"I'm investigating things that begin with the letter M"

I am sure there are a million and one more qualified movie reviews floating around the internet right now so I will keep mine short. I whole-heartedly enjoyed myself during this movie. Way to go Mr. Burton. Well done. Magnificent, even.

20 Questions

1. Show us the inside of something cute

2. What's the last home cooking you had?

The Mr.'s French Toast

3. What do you miss?

stacey my love

4. What makes you laugh often?

5. What's your favorite word?

6. What are you trying to quit?

7. What's your favorite commercial right now?

For so many reasons, this one:

8. Whose style do you dig?

9. Link to a great blog you've discovered lately...

This guy's photog is splendid-

10. What's the last craft you made?

11. A photo of the last happy mail you got

these pretty earrings

12. Something you've got lately

this poster-

13. What are you looking forward to?

SUMMERTIME!!!

14. Post a recent snapshot of yourself.

15. Recent favorite movie?

16. Something you're working on right now?

This blog post

:)

17. If a movie were made about you, who would play you?

In a dream world (which is where we'd be

anyway if there was a movie about me):

18. What gives you goosebumps?

19. Share a new obsession

20. What's the meaning of your life?

LOVE

starlight, star BRIGHT STAR

I finally watched Bright Star. I found it so interesting. Not a movie I immediately loved but I keep finding myself thinking about it. I can only describe it as hauntingly romantic. And also beautiful. My favorite scene: in response to a letter John writes Fanny where he wishes they were butterflies, she turns her bedroom into a butterfly farm. Amazing. This picture doesn't do it justice.

Writing about it makes me want to watch it again. It's one of those movies I think I'll fall for further each time. Here's one more image (beautiful) this one's from rehearsal before filming.

Friday's Post

Not that you care but since I was shamelessly open about my plan to see New Moon, I'll be equally open about my opinion of it. Not a fan. The fun of the books was the way Edward seemed like the unrealistically perfect teenage suitor. In the movies he seems more like the scrawny, hairy, unbelievably awkward teenage suitor. And don't get me started on Bella. Every scene between the two of them that was supposed to be romantic made me uncomfortable. There was something hot in the movie though- Brandon Flowers' voice. Take a listen. I apologize I could only find it in video form... maybe just close your eyes.

To Do List

For this week:

-Start working out again (and quit with the vanilla tootsie rolls)

-Find the perfect retro tree

                                          (photo found here)

-Cut down our real Christmas tree (I realize that both are real... I mean living. At least until we take a saw to it.)

-back up all my pictures... I'm the worst and having nightmares of my computer crashing

-Practice guitar

Me on my 14th b-day with my best gift

-Go to craft store for supplies

-Go see this movie (I know, I'm such a dork)

I think Lewis Carroll would be proud

Read a bit of USA Today at lunchtime and got a preview of next year's Alice in Wonderland... Tim Burton style, that is. It looks like it's going to be beautiful!!! I wish my brain was so creative. Tim Burton proves that it pays to keep pushing further and further when it comes to your art. Oh, and Johnny Depp as Mad Hatter? That's a tea party I'd like to be at! 

Weekend Update

This weekend I:

*got to play with my friend from Salt Lake who came for a visit

*ate Skinnidip twice

*bought a book about Walker Evans that has me so inspired... I'm in love with photography all over again

*stayed busy enough to avoid packing many of the moving boxes that are lying around

*got the keys to our new condo and saw it at night for the first time

*saw this movie as part of my nephew's 3rd Birthday celebration (my favorite part was the baby ducks jumping from the tree... so brave!)

Before the movie started, I got to see this trailer again and I can't even tell you how much I'm looking forward to this movie. Just thinking about it makes me want furry pajamas with ears and a tail. And a crown. And then to howl at the sun while wearing them.

City sidewalks... dressed in Holiday Style

Last night I met up with Jeremy to join him on his walk home from the office. We took the scenic route cuz our neighborhood's so festive lately.

Jer waited patiently for me to snap some photos

(Rockstar was patient too.)

I want to come back here with a tripod. I kinda like it all jittery though.

Tonight we're going to watch the home team:

And I'm soooo excited to go see this tomorrow:

Can you keep a secret?

Remember this photo: (from this post)
There's a scene with a nearly identical view of our very own Columbia Gorge in this movie:

Can you keep a secret? Ummm... I read the book and loved every cheesy moment of the movie. Can you say guilty pleasure?

I'd like to take this opportunity to cry

That's a line from a song by Priscilla Ahn and whenever I think about the things I'm going to share with you, it always comes to mind.

I generally subscribe to the philosophy of the photographer Rodney Smith who said "I want people to see the beauty and whimsy of life, not its ugliness." Times like this however, I feel that life has ugliness that must be addressed to be overcome.

A few weeks ago, Jeremy and I saw this movie:

I first heard about the issue of human trafficking years ago and felt scared and overwhelmed. My sudden awareness to the depth and breadth of sadness in the world brought me to tears. That's all I knew to do. It seemed too big and too powerful for little me to stop it. My tears, my mourning other people's hardship was the first step in my desire to free them from it. It is too big for just me, but this movie gave me hope that in numbers we can change the world. It was changed dramatically during the abolitionist movement. It's been done before, why not now? This is a 21st Century abolitionist movement. Good is more powerful than evil, light dispels darkness, we have the power, we just have to respond. It is unacceptable to allow these crimes to continue. "Justice is what love looks like in public." These children and young women deserve justice, they deserve love. I intend to fight for them.

"It's come into my life for a reason, I have to respond."

The wheels in my brain haven't stopped turning since I saw the movie. I have a few ideas to pursue and I'll need your help. Until my plans start to materialize, visit the Call + Response website for ways to get involved. Still not feeling your power? Watch this video and listen to the Five For Fighting song beneath it.....everyday......until you believe it.

"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can

change the world.

Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

-Margaret Mead

It's not the power of the curse, it's the power you give the curse

Right. So it's been a while and I intend to make up for lost blogging time over the course of the next few days. For now, I thought I'd do a quick movie review. Jer is currently in Bend with his family and I have to work Tues & Weds, after which I will rush to his side to enjoy some of my fav central OR activities. Until then, I am enjoying my watch-whatever-movie-I-want time. I make a point of doing that whenever he's away (don't let me forget to tell you about my experience with 'Amelie' when he went on his last trip). Tonight, it was Penelope. I thought it was a darling movie and my favorite parts are outlined below:

*The scene where Penelope is trying to guess which instrument Max plays and he's butchering 'You Are My Sunshine' ...adorable
*The scene where Penelope sees the outside world for the first time. And the way she sends postcards from everywhere she goes even though the places are nowhere exceptional ...I want to remember to stop and see the world for the first time sometimes, to enjoy every little big thing.
*Hooray for the set and costume designers ...I would love to live in Penelope's room, at least for a little while.

If you aren't familiar with the scenes I'm referring to, see the movie. I recommend it. Now it's real late and I'm real tired. More posts tomorrow. Promise.

Has anyone ever told you you look like Batman?

Ever since the new Batman movie preview first hit theaters, Jeremy keeps getting asked that question. That's right, he's a caped crime-fighter. I've never noticed him missing from our bed at night.

Lickity Split

We just had such a fun evening! Jeremy, Matt, Lisa and I walked up to meet Kate and J for a little Skinnidip. (The frozen yogurt kind, not the swimming naked kind) and as we were chatting, in walked Amber and Mike. We shut the place down and then piled into A & M's car to ride the 19ish blocks home. I commented how the scenario felt like college life, so Mike asked for gas money. Ha ha. They pulled over and we jumped out "lickity split" (said Jeremy). We are so blessed to have such cool people to hang out with. Thanks for being our friends, guys! We're looking forward to Friday night's double feature...