Crazy Baby

Maybe crazy baby AND crazy parents. But that's how it goes...

If you really liked the movie, don't read this post!

I'm one of those people who sometimes doesn't do something just because everyone else does. A prime example is the movie "Twilight". I'll freely admit, I really like the first book and halfway through the 4th. I've read both of those twice. I held off with the movie because I didn't want to get swarmed by tweenies going through a hormone induced, pop-culturally driven frenzy. So I waited. Dollar theater. But still I waited. Then comes the DVD release. So one of my students lets me borrow it. Eat that, Redbox! Anyway, we watch it that night. Now I'm not one of those people that thinks the book should be like the movie. I did enjoy the movie and I'll admit it. However, the following (this is where if you really liked the movie, you don't read on):
1) Why the heck did they hire an inarticulate-paler-than-the-vampire-spazzy actress that can't spit out her lines when she's supposed to be spazzing! Even when the venom is in her? Is she really in agony? By the way, does she even love Edward? Moving on from Ms. Monotone...
2) Was this movie made for TV? Because the special effects, especially when Victoria is pulling the boat to eat whatever-his-name-is, is really, really, really bad. And when Edwards sparkles, it looks like a skin disease!
3)Why is this movie classified as a thriller? The scariest part (as far as movie making goes) was when Jacob and Bella were on the beach.
4) Why was Bella in her freakin' underwhatsies when she and Edward kiss for the first time? She's on her bed and is definitely not being a lady. Everyone knows that a lady sits to keep a nickel between her knees.
5) Did anyone else notice that Jacob's teeth were sharper than the blood-sucking clan?
6) Jasper, hmm. I didn't know that vampires could get high and look stoned the entire time!
7)And, if vampires are supposed to be naturally beautiful why are Esme and Rosalie (especially her) wearing oodles of lipstick and Rosie's blonde tresses need another dye job!
8) Why is Victoria in a bear skin?

All that aside, I did enjoy the movie. The unfortunate thing is, it made be like the book more.

Milestone

1) He's crawling like a big boy.
2) Cutting his top teeth.
3) Is down to about 2 naps a day.
4) Got over his first major cold.
5) Is curious and exploring everywhere!

The arrival (kind of punny if you read the rest)

One of my more interesting students was reading a graphic novel. For those of you unfamiliar with what they are, they are NOT comic books. They are like illustrated novels, comic books and what not mixed together. Ok, so they are like comic books! Anyway, she showed me this really cool graphic novel called "The Arrival" by Shaun Tan. The pictures are amazing and the story is touching. Get it from the library or read it in Barnes. It's worth the trip and you could read it in 10 minutes but you'll want to spend soo much more time. Go ahead, check it out- I dare you!

Interesting

I just finished reading a fascinating mini bio on Mata Hari. She was convicted of being a double agent during WWI and executed for her crimes. However, prior, she was a Indian belly dancer (one of the first and most well known) and her stage name was Mata Hari. In reality she was an olive-skinned, dark-haired, tall Dutch woman who was trying to make a living earning money because her estranged husband wouldn't pay child support. Anyway, it is a really interesting read. My students are reading biographies for their last book report and I was googling women biographies and "Mata Hari" came up on many of them.

As a simple man, I enjoy the simple things in life. Food, family, and searching the globe for Tuscan Raiders. Marcus McCurdy taught me the subtle ways of the Raiders. Their ambitions, their culture, and their ability to break social norms by belting their war cries in public. Here are a few recent pictures of these social pariahs. More to come.

Tough Guy

I love "The Rock" or Dwayne Johnson. He is one tough guy. And p.s. Race to Witch Mountain looks...not too bad!

What did you learn today in English?

I have a squirt bottle named Speedy. He helps remind kids to stay on task and stop talking. His name is Speedy because he's just too fast! Today, well, Speedy just wasn't fast enough! I squirted a couple of kids and suddenly I was drenched! Three of my students planned an attack!! I'm drenched!

VIva Las Vegas

Surprisingly it was the parents that brought the most grief. The kids were fabulous and astounded by the Cirque du Soliel performance "Ka". I would've seen it twice! It was just amazing and what they did was really indescribable. Below is a teaser trailer for it. The ushers came to talk to us because we were a large group of kids in the best seats in the house. We were only 4 rows back and loved it! I looked around and everyone's jaws were open, kids and adults!



Then we went to see Phantom at the Venetian. I wasn't really in a Phantom mood but it was a good performamce. The best was that we got to go backstage and met Carlotta and a swing performer named Ben Hale. Swing performers are backup for everyone. He has to know all the male parts (with the exception of the Phantom). So it's amazing. And Ben Hale hails from Orem and is the grandson of the Hale's for the HTC. Here are some of the pictures of us backstage:






We also went to the Mandalay Bay aquarium and saw the sharks. Jackson would have loved it! We also visited a familiar favorite although not quite as impressive Paris:

And saw the volcano and the kids were really excited for it:

Sickies

Well, Jackson's been pretty sick. Did you know that you can cough so hard you empty your stomach? Guess which parent found that one out? I did! Colby was at the gym and Jackson was coughing, then gagging, then spitting up everything I had just fed him. Yikes! Colby came home right away! Jackson did it again a little later. This was all after a long day of Parent/teacher conferences. Needless to say, Jackson is feeling much better. And a BIG shout out to Emily West for being so willing to help us out in a pinch!