Another Tag

I was tagged by Sananora.
Thanks!
The rules are as follow:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Tag 20 friends.
5. Everyone tagged has to do the same thing.
6. Have Fun!

IF SOMEONE SAYS ‘ARE YOU OKAY’ YOU SAY?

Marble Halls-Enya

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Around Us-Jonsi
Perfect.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Only Time-Enya
Kinda works.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Tonight-The Afters
Not really…

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Only If…-Enya
Yep.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
Upular-Pogo
Absolutely.

WHAT’S YOUR MOTTO?
Let Me Fall-Josh Groban

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
I’d Rather Be With You-Joshua Radin

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
The Lord Bless You and Keep You-Mormon Tabernacle Choir

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Outside looking In-Jordan Pruit
Actually, yes.

WHAT IS 2+2?
Shine On-Needtobreathe

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
No One-Aly & AJ
Ah, this works so well.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
The Blood of Cu Chulainn-Mychael & Jeff Danna

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
If I Had No Songs-Mindy Gledhill

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Requiem For a Dream-Clint Mansell

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Hill of Thieves-Cara Dillon

WHAT WILL YOU DO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Forbidden Friendship-John Powell
Awww…

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
The Fields of Pelennor-Howard Shore


WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
This Time For Sure-John Powell
How to Train Your Dragon is definitely an interest.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Three Black feathers-Jim Moray

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
The English Ladye and the Knight-Loreena Mckennitt

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
The Sancity of Days-Sam Cardon

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
You Are More-Tenth Avenue North

WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Ocean Wide-The Afters

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Hanging By a Moment-Lifehouse

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
River Flows in You-Yiruma

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Vision Quest-Tempest
Er, that doesn’t really fit.

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
So Contagious-Acceptance
Whoa, perfect answer.

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Ladders-Brian Tyler
It works.

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
I Want Tomorrow-Enya

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Whatever it Takes-Lifehouse

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Anywhere but Here-Safetysuit

WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO SAY TO THE PERSON WHO TAGGED YOU?
Something Beautiful-Needtobreathe

WHAT WILL YOU NAME THIS NOTE?
Breathe Me-Sia


Now I tag:
Any of my followers to want to do this.
PS-These are free song recommendations.

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.

God bless.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Quotes

There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.


"The third day out a pirate (Terebinthian by her rig) overhauled us, but when she saw us well armed she stood off after some shooting of arrows on either part-" "And we ought to have given her chase and boarded her and hanged every mother's son of them," said Reepicheep.

"Anything to get off this blasted boat," said Eustace. "Blasted?" said Drinian. "How do you mean?" "In a civilized country like where I come from," said Eustace, "the ships are so big that when you're inside you wouldn't know you were at sea at all." "In that case you might just as well stay ashore," said Caspian.

"So that's what you are," said Caspian. "A kidnapper and slaver. I hope you're proud of it." "Now, now, now, now," said the slaver. "Don't you start any jaw. The easier you take it, the pleasanter all around, see?"

"The question before us really is-" "The question is," said the Duke, "whether you and the rest of the rabble will leave without a flogging or with one."

He never said the word Dragon to himself. Nor would it have made things any better if he had.

Others would have joined him if at that moment Reepicheep had not called out, "Don't fight! Push!" It was so unusual for the Mouse to advise anyone not to fight that, even in that terrible moment, every eye turned to him.

"I wonder," said Reepicheep, "do they become visible when you drive a sword into them?" "It looks as if we shall find out," said Caspian.

"I do not see these fifty warriors," observed Reepicheep. "That's right, that's right," said the Chief Voice. "You don't see us. And why not? Because we're invisible."

Indeed most of their remarks were the sort it would not be easy to disagree with: "What I always say is, when a chap's hungry, he likes some victuals," or "Getting dark now; always does at night," or even "Ah, you've come over the water. Powerful wet stuff, ain't it?"

"Please, Aslan," said Lucy, "what do you call soon?" "I call all times soon," said Aslan; and instantly he was vanished away and Lucy was alone with the Magician.

Behind them was the sea and the sun, before them was the Darkness.

"How are we to know you're a friend?" "You can't know," said the girl. "You can only believe-or not."

"Come, I am going to open the door in the sky."

The Limit

The Limit
by Kristen Landon

"The Limit" is one of those books that make your heart beat fast, chills run down your spine, and adrenaline pound through your veins.

Or at least it was for me.

I couldn't put it down.

In a certain sense, it wasn't a scary read. There were no monsters, death-defying chases or gruesome moments. But it was chilling because their world is so close to our own, and because of the book's message.

In a slightly futuristic America, all families have a debt limit. And if they go over their spending limit, their oldest child gets sent to a workhouse.
But Matt isn't too worried. His parents are responsible spenders.
Right?
Wrong.

And that's how he ends up being torn away from his family and put into a workhouse. It seems like a nice place. Sure, the lady in charge is so sugary-sweet it's creepy. And sure lots of weird things are happening. But it's not so bad. They live in pent-house-like rooms and have everything they could possibly want. Except their freedom.
There's far more beneath the surface.
And Matt's determined to find out what.

Just reading about Matt's family spending money on every little thing made me want to scream at them.
And I actually started cheering out loud for Matt and his friends. I kept forgetting that I was reading "The Limit" instead of living it. This has to be the first book to make a good point since the 18th century.
It may not have been as frightening or mind-blowing as others.
But I actually prefer that way.

How many people should read this book? There shouldn't be a limit.

Objectionable Content: None

Related Reads:
The Maze Runner-James Dashner
The Giver-Lois Lowry
Stormbreaker-Anthony Horowitz

Edit: I forgot to mention--the ending's lame. And the characters unimaginative.

Let Me Rant

I love the movie Glory Road, but more than that I love the musical score in the movie.
It's breath-taking, emotional, and full of soul...

And I can't find it anywhere!

(I'm gritting my teeth as I write this.)
It annoys me to absolutely no end! I found the soundtrack, but all it has is the non-instrumental songs on it. I heard that Disney had the score on it, but switched it a few days after the soundtrack's release.
Why? WHY?!?! WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?!?!

ahem.

I'm done ranting now.

Jinx

Pictures by K. Beaton

When Edgar Allan Poe was two years old, his mother abandoned him and his three sisters.

Edgar was adopted and, a few years later, his adoptive-mother contracted tuberculosis and died.

Distraght, Edgar spent most of his time with his high-school friend's mom because he liked being around her.
She also got tuberculosis and died.

As an adult he married his adopted cousin, Virginia.
After some short years together, she (wouldn't you know it) died from tuberculosis.

...I am so very glad that I didn't know him.

Prince Caspian Quotes

If you had been there you would have heard them saying things like, "Oh look! Our coronation rings - do you remember first wearing this? - Why, this is the little brooch we all thought was lost - I say, isn't that the armour you wore in the great tournament in the Lone Islands? - do you remember the dwarf making that for me? - do you remember drinking out of that horn? - do you remember, do you remember?"

And if Caspian had been a very little older, the tone of his uncle's voice would have warned him that it would be wiser to shut up.
 
He may not have cared much about you, but he would rather you should have the throne than a stranger. Now that he has a son of his own he will want his own son to be the next King. You are in the way. He'll clear you out of the way." "Is he really as bad as that?" said Caspian. "Would he really murder me?"
"He murdered your Father," said Doctor Cornelius.

"I hate 'em. I hate 'em worse than the Humans. You mark my words-no good will come of it."
 
"Do you believe in Aslan?" said Caspian to Nikabrik. "I'll believe in anyone or anything," said Nikabrik, "that'll batter these cursed Telmarine barbarians to pieces or drive them out of Narnia."
 
"I might as well die on a wild goose chases as die here. You are my King. I know the difference between giving advice and taking orders. You've had my advice, and now it's the time for orders."

"I don't know why you shouldn't believe it," said Lucy, "if you believe in magic at all."

"That's the worst of girls," said Edmund to Peter and the Dwarf. "They can never carry a map in their heads." "That's because our heads have something inside them," said Lucy.

"Please, Aslan! Am I not to know?" "To know what would have happened, child?" said Aslan. "No. Nobody is ever told that."

"I can fast a hundred years and not die. I can lie a hundred nights on the ice and not freeze. I can drink a river of blood and not burst. Show me your enemies."

"Have you pen and ink, Master Doctor?" "A scholar is never without them, your Majesty," answered Doctor Cornelius.

"Does your Lordship believe those old wives' fables about Peter and Edmund and the rest?" "I believe my eyes, your Majesty," said Glozelle.

"I thought I heard someone laughing just now. If anyone present wishes to make me the subject of his wit, I am very much at his service-with my sword-whenever he has leisure."

"I was wishing that I came of a more honourable lineage." "You came of the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve," said Aslan. "And that is both honour enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on earth. Be content."

Once Upon a Movie

Tangled

Rated PG for brief mild violence.

I really didn't expect it to be as good as it was.

This movie was a breath of fresh air, and very enjoyable. It was so nice to finally watch a children's movie that wasn't crude and actually had a plot. Rapunzel and Flynn were very lovable characters and the songs weren't half-bad either.
It exceeded all my expectations and was it was such a fun, feel-good movie. There was never a dull moment.

The animation was like a beautiful painting, albeit one that moved.

And I loved it when Rapunzel and the town-people danced.

Most of it was stereotypical Disney, but that's okay.

And though the part with the thugs singing "I have a dream" was awkward (for me), it wasn't torturous.

The way it ended was perfectly thrilling and, naturally, I cried (I really need to stop doing that).

That said, it was a cute, spunky little movie with tons of fun.

Disney's 50th Animated Feature won't disappoint.

Verdict: Go see it.

Grey Travel Rating: 4/5 Stars

Animation: 4/5 Stars

Plot: 4/5 Stars

Characters: 4/5 Stars

Acting: 5/5 Stars

Geekopolis

Some fantasy/vintage travel posters, created by Steve Thomas.
Visit Tatooine and Rivendell today!

And throw in a bit of Christmas cheer...

Harry Potter and the Movie Review

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images.

(NO MAJOR SPOILERS HERE)

It was a fantastic book-to-movie adaptation.
It just wasn't a movie that can stand on its own two feet.

Don't get me wrong, the first half of the movie was brilliant. They started out with an awesome chase scene, and the way they film Harry Potter is always great. And I loved the entire part where they broke in to the Ministry of Magic. Not to mention, the Death-Eater meeting was perfect.
But as soon as Ron left, it sort of dragged on. Hermione was depressed; Harry danced with her to cheer her up. They kept traveling and setting up camp. Like I said, it dragged...
I really liked the Tale of the Three Brothers--only not in the movie. The Tim Burton-ish animation seemed so out of place, no matter how cool it was.

And I couldn't appreciate any of the Dobby-ness because I kept thinking: "That's not his voice."
You've probably heard this already, but the locket scene was...weird. The movie was also really dark. I've had no qualms with any of the previous ones at all. The 6th movie left me walking out in a state of euphoria (even though, yeah, Dumbledore died.) This one left me numb.
It seemed they tried too hard for this one, and it fell too short.

Albeit, it was a good movie, but I'm not clamoring to buy it when it comes out. (Which is a first.)
And Harry Potter is more  of a family institution  than a "let's go watch a mega-dark movie".  The end left us all hanging, however, and without thinking I immediately burst out an incredulous "WHAT?!" as soon as the credits rolled.
Let's just say it could have been better.

The upside is, that by going to the theater, I got to see "The Eagle" trailer on the big screen. (Ha ha ha.)

Verdict: Wait until the DVD comes out.
Grey Travel Rating: 3/5 Stars
Special Effects: 6/5 Stars
Plot: 3/5 Stars
Acting: 4/5 Stars
Objectionable Content: Ginny asks Harry to zip up her dress, and her back is exposed. The locket taunts Ron by showing him scenes of Harry and Hermione kissing waaaaay too much. You can tell they're naked, but thankfully can't see past their necks.
One use of the D-word, H-word, and P-word.

The Eagle

This is honestly the best movie trailer I've ever seen.
 I loved everything about it,  from the battle-scenes to how they perfectly captured Roman arrogance. Plus the movie just looks so good.

I'm usually very cautious about Roman movies, because they always seem to be extremely gory. But this is based on a book by Rosemary Sutcliff (which falls into the late juvenile/YA section) and even the movie is only rated PG-13 for "Battle Sequences and Some Disturbing Images".

So yes, I'm really excited for "The Eagle".
And here's the trailer.
In a word, epic.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Quotes

"Daughter of Eve, don't you understand?" said the Faun. "It isn't something I have done. I'm doing it now, this very moment."

The others all stared at one another. "Batty!" said Edmund tapping his head. "Quite batty."

"A boy!" said she. "Do you mean you are a Son of Adam?"
Edmund stood still, saying nothing. He was too confused by this time to understand what the question meant. "I see you are an idiot, whatever else you may be," said the Queen.

"Well, Sir, if things are real, they're there all the time."
"Are they?" said the Professor; and Peter did not know quite what to say.

And now a very curious thing happened. None of the children knew who Aslan was any more than you do; but the moment the Beaver had spoken these words everyone felt quite different.

"For that's another of the old rhymes:-When Adam's flesh and Adam's bone/Sits at Cair Paravel in throne,/The evil time will be over and done."

"But in general, take my advice, when you meet anything that's going to be Human and isn't yet, or used to be Human once and isn't now, or ought to be Human and isn't, you keep your eyes on it and feel for your hatchet."

"The reason there's no use looking," said Mr. Beaver, "is that we know already where he's gone!" Everyone stared in amazement. "Don't you understand?" said Mr. Beaver. "He's gone to her, the White Witch. He has betrayed us all!"

"Come in! Fortunate favourite of the Queen-or else not so fortunate."

"It's all right," he was shouting. "Come out, Mrs. Beaver. Come out, Sons and Daughters of Adam and Eve. It's all right! It isn't her!" This was bad grammar of course, but that is how beavers talk when they are excited; I mean, in Narnia-in our world they usually don't talk at all.

"Oh,"said Mr. Beaver. "So that's how you came to imagine yourself a Queen-because you were the Emporer's hangman. I see."
"Peace, Beaver," said Aslan, with a very low growl.
"And so," continued the Witch, "that human creature is mine. His life is forfeit to me. His blood is my property."
"Come and take it then," said the Bull with the man's head in a great bellowing voice.
"Fool," said the Witch with a savage smile that was almost a snarl, "do you really think your master can rob me of my rights by mere force?"

"I say, Susan?"
"What?"
"I've a horrible feeling-as if something were hanging over us."
"Have you? Because, as a matter of fact, so have I."

But such people! Ogres with monstrous teeth, and wolves, and bull-headed men; spirits of evil trees and poisonous plants; and other creatures whom I won't describe because if I did the grown-ups would probably not let you read this book-Cruels and Hags and Incubuses, Wraiths, Horrors, Efreets, Sprites, Orknies, Wooses, and Ettins.

I hope no one who reads this book has been quite as miserable as Susan and Lucy were that night; but if you have been-if you've been up all night and cried till you have no more tears left in you-you will know that there comes in the end a sort of quietness. You feel as if nothing was ever going to happen again.

And, oh, the cry of sea gulls! Have you heard it? Can you remember?

Life is a Fairytale

You know, realists always say that "Life isn't a fairytale. There are no happy endings."

Well, if you read the ORIGINAL fairytales (meaning the non-disneyfied versions), you'd see that life can be as grim and as sad as they are.

Here's a few:

Red Riding Hood gets eaten by the big, bad wolf.
Sleeping Beauty's mother-in-law tries to kill her.
Cinderella's step-sisters take drastic measures to get her prince.
The Tin Soldier is cast into the furnace.
Bellissima and her love die. (The Yellow Dwarf)
The evil sisters take revenge. (Fair, Brown, and Trembling)
The Children of Lir remain cursed and die so.
The Fisherman and his wife go right back where they started.
All the children of Hamelin are never seen again...

So don't try and tell me that fairytales are all happily-ever-after.
(Note: Why exactly do we read these to small children, again?)

Dawn Treader Pics

Here's some fantastic screenshots from NarniaWeb, incluing one of Eustace as a dragon!
Still, I'm very paranoid about how the movie will turn out.
The plot has been completely changed from saving the Narnia Lords to saving Narnia from evil...
We'll see how it turns out.
Anyway, enjoy the pictures!

Eustace and Reepicheep.

Obvious.

Eustace the dragon.

Ramadu's daughter.

I still don't see why Caspian is in Aslan's Country; he wasn't there in the book.

The End of the World.

Three's the Charm

Have you noticed that the third book in almost every series consists of time travel?

And it's always, always the third book!

Sometimes it adds to the series' plot immensely.

Other times it seems as if the author just ran out of ideas by book 3.

Here's some examples of book three time travels:

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban-J.K. Rowling

Harry and Hermione have to travel back in time to rescue Sirius Black and Buckbeak.

Septimus Heap: Physik-Angie Sage

Septimus gets kidnapped by a wizard and taken 500 years before his own time.

Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague-Brandon Mull
Seth brings the famed Paton Burgess from back in time in order to save Fablehaven.

Molly Moon's Hypnotic Time Travel Adventure-Georgia Byng
Molly gets transported into 19th-century India by an insane maharaja.

Gideon: The Time Quake-Linda Buckley-Archer
(Technically the whole trilogy is based on time travel anyway)
 Lord Luxon tries to change time by making the British win the Revolutionary War.

Other series that involve time travel:

Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony (book 5)-Eoin Colfer
Artemis Fowl twists through time to save the fairy and demon races.

Charlie Bone: The Time Twister (book 2)-Jenny Nimmo
Charlie's ancestor gets transported to modern-day times, and it's up to Charlie to keep his enemies from finding out.

Redwall Quotes II

Picture by Cybercatmia
The two mice hugged each other. They danced around amid the chaos of paper, chanting with joy, "The gatehouse is the threshold, the gatehouse is the threshold." The Abbot, who was passing by, heard the noise. He shook his head at Ambrose Spike who was coming from the opposite direction. "Mayhaps they've been at the October Ale a little too much, Father Abbot," said the hedgehog.

No use tempting fickle Dame Fortune.

Methuselah polished agitatedly at his spectacles. "Where is she now? Will someone please enlighten me?" "She's on top of the roof, walking with a foot on either side of the apex towards the gable,"yelled Abbot Mortimer.
Methuselah sniffed. "No need to shout, Father Abbot. I'm only hard of sight, not hearing."

Cluny actually smiled. Sela shuddered.

"Play with fire, you'll get yourself burned," warned the hare.

"You are either very brave or raving mad."
"A little bit of both, I suppose," said the young mouse.

"Oh, spare me your platitudes, mouse," Julian replied in a world-weary voice.

"We have done no harm to any living creature, violence is against our nature. We-"
"Silence," Cluny snapped "Or I'll teach you what violence is."

"You ask quite a lot. I wouldn't do this for anyone else, you know."

For the first time in many days, Matthias laughed heartily. He felt so good within himself. After all the action and mental strain, travel and grief, he felt suddenly reborn, larger than life and brimming with a new-found self-confidence. Certainly there were great difficulties and hard tasks ahead of him; when the time came he would handle them. For the present he was satisfied with a feeling of immense happiness.

"But the Abbot's such a decent old buffer that he believes that there's good in everyone, even Cluny. What?"
"And so do I," Jess muttered. "I believe Cluny will be good someday. Good and dead!"

Cluny's voice shook as he address the nightmare visitor. "Who are you?" The warrior stepped forward into the daylight. Sunrays glinted diamond-like off his sword. "I am that is!"

The final conflict had begun.

Here ends the story.

Swallows and Amazons Forever

Swallows and Amazons

by Arthur Ransome

When the Walker children row out to an island on the lake, they aren't children. They're explorers, catching sharks, diving for pearls, and generally turning everything into an adventure. But when two harum-scarum "pirate" girls claim that Wild Cat Island is their own, that's where the real adventure begins.

After a fantastic and glorious war, they team up against a greater enemy, the beastly Captain Flint (alias Uncle Jim). There are boat-chases, treasure-hunts, and real-live burglars.
Not to mention loads of fun.

I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a book so much!
They totally reminded me of myself when I was a kid. The way children think was depicted so perfectly, what with the grown-ups being "natives" and the many innocent yet swashbuckling adventures.
It was an absolute joy from beginning to end. I simply could not put it down.

Do I recommend it? You bet I do!

Objectionable Content: None

Related Reads:
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Bridge to Terebithia by Katherine Peterson

Upular

This is so cool!

An Australian DJ named Pogo took different sounds from Pixar's "Up" and made it into a song.
Very catchy, I must say.

Books Are So Suprising

I recently bought a book: "Titanic: The Long Night" by Diane Hoh. It's an excellent read that I highly recommend, but that's not the point.

The point is that I was flipping through it and found these small bits of painted paper on page 365.

I love it when I find remnants of a past reader. Once I found a fancy bookmark, and twice I stumbled across trading cards tucked between the pages.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Redwall Quotes Part 1

Picture by Cybercatmia

Who says that I am dead/Knows nought at all./I - am that is,/Two mice within Redwall./The Warrior sleeps/‘Twixt Hall and Cavern Hole./I - am that is,/Take on my mighty role./Look for the sword/In moonlight streaming forth,/At night, when day’s first hour/Reflects the North./From o’er the threshold/Seek and you will see;/I - am that is,/My sword will wield for me.

Was it magic? Of course it was.

Would Miss Cornflower like to sit next to him? She most certaintly would!

"You should all be ashamed of yourselves, giggling like silly little otter cubs that have caught a beetle."

"What idiotic mice you are, to be sure."

Matthias felt he had found an ally.

"Go, while you still have skulls."

"Matthias, you're a very brave young mouse, so please try to set an example by not becoming a foolish or dead one."

"No beast I know of could climb those walls."
"Except you?"

"Except me."

"A touching little speech, vole, but you wrong me. I don't want to capture the spirit of Redwall. I mean to kill it!"

Legendary swords didn't rust and wear away to nothing; otherwise they'd never get to be in legends.

"Well, curl my whiskers! The young scoundrel has a brain, and it works too."

It was a dangerous game, but one that she had played well thus far.

"Time provides all the answers."

An Unsung Heroine

You know, I really love heroes in the old stories that people have never heard of. But sometimes, it'd be nice if other people gave them recognition.
Anyway, you've all heard of King arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Lancelot, Gawain, and many others. There was also a Sir Pellias (or Pelleas, as some spell it).
A young maiden came to Camelot one day, and she had a quest for Sir Pellias.

Her name was Parcenet.

Who accomponied Pellias on his quest?
Parcenet.
Who rescued him and his honor?
Parcenet.
Who friggin' saved his life in the forest when he was too weak to call for help?
Parcenet!

And how many Google results do you get with her name?
A big fat 0.

So, please, let's appreciate the damsel who did what a knight could not.

Picture by Howard Pyle

Readers International

Since you all seemed to enjoy Cliché, here's a little treat for all Hunger Games fans.

US

UK

China

Denmark

Germany

Romania

Sweden

Italy

That One Owl Movie

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'hoole
Rated PG for some sequences of scary action.

The animation and wicked-sweet battle sequences were all that saved this movie. Oh, and Owl City's catchy "To the Sky" song.
But that was it.
Sorry to burst any one's bubble, but it was predictable and emotionless. Soren was very heroic, but a teense typical. The Pure Ones' cult was a little odd, and did the heroes really need to haul that stupid snake everywhere? Granted, there were a few humorous parts, but when Twilight struck a song it came off as more awkward than funny.
They over-did the slow-motion effect, though it did add to the final battle. Whenever Soren "trusted his gizzard", this song would come on that sounded like an Enya/Loreena Mckennitt mix. Again, it only worked effectively in the final battle. The plot was rather shabby until they reached the Tree of Ga'hoole and once the Owl City number kicked in.
PARENTS TAKE HEED: For a "cute little owl movie", it was rather violent. And when the owlets got hypnotized it was pretty creepy.

Still, it was a really good movie and the action was phenomenal.

Verdict: Wait until the DVD comes out.

Grey Travel Rating: 3/5 Stars
Animation: 5/5 Stars
Plot: 1/5 Stars
Characters: 1/5 Stars

Doomwyte Quotes II

Picture by Dawnfinder
"Ye painted little coward, just wait'll I get loose!"

"We may be thieves, but we're good, 'onest thieves."

He was forced to reply, "You...you...fleabag, you thief!"
Nokko laughed lightly. "Thief? That's a compliment where I comes from."

Glisam did something quite out of character for the Father Abbot of Redwall. He winked roguishly at the astonished sister, mimicking a rough otter voice. "Haharr, there's a lot ye don't know about me, matey, ain't that right, Skip?" Skipper Rorgus returned the wink. "Aye, right as rain, me ole shipmate!"

Friar Skurpul merely chuckled. "Sumtoimes ee can be a roight ole mizrubble beast, zurr. Still, Oi supposen it keeps you'm 'appy."

"Goodness me, whatever is that supposed to mean? 'Tis all gobbledygook to me, my dears."
Samolus helped himself to a pasty. "Well, o' course it is, marm, that's how puzzles are supposed t'be, right, Dwink?"

"Now run that river down the flow,/where we'll anchor I don't know./Sing hey hi ho my matey oh,/that's the Guosim way to go!"

Nokko fitted a shaft onto his bowstring. "Right, mate, an' if one snotty snout pokes outta there, we'll show 'em the meanin' of slaughter!"

The Gonfelin maid had a resolute gleam in her eye. "I want t'see wot yore up to. Don't worry, I promise I'll stay out o' yore way, an' I won't get trapped under any big rocks. I'll behave myself."

Homecomings can be coloured by many emotions. Abbot Glisam tried to touch on them all, as he addressed everybeast.

A noontide nap can be a tranquil pleasure. Nothing to do, nowhere special to go, happily captured in the enchantment of a high summer day.

"Yore about to say somethin', ain't ye, Father?"
Glisam placed the seedcake on his plate, returning Corksnout's gaze. "Aye, and I hope you'll all take it sensibly."

Just a Bit of Silliness...

I had this idea last night about Hiccup and Aisling falling in love...

I mean, vikings are key elements in both How to Train Your Dragon and The Secret of Kells. So I figured they'd go well together.
This took me two hours to make, courtesy of Picnik and Blibs.com.
Enjoy.

Honor For a Reason

I'm (finally) done with my Newberry Honor binge.

Here are my top ten. These ones that, surprisingly, didn't make me yawn and actually ended up as some of my favorite books:

Shen of the Sea by Arthur Bowie Chrisman

A beautiful collection Chinese folktales, as rich, splendid and dashing as The Arabian Nights.

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham

It was a fantastic adventure on the high-seas filled with so much heart; like "Captain and Commander" for a younger audience.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

I never expected it book to be so exciting. It sure surprised me with romance, prejudice, and a heavy dose of heroism.

The Gammage Cup by Carol Kendall

An absolutely enchanting, splendid book that felt like a friend the minute I read the first line. All about being your own person. Wonderful story and delightful characters.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle

I've been avoiding this book for years. Now I wonder why. A great adventure with a moral that had me actually rooting for the characters.

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

Such a swash-buckling tale about overcoming doubt and fear. I couldn't put it down, it was so addicting. Also, I cried.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

I honestly believe that everyone who can read should read this. Emotional, thought-provoking, and potent, I think this will be a classic. If it isn't already.

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Charming story of a mouse that saves a princess in a kingdom of outlawed soup.

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Like I once said, this is an extraordinary book with likable characters and a plot-line that surpasses its title. Gosh, I love it so much.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Another one of those addicting books. This was such a magical ride that left me loving every second of it. A cleverly-woven tapestry of a book, I highly recommend it. (No, seriously. As in, go read it now.)

New Harry Potter Stills...

New stills came out for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
And if the pictures have me on the edge of my seat, what's the movie gonna be like?

So excited.

Harry with his wand...

No idea where they are.

Harry gazing into the shard of glass, just like in the book. I'm so very glad that they decided to put that scene in.

Rufus Scrimgeour (the new Minister of Magic) handing them, well, something.

WHAT THE HECK?! Why is Lupin threatening Harry?!