Sabbath's ISU vs OSU basketball game was a doozy. Lots of fun.
We arrived at the arena at the same time as a group that had driven in from Texas, about a six hour trip. They were excited to see other Cyclones in town. JBP immediately made friends, as always.
When we got inside, the assistant coaches and a couple of players were sitting on the bench and recognized us right away. Coach Harris greeted him enthusiastically and gave him a high five. Ok, a middle five, but same idea.
It was a great game. Very exciting. Probably more exciting than it should've been. Our ladies built up and then lost no fewer than three double digit leads before finally winning the game on free throws. They had as much as a 17 point lead in the second half which they let dwindle down to a two point lead at about the two minute mark. We did finally win it 71 to 62.
One thing about away games, under the best of circumstances you cheer harder than you would at a home game. Got to make up in quality what you've lost in quantity. With a game like this one, I cheered harder than I had since high school.
By the time the game was over, my already sore throat was down to a very hoarse voice. I was surprised I could still talk on the way home! Now I know how Coach Fennelly feels after a game.
SIDE NOTE: JBP had as much fun playing with a little boy I believe was Coach Easley's son, flirting with a group of teenaged girls from Labette County and sharing peanuts with one of the players' dads as he did watching the game. All told I don't think he spent more than a third of the game actually sitting next to us.
Nimitz' Lady
Monday, January 09, 2006
Narnia, II
Also titled, The Horse and His Boy.
Since we were traveling on Sabbath and we wouldn't be making it to church, I tried to come up with something religiously educational to occupy our time.
On our last road trip, we listened to The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe on CD. So,I decided we'd 'read' the next book in the series.
I couldn't find it in audio version so I became the elected reader. By the time we got to Stillwater, my throat was already aching (mostly from doing the voices for the Talking Horses). We'd made it about a third of the way through the book.
Now, every time all three of us are in the car together, JBP demands I read some more 'Narnia'.
Originally, he tried to call it "#2", but I had to explain to him it's actually the third book in the series. That's because the first book is a prequel that gives away way too much about the series. So, IMHO, it shoudl always be read last.
Of course, JBP had to make that into a numbers game. He'll start up, "I think we should read #4, #2, #3, #6, #10....." and just keep going. Never mind that there are only seven books in the series. Funny boy.
Nimitz' Lady
Since we were traveling on Sabbath and we wouldn't be making it to church, I tried to come up with something religiously educational to occupy our time.
On our last road trip, we listened to The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe on CD. So,I decided we'd 'read' the next book in the series.
I couldn't find it in audio version so I became the elected reader. By the time we got to Stillwater, my throat was already aching (mostly from doing the voices for the Talking Horses). We'd made it about a third of the way through the book.
Now, every time all three of us are in the car together, JBP demands I read some more 'Narnia'.
Originally, he tried to call it "#2", but I had to explain to him it's actually the third book in the series. That's because the first book is a prequel that gives away way too much about the series. So, IMHO, it shoudl always be read last.
Of course, JBP had to make that into a numbers game. He'll start up, "I think we should read #4, #2, #3, #6, #10....." and just keep going. Never mind that there are only seven books in the series. Funny boy.
Nimitz' Lady
California
This Sabbath we hit the road for an ISU basketball game in Stillwater, OK.
JBP was quite excited about the trip and rose early, bursting into our room with a gleefully shouted, "Wake up! It's time to go to California, Stillwater!"
Even in my sleep I cringed.
Once we'd fully awoken, we carefully explained to him the difference between Oklahoma and California. But, he persisted in calling it 'California' for most of the day.
Oy Vay!
Nimitz' Lady
JBP was quite excited about the trip and rose early, bursting into our room with a gleefully shouted, "Wake up! It's time to go to California, Stillwater!"
Even in my sleep I cringed.
Once we'd fully awoken, we carefully explained to him the difference between Oklahoma and California. But, he persisted in calling it 'California' for most of the day.
Oy Vay!
Nimitz' Lady
Friday, January 06, 2006
Latin Flavor
I've dropped a couple of blogs from my "reading list" that haven't updated in a little too long.
I've also added a few Latin flavored blogs to the list.
A Latina Inside has a unique view of hispanic culture as a Gringa who's married a Mexicano.
Howling Latina brings us the view of a progressive Cuban-American with an aggressive social conscience.
Latina Lista is a news blog with stories of interest to Latinas around the country, regardless of political stance.
Finally, Viva La Colombia brings us the perspective of a Gringo couple who've already adopted one Colombiano son and are in the process of adopting a second child from Colombia.
Check them out and Happy Reading!
Nimitz' Lady
I've also added a few Latin flavored blogs to the list.
A Latina Inside has a unique view of hispanic culture as a Gringa who's married a Mexicano.
Howling Latina brings us the view of a progressive Cuban-American with an aggressive social conscience.
Latina Lista is a news blog with stories of interest to Latinas around the country, regardless of political stance.
Finally, Viva La Colombia brings us the perspective of a Gringo couple who've already adopted one Colombiano son and are in the process of adopting a second child from Colombia.
Check them out and Happy Reading!
Nimitz' Lady
Adoption Benefits
So, the new company taking over my TV station won't be offering adoption benefits. Of any sort. They won't even cover pre-natal and labor & delivery costs for the birthmother!
This is neither fair nor moral. If they offer pre-natal care, etc, for an expecting mother, it shouldn't matter who's doing the actual carrying. The 'expectant mother' remains their employee.
Needless to say I'm a little upset with this policy, or lack there-of.
As far as I'm concerned, this is something that should be federally mandated, just like maternity leave. If they'd pay for a woman to have a child "naturally", why shouldn't they pay the same amount for a woman (family) adopting? I just don't get it.
It's not like, as a potential adoptive parent I'm asking for special benefits. Just the benfits due me as an employee!
Maybe it's time to write my state and congressional representatives. Again. Or maybe I'll just bend their ear the next time we have them in for an interview. The advantages of working at a TV station!
The semi-hysterical thing about all of this is by the time I need/want adoption benefits two or three years down the road I may not even work here anymore. And if I am working here, I may have changed their minds about the whole thing, assuming they even still own us by then.
Hey, this is the shape my brain's been in all day, due to lack of sleep!
Nimitz' Lady
This is neither fair nor moral. If they offer pre-natal care, etc, for an expecting mother, it shouldn't matter who's doing the actual carrying. The 'expectant mother' remains their employee.
Needless to say I'm a little upset with this policy, or lack there-of.
As far as I'm concerned, this is something that should be federally mandated, just like maternity leave. If they'd pay for a woman to have a child "naturally", why shouldn't they pay the same amount for a woman (family) adopting? I just don't get it.
It's not like, as a potential adoptive parent I'm asking for special benefits. Just the benfits due me as an employee!
Maybe it's time to write my state and congressional representatives. Again. Or maybe I'll just bend their ear the next time we have them in for an interview. The advantages of working at a TV station!
The semi-hysterical thing about all of this is by the time I need/want adoption benefits two or three years down the road I may not even work here anymore. And if I am working here, I may have changed their minds about the whole thing, assuming they even still own us by then.
Hey, this is the shape my brain's been in all day, due to lack of sleep!
Nimitz' Lady
Pissy Day
I don't know what else to call today. It's just plain sucked. Sorry if I've offended anyone with my language. But sometimes such anglo terms are the only appropriate descriptions.
Just how bad has today sucked? Let me count the ways...
1. I had a horrible night's sleep and had a horrible time waking up.
2. I had to go in to work at 11 a.m. for a staff mtg.
3. At said staff meeting I learned just how bad our benefits will be after the new owneres take over, probably late January. No Flex Spend Accounts, No Adoption benefits (that's a whole 'nother post right there!), No vison insurance, I'll be losing a week's worth of vacation time a year! I could go on and on about what's NOT there.
4. Due to said mtg I got no chance to catch a quick nap before work.
5. In the afternoon meeting I learned management had changed their minds, again, about airing The Book of Daniel. For the record, that means we WILL be airing the show tonight.
6. I've had to deal with pissed off right-wing christian types all day (yes, the lower case c in Christian was deliberate!)
7. Der Deutscher was in a pissy mood when I got home for supper and rather than make things worse I opted to come back to work early. So, I barely got a break AND my husband is in a crappy mood.
8. I still have more pissed off right-wing christian types to deal with on the phone as soon as we hit 8 p.m. and The Book of Daniel hits the air.
In my book, this is not the way to start off the Sabbath!
Nimitz' Lady
Just how bad has today sucked? Let me count the ways...
1. I had a horrible night's sleep and had a horrible time waking up.
2. I had to go in to work at 11 a.m. for a staff mtg.
3. At said staff meeting I learned just how bad our benefits will be after the new owneres take over, probably late January. No Flex Spend Accounts, No Adoption benefits (that's a whole 'nother post right there!), No vison insurance, I'll be losing a week's worth of vacation time a year! I could go on and on about what's NOT there.
4. Due to said mtg I got no chance to catch a quick nap before work.
5. In the afternoon meeting I learned management had changed their minds, again, about airing The Book of Daniel. For the record, that means we WILL be airing the show tonight.
6. I've had to deal with pissed off right-wing christian types all day (yes, the lower case c in Christian was deliberate!)
7. Der Deutscher was in a pissy mood when I got home for supper and rather than make things worse I opted to come back to work early. So, I barely got a break AND my husband is in a crappy mood.
8. I still have more pissed off right-wing christian types to deal with on the phone as soon as we hit 8 p.m. and The Book of Daniel hits the air.
In my book, this is not the way to start off the Sabbath!
Nimitz' Lady
Blonde Joke
Ok, let's break for a little humor before I start ranting, raving and wailing for the day.
This is just about the best Blonde Joke I've ever seen. Enjoy.
Nimitz' Lady
This is just about the best Blonde Joke I've ever seen. Enjoy.
Nimitz' Lady
Thursday, January 05, 2006
More on Daniel
I just learned my station made the decision to pre-empt The Book of Daniel only after advertisers threatened to pull their entire order with us.
Not just, they didn't want their commercials on during the show. But, if we aired the show, they didn't want their commercials on our station.
That's a huge financial would-have-been loss for a show that probably (based solely on the promos I've seen) wouldn't have lasted more than a few weeks anyway.
I can live with that, even if I still don't like it. At least the ultimate decision was made based on economics, not pissed off conservative e-mailers.
On a side note, the show is about an Episcopalian priest and his family. We (the TV station) just got a call from the local Episcopalian bishop, or whatever they call their high muckety-mucks, saying he was deeply disappointed we weren't airing the show and that we would be hearing much more from his church about this decision.
Go figure, you can't please all of the people any of the time!
Calming down now.
Nimitz' Lady
Not just, they didn't want their commercials on during the show. But, if we aired the show, they didn't want their commercials on our station.
That's a huge financial would-have-been loss for a show that probably (based solely on the promos I've seen) wouldn't have lasted more than a few weeks anyway.
I can live with that, even if I still don't like it. At least the ultimate decision was made based on economics, not pissed off conservative e-mailers.
On a side note, the show is about an Episcopalian priest and his family. We (the TV station) just got a call from the local Episcopalian bishop, or whatever they call their high muckety-mucks, saying he was deeply disappointed we weren't airing the show and that we would be hearing much more from his church about this decision.
Go figure, you can't please all of the people any of the time!
Calming down now.
Nimitz' Lady
The Book Of Daniel
Ok, I don't know whether this show will be any good or not. Personally, at this point, I could care less. I'll probably watch the first episode tomorrow night, all the way through, even if it sucks.
But I'll be one of a privileged few in my town who can. Why? Because my TV station's management has decided to cede the right to decide what we broadcast to a small, loudmouthed portion of the population that's more concerned with making sure others can't see some show on TV than with studying the Bible and living by its tenets.
About a week and a half ago, the American Family Association began an organized campaign to keep NBC, or at least it's affiliates, from airing The Book of Daniel because it is "anti-Christian".
Admittedly, the show may be off-color. It may, or may not, I haven't seen it, support Christian ideals. But that's not really the point.
I posit that the entire organized writing/call-in campaign is anti-Christian.
What is it Jesus said? Oh yeah, Matthew 7:1-5, "Judge not, that you be not judged. for with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (NKJV)
In other words, it's not any individual viewers place to decide whether or not some other viewer should be able to watch this show. They should worry about what they're watching, not what their neighbor may be watching.
If a TV viewer doesn't like a show on TV he or she can change the channel, turn the TV off, throw it out for that matter! Or, go out there and develop, produce and sell what they consider to be more appropriate programming.
The Christian thing to do is "love your enemy" and "do good to those who hate you" (Matt 5:44, NKJV).
Each American, each Christian has the God-given right to make choices about their lives, right or wrong. I believe, as a Christian, it is not my place to deny someone else the right to make their own choice just because it may disagree with mine!
Ok, rant over. For now. Maybe. I've got to say, the blood is still boiling!
Nimitz' Lady
Moms
This absolutely had me rolling on my mental floors with laughter. (Oh, and this is also my 200th post! Can you tell I'm all about milestones?)-- Nimitz' Lady
--------------------
Second-graders answer questions about the women in their lives.
Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.
How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts
What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.
Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.
What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.
What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?
Why did your Mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.
Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.
What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home, & dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.
What does your Mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.
What would it take to make your Mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd dye it, maybe blue.
If you could change one thing about your Mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my Mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on her back of her head.
--------------------
Second-graders answer questions about the women in their lives.
Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.
How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts
What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.
Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.
What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.
What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?
Why did your Mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.
Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.
What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home, & dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.
What does your Mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.
What would it take to make your Mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd dye it, maybe blue.
If you could change one thing about your Mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my Mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on her back of her head.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Crazy Calls
Working at a TV station, I've taken my fair share of crazy calls. And the crazies always come out when there's an organized protest, in this case of NBC's new show The Book of Daniel, premiering this Friday.
I've been through this before, when NYPD Blue premiered. The whole 'bare-butt' controversy. The organized protests didn't work then, and they won't work now.
It can even be argued that the protests are getting the show more, free publicity than it would ever get on its own, thereby prolonging it's shelf life.
People get curious about what all the complaining's about and check out the show for themselves.
Anyway, back to my main topic, which is the crazy calls I get.
Today I've answered calls from all four states surrounding the one I live and work in to complain about Daniel. Onlyl thing is, we don't broadcast in those areas. They called the wrong station. But try to convince them of that.
I can remember taking all sorts of weird calls.
Like the lady who called in to complain about a network change and got verbally abusive. We eventually hung up on her, which is actually pretty rare--we usually just let them rant and rave. She called back and kept calling back until we finally threatened to sic the police on her for assault and harrassment. Then she contented herself with leaving dozens of messages on the General Manager's voice mail.
There are the callers who call in wanting to talk to Peter Jennings (ok, dating myself there) or Tom Brokaw, or any of the other numerous national names who *don't work at the local affiliates. They think the national folks are just in the next room and won't believe us when we say they're in New York City! Or Iraq! Or wherever they happen to be that week.
But the call that I think will always stand out in my mind is one I took as an intern in Los Angeles.
Nimitz' Lady: "KABC Eyewitness News. May I help you?"
Caller: "Yes, I have a billion dollars for whoever can bring me Bill Clinton's head in a sack." (totally deadpan, no excitement whatsoever)
Nimitz' Lady: "Can I get your name and number?"
He actually left his name and number with us. Of course we promptly turned it over to the FBI. I have no idea what happened to him, but I'm willing to guess he ended up in a mental hospital, somewhere.
Nimitz' Lady
I've been through this before, when NYPD Blue premiered. The whole 'bare-butt' controversy. The organized protests didn't work then, and they won't work now.
It can even be argued that the protests are getting the show more, free publicity than it would ever get on its own, thereby prolonging it's shelf life.
People get curious about what all the complaining's about and check out the show for themselves.
Anyway, back to my main topic, which is the crazy calls I get.
Today I've answered calls from all four states surrounding the one I live and work in to complain about Daniel. Onlyl thing is, we don't broadcast in those areas. They called the wrong station. But try to convince them of that.
I can remember taking all sorts of weird calls.
Like the lady who called in to complain about a network change and got verbally abusive. We eventually hung up on her, which is actually pretty rare--we usually just let them rant and rave. She called back and kept calling back until we finally threatened to sic the police on her for assault and harrassment. Then she contented herself with leaving dozens of messages on the General Manager's voice mail.
There are the callers who call in wanting to talk to Peter Jennings (ok, dating myself there) or Tom Brokaw, or any of the other numerous national names who *don't work at the local affiliates. They think the national folks are just in the next room and won't believe us when we say they're in New York City! Or Iraq! Or wherever they happen to be that week.
But the call that I think will always stand out in my mind is one I took as an intern in Los Angeles.
Nimitz' Lady: "KABC Eyewitness News. May I help you?"
Caller: "Yes, I have a billion dollars for whoever can bring me Bill Clinton's head in a sack." (totally deadpan, no excitement whatsoever)
Nimitz' Lady: "Can I get your name and number?"
He actually left his name and number with us. Of course we promptly turned it over to the FBI. I have no idea what happened to him, but I'm willing to guess he ended up in a mental hospital, somewhere.
Nimitz' Lady
No Pictures
I had planned to post some Christmas pictures today, but more cd troubles. Turns out the problem is the computer and/or cd can't handle the short video clips.
Der Deutscher's camera takes short video clips, four minutes or less, and we had two of them on the camera this time around. It just totally messes up the system.
So, tomorrow I'll, hopefully, get a cd minus the video and post some new pictures.
Nimitz' Lady
Der Deutscher's camera takes short video clips, four minutes or less, and we had two of them on the camera this time around. It just totally messes up the system.
So, tomorrow I'll, hopefully, get a cd minus the video and post some new pictures.
Nimitz' Lady
Sick Dragon Boy
My baby boy woke me up at 3:50 a.m. to tell me he'd thrown up in his room. Then he rushed to the bathroom to throw up again.
The worst of it was, he didn't have anything to throw up, so it was just dry heaves. The worst.
He finally fell back into an exhausted sleep around 4:30 a.m. and slept until 9.
Upon getting up he was a little lethargic, but by 11:30 was getting back to his normal high energy form.
By the time I left for work he was cavorting around in a dragon costume I'd given him yesterday. It was another Christmas gift I'd stashed in the back of my closet and forgotten about.
It's actually a Halloween costume I picked up at Wal-Mart the week after Halloween for $2. They originally wanted $18!
It's not often I find a bargain that good. And, JBP loves playing dress-up, as evidenced by his run in the Mr. Fantastic costume. What a perfect match.
Nimitz' Lady
The worst of it was, he didn't have anything to throw up, so it was just dry heaves. The worst.
He finally fell back into an exhausted sleep around 4:30 a.m. and slept until 9.
Upon getting up he was a little lethargic, but by 11:30 was getting back to his normal high energy form.
By the time I left for work he was cavorting around in a dragon costume I'd given him yesterday. It was another Christmas gift I'd stashed in the back of my closet and forgotten about.
It's actually a Halloween costume I picked up at Wal-Mart the week after Halloween for $2. They originally wanted $18!
It's not often I find a bargain that good. And, JBP loves playing dress-up, as evidenced by his run in the Mr. Fantastic costume. What a perfect match.
Nimitz' Lady
Weigh In
Today: 201 lbs
Last Tuesday: 204.5 lbs
Difference: -3.5 lbs
Total Lost: 3.5 lbs
Amt to Goal Weight: 41 lbs
The Good: I'm getting the eating under control, mostly, and drinking plenty of water.
The Bad: I'm not getting to the gym all five planned days. I am making it four days.
The Ugly: The sight of me trying to squeeze my holiday-inflated butt into my leather pants. I wanted to wear them to the Bon Jovi concert in a week and a half. Ain't no way I'm losing that much weight that fast. Guess I'll have to come up with a different concert outfit.
Nimitz' Lady
Last Tuesday: 204.5 lbs
Difference: -3.5 lbs
Total Lost: 3.5 lbs
Amt to Goal Weight: 41 lbs
The Good: I'm getting the eating under control, mostly, and drinking plenty of water.
The Bad: I'm not getting to the gym all five planned days. I am making it four days.
The Ugly: The sight of me trying to squeeze my holiday-inflated butt into my leather pants. I wanted to wear them to the Bon Jovi concert in a week and a half. Ain't no way I'm losing that much weight that fast. Guess I'll have to come up with a different concert outfit.
Nimitz' Lady
Monday, January 02, 2006
Movie Ratings
Movie ratings exist for a reason. Despite some claims to the contrary, they do describe the contents of the movie and its appropriate-ness for children of different ages.
What brings this up? Every once in awhile I'm struck by how many parents aren't aware that the ratings mean something.
This happened again last night when Der Deutscher and I went to see The Chronicles of Narnia. Because it's a children's book parents are assuming it's a children's movie.
It has a PG rating everybody. That means parental guidance. That means chances are 3 and 4 year old kids probably won't be able to handle the movie. In all likelihood most 5, 6 and 7 year olds won't either.
During the show last night we saw many children of this age and the inevitable happened.
*****SPOILER*****
There was much crying and wailing when the Lion, Aslan, sacrifices his life to save Edmund from execution by the White Witch for betraying his brother and sisters.
*****END SPOILER*****
And there was this little boy, about JBP's age, sitting next to us. He started in his own seat, perfectly happily watching the movie. By the end battle he was in his mother's lap, cringing at every loud noise and covering his eyes more than 75% of the time. He was just too young for the movie.
I was absolutely furious and wanted to knock those parents heads together. Did they have any ide of the nightmares they would most likely be subjecting their children to by allowing them to see this film?
Der Deutscher and I have seen this time and again, since long before we had a child of our own, and marvel over it every time. The first time I remember really noticing it was when families were bringing 5 and 6 year olds to see Jurassic Park in the theater. Jurassic Park, folks. Not a kids' movie, by any stretch of the imagination.
Part of our purpose for seeing Narnia was because JBP has wanted to see it ever since he noticed the first movie poster for it. But, due to my knowledge of the plot in the book and its PG rating, I wasn't sure if he could handle it.
He can't. It's as simple as that. The ratings system works again.
Nimitz' Lady
P.S. I've been teaching JBP about the ratings system, so he can determine what movies to watch when the opportunity presents itself and I'm not around.
He knows that G means general audiences, or anyone. He knows PG means parental guidance or "With the Parents" only. He knows PG-13 means he has to be 13 years old to watch it and R means it's restricted to adults. NC-17 is simply verboten, period.
Of course, then he had to ask, what about P? Where's the P for parents' movies?
Narnia
Yesterday, Der Deutscher and I finally made it to the theatre to watch The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.
Let me preface all of this by saying I looooove the Narnia books. I grew up reading and re-reading them. And have already begun reading them to my five year old son.
That being so, I knew I couldn't love the movie. Any time you translate a written story to a visual medium things must change.
Sometimes, as in the Lord of the Ring series, you can keep the changes quite minor, almost unnoticeable. But for a true lover of the series, it doesn't matter how minor the changes are, they'll be noticeable and annoying, at best.
So I walked into Narnia knowing that, at best, it would be, for me, good. And that's what it was. A good movie.
It will never be great in my book. The writers/ director/ producers made too many changes, several of them completely unnecessary, and left out too many important scenes for my taste. (I won't go into details so as not to ruin the movie for those of you who haven't read the books, or don't remember all the little details from the books.)
However, the movie they produced is a good movie. It's entertaining, it gets the point across (assuming you go in knowing what the point is... cause they've removed all the relevant language. You just have to figure it out from the action.) and it's not too long.
So, my verdict: good but not, never, great.
Nimitz' Lady
Fried Brain
The last few weeks have completely fried my brain. Can't you hear it sizzling in the background?
All day today I've had trouble remembering what day it was. This morning I kept trying to make it Sunday. This afternoon/evening I kept trying to make it Tuesday.
It is Monday, isn't it?
That isn't the only example, just the most prominent. Thank God I don't have to produce tonight. That would be a show for the blooper reel, I guaranTEE it.
Nimitz' Lady
All day today I've had trouble remembering what day it was. This morning I kept trying to make it Sunday. This afternoon/evening I kept trying to make it Tuesday.
It is Monday, isn't it?
That isn't the only example, just the most prominent. Thank God I don't have to produce tonight. That would be a show for the blooper reel, I guaranTEE it.
Nimitz' Lady
Adoption
With the New Year begins my new savings plan. $100 a week in an effort to save up enough mulah to cover an international adoption.
As I've said in previous posts, adoption was always a forgone conclusion for me. Many people in my family have adopted and I've pretty much always wanted to do it.
However, Der Deutscher is not so sure. His main problem is financing a second child (bio or adopted) especially a college education.
Our compromise, I sock away enough money to pay for the adoption before we even begin serious discussions on the topic.
Although I haven't even set aside the first $100 yet (it comes with my paycheck this Friday) God has already shown me that he backs this plan. Although I found it difficult to save $100 a month last year, so far things are looking peachy-keen to set aside the required $100 a month. Who knows, maybe I'll even be able to save more.
In the meantime, I'm busy considering such weighty issues as where we'll adopt from. For us, a domestic adoption is pretty much out. Too uncertain, too costly, children too old (we want to preserve JBP's status as the eldest and we want him to have the experience of a "baby" sister).
So, international it is. But that leaves a lot of room for thought. We could always go for Eastern Europe. But I have concerns about the way they run adoptions in most eastern european countries and the age and emotional and physical health of the children.
I had long assumed, given my own hispanic heritage, that I would eventually adopt from somewhere in Central/South America. But lately many of those programs have been shown to be corrupt, involving allegations of baby snatching/buying, etc.
With Der Deutscher's and my passion for East Asian culture that would seem a given. However, South Korea has a height/weight maximum that Der Deutscher doesn't believe he could meet. I could just barely slide under the line with a strict diet/exercise regiment.
So, I've been thinking China. However, recently stories have been surfacing of rampant baby kidnapping, trafficking and selling there, also. Of course, given China's non-freedom of the press, what stories are surfacing are probably getting blown out of proportion.
Even the U.S. adoption system has its instances of fraud.
But that, combined with a blog I've been reading, Faith's Journey, has been re-directing my eyes toward South America. The couple writing the blog is adopting a 6 year old girl from Guatemala.
Their experience is restoring my faith in the process of adoption from South America. E.g. the birth-mother must sign away her rights to her child four times before an adoption can be completed. And she must undergo a DNA test to prove she is biologically the child's mother. This certainly reassures me as to the legitimacy of adoptions from Guatemala.
So, now I'm back to Central/South America as the probably birth-country of my future daughter.
Of course, Der Deutscher doesn't realize all these thoughts have been going on in my head, as we've agreed to leave such discussions until we've got the money in the bank, and he may have completely different ideas.
But that doesn't stop me from having them. And I've got to share with someone!
Nimitz' Lady
As I've said in previous posts, adoption was always a forgone conclusion for me. Many people in my family have adopted and I've pretty much always wanted to do it.
However, Der Deutscher is not so sure. His main problem is financing a second child (bio or adopted) especially a college education.
Our compromise, I sock away enough money to pay for the adoption before we even begin serious discussions on the topic.
Although I haven't even set aside the first $100 yet (it comes with my paycheck this Friday) God has already shown me that he backs this plan. Although I found it difficult to save $100 a month last year, so far things are looking peachy-keen to set aside the required $100 a month. Who knows, maybe I'll even be able to save more.
In the meantime, I'm busy considering such weighty issues as where we'll adopt from. For us, a domestic adoption is pretty much out. Too uncertain, too costly, children too old (we want to preserve JBP's status as the eldest and we want him to have the experience of a "baby" sister).
So, international it is. But that leaves a lot of room for thought. We could always go for Eastern Europe. But I have concerns about the way they run adoptions in most eastern european countries and the age and emotional and physical health of the children.
I had long assumed, given my own hispanic heritage, that I would eventually adopt from somewhere in Central/South America. But lately many of those programs have been shown to be corrupt, involving allegations of baby snatching/buying, etc.
With Der Deutscher's and my passion for East Asian culture that would seem a given. However, South Korea has a height/weight maximum that Der Deutscher doesn't believe he could meet. I could just barely slide under the line with a strict diet/exercise regiment.
So, I've been thinking China. However, recently stories have been surfacing of rampant baby kidnapping, trafficking and selling there, also. Of course, given China's non-freedom of the press, what stories are surfacing are probably getting blown out of proportion.
Even the U.S. adoption system has its instances of fraud.
But that, combined with a blog I've been reading, Faith's Journey, has been re-directing my eyes toward South America. The couple writing the blog is adopting a 6 year old girl from Guatemala.
Their experience is restoring my faith in the process of adoption from South America. E.g. the birth-mother must sign away her rights to her child four times before an adoption can be completed. And she must undergo a DNA test to prove she is biologically the child's mother. This certainly reassures me as to the legitimacy of adoptions from Guatemala.
So, now I'm back to Central/South America as the probably birth-country of my future daughter.
Of course, Der Deutscher doesn't realize all these thoughts have been going on in my head, as we've agreed to leave such discussions until we've got the money in the bank, and he may have completely different ideas.
But that doesn't stop me from having them. And I've got to share with someone!
Nimitz' Lady
Small Blessings
In my effort to live a life of thanksgiving, here are a few small blessings I've experienced in the last few days.
- Friends like M.H. who not only preach sermons I need to hear but pray with me privately afterward.
- Getting along with my MIL during her extended stay.
- Family who put up the Christmas tree and clean house for me when I'm over-extended.
- Not missing a story on the scanners that, though not a lead, would have been a big deal if I'd missed. I am notorious about "tuning out" the scanners and not hearing anything on them.
- Convenience store clerks who give me a free extra 4 oz of coffee when I realize I've grabbed (and filled) the wrong size cup and don't have enough money to pay for it. It only cost them $.06 and saved me miles of embarrassment.
- Kisses from my little boy. "Just because."
Nimitz' Lady
Thanksliving
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
The leader of my Women's Bible Study gave the message this week at church. It was a message I needed to hear.
The end of '05 was a tough one for me emotionally and physically and the beginning of '06 is shaping up to be more of the same.
Her message was about Thanksliving. That is being thankful for all things in life, even the fleas!
She even used my favorite example of Betsy Ten Boom's prayer thanking God for the fleas in the concentration camp barracks during World War II. At the time Corrie Ten Boom thought Betsy was nuts. But Besty just quoted 1 Thess 5:18 to her.
Later Corrie discovered the camp guards wouldn't enter the barracks due to the fleas. This allowed the Ten Boom sisters to hold Bible studies that literally reached hundreds at a time.
It was a reminder to me to concentrate on the good things in life (I have so many, starting with my husband and son) and to remember that the bad things have a divine purpose, which I may or may not eventually figure out.
All I can say is, "Thank you, God, for inspiring this message I needed so badly."
Nimitz' Lady
P.S. You can read more about the Ten Boom sisters in Corrie's book The Hiding Place or in the ficiontalized account of her story in A Prisoner and Yet.
16 Rejoice always. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
The leader of my Women's Bible Study gave the message this week at church. It was a message I needed to hear.
The end of '05 was a tough one for me emotionally and physically and the beginning of '06 is shaping up to be more of the same.
Her message was about Thanksliving. That is being thankful for all things in life, even the fleas!
She even used my favorite example of Betsy Ten Boom's prayer thanking God for the fleas in the concentration camp barracks during World War II. At the time Corrie Ten Boom thought Betsy was nuts. But Besty just quoted 1 Thess 5:18 to her.
Later Corrie discovered the camp guards wouldn't enter the barracks due to the fleas. This allowed the Ten Boom sisters to hold Bible studies that literally reached hundreds at a time.
It was a reminder to me to concentrate on the good things in life (I have so many, starting with my husband and son) and to remember that the bad things have a divine purpose, which I may or may not eventually figure out.
All I can say is, "Thank you, God, for inspiring this message I needed so badly."
Nimitz' Lady
P.S. You can read more about the Ten Boom sisters in Corrie's book The Hiding Place or in the ficiontalized account of her story in A Prisoner and Yet.
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