Just doing a little research for when we have kids.... (or not).

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080724/ap_on_re_au_an/new_zealand_bizarre_names

Bus Shelter?!

So some more reviews.
You are lucky.
(Can I even call them reviews?  Oh well!)

Now that I am done with school (for now) I have the freedom and time (for now) to read what I would choose!
It's been a while.
So, in honour of my new-found Jane Austen/Mr. Darcy fixation, I read two books on this subject.
Now, keep in mind, I wanted light "summer" reading...nothing of consequence, really.

So the first one I completed was The Man Who Loved Jane Austen by Sally Smith O'Rourke.
If I was looking for a senseless, fantastical, sorta romance, well then I got it.  It seemed really promising as a "thinking woman's" fluff book (if there is such a thing)...the heroine finds letters from fictional Mr. Darcy to actual Jane Austen and works to find out if Mr. Darcy was in fact a real person.  It just gets ludicrous from there.  Let's just say there is time travel involved...and I usually all for fantasy and suspended belief...but this was more like a lame plot move.  So to sum up (I don't want to spoil ALL of it) - it was fun to read, albeit a bit too fluffy, and I wanted to know what was going to happen...but it didn't really make me feel any smarter or more enlightened.  I am glad I didn't buy it...I thought it was going to be more along the lines of the "Becoming Jane" movie (which I actually haven't seen).  So yeah, it wasn't bad.  End Review.

Next, I read Mr Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange.  This was much better.  While it was meant to be in diary form, I didn't see it like that as the narratives were often long and I found myself thinking "no one would write all this in their diary, verbatim conversations?!"  However, it was a good insight to Pride and Prejudice (which I must admit I haven't read all of...shh!  I am going to now, though!).  It is P&P story from the point of view of Mr. Darcy rather than Elizabeth.  I found it to be well-done and I felt connected to the character.  In this book, I found the "thinking fluff" that I was looking for.  I feel as if I have done it all backwards by watching the recent movie, then the A&E miniseries (which is the best!), then reading this book and THEN reading P&P...but if I can forgive my own gauche behaviour, I am sure you can, too!   In sum, this was a much better book and a good read, for a "chick" book and a historical one as well.  End Review.

Hmm, we have watched some movies recently that I could review as well...but I have typed enough!

Hey, it's Craig's Birthday today!

A Happy Birthday to you!
A Happy Birthday to you!

Rumour has it, the Summerfields are moving to Hawaii.

Well, guess what?
It's true!

Dude.

So yeah, the newly commissioned Lieutenants Summerfield will be the Corps Officers of the Hilo Temple Corps. 
Sweet!

I survived the weekend, barely.  Really, I don't recall being so exhausted mentally, emotionally, etc....okay, I do, but this time was harsh.  Going outside after the appointment service was intense...there were so many people hugging me, giving advice, and taking pictures.  I appreicate all the love - but I can barely remember any of it!  I was essentially a deer in the headlights.

Anyway, it's been neat as we talk and learn more about Hilo and the corps.  It's a trip when we say stuff, "we have..." or "our corps..." and stuff.  Exciting!

So I really don't want to type more.
I am way tired. 
My family is here - and today we spent the day at Knott's, which incidentally, is a good place for young kids - I had fun at Camp Snoopy with my nieces.

So much to say - but lacking brain cells and motivation.
Must.
Pack.
But.
Sleep.
Better.

I will post some pics on Facebook.

Later

Okay, it's about time for a movie review.
This one is ripe.
Please keep in mind, this is just my opinion....and it's my blog...so there. 

Let me get some stuff straight, first.
I love action movies.  I love far-fetched movies (done well).  I love adventure movies.  I love Harrison Ford movies.  I love archaeology movies.  I love Indiana Jones movies....

...I DID NOT love the new Indiana Jones movie.

Sorry.
It was lame.

I really wanted to like it.  I was excited going in.  I was eager to see what was going to happen.  I knew that it had to be good, so it wasn't like I was wanting it to fail...I wanted to like it.
I couldn't.
Sure, it was entertaining....but...not an Indiana Jones movie.
I don't know what's up with Harrison Ford, but his acting chops need some fine-tuning.  Cate Blanchett's accent was lame.
I thought John Hurt was the best in the movie as the crazy professor.  (oh, and Jim Broadbent)
I also liked how they payed tribute to Marcus Brody, whom I always enjoyed.
However -
The minute they opened up the crate with Area 51 stuff and they showed the little alien hand....that's when it went downhill.
Again...I tried, and tried to like it.
But really.
Aliens?!
UFOs?!
I should have gone to see Close Encounters. 

And what was with the monkeys?  Shia LaBoeuf as Tarzan?  Uh....
And those CGI gophers??  I don't like unnecessary CGI.  That's just me.
I told Craig that I believe a man's face melting off or a dude ripping another's heart out...but I don't believe a 65yr+ guy hiding in a fridge and surviving a nuclear blast.
So, to sum up. 
It didn't suck, but it was not, in my opinion, and Indiana Jones movie....
Do not pay full price.
Netflix it.
Or just go watch National Treasure 2, which was still better than this (even with Nick Cage's wig).
End review. 
________________________________

In other news:
I have no more homework as a cadet....ever!
Next week is commencement!

Yikes!
(now it's time to pack and clean....urg....I can never get motivated for that)