Two Movies Watched

Sort of accidentally, I watched two movies this past week. The whole family watched Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. It was pretty good; more of a movie for teenagers. My husband and I were disappointed that there wasn't a "playlist." We were hoping for great music; maybe even new music. Oh well. Today I watched Marley and Me because I was working on the second of a pair of mittens that I really needed to get done and it was the kind of movie you don't have to pay too much attention to. I had successfully avoided reading the book and I don't like Jennifer Aniston, but I have to say, the movie was pretty good - it was about family - and Jennifer Aniston did not bug me. In fact, she made a more convincing mother than Owen Wilson made a convincing father. I also didn't think I would cry at the end because I did not love that dog. That dog was not even endearing to me. He was a disaster! Any animal lover would like this movie, but then they've probably already seen it. I received an interesting email last week. My sister-in-law had a hat emergency. My nephew recently lost the hand knit hat I gave him last Christmas and they wondered if I could make him a new one. Of course, I could! I found a photo of him in the hat and matched the yarn that I still have left over from my hat making frenzy last holiday season. I made him another hat and wrote him a nice note. What touched me was that he was so sad to lose that hat. He's 11 years old and I don't get to see him very often, but I must have chosen the right colors or he must sense the love that went into that hat. I received a great big hug across the miles when I received that request. It's amazing how comforting handmade items can be. That's why I make blankets for Project Linus.

Second Movie

I watched Two Weeks Notice over the weekend. It's okay; not bad. I think it loses some momentum in the middle and the ending doesn't have the impact I hoped for. I prefer Never Been Kissed or Music & Lyrics. Also, While You Were Sleeping is one of my faves. I am a big Bill Pullman fan. You probably don't even know who he is but I have liked him since Ruthless People. I am also a fan of Sam Rockwell. He is so funny in Galaxy Quest. I'm still reading The Lost Symbol. I have to switch over to my book group selection which is The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. That one has to be finished in a couple of weeks. My friend, Lisa, recommended A Girl Named Zippy. I downloaded it from audible.com and it's read by the author. It's a lot of fun to listen to. That woman has some funny stories from her childhood in Indiana. My younger son is home sick today and we are watching Napoleon Dynamite. It seems hilarious to me again. I haven't watched it in a long time. Perfect for cheering you up when you feel yucky. I'm crocheting a pink baby blanket on commission and then I have a second cabled mitten to plan and knit. I also have a commission for two pairs of fingerless gloves in black. I also have 8" x 8" squares to finish cutting for PL quilts and then a couple of quilt tops to put together for PL. I need to get busy!

Another Movie Watched

I watched a movie I recorded from the Sundance Channel - I Love Your Work. Turns out this movie was co-written and directed by Adam Goldberg. (He of the Beastie Boys fame.) He plays wacky guys on TV and in movies and I saw him briefly in this movie - he didn't star in it. However, the awesome Giovanni Ribisi and equally awesome Franka Potente were in it. It just goes to show that movies on the Sundance Channel are not all award winners. This movie was mildly interesting. The lead character was dealing with fame and obsession and perhaps a descent into madness. It just didn't work in the end and I was less than impressed. Would not recommend watching it although I always support indie films and love small, interesting films. You never know. Speaking of which, the Scottsdale Film Festival is coming to town this month, I believe. They show all the films over at Camelview near Scottsdale Fashion Square. Hoping to attend one of these sometime when I have the time. So many movies to see. Finished a baby blanket in record time. Decided to try selling my baby blankets on craigslist and offering knitting and crochet lesson, too. I'll be looking for more outlets for these services. The Lost Symbol is moving along quickly. Dan Brown has chapters that are only 3 pages long. You feel like you're reading quickly, but you never want to stop because each chapter ending is an OMG! TV shows that are worth watching - Modern Family which had everyone laughing practically non-stop. I like Mercy but Trauma was quite traumatic to watch. I'll try again this week and see if I can stomach it. If you are not watching Ken Burns' National Parks on PBS, you should. Thank goodness we can rent these documentaries eventually. The U.S. Mint will be issuing state quarters starting in 2010 with the states' respective national parks on the reverse side of Washington's head. Pretty cool, right? In case you don't know, you can sign up to receive state quarters and other types of coins from the U.S. Mint when they are issued. They come in a case and are directly from the mint. You can also order silver coins. Tonight, Jim and Pam get married on The Office. Sigh. 

Monday

At the moment, I have several projects to work on that are not Project Linus related. I need to make the matching mitten for a pair I am working on for a friend. I will be test knitting a hat and wrist warmers for a friend. I also have several baby blankets and baby hats to crochet and knit for friends. I also do hemming and minor tailoring for my son's high school band. Plus, I bought this fantastically soft yarn on my yarn store expedition on Friday. It's mohair and extremely thin and light. I started a basic triangular shawl but I'm hunting around for something else. It's not that easy to work with - not difficult - just not sure I want to follow a complicated pattern with this stuff. The real beauty of it is in the color and the softness of the yarn. Also, I watched the two hour season premier of House which was mesmerizing. Really great stuff. I watched Grey Gardens again too. I think Drew Barrymore should have won an award. What a character that Edie was. 

One Blanket Made!

I finished my "ASU" blanket yesterday. I'll have a photo up soon. It went pretty fast. I have fun with these medium-sized blankets. I can see how different colors look together and they don't take too long. I've started on a baby blanket in off white. I might want to give it to a friend for a new baby but I might donate it depending on how it turns out. 

I have a confession. My goal is to watch movies but I tend to watch recorded TV more. Lots of great new shows are capturing my attention right now. I'll talk more about these next time.

And...The Last Symbol is amazing. It's about stuff that I haven't heard of and I love it! Makes me want to do research and find out what's true and what isn't. Watched a program on TV today about the Freemasons and it was awful. Lots of theories - and they were lame theories - not enough real information. I have a book about Freemasons. Guess it should go on my reading list.

One Movie Watched!

It is not necessarily easy to meet these goals. They are an ongoing process. So...I did get one movie watched yesterday. It's Bernard and Doris. Really quite mesmerizing to watch. It was like Grey Gardens in that way. It wasn't your typical movie; more of a character study. Ralph Fiennes was amazing. Just that look in his eyes. What was going on in there? Emmy Awards - didn't watch but read about who won. So many good programs and actors. Too hard to pick just one. I'm reading The Lost Symbol. Not too far in but things are happening already. I started a Project Linus blanket that is scarlet and gold, ASU colors. Kids like to have blankets with team colors. Things are moving along and that is good. I've got some other projects going so can't devote all of my time to my goals but I'm keeping them in mind and that is the point really...making progress.