GAMES. monopoly party

over the years i have spent a lot of money on video games. i have a bin full and shelves full to prove it. but for some reason that i cant really explain, there is one game in particular that i keep coming back to: monopoly. ive always liked the board game, but it always takes too long and its hard to find people who want to play it. a few years ago i found a version of the game for my gamecube. its a party game and when played against three computer opponents, can be played in under a half hour. with all the great advancements in graphics and the amazingly diverse gameplay that the wii allows, i still regularly return to the simple joys that a game of monopoly brings. go figure.

TV. robin hood

ive been following this show since its first season on bbc america. the show is pretty good, its a reimagining of the story of robin hood. most of the story is the same as the one we are used to, they just spend time fleshing out the characters and telling a good yarn.
they have done a good job of creating a believable world for the stories. they usually include some decent action, and some story development. they have taken it in some great places this season, with maid marien staying in the castle with the sheriff and guy as a spy for robin, and one of the merry men, allen, as a spy for sir guy of gisbourne. i was with them the whole way through last season and this season. well, right up until the last episode. they basic story of robin hood is that the sheriff is trying to steal the kings power while he is gone to the holy land on a crusade. well, in the last episode of the second season robin and his men go to the holy land to tell him what is going on. during the episode maid marien is stabbed and killed. seriously? you killed the leading lady? it seems foolish and unnecessary for the story. im not entirely sure where they can go from here, but with that shark jumping moment, im not sure i will stick around to find out...

COMIC BOOKS. david: the shepherds song

i found this little book this summer at comic con. there was a booth that was selling six graphic novels for 20 bucks, and i found four that i wanted. i came across this one and figured 'well, i can always keep it in my classroom for the kids to read'. so i picked it up. i recently read through it to check it out, and i must say, it is amazing! the story is a short one that looks at king david and his life as a shepherd. it shows his responsibility and joy that comes with his job as a shepherd, and compares it to the time he is on the run from king saul. the storytelling is very well done, it flows wonderfully, and the theme that it works from is done in a very simple and powerful way. the art is also great, its designed to look unfinished, very much like a sketchbook. the simple story and simple art compliment each other quite well. the book is published by a little known company called lamp post publications, and is written and illustrated by royden lepp and darren brady. i look forward to checking out anything else i can find by these two guys!