True Blood vs. Sookie Stackhouse Novels

I will admit I was one of the many that was drawn into Charlaine Harris's books through the first season of True Blood.  I was an avid watcher until last Sunday.  I think I might actually be giving the show up, yes that's right  my guilty pleasure is no longer.

If you like the show and are slightly (or more so) confused by the story line, please pick up the books.  Charlaine Harris has written 10 books in the series.  At first the show was following the series, the first season was based on the first book.  Which made me totally love the series and the books.  I read every book I could get my hands on and then pre-ordered the rest.

Then season 2 happened.  I am not really sure where that came from and I am beginning to think that the director has only read the dust jacket and looked at the pretty sparkly pictures on the covers of each book, before writing the season.  The show has added story lines that are not needed (and quite frankly were just terrible), killed characters that are needed for later in the story arch, disregarded important relationships and expanded characters that are not needed.

Basically if you love the show, try the books and you will be hooked on these beach reads.  They are just a guilty pleasure featuring lots of intimate relationships with the supernatural and fights with the same.

Machete

I love over the top action flicks.  Machete is absolutely that kind of film.  Severed heads and blood everywhere.  This film is not for the faint of heart.  Danny Trejo is amazing as an ex-Federale who after immigrating to the United States seeks revenge against those who destroyed his family.

Just in case you don't know the background, this movie was created by Robert Rodriguez, who wrote Grindhouse.  In the movie Grindhouse a trailer for Machete is shown.  Fans of Grindhouse were clamoring for the movie Machete to actually be made, and well it is here in all its B-movie glory.

Even though this movie has a slightly political agenda you needs to leave your brain at the door to enjoy it. There is blood and guts in almost every scene, as well as a star studded cast.  Danny Trejo is my hero!

If you love a manly, bloody, often funny movie go for it.  and remember "Machete doesn't text!"

Jenny Jump State Forest

Myself, my brother and a group of friends decided to camp locally over the weekend.  We choose Jenny Jump State Forest.  This state park is approximately 2 hours from Manhattan.  It features panoramic views of the Highlands and the Kittatinny Mountains atop Jenny Jump mountain.  The park has eleven miles of hiking trails.

The campgrounds come in two sizes, family (6 people, 2 cars, $20 a night) and group (20-45 people, $25 a night).  You can camp from April 1st till October 31st.  Each site is within walking distance of composting toilets and showers.  There are also fire rings and picnic tables at each site.  If you are a fisherman you can fish in your choice of two lakes and a brook.

The drawbacks to this park are few.  Alcohol is prohibited since it is a state park, so if you like a frosty beverage in your hand while tending the fire think again.  Pet are also prohibited in overnight stays so leave the pup at home.  The quiet hours start at 10 and sound travels far, therefore make sure you are quiet before then otherwise you will be visited by a park ranger.

Jenny Jump Information

Flip Camera

My mother decided to buy the Flip Camera for my brother's trip to the Dominican Republic.  He and I used it on our vacations.  The Flip Camera is easy to use and produces amazing HD video.  I will admit I was a little quick with the panning and my brother was a little jumpy.  I think that all cameras take some getting used to, but the results are amazing.

You can check it out on their home page.

My only complaints are that the camera only charges through your laptop.   As well as every time you erase what is in the camera it starts naming the videos with 00001 again.  Therefore as soon as you download the videos you must name them, otherwise they will be replaced by the new one each time.

Colosseum & Roman Forum

At the bottom of the pic you can see the line.

When visiting Rome of course you want to see everything there is to see.  However the long lines might deter you from entering, or they may make you miss something that you also wanted to see.  Here is a quick tip that can save you from hours standing on line.

The Colosseum and the Roman Forum are right next to each other.  The line of the Colosseum is normally wrapped around the colonnade and out in the blistering sun.  However the entrance to the forum seems to be a little less crazy.  Go and buy your ticket at the Forum!  The tickets are good for two days and include the Forum, Palatine Hill and the Colosseum.







The only thing that is a little confusing is how to use that pre-purchased ticket to by pass the line at the Colosseum.  The line you see is to buy the tickets.  Take your ticket and walk on the left side of the line. This is where the pre-purchased and Roma Ticket holders go.

You completely skip the line and get to enjoy the ruins without ruining your day.

Back to School

So I am back from Italy and have much to share, but all that is on my mind is SCHOOL.  

What most people don't know is teachers are just as nervous as the children.  We start thinking about classroom set-up, supplies and the kids in the first week in August.  No matter when we can start setting up, we never feel that there is enough time.  There is always some sort of work that is done over the summer and we start almost from scratch every year.

We don't say I have work tomorrow, we say I have school tomorrow.  Therefore we suffer from the first day jitters every year.  Imagine having new co-workers (parents) and clients (the students) every year, and you might begin to see where the stress comes from.

So. . . . .If you know a teacher offer to give them a hand in anyway you can.  It will be appreciated as more than you can imagine.

Italia

I'll be traveling in Italy collecting lots of stuff to review.  So until then watch Monster Squad.