I lasted 2 days

Loo Loo Bell and I have done nothing the past two days except alternate between reading and watching this:

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G changed my life when he managed to hook up our Netflix account to the TV. During the day Lucy watches from here:

We call this picture, "A Bun in Sunlight."

And at night she watches from here:

Her Conan spot

I have managed to be 100% lazy for two days and last night it caught up with me. I started having the pre-semester nightmares: showing up to teach with no syllabus; showing up to the wrong room; NOT HAVING A PLAN. So guess what I'll be starting today? Prep for Comp II, my friends. There's no way around it - preparation is the only thing that will lower my blood pressure.

And watching more House of Cards, of course. I hear that tomorrow is some sort of national holiday?

Double Recommendation

Ever since I saw Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (you should watch it - great role for Tina Fey) back in the spring, I've been wanting to read the book. I figured it was a page-turner, so I took it on vacation.

Originally published as The Taliban Shuffle by Kim Barker

Barker was a journalist assigned to Afghanistan in 2002. She had never been abroad, hadn't previously owned a passport, and spoke only English. Her account of learning the ropes in such a vastly different culture is both humorous and sobering. For example, she once forgot to take any money with her to Kabul. So, she was all alone - a white, female Infidel - with absolutely no resources until her interpreter and a foreign journalist helped her out. She also recounts how antsy she was to get embedded with our troops on missions, and also to meet with Taliban leaders. Motivated? Yes. Safe? Definitely not.

She wasn't just dealing with Afghan politics (and terrorism) during war time, she was also dealing with the culture shock of working with other international and American journalists in the field, as well as the military. I can't imagine. While she was an experienced journalist and a good writer, she was brand new at just about everything else, and she recounts her life and work in a frank way.

It was refreshing to read a book involving such touchy politics, cultural clashes, gender issues, and, you know, war, in a way that didn't overtly seem to have an agenda. What I mean is that I was expecting her to be preachy but she wasn't. In sticking with her own story and experiences, she was able to present people, their countries, and their beliefs (and actions) in a complex and multi-faceted way, which is realistic. That is how the world works; that is how we live. Things are rarely one-dimensional or accurately evaluated with simplistic black-and-white judgment.

I'm really glad I read the book. It's easy to pick up and put down - it's entertaining and suspenseful but also thought-provoking. And it differs from the movie. So try both!

Catching Up

As you know, this semester has been beyond crazy. In the effort to keep up the teensiest bit of fun and games, we've been trying to watch one funny movie every couple of weeks or so. I'm not quite sure how it happened, but this process basically turned into catching up on all the kids' movies we've missed over the past few years.

And, yes, Lucy joins in on the fun from her Conan spot.

So far, we've caught up on, and highly recommend, the following:

I still want to see Brave, Frozen (<--from a feminist thought perspective; G won't watch it with me so I'll have to pick a weekend when he's nerding it up with his nerdy nerd friends), How to Train Your Dragon II, Hotel Transylvania II, and...what else? You guys with kids, what movies are we missing?

A Must See Summer Movie

This weekend we went to see this:

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Go see it immediately. It is the perfect summer movie. It is a huge nod to the original Jurassic Park movie - which premiered like 25 years ago omg has it been that long??? - and I'm not saying this one is original on any level or that it has any kind of a plot. I'm just saying you need to go see it.

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The effects are fantastic and so is the acting. They make up for the total and complete lack of originality - which might sound like I'm criticizing the movie, but I'm not! I loved it! - and the concept of such a touristy, marketing savvy animal park is so on par with what would probably exist if we were able to clone dinosaurs today. My fave line from the movie went something like, "Wait, what? You make new dinosaurs? Like, the other dinosaurs weren't enough??"

And in other news, my lil lovelies are thriving!

I think it's all the rain lately. It rains all the time. I mean, all the time. Not that I'm complaining or anything, because we need the water, but it rains constantly. We went straight from snow season to monsoon season. Whatever gives California its drinking water, right? (<--- sarcasm and bitterness)

I'm getting really good at commuting via the bike. Look for me at next year's Tour de France.

Break

Yesterday I took a much-needed break for a ladies' day with The Russkie. First there was brunch - BRUNCH! The best meal ever created! - at Boulder Cafe.

It occurs to me that, since most of you don't know her, you might picture The Russkie with a thick accent, toting a flask of vodka under her fir-trimmed hat. That's not actually the case, but go ahead and keep picturing her that way, just for fun! I call Putin "her boy" which she totally loves, let me tell you. And when Russia is in the news, I call her out on what "her people" are up to. It's a miracle she's willing to be seen in public with me, like, at all.

Southwest Eggs Benedict. Be still my beating heart.

Russkie got this egg quiche tortilla thing that was divine.

Then we saw the movie. Which I totally want to talk about, but first, I want to give props to the crunchy and organic people of Boulder for their outstanding movie theaters. We just went to the regular ole theater, nothing (I thought) fancy. Um, wrong. Um, I'm going to all the movies in the future at this place. They served Starbucks coffee (!) and real Boulder Creamery Ice Cream (!). What?? So, you know, THIS happened.

I used my waffle cone as a spoon. I may have also made grunting and snorting sounds.

The stadium seating was super steep as well, which I love, because then I don't have to grind my teeth during all the trailers, waiting for a giant to plop down directly in front of me. And the seats were super duper cushioned! More cushy for the tushy!

So, the movie: American Sniper

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The Clint Eastwood-directed film is based on the true story of Chris Kyle, who became one of the Army's most successful snipers in all of history. I've mentioned this before, but I have this thing about going to see certain based-on-real-life-current-war-movies (Zero Dark Thirty, Lone Survivor) because it helps me really picture what things are like, and what people go through. Even though it's Hollywood's version, still. I think many people appreciate the movie as an "experience" like I do.

Bradley Cooper did such a great job. Wow. Just, wow. The beginning of the movie was really slow as they developed Chris's character. This is truly a movie about him, not just his Army service, so there was a lot of cinematic attention paid to his youth and home life that I wasn't expecting. The movie, even while watching it, felt slow. But the cinematography, acting, screen shots, effects, everything, were superb. I recommend this with a caveat: there are some scenes with kids that might offend you (violence).

All in all, I need more days like yesterday. I will pay you $1,000 to clean my house and do my taxes for me. Also, please ensure that we get a $10,000-$20,000 refund in order to take several vacations next year. Thanks.

The Son of God, In My Opinion

Have you ever seen the episodes of The Good Wife when the lawyers get the "In My Opinion" judge?

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They are hysterical.  No matter what the lawyers present or how they present it, she always asks snootily, "Is that...your opinion?" and they have to stop in their tracks, lose all their momentum, and mumble, "Yes, your honor.  That's...my opinion."

So let me tell you about the latest Jesus movie.  In my opinion.

The Son of God

I should let you know what, as a Christian, drives me crazy about Christian movies: they make each and every scene so heartfelt.  The Velveeta flows out of the screen regardless of whether Jesus is healing someone, rebuking someone, turning over the tables in the temple...it's like everyone goes too far in trying to imbue everything with so much passion and meaning.  Jesus was a person.  He interacted with other people.  Truthfully?  I don't think the day-to-day business was that remarkable.  It was probably normal.  Maybe even boring at times.  Because that's human life.

But I also think Jesus was all kinds of fun to hang around because he attracted the sinners.  The fun was not with the religious folk then, and a lot of times, it's not now either.  I don't think he attracted the full attention of prostitutes and tax collectors and liars and thieves by being cheesy and heartfelt.  He was loving, sure, and he performed miracles.  But I'm sure what tugged on their little sinner heartstrings was that he treated them with dignity.  He dealt with their flaws and let them see his frustration, and in the end, his fear, and in the very end, his submission, and in the new beginning, his Godliness.

And that didn't make them cheesy, either.  It made them powerful.

So why portray him this way on film?  Grrrr.  Son of God is a pretty good movie, and I'll tell you the actor who did the best job: the guy who plays Pilate.

Pilate

I like how Pilate is portrayed in the different gospels.  Sometimes he strikes me as brutal and political, other times, as confused and weak-minded, a puppet.  In this movie, though, he is fed up.  He is done with the Jews and their squabbles and really just wants to wash his hands of them.  He doesn't care about Jesus enough to kill him, and is somewhat affected by his wife who has had a telling dream that he kills an innocent man, a good man.  You can see in his every movement, without a hint of humor or overacting, just how done he is with these people.  

Pilate's reactions, and the occasional snarky-ness of Jesus, was worth watching.  The effects of the movie are well done and the acting is, too.  Just be ready for the cheese.

Opting for Decaf

All of a sudden, life seems out of control (you can always tell my stress level by the number of days in a row that I haven't blogged).  I don't get what happened.  But G went to a nerd event and I spent all day yesterday trying to get caught up, and it feels like a time warp; I'm just as overwhelmed as when I started out.  Don't you hate that?  It's not that I'm behind, per se, it's that I can't seem to get ahead.  I'm simply treading water.  Maintaining the status quo.

This is considered "clean and organized"

 This weekend, I have accomplished the following:

* Found all sources for my final research paper (a total of 16!)
* Registered for a summer class (it's a doozie)
* Prepped for this week's tutoring sessions with the new student
* Read about half of The Professor's House for class
* Jogged!
* Had some peeps over for lunch
* Loved on Lucy outside of her cage (miracle!)
* Prepped laundry, house, food for this next week of chaos
* Laid off the Diet Dr Pepper and most coffee because the caffeine is pushing my stress level too far (lesson way, way learned in the past)
* Ordered a new air mattress and sheets and a cool room divider for summer guests
* Made the command decision that I will only be taking ONE class in the fall.  The thought of two classes makes me want to crawl in a hole and die.  One it is then.

I still desperately need to accomplish the following:

* Prep this week's lesson plans for two more students

* Finish The Professor's House
* REWRITE THAT DANG MIDTERM PAPER
* Actually read the sources for my final paper!
* Actually start a draft of my final paper!
* Stop whining and get to work!
* Exercise more

A spring morning in Denver

Hold on while I breathe into this paper bag.

Researching and writing papers is the hardest thing in the world.  All I want to do is nap and I can't even do that because I'm too spazzed out about it all.

BUT!  We're going out of town next weekend!  To explore!

Lucy lays in her Conan spot for hours on end and watches me read.

It's a good thing that Orphan Black and Mad Men don't premiere until later this month or I would probably fail out.  We have gotten hooked on a new TV show, though.  Are you guys watching Cosmos, A Spacetime Odyssey on the Fox Network?  It is about the birth of the universe and lots of mysteries in outer space and even here on Earth - let me tell you, it has sparked some riveting conversations around dawrighthouse (mostly about how we're not smart enough to understand most of the concepts, but still).  It's also an interesting show to watch from a Christian perspective.  How do you reconcile believing that all of creation was formed by an Intelligent Being, and also remain willing to accept the facts of science about the age of the universe and lots of scientific "proof" of evolution?

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I don't believe that Christianity and Science (with a capital "S") are mutually exclusive, and I believe that we are meant to explore our surroundings and learn as much as possible (we were given dominion, after all).  I even believe in many evolutionary concepts...it just gets fuzzy when trying to imagine that we formed - or evolved - or somehow came to be - out of...slime.  A primeval swamp somewhere when some type of fish stumbled upon land and eventually formed lungs to breathe air...

Anyhoo.  It's excellent food for thought, and a thought-provoking show.

I could use another weekend.  Someone let me off this roller coaster!  Or at least come write my paper for me!

Last Day: A Whole Lotta Nothing Going On

I'm calling today The Last Day of Spring Break because we head out of state for a whirlwind family visit tomorrow.  Although it will be all sorts of fun, it will not be relaxing, so today was it.

To be honest, most of today was spent like this, which is what happens when I really get into a book.  I cannot seem to find my way out again.  And therefore a workout and most household chores simply did not happen today.  Real life will resume quickly enough, so I won't be too hard on myself.

It's so odd to "prepare" for a short flight.  I think my brain is programmed to take every sort of entertainment I could possibly need for the next three days...and it's weird to take a book and a magazine for a simple 90 minute flight.  That's like, nothing.  I can't really comprehend it.

Got together with the Russkie tonight!  We're making this a weekly thing and I'm loving it.  Too bad she's off to The Motherland for the next few weeks.

We had a little of this:

That's not a cigarette to the left.  Or anything else of ill repute.  It's a folded napkin.

And a little of this:

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I have heard mixed reviews of the movie, and since I enjoyed the book ever so much, I wasn't sure what to expect.  I knew the movie would be visually stunning and well-acted, but I was curious to see how true it was to the novel.  You guys, it was so good!  It only took liberties with the story a couple of times, and at least those were in line with the themes of the story itself.  And I really enjoyed Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby - well done.   The book is always best, but after having been immersed in it for a couple of weeks, seeing it portrayed so respectfully (minus the rap music - come on, Hollywood - I mean, really) on screen was a real treat.

Off to finish packing and then dive back into my Lit Society book.  Will try try try to blog this weekend but one can never be sure when one travels where the internet sometimes cannot go...so will hopefully see you peeps on here after that short flight.  :)

Kidnapped by Pirates

Tonight we finally got around to watching this:

Captain Phillips

I have been wanting to watch it for a while, mainly because I love being able to pseudo experience real-life situations sort of, kind of how they actually played out. Without doing much homework about this movie or the real situation, I think there is some controversy about how close Captain Phillips decided to cruise to the Somali coastline.  There is speculation that his decision to cruise closer rather than further from shore put his boat on the pirates' radar.

Be that as it may, I think in legalistic terms, and hijacking a boat is wrong.  Circumstances don't matter.  Historical and socio-economic situations being what they are, can you imagine?  Can you just imagine that you're at sea, doing your job, aware of the dangers out there somewhere...and then it happens to you?  You are boarded by pirates and you have no weapons and you are in the middle of the water and this could be it?

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As a movie, it is very well done.  Had I not already known how it ended, I would have given myself a headache; they did a great job of building suspense and making you feel like you were there, without much all-over-the-place, documentary-style videography (although there is some of that).  Tom Hanks does a phenomenal job, as always, and so do the actors playing the Somali pirates.  Without overacting, they portray how hopped up on khat and bat sh*t crazy the pirates must truly be.  The fact that neither Captain Phillips nor any of his crew were killed is miraculous.

My blood pressure is sky high right now.  Time to calm it down with some Willa Cather.  Watch this movie - it's a good one.

Outer Space and Hong Kong

We saw Gravity yesterday.  I was (pleasantly) surprised it was still in theaters.

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I highly recommend it.  I gritted my teeth so badly that I gave myself a headache but it was worth it.  Sandra Bullock did a superb job; there's no other way to describe it.  Watch it with a glass bottle of wine.  I should have smuggled one in.

It has been a rough Monday, so let's go through some pics from Hong Kong, shall we?  Let's!  I hit the highlights previously, but here is some more of Hong Kong's charm…

The Bridge of Longevity: visitors are supposed to walk across it three times.

Look at that architecture.

This is about 1/8 of a jade market.  Mass chaos.

There is no space for dryers in the apartment buildings, so everyone air dries their clothes.

They use bamboo for scaffolding.  Everywhere.  EVERYWHERE.

We took a lot of cab rides.

More pics to come!  As well as deets about Big 2014 Plans.  :)

Stuck on a lifeboat with a tiger

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When the peeps were here over the weekend, we watched Life of Pi.  I had been hesitant to see the movie because I enjoyed the book so much (it occurs to me that I sound like a real joy on this blog: hesitant to read book series, try out nerdy game stores, etc.).  In fact, I own the book and have read it multiple times; it is extremely interesting, complex and beautiful.  However, it's also...mental.  I didn't believe the internal emotional and spiritual struggles would be adequately conveyed on screen.

In fact, they were and they weren't.  The movie, although it started a bit slowly, did a surprisingly good job of letting the viewer in on Pi's state of mind.  Although the book wins every time, I do recommend watching the movie for the stunning images.

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I highly recommend the book.  Life of Pi is the story of a young Indian boy's coming of age that is interrupted when his family decides to move to Canada.  It is a complicated journey for them, though, because Pi's dad owns a zoo and must first transport the animals to South America (I think). So the family and all the animals board a Japanese freighter - which of course sinks - leaving Pi alone on a lifeboat with a few random animals and then eventually with Richard Parker, the tiger.  Their journey at sea is a remarkable one that involves the struggle for survival (internal and external), the search for God, and the miracles of life.

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I recommend the movie after you have read the book.  :)

Enjoy!

The Great Rotel Disturbance of 2013

My spicy lover

Usually when I make a grocery run, I'll swing by the tomato aisle and pick up a couple (ok, 8) cans of Hot Rotel.  I do this because cheese dip is an important staple in my diet and I can sleep better at night knowing I have a stockpile of ingredients in the pantry.  Well, they make about a thousand different flavor varieties in addition to Hot; Cilantro and Lime, Original, Mild, Texas Chili...

These are unnecessary and a complete waste of tex mex resources, in my opinion.

So on Thursday night, G and I made a run to the store in preparation for the huge snow storm we're getting today.  We wanted to get chili supplies and other necessities such as ice cream bars and Frosted Mini Wheats.  Low and behold, when I got to my favorite aisle of all, they were out of the Hot flavor!  What????  I shuffled the cans around and pored through the pallets in vain until G gently led me away.  So now I can't even enjoy the cozy weekend because I'm so nervous that my emergency cheese dip supply is going to run out.

We watched this movie last night:

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I know you can't believe that, what with my past stress about flying and all, I would want to watch it.  Me either.

Because I'm approximately 3.7 years behind the rest of society, I had heard it was a great movie but I didn't know much about the plot.  Only that Whip (Denzel Washington's character) performed a miracle and saved most people on board during a plane crash caused by a mechanical difficulty.

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Note that I'm brilliant and chose to watch this at a time when I won't be flying for at least several weeks.

The acting is phenomenal but the movie is not so much about the crash as about Whip's alcohol and drug addiction.  Because of that, there were many unexpected drug scenes, and a whopping nudity scene that caught us by surprise.  Getting past that, I enjoyed the portrayal of the crash (I know, I know, this makes no sense) and momentarily forgot that Denzel is an actor and not a pilot.  He owned that role.

When we turned regular TV back on, Date Night was just beginning.

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Have you seen this?  OMG it's so funny.  Watch it immediately.

It's supposed to snow like crazy today, so I'm just telling you now there are no plans to get out of my pj's.  Orca is going to stay in hers as well.

Happy Saturday!  (Is there any other kind?)