Sunday, July 29, 2007

Going to the Principal's Office

Do you remember the sick feeling of dread that settled in your stomach when someone mentioned "the office?" You don't? Maybe that was just me. Anyhoo - So I'm working for the school system and, as part of our back-to-school prep , I'm meeting with as many of the principals as I can to tell them one-on-one about the new publicity procedure, the changes to the website and other PR initiatives that are starting this fall.

Since it is my program, I feel very confident about the material to be presented and have, so far, received very good feedback from other principals, administrators and board members. Tomorrow I'm presenting to seven principals and I will admit I'm a little nervous. It is, after all, very important to have principal buy-in if we are to experience success. *sigh* Ah, work.

Nine more days and Munchkin will be home. At least, that's the plan. I still haven't seen an itinerary but I'm trusting that this is going to be all right and I won't have to go up there and get her.

*YAWN* Gosh, I'm tired. I guess I'll wrap up and go to bed. Busy day tomorrow. 'night, folks.

Sunday, July 22, 2007

To the End

After long months waiting and wondering how it would all end, I received my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) yesterday. I opened the package, read the acknowledgement and closed the cover again. Was I really ready to see how it all ended?

I was already an adult and married when Rowling's Boy Who Lived burst on to the scene. I was almost immediately intrigued but didn't read the books right away. But once I did, I was hooked. The story of this kid and all of his adventures (both good and bad) has a way of pulling you in. You genuinely care about the kids and want to see them do well.

As I began Book 7, I could see right away that Rowling meant business and got right down to it. There was very little background information and the action didn't wait at all to hurtle you along to that oh so final climax.

I will not give away the game here because I don't think that's fair. The book was as satisfyingly complete as I hoped it would be, as terribly sad as I expected it to be, with a few "OMGoshes" thrown in for good measure. Definitely five stars.




Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Oh my gosh!!!

Ok, so I'm not going to do the full review because my brains are turning into oatmeal as I sit here. It's almost 3am and I have to get up and be a grown-up again in three hours so I'll make this quick.

OH MY GOSH!!! Just got home from OOTP and WOW, it was terrific. Sirius's end was as terrible as I thought it would be. I love the way they handled it.

Let me give this critique: Having read the books at least three or four times ensured that I always knew where the holes were and filled them in myself but they cut some pretty big chunks out of the plotline. The holes left were pretty gaping - I can imagine it might have been quite a stretch for the unread movie-only HP fan. (shame, that)

Fred & George's exit was priceless. I did think, however, that the directors minimized the lasting hooplah and general rebellion on the part of the student body after their exit. But, as I told Mom (or Mum, if we're using true HP speak), this is the Empire Strikes Back episode in the series and it needed to stay intense so we'd be good and worked up for Books 6 & 7.

HP fans - don't miss this one. They did the story justice - even with all of the cuts. Non-HP loyalists - take a HP-friend if you want to start the story this late in the game. Otherwise, you'll probably hate it.

Somehow I don't think Book 7 is going to tie up all of our loose little ends so tidily. I can hardly wait. Tempting is not quite the word for the urge to pull down the series NOW, make a pot of leaded coffee and just stay up and read. Three hours is only going to make me feel bad.

OH, who am I kidding? I'm too old for an all-nighter. 'night, folks.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Tonight at Midnight!!


K and her hubby, Mom, H and I are going to see OOTP (that's Order of the Phoenix for you non-Harry Potter folks). I've had my tickets for a week and I am SO geeked out!!

We're getting there at 10pm to camp out with the teenie boppers. I'm actually (yes, I am about to say this...) looking forward to dishing with them about Book 7 (which releases on the 21st).

I am SO excited! Newsweek gave OOTP a rather lackluster review but they also loved Rattatoille and I hated it, so we'll just agree to disagree, ok?

Keep the coffee coming my way tomorrow, though - while everybody (wisely) took the day off tomorrow, I am working. AND, it's a CRAZY day tomorrow, filled with meetings where I have to appear to know what I'm doing and not totally whacked out on three hours of sleep. *giggle* I'm an idiot.

Review coming tomorrow. I solemnly swear!

Thursday, July 5, 2007

whipped cream is overrated

Last night, EG and I went to dinner at PF Chang's, in Austin. YUM. I love eating with chopsticks. Their lo mein was so tasty and the citrus spice tea was delicious. EG ordered a spicy chicken dish that brought tears to your eyes but it was so YUMMY!

After dinner, we went to the Cheesecake Factory for dessert. I ordered my favorite: Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake. Heavens, it was so rich. They put two HUGE swirls of whipped cream on it, though. Why do they do this? It isn't pumpkin pie!! So much whipped cream (in my humble opinion - as are all of my opinions) takes away from the chocolate nirvana that is this cheesecake.

*giggle* Ignore me, I think I'm still a little bit "overwhelmed" from dessert. Have a happy day!

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Parades and Sausage on a Stick


It's the Fourth! One of my favorite holidays because everybody is in red, white and blue, "That goin' band from Tiger Land" (Belton HS Marching 100) plays the fight song as they march down Main Street and everybody turns out for the parade. After the parade, we walked down to the park to get sausage on a stick and roasted corn. Yum.

Now we're home and in the air conditioning for a nap. Tonight, we'll go over to Miller Park in Temple for the fireworks, if it isn't raining.

Happy Birthday, America!

Happy Birthday, America!