Me, Myself, I

A view from Bass and Flinders Pt

2012-02-05T21:05:00.001+11:00

Okay, so I promised to attempt loading this video that I took there. Here's hoping that I can actually do this. Never tried loading my own video onto this site. Should be easy, right?

Here's hoping.

Oh, by the way! Sorry for all the wind noise over the microphone. But you're sure to understand if you look at the grass in the foreground.

Bass and Flinders Point

2012-02-05T20:36:00.000+11:00

Today I went out to Bass and Flinders Point for some fun. There is a walk along the headland that is quite enjoyable and very nice as a path for exercising. Anyway, if I figure out how to upload the video I took I'll add that in as well, but here are the photos for today.

The stone plaque/memorial

Looking out towards Bundeena headland

The little bit of information provided on Flinders

And same again, this time for Bass - check his age out!

Looking towards Cape Solander (Kurnell headland, south side)

Another shot towards Cape Solander

We really do have some nice views in The Shire. Especially the houses that live along the Esplanade, overlooking this area.

Photo for 2-2-12

2012-02-02T17:18:00.000+11:00

Hmmm...having just glanced at the date up there, I'm just waiting until 12-2-12, or 12-12-12. I bet those will be big dates for people getting married, or something, somewhere in the world.

Anyway...on to the photo for today.

Today is very boring. It's just of a couple of books that were bought at the local supermarket. Very boring. The thing is, they look pretty. I'm in to pretty. Call it really girly, I don't care. But when things like these catch my eye, I just thought they were too good to pass up. I use one for school, writing down notes, etc. The other one, not sure what I'll use it for. Maybe uni, who knows.

The one on the left has 'reflecting' card on it around the flower, hence me putting it up twice, to demonstrate it better when the flash was used.

And if you want to know where I got them: Woolworths.

With flash...

...and without flash

More photos coming soon.

Here's comes the month of rain...

2012-02-01T22:36:00.000+11:00

Okay, so that's a little melodramatic. But at the moment it feels like we've had nothing but rain for the first few days of this week, and today heralds in the new month, February.

To mark the beginning of the month I've taken a photo that demonstrates how I feel. Looking, constantly, up at grey skies. And it's taken using a mirror, which you may or may not realise. It was just a mirror that was out beside the road, waiting to be cleared away.

Enjoy.

Grey skies are here to stay, it looks like...

All we can say, down here in Sydney, is thank goodness it's not raining like it is up in Queensland and in northern New South Wales. Hope you guys make it out without getting too wet or flooded.

Review: A self-reflecting piece...

2012-01-31T22:24:00.002+11:00

So, the first month of the year is pretty much over. That means that the first month of the challenge is pretty much complete. But how have I rated?

The uploading of photos has been alright. But...there haven't been photos for every day. That's the failure so far. That means more getting out there and making sure they are taken. But sometimes you just want to come home and sit and chill, not go out and find something. That doesn't mean that you can't take photos wherever you work, play, or go after work, or anything like that. The key to this challenge is just being prepared to take a photo whenever one is inspired to.

Here's hoping for more photos - one for every day - from here on in.

By the way: no, I haven't checked how many photos I have taken (more than 31, I realise, for this month), but I know there isn't one for every day. I think I'm missing about 10. Homework failure there.

Well done, Mum!

2012-01-29T17:39:00.000+11:00

We had a barbecue that hardly ever got used. We have another barbecue - a newer one - but it's not going in the same tray that the old barbecue sat in. Not sure why...might be due to the size of it, or something like that. Anyway! Instead of just getting rid of the old tray table the old barbecue sat in Mum decided to turn it into a full table to be used for holding things when having a barbecue or salads, etc. To do that, she had to put five new slats in the top to match the other ones that were already there. This is the result she has achieved, before she paints it roughly the same green as the back fence.

(And it's the photo for today in the challenge.)

Mum's great job at fixing up the old barbecue tray table

This isn't another flash photo, but she's done a great job, considering she hadn't used a chisel to get grooves at a certain depth before. I contributed only slightly by nailing in some of the old timbers at one end, and demonstrating how to chisel out the grooves.

Well done, Mum. Great job.

Choices, Choices...

2012-01-29T10:31:00.001+11:00

If it's one thing some women can't decide on it's who is the best hero out of certain shows. It is easily the case for two certain gentlemen who have been in several shows before and after the roles they are depicted in below. However, for fans of period drama shows, these two gentlemen (the characters, not the men) are definitely up there are the definitive hero. Who can, after all, dispute that Fitzwilliam Darcy (Colin Firth, Pride and Prejudice, 1995) and John Thornton (Richard Armitage, North and South, 2004) aren't two of the nicest guys out there?

So...if it came down to choosing, who would you pick? The quiet, brooding, well-mannered but shy...hang on...isn't that both of them? At times, definitely. Oh dear...they certainly are qualities women go for when escaping in a book.

Good luck in deciding.

As you can see, the Enchanted Serenity of Period Films created this poster, and there is a bit of a poll going on here, if you would like to participate (on Facebook).

Yesterday Afternoon

2012-01-27T23:00:00.001+11:00

After doing the Jane McGrath Classic in the morning, I decided I'd not done enough for Australia Day, and went down the coast all the way to Wollongong, stopping off at Bald Hill, and going via the Sea Cliff Bridge. Here's some pictures from that trip out.

Enjoy!

Just a by-the-by: there were actually 14 tankers/container ships off Wollongong's coast yesterday, but I didn't get all of them in the picture.

Low cloud at Wombarra (I think it was there...)

The Sea Cliff Bridge from Bald Hill - the low cloud can be seen in the distance

Low cloud over the ocean, with the tankers/container ships just noticeable

It was enjoyable to see sun in the afternoon after a few days of rainy, wet days.

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Australia Day.

A bit of variety

2012-01-27T21:21:00.000+11:00

So, today's photos are of things I saw in my street. The first couple are of a plant that I thought looked nice, interesting, and pretty. The second was of coils of wire found on the nature strip - we're having a clean-up at the moment. The last is of twigs out to be collected. I used the macro on my little camera, and it doesn't look as though it does a bad job.

Enjoy them.

The pretty flowers

One of the blooms

Same bloom, different angle

Someone's life is in a coil?

Twigs

Who knows what tomorrow will bring for photos.

Another important message through film...

2012-01-26T20:41:00.001+11:00

This film starts with being flippant and cheeky. It's to catch your attention. But the message is important and poignant the further it goes. Growing up in Australia, I've had to watch being out in the sun for too long so often due to my skin - I burn easily and it is a killer.

You may already know this video - it's been widely shown on facebook and twitter, as well as being sent around through email, no doubt. Yet, you can never show this message too often: cover up in the sun, or else you may have to suffer consequences like those demonstrated in this film.

You may not like the message in the end, but it's an important one. It's one that should be told in all countries where being 'sun smart' is being intelligent and not going out and getting horribly burned and tanned. Having a tan is fine. But I hope you don't end up with these consequences. Not saying you will...but you never can tell...

It's Australia Day...

2012-01-26T09:15:00.000+11:00

Once again, the 26th January has come around, and we celebrate as a nation the landing of Captain James Cook at Kurnell, thereby marking the beginning of English settlement of Australia. If you wish to call it an Invasion that is your choice. However, I'm not here to start a controversial piece on whether Australia should or should not have been settled, or whether the Aboriginal Australians have been ill-treated in the past due to the settlement.

I'm here to tell you what I got up to this morning.

Some of you might know that we have had breast cancer problems in my family in the past. Well, I support a few things to do with raising money to find a cure for cancer, and one of those things was the Jane McGrath Classic this morning, held on Wanda Beach at 7am. Now, if you know me well, 7am is an EXTREMELY early time of the morning for me - especially the last day of the holidays. Yet, it was all in aid of a good cause, so not missing that fun!

Fun. Yes...walking 2.5kms in soft sand can be fun...when you take your time. This was not quite fun, especially as I wanted to do it in a fairly fast time to push myself. This was the first real fast walking I've done these holidays, so it was good to get in there and participate well. I finished around middle of the pack, because there were a lot of walkers and only about 10 people who really participated in running. We walked up towards Green Hills and then back, passing the start/finish line, going towards Elouera and then turning and finishing. All in all, I believe I did it in about 30 minutes. That's not too bad. You should have a go.

For the occasion I thought I'd wear my new McGrath Foundation shirt that I bought at the Sydney Cricket Test as a commemorative shirt for that particular test match (it's the Pink Test, and we went on the Pink Day). It fitted in really well, but we were also given a darker pink singlet when we got there to put on over anything we were wearing. This was to tell who was competing in which event, because there was something called the Wanda Xtreme6 held at the same time. This event is where runners run towards Green Hills, but instead of turning round, they continue running up into the sand dunes there, going over one or two of them, and then turn around and complete the course that was the Jane McGrath Classic. A bit too much effort required for that one.

Next year, I hope to see more people down there, having another go. The problem with this year was, where was the advertising? Didn't see much at all, only on Facebook. Go figure. But the numbers weren't bad for a public holiday, an early start, and a not-so-great looking morning.

Anyway, photos for today are of what I took while down there, using my little camera, not my big one.

Enjoy.

Looking out towards the sun...behind the clouds

A little more zoomed in

Looking towards Elouera and Cronulla

Zoomed in towards Elouera and Cronulla

Taken while out on the walk (looking a little dark...)

Surfers gathering in a circle...taken after the walk

I hope you are all having a great Australia Day (26th January), especially those that are overseas or cannot be with friends or family for some reason. Hope you're having a great time, anyway!

A Walk in the Park...

2012-01-22T22:11:00.000+11:00

Today was a trip into the city, with lunch and a walk around the area. Went from Darling Harbour round to the Art Gallery and then down through the Botanical Gardens. Took two pictures today and going to put both of them up. The first one is of the menace that is terrorising many trees, residents, and goodness knows what else - better known as Flying Foxes. They are a pest and a nuisance, but we aren't allowed to do anything about them as they are protected. Now, I don't mind them. They are fine. But when the population gets larger than what is good for the gardens (and the rest of Sydney), then it's time to do something about them.

The second picture is of a flower that grows in the Koi Pond in the gardens. I don't know the name of the flower, so if you do can you please leave a comment and tell me. It's pretty.

Enjoy.

SOME of the Flying Foxes - they were located in many trees around the gardens

The flower in the Koi Pond at the Botanical Gardens

The Spider Wasp

2012-01-21T17:47:00.001+11:00

So, today's photo is kinda dramatic...but not. This was found in the backyard dragging a mostly fully-grown Huntsman spider away (no doubt) to its nest. Huntsmen spiders are large Australian spiders (can grow to roughly 5 inches across, leg span) and don't really hurt you (unless you provoke it and it bites you, then you'd better get to the hospital). So, Huntsman spiders are allowed to live around the backyard in peace, and sometimes have to be kicked out of the house - but never killed. Therefore, this wasp was a dead man walking from the moment we saw it. Plus...it didn't look as though it would be particularly healthy to have something like this around the house. Here, perhaps, I should mention that it's at least 3cm in length, this wasp. Yeah...not great... Who knows where the nest is/was, but it ain't getting spider to eat tonight.

Yes, it's cruel to have sprayed it, and then trapped it...but it wasn't liked, so it was done. If you don't want to see it then stop looking now.

The Spider Wasp:

Oblique view

Top view

Side view

Keep an eye out in your backyard for these guys, Sydney-siders. You never know, they might be lurking there in the undergrowth...

Not flash...but important.

2012-01-18T23:32:00.001+11:00

So...today's photo is not very exciting, or anything flash. But it's important to think about. You never know when you might need one, you never know when it might come in handy. So...today's photo is as follows:

Don't knock it. It's a first aid kit for the car. You never know when those skills you have learned sometime in the past (if you're a teacher, or had some training for some reason), or when the book provided, will help you in helping someone when they are in need of aid. I'm not going to go so far as to say "save someone's life". That would be unlikely. But yes...it could come in handy sometime when you least expect it.

The last couple of days' photos will be up tomorrow some time.

Time for an overhaul

2012-01-16T12:25:00.002+11:00

So, if you've been one of these people checking out my blog lately you'll see a change to it from now onwards. Yes, as you can see, this blog has been updated - especially noticeable in the background. I have changed font styles (but not all that much) and colours, to match the background.

Hope you like it. It might be changed again in the near future if I don't really care for it...so keep an eye out!

What Nellie Did Next...

2012-01-15T23:58:00.001+11:00

Well...thought I'd do a little bit of a write up of what I got up to while away from the 'Big Smoke'. Just a couple of days out of town, but it's nice to get away.

Last Tuesday I took a friend and her brother back home to Dubbo. Hence visiting the place. Always a nice place to get away to. Visited another friend while out there. Driving out there took up most of Tuesday, and we got to the farm in the evening as darkness was approaching, but not before I was able to get the photo of the sunset (featured below).

Wednesday was a nice easy day where we just stayed at home and read, and relaxed, and vegged out on some Phantom of the Opera (25th Anniversary edition, live at the Albert Hall, London). That was very good. Nice easy day. Hence me forgetting to actually take a photo.

Thursday was going into town. We arranged to meet up with another friend at the South Dubbo Tavern for lunch (which they don't do too badly, at all) and then drove into town after dropping our friend off at his house. In town I was able to pick up a great bargain: an Espirit dress that I had seen for $149.99 in Sydney at the beginning of Summer Wear Season. Not a bargain at that price, hence leaving it until coming out to Myer Dubbo, where they had it (towards the end of the season, yes...) for $79.99, and then it was reduced some more, and because of a gift voucher given to me for Christmas two years ago, I got it for $34.95. Not bad, not bad at all... After a little bit more browsing of the shops we went and had coffee with the friend we met up with for lunch to look over his house (that's relatively new, still). Bought a book, too, that should help with writing things about books that I've been reading all year, and should help me keep reading during the year. That was good, and it wasn't long before we started heading back 'home' for the evening.

Next day was another trip into town to see the latest Sherlock Holmes movie, as well as visit the Old Dubbo Gaol. The movie was good, and quite enjoyable. More intrigue, or something (or a better plot line?), made it quite good, and worth seeing. Horror night at Old Dubbo Gaol was worth going too, as well...even if I did ruin one of the 'ghosts' little gig by seeing her moving, getting into position to try and scare my friend and me. We got back to the farm a little after midnight, having had ourselves some fun driving back. If you must know, I like night driving sometimes better than daytime driving due to sunlight being a hassle at times.

Anyway...Saturday was the day I was driving back, and didn't leave until an hour and a half after I was expecting to...due to my own fault at procrastinating it. I had fun looking at the property guide for the area...and dreaming the prices in Sydney were the same for the same types of properties. Oh...to dream. 3-4 bedroom homes at $300 000. Oh...to dream...

The drive wasn't very eventful apart from roadworks and fog in the Blue Mountains. It was great to see...and fun to drive through. Nothing major, and got home fairly much at the expected time.

So, that was my few days away. Nice and easy, and fun, with many relaxing moments. Twas good, 'twas good, and hopefully shall do it again sometime this year... Maybe winter time.

Cheerio!

Here they are

2012-01-15T15:03:00.000+11:00

So, the photos that were meant to be put up yesterday are finally here. They'll be explained as they are 'listed'. Enjoy.

10th January:

Sunset where I was staying

11th January: photo I forgot.

12th January:

Going 'home' from 'town' - that was sunset

13 January: Horror Night at 'Old Dubbo Gaol'

We were entertained about stories of prisoners by the 'Governor'

Prisoners who's stories we were told about

A little bit of mischief made by the people who run the Gaol

The 'Condemned Man' in his cell - actually based on a prisoner

14th January: Coming back to Sydney

A beautiful day around Lake Windamere

At the top of Mount Victoria, with fog starting to appear...

...and getting thicker...

...and continuing on...

The fog kept on going until down past 450m in elevation. Got to love driving the Blue Mountains in summer, when anything can happen!

Hold on a moment...

2012-01-14T20:04:00.001+11:00

Okay...so I promised to put the photos up for the last four days as soon as I got home. Or something like that. Well...I'm going to do that tomorrow, because I'm not awake enough to do it right now. That's because I travelled home from Dubbo today, where I have been staying with friends and seeing the sights, as I always do. As well as spending money...because I always do my shopping in Dubbo. Just ask one of the friends I stayed with.

Anyway, because I do touch-up work to the photos sometimes...and that takes time...you'll have to wait a moment...or a day. And I missed a day up there. I was going to take a photo, and just forgot, so that's two days so far that I've missed. Oh well. Such is life.

Take it easy, and I hope - if you're on holidays, or ending your holidays - you're relaxing and having fun.

Yes, yes, yes...there is no photo up for FOUR DAYS!

2012-01-13T22:59:00.000+11:00

Hey there, people.

I know, it's shocking: there hasn't been a photo up for four days. That's because I'm out visiting friends away from my usual computer and things like that. Therefore, I will upload photos for the time I've been away once I get home...which is tomorrow.

Wait until then, and you won't be disappointed, and you'll see that I've been keeping up with my challenge!

Ciao!

Subject: The Moon

2012-01-09T22:12:00.001+11:00

So, we all want to 'reach for the moon' at some time or other in our life, and it looked fairly close tonight for those wanting it right now. They aren't great...but enjoy, anyway.

With some soft focus on

As I took it, fairly much...

8 January Photo

2012-01-08T16:38:00.000+11:00

Today is a rather boring photo of my African violet. Yep. Not desperate for a photo, but it's not the most interesting of events/subjects. Just pleased that it's got so many flowers on it at the moment, is all.

Enjoy.

So many flowers...

...and it has more buds down in it's 'heart'

First Festival Night or is that Festival First Night?

2012-01-08T01:42:00.000+11:00

The name is tonight, the first night of the Sydney Festival. It started off with a real crowd-pleaser with 'the troc' occurring in Elizabeth St, near Martin Place. (There were other events occurring around the city as well, but this was the one most appealing to me.) Trocadero dancing is what they describe what occurred during the late 30s, the 40s, and some of the 50s. So, early rock 'n' roll dancing. Unfortunately there is only the one performance of this dancing this year at the festival (tonight's event), with last year there being 4 performances at the Sydney Town Hall. Apparently there were meant to be more, but they cut it back. Silly move, the crowd would have wanted more, and probably come to more. Anyway, these are the photos for today's challenge, showing off some of the lovely sights of this evening.

'the troc' from way back in Martin Place. Big crowd.

'the troc' - anyone want to dance?

The band has started, and dancing is underway.

The dancers were great!

My friend, Faye, showing off St Mary's Cathedral, all lit up.

In front of St Mary's Cathedral.

Hope you enjoy today's photos for the challenge. So far, so good for the challenge, as there has been no slacking, though the uploading is taking a while to get there. Didn't get home until after midnight, so give me a break about today, please.

More photos from yesterday (Day 3, Aust. vs. India)

2012-01-06T23:52:00.000+11:00

As promised, I've included more photos below of things occurring at the cricket (Sydney Cricket Ground). It was the third day of the test match (out of 5, if you don't know), and Clarke and Hussey did a brilliant effort in putting Australia well and truly into the lead. Clarke declared once Hussey reached his 150* runs, stopping with himself on 329*, 5 runs short of equally Sir Donald Bradman's high score. Only Bradman and Taylor (on 329), and Hayden (on 380) are in front of Clarke on the table...now...what stat was that one? They were feeding us stats left, right and centre yesterday...and I've forgotten that one exactly. Highest score for Aussies, perhaps.

If you're wondering why there is so much pink everywhere, this is the 'Pink Test', raising much needed funding for the McGrath Foundation, so they can help provide Breast Cancer Care Nurses. These nurses provide very important care for women with breast cancer, from just being there, to explaining what they are going through, and helping their families through the process, as well. So far, the McGrath Foundation has been able to place 65 Breast Care Nurses across Australia. This has benefited 10 000 families. Definitely a vital cause. From the McGrath Foundation website - Our Nurses (click here):
Having access to a breast care nurse allowed me to be Jane McGrath, the friend, the mother and the wife – not just Jane McGrath, the breast cancer patient.

Jane McGrath
Founder
McGrath Foundation
1966-2008

Anyway...photos. Enjoy.

The start of play, Aussies well positioned even then

Mark Taylor looking flash in his Pink Day suit

Who I went with - The Wheelers

The Ladies Stand dressed up for the occasion, renamed the Jane McGrath Stand for the day

A long shot of the Ladies Stand.

A partnership that can't be broken

A milestone passed by the Aussies - 500 runs on the board

Hussey

Another milestone for the pair

Hussey

Clarke

Clarke hitting the ball for yet more runs

And away it goes, again...

552 runs...Where will it end???

Hussey adds to the run total

Clarke - this time with his baggy green on

Hussey reaches 150...

...acknowledging the crowd

The Indians come in to bat before Tea

They can actually hit some runs at the SCG

If you held your pink sign up at Tea...

...you could possible win the chance to meet Glenn McGrath

The shade has come again

The Indians jump to hit the ball?

Well done, Gambhir...on the way to his 83

Gambhir, Sehwag or Dravid - if you can tell, please let me know

Tendulkar

After Dravid got bowled by Hilfenhaus, the umpires had to change a bail

Tendulkar sending the ball away for runs

Tendulkar again

Tendulkar

If you click on the actual photos they should get t the size I made them. Enjoy, as I said.

Today's Photo

2012-01-06T23:35:00.000+11:00

Today was me being boring, but adding a little bit of ambiance to my room. So, the photo today is of that. Couldn't choose which one to put up, so putting two up. If you want to know where I got them from: Typo. It's a store like kikki.k, the stationary shop, except cheaper.

Enjoy.

Fifth day...and Third day at the Test

2012-01-05T23:31:00.000+11:00

Today saw me once again at the SCG to witness some great moments in cricketing history. Michael Clarke put on a performance today that surpassed some, and made him onto many lists. I will go into more detail tomorrow, but for now, three photos that I think are worth while in making the list. Not for brilliance, but for what they show: Clarke reaching his 300.

Clarke actually hitting the shot (spot the ball!)

Hussey congratulating his captain

Clarke acknowledging the crowd

As I said, there will be more photos and info about this, but tomorrow is looking much better, as I haven't been through all photos yet.

Day 4 of The Challenge...

2012-01-04T20:45:00.000+11:00

Well, day four has come and gone, and we have another photo. Yes, two lots of photos on the one day. Don't you feel privileged?

Anyway, here is today's photo. No, it's not a 'I was running out of time' photo. I honestly was hoping to take a photo of the sunset. I wanted to see what tomorrow's weather might be like, for the cricket tomorrow. Sunset photos need improving, too.

Second, Third,... Several photos from today...

2012-01-03T23:18:00.002+11:00

Yes, I'm a bit late...but that's because I've been busy checking over which to put up here, and editing...so...

Today I was lucky enough to go to the first day of the 100th Test held at the Sydney Cricket Ground. This was the first day of the Second Test between Australia and India, the first having been held in Melbourne at the MCG from Boxing Day (26th December) for four days. Normally tests should run for five days, but for a while they have been running for three to four days, running into the morning of the fifth day if you're lucky.

The first day started off looking as though it might be good - the Indians had won the toss and elected to bad. This is, until the third ball. Pattinson was bowling for Australia, and managed to get a wicket third ball of his first over. To finish off, he got three more wickets, Siddle got three wickets, and Hilfenhaus finally got what he deserved at an earlier time, three wickets in the end, as well. Hilfenhaus had many maiden overs, getting only 51 runs scored off his 22 overs.

Most of the crowd were hoping that Tendulkar would score his 100th century this innings, rather than wait until the second innings, but it was not to be, with him scoring only 41 off 89 balls. Dhoni was good to watch, scoring 57 off 77 balls, but it was unfortunate that none of the great scorers, like Laxman or Dravid could get starts, with them scoring 2 and 0 respectively.

By the end of the day it was good to have shade on us (in the Brewongle Stand) as well as see the Australians come in to bat only a little after 4pm. This gave them nearly two hours of batting, and giving the crowd something to really cheer about. During the change of innings, my friends and I made predictions as to how many wickets would fall by the end of the day. Foolishly I said 4. Well, the Australians did manage to lose 3 wickets by the end, but thankfully Ponting and Clarke managed to make not only a 50 partnership, but each got into the 40s, with Clarke on 47 and Ponting on 44. Tomorrow (day two) should be good, if these two can make a 100 partnership. That would be good to see.

Right, well, onto the photos. I hope you enjoy the ones I put up. I took probably at least 100, I reckon, and so these are only a select few.

A very pleasant day, though hot in the sun (until 2:40pm)

Tendulkar coming out to bat

Tendulkar at the crease

Tendulkar defending a ball...

...and leaving the ground after getting out

Dhoni letting a ball go before the end of the Indian innings

The Roller - it was agreed that, with the open engine area, it looked semi antique

The Aussies open with attacking shots...

...but putting some defensive ones in there at the same time (Ponting at the crease)

Ritchie Benaud's favourite score

Ponting letting a ball go

Yes! Shade in the afternoon!

Cowan (?) at the crease

Clarke getting things starting to occur in a good way

Clarke again

Ponting

The moon was out (in between the two light poles)

Ponting and Clarke having a mid-wicket meeting

Clarke

We were lucky enough to have Tendulkar field near us in the late afternoon. So, a couple of close-up (kind of) shots.

My shot for today, though, is the following. It's of Clarke hitting the ball (looks like for four runs, but it only went for two).

Clarke hitting the ball beautifully.

Thursday, I'll be again at the cricket for Pink Day, supporting the Jane McGrath Foundation for the fight against breast cancer. A very good cause, as many women in Australia are being diagnosed with this disease. Anyway...expect more cricket photos for Day 5 of the challenge...

Fail

2012-01-02T23:58:00.000+11:00

Well...today has been a failure in the photo challenge, as I didn't remember to take my camera along with me to either the airport, or the barbecue or anything that would have been photo worthy...and I didn't take a photo with my phone, either, as they would have been bad.

So...I'm sorry. But I posted three photos yesterday, so I'll just try to make sure I take photos tomorrow. That shouldn't be too hard, considering I'm going to the cricket at the Sydney Cricket Ground with friends. Here's for fun in the sun...without getting sunburnt.

*Crossing fingers for a decent photo tomorrow*

Okay...The First Photo...

2012-01-01T19:39:00.000+11:00

We have with us a friend's dog that is double the size of our own. I thought it only fitting that, as an 'event' of her coming and staying for a week with us, it only fair that I capture her somewhere, and where better but the first day?

Okay...that's kind of complicated...

Anyway...there will be a couple of photos put up that demonstrate the size of our guest in comparison to our own 'puppy' (that is 9 years old, at least). I'll also put up a photo showing where our cat is taking refuge...in the lounge room...

Enjoy the first photos of my challenge...

Gorgeous (right) saying "See, I'm not that big afterall!"

"Noooo!!!!" - Gorgeous and Harlee playing chases round the yard

Rufus retreating to the lounge room - caged in for the next week

New Year's Resolution

2012-01-01T16:57:00.000+11:00

This year I have decided that my New Year's Resolution will be to follow through with the Photo Challenge that I've seen other people perform here, on Facebook, on Twitter, etc. People who know me will think that this is another thing I'll probably slack off on: I generally get to a point and either forget, and therefore put off catching up, or just give up because it either seems too hard or too boring or something.

Well, NOT THIS YEAR! That's my hope, anyway.

So...the first photo shall soon be taken, and posted up here for all to see very shortly. Check back in...say...an hour, and it'll hopefully be there.

Happy New Year to all of you out there. If you had a great year last year, good on you and I hope that you have an even better one this year. If last year was bad, then I hope this year will be better in some way, shape or form.

All the best!

Some pictures from the new Harry Potter (HP7:2)

2011-07-16T13:18:00.000+10:00

Thought I'd indulge and put some pictures up of the new Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2.

Some moments from the movies...(in no particular order...)

I do not own these pictures, I did not take these pictures...etc. All rights are kept with the owner... Anything else I should add for copyright? I seriously don't know about what to write for that...

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2

2011-07-15T03:52:00.000+10:00

This is a review that has been posted up on www.imdb.com, written by both me and my mother after viewing the 12:10 session of HP on 13th July, 2011.

Think we were a bit generous on the rating, but it was, for what it's worth, a movie worth seeing if you haven't read the book/s.

The Review:

We've been to the first session (virtually) of each Harry Potter movie. You expect the movie to never be exactly like a book (when is it EVER?!) but this one really did change a few things that shouldn't have been touched.

There was a lot of good work in this movie. Lily, James, Sirius and Remus joining Harry to go into the Forbidden Forest was well kept. The acting was impressive as usual, something one has come to expect from this group. The visual effects were also excellent, and the storyline was well followed up to a point (this is why the movie got 7/10 from the writer); however, when major changes to this occurred, disappointment set in.

The lack of use of the Invisibility Cloak (which we all know is one of the most important hallows to possess) by Harry throughout the movie (except for when they are at Gringotts) is puzzling, as he used it extensively to get around Hogwarts so he could manage to obtain the diadem horcrux as well as make his way to Voldemort within the Forbidden Forest. Also, when Harry 'falls' out of Hagrid's arms out in Hogwart's grounds (when all Hell breaks loose due to Nagini's demise) he uses the Cloak to escape and cause panic amongst the Death Eaters.

Also, the fact Harry didn't tell Neville it was imperative Nagini needed to be killed, but Hermione instead, diminishes Neville's importance! In the book, it is completely up to Neville to destroy Nagini as he is the only one left who it is thought to be able to. Also, it can be tied into the prophecy that Trelawney made all those years before as Neville killing the final horcrux, causes Voldemorts vulnerability. Thankfully, Neville is the one that kills Nagini, but more by luck than good management.

Harry telling Dumbledore that he had nothing to kill Voldemort with (at Kings Cross Station) was not correct, as well, as he went into the Forest with both the Cloak and a wand, which was what made him so special as he did not raise that wand against Voldemort. He instead died willingly, again showing his great strength and love of those important to him - his friends/family at Hogwarts.

The adaptation by the screen writer, Steve Kloves, of the final scene between Voldemort and Harry of the novel - well...THAT'S A DISAPPOINTMENT!!! What J.K Rowling wrote was good enough and whenever I've read it I've always loved it and pictured it so clearly in my mind, so the whole battle scene between Harry and Voldemort was ridiculous, and could only occur because they ruined the sequence of events. VERY UNNECESSARY! The wands locking in battle – what the???? That should not have occurred, as they had different cores, different timbers and were nothing like the Twin Core Phenomenon that occurred in book four (Goblet of Fire). You don't even hear Harry say Expelliarmus which had become his 'trademark spell'.

Harry, Ron and Hermione not going to the Headmaster's Office after defeating Voldemort, and there getting a standing ovation from all previous Headmasters and Headmistresses, and Harry not mending his phoenix feather core wand through using the Elder Wand (Death Stick) was very much an anticlimax. Instead, Harry (in the company of Ron and Hermione) snaps the Elder Wand (the possibility of which I would think is questionable in the first place!) and chucks it off the bridge (never to be seen again?).

It would have been nice to have had the connection between the Dumbledore's and Grindelwald explained, especially Adriana's death. This actually moulded Dumbledore into the man he became - a professor and later Headmaster of Hogwarts; never Minister of Magic; and a supporter of Muggle-born witches and wizards. It also explained how he came into possession of the Elder Wand.

I was so glad, and there was applause in the theatre when the epilogue occurred as its lovely to see Albus Severus Potter and the short conversation between him and his father, Harry.

Overall, probably not one I will see again at the movies, which is something I have done with the others (though they were disappointments in ways as well!).

Hope this hasn't put anyone off the movie. It's worth seeing once, and if you like 3D you won't be disappointed.

However, if you love the books, prepare for differences.

I miss Dymocks

2011-03-10T19:01:00.000+11:00

Everyone has a favourite bookstore. The one place in particular they are sure to find the necessary book for which they're looking.

So was Dymocks for me at Westfield. (I won't name which Westfield, but it's the one that Dymocks moved out of around 6-8 years ago.) Now you know if you live near me.

Such is our luck for retaining stores of variety.

Westfields has been squeezing businesses, trying to turn more profit, perhaps, and thereby we, the consumers, are missing out on some of our favourite shops. The shops that contain variety, and a little difference to the majority of chain stores that fill these large consumer shopping centres.

Then again, maybe Dymocks decided to move out because they weren't getting enough business. I certainly was one of their most reliable customers when I was in Sydney. (Went to university outside of Sydney, and they moved out while I was away.)

I digress, though.

Why do I miss Dymocks?

It's simple, really: they always had a wide selection of books, and they tended to keep a stock of school textbooks on hand. The ones that were very popular for the 'popular' subjects.

I went looking for a certain textbook to teach about Germany between the World Wars today in the two major bookstores in Westfield (one that was around while Dymocks was there, and one that renamed itself after Dymocks left). Did either of them have textbooks available, apart from the 'Excel' books for study? No, not really. The only one that I saw, I believe, was a Signpost textbook for Maths. Stage 4, Year 7, or something like that. That was in the 'Renamed' store. The other 'Major Book Retailer', as far as I could tell, had no textbooks whatsoever. Just Excel books.

Now, I know I could go and find another store, one that is in the area, that sells textbooks. I just could not, for the life of me, remember it's name or location at that point in time. I'm sure it probably would have been happy to have sold me the book. However, I only thought of that after I put a deposit down on the book I wanted in the 'Renamed' store.

Also, no doubt, if I was in desperate need for this book I could travel into Dymocks Citystore, and get it there. The range of textbooks in that store, for all school subjects, is phenomenal, and I love visiting it. Very sad, I know, but it's a teacher's paradise sometimes. A 'must do' during the January Holidays (if you're in the area during the break). I'm not quite that desperate, though it was something I was considering I'll admit.

What I do wish, above all, is that there were more bookstores willing to sell textbooks - ones that both teachers and students need/want - in the 'Burbs. This would make life a lot easier for all of us.

That is why I miss Dymocks. Where is the variety?

Comments welcomed: Is there a bookstore that you love to visit, but find that it is too far sometimes? Or is there a treasure trove that you've discovered and wish to share with others? Which is your favourite bookstore for getting books that you need/want?

Photos of a storm off Cronulla, NYD 2010.

2011-02-20T17:12:00.000+11:00

My cousin and I went to Cronulla as part of his driving practice on NYD, a year a bit ago.

Here are a few photos of the storm that brewed while we were there. They are only tiny, because they were taken on my mobile, and I didn't increase the pixels before taking them - cause I'm a dope!

Enjoy. (They can also be found on my facebook site.)

The Airport has never been so fun!

2011-02-20T16:45:00.000+11:00

Today was going to be just a typical day of seeing someone, a good friend, off at the airport. Yes, I arrived 15 minutes late, but considering they were standing in the considerably long line for their airline, it didn't really matter.

So, to begin with, my friend waited 35-40 minutes to actually book their bag through for their flight. But thankfully their flight was one of the ones that was actually running on time.
We had decided that we would just meet up for coffee, as one does, when one only has about 40 minutes to see a friend. However, by the time we had got through the line, we only had 20 minutes for coffee.
Oh-kay. 20 minutes. Fine. One can do coffee in 20 minutes. Sure. We'd been talking in line, anyway. So...

However, we weren't counting on the security.

Now, of course, we all know about how security was stepped up a notch after September 11, 2001. Understandable, one can say.
And I'm not complaining about the time it took to drop things off and walk through the arch that beeps if you're carrying anything metallic. No, that was fine. That was great. No time, whatsoever.

What I have to laugh about is the fact that I was the random person who got chosen for the 'swab' test, to see if I'd come into contact with anything to do with explosive materials.

I've never had the swab test before, so it was a new experience. I didn't mind as I thought it would take only a matter of seconds and we'd be on our way again to have coffee.

Boy, was I wrong!

The first test came back as positive. Oh-kay, I thought. Unusual, but you get that. Something random; it happens. Second test, came back positive as well. Hmmm...something's fishy here. Third test was positive as well! WT-?!?!

At this point I was just cracking up all over the place as, well, I wasn't boarding a plane, and, yes! I'm definitely a terrorist. NOT! My friend and I were passing comments between ourselves, typical of Australians thinking something like this was a huge joke. I believe I'm going to be called either 'Uni Bomber Nell' or 'Achmed' by this friend, now. The security area where this was happening, too, had attracted one, and then two more security personnel.

After the three fails I had to get my gear (which was a handbag and shoes - that is all!) x-rayed again. On top of that, I had to also be frisk searched, just to make sure I wasn't concealing any weapons. How could I be concealing anything when I hadn't set off the arch? Okay, well, if you've seen 'In The Line Of Fire' (hmmm...interesting movie), you'll give me pointers, I'm sure. But, really! They offered to either do the frisk there and then, or go to a private room. At this rate, my friend's and my coffee time had reduced to only 10 minutes before they had to board their plane! I decided to go with the then and there, and in a matter of 30 seconds, or a little longer, afterwards, we WERE eventually on our way.

We couldn't believe this had happened. We just had to laugh over it all, from start to finish.

But yes! If you are going to the airport anytime in the future, don't just give yourself half an hour before your flight! Make sure you're there a good hour before, so that you are there ready to board, with 10 minutes to spare.

Oh, and we did get coffee - with 5 minutes to spare.

Some more photos from Italy!

2011-02-02T17:57:00.000+11:00

This time, I've got photos from The Forum and a couple from the Capitoline Museum.

Firstly, though, a picture of me with the Arch of Constantine and the Colosseum in the background, and the Colosseum, again.

Now, The Forum.

Arch of Septimius Severus and the Senate House

Tabularium with what's left of the Temple of Vespasian and Titus in front

View of The Forum from the west (Arch of Titus is in the far background)

Another view from the west (taken from inside the Tabularium)

Same as above, just different camera settings

Forum from behind the Temple of Saturn (close on sunset)

After visiting The Forum (and having a dodgy lunch), we visited the Capitoline Museum.

The original statue out the front of the museum

A model of the Capitoline Museum

The She-Wolf statue depicting the legend of Romulus and Remus

Next up will be photos of Ostia Antica. This is a cool little town to visit if you're into ancient Rome, as it was the sea port of the city (until humans - emperors - interfered, changing the environment through creating another port to the north of it, and ruining the original port, or something like that). More on that later, though.

Some photos from Italy!

2011-01-30T12:37:00.000+11:00

So, I have finally got around to adding all the photos from my trip to my computer, and start to put them up here. I hope that you enjoy them. I've only done a select few. Leaving out the really boring ones. Like you'd want to see all 1500 of them! Enjoy the few I do put up here.

Just so you know, they are large photos because I didn't bother to downsize them before putting them up.

First up, some of the Villa Guilia - our first stop on the trip.

Next, the Portico of Octavia and the Theatre of Marcellus

Reconstructed section

More will come in the next couple of days.

I've been a-Rome-ing...

2011-01-17T00:19:00.000+11:00

Hey people! Yes, no new post in so long. Doubt you've been worried, though.

Lately, I've been out and about in Rome. I will be putting pictures up of certain things when I get back. I just don't trust internet cafe computers to not have viruses. For some strange reason.

Anyway...

Life in Australia is still going on. I'm very sorry to hear about the passing of my oldest friend's father. It's very sad to have heard about that, and not be able to be there to comfort and support her, and attend his funeral.

My nephew has been Christened...and I missed that.

But Rome has been great. Seen so many things, and now understand so many more things about the town than what I did the last time I was here. It's great. Just am starting to get all churched and museumed out...that's all! Today we have our free day... So...when in Rome...one goes shopping! Doing some work this afternoon beforehand, and then going out with a couple of the girls, and we are buying up the place. Well...not quite, but you get the gist. Like I need to buy more. Think the shopping will be going home in a box via post. All good, though.

Seeya' 'round!

Another Year Over...

2010-12-28T15:03:00.000+11:00

In two days time I will be getting on to a plane to head to Rome. This has come about very quickly, and I still haven't even thought about starting to pack. But no matter: still have the morning of leaving to get everything done in time.

But what have we all achieved this year? What kind of goals have you set and achieved, or failed? Or are still trying to attain? I hope that everyone has at least achieved one goal that they set at the beginning of the year. I've certainly achieved one, but I don't know about more than that.

So. New Year Resolutions. Suggestions? Mine certainly always involve less procrastination on the internet. Somehow I always feel certain, before I even make the goal, that I'm going to fail at that one. But apart from that, what other goals should I set for me to achieve? There are a couple:

Make more time for sport/leisure exercise
Spend more time at the piano and/or flute
Use the diary I was given for Christmas to good effect (as well as the receipt book)
Try and enjoy having a 30th Birthday

Yes, the big 3-0 is looming near, and I haven't even thought of what to do about it. Not that turning 30 is really that big a thing. It's certainly a change in mindset to what it was ten, fifteen years ago. But it certainly means that you're certainly supposed to be even more responsible than what you are already... Hmmm...

Anyway. Good luck with your New Year's Eve party (if you're going to one), and best wishes for the New Year.

Ahhh...Rome...Looking forward to what you do for New Year's!

The Nativity Story Told Using Social Media

2010-12-18T01:24:00.001+11:00

This is a beautifully composed 're-telling' of the Nativity story using social media networks that everyone, including children, would be able to relate to in this modern age. I'm guessing that it's been put together out of fun and games, and a sense 'let's see what they would need and use to actually do this nowadays'.

Enjoy the humorous video.

Btw, if I don't say so beforehand: I hope each and every one of you have a lovely Christmas (if it is appropriate!). Stay safe!

Muse and U2 Concerts

2010-12-15T22:22:00.000+11:00

If you hadn't already found out, I went to the Muse Concert on Friday night and the U2 concert on Monday night in Sydney. They were great! Actually...MUSE WERE AWESOME....U2 WERE GREAT!

The concert at Acer Arena for Muse was absolutely wonderful. They couldn't have done a better job. Actually, including the song 'Invincible' would have just topped the night off like nothing else. But they played my favourite ('Starlight'), so I suppose there really can't be any complaints whatsoever to be made.
The light show to go with it was just great! A couple of times the green lights went straight into the eyes, but you get that. It's nothing. And having the screens as they were so that you could see them really easily - brilliant idea!!
And I found it just absolutely wonderful overall because I was able to sing along with all the songs. Yes - I'm that much of a fan! And (if you didn't know), I'm that much of a fan in only 7 months...
I'm hoping that they plan another trip out to Australia in the next couple of years. Maybe after the release of another album. Is there another album in the works, guys? Please? Pretty please???

The U2 concert was great. Definitely. It was just wonderful to be able to see the band live, after watching video clips and listening to the CDs that I own of their stuff since my oldest friend gave one to me back in the 90s (All That You Can't Leave Behind). And the setup was great to see after seeing some photos of it friends had taken at other concerts.
The light show for them, too, was great. There were many and varied light displays on the stage, some very pretty. The big '360*' screen was wonderful, as well! What a great way to enjoy the show so that everyone in the stadium can see the band.
The only problem was that I didn't know all the songs. I haven't got their last couple of albums, and so I haven't been able to keep up with their stuff. When they played something new it sounded, at times, just like a bit of noise.
It wouldn't be a U2 concert, though, without a political message. It was good to see them advocating for the release of political prisoners, and having Amnesty International lanterns on the stage. It's good to see high profile people putting their name behind a cause. I just hope that what they do actually gets somewhere, rather than be ignored. Doubt you could ignore them all the time, though.

I've put a couple of pages up on my blog for these concerts. Probably will actually amalgamate them in the end. Will probably only put a couple of pictures up of the Muse concert (cause we were seated quite a distance from the stage, and they're mostly blurry), but will put a few U2 photos up.

Overall, they were great concerts, and you missed out big time if you weren't there. (Then again, if you aren't a fan, I suppose you didn't....but you should be a fan...)

An important message for all video gamers???

2010-12-05T22:19:00.000+11:00

This is a great video to help people understand things about video gaming. It's a good little video demonstrating how much time gaming can take up in one's life, but what can also be brought out of it if used in the right way/manner. Of course, you're going to have those that say any type of gaming is detrimental to the health/well-being of any person, but, is it so?

Which way/manner are you using video gaming in your life?

And it goes for all social networking sites, too, I suppose. Make sure you find a balance, people!

Flood Waters of Dubbo

2010-12-05T21:20:00.001+11:00

Sophie and Charlie Lockyer: Dubbo Flood - LH Ford Bridge and North Dubbo -5.12... <-- Click on the link!

This is a really great slideshow demonstrating how high the water has got in one of the large towns near where I used to live. Have a look. The picture with Uncle Pete's Toys....well....there is a hill down from the shop, and the traffic lights...well....I think you can get the gist from the picture just how high the water is if you look closely....It's high!

So...apparently we don't take the time to appreciate...

2010-12-02T00:14:00.000+11:00

I have just received an e-mail, and had to investigate more...

A social experiment using one of the finest young violinists in America took place in April 2007. The experiment was to see if people would stop and appreciate the music he played in a busy Washington D.C. metro (underground) station. He had roughly 22 people stop to listen to him, and appreciate his playing, and raised around $US32.

Considering Joshua Bell can play to packed concert halls, each ticket equating to somewhere between $US50 and $US100, it can possibly be determined that we don't take the time to appreciate fine music. Not only that, we don't take time to, not relax, but to savour those moments worth remembering and appreciating. (There's that word again.) Perhaps it's time to take a moment, enjoy a show (all 2:36 of it), and watch how people don't even realise what a wonderful musician can accomplish on a Stradivarius Violin (worth $3.5mil).

Take time, people, to stop and smell the roses, as well as appreciate and savour the moment. It's worth it, sometimes, and you might not even realise who you're watching, or why what you're viewing is so wonderful... It's great because it just is... (Yeah, great grammar, I know...but I don't care!)

Twilight: Eclipse!

2010-11-30T19:53:00.001+11:00

Hey guys and gals! Yes! It's out! Go and buy it if you want. You don't have to wait until tomorrow (well, I suppose you do, now...but you didn't earlier), because it's in the stores now. Bought a copy today (and you can all groan and moan and say 'How sad' if you aren't a fan - I don't mind!) and am planning on watching it when I get the time....hopefully later tonight or tomorrow evening.

And, of course, there is a music video from Muse. I think we can all guess which song that is. Love that one. Got the sheet music for it last week. Couldn't help myself.

So, yes.... BigW have it for $32.86. Don't know what other stores are selling it for, but I was there today, and they are generally one of the better/cheaper places to pick up your DVDs - no matter what movie.

Hope you get yours soon, if you want it, and have fun enjoying the movie again....and again....and again....

And how many times will you see this pic in the next few days???

Go @theashes!!

2010-11-29T20:58:00.000+11:00

Ahhh, the fun of Twitter! Where would we be without it?!

This is a great article that sums up one poor American woman's nightmare...and not understanding why she is being picked on.

If only people had read what they should have written in their tweets about the Ashes Test Series (5 cricket match series, for those not part of the Commonwealth), there would never have been this dilemma in the first place. But what fun the world would have been missing out on!

Read the article here.

A Social Time is Approaching...

2010-11-28T01:02:00.000+11:00

So it's come to the 'social/busy' time of the year...if you can call it that.

Christmas. People start planning parties, trips away, get togethers, and any other form of mingling they can think of for this time of the year. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy going out and socialising. It's great. It's just going to be busy from here on in with getting things done - no doubt we can all feel that way.

Take - for example - what I have coming up:
1. Go to a retirement party for my Head Teacher this Thursday, 2nd December.
2. Go see Muse on the 10th December.
3. Write my Prac Student's report by the 10th December...lucky I've been writing hints and tips down each lesson, like you should...
4. Go to the Street Christmas Party on the 11th December, or is that the 4th?
5. Go see U2 on the 13th December.
6. Make 3, if not 4, Christmas Cakes by the 15 December - and I haven't even got the ingredients yet for them...
7. Help get a box of goodies together for people in need.
8. Go to the work Christmas Party on the 16th December.
9. Get three assignments done for my 'Rome' unit before the 23rd December. (Hmmm...better get stuck into that tomorrow.... Chapter/whole book critiques...and I'm not good at critiquing...)
10. Have a family Christmas on Christmas Day, as well as whenever my brother, his wife and their two children can join us - be it Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or some other time...
11. Leave for Rome on the 30th December.
12. Have three books read for 'Rome' unit before heading off to Rome....well that's just not going to happen: I'm not that quick a reader...

Okay, so the list turned into something more than the socialising side of life, but it shows that December does get busy. The Rome trip is to do with University, which is the 'Rome' unit I talk about.

Anyone just as busy? I'm sure there are lots of you out there.

Where's that Procrastinator's Diary when you need it?

For all you Twilight Fans (in Australia)

2010-11-27T01:43:00.000+11:00

If you didn't know already, the latest Twilight Saga movie, 'Eclipse' is due out on DVD (and no doubt also Blu-ray) on 1st December, 2010 in Australia.

This is my favourite movie out of the three so far. I was a huge fan of 'Twilight' when I first saw it, but having read the books this one, I feel, is the most accurate towards the story in the novels.

So, yes! That's the news. Be ready to line up to buy it on Wednesday. I'll be saving it for a little while yet - waiting for the possibility of getting it for Christmas.

Here's hoping that the diehard fans don't line up for half an hour beforehand outside shops just to make sure they get the first copies. That would be sad behaviour, people! Don't do it! Yes: buy it, but don't be so silly!

For my review of the movie, see here.

Also, don't forget to vote in my poll on which Twilight book you like the best, if you have read them.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

2010-11-22T23:57:00.001+11:00

Okay, so I'm typing a review up as you read this, but it's not going to happen for a couple of more days, because, well, seriously, I'm tired, and I've got other things I have to get done as well. More important things. But....just had to relate this thing I seem to find occurring among some people...

I find that there are people out there in the world that are disappointed in the new HP movie. The reason? They are disappointed because it ends and there is no resolution. *blank look* Uh huh... Yes... Hence the reason why the bit 'Part 1' is in the title, no doubt. Isn't there a title at the beginning of the movie hinting that there might be a second part to this movie that will be released at a later date?

Oh....hang on....it's in the movie posters, themselves!

Yep! See....there it is! Right underneath 'Hallows' (click on the picture if you need to enlarge it to see for yourself...). Yep. Even someone I know who isn't a fan realised that it wasn't a complete movie - that there was to be a second part. Go figure why people are disappointed that it ends the way it does, then.

Yes, it is true that Warner Bros are going to get a lot of money out of it because it is going to be released in two increments...but it already is a money maker, whether it does it one or not! There is too much that occurs in the book for it to be made well in one movie.

What I say....get over it, people. The second part comes out next year - July, if I remember rightly. Boycott it if you don't want to be part of the market. I'm sure there will be hundreds of people willing to take your place.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1

2010-11-20T12:52:00.004+11:00

Having seen all the other Harry Potter movies the day they came out I couldn't stop tradition, and so my Mum and I went to the late night screening on Thursday to see the movie. In the past I have been disappointed with how much of each book has been left behind and scrapped in the process of making each movie. This time, though, with the book being divided into two movies, I thought that it would be better. I wasn't disappointed.

Harry, Ron and Hermione escaping
into London the night
the Death Eaters attack...

The plotline works perfectly in with the novel, leaving little out(from what I can remember - deliberately haven't read the book in the last twelve months) that is important. One of the reasons, one supposes, they split the movie into two. And yes, they split it just where I thought they would. They had to - it was virtually half-way to two-thirds of the way through the book, and the next section is the most action packed part, as well as the most wonderful.

One really good thing that was definitely beneficial to the plotline was seeing the flipside of the story - Voldemort's actions that Harry gets glimpses into every now and then. This becomes pivotal in the latter half of the book, so it's quite good that it's been included - especially the growing rage within Voldemort. As Voldemort's rage becomes more and more like frustration ("Why can't that boy just die already?!?!" - Voldemort's thought throughout the whole series, no doubt...), so Harry is able to see parts of his schemes, his machinations if you like. This allows Harry to make certain decisions that impact right at the end of the novel. Hopefully this will be played out well upon the screen, and explained very clearly so that people understand it to their satisfaction when seeing the movie for the first (and possibly only) time.

Snape reporting back to Voldemort

The acting in this one has been pretty much of a similar standard to the previous, though the actors are probably getting better at their roles than even in the past. Perhaps they have matured more, and learned more techniques and skills. There are a few directorial problems, but that is more to do with the type of camera shots used - I like action shots, but not when they are really quickly sequenced together, and seem not to be on a steady cam. There is also the use of 'hand-held' camera shots, possibly to try and make a scene more intimate/personal. Sorry, it doesn't work. Or at least, not for me. The wobbliness of the camera puts the audience off, making it annoying. Steadiness would have worked better at creating a more poignant moment - or at least in my opinion it would have.

Apart from these minor items, I really enjoyed the movie. The storyline is there and it is actually the first of the movies in which I can say that I wouldn't mind seeing it again at the movies. Most times the movies have been 'shoddy' in producing an accurate storyline, perhaps focussing more on the special effects more than anything else. Not this time. The effects are there, but they have created the effects as part of the storyline - they don't dominate it (like they seemed to do in Goblet of Fire). It follows on from the previous movies well, and it leaves off perfectly to create tension, mystery and curiosity for Part 2.

If you enjoy Harry Potter then I recommend you going along and see the movie. Enjoy it, and be prepared to hear groans from others in the audience when the break comes along...

What it all comes down to:
horcruxes or hallows?

New 'Harry Potter' film - a.k.a. HP7

2010-11-14T19:07:00.000+11:00

This is just a short, quick post.

The new 'Harry Potter' film comes out this week at cinemas across Australia. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1) looks to be a film well worth going to see. Looks... We shall all make up our minds when we've all seen it for the first time.

I haven't re-read the book leading up to going to see the film. That is just too silly to do as no doubt there will be many differences between the book and the movie, as there have been in all the movies. However, since they didn't do too bad a job with No. 6 (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince) - though I re-read the book after the movie and was amazed at how much was different - I'm actually looking forward to seeing this new film. Yes, I admit that I am going to see HP7 on the release date out here. Final session of the day at our local theatre. The other sessions were rather full. hopefully this one won't be so bad.

Anyway. Enough of that. Below are the two trailers (released for the US, but the first one was played out here in Australia). Enjoy, if you haven't seen them before.

Btw, it says that it is going to be released in 3D, but the tickets are only 2D out here. I don't know why, but I'm guessing that, at the last minute, they have decided that they're only going to release in 3D for certain cinemas, like IMAX, and the such. Does anyone know anything about this?

Btw...anyone else happy that Summer has finally decided to show itself?

Bowral Tulip Festival

2010-11-08T20:30:00.011+11:00

I probably should have put these up ages ago, considering the festival occurred back in September. However, it is always better late than never, right?

Please excuse the grainey-ness of them. I forgot my camera, so could only use the mobile.

Enjoy them!

I really like this one - just because of the slant, I think

And last, but certainly not least..., the strangest tulip I've ever seen...

The tulips were beautiful the day we went down to Bowral - the first day of the festival. They had the gardens all nicely laid out, with some having been sponsored by shops around the town. The weather turned on a nice day for it, also. Just perfect for the beginning of Spring.

A different approach to a commonly done thing

2010-11-03T20:24:00.000+11:00

I saw this on Twitter (you can find it on YouTube if you look hard enough) a couple of months ago, and thought that it was a very clever idea. With the use of an iPhone and a little imagination, it's amazing what people can come up with.

Know any other recommended links for using an iPhone (or iPad) imaginatively? Leave a comment if you do.

Anti-Twilight Poster

2010-11-01T23:59:00.001+11:00

I am a really big fan of the 'Twilight' novels, and I must admit that, after seeing 'Eclipse' three times at the movies I really like that one the best out of the so-far produced movies.

But that doesn't stop me appreciating the anti-Twilight posters and fan (anti-fan?) art.

That is why I just had to share this picture with you guys after a friend of mine sent me the link to it earlier tonight. The same friend that sent me the anti-Twilight poster that featured on this blog earlier this year, actually.

So, without more ado:

Halloween

2010-11-01T16:23:00.080+11:00

It comes around once a year, and is followed by All Saints' Day. The sound of the name of the day itself can intrigue and create all sorts of fantasies involving horror creatures and fairy tales among the young and old. And yet, how many of us really know what it truly is about?

To many it is just the walking around of streets collecting treats from the neighbours. (To our family, it is offering carrot sticks, celery or cheese cubes, this year, as treats...We really weren't prepared for 'Trick or Treaters'.) To others, it is the avoidance of getting vandalised by young hooligans out for a good time - or playing out tricks to get 'revenge' on some past 'wrong'.

Yet, how did trick-or-treating begin? Why did we start celebrating such a thing? What is with the pumpkins? And why is it really starting to occur in Australia?

One site refers to three different holidays that helped forge the tradition of what we know today as Halloween. It was a mixture of three different cultures: the Celts, the Catholics and the Romans - not necessarily in that order, though.

The Celts are meant to have believed that the night before their New Year (1st November) was a powerful time capable of bringing back the dead. They would light bonfires, apparently, and wear masks to ward off the terrible possibility of the dead appearing again. It can also be believed that they did this to celebrate the end of the Summer, and the end of harvest, bringing on the start of winter and the time of shorter days and deathly cold nights. The Druids (Celtic priests) would make predictions during this time, and this would help the people through their long winters. You must remember, these people were completely reliant upon the natural world in decreeing their lives. They would pray to their deities, re-light their hearth fires from the most sacred bonfire, and hope that the winter was a good one for all. Or, at least that is what is believed...

Next, the Romans capture the land that is inhabited by the Celts, and so incorporate their traditions upon the people. The Romans were very good at this. As mentioned on a documentary today that I showed my Yr 7 class: The Romans didn't create a large empire by being nice to people...

Anyway...They come along with two festivals that linked in well with the Celts' own celebration of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). This incorporation would have taken many years to actually have implemented, but by the time the Romans 'left' after roughly 400 years, they were there in place and taken as tradition. It is believed that, because of the Romans, the tradition of bobbing for apples is now part of many parties and celebrations of Halloween.

The Romans had two holidays that they celebrated: one late in October called Feralia, while the second was in honour of Pomona - the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. Feralia commemorated the dead, while Pomona's symbol was - you guessed it - an apple (hence the bobbing).

After the Romans, the Catholic religion edged in on the festivals occuring at this time of the year. Pope Bonafice IV apparently wished to replace the old Celtic festival that was related to the dead with something sanctified and religious, so he created All Saints' Day for the 1st November. This day honours the saints and martyrs and the deeds they did/achieved. It was also known, from the Middle English Alholowmesse (All Saints' Day), as All-hallows or All-hallowmas. The night before became known as All-hallows Eve and celebrated Samhain, leading eventually to the word Halloween.

Eventually, around 1000 AD, another day was inaugurated into the same time - All Souls' Day, the 2nd November. This was celebrated like Samhain with big bonfires, parades, and people dressing in costumes of angels, devils, and saints. In the end, all three days together - All Hallows Eve, All Saints' Day, and All Souls' Day - came to be known as Hallowmas.

But what about the pumpkins, the trick-or-treating, and it coming to Australia?

Well, apparently the holiday itself, in America, dates back to immigrants from Europe incorporating their ways into the community. By the 1920s and 1930s it had become common for this hoilday to be taken from a secular point of view, but to be celebrated within communities with parades and parties. It was around this time onwards that the idea of trick-or-treating was revived, as people could afford to make a contribution to a community event by just giving children small treats. This revival probably related back to the 'soul cakes' that were handed to people who begged during the festivals mentioned above. These original 'soul cakes' were, of course, encouraged by the church, and the people who received the cakes promised to pray for the dead relatives of those that gave the cakes out to the poor.

The idea of dressing up relates back to the time when people went from door-to-door in the neighbourhood asking for food, ale/wine or money, as well. However, they dressed up with at least a mask so as to disguise themselves from any ghosts that might be out there and were related to them. They wanted to hide from any ghosts, especially those that were malevolent, and it was thought that wearing a mask would make them blend in well with any ghosts, and not be recognised.

The idea of the pumpkins actually comes from Ireland, from the story about someone called 'Stingy Jack', who tricked the Devil into leaving him alone for a year or ten years as well as not claiming Jack's soul for Hell. When Jack did die he was not allowed into either Heaven or Hell (God did not want such an unsatisfactory person, and the Devil kept his promise), so he was sent away with just a lantern, carved out of a turnip, to guide his way. This eventually turned into pumpkins (as Americans could use the native fruit easily and they made great lanterns into the bargain), and people started carving scary faces into them over the centuries.

But Halloween as a tradition in Australia?

The most common reason for Australians to be participating in Halloween parties and/or trick-or-treating is because of the American influence we have had in society, especially since the 1940s/1950s. As America's holiday has become more and more popular, so it has spread within Australia. However, this does not mean that many people celebrate the 'festival' out here. Where there are young children in the streets you are bound to find some people going around on Halloween trying to collect treats. Older neighbourhoods don't tend to participate so much in the tradition.

Maybe, if people knew more about the origins of the holiday they would feel more inclined to join in. Then again...they might stick to the ideas that it's just an American 'thing.'

Girls Night In...The Event...

2010-10-31T12:19:00.000+11:00

Well, it is over and done for this year. I have learned a few things about holding one, and hope to implement them next year.

Overall it was a good event. Not a large crowd came, but we had enough to make it fun and comfortable talking to everyone. And we sold most of the Auction items - which was the main event for the evening.

In the end I raised roughly $430 for the Cancer Council to help with their research into women's cancers, so that was good. The best selling point was the Raffle (got over half the donation money from it), where the winners were mostly people who lived in my street. Oh...better go and deliver their prizes today sometime.

Anyway. Not a big post. Was going to take photos of the event last night, but never got around to getting the camera out. Hosting is hard enough without trying to find time to take pictures as well. Next year: designate person to take picture/s.

So...next year: better organisation...or planning...(or less procrastination?) to make it an even better night, hopefully.

Well, it's here at last...

2010-10-29T22:49:00.000+11:00

My 'Girls Night In' - a charity event to raise money and awareness for women's cancers (donations going towards the Cancer Council of Australia) - has finally arrived, with it occurring tomorrow night. I'm looking forward to it, but at this rate I'm almost ready to make it a free-for-all! That's because I'm not sure how many people are actually planning on coming to the event. Doesn't anybody know how to RSVP anymore?

Anyway, I have some wonderful prizes not only for the Lucky Door Prizes, but also for a Raffle that I designed to have after being donated many vouchers worth quite an amount of money.

If you can't make the event but still wish to contribute, don't stress. There is always the option of contacting me through my Girls Night In Page, where you can leave a message, or you can donate straight through that site for my event.

Hope to see you there, or that you can manage something to help out towards this very worthy cause.

Right now, though, I'd just like to thank a few people for their kind donations towards my Raffle and Lucky Door Prizes:
* Sealevel Restaurant, Cronulla
* Curves (fitness centre), Cronulla
* Cronulla Cinemas
* The Body Shop, Miranda
* Gardner Hair Design, , Kirrawee
* Stonefish Restaurant, Cronulla
* Eagle Boys, Kirrawee
* Boost Juice Bars, Cronulla
* T2, Miranda

Thank you very much to all these shops for their donations of vouchers towards my events. Most appreciated, indeed!

Girls Night In!

2010-10-27T16:21:00.000+11:00

Girls Night In!

This is happening this weekend. I don't know whether anyone else has had one. Any experiences, please tell! Hope we have many people turning up!

Procrastination

2010-10-25T22:56:00.000+11:00

Procrastination is a wonderful thing. We all do it, whether we admit to it or not. Some are 'better' at it than others, if procrastinating is a thing to be good at. Many teachers are not procrastinators - they are quite efficient and wonderful at getting a job done at the right time, or in the right amount of time. Others, though, need a helping hand - such as me.

Marking is my downfall. If I can dodge marking until the very last minute, I will. I hate it. It is the bane of my teaching existance. But, next year...I'm going to turn over a new leaf. Hmmm...hang on...I've heard that one before. Hmmm...how to make it actually occur, I hear myself ask. That is where this might actually help.

I've never actually been that good at using a diary. I keep forgetting to write in them. I start at the beginning of the year, and then just lose track, and forget about it, until I think "Well, it's not worth doing it again..." or "Where is that diary?" So, the problem is actually using this diary correctly.

That is where it would have been helpful if I'd actually taken photos of the inside.

They give you a week/two weeks/month ahead planner on the left-hand side of the double open page. They have the names of 'Needs to be done NOW', 'Can be put off for a while', 'Don't really need to think about it for a long while' - that kind of thing (names are not exact because I can't remember them properly). On the other side they have the normal 'What's on each day of the week' kind of layout. What's part of the gag, though, is that they have a 'doodle' section on the right-hand side of the double page, well as funny titles for each section of the double page. It makes the diary more appealing for those of us out there who are slightly 'Diary-phobic' - and can't plan to save our lives!

Hmmm....perhaps I should have got one of these for this year, then I could have planned my Girls Night In better - that is coming up this Saturday night.

*N.B. - Saw this outside BigW, at the calender stall, Westfield Miranda.

The Officiousness of People...

2010-10-23T00:23:00.001+11:00

People who help others out when they need it are always welcome. Especially when those that need the help have a lot on their plate (possibly due to procrastination), and they haven't got around to completing everything in the time they wanted to. However, those that tend to 'help' out, get things wrong, and need things correcting can be quite annoying at times...

Some of you may know that I'm a teacher. One that wrote the yearly exam for Year 7 History at my school this year. All well and good, and I promised the teachers of the other Year 7 classes that I would get an answer sheet to them in plenty of time to get the results in for reports. The end of this week, in fact, when all the exams were over for Year 7.

What do I find when I go to another Year 7 History teacher's desk this afternoon? Someone had done an answer sheet already. No problem. I don't mind. That is very kind and good of them. What I mind is not being informed of this already. What I also mind is that they did not consult me on the multiple choice - which they got wrong for at least one answer, if not two. What gets me the most is that they started marking their class's tests without knowing the marking break-down for two sections of the test.

Being co-ordinator for Year 7 History doesn't involve much. In fact, it just means getting the results done on time and checked over, and making sure everyone has the exam to check over and ready before it's due. (Okay, also an answer sheet.) But not being told that a 'Teacher Copy' of the exam existed, when not all classes had completed undertaking the exam - in other words, not in my keeping where I knew it was safe! - is something one would think a co-ordinator should know about.

Thanks guys!

Yes, okay. This is a complete rant...but it really got on my nerves today...this afternoon...just when I was about to start a good weekend full of marking!

All roads lead to...

2010-10-18T21:01:00.002+11:00

Rome...the Eternal City.

There are lots of things to see and do in Rome. For one thing, I'm going to be going there for Uni this coming Summer. However, there are going to be about three days around the Uni time I'll be spending in Rome on my own for sightseeing. This shall be great. Looking forward to it immensely. Yet...I've seen some of the sights already. I mean...I've already seen the Colosseum, The Forum, and (anyone who knows 'Roman Holiday', the movie) The Mouth of Truth. I'm planning on visiting the Pantheon as well as the Spanish Steps, as I didn't get the time to the last time I was in Rome. One day and a half is just not long enough.

What I would like to know is any other interesting places anyone thinks really worth going and seeing. I have a Lonely Planet guide to Rome, but there are so many different things in there - narrowing down the list is really a very good idea.

So...input people! Please...tell me any places that you consider most important to visit! Even a short little day trip as a suggestion - I'm up for it.

N.B. - One of the days I'm in Rome will be NYD - don't know whether this will affect things or not.

'Bran Hambric' - the new 'Harry Potter'?

2010-10-07T23:35:00.002+11:00

Many children (and adults) fell in love with the 'Harry Potter' novels when they first made an appearance. I must admit, when I finished Book 6 of that series I really wanted to read Book 7 straightaway (and I was able to because I hadn't bothered buying either as soon as they were released).

However, since the novels have finished, I'm sure many have felt a kind of void from not being able to escape to another world filled with magic and fun. Is this the solution?

Bran Hambric is just a normal, average boy who, at the age of 6, was found in a bank vault one morning, and so belonged to the person who found him from then onwards. (He has also lived with this family from that point to the present.) Skip eight years, and Bran still has no idea about his past - his memory was wiped the moment he was sent magically to the vault. 'The Farfield Curse' is about Bran finding out about himself, his past, and the choices he has to make to create a positive future for himself as well as those around him.

The book is full of wonderful puns and quips relating to everyday life. There is magic occurring in a city that has outlawed magic (and gnomes). There is a family that really needs their heads banged together to give them a little sense. There are interesting villains that, well, at the end you're not so sure what their game actually is. There is courage in many shapes (and sizes). And a curse that makes for a thrilling climax.

Now, Kaleb Nation (the author) is bringing out 'The Specter Key' on Sunday, 10th October, 2010 (10/10/10). This is a sequel to 'The Farfield Curse' and should prove very interesting, especially for Bran who thinks things have finished at the end of the first novel. With the countdown to his book's release, Kaleb started a '30 Days to Bran' daily vlog. With 7 days to go, he released a vlog of him reading the first chapter of 'The Specter Key'. Also, there is an official 'Bran Hambric' website.

'The Farfield Curse' was a great read, and I recommend it for anyone who had fun reading 'Harry Potter' or any other books that contain magic in them, especially children. Hopefully my copy of 'The Specter Key' will arrive in Australia very shortly.

* Warning: There are guns and death in this book. Nothing major, but some of you parents out there might like the heads up. It says on the back of the book it's suitable for ages 9+.

UPDATE: Received 'The Specter Key' in the post yesterday! Already started reading it, and enjoying it. Only made the second chapter, though...Life keeps interfering!!!

'The Last Airbender: 3D'

2010-10-07T01:55:00.005+11:00

So, went and saw this on Tuesday night. Hmmm...where to begin?

Usually I like M. Night Shyamalan's movies - sometimes I just want to have a little bit of a different experience at the movies instead of just the usual Rom/Com I go for. I've seen 'The Sixth Sense', 'Signs' and 'The Village' - loved them all. However, there is something about this movie that I just can't find it in me to say "It's a great movie". It isn't. About the best feature of the movie that I can tell is that I was able to see it in 3D. Okay, maybe that is an exaggeration, but...

There are some good actors in this movie, including Cliff Curtis and Dev Patel. Noah Ringer, too, I think will be an up-and-coming young actor to be seen in the future.

A lot of the time you can sit back and enjoy the story. (I've heard that if you like the TV series then you don't enjoy the story, but as I don't know the series...) Seeing the movie in 3D, too, really let me enjoy many of the landscapes and the objects advancing towards the audience, as though coming out of the screen.

The story, at it's heart, is good. It has an interesting concept - people being able to control the elements of fire, water, air and earth. People in this movie are able to use them to help, protect and fight with them. This is one aspect that I enjoyed about the movie - watching the different things that the characters were able to do with their bending. This, of course, was all done with special effects - and they are really something, too. And, of course, the long held idea of standing up for one's rights is always good to see in movies.

However, the pitfalls of the movie outweighed the great aspects of the experience. No matter how spectacular the special effects are nothing can beat great editing and storytelling. This is not evident throughout the movie. At times one, as the audience, gets the feeling that there was more to certain scenes that got removed and left on the cutting-room floor. An example: when the Princess (of the Water City that comes under attack from the Fire Nation) gives up her spirit to save the city. What happens to her in the end? Why do we, all of a sudden, next see Sokka and Katara out fighting without some sort of transitional sequence? Why don't we see them make a decision to go and join the fight in honour of the Princess or something like that? This occurs at other points in the movie, so one is sometimes left piecing things together on one's own. Not good, not good at all. It leaves the audience feeling confused and unhappy with the final product. Hence another reason why many people are disliking the movie, no doubt.

One other thing I haven't mentioned is that, at times, the dialogue of the actors comes out as though they are trying to remember their lines - or else they were told to pause before they said their line. This is not effective in times of action sequences, or when quickness is the key to making the scene work. An example of this happening is when Kotara (with Sokka and the Princess in the background) tells Aang that they need to hurry to the wall of the Water City to look at what is occurring. Either the director told them to take a moment to emphasise their words, or the lines were being remembered, and the director ran with it. This isn't helpful in making the movie enjoyable - it just draws it out even longer. Yes...for the first time in a movie, I actually did look at my mobile, wondering how long I had left of it.

Overall, if you love special effects, go see the movie. Otherwise, dodge it. It's not worth it. Yes, I probably will see the sequel. I liked the storyline in general. I just hope that they learn how to edit appropriately beforehand, or else put scenes in that join the story together and make it something worth while spending money on.

One really enjoyable fact: I had my own private screening, in some ways. It was really good not having to listen to the rattling of plastic, or peoples comments, or things like that, while watching the movie.

Another Short Post... (NRL Grand Final)

2010-10-06T00:53:00.003+11:00

I'm in the process of putting together a post on the NRL Grand Final. Was there, 10 rows back from the Roosters bench - with Roosters fans surrounding me. It was...an experience.

Will include pictures, and details of the GF in this post. Stay tuned in the next three or four days.

Until then...

P.S. - Just thought - will make the NRL GF a page in itself. It deserves it - and it's going to be big!

Just a short post today...

2010-10-02T12:19:00.007+10:00

Just a quick note for those of you who are interested...

I'm going to the Grand Final tomorrow, between St George-Illawarra Dragons and the Sydney Roosters. This should be a very thrilling (fingers crossed) match as they have both provided some spectacular moments during the season, as well as in the finals series. Hopefully it won't be a fizzer.

Anyway, the rain is supposed to come and stay for this weekend, but that shouldn't dampen the spirits out at the stadium. It's supposed to be a packed house, so the atmosphere should be awesome.

I've also put a poll up on my site for who you want to win. Of course, you can (if you are really desperate) click more than once on the voting, but, really, it's a bit sad if you do. Just vote the once, and we'll see who goes for which team the greatest...perhaps.

Overall...GO THE DRAGONS!!!!

'The Sorcerer's Apprentice'

2010-10-01T03:54:00.002+10:00

I think I saw only one preview for this movie, but, from that, I thought that it would be fun, easy to watch, and have great special effects. Well, I certainly wasn't disappointed in the effects! Having sat through a preview for the Yogi Bear movie that is coming out soon, the effects in this movie were superb. The number of times that special effects were used in this movie - I swear it would be close to every minute! Yet, you wouldn't like the movie without the effects - they make it in some ways. But the acting is very good that you don't really think about the effects at all. (Hmmm...does that even make sense? I hope so...) That's how effects, though, should work - they should complement/supplement the acting.

The plot line is simple enough: reluctant hero finds the courage by the end of the movie to save the world. The message - which is being pushed at kids these days over and over again - is to always believe in yourself and you will conquer your most difficult problems in life. Every movie and book that I watch or read at the moment seems to be focused on that. This, though, does it in a fun way, with many spontaneous funny moments along with the serious scenes.

The actors are well chosen for their parts (or approached their roles in the best way possible). Nicholas Cage does a very good job showing a serious, but also understanding and lighthearted manner at the same time throughout the movie. He has demonstrated in several movies that he can play a fun role (eg. National Treasure, The Rock, Gone in 60 Seconds - all movies that I've enjoyed numerous times), and the car he has - I want one. Then again, Alfred Molina's car is also very suave at this point (both race through New York in very stylish sports cars - one a Mercedes, didn't catch the other make). Alfred Molina has proven numerous times that he can play a baddie very well. In this he does it brilliantly again. I first saw Mr Molina in 'Chocolat' (which is one of my favourite movies), and he was great in 'Spiderman 2'. He can demonstrate a 'soft' side, but put in the nasty little comments at the same time. In this movie he doesn't demonstrate a soft side at all, but does have numerous situational comedic moments.

One weak point, I admit, is the girl, Becky. Her character is too quick at taking in and accepting all the magic. She believes everything that Dave tells her too easily. Maybe this makes sense to kids, but to adults surely not. The actress herself (Teresa Palmer), though, is not bad at her role; just the lines are not very well written. The guy who plays Dave - our reluctant hero - (Jay Baruchel) does a wonderful job in gaining and keeping the audience's attention. No doubt he will be one to watch in future movies, especially comedies, as he has already starred in things such as 'Tropic Thunder' and 'How to Train Your Dragon'.

There are several funny moments in Dave's training to become the next, most powerful sorcerer in the world (click here if you wish to see one of the more funny moments of the training Dave experiences). Of course, with the title of the movie, it wouldn't be complete without the Mickey Mouse-type scene from 'Fantasia'. Dave, however, does learn his lesson, but teaches his Master (Balthazar Blake), at the same time, a couple of important things too (naturally).

Oh, I forgot to mention: love the Star Wars reference! Love it!

Overall, not a bad movie. Probably will buy it when it comes out on DVD, but not until it drops in price a little bit. However, it'll be good to veg out with - and one that the kids might like on a rainy day during sport at school.

'Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters'

2010-09-29T10:48:00.003+10:00

I mentioned a few posts ago that I had borrowed the book 'The Host' by Stephenie Meyer, and at the same time I borrowed 'Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters'. Well, I got through 'The Host' in no time flat (the first week I had borrowed it - after not really getting into it for the first two or three days), and, finally, I read and finished 'Percy Jackson'. Thank goodness for school holidays.

This 'Percy Jackson' is a continuation of the original story - in that he is fighting against the same people who wish to use him and see him fail in the first novel. However, it is, also, a stand-alone novel enough for anyone who hasn't read the first novel to be able to pick it up and read it seperately and understand what is happening. There are only one or two slight references to the first novel, and anything that needs to be explained is, but not in a boring "This is Quidditch - for the 6th time" manner that you get with 'Harry Potter'. Maybe by the final book in this series it could be like that, but at the moment, it's all good.

The story has you wondering what is going to happen from the moment you open to the chapter listing. This is one of the good things about Rick Riordan's chapter titles - they are written for kids to have a laugh over. You are always wondering what is going to happen in the chapter because of the title. Many times, also, the chapters just keep flowing on, one from the other, with no time gap between. One good thing, though, is that there are plenty of spacings within the chapters, or time gaps, so that when you need to put the book down to do something (like sleep, in my case sometimes), you can read to this minor ending within the chapter, and be able to follow the story easily from there onwards when you come back to it.

The story itself is very easy to follow. You know who most of the bad guys are, from the first novel. You know that Percy will have to come up and face these bad guys over and over, from the end of the first novel, but you aren't always sure how, where, and what with in this novel. Some of the classic moments occur when there are cyclopses about - including Percy's brother. Oops...did I just put a spoiler in? Nah, you would find out soon enough, anyway, if you read the book. Perhaps the most hilarious moment in the book for me was when the centaurs came to the rescue - but I won't go into detail about that, at all, for that would spoil it.

All in all, Rick Riordan has produced another fun, witty, and full of hilarious situations story that any kid would love to read. There are, also, a couple of messages - or more - in the story that kids may or may not pick up on: courage in yourself, as well as in others, as well as being there for others no matter what, are just two of which I can think.

It is worth while reading, and a good veg at the same time. And, once again, you can learn a little about the gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece at the same time.

NRL Dragons/Tigers Semi-Final

2010-09-27T15:47:00.006+10:00

Well, my team made it through to the Grand Final that is going to be played this coming Sunday in Sydney. My team, if you didn't already know it, are the St George Dragons (click here to see the Dragons' website). It was a bit touch and go on Saturday night, when they were playing in the semi-final against Wests Tigers. I admit, it was REALLY awesome to see them live, in a semi-final. I haven't been to a semi-final before, and...well...the atmosphere was just...perfect.

At half time my team was down 12-6. Wests had two converted tries, and we only had the one. The teams were fairly good at being picked up on infringing the 10 metre distance between the tackled player and the defenders, until about 10-15 minutes before the end of the first half. Then things really started getting interesting. Yes, Wests had scored in the first 15 minutes, which should have been disallowed due to interference. Two of the Dragons were taken out, defending, and so a gap was produced that someone could just run straight through to score. Not fair. That is not what rugby league is about. If you want to play that kind of game, go over to America.

Anyway, St George came back and scored a converted try, so it was 6 all for another 10 or so minutes. Then the Tigers scored another try - off a forward pass. St George should have been given the ball after the Wests fellas passed the ball forward. Yes, they may have scored another try in the first half even if the Dragons had got the ball because of the forward pass - but the pass should have been picked up, considering St George's had been, and they were close to scoring a try then, as well!

Anyway, half-time came and went. About half-way through the second half, the Dragons go in for a try! They converted it, too. That made it 12 all. Two other attempts had been made, but they were unsuccessful, unfortunately. The Tigers' fans that I was sitting near - they were starting to get not only nervous, but unhappy as well. It was not looking good for their team. They had been eager, pleased as punch, and assured in many ways, at the start and after the second try had been converted, they were now anxious and unsure.

With roughly 5 minutes left of the second half, Jamie Soward kicked for a field goal. This does not always work - field goal attempts tend to go off to the side. But his went straight through, and the Dragons were leading, 13-12. It was unbelieveable! The atmosphere, as I mentioned, was ecstatic for all the Dragons fans that were there - and there were A LOT! The Tigers fans were starting to despair - but they still had roughly 5 minutes! In football, anything can happen in five minutes.

And something nearly did happen with only 30 seconds to go. A missed tackle and one of the Tigers was running up the sideline opposite to where we were sitting. Thankfully, one of the Dragons got him, and they started wrapping up the match when Benji Marshall (the best player in the NRL, according to the person I was sitting next to for the game - a Tigers fan) kicked the ball out, and there was going to have to be a scrum with only 10 seconds to go. It didn't take place, and the players started shaking hands, with the siren going off in the background. The roar of the crowd was astounding, with Dragons fans hugging, high-fiving, and singing the team song all around! It was....(what's another word I can use???)...phenomenal!

I must say, as well, that leaving the stadium was not a nightmare as I thought it might be. The crowd was good, and didn't push to try to get out or onto trains at the station, and we were all generally well behaved. Of course, there was a bit of a problem between a Tiger supporter and a Dragon supporter towards the end of the match - didn't see anything much and security was onto them before I knew anything about it.

And now, guess what? My dad has informed me that maybe, just maybe, he might be able to get two tickets to the grand final! That would be AMAZING! I would love to go, to see my (and his) team win - crossing fingers!

Here's hoping to the Dragons pulling off a Grand Final win; to win not only the Minor Premiership, but also the Major Premiership. Good luck, guys!

Spamming...

2010-09-25T12:19:00.002+10:00

For some weird, bizarre, odd, stupid reason one of my posts on this blog keeps getting spammed. Obviously I put some tag word in it that make people click and send spam messages to it. Thank goodness for the spam-controller (is that anything like the Fat Controller out of 'Thomas the Tank Engine'?). Seriously, I've had to delete numerous messages from that one particular post in the past - very...interesting...messages they were, too... - and now it's getting spammed again. I wish spammers would just go jump in the creek...

Almost tempting to delete the post, except it contains piccies I took overseas, in London.

Yes, it's very sad that I'm typing about spamming, but it's an annoying bit of life on the net, and I'm wanting to vent.

Holidays

2010-09-25T00:59:00.004+10:00

Well, all I can say is...ABOUT TIME!

This term seems to have dragged on, but also sped along, all at the same time. The days seemed to fly by - probably because we were all constantly on the go, doing things to make sure everything was running smoothly at school. And yet, at times the days could not go fast enough. Especially when I was teaching certain classes. Other teachers would understand - there is always one class that you just don't want to face...especially on certain days when you're already not in a good mood.

I must admit, I haven't done as much work as I should have during the whole term. Or, rather, I've been very slack and not done enough work in my own time, thereby creating extra work for me to do during the holidays. That sucks, but that's my own fault.

My favourite National Rugby League (NRL) team is in the semi-finals tomorrow night, and I'm definitely barracking for them to make it through to the grand final. It would be great if they did. They seem to bail out in the semis each time they make it, but...High hopes this year. Go the DRAGONS!!!

Apart from that, and hoping to maintain some kind of semi-respectable status in an English Premier League (soccer) tipping comp, there isn't really much that has occurred, or is going to soon occur, in my life after this term finished today. School, home. That seems to be my life. Very boring. I seriously must start thinking about achieving something more with my life.

And the real dratter these holidays - though not at the same time, because of the reason - is that I can't go out and visit my friends from where I used to live. I'm housesitting at the moment, and so enjoying the break from home. However, because of that, I have an obligation to not go anywhere, in case of any break-ins, etc. I would feel very guilty if something occurred while I was away. So, I'll just have to try and squeeze a visit in before Christmas.

Oh, heading to Rome for NYE and three weeks after that. That's certainly something to look forward to, apart from seeing Muse in early December. Yes, those are both highlights of my life at the moment.

But holidays are made for vegging out with, right? Here's to vegging out! (Oh...and all the marking that goes with not completing it before the term ended...)

A cool video, with a very important message!

2010-09-21T23:59:00.004+10:00

Muse have put one of their songs to a video brought out by MTV Exit, to help raise awareness about human trafficking and exploitation. This is a very important issue to raise awareness about, and something that all people should know is going on, sometimes right under your very nose.

To view the video, click here.

Thanks, Muse, for adding your name to the campaign.

'The Host', again...

2010-09-19T10:26:00.004+10:00

Well, I finished reading 'The Host'. At around page 100 I was starting to feel bored, so I gave up on it for that night and turned to the book beside my bed for lighter reading. I wasn't finding the storyline all that captivating and, to be honest, I was finding myself reading words that Stephenie Meyer had used in 'Twilight'. However, when I picked the book up the following day, I got back into the story and didn't read anything else until I finished it.

The plot is good. It's simple in many ways - there are only about two or three things the main character wants to achieve and the audience knows this. They aren't kept a secret. There are, though, a couple of interesting moments in the book where the audience can get confused on what the author is actually trying to say. Had to re-read a couple of passages to get the correct understanding. Admittedly, I wasn't expecting the viewpoint she went on with after the main character 'dies' - very well done, there! Bit of a curve ball doing that!

Overall, if you like sci-fi storylines you would enjoy this novel. Well, no, maybe not, but you quite possibly would if you were female and enjoyed them. The momentum isn't hugely fast. It does pick up more towards the end, as any good novel should, but it isn't something that will take your breath away. It's not a mind-numbing, brain-bending experience, but it is an enjoyable read, and something that could possibly make you ponder a couple of things about humanity.

A student of mine said that she didn't understand the book - that she got confused by it. I can understand this, because of the internal conversations that take place within the main character, but it's not very confusing if you keep up with it. I'm just pleased how the story turns out in the end. It's well thought out, and structured. Wasn't expecting the ending that came about when first reading.

If you're interested in know more about it, click here to go directly to Stephenie Meyer's page on 'The Host'.

Happy Reading! Still got 'Percy Jackson 2' to read. Still got three weeks to do that, too... I know I'll have to go out and eventually buy 'The Host', may as well return it to the library this week!

Follow up from 'The Bet'...

2010-09-17T21:22:00.003+10:00

As you would be well aware, I made a bet with a friend a couple of months ago about being able to forego seeing 'Twilight: Eclipse' until the 20th July this year. (Click here for more details.) My friend graciously accepted 'defeat', though he didn't really lose, and so read 'Emma' by Jane Austen, watched the Gwyneth Paltrow movie version of the book, and did a report on it, as his punishment. Part of the punishment, too, was joining my Facebook group and submitting his report to the group as a discussion topic.

Please, PLEASE, go and have a look at what he has written. It is classic. You don't have to join my group, but I would love to know what you think! Click here to indulge in a few chuckles...

'The Host' by Stephenie Meyer

2010-09-13T19:56:00.003+10:00

So, to continue reading Stephenie Meyer novels...

If you didn't know, I've been reading 'Twilight' for the last six months. It didn't take me that long, I've just been reading and re-reading it for that time. I was tossing up whether or not to read 'The Host' after finishing the saga, but didn't want to try finding it at the local library.

Today, though, that has changed. The school at which I work had the book in their library. Problem solved! I borrowed it from there. (I didn't want to try at the local library because I knew I wouldn't be able to get the chance to - it would be out already and bound to have a waiting list.) Anyway, I was searching for the next 'Percy Jackson' novel - which I found with the help of the librarian - and borrowed it and 'The Host' until after the school holidays. One whole month to try reading it.

My first thought was "Gee, it's a big enough novel, don't you think?" But then, I believe it is a complicated story, and worth reading all of it. I've only just started and read up to chapter 3. Am looking forward to getting further into it when I have the time. It might even replace 'Breaking Dawn' as the novel beside my bed that I read of a night...Then again, probably not. Love that one too much. Especially the ending. Last two and a bit pages are my favourite bit of the novel.

Anyway, I'm rambling now. Will write more about it when I've read further. And I'll try not to give the story away.

Girls Night In!

2010-09-12T03:41:00.003+10:00

Girls Night In!

So, the above link is to an event about raising money for the Cancer Council of Australia. I'm very much in to raising money and awareness about cancer, having lost many relatives to different types of the disease, as well as my Mum having had a bout of it three or so years ago. Thankfully that was very small, picked up early, and easily dealt with. Unfortunately, it's not the case in many people's lives.

Therefore, anything that can help raise money is a bonus, so we can, possibly one day, live in a cancer free world.

'Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief'

2010-09-12T01:24:00.006+10:00

This is a book that I've come across recently due to some kids I teach. We post on a blog some ideas that we would like to learn about, and me reading this book (because I had never heard of it) was something the kids were wild for me to try. We (the class) have just started learning about ancient Greece, hence why the students suggested the novel. I decided to put it to the test about a week after the suggestion...

So far, so good. I'm about two-thirds to three-quarters of the way through the novel, and am enjoying it. It's aimed at the pre/early-teens audience, but I can understand why the kids were wanting me to read it. It's got a lot of humour in it that can appeal to older readers as well.

The main idea about the story is that Percy is the son of a Greek god. I won't give away whom. It becomes obvious fairly early on in the story, anyway. The really great thing about the novel is that there are a lot of ancient Greek mythology references throughout it. This is something I've never really been able to remember so well - which god or goddess was responsible for what thing in life, and what deeds they had done/performed/achieved. Through this novel, the reader can find out a lot of things about the Greek gods/goddesses and actually remember what they did due to the situations in the novel that Percy is placed - if one is wanting to use the novel as a way of remembering things. Very helpful.

One last thing: Rick Riordan (the author) has done a very good job at honing in on the charcteristics and jargon of kids. Probably due to having children himself, but he does it well, nonetheless.

Anyway, here is a link about the books if you are interested. Enjoy.

UPDATE: I finished the book today. It ended well. I guessed who would be the 'chief' bad guy, as well as who was the minion, and it is well done how the book ends with you knowing that there is a sequel. I mean, I know there are three more books in the series so far. It's just that, the book is written for a sequel to easily occur - for the author to be able to write.

Anyway, it is a good read. Enjoyable. Nothing mindbending. And, it does teach you well for the Greek gods and goddesses.

'Vampires Suck' - in some ways...

2010-09-04T23:00:00.005+10:00

This movie is funny in very many ways. It is meant to be funny, but I don't think it is funny for parents to bring children who are clearly under 15 years of age to it. 10 year olds should definitely sit this one out - it's humour is not exactly aimed at them. And it can be crude at times. Then again...what the children are exposed to at home, who knows! Maybe they get this kind of stuff these days?

Anyway...on to the actual movie...

It has all the jokes that one expects for a spoof on 'Twilight', but it takes the vampires-hiding-out-in-Forks thing not so seriously. Which is good. It makes the film funnier. The whole population of Sporks knows that there is something strange about the Sullens, and they list what is weird (vampire 'characteristics' as described in 'Twilight')...but they must be 'Canadian' because of it. There are a lot of vampire jokes in the movie and most of them are funny. There is the whole Jacob-and-Bella/Becca-Romance thing happening, as well - but it ends nicely with Jacob running off (after going several ks hanging onto the front of a classy yellow Porsche) after a cat. Jacob has a thing for chasing cats. Becca's Dad, Frank, is also completely oblivious to the fact that anything weird is happening around him - it must be the Kardashians causing all the problems (and who can blame him for thinking that?).

I don't think that I'll really ever need to see this movie again. Yes, it is funny, but it is fairly pathetic in some parts, as well. I liked all the 'Twilight' jokes, and there were tonnes of them, but they missed some lines and things that were in the trailer for the movie that would have made it funnier. I liked the whole Prom King and Queen scenario thing that happened, and the things that kept on being thrown at Becca. But it didn't all add up to a great movie.

One thing I'll admit. They did do a good job at fitting two movies into one, and making the scenes fit together so it had some kind of storyline.

However, they're just going to have to work harder next time in making a spoof movie that is hilarious, not just funny.

Maybe I'm just a tough audience...

Why would you? Why???

2010-09-04T22:19:00.010+10:00

The other day I was driving along in my car when I saw one of these:

My question is: why would you buy a 4WD-looking Porsche in the first place? Why? Yes, the sales for Porsches have increased by 50% since they introduced the Cayenne, but WHY?

If you want a Porsche, be a traditionalist, and go for their trendy, beautiful cars that have style. If you want a 4WD to take the family off-road, buy a Pajero, or Patrol, or one of them!

If you want to add something that says "Look, I have tonnes of money to waste" why not get a BMW 4WD instead?

Okay, so I haven't looked at the specs to see if the cars are better or worse in steering and all that, but to spend money on a Porsche...when it's a 4WD...SO NOT WORTH IT!

When is someone going to take one of them 'off-road'? No one would want to take one of their fancy Porsche 4WD off-road - they might get it muddy! That's why I'll never understand it!

Go spend your money in a more sensible fashion when buying a 4WD - get something that is going to take the mud, and you're not going to care, when you take it off-road. If you want a Porsche, get one that is beautiful, like this one:

So much better than having a 4WD version of a Porsche. Too much money for sense, methinks!

Muse-ic

2010-08-30T20:28:00.004+10:00

So, most of my life I've listened to classical music. Had to learn it for grade piano, and listened to it mostly because of the parents. Weird way to start a post? Yes, I know, but keep reading, and it shall become more clear (hopefully).

When I started reading 'Twilight' I read the acknowledgements and thanks (yes, I'm one of those people who actually reads those pages - anyone else do that, too?) and kept noticing the band Muse being mentioned over and over again as a thanks for inspiring the writer. As I had only noticed in passing that this band had one song in the 'Twilight' movie (which I thought was great until I read the book) I didn't really know much about them. I was like "What is with this band? What is so good about them that she keeps thanking them? Puh-lease?!" That has changed quite a bit...

I started checking them out on YouTube (thank you, you wonderful site!) - finding the songs that Stephenie Meyer put up as her songlists to go with the books. I found 'Starlight' first of their songs, and have loved it as one of my two favourites since. 'Invincible' and 'United States of Eurasia/Collateral Damage' are two others that I can easily listen to over and over again for an hour each.

One reason why I love their music so much is because of the piano work, and how well it fits in nicely with the bass and drums - as well as any other instruments they have in that piece. The 'Exogenesis' pieces are terrific for listening to for the piano in them and 'United States of Eurasia/Collateral Damage' has a rendition of Chopin's Nocturne in Eb within it - one of my favourite pieces to play on the piano (and one that I can play really badly at times). Listening to their music seems to relax me more than my usual favourites of MatchBox20 and U2. Maybe because they seem to include a lot of classical structures into their songs, especially in their latest album 'The Resistance'. It isn't obviously classical if you didn't know the composers, but there are instances where Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky and Gershwin are very prominent in Muse's music, and they are just the ones that I can recognise easily.

That is one reason why I now own five of their albums (none of the live show ones), and am impatiently waiting for them to come to Australia in December when I can finally see them live.

Well, if you hadn't guessed, since first checking them out back in late May (though I had the books of the 'Twilight' series since early-mid April, I thought that I wouldn't get sucked into the blackhole of 'Twilight' insania) I have become quite a big Muse fan. Hence this blog. I am wishing the wait was over already. Oh well - only another three and a bit months until the concert. Woohoo....kind of...

Okay, before I freak you people out anymore, I'll quit there.

I have a new computer...

2010-08-21T23:42:00.003+10:00

My goodness, isn't it grand when you get something like a new computer, and it's so much faster than your old one?!

Of course, what I have bought it nothing like the top of the range things you can get for a couple of thou. Considering what I want to do on my computer - download songs/vids from the net, listen to music, use Office docs, etc - I really don't need anything superdooper.

Hence, I have myself a lovely 1TB thing, that plays my music and videos very well, without the constant stop/start movement that was starting to occur on my old one. Well, my old one was roughly 9 years old! It had done a good stint. I really don't think that I could ask for more out of it. Well, maybe a bit more, but I was going to be pushing my luck if I did.

Oh, and I can now play games on the net faster! Bonus!

Funny little 'Twilight' comic

2010-08-09T00:42:00.003+10:00

Killers...And there is more than one...

2010-08-08T21:03:00.005+10:00

You know you've seen a good movie when you actually come out of the cinema and go "Gee, that wasn't too bad..." That was my impression of 'Killers', starring Katherine Heigl and Ashton Kutcher. I went in there thinking that all the funny bits were probably in the ads, but they weren't! Surprise, surprise.

I've seen a couple of movies with Katherine Heigl in them, including '27 Dresses' (which I loved so much, I actually saw it a couple of times at the movies, and got the DVD as soon as I could) and 'Knocked Up' - which was better than I thought it would be. Ashton Kutcher I'm not so big a fan of. I think the only movie I've seen him in was 'A Lot Like Love'. Really like that movie, too.

So, what made me choose 'Killers', then, if I didn't have that high an expectation of it?

Well, I was kind of bored. It was a Friday night, and I just didn't want to stay at home, with the family, again! On top of that, I actually was interested in seeing the movie.

The movie has the usual romantic comedy one-liners, to keep the audience laughing, but it also had the action, to keep the boyfriends amused, too. Probably the reason why this film appeals to both sexes more than the normal rom-com.
It starts off with Katherine Heigl joining her parents on a plane, heading (who knows where at that point) on holidays. Then it goes to Ashton Kutcher in a BEAUTIFUL red Ferrari. *sigh* (My dream car is a silver Porsche 911 - not a soft top, but I can truely appreciate a Ferrari.) The audience knows from the moment that the two leads meet in an elevator at their hotel that it's going to be good, but you don't know how good. Skip to the '3 Years Later' part, and you have the fun and games of AK's character's past catching up with him. There are funny situations (including a pregnancy test....) that make you just chuckle continuously at points throughout the movie. The whole 'Is there nobody trying to not kill me?' kind of situation that occurs often is funny, as well, with the audience actually wondering if everyone really IS trying to kill our hero and heroine.

I'm not saying that this is a great movie, but if you want a laugh for the evening, then you should go and see it. It's a good veg, and nothing strenuous on the brain.

The other killer I'm thinking about at the moment is my computer. I really am getting sick and tired of the slowness of this thing. Yes, admittedly, it is about 6 or 7 years old, but still! I know...it's probably a de-frag/delete old things/clear up all files/stop downloading things kind of problem, but still! Think it is probably time I replace it. Oh well...

Oh...and saw 'Twilight: Eclipse', again, today. Enjoyed it, again, as well.

Ciao!

Coffee

2010-07-27T20:58:00.003+10:00

I have never been a fan of coffee. Anyone who knows me well would tell you that. So, why am I writing about it, then, you ask? Well, last night, I decided that I would put it to the ultimate test. Well, no, not really. I put it to a certain test. I thought I would try a mocha, just for the sheer and utter heck of it! What could be wrong with trying a whole mocha? I would either hate or not mind it, or really like it, I guess.

After putting three sugars in it, I could finally take a sip of it without turning my nose up at it. Then again, it was a tall one - think medium is good for future reference. Two sugars is all I ever need to get me high.

Overall, I didn't mind it. Me being a big fan of chocolate (especially hot chocolate in Florence on a really, really cold afternoon/evening in Winter) the mocha was a good choice for a first attempt. I don't think I'll go any further than that - or at least, not for a while. Hmmm... I might go out and get another one tonight...

Ciao for now!

'Twilight: Eclipse'

2010-07-25T14:12:00.006+10:00

Okay, so, last night I went and saw 'Eclipse' again in a much better frame of mind. For one thing, I wasn't experience the anger of losing a bet. Enough of that. On to what I thought of the movie this time round.

I actually really enjoyed it. Still think it is silly that they can't get Edward's car right, but hey! You get that.
Overall, they keep the most important aspects of the plot alive and kicking, and the creators have made the film fun with a fair amount of humour. I think I have mentioned somewhere before that they don't have a lot of humour in these movies, as compared with the books, but this one certainly has more than the last two movies. Especially the one-liners of Edward and Jacob about the other.
The scenes in the meadow are particularly fun and nice to watch (the film almost starts there, and ends in the same place), and the scenes with Charlie are classic - especially the funny 'Sex Talk' scene. But then, Billy Burke pretty much steals all scenes that he stars in. It was good, too, having the flashback scenes for Rosalie's and Jasper's lives before being a vampire - well, okay...Jasper's flashbacks also include vampire time.
The scenes of the newborns in Seattle were good to see, as well, along with the Volturi guard (comprising of Jane, Alec, Felix and Demetri - though in the book you don't know who the fourth person is: Alec isn't mentioned) doing nothing about them. I'm really starting to wish that I had read the Bree Tanner novella online while I had the chance (just never got around to it). Considering the role the Volturi are going to be playing in the next movie (well, Part II of Breaking Dawn, anyway, I would think, more than Part I), it was good to see them make an appearance in this movie, to show a dislike of the Cullens building.
What I miss most about the movie is the anxiety that occurs throughout due to the attacks by the newborn vampires on the people in Seattle, and how this could draw the Volturi down on the Cullens for a 'visit', as well as how the Cullens aren't sure how they are going to defeat the newborn army before the werewolves step in and say they will help. There is a whole day or two of fear for the Cullens, and this isn't even really looked at.
Anyway, overall, I really enjoyed the film this time round. Will be buying the DVD when it comes out on sale - or else hope that someone buys it for me.

What's your opinion?

A bet, 'Twilight: Eclipse' and other things...

2010-07-20T22:43:00.016+10:00

A friend of mine challenged me to a bet: that I would not be able to withstand two weeks of going without seeing the new 'Twilight' movie. He did not know me. I had to wait until July 20th to see it - today, in actual fact. I was going fine. I thought it was completely under control. I should have realised that you never bet a better. He tricked me last night and took me to see 'Twilight: Eclipse'. Great! Well, he didn't think I would last until then, and so he was 'rewarding'/'treating' me, or something! I don't know. All I felt was very, very furious. And a bit of chargrin for not picking up on it beforehand. Grrr... Apparently, though, I 'won' the bet, and he is going to do what he said he would do if he lost: read a certain novel of my choosing, join my facebook group, and do a book report. I've changed the novel (he has accepted that), and he is going to have to watch the series as well, and do a comparison study! I don't care! He is stuck with that deal, or none at all, now! I'm going to stick to my guns on that one...and tough luck! Yes...I'm still angry, if you hadn't noticed.

The movie itself, I enjoyed in many respects. There were nice scenes that portrayed many important instances of the book, but, I must say that the pace is awfully fast, and they had better have a very large selection of extended and deleted scenes on the DVD when it comes out. They have missed many funny moments (is it me, or has there been a lot LESS humour than what appears in the books in all of the movies??), and the characters at times just feel a little under-developed. They could certainly have done a lot more with them. I think, though, that I will have to see the movie again before I give my final judgement, because most of the time I was just seething through it all - too angry at my friend to think clearly enough on the plot at all times. Let's just say, though...The book is better, once again. The books of the other two movies were incredibly better. And when will they get Edward's car RIGHT??? Please, how hard is it to get a silver Volvo sedan??? Sorry...my first car was a Volvo.

Last thing to mention. Even though I'm a 'Twilight' fan, I really think I'll have to watch 'Vampires Suck'. This looks to be a hilarious parody on the 'Twilight' movies that had already come out when it was first thought of/created (probably 'Twilight' and 'New Moon' only). I haven't seen many parody movies (just never get around to it, d'oh!), but this one just looks like too much fun to miss. If you want to check out the trailer, here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHkPJ1ACLrg

Have fun, and seeya' 'round!

Twilight

2010-04-18T09:50:00.007+10:00

It's one of those things, you either hate it or you love it.

Me...I hate to say it, but I love it. I'm completely addicted to it now, and it's only been two and a half weeks since I started reading the first novel. And in case you were wondering, yes, I have finished all the books. Did that by last Sunday.

So...why am I writing about it? Well, a friend of mine, to help me get over my obsession, no doubt, decided to show me this poster...And I really appreciated it. You see, I'm no much a fan of the first movie anymore (after reading the novels, the movie wans in comparison). I haven't seen the second movie yet, but that's going to happen, just so I can make informed judgements about it, as well.

The poster, though, that my friend directed me to. I hope you enjoye it as much as I did:

see more

A little thing I made...

2009-07-26T02:19:00.002+10:00

I was recently scanning pics for period movies and series that I have liked or wish to see...also something to put up for the group in Facebook. If you like it, please say so... :)

Period Movie Challenge

2009-07-14T01:57:00.002+10:00

Well, I have decided to take up the challenge posted on this website recently brought to my attention: http://lightscamerahistory.com/period-drama-challenge/

I think it ought to be a lot of fun. Haven't watched too many period movies lately, though must admit that I saw 'Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day' the other evening, and enjoyed it thoroughly. Hope that there are more out there like that one. Just a nice, easy romance, with a bit of fun and laughter as well.

Anyway...must try to choose which theme/s I'll cover in the challenge. Any suggestions, people?

A Story of Mine

2009-04-19T15:48:00.003+10:00

This is a little story I made up, oh, a few years ago now. Enjoy. I thought that it was funny when I read over it just a few minutes ago, and wanted to share it.

Afternoons with Austen
By Nelle

“Well, I’m glad that it finished like that,” Charlotte said, “after all they have been through. They deserved to be happy.”
“You are such a romantic!” her companion cried, rolling his eyes. “When are you going to grow up? Things don’t happen like they did…two hundred years ago. ‘Persuasion’ is just a novel!” He had seen her grab a couple of tissues when the two main characters had finally got together in the end.
“But it just goes to show that humans haven’t changed over the years,” Charlotte replied.
“Okay, apart from the fact that it’s just a book, and a movie, how?”
“Well, there are still people in the world who are so easily persuaded; so easily stubborn as well,” adding the last bit as an afterthought. “Also, there are still people out there who want other people’s things, no matter what. Coveting…it’s a bad thing.”
“I suppose next you’ll say that people with second chances aren’t so easily persuaded the second time round,” he replied. Glenn couldn’t find anything else to say to Charlotte because it was true, though he hated to admit it.
“It depends on the circumstances, I suppose,” Charlotte said.
“Like what?”
“Well…” She paused, trying to collect a line of argument. “Like in ‘Persuasion’, if you were asked by the…girl you loved (I’m saying this for you, Glenn!) a second time, after eight years of separation, would you be persuaded against marrying her, like you were the first time?”
Glenn sighed. He knew one of Charlotte’s arguments was coming on. “No, I suppose not…If I still loved her. But what other circumstances are there?”
“Okay then. Well…If you had murdered someone,” Charlotte started, receiving a groan from Glenn, “and you got a second chance of undoing that wrong –”
“Okay…enough. You’ve proved your point,” Glenn interrupted. Charlotte always went on and on when she started.
“But I haven’t –”
“Finished. Oh, yes, you have. I know you – I’ve known you for years. Once you start talking, you go round and round in circles, and lose everyone, including yourself,” he retorted.
She glared at him for a moment, then smiled. Really, he wasn’t that bad a friend, and to actually sit through ‘Persuasion’ – one of Charlotte’s favourite Austin films – was a great feat for him, she knew. “Alright,” she said. “Did you enjoy it, anyway?”
“What, seeing those guys dressed up like that,” he answered, thinking that he was going to get her arguing again.
“But they look so stylish,” she said, wondering what his response would be. He looked at her blankly. He had taken in the costumes, and what the people had looked like in them, and never had he thought them stylish. “Oh-kay,” Charlotte said with a laugh in her voice and a broad smile. “I can see plainly by your face you didn’t think them stylish. Well…I can show you stylish. I just have to change disks.” Moving forward off the lounge in her TV room, she reached the DVD player before Glenn could say a word.
Exasperated by the way he was being treated, Glenn threw a cushion at Charlotte. “Don’t you dare put another one of those movies on,” he threatened. “I lost a bet, and watched ‘Persuasion’, but if you think I’m going to watch another one, the answer is emphatically NO!”
“It’s not another one. It’s a series…” – he groaned – “‘Pride and Prejudice’ is the book that was written, and I have to get the disk to the right chapter – to the Netherfield Ball, where Lizzy and Darcy dance for the first time! Now, that is where they wear stylish clothes,” Charlotte announced with something akin to pride in her voice. Glenn rolled his eyes as though to say ‘Heaven help me!’, but Charlotte just ignored his dramatics.
When Charlotte had got the disk ready and to the right chapter, she pressed play, smiling at Glenn as she did so. “This is the perfect spot. Just have a look at their clothes here. They are simply stunning some of them,” she announced. Glenn looked at the screen and sighed, watching the characters as they were ‘arriving’ at the ball. He then glanced towards his friend, and decided, with a glimmer of a smile on his face, to try and bait her again. “Is that the main girl of the story? What’s her name?” he asked.
Charlotte kept watching the screen. “Elizabeth Bennett, if you had been listening in class!” was all the reply he received.
“Oh…,” he said, disappointed with her response so far. The look of devilry, though, hadn’t left his face. “She doesn’t look too bad. Her figure isn’t too bad, either. And her hair, done like that, looks pretty nice.”
“Glenn! You’re supposed to be looking at their clothes! Not their figure!” Charlotte cried out, grabbing the nearest cushion and throwing it at him. She saw that he was smiling like he always did when she had been snared by his comments. “Oh! When will you grow up?” she exclaimed.
“Gotchya’” was the only response she got from him.

And so it is...

2009-03-08T14:13:00.002+11:00

My life is getting more and more interesting...not. I have been living at home for the last 7 weeks or so, and it seems longer. Unfortunately. I'm hoping that I shall be able to get used to the idea for another 15 weeks or thereabouts, because I can not afford to move out. I'm saving for a house, you see.

I've been looking at houses in the local paper, and I find that affording 2 bedrooms and a joined lounge/dining room is going to be fun indeed. However, things are looking alright, I just have to save for the deposit, which started at the end of January. Thank goodness for payrises and increases, too, I say.

So, maybe, just maybe, I will be able to afford a new house before the government takes the first home buyers grant away. Fingers crossed.

He's Not That Into You

2009-02-22T00:22:00.003+11:00

So, I've just watched the movie that this blog is titled. I found it very funny, but also very insightful! Yes...Girls, I recommend this one. It really does say a lot about men. And men, don't be ashamed in going along to watch it, especially if it's just you and other guys, because it can be very good for you to learn what WE think.

It follows eight different people. It's kind of like 'Love Actually', in that it pieces things together for you, everyone is linked somehow. However, it deals with relationships, rather than on what is happening in a person's life.

Personally, I feel as though I'm Geegee, so I'm going to try NOT being her from now on, and get on with life. However, I do not stalk people. That would actually be scary!

Anyway, worth going to see, especially if you love comedy dramas. Enjoy!

My Birthday is coming up...

2009-02-15T13:22:00.002+11:00

It is, yet again, a fairly long time since I last posted. Six months, or thereabouts. Enough to need a new post.

I have been overseas, and it was a fair amount of fun. Got to see lots of different things, and meet a lot of new people, and not understand a word of what some people were saying! The joys of travelling in Europe: a new language nearly every single day! Overall, I enjoyed it immensely and would recommend anyone doing it.

I went through Contiki for my trip, and chose one that went for 3 weeks. Trust me, that amount of time is enough for anyone travelling. You are pretty much on each other's nerves by the end of it, and are sick of living out of a suitcase with NO clean clothes left, unless you were lucky enough to wash some somewhere along the way. I achieved washing some in Vienna. I had the room to myself, and used the bathroom.

I got to see several amazing cities, many for the first time: Lucerne, Nice, Florence, Rome, Venice, Vienna, Prague, Amsterdam. I had been to Paris and Munich before, but in Munich I can now say that I've been to the Hofbrauhaus, and in Paris I can say that I've been to the Moulin Rouge. When travelling in Rome it is an absolute must to see the Vatican City (definitely a must!!) as well as the Colosseum and the Roman ruins. We unfortunately had rain the day we were in Rome, but that just added more fun to the adventure. I also got to see the Mouth of Truth, made famous in the movie 'Roman Holiday' with Audrey Hepburn (who won best actress Oscar for the role) and Gregory Peck. Both very fine actors.

To me, Venice and Amsterdam are very similar in one respect: there are canals everywhere. However, where Venice is sinking quickly into the mud, Amsterdam just has buildings that are tilting due to foundations. I'm not quite sure which is worse! Both cities, though, are extraordinary in their creation, and will be a highlight of my trip memories every time I think back on it. I also got to wander around both of them on my own, trying to make sure I didn't get lost in Venice (which is apparently very easy to do, but I didn't achieve it - YES!), and finding my way to the Rijks Museum to view the Dutch Masters. Venice is charming due to all the lovely canalways and gondolas, and walkways and bridges. However, be prepared for some smell if you go on a gondola. Yes, the waterways do smell. Only in certain back ones, though. Amsterdam is beautiful as well, and very easy to walk around due to all it's flatness.

Anyway, I have other things I must attend to. Write something new hopefully another time during the year.

Oh, and the title of the blog refers to my birthday on Tuesday. Not having a party of friends coming around - have lost touch of Sydney ones. Hopefully, though, it'll be a lot of fun anyway.

New Year...kind of...

2008-07-13T17:00:00.002+10:00

It's the new Financial Year, anyway. I thought that I would get around and finally post something new on this blog. Haven't been here in so long. I will probably not get around to putting the rest of my trip up on here, but I have put some pictures up on my Facebook site. So be it...

I thought that this place hadn't had an upgrade in some time, and so have completed a rather drastic change in the look of my blog. I like it. Might take me a moment or two to realise it is indeed my own blog when I come on here again, but again, so be it. :)

Well, on holidays again. Will be travelling overseas again in less than six months, and I can't wait. Update you all on that some other time. Ciao for now. :)

Another Term, Another Attempt at Posting Photos...

2007-04-28T23:14:00.000+10:00

I have now returned from my Easter holidays, and find that I'm more behind in blogging than ever before. However, that will never change, so I think you all will have to live with it while I catch up. Hopefully, by the end of this year, I will be up to writing about the holidays that have just gone by. For now, though, I shall regale you some more about my trip overseas.

I was amazed at seeing this site in London. I didn't realise that there was an Australian War Memorial over there. Me being a History teacher, I should have, but there you go! I thought that it was very interesting to see, and worth going over to view. It is located near the Hyde Park Gate and Wellington's Memorial/Statue.

After watching the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, we moved round towards St James's Park, and walked through that, going over a bridge which had this as it's view - the War Cabinets. I thought that it just looked nice. Even if it is Winter.

After being inside Westminster Abbey for about two hours, one finally comes out and turns around and views this amazing site. I thought that carving amazing and lovely to behold. I just wish you could go in that way as a visitor. I'm sure it's more interesting than the other entrance. Oh well, such is life!

One can not go overseas without getting at least one family happy snap. This is one of me, my brother, and my father between us, in front of the Houses of Parliament. The clock is fondly known as Big Ben, but it is actually the bell inside the tower which is called this.

Until next time, enjoy for the moment.

Part the Third: Some more Boxing Day places

2007-02-12T23:59:00.000+11:00

I'm not going to write that much anymore - just way too much to do!

This is the Grand Entrance to Hyde Park. I thought that it was pretty grand, and very nice to look at. Just something we went past on our way to Buckingham Palace. Beside it is Apsley House - Wellington's Place.

Another thing we went past was St. James's Palace. We walked down St. James's Street because I wanted to because at one stage in history a woman wouldn't be caught dead walking, riding, driving or anything down St. James's Street. St. James's Palace is at one end of the street.

We were lucky enough to arrive at Buckingham Palace in time for the changing of the guard. We saw them come in, band playing, them walking behind and then the Horse Guards, and then I took this shot of them inside. The band continued playing, but turned it to a Christmas theme of Carols. It was very nice. And we got a good spot for it and everything without even trying!

A good photo of Buckingham Palace. This is the side most commonly seen by tourists, as it has also the Victoria Memorial/monument in front of it.

This is the Victoria Memorial/monument. We were heading towards St. James's Park from this area.

I'll put the rest of the photos up another time. Enjoy for the moment...

Boxing Day (Part Deux - for the second time)

2007-01-30T22:51:00.000+11:00

This is the second time for this post...so I'm hoping that it works this time...

This is a photo of my loving and kind family (some of it) at Rotten Row. Rotten Row is a strip of dirt around the edge of Hyde Park (London, again...) where you can ride your horse. It's been around for centuries now. Peter is the only one acting 'rotten' - he is such a dear brother of mine. :) My Dad is in the middle of the photo, and Nat's Dad is on the right.

This photo is of the statue/memorial to the first Duke of Wellington, that great General that defeated Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo, Belgium (yes, Waterloo is not in France). He did well against the Napoleonic forces in the Penisular War Era, too, promoting himself into the public eye with his outstanding use of the forces he had at hand.

This is the London residence of the first Duke of Wellington. I'm not sure (don't have my London book with me at present) but I believe that it is a museum these days and open to the public. I just thought that it was a very nice house and looked fairly imposing.

One amazing thing about England that was just weird to me. I didn't need to wear my sunglasses at all. I didn't in Paris, much, either, or Munich. The Sun, though bright, was not bright enough to require them. Winter in Australia must have a stronger Sun (thank goodness!).

Boxing Day (Part One)

2007-01-29T23:49:00.000+11:00

One of the first places we went to on Boxing Day was the Marble Arch, near Hyde Park, London (just in case you got it confused witht he Sydney one, and was wondering what drugs I was on!). I liked my brother's explanation as to why there was a marble arch: they had some left over marble from completing all the other buildings, so they decided to make another monumental thing out of marble. I liked that one - thanks, Pete. It's a nice little arch, though, and worth just to wander and see it if you have nothing else to do (at 10 in the morning).

As you can see from the bottom photo, Peter (my brother), had a fun time trying to 'kick the pidgeons' while at the Marble Arch. Not really. He just likes chasing after pidgeons, still...Which shows you can never grow old from some things. Sorry, Peter - it was just too good to resist.

Christmas Eve in London, England

2007-01-26T16:33:00.000+11:00

Dad and I got in to Heathrow Airport at about 7:15am on Christmas Eve. That afternoon Peter and Nat took me, Dad, Peter (Nat's Dad), and Kate (Nat's sister) to the Royal Albert Hall to see the Christmas Concert. It was very enjoyable to be able to go to the Hall, to see it, to be in it, after see it numerous times on TV.

Before the concert we arrived in time to take a few happy snaps of the Prince Albert Memorial (top picture) and one of the Royal Albert Hall (middle picture). As you can see in the top picture, there was actually some blue sky in ENGLAND during WINTER of all times! The bottom picture is one of the stage I took before the concert because I thought that it looked nice.

The musicians were dressed in period costume of Mozart's time (because they are the Mozart Musicians and Choir or something like that) and it looked really great and fancy. Wigs and all. They got us to join in for singing some of the carols which was fun because I was missing the Christmas Eve Carol by Candlelight at St. Stephen's (Martin Place) this year.

So, this was a wonderful treat on Christmas Eve, even though it was exhausting in some ways too.

Peter and Nat's Tree

2007-01-26T16:05:00.000+11:00

My first picture from my holidays overseas, however, features my brother and sister-in-law's Christmas Tree. You can compare this with my tree lower down on my page, if you want. But, lucky them, they have a real one. Very pretty, I thought, Peter and Nat.

Okay...I'm back

2007-01-26T15:53:00.000+11:00

If you people hadn't realised, for the past four/five weeks I've been away from here. I have been in Sydney and all over the world, catching up with my brother, trying to catch up with friends (and failing in some cases), and having fun over the Summer break from school.

For Christmas I got some very nice presents. One, however, will be featuring on this (or another blog just for it) because of the wonderfulness of this present. I received a Tottenham Hotspurs teddy bear mascot for Christmas off my big brother and sister-in-law. Therefore, during my journey across parts of the northern hemisphere, this teddy bear has featured in photos in front of numerous important/interesting monuments and features.

Hence, once I get myself into gear and create pictures at appropriate sizes for this blog, you will be sure to see some interesting things...

Enjoy! Good to see you again.

Oh...and English people into Cricket...Bad luck about the Ashes!!! Australia 5 - England 0!!! Woohoo!!!