Of Na'vi and Knitting

Wow, it's been months.  My life hasn't even been THAT boring.  I guess I've just been busy.

It's been quite an eventful last few months.  In December we headed to Las Vegas and finally saw Zumanity.  If you're ever in Vegas, are over 18, and have the money, GO SEE IT!!!  This show is amazing!  Not only is Cirque Du Solie always worth it, but Zumanity is so sexy you'll be squirming in your seat.  I can't even pick a favorite act; they were just all so incredible.  Maybe the girls in the fish bowl?  Or the sexy ladies dancing on TV sets to get the men to notice them?  Or perhaps the auto erotic asphyxiation chick? Awesome, all of it.

Let's move on to what this blog is all about: Movies, Books, and anything I feel like posting.


Movie Review: Avatar
So, unless you've been living under a rock lately, you've at least heard of James Cameron's newest bazillion dollar epic, Avatar.  It's broken lots of records and been both ridiculed and revered.  Point is, it's pretty and the characters, while very familiar and predictable, are fun to watch.

Arthur and I went and saw it not long after it was released.  I'm sorry to say that we didn't see it in 3D.  I get sick when the camera is too shaky, like in "Blair Witch," so I avoided that like the plague.  Still, even without the 3D, the movie was astonishing.  The use of colors took my breath away.  We actually wound up seeing the film twice.  Go us.

Here's the plot:  It's the future and we've started mining other planets for fuel with Pandora being the focus of the mission.  Jake, a paraplegic Marine played by Sam Worthington, is tapped to take the place of his twin brother, who had recently been killed.  His brother was training to operate an Avatar.  The avatars are bodies grown using human DNA mixed with that of the Na'vi, the native people of Pandora.  While out on a scouting mission with two other Avatar operators, Jake becomes separated and lost in the jungles.  Just as he's about to be attacked by a pack of wild dog-looking things, the Na'vi woman, Neytiri, played by Zoe Saldana, comes to his rescue.  Following an omen, she takes him back to the Na'vi Home Tree where they agree to train him in the ways of their people.  Wackiness, and by that, I mean war, ensues.

The whole plot is pretty predictable.  It's a story you've heard a thousand times told a thousand ways.  Personally, it reminded me of Pocahontas.  In fact, if you follow this link you'll see that I'm not the only one to make the connection.  No worries, though.  It was still a captivating story with amazing visuals.  I look forward to owning it when the DVD/Blu Ray is released.

Book Review: Hunger Games and Catching Fire

I was recently pestered into reading the book The Hunger Games, written by Suzanne Collins.  I know what you're thinking: "But Book Geek Girl!  Surely you would not have to be pestered into reading anything!"  True, except when I'm already reading something else.  But that's not the point!  The point is the book was fantastic!  I could hardly put the thing down.

Here's the set up:  It's post apocalyptic, baby!  Basically, the USA went to serious war with itself and everybody around it.  The result is Panem, the remaining territory of what was once North America.  It is characterized by 13 Districts all under the rule of The Capitol, which is located in the Rockies.  Each District has an industry for which they are responsible. For example: District 12 mines coal, District 11 is agriculture.  Each year, the Capitol holds the Hunger Games.  75 years ago, the Districts rebelled against the Capitol.  They essentially got their butts handed to them and now the Capitol rules with an iron fist.  The Hunger Games requires that each District send one male and one female tribute to the capitol city to participate in a fight to the death.  The winner is praised as a hero, is set for life, and earns their District a year's worth of food and goods.

Katniss is a girl from District 12, volunteers to go to the Games after her 12 year old sister's name is pulled from the lottery.  She and Peeta, the male Tribute, head to the Capitol and have to participate in cruel pageantry in order to win sponsors, who will send them gifts while they're in the Games arena.  Once inside, they have to fight for their lives.  I won't go any further in the summary so as not to ruin it for you.  Suffice to say, the ending is incredible and definitely makes you want to rush out to grab the sequel, Catching Fire.  I won't do a summary/review of that one for the same reason I cut off the review of Hunger Games.  It's just too good to spoil.

The character development is great.  I really felt that Katniss, the character from who's point of view the story is told, could be a real person.  She's brave, and intelligent, but she makes mistakes and lets her temper get the best of her at times.  She isn't perfect, which is a trap a lot of heroes fall into, or rather, authors fall into the trap.  It's so tempting to make your good guy THE  good guy with no flaws and no morally gray areas.  Nobody is that perfect.  Nobody is that ambiguous.  We're all flawed and conflicted. Great job, Ms. Collins.

I am eagerly awaiting the final book, Mocking Jay, which will be released August 24, 2010. I need it released last month!










New Hobby: Knitting
And finally, I shall bore you with my newest hobby: Knitting!  In January a friend of mine from work decided I looked way too bored at my desk.  Very true.  She's an avid knitter and decided to teach me.  Amazingly, I picked it up pretty quick. My teacher even declared me a natural.  It's not something I ever thought I'd have the skill or patience to accomplish, but lo and behold!  I can do it.

I've already completed a few projects and have more in queue to tackle.  I've learned several techniques, including garter stitch, purl stitch, ribbing, seed stitching, and I'm slowly learning how to slip stitches and yarn over to create lace patterns.  I've also learned how to knit with double pointed needles.  This requires that I work with my yarn held on 3 separate needles while using a fourth to work my stitches.  At first I didn't think I'd figure it out, but now I'm knitting a beanie!  Soon I'll transfer the piece onto a circular needle, also for the first time!, to complete the pattern.

I've found lots of awesome resources for patterns, tips, and community.  My favorite so far is Ravelry.  I was able to create a profile where people can see the projects I've completed and the ones on which I am currently working.  There are features that help me connect with other knitters and a very extensive pattern collection.  It's fabulous!  I'm definitely having a great time.

Here's some pictures of my projects (and yes, that's me look frumpier than I would normally):

This is a picture of my first two projects, a scarf and hat.  They took me about a week or so to finish.  I love them and wear them all the time.  I've even had requests from people at work wanting hats.



Pictured above is the lovely bag I made for my cousin's 11th birthday.  It was a difficult and frustrating pattern at first.  Once I got the hag of it, though, I had so much fun!  It's worked in alternating groups of knit and purl stitches that result in a bamboo effect.  Check it:





For a final picture, this is the project I'm currently working on:
   This will eventually, if I can do it right, be a lace beanie.  It's my first attempt at working with double pointed needles, or dpn.  They're kinda fun, but you have to pay attention or you'll get all tangled.  Trust me.

Well, that's it.  I'll try to be better about blogging more often.  I've actually be so wrapped up in the knitting, I've been ignoring most things. ^^;  Have a lovely day and I'll leave with with some brilliance.



Yes, this is the most brilliant thing you've seen all day.  Check out the official website here.

Good night!