Corsame Lane

Just last weekend we took the kids on a road trip to celebrate the end of their school year. They worked really hard at school and we know that they deserve some reward for all their hard work. A popular theme park is just an hour away from home and we thought of bring them there while we are still planning for a grand summer vacation. The kids were all excited and their cousins will also be joining us which doubles the fun and excitement. Our main issue now is how to keep the kids entertained during the long drive.

 So we brought with us some game consoles and a tablet to keep boredom away as we’re going to travel early in the morning to prevent traffic in the metro. We also didn’t expect road works once we left the busy streets and we notice traffic building up just after passing through the expressway. Fortunately the kids were interested in the construction site that we’ve passed by. They got busy naming the heavy equipment and everything involved such as the rig and swamp mats that protects the road when heavy trucks roll in. We arrived at our destination in high spirits and we were happy no tantrums came up during the long drive.

Our week is not complete with kids time. And when its kids time – its always play time! Be it in the malls or at home, its just about play!

Yesterday, we went to RFC Molino to treat the boys/girl for play time. Its nothing fancy there but its the only mall close to our place, so why not? Important is for the kids to relax and come out of their usual comfort zone.

I told Alexa not to look at me while taking a photo but no – she has to look at me.

There are a great number of inspiring real life stories that have been turned into films. Many have drawn upon written autobiographies and tales passed down through the generations. Good examples include the political thriller Veronica Guerin and Malcom X, both of which were positively acclaimed. However, this article provided by Love Reading reveals that the power of some tales has been lost in translation.

1492 Conquest Of Paradise

There is a great deal of excellent source material regarding Christopher Columbus. Much of it was used in the writing of The Race To The New World: Christopher Columbus, John Cabot and a Lost History of Discovery by the historian Douglas Hunter. Perhaps the film retelling would have been better if Director Ridley Scott hadn’t seen fit to embellish the facts and invent enemies.

Alexander

There are many historical textbooks that shed light on the life and times of Alexander the Great. Few address the sexual orientation of the ruler to the same extent as this film. You will also struggle to find mention of the Irish accent used by Colin Farrell in the adaptation.

Backbeat

In recent years a number of top quality films about the early years of the Beatles have been released. There’s Nowhere Boy starring the fresh faced Aaron Johnson as John Lennon and George Harrison: Living In The Material World, directed by Martin Scorcese. However, you will find out more about the relationship between Lennon and Stuart Sutcliffe by reading texts by Allistair Taylor and Philip Norman, rather than watching Ian Hart’s Backbeat.

The Boy In Blue

You could gear up for the upcoming Olympics by watching entertaining sporting flicks such as Chariots of Fire or On A Clear Day. However, it is best avoiding this film about a Canadian rower which is painfully predictable and clichéd. For a greater insight into the motivations of the multiple medal winner you should check out Wendy Lewis’s book, Fire On The Water.

Great Balls Of Fire

Perhaps film maker Jim Mcbride should have shelved the Myra Lewis’s book, Great Balls of Fire, instead of adapting it for the big screen. Although the movie is at times entertaining, it shares flaws with it’s subject Jerry Lee Lewis, who was known as  a muddled character. One critic said that people interested in the history of rock and roll should look elsewhere.

The Babe

Sports writer Leigh Monteville recently released a biography of the Big Bam to critical acclaim. Unfortunately the film about Babe Ruth wasn’t received so positively. The critics pointed out that despite John Goodman’s humorous credentials, he was too big for the part of the superstar baseball player.

The Doors

The music created by Jim Morison, John Densmore and Robby Krieger has captured the interest of various writers over the years. Most fans are in agreement that their legacy was better recognised by author Ben Fong Torres than film maker Oliver Stone. The casting of  Kyle MacLachlan was particularly questionable.

There are a wide range of entertaining, frightening and thrilling films that have been based on books. You will undoubtedly know of titles such as Harry Potter and The Da Vinci code that have been recreated as a means of capitalising on textual successes. However, there are a large number of movies that have built upon lesser known novels. This article contributed by Love Reading details a few of the potentially surprising combos.

Jaws

It wasn’t the world famous director Steven Spielberg that was responsible for the imagining of the terrifying Great White Shark known as Jaws. This beast was actually imagined and written about by the American author Peter Benchley. He was even assigned the role of co-writing the film script for the multi award winning movie.

Die Hard

The adventures of tough talking hero John McClane were originally chronicled in the book Nothing Lasts Forever, by Roderick Thorp. Even he could not have predicted the huge success of the blockbuster that acted as a springboard for Bruce Willis. He may also have been surprised by the inclusion of the saying, Yippy ki yay Mother ******.

Planet Of The Apes

After penning the historical novel Bridge On The River Kwai, the French author Pierre Boulle went on to create this science fiction classic. It was turned into a film in 1968 by director Franklin J Schaffner. It’s worth a watch for the stand-out performance of Charlton Heston alone.

The Accidental Tourist

The reclusive writer Anne Tyler penned this family drama in 1985. One can only imagine the sense of excitement that she felt upon hearing that her book was to be adapted for the big screen. Although the royalties may have been minimal by today’s standards, they would have allowed her to complete other books such as A Patchwork Planet and Noah’s Compass in comfort.

Road To Perdition

Director Sam Mendes drew heavily upon the comic book version of Road To Perdition when filming this atmospheric gangster flick. However, he did make a fairly significant adjustment to the plot in choosing to include a hitman named Macguire. Still the author had little reason for complaint as he was able to build on the blockbuster success by creating graphic novel follow ups.

So you have decided to try your hand at the sport of snowboarding? You probably have your instructor lined up, and you may even have a good pair of boots, bindings, and a snowboard picked out. Now it’s time to think about the clothing you will need. You’re going to want pieces that provide excellent protection against the elements, while still letting you show off your fashion style. Let’s start from head to toe with what you will need and which features each item should have.

Snowboard goggles add much needed protection to the eyes, both from snow and sun. The ideal goggles will have a classic look, combined with a comfortable fit. Dragon goggles have some excellent choices in several different colors. They have foam wrapped around the flexible polyurethane frame for additional comfort. The best part is the anti-fog lenses, created with the same anti-fog products chosen by NASA.

It is easy to find some terrific snowboarding jackets on sale. Jackets should definitely be waterproof, as well as windproof. Insulated taped seams will further help in keeping out the wind. Find one with a snug fit that also allows freedom for the many movements you’ll be doing on the slopes. Extra pockets on the outside, with secure fastenings, will come in handy for lift tickets, ID, credit cards, and money. Jackets can be found in a wide range of colors and designs to suit your own personal taste.

Snowboarding pants require many of the same features as jackets. They also need to be waterproof and windproof. Again, look for freedom of movement. An investment into a durable pair of pants will last you for many years. Some of the top brands include Alycium, Grenade, Allyance, and Mannual.

Finally, you will need a good pair of boots that work well in the elements, and they need to look good with your other outer wear. Men’s snowboard boots come in several colors and designs, making it easy to match them up with jackets and pants. They should be lightweight, waterproof, and have a warm lining inside. You need to buy the boots before picking out bindings.

Wiredsport.com offers snowboard packages where you can buy many of these items together with a board. It is the perfect way to save a little more money when starting out in the world of snowboarding, while showing off your style.