Fair Ivy Surprise Package

I'm a winner, thanks to Miss Malaprop who hosted a giveaway on her blog! I won this cute little Fair Ivy surprise package, filled with all kinds of goodies. I'm actually kind of digging the idea behind Fair Ivy. You subscribe to get 1-6 months of surprise packages filled with all kinds of handmade, boutique-y goodies. Even better, they have packages aimed at women, men, teens, and pets! This seems like a perfect little gift for someone you love.

My package included a Tea Lovers Eco Cup, an adorable narwhal card, a pink grapefruit soapy pop, an adorable fabric rabbit bag, and a lip balm. If you click the links, you'll find lots of wonderfulness to keep you busy internet shopping -- just don't forget to come back and read the rest of the blog!

Thanks again to Fair Ivy and Miss Malaprop for the wonderful giveaway!

Fast Food Nation

Photo: wikipedia

I read Fast Food Nation, by Eric Schlosser, about a month ago, so I'm forgetting all of the gritty details, but it's a very informative book and is absolutely worth reading. Before I read the book, I actually ended up buying a second copy of the book because I forgot that I already had it on my shelf, but that worked out, because Andrew and I were able to read through it at the same time, and I was able to pass on both copies of the book to other people.

Let me begin with the fact that I stopped eating fast food a long time ago, even before I became a vegetarian, because I started to get disgusted with just how frequently my mom would stop off to grab some fast food for dinner on the way home. How glad I am that I stopped then.

Fast Food Nation takes you through the history of the development of fast food, to the economical powerhouse that it is today. It discusses the potato and meat industry (including a difficult-to-read section on slaughterhouses). I'm very squeamish, so I read through certain parts of the book half squinting, but I felt better for having read through the interviews about the treatment and injuries of the workers and the politics behind a lot of realities of the fast food industry.

The book isn't written to expose truths about the fast food industry, but it doesn't just villify the fast food industry. It reminds the readers that we have power to change some of these situations. One of my favorite lines comes towards the end, when the author reminds the reader that fast food CEOs aren't evil. They're just businessmen. If we demand grass-fed, organic beef, we can get it. Fast food companies have that kind of power, and it won't affect our pocketbooks, either.

You'll be better off having read the book, and I guarantee you'll rethink your eating habits. Go read it now.

Surf Sweets Super Sour Worms

Last month, my dad was fabulous enough to send me some vegetarian sour worms! Woohoo! (Vegetarians often don't eat geletin, which is used as a gelling agent, because it's made from hooves and bones. Gross.)

Anyway, lucky for me, these worms use pectin instead, which is made from plants, so I can happily munch on a treat I haven't had for ages. That said, I suppose gummy worms aren't my favorite gummy snack out there, but novelty makes up for a lot these days.

Oh yeah, added bonus, these worms are organic and all natural. As if you need another reason to try them.

If you're a vegetarian and miss your squiggly treats (or just want to feed yourself something a little cleaner) then check out the Surf Sweets website for all the gory details.

Enjoy!

21

Source: wikipedia

When I asked what this movie is about, I was told that it's about a guy who goes to Vegas and makes a lot of money counting cards. That's a reasonble summary, but it's a misleading one as well -- that's the summary of the interesting half.

The other half of the movie is about a guy trying to get the girl, with all the awkwardness of a high school drama. The kid goes to MIT, hangs out with the geeks, and wants to go to Harvard Med, only to be told that despite his academic perfection, he doesn't "dazzle", and he's not going to get any scholarship money. Boohoo. Instead, he'll have to come up with his own way to make the $300,000 necessary to get a respectable American diploma. Or he can move to Australia and get a diploma there in a much more financially-sensible approach to educating the country. Sorry, I got sidetracked there.

A math teacher with a keen eye spots the kid's quick intellect and realizes that he's a money-making machine. Lucky for him, MIT's hottest girl is in the math club and she reels in the kid, showing him a glimpse into the life of lights, women, and more money than you should store in your ceiling.

I'm not going to say it's a good movie. It's not. But I was entertained by it, and you just might be as well.

3 out of 5 Vinni Puhks for entertainment value.

Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan

My mother sent me Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan, possibly because she thinks that I don't know how to handle my finances, but more likely because she read it and found it useful herself. And, may I make it clear in the beginning -- my mother is not a reader. I can't remember the last time she mentioned having read a book.

209 pages may sound like a lot of financial reading, but it's really quick reading, and it gives a surprisingly clear (and quick) explanation of how the world got into this big financial mess. The rest of the book seems to be FAQs on how to manage money if you're in a specific financial situation.

If you're someone who needs a swift kick in the posterior to get your financial situation cleared up, this is the book for you. Suze Orman's advice is pretty basic, but it's what thousands of people need to hear: Pay your debt first. Save enough money to carry you for a few months (she recommends 8 months) in case of emergency. Then, start figuring out how to save money each month. If you haven't paid off your debt and you don't have money to protect yourself in a real emergency (which would mean you might go into debt as a result), then you should be saving as much as possible and working towards those goals.

If you can take that advice, then you should save yourself the $9.99 it costs to buy this book. Put it towards paying off your debt. If you need someone to say it more directly, then march yourself over to a library and find this book. Or buy it (it's on Amazon, used for $5), and then pass it on to your friends.

All in all, it's a quick, easy read, with a lot of information that we can all benefit from. Even if you're in good financial health, but aren't sure how to invest your money yet, it's a good place to start (and will give you all kinds of information so you can dish out advice to your less financially-savvy friends).

Sweet Anthem: Molly

 Molly, Molly, Molly...Hmmm.  Molly (of Sweet Anthem's Spring Preview Collection) was so difficult to describe, that she single-handedly caused me to take a blogging hiatus.  What am I smelling in this bottle?

Seriously, Molly is so out of my league, but I forced myself to smell it night after night and reapply it to myself.  Finally I realized that Molly is a spice-based scent, and I have no idea what's going on with spice-based scents.  Honestly, I can't tell a patchouli from a ylang ylang (which may cause you to question why I even bother to write reviews on perfume scents -- it's because most women can't tell the difference either.  But we know what cinnamon smells like.)  Anyway, Molly is a spice-based scent, and that's about all I can tell you.

Here's an important crash course in perfume terminology (that I just learned, myself).

Top Notes - This is what you smell right when you apply the perfume.  They're strong scents that evaporate quickly.  (Note: this is not the scent right out of the bottle.  I don't think that has a name.  In fact, you shouldn't even admit that you smell perfume straight out of the bottle, because it smells different after you apply it, depending on your own personal body chemistry).  Top notes are most important for selling a perfume.  If you really want to get a good idea of a scent, though, you should wear it for a while before buying it.

Middle Notes (Heart Notes): This is what you smell after a few minutes of wearing a perfume (after the top notes have evaporated).  You have, perhaps, 30 minutes with this scent, so if you really like it and want someone special to smell it, you'd better plan ahead!  These smells are usually a little less in-your-face.

Base Notes: This is the real base of the perfume (thus the name).  After 30 minutes or so, this is the scent that will stick around, sometimes up to 24 hours.  To smell a base scent, you really have to get right up to the skin and smell, but it's usually a nice soft smell, which is good, because it'll be around for a little while.

Now, back to Molly.

Here's what Sweet Anthem says about her:

Oh, have you seen Miss Molly? Her cheeks are pearly white and her lips are soft as flowers. Oh me, oh my, Miss Molly, will you stay with me for hours? — A soft, floral perfume with hints of musky, murky mystery.

Absinthe, Cognac, Gardenia, Musk*, Patchouli, Pear, Pipe Tobacco, Teak.

Now, I don't know about you, but I have no idea what any of those things smell like--well, except for Gardenia and Pear--so I'm doing this based on her description.

Straight out of the bottle (don't tell anyone we did that) Molly is full of spicy goodness, if you're into that sort of thing.  It's complex, with a hint of floral in the background.  Honestly, my nose was confused.

Top notes are mostly the same.  Molly smells a little sweeter once applied, but the spiciness is strong.  Sorry, but it's not my thing, really.  As time passes, the floral seems to fade and the spiciness lingers.  Last thing I recall of Molly was whatever spicy scent it was in the base note.  Tobacco?  Sure, maybe.  I don't really know.

All I know is that I've dutifully reported on Molly, and now I'm really curious to sniff all of those scents in their pure form.  What was I smelling?

Sweet Anthem: Emily

Today I tried out Sweet Anthem's "Emily (Creme Brulee) perfume.

Out of the bottle this was one of my favorite scents.  It was foody, which I love, and sweet.  Yum! 

Unfortunately, as soon as I applied it, its sweetness intensified dramatically, and Andrew winced a little when he smelled it.   I figured the scent would calm down after half an hour or so, as most perfumes do, but after a few hours it hasn't.  I'm not sure what kind of steroids these chemicals are on, but they're totally interacting in a way that my lingering high school chemistry knowledge can't explain.

This scent uses jojoba oil (which has almost no scent), sandalwood, vanilla, yuzu (Japanese citrus), almond, mocha, honey fragrance, and oatmeal.  It sounds to me like scents I would generally like.  In fact, sandalwood and vanilla is high on my list of scents I like.  However, this combination just doesn't work for me.  It smells a little too much like chemical pudding.

Shocked as I am, I have to say that Vicky is defeating Emily this time around.  4 more scents to go, though -- all her newest from her Spring Preview Collection (which has since gone live).

Sweet Anthem: Vicky

If you've never heard of Etsy before, it's high time you did.  It's a treasure trove of handmade items for sale by the people who made them (they also have craft supplies and vintage items).  It's a little like ebay, but there's no bidding, the community is nicer, and they run a tighter ship.

Anyway, I've long been a lurker on Etsy, admiring the products which are often priced similarly to mass-produced items.  Finally I bit the bullet and made 2 purchases.  Just for fun, I decided to do a little review.

Sweet Anthem is a Seattle-based perfume shop, which I stumbled upon through my etsy ventures.  She handmakes a variety of perfumes which are vegan and cruelty-free.  Sounds like my kind of lady!

Since it was my first time on her site (and I needed some scent variation in my life) I ordered her Spring Preview Collection, which came with four 1-ml bottles of perfume.  I also snagged two sample sizes of some other scents while I was at it.  Hey, it saved on shipping, right?

To give each scent a fair personal judgement, I'm wearing it for a full day.  Today I tried out Vicky (Orange Danish), which is a combination of almond, cinnamon, and sweet orange.  As Sweet Anthem says it, "Don't be a square peg in a round hole. Be hip with a wonderfully sweet perfume reminiscent of a breakfast roll with orange frosting."

Well, it certainly sounds tempting.  In the bottle, and on the flesh, this perfume is something totally different.  In the bottle I could smell orange, but it certainly had medicinal scents to it.  I couldn't get much danish.

On the flesh, Vicky lost its medicinal scent (thank goodness) and suddenly I felt like Christmas had come back.  Vicky's first impression is one of potpourri and sachets.  Not a bad scent, in fact, my fiance really likes it.  The cinnamon takes a strong role when the perfume is first applied.

After the scent is worn for a bit, it takes on a respectable adult scent.  Still, I feel like this is more of a wintry scent.  I want to curl up by a fireplace with a book when I smell it, but it's a good scent overall.  Subtle cinnamon and a little almond.  I don't think of an orange danish-- maybe one of those scented holiday pinecones--but it's nothing I'm afraid to smell like.

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Source: wikipedia

Although I've read Journey to the Center of the Earth (I liked geology, what can I say?), I really couldn't remember much of it.  Having seen the movie I still can't remember much of the book, either.  I feel this mild urge to go read it again.

This is a pretty silly movie, but my appreciation of geology and my past experiences with the ride and the book caused this to be an overall enjoyable experience.

Brendan Fraser, who plays a professor, is sitting at home when his sister-in-law pulls up to his house and drops off his nephew for 10 days.  Though the two haven't seen each other for 6 years, they undergo an incredible amount of male bonding as they undertake a journey to the center of the Earth.  On the way they pick up an attractive mountain guide, who ends up becoming an important player once they get trapped inside an underground cave.  It's all repelling down subterranean tubes and dinosaur chases from then on -- child friendly, even.  I didn't have to close my eyes even once, and that's saying something.

I liked that the movie kept a quick pace.  It's short--just under 90 minutes--so you don't get too hung up on how ridiculous it is, nor do you get tired of it.  I did notice the various nods to the 3D crowd it is aiming at.  There were a few too many scenes of things flying directly at the screen, which is ridiculous if you're not wearing 3D glasses.  I'd like to have seen the 3D integrated a little more seamlessly, but I suppose we're not there yet.

All in all, the movie was a fun watch.  I'll give it 3 and a half Vinni Pukhs.  (I'm probably being generous).

Added bonus for commercialism: the movie has made me really look forward to my next trip to Tokyo DisneySea.  The Journey to the Center of the Earth ride was already my favorite in the park, and I think I may have to make my next trip even sooner.  If you're in Japan for any extended length of time, I highly recommend a stop at DisneySea!

Of course, I live in Japan, so if you're only here for a week, please don't skip out on the cultural opportunities to check out a cool ride instead.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Source: wikipedia

Based on the beginning of the movie, I assumed I was in for another 2 hours of rehashed, overdone ideas.  After all, the lemurs are bought back immediately with the "I like to move it, move it" song that was so popular in the first movie.  I liked it in the first movie, too, but I wasn't excited to see it brought out so quickly in the second.  What?  Am I not going to know what movie I'm watching without it?

In any case, as the movie proceeds, it stops seeming like a remake of the first movie in a new setting (or a knock off of The Lion King, for that matter) and starts to become its own movie.

The same characters are there, with a few new add-ons.  Alex finds his family and all the animals have to see how they fare in the wilds of Africa.  It's good times overall, and I certainly don't regret watching most of it.

Hold out through the first 20 minutes of the movie while the characters are being reintroduced and basic plot is being established.  As the movie progresses, it gets better.  I promise.

This isn't a knock out movie by any stretch of the imagination, but it's fun.  I mean, penguins plotting evil will always have some entertainment value.

All in all, I give it a solid 3 Vinnie Pukhs.

(I've really got to start getting some graphics to go with those ratings).  Wonder what the copyright issues are on that.

Transformers

Source: wikipedia

I'm not sure how, but I ended up watching Transformers.  Spoilers ahead, because I just can't contain myself.

My brother had a Transformer toy by Hasbro when we were little.  It was 8 inches tall and if you pushed the little red button its chest it would say in its robot voice "I am Optimus Prime".  I took me a long time to be able to understand what he was saying.  I never knew the story of the toy line, and I'm still not sure if this movie is based on the toys or a comic book that preceded the toys or what.  All I know is that there is an Optimus Prime.  And now I know he's a good guy.  Somehow that makes me happy.

In any case, the movie is the story of a guy (Sam) and the girl that he fancies at the moment.  Sam buys a car which happens to be a robot, and one day while the car is driving itself, he picks up the girl to give her a ride home.  From that point on, they are involved in an intergallactic battle between the Autobots (the good guys -- like Optimus Prime!) and the Decepticons (the bad guys.  Boo.)  Both the Autobots and the Decepticons want to find The Cube, which is a powerful energy source that turns anything technology hooked up to it into a whacko killing machine.  Along the way, there is a hide-and-go-seek game between robots and parents, a chihuahua on painkillers, show and tell about a great grandfather's escapades in the Arctic Circle, and a make-out session on the hood of a robot named Bumblebee.  Don't worry, it all makes sense.

The first 57 minutes had me fidgeting in ways I haven't done lately.  Hadn't noticed the dust in that corner.  What exactly is on that magazine article sticking out of the garbage?  But, man, when the 58th minute ticked, I laughed for the first time and then it all started to come together.

After all that, I have only one question (don't worry, I won't even try to touch any technology-based question):  Why, when the aliens are speaking, are there subtitles in alien writing?  I know they follow it up immediately with English, but why the subtitles?  Are they hoping for a Tolkien-like following.  Perhaps linguists around the globe will head out and write textbooks about how to understand and communicate in this alien language?  Honestly, I'm curious.

How many Vinni Pukhs will I rate this?  Hmmm, maybe 2 and a butt?  Then again, I did get some good laughs, and I had the most fun thinking about what I might write for this review.  Maybe 3.  If I'm feeling generous.

(What?  You haven't seen Vinni Pukh?  Watch it now.  You can thank me later.)

Sex and the City (extended cut)

Source: wikipedia

Two and a half hours of the Sex and the City movie is a lot of fun, even if you haven't seen the TV show.

In a few minutes, the viewer is instantly caught up on years of TV series.  Sure, I don't know the gory details, but I got a good idea of who the characters are, and I felt totally comfortable jumping on into the movie with the rest of the Sex and the City fans.

The movie, as you might imagine, contains a lot of sex, fashion, and frank discussions about relationships.  What else would you expect from a show about four women in New York?

Despite the abundant flesh and flashy clothes, this movie is surprisingly about love. A large part of the movie seems to be about the deception of love, but Hollywood knows that we all love happy endings.

The movie made me do a lot of thinking, after all, I'm walking towards a wedding myself these days.  Can marriage really be that bad?  Assuming I don't get myself too caught up in my wedding dress and remember the guy I want walking next to me, I'm thinking that I can safely look forward to the next 50 years.  Maybe I'll get lucky and get a really big closet, too.

Kung Fu Panda

Source: wikipedia

Kung Fu Panda reminded me far too much of my daily life. No, I haven't seen a praying mantis since I was last in Tokyo, but the main character reminded me of my co-worker dressed as a giant panda--why didn't someone warn me?

There's nothing to complain about when it comes to this food-loving, kung fu obsessed panda, who inadvertently becomes a legendary warrior. I don't consider that a spoiler, since it's pretty painfully obvious from the beginning that that's what's going to happen.

I started to enjoy this movie after the first 55 minutes. What is it about that? Wall-E had the same effect. Is this a secret formula of the movie industry? Perhaps. You can be sure I'll be more attentive from now on. In any case, something about the movie really started to pick up once the master learned how to properly train his pupil.

So, any other recommendations for recent animated flicks out there? I'm starting to run low on ideas.

Catch and Release

Source: wikipedia

Catch and Release is about a woman whose fiance dies. The movie begins with his funeral, and from then on, the movie is mostly about her learning about the past of her deceased fiance.  There's a little romance and a little sadness.  Just a hint of each, really.

The movie didn't do much for me, I guess.  It didn't leave me feeling warm and fuzzy, or sad.  It made me feel a little confused and unhappy. Maybe the movie just went too fast for me to feel like it was realistic. I needed more mourning out of the main character, and I needed a little less wolfishness from her deceased-fiance's friends/roommates. Okay, wolfishness isn't the right word, but something about them was a little too forward to be talking to a recent widow--even if she is young, attractive, and newly-available.

I suppose that if you have two hours on hand and some extra snacks you might want to watch it, but really, there's a lot of other stuff out there that I'd recommend before it.  Like The Bucket List.  That was a good one.

The Bucket List

Source: Wikipedia

The Bucket List is about two terminally ill strangers who meet each other, and consequently change each other's life.  The two write a "Bucket List" of things they'd like to do before they die, and set out to do them in the few months they have left.

I hadn't heard anything about this movie, but as soon as I saw that it had Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, I knew it would be good, and I was right.  It's a great movie.  I laughed, I cried, and at the end, I was doing both at the same time.  

I'm tempted to say that this is a feel-good movie.  One of my favorite scenes was when the two men were simply walking around talking about death in a casual way, on equal terms.  Somehow it was peaceful.

The movie isn't all heavy, either.  No matter what the age, it's fun to see people going out and really living their lives, doing crazy things that you only dream of doing.  The producers hit the right note when they made this movie, and the acting was genuine.  And the last line of the movie is fabulous. 

Mamma Mia!

Photo: lafa.pixellutions

I don't even know where to begin with this movie.  Mamma Mia! is the story of a bride-to-be who invites her 3 potential-fathers to her wedding, in an effort to find out which is her real father.  The movie is also a musical...and it's campy.  Very campy.

I spent the first 15 minutes of the movie cringing, trying to think who would make such a movie, and honestly trying to figure out who the target audience is.  There's far too much sexual humor for it to be aimed at young people, but then again, it has ridiculous scenes of people sliding backwards down banisters and dozens of young men dancing on a pier in flippers.  What?

Then I figured it out -- it's aimed at my mom. And people like her.  Women with a fun and spontaneous life that has long since been replaced by a reality of bills and unappreciative college students ready to fly the coop.

It's possible to enjoy the movie.  I did (mostly) once I realized that it wasn't aimed at me. Just accept that any character might burst out in song at any point,  the plot is mostly a side note, and the real reason to watch this flick is to see old people having fun again.  

Why do I suddenly feel like someone is about to punch me in the face?

If you're under 40, this movie might make you cringe, but if you're at that magical point, you just might find yourself letting go a little and having the time of your life.

Reality TV Binge

I've been devouring reality TV recently.  It all began with a certain boy of the house asked if I was interested in watching The Amazing Race, which sounded like it might be interesting, so we checked it out.

Oh my god, I'm hooked.  I've hardly gone a day without watching any Reality TV, and for a while it was a few hours each day until I caught up a bit.

Here's what we're watching/have watched in the past few weeks:

Source: Wikipedia

The Amazing Race (Seasons 12, 13, and currently 14)

In a nutshell, approximately 14 pairs of people are selected to be on the show.  You have all kinds of pairs -- mothers and sons, siblings, old couples, new couples, whatever.  Really, it's a relationship show.  You get to know the teams a lot.  The premise of the show is that the pairs are given clues which take them around the world, and they have to do tasks in the various countries.  The tasks vary from bungee jumping to milking a camel.  Depending on the task, only one person may be allowed/required to do it, or both people may have to complete it.  Throughout the entire race (the whole season) the pair must stay close to each other.  

I would love this show more if they teams had more freedom with their racing, but I understand from an insurance point of view that it's not really feasible.  It makes for some entertaining viewing and is my favorite reality TV show at the moment!

Source: wikipedia

Survivor: Tocantins

I watched the very first season of Survivor way back when I was in high school.  I can't believe it.  In any case, the show is much more interesting to me now.  Back then I was bothered by the fact that it didn't really seem like they had to survive.  Everything seemed too perfect and planned.  I also hated the fact that the challenges were disgusting.  

In the current season, 14 or so people are split into two teams, and they are given a minute to raid a truck to get any supplies they can.  They follow that with a 4 hour march to their camp, which is not more than a "tent" and a clear spot of land.  Every few days or so, the teams compete in challenges.  At some challenges, they win prizes (like fishing gear or a trip to the Charmin cafe where they can gorge on pastries).  At some challenges they have to kick out a member of their team when they lose.  So far the challenges have been based on physical and strategical ability.  In the beginning, players who are stronger are more beneficial to the team, but as you go on, they become a threat and you want to vote them out.  It makes for interesting viewing.  I'll continue to give Survivor a shot as long as they don't require contestants to eat bugs for any challenges.  Honestly, that's not what we're watching for.

Source: wikipedia

Make Me a Supermodel (Season 1 and currently 2)

I really randomly came across this show, and honestly expected to turn it off before I finished the first episode, but I kinda fell in love with the contestants and really have enjoyed watching the show.  14 or so contestants are selected out of thousands to compete to win a $100,000 dollar modeling contract and a spread in Elle magazine. Basically, it will put them into the real world of modeling.  Contestants all live together in a house in New York, so you get the fun of house drama, but the show mostly focuses on the photography shoots that they do for competitions. Photo shoots are fun, especially for me since I like to watch the photographers too, and they include some really crazy posing, ranging from posing with a snake in a water tank, to posing in a clear box hanging above New York.  

Later in the week they have to do a runway walk, and in the first season, they made a big mistake and allowed America to choose which 2 of the lowest 3 contestants would stay.  Unfortunately, American often chose the most entertaining to stay, rather than the ones who deserved it, but in the end I was excited who won anyway. Thank god in Season 2 they seem to have done away with that and the judges can choose properly.

Source: wikipedia

Project Runway USA5

Yep, there's still more.  Project Runway is a pretty straightforward show.  Up and coming designers are asked to design a different outfit each week based on a different challenge.  Challenges vary a lot.  In one episode they had to choose materials from a grocery store (tablecloths lack originality, guys) to make a cocktail dress.  In another, they are asked to work with drag queens and design a fabulous outfit for them.  In the end, 3 of the designers make it to a New York fashion show and show off a collection of 10 outfits they make especially for the show, and the final winner wins $100,000 to jumpstart their business, as well as get their design published in a magazine.  It's a very fun show to watch, and seems relatively fair as to who gets selected.  It also makes me really want to step up my fashion.

Gosh, are there really only four shows?  I can't believe it.  Well, if I think of more you know I'll write about it.  Any of you watching these shows and think they're as fun as I do?  I never thought I'd be this excited about reality TV.

Oh, and for the record, I tried watching Hell's Kitchen and Project Catwalk and couldn't take it.  Sorry, the shouting at people is too much for me.  I know it's acting, but yeah.

Wall-E

Photo: Just Because iCan Flickr

Continuing with my movie marathon, such as it is, I watched Wall-E, which was an entertaining, family-friendly flick.  Gotta love that alliteration.

Anyway, the first 52 minutes of the movie are a little unusual.  There's little to no dialogue, and you watch a robot left on Earth run about and do his daily stuff --housecleaning, watching TV, the whole bit.  I could understand it being a little dull for some of you, but he's a relatively cute robot overall.

Finally, after the appearance of Eve and a symbolic impregnation of her with a plant in a boot, we are whisked off to the more action-filled and, well, entertaining portion of the movie.

I won't give away the rest for those of you who still haven't seen it, but it's a cute movie with a strong message.  Don't treat the Earth like crap, people.  The latter half of the movie definitely had me laughing, and I was left with an overall pleasant feeling and a desire to water my basil seeds.

Happy viewing.

The Bookseller of Kabul

Less than a week ago my friend and fellow book-lover, Dena, lent me a copy of The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad.  The story takes place in Afghanistan and Pakistan and discusses the life of, as you might guess, a bookseller in Kabul.

What surprised me was that this book was actually based on the author's real life experiences during her stay at the home of the bookseller. The book was really interesting and gave me a unique glimpse into the lives of upper-middle class people living in Afghanistan.  The only problem I really encountered in the book was that characters continue to be introduced throughout the entire book.  I'm not very good at names of characters, even if I'm working with a single set throughout a whole novel, so this book took a little focus.

Overall this book is an interesting look into the lives of men and women in Afghanistan. At times it felt as though this book was a documentary of a past style of living, but when I was reminded that it is a modern portrayal, I felt lucky to be educated and sleeping on a futon in a heated room.

The Dark Knight

Photo: koka_sexton

I just finished watching The Dark Knight, and while there were a few minutes where I had to cover my eyes, it was mostly enjoyable.

Of course, some of it was incredibly ridiculous.  I just had to remind myself that it came from a comic book.  And it's totally normal for people to get up and walk around with half of their face blown off.  Comic books allow it.  Just let it go.

So is it just me that's finally seen it, or are there others of you out there, hiding under your rocks?