The Hobbit

We went to see The Hobbit yesterday. I have some vacation days I have to take or lose, so naturally, not being a workaholic, I'm enjoying a few days of not providing customer service! "The Hobbit" was my first foray into the world of Fantasy/Sci-Fi. I was in 7th grade and my Social Studies teacher was a big fan who was excited about the Rankin/Bass cartoon TV broadcast and encouraged us to watch it. I did, then read the book. I followed that with "The Lord of the Rings", and immediately, upon finishing, re-read it. (I was only 13, after-all, and some of it didn't make sense to me until I read it the second time!) I've been excited about seeing this film and very curious to see Martin Freeman as Bilbo. I love him as Arther Dent and John Watson, but this is such a different character. He didn't disappoint! When you love a book as much as I have loved these books it makes one a bit nervous to see what someone else's vision is going to be. I think one thing I  passionately hoped would be included in the movie was the opening line of the book--"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit." Not only was it included, but Jackson included the first whole paragraph. I was ecstatic! The movie is almost 3 hours long. And there are two more episodes to go--that's alot of material for what is essentially a kids book! I knew, just from seeing "The Lord of the Rings" that Jackson would pad it out with back-ground info--stuff not from this particular book, but from the indexes and The Silmarillion. Some is inferred--stuff Tolkien mentioned but never actually wrote about. I had read so much about  how the 3D version was "like riding a roller coaster" but decided to pay the extra and see it in 3D. I'm so glad we did. Maybe, if we had seen it in a bigger theater with more advanced equipment we would have experienced the vertigo that had been mentioned  but we didn't experience any of that. The background shots were breath-taking. I will say the only thing I might criticize is what I found to be an overuse of CGed goblins. I think Jackson's use of costumed actors in the LOTR movies was better. I find the use of too much CG distracting. I hate to have to wait a year to see the next chapter, but at the same time I've missed having Harry Potter to look forward to in mid-winter. Now, at least for the next two years, I have a movie to look forward to again!

Morning Coffee

I fully expected young Jinx to be in the middle of things as we opened gifts Christmas morning, but he sat behind us, eyes wide, and just watched. On the other hand, Fat Cat, our resident old man, sat right in the middle of things and didn't budge. We traditionally open half the presents, have breakfast and come back and finish. He stayed the whole time. I think he's just very glad the daughter is home!

Go AVON!

I sell Avon. I have for over 20 years. I like the products, I like the Company. I found this article today and I like the Company even more! In addition, they do no animal testing, they contribute money to several worthy causes--Breast Cancer Crusade and Speak Out Against Domestic Violence are two examples. They support Go Green initiatives.  It makes me feel good to know we share the same values. 

"For the second year in a row, Avon Products, Inc. has been named one of the “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality” according to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2013 Corporate Equality Index (CEI).  CEI is the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees." For the rest of the article, go to the Company's Avon Blog.

Morning Coffee

This is what I got up to. I don't like cats on the cabinets, but since they rule the house, I don't often get my way. They are, indeed, so not scared of me that I had time to walk into the other room and get the camera and they didn't move. I swear, they waited! Why, may you ask, aren't they scared of me? Because my husband spoils them more than I scare them. sigh

Morning Coffee

Jinx, our perpetual kitten, is having the time of his life! Even though this is his 4th Christmas with us, he seems much more interested in what we are doing this year. While we were putting up decorations, he was right there. While we were wrapping gifts, he was right in the middle of things, "helping". Every bag has to be explored. Every box has to be sat in. Christmas morning is going to be fun. It's like having a young child in the house again!

Grumpy Morning Coffee

I haven't spent much time at the computer the last couple of weeks because I'm trying to get caught up on life stuff (cleaning, baking, decorating, a couple of vendor shows, etc.). But I'm taking a moment to say I'm still here, just not here!

My husband was showing me Grumpy Cat pictures last week. I guess I hadn't noticed him, but now I see him everywhere! (what can I say... I'm easily amused!)