Happy New Year!

Our January thaw hit early this year. Yesterday we got up into the mid fifties, and today we were just shy of fifty degrees. The snow is melting at a very rapid rate (we got seventeen inches last a week ago). Today, we had snow fog. It is not a foggy day, but the snow is melting so fast, there is a mist hanging over everything, even though the sun may be shining and the sky blue.

Today is also my eldest niece's birthday! She is now NINE years old. Which is shocking and distressing. She is becoming a TWEEN. Went over after dinner for cake and presents. She got quite a number of fabulous things - her folks gave her a "design your own converse sneakers," her younger sister gave her a light-up ant farm. My folks got her three origami kits. Her little brother gave her a replacement for the toy he broke (and at 2.5yo, he really doesn't understand what is going on, but was still enamored of the toy in its packaging.). She got a renewal of the magazine series from me, plus a solar powered snap together kit that makes six different things, that are powered with a teeny little solar cell rather than batteries.

Well, back to work tomorrow. I didn't get through half the things to do on my list, but it has been a really good break, I think.

Currently, my first rehearsal is on Thursday night (did I mention I was cast in Annie? Yeah, one long three-month earworm). It is a music rehearsal, so singing! In public! For the first time in years! Thankfully I am in the ensemble, so nothing is riding on me singing by myself (which I am sure you are all thankful for).

Movie Review: TRON

Saw TRON: Legacy 3D on New Year's Day. I should explain that the original TRON came out when I was eleven years old. And whatever plot fails it has, I loved it -the whole idea of the Grid caught my imagination.

So, this new one, with a lot of the spirit of the original, less plot fail (although it has honking big plot HOLES), was never gonna be anything but a win for me. Loved the 3D bits, and the world building.

I loved Quorra - and couldn't figure out why she looked so familiar - she plays Thirteen on House! And while I found Sam kinda dumb (how the hell do you *think* Quorra can move off the Grid, moron?), I did like the way he chose to rebel, and the dive off the tower illustrated his devil-may-care reckless streak he needs in the Grid.

Clu was wonderfully creepy. As for the rest of the programs on the grid, we all knew doublecrossers get doublecrossed, so that was fairly satisfying.

I kinda want to see it again, but I think it can wait until its out on DVD (please do a director's cut! Please?).

Wish there was more Tron, though.

The world building was very satisfying. All in all I give it an A- because eve with the plot holes it was an exciting and satisfying movie to watch (gives new meaning to the phrase "ghost in the machine").