The Measure of Misery

It feels like forever ago…

Though in actuality, it’s just been seven months.

When you had those noodle arms-- fideos brazos.

But I adored you anyway; I'm not superficial

like that. No, I’m not shallow at all.

Nonetheless you wanted to "get fit"--

you challenged yourself

with diet, exercise, and Kinect UFC trainer.

Each day 10 push-ups, 10 arnold presses,

Every day with more weights,

dumb bells and training vests. Then

energy drinks, protein bars, and recovery shakes.

The one small glass of red wine "for your health".

I do not recognize you these days.

You are a different person; you don't look the same.

I falter. This new macho man with muscles

and strength who picks me up

roughly with abandon and spins me around

without care or thought

Somehow

is transformed.

As you built your muscles, you also built

gear. With a mask you obscure your face,

you hide yourself behind plastic and fabric

Some paint and dust—weathering. Glue and velcro,

military uniform, black and tan and gunmetal grey,

camouflage green and you become something

a little more sinister, a little more volatile

terror shivers through me, wild and unrestrained.

Are you still the noodle under there or have you

become a rebel guerilla inside?

Do I care?

Will I flee in fear, or perhaps I will

don my own disguise and join you

in overthrowing the world, my friend.

***This is a poem I wrote in response to my dearest's current obession with the new Batman Movie; the Dark Knight Rises and his Bane cosplay he is working on for opening night. A Girlfriend's Review of the Dark Knight Rises.

Book Review: The Freedom Maze by Delia Sherman

Chafing, at what feels to Sophie to be her mother’s incomprehensible strictness, Sophie finds herself dumped at her grandmother’s house for the summer. And what first seems to be a dull summer in the south, becomes and adventure of self-discovery and growth. Set against the 1960’s Sophie explores the remnants of the plantation of her family.

Her tumble down the rabbit hole begins when she hears a whimsical voice while wandering through the garden maze. She makes an ignorant wish to have an adventure and make some friends, but then, she slips one hundred years into the past to 1860 and is mistaken for a slave on her grandmother’s plantation. This is unexpected and baffling to Sophie. In 1960, she is white, and now she is a slave? And expected to work? This is definitely not what she signed up for, but the tricky spirit that sent her back in time is nowhere to be found. Sophie’s journey home will certainly not return her the same as she left.

The Freedom Maze is a period framework story in which the protagonist discovers her inner strength and what it means to take responsibility and fully participate in her life, rather than simply let it be ruled by another and complain, expecting things to change, without taking actions for herself.

As a reader, I found myself identifying with Sophie so much so, that I viewed the world differently after finishing this thought-provoking book. This book deserves recognition, and I am sure that you too will gain insight from Sophie's adventure on an 1860's plantation.

Presidental Visit

The president visited my edge of the world today and all I can say about his visit is that he blocked traffic during rush hour and slowed down the buses. And as a result me. It's Friday afternoon and all I want is to get home with minimal delay and not only do I get Friday traffic, but rush hour traffic, and president traffic too. A girl just wants to go home sometimes, all oval office business aside.

Internal Dialogue

I don't know about you, but I have an internal dialogue running in my head all day. Whatever thoughts I have that I don't speak out loud are loud and clear within my cranium.

Whatever you hear come from my mouth may be something completely different from what I am thinking or it could be a compilation of what I am think, the result of my current train of thought, or my exact thoughts at the time.

Sometimes when I am blogging I let my mind run through "free association" and whatever I think of is what comes. If I let myself get to critical or analytical or editorial, I tend to slow down and the words stop and the writing stops. Just keep writing. Just keep thinking. Just keep breathing.

Do you have a running dialogue in your head?

Photography: Flowers

These are a lovely bouquet of flowers I received yesterday. Aren't they gorgeous!?

Happy Valentine's Day

smile at me softly

and take my hand

before we turn to go,

trust earth below and sky

above, their testament will show

what we have will ever grow.

Review: The Bachelor 2012 Ben Flajnik and Courtney

This week's episode takes place in Belize. There are six women left; two will go home. The four left will have home town visits. There will be three one-on-one dates and one group date. There is only a rose on the group date.

I think I always start out watching these shows, hoping that the people on them will be smart and wise, but I end up disappointed. I am not impressed by Ben. Perhaps he sees something in these women that I don't see on the camera. But, wow, has he embarrassed himself so far.

Now, I understand that these people are plied with alcohol all day and they really have nothing else/better to do while on the show, but did Ben really have to go skinny dipping? And when three different people tell you the same thing about one other person, do you think they're all really wrong and lying? No? Yes?

Let's start with the skinny dipping and maybe this is just me. But could you really continue to date someone when they've done such an intimate thing as go skinny dipping with another person when he is supposed to be staying "open" and "fair" to everyone? If he's going to go skinny dipping with one, shouldn't it be will all? (Sorry for the slight crassness, but wouldn't that be "FAIR"). He told the Shantel from the morgue that he couldn't accept her on the show because it wouldn't be fair to the other girls. How is it fair to the other women for him to go skinny dipping with Courtney? It's not. Going skinny dipping probably oriented him more strongly towards Courtney than the other women, just because it is so intimate and bonding.

And now that we're on the subject of Courtney... do you think that three different people telling you the same thing are all wrong? All three of them have doubts about her intentions for being on the show.

From what scenes the show presents of Courtney, she honestly seems like a person who is constantly trying to please others and yet is very self centered. She does what she thinks will get her what she wants. At first I know this sounds conflicting, but let me explain.

Whenever Courtney has screen time in front of the camera for commentary, she almost always make a snarky comment, followed by a silly face which seems to me that she is simply shooting the wind. And as a result, I don't think that I can take anything she says at face value. She seems to say things that she knows/thinks will elicit a reaction, whether they are what she honestly thinks or not.

During the latest episode as the women were waiting for the cocktail party to start, she seems to be more free with what she says (perhaps a little too much pina colada?) and tries to convince the women to lighten up and have a little more fun even though everyone else thinks this rose ceremony is very serious. All of her commentary is self focused rather than other focused. (Many girls act fixated on how Ben is and what they can do to make him happy. Courtney acts fixated on herself and how Ben can make her happy.)

At the same time, she very obviously has Ben wrapped around her little finger. I wouldn't be surprised if he does pick her at the end. Almost every time she sees Ben she says exactly the right thing. Oh, I "lost the spark" she will say. Which seems to confuse Ben because he thought things were going great. And to keep this girl he is obviously attracted to happy, he seeks to reassure her.

A couple times Ben takes action that seems to test Courtney, acting in "defiance" of what she obviously wants, such as inviting her only on group dates, and giving a rose to another girl on one said group date. And he questions her motivation for being on the show. She replied of course "for him" and he believes her.

...Time and TV will tell...

Park #4

Gloomy day, gloomy park.

Movie Review: Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol The IMAX Experience

This movie is a good choice to see on an IMAX screen, especially the scenes shot in the skyscraper in Dubai. Tom Cruise even does his own stunts during these scenes. The action is steady and the story is solid. I certainly don’t remember the previous Mission Impossible movies, so I can say for sure that you can see this movie even if you haven’t seen (or don’t remember!) the previous movies. The plot line is a good stand-alone stories with ties to the previous movies and leaving open the end (i.e. with all main characters alive) to allow for future continuations if desired.

You should definitely see this movie on a big screen to fully appreciate the experience!

Movie Review: The Vow

The Vow actually ended up not being as sappy as I thought it was going to be. I seriously thought it was going to be another "50 First Dates" movie--very cheesy, very unreal. However, it was truer to life than expected. The ending wasn't all tied up in a neat little bow. Everything was not peaches in cream and perfect. Which is great! Because even though as I writer I may want to tie up loose ends, that isn't how life is, and it doesn't always make for a great story. Sometimes, a little pain, a little uncertainty is what one needs to connect and make a satisfying end, because even if you don't have all the answers, isn't that what life is?

Movie Review: Haywire

I was nicely surprised that this movie wasn't entirely taken up with fight scenes. Yes, the main actress is a professional MMA fighter, and yes, the main theme is fighting and the main mode of communication is though battles, however, it is the story and the mystery that carries this movie. Without the story there would be no reason for the main character to be fighting at all. She is a hired agent, and fighting is part of her job, however, she finds that everything is not what it seem and

she must fight to survive!

Overall, an interesting movie that I would recommend you take a look at.

Park #3

This day was cloudy, but the park made up for the bad weather with bright colors and sleeping ducks:

Park #2

Today was bright and sunny!

Writing Prompt: Note Behind the Picture

A picture on your mantle unexpectedly falls and crashes to the floor. As you go to pick it up, you notice a note hidden behind the picture. The message is from the future—and written by you. It instructs you to do something important. What does it say?

 Crash!

I spin around to see my tortie point cat leap off the mantle, my favorite picture of James and me, falling to the floor.

"Catoozie! What are you doing?!"

I rush over to the picture, to find the glass has shattered and fallen out, and the back cover is loose. When I turn the hinge to adjust the back, a small square of folded printer paper falls out. When I open up the letter I find the words:

I duck and feel fur flying over my head. Catoozie had leaped from behind me to jump back up on the mantle and now she had a small black withering, thing in her paws.Yeowling like a banshee, she jumped away with the little creature in her mouth.

What I Learned from the Super Bowl

1. Football takes a long time.
2. Defense guys are oxen and offense guys are ostriches.
3. Helmets save lives.
4. Guys like to pile on top of each other; that or they don't know how to stop.
5. Quarterbacks get the supermodels.
6. There's just as much sport as there is commercials.
7. The game elicits yelling while there is riveted silence during the halftime show.
8. The halftime show has nothing to do with football and everything to do with MDNA.
9. The game can be riveting when the clock is 00:00 and the final possible touchdown makes or breaks it.
10. In the end, it's all about a silver football that you must touch or kiss.

Play Review: How to Write a New Book for the Bible

"Writers are told to write what they know. But as Bill Cain discovers in writing about his own family, sometimes those we are closest to are the biggest mysteries of all. From the writer of Equivocation comes a beautiful new play taken from Cain’s own experiences caring for his dying mother. He asks the questions that speak to the heart of every family: What will never change…and what has to? A Jesuit priest as well as a playwright, Cain brings a fascinating view to this simple, powerful illustration of why the details of our lives and loves matter." ~The Seattle Repertory Theater

This play is one of the best plays to come out of the Seattle Rep theater this season and it is by far my favorite! I am so glad I got to see this play. I would highly recommend you go see it, however, it closes today. Sad! Well, if it ever comes back, you'll know to go take a look!

This play managed to be funny, serious, and poignant all at the same time, and not necessary in that order. According to the playwright, Cain, this is the most autobiographical play he has written. I find that the stories we tell of our lives are some of the best; much better than stories we fabricate.

Our own universal truths are those we can share with others.

(As far as I know) I have never see a play written by a priest. Most of the time now I only see priests in church, and not so much in other places. When I attended a Jesuit university a few of my professors were Jesuits.

How does being a priest affect your playwriting and vice versa? 

I’m a Jesuit priest, and the Jesuits weren’t founded to live in a cloister or a monastery. We’re supposed to go into the world, find the presence of God there and celebrate it. I’d say that was a pretty good description of what all of us in theatre do as well. Theatre is always proclaiming “attention must be paid” to what is neglected and holy. Willy Loman. Antigone. Blanche. In this play—Mary. The jobs of writer and priest—as “Bill” says in the play—are closely related. In both, you point and say, “Look. Look there. That person you haven’t noticed—he, she matters. ~Bill Cain, Interview, Berkeley Repertory Theater

Cain's play shines light on the important things. That's what writing should do. That's what art should do.

Art: Overwhelming

Groundhog Day

Today was a beautiful day and it was also Groundhog Day. I saw my shadow, please let that mean there will be no more winter! I am completely tired of the cold weather, winter, and wearing my heavy coat. I am so tired of this, that today I wore a skirt and my windbreaker in defiance. It wasn't quite warm enough for a skirt, but don't care!

Walking incentive, fabulous views on mostly clear days:

Walking 3.5 Miles Again

Today I walked to a different park than the one before, and this time I remembered to take a picture! Hooray for the waterfront!

Writing Prompt: You become the universe for me...

You become the universe for me
I think about you when I hear this song
sometimes you stop being that
but every time you become
my universe again

take down your pictures from the wall
hide your trinkets and presents
hide them all

forget I met you, forget I knew
I think about you when I hear our song
and you become my world, then
and I don't want forget or hide
let's expand and                                               bam!

you become the universe again

Mirror to the Past, My Life 5 Years Ago

Happy Go Lucky Days

This was one of those days, you know the ones, which are happy go lucky, when nothing goes wrong, when the sun shines and the birds chip just for you. This was one of those days. I woke up to the sound of birds outside my window at 3am, what a lovely way to start the day. The birds welcomed the morning and helped me to welcome the morning as well. I was not so grumpy then at being woken up. I got up and performed my daily mad dash to get out the door in ten minutes. How sad it is that I never make it. However once I'm out my door, down the flight of stairs and through the outer door to the cold rush of air that characterizes the early morning, I'm struck by the brightness of the sun and freshness of the day. It is simply beginning.

I walk down the street at my customarily quick pace. I just don't like feeling like a slug when I walk. Walking is the slowest form of transportation, and although it is the one I chose, I still lament that it is so SLOW. It takes me exactly 25 minutes to get to work, so if I don't leave on time I try to rush, to try to make up for that lost time, since somehow I haven't gotten it into my thick head that no matter how fast I go, if I do not run, it will take me 25 minutes to get to work. The neighborhood is fairly quiet until I reach the downtown area. The streets are filled with people on their way to work if I am on time. If I am late, as I was this morning, the streets seem eerily empty as the people who are on time (not me!) have already reached their destinations. I hurry along, now painfully aware that I am going to be late to work again.

When I reach my office I glance quickly at the clock. Of course I'm ten minutes late, because I left ten minutes late, and I didn't run. Who wants to be sweaty at work because the sun is out on an early spring morning? I put my bag away and sit down at my desk.

Work ensues.

Finally it is time for me to leave. I'm glad the task of work is completed, but this is only the beginning of my day. Now I must rush off back home and off to class. My return walk is not as "fresh" as the one in the morning. Now the sun is fully out and the day is warm in the sunlight. The uphill climb is not as easy and the downward rush early in the day. By the time I reach my apartment I am worn and hot. I relax for the ten minutes I am allotted before rushing off to class. Today the class will discuss plays. I write a dialect filled sketch of two football players who curse the sky deaf. Class is a amusing because of the charismatic actor who sits next to me and makes faces at me every time the teacher tells the class to partner up with the person seated next to them. I'm always smiling in return. It makes me happy to smile back at his easy happiness.

After class I wander back home to do some chores and finish up homework for the next day. After having finished most of work, leaving the reading for just before bed, I commence slacking off, which includes the internet and this blog. Now I think I'll say goodnight to you and return to slacking off.

Originally written  April 2, 2007

Writing Prompt: Love Trap

Matt was an up-and-coming Optometrist in LA and was just about to open his own practice. He had met Julia two years before while finishing up his degree. Julia was the daughter of a prominent business man and very beautiful. Matt was in love with Julia and took great pains to please her family so that he could court her.

As Julia's family was very strict and traditional, Matt could only see Julia on Sundays when her family went to church and he was expected to join the family for breakfast with them afterwards. Sometimes, Matt was allowed to spend time with Julia after breakfast at her family's home, or he could take her out on a date if they were accompanied by two escorts.

After a while, Matt decided that he would ask Julia for her hand in marriage. He first went to her father for approval.

Julia's father asked him, "Are you serious about marrying my daughter? Can you provide for her?"

Matt replied, "Yes, I have a very successful practice and I will have many patients and I feel I can give Julia the life she deserves."

"Will you move Julia to the suburbs? How will you join us for church each Sunday?" Julia's father grilled Matt. "You are expected to join us no matter where you live."

"This is no problem," Matt explained, "We can certainly drive back here to meet you each Sunday."

"If you are sure, then I give my blessing. You may ask Julia this coming Sunday."

In the very controlled environment, Matt never saw Julia during the week. His work kept him busy, but he found himself very lonely. He was excited about the prospect of proposing to Julia the coming weekend and thought nothing of it, when a bombshell of a beauty walked into his optometry office the very next day.

"Hi!" she smiled. "I'm looking for an eye doctor, I think I might need glasses. Do you take new patients?"

Matt's jaw dropped. "Sure!" he managed to squeak.

After the eye exam in which Matt determined that she did not need glasses, the woman lingered. "I'm just so relieved I don't need glasses, would you like to get a drink with me tonight?" she winked eat Matt.

He blushed. "Ah, well, sure!"

"Okay!" the woman jumped up, "I'll meet you here at 5."

True to her word, at the end of the day, Matt found the woman waiting for him outside his office in a little red Audi A4 convertible. "Let's go!" She laughed.

They drove to a nearby club and sat down for a drink. Matt relaxed. It had been a long day, and here he was, with a gorgeous woman on his arm and every man in the place glaring at him with envy. Weekend Julia was far from his mind. He had a couple shots, he flirted with the blonde, he watched the entertainment.

All of a sudden, Julia and her father, flanked by two body guards, walked into the club and right up to Matt. "Julia," her father pointed at Matt, "is this the kind of man you want to marry?"

Matt jumped up, backing away from the blond at the table. "Julia! What are you doing here? This is not what it looks like..." he began.

"Matt, how could you!" Julia cried.

As Julia and her father were leaving, Matt trailed behind them. "Julia, please, listen to me..." he implored.

One of the body guards held up his hand, stopping Matt in his tracks. "Listen, dude, I like you. And because I like you, I'll tell you this: give up. You were caught in the trap. Julia's father set you up. You don't stand a chance. It would be best if you left now. If you bother this family again, you will regret it."

Dejected, Matt turned back to the blonde only to see she was nowhere to be found. She and her Audi had high tailed it out of there the moment Matt had been discovered.

Matt lost the love of his life, all over a little fun...

*as told to me

Walk Today

It' Saturday and I should walk today, or play Dance Central, or go on a bike ride...

Walking: I can go to Starbucks as a destination! Earl Grey Tea lattes only have 140 calories. And I can stop at the Great Harvest Bread Co. (to die for!) and get some yummy breads.

Dance Central: I can do this in addition to walking. And it's fun! And I work towards achievements!

Go on a bike ride: I would need to go farther than I would walk because I can ride my bike faster than I can walk... and I'd rather walk up a hill than ride my bike up one, and there are so many hills!

I think I will go on a walk and play Dance Central. It is so late in the day though... I may as well see if the boyfriend wants to go with me--I hope so!




Update 2:35pm: I ended up going on the walk by myself, but it was worth it! The total mile count was 4 miles! Wow! Now to relax for a couple hours before playing Dance Central.

Kissing Camels, Garen of the Gods

Anime Review: FullMetal Alchemist, Brotherhood

[Spoiler Alert: I will be discussing events happening in FMA Brother episode 38, if you haven't seen this far into the series, don't read further!]

This past week I have been catching up on FMA to watch it with my friends. We are currently on episode 38. Around this part in the series (episode 26), Al and Edward are investigating Alkestry to see if it can help them in getting their bodies back. Edward creates an door of truth to get himself, Lin and Envy out of Gluttony's fake door of truth. When Edward is inside of the door he sees Al's body, and when he discusses with his teacher as to whether what she created was her baby and thinks about whether he and Al created their mother or an entirely new creation, he wonders. Along with Al's revelation that when they created the creature, Al was looking out from the creature at Edward, Edward realizes that in the original alchemy, he and his brother were not bringing their mother back. In fact, they were creating an entirely new creature, and Edward exchanged his brother's body for the body of the creature and tried to attach his brother's soul to the creature, albeit unsuccessfully and unknowingly.

Should Ed be forgiven for his actions? Does Al fully realize the truth about what happened? Both brothers want to get their bodies back, but considering the law of equal exchange, what will that cost?

Walking 3.5 Miles

I am so excited! I just walked 3.5 miles today! I walked farther than I ever have on my walks and I was even rewarded with an awesome view of the waterfront on my walk. Can't get any better than that! I get bored when I walk, so anything to spice it up, like changing my route, adding a promising destination, or remembering my headphones for some good music, really helps me get through it.

I must admit something to you... I kinda hate walking. It' just so slow... I am too weak to run and the ankle and knee injuries of runners scares me. I prefer anything over walking. I love riding my bike, but the weather hasn't warmed up enough in the mornings or evening for me to want to ride. So, walking it is...

Legal, Good, and Just

"Just because something is legal, doesn't necessarily mean that it is morally good."

 I would hope that things that are legal are also morally good. Although are they all? Something which is moral is "of, pertaining to, or concerned with the principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong; ethical: moral attitudes."

1. All things that are good are legal. True.
2. Are all things that are legal, good? Not necessarily.
3. It is not possible or necessary for all things that are good to be legal.
4. Should all things that are legal be good?

The Basic Three

Here three things you should never leave the house without during winter:

1. A pair of Gloves
2. A Hat
3. A Scarf

These three things will make all the difference when the weather is cold. If all you've got is your coat, you will be chilly even with it all zipped and buttoned up. However, if you've got a trusty hat, scarf and gloves, you will be much warmer and much more able to bear The Coldness of Winter.

No More Snow

I am so glad that the snow has melted completely away. It is as if there was never snow in the first place. It is such a relief to have my commute back to normal, my coworkers back to normal, and my schedule back to normal. It was interesting walking in the snow to get home and for my exercise, but is not an experience that I would like to repeat anytime soon.

Game Review: Dragon Age: Origins – Leliana's Song

The Leliana's Song downloadable content from Dragon Age Origins is by far my favorite downloadable content out of all of them. During the main game, Leliana always seemed to be one of the more aloof characters. She hinted at a more colorful back story than her cloistered life implied. I wondered what it was. There is also an achievement called, "Turning Point--Heard Leliana's version of her betrayal." This intrigued me and was excited to find out what it meant when starting this stand alone campaign. In the campaign, you play as Leliana and have two companions. You can explore the market and have tasks to complete. There are three achievements to be obtained in this campaign.

Book Review: Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

While looking around on Amazon for some new books to read, I stumbled across Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. It had strong reviews and considering that Brandon Sanderson was chosen to complete Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series based on his notes, I thought a book by him might be a good find and I wasn't wrong.

Mistborn is a well written book in which Mr. Sanderson has taken the time to do some strong world-building. The whole workings of using metals to enhance your abilities is well thought out and solid. This creates a stable world in which to toss his characters and see how they do, and not only how they do under normal circumstances, but how they do when their world is turned upside down and the balance of power is shifted from a dictator to somewhat of a democracy.

Kelsier recruited the underworld's elite, the smartest and most trustworthy allomancers, each of whom shares one of his many powers, and all of whom relish a high-stakes challenge. Only then does he reveal his ultimate dream, not just the greatest heist in history, but the downfall of the divine despot. ~Book Description from Amazon

The characters seemed somewhat undeveloped though...Vin, the main character for example: oftentimes it is mentioned how quickly she picks up allomancy, but only a few times do we see her training with Kelsier. Am I supposed just accept this fact without and proof?

The book was very engaging overall and I enjoyed reading it. Now on to the second book in the series, The Well of Ascension.

TV Review: The Walking Dead and Battlestar Galactica

The Walking Dead is an American post-apocalyptic horror television series developed for television by Frank Darabont. It is based on the ongoing comic book series, The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. The series stars Andrew Lincoln as Sheriff's Deputy Rick Grimes who wakes up after being in a coma to find the world inhabited by zombies. He then sets out to find his family and other survivors along the way. ~Wikipedia

This is how you could bare-bones describe The Walking Dead TV series. And here is a basic description of the Battlestar Galactic series:

The story arc of Battlestar Galactica is set in a distant star system, a cybernetic race of Cylons launch a sudden sneak attack on the Colonies, laying waste to the planets and devastating their populations. Out of a population numbering in the billions, only approximately 50,000 humans survive, most of whom were aboard civilian ships that avoided destruction. Of all the Colonial Fleet, the eponymous Battlestar Galactica appears to be the only military capital ship that survived the attack. Under the leadership of Colonial Fleet officer Commander William "Bill" Adama (Olmos) and President Laura Roslin (McDonnell), the Galactica and its crew take up the task of leading the small fugitive fleet of survivors into space in search of a fabled refuge known as Earth. ~Wikipedia

The Walking Dead is currently airing it's second season on AMC and Battlestar Galactica aired from 2004-2009. The Walking Dead was named during the American Film Institute Awards 2010 as one of the top 10 television programs of 2010. Battlestar Galactica has won widespread critical acclaim among many mainstream non-genre publications such as Time magazine.

On the surface, both series are post-apocalyptic survival stories. Pretty basic--the world is destroyed. What happens after? But here's what keeps you watching:

"That's something that's not really addressed in the book. And that's something that we'd like to keep," Mazzara said. "This show is about our characters. And about them trying to stay alive, hold on to their humanity, find a safe place, hopefully rebuild civilization. Just everything's collapsed. So they're under incredible duress. It doesn't feel right that they would have those answers, and even if they did have those answers, what would they do with them?" ~Tim Molloy, The Wrap, on The Walking Dead

It's the people--their stories, their hopes and dreams. Their resiliency and desire to find just a moment of peace in a world torn apart. This is why you watch and what keeps you coming back, no matter how horrific and traumatic the events.

What keeps us going is the hope that tomorrow will somehow be a better day.

Movie Review: Beauty and the Beast 3D

Beauty and the Beast tops my list of favorite classic Disney movies, along with Aladdin, Lion King and the Little Mermaid. That era of Disney Movies came around the time when I was a kid and were some of the best Disney produced.

When I heard that Beauty and the Beast was returning to theaters I was ecstatic, but when I heard it would be in 3D, I became wary. Would the 3D ruin one of my favorite classics?

As it turns out, the 3D ended up being so subtle I didn't even notice it was there half the times. Even in the scene at the bar when Gaston and the men are singing about his prowess, one of these scenes in which I thought the 3D would be the most noticeable, I didn't see it at all. I could only see that there was 3D applied to the movie when I took off my 3D glasses. Then there were more lines on the screen that if I were wearing the glasses.

This for me is perfectly fine as I am not too impressed with 3D; I thought the movie was fine the way it was originally created. What does 3D add to it? For me I find 3D gimmicky and adding it to this movie didn't improve anything for me.

What made more of an impression on me during the movie more than the 3D was actually the script. When I was a child I was more enthralled by the visuals. I'm sure I followed the plot, but only as an adult do I catch all the witty writing.

At the end of Gaston's song, where up this this point everyone has been singing about how great Gaston is:

ALL: My what a guy! Gaston!!!!!!!

Gaston and Lefou deviate from the flattering comments to spill some truth: 

BOTH: No one plots like Gaston, takes cheap shots like Gaston
LEFOU: Plans to persecute harmless crackpots like Gaston

I ended up laughing throughout most of the movie and it wasn't all for the writing either. Sometimes the horse, Phillipe would just have these priceless looks on his face. For example, when Belle runs away and ends up surrounded by wolves, just after the Beast saves her and collapses, Phillipe has this look on his face that says "Oh my god, what just happened?!"

It's very interesting for me to go back and watch movies I saw as a child and compare my initial experience with an adult perspective and an analytical mind. Sounds like a project! Now I want to go back and watch some other classics!

I know I have The Little Mermaid on the DVD shelf. I think I'll start there--look for my review!

Movie Review: We Bought A Zoo

Set in Southern California, a father moves his young family to the countryside to renovate and re-open a struggling zoo. 

This movie is based on the true story of Benjamin Mee's family who purchases a zoo and works to get it in working order and open to the public while working on their own family issues.

This movie is listed as comedy, drama, and family... but overall I would list it as drama... and sad... The movie starts out sad and though the characters move through their grief, at the end it's not a neatly tied bow, and they are still learning to live on after death. The strongest "happy" character is Rosie Mee, played by the adorable Maggie Elizabeth Jones. This character provides the hope and strength to her brother and father to keep going.

I highly recommend this movie. It is a family movie. It is a life movie.

Trivia: When Matt Damon's character climbs over the tree the real Benjamin Mee, Milo (Dylan in the movie) Mee and Ella (Rosie in the movie) Mee can be seen as the first family in line.~IMDB.com

Movie Review: New Year's Eve

The lives of several couples and singles in New York intertwine over the course of New Year's Eve. 

 This was a fun ensemble cast movie. The varying interwoven story lines included two pregnant woman, a young courier and an older woman with a wish list, two young people stuck in an elevator, a chef, her staff and a singer and dying man in a hospital to name a few.


I really enjoy how this movie, as well as the Valentine's Day movie (Garry Marshall directed both), intertwined the stories of the characters. My favorite was the woman with a wishlist.

What was your favorite movie of this holiday season?

Walking 2.5 Miles a Day

So far these past two weeks, I have walked at least two miles a day during my lunch and usually have added an extra 1/2 mile to make it 2.5 miles a day. However, all the snow that fell this weekend has me wondering how I'm going to get my exercise in this week!

Tomorrow I don't plan to drive to work, so I may walk the 1.7 miles to the bus stop and go from there... considering that I will probably be walking back home from the bus stop, it looks like I will get in 3.4 miles tomorrow! Although considering that the buses will be on a reduced schedule due to MLK day and a reduced snow route due to the weather, I'm guaranteed to get more exercise in. Too bad I can't walk all the way to work.

Ah... I miss snow days... where I could just stay home and not worry about how I was going to get anywhere...

Movie Review: The Muppets

This movie is just cute!

It certainly has something for everyone. For kids it's got a great little storyline about a Muppet, named Walter who finds his place in life. For those who remember the Muppets from the 1970's show.

 Trivia:

Jim Parsons (Human Walter) is the only actor whose cameo appearance was never announced or rumored. He appeared with (human) star Jason Segel, thus teaming up the stars from two of CBS' sitcoms: How I Met Your Mother (Segal) and The Big Bang Theory (Parsons).~IMDB.com

 I loved this scene!

I definitely recommend this movie for kids and adults alike.

Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes, A Game of Shadows

First off, this movie is worth seeing twice! If only to watch for Holmes materializing out of camouflaged hiding.

Within these movies there are a few plot twists and turns that it is entertaining to watch for a second time through. The first time I saw this movie I watched for the enjoyment. The second time through I watched for plot hints and visual cues that I had missed the first time around.

Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law make a great pair as Sherlock Holmes and Watson. Their back and forth banter are some of the best scenes in the movie such as:

Overall, this movie was a good sequel to the first movie, though the ending seemed somewhat... abrupt. Perhaps I was just enjoying the ride so much I didn't want it to end, and the running time is 129 minutes. Well, I'd be up for a third installment! Let's hope!

Whar...

My favorite Store: Romy

I love the store Romy. The idea of this store is fashion on a budget. Their clothes are very reasonably priced and most things are of acceptable quality. Some things are of lower quality, usually buttons on sweaters and I end up resewing these things but over all, it's great!

2012 Resolutions

Here are my 2012 New Years Resolutions:

1.) Goal: Get in better shape.
How: Walk 2 miles every weekday.

2.) Goal: Get back in touch with my faith.
How: Attend church every week.

 3.) Present my best!
How: Do my hair and make-up every day.

My first visit to Ikea

I went to the Ikea super store for the first time ever this past weekend. All I can say is "Wow"!

That place is insane. It is gigantic.

First off, there are four covered parking structures. Once you get to the store itself, it has designated sections and the path through them winds back and forth. The place is huge and confusing. It can surely be easy to get lost in there.

While you walk through the store, you take a notepad and a pencil. As you look at all the displays of furniture that you are walking through, you write down the item number. Half way through the store there is a restaurant where you can stop and eat dinner or lunch or just re-energize for the journey.

For the smaller items you are provided with carts or shopping bags.

The next section of the store are two giant areas where you pick up your furniture. There are over 50 aisles of boxed furniture.

Once you pick up your furniture you head to a self check out area. There is one final cafe shop and then you exit.

In the parking lot, Ikea even provides twine dispensers for attaching your purchases to your vehicle.

If you are not a do-it-yourself-er, Ikea will even let you browse through the store then drop off your list of items to be gathered by the Ikea staff and delivered to your house; they will even assemble your purchases if you'd like!

Garden of the Gods

This remarkable 1,360-acre park is so full of weird and surreal red sandstone rock formations that it looks like Mother Nature teamed with Salvador Dali in forming it.

This is a photo of one of the most recognizable sites in the Garden of the Gods. It's called Kissing Camels. Can you see it?

The Garden of the Gods is so unique that it can be seen on a satellite map:

An Argument for the Middle Seat

Which seat do you prefer on the plane? The window seat, so that you can see out the window? The aisle seat so that you can get out of your row quickly? Either one of these seats also has the added bonus of a little more space.

The middle seat has the least space out of the three seats on a plane. It doesn't have a window or an aisle. It has people on either side and if either of those people are using the arm rests in the middle, you can't. However, I have a reason why the middle seat is better.

Imagine a scenario like Lost... what if the windows blew out of the plane? Or the plane sideswiped something? If you were in a window seat, you would not be in a good position.On a less morbid note, if you are in the window seat, you have to climb across two people to get out to the aisle.

If you are in the aisle seat you may be able to get out of the row the fastest... but what about the warning from the flight attendants about loose luggage from the overhead bins? What if the bins popped open? The luggage would fall on the person sitting in the aisle seat.

Therefore, it seems that the middle seat, though perhaps the least comfortable... may be the "safest" seat... No windows to be sucked out of and no luggage to fall on you!

Rosca de Reyes

On Friday I hosted a Rosca de Reyes party.

What is Rosca de Reyes?

Although the name indicates that it should be round, the “rosca de reyes” generally has an oval shape due to the need to make cakes larger than 30cm across for larger parties. Recipes vary from country to country. For decoration, fig fruit, quinces, cherries or dried and candied fruits are used.

It is traditionally eaten on January 6, during the celebration of the "Día de Reyes" (literally "Kings' Day"), which commemorates the arrival of the three Magi or Wise Men.

The tradition of placing a trinket (figurine of the Christ Child) in the cake is very old. The baby Jesus, when hidden in the bread, represents the flight of Jesus, fleeing from King Herod's evil plan to kill all babies that could be the prophesied messiah. In the Mexican culture, this person also has to throw a party and provide tamales and atole to the guests. ~Wikipedia.com

The bread is soft and sweet with piece of candied fruits and jelly candy, but be careful because you might bite into a plastic baby Jesus. Cut your own piece from where ever you want and as big or small as you want. Make sure to eat the bread with traditional Mexican hot chocolate! Yum!

White v.s Red

Bananas

What do you think of when you think of old bananas?

They're still yellow right?

 Well, here is a banana I found while cleaning that, well, wasn't yellow anymore and I swear there wasn't any fruit left in the skin at all! What happens to a banana forgotten? It dries up and disappears!

The Morning Walk

Bubble Tea: Colorado Style

I went to a Bubble Tea shop in Colorado. In Washington there is a much greater influence from Asia as we are on the Pacific coast, but Colorado is a bit behind the times. This is a photo I took from the inside of their shop. I figured they would have all the flavors. So I ordered a honey milk tea with tapioca. The cashier replied, "We have honey-dew milk tea..." Not the same! So I got a regular flavor milk tea.

At least the place was advanced enough that they now that the machine applied lids:

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: Chocolate Covered Oreos

My favorite treat from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is chocolate covered oreos. Yum! Okay, so oreos are addicative just by themselves. Then cover those little things in chocolate: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate and mint chocolate, and bang, wow! Amazing! :)

Glen Eyrie: High Tea

While visiting in Colorado this holiday, I went to Glen Eyrie for High Tea!

 

 The tea is always enjoyable. It it served in the music room of the castle. Glen Eyrie began as the estate of William Jackson Palmer, founder of several railroads and the city of Colorado Springs.It is currently owned by The Navigators and used as a conference center. It holds tours of the castle and tea as well as a Christmas Madrigal.