Thursday, November 29, 2007
I'm totally seeing this movie!
OK, so again in the Entertainment Blog realm I found this post about an upcoming Colin Farrell movie. I was not sold on Colin Farrell...until I watched the trailer and saw Ralph Feinnes was in in too. Colin Farrel actually seemed on his game in this movie, which is a shocker after how bad Alexander was and how bad his new Woody Allen Movie sounds. Added bonus on this movie, it takes place in one of my favorite cities in Belgium...yes, I have a favorite Belgian city and if you don't your missing something! The movie In Bruges looks funny/quirky and even though it seems to rip on Belgium...well it still looks funny. Now I just have to hold out until at least 2008 to have my own little Bruge flashback on the big screen.
Kids!
As many know, the FroggerGirl is a totally Awesome Auntie (I have independent input on this from the subject nephews and nieces…they may have been kissing some butt, but still) There are 4 tadpoles in the family and for good measure there is even gender distribution. I’m currently at this weird stage of Auntie-dom…my nieces and nephews are getting older. Yes, I realize I cannot stop this process, but it freaks me out.
My oldest nephew is now about 11.5 months away from being a teenager. I will have a tadpole nephew no more…he will be a pubescent semi-tadpole-froggy-thing…that is just not ok! Well, alright it’s the circle of life and it happens, but as a friend of mine would say, “I am not emotionally prepared for departure.” As he gets older I’m finding more in common with him in terms of humor and conversation, but it’s hard to part with my memories of him as the quiet serious blond toddler/kid in grandpa glasses who was too precious for word. His sister is hitting double digits this January…the Big 1-0. That is equally tough, but I guess since her big brother is paving the way I can deal with her age better.
As I spent time over the Holidays with my 4 ½ yr old nephew…let’s call him Train Boy…and my Little Princess (aka his sister the 2 ½ yr old Chief Trouble Maker) I was reintroduced to how much I both love kids and am thrilled I don’t have them yet. My older nephew and niece remind me time is passing and kids grow-up too quickly. Train Boy and Lil’ Princess remind me that they also stay young for a long time and are challenges from start to finish. Tantrums, quiet moments, book reading, lap sitting (them, not me, I would squash there little selves!) new words learned (hopefully no bad ones they heard their Auntie slip up and say) and all the other memories that can only come from little kids. Terms like criss-cross apple sauce (I used this too at their age; it’s the PC term for sitting Indian Style) and dealing with the logic of kids who have yet to really learn empathy and sharing on a grand level. It was fun, but exhausting.
Every time I leave family gathers after time with the tadpoles I’m happy to have had the experience and sad to leave them, but I’m definitely happy that at this stage in my life I’m just Auntie. I play with the kids, but diaper changes and tantrums are usually handled by the parents. I may have learned empathy and sharing on a grand level…but I’m still happy to have my time for me and I don’t have to share it! I’m sure Christmas with all the family in one place will bring out the same feelings…but I guess that will be blogged about when it happens.
My oldest nephew is now about 11.5 months away from being a teenager. I will have a tadpole nephew no more…he will be a pubescent semi-tadpole-froggy-thing…that is just not ok! Well, alright it’s the circle of life and it happens, but as a friend of mine would say, “I am not emotionally prepared for departure.” As he gets older I’m finding more in common with him in terms of humor and conversation, but it’s hard to part with my memories of him as the quiet serious blond toddler/kid in grandpa glasses who was too precious for word. His sister is hitting double digits this January…the Big 1-0. That is equally tough, but I guess since her big brother is paving the way I can deal with her age better.
As I spent time over the Holidays with my 4 ½ yr old nephew…let’s call him Train Boy…and my Little Princess (aka his sister the 2 ½ yr old Chief Trouble Maker) I was reintroduced to how much I both love kids and am thrilled I don’t have them yet. My older nephew and niece remind me time is passing and kids grow-up too quickly. Train Boy and Lil’ Princess remind me that they also stay young for a long time and are challenges from start to finish. Tantrums, quiet moments, book reading, lap sitting (them, not me, I would squash there little selves!) new words learned (hopefully no bad ones they heard their Auntie slip up and say) and all the other memories that can only come from little kids. Terms like criss-cross apple sauce (I used this too at their age; it’s the PC term for sitting Indian Style) and dealing with the logic of kids who have yet to really learn empathy and sharing on a grand level. It was fun, but exhausting.
Every time I leave family gathers after time with the tadpoles I’m happy to have had the experience and sad to leave them, but I’m definitely happy that at this stage in my life I’m just Auntie. I play with the kids, but diaper changes and tantrums are usually handled by the parents. I may have learned empathy and sharing on a grand level…but I’m still happy to have my time for me and I don’t have to share it! I’m sure Christmas with all the family in one place will bring out the same feelings…but I guess that will be blogged about when it happens.
Terrible Netflix Decisions!
So I was skipping though the world of Entertainment Blogs and came across a rant about how one film can ruin you for an actress or even mess with your head enough that sleep is hard to find and Netflix decisions are behind the trauma. I was tempted to rent the movie Hard Candy, then I found out it was a pretty sick horror flick and it was deleted from my queue pretty darn fast.
It’s the last line of the blog that made me start thinking…What movie did I regret so much that I too pretty much ran to get it out of my house? My Answer: Irreversible! I rented this at least 2 years ago and it haunts me still. GAH! Possibly the most pointless, violent and physically revolting movie experience I have had. I thought it was a Memento like movie that runs backwards and it was French and supposed to be edgy and a thinker flick. In all fairness I had been warned by reviews that it had some tough stuff, including a rape scene, but I was tricked by some decent reviews into thinking it would be thought provoking. For me it provoked the thought that destroying this DVD would break laws (it was Netflix property after all) and should not be done no matter how much I wanted to and it would not solve the problem of more copies of this thing.
NOTE OF CAUTION: SPOILERS WILL BE WRITTEN HERE…so if you planned to traumatize yourself with this movie, stop reading…but please rethink watching this movies…it is terrible!
Nauseating camera moves that made motion sickness immediately trigger should have been warning one. The opening scene in a super raunchy Paris gay bar that shows fisting: warning 2 that we have a problem. Quickly compounding matters was warning number 3…the hate crime of literally bashing in a gay guy’s head in graphic detail. The next scenes were awful and involved trying to find a rapist and a lot of anti-gay talk. The rape scene…well let’s see that was big red flag sirens going off that this movie needed to go home. It was beyond graphic and went on for almost 10 minutes and well it was horrifying. I looked away…I thought this has to be over soon, right? No, it was awful and the movie just kept on going. Shortly after that scene came some more nauseating camera moves and my own feelings of being dirty for watching something so pointless and awful. Then silly drama in a bar and that made no sense and was foreshadowing the rape I just suffered through (remember the film moves backwards) and I then decided I had to turn off the movie, seal it back in it’s Netflix envelope and get it the hell out of my apartment. I left my apartment went downstairs and outside to the mailbox at 11pm to get it on its way back home to Netflix. I then ran upstairs and searched out The Princess Bride to try and wipe the gross flashes and scenes from my head with gentle and silly comedy.
So, long story short it took a while for that one to be semi-erased from my mind and it definitely made me rethink supposedly “edgy thinker films” from France and Netflix reviews! Lesson learned for now...and Irreversible is added to my NEVER AGAIN list of movies!
It’s the last line of the blog that made me start thinking…What movie did I regret so much that I too pretty much ran to get it out of my house? My Answer: Irreversible! I rented this at least 2 years ago and it haunts me still. GAH! Possibly the most pointless, violent and physically revolting movie experience I have had. I thought it was a Memento like movie that runs backwards and it was French and supposed to be edgy and a thinker flick. In all fairness I had been warned by reviews that it had some tough stuff, including a rape scene, but I was tricked by some decent reviews into thinking it would be thought provoking. For me it provoked the thought that destroying this DVD would break laws (it was Netflix property after all) and should not be done no matter how much I wanted to and it would not solve the problem of more copies of this thing.
NOTE OF CAUTION: SPOILERS WILL BE WRITTEN HERE…so if you planned to traumatize yourself with this movie, stop reading…but please rethink watching this movies…it is terrible!
Nauseating camera moves that made motion sickness immediately trigger should have been warning one. The opening scene in a super raunchy Paris gay bar that shows fisting: warning 2 that we have a problem. Quickly compounding matters was warning number 3…the hate crime of literally bashing in a gay guy’s head in graphic detail. The next scenes were awful and involved trying to find a rapist and a lot of anti-gay talk. The rape scene…well let’s see that was big red flag sirens going off that this movie needed to go home. It was beyond graphic and went on for almost 10 minutes and well it was horrifying. I looked away…I thought this has to be over soon, right? No, it was awful and the movie just kept on going. Shortly after that scene came some more nauseating camera moves and my own feelings of being dirty for watching something so pointless and awful. Then silly drama in a bar and that made no sense and was foreshadowing the rape I just suffered through (remember the film moves backwards) and I then decided I had to turn off the movie, seal it back in it’s Netflix envelope and get it the hell out of my apartment. I left my apartment went downstairs and outside to the mailbox at 11pm to get it on its way back home to Netflix. I then ran upstairs and searched out The Princess Bride to try and wipe the gross flashes and scenes from my head with gentle and silly comedy.
So, long story short it took a while for that one to be semi-erased from my mind and it definitely made me rethink supposedly “edgy thinker films” from France and Netflix reviews! Lesson learned for now...and Irreversible is added to my NEVER AGAIN list of movies!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
Marketing with a Message
OK, I admit it...I love the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty ads that promote "real" women. I was fascinated by the first ad Dove Evolution that showed in time elapse how admittedly beautiful models (in this case random woman) are morphed into gorgeous unattainable beauty thanks to make-up and hair staff plus computers to help even out features and make people look skinnier. The Pro-Age campaign with aging women in some form of undress was risque, but at the same time it had a message about beauty and timelessness...and the fact that everyone of us will age and get wrinkled and grey, but we are not ugly because of that. Their most recent foray is aimed at younger girls and is called Dove Onslaught to demonstrate how media can get to them without a parent noticing. I think it's a very well done piece and it's got a solid message. Apparently there are those who think these messages are NOT good...and hurt as much as the rest of media.
I think the author of that article and a number of critics are looking at this with a skew to their won agenda (and No I am not surprised by this...it's how media works). The message that women need to develop self-esteem that is separate from a fashion industry or media ideals needs to broadcast far and wide. Being attractive/presentable is attainable for anyone, but that is one small part of who we are! I'm not a model, but I like to think I look presentable and attractive most days, but beyond that I'm wicked smart and driven which will take me farther than being 110lbs with big tits and no brain. I hate that stupid people like Paris Hilton or any number of drunk-ass Reality TV stars get attention for vacuous personalities, lack of discernible brain activity and being "HOT". Kids (Hell, Adults) are sponges and a dialogue about beauty and the media needs to happen. To say these ads tell girls that any kind of beauty goal or activity is stupid is missing the point of the ads and skewing the issue. For Christ's Sake, DOVE SELLS BEAUTY PRODUCTS!!! It would be suicide to put out the message that appearance is totally meaningless. Dove is marketing a different ideal. I don't buy a lot of Dove products...too much perfume and so far nothing has caught my fancy...but I sure am inclined to give them a try from time to time. Specifically because they are willing to challenge an idea. I realize that there challenge helps their business, but I'm realistic enough to accept that trade off.
I think the author of that article and a number of critics are looking at this with a skew to their won agenda (and No I am not surprised by this...it's how media works). The message that women need to develop self-esteem that is separate from a fashion industry or media ideals needs to broadcast far and wide. Being attractive/presentable is attainable for anyone, but that is one small part of who we are! I'm not a model, but I like to think I look presentable and attractive most days, but beyond that I'm wicked smart and driven which will take me farther than being 110lbs with big tits and no brain. I hate that stupid people like Paris Hilton or any number of drunk-ass Reality TV stars get attention for vacuous personalities, lack of discernible brain activity and being "HOT". Kids (Hell, Adults) are sponges and a dialogue about beauty and the media needs to happen. To say these ads tell girls that any kind of beauty goal or activity is stupid is missing the point of the ads and skewing the issue. For Christ's Sake, DOVE SELLS BEAUTY PRODUCTS!!! It would be suicide to put out the message that appearance is totally meaningless. Dove is marketing a different ideal. I don't buy a lot of Dove products...too much perfume and so far nothing has caught my fancy...but I sure am inclined to give them a try from time to time. Specifically because they are willing to challenge an idea. I realize that there challenge helps their business, but I'm realistic enough to accept that trade off.
STRESS!
Its official…I’m stressed! I thought for a while I was in a funk and just a bit overwhelmed with lots to do, but I can handle that right? Well…yes, but it is now time for a stress reduction exercise or something! Causes of my stress are work, my MA, feelings of inadequacy in aspects of my life, possible new (and slightly scary) horizons for my career, a very stupid car insurance related stress and right now it just feels like life in general is stress. I think this is in the forefront of my mind b/c I haven’t been sleeping well the past few weeks (from the stress and the bright lights on 24/7 at this building remodel kitty corner from my window that seems to cut through my blinds, which is so delightful!) and its Friday…which should equal profound joy at the idea of two days of relative freedom…but the spark isn’t there. On some level there are hormones (so freaking annoying!) to blame for the stress funk seeming worse.
However, FroggerGirl was raised to be a Pollyanna with a whole “I can learn and grow from this” attitude so fear not gentle readers…I will persevere and kick this stress in the booty! For the first time in a while my weekend will not be a definition of boring. There are things to be done with friends and next week is Thanksgiving and quality time with my Brother’s family, specifically the little sweet urchins he and his wife brought into this world. So to sum up this ramble with classic cliché style…stress sucks, but some good old fashion comfort food (in moderation) and a sunny day help…the rest will take a bit more effort, but I’m ready for it!
However, FroggerGirl was raised to be a Pollyanna with a whole “I can learn and grow from this” attitude so fear not gentle readers…I will persevere and kick this stress in the booty! For the first time in a while my weekend will not be a definition of boring. There are things to be done with friends and next week is Thanksgiving and quality time with my Brother’s family, specifically the little sweet urchins he and his wife brought into this world. So to sum up this ramble with classic cliché style…stress sucks, but some good old fashion comfort food (in moderation) and a sunny day help…the rest will take a bit more effort, but I’m ready for it!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
I'm Afraid for the Future...
So this Daily Mail Article and a Facebook link made me a bit scared for the young women of today. Yes, I'm still young and a woman, but I'm not like these 18-25 year old alcoholics in training. Binge drinkers and proud of it...so proud they post pics of their drunken stupidity online...classy! We have all done stupid things while drinking, but let me tell you if there ever was a picture of me trying to pee in public, I sure as hell wouldn't post it online. employers, teachers, parents and peers could all see and judge (often harshly) a persons character and value off those kinds of pics. It's a brave (drunken) new world online...be prepared!
Politician or Rock Star….
OK, I have to be honest…I’m getting awful sick and tired of Barak Obama. Early on I was excited for him and his political aspirations. He had Liberal street cred with a lot of democrats, the exciting rise to power, he is very smart, a solid orator and seemed to have the making of the first black President of the United States. He seemed to have it all...and then reality set in! His performance in debates and in public has been a disappointment. He is treated like a Rock Star at campaign stops, but he’s a Politician…at least that’s what he claims to be. Rock Stars are fun and all, but I wouldn’t want Bono as my President…and I REALLY like Bono.
Oprah loves him, that’s no surprise. He danced and proved he had some groove on Ellen. Then he had the WORST INTERVIEW EVER on Tyra banks, I mean seriously that train wreck is no way to get votes. He has had his Colbert and Daily show sit-downs (which to be fair seems a pre-requisite for all candidates) and now he’s been on SNL to rip on Hillary. I get it, Obama’s relevant AND funny, but come on…this is getting ridiculous. The best he’s been able to do is rip on Hillary as a woman and a “faker” and promise he’s got all these innovative ideas, but where are the ideas? Where is the proof of policy smarts? Critics have rightfully pointed out he has not varied from a set stump speech and he’s made more than a few blunders proving he doesn’t have foreign policy chops. With every Hollywood moment he indulges in I’m loosing respect. Relying on cute and funny worked on his book tours, but now he’s trying to be President. I need my President to show that he/she has intelligence, savvy and political know-how…I could care less if Tyra or Oprah like him/her. For the love of God, somebody make him talk Politics and stop shaking his groove thing…it’s getting distracting.
Oprah loves him, that’s no surprise. He danced and proved he had some groove on Ellen. Then he had the WORST INTERVIEW EVER on Tyra banks, I mean seriously that train wreck is no way to get votes. He has had his Colbert and Daily show sit-downs (which to be fair seems a pre-requisite for all candidates) and now he’s been on SNL to rip on Hillary. I get it, Obama’s relevant AND funny, but come on…this is getting ridiculous. The best he’s been able to do is rip on Hillary as a woman and a “faker” and promise he’s got all these innovative ideas, but where are the ideas? Where is the proof of policy smarts? Critics have rightfully pointed out he has not varied from a set stump speech and he’s made more than a few blunders proving he doesn’t have foreign policy chops. With every Hollywood moment he indulges in I’m loosing respect. Relying on cute and funny worked on his book tours, but now he’s trying to be President. I need my President to show that he/she has intelligence, savvy and political know-how…I could care less if Tyra or Oprah like him/her. For the love of God, somebody make him talk Politics and stop shaking his groove thing…it’s getting distracting.
Thanks to the Princezz for the idea….
Sily list of questions to answer and enjoy!
Copy and post your answers in the comments, and if you post on your site, I'll post my answers:
1. Do you have a tattoo?
2. How old are you?
3. Are you single or taken?
4. Fish?
5. Do you dream in color?
6. Ever seen a corpse?
7. Hipsters or Hillbillies?
8. How did we meet?
9. What's your philosophy on life and death?
10. If you could do anything with me, and have no one know, what would it be?
11. Do you trust the police?
12. Do you like musicals?
13. What is your fondest memory of me?
14. If you could change anything about yourself what would it be?
15. Would you cheat ?
16. What are you wearing?
17. Have you ever peed in a pool?
18. Would you hide evidence for me if I asked you to?
19. If I only had one day to live, what would we do together?
20. Which do you prefer - short or long hair?
21. What's your favorite day of the week?
22. What's your favorite color?
23. If you could bring back anyone that has passed, who would it be?
24. Tell me one interesting/odd fact about you?
25. What was your first impression of me?
26. Have you ever done drugs?
27. Will you post this so I can fill it out for you?
Copy and post your answers in the comments, and if you post on your site, I'll post my answers:
1. Do you have a tattoo?
2. How old are you?
3. Are you single or taken?
4. Fish?
5. Do you dream in color?
6. Ever seen a corpse?
7. Hipsters or Hillbillies?
8. How did we meet?
9. What's your philosophy on life and death?
10. If you could do anything with me, and have no one know, what would it be?
11. Do you trust the police?
12. Do you like musicals?
13. What is your fondest memory of me?
14. If you could change anything about yourself what would it be?
15. Would you cheat ?
16. What are you wearing?
17. Have you ever peed in a pool?
18. Would you hide evidence for me if I asked you to?
19. If I only had one day to live, what would we do together?
20. Which do you prefer - short or long hair?
21. What's your favorite day of the week?
22. What's your favorite color?
23. If you could bring back anyone that has passed, who would it be?
24. Tell me one interesting/odd fact about you?
25. What was your first impression of me?
26. Have you ever done drugs?
27. Will you post this so I can fill it out for you?
Friday, November 2, 2007
Addiction
Hello, My Name is FroggerGirl and I'm a Facebook-aholic. It is my new crack. Social network sites usually annoy the crap out of me...MySpace, Friendster...they just were never worth messing around on. Too much effort to play with the layout and all that. I'm officially on of those who crashed Facebook at the after 20 stage. Seriously, that site is waaaaay too much fun. I had to laugh at this article about Facestalking...very funny. It's still random how people I haven't seen in over a decade or more importantly don;t really talk to anymore are now my "Friends". Add to the weird voyeur element of Facebook the applications. Seriously my sister and I mess with one anther all the time with applications. I may one day need a Facebook intervention...but for now I'm revelling in the timewasting wonder that is Facebook!
This argument in Torture…
OK, I am sick of the whole “Torture” discussion. I think it’s important to discuss what is happening to terrorist suspects, but we have now devolved into rhetoric and stupid simplification. Party politics and political fear are now driving this discussion and that just seems wrong. There is a Geneva Convention for a reason and obviously our policies and procedures with Enemy Combatants has not been a resounding success. I think the current debate with Mukasey and all that is just static. Look, water boarding is torture…that’s it. Now how do Congress and the President intend to deal with all the political ill will we are creating everyday? Some real analysis and honesty would be appreciated by EVERYONE right about now. Sadly, I just don’t see much hope for that.
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