Wednesday, January 31, 2007

I came, I saw…


…and it wasn’t that bad. Here’s the latest list of movies I’ve either seen in the theatre, was sick through, knit through, or relieved my boredom (our shipment didn’t arrive until over a week after we moved here) There were plenty more but I’ve decided to only list maybe five-ish a week and include a featured presentation because it’s my blog and I can. We’ll see how it goes.

1. John Tucker Must Die- Very Mean Girls-esque. Cleverly done like Mean Girls. These type of movies have been a dime a dozen –they’ve came and went and didn’t go as well. Still it is the typical teen movie. It goes a lil sumtin’ like this…“Let me make a dare to like/change/embarrass you etc., oh BUT WAIT! I actually really like you now that I know you, OH No! let me confess it all at the big dance at the end of the movie”. Exactly like that.
2. 40 Year Old Virgin- I didn’t go to see this in the theatre with everyone because I didn’t want to waste my money and I never looked back on that decision. Now the other day this happened to be on cable and it was freaking hilarious…I had a bunch of laugh out loud moments. There were several funny (and inappropriate) sketches in the movie but by far the most hilarious and uncomfortable ones to me were with Andy’s (Steve Carrell) female boss. She was all about “subtly” offering to take his virginity. Nevertheless, overall I thought the ending was sweet and being that Matty and I waited until marriage to "consummate" things, I respected it being put in print even if it was for comedic purposes.
3. Bamboozled- So good. Poked right into the stereotypes blacks (and collectively-all races, as a society) endorse (and have endorsed in the past) in the entertainment industry in order to get paid. Actually, in order to work period. There was a lot of actual footage from old movies, actual toys and figurines depicting pickaninnies and such. It's so crazy to wrapped my mind around that time frame when these images were acceptable and the norm. Funny enought, some of the content reminded me of what Hollywood Shuffle tried to bring light and humor in the eighties (I love that movie too) The pickaninnies particularly hit home with me in relation to a conversation I had with my in-laws last year. Anyway, it’s a fantastic thought provoking movie. It’s directed by Spike Lee and has Savion Glover in it. White and black people all over the world should watch and try to understand. It’s more of a film than just a movie.
4. House of Sand and Fog- I loved this film. Aside from it being beautiful to the eye the acting is great. The story is great. Now here is a warning: This movie is a tragic story but a unique one. I also felt it had civil lessons to take away with also some very cultural ones as well. Out of all five I would recommend this one as number one. Did Jennifer Connelly win something for this movie? She should have. She carries it off perfect. I’m also convinced that every frame in this movie could be a still picture that you could capture and put on your wall somewhere. So interesting. Also, if you rent it know it’s not a funny or action type movie and that it is for more mature audiences. It’s drama, so if you rent it and don’t like that kinda thing don’t come back over here harassing me, I warned ya.
5. The Producers- Had a few clever/funny parts. Had many set similarities and looks close to those in Chicago (I loved Chicago). The musical numbers were amusing for the most part. Still, this film movie musical was not my cup of tea-- although the depiction of “Hitler in Springtime” was unbelievable. I just sat there laughing out big “WOW’s” with each passing swastika. When Hitler finally popped up I did find it pretty amusing.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Surprise, I’m a little late


Almost forgot, I went to the bookstore upon arriving here at the beginning of January. I had a gift certificate from Christmas and I picked up a couple of things. Of course I’m late posting them and now I need to pick up the new IK and the new Knit.1 because they are both packed full of things I like. I was peeping the new IK online the other day. There's some really cute stuff in there! Never mind all that.
Vogue Knitting has this really cool cabled Bolero that I would love to knit- that I will knit come hell or high water.
Knit.1 was just cute; nothing I just had to put on the list.
I really liked the style of the writing in Domiknitrix. It’s by Jennifer Stafford. Her book reminds me of Stitch n' Bitch. It's more straightforward and direct. (I found out she has a blog too-apparently I was the last to know)There are a couple of patterns in there that could come to fruition…but probably not.
There's just way too many things on the knitting wishlist these days and the only thing out of this bunch that made it on was the cabled modular bolero thingy from Vogue.
I. Want. That.Now

Monday, January 29, 2007

Banana Margarita's anyone?


Matty had been out in the field since last Monday until this Saturday afternoon. So yesterday, I organized and participated (with some of the other wives) in providing the first hot meal the guys had had in 6 days. We ended up doing hot dogs and all the stuff that goes along with them. We served the whole B Company (4 platoons) which was roughly about 150 guys. It was fun and I forgot to take pictures.
Nevertheless, afterward Mateo came home and took a LONG shower (he wreaked) and we went out to eat together. We were both starving and ordered tons of food. I even had a banana margarita- a flavor I had never tried before (I usually get mango). It was all so delicious. We went to La Azteca restaurant in Columbus, Georgia. It’s right off exit 10 on Interstate 185. I had a chicken and cheese quesadilla, a taco, a chile relleno, and refried beans- so much for eating clean that day!
The cheese dip and quesadilla wasn’t as good as El Charro’s back home but it was still pretty good. The chile relleno and taco was much better however. The price was definitely right too! If you’re ever in the area I say check it out. It was an above average margarita too!

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Pick up...

…where we left off shall we. Surprisingly I got the entreloc Danica scarf done. I was DREADING weaving in those ends ya’ll. It only took a couple of hours of Tivo’d American Idol to get them all woven in. I used a crochet hook!
I even blocked it!







And off it went….





I used 3 skeins Lion Cashmere (1 ½ blk, 1 ½ grey) and some scrap Debbie Bliss cashmerino on size 8 Susan Bates needles- aluminum straights.
I felt like a knitting superstar making this. It looks difficult but it wasn’t. Aside from Matty this is one of my first knitted gifts. I hope the recipient really likes it. I’d hate for it to be one of those things people sit out or dig up simply because you’re coming to visit…

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Like a fine wine

I went to a wine tasting tonight with two of the other Army wives; Misty and Brittany. They are both around my age. I had a really good time. I think we are all going to get together Wednesday of next week and hang out. I may have made two friends.
I tried 6 different wines tonight:
1. Quail Ridge Chardonnay
2. Quail Ridge Merlot
3. Quail Ridge Cabernet
4. Santelmo Malbec
5. Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc
6. Columbia Cellar Masters Riesling***
I am trying to "develop" my taste for wine and meet some folks down here. I think I accomplished both. I've come to believe that I prefer white wines over reds but these are the only 6 wines I've tried so don't take that as gospel. I'm going to another one on the 15th of Feb.
If I absolutely had to pick a red out of the bunch it would be the Cabernet. It had a good smoky aftertaste. I was impressed with myself that I could tell that. I even swirled the wine around the glass like I was some kind of professional who knew what they were looking for. I will probably buy the Cabernet for now just to cook with if it is not expensive.
Out of the white wines the Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc was deliscious but I loved this wine the most...

Monday, January 22, 2007

Digging the Dixie

I'm back and in a new location. After the holidays, hubby and I moved to Columbus Georgia from Northern VA (DC area). I miss my old life and all my friends and family but there are many things to love about the south. The change of pace for one. I like our new home (apartment) even though we don't own it and I like the area. There is so much to do around here. I am just exploring and making a home for us again.
I have got the house mainly in order now and that is a good thing. I can be normal again. The move and everything else took a lot longer and was more work than I expected it to be....i didn't expect to be so home sick either. :-(