It's Not That Easy

Why Music?

Memories From Childhood, Part IV

Warriors of Virtue- 1997

While I realize that this movie is incredibly bad, at this age (I was 9 at the time), your sense of taste and what's "awesome!" aren't fully developed. This movie is basically about a kid who gets transported to this fantasy land and fights off an 'evil' warlord with five kangaroos who can use kung fu. I still like this movie for its nostalgia factor, but that's about it. The only famous person (to my knowledge) in this movie- not that it matters- is Angus Macfadyen. Doesn't sound familiar? Well, maybe you'd remember him as Robert the Bruce in Braveheart. They made a sequel to this movie (Warriors of Virtue: Return to Tao) in 2005, which was even worse.

Golden Sun- 2001

I LOVE this game! Even though it was a handheld title, it is one of my favorite (true) RPG games. This game, and even it's sequels, were amazing! Though I don't particularly care for turn-based combat, it didn't really get all that repetitive like most turn-based games are. If you haven't played it, go do so! No excuses, they have emulators for it!

Doug- 1991-1994

Doug was the a cool show at the time, and for the most part still is, though it's not on TV anymore (I think). And yes, the air dates posted above are not incorrect, for Doug only aired on Nickolodeon for 4 years, then Disney bought it and ruined the show.

Calvin & Hobbes- Bill Watterson

Calvin & Hobbes is by far my favorite comic of all time. Now-a-days I read a few web comics (Order of the Stick, Looking For Group, & Multiplex to name a few), but Calvin & Hobbes has always been and always be my #1. It's funny, it's intelligent, and people of all ages can connect to it at one level or another. Kids like Calvin; adults can relate to Calvin's parents or the babysitter; & smart-alecs like myself like Hobbes. If you haven't read any of Calvin & Hobbes, I really sincerely suggest that you do.

Dr. S.M. Lockridge's "That's My King"

Memories From Childhood, Part III

The BBC Chronicles of Narnia movies (1988-1990)

I watched these videos so many times when I was little...It originally was a TV miniseries on the BBC network. By the time I got my little hands on it, it was a 3 disc DVD collection; one for The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe, one for both Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and one for The Silver Chair. While the special effects and costuming of the animal characters were pretty bad, the music and plot lines were enjoyable. The animal suits never really detracted from the whole experience for me, even now (and those beaver suits were pretty bad).

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (2003)

This game has got to be (other than Pokemon) the game that I have played the most, logging over 100 hours of gameplay. I love this game (and it's sequel)! While the missions never change, there are so many of them. Plus there are a ton of different job and ally configurations to try, it never gets old. Definitely one of my favorite strategy games.







Rocket Power (1999-2004)
Good show from the early 2000's. My favorite character was Tito, of course. Kinda makes you wish that you lived in Hawaii. And, like in "Lord of the Flies", my friends associated me with the fat, geeky kid with glasses...so I was Squid. Jerks ;)

The Giver- Lois Lowry (1993)


I read this book in elementary school, though I can't remember if I read it in fifth or sixth grade (age 11 or 12). I really like this book- it's my favorite out of all of the "required readings" I had to do in elementary school. My only complaint is that it was too short. I have heard that there are two more books in the series, so I'll definitely check those out in the future. I believe they're called "Gathering Blue" and "Messenger".

Misty Mountains Cold

In honor of the Hobbit movies coming out soon (yay!), here's a song from the book that was also partly featured in the animated Rankin/Bass version.

Far over the misty mountains cold,

To dungeons deep and caverns old

We must away ere the break of day,

To seek the pale enchanted gold.

The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,

While hammers fell like ringing bells

In places deep, where dark things sleep,

In hollow halls beneath the fells.

For ancient kings and elvish lord

There many a gleaming golden hoard

They shaped and wrought, and light they caught,

To hide in gems on hilt of sword.

On silver necklaces they strung

The flowering stars, on crowns they hung

The dragon-fire, in twisted wire

They meshed the light and moon and sun.

For over the misty mountains cold

To dungeons deep and caverns old,

We must away ere break of day,

To claim our long-forgotten gold.

Goblets they carved there for themselves

And harps of gold; where no man delves

There lay they lay long, and many a song

Was sung unheard by man or elves.

The pines were roaring on the height,

The winds were moaning in the night.

The fire was red, it flaming spread;

Laid low like torches blazed with light.

The bells were ringing in the dale,

And men looked up with faces pale,

Then dragon's ire more fierce than fire

Laid low their towers and houses frail.

The mountains smoked beneath the moon;

The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom.

They fled their hall to dying fall

Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.

For over misty mountains grim

To dungeons deep and caverns dim

We must away ere break of day,

To win our harps and gold from him!