It's taken me all weekend to watch this movie - one, because it's almost 2.5 hours long, and two, because this has been one crazybusy weekend.
Funny People is a Judd Apatow film, so you are going to see some standards (Leslie Mann, his real life wife; Seth Rogen, etc.), but this is different than some of the more recent movies he's mad. Funny People isn't really that funny. It's kind of sad, actually.
George Simmons (Adam Sandler) is a well-known comic who is sick. He pretty much has no one in his life, so he hires up and coming comic Ira (Seth Rogen) to be his assistant, his opening act, and to write for him. They travel and they work together, building a friendship while Ira encourages him to let others know he is sick. He tells the girl who got away, Laura (Leslie Mann), who now is back in his life even though she is married to Aussie Clarke (Eric Bana - hottie!!) and has two kids.
To tell more would give away some of the plot, but one of the funniest scenes is in a bar where George and Ira talk to Norm MacDonald, Sarah Silverman, Eminem, and Ray Romano. Eminem gets mad at Ray Romano and they have an exchange that's pretty funny.
Does George live or die? Do George and Laura get together? What happens to Ira's career... you'll have to save a chunk of your life and watch to find out.
Mo's Review:
Funny People (2009): 3 out of 5 stars
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)
I'm not sure the last time I might have been so excited to see a movie. (Maybe the first Sex and the City film?)
Heidi, Ashley, Danyielle and I did reserved seating at Studio Movie Grill. The theatre was packed, so it was good thing.
I love John Cusack. We have the same birthday and his movies have been an integral part of my youth.... from Better Off Dead to Say Anything to High Fidelity to The Grifters - his movies connect with the story of my growing up.
Hot Tub Time Machine is about three friends: Adam (Cusack), Nick (Craig Robinson from "The Office"), and Lou (Rob Corddry). Lou may have tried to kill himself while listening to 80's metal in his running car in his garage, so the boys decide to go back to Kodiak Valley, the hot ski lodge from their youth in the 80's. It's now a total dump. A few drinks and a hot tub later, they are back in 1986. If they don't make the same choices they did then, they could affect their future.....
It was hysterical. The clothes were great, the music was great. I know that the idea is totally ridiculous, but it's a fun escape. I laughed my ass off. The whole theatre was laughing at times, it was hard to hear. I will go see it again and I will probably own it when it comes out on DVD.
If you were in your prime time in the 1980's and need a good laugh, this is the movie for you.
Mo's Review:
Hot Tub Time Machine (2010): 5 out of 5 stars
Heidi, Ashley, Danyielle and I did reserved seating at Studio Movie Grill. The theatre was packed, so it was good thing.
I love John Cusack. We have the same birthday and his movies have been an integral part of my youth.... from Better Off Dead to Say Anything to High Fidelity to The Grifters - his movies connect with the story of my growing up.
Hot Tub Time Machine is about three friends: Adam (Cusack), Nick (Craig Robinson from "The Office"), and Lou (Rob Corddry). Lou may have tried to kill himself while listening to 80's metal in his running car in his garage, so the boys decide to go back to Kodiak Valley, the hot ski lodge from their youth in the 80's. It's now a total dump. A few drinks and a hot tub later, they are back in 1986. If they don't make the same choices they did then, they could affect their future.....
It was hysterical. The clothes were great, the music was great. I know that the idea is totally ridiculous, but it's a fun escape. I laughed my ass off. The whole theatre was laughing at times, it was hard to hear. I will go see it again and I will probably own it when it comes out on DVD.
If you were in your prime time in the 1980's and need a good laugh, this is the movie for you.
Mo's Review:
Hot Tub Time Machine (2010): 5 out of 5 stars
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
So maybe I'm not a Vet......
Meet Maude.... is she not the cutest dog you have ever seen? Yesterday, it was one year ago since I rescued her. It has truly been the most rewarding experience of my life. She is such a dear, I can't imagine life without her.
Because I'm a new dog mommy, I'm probably a bit of an overreactor when it comes to Maude. I just don't want anything bad to happen to her. (Ed.'s Note: I'm afraid I may be like some of those parents that drive me crazy at work!) I have a terrific vet who I love and trust completely. I told her about my worry that I'm a bit of a helicopter mommy, and she told me she would tell me if that was ever the case.
Yesterday, I come home from work after a long day. I went and got an iPhone, but I'll have to blog about that later. I get home and I'm ready to let Maude out, she is coughing something horrible. She won't stop. I try to force feed her water, thinking her throat is dry, but that doesn't work. She goes out, eats dinner, then falls asleep. Every hour or so she'd wake up, coughing and hacking - it made for a long night. She wouldn't play with me or do her evening walk, which also added to my concern.
This morning, she continues, so I decide to call the vet. I'm convinced because Maude went on Spring Break last week, she has kennel cough. I get an appointment for 11 AM. I call and get my work situated, then I start to read all about kennel cough online. I'm convinced Maude has it. I even start watching videos on You Tube to compare her coughs. Here's a fellow basset with some Kennel Cough:
(If I was smart, I would have made a video of Maude to show you.)
We get to the vet's and go in. They take her weight and her temperature (both normal). They check her ears, they look fine as well. Maude coughes a bit, but she is playful and seems fine. The vet tells me why do I think she has Kennel Cough, she was vaccinated for it in November when Maude had her annual visit. I explain my research and the You Tube videos, even offering to show it to her on my brand new iPhone.
She says that there is nothing really wrong with Maude, just maybe some seasonal allergies. Maude, who obviously can't stand to see her Mom look THAT stupid, decided that was the time to shoot a snot rocket right out on the exam table. Drainage scores points. The doctor chalks it up to a human equivalent of a sinus infection, giving me an antibiotic and some cough medicine.
We talk for a few more minutes, then she says to me, "Great seeing you and Maude. How 'bout we make a deal... I won't tell you how to run your school.... and you won't use You Tube to help me diagnose my patients?"
Deal.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
My $0.02 on the Census
So I received my Census materials in the mail this week. I waited until this morning to open them and complete them because I thought it might take some time to do this. I know I probably did the Census in 2000 when I lived in Florida, but I don't remember it. And I have no idea if I did it in 1990, but I was in college then, so I don't remember a lot of what happened from '88-'92.
I opened the envelope and take a look at the materials. They say it will take approximately 10 minutes to complete the form. Okay.... I can handle that. They've even got a phone number I can call if I get stuck.... that's great. I'm feeling a lot of support from the government here, it's like they are wanting me to kick ass on my Census.
I guess my skills are severly underestimated by the US Census Bureau. I timed myself completing the Census form - 11 seconds. 11 seconds?!?!? From the time I opened up the envelope until I sealed the envelope? 4 minutes, 26 seconds - and that's only because I opened up the whole census form, certain that I had missed some part of the Census.
That's it!?!?! And it could take someone 10 minutes? AND they might need to call someone to talk them through it?? What kind of idiots are living in our country? Frankly, if they can't complete this form, they shouldn't be counted. (Ed.'s Note: The only exception to this is if there is a language barrier. I can understand the need for assistance - of course some of you will argue that you should speak English if you live here, but that's for another time.)
I did read on the materials that if I had any comments about the "burden estimate" (aka 10 minute time suggested), I could write or e-mail my comments to the "Paperwork Reduction Project."
So here goes:
To: paperwork@census.gov
From: mo@undisclosedemailaddress
Re: Paperwork Project 0607-0919-C
To Whom It May Concern:
I feel your 10 minute "burden estimate" is a little on the high side. I completed the entire project in 4 minutes and 26 seconds. While I am single, the actual paperwork took me 11 seconds to fill in, so I have a feeling that if I had a large family, I could possibly tack another minute on the time total.
Are you dumbing down this process because we have people so stupid that they can't finish this without help? If they can't fill out the census, they might also lack some other self-suffiency skills. Could we consider not counting them, so that their idiocy is a not a "burden" on the rest of us? Don't you have people in your family you try and hide from everyone? Same concept.....
On an additional note, I was a little disappointed by how little you wanted to know about me. You just want to know I'm a white 39 year old woman that lives alone? I mean, that's not even any of the good stuff about me.... seriously! If you are trying to get to know who lives in our country, you could ask some more questions to get to know us is all I'm saying.
Best wishes and please give the people that man the phone lines a little extra TLC, they are going to need it.
Proud to Be An American,
39 Year Old White Woman in Frisco that lives alone
I opened the envelope and take a look at the materials. They say it will take approximately 10 minutes to complete the form. Okay.... I can handle that. They've even got a phone number I can call if I get stuck.... that's great. I'm feeling a lot of support from the government here, it's like they are wanting me to kick ass on my Census.
I guess my skills are severly underestimated by the US Census Bureau. I timed myself completing the Census form - 11 seconds. 11 seconds?!?!? From the time I opened up the envelope until I sealed the envelope? 4 minutes, 26 seconds - and that's only because I opened up the whole census form, certain that I had missed some part of the Census.
That's it!?!?! And it could take someone 10 minutes? AND they might need to call someone to talk them through it?? What kind of idiots are living in our country? Frankly, if they can't complete this form, they shouldn't be counted. (Ed.'s Note: The only exception to this is if there is a language barrier. I can understand the need for assistance - of course some of you will argue that you should speak English if you live here, but that's for another time.)
I did read on the materials that if I had any comments about the "burden estimate" (aka 10 minute time suggested), I could write or e-mail my comments to the "Paperwork Reduction Project."
So here goes:
To: paperwork@census.gov
From: mo@undisclosedemailaddress
Re: Paperwork Project 0607-0919-C
To Whom It May Concern:
I feel your 10 minute "burden estimate" is a little on the high side. I completed the entire project in 4 minutes and 26 seconds. While I am single, the actual paperwork took me 11 seconds to fill in, so I have a feeling that if I had a large family, I could possibly tack another minute on the time total.
Are you dumbing down this process because we have people so stupid that they can't finish this without help? If they can't fill out the census, they might also lack some other self-suffiency skills. Could we consider not counting them, so that their idiocy is a not a "burden" on the rest of us? Don't you have people in your family you try and hide from everyone? Same concept.....
On an additional note, I was a little disappointed by how little you wanted to know about me. You just want to know I'm a white 39 year old woman that lives alone? I mean, that's not even any of the good stuff about me.... seriously! If you are trying to get to know who lives in our country, you could ask some more questions to get to know us is all I'm saying.
Best wishes and please give the people that man the phone lines a little extra TLC, they are going to need it.
Proud to Be An American,
39 Year Old White Woman in Frisco that lives alone
Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled- and More Miserable Than Ever Before by Jean M. Twenge, Ph.D.
Okay, so according to this book, I am Generation Me. Not sure that I agree with it.......
Generation Me's are born in the 70's, 80's, and 90's. They are the product of parents who wanted to make sure they had so much self esteem. They were taught it's more important to like yourself and put yourself first over anything else. This has then created young adults that can't hold jobs because when they don't rise as fast as they think they should (because they think they are so wonderful), they just quit and move home. While our generation is much more tolerant toward race and sexual preferences, we still do have a ways to go.
Where I agree with this the most is in a school setting - where a child's failure is based on the teacher, not the child. Parents will go to any length possible to make their children only experience success, never adversity. Then when these kids go into the real world, they don't know how to work for something and are continually asking Mommy and Daddy to bail them out and fight their battles for them. I see this daily where I work. A child refuses to do an assignment, so the teacher sends him to study hall. The parent refuses to support study hall because after working all morning (though he didn't, or he would have his assignment finished), he deserves a break and not be made to feel bad.
Parents are so bent on being the child's friend and letting the child dictate what happens, they don't let the child learn how to function in a structure. Again, I refer to work..... a student who is clearly failing needs to be retained. In meeting with the parent, their argument is that the child told them they don't want to be retained and started crying. So the parent fights against the retention because they don't want their child to feel bad. Do they understand how bad the child will feel moving to the next grade when they won't be able to complete any work? (No, because it'll be the teacher's fault that the child can't do it.)
It's hard to say some of these things because some of these kids are parented by my peers. But children have to experience adversity and failure in a supportive family environment so they can handle it on their own. Otherwise, kids will never get married (or marry 4-5 times) and live at home forever. I can't imagine how hard it is to parent, but I can tell you it's a blessing that I'm not a parent. My skills are definitely suited for other areas.
This was a great read which will evoke a lot of feelings and opinions. Highly recommend it if you are in your 30's........
Mo's Review:
"Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled - and More Miserable Than Ever Before" by Jean M. Twenge, Ph.D., (2006, 277 pages): 4 out of 5 Stars
Generation Me's are born in the 70's, 80's, and 90's. They are the product of parents who wanted to make sure they had so much self esteem. They were taught it's more important to like yourself and put yourself first over anything else. This has then created young adults that can't hold jobs because when they don't rise as fast as they think they should (because they think they are so wonderful), they just quit and move home. While our generation is much more tolerant toward race and sexual preferences, we still do have a ways to go.
Where I agree with this the most is in a school setting - where a child's failure is based on the teacher, not the child. Parents will go to any length possible to make their children only experience success, never adversity. Then when these kids go into the real world, they don't know how to work for something and are continually asking Mommy and Daddy to bail them out and fight their battles for them. I see this daily where I work. A child refuses to do an assignment, so the teacher sends him to study hall. The parent refuses to support study hall because after working all morning (though he didn't, or he would have his assignment finished), he deserves a break and not be made to feel bad.
Parents are so bent on being the child's friend and letting the child dictate what happens, they don't let the child learn how to function in a structure. Again, I refer to work..... a student who is clearly failing needs to be retained. In meeting with the parent, their argument is that the child told them they don't want to be retained and started crying. So the parent fights against the retention because they don't want their child to feel bad. Do they understand how bad the child will feel moving to the next grade when they won't be able to complete any work? (No, because it'll be the teacher's fault that the child can't do it.)
It's hard to say some of these things because some of these kids are parented by my peers. But children have to experience adversity and failure in a supportive family environment so they can handle it on their own. Otherwise, kids will never get married (or marry 4-5 times) and live at home forever. I can't imagine how hard it is to parent, but I can tell you it's a blessing that I'm not a parent. My skills are definitely suited for other areas.
This was a great read which will evoke a lot of feelings and opinions. Highly recommend it if you are in your 30's........
Mo's Review:
"Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled - and More Miserable Than Ever Before" by Jean M. Twenge, Ph.D., (2006, 277 pages): 4 out of 5 Stars
Saturday, March 20, 2010
The Bounty Hunter (2010)
Okay, so yesterday it was 73 and tonight (aka the First Day of Spring) it's snowing? WTH?
I was cold and I knew that Gerard Butler could warm me up..... and boy, did he!! Brooke and I went to Studio Movie Grill - I was worried that it would be sold out since it just came out this weekend. SMG has tickets for sale online, but they also do reserved seating. For $22/person, you get your ticket and a $12 food voucher (you usually spend at least $15 or more if you drink). You also get to pick your seats out and they are saved for you. It's actually quite nice and is really how I recommend going, you get great seats for no more than you would normally spend. (Ed.'s Note: Okay, Studio Movie Grill - I just threw some business your way - how 'bout throwing some free tickets my way?)
Gerry (as those of us close to him like to call him) plays Milo Boyd, a bounty hunter who has been given the job of picking up his ex-wife Nicole (aka Jennifer Aniston). Nicole is working on a story and has got people looking for her, so what should be a simple pick up ends up being a weekend on the run. It's a simple story, but it's funny and the chemistry between Gerry and Jennifer is good. My favorite part? Gerry coming out of the bathroom in just a towel...... :)
There are also some others who appear in this movie that add to it. Remember Zed (as in Zed's dead from Pulp Fiction)? He's here, and guess what? He plays a bad guy here too!! Christine Baranski is hysterical as Nicole's mother, who does a stage show at the Borgata in Atlantic City. Jason Sudeikis from SNL (with a Lester the Molester looking moustache) was funny as Nicole's coworker. And Carol Kane is a hoot as the B&B owner.
Having done a quick drive by tour of Atlantic City during my Thanksgiving trip made the movie more interesting as well because I had been to many of the places shot.
This wasn't my favorite Spring Break movie (that goes to Shutter Island), but I liked this movie and would recommend it as a fun night out. If you like Gerard Butler, then this is a must see.
Mo's Review:
The Bounty Hunter (2010): 4 out of 5 stars
PS - Note the b-day counter? We are under a 100 days until the big 4-0!! Woo hoo!! :)
I was cold and I knew that Gerard Butler could warm me up..... and boy, did he!! Brooke and I went to Studio Movie Grill - I was worried that it would be sold out since it just came out this weekend. SMG has tickets for sale online, but they also do reserved seating. For $22/person, you get your ticket and a $12 food voucher (you usually spend at least $15 or more if you drink). You also get to pick your seats out and they are saved for you. It's actually quite nice and is really how I recommend going, you get great seats for no more than you would normally spend. (Ed.'s Note: Okay, Studio Movie Grill - I just threw some business your way - how 'bout throwing some free tickets my way?)
Gerry (as those of us close to him like to call him) plays Milo Boyd, a bounty hunter who has been given the job of picking up his ex-wife Nicole (aka Jennifer Aniston). Nicole is working on a story and has got people looking for her, so what should be a simple pick up ends up being a weekend on the run. It's a simple story, but it's funny and the chemistry between Gerry and Jennifer is good. My favorite part? Gerry coming out of the bathroom in just a towel...... :)
There are also some others who appear in this movie that add to it. Remember Zed (as in Zed's dead from Pulp Fiction)? He's here, and guess what? He plays a bad guy here too!! Christine Baranski is hysterical as Nicole's mother, who does a stage show at the Borgata in Atlantic City. Jason Sudeikis from SNL (with a Lester the Molester looking moustache) was funny as Nicole's coworker. And Carol Kane is a hoot as the B&B owner.
Having done a quick drive by tour of Atlantic City during my Thanksgiving trip made the movie more interesting as well because I had been to many of the places shot.
This wasn't my favorite Spring Break movie (that goes to Shutter Island), but I liked this movie and would recommend it as a fun night out. If you like Gerard Butler, then this is a must see.
Mo's Review:
The Bounty Hunter (2010): 4 out of 5 stars
PS - Note the b-day counter? We are under a 100 days until the big 4-0!! Woo hoo!! :)
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Happy St. Paddy's Day!!
I recycled my Valentine's Day post, I think I'm going to recycle my St. Patrick's Day post. It still makes me laugh as hard as it did last year.
Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
So I wonder if the amateur sketch was able to catch the Leprachaun?
Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
So I wonder if the amateur sketch was able to catch the Leprachaun?
The Hurt Locker (2008)
I had wanted to see this movie once it was nominated for so many Oscars (especially the first woman to win Best Director), but it left the theatres quick and I had settled on seeing it on Netflix. So after its many Oscar wins, it came back to the theatres, so I ran to see it at the Angelika today. I am glad I saw it on the big screen, rather than on my TV home.
The Hurt Locker is a story during the war in Iraq. The bomb specialist of an crew (Guy Pearce - hottie!!) is killed by a bomb, so Sgt. Will James (played by Jeremy Renner - hottie!!) joins the team. They only have 38 more days left on their tour. James is reckless, doesn't always like to follow rules, but is damn good at what he does. He drives his other team members crazy (like why does he have part of bombs he's dissembled stored under his bed?) until they met up with a group of British contractors led by Ralph Fiennes (British hottie!!). He may be a crazy renegade, but he talks his team through the sniper attack and they all survive. Does everyone on his team make it to the end of tour?
Eventually James's tour is over, and he tries to go home and live his life..... is he able to do it?
This movie was slow in some parts, but it was good. It is the lowest grossing Oscar film of all times and I'm surprised that it was named Best Picture. I think it's a good movie, but not the Best Picture. Kathryn Bigelow did an incredible job directing something that most women wouldn't touch, I was glad to see her win the Oscar for Best Director. (Ed.'s note: Well deserving though she was, I hate James Cameron, so I loved that his ex-wife BEAT him!!)
Mo's Review:
The Hurt Locker (2009): 4 out of 5 stars
The Hurt Locker is a story during the war in Iraq. The bomb specialist of an crew (Guy Pearce - hottie!!) is killed by a bomb, so Sgt. Will James (played by Jeremy Renner - hottie!!) joins the team. They only have 38 more days left on their tour. James is reckless, doesn't always like to follow rules, but is damn good at what he does. He drives his other team members crazy (like why does he have part of bombs he's dissembled stored under his bed?) until they met up with a group of British contractors led by Ralph Fiennes (British hottie!!). He may be a crazy renegade, but he talks his team through the sniper attack and they all survive. Does everyone on his team make it to the end of tour?
Eventually James's tour is over, and he tries to go home and live his life..... is he able to do it?
This movie was slow in some parts, but it was good. It is the lowest grossing Oscar film of all times and I'm surprised that it was named Best Picture. I think it's a good movie, but not the Best Picture. Kathryn Bigelow did an incredible job directing something that most women wouldn't touch, I was glad to see her win the Oscar for Best Director. (Ed.'s note: Well deserving though she was, I hate James Cameron, so I loved that his ex-wife BEAT him!!)
Mo's Review:
The Hurt Locker (2009): 4 out of 5 stars
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Shutter Island (2010)
Tonight, Heidi and I went to the movies. I had free passes to Studio Movie Grill, so we went to see "Shutter Island." First of all, Leonardo Di Caprio is HOT. If if the movie had totally stunk, it would have been worth it for 138 minutes of Leo.
However, the movie did NOT suck. It was incredibly awesome - suspenseful, thought-provoking, well-acted and well directed. I love Martin Scorsese - he knows how to make a good film. He leads you to believe that you have it all figured out, only to realize that you have no clue! It's not really a horror film, but more of a suspense thriller.
Leo plays Teddy Daniels, a US Marshal sent to Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of one the patients. It's an island in the Boston Harbor that is home to the criminally insane. To say anything else about the plot would give some piece of it away. To see it is to believe it.
Leo was great in the film, but he's not the only top notch actor. Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, and Mark Ruffalo all do a great job in their roles.
I have to see it again - I know I missed some clues along the way and I have to know what they were. You have to go see it - trust me, it's worth it!!
Mo's Review:
Shutter Island (2010): 5 out of 5 stars
However, the movie did NOT suck. It was incredibly awesome - suspenseful, thought-provoking, well-acted and well directed. I love Martin Scorsese - he knows how to make a good film. He leads you to believe that you have it all figured out, only to realize that you have no clue! It's not really a horror film, but more of a suspense thriller.
Leo plays Teddy Daniels, a US Marshal sent to Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of one the patients. It's an island in the Boston Harbor that is home to the criminally insane. To say anything else about the plot would give some piece of it away. To see it is to believe it.
Leo was great in the film, but he's not the only top notch actor. Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, and Mark Ruffalo all do a great job in their roles.
I have to see it again - I know I missed some clues along the way and I have to know what they were. You have to go see it - trust me, it's worth it!!
Mo's Review:
Shutter Island (2010): 5 out of 5 stars
Admission by Jean Hanff Korelitz
It's been a while since I've blogged about a book. It's been a busy few weeks and I decided to tackle a big book (449 pages) for my next read. But it was also a hard book to read, so that did add some to my time.
People Magazine recommended Admission to me, so I bought the book. I'm usually on par with People in terms of their books recommendations (movies and music, not so much). Admission tells the story of Portia Nathan, an admissions officer at Princeton University. This was interesting to me because the Ivy League is not something I'm familiar with (product of the state schools University of North Texas and The Florida State University myself), so I was curious to see the whole admissions process and how it worked. That part was interesting - each chapter had an "excerpt" from an admission essay that was interesting (also funny, sad, bizarre) to read. I think if the book had stuck to just the admissions process, it might have kept my interest better.
Instead, there are parallel stories about Portia and relationships she has with several others: her free spirited mother Susannah, her long term boyfriend partner Mark, and John - a "friend" from her days as a student at Dartmouth. These stories SLOWLY all connect, but I found myself having a hard time keeping up with.... or caring, for that matter.... about them. John was the most interesting story of the three, and it was the least developed. But when all three stories did connect, it was the one time that I couldn't put the book down because I HAD to know how things ended up.
Usually when I find a book I like, I Tivo shows, stay up late, sneak the book in whereever I can (which explains why I can polish off a 350 page book in an afternoon). Admission wasn't a book like that for me - if it came down to VH1 reality or Admission, it was a hard choice at times.
But just because it wasn't my favorite doesn't mean that it's a bad book. It's well written, informative and entertaining - just not a perfect fit for me. I could see someone loving it though. I'd like to check out other books by this author because I do think it might be a better fit.
Read it and decide for yourselves - be curious as to what others might think about it.......
Mo's Review:
"Admission" by Jean Hanff Korelitz, (2009, 449 pages): 3 out of 5 Stars
People Magazine recommended Admission to me, so I bought the book. I'm usually on par with People in terms of their books recommendations (movies and music, not so much). Admission tells the story of Portia Nathan, an admissions officer at Princeton University. This was interesting to me because the Ivy League is not something I'm familiar with (product of the state schools University of North Texas and The Florida State University myself), so I was curious to see the whole admissions process and how it worked. That part was interesting - each chapter had an "excerpt" from an admission essay that was interesting (also funny, sad, bizarre) to read. I think if the book had stuck to just the admissions process, it might have kept my interest better.
Instead, there are parallel stories about Portia and relationships she has with several others: her free spirited mother Susannah, her long term boyfriend partner Mark, and John - a "friend" from her days as a student at Dartmouth. These stories SLOWLY all connect, but I found myself having a hard time keeping up with.... or caring, for that matter.... about them. John was the most interesting story of the three, and it was the least developed. But when all three stories did connect, it was the one time that I couldn't put the book down because I HAD to know how things ended up.
Usually when I find a book I like, I Tivo shows, stay up late, sneak the book in whereever I can (which explains why I can polish off a 350 page book in an afternoon). Admission wasn't a book like that for me - if it came down to VH1 reality or Admission, it was a hard choice at times.
But just because it wasn't my favorite doesn't mean that it's a bad book. It's well written, informative and entertaining - just not a perfect fit for me. I could see someone loving it though. I'd like to check out other books by this author because I do think it might be a better fit.
Read it and decide for yourselves - be curious as to what others might think about it.......
Mo's Review:
"Admission" by Jean Hanff Korelitz, (2009, 449 pages): 3 out of 5 Stars
Friday, March 12, 2010
Hey VH1, I found your next reality programming idea......
As many of you know, I am only a stone's throw from celebrity. My stepbrother hosts "The Bachelor".... but before you become too impressed, we don't really talk or see each other often. Our parents married when we were adults, so we aren't that close. BUT.... it's nice knowing that there is a connection out there......
So... the other day a friend from high school sent me an e-mail and asked if she wanted me to submit my high school senior year photo (one I took when UA had an open house and I then posted the picture on to Facebook) to be submitted with her picture for a Will Ferrell project. They are collecting high school yearbook pictures which will be used in the movie. (I'm guessing opening or closing credits, but am not sure.) So she submits our pictures and we now have to do a release, so who knows, I may have my own brush with celebrity.
Which led me to start thinking..... in case you didn't know, I'm a HUGE fan of VH1 Reality Programming (Celebrity Rehab, Sober House, Rock of Love, Charm School, Flavor of Love, Celebrity Fit Club, The Scott Baio shows, Tough Love, Tool Academy, Frank the Entertainer A Basement Affair.... I think you get the idea!!).
Maybe after I'm in Will's movie, VH1 may want me for my own reality show. But what would I do? Search for love? Lose weight? Kick an addiction?
I have a food addiction and need to lose weight, but I don't think that will bring people in. So it'll need to be a show about me finding Mr. Right (because some people believe in true love being found on reality TV!) and that we do live happily ever after.
Okay, so I've a premise for my show. I'll have 25 guys to choose from. I'll bring in my sister and maybe a friend or two to be my confidants about the guys. But what will I give the guys when I want them to stay? (Bachelor does roses, Flavor of Love does clocks, Rock of Love does passes, Frank gives necklaces..... what can I give?)
What is associated with me? What do people think of when they think of me?
I love to read. Books. A book - they can get a book. Or it could be a chapter. My tag line will be "Would you like to discover the next chapter with me?"
When they make it all the way to the end, it completes a book. I would say, "You complete my book. You are the co-author of my future."
(Ed.'s Note: I realize that this may be a little too cerebral for VH1. But work with me here.)
My show would be called "Book Of Love" for two reasons: One, I give books to the guys. Two, VH1 likes shows with similar titles (ie: Rock of Love, Flavor of Love). My theme song would be the ABC song, "Look of Love," where I would just change the lyrics. (Imagine me spinning around and smiling as you hear the lyrics, with lots of hot guys who want my book of love. "That's the book, that's the book.... the Book of Love!!" It's gonna be an instant hit..... click here so you can hear the song. C'mon, you know you want to.... Besides it's funnier that way!)
I need an agent. And a publicist. I've always wanted "people," but now I believe it's the time to get some.
And all I can say is if this takes off..........
Oprah who? Oprah will be begging me to be on her show!!!!!!!!
So... the other day a friend from high school sent me an e-mail and asked if she wanted me to submit my high school senior year photo (one I took when UA had an open house and I then posted the picture on to Facebook) to be submitted with her picture for a Will Ferrell project. They are collecting high school yearbook pictures which will be used in the movie. (I'm guessing opening or closing credits, but am not sure.) So she submits our pictures and we now have to do a release, so who knows, I may have my own brush with celebrity.
Which led me to start thinking..... in case you didn't know, I'm a HUGE fan of VH1 Reality Programming (Celebrity Rehab, Sober House, Rock of Love, Charm School, Flavor of Love, Celebrity Fit Club, The Scott Baio shows, Tough Love, Tool Academy, Frank the Entertainer A Basement Affair.... I think you get the idea!!).
Maybe after I'm in Will's movie, VH1 may want me for my own reality show. But what would I do? Search for love? Lose weight? Kick an addiction?
I have a food addiction and need to lose weight, but I don't think that will bring people in. So it'll need to be a show about me finding Mr. Right (because some people believe in true love being found on reality TV!) and that we do live happily ever after.
Okay, so I've a premise for my show. I'll have 25 guys to choose from. I'll bring in my sister and maybe a friend or two to be my confidants about the guys. But what will I give the guys when I want them to stay? (Bachelor does roses, Flavor of Love does clocks, Rock of Love does passes, Frank gives necklaces..... what can I give?)
What is associated with me? What do people think of when they think of me?
I love to read. Books. A book - they can get a book. Or it could be a chapter. My tag line will be "Would you like to discover the next chapter with me?"
When they make it all the way to the end, it completes a book. I would say, "You complete my book. You are the co-author of my future."
(Ed.'s Note: I realize that this may be a little too cerebral for VH1. But work with me here.)
My show would be called "Book Of Love" for two reasons: One, I give books to the guys. Two, VH1 likes shows with similar titles (ie: Rock of Love, Flavor of Love). My theme song would be the ABC song, "Look of Love," where I would just change the lyrics. (Imagine me spinning around and smiling as you hear the lyrics, with lots of hot guys who want my book of love. "That's the book, that's the book.... the Book of Love!!" It's gonna be an instant hit..... click here so you can hear the song. C'mon, you know you want to.... Besides it's funnier that way!)
I need an agent. And a publicist. I've always wanted "people," but now I believe it's the time to get some.
And all I can say is if this takes off..........
Oprah who? Oprah will be begging me to be on her show!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
RIP, Corey Haim
So, I'm sitting in a meeting this morning and I get an email on my BlackBerry that says Corey Haim has died.
Am I surprised? No.....
Am I tired of this? Yes....
Corey Haim was a cutie pie back in the 80's - I loved "The Lost Boys," "Lucas," and "License to Drive," to name a few of his movies. But he was beginning to be a train wreck back then.... excess of money and drugs led to an older Corey that was a broke, unhappy crack addict. I'm sad to admit that I watched the 2007 A&E series "My Two Coreys" and you could tell that he was a timebomb waiting to explode. He couldn't deal with the fact that everyone didn't love him, and he wasn't making movies and money, and he missed the fame and celebrity.
How many more times are we going to have to see this? Whether an actual drug overdose (like River Phoenix, John Belushi or Chris Farley) or an "accidental" drug overdose (like Heath Ledger, Anna Nicole Smith, etc.), these people have issues that are overlooked until it is too late.
I'm tired of it.
But I still feel for all of those that are truly touched by Corey's death... friends, family, former co-workers. I'm sorry for your loss.
But when is someone gonna do something to make this stop?
Am I surprised? No.....
Am I tired of this? Yes....
Corey Haim was a cutie pie back in the 80's - I loved "The Lost Boys," "Lucas," and "License to Drive," to name a few of his movies. But he was beginning to be a train wreck back then.... excess of money and drugs led to an older Corey that was a broke, unhappy crack addict. I'm sad to admit that I watched the 2007 A&E series "My Two Coreys" and you could tell that he was a timebomb waiting to explode. He couldn't deal with the fact that everyone didn't love him, and he wasn't making movies and money, and he missed the fame and celebrity.
How many more times are we going to have to see this? Whether an actual drug overdose (like River Phoenix, John Belushi or Chris Farley) or an "accidental" drug overdose (like Heath Ledger, Anna Nicole Smith, etc.), these people have issues that are overlooked until it is too late.
I'm tired of it.
But I still feel for all of those that are truly touched by Corey's death... friends, family, former co-workers. I'm sorry for your loss.
But when is someone gonna do something to make this stop?
Monday, March 8, 2010
Best Thing About The Oscars
The Oscars were last night..... dressed up and went to my party.... had a bit too much fun, gained 0.8 today at WW.
This was on Jimmy Kimmel last night after the Oscars... made me laugh.....
When the didn't do the "In Memoriam," they did not recognize Bea Arthur or Farrah Fawcett - what is up with that??
This was on Jimmy Kimmel last night after the Oscars... made me laugh.....
When the didn't do the "In Memoriam," they did not recognize Bea Arthur or Farrah Fawcett - what is up with that??
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