The Best of 2012

These are in no way REALLY the "best" of the year, but here are a few of my best things from 2012.

This. Kid.

Best Reality Show-Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
Don't talk to me about Duck Dynasty. This is the real deal.

Best New Show-Nashville
I love it. It makes me want to revisit the city, it makes me want to listen to country music. The drama is great, the acting is great, the music is great, and I get swept up in it each week.

Best Drama-Parenthood
This should win for consistency if nothing else. Each and every episode delivers, which is rare. Usually there are hits and misses, but this one is on the money from week to week.

Best Comedy-30 Rock
Two Broke Girls, Modern Family, Raising Hope...I love them, but Tina Fey and this darling show will have my loyalty for the little time it has left on the air.

Best Song-We Are Young by Fun
It's a feel good song, it's upbeat, the lyrics are good, and it's smart. I could listen to this all day, and there have been days that I have.

Best Album-Babel by Mumford and Sons
Mumford and Sons is my go to music for the Fall and Winter. This new album by them is as good as their last, if not better. I can't wait to see what they do next!

Best Movie-Life of Pi
I watched A LOT of movies this year, but if I had to choose the best one FROM this year, I'd say it was this one. It was a creative and solid story as well as, suspenseful, action packed, funny, sentimental, and even carried a little twist ending.

Best "Breakout" Star-Olivia Wilde
Olivia Wilde is in no way new to stardom, but she is new to movies, and this year she did a lot of them. The Words, Butter, People Like Us, and more. She played drastically different roles in each of them and did a great job. I am not sure she will ever hold down a leading lady spot, but I would love to see her try.

Everyone will know her name.

Best Underage Star-Chloe Grace Moretz
She's not new, but the more I watch her, the more I am super impressed. I can't wait to see her in Carrie coming in 2013!

Best "I Changed My Mind About Her" Star-Carey Mulligan
I wrote a blog earlier in the year about Mulligan and my doubt about her being cast as Daisy on Gatsby. While we are still waiting to see how she does in this movie, I have seen so much of her this year that I have changed my mind about her. She's beautiful, brilliant, vulnerable but strong, and when she's on screen I can't help but be enthralled by her. I admit, I judged her too quickly.

Best Celebrity Moment-Any Rebel Wilson interview
Best Celebrity Moment 2-Any Emma Stone interview
Best Celebrity Moment 3-Any Kristen Bell interview
These three are always perfectly adorable and hilarious during their interviews, unlike weirdos Kristen Stewart, Nicole Kidman, and Melanie Griffin. Watching those three on live TV is horrifying.

Well played.

Best Politician Moment-Obama playing Spiderman with a kid.
Adorable. Take note politicians, we live in an internet age. If you want to win an election, you MUST be likable on the internet.

This friendship is one of my favorite.

Best Politician Moment 2-Texts with Hillary Memes
She's just the coolest.

Best Bad Story Turned Good-The Bullied Bus Driver
I could mention Christian Bale's visit to the families of the dead and injured who were show in the theater during The Dark Knight Rises, but the bus driver story really stuck with me. When I read about the horrible things that this woman had to endure driving a bus of brats to and from school daily, I felt sick. To make things worse, she went home to a somewhat sad life each night. When America got wind of the video on the bus, people reached out to this woman with money, gifts, kind words, and more. She has since retired from driving on her over $600 grand worth of donations, some of which she gave to charity. I love when the good in humanity sees the bad and works to make up for it.

How does he look so scary!

Best Bad Guy Hair-Javier Bardem. Always.

He looks weird with clothes on.

Best Sports Moment-I didn't pay attention since Auburn was so bad. But probably something to do with Michael Phelp's abs.

Best Book-We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
This is one of the most haunting and well written books I have ever read. It's not from this year, but I did read it this year, so that's something.

Best App for iPhone-Pocket
I love this app cause I can just move everything I want to read and put it into one place. So when I'm sitting in a waiting room or wherever (I'll just say it, the bathroom), I can catch up on blogs, articles, and more! I'm a dork, I know, but this has been a really great thing to have this year in China!

What is on your BEST of 2012 list?

Weekend Fat Year End Review

There is no way that I could begin to summarize all of the pop-culture happenings of this year. Mainly because if you know me at all you know, I don't do well with the whole summarizing thing.

So here are just a few highlights and lowlights of the year. Please feel free to add your own in the comments.

Women and Sex
Whether it was 50 Shades of Grey, Magic Mike, or political discussions of birth control and "legitimate" rape, women and their sexuality was probably one of the most talked about subjects of the year.

You can't deny she's having a good year.

Anne Hathaway
Even though she's not in my list of favorites, it's undeniable that she made her mark this year. Even her Catwoman performance received rave reviews. Now with her near death experience in Les Mis, I'm sure there will be talk of an oscar. I'm not sure I'm convinced that she's all that great, but more on that later this week.

Memes
Memes are in full effect now. Meme generators are available and easy to use...even for those who are not so tech savvy. All they are waiting on is some unassuming politician, unaware celebrity, or some other oblivious figure to say something stupid.

Channing Tatum
He was named the sexiest man of the year, though my vote will probably always go to Ryan Reynolds. Aside from that he made A LOT of movies this year. Magic Mike, The Vow, 21 Jump Street, Haywire, and many more coming up soon.

Celebrity Deaths
It's probably that the older you get, the more aware you are of the people who are dying, so it's not actually more people dying, it's just that the names mean something to you now. This year was a year like that for me. Beginning with Whitney Houston and including Zig Ziglar, Ravi Shankar, David Oliver Relin, Larry Hagman, Andy Williams, Michael Clarke Duncan, Neil Armstrong, Phyllis Diller, Sally Ride, Robin Gibb, Dick Clark, Andy Griffith, Adam Yauch, Davy Jones, Donna Summer, and a lot more. The world seems a little stranger, slightly scarier with some of these people no longer in it.

Who do you want by your side when the zombies come?

The Walking Dead
People love zombies. This show started out with a loyal and small fan base, but blew up into the mainstream this year. Everyone I know is watching it and loving it. Zombies remain the most interesting apocalyptic theory around. Do you have your plan in place?

Downton Abbey
When we aren't busy living vicariously through the Walking Dead cast, we are fantasizing over Downton Abbey. This show picked up a ton of watchers this year. I only hope it can keep up the momentum in light of upcoming tragic events. Ugh...I promise I won't give spoilers...but...sigh...

Socialism
No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, you can't deny that the term "socialism" came up a lot in 2012. Fortunately, this was the most Googled/looked up/researched word on the internet in 2012. Kudos to people for not just throwing it around, but actually taking the time to figure out what it means. Let's take that mentality and run with it people...keep learning.

Best release from captivity break-up ever.

Babies, Break-Ups, and Break Downs
This isn't the entire list, but all you really need to know is that Beyonce and Adele had babies. Katie and Tom broke up. As Amy Poehler and Will Arnett. And Amanda Bynes joined the ranks of Lindsay Lohan, who is still spiraling downward.

Guns and Freedom
Who is to blame, the shooter or the gun? The debate resurfaces each time we experience something tragic. The arguments get tangled up as we speak of freedoms we stand for and freedoms we want to take from others. Unfortunately, no matter where you fall, most of these arguments just points out our contradictions, hypocrisies, and double standards more than it does convince, inspire, or move anyone to change.

As I mentioned above, these are only a few that stood out to me this year? What would you add as being the big news of 2012?

Amber and Max: TV Names

Maybe it’s just the shows I watch, but I’ve noticed an abnormal amount of characters named Max and Amber on TV lately. I thought it’d be fun to talk about them...maybe rank them. I realize this is not at all inclusive list of every Max or Amber that’s ever been on TV, but it’s current. It just so happens that some of them exist on the same shows.

Amber

Remember her from Hope Floats? One Fine Day? When a Man Loves a Woman?

Parenthood-Amber has had her ups and downs, but in the last season or so has really emerged as one of the more stable and consistently likable characters. One of my most recent favorite scenes with her in it was when Adam confided in her first about Christina’s Breast Cancer. It was this sweet and vulnerable moment that he chose to share with his niece of all people.
Likability: 9

Introducing...Clara Mamet

The Neighbors-Such an interesting casting choice, and yet I’m pleased overall with her presence on the show. She plays a perfectly cynical teenager, smarter than her parents on most things, and less than thrilled to be living among Aliens. She is very plain looking, not frilly or perfectly skinny, but from time to time she gives this smile that is warm and melting.
Likability:7

Max

I tried to pick a cute picture to make you like him more.

Parenthood-Now that Asperger’s has been taken out of the medical dictionary, I am interested to see how Parenthood handles Max and his behavior. It has definitely taken a back seat in recent episodes. As much as everyone I know is in love with this show, they want to kill Max. But I would suggest that maybe it’s not Max that they should be mad at. Maybe it’s Christina and Adam! The show is called PARENTHOOD...let’s get some going over there man. I get that it might be difficult, especially with a child who is not like other children, but COME ON.
Likability: 2 (on a good day)

Adorable.

The Neighbors-Max is seriously one of the cutest kids on TV. His facial expressions are adorable. He is cool, but still enough of a kid to pull off cute. He is an annoying brother, but also (as this week showed) a scared little kid at times. I’m not sure they’ve said what age he is, but I would put him at about 9. If you’re not watching this show, I’m telling you, you’re missing out, and Max is part of what you are missing.
Likability: 7

She wins.

Two Broke Girls-Aside from Kat Dennings being just gorgeous, her character is hilarious. She gets to say all the dirty jokes. She’s in control, cusses like a sailor, is independent, and hard in all the right ways. But she’s also all woman. She’s curvy, gets excited about candy, bakes cupcakes, and squeals with her best friend. Basically, I want to be her.
Likability: 10

An Evil Job Well Done--By Carmen

As previously established here on Weekend Fat, some actors nail it and others just do not.  In my viewing experience there are some actors who did such a great job with an evil character that I now can’t see past it.  These people will forever be these characters and as you will see, that’s not necessarily a good thing.

Meryl Streep- Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada

That's all.

In a previous post I state that I don’t really like Meryl, and this is why. She was the horrible to Anne Hathaway in this movie.  I know it was just a movie but I felt sorry for all the people in it.  I understand that this movie was maybe a little bit based on Anna Wintour. And so I’m thinking, do people really have to be that nasty in real life, or do they do it for fun?  Since I don’t know Anna, Meryl took the hit.

Philip Seymour Hoffman- Reverend Veasey in Cold Mountain

Philip was never my favorite guy.  I saw him as Sandy Lyle in Along Came Polly and he was just gross.  So when he showed up in Cold Mountain as a (still) gross, adulterous, murderer, there was just no going back. 

I'm glad they shaved his hair off.

And as Sandy Lyle for good measure.

Edward Norton-Aaron in Primal Fear

It’s been a long time since I last saw this one.  But (as is the point of the movie) you spend the whole movie feeling sorry for this kid, and then BAM!  It’s really Ed’s face and laugh that sell it.  

There never was an Aaron either...

Anjelica Huston-Rodmilla in Ever After

I was an impressionable 18 year old when this movie came out. I don’t remember being familiar with any of Angelica’s work before this. Her proper hatred and demure arrogance as Danielle’s stepmother was hard to watch.  And that jet black hair helped to sell the package.  She is now the voice of the wise Queen Clarion in the Disney Tinker Bell franchise.  I think her voice is perfectly sweet for Queen Clarion, and then I remember who it is……

These two cannot be the same person. They just can't be.

And I am  on the fence on this last one. 

  

Kevin Bacon-Sean Nokes in Sleepers

I've seen a picture more wrinkled than this, I swear.

Kevin has done so much (hence the game 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon) but this character stuck with me.  Kevin has one of those faces that seems too wrinkled and worldly to be good. I remember a scene where the boys he abused encounter him in a bar and he is all boozed up and lonely. Creeptastic.

Is there an evil character that stayed with you?

Breaking Dawn Part 2 and An Education: Movie Reviews

I haven’t been on my movie watching kick quite as much lately, but this weekend I decided to spend some time catching up.

Finally, a Bella I can appreciate.

I watched Breaking Dawn Part 2. And even though the perception is that I am not a fan of the Twilight books/movies, I was pleasantly surprised. For the record, I do not at all mind the Twilight movies and books. I read them all, and rather quickly. Couldn’t put them down. They were fun. Even though I take issue with some of the themes of the book, especially in regards to Bella, honestly, she is no different than some female characters in books we consider to be literature, the difference being that those books are written with more sophisticated language...and well, there are no vampires. The movies are blockbusters, and like with any blockbuster, I will watch them and enjoy them, but they don’t generally make my list of favorites.

Breaking Dawn was very entertaining. I got re-invested rather quickly to the characters and the story. I thought it was the right amount of funny, not nearly enough of shirtless Jacob, great music as always, and good build to the climax of the series. And the “twist” that everyone has talked about, was legit. I enjoyed it and even gasped a little. It was fun to watch, and I’m glad I did.

Getting schooled.

I also watched An Education this weekend. Carey Mulligan plays Jenny, a 16 year old student who is dreaming of Oxford when she meets Peter Saarsgard, David, an older man, who is cultured and a “student of life.” He takes interest in her and wants to expose her to his way of living. At first it’s thrilling for her.

Mulligan is amazing in it of course. She can play innocent so well. In fact she plays it so well that at times I was uncomfortable with her relationship with David. He just seemed too good to be true. Her life is on track, and while his presence does open her up to new and wonderfully rich experiences, it also throws her off her intended course. Not only does he throw her off, but his interest in her causes everyone around her to seem to change their expectations of her. Oxford gets put aside for marriage and everyone seems fine with it give or take a few members of her school. The movie also brings up the question of what education really is. With David she can travel to Rome and Paris and listen to jazz, with school, she will study hard in a classroom. Jenny says at one point to the headmaster of her school, “It’s not enough just to educate us anymore, you’ve got to tell us why you’re doing it.”

The movie really fit with some things I’m coming to terms with at the moment. Finding out that my years of education are all but rendered useless in their being a means to an end. Of course I appreciate the things I’ve learned, but if I had to choose again, I’m not sure I would choose all of that when there is an entire world to see. Fortunately for me, it seems I get to do both.

In the end, I think the lesson of the movie, if there is one, is that you must know yourself and what you want, and even your reasons for wanting it, or someone can throw you off course. Changing your mind is one thing, changing it for someone else is another that could have disastrous results.

Christmas Memes!

Merry Christmas Weekend Fatties!

My Grown Up Christmas List

Goregous.

I want to look like Kat Dennings or Kate Winslet. Either one will suffice.

Funniest person ever.

I want the confidence of Rebel Williams. She is a total honey badger, and I love her for it.

I can hold that for you?

I want Tina Fey to read my blog and think I’m clever and decide to hire and mentor me.

Oh Gwyneth...you're adorably ridiculous.

I want to be rich enough to nourish my inner aspect...ie...buy the stuff I see on goop.

Walk in the park...

I want to be married to John Krasinzki by day...

Candlelight dinner....

And Jesse Williams by night.

Is that seat for me?!

I want to be a Braverman....I don’t care how. I will be a distant cousin, or even just a twice removed something...just get me into that family!

I love her style!

I want the wardrobe of Mary from Downton Abbey...

I love this too though.

Maybe Kate Hudson on my Hippie days.

From now on when I sing, I'm making this face...just in case it all comes together at once.

I want to sing like Adele.

Talk about Magical Thinking...Joan Didion.

I want to write something that has the subtlety of Susan Orlean, the popularity of Harry Potter, the suspense of Stephen King, the inspiration of Brene Brown, the heart of Joan Didion, and the humor of David Sedaris.

What's on your Christmas List this year?

21 Reasons The World Did Not End Yesterday

All is calm, all is right.

The world NEEDS to see Amy Poehler and Tina Fey host the Golden Globes.

I still believe there is redemption somewhere down the line for Lindsay Lohan.

Knowing whether Daryl Dixon survives the Governor/Zombie Apocalypse will give us all a glimpse into whether or not we actually stand a chance when if it happens.

There’s a royal baby coming!

More Honey Boo Boo please.

My Verizon contract still has a year to go. God forbid I terminate it early.

All those Americans are waiting on Downton Abbey Season 3. 

You procrastinated on buying Christmas gifts thinking the world might end. Cruel joke...now get going!

The last Olympic Games we see should not be London’s.

There are still children for Brad and Angelina to adopt.

We still don’t know who the mother of Ted’s children are.

There are so many more things to do on my bucket list.

If we’re going out, it’s gonna be death by zombies, not Mayan calendar mistakes.

I want to see Notre Dame pull an upset and beat Bama.

Who am I kidding, Bama is gonna win and once again prove that the SEC rules.

It’s time to actually MAKE the things I’ve pinned on Pinterest.

I still have to finish my book.

I need to see Jessica Lange kick some ass on American Horror Story.

I kinda want to see Dexter get what’s coming to him.

I still hold out hope that one day Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds will get married!

No one can know the hour...

Christmas Advertising--Vicky

Well, I’ve introduced you to what is probably the most obscure song you’ve never heard of which is my most favorite Christmas song.  I thought I’d continue the theme of favorites and talk about my favorite holiday commercials.  Every year, there are Christmas commercials trying to top Christmas commercials.  It starts with Black Friday (The Crazy Target Mom – kinda missed her this year) and goes through to the after-Christmas sales.  Christmas is my favorite time of year and with it come some pretty amazing commercials.  

I’ve compiled my top four favorite Christmas commercials.  Some are old, some are new.  I have a few comments on them, but mostly, I just want to share the laughs and holiday cheer.  Enjoy!

Hershey’s Holiday Bells – We Wish You a Merry Christmas

This is probably my top favorite commercial.  It is a bit older, but I don’t feel like its Christmas until I see this commercial pop up on my TV.  I adore it.  Sweet, simple, and cute.  The little guy at the end… “Whew!”  You can’t help but smile.

Garmin

Most of Garmin’s commercials are pretty funny and cute, but this one is my favorite.  It was one of the first when they were starting the “Give a Garmin” campaign.  It’s the best for one, simple line: “Need a waxing now, Got a unibrow.”  And the Chinese food guy, “Ding, dong, ding, dong.”  HA!

M&Ms, They DO Exist!

This is another “older” one.  If you look at the bottom in the beginning, the copyright is 2006.  But it’s still as funny and cute as it was 6 years ago.  I’m glad they haven’t changed it and I’m a sucker for a “good” Santa.  What I mean by that is there are OK Santa’s and then there are the good Santa’s.  The ones you look at and they make you believe again.  They are perfect and the Santa in this commercial is one of the best.  Plus you gotta love the Peanut M&M, “Santa?”

Connecting Flights, This Season’s Must See

BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!  You thought it was a real movie, didn’t you?  We all did!  Which is why it’s so much funnier when they plow into that refrigerator.  The first commercial Sear’s did with this concept was like this Abercrombie & Fitch beach love thing and I literally crack up every time I see it.  (If you want to see it, too, go here).  This one is the same; I can’t help but fall down laughing when I see it.  My husband calls me into the room when it comes on so I can enjoy the hilarity of it.  Oh, Sear’s you got me!

So what do you think?  

Funny how 2 out of the 4 are candy commercials, huh?  

What are your favorite Christmas Commercials?

21 Reasons The World Could/Should End Tomorrow

I think internal combustion is better than the way it went down in Melancholia.

I cannot bear to watch Anne Hathaway win an Oscar.

I’ve lost some weight this year in China and the Southern cooking I will enjoy in 2 weeks would probably set me back.

I can die happily now that I’ve heard, enjoyed, and been adequately obsessed with Pictures of You by The Cure.

Who wants to live in a world without Twinkies?

I can’t stand the thought of watching Daryl Dixon die on The Walking Dead.

We have a black president, which according to my Chinese students “is exactly how it happened in the movie 2012. And there was Hurricane Sandy too.”

No more time wasted hate-watching Smash.

Lindsay Lohan cannot/should not sink any lower. This would guarantee she does not.

Something’s gotta stop Grey’s Anatomy.

I’m on the fence about Moulin Rouge 2: The Great Gatsby.

All those Americans waiting on Downton Abbey Season 3....

Who wants to live in a world where 6 year olds get shot in their classrooms?

Dick Clark died this year, and no one wants to see Ryan Seacrest ring in the New Year.

You haven’t bought your Christmas gifts yet, and you deserve a break.

I marked off a major “bucket list” item-Climbing the Great Wall. 

Auburn fans really don’t want to endure another Alabama National Championship.

Women can die happy after having seen Magic Mike.

No one really wants to see The Hangover 3. 

Glee is out of agendas.

I’ve already pinned ALL THE THINGS on Pinterest.

Now that we know who Gossip Girl is, we can die...happy.

Which reasons did I miss? Which do you want to add?

It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) -- Carmen

In 1998 everyone was talking about the world ending on New Year’s Eve 1999.   Y2K was coming and word was that everyone should be ready. Computers wouldn’t know what to do with the date change and so the world would cease to exist. Pack your bomb shelter folks!!  Me and all my 19 year old wisdom thought, “what if the world ends on New Year’s Eve THIS year?”  No one would be ready, it’s the perfect set up. So I actually got myself worked into a bit of a tizzy about it. I was visiting Amber and her friends in their hometown, and was very concerned that I would not ever see my family again. Of course a bunch of 19 and 20 year olds don’t stop their plans just because someone is being overly dramatic about the end of the world.  In the car on the way to our chosen restaurant the song "It’s the End of the World" as we know it by R.E.M. came on the radio. OH MY WORD! I might have started hyperventilating, I really can’t be sure. Can you believe I had never heard that song before that night?  It did not help my inner panic attack. And I believe everyone else in the car just cracked up laughing!  Later that night I realized that because of time zones, the world couldn’t end at midnight for everyone.  If it ended at midnight for the Eastern time zone then we in the Central time zone would have some time to prepare. After that I relaxed. (Yes, it was the thought of time zones that did it, no actual coming to my senses involved.)

In the spirit of the world ending I have compiled a list of disaster movies, those that I would watch again and the one I will not.

The Day After Tomorrow- I enjoyed this movie and would watch it again.  It was a disaster movie with heart.  The dad treks across the frozen waste land for his son, and since I live in the south I would have been fine. There is that whole plot to keep the impending doom a secret in the North because they aren’t going to make it and who really wants to cause all that panic. Probably not the best move by the administration (but I am sure they are covering up something as we speak). My favorite part of the movie is when everyone is in the library trying to figure out what books to burn to stay warm and they are arguing over whether to burn Friedrich Nietzsche. And one of the character says “uh…’scuse me?  You guys? Yeah…there’s a whole section on tax law down here that we can burn.”

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go, but not really, I'm just gonna throw your dad under the meteor.

Armageddon- I would watch this one again. The only thing I really remember about it was thinking keep the dad, kill the boyfriend. You can always get another boyfriend.

Titanic- This one is not a good movie to watch the week before you are getting married.  I have always been intrigued by the Titanic’s story (I say intrigued because are you really supposed to LOVE a historical tragic movie where a lot of people die?) The movie made learning the history behind the Titanic more real.  I am a firm believer that it sank because that guy supposedly said “God himself could not sink her” Uh, yeah He can.

When Sandra Bullock drove into our hearts.

Speed- I L.O.V.E. this movie.  Seriously I watched this movie and Dirty Dancing both, every day for two months when I was a freshman in high school.  Sandra Bullock was a newbie and Keanu Reeves was gorgeous.  Dennis Hopper is crazy and horrible. Even though he wasn’t the worse bad guy ever, he was just kind of weird and I still don’t like him because of this movie. My favorite line is “Jesus. Bob, what button did you push?”

Space Cowboys –I would watch this again, I have good memories of the experience.  But really what I remember is a dead Tommy Lee Jones floating in space.

Making the dying of a species, cute.

The Land Before Time - This is a children’s classic and then the franchise got ruined because they made 27 more movies and none of the others are any good.  Five dinosaur children survive the great earth shake and band together out of necessity to find the Great Valley. They are sad and determined but most importantly they are cute!!  My brother and I used to quote the movie all the time.  “I smell… I smell…I smell… um Ducky”

I Am Legend- I will never, ever, ever (to infinity) watch this movie again.  It still haunts me.  The hemocytes/dark seekers were truly terrifying to me.  It was their special effects look plus their aggression.  During the whole movie I was so thankful that he had his dog and then when she was bit, and he had to…well you know, and Will Smith cried because then he was truly alone. At the end of the movie when Will knows he’s a goner and they are beating on the special bullet proof glass to get in with this smug look on their faces… I just could not handle it. Some basketball players at the school I work at have this t-shirt where the player has an outlined face and it looks like a hemocyte.  I can’t look directly at it.

Which disaster movies will you watch again?  
Is there any end of the world movie you won’t watch again?

The Elf on the Shelf-A Non-Parent's Review--By Julie

I think I first saw the phenomenon of the Elf on the Shelf about 3 years ago. I might have heard of people doing it before then, but that was when I noticed the marketing behind the whole thing through TV ads. I'll put it bluntly: I don't get it.

When I first researched the whole thing, the only thing I could find was that this elf was supposed to be used as "Santa's Spy" so that kids would be good during the holiday season. The amount of craziness that statement packs is beyond me. Since that time, I can only see that the Elf has become this personality that apparently gets into mischief at night. Or, this is what my Facebook feed leads me to believe. Pictures abound of their family's Elf latest situation.

I still don't get it.

I was born with a very logical brain and outlook on life. Even as a child, there were a lot of things about Santa that just didn't add up to me. You may find this sad, but I never really believed in him. My parents weren't the kind to push Santa (they are good conservative Baptists). They never said anything bad about him. He just wasn't a big deal in our house. So anyone telling me that this one man delivered gifts to the whole world in one night with some flying reindeer was looked at sideways. I distinctly remember being a kindergartener and being told by my teacher one day that we were going to write our "letters to Santa". This did not compute for me. Why? What was I supposed to say? Oh, we are supposed to ask for something for Christmas. ...... Why? So, in one of the only times I ever cheated on an assignment, I copied the boy next to me. He was asking for a bike. Seemed like a good enough thing to write to Santa about.

I never thought about that letter again until I was old enough to appreciate the whole Santa conspiracy. Back in kindergarten, our sneaky teacher gave those letters to our parents. I started to piece the puzzle together. That was the year that I got a scooter for Christmas. It seems that my parents thought I was too young for a bike. Especially considering that I was bound to inherit my older sister's bike eventually. Why buy another one? So, I got a scooter. And, I was thrilled and it had nothing to do with Santa.

Flash forward to my adult years and imagine me finding out that the Elf on the Shelf is the Christmas tradition that we must all subscribe to (said in my best television-marketing voice). I think my first reaction was something of disgust. I couldn't believe that parents were buying into some toy manufacturer's marketing that they must now tell more holiday lies to their children to con them into good behavior. The ridiculousness of it all! I saw it in action just once when I was around my nieces over the holidays. Their mom kept talking about their Elf and what he would tell Santa. The amount of eye rolling from me was criminal, I'm sure.

But, as most things do, the Elf has evolved. It seems that we are all sinful! The elf, once Santa's tattletale, is now finding himself in a few sticky situations. Apparently he is getting bored watching the kids have fun. So, now, it is up to parents to create mischief scenes with their Elf for their kids to find every morning during the holidays.

This isn't so bad on the surface. I like being irreverent and silly. And, as a child, that's super fun. But, now comes the feelings of inadequacy that I only imagine is constant in any parent's life. It appears that now you must strive to be the most creative parent with these scenes. Who can out "Elf" their friends and post the photo evidence on Facebook? And, to help you along and stress you out further, there are plenty of Pinterest tips for creating these Elf scenes. I'm a little over it.

The only thing that keeps me from writing off the entire Elf situation is when I see the truly funny scenes. It usually comes from folks that have boys who may be a little bit older. Or, possibly from people with zero kids and like making inappropriate settings with their Elf. Do a quick Google search for inappropriate Elf on the Shelf. Eye opening, to say the least.

I, myself, am looking forward to a completely adult holiday season. One without Elves on Shelves. It works for me... or it will until I have kids and I will guilt-trip myself into doing these things just so my child isn't the one who doesn't have what their friends have. Oh the vicious cycle...

A Merry Christmas to all my Weekend Fatties!
- Julie Bunkley will be spending her holiday with her grown siblings and parents and no children. The only elves in her holiday will be her dogs who have the cutest elf hats to coordinate with their Christmas collars.

I appreciate Julie's perspective on this, and tend to agree and fall somewhere on the "I don't get it/I don't agree with it" perspective when it comes to the Elf. Another one of our bloggers, Romelle, wrote a blog on this last year that I want to share with you all. So here's the link to get her perspective. Romelle has 6 kids, so her take is slightly different than Julie's. If you have an opinion on this, feel free to weigh in through comments, or if you want to write a post, send it to catidwell222@gmail.com. Now, here's that link to Romelle's blog!

--Amber

John Mayer is a Poet and Probably Knows It

I keep my music on shuffle when I walk to class, about 3000 songs in the mix of a playlist I call “the good stuff.” The other day John Mayer’s “New Deep” made its way into the mix and I found myself wanting to listen to the entire Heavier Things album. One of my favorites.

Mayer is not my favorite person, or even my favorite artist. His voice is unique and good enough. As a person he’s a garbage snack. But I cannot get enough of his lyrics. With the exception of his most recent album (because I haven’t really studied that one yet) here are some of my favorite John Mayer lyrics.

You don't fool me, John Mayer. I know you're no good under that Johnny Depp haircut and hippie blanket.

I can’t wait to figure out what’s wrong with me, so I can say this is the way that I used to be. -- Split Screen Sadness

So I check the weather wherever you are cause I wanna know if you can see the stars tonight, it might be my only right. --Split Screen Sadness

You know I used to be the back porch poet with my book of rhymes always open knowing all the time I’m probably never gonna find the perfect rhyme, for heavier things. -- New Deep

Was anything enough to kiss the ground? -- Clarity

You should have seen that sunrise with your own eyes. It brought me back to life. -- 3x5

When autumn comes, it doesn’t ask. It just walks in, where it left you last. And you never know, when it starts, until there’s fog inside the glass around your summer heart. -- Something’s Missing

I survive on the breath you are finished with. -- Come Back To Bed

How dare you say it’s nothing to me? Baby you’re the only light I ever saw. -- Slow Dancing In A Burning Room

Now do I have to fall asleep with roses in my hands? -- Dreaming With A Broken Heart

And when you trust your television, what you get is what you got. Cause when they own the information, oh, they can bend it all they want. -- Waiting On The World To Change

Half of my heart is a shotgun wedding to a bride with a paper ring. And half of my herat is the part of a man who’s never truly loved anything. -- Half Of My Heart

Even if your hands are shaking, and your faith is broken. Even as the eyes are closing, do it with a heart wide open. -- Say

Works for me.

How do you feel about John Mayer? What are your favorite lyrics of his?

"Christmas" Movies I Love

By now you probably know enough about me and my preferences in pop-culture to know that I am not a huge fan of formulaic movies/TV. Christmas movies are a perfect example of this. Missing or disappearing or estranged family members coming home just in time to cut the turkey. Trauma and crisis working themselves magically with the help of a Santa or Elf or Ghost. Materialistic people suddenly realizing the true meaning of the holidays. And the tears...so many tears. The music swells, the family hugs, and even though I am fully aware I have been manipulated, I still cry. And my mom cries. And there we are, at “the most wonderful time of the year” crying together on the couch at the TV. It might be tradition, but we should not submit ourselves to these Lifetime wannabes time and time again! 

My favorite Christmas movies are actually movies that happen or mention Christmas, but don’t necessarily revolve around the holiday itself. I can’t say these are in any way traditional, and I doubt Lifetime would show them, but here they are!

Creepy.

Gremlins

Still one of the most unexpectedly creepy movies around. Gremlins fools you with the cute Gizmo, only to turn his offspring into these horrendous messy obnoxious creatures that kill people. The movie takes place at Christmastime which is really a brilliant balance if you think about it. Scenes that would otherwise be seriously scary draw some laughter...think Addams Family. It’s Black Comedy, music and setting work against the dark events of the movie and make them a little lighter. Of course, if I’m honest, this movie does seriously scare me. But you know, I like it that way. Best Scene: The very last scene for sure. It just stays with you.

Enough said.

Die Hard

This is one of, if not THE best action movie ever made. Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, and Alan Rickman really brought it in this film. Willis (a cop) is going to make nice with his estranged wife on Christmas Eve, but before he can get to her, the high rise she works in is taken over by...Alan Rickman (Hans Gruber) and his crew of bad guys. I think what I love about this movie is that it gets right to the point. The set up happens quickly and the movie is fast paced from the very beginning. Willis basically has to take down an entire gang of terrorists on his own, and manages to do it creatively and effectively. The movie has great one liners, great acting, and a nice ending. Best Scene: End scene when you think the movie is over, but it’s not, and the unexpected crazy man comes out shooting, only to be taken down by Carl Winslow. ;) Hehe.

Caesar Romero was tall.

While You Were Sleeping

This is my mother’s very favorite movie. The set up happens on Christmas Day, when Sandra Bullock saves Peter Gallagher from an oncoming train. The best scenes in this movie revolve around Peter’s family and their fantastic conversations with each other. The idea of family is really emphasized and is something Bullock doesn’t have, but quickly becomes a part of. The themes might be Christmassy but the movie doesn’t require the holiday to make sense. What hooked me is that Bullock loves the idea of traveling and got her passport just in case she suddenly needed to leave the country. I think I got my first passport simply because of this movie, and having decided to leave the country rather quickly a few times, I can honestly tell you it is a great idea to do so. Best scene: Dinner conversation with the family for sure. But secondly, there’s this little gem: Early one morning, a paper boy is riding his bike and tosses a paper, but when he does, he swerves his handles and busts it. Totally underrated moment, totally hilarious.

I bet you want this on a T-Shirt don't you?

Almost Famous

The most perfect movie ever made, begins with Alvin and the Chipmunks singing their Christmas serenade. Other than that, the movie really has nothing to do with Christmas...seriously. Like less than the previous three I’ve mentioned even. But who cares. It’s the most perfect movie ever made. Best scene: Everyone singing Tiny Dancer on the bus.

Don't let your arms get tired!

Hook

Again, the movie begins at Christmastime, which is why Peter and his family are visiting Wendy. While everyone else is occupied with being together and celebrating the holiday, Peter is preoccupied with work. The fact it’s Christmas makes his preoccupation even more obvious. I love this movie. It’s wonderful on so many levels I can even forgive the choice of Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell (not everyone can rock a pixie cut.) Best scene: The food fight is definitely at the top of the list.

There are a lot of other ones out there...can you think of any? What’s your favorite Non-Christmas Christmas Movie?