Friday, September 28, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Saturday, September 22, 2007
From the mouths of babes...........
Was it yesterday or the day before? I can't remember but Bobby had come home a little earlier than normal and had told me that another "Hail and Farewell" was this Friday (which was yesterday actually). And, I being the social recluse, cringed on the inside because I knew what that meant. I, the newest of officers wives, was to perform my duty and go with my husband, the officer, to this function.
I moaned and groaned. "Do I have to go? Can you go alone? Is it mandatory?" While both Bobby and I bantered back and forth about this, Lauren lay on the floor watching one of her Nick Jr. shows with a coloring book in front of her and a Crayola No Mess Marker poised at the ready in her hand. She scribbled with no care if the color was within or outside the darkly defined boundaries.
As our conversation came to a close, our voices getting louder, Bobby winning in the end. I needed to make an appearance. Lauren looks up from her scribbling, her show (probably Dora, I think) singing in the background, and yells....."Shut Up!" in her most serious of tones for a soon-to-be two-year-old girl. Both Bobby and I look at each other, we open our mouths then close them. What could we say? So we shut up.
I moaned and groaned. "Do I have to go? Can you go alone? Is it mandatory?" While both Bobby and I bantered back and forth about this, Lauren lay on the floor watching one of her Nick Jr. shows with a coloring book in front of her and a Crayola No Mess Marker poised at the ready in her hand. She scribbled with no care if the color was within or outside the darkly defined boundaries.
As our conversation came to a close, our voices getting louder, Bobby winning in the end. I needed to make an appearance. Lauren looks up from her scribbling, her show (probably Dora, I think) singing in the background, and yells....."Shut Up!" in her most serious of tones for a soon-to-be two-year-old girl. Both Bobby and I look at each other, we open our mouths then close them. What could we say? So we shut up.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Bleach
Ichigo Kurosaki is a brash 15 year old who is often picked on because of the unusual bright orange color of his hair. But although he seems like a hot-headed troublemaker, Ichigo has the unique ability to see ghosts and spirits in the world around him that other people cannot see. This ability allowed him to meet Rukia Kuchiki, a shinigami(death god) from the spirit world known as Soul Society. Rukia explains to Ichigo that many dead spirits are sent to live in Soul Society, but lost or vengeful spirits often turn into vicious soul-eating creatures called hollows, and it's the responsibility of the death gods to vanquish the hollows from the living world. Not long after meeting Rukia, Ichigo's house and family were attacked by a hollow, which was attracted to Ichigo's strong spiritual energy. In a desperate attempt to protect them, Rukia ended up transferring all of her death god powers into Ichigo, and Ichigo managed to defeat the hollow. Unable to take back her powers, Rukia decided to teach Ichigo to become a death god in her place, since he already has such incredible spiritual powers. It doesn't take Ichigo long to settle into his role as a death god and learn to use his powerful zanpakuto(soul slayer) sword effectively. Rukia also settles into life in the living world, using a faux body to attend Ichigo's school and hiding out in the closet in his room. During Ichigo's many battles with the hollows, it becomes apparent that he's not the only one with spiritual powers. Not only does his sister Karin possess some, but his classmates Orihime and Sado(nicknamed "Chad") also begin to realize their spirit powers when hollows attack them. And Ichigo later discovers that another of his classmates, Ishida, actually comes from a long line of spirit users called Quincys.
As he battles more hollows, Ichigo begins to like his role as a death god. He becomes closer to his classmates and feels good when he's able to protect them and his family from hollows. In addition, he manages to battle the hollow that killed his mother and he also gains a strange ally in Kon, a spirit inhabiting a stuffed lion toy(Kon can also temporarily exist in Ichigo's body while his spirit is off fighting hollows.) However, Ichigo's new life is suddenly shattered when two other death gods come from Soul Society on a mission to arrest Rukia and sentence her to death for illegally transferring her powers to Ichigo and remaining in the living world longer than is allowed. Ichigo desperately tried to fight off the powerful death gods(one of which was Rukia's older brother) but he was no match for them, and Rukia surrenders, not wanting to put Ichigo in more danger. As she's lead back through the doors to Soul Society, she demands that Ichigo not follow her. But, not one to abandon a friend in need, Ichigo becomes determined to find a way to Soul Society and rescue Rukia before it's too late. With some special spiritual training from Urahara, the mysterious manager of a store that is somehow connected to the spirit world, and the support of Orihime, Sado, and Ishida, as well as guidance from the talking cat Yoruichi(who was once actually a respected female member of Soul Society), Ichigo and his friends finally find a way to Soul Society. But once there they are seen as invaders(ryoka) and are split up and immediately attacked by the hundreds of death gods that exists there. But also at this time there is a secret coup going on among the high ranking death god captains and lieutenants. Rukia's execution sentence is somehow connected to this plot although most of the death gods are too involved in getting rid of the invaders to take notice. But as events of betrayal, deceit, and murder begin to plague the death gods of Soul Society, it's apparent that the culprit is one of their own. But as for Ichigo and his friends, the most important thing is rescuing Rukia before she's used as a pawn in this twisted plot! .
Naruto
Twelve years before the events at the focus of the series, the nine-tailed demon fox attacked Konohagakure. Powerful enough to raise tsunamis and flatten mountains with a swish of one of its tails, it raised chaos and slaughtered many people, until the leader of the Leaf Village – the Fourth Hokage – sacrificed his own life to seal the demon inside his newborn son, Naruto Uzumaki. The Fourth Hokage, who was celebrated as a hero for sealing the demon fox away, wanted Naruto to be respected in a similar light by being the containment vessel for the demon fox.
The Leaf Village, however, shunned him, regarding Naruto as if he were the demon fox itself and mistreated him throughout most of his childhood. A decree made by the Third Hokage forbade anyone to discuss or mention the attack of the demon fox to anyone, even their own children. However, this did not stop them from treating him like an outcast and as a result he grew up an orphan without friends, family, or acknowledgment. He could not force people to befriend him, so he sought acknowledgment and attention the only way he knew – through pranks and mischief.
However, that soon changed after Naruto graduated from the Ninja Academy by using his Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, a technique from a forbidden scroll that he was tricked into stealing, to save his teacher, Iruka Umino, from the renegade ninja Mizuki. That encounter gave Naruto two insights: that he was the container of the demon fox, and that there was someone besides the Third Hokage who actually cared for and acknowledged him. His graduation from the academy opened a gateway to the events and people that would change and define his world, including his way of the ninja for the rest of his life.
The main story follows Naruto and his friends' personal growth and development as ninja, and emphasizes their interactions with each other and the influence of their backgrounds on their personalities. Naruto finds two friends and comrades in Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, two fellow young ninja who are assigned with him to form a three-person team under an experienced sensei named Kakashi Hatake. Naruto also confides in other characters that he meets throughout the series as well. They learn new abilities, get to know each other and other villagers better, and experience a coming-of-age journey as Naruto dreams of becoming the Hokage of the Leaf Village.
Throughout all of the Naruto plot, strong emphasis on character development changes the plot, with very few things happening because of chance. At first, emphasis is placed on Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, who are the members of Team 7. However, other characters are developed, such as Kakashi, Tsunade, and Jiraiya, as well as Naruto's peers in the other teams and villages. Several major villains come into play as well, the first being Zabuza Momochi, a missing-nin from Kirigakure, and his partner, Haku. Later, in the Chunin Exams arc, Orochimaru is introduced as an S-Class missing-nin at the top of Konoha's most wanted list. Later still, a mysterious organization called Akatsuki begins to pursue Naruto for the nine-tailed demon fox inside him.
Death Note
Light Yagami is an extremely intelligent young man who resents the crime and corruption in the world. His life undergoes a drastic change when he discovers a mysterious notebook, known as the "Death Note", lying on the ground in the year 2003. The Death Note's instructions claim that if a human's name is written within it that person shall die. Light is initially skeptical of the Death Note's authenticity, believing it is just a prank. However, after experimenting with it and killing two criminals, Light is forced to admit that the Death Note is real. After meeting with the previous owner of the Death Note, a Shinigami named Ryuk, Light seeks to become "the God of the new world" by passing his judgment on criminals.
Soon, the number of inexplicable deaths of reported criminals catches the attention of the International Police Organization and a mysterious detective known only as "L". L quickly learns that the serial killer, dubbed by the public as "Kira" (derived from the Japanese pronunciation of the English word "Killer"), is located in Japan. L also concludes that Kira can kill people without laying a finger on them. Light realizes that L will be his greatest nemesis, and a game of psychological cat and mouse between the two begins.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Six years later.........
On this day, like any other day, we get up, get dressed, eat, sleep, got to work. It's like nothing had ever happened. We have images to remind us. This day is to be like no other day. We aren't supposed to forget. This day began the stirrings of emotions that most of us didn't realize we had or didn't want to have. We began to hate those who didn't look like "us". We began to love those who sacrificed for us, stirrings of life that began this country created by hate.
Time has moved on. What happened to those emotions that we all felt that day? Like death of a loved one, the pain has subsided into a healed bruise on our soul. What once was black, purple, blue....faded to green, grey, pink....to nothing. Just a feeling knowing that once there was a bruise there.
Many of the kids to young to remember or to care don't recognize this day. But for those of us, who sat glued to the TV in disbelief that THAT was really happening, who hoped that the networks were playing a terrible joke and that it was a creation of Spielberg and Lucas productions. Only they could create something so real and leave us breathless, right? But this was no joke. No production. Real lives were lost.
All of us rallied together behind our president and knew that this could not, would not, should not be ignored. So we willingly let our family members go, to do the right thing. Defend OUR country. Because how dare somebody come over and THREATEN us on our land and tell us that we were infidels.
But like I said, time has healed those wounds. Many now believe we need to get out. We did what we needed to do. But did we? Bin Laden is still out there. And for everyone member we kill...there are 10 more to replace him.
My fear....we forget and are reminded yet again by another devastation on our souls. How many times will it take to finish what we started? I guess only God knows.
But this song truly says what I'm tryin' to say.
I hear people sayin'.
We Don't need this war.
I say there's some things worth fightin' for.
What about our freedom, and this piece of ground?
We didn't get to keep 'em by backin' down.
They say we don't realize the mess we're gettin' in
Before you start preachin' let me ask you this my friend.
Chorus
Have you forgotten, how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten, when those towers fell
We had neighbors still inside goin through a livin hell
And you say we shouldn't worry bout Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
You took all the footage off my T.V.
Said it's too disturbin for you and me
It'll just breed anger is what the experts say
If it was up to me I'd show it everyday
Some say this country just out lookin' for a fight
Well after 9/11 man I'd have to say right.
Chorus
Have you forgotten, how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell
We had neighbors still inside goin' through a livin' hell
And we vow to get the ones behind Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
I've been there with the soldiers
Who've gone away to war
you can bet they remember just what they're fightin' for
Have you forgotten
All the people killed
Yes some went down like heroes
In that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten
About our Pentagon
All the loved ones that we lost
And those left to carry on
Don't you tell me not to worry 'bout Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?!
Time has moved on. What happened to those emotions that we all felt that day? Like death of a loved one, the pain has subsided into a healed bruise on our soul. What once was black, purple, blue....faded to green, grey, pink....to nothing. Just a feeling knowing that once there was a bruise there.
Many of the kids to young to remember or to care don't recognize this day. But for those of us, who sat glued to the TV in disbelief that THAT was really happening, who hoped that the networks were playing a terrible joke and that it was a creation of Spielberg and Lucas productions. Only they could create something so real and leave us breathless, right? But this was no joke. No production. Real lives were lost.
All of us rallied together behind our president and knew that this could not, would not, should not be ignored. So we willingly let our family members go, to do the right thing. Defend OUR country. Because how dare somebody come over and THREATEN us on our land and tell us that we were infidels.
But like I said, time has healed those wounds. Many now believe we need to get out. We did what we needed to do. But did we? Bin Laden is still out there. And for everyone member we kill...there are 10 more to replace him.
My fear....we forget and are reminded yet again by another devastation on our souls. How many times will it take to finish what we started? I guess only God knows.
But this song truly says what I'm tryin' to say.
I hear people sayin'.
We Don't need this war.
I say there's some things worth fightin' for.
What about our freedom, and this piece of ground?
We didn't get to keep 'em by backin' down.
They say we don't realize the mess we're gettin' in
Before you start preachin' let me ask you this my friend.
Chorus
Have you forgotten, how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten, when those towers fell
We had neighbors still inside goin through a livin hell
And you say we shouldn't worry bout Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
You took all the footage off my T.V.
Said it's too disturbin for you and me
It'll just breed anger is what the experts say
If it was up to me I'd show it everyday
Some say this country just out lookin' for a fight
Well after 9/11 man I'd have to say right.
Chorus
Have you forgotten, how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell
We had neighbors still inside goin' through a livin' hell
And we vow to get the ones behind Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
I've been there with the soldiers
Who've gone away to war
you can bet they remember just what they're fightin' for
Have you forgotten
All the people killed
Yes some went down like heroes
In that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten
About our Pentagon
All the loved ones that we lost
And those left to carry on
Don't you tell me not to worry 'bout Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?!
Monday, September 10, 2007
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Being neighborly............
This morning was a wet and drizzly morning. I woke to constant flashes of light from the window. A storm must have passed through. Ugh! Not good.
Well, I woke up before the alarm went off...by 15 minutes. So I got up. I habitually walked to the kitchen, let the dog out, made my coffee, let the dog back in (had too because it was wet outside), and walked to the bathroom. Ugh.
I get dressed for my morning treadmill run. Not in the mood, but I must. I didn't run yesterday. Ugh.
So, I go back, habitually, to the kitchen, poor my coffee, and amble back to the living room to my trusted laptop. I boot it up. While it does it's thing, I stretch a bit and put on my Nike's. I log on to my regular sites, habitually. Nothing much going on at either of my favorite forums. Ugh.
I go and wake up Bobby. He has to be at work early this morning. Takes a couple of tries but he finally gets up. I then walk to my treadmill, discover the knob on the release is gone (Lauren!), and hunt for that. Found it! And screwed it back on. I then pull the knob and lower the treamill board down. Ugh. I get on, look at the console and deliberate. Do I really want to do this? "Not really," I think to myself. But I turn it on. I run not even 2 minutes and realize even if I wanted to, my hamstrings and glutes are still sore from yesterday's yoga. Ugh.
I then get off but decide to leave my exercise clothes on. I'll do an episode of yoga again or I'll do Leslie Sansone's 4-Mile Super Challenge walk. Guilt can do amazing things, I tell ya.
Well, Matthew wakes up an hour early. He throws up. He had sinus crap all in his stomach. Allergies! I have the same problem going on. Kleenex and I are inseparable. Ugh. Anyway, he starts to feel better. Nothing a warm, generic Sprite can't do. He then goes ahead and eats breakfast minus milk, just in case. Then gets ready for school. Yep, he's feeling better.
The hour ticks by and Eric is up and doing his morning routine for school. The rain has passed. Matthew is puke free. Guilt is still eating at me. Ugh
I then decide that it's not raining, Lauren and I will go 'round the neighborhood. I gather up my iPod, my Propel, Lauren's milk and cookies, and the stroller. Yep, I'm glad I decided this because the rain has cooled the breeze. It's humid but nothing a breeze can't fix. Oh yeah.
As I warm up, the walk turns into a jog and away we go. It's humid all right. My clothes were sticking to me. Sweat was running into my eyes. Ugh. That's okay. Sweat is good. I'm not afraid of sweat. I actually like it.
So as I'm beep-boppin' along, I hear a horn. I'm going about my business. Surely, it's not for me. I slightly turn my head and notice a small white car slowing down next to me. The lady in the car rolls down the windows and starts gesturing to me. I slow down and take out one of the earphones from my iPod out of my left ear. She asks me if I'm okay. I look at her like "huh?" She says I'm running like the devil is after me. I then gesture to my iPod, my Propel bottle, Lauren and her snacks and then procede to tell her that I'm okay. She says she has never done this but was worried because I look like I've been crying. The running "away" had her thinking I was literally running from something. I then tell her that the sweat is in my eyes and that is why my eyes are red. They are on "fire" from the salt from the sweat. I then told her sorry for getting her worried but at the same time told her "Thank you!" How many neighbors/strangers do you know who would take the time to help you out of a possible hectic situation? I don't know many, if at all one.
I get home feeling good. Guilt was gone. A neighbor was willing to "save" me. Lauren wasn't a pain. My eyes......looked like someone put hot pokers through them. Ugh.
Well, I woke up before the alarm went off...by 15 minutes. So I got up. I habitually walked to the kitchen, let the dog out, made my coffee, let the dog back in (had too because it was wet outside), and walked to the bathroom. Ugh.
I get dressed for my morning treadmill run. Not in the mood, but I must. I didn't run yesterday. Ugh.
So, I go back, habitually, to the kitchen, poor my coffee, and amble back to the living room to my trusted laptop. I boot it up. While it does it's thing, I stretch a bit and put on my Nike's. I log on to my regular sites, habitually. Nothing much going on at either of my favorite forums. Ugh.
I go and wake up Bobby. He has to be at work early this morning. Takes a couple of tries but he finally gets up. I then walk to my treadmill, discover the knob on the release is gone (Lauren!), and hunt for that. Found it! And screwed it back on. I then pull the knob and lower the treamill board down. Ugh. I get on, look at the console and deliberate. Do I really want to do this? "Not really," I think to myself. But I turn it on. I run not even 2 minutes and realize even if I wanted to, my hamstrings and glutes are still sore from yesterday's yoga. Ugh.
I then get off but decide to leave my exercise clothes on. I'll do an episode of yoga again or I'll do Leslie Sansone's 4-Mile Super Challenge walk. Guilt can do amazing things, I tell ya.
Well, Matthew wakes up an hour early. He throws up. He had sinus crap all in his stomach. Allergies! I have the same problem going on. Kleenex and I are inseparable. Ugh. Anyway, he starts to feel better. Nothing a warm, generic Sprite can't do. He then goes ahead and eats breakfast minus milk, just in case. Then gets ready for school. Yep, he's feeling better.
The hour ticks by and Eric is up and doing his morning routine for school. The rain has passed. Matthew is puke free. Guilt is still eating at me. Ugh
I then decide that it's not raining, Lauren and I will go 'round the neighborhood. I gather up my iPod, my Propel, Lauren's milk and cookies, and the stroller. Yep, I'm glad I decided this because the rain has cooled the breeze. It's humid but nothing a breeze can't fix. Oh yeah.
As I warm up, the walk turns into a jog and away we go. It's humid all right. My clothes were sticking to me. Sweat was running into my eyes. Ugh. That's okay. Sweat is good. I'm not afraid of sweat. I actually like it.
So as I'm beep-boppin' along, I hear a horn. I'm going about my business. Surely, it's not for me. I slightly turn my head and notice a small white car slowing down next to me. The lady in the car rolls down the windows and starts gesturing to me. I slow down and take out one of the earphones from my iPod out of my left ear. She asks me if I'm okay. I look at her like "huh?" She says I'm running like the devil is after me. I then gesture to my iPod, my Propel bottle, Lauren and her snacks and then procede to tell her that I'm okay. She says she has never done this but was worried because I look like I've been crying. The running "away" had her thinking I was literally running from something. I then tell her that the sweat is in my eyes and that is why my eyes are red. They are on "fire" from the salt from the sweat. I then told her sorry for getting her worried but at the same time told her "Thank you!" How many neighbors/strangers do you know who would take the time to help you out of a possible hectic situation? I don't know many, if at all one.
I get home feeling good. Guilt was gone. A neighbor was willing to "save" me. Lauren wasn't a pain. My eyes......looked like someone put hot pokers through them. Ugh.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Heroine Diaries....Update.
Eeergh! So stupid. I'm so stupid.
The CD is also called the Heroine Diaries. THAT is what was released on the 21st of August. Not the book. I couldn't understand why I couldn't find the book. Nobody had it.
So Bobby and I, with Lauren in tow, went to the mall. I immediately head to Borders. I can't find it. I'm going nuts. Frantically in search of this book. I finally give in and ask the sales associates. She states that I'm like the 10th person who has asked in the past couple of weeks. She has no clue why the book isn't there. So she hooks up to their system and discovers the book isn't released until September. No actual date. Just said Sept. 07. I'm totally bewildered because I know I had read August. So I thank the lady and we head back home.
Hmm? Did they hold the release date?
And, as I searched, did I realize I was looking at the CD release date. Errgh! And learn the book was always coming out in September.
Well, it's September now. So now I'll just keep a look out for it. Movies, books, and CD's are usually released on a Tuesday. So Tuesday's I'll keep looking. Now I can rest...................
The CD is also called the Heroine Diaries. THAT is what was released on the 21st of August. Not the book. I couldn't understand why I couldn't find the book. Nobody had it.
So Bobby and I, with Lauren in tow, went to the mall. I immediately head to Borders. I can't find it. I'm going nuts. Frantically in search of this book. I finally give in and ask the sales associates. She states that I'm like the 10th person who has asked in the past couple of weeks. She has no clue why the book isn't there. So she hooks up to their system and discovers the book isn't released until September. No actual date. Just said Sept. 07. I'm totally bewildered because I know I had read August. So I thank the lady and we head back home.
Hmm? Did they hold the release date?
And, as I searched, did I realize I was looking at the CD release date. Errgh! And learn the book was always coming out in September.
Well, it's September now. So now I'll just keep a look out for it. Movies, books, and CD's are usually released on a Tuesday. So Tuesday's I'll keep looking. Now I can rest...................
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)