Blogging with regularity

This is something I can not claim as of late. Truth be told, and obviously observed, posts have been sporadic since the beginning of the year. I feel a bit hypocritical telling my technology students how much more meaningful blogging is when you do so with regularity.

Movie Reflections

I'm enjoying The Prisoner of Azkaban on ABC Family this evening, vaguely wondering why I wait to watch when I have the DVD collection, and reflecting a bit on the differences between previous HP movies and the most recent. I saw Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince last weekend and like everyone else, have an opinion.



The movie was visually stunning and a bit dark in parts, as was the book. It focused a great deal on a few basic elements of the overall story such as Dumbledore's hunt for memories, Harry befriending the troubled and smug Professor Slughorn, provided glimpses of Tom Riddle as child (great casting, he was perfectly eerie and befitting the character), had some wonderful comedic moments with Ron, and allowed for the characters to grow into their destiny. There was a lot to like about the movie.

Much was missing in this movie, a natural occurrence for a 600+ page book edited to a two and one-half hour movie. It felt a bit hodge-podge, a rough stitching of several book vignettes put together as a bridge readying us for the next movie. Very little discussion of the half-blood-prince, we didn't learn Lupin was engaged, Hagrid was missing throughout most of the film, and the end felt contrived as opposed to meaningful. I disliked the added scenes that were really not necessary to the movie; specifically the Weasly's house and race through the swamp. I suppose that is why the movie is based on the book.

• Rotten Tomatoes Review
• MTV Movie Review
• NY Times Movie Review
• Movies Online Review
• Washington Post Review

But mine is green

After a bit of research, I finally decided to buy a new digital camera. Prices seemed to be the same across the board (Target, Walmart, Best Buy) and since I was looking for a simple upgrade, that was a purchase factor. I looked at the Kodak M320 and the Kodak M340; both significantly increased the 4.2 mega pixel of my current digital. On one hand, there was only a $30 price difference between the two models and an increase of 1.0 mega pixel. On the other hand, there was a price difference of $30 with only a 1.0 mega pixel increase.

I dithered a bit in the store and finally made my decision, even now it's charging the battery, the M320. Why? Well, it was available in green after all!

Going to Chicago

It's that time again; actually it's a bit later than usual for that time. This year ALA Annual is July 9 - 15th in Chicago, IL. I waited to register, dragging my feet and the decision to attend until mid-June, and missed the opportunity to participate with Libraries Build Communities. I am disappointed, but did need to limit my time in Chicago for financial reasons; this year the 2009 and 2010 Annual Conferences will be in the same academic fiscal years and Chicago is completely on my dime. Hence, I will be leaving Friday and returning on Monday.

I have a reasonable morning departure time on Friday, a reservation at the Palmer House Hilton on the Gale Shuttle Route, and my return flight on Monday gets me home before the evening rush! I spent a bit of time shopping this holiday weekend, attending ALA is always a good reason to get a new summer outfit, and am now dithering about a new camera. I have determined not to take my computer, I can always use the Internet Cafe, so a new camera would be a treat. I still need to get a few essentials and to that point will be taking my Kohl's coupon on a ride tomorrow after work for new sneakers. So, even though I dithered, things are on coming along.

All the words

Like every other holiday, the Fourth of July holiday weekend has a few family traditions. They changed and evolved somewhat through the years and more recently have included watching Independence Day and the PBS special A Capitol Fourth. My mom was a big fan of the National Symphony Orchestra and the fireworks.

The year A Capitol Fourth featured, Barry Manilow! He just finished his set and I am not sure if it's a good thing I still know all the words to his songs.




Now I just need to find Independence Day on TV.

Happy July 4th

It's Pittsburgh fireworks from the 250 Celebration in October 2008, lovely enough to make me a bit home sick this beautiful Independence Day weekend.

Thanks to Lifehacker for the fireworks link (it's photo #6) and the original photo posted on Flickr by acharness.