Not All Men

Memories From Childhood, Part V

The Princess Bride (1987)

This movie is (apart from Monty Python & the Holy Grail) one of the most quoted/quotable movies of all time. I love this movie, and NO it's not a chick flick! There's something for both men and women, so everyone enjoys it. Bought the book as well, and it was just as good as the movie, if not better. Humor was very close to Douglas Adams' in "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". You need to see this movie.

..."Anybody want a peanut?"  =D

Harvest Moon GB (1997)

You might think that this game is stupid or girly, but hey, I enjoyed it. So there. Harvest Moon is a farm sim game that kicks the pants off of FarmVille. Fun game to dink around on, but not one I would play for long periods of time. Honestly, it's better for younger kids anyway.

Bill Nye the Science Guy (1993-1998)

I learned a lot from this show. I wish it was still on the air, but alas, it is not. I still get the seasons song stuck in my head from time to time. Sunrise, sunset...

The Swiss Family Robinson- Johann David Wyss

I read this book in junior high, I believe. Really liked it- it's one of my favorite Classics. Yeah, it's not technically a classic, but I consider it as one. The Disney live-action movie wasn't that great, but I enjoyed both as a kid. Definitely a recommended read.

Bookshelf Door

Isn't this such a good idea? I would love to have one of these in my house (one of these days)!

Die Erlkönig

In my music theory class, we're studying theory in the medium of art songs. Today we started off with one of my favorites- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's poem "Die Erlkönig", set to music by Franz Schubert. Just love the right hand piano part, and the addition of a great German writer, and Germanic cultural/fairy tale elements. The video below is of Jessye Norman, who I think performs it very well (just ignore the junk in the background). Here are the words, case you're curious. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Wer reitet so spät durch Nacht und Wind?
Es ist der Vater mit seinem Kind;
Er hat den Knaben wohl in dem Arm,
Er faßt ihn sicher, er hält ihn warm.

"Mein Sohn, was birgst du so bang dein Gesicht?"
"Siehst, Vater, du den Erlkönig nicht?
Den Erlenkönig mit Kron und Schweif?"
"Mein Sohn, es ist ein Nebelstreif."

"Du liebes Kind, komm, geh mit mir!
Gar schöne Spiele spiel' ich mit dir;
Manch' bunte Blumen sind an dem Strand,
Meine Mutter hat manch gülden Gewand."

"Mein Vater, mein Vater, und hörest du nicht,
Was Erlenkönig mir leise verspricht?"
"Sei ruhig, bleib ruhig, mein Kind;
In dürren Blättern säuselt der Wind."

"Willst, feiner Knabe, du mit mir gehen?
Meine Töchter sollen dich warten schön;
Meine Töchter führen den nächtlichen Reihn,
Und wiegen und tanzen und singen dich ein."

"Mein Vater, mein Vater, und siehst du nicht dort
Erlkönigs Töchter am düstern Ort?"
"Mein Sohn, mein Sohn, ich seh es genau:
Es scheinen die alten Weiden so grau."

"Ich liebe dich, mich reizt deine schöne Gestalt;
Und bist du nicht willig, so brauch ich Gewalt."
"Mein Vater, mein Vater, jetzt faßt er mich an!
Erlkönig hat mir ein Leids getan!"

Dem Vater grauset's, er reitet geschwind,
Er hält in Armen das ächzende Kind,
Erreicht den Hof mit Müh' und Not;
In seinen Armen das Kind war tot.

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.