Film Friday

This week's pick: National Treasure: Book of Secrets.

I was just sitting here thinking I would have to bail on Film Friday because I had watched nothing but Lost all week. But Bam! I am watching National Treasure right now! What I must say is I love smart thillers, I like that you have to learn stuff to get it right. Nick Cage- you are getting old, but I do hope that make that third movie they are teasing! Enjoy!

Why I am a bad browser....

Tonight I walked to the library to return a DVD I borrowed, and I was pleasantly surprised to see they were still open. It is almost novel to have anything be open past 5:30 in downtown Pella. It is most definitely like the locus come out at 5:30 everyday and quick, quick people you need to return to your homes! (or as my friend Kelli would say: The Vampires are getting ready to come out.) Every Thursday night however, like many cities in Iowa, the downtown area stays open until 8 p.m. and the community band plays. But still I was surprised to see the library open because it was past 8. Instead of just sticking my returns in the slot I decided to go in and take a look around. The poll I posted about which book I should read next was inconclusive (where did all my decisive friends go?) to make things even worse they didn't have disc 3 and 4 of the miniseries I was watching. This is where I begin to feel bad for every author that ends up on the bottom two shelves of every library, and book store. I mean does anyone actually take the time to look down there? I know I certainly don't and to be really super honest I pretty much only quickly browse the shelves that are at my eye level, and look for interesting covers. Past that, the only why you can get me to look at top or bottom shelves is to be one of my favorite authors- that way while I am the right section I might, just might see your book. I once heard a story that an author picked her pen name solely based on the fact that her books would end up next to an already established author of her same genre. Which really is super smart- I figured writers were just creative people that wanted strange names, but no- really there is some marketing and strategy going on. But really I feel bad for everyone else. I guess you can never know the size of the library or bookstore you will be sold and therefore cannot ever tell if you are going to end up on the unlucky bottom shelf.

Trying to trust others....

I need a new book to read. I have like 15 at home that I haven't read yet. I am going to let you pick. If you choose before Thursday at 5 p.m.

the Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
tuesdays with Morrie (an old man, a young man, and life's greatest lesson) by Mitch Albom
A tree grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
The Feast of Love by Charles Baxter
The Breakdown Lane by Jacquelyn Mitchard
the perks of being a wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Possession by A.S. Byatt

Yes I can count- I know this is only 7 and I said 15- but the others, well they are not on the table yet. I will let you know when they come into play. Leave a comment, leave some love!

"I was told there'd be cake" by Sloane Crosley

I would just like to say I freaking loved this book- every single second of it. I have no clue how I didn't immediately devour it when I originally purchased it 1 1/2+ years ago. I probably passed it over from some trashy novel- biggest mistake of my life. It is really a collection was hilarious essays- so if you are unwilling to get caught up in a huge story this book is perfect. I laughed out loud at so many parts it is crazy. One of my favorite passages from Smell This:

Justine brings along her new boyfriend, Trevor. Trevor the investment banker who is not an actual investment banker but works in finance. Since this is the only money-oriented job you come remotely close to grasping, you call everyone who works on Wall Street an "investment banker." You think he actually does something with hedge funds. Trims them, maybe.

The story of how she locked herself out of two different apartments in one day and spent over 500 dollars trying to get back in- charmed me. This is something I will do in a later life for sure. And her recollections of finding out she was named after a movie character and her and her mother's totally lack of connection to anything this character stands for. Pure magic. And as you know I don't have a habit of questioning magic. Read it!

Willing it into happening....

You might ask- Lynne why in the world is there a foot ladder in your bathroom? Hmmm great question. Poor answer. Last week- while I waited for more things to go wrong- someone sent me the gift of the bathroom overhead light going on the fritz. This made it pretty dark (the vanity lights were still working) It is interesting to take a shower when you can't tell if you are using shampoo or conditioner. Mostly it would just flicker. Like if I could only throw my hairbrush hard enough at it it would magically turn back on. Sunday after a few days of darkness I finally gave up hope and lugged the ladder in to measure for new light bulbs. (but not until after I tried to eyeball it and then use the measuring tape from the floor first) After returning home with the goods (my new lights) I attempted to change the lights. Yes that is right attempted. I tried and tried and tried to figure out how to open the light panel. And than I tried some more. To no avail I cannot get this freaking thing open. But like magic it doesn't matter- the light corrects itself and turns all the way on. At first I don't buy it, like why after days and days of waiting, and banging would you finally turn back on? Personally I don't judge magic- if it is magic, its magic. That is all I need to know. But being paranoid/superstitious I refuse to move the ladder, because I know in my heart of hearts as soon as I do that light will go out. Like the magic is based on pressure points in the floor. Again I don't judge- but that ladder needs to stay there. Which is odd, because my bathroom isn't very big, and because I am probably the most clumsy person you know. Oh and because that ladder has to be in the smack dab middle of my very tiny bathroom. But again I don't judge magic.

Must have been glamorizing cleaning again...

A couple of weeks ago I decided the heck with it was I going to spend my coke rewards points. I hadn't cashed any in- well, in over 2 years. The first time I got up to enough points for a subscription for Cosmo, I was delighted- cashed them in, and then started to receive and never read it. Cosmo is possibly not a great kind of magazine for me. I pretty much hate all the articles, find none of the advice useful, and the shopping tips offered over my head (because I live in Iowa and practically all the shops featured do me no good). So the next time I had points I just kept collecting and collecting never cashing them in. It seems silly- I should have just used them to buy more coke, that was the only reward I ever really wanted. But no I kept collecting. 2 years later- through my spotty point collecting I had over 1000 pts. And man do the options of junk increase exponentially. Because I have no desire for a coke lunch box, coke t-shirt, coke soft side cooler, this lessened my choices but there was still much to look through. I have no idea what possessed me but eventually I chose this:

My Coke Rewards Prize

It is like a mini vacuum cleaner. It was marketed as great for the computer and other small electronics. It charges through your USB port (do they make anything these days that cannot be powered through your USB port? I am beginning to doubt it). Before ordering it looked a little bigger, I don't know why I was convinced it was- I mean they were pretty clear about the whole this is for electronics thing. But I had this image of my cleaning up crumbs off the counter tops, hard to reach places in the bathroom, windowsills, etc. That is not to say I can't still use it for that. Just that my bubble burst a little when I received it. Maybe I imagined it would be exactly like the handheld vac that was from my childhood. The one that plugged in on the stairs on the way to the garage. Like I would go grab it for small spills and crushed crackers in the carpet. This seems much to fancy for that. And really utterly useless for most things.

Ahead of my deadline....

I conservatively suggested I would be able to finished the last 200 pages of North and South by Tuesday- well it is Monday morning and I have finished! (who needs sleep?- also I am on disc 4 episode 3 of Lost season 2, and I did at least 30 minutes of browsing the internet) I really enjoyed it, but what would be considered the final episode of the mini-series and the book are really different. I think they got the gist of everything just sped it up and changed it around. The next book on my pile is "I was told there'd be cake" by Sloane Crosley (it gets great reviews with 20-somethings). I have a list of other books I want to check out if the Library has them, so things might end up changing in the currently reading section. Eventually I am going to have to sleep. But I had, had, had to finish my book.

Happy 3rd Birthday Emily!

What color is my tongue?

Happy Birthday Emily! Today you are 3 years old! It seems like only yesterday I got a very excited phone call from your father letting me know you were on your way! I was honored to be able to meet you only a few hours after you arrived. I have been in love with you ever since! I hope you have a wonderful day full of fun!

Things are happening!

My Fab friend Kelsey totally stole my zombie book to read while she was on vacation. Ok by stole- I mean I said she could borrow it, and when she forgot it I tracked down her friend to make sure she would get it before she left. So I guess that means I reverse pick pocketed myself.

Yeah. Anywho- this means I resorted to one of the many "smart looking" books I keep around. You know the ones you are willing to put on the bookshelf in the living room (not the other one you hide in your bedroom) because when people browse them you can go "Oh, yes I just love Dicken's later works." And therefore when you read them with your "smart looking" glasses and a glass of red wine you feel better about who you are.

Well I started reading North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell- it has been on the bookshelf for a few months at least, I bought it after I watched the mini-series (like 5 times, in a row) but never got around to getting past chapter one. Which frankly is like the first 20 seconds of the mini-series (so not progress). Well ladies and gents- I freaking made progress. If we were watching the mini-series we would be about halfway through episode 3 (out of 4)- and as Liz Lemon would say "Things are happening!" (you practically yell the happening part) Now if I can just not get distracted by Lost ( two more discs have arrived), sleep or the internet, I may have a finished book by Tuesday.

Silent Sunday

Film Friday

This week's pick: Taken

Like every single guy in the whole world ever, urged me to watch this movie since it came out. No joke. Apparently it was beyond awesome and I needed to see it. Finally watched it last weekend. And I can say they didn't lie- man, do they even make super human people like that? He really, really wanted his daughter back. I also loved that Maggie Grace from Lost was the teenage daughter- because i was also watching Lost-and it is always a total trip to see someone from a series in something else. At least for me. The only thing I had to say was these two girls that got "taken" were like so stupid. Who lies to their parents about where they would be and who they would be with in Europe, and then decide to take cab with some random guy from the airport? Really ladies? You are giving the rest of us a bad name.

Silent Sunday

Film Friday

This week's pick: Serenity (on blu-ray)
What more could I ask for in my first blu-ray movie? Nathan Fillion, Summer Glau, Joss Weddon- this is a pretty awesome combo. I had seen the movie before- but only streaming from netflix. Blu-ray blows it away. Freaking sweet- I haven't delved into the bonus features yet - still way into Lost (watching 4 hours of that everyday doesn't give me much free time). But it rocked.

Totally Lost....

So I finally took the plunge- I moved season one of Lost up to the top of my netflix queue- and last Wednesday disc one arrived. Can I say? Why the heck haven't I been watching this show? It is like ludicrous. I mean it is freaking me out. Ok- I will level with everyone I am the type of person who will read episode recaps without even watching the tv show in question. Last spring I started reading some of the recaps for Lost- and OMG can we say crazies? everyone has a conspiracy theory- there is this thing about the numbers, the magic powers of the island. I mean intense crazy stuff. People are passionate about this show- like no doubt. I kept reading people's status updates about how Lost was totally confusing etc. and really I thought "you know what? I am a smart person, I bet if I watched this show from the beginning I would have totally figured it out by now." I was so freaking deluded- I don't even know where to begin. IT IS CRAZY- but in like a really awesome way. I have no idea how people are keeping track of the number situation- because I am 12 episodes in- and all I have picked up on is- the flight number and how many survivors are left (and I know about most of the theories going into it) everyone else must be watching and re-watching a lot. Mostly I want more Sawyer- talking to anyone but especially Kate I would even settle for him silently fighting with Jack. There are so many characters and story lines. I am pretty sure I am going to do a lot of Lost watching this summer. All and all I am super happy I picked starting to watch Lost over 24 or Heroes- At least with Lost I know the last season will be this year's so once I catch up I will only have a few months to wait for answers. The people that watch 24 go all crazy every week because everything is always a cliffhanger. I couldn't handle an infinite amount of cliffhangers before me. I need to be able to see the end.

Silent Sunday

Film Friday

This week's pick: Chocolat
So to be honest the only reason this movie ever ended up in my netflix queue- is that it was mentioned repeatedly in the movie I love you, man. I was intrigued why it was the best movie ever- and how guys could watch it and cry. Turns out it is pretty good. I enjoyed it, but no crying. If you haven't seen it yet I would say it is worth trying to catch on cable. And all the chocolate looks beyond delicious!

I have no idea....

So I was in the shower today and noticed this dozy of a bruise on my leg. I don't know what worries me more- that I have absolutely no clue how it got there, or that it possibly took me a day+ to notice it. Now that I have spotted it, it does hurt. This picture kind of does not do it justice, it is big and really dark. Awesome.

Hello SyFy- please don't suck

Here is something everyone might have missed. This week the Sci Fi channel changed it's name to SyFy (they spouted from marketing mumbo jumbo about synergy and alignment of markets- this is stuff I only wish people would pay me to spout). But they also previewed a new show: Warehouse 13:

Joanne Kelly, Eddie McClintock

Let's be honest, I only watched this show because I loved Eddie McClintock on the show Bones- except I had to hate his character because he was dating Temperance Brennan and we all know that was 100% not ok. Also what is great is- Eddie is essentially playing the exact same character as on Bones- Federal Agent (check) I little be free spirited (check) Comic relief (check). But I want to like this show, mostly for reasons that it is the summer and nothing else is on. But also because I feel like I gave old Eddie a bad shake- hopping he would leave Bones and never come back. So please SyFy- don't suck. I like the premiere, but didn't love it. I can probably script out the next 5 seasons on this show too- they aren't doing anything that hasn't been done before. I still want to like it. I just do. Let's think positive everybody.

Some people might call this progress....

Again- I swear I am reading stuff, just apparently not what I post on my currently reading tab. I figure I can still count it as progress because so far I am eliminating the other books in rotation by finishing them, and I have done a pretty good job at not starting any others to replace them. So by default I am going to get to the freaking zombie book, and by god I am going to read it. I swear! I have made it up to the point of the Netherfield Ball- so I am feeling some accomplishment, but that also means I still have a Mr. Collins proposal, Rosings, Mr. Darcy proposal, Pemberly, Lydia's elopement to get through before I am even close to the end. From the drawings I have snuck a peek at their is some ninja and zombie fighting in there too.

Silent Sunday

An extra special thanks to Kelsey- our awesome photog- who took all the pictures and sadly didn't end up in any of them! Shea walked away with over $270 (I think) with a $40 dollar investment- he treated us to ice cream! I walked out even with $40!

Flim Friday

I haven't watched any of my netflix this week- but I have seen a ton of movies in the theatre's lately.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - I can sum this one up easily: If you liked the 1st movie you will like this one. It was a little long (as in really long). But I was entertained.

The Proposal- I thought this movie was so funny. I am and always have been a big Sandra B. fan, and Ryan Reynolds- Looked so good! Perfect movie for a girls night out. Although I heard plenty of men's laughter too!

Because this is how my brain works...

Last Friday I was minding my own business, driving in my car to the original O-town, about to meet some truly fabulous ladies for dinner and a movie. The only thing on the radio is Michael Jackson, I hear the song smooth criminal. You know: Annie are you ok? are you ok? are you ok Annie? And I start to think to myself- I wonder if this song is about CPR Annie? You know: Annie, Annie are you are alright? (This is the preferred teaching style to 8th graders- I think) So here I am pondering if MJ was thinking of CPR Annie when he wrote this song, and if he was that was some sweet cross promotion going on!

Free Willy

Ok, so lets me honest- anyone else think the world has gone just a "little" crazy over MJ's death? I particularly love how lots of people have forgotten his financial and legal troubles. But that is another post for another day. Lots of people have been sharing their first Michael Jackson memories: so here goes mine.
So in my house, we didn't get a lot of R&B or Urban music exposure. (Go figure, what, we us being the whitest people ever) Essentially if it wasn't on the oldies radio station or in a Disney movie, I didn't hear it. Sorry artists I did not independently discover you until I was at least 12- and even then I didn't listen to good music until high school. But the first time I do remember hearing Michael was at the end of the Free Willy movie. Remember that? First off Free Willy gave me a lot of conflicting information: 1) If you are a homeless street thug an awesome family will totally adopt you- and give you a new blue backpack. 2) Graffiti- actually a good thing, because if you do it, you will get to end up working with a killer whale. 3) If you work with a troubled Killer Whale (who lives in a too small tank) you (and the killer whale) will totally will become BFF's! 4) Crime pays- Graffiti (mentioned above), and stealing a Killer Whale, kids please don't worry about jail time- just Free Willy!
But yeah- it has been years and years and years, but I am pretty positive that Michael sings a song at the end of that movie. I want to say he is standing on a break between the beach and the ocean- and then a huge wave crashes over him. It moved me, like no song ever could to a third grader. This was an innocent time- yes Michael's appearance was probably already really weird, but he sang and Willy was free. It was years before I purposely listened to another Michael Jackson song. This week I was shocked to discover his vast catalog. Anyway- great artist yes, but he hasn't made any great music in a decade, so I will just continue to youtube your oldies.