the word’s out — Dreamworks has just greenlighted a sequel for How to Train Your Dragon, and it’s set to hit the theaters by 2013 (yayy!).

uhh, 2013? it’s a bit of stretch to imagine that far right now, but considering that this series (featuring Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and his charmingly named pals and their draconian pets) comprises 8 books (thus far), i suppose Dreamworks can take its time. with a potentially lucrative franchise in its hands, the studio is in a happy place right now. hopefully, it will nurture this series well and maintain its deft touch.

anyways, here’s a funny clip featuring various sporting events in the isle of Berk, involving both burly Vikings and playful dragons…

The series includes the following books: How to Train Your Dragon (2003), How to Be a Pirate (2004), How to Speak Dragonese (2005), How to Cheat a Dragon’s Curse (2006), How to Twist a Dragon’s Tale (2007), A Hero’s Guide to Deadly Dragons (2008), How to Ride a Dragon’s Storm (2008), and How to Break a Dragon’s Heart (2009). This series is authored by Cressida Cowell.

i don’t know why it took me so long to write something about this surprisingly engaging film considering that i was able to watch How to train Your Dragon (in 3D) during its opening weekend. maybe it’s because i’ve had a measure of emotional investment in this series.

yup. way even before How to Train Your Dragon came to be adapted for the silver screen, i had already read 2 books of this delightful series by Cressida Crowell (How to Train Your Dragon, How to Speak Dragonese). i know that the series is actually geared for prepubescent boys, but after randomly picking (and scanning) HTTD at Booksale, i couldn’t put it down and actually ended up buying it.

nope, there is nothing magical or especially seductive about the story. it just so happens that i was very much into Viking culture at that stage (I had just finished reading Michael Crichton’s Eaters of the Dead). and the humor! i grant you the humor was obvious enough for young kids to pick up, but beyond that, Ms. Cowell had a deliciously absurd way of poking fun at her characters (both kids and adults alike), and even the dragons. in short, it was a fun read.

barely through the first 20 pages, i was already chucking. that rarely happens to me. usually, i like certain books for different reasons, but there are only a handful of titles that have managed to engage my attention and made me chortle loudly at the same time.

i was surprised — and vastly relieved, too — by how much i liked the film version of How to Train Your Dragon (i’ve already watched it twice nyeheheh). the animation is skillfully staged, particularly the aerial sequences (in fact, i liked them far better than those shown in Avatar); the story is beautifully fleshed out (though not faithfully adapted from the book); and the characters have largely retained their original flavor: ornery, droll and distinctive. no wonder the critics have been raring about it (98%, Rotten Tomatoes).

anyway, for those who haven’t watched How to Train Your Dragon yet, you should make up for this lapse by traipsing to the nearest theater and watch it. it’s even better if you can watch the 3D version. if you have kids, take them with you — they’ll thank (hug) you for it.

first off, i’m not much of an American Idol (AI) fan. except for the odd video clip every once in a while, i hardly ever stay long enough in front of the tv to finish one full-length episode. but this one, you can hardly ignore — it’s been all over the net.

crystal bowersox’s heartfelt and outstanding rendition of “People Get Ready” is already dubbed by some as one of the best AI performances so far. i don’t know if it deserves to be called that but it does stand well on its own. (one other performance that looms large in my mind is david cook’s definitive rendition of mariah carey’s “Always Be My Baby.”)

based on the AI judges’ (as well as the crowd’s) reaction, this one’s definitely a winner.

there’s nothing like an economic downturn to make you aware just how much more you need to do and/or accomplish before calling it a day. this is not to imply that things have been running on a giddy note before all this happened, of course, but it does give you a “slight nudge” — a reminder, if you will, that there are things to watch out/prepare for.

i don’t know why i’m getting more gloomy than usual these days. maybe it’s the highlighted deluge of natural calamities (earthquakes, tornadoes, mine collapse, etc.) that have been hogging the headlines lately. many experts say that the number of calamities that have struck in various locations worldwide is just about the same (statistically speaking, that is) as in the past few years. the only difference is that these disasters have been occurring in densely populated areas, hence the huge number of property damage and loss of lives.

times like these make you appreciate whatever savings you’ve managed to make as well as plans you’ve set in motion as a cushion against unanticipated events. you gotta take off your hats to those folks who build storm shelters, stock up on emergency rations and medicine, or purchase insurance for their livelihood, business, etc., people who actually pore through business insurance quotes and make their choice. i guess this makes practical sense especially if you live in California (earthquakes, hey), which should explain why California business insurance is basically a must, as the California Department of Insurance would most likely assure you.

i just hope we don’t get visited by a big one soon *knocks on wood*