I Didn't Know People Actually Read This

Hey there folks! I was totally unaware you were showing up! I am a total reject and didn't have my settings on to email me when you make your lovely comments - so I didn't know anyone was even reading! Except, my dad. I knew he was reading. but all of you others who have commented - hey there! Thanks so much! I hope you keep coming back - I'm going to try and write more and respond to comments more now that I've gotten everything straightened out.

Happy Feet

Tonight Disney aired Happy Feet for like the thousandth time, and I was finally (been meaning to since it came out in 2006) able to sit down and articulate what it is that I hate about this movie. because make no mistake I HATE this movie. I so desperately want to love it too, which I think makes its dissappointment that much keener. I feel that they had such a fabulous idea (and built in blockbuster potential, obviously), but they handled it so badly, and really turned out a lame movie. People get all dazzled by the cute penguins and the vocal stylings of Robin Williams and they don't really pay attention to how lacking this movie really is. So here are my reasons for why it sucks (which also double as examples of how it could have been better):
1) The songs suck. A main feature of this movie is that the penguins sing to each other to find mates. That is why the main character is out of place bceause he can't sing and instead dances. So why aren't the congs better? There are a few modern songs used, and they are really catchy and cleverly done (great examples of the "mash-up" discussed on Glee each week), but the big moment where his love interest sings? Booooring. Whoever was in charge of music on this film really fell down on the job bceause they had the chance to either write some really great original music, or to incorporate popular songs in new and creative ways (ala Glee or Moulin Rouge) and they didn't do either. Bad choice.
2) The main character (mumbles) never gets older. What is up with that? Is he developmentally challenged as well as a terrible singer? I just don't understdand the purpose of having every other penguin transform from a baby to an adult, except for him. I suppose the idea was to maintain some of that extra cute baby fluffiness, but having him only halfway into adult feathers while everyone else is fully grown is just lame (nless you address is as yet another way he stands out which they never do). Okay, so maybe most people just didn't notice or care, but for super logic-minded (read: anal) folks like me, it is extremely annoying.
3) The heavy handed conservation message. I get it. Over fishing and our apparent disregard for the environment and the globes other inhabitants is an important message. But really, did it need to go in this film? The lack of food for teh penguins is presented the entire first half of the film as some sort of secondary subplot. There is no focus on the penguins really starving or being in danger, and then all of a sudden, Mumbels is off in the real world doing his little dance and all the humans think "oh, so cute, lets not eat fish anymore." I don't think so. If they really wanted to emphasize the importance of this issue, I think it would have been an excellent toipic for a sequel - Mumbles, having been finally accepted by his flock, goes off to save them and brings attention to the wonderful world down south and we all decide to be more gentle and compassionate and whatever. Awesome. Teaches kids (and their parents) an important lesson, and hey look, even more money for the studio because um, if the original won an Oscar and made a gazillion dollars, don't you think a sequel might be a good idea? Yeah, me too. Taking two hours to explore how our actions affect the environment while seeing even more cute dancing penguins sounds like fun to me. Tacking it on in a desperate attempt to add a little extra meaning onto your film just ends up being didactic preaching.
Which brings me to the biggest failure of the film:
4)They completely miss the main point. Mumbles is different. He cannot sing like everyone else, instead he dances. And instead of focusing on his attempts to fit in, followed by his self acceptance and finally his acceptance by everyone, the filmakers shortchange the most important lesson in their film. This movie was a perfect opportunity to really teach acceptance - everyone is different, and everyone has something special to offer. Kids can be so mean to anyone who is different. Society can be so mean to anyone who is different. This movie was a prime situation for teaching acceptance not only of those around you who make look or act differently, but of yourself for your uniqueness. Mumbles should have found that his dancing was wonderful and special and great not because it makes the humans stop stealing their fish, but because it was wonderful and special and great. He should have been welcomed home by his flock not bceause he saved them, but because they learned his value just for being himself. This is a lesson kids can learn in a 105 minute movie, and it is a lesson they need to learn (and that parents may need a refresher course on too). By trying to throw in conservation and adventure and comedy and the kitchen sink, the filmmakers missed out on an opportunity to make a truly great film (Or two truly great films if you like my idea for the sequel to focus on the over fishing subject matter). They tried to cram to much in and ended up losing the real messge in the movie. Which I think is really what I hate most about it. It could have been wonderful and fun and educational. Instead, it was uneven, heavy handed, and a little boring. I'm not going to shy away from a message in a film - in fact I think kids movies should have something to impart beyond dazzle. Just don't beat me over the head with it. After all, it still the movies. it should be fun.

A Few Of My Favorite Things*

I may be a stay at home mom, and I may wear yoga pants a t-shirts all day long, but I still like to look nice, and so I pretty much always have on makeup. Seriously, I may not brush my hair, but you can bet I've got on my mascara! And I do feel a little silly applying foundation and the whole shebang on days when I don't even leave the house, but I have always been skeptical about that old fashion mag advice staple "just dot concealer on your trouble areas and go." For me, that seemed to just result in looking like I had small dots of makeup on my face - making me blotchier and weirder looking. I preferred using a light foundation (I use Chanel Teint Innocence in Cameo) to even everything out, and I never felt that I looked like I had "pancake face." but then I found:
Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Concealer w/ SPF 20 (Light)

This really works wonderfully. I just use a tiny brush to dot it on and then cover it with the included powder and it really works. It is weird having a totally naked face, but I really like it for days I'm not going anywhere but don't want to look so tired and blotchy when I catch sight of myself in the mirror. Anyway, I thought it was so awesome, I just had to tell everyone about it, and then I figured I should maybe let you know what other products I can't live without too.
To add to the whole "I just look this great even without makeup" illusion, I use this:
Tarte Cheek Stain (Blushing Bride)

Just dab it on, rub in a little bit and it looks like you are flushing naturally - not like wearing blush at all. Works really well on top of foundation or under powder too - I think it has the most natural, subtle finish to it. In the winter it adds a bit of dewiness to drier skin, and in the summer I just put a little powder on top in case it feels sticky. Plus, I've been using it daily for 5+ years and I'm still on my first tube!
My other mainstay is this lipstick:
Revlon ColoStay Overtime Lipcolor (Timeless Nude)

I feel there is such a difference in how polished you look wearing even a nude lipstick compared to totally bare lips, and I like how no fuss the long lasting lipsticks are. I drink water constantly, and I hate having gunky lipstick residue on my bottles - chapstick is bad ebough, but when it's colored too? Gross. I have tried all teh brands before and they all work about the same. I prefer this one because this shade is the best true nude I've found- it matches my lips perfectly, and it lasts all day so I can just apply it once and then I use chapstick or gloss on top the rest of the day to keep my lips moist (I like that slick feeling and am a total lipbalm addict. My old reliable is plain vaseline). With a slick of gloss (I like Dior Addict for a really glassy, not too sticky, shine) I get that perfect nude 'Victoria Beckham' lip, and it makes me feel all sophisticated and stylish, even though I'm totally not.
The only other thing I apply everyday is mascara. I like a really black mascara, and I stick with L'Oreal or Lancome, but honestly, I will wear almost any brand except Maybelline which I have had allergic reactions to. On days i'm feeling extra sassy I will also use this:
Stila Kajal Eyeliner (Onyx, Smokey Quartz, Sapphire, or Amethyst)

This is the smoothest eyeliner I have ever found, Super easy to apply (I like to do the inner rims of my lower eyelids and this does it without any tugging at all), and it blends really well. I've also found that it wears down during the day without running all over your face which is nice. The first time I wore it was actually the day I found out I had to put my cat to sleep, and through all that crying I never had tracks down my face. For my upper lids (which I almost never line) I prefer to use a longer lasting formula that doesn't smudge or rub off so easily, but for daily use and on the gentle inner rims this is perfect. It is also probably awesome for smudging into a classic smokey eye, but I have never perfected that technique so I don't know for sure.
The final product I can't live without is:
Eucerin Dry Skin Therapy Plus Intensive Repair Creme

This creme is so thick and moisturizing, and it has alpha hydroxy acids in it too, so it works as an exfoliator. I put it on my heels at night and it keeps them from getting dry and cracked and callousy. Saves time and money on pedicures! It also works really nicely the few times I have gotten eczema from allergic reactions - so far it is the only thing I have found I can apply to these rashes on my face without making it worse. It actually heal the spots faster and take the redness away.


*none of these comments were sponsored or compensated in anyway. Each of these items I found doing my own research (ie, seeing an ad, random guesswork and/or reading fashion magazines), and bought with my own money. And of course, you just have to take my word for it that they work great - for all you know I'm a hot mess. Infact, you may have seen photos, in which case you KNOW I'm a hot mess. hehe

Still Waiting For My Paycheck

When did entertainment become a job? I have a stack of magazines four months thick with new ones coming in weekly, not to mention a constantly reloading DVR and a pile of books also awaiting my attention. And I'm wondering, why do I feel this pressure to keep up with it all? I think on average I read about 20 magazines a month, 60 books a year, and watch countless hours of "must see" tv. And none of it is necessary (other than for my enjoyment), but it all feels so important. I go through the Entertainment Weekly (pick your season) movie and tv preview editions with a pad of paper making lists of what I want to see. I have not missed a single issue of that magazine practically since it came out, which was in...1990. Crazy. For weeks I have had a stack of these magazines (dating back to the beginning of JULY when moving made me put them off until later) sitting on my counter causing me anxiety over when I could find the time to read them. After all, I had to use my available free time to keep up with my other weekly magazines (can't fall behind in teh celeb gossip)or to watch on of the three or four shows I tape every night. And yet, I couldn't just get rid of them and start fresh. Just like I could never bring myself to erase the Tin Man miniseries on my old DVR even though I knew that if I hadn't watched it in the two years since it had aired I was probably never going to. It's like a compulsion to never miss a single item of pop culture that might delight or otherwise entertain me. I make lists of the books I want to read, try and figure out a perfect schedule for taping television shows to maximize the number of things I can see, and always make time for my magazines, blogs, etc. But if it is causing me stress, no matter how little, isn't that kind of a problem? This is entertainment, not life or death. yes, I may think some of the previews or reviews sound intriguing and will tickle my fancy, but is anything going to happen if I DON"T see them? Something else great will always come along after all. There are always Netflick nights when nothing else can be found and I can go back to something that I may have missed the first time around. The world will keep turning and there will always be great entertainment to be found. But in the meantime, I'll be busy catching up.


ps: I just got done with all my back issues of EW today. This week I will be attempting tackle all the back issues of my fashion magazines.

VMA-gate: And We're Suprised Why?

Okay. So you may or may not be aware of the brouhaha stemming from last nights' VMAs (since probably only my dad is reading this, that stands for video music awards. yeah, that's what I'm talking about here. Bye Dad). Basically, Kanye West acted like a dickhead and hijacked Taylor Swift's acceptance speech to say that Beyonce's video was the best one. Commence jaw dropping and much Tweeting/internet chaos. Truly, it was wonderful fodder. But basically, I just have to say, really? Are we THAT surprised that Kanye West acted like, um, Kanye West? The guy makes all the regular asshats out there seem like saints. Yes, it was amazingly rude, and yes, it was totally crazy that he actually got up and did that, but honestly, after watching the clip, the only thing that really surprised me was how polite he was when speaking. The overall message was unforgivable no doubt, but he was actually quite tame with the words coming out of his mouth. Which in itself should demonstrate the heights of douchbaggery he regularly attains, when something so heinous can come across as sort of civil. Dickweed. I would like to suggest that we all stop discussing such abominable behavior and giving the prick what he wants - attention. Don't tweet his name, don't write it on your blog. Make up some nickname (King Douche perhaps?) and use that. So that egomaniacal (and talentless, face it, anyone with his producers could do what he does) fame whore can't search for himself and revel in his controversy. The only thing his name should be used for now is as a verb to explain when someone steals your thunder and/or reaches new levels of wankosity.
ie: the best man totally KANYED their wedding when he got drunk and made out with the bride's dad

Hold Still

So, there is a new trend out there for vibrating mascara wands. Seriously. Mechanized tools for the appliaction of makeup. Makeup you put near YOUR EYES. Does this not sound like a bad idea to anyone else? I have met people who have poked themselves in the eye with a mascara wand - one even scratched her cornea (that's the outside part right? retina? whatever). And these were not expecially stpid or inept people, so imagine what all the idiots out there could be doing. you know, the people who need to be told not to use and entire acid peel on their facce twice a day and stuff. Those people should definietly not be trusted with complicated machinery. And of course, there is always the issue that mascara wasn't relly that ahrd to apply in the first place. Really, who is having an issue getting their mascara on? And if they can't apply it when it isn't moving, what makes you think they can do it when it's vibrating super fast? Stupid.

Half The Price But Twice The Fun!

There are many wonderful things about living in a city, and I will be the first to admit that one of my favorites is shopping. There are many fine stores here, with many fine things, all of which I want. I have spent much of the last few weeks going into such exotic locales as Super Target and TGI Fridays and exclaiming how wonderful they are, as well as commenting to everyone in sight that I haven't been anyhere like this for almost a decade. It is all very exciting and I'm sure half og Omaha now thinks I am a complete loon. Whatever. My new favorite place is the half price books store (called, I believe, Half Price Books, catchy, eh?). I have always loved books, and could honestly probably drop more money faster in a Barnes and Noble than I could at Neiman Marcus (if anyone wants to give me free rein with their credit card I would love to test that theory out). So this discount place has been tons of fun for me, because in it I can actually BUY THE BOOKS!! We went last week and got 10 books for $23 - not a bad deal. But the kicker is that they also take your used books - you bring em in, they give em a look and then quote you a price and you can take it or leave it. So this weekend, I finally decided that I'd open up the boxes of books I have still packed from our move, and unpack them, shelving the ones I will read again and taking anything I don't need to the bookstore so I can buy new stuff. I got $25!! YAY! And now, of course, I have been set into a frenzy of reading (so I can sell the stuff I just got back, haha) and wanting to unpack the remaining boxes so I have more trade in gold. I have also found myself getting much more strict about the requirements for staying - books that made the cut this weekend may not survive next week. The need to read is strong my fri ends. And the need to give old things away for small amounts of cash so I can buy other old things is apparently stronger. I should probably never go to a swap meet*, or we'll end up with new furniture every week.

*if indeed that is a place to go and swap things. Like furniture type things. I don't really know.