Family photo archive Web site

I recently purchased a scanner with the idea in mind to scan all the old photos in my parents' ancient photo albums. It'll be quite the undertaking, but I'm up to the task.

Today, I started with the oldest (mind you, they are not completely in order) and have started a private Web site on Shutterfly.com, which I will be inviting family members and friends of the family to join.

http://griffithwittman.shutterfly.com

I named the site Griffith-Wittman because the photo albums that started it all contain my parents' photos from both sides of the family as well as of friends from both sides.

Besides the fact that some of your old photos could be on the site, there are other benefits to joining -

Once a member of the site, a person can view and add photos, notes and video to keep everyone updated.

For those interested in photo-personalized gifts, this site makes it easy to order straightaway from any of the photos posted.

Unfortunately, members can't download photos from the site, so if you are a member and would like a digital copy of anything, please email me at laminette.griff@gmail.com and I'd be happy to e-mail you a copy you can print at home or at Walgreens. Additionally, I think the site allows you to order prints...

I'm trying to find everyone on Facebook and ask them to spread the word, but if you know someone who would like an invite, send me e-mail addresses.

Thanks!

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

3.5 out of 5 stars

Don't look at this as a movie review, rather than my own personal reaction to HP 6. I really liked the movie, and since I hardly remember what was in the book when I read it, I didn't notice discrepancies that other people did between the two versions. 

What I liked was the humor, and the fact that the movie was incredibly visually appealing. (Those main characters sure are growing into their own aren't they? It's fun comparing them now with their tiny baby selves in the first movie...) 

What I didn't like was the lack of a fight scene inside Hogwarts that took place in the book between the Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix (-1 star), and the fact that Remus Lupin was in the movie for about 8 seconds (-0.5 stars). Lupin is only my favorite HP character, followed by Ron, then Harry. 

Now I'm back to reading the sixth in the Harry Potter series, and then I'll be back to talk more about the differences between the two. (And then onto 7 and then inevitably back to that dreaded fan fiction.) Until then, I'll leave you with this. 

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" was as chilling as I hoped/thought it would be, and somehow at the same time, managed to be the most fun and funny of all the previous movies in the franchise. It was a good time, and it will be had again. By me. When I buy the movie set. (David already has the book set.)

I disagree that the story was not well told, though I will agree the book told it better. Despite the fact that much of the material had to be left out to fit into a comfortable time frame for a movie, I think it would have been fairly easy to follow if I hadn't known the story beforehand. As easy as the sixth part of a franchise can be for someone getting into it late, anyway. 

Alright then, I'm off. 

Harry Potter!

Just got our tickets on Fandango.com! We're going to Edwardsville at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. Woohoo!

July 4 weekend set me back

... Justin's red pepper burgers, too yummy to resist, and stupid, stupid alcohol, contributed to a 3 pound weight gain that set me back this Fourth of July weekend. That and the fact that I had NO energy all week and a wierd schedule that kept me in bed until work Monday through Friday.

Thank God this week I'm back to a somewhat regular schedule. Still tired as all get out tho.

How did your weekend go?

My parents met me on July 3 after work to see the fireworks in Downtown Alton. Not so much after work as a half hour before I got off, because I got held up waiting for the fireworks story for the front, but it turned out OK in the end.

They got to see the newsroom and sit and relax for a little bit while I finished, then I showed them around and got one of the press guys to give them a tour of the whole newspaper printing process. I think I got the walking tour three years ago when I started but it wasn't as in depth as that.

Afterward, the lawn to the left of the building here was a perfect vantage point for watching the fireworks. We could even see the St. Louis fireworks in the distance, and the show was a good one. It sprinkled a little but never really rained, thank God.

On July 4, Justin and Jacob came over and played the new Tiger Woods golf game for the Wii while Justin prepared the grill. Thomas, Beth, Madden, Pam and Amy all came and ate, and we played some bags and The Game of Things later in the night.

By Sunday I was completely wiped out. I laid around watching "Friends" all day.

With the exception of the 3 pounds, it was a pretty decent weekend.