Wonderland

Disneyland today with the mother and little brother. We got there just after 8am. First stop, Captain EO. Erik thought it was a ride. The 3D images aren't as clear as Avatar, but super spectacular, considering this was made in 1985. It's nice to see Michael up on the screen dancing and singing. I can see why the MJ fans couldn't wait for this attraction's return.

We went to the Jungle Cruise. My mom has never been, and the 2fer commercials make it look so cool. I asked for a map. I got one, yay! We boarded the Amazon Belle. Our skipper wasn't as funny as others I've had in the past. We got to the Hippo Pool and the turn wasn't so smooth. It was bumpy. We kept bumping.

She fires 6 shots. "Okay folks, stay calm. We have derailed. It's nothing to worry about, it happens all the time. Someone will come to help soon."

All the other boats were returned to the dock in reverse. 15-20 minutes later, all of the animatronics had stopped moving. Another boat came and fixed our problem. We went back to shore and got a fastpass.

At New Orleans Square, we watched Tiana's Mardi Gras celebration. It's basically the Showboat Jubilee with only Tiana and without the showboat. She sings songs from the movie.

They didn't have any Death Certificates at Haunted Mansion.

Next, lunch at Red Rocket Pizza Port.

After, we were by the Matterhorn, and who do we see? Why, the Wonderland crew! Alice, the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, and the Queen of Hearts. I was so happy! Now I didn't have to wait for musical chairs to meet them.

We followed them around. By the way, they don't stop. They're always on the move, so if you want a picture or an autograph, you have to follow them and be fast! This guy was wearing the new Johnny Depp Mad Hatter hat, and the original Mad Hatter was outraged. "That's not me!" He protested with the sales clerk for selling this weird merchandise.

I put on my handmade top hat. I went to take a picture with Alice. "Don't be mad," I told her. She asked why I would be mad. Because of my hat. She said, "Oh no, yours is prettier!" She then wandered off. Another little girl asked to take a picture. She shrugged and said "Okay." It's such madness. By the way, this Alice has been Tinkerbell in another life.

The Mad Hatter saw my hat. He liked it because I made it myself. I was missing the price tag though. He let me take a picture.

On the way back to Main Street, we saw Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. I only got a picture with Tweedle Dum.

Cruela DeVil was in front of the firehouse.

Over to California Adventure. I entered A Bug's Land for the first time. The rides are cute! It's like a carnival. All I need is my niece so that I have an excuse to ride all the attractions. We cut through to Tower of Terror.

On the way out, the High School Musical parade just started singing "I Want It All." I raised my hand to be chosen. It all happens so quickly. I got my Star Dazzle Award!

Out of the park before 6pm.

At a glance:
~California Screamin'

~Captain EO

~Haunted Mansion

~High School Musical Parade

~Jungle Cruise (fail)

~Peter Pan's Flight {+1HM}

~Pirates of the Caribbean

~Red Rocket Pizza Port

~Soarin' Over California

~Space Mountain

~Tarzan's Treehouse

~Tiana's Mardi Gras Celebration

~Tower of Terror (x2)

The Chronicles of Narnia

Introduction

~I watched The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe on the Disney Channel over winter break.

~I enjoyed it very much (to my surprise).

~I watch Prince Caspian on Encore.

~I love it.

~Ben Barnes is so cute. [[ He was in a boyband for 4 and 1/2 minutes? I think I'm in LOVE! ]]

~I can't wait for Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

~I decide to read the series.

~I also watch a few episodes of the BBC series adaptation.

Critique

The Chronicles of Narnia series was written for children. This is exhibited as the author dictates the most obvious events. C.S. Lewis's descriptions of places and people really allow you to paint a picture with all of the senses.

Each adventure journeys through different parts of Narnia. Some journeys are longer than others (way longer), and there are epic battles and wars fought by children. I wanted one instance where they traveled to Narnia and just chilled and had fun. I suppose the story wouldn't be as interesting though.

I read it in publication order. It works that way.

Comparisons

~The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was a really good and true adaptation.

~Prince Caspian: movie > book [more Ben!]

~Voyage of the Dawn Treader < Silver Chair

Conclusion

Overall, I think it's a really good series. I shall add it to my future library. The last two paragraphs of The Last Battle turned my world upside down. I suppose I got what I wanted, but not exactly the way I expected. Although, it does make sense.

Voyage of the Dawn Treader hits theatres in December. I think they should stop with the films after this. I'm hoping for a M&G opportunity with Ben! Skandar's cute too, but he's younger than me xD

Blitz

I played Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook. I played it for so long, that I lost the drive to always get the high score, but I still enjoyed playing. When I realized it counted each score into brackets, I set out to achieve gold metals in all areas.

It was a new way to be awesome.

They recently unleashed a new version of the game. It has new toys, and higher scores are now capable. It's another challenge, but I think I'm good with finishing my first challenge.

So here it is:

I used no new tools, I played it old school. Here are my totals:

25k - 252 [this was reset when the new version came out]

50k - 555

75k - 611

100k - 716

125k - 665

150k - 575

175k - 509

200k - 359

225k - 250

250k - 257

Starstruck

This new Disney Channel movie was cute. It's a musical. Sterling doesn't really sing (Drew Ryan Scott dubs), but so what? I forgot that I had Disney Channel on Demand and could watch it early!

The story line reminded me of Camp Rock. A couple of the songs remind me of other songs. For example, the opening riff to "Hero" sounds like "One Less Lonely Girl" by Justin Bieber. "Got to Believe," which was on the soundtrack, but I guess, cut out of the movie, sounds like "Harder to Breathe," by Maroon 5.

For me, their "photography tour" around the city of L.A. made the movie for me. When you live here, it's easy to forget that this wonderful city can be glamorous and have so much to offer. I love that they went to the Hollywood sign. I always look at it when I drive past on the 101. "Something About the Sunshine," sounded cheesy on the soundtrack, but became so cute when it was played during this montage.

Hear the robin going..

I gave in. I am using Twitter. I am only using it to follow other users. It's easier to keep up with everyone's updates with a Twitter account.

I don't plan o tweeting anything myself because I rearely have anything interesting to say (and no one cares). Plus, if I have something to say, I blog about it HERE.

-MTV has removed "Music Televison" from their logo. It's officially no longer the network I grew up with.

-Sterling Knight admits Christopher Wilde is part him and part Drew Ryan Scott of Varsity Fanclub.

-According to Wikipedia, Selena Gomez's "Kiss and Tell" has sold more copies than Demi Lovato's "Here We Go Again."

-Selena's performances have improved.

-Nick Jonas debuts at #3.

-Disneyland's attendance is up, but profits still aren't.

-I started rating songs on my iPod.

Dashboard

This is what I saw just before I got to work:

FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND, FOUR HUNDRED FORTY-FOUR miles in 2 years.

Nick Jonas & the Administration

Nick Jonas has had a busy week.

First of all, I was shocked when I heard Nick had a solo project. I knew it was coming, yet I'm not ready for Jonas Brothers to be over. None the less, I think he has done a great job, I support him, and I'm happy for him.

"Who I Am" was released. 10 songs. I do feel that old school raw rock and roll vibe when I listen to it. In my history of rock and roll class, I learned that albums were supposed to capture the essence of live shows. They were made for those who couldn't make it out to the concert and for those who wanted to relive it. Nick's album does that. My favorite track is "Last Time Around."

On Tuesday, he decided to spend release day with the fans. He tweeted that he was headed to the Santa Monica Pier, Sherman Oaks, and Downtown Disney.

This, of course, KILLED ME. Tuesday is the one day of the week I'm NOT in town. It's okay, my time will come, I HOPE!

I couldn't make it out to any of the shows at the Wiltern last week. When he first announced his tour, I hadn't planned on going. Videos on youtube changed my mind, especially the covers of Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato and Owl City songs.

I did think he would be on Jimmy Kimmel Live to promote the album. So, I requested tickets for the whole week he was in town for the tour and this week for the release.

Last night, he was on the show. Wednesday is the one night I COULDN'T go. I have a class, crucial to my major, that cannot be skipped.

There once was a time when I would be willing to skip class for a Jonas show.

There once was a time when my grades wouldn't suffer for it.

That time is over =/

Here's a list of things to make me feel better:

~I am a Jonas Brothers fan.

~If Nick's covers are what got me excited, then I ought to go see the original artists live.

~No M&G (okay, I might have won if I entered, but I want to meet all 3 brothers!)

~Nick didn't perform on Jimmy Kimmel.

~Target's edition of "Who I Am" comes with an exclusive DVD of performances.

80s Dance

Tonight's episode of One Tree Hill was so cute and cheesy, but so well done. Once I heard Simple Minds "Don't You Forget About Me," I was instantly transported to the teen movie world of John Hughes.

I loved the tribute. Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, Weird Science, Ferris Buller's Day Off, and probably another.

This is my second favorite episode of the season so far. (First place goes to "I and Love and You" because of Clay + Sarah love story and "Belle of the Boulevard.")