Movies of the Heart

After the Romantic post, many of you sent in movie recommendations, which I plan to watch in the coming weeks. Kay went so far as to bring me several movies to further my "education." Several people have asked me for a list of the movies she loaned me. One person pointed out that Kay is the guru of Romance and her book reviews are spot on, so I have decided to review the movies I'm watching. Before I start on the newly viewed movies though, I'll address the ones listed by others that I have already seen. These ratings are based on a scale, according to my opinion.


While You Were Sleeping
When Harry Met Sally
The Notebook
Witness
The Princess Bride
Romancing the Stone
The Big Easy
Dirty Dancing
It's a Wonderful Life
Pride and Prejudice
English Patient
Beauty and the Beast (Disney version)
Emma



Beaches
Return to Me
Love Actually
Roxanne
Last of the Mohicans
The Philadelphia Story
Casablanca
Four Weddings & a Funeral
Ghost
Green Card
Groundhog Day
Sabrina (Audrey Hepburn version)
Splash
A Walk to Remember



Tootsie
Steel Magnolias
Hope Floats
Two Weeks Notice
Sleeping Beauty (Disney)
Don Juan Demarco
The American President
A Lot Like Love (can't watch Ashton Kutcher)
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
The Sound of Music

So do you agree? I know the people who recommended these movies may not agree, but it was fun remembering the movies. Want to discuss why the movie deserves a higher rating?

Why oh why did I think ...

I created this blog to write about my experiences trying to in trying to write a manuscript as well as the craziness that is my life. I have detoured from my mission in the last six months, but I am back, bound and determined to write again. Of course, every irrational fear about my dream of being a writer is floating in my head.

I finished my second manuscript a while back. Knowing it needed a lot of work, I allowed one person to read it, to get a feel for where I went wrong in my story. I knew I had messed up the story since there were sections I couldn't stand reading. My "reviewer" did not get back to me about the story and honestly, I was afraid to hear what she had to say, so I let time drift by, until I saw information on the latest RWA Conference.

The authors speaking at the conference are some of my favorite and it's within driving distance, hence no airfare, so I decided I have to attend. The dilemma is I have to make the conference expense worthwhile, so I need to be prepared to meet with an agent, which means I have to complete my manuscript.

Now that I had a goal in mind, I asked my "reviewer" for her feedback. My hero is too weak. Need to rewrite the hero and all of his conversations. There is no conflict. The emotional draw is lacking. These aren't her exact words, but you get the point (and I thank her for her honesty cause I needed to hear it).

So I am currently working on an almost complete rewrite keeping the central theme of my story, while making the hero more heroic and ramping up the conflict. The conflict is a real issue though. I am struggling my way through and hope to have something productive finished in the next few months. July will arrive soon enough and I need to be ready!

Preparing for the End of Lost

Have you seen the new promo for Lost? Try examining it. It's fascinating.

In preparation of the end of the series that has held me engrossed since Episode 1, I rewatched the previous 5 seasons. Yes, do the math, but it was worth it. Going back, you witness all the clues that were available since the beginning. How these masterminds kept track of all the little details is mind blowing.

I thought Season 1 ended with a shock until the introduction of Benjamin Linus, who has to be the most evil character on tv. The way he said "so" when asked by Locke about killing all those innocent people. Creepy! In Season 2, the tailies were frustrating until the big betrayal. I saw it coming, but it was mesmerizing to watch, just like Ben's killing of one our beloved characters. Season 3 waned for a bit, but the finale was the best season cliffhanger ever. I mean it turned everything on it's head. Season 4-5 are so well plotted that every episode left you shocked and wanting more.

Great quotes:

Sawyer: "Baby, I am tied to a tree in the jungle of mystery. I just got tortured by a damn spinal surgeon and a genuine Iraqi. Of course I'm serious."

Tom: "This is not your island. This is our island."

Hurley: "Maybe if you ate more comfort food you wouldn't have to go around shooting people".

Lapidus: "So Sayid was a diplomat in Iraq?"
Jack: "No, a torturer."

Jack: "We have to go back."

Desmond: "See ya in another life brother."

Ben: "You're mine. I'll give you time alone [with the body]." (Still gives me the chills)


With all the themes on the show, I am curious if anyone else noticed the bad parent theme. Jack, Claire, and Ben's dads are alcoholics. Sun, Sawyer, and Penny's dads are murderers. Jin's mom is a prostitute. Hurley's dad abandoned him. Sayid's father was a bully. Kate's mother loved her abuser more. Faraday's mother sent him to his death.

So I have to ask, which death upset or shocked you the most? Boone, Shannon, Anna Lucia, Libby, Juliet, Mr. Echo, Locke, Faraday, Charlotte, Charlie (the episode "Greatest Hits" still makes me cry like a baby), the list can go on.

Which couple is your favorite cause Lost is a love story? Kate/ Jack, Jack/ Juliet, Sawyer/ Juliet, Kate/ Sawyer (still get my vote), Penny/ Desmond (love them as well), Jin/ Sun, Bernard/ Rose, Charlie/ Claire, Hurley/ Libby, once again the list can go on.

For those who have never watched the show...go out and start watching the DVDs. It is amazing television. So let me know who you vote for in the above categories or if you have a great quote. Otherwise, we'll talk again on 2/2 after Lost premieres.

Where Did the Money Go?

I usually don't go political, and still am not. I'm just ranting.

I opened my pay check for the new year only to discover I am earning less. I was quite furious initially, then was informed by my coworkers that they all were earning less, which has something to do with some tax credit we used to get expired, so now our federal tax went up. Anyway, the point being, I'm earning less.

Then I turn on the news and see reports on how the economy is improving. I'm curious for who? I live in the Midwest, where we have to close the public computer lab on Sunday, so people can file unemployment because the numbers are too high for those who need to file. I'm tired of hearing how things are getting better cause as someone who had to downsize their living space and now is earning less, I'm still sinking with this recession. Could we at least be honest that the economy still has a long way to go.

I ask that the comments on this post remain clean cause I know my many friends are on different ends of the political spectrum. Please no comments relating to those damn Republicans, damn Democrats, damn capitalists, damn socialists, damn Independents, you get the point. Let's keep it friendly, but ranty.

Romantic

I am a die-hard romantic. Yes, I admit it, I love romance books, romantic movies, love stories on tv, etc. I find myself absorbed into the story everytime. The hubby usually rolls his eyes and walks out of the room when I find myself involved in a romance story. This weekend he finally commented on my love of love stories. You know it's the same story everytime and it's not even a good story, he said. I started to list all the best romance movies, in which he doesn't appreciate. It got me thinking about my favorite romance movies. What are your favorites? Do you think you could convince a guy to watch them and appreciate them as well?

2010 Goals

Now that I've survived the party...I have that Shakira song stuck in my head, it's time to set the goals for 2010 and dust off 2009. These are not resolutions, but things I look forward to or would like to accomplish for the year. The past 2 years, I've been midway to completing all my tasks with some I excel in, others I fail.

1. Travel
I know I place this as a goal every year, but it's one I enjoy. I'm already starting the year off right. The birthday trip planning has begun, I have major plans in July which we'll discuss in a moment, I'm hoping to attend one of the many genealogy conferences, and the once a year trip to Florida, which has now been pushed to sometime in the fall. Four trips in the works, though not officially planned for the year.

2. Writing
The RWA conference this year is within driving distance and I am super excited about 4 of the authors who will be there, so I plan to splurge and go. The only hiccup to my plan is a. I don't have a roommate, though I still hope I can convince someone to bunk with me and b. to make it affordable, I need to be prepared to meet with an agent. So I need to complete my manuscript in time for the July conference. This is big job considering the recommendations I received about the story.

3. Friends
All my friends are from work. There is nothing wrong with this and I love all my friends dearly. You guys are the best, but I would like at least one friend who is not work related. I tried the church thing, but I didn't develop in friendships through that arena. My thoughts so far is a. take dance classes (it will also keep me fit and would be fun), b. join the Gator Club up here, since I would have something in common, or c. join a writing group.

4. Kids
I need to have a firm decision instead of floundering as I have the last few months. I have a repreieve for the time being, but I should take this time and decide what is best for me and the hubby.

Notice none of my goals are weight, workout, or genealogy related. I decided I fail at those goals, so I should find new ideas. We'll see how I handle these new goals.

Would anyone else like to share their goals? Or would anyone like to join me on some of my adventures? And for those of you who say they live vicariously through my stories, please consider joining me, that way we can share them.

"There Goes My Hero ..."

New Years Day began as usual with talk of college football. It was a fun ride the past 4 years, but now, it's time to say goodbye to Tim Tebow. With 482 passing yards last night, he made us all proud to watch his grand finale. It has been amazing and listening to the recap of the stats was overwhelming. Through thick and thin, I am a Florida Gator. I refuse to comment on the Meyer controversy, but most know my stance on why I respected him as a coach and it had nothing to do with gameday. We'll see where next season finds us. But I have to say, It's Great to be a Florida Gator!