These are some pictures of Beth and I dressed up like "Kiss" for a kickball party. I was dubbed "mean Ingrid" for the night. Guess goth isn't my thing.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
Harry Potter Mania
July 20th, 2007. A date that shall live in all Harry Potter fans memories forever.
It's been a big month for us "Potterites" (as I hear we're called.) On July 11th, the 5th movie (Order of the Phoenix) was released. I purposefully did not re-read the book before I saw the movie so that I wouldn't be so in-tune to things they left out of changed which proved to be a smart move. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Of course, the movies will never come close to the richness of the books, but it was good. Even better I got to see it at the IMAX so the last twenty minutes were in 3D. Cool. :-)
And then this past Friday, it was mass "potter"monium. The 7th (and final) Harry Potter book was released at midnight Friday night. I've never taken part in the release parties before, but since this was the last book, I felt it was an experience I should have. Oh, and it was an experience.
First I had to arrive at the bookstore at 6pm to get a bracelet. The number on the bracelet indicated what "buying group" I would be in when the book actually went on sale at midnight. Even the line to get the bracelet snaked around the store. So I spent a good 45 minutes waiting in line with some pretty entertaining people trading theories on what would happen in book 7. The best part was honestly to look around the store at everyone in line and find that a good 80% were over the age of 25. Just made me laugh.
With a few hours to kill before the "midnight madness" party started at 10pm, I went and grabbed dinner and went to see "Hairspray" at the theater next door. (Hysterical, by the way!)
At 10, I returned to the bookstore and was met with magic potion demonstrations, the sorting hat, costume contests. It was hilarious. I think I spent the majority of the next two hours just watching people.
I think my favorite quote from the evening was from a little girl (probably about 8 years old) who was there with her slightly over-excited mother. The little girl looks up at her mom who's jabbering away about how exciting this all is and says, "Can I lay down for a little while?"
Luckily I was in the 2nd group to get called to buy books, so I was actually out of the store by 1am and at home reading by 1:30!
While I was intending the weekend to be devoted to reading, I actually didn't end up getting much in. I still have a good 3/4 of the book left, and I'm already stunned by what all has happened. I actually had some nightmares last night. It's crazy! I'm not sure how all the younger kids out there are going to deal with this, but man, JK Rowlings sure didn't waste any time diving into the meat of this book.
So, now I'm anxiously counting the hours until I can go home and get back to reading - and hoping that I don't run into any "spoilers" along the way!
Here are a few pictures I took of "Midnight Madness."
This was my favorite little Harry Potter. His dad (who was a big guy) was dressed up like Hagrid. It was hysterical. This kid was in the costume contest and when they called him to the stage, he pulled out his wand and yelled, "Expecto Patronum!" Hehehe.
Luna, Harry, Harry #2 and Hermione
It's been a big month for us "Potterites" (as I hear we're called.) On July 11th, the 5th movie (Order of the Phoenix) was released. I purposefully did not re-read the book before I saw the movie so that I wouldn't be so in-tune to things they left out of changed which proved to be a smart move. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Of course, the movies will never come close to the richness of the books, but it was good. Even better I got to see it at the IMAX so the last twenty minutes were in 3D. Cool. :-)
And then this past Friday, it was mass "potter"monium. The 7th (and final) Harry Potter book was released at midnight Friday night. I've never taken part in the release parties before, but since this was the last book, I felt it was an experience I should have. Oh, and it was an experience.
First I had to arrive at the bookstore at 6pm to get a bracelet. The number on the bracelet indicated what "buying group" I would be in when the book actually went on sale at midnight. Even the line to get the bracelet snaked around the store. So I spent a good 45 minutes waiting in line with some pretty entertaining people trading theories on what would happen in book 7. The best part was honestly to look around the store at everyone in line and find that a good 80% were over the age of 25. Just made me laugh.
With a few hours to kill before the "midnight madness" party started at 10pm, I went and grabbed dinner and went to see "Hairspray" at the theater next door. (Hysterical, by the way!)
At 10, I returned to the bookstore and was met with magic potion demonstrations, the sorting hat, costume contests. It was hilarious. I think I spent the majority of the next two hours just watching people.
I think my favorite quote from the evening was from a little girl (probably about 8 years old) who was there with her slightly over-excited mother. The little girl looks up at her mom who's jabbering away about how exciting this all is and says, "Can I lay down for a little while?"
Luckily I was in the 2nd group to get called to buy books, so I was actually out of the store by 1am and at home reading by 1:30!
While I was intending the weekend to be devoted to reading, I actually didn't end up getting much in. I still have a good 3/4 of the book left, and I'm already stunned by what all has happened. I actually had some nightmares last night. It's crazy! I'm not sure how all the younger kids out there are going to deal with this, but man, JK Rowlings sure didn't waste any time diving into the meat of this book.
So, now I'm anxiously counting the hours until I can go home and get back to reading - and hoping that I don't run into any "spoilers" along the way!
Here are a few pictures I took of "Midnight Madness."
This was my favorite little Harry Potter. His dad (who was a big guy) was dressed up like Hagrid. It was hysterical. This kid was in the costume contest and when they called him to the stage, he pulled out his wand and yelled, "Expecto Patronum!" Hehehe.
Luna, Harry, Harry #2 and Hermione
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Oooh... those summer nights
Perfecting the doggy paddle.
There are days when having a dog is a burden. Days where I just want to go out with friends or something but I know Irie's been cooped up all day and I need to get home and play with her. And today was kind of one of those days. Work is stressful right now, life in general is feeling pretty stressful.... And, well, I just didn't really feel like going home to a hyper puppy tonight.
But on my way home I had a bit of inspiration. It was a beautiful night outside - perfect to take Irie on her first visit to the local dog beach.
It was a blast! As you all know, I love the beach anyway, so I had that going for me. But even more so, it was just a great time to watch Irie play in the sand, romp through the water, run away from the little lapping waves. She was amazed by it all.
We both came home tired and dirty, but I think it was well worth it. I'm sure it is the first of what will become many evening trips to the dog beach.
This is just another example of something Irie gives me an excuse to do. If it were just me, I would talk myself out of heading over to the beach just to hang out for an hour, but Irie gives me the perfect reason to head over. And there's no being bored sitting around with Irie there!
And, wha-la, I'm happy to have a dog again! :-)
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Free wi-fi is neat
I'm sitting in the Little Rock airport killing time before my 7:45pm flight back home at the moment. Once I land in Chicago, the plan is to hop in the car and drive over to the farm (aka, my grandparent's place.) This will get me there at approximately 2am. Am I crazy? Yeah, probably a little - but it's the only way I'll get a chance to see my dad and little brother before they take off on their wild summer trips - dad to Italy and Zander to Nicaragua. Their lives are so much more exciting than mine!
I've been a little disappointed that I wasn't going to be able to be at the family reunion this weekend, because I had to be out of town for work, but I think this weekend has been good for me to refresh my enjoyment in my job.
It's never fun to have to miss out on things I want to do in order to work, but at the same time, I'm always just so amazed by the people we have all across the country who are doing such great things and it's always a shot in the arm to remember who I'm serving in my job. They were unbelievably friendly and receptive. Positive beyond belief and just so ready to learn anything that was thrown their way.
But regardless, I am excited to get out to the farm to see the family who is still there and just get to spend some time at one of my favorite places. There's just something magical about my grandparent's place to me. I actually think all of us grand-kids feel that way to an extent. It's the surroundings and the family for sure, but it's also just somehow relaxing to me. Maybe just because it's so far removed from the city! I'm really not sure how much longer I'm going to be able to take the city.... I love it, but... I think I'm just about ready to move on and get back to my roots. :-)
However, being in Arkansas this weekend has reminded me what real humidity feels like and I'm not sure I'm quite ready for a return to Carbondale summers. :-) It's amazing to me that you can still feel humidity in a room that's 67 degrees, but you can. Humid enough that it was even a little hard to sleep. Weird. Chicago can get humid, but not like this. As I type this, there's water dripping from the ceiling of the airport. It's that humid. Hehehe.
Alright, off to find something entertaining to do for the next hour! :-)
I've been a little disappointed that I wasn't going to be able to be at the family reunion this weekend, because I had to be out of town for work, but I think this weekend has been good for me to refresh my enjoyment in my job.
It's never fun to have to miss out on things I want to do in order to work, but at the same time, I'm always just so amazed by the people we have all across the country who are doing such great things and it's always a shot in the arm to remember who I'm serving in my job. They were unbelievably friendly and receptive. Positive beyond belief and just so ready to learn anything that was thrown their way.
But regardless, I am excited to get out to the farm to see the family who is still there and just get to spend some time at one of my favorite places. There's just something magical about my grandparent's place to me. I actually think all of us grand-kids feel that way to an extent. It's the surroundings and the family for sure, but it's also just somehow relaxing to me. Maybe just because it's so far removed from the city! I'm really not sure how much longer I'm going to be able to take the city.... I love it, but... I think I'm just about ready to move on and get back to my roots. :-)
However, being in Arkansas this weekend has reminded me what real humidity feels like and I'm not sure I'm quite ready for a return to Carbondale summers. :-) It's amazing to me that you can still feel humidity in a room that's 67 degrees, but you can. Humid enough that it was even a little hard to sleep. Weird. Chicago can get humid, but not like this. As I type this, there's water dripping from the ceiling of the airport. It's that humid. Hehehe.
Alright, off to find something entertaining to do for the next hour! :-)
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