Movie Review Monday

Don't know if this'll be a pattern, but I have to review a good NEW movie when I see one.

2012

Starring: John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, many others and most memorably, Woody Harrelson


I had heard rumors of the movie floating around, but I wasn't really interested. Oh great, another end of the world humans ruined the environment movie. No thanks. But then I looked at the line-up of actors and I was enticed. And there was nothing else worth seeing at the theater and I had a kid-free evening!

Warning, it may put some people off, it's a long movie. 2 hours and 48 minutes. But I didn't glance at my watch out of boredom once. (I only looked because I really had to go to the bathroom, but didn't want to miss anything. I still had an hour left. Awesome.) I like long movies, if they're good. I love getting involved in the movie, then, worrying that it's almost over, I look at my watch and breathe a sigh of relief, "Whew, still another hour and a half." That was me watching LOTR: Return of the King.

I have to say, I like John Cusack. It probably all began with the movie, "The Journey of Natty Gann". His character Harry was a bit like a protective big brother. He wasn't my first movie crush (that place will always be held by Jim Craig, THE Man from Snowy River) but one of the first. John Cusack has great screen presence, in my opinion. Always completely in character, and an underlying command of cool-ness. Another Cusack great? Grace is Gone. Definitely slipped through the cracks. Or maybe not, I think it came out while I was in Egypt.

Next in line for kudos in this show? Woody Harrelson. He plays this crazy mountain man that has his own AM radio station broadcasting his "predictions" on the end of the world. And penchant for pickles. He plays crazy very believably, without going overboard. But is he crazy?

This isn't an environmental movie. Alham-dulah-freakin'-Ia. I was completely wrong about any preconceptions. I thought it was going to be loooong and boring. Wrong and wrong. The special effects? Truly amazing. Realistic. All in all, I think the movie did a good job at keeping the line of believability and plausibility at bay. It was only crossed once or twice. But even then, flying into a burning, gaping maw that used to be Pasadena? Priceless.

I'm not going to lay the movie out for you. For most of my favorite movies, I was completely clueless as to what it was about and ended up in love. One of my notorious 'hated' movies? The Italian Job. Spencer kept trying to convince me that we should buy tickets, he'd read about it (this was all going down in the theater lobby). I told him I didn't want to see some Mafia shoot-em up Godfather wanna-be show. Boy, was I wrong. I'm sorry I ever doubted you Marky-Mark. Another wonderful sleeper? Knowing with Nicholas Cage. **

So, this may not be a conventional movie review, more of a friendly suggestion, really. I love to share new, good things with my friends. I don't want to shove this down your throat, but you HAVE to see this movie. Love love loved it, see it when you can.



**Will post hilarious story about when we went to the theater to see 'Knowing' next week. I can only promise that because it's NaBloPoMo.**

Uplifting Moments

On Friday, I was motoring along the West Yellowstone Highway when my phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Yes, this is Sally from Sassy Floral and I am on your porch with a floral delivery."

"Oh!" I said, trying to hide my surprise, "How nice!"

"Can I leave it with your neighbor or on the doorstep?"

"Uh, I'll be home in 3 minutes, you can just leave it there."

I was just 3 minutes from home. I pulled up and there was this sitting on the front steps.



(sorry, I didn't take a pic on the front step. it's freakin' cold here!!)

Spencer had sent me flowers. Just because. It sure brightened my day!

Busy work: Done

Fortunately, this busy work has been productive. I have been toiling over my converted bookcase and I think that I can say, with confidence, that I am DONE! Having been foiled by weather, children and my own hurdles, it has taken almost 3 weeks. But I am finally DONE! Creatively, I had some issues with color and design that slowed me down a bit (my own fault) but I just HAD to finish. So now it sits in the garage until the smelly fumes of aerosol dissipate. The spray-painty hands and toiling in the cold garage are done.

And the other beauty I made this morning?



Courtesy of Super Saturday.** I really didn't feel like going, but I had already paid for the project, the time was set aside for it and I knew that it was something I would complete within the time frame allotted. Very, very pleased with the fruits of today's labors. Whew. I'm going to take a nap.


** Super Saturday**
For those of you who aren't familiar with the term, Super Saturday is where we women of the Relief Society get together and work on these personal projects, socialize and usually throw in a humanitarian project, like making quilts or hygiene kits (which we did today). And there's usually soup. On the posters reminding us women of the activity, it's usually spelled 'Souper Saturday'. But I thought that might be a bit confusing without the explanation.

Oh, the Relief Society is a philanthropic and educational women's organization and an official auxiliary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint. (LDS Church). Founded in 1842 in Nauvoo, Illinois, the Relief Society is one of the oldest and largest women's organizations in the world, claiming more than 6 million members in over 170 countries and territories. (thanks to Wikipedia for the concise and easy definition)

Jumping the gun

I have mixed feelings about when Christmas decor is displayed. First of all, I love it. I wish we had a larger time frame to have the place decorated. But it seems that stores just can't wait to get the holiday stuff out there. Maybe it's so blatant to me because I haven't been exposed to it for 4 seasons. I saw Christmas phrase plaques (Joy to the World; Believe; etc) at Sam's Club in September. Sep.tem.ber. I'll give them a little slack, though, seeing as how buying in bulk is all about 'being prepared'. But all the other stores? Mid-October, about the 15th, and all holly & berries break loose! Halloween things go on 25% off and early Christmas sales start. (backing up even further, I saw Halloween candy August 29th. Stuff that in your trick or treat bag!)



The reason for my mixed feelings? I kind of feel like Thanksgiving is getting shorted. I'll admit that November 1st, I listened to my all time favorite Christmas song, 'Silver Bells' by Elvis, just to feel a little in the spirit. But now my fall leaf garland and harvest themed wreath on the door almost feel out of place. I have driven by no less than 3 houses that already have lights up. And as I drove down Main street on Wednesday, there were wreaths on the lamp posts and a huge scroll-like garland thing strung across the first intersection. Really?


I know that in Canada, Thanksgiving is earlier; so Christmas festivities and decorations start sooner, like the beginning of November. But that's fair, no more holidays for them until Christmas! I guess I'm just an advocate for giving each holiday a fair chance. Though look at me, I didn't have one ghost, witch or skeleton gracing my porch. Halloween, I don't give it a fair chance. One, because I really really like a harvest theme; pumpkins, fall leaves, hay, and gourds. And two, I'm lazy. When I can decorate in September and leave it all up until Thanksgiving, who wouldn't want to?



But all this early Christmas stuff is really trying my patience. September to New Years; favorite time of year, hands down. Seriously, I am past excitement and moved strait onto giddiness over my Christmas decorations this year. I themed. Yes, I themed. So if I can wait until the day after Thanksgiving, everyone else can too!

The pretty preview

The view from my gym

Even after four years in Egypt, I still found some things "cool". Let me explain. In the summer, we take our 6 week R&R to the States. It's bound to come up where we live.

Random Person: "OH WOW! Egypt! That is so exciting and exotic! How do you like living there?"

Now, here's my dilemma. How truthful do you want me to be? I'm an honest, to-the-point person. I'm a person that doesn't put on a front. I can also be kind of snarky. How honest should I be? You know all they want to hear is how wonderful & amazing it is to live abroad. Should I unload the un-romantic side, or just smile and nod? I do a little of both. Here was my standard answer.

"It's really the opportunity of a lifetime. I get to explore amazing sights whenever I want. But you know, I also never thought it would feel so normal. Get up, get kids ready, go grocery shopping, etc."

They think of my life as being on vacation and why in the world would I want to waste any time back in the States. That's usually where our conversations would end. Any further and I'd be forced to shove ice picks in my ears.

A normal life. Where grocery shopping for dinner can take all afternoon. Why would Seodi's carry that particular pasta today when I've seen it there every other time? Or trying to find a needle in the city that might as well be one huge haystack. Or the power and water is out for the umpteenth time this week and "Insha'allah bukra" it will be fixed tomorrow.

I still got up, took kids to school, paid the bills and even went to the gym. (that was a habit begun in the last year there) They have a Gold's Gym in Egypt. I found that cool. I don't like the gym, I hate the gym, honestly. Why would I go to the gym? Because I had a great gym buddy (thanks Sar) and a goal. To meet that goal, I had to meet the gym. So one day, after a grueling work out, Sara & I went out on the balcony of the gym. It was on the 9th and 10th floor of an office building that included a bank, children's clothing stores, the X-Ray office, a pharmacy and a vacant Dunkin Donuts shop. I think a sandstorm or something had just blown through because the view was extra clear. We scanned the horizon and there we could see both the North and South Saqqara pyramid complex. Fortunately, I always carried my camera with me. (you never know) And so was born a paradoxical picture. A snapshot of my every day life; a view from the gym. Looking straight at the oldest structure on earth. Yeah. For a little while, I was cool like that.

South Saqqara

North Saqqara; the step pyramid

Same view, only zoomed out. They're really there, I swear. Look along the horizon, ignore the smog. (this was a clear day, people.) You know how things look differently in a picture. I have awesome zoom on my camera. Just like Typ0

And the view looking North. If those buildings weren't in the way, the Great Pyramids of Giza would be visible. Darn civilization.

Our Mini-moon!

No, I'm not talking about baby bums. Spencer's last weekend here, he surprised me by whisking me away to some Mayan ruins. Yes, and they exist right here in Rexburg. About a mile down the road, at the AmericInn.

I thought Spencer was acting a bit . . . funny. We had discussed having a date night that weekend, just the two of us. I started urging him that we needed to find a babysitter, trying to figure out what we wanted to do, where to go, etc. He just kept saying, "Oh, we'll figure it out." It was Thursday night, I told him we needed to figure out something, fast! He finally caved and said that his mom was watching the kids and that, since we would probably be late, it'd be a good idea to pack their pj's, toothbrushes, etc.



Ok, good! I kept needling him for input on where we should eat, what we should do. He just said we'd 'go with the flow'. Whatever that means. Well, mid-afternoon on Friday afternoon hits, and he says to pack my bags, we're leaving! He'd arranged for his mom to pick the kids up and finally revealed that we were staying overnight somewhere! We drove a mile down the road and pulled into the AmericInn parking lot. Not very far, but hey, when we had leftovers from dinner and no fridge in the hotel room, we just drove back & put them in the fridge at home.



We stayed in the Mayan Ruins themed room. (and i discovered a fridge behind the door painted to look like a crumbling wall.) Fireplace, jacuzzi, king size bed, and a huge TV. To add more icing to the cake; Spencer got up early, picked up the kids and let me sleep in. I stayed all morning; had a leisurely breakfast, luxurious bath and precious alone time. I felt so pampered!

YouTube Tuesday

This theme is not as easy as I thought it would be. I have many great YouTube video favorites; but one that will appease the masses, stretch across generational boundaries and find something that will be a crowd pleaser, not so easy. I wasn't looking for an 'easy day' (well, maybe I was). I just had so many in that file, and usually, when I get together with someone, one of us has an "Oh, you have to see this video" moment. And I thought this could be a way to share it with a bunch of people all at once, instead of waiting until we're in the same room. 'Cause frankly, that ain't happening for 98% of my audience. So, I chose a couple for some specific people today.

Connie, this one's for you. And by the way, doesn't that guy look like Taylor Hicks, except better?



For my sisters. Sorry you'll have to click the link, this video can't be embedded.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AN5YbfFszlI

And for all my Egypt comrades; what up, homeslice? Yeah, you know you like it, Sara!




And last, but not least, this one's for me. Have you ever watched The Soup? That show is what keeps my light on, gives me the fuel to keep on keepin' on and has me guffawing for a solid 30 minutes. Seriously though, this one may be a generational thing. (and I only say that because my mother reads this blog, too.) Love ya, Mom!!



Seriously, I have it DVR'd every week. Subscribe to WatchTheSoup on YouTube. Shouldn't I be receiving monetary compensation for this free endorsement?

aaaand, one more. go now. you know you want to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKZ4ZJ49QHc