Dust off the History Books

Why does it have to be so dull? I mean I sat through all those history class in grade school and high school. Yet, I can’t remember most of it. It’s just so Dusty. So when my sister told me she needed to brush up on her US History (because she just passed the Jeopardy audition.) I was at a loss of where she could go without falling asleep. Then suddenly I had the Answer.

She could Shmoop!

Do you shmoop?

You don’t!!! You haven’t even heard of it!!! My oh my.

Shmoop is US history without the dust. It covers other topics too but the history part…
My favorite section of the history review is the “why should I care?” part. It tells me exactly how those past events shape my life today. The timeline part is great too. Oh, and a test review section! I kinda feel like shmoop said “How can we get Amy to learn her history” and then stuck it up on the net.

Huzzah for Shmoop!


You should shmoop. Try it!

It’s a Classic!

What makes a Classic? A book that is totally unforgettable. Some that has enough substance to be more than the latest great book.

Something like these titles:

Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankwieiler By E.L. Konigsburg
The Bridge to Terabthia by Katherine Paterson
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black


You know one more thing these books have in common?

All made into Movies.

To build Bridges, Cannonballs, and Tongues.

Addictive
Physics
Gravity
Collapse
Build
Gooey

A short list of words to describe the World of Goo.

You build towers and bridges with balls of Goo. Millions of Goo balls. But not all at once. And they come in various colors. And they each have their own laws of physics, personality and hey they might even be sleeping. And you have to take into account gravity and weight and the wind. And it’s a challenge. It reminds me of Portal. And that is a good thing. It was short, sweet, and had more to do with puzzle solving than button mashing. (not that there’s anything wrong with a good button masher.)

Oh, and I watched the whole credits for the world of Goo. No, not because my husband has finally convinced me all good little gamers sit through the entire credits. I sat through the credits because before I realized the game was over, so were the credits.

Yes. The world of Goo is made by the 2D Boy game studio. There are 2 boys making video games. And they rock at it. Three cheers for 2d Boys and their gooey goodness.

Take a look and become a follower of the Goo!

World of Goo Gameplay Trailer
Uploaded by 2dboy

Babysitters Club gets Graphic

Mary Anne Saves the Day: a Graphic Novel by Raina Telgemeier

Day 13 of BEDA

I'm all for graphic novels, but this may be taking it one step too far.

The Babysitters Club series written by Ann Martin has now been adapted to graphic novels. I can't help but wonder, is it really necessary? Martin's books are mostly dialogue and scene development anyways, so I have admit I don't really know if there is a need for graphic art. She also keeps her chapters short and sweet, so again, not so complex we need detailed drawings to help crack the Babysitters code.

Let me know, am I over reacting? How do you feel about turning a series like this into graphic novels?

Divine iPod Intervention

Day 12 of BEDA

Sometimes you just know there's a greater power out there, and today it was ruling my iPod. Have you ever had one of those days where every song you listened to was part of a personal soundtrack?

Here are the songs and the quotes that mysteriously made it's way to my ears when I had my iPod set to random. Just in case you're building a soundtrack for yourself right now, check out these tunes:

No Doubt's "Hey Baby" from Rock Steady -

"With a stranger in my face who says he knows my mom. And went to my high school."

The Killers "All These Thing's That I've Done" from Hot Fuss -

"I've got soul but I'm not a soldier"

Chiodos "Bulls Make Money, Bears Make Money" from Bone Palace Ballet -

"Your wearing your skin like its too tight"

T.I and Justin Timberlake "Dead and Gone" -

"That part of me left yesterday, the heart of me is strong today. No regrets, I'm blessed to say"

Red Hot Chili Peppers "Love Rollercoaster" from the Beavis and Butt-head do America Soundtrack -

"One, two. One, two, three. I've got a ticket so ride with me"

Trapt "Head Strong" from Trapt -

"Conclusions manifest, your first impression's got to be your very best."

The Year the Swallows Came Early

Day 11 of BEDA.

The Year the Swallows Came Early by Kathryn Fitzmaurice.

"Things that look just right come undone quicker then the last day of summer" - Kathryn Fitzmaurice

Occasionally you will read a book that not only speaks to your heart but gives you a shocking sense of clarity. I picked up this book because I was bored and it was short and I figured I needed to try to read something that wasn't fantasy for a change. It's good to live in the real world every now and then. It was almost as if fate drew me to this book, which is ironic because in a subtle way Fitzmaurice talks about fate. She shows that there are some parts of life that are unavoidable, but that doesn't mean there isn't a choice.

When Eleanor "Groovy" Robinson is betrayed by the person she trusts most in the world, she begins to see life from a new set of eyes, and those eyes are dark. She perfectly explains the aftershock of a tragedy when she says "there's no way to track time while trying to understand something completely different about a person you thought was someone else." Who hasn't felt that time stands still after huge shock or unexpected change? As the season progresses, Eleanor realizes that betrayals aren't always as black and white as they seem, and neither are her perceptions. The relateability of her struggle to find her place in this new world that fate and choice have created for her makes this a book a real page turner.

This is an amazing story about how one group of loved ones redefine what it means to be a family and having honest acceptance. One of the more powerful debut novels I've read in a long time, this is a book that can speak to any person in a period of change.

Mixing up too much Sir Mixalot

Any one else getting tired of Sir Mixalot besides me? First, the song. Then, about six years later an episode of Friends where Ross and Rachel are singing the song to their daughter, Emma. Then last month a skit on SNL. Now the Burger King commercial. Seriously, enough already!

Actually, I don't really mind the Burger King one. It's pretty funny, which is why it's the video of the week (if you want to see it, just follow this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5X4TSbGreA). I guess I like it because it's back handedly making fun of SpongeBob even though it's promoting the show. I know I'm the only person in the world who feels this way, but I HATE SpongeBob Squarepants. Well, not him so much as that ridiculous squirrel in the astronaut suit. I have just one question, why is she wearing an astronaut suit when she's under water? If she needs to breathe, isn't a scuba mask a better choice? Seriously!

But really, let's let that trashy song of the 90's fade away. It lost it's luster with me about a decade ago. It's time to move on. Brittany Spears has made enough ridiculous songs this year alone for some good spoofs.