Review ~ Gran Torino & West Wing Seasons 1-7

Terrance suggested that I start reviewing the movies that I watch on here...since I watch so many movies. I thought that it sounded like a good idea...we'll see. lol

Last night I watched Gran Torino, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. It was released in January 2009. I must admit that I didn't think I was going to like it. I really rented it for Terrance - but ended up watching by myself. I've never been a big Clint Eastwood fan. The gravly voice, the grumpy sneer...never really liked his movies. This is the first one I've watched in a long time. I was very impressed with it.

Clint Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a recent widower and Korean war veteran. He is a grumpy, tired, racist old man that doesn't get along with his family, priest or neighbors. When his Hmong neighbor, Thao, tries to steal his mint condition '72 Gran Torino under the pressure of the neighborhood gang, Walt sets out to make a difference.

At first, I didn't think I was going to like Eastwood's character. His racist comments were annoying - yet as the movie wore on - he became endearing. Sue, Thao's sister, really breaks through to Walt and gets him to start caring about other people again. The local priest, with his doggedness, finally makes some headway with the closed-minded Walt. As the tension between Walt and the gangsters reaches a point where they attack the innocent, Walt decides to make the ultimate decision.

I have been watching these, borrowed from my sister for the past couple of months. I resisted watching this series for years! A series about a bunch of Democrats?!?! Why would I want to watch that?? I'm not going to agree with a thing they say, I thought. I.Loved.It! I loved everything about it...I wish it was still on the air it was so good.

The West Wing aired from 1999-2006 and starred such actors as Martin Sheen, Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford, John Spencer, Stockard Channing and Rob Lowe. It chronicled the two terms of President Josiah Bartlett (Sheen) and his West Wing staff.

I liked it because, although I did disagree with a lot of their political views, such as abortion and their health care positions - I liked their passion in which they worked. They had such love for their country and their president. Emily Proctor, who played Republican lawer Ainsley Hayes, had the best line, in my opinion..."Say they're smug and superior. Say their approach to public policy makes you want to tear your hair out. Say they like high taxes and spending your money. Say they want to take your guns and open your borders, but don't call them worthless. At least don't do it in front of me. The people that I have met have been extraordinarily qualified, their intent is good. Their commitment is true, they are righteous, and they are patriots. And I'm their lawyer."

I found myself loving these characters. On more than one occasion, I found myself in tears because of what was happening to these fictional people. When John Spencer's character, Leo McGarry, died (because Spencer actually died)...and I knew it was going to happen - I was sad. I rooted for their relationships, was sad when they had bad days, and laughed at their goofs.

What a great show. I'm only sorry it took me so long to watch it.

Mindless Fact Monday ~ July 27, 2009

~ The longest Hollywood kiss was from the 1941 movie "You're in the Army Now". It lasted 3 minutes and 5 seconds.

~ The world camel population is over 19 million.

~ Belle from "Beauty and the Beast" makes a cameo appearance in Disney's "Hunchback of Notre Dame". In the same scene - a sharp-eyed viewer can spot The Lion King's Pumbaa being carried by two men with a pole and a street merchant shaking out the magic carpet from Aladdin.

~ In 1992, five cows were killed in drive-by shootings in Clay County, Missouri.

~ A person uses approximately 57 sheets of toilet paper per day.

~ Maine is the toothpick capital of the world.

~ On average, 100 people choke to death on ballpoint pens every year.

~ The symbol on the "pound" key (#) is called an octothorpe.

~ Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history: Spades - King David, Hearts - Charlemagne, Clubs - Alexander the Great, Diamonds - Julius Caesar.

~ Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of their birthplace.

Daybook ~ July 23, 2009

Outside my Window ... A beautiful summer day. It's supposed to be in the mid-80's today - perfect weather. :)

I am thankful for ... my job/boss - and that they let me work nights when my sitter is out of town so 1) I don't have to use up my vacation time and 2) I don't have to try to find someone else to watch them.

From the kitchen ... I haven't cooked anything all week other than a package of cinnamon rolls since I am working nights....it's kind of nice.

I am wearing ... Jammie pants and one of Terrance's t-shirts...I haven't been up too long.

I am reading ... I'm just not even going to answer this question any more until I finish the book I've been on FOREVER!! lol

I am hoping ... To go to the Splash Park today with Steph and all the kids. I've been wanting to go - just haven't made it there.

I am hearing ... The Little Einsteins - Myles is watching. I still really like that show.

Around the house ... We moved the large bookshelf from the bedroom to the living room. We didn't have enough room on the little 2-shelf one for all our movies and it was just junky-looking all the time. Of course, I don't have room for all my books now...but no one sees that mess. lol The large one now has all the movies (except for Terrance's Steven Seagal collection that he keeps upstairs) and the Wii remotes and Myles' toy buckets are on the bottom shelf. It looks much better.

One of my favorite things ... Hanging out with my kids...doing fun stuff like we've been doing this week. I know that's not possible all the time since I work - so I am really trying to enjoy this week.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ... Jordan and I are leaving for a girls weekend tomorrow in Cookeville, Myles is going to Grandpa and Grandma's and Terrance is going camping....I know - I can't believe that last one either. :)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you ... From our Week o' Fun...

Mindless Fact Monday ~ July 20, 2009

~ Florida has twice as many lightning injuries and death than any other state.

~ There is a Nike commercial that was shot in Kenya with Samburu tribesmen speaking in their native language Maa. The slogan "Just Do It" appears while the tribesman is talking. In reality, he was saying, "I don't want these. Give me big shoes."

~ A sneeze travels out your mouth at over 100 m.p.h.

~ 315 entries in Webster's 1996 dictionary were misspelled.

~ A dime has 118 ridges around the edge.

~ Macadamia nuts are not sold in their shells because it takes 300 pounds per square inch of pressure to break the shell.

~ Cubic Zirconia is 55% heavier than diamonds.

~ Mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue twice as much as to any other color.

~ The first toilet being flushed in a motion picture was in the movie "Psycho".

~ Painting a house yellow, or having yellow trim, helps a house sell faster.

Friday Felicities ~ July 17, 2009

Things that make me happy:

• Harry Potter tomorrow!!!
• Only 4 more days until my birthday!!
• Working nights next week (ok - I can see how some people wouldn't think that would make me happy - but I get to spend all day - every day - with my kids...something I don't normally get to do...as a workin' gal, you know.)
• Going on a girls weekend next weekend - just me and Jordan.
• This video...of which Myles is Oh.So.Proud!!

Link up over at Becky's with things that make you happy!

Daybook ~ July 16, 2009

Outside my Window ... A cloudy day. It keeps saying it's going to rain - but so far it hasn't...I am prepared though - my windows are up...which pretty much guarantees it *not* raining.

I am thankful for ... my parents - they are sending me and Jordan on a girls weekend next weekend. We are going to have a "Passport to Purity" weekend. I thought it was something we needed to do since there will be a lot of new issues coming up this year as she starts middle school.

From the kitchen ... I am thinking about sausage pasta alfredo tonight...either that or lasagna. Apparently, I am in an Italian mood.

I am wearing ... A multi-print skirt that I got for my birthday last year and a red shirt - that I just noticed this morning that they match.

I am reading ... the book that never ends...I don't think I'll ever get through it - it's not boring at all, I actually like it - I just need to finish it. I have about 473 more books to read.

I am hoping ... to have a great time next week when I am working nights. I'll get to spend all day every day with the kids.

I am hearing ... The West Wing Season 6. I am really liking this show!! Can you believe it!

Around the house ... I need to do a major house clean. Clean the carpets - scrub the kitchen floor - actually move the refrigerator...stuff like that. We'll have to see if I actually do it though.

One of my favorite things ... leaving at 4:00. I love that I can leave early - pick up the kids and still have several hours with them in the evenings. I would hate to get home and have to feed them and put them straight to bed.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ... HARRY POTTER ON SATURDAY!!!! Ok, I am just a little excited about that. :)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you ... This is a pic my dad took this week while he was out. If you haven't checked out his site...you need to - he takes beautiful pictures.

Mindless Fact ~ July 13, 2009

~ San Francisco cable cars are the only mobile national monuments.

~ The winter of 1932 was so cold that Niagra Falls froze completely solid.

~ There are over 50 different kinds of kangaroos.

~ Great Britian was the first country to issue postage stamps on May 1, 1840. It was named the "Penny Black" to attempt to fix their system of paid postage. Before the stamp, there was not a standard rate for postage and could cost up to a day's wage. Since all mail was sent collect, most mail was returned unopened.

~ If you place a tiny amount of liquor on a scorpion, it will instantly go mad and sting itself to death.

~ On average, an American eats 140 pounds of potatoes annually.

~ Fires generally move faster uphill than downhill.

~ The second best selling toy of all time is Jenga, a Swahili word meaning "to build".

~ Cleopatra married two of her brothers.

~ Donald Duck comics were banned in Finland because he doesn't wear pants.

Friday Felicities ~ July 10, 2009

Things that make me happy:

• My friend had her cancer check-up today and got a clean bill of health!! Yipee!!
• An evening out with my hubby tomorrow night sans kids. :)
• Wonderful parents that are willing to watch the kids so we can go out.
• That my cold is seemingly leaving as quickly as it came.
• Sister's that know all the right books to suggest.

Link up over at Becky's with things that make you happy.

Celebrities...and Your Perception of Them

Terrance and I were listening to a sports talk radio show on the way home from mom and dad's this afternoon. With the recent death of Steve McNair, of course talk was about him and the recent unfolding news of the drama around his murder. Apparently, as of the latest reports, he was shot 4 times and the woman with him, Sahel Kazemi, had one gunshot to the head, with the gun nearby. It sounds like a murder-suicide. It also seems, from reports, that he was having an affair with this girl...and she was just a girl...only 20 years old - to his 36.

The topic of the radio show was whether or not our perception of celebrities should change when we find out things about them that are unflattering. Of course, Terrance and I disagreed. :) He thought that it shouldn't...I thought that it should.

In my opinion, their private life - as much as they would like it to be private - is public. That is part of the package when you are a public figure. I don't think they should be held to any higher standard than other people...but I do think that your actions are going to affect how people think about you.

As I have gotten older, a public figures private life plays a big part of whether or not I like them. I have gotten past liking actors or sports figures simply because they are good at their craft. Take for instance Angelina Jolie. She once told a reporter, "I will never sleep with a married man, I'll never lie and I'll never sit back and do nothing." Well, we all know how that turned out...she did sleep with a married man - and I lost a lot of respect for her in doing that. Not that Brad Pitt was blameless - he is just as much at fault - and I've lost respect for him too.

Now that I am older - if a celebrity or sports figure does something I don't like in their personal life...I have no problem with saying that I don't like them - or not watching their movies - or buying their songs - or rooting for them. Some people think that their personal life doesn't have any impact on their skill or profession...it might not - but it doesn't make me have to like them either.

Pacman Jones was big news here in Nashville during all his legal problems. I wasn't a big fan of his anyway - but the constant trouble that he got himself in was tiring. Terrance said that a lot of his problems was because he was a poor boy from the 'hood that was given a ton of money and doesn't know how to act with it. I disagreed (((we do that a lot...keeps it spicy!!))). I told him that Pacman isn't stupid. He knows the difference between right and wrong - he knows that there are things he shouldn't be doing...he just didn't care - thought he wouldn't get caught - and let himself run around with a bad crowd. Those were his decisions - no one forced him into those situations...he did it to himself. And I can't respect a football player - no matter how talented he is - if he's not smart enough to own up to his mistakes and try to better himself.

Part of what the sportscaster we were listening to kept saying was "We shouldn't blame Steve McNair for one mistake"..."we shouldn't let one mistake ruin how we think of him"...Let me just say...One mistake did not get Steve McNair killed...about 100 did. It was mistake after mistake after mistake that led to his death. It was getting involved with that girl...it was owning a car with her...it was renting a home with her...it was disrespecting his wife...it was...on and on and on... He got himself to that point all by himself. Does that change that he was a great football player? No. Does that change that he did a lot of great things for this community? No. Does that change the way I view him? Absolutely.

One of the things that I liked about him was his image of a family man. One of the things I liked about Angelina Jolie - was her statement that she would never be with a married man. In Hollywood, I thought that was saying a lot. If I liked these people just because of their professional talents - then it wouldn't make a difference...but I liked them as people too. I have lost respect for both of them - and I don't have a problem saying that.

I am not saying that celebrities have to be perfect. I am not perfect. I make mistakes - daily. But they do need to be honest about their mistakes and own up to them. And if their private life becomes public - then they have to be willing for people to dislike what they find out.

Pool, Fireworks and Pimento Cheese

"...one Nation under God, indivisible,

with liberty and justice for all."

The 4th of July is always one of my favorite holidays. It's a summer holiday and one that we never travel for...so it's just one of hanging out with the family...which is why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love days to just hang with the family.

Yesterday, on the 3rd, I had the day off from work since the 4th fell on a Saturday this year. The kids had been dying to go swimming - so I took the kids down to the pool at my parents condo. We had a blast swimming and playing in the pool. Myles actually jumped in - although I'm not sure if he meant to do that...lol. We stayed for lunch with Grandma and Grandpa - pimento cheese, chips, and raspberries...fun. I must say that pimento cheese was my absolute least favorite meal growing up...Stephanie loved it, so we got it every time she had a birthday - but my taste buds must have changed somewhat. I didn't think it was as bad as I remembered.

After lunch, we headed back to the 'boro because Steph, Travis and the kids were coming over for dinner and to watch the Smyrna Fireworks program. Smyrna usually has their fireworks the day before the 4th, as to not compete with the huge thing that Nashville does on the 4th. I love it because it's close to the house - and it's not crazy-packed like the one in Nashville. I've never been comfortable taking my kids downtown with thousands and thousands of people...makes me nervous.

Terrance grilled out hamburgers and hot dogs and we had chips, fries and a salad (that Steph brought). It was yummy. We then loaded up the kids and drove down to the K-Mart parking lot. That is where we watch the fireworks from. We could go down to the Rec Park - but they close off the main road into it at a certain time - and we like the option of being able to leave whenever we want. The show lasts about 30 minutes and I love it. I have always loved fireworks...I don't think I'll ever get too old for it. This year, we were kind of interested to see how all 5 kids would do (this was Elizabeth's first big firework show - and Myles has historically not been a fan of the booming) - but they all did great! We had about a 2 hour wait before the show started - and they waited so well. I had bought some $1 bubble tubes at Wal-mart that were the best.purchase.ever. It really kept the kids entertained. They blew bubbles...and ran after bubbles...and tried to catch the bubbles...great fun. Jordan and Terrance played catch with the football while they waited. The hardest part for Noelle was waiting on the lady that sells the cotton candy to come by. lol I can't say enough how much fun I had watching the kids enjoy the show.

Today was a lazy day. I took Jordan to meet up with Dad - she is spending the night over there - so it has just been Myles here today. I got back and mowed the lawn...not much to mow since it hasn't rained since the last time I mowed. Myles played in the slip n' slide for a while before we came in to take a rest and eat some lunch. We napped (((or should I say...I napped))) and now are contemplating heading back out for a little more slip n' slide fun.

I hope everyone else's 4th of July is as fun as ours has been.

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long

as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis

R.I.P ~ Ed, Farrah & Michael

The entertainment world lost 3 greats this week with the deaths of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. Each one was great in their own field.

Ed McMahon (March 6, 1923-June 23, 2009) was a comedian, game show host, announcer, and television personality. He was most famous for his work on TV as Johnny Carson's announcer on The Tonight Show from 1962-1992 and Star Search from 1983-1995.

He was a fighter pilot in the United States Marine Corp. during World War II, serving as a flight instructor and test pilot. He was a decorated pilot (six Air Medals) and was discharged in 1946, remaining in the reserves. He had 3 daughters and 3 sons.

McMahon was the long running co-host of the annual Labor Day weekend Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. His 41st and last appearance was in 2008, making him second only to Lewis himself in number of appearances.

Ed McMahon died at age 86 on June 23, 2009, at the UCLA Medical Center in LA. No formal cause of death was given, but McMahon's publicist attributed his death to the many health problems he had suffered over his final months such as pneumonia, bone cancer and other medical problems.

Farrah Fawcett (February 2, 1947-June 25, 2009) rose to international fame when she first appeared as private investigator Jill Munroe in TVs Charlie's Angels in 1976. She was a multiple Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee. She earned the approval of critics and was in highly rated television movies in often challenging roles. Fawcett was also a pop culture figure whose hairstyle was emulated by millions of young women and whose poster sales broke records, making her an international sex symbol in the 1970's and 1980's.

Fawcett left Charlie's Angels after only one season and Cheryl Ladd replaced her. She had several years of commercial and critical flops until the early 80's. In 1984, her role as a battered wife in the fact-based TV movie The Burning Bed earned her her first of three Emmy Award nominations. The project is noted as being the first TV movie to provide a nationwide 800 number that offered help for other victims of domestic abuse. It was also the highest rated TV movie of the season. In 1986, she appeared in the movie version of Extremities in which she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.

From 1982 until her death, Fawcett was involved with actor Ryan O'Neal. They had a son, Redmond, in 1985.

Fawcett was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006, and began treatment, including chemotherapy and surgery. In May 2007, she bought a small video camera and, with the aide of her friend Alana Stewart, she documented the highs and lows of her battle with the disease. The two-hour documentary, Farrah's Story, aired on May 15, 2009. It was watched by nearly 9 million people.

In early June, O'Neal asked Fawcett to marry him. She accepted his proposal and O'Neal said the wedding would happen "as soon as she can say yes." The two never married. She died on June 25, 2009 in the intensive care unit of Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA at the age of 62.

Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958-June 25, 2009) was born in Gary, Indiana as the seventh of nine children. He went on to become a recording artist, entertainer and businessman. Jackson debuted on the professional music scene at the age of 11 as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1969, and began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group. His 1982 Thriller is the world's best-selling record of all time.

In the early 1980's, he became a dominant figure in popular music and the first African-American entertainer to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. With stage performances and music videos, he popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced many hip-hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists. Aspects of his personal life, including his changing appearance and behavior, generated significant controversy, damaging his public image. Jackson married twice and fathered three children.

The Jackson 5 signed with Motown Records in 1968. The group set a chart record when its first four singles ("I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There") peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1978, Jackson starred as Scarecrow in the film musical The Wiz. His album Thriller, released in 1982, remained in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 for 80 consecutive weeks, 37 at the peak. Seven singles from Thriller hit the Billboard Hot 100 top 10. It went on to sell upwards of 109 million copies, making it the best selling album of all time.

Jackson co-wrote the charity single "We Are The World" with Lionel Richie, which was released world wide to aid the poor in Africa and the US. He was one of 39 celebrities who performed on the record. The single became of the best-selling singles of all time, with nearly 20 million copies sold and millions of dollars donated to famine relief.

Michael Jackson won over 190 awards during his life-time. He won:

• American Music Awards - 22
• Billboard Music Awards - 40
• Brit Awards - 7
• Golden Globe Awards - 1
• Grammy Awards - 19
• Guiness World Records - 13
• MTV Music Awards - 13
• NAACP Image Awards - 14
• RIAA (Recording Industry Assoc. of America) Awards - 56
• World Music Awards - 12

At the time of his death, Jackson was scheduled to perform 50 sold-out concerts to over one million people at London's O2 arena.
Michael Jackson collapsed at a rented home in Holmby Hills in LA. Attempts to resuscitate him by his personal physician were unsuccessful. He was noted to have already been in cardiac arrest by the time the paramedics who attended his house. Jackson was pronounced dead at UCLA on June 25, 2009 at age 50.
Thank you for all you have done for our entertainment industry...you will be missed.

Information for this blog post was acquired from Wikipedia.com

Daybook ~ June 25, 2009

Outside my Window ... it's yet another beautiful day that I am stuck inside. My weather bug is saying it is 91...I can only look at the sun... bummer.

I am thankful for ... my job. I tend to rag on it a bunch...how I think I am underpaid, etc...but in this economy, I am very glad that I have a job...and a good job. These are great people I work for and I appreciate it.

From the kitchen ... I think we are having chicken tonight...probably some rice too. Or, we might have a breakfast dinner - I really haven't thought about it. I ate too much for lunch so I don't even want to think about it now.

I am wearing ... a green shirt and a pair of black pants (that Terrance isn't too fond of) and some green shoes my mom didn't want.

I am reading ... same thing as last week...and the week before. I actually finished a magazine - so I think I'm doing pretty good. lol

I am hoping ... to go home soon. I am tired and it has been a long day.

I am hearing ... the West Wing - Season 4. I am watching it here at work. This is the first episode of this season...looks good so far.

Around the house ... the dog is becomming the bane of my existance. He tore up the carpet by the back door yesterday. Grrr. Now we need to look into replacing the carpet - hopefully not with more carpet. I am thinking about that hardwood floor-looking stuff.

One of my favorite things ... playing Wii Star Wars in the evening after everyone else has gone to bed. I can do whatever I want - be whatever character I want - and go as slow as I want - and no one else is around to fuss.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ... a fairly slow weekend comparatively. I have a GNO Saturday night - I'm not sure where we are eating - but we are playing mini-golf...the one game that I completely...utterly...suck at - but it'll be fun! I think Jordan wants to go skating Saturday...in fact, I know she does...she told me that she hasn't been in 3 weeks and "has" to go. On Sunday, we are having an adults-only lunch for dad for Father's Day. I am looking forward to it.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you ... our carpet...or what is left of it. Again, grrrrrr.

Mindless Fact Monday ~ June 22, 2009

~ The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.

~ Being unmarried can shorten a man's life by 10 years.

~ A donkey will sink in quicksand. A mule won't.

~ The triangular shape that Toblerone chocolates are packaged in is protected by law.

~ Istanbul, Turkey is the only city in the world located on two continents.

~ In the late 1960's, Mountain Dew featured bottles with a hillbilly on them. These are now collector items worth $5-10 each.

~ To be born on Sunday was a sign of great sin during the Puritan times.

~ The most dangerous job in the United States is that of a fisherman, followed by logging, then the airline pilot.

~ In October 1973, Swedish sweet maker Roland Ohisson of Falkenberg was buried in a coffin made entirely of chocolate.

~ A British medical journal, The Practitioner, has officially designated bird watching as a hazardous activity. This is because a bird watcher that was so engrossed in watching birds that he did not notice his dangerous surroundings and was eaten by a crocodile.