Doesn't that sound great...a warm place with no memory. No demands, no responsibilities, no regrets...nothing. OK, so the closest I get to that on any given day is losing myself in a book or movie while the boys scream that they are planning on killing each other in creative ways. Life has few of these "warm places with no memory". Such places usually only exist in the movies...so, let's go to the movies, into books and anywhere else my frazzeled mind takes us...
In case you missed it, that blog title is the name of a really funny movie that came out earlier this year. I was talking to a coworker (actually one of our pastors that works with me) and he mentioned that he had seen a movie where the girl in the movie (Emma Stone, as it turns out) had my exact personality. OH NO was my first thought! He described the movie and I asked him if it was Crazy, Stupid, Love. He said yes and I told him I heard it was great but I hadn't seen it. I told him I would check it out. Of course, I HAD to check it out to see this character that he thought was my personality! You really never know what people think of you so I was curious to see what he thought of me. Honestly, based on the movie, I'm fairly goofy! Yep, just as I suspected!
Anyway, that comment made me rent the movie but it turned out to be a real winner! It was laugh out loud funny! I appreciate a clever movie that can make me laugh so I give this one two thumbs up! In case you haven't seen it, here is the trailer.
So, it follows Steve Carell's character who is going through a divorce from his wife played by Julianne Moore. Carell meet a "ladies man" who schools him on how to pick up women. That would be the ever gorgeous Ryan Gosling (Remember The Notebook? Remember that scene in the rain? Yeah, I thought so!). Then poor Ryan gets the rug pulled out from under him when a girl he tried to hit on and failed shows up and changes his world. The plot has more going on but I don't want to spoil it all.
I will go ahead and spoil one part. SO...SPOILER ALERT! Don't read past this part. OK...still with me? One of my favorite parts is when Hannah (Emma Stone) thinks that her boyfriend is going to ask her to marry him. She is a lawyer and has just passed the Bar Exam. Instead, he asks her to join his law firm. She snaps and heads off to find the hot guy who hit on her in the bar. Before I let you take a look at that scene, please know that I don't drink, pick up guys in bars or throw the f-bomb around like she is about to. The goofy part? Yep, probably me! (Oh...sorry for the stupid subtitles but this is the only version I could find.)
Let me just say, he would have had me after that move too! (The single version of me! Geez folks!) Anyway, Ryan can actually do the Dirty Dancing lift! I just saw a "year in review" deal and he pulled that move off with Al Roker on The Today Show while he was promoting the movie! AL ROKER! Not only can he really do the move, he really looks like he is Photoshopped!
So, what happens next? Well, I think that is the best part. Check it out.
I won't give anything else away. Go rent this one for yourself and enjoy a good movie!
In the movie Jerry MaGuire, Renée Zellweger's character Dorothy utters this line, "I've had three lovers in the past four years, and they all ran a distant second to a good book and a warm bath." I guarantee that Dorothy was talking about a Nora Robert's book.
I have a theory that I think holds true for all women. Here it is. No matter how bad your day has been, if you light some candles, fill a tub with hot water and read a Nora Robert's book, your outlook on life will change for the better. Your problems will look smaller, your sadness will be less and your anxiety level will be lowered when you get around to pulling the plug on the tub.
For those of you who have never read a Nora book, you are missing out. She is hands down the best writer of women's fiction EVER. Yep, I said EVER! Why? I'll tell you. Even though she has more than a hundred books to her name, her characters are always fresh, funny, and relatable. She does however follow a pattern that works, at least for me, everytime. The men are, without fail, handsome, successful and intelligent gentlemen! They can be lawyers, writers, architects, artists, or professors. Just when I think I have met my favorite one, she writes another one! (I am leaving out the JD Robb books which Nora writes under the aforementioned pen name. I have to leave those out because it isn't fair to the other guys. Roarke rocks both on and off planet. Read one and you will know what I mean!)
This has been a hard week. Heck, this has been a hard year. The holidays haven't helped because, like most other women, I have presents to buy (I actually have a color coded Excel spreadsheet for gifts...it's a sickness), presents to wrap, trees (yes, multiple) to decorate, housework to do, cooking (have I mentioned I hate cooking?) and what seems like a million other things on a never ending to do list! Add to that a couple of months of stress levels that have made my Fibromyalgia go into hyperdrive and I am tense, ticked, and tired. So, tonight I decided to throw my responsiblities to the wind and take a bath. I didn't even have a new Nora book. I dug an old one out and started reading! Amazingly enough, the books even work on second, third or fourth reads!
As I really relaxed for the first time in what seemed like weeks, that quote from Jerry MaGuire popped to mind. Yeah, it is probably because Nora can write sex like no one else. There, I said it. She writes amazing sex and that is why I think Dorothy was talking about a Nora Roberts book in her famous quote. Is it because she is such an awesome writer? Yes and not really. I think any woman, if she could articulate well enough, could come up with similar. And, let's be honest, women writers know what women really want. That is why I tell all my guy friends to pick up a Nora book and learn a thing or two about wooing a woman!
How about just a small sample of Nora's magic? One of her recent novels was about a woman who had, years before, been the lone survivor of a serial killer. She rebuilt her life and now trains dogs...both pets and search and rescue dogs. I know what you are thinking. Serial killer survior who trains dogs?! What?! How can this be a "romance novel" setting?! Well, Nora isn't the typical romance novelist and that is why I called her a women's fiction writer. She can write murder, mystery, suspense and sex all at the same time. Sometimes she skips the murder and it is just pretty people in cool jobs falling in love. That works too. Anyway, her book about the dog trainer is titled, The Search. The love interst in this one is an artist. I liked him immediately. He is tempermental, says what he means even if he steps on toes and, as always, is handsome, successful and an intelligent gentleman. The two "leads" are equally matched and they verbally battle right up until they move the battle to...well...read the book and see for yourself! Oh, did I mention a copy cat serial killer is out to finish the job on the woman? Yep, Nora keeps you on your toes.
There you have it. The cure for the crappy day. A good book...I obviously recommend Nora Roberts...and a warm bath. I promise it will not disappoint! Ask Dorothy!
I finally went to see the much anticipated first part of Breaking Dawn. (No lunch and a 4 o'clock showing was too much to pass up!) The second part of the movie comes out next November. I think it is a big mistake. It is my belief that Twilight has ran its course. This time next year we will be wanting the next Hunger Games movie. Just saying.
Anyway, this one stays close to the book and actually moves fast for a two hour movie. It starts with the wedding. Finally, Bella and Edward are going to have their dream wedding. Well, it is really Alice's dream wedding but they play the leading roles. Oh...I should say right now that this is going to have SPOILERS, SPOILERS, and more SPOILERS. I am not kidding. I already told you they had a wedding!
OK. Still with me? Good! So, the wedding is lovely. Very Cullen...read overboard. Bella's hair bothers me in this part because she is described in the book as being gorgeous at the wedding. Well, she is not! Her hair has these pieces hanging down and it just looks half done. Can someone get a better hair person on the set?! Guess not!
As much as I criticize Kristen Stewart, I think this movie was her best. She really looked nervous as she started down the aisle and that exactly ties into the book. As soon as she locks eyes with Edwards, she makes you believe that she loves him (not hard since Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson a.k.a. Edward really are a couple!). BUT...she does a good job. I had a silly smile on my face throughout the entire wedding. Part of it was that they filmed the kiss with the camera rotating around them and the crowd was gone. It was just like the first movie when they danced at the prom. The best part was they used the same song and it was great! I like full circle and this was great full circle.
Anyway, then there were these hysterical toasts. Anna Kendrick talks about the famous "Edward hair" to which I laughed out loud and Bella's father says he knows Edward will be a good husband because he is in law enforcement (the dad, not Edward) and he knows how to hunt people and use a gun! Love that Billy Burke! Shortly thereafter the newlyweds leave on their honeymoon. Bella says goodbye (AGAIN) to Jacob and they fight. He discovers that Bella and Edward plan on having a real honeymoon and he fears Bella will be killed. She says it's none of his business, blah, blah, blah. Honestly, I think Taylor Lautner is sick of playing Jacob. He didn't seem to be even trying during part of the movie. Robert Pattinson was worse too at times or the make up was just bad. Again...hair and make up! Who hired these folks?!
So, they arrive at the big honeymoon! Yep, we have all waited for it! The book doesn't go into much detail. The movie shows some "love scenes" but they are tame and I thought nicely done. Not too much. I always disliked the part of the book where Edward goes on and on about hurting Bella and they downplayed that part. For those who haven't read the books, Edward is super strong and he is very hesitant to have sex with Bella while she is still human for fear he will hurt her. As it turns out, he bruises her shoulder and arms a little. SO WHAT?! Anyway, he is grief stricken by this fact and refuses to touch her again. (Funny part - he totally trashes the bedroom...way more than in the book. The bed is broken as is other furniture and the feather pillows are toast..hence the picture which was the first image released for the movie.)
Edward sets off to entertain Bella by playing chess and going swimming. Yep, playing chess is going to turn her right off. However, we women are sneaky and men are easy (usually) when it comes to sex so she brings him around to her line of thinking. Then she gets sick. No worries, she'll just take some meds she brought with her. Then she spies the Tampax box and things click up. Uh oh...she's late and, although she didn't notice before, she has a tiny belly and something is kicking her from the inside! Edward freaks out and tells her he will have Carlisle (his adopted vampire father who is a doctor) get rid of the thing. Bella freaks out at him calling the baby a thing and decides to protect the baby.
Fast forward a couple of weeks and Bella is now hugely pregnant and looking horrible! Kristen Stewart rocks this part! It is pretty much every picture of her you see in People magazine when she is at the airport, grocery store, etc! Stringy hair, pale skin, yucky clothes. So, the Cullen clan all just sit and watch her like a ticking time bomb! Let me stop here again to say that their hair and make up is getting crazy looking. Poor Jasper looks worse in each movie. Can someone get that guy a decent wig?!
All this time the wolf pack that Jacob belongs to are running around fighting because part of them think Bella's demon baby is a threat and they want to kill her. Jacob, although upset with her, isn't going to hurt Bella. So, the wolf pack is at odds and Jacob and his posse join up with the Cullens.
Bella continues to waste away until Jacob comes up with a thought that Edward reads out of his head. (Yes, Edward can read every one's mind except Bella, Go figure!) The idea is that the baby, being half vamp, wants blood. Bella agrees to try to drink some blood and the day is saved! Well, maybe not. That baby still has to get out and it is getting stronger by the day. Edward can read the baby's mind and he bonds with it. That part was actually very sweet and I think the actors pulled it off very well. It is the first moment Bella and Edward are on the same page with the baby being a miracle and a blessing. Again, sappy smile was on my face.
As fate would have it, the doctor is out when Bella goes into labor. It is actually more like Bella's back breaks or something and then really bad things start happening. Kristen Stewart can really bring the painful looks so she is again good in the birthing scene. She also plays dead well! I think they took the "Bella didn't make it" part too far because it isn't like that in the book. Once Edward injects his venom into her heart, she starts to transform more quickly.
I will have to give kudos to the special effects folks for making Kristen look so bad then transforming her as she is becoming a vampire. It is very cool to see her go from ghastly to beautiful and then...wait for it...her eyes to pop open and be blood red. CUT TO BLACK! Wait a year and see what happens. I'll let you in on something now, it has its ups and downs but they have their happily ever after.
Join me next year as we finally put a steak in this one and call it done. I, for one, am really to see Katniss bring it in The Hunger Games! Sorry, Bella, I am kinda over you.
I haven't seen any movies lately so this is another post about music. After OD'ing on Adele's Someone Like You and having some type of breakdown in the car the other morning where I was crying and singing and other drivers were looking worried, I decided to sing along to something else.
I know, I know...The Dixie Chicks are jackwagons for their anti-America comments following 9-11. I think they figured out fairly quickly that their demographic of listeners (flag flying, gun carrying, conservatives) didn't take kindly to their remarks about then President Bush or the good old US of A! Know your audience...just saying.
BUT...before they outed themselves as liberal, flag burning chicks (OK, I don't think they burned a flag but it's possible!), I really liked them! I even bought their CD. It's worth mentioning that I almost never bought a CD but I spent hard earned money on one of theirs. AND then they treat us like this following the worst act of terrorism on our soil EVER! Sorry...I didn't know I still had that in me.
Back on track. Anyway, I really loved that CD. It was fun. They were fun. So, to pull myself out of the breakdown following my singing along to Adele, I cranked up Goodbye Earl. Remember that one? If you don't, here is the video.
I LOVE this song. "Ain't it dark?! Wrapped up in that tarp!" "We need a grave! Let's go down to the lake. We'll pack a lunch! And stuff you in the trunk! Is that alright? GOOD! Let's go for a ride!"
Now, I must have a sick sense of right and wrong but I think Earl got what was coming to him! I am probably also sick for thinking these lyrics are hysterical. BUT...if this was my best friend, he'd be at the bottom of some lake too! In fact, I have said as much to my best friend's husband. I think it's best to establish clear lines of communication on these things. I was clear and, as long as he behaves, he has no worries! I still have the tarp...just in case. Kidding! Mostly...
SO, instead of crying while I sing along to Adele, I have a huge smile on my face as I help Mary Ann and Wanda kill off Earl! I'm not right. It's OK. I'm good with it!
Have a great week...and don't beat your wife or...well...ask Earl!
OK...so I introduced you guys to Adele a couple of posts ago with Rolling in the Deep and then again earlier today with Someone Like You. I had just downloaded Someone Like You this morning (thanks MT for turning me onto the song!) and I have played it all day. It is addictive! Much like Rolling in the Deep was when I first downloaded it. That is not the warning.
Here is where you need to be warned. If you like to sing along to songs...I like to very much...then you might want to stick to listening to this song in your car. It is hard to sing along to the likes of Adele. Little known fact...I sing amazing when I am in my car by myself. Trust me. It is awesome! A funny thing happens outside the car or when others are in the car. I can't carry a tune! I am guessing it is the acoustics in the car when there aren't others there to clog up my air. Anyway, since I was obsessing about this song, I found myself singing it outside of the car today! YIKES!! Yes, it is as painful to hear as you might imagine.
So, what have learned? Adele is rocking awesome! I can sing amazing well in the car by myself. I should not, under any circumstances, attempt to sing outside of the car!
You guys have been warned. Maybe you can sing outside of your cars but, just in case, I thought I should give you a heads up.
As a side note to this rambling post, (Two posts today...I know! What's up with that?!) I also have very strange taste in music. Maybe it is better if I say eclectic. Yes, that sounds better. When I downloaded Adele's lovely tune, I also got Goodbye Earl from the Dixie Chicks (Yes, I don't like them anymore either but that song is from their pre "We hate America" era.), Ride a Horse Save a Cowboy by Big and Rich, Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi and Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO (Yeah, I didn't know the name of the group before I downloaded it!). Is that a weird bunch of songs or what?! So far, Adele has been the big winner on the playlist...and sing fest! I am struggling to get past seeing Hamsters in Kia Souls when I listen to Party Rock Anthem. Oh well...
Do you think movie stars ever get a role where they get to play a part that they actually wanted to play in real life? For example...do you think Tom Cruise really wanted to fly the F16 to the edge of the envelope or drive in NASCAR? If so, their job just became so much cooler for them in those movies!
Imagine you knew that they wanted something like that (fly the jet, etc.) and then you watched as they acted that out. Wouldn't it be cool? I sorta had that experience lately. As I sat watching, I was riveted by the experience and wanted to cry. (OK...I was really tired so that could have accounted for the almost crying part.) Anyway, sometimes things just hit you at moments you didn't expect and I think you get a rare glimpse into the "what ifs" of this world.
OK...there is something about movies. Whew! My job to blog about movies is done!
I was listening to Adele this morning. If you have not discovered her, you need to! Check out this song. It is amazing! Her vocals and lyrics are haunting and this video, in its simplicity, works so very well.
After talking about Bonnie Tyler's song in Footloose, and the comment about Steinman songs, I remembered another one of my favorites...I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) sung by Meat Loaf. It is a really LONG song. In fact, according to one site, the original version was 12 minutes long. Steinman was told to cut it down and he did so they would actually play it on the radio. The radio version is shorter than the video version but all are shorter than the original.
When this one came out I played it over and over...and sang it really LOUD in my car! I always wanted to act this one out. Don't ask...I like acting and costuming so these things play out in my head. Anyway, I thought it told a great story. I also love how the majority of the song is Meat Loaf and then the woman jumps in and asks some tough questions. Here are the lyrics from the radio version (I think)...
And I would do anything for love,
I'd run right into hell and back.
I would do anything for love,
I'll never lie to you and that's a fact.
But I'll never forget the way you feel right now, oh no, no way.
And I would do anything for love,
Oh I would do anything for love,
I would do anything for love,
But I won't do that,
No I won't do that.
And some days it don't come easy,
And some days it don't come hard,
Some days it don't come at all, and these are the days that never end.
And some nights you're breathing fire.
And some nights you're carved in ice.
Some nights you're like nothing I've ever seen before or will again.
And maybe I'm crazy.
Oh it's crazy and it's true.
I know you can save me, no one else can save me now but you.
As long as the planets are turning.
As long as the stars are burning.
As long as your dreams are coming true, you'd better believe it!
That I would do anything for love,
And I'll be there till the final act.
And I would do anything for love,
And I'll take the vow and seal a pact.
But I'll never forgive myself if we don't go all the way, tonight.
And I would do anything for love,
But I won't do that.
No, I won't do that!
I would do anything for love,
Anything you've been dreaming of,
But I just won't do that.
[x2]
[Solo]
And some days I pray for silence,
And some days I pray for soul,
Some days I just pray to the god of sex and drums and rock 'n' roll!
And maybe I'm lonely,
That's all I'm qualified to be.
There's just one and only, one and only promise I can keep.
As long as the wheels are turning.
As long as the fires are burning.
As long as your prayers are coming true, you'd better believe it!
That I would do anything for love,
And you know it's true and that's a fact.
I would do anything for love,
And there'll never be no turning back.
But I'll never do it better than I do it with you, so long, so long.
And I would do anything for love,
Oh, I would do anything for love,
I would do anything for love,
But I won't do that.
No, no, no, I won't do.....
I would do anything for love.
Anything you've been dreaming of.
But I just won't do that!
[x3]
But I'll never stop dreaming of you,
Every night of my life.
No way.
And I would do anything for love.
But I won't do that.
No I won't do that.
[Girl]
Will you raise me up, will you help me down?
Will you get me right out of this God forsaken town?
Will you make it all a little less cold?
[Boy]
I can do that. Oh I can do that.
[Girl]
Will you cater to every fantasy I've got?
Will you hose me down with holy water, if I get too hot? Hot!
Will you take me places I've never known?
[Boy]
Now I can do that! Oh oh now, I can do that!
[Girl]
After awhile you'll forget everything.
It was a brief interlude
And a midsummer night's fling,
And you'll see that it's time to move on.
[Boy]
I won't do that. I won't do that.
[Girl}
I know the territory, I've been around,
It'll all turn to dust and will all fall down,
Sooner or later, you'll be screwing around.
[Boy]
I won't do that. No, I won't do that.
Anything for love,
Oh, I would do anything for love,
I would do anything for love,
But I won't do that.
No, I won't do that.
All those pledges and promises from the guy. This girl is the only one who can save him...the only one he will ever love. Then comes the girl. I love the part where she asks (she's setting him up)..."Will you make it all a little less cold?" Sure, he'll do that. "Will you cater to every fantasy I've got? Will you take me places I've never known?" Sure again, he'll do that! Then she hits him with it. He'll end up being bored with her. He'll want someone else. He'll end up with someone else. No. He claims he won't do that. Will he? Guess it depends on the guy.
This song has a awesome video. OK, at least I think it is awesome because I had already wanted to act the thing out before I saw the video! Michael Bay (he that blows things up in movies) directed the video. It is based on Beauty and the Beast and The Phantom of the Opera. Bob Keane did Meat Loaf's make-up, which took up to two hours to apply. The make-up was designed to be simple and scary, yet "with the ability to make him sympathetic." (It also serves to make Meat Loaf look more attractive when he is shown minus the make-up!) It went over budget, and was filmed in 90 °F heat, across four days. According to one executive, it "probably had the budget of Four Weddings and a Funeral." It is the abridged seven minute single version, rather than the twelve minute album version. Check it out...
There you have it! Meat Loaf singing one of my favorites! Great song, great video and a great memory from the 90s.
With that title I bet you guys think I am going to write about yet another superhero movie. Well, you would be wrong!
Today marks the release date of the remake of Footloose. I hear it is terrible. I don't plan on seeing it. However, it got me thinking about the original version. I LOVE that movie. Teen angst, dancing, Kevin Bacon as the cool, bad boy...what's not to love?
The original Footloose came out in 1984 and was billed as "a city boy comes to a small town where rock music and dancing have been banned." What?! Ban rock and roll music and dancing? Yep! Apparently, a group of kids had been out partying one night several years before and got killed in a car accident. The town went nuts and cut out music and dancing. Enter that city boy, Ren, who thinks it's a really stupid rule.
Wouldn't you know it, the city boy ends up catching the eye of the pastor's daughter, Ariel. The pastor is the leader of this no dancing deal and Ariel makes it her mission to play the bad girl role to the hilt. Guess what they say about pastor's kids is true! Anyway, Ariel's new mission is to get Ren even though she has a boyfriend (he beats her so we all hate him). Ren's mission is to change the town or get out.
Thankfully, Ren does make some friends along the way. You know, those great people who talk you into doing things like playing chicken with tractors! Yep, Ren ends up facing off against Ariel's boyfriend in a dangerous game of tractor chicken! Check out that clip below. Be aware - there is probably language. The 80s movies are well known for adding in the language! Here you go...
That song playing in the background is Bonnie Tyler's I Need A Hero (yep, there's that blog title!). What a GREAT 80s song! It also has a great lesson for all you guys on what a woman really is looking for! Check out the lyrics...
Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods
Where’s the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds
Isn’t there a white knight upon a fiery steed
Late at night I toss and I turn and I dream of what I need
I need a hero
I’m holding on for a hero ‘til the end of the night
He’s gotta be strong
And he’s gotta be fast
And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero (hero)
I’m holding on for a hero ‘till the morning light (‘till the morning light)
He’s gotta be sure
And it’s gotta be soon
And he’s gotta be larger than life (gotta be larger than life)
Somewhere after midnight
In my wildest fantasy
Somewhere just beyond my reach
There’s someone reaching back for me
Racing on the thunder and rising with the heat
It’s gonna take a superman to sweep me off my feet
I need a hero
I’m holding on for a hero ‘til the end of the night
He’s gotta be strong
And he’s gotta be fast
And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I’m holding on for a hero ‘til the morning light
He’s gotta be sure
And it’s gotta be soon
And he’s gotta be larger than life
I need a hero
I’m holding on for a hero ‘til the end of the night
Up where the mountains meet the heavens above
Out where the lightning splits the sea
I could swear there is someone somewhere
Watching me
Through the wind and the chill and the rain
And the storm and the flood
I can feel his approach
Like a fire in my blood
I need a hero...etc...
See, guys, that is all you need to do! Bonnie spells it out very clearly! Warrior just back from battle (please wear cool costume...see Thor post if you need inspiration) where he has rescued the fair maiden or defended her in some way. Contrary to all that feminist talk, at the heart of it all, women still want the white knight. Unfortunately, there are so few of those heroes still around. Oh well...
Back to Footloose. Ren has some great dance numbers with the most famous one being a heated, angry dance through a warehouse. In case you've never seen it, check it out. Oh...before you play it please be aware that Ren smokes and drinks in this clip. Those kids from the 80s were BAD!
One of the most heartwarming moments of the movie comes when Ren attempts to teach his new farmer friend, Willard, how to dance. Check it out...
In the end, the kids get to have their school dance and Ren gets the girl. This clip, showing the end of the movie, has a little note at the beginning so be patient. Also, please note the rocking 1984 styles these kids are sporting!
Yes, the 80s were an interesting time. Too bad Hollywood can't leave well enough alone and stop with all the remakes! Someone must have some new ideas! Anyone?! If you do, call California...
Well, today I got a little time off I wasn't expecting (Texas Ranger was sick) so I got to watch a movie! After taking little man to the doctor and picking up some medicine, we arrived back home with a movie we bought while shopping at Target. At last, the...well...last of the Avengers...Thor! Yeah, I know his movie came out before Captain America but I didn't get to see it in the theaters so Thor was the last Avenger I got to see. Well, technically speaking I hadn't seen Hawkeye either since he is in Thor but he didn't rate his own movie. Neither did Black Widow but at least she was in Iron Man 2 longer than 3 minutes! If I was Haweye and Black Widow, I would look into joining the super hero union so I could get equal time. Just saying!
Anyway, I had no expectations for Thor. I had no idea what his story was all about other than he has a hammer. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised! These super hero movies just keep getting better! I was wowed by Captain America and I was also wowed by Thor! I like Captain America's story a little better because it all takes place on Earth but Thor was very cool.
The man chosen to weld the hammer is Chris Hemsworth. I'm just going to say it. He is yummy! I thought Chris Evans looked hot as Captain America! Chris Hemsworth as Thor totally blew him away! Is it the costume? The accent? Both! The title for this post comes from a set of lines between Thor and the Earth woman he falls for. After seeing Thor for the first time in his "costume", this is what is said...Jane: "So is this how you normally look?" Thor: "More or less." Jane: "It's a good look!" You ain't kidding, Jane! I once heard that heroes are suppose to be guys that women want and men want to be. I don't know if guys want to be you, Chris Hemsworth, but the other is true!
Oh...let me stop right here and say that a previous post of mine was wrong. If I am not mistaken, I listed Loki as an Avenger. Nope! He is Thor's evil brother! Who knew?! Yes, comic book fans everywhere but not me! I am guessing that Loki shows up in The Avengers movie. That is where the confusion came in. So, sorry to all you comic book geeks! I meant no offense.
What is Thor about? Well, Thor is an immortal. The god of Thunder. He has a hammer that he uses to kick some serious butt. He is a jerk at first. He gets banished to Earth. (We all know how hard THAT is to deal with!) He finds love and is humbled. Returns to his home planet to deal with his evil brother. Oh...and his dad is Sir Anthony Hopkins! There you have it!
Seriously, it's a good story! Not only is the action good but there is a love story which I always like! SPOILER ALERT - I'm not kidding...I'm about to talk about the end of the movie! Stop reading! OK...I really like the fact that Thor leaves Earth telling Jane he will return for her. He kisses her hand. AWWW! Then Jane lays one hot kiss on Thor! You go, girl! Once on his home planet, Thor has to make a tough decision that destroys the way he can come back to Earth. The end lines are these..Thor: "So Earth is lost to us..." Heimdall: "No. There is always hope." Thor: "Can you see her?" Heimdall: "Yes." Thor: "How is she?" Heimdall: "She searches for you." You see, Jane is a scientist and had found the traces of the bridge that runs between worlds. The same bridge Thor used to travel to Earth and then had to destroy. Heimdall, the man who controls the cosmic bridge, can see her and knows that Jane is looking for a way to find Thor. Again...AWWWW! I hope these two get a shot in The Avengers movie when Thor, somehow, finds a way back to Earth.
If you like action and adventure, I would recommend Thor to you! If you like a love story, I would recommend it too. If you just want to see Chris Hemsworth without his shirt on, you can do that too! :)
I really like the show Bones. I think I've mentioned it before. Anyway, I am rewatching the episode where Vincent Nigel Murray takes a bullet and Bones and Booth finally...well...seal the deal. Let me just say, this was a long time in coming and fans of the show mostly wanted to see these two end up together. Let me also say that the deal sealing had zero passion...none...zilch! What?! After years and years of will they or want they, they finally end up together and it is the most boring hook up ever?! FAIL! Did they wait too long? Maybe. Let's hope that another favorite of mine, Castle, doesn't fall prey to the same fate!
Speaking of love gone wrong. I am really digging the song, Rolling in the Deep. If you listen to the lyrics, it has some hard core pain. It is about what could have been and looking back at a relationship gone bad. Adele poors her soulful voice into the lyrics and it is awesome! This song also has one of the most random, odd videos I have seen in a while. It's cool but totally random! Check it out on YouTube.
Castle returns tomorrow. I will not get to see it. DirecTV is NOT my friend right now! Oh well, life goes on...
I decided not get True Blood this summer on HBO. It had gotten really out there with witches and homosexual behavior that I was just sick of watching. What I was NOT sick of watching was the relationships between Sookie and her ex-fiancé, Bill, and her yet to be explored relationship with Eric. Sookie didn't want any part of Eric but he pretty much undressed her with his eyes each time he saw her! I don't think many guys can pull that eye thing off but vampire Sheriff Eric sure does a great job! He had also tricked Sookie into letting him drink some of her blood (he was sorta injured) and then he had a vampire link to her. He could put himself into her dreams and they were...well...interesting dreams.
Anyway, I was NOT going to watch True Blood. Nope...wasn't gonna happen...not doing it! And, I haven't! Well, sorta...
As many of you probably know, there is a little internet site called YouTube. Well, I stumbled...and by stumbled I mean went to YouTube and typed "Eric and Sookie"...on the Eric and Snooki scenes from this season! I had heard they had finally explored that relationship now that Bill, Sookie's ex, had betrayed her. After a year of living in fairy land (yes, another reason I said no to season 4!), Sookie returns to find Eric owns her house and has restored it after it was totally messed up by vampires, werewolves and a strange something that arrived in season 2 that had a weird name I have forgotten. Anyway, Eric owns the house so Sookie has to put up with him because she can't "uninvite" him and make him leave...vampires have to be invited in you know!
Anyway, Eric loses his memory for some reason. I have no idea why. But...this new Eric appeals to Sookie and, in true HBO style, they have some steamy scenes. Yes, I stumbled across them on that YouTube thing. Now, I have always, since the show began, wanted Sookie and Eric to be a couple. Why? I'll be honest. It is because Eric is smoking hot! He is also the vampire that could kill Edward Cullen just by thinking about it! Sorry Robert Pattinson, but Eric is a man where you are just a sparkly boy!
Anyway, in my accidental stumbling around on YouTube, I found most of the Eric and Sookie scenes from this season. Since it is HBO, I am sure not posting them here! Rated "R" is almost an understatement! I wonder how the actress who plays Sookie feels about filming these VERY steamy scenes while her real life husband (her ex Bill on the show) looks on! Awkward!
One scene...they actually wore all their clothes in this one...had Eric injured and needing to feed. Sookie offers herself and Eric bites her. After he finishes, he bites his own hand and offers her his blood. She has drank vamp blood before if she was injured because it heals. She tells him she isn't injured but he tells her it will make them "one". She grabs his hand and drinks. Sexy...and I can't even describe why!
Let's just say that my little YouTube visit brought me up to speed on what has been going on with Eric and Sookie. HBO can keep all that other crap! All I needed was to see Eric and Sookie finally get together. It did not disappoint! In fact, at one point I noticed I was gripping the computer desk with my hand! Are Eric and Sookie hot...you betcha! Now, if I can only figure out how to get Eric to make a guest appearance in my dreams! Hey, a girl can...well...dream!
Remember the movie Meet Joe Black? No?! Well, here is the short version. A rich man, Anthony Hopkins, is about to die and Death comes for him. Death comes in the form of Brad Pitt who identifies himself to Hopkins character and says he wants to live and learn a little bit about life. Since Death can apparently take any form, he takes the form of a man who met Hopkin's daughter just before he was accidentally killed (she doesn't see him killed). She was already taken with Pitt...what woman isn't! Anyway, Death stays a bit and takes the name Joe Black. He is enchanted by the little things like peanut butter! I mean, come on, he has been sucking the life out of everyone without getting to enjoy the little things of life so this is all a big deal. Pitt plays him beautifully as he discovers all of the joys and pains that make up life.
Death falls for Hopkin's beautiful daughter and she falls for him. Of course, she doesn't know he is Death come to claim her father. She and Death have some intimate moments. That is a bit creepy. Right?! I would be freaked out to discover I had made love to Death! Being that he looks like Brad Pitt would go a long way in helping me get over that part! :)
Anyway, all is well that ends well even though Hopkins really does get taken by Death. As an act of love, death sends back the man that was accidentally killed so that Hopkin's daughter can have the man of her dreams...even if that man isn't exactly who she thought he was!
So, it is sort of a love story wrapped around Death. Honestly, what love story isn't! :) Here's the trailer...
This isn't my favorite Pitt movie. I would have to go with Mr. and Mrs. Smith or The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. As Mr. Smith, he is just fun and sexy. Guns...shooting the house to bits, steamy sex...yep, I'd take that! (So did Angelina Jolie...just saying.) If you haven't seen it, check out the trailer...
As Benjamin Button, he is aging in reverse and has a life long love affair with one woman, Daisy. It is a strange love affair but lovely at the same time. When Benjamin and Daisy are finally the same age, they act on the relationship that has built over time. It is a great scene where Daisy says something like "sleep with me" and Benjamin simply replies "absolutely". I don't know why that is so sexy but it sure is! Didn't see it? Here's the trailer...
Brad Pitt knows how to bring the sexy when needed in a movie. Wait...he is also really good in A River Runs Through It! Yep...here is the trailer...
It also has one of my favorite lines in a movie. I'll end this rambling post with it...
"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of those rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters."
~ Final lines in A River Runs Through It
Being a mother is fraught with perils. Whether it's long, sleepless nights, never being "done" with anything or the fits of insanity that pop up, motherhood is not for the weak. Never mind that whole pregnancy and labor part, I am talking about the life that begins when that little bundle of joy is born. It's yours and it can't be returned...even if you try really hard.
I have survived...yes, survived...over 11 years of motherhood so far. I am a relative newbie to the field. However, I have two exceptional children. Am I saying that, like so many mothers, I believe my children to be better, smarter or more athletic than other children? Heck no! I am saying that they possess the exceptional ability to drive me to the point of total love and total madness within a range of about a minute. That is skill! I don't think all children possess this skill set at this level. Therefore, my children are in a league of their own and I am most often thinking of running away. I don't run away, or haven't yet, so I think I am a superhero mom. I know this is delusional but it gets me through the day. I am also considering superhero mom costume options. Got suggestions? Just shout those out.
This week, in an attempt to give my kids a good last week before school, I have planned fun outings. We've been to the movies (check out that great review of Captain America!), the pool, and, yesterday, a theme park! Remember when I said that motherhood came with fits of insanity? Well, read on.
My best friend and I decided to take five children ages eleven and under to a theme park. We hoped it would be less crowded now that summer is winding down. (I know, it is 100 degrees outside but schools are about to start back so that is the part of summer I am talking about.) We knew it would be hot. We totally believed we could conquer this theme park and win. Yep, a fit of insanity!
To start, let's meet the children, shall we? (Please note the names have been changed to protect the children from weirdos who stalk the internet looking for things about children and have sick motives for doing so. I sincerely hope all you weirdos are hunted down by the proper authorities or people like that father on the movie Taken and killed.) OK...the kids...we have have Rapunzel (age 5), K-Bug (age 8), Toe Head (age 11), Texas Ranger (age 6) and Walker (age 11). Now, let's meet the mothers! I shall keep the names the same on these because Teresa scares me and I think she would handily kill any of you weirdos I mentioned earlier (fear her...I ain't kidding!) and Beth. That last one is me and I have a gun and I don't mind to shoot said weirdos. In fact, I need some target practice. Now that we have met the players, let's talk about the day we decided to tackle a theme park. WARNING - The following contains discussions of body fluids, fighting, judgemental observations, see through clothing and lots of yelling. Reader discretion is advised.
So, there we were, happily on our way to a theme park. That's a happy time. Right? It sure was! We showed up, totally ignored where the theme park parking attendant told us to go and found a place closer to the front. I don't think that the parking attendant was pleased but we just pretended not to notice his wild waving of arms in the direction he wanted us to go! Ha HA! We already beat part of the system! So, with a parking spot within easy walking distance to the entrance, we all hope out of the van ready to go. Well, Texas Ranger really did need to GO! So, his wonderful mother, that would be me, looked all around and let him pee between two cars. I did encourage him NOT to hit the other cars with pee and figured it would evaporate before the car owners returned and had to step in it so, success! Yep, mother of the year material! With that bit of business taken care of, we walked up to the park entrance just to witness what seemed like thousands of youth group members entering the park. Tons of blue shirts with Biblical messages and then green shirts and grey ones and on and on! They were everywhere! Worse yet, they were all heading for those rides we wanted to get on! (We later were told there were 2,000 youth group members at the park. Do we know how to pick a day to visit or what?!)
At this point, it was about 10 a.m. and already about 90 degrees regular temperature. Theme park temp, around 105. Undaunted, (OK...that is a lie, I was already daunted but I was committed so on with the show!) we started to the first ride and made it on pretty fast. Not so bad! The second ride line was LONG and clogged with all those youth. Never fear, we just moved to the next ride. That is where Teresa and I discovered an embarrassing fact. My shirt, not a white shirt mind you, was see through when wet! We discovered this after we got off a ride where we got really wet. Yep, this is SO my luck. I worried about it for about 23 seconds and then the oppressive heat kicked back in and I decided it would dry fast enough. Besides, it was a theme park and there were people intentionally wearing things that were more suggestive than my transparent t-shirt where you could see that I had actually chosen to wear a bra...unlike some women.
Shortly after I became a walking billboard for Victoria's Secret bras, my children decided they were starving! Not hungry, not "I need a little snack to hold me over", but STARVING! Whining began and, I've going to have to say, my kids excel at this too. So, my nerves are frazzled, you can see through my shirt, I need to find food quickly and it isn't even noon! First food establishment has about 200 of those youth folks I mentioned earlier. We made an alternate plan and raced to another lesser known eating place. Success! I grabbed some food and a table even opened up while I was in line. Being the great mother that I am, I yelled to Walker, "GO GRAB THAT TABLE" and he jumped across a fence to get it! Another skill those kids have, getting what they want! This time it worked for me...usually it is against me!
I had hope. We were sitting down. We were in the shade. There was food and drinks. There was no whining. Life was great! Then we had to get up. BUT, we were all in a better mood so there were some smiles and laughs and we looked like a happy theme park crew. We even hit the next ride and got on relatively quickly even though those groups of youth seemed to be following us. The ride was eventful in that, when we were queued up to ride next, someone on the ride had a cell phone slip out of a pocket and we got to see that sucker totally destroyed! It hit a building twice and then smashed into the pavement breaking into at least three pieces. The kids loved it! Sometimes, it takes so little to make them happy!
All this time, it was getting hotter and hotter. Let me just say, I think that black asphalt was almost as its melting point and I was WAY past mine! BUT, on a good note, my shirt had dried so I wasn't flashing the other park goers.
Time for more coasters and I sat out with Rapunzel and Texas Ranger. We found a spot of shade and stood and stood and stood. We even got to stand there while a questionably dressed family arrived and the conversation between them went down something like this..."WOMAN: You been gone a helluva long time! MAN: Well, that ride line was hell! WOMAN: Well, it is hotter than hell out here!" Good times. Thankfully, they moved on and I spotted a shady bench! What luck?! Too bad Texas Ranger needed to pee again about a minute after we sat down. Off to the closest restroom with Rapunzel in a stroller and Texas Ranger walking funny because he NEVER tells me he needs to pee until the LAST minute! I also should mention that Rapunzel's stroller's wheels would not roll correctly until the driver (me at this time) pushed and shoved it to the point of almost dumping its occupant! I cursed that stroller throughout the day when I had to drive it but it was better than having our youngest member hot, tired, and walking. Concessions must be made in dire times.
So, off we raced to the restroom. I sent Texas Ranger into the men's room which I hate doing in case those perverts that stalk kids online are in the restroom but I had no other choice since he would not join me and Rapunzel in the women's restroom. He runs off and I push, yank and tug that stroller towards the women's restroom. When I arrive at the entrance, three girls wearing those youth t-shirts are admiring themselves in front of the mirror that happens to be in front of the door to the restroom. I get this. I like to look at myself too from time to time. However, if someone comes up, I would move. These girls were firmly planted and weren't moving. So, I did what every mother with a stroller would do, I plowed ahead and sorta played chicken with them. They either had to move or get hit. They moved but just barely enough for me to get to the door. I had to get in front of the stroller and try to open the door and then drag kid and stroller in. Did those girls offer once to help me by holding the door that was in easy reach of the three of them? NOPE! Girls...your t-shirts talk about how you want to tell others about Jesus. Helping people tells others about Jesus. Just saying! (I'm not even going to talk about all those youth kids I saw that were using the Lord's name in vain over and over while wearing those shirts.) Anyway, I entered the restroom while yelling in Rapunzel's direction...I say "in her direction" because she wasn't really listening to me...about how if you are going to wear t-shirt like that they you should help people out and not just stand and watch someone struggle! I now wonder if no one exited the stalls because they were worried about the crazy lady that had entered the restroom yelling! Oh well, restroom crisis averted, and the ride had been a success for the other part of the group!
We worked our way around with tempers flaring as the temperature soared and the lines grew longer. All in all, it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Now, I may be writing that because I am sitting in an air conditioned house at the moment and have blocked, a great skill of mine, the bad memories! As it grew late, we decided that I would take the younger two kids on a "kiddie ride" and Teresa would take the older four and try to get on the coaster we had to pass up earlier due to the long line. The plan was to meet at the entrance to the theme park. Ever notice how plans sometimes fall apart? Yep, this one totally blew up on us. With only one cell phone, we couldn't call each other and we apparently missed one another during, you guessed it, another restroom break for Texas Ranger! Hey, at least he was well hydrated! After about an hour, we finally reconnected and we all looked rough. We drug ourselves back to the van and headed for home. About 20 minutes from my house (drop point one), K-Bug said she was feeling sick. Her declarations of, "I think I am going to throw up on the people in the front seat," got our attention and she was promptly given an empty shopping bag. Again, crisis averted and, thankfully, she didn't throw up!
Parting at my house we all looked tired and smelly. Not sure how one looks smelly, but we accomplished it! Best of all, we had all survived that theme park! It may have gotten in some good licks, but we left with nary a scratch! OK...to be honest, Texas Ranger did have a huge blister on his foot but he has prayed for it in every meal time prayer since so I am sure it will be better soon.
Motherhood. I've said it before and I'll say it again. It ain't for sissies!
Yep! Finally, I plan on talking (typing...whatever) about a movie! I know, you guys were worried I was slipping over some crazy edge or something...weren't you?! It's OK...you were right! :)
So, in the last three days, I have seen two movies at the theater! Yee Haw! I had to be on a serious hiatus from movie theater attendance until recently due to lack of funds. Now, I am making up for lost ground!
Three days ago it was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. It was good. It was about a boy wizard who finally killed the bad guy. OH WAIT...I should have put a spoiler alert in there. Oh well. Anyway, all is well that ends well so I bid a fond farewell to Harry and friends. The movies have been wonderfully done!
Today was Captain America: The First Avenger. Now, I've have seen many of the other Avengers already. Apparently they saved the first one for last. Anyway, Avenger head count...Iron Man (love ya, Robert Downey, Jr!), Thor, Black Widow, Hulk, Haweye (yeah, I have no idea about this one but he has a bow and arrow in the photo), Loki (again, not a clue but he has something to do with Thor), Captain America and Nick Fury who is the leader of this band of superhero/genius/really rich/Norse god/spy type folks. These seem to be the Avengers for the new movie due out in Summer 2012. As to the Avengers from comic book lore, check out their Wikipedia page. There are TONS of them and some are shared with the X-Men and it gets super confusing for people that don't dress up and go to fanboy events. Anyway, before I get sucked further into that vortex of geekdom, let's talk about Captain American.
Chris Evans (yep, the hot one from The Fantastic Four...flame on!) got to put on the old red, white and blue for this one! He's great! They do this awesome CGI and make him a 90 lb. weakling at the beginning. He's a great guy with a big heart that gets the snot beat out of him most days. He really wants to fight the Axis Powers bullies so he keeps trying to get in to WWII even though he has tons of things wrong with him that would pull a F4.
Finally, he gets his shot when he is noticed by a German born scientist working on a "super solider" project. He is chosen and the transformation is, well, let's just say it's a bit drool worthy if you are female! (Chris - that time at the gym REALLY paid off. Thanks from all the women of America!) Whew...where was I? Oh yeah...so, he is now a super soldier and gets to square off against...nobody! Yep, for a little bit he is used as a propaganda "device" to sell War Bonds! Off topic, I really want one of those costumes the female dancers have during his propaganda tour! So retro pin-up bombshell from WWII deal! Movie...was I talking about a movie...yes! So, after his turn at selling bonds, he gets to see some war time action and it turns out well. Yes, he really is a super solider so they decide to use him. Time for a new uniform and a new shield.
All this time, even back during the 90 lb. weakling part, he banters with a woman who is part of this "super solider" team. Does anyone else find it odd that a British woman is part of this all male, all American group? Yeah, me too. BUT, he's gonna have to have a love interest so Peggy is part of the team!
Also, now that we have a hero and his love interest, we gotta have someone bent on world domination...it's the rules! Enter Red Skull played wonderfully by Hugo Weaving! To get a picture of Red Skull, imagine Hilter on crack with his face peeled off. Got it? Good!
The rest goes like this...action, things blow up, people explode into blue vapor, shooting, things blow up, that famous shield gets thrown around...A LOT...things blow up, more shooting, cool planes.
Well, there it is. I hope I didn't give too much away!
I would give it two thumbs up! My favorite of the "Avenger" movies other than Iron Man and they are pretty much tied. Hard to pick because I love Tony's quick wit but Captain America looks really hot. Yes, I am that shallow.
Looking very forward to next summer's Avengers movie that brings them all together. I would also LOVE to be Black Widow...the only girl of the group, she kicks serious butt, and gets to hang out with all these guys...doesn't get better than that!
In case you are still interested in the movie after this crazy review, check out this trailer...
Next up, I hope, Cowboys and Aliens! Gotta love Summer Movies!
My grandfather, Papaw, passed away this afternoon around four. I saw him last night but now that seems like ages ago. Today has been long and hard and sad.
We all knew it was coming but, hearing my dad tell me that Papaw had died, it felt like a punch. A punch of sorrow. You remember the person in those memories that you have saved up and now you know that you will never see them again this side of heaven.
It was hard telling my kids. They are old enough to have known and loved Papaw. This is also their first real experience with death. It isn't far from mine to be honest. This is probably the closest person to me that I have ever lost. Pushing 40, that is saying something. Anyway, my youngest kept asking why Papaw had to die today. I am not sure if he thought tomorrow would have been better or yesterday but he was fixated on "why today". I told him that we all have a day picked out by God and this was Papaw's special day to go to heaven. He was reminded by me that we will meet again and, even though it is still sad, there will be another day when we see him. Being only six, this is a hard concept to grasp when next week is still a long time away to him. My older son seems to still be processing it. He really doesn't want to seem upset. After all, he is eleven and "mature".
Honestly, this afternoon from four on has felt so long. It has been a lonely time even though I have had many calls, texts, emails, Facebook messages, etc. I guess this is the path we all walk when someone we love dies because only we can wrap our arms around our own grief.
Why today? Because that is exactly when it was suppose to happen. On the day Papaw was born, this date was set. It was over 92 years into the future, but it was still set by the hand of the Almighty. I think when people face the death of someone they love, they also wonder about what day they have set for them. Will it be soon or far into the distance? Will someone think fondly of us and smile over a memory? Perhaps a grandchild of our own might ask "why today". I don't know about any of that because it isn't mine to know. What I do know is that the date is set. So, Papaw, I will see you on that "today" that is meant for me.
My grandfather is in the process of his end of life experience. Yes, this is the term that all hospital people seem to use for death. Folks, I am in the business of Marketing and PR and you can't pretty it up. It's death. It's sad. You calling it an "end of life experience" doesn't make it any better.
Let me tell you what else doesn't make it better. Family. When two sides (two brothers and their families) decide that they are going to disagree to the point of almost constant fighting, it makes that end of life experience become even worse. When I have to take my grandmother to see my grandfather so I can spare my mother an encounter that might raise her blood pressure to dangerous levels (not kidding), then some people need to take a big "get over yourself and think of someone else" pill! I am physically and emotionally exhausted by today and the days that have proceeded this one. Every day brings some new drama as we move closer to my grandfather's ultimate parting from us. In a time when we should be lifting each other up, we are instead grabbing handfuls of hair to pull each other down!
Honestly, I try very hard (and have thus far succeeded) in steering clear of the fighting. Most everyone at least tolerates me. The rest of the family, not so much.
I am thankful that my grandmother has "stood up" to things and, maybe for the first time in her almost 93 years, made tough decisions. She is a real trooper and I am inspired by her. She and I have had long talks this last week and I am honored to be her granddaughter. So, maybe not all is lost in this end of life experience called death.
This is a jumble of thoughts but they are some I needed to pour out. If you are still reading, thanks. I could also use some prayers for this dysfunctional family I find myself tied to.
Also, just because I like it, I am posting the lyrics and video of a song I am really into at the moment. I guess they had to use the word "die" since "end of life experience" doesn't work well in songs...
"If I Die Young" ~ The Band Perry
If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a, bed of roses
Sink me in the river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
Lord make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my mother
She'll know I'm safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh and
Life ain't always what you think it ought to be, no
Ain't even grey, but she buries her baby
The sharp knife of a short life, well
I've had, just enough time
If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a, bed of roses
Sink me in the river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
The sharp knife of a short life, well
I've had, just enough time
And I'll be wearing white, when I come into your kingdom
I'm as green as the ring on my little, cold finger, I've
Never known the lovin' of a man
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand, there's a
Boy here in town who says he'll love me forever,
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
The sharp knife of a short life, well,
I've had, just enough time
So put on your best boys and I'll wear my pearls
What I never did is done
A penny for my thoughts, oh no, I'll sell them for a dollar
They're worth so much more after I'm a goner
And maybe then you'll hear the words I been singin'
Funny when you're dead how people start listenin'
If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a, bed of roses
Sink me in the river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
The ballad of a dove
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep 'em in your pocket
Save them for a time when you're really gonna need them, oh
The sharp knife of a short life, well
I've had, just enough time
OK, so today I did pretty much what I ranted about yesterday. BUT...I did it kinda thinking that, if I've got to work and not hang by a pool all summer or hit the beach or have a lake house, then I'd give people a taste of how cool my job can be.
Most days are fun but today moved toward "cool job". It may move even further that way next week or it could be down right horrific. I'll let you know. Anyway, we did a shoot with HGTV. It was several hours of standing in high heels and running around but it was cool! They came to film one of the hosts leaving to giveaway one of the homes. We had done it once before with Vern Yip. He was extremely nice and very polite. This host was in your face and really hot. Yep, I just said hot! Now, I know NOTHING about these hosts and had no clue who Vern was so I Googled this one. HOLY MOLY! When I did, the second image to come up was him a few years back modeling or something. Let's just say he was rocking a great body and nothing else (don't worry...it was tastefully done!). So, today I got to work with Jamie Durie. An Ausssie born landscape genius with a great personality who happened to be ruggedly handsome! (YES...Nathan Fillion type handsome!)
The shoot went fine until flights got delayed but all worked out fine in the end. We even had a moment where we were joking about how, when he was getting on the plane, we should hold hands and have a tearful Oscar moment as he left. Great fun! Also, watch him give away the Green Home. If it makes the cut, I will be the woman sitting behind him when he gets on the plane!
So, I did it too! I totally wall posted on Facebook about how my life is better than yours because I got to work with the fine folks at HGTV, have fun, possibly get on TV and get paid for it in the end. Eat your heart out you folks at the pool!
Oh...I'm off tomorrow so I will probably post about how I'm at the pool!
I am beginning to dislike Facebook. I would just walk away and leave it but I have to have a personal account to admin the work one so I gotta keep the thing. The reasons I have been just loathing it recently are varied. So, in random order, my rants about Facebook:
Keeping Up With The Jones - It seems that, at least in my friend list, there is a trend to post about how fabulous life is..."Fam at the lake on the boat"..."lounging in the pool"..."man it's hot while I sit out in the sun and tan while the rest of you losers work"..."Just bought a new RV and we are heading to the mountians with our 100 friends"...."you just have to go to this wonderful resort where the beach is fab". Get the picture? Yeah...you're life is SO much better than everyone else. Heck, for all of the above (which are REALLY close to posts from my "friends") it's almost true! I know Facebook is all posting about your life but, lately, it has been about one upping. Just my opinion. Also, my blog so it's the only opinion that counts!
Pity Party Posts - OK, I'll admit that I have also fallen victim to these posts. They are really easy to fall into. "My head hurts"..."I hate my life"..."My precious dog who I treat like a child is at the vet...again." I think these posts should all have the "Debbie Downer" sound at the end (WHAA WA...yeah...I don't know how to type that sound.)
Cover That Up! - There seems to be a need by some young Facebook users and, much more disturbingly, their mothers to put up prom or pool or beach or car wash pictures where there is WAY too much skin showing! I have seen prom dresses that were designed at House of Hooker and bikini pictures that would barely pass the censors for Sports Illustrated...all on high school or younger girls! People, there are perverts that pay for this stuff and you are uploading it for free! Please, if you let your little girl wash cars in barely there shorts and string bikini tops, don't put it on Facebook. I mean, isn't it enough that she stood on the street corner...LITERALLY...and brought in business in that outfit?! This is one time I am very thankful I have boys.
Games - I despise all the games on Facebook and I don't care in the least if you need two more nails for your barn or your latest score on something is getting you closer to winning an iPad!
Questions - Unless you are a bored teenage girl (based on my research), NO one cares "If so and so can beat you in a fight" or "Do you think so and so is hot" or "Is so and so a good kisser." Let me answer all those for you now...Beth is smoking hot, can kick your butt from here to tomorrow, does not drink or smoke and has probably never been a ninja. There...glad we got that out of the way.
That concludes today's rant. Come back next time when I'll be ranting about people who repost prayer requests that are really hoaxes!
Monday, June 06, 2011 The Body of Christ Needs You by Rick Warren
All of you together are Christ’s body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NLT) One reason you need to be connected to a church family is to fulfill your calling to serve other believers in practical ways. The Bible says, “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27 NLT).
Your service is essential to the Body of Christ—just ask any local church. Each of us has a role to play, and every role is important. There is no small service to God; it all matters.
There are no insignificant ministries in the church. Some are visible and some are hidden behind the scenes, but all are valuable. Small or hidden ministries often make the biggest difference. In my home, the most important light is not the large chandelier in our dining room but the little night light that keeps me from stubbing my toe when I get up at night.
There is no correlation between size and significance. Every ministry matters because we are all dependent on each other to function.
What happens when one part of your body fails to function? You get sick. The rest of your body suffers. Imagine if your liver decided to start living for itself: “I’m tired! I don’t want to serve the body anymore! I want a year off just to be fed. I’ve got to do what’s best for me! Let some other part take over.”
What would happen? Your body would die. Today thousands of local churches are dying because of Christians who are unwilling to serve. They sit on the sidelines as spectators, and the Body suffers. God calls you to a service far beyond anything you could ever imagine. He created YOU for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for you to do (see Ephesians 2:10). Whenever you serve others, you are actually serving God.
I am with Mr. Warren on the fact that Christians are saved to serve and not just sit as spectators. Going further into my opinion, I think that too many times, those spectators begin to look as those serving and begin dictate how they think ministry should go. Honestly, if everyone was serving as God intended and was focused on the greater goal of bringing the lost to Christ and serving one another, they wouldn't have time to sit back and think up ways to "help" other ministries do it "right". I seem to recall reading in the Bible how the early church encouraged one another. I don't think we have enough of that anymore. Well, some people are wonderful at this encouraging thing and others are more worried that their agenda will not be met. Anyone want to hazard a guess at which type of person is more focused on God? Yeah, that's what I thought too.
I know this seems a bit harsh but I am feeling a little discouraged so it comes out as harsh. I guess this is one of those "why can't we all just get along" things. You know the reason we can't? SATAN! (Please read the previous just like the Church Lady!)
Pulling my favorite movie into this...which is probably sacrilegious beyond all imagination...Andy says in The Shawshank Redemption that he better "Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying". I am feeling like that a bit. Get busy living for God with people who are supportive and lift each other up or get busy leaving for somewhere else. Perhaps, like Andy's escape from prison and subsequent trip to Mexico, it is also my time to leave. I'll be praying about that...
The odd title of this blog comes from my favorite movie, The Shawshank Redemption. Recently, a friend asked me why that particular movie. I thought for a second and said, "because it is about hope". I have thought about it many times...for some reason...since I was asked. Why in the world is my favorite movie about a man wrongfully accused of a crime and sent to prison? A movie that includes horrible abuse of the prisoners by the guards, corruption, prison rape, murders and suicides. WOW...when I put it like that, it does seem like a downer of a movie to pick. BUT...the story is really about two people who, despite where they came from, end up as friends in a very unlikely place. It is a story of how we react to our circumstances and choices we make in those circumstances. Do we have hope when all seems lost or do we drop our head and think hopeless thoughts? So, yeah, I like it because it is about hope.
I hope you have seen the movie. If you haven't, you are really missing out. It is based on a short story by Stephen King and starts with the murder of a rich bankers wife and her mistress. The banker is wrongly convicted of the crime and sent to Shawshank prison. The banker, Andy, is played by Tim Robbins. The entire story is narrated by Red, the man that will become Andy's closest friend in Shawshank. Red is played beautifully by Morgan Freeman. The Shawshank Redemption did poorly at the box office and, even though it was nominated for multiple Oscars, it won no awards. It is unfortunate that it shared an Oscar season with Forrest Gump!
Anyway, humor me and watch a few of my favorite scenes. Also, PLEASE know before you watch that this movie is rated R and does contain harsh language.
This is a scene where Andy, who has access to certain things because the warden is using him to run his illegal business, plays Mozart to the prison.
Before Andy takes his leave of the prison, he tells Red to go to a certain field if he ever gets out. There will be something buried there for him. I wish I could find the scene where he tells him but I can only find the scene of Red going to the field after he gets out of prison. Also, this person's clip ties together two scenes on hope. The first is right after the Mozart scene above and then it jumps to Red in the field Andy tells him to go to. It is a bit confusing but it has that hope message loud and clear...
There you go, a few scenes from my favorite movie. There's a lot more to it...Andy building a library at the prison, doing taxes for the guards, cooking the books for the warden, his escape and many others. I suggest you rent the movie.
With this great honor, (which was probably also awarded to a few other pirates fans) I get some cool behind the scenes stuff! Check out this bit of fun from Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides which opens May 20th!
This time around, the good Captain will go up against the pirate that all pirates fear...Blackbeard! Blackbeard seems to have taken The Black Pearl and is off making trouble.
Poor Jack! His ship is stolen...again...by Barbossa and then stolen by Blackbeard! It's hard to catch a break when you are a pirate but Jack always seems to come out on top. Apparently, Jack has also had some type of relationship with Blackbeard's daughter, Angelica. Honestly, what woman hasn't he had some type of relationship with if given the opportunity?!
It is almost time for Captain Jack to be back! I'm excited! Are you? You'd better be. You're either with the Captain or against him and things don't go well for those who choose the other side...remember Davy Jones?
So, mark your calendars because the good Captain is back May 20th!
