Saturday, December 25, 2010

Vacation Day Three... Audiobooks

Merry Christmas!

Today my sister and I drove to see my dad for the afternoon and I was thrilled to discover her willingness to listen to a book. Since I was equally excited about all the choices I'd picked up at the library for my holiday, I let her pick.

First we listened to the full cast recording of Once Upon a Time in the North by Philip Pullman -- a prequel to The Golden Compass. The main character was Lee Scorsby and in this episode we also get our first glimpse of the armored bears-- Yorick Bernison, in particular.



Then on the drive home we started White Cat by Holly Black. This is a young adult story of a boy named Cassel whose family is full of "curse workers." So, I guess you'd call this part of the fantasy genre too. We got nearly to the halfway point and as I am packing for my trip to The Cities tomorrow I hope to hear the rest of it. Perhaps my pal, Rebecca and I will listen to another one on the drive there--I have some other gems picked out.

What's been particularly fun this holiday break is seeing my sister devouring books via her kindle. In fact, when she got home she downloaded White Cat on audio so she could continue to listen to the story at home. It's fun to have people who share my enthusiasm for books and reading.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Vacation Day Two... More Books!

Well, Behemoth is done and as satisfying as it could be with its unresolved ending. I do love the Steampunk genre and this book's alternate history (set in a version of WW I). The Darwinists and the Clankers, the Beasties and the Stormwalkers are actually a lot of fun for the likes of me.

I've finished my Houdini book too and I can wholeheartedly say that I love the juvenile nonfiction genre tremendously. Or perhaps it's just Fleishman whom I admire. For a girl who thirsts for knowledge the book serves up just enough to whet the appetite and then if I can't resist I can always dig deeper. I've had similar experiences with the Catherine Gourley volumes on "Images and Issues of Women in the Twentieth Century" and Elizabeth Partridge's fantastic biography of Woody Guthrie. As a wee Christmas present to myself I did indulge in another Sid Fleishman biography -- Sir Charlie, but that is for another day.

Today's a day for multiple volumes and possibly no finishes as there is this thing called Christmas Eve happening at my mom's tonight.

Today I officially started the following books:
Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle
Moominpapa at Sea by Tove Jansson
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Vacation--Day One, Book One

A few weeks ago I planned to take on the challenge of reading a book a day over Christmas vacation. Then I started planning some reading choices. Well, I'm already behind before I begin because I'm in the MIDDLE of a book I was going to read for the challenge. Will I put it aside to pursue today's daily book? I'm afraid I just can't do that. Instead I will not take this challenge so literally as to assume I will complete a book a day each day... and instead aim for a grand total of 12 (or 13 since I'd already started Behemoth before the challenge). I am a fan of reading a multitude of books at once anyway.

I'm currently reading Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld














and today's read in my #bookaday challenge is ...

Escape! The Story of The Great Houdini by Sid Fleischman

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Happy Solstice.

I have a fascination with the equinoxes and solstices. I'm a time oriented girl who operates on many schedules and calendars -- the school year, the fiscal year, the passage of the moon and the broader calendar nature provides with the equinox and the solstice.

Those happy seasonal landmarks draw nearer the days I'm longing for or grant me the satisfaction of knowing that I'm saying goodbye to the days I want to be done with. The winter solstice smacks of the latter. I find that dark mornings make it increasingly difficult to leave the shelter of my cozy bed and I crave morning sunlight. What's funny is that Dec. 21st is the first day of winter, but for me it's a reminder that each day's dose of sunshine increases from that point forward. The Winter Solstice reminds me that spring is coming...nearer and nearer every day and that seems like a reason to celebrate.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Why Kids Are Fun

I'm suddenly cool because I can sort of draw a tree waiting to be decorated.

I feel like a commissioned artist when my "little director"
is shouting now blue, now green.
Make a yellow one for my mom!

My tea bag dish repurposed

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Taste is a Curious Thing

I just discovered Taste Test Etsy via Swiss Miss. If you love Etsy, which I do, you might agree that it's a bit overwhelming with all its awesomeness. Tons of choices. Tons of fantastic products. Well, Taste Etsy determines your particular "taste" based on choices you make between different groupings of items.

I actually think they might be on to something because this little black polka-dotted briefcase was among the items Etsy recommended to me, based on my taste and they were right on. You can buy this for me here! :)


How Do You Know

How Do You Know (2010)

For the first time in a long time I saw a movie on its opening day and I really enjoyed it. How Do You Know's star-studded cast was only one level of appeal. The writing was great, which translates--somewhat quirky and unpredictable. Ebert didn't love it, but I thought it was 3.5 stars at least. I realize it's a bit shallow but there are such gems in the film that I forgive its weaknesses. Lisa's (Witherspoon) reference to Bambi, George (Rud) literally running away from bad news, Matty's (Wilson) unbelievable apartment fully stocked with all the amenities of the one night stand and the scene at the hospital. Watch it. See if you agree. If you, like me, have been waiting for a romantic comedy worthy of the Nora Ephron legacy this one comes close.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Thai Today, Gone Tomorrow?

Demers and Philadelphia Sushi Rolls

Recently a new Thai restaurant opened in my area. For months, the rumors had been circulating, but I wasn't sure when or where it would appear. I've been eagerly awaiting its arrival and was even more excited to learn that it came with yummy sushi options too. Little Bangkok & Wasabi is on the corner across the street from Cabela's in East Grand Forks and my heart sank a little when I saw the location. It's the Bermuda triangle in the restaurant circuit. I think we've seen an Irish Pub, an Italian restaurant, and something else too all reside in that location for a brief time before poof it closes its doors for good or gives way to something new. Now, I may be wrong on this, but I think this new restaurant is a branch of the successful Fargo Thai places: Drunken Noodle, Thai Orchid, Wasabi.

Pad Thai

My first visit was two weeks ago and I had pad Thai and shared a rainbow sushi platter with my pal, Anna. This time I ordered the basil stir fry with chicken and I shared some sushi--one sushi roll from the regular (Philadelphia) and one from the deluxe (Demers Ave). Both times I had a small garden salad (mainly iceberg lettuce) but the ginger salad dressing? To die for. Tonight, we made the meal complete with some heavenly coconut ice cream. Yum!

Basil Stir Fry with Chicken

Coconut Ice Cream

Tonight was my second trip and I suspect I'll need to keep working my way through the menu. I hope this place sticks around long enough for me to do that!

P.S. Rumor has it we'll have an Iraqi place called Babylon down the street from The Toasted Frog. Yum! Things are looking up!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Never the Same Day Twice

Teaching has its extremes. Some days pure joy. Other days, well, not so much. After 15 years I thought I'd seen it all, but this year keeps proving me wrong at every turn. In one week, I've been accused of "giving up on a student" by a frustrated parent and then I've also had a colleague tell me she met a former student of mine now living in Minneapolis who said I "changed her life" and I think she meant for the better. Two summers ago in one of my gardening moments I caught up with a former student who said I was the person who "got her reading for fun" and that she reads all the time now. Of course, I have a few who are doing time for all sorts of sad crimes. I wish I knew where more of my students ended up or in what ways I influenced them for good or taught them useful things like when to use it's and its... One boy admitted that was the one thing he learned in my class. Thanks, Kiah. Well, it's something, eh?

One thing can be said for teaching. It's never the same day twice. I have a dynamic job with unique challenges and I get to be a "teacher/parent/social worker/mentor" 185+ days a year and my "kids" never really age. I just keep dealing with that same sophomoric behavior and can't figure out why they can't figure it out... Hmmm... perhaps because it's a fresh crop of kiddos every fall! Forget the challenges for a minute and ponder these gems--moments that made me grin from ear to ear this week.

Two spelling errors made by two different students:
S. Cargo (Escargot)
Hycute (Haiku)

And today?
Today I watched a 5 month old baby kangaroo hop around in the hallway at school. He was wearing a diaper with a little hole cut out for his tail. A former student whose family has a small petting zoo brought this little guy in for the teachers to see.

He's tucked up in his "pouch."

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Seasons G-read-ings!


I love this childhood book of mine,
Cranberry Christmas by Harry and Wende Devlin.

A few more holiday treasures for all ages.

If you are interested in a little holiday humor, David Sedaris, you can listen to his holiday story Santaland Diaries here in four parts: part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4

Friday, December 10, 2010

Frankie says...



And it's a shocker, since Riesling isn't typically my thing... I'm more of a Pinot Noir kind of girl.

Sunday, December 05, 2010

To Judge a Book By Its Cover


In recent years I've been amassing a collection of Bond books with a particular set of covers I so love, those put out by Penguin in the early 2000's with cover art by Roseanne Serra and Richie Fahey. I have ten of the 15 books (if you count the short story collection Quantum of Solace). I try to pick these up "used" when I'm at Half Price Books or some other reasonably priced book joint. Still on my must-have list are these: You Only Live Twice, Quantum of Solace, The Man With the Golden Gun, Diamonds are Forever, and From Russia With Love.

Today I discovered another edition that I feel I MUST own. Despite the fact that I've seen all the films and am a huge fan, I've only actually READ two books by Ian Fleming: Goldfinger and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Still, the new Penguin cover art blows me away. Good job, Michael Gilette. Take a look.


If you're curious about the order of the books. Apparently one ought to read them in the proper order and little attention has been paid to this by book publishers in the past. Not so, this time with the new Penguin editions. Seriously. Aren't these just yummy?

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Book a Day Options

So the hard part about finding 11 books to read over break is that I have to choose from the 555 in my Goodreads "to read" category. Last night, I started pulling unread books from my shelves and I had to stop when I got to about 25 titles. So, no matter what, I'll have no trouble FINDING great titles... I just may have some trouble NARROWING my options.

Care to help? Feel free to weigh in on these titles.

1. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (young adult fiction)
2. The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Susanna Clarke (short stories)
3. Men and Gods by Rex Warner, illustrated by Edward Gorey (myths)
4. My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell (memoir)
5. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (memoir)
6. White Cat by Holly Black (young adult)
7. Return to the Hundred Acre Wood by David Benedictus (children's)
8. Incarceron by Catherine Fisher (young adult)
9. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (young adult)
10. A Wild Sheep Chase by Haruki Murakami (fiction)
11. The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan (juvenile/young adult fiction)
12. The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion (memoir)
13. Escape! The Story of The Great Houdini by Sid Fleischman (young adult nonfiction)
14. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell (nonfiction)
15. Big Fish by Daniel Wallace (fiction)
16. Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld (juvenile/young adult fiction)
17. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson (nonfiction/roman a clef)
18. The Summer Book by Tove Jansson (fiction)
19. Modesty Blaise by Peter O'Donnell (mystery)
20. Moominpappa at Sea by Tove Jansson (juvenile fiction)
21. Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James swanson (young adult history)
22. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
23. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (juvenile/young adult fiction)
24. Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby (fiction)
25. Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle (3 Young Adult holiday romances)

UPDATE:
Books in red, I completed for the challenge
Books in green, I read BEFORE the challenge began. :)

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

A Book a Day

Since I love a good challenge, I'm going to try for a "book a day" over my holiday break. For me that's only 11 days... 11 books.

If you choose to participate, you can share your progress and your titles on Twitter with the hashtag #bookaday.

Donalyn Miller, of Book Whisperer fame, is leading the charge. Now I just have to decide which choice morsels to devour over my brief break.

Miller reminds us that anything is fair game... novels, nonfiction, picture books, graphic novels, your challenge, your pick. With that in mind I should be in good shape. After all, I think I have more than 500 titles on my "to read" list.

Monday, September 06, 2010

Everthing's Better with Feta

Labor Day Lunch

Fresh From the Garden Salad: lettuce, onion, cucumber slices (soaked in vinegar), cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese... I added lemon pepper chicken chunks before I ate... it was still a-cooking when I got camera happy.

Time for a peck of pickled peppers?

This is just Friday's take from the garden. I have some spaghetti squash for a few meals this week and I'm trying to think of something yummy to make with the Acorn Squash (is that the right name for that variety?). I have been looking online for ideas for my peppers. I think I'm going to try to do some preserving. Yikes. Directions differ wildly and some stress caution when canning to avoid botulism but other recipes seem to suggest it's easy peasy... I'll keep you posted.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

I Admire the Enthusiasm.

About a week ago I heard a Ray Bradbury tribute video that both stunned me and made me laugh out loud. I am most certain it crosses several lines and then tap dances with glee on the other side. While I won't be posting the video here, it's certainly something you can search out when you aren't at work or in the presence of the easily offended or young ears of the world. Here's a link to an article that describes and discusses it better than I do.

The Ray Bradbury Tribute I Never Expected to See posted by David Barnett on the book blog page of The Guardian.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

The Current State of Affairs.



image by Kenglye



So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from Hell,
Blue skies from pain.
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?

And did they get you to trade
Your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
And did you exchange
A walk on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage?

How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found?
The same old fears.
Wish you were here.

--Pink Floyd

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Mashups.



I wanted to see if I could really clip part of a Hulu vid and share it somewhere else... I absolutely LOVE the mashups on Glee and this partial Bon Jovi one is particularly grand.

And it worked! That was a clip from Glee Season I episode: Vitamin D in which Will's wife gets a job as a school nurse (totally without credentials) in an effort to spy on him and Emma. She also gets all the kids hopped up on the active ingredient in cold medicine. You can tell that Finn is a bit hopped up in this number, but it's appropriate. I've seen Jon Bon Jovi perform recently. He was exactly like that!



To be fair, here are the girls. Equally manic.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Does Tweeting Make me a Twit?

Despite the fact that I have managed to take a class on Twitter for Teachers and teach two workshops on social media, I remain a bit of a skeptic. I find it intriguing. I suspect there really is no fighting it. Yet, I'm not sure we really understand the way that social media is altering our reality, our literacies.

Today I was struck by a NY Times article from a few weeks ago, I Tweet, Therefore I Am. And one slice in particular:

"Back in the 1950s, the sociologist Erving Goffman famously argued that all of life is performance: we act out a role in every interaction, adapting it based on the nature of the relationship or context at hand. Twitter has extended that metaphor to include aspects of our experience that used to be considered off-set: eating pizza in bed, reading a book in the tub, thinking a thought anywhere, flossing. Effectively, it makes the greasepaint permanent, blurring the lines not only between public and private but also between the authentic and contrived self. If all the world was once a stage, it has now become a reality TV show: we mere players are not just aware of the camera; we mug for it."

And I don't think Twitter is the only target here. I'm sure this can be said for all forms of social media, this blog included. I'm not sure the realization is enough to change anything for me, but awareness is worth something, I think.

article found via Swiss Miss

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Sounds Sketchy? Not at all.

The Sketchbook Project: 2011

Every year I contemplate NaNoWriMo and am unable to truly give it a go, especially in November. It's just not the month for me at this stage of my life... And a novel. Wow. I don't know.

So, now I've gone and done something radical. Well, for me at least.

I signed up for The Sketchbook Project. I just couldn't help myself. It's too cool not to be a part of this.

I am not even good at art... at least not in its traditional forms, but this is a really freeing project based on what I read and I'm VERY excited to see what emerges.

Please check it out for yourself and consider joining me in The Sketchbook Project.

Monday, August 09, 2010

Sweet Eats.


I love food blogs. I've said it before--they are my "porn." I experience a lust that I imagine is how some men view the other sort. I can feel it all through me... the appreciation for the beauty of the food. The mouthwatering. The ache. :)

I have a few favorites that do the exaggerated explicit photographic instructions on how to craft their delectable recipes. Yet, another favorite foodie is Oh Joy Eats. Joy's blog features favorite restaurants, food related products, desserts, dishes, recommendations, sweets, treats and more all styled to perfection. I enjoy her other blog too.

Sunday, August 08, 2010

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

There's Something About Stevie.



It seems like the world is trying to encourage my music mania by offering up little gems at every turn. I've long loved Fleetwood Mac, in general and Stevie Nicks especially. I am sure others might not approve, but I heartily admire her signature style, and while to affect a "Stevie look" would be nothing short of poor imitation, it does inspire me to find that look of my own. I'm all about the music, the stage presence, the memories I've made with the music, but sometimes it's also just how ridiculously cool some musicians are. Today I stumbled upon this video on Hello Lindello. It's Stevie backstage singing Wild Heart. Though a longer You Tube video says it was getting ready for a Rolling Stones photo shoot... you can watch that longer vid. here.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

The Look

So yesterday was Mick Jagger's 67th birthday and what do I do? I celebrate by looking at You Tube clips of Marianne Faithfull. Naturally. :) You can listen to her songs here on her site!

Though I am not over the moon in love with all her music, I love her trainwreck of a voice and how she managed to become two different singers in about 15 years due to what--smoking, drugs, wild living that left her a shell of her former self. Hmmm... that might be an exaggeration, but she IS a fascinating woman and one would be a fool to ignore her resilience and her relentless pursuit of a career in both film and music.

AND she's got "the look," to quote Roxette. I think she's quite beautiful at any age and couldn't stop myself from watching interview after interview on You Tube. Good stuff.

Set the time travel dial to 1962 Greenwich Village... or maybe 1967 Monterey... 1965 in London. I am convinced I should have grown up in the midst of the 60s music scene; I would have been a totally different person. Or maybe the same person with a totally different set of experiences. Sigh.







Monday, July 26, 2010

Superpowers Playlist -- Volume III

It's been a long time since I've done a Superpower Playlist -- Clearly, I am a slacker...
Lately, I've been updating my laptop with CDs, transferring files from my old computer, and my headphones have been a-humming... So, no fears. A playlist of current faves is in the works. In the meantime...

Superpower Playlist Volume I
Feb. 2008
  1. You Turn Me On I'm a Radio by Joni Mitchell
  2. Little Boxes by Malvina Reynolds
  3. Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On) by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
  4. Samson by Regina Spektor
  5. Modern Girl by Sleater-Kinney
  6. Ride a White Swan by T.Rex
  7. Oh Very Young by Cat Stevens
  8. Hot Child in the City by Nick Gilder
  9. Third Time Lucky by Foghat
  10. MmmBop by Hanson
  11. Your Daddy Don't Know by Toronto
  12. Hold On, Hold On by Neko Case
  13. Diamonds on the Inside by Ben Harper
  14. Turn Me On by Nina Simone
  15. Falling Slowly by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
  16. Take Me Home Tonight by Eddie Money
  17. Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield
  18. Little Willy by Sweet
  19. Knock Three Times by Tony Orlando and Dawn
  20. Oxygen by Willy Mason
  21. Peace Will Come (According to Plan) by Melanie
  22. Love is All Around by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

The closest I can manage to an online version is a You Tube Playlist.



Superpower Playlist Volume II
June 2008
1. Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
2. Bad 4 You by Alannah Myles
3. I Want to Hold Your Hand by T.V. Carpio
4. Don't Think Twice, It's Alright by Indigo Girls with Joan Baez
5. Burning for You by Blue Oyster Cult
6. Against the Wind by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
7. It Ain't Me, Babe by The Turtles
8. Change is Hard by She and Him
9. Teenagers by My Chemical Romance
10. Turn on Me by The Shins
11. Does Your Mother Know by ABBA
12. Forever for Her (Is Over For Me) by The White Stripes
13. I'm Your Man by Leonard Cohen
14. Never Going Back Again by Fleetwood Mac
15. I Got You Babe by Sonny and Cher
16. Baby Boomerang by The Shins
17. Kamera by Wilco
18. The Outdoor Type by The Lemonheads
19. I Know There's Something Going On by Frieda
20. All Summer Long by Kid Rock

My You Tube Playlist link for this version



And stay tuned for Superpower Playlist III.... coming soon to a computer near you.

In the meantime, here's a link to my You Tube Channel... I almost never have original videos on there but I do tend to add to my favorites regularly.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Camp or Cool? Who Cares!



I can't remember where I've posted this before, but I couldn't find it when I looked so I think it warrants another shout out. I LOVE this little video montage of Diana Rigg as Emma Peel in The Avengers... and what a great song, consider this a tribute to Pete Quaife of The Kinks.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Make Yourself Scarce.

pics via Andy Smith who's been reading my mind!

This past week I attended a conference in Bismarck --Invest North Dakota Teacher Academy. Because it was held at University of Mary, I got to experience the college dorm room all over again. I can't say I've missed it. :)

After every session my brain felt full to bursting. Conference topics ranged from looking at economics in the elementary classroom to diversifying your own financial assets. At every turn we were offered free resources, curriculum, websites, suggestions, games, ideas, and the latest laws and good-to-know-facts about everything from the most simple wants/needs concepts to exploring the benefits of a Roth IRA versus a Traditional IRA. We learned about protecting ourselves from fraud and scams and what do to if we are exposed so suspicious activity. We learned about the stock market and about bonds and about the new credit card laws. We even had a representative from our pension plan --TFFR--Teachers Fund for Retirement--talk about some of the potential changes and its impacts. I left with more motivation to share some of this knowledge with the loved ones in my life. Even helping students to understand the power of compounding interest and creating a realistic budget would be a great start.

And one final thought that blew me away... some of the most successful people don't work for anyone. They are entrepreneurs. Are we giving students the tools they need so that entrepreneurship is an option? I heard this message again and again throughout the week. Dr. John Hail, professor Missouri State University said, "When your students ask you what is the secret to success, tell them the following. Think of yourself as a resource. Now, make yourself scarce." Be able to do something no one else can.

Susan Beacham reminded us of the importance of being able to "delay gratification" and that we need to live BELOW our means, not within it. In one of her sessions she talked about how to live like a millionaire-- as people who are disciplined, who work hard, are patient, persistent, frugal, charitable. They budget, have good social skills, supportive spouses, love what they do-- are passionate about their work. They use their resources, time, talent, energy and money to survive and really thrive. Four of five millionaires are college graduates and yet 3/4 of all millionaires are self employed--they aren't getting a degree to "get a job." But I think that statistic still speaks to hard work, education, and delaying gratification. It speaks to being passionate about what you do and not holding back.

Seth Willis of Greeley Colorado presented about using the Internet in the classroom and I loved his use of literary quotes to support his theories--hey I am an English teacher, after all.

Dr. Debra Peppers provided humor and inspiration and echoed another reminder that excellent teachers can surprise students, keep things fresh, and truly care. The right word at the right time can change a life. Who would think that at an investment conference I would be moved to tears multiple times during her session? She was a powerful presenter.

I can't recommend this workshop enough. I don't even teach personal finance in school or any family and consumer science classes or economics and I still left motivated and excited about my charge as a teacher of young people who need to be prepared for the world before them.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Nine

Nine (2009)

Ebert rates this film 2 stars and reminds us that this film " pays homage to a Broadway musical, and not Fellini at all." Having seen neither 8 1/2 nor the musical, for me it is what it is. And overall, it was a bit disjointed and blase. The ladies were lovely, especially Marion Cotillard. I loved the costumes. I enjoyed several of the musical numbers, despite Ebert's claim that the musical has no good songs. I liked the lighting and the colors and the sort of "style" that Stephanie (Kate Hudson) talks about... but the story, meh. I think Ebert explains pretty well, how it fell short.

Here are Ebert's parting comments in his review, I plan to follow his advice.

"Nine is just plain adrift in its own lack of necessity. It is filled wall to wall with stars (Marion Cotillard as the wife figure, Penelope Cruz as the mistress, Judi Dench as the worrying assistant, Nicole Kidman as the muse, the sublime Sophia Loren as the mother). But that's what they are, stars, because the movie doesn't make them characters. My closing advice is very sincere: In the life of anyone who loves movies, there must be time to see "8½." You can watch it instantly right now on Netflix or Amazon. What are you waiting for?"

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