Quote of the Day- July 31, 2011

"Oh the nerves, the nerves; the mysteries of this machine called man! Oh the little that unhinges it, poor creatures that we are!"- Charles Dickens

A Single Black Rose

A single black rose.
A single black rose to carry the load,
A single black rose to turn the road,
A single black rose to touch the soul,
A single black rose to widen your hole,
A single black rose to melt your heart,
A single black rose to force a start,
A single black rose to make you cry,
A single black rose to make you dry,
A single black rose to help you climb,
A single black rose to make you lie,
A single black rose to take a life,
A single black rose to take away strife.- Natasha Ligons

Quote of the Day- July 30, 2011

That which resembles most living one's life over again, seems to be to recall all the circumstances of it; and, to render this remembrance more durable, to record them in writing.- Benjamin Franklin

One Inch Tall

 If you were only one inch tall, you'd ride a worm to school.

The teardrop of a crying ant would be your swimming pool.
A crumb of cake would be a feast
And last you seven days at least,
A flea would be a frightening beast
If you were one inch tall.

If you were only one inch tall, you'd walk beneath the door,
And it would take about a month to get down to the store.
A bit of fluff would be your bed,
You'd swing upon a spider's thread,
And wear a thimble on your head
If you were one inch tall.

You'd surf across the kitchen sink upon a stick of gum.
You couldn't hug your mama, you'd just have to hug her thumb.
You'd run from people's feet in fright,
To move a pen would take all night,
(This poem took fourteen years to write--
'Cause I'm just one inch tall).- Shel Silverstein

Quote of the Day- July 29, 2011

"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away."- Philip K. Dick

Hunger Games Movie News: Scans of Entertainment Weekly's: Men of the Hunger Games

Click Images to Enlarge

Quote of the Day- June 28, 2011

"May the odds be ever in your favor." - Susan Collins

Hunger Games Movie News: Six New Stills

Quote of the Day- July 27, 2011

"I feel like I owe him something, and I hate owing people. Maybe if I had thanked him at some point, I'd be feeling less conflicted now. I thought about it a couple of times, but the opportunity never seemed to present itself. And now it never will. Because we're going to be thrown into an arena to fight to the death. Exactly how am I supposed to work in a thank-you in there? Somehow it just won't seem sincere if I'm trying to slit his throat."
— Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games)

Hunger Games Movie News: First Look at Peeta and Gale

Entertainment Weekly released a preview of their ‘Men of The Hunger Games’ article:We sat down with Josh Hutcherson, the 18-year-old actor whom director Gary Ross fought hard to cast as the deeply decent Peeta Mellark, at a cozy diner in Asheville, N.C., where The Hunger Games shoot was mid-way through filming. His hair was dyed blonde; his newly pumped-up biceps could believably belong to that of a baker’s son. And while Hutcherson (The Kids Are All Right) understands fans’ hand-wringing online, he’s here to assure you that Lawrence will not in fact tower over him on screen. “Jennifer’s not two feet taller than me!” he says with his easy laugh. “If anything, maybe she’s a half inch taller.” And Ross assures devotees of the books that 21-year-old Liam Hemsworth, who’ll play Katniss’ righteous childhood confidante Gale, is more than just some Australian beefcake who starred in Miley Cyrus’ last movie. “On first glance he’s such a hunk that it’s easy to just sort of ascribe a hunk-like simplicity to him,” says the director. “But this is a phenomenally subtle actor.”
Although Peeta and Gale circle each other warily throughout the series, it turns out that Hutcherson and Hemsworth bonded hard during their six weeks together on set. So much so that Hutcherson brought Hemsworth along on a weekend visit to his hometown in Kentucky to relax with his family and sample his grandmother’s famous fried chicken. “I think it’s going to blow people’s minds when they see that Peeta and Gale are actually best friends in real life,” says Hutcherson.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2: New Posters and Behind The Scenes Pictures Released

Battle Stricken Ron and Hermione

Battle Stricken Harry

 

(L-r) EMMA WATSON, RUPERT GRINT and director DAVID YATES on the set of Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure “HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS – PART 2,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

Cast and Crew in Great Hall. (SC230)

D.o.P - Eduardo Serra at Kings Cross. (SC369)

Camera Crew on set with Ciaran Hinds (Aberforth Dumbledore) in the Hods Head Tavern. (SC215)

Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix) being interviewed by EPK. The Great Hall. (SC346F)

Director - David Yates with Jon Key (Bogrod) and Rusty Goffe (Aged Gringott's Goblin) on set at Gringott's Bank (Sc191).

Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) pieces together the real owner of the elder wand and kills Snape (Alan Rickman). The Boat House. (SC304)

 

 

 

 

Quote of the Day- July 26, 2011

"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."
— J.R.R. Tolkien (The Fellowship of the Ring)

Tom Bombadil's Song

Tom Bombadil:

Hey dol! merry dol! ring a dong dillo!
Ring a dong! hop along! fal lal the willow!
Tom Bom, jolly Tom, Tom Bombadillo!

Hey! Come merry dol! derry dol! My darling!
Light goes the weather-wind and the feathered starling.
Down along under Hill, shining in the sunlight,
Waiting on the doorstep for the cold starlight,
There my pretty lady is, River-woman's daughter,
Slender as the willow-wand, clearer than the water.
Old Tom Bombadil water-lilies bringing
Comes hopping home again. Can you hear him singing?
Hey! Come merry dol! derry dol! and merry-o,
Goldberry, Goldberry, merry yellow berry-o!
Poor old Willow-man, you tuck your roots away!
Tom's in a hurry now. Evening will follow day.
Tom's going home home again water-lilies bringing.
Hey! come derry dol! Can you hear me singing?

Hop along, my little friends, up the Withywindle!
Tom's going on ahead candles for to kindle.
Down west sinks the Sun: soon you will be groping.
When the night-shadows fall, then the door will open,
Out of the window-panes light will twinkle yellow.
Fear no alder black! Heed no hoary willow!
Fear neither root nor bough! Tom goes on before you.
Hey now! merry dol! We'll be waiting for you!

Hey! Come derry dol! Hop along, my hearties!
Hobbits! Ponies all! We are fond of parties.
Now let the fun begin! Let us sing together!

Goldberry:
Now let the song begin! Let us sing together
Of sun, stars, moon and mist, rain and cloudy weather,
Light on the budding leaf, dew on the feather,
Wind on the open hill, bells on the heather,
Reads by the shady pool, lilies on the water:
Old Tom Bombadil and the River-daughter!

Tom Bombadil:
O slender as a willow-wand! O clearer than clear water!
O reed by the living pool! Fair river-daughter!
O spring-time and summer-time, and spring again after!
O wind on the waterfall, and the leaves' laughter!

Old Tom Bombadil is a merry fellow;
Bright blue his jacket is, and his boots are yellow.

If anyone has ever read "The Lord of the Rings Trilogy", they have encountered Tom Bombadil, a character with a seemingly unknown identity. Long have I asked, "Who is Tom Bombadil exactly". His appearance is brief in "The Fellowship of the Ring" and almost Random. Tom Bombadil, I found, was the name of a Dutch Doll, which belonged to one of J.R.R. Tolkien's children. Long before "The Lord of the Rings" was written, Tolkien published a poem in Oxford Magazine called "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil". Tolkien wrote in a letter after readers remarked that his appearance in "The Fellowship of the Ring" was an intrusion upon the narrative that,". . . many have found him an odd and indeed discordant ingredient. In historical fact I put him in because I had already invented him. . . and wanted an 'adventure' on the way. But I kept him in, and as he was, because he represents certain things otherwise left out".In another letter to his proofreader he wrote "even in a mythological Age there must be some enigmas, as there always are. Tom Bombadil is one (intentionally)" . Later in the letter he adds that "Tom is not an important person - to the narrative. I suppose he has some importance as a 'comment'." Tolkien went on from there to explain that Tom was a powerful character, but chose to renounce it and live as a pacifist in poverty. This is meant as a contrast to all of the character who seek the power of the Ring. Tolkien says, Tom's presence reveals that there are people and things in the world for whom the war is largely irrelevant or at least unimportant, and who cannot be easily disturbed or interfered with in terms of it.

Quote of the Day- July 25, 2011

"Smart people learn from their mistakes. But the real sharp ones learn from the mistakes of others."
— Brandon Mull (Fablehaven)

Beyonders:Seeds Of Rebellion Cover Revealed

Picking up after the incredible cliffhanger ending of A World Without Heroes, the next BEYONDERS book opens with Jason back in our world. Yet after all his efforts to return home, he finds himself itching to cross over to Lyrian. Jason knows that the shocking truth he learned from Maldor in Book One is precious information that his friends in Lyrian, including Rachel, all need in order to have any hope of surviving and defeating the evil emperor.
After Jason succeeds in finding a way back to Lyrian, he's immediately in more danger than ever. Meanwhile, Rachel and the others have made their own progress--as well as discovered new enemies.
As the group ultimately rejoins, they strive to convince their most needed ally to join the war and form a rebellion strong enough to triumph. At the center of it all, Jason and Rachel come to realize what roles they have to play--and the answers are as surprising as they are entirely riveting.


: D : D : D

Quote of the Day- July 24, 2011

Better to be an honest enemy, then a false friend- German Proverb

Wiegenlied

Vor der Türe schläft der Baum,

Durch den Garten zieht ein Traum.

Langsam schwimmt der Mondeskahn,

Und im Schlafe kräht der Hahn.

    Schlaf, mein Wölfchen, schlaf.                                  5


Schlaf, mein Wulff. In später Stund

Küss’ ich deinen roten Mund.

Streck dein kleines dickes Bein,

Steht noch nicht auf Weg und Stein.

    Schlaf, mein Wölfchen, schlaf.                                 10



Schlaf, mein Wulff. Es kommt die Zeit,

Regen rinnt, es stürmt und schneit.

Lebst in atemloser Hast,

Hättest gerne Schlaf und Rast.

     Schlaf, mein Wölfchen, schlaf.                                15



Vor der Türe steht der Baum,

Durch den Garten zieht ein Traum.

Langsam schwimmt der Mondeskahn,

Und im Schlafe kräht der Hahn.

     Schlaf, mein Wölfchen, schlaf. -JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

Before the door of the sleeping tree,

Through the garden attracts a dream.

Slowly, the moon floats Kahn

And the rooster crows in his sleep.

     Sleep, my little wolf, sleep. 5



Sleep, my Wulff. In later hour

Kiss' I your red mouth.

Stretch your little fat legs,

Is still not on track and stone.

     Sleep, my little wolf, sleep. 10



Sleep, my Wulff. There comes a time

Rain runs, it storms and snows.

Live in breathless haste,

Would like to sleep and rest.

      Sleep, my little wolf, sleep. 15- J



Before the door stands the tree,

Through the garden attracts a dream.

Slowly, the moon floats Kahn

And the rooster crows in his sleep.

      Sleep, my little wolf, sleep.-JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

Forest Born- Shannon Hale

Rin is sure that something is wrong with her...something really bad. Something that is keeping her from feeling at home in the Forest homestead where she's lived all her life. Something that is keeping her from trusting herself with anyone at all. When her brother Razo returns from the city for a visit, she accompanies him to the palace, hoping that she can find peace away from home. But war has come to Bayern again, and Rin is compelled to join the queen and her closest allies--magical girls Rin thinks of as the Fire Sisters--as they venture into the Forest toward Kel, the land where someone seems to want them all dead. Many beloved Bayern characters reappear in this story, but it is Rin's own journey of discovering how to balance the good and the bad in herself that drives this compelling adventure.

Once again, Newbery Honor-winning author Shannon Hale brings readers to a world where great friendships, unexpected plot twists, and a little dose of magic make for incredible storytelling.

My Review

The conclusion to the Bayern Series, Forest Born brings all of the ties together and an underlying storyline is revealed, which I didn't seen coming. Rin is Razo's younger sister and has spent her whole life in the forest among her brothers, their wives, and numerous nieces and nephews. She has always been known as the sensible one: her mother's shadow. However, Rinna has a secret that she keeps within her. She believes that she will be thought of as bad because of things that she has done. Memories plague her and her only escape for the long time has been the forest. Rin has forest speaking, but when she does something that she thinks that is unspeakably bad she thinks that her talent is lost.  In this story, Rin must deal with her emotions and perhaps find something about herself in the process. The plot has been present in all of the books, but reveals itself and wraps up in this book. The characters are one of the strongest parts of Shannon Hale's stories. Especially in this story, we see the development of Rin, as she chooses what kind of person she is and who she will finally be. I will not say much about the story itself, for although slow at the beginning, it blossoms into a thrilling conclusion to this epic series. 

Stars: 5 out of 5

Quote of the Day- July 23, 2011

It is easy - terribly easy - to shake a man's faith in himself. To take advantage of that, to break a man's spirit is devil's work.

- George Bernard Shaw

 

 

River Secrets- Shannon Hale

Razo has never been anything but ordinary. He’s not very fast, or tall, or strong, so when he’s invited to join an elite mission escorting the ambassador into Tira, Bayern’s great enemy, he’s sure it’s only out of pity. But when they arrive in the strange southern country, it is Razo who finds the first dead body. As they try to learn more from the Tirans about the ever increasing murders, Razo is the only Bayern soldier able to befriend both he high and low born, including the beautiful Lady Dasha. And as Razo finds allies among the Tirans, he realizes that it may be up to him to get the Bayern army safely home again.

My Review

Razo is one of my favorite characters in the Bayern series. Laughs, friendship, and trust comes from all his actions. In this book, Razo struggles with not being the "best" at something even though he is a member of "Bayern's Own". Although River's Secrets was not my favorite in this series, the plot contributes greatly to the underlying plot in each of the books. Dasha is a "Water Speaker" of Tiran heritage, and joins Razo in helping to find the source of the burned bodies, which our being found near the Bayern's Barracks. All the while, Lady Megina is negotiating with "The Assembly" to try to bring peace between Tira and Bayern after the war. The string of Enna and Finn's romance is woven through the story while Razo starts having feelings of his own. Assassination attempts, mystery, and some romance all play a part in this tale. The themes that stand out most in this book are of prejudice, the danger to friendship by assuming that which is not proven and peace. Razo finds that he was brought for a reason and that reason might save all of Bayern.

Stars: 4.5 out of 5

Quote of the Day- July 22, 2011

A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world. -Oscar Wilde

Born of Hope

Born of Hope is a fanmade film based off of "The Lord Of The Rings" trilogy. It is a perfect example of how one can take one or two paragraphs of a book (in this case the appendix of "The Lord Of The Rings" and create an entirely new story. It is a prequal to the story that we already know; a story about Aragorn's parents and their struggle for survival with their people, as Sauron attempts to blot out their very existence.

A scattered people, the descendants of storied sea-kings of the ancient West, struggle to survive in a lonely wilderness as a dark force relentlessly bends its will toward their destruction. Yet amidst these valiant, desperate people, hope remains. A royal house endures unbroken from father to son.

Quote of the Day- July 21, 2011

A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading.
C. S. Lewis

Hobbit Movie News: Peter Jackson Releases Third Production Blog

Quote of the Day- July 20, 2011

"Children of the middle years do not do their learning unaffected by attendant feelings of interest, boredom, success, failure, chagrin, joy, humiliation, pleasure, distress and delight. They are whole children responding in a total way, and what they feel is a constant factor that can be constructive or destructive in any learning situation."- Dorothy H. Cohen

Hobbit Movie News: Picture Of All Of The Dwarves Together

Bombur (Stephen Hunter), Bofur (James Nesbitt), Bifur (William Kircher), Nori (Jed Brophy), Ori (Adam Brown), Dori (Mark Hadlow), Thorin (Richard Armitage), Balin (Ken Stott), Dwalin (Graham McTavish), Oin (John Callen), Gloin (Peter Hambleton), Fili (Dean O’Gorman) and Kili (Aidan Turner).

Click To Expand

Hunger Games Movie News: Posters Handed Out At Comic- Con

This is very similar to the one seen yesterday.

Hunger Games Movie News: Official Animated Poster

Quote of the Day- July 19, 2011

There isn't a person anywhere who isn't capable of doing more than he thinks he can.-Henry Ford


We often restrict ourselves to what we think we can do verses what we have the capability to do. An important thing to remember is that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. This is hard, especially since most of us prefer to spend our lives without challenges. Have you ever had the feeling that you are just too tired to try your hardest? If so I have no other advice for you but to keep your eyes on the prize.

Plugging In

Peg plugged in her ‘lectric toothbrush,
Mitch plugged in his steel guitar,
Rick plugged in his CD player,
Liz plugged in her VCR.
Mom plugged in the TV fights,
I plugged in my blower-dryer– –
Hey! Who turned out all the lights?- Shel Silverstein

Quote of the Day- July 18, 2011

The diamond may adorn royalty, regardless of personal worth; but jewels of thought render even poverty illustrious and sublime.
- found in Gems for the Fireside

Enna Burning- Shannon Hale

Enna's life was not meant to be simple. When her brother, Leifer, brings home a mysterious piece of vellum that teaches him how to set fires — without a spark, without flint — Enna cannot decide if this power is one she wants for herself, or something that should be extinguished forever.

And when Bayern, their country, goes to war, the choice becomes nearly unbearable. Enna never imagined that the warm, life-giving energy of a fire could destroy everything she loves, but she must now save herself and Bayern before fire consumes her entirely.

My Review

This book was good if not better then "The Goose Girl". It discusses the nature of fire and how there must be balance or else it will consume oneself. In this story, Enna must learn about letting go to hurt and caring about those she loves above herself. Enna has a certain fierceness that matches her fire using abilities. It's full of swordfighting, adventure, and the culture that Shannon Hale also places in her books.

Stars: 5 out of 5

The Hobbit Movie News: First Look at Thorin Oakenshield

Quote of the Day- July 17, 2011

The imagination exercises a powerful influence over every act of sense, thought, reason,-- over every idea.
-Latin Proverb

Family

For so long my heart has searched for what I now see in you
This is the one special place where I fit in, keeping it together
Will take work but I’m more than sure I have what it takes to
Not place you first in my life but to keep you first in my heart,
There are many ways of saying family but I like the Hawaii
Way best baby you are my ohana this I didn’t see right away
That you have turned my heart into your home now it’s up to me
To keep you safe, whenever I think of your face ohana comes to
Mind it brings me so much peace to think that I could spend the
Rest of my days being loved by no other than you.- Unknown

Quote of the Day- July 16, 2011

Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?- Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling)

Balin and Dwalin

Quote of the Day- July 14, 2011

"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be."
— Shel Silverstein

Peanut Butter Sandwich

I'll sing you a poem of a silly young king
Who played with the world at the end of a string,
But he only loved one single thing—
And that was just a peanut-butter sandwich.

His scepter and his royal gowns,
His regal throne and golden crowns
Were brown and sticky from the mounds
And drippings from each peanut-butter sandwich.

His subjects all were silly fools
For he had passed a royal rule
That all that they could learn in school
Was how to make a peanut-butter sandwich.

He would not eat his sovereign steak,
He scorned his soup and kingly cake,
And told his courtly cook to bake
An extra-sticky peanut-butter sandwich.

And then one day he took a bit
And started chewing with delight,
But found his mouth was stuck quite tight
From that last bite of peanut-butter sandwich.

His brother pulled, his sister pried,
The wizard pushed, his mother cried,
"My boy's committed suicide
From eating his last peanut-butter sandwich!"

The dentist came, and the royal doc.
The royal plumber banged and knocked,
But still those jaws stayed tightly locked.
Oh darn that sticky peanut-butter sandwich!

The carpenter, he tried with pliers,
The telephone man tried with wires,
The firemen, they tried with fire,
But couldn't melt that peanut-butter sandwich.

With ropes and pulleys, drills and coil,
With steam and lubricating oil—
For twenty years of tears and toil—
They fought that awful peanut-butter sandwich.

Then all his royal subjects came.
They hooked his jaws with grapplin' chains
And pulled both ways with might and main
Against that stubborn peanut-butter sandwich.

Each man and woman, girl and boy
Put down their ploughs and pots and toys
And pulled until kerack! Oh, joy—
They broke right through that peanut-butter sandwich
A puff of dust, a screech, a squeak—
The king's jaw opened with a creak.
And then in voice so faint and weak—
The first words that they heard him speak
Were, "How about a peanut-butter sandwich?"- Shel Silverstein

Inheritance Book Trailer

Quote of the Day- July 14, 2011

I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter. -Walt Disney

Hobbit Movie News: Five More Dwarves Revealed

Fili and Kili

Bofur, Bomfur, and Bifur

Quote of the Day- July 13, 2011

 How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on... when in your heart you begin to understand... there is no going back? There are some things that time cannot mend... some hurts that go too deep... that have taken hold.- Frodo (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Cinematic Adaptation)

As Frodo found, there is no way to pick up the threads of an old life when your life has been changed. One must take the path that they are placed upon, spreading goodness, hope, and kindness to those that they meet. If some things in my life had not happened, I'm not sure where I would be emotionally and spiritually right now. However, I try not to dwell upon that and focus on gathering my courage to take whatever task it set before me, as you should also do.

Speak With Authority. Ya Know?

- Taylor Mali

Hobbit Movie News: Two More Dwarves Revealed

Oin (left) and Gloin (right). Gloin is Gimli's father.

Harry Potter Prequel- J.K. Rowling

The speeding motorcycle took the sharp corner so fast in the darkness that both policemen in the pursuing car shouted,”Whoa!” Sergeant Fisher slammed his large foot on the brake, thinking that the boy who was riding pillion was sure to be flung under his wheels; however, the motorbike made the turn without seating either of its riders, and with a wink of its red tail lights, vanished up the narrow side street.
“We’ve got ‘em now!” cried PC Anderson excitedly. “That’s a dead end!”
Leaning hard on the steering wheel and crashing his gears, Fisher scraped half the paint off the flank of the car as he forced it up the alleyway in pursuit.There in the headlights sat their quarry, stationary at last after a quarter of an hour’s chase. The two riders were trapped between a towering brick wall and the police car, which was now crawling towards them like some growling luminous-eyes predator.
There was so little space between the car doors and the walls of the alley that Fisher and Anderson had difficulty extricating themselves from the vehicle. It injured their dignity to have to inch, crab-like,towards the miscreants. Fisher dragged his generous belly along the wall,tearing buttons off his shirt as he went, and finally snapping off the wing mirror with his backside.
“Get off the bike!” he bellowed at the smirking youths, who sat basking in the flashing blue light as though enjoying it.
They did as they were told, finally pulling free from the broken wing mirror, Fisher glared at them. They seemed to be in their late teens. The one who had been driving had long black hair, his insolent good looks reminded Fisher unpleasantly of his daughter’s guitar-playing, layabout boyfriend. The second boy also had black hair, though his was short and stuck up in all directions; he wore glasses and a broad grin. Both were dressed in t-shirts emblazoned with a large golden bird; the emblem, no doubt, of some deafening, tuneless rock band.
“No helmet!” Fisher yelled, pointing from one uncovered head to the other. “Exceeding the speed limit by-by a considerable amount!” (In fact, the speed registered had been greater than Fisher was prepared to accept that any motorcycle could travel.) “Failure to stop for the police!”
“We’d have loved to stop for a chat,” said the boy in glasses,”only we were trying-”
“Don’t get smart-you two are in a heap of trouble!” snarled Anderson. “Names!”
“Names?” repeated the long-haired driver.”Er-Well, let’s see. There’s Wilberforce…Bathsheba…Elvendork…”
“And what’s nice about that one is, you can use it for a boy OR a girl,” said the boy in glasses.
“Oh, our names, did you mean?” asked the first, as Anderson spluttered with rage.”You should’ve said! This here is James Potter, and I’m Sirius Black!”
“Things’ll be seriously black for you in a minute, you cheek little-”
But neither James nor Sirius was paying attention. They were suddenly as alert as gundogs, staying past Fisher and Anderson, over the roof of the police car, at the dark mouth of the alley. Then, with identical, fluid movements, they reached into their back pockets.
For the space of a heartbeat both policemen imagined guns gleaming at them, but a second later they saw that the motorcyclists had drawn nothing more than-
“Drumsticks?” jeered Anderson. “Right pair of jokers, aren’t you? Right, we’re arresting you on a charge of–”
But Anderson never got to name the charge. James and Sirius had shouted something incomprehensible, and the beams from the headlights had moved.
The policemen wheeled around, then staggered backwards. Three men were flying-actually flying- up the alley on broomsticks-and at the same moment,the police car was rearing up on its back wheels.
Fisher’s knee bucked; as he sat down hard; Anderson tripped over Fisher’s legs and fell on top of him, as flump-bang-crunch- they heard the men on brooms slam into the suspended car and fall, apparently insensible, to the ground, while broken bits of broomstick clattered down around them.
The motorbike had roared into life again. His mouth hanging open, Fisher mustered the strength to look back at the two teenagers.
“Thanks very much!” called Sirius over the throb of the engine.”We owe you one!”
“Yeah, nice meeting you!” said James. “And don’t forget: Elvendork! It’s unisex!”
There was an earth-shaking crash, and Fisher and Anderson threw their arms around each other in fright; their car had just fallen back to the ground. Now it was the motorcycle’s turn to rear. Before the policemen’s disbelieving eyes, it took off into thin air: James and Sirius zoomed away into the night sky, their tail light twinkling behind them like a vanishing ruby.

Quote of the Day- July 12, 2011

"Deadlines just aren't real to me until I'm staring one in the face."
— Rick Riordan (The Lightning Thief)

Take Time

 

Take time to think –  thoughts are the source of power.

Take time to play –  play is the secret of perpetual youth.

Take time to read –  reading is the fountain of wisdom.

Take time to pray –  prayer can be a rock of strength in time of need.

Take time to love – loving is what makes living worthwhile.

Take time to be friendly – friendships give life a delicious flavor.

Take time to laugh – laughter is the music of the soul.

Take time to give – sharing brings joy to your heart.

Take time to work – work is the price of success.

Take time to dream – dreams show you what is possible.

Take time to do your work well – pride in your work nourishes the mind and the spirit.

Take time to show appreciation – it's the frosting on the cake of life.- Author Unknown

Quote of the Day- July 11, 2011

A well-cultivated mind is, so to speak, made up of all the minds of preceding ages; it is only one single mind which has been educated during all this time. - Bernard de Bovier de Fontenelle

Quote of the Day- July 10, 2011

Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible - the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family.
       - Virginia Satir

Hobbit Movie News: Peter Jackson Releases Second Production Blog

Quote of the Day- July 9, 2011

Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.
       - Eleanor Roosevelt

Harry Potter and the Deatthly Hallows Part 2 Movie News: Six New Clips

The Goose Girl- Shannon Hale

She was born with her eyes closed and a word on her tongue, a word she could not taste. Her name was Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, and she spent the first years of her life listening to her aunt’s stories and learning the language of the birds, especially the swans. And when she was older, she watched as a colt was born, and she heard the first word on his tongue, his name, Falada.

From the Grimm’s fairy tale of the princess who became a goose girl before she could become queen, Shannon Hale has woven an incredible, original, and magical tale of a girl who must find her own unusual talents before she can lead the people she has made her own.


My Review:

"The Goose Girl" has long been one of my favorite fairy tales, as my family will very well tell you. Like the author, this story has long arisen questions in my mind. For example, "Why would a princess let her lady and waiting take her identity" or "How could the princess speak to her horses head and convince the wind to blow off the Goose Boy's hat"? Shannon Hale, a magnificent author, writes a new take on this classic tale. Many years ago, at the beginning of the universe, the creator spoke the words of creation and all things spoke it. Eventually, the species separated and the knowledge of eachother's languages were lost. There were some, whoever, who were born with the first word of another language upon their tongue. Throughout history, there have been Animal Speakers, People Speakers, and mysterious Nature Speakers. Shannon Hale's adaptation of "The Goose Girl" is almost a mixture between a normal fairy tale and a high action packed book, Lord of the Rings, perhaps. Ani, originally Crown Princess of Kildenree before her brother was named Crown Prince, is sent to Bayern to be married to their eldest Prince. She is sent to Bayern with her entourage of guards and her Lady in Waiting, who happens to be a People Speaker, Selia. On the way, half of the party led by Selia and Ungolad turn against the Princess and slay the royal guards. Ani is forced to flee. Eventually, after being aided by a family of "Forest Dwellers", she finds work as an Animal Worker to tend the King of Bayern's own Geese. There, she makes friends with her fellow Animal Worker's and learns from the inside about how Bayern's people are treated, while she tries to make a plan to regain her rightful title. Will Selia's plan to destroy Kildenree succeed? Truly, I am surprised that this book isn't as popular among those of us who read Young Adult literacture. There is heart pounding action around every corner, in a story brought to life by Shannon's Hale's beautiful words.

Stars: 5 out of 5

Quote of the Day- July 8, 2011

Change does not necessarily assure progress, but progress implacably requires change. Education is essential to change, for education creates both new wants and the ability to satisfy them.
       -Henry Steele Commager

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Movie News: Two New Clips, Speeches By J.K. Rowling And The Cast, And Premiere Highlights

Quote of the Day- July 7, 2011

The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.        - Helen Keller

Hobbit Movie News: Picture Of The Dwarf Brother's Ori, Nori, and Dori Released

Description released by MGM: These three brothers, all sons of the same mother, could not be more different from each other. Dori, the oldest, spends much of his time watching out for Ori, the youngest; making sure he’s not caught a chill or got himself killed by Wargs or Goblins. Nobody quite knows what Nori gets up to most of the time, except that it’s guaranteed to be dodgy and quite probably, illegal. Dori, Nori and Ori are intensely loyal to each other – and whilst they are perfectly happy fighting amongst themselves

Quote of the Day- July 6, 2011

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.
       - Anatole France

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2: New Clips Released

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2: 9 New TV Spots

Ender's Game

In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race's next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. A brilliant young boy, Andrew "Ender" Wiggin lives with his kind but distant parents, his sadistic brother Peter, and the person he loves more than anyone else, his sister Valentine. Peter and Valentine were candidates for the soldier-training program but didn't make the cut—young Ender is the Wiggin drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training.
Ender's skills make him a leader in school and respected in the Battle Room, where children play at mock battles in zero gravity. Yet growing up in an artificial community of young soldiers Ender suffers greatly from isolation, rivalry from his peers, pressure from the adult teachers, and an unsettling fear of the alien invaders. His psychological battles include loneliness, fear that he is becoming like the cruel brother he remembers, and fanning the flames of devotion to his beloved sister.
Is Ender the general Earth needs? But Ender is not the only result of the genetic experiments. The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway for almost as long. Ender's two older siblings are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. Between the three of them lie the abilities to remake a world. If, that is, the world survives.

My Review

Ender's Game may be described as disturbing to some. To myself, it was intriguing. Ender has been genetically created to be the perfect general. His intelligence is beyond that of a normal human, which marks him as the only one who may have a chance to destroy the race of alien Buggers. At the age of six, he is launched to battle school, where he spends many years in military training. The teachers are no more then monitors, and spend their days testing Ender in the battles that the teams in the school take part in. Meanwhile, Valentine and Peter (Ender's sister and brother), are using their intelligence on earth to influence the world. This story was full of curses I'm afraid, even among the young children. One thing that I found interesting in this tale was Ender's struggle with those he feared and killing. The way he comes to term with it is most likely the most powerful thing about this book. 
  
Star's: 4.5 out of 5

Fan Made Trailer

Quote of the Day- July 5, 2011

Solitude is as needful to the imagination as society is wholesome for the character.-James Russel Lowell

Independence Day

In the year of 1776
That paper was decreed -
They were tired of oppression
And wanted to be freed

They wrote a Declaration
So the whole world would see -
This was, "the home of the brave
And the land of the free"

They signed that piece of parchment
The leaders of this land -
Knowing, divided they would fall
But, together they could stand

A new world lay before them
Untamed from shore to shore -
They swore the would protect it
If it meant going to war

Battles have been fought -
And many lives have been lost -
So sad something so basic
Has such a high, high cost

'Seems freedom is a luxury
There's some would bind us all -
Like then, together, we can stand
But divided, we will fall

More than two hundred years
Have past by since that day
That each of us celebrate
In our own different way

We should be proud and thankful
Pay our share of the cost -
Not take freedom for granted
For it easily could be lost- Abe

Hobbit Movie News: Two New Screenshots

Quote of the Day- July 4, 2011

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.
Ronald Reagan

The Inheritance Cycle: Christopher Paolini Finishes Inheritance Manuscript

July 3, 2011

"Because you're young, you're torn between a world of hate and a world of dreams.

So much to lose. So much to gain. So much to fight for. So much to change."-Unknown


 History has shown us that the young are often those who are most ready to follow. This world is not perfect. In truth, it is a place ruined by the battle between good and evil. Often we only see two sides in the world, those "invisible evil people", who we talk about but never seem to show their faces, and those who seek a better world that has been painted for them in a dream. The prosperity of our world is worth fighting for, but we are not perfect. To create a perfect world, it would have to be made by a person without fault. The Law of Entropy states that everything that is organized becomes disorganized over time. Are our efforts to create a better perfect world futile? 

A Journey Through Words- One

Part of the reason I started this blog was to express myself through the words that I love so dearly. Some of you, meaning those who know me, have expressed an interest of knowing the progress in the book that I have been writing for the past three years. This book is a fantasy. I would like to describe it as a tale of light verses darkness, a lost Prince, and two children who find themselves in a fantastical land. I am beginning these posts to hold myself accountable in my writing and to share updates with the followers of my stories.

Hunger Games: The Two Most Awesome Fanmade Clips Ever

 

Katniss and Rue

 

Behind the Scenes

                                                                      Katniss and Peeta