Movie Soundtracks

I have a thing for movie soundtracks. I love how eclectic they are, how I can discover new artists, and relive a movie's plot. Some soundtracks are better than the movies themselves, which is funny. Here are a few of my favorite soundtracks:

Garden State: Zach Braff has amazing taste in music and he picked every song on this album. It's mellow and great when you want to chill.

Never Been Kissed: This is a spunky album that always takes me back to each scene of the movie. The ballpark scene is spectacular.

Little Women: A great Christmas album or just something sweet and mellow. Safe for all ages.

Walk the Line: The only Johnny Cash that I have and he isn't even doing the singing. Lots of good rhythms. Go Joaquin and Reese!

Love Actually: Another good Christmas album, silly, mushy.

You've Got Mail: Cheery. Great "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

Ten Things I Hate About You: Rebellious music. Gotta love it.

Next Stop Wonderland: Lots of amazing Brazilian music.

Empire Records: A movie about people you just want to be friends with. Sort of. Punk music.

Strictly Ballroom: Ballroom dancing music. Super fun.

Music And Lyrics: Great faux 80's music, mushy. Just plain good.

Singin' In the Rain: "Make `Em Laugh" does me in every time!!!

Catch & Release: Mushy goodness. Love and loss.

Juno: Indy fun, awesome lyrics. Not for your grandma.

Honorable mention:
Mary Poppins
Mansfield Park
Ever After
City of Angels
Reality Bites
Fiddler on the Roof
Spamalot
Chicago

Rain?

I'm sitting at my desk and I hear pings on the window. Yes, rain. In January. Soon, it will be freezing rain. This is fine, except for the fact that it gets my hopes up for a snow day. We haven't had one this year and my brain is already thinking about how to adjust my lesson plans to accommodate Mother Nature. I think I'm up to the task.

Movie of the Day: Singin' In the Rain. Tee hee.

Walking By

Two students in my second hour class decided to draw a book of pictures of the people who walk by the school during their class. They named the people, gave them personalities, and drama. They fabricated scandals.

The kids weren't the "type" of kids you would picture being friends: preppy girl, punk boy. It was fun to watch, until the semester ended and schedules changed. The book is still there, though.

I miss being friends with kids who would do kooky things like that in high school. People who found ways to let out their creativity when it wasn't used enough in our strict classes. How many of us have creativity that isn't being used in our jobs now? Do you let it out?

Movie of the Day: Election. She was a preppy girl. And really annoying.

Wonder

I sit at my computer and wonder and wonder what to write. Do I write about the amazing movie I saw yesterday and how sad it made me afterwards? Do I write about the marathon runner who received one of my gift baskets last June and was killed yesterday by an arrow in the Kenyan unrest? Do I write about my students who are silly, my friends who are goofy, or my toes that are cold? Do I write about the trip I'm planning or the memories of my trips gone by? Do I write something deep and meaningful, or silly and meaningful? Do I write about the people and things that make me beam with joy or the people and things that drain the life out of me? Do I write about how I haven't finished my Christmas card sending and how I'm going to have to draw hearts all over them pretty soon? Do I write about the piles of books in my office, my livingroom, my kitchen and how I just can't decide where to start?

This is what I wonder.

Movie of the Day: Atonement. So beautiful.

Makes Me ThinK

I like movies that make me want to learn more about a culture, an event, or a historical figure. Last night, I saw Charlie Wilson's War. It was an excellent movie and piqued my interest in Afghanistan. I want to learn more. I'm nervous, though, because I don't have a source that I trust completely.

What sources do you trust?

Movie of the Day: Charlie Wilson's War.

Done. Done. Done.

Woo Hoo!!!! Semester I is done!!! The kids are out the door for a four-day weekend and I am done correcting finals. Now, just some loose ends to tidy up and I'll be good for my three-day weekend, homework free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you tell I'm a wee bit happy???

Oh, and we're half-way to Summer- a thought to cling to when it's uber cold out like tonight.

Movie of the Day: Cool Runnings. Brrr...

All That For This

I am cautious. I went to a leadership retreat and learned all about how this cautious, accuracy-focused, perfectionism affects my life. There was validation in this, some new-found work soul-mates and a little insight.

The retreat was at the McCabe Renewal Center, a house run by the Benedictine Sisters from the College of St. Scholastica. It was a fabulous space, very welcoming, and the Sisters were very kind and hospitable (one of their core values).

We sat in a large "circle" in the living room and at one point I noticed a beautiful statue on the mantel. It struck me and it isn't something that I would normally take a second look at, so I decided to take a picture of it (see below).

I wanted to know what it was called and figured a title and artist would be on the bottom of the statue (it was about 8 inches tall). Any way, I lift the statue and suddenly the garland on the mantel slides forward and knocks two candle holders onto the floor with a great SHATTERING sound. Glass, salt, candles, go everywhere. I am mortified!!!!!! I go into panic mode, trying to clean it up. I say "I need a nun!" I need to know how to fix this. How to clean it up, buy new candle holders, and erase the minds of 20 coworkers. I hear people saying "For once it isn't me". I'm trying to keep it together.

A nun arrives with a dust pan and brush. I help her clean it up and try to find out where the candles are from. She says that they are inexpensive. I ask if she has more and she says yes. She will not let me replace them. I feel sooooo bad.

Then, I remembered what it's like when something of mine breaks and how I try to calm down the other person. I really don't care that the item is broken. So, that helped a bit.

Once everything is cleaned up, the break is over and everyone is back in their seats. The pressure releases and I start crying as quietly as I can, mainly because I don't usually break things, especially nuns' things, in front of all of my coworkers.

Now, you would think that this would keep me away from the statue (which didn't break, whew). However, I still want to know what the heck it's called. So, I say "I need help" to a couple friends. They hold back the garland on either side and I take a quick peek at the bottom.

The statue is called "A Quiet Moment" by Timothy Schmalz. I think it's beautiful and worth the chaos it took to figure it out. Sorry, Sister H.

The glass on the left gave it's life for this blogger.

Adventure

I have a hankering for an adventure. I'm not sure what kind of adventure, exactly. I just have a sort of antsy feeling.

Movie of the Day: The Namesake.

Silly Things I Like

Silly Putty
Slinkies
Origami
Paddle balls
Finger Paints
Stickers
Pinwheels
Tops


What silly things do you like?

Movie of the Day: Juno. An amazing movie. Not for kids. FUNNY!!!

To New Beginnings...

Happy New Year, my friends!!!