Russell Crowe The Next Three Days A Quiet Implosion

 Russell Crowe's latest film The Next Three Days opens in theaters today has been said to be intense and emotional. Crowe in an interview with AMC theaters on the red carpet described the journey of his character John Brennan as a quiet implosion.

The character's journey takes him from being a happy family man to making the choice to break his wife out of prison. Brennan is an everyman, a school teacher, father, husband living an average life that comes to a stand still when his wife is arrested for and convicted of murder.

Stresses and fears that this average Joe must face with every choice he makes builds into an emotional ride for movie watcher keeping you on the edge of your seat till the end.

Crowe is a true sliver screen talent with the ability to transform into any character he takes on. No matter the character from skinhead to reluctant winemaker you're drawn into the journey for a fantastic film experience every time.





     

Dance of the Rose Petals

It was dark in the chapel, a new moon shed no light in the old abandoned building He sat on a pew moved under a window watching, waiting. Tonight he was prepared with camera, recorder, extra batteries, a thermos of hot coffee to combat the chill of the night.

His hands wrapped around the tin cup absorbing the heat s he took at long sip. It was almost time, almost. He was afraid they wouldn’t come, he wouldn’t see her again. That it was all a figment of his drunken mind.

Every night since that first one he had waited to see her again. Glancing back out the window he saw a glow fill the ancient graveyard. 

The glow was a soft bluish green like the ocean. The air felt damp heavy as he tossed aside the half full cup getting up on his knees for a better view out the broken window. His camera was in hand as he searched the worn headstones.

The earth below a few of the stones shifted as a mist formed above them, taking shape. Arms stretched toward the sky as feet touched the ground. The figures yawned and moved as if waking from slumber.

He watched from his perch in the window holding up his camera to get the proof he wasn’t mad. They were real. The women there were like wisps of wind, ethereal. He could see them clearly in their ivory burial gowns, their skin fair as fine porcelain. But there was a touch of dream about them as they moved. Shifts in the misty glow would show them transparent.

His interest focused on one as she turned her skirt swirling the brittle leaves over her grave. She seemed to dance to some silent tune, perhaps only her kind could hear. Suddenly she stopped and walked back to her tombstone.

A cream colored rose lay on the aged marble. A soft smile of wonder touched pinked lips. She touched the petals gently as if it would fade away. When it didn’t she picked it up brushing her cheek against the silken petals before inhaling the sweet scent. 

A few of the other spirits began to gather to see the flower. Some searching their own stones. She smiled and held it out for them to sniff and touch lightly it had been so very long since anything but decay grew here.

The wind blew leaves around them, though their delicate forms. One jealous spiteful spirit marched over. Around her the mist seemed darker, and aura of her cruel days in flesh?

Her hand closed over the petals and crushed the flower leaving on the stem in the sweet spirits hands.

The others began to walk away to play on their night of freedom.  The dark soul raised her chin and moved as far from them as her existence would allow. 

He watched wanting in that moment to run out and tell her not to be sad. The expression of loss on her sweet face was almost to much for his own heart to bare. How was he to know something so simple as a rose would cause so much.

Looking out the window he saw her chest rise and fall in a ghostly sigh. Kneeling on the dead grass she picked up every petal. Caressing it lightly in her hand. When they were all gathered she sat on a cracked marble bench and marveled.

She could still smell the sweet fragrance, the petals were still soft like her favorite velvet gown. She held them to her face and smiled. A petal escaped slipping though her fingers floating to her lap.

Standing she watched it float gently to the worn earth. Suddenly she raised her hands and spun around tossing the petals in the air. As they fell around her catching on her hair and dress she danced in them.

When they had all fallen she gathered them to dance again in the glow of the mist. Her gown flowing around her, arms gracefully moving though the air, her dark hair flowing free around her shoulders lifting as she turns.

There was no sound but a soft rustle of leaves but he could imagine her joyous laughter. Something made her pause and look up. She brushed a strand of hair from her face and sighed. She gathered up her petals and carried them lovingly back to her grave.

Holding her hands over it she slowly turned her palms letting them fall like soft rain over her stone. With a gentle smile she yawned and stretched as the mist appeared to grow thicker. Soon the others were in their places as well the mist starting to fade until a glimpse of the sun could be spotted over the trees.

There was no more dancing the only evidence of the night being the cream colored rose petals strewn over the darkened marble stone.

Scott Grimes new music video Hide

A fantastic collaboration of fans, celebrities and great music to make you smile. See for your self below :) Then order your copy of Scott Grimes latest album Drive.

 

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VIDEO: Russell Crowe joins Ben Hur

Russell Crowe announced that he will be narrating a live performance of Ben Hur in ANZ Stadium. This should be a spectacular sight to be hold. I really wish I could be there to see it first hand. This link goes to the Daily Telegraph and a video of the press conference where Mr. Crowe was all smiles. VIDEO: Russell Crowe joins Ben Hur

You can follow news about the event on their twitter @BenHurAustralia .

In the mean time we can enjoy the great classic 1959 epic starring Charlton Heston. The film won 11 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director. There is a video below of the famous chariot race, which still takes audience breath away.

In April of 2010 a remake was released to mixed reviews. I have yet to see this version though I would like to. So I'm on the hunt to find Ben Hur 2010 to review.  The trailer draws interest at least.

If you have seen this new version or the original or just have a comment to share please do :)  Until then enjoy the vids and Happy Adventures.

How to make writing fun!

 As a published author and homeschooling mom I understand that writing for an assignment is one of the hardest things to do for many homeschoolers and their parent/teachers. Every age in your class can benefit from these activities and resources and help them find enjoyment in writing.

Just Write No Rules
As an author I know that my finished product has to be as perfect as possible. My spelling, grammar and punctuation are all properly done and so on. But in the very beginning of writing a book or story that is far from the case.

This is a first draft, think of it as a lump of coal in the earth. That lump is slowly changed into a diamond. Then that raw diamond is cut and hewn into a fine gem. Writing story, book report or essay is the same process.

When I begin to write without the worry of having to follow rules there is a sense of freedom. Children feel the same way. Unbound they can enjoy using their imagination to create. There is always time to go back and fix things later. For a few assignments overlook the errors. Yes, that means turn of the editor completely. Just have fun putting words to paper.

Cliffhanger
Our house has a notebook in the dinning room, on the cover is the word Cliffhanger. During the day we each take turns writing in the story. There’s one catch you have to leave your entry with a cliffhanger for the next person.

For example, Timmy ran though the house looking for the lost key to Davey Jones chest. When suddenly there was a loud boom behind him, turning Timmy saw….

The next person would tell about what Timmy saw and add something for the next person to write out of. Anything and everything will end up in these stories. Making them fun to read and even more fun to write.

Journaling.
Kids love stories about them. Rose Wade mom of two says, “During vacations or special days out I get my kids to write down a few memorable lines, a memento of their experience.”

Keeping a journal is a wonderful way to remember special times in our lives. It gives kids a chance to write about the world though their eyes. Journals should be one of those no rules places. The freedom to write how they feel or what they see.

Word List Challenge
Ana Maria Seaton, artist, author and homeschooling mom uses this to challenge her eight year old daughter. “I started challenging her to come up with five words each month for my writers group that we would all have to use in a story. Simple words weren’t enough so she started to look for bigger words that she could find by reading.”

Get the whole family involved. Ask each person to give you three to five words. Once you have your list of words give everyone a copy and write a story including that list.

To make it more challenging for older students you can put a letter limit on the length of the words. All the words on their list must be at least five letters long. You’re also building on vocabulary with this exercise.

The Muse
As a writer there are moments I’ll see a photograph, magazine ad or pass by an object that inspires a story. Teaching a creative writing class at a private school I asked my students to bring in a muse. A young man named Joey brought in a Lego soldier, with no head.

That headless toy inspired a three page tale about what caused the loss. And where the toy hoped to find his little plastic head. On the first day of class I was told by this boy that, “writing stories is stupid.” A week later he writes one of the best toy tales I’ve ever read and was excited about it. All because of a little headless Lego.

Paula Smiley, homeschooling mom to five, plans to inspire one of her sons with his love for sharks and the ocean. A muse can be found almost anywhere. In your pockets, your cabinet, looking out the window, a museum the possibilities are truly endless.

Fan Fiction
Writing with a known character is fan fiction. There are writers of all ages that write about their favorite characters. Even the most stubborn writer will perk at a new story about their favorite television, book, or movie character.

My son has a terrible time trying to decide on a subject, but he loves Indiana Jones. He enjoys writing a new adventure for Indy and even adds himself in the story. It’s great fun and gives an uncertain writer more confidence because they know the subject so well.

Get Involved
There are many writing groups that welcome young writers. Get on the internet and search for local writing groups. Seeing how much someone else likes to write outside your home/classroom can be inspiring. Groups often provide mentors and materials to add to your curriculum as well.

Online
A favorite event of my family is National Novel Writing Month also known as NaNoWriMo. Taking place the month of November the goal of the event is to write an entire novel in thirty days.
Adult participants are required to pound out at least 50,000 words. The Young Writers Program allows kids 17 and younger to make their own challenging but reasonable goals. There are usually local events to provide motivation and encouragement.

There are dozens of websites that are geared for writers. The ones I’ve found students enjoy most are OneWord.com and Write or Die.com

One Word is a great way to warm up. Once you get to the homepage at http://oneword.com you simply click on the big purple go button. This goes to a screen with a text box and a word in purple at the top.

You have sixty seconds to write something about that word. Anything thoughts, a beginning of a story, describe the word. Whatever that word fills your mind with. After your minute is up you type in your name and hit submit to see other peoples responses listed with your own.

This is great for students not only does it give them that boost to write. They get to see their name and what they’ve written displayed. They can use this as their writing prompt.

Write or Die is my favorite writing tool. Not only do I use it in my son’s studies I use it to prod myself. You choose a word and time goal, mode and grace period. Once you click write you are taken to a text screen where you begin. If you stop typing for too long something happens to prod you back to work.

In normal mode an annoying sound that will only stop when your fingers start tapping keys is the prod. If you choose Kamikaze mode and idle too long your words begin to disappear.

Basically get out of that box, get out and have some fun writing in the park, at Burger King, in a museum. After all rules are made to be broken…or at least bent for the sake of making writing fun.

Truth about the lie

On June 16th I posted a blog “Creative Writer Blogger Award Winner.” In order to prove myself worthy of the award I had to tell six truths and one lie about myself. Now it’s time to reveal the lie and see if you guessed correctly.

1. I am a native Floridian. TRUE I was born in Miami, Florida.

2. I was awarded the Distinguished Service award as a volunteer fire fighter. TRUE In 2000 I received The Distinguished Service Award from then Florida Governor Jeb Bush for service during the Wildfires of 2000. It was a scary year, the whole state seemed to be a blaze. But we were able to get them under control with the help of other agencies around our nation.

3. I have been nose to nose with a real wild black bear. TRUE Around 11pm we received a page calling our fire department to a car accident. I started out my front door and down the ramp with my gear in hand when I felt a puff of hot air on the side of my face and arm. Stopping I turned and was face to face with a very large Florida black bear.

He sat down and sort of looked at me like, “Whatcha doin?”

Slowly I walked on down the ramp, “Good boy. Stay right there.”

The big fuzzy wuzzy just sort of sniffed and watched me very quickly haul my tush to the fire truck. I’ve not been that close since but we see bears often in our yard. Well I do live in the forest.

4. I am a huge Russell Crowe fan. TRUE anyone that knows me knows I follow 3 fandoms. Russell Crowe, Adrian Paul, and David Caruso. I just have to adore a man who isn’t afraid to be who he is with no excuses to the world. A wonderful father and husband a real role model for my own son to look up too.

5. I won a radio show contest once. LIE There it is the lie revealed I’ve never one a radio contest.

6. I have met Don Johnson. TRUE Yuppers, I have. Growing up in Miramar, Florida there was a small air port a few blocks from my house. My friends and I would hop on our bikes and ride down there whenever they filmed scenes for Miami Vice. I was a teen with a crush and he was very sweet to all of us. The other cast members as well would come over to the fence and chat with us fans. Still love the show, I’ve got many fond memories of watching it with my Dad.

7. I have a green belt in Tae Kwan Do TRUE Yes I do my son and I both are green belts. And yes I have broken boards. Hiyah!

Well those are the facts as they are did you guess which one was the lie?

Creative Writer Blogger Award Winner

Thank you Pamela Turner for passing to me the dubious honor of the Creative Writer Blogger Award. I would like to thank… oh it’s not that kind of award.

 

Well here’s how it works in honor of this award I must prove my creativity by telling six truths and one lie about me. You dear reader, get the chance to figure out which one is the lie.

 

I’ll even sweeten the pot just read the statements below then comment telling which one you think is the lie. I’ll send every one who picks the lie an autographed short story and bookmark.

 

Here we go… About me

 

1. I am a native Floridian  

2. I was awarded the Distinguished Service award as a volunteer fire fighter

3. I have been nose to nose with a real wild black bear

4. I am a huge Russell Crowe fan

5. I won a radio show contest once  

6. I have met Don Johnson

7. I have a green belt in Tae Kwan Do

 

Can you tell which one is a fib?

 

Now I’m passing along this great honor of creative delight. My nominees are:

 

Rose Wade, The Robin Hood Lego Champaign http://therobinhoodlegocampaign.posterous.com/

Amy Leigh, Maverick Endevors http://anotherwaytodie-amyleigh07.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

Don’t forget to comment for a chance to win a short story and bookmark. On Friday I will expose the evil lie and post the winners.

 

 

Elise VanCise
Writer/Photographer
http://elisevancise.webs.com 
http://www.examiner.com/x-25742-Orlando-Destinations-Examiner  
http://randomadventures.typepad.com/blog/

 

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Snow in the Sunshine State

Altoona, one of those towns where the enter and exit signs are on the same post. As you drive though if you blink you miss it. Yeah, very small town.

Not much news worthy happens right in Altoona but it did today. We got snow! The snowfall began at 7:05 am and then continued to fall until 8:30am. Cold enough to make white fluff fall from the sky is pretty frosty for us Crackers. (Name for native Floridians from back in the settling days when they used whips to chase off gators, no kidding.)

I live in a neighborhood where there are several snowbirds here trying to get away from the stuff. But all of us Crackers were running outside bundled like it was a blizzard and playing in the light fall of flakes.

We were taking pictures, catching snowflakes on our tongues, scraping up little bits for snowballs to throw at each other. Just for clarification and reference, a Florida snowball is only about as big as a marble.

We even scrapped some up and put it in a small jar and stuck it in the freezer. Yes, yes we did. Had to save a bit of history don’t you know. Now every time we go to get a pork chop or a bowl of Rocky Road we can look at our Florida Snow and remember the excitement of a real snow flurry in Altoona, Florida.

Snow on the car wipers and vent a few snowflakes in the shot.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

At the end of the snow fall this is what was left. It did cover where my brother wrote Snow on the trunk.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 Snow on the ramp going up to the house.