"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" Rocks!

Official Movie Site: http://www.transformersmovie.com/

I took the kids, and a groups of friends, to see the new Transformers movie, 'Revenge of the Fallen', the day after it opened. The kids all loved it! And it was pretty good -- from a grown-up's perspective. It was a bit lacking in plot, but the amazing action sequences more than made up for the weak plot. The things that these animators can do with CG nowadays is truly amazing. It was entertaining, to say the least. I like the attempts at humor (i.e., little RC truck destruction and the former sector 7 lead agent) too.

Here's what the critics say -- overall, not impressed, but what do they know. The box office says otherwise.

http://movies.yahoo.com/news/movies.ap.org/transformers39-worstreviewed-400-million-hit-ap

I liked the end too, when the Navy ship shoots an electromagnetic railgun projectile to wipe out the Destroyer off the top of the Big Giza pyramid. I  worked as a research assistant, for a PhD candidate, on a railgun project in college. So it was neat to see that in a movie and tell the kids: "Hey, mommy worked on that in college."


Here are some fun coloring pages for kids: http://www.coloring-book.info/coloring/coloring_page.php?id=138

Here is a site that has 20 new transformers images that were leaked in advance of the movie:

http://www.movie-moron.com/?p=633




Song: Hippie Chick.mp3, By Soho

P.S. Hey, Mark! Saw, through IEEE papers, that you went back to finish up your Ph.D.. That's awesome. Best of luck -- not that you need it! How's Byron doing? Dave? Hi to Dorene and the kids. God Bless!

A Good Day: Picnic Dinner at the Beach

Yesterday was a good day. After several cooler days, it finally warmed up a bit yesterday. Inspired by the change in weather we grabbed our portable grill, a blanket, threw some food and drinks into an ice chest and headed to the beach for an impromptu picnic dinner. When we arrived, we practically had the entire beach all to ourselves. The kids and Dad wanted to stop at the picnic tables, in the safety of the perfectly manicured grass strip, but Mom (me) pressed onward.  I drug the whole crew a ways further down onto the actual beach itself, stopping at the perfect spot.  This perfect spot was nestled amongst a patch of large washed up drift logs.

"Are you insane?" The kids protested loudly in chorus.  Dad knew better. "We'll get sand in everything?!" The kids continued with whining.  They hoping to get their way, but I wasn't giving in.

"Yup!" I immediately replied.  "You probably will get sand in everything.  Sand is just part of going to the beach.  Trust me, you'll get over it." Whereafter, I added in afterthought, "It's these moments of insanity that let mommy know that she's still alive."

Initial complaints aside, it wound up being an awesome picnic! The weather was perfect: not too hot; not too cold. A gentle breeze was even blowing lightly. And BEST of all, this outing required absolutely no planning whatsoever!  We just had to chase the kids into the truck and go.  Of course, the kids were resistant at first -- not wanting to be removed from their electronic gizmo's and gadgets for too long. But soon after setting foot on the beach, the kids were scouring the beach in search of shells, cool rocks and floating pieces of variously sized driftwood. Or in the case of my 8 year-old daughter, 'they' were wrestling long strands of slimy seaweed right out of the water in order to chase sisters around on the beach with.  My 11 year-old -- future marine biologist -- found a fair-sized crab, which she then picked up,  without hesitation, in order to examine it further.  Dad wanted to eat said crab, but Lauren would have none of that.

Image Source

While the food cooked on the portable grill Ken and I played Frisbee.  Surprisingly, this time I actually had pretty good aim and control of my throws. All of my shots went straight to Ken, instead of into the water. I should have a Guinness more often while playing Frisbee? ; )  So we waded in the water, ate brats and corn off the grill, laughed and had a outright blast.  It was a fun way to spend a summer afternoon.  That being said, things ended, rather abruptly when the tide started to come back in.  And boy did that tide come back in FAST!  In response, as quickly as we could we all packed up and headed to the safety of the grass, just in the nick of time. A few minutes longer and we'd have been cut off from our exit. Guess we'll have to figure the whole tide thing out? Worrying about tidal flows and charts is all new for us. We're used to the relative stability of Lake waters.

Anyway, wet and sandy kids -- they were floating on pieces of drift log, at the end, while mom and dad haphazardly threw supplies into the cooler and picnic basket -- trashing the truck aside, it was an amazing evening. I feel refreshed and renewed, like we've just had a mini-vacation, without the cost and hassle of actually having to pack and go somewhere. Very invigorating!

As I walked along the beach, chasing after the kids -- while Dad tended the grill -- I asked God for a little sign that things were going to be alright -- with respect to relocating clear across the country, working new jobs, selling our house and saving our marriage. A few minutes later, I found the most beautiful, perfect, pristine, spiraling white sea shell.  It was exquisite, both in terms of color and design and probably the most beautiful shell that I have ever found in all of my many years of walking beaches, in many countries around the globe. To me: this small sea shell was my sign. We're going to be alright.

God Bless, one and all!

The Romantic Thing: Can a Guy Learn How to Be Romantic? Should He Have to?

Regarding my post from the other day, when I wondered:  "Where are all the good the men dead? In the heart or in the head?"  (Quote from the movie "Gross Pointe Blank") ...

I am wondering today:  Do you think that after 10+ years of marriage that a man can learn how to be romantic?  After the 7 year itch, Is it just too late?  Are they just a lost cause in the 'romantic department'?  I mean, if all of the suggestions and hint dropping haven't sunk in:  Is it just time to plain GIVE UP?  (Is that why women shop? ; )

For that matter, can any man learn how to be romantic?  Is there a 'romantic' gene and you're either born with it or you're not?  I know that some guys can do the romantic thing and they make an honest effort to be romantic more often than not,  but should those guys that don't have any such natural inborn tendencies at least have to try from time to time?  And once any man marries, are they they automatically off the hook romantically speaking?

I mean, if we women are willing to go outside of our comfort for zone for them in certain areas (i.e., w.r.t. sex) .. Then can't they do the romantic thing for us in return?

I'm just curious, what the rest of you think -- men & women. With all of the demands on me these days, I don't get out to socialize with other moms, or women in general, much anymore. I guess, I lead a sheltered life in that respect. So help me out here; I would sincerely appreciate your inputs!  Cause my guy just flat out doesn't seem to get the romantic thing at all. : (



P.S. In my husbands defense: he is usually a very patient man. He puts up with my myriad of mood swings and quirkiness ... So that counts for a heck of a lot, right? ... Update:  He must have read this? Cause, Ken brought me coffee in bed this morning and made my favorite pancakes for breakfast. : ) 6/28

7/8 Ken bought me a dozen beautiful roses, on Monday, and dark chocolates today. Maybe, Blogspot is like a magic wish zone or something? I feel like a princess whose frog has been transformed into a prince. : ) Wonder, if I wish for a scuba diving vacation to somewhere warm and sunny if that wish will come true? You never know; it could happen. Until then, I'm happy. I'm easy to please -- most of the time, anyway.

7/9 I guess lots of other women have this same complaint about guys, and a lack of romance. Someone pointed out to me that there is a new movie coming out July 24th, called 'The Ugly Truth'. Apparently , it broaches this very same topic. Think I'm going to go see and drag Ken with me. That way, he can see that I'm not the only one with this complaint! Check it out:

http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/theuglytruth/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1142988/

Life Not Working for You? Then Why Not Change Your Perspective

P E R S P E C T I V E -- what a powerful word!

Sometimes, we just need to change our perspective, in order to change our world. The possibilities are just limitless ...

Well, from my perspective: school's almost out! Flexibility -- another amazing word, by the way -- will once again be a part of our daily life. (Yeah!) Things are better. Yes, life has its up and downs. Dad's been sick lately, and hence his crankiness. A lot depends on him and he's never sick. Ever?! So with him down, we've all been out of sorts. Hopefully, shifting gears into summer will help spice things up a bit.

My daughter -- future marine biologist, since the tender age of 4 -- and I are signed up for scuba diving lessons, and I've almost finished writing my book. The book writing is a great -- and inexpensive escape. My husband has decided to work less hours and finally take sailing lessons. That should make him happier too.

If all goes well: our house on the other side of the country will sell, and we make enough of a profit to take a K & M (Dad and Mom ONLY) vacation.

To every season there is a purpose: and for summer, that's just kick back and relax fun! With a few fun-filled, exploring adventures thrown in -- of course. Lot's to see and do, that is new to us, in this new place.

Hope all is well with you and yours!

God Bless!

M

P.S. I challenge you:

Take a minute out of your busy day, to let some other fellow human being on this rapidly spinning planet -- someone that you wouldn't normally talk to ... step outside of your comfort zone -- know that you care about them. Ask how they're doing and truly make an effort to listen. Or send someone a note, or letter -- someone that you haven't written to in awhile, maybe an elder relative living alone, or in a nursing home. If each of us did this, just once a day: WOW! What an incredible place this world would be.

PJP