It's raining cats and dogs!

Well, maybe not cats, but dogs . . . perhaps. We're getting a dog!! We've wanted a new dog for a long while now, and since everyone is due to be out of school soon (so someone will be at the house with the new dog), we started our hunt this week. We want a dog that is just like Bonnie was - friendly, protective, sweet, good-natured, and so on. Mom and Dad always said she was a golden retriever, and I of late began to doubt this. We have since agreed that Bonnie was a yellow Labrador retriever, and thus we are looking for Labrador retrievers (of any color). Mom has this thing about male dogs - she doesn't like to see their ... equipment. So, we're looking for girl dogs. Preferably, we want a puppy (ies, 2), but a young dog is just as well. We have three hits right now. A yellow Labrador retriever, girl, 3-years old, named Boo Boo at the animal shelter. A yellow Labrador retriever, girl, 1-year old, named Blondie, from PAWS. And a black Labrador retriever, girl, 2-years old, named Zoey, also from PAWS. We're going to look at all three tomorrow, and are hoping to get Blondie and Boo Boo. I want all three, Mom wants Blondie and Boo Boo, Dad has doubts about Boo Boo (perhaps she's too old to train out of any bad habits), and Becca and I just want all three. I just want a dog!! I have been heartsick for a dog every since Scrappy passed away, and every time I see a dog I just want to go and hug it (seriously). Anyway, I'll let you know what happens tomorrow. Also, my Grandmother is coming tomorrow night (Grandma Betty), for Rebecca's graduation. Rebecca is going to be Salutatorian - she has to give a speech - we're so proud of her!

Amendment, 06/01/07, 9:40 AM: Blondie is currently with a foster family in South River, who the PAWS lady has not been able to get into contact with. We may not get to meet Blondie today or this weekend.

Drink up! Me 'earties, Yo ho!

Ah! I've just returned from seeing the third installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy: At World's End. I loved it, hands down, no questions asked. But to less die-hard Johnny Depp or Pirates fans than I, the film may seem a bit overdone. Then again, how can something be overdone when it features multiple Johnny Depps, or even better, multiple Captain Jack Sparrows? It can't be, so there's your answer. The imagery is stunning, simply breathtaking, although there is nothing simple about it. There is a reason why the visual arts section of the crew is so lengthy on the closing credits - the entire film depends on the visual arts. I'll wager three-quarters of the film (if not more) was filmed in front of a green screen or an apparatus of similar function. The locations are like something out of a dream. Shipwreck cove - an area where the people have made a city out of the unfortunate ships that have retired there. Singapore - finally, we get a clear look at Singapore! And of course, the rolling, never ending seas can quite hold their own. And once you can take your eyes off of the scenery, you must engage your brain to figure out who is crossing who, who is being double-crossed, and who (if anyone) is genuine. The plot features a myriad of twists and turns, betrayals, mutinies, adventures, true love, and a whole host of surprises. Then again, watching the movie is like ordering a simple salad and getting romaine and iceberg lettuce topped with a fresh made rose water and raspberry vinaigrette, dandelion leaves, foie de gras, and, ...oh, you get the point - it's a bit overdone, but split my infinitives! I don't care! Disney has proven again that it does not know how to do a simple pirate movie, and why should it? It managed to weave together the dangling plot lines of the cliffhanger of a sequel from last year while at the same time throwing in major road blocks and new exits and bringing back some familiar faces from Pirates 1. Do I have to tell you I loved it again? I wasn't quite happy with the ending, but it did make sense even if it was bittersweet. A word to the wise, though, there is a bit at the end of the credits, so make sure you see it out until the end!