So this weekend was a good time for me to unwind and pretty much not do anything of importance. After finishing the first of my SEAL books, I’ve been giving myself a few days before I head into revisions. Because that’s coming. The book’s a hot mess. At least, I feel like it is. But that’s okay. Hot messes can always be fixed.

I took the boys to see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug today. I really enjoy these movies. I’ve read the book. I know what’s going to happen. But I’m always sitting there checking my watch to see how long it’s been because these movies are so damn long. For a book that’s maybe 300 pages, three movies is a lot. The story is completely stretched to the brink. Don’t get me wrong. They are well done, and Peter Jackson has done a good job making each movie feel like there’s enough meat there. But the overarching plot moves way too slowly for my tastes. In fact, even my nephew sees that.

All three boys (my two and my nephew) at the end of Hobbit2: THAT’S IT?? That’s a CLIFFHANGER!

Me: Looks like. *sigh* (I knew this was going to happen, so I was prepared… they weren’t so much…)

Kid1: Why would they do that?

Me: So… you come back and watch the third movie?

Kid 2: I hate cliffhangers.

Nephew: Yeah, me too. But this movie was better. There was more actiony things.

Me: Oh, you like this one better?

Nephew: Yup. The first was all “let’s meet each other” and Bilbo didn’t even kill anyone. (apparently this is how Nephew measures action… by how much killing the main character does.)

Me: Well, you guys liked the movie, though, right?

All Three: YES!!

The chatter then dissolves from Hobbit talk into the correct conjugation of the word “glow” and then into something about matches and gluing blue.

I really don’t understand boys. At all.