NOTES BEFORE THE FIRST CAMP OF THE SEASON

The Jim, Easton and Sir NinjaPirateMonkey forged ahead of me and went up to Elkmont yesterday to begin the first camping of the season.  I was happy to have a night on my own, as it was pretty relaxing.  However, tonight I’m packing up the twin air mattresses, a change of clothes, the air pump, some hot dogs and whole grain chips and I’m heading up to Elkmont to join the boys for an evening of campery.  Before I head up, I’m thinking about stopping at the Fresh Market to see if they have Ezekial Hot Dog buns. (Here’s a hopin!)  Uli Bear is going to spend the night at a sleep over with her pals Ginny and Trixie and their lovely parents of course.  I however, funny as this may sound, am going to the fabulous Belleza VIBE to get my hair did and then I’ll be up in the wilderness ruining it.  Oh well, such is life.  I shall report back soon.

Epilogue – we survived, it was fun, we will do it again.

2 Cent Movie Review: UP

It’s official for me, as least I’m almost 100% sure it’s official.  UP is my favorite Pixar film.  It really is.  I got to see it last night at the 9:30 PM showing (which had almost no kids), but a big handful of adults.  I saw it with my friend, Ms. SWW herself, because the Jim is on a camping trip (which I will join tonight).  I saw it in 2D, which (according to Roger Ebert is the much better deal), and went in with hopeful anticipation.

I’m a big fan of Pixar films.  My favorites include Finding Nemo, Wall-E, Monsters Inc., and like all the other ones.  In fact, there hasn’t been a Pixar film I didn’t like.  So, I thought it had to be good.  I was amazed at HOW GOOD.

First, we get the traditional intro short called “Partly Cloudy” which was so sweet, I just wanted to get some cotton candy.  Then, the main attraction…UP.  First of all, there were a lot of adults as I mentioned – and I think this movie really got right to there hearts and their funny bones.  Lots of laughter, and a lot of surprised tears.

I’m not going to talk too much about the plot because I think you really need to see it.  I will say, the main character is a senior citizen which is awesome since I work mostly with seniors.  You get to see his life progression and meet the love of his life, Ellie.  The life-cycle montage is one of the sweetest and purely honest adult-life progressions that it will touch any adult who’s been in love and who’s lived the honest and simple life.  In fact, I think this movie is Pixar’s adult film.  I think that Ratatouille was the “adolescent” film because it dealt with finding your place and starting your career (with Finding Nemo being the young child and parent film).  Now this doesn’t mean that kids won’t like it.  There’s adventure, a sweetly-annoying kid and the best moments for any dog lover or dog-parent.

The most amazing item you’ll leave with when you leave the theatre is the realization that life is an adventure, and it’s one that you should be a part of…fully….and with that,  I’m going out today to live my next day of adventure.

**** out of 4 Stars.

SUMMER MOVIES REVIEW SO FAR… STAR TREK, TERMINATOR SALVATION AND ANGELS & DEMONS.

So, we’ve already seen a number of the big summer movies so far…here’s the brief-est review I’ve ever done on them.

STAR TREK – I liked it a whole lot, and the Jim was not so enthused about it.  I felt it made the Spock character so much more alluring; the Jim thought it took all the cerebral content out of the Star Trek mythos.  I thought it was a good summer movie, lots of explosions, good characterizations and fun…but perhaps a tad mindless.  *** out of 4 Stars.

TERMINATOR SALVATION – It was…okay. I must admit, I’ve only ever seen T2 and that is it.  I know the story arc though, so I figured it would be easy to manage.  The two things that stick with me from this film is how relentless the Terminators are and how depressing the future appears.  Again, the Jim was far from enthused.  It appears his suspension of disbelief isn’t as strong these days.  ** out of 4 Stars.

ANGELS & DEMONS – I liked it!  I was surprised.  It was a good story if not a bit of a stretch.  The visuals were great, the art awesome, the movie made me want to go to Europe big time.  Now there was a slashy-slashy bit that I wasn’t into, but over all it was an enjoyable little mystery chase movie.  The Jim actually LIKED this one, mostly because the plot took some directions he wasn’t expecting and he liked that.  *** out of 4 Stars.

This week brings us UP and I can’t wait to see that.  Chime in…what Summer Movies are ones NO ONE should miss?

SOME GOOD TV IS ON IT’S WAY…OR AT LEAST APPEARS TO BE.

So, for those of you in the know, I’m a dance-fan hardcore. I am knee deep in the new season of So You Think You Can Dance, and I am loving what I’m seeing from performers. However I wanted to remark on some great shows that are on or coming soon.
First, I like The Fashion Show, which is Bravo’s response to Project Runway jumping ship and moving to Lifetime (new season in August). It’s like Project but with some nice changes that keep it interesting. Plus it’s co-hosted by Isaac Mizrahi and I find him entertaining.
Second, I’m looking forward to Top Chef Masters coming to Bravo on June 6th. It’s like the all-star chef bowl. At first blush, I’m routing for Wylie Dufresne.
Third, True Blood is starting back up in June and the Jim and I LOVE this show. Who knows where it’s going to lead this year, but if it’s anything like the books my favorite couple will cease to be a couple and that’s gonna tick me off.
The newest HBO show seems very interesting and I am looking forward to how they do it. It’s called, HUNG. It’s intended to be taken in the cheeky sense. It’s about a man down on his luck who turns to his one talent. Wow. I like that it’s a role reversal situation. So, some good stuff ahead for my DVR.

What are you looking forward to in Summer TV viewing?

GOOD THINGS A’ GOIN’ ON ROUND HERE!

The Jim and I are heading into a strange new territory for us…we’re becoming more homebodied.  What does that mean?  Well, we’ve made a concerted effort over the last two weeks not to spend a ton of money eating out.  We’re using that Ronco Rotisserie like it’s going outta style!  I just bought a new Ronco (cause I trust him now), dehydrator so I got home, sliced up some flat iron beef, marinated it in teriyaki sauce and it’s up there, working on becoming some yummy beef jerky!  Then tonight, I actually planted 8 flowering plants in our front landscaping beds.  Now while that may not seem big to you, for someone who HATES all forms of bugs, worms and messing with their habitats – that’s pretty darn good.  I mean, I only jumped 3 times when I ran into: a worm, an earwig, and some white crawly things.  Now, if my black thumb tendencies are over I’ll post some pictures when they’ve rooted and are actually growing.  We shall see…

Either way…good things happin’ round here folks and I couldn’t be happier!

I KNOW HOW WE WILL DIE… HAIR INHALATION

I know it’s been a while since I posted.  Nothing bad happening, nothing overly exciting either – just life and working to enjoy it and live more fully…which brings me to this post.  First of all, I’ve been watching THE STAND miniseries, beautifully re-aired by the Chiller Channel, so it has got me thinking about end of life stuff.  Life is short, so I’m figuring I need to enjoy as much of it as possible.  Especially since I know how I will die.

I will die from hair inhalation.

Seriously.  We have 4 pets.  Having 4 pets makes me realize that when the time comes, we will only ever have 2 pets in our household.  2.  No more, no less.  Oh, and they’ll be dogs (no offense Iris and Kira).  NO matter the totals, let’s get back to the issue in question – death by hair inhalation.

We have a pet hair problem, to say the least.  We have a dyson, which rocks but has to be cleaned almost every other use.  We have a roomba, which rocks hard-core (and frankly doesn’t freak out the animals either), but each time I use it – I do have to clean it…and what’s the problem – PET HAIR.  Walk through my house, there are tumbleweeds of pet hair that I spot-attack with our CONE vacuum.  I have so many random lint brushes, and sticky-tape rollers that it’s not funny or even mildly humorous.  Still, I have a fine sheen of hair speckled on all my clothes and wearing black is not in line with my natural adornment.  We do the best we can to keep up with it, but I’m thinking that in the end it will catch up with us.  I’m buying another dyson hair tool cause the couch in our living room is starting to look like a yeti.

So, whenever that fateful day of comes – be sure to bring your lint brushes to the wake.  Cause if it’s at our house, it’s going to be a hazard.  (BTW…if anyone out there has any suggestions – I’m a strong believer in the ability to change your destiny, and no getting rid of the pets at this time is not an option).

PEPSI THROWBACK IS A GOOD THING

I have been awaiting the debut of Pepsi Throwback (exclusive blend made with real cane sugar instead of “let’s all be fat together” high fructose corn syrup), since the Jim told me about it at the beginning of the year.  So, when I passed by a gas station that had a advertisement, I almost ran my car into the pole with the cardboard bottle attached to it I was so friggin happy.  I hurriedly went into the gas-station mini-mart and asked the cashier…”Where’s the Pepsi Throwback?!”  They’re reply, “Um, we don’t have it yet?”  Are you serious?

So, the mission began this past Friday night.  I looked up the stats on the web.  The release began on April 20th, and it’s a limited release so me, being the stock up person that I am, decided I will stock up.  If I can find it.  The Jim and I went to 3 stores on Friday, and struck out.  Then, on Saturday after a trip to the vet for Easton and Uli (wellness, annual checks – they’re great!), a stop at a mini mart in Powell scored me my first 12 pack and 2 bottles.  YEA!!!!  I couldn’t wait to taste it.  How different could it be?

Well, it’s different – in all the right ways.

So much so, that tonight we went grocery shopping at the Super Target in Turkey Geek and I stocked up on four 12 packs (which also scored the Jim a free t-shirt, we’re cheesy sometimes okay?).  I would tell you to run out and get you some, but that would mean less out there for me to stock up on.  Unless our mass buying power will:

1) Stimulate the economy.

2) Encourage Pepsi to do this full time.

Then I say go for it.  Pepsi Throwback is yummylicious and you will be glad you found it when you do.  Enjoy!