Butt-Load of New Moon Pictures!

Click on the pic above to view 72 New Moon trading cards on lovingrob.wordpress.com. Great pictures, and views of scenes not available for viewing in any of the trailers. I'm so ready for this movie to be in theaters...have I mentioned that before? ;)

Nurture Shock by Po Bronson, Ashley Merryman

As a teacher and a parent, I see the urge to over indulge your child and to make them the "king" of your castle. In the book Nurture Shock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman, new research suggests that telling your child they are the very best at everything might hurt them more than help them. Among other nuggets of parenting wisdom, Bronson and Merryman explore common trends in early childhood intelligence identification (labeling a child "gifted" at five, might be wayyyy too soon) and explain (through their thorough research) novel outlooks on a child's mind. The book made me feel like I wasn't such a sucky parent for not praising my child for everything great they do. My sister recently overheard a parent at the park overly praising their child for how well they were swinging. Seriously. Like saying "Excellent" and "Great Job" for her kid pumping their feet back and forth. Seriously.
Instead of praising your kid for taking a good poo-poo, try to encourage the PROCESS of how they achieved their success. (I'm so impressed you worked so hard on that poo-poo! Ha, ha...okay, I will stop!) Instead of saying "you are such a smart girl", I should be saying, "I love how hard you worked to make that good grade'. The book comes at a time when so much is expected of children intellectually at very early ages. This book is a wake-up call to parents and teachers alike, that sometimes, our expectations can be too high and the need to label our kids "smart" at an early age can result in just the opposite. Nurture Shock is a must-read for new parents, and any other delusional 'rentals you think might need a smack in the face..."no, lady, your kid is not that flippin' great!"

Oprah Compliments Taylor's Handeling of Kanye Encounter

"Sweet Caroline" on Glee Next Week!

Next week's episode will feature the Neil Diamond favorite, "Sweet Caroline". Loving it!

Eclipse: On-set Pics

This is supposedly AFTER Riley is turned into a vampire by Victoria. Looks like it was a gruesome turn for ole' Riley!
Bella visiting Rene in Florida. Itchy wig...hate the wig!


Forks High School Graduation...love Charlie!

Does anyone else find the wig horrific?

You may have already seen some of these pictures, but if you are like me, it never gets old to look at them! I do have a problem with Kristen Stewart's wig. It's bad. Very bad. I itch just looking at it. You would think she would've worn a wig for the Joan Jett movie and not cut her hair because of her Twilight Saga films she knew were coming up...maybe that is her way of flexing her artistic muscle by showing everyone these films are not her priority? Who knows. I'm not an actress, so I will never understand the need for actors to bite the hand that feeds them. So many actors who find mega-success with a certain character feel the need to do that, and I shake my head at them. Now, as I step off of my soap box, feel free to ignore the rant above and focus on the sheer joy that Eclipse pictures can bring you...just knowing they are filming it makes me happy!

Coming Back in to Fashion?

Overalls...ah, a bloated girl's best friend! Remember sporting the style back in junior high, and leaving one strap unbuckled and dangling? I even recall having a pair of black and white overalls, with polk-a-dot denim. Stellar! I certainly rocked the overalls all the way through high school and part of college. We would buy them big and wear them with a tank top. I'm sure they were very flattering, and it irks me today that when I didn't need to be wearing something so large and shapeless, it was in-style! Well, Ralph Lauren has brought back the comfy farm wear in his new 2010 Spring line, sans the unbuckled strap. What do you think? Would you wear overalls if they became a trend once again?

CAKE WRECKS - When Stupid People Bake

How have I never heard of this blog before? A new book, based on the popular blog, http://www.cakewrecks.com, is in stores right now. The book is a compilation of photos from the popular blog, created by Jen Yates. I find stupidity fascinating, and this blog is chock-full of hilarious photos of cakes that were created by stupid people! You MUST go to her blog and check out many of the cake disasters she posts on a daily basis. Who knew the world of baking goods could be so entertaining?

Kseniya Simonova - Ukraine's Got Talent Winner

This is one of the coolest things I've seen in awhile! Kseniya Simonova is the 2009 winner of Ukraine's Got Talent. Her unique sand art can not be explained. Watch the video to see for yourself:

LENZI LIKES IT Featured on Mahalo.com!

Mahalo is a search-based website, and on its HUNGER GAMES fan page, it features my site. Check the page by clicking on the MAHALO logo below. You can find my site by viewing under the heading "The Hunger Games Movie Blogs":

Oh, How I Wish My Critics Would Read This Review!

I will be the first to admit that The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is full of violence. Yet, as a teacher of 8th grade students (who are in the 13-14 year old range), the violence depicted is nothing they haven't seen already. When I decided to teach the book last year, I didn't warn the students about the violence, and since it wasn't brought into the forefront of discussion, most of my kid took it with a grain of salt. It was needed for the plot, and that was that. I'm so sad that I might not get to teach this book again, because of the violence, and I really wish that the committee that is reviewing books for my classroom would read this review from TIME Magazine. The writer, Lev Grossman, is spot-on with his assessment of teens today and how poignant Collins's writing can be for this age group...heck, how amazing the writing can be for ANY age group for that matter. Check out what Grossman had to say about both The Hunger Games and Catching Fire....I'm not exaggerating the fabulousity of this novel. You need to read it!

Great Site - Especially if Your DVR Takes an Unscheduled Vacation!

If you've been meaning to watch certain hot new shows (like GLEE!), then this website is a great way to catch up on T.V. shows you've missed. Go to http://www.fancast.com/ and type in any show you want. I'm home, sick with the flu and I've already caught up on The Vampire Diaries (love the show better than the books, btw), and working on being up to speed on Modern Family and Cougar Town.

Eclipse...Newly Released Pics!

This is the scene in which Rosalie describes to Bella how she became a vampire. I can't wait to see this...I love the flashbacks! I hope they do the same for Jasper!

Edward and Bella in the meadow. Edward seems to get better looking with each movie. He was almost cartoonish in Twilight compared to New Moon and now Eclipse!

Stephenie Meyer - 12 Inspirations for Twilight

Entertainment Weekly interviewed Stephenie Meyer a while back, asking her what inspired her to write Twilight. Click on her picture above to see what influenced her writing.

The House of Night Series by P.C. and Kristen Cast

If you haven't started this series, it's a great spin on the typical vampire novels that have saturated teen book selections. This is the promo video for the fifth book in the series, Hunted. The sixth book, Tempted, is on sale October 27th. The protagonist in the series, Zoey Redbird, was named in Entertainment Weekly's "20 Greatest Vampires" List. I'm a little concerned about the promotional videos for the series (like the one below), being too risque for TEEN series. The music and images do not correlate with the books, so I'm wondering if the publishers are pulling the classic "sex sells" strategy for promoting these books? Check out The House of Night website for more videos and summaries of novels.

I am a Gleek

Loved this week's episode of Glee (on Fox), in which the boys and girls compete against one another by performing "mash-ups" of popular songs. Who should win?

New Hunger Games T-Shirts @ Zazzle.com

I'm no marketing genius, but most people trying to sell a shirt wouldn't have the model's hair covering up the design now, would they? The design, "Coal Miner's Daughter" is easier to see below:

I guess I'm partial to Peeta after reading Catching Fire. I thought I would be more in favor of Gale, just because he's a brooding, athletic hot guy, and that's what has always been my type, but Peeta is now my honey bunny. If you kill him in the third book, Suzanne Collins, I will...I might...I'm not sure what I'll do, but it won't be good! (Laying in the fetal position, sucking my thumb while boo-hooing is NOT a good thing!)

This one is my favorite. Nothing like a yummy "Peeta" pocket! (Get it, PITA?) Ha!

Justin Bobby...I Just Don't See It, Kristin and Audrina!

I'm home sick with the flippin' flu, so I'm catching up on the DVRed shows I haven't been able to watch as of late. I've been watching The Hills this morning, and I never thought I would say this, but I miss Lauren Conrad and her whiney-hineyness. Kristin Cavallari is annoying as the "man eater" slash "bitch", and I just don't understand the fascination that Justin Bobby can hold for Kristin or Audrina. What is to love about this douche? He looks like he smells and his facial hair makes me itch just looking at it. I'm sure his hair beads up in the rain, and he probably smokes with his windows rolled up. Stud Muffin. If this "love triangle" is being orchestrated by The Hills writers, then I would demand much more money if I was Kristin!

Jon Gosselin, Dominated by Another Blonde

Peter Facinelli (aka Dr. Carlisle Cullen) Tweets...

I know, I'm a dork and follow the cast and director's tweets from the Eclipse set. Peter Facinelli tweeted today:



Fast at work. Literally. Running through the woods all day today.
about 5 hours ago from Tweetie



Hmmm....this must be the scene in Eclipse when they are gathering in the woods for the meadow showdown with Victoria and her newborn vamps. Eclipse is my absolute favorite book in the series, so I'm a bit more invested in the making of this movie!

Catching Fire Fan Trailer

Another great fan trailer for the sequel to The Hunger Games, Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins.

Hunger Games Fan Trailer by moviemeg17

Thank you for being a fan of lenzilikesit AND creating an awesome fan trailer for The Hunger Games!

Shirtless Friday...Clothing Optional

Another fabulous pic from the New Moon Illustrated Companion. You HAVE TO READ this post from the newmoonmovie website that lists details and "spoilers" (http://www.newmoonmovie.org/2009/10/more-spoilers-from-new-moon-illustrated-companion/ the New Moon movie. David Slade (the director) said that the original cut of the film was over THREE HOURS long. Oh, I can't wait for the cut scenes when it comes out on DVD!!!
Thank you newmoonmovie.org, for my shameless worship of your website!

Harry Potter...in FIVE SECONDS!

It's a trend on YOUTUBE to make 5 second versions of popular movies. I thought this one of Harry Potter was clever:


This Titanic clip is also cute:

Nordstrom New Moon Merchandise

The money making machine that is the Twilight Saga continues! Check out a few of my favorite New Moon pieces from Nordstrom's teen section:

A shirt for Bella fans!

Motorcycle Necklace, in honor of Bella's riding adventures with Jake.

You have to have the motorcycle earrings to go with the necklace, don't you?

Click on the picture above for a direct link to Nordstrom.com and be sure you enter your info to win tickets to the New Moon premiere in L.A.! (You are taking me with you if you win...just so you know!)

The Saga of Belle Goose and Edwart Mullen!

I so want to read this...even if it makes fun of Twilight! Check out this report from Entertainment Weekly's Shelflife Blog:

For the first time in 40 years, The Harvard Lampoon will publish a parody novel, this time putting a tongue-in-cheek spin on Stephenie Meyer’s best-selling Twilight series. Random House’s Vintage Books plans to release Nightlight as a paperback original on Nov. 3, just in time for the Nov. 20 opening of the Twilight movie sequel New Moon. “‘Funny’ might get you a blog post these days, but it’s the Lampoon-level of satire that makes Nightlight worth every pseudo-bloodsucking, angst-ridden page,” says a Vintage press release. “Nightlight stakes at the heart of what makes Twilight tick…or, really, cuts to the core of it…. Brooding and hilarious, let Nightlight be your guide through the Twilight fandom that has eclipsed the mind of every teenager you have ever met.” The last Harvard Lampoon satirical novel, a J.R.R. Tolkien send-up titled Bored of the Rings, was published in 1969.
According to the Vintage release, Nightlight follows a “pale and klutzy” girl named Belle Goose, who moves to Switchblade, Oregon, and meets Edwart Mullen, a “super-hot computer nerd with zero interest in girls.” The vampire-obsessed Belle becomes convinced Edwart is one of the undead after witnessing events she considers otherworldly (”Edwart leaves his Tater Tots™ untouched at lunch! Edwart saves her from a flying snowball!”).

New Moon: A Grade "A" Soundtrack

I love reading reviews, and lately Entertainment Weekly reviews seem to be stingy when it comes to doling out "A" reviews. Anything associated with the Twilight Saga is usually considered "too mainstream" to be recognized for artistic merit. However, the New Moon soundtrack is breaking that trend with it's recent grade of "A" in Entertainment Weekly magazine this week! EW reviewer, Leah Greenblatt states:

On a good day, film soundtracks enhance the moviegoing experience. At their best, they transcend it. The latest sonic accompaniment to Twilight's inescapable teen-vampire juggernaut — a swooning conveyance of girl-meets-undead-boy romance, delivered by some of the best established and emerging names in the indie stratosphere — may sway even the most committed Twi-loathers.

The Twilight soundtrack had to grow on me before I fell in love with it, but I'm eager to try out the New Moon soundtrack! Pick it up in stores or on ITunes October 20th.

Banned-Book Week Comes to an End

Sponsored by the American Library Association, Banned Book Week was created to shed light on the importance of non-censorship in today's literature. So many titles have been banned throughout the years due to varying subject matter, but here are a list of titles that were the most challenged in 2008:

The "Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2008" reflect a range of themes, and consist of the following titles:

1. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter ParnellReasons: anti-ethnic, anti-family, homosexuality, religious viewpoint, and unsuited to age group


2. His Dark Materials trilogy, by Philip Pullman. Reasons: political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, and violence


3. TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Lauren Myracle. Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group


4. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz. Reasons: occult/satanism, religious viewpoint, and violence


5. Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya. Reasons: occult/satanism, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, and violence


6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky. Reasons: drugs, homosexuality, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, suicide, and unsuited to age group


7. Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar. Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group


8. Uncle Bobby's Wedding, by Sarah S. Brannen. Reasons: homosexuality and unsuited to age group


9. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini. Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group


10. Flashcards of My Life, by Charise Mericle Harper. Reasons: sexually explicit and unsuited to age group

I'm surprised that Bless Me Ultima is still on the list, but not at all shocked about TTYL. Explicit sexual discussion are throughout that novel, and thank the good Lord that I perused it in Barnes and Noble before adding to my 8th grade shelves! Look at the cover of the book and you tell me if you would think it was full of raunchiness! You definitely CAN NOT judge teen novels by their covers! I understand that censorship is against constitutional rights...yada, yada, yada, but when you are a MINOR, I truly believe that parents should have some sort of say in what their children are reading. Granted, most teen books are not G-rated, but as a teacher and parent, I refuse to put material on my shelves that I would cause me to blush while reading!

New Moon Cast Stills...

Mike at the movies...this must be the scene in which he goes to the movies with Jacob and Bella, then promptly loses his lunch! He does look a little pale, huh?
Here is a clearer shot of Tinsel Korey, aka, Emily (Sam's woman!)...thank you http://www.newmoonmovie.org/!

If You Haven't Bought New Moon Tickets, You May Be S.O.L!

FYI...many of the Lubbock, TX showings of New Moon at 12:01 am on November 20th are already SOLD OUT! I already have my tickets (thanks, Mom!), but do you???

Still Loving Glee...

Songs that are performed on Glee end up on ITunes top ten the next day...no wonder! I totally forgot about the song performed on this week's show, Queen's "Somebody to Love", as well as Salt N' Pepa's "Push It", a few weeks ago. This show rocks my socks.