I am so frustrated right now! Yesterday when I was leaving work, I see that my driver's side window is down half way....and it's broken. This is the third window that has broken in the last year. WTF JEEP??
I've been calling around all morning and I have been getting estimates for $300-$500 per window. Ridiculous! All the places that I've called have been telling me that they've had tons of people with the same issue. JEEP people! Let's get together and get this fixed!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Sundance 2010 Update #2
On Monday night, January 25, I went to see a film called Mother & Child. I think the best part of the festival this year is the choice in films. Everything is so different! This film has three different stories, and in the end they all connect. It's mostly about the relationship between a mother and her child, or the relationship that a mother wishes to have with her child. This film stars Annette Bening, Samuel L. Jackson, Naomi Watts, Kerry Washington, and Jimmy Smits.
REVIEW FOR MOTHER & CHILD: Good story about mostly mothers and daughters. I like films that have different stories that all connect in the end. This will most likely go to theaters because it was bought by Sony. View a clip here.
The final movie I went to see was called The Romantics (Wednesday, Jan. 27). This film is about a group of young adults who have all had relationships with each other, but there is one that is a love triangle. Laura (Katie Holmes) is in love wiht Tom (Josh Duhamel), but Tom is getting married to Lila (Anna Paquin). The night of the rehearsal dinner, they all go looking for Tom, who has gone missing. Tom is still in love with Laura, but is getting married to Lila tomorrow. Elijah Wood, Candice Bergen, Malin Ackerman, and Adam Brody are also in the film.
REVIEW FOR THE ROMANTICS: I think this film will go to theaters just because of the cast. There were a lot of funny moments, and I think the overall story is very good. Most importantly, I think the cast was very excited with the outcome. They all got together on stage and congratulated each other. No clips or trailer for this film yet!
REVIEW FOR MOTHER & CHILD: Good story about mostly mothers and daughters. I like films that have different stories that all connect in the end. This will most likely go to theaters because it was bought by Sony. View a clip here.
The final movie I went to see was called The Romantics (Wednesday, Jan. 27). This film is about a group of young adults who have all had relationships with each other, but there is one that is a love triangle. Laura (Katie Holmes) is in love wiht Tom (Josh Duhamel), but Tom is getting married to Lila (Anna Paquin). The night of the rehearsal dinner, they all go looking for Tom, who has gone missing. Tom is still in love with Laura, but is getting married to Lila tomorrow. Elijah Wood, Candice Bergen, Malin Ackerman, and Adam Brody are also in the film.
REVIEW FOR THE ROMANTICS: I think this film will go to theaters just because of the cast. There were a lot of funny moments, and I think the overall story is very good. Most importantly, I think the cast was very excited with the outcome. They all got together on stage and congratulated each other. No clips or trailer for this film yet!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sundance 2010 Update #1
It's day five at the Sundance Film Festival here in Park City. I've seen three films so far. They were all very different.
The first film I saw was Friday evening, called Please Give. It's about a mother (Catherine Keener) who has a problem giving money to homeless people on the streets of New York. She'll give up $20 to a homeless man, but won't give her daughter money to buy a pair of jeans. Oliver Platt is the husband who seems like he has everything, but ends up having an affair with the neighbor's granddaughter (Amanda Peete).
REVIEW FOR PLEASE GIVE: Definitely an interesting plot, but not sure it will go to the big screen. View a clip here.
The second film I saw was on Saturday evening, called Buried. This film is set entirely in a coffin. Ryan Reynolds is a truck driver who is delivering army supplies to a base camp. Him and several other trucks are ambushed by a non-terrorist group. He is taken hostage, buried in a coffin, and left nothing but a cell phone, glow sticks, a flash light, and a letter with his ransom note on it. He is to make a ransom video that will be posted on every major news channel. The U.S. will need to pay $1 million before they tell them where he is buried. He isn't buried too far beneath the ground because he can hear the prayer call over the loud speaker, and he has cell reception in most areas of the coffin. He gets a hold of a hostage negotiator located in Iraq (because this is something that happens quite frequently).
REVIEW FOR BURIED: Because this film is so interesting, and the part for Ryan Reynolds was different, this might be something you see on the big screen in a few months. I went to this film with my friend, Amy. She came up with a great question to ask at the Q&A...except it was about 7 hours too late. Her question was: There is obviously a lot of hidden meaning behind this film regarding the U.S. government. What do you want your audience to get from this film? Great question! After you see the film, you'll understand! View the trailer here.
The third film I saw was yesterday afternoon, called The Dry Land. This film is about a soldier (Ryan O'Nan) who returns home to his wife (America Ferrera) and family, only to realize that he has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
REVIEW FOR DRY LAND: Good story, good ending, overall good message. But that's it. Just good. Again, not sure if this film will go to the big screen.
I am going to see Mother & Child this evening, and my final film, The Romantics, on Wednesday. More reviews to come!
The first film I saw was Friday evening, called Please Give. It's about a mother (Catherine Keener) who has a problem giving money to homeless people on the streets of New York. She'll give up $20 to a homeless man, but won't give her daughter money to buy a pair of jeans. Oliver Platt is the husband who seems like he has everything, but ends up having an affair with the neighbor's granddaughter (Amanda Peete).
REVIEW FOR PLEASE GIVE: Definitely an interesting plot, but not sure it will go to the big screen. View a clip here.
The second film I saw was on Saturday evening, called Buried. This film is set entirely in a coffin. Ryan Reynolds is a truck driver who is delivering army supplies to a base camp. Him and several other trucks are ambushed by a non-terrorist group. He is taken hostage, buried in a coffin, and left nothing but a cell phone, glow sticks, a flash light, and a letter with his ransom note on it. He is to make a ransom video that will be posted on every major news channel. The U.S. will need to pay $1 million before they tell them where he is buried. He isn't buried too far beneath the ground because he can hear the prayer call over the loud speaker, and he has cell reception in most areas of the coffin. He gets a hold of a hostage negotiator located in Iraq (because this is something that happens quite frequently).
REVIEW FOR BURIED: Because this film is so interesting, and the part for Ryan Reynolds was different, this might be something you see on the big screen in a few months. I went to this film with my friend, Amy. She came up with a great question to ask at the Q&A...except it was about 7 hours too late. Her question was: There is obviously a lot of hidden meaning behind this film regarding the U.S. government. What do you want your audience to get from this film? Great question! After you see the film, you'll understand! View the trailer here.
The third film I saw was yesterday afternoon, called The Dry Land. This film is about a soldier (Ryan O'Nan) who returns home to his wife (America Ferrera) and family, only to realize that he has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
REVIEW FOR DRY LAND: Good story, good ending, overall good message. But that's it. Just good. Again, not sure if this film will go to the big screen.
I am going to see Mother & Child this evening, and my final film, The Romantics, on Wednesday. More reviews to come!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
The Peace Corps
Even with all of my school loans, car payment, and credit card debt, I know that I have a pretty awesome life. I live in the beautiful rocky mountains and work for a company that allows me to ski for free anytime I want. I have my health, a working car, and a loving family. Knowing all of these things, all I can think about lately (before the earthquake in Haiti) is helping people in 3rd world countries.
I have been looking into some new options that I could do in the near future. One thing I have always wanted to do is volunteer my time in Africa by helping build a school or help educate children. A friend of mine that I went to high school with started working for a company called Come Let's Dance. She was building orphanages in Uganda for several years and loved every minute of it.
I started looking into the Peace Corps. After looking at their website and researching my options, I stumbled across a section titled, "Who Volunteers?" On this page, there is an area that says, "Between careers? Unsatisfied with your job? Ready for something truly different?...See the world, and give something back while you're at it?" This is exactly where I am in my life.
There are a lot of really awesome benefits as well. My studen loans would be deferred, medical and dental care, and the most important part, I would get to live in the same environment that the local people are living in. This is truly the opportunity of a lifetime!
Here are the issues: I have a dog and the Peace Corps requires you to live overseas for 27 months. The application process takes anywhere from 9-12 months, almost a year of waiting, so planning ahead isn't an option. I have credit card debt and other bills that I wouldn't be able to pay while away.
I'm kind of in a pickle with this one. It's the perfect time in my life to do this, but there are too many other things that are holding me back.
I need a sponsor. Who's up for it? I take cash or check!
I have been looking into some new options that I could do in the near future. One thing I have always wanted to do is volunteer my time in Africa by helping build a school or help educate children. A friend of mine that I went to high school with started working for a company called Come Let's Dance. She was building orphanages in Uganda for several years and loved every minute of it.
I started looking into the Peace Corps. After looking at their website and researching my options, I stumbled across a section titled, "Who Volunteers?" On this page, there is an area that says, "Between careers? Unsatisfied with your job? Ready for something truly different?...See the world, and give something back while you're at it?" This is exactly where I am in my life.
There are a lot of really awesome benefits as well. My studen loans would be deferred, medical and dental care, and the most important part, I would get to live in the same environment that the local people are living in. This is truly the opportunity of a lifetime!
Here are the issues: I have a dog and the Peace Corps requires you to live overseas for 27 months. The application process takes anywhere from 9-12 months, almost a year of waiting, so planning ahead isn't an option. I have credit card debt and other bills that I wouldn't be able to pay while away.
I'm kind of in a pickle with this one. It's the perfect time in my life to do this, but there are too many other things that are holding me back.
I need a sponsor. Who's up for it? I take cash or check!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Golden Globe Winners
I absolutely love award season! Considering I made my predictions before actually seeing half of these films, I think I did pretty well.
I'm so excited for Michael C. Hall and John Lithgow winning for Dexter. I love that show, and both actors deserve the Globe. Especially Michael C. Hall. If you've ever seen Dexter, you know why.
1. BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
My Pick: Inglorious Basterds
Winner: Avatar
**After seeing Avatar, I would have changed my decision.
2. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
My Pick: Helen Mirren
Winner: Sandra Bullock
**Still haven't seen The Blind Side
3. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
My Pick: Morgan Freeman
Winner: Jeff Bridges
**THE DUDE!
4. BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
My Pick: Julie & Julia
Winner: The Hangover
**Kind of a surprise, but definitely worthy of this award.
5. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
My Pick: Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia
Winner: Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia
**Loved this movie!
6. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY
OR MUSICAL
My Pick: Robert Downey Jr.
Winner: Robert Downey Jr.
7. BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
My Pick: Up
Winner: Up
8. BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
My Pick: A Prophet
Winner: The White Ribbon
9. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
My Pick: Penelope Cruz
Winner: Mo'nique
10. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A
MOTION PICTURE
My Pick: Matt Damon
Winner: Christopher Waltz
11. BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE
My Pick: Clint Eastwood
Winner: James Cameron
12. BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE
My Pick: Nancy Meyers (Love her!)
Winner: Jason Reitman
13. BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE
My Pick: Karen O, Carter Burwell
Winner: Michael Giacchino
14. BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE
My Pick: "The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)"
Winner: "The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)"
15. BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
My Pick: Dexter
Winner: Mad Men
16. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
My Pick: January Jones
Winner: Julianna Margulies
17. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
My Pick: Michael C. Hall
Winner: Michael C. Hall
**WOO HOO!!
18. BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
My Pick: 30 Rock/Glee
Winner: Glee
19. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
My Pick: Toni Collette
Winner: Toni Collette
20. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
My Pick: Alec Baldwin
Winner: Alec Baldwin
21. BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
My Pick: Grey Gardens
Winner: Grey Gardens
22. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION
PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
My Pick: Jessica Lange
Winner: Drew Barrymore
**Right series, wrong actress
23. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
My Pick: Chiwetel Ejiofor
Winner: Kevin Bacon
24. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
My Pick: Chloe Sevigny
Winner: Chloe Sevigny
25. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
My Pick: John Lithgow
Winner: John Lithgow
I'm so excited for Michael C. Hall and John Lithgow winning for Dexter. I love that show, and both actors deserve the Globe. Especially Michael C. Hall. If you've ever seen Dexter, you know why.
1. BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
My Pick: Inglorious Basterds
Winner: Avatar
**After seeing Avatar, I would have changed my decision.
2. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
My Pick: Helen Mirren
Winner: Sandra Bullock
**Still haven't seen The Blind Side
3. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
My Pick: Morgan Freeman
Winner: Jeff Bridges
**THE DUDE!
4. BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
My Pick: Julie & Julia
Winner: The Hangover
**Kind of a surprise, but definitely worthy of this award.
5. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
My Pick: Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia
Winner: Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia
**Loved this movie!
6. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY
OR MUSICAL
My Pick: Robert Downey Jr.
Winner: Robert Downey Jr.
7. BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
My Pick: Up
Winner: Up
8. BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
My Pick: A Prophet
Winner: The White Ribbon
9. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
My Pick: Penelope Cruz
Winner: Mo'nique
10. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A
MOTION PICTURE
My Pick: Matt Damon
Winner: Christopher Waltz
11. BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE
My Pick: Clint Eastwood
Winner: James Cameron
12. BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE
My Pick: Nancy Meyers (Love her!)
Winner: Jason Reitman
13. BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE
My Pick: Karen O, Carter Burwell
Winner: Michael Giacchino
14. BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE
My Pick: "The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)"
Winner: "The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)"
15. BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
My Pick: Dexter
Winner: Mad Men
16. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
My Pick: January Jones
Winner: Julianna Margulies
17. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
My Pick: Michael C. Hall
Winner: Michael C. Hall
**WOO HOO!!
18. BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
My Pick: 30 Rock/Glee
Winner: Glee
19. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
My Pick: Toni Collette
Winner: Toni Collette
20. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
My Pick: Alec Baldwin
Winner: Alec Baldwin
21. BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
My Pick: Grey Gardens
Winner: Grey Gardens
22. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION
PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
My Pick: Jessica Lange
Winner: Drew Barrymore
**Right series, wrong actress
23. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
My Pick: Chiwetel Ejiofor
Winner: Kevin Bacon
24. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
My Pick: Chloe Sevigny
Winner: Chloe Sevigny
25. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
My Pick: John Lithgow
Winner: John Lithgow
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The Reader
All through elementary school, middle school, high school, and college, I hated reading. I would like to blame it on the fact that I was forced to read, but I look back at it now and I think I really missed out on some really great books. The books that were assigned in school never got my attention, so I would pray that there would be a movie to go with it so I could just watch that instead and skip reading the book. I took the easy way out. I regret that now.
In the last 11 weeks I have read nine books. Most of them are really amazing stories. I have been keeping a list of all the books I want to read and it is literally endless. I would love to hear about some books that you all have loved and recommend for me. I am open to anything, non-fiction, biographies, fantasy, and thriller. Send 'em all my way!
In the last 11 weeks I have read nine books. Most of them are really amazing stories. I have been keeping a list of all the books I want to read and it is literally endless. I would love to hear about some books that you all have loved and recommend for me. I am open to anything, non-fiction, biographies, fantasy, and thriller. Send 'em all my way!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Books!
One week into the New Year and I am keeping up with #5 on my "2010 To Do List", which is read a book a week. I just finished My Sister's Keeper and have started The Lovely Bones. I'm starting to get into reading books that are being made into movies. The movies look so good, but they always cut out so much detail from the book it was based off of. I want to know the full, in-depth story. Of course, I'll throw in a few books that don't have movies coming out...not yet anyway.
Here's a list of the books I'm hoping to read this year. Let me know if you've read them and your rating!
My Sister's Keeper, Jody Picoult
The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold
When You Are Engulfed in Flames, David Sedaris
The Pleasure of My Company, Steve Martin
The Year of Living Biblically, A.J. Jacobs
Walking the Bible, Bruce Feiler
Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Jonathan Safran Foer
The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, J.R.R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, J.R.R. Tolkien
Eragon, Christopher Paolini
The Poinsonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver
The Godfather, Mario Puzo
Darkley Dreaming Dexter, Jeff Lindsay
Dearly Devoted Dexter, Jeff Lindsay
Dexter in the Dark, Jeff Lindsay
Dexter by Design, Jeff Lindsay
Dead Until Dark, Charlaine Harris
Living Dead in Dallas, Charlaine Harris
Club Dead, Charlaine Harris
Dead to the World, Charlaine Harris
Dead as a Doornail, Charlaine Harris
Definitely Dead, Charlaine Harris
All Together Dead, Charlaine Harris
From Dead to Worse, Charlaine Harris
Dead and Gone, Charlaine Harris
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson
The Girl Who Played with Fire, Stieg Larsson
This is just a starting list, and I'm sure I'll go through some faster than others, so I'll be adding more. I am also a part of a book club, and only three of the books are listed, so once I know the rest of the list, those will be added as well.
This is so exciting!
Here's a list of the books I'm hoping to read this year. Let me know if you've read them and your rating!
My Sister's Keeper, Jody Picoult
The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold
When You Are Engulfed in Flames, David Sedaris
The Pleasure of My Company, Steve Martin
The Year of Living Biblically, A.J. Jacobs
Walking the Bible, Bruce Feiler
Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Jonathan Safran Foer
The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, J.R.R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, J.R.R. Tolkien
Eragon, Christopher Paolini
The Poinsonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver
The Godfather, Mario Puzo
Darkley Dreaming Dexter, Jeff Lindsay
Dearly Devoted Dexter, Jeff Lindsay
Dexter in the Dark, Jeff Lindsay
Dexter by Design, Jeff Lindsay
Dead Until Dark, Charlaine Harris
Living Dead in Dallas, Charlaine Harris
Club Dead, Charlaine Harris
Dead to the World, Charlaine Harris
Dead as a Doornail, Charlaine Harris
Definitely Dead, Charlaine Harris
All Together Dead, Charlaine Harris
From Dead to Worse, Charlaine Harris
Dead and Gone, Charlaine Harris
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson
The Girl Who Played with Fire, Stieg Larsson
This is just a starting list, and I'm sure I'll go through some faster than others, so I'll be adding more. I am also a part of a book club, and only three of the books are listed, so once I know the rest of the list, those will be added as well.
This is so exciting!
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