I saw these advertised on Nicklodeon the other day.
It seems that instead of buying clothes for the Barbie, you buy a new noggin instead.
?!?
And this is supposed to help little girls figure out what?
If you don't like the way your head looks, cut it off?
I can see the defense down the road - "Your honor, my client is not guilty due to being mislead into thinking you can change a head out for a new one by her Barbie Fashionistas doll."
22 March, 2011
Books
Superman: Last Son - Geoff Johns, Richard Donner & Adam Kubert
Good story and great art from Kubert. Donner's involvement provides a look at "what-if" he had gotten to continue his vision of Superman
All Star Superman, Vol. 1 - Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely
Morrison is an excellent writer and I love Quitely's artwork. I'm a believer.
A Wizard Abroad
The Wizards Dilemma - Diane Duane
A Wizard Alone
Wizard's Holiday
These are books 4-7 of the Young Wizards series by Duane. I had gotten the first three way back when I was the member of a book club. They provide a different view of wizardry from the Harry Potter perspective, which is very enjoyable.
The Brave and the Bold (Star Trek) Book 1&2 - Keith R. A. DeCandido
Not exactly a bold new vision of the ST universe in my opinion. The characters were not as compelling as when used in other ST novels.
On Writing - Stephen King
For new and even older writers this is an excellent read, providing information, inspiration and an old kick in the seat of the pants. King is one of my favorite writers and this book doesn't disappoint. Non-writers will enjoy his insight into the process of writing.
The Grace of God - Andy Stanley
Stanley explores the concept and quality of grace from the Old Testament through the New Testament. Grace is a hard one to wrap my mind around recently, and so I'm sure I will be re-reading this one again.
The Lost Hero - Rick Riordan
Book One of The Heroes of Olympus series. We get introduced Jason, Piper and Leo, who are new members of Camp Half-blood. Old characters from Percy Jackson are there and we're off on a new adventure. Action intensive, just like the Percy Jackson books, giving a new look at old "gods" from both Greece and Rome. A good read.
Good story and great art from Kubert. Donner's involvement provides a look at "what-if" he had gotten to continue his vision of Superman
All Star Superman, Vol. 1 - Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely
Morrison is an excellent writer and I love Quitely's artwork. I'm a believer.
A Wizard Abroad
The Wizards Dilemma - Diane Duane
A Wizard Alone
Wizard's Holiday
These are books 4-7 of the Young Wizards series by Duane. I had gotten the first three way back when I was the member of a book club. They provide a different view of wizardry from the Harry Potter perspective, which is very enjoyable.
The Brave and the Bold (Star Trek) Book 1&2 - Keith R. A. DeCandido
Not exactly a bold new vision of the ST universe in my opinion. The characters were not as compelling as when used in other ST novels.
On Writing - Stephen King
For new and even older writers this is an excellent read, providing information, inspiration and an old kick in the seat of the pants. King is one of my favorite writers and this book doesn't disappoint. Non-writers will enjoy his insight into the process of writing.
The Grace of God - Andy Stanley
Stanley explores the concept and quality of grace from the Old Testament through the New Testament. Grace is a hard one to wrap my mind around recently, and so I'm sure I will be re-reading this one again.
The Lost Hero - Rick Riordan
Book One of The Heroes of Olympus series. We get introduced Jason, Piper and Leo, who are new members of Camp Half-blood. Old characters from Percy Jackson are there and we're off on a new adventure. Action intensive, just like the Percy Jackson books, giving a new look at old "gods" from both Greece and Rome. A good read.
18 March, 2011
Book(s)
Airborn, Skybreaker and Starclimber
by Kenneth Oppel
I picked up Airborn when I took the kids to the library for the first time. I wasn't quite sure what I had selected, but I figured it couldn't hurt to give it a go.
May pages and hours later, I was very glad that I had picked up this book. In fact, I mad a quick trip back to the library to pick up the sequels.
Oppel has crafted a trio of exquisitely written books. The characters come to life through the dialogue.
Character dialogue is one of the things that makes or breaks a book for me and these three were most definitely "made."
You can find them in the Youth section, but they should be required reading for all ages.
I am looking forward to reading more from Mr. Oppel.
Synopses of the books are below.
Enjoy them at your own risk... of having a good time and lost hours of sleep.
Airborn
Winner of the 2004 Governor General's Literary Award for Children's Literature!!
Spyglass to my eye, I slowly swept the heavens....
Matt Cruse is the 15-year-old cabin boy aboard the Aurora, the 900-foot luxury airship he has called home for the past two years. While crossing the Pacificus, Matt fearlessly rescues the unconscious pilot of a crippled hot air balloon. Before he dies, the balloonist tells him about the fantastic, impossible creatures he has seen flying through the clouds. Matt dismisses the story as the ravings of a dying man, but when Kate de Vries arrives on the Aurora a year later, determined to prove the story is true, Matt finds himself caught up in her quest. Then one night, over the middle of the ocean, deadly air pirates board the Aurora. Far from any hope of rescue, Kate and Matt are flung into adventures beyond all imagining. . .
• A 2005 Michael L Printz Honor Book (ALA)
• Winner of the 2005 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award
• Winner of the 2004 Red Maple Award (OLA)
The Sequel to Airborn...
At 20,000 feet drifts a legendary ghostship...
The Control Car of the giant airship is almost entirely encased in ice, the ship’s name barely visible on her tattered skin: Hyperion. Matt Cruse can’t believe his eyes. Can this really be the legendary lost craft, now a frozen mausoleum to a ghostly crew and a vast treasure? At 20,000 feet, aboard a decrepit training ship, Matt is almost unconscious from the high altitude, but of all the oxygen-starved crew, he alone remembers the Hyperion’s coordinates.
Back in Paris, it suddenly seems that everyone is after those coordinates. Kate de Vries, Matt’s rich, young lady friend, has her reasons. But what about the handsome captain, who’s going to pilot them back to the Hyperion? Or the mysterious gypsy girl, whose past is inextricably linked to Matt’s?
In an adventure that will test his courage, his skill, and his heart, Matt is about to take off on the ride of his life.
The sequel to Airborn & Skybreaker...
At long last, Matt Cruse is at the helm.
Though it’s only a summer job piloting a humble aerocrane, he’s thrilled to be a small part of something big. With every load, he’s helping to build the Celestial Tower, Paris’s extraordinary gateway to outer space. But Matt’s idyllic summer is short-lived. He narrowly survives a deadly attack by the fanatical Babelites, who are opposed to humans reaching the heavens. Worse still, his nights spent stargazing with Kate de Vries must end when she’s summoned back to Lionsgate City by her parents. It’s time she began to think about getting married.
But then a chance of a lifetime boosts Matt’s hopes of being airborne once more. Canada wants to reach space first, and the Canadian Minister of Air has asked Kate to join the first expedition as an expert on aerial zoology. There’s a place for Matt, too—if he can pass the grueling tests to become one of the world’s first astralnauts on board the incredible ship Starclimber.
It’s a race to the very top, and Matt is determined to be a part of the adventure. But can he outlast his competition? And if he is chosen to join the crew, will they ever return to Earth?
Forgiveness & Regret
I am thankful that my God forgives all and forgets all when He is asked for forgiveness.
Over the past year I have done much that required me to ask for forgiveness from my God and savior.
I have been a poor follower of Christ as well as a poor husband and father.
In August, God finally put His foot down and made me face up to my sin.
It was hard, being made to face front and have to confess my sin to both God and my family.
Now it is a great comfort to know that He both forgave me and forgot the sin.
I have tried hard to earn the forgiveness of my wife and my family.
I hope that I have earned it.
God knows that I try every day to be a better husband and father than the day before. I don't always meet the mark, but I am trying.
Eventually, I have to be able to forgive myself and try to leave the regret behind.
That's not so easily done.
Forgiveness of myself aside, regret is a near constant companion. We are bitter soulmates and it stabs me deeply every time I see my son struggle with his problems, hear my daughters ask why they can't do this or get that, and especially when I see my beautiful wife attempt to deal with her medical issues while working so hard at the day-to-day family things.
Those are the tmes that regret is like being forced to your knees, a tire shoved over your shoulders, being doused with gasoline and set on fire.
You want to scream why and look at who is doing this to you, only to see yourself holding the gas can and the match.
God is great, and I am thankful.
Over the past year I have done much that required me to ask for forgiveness from my God and savior.
I have been a poor follower of Christ as well as a poor husband and father.
In August, God finally put His foot down and made me face up to my sin.
It was hard, being made to face front and have to confess my sin to both God and my family.
Now it is a great comfort to know that He both forgave me and forgot the sin.
I have tried hard to earn the forgiveness of my wife and my family.
I hope that I have earned it.
God knows that I try every day to be a better husband and father than the day before. I don't always meet the mark, but I am trying.
Eventually, I have to be able to forgive myself and try to leave the regret behind.
That's not so easily done.
Forgiveness of myself aside, regret is a near constant companion. We are bitter soulmates and it stabs me deeply every time I see my son struggle with his problems, hear my daughters ask why they can't do this or get that, and especially when I see my beautiful wife attempt to deal with her medical issues while working so hard at the day-to-day family things.
Those are the tmes that regret is like being forced to your knees, a tire shoved over your shoulders, being doused with gasoline and set on fire.
You want to scream why and look at who is doing this to you, only to see yourself holding the gas can and the match.
God is great, and I am thankful.
Bandit and his Addiction
Just heard squealing outside the window and sure enough, Bandit has another bunny by the neck in our flowerbed.
I went outside and chased him (Bandit) around the yard. He jumped onto the porch and dropped the bunny, which then huddled behind Bandit when I tried to pick it up.
Might prevailed however, and now the bunny is awaiting release in the cage.
Stacey says this is the way the cat shows that he loves us.
Personally I would prefer him to get in my lap and purr, rather than growl at me and bring home bunnies.
I guess I should add some explanatory notes here.
Last year Bandit caught 2 bunnies within 2 days of each other. Both died of wounds suffered in their apprehension.
Earlier this week, Ban Ban the bunny catching man caught him a baby bunny. We could hear it screaming as Bandit carried it around by the neck. We liberated the bunny and put it in the cage we borrowed last bunny catching season.
That night the bunny was released.
The next day, Bandit shows up with the same bunny. Liberation, part II and into the cage it goes.
Now Christopher and Kaitlyn have named the bunny (Thumper Hopper Easter Bunny) and are wanting to keep it.
Nope, I say and the bunny gets released again.
The next day we hear a bunny crying and go outside to effect a rescue (Stacey in PJ's).
Rescue isn't as easy this time as Bandit goes running around the yard carrying said bunny by the neck.
Finally released in the backyard bushes, the bunny hops into the underbrush and Bandit is brought inside.
We looked for the bunny in the bushes and couldn't find it.
An hour later, after he's sprung from confinement, Bandit immediately goes to the bushes and locates Thumper Hopper Easter Bunny. Fortunately, I rescue the bunny before he's caught for the 4th time and into the cage he goes.
We go and get bunny food from WalMart and fix up a water bottle to no avail.
That night yet another bunny is dispatched to bunny never-never land.
Funeral services are peformed the next morning with internment taking place in the backyard behind the shed next to the bamboo.
I have had quite enough of burying dead animals.
At last count there were 3 rabbits, 3 hamsters, 2 squirrels and fish, the exact number of which I don't recall.
I went outside and chased him (Bandit) around the yard. He jumped onto the porch and dropped the bunny, which then huddled behind Bandit when I tried to pick it up.
Might prevailed however, and now the bunny is awaiting release in the cage.
Stacey says this is the way the cat shows that he loves us.
Personally I would prefer him to get in my lap and purr, rather than growl at me and bring home bunnies.
I guess I should add some explanatory notes here.
Last year Bandit caught 2 bunnies within 2 days of each other. Both died of wounds suffered in their apprehension.
Earlier this week, Ban Ban the bunny catching man caught him a baby bunny. We could hear it screaming as Bandit carried it around by the neck. We liberated the bunny and put it in the cage we borrowed last bunny catching season.
That night the bunny was released.
The next day, Bandit shows up with the same bunny. Liberation, part II and into the cage it goes.
Now Christopher and Kaitlyn have named the bunny (Thumper Hopper Easter Bunny) and are wanting to keep it.
Nope, I say and the bunny gets released again.
The next day we hear a bunny crying and go outside to effect a rescue (Stacey in PJ's).
Rescue isn't as easy this time as Bandit goes running around the yard carrying said bunny by the neck.
Finally released in the backyard bushes, the bunny hops into the underbrush and Bandit is brought inside.
We looked for the bunny in the bushes and couldn't find it.
An hour later, after he's sprung from confinement, Bandit immediately goes to the bushes and locates Thumper Hopper Easter Bunny. Fortunately, I rescue the bunny before he's caught for the 4th time and into the cage he goes.
We go and get bunny food from WalMart and fix up a water bottle to no avail.
That night yet another bunny is dispatched to bunny never-never land.
Funeral services are peformed the next morning with internment taking place in the backyard behind the shed next to the bamboo.
I have had quite enough of burying dead animals.
At last count there were 3 rabbits, 3 hamsters, 2 squirrels and fish, the exact number of which I don't recall.
12 March, 2011
How do You Dial 911?
You can ask my son. He knows all about it.
Today Kaitlyn fell and scraped her knee while the kids were outside. Kayla asked her if they needed to call an ambulance. Laughs and that's all there was to it, right? Wrong.
Christopher made his way inside and used MeeMaws phone to dial 911.
Once the operator picked up he told her that Sissy was hurt and his parents were too busy to take care of her.
That was when he heard Stacey come in and he ran out of the room and told Stacey he was using the bathroom.
I was gone to Lowe's during all of this. I got back home and not 5 minutes later a deputy sheriff pulled up in our yard.
Christopher took off running as soon as he saw the cruiser.
Needless to say a stern talking to was given by the officer, who then left other administrative actions to us.
Which were administered.
I think the last bogus call to 911 has been made from our home.
Today Kaitlyn fell and scraped her knee while the kids were outside. Kayla asked her if they needed to call an ambulance. Laughs and that's all there was to it, right? Wrong.
Christopher made his way inside and used MeeMaws phone to dial 911.
Once the operator picked up he told her that Sissy was hurt and his parents were too busy to take care of her.
That was when he heard Stacey come in and he ran out of the room and told Stacey he was using the bathroom.
I was gone to Lowe's during all of this. I got back home and not 5 minutes later a deputy sheriff pulled up in our yard.
Christopher took off running as soon as he saw the cruiser.
Needless to say a stern talking to was given by the officer, who then left other administrative actions to us.
Which were administered.
I think the last bogus call to 911 has been made from our home.
Goin' to the Library
Christopher has been wanting to go to the "Big" library for quite some time. When he was attending Holm Elementary his bus passed the new library branch that was under construction every day.
Once school started at Ferry Pass he started using the school library (a brief aside here: the other day he decided that he would just go to the library without letting Mrs. Comerford know where he was going. All the other kids in the class knew however) , but he still asked about the "Big" library.
A couple of weeks ago I took Christopher and Kaitlyn to get their first real library cards.
They were thrilled to get to pick out their own books and then to have the lady check them out.
We've made another trip since then with many more in the future no doubt.
Once school started at Ferry Pass he started using the school library (a brief aside here: the other day he decided that he would just go to the library without letting Mrs. Comerford know where he was going. All the other kids in the class knew however) , but he still asked about the "Big" library.
A couple of weeks ago I took Christopher and Kaitlyn to get their first real library cards.
They were thrilled to get to pick out their own books and then to have the lady check them out.
We've made another trip since then with many more in the future no doubt.
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