Date Morning

Most people will shout for joy when they get to experience Date Night. 

When you live with a night-shifter, your schedule goes a bit caddywhompus.  There are all sorts of things you do differently.

• We eat dinner early (5 - 5:30pm) so he can eat with us before he leaves for the night.
• Days off are not real days off unless there are at least 2 scheduled in a row.  Otherwise the day off is overshadowed by his need to sleep and recover from working the night before.
• Doctor, dentist and other appointments must be carefully scheduled around sleep-time, not work-time.
• Cleaning the Master Bath and/or Bedroom is tricky when he's sleeping during the day and your cleaning capacity functions better before dinner.
• AND, Date Night is rarely an option.  A much more viable option is Date Morning

So this morning, at about 9am we headed off to our date.  First, we went bowling.  In case you didn't know, East Mesa, AZ, is notorious for housing senior citizens.  And this just happened to be where the bowling alley was located.  We pulled into the parking lot and I was surprised to see it so full of cars. 

I had no idea so many senior citizens bowled together on Monday mornings.




Josh and Millie bowling together


We were easily the youngest people there by at least 30 years.  The group next to us was probably in their 70s.  But, man, did those old people know how to have fun!

Every time Millie bowled, she'd turn around and start jumping and yelling, "I did it!  I did it!"

Josh is a good bowler.

That's right.  I had 5 gutter balls.  And this was my best game.  What of it???

I am not.

After that we decided to grab some lunch and then head to the new LDS Gilbert, AZ Temple. 

It's still very much a work in progress, but it was really cool to stop by the Visitor Trailer to see so many of the plans of what it will all look like sometime in 2013. 

The tall spires are the elevator shafts.  They stand 53' high.  The Angel Moroni will cap the temple at 193' high, an additional 140' above the elevator shafts.  It's hard to understand how grand that will be from the pictures because it's hard to understand how grand that will be even when you look at it in person.

And a temple only 15 miles away from home!  How great will that be???

And that, my friends, is a Date Morning.  We got home in plenty of time to then separate to run different errands, but it was a wonderful morning while it lasted.

#30 30 Day Movie Challenge

#30 A movie in the theater at this time last year

We went to the movie theater a few times last August.  I remember this because I had to look up which movies were in the theater.  But I really didn't care for any of them.

But a few months ago Josh and I got a movie from Netflix that came out last August.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

This is kind of a weird movie to end this challenge with.  It's a much different movie than any of the others I've listed.  And it's a bit of a weird movie anyway.  I wouldn't just go ahead and recommend this movie, but I did like it. 

Scott Pilgrim must fight off the evil exes of the girl he likes in order to be with her.  And because it's based on a graphic novel (meaning a comic book type novel and not porn, which is what I originally thought that term meant) there's lots of psychedelic oddness to the movie. 

It's just very different, quite weird, and somehow enjoyable.  But I don't know that it's one that everyone will like.

#29 30 Day Movie Challenge

#29  A movie from your childhood

So many of the movies I've already listed are from my childhood.  I watched them for years and grew up loving them.

So, one set of movies from my childhood that I absolutely loved (and still do), but haven't mentioned yet....

The Muppet Movie

This includes all forms of the Muppets: The Muppets Take Manhattan, The Great Muppet Caper, and the newer movies like Muppets From Space and A Muppet Christmas Carol.  Plus the newest of the series which is coming out this Thanksgiving, The Muppets.  Pretty much, any movie with the word Muppet in the title is going to be a good movie.  And very quotable.

Watching these movies takes me back to my childhood.  And watching my children love these movies just creates moments of pure joy.

And this clip is from The Muppet Show, which is not technically a movie, but it made me laugh.  My mom and dad still tell the story of me making us all watch The Muppet Show every time it was on.  And if you need something to do, watch all the related videos.  They are all so worth it!

#28 30 Day Movie Challenge

#28 Favorite movie adaptation of a book

In 8th grade we had to read

The Outsiders

I thought it was a good book, especially considering that it was written by a girl only a year older than I was at that time. 

But then I found out who starred in the movie.

Matt Dillon.  Ralph Macchio.  Patrick Swayze.  Rob Lowe.  Emilio Estevez.  Tom Cruise.



It's one of the few movies I've seen that stayed very true to the book.

#27 30 Day Movie Challenge

Another two movies in one night.

#27 A movie you wish you had directed

There's really only one movie that comes to my mind for this category.  A near-theatrical spectacle.

The Phantom of the Opera

 

The topic of directing takes me directly to the theatrical stage.  After all, my senior thesis in college was to direct.  And I loved it. 

I thought the film direction of Phantom was actually very good.  The vibrancy of the lighting, the costumes, the characters.  It's an over-the-top production, which is what you would expect an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical would be.  It makes me miss my days living in the theatre. 

I love Minnie Driver in this, btw. 

#26 30 Day Movie Challenge

#26 A movie you wish you had starred in

Josh asked me what today's post was going to be.  I told him this challenge and he said he knew what I'd choose....

Pirates of the Caribbean

I tried to weigh other options, but kept coming back to this movie.  After all, Josh justified his answer very well:

• I'd be wooed by Orlando Bloom
• I'd be wooed by Johnny Depp
• I'd get to swing around a big sword and fight pirates

That's good enough for me.

#25 30 Day Movie Challenge

#25 The movie you last saw in the theater

I missed this post last night (did you miss it too?).  I got caught up in preparing for my new calling at church -- Cub Scout Committee Chair -- can we say "yikes"? 

So you get two tonight.  Yippee.

This summer we saw a lot of movies.  One of the local movie theaters offered free movies through the summer.  So we saw most of what was offered, whether we already owned the DVD or not.  Plus, Josh gets discount tickets through work, so our list of movies was large.

This summer we saw:

Cars 2

Transformers 3

Despicable Me

Nanny McPhee Returns

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

X-Men: First Class

Shrek 4

How to Train Your Dragon

But the last one we saw was

The Smurfs

I give this movie an "Eh."  It was cute enough, and there were a few times that I literally laughed out loud.  But Gargamel was annoying, despite the fact that he was played by Hank Azaria, who I absolutely love.  There was some crude humor, especially with some of the explicit uses of the word "smurf".  You could rent it from Redbox, but be sure to watch it before you buy it.

#24 30 Day Movie Challenge

#24 A movie you can watch over and over

There are several movies I have watched many times throughout my life.  When I was younger I'd put on Back to the Future and watch it a few times a week.  So that almost became tonight's spotlight.  But there's another movie I've watched more recently.

Oceans 11

There are so many big names in this movie and they all are fun to watch -- George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, and (my favorite) Matt Damon.  Clooney plays Danny Ocean, but everyone has their part.  Everyone has their time in the sun.  Everyone has great chemistry.  I love all the little mumbles and looks between characters.  There's a lot being said, both verbally and nonverbally, and they all play it off very well.  And what's even better is the fact that the second and third movies are as delightful.  Granted, by the time you get to the third movie it's a bit predictable, but still it's delightful.

Now that I've mentioned it, I'm thinking I'll have to watch it tonight. 

It's that good.

#23 30 Day Movie Challenge

#23 A movie you wish you could live in

I love Disney movies.  Both the animated and the live action movies.  But one of my favorites has always been

Summer Magic

A recently widowed woman takes her three children from Boston to a small town in Maine to "live off the land."  And since it's a Disney movie made in 1963, and the movie takes place during "rag time," it's got such great, fun songs.

I'd love to live in a quaint and beautiful town, full of good people I know and love, and burst into song for any and every reason.  I always wanted to fix up a big, beautiful house and hold a ball in the barn where all our friends and neighbors could come and a tall, dark, handsome stranger comes in and sweeps me off my feet. 

Someday I do plan to visit Maine.  And I have my tall, dark, handsome man.  Now I need to start bursting into song every 20 minutes to enhance the action of my life and my life will literally be Summer Magic.

#22 30 Day Movie Challenge

#22 A movie you watch when you're sad

I mope.  I'm a moper.  I also dwell.  I dwell on moping.  I'm a pretty depressing sad person.

But because I don't like rushing out of sad mode, and movies generally make me happy, I don't watch a lot of movies when I'm sad.  But if I watch anything, it's something familiar, something that won't jostle my emotions more than they already are.  Something mellow.

Mona Lisa Smile

This is a pretty good conglomeration of some humor, some drama, some love, some hate, some feminism, some traditionalism.  I love the flavor of the 1950s and find so much intrigue in the dilemma of family vs career, a dilemma that continues sixty years later. 

The cast is great and includes Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and (my favorite in the movie) Julia Stiles. 

It's an easy movie to watch.  And now I've seen it so many times that it's very familiar.  No emotional surprises.  That way I can mope all I want.

#21 30 Day Movie Challenge

#21 A movie you watch when you're happy

One thing that makes me happy, without fail, is Christmas.  I love Christmas.  I love the Reason, the music, the food, the gifts, the jubilee, the Good Will.  And of course the movies.

One movie I love to watch, and happily watch several times each Christmas (like TONS), is

Elf

This movie makes me happy and it focuses on one of the times of year that makes me happy.  Even if you're not a Will Ferrell fan, this is a good one.  I love the sincerity of Buddy the Elf.  His childlike qualities make him instantly lovable.  It's just a good, lighthearted Christmas movie featuring Santa, elves, the North Pole, and Christmas Cheer.  It makes me happy just thinking about it.

My favorite 30 seconds of the movie:

#20 30 Day Movie Challenge

#20 A movie you wish had a sequel

I really enjoy movies that incorporate a lot of other known storylines into the plot.  One of the best examples of this is

The Brothers Grimm

It's a story about the Grimm brothers as they travel the countryside and encounter different experiences that lend themselves to the stories the eventually publish.  So all of these stories are found throughout the movie, like Red Riding Hood and Snow White.  It's fun to find the stories and identify them.  I'm fascinated by the Grimm brothers, although I do have to admit that I haven't read all of the stories.  They really are quite grim, no pun intended.

Plus, there's a rumor in our family that we're related to them, so that's even cooler.

But I have some strict rules about sequels. 
1) The original actors must resume their roles. 
2) The sequel must stay loyal to the original. 

Unfortunately, there is no way this story can continue.  Rule 2 can be completed.  There are plenty of Grimm stories that can used for a sequel.  But the saddest thing is that Rule 1 cannot be kept. 

I loved the camaraderie of the two Grimms, played by Matt Damon and Heath Ledger.  They played so well off each other and despite the darkness of the film, it was FUN.  But since poor Heath passed away three years ago, Rule 1 is forever broken. 

It really makes me sad and I really do wish it could have a sequel.  I miss Heath.

#19 30 Day Movie Challenge

#19 A movie from your favorite director

I've mentioned before that I'm a sucker for romantic comedies.  It's the first subcategory I'll peruse when looking for a movie to watch on Netflix. 

So one of my favorite directors is Nora Ephron.  She's not a major household name like Spielberg, but you've probably seen a few of her movies:

Julie & Julia

Bewitched

Lucky Numbers

You've Got Mail

Michael

Sleepless in Seattle

Plus, she wrote or did the screenplay for all but Lucky Numbers. 

But one of my favorites of all is

Mixed Nuts

It's got some of the funniest people in it, including Steve Martin and Madeline Kahn.  Adam Sandler sings stupid songs while accompanying himself on the ukulele.  And you can see Liev Schreiber (aka Sabretooth from Wolverine) in drag.  And what's more hilarious than a crisis hotline center during the holidays?  Okay, that's a bit dark, but it's still funny.

And I'd have to say I've got runners-up for this category:

Rob Reiner (The Princess Bride)

and

Garry Marshall (Runaway Bride)

I realize those are both "bride" movies, but they are still great.

#18 30 Day Movie Challenge

#18 A movie you wish was in theaters

Ben Hur

I don't know that I'd want to watch this entire movie in the theater.  It's a long one.  And, truthfully, the only reason I watched it is because it's on the American Film Institute's (AFI's) Top 100 Movies List.  You'd need a few buckets of popcorn to make it through.  And a pause button to run to the bathroom because of the numbers of sodas you'd need to drink as well.

But it certainly has one of the most amazing scenes I've ever seen: the chariot race.

It's infamous.  Real people, real horses, real crowds of people watching.  And no CGI.  It would be awesome to see on the big screen.  Especially as you're sitting in the middle of the upper rows. 


Ben Hur - Chariot Race by andybe29

It really is a great story and this scene is more impressive when it remains in context with the rest of the movie.  It's worth watching at least once during your lifetime.

#17 30 Day Movie Challenge

#17 A movie you want everyone to see

At first thought I wanted everyone to see a movie that inspired me or stirred me to seek change.  But then I realized what movie I want everyone to see.

The Goonies

I know, this sounds stupid, but there is a true reason for this.

Several weeks ago one of the instructors at the gym made a comment that she had never seen a certain movie.  I don't remember which one it was, but I remember being surprised because I had been pretty sure everyone had seen it.  Then she dropped the bomb.  She said, "And I've never seen Goonies either."

I groaned.  I groaned so loud that the other instructor could hear me above the music playing (the instructors wear head mics to be heard over the music easier) and she laughed at the appalled look upon my face.

I consider myself a Christian woman.  I try to follow the teaching of, "Judge not that ye be not judged." 

Watching The Goonies is a rite of passage.  I don't really know where the passage leads or where it comes from, but it is necessary to experience.  And if you don't, I judge you.

So please, for the sake of my soul, please watch this watch this movie.  I do not want to judge you.  I have enough strikes against me as it is, don't make me add another.

#16 30 Day Movie Challenge

#16 A movie you used to dislike but now like

My dad watches Westerns.  I lot of Westerns.  I grew up watching them.  And about five seconds into them I'd leave the room and find something else to do.  But I saw the first little bits of most John Wayne movies.

One time I told my dad that my favorite Western was Back to the Future: Part III. 

But I have to say that I now enjoy Westerns.  I'm sure my husband had some influence over that.  It's nearly impossible to marry a man like Josh and not appreciate cowboys, horses and the Old West.

I have to say that despite all my efforts as a kid to deny my upbringing and influence of my father, I like Westerns.  I like that the first movie I ever watched with Josh was Tombstone.  I like the Old West and the history associated with it.

But I have to say that the movie I disliked but now really like is

True Grit

The John Wayne version is classic. 



But I think I might like the updated Jeff Bridges version even more.  (Matt Damon = Awesome)

True Grit - One-eyed ManTrue Grit (2010 film), Clips

I think that can count.  It's essentially the same story.  And I do like the classic version much more than I used to.

#15 30 Day Movie Challenge

#15 The first movie you remember watching in the theater

As I said before, my friend Jim is playing this game on Facebook.  This question was originally: A movie that describes you.  He didn't care for that question and changed it to the first movie you remember watching in the theater. 

Because there are very few movies highlighting the lives and trials of Mormon mothers in the 21st century, I've chosen Jim's version.  Someday I'll make my own movie and then this question will be a lot easier to answer.  Influence my life and you can be in the movie too.

So, the very first movie I remember watching in the theater was

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

I was four months shy of being 3-years-old when this movie was released.  I remember going to the theater with my mom and dad.  I'm pretty sure it was supposed to be a date night for them.  Mom was about 5 months pregnant and I was their only other child, so they probably figured it would be easier to bring me to the theater rather than find a babysitter. 

They were wrong.  When a 2-year-old doesn't want to sit still and watch a movie, she'll do whatever she can to make you wish you hadn't brought her.  I can actually remember thinking to myself that if I threw a big enough fit, then Mom and Dad would have to take me home. 

I remember Mom fighting with me until she finally just gave up.  I sat on the floor.  I'm pretty sure I gave up on trying to go home at that point.  If I remember right I just laid on the floor for most of the movie.

Ah, Harrison.

So I guess I technically didn't watch this movie at the theater, but I was on the theater floor as it played on the screen.

I don't remember going to another movie at the theater until my parents took us to go see E.T. two years later.




Josh and me (thank you, Disneyland).  This is from Return of the Jedi, but it's still fun.


Now I love the movie.  And don't worry.  My children have all returned the favor of throwing fits in the movie theater.  I got it back in full force.

#14 30 Day Movie Challenge

#14 A movie no one would expect you to love

Just when I think I've answered the hardest question, this one pops up. 

I'm pretty diverse in what I like. Of course, I have my favorites.... comedies of all kind.  And I like most genres.  But there are a few genres I don't really care for.  Namely, foreign films and ghost stories.  I don't do ghost stories.

So it would be a real shocker if I loved a foreign ghost movie.  So closest thing I can think of is

Big Trouble in Little China

Okay, I don't think it's hard to believe that I like this movie.  After all, who can resist Kurt Russell in his tank top?  But there's a foreign element and there's some creepy ghost-like dude. 

It's the best I can come up with.

#13 30 Day Movie Challenge

#13 A movie that is a guilty pleasure

Okay, how do you define a "guilty pleasure"?  Wikipedia says, "A guilty pleasure is something one enjoys and considers pleasurable despite feeling guilt for enjoying it. The 'guilt' involved is sometimes simply fear of others discovering one's lowbrow or otherwise embarrassing tastes."

My guilty pleasure: Adam Sandler.

He's made more mature movies in the last few years, but I will still quote and refer to the first Sandler movie I ever saw:

Billy Madison

I know, I know.  It's stupid, it's crude, it's inappropriate, it's my guilty pleasure.

Now you all know my "lowbrow or otherwise embarrassing tastes."

#12 30 Day Movie Challenge

#12 A movie you like from an actor you don't like

Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves

Oh, wait.  I mean:

One of the greatest enigmas of Hollywood, in my opinion, is how in the world Keven Costner made it so big.  The dude isn't handsome.  He's pretty monotonous.  If the eyes are the window to the soul, Costner has none.  His eyes are dead. 

He is by far my least favorite actor.

But the fact is, he's made a couple decent movies, despite his involvement.



I'd be fine if they released a version with Costner edited out and it focused on the other major players: Morgan Freeman, Alan Rickman, and Christian Slater (yes, I had a crush on Slater in 1991 when this movie came out).  But then the movie would be about 20 minutes long, if that.  Oh well. 

#11 30 Day Movie Challenge

#11 Favorite actor/actress

I'm pretty sure this is the hardest question of all.  How do you narrow it down?

So I just narrowed it down to my top two of each. 

Actor

Tim Curry.  He's one of the creepiest villains ever, but I really love his "against-type" characters, those characters you don't expect him to play.  And Dr Poole in Oscar is one of his best against-type characters.








Tom Selleck.  I just love the man.  I'll watch anything that has him in it, no matter what the movie/show is.  Plus, Josh is fine with me watching this debonair man because of his whole man-crush thing.  Fine with me.

Actress

Joan Cusack.  I identify quite a bit with Joan.  Rarely the leading lady, generally the best friend, and usually one of the quirkiest characters.  She's great.  Who wouldn't want to do a movie with her?  Uh, I mean, watch one of her movies.  (I put Nine Months on here, not because it's my favorite movie but because the birth scene at the end of the movie is one of Joan's funniest scenes: "This is my moment!"  Hilarious!)

NINE MONTHS: Movie Trailer. Watch more top selected videos about: Hugh Grant, Robin Williams

Meg Ryan is my other favorite.  I love so many of her movies, especially since I'm a sucker for romantic comedies.  Meg is the queen of romantic comedies.

#10 30 Day Movie Challenge

#10 A movie that bores you

Das Boot

This was the most boring movie I've ever seen.  Ever.

The only reason I watched it is because it was required for a cinema class I took at Utah State.  To the movie's credit, this may be why it was so boring to me -- aren't things worse when they're forced upon you?

Basically, 2 1/2 hours of watching Germans in a submarine during WWII.  And you can't even "close your eyes" and listen to the movie because you have to read the stupid subtitles.

Not even worth sticking a clip on here.  If you're a glutton for punishment, find it on DVD yourself.

#9 30 Day Movie Challenge

#9 A movie you can dance to

I'm not much of a dancer, but this movie makes me wish I was.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

This is one of the greatest movies ever.  I remember watching this movie for the first time when I was about five years old and I was fascinated by it. 

A man named Adam goes to town looking for a wife.  Within minutes he casts his eye on a small, lively girl named Milly and he marries her to take her to the backwoods to cook and clean for him and his six brothers.  In a nutshell, there's tons of dancing, singing, and swooning.  Of course, Adam learns he can't just expect his wife to be his cleaning lady.

The choreography in this movie is phenomenal.  Incredible.  Amazing.  Cinematic history. 

I don't even think I'm exaggerating.

And, of course, everyone who watches this has their favorite brother or girl.  My favorite brother was Benjamin.  He had "heavenly eyes and just the right size."  Funny, I also think that of Josh.  I always thought it would be fun to play Dorcus on stage, especially since she pairs up with Benjamin.  And I love the name Milly, so she's one of my favorites too!

This clip is the entire barn raising dance.  It's a bit longer than most of the other clips I've posted, but soooo worth it!




Hollywood can never remake this one, I don't think.  But I'd love to see the original remastered and in widescreen.

#8 30 Day Movie Challenge

#8 A movie you know by heart

Annie

In 1982, Annie came to theaters.  I was five.

And my love of movies began.

Actually, it began a couple years later when Annie came to HBO.  My mom taped it for me.  I watched it over and over and over and over.

I can sing the songs.  I can quote the dialogue.  I can mimic most of the choreography (I've never been much of a dancer). 

I started watching this movie at such a young age that I didn't understand everything that was going on or was being said.  As I got older I'd pick up on new things here and there: Miss Hannigan's "Bonus Iries" she sings about in one of the songs -- took me years to realize she meant "Buenos Aires."  It became fun finding nuances in a movie I had seen hundreds of times before.

I know every bit of this movie.  Wait.  That's a lie.  Someone taped over about 30 seconds of Mom's VHS copy during Annie's dialogue to Daddy Warbucks when she first meets him.  I don't know what they say there.  It's the only part of the movie I can't quote.

Movie synopsis: Orphan girl overcomes adversity and gets adopted by one of the richest men in the world during the Great Depression. 

I've talked about this movie before.  In case you don't remember, Carol Burnett is the most amazing person in the entire world and I've wanted to be Miss Hannigan on Broadway for most of my life.  I also love Albert Finney, Bernadette Peters, and of course, Tim Curry.

I don't think it's a coincidence that I've already mentioned Carol Burnett and Albert Finney on this countdown.

#7 30 Day Movie Challenge

#7 A movie that reminds you of a specific event

Ready for entirely too much information?

In 1998, I began writing to Josh while he was on his mission.  He was serving in South Africa, so our letters took about four weeks to reach the other person.  It was a slow beginning to our friendship.  But the last six weeks he was there we were allowed to email to each other.  Nowadays it's not unheard of for a missionary to use email.  Or even Facebook.  But in the olden days getting to email once a week was a big deal.

That started out our courtship.  Josh got off the airplane (after a couple days' worth of travel) and it didn't take long for me to know I was going to marry him.  It was bliss.  I was completely head over heels in love (still am) but I was letting Josh make the first move.  I let him think he was in charge.

We spent everyday together after he got home.  We spent most of Christmas Day and Night together.  And, again, everyday after that. 

Finally, New Years Eve came around.  Josh and I sat cozily by each other on the cold Colorado night as we watched a movie together.  After the movie was over, we stood out on the deck of my parents' home and braved the freezing night air as we watched fireworks explode over Pikes Peak.  It was beautiful, serene, and romantic.

At least it would have been if our parents hadn't been there watching the movie and fireworks with us.  As our moms kissed our dads, Josh and I stood there and awkwardly hugged as midnight struck.  It was going to be our first kiss, but.... yeah.  You get the idea.

So six hours later as I was about to board a plane to visit my friends in Utah, Josh walked me to the gate (yes, you could still do that back then) and there I let him kiss me.  He'll tell you I kissed him, but I was very aware of letting him be the man of the hour. 

I will always associate the movie we watched that night with our first kiss. 

Godzilla

See?  You kinda needed the story to understand why a sub-standard movie like Godzilla would make me think of kissing my husband.  The acting was mediocre, at best.  The plot was fairly predictable, after all there have already been about 60 movies starring the monster.  And I can't even tell you how many times I've watched the movie since, or if I even have.  But it is a fun memory of that night.