I don’t even know what that is…

or the the search for Borders.

I went down to Oregon this weekend with my girlfriend for some back to school shopping for her oldest.  Unlike last year, we had directions and an idea of where we were headed.  We skipped downtown Portland altogether and went down to Clackamas Mall.  We pretty much finished our shopping there, which was a disappointment and a relief.  It was a disappointment because I was hoping to stop at a few bookstores in the downtown area, and a relief because my feet were killing me.  Knowing that the chances of running into a Borders was slim from the highway, I decided to ask a store clerk were the nearest one was.  See, Breaking Dawn came out on Saturday, and I very much needed to pick up a copy.  I wanted to go to Borders because I am a member of their Borders Rewards program, which meant I would 40% off instead of the 30% discount I found at B&N.  Well, the first clerk was no help, but at least she was polite.

The next clerk, a young woman perhaps in her late teens, met my question with a blank stare and a belligerent, “I don’t even know what that is.”

I will pause there to let you reflect upon that, all those living in the Continental United States.  I have traveled from South Florida all the way to Washington taking a less direct route than most who take I-10 straight across into California and I-5 all the way north.  We decided to go through the national parks like Yellowstone and Grand Tetons with a stop in New Mexico.  If we stopped in your town, chances are we stopped in your Borders.  Therefore, I know most people have a Borders near their closest mall.

Having said that, I was flabbergasted.  That one sentence left me speechless.  My friend was much quicker on the uptake and elaborated, “um, Borders Books?”  A light seemed to go on however briefly, and she pointed us to (again belligerently) the B&N that was in the mall.

It doesn’t end there, though.  We stopped at a Target once we crossed the Washington/Oregon border, and again I asked where the nearest Borders was.  This time, the cashier said “I don’t know what that is, but I’m new to the area.”

Two people?!  I live in Washington where there is a higher than average rate of people with Bachelor’s degrees, so perhaps I expect too much.  I’m not sure.  I just find it very strange considering I met my husband at a Borders and every significant relationship my husband’s had before me began somehow at a Borders.  This store has had an impact on our lives.  Is anyone else surprised at this or am I overreacting here?

and don’t get even me started on the Starbucks barista who didn’t know what a phone book was… I’m thinking generational gap here to be the culprit but still

Dreams and story ideas

I was having a very intense and wonderful dream this morning. It feels like the beginning of a great story or the beginning of a rip-off from another story I read in the past. I cannot be sure. I know that while I dreamed, I was possessed with the conviction that I had indeed read what I was seeing before. When I awoke, however, the only element that I know is from a dream is the betrayal of a female authority figure (in my dream, I could not be sure if she was a queen or a high priestess). That’s straight out of Kushiel’s Chosen.

Anyway, this is the raw version of what I remembered from my dream (ok maybe not “raw.” I feel a story here):

A cheering crowd sits on benches surrounding an arena. Beyond the arena floor, opposite the crowd sits a woman, her expression serene. A face whose beauty hides the steel in her black-eyed gaze. Her raven hair is swept up into a severe knot while silk, miniature cherry blossoms spill around her head to soften her face, feathering around her alabaster brow. Her iridescent pink gown is covered by matching stole flowing to her knees. Two men stand at either side, gilded iron face plates giving nothing of their expressions away. In the ceremonial body armor, they appeared quite fierce but in fact quite vulnerable. The soft gold metal would give easily under a direct attack. Behind her stood her honor guards, in flexible armor best suited for closed in combat.

High Priestess Alera fanned her self idly her mind on other matters as the match played out below her. Something kept bothering her. She knew there was more to these rumors. She just could not pinpoint the issue entirely. A slow murmur traveled through the crowd as a skirmish broke out near the gates. Her honor guard stepped forward to surround her, blocking her view of the crowd. She sighed as she stood and followed them behind the Lily Box to the security passage hidden in the recess. Alera picked up the sense of urgency from her guards as she realized that the skirmish had broken out into the arena and amongst the soka players.

“We must make haste, Your Grace,” her Captain murmured close to her ear.

“Yes, of Course, Alina,” Alera whispered in returned.

The forward guards had already reached the recess, and as Alera approached, Owen opened the way into the passage. Orinda went first, Alina’s first lieutenant, followed by Owen and the second guard. Assessing quickly that the passage had not been compromised, they signaled the Captain the all clear. Alera stepped through next followed by Alina and two more guards. The ceremonial guardsmen had moved to the main entrance to the Lily Box chamber to forestall any attack from that quarter. They would not be joining the High Priestess’ entourage. The last guard closed the way into the passage plunging this first room into darkness. The sudden darkness bothered no one, they moved quickly and quietly down the narrow corridor, three fore and two aft, with Alera and Captain Alina in between.

Alera had risen to the title of High Priestess in a time of peace, but many still remembered the violence and unrest that had culminated in this season of peace. Alera had been trained from childhood how to defend herself and to move without making a sound. This training was, of course, kept secret. She had her honor guard with her at all times, but if she were ever alone, she would give her assailants quite a surprise.

They quickly arrived at the second gate, again Owen and Lukas, spreading out to both sides, Orinda now on point. This gate was usually kept open. It would not do to stall this party in a true emergency. As Orinda approached the opening, they could all hear a distant rumbling as of many armed men coming forth. The portcullis dropped quickly, before either Owen or Lukas could move to stop it. The portcullis could only be operated once through to the other side. They were trapped in the large semi-circled room just before the the second gate. Jacques, the guard at the rear, gave a single shout to signal pursuit from behind. Torch light danced across the grim faces. No flicker of fear showed on any countenance.

The small party was surrounded.

And that’s it, my alarm went off at this point and I forgot a lot of what came before the arena match. I only really remember the event, the commotion, and the flight down the corridor and into this huge chamber lit by torches as soldiers in golden armor began pouring from the passages beyond the now closed portcullis. I remember the pink gown, actually it kind of reminds me now of something Queen Amadala wore in one of the prequals. I looked up the dress, and the one in my head is a little different. I wish I could draw, so I could show it, but it’s close enough that you get the idea.

Comments always welcomed!

Barack Obama does not equal Paris Hilton

Ok, first off, I have not seen the McCain ad I’m about to talk about in full. Having said that, the fact the McCain campaign is comparing a political candidate for the presidency to vacuous celebrities seems rather unprofessional and immature. Barack Obama may have achieved celebrity status, but he’s done so by running a political campaign not by “releasing” a sex tape or by dressing like a naughty schoolgirl. If we are using this argument that celebrity equals arrogance, than we must point that finger at other politicians who have banked on their past celebrity to gain office. I am of course referring to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and President Ronald Reagan. Both started off as actors and used that celebrity to gain office.

My other complaint about this ad deals with the fact that McCain’s got his facts a little askew. Paris Hilton is famous for no reason, granted. So if you’re going to make the point that Obama is popular not for his message or politics but for his personality, an empty promise so to speak then the comparison works.

Britney Spears, on the other hand, actually managed to come by her fame by releasing several hit records, music videos and going on tour. She’s not famous for nothing, not by a long shot. Now, if the message is regarding her recent stint of poor judgment and irresponsibility, we the public have hence learned that it was caused by mental illness and having been drugged by her manager. Therefore, including Britney is even lower than just comparing Obama to Paris Hilton, because his campaign is attacking someone who is a victim of mental illness.

Is this the kind of man we want for President? Someone who would take an endorsement from a fake reality TV “star”, Heidi Montag, then insults a mentally ill woman whose actions have led to the loss of custody of her children?

Note: This is not a politically minded blog nor am I inviting debate here. Flames, insults, or any general unpleasantness will only be deleted and not read by anyone.

Throw the remote away movies

or movies I can watch over and over and never get tired of…

In no particular order:

Labyrinth

Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie, need I say more? I loved this movie growing up. I ended up having to buy a second VHS copy because I wore out the first one. I fell in love with her dress in the crystal bubble sequence. This movie spoke to my romantic twelve year old self. I always secretly wished that Sarah had said yes to the Goblin King’s offer.

Howl’s Moving Castle

Hayao Miyazaki is a genius. I love his work and almost everything that comes out of the Studio Ghibli/Disney partnership. Howl’s is just so visually stunning and the characters so fascinating, I just want to sit and play it over and over again. I love the story, the breadth of it and the fairy tale aspect. If you haven’t already noticed, I am totally in love with the fantastical, romantic, and sci-fi-tactular be it films, books, or art.

Legend

Although disavowed by Tom Cruise, I do believe Legend was the source of my schoolgirl crush of the actor. He has lost most of his appeal as I grew older or he grew crazier (not sure which), but I still remember that movie with fondness. Recently the Director’s Cut of the film which was actually the European/International version when it was originally released, has been released on DVD. Frankly, I grew up with the Tangerine Dream soundtrack and prefer it to the Jerry Goldsmith score. It just doesn’t play the same watching it without the “original” score (I know the Goldsmith score was actually the original). Then there are of course the unicorns and Mia Sara’s wardrobe, and Tim Curry’s performance as Darkness, sigh. I love this movie, and I might just throw it on the next time I have the TV to myself.

Twelfth Night: Or What You Will

The 1996 Trevor Nunn version of this Shakespearean play is by far my favorite Shakespeare adaptation. I have a few lines memorized due solely to this movie. I first came across this movie in senior year of high school when we covered Twelfth Night in my English class. My English teacher found it fascinating how the movie delved into what Viola had to go through to pass as man. Binding her breasts caused severe pain as she disrobed every night. I enjoyed how the Duke and Viola fell in love despite the Duke believing her to be a he. I laughed at how Olivia would throw herself at Cesario (Viola in disguise) as Viola desperately tries to woo her for the count, although it would be herself she wanted at his side. I cry every time when Sebastian and Viola are reunited.

I have a few more but I think I will save those for another post. What are some of the movies you would throw the remote away if it came on TV?

Kushiel’s Chosen

I finally finished this beautifully written book, Kushiel’s Chosen by Jacqueline Carey last night. I had not realized until I finished how time slipped by. When I closed the book with satisfaction, I checked the time only to realize it was after midnight, and I had to be at work in less then seven hours. Irregardless, I would not trade those few hours of reading this gorgeous book for more sleep.

I will apologize now if I give away anything spoils your enjoyment. I will endeavor not to, but I make no promises. Carey is a wonderful wordsmith. Her word choice transports the reader into Terre d’Ange more so than even her descriptions of the lands and countries Phedre travels through. Written in first person, the story unfolds as if one were reading Phedre’s memoirs. It is Phedre’s voice that comes through the page as if one were sitting at her knee listening to her recount her tale.

After the horrific events of Kushiel’s Dart, Phedre has now taken residence in the home she inherited from Anafiel no Delaunay de Montreve, along with her inherited title of Comtesse de Montreve. This installment begins where Kushiel’s Dart ended. Phedre has received a package containing the sangoire cloak Delaunay commissioned for her. It is a message and an opening gambit into Melisande Sharhizai’s new game. Phedre accepts the challenge and returns to Namaah’s service in order to discover the traitor who allowed Melisande to escape.

Here begins Phedre’s journey anew, nearly shredding the relationship between Phedre and Josceline. She is taken prisoner, driven to brink of insanity, rescued only to be lost again to the sea, taken hostage, betrayed, forced to face her darkest inner truth which nearly broke her once more, marked by yet another god, in order to prevent civil war and the death of her Queen.

Throughout, Phedre learns how her pride and cleverness leads to more death and suffering, nearly unmaking what she sought to protect. The story moved me to tears, anxiety, anger, and sorrow. I felt Phedre’s suffering, and knowing that it was of her own making, I hated her a little. I was not able to grieve for her fallen comrades until the end when things were finally resolved if not finitely at least momentarily.

I have only one complaint. I never want to read the phrase “well and so” again. There are very few rules to writing that apply to almost all forms of writing, I feel. One is to avoid repetition of a particular word or phrase.  It might work in poetry or speech writing but not so much in prose.  We all do it, and have tried to weed out the over-usage. I could let it go when I thought it was just Phedre’s way of speaking or thinking, but then everyone started using it. I wanted to be able to skip over those words, but was unable to time and time again.

I will say this, this book was nearly flawless in its scope, beauty and use of language. If you enjoyed/loved/made love to Kushiel’s Dart than I would recommend this book wholeheartedly. If you have not read Kushiel’s Dart, I suggest you do and then after a suitable grace period pick up Kushiel’s Chosen. I say to wait to read the sequel only because as beautiful as these books are, they are also emotionally exhausting. I needed to stop and breath before picking up Kushiel’s Dart and I will need another moment to catch my breath after Kushiel’s Chosen.

Supergirl dress modeled

As promised here is the Supergirl dress modeled by the beautiful Heather.  It is, as you can see, too big on her.  I have promised to make her one, so now I have to figure out how size it down.  This being only my second creation, I do not know how to go about redrafting a pattern to a different size.  I suppose I can look up tutorials and whatnot, but frankly the prospect is intimidating.  Any advice/help/good natured ribbing is welcome.

all to myself

Tonight is a scheduled girls’ movie night. However, since the hostess is also having a birthday party for her youngest the following day, we girls decided to keep the weekend trips to 1.  Fortunately, DH made plans of his own tonight, meaning I will probably get the place to myself (if he’s feeling better, that is.)  In the spirit of trying to get my butt in gear, I have decided tonight will be the beginning of two projects I have been dying to finish.

1) The brown and pink polka dot dress for yours truly.  I cut out the pattern pieces roughly, so I just need to cut closer to the lines in order to get started cutting the fabric.  I bought the zipper I needed for the dress too.  I hope I got the right length.  I didn’t have my notes with me.  Either way it should work out fine.  I can always exchange it.  Now I have no other excuses, but to get to work!

2) Crochet this shrug: Shrug Springs Eternal in black with a purple ribbon for the closure.  I bought this lovely extra fine yarn at Pacific Fabrics yesterday.  I hope it’s enough, I only bought one skien.  I will be posting pictures here as soon as I get started.

The Dark Knight review

I was 12 years old the summer my mom sent my brother and I to Puerto Rico and grandma’s for the summer. We managed to talk to my grandmother into taking us to see Total Recall. Let me premise the next few sentences by saying that I have always been too easily influenced and therefore scared by horror movies. I have a problem with anxiety and horror and thriller movies tend to aggravate that part of my personality. I walked into that movie as cute as can be, lipstick, hair done in a super cute pony tail, a new jumper, cute shoes, the whole package basically. I walked out that movie with my hair askew, my lipstick gone and my jumper stained (no, I didn’t wet my pants). That movie upset my fragile little 12 year old mind and left me a quivering mess, and I loved it.

I bring up that story to illustrate how I felt when I walked out of The Dark Knight today. I was quite literally trembling as I sat in the dark with the credits rolling. I turned to my husband and asked him how he felt. He was momentarily speechless, so I told him how I felt. I was a wreck.

Harvey Dent has won election for the next District Attorney, he is dating Rachel Dawes, Bruce Wayne’s old flame from Batman Begins, and is out to clean up Gotham fighting the mob, cleaning the police force from corruption while using the system. Bruce is starting to feel like maybe with Dent, he can start to let go of being Batman. With the arrival of the Joker, all his and Dent’s plans to let go of the Bat disintegrate.

Christian Bale was incredible as Batman and as Bruce Wayne. Gary Oldman was amazing as Jim Gordon. He has a lot more to do in this movie as head of the High Crimes unit. This movie also ushers in his appointment as police commissioner. Aaron Eckhart was amazing. He built the character of Harvey Dent so well that his downfall is all the more tragic. With his performance you can believe the computer animated disfigured half.

Maggie Gyllenhaal was a great substitution over Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes. I bought her performance and her role as a Prosecutor working for the District Attorney. Katie’s, ahem Kate’s performance was not quite as believable. Her Rachel seemed almost shoehorned into the role so Bats could have a love interest. Michael Caine was amazing as always as Alfred.  Alfred has always been my favorite character in the Batman mythos.  Then we have Lucious Fox, who runs Wayne Enterprises and develops Batman’s gadgets.  Morgan Freeman plays him perfectly tongue-in-cheek.  The way he drops hints about what he knows and pretends to not know is just brilliant.

Heath Ledger’s Joker was terrifying. I think my husband put it quite nicely, Heath Ledger was not in that movie. Ledger disappeared into his role to the point that the audience can’t even see the actor for the character. The twists and turns in this movie… I am left speechless.  He proved in the end that he can bring down the best of us to break Gotham’s spirit.

The three of us (my husband’s best friend came along) left that theater wondering, where can we go from here? How can Nolan top this?

and its done, finally

I am referring to the supergirl dress.  I re-hemmed the dress with a zigzag stitch I’m hoping will hold and pressed it.  DH does not like that back lining piece.  I kind of screwed up there because I misinterpreted the way I was supposed to cut it.  Basically I cut it into 2 pieces instead of 1 solid piece.  Unfortunately, it’s really obvious.  I’m thinking I’ll iron some interfacing there.  I hope that’ll work, but at least I know what to do the next time.  There are no new pictures since it doesn’t look any different.  I will post pictures once I’ve got a model, with the model’s momma’s permission, of course.

My Sister’s Keeper (Rant)

I read Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper quite a bit ago. The first and last book by Ms. Picoult I will read. This not because Ms. Picoult is a poor writer, no, Keeper is very well written, evocative, and morally ambiguous. She tackles a very difficult real life issue with sensitivity, realism, and heartfelt emotion.  There are no bad guys in this story, just a family who is slowly imploding from the oldest daughter’s frequent bouts with illness.  Just thinking about this book has me welling up.  For that very reason, I cannot read any more of Picoult’s work.  It’s too hard and there’s too much emotion.  I need there to be a happy ending or if not exactly happy then hopeful.  Keeper does not end in any way happy or hopeful.  I cried through the entire last chapter or 2.

I will not ruin the ending which is what I intended since I can’t remember the original intent of this rant since its been a few days(ahem weeks) since I started writing this post.