I worked my ass off today – processed more than 1/2 a job. That’s damn good. And made some decisions about my business. But mostly I worked. I work from home when I’m not out on a job and there are LOTS of distractions. But one thing I always do is keep the TV off in the mornings until 1 PM when Days of Our Lives comes on. Cool fact: I have cable TV on my computer. Georgie bought this thing – don’t ask me what it is – but it splits the cable coming into our cable modem and we have TV on the computer. Regular TV. So I can process pictures and have the soaps on in the background. I turned the TV off though around 2:30 and didn’t turn it back on until closer to 5 and then I started flipping around the channels. I hit on a GOLDMINE and almost bought this: The Time Life Collection of Classic Soft Rock! OH MY GOD the memories! I’m old enough that I remember listening to Wizard 100 in Philly – THE AM station when FM was like all alternative and no one I knew listened to it. I go crazy, when I look in your eyes I still go crazy…. Georgie always makes fun of me that I LOVE those ’70s Soft Rock Ballads. I wanna kiss you all over and over again…. I swear the commercial was on for like 20 minutes. I was thisclose to buying the whole damn thing. But luckily, after I sang her like 100 of the 168 songs in the 10 cd set, Ann talked me down and I didn’t buy it. Fool if you think it’s over ‘Cos you said goodbye…. [PS – If you’re like Georgie and can’t stand the soft rock, check out Vicki’s post today – and you can wash this post right out of your hair!]
Speaking of TV – can I tell you something completely AWFUL I keep seeing and throwing up a little bit in my mouth every time? A couple of weeks ago I was talking about favorite childhood books and one of the ones I had almost forgotten about was Bridge To Terabithia by Katharine Patterson. I LOVED this book. Read it many times. And while I don’t remember my siblings reading other books, this one I KNOW we all read. In fact, my brother was known to disappear some afternoons and when my mother would ask where he went, he would tell her Terabithia. This book is ALL about imagination. That’s why every time I see a commercial for the movie they’ve made of it, I cringe and close my eyes and cover my ears. It’s so horribly awful, I can’t bear it. Please please please! If you love your children, DON’T SEE THIS MOVIE! I know that sounds kind of harsh – maybe it’s the best movie ever made (but I doubt it given the animated monsters in the previews.) Instead, PLEASE READ THE BOOK. Thank you very much. By the way, I’ve started The Westing Game again and I LOVE IT all over again. Rant over.
I decided what to do with CPH:
I’m doing the back and fronts separately. I’m planning on trying to do short row shoulders instead of the bind off called for by the pattern. Also, I’m thinking that once I’m done the fronts and back I’m going to seam the shoulders and do the hood and button bands before the sleeves. This way, if I don’t finish it before I go away I can knit the sleeves on the plane. This is the plan. Although you know what they say about plans.
I’m just about done working for the day and then I’m taking to bed to watch my tivo’d General Hospitals and Another Worlds and knit my cozy hoodie. Have a great weekend!
I am SO with you on the Bridge to Terabithia thing. And how much do you want to bet that they’ll either a) cheapen the ending, or b) make the ending happy?
Oh, I am *so* glad I am not the only one having fits about that movie. I loved that book as a kid, and I am so annoyed that they have done this to it; the whole point of the book was never about special effects and monsters and fairies; it was about two kids learning how to use their imagination.
And by the way, I love The Westing Game. I still have a battered old copy that I pull out and re-read every few years.
I know what you mean about Bridge to Terabithia. It’s one of my favorite books ever and I got really angry when I saw the preview for it. I did read some things (on the imdb message boards, I think) that said that the preview is misleading and the film IS about the friendship. I don’t know. I know that I’m going to end up seeing it either way because I can’t resist.
I was about to say the exact same thing as Diana did: “I am SO with you on the Bridge to Terabithia thing.” I wondered the same thing about the ending too. I was happy (at first) to hear it was being made into a movie… until I saw the previews…
i thought the same thing when i saw those previews! it’s my favorite childhood book, and it made me so sad to see how they had handled the story. i will not be going to see it.
I LOVE that infomercial!!! When we were in Cape May (NJ) last October, my husband and I stayed up way past our bedtime singing along with all the songs–Chris loves all that music, too (even though he’s 9 years younger than me!). I was a little worried about annoying the people in the next room (with our rousing rendition of “Open Arms”), but in the morning we found out those lovely ladies had been watching baseball and were worried about keeping US awake 🙂
My heart dies a little more every time I see the Bridge to Terabithia commercials. I remember a friend mentioned that book once last year and it turns out, every woman I know has read that book. But yet, I never once spoke about it to anyone my entire childhood.
I wish you could have been here the first time my kids saw the BtoT movie commercial. Outrage as only teenagers can express it.
Why is it that they feel the need to take a perfectly good book and turn it into a horrible movie that is a complete let down? It is so aggrivating.
The hoodie is coming along nicely. Keeping my fingers crossed that your plans will come together.
I’m not sure how long it’s been since I told you I LOVE YOU.
I am now going to annoy the crap out of my husband by singing the other 60 songs. Also, I have to order Bridge to Terabithia because my copy was a long-term loan from the library and I never had my own. I just, you know, kept renewing. Every two weeks for about five years. 🙂
Just thought I’d “delurk” to tell you I totally agree about the “Bridge to Terebithia” thing. I’m not sure where they get all the crap for all those fantasy creatures but its not in the book I love!
I didn’t read Bridge to Terabithia as a child, but I did read it this past summer for my Grief and Loss class. I was really confused by the first commercial, and thought, “What? That stuff isn’t in Bridge to Terabithia.” I have no plans to go see the movie, but I do think it’s a great book.
I feel the same way when I see those previews…I didn’t even recognize the book from the preview, but when they said the name, I was bummed that they made it into a movie. Some things are best left to the imagination.
I had never even heard of Bridge to Terabithia until I heard that there was to be a movie about it. My son’s teacher wants the class to get together on a Saturday to watch the movie. He’s reading the book first and we will probably miss the movie outing. You are making me happier that we will just read the book!
As much as I love the Lord of the Rings movies, I still say that the books are better and I don’t want my son to watch those movies until he has read all the books.
ohhhh GH. I am SO behind…
I adore the Westing Game! Have you ever read anything by
Zilpha Keatley Snyder?
She’s amazing. I remember reading her books (The Velvet Room, The Headless Cupid) around the same time I discovered the Westing Game and From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler..damn you’ve sent me down library lane of memories! 🙂
Bridge to Terabithia is one of my favorite childhood books as well, and I still have my copy from 6th grade. I was really surprised (in a bad way) by the commercials too.
Congrats on your productive day!
Oh, that Beaverslide looks beautiful. I wish I could reach out and run my fingers along those cables.
I think I’m wandering with Lynn down that library memory lane. I LOVED those books. The Westing Game, though, that one seriously shaped my personality. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a movie based on a book that was as good as the book–Different and good, sometimes, but never as good. And so many of the best kids books are getting worked over by the Disney machine these days. Tsk. Don’t worry, this is one mom whose kids will have to grow up, get jobs and earn the money to watch those movies in their own homes if they ever want to see them.
Oh god. I saw that they were making a movie for Bridge to Terebithia and I just about died. I remember reading it when I was in the third grade with a very vague understanding of what actually happened. When I reread it three years later (required reading for class) I cried! It was so beautiful…
In short, I can’t believe they’re making a movie out of this. Just about makes me want to hurl.
Love your blog. Excellent 101+ things–they oddly work so well as to make me feel as if I actually sorta know you.
No wonder you dropped out of grad school–existentialism can suck the life out of a person. Although, I must admit, I am a big fan of Sartrean Existentialism–his theories, not his novels (and a bit of Nietzsche’s nihilism). But I am an agnostic/sometimes atheist so I never took that “leap of faith” that might redeem existentialism and put some of the life back into the reader of philosophy.
Have a splendid day! Or rather, as an existentialist might say. Take responsibility for making your day as splendid as possible, but beware that you can’t control the world. Nah! Just have a splendid day instead!
Bridge to Terabithia and the Westing Game were two of my childhood favorites, too.
I couldn’t ever bring myself to see a movie of the former, for the reasons you mentioned. It’s way too ingrained both in my imagination and in my emotions. It exists in my head, and damn it, they’re not allowed to pull things from my head to make a movie! (And let’s ignore the part where it exists in a book before it exists in my head. lalala! I’m not listening!)
The Westing Game, however, could be a great kid’s movie. If they did it correctly, which I suppose is asking a lot.
I love bridge to Terabithia too! I read it in fourth grade and it was one of the best books I’ve ever readl. I read part of it duing school and I burst in to tears when Leslie died! This movie looks awful. I’m not going to see it.
i TOTALLY agree about bridge to terebithia- everytime i see the preview commercial, i yell out, ‘they are SPITTING on my childhood!’ my fiance informs me that it was adapted for the screen by the same people who did the narnia movie last year- so. they again ruin a childhood classic.
I was so horrified when I saw that preview. My teacher read that book to us when I was in the fourth grade. I remember that especially because it was the first book we had read in school with cuss words in it (she had to explain “bitched” to us in context). I hope it flops horribly and is quickly forgotten.
I love those Time Life music collection infomercials!! Actually, I’ve been a sucker for those compilation recordings as far back as when one of the media options was 8-track. ; ) I never had an 8-track player, myself, I was a cassette girl all the way (they’re so much more ladylike). The genre hardly even matters!!
Your sweaters looks so wonderfully squooshy.
Now I must get both of those books. I remember hearing a lot about Bridge to Terebithia when I was in grade 5 or 6, but I’m not sure I’d ever heard of Westing Game.
And by the way, God bless Ann for talking you out of that Time Life collection from the 70’s. It’s better this way. Really.
I absolutely LOVE soft rock! I have to get this collection!
I’m with you on the movie. I was horrified when I saw the previews, and I’m afraid they’re going to change the ending.
On the other hand, I might need a new 10 CD collection…
My husband has had to talk me out of ordering those CDs a gazillion times. I sing every single song of the commercial as they play them too! Tee hee.
I guess I need to go out and get Bridge to Terabithia as I never read it as a child. I think I shall read it to my 10 year old or maybe he can read it to me!
That was some good music! Gorgeous sweater!
My 12-year-old daughter informed me that she would definitely NOT be seeing the Terabithia movie because “it won’t be right, the way it is in my head.” I’m so proud.
It’s the disneyfication of all children’s literature, and it’s all pure crap (even if it’s not made by Disn*y itself).
Love your sweater. Those cables are gorgeous as is the color.
I too would love to have that compilation, but “5 easy payments of $29.95”? I think not. It’s not worth $150.
CPH is drool-on-able (is that a word? of course, I just typed it).
Like you, I love Bridge to Terabithia. I plan on skipping the movie with my kids. The times we’ve read books and then seen the movies afterward, my kids always tell me, “The book was waaaaay better.” At 10 and 7, they already know the value of a great book.
I totally agree about Bridge to Terabithia. My family thinks that I’m nuts because I keep complaining about the commercials. They just don’t get the memories I have of reading it and crying during silent reading in class. I LOVED that book and they are definitely spoiling it because it was so NOT about monsters. It was about imagination.
We read “Bridge to Terabithia” back in middle school and my teacher instructed us to read in class and to stop at the end of the chapter. Because I read faster than the others I blew through the section and kept on reading. I started CRYING in class and looked up when my teacher asked me what was wrong only to see everybody staring back at me and all I could say was “She died!” I sort of ruined it for everybody, but come on my teacher should have warned us. Geesh.
My boss got that Time Life compilation for Christmas and we’ve been listening to it in the office for nonstop for the past month. It’s good!
Wow. I need tv on my computer. I need to be less productive. Heh..
Something good to have on in the background: Current TV. It’s on digital cable, but the website is current.tv. It’s Al Gore’s television network, but they basically cover a whole range of stories from all viewpoints. All. Day. Long. It is addictive.
Thanks for the tip on Bridge to Terebithia-I don’t think my daughter, who is a voracious reader has read that!
If the Soft Rock Collection infomercial you watched was hosted by the now gray haired dudes from Air Supply, then I was as captivated as you. I have never watched an infomerical for more than 10 seconds, but I watched the entire 30 minutes of soft rock hit highlights and laughed and sang along. Thing is, I hated most of these songs in the 70s and 80s. Now, I can’t help but love them. I was so tempted to start dialing and buy this collection, but my husband reminded me of my own rule never to buy anything you saw on a cheesy TV infomercial (includes ginsu knives and oxy clean). By the way, CPH is looking great!
I got the Westing Game from the library after seeing you mention it. I remember reading it and enjoying it. I agree about books. Although my kids do sometimes see the movies that have been made from the books, I read the books with them first and plan when they are older to make them read the book first. And we talk about the differences.
I loved my experience with Beaverslide, too. The cables really pop out. I will add this book to my long list of “wanna read” books.
What’s up with Sonny and Carly? I haven’t seen the show in three years.
F*ck, f*ckety f*ck. And I thought I was just coming out of my cocoon. Now this? Back in I go. I’m with you- I can cry just thinking about that last scene where Jesse holds up his little sister and asks her doesn’t she see the Terabithians all waiting to catch a glimpse of their new queen. I wanted to name my son Jesse because I love that book so much (I lost that fight). And you know what bites for me professionally? Now all the kids will go see this and they won’t want to read the book, because they’ll think they “already know what happens.” They did it to Tuck Everlasting- RUINED it for teachers everywhere. Off to burrow under the blankets again.
I’m like that for 60’s rock. Get all dreamy eyed, forget what I am doing and order the “best of”. Just can’t help myself.
ohhh… thank you for reminding me about bridge to terebithia!! this was one of my old favorites too and i had, like you, almost forgotten it.
i re-read the westing game a couple of years ago after stumbling upon a copy at a friends of the library sale. good stuff.
I’ve read Bridge to Terabithia at least 20 times. I remember the first time when I stayed in from recess to finish it and my teacher stayed with me because she knew I’d need comforting (I still cry when I read it). It is the only book I read in elementary school that I’ve gone back to read every couple of years as an adult.
I’m really hoping that the movie is just poorly advertised. The book is about imagination and friendship and I really hope the movie captures that better than they show in the previews. I’m going to go see it anyway though.
Ungh. I saw that Bridge to Terabithia commercial today and it DOES look like the worst movie ever. I loved that book too!
I TOTALLY forgot about the Westing Game… but my son (who has read Bridge to Terabithia) is already clamoring for the movie so I may get sucked into it … want a report if I end up seeing it against my will?
I don’t know anything about fixing messed up cables, but I LOVED Bridge to Terebithia, and that commercial makes my eyes hurt. I know that movies can never be as good as a book, especially one you grow up with and love and have all imagined in your head, but that one looks especially bad. I thought Chronicles of Narnia was pretty good, but I can’t even imagine watching the movie version of A Wrinkle in Time, mostly because I already know what it should look like in my head, and no movie could match it.
Cara, thank you SOO much for reminding me about ‘Bridge to Terabithia’! It was one of my absolute favourites as a young adolescent – I have beautiful memories of reading it in Year 8 as a pre-teen, and I read most of it out loud in the class (I love reading out loud, and much of the rest of the class didn’t!!). It will go on my list of books to get for my kids as they’re growing – now I’ll have to find a copy and re-read it for myself. Thank you again Cara.
I am a huge fa nof Bridge to Terabithia the book. I just saw the movie even though I was scared they would ruin it. To tell you the truth they didn’t! Sure they added soem computer animation to flesh out the imaginary parts, but they didn’t cheapen the ending. In fact, a lot of the ending scenes have word for word dalogue of the book. It was worth seeing.