Movies, movies

As usual, around Christmas time there's a lot of movies to be seen. There's a few more I still need to see, but here's my thoughts on some of them:

Loved it. Looooved it. To be fair, I'm a sucker for a true story that involves sports. Every movie that falls in that category (Rudy, Miracle, Radio, Hoosiers) I've really loved. I'm typically not a huge Sandra Bullock fan, but I loved her in this, and obviously loved Tim McGraw. A lot of the dialogue was cheesy, but it was still really great, and, if I remember correctly, great for families. I can't remember anything bad.

Awful. Did not love it. To be fair, I know not everyone feels this way. Obviously Meryl was fab, and Alec was, ya know, himself, but the kids were the worst actors, I could have sworn John Krasinski's character was secretly gay (not that there's anything wrong with that) and I just didn't love the story line at all. I can't say much more without ruining it. I will admit there's a lot of funny parts. Oh yeah, and I probably shouldn't justify seeing an R-rated movie for those contemplating, but the only reason it's R is you see Alec's body double's butt briefly, and there's some pot smoking. I don't recall any F words, and there's definitely no sex, thankfully. (Meryl and Alec? Nast.)

I would not recommend this movie to most people. It's extremely depressing. You know when you give your ticket to the movie man and he says, "Just so you know, this is a drama, not a comedy" that you're in for something. The acting was good, and there was a really good message, but it is rough.

Ehh. Disappointing, to be honest. I think I had too high of hopes. The acting was great, I loved the dancing, costumes, etc, fell in love with Marion Cotillard and wish I had her classic beauty. I just walked away from it feeling like I didn't really like it and couldn't figure out why. It wasn't until a few days later (potential spoiler) I realized what it was. I adore Daniel Day Lewis, but I came to the conclusion that his character was just not likable enough for me. Basically, he's an idiot and I really couldn't sympathize or get where he was coming from. He's a fool.

Looooooo-UHved it. Granted, in my book George Clooney does no wrong. (I think he may be my #1.) I really loved Vera Farmiga. She was great. Not who I would have initially cast for the part but she nailed it. I laughed out loud multiple times, and found myself nodding during all the traveling scenes. If you're a frequent traveler you'll especially love this movie. I saw it twice.

The daily ten

Thinking up a new healthier breakfast. (I usually have basically the same thing every morning.)

Two long distances phone calls. (Other than my parents I don't regularly talk to anyone in different time zones.

A good old fashioned venting sesh with a good friend.

Day two in a row at the gym (and a running buddy!)

Getting one of my guys a direct flight back into EWR from LHR (sometimes those are hard to come by.)

Biggest Loser started again!

My favorite pretzels in the vending machine.

Oprah tickets available for requests today.

A nice comment on my blog that made me feel good.

Maria booked a house in Vermont!

*The daily ten

My poppyseed loaves turning out, and everyone at work loving them.

The boss man getting me a Diet Dr. Pepper when I was having a serious craving.

Eating Subway for lunch.

Making progress on a gift I'm excited to give.

Tentative out of town plans becoming a little more confirmed.

Running on the treadmill longer than I thought I'd be able to.

Getting an unexpected check in the mail. (It was only $0.01, but at least it made me laugh.)

Something my mom said making me bust out laughing, really hard.

Watching Jersey Shore for the first time with my roommates and laughing really really hard.

Feeling the post-workout high.

*My attempt at focusing on some positives from the day.

2009 year in review

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

Dickens's quote pretty much sums up 2009.  It was a bit of a rough year, but, also pretty great.  Here's the highlights:

In January I checked "skate at Rockefeller Center" off my New York bucket list.  It was fun, but for the cost, and quality and size of rink, definitely a one time thing.

My wifey, Shantay, came out for a visit in February!  We went to the ballet with some friends.

In March my dad finally came out for a visit longer than just an evening.  We had so much fun, especially this evening, after we walked the Brooklyn Bridge and ate at Grimaldi's.

Obviously the highlight of the year was going to Australia in April.

On New Year's Eve my roommates and I were discussing our best and worst moments of 2009.  Typically I don't think I'd be able to pick an actual moment, but I did for each of these.  I decided this moment was my best this year.

In May Mikey Perkey and I took a trip to Maine.

In May I was able to spend some time with family in Salt Lake City.  I love these girls.

Kimme, Tri, and Brooke.

Over Memorial Day I headed down to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for Duck Beach again.  So glad Rachel and I could room together this year.

In June I headed to Boston for Madeline's 1st birthday.

The following weekend Britt, Maria, and I had our pajama jam birthday party.

I headed to Boston again for Nadia's birthday, and the Fourth of July.

I spent the summer whizzing up and down the West Side Highway, enjoying my new ride, the Pink Panther.

I went to a picnic in Kansas City.

I went to a few outdoor movies (another NY Bucket List item.)

I spent many evenings after work at Battery Park, enjoying the view, using the free wifi, and just relaxing.

Britt and I went to see Britney Spears.

I went to Rexburg for Chelse and Ryley's wedding.

I spent time in Rexburg seeing old friends, my grandparents, and exploring my old stomping grounds.  I got to meet Becky's husband Shawn (who I adore) and we ate at my favorite Mexican restaurant, Gringo's.

Emilee, Ashley, Jen and I saw the Killers (so good) at the coolest venue, Jones Beach on Long Island.

I moved (again) and Court helped me paint my new room.  (Purple, again.  I can't help it.)

Over Labor Day weekend I took a trip home.  Rebecca's family, Jason and Elise, my parents, and I spent a night in Big Bear.  We had fun on the alpine slides, and Meg even rode up the lift with me.

I spent a lovely evening in the harbor by Battery Park on Charlie's boat, following by a drive around the island at sunset.  It was perfection.

Bonded with the girls.  (In Lincoln Square, just before church.)

We went apple picking.

Logan, Britt, Maria, and I watched the Yankees beat the Sox from the 12th row.

We spent Columbus Day weekend in Rhode Island.

We watched a lot of games at our place.

I celebrated the Yankees' World Series victory.

We spent Halloween weekend in Boston, and the evening at a masquerade ball.

I met up with my dad in San Antonio; here, in front of the Alamo.

I took my last bike ride of the year the Saturday before Thanksgiving.  It was amazing weather.  Warm enough for a light jacket, but the leaves all around me had changed.  I rode along the Hudson and watched the sun set over the Statue of Liberty.

Jeff and I (and the rest of my ward) enjoyed the Thanksgiving feast we had the weekend before Thanksgiving.

After spending Thanksgiving day in the city with friends, I spent the rest of the weekend in Boston with Brad, Nadia, and Mad.

We spent the first weekend of December in the Berkshires.

I spent the second weekend of December in the dirty south, visiting Alabama.  (Roll Tide!!)  Brandon doesn't typically look like such a hick, but he was sporting the facial hair for a show he was doing.

The following weekend Gina and Megan came to the city for a girls' weekend before Meg gets married in June.  Even though we had a nasty nor'easter (biggest storm to hit the city in three years) we still had a ton of fun.

The next weekend was spent celebrating Christmas in California with the kiddos; Madeline, Ryan, and Megan.

And finally, the last weekend of December, was spent in the city, ringing in 2010.

NYE 09/10

Once again, spending New Year's Eve in New York was a blast.  It started out with ten of us going to dinner at Del Frisco's.  

Britt, Sara, Maria, Aaron, Libby, Jen, and me.  Unfortunately we didn't get a picture with Justin, Tim, and Jeff (the rest of our dinner group.)

The roomies recreating our poses from our baby pictures above.

We had sort of a low key get together after dinner.  It was really nice.  Maybe 15 people or so came over and we played Things, and had a lot of laughs.

Colin, Britt, Court, and Ruth.

Britt, Ed, and me.

Me and Court.

Happy New Year!!