I haven�t blogged all week because this has been one crazy week!� I am so glad for a three day weekend to recuperate.
�
Hopefully Santa was good to all of you!� Greg and I spent Christmas in our new home � a first for us.� As it was fairly cool (for Houston), we had the fireplace lit all day.� In truth, we would have been tempted to light the fireplace even if the temps were higher.� It was a truly wonderful day.
�
As we approach 2007, I�m left to ponder my New Year�s resolutions.� I resolve to finish my two works in progress.� And I resolve to spend less �down� time with my day job.� I�m also borrowing a friend�s New Year�s resolution by resolving not to get upset with myself if I don�t reach my writing goal (thanks for that one, LeeAnn Burke).� Easier said than done, but there they are.� Oh, and I resolve to work out more.� I�m a glutton for punishment, what can I say?
�
I think we might see DREAMGIRLS this weekend.� What are you planning to do this long weekend? �And what are your New Year�s resolutions?� Do you believe in them?
�
Talk to you soon! ���
�
Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you’re enjoying your long weekend so far. Greg & I are having a great one.
We went to see CASINO ROYALE, the latest James Bond installment, on Friday. I liked it but, surprisingly, Greg did not. Was it the best movie I ever saw? No. But it was interesting. And a prequel to the films we already know, although it takes place in current time. That was part of the reason Greg didn’t like it. Onto the new Bond: Daniel Craig portrays Bond as a killing machine with no conscience and I liked that. He doesn’t play off good looks, nor does he act like God’s gift to women. In contrast, Pierce Brosnan’s James was a playboy that degraded women, to a point that was vulgar in my opinion.
In CASINO ROYALE, Eva Green plays an intelligent woman who is more James’ equal and I found their sparring amusing. This leads to another part Greg didn’t like … James falls in love with her. Yes, Bond “loves” her. James Bond, a romantic. Go figure. Greg found it unrealistic and boring. In truth, the movie was long and, in some places, slow. In all, however, it was the best Bond film I’ve seen in a long time. As always, the special effects are dazzling and anyone afraid of heights will cringe during the first twenty minutes or so of the film. So, mixed Goodwin reviews for the new Bond flick. If you’ve seen it, let me know what you thought.
According to Norad, Santa has finished his stops in Europe and is presently delivering gifts in the Azores. He can still grant long distance Christmas wishes and did just that for Houston in the form of a Texans win this weekend. Wow! Thanks Santa!
Make sure a glass of milk is chilled and a plate of cookies is waiting because the Jolly St. Nick is on his way.
Merry Christmas to all …
On Christmas Eve, we can all track Santa’s progress either via the internet or telephone. Norad has a Santa cam at http://www.noradsanta.org/en/default.php. Want a more personal touch? Norad will have live help manning their phones at 1-877-HI-NORAD or 719-474-2111.
Do you have a last minute request for Santa? You can email him at NorthPole@officialSanta.com.
Thanks, Norad, for keeping tabs on the jolly St. Nick!
One of the best Harry Potter sites out there, www.theleakycauldron.com, has an HBO preview of THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX featuring scenes not yet included in the original trailer and cast interviews. And the film looks FANTASTIC!
All of the actors’ performances look strong and, as was evident in THE GOBLET OF FIRE, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson are taking the acting craft seriously and honing their skills (both excellent actors). As for the sets, well … they look like they were built from JK Rowling’s imagination. David Yates, the director this time around, seems to be honoring the story the way Chris Columbus did with the first two movies. I’m looking forward to this movie so much and can’t wait to see more of Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, and Jason Isaacs as well as the performances of Helena Bonham Carter (who is taking the part of Bellatrix Lestrange by storm) and Imelda Staunton (who is so much like Professor Umbridge that it’s almost scary).
JK Rowling posted on her website, www.jkrowling.com, that “the film looks fantastic” after she saw 20 minutes of it. JK Rowling also wrote that she continues to work on the final installment of the Harry Potter series, writing some scenes that “have been planned for a dozen years or more.” I am very excited about the final book yet it’s bittersweet, knowing that the series is ending. Let me know if you have any other great Harry Potter websites or news. The countdown to the July release of the movie is just beginning and the film looks truly impressive. Check it out at http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/videogallery/video/show/562.
Until tomorrow …
Did you know Santa has a phone? I assumed he must, however I never knew his phone number until today. Yes, two coworkers gave me Santa’s number (and it is toll free, thanks to the bearded man’s generosity). Call Santa at 1-800-972-6242 and you will hear a different automated message each day. Santa doesn’t have call waiting so you may get a busy signal but he’s Santa and so worth the wait!
It’s that time of year again. Yep, it’s time for cable to begin airing the holiday movies. And repeating them. Which ones do you look forward to?
For me, A CHRISTMAS STORY is always fun. Greg and I watch it at least once during the Christmas season. Another more recent one is ELF. And then there are the first two Harry Potter films. ABC Family channel usually airs them this time of year and, if we don’t catch them on cable, we’ll pop in the DVDs and watch them on our own. The one really great thing ABC Family does is air the Harry Potter films with deleted scenes, something even the DVDs don’t allow you to do.
What do you think? What are your favorites? And do you ever get sick of the holiday movies?
With Christmas approaching, I wanted to post an interesting fact I read today. The first Christmas card was printed in England for Sir Henry Cole. The year was 1843 and according to the website www.santas.net, 1000 copies were sold at one shilling each. Check out the website when you get a chance. It’s full of facts, recipes and song lyrics.
I have to admit that I’m a bit behind on my Christmas cards this year, but hope to complete them tonight after a little Christmas shopping. Are you done sending all of yours?
Until tomorrow …
I have to admit, I am looking forward to the movie adaptation of DREAMGIRLS. So much so, in fact, that I purchased three songs from iTunes this weekend. Two songs that I purchased are sung by Jennifer Hudson, a former AMERICAN IDOL contestant. WOW! When she was on IDOL, it was evident that the girl had talent but it’s so easy to forget the contestants who never make it to the final handful. Upon hearing her sing AND I’M TELLING YOU I’M NOT GOING and I AM CHANGING, I immediately wondered how no one offered her a record contract until now. She is a powerhouse and her voice is truly amazing. Byoncé sounds great, as well, in the title track DREAMGIRLS. Hubby and I are going to see the movie, so perhaps I’ll purchase the rest of the soundtrack after we see it.
Are there any movies that you want to see? With the price of movies now, I find myself not going as frequently unless I really like the actors, film franchise, etc. How about you?
Until tomorrow …
Congratulations to Cindy Billington of Bryan, Texas on being the first ever TRACYGOODWIN.NET newsletter winner! Cin wins a $10.00 gift certificate to either AMAZON.COM or BARNES AND NOBLE. In addition, Cin also receives the much coveted TRACYGOODWIN.NET coffee mug. Thank you so much to Cin and everyone else for signing up for my newsletter!
Since this was our first month, I decided to pick two winners. I will post the second winner later this week.
Moving on to December, I have an added incentive. Refer your friends, family & coworkers to sign up for my newsletter and you are eligible to win a $25. BARNES AND NOBLE gift certificate. The person with the most referrals will be chosen each month.
Thanks so much for your interest in and support of this website!
It’s been a challenging week which is why I haven’t blogged for several days but, now that the weekend is here, I can take some time for myself and write. What an uplifting way to end one week & begin a new one.
Greg and I purchased a Christmas tree last night, our first artificial tree. Although Garden Ridge was quite picked over, we managed to find a gorgeous fir tree, the last one of its kind left. It looks quite realistic as it’s a “just cut” variety that resembles a fresh cut tree. Add a Yankee Candle tart warmer with a mistletoe scented tart, Christmas CDs playing & a crackling fire and viola … Christmas is here! YEAY!
If you like to star gaze and plan on being outside just before dawn on Sunday, look for a rare glimpse at three planets. Approximately 45 minutes prior to dawn, Jupiter, Mercury and Mars will appear in our skies. It’s the closest they’ve been since 1925 said an article I read on AOL.COM.
Happy Star Gazing, everyone …
