Reviews Written by Katy
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May 16, 2007
Gets Me Through the Day
Pros: Portable, Organized, Easy to Use
Cons: Apple earbuds blow extremely easily
The iPod nano is what gets me through the day. I wake up to music from the iPod (with the help of an iHome clock), listen to it while driving, listen in my spare time, Sing along with it in the shower (with the help of a JBL sound system)j, and then listen to it while falling asleep.
iTunes is extremely easy to use, and the controls are basic. It's helpful being able to adjust settings on it to your liking, especially the brightness of the backlight (I like it bright). Creating playlists is a lot of fun, especially with the Smart playlists. Dressing up your iPod with cases is neat, too. Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without my iPod (see above :) ).
The iPod sorts your music into genres (iTunes catogorizes songs into genres automatically, but you can edit them), and albums and artists. I recommend that you keep your internet working, because if you don't, when you're ripping a CD onto your iPod, it's a pain to type in all of the titles and genres and stuff.
The price has gone way down since the second gen nano came out, and if you buy it for used, you can get it for practically nothing. Personally, I'm thinking about upgrading to the second gen, but if you're looking for a cheap option that works just as well, the first gen is the way to go. ... -
May 16, 2007
A Great Family TV Show
Pros: Great acting, witty humor, appropriate for most ages (I'd say everyone over 10 years)
Cons: The DVDs are somewhat pricey.
This show is the kind of show that makes you laugh and cry and shout at the screen and smile and get weepy and sigh...a show with comedy and drama and action all mixed up.
Full House is ingenious. Here is a show that hooks adults for the good acting, kids for the humor, and teenagers for the break from the typical teenage show (either heavy with violence or shockingly racy). Full House is neither.
When you first watch Full House, you want an Uncle Jesse. You want a dad like Danny Tanner. You want a big sister like DJ to identify with and little sisters like Stephanie and Michelle to coo over. You want a Joey to laugh with. But, after watching a few seasons, you realize that now, you do have an Uncle Jesse, and a Danny, and a DJ, and a Stephanie, and a Michelle, and Joey. Because when you buy these DVDs, you buy a family.
I love Full House because I can visit those people whenever I feel like it with the DVDs. It's the perfect remedy to a broken heart, the perfect solution to a lousy day, the perfect relaxing end of a hectic day. Full House is home. ... -
Rent [Original Broadway Cast]
by Original Broadway Cast | MusicPrice: $16.90 to $27.59 Compare PricesMay 5, 2007
An Incredible Piece of Art
Pros: Beautiful Music Scores, Fascinating Characters
Cons: None that I can think of.
Rent was recommended to me by a friend awhile back. I had always thought of the musical as a little bizarre, considering the interesting set of characters. (A man on drag, a prostitute on smack, a bisexual woman, a lesbian, 3 people with AIDS, an ex-druggie songwriter with a temper, and a normal guy.) However, before long, my curiosity took over and I had to see it.
The movie was an incredible piece of art. Every scene was completely realistic and down-to-earth. The setting of hardcore NY fascinated me. I was delighted. This movie moved me beyond belief. When it was over, I just sat there, and tears ran down my face.
I laughed (a lot), I cried (even more), and I yelled at my television screen (even more). I would certainly recommend this movie to anyone, especially those, like me, interested in musicals. ... -
May 5, 2007
What a Read!
Pros: Characters, Delightfully Cynical Sense of Humor
Cons: Difficult Vocabulary, Challenging to Understand
When I received "Wicked" as a gift, I expected it to be a humorous fairy tale about an evil witch, which is what the colorful, playful-looking cover (I got the edition released after the musical hit Broadway, the green and black one) suggested. However, this book was not what I expected.
Gregory Maguire reveals the setting as a refreshingly imperfect Oz, when there are political problems and battling religions. Her parents are startlingly human, and the Ozians are brilliantly real. He makes Oz so much more than the tasteful cardboard set pieces in The Wizard of Oz, so much more dangerous and real.
Maguire connects each and every characteristic of the witch in the Wizard of Oz movie and attatches a reason, to my delight, because I have always wondered about these things. (My only complaint would be I didn't understand the water thing...he didn't completely explain it...email me if you know).
My only problems were that there were some tricky metaphors and vocabulary that confused and slowed me down. Also, Maguire seems to have a tendency to skip years (irking, but necessary), and he doesn't achieve it smoothly. The transitions are jerky and unnatural.
All in all, an excellent read! ... -
December 26, 2006
Another Great Harvest Moon Game
2 of 2 Yahoo! Users found this review helpfulPros: Cute characters, interesting plotline
Cons: Lousy graphics, frusterating
A warning to fans of the Gamecube version of Harvest Moon: THIS GAME IS NOTHING LIKE IT"S GAMECUBE SISTER. The Gamecube version is delightfully simple and straightforward. This one...well...let's just say I spent several hours tearing my hair out in front of the computer trying to figure it out.
The game is confusing and the booklet that comes with the console does nothing to lessen the confusion. While the beginning is funny and entertaining, a nice start to the game, it is also brief and infuriatingly unhelpful. I was also displeased to learn that there are several overwhelming tasks to complete, or the game ends. I struggled to keep up with the horrible pace of the game (one second= ten minutes in harvest moon time) and I sweated while playing.
So, why, you ask, do I enjoy this game? Why do I consider it a favorite? Because this game mimics life perfectly. It's challenging and you DON'T have all the time in the world. There is a biological need to charm a girl, raise a family, and grow crops to make a living. The pride when you succeed is almost embarassing, but it works. I would recommend this game to anyone, old or young. ... -
Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day Nintendo DS
Nintendo DSPrice: $12.98 to $19.99 Compare PricesDecember 26, 2006
An Ingenious Idea
2 of 2 Yahoo! Users found this review helpfulPros: Fun games, great graphics..."doctor
" is hilarious... Cons: Small amount of games, too easy
I received Brain Age this Christmas and felt mildly enthusiastic. I mean, how fun can "educational games" be? I found out the the answer is: very fun!
Brain Age is delightfully interactive, using the touch screen/ stylus and the microphone in creative ways. The presentation of the games makes you want to play it every day (which "doctor" recommends). My favorite part is the Sudoku. I would reccomend first letting the game alert you when you enter a wrong answer, until you become good this way. Then, you should advance to figuring out the wrong answers yourself! It's a fun puzzle that really works the brain.
One thing that disappointed me was how easy it was to quickly advance into unlocking mini-games and bringing down your age. I find it almost irritatingly easy. I wish that the difficulty was more. ... -
November 26, 2006
A Wonderful Game for Animal Lovers of All Ages
Pros: Graphics, sound effects, features, ease of use
Cons: Price (minor con)
Zoo Tycoon is one of those rare games. A game that is appropriate for all ages and is actually very enjoyable, and not at all corny.
In Zoo Tycoon, you are the owner of your zoo. The object of the game is to earn money by a certain period of time. You choose the landscape that you wish to build your zoo on first. Then, to make your zoo appealing to potential customers, you create exhibits. You choose the terrain, elevation, foliage, etc. for your animal. Then you can buy the animals, and zookeepers to care for them. If you wish, you can also name your animals.
The animals respond to the exhibit by emiting either green smileys or red frowning faces. This tells you how to improve your exhibit.
The game is delightfully uncomplicated, and a pleasure to play. I applaude Microsoft for coming up with such a great game! ... -
November 2, 2006
Snicket's Done it Again!
Pros: Same endearing characters, interesting plotline
Cons: Disappointing ending, many unanswered questions
If you bought this book, I hope you weren't wanting a beautifully tied up ending, complete with all questions answered and problems resolved. Because you're not going to get it when you read the book. Apparently, Snicket isn't fond of the typical "Hollywood Ending" type thing.
Not to say that it wasn't a wonderful read. Same wonderful characters, same amusing dark humor. Same hilarious way of defining difficult vocabulary. But, at the end? I was still as breathless with suspense as before. Wait, what? The series is over! I still feel like I'm waiting for something! I need answers!
In other words, read it, but don't have sky-high expectations. Not fullfilled. ... -
October 16, 2006
Not Just Another Cheesy Self-Help Book for Teens
Pros: Everything!
Cons: None that I can think of.
I was reluctant to buy it, I'll admit it. The "Teen People Celebrity Style Guide" was what I wanted. But, no. My mom made me get it. And...augh...I really don't want to admit it...OKAY, I loved it! There. I did that just to help you out. :)
"GirlWise" covers everything from unclogging toilets (I know it sounds dumb, but it IS useful!) to how to get a promotion. DeVillers spouts humor throughout, even telling her most embarassing moment! (Trust me, it's hilarious!)
You should definitely buy this book. It has changed my life, and I hope it changes yours. It sounds trite, but it's given me a whole different outlook on life in general. Thank you, "GirlWise"! ...
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Magnificent
Pros: Everything
Cons: If you hate emotional books, you won't like this. It's extremely emotional; it will make you laugh and cry and tremble
I was required to read Ithaka for my Accelerated English class. At first I'll admit I was somewhat sceptical (For a teenage girl, reading a book based on an ancient epic tale isn't overly appealing). However, as I reluctantly started the book, I became engrossed. I could not set this book down. It's amazing! As mentioned in the "Cons" section of this review, this novel is extremely emotional. It will, guaranteed, make you laugh, cry, and tremble with emotion. It's THAT good!
In case you don't know, Ithaka is a novel based on The Odyssey. It describes what is going on back in Ithaka, Odysseus' homeland, while is he is off trying to make his way back home. His wife, Penelope waits for him, clinging to his promise that he will return. In his absense, the castle is in turmoil. The book also follows a sub-plot line about the life of Penelope's handmaiden, Klymene.
READ THIS BOOK! ...