The Woolgathering

King New Year 2012

2012-01-09T17:47:00.000-08:00

King New Year 2011

2010-12-31T12:41:00.000-08:00

Watch Carefully . . . Or You Might Just Miss Him . . .

Ocean Cart - testing out a little video

2010-04-06T08:57:00.000-07:00

New Disposal for your perusal - self-installed

2010-02-20T19:15:00.000-08:00

No More Land Line!

2010-01-06T16:24:00.000-08:00

After today, our old number will be gone (872-2437)

please use my cell phone number

thanks!

King New Year 2010

2010-01-01T18:31:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!

A vocationally oriented year. Trista’s in Feb. and me in August, capping a semester of student teaching, about two years of classes and bookstore, a nearly endless summer, and graduation. We consider ourselves very fortunate. There was so much more that happened in 2009, but I mention the vocational stuff because hopefully, we can move on from what was such a stressful focus. Employment is never guaranteed, but we’ll take it when we can. “Focus” was really the wrong word to use, but it worked so well – “job-getting” was really more of a context in which we LIVED last year and that is perhaps my proudest achievement- that within that “context,” we (as a family) still very much LIVED.

King New Year wishes you well in 2010!

Some Movies

2009-12-31T10:15:00.000-08:00

that I have watched or will be watched very soon

Star Trek '09
Jaws
Night at the Museum Part 2
Land of the Lost '09
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
District 9
Holes
Harry Potter and Half-Blood Prince
Angels and Demons

Movies that I want to see . . .

Inglourious Basterds
9
The Hangover
New Moon
Avatar

You Didn't Know - that he worked on the weekends -AS LOVERBOY!!

2009-11-11T05:39:00.000-08:00

This picture and the previous "Orange Glow" picture were captured on what is now my last visit to the ole ranch this last summer. This image of "Loverboy" was snapped during the construction of a "Patio Recreation Unit."

Today is Veteran's Day. I am drinking coffee, listening to a cranked up "Morrison Hotel"-

A deer passed onto the hill to the west and is looking my way. Soon I will venture outside to find and hug my own peace frog. The deer moved on, out of sight. And so are The Doors. Land Ho!!

Look, he glows, like citric happiness

2009-11-09T15:37:00.001-08:00

Foot and Hand Fevers

2009-11-07T07:26:00.000-08:00

An affliction shared by few and understood by less.
The heating up and slight swelling and unbearable itching.
It can drive an insane man mad.
Many a night I have scratched nearly to the bone; leaving me to deal with the resultant scabs for weeks.
A terrible waste of time; oh the accomplishments never accomplished!
Once, in an effort to gain access between my little and fourth toe, I pulled too greatly at my littlest toe.
I strained too mightily. I felt the tearing of tendons and muscle as I achieved the balance of a lunatic.
The itch was appeased, but the injury left me with an embarrassing sentence.
Seven days I lurked awkwardly and unsteadily with a slight limp.
No freezing chemical spray; no caring ointment or balm.
No hope for understanding; no chance for honest sympathy.
The struggle to survive in the hell of my own hands and feet continues.

Molly Murakami: for everyone and especially Mr. Cummings

2009-09-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

First, Molly's test came back and all is well. Thank you all for the positivity. Thank you.

My blogging has become a bit backed up and I hope to loosen the bowels a little real soon.

But first, I know, Stephen, that you have a Murakami ticker on your site and that you are a big fan. It is certainly an author that I have been interested in reading but have not, until last night. In the next week or two I hope to teach "The Seventh Man" to my tenth grade class as part of a short story unit. Since I am newly exposed to Haruki, I thought I would ask for any insights that you might care to share regarding the author and or the story. Anybody else is welcome to chime in as well, of course.

Thanks!

Molly Mole

2009-08-23T16:37:00.000-07:00

I have much to blog about, but this seemed to jump to the top of the list.

Molly is having outpatient surgery this Tuesday to remove a mole near her belly button and a skin tag on her lip. The skin tag is no big deal, the mole is odd though. We have always thought it was a birthmark or a freckle since she has had it since birth. No doctor has mentioned it before now. Molly recently had a physical because she is in cross-country this year and the doctor wanted her to get it checked out. We did and they want to remove it because of its size and border. Anyway, they will also do a biopsy to test for melanoma or skin cancer. That she will be knocked out is one thing, but when they hand you information with the American Cancer Society symbol on it and use the word biopsy, I cannot help but be a bit crazed with the whole thing. Many have told us not to worry and have offered many theories and the like - all have been appreciated, but worry I will. Overall it is a minor procedure, but still - it is a big deal.

Prayers, thoughts, and vibes are welcomed.

Michael Jackson

2009-06-26T08:39:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson!!

Star Trek - Saw It

2009-06-16T17:45:00.000-07:00

Thursday night kicked off an interesting weekend for me - more of which to follow, but it all kicked off with Molly being invited to spend the night at a friends house Thursday night - all we needed to head out the door for a trek across the stars with some old friends.

First, I really, really liked it. Loved it even. It has grown on me since leaving the theater.

Since Dan and Pat have made comments based on their experience - I'll build on their previously astute comments and observations.

Mixdorf's: "with Karl Urban pretty much channeling Deforrest Kelley" - I couldn't agree more -

I pretty much agree with Dan on the other characters - Sulu was purely based on being an Asian swordsman - nothing else to the character - perhaps future installments...Uhura was hot, but she was always hot in her way, just a little more junk in the trunk..Kirk - very good, great potential, not as good looking as Shatner, but how could anyone compete..

I loved Scotty (though he walked a cheesy line or two) and look forward to more of that maniac.

But, I wasn't crazy about Chekov, the accent seemed like a struggle and at times made it seem like he had a stutter while the rest of the cast visibly looked like they were exercising patience

Spock is a tough one, I hope he drops his "baby act" for future movies - long way to go with that character

Dan - I, too, was surprised (and touched) by the many many references to episodes and movies, beyond Space Seed and ST2.

They could have done so much more with the green animal woman.

The plot: Dan I think Vulcan still exists in the one reality - that was the whole deal with this movie. The plot was clever, at once satisfying the possibility of the two realities co-existing (for characters and the fans) yet connecting the two as well.

The Kirk birth was excellent - powerful and revealing. Vulcan and Romulus being blown up - WOW! That is huge. One wonders if the Klingons become dominant, unlike the federation dominated series of the 60s.

I could have used a little more information regarding Red Matter - gee - that is some powerful stuff, inject it a person, instant black hole, but really? How did they get it, how did they get so much, how do they contain it?

I LOVED LOVED the ship that Spock piloted. I saw it and I almost fell out of my chair. What a fucking crazy-assed space ship. That it was CG almost blows my mind. CG was taken to a new level. CG made something look like a tinker toy invention. I loved it. Of course Spock would be cruising around in that thing. That ship was nuts!!!!! Possibly my favorite ship of all time.

The Enterprise was beautiful. She always was. But wow, again with the effects, but wow - I've never seen a ship on screen where you could feel its structure being knocked around by force - so solid, yet so fragile too. Excellent take on the Enterprise.

I do agree with Mixdorf's take on the Romulan ship. It was related to the ship from Nemesis, but yes - what an awful design.

Mixdorf's:

"And since when would it Starfleet protocol to shoot a disobedient officer off onto a dangerous and largely uninhabited planet? To have that result in a meeting with both future Spock and Montgomery Scott is truly plot shenanigans."

That was a little wild. I suppose if you consider time, in that certain people will meet certain people, if it enters into the realm of destiny, Kirk would have to meet Scotty so he could be his engineer, Spock was a wild card, for sure.

The grand canyon thing didn't bother me, that could be any number of things, probably just the swift moving Iowa River doing its work.

Dan - I totally understand what you are saying about Nimoy. Ouch. It looks as though that was all dictated by fear. Fear of fan response. It should have all stayed in the cave (Plato's Cave) and only between Spock and Kirk - Spock should have never talked to HIMSELF!!!! What were they thinking. It really should have all stayed in the cave with Spock giving us a little more reason as to his reaction upon seeing Kirk (or at least reason into his insight).

I enjoyed it. I look forward to future movies. I hope they do not always involve the Klingons and that tired set of politics.

Excellent fun.

Like Kirk, Spock, and McCoy . . .

2009-05-18T18:07:00.000-07:00

I, too, can now communicate on away missions and while planet side. My frequency is:

812-229-3732

in the words of Dolores O'Riordan . . .

2009-04-26T19:21:00.000-07:00

"and the daffodils look lovely today"

It seems to be the best year for these guys since we planted them, and when I spied them fluttering in the wind it was as if they were asking, demanding that I take their picture - they knew they were looking good. It does amaze me each spring that things come back. Everything comes back. Leaves, mulch, snow, ice - the earth keeps stuff ready. We don't even know. Verne perhaps. But we do not know. That daffodils erupt like they do is the earth saying, "look what I can do" which is really the earth saying, "hey, look what I can do." That is beautiful AND scary. Happy Spring.

Today, at 3:15 Eastern time

2009-04-24T12:46:00.000-07:00

I am done with college - AGAIN! Yippee!!

I am not walking or going to the ceremony, so I am done!

I have a week off and then I go back for the long-term substitute gig.

Had to give a little shout out! Pizza tonight, of course.

The Substitute, the Interview, and the Pile of Cash

2009-04-11T20:12:00.000-07:00

The Substitute

The opportunity was a big round ball and it took a while for me to see it. The big round ball being the pregnant protrusions of a former classmate and current first year teacher preparing for maternity leave. Every morning I would see her. Then it occurred to me. My student teaching run ends April 24th and she is planing on her last day as being May 1st. I approached her about it and she was delighted as to the solution. She was actually relieved. I then talked to the principal, giving me a chance to plug myself for more permanent employment. Later that day I was informed that the principal may "drop in" to observe me teaching. The biggest hurdles for me in getting a teaching job (as far as I know) include 1) openings and 2) who else might be in line ahead of me. I can only proceed as if both hurdles will be successfully leapt, but there are no guarantees. So, yet another application - this time a substitute teaching license, another fee, and on Monday @11:30 I have an interview with the agency that handles substitute teaching placements, which fortunately for me, should simply be a formality. The good things about this gig: keeps me at the school that I have been targeting for employment, keeps me in an English department, pays me, and allows me to have a week off (except for JCP) between the end of student teaching and the beginning of substitute teaching. Unlike other substitute teaching gigs, I will have a chance to get to know her classes and schedule long before I take over. I believe I will be teaching novels (one each) to freshmen and sophomores. It will be interesting to take a class through to the end of the school year and teaching a novel is my favorite thing to do as far as teaching goes.

The Interview

From a teacher job fair conversation about a month ago - I have an interview this Wednesday at 3:30. At the fair I talked to the principal, the interview will be with the department (English) chair. It is just over the border in Illinois and will be my first official interview in my quest to land a teaching job. I really do not know what to expect as I really do not know anything about this particular school district. I am curious to test out my resume, references, and other "tools" of the trade. Given today's economy, I have to tackle almost any lead.

The Pile of Cash

So money has been tight. I know I am not the only one. It was especially and dangerously tight Jan. and Feb. of this year. We got through March and it is pretty much a race to get through April, and we are not quite half-way through yet. So, all things considered, May looks to be a good month on account of substitute teaching, especially the last fifteen days of the gig- believe me, that is relatively speaking. It saddens me, deeply, money limits and concerns. Money limits and concerns - that is all it ever does. So, I'll be substitute teaching and working at JCP. BUT - THAT IS NOT ALL.

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

An old, Jewish woman gave me $40. A twenty, a ten, and two fives. I held the cash close to my heart as I went downstairs. The girls (and even the dog) reflected my excitement. I threw the cash down on the desk and oh how we danced for joy. We poked and prodded the cash. Counted it and sorted it. Wondered at its potential. We would take bits of it and spend it and for a while it seemed as if the pile was growing. A single twenty converted nicely to a ten and four ones after a trip to the coffee shop. Wow! - what miracles of commerce had commenced upon our fortunate home. But soon the pile did begin to dwindle. Like a memory. Should we take a picture? Invest? No...we let it go. But how did we manage this cash and how could it happen again?

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

Isn't it a pity. The woman, in her highest of hopes, had talked to me last fall about mowing her grass. I could not do it then - nothing more was said. Suddenly, she leaves for Passover, but leaves me an envelope of money and a phone message. So, I guess I am mowing her grass without saying I would, because well, the pile of cash is gone. No matzo for me. So, the only pilgrimage I'll be making is to her yard to mow her lawn on Easter Sunday. She'll be traveling back from Passover while I am mowing, full of chocolate.

For forty bucks a week, I am to mow her yard. You see, she likes my environmentally friendly lawn mower and me.

I almost cannot believe that I am working part-time at JCP and mowing grass.

Happy Easter - May All Your Large Stones Be Moved Aside

Student Teaching Part Two

2009-03-28T05:16:00.000-07:00

My time at the middle school ended with excellent final evaluations, three going out celebrations with teachers and fellow student teachers, and several notes and letters from students, including a song and dance routine by two of the seventh graders. That said, I have and continue to want to teach at a high school. Mostly because of the greater selection of literature that you can or are allowed to teach high schoolers.

I just finished my fourth week at the high school. Unbelievable. After next week we have spring break, then only two more weeks (three weeks total). High School is going great. Here is a snapshot of my schedule during this student teaching assignment.

I arrive around 8:00. There are five periods, each 70 minutes long. Third period is longer and includes the lunch schedule which is staggered. The school year is split into trimesters and schedules change with each trimester. That sucks if you have a great schedule, but it keeps it fair for those that have a sucky schedule during any given trimester. Ideally, I prefer two semesters. I was a little worried about the 70 minute class period, and it can be long, and I might prefer the 50 minute period, but it is proving to be not so bad.

OK, so my first period is planning. On one hand, it is nice to have the time in the morning to prepare for the day, but then that only leaves lunch until the end of the day. Second period is senior composition, then I have lunch at 10:36, the earliest lunch in the world, called "A" lunch - this is the suckiest part of my schedule right now. My mornings are a breeze, but the afternoons can be taxing. After lunch I have a class of freshmen. 4th hour is another class of senior composition, followed by fifth period, which is a class of freshmen that require a little extra help and a slighter slower pace. I am usually walking out at around 3:25. There is an occasional meeting and sometimes the schedule is slightly altered.

The middle school certainly has a much better schedule and the facilities were vastly superior, however, I much prefer the "act of teaching" at the high school level. Some highlights of teaching that I have been able to develop and attempt include: a short story segment focused on plot and characterization using the short stories: "The Open Window" and "The Birds." This culminated with a viewing of The Birds by Hitchcock with a subsequent compare/contrast essay. With the seniors, I did an exercise in which we tried to prove how individual perception of a sensory experience inspires written expression, because, after all, it is a composition class. Basically it was a four part exercise that began with the viewing of five clips (ranging from three minute clips from movies such as 2001, Princess Bride, and Time Machine) and the development of words or phrase to describe what they were exposed to. Then, we disconnected ourselves from the clips (or the sensory experience) and used the words or phrases to develop sentences, then paragraphs. Ultimately, the students traded their paragraphs and attempted to trace the words back to the original clips with a discussion regarding inspiration - in other words we tried to track inspiration. It gave them an opportunity to write several sentences and paragraphs with a different kind of prompting and to talk about their own writing. I also tried to connect this with thinking on your feet and how to answer questions in interviews - drawing from personal experiences and working it into the task at hand.

Lately, and unfortunately, I've been working at JCP on the weekends - that sucks. I applied for my teaching license this last week, confirm my graduation this May (I may need something from Iowa State - I am hoping for no nasty surprises).I still need to get CPR certified, finish my Vigo County application, and continue doing what I can in terms of trying to get a job. The pressure has been mounting as the time is getting closer and the funds continue to deplete beyond depletion.

I wanted to share a little bit concerning the second half of my student teaching, which ends April 24th!

From a paper from me Irish class of '08

2009-03-04T21:16:00.000-08:00

More Tech Help Please - Aaron?

2009-03-01T16:26:00.001-08:00

My camera. Not a bad little camera. Really like the view screen and such, but the drawbacks . . . you have to hold the button down for a really long time to get a picture, it does not record sound with themovies, and the movies it does record are Quicktime.

My question: does anybody know of any (free) software that can convert Quicktime movies into other formats?

Aaron came to mind as someone that due to his Mac knowledge might know, but please, if anybody has any ideas - I would appreciate them.

Do your cameras record movies in different formats?

Thanks!!!

Don't Worry, we are in good (and cool) hands!

2009-02-24T17:30:00.000-08:00

Precautions: Sgt. Frank Shahadey and Vigo Co. school superintendent Danny Tanoos watch the wooded area around Meadows Elementary school Monday afternoon as parents arrive to pick up their children in the wake of a cougar sighting in the area.

Thank You!!!

2009-02-21T06:58:00.000-08:00

Puterdusky!!!!!!

Thank you for your IT assistance.

You are truly an amzing human being!!

Blog Help Request

2009-02-18T16:57:00.000-08:00

I have the option of adding a "gadget," but not a new page element. How do I do so?

I am trying to add the Good Reads widget to my blog. Cannot.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Frustatedly yours,

MT

Student Teaching Part 1

2009-01-29T06:58:00.000-08:00

I am in a two-day stretch of snow days and I thought I would write a little about student teaching. So far so good. Cory may find some of this more interesting than others.

It has helped that I worked with my host teacher once before and was not only familiar with the school and the novel that I would be teaching. So really, so far so good.

After tomorrow I will be a quarter of my way through student teaching. There are nine periods at Sarah Scott Middle School. My schedule is as follows: 1: advisory (basically homeroom, not sure why they call it advisory). 2: advanced lit. 3: team meeting (when the seventh grade team meets, daily) 4,5,6: regular lit. 7, 8: lunch and personal prep. time (12:55 until 2:23) sometimes I go out, sometimes I go home, sometimes I stay and read, 9: last class, reg. lit. The schedule is awesome, the students are released at 3:15. My host teacher prefers to begin her day early and so leaves very soon after the students leave. I usually arrive at the school at around 7:15 and leave around 3:20 or 3:30. We've had one faculty meeting so far, that lasted until around 4:30. My host teacher is also the team leader, of which Cory knows something about.

The school is in a socioeconomically disadvantaged area, but, as my experience in 2007, the students continue to upend the middle-school stigma. There are moments, of course, but so there are at any stage. The most basic observation is that of the wide range of maturity levels found in a middle school. There are students that look like fourth graders sitting by students that look like first year college students, but the behavior and academic levels are deceiving.

Cory, any dissension between reg. ed. and special ed. at your school?

It is interesting to see how a school operates. This particular school has a very good principal and I think that helps immensely.

I plan, as discussed with Cory, to write a little more often and with more specifics regarding education. But let this be a preliminary look at my experience so far. So much happens everyday. It has been going very well so far. More soon.

2009-01-01T08:36:00.000-08:00

KING NEW YEAR 2009

(enjoying homemade kahlua in home-brewed coffee)

Wishing you and yours the best in the upcoming year!!

*crown furnished by Wilson Cellar Cats

Bookstore: Done

2008-12-27T21:34:00.000-08:00

My last day at the bookstore was today.

LAST!!!! Hear my scream!!

The Overlap

2008-12-15T17:32:00.000-08:00

an update on a brief time period of transition, excitement, change, and some anxiety...

The overlap consists of finishing up school as I have known it, my time at the bookstore, and a new part-time job at JC Penney.

Mix in enjoying the seasonal cheer with Molly and Trista and Mr. T and I have been hopping.

First, a little breaking news from KC - my brother is now a father as of this past Saturday, Ellia, a beautiful little girl.

OK, for fun and to offer a little in the form of a recap - the week before Thanksgiving I began a job at JC Penney. As I approach the end of my Bookstore days, while Trista is still working towards her career situation, while student teaching takes off in Jan., and in these uncertain economic times - Trista and I thought it in our best interest that I take on some kind of part time job. Ugh!

Looking for a job was about the last thing I wanted to be doing. One night of searching and it dawned on me. I happen to know the store manager at the local JC Penney. I explained my situation and boom - job search over. The store manager has been more than accommodating, paying me a slightly higher hourly rate, and extreme flexibility. Part of the overlap has to do with the retail season (as unfortunate and ugly as a phrase as it is) and my timing. I knew I would have a better chance getting on prior to the holidays, - the consequence, of course: THE OVERLAP. Prior to Thanksgiving I had three consecutive nights of surprisingly intensive training. I became "certified." I work in the men's or young men's department. I worked Black Friday from 3:45 am until 1:00 PM. It sucked, but it is over. I have tried to be at the top of my game so as to stay on post holiday - that's my plan. It's an easy job and 12 hours a week, for the most part, should be a breeze. Some very cool people and some complete doorknobs - more on JCP specifics later.

Back to the overlap. Classes. Yikes - that pushed it for a while as I wrapped up classes and finals with a busy bookstore schedule and the start at JCP. Fortunately - with an amazing stroke of luck - my independent study professor allowed me to wrap up that class prior to Thanksgiving. So...last week, Wednesday to be precise....I took my last final as an undergrad. Boom! Done! And in additional good news, I received a rating in my education class that will exempt me from having to complete a tedious and long report covering my student teaching experience. That is a bullet I have been working to dodge this entire semester.

With school complete, the "trifold" nature of my overlap has been suddenly reduced to a "bifold" overlap. Two jobs. My last day at the bookstore will be December 27th and it cannot come any sooner. An example of one of the craziest overlap moments: Friday, Dec. 5th, the students threw a party for me (complete with a cake with a picture of me on it!)- I was up until 4:00 am, jello shots, rum-soaked cherries, gin and tonics, beer, coffee and home-made Kahlua in coffees. The next day, that same day (Sat. now), I had to do a resource fair for the bookstore at 8:00 am - that sucked. Later that day I had to work at JCP. Weird mix of fun and work and fatigue.

That was the big party, what is left is a smattering of lunches here and there and an after work gathering on my very last day. Monday, the 22nd, I am going to Greencastle for the last time to help the store manager there (whom I like) move some shelves and hang out - I am not counting this as one of my last days -because it will be mostly goofing off.

I have the 24th, 25th, and 26th completely off. I also have the week of the 29th off (we are going to try and slip in a trip to KC to see the new arrival). Then student teaching.

The anxiety concerns the change in income, but that in itself is also a good thing. Student teaching, at least for the first eight weeks is going to be fairly easy. I am familiar with the teacher (she is awesome), having worked with her in the past (she ended up requesting me) and I know what she is planning to do - she teaches literature. I am also in the unique position of not having to make up any snow days - so bring on the snow!!

Molly and Trista are well. Molly and I have started a fictional collection entitled: "A Catalogue of Caterpillars," in which we just draw made up caterpillars. We also just returned from her second Christmas program of the year. One more this Thursday.

Trista has an interview this Wednesday morning, for three hours. The staff psychologist position. Please send a good thought, prayer, or vibe our way. We'd definitely appreciate it.

In the meantime, I have been playing guitar again, which I have not done, I am sad to say, in a very long time. Look for "Old Freud" comments.

I have also read "The Tales of Beedle the Bard," started reading "Twelfth Night," and plan to read "Twilight" after that.

Cold here today -

2008-11-04T23:14:00.000-08:00

YES!!!!! YESSSSSS!! WOW!!!!!!!!

I have not refreshed so much since keeping track of Utah Jazz scores in the late nineties. Back and forth, I was losing hope,and Trista came down and told me that O was ahead! What...and then....BLUE!!!!!! I could not believe how close it was...watching the counties, hoping for the best, watching huge swings within individual percentage increases...

Somehow I got my report done, but now I must sleep. Dream of the Blue Obamas tonight!

Coming Soon

2008-10-28T11:10:00.000-07:00

As I have been fielding many questions regarding the recent visit with Mixdorf -

I wanted to say that it was an excellent and wonderful visit and to let you know that highly detailed accounts of the visit will be forthcoming - blog posts, photos, and maybe even more.

Keep checking.

Big Beautiful Nuts - the flipping squirrel

2008-09-20T17:53:00.000-07:00

that time of year, mostly acorns and to a lesser degree - hickory and walnut

the squirrels have been enjoying a good crop so far this year and for some reason the nuts are bigger and more beautiful -

OK - the main reason for this post - JOY

breaking news, I was driving home from picking up some beer and apples when looking to the left during Dear Prudence - I saw a squirrel catching up a nut and doing a FLIP, mid-air - I cannot figure out if it was a backwards flip or not - but he shot into the air, flipping for joy at his find

we are not the only ones that can manage some fun in the fall

squirrels have it rough out there and I was glad to see exuberance, rather than fear, disorientation, and death

A New Semester

2008-08-22T18:03:00.000-07:00

Has dawned. Hopefully my last of this sort. I am coming off 12 consecutive days of work. It sucked and it has got me down.

I am trying to tap into something good and trying really hard to realign my meridians. Something feels really off.

Anyway - still waiting for the results of my licensure test. In the meantime, my new schedule has begun.

This is what I got and my schedule.

Mondays and Wednesday I have my final education class. It meets at 8:30 AM Mondays and Wednesdays for an hour and a half. In October I will be in a high school for about two hours at a time Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The good thing about this class is that there is no Friday class, the instructor is really good, the class is "supposed" to be really good, and it has a focus on high school. The bad thing is that it involves a great deal of group work and I am going to have to figure out a way to be gone from work two plus hours every M-W-F during October.

Shakespeare at 8:00 Tuesdays and Thursdays. Taught by the most animated and loudest professor I have ever had. He simply loves Shakespeare. He has told us that his class will always run long, but that we can leave when the time is up. If no one else is left - he said he likely will continue on anyway. He simply LOVES Shakespeare. He sounds exactly like Tom Hanks. Does not look like him, but sound just like him. Weird, especially at 8:00 in the morning. We are studying 9 plays.

And then I have an independent study. Literary Analysis - the one I thought I could get out of - could not, but at least was able to take it as an independent study with a cool professor. What is weird about this guy is that he sounds like Mr. Rogers. Does not look anything like him, but sounds an awful lot like him.

So I am trying to get charged up for one last semester. For some reason, at this particular time, I am not "up" for it yet, but nor am I dreading it - I am simply feeling indifferent towards the semester at hand.

I wish I could stop in at a service station and be realigned.

Speaking of service stations - the red car is gone, but that already seems like four sagas ago.

The Continuation of Our Ancient Planet of Knives or The Lot of the Pig

2008-08-01T05:33:00.000-07:00

Holding the diminished being,
its form signaling defeat,
the rescuer, trapped by her circumstances,
was conflicted about what she should do,
bloodless and as a prop from a movie-set,
the tragically terminated creature was carried gently onward.

Ball and Bath

2008-07-29T17:48:00.001-07:00

All Pro

Biblical Effort

Consciousness Regained

Cleanin' Time

Pool It

2008-07-28T11:05:00.000-07:00

heading

hanging

leaping

pooling

Two Queens

2008-07-22T17:40:00.001-07:00

“I want his head”

said the one queen

“I want his peace”

said the other queen

the one queen was the main queen

the other queen was the worse queen

a sort of balance—perhaps

but the main queen feared the other queen

and made things nearly intolerable

the one with the head and the peace used light

to lighten and enlighten the halls and caverns

the queens would dine and create multi-layered wounds

sent forth on the backs of slaves; delivered with recordings of their collective cackle

electric and blue with corrupted justice and sharpened inequities

the peace and the head were tortured in their battles

and singularly viewed as foolish as a sun in a meadow

“I want his head”

said the one queen

“I want his peace”

said the other queen

and so to the dungeon he was sent

deep and dark to sort it out

easy to keep the peace, but easy to lose a head

--------------------------------------------------

Looking through the backs of Dogwood flowers I saw the sun passing through

2008-07-02T06:52:00.001-07:00

Looking through the backs of Dogwood flowers I saw the sun passing through.

There was no photosynthesis; no conversion of light into sugars – only beams penetrating petals.

The flower as part of the tree - pretty parts intended to attract insects and propagate the species.

But these pretty parts fade and wither away – blackened and finally gone from the earth like the dung of rats.

But the tree never dies. It lives on, growing a perpendicular root.

Fleeting flowers come and go; that is the way of ages, but the tree is magnificent.

Best News Story Ever - or at least in a long time . . .

2008-07-01T05:54:00.000-07:00

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/07/01/netherlands.circus/index.html

Now - Act like a college student!

2008-06-25T06:20:00.000-07:00

She loves coming to the bookstore with me - and so, occasionally I bring her along. In fact, we have played some amazing "hide and seek" after hours in the bookstore - really spooky, scary fun.

On her most recent visit, the bookstore had a sample dorm room on display.

E-Mail Alert

2008-06-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

Hey all - I've discovered my e-mail is not working, and in fact backed up - there were 28 messages held up as of last night, many junk I am sure, but I wanted to let you know because I do check it nightly - just hasn't been working - feel free to call if you have been trying to contact me via my Road Runner account - or feel free to call anyway.

Reading and a few more movies

2008-06-23T06:26:00.000-07:00

Still reading Moby - excellent, more than half way through

Bee Movie: ok
Semi-Pro: terrible
Keeping Mum: an excellent surprise (2005 Rowan Atkinson, Maggie Smith)
Jumper: decent enough entertainment

Happy Mondays to Yous

Soldiers of Spring

2008-06-08T19:16:00.000-07:00

soldiers of spring

cannot be denied
their arrows will be sent
marks will be hit
spring’s merging
the soft violence
signaled by sun and rain

posts to spread
as all will attempt
“embrace the ground, little bed posts
hug it and keep it warm -
come forth with feeling”
through leaves and clutter, the unknown show

and despite the odds, mostly consistent

Recently Reading and Recently Watched Update

2008-05-27T17:48:00.001-07:00

I thought I would make mention of my list of recent readings and viewings. I updated it and thought I would say a few words about them.

First, reading-wise. I am in Moby Dick and digging it. I've read about 22 chapters and still have over 100 to go. So far so very good.

Second, the movies. I haven't said much about them and still won't here, (to protect the innocent) but here are a few words about what I have seen since about March or so. I'd be more than happy to discuss further with any of you.

Prince Caspian - I went in pretty confident that I would like it based on my experience with the first and the fact that it was the same director and so on; however, I was stunned at how much I really enjoyed it.

Raiders of the Lost Ark - still great - though some stuff is pretty funny

Nacho Libre - I simply LOVE this movie

A League of Their Own - surprisingly good sports movie, I was on the edge of my seat - not knowing who would win, too much Rosie, but I guess there is usually too much Rosie

I Am Legend (2X) - Trista wanted to watch it so I watched it a second time, overall it was not as good the second time, but the stuff I love about the beginning of the movie I still loved - the lonely, seemingly only human left in the city kinda thing

Vacancy - OK

To Kill A Mockingbird - EXCELLENT

Macbeth - I ended up seeing the Polanski version about three times, becoming obsessed, also saw an animated version

Blood Diamond - pretty good

Beowulf - disappointing for the most part

Live Free or Die Hard - what you'd expect

The Simpson's Movie - better than I had hoped for

WHAT DO I FEEL LIKE WATCHING

I kinda want to mine some ole Gregory Peck movies - maybe I'll tire of him quickly, but that's what I'm feeling at the moment - oh and likely another viewing of FOTR, possibly

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOLLY!

2008-05-05T19:21:00.000-07:00

My Little Girl is Nine

She has been a gift everyday. A continual reminder to me that fate, destiny, and a power from beyond are actively at work in my life. Had my life brought me to others whom I may have mated with and perhaps produced other children, I likely would even have loved such children.

But in no way can I imagine a life without the entrance by Molly.

The person she is and continues to become is so richly unique, how can my reaction to one of her expressions simply be a random function of our species, without some design, some wonderful, inventive design from a source of special goodness, seemingly without reason, but full of purpose?

That “it was meant to be,” is less an applicable statement and more a state of being. I love her from a place of joy, base, basic, up high, as I imagine birds love soaring around the clouds, and I love her profoundly from the depths of my heart, dissipated and pumping across a wide sea. And where these two meet, an endless sunrise.

Time passes cruelly by.

On the eve of the Indiana primaries we supped across the street from Obama’s Terre Haute headquarters. I thought about something we all have heard. “A future for our children.” It has been said for generations, dulling into an excuse, a lofty notion of “down the line” – some vague, but noble reference. Our parents. Us. And now our children. Not a “What future,” could Obama actually supply a “When” future or will the elevated speak fade even for him after the election. That is what I wonder. “The future of our children” is one of the most often used marketing techniques utilized by politicians. Its very vagueness assures the saving of face. Children’s children. Oh. Phone calls. Obama people at the door. I am very encouraged, but await a “when” with hopefully the “win.”

It’ll be tough here because of our popular senator’s support of Hilary.

Because of the way parents feel about their children, it becomes an area of exploitation. Work ‘em then. Get the vote. The future for our children really, is that. The future of children when they are of voting age – future voters to ensure and to continue to support particular political parties and families. Secure the vote. Not the future of children AS children. That is tomorrow. Unless there is a cyclone, a viral outbreak, or a car bomb.

So Molly is asleep now. Dreaming. I kissed her goodnight. She knows the name Obama, but not what it means for tomorrow. I deeply wish her happiness on Tuesday.

So Excited had to Blog

2008-04-30T23:40:00.000-07:00

As of 2:33 AM this morning -

DONE

with the semester!!!

e-mailed my final paper "Subversive Weeds: The English Pull and the Irish Continuance"

done done done

On Top of the End

2008-04-27T21:08:00.000-07:00

Almost done. Last Tuesday night I never went to bed. It was weird. Wednesday then, I turned in a 74 page unit plan covering Macbeth. What a night. I remember calling for owls at 2:30 AM outside in my backyard. I remember eating toast with grape jelly at 3:15 am. I remember printing a final sheet at 6:37 am, just in time to jump in the shower and go to work. In the shower I remember trying to wipe off the tiles while the shower was still on.

Anyway Wednesday went to work, my poetry reading was that afternoon then I went home- I crashed and slept very hard.

So, just now, I finished a draft of my final paper for my Irish Lit. class - which, interestingly ended the Tuesday of my all nighter. An Irish class wrapping up over a couple of Newcastle Brown Ales and the eating of calzones in an Italian restaurant.

I may have some revisions to make, but aside from that all I have left for this semester is a final this Tuesday afternoon.

Rocking in the Early Morning

2008-04-18T07:16:00.000-07:00

Before six this morning I flew out of bed. Ran across the hall, Molly, in a fright, was already headed out. I grabbed her, told Trista to grab Mr. T and we rushed downstairs. It was as if a giant hand was holding onto our upper level roof, just shaking it to piss me off after another late night working with Macbeth. That, or as I falsely accused, "it is probably just Steve (our neighbor) pushing his recycling container up." To which Trista replied, "it is loud, but why would that shake our house unless he was on the roof."

It had to be a storm. Tornado. High winds. Falling branches. Once we were downstairs; however, everything was peaceful. OK - must be a large animal on the roof. I bravely ventured outside and examined the roof - nothing.

Earthquake! Pretty crazy. Molly wanted to know where the giant crack was and if there was lava.

Very brief. Only about a 5.2. But enough to really shake things up. No damage around here, but wow - one of the last acts of nature I would have predicted as I went to bed that night.

Our Fish has died

2008-04-13T17:14:00.000-07:00

The betta from Kansas City. Given to us at my brother's wedding reception. It was one of two that was still alive, it being the furthest away, geographically. But not anymore. It got dropsy. A terrible, fatal disease that causes the scales to stick straight out, it bloats, and turns a little gray. We tried to change the water, but that was it. Some tears from Molly. She named it Sam. As I buried it, its scales folded back down and it seemed the color returned to a deep purple. It was a living thing that lived with us for a couple of years.

As people, is love for a creature dependent on the love we receive, or can receive, or perceive to receive? A dog compared to a fish. A fish is nearly alien, living apart from us in water - our very touch may be lethal. A dog is soft and needs attention. A cat can curl up with us and purr. We can love mammals. Destroy and torture them, yes, but we can LOVE mammals. They possess enough traits for us to relate to. Soft enough. Warm enough. The blood is red enough.

Maybe we as a race would be incapable of love for non-mammals. Maybe it would be best if aliens never came. I think it is difficult enough for us to have peace with mammals whom we are at least capable of love. But creatures that possess none of the mammalian qualities - I doubt peace would ever be possible. An existence of other beings, alien beings - not mammals, could be dismissed, as easily as it is for us to flush a fish.

If we cannot love something that we cannot perceive as having the potential to love us back, then peace is an impossibility. Sam sat in his bowl, water flowing over his gills as indifference passes through our minds. Dangerous, irreversible, indifference.

Sam died from a horrible disease. He was beta.

Second Place

2008-04-10T18:59:00.000-07:00

I won an ISU Mary Reid McBeth Literary Award in poetry. On April 23rd, I will receive the prize at a reception where I am also invited to do a "reading."I submitted a collection of eight poems - including the following, which I'll share here:

The Problem with Coastal Liquor Markets

quiet reports of giant bivalves
meander through romantic conversations,
business transactions

monster clams, dark and seemingly dead
objects of distorted vision and thought
resting myths on the ocean floor

able to swallow divers whole
growing the missing persons report
young couples never able to divorce

the rum merchants and whiskey runners
with tipsy clients know all the good cliffs
an arrangement of good sense

“All toast the giant clam,
our fanciful legend goes especially well
with a bottle of our Spiced Oyster Rum!”

the possibility of existence is terribly exciting
the customers want to believe, but only in jollity
the flutes are coming in, the bongos will soon begin

sales and marketing reports litter the beach
empty bottles with colorful labels twinkle in the sun
from the deep an eruption of bubbles disturbs the surface

Break Your Back Mountain of Books

2008-04-07T18:48:00.000-07:00

All these. And one more - TKAM (I forgot to add to the pile and so it is pictured by itself). The end is near and I am glad. I maintain that this semester was less taxing than last fall, but it isn't over yet. One major paper complete - two projects to go, one more paper and a unit plan.

I cannot remember looking more forward to a summer. 70 or so degrees here today and beautiful. Nice little bike ride with Molly to kick off our new season.

Back to the books. I can really see the light now. With the completion of this semester, I will only have one more semester of "regular" classes (and one of those will be another independent study) and then student teaching.

Knowing that I only have one more semester, like I've been having, is just what I will need in order to keep it up. That and not having a summer class should be great!

Anyway, just a little recap while I enter the final stretch for this semester.

just a little something

2008-03-27T12:34:00.000-07:00

I maintain that this semester is less taxing than the last one; however, things have quickened. Between the hours of 10:00 PM and 4:30 AM I wrote an 8 page research paper. Work has been rough.

Just a little shout out.

Good News for the Neighborhood

2008-03-10T07:50:00.000-07:00

no - not a new Applebees (that would be extraordinary news)

and no the Mormons aren't coming around again

Our neighborhood is initiating a recycling program that will hopefully spread throughout the city. Interestingly, this effort was managed by a couple of elderly ladies - we just had to sign something. A city this size with nothing bigger around for 60 or so miles hasn’t had to worry about running out of or filling up landfills – not an excuse not to recycle, but it has not applied that extra pressure for the city to do something.

There are a few places around town that accept items for recycling, but as you can imagine – many people do not. We were spoiled in Minneapolis. Here, we take items to the ISU recycling facility. It is pretty slick and has worked for us, but it will be nice to be able to take care of the recycling on a weekly basis.

Soon, a company called Republic will pick up our items and take them for sorting by the good folks at Goodwill. Everything except glass – which we will continue to drop off at ISU.

It’ll be great if this catches on and other neighborhoods join in. The fee is small, $5 a month, and if it does grow – glass may be added to the mix.

Something New

2008-02-06T20:26:00.000-08:00

State Flower of Alabama

Super Tuesday was super boring - I am referring specifically to various "news" teams. CNN, Fox, Katie C. - it is treated like sports news teams - hec it might as well be Terry and Howie and Jimmie blabbing dogma and theories.

Romney was "hoping for a surge" that never happened in California. On one hand the masses (asses as we are) can be affected to an extent by what happened in another state, but give us (the human race) a little more credit. We just don't gallop to where the biggest pile of sugar is, do we?

Confession: I do not understand super delegate at all and sometimes I understand the whole system LESS than I did just a moment ago.

I really do not like the band Chicago. I tried to like Saturday in the Park for many years, and maybe I did for a couple of months. But that band, they should be dismissed from the realm of music.

The Suns freak out because of Gasol - and Shaq is back - for a two year 20 million buyout from the Heat and poor Hilary is digging into her own precious pockets for a mere five million to keep her ass afloat!? Shaq should be giving it up to H-Rod -

I am taking English Teaching Methods on MWF at 2:00 - great great class taught by an amazing man - and nearly making by so called education classes irrelevant. Our major project this semester is an entire Unit - the idea being that not only can we use this in our attempts at earning employment, but far more importantly we will actually be able to USE it as an actual unit in the classroom. I am doing my unit over Drama, so Dan - I may be asking you some questions from time to time.

Also - Grammar for English teachers on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:30 - very weird, flashbacks to middle school - it is amazing how very complicated it all can be - same professor as last semester's History of English, which ended up being my most difficult and taxing class so far at Indiana State.

And then my independent study, we meet once a week over coffee and discuss Irish Literature (before 1800) and the evolving idea of Ireland as a country, or culture, or state of mind, entity - whatever you might think it is. Great class - still early going, didn't really start until the third week of classes.

Molly is going to be in her first talent show with two other friends, I guess they are going to dress in jeans, white t-shirts and do a dance routine to "I Love Rock'n'Roll." Our little photo-journal project continues.

Trista is working on her licensure and digging her counseling at ISU.

I just stopped.

King New Year

2008-01-01T17:07:00.001-08:00

as crowned by Molly

defeated and put away this guy:

Happy New Year Everybody!

Not Working On Paper and Update

2007-11-27T17:34:00.000-08:00

The scary pirate needed to be replaced with the real thing.

Molly and I at our "spot."

Making Acorn Delights.

Oh My Osage!

Her favorite tree.

Brown County State Park.

I am seriously putting off finishing my 10 page paper on Ebonics - gots to get going!

Anyway - MN for Thanksgiving and back - saw Dan for a brew and a short, but sweet visit. Shook hands with the Subway guy. This semester has by far been the most difficult - will be glad when it is over - very soon now.

Short post - but needed an update of sorts - enjoy pictures.

Hallowed Be Thy Ween

2007-11-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

Martin's Brain

2007-10-21T20:25:00.000-07:00

It fell out as he was riding his scooter. He slammed into a tree and it rolled right out. They say he is doing better, but I do not know how - I grabbed and kept the brain. Did they put another in? Do we not need brains after all? I keep Martin's brain chilled in my freezer and check up on it twice daily. I am tempted to cut it open and reveal the memories, but I'll save that for when I am especially bored.

Dog Poop and Bread

2007-09-09T12:25:00.000-07:00

When we take Mr. T for a walk, some combination of family members will take him nearly every evening after dinner during the week - during the weekend he goes out mid-mornings - anyway one particular night, it was just me to take him for a walk. I went to grab a baggie to pick up the poop. No baggie. Crap! I looked around, I needed something. There are those that do not pick up the poop and those that do.

I am one that will, at least 95% of the time. Let me tell you the times I do not. If, in the winter time, he poops in the middle of the street and there is snow and ice, I have been known to kick snow over the poop and walk on. He often poops in the middle of the road. His way of getting back at us freer humans, or so he thinks. He suddenly stops, hunches up, and knocks 'em down - though not like a Bison, more like a dog. Thighs a quivering, he then scampers quickly away from the scene of the crime, making room for me to come in and clean-up. When the roads are clear I always pick up the poop from the road.

If he poops in a stretch of wooded area that is not a yard belonging to a house, I will leave it. It is a relatively small stretch and I think he has only made a deposit there once or twice. He much prefers the road or a well-manicured lawn. The smoother the surface the less likely his ass will be bothered with.

I always pick up out of yards. In fact, Mr. T will sometimes go through the motions of pooping, but will not actually poop. It is strange and it makes me very guilty. As if under the pressure from a man peering out of his window with a sweaty gun in his hands, I, too, will go through the motions. Making to pick up a pile of poop that isn't there. I try to be as convincing as possible in my performance to keep the bullets off my back. I bend all the way down, swipe at the grass, collect a stick or a leaf that in some ways resembles shit, seal the baggie, scrunch up my noise as if it smells bad, and look around while giving that "look brother, I picked up dog poop, kind of a drag, but ain't that part of having a dog" - again just trying to keep under the radar - trying not to let the others know the depths of my insanity or differences in thought and priorities.

OK - so back to my lack of something to pick up the poop. There on the counter. We recently bought a new loaf of bread - there was the old loaf - down to one heel (I'll usually eat those), but the bag...Mr. T was getting uppity so I quickly grabbed the bag and out of the door I flew.

Within two blocks, Mr. T produced a dark three incher. I paused and considered. The heel of bread would be ruined so I grabbed the heel and like a mouth it grabbed Mr. T's creation. My yeasty tongs held securely my required prize. As my wrist rotated to place it in the bag - I saw that it looked like a sandwich of sorts. A strange little hot dog. Obviously the person ran out of hot dog buns and had to make do with regular bread. I stood there, in the sun, when a tap on the shoulder snapped me out of my spacey considerations.

An old man, homeless and without teeth, leathered after years of meth use, abandoned by humanity and family, asked me for some money. I was shocked, and initially terrified. There have never been homeless persons wandering around here before, plus he kind of surprised me.
I told him that I did not carry any money when I walked the dog, but I did have a delicious beef sandwich, if we would like it. He eagerly accepted and gobbled it down as he turned and disappeared in the glare of the setting sun.

I was hopeful that he would receive a good dose of crude proteins and confident, that at the very least, he would enjoy the bread.

Harry Potter Film Musings and then no more for a while to steal a little from Mixdorf

2007-08-28T18:04:00.000-07:00

While Mixdorf took a look at the books, this post will focus on all seven movies. Yes, seven movies, though they are not complete, it is inevitable that they will be.

Year One

The director, appropriately named Chris Columbus, sets out for new territory. Never before has a series of children's fantasy books so quickly been gobbled up and popularised and ALMOST simultaneously made into movies. Never before have actors or producers been this close to the actual writing of the book. Imagine Daniel Radcliffe reading Book Seven...I do not think an actor has ever experienced what he and the other actors and producers must have while awaiting and then reading the final book - absolutely incredible.

Looking back, I do like the first film and I appreciate the touch the director gave it. Wide-eyed, wondrous - youthful adventure, and the first dive into the Potter world on screen. Going to school, friends, and adventure. Though the special effects suffered at times, especially Harry flying on a broom, the sets and lighting were beautiful - I'm just thinking how the tables in the great hall invoked both magic and a certain schoolness.

Through these discussions I am going to briefly track the diminished role of Hagrid and Minerva. Here, in the first movie, DD, Minerva, and Hagrid all seem to have an extra special connection to Harry's beginnings, M and H seem to have an extra deep conection to DD that seems to lighten as the years go by.

I like the first one for its first look at the characters and the world of Harry Potter.

Year Two

Same director but with far lesser results. The directing seemed tired and even sloppy at times, despite a few nice moments of suspense and humor. That combined with a story that, though its implications would be bigger down the road than the first movie, was basically a mirror of book one - the movie had miserable aspirations. Forcing emotion into Hagrid's return at the end was too much for me and though it may have worked better in the books, I still feel the sword and the hat and the phoenix at the end were a bit too convenient. The intensity at times was nice, but it seems the director was already checking out.

M and H still appear to have an important connection to DD, though as mentioned, Hagrid's seemed horribly out of place and forced.

As I've said before, my least favorite of the films so far.

Year Three

Better, bigger book - new director who suddenly makes the grounds of Hogwarts far hillier. Actors becoming better - though I did think Hermione's acting was poorer than Harry and Ron -but mostly this one for me was about DD. At this point it was my favorite Potter film, but this is also when I realized how much I enjoyed the original DD. The original never stood out, but after his death I realized how good he was and how this has become the

greatest tragedy facing this series of films...

The new DD drove me nuts in this film. He seemed to try to distinguish himself so much form the original that he actually distanced himself from the character he was attempting to portray. FOUL!!

M and H defintiely taking a back seat to some of the new arrivals.

Despite the DD issue, I really thought this was a good movie.

Year Four

Hermione's acting much improved and as such, the acting overall among the youngsters was very good all around. It is difficult to compare this movie to the third. I will say that H is doing stuff, but not terribly important stuff and M dances with DD - the last time any real relationship of any depth is noted in the movies.

The Goblet of Fire had some great moments, despite more bad DD. Really fun stuff as well as scary stuff - higher levels of acting that go nicely with the dramatic rise in intensity - that is so quickly undermined right at the very end of the film.

However, this film committs a very great crime. No Dursleys. How could they skip that? Major offense that will forever taint this film.

Year Five

I have only seen it once and everybody and their mother knows the ole longest book, shortest movie equation - as I have said - a very clever film and I cannot wait to see it again. And yes, DD was better.

Without a doubt H and M are dropping out. Sure, in the book Hagrid goes off to the giants and M all along, I suspect keeps the school running, but the DEEP connection that I sensed between those three is disappearing, and fast.

Movie Six

The potential for a "knock your socks off" kind of movie is dangerously high. Fun, high drama, plot development. My concern is, given what we know, I will be interested to witness the death of DD and how Snape is handled. How amazing would it have been, if like The Empire Strikes Back - we as an audience had no clue - anyway - such a great mix of the best Potter Elements in a tighter package should provide for a master film.

Movie Seven

I hope the epilogue is not attempted. There is so much action in this one that I doubt even Bruce Willis could handle it, however, my one concern is the ending. After the book has settled for a bit, and I need to read it again, the ending has to an extent that feel when, for example, all the SImpson characters come out to overthrow the rip - off artist who strode into town to take advantabge of the townsfolk - I hope it doesn't devolve into Death Eaters bumping into each other and tripping while the "townsfolks" are taunting Voldemort at the end, perhaps even a shot of a first year saying, "yeah!" I wonder about a Simpson's moment at the end of the movie. I think the Obi Wan moment could be handled well - though again that'll be up to DD - maybe he will have been recast by then.

By book seven we learn that DD doesn't really talk to too many people, yet M and H never seem hurt by this, as if they have accepted it long ago - I wanted to read a little more about DD M and H - thinking that they had a special connection of sorts - mostly it seems that they were people whom DD trusted, at least to a point.

Anybody like the dementors from Film five better than film three?

2007-08-09T19:12:00.000-07:00

"Go and embrace your liberty and see what wonderful things come of it” - Louisa May Alcott, Little Women