One ForThe Money; Book vs. Film

Last night I had the opportunity to see the film version of "One For The Money". Now I had a lot of hope for the adaptation, wanting it to be as good as the books I love.

Sadly it didn't really get near the books. I don't understand why screenwriters ruin an already wonderful script in the way of the ORIGINAL SOURCE MATERIAL. When in doubt use the book.

That being said, I enjoyed Katherine Heigl playing Stephanie Plum,Jason O'Mara playing Joe Morelli, and Sherrie Shepherd playing Lula. I was disappointed in Debbie Reynolds as Grandma Mazur. Daniel Sunjata as Ranger grew on me. But the script made it really hard to take anything seriously.

That being said I will probably go and see the movie again. I'm not sure I can help it. I love the books, and I am hoping they do a sequel. I just want a bigger budget and a different screenwriter who has actually read the books.



*I'm such a nerd that I've read the books once a year. (And yes there are 18 books to date.)

Life a la Julia Child

I just finished "My Life In France" by Julia Child, and I have to say that I fell in love with her and her enchanted life. And as I read it I realized that I knew people just as enchanting and full of life. And it made me think of my year in England.

Jesse and Kathleen have the same type of love and relationship that is described by Mrs. Child. Jesse supports Kathleen in all she does, and vice versa. Interestingly enough, Kathleen and Jesse have the same wedding date as the Child's, only 60 years later! And the similarities don't stop there. The more I read the more I appreciated the Thorsons in my life, and all that they are.




Then I realized that the relationship between Julia Child and Simone Beck is also very similar to the friendship of Kathleen and Annie. They are both fantastic cooks, and love to create things together. They have a wonderful relationship and build each other up.

I was the taste tester for their creations and it was a job I took very seriously! I loved it! But beyond food they truly are soul sisters, and I can't wait to see what they get into in the next 40 years. (I wonder if it will be their B&B.)




This book was just what I needed at this point in my life. I have been a little down and feeling a lonely, but this book reminded me of a dream year of my life, and the people that mean the world to me.



Julia Child was a go getter and a dreamer. She knew what she wanted and she worked for it; and inspired many along the way! Now I have to get over my fear of cooking and attempt some of her recipes.

* "Learn how to cook - try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun!" (Applying this to all aspects of my life.)

* "The pleasures of the table, and of life, are infinite - toujours bon appetit!"

The Count of 2011

My love of books and most media was renewed this year. I read 54 books, saw 16 plays and 68 movies, and ran 70 miles. (I was hoping for way more miles, but I just got too lazy.)

Some of the books that really got me thinking, or that were just plain awesome were:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows, Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult, The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins, How I Paid For College: A Novel Of Sex, Theft, Friendship & Musical Theater and Attack Of The Theater People by Marc Acito.

The movies I loved the most fell into a few categories: 1. BBC stuff: Cranford, Jane Eyre (2004), Under The Greenwood Tree, and North & South. 2. Documentaries: Stephen Fry In America, Waiting On Superman, Pixar, and American The Story Of Us. 3. New Releases: Sherlock Holmes 2, True Grit, The Muppet Movie, Captain America, and Fast Five. 3. TV Series: Outnumbered, Breakout Kings, and Spooks.

Okay, so after reviewing this... I realise I love movies, TV, books, and plays too much! Gulp!

Book #1 Of 2012

A few years ago I bought my dad the book "Sh*t My Dad Says" for fathers day. That spring he took it with him to Chicago when he went to see family. Once there it got read by him and my grandpa. And as he was leaving my Uncle wanted to read it. The book has remained in Chicago ever since.

Now I spent the new years in Chicago and found the book. I read it in about a day, and I have to say IT IS AWESOME! (I would prefer to say amazing, but apparently the American public has said that word too much, and some feel it should be stricken from the dictionary.)

Here are some of my favorite quotes: (Warning...most of these quotes will have swearing in them!)

ON ACCIDENTS: "I don't give a shit how it happened, the window is broken... Wait, why is there syrup everywhere? Okay, you know what? Now I give a shit how it happened. Let's hear it!"

ON SPORTSMANSHIP: "You pitched a great game, you really did. I'm proud of you. Unfortunately, your team is shitty... No, you can't go getting mad at people because they're shitty. Life will get mad at them, don't worry."

ON HIS FIRST SCHOOL DANCE: " Are you wearing perfume?... Son there ain't any cologne in this house, only your mother's perfume. I know that scent, and let me tell you, it's disturbing to smell your wife on your thirteen-year-old son."

ON RECEIVING STRAIGHT A'S ON HIS REPORT CARD: "Hot Damn! You're a smart kid - I don't care what people say about you!... I'm kidding, nobody says you're not smart. They say other stuff, but not that."

ON TRYING OUT FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN FOOTBALL TEAM: "I ain't letting you try out, you're too skinny... No, I hate to break it to you, but you can't do whatever you want, and you most certainly are not a man."

There are way more quotes to share, but those are just a few of my favorites... and the ones with the least amount of swear words. =)

PS I know this book came out years ago, but I still felt the need to share its awesomeness.

Rock Climbing

Yesterday I was lucky enough to spend the day with my cousin Patrick and his daughter Abby. Now we let Abby decide what we did, and she wanted to try rock climbing. I thought it sounded like a fun adventure, so I agreed to tag along.



Now Pat and Abby were naturals, and really seemed to get the hang of it really well. There were 21 different spots that we could climb, and they really climbed a good number of them. And again... they made it look easy.



Now we were rock climbing for over 3 hours, and I was in no shape to go the whole time. I expected my arms to be sore, but I never really thought much about my hands and forearms. But holy crap they just gave out after about 2 hours. That is when I decided to become the photographer of the group.



I kinda wish I was like this little girl below... she was so light that when she let go of the wall she started to float up... until her mom could pull her back to the ground. Now that is my kind of climbing.



All joking aside I really enjoyed myself, and am going to look for a climbing place in the Bay Area. It was a great work out, and a lot of fun to do with friends. I just wish I wasn't such a wuss...and wasn't so sore today. I can't grip anything... and can't lift either. Holy poop I'm tired!

Trip To Mormontown

My Aunt Colleen seems to be the Nauvoo tour guide for her visiting nieces. The best part is that Colleen isn't a Mormon. She very nicely drove me the 250 miles from Chicago to Nauvoo on New Years Eve day. She was even the one to notice the temple first. And I just need to continually thank her.



It is so wonderful to actually stand in the town that once was a booming Mormon settlement. I was in awe as we drove into the town, and even before we saw any of the "sights."



Walking around the Smith family cemetery was a bittersweet experience. I love that family so dearly, and feel so much for them. They have sacrificed and given so much for the faith that I so easily can live. It is because of their faith and endurance that I can enjoy the fruits of their efforts.



And the next morning we traveled the short distance to Carthage jail. I wasn't too sure how I would react on seeing the location of the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum's deaths. Despite the violence that took place there, the jail held a peace and comfort that I wasn't expecting.



Looking back on our short trip through a bit of church history, I can't think of a better way to end and start a year, than to renew and re-inspire my faith and testimony. I cannot think of a better way to start New Years goals, and rekindle relationships with family members. I am grateful for an understanding family, and a loving aunt who knew how important this trip would be to me, and who had the perfect balance of humor and faith to be the perfect partner in crime. Love you Aunt Colleen!

(Now I'll need to come back when the temple is open!)