Thoughts on The Last Airbender

I saw The Last Airbender with my son today. After so many horrible reviews I was pleasantly surprised.

The special effects were superb. Pacing was a little on the slow side, however it seemed to cover the essentials from the cartoon.

The acting was not great, but good enough. Dialogue could have been better, but was not as terrible as reviewers made it seem.

I was disappointed that Prince Zuko's scar was unrealistically pigmented the same color as the rest of his face. And there were a few scenes where a better editor would have chosen retakes of dialogue that were smoother.

But overall the film was good. To all the reviewers and newscasters who claim that it was the worst movie ever, I say: You haven't seen many movies, have you?!

Sub vs. dub

I really enjoy watching anime. Anime is released in the original Japanese language. In order for me to enjoy the anime I must decide on either watching it in Japanese with English subtitles or with English dubbed audio. I almost never choose dubs because:

1. Japanese voice actors convey a larger range of emotion while still sounding natural. A good example of this would be the main character Ichigo in the anime Bleach.

2. Translation sometimes cause the dialogue to sound unnatural in English. Please Teacher viewers would agree that no husband would regularly call his wife, "Ma'am."

3. English voice actors and actresses often try to imitate the softness or roughness of the Japanese actors' voices, and this sounds unnatural. This is especially apparent in female voices and voices of children.

The only anime series I can enjoy, and not just tolerate, in English dub is Chobits. For some reason I find Chii's voice infinitely more cute in English than Japanese.

Thank goodness my otaku fiance agrees with me on this subject, so we can easily watch anime together without arguing over the language.

Pain and others

I spend nearly every day in pain due to chronic migraines. Sometimes the people around me have no clue that the simple things they do or don't do make the pain significantly worse. It can be the volume of the television, having a light on, using the flash on a camera, walking a distance, etc. You might be surprised at the reaction others have to needed accomodations.

If I don't want to walk somewhere or do something because I know it will make the pain worse I am being "lazy."

If I ask to turn down the volume or ask people to speak quietly I am ignored or called a "spoilsport."

If I try to block the light from my eyes people suggest I move away from the light, or they tell me why they must have it on.

If I suddenly have a severe migraine I must take medicine for it that also makes me sleepy. When I get sleepy I am called "rude" or "lazy" again for not doing whatever other people think I should be doing.

It can be exhausting, physically and emotionally, to deal with all the situations that occur when you are in pain. When people aggravate the situation it is like they are stomping on your foot after you have broken it. It hurts.

It is very hard to maintain calmness in these situations, especially when physical pain is being experienced. And it is almost impossible to pray while in pain too. So I rely on the kindness and prayers of others to keep me going.

If others would realize the enormous effect they can have on my pain would things change? I would like to think yes. That is one of the hopes I cling to right now.

Bad day

I started today all positive and happy. Quickly, circumstances have caused me to realize that this day will be rotten no matter what.

My daughter is spending all of this morning having massive anxiety and panic attacks. Even right at this moment she is next to me asking me questions to reassure herself. This means I will get little done.

My head is already hurting and I know I shouldn't take medicine for it since it would be the third day in a row.

I am having a hard time figuring out what to do, partly because my daughter needs so much attention, and partly because of my own indecisiveness.

I predict that most of today I will spend either lying down or playing video games when I really want and need to do other things.

Heat wave

Yesterday in the Chicago area the temperature climbed into the 90s(F). Unfortunately my car does not have air conditioning. Yet I chose to torment myself and my family by going to the mall in the early afternoon. The temperature must have been about 100 degrees in the car. There was little or no wind. By the time we got home I felt overheated and sick. It took me more than an hour to cool down enough to be comfortable again.

I was shocked to find out that my fiance, who lives in Texas, only experienced temperatures in the 80s. I am truly mortified. Well, sort of. I wish the temps would stay cooler here than in Texas, but I know that when I move there (after the wedding next year) I will rejoice at any temperature drop I can get.

Harry Potter brings out the strange in us

My kids and I have been playing Lego Harry Potter. Here is a sample of the bizarre things I have said or heard lately:

1. What's an accordion doing there?

2. (singing) Harry is pretty and witty and gay!

3. Can you imagine what it would be like if a Terminator was sent back in time to kill Harry?

4. I made flowers grow out of his head!

5. She's bald? That's awesome!

6. Ron, get out of the way or I will kill you! Alright. There, how do you like it, huh?! (followed by evil laughter)