First, an apology for not posting original content more often. (Because I'm sure you all miss it!) It's odd because this semester is so much less stressful than last semester, but I seem to be busier!
Anyway, I have always hated when someone tells you they will call you later or email you something and then they don't. Sure, I will probably miss their call anyway, but it's the thought that they didn't keep "their word." (I'm making it sound like a bigger deal than it actually is.) Well, I've become one of those people- but only when it comes to emailing. I've found in the last couple weeks I've told several people I will email them- and then I forget. Then there's the clearing out of my inbox. This is usually something I try to do weekly. I only keep things in my inbox if it is something I have to do or respond to. Then once I've done them, I get to delete them... well, I have some things that have been in there since the beginning of February and I just keep putting them off and putting them off. And don't get me started on my lack of blogging! I'd like to say I don't have time, but that is not true. I just haven't been inspired.
So I guess this could be seen as a little bit of a confessional or a self scolding blog, but I just had to get it off my chest.
Have any of you become one of THOSE people or do you know one? How do you deal with it?
Friday, March 26, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Precious: Oscar Nominee
This was one of the ones I was most looking forward to seeing- and it didn't disappoint. I am not a crier, but this movie made me cry! The storyline was fascinating, the acting was SUPERB! I can COMPLETELY understand why Mo'Nique won the Oscar... fantastic.
Precious is 16. She's pregnant with her second baby. Both were born out of being raped by her own father, who is her mother's longtime boyfriend. Her mother is a welfare queen and it's 1987 in Harlem. Her mother treats her like a slave while she sits in her recliner and watches TV 24/7. Upon finding out she's pregnant, Precious is expelled from junior high school and is sent to an alternative school. There she meets Blu Rain, a teacher who becomes pivotal in Precious' life and realizes all the potential that Precious has. Precious' first child is called Mongo, short for Mongloid. She has down's syndrome and was born on the kitchen floor. She is being raised by Precious' grandmother and only comes around when the welfare worker comes by so that Precious' mom can claim them both for welfare.
After giving birth to her son and realizing she's not worthless, thanks to Ms. Rain and her new friends, Precious decides she wants to create a good life for her children and sets about doing so. We learn throughout the movie all the horrors that have befallen Precious and it's amazing how strong she is.
Family Time Factor: due to the heavy material and mass quantities of profanity, I would not recommend this for kids under 16.
MOTR Grade: A
Have you seen this? What are your thoughts?
Precious is 16. She's pregnant with her second baby. Both were born out of being raped by her own father, who is her mother's longtime boyfriend. Her mother is a welfare queen and it's 1987 in Harlem. Her mother treats her like a slave while she sits in her recliner and watches TV 24/7. Upon finding out she's pregnant, Precious is expelled from junior high school and is sent to an alternative school. There she meets Blu Rain, a teacher who becomes pivotal in Precious' life and realizes all the potential that Precious has. Precious' first child is called Mongo, short for Mongloid. She has down's syndrome and was born on the kitchen floor. She is being raised by Precious' grandmother and only comes around when the welfare worker comes by so that Precious' mom can claim them both for welfare.
After giving birth to her son and realizing she's not worthless, thanks to Ms. Rain and her new friends, Precious decides she wants to create a good life for her children and sets about doing so. We learn throughout the movie all the horrors that have befallen Precious and it's amazing how strong she is.
Family Time Factor: due to the heavy material and mass quantities of profanity, I would not recommend this for kids under 16.
MOTR Grade: A
Have you seen this? What are your thoughts?
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Up in the Air: Oscar Nominee
I know the Oscars are over, but I still intend to finish my plan to watch them all and share my thoughts on them with my readers.
I didn't know anything about Up in the Air before Oscar night. I knew George Clooney was in it, but that was about it. Watching clips from it during the Oscars, though, made me really excited to see it- and I was not let down!
The movie is about a man whose job is to go to different businesses and fire their employees because the employers don't have the kahunas to do it themselves. He spends all but like 40 days a year flying to these different locations and he loves it. He is hoping to get to 1 million (or is it 10 million) miles in the air because then he becomes a lifetime member and only 6 people have ever done that. He is happy with his life and his solitude. On one of his trips he meets a woman (I love Vera Farmiga!) whom he is very attracted to and who also is a frequent flyer. They spark up an intimate relationship and make plans to meet when their flights cross paths. He must return to his homebase in Omaha, Nebraska for a meeting at his company, where he finds out that a young, recent college grad that was hired has come up with a way to fire people via computer so they don't have to actually fly anywhere. This is horrible news for Clooney's character (whose name I forget, lol). He can't imagine life without flying. I think I'll leave it at that, because I don't want to give away the good stuff!
Family Time Factor: I'd say 13 and up. But it's a great date night movie!
MOTR Grade: A
If you've seen this, let me know what you thought! Or let me know if you're going to watch it!
I didn't know anything about Up in the Air before Oscar night. I knew George Clooney was in it, but that was about it. Watching clips from it during the Oscars, though, made me really excited to see it- and I was not let down!
The movie is about a man whose job is to go to different businesses and fire their employees because the employers don't have the kahunas to do it themselves. He spends all but like 40 days a year flying to these different locations and he loves it. He is hoping to get to 1 million (or is it 10 million) miles in the air because then he becomes a lifetime member and only 6 people have ever done that. He is happy with his life and his solitude. On one of his trips he meets a woman (I love Vera Farmiga!) whom he is very attracted to and who also is a frequent flyer. They spark up an intimate relationship and make plans to meet when their flights cross paths. He must return to his homebase in Omaha, Nebraska for a meeting at his company, where he finds out that a young, recent college grad that was hired has come up with a way to fire people via computer so they don't have to actually fly anywhere. This is horrible news for Clooney's character (whose name I forget, lol). He can't imagine life without flying. I think I'll leave it at that, because I don't want to give away the good stuff!
Family Time Factor: I'd say 13 and up. But it's a great date night movie!
MOTR Grade: A
If you've seen this, let me know what you thought! Or let me know if you're going to watch it!
Ironmongery and Handy Women
I am the fixer upper of the house. And sometimes I like to think of myself as MacGyver. I am a pretty firm believer that everything can be fixed! And I don't mind getting my hands dirty. Picture this: my son was about 2 months old, my daughter was 2 years old and I wanted a screen door. My poor husband is not that handy, so asking him was out of the question. I went to the store and picked out a wooden screen door, the door hinge, the door handles, and the all the parts I needed. I was determined this was going to get done and I was not waiting for my dad or my father-in-law to help. So, I strapped my son to my chest in a carrier and had my daughter with me on the porch and by george, I put that door up. And it was fabulous! I love fresh air! I thought about this because yesterday it was gorgeous out and I had all the windows open along with my wonderful screen door... that has had to be MacGyver'ed a good many times because the outdoor cats keep ripping the screens.
Have you ever accomplished a "manly job" that you are eternally proud of?
This post was sponsored by Ironmongery.
Have you ever accomplished a "manly job" that you are eternally proud of?
This post was sponsored by Ironmongery.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Music Monday: Weird Al Yankovic "Jurassic Park"
I actually owned this CD in my youth... I thought it was hysterical back then. I was a dork.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Music Monday: Carol Burnett sings "Little Girls" from Annie
This was my favorite movie growing up and someday I WILL play this part on stage!! I loooooooooved this part!!!
2010 Oscar Winners
If you've been following my posts, you'll know I really liked the Hurt Locker and it was my pick for Best Picture (take that, James Cameron!!) I'm really disappointed that District 9 didn't win anything, though. Boo to that! I haven't finished my coverage of the nominees for best picture because they haven't all been released on DVD yet. I will continue to do so even though the Oscars are over. Aaaaand, you're welcome.
Here's who won last night (spoiler alert?):
Best Motion Picture of the Year
WINNER The Hurt Locker
Other Nominees:
Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
Inglourious Basterds
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
A Serious Man
Up
Up in the Air
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
WINNER Jeff Bridges for Crazy Heart (2009)
Other Nominees:
George Clooney for Up in the Air
Colin Firth for A Single Man
Morgan Freeman for Invictus
Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
WINNER Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side
Other Nominees:
Helen Mirren for The Last Station
Carey Mulligan for An Education
Gabourey Sidibe for Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Meryl Streep for Julie & Julia
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
WINNER Christoph Waltz for Inglourious Basterds
Other Nominees:
Matt Damon for Invictus
Woody Harrelson for The Messenger
Christopher Plummer for The Last Station
Stanley Tucci for The Lovely Bones
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
WINNER Mo'Nique for Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Other Nominees:
Penélope Cruz for Nine
Vera Farmiga for Up in the Air
Maggie Gyllenhaal for Crazy Heart
Anna Kendrick for Up in the Air
Best Achievement in Directing
WINNER Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker
Other Nominees:
James Cameron for Avatar
Lee Daniels for Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Jason Reitman for Up in the Air
Quentin Tarantino for Inglourious Basterds
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
WINNER The Hurt Locker
Other Nominees:
Inglourious Basterds
The Messenger
A Serious Man
Up
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
WINNER Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Other Nominees:
District 9
An Education
In the Loop
Up in the Air
Best Achievement in Cinematography
WINNER Avatar
Other Nominees:
Das weisse Band - Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Best Achievement in Editing
WINNER The Hurt Locker
Other Nominees:
Avatar
District 9
Inglourious Basterds
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Best Achievement in Art Direction
WINNER Avatar
Other Nominees:
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Nine
Sherlock Holmes
The Young Victoria
Best Achievement in Costume Design
WINNER The Young Victoria
Other Nominees:
Bright Star
Coco avant Chanel
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Nine
Best Achievement in Makeup
WINNER Star Trek
Other Nominees:
Il divo
The Young Victoria
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
WINNER Up
Other Nominees:
Avatar
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Hurt Locker
Sherlock Holmes
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
WINNER Crazy Heart: T-Bone Burnett, Ryan Bingham("The Weary Kind")
Other Nominees:
Faubourg 36: Reinhardt Wagner, Frank Thomas("Loin de Paname")
Nine: Maury Yeston("Take It All")
The Princess and the Frog: Randy Newman("Almost There")
The Princess and the Frog: Randy Newman("Down in New Orleans")
Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
WINNER The Hurt Locker
Other Nominees:
Avatar
Inglourious Basterds
Star Trek
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Best Achievement in Sound Editing
WINNER The Hurt Locker
Other Nominees:
Avatar
Inglourious Basterds
Star Trek
Up
Best Achievement in Visual Effects
WINNER Avatar
Other Nominees:
District 9
Star Trek
Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
WINNER Up
Other Nominees:
Coraline
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Princess and the Frog
The Secret of Kells
Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
WINNER El secreto de sus ojos (Argentina)
Other Nominees:
Ajami (Israel)
Das weisse Band - Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte (Germany)
Un prophète (France)
La teta asustada (Peru)
Best Documentary, Features
WINNER The Cove
Other Nominees:
Burma VJ: Reporter i et lukket land
Food, Inc.
The Most Dangerous Man in America
Which Way Home
Best Documentary, Short Subjects
WINNER Music by Prudence
Other Nominees:
China's Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province
The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner
The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant
Królik po berlinsku
Best Short Film, Animated
WINNER Logorama
Other Nominees:
French Roast
Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty
La dama y la muerte
Wallace and Gromit in 'A Matter of Loaf and Death'
Best Short Film, Live Action
WINNER The New Tenants
Other Nominees:
The Door
Istället för abrakadabra
Kavi
Miracle Fish
Here's who won last night (spoiler alert?):
Best Motion Picture of the Year
WINNER The Hurt Locker
Other Nominees:
Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
Inglourious Basterds
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
A Serious Man
Up
Up in the Air
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
WINNER Jeff Bridges for Crazy Heart (2009)
Other Nominees:
George Clooney for Up in the Air
Colin Firth for A Single Man
Morgan Freeman for Invictus
Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
WINNER Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side
Other Nominees:
Helen Mirren for The Last Station
Carey Mulligan for An Education
Gabourey Sidibe for Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Meryl Streep for Julie & Julia
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
WINNER Christoph Waltz for Inglourious Basterds
Other Nominees:
Matt Damon for Invictus
Woody Harrelson for The Messenger
Christopher Plummer for The Last Station
Stanley Tucci for The Lovely Bones
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
WINNER Mo'Nique for Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Other Nominees:
Penélope Cruz for Nine
Vera Farmiga for Up in the Air
Maggie Gyllenhaal for Crazy Heart
Anna Kendrick for Up in the Air
Best Achievement in Directing
WINNER Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker
Other Nominees:
James Cameron for Avatar
Lee Daniels for Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Jason Reitman for Up in the Air
Quentin Tarantino for Inglourious Basterds
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
WINNER The Hurt Locker
Other Nominees:
Inglourious Basterds
The Messenger
A Serious Man
Up
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
WINNER Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Other Nominees:
District 9
An Education
In the Loop
Up in the Air
Best Achievement in Cinematography
WINNER Avatar
Other Nominees:
Das weisse Band - Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Best Achievement in Editing
WINNER The Hurt Locker
Other Nominees:
Avatar
District 9
Inglourious Basterds
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Best Achievement in Art Direction
WINNER Avatar
Other Nominees:
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Nine
Sherlock Holmes
The Young Victoria
Best Achievement in Costume Design
WINNER The Young Victoria
Other Nominees:
Bright Star
Coco avant Chanel
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Nine
Best Achievement in Makeup
WINNER Star Trek
Other Nominees:
Il divo
The Young Victoria
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
WINNER Up
Other Nominees:
Avatar
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Hurt Locker
Sherlock Holmes
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
WINNER Crazy Heart: T-Bone Burnett, Ryan Bingham("The Weary Kind")
Other Nominees:
Faubourg 36: Reinhardt Wagner, Frank Thomas("Loin de Paname")
Nine: Maury Yeston("Take It All")
The Princess and the Frog: Randy Newman("Almost There")
The Princess and the Frog: Randy Newman("Down in New Orleans")
Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
WINNER The Hurt Locker
Other Nominees:
Avatar
Inglourious Basterds
Star Trek
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Best Achievement in Sound Editing
WINNER The Hurt Locker
Other Nominees:
Avatar
Inglourious Basterds
Star Trek
Up
Best Achievement in Visual Effects
WINNER Avatar
Other Nominees:
District 9
Star Trek
Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
WINNER Up
Other Nominees:
Coraline
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Princess and the Frog
The Secret of Kells
Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
WINNER El secreto de sus ojos (Argentina)
Other Nominees:
Ajami (Israel)
Das weisse Band - Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte (Germany)
Un prophète (France)
La teta asustada (Peru)
Best Documentary, Features
WINNER The Cove
Other Nominees:
Burma VJ: Reporter i et lukket land
Food, Inc.
The Most Dangerous Man in America
Which Way Home
Best Documentary, Short Subjects
WINNER Music by Prudence
Other Nominees:
China's Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province
The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner
The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant
Królik po berlinsku
Best Short Film, Animated
WINNER Logorama
Other Nominees:
French Roast
Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty
La dama y la muerte
Wallace and Gromit in 'A Matter of Loaf and Death'
Best Short Film, Live Action
WINNER The New Tenants
Other Nominees:
The Door
Istället för abrakadabra
Kavi
Miracle Fish
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Funny of the Day!
I love me some Bea Arthur and I loved Sex in the City. One of my friends posted this on Facebook, enjoy! (It was from the TVLand Awards.)
Monday, March 1, 2010
Countdown to Easter begins...
I love holidays. First because my kids think they are magical and special. Second because someone else fixes a gourmet meal and I get to eat it for free. (You know how much I love free stuff!)
Well anyway, with Easter comes a sense of peace for me. Not because of Jesus, although that's a nice idea. No, it means I can de-stress a little. The next couple weeks are going to be maddening. Tuesday I leave for work/school at 8. At 1:45 after class, I leave early to drive back home, which is roughly an hour away. I get about 30 minutes in between and then I have to drive an hour the OTHER direction because I'm taking a sub authorization class so I can substitute teach. It meets 5 times and each class is FOUR HOURS. I have to do this on Tuesday and Thursday the next 2 weeks. Plus, I have papers due, projects due, assignments due, reading to do in the meantime.
I enjoy being busy, but I don't like stress, and this could be kinda stressful. So, I'm looking forward to Easter and knowing the hard part is over, it's almost summer break (which I intend to get a job and take 2 classes) and then it's Christmas! Okay, that is kinda far away, but I love Christmas.
I'm tired, I'm not making sense and I had some awesome mac and cheese for dinner!
Well anyway, with Easter comes a sense of peace for me. Not because of Jesus, although that's a nice idea. No, it means I can de-stress a little. The next couple weeks are going to be maddening. Tuesday I leave for work/school at 8. At 1:45 after class, I leave early to drive back home, which is roughly an hour away. I get about 30 minutes in between and then I have to drive an hour the OTHER direction because I'm taking a sub authorization class so I can substitute teach. It meets 5 times and each class is FOUR HOURS. I have to do this on Tuesday and Thursday the next 2 weeks. Plus, I have papers due, projects due, assignments due, reading to do in the meantime.
I enjoy being busy, but I don't like stress, and this could be kinda stressful. So, I'm looking forward to Easter and knowing the hard part is over, it's almost summer break (which I intend to get a job and take 2 classes) and then it's Christmas! Okay, that is kinda far away, but I love Christmas.
I'm tired, I'm not making sense and I had some awesome mac and cheese for dinner!
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