The Never Ending Story

Last week my mother reminded me about a movie I loved when I was a child. Last night, while digging through my parents' old VHS tapes, my sister and I found a bootleg copy of the movie. We could not resist and spent the next two hours reliving an aspect of our youth as we watched the Never Ending Story.
Even thought this film was produced in 1984 it really was ahead of its time in many ways and I think it is particularly appropriate in the recent context of fantasy movies like Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia. The Never Ending Story tells of a fantasy land Named Fantasia. You may think that name sounds familiar. Remember the American Idol turned R&B pop star named Fantasia? Want to guess when she was born? No need to look, I already did: 1984 (just after the German release but weeks before the American release of this flick).

In the movie the mystical land of Fantasia is disappearing in parallel to the decline of imagination in the real world. A boy reads a book aptly titled The Never Ending Story which chronicles the happenings in Fantasia. The boy gradually learns that his own imagination and participation is necessary to save Fantasia. It is a cute story with a flying luck dragon (see image above), a giant rockbiter, a childlike empress, a warrior hero named Atreyu, and more. Have I sparked your interest? Well here is the 1984 trailer for the film:

Plus, the movie theme song is awesome. Just watch the associated music video released by the artist named Limahl (I'm guessing he is German). Youtube disabled the embed option so you have to click on the link if you want to see it. Try to keep the laughter to a minimum. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MccmHwA-c4U

The best part is that you too can own this movie for less than $10. Isn't the internet wonderful?

26 Days Until Daddy

This morning found us at one of Abby's favorite places--the Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale. Natalie came along with Abby and I and we had so much fun. We began our morning on the train--Abby's favorite. She was obviously very excited to see the train!

While we were on the train we realized we all had the same shoes on so we took a picture.
We were also teaching Abby how to pose!
Mommy and Abby on the train.
Since Abby was misbehaving she spent a little time in the jail at the park (just kidding)!
We also had a picnic where we could sit and watch the train, and then we played on the toys. Abby is so strong!
When we arrived home from the park my computer had some major issues and I want to thank Matt for his patience on the phone as we tried to figure
things out. After quite a few hours of frustration
my computer seems back to normal.

This evening I turned on the TV for a moment while Abby got dressed from her bath and we saw the national championship women's gymnastics competition. Anyone that knows Abby is aware of her inability to hold still very long. When she saw the gymnastics she just sat spellbound on my lap. I've been looking for a place where Abby could take gymnastics when we get to Bakersfield--now I really want to. I asked her, "Do you want to do gymnastics" and she said very enthusiastically, "Yes!"
I would love to watch her do gymnastics!

Landscape Plan

I did the walk through on the new house the other day. There were not too many surprises, but one caught me off guard. Apparently, the Home Owners Association has a policy that requires owners landscape thier backyard within 180 days (six months) of buying the home. So it looks like my Christmas break from teaching will be busy. Additionally, I am required to present a plan to the HOA for any changes I intend to make. So, below is my drawing of what I hope to do (Jen has not yet seen and approved). Keep in mind my picture is upside down, so North is at the bottom and South at the top, East on the left and West on the right (for those like my granny who need to know where the sun will be at all times). Click on the image to enlarge it.

On the right I think we should pour cement to make a good utility entrance from the gate to the backyard. We can then store trash cans there or whatever. Entering the yard from the sliding glass door between the kitchen and family room you step out onto a cobble stone patio that follows most of the perimeter of the home. Directly ahead there is grass, lined by crushed rock so as to make mowing the lawn easier and to bring the whole yard together since the pond is also encircled by crushed rock that should be fine enough to walk on. There is mulch and shrubs between the crushed rock and grass, and on the other side of the crushed rock there is the pond complete with a waterfall that conceals a shed for outdoor toys or whatever else. The bridge and small gazebo adds a little more class to the pond, and on the other side of the pond would be a play area with little rubber pellets or something that is durable to play and fall on. We'll put in some prefabricated play set there. If you are sitting in the family room or working in the kitchen your line of view through the sliding glass door and windows goes directly to the gazebo, pond, and waterfall. On the other side of the yard we'll put in a raised garden, about three feet high to make it easier to maintain. It will be simple and small but nice to have. Below that there is a chunk of land I'm not too sure about. The AC sits there and right now I'm thinking we'll just hide lawn equipment back there underneath a low hanging extending awning to cast some shade/protection for the equipment. I'm not totally sold on that yet and don't know exactly what to do with that part of the yard. I'm soliciting suggestions here (add a comment below).

Matt's 16th B-Day Party

As you may recall, not too long ago I posted two video clips from Jen's high school years. In the spirit of equality I told Jen that I would digitize and post a clip from the only video that exists of me during my high school years. Below is a three minute clip from a surprise party for my 16th birthday (1994). I'm the lanky tall kid with really ugly glasses and poofy hair. In my defense, I should point out, I'm also the guy with lots of girls hanging around (and the video reminds me of the weird girl who would not leave me alone the whole night--you will see).

Note: When I converted this down to a size that youtube would accept the video and audio got off a little. Fear not, my original is correct.



For anyone twisted enough to want to watch the full ten minutes (perhaps an old high school friend looking for your ten seconds of fame) you can watch the full video on youtube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dTftvpCy5w