Music Monday -- 101 Faves Country Edition

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy! I'm not a huge country fan, but there are a few singers/bands that I really enjoy.

Dixie Chicks "Easy Silence" -- I've always like the Dixie Chicks, but this song is just beautiful.

JoDee Messina "Bring on the Rain" -- Love the duet.

Lady Antebellum "I Run to You" -- Still a favorite band today.  I found them through loving Josh Kelley (Charles Kelley's brother).

NMF #3: Transformers Dark of the Moon

Title: Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Year Released/Rating: 2011 PG-13

Starring: Shia LaBeoug, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel

Directed By: Michael Bay

Written By: Ehren Kruger

Genre: Action, Scifi

Star Rating:  2/5 stars

Where I Got It: Netflix

Trivia: 

• Megatron's alternate mode in this film is a Mack Titan tanker truck, his first Earth disguise. This was chosen to put him on parallel with Optimus Prime (the filmmakers described him as "a demented version of Prime"). This mode also pays homage to theTransformers: Robots in Disguise Decepticon Scourge (also known in Japan as "Black Convoy"), who is an evil clone of Optimus Prime.
• Michael Bay described the tone of the film as "a homeland version of Black Hawk Down with giant alien robots." -- Ridiculous!
• When the employee is pushing the buttons on the photocopier that later transforms into Laserbeak, the distinct tones of the copier form the title theme song of The Transformers.
• In 2011, Alan Tudyk told "Empire" magazine that his character from 28 Days (the gay German performance artist, Gerhard) was the same character as the one Tudyk later played in this movie: "I decided that it's the same guy: he had gotten out of rehab, got himself on the right track and then... entered the army, became a specialist, found that he had skills in computers and weapons. Then he got burned out after too much killing and just decided to become a valet to Agent Simmons. There's a moment where he just goes crazy, and I say, 'That's the old me' and that was all based on that bullshit idea that it was the same guy." -- The only interesting bit of the trivia!

Summary: The Autobots learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the moon, and race against the Decepticons to reach it and to learn its secrets.

Review: 

This movie sucks...  Can I just end my review there?  No, I must explain a bit more.  The plot is completely convoluted I had no idea what the movie was actually about for the first hour.  Even after that, it had some many logical failings.  I couldn't get over it.  The characters are flat, well, the human characters at least.  Megatron and Optimus Prime are the most realized characters and those are robots.  Plus, I am so disappointed that this many awesome actors are in this movie.  See: John Malkovich, John Turturro, Frances McDormand, Alan Tudyk, and Ken Jeong.  Ugh!  We decided to watch this movie tonight for a comedy.  And it is definitely hilarious, but in all the bad ways.

Best Bits: Notice they are all from awesome side characters...

• Dutch: [after dispatching some Soviets] I'm so sorry. That is the old me.
• Simmons: [Wants to impress the Russians with a Russian phrase] Dutch, give me something tough. Dutch: Eh. [browses dictionary in panic] Dutch: Baryshnikov. Cosmonaut Dimitri: We do speak English. Simmons: Dutch, you suck. Dutch: It's a Cyrillic alphabet. It's like all the buttons you never push on a calculator! I don't suck.
• Bruce Brazos: Come on people! Yes, a workmate died, but looking out the window is not going to bring him back! The man was depressed. You can keep watching him but he's not getting up, you all read Humpty Dumpty.

Chicks Dig Time Lords edited by Lynne Thomas and Tara O'Shea

Title: Chicks Dig Time Lords: A Celebration of Doctor Who by the Women Who Love It

Editors: Lynne M. Thomas and Tara O'Shea

Publisher: Mad Norwegian Press 2010

Genre: Media commentary

Pages: 186

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nerdy Nonfiction - Music, Film TV; Women Authors; TBR Pile; 52 Books - W6

How I Got It: I own It, Christmas present

In Chicks Digs Time Lords, a host of award-winning female novelists, academics and actresses come together to celebrate the phenomenon that is Doctor Who, discuss their inventive involvement with the show's fandom and examine why they adore the series. These essays will delight male and female readers alike by delving into the extraordinary aspects of being a female Doctor Who enthusiast.

An amazing Christmas present from J's parents.  Overall this was a great collection of essays discussing Doctor Who.  I was expecting lots of critical essays, but it was little lite on those.  The volume did include a ton of "How I came to Who" essays.  Those were interesting.  But my favorites were the few gender critical essays.  Those are my bread and butter.  "Adventures in Ocean-Crossing, Margin-Skating and Feminist-Engagement with Doctor Who" by Helen Kang was hands-down my fave, mostly because Kang discussed all the reasons why I love Donna Noble.  I want to read more...

Sunday Sunset #4

Listening To: Spotify.  I've been loving finding new and old songs to add to a few playlists.  I love the randomness of many of the playlists.  Currently I am working on a work out playlist.

Book finished: Thomas Paine, The Reader, One Day, Mansfield Park

Reading: Chicks Dig Time Lords

On the Nightstand: Matched, Crossed, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, 300, Cowboys and Aliens, Fables Vol. 17

On the Web: I found some great articles this week...

• Article about being on the cusp size wise.  I am so in this category...
• Rape article
• Great discussion on book blogging
• YA Book Exchange
• Choosing Your Wardrobe Colors
• Doctor Who funnies

Crafting: I went a bit crazy this week and crafted a ton of cards.  Instead of cluttering up this post, I made a separate post yesterday to show off my creations.  As to general crafting, we had our first Stampin' Up Club meeting this past Monday.  It's Sale-a-Bration, so of course I had to spend $50 to get my free product.  Here are my goodies:

• Versamark (for my new embossing heat tool)
• Pewter embossing powder
• Small butterfly punch (coordinates with both stamp sets
• Papillion Potpourri
• Bloomin Marvelous (Sale-a-Bration pick)
• Print Poetry DSP (lots of fun designs)

And of course I had some cute cards to show from Stamp Club and Card Class.

Watching: On TV, we've been continuing our Star Trek marathons (TOS S1 and TNG S1).  Separately, I've been watching Raising Hope on Netflix.  I started when the show first aired, but somehow stopped watching.  I went back and started at the beginning.  We also caught up with Modern Family, Parks and Rec, 30 Rock, and Castle.

As to movies, we started our New Movie February:

• One Day -- Awesome adaptation of a contemporary romance that broke my heart.
• My Future Boyfriend (NMF #1)
• Ip Man (NMF #2)

Wondering: Will I get any responses to my job applications I put in this week?

From Nature: It's light jacket and sweater weather.  I love the cooler temps, but still enjoy the almost daily sunshine.

Shopping Scores: Nothing major, but I did find my book club book for a good price.  All the local used book stores only had the new copy for $15.  I found a used one for $7.98 on Amazon.  Love it!  Of course, club isn't until the end of the month, so I have time to read.

Picture: Originally we were going to wine county today, but I have come down with some nasty stomach bug.  I don't think I could take the car ride, and definitely no wine today.  So no cute picture to add this week.

NMF #2: Ip Man

Title: Ip Man

Year Released/Rating: 2008 R

Starring: Donnie Yen, Simon Tam, Siu-Wong Fan

Directed By: Wilson Yip

Written By: Edmond Wong, Chan Tai-Li

Genre: Action, Drama

Star Rating:  5/5 stars

Where I Got It: We own it

Trivia: Although it's the first film centering around Yip Man, the idea of doing a Yip Man biopic have been conceived for as long as 30 years. Donnie Yen was actually slated to play Yip Man in the supposed first biopic that was about to go into production in 1997. The film would've also featured Stephen Chow playing an adult Bruce Lee. However, only one day of shooting took place before the project was canceled.

Summary: A semi-biographical account of Yip Man, the first martial arts master to teach the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun.

Review: 

I was in the mood for something actiony...  and J suggested this movie.  He has introduced me to many martial arts movies and I must say that this has been my favorite so far.  I love the storyline.  The history of the story is so poignant.  This isn't a mystical land, but something based on a true story.  But it's the action scenes that make this movie amazing.  I loved seeing all the different styles of fighting.  Now I want to see Ip Man 2.  It looks great.

Best Bits: 

Miura: [after witnessing Ip Man single-handedly defeat ten Japanese fighters at once] What's your name?  Ip Man: I'm just a Chinese man.

Crafting Crazy

This past week I went a little crazy.  I intended to sit down and make a card of two, and ended up much more than two cards.  My goal was to use scraps laying around.  Some of the designs just didn't work that well (cut out polka dots) and some were gorgeous (green with poem, flowers, and bird).  It's all about experimentation.

At Christmas, Pam had us make this awesome abstract Christmas tree. I decided to take the idea and make some variations.  I especially love how the "make a wish" candle comes off the paper.  I colored it in with a bronze marker to add a bit more.

As part of our Stamp Club, Pam gave us homework!  Homework!  Oh my goodness.  We had to make a card based off this sketch.  And here are my attempts.  I like the coffee one the best.

New Movie February #1: My Future Boyfriend

Title: My Future Boyfriend

Year Released/Rating: 2011 TV Movie

Starring: Barry Watson, Sara Rue, Fred Willard

Directed By: Michael Lange

Written By: James Orr, Jim Cruickshank

Genre: Comedy, romance, scifi

Star Rating:  4/5 stars

Where I Got It: Netflix

Trivia: The character Elizabeth Barrett's name may have been based on the romance poet of the 18th century Elizabeth Barrett Browning. (IMDB)

Summary: An archaeologist (Barry Watson) from 1000 years in the future uncovers a romance novel written in our time. Curious, he journeys back to find out about this thing called "love" from the novel's author (Sara Rue). Set in New Orleans.

Review: As far as TV romance movies go, this was a delight.  Okay the premise is hooky... man from future comes back to learn about love.  But amazingly, it is a cute little fun movie.  I really really liked it.  I think this is due to the actors as opposed to the plot itself.  Somehow Watson and Rue make the characters relatable.  The entire movie is simple, but a nice afternoon's worth of watching.

Best Bits: Elizabeth Barrett: I have no intention of explaining sex to a grown man one more time in my life.

January 2013 Wrap-Up and Monthly TBR

Hop on over to Booksessed and The Book Cellar to participate.

January's TBR Pile Recap: Books Read and Reviewed (22 books)

1. Wanted by Mark Millar (not pictured)
2. Chicken with Plums by Marjane Satrapi (not pictured)
3. Change of Fortune by Jen Turano
4. Locke and Key Vol 1: Welcome to Lovecraft (not pictured)
5. Locke and Key Vol. 2: Head Games (not pictured)
6. Locke and Key Vol. 3: Crown of Shadows (not pictured)
7. Locke and Key Vol. 4: Keys to the Kingdom (not pictured)
8. Beauty and the Bitch by Jasmine Haynes (iPad)
9. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
10. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
11. Ill Wind by Rachel Caine
12. Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine
13. Chill Factor by Rachel Caine
14. Almost America by Steve Tally
15. The Passage by Justin Cronin
16. Persuasion by Jane Austen (iPad)
17. The Wedding Gift by Lucy Kevin (iPad)
18. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
19. One Day by David Nicholls
20. Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson
21. A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock
22. A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 6823 pages Pages Remaining: 879,232 pages

Current Read -- Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

Books Won (3)

• Dearly Departed by Lia Habel and Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan from Angela at The Reading Cave
• In a Fix by Linda Grimes from Jessica at Book Sake

Books I Gave Up On (0) -- It was a good reading month.

Challenges Completed -- No yet for 2013, but great progress.

Comments -- A great start to my 2013 reading.  I'm feeling a great momentum.  Now I just need to keep it up.  It's hard to pick my favorite reads for January.  I loved A Game of Thrones, Persuasion, The Passage, and One Day.

February's TBR Pile:

1. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
2. 300 by Frank Miller (iPad)
3. Cowboys and Aliens
4. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein (iPad)
5. Matched by Ally Condie
6. Crossed by Ally Condie
7. Windfall by Rachel Caine
8. Firestorm by Rachel Caine
9. Thin Air by Rachel Caine
10. Queene of Light by Jennifer Armintrout
11. Child of Darkness by Jennifer Armintrout
12. Veil of Shadows by Jennifer Armintrout
13. Chicks Dig Time Lords by edited by Lynne M. Thomas and Tara O'Shea
14. Stories of Hans Christian Anderson (iPad)
15. Velveteen by Daniel Marks
16. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
17. Terror by Night by Ambrose Bierce
18. The Postman by Brinn (iPad)
19. Fables Vol. 17 Inherit the Wind
20. Book club selection -- The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (not pictured)
21. Other book club selection -- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
22. Author event selection -- The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King (not pictured)

Good Things: January

I ran across this idea on Kapachino who got the idea from The Literary Wife.  I love the concept of trying to focus on the positives on life.  And I am going to try to do this: record at least one good thing every day for a year.  Here's January's list:

1. The boys finally got to go sledding
2. Lots of new clothes for not much money
3. Great lunch with Beth and Sarah
4. Fun tie-dying pizza party with Tori and Alli
5. Basketball game with Sarah, Avery, Melanie, and Laura
6. Saw Lincoln with mom
7. Monday night Munchies with half-price pints
8. Going home to California
9. Relaxing at home
10. Walked two miles
11. Finished season one of American Horror Story
12. Finally went to the grocery store
13. Last day of Bout of Books Readathon 6.0 -- lots of reading
14. J is finally getting over his illness
15. First card class of 2013
16. Quiet day of reflection
17. Surprise dinner at The Firehouse
18. Yummy salmon at The Fish Market
19. Dinner and board games with J's coworkers
20. Finally finished The Passage
21. Finished the entirety of The West Wing
22. Helped Pam with a team building exercise at San Jose State University
23. J came home early today
24. Read two books
25. Got ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery
26. Finished linking book reviews to reading challenges
27. Fun book club meeting (A Long Way Gone)
28. Start of Stamp Club and lots of buying of craft supplies
29. Quiet day reading at home
30. Lovely free crafting night at Panera.
31. Created ~10 cards.