Brinchen begins her blogs with a "lucky" statement. It's really an inspirational way to start. Her last blog was simply, "Luck is having luck." Now, it made me think of this thing called luck. Now, you can call it that or faith or positivity but, whatever you call it, it was there when I went to Ireland and Italy a few years ago and is generally in life, regardless if things are going great or not. I've already stated some of my more interesting experiences there and that I'm an organized adventurer. However, little things went awry right from the beginning. Our flight was delayed at least six hours, eliminating our time in Paris and making our ability to catch our connecting flight difficult. I immediately became even more nervous and anxious (love to travel but hate flying). Within a half hour, someone had helped us get onto a direct flight to Dublin and Air France footed the Aer Lingus bill. We had lost our day in Paris but gained a day in Dublin. After two weeks, the plan was to move onto Scotland for a few days and then London for a few days. My cousin freaked out about the budget and, despite it costing only $200 to go to Glasgow and my sisters and I compromising about eliminating London. She would not budge. She refused to go. I'm still a bit bitter about it b/c for all her complaining and claiming she was dead broke she now suddenly has all the money to find a new apartment $200 more expensive a month than she had budgeted for and plans to get a tattoo. Argh...still bitter. But the point is that it did work out b/c of positive thinking. We took an extra week of traveling in Ireland and did it at a much slower pace, relaxed. It was nice.

I find everytime I get nervous or stressed out that things work out. Now, whether they work out the way they're supposed to or simply work out b/c I accept the consequences and enjoy life regardless, they just do. Patience, Positivity, and Perseverance...my new montra.

I have learned how to insert but, if you think I'm going to upload all my pics, you're insane. So, I've sifted through my cousins and found some that I liked. Clearly, not as good as the pictures I take but what can I say? However, given that they're on kodak, maybe it's causing an error. I don't know but it says, "Tag img may not have attribute title" and I filled out all three lines. So, no pics for you...I'm the pic nazi. (that's probably one of the few Seinfeld jokes I actually know and get and like).

Another story...Gap of Dunloe...

So, as I've said, I like hiking and exercise and was craving some of those endorphins to kick in. So, we're in Killarney and of course we're going to do some hiking. We do a fairly easy trail and talk about the McGuilliguddy (sp) mountains in the distance. So, we originally had a kayaking trip planned but we went out that night and got some advice from locals. They recommended we take a rowboat, see Innisfallen island, and then bike or hike the Gap of Dunloe. It would be an easy two hour hike. That's what we were told. Either way, we were excited about this option because it was much more affordable...10 euros compared to 75 euros...and it meant seeing much more and hiking as far up as we could in the mountains. We were warned there would be some incline but not much...we didn't think it through that it would be up a mountain!

So, the rowboat ride was just stunning. Gave you views you couldn't get and we floated along for a couple hours. Then, we arrive and given my inability to ride a bike, I was gungho for the hike. My cousin Karen was more inclined to rent a bike until she learned that you were supposed to do that before you got on the rowboat. HAHAHA! Anyway, we go and go and go and go...and it was absolutely stunning and strenuous! I always carry a bag when I go hiking and my back was killing me but the views were worth it...but it was a bit painful when the uphil climb just never stopped. The downhill was just as beautiful with these pockets of glittering lakes but it was just as long. We saw people starting the hike from the other side and they looked way too fresh and dolled up. There's no way they were going to the top. Either way, it was great exercise and it was just worth it but kicked our butts.

Movie Review:

The Other Boleyn Girl

Hmmm. I am always at the defense of historical films. I usually think that they are worthwhile if they make a viewer interested enough in the subject to seek out some answers. But, in this case, I was in utter awe at the inherent inaccuracies. It was based on the work of Phillipa Gregory (sp) and I'm not sure where she got her facts but they're all tumbled about. The characterizations of Anne, her sister, Henry: they're one dimensional. Henry the 8th was a philanderer for certain but his relationships didn't guide his political world. He sought to be the head of his own church for security, power, greed. Those perhaps aren't better motives than sex but they certainly paint a more competent ruler than the one seen on film. Anne was certainly the second sister bedded but she didn't steal the man from her sister...and her sister was not this innocent angel. Anyway, needless to say, I was a bit irritated by it. Plus...the costumes were brilliant, just gorgeous...and I may have developed a tiny crush on Eric Bana. It's over now but for a couple hours I wished that Henry 8th looked like him. Similar thing happened with Henry II. I love Lion in the Winter...one of my favorites...and Peter O'Toole will forever be an acting fave b/c of his turns as Henry...and Katherine Hepburn...need I say more. Anyway, historical fiction has its place and I enjoy plausible storytelling but I suppose I would appreciate a bit more research and honesty. In the DVD extras, the people associated with the film acted like her work was the ultimate authority on the issue.

Evelyn

Sweet movie. Haven't checked out the historical accuracy of this piece but its set in Ireland (so I have to like it) and features a man questioning Irish law in order to get custody of his kids back. True story apparently. Pierce Brosnan does well as does the rest of the cast. I'm not crazy about the entire focus being placed on his daughter. He was trying to get his two sons as well but I believe it was she who started the whole process with the writer so that makes sense. My favorite part...Pierce's speech on the stand. I wish that was real but it was written under duress by the writer. They needed a climactic courtroom moment and locked him in his room for 1 and 1/2 until he finished it.

And finally...

I'm frugal and I have been debating getting a new tv when the 20 in I have is just fine. But I wanted a bigger one and a flat screen. So, to stay within budget for the whole shebang...dvd upconverter, hd reciever, argh...headahce, I got a 37 inch Toshiba on sale at Circuit City. I was looking at the 40 inches but the $$$ kept going up and I wasn't willing to pay $$$$. So, it's mine. It's here. And now I'm just waiting for those other additions to come. Ay yi yi. What was I thinking? I get nervous spending that much. I can drop it on a trip at the drop of a hat but on electronics and I start to palpitate. My mother put it in perspective. I watch movies...ALOT...and I should enjoy them. So, last year my gift to msyelf was some jewelry. This year, it's a tv. Laptop may be coming soon but we're going to stagger these expenses.

Oh wait...almost done...my parents have bitten the bullet and have bought a camper/trailer...whatever the right term is. We're really excited. By a pond, near a beach, close to Newport, and all I can think about is trees, son, hiking, and horseback riding, with some canoeing...how is that it's been a few years since I've been canoeing? So, we'll finish the season with a couple weekends there and then enjoy next summer there.

And...2009 travel plans are 75% sure. Las Vegas has to be in there as a promise to the twins. They turn 21 and I promised them years ago I'd wait for them. I just want to see the Hoover Dam and the bright lights...maybe do some dancing...I have to keep my wits about me though. I'm the guardian of those girls! And, even though I was in portugal in 2005, that may be coming up again. My uncle just went and my grandfather is looking his age...85. I miss him and my mom misses her dad. So, it's time. You never know. So, we're thinking Santa Maria, Acores again and then some continental Europe portion...portugal and spain maybe?

This was just verbal diarrhea. Sorry for the lack of cohesion to this blog but there it is. It's out and I'm not editing.

Wow! I finally saw this. It took a few weeks since we've been back to coordinate our schedules but I don't know what took me so long. I likedBatman Begins enough. I liked where it was taking the franchise. And I planned on renting the sequel. However, when all of the hoopla came out about the performances of the actors, my interest was piqued. When Heath Ledger died, I was shocked and wasn't sure if I'd watch it at the movie theaters to pay tribute to him or stay away because it would be sad. My interest overruled and it paid off in spades. This film was just fantastic. The action, the battles, the coordination, the acting, everything was just on par and it puts every other hero movie, especially the Spiderman films, to shame. I liked the first two Batman movies and appreciated Jack Nicholson but it comes down to a matter of preference for the style of film. The first two Burton versions were sickeningly frightening and funny while this Nolan undertaking is just darker. Ledger falls in line with his darker version and it's just fantastic to see his transformation. It's sad that we won't get to see any more of what Ledger could deliver but Bale has taken the mantle of Batman and, even with the heavy handed voice, should hold onto it. Kudos to Christopher Nolan. It all felt real, gritty with the one exception of Two Face's CGIed face (it was a bit too much in my book). And each time I thought the film was over it came back with more story and you were just so involved that the 2.5 hours flew by. My only issue: there's no pause button at the movie theaters! I had to use the bathroom so bad but there was never a good time to step out!

Anyway, go watch it! It was a fun ride. A plus is the trailer to Terminator. Looks like Bale, despite whatever his legal issues are now, is just the hottest ticket, reinventing two franchises. Looks good and I can't wait for the final battle to begin.