by Nathan W.
When you think of disco and dance music, you think of 70’s music such as “Stayin’ Alive.” However, Cascada is an up-and-coming dance artist, who is completely unlike the 70’s music. Cascada is a German artist, gaining popularity in the UK and the US. Her music is upbeat and good for dancing with hits such as “Everytime We Touch,” “Ready for Love,” and remakes of “Kids in America” and “Truly, Madly, Deeply.”
Cascada can be found at www.cascadamusic.de or www.myspace.com/cascada. Her new album, “Everytime We Touch,” is now available in stores.
Showing posts with label Author: Nathan W.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Author: Nathan W.. Show all posts
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Book Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (J.K. Rowling)
By Nathan W.
As midnight neared on Friday July 20th, the tension mounted at bookstores all over the world. Why? Because at 12:01am on Saturday July 21st, the seventh and final book in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter saga, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was to be released. I picked up my deluxe edition with trepidation and excitement; the saga that has been a piece of my life would be over, yet we would know the climax in a few minutes.
I was torn between savoring the book and racing through it, but I finished it. Overall, I liked the book; however, there were several scenes that disappointed me.
I was happy with the pacing of the book, and the description of people, places, and things. The battle at Hogwarts was amazing! All of the characters that we’ve come to love took place, and it was similar to the battle of Endor in Return of the Jedi, where the ewoks used guerrilla warfare to defeat the enemy. My favorite line was near the end when Mrs. Weasley screams “NOT MYDAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!” at Bellatrix Lestrange, and when Neville told Voldemort that he would join him “when hell freezes over.”
What I disliked, however, was Harry and Ron’s argument which led to Ron falling out from his two best friends. I was also pissed at the lack of continuity from the previous books, especially the wandless, wordless magic that was expressed frequently in Half-Blood Prince, yet never mentioned in Deathly Hallows. I also got upset at Harry’s lack of action. He continued to use simple spells and Hermione to get him out of sticky situations. I wanted Harry to step-it-up; I wanted him to take charge, learn more advanced magic, and set traps for his nemesis, yet he didn’t. The epilogue also irritated me. It’s the part of the book that was written first- about 10 years ago- but it didn’t seem like Rowling’s writing. It was a crammed 4 page story about what happened to the survivors of the war with Voldemort ( although not all survivors were mentioned).
Since this book was a war, many of the characters that we’ve come to know and love have died before our eyes. I won’t mention any in case you haven’t read it yet; some characters’ deaths made me cry, while others were fine with me. Overall, I liked the book. I can’t wait to see it as a move- it’s very Indiana Jones-ish – which will make a great action movie. Though parts of the book disappointed me, the series is over and there’s no changing that. Harry Potter, however, will continue to live on in our hearts.
As midnight neared on Friday July 20th, the tension mounted at bookstores all over the world. Why? Because at 12:01am on Saturday July 21st, the seventh and final book in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter saga, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was to be released. I picked up my deluxe edition with trepidation and excitement; the saga that has been a piece of my life would be over, yet we would know the climax in a few minutes.
I was torn between savoring the book and racing through it, but I finished it. Overall, I liked the book; however, there were several scenes that disappointed me.
I was happy with the pacing of the book, and the description of people, places, and things. The battle at Hogwarts was amazing! All of the characters that we’ve come to love took place, and it was similar to the battle of Endor in Return of the Jedi, where the ewoks used guerrilla warfare to defeat the enemy. My favorite line was near the end when Mrs. Weasley screams “NOT MYDAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!” at Bellatrix Lestrange, and when Neville told Voldemort that he would join him “when hell freezes over.”
What I disliked, however, was Harry and Ron’s argument which led to Ron falling out from his two best friends. I was also pissed at the lack of continuity from the previous books, especially the wandless, wordless magic that was expressed frequently in Half-Blood Prince, yet never mentioned in Deathly Hallows. I also got upset at Harry’s lack of action. He continued to use simple spells and Hermione to get him out of sticky situations. I wanted Harry to step-it-up; I wanted him to take charge, learn more advanced magic, and set traps for his nemesis, yet he didn’t. The epilogue also irritated me. It’s the part of the book that was written first- about 10 years ago- but it didn’t seem like Rowling’s writing. It was a crammed 4 page story about what happened to the survivors of the war with Voldemort ( although not all survivors were mentioned).
Since this book was a war, many of the characters that we’ve come to know and love have died before our eyes. I won’t mention any in case you haven’t read it yet; some characters’ deaths made me cry, while others were fine with me. Overall, I liked the book. I can’t wait to see it as a move- it’s very Indiana Jones-ish – which will make a great action movie. Though parts of the book disappointed me, the series is over and there’s no changing that. Harry Potter, however, will continue to live on in our hearts.
Book Review: Dispatches from the Edge: A Memoir of War, Disasters, and Survival (Anderson Cooper)
by Nathan W.
Anderson Cooper, the host of CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” wrote his memoir, “Dispatches from the Edge: A Memoir of War, Disasters, and Survival.” Anderson’s life, before CNN, had already been filled with much disaster; at 10, he lost his father to a heart attack and later he lost his older brother to suicide. Cooper’s book makes tragedy seem even more real and even closer.
Most youth have the dream to explore the world. Anderson did that, but for a different reason. In the book, he describes, very vividly, the tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia in 2004, the civil wars, genocide and HIV epidemics in Africa, and the post- Katrina New Orleans. Having visited these areas of the world, Anderson knows what he’s talking about, unlike other television journalists.
Because of the incredible detail and first- hand experience, “Dispatches” is a must- read for every human. You’ll be able to understand the tragedy Cooper went through, as well as all the disasters he encounters. Well, what other book would you expect from “the most trusted name in news” (CNN)?
I think the only other tragedy we’ve experience that Anderson could have included was the September 11th attacks. This is definitely the most powerful, dramatic non-fiction book you’ll ever read, and in years from now, it should be required in history classes.
Anderson Cooper, the host of CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” wrote his memoir, “Dispatches from the Edge: A Memoir of War, Disasters, and Survival.” Anderson’s life, before CNN, had already been filled with much disaster; at 10, he lost his father to a heart attack and later he lost his older brother to suicide. Cooper’s book makes tragedy seem even more real and even closer.
Most youth have the dream to explore the world. Anderson did that, but for a different reason. In the book, he describes, very vividly, the tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia in 2004, the civil wars, genocide and HIV epidemics in Africa, and the post- Katrina New Orleans. Having visited these areas of the world, Anderson knows what he’s talking about, unlike other television journalists.
Because of the incredible detail and first- hand experience, “Dispatches” is a must- read for every human. You’ll be able to understand the tragedy Cooper went through, as well as all the disasters he encounters. Well, what other book would you expect from “the most trusted name in news” (CNN)?
I think the only other tragedy we’ve experience that Anderson could have included was the September 11th attacks. This is definitely the most powerful, dramatic non-fiction book you’ll ever read, and in years from now, it should be required in history classes.
Book Review: Charlie Bone and the Hidden King (Jenny Nimmo)
by Nathan W.
Jenny Nimmo’s latest book, “Charlie Bone and the Hidden King,” the fifth and final book in the Charlie Bone series, was recently released. I’m an avid fan of the series, so I gave the ending a try.
In the book, a “shadow” escapes from the clutches of the Red King, and begins to terrorize Charlie’s town. All the animals escape and Charlie is blamed. As the plot unravels, Charlie and his friends uncover the plot of the “shadow” and find evidence of Charlie’s father, Lyell, who went missing.
As the final book in the series, it was fantastic! I won’t spoil the ending, but it was a tear-jerking, “happily-ever-after story.” A great read for kids and teens; also a great book for “Harry Potter” fans. A 10 out of 10. Jenny Nimmo’s finest.
Jenny Nimmo’s latest book, “Charlie Bone and the Hidden King,” the fifth and final book in the Charlie Bone series, was recently released. I’m an avid fan of the series, so I gave the ending a try.
In the book, a “shadow” escapes from the clutches of the Red King, and begins to terrorize Charlie’s town. All the animals escape and Charlie is blamed. As the plot unravels, Charlie and his friends uncover the plot of the “shadow” and find evidence of Charlie’s father, Lyell, who went missing.
As the final book in the series, it was fantastic! I won’t spoil the ending, but it was a tear-jerking, “happily-ever-after story.” A great read for kids and teens; also a great book for “Harry Potter” fans. A 10 out of 10. Jenny Nimmo’s finest.
Book Review: The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint Exupery)
by Nathan W.
Antoine de Saint Exupery, a French aviator during WWII, wrote the book, “The Little Prince (or in French, “Le Petit Prince). I’ve read this book in English twice, and I’m currently reading the French version. This is, by far, the world’s most bizarre book; Saint Exupery is the narrator, telling a tale of his childhood, where he saw a picture of a snake and tried to mimic it.
Then, the narrator tells about his airplane crash in the Sahara Desert, when a little boy (the prince) comes up to the man and says, “Draw me a sheep.” Now, if you’re stuck in the middle of the desert with no food and water, and a little kid comes up to you and asks you to draw him a sheep, is that bizarre? The man draws several sheep, but the Prince dislikes them. They begin to talk and understand each other, and the Prince takes the man to his home planet and they travel across the universe. This odd pair meets an alcoholic, a workaholic and others.
Wow! what a bizarre book! Saint Exupery wrote this during WWII (1943), and one year later, disappeared after his plane got shot down.
Antoine de Saint Exupery, a French aviator during WWII, wrote the book, “The Little Prince (or in French, “Le Petit Prince). I’ve read this book in English twice, and I’m currently reading the French version. This is, by far, the world’s most bizarre book; Saint Exupery is the narrator, telling a tale of his childhood, where he saw a picture of a snake and tried to mimic it.
Then, the narrator tells about his airplane crash in the Sahara Desert, when a little boy (the prince) comes up to the man and says, “Draw me a sheep.” Now, if you’re stuck in the middle of the desert with no food and water, and a little kid comes up to you and asks you to draw him a sheep, is that bizarre? The man draws several sheep, but the Prince dislikes them. They begin to talk and understand each other, and the Prince takes the man to his home planet and they travel across the universe. This odd pair meets an alcoholic, a workaholic and others.
Wow! what a bizarre book! Saint Exupery wrote this during WWII (1943), and one year later, disappeared after his plane got shot down.
Book Review: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (J.K. Rowling)
by Nathan
After finishing J.K. Rowling’s latest book, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”, the sixth book in the “Harry Potter” saga in about 5 hours, all I have to say is “Wow!” This book may yet be the greatest she has ever written.
The opening chapter takes a look at the relationship between the Muggle government and the wizard government. The new Minister of Magic is announced, and the Muggle government is given the truth about what’s happening in the wizarding world. This chapter was actually supposed to be an opening chapter of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” the first book in the series.
Then, we find Harry in his aunt and uncle’s house, where he is not upset about Sirius’s death. Professor Dumbledore intrudes into the Dursley’s household, to talk to the Dursley’s and Harry. Harry is told that Sirius left him everything, and that he has to spend one more summer with the Dursley’s before he’s out. In the encompassing chapters, we discover an old man, Horace Slughorn, who Harry and Dumbledore push out of retirement and back into teaching, we discover Snape, who is starting to show his true loyalty, Malfoy’s secret plan, given to him from Voldemort, and the engagement between Bill Weasly and Fleur Delacour.
As we travel back to Hogwarts, many discoveries are made, and the action is growing. Someone tries to attack Katie Bell in Hogsmeade, Hermione helping, or hindering, the Griffindor Quidditch tryouts, and Snape getting to teach his favorite subject- Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Meanwhile, Harry and Dumbledore have secret classes together, in which they are viewing memories from a pensive (the cover scene) about Tom Riddle’s childhood, and why he became Lord Voldemort. Dumbledore believes this is the way for Harry to fulfill his destiny and defeat him- by finding weaknesses from his childhood. Harry is also being helped in potions class by a mysterious Half-Blood Prince, who is giving him written instruction in his class textbook.
As we enter the final chapters of the book, Harry will make many more gruesome discoveries about his past, and the future, Snape openly shows his true loyalty, someone important dies (I won’t say who in case you haven’t read it yet), and the mysterious Half-Blood Prince exhibits himself at last, and the trio is left to examine their futures as a funeral (for the dead person) is departing.
On a whole, I would rate this book very high (probably a 9.7 out of 10), recommend it to anyone, and believe it’s the best one yet. However, I still doubt (and hate) why she chose the person to die that she did. This book is also very different from the other ones. This book, as the book jacket says is all about the “home front” in the second war against Voldemort.
Though it’s dark, it does have some humorous spots to enjoy.
And yes, I was one of those “weirdo’s,” who went to Border’s at midnight on the day of its release to get the book.
After finishing J.K. Rowling’s latest book, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”, the sixth book in the “Harry Potter” saga in about 5 hours, all I have to say is “Wow!” This book may yet be the greatest she has ever written.
The opening chapter takes a look at the relationship between the Muggle government and the wizard government. The new Minister of Magic is announced, and the Muggle government is given the truth about what’s happening in the wizarding world. This chapter was actually supposed to be an opening chapter of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” the first book in the series.
Then, we find Harry in his aunt and uncle’s house, where he is not upset about Sirius’s death. Professor Dumbledore intrudes into the Dursley’s household, to talk to the Dursley’s and Harry. Harry is told that Sirius left him everything, and that he has to spend one more summer with the Dursley’s before he’s out. In the encompassing chapters, we discover an old man, Horace Slughorn, who Harry and Dumbledore push out of retirement and back into teaching, we discover Snape, who is starting to show his true loyalty, Malfoy’s secret plan, given to him from Voldemort, and the engagement between Bill Weasly and Fleur Delacour.
As we travel back to Hogwarts, many discoveries are made, and the action is growing. Someone tries to attack Katie Bell in Hogsmeade, Hermione helping, or hindering, the Griffindor Quidditch tryouts, and Snape getting to teach his favorite subject- Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Meanwhile, Harry and Dumbledore have secret classes together, in which they are viewing memories from a pensive (the cover scene) about Tom Riddle’s childhood, and why he became Lord Voldemort. Dumbledore believes this is the way for Harry to fulfill his destiny and defeat him- by finding weaknesses from his childhood. Harry is also being helped in potions class by a mysterious Half-Blood Prince, who is giving him written instruction in his class textbook.
As we enter the final chapters of the book, Harry will make many more gruesome discoveries about his past, and the future, Snape openly shows his true loyalty, someone important dies (I won’t say who in case you haven’t read it yet), and the mysterious Half-Blood Prince exhibits himself at last, and the trio is left to examine their futures as a funeral (for the dead person) is departing.
On a whole, I would rate this book very high (probably a 9.7 out of 10), recommend it to anyone, and believe it’s the best one yet. However, I still doubt (and hate) why she chose the person to die that she did. This book is also very different from the other ones. This book, as the book jacket says is all about the “home front” in the second war against Voldemort.
Though it’s dark, it does have some humorous spots to enjoy.
And yes, I was one of those “weirdo’s,” who went to Border’s at midnight on the day of its release to get the book.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
J.K. Rowling's The Tales of Beedle the Bard: Review by Nathan W.
The newest J.K. Rowling book, The Tales of Beedle the Bard, is what Harry Potter fans have been waiting for. For the past year and a half, Potter fans have been trying to cope with the ending of the series and trying to find other books to satisfy themselves.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard is mentioned in the final Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and is a great read for both hardcore Potter fans and those who simply want to read a new book. There are five short stories in The Tales of Beedle the Bard : “ The Wizard’s Hairy Heart,” “The Tale of the Three Brothers,” Babbity Rabbity and her Cackling Stump,” “The Fountain of Fair Fortune,” and “The Wizard and the Hopping Pot.”
My favorite story was “The Wizard’s Hairy Heart” due to its darkness and its ending, which is Romeo and Juliet- esque. This is a story of a young man who refuses to fall in love and removes his heart, which becomes hairy and moldy after its removal. When he finally falls in love, the wizard realizes his mistake and kills himself (his lover also commits suicide). “Babbity Rabbity and her Cackling Stump” was a bit of a disappointment for me. I was expecting a happy, cherry rabbit-based story; instead, reader read about an old woman who makes a fool out of a charlatan. “The Tale of the Three Brothers,” as Harry Potter fans know, was mentioned in and was instrumental in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This story tells of the deathly hallows: the elder wand, the resurrection stone, and the invisibility cloak.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard comes with commentary from Albus Dumbledore, our favorite Hogwarts headmaster. The commentary is funny. Another ode to Harry Potter fans is that the book “was translated from the original ancient runes by Hermione Granger.” The proceeds from the book go to the Children’s High Level Group, a charity that helps orphaned children. While Harry Potter fans have to wait for J.K. Rowling to finish her Harry Potter encyclopedia, The Tales of Beedle the Bard is a great way to pass the time, and reader will donate to charity in the process
READ MORE
The Tales of Beedle the Bard is mentioned in the final Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and is a great read for both hardcore Potter fans and those who simply want to read a new book. There are five short stories in The Tales of Beedle the Bard : “ The Wizard’s Hairy Heart,” “The Tale of the Three Brothers,” Babbity Rabbity and her Cackling Stump,” “The Fountain of Fair Fortune,” and “The Wizard and the Hopping Pot.”
My favorite story was “The Wizard’s Hairy Heart” due to its darkness and its ending, which is Romeo and Juliet- esque. This is a story of a young man who refuses to fall in love and removes his heart, which becomes hairy and moldy after its removal. When he finally falls in love, the wizard realizes his mistake and kills himself (his lover also commits suicide). “Babbity Rabbity and her Cackling Stump” was a bit of a disappointment for me. I was expecting a happy, cherry rabbit-based story; instead, reader read about an old woman who makes a fool out of a charlatan. “The Tale of the Three Brothers,” as Harry Potter fans know, was mentioned in and was instrumental in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This story tells of the deathly hallows: the elder wand, the resurrection stone, and the invisibility cloak.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard comes with commentary from Albus Dumbledore, our favorite Hogwarts headmaster. The commentary is funny. Another ode to Harry Potter fans is that the book “was translated from the original ancient runes by Hermione Granger.” The proceeds from the book go to the Children’s High Level Group, a charity that helps orphaned children. While Harry Potter fans have to wait for J.K. Rowling to finish her Harry Potter encyclopedia, The Tales of Beedle the Bard is a great way to pass the time, and reader will donate to charity in the process
READ MORE
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Prom by Nathan
It’s what all high schoolers wait for: their senior prom. For the seniors at Central, the Mother’s Day weekend was their prom.
I flew one of my friends from Georgia up to be my prom date. We went just as friends. She wore an iridescent pink dress, while I wore a black suit, tux shirt, and a silver tie.
The actual prom was held at the Valencia Ballroom in downtown York. For the pair of us, it was $80 for tickets, but we still had a good time. The food ( which was a buffet consisting of Caesar salad, Tuscan shrimp and chicken, beef tips, lumpy red skinned mashed potatoes, and more). The lights finally went down, and we “danced the night away.” Yes, Nathan danced for 3 solid hours! At 10, our class president took the stage to announce the Prom King and Queen; Matt Nugent and Kelsey May took their titles, and lead the students as they danced together. In choosing the king and queen, the class president randomly selects a boys’ name from a hat and the same is done with the queen.
At 11, we left the Valencia to head over to the school for the post-prom party. Tickets for this event were only $10 for the both of us. The school had been decorated to look like New York, with Central Park, Broadway, Times Square, and many other New York sites. There was even a mechanical bull, and Nathan played “cowboy” by riding it for 25 seconds!
All in all, the senior prom was definitely worth it, despite all the costs.
I flew one of my friends from Georgia up to be my prom date. We went just as friends. She wore an iridescent pink dress, while I wore a black suit, tux shirt, and a silver tie.
The actual prom was held at the Valencia Ballroom in downtown York. For the pair of us, it was $80 for tickets, but we still had a good time. The food ( which was a buffet consisting of Caesar salad, Tuscan shrimp and chicken, beef tips, lumpy red skinned mashed potatoes, and more). The lights finally went down, and we “danced the night away.” Yes, Nathan danced for 3 solid hours! At 10, our class president took the stage to announce the Prom King and Queen; Matt Nugent and Kelsey May took their titles, and lead the students as they danced together. In choosing the king and queen, the class president randomly selects a boys’ name from a hat and the same is done with the queen.
At 11, we left the Valencia to head over to the school for the post-prom party. Tickets for this event were only $10 for the both of us. The school had been decorated to look like New York, with Central Park, Broadway, Times Square, and many other New York sites. There was even a mechanical bull, and Nathan played “cowboy” by riding it for 25 seconds!
All in all, the senior prom was definitely worth it, despite all the costs.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Alison Goodman's Eon a review by Nathan W
Eon is an Eragon-esque book, though a little better to follow. Ms. Goodman took from the Chinese culture as back-story for her novel. She took some symbols from the Chinese New Year (i.e. dragon, rat, pig, etc.) to create different martial arts styles to fuel Eon. Eon, a young boy, comes into his own in this book: He has to become a Dragoneye, a prince-like character, and help end the reign of an evil emperor.
Overall, Eon had an average plot with average characters. There were a few minor grammatical errors- but that to be expected because this is an advanced uncorrected edition. I give Eon: Dragoneye Reborn three out of five stars.
Overall, Eon had an average plot with average characters. There were a few minor grammatical errors- but that to be expected because this is an advanced uncorrected edition. I give Eon: Dragoneye Reborn three out of five stars.
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