OK, 'fess up: how many times did you see FOTR? Do you think you'll see TTT as many, more, or fewer times? Have you made any special plans regarding the movie's opening?

I saw FotR seven times during its theatrical run. Six times in the theater and once on a computer (shh don't tell!) I saw the seventh in March specifically for the fan preview tacked onto the end. I will probably see TTT at least three times, being that I've got two free tickets and I'm going to see the midnight premiere again. If they offer it. Still haven't gotten tickets for that yet, grr. No real special plans for the TTT premiere other than seeing the midnight showing. We'll probably get there about two hours early. I bet it will be more crowded than last year, but I got there an hour early last time and there was hardly anyone there. We'll see. I can't wait! 21 days!

I can't really see myself seeing TTT as many times as FotR, but I haven't seen how much Legolas is in it hot elf, anyone? lol.

Posted by Jen at 6:00 PM | Permalink |

vote for ATTS: ER | Wishlist: {Amazon} |

I don't know why, but this song has been on repeat for the last few days. Some of it really resonates with me.

I'm With You-Avril Lavigne

I'm standing on a bridge

I'm waiting in the dark

I thought that you'd be here by now

There's nothing but the rain

No footsteps on the ground

I'm listening but there's no sound

Isn't anyone trying to find me?

Won't somebody come take me home

It's a damn cold night

Trying to figure out this life

Won't you take me by the hand

Take me somewhere new

I don't know who you are

But I... I'm with you

I'm with you

I'm looking for a place

Searching for a face

Is anybody here I know

'Cause nothing's going right

And everything's a mess

And no one likes to be alone

Isn't anyone trying to find me?

Won't somebody come take me home

It's a damn cold night

Trying to figure out this life

Wont you take me by the hand

take me somewhere new

I don't know who you are

But I... I'm with you

I'm with you

Oh why is everything so confusing

Maybe I'm just out of my mind

Yea yea yea

It's a damn cold night

Trying to figure out this life

Won't you take me by the hand

take me somewhere new

I don't know who you are

But I... I'm with you

I'm with you

Take me by the hand

Take me somewhere new

I don't know who you are

But I... I'm with you

I'm with you

Take me by the hand

Take me somewhere new

I don't know who you are

But I... I'm with you

I'm with you

I'm with you...

and God do I want this: Legolas' bow. It's only $365.

Posted by Jen at 11:53 PM | Permalink |

vote for ATTS: ER | Wishlist: {Amazon} |

Mom is 49 today. But she's still got a year left before she's 50, and you better believe it... I got her two cds, hopefully she'll like them. It's nice that she has a stereo now, cause that means I can get her cds...sad but true, I am a fan of easy shopping.

Why does no one believe that I carved that pumpkin? Yes, I did use a pattern, but I carved it myself, I even have the stains on my shirt to prove it...

Posted by Jen at 5:32 PM | Permalink |

vote for ATTS: ER | Wishlist: {Amazon} |

John F Kennedy was assasinated. I remember when Beauty and the Beast came out it premiered on the 22nd of Nov, and how it was sad that such a great movie came out on the same day as such a tragic event. I was 10 or so, already thinking deep thoughts, lol. Of course, there were several music cds, etc, released last year on Sept. 11, and it's always a little wrenching to see that as the release date.

On a lighter (or darker, as the case may be) I've been writing more on Decadence and TMC. Decadence is already getting gory. Definitely an influence of the books I've been reading I hope I can actually go through with it.

I finally developed the pictures from graduation and this summer and this fall...course it's only three rolls. There are some pretty wacky pics in there. You can see some of them here, don't laugh too hard.

I want advance tickets to TTT, damnit! All the sites I've tried don't seem to have them for this area. Phooey. lol. I'm not obsessed, really. Only 25 days left!

Posted by Jen at 5:32 PM | Permalink |

vote for ATTS: ER | Wishlist: {Amazon} |

This is obviously geared to guys and we've already discussed how I am not really an engineer, I'm only one-third engineer (1. Bio 2. Medical 3. Engineering), but it is kind of sad which ones still apply. A point for you if you can figure out which ones.

Buying flowers for your girlfriend or spending the money to upgrade your RAM is a moral dilemma.

The salespeople at Radio Shack can't answer any of your questions.

You are at an air show and know how fast the skydivers are falling.

You comment to your wife that her straight hair is nice and parallel.

You have ever saved the power cord from a broken appliance.

You know what http:// stands for.

You see a good design and still have to change it.

You spent more on your calculator than you did on your wedding ring.

You still own a slide rule and you know how to use it.

You think a pocket protector is a fashion accessory.

Your laptop computer costs more than your car.

Your wife hasn't the foggiest idea of what you do at work.

You've ever tried to repair a $5 radio.

You've already calculated how much you make per second.

Posted by Jen at 10:52 AM | Permalink |

vote for ATTS: ER | Wishlist: {Amazon} |

in case you're wondering, here's the link: http://www.lilithofsherwood.com/rings-thing/

There seems to be a trend of including more and more on the DVD release of a film.

Can this trend be taken too far? Has it already gone too far? Or is the more always the merrier?

Well, I'm certainly glad they did it in this case. The LotR:FotR Collector's Edition DVD is a masterpiece to say the least. SO much information. I still haven't gotten through anything but the movie and a few of the interviews. I like having the information available, but I know that most movies have more stuff generated that we'll never see that if every movie came out with stuff like this we'd be broke in a year. I don't especially like duplicating movies that I have, but in this case I think it was worth it. I guess what I think is good is put the extras on one disc, or two at most. I don't think any of the other LotR movies will have such a big set, being that most of the behind the scenes stuff was in this edition. But I can't wait to see the extended versions of the other two movies. I don't mind sitting through extra hours of footage. I'm a LotR freak and happy with it.

BTW, advance tickets for TTT are supposed to come out on Friday. I'll be looking!

Posted by Jen at 6:03 PM | Permalink

vote for ATTS: ER | Wishlist: {Amazon} |

I saw the Leonids last night. I actually set my alarm for 4:30 am. Made me think of the beginning of last track season when we had to be at the back of the AC at 5:30 am to leave. Sigh.

What's funny is the old watch I use as a snooze alarm was set for 4:20, and it went off, and I hit the stop button. About a second later it went off again, went for a few seconds while I fumbled with the buttons, and then stopped. The batteries had died. I guess someone wanted me to see the meteors

It was cold. Not so cold that you couldn't stand outside too long, and I was nearly too tired to care. The sky was so clear. It would have been better if there was no full moon, but it was in the west and the shower's radiant was in the east, and my house between, so all was well. There were a few bursts of 3 in a row, and 3 or 4 really bright ones with long tails, but nothing terribly spectacular. I think if I'd had a telescope it might have been a little more exciting, cause there were many times when I'd see one out of the corner of my eye or one that was so faint I wasn't sure if I had just imagined it or seen a tree branch waving or somesuch.

But since it's not going to be so clear for another three decades, I decided to see it.

And my wish? No, I don't think I'll tell you. You'll know if it comes true.

Posted by Jen at 5:33 PM | Permalink |

vote for ATTS: ER | Wishlist: {Amazon} |

Please remember to vote for me this week. And a new layout should be coming up soon. Very soon. And just to clear things up... karma votes are NOT the same thing as voting for the site in a web competition. I only need votes for the two links that are after "vote for ATTS" after every post. But if you want to tell me how much you like the entry, by all means, keep karma voting. Although I like comments better Now we take you back to your regularly scheduled blogging and I'm getting back to work on the new layout.

Posted by Jen at 12:04 PM | Permalink |

vote for ATTS: ER | Wishlist: {Amazon} |

I've noticed no one has visited my site exchange for a very long time. Anyone want to join? At least look at it. The Aspire Exchange. Hey! Vote Exchangers! want to put your site in the exchange? Say yes

Posted by Jen at 2:04 AM | Permalink

vote for ATTS: ER | Wishlist: {Amazon} |

...and still probably will not have made it through all the extra features of the Collector's Edition of LotR:FotR. God but it's good. And even better now that we have a DVD player aaaaahhhhh. We got a new tv and a dvd/vcr combo. So far the only bad thing is that the closed captioning is awkward to get to on the tv. That and the fact that I have to pay for half. ergh. Bigger speakers! Larger screen! Headphone jack for watching late at night! Too bad I only have four dvds, two of them being different versions of LotR: FotR

A month from a half an hour from now. at 12:01 am, to be precise. I can't wait. I finally got back into reading TTT, although I did break one of my rules and bought a hardback book by David Blaine, the musican. I just hope it's worth the money. Actually, I bought a couple of hardback books. Used, of course, so all just about the same price as paperback. I'll show my analness and tell you how I wanted the hardbacks of the Rhapsody trilogy. They've got certain printing features that the second and third books neglected to use in paperback, which actually takes away from the story. And I like having hardbacks to read (esp. since they're easier to read while brushing my hair. Hey, it's long, it takes a while!). I just hate buying them. It's silly to pay $25 for a book that, if it's important enough to come out in hardback, will be available at the library for free with a pretty minimal wait. I know, I'm addicted to books. Better than drugs, I guess.

Anyone know when the advance tickets go on sale for TTT? I can't believe I don't know this yet.

Don't forget to vote for me this week!

Posted by Jen at 12:44 AM | Permalink |

vote for ATTS: ER | Wishlist: {Amazon} |

I got the Special Collector's Extended version of Lord of the Rings : Fellowship of the Ring yesterday. I knew it had come home, cause I watched the tracking all day I got home and there was this HUGE box! It was mostly those air pillows things to cushion the SE box, and wow, I had a BIG grin on my face The packaging is wonderfully painted, the Argonath bookends are glorious, the little magazine is cute, 2 (two!) tickets to TTT, three trading cards, the National Geographic Making of dvd, and oh yeah, the movie. Four discs. Two for the movie and four different commentary tracks, and two appendicies. Wow. I just stared at it for a while, since I couldn't watch it! Hopefully this weekend we will get a DVD player that lasts. *crosses fingers*

It's so wonderful to watch. It's like watching a whole different movie or seeing it for the first time. And more Legolas! Elvish! More Action! Egad, makes me feel like it's December again. I haven't even watched the first disc very much. Just the new Council of Elrond. I haven't seen it with commentary, I haven't watched any of the special features, but I will. Oh yes, I will. When I get a player!

and y'all should thank May for getting me out of the cellar. I'm glad she thinks I've got a prince charming.

Btw, the snake was found and put back in its cage, way back on Monday. We decided to call it Harry because a) it's got no hair and b) after Harry Houdini because of its little disappearing act It now has some crickets and goldfish to nibble on and a heat lamp. So the lab has a mascot

And if you're VERY spoiler happy, I finished a MAJOR plot point for TMC. I could send it to you if you want, but I'm not going to put it up. It would spoil you too much. I just wanted to let you know that TMC is definitely being written, and I've got a good idea to start Ch. 5 with. I just had to get that little plot device out of the way.

Please vote for me! I'm in second place, and I'd really like to move up. Remember, I love you if you vote!

Posted by Jen at 4:35 PM | Permalink |

vote for ATTS: ER | Wishlist: {Amazon} |

I went to the Ben Folds concert on Sunday night. Alex told me about it, and I am very glad that he did. I really enjoyed both the acts. Duncan Sheik was the opener, he played for about an hour, acoustic guitar with somebody else playing electric as backup. Man, I wish I could play. He played the two songs that I know I will probably have to get his cds now. I know it won't be the same as a live show, but hey. Cool music anyway.

Ben Folds was hilarious. Solo piano playing isn't usually the typical comedy show, but he was so funny while he was playing. And he was good. At one time I was really good at piano, but that like so many other things has fallen by the wayside. I miss it. One day I'm gonna get back into it, and I'm gonna be able to sing while playing too He even had us sing along with some of his songs. I think I'll be going on a Ben Folds downloading spree here shortly. I only knew two of his songs, and only one got played, but I'm happy I went. And for the price you couldn't beat it. At least some things offered through my alma mater aren't horrendously overpriced.

Check 'em out, you'll probably like them too.

Lifehouse is coming to the same venue about a month from now. The only problem is that there are a few other acts coming with them that I'm not so keen on. We'll see. I've never seen them in concert, but I really like their songs, sooo...

Did you remember to vote for me today? This week? I love you for it! And doesn't someone want to get me out of the darn cellar (see previous post)? Anyone can do it. It doesn't have to be someone in the WQ. While you're there, vote for me! Thanks

Posted by Jen at 11:31 PM | Permalink

vote for ATTS: ER | Wishlist: {Amazon} |

Somebody stuck me in the Cellar again...

Please rescue me, please?

Posted by Jen at 1:49 PM | Permalink |

vote for ATTS: ER | Wishlist: {Amazon} |

I've moved up to the Apprentice's Challenge, once again Thanks to all of you, and thanks to my new VE friends Let's hope this week turns out a little better than the last time I was there...

There's a snake loose in the lab. My boss' cat caught a little garter snake last week and she brought it in, sort of a mascot, lol. The new girl at the lab, Fatima, said it was there this morning, but there is no snake in the terrarium... this could be interesting.

I wrote a lot yesterday for TMC. One of the huge turning points in the book. It's so far ahead of anything I've written so far that none of you would get it, but you'd all probably kill me if you knew what it was. Actually, May is the only person who knows about it. It's all beautifully tied in to what's already written, but I can't share it. Damn, I need to write quicker. *hint coming up* I've only gotten one person's opinion on chapter four of TMC (thanks Jem)...come on, read it! Let me know what you think!

Don't forget to vote...links are after the post...

Posted by Jen at 11:35 AM | Permalink |

vote for ATTS: ER | Wishlist: {Amazon} |

Movie Quotes That, Thank God, They Didn't Use (but are hilarious anyway.

Some of my favorites:

Legolas to Aragorn after gift-giving: "You know the difference between you and me? I make this look good."

-- Men In Black

Lurtz: "Who's in charge?"

Orc breeder: "I am."

(Lurtz strangles the breeder)

Lurtz: "Once again, who's in charge?"

Orc minion: "You are."

Lurtz: "Excellent."

- Passenger 57

Isildur to Sauron: "Hello! My name is Isildur. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

-- The Princess Bride

Boromir: "Why did it have to be a cave troll? I hate cave trolls."

-- Raiders Of The Lost Ark

Frodo: "We're the good guys. Why are we running?"

Aragorn: "We're not running. We're eluding."

- Rising Sun

Boromir: "My brother..."

Aragorn: "I have a brother? I HAVE A BROTHER!"

-- Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves

Aragorn (looking at the orcs outside Helm's Deep): "How many?"

Legolas: "6,000."

Aragorn: �6,000?�

Merry: (further away) "How many?"

Aragorn: "50!" (to Legolas) "He can't count anyway."

-- Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves

Orc to Gandalf: "I remember you! We killed you!"

- Robocop

Frodo looking in Galadriel's mirror: "What the hell am I looking at? When does this happen in the movie?"

- Spaceballs

Galadriel: "Do you guys like lembas?"

Legolas: "Yes."

Gimli: "No."

Legolas: "Yes."

Gimli: "No."

Legolas: "I love lembas, (looks at Gimli) and so do you."

Gimli: "Yes."

- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Legolas to Aragorn: "When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not. Hmm?"

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

Aragorn at Helm's Deep: We've got company!"

Theoden: "Orcs?"

Legolas: "How many?"

Aragorn: "Uh, all of them, I think."

- Terminator 2: Judgement Day

You really should go visit. And you still have time to vote! Be a good American, or just a nice friend who votes for my site

Posted by Jen at 7:18 PM | Permalink |

vote for ATTS: ER | Wishlist: {Amazon} |

Please remember to vote (Democrat) if you live in the USA! Every vote counts. And I don't just mean in the general elections Please remember to vote for my site, too. You make me really happy

So yesterday this comp wasn't connecting. And it wasn't connecting this morning. But then Phillip reset the router (?) and it works. Thank God for techie men.

No comments on Chapter four? It's not that long... please let me know what you think. Ivana thinks I should have more descriptive passages. And I know I need to go back over some of the old stuff. I'm always looking for fb.

Posted by Jen at 1:29 PM | Permalink |

vote for ATTS: ER | Wishlist: {Amazon} |

Yes, yes, I know. It's been waaay too long, but chapter four of The Moonstone Chronicles is finished. I hope you like it. For those of you who've been reading it, there's not too much more to it, only about a thousand words, but it's done. In the real world you'd read the excerpt from Faldor next, but I have to figure out how to put that in first.

Read it here.

And if you want to read about Faldor the elf: here. Keep in mind this is not finished.

and last but not least, if you want to get a cryptic taste of what's to come, read the Prophesy of the Blind Seeress.

For some reason my other comp isn't connecting to the internet right now so I'm doing this from my laptop. Ahh, the memories of college I need something to do. I feel like a lug just sitting here at work. Pah. At least I finished the chapter

Posted by Jen at 2:52 PM | Permalink |

vote for ATTS: ER | Wishlist: {Amazon} |

Did y'all see the comment from Sean Garrett on the post for 'Decadence'? A little bit spooky, if you ask me. Unless one of you was playing a joke on me...come out come out wherever you are. I hope by now you've noticed that the story is not finished. I'm sorry to say that you're insane in the story, and me thinking of that name has nothing to do with you lol. I feel like I just wrote a disclaimer. 'All coincidence with any persons, living or dead, is entirely unintended.' Are you still interested?

Posted by Jen at 12:16 AM | Permalink |

vote for ATTS: ER | Wishlist: {Amazon} |

Thanks to you guys, I moved up from Gondor to Lothlorien in the WQ this week...

Be sure to keep voting!

We rented Spider-man last night. I've seen it twice since then We're supposed to watch it one more time so we can have popcorn during it, but I don't know if that's going to happen, cause we had a big dinner...Braveheart was on, and so was the second half of Gladiator, with some new footage cut in a la LotR:FotR. So I don't think we'll get to it. Thank gosh Blockbuster gives you till noon to return it now.

I got boots for my Legolas costume today. They might be a little small, but leather is supposed to stretch, and the next half size up was too big. Go fig. I'm trying to draw the buckles and closures so my grandpa can make them for me

It took me three weeks to finish the ten books of the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series. Yup, I'm done. That's 3.3 books per week or .37 books per day Tres tres bon. Read them.

I remember why I hate watching television in November. Or at least before election day. 'This candidate did that. Didn't do that.' only to have the opponent totally refute the other ad and basically just piss me off. I'm very happy I know I'm a Democrat and my choice is sort of made for me already. It just bugs me that you can't ever really know what's true unless you actually got out there and found the 'records' that they're backing the statements up with. I'm so glad we have the privilege of voting, but I hate politics. I would never willingly chose to be a politician. It's why I would lose in Survivor. Sure, I'd survive, I could do the physical stunts and maybe even some of the mind game ones, but I could never be savvy enough to ally myself with anyone in hopes of winning. What do you think?

Posted by Jen at 11:46 PM | Permalink |

vote for ATTS: ER | Wishlist: {Amazon} |

The Council of Elrond: Could it have gone differently? Is there another choice that could have been made?

Well, the elves might have tried to keep a closer eye on Gollum lol. But then lovely Lego wouldn't be there! Haha. I wonder if the Ring could have passed to someone else, I wonder what would have happened if they hadn't argued. If an Elf carried the ring, would there have been such turmoil? You can tell where my loyalties lie.

I guess I think that with the way Tolkien wrote the story there really wasn't another option. I mean, the Ring couldn't be destroyed by conventional means, so it would have to get to Mordor, and it appears that the only ones who could resist it (partially anyway) were the hobbits. So as much as I'd rather not like the hobbits, I think it worked out rather well.

Only one little kid recognized my carving of Legolas in my pumpkin last night. Ah well I thought it was cool. I'll post a pic, eventually

Posted by Jen at 11:39 AM | Permalink

vote for ATTS: ER | Wishlist: {Amazon} |