Photo Issues

I just noticed that many of my photos are no longer showing on my blog posts. I don't know how to fix this without starting over with posting them, which is SO not going to happen, so I apologize and I feel bad and wish my blog looked more professional and all that, but I don't know what's gone wrong, so I don't know how to fix it. Most of the photos I use on this site are either from IMDB or from Goodreads. I'm wondering if that is the problem. Maybe (IMDB in particular) has begun blocking their images from being shared? I don't know. 

From now on, I will have to do things the hard way, by downloading images to my computer and then uploading them to the blog and captioning them to credit the sources, instead of uploading them directly from the URL where they live. Boo.

If anyone knows how to resolve this problem between Blogger and online images, please let me know. In the meantime, I hope you continue to enjoy my blog. I sure enjoy having you visit. 

Book Review: Austenland by Shannon Hale

I enjoy a nice, fat novel. I like knowing that I will have a story to return to for at least a few days. But sometimes, it's equally pleasant to read a shorter book-- one that can be finished in a day. Yesterday, I read two such books-- Neil Gaiman's "The Ocean at the End of the Lane", and Shannon Hale's "Austenland". 

Quick summary: "Pride and Prejudice"-obsessed Jane is sent to an estate in England that specializes in period-themed experiences by her rich aunt so she can get over her delusional crush on Mr. Darcy and learn to love men who don't live up to Darcy's standard of perfection. 

It's a light, fun book, perfect for a hot summer day. The characters are enjoyable, there's a twist at the end, and the story is amusing. I didn't get a lot of the Austen-related references; I've never read any of her books, and I've only seen a couple of the movies, a long time ago, but I still got the gist of what was being said, and I still quite enjoyed the book. 

Book Review: The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman is known for creating unique fantasy worlds and deeply thoughtful characters and stories. I was excited to find a new book by him and equally happy that it was short. It's a book that can easily be read in a day, but the story is contemplative and layered and lovely.

You can read a synopsis here or here, and I don't like to fill reviews such, but if you only have time (or patience) to read what I've written, here's a quick summary: The main character tells a story, in flashback first person form, of magical, frightening and fantastical events that happened when he was 7 years old. The story includes magical phenomena, good versus evil (and the sometimes blurred lines between), creatures of death and darkness, and a trio of old-world good witches (for lack of a better word) who help him.

David Tennant Parking Only!

This sign is on the southwest side of my town. My brain always makes room for an extra N in the middle of that first word and I think how nice of them to reserve a space just for David Tennant here in little Tooele, Utah. 

Then I wish the TARDIS would show up.

Or Tennant in a car, even. That'd be okay, too...

I'll bring the cake.

Elementary: Americanized Sherlock Holmes

As anyone who is a fan of BBC's "Sherlock" knows, a hiatus of well over 12 months is far too long for a magnificent show, especially considering the heart-wrenching cliff-hanger at the end of the final episode of Series 2. I've gone back and re-watched all 6 episodes twice since early 2012. It's easily still my favorite show on TV.

Pitch Perfect: Fun, but Not For Everyone

Tonight, while my husband is away at Scout Camp, I finally got to watch "Pitch Perfect". I had to watch it alone, because (thankfully!) someone warned me that there are songs and dialogue that are rather adult in nature and I didn't want to be surprised with my kids next to me.