Lexical Light

U23D Austin: Not IF, but HOW MANY

The question is not IF i will see this, but HOW MANY TIMES? The closest I've come to seeing a U2 concert was in 1987 when I saw, from the interstate, their trucks being unloaded at the Erwin Center in Austin. I'm thinking this film will be a comparable experience - not exactly the same, but close enough and without the crowds.

How will the audience react? That would be a plus of the concert - the energy expended while standing through the show. I may have to go opening night and then go another night to compare the show. Ahh, a blog project in the making. Pity I haven't finished my other U2 blog project. Yes, I am lame.

Christy, you want to go to a quasi U2 concert, maybe opening night, Jan 23? (Here are the showtimes for the Austin IMAX at the Bob Bullock TSH Museum.) I think 1 or 2 of the my kids may basketball games, but they'll have other games. Let me know.

Netflix vs. Blockbuster Total Access

We've been using Netflix for awhile. We do the 3-at-a-time, unlimited per month for about $18/month. I've briefly compared Netflix to the Blockbuster Total Access. It costs the same, the main difference is you get one free store rental from Blockbuster. No big deal, but maybe enough to entice me to switch. Today I remembered why I stuck with Netflix.

Why would I give up an extra movie rental? Because I wouldn't run through a dung dripping forest for a movie rental. That's what it feels like when I take my kiddos to Blockbuster.Almost every time I go to Blockbuster, or any movie rental store, I'm reminded of the depravity of some people. It's one thing for me to walk around the stench. I've learned to ignore it, for the most part, but trying to make sure the kids make it through without being exposed to something disgusting is quite an exercise.

Of course, there's the other way to look at it - as a teaching opportunity. If the content of movies comes up, I could reiterate my "there are some things nobody should watch" mantra. Another approach would be to talk about different movies/genres as they  them to discern what's wise to see.

For now, I'll stick with Netflix.

Is She an Elf?

"We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup." Buddy

A light bulb went on when I heard that quote. We've often called Kara, our five-year old, a sprite because of the way she spins, twirls, and skips around, but after hearing that quote, I realized she must be an elf. She is a candy fiend with an elfish quality about her. (Thankfully, she likes lots of healthy food too.)

The movie Elf made its way to our shelves recently because it makes me laugh and mostly clean, with just a few innuendos. I don't laugh out loud at a lot of things, but, for whatever reason I always laugh at Elf. Of course, there's the extended artificial burp, but even I wouldn't buy a movie just for that. It's a ginormous hit around our house - a goofy story with Will Ferrell doing an spot on elf (Reminds me of all those real elves I've seen.)

Anakin Dynamite Video

"You'll either think this is hilarious or ridiculous. Maybe hilariously ridiculous. Ridiculously hilarious?" - Me

A reprise from May 2005, now showing on my blog.

HT: My neighbor, MK.

I wonder if director Wayne Barnes thought about using Ligersabers in this film.

(Disclaimer: When you click play, it will take you to Atom Films. At the time of this post, nothing objectionable came up via this link, but don't let your kiddos go there alone. Preview what will come up in the sidebars, etc. before you let them watch it.)

Greased Enlightening

No, it's not a linament to make you wise. It's a reminder from this "worth the read" post by Mopsy. It shed some new light on Grease. it was new to me, anyway.

Her mom's point of contention w/Grease was that Sandy had to change to keep Danny. I had never thought of that. Duh. He liked her during the summer, but he was embarassed by her at school. Instead of getting rid of him, she changes - and not for the better. (I'm sure Sandy's parents were thrilled with her new look and smoking skills.)

After talking about the post w/a FTF friend, I also gained a new distaste for "Greased Lightning," despite the groove dog dance moves. Too bad such a fun tune has such raunchy lyrics. Throw in the reference to Sandy being "lousy with virginity" and Rizzo's wondering is she's pregnant and I have plenty of reminders why this is not a kid movie. (Not that I thought it was, but I appreciate the clarification of why.)

Finally, the new word I learned today: misogynistic.

Grease

Lookin' for Some Readin'?

Don't look here. Just kidding. Well, only a little. (How's that for spittin' in the face of blog traffic rules?)

Like Marla, I've been trying to get a grip on my blogging. Actually, I'm trying to get a grip on lots o'things right now. That means less posting for now.

However, Barbara Curtis has written on a few things that I would write about if I were writing more. 

One is The End of the Spear controversy, which reminds me of Steve Taylor's song, "Guilty by Association.”

So you need a new car? let your fingers take a walk
Through the business guide for the "born again" flock
You'll be keeping all your money in the kingdom now
And you'll only drink milk from a Christian cow
Don't you go casting your bread to keep the heathen well-fed
Line Christian pockets instead--avoid temptation

Guilty by association

(Thanks to QRSTUV for the lyrics. )

I also liked the post w/pics from the March for Life rally. Love the pics of the teens at the rally, esp. the group w/the gianormous Mountain Dew.

She’s been quite the busy blogger lately. Take a minute to enjoy the fruits of her labor.
(Arghh. There's that goofy last line glitch.)

A Lexical Google & A Lion

Random Item 1:
Somebody found my blog via a yahoo search for "the importance of lexical items". For some reason it I like being found amongst stuff like this:

Kirkgoz... Importance of Lexical Knowledge: Linguists working in the area of lexis point out that ... quantitative information concerning the distribution of lexical items in the whole corpus ...

When I tried to find where the link for my blog, I came up empty....even after skipping through 40+ pages of search results. How did they end up at my blog on the Anakin Dynamite post? Oh, well. I still like being mixed with all that lexical stuff.

Random Item 2:
While doing this post, the preview for Disney's The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe came on.* It almost made my heart leak out my eyes. Even on our small screen, the visual of Aslan roaring majestically made my heart eager with anticipation for the day I will be completely in the presence of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah..

*via Fifi's Muppets in Oz showing.

Update: I do not recommend Muppets in Oz. Too much ugh stuff that didn't need to be in a kids' movie. Don't recommend it at all. I didn't like the general tone of it, the video game vixen trying to seduce Gonzo or Quentin Tarratntion (sp?) pitching weird creepy movie ideas to Kermit.

Star Wars Episode III: Hair Mistake

We went to see Star Wars Episode III last night.  I'll post a longer review later. For now, I just want to point out a hair mistake that my curly haired readers will appreciate. (My blog picture is literally the only day in my life my hair has been straight. It  was the only decent pic of me on my computer when I set up my blog.)

Now for the hair mistake. As we zoom in from the outside of the penthouse apartment, we see Padme & Anakin through the glass ceiling. Padme is thoughtfully brushing her hair. (I notice that because I'm interested in what her costumes & hair will look like...being the fashionista that I am.)

Because of the hairbrush, I'm expecting long, silky hair. Imagine my surprise when I see a beautiful curls "cascadading" down her back. GASP! Any one with curly hair knows that you DO NOT BRUSH CURLY HAIR!!!!!! Well, unless you're going for a frizz fest. You can comb it when it's wet, but you don't brush it!!! I lean over to my friend w/curly hair and mention something about this obviously being fiction.  Wasn't there anyone involved with that scene that knew better?

So, prepare for the backlash from this post:  "Epsisode III's Sales Plummet Due to Curly Boycott".

Anakin Dynamite Short Film

You'll either think this is hilarious or ridiculous. Maybe hilariously ridiculous. Ridiculously hilarious?

Here's the link:  Anakin Dynamite Short Film



Hat tip to my neighbor, MK for pointing this out. (Just a little blog lingo there. Man, I'm a nerd. Not that there's anything wrong with that.)

Darth Vader Blog; Darth Tater

Thanks to Megan from Half Pint House for the Darth Vader blog. My favorite posts so far:

Parenting 101

Okay, I admit it. I cut off the kid’s hand. Everything went downhill after that.

Blast! Blast! Blast! I am such an idiot.

I Don't Know If It's Art, But I Know What I Like

Human science experiments.  A meditation on sculpture.

Today we put Captain Solo into the carbon freezing chamber, in order to test the system before capturing Luke Skywalker for delivery to my master, Sidious, on Coruscant.

And I can't wait to get one of these for my Potato Head collection...really!

Darth Tater!