Saturday, December 05, 2009

The Answer is 42


January 1 to December 3, 2010
Challenge Blog


I'll be keeping track of
my 42 sci-fi related items
both here and on my book blog.


Thursday, December 03, 2009

California Dreamin'




Crystal Cove State Park
October 2009


Saturday, November 28, 2009

Star Trek (2009)


Recently released on DVD, the latest Star Trek movie was high on the list of my family's post-Thanksgiving dinner activities. I've been a Star Trek fan since I was a child (a member of "Team Spock," leaving ladies' man Captain Kirk for my friend Cheryl). WhiteRabbit is also a big fan, with a talent for remembering all kinds of trivia from the many television series and movies. The kids are much more familiar with Stargate and, to some extent, Star Wars than they are with Star Trek, but they seemed eager to see the film too.

Tagline: The future begins.

Plot (from IMDb): A chronicle of the early days of James T. Kirk and his fellow USS Enterprise crew members.

What I thought: This alternate-reality "prequel" was absolutely brilliant! I love time travel plots, and this was a great one. I was thrilled by the appearance of "Spock Prime" (as Leonard Nimoy is referred to in the ending credits), and I'm eager for the possibilities for future films that the alternate time line provides. One of the best parts of the film - at least for me - was the way the actors depicted the personalities and idiosyncrasies of the original characters. My 10yo son Sugar Bear kept asking, "What's so funny?" though, so I guess that aspect of this wonderful film was lost on him.

Push (2009)


My daughter Sugar Plum and I watched Push this afternoon, one of a number of DVDs we've been enjoying this holiday weekend. We'd seen the trailer back when we saw Twilight, and as the sci-fi geeks we are, we were intrigued. Sugar Plum recently watched Twilight on DVD and was saw the Push trailer again, so when we were compiling a holiday DVD-viewing list, Sugar Plum requested Push.

Tagline: One push can change everything.

Plot (from IMDb): Two young Americans with special abilities must race to find a girl in Hong Kong before a shadowy government organization called Division does.

What I thought: Despite its dismal critical reception, both Sugar Plum and I liked Push a lot. The plot was intriguing.* The setting - filmed on location in Hong Kong - was superb. The characters were well developed. The action was intense. We enjoyed seeing actors Dakota Fanning and Ming-Na, whom we enjoy in other fantasy and sci-fi roles (Fanning as Jane in New Moon and Ming-Na in Stargate: Universe). All in all, I give Push a "thumbs up"!

*Knowing next-to-nothing about the television series Heroes, I can't comment on the similarities (or lack thereof).

Thursday, November 26, 2009

I'm Thankful For ...


Advil
Books
Chocolate Mousse Pie (I shared it with Sugar Plum!)
Doughnuts (Especially the ones from Krispy Kreme.)
Enya (Her music helps keep me calm.)
Friendship
Gluttony (At least one day a year!)
Home (Where my heart is.)
Ice Cream (My favorite is Baskin Robbins' German Chocolate Cake.)
Jesus Christ
Knowledge
Lime (With my Diet Coke.)
Music
Naps
Oceans (I got to wet my feet in both the Atlantic and the Pacific this year!)
Pillows (Useful for napping.)
Quiet
Roses
Stargate
Twitter (Although I use Facebook more.)
Utah (It's a pretty, great state!)
Vampires (Especially one named Edward.)
Walks (I took a three-mile one this morning.)
eXcellence
You
Zucchini (Especially breaded with Parmesan cheese and Ranch dressing.)



I'm Thankful For ...


Dinner Reservations at Mimi's Cafe.


I'm Thankful For ...


Sunshine (even if it's only 31° outside).


Wednesday, November 25, 2009

I'm Thankful ...


To Have All Three of My Children Under My Roof Tonight.
To Have My Fridge and Pantry Full.
To Be Able to Sleep Late Tomorrow Morning.



Tuesday, November 24, 2009

I'm Thankful For ...


Music. Google. Bedtime.


Monday, November 23, 2009

I'm Thankful For ...


Warm, Fuzzy Socks.


Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Math Message


My daughter Jelly Bean sent me a text message tonight.

Solve for i.

9x-7i > 3(3x-7u)

Monday, November 02, 2009

A Few of My Favorite Things

  • A full moon.

  • Reading in bed.

  • Microwave popcorn.

  • Christmas Eve.

  • Sleeping in.

Friday, October 23, 2009

To Make Him Smile



Sugar Bear: Mom, Ian says I'm a dork.


Me: Tell Ian to go to Helena, Montana.


Sugar Bear (with a giggle): Watch your language.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

A Few of My Favorite Things

  • Red roses.

  • Libraries.

  • Autumn leaves.

  • Chocolate.

  • Naps.

Friday, October 09, 2009

A Happy Thing 10/08/09



Seeing A Chorus Line at Pioneer Theater Company with WhiteRabbit.



Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Thought for the Day



Nothing seems hard to the people
who don't know what they're talking about.


(Yeah, I'm back from vacation but wishing I wasn't.)


Sunday, October 04, 2009

Happy Things 10/03/09







Friday, September 25, 2009

Friday Fill-In


Hosted by Janet of Fond of Snape at Its Own Home.

Graphic courtesy of Tonya!

1. One week ago it was still summer, but now it's fall.

2. I was a picky eater when I was young.

3. Mama told me, "If you don't have time to do it right, when are you going to have time to do it over?"

4. This is just between you and me.

5. Take your time and get it right the first time.

6. The quarterback will pass!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to bed early, tomorrow my plans include going to the BYU football game to see my daughter play in the marching band, and Sunday, I want to have key lime pie for dessert!

Saturday, September 05, 2009

What in the World?!


Theme: Orange



Sunrise in Fort Lauderdale.
June 2009.

For information about Photo Hunters, click here.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Happy Birthday!


Theme: Surprise



Twice in the past year, we were pleasantly surprised
to find decorations on our front door in celebration of birthdays.

For information about Photo Hunters, click here.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

The Ripple Effect


Theme: Ripples



Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale.
June 2009.

For information about Photo Hunters, click here.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Not the Real Thing


Theme: Artificial



In Montreal.
June 2008.

For information about Photo Hunters, click here.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Friday Fill-In


Hosted by Janet of Fond of Snape at Its Own Home.

Graphic courtesy of Tonya!

1. When will my life feel like "normal" again? (Maybe after the audit is completed and budget proposal is prepared.)

2. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was the last good movie I saw. (Now I'm ready to go to the theater to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.)

3. Everything has its beauty, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

4. A cheeseburger from the Wendy's drive-thru is what I had for dinner.

5. I'd like your energy. (That's what I say to my 10yo son every day!)

6. Walking on the beach is where I want to be right now.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to bed early, tomorrow my plans include catching up on some housework, and Sunday, I want to enjoy the cooler temperatures!