Harry Potter in 3D!!!!!

So the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince movie was released to IMAX theatres this week. I saw the last movie (Order of the Phoenix) in IMAX too and it was fabulous. Harry Potter and all the special effects that it carries, needs to be seen in IMAX. And I love that a portion of the movies are done in 3D, too. That scene in the last movie where they are in the hall with all the glass that eventually shatters and is the major fight scene of the movie, was the portion that was 3D. Holy smokes.....it was amazing to watch! You felt like you were right there in the middle of it. And the sound at an IMAX theatre is sooooo stinkin' loud! I LOOOOOVE it. You have to go see it this way!

We went downtown to Raleigh's Imax theatre and then went to dinner at 518 West, a delicious little Italian grille. I had the chef's special for the night which was a grilled halibut with an oyster and mushroom ragout. Delicious!

Fish tacos...

I was craving fish tacos last week something fierce. When you gotta have 'em, you gotta have 'em. As I was preparing to move to San Diego years ago, someone mentioned fish taco to me and I thought—“ewwwwww, are you kidding me?”. Clearly, I had no clue. Now, the fish taco—the famous, one and only San Diego fish taco—is one of my favorite things to eat…..as often as possible!

I watch Bobby Flay’s “Throwdown” show on the Food Network and the latest episode they ran, strangely enough, was Bobby’s throwdown challenge against the San Diego fish taco. Specifically the ones made at Mama Testa on University Ave in Hillcrest. Mama Testa uses local, fresh ingredients, fried catfish, green and red cabbage slaw and a variety of sauces....droooooool....... They met down in gorgeous Balboa Park to have their cook off. Bobby Flay put his grilled Mahi Mahi fish taco up against Mama Testa’s deep fat fried catfish taco. I’m happy to say, though the judges did find both fish tacos very tasty, the fish taco from Mama Testa was victorious! Of course! Congratulations, guys!!!

Now that Mama Testa’s taco reigns supreme to the whole world…the lines are even bigger to get 'em. You gotta go try one (or three!), but go during off hours so you don’t have to wait so long. I love you, Bobby Flay and all your wonderful culinary concoctions….but San Diego has the fish taco down, baby! Now....who’s meeting me for lunch???

Harry Potter at midnight.....

Cassie and I went to the midnight showing last night of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It was packed! Twelve of the theatres in the Beavercreek multi-plex were completely sold out, so there were a lot of Potter fanatics out late. Lots were dressed up too which was fun!

I've already read the Potter books, so the big surprise moment in the movie was kind of blown for me, but I didn't care. The story itself and the special effects were amazing. The movie is kind of the bridge between books 5 and 7, so it's a 'fill-the-gap' movie. It's not fluff--again, big things happen in "Half-Blood Prince", so it's important. I can't wait for the next two and final movies of the series. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is such a huge story, that it's being split into two movies. YAY!

So 'Half Blood Prince' will be released in IMAX theatres July 29th....I'll go to see it there, too. Just like the last movie, there will be a portion of it in 3D and Harry is spectacular in 3D!

Losing a Dad and a child....

Watching Michael Jacksons’ daughter, Paris, yesterday at his memorial service just broke my heart. She is 11, the same age as my Cassie. No child should lose their parent before their time. Not that being an adult and losing a parent is easy, but how difficult must it be for a child. There will be so many things she will go through without her Dad…..graduations, her wedding day, the birth of her children and his grandkids…..oh, it just breaks my heart.

And then, as a Mom, I look at it from Kathryn Jackson’s (Michael’s Mom) perspective too. The natural progression in this life is that parents die….not our kids before us. Then you realize that God has His own plan. That 'natural progression' thing doesn't always happen. Some years ago, the son of a family I grew up with took his own life. The next time I saw his Mom, she told me, “No parent should ever have to say goodbye to their child”. I knew she was in massive pain, but really didn’t realize what she meant until I had my baby.

I said extra prayers for the Jackson family last night. I know for the first time, Michael has finally found some peace. No flashbulbs, no autograph seekers, no fans running after him, no papparazzi.....I can't even imagine the life that poor guy lived. I do take great comfort in the fact that one day, Paris, Prince and Michael Jr. will all be reunited in Heaven with their Dad…..and what a sweet, sweet reunion that will be.

In Christ, there are no goodbyes
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again

Mercy Me—“Homesick”