Vacation

No updates until 2004. I hope you and yours have a safe and happy holiday season.

Christmas Carols

Wondering about some of the lyrics to the carols you are hearing and/or singing? Check out these sites:

http://www.cameron.edu/~mikel/christmas/songs.html

http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~ai251/xcarol.html

http://www.night.net/christmas/songs12.html-ssi

Cool Site

This one's mostly for N: Robot Hall of Fame

Going to see Lord of the Rings?

Some helpful tips for those of you going to see the Lord of the Rings can be found at:
What Not to do during Return of the King

A bunch of us are going Saturday nite, around 7-ish and I just know that I'm going to feel the overwhelming urge to do one or more of these, so my apologies in advance to my movie buddies....

OED Newsletter

Oxford English Dictionary Newsletter
Lots of interesting tidbits in the current issue. I haven't even explored the archives yet... Read somewhere (altho' now I can't find it) that the Daleks from Doctor Who were named because of a dictionary (or encyclopedia?) set that covered "dal - lek" and that reminds me of George Lucas naming R2-D2 after liking the way it sounded one day when he used the shorthand form to ask for "Reel 2, Dialogue 2."

How to have a 25-hour day

Cornell scientists adjust to Martian time

Sadness

I just learned that someone I knew committed suicide. It's been a rough day. I didn't know him well, but it's still been hard. Everyone I've talked to has expressed surprise, because he was an upbeat, enthusiastic person who enjoyed life and his part in it. Shock, dismay, bewilderment. I just don't understand....

Pirates Extras

More DVDs definitely need to include blooper reels. The Pirates one is thoroughly enjoyable, although much too short...

I'm split on the deleted scenes: some of them I thought they really should have left in and some I'm glad they cut. Mom and I disagree on a couple of them. I didn't take notes, but here's a few thoughts:

What I'm glad they didn't include:
1. The scene in the jail when Jack pulls his gun on Will. I think it would have overdone the "opportune moment" line.
2. When the two pirates are watching Elizabeth put on the dress and the one pirate's eye comes out and he chases it. They didn't need to do that twice.

What I wish they'd left in:
1. The further explanation by Norrington about why he's going after Will and his questioning Elizabeth about her acceptance of his marriage proposal.
2. The "peas in a pod" scene between Jack and Elizabeth.

There was more, but that's all for now.

Stay tuned...

Due to technical difficulties, comments on the blooper reel and deleted scenes will be delayed until Friday. The movie was as great as always: Johnny Depp is brilliant and the special effects are second to none. It seems too good to be true that I can now watch this anytime I want...

Finally!!

The Pirates of the Caribbean DVD is here!!! The show, complete with rum (of course!), begins promptly at 6:30 (thanks, Sharon!). I'm especially looking forward to the deleted scenes and the blooper reel. In my humble opinion, more DVDs need to include blooper reels. Tune in tomorrow for reactions...