Star Wars VII Cast Revealed
For those of you who have your lightsabers, Jedi cloaks, or Vader mask stashed away in a closet, the cast of Star Wars VII was revealed today!
While most of the cast are relatively unknown or up-and-coming actors, the "big names" are the holdovers from the original trilogy. Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford will be reprising the roles of Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo.
The movie isn't scheduled to come out until December 18, 2015, so this is just the very first glimpse into the experience.
Are you counting down the days?!
Because I do a little substitute teaching in my spare time, I have recently been able to talk to students about their reading habits/practices.
One common theme? A number of students have told me that either themselves or a friend have just not turned in a book because it was very, very late.
I know I have mentioned this on the blog before, but DO NOT WORRY about turning in a really-late overdue book! Basically, we want the book more than we want to get you in trouble!
Do we absolutely love having books turned in that are 30+ days overdue? Not particularly. But that is only because one student is robbing others of the potential experience of that book.
For example, we currently have one copy of "Allegiant" that is overdue by a number of weeks:
This is an INCREDIBLY popular series again now with the release of the "Divergent" movie. So, basically, one student is ruining the chances of all the rest to experience the full trilogy.
On a side note: You can always renew your book by bringing it down to the Media Center. The only time we wouldn't let you renew it is if someone else has a hold on it.
So, in all seriousness, PLEASE do not worry about getting "in trouble" for having a very late book. We just want the book back so others can enjoy it!
When I was a young child, I watched "The Jungle Book" more times than I can possibly count. I was completely entranced by the music and visuals over and over and over again...
Yet today, I read an article about how Disney wants to make a live-action version of "The Jungle Book", but is worried about its supposed "racist themes":
Jungle Book Movie
Despite the claims of the above article, I cannot "disavow" this movie on those shaky grounds. Sometimes, I wonder if maybe people aren't looking just a biiiiiiit too hard at something for the purpose of trying to find something wrong with it.
Or, maybe that is just my childhood love of the movie talking (!).
Okay...one nugget of Minnesota Vikings news in the midst of baseball season:
Vikings 2014 Season Schedule
A couple of comments about the '14 schedule...
-This is the first time it has really "sunk it" to me that the Vikings will be gone from the Dome and at outdoor TCF Stadium. That will be a HUGE switch for both fans and players!
-Besides the contests with the division-rival Packers, the two games that stand out to me are the Patriots coming to town, and us having to travel to the SuperDome in New Orleans.
-The early stretch of the season is by far the "toughest" (at least based on how the teams are expected to perform). Starting in Week 2, the Vikes will be vs. Pats, @ Saints, vs. Falcons, and @ Packers.
Okay, you can go back to baseball now.
Just when you think that there is no hope for humanity, a story like this comes along and makes you feel good...
Fan Gives Back Pujols Home Run Ball
This guy could have been greedy and "held out" for much more. He could have requested items from the Angels, or even just kept the ball and auctioned it off for thousands of dollars.
Instead, he did the right thing and gave it back to Albert Pujols so that it can (likely) be given to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The guy was actually more concerned that the people sitting next to him (that almost got the ball) got their picture taken with Pujols.
I applaud this gentleman for doing the right thing.
Over the past Easter weekend break, I ended up in Kansas City watching the Twins play the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
Before one of the games I attended, I paid a little extra to get right behind the dugout for the Twins batting practice. Here are some of the pictures I took:
It was a fun little trip (even though the Twins dropped both games to the Royals).
They have a beautiful stadium in KC (almost rivaling our own Target Field!) and it is a very nice atmosphere in which to view a ballgame.
I hear ya Olaf, I hear ya...
Have a nice long weekend St. Anthony!
Just heard that the Minnesota Twins contest for today has been postponed because of a four-letter word that begins with "s". A few weeks ago I promised I would not post any more about "that stuff" on this blog, so just look out the window if you want to know what is going on.
The game will be scheduled as part of a doubleheader on Thursday (noon and 6:00 p.m.).
As Ernie Banks often said:
In today's vernacular:
Testing has now started, so the Media Center will be closed quite a bit in the coming weeks. We will try to stay on top (as best we can) of the testing schedule and send out emails as soon as we know when you can have free access to the Media Center again.
The last time you saw Michael Phelps, he was probably receiving one of his 22 Olympic metals.
After the 2012 Summer Olympics, Phelps "retired" from competitive swimming.
Well, to quote a scene from Independence Day...
Phelps Returns
An article on the WCCO.com website today:
Minnesota's Best Library
Besides Le Seur, are there any libraries that you consider to be your favorites?!
Let us know!
For the last two decades, two names dominated the landscape of late-night television:
Jay Leno & David Letterman
A couple of months ago, Leno stepped down and was replaced by the uber-popular Jimmy Fallon.
A couple of weeks ago, Letterman announced he will retire in 2015. Just today, we found out who his replacement will be:
Colbert To Replace Letterman
Clearly, late-night television is translating down to a much younger audience. If you thought guys like Leno & Letterman were a little "old and musty" for your tastes, then take heart...you mind be in for a 10:35 p.m. shock!
Ultimate Warrior death
The dangerous of long courses of steroids and pain medications. Most of the wrestlers that I grew up watching have heart attacks or other stress-related maladies at a relatively young age.
Basically, their bodies just give out from all the stress put upon them.
Yesterday, I attended the Twins' home opener at Target Field.
Besides the fact that the Twins lost, it was still fun to be outdoors on a nice day watching a ballgame.
I also discovered a new food item that I could be frequenting:
Though I have always enjoyed the fry cups at Target Field, they now serve a basket (well, technically a mini batting helmet!) full of fries smothered in cheese.
Looked at from a financial perspective it may be the worst $8 investment you'll ever make.
But when I'm sitting in the ballpark, watching my Twins, it seems like the greatest idea in the world (!)
When it comes to conversation, "the weather" usually tops most small-talk lists. The reason? It is always around. Much like the much-maligned death and taxes, the weather is a life-constant.
This winter (or since I started working here in the Media Center back in early October of 2013), I have devoted a number of blog posts to the weather. We had (are having) such a trying winter in terms of snow and cold that I felt it was a pertinent topic (especially with all the schools closings we had!).
That being said, after looking at the forecast for the rest of today and tomorrow...
Winter Storm in April Could Be A Record-Breaker
...I've come to a conclusion: This will be my last post of this school-year about the weather of any kind.
Trust me. When I make a promise like this, it will be upheld. I've tried to be upbeat. I've tried to commiserate. I've tried to be funny. All while talking about the weather.
This event, though, is the infamous straw that broke the camel's back. Maybe the storm will be a doozy...maybe it will fizzle. Either way, it marks the end of my commenting on the weather this school year.
Time to move on to other pursuits. And you can take that to the bank...I just wouldn't advise doing so on Thursday evening or Friday morning.
