Tails’ Blography

Do you collect anything? (pick all that apply)

Movies/DVD’s/music (67%, 4 Votes)
Ornaments (ie faeries, dragons, etc) (33%, 2 Votes)
Other (please specify in a comment when the results go up) (17%, 1 Votes)
Dolls/Bears (17%, 1 Votes)Dust (17%, 1 Votes)
Tourist-y things (ie things from other countries, etc) (17%, 1 Votes)
Cars (0%, 0 Votes)
Fish (0%, 0 Votes)
Posters (0%, 0 Votes)
Spoons (0%, 0 Votes)
Shells (0%, 0 Votes)
Something not so mainline (ie someone unusual) (0%, 0 Votes)
Candles (0%, 0 Votes)
Shoes (or other clothing related items) (0%, 0 Votes)
Action Figures (0%, 0 Votes)
Stamps (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 6

Thanks to everyone who voted. New poll up: Stephanie Meyer/Twilight vs JK Rowling/J Rowling!

I’ve been reading a bit on this whole Twilight saga…and frankly, I’m disappointed. I watched the movie and I didnt like it. So I FB’ed about it on my status and was told to watch it again because I clearly missed the important bits. Quite frankly, its not the movie I had a problem with, the special effects etc were great. My problem was the stunted acting and the jerky dialog. Nothing flowed, it just didnt mesh well with me. For me, it seemed to be written a little under my level of reading, whereas HP can and does appeal to both kids and adults alike. Someone mentioned (in the link I add below) that Twilight is a phase, and that Harry Potter is a classic. My sentiments exactly. I’d sooner push a HP book in front of my (future) child than Twilight.

My opinions might be unfair as I havent read the Twilight book(s)…yet. I always believe the book is better than the movie, so I’m willing to give them a try. In fact, I’m clinging to this with Twilight. I’m a big, big Harry Potter fan, no doubt about that, so Twilight has some big shoes to fill (though I know they’re not even written on the same level or topic). I think that JK Rowling is an amazing author and the cast they found for the movies were the best of the bunch, which made the movies even more fantastic. Also taking into consideration Evanna Lynch who plays “Loony Luna Lovegood” in HP wasnt even an actress when she auditioned. Included in this list of great actors, is Robert Pattinson who played Cedric Diggory in HP and the Goblet of Fire. What on earth happened to him when he entered Twilight?? And Bella??? Need I say more! (and who on earth allows two co-actors to date whilst doing a movie?? It should be a clause in their contracts that no fraternising with the cast is allowed…I think this relationship might damage their acting ability on screen more than they think…but I could be very wrong about that…who knows. Still, it just doesnt seem right to date your co-star).

Anyway, there appears to be a lot of controvosy over this Twilight series and the author, and even Stephen King himself had none-too-good things to say about Meyer.

King, whose Stephen King Goes to the Movies collection came out last week, doesn’t know how much of an influence he had on Meyer, but he does know that Rowling read his stuff when she was younger. “I think that has some kind of formative influence the same way reading Richard Matheson had an influence on me,” King explains. “People always say to me, ‘Well, what about H.P. Lovecraft?’ And the thing was, you read Lovecraft when you were a kid but I never felt that he was speaking my language. It was chillier than my heart was, and when Matheson started to write about ordinary people and stuff, that was something that I wanted to do. I said, ‘This is the way to do it. He’s showing the way.’ I think that I serve that purpose for some writers, and that’s a good thing. Both Rowling and Meyer, they’re speaking directly to young people. … The real difference is that Jo Rowling is a terrific writer and Stephenie Meyer can’t write worth a darn. She’s not very good.”

source: http://blogs.usaweekend.com/whos_news/2009/02/exclusive-steph.html

So, what are your thoughts? Do you like or hate Twilight? Do you like or hate Harry Potter? What are your thoughts on the movies and the authors? I want to hear your opinion!

I’ve been thinking of doing various posts on products available in South Africa that I personally favour. I think, given that I’m currently at home with a cold today, that I will start with various medicines I swear by.

Firstly, I grew up being a bronchial ashmatic. This meant that the average cold could, and often did, progress into something worse, like bronchitus or pneumonia. Coupled with that, was my asthma. Having a cough meant the asthma became worse, and often left me using a nebuliser every few hours, just to provide the ability to breath properly.

In my adult years, I am now fortunate enough to not suffer too much from asthma, and it now also is a way for me to tell, fairly easily, when I’m going to get sick. If I find I wake up with a tight chest/asthma attack, I know something’s amiss. I will use my enhaler, but if its not just a regular attack but rather the onset of an illness, my body is affected differently by the enhaler, often resulting in the shakes. My hands become unsteady and my heart rate increases (sounds healthy, eh ). I also will require another dose within an hour or two. This is how I tell I’m getting ill. Its my super power! Just call me “Asthma Girl” haha!

Ok, so when I was ill, I was treated only with homeopathic medicine, and I acredit that to my lessened asthma and stronger immune system today. I continue to use homeopathic medicine to this day, and most surely will treat my kids with the same.

First up, Weleda’s Cold & Flu Remedy drops. (the image says “For Flu” but the new bottle says “Cold & Flu Remedy”).

This tastes a little nasty at first, but it is a taste one can get used to quickly. Its able to be taken neat, or with a little water (the latter being the more favoured). Basically, you take 15 drops at the first sign of the cold/flu. Then repeat two hourly with 8-10 drops. I find with a few days of this, I’m feeling a lot better. Weleda also make a great cough remedy, and post nasal treatment!

Price range: R100-R150 for 50ml

Next up, HerbaForce Tonzolyt.

This medicine tastes great! Its in tablet form, and melts under the tongue into a sugary powder. I know it says “For Tonsillitis” but it works for a sore throat too. I find that if by the evening I have a sore throat, two of these dissolved in my mouth before bed allows me to wake up with no sore throat the next day! This one I find works (for me) within a few hours. Seriously. After the initial two, its one every two-four hours.

Price range: R50-R100 for 100 tabs.

Next up, the tried and trusted Med-Lemon.

Not that this really needs introducing, but empty sachet into a mug, top up with boiled water, stir, and drink as hot as possible. Or make your own with one/two disprins, hot water, a squirt or few of lemon juice, and a teaspoon or two of honey. Guaranteed to make you feel better shortly, and best drunk at night before bed. Its also available in different flavours, but the original still remains my preferred choice.

Price range: R15-R30 for a box of 8 sachets.

Lastly, I recommend Natura’s Hay-F if you’re a sufferer of hay fever or just have a sniffly nose.

This (for me) works within half an hour, and works like a charm! Not much more can be said, except that last time I bought it, it was fairly pricey, but most certainly is worth it. I’m a huge allergy sufferer, from pollen to pet fur (except rats!), to dust…you name it. This works. Like. A. Charm!

Price range: R50-R100

Of course, with all medication, be sure to read the labels and precautions before using. And if you’re already on something, rather ask your doctor before adding anything to your medicine schedule. Most homeopathic medicines wont interfere with antibiotics, but its better to be safe than sorry.

Also, the prices are a rough estimate between what I remember them being the last time I bought them (usually one of any of these bottles last me around a year, if not longer!) and the prices I could find on the internet. Obviously prices may differ, hopefully to the better!