Movie #1: I Almost Watched Jurassic Park

I finally did it. I watched Jurassic Park. Or, so I thought I did. My first thoughts were: dinosaurs are kind of scary and wow, William H. Macy looks exactly the same. Then, I was Googling when Jurassic Park came out and I didn't see William H. Macy on the cast list. Then, I looked at the DVD box again aaand I watched Jurassic Park III. Fail.

So, it looks like the original Jurassic Park is still on my list of movies to watch. I liked the movie just fine. Wasn't great, wasn't bad. My favorite part was near the end when they show all the dinosaurs at once just hanging out on their island. Kind of surreal. I was a little thrown off when all of a sudden the Navy and Marines come in to save them and then it just ends. I mean, I guess how else were they to be rescued, but it seemed very "oh, hey, they just came out of nowhere."

Which Jurassic Park movie has the scene with the scary dinosaur in the kitchen? Is that the first one? Because I remember that scene from somewhere. Is that in one of the movies? Or, did I dream that? Dinosaur eyes are creepy, but their allure overall is similar to UFOs or ghosts to me. Their larger than life factor makes them fascinating. Jurassic Park III, your dinosaurs tricked me into thinking I was watching the original. So close. Next time, JP, next time.

Movie #1: Jurassic Park III

50/50 Club

My friend sent me an email asking to join her on the 50/50 Challenge of 2012, which is: watch 50 movies and read 50 books before 2013. The prize: your own personal accomplishment. This is totally up my pop culture, book nerd alley and I gladly accepted. Although, I did realize that I would essentially have to read a book a week, which who has that kind of time? But, if it were easy, everyone would do it.

Reading more is on my 2012 to-do list anyway, so this is a good reason to set a goal for myself and really have a focused concentration in broadening my horizons. Wow, I am such a geek.

But it starts today - first on deck is a movie. Choice: Jurassic Park. Yes, it's true I have never seen the movie and recently shocked some friends not to mention my boyfriend with this news. I thought they might disown me. As far as I know, no relationships have been severed over my startling announcement.

I thought blogging about my challenge might help me keep track and "create a visual" towards my goal. Ok, now I really sound like a nerd so I'll stop. If you have any book or movie suggestions though, please feel free to send them my way!

2012 To-Do List

I'm not one for resolutions really. I don't say I'm going to lose weight, go to the gym more or other things that may or may not happen and may or may not matter. Instead, I add things to my goals list. The things I want to get done that I didn't try in the past year. In 2011, I was able to cross off some things on my to-do list: ziplining, paragliding, whale watching, visiting the Santa Monica Pier, tried ceviche, and other things big and small that I've always wanted to try.

2011 was a great year. It was about building upon work put in from all the past years and finally reaching a next step in my career and what I want to do and be in my life. Maybe it was turning 30 and getting out of the "learning" decade of my 20s but now I feel I want to put all that learning to work.

New adventures in 2012 will include more travel, more accomplishments all while balancing the things that will always be my first priority: my relationships.

So far, I only have three things on my 2012 to-do list: get a passport, travel, write more. I want to visit Greece, Italy, Spain and go back to New York. I want to explore San Francisco and Napa Valley and have tentative plans for these places already in the works. I want to really concentrate on the kind of book I want to write. For so long, it's been too many ideas and notes and not enough pages and continuity. I feel this is the year that I'll have a finished product.

2011 has been a lot of learning and growing with a lot of blessings. I hope for that and more in 2012. What's on your list?