Got back from Fort Davis last week and I've been running around like a crazy person ever since. We had a blast at both state parks (nearby Balmorhea had a giant spring-fed swimming pool). The Davis Mountains are beautiful and lonely. No cell service at the lodge (although we had cable TV...score!).

We went to the highest point in the park to star gaze and watch passing storm fronts. We drove up to the McDonald Observatory (still not totally impressed, but we had a cloudy night and didn't get to see the giant telescope). Fort Davis proper is like two blocks long and everything is mom and pop-type places. No Walmart, no fast food. It was totes awesome, but I don't know if I could have survived more than a few days there. However, all in all, it was a fantastic vacay - exploring the parks and Fort Davis (the actual fort is really cool!), vegging out, kicking back with my Kindle in the middle of the afternoon.

( Peektures )

In other news, we saw the documentary Buck, about the real life Horse Whisperer. As predicted, I cried through a respectable portion of it. But it's a sweet and simple film with a beautiful message. If you are an animal lover, you will love it.

Also, we went downtown to catch Harry Potter again but while we were killing time at Rivercenter Mall, JP had his wallet stolen. >__< Thankfully, they found the wallet (minus the cash and credit card) at the bottom of the pool at the Marriott Hotel that is attached to the mall. They made off with about $30, but JP cancelled his card right away and the thieves missed the Game Stop card and movie passes. All in all, best possible scenario for a robbery.

We did wind up seeing Harry Potter (but not then...IMAX comped us tickets for the following day) and I did like it better the second time around. I dunno...spoilers? Highlight to read: 

I love Alan Rickman and I thought he did a great job in his flashback scenes, but something about it left me cold. Like, if you didn't know the story already it was just as if he lost his childhood friend, not the love of his life. I guess I felt a bit cheated. I also wish that they would have shown the other people who came to fight for the Order. It wasn't just a handful of adults and children versus thousands of Death Eaters. Voldemort was creepily AWKWARD but I guess they were trying to make him tragic? A slice of his back story would have solved that.

Anyhoo, all the kids were great and I cried when McGonagall did the spell on the statues and when Harry was talking to his mom and the Maurauders (dude, his dad gets NO screen time...where's the love for poppa?!). I also hate how his parents are too old...they were killed when they were what, 21? They are not aging well in the ghost world. I actually liked the fan fiction ending on film...it seemed sweet and not totally cheesy and forced, the way I felt it was in the book.

So, overall, I did enjoy it although it wasn't exactly how I envisioned it. I have begun re-reading all the books. YAY!!!

I took Friday off so I could go see the midnight showing of Harry Potter.

Aaaaand we'll just let that sink in for a moment.

Actually, JP and I just watched 3 hours of HP specials on the Biography Channel. ♥ 

But my REAL news is that I also took a couple of days off at the end of the month so we could go to Davis Mountain State Park in west Texas. We are staying at the Indian Lodge and plan on visiting the McDonald Observatory and Balmorhea State Park (it's nearby). So lots of swimming and stargazing and being out in the middle of nowhere.

In other words, a perfect vacation. ^____^

I saw this and burst into tears (although that may have something to do with PMS, hormones, or similar). But if you are a Harry Potter fan, I dare you not to get a little choked up at this retrospective and with the knowledge of what's coming...



I have no idea if this is old hat, but it's the first time I have seen it...

Saw The Half Blood Prince the other night. I know book fans are ripping it apart, as they are wont to do, but I liked it. Yes, they added stuff they didn't need to and took out important stuff they shouldn't have, but hello?! Is this your first ride on the HP merry-go-round? I've said it before and I'll say it again - the books and the movies are two different animals. I think my enjoyment of the movies is directly proportional to how long it's been since I have read the books (the longer it's been, the more I enjoy the show). That being said, there was a WHOLE LOT to take in, so I'll just make this one spoilery (if you don't know the story at all) comment:

( my spoiler, let me show you it )

Oh yeah, and Luna Lovegood rocks. Her actress plays her perfectly and all her scenes are sweet and kooky. Also, all the Ron/Hermione stuff is cute and funny. I think they go a little overboard on Lavender's character, but they definitely have the crux of it. Also, Two Second! Remus! Blink and you'll miss him! Love him, for reals.

Need to run a few errands today. Ugh. So hot, though. It's been in the 100s every day for weeks now. : (

Noted for posterity: it rained yesterday, for the first time in a long while and JP and I were sitting in a Freddy's, listening to '50s music, sharing a strawberry shortcake concrete, and I was perfectly happy. It was a good day. ♥

Am teh sad. Nothing to be done. Just um...summertime blues?

Anyhoo, this Deathly Hallows spoof gave me lots and lots of good belly laughs. Even a guffaw or two. It goes without saying that it is spoilerific. And funny as Hell.

Okay, so quick because I am tired and thirsty and have to be at work in 6 hours.


I have more, but it's already been a couple of days and I forgot a bunch of stuff. I really liked the movie, but if I had either 1. memorized the book or 2. never opened the book at all, I would not have enjoyed the movie half as much. But overall, much love and very well done! Must see again immediately, if not sooner!