50/50 Challenge - Sometimes Love is Not Enough

This weekend I checked off movies 6 and 7 for the 50/50 challenge and finally read a book! I thought the book part would be the easiest of this challenge because I love to read. I started about two or three books since the first of the year and finally finished one.

The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides was heavy to say the least. He is the author of The Virgin Suicides and Middlesex (for which he won a Pulitzer Prize). I haven't read either, but heard that his writing style is just that. Heavy. But the story felt real. It was a love triangle that began in college and continued through travels and marriage and craziness. The love part was secondary to me and frankly, quite boring. The travels though - through Europe, through India - love letters and self-realizations, in addition to dealing with mental illness are strong enough issues that they could've stood on their own. Maybe they should've each been a separate book versus trying to mash it all together in a big, complicated mess. But, I guess that's life. And love. And loss. Pretty heavy.

Movie #6: Safe House. Definitely not a romance, but in the end seemed sort of romantic-ish. Ryan Reynolds is a great allure, of course. Even in an interview, when asked what would bring in a female audience, Denzel Washington said, "Come see Ryan Reynolds." The two of them are pretty great leading men and Denzel is greatest when playing the hard ass, slightly crazy alpha character. The movie is full of action, a little bit of comedy and it's a stretch, but there's romance.

Movie #7: The Vow: The ultimate for this pre-Valentine's weekend. Channing Tatum (also on my Top 5 celebrity man list, you know THAT list) is such a charmer in this movie. The movie was sad in the fact that you can't remember people's memories for them and you can't wish enough for two people to make things work. Rachel McAdams is so sweet, but in this movie, for whatever reason, wore the worst clothes. Sorry, that's just something that went through my mind. There was a little surprise within the movie, but in the end, you'll see if love survives. It's not always in the way you think.

As for the 50/50 challenge, still 49 books to go and 43 movies. Any good book recommendations? There were a lot of good previews before The Vow so I think the movies are going to be covered. I'm so happy this blog post could include photos of two hot men just in time for Valentine's Day. You are welcome.

50/50 Challenge - Movies 3, 4 and 5: '80s Still Rule

Three movies in one weekend, pretty impressive, huh? I saw Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy without knowing quite what to expect, but I always enjoy a "who is it?" premise to any movie. It's about a retired intelligence officer who is looking into who could be a mole. The first half of the movie was dreadfully slow and I dozed off for about five seconds. I counted to five in my head and thought, if I keep them closed any longer I will be full-on napping.

The movie didn't turn around until the last oh, 45 minutes and even then, I was still working out who was who and where were they from. Who was Tinker again? No one was actually named Spy? Can we start again and I promise not to nod off? It was an interesting premise, but definitely hard for me to keep straight with the flash backs and location changes and all the names. There's a book, my friend told me and I don't know if that would make things clearer or just more confusing. Oh and also, Tom Hardy - I dig you. I recognize you by your lips.

I also watched The Queen starring Helen Mirren for which she won the Oscar and while I thought the movie would be amazing, I dub it "eh, ok." The movie circles around the time immediately following Princess Diana's death which was of great fascination to me during that actual time and led into a full-on crush on Prince William for a few years following. My friend recommended the movie, but secretly I feel it is only because of all those Corgis, her dog of choice.

Those two movies, while fine films, do not match the third movie I watched which was Some Kind of Wonderful, a John Hughes film I somehow missed during the years. First, let me just say the '80s is one of my favorite decades for fashion. It's so eccentric and out there and awesome. Mary Stuart Masterson is my style hero with her cut off gloves, biker jacket and perfectly glossed lips. Anyone who has ever seen a John Hughes film doesn't have to guess the premise - girl loves boy who loves girl who doesn't love him.

It shocked me to see that Lea Thompson was considered a babe, even in the '80s. Also, was nostalgic seeing Candace Cameron as a youngster and definitely MSM with her attitude and angst and raw emotion was amazing. I freakin' love '80s movies. Keith telling Watts: "You look good wearing my future." Swoon. But, one of my favorite parts was at the party and the guy says, "I'm here to kick your ass, and you know it and everybody here knows it, and above all you deserve it." I want a shirt that says that. Can't mess with the classics and John Hughes definitely knew how to crank them out.

In regards to the book portion of the 50/50 Challenge, I'm still on the first book - "The Year of Living Biblically." When did I become such a slow reader?

Yoga No No

I told myself this year, I am going to try to make it to the gym at least three days a week, if not more. To do this, I realized that I would have to switch up my routine as to not get bored. I typically do kickboxing and zumba, but have recently added in yoga as well. And, when it gets nicer outside, I'll try more hikes and trail walks. But back to yoga. Sunday was my first class in a long time and so I got there early, picked a space away from suspicious looking people that looked like they could be heavy, weird breathers and was grateful when my friends showed up and set up shop next to me.

We were in the middle of a rotation or salutation or whatever they call it when you're speedily doing a semi-pushup and then up into a downward dog in a smooth, graceful manner, when in walked Mean Old Late Lady. She laid her mat out behind and to the left of me, right next to the mirror. My space was not in hers and vice versa just as yoga is intended to be.

More than half way through class I'm holding yet another graceful pose when I hear her tell me, "Move up!" At first, I thought she meant move up on my mat, which I thought she was giving me a helpful tip about foot placement in yoga, but no, Mean Old Late Lady wanted me to move my mat altogether.

One, we're in the middle of YOGA. You're supposed to be quiet. And zen and not bossy. Two, you were late! As in, let's squish my mat in where it doesn't fit late. Three, I'm not going to stop in the middle of class to move my mat because you hissed at me to move. She, in response to my non action, decided to shove my hoodie and flip-flops, which were laid directly beside my mat forward. I gave her a puzzled look and my friend gave me a look in the mirror to see if I was going to throw down. In yoga. With an old lady. Which, let's be honest, it crossed my mind. Keep your hands to yourself. You learn that in kindergarten.

But, I didn't say anything. I continued yoga'ing, practiced my breathing, cleared my head and felt great. When class was finished and I'm rolling up my mat, chatting with my friends, Mean Old Late Lady pointed at me with her wrinkly, bony, long finger and snarled, "Why didn't you move up?" To which I replied, "Maybe next time ask nicer." And then I nodded my head as in, "Understand what I'm saying?" which was I'm not moving my mat.

Should I have moved? Eh, maybe. But I hate rudeness. I hate rudeness for no reason. And, I definitely am not going to listen to it from some lady who was late and who doesn't have any manners. Old people should know better, they've been around longer! They don't get a free pass. A please. A smile. A whisper and polite request is how to get what you want. At least it is with me. Do better.

Namaste.