Somewhere East of Life

Little babies all growed up...

2009-01-16T19:22:00.000-07:00

Just had some odd thoughts today. Watching the children on my bus, who are all pre-school age (the year before kindergarten, which makes them about 3 to 5 years of age). One little boy had been sick and was so tired. He really just didn't even want to move. When he discovered he'd sat down and wasn't comfortable, he cried for either my driver or I to go and help him. We sat him up further in his seat, sniffed and said thank you, and then fell right to sleep.

It's interesting in my line of work to see children grow up. I've noticed that students are able to speak fairly well, and interact with others, by the time they reach kindergarten. They've started to learn how to reason, and how to sound things out when learning.

It's when they're pre-schoolers that they're so adorable. They're just beginning the process of learning how to function in society. Not just merely learning the language, but how the world works in its most base elements.

But the thing is, they're still babies. They still cry when when they're upset. They still cling to the closest adult when they're scared. They giggle when they're happy. They find joy in the most simple of things.

It's just so heartbreaking to see in a way, because it only lasts such a short time. This transition between babies and growing and learning children lasts maybe a year.

I enjoy every minute of it though, and that's the part that I'm thankful for in my job. They're just adorable to work with. I love 'em to bits. Every last one of 'em.

Clean cut DVDs: Yes or No?

2008-08-20T15:27:00.002-06:00

I recently got an email from a clothing company, of all places, advertising a discount for it's newsletter readers. They wanted to give me a discount for a new company offering clean cut DVDs. The new company even promises to "fight the legal battle to the end, for our right to have clean entertainment."

o.0

Riiiiight.

For those that have no idea what I'm talking about, clean cut DVDs are bootleg copies of films that have been edited to remove any "objectionable" content. Titanic had the sex scene cut out of it. Other films may have swear words and excess fighting taken out. Who knows what else is done to them.

I don't get it. I mean, okay, I actually do understand WHY they're doing it. I suspect people feel rather cheated that so many movies are released with content that they won't watch. But for those people who buy them, keep in mind they're buying illegal bootleg movies just so they can watch films from showing a more acceptable moral ground.

It seems just a bit hypocritical to me. If want to take the moral high-ground on an issue, why do something illegal and entirely un-necessary to do it? Why don't you just go out and promote films that DO make a good clean message? Bug the producing companies of those films to make more. Something, anything, other than messing with other people's work. As an artist, I just find such methods entirely distasteful.

If you don't like the movie for how it was meant to be seen artistically, and you object to the content of the film, DON'T WATCH IT!

*sigh* Sometimes I just don't get people.

Half-Blood Prince Trailer

2008-07-30T13:13:00.002-06:00

As I understand it, Moviefone has an HD version of this trailer, but it's in Quicktime format.

Someone else expressed their disappointment that this trailer isn't about Harry much at all, though I can't help but disagree to a point. It's rather like the folks that discovered Star Wars wasn't merely about Luke Skywalker, but rather more about his father and his life from innocent beginnings to bitter endings. It's not quite the same, but the similarities are there enough to make you take a step back and ponder a few things.

Experiments in Cooking

2008-07-12T22:50:00.002-06:00

The cooking experiments continue, though lately with some level of success.

I managed to cook a successful batch of refried beans, although that was partly because my Mom was there to help me spice it up. I made some more flour tortillas to go with it, and we made ourselves some nice burritos.

They were actually pretty good. Mom even gave me a cooking compliment (every little girl's dream), "You're actually turning into quite the accomplished cook." *beams*

There was a downside, of course. When is there not? Well okay, maybe two downsides.

I made enough to feed the neighborhood.
I got impatient and didn't make the long version of the recipe. I made the refried beans in about three hours, rather than the six (or more) it usually takes. What is the difference you ask? There's a ratio in there somewhere for about every hour you cut out of the cooking time, you increase the amount of time you spend in the bathroom after dinner. o.0 It was not a pleasant night for me.

On the plus side, I had a great time cooking (even if I did somehow manage to use every pot, dish, and utensil in the house to do it). *big grin*

2008-07-06T19:34:00.001-06:00

In honor of my friend starting up a blog, I promised I would copy some of my posts over here. So, here's the first of many to come. The subjects are many and varied. Consider yourself warned.

I've had the baking bug lately. No clue why. Just picked up a recipe book and started baking (and good 'ol cooking) one day.

I've tried tortillas, cakes, cinnamon rolls, donuts, biscuits, cookies, refried beans, and soups. All with varied levels of success.

However, I have found my nemesis: hamburger buns. They just don't turn out right.

Day One: Tried the recipe word for word. Thought something might be off. Discovered what was wrong after the buns came out like hockey pucks.

Day Two: Stubbornly tried recipe for a second time, this time with appropriate changes. Dough looked pretty good. Still didn't rise. Baked 'em anyway and didn't get hockey pucks. They're just really small and very dense hamburger buns.

My mother thinks I could use them to make miniature hamburgers.

I strongly suspect she's mocking me.

*goes back to the drawing board with a different recipe for hamburger buns*

Politically Scewed News?

2007-08-02T19:03:00.003-06:00

I'm watching on CNN Paula Zahn's (*) final send-off. She's not someone I watch in the news with any regularity, but she's certainly someone that has made herself a name in news industry. Not many folks can say that haven't seen her work at some point or another. However, with her departure and parting comments, I can't help but look at how other publicity outlets are contributing to this.

She mentioned in an interview, commenting on her departure, "What has become clear when you look at the landscape, particularly in the 8:00 p.m. hour, it seems pretty obvious the audience is drawn to opinion-driven shows. That is not what I do." Comparisons were drawn between two of the leading opinion-driven shows, Bill O'Reilly (*) and Keith Olbermann (*) at the top of the list.

What this brings to mind for me is the environmental changes that Al Gore (*) has been pushing. Now I don't doubt his past history with trying to protect the environment. Nor do I doubt this is a serious problem. What brings this all to a big question for me is that it seems his push for environmental changes has been increasing since his loss to Bush in his first run. At the top of the heap, and far more noticeable, was An Inconvenient Truth (*). Following this we have a number of books, and nameless shows and interviews.

In the last few months the latest issue to get involved with is environmental issues. While third world country welfare is still there in the background, the environment has taken the lead as the front-runner in Hollywood's concerns. What better group to back you should you decide to take a second run for the presidential seat after Bush's second term comes to a close. After all these are people that have been frequenting the very same events as the man who publicly campaigned his issues in an award winning film.

I don't believe in coincidences. I never have really. This series of event have all been leading to something that sounds suspiciously Slytherin in nature. I'll repeat, I honestly don't doubt the man's integrity when it comes to promoting the seriousness if these issues. However, I can't help but question the motives of his publicity team's timing. Due to his very public presence in the years since his loss to Bush, he's in a very good position right now to sway voters his way should he decide to run for President again.

What's New?

2007-08-01T21:08:00.001-06:00

A lot has changed in my life since 2001. Here's the basic rundown:

Shut down all my regular websites (though I kept one domain for future use)
Divorce in May 2007
Have been working with special needs children for past 3 years
Took up graphic design (and I've got a mini-portfolio here)
Joined a ghost hunting group

Visit any of the links to the right to see more of what I've been up to. My main website link is to my LiveJournal, which I've had running for a few years now. Saifai HQ links to a personal portal with links to all my online accounts. I'm also on MySpace and Yahoo360.

The link on this post is all the tags on my LJ that list posts that are all about me. Most of it is quizzes and memes that give out all the nitty gritty details.

If you're wondering what I'll put here, I suppose it will be a combination of what I put on my LJ, as well as thoughts on politics, entertainment, economics, paranormal, and education issues.

Stay tuned for more.

Back in action...

2007-08-01T17:58:00.000-06:00

Woo! I haven't used this in ages. At least not since Hollywood.com shut down their personal website services. So forgive the gihugic gap in posts.

For now, you can get caught up in my LiveJournal blog (which is linked somewhere here as my websites).

You can also get an idea of what other public community accounts I've got setup online since my last post by visiting my Headquarters.

I guarantee there will be more to come.

2001-08-22T13:41:00.001-06:00

Just had my birthday. WooHoo!!! I got all sorts of cool stuff. My hubby gave me a three-in-one digital camera. I can use it as a digital camcorder, digital still picture camera, or a PC Video Camera. I just love it! It will come in mighty handy for my other business. Let's see, I also got some nice jewelry. Hey, maybe I'll post a picture of it online for you to see!!! :-) Give me a chance to use my nifty new gadget.

A word about the website, I am almost done working over the pages. I have a few bugs to work out with the design, but for the most part you can now read edited copies of my reviews. From the looks of my statistics, you all really like it too! My page views and commissions have gone up considerably for the pages that have been finished. Thanks for everyone's support!

I'll let you all know when I get some new reviews out. Until then, you can check out my new Business Resources article.

2001-08-17T10:11:00.001-06:00

The remodeling is heavy under weigh. We are actually almost done with the den. I have been working with my mother and my husband to get it done. It's been quite an educational experience. As for the site, I have been working my tail of there too. I have been working to update all the old graphics with optimized ones. Also, I've been running everything through the word processor to correct any mistakes. I am currently through the Ms, and making my way towards the Ns. I'll let you all know when I get it done.

Untill then, check out Suite101 for my latest article. I interviewed two independent filmmakers about their view on films. Check it out...

2001-08-08T12:26:00.001-06:00

I am finally starting to get settled after the move to my new house. Oy! What chaos this event brings. My family has been working together to get the Den remodeled. I tell you folks, that is hard work. I have never in my life applied wallpaper, or painted a room until now. The good thing around here is that I have a new car now, which is such a delight. You must see what I was driving before I got my car: Click here to see it online!.

I have been slowly working to get back into the swing of things. I have posted a new article at Suite101:Drama. Check it out...

That's about all I have time for. I will be back later, possibly with a new design for the site. We will see. In any case, I will want to get everyone's opinion. Also, thanks to some user feedback I am finally taking a grammar checker to all my work! Forgive me for that, but I used to do all of my work in an online editor. I am transferring all my articles over to Word for Windows. Give me a couple weeks to get everything transferred over.

Until next time...

2001-06-27T12:33:00.001-06:00

I found an interesting piece of music. It is a sad song that combines a beautiful song with rough rap. You can probably find a sample of the song called "It Don't Matter" by Rehap at Amazon.com.

2001-06-26T14:06:00.001-06:00

I will be getting rid of my update newsletter soon. Listbot is discontinuing its newsletter service and switching over to a more commercial approach. Their new service will be for folks that send their ezine to customers. Anyway, I am considering continuing the service myself through direct emails, however that is a dangerous business on your own. The service will continue until August 6th. However, after that this will be my regular spot for site updates. You won't have to worry about getting emails from me. Just stop on by whenever you want and check on the status of new articles.

Later...

2001-06-24T10:41:00.000-06:00

Well everyone, we have finished moving in. Darn if it didn't take us about seven days to do it though. It is really our fault. We did not have anyone to help us and did not hire a service to do it for us. We just has a small U-Haul truck, a Jeep, and an even smaller trailer. I have discovered that I never want to move again. I HATE PACKING!!! I am so sick of packing. Yesterday we spent about five hours cleaning the house. Today, I sent my hubby over to the house to shampoo the carpets and mow the lawn one last time.

I still do not have regular internet access. I am told that the fiber optic cables will be upgraded in our area by no later than September. Until then, I will be keeping my access to update this site and diary to a bare minimum. Less pictures, more text. Just what you always wanted, right?

Until next time folks...

2001-06-14T23:41:00.000-06:00

Well folks, I am taking a few days off to move to my new home. I have been trying like crazy to get ready for the summer releases. I have a few movies pages ready for publishing as soon as next week rolls around, when I have more of a chance to get working on them.

Until then, here's some food for thought:

If I were asked to give what I consider the single most
useful bit of advice for all humanity it would be this:
Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life and when it
comes, hold your head high, look it squarely in the eye
and say, "I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me."
Ann Landers

2001-06-08T13:08:00.000-06:00

An old friend of mine lately was just commenting on how as we get older, we tend to lose sight of our dreams. Rather than doing something about them, we resolve to complain about how unhappy we are. I tend to agree with him. That's the reason that for the past year or so I have been collecting inspirational quotes from a variety of sources. I thought I would share this latest one with you. Let me know what you think in my Discussion Forum.

"The choice is yours. You hold the tiller. You can steer the course you choose in the direction of where you want to be - today, tomorrow, or in a distant time to come." ~ W. Clement Stone

2001-06-07T18:46:00.000-06:00

I know that many of you have noticed that there has been a considerable decline in the number of reviews that I have been publishing lately. The reason all leads back to a new house for the family. We are moving out to the country. With all the packing going on here at home, I really haven't had much time to devote to new reviews. Do not worry though, I have been keeping up with watching the new movies. I plan on publishing the stock-piled reviews I have within the next week or so before we move. After we get settled, it will not be until the first of July that I post reviews again. I will keep you all posted on the progress.

As for the Celebrity Spotlight feature I had been planning, my partner has taken a hiatus to help me with my move. That has resulted in a temporary delay in the release of the reviews and biographies. We will let you all know when we are read to release that feature. Until then, you can get information on any Hollywood celebrity from The Internet Movie Database.

2001-06-07T17:51:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Rhonda's Reviews! If you already receive my update newsletter, there is a small chance that you may see that information duplicated on the blogger. However, I will strive to keep this on a more personal nature. This log is intended for all of you to get to know me. Every chance I get, I will allow you to monitor what is going on in my life. This will include anything and everything that pertains to, and affects my work on this website. Please visit either my Contact page or my Guestbook for an opportunity to voice your opinion and let me know what you are thinking. Thanks!