Rocky Balboa

~ Movie Review ~

Rocky Balboa
I've never seen any of the previous Rocky movies, so I won't even try to compare this one to the original. This movie can stand on it's own, so it doesn't matter too much if (like me) you've never seen the older movies in the series. It was really good. Who doesn't love a good underdog story? I could guess the outcome of Rocky's match, and it didn't disappoint. Sylvester Stallone has still got it. Milo Ventimiglia (from Heroes) was really good in the role of Rocky's son, even though he's kind of a jerk at the beginning.
I'm now planning on watching all of the Rocky movies.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Former heavyweight champion Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) steps out of retirement and back into the ring, pitting himself against a new rival decades after his initial glory. When a computer simulated boxing match declares Rocky Balboa the victor over current champion Mason "The Line" Dixon, the legendary fighter's passion and spirit are reignited. But when his desire to fight in small, regional competitions is trumped by promoters calling for a rematch of the cyber-fight, Balboa must weigh the mental and physical risks of a high profile exhibition match against his need to be in the ring.
(From Yahoo! Movies)
I give this movie 3 and a half out of 5 stars. ***'

~*Quote of the day*~

If we could read the secret history of our enemies we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

~*Words of the day*~

Ikaga deshita ka?
(Japanese)

Meaning: How've you been?

Currently Listening to... "Trainwreck" - Sarah McLachlan

Talking Cats clip

Click on the video of the talking cats.

It's so cute!

=^..^=

Secondhand Lions

~ Movie Review ~

Secondhand Lions
I don't remember exactly when I first saw this movie, but I watched it again last week and I was reminded of why I liked it so much in the first place. It stars Haley Joel Osment - slightly older, and with a squeaky voice that only boys of that age have. He plays Walter, a likable and slightly goofy kid who is essentially abandoned by his mother. She leaves him with her uncles (his great-uncles) on a dilapidated farm in the middle of nowhere, while claiming that she's going to court reporting school. Before she leaves, she tells him to look for the treasure that her uncles supposedly possess.
Hub and Garth McCann (Robert Duvall, Michael Caine) reluctantly agree to look after Walter for a while ("WE'RE OLD, DAMNIT! LEAVE US ALONE! The last thing we need is some little sissy boy hanging around all summer").
His cousins, also strong believers in the fortune, arrive a day after his mother leaves to ingratiate themselves into the good graces of Hub and Garth. They tell Hub and Garth to take Walter to the orphanage. He runs to telephone his mother, and discovers that she is not actually enrolled at the school, but has lied - again.
With no other choice, Walter returns to the farm with his great-uncles. He eventually becomes used to their eccentric mannerisms, and they become used to him and his shyness. After finding an old photo, he becomes aware of his uncles' mysterious past. Garth reveals to him that he and Hub were adventurers beginning in World War I. Hub and Garth arrived in France the day that Germany invaded the country, and toured Europe just ahead of the invading armies. After a night of drinking, they find themselves shanghaied into the French Foreign Legion. The two brothers fought in many battles, and Hub saved Garth's life several times. After having many adventures, they returned to Texas 40 years later.

Hub and Garth, looking for adventure, order a lion from a traveling salesman. When it arrives, it's not exactly what they had in mind...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I don't want to reveal too much, but I'll tell you this: there's much more to the story than meets the eye. A princess, an evil sheik, and a pile of treasure... what more could you want from an adventure movie?

I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars. *****

~*Quote of the day*~
Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a man needs to believe in the most. That people are basically good; that honor, courage, and virtue mean everything; that power and money, money and power mean nothing; that good always triumphs over evil; and I want you to remember this, that love... true love never dies. You remember that, boy. You remember that. Doesn't matter if it's true or not. You see, a man should believe in those things, because those are the things worth believing in.
Hub McCann (Robert Duvall)

~*Words of the day*~

Nanika atta?

(Nah-nee-kah ah-tah?) (Japanese)

Meaning: What's up?

Currently Listening to... "Let Me Fall" - Josh Groban

First Light...

I am so tired. It's 6:45am, and I haven't slept a wink. All because of a stupid little bag of m&ms. My body does not handle caffeine very well, mostly because I avoid it most of the time. So when I actually do eat or drink something with caffeine, I'll be wired for hours. I know that there is not a lot of it in chocolate, but there is some, and apparently it's enough to keep me awake. At least this way I can get in an early morning jog before the temperature rises. It's supposed to go up to 87 degrees today! I can't believe it'll be that hot this early in the year... it's only March.

Darn you M&Ms! I wish I didn't love you so much...

Casino Royale

Casino Royale
There's been a lot of talk that this is "The best Bond ever". I'll go ahead and clear this up: Sean Connery is, was, and always will be "The best Bond ever". Daniel Craig would be second (sorry, Pierce). I can honestly say that I reacted like a lot of people did when I saw the new James Bond ---

"He's blonde?!? James Bond is not blonde!"

But a few minutes into the film, you easily forget about this small detail. This movie rocks.

The villain is rather understated, especially when compared to the over-the-top bad guys in Bond's past. Or is it future? This is a prequel after all.

There is one part towards the beginning that's very unrealistic: a man climbs quickly up a steel girder in a way that can only be achieved by a monkey, or possibly that alien guy from Men in Black, (you know, the one who ran up the side of the building?). I can buy pretty much everything else, but I almost laughed out loud at that one.

~ Minor spoiler ahead ~

I hope I don't ruin this for anyone, but I knew right away that Bond's lady love would be dead before that end of the movie. I guess everyone knows that. Why? Simple: "Bond Girls" always die. Except for Halle Barry's character in Die Another Day. The only reason they let "Jinx" live was because they were planning a spin-off movie for that character. I'd like to point out that no one has mentioned this supposed movie since the disaster know as Catwoman. Oh well... Every actor is allowed to make one crappy movie in their career. It's like a rite of passage.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

James Bond's first 007 mission takes him to Madagascar, where he is to spy on a terrorist Mollaka. Not everything goes as planned and Bond decides to investigate, independently of the MI6 agency, in order to track down the rest of the terrorist cell. Following a lead to the Bahamas, he encounters Dimitrios and his girlfriend, Solange. He learns that Dimitrios is involved with Le Chiffre, banker to the world's terrorist organizations. Secret Service intelligence reveals that Le Chiffre is planning to raise money in a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro at Le Casino Royale. MI6 assigns 007 to play against him, knowing that if Le Chiffre loses, it will destroy his organization.

The marathon game proceeds with dirty tricks and violence, raising the stakes beyond blood money and reaching a terrifying climax.
(From Yahoo! Movies)

Casino Royale is the 21st film in the James Bond series and the first to star Daniel Craig as MI6 agent James Bond. Based on the 1953 novel Casino Royale by Ian Fleming, it was adapted by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and Academy Award-winning screenwriter Paul Haggis and was directed by Martin Campbell, director of the 1995 Bond film GoldenEye. The film is a reboot of the Bond franchise, establishing a new timeline and narrative framework not meant to precede Dr. No or any previous films. The film is set at the beginning of James Bond's career as a 00-agent, having earned his license to kill.
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars. ****

Currently Listening to... "Fair"- Remy Zero

Music rant ahead...

As I was watching the opening credits of Casino Royale, I was listening to the song and thinking how much better it was than the one Madonna did for Die Another Day. I kept thinking the singer's voice was so familiar... and all of a sudden I said aloud, "Is that the guy from Audioslave?" My brother replied: "I think it's the guy from Soundgarden", and my other brother agreed. So, I listened more closely. I was still convinced, but I dropped it because the movie was starting.

The next day I looked up the credits and I saw the singer's name: Chris Cornell (the lead singer of Audioslave). I was right. So that must mean my brothers were wrong... right? Wrong. Chris Cornell was also the lead singer of Soundgarden. Not to mention Temple of the Dog. I can't believe it; I love all those bands... how could I not notice they all have the same singer? Now the reason I like those bands is clear--- I love Chris Cornell's voice. It's really wonderful.

I guess now I can tell my brothers that we were all right...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tomorrow I'll write a review for Casino Royale.

Something pet owners should know...

A few days ago, my Mother was watching the news, and she saw that there has been a massive pet food recall. An extensive list of pet foods sold under a variety of brand names that are all manufactured by the Menu Foods Income Fund Co. of Canada have been recalled due to a growing number of cats and dogs who have become ill after eating the foods. There have been several reported cases of pet death that may be linked to the recalled pet foods.
I've noticed that my cat has not been eating much lately, and she threw up a few days ago. I was getting a little worried because she's getting pretty old, but then we looked up the list of cat foods that were recalled, and she's been eating one of them. My dog also has been sick for a few days, and she has vomited a few times in the last two weeks.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The cause of the deaths among the affected pets has not been determined, although all of those that died developed kidney failure after eating the affected product, the FDA said. The test involved 40 to 50 dogs and cats, the agency noted, adding that Menu Foods has started testing the pet food in question, but so far also has not found the source of the problem.
Speaking with The New York Times, Menu Foods spokeswoman Sarah Tuite said the timing of the deaths has been linked to the company's use of a new supplier of wheat gluten. She did not name the supplier, but said that the company switched to another supplier of wheat gluten as of March 6.
Dogs or cats that have eaten the suspect food and show signs of kidney failure should be taken to a veterinarian. According to the FDA, kidney failure in animals is characterized by loss of appetite, lethargy and vomiting.
The agency is also requesting that people with sick or deceased pets who believe their pet might have consumed one of the implicated products contact a state complaint coordinator. A list of coordinators can be accessed at the FDA Web site (http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html).
The FDA and the Humane Society advise consumers who have any of these products to stop feeding them to their pets.
Check the website to see if you have any of the food on the recall list. If you have any of the brands that are listed, you should stop giving it to your pet and contact the company.
Menu Foods is notifying retailers and is arranging for the return of all recalled products. The FDA is conducting an investigation and working with Menu Foods to ensure the effectiveness of the recall.

In addition to their Web site, Menu Foods has a consumer recall hotline at 1-866-895-2708.

http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=6248966&nav=menu54_5

http://www.menufoods.com/recall/

Recalled Dog Food Brands

Americas Choice, Preferred Pets
Authority
Award
Best Choice
Big Bet
Big Red
Bloom
Wegmans Bruiser
Cadillac
Companion
Demoulas Market Basket
Eukanuba
Food Lion
Giant Companion
Great Choice
Hannaford
Hill Country Fare
Hy-Vee
Iams
Laura Lynn
Loving Meals
Meijers Main Choice
Mighty Dog Pouch
Mixables
Nutriplan
Nutro Max
Nutro Natural Choice
Nutro Ultra
Nutro
Ol'Roy Canada
Ol'Roy US
Paws
Pet Essentials
Pet Pride - Good n Meaty
Presidents Choice
Price Chopper
Priority Canada
Priority US
Publix
Roche Brothers
Save-A-Lot
Schnucks
Shep Dog
Springsfield Prize
Sprout
Stater Brothers
Stop & Shop Companion
Tops Companion
Weis Total Pet
Western Family US
White Rose
Winn Dixie
Your Pet

Recalled Cat Food Brands

Americas Choice, Preferred Pets
Authority
Best Choice
Companion
Compliments
Demoulas Market Basket
Eukanuba
Fine Feline Cat
Food Lion
Foodtown
Giant Companion
Hannaford
Hill Country Fare
Hy-Vee
Iams
Laura Lynn
Li'l Red
Loving Meals
Meijer's Main Choice
Nutriplan
Nutro Max Gourmet Classics
Nutro Natural Choice
Paws
Pet Pride
Presidents Choice
Price Chopper
Priority US
Save-A-Lot
Schnucks
Science Diet Feline Savory Cuts Cans
Sophistacat
Special Kitty Canada
Special Kitty US
Springfield Prize
Sprout
Stop & Shop Companion
Tops Companion
Wegmans
Weis Total Pet
Western Family US
White Rose
Winn Dixie

The Holiday

~ Movie Review ~

The Holiday
I thought this would just be a typical romantic comedy, but it was better than I expected. I really enjoyed it, and it made me want to look into "house swapping". I didn't even know that Eli Wallach was still alive, but he was great in this movie.

~.[.~.[ ~*~ ].~.].~

Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet) is madly in love with Jasper Bloom, her co-worker. Apparently, the two had been seeing each other previously, but Iris caught Jasper with another woman. After three years, Iris is still in love with Jasper, however, on her company's Christmas party, Jasper announces that has been engaged to the woman he cheated on Iris with.
Meanwhile, Amanda, (Cameron Diaz) in Los Angeles, has just recently found out that her boyfriend, Ethan, has been sleeping with his receptionist. She dumps him, and decides to take her break from her hectic job and love life and decides to rent a house. While surfing the net, she finds Iris who just happens to be in the same situation as her. Rather than rent the house, Iris says that she's willing to do a home exchange, to which Amanda agrees.
Amanda finds herself extremely bored in rural Surrey, while Iris is pleasantly surprised at the sheer size and luxury of Amanda's house. Amanda decides to pack up and take a noon flight home. Then she meets Graham, (Jude Law), Iris' big brother...
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars. ****

~*Quote of the day*~

Into each life some rain must fall.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

~*Words of the day*~

Toire wa doko desu ka?

(toy-reh wah DOH-koh dess kah?) (Japanese)

Meaning: Where is the toilet?

Currently Listening to... "Clumsy" - Our Lady Peace

Cats or Dogs?

Cats or dogs?
	Cool Cats
	Cats are too fluffy
	Dogs rule
	Dogs eat your houseshoes
	Spider Monkeys are best...
pollcode.com free polls

Andy Barker, P.I. ~ Raines

Last night, I watched the two new NBC shows: Andy Barker, P.I., and Raines. Here's my opinion on each...

~* TV Show Review *~

Andy Barker, P.I.
I'm not a big fan of Andy Richter. Aside from one episode of Arrested Development, I can't think of any character played by him that I actually like. However, I can't just ignore a show with "Baby Buster" as one of it's stars, (that's Tony Hale to those of you who've never seen AD). So I decided to give it a chance, and I was pleasantly surprised. It doesn't suck! It actually has some potential, and I think I'll keep watching it for a while... just to see where it goes. If nothing else, I kind of like Andy Richter in this role.

~.[.~.[ ~*~ ].~.].~

Raines
I love Jeff Goldblum. I think he's a good actor, and aside from "The Fly" I like most of his movies. When an actor transitions from movies to television, you never know how it will turn out for them. It's the same for actors who leave a hit show, and start a new one. Example: "Friends". It was a great show, and when it ended, the spin-off "Joey" was born. When something like that happens, I feel almost obligated to watch... like some kind of fan-loyalty to the actor. I tried to like "Joey". I really did... but it was not a good show, and after a while I just couldn't watch anymore. At least I gave it a fair chance.

This is a similar situation. I watched Raines, and I hoped for the best. The first half of the show was nothing remarkable; it didn't really stand out from similar shows. The second half, however, got a lot better. I think Jeff Goldblum did a really wonderful job, and he made the character believable. The end of the episode has a nice twist... one even I didn't see coming. I liked it.

You can watch both shows on NBC.com.

http://www.nbc.com/Video/rewind/full_episodes/andybarker.shtml
http://www.nbc.com/NBC_First_Look/

~*Quote of the day*~

Seeing a murder on television can help work off one's antagonisms. And if you haven't any antagonisms, the commercials will give you some.

Alfred Hitchcock


~*Word of the day*~

Sumimasen

(soo-mee-mah-sen) (Japanese)

Meaning: Excuse me.

Currently Listening to... "Country Roads, Take Me Home" - Hermes House Band

Tomorrow

~ Tomorrow ~

I'll post a review for the new NBC shows: Raines, and Andy Barker, P.I.

Rear Window

~ Movie Review ~

Rear Window
Ever since the first time I saw The Birds, I've been an Alfred Hitchcock fan. I've seen Rear Window several times, and I think it's probably my favorite Hitchcock film. I love his inventive use of lighting and camera angles, and I also like the way many of his films contain cameo appearances by Hitchcock himself. Stan Lee and Stephen King do the same thing - you can spot them in several of their movies and made-for-TV specials. I love James Stewart, and paired with Grace Kelly and Thelma Ritter... there's some real star-power there.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

L.B. "Jeff" Jefferies (James Stewart) is a professional photographer who has been confined to his Greenwich Village apartment after an accident has left him with his leg in a cast.
Suffering from boredom, he takes to spying on his neighbors through the rear window. His view of the back of several apartment buildings, their inner courtyard, and the persons dwelling within at first have a strongly Norman Rockwell feel about them. Over time, however, Jeff comes to believe that a murder has taken place in the building across the courtyard, though his friends and his girlfriend, Lisa Carol Fremont (Grace Kelly) initially think his beliefs are imagined due to his idle behavior.
Alfred Hitchcock's cameo is a signature occurrence in most of his films. In Rear Window he can be seen (26 minutes into the film) in the composer's apartment winding a clock.
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars. *****

~*Quote of the day*~

A good film is when the price of the dinner, the theatre admission and the babysitter were worth it.

Alfred Hitchcock

~*Word of the day*~

Hajimemashite

(hah-jee-meh-MOSH-teh) (Japanese)

Meaning: Nice to meet you.

Currently Listening to... "Fear" - Disturbed

Portuguese Sweet Bread

I found this recipe on www.recipezaar.com/
When I was a kid, I used to spend almost every summer at my Aunt and Uncle's house at the beach. There was a lady who went to their church, and she made the best home-made bread. Since then, I have searched for a similar recipe for sweet bread, and this is the closest one I've found. So, even though I've never made bread before, I thought I would give this a try. It turned out great! It's the second-best bread I've ever eaten. I wouldn't really recommend this for an amateur bread-maker (like me), because it is a lot of work, but it was still worth it in the end.

Portuguese Sweet Bread

1 tsp. - Sugar, plus
3/4 cup - Sugar
1/2 cup - lukewarm Water
1 package - active dry Yeast or (1 Tbsp. active dry Yeast)
6 - Eggs, (room temperature)
1 tsp. - Salt
1 cup - warm Milk
8 cups - all-purpose Flour
1/2 cup - Butter, (melted and cooled)

Topping:

4 tsp. Butter

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In a measuring cup, dissolve 1 tsp. Sugar in lukewarm Water
sprinkle in Yeast and let stand for 10 minutes, or until frothy.

In a large bowl, beat Eggs, Salt and remaining 3/4 cup Sugar for 2 minutes, or until foamy.

Stir Yeast mixture vigorously with fork and stir into Egg mixture.

Stir in Milk and gradually beat in Flour.

Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.

Return dough to bowl and gradually add Butter.

Continue kneading until all Butter is blended into dough.

Place in lightly greased bowl, turning to grease all over.

Cover and let rise in draft-free place for 1 hour.

Punch down dough; turn out, divide into four portions and form each portion into a ball.

Knead each ball for 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.

Cover dough and set aside on well-floured board or counter top for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until dough looks slightly puffy and surface is crusty.

Place dough on well greased baking sheet or 9" round pans and bake in 325* oven for 25 minutes, or until golden on top.

Turn off heat and leave bread in oven for 10 minutes, or until browned all over.

Transfer to wire rack to cool.

Place 1 tsp. Butter on each loaf and brush to coat top. Blot off excess with paper towels.

Makes four 9-inch breads.

Would You Be a Cool Parent?

Have you ever wondered what kind of parent you will be when you have kids? Take this Blogthing quiz, and find out...

You Will Be a Cool Parent

You seem to naturally know a lot about parenting, and you know what kids need. You can tell when it's time to let kids off the hook, and when it's time to lay down the law. While your parenting is modern and hip, it's not over the top. You know that there's nothing cool about a parent who acts like a teenager... or a drill sergeant!

Would You Be a Cool Parent?

Arsenic and Old Lace

~ Movie Review ~

Arsenic and Old Lace
Chances are, you've probably never heard of this movie, right? It is pretty old. It was made in 1941, but it wasn't released until 1944 because the studio wanted to wait for the stage version to finish its run on Broadway. Fortunately, it's been released on DVD.

RENT IT NOW.

I can almost guarantee that you will love this movie. It's way at the top of my list of all-time favorites. The first time I watched it was on Halloween night a few years ago. I didn't know what it was about, but I was bored, and it was Cary Grant. Within the first few minutes, I was hooked. The title should be a giveaway, but I'll go ahead and tell you, this movie involves a very unusual series of murders. It also happens to be one of the funniest movies you will ever see. A funny murder movie? That's right. You'll have to see it to understand. I love this movie! Cary Grant is always great, and he was so perfect in this film. And Peter Lorre was positively made for this role.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

A drama critic and anti-marriage confirmed bachelor, Mortimer Brewster (Cary Grant), has written a number of books describing marriage as just an old-fashioned superstition. Nevertheless, he falls in love with and marries Elaine Harper (Priscilla Lane), who grew up next door to his old family home in Brooklyn.
Immediately after the marriage, he visits the bizarre relatives who still live there, two elderly aunts (Josephine Hull, Jean Adair) and his brother Teddy (John Alexander). Teddy thinks he's Theodore Roosevelt; each time he goes upstairs he blows a bugle, yells "Charge!", and takes the stairs at a run (in imitation of Roosevelt's famous charge up San Juan Hill). Mortimer finds a corpse hidden in a window seat, and tells his aunts that Teddy must be sent to an asylum, as he has killed someone... or has he?
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars. *****

~*Quotes of the day*~

Reverend Harper:

Have you ever tried to persuade him that he wasn't Teddy Roosevelt?

Abby Brewster:

Oh, no.

Martha Brewster:

Oh, he's so happy being Teddy Roosevelt.

Abby Brewster:

Oh... Do you remember, Martha, once, a long time ago, we thought if he'd be George Washington, it would be a change for him, and we suggested it.

Martha Brewster:

And do you know what happened? He just stayed under his bed for days and wouldn't be anybody.

Mortimer Brewster:

Insanity runs in my family... It practically gallops.


* Happy Birthday J! *

~*Words of the day*~

Watashi no namae wa ____ desu.
(wah-TAH-shee no nah-mah-eh wa ____ dess) (Japanese)

Meaning: My name is ____.

Currently Listening to... "Dirty Little Secret" - All-American Rejects

Stranger Than Fiction

~ Movie Review ~

Stranger Than Fiction
Wow. This is a great movie! I think it's become one of my new favorites. It's kind of strange, because normally I can't stand Will Ferrell. He was really good in this role, and Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah, Emma Thompson, and Linda Hunt were wonderful as well. The ending was unexpected, and it couldn't have been more perfect. I want a watch like his. : )

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) is a dour auditor in an unnamed city (actually Chicago) for the Internal Revenue Service who is awakened alone each morning by his Timex T56371 watch, eats alone, counts the number of steps he walks for fun, focuses on ways to save time tying his tie, and brushes his teeth exactly 76 times (38 vertical strokes, 38 horizontal). One day, Harold begins to hear a feminine voice that describes his thoughts and actions as if he were a character in a book. Harold attempts to communicate with the speaker, but soon realizes the voice does not know that he can hear it. His bewilderment soon turns to anxiety when the voice narrates that his watch has set in motion a series of events that will result in his imminent death...
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

I give this movie 4 and a half out of 5 stars. ****'

~*Quote of the day*~

History is one of those marvelous and necessary illusions we have to deal with. It's one of the ways of dealing with our world with impossible generalities which we couldn't live without.

Howard Nemerov

~*Words of the day*~

Genki desu.

(GEN-kee dess) (Japanese)

Meaning: Fine, thank you.

Currently Listening to... "Ayakashi no Izanai" - Saitou Tsuneyoshi

Seeing Red

I am so very, very angry right now. It's funny, because less than an hour ago, I was so happy... I was almost giddy. Why? Let me tell you a little story, and hopefully warn you of a cruel scam.

A few weeks ago, I entered a poem in a free online contest at www.Poetry.com. I actually thought the poem was pretty good, even though I wrote it in less than three minutes. A few days later, I got an email saying this:

Dear X,
The Editors of The International Library of Poetry recently informed you that your poem was bestowed the prestigious Editor's Choice Award because of your artistic accomplishments and unique perspective.
The stunning 2006 Editor's Choice Published Poet Ribbon Award Pin proudly displays your elevated status in our poetic community. Since only an elite group of published poets were selected to receive this special honor, imagine the sense of pride you will feel when others see you wearing the 2006 Editor's Choice Published Poet Ribbon Award Pin. What an impressive way to show off your status as an honored poet for the year 2006!

I was happy, until I saw that you had to pay for the Pin - "You can receive this amazing keepsake for only $49.95, plus shipping and handling." So I decided it wasn't worth buying, and I forgot about the whole thing... Until today, when I got a letter in the mail from Poetry.com. It read:

Dear X,
After carefully reading and discussing your poem, our Selection Committee has certified your poem as a semi-finalist in our International Open Poetry Contest. Your Poem will be entered into the final competition held in March 2007. As a semi-finalist, you now have an excellent chance of winning one of 104 cash or gift prizes-- including the $1,000.00 Grand Prize... In celebration of the unique talent you have displayed, we also wish to publish your poem on it's own page in what promises to be one of the most highly regarded collections of poetry we have ever published...

Sounds good, right? That's what I thought. I was really happy; I thought my poem was being published because it was good, and I was going to buy a copy of the book ($49.95). My Mother - smart lady that she is - tried to point out that something didn't sound quite right, but I was too excited to listen. All I kept thinking was, "I'll be a published writer!". But eventually, the logical part of my brain kicked in, and I started doing some research online about The International Library of Poetry.

It turns out, that while they are not quite doing something illegal, this is most definitely a scam. Sure, your poem is published... in one of dozens of anthologies a year. They will publish anything. All they want is your $$$. It's almost impossible to write a poem bad enough that they won't publish it. They have ripped off countless unsuspecting, amateur "poets" - fortunately, I won't be one of them. Even though I didn't lose any money over this, I still feel so disappointed... I really thought my poem was good.

Don't let this happen to you. For more information, go to http://windpub.com/literary.scams/ilp.htm

Caution: Wear Sunscreen

So I went to the Doctor this week, and he thinks I have strep-throat. He wrote me a prescription, and I started taking the medicine yesterday. I always read the warning labels before I take any kind of drug, even over-the-counter stuff, but somehow I overlooked one of the possible side effects: Sun Sensitivity. Yesterday it was raining most of the day, so I didn't go outside much, and it was cloudy anyway. This morning, however, I went for my usual 1.5 mile walk, and now I have a sunburn... I haven't had a sunburn since I was twelve years old. It kind of sucks, because now I look very pink. Who gets a sunburn in March??? So now I'll have to skip my morning walks for a couple of days, and use the treadmill instead.

The Black Donnellys

It's rare for me to write this early, but seeing as the whole state of Alabama is under a Tornado watch, I thought it would be a good idea to go ahead and post my review. I'll probably have to shut my computer down when the storm gets worse, because I really don't want another computer to be fried by lightning. It's happened before, and it sucks. : (

~ TV Review ~

The Black Donnellys
My first impression: this show has potential. The pilot episode was good; the actors did a really good job, the music fit well with the scenes, and the story is believable. I don't know how long this show will last, but I intend to enjoy it while it does. Of the four Donnelly brothers, Tommy is clearly the main character, and he also happens to be the most likable. Joey "Ice Cream", who narrates the story, is the comic relief.

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The show follows four young Irish-American brothers in New York's infamous Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood and their involvement with organized crime.[2]Although the show is set in the present day, it draws heavily upon Irish history and iconic themes. Their story is narrated by a childhood friend, Joey "Ice Cream", in the pilot, whom the show depicts as an unreliable narrator. As the pilot episode indicates, there is a clear tension and rivalry between the Irish and the Italians.

(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

~ Episode 1 ~
Tommy, the Donnelly's black sheep as their only honest man, has to make a difficult choice--to fight for his family or to turn his back on them and keep to the straight and narrow--as he becomes embroiled in a plot hatched by his brother Jimmy to help out his brother Kevin. Kevin owes money to the wrong guys for gambling, and Jimmy tries to pay it off for him by abducting his bookie, Louie Down-Town. Nicky Cottero, working for mob boss Sal takes matters into his own hands, leading to drastic consequences for the Donnelly brothers.

~*Quote of the day*~

No one means all he says, and yet very few say all they mean, for words are slippery and thought is viscous.

Henry Adams

~*Words of the day*~

O-genki desu ka?

(oh-GEN-kee dess-KAH?) (Japanese)

Meaning: How are you?

Currently Listening to... "The Memory Of Trees" - Enya