Top 5 Tuesday #5

Every Tuesday we will post a Top 5 list.  The content of these lists may or may not relate to the typical blog content.  The list won't necessarily adhere to the Top 5 in order of "best to worst".  We hope this will become a mainstay here on the blog and that people enjoy it!

I finally have gotten the chance to read some books, mostly on my new simple touch nook that I received for my birthday in August (since I had gone on blogatus, you didn't know).  Now I am both happy to get into my latest Top 5 Tuesday as well as share with you my reading list from the past month.  I know that I have found I tend to read in gulps, so although I have read 5 books in a short period of time, I don't know if I can count on this to continue...without further ado:

#5 Mockingjay (Hunger Games Trilogy #3)  by Suzanne Collins
The third and final installment was so much of a distant cousin to the first two it was hard to enjoy.  As I read the book I found myself getting upset with the main character, Katniss, who was constantly at war with things she couldn't change or couldn't understand or wasn't willing to cope with.  A part of me wanted to yell at her to grow up.  This is what I get for reading a book about a 17 year old girl.  A disappointing way to end this great trilogy.

#4 Supervolcano: Eruption by Harry Turtledove
The concept is really great, in this alternate future book, Turtledove tackles the question "what would happen in Yellowstone erupted.....tomorrow".  Great concept, but not executed to the full detailed extent I have come to expect from Turtledove.  Through the Ferguson family's eyes we see how this tragedy affects the United States and world, but it seems that the family is so involved with themselves that this great tragedy is overlooked and underplayed.  Although, one character makes a brief visit to Lincoln, NE!  Also, Turtledove will release sequels in the next two years so perhaps this story will pick up in those contributions.  Good read, not thought all the way through.

#3 The Hunger Games (Hunger Games Trilogy #1)  by Suzanne Collins
This book was a page turner.  Yes, I know it was written for young adults, so sue me.  How many of you have read Twilight and Harry Potter?  Let's continue, then.  Great story, pretty original.  Children in the nation of Panem must fight to the death in this post-apoc United States.  Yes, Panem is Latin for bread (see the irony....Hunger Games...)  Seriously, read this book!

#2 Catching Fire (Hunger Games Trilogy #2)  by Suzanne Collins
Yea, right, Rocky II is better than the original (is it?  I've never seen it...)  The sequel completely slapped me across the face with the huge surprise it rendered in the middle of the book, I didn't see it coming at all.  I would share a more accurate description but I don't want to give anything away.  Read this trilogy, have I said this yet?

#1 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (GwDT #1)  by Steig Larsson
Confession: I am only on page 123 of this 400+ page book (reading it on my Nook so I don't know how many pages the print copy has).  Yet, I know that in 123 pages that this will be one of the best books I will read this month, year, decade.  Heck, they don't make a book in a major motion picture because it stinks, right?  I am excited to read more and get through the whole trilogy.  Fun fact?  The Swedish version of this book (the author is-was-Swedish) is titled Men who Hate Women.

Top Five Tuesday #4

Every Tuesday we will post a Top 5 list.  The content of these lists may or may not relate to the typical blog content.  The list won't necessarily adhere to the Top 5 in order of "best to worst".  We hope this will become a mainstay here on the blog and that people enjoy it!

This week's Top '7' List

As we near the release date of the final Harry Potter movie, "The Deathly Hallows Part 2", let's take a look back and give the previous seven movies a proper ranking.  We will go David Letterman style of this one, counting down to our favorite (warning: there are bound to be many disputes, so feel free to post your heated debate in the comments section!)

7.  The Order of Phoenix (2007).
 Although the actors are growing up and a new director (David Yates) enters the game, this movie lacks far to much for it to be considered very good.  First off, it is boring.  


Really.


Boring.

Second of all, it leaves a lot of the book out of the equation and did I mention it is boring?  The soundtrack is also the least exciting and it is boring.  Obviously the worst one.

6. The Prisoner of Azkaban (2004).


People either love this one or they hate it.  I do not care for it.  It is also pretty boring and gets to dark to fast.  I understand that this is a dark series, but the third one still should have one foot in the 'cute' door and it doesn't.  Even the few times they are outside, in what should be a pleasant environment, it seems overcast and blah.  


The director, Alfonso Cuaron, brings forth a different feel from the first two.  Yes, we'd all agree that previous director, Christopher Columbus, makes the serious very cute and child-like, but isn't that what the first two were supposed to be?  When you compare those child-like fairy tales to the dark and spooky Cuaron version it just doesn't work.  


Also, this is John Williams final soundtrack of the HP series and also his worst.  Develop some themes, please.

5. The Chamber of Secrets (2002).


 Cute, but with a mysterious story to it.  You can still tell, as in the first one, that the child-actors are getting loads of feedback from the directors at this point and many things seem forced.  Yet at the same time, these youngsters put together a nice story and make us want to come back for more.


The problems with this film, however, centered around the Gilderoy Lockhart character.  He drags down this picture and makes it go boom.  The book is far more intricate and exciting and the soundtrack is just OK.  And Dobby...


 One thing I did like: any time spent in Diagon Alley is considered a good time to me, I can not get enough of that place!

4. The Sorcerer's Stone (2001).


 If this were Amy's list, she would place this at number one.  She cites the innocence, the more sunny-esque ideals, and just the general newness of magic and wizarding is intriguing enough.  The Quidditch scene is considering to be as exciting as the 1999 "Phantom Menance" race scene and is exciting.


Watching this movie today in 2011 feels much older than 10 years, the movie looks much older and the CGI reflects that as well.  The soundtrack is better, but that is attributed to the newness.  


It is fun to watch, but I would be curious how many changes would be made if Christopher Columbus were not the director...

3. The Deathly Hallows pt. 1 (2010).


Great set up for the final movie.  The only reason you can't rate it higher is because it can't stand on it's own as it is only half the tale.  The actors are at their best and more of the story is explored.  Can't wait for the finale.

2. The Half-Blood Prince (2009).


David Yates bounces back after the lack-luster "Order of the Phoenix" and delivers a real gem with "Half-Blood".  A well told story that you finally feel the cast is ready to deliver.  The only thing missing, in my opinion, is the cool storyline from the beginning of the book.  You know, where the prime minister is warned about the coming events.  So cool, but missing.

1. The Goblet of Fire (2005).


Fine, I get it, you hate their hair.  Have you ever seen 14 year old boys that don't have similar hair styles?  Nope.  Getting past that, this is the best of the 7 Potter movies.  


Why?  For me it is because it is the only one that I can happily watch over and over again.  The action, adventure, mystery, spells are all working for me.  Why did director Mike Newell not just finish the series out???


It is fair to say, however, that 'Goblet' could be surpassed by 'Hallows'.  I am excited to see the conclusion!


OK, did I get it right?  Am I an idiot?  Lemme know!

Top 5 Tuesday #3

Every Tuesday we will post a Top 5 list.  The content of these lists may or may not relate to the typical blog content.  The list won't necessarily adhere to the Top 5 in order of "best to worst".  We hope this will become a mainstay here on the blog and that people enjoy it!

This week's Top 5 List
What are Ayla's favorite words?  
Let's get inside the mind of this precocious two year old 
and find out Ayla's Top Five words!

1.  Gully-gully-gully-gully _____.  Using a fun tongue-in-mouth babble, Ayla will accompany a variety of the word “gully” with a name from her arsenal of family or friends.  For instance, if she says, “Gully, gully, gully, gully, Daddy.”  Then she wants something from, or to do something with, or she is bringing something too, Daddy.  This has been fun and cute, but sometimes difficult to understand.

2.  Oooh, Aahhh.  This was created just last night (July 4) as Amy used these words to describe the excitement Ayla should have for fireworks.  Then it became known as simply “fireworks”.  All day, she has been 'gullying' for fireworks.  (She was scared/excited while watching them yesterday evening).

3.  Aha.  Ayla learned long ago that monkeys say “ooh, ooh, aha”.  She also happens to love going to zoos where the only monkeys she knows of dwell.  Combine this information and you get the word Aha for zoo.  So, whenever we go to the zoo, we are actually going to the Aha.

4.  Doo-Doo.   It’s not what you think it means :) ... Amy’s brother is Andrew.  We realized long ago that the name Uncle Andrew would be tricky to say for a baby so we encouraged Doo-Doo.  Not only does Ayla call her that, but we all do.  It is especially funny when we call him Doo-Doo in public.

5.  Woo-Woo.  This is perhaps the most obvious one.  Woo-Woo is fairly universal for train amongst little kids and Ayla is no exception to this.  Everytime we drive into Lincoln we usually see around 30 trains, so we hear quite a few Woo-Woos in a given week.

Top 5 Tuesday #2

Every Tuesday we will post a Top 5 list.  The content of these lists may or may not relate to the typical blog content.  The list won't necessarily adhere to the Top 5 in order of "best to worst".  We hope this will become a mainstay here on the blog and that people enjoy it!

This week's Top 5 List

The best television shows to debut between 1994-2005.

 We will go David Letterman style on this post working our way from #5-1.

5. "THE OFFICE" (2005- )  Michael Scott, Dwight, Jim, Pam, Jim+Pam, Nard-dog, and many more.  Although it may be losing relevancy as Steve Carrell has left the show, very few would argue that it definitely helped define the last six years of pop culture (how many "That's what she said" jokes have you heard/made since 2005?)  It is a great show and I hope the next season is strong despite there being no Michael Scott.

4. "ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT" (2003-2006)

This one was tough to place #4 behind HIMYM, the reasoning has to do with longevity which is directly related to mass popularity.  Although maybe that statement is irrelevant as the show has gained more of a fan base since cancellation.  In fact, it is confirmed that in 2012 they are making a movie that hopefully gives the show a better conclusion.

3. "HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER" (2005- )

Still on TV, this show's clever premise centers around New York City architect Ted Mosby telling the story of how he met his wife to his children in the year 2030.  He is surrounded by an awesome cast that includes Jason Segel as Marshall, Alison Hannigan as Lily, Cobie Smulders as Robin and everyone's favorite Neil Patrick Harris as Barney.  It is a must see and never ceases to amaze with it's clever story telling techniques!

2. "FRIENDS" (1994-2004)

"I'll be there for you, because you're there for me too...!" Awesome cast, awesome show, great humor.  This will stand the test of time and clearly is on any sane person's top 5.  I don't need to say much else, the show fends for itself without the use of any words on my end.

1. "LOST" (2004-2010)

"We either live together or we're gonna die alone"
"Waaaaaalt"
"4,8,15,16,23,42"
"Are you a man of science or a man of faith?"

...And we are just scratching the surface.  ABC's hit drama deceptively tells the story of how plane-crash survivors must learn to co-exist on a mysterious island, but all along there is a much grander scheme going on.  Any Lostie knows that trying to explain this show to a Neo-Lostie requires hours of time so the best advice I can give to anyone unfamiliar with the show is watch it: NOW.  Buy the DVDs (Blu-rays), hulu, whatever you need to do, you do not want to miss out on this amazing television phenomenon.  

Agree with this list?  Did we forget any shows?  There are so many possibilities!

Top 5 Tuesday

Every Tuesday we will post a Top 5 list .  The content of these lists may or may not relate to the typical blog content.  The list won't necessarily adhere to the Top 5 in order of "best to worst".  We hope this will become a mainstay here on the blog and that people enjoy it!

Inaugural Top 5 List

What are the biggest changes between urban living and living on the Edge?

1. Distance.  This is an obvious difference.  Our old house at Sumner was located in the middle of Lincoln and we were no more than 5-10 minutes away from anything we wanted or needed.  Now the trip to get a simple gallon of milk can take a minimum of 30 minutes round trip.  You really have to condense trips, plan ahead and take care of as much as possible in one venture.  This also affects babysitting/babysitters.  Grandma and Grandpa are always willing to watch Ayla, but it takes 20-25 minutes to get there.  Grade the change: C.  We knew what we were getting into moving 9 miles outside of city limits, so there were no surprises, but that doesn't take away the fact that it sucks (for lack of a better term) at times.

2.  Quiet.  Again, this is obvious.  Living out here you can count on the fact that at night the loudest sound you will hear is the eerie sound of frogs in the distance and lots of birds.  Always birds.  Relating that to the noise of the busy street of Sumner (which many treated the 25 mph sign as a joke!)  it is much more peaceful here.  One of my favorite things to do is sit on the deck or patio and read a book, or blog, or blog about a book I am reading.  Grade the change: B+.  The only thing you miss is the constancy that others exist, but TV and internet remind you of that pretty quick.  Also, the absence of barking dogs in a crowded neighbor at all hours of the day and night are more than worth it.

3.  Mowing the lawn.  Our old house sat on a .16 acre plot of land and with my push mower I could finish mowing the entire lawn, front and back, in around 45 minutes.  Now I own a riding lawn mower (as highlighted in the Week 1-2 post) and it takes me almost 3 hours to mow my 2.26 acres of yard.  I will admit, the fun factor is increased when riding a lawn mower but the amount of time is a hindrance.  Again, something we knew about heading into this adventure, but still a headache.  Grade the change: B.  I don't mind a little more work for a nice lawn, but it is time consuming.

4.  Bubble Factor.  Living on the busyness of Sumner rendered our front yard useless for playtime.  As cars flew by, we were increasingly more cautious to let Ayla run around in the front yard, even with our strict supervision.  Too many cars, to much opportunity for poor circumstance.  The back yard was mud and weeds due to the dogs, my lack of caring for the lawn, and we purchased it while snow was on the ground....thus, she couldn't play back there so she was always inside.  Now she can burst that "bubble" and play a little further away from us and we are essentially positive that she is safe.  The stress is almost non-existent and it is a nice feeling.  Grade the change: A.  I much prefer all the space and running around safely that she can now enjoy to the constrained bubble we used to have to live in.

The Barn.  Built 1889.

5.  Barn.  We didn't have a barn before and we have one now.  I think that is a pretty significant change!  Grade of Change: I don't think this can be graded.  Let me know what you think :).