On Notice / Dead to Me #2

For loyal readers of this blog, you may remember that last September I announced my own Dead to Me and On Notice boards, modeled after my idol, Stephen Colbert. They have not been updated in nearly eight months, so now I present for your pleasure my new lists! Many of the names have been left, but the descriptions changes. As always, there can only be dead per board, so I will give a brief account at the bottom of who got off the list. Lucky bastards. You had better hope that you never make this list. New additions are *ed

ON NOTICE
*Jonathan Stewart (my friend) - I'm sorry, but it's getting confusing to know two people with that name, and The Daily Show's host isn't going to change his. You've got until I do my next update to resolve the situation.
President George W. Bush - You have been moved from "DtM" to "ON" because it's way past time to stop ignoring you. Stand up and impeach the bastard!
J. K. Rowling - You stay here because I haven't read your new book yet, which is only the second longest of the series. Why in the hell isn't it the longest?
Movie Critis - I used to complain about your bad reviews, but lately it seems all the reviews have been good. Find a middle ground!
*Girls - For continuing to not be interested in me. One day I am going to give up on you, and then you'll know what you're missing hos! :)
Bones - There was an episode pulled off the air because of the Virginia Tech coverage stuff, but that episode has apprently disappeared into thin air. What gives?
Fox - You cancelled Drive, but I hadn't watched it yet, so you're not "DtM"...for now.
*Alcohol - I need to lose some wait and you are getting in my way, delicious devil!
Clogs - They look so cool, and yet make my feet stink. Eh, why mess with a truism?
Geese - They are EVIL!!!! I won't make you dead to me, though, because you'll attack anyway and then I'll be dead. Like Bush, we can't afford to ignore them.

DEAD TO ME
Katie Couric - Hahaha. You switch lists because you're getting fired.
*Anna Nicole - Replacing Steven Irwin for the 'No, seriously. She's dead.'
Walmart - You axis of evil. You're an axis all by yourself. You're here forever.
Macs - I don't care how user friendly you are. I will NEVER own one of you! Maybe. Yep, no need to change this entry either.
*ABC & NBC - for not airing new episodes of Grey's Anatomy, My Name is Earl and The Office because of a little rain. I'll consider not watching any of your shows any more, but seriously, that was a prick thing to do and I hate you for it. I had to pay $1.99 an episode on iTunes!
Ashland Financial Aid Office - You continue to perplex me!
Grizzly Bears - Stephen hates you. Enough said.
The International Astonomers - Why hasn't Pluto been reinstated as a planet yet? Did you not hear the outcry of a mourning public?
The Food Service Industry - Still working there... Part time, but still...
Anyone Who Hasn't Bought My Book - WHY NOT???????

Repreives - Democrats. Yes, you won in November. But be careful or I'll put you right back! Iran, Condaleeza Rice, Steven Irwin and Mike DeWine were removed from the list because they are now under the Who Cares? category.

July 21st Will Be a Magical Day

It's official. Book Seven, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be released on July 21st. Barnes and Noble is already taking preorders for $20.99 ($18.89 at amazon). The last couple of times they released a book, I preordered from amazon.com or Barnes and Noble's website and had to wait all day for my book. I think I'll just go somewhere at midnight this year. There won't be a major, shortage. They plan for this stuff now, unlike the surprise smash of Book Four. I am disappointed that no page count has been announced, but I'm excited, as I was beginning to think the release date would be much further off. The fifth movie will also be out that month. Yay!

On a different note, I am going to WNCI's ManMarket tonight. Any single girls should come. There will be about 400 single guys there. Hopefully that many girls will show up, too, or my chances might not be so good. I tried it a couple of years ago and it was lame, but this time it is at Flannigan's, not the practically deserted Continent, and I have a bit more confidence than a few years ago. Wish me luck! I try to ignore my biological clock, but it's ticking, and I would love to find that special woman sometime soon.

Qop! (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)
Harry: Why do they have to travel in packs? And how are you supposed to get one on their own to ask them?
[Stops in front of a group of girls, hesitates, then continues walking]
Ron: Blimey, Harry. You've slayed dragons. If you can't get a date, who can?
Harry: I think I'd take the dragon now.

ISS

So I am working the ISS room today. I should be getting stuff done, but of course, I'm not. I've been trading surveys with Amanda, writing a second draft of an upcoming Dribble for Kids issue for Nick, and trying to put labels on the 185 blog entries I have so far. Yes, I don't like the new blogger because I have to go back and put labels on every entry so you people can easily search them. So far, I have applied many, many labels to over one hundred blog entries. Still more to go, unfortunately. I am just taking a quick break. I'm sure I will be right back to work on doing labels, but not finish them today. Those friends are mine that read this, check. Your very name may be a label. :)

Oh, and by the way, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the title of the last Harry Potter book. A release date will be announced early in 2007. Thank you to Lisa for e-mailing me. I was actually just reading the press release when I saw the e-mail. I can't wait!

Qop!
"There once was a time when religion ruled the world, that time was known as the dark ages." ~Unknown

New Feature

For the record, before I begin, in the first five days of September, my post number has equaled the entire month of August (also July I think, but not combined). Yay! The topic today is a new feature. Like my hero, Stephen Colbert, I am making my own On Notice and Dead to Me Boards. I will repost and update them on here periodically. If you want to have your own On Notice graphic (this is really cool!), go to http://www.shipbrook.com/onnotice/ Or better yet, type mine in so you can see how cool they look. Here are my current lists in no particular order, with explanations since they're new:

ON NOTICE (created 9/5/6)
Iran - Please please please don't give any more reason for our idiot leader to invade you.
The Democrats - Don't you dare screw up this November.
Mike DeWine - I used to like you, and yet I don't think I'll vote for you this fall.
J. K. Rowling - How long does it take to write a freakin' book!!! It had better be 1000 pages!
Movie Critis - Quit telling me good movies and bad and vice versa. There is no way that Invincible is better than Clerks II
Katie Couric - You are annoying. Get out of my media.
Bones - How dare you replace Bones's boss! Kudos for the great new character though.
Fox - If you get me hooked on one more show and prematurely cancel it, I swear...
Clogs - They look so cool, and yet make my feet stink.
Geese - They are EVIL!!!! I won't make you dead to me, though, because you'll attack anyway and then I'll be dead.

DEAD TO ME
President George W. Bush - What did I ever see in you in 2000?
Condaleeza Rice - If you get to be president, I'm moving to Canada
Steve Irwin - No, seriously. He's dead. :(
Walmart - You axis of evil. You're an axis all by yourself.
Macs - I don't care how user friendly you are. I will NEVER own one of you! Maybe.
Ashland Financial Aid Office - I almost didn't get to start grad school on time.
Grizzly Bears - You make Stephen's life hell so I no longer believe in you.
The International Astonomers - How DARE you make Pluto not a planet?
Anyone Who Hasn't Bought My Book - WHY NOT???????
The Food Service Industry - I have a college diploma. Why do I have to keep working there?

Just so you know, each list will always only be ten things wrong, so we'll see how gets a reprieve after the next thing that angers me. :)

Qop! (all from The Colbert Report)
I've swallowed 18 condoms full of truth and I'm headed across the border!

You know, I've been running this show, four nights a week, for... five nights now...

I believe all God's creatures have a soul... except bears, bears are Godless killing machines!

Facts change, but my opinion never does.

Just because the Pope is infallible doesn't mean he can't make mistakes.

Musings Part 1,383,292... or so it seems :)

So I've been watching Dawson's Creek (Lisa, you can read this. I won't spoil anything). The final season came out and of course I'm addicted to watching it, and of course being emotionally moved, sometimes to tears, as Dawson often does to me. But instead of getting into that, because I don't want to spoil anything for Lisa, I've been thinking about my life and intrests. When I was younger, I read constantly. I was incluenced greatly by Judy Blume, Beverly Clearly, Bruce Coville, Lynn Reid Banks, L. Frank Baum... and then later by Peter David, J.K. Rowling, Diane Carey, and many others. It was probably part of the reason I turned to writing. I wrote my first chapter book in 3rd grade. I have been writing ever since. In contrast, tv meant very little to me. A couple of years ago, however, I discovered what great storytelling can exist on tv. Yes, I still do enjoy the occasional dumb sitcom, but my fascination with tv stems from my fascination with storytelling, not because I'm a couch potato junkie. I couldn't imagine tv shows as good as books until I discovered Star Trek: Deep Space 9, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Dawson's Creek, Firefly, Felicity, Lost, 24, and a host of others. The people that create this stuff (Joss Whedon, Ira Steven Behr, J.J. Abrams, etc.) are every bit as good a writer as the authors I loved. The actors they choose bring their stories to life, and while I still love books, there's a lot to be said for television, which is now in it's renaisance. Especially the serial series. When I was writing my first published book, I was just starting to discover the tv world. I think it did influence my writing. I imagined that book as a television season, and I would be thrilled beyond measure if someday it became one. I like to tell a serial story, where the part fit together, the story goes on for years, but it's one long story. One that is complicated, with characters that grow and change. I don't think I'm awesome at it, but I'm not ashamed of my first book, and I think my stories will continue to get better. I live life through my stories since I'm not leading the life I dream of. If I'm lucky, someday I will get to. We'll see. If you haven't read my book, please do so, then if you like it tell everyone. I will follow my dream of telling stories. In the meantime, I'm back to Dawson and watching others' stories. I need to know what's going to happen to Dawson, Joey, Pacey, Jenn, Jack, Grams, Todd, Audrey, Natasha, and the rest!

Qop! (from Season Six of Dawson's Creek)
Joey: Dawson, I'm sorry I don't have the same dreams I had when I was 15 years old, and I'm sorry that I moved on faster than you did, but you know what? Maybe not everything that happens to you is my fault! And maybe just because I want more from my life than...
Dawson: More than what? More than us? You don't know, do you? You've never known. The entire time I've known you, all you've wanted to do is escape. From me, from Capeside. I mean, you say that I'm the dreamer. I'm the one who doesn't wanna live in the real world. Well, I'm doing it, Joey. Right now. I'm living in the real world. It's you who wants the fantasy

Horcruxes and Princes

As I warned you, I would be posting a Harry Potter review that contained spoilers, and this is it! If you have not finish the book, do NOT read this! Unless you want the plot spoiled for you!
*First of all, that Snape scene in Chapter Two was incredibly confusing and left wandering which side he was really on. I figured he would sacrifice his life for Dumbledore's if it came to that. I didn't see his murder of Dumbledore coming at all before this book! How shocking and amazing! After six books of thinking he is on our side...I actually did see his betrayal coming when Dumbledore admitted to Harry during one of his lessons that he makes mistakes. I figured Snape was one of them, but WOW!!! And I didn't see that he was the half-blood prince until right before it happened, although it was pretty obvious. We also get to continue the Defense of Dark Arts teachers only last one year tradition.
*I felt bad for Draco! I cried fro him when he struggled with the decision to kill Dumbledore or have his family killed. He is a little prick, but I think there's hope for him yet. He may switch sides, if we can get him away from Snape.
*Voldermort's soul hidden in 6 Horcruxes that must be destroyed before he can be? Weird!
*I honestly didn't see Hagrid's brother amounting to anything, but I think he may be the key to recruting the giants, or some of them, on the side of good in the 7th book.
*Tonks and Professor Lupin!?! It works. I can't wait for Bill's wedding.
*Ok, we all know Percy is an ass, but he has been alienated from his family enough! He's a Weasley for goodness sakes! Make up with your damn family!
*I couldn't be happier to see Fred & George's success.
*It's about time Ron & Hermione came to terms with their feelings for each other, even if they didn't come out and say it. They'll make a cute couple.
*It's about freakin' time Harry & Ginny hooked up! Their breakup in the end didn't feel permanent, as Harry just had to go do his noble cause. If he survives book Seven, they'll be married. I think she needs to go with him in Book Seven. Speaking of...
*Ron, Hermione, & Harry not returning to Hogwart's next year!?! NO WAY!!! Lisa may be right when she said the school may not even reopen next year. If it does, I half suspect they'll end up going back, at least for awhile. The end of an era. Book 7 will be different. I feel very strongly that Neville and Ginny should join them. Luna could too, but I don't care one way or the other.
*Snape will have to be taken down in book seven before Voldermort. Maybe Draco could do it?
*AND LASTLY - Who is R.A.B??? I had no clue, but Lisa remembered Sirius's brother's name started with a R. R. Black. He was thought to be dead days after Voldermort's return, as he was a former Death Eater and didn't report back to his previous master. I have to think she must be right. No one ever found the body. What could possibly be going on there?
All in all, a GREAT book! Best so far in the series by far. Can't wait for the next one!

Qop! (Parts of End Of Book Six)
"How can Hogwarts close?" Hermione said softly.
"Maybe it won't," said Ron. "What d'you reckon Harry?"
"I'm not coming back even if it does reopen," said Harry. Ron gaped at him.
Hermione said sadly, "But then what will you do?"
"I've got to track down the rest of the Horcruxes, haven't I? There are still four of them out there. I've got to find them and destroy them, and then I've got to go after the seventh bit of Voldermort's soul, the bit that's still in his body, and I'm the one who's going to kill him." There was a long silence.
"We'll be there, Harry," said Ron.
"What?"
"We'll go with you wherevere you're going."
"No - "
"You said to us once before," said Hermione quietly, "that there was a time to turn back if we wanted to. We've had time, haven't we?"
"We're with you whatever happens," said Ron.

Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince

This entry will not contain any spoilers, so don't worry, but I will put another entry up before I leaver for vacation that will so don't expect the next one not to have any. OMG!!! It was freakin' fantastic! It changed everything! So much was revealed! Not nearly as depressing as the last one, but still dark while keeping the charm that made the series so good. I cannot wait until the 7th book! It is going to be so great! I give it the highest rating I can. J. K. Rowling deserves every one of her awards and all that money! If you haven't finished it yet, what is wrong with you?!?! It's been out nearly 48 hours! Hurry up so I can talk about it!

Qop!
"I knew I was different. I knew I was special. Always, I knew there was something." ~ Tom Riddle, upon finding out he is a wizard in a flashback

Bonus Qop! (before you accuse me of spoiling, this is from Chapter Two!)
Conversation between Narcissa Malfoy and Snape, asking him to make an Unbreakable Promise, which if broken will kill him:
"Will you, Severus, watch over my son, Draco, as he attempts to fulfill the Dark Lord's Wishes?"
"I will."
"And will you, to the best of your ability, protect him from harm?"
"I will."
"And should it prove necessary...if it seems Draco will fail...will you carry out the deed that the Dark Lord has ordered Draco to perform?"
"I will."

Hollywood 2005

So the movie title list for 2005 has now been released, and there are once again going to be a lot of movies this year. Here's a quick list of what I think will be the best and worst movies of 2005 in no particular order.

WORST
Son of the Mask ~ Enough said.
The Ring 2 ~ I refused to see the first one.
XXX: State Of the Union ~ Give me a break!
Ace Bigalo: European Gigalo ~ I like the first one, but geez!
Dukes of Hazard
The Honeymooners
The Amityville Horror
Land of the Dead
The Devil Rejects ~ Directed by Rob Zombie. Scary!
Oliver Twist
Herbie: Full Loaded ~ Another Lovebug movie, this one with Lindsay Lohan?
The Bad News Bears ~ Starring Billy Bob Thorton
Fever Pitch ~ The movie was only made in 1997! Why are they remaking it!?!
Sahara
Domino ~ Kiera Knightley as Laurence Harvey's daughter, a bounty hunter
ON THE FENCE
King Kong ~ It has a chance because Peter Jackson made it.
Be Cool (The Get Shorty sequel) ~ Haven't seen the original.
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous ~ It has Sandra Bullock, but what about William Shatner Michael Caine, and Candece Bergen?
The Legend of Zorro ~ The sequel to The Mask of Zorro
The Pink Panther ~ Starring Steve Martin.
Bewitched ~ It's gotten good reviews... Who am I kidding. Kidman is no Montgomery.
The yet untitle first Wallace & Gromit movie
A Sound of Thunder ~ Go back in time to hunt dinos. Hmm.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith ~ Hmm, Bard Pitt & Angelino Jolie, not my favorites...
The Weather Man ~ It looks good...
Rumor Has It ~ It has Jennifer Aniston and Kevin Costner. Interesting.
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio
Crash
The Merchant of Venice
Guess Who? ~ A remake of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? with Bernie Mack.
Hitch ~ Will Smith asa date doctor?
The Interpreter ~ Nicole Kidman
Melinda and Melinda ~ Woody Allen
a 3 part film, each made by a different director. Hmm. Sonderbergh, Antonioni, & Wai
BEST
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (May 19) ~ Good reviews, Chewie returns, is this George Lucas's chance for redepemption?
Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire (Nov. 18) ~ How could it possibly be bad?
Batman Begins ~ Christian Bale and Michael Caine! How could it miss?
War of the Worlds (June 29) ~ Please don't screw up a classic, Speilberg.
Corpse Bride ~ A zany animated movie by Tim Burton
The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy ~ Sam Rockwell and my future wife, Zoey Deschanel
Charlie & The Chocolate Factor ~ The creepy version!!!
Rent ~ directed by Christopher Columbus!
The Producers ~ Mel Brooks, Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Will Ferrel, & Uma Thurman!

Qop!
"I believe the name of the report was, "Bin Laden Determined to Attack Within the United States"." ~ Gotta love Condeleeza Rice (On a report issued to Bush in August 2001)

Should Auld Aquaintance Be Forgot...

I know it's been a very long time since I've updated but I've been swamped. In honor of New Year's, I'm going to list recent disappoinments and pleasant surprises. Not a recap of the whole year, but a brief summary of the last few weeks.

Pleasant Surprises:
Entertainment - DeLovely on DVD - I love that movie, not really a surprise, but glad it's out
Blade Trinity - Ryan Reynolds is hilarious! Still haven't seen the first two.
Modest Mouse - they rock
Ben Folds - finally enough bad memories gone to truly enjoy him
BNL Christmas - wasn't really a suprise!
24 - Amazing! Almost done with Season 3. Season 4 premieres in a week and a half.
Ocean's Twelve - all I can say is awesome!
Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical (see above comment)
*Seeing The Producers tomorrow! Will update on that!
Other stuff - Black Cherry Smirnoff - mmmm!
I can get along with two of my three brothers awesomely!
Fun New Year's especially at Kristen & Amanda's
Actually dating again
Harry Potter 6 - July 16
Lemony Snicket
getting inot better shape

Disappoinments:
Watermelon Smirnoff
Christmas With the Kranks
not doing the New Year's Eve I planned
certain alienations from friends
not getting in shape as fast as I wanted to

And the biggest thing on my mind these past few weeks... Marriage
I am currently 17 months younger than my mom was when she got married, which was the age I always planned to get married. I figured date a couple of years, be engaged a year...obviously that timeline is shot. I thought I had accepted it. Then I found out my cousin, three months my younger, is getting married on June 24, 2006. I am happy for her. Her guy is great. Still disappointing. I should be first. My parents only were together 11 months before marriage, but I don't see myself rushing into anything that fast. Although I guess you never know. Still, with my cousin getting married, it's weighing heavily on me. I'm finally dating again, but I wouldn't say anything is even close to looking at long term, which is a disappointment to me because I really want to be married now. Of course, I could only marry someone I was in love with, so that hurts things. Plus I need to know they are the one, and I honestly don't know if I've met that person yet. I have two ex's, both of whom I was in love with and considered marriage. The first is getting married soon to someone even younger than I am. I'm happy for them, but it still hurts. The second I was really really really serious about, and I still detest her, and yet I can't help but being emotionally happy that she is happy with someone else. That has been my biggest surprise, since I have so many negative feelings towards her. Yet I think those are from the positive feelings I felt and the way it was ended. I'm still in love, even if I don't like. That sucks. Now I need to find the one...don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining so much about my dating situation, since I am dating a wonderful girl. I just want to know right no who is the one for me for the rest of my life and be with them.