FY your Eye: It’s not too late to catch some flicks outdoors

The NIH Film Festival is still going on with a showing of the Devil Wears Prada tonight and an advanced screening of Resurrecting the Champ tomorrow the 16th. The last night of this film festival is Sunday and they will be showing Happy Feet. I’m not into cutesie flicks but this is a good one.

There’s also the Clint Eastwood Film Festival. In Crystal City it on Monday Nights through August 20th and in Rosslyn it’s on Fridays through August 31st. They encourage you to dress like a cowboy since prizes will be given for the best costume.

Bethesda had a film festival but that has ended as well as Alexandria’s.

Columbia Lakefront Film Festival is still going through August 31st

Check here to see if there it one in your area.

My plan is to run/walk with Mrs. M tonight then maybe I’ll bike over to see the Devil Wears Prada.

Remember most of these events are to raise money for charities so you should at the very least buy some popcorn or some ice cream from them.

Pretty in Red

About a week ago I had a meeting with Mini Red’s teachers. One of the comments they made was that Mini Red reminds them of Molly Ringwald in the movie “Pretty in Pink”.

I mentioned this to Mini Red and was informed that this is one movie she has not been introduced to. So the other night I was at Target and found the DVD on sale for $7.50. HELLO! That’s my kind of price so I grabbed it.

This morning Mini Red and I slept in a bit, not-to-mention neither of us knows how Mini Red ended up in my room. I guess we were beat after our night out to see Shrek 3. I would give you some sort of review but I fell asleep in the middle of it.

Anyhow, Mini Red and I are watching "Pretty in Pink" this morning, while in our pjs. It’s amazing how much Mini Red looks like Molly Ringwald. Although, I do believe Molly Ringwald has PSUAcoustician's nose. I’m feeling very nostalgic and old watching this.

Here's my favorite scene:

Before Grey's Anatomy

I had once read somewhere that Kate Walsh, who plays Dr. Addison Montgomery, was in "Under the Tuscan Sun". This is such a great movie and was on cable tonight but I missed the beginning. So I went searching to confirm Kate Walsh's character.

I found it and then it hit me. Kate Walsh played Sandra Oh's life partner. I just found it a bit odd to see them playing a gay couple so long before they both ended up in Grey's Anatomy.



What great actors!

It was a Mini Red weekend

Friday, I took Mini Red to see The Last Mimzy. AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME flick. Very cool, imaginative and had us hooked all the way through.

Saturday, Mini Red and I met up with Nicole, who is in town from Chicago. She is staying in Dupont and we picked up Louie (her dude) from the firehouse and headed downtown. The Dupont area is so cool and we found a little nail salon where Mini Red and I got pedicures and Nicole got a manicure. I loved this place because they were clean and actually sanitized and sterilized their utensils between clients. As we were drying I did a double take on Nicole’s coffee. They are placing ads on the coffee wrap thingies. Sorry this pic is fuzzy but I was amused that Tylenol PM is advertising on coffee. Isn’t that... Ironic?

After our pampering we were off to have a bite to eat and decided on Trio Restaurant. This is a nice quiet place that can make just about anything you want. We all talked over our meal as if Nicole never left the area. Often times our conversations turn towards Mini Red and grades and what not. It still surprises me when Nicole says things to Mini Red that start with, “Your Mom…”

OMG! I’m a Mom and my daughter is at THAT age. Am I really that old? Mini Red is talking about boys and I just want to cover my ears and sing, “lalalalalalalala”. If I ignore it will it go away? No!

One of the discussions this weekend was forget the boys and do for you. Get the school work done and make goals and move towards them. Deal with the chaos that is relationships once you get your life set and in order and procure a high paying job to support your mother if she lives that long (hahahaha). This is coming from experience cause the opposite sex is very confusing.

Saturday night I ate something that didn't agree with me and I was up at 3:30 in the morning after an FN nightmare. I couldn’t get back to sleep so I turned on the TV in hopes it would bore me to sleep but I found Rocky… Ohhh, a good one! Just as I was able to fall back into lala land Mini Red walks in to climb into bed with me. I’m my half conscious state I just shushed her, several times, but she was still talking. Thank goodness she finally got the hint and let me sleep but she had an ulterior motive.

She woke me around 10 thinking her religion class was at 10. She was a bit miffed when I told her it was at 11 and begged me not to make her go. Hahahahaha the life of a Mom can be so joyous at times when you can torture your child with things such as religion class. Mooohahahaha.

Today was such a beautiful day so we got some pansies and planted them on the balcony. I think Mini Red’s favorite part was when we went to the park and she gave me a tour of the creek she's recently found. We started at one end and worked our way down by walking on tree branches and stones. Near the end there were some kids swinging and this little girl was pointing to Mini Red and I in the creek. She was amazed we were in the creek and said, “That one looks like a MOTHER!”

I looked up at her smiled and said, “I am a MOTHER!”

We went home and just chilled out as one should do on a Sunday. I finally got to watch the movie Babel, which is another great flick. I was surprised my phone didn’t ring all day until I just realized the ringer was off.

I think this was just the weekend Mini Red and I needed especially since next weekend she is going away for her week of spring break. I can’t stand for her to be gone that long especially when it’s with FN but oh well. So I’ve got myself booked and won’t have a minute to breathe so that should help the week go by fast.

How was your weekend? Has anyone else seen The Last Mimzy?

Happy Birthday Shortie!

Mini Red gets introduced to The Money Pit

Mini Red didn't want to watch The Money Pit but I reminded her she didn't want to see Forrest Gump either. I told her we could turn it off at any time if she wasn't enjoying it but that's not happening after this scene:

Bridge to Terabithia

Last year Mini Red's class read Bridge to Terabithia. I remember hearing her talk about it all the time. Now the movie is coming out on February 16th and Mini Red couldn't be more excited.

I'm excited about it too! The movie looks too cool.

Check out this trailer:

The Three Amigos

I love this movie. Especially when they sing "My Little Buttercup".

It was supposed to be a relaxing weekend... All in all I guess it was

Saturday my goal was to sleep and get rejuvenated. I even got some Excedrin PM to help. See I’ve had these elbow issues for some time now and I’ve been in Physical Therapy. It was going really well until I got back from Chicago. My Physical Therapist is now working on my neck and after he pointed this out I realized that my neck has been bothering me again and usually it’s from stress. You would think my neck would have bothered me prior to the holidays considering all the stress, but it didn’t. I’ve also realized some of my issues are due to the computer and primarily the mouse. Yeah work doesn't help the stress either (*sarcasm*).

I’m kinda embarassed even going into therapy at this point because it seems it’s my stress and I’m just frustrating the PT guy. I’m the type of person that usually avoids the doctor but PT is something I haven’t missed because this painful arm is something I’ve dealt with for far too long. I can hardly carry anything anymore and I’m thankful Mom got me a cart as a Christmas gift. Damn I’m feeling old.

I can’t let the computer cause this issue either. This week I will start my first college course, Intro to Graphic Design. I am so excited about this class but I’m nervous too. I’m betting the nervousness will pass after the first class. I just don’t know what to expect.

So I was able to sleep in on Saturday and bum around. I fell asleep again and was up at strange hours. I took an Excedrin PM and chilled out on the couch when I noticed I had missed a call. “Who would be calling me at 3:30 in the morning”, I thought. Then the home phone rang and it was Mini Red. She was upset and sitting in the car because her Dad’s house had a fire. They were very lucky and caught it early but it was very scary. I kept saying, “Let me come pick you up”, but she said, “No”. I just wanted to have her home safe with me. After I got off the phone with her I realized it was a good thing because I had taken that Excedrin PM. Then I was glad I had taken it because I might have stayed awake worrying about Mini Red. She was ok she wanted to stay and support her Dad and his wife. What an awesome kid she is.

Sunday was another relaxing day and I was just trying to keep from bugging Mini Red to come home early. So I headed out to see Pan’s Labyrinth. What a cool movie and definitely not for kids cause it had some real gruesome moments.

Afterwards I headed out to pick up Mini Red and this was not easy due to the snow. I left at 4pm and didn’t get back until 7:30. The crazies were definitely out. I think part of the issue with snow in the DC area is there are so many people from so many different places that live here. So when it snows people who aren’t used to it just freak out.

On our way home I told Mini Red the story of Pan’s Labyrinth, which made the time fly by. We then stopped and picked up one of our favorite meals from El Pollo Rico so we could relax together after her crazy weekend.

Mini Red doesn’t have school tomorrow but I’m hoping I don’t have to go into work.

The Girls saw DreamGirls tonight and LOVED it!

Some of my co-workers and I decided to meet up after work, grab a bite to eat and go see DreamGirls. We decided to go to the Hoffman Theaters, which are HUGE, and eat at Ruby Tuesday’s right next door.

Tori’s sister met up with us and the six of us had so much fun. I don’t know the last time I laughed that hard. It must have been our waiter's first night cause he was having a lot of difficulties. On top of that he was a soft talker and we had fun messing with him until he messed up our orders. None of our food came out at the right time and we ate in shifts. But none of this mattered because we were having a good time. That was until we noticed the time and had to get the check and he was just plain incompetent.

Luckily, we had gotten our tickets before we ate so we were able to go right in. We had great seats in the top row, dead center. I sat next to Tori who would sing along and used her arms like they did in the movie. When Jennifer Hudson sang And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going it sent chills all over my body and I got a bit verclempt. People were hooting, hollering, clapping and yelling “Sing it Sister!” Damn that woman can sing… All of them can really belt it out... It just gets ya.

I probably wouldn’t have seen this movie in the theaters if it weren’t the group of us going but I’m telling ya it was a great movie and everyone should see it.

On our way out I was attempting to get a picture, using my camera phone, but Liz wasn’t having it. She was walking out the door and I caught her goofing around waving. She didn’t think I would get her in the picture but I did.

Side Note: A year ago Friday (the 19th) I was rear ended. The entire rear of my car had to be replaced. The accident wasn't particularly bad except it was the first time I was in an accident and I hadn't had my new car even three weeks when it happened. It took four weeks to repair because they had to wait for the parts to come off the assembly line. Then there were the spasms in my back and my visits to the chiropractor trying to get some relief.

It was a horrible and depressing time in my life.

Tonight on my way home I was coming off the beltway onto Connecticut Ave when a car ran a red light and hit the car in front of me. Thank goodness everyone was ok but I can't help but thank the Big Dude Above for watching out for me. Phew!

Guest post by Mini Red

WHO IS DAVY JONES
By Mini Red

As you all may know Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Mans Chest has come out on DVD. I went to my dads last weekend and He had the 2-disc Edition and on the second disc there was a documentary about Davy Jones. Did you know that Bill Nighy plays Davy Jones? In the documentary they said that Bill gave a whole funny / scary personality. There is this one part that Mama Red loves is when Davy Jones puffs out his top lip when he is on the Black Pearl and is talking to Jack about the price of his soul. Mama Red, my dad and myself all love the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and my dad thought that the trilogy would be like the Indiana Jones trilogy the first and the third are great and the second is not so great, Mama Red said that it was great. Also they both said that the Graphics where awesome and I agreed to that, and both also said that in the theaters they could not understand Tia Dalma (the woman that the crew of the Black Pearl went to see so they could find the Key to the Dead Mans Chest).

A mini girl with some some big pain and mini post due soon

My poor little Mini Red is suffering with her first migraine. I should say she was suffering but I had her lay down around 6pm and now she's out for the night.

When I picked her up from Grandma's she looked so pitiful. She got up slowly and said, "Mom! How do you deal with these?" She was crying most of the way home, which is all of two miles but took us ten minutes due to traffic.

There's nothing worse than when your child is in pain.

Keep an eye out... Mini Red is working on a post to, hopefully, be done by the end of the week on the recent DVD release of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.

She has now decided to call me Mama Red (**eyes rolling**). Oye!

This might explain why I was losing my mind

Saturday I was a bit of a bum. I did some research to find out which hospital my Aunt was in since I hadn't heard much since Friday. I found out where she was and finally got in touch with her. Of course I was calling to find out how she was but she was intent on asking how Mini Red and I were and about our Thanksgiving. I told her we were fine but the big question at hand was how she was doing but she didn't want to talk about herself. She sounded so weak but at least she was very alert. We didn't talk for long but I felt better having talked to her. I did some more looking and found the number to the nurses' station and talked to her nurse, Larry, who tells me it was a mild stroke. At least now they know to call me, heaven forbid, anything happens. Thanks to everyone for your prayers and well wishes.

I finally got out to pick up a few gifts but really wasn't into it so I headed down the road for a bite to eat and to catch a movie. Saturday night is date night so I was taking myself out. Potbelly's is next to the Regal Theater in Rockville so I grabbed a sandwich and listened to some of the live music before I headed into the theater. I debated which movie to see and even though I've wanted to see The Fountain the reviews weren't good and I was in no mood for a bad movie. I decided on Casino Royale cause I've heard good things and what could go wrong with and action packed Bond movie?

When going to a movie popcorn is a must so I decided to get a small and a bottle of water. I looked up to notice the dude behind the counter was staring. They all tend to stare when a cute chick, like me, is out on a Saturday night alone but I really don't give a damn. If I waited for someone to go to the movies with me, on my schedule, then I would never go. So the dude getting my popcorn finally says, "Is that your natural hair color?"

"Yup.", I said.

He then says, "That's cool!"

I told him, "Now you're supposed to tell me how nice it is."

To which he replied, very enthusiastically, "It's awesome!"

We both laughed. At least I could break up some of his monotony behind that counter.

I found a seat I was happy with and figured the theater wouldn't be that crowded since the movie had been out for at least a week, I think. I was wrong cause it was packed. There were a lot of older couples and the dudes were obvious about trying to impress their dates. I could smell the cologne on the gentleman next to me. Thank goodness it wasn't bad but I will forever associate that smell with Daniel Craig, the actor who played Bond. Then there was the gentleman behind me who kept making comments he thought were witty but in reality they sounded idiotic. Things like, "I gotta get me one of those" in referring to a Bond gadget or, "I hate when that happens" when the guy finds a hot chick in his room. On my right was a little boy who was there with his parents. I was surprised to hear him use the word "ass" and his parents said nothing. His mother talked through most of the move asking why this and why that. Oye!

I sometimes prefer going to movies alone because there is no one to bother me with talking through out but how do you shut up the strangers?

By the time the movie was over and I got out of there I wasn't feeling so well. I couldn't help but think of the scene in the movie Outbreak where someone coughs in the movie theater and everyone gets sick and dies. Then again I kinda suspected something was on it way since I haven't slept well lately and I've had really crazy dreams. My suspicions were confirmed when I woke this morning sick as a dawg.

I've spent most of the day sleeping and I've just put on one boring movie after another to fall asleep to. It wasn't til 4pm that I've finally managed to stay awake for longer than and hour. Thank goodness Mini Red was being brought home by her Dad this time because I don't think I could have made the drive to get her.

It's time for more medicine. I just hope I feel better by tomorrow cause I have deadlines to meet at work

I'm losing my mind but I'm taking you with me.

Ok here's another...

Recently, I've seen this Gray Convertible VW Beetle with a maroon roof driving around.

I can't help but think of the Armadillo Groom's Cake in the movie Steele Magnolias.

The New Family Truckster

Whenever I see Cadillac's SRX Crossover I can't help but be reminded of...

The Family Truckster from National Lampoon's Vacation.

The Kiss

I recently found the soundtrack to The Last of The Mohicans on iTunes. I was listening to it as I worked yesterday and was just amazed. I burned it to disc so I could listen to it in the car on the way home. I figured with the sound system in my car it could be even more amazing and submerse my whole self into it.

I had no idea it would turn into this amazing experience. Once I got to "The Kiss", by Trevor Jones, I was driving along the Potomac towards Memorial Bridge as the sun was going down. It was a beautiful site the way the light was reflecting on The Potomac with the Memorial Bridge and Monuments in the background. I had chills and my eyes were welling up. I had to listen to this song again and turn it up louder this time and it brought me into my own world of no crazy traffic and everything flowed. My rear view mirror would shake I had it so loud but again it was an amazingly beautiful sound that again gave me chills and welled up my eyes.

I couldn't get enough of this song but knew I couldn't play it again that loud as I drove down Connecticut Ave. The rest of the soundtrack needed to be heard and it lived up to my expectations.

I couldn't wait for Mini Red to hear this. I knew she would love it too if for nothing else than the violin. Maybe it could inspire her? I didn't get to play it for her until we were leaving her swim practice and as "The Kiss" was hitting its climatic part I noticed the memorial on the side of the road for the twelve-year-old boy who had been killed the day before. You can't help but think of your own child when a tragedy such as this happens. This was too much emotion but I couldn't turn off the music. By the time we got home I was exhausted.

I highly recommend this soundtrack or at least "The Kiss".

It'll get ya.

Stoopid damn movie made me cry!

Well… It was more like my eyes welled up… I hate that crying crap.

I just watched The Lake House. These two people communicate via the Lake House's mailbox while living the same day but two years apart. I know that is confusing as hell and I thought the whole premises was ridiculous. I don't know why I put it on my Netflix list cause I don't normally go for the chick flick, romantic type thing. Maybe it was just curiosity. This movie is about two people who are meant for each other and they are patiently waiting.

"They reveal more of themselves to one another with each passing week – their secrets, their doubts and dreams, until they find themselves falling in love.
Determined to bridge the distance between them at last and unravel the mystery behind their extraordinary connection, they attempt fate by arranging to meet."

I love that there was so much of downtown Chicago shown in this movie. I love those buildings… The old and the new. The Lake House that is referenced is amazingly beautiful too. It reminds me of Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater. Definitely on my Places To See list.


The tag line for this movie is: "How do you hold on to someone you've never met?"

Sounds like and online dating story.

Maybe it got me verklempt because it hits kinda close to home with my past experiences. You know you need to let go but can't help but hold out hope.

Field of Dreams

I often like to introduce Mini Red to some really good movies or shows made before her time.

Several months ago we borrowed the Wonder Woman series, with Lynda Carter. Mini Red loved it and I enjoyed seeing them again. We got a kick out of them mentioning places around D.C. where I now visit for work such as The Navy Yard.

Mini Red, who was born in 1995, now has a love for Forrest Gump (1994), Steele Magnolias (1989), Far and Away (1992), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), The Santa Clause (1994) and Christmas Vacation (1989) to name a few. She can now add Field of Dreams (1989) to that list.

We caught bits and pieces of the movie on Sunday. So when I picked up Mini Red from camp, today, and she wasn’t feeling well we set up a plan for the evening. We went to the store to get a few items and decided it would be a seafood evening starting with half pound of steamed shrimp. This would hold us over til the rice was done and the salmon baked. I asked Mini Red what movie she would like to watch and she immediately said she would like to see Field of Dreams from start to finish this time. And so we sat and ate our seafood while watching this classic.

My favorite scene is between Kevin Costner (Ray Kinsella) and James Earl Jones (Terence Mann). Ray has already spoken to Mr. Mann who has thrown him out of his home. Ray decides to try another avenue to get Mr. Mann to go with him to a baseball game a Fenway Park.

RK: I didn't want to do it this way.

TM: What the hell is that?

RK: It's a gun, what do you think it is?

TM: It's your finger!

RK: No, it's a gun.

TM: Let me see it.

RK: I'm not going to show you my gun. I'm not going to hurt you. I just need you to come with me.... What are you doing?

TM: I'll beat you with a crowbar until you go away.

RK: Wait! You can't do that. There are rules here?

TM: Oh, no. There are no rules here.

Just as Terrence Mann is about to hit Ray with the crowbar Ray says: You’re a pacifist!

TM: Shit.

I loved James Earl Jones in this part! Kevin Costner looks so young. This all makes me feel so old.

Maybe Tom Hanks in Cast Away next? She definitely isn’t ready for the Godfather series yet and everyone knows Godfather II was the best one.

Got any ideas?