove the utter wickedness of Voldemort. Additionally, reading this narrative section more carefully proves the absolute nonsense of Mrs. Matrisciana’s claim that this “symbolic human sacrifice [is] very necessary for the ritual.” This boy’s death has absolutely no connection to the ritual that occurs a page or two later. Voldemort had the boy killed only to make certain that he would not thwart Voldemort’s plan, not because he needed a human sacrifice.

Throughout all the Harry Potter books, Rowling places a strong emphasis on the battle between good and evil—that war which rages every day and everywhere in our own world. J.K. Rowling sets a strong example in these books that the good must fight the evil, no matter the cost. While not explicitly Christian, these books do have decidedly Christian morals about them, particularly with regards to this battle between good and evil. In 3 John 1:11, John states, “do not imitate what is evil but do what is good.” These books very clearly portray this, as the heroes of the stories seek after good and unrelentingly battle the evil that attempts to overthrow them. Rowling’s characters also show strong bonds of friendship and loyalty, to the point of willingly sacrificing themselves for their friends. God’s Word commands us, as Christians, to do this as well: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Original article can be viewed here: http://www.khouse.org/articles/2001/374/.

2006-10-17T10:57:00.000-07:00

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ; while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love, and wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders, of His love.

I know it's a bit early to be getting excited about Christmas, but my sister was out practicing christmas carrols on the piano and I had a sudden rush of excitement.

Christmas is my favorite holiday... The main reason I love it so much is because it's the time that we remember our Savior's birth... I know when most people think of Christmas they think of presents and Santa Claus and stuff like that, but that is not what Christmas is about. The true meaning of Christmas is so much more... Jesus is the Christ in Christmas... it's His holiday, and that's what makes it so special.

In church on Sunday, Pastor Bryant mentioned how the true joy in Christmas should come from giving, not receiving. How true that is! I must confess that as Christmas day draws nearer and nearer I get excited about what I'll receive... but when I really stop and think about it, it's the expressions on my friend and family's faces when they open my presents to them that really makes me happy.

And it really is a season of joy, isn't it? I look forward so much to going up into the mountains with my family and cutting down our Christmas tree. Listening to Christmas carrols while we decorate the tree with all the ornaments that we've been presented with over the years, drinking hot apple cider and warming my hands in front of the fireplace... It's really a lovely time. And throughout all that, there is the constant reminder of our Savior. What more could you want??

Biological Troubles and Easy Rebuttals

2006-10-16T17:59:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm done with both my biology experiment report and my test. Yippie! I haven't gotten a grade back on the report yet, but I do know that I didn't do quite as well as I would have liked on the test... I missed two (one of which was extremely stupid *grr*) when I was aiming for 100%. *le sigh* Oh well, I guess I'll just have to cope. An A is still a good grade, I suppose. But I wanted a perfect A! :-\ Well, that just goes to show that I'm not perfect!

But despite the grade, I'm relieved to be done with it. I feel like I might actually retain some of this information, so I'm happy about that. I think I have the classification of kingdom Monera down! Let's see...

Kingdom Gracilicutes: Gram-negative bacteria
Class: Scotobacteria--Non photosynthetic bacteria
Class: Oxyphotobacteria--Photosynthetic bacteria which require oxygen
Class: Anoxyphotobacteria--Photosynthetic bacteria which do not require oxygen

Kingdom Firmicutes--Gram-positive bacteria
Class: Firmibacteria--Coccus and Bacillus bacteria
Class: Thallobacteria--All other forms of bacteria

Kingdom: Mendosicutes--Bacteria with exotic cell walls
Class: Archaebacteria--Same definition as kingdom

Kingdom: Tenericutes--Bacteria lacking a cell wall
Class: Mollicutes--Same definition as kingdom

Yay! ...Now that all of you have fallen asleep. *wink* Isn't it interesting, though? *hears everyone mumbling inaudiably*

Okay, okay, fine. I'll stop with the biology now...

I'm writing my rebuttal on a review of Harry Potter. I discovered the article on Saturday, and I'm just about done rebutting it--one more paragraph, that's it. ^_^ You know, it's quite amazing... the more and more reviews I read of those books, the more and more I'm struck with how ignorant those people are. I mean seriously. Did they read the books?? The lady who wrote this particular review claims to be an "occult expert" (O.o) and yet she is saying that the spells in Harry Potter are wiccan spells. o.O Weeeeird... lol.

But yeah, I'm having fun. It's so easy to blast the arguments apart! If I like the result, I'll post it here. ^_^

Now I think I'm going to go ask if we can watch Kate & Leopold in celebration of being down with Bio for the week. Yay! I love that movie... I need to write a review of it, methinks. :D

Currently learning: Central Park

2006-10-14T11:13:00.000-07:00

Yes, a new sort of review... This is actually a song that I'm learning to play on the piano. It's from the King Kong score by James Newton Howard and it is absolutely gorgeous. I've loved this soundtrack, and especially this song, ever since I first heard it, and last week we finally bought the sheet music for it.

I've been playing it every day since it arrived on Tuesday... it's definitely getting easier! There's one part, however, where it's all octaves on the right hand and it's so hard for me because I keep on slipping up and playing an octave and one key. *rolls eyes in exasperation* Still, I suppose it'll just come with practice. It is getting easier. :)

Perhaps when I have it down well enough I'll record it and post the .mp3 on here. If you'd like? :)

Trailer Recommendation

2006-10-12T11:41:00.000-07:00

Might I recommend that you watch the trailer for We Are Marshall? It comes out December 22nd, and it looks excellent. It's based on a true story, set in Huntington WV--two friends of mine happen to live in Huntington, and one is actually in the movie! How exciting is that?

But it looks like an amazing film... I've watched the trailer I don't know how many times, and it still gives me the chills. Here's the link at apple.com: http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/wearemarshall/trailer1/

Difficulties

2006-10-12T11:10:00.000-07:00

How hard can it be to find an article to write a rebuttel on? Honestly.

My assignment for my G&C class this week is to write a rebuttel, and I'm having serious trouble finding an interesting article that I can actually debate well. Mrs. T gave two good sites for us students to look at but, as of yet, I haven't found a good article. And I'm getting nervous... This assignment isn't one that I can procrastinate.

I'm also getting freaked out about my biology test on Monday. I don't feel like I know this module nearly as well as the last one, and I'm quite nervous because I have to completely memorize how to classify Kingdom Monera. Gram-negative bacteria are in Phylum Gracilicutes, Gram-positive bacteria are in Phylum Firmicutes... etc, etc. I'm scared.

And to make matters worse, I also have to write an experiment report on Monday. Right now, the experiment is doing itself, but come Monday I have to look at stuff under the microscope and write down purpose, equipment, observations, procedure, and conclusion. And bibliography. Can't forget that good ol' bibliography!

My comfort is that Mr. R is cutting us some slack for the first two experiment reports--we turn them in one Monday, he critiques them and sends them back, and we have until the next Monday to revise them. Good old Mr. Rosenoff!

But still... I'm freaking out right now. If anyone visits and sees this, would you please be praying for me to keep cool and keep on top of things? It would be much appreciated...

On a more exciting note... my sister's boyfriend is coming out for two weeks at New Years!!! We're all totally thrilled, since we haven't seen him since July. And even then, he only came for a week. So I'm totally psyched about him being here for two whole weeks. :D *dances*

Christians in Hollywood

2006-10-11T10:19:00.000-07:00

Should a Christian become involved in mainstream Hollywood? My family and I have discussed this topic in much detail these past few months, and I have spent a considerable amount of time thinking about it on my own. This topic offers particular interest to me because I have always dreamed of becoming a film actress. But this dream provokes some very serious questions. Can I become an actress and not conform to the ways of secular Hollywood? Could I make a difference? Some might argue that the media has already become too wicked, and “is too far gone,” for the Christian community to influence it. However, we must ask this question: how can our nation turn back to Christ if the media pollutes our society with corruption and propaganda, and how can the media itself change if Christians do not bring the Word into its midst? If every Christian on earth looked around at the evil in our world and thought merely, “Well, there’s nothing I can do about it,” how would the Gospel shine forth in a dark world? Quite simply, it would not. In view of these facts, then, should a Christian hide from the evil influence of the media, or instead stand up and attempt to become that influence? I firmly believe that Christians must learn to combat the evil influences of Hollywood, rather than allow them to further corrupt our culture.

Our nation’s entertainment has greatly degenerated in the past several decades, moving from a truly family-oriented industry to something that most parents rightly hesitate to even introduce to their children. What Hollywood would have considered totally inappropriate a decade or two ago has now become widely accepted, even in so-called “children’s” movies. Some say that the entertainment industry has no effect over our culture, but the fact remains that movies and TV shows nowadays tolerate and even promote ideas that we, particularly as Christians, simply cannot accept. If we truly think about it, we cannot say that the things we watch day after day do not have at least some effect upon us. As Christians, how can we stand aside and let this evil reign in our homes? Do we just sit back and wait for things to get better, or do we step forward into the fray?

Christians must see that these things will not get better on their own. If we do not take a stand in the media, it will simply continue down the path that it currently treads. Even though Christians might “openly oppose” certain movies, if they lead their opposition in such a way for others to ignore or even scorn it, what good will it do? We must take an active role in the media if we want to see it change. When only the radical and ungodly make movies, what sort of films should we expect? It presents no great difficulty to understand that if we want family-oriented, God-glorifying movies, then we must stand up and make those movies ourselves. Perhaps once we have set the example, others will see the Truth and follow. Surely many other Americans have become disenchanted with an industry that once provided such enjoyment but now promotes so much evil.

What can we do? Do we make a more firm stand when opposing blatantly ungodly films and TV shows? Certainly we can, as long as we do not back down when the smallest hint of trouble comes our way. However, we can truly change the morality—or lack thereof—in our country’s media only by working our way into that very industry with the message of the Gospel. Even the smallest group of Christian directors, producers, screenwriters, and actors could make an astounding difference in Hollywood. If this Christian company produced decent, moral, and interesting movies, it goes without saying that those films would do well. Distributors would not have to market such films as explicitly “Christian,” but these films would simply have Christian morals about them that would gently infiltrate the secular media. When we stop and think about it, what better way to turn the media around? By producing excellently written, well-acted, moral films that draw a vast audience, we could influence the secular movie-makers by showing them that decent films do sell. Parents who might otherwise never take their children to the theater, those who go to the movies but rarely, as well as with the average movie-goer, would go to see these films.

Immorality in the media creates a vicious circle—as the industry continues to sink into corruption, it influences our society into deeper corruption, and as the corruption of our society grows, so does the corruption of our media. Christians taking a more active part in our country’s media provides possibly the only way to stop this downward trend. If we just sit back and watch, the circle will go on and on until we really can do nothing about it. But if we step forward and bring the influence of the Gospel into the media, this downward spiral can stop now! By producing godly, Christ-centered, moral films, we can help put an end to the wickedness in our media and our country. Who would not love to play a part in turning their country back to Christ? We must look to Christ for our guidance, and lean on Him for strength when our mission becomes hard, for hard it will become, but with Christ “all things are possible.”

Being sick is not a very pleasant state...

2006-10-09T13:48:00.000-07:00

While at church yesterday, I managed to come down with a rather nasty cold. I'm not sure who I could have caught it from... If I caught it at the wedding on Friday, it certainly was a fast-moving virus. But the fact remains that I'm sick.

I felt the worst this morning when I first woke up. I couldn't talk, my throat hurt so horribly. But then I went back to sleep for a few hours, and when I awoke the second time (despite being confused and thinking it was Tuesday, not Monday) I felt well enough to revise my biology experiment report and turn it in.

Happiness.

But now I still need to finish my grammar assignment that is due Wensday morning. I'm writing it on 'Christians in Hollywood.' My family and I have had rather extended discussions about this topic in the past few weeks and months, particularly since my brother and I both want to go into the directing/acting business, respectively. So yes, we'll see how the composition goes. If I like the end result, I'll post it here for you to read.

If anyone still visits, please comment... I'm beginning to feel quite lonely. :-\

Writing Is Fun...

2006-10-04T11:49:00.000-07:00

This is a paragraph that I wrote for my Grammar & Composition class. I had a lot of fun writing it, for obvious reasons. :D

Star Trekking across the Universe

My family and I recently watched the second season of the original Star Trek series. Despite the laughable technology and special effects, the characters form the true heart of the stories, and I thoroughly enjoy the forty minute episodes. Three men make up the main cast—Kirk, Spock, and McCoy—while the other officers onboard the Starship Enterprise make an intriguing secondary cast. Captain James T. Kirk, the ideal Captain, always knows exactly what to do when a crisis comes up and never backs away from a struggle, instead running into a fray with phasers drawn and a battle plan clearly formulated in his head. Ever logical and straight-thinking, Kirk’s first officer, Mr. Spock, unfailingly comes up with a solution to tricky problems, although his logic sometimes proves his fault. Starship Enterprise’s ship surgeon, Leonard McCoy, diligently cares for the sick and injured onboard and unquestionably supports his captain, willing to risk life and limb for Jim. Although somewhat predictable, and perhaps considered “unexciting” in this day and age, you still find yourself sympathizing with the characters and laughing along with their teasing and jokes—particularly when they make fun of the ever-serious Mr. Spock. Star Trek still provides fun and interesting entertainment for a late night with your family, and I will deeply regret when we reach the end of this brilliant series.

And two words: NO BE VERBS!!

Okay, so that's three. What're you going to do about it? ;)

RAIN!!!!

2006-10-03T12:58:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, as if to truly usher in a new month and a new season, it rained for the first time in months. I was very happy... I adore rain, especially the smell. It makes me happy.

One of my favorite moments is just after the storm has stopped, the sun breaks through the storm clouds juuust a wee bit and shines down on the wet ground, making everything look fresh and new. It makes me happy.

Some people might think I'm crazy, but I love to stand outside in the rain and get soaking wet. No coat, no hood, no umbrella. Nothing shielding me... It's wonderful. I love how you get wet by degrees, not all at once. First it gets on your head and starts to dampen your hair. Then it soaks through your shirt, then aaaall the way down to your feet. And it's even better when the rain starts out falling lightly and then grows until it's pouring down bucketfulls. It makes me happy.

*sigh* I love fall and winter.

CD Review

2006-09-29T09:42:00.000-07:00

Now Playing: Hopes and Fears by Keane

I must say, I rarely obsess over a single album or artist and when I do it is usually a movie soundtrack. But ever since I discovered Keane a week and a half ago, I've been hooked. I've listened to hardly anything else in the ten days since I've known about this awesome band.

A little background seems to be in order...

Keane is a British band composed of three members: Tom Chaplin, Richard Hughes, and Time Rice-Oxley. The band was formed during highschool, but they didn't release an album until May of 2004--Hopes and Fears. They were an immediate sucess. Hopes and Fears sold over 5 million copies worldwide. They won two Brit Awards in 2005 (British Breakthrough Act and Best Album); Q Magazine's Best Album award; and were nominated in the Best New Act category at The Grammys. Keane released their second album, Under the Iron Sea the beginning of this year.

It is a rare thing for me to find an album that I can listen to all the way through, without skipping a single track. Hopes and Fears is one of them, as is Under the Iron Sea. Both are excellent albums, and I'm eagerly waiting to see what else this band turns out!

So if you have the smallest chance to listen to Keane, take it! You won't be disappointed... but beware. It's a band that you want to listen to over and over again. 10/10 Highly Recommended.

Poor, Neglected Blog...

2006-09-28T15:27:00.000-07:00

Are you wondering if I will ever come back to you?

I'm afraid I have fallen into my usual state of ignoring my blog. Honestly, I think it must be a physical impossibility for me to frequently update it! However, at the encouragement of my dear English teacher Mrs. Troxell, I am now going to strive to do just that. Update!

So, those of you who still visit my blog, I'll hopefully be updating more faithfully in the future. Until then, however, if you're looking for an interesting, thought-provoking, or just plain hilarious blog, I would highly recommend you visit http://blog.thedow.org. TheDow is a friend from church, and he keeps a very good blog. One of the best I've seen, actually. :) So, enjoy!

Soundtrack Review

2006-06-06T17:32:00.000-07:00

Now Playing: Schindler's List
Artist: John Williams and Itzhak Perlman (violin)

John Williams is regularly hailed as one of the greatest musical minds of our day, and this declaration would certainly seem to be true based on the majority of his works. Having scored such blockbuster hits as Star Wars and Indiana Jones, as well as Jaws and three out of four Harry Potter films, Williams has been showered with praise from fans and critics alike. Nominated for the Oscar over forty times, as well as countless Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, Williams is without a doubt one of the most “decorated” musicians alive today. Although it is not the best known, perhaps one of his best compositions to date is 1993’s Schindler’s List.

The violin solos are performed by Itzhak Perlman, who renders them with heart-breaking beauty as well as soul-piercing power. Whether it is just the violin on its own, or the full orchestra, this score is incredibly emotional and breathtakingly beautiful. Out of the fourteen tracks on the disc, my favorites are Theme From Schindler’s List, I Could Have Done More, Stolen Memories, Remembrances, and the piano reprise of the theme, although every single track is spectacular to listen to.

Here is a brief rating of each track. It was difficult to judge them, as each one is beautiful in its on right, but in the end this is what I decided on…

1. Theme From Schindler’s List 10/10
2. Jewish Town (Krakow Ghetto – Winter ’41) 10/10
3. Immolation (With Our Lives, We Give Life) 10/10
4. Remembrances 10/10
5. Schindler’s Workforce 9.7/10
6. OYF’N Pripetshok and Nacht Aktion 9.5/10
7. I Could Have Done More 10/10
8. Auschwitz-Birkenau 10/10
9. Stolen Memories 10/10
10. Making The List 9.5/10
11. Give Me Your Names 10/10
12. Yeroushalaim Chel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold) 9.5/10
13. Remembrances (with Itzhak Perlman) 10/10
14. Theme From Schindler’s List (Reprise) 10/10

All in all, I would give Schindler’s List a 10/10 rating. I have rarely heard a soundtrack better than this one, and it is truly one of my favorites of all times. I would highly recommend it.

Movie Review

2006-05-30T17:54:00.000-07:00

Now Watching: Cinderella Man

"During the Great Depression, a common-man hero, James J. Braddock--a.k.a. the "Cinderella Man"--was to become one of the most surprising sports legends in history. By the early 1930s, the impoverished ex-prizefighter was seemingly as broken-down, beaten-up and out-of-luck as much of the rest of the American populace who had hit rock bottom. His career appeared to be finished, he was unable to pay the bills, the only thing that mattered to him--his family--was in danger, and he was even forced to go on Public Relief. But deep inside, Jim Braddock never relinquished his determination. Driven by love, honor and an incredible dose of grit, he willed an impossible dream to come true. In a last-chance bid to help his family, Braddock returned to the ring. No one thought he had a shot. However Braddock, fueled by something beyond mere competition, kept winning. Suddenly, the ordinary working man became the mythic athlete. Carrying the hopes and dreams of the disenfranchised on his shoulders, Braddock rocketed through the ranks, until this underdog chose to do the unthinkable: take on the heavyweight champ of the world, the unstoppable Max Baer, renowned for having killed two men in the ring." (Synopsis from Yahoo! movies)

Very rarely do I come away from a film in tears. And rarer still does a film leave me speechless. Cinderella Man did both. In the best way.

Russell Crowe leads the cast as James J. Braddock, a former boxing champion who is struggling to make a living during the Depression. Faced with the unthinkable idea of being forced to send his children away, Jim returns to the boxing ring in a desperate effort to keep his family together. Driven by love for his wife Mae, and their three children, he achieves what everyone thought to be impossible. Crowe portrays the emotion of this character superbly, and on more than one occasion brought me to tears. The supporting cast includes Renee Zellweger as Mae, and Paul Giamatti in the Oscar nominated role of Jim's friend and coach.

Thomas Newman scores the film, and delivers a powerful and emotional soundtrack that adds greatly to the drama of the story. The cinematography is excellent, and the fights are filmed so realistically that it makes you flinch as each blow is struck. Cinematographer Salvatore Totino even invented a new filmingapparatuss which is called the "tire-cam" to help create more realistic reactions from the first-person perspective. The camera was cushioned inside a tire and behind Plexiglas so that the boxers hit the tire and, as a result, the movement of the camera was truly realistic.

I have rarely seen a film so centered around family, loyalty, and selfless love. The relationship between Jim and Mae is truly amazing, as is the loyalty that they show to one another throughout the countless hardships they encounter. Jim's fierce desire to keep his family together through everything is heart-wrenching at times. After breaking his hand, Jim resorts to hiding the cast in shoe-polish in order to get work. When his daughter is hungry and there isn't enough food, he gives her his own. The fervent love that he shows for his wife and children is enough to bring a tear to anyone's eye.

There is also a strong set of morals at the roots of the story. Once, when faced with the fear of being sent away for lack of food, Jim's son steals a salami from the butcher's. When Jim finds out, he takes his son back to the butcher's to return the meat, and then tells him: "Just 'cause things ain't easy... that don't give you the excuse to take what's not yours, does it? That's stealing, right? And we don't steal. No matter what happens, we don't steal. Not ever."

Over all, Cinderella Man is a powerful and emotional film, and one that I would highly recommend. Well acted, wonderfully filmed, and with an excellent story of love and courage, Cinderella Man has to be one of the best films of 2005.

Rated PG-13 for intense boxing violence and some language. Highly recommended.

The Price of Freedom

2006-05-09T16:43:00.000-07:00

I thought I would post a short story that I wrote a while back. It's based on a section of the 2003 film "Equilibrium". For those of you that haven't seen it, I would highly recommend it. Very under-rated movie.

Hope you enjoy my fan fiction!

The Price of Freedom

"Prisoner X23-T45, come with me."

Mary sat up groggily, her vision still blurry with sleep. She blinked the guard into focus as she stretched her sore limbs, bruised from the hard metal bed. For those few minutes of sleep, she had been back home, curled up in the secret room and reading her favorite book. Her heart sank as she returned to the cold metal cell that was now her home. . . at least, temporarily.

"Come with me, I said," the guard repeated and Mary scrambled to her feet. The man turned and stepped out of the cell, motioning for her to follow. Mary tried not to look at the gun that he carried.

She followed him down the plain corridor, his boots making echoing footsteps, her bare feet silent. Her mind raced as she tried to guess where he was taking her. . . Not to the furnace, she was sure. Her execution had been set for that evening, not morning.

Suddenly, she realized that she had stepped into the interrogation section and that the guard was leading her into the last room. She frowned, looking around at the high, metal walls. The guard positioned himself at the door and Mary went to the now-familiar chair. Over half a dozen times, she had been interrogated in this room. She had thought the last time—that strange interrogation Preston had given her—she had thought that was the final time. Her incineration date had been set directly after he left.

As Mary sank into thought, she leaned forward on the cool table, resting her face in her hands as she tried to block out reality and return to her dream. Slowly, her vision turned golden—lamplight. Pages appeared before her eyes—words dancing on the paper. A hole was in the center of the book, neatly cut through the pages. The leaves of paper turned until one section grew clear enough that Mary could read it: "Tread softly because you tread on my dreams. . ."

Slowly, Mary became aware of someone speaking and she opened her eyes and straightened, turning towards the voice. A man stood with his back towards her, a Cleric judging by the uniform. Suddenly, Mary’s throat went dry as she recognized his voice. John Preston.

She turned back around, fastening her eyes on the reflective surface of the table. At a word from Preston, the guard left, locking the door behind him—locking them in. Utter silence filled the room and then there were quiet, slow footfalls as Preston walked to the empty chair. He sat down quietly, facing Mary, his hands folded on the table.

Again, silence reigned in the room and Mary grew more and more confused as Preston didn’t speak. At last, she broke the silence. "I don’t understand. My execution is set. Why are you here?"

Preston gazed at her for a long moment, but before he could answer, the alarm sounded for the noon dose.

Mary looked away. She hated watching people inject the drug into themselves, denying their very humanity with every ampoule of the golden liquid. She waited for the sound of Preston injecting himself, but nothing happened. . . the only sound was that of Preston silencing his watch.

Slowly, perplexed, Mary turned back to Preston. He hadn’t moved, but just sat gazing into the table. A thought began to push into Mary’s mind, but she pushed it aside as impossible. Finally, however, as the seconds passed and Preston continued to sit motionless, she broke the silence again and questioned, "Aren’t you gonna dose?"
Again, Preston didn’t respond. Instead, he turned his gaze slowly across the table top, deliberately not looking at the woman in front of him. Gradually, Mary’s mind shifted into full gear, pieces of the puzzle that had been there all along falling into place. Her lips parted, her eyes widening in shock. "You’re. . ." she whispered, and Preston at last looked at her.

For a long moment, they stared at each other, blue eyes fastened on brown. Suddenly, tears began to fill Mary’s eyes. For the first time since her arrest she felt hope, and at the same time, terrible fear. She swallowed with difficulty, trying to ask the question, the answer to which she feared.

"What. . . what’ll you do?" she whispered finally.

Preston looked down again, his jaw tightening as he shook his head. "I don’t know," he responded tightly, speaking for the first time.

Mary gazed at him, her heart swelling with emotion. Gently, she placed her hand on the table, her fingers sliding slightly towards Preston.

Raising his eyes again, Preston’s face crumbled and tears shone in his eyes, but he slowly lifted his hand to the table as well.

Mary slid her hand across the table, reaching towards the man across from her. As her fingers slid slowly across the smooth surface, Mary swallowed, afraid of what would happen if someone decided to glance at the security camera that monitored everything in the interrogation room. . . but no, she didn’t care.

After what seemed an eternity, gently, softly, she touched her fingers against Preston’s, feeling the warmth of his skin against her fingertips.

Mary again felt her heart swell and the tears in her eyes overflowed, falling silently down her cheeks. Slowly, Preston drew his hand away and she leaned back once more, dropping her hands into her lap. She gazed at Preston, and he at her.

"Mary. . ." Preston whispered, his voice brimming with emotion. His face was troubled, almost haunted, and he lowered his eyes. "I don’t. . . I don’t know if I can. . ." His voice trailed off, but Mary understood. I don’t know if I can save you.

"I know, Preston," Mary answered gently, peaceful resignation once more reigning in her heart. "I understand. . . and, I am willing to die if it means the others may be free."

Preston’s eyes filled with tears again and he started to speak but Mary didn’t let him. She continued, wanting to make him understand.

"Preston. . . Freedom doesn’t come without a cost. I am willing to pay the price demanded for it, but you must promise me something. . ." She gazed at Preston and he nodded mutely, torment clearly etched in his eyes. "Promise me I’m not paying that price for nothing."

For a long moment there was silence and then Preston nodded again, a single tear sliding down his face. "Yes, I promise. . . it. . . it won’t be for nothing."

Mary smiled quietly at him, but as she gazed into his grief-stricken face she felt her heart swell with fear again, almost involuntarily. Preston reached out across the table and took her hands in his and as he did so her calm crumbled, tears sliding down her face onto the table and leaving shining droplets on the metal. "I’m so frightened. . ."

"I know. . ." he whispered, and Mary felt a tear slip down her neck.

~*~*~*~

"Mary O’Brian, for ceasing your interval, for the crime of feeling, you stand condemned to suffer annihilation in the city furnaces. You will be taken there immediately, and you will burn."

A guard lifted the hood of the red cloak that Mary wore and placed it on her head. Before either of the guards could take her arms, Mary started forward down the long corridor, preferring to go of her own will rather than by force.

There was no sound except for the guard’s footsteps, and Mary’s beating heart seemed like a roar in her ears. Her throat was parched with fear, but her mind was clear. She focused her gaze down the hallway, following the gentle curve of the walls that hid the end of the corridor from her view. Mary counted her steps, trying to keep her mind off of where she was going. But then, the corridor straightened and she could see the end—orange flames burning inside a door.

At that moment, her resolve almost failed and she nearly stopped. "Freedom doesn’t come without a cost. . ." Swallowing with difficulty, Mary forced herself to continue forward, although her mind was beginning to reel now, with fear.

The flames grew larger and larger until, at last, Mary was standing only a few feet away from the end of the corridor. For a long, long moment, she stared into the flames, fear growing greater and greater in her heart. At last, she slowly slid the hood off her head, never taking her eyes off the fire. Shaking, she slid the cloak off as well and the guard took it from her. Swallowing, Mary nodded to the technician and he pulled a lever that was on the wall next to the furnace.

Water hissed and the flames died into a cloud of steam. Now there was utter silence—no warmth of the fire, no sound of the flames crackling—only that small room. Her lips trembling, Mary took one step forward. Her breath came hard, fear causing every muscle in her body to lose its strength, only resolve convincing her to go forward.
One more step. . . two. . . three. . . four. . . she was inside the room, inside those metal walls, inside those walls dripping with the water that had briefly extinguished the fires that would claim her life.

Slowly, Mary turned back around, gazing out down the long corridor. The door slid shut and for a moment, Mary couldn’t see. Then she realized that there was a small window—shaped into a ‘T’—in the center of the door. She stepped closer, her face only a foot away from the glass. Suddenly she narrowed her eyes, spotting something in the hallway—someone running: running towards her.

Preston!

Mary’s heart leapt for a brief second, a flicker of hope in her eyes. But now. . . Preston, what are you doing here? Don’t give yourself away! Don’t make this be for nothing!

Preston shouted something at the guard and the guard answered, but Mary couldn’t hear what was said. Slowly, Preston turned to look at Mary. Instantly, she understood. He was too late to save her.

An even, unemotional voice began to speak inside the room. "Machine turbines priming. . . machine turbines priming. . ."

Mary began to tremble and she swallowed hard, feeling a fear unlike anything she’d ever known before swell up inside of her.

"All unauthorized personal clear the area immediately. Turbines primed. Fire in 10 seconds..."

Mary could see Preston still gazing at her, his eyes filling with tears as he watched her frightened face and listened to the mechanized voice counting down the seconds left in her life.

"Nine seconds. . ."

Mary swallowed. Preston, please. . . don’t!

"Eight seconds. . ."

Please, don’t give up the cause for my sake! Please, please, give the others their freedom. . .

"Seven seconds. . ."

Freedom doesn’t come without a cost. . .

"Six seconds. . ."

Thank you for trying to save me from having to pay that cost, Preston. . .

"Five seconds. . ."

Oh John, I’m so afraid!

"Four seconds. . ."

Mary clutched her cloak, trying to stop the trembling that had started in her body.

"Three seconds. . ."

Preston, promise me it isn’t for nothing. . .

"Two seconds. . ."

In her head, Mary heard Preston’s words: "Yes. . . I promise. . ."

"One second. . ."

It’s the price of freedom. . .

"Turbines. . . fire."

Mary felt amazing heat fill the chamber and her vision turned gold. Then all went black. . .

It’s the price of freedom, and I pay that price gladly. . .

2006-05-08T22:51:00.000-07:00

“It was a test we could all hope to pass, but none of us would want to take. Faced with the choice to deny God to live… for her, there was one choice to make.

This was her time, this was her dance; She lived every moment; left nothing to chance. She swam in the sea, drank of the deep; embraced the mystery of all she could be. This was her time...

Though you are mourning and grieving with us, death died a long time ago; swallowed in life so that life carries on. Still it’s so hard to let go.

This was her time, this was her dance; she lived every moment; left nothing to chance. She swam in the sea, drank of the deep; embraced the mystery of all she could be. This was her time...

What if tomorrow, and what if today, faced with the question, oh what would you say? This is your time, this is your dance; live every moment, leave nothing to chance. Swim in the sea, drink of the deep; follow the mercy and hear yourself praying.

Won’t you save me? Won’t you save me?

This is your time, this is your dance; live every moment, leave nothing to chance. Swim in the sea, drink of the deep; embrace the mystery of all you can be. This is your time.”

This song never fails to affect me. Every time I listen to it, I find myself wondering if I am living as if it was my last day. Am I doing all that I can to serve my Lord and King? And if I were faced with the choice of denying Him or giving my life, what would my decision be? Would I be willing to give up my life for Him?

Christ gave his life for me. He was willing to undergo death on the cross for the salvation of His chosen people. What kind of repayment would it be to not be willing to do the same for Him? The Bible tells us that to die is “very much better”, for in death we leave a sinful and fallen world to be with our God forever, and to dwell in perfect happiness in His Presence.

Our time on earth is to be used to promote His Kingdom, and to bring glory to His Name. While we, as Christians, long to be with our great King we must use the days and years that He gives to us to labor for Him. We should live every day as if it were our last on this world, and give our everything to the One above.

“Faced with the question, now what would you say?” In Christ, we have no fear of death, but rather look forward to it as, in death, we will finally look upon our God face-to-face. We must fall upon Him and Him alone, and no matter the cost we must live our lives, and die our deaths, for Him.

“This is your time, this is your dance, live every moment, leave nothing to chance. Swim in the sea, drink of the deep, embrace the mystery of all you can be. This is your Time.”

The Beauty of Music

2006-04-23T23:05:00.000-07:00

I changed the audio clip on my profile--it is now a (somewhat shortened) track from the Batman Begins score. Absolutely gorgeous, heartbreaking piece that didn't make it into the film. Simply gorgeous...go listen to it, if you get half a chance! Got to be one of my favorites... It gets better each time too!

...This one's only three and a half minutes long, instead of eight. *lol*

*edit* Oh good, my changed display picture and profile is working now, too. Finally! *rolls eyes*

Some More Art

2006-04-22T14:35:00.000-07:00

Here is a Walk The Line banner that I made for my sister. Excellent movie, btw. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon are both absolutely incredible... Reese certainly deserved her Oscar--and, in my personal opinion, Joaquin should've won, too. They're both just... wowers. *nod*

Click the thumnail for full size:

Narnian Art

2006-04-19T22:37:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! This evening I played around with some Narnia avatars... I ended up with thirty finished projects. And I have more to make tomorrow... hehe. So, I will post a preview of them here--just to tide you over until I update my site. Hope you have as much fun viewing them as I did making them! I'd really appreciate feedback!

Cheers!
Marissa

"...For Narnia, and for Aslan!"

A Taste of Art

2006-04-10T22:46:00.000-07:00

I have decided that I will use this blog to post some of the movie photo art that I make, as well as reviews. ^_^ I won't post all that I make here, but just enough of a sampling to *hopefully* make you want to visit my real photo site: http://marissa.wilkinson.googlepages.com. *nod* Hope you enjoy!

Here are some Harry Potter avatars that I made... I haven't made that many avatars, so I was experimenting to see what style I liked. Really, tho, I was just having fun. :D I'd like to hear what you think!

Movie Review

2006-04-08T21:07:00.000-07:00

Now Watching: The Phantom of the Opera
Starring: Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson

Disclaimer: This review contains spoilers, so read at your own discretion!

Based on the hit musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, the tale tells the story of a disfigured musical genius who haunts the catacombs beneth the Paris Opera, waging a reign of terror over its occupants. When he falls fatally in love with the lovely Christine (Emmy Rossum), the Phantom (Gerard Butler)devotes himself to creating a new star for the Opera—exerting a strange sense of control over the young soprano as he nurtures her extraodinary talents. (Synopsis from yahoo! movies)

Story: While rather dark and disturbing at times, it is a good story that portrays the battle between good and evil extremely well. While it is not a fight in the normal sense of the word, it is certianly a war between the power of good and evil. The Phantom represents the evil, Raoul, the good, and Christine, the one torn between the two. Another motif threaded throught the story is that of love. While the Phantom’s love for Christine is selfish and controlling, Raoul’s is selfless—to the point of being ready to sacrifice his life for hers. 9/10

Cinematography: In a word, stunning. One of the most gorgeous films to look at that I have ever seen. You could stop it at practically any point throughout the film and have a picture that you would love to print out and hang on your wall. The flow of the scenes is extremely well-done and keeps you interested through the entirity of the film. Just beautiful. 10/10

Acting: Even though most of the dialogue is in song, the acting in this film is very good. All of the actors and actresses use their singing to portray the emotions of their characters in a way that is very convincing and real.
Gerard Butler plays the Phantom and, in my opinion, carries the film. His acting is absolutely superb, both in speaking and in singing. His singing is spectacular, especially when you take into consideration that he had no prior vocal training. While his voice is not technically “perfect”, he is able to bring out the character’s emotions in his voice so well that it more than makes up for any flaws technically. He plays the near duel-personality of the Phantom incredibly, being kind and gentle one minute and then raging and cruel the next.

Then 16-year-old Emmy Rossum plays the young singer Christine, the target of the Phantom’s jealous affection. Her singing is gorgeous and, though some of her speaking lines lack realism, she is really quite good. One complaint that I must make is in regards to her accent. It goes from British, to American, back to British, and then to an almost southern twang in one scene. Rather distracting, but not unforgivable.

Patrick Wilson plays Raoul, Christine’s child-hood sweetheart, and now fiance. Although he is a little-known actor, he is very talented and gives a good performance in this film. His singing voice is excellent, a more technically good voice than Gerard Butler’s, and very pleasing to listen to.

Miranda Richardson and Minnie Driver are excellent as well, with very convincing accents, especially Miranda Richardson’s French accent. Both are very talented actresses, and all in all the acting throughout the entire film is extremely good, although not perfect. 9/10

Score: Well, it’s a musical so the score had better be good! The Phantom of the Opera was originally a novel written by Gaston Leroux and was adapted to an opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1986. Now, nineteen years after the opera was first written, Webber and Joel Shumacher have worked together to make a truly spectacular film. The music was slightly modifed for the film, with fuller orchestration than the opera, and two new songs were written, although only one was actually used. There are only two tracks that I really don’t care for in the entire soundtrack—Magical Lasso, and The Fairground—and, for me, that’s really quite rare. My favorites would have to be Phantom of the Opera (of course), Music of the Night, Wandering Child, and Journey to the Cemetary. All in all 9.7/10, and I only dock it because of those two songs.

Overall: Even though, as I stated before, the story is somewhat dark and disturbing, it really is a wonderful film. It also is one of those films that really grows on you with each watching. The soundtrack is beautiful and you could listen to it all day long without growing tired of it. The acting is quite good and the cinematography is wonderful. All in all, it is a great movie to watch by yourself, and even better to watch with friends. I would give it a 9/10.

Soundtrack Review

2006-03-16T16:28:00.000-08:00

Now Playing: The New World
Composed By: James Horner

I would like to start by stating that James Horner is one of my favorite composers of all time. Perhaps best known for the amazing score that he wrote for Titanic, as well as the spectacular work he did for the ’95 best picture Braveheart, Horner is one of the rare musical geniuses of our day. He has a distinctive sound, trademark if you will, as do most composers, and all of his works bear just enough similarity so that you know: This is a James Horner score. The New World is no exception.

Track One, The New World, begins with the rather startling sound of birdsong which, although pleasing at first, becomes a bit monotonous after a while. Forget that, though. Horner builds through it with trademark vocals at first, and then the rest of the orchestra, driven on by beautiful piano. The song continues to build until it reaches a small climax at around four and a half minutes, and from there it quiets down to a simple ending. 8/10

Track two, First Landing, is beautiful in its own right, although it never really builds into anything. It is a simple melody, and it introduces one of the main themes for the first time. All in all, it’s a quiet piece, with no real climax, but it is still an ear-pleasing song. 7/10

Track three, A Flame Within, begins with a beautiful and haunting layering of vocals, along with a faint background of piano. About a minute and a quarter in, the pan flute is introduced, adding to the haunting melody, and bringing out the theme that was introduced in First Landing, and expanding upon it. When the strings come in, they introduce the rest of the main love theme, Listen to the Wind, for the first time, and are then added upon with vocals and wind. A very haunting piece, and beautiful. 8/10

Track four, Apparition in the Forest, is a very calm and quiet piece, mainly solo piano—I want the sheet music!—that brings out the main theme once more. There are some faint vocals to create a background for the piano every once in a while, but mainly, listen to this for the simplicity of the piano. Just beautiful. 9/10

Track five, Journey Upriver, brings in the Horner-chord that is in nearly all of his soundtracks. That beautiful, rolling chord on the piano that I have grown to love. . . this track also brings in more wind and strings, and all in all gives a fuller feel to the music. It is also not as light as the last four tracks, and gives a deeper meaning. It doesn’t build into very much, it merely adds more to the previous themes, and gives a new depth to them. A more awesome track; not simply beautiful as the others have been, but awesome. 8/10

Track six, Of the Forest, I must admit, I do not like. I am sure that it works well in the film but, having not seen it myself, I find the repeating birdsong to be rather irritating. It never really builds into anything at all, except for a slight—very slight—climax towards the end. My least favorite on the CD, I would have to say. I would give it a four, but the tiny climax bumps it up to a 4.5/10

Track seven, Pocahontas and Smith, is another beautiful track. The entire Listen to the Wind theme is brought in and built upon. A strong use of strings in the beginning and, around two minutes in, an oboe is brought in for the first time. A very beautiful piece, and I love it. 9/10

Track eight, Forbidden Corn, has to be one of my favorites. It is very long, eleven minutes exact, but in my opinion, the longer the better. It is not boring in the slightest. It begins with a very simple piano melody, and Horner builds on that. He brings in the pan flute briefly, followed by more wind instruments. The Horner-chord is brought in once more as the song progresses and builds. At about 2:45, the theme from A Flame Within is brought back, this time with piano and strings instead of vocal. It layers very nicely and is then tied into the love theme, played gorgeously on strings. The strings then tie into four simple piano chords that are then built upon by a cello, then more and more strings until about eight minutes into the song. At that point, Listen to the Wind reappears, this time played hauntingly upon the pan flute. This is my favorite rendition of the love theme, and—just as Horner’s use of this instrument in Braveheart—it goes straight to your heart. As that dies away, vocals are reintroduced, along with strings that end the song. An absolutely gorgeous piece, and I really can find no fault with it. 10/10

Track nine, Rolfe Proposes, is another beautiful piano piece. It is a very tender and soft melody, played only on the piano for the first minute and a half. After that, some quiet strings are introduced, as well as the oboe once more, which builds on the piano. About three minutes in, the piano takes center stage once more and adds to the theme before some background vocals are brought in. In the last thirty seconds, the piano plays the main chords from Listen to the Wind in a slow and beautiful way that ends the song. 9/10

Track ten, Winter Battle, is the darkest and most powerful track on the CD. It begins with strong strings, followed by haunting vocals that lead into a track which, quite simply, is a battle. It is highly reminiscent of Braveheart at several moments, but not in such a way as to be a repeat of that score. The harsh battle score dies away after five minutes, and vocals are brought in once more, covering over the “sounds of battle”. About thirty seconds later, piano is brought in to make a simple melody that is repeated with the vocals. At about 7:15, the battle returns in full force, with drums in the foreground. The track ends quite abruptly, but in a way that is fitting with the song. It is probably the least beautiful track to listen to on the CD, but is still a wonderful example of Horner’s excellent scoring. It makes you wonder, and guess, what is happening in the way that all good scores should. 8/10

Track eleven, All Is Lost, is absolutely gorgeous. What more can I say? It is my favorite on the entire CD. Starting out with very simple and quiet strings that are then added upon by wind, and a hint of the Horner-chord, it has a very tragic sound to it, and I am anxious to see what is going on at this point in the film. This builds into a quite triumphant sounding climax a minute and a half in, bringing in the main theme on strings. As the climax fades away, the strings create a gentle tie-in to the four piano chords that first appeared in Forbidden Corn. A cello is brought in and, as it was in track eight, everything builds upon that. The piano continues, but more and more strings are layered until it is only heard if you’re listening for it. It builds for almost two whole minutes, until it finally reaches its spine-tingling climax at five minutes and eighteen seconds, where Listen to the Wind is played powerfully on the strings. It makes your heart race, and you want to just close your eyes and get lost in the beauty of it. The climax fades away into piano once more, and then vocals and strings are brought quietly back. The piano stops and the vocals take over, in a way quite reminiscent of Titanic, but—as before—not enough to be a repeat of that score. It ends quietly, more than eight minutes after it began. 10/10 + 1

Track twelve, A Dark Cloud is Forever Lifted, begins with piano, with a slow and rather tragic sounding melody. A minute later, the strings are brought in, along with wind. A slow and beautiful rendition of the main theme appears briefly before vocals come in, followed by brass. The Horner-chord comes back, followed by a rippling piano and more wind, strings and vocals. 2:20 in, the oboe appears again to play the main theme, followed by strings, and then, briefly, the pan flute. This flows into the full Listen to the Wind theme, played beautifully on the oboe and backed with strings and even a harp. It is, again, a little tragic sounding, but as the theme dies, it gives way to a joyful piano that I can only describe as reminding me of a leaping stream. It is joined by strings and vocals that continue until the pan flute reappears briefly. Then all fades away until the oboe resumes its place and plays another lovely rendition of Listen to the Wind, backed with strings that are then joined by vocals that bring the song, and ultimately the score, to a close. 10/10

Track thirteen, Listen to the Wind. Wonderful. We finally hear the words that go with the theme, beautifully sung by eighteen-year-old New Zealander Hayley Westenra. It’s just lovely, and you’ll be humming it all day, even if you don’t know the words, or even the whole melody. I know I was. . . It is the perfect ending for a perfect score. 10/10

All in all, I would give this score a 9.5/10. The only reason I dock it is because of the repetitive birdsong. If it wasn’t for that I would give it a perfect score.

So there you have it. Two and a half pages of review. I hope that I didn’t bore you. And I also hope that I convinced you to go and listen to this score. Just to give another gentle push in that direction, you can listen to All Is Lost. Just go to my profile and listen to my audio clip. :) Perhaps that will convince you the rest of the way. ^_^ It is just an absolutely gorgeous score. It’s in my top five, I should think. . . James Horner has done it again. Let’s all give him a round of applause. *claps*

Welcome!

2006-03-16T14:59:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone, welcome to my new blog. I just recently switched over from xanga, and I'm still getting the feel of things, but I'm enjoying the change. :) I will mainly be using this blog to post reviews of books, movies, and soundtracks that I enjoyed. Please keep in mind that I have never written a review in my life, so if they're horrible. . . well, lol, now you know why. Feel free to leave suggestions! ^_^

Cheers!

Marissa