Fuzzybutt and Fizzgig

This morning when I happened to look outside my window, I saw a squirrel jutting across the street. Because a car was approaching he (she) ran her little legs off with it's tail swirling to help the momentum.
I chuckled to myself and thought, "fuzzybutt"..
The instant that word came into my head I remembered another.. Fizzgig.
Anyone remember that name?
Fizzgig was a small creature from Jim Henson's mind, that popped up in a little movie called The Dark Crystal. For some reason, this little creature's name stuck in my head. (it seems that unimportant stuff sticks better then stuff I should remember!) I took the below information from IMDb.
The Dark Crystal is Jim Henson's crowning achievement. The movie was originally released in 1983, and was the first non-muppet movie produced by the puppeteering geniuses. It's about a wild and mystical world dominated by a race of powerful beings. Through their arrogance, they tried to purge themselves of all their bad intentions and evil desires. Instead of removing the darkness from their souls, the beings were split into two races. The evil and cruel Skeksis, and the gentle and kind Mystics. It was then that the Crystal cracked, and became dark. From that time a prophecy was foretold, that a gelfling would come and repair the damage that was made. The Skeksis seeing this as the end of their way of life, decided to kill all gelflings to prevent this from ever happening. Jen who is regarded as the final gelfling is sent to heal the Dark Crystal before the great conjunction. He meets many strange creatures, and people on his journey including Augra, the keeper of secrets. She gives Jen vital information about the Crystal, as well as the shard itself. While looking for the Skekies' castle Jen encounters Fizzgig, and his owner Kira, who is also a gelfling. Together, they go to end the turmoil of the world. It's a very epic film, but still close to the heart. As a side note, during the course of the entire movie, not a single human is ever seen.
And if you don't want to take my word for how great this movie is, Jim Henson is quoted by saying that this was his most prized creation ever. (Of course that was before he made the movie Labyrinth which may have topped it.)
The Dark Crystal was re-released in 1999 with the movie re-mastered, as well as a special section of the Making of the Dark Crystal, which contains plenty of information on the movie, as well special interviews, and behind the scenes filming. It's pretty darn cool.
Then I remembered reading some time ago about a sequel to Dark Crystal was being made so I checked into it... and I'm glad I did. It will be a while before we see it but then, at least it does have a release date.

Plot summary for
The Power of the Dark Crystal (2008)
Set hundreds of years after the first movie, the sequel follows a mysterious girl made of fire who steals a shard of the crystal in hopes of re igniting the dying sun. Release Date:May 2008 (USA)
At least that is something to look forward to.
I really have to stop looking in the web though. And especially Ebay! I have no idea why I even look there since I don't have Paypal, so I can't buy anything. But I do look... and I REALLY must stop!
The other day I mentioned trying to get hard back books to replace my old paperbacks that are turning brown. While in Ebay I came across some of those hard back books.. or course.. (I must do this to torture myself!)
One of the books just blew me away! Let me explain. The book "Belgarath the Sorcerer" by David Eddings (and Polgara.. by Eddings) were listed by a man in Australia. Nothing new right? The cover art was to die for! I couldn't take my eyes off of it! The price (so far) was only 8 dollars. For unexplained reasoning (remember I have no Paypal) I emailed him and asked how much the shipping to America would be. I received the response this morning and nearly dirtied my pants! 35.00 to ship the book!!! Hello?!..
Tearfully I emailed him back, he already knew that would be "out of the question", but I did ask him who the artist was. He kindly responded once again. His name is Geoff Taylor. If you like artwork on Fantasy Fiction books, click the link and have a look at this guys work.. it's really REALLY nice!

*sigh* so after my heart went back to normal I had to watch the same pair of books (with the American art work) get sold for only 26.00. What is is called when you self inflict pain on yourself?.. I really need to delete all my browsers!
Oh, and one last bit of information... they finally released a photo of the last Harry Potter book cover... thankfully, ... it's not all black!

So.. my day began with a simple squirrel running across the street! From "Fuzzybutt and Fizzgig" to "Deathly Hallows"... and to think... it's still only morning!
Oh!.. and I saw my first Robin today... guess that means Spring is officially here.
'Till next time....

Andy Serkis.. one more time.

Yesterday in my comments Asara Dragon wrote that she thought of me when she watched a cartoon movie called, "Flushed Away". She noticed that Andy Serkis was the voice of Spike, in the cartoon. (Andy was also the voice of Stingray, in the cartoon of the same name) I guess that means I've mentioned Andy one too many times ..heh.. oh well, one more time can't hurt.
IMDb shows Andy busy working right now. He portraying King Bothan on 'Heavenly Sword', a Playstation 3 title (King Andy! That's a bit all right, eh?!)
Also coming in June (18th) to PBS Andy has Simon Schama's Power of Art" where he portrays Vincent Van Gogh (1 episode, 2006)
And then he has these movies coming out this year and next...
Inkheart (2008) (post-production) .... Capricorn
Sugarhouse Lane (2007) (post-production) .... Hoodwink
Rendition (2007/II) (post-production) .... The Interrogator
I am happy that he's a busy man. I still have to get my hands on a copy of Prestige, since he had a part in that movie.
I found the two photo's below on the web. They must have been taken at a convention. When I saw them I was reminded that someone at the convention I was just at had a similar casting of Gollum that they had their photo taken with Andy of. It's really a neat looking statue, but I think I'd rather not have it sitting in my home looking at me all the time lol.

(Gollum sang as he caught a fish to eat)

The rock and pool,
is nice and cool,
so juicy sweet.

Our only wish,
to catch a fish,
so juicy sweet!



Right now I am eating my heart out because there is an Author Book Fair coming up in Los Angeles the end of April and Cornelia Funke will be one of the attending. I'd love her signature on my copy of Inkheart. Then of course I would try to see Andy Serkis again sometime when he's in back in the states to autograph it too as "Capricorn", the character he will play in the movie... I think that would be neat.
For anyone who reads John Scalazi's journal, you might want to know ahead of time that he will be at that fair also. I know he will mention it but for some who might have to travel to get there it's always good to know ahead of time.
Sometimes it's not so nice being able to find these things out on the computer and then not be able to go to them! ARGH!
'Till next time...

Busy, busy..

Yesterday was extra busy for me. A school friend of my brothers is dropping by today, so I had extra cleaning to do, on top of my normal stuff. It really takes it out on my lower back that is in pain all the time anyway. So when I was all caught up and came back to my room my mind was not on writing.

Since his visit is today, the "work" hasn't come to a halt yet. My brother informed me that he's coming about 8 am. (who the heck visits at 8 am?!) So I got up and have already dressed my brother and gotten him into his wheelchair. After my cup of Vienna I have to go down and make his bed. Let me tell you, that's a real joy with my back! Then I guess it would be a good idea if I got dressed huh?!

I've never been a person to get up and go. So things like this or getting to the airport for my trip are horrid. Even when I worked I would get up an hour and a half before time to leave, because I know I have to sit with the coffee for at least 1/2 hr and my back begins to get to the tolerable state. Then I get dressed for the day.

But I'm sure that's more than you need to know.

I finally got so down that I ordered another book from Amazon. I bought it from the individual sellers (used).. but it states it's it's new and never read, so even with shipping it was under 10.00 for a hard back. It's another young adults book by Cornelia Funke called Dragon Rider.

When I checked her name in Amazon I had found that she has written a number of Under 10 yr. old books before she started writing for young adults. It seems as if she is making her way up to adult books lol.. well, I sure wouldn't mind it if she did because she is a really super author. She's the first writer I've found in years that I truly enjoy so much that I know one day I will reread her books. And since these floaters in my left eye don't seem to be going away like I was told they would, hard back books are easier for me to read.

Most likely I will do more rereading then reading of new books this summer. A few I had (old) in paperback are actually being released in hard back. That's a first, as far as I know, I have never heard of books that originally were released in paper back got turned into hard backs. In this case, it's the original 6 books in Dragonlance series. So I will send for them at one or two a month until I have them all. My paperback versions have been moved at least twice, from Fla to Ca and CA to NJ and are turning pretty brown on the pages. (just another reason for hard backs.. they hold up better and longer)

But, in July... July will be a good month. I pre ordered the last Harry Potter book which comes out in July and pre ordered Dragons of Highlord Skies by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman.. the second in a trilogy. So that will be a good month!

I guess you could say I like Dragons huh? Well I do.. but mostly I like a really good character... or two or three.

Ok, enough of that...

Did anyone watch the first elimination on Dancing With The Stars last night? It's always so sad when someone is eliminated. You can tell that learning something so new and challenging is enjoyable to them, so it's a real downer to have to leave. But, I guess it's onward and upward.. I do enjoy watching them, there are a few really good dancers right off the bat, which is unusual. Tell me your favorite, if you have one yet.

'tell next time....

Forward..

I never forward jokes... but this cracked me up.

A Spanish teacher was explaining to her class that in Spanish, unlike English, nouns are designated as either masculine or feminine.

"House" for instance, is feminine: "la casa."

"Pencil," however, is masculine: "el lapiz."

A student asked,

"What gender is 'computer'?"

Instead of giving the answer, the teacher split the class into two groups,

male and female, and asked them to decide for themselves whether
"computer" should be a masculine or a feminine noun.

Each group was asked to give four reasons for its recommendation.

The men's group decided that "computer" should definitely be of the feminine gender ("la computadora"), because:

1. No one but their creator understands their internal logic;

2. The native language they use to communicate with other computers is incomprehensible to everyone else;

3. Even the smallest mistakes are stored in long term memory for possible later retrieval; and

4. As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending half your paycheck on accessories for it.

( THIS GETS BETTER !)

The women' s group, however, concluded that computers should be Masculine ("el computador"), because:

1. In order to do anything with them, you have to turn them on;

2. They have a lot of data but still can't think for themselves;

3. They are supposed to help you solve problems, but half the time they ARE the problem; and

4. As soon as you commit to one, you realize that if you had waited a little longer, you could have gotten a better model.

The women won

Just another day....

Your Movie Buff Quotient: 72%

You are a total movie buff. Classics, blockbusters, indie favorites... you've seen most of them. Your friends know to come to you whenever they need a few good DVD rental suggestions.

Are You a Movie Buff?

Only 72%?? sheesh.. I need to see more movies!

Meanwhile, I did finish reading Thief Lord, ... She (Cornelia Funke) is such a good writer! The book is for kids but it was enjoyable anyway.

So I went crazy all weekend without anything to read. When David is home and I "could" get out, say to a book store, I have no way to get there. I don't drive and David can't drive me because then my brother would be alone, and he can't be left alone. The closest Barnes and Noble is 20 minutes away, so to even be dropped off would mean a 40 minute round trip.. no can do. It frustrated me all weekend.

Oh yes, I did consider a taxi.. but that would be at least 25.00 each way. I could get 2 hard back books for that!.... sigh.

Maybe how I feel is also coming down from the trip. I just know I'm having a hard time even thinking of what to write about for this journal. I seem to be in automation mode. Just doing what I have to without thinking at all. Sure hope this passes soon.

I chatted in IM a bit with a man who read my stories that I wrote (as I wrote them.. poor fellow lol) a long time ago. He asked if I was ever going to write more. I had begun another "book" but never got past 2 chapters. A big part of what I wanted to write would have humor in it...and you have to feel humor to write humor. It's been gone for some time now. This is know, or I'd be writing!

It's been very strange for me for some time now. I really can't explain it even to myself, and can't seem to change it. It makes me wonder if this is how I will be from now on?? I hope not.

Well, there's always tomorrow right?...

'till next time....

Cornelia Funke...

If you noticed on my sidebar, "what I am reading", lists another book by Cornelia Funke. This book is also listed as "pre-teen". So why I picked it up, I have no idea! Well, ok.. I did have an idea... I knew I enjoyed her Inkheart and Inkspell books, although I'll admit they were listed as "young adults" and not "pre-teen".
I have to say that I enjoyed not just her other story but the ease and pleasure I had in reading it. So I picked this up when I found it on sale in hard back form. I am almost finished with the book, reading it very slowly because once again I will be out of hard back books for the moment.
I will agree this is a good book for pre-teens. No.. make that an excellent book for a pre-teen.
Generally speaking I read almost nothing but fantasy books, with an occasional biography tossed in. So this story of a group of kids (most runaways) living in Venice and surviving by stealing doesn't sound like my cup of tea at all.
I'm enjoying it.
Cornelia Funke has made it up there with young folks authors big time, as far as I am concerned. Not only that but this book "The Thief Lord" is already been made into a movie and out on DVD. Her book of Inkheart will follow next March, and since it is a trilogy I will assume we'll be hearing more of this very fine writer.

I looked up the DVD to see who was in it and I didn't know any of the names... but the story is so good I don't think it will matter much.
She's obviously made and impression to the movie makers since The Thief Lord, since the next movie from her books, Inkheart, will have some major actors and actresses, such as Brendon Frazier, (the Queen herself) Helen Mirren, and Andy Serkis. My guess would be that they expect Inkheart to have a good following. It should! The books are great!
Having said all of this, last night as I lay waiting to fall asleep, I was thinking of the Inkheart movie and realized it has been made by New Line Cinema. They also put out LOTR. That alone, gives kudos to the fact that they are jumping right in with both feet to the fact that although "Fantasy" doesn't much win Oscars (except for special effects).. that they DO make plenty of money!
So, I applaud New Line Cinema for taking a leap of faith.
It's a rainy day here in NJ today... so maybe I will go and read a bit more of Thief Lord.. I hope you enjoy your day.

'Till Next time....

Just a few thoughts..

In case you can't see for yourself... I am having troubles "leaving California behind".
Being there again reminded me of when I lived there. I worked for an Insurance Company located in a bank building right on the corner of Ventura Blvd and Sepulveda in Sherman Oaks.
It was pretty much a focal point in Sherman Oaks as right at that corner was also an exit from the Freeway, so there was always a lot of traffic. It was also across from the Sherman Oaks Galleria (mall), where I went to eat now and then in the food court.
Anyway.. living in Sherman Oaks you never knew who you'd see going about their business. DeForest always did the food shopping for he and Carolyn and did the banking etc, so he was seen doing all his errands.
A few others I remember seeing were: Dan Haggerty, who I found sitting in our building court yard during lunch one day (I've always been in love with his beard!) and Mike Farrel was in our building once or twice. (gawd, talk about the greatest smile you could ever see! That's the one who I'd pick for the Oscar of greatest smile
Tristen Rogers (Scorpio/ General Hospital) I saw now and then going in and out of our building.. and Kirsty Kirstie?) Alley I ran into in a pet store. Though she looked a might different with no makeup ..heh. I guess we can all say the same thing (woman that is).

What was the nicest was that no one bothered the actors whenever they were out and about... you were just used to the idea that you never knew who you'd see or run in to. And anyone who was a celebrity, if they noticed that you noticed who they were, always responded with nice smiles to you... somehow it felt like seeing an old friend.
Going back to the area where i once lived sure pulled at my heart strings. I did so love it there, but feared it too... just because the quake I went thru was a nasty one and I thought I was about to die... so I have a healthy or unhealthy fear of them. Whatever, I still miss San Fernando Valley, the friends I made, the people I knew.
It would seem the return trip made me feel like it did when I had to leave the first time.
Ah well... eventually things will be normal inside me again.
On a last good note: my letter is mailed off to Andy Serkis. I expect no response, since I didn't ask for anything from him, like an autograph. I hope he reads it, but I know it's one of those things I will never know for sure.
As for today?.......... a leak under the sink kept me with a plummer for over 3 hours today. .. Just glad I'm not the one that will get the bill!
And how was your day?
' Till next time...

Tidbits...

I know I haven't posted in a few days.. I think for the most part I've fallen into a funk because I am back to my normal routine. I'm still not caught up on all the journals/ blogs I read either..sigh. And the letter I am writing to Andy Serkis isn't what I want it to be yet... seems like I'm really not with it yet.
Aside from that...
Did anyone see Dancing With the Stars last night? It's the only reality show I watch. I thought their 2 hrs starter show went pretty well. Some surprises and some not so ...
I was surprised at how well John Ratzenberger did! I think he'll be around for a few shows. No, I don't think he'll win... but he is good enough to last at least a few shows.
I think I've already picked the first few to leave the show lol.. I'll tell you my choices on those and then watch to see if I guessed right. I think Clyde Drexler, Billy Ray Cyrus (cutie but not such a good dancer) and Leeza Gibbons might be among the first to go.

Joey Fatone was very good.. and I think he'll improve as time goes by (and he looses a bit of weight). Of course I like Apolo Ohno too, but not sure he has the best instructor. I think he'll be there a while though. All in all.. it's a good group. So if you watched it let me know who you think will be the ones to go. (it's too hard to choose a winner yet... they all improve so much there's just no telling until near the end).
Oh, for anyone interested in Andy Serkis's career... On June 18th on PBS Andy has a segment where he plays Van Gogh. A non-villian! I hope I get to see this! I put that date on my aol calendar for an alert, since by June it will be no where in my memory! And the release date for Inkheart (movie) is next March.
...'till next time.

'Till next time....

Well.. it's finally here... this will be my last post until March 13th.. and even then I'm hoping my brain will function from the time difference and time change to write something that will be legible!

I still can't close up my carry on luggage until I pack what I need in the morning to get ready, such as my hair brush, toothbrush, makeup etc.. But I did get the printing of my ticket done this morning. I actually hate that.. for the price they charge for an airline ticket, I don't know why they darn well can't send me the ticket! Especially, I am thinking of when I come back and don't have access to a computer to do it and will have to do it at the airport.. I'm an old fart and don't like "first time" things like figuring out how to do that there... harrumph!

(I ran spell check on what I am writing just now.. did you know that "fart" isn't a word? lol and they don't have another word for it! lol)

I would ask a favor from ya'll ..while I'm gone.. cross your fingers for me that there are no earthquakes in LA while I'm there! (been there done that.. don't wanna do it again!)

I don't expect to be near a computer while I am there.. however... if I should get one in my hands I'll give a quick check in. Meanwhile, I better get my buns in gear and recharge the camera batteries and go over that list one more time, to be sure I didn't miss anything...

My next post (when I return) will be titled: There and Back Again! (yeah yeah I know, it's not exactly original... deal with it!)

'Till next time....

Just Rambling...

This will be yet another ramble.. nothing specific.

First: I'm almost done reading Sean Astin's book There and back Again. There's credit on the cover of someone who helped him write it, Joe Laden, but it reads quite like someone wrote verbatim, things that Sean said and thought out loud.

As some of you know I met Sean, though briefly, at a convention here in NJ. In person I found him to be very nice, a people person, cheerful and he didn't seem to have a ego problem like some actors do.

Reading this book of his, may have taken him down a peg in my feelings about him... but I'm not sure. Through most of his book it seems to me he says things and then goes about recanting what he said. One minute he would say something like, he didn't like how Peter Jackson did something, and the next paragraph he'd be praising how Peter was so good at everything he did.

It's like he complains about things and then says how great things are. I sure can't figure him out. And I don't know if it's because of how it's written, or what. It's just a very strange reading.

Anyway, I guess I'm glad to read it, but (sounding much like Sean himself) I don't know that I'd go so far as to recommend it to any one lol.

****************************************

Lessee... what else?

Oh, I mentioned in another post that I thought some folks should try writing a screen play for Angela Lansbury of Murder She Wrote.

My friend Kiyotoe might take up the challenge. One I would hope a few blogs that I read would do. Kiyotoe mentioned he'd need "my" help since he never saw a Murder She Wrote. Well... I am not good at observing certain things that may be important for something like this sooooooooo..... I did some searching around and gathered up some basic information for anyone wanting to try this. They can find information.. here. I would think there's much one needs to know to write a screen play,... but with my lousy memory and I don't pay attention to maybe the important details I would be of no help.. if that page doesn't help then... well, then only someone who was a fan of Murder She Wrote could possible write a 2 hour movie of one.

**************************************

Next: We had a bad rain storm here Thursday night.. but nothing as bad as the tornado that showed up down south! 19 kids died in their school when it hit before they could get away from it.

I was floored to hear on the news that in tornado statistics the normal is about 20 some tornados a season and it's jumped this past year to 71!! What the hell is going on anyway?

***********************************

On another note... did anyone see the new game show about Are you As Smart as a 5th Grader? lol.. it's hosted by Jeff Foxworthy (you might be a redneck if..) The show premiered a few days ago.. the funny thing is, the older we are, and the farther away from "school days" we are, things we thought we memorized have long since vanished into the mush part of our brains... and so... the 5th graders wind up smarter then the adults; who by the way are college graduates!

Even if you aren't into game shows, if you see this on you guide list.. do tune in and watch it.. just once! lol.. Unless you have one really fantastic memory you will laugh at yourself to find the 5th grader smarter then you!

****************************

And for the last tidbit..........

I don't know about anyone else but I was furious Thursday night!! I wait all week for Thursday night to watch Ugly Betty and Greys Anatomy... and what do they do? PUT ON REPEATS!! Not just one of them.. but BOTH! No warning at all! Just slam me with REPEATS! I really, really REALLY hate that!

I'm not thrilled when I KNOW it will be a repeat... but no warning really upset me... I soooooooooo wanted to see a new show for each of them! GRRrrrrrr.

Almost forgot.. one more last tidbit..heh.. there is to be a total eclipse of the moon tonite at sunset... SpaceWeather.com -- News and information about meteor showers, solar flares, auroras, and near-Earth asteroids

'Till next time....

Lists...

I have to laugh at myself.. either that or cry that my memory sucks anymore.
I go through my check list for my trip everyday and try to make sure that there's nothing I am forgetting.
Airline Ticket... check... print it out the day before
Hotel Reservation... check..keep confirmation number with me at all times.
Money for extra autographs... check.. set it aside from other money
Pack clothes... in process
Pack Books.. check
Pack camera... check
Pack money and photo ID ... in process
Pack list with phone numbers and addresses... check
Ok I went thru most of it once again, so I'm good until tomorrow..heh.
I get really scared that my memory is getting a bit worse and that I hope it's nothing permanent. My daily life for the past several years hasn't changed. I live my brother and David's life..with next to none of my own. (not a complaint) So I no longer think for myself and work things out on my own.. I simply "do".
A few years back a story I began to write got me hooked and I managed to keep my mind a bit sharper working on that... but still the many interruptions just got to the point where, once I had finished with 3 stories... the 4th wasn't happening in my head.
I try to read so that I have to concentrate, but a lot of that flies over my head now too. The actually concentration just doesn't seem to be there, or if it is it's not consistent.
I can discuss the name of someone in a movie downstairs with my brother, come up stairs with the idea of writing about this person and within the few minutes it takes me to climb 12 stairs and sit at my computer I can't come up with the name again! I wind up having to go to IMDb and type in a movie I know "said name" was in to remember it again... and that's totally terrifying. (you have no idea how many times, only recently, the name Angela Lansbury has left my head and all i can think of is "Jessica ...." this is a perfect example! Now I can't come up with Jessica's last name! And I KNOW I know it!)
This has happened to me for some time now. I used to be able to then go through the alphabet, one letter at a time, and eventually come up with the name... I can't always do that anymore... but having said that I just did it and came up with her last name Fletcher...
I realize some will say "oh that happens to me too".. but the deal is, that it's happening more and more to me and sometimes I get downright frightened by it.

And you thought I was kidding about my lists huh? heh... Trust me when I say that you do NOT want me as a partner for a game of Trivia!!
"Till next time..."