Shocker: I Watched Movies

I've made it no secret that I'm not a huge fan of movie watching. They're long, I don't feel productive while sitting in one spot for 90-180 minutes, and I frequently (although less so now) need to use the facilities. Or get some water. Or switch over laundry. Or check something on my computer. Or- you get the picture. But some miracle happened this past holiday weekend and I watched FOUR movies. Yes, four. I'm not a movie reviewer by any means, but I thought I'd share my thoughts since I can't think of anything else to blog about right now since my husband, the movie buff, won't write posts for me. And now to impress you with my non-existent movie reviewing skills. 

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Netflix added it this month and my very excited husband put it on Friday morning. Interested to see if it was what I remembered from my youth I decided to watch the first few minutes, which turned into the whole thing (while playing with and feeding the kid, anyway). It's so eighties and campy and fun. If you haven't seen it, it's about this guy who shrinks his kids. And calls his wife "honey." The four kids must battle the backyard lawn and everything that comes with it, including insects, sprinklers, and birds. And then they must unshrink them. It was great. 

Her

My husband had some gift cards so he bought this and the next movie, both from last year. I really liked Her, directed by Spike Jonze (please tell me I'm not the only person that gets him confused with Spike Lee) and starring Joaquin Phoenix and his awesome 'stache. Oh, and Amy Adams and Scarlett Johnasson are also in it. Phoenix's character is feeling pretty depressed after his divorce and ends up becoming incredible attached to his IOS's persona (spoiler alert: they have human/computer phone sex), all the while becoming better friends with Adams' character. It's a tad depressing, but also sweet and optimistic. 

The Grand Budapest Hotel

I actually really wanted to see this movie, directed by my favorite director Wes Anderson (by the way, this is the only real director I have an opinion about- I've seen all his movie except one). Starring Ralph Fiennes, this movie is about his concierge character and the lobby boy, Zero's, adventure. Fiennes is quite the womanizer and finds himself in jail after one of his little affairs have gone wrong, leading to his need to escape both the slammer and the woman's son. Quirky, hilarious, and just awesome to look at. Oh, and there are these little pastries that pop up several times during it and one of the extras on the Blu-Ray is the recipe and directions. How cool is that?

What About Bob?

This is another old movie that my husband put on and I said I'd watch just a few minutes of (I'd never seen it). This turned into the whole thing, thanks to Sawyer's incredibly long nap... on me. Oops. Anyway, Bob, played by Bill Murray is a hypochondriac in desperate need of some therapy. After meeting with a psychologist for the first time he learns the doctor is headed out on vacation, which Bob track hims down on. He befriends his family, angers the doctor, and eventually teaches everyone lessons about themselves and their familial relationship. And he wears his goldfish on a jar around his neck, which is awesome. 

Based on the fact that I like these four movies, what should I add to my queue?

Wish List- Kid's Books Edition

I've been trying to read to Sawyer every day, despite the fact that he has no idea what I'm saying and most of the time only looks at the pages on accident. Nonetheless, I try. Right now we're reading Jack Prelutsky's collection of poems, A Pizza the Size of the Sun, which is often easier than reading a whole book. We've read every book he has at least once, so of course I'm already jonesing to start buying him more. Here are a few that I've put on his wish-list:

The New Kid on the Block by Jack Prelutsky

Enemy Pie by Derek Munson

The Incredibly Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers

Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry 

Andy Warhol's Colors by Susan Goldman Rubin

Cozy Classics: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Jack and Holman Wang

No, David! by David Shannon

The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot by Margaret McNamara

 I don't generally buy used books, but I'm thinking I might start going that route for him. On Amazon you can get one basically brand new for less than a dollar, plus the cost of shipping. Can't beat that! Especially when he starts "reading" them as a toddler- nothing is safe.

We are What We Google

I don't know how many times I've silently thanked whomever that my Google searches are relatively private, minus the government, the people at Google, and whatever internet fairies put the banner ads on the sides of websites. Good God, if people only knew some of the stuff I look up they'd be disgusted, horrified, and probably really amused. And that would just be on one day (although not everyday).

What one Googles is quite reflective of their life- where they're at at that moment. For example, the girl that Googles "morning after pill" obviously had a lapse in responsibility the night before (and hopefully doesn't work for Hobby Lobby). The student who desperately searches for essay help the night before a paper is due shows some issues with procrastination. The wife or mother who frantically tries to find "quick recipes with chicken" is probably feeling rushed and over-extended. The man who frantically types in his current medical symptoms is obviously not feeling well, and may possibly be a hypochondriac. We can learn about a person's interests, desires, questions, and fears. We are what we Google, I guess. 

I frequently try to recall a time where we didn't have such a wealth of knowledge at our fingertips and had to actually work at acquiring the answers to our questions. As a young girl I had to find things in the encyclopedia, ask my parents, or search the library when I had a question. Sometimes I simply didn't land on an answer, either. I don't know when the last time I had a question that I couldn't find answers to on the internet. I'm thankful for the plethora of information, but I can't help to feel guilty for the un-worked for abundance. I wonder if this ridiculous level of access makes us cocky or whether it makes us smarter. Or both.  

So what have I Googled lately? What does it mean?

How much Tylenol to give two month old before shots? Sawyer got his vaccines on Wednesday, so I was trying to be proactive. I couldn't figure it out because of the new concentration and whatnot so I didn't do it. Big mistake...

Sub 2:15 half marathon plans- I'm delusional (but motivated?).

Chateau Lake Louise- Banff Canada-I showed my husband and told him that it would take twenty-four hours to drive there. He surprised me with actually being interested. Some day!

Extra bone in foot pain- Along with running comes the pain in my right ankle. There's really no fix, except surgery.

Muppet yourself- A student and I were talking about what we'd look like as Muppets. We thought there'd be an app- there's not.

What would I look like as the opposite sex- This came from the above conversation... But seriously. What would the masculine version of someone with the exact same DNA look like?

Exersaucer vs jumpers- There's a big debate. I'm trying to give a shit.

The LEGO Movie Sea Cow set- Depending on how much we are able to spend on each other this year, I really want to get this for my husband (who supposedly doesn't read this).

Better to water grass in morning or at night?- In the morning, since apparently certain fungi can grow at night. 

Fourth of July Pie Recipes- I'm trying to be a tiny bit festive.

Orange is the New Black Cast- I was talking about it with a friend and couldn't remember how to spell Poussey (who is gorgeous, don't you think?).

Allergic to white gold after pregnancy- My finger under my wedding rings has developed this horrible dermatitis since having the baby. I'm not wearing them right now and hoping once it clears up I can start wearing them again and just being super careful about drying my hands better. I know dipping them in platinum is an option, but it's not in the budget and I really don't want to.

Bedrock City, Arizona- My husband told me about this super sad Flinstones amusement park that I had to check out (only $5 to get in!). If I was in the area I would most definitely stop by.

Does Gatorade help lactation?- Um, yeah. And no, probably not, in case you were wondering.

Name of guy buying my spin bike from Craig's List- Just in case he was an escaped convict or something. He was actually a very nice fire fighter. 

I'm weird and maybe a little boring. 

So what have you searched recently? What does it say about you? Are we becoming lazy or smarter?

Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts

Link up below! (If you can- it's being wonky)

1. What are you doing for the Fourth? We're doing jack crap, like always, but I'm thinking this might be the last year we can get away with it. Next year Sawyer will be a little over a year and I'll probably feel obligated to feed him something barbequed and keep up past his bedtime for fireworks.

2. I'm sorry I'm not sorry for not caring about the World Cup. Although that guy, Tim Howard, should be commended on his dedication... to ab work. 

[source]

3. I've come to the conclusion lately that there are people I actually like more than I thought I did, I just let their inept internet communication skills cloud my judgement. I'm 99% positive people feel that way about me, too. 

4. I love this little doodad- it's so true.

5. This article hit home on so many things I've felt the last few months since having the baby. Now that he's getting in a 5-6+ stretch of sleep at night and we're getting into a bit of a routine I feel a million times better about life, and him, but the first two weeks were tough.

6. I want to make these from Joy the Baker asap. Bananas, chocolate and peanut butter are probably the best combo ever.

7. I posted for the first time (my spin bike, which I don't use since I have a treadmill and regular bike) on Craig's List and was so excited to get a buyer (actually two!). Now I want to sell EVERYTHING!

8. Is it just me or does cold pizza seem healthier than when hot?

June Reviews

I'm typing this one-handed- please forgive errors and be impressed with my dedication [pats self on back].

This month I read three whole books- not bad, considering the first part of the month was consumed with grading and I've had family in town twice. And the whole having an infant thing.

The Selected Works of TS Spivet by Reif Larson 

400 pages

I've raved about this book many times before, but in case you missed it it's about a young cartographer that travels cross country alone to accept an award at the Smithsonian (they don't know he's a kid). Along the way he works on accepting his family and past, and also reads one of his mother's notebooks where she has sort of re-transcribed an old family history. The margin is full of sketches and blurbs, adding to the richness of the story. 

Verdict- I suggested this for book club and was relieved that everyone seemed to enjoy it!

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

576 pages

I'm pretty sure everyone has read this but me, so I'll spare you the synopsis (see one-handed comment above).

Verdict- I thought this was somewhat decent, but lacked the depth it could have had (which is a problem I've had with other YA books I've read). The idea of having death as the narrator is unique, but Zusak just fell a little short of accomplishing greatness.

How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Mohsin Hamid

240 pages

This self-help styled novel "instructs" our nameless main character on how to rise up from poverty and make it big in "rising Asia." We follow the man from childhood until death, watching as he falls in love with a "pretty girl" and is then separated from her, all the while working hard to make something of himself. Their later reconnection is sweet, while a little expected.

Verdict- I really enjoyed this novel- the humor was tongue-in-cheek, the structure was different from what I've been reading recently, and I appreciated reading about someone's complete life.

1216 pages