The Edge

I had a Harry Potter sort of day today.

I dragged the hubby off to see the newest HP movie this morning. We hit the earliest show in the hopes of missing some of the crowds, which worked. We had great seats. I know a lot of folks weren't wild about the movie, but I really liked it. I know they had to leave a lot out from the book, but I actually enjoyed the quick pacing of the film. Also, I thought they did a pretty good job of condensing things without losing the basic strain of the story. But, that's just my opinion. I'm certainly no expert -- on either movies or Harry Potter stuff.

Then, I picked up my copy of Book 7 this afternoon. I had reserved a copy a month or so ago. I was going to wait until tomorrow to get it, but we were out running around and near the book store. So, I decided to pop in and pick it up. Me and about a bazillion other people. We hit a lull, so the lines weren't very long to check out. But the poor store staff looked exhausted. I'll bet they were having a very rough day.

Yes, I have started reading the book, but I'm not very far. Only about 30 pages in. I don't plan on seriously trying to get into it until, probably, sometime next week. I'm currently reading a novel by C.J. Cherryh -- the fourth in a series -- and I want to finish it first. The moment I got my copy of the book in hand, though, I flipped to the back, just so I would know how it ended. And, yes, I did go around and read some spoilers this afternoon -- hee. Well, spoilers don't hamper my enjoyment of the book ... and I'm just evil that way. The only reason I hadn't read the spoilers before was that I've been busy and didn't think it worth the time. Yeah, I'm kind of weird like that.

We also went to see Transformers tonight. That movie kicks so much ass. 'Nuff said. I'm definitely getting it when it comes out on DVD, and I wish I could see it again in the theater. Such a great movie.

I think I really like the new design for my main website. I feel a little guilty thinking that -- like, maybe it's wrong of me or something, since it was my work and all. At the same time, I'm glad I feel that way, because it was my work. And, it was a heck of a LOT of work to get it done, too.

I've gotten a pretty decent start on my book. I have the "prologue" part done, which is a pretty decent length, and the first chapter of the next part done. I started on chapter 2, but the past couple of days haven't been very good for writing because of family obligations and such. I was going to work on it tonight, but my head is throbbing and I'm too damn tired to think. So, I hope to get something done on it tomorrow. I feel like I have a decent start on this thing, and I really don't want to lose my momentum.

I'm watching Louie the Rune Soldier, courtesy of the recent ADV sale. I really like this show. Louie is so irritating, but, just when you're about to write him off, he does something rather endearing and a bit heroic. It's one of those shows that is funny and, yet, not. Yeah, I know that makes no sense, but ... heh.

Just wanted to jot down a couple of thoughts on the book I finished reading yesterday, as well as The Illusionist, which my hubby and I saw just this afternoon. No better way to spend a rainy day than seeing a movie. Well, I suppose reading a good book is just as nice, too. Which makes it somehow logical to combine these two topics here. After all, it's raining at my house, courtesy of Hurricane Ernesto; makes me feel like everything has come full circle, at least in this tiny way. Ain't life just strange like that sometimes?

First things first ...

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella.

I have to say I loved this book. It's such a funny read; I laughed all the way through it. I really identified with the heroine, Samantha Sweeting. And, if you have ever dreamed of just chucking it all and running away, I think you'll love this book, too. On the eve of her partnership into "The Big Law Firm", super finance attorney Samantha Sweeting makes a mistake of epic proportions, which ends up costing her client in a huge way. Samantha, always high-strung, is overwrought with guilt and unable to face what she has done. She goes into sort of an emotional meltdown, hopping the first train out of London, and getting off ... well, in some small village a few hours away. She has no idea, at first, where she is. She is nursing a migraine from hell and shell-shocked by the realization she has ruined her career, and, somehow, she manages to stumble into the Geiger household -- just when the Geigers are looking for a housekeeper. Somehow, Samantha, who hasn't the first clue with regard to any sort of housework, lands the job. And, in the process, she finds something she had believed lost for good -- her life.

OK. Confession time here. When I was in law school, I had this very vivid, recurring fantasy. Each time I was on my way to school, or on my way home ... really, whenever I was in the car. I would take nothing with me, but just get in the car and drive ... as far and as fast as I could. And, I would keep on driving until I ran out of gas. Wherever that happened to be, I would stop and get a job -- any kind of job -- until I had enough money to put gas in my car once more, and, then, I would drive again. Of course, I was in North Texas at the time, which meant that, should I drive until I ran out of gas, I would likely end up on the far side of Nowhere. Plus, I had "obligations" ... and people counting on me to "do the right thing". So, in my heart, I knew it could never happen. Besides, you can't really run away from yourself or the life you pick. Even so, this little fantasy/daydream, as simple as it was, sustained me through three years of law school and, then, through a couple of really horrid jobs in the legal profession. Needless to say, I identified with Samantha right away. I think that made this book that much more enjoyable for me -- because she succeeded in doing what I never could. For that, I love her and cheer her on whole-heartedly. But, even if you're not a lawyer, if you have ever had a horrible job or a terrible boss or just a shitty day, I think you can identify with that urge to run away from it all. It's a really attractive idea, even though, as we grow up, we realize we can't run away from ourselves. No matter how far we run or where we go ... we're always there waiting for ourselves at the end of the line.

The Illusionist

I have only three words for The Illusionist, starring Edward Norton and Jessica Biehl, and they are this:

SEE THIS MOVIE!

With a rainy afternoon ahead of us, my husband and I decided to catch a flick. My mom is visiting, so we have kiddo-free time -- something rare in our household at the moment. Since we hardly ever get to go out, we haven't kept track of the movies, although my hubby had heard a little bit of positive buzz about this one. On the whole, though, I went into it with no expectations. I had heard nothing, and I knew next to nothing about the film.

This movie just blew me away. I'm not a big fan of Jessica Biehl, but she was tremendous in the role of Sophie. Edward Norton, as always, was a master in the title role. I thought the film had a marvelous supporting cast, the scenery was beautiful, and the movie was beautifully shot. The plot was an illusion in and of itself, and I do mean that as a compliment. At first, it seemed like such a straighforward premise. It's not until the very end of the movie that you realize exactly how intricately worked and woven this story is. The word "graceful" comes to mind when I think of a way to describe the movie's plot. This was one of those rare movies that draws you right into the picture ... where you look up at the end of the film, surprised to find yourself in the here-and-now with a couple of hours having passed you by.

So, really ...

SEE THIS MOVIE!!

Jerked out of a sound sleep this morning by the most excruciating stomach cramps. What a rude, rude awakening and such a bizarre occurrence, too. I can't, for the life of me, figure out what caused them ... although it's probably an overflow of the stress and tension I've been channeling lately. Bleh. At any rate, since I'm up and (sort of) about ... decided it was a good time to do some updating in here. Not that I really have anything amusing or even remotely interesting to share, but ... oh well. *insert big shoulder shrug*

Seems like the weekend just shot by at light speed. It's so strange when that happens ... especially since, without fail, I am never able to look back and figure out just what, exactly, made the days seem so full that time flew like that. On Saturday, I went to see the new Harry Potter movie. My gosh, but it was good! At least, I thought so. I had debated over waiting a week or two to see it, figuring the theater would be super crowded ... but, I have been looking forward to this movie's release for a long time. So, I sucked it up and braved the crowds. And, for the record, the theater was full! Didn't matter --- I still managed to lose myself in the film's magic, and passed an enjoyable --- what? --- 2 hours? hour and a half? Well, however long it lasted, anyhow. My only gripe is that so much of the book was left out. I can understand why. I mean, the book was really huge. Making a movie without cutting anything out would have been impossible. Still ... *insert whine* No matter, though. I can always return to the book whenever I want to relive the entire adventure.

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