A Harry Potter Obsession?... Noooo....

I must admit, I have become quite intrigued by the Harry Potter series. Finally, I see what all the hype is about! They are all good but I must say, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban has been the best so far. First of all, the pace is much faster. Sometimes it even seemed a little too fast to get everything and I am guessing the book gives a lot more detail. It was a little odd to see the kids having changed so much between the second and third movies, but I guess there was a 2 year gap in between.
I see the trend now that the Professor of the Dark Arts changes each time. Guess I will expect that trend throughout the rest of the series. Maybe they should just give the job to Snape. He seems to want it pretty badly and he likes to stick around! I really liked the professor who had the role this time though. You could tell he was a good guy from the beginning and trying to help Harry. So sad he was a werewolf and had to leave...
There were a couple of things I found really odd about the movie though. First when they finally come in contact with Sirius Black, he seems like a deranged maniac that is going to kill Harry. Quickly we find, he is really after Scabbers the rat who really is Peter Pettigrew. He was shaking and acting erratic however a few minutes later when they are back outside the whomping willow, he seems like a normal guy and wanting Harry to come live with him. The switch was just really odd for me. Even the way he carries himself seems to change far too quickly. If you have been in prison for 12 years, you don't just get over it in 5 minutes.
The second thing I though was odd is that when Harry and Hermione go back in time to save both Harry and the crazy bird/horse thing, they don't also capture the rat! Why not? They changed other things. Why not be hiding with a cage where the rat ran off to and grab him! Given this fact, I don't think we have seen the last of Peter Pettigrew.
Although the movie was action packed, I think my favorite scene was when Harry filled his aunt with hot air and she flew away. So glad he got to get away with that one!
So, I have a confession to make about my Harry Potter goal. I know that I said I had no desire to read the books, however when I was in North Carolina last week, Becca lent me the first three. I actually read the first one in one day when we were traveling back to Omaha. I am almost done with the second one. I really like the books and they seem to give a lot more detail and depth to the story. I am thinking before I watch the 4th movie, I might read the book first. I might also watch the 2nd and 3rd movies again after I read the books. I know, I am becoming obsessed...

Spiders and Snakes - Oh My!

Wow, what a crazy week! Last night though I was able to watch the second Harry Potter movie with my good friend Becca. "Becca?" you say? Yep I am in the lovely state of North Carolina right now. So prior to getting in to the meat of the post, a little background. I have actually been in South Carolina since Tuesday and was able to drive up to North Carolina last night to see Becca for the evening. My grandfather passed away suddenly on Sunday night so my family has been in South Carolina for the funeral and to spend time with my grandma. I have been sleeping on the floor since Tuesday due to the lack of beds at Grandma's so coming to Becca's to sleep in real bed has been quite a treat! Today I will drive back to South Carolina for one last family gathering and then I will head back to Omaha tomorrow morning. What a crazy and tiring week! (I keep forgetting what day it is!)
So that is why I am in North Carolina and was able to watch Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets with Becca. I must say, this Harry Potter was far better than the first one. Maybe it was the 2 margaritas at dinner and then 2 glasses of wine during the movie... but really it was good. First of all, there was no jello in this movie - which was good (see my post about the 1st Harry Potter movie). The movie did have two things I absolutely hate though. Snakes and spiders. GROSS! The scene where Harry and Ron are in the spiders den is absolutely disgusting. Kind of funny how Herbie made a cameo appearance though... Speaking of cameos, nice of Dobby to make an appearance after his role in Lord of the Rings. Man that guy is being type cast. Good thing he was a bit less creepy in this movie and not so obsessed with finding a ring...
I found it kind of odd that the entrance to the chamber was in the girls bathroom. Kind of wonder who came up with that one. Moaning Myrtle was pretty funny but kind of annoying. Must suck to have to live in a bathroom though. For a while, I thought Gilderoy Lockhart was going to be the bad guy in this one. Kind of cool how it ended up being Tom Riddle.
Of course in the end though, the help of Dumbledore saved the day. Well, his bird. I am finding it quite funny how Dumbledore seems to step in somehow and save the day in a round about way. My theory is that he is related to Harry in some way. Maybe his great grandfather or something.
Well, I have to get on the road so I have to cut this post short. Overall, I was very pleased with this Harry Potter movie and I am looking forward to the next one. Too bad I can't watch it with Becca :(

Té Bella , you tease!

I received an email today from Té Bella Medspa advertising a Mother/Daughter special. Now, I don't frequent Té Bella, I am just on their mailing list because I went there once when I had been given a gift certificate. For me, it is a little awkward. I mean you have a perfect stranger in a dark room with you while soft music plays... For some reason that makes me feel more tense than anything. I had a facial and my eyebrows waxed. Kind of odd to have your face massaged and poked at too. Incidentally, massages are a bit weird for me. I have only had 3 ever and only paid for one. I had a gift certificate once, had one at my cousin's wedding, and went with my friend Becca when I visited her last time in North Carolina. I am getting more relaxed but it is still odd for me to get under a sheet half naked (yes, this girl keeps her underwear ON!) and have a stranger touch my body. And it's expensive!

Anyway, got the email from Té Bella and it said the following:

"Spend quality time with your daughter while giving her the gift of great skin!

• Mini Facial-After thoroughly cleansing the skin, your skin care concerns will be addressed and skin care recommendations will be made.
• Full Make-up Application-You will receive a full make-up application with Jane Iredale skin care minerals. Tips will be given on how you can enhance your unique beauty.
• Fantasy Airbrush Tan-Learn the value of sunless tanning with our fabulous spray tan.
• Paradise-following your time with us you will enjoy a $10 gift certificate to Paradise Bakery
• Special discounts -by attending our event you will receive special pricing on our products and services.

$60 for two
(Regular price $190)"

"Hmmm", I thought, "I could check off my spa day!" Plus it didn't sound too bad. The description on their website of the mini-facial required less poking and I actually like make-overs. I'm ok with the spray tan if I can wear a swim suit. Plus a $10 gift certificate to Paradise! Lunch! I quickly emailed my mom and she was in so she called to make a reservation. ALL BOOKED UP! Sad. They said due to the popularity, they were going to do the special again in September (it was only for one day) and that they had a waiting list. My mom put us on the waiting list so we will just have to wait and see.

Darn! I was thinking the spa thing was going to cost me a couple hundred dollars and here I was going to get away with only paying $30! I guess the problem is, I don't know if this constitutes as a full spa day. I assume this would only take an hour or 2. Frankly, I don't want to waste my day away at a spa though. Maybe I am spa illiterate and a "spa day" isn't really an entire day. Who knows.