Reviews: Avatar, Books by Juliet Marillier

I was thinking about doing some kind of recap of my "best of 2009," but since I'm pregnant, I can't remember any further back than a week or so ago, so we're going to have to stick with the entertainment I've had since Christmas.

First up, James Cameron's Avatar, the most expensive movie ever made (when not adjusting for inflation), weighing in at $500 million, a whopping $200 million above the second most expensive movie ever made, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (in my opinion, that one was not worth it).

I'll be honest, I'm not a movie buff, I didn't know who this guy James Cameron was until I read/watched something that said he was the guy who directed Titanic, and knowing that I had only one expectation going into this movie: it was going to be long. That was fine with me, considering current movie theatre ticket prices. However, since we have a friend at the local theatre, Will and I were able to see the movie in 3D for free. Score.

In my humble, non-sophisticated opinion, this movie is incredible. You know the term "visually stunning?" Avatar is quite possibly the most beautiful movie I've ever watched, especially so because it was in 3D. From what I've read of "real" critics, the place where Avatar falls short is the story and/or character depth. I think they're too snotty to enjoy things like they should, because I thought they were great. Too bad for them.

Other critics have argued that the story has "hidden messages" about environmentalism and war. Well, snotty critics, these messages are in no way hidden. They're right out there to be noticed and internalized by all. Besides, those are pretty good messages, and I'm not even a liberal.

To sum up; I loved this movie. I loved the story, the look, and the characters more than I have in any movie since the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Honestly, even like it more than I like those. Definitely my new favorite sci-fi/action movie. Favorite of all time? I don't know, I've never really had singular favorites in categories like that, but this is top 3.

As for Will's review, I'll quote him: "This is the best movie I have ever seen!!" (repeated about ten times).

Thanks to my amazing mom- and dad-in-law who got me a Barnes & Noble gift card for Christmas, I was able to go out and buy the first new book I've gotten in year or so (in the meantime, thank goodness for the library).

After looking for a while, I settled on a book I've never read by an author I love, as I usually do when buying new books. This one is called Heir to Sevenwaters, by Juliet Marillier. I don't know how long ago it was that I read my first Juliet Marillier book: Daughter of the Forest (the first book in the Sevenwaters series), but I've been an avid fan since then.

Here's what I've realized about Marillier's books: they're very formulaic. Usually I'd shelve books like that (as I did the Redwall books long, long ago) but I'm still addicted. Why?

Well, I think the main reason is that she's good. To me, she's one of those authors that sucks you right in, so it's not like you're looking at words on a page, you're looking through the words and seeing the action yourself. Her narration is not only rich and creative, it's invisible. That is the kind of narration all authors should reach for.

And while her plots are similar from book to book, the over-arching story line and background are unique to each series, and each world she creates is one I love to come back to again and again. Awesome.

I also like the themes of her stories, because family/family loyalty is a huge part of it, and that's something you don't see much these days. She focuses intensely on the strength of women, how we are the heart of the home, and how we are often capable of more than we ever thought possible. Many of her stories also deal with motherhood, granted her characters tend to be around 16, but since these are historical novels that take place in pre-Christian times and places in which that was not uncommon.

If you like historical fantasy, I highly recommend any book by Juliet Marillier. Click on the link in the first paragraph about her to see her official website and get a list of her books. I'm looking forward to reading Heart's Blood, her newest book, as soon as I can get it from the library.

And before I go, another good thing I've experienced in the last week of 2009: Sweet Hot Mustard. I just had some today with my cheese and crackers. Delicious.

Halo Quilt

Caitlyn pulls off yet another amazing quilt. The pictures say it all. Pretty awesome!!

Chaela loves it too!

If Only I Could Pwn a Noob!

Hello, all.

This is my first time participating in one of Mama Kat's writing workshops. When I saw prompt number five, I couldn't resist. Here is a poem about my much-beloved husband's obsession. A note for non-gamers: "pwn" is pronounced "own," as in, "I just owned you!" I don't know why. "Noob" is probably short for "newbie." To call someone a noob is to imply that they suck at whatever it is they're doing. "Let's go pwn some noobs," is something you might hear at the beginning of a long night of gaming.

Here is my masterpiece (I am by no means a poet, as you will soon see).


If Only I Could Pwn a Noob

If only I could pwn a noob
As well as my sweet William,
Or snipe a guy out of the sky,
I’m sure that it would thrill ‘im.

But alas and woe (as these things go)
It seems I am quite lame.
Halo 3 (at least, for me)
Is a problematic game.

And as for you, Modern Warfare 2,
While Will’s stats move uphill,
The guy I’m playing got stuck in a corner,
Then he died, or he’d be there still.

Oh, if only I could pwn a noob,
Or get a Slice N’ Dice,
Then I could play some games with Will,
Which I would think quite nice.

Boom! Headshot!


If you want to participate, check out Mama Kat's blog and pick a writing prompt for yourself! It's fun!

Gingerbread House Quiz

This year, instead of getting one or two normal-sized gingerbread houses to decorate, Mom found an entire little gingerbread village with just enough houses for all of us to decorate (except Chaela, who went to bed instead). It's a tradition in my family to have a gingerbread house decorating "contest" every year, but since we have five, I thought it would be a fun quiz instead!

To play, guess who made which house and leave your answer as a comment! The winners get wished a Merry Christmas by me! What a fabulous prize! Also, leave your vote on which house is your favorite!

The Quiz

Participants:

Caitlyn

Will

Jordan

Mom (Katie)

Dad (Doug)

House 1

House 2

House 3

House 4

"House" 5

The Contest

So Will and I were talking the other night about where we are in life and where we'd like to be. You know, planning our dream house and pets and kids and our "own" rooms. Not bedrooms, but a "man cave" in the basement filled with gaming paraphernalia for him and a loft with a sliding glass door and a covered balcony with sewing/crafting/writing/relaxing stuff for me. Sigh. Oh, yes... the balcony overlooks several acres of gorgeous forested land, possibly with a stream and a barn...

Anyway.

We started talking about how we were going to achieve this house and life that we want, and while we didn't come up with anything realistic, we did come up with something surprisingly motivating.

"I bet I can make a million dollars before you can," he said.
"You're on," I replied. Not sarcastically, but with real, genuine enthusiasm.
"What does the winner get?" he asked.
"A million dollars." (Ha ha. I am so funny.)

So there you have it. Yes, it's silly, and yes, I am aware of how unrealistic it is. It's just for fun, and as of now we'd be happy with enough to get our own place. Baby steps.

But still, if you want something you've got to start somewhere. So set a goal and go! Dream big, right? A little friendly competition only helps. ; )

So readers, tell me about your dream house and/or the things that motivate you!

Will's Super Power

Oh, it's that time of year again... Christmas time is here again... and Will and his psychic present-deducing powers are driving me insane!

I'm not going to lie, this happens every single year! I mean, I'm lucky in that he's not that hard to buy for. Does it have even the tiniest, most remote connection with Halo? Can it be attached/put into a game console in some way and played or played with? Is it a complicated board game with many expansions? Buy it. Granted, there are some things he likes better than others, but these are the basic rules. Easy.

The problem is that no matter what I get him, he figures it out. I worked my butt off this year trying to keep his presents a secret, but he has already figured out all of the good stuff I've gotten him for Christmas! Frustrating!!

I don't know how he does it, except that I've been informed it's a superpower he inherited from his father, who, in something like over 30 years of marriage, has failed to be surprised by a gift at Christmas. Ever. For Will, there are two main reasons he finds things out.

Reason 1: He cannot wait to get things he wants, even though Christmas is literally just over two weeks away, and the thought never crosses his mind that maybe SOMEONE already got it for him. This has happened three times in our marriage. Two of those times were this past week.

Example: We're in Best Buy, which we have a nice, large gift card for, and I'm getting some stuff for him and hiding it under Chaela's coat in the bottom of the cart. I slip in a certain movie and wander over to look for the CD my mom wants me to pick up. Two minutes later, Will comes over holding two movies, one of which is already hidden in the bottom of my cart.

Will: Hey, hon, these are $20 bucks off if you buy them together. (He sticks them in the cart. I promptly reach in and hand them back.)
Me: No, we can't get those. Help me find this CD. (Misdirection failed. Will takes them and puts them back in the cart.)
Will: Why not? I know we've got plenty left on the card. It's $20 bucks off, just get them.

Well, this escalates into almost a loud-store-argument, because he is stubborn. Finally I not-quite-yell, "Why do you think you can't get them? Because I ALREADY GOT THIS ONE FOR YOU FOR CHRISTMAS!" At which point I jerk the other movie from his hand, throw it in the cart, and say, "But we can get this one," and walk away. Yes, there have been two other incidents practically identical to that one since we've been married. The first one was a Poker Peek card deck in Wal-mart two years ago, the last one was an expansion to a game that I ordered online. I'm just going to have to ban him from buying anything from November 1-December 25 every year from now on.

Reason 2: He is just weird. I swear we had this conversation.

Me: I'm going to the store. My mom needs steak seasoning for dinner and we're out of colored ink. I'm going to grab some. Do you want anything?
Will: Don't buy colored ink.
Me: It's only like $20. I'm just going to grab some.
Will: I know what you're getting me for Christmas.

And he did.

Possible reason 3: He knows my tells. I have a very hard time getting lies past him. Good in general. Bad at Christmas.

It's not even that Will tries to figure out what I'm getting for him. He just knows. And once he guesses, he can instantly spot me lying to cover it up. He has had exactly one surprise in our four Christmases together. I got him The Dark Knight last year. He almost bought it, but then didn't because I don't remember why. Probably the money thing. I knew that if I wrapped it as-is and put it under the tree, he'd pick it up and say, "Cool, The Dark Knight. Thanks, hon," without even attempting to peek.

So, I found an old, oddly-shaped shoe box, taped the movie to the bottom, stuffed it with tissue paper, and weighted it with some girly book like The Devil Wears Prada but a different one. He shook that thing for days and couldn't figure it out. Finally, Christmas day rolls around and Success! The only Christmas surprise Will has ever had from me.

My goal was one a year, but I'm at my limit for 2009. I really can't get him anything else without being ridiculous. My only consolation is that there are a few things for his stocking he doesn't know about. I'm sad because they're not the things he really wants, you know? But he doesn't really care that much... it only bothers me.

Oh, well. There's always next year. After Thanksgiving I'm going to blindfold him and lock him in a room until Christmas morning.