Saturday, January 14, 2012

Golden Globe predictions!

It's here!!! One of my favorite nights on television. A night for me to pretend that I've joined the likes of Robert Osbourne, James Lipton, Roger Ebert, and the rest of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. For this one night, I get to be a nerdy film critic, and pretend that I know anything and everything there is to know about a "award worthy performance."

I just love the movies. I have a huge appreciation for the art of it and seeing characters come alive on screen. I have had huge disappointments (ahem, Kirsten Stewart as Bella, horrible.) and I have been delighted (Every person in every Harry Potter film) just the same. I love an original story or the same old lighthearted stories that seem to repeat movies every 2 years or so. I like to get lost for 2 hours in another person's story. Old and new, funny and sad, good and evil, I love them all.

The Golden Globes typically give you an idea of who will be gracing the Oscar stage next month, and they also lead in the SAG awards which is always fun. I've gone through the list of Golden Globe nominations and have made my predictions based reviews, having seen some of the performances, or whose dress I think I will the best. Jordan and I saw My Week With Marilyn and Williams deserves the nomination for sure. I was also happy to see The Help nominated for best picture, and three actress awards. I'm excited Rooney Mara is nominated for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I haven't seen the movie yet, but after reading the book, I'm not suprised that her performance would be nominated. And can Leonardo DiCaprio please win an Oscar soon? He has improved so much since whimpy Jack Dawson that froze to death in Titanic. I've heard so much about Midnight in Paris and The Artist so they are on my list to see soon. Along with Iron Lady and The Descendents.

So here are my predictions for tomorrow night. And what will they be wearing?!!?

Best Motion Picture:Drama: The Descendents
Best Actress-Drama: Viola Davis
Best Actor-Drama: Leo. DiCaprio---please!
Best Picture-Comedy: The Artist
Best Actress-Comedy: Michelle Williams
Best Actor-Comedy: Jean Dujardin
Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer
Best Supporting Actor: Jonah Hill
Best Director: Woody Allen

I'm just giddy with excitement. www.goldenglobes.org

Sunday, December 11, 2011

I'm a little concerned....

Me: Do you know what the principal was talking about when she mentioned today was Pearl Harbor Day?
Class: (Silence)
Me: Nobody has heard of this day before?
Student: Wasn't this in one of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies?

I was horrified. Only two students were able to give me a reasonable answer.

I love my students, but I am a little concerned about how little they know of American History and the sacrifices our servicemen and women had to make to keep us safe. I suppose I should have seen this coming, giving that they were all 1 year old when the twin towers went down. Some of my students weren't even told about 9/11 until last year.

Last month we celebrated Veterans Day and I was angered when one of my students kept talking during a moment of silence to honor our vets. It's not their fault that they are young and will never know how it felt to watch several Americans killed on television. Or to see several families say good-bye to loved ones as they go overseas to protect our country. It makes me sad that this is a part of history that they are so removed from. And it makes me sad when I come across people that forget how exceptional this country is, because of it's Veterans.

On the other hand, perhaps they are better off not seeing the events of 9/11 as they happened. Maybe my students will go on with their lives, never having to see America attacked in such a way. But I pray that they can remember the journey that this country took to get where it is today. I pray that the Mothers and Fathers of these students will instill in their children the values of pride and reverence that are due to all who have fallen to keep America safe from another attack. I hope Shadow grows up knowing that Freedom is not free but that it was bought with the lives of several brave men and women.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Baby Yoda

Hey everyone! It's me Shadow. This is me on Halloween. Mommy put this fuzzy green hat on my head and made me wear a robe. I'm not sure why, but she said I looked very cute. She told me that I was a Jedi and let me run around outside. I love to run outside! I also like to try to run away from Mommy and Daddy because I think it's funny to watch them chase me.

Then she handed me my bubble wand. I love bubbles! But Mommy told me to pretend that it is my light saber. I didn't know what that was, so I just held it like a good boy. Really, I just wanted the bubbles!!!


We got to visit people's houses and they let me have some candy. For free! Daddy says I shouldn't eat too much of it though. He says I hav
e to eat veggies and fruit. I don't like that he says that, and Mommy says it too. But why would I want to eat veggies when I can get free Reese's!!!!!

Now...if only Mommy and Daddy would stop talking about Wookies and Ewoks......do they know Mickey Mouse?

Friday, October 28, 2011

Happy Fall!

Was May really my last entry? Did I really boast about all the time I would have to write in this blog? And have you seen any writing since May? Ok, I have failed miserably with keeping up with this but I'm going to try to do better. I will tell myself I must write something, anything, at least once a week. So here is a pledge (as I keep my fingers crossed behind my back) to keep you in the dark no longer about what has been happening with the Smiths lately.

The first bit of news should probably be my new position as a teacher. I was hired in July to teach 6th grade math (and yes, you may start praying for me now). I teach some wonderful kids and everyday continues to test my patience. I am enjoying the new role in my life as I tell myself it must be preparing me for something else. I also have some students that I'll say are still wonderful, but choose to show me they are everything but wonderful, everyday. Right now they seem to be in a stage where they are still 5th graders in a size 6th grade body. My hope is by Valentines Day they might start acting like the 6th graders they should be, and I might come home a little less tired and stressed. Please don't take this as complaining because I am so grateful to have a job. I actually really like the job on the days that I get to actually teach. When the day is mostly filled with fights and one story after another about how so and so said this about me and I told him a piece of my mind because it's my right so I got in his face but I don't need detention because he started it and I'm about to go off on you if you don't let me go to the bathroom, among other things, it gets a little depressing.

Jordan is still enjoying his job and is very good at it. He continues to impress me with his optimism and good character which makes him an even better dad and husband. I have been known to get a little homesick for him and Shadow when I'm at work. Weekends together as a family are so nice to look forward to in the week and just aren't long enough!

Shadow has adjusted to day care -finally. He cried every time one of us would drop him off for the first couple of months. Now he will walk into the door and start playing with the other children immediately and not even look back at me as I leave. I know he has made some friends and enjoys going. Sometimes I wonder if he enjoys daycare more than being home with mom and dad. The ladies that work at the daycare have called him "Baby Casanova" because he also likes the little ladies. He's just too cute for words now and so independent. He says Ball, Momma, Dadda, Nanna, Da (dog), Mick (mickey mouse) and can say "please" and "more" in sign language. Guess which one of those gets used the most. And I think I heard him say "yogurt" this morning but that we before coffee so who knows.

This is all I will leave you with for now. I hope there is much more to follow as we move into the holiday season once again. Happy Fall!!!!

The Smith's, Downtown Lexington.