Tonight I headed downtown to the Gateway to exchange a gift and catch a movie. After hitting up Barnes & Noble, then getting a gift for Elliett (it's her 7th birthday!) I settled into a viewing of Up in the Air. You may have heard about this film, as almost everyone and their dog has claimed it the best movie of 2009 (it's already won top prizes from The National Board of Review, New York Film Critics, Los Angeles Film Critics, and been nominated for Golden Globes, SAG, and is a lock for multiple Oscar nominations). So naturally I was interested and had to see it.
While I liked the film, I can't quite see why everyone is so crazy about it. This is really the best film of the year? Really? The film is expertly done, with great cinematography and great shots, the acting is good, but where's the emotion. I felt sort of detached from what was going on; maybe that was the point, as the protagonist, played by George Clooney, lives a very detached life and even makes the rounds as a motivational speaker telling people to "empty their backpacks" and basically live committment and attachment-free lives. It's quite a sad message, and of course our main character spends the film figuring out if this is really the best way to live, culminating in a family member's wedding that he must save. There's another relationship in his life, with a female, that has so much buildup and chemistry that it ends rather disappointingly.
Perhaps this is the classic case of too much hype and excitement for a film meant there was no way it could live up to those expectations. That's definitely part of it, I think, but my love for Sherlock Holmes proves that sometimes a film can actually surpass those expectations.
So while I think this is a decent film, I really don't think it should be crowned the best of the year come Academy Award time. But really, the Academy could care less what I think and just really want George Clooney to be there.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Christmas Again
Last night we had Christmas with my nieces and nephew at my mom's house. They could hardly wait for Em and I to get there and then eat something before being able to open their presents. But wait they did, and I think the wait was worth it. They were all super excited about their presents; Mo was having so much fun playing with the helicopters and planes that I got him that he wouldn't take time out to go to the bathroom and almost had an accident in his new dinosaur pjs!
My brother get them one big gift this year to share: a Wii!! I think at first they weren't quite sure about, and spent the time while my brother set it up playing with their other gifts. I was excited though, and wanted to play it as soon as it was opened. But once it was set up and we started playing, the kids really loved it. We played Golf first and I somehow won. It was fun learning the technique of the hand control and getting the swing just right.
And now Christmas is officially over. Back to the regular world.
My brother get them one big gift this year to share: a Wii!! I think at first they weren't quite sure about, and spent the time while my brother set it up playing with their other gifts. I was excited though, and wanted to play it as soon as it was opened. But once it was set up and we started playing, the kids really loved it. We played Golf first and I somehow won. It was fun learning the technique of the hand control and getting the swing just right.
And now Christmas is officially over. Back to the regular world.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The Sound of You Sleeping
Sunday night, as I was watching The Sound of Music, and thoroughly enjoying it, I couldn't help but notice how it was similar to my all-time favorite movie, While You Were Sleeping. I know you're probably thinking I'm crazy, but stick with me for a little bit while I explain. Maria and Lucy both want things that are essentially good, but aren't really right for them. Maria is sure she wants to be a nun and join the life of a person in the service of God; Lucy is sure that Peter, a man she has never met or talked to, is her perfect match. When life (or God) puts obstacles in their lives, both find what it is they're really looking for.
Maria is sent to be a governess for a widowed Captain and his seven children. Although she enjoys her life at the convent and has the best of intentions, it's clear that her talents are best suited in the von Trapp household. I love that she takes the task on with so much gusto and confidence. She gives it her all, and when it turns out she comes face to face (literally, with her dance with the Captain at the ball) with what is meant to be her real purpose, she gets scared and runs. This is exactly what I would do. Maria, unlike me, decided she needs to face her problem and, with some great words of advice from Reverend Mother, returns to the von Trapps. And in returning she gets just what she wants, even if it is different than what she originally planned.
Lucy gets thrown into the world and family of her never-talked-to-love when he gets pushed onto the tracks at Lucy's booth and she rescues him. And in meeting the family, she meets Jack, Peter's brother. While Peter is in a coma (still no talking), Lucy gets the chance to talk, walk, flirt, and bond with a real live person. Instead of ending up with Peter, someone she thought she wanted, she realizes that it's really someone like Jack that she loves. Her life turned out completely different than she had envisioned (great words of advice from her dad), all thanks to doing something completely unplanned.
Sometimes we don't know why we're placed where we are. I think lots of times it's to meet people that will have some sort of affect on us. Will I meet my husband at Myriad Genetics? Maybe not, but working there will be of some sort of benefit to me. I've already documented my belief in things happening for a reason, and just want to reinforce that I think small things, things we have no idea why we're doing, things we would never dream of doing, even things we think we want, can change your life.
Maria is sent to be a governess for a widowed Captain and his seven children. Although she enjoys her life at the convent and has the best of intentions, it's clear that her talents are best suited in the von Trapp household. I love that she takes the task on with so much gusto and confidence. She gives it her all, and when it turns out she comes face to face (literally, with her dance with the Captain at the ball) with what is meant to be her real purpose, she gets scared and runs. This is exactly what I would do. Maria, unlike me, decided she needs to face her problem and, with some great words of advice from Reverend Mother, returns to the von Trapps. And in returning she gets just what she wants, even if it is different than what she originally planned.
Lucy gets thrown into the world and family of her never-talked-to-love when he gets pushed onto the tracks at Lucy's booth and she rescues him. And in meeting the family, she meets Jack, Peter's brother. While Peter is in a coma (still no talking), Lucy gets the chance to talk, walk, flirt, and bond with a real live person. Instead of ending up with Peter, someone she thought she wanted, she realizes that it's really someone like Jack that she loves. Her life turned out completely different than she had envisioned (great words of advice from her dad), all thanks to doing something completely unplanned.
Sometimes we don't know why we're placed where we are. I think lots of times it's to meet people that will have some sort of affect on us. Will I meet my husband at Myriad Genetics? Maybe not, but working there will be of some sort of benefit to me. I've already documented my belief in things happening for a reason, and just want to reinforce that I think small things, things we have no idea why we're doing, things we would never dream of doing, even things we think we want, can change your life.
Monday, December 28, 2009
A Funk
Tonight I feel a bit in a funk. Sometimes everything hits at once, and even though you felt fine all day, a moment comes when you feel like everything is awful. That's what happened when I got home today. What's most gnawing at me and contributing to my funk is the weirdness I feel between me and some of my friends. I somehow have a way of creating controversy, misunderstandings, hurt feelings, weirdness and crying with those closest to me. And even though it's not intentional and inadvertent, it still causes pain to those I care about. It makes me sad to think things might never be the same. Friendships are very important to me and I hate for them to get weird, or worse, end completely. My big mouth and lack of proper communication have created many problems over the years.
So tonight I listen to sad songs and let the sadness run its course. Tomorrow is another day.
So tonight I listen to sad songs and let the sadness run its course. Tomorrow is another day.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Christmas
Christmas Eve was busy. After the movie, my dad came down to have Christmas with the kids and grandkids. As we waited for Em to get off work (Walmart decided to stay open til 8:00 and Em's last minute schedule change had her working), we watched Star Wars on tv and ate some chili I'd made. My brother's ex in-laws were kind enough to let us crash their Christmas Eve night for a little bit so my dad could watch them open the presents he'd bought them.
The kids were definitely excited for the coming Christmas morning, and enjoyed getting presents the night before.
When we returned home we played a rousing game of Phase 10, where there was much laughter, skipping, and phasing. It was a Merry Christmas...and I hope yours was too!
Emily finally got home (at 10:30) and we opened presents with my dad before he headed back north and we headed to bed. Christmas morning came late(r) since there aren't any kids in the house and we all wanted to sleep. We had breakfast with french toast, bacon, cinnamon rolls, clementines and scrambled eggs. At this point I was getting a little antsy, and could feel the kid inside me just wanting to open some presents.
As I've gotten older, Christmas has become a different holiday. The magic isn't quite the same when you're stressed about buying presents for family, friends, and co-workers, racing around to various parties and engagements, working and being busy; it was so much simpler when I was a kid and only worried about being good so Santa would come. As much as I hate things to change, I know that they can't stay the same forever. And so I reminisce about the wonderful Christmases I had as a kid and relish in watching my nieces and nephew enjoy the magic and wonder of Christmas.
As an adult, I appreciate that I got to spend the entire day with my mom, brother, and sister. We lounged in our pjs for most of the morning, then enjoyed one of our new traditions (started by me) of seeing a movie on Christmas Day. This year's movie was Sherlock Holmes and it did not disappoint. In fact, it was the rare occasion where my expectations were exceeded and the movie was entirely awesome. Everything, from the stylized direction by Guy Ritchie to the dialogue and banter between Holmes and Watson to the fantastic music, made it the rare blockbust/action film that is not only fun to watch but alos intelligent. I laughed, jumped, had intake of breath, and was taken away into the solving of the case. I highly recommend it to everyone.
He also laughed at me when I asked to have my picture taken with the poster.
As I've gotten older, Christmas has become a different holiday. The magic isn't quite the same when you're stressed about buying presents for family, friends, and co-workers, racing around to various parties and engagements, working and being busy; it was so much simpler when I was a kid and only worried about being good so Santa would come. As much as I hate things to change, I know that they can't stay the same forever. And so I reminisce about the wonderful Christmases I had as a kid and relish in watching my nieces and nephew enjoy the magic and wonder of Christmas.
As an adult, I appreciate that I got to spend the entire day with my mom, brother, and sister. We lounged in our pjs for most of the morning, then enjoyed one of our new traditions (started by me) of seeing a movie on Christmas Day. This year's movie was Sherlock Holmes and it did not disappoint. In fact, it was the rare occasion where my expectations were exceeded and the movie was entirely awesome. Everything, from the stylized direction by Guy Ritchie to the dialogue and banter between Holmes and Watson to the fantastic music, made it the rare blockbust/action film that is not only fun to watch but alos intelligent. I laughed, jumped, had intake of breath, and was taken away into the solving of the case. I highly recommend it to everyone.
Jared was annoyed by my picture taking and refused to participate.
He also laughed at me when I asked to have my picture taken with the poster.
When we returned home we played a rousing game of Phase 10, where there was much laughter, skipping, and phasing. It was a Merry Christmas...and I hope yours was too!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas Eve With George Bailey
Being a movie buff, I love when I get to experience old, classic movies on the big screen in a crowded movie theater. So when I saw that The Broadway downtown would be showing It's a Wonderful Life Christmas Eve I immediately planned my entire Christmas Eve activities around it.
My mom and I arrived at the theater and hour early, and when we asked for tickets and got ready to pay, we were told it was free! Nothing beats a classic movie for free at a theater. Of course, this meant there were tons of people, but we had luckily gotten there early and got prime seats in the middle when they let the crowd in. (And just for the record, the movie is NOT rated R, but all the other movies playing in the theater were.)
The experience did not disappoint. The film was shown in it's original 35mm format and looked great. I love the theater experience so much because a crowd experience is different than a self experience; it was great to hear the crowd laugh at parts I had never outwardly laughed at before. And at the end of the movie we all clapped.
George Bailey is someone I can really relate to; when he's talking about wanting to see the world and get away from the small town, I could almost hear those exact words coming out of my mouth. And Mary. Boy is she great. She knows exactly what she wants and goes for it. She's smart, resourceful, a good mother and wife, and has a great wardrobe. I love the scene with her and George at her mother's house, and the emotions the two of them play going from anger to love.
I can't deny that I was overcome with emotion at the end, when all the towns people come over to the Bailey house and show their love for George. It's nice to know, though, that I wasn't alone--I could hear a lot of people in the theater sniffling and saw some holding wiping away tears. I think a lot of us can relate to George Bailey at one time in our life (I know that I can), and it's nice to be reminded that friends and family are most important, and that it really is a wonderful life.
My mom and I arrived at the theater and hour early, and when we asked for tickets and got ready to pay, we were told it was free! Nothing beats a classic movie for free at a theater. Of course, this meant there were tons of people, but we had luckily gotten there early and got prime seats in the middle when they let the crowd in. (And just for the record, the movie is NOT rated R, but all the other movies playing in the theater were.)The experience did not disappoint. The film was shown in it's original 35mm format and looked great. I love the theater experience so much because a crowd experience is different than a self experience; it was great to hear the crowd laugh at parts I had never outwardly laughed at before. And at the end of the movie we all clapped.
George Bailey is someone I can really relate to; when he's talking about wanting to see the world and get away from the small town, I could almost hear those exact words coming out of my mouth. And Mary. Boy is she great. She knows exactly what she wants and goes for it. She's smart, resourceful, a good mother and wife, and has a great wardrobe. I love the scene with her and George at her mother's house, and the emotions the two of them play going from anger to love.
I can't deny that I was overcome with emotion at the end, when all the towns people come over to the Bailey house and show their love for George. It's nice to know, though, that I wasn't alone--I could hear a lot of people in the theater sniffling and saw some holding wiping away tears. I think a lot of us can relate to George Bailey at one time in our life (I know that I can), and it's nice to be reminded that friends and family are most important, and that it really is a wonderful life.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Music
Music is a key part to getting myself ready for the holidays. If I'm baking, wrapping, writing cards, or just checking my e-mail, it's always on as background music. FM100 is perfect for this, as they start playing Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving and have their "100 Hours of Christmas Music" that started on Tuesday night. I don't normally ever listen to FM100 (unless I'm in my mom's or sister's car), but when it's Christmas I can make exceptions.
When I was a kid, my mom had tons of Christmas cassettes that we would pull out for the holidays and take on trips to Salt Lake and listen to at home. Because my mom is old(er), my musical tastes for Christmas music are steeped in Johnny Mathis, Neil Diamond, Nat King Cole, and The Carpenters. It's just not Christmas without them. I've added my own favorites over the years, such as Peter Breinholt, Garth Brooks (love his, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"), Celine Dion (don't laugh; her Christmas album is pretty good. She has a voice that can do, "O Holy Night"), "The Forgotten Carols" (as long as Michael McClean isn't singing), and Sting singing, "I Saw Three Ships" (a new favorite).
Merry Christmas Eve!
When I was a kid, my mom had tons of Christmas cassettes that we would pull out for the holidays and take on trips to Salt Lake and listen to at home. Because my mom is old(er), my musical tastes for Christmas music are steeped in Johnny Mathis, Neil Diamond, Nat King Cole, and The Carpenters. It's just not Christmas without them. I've added my own favorites over the years, such as Peter Breinholt, Garth Brooks (love his, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"), Celine Dion (don't laugh; her Christmas album is pretty good. She has a voice that can do, "O Holy Night"), "The Forgotten Carols" (as long as Michael McClean isn't singing), and Sting singing, "I Saw Three Ships" (a new favorite).
Merry Christmas Eve!
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