Movie Fun

Today I have writer’s block and it is severe! When I try to think of something to blog about, the only thing I can come up with is an image of tumbleweeds in my brain. I am still going to give my loyal readers something to read though, a list of sorts. Below is a list of movies that I will most likely reference at one point or another on this blog. Not all are my favorites or classic cinema, but all I quote or reference often. The list is not complete since I am a film nerd, but these are just some to get you started. So grab that popcorn and give these films a viewing.

Top Gun

Uncle Buck

Steel Magnolias

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

The Breakfast Club

Centerstage

Weird Science

Let It Ride

Conan

Commando

Blazing Saddles

History of the World Part I

Gladiator

The Princess Bride

Monster Squad

And pretty much anything Kiefer is in. Happy Viewing!

The wrong text

“Everything has chains ... absolutely nothing’s changed,” Corduroy, Pearl Jam

I am in the process of another moment in my life that I have to decide how to act like Laura Bush. How to handle a situation as best I can while using her as inspiration. Not sure how it is going, but I am trying.

I few nights ago I made a mistake. A terrible mistake. I texted the wrong person! An all too common mistake nowadays. It is totally my fault since I have a problem not saving contacts and then by using the history my phone keeps stored, hitting the wrong number thinking it is the intended recipient. Thankfully it wasn’t a text that was incredibly deep or anything, but it was still contact. Once I realized my dumb mistake after a few texts, I quickly wrapped up the conversation.

This may not sound too bad, but it was what happened to me after that is the issue. It brought back all the negativity associated with this person. All the bad feelings they caused, all the doubt in myself, all the bullshit was back. Thankfully there has been no contact since, but now I need to deal with the aftermath. I won’t contact them, but that doesn’t matter. The hurt came back.

Now how would Laura handle this? Well I do not know. I think she would be like me and ignore it, or try. But sometimes you can’t. The sick feeling of me making contact and that it appears that I care is what bothers me. Of course I don’t wish harm on anyone, but I also don’t want to know. I want to be forgotten.

So I am just going to go back to pushing all the negativity down, forgetting and moving on. It may not be the correct choice, but it is the right one for me. I will remain classy like her, but I will also pay better attention when I text. What would Laura Bush do?

Being brave

“With what you want to say, and let the words fall out. Honestly I wanna see you be brave,” Brave, Sara Bareilles

Yesterday I had two people call me brave. It was unexpected and got me thinking about what does being brave exactly mean. Why was this particular word used to describe me twice in one day? I didn’t understand how I was brave.

Sometimes bravery is easy to spot. The military, clearly made up of brave individuals. Our firemen and police force, brave indeed. But I am none of those things. I am pretty much scared of everything. So how am I brave?

As I was lying in bed trying to figure this out, I got thinking about those people in my life who I consider brave. There are so many of them. Single moms are brave. Fighting illness is brave. Going through a divorce is brave. Starting a new relationship is brave. Taking a final is brave. And these are just examples of people I know. This doesn’t even scratch the surface of all the brave people out there in this world.

But I am neither of these examples I mentioned. But what I think I share with these courageous people is strength. Yes, strength can lead to bravery. Not just physical strength, but any kind of strength. I am not especially strong in the “gym” sense, but my life has taught me inner strength. I haven’t had the best go of it in my life. I could easily use that as an excuse to just throw in the towel, but how is that brave? I already bottle up so much, how would giving up help? It wouldn’t. While I can’t seem to catch a break sometimes and think “something has got to give,” I don’t let it destroy me. This struggle is real and sometimes wins. But then I just have to get myself back up and try again. That might be the marathoner in me or craziness, thin line sometimes.

I am not saying that I never have those defeated days, I am saying that I strive to get out of those moments. And how do I do that? It is simple, I smile. I smile through the pain. I smile at the world. That’s fine life, keep fucking me, but you won’t break this smile. Lord knows I paid enough for it. Behind closed doors I may be sad, but when I walk out in the world, you won’t know. I smile. I celebrate your success. I celebrate the day. I celebrate just waking up that morning. There are better people worse off, who am I to take anything away from those people? I am a nobody. I struggle but I smile. Simple and dumb maybe, but it is me. There is no excuse in this world to be unkind.

Oh people will push you and belittle you, but let them be miserable, you be kind. Clearly Laura Bush is kind. Be honest, but be kind. You will be amazed at how it makes you feel. And damn it, smile!

No one demonstrates how a smile can work more than Laura Bush. No one is perfect, but when you see her you would never know if she wasn’t happy. Her husband’s presidency was tumultuous, especially at the end, but she was always smiling, always kind. If she can do it when her husband is getting it worse than I could ever imagine, then damn right I can smile through the pain. Even after George W. left office, he was still the scapegoat and completely destroyed in the media, but the Bush family still smiled. They didn’t lower themselves to act and treat others how they were being treated, they smiled and showed the world they were Ok.

So as I go out in the world today, I will smile. I will remember that a smile can do wonders. And I will ask, what would Laura Bush do?

He’s back

There are just some times in my life that I can no longer act like Laura Bush. Times when drastic measures are called for. And when these times present themselves, the question becomes — What Would Kiefer do? That’s right, when I have either been pushed to my niceness limit, or just need to let go, I look to Kiefer. That dude knows how to party!

And what just so happens tonight? That’s right, 24 is back! Kiefer steps back into the role and kicks ass. London gets Jacked! I am crazy obsessed with this show and its star. I really don’t hide that fact. Many people in my life, they just don’t understand how a television show can mean so much to me, but oh well. This show is thrill ride and for an hour out of my week, I just have to think about what is happening in Jack Bauer’s world. No matter what is going on, I know that I have this to look forward to.

Of course for the past four years I had to find a replacement after 24 ended, Justified was excellent at this, but knowing tonight it is back on television makes me incredibly happy. Also, all the texts, Facebook posts, and tweets to me about the show make me smile. Told you my obsession is well known.

I have no idea if Laura Bush enjoys this show, or has ever seen an episode, but I am sure there is something out there she loves just as much. It is great to have something, no matter how small, to love and excite you. What would Laura Bush do?

Perfect Timing

“I don’t need to fight to prove I’m right,” Baba O’Riley, The Who

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, today I will tell you about an example of how I was faced with a what would Laura Bush do scenario.

I was out and about running errands and ran in to someone I did not want to see. I mean someone that just the idea of seeing makes me roll my eyes. I was in the lotion aisle of the local drug store and I happen to look up and see this person. Now my gut was telling me to just duck down and hide, a move I have been known to do in just this situation. I was in sweats and not really in the mood to see anyone I know, let alone this person. I stood there motionless trying to figure out what to do, our eyes meet. Damn, I have been spotted. What would Laura Bush do was running through my head. Well she wouldn’t be rude that I am sure of. I have been spotted, nowhere to hide now. This person walks toward me. Great, here we go.

I took a deep breath and headed toward them. I am pretty sure the awkwardness was felt even by strangers. We exchanged pleasantries even though I am pretty certain we neither one cared. But how long can this last? How long do I have to talk? I suck at lying; damn I need an excuse to leave. The conversation continues. Oh my goodness, this won’t end! On and on we go, seriously say goodbye.

Just then like a sign from above, my phone rings. I don’t care who this is, I am taking this call. A smart ass comment is made about my ringtone, hence the music quote today, as I search for my phone (yep, talking to you was a mistake). I quickly say, “Nice seeing you, but I must take this call” and am gone.

Now I don’t recognize the number, not unusual as I lost a lot of contacts not too long ago, but I pick up and say “hello.” What I hear next was awesome, “hey, that conversation looked awkward, figured you could use an escape.” Shocked, I turn around and there standing is a good friend of mine smiling. I just laughed. Wow, some people really are at the right place at the right time.

Now I could have easily just run away from this person, but no, Laura Bush would be classy. She would speak. As much as it pained me to be polite to this person, I feel like Laura would be proud of me. I was the bigger person. Taking a phone call during a conversation may not have been polite, but I think even Laura Bush has her limits and welcomes an escape sometimes. Especially a well-timed, perfect escape. What would Laura Bush do?

The B Trifecta

“Got a beat-up glove, a homemade bat, and brand-new pair of shoes; You know I think it’s time to give this game a ride,” Centerfield, John Fogerty.

I am a private person, but when I love something, you will know about it. I pick and choose what information I share about myself, but anyone who knows me knows there are three Bs that I love — Baseball, Beards and Barbie! Or as my great friend called it, the B Trifecta! And here is why…

Baseball: First, what’s not to love about baseball? Baseball pants alone make watching a game worthwhile. Yes ladies, take a moment and think about baseball pants. Ok, feel better? Baseball is a sport that gives me hope. No matter what is happening in the world, baseball brings hope. It can unite a group, even a country, like most sports can’t. Cheering on your team on any level is an escape. If something happens to your team, you feel it is happening to you. You discuss baseball as if you are a member of the team. I am so guilty of this and I suck at baseball. Rivalries are strong and historic. There is a beauty in watching teams dislike each other for no other reason than that is how it has always been. And damn if baseball isn’t romantic. Getting lost in the innings, in the pitches, in the plays — so romantic. Unlike football, there is no running the clock down, it is just a team out there trying for three outs whatever way they can get them. No running clock, you must throw that ball across the plate. Baseball might be boring to some, but that is OK. Plenty of things I find boring that the world loves. It happens.

Beards: I find beards incredibly hot, that is all there is to it. Of course beards can get out of hand, but beards show commitment to me. If a dude can power through the beginning of a beard and the itching, then he can power through a lot of things life throws at him. That may sound dumb, but think about it. Itching can drive the strongest person crazy. Am I right ladies? It also always amazes me how a beard can change someone’s look completely that when they shave it the attraction just goes away. Sad sometimes. Proceed with caution though, beards are not for everyone.

Barbie: Oh my goodness, I LOVE her. Since I was a young girl I have loved her. I collect Barbies and don’t care at all about what people say. My Barbie Christmas tree is amazing. Barbie teaches girls to dream and be what they want to be. Yes she is pretty, but that is only one thing about her, not the only thing. She shows little girls that they can be whatever they want to be. She was created to do just that and she continues to do that for me. She catches a lot of shit, but it is just a toy. Who cares if she couldn’t actually exist in real life, a lot of toys can’t and no one shames them. Again, I love her!

Now as I was writing this I was wondering what in the world does this have to do with Laura Bush. Well the more I thought about it, I realized it was quite easy. The Bush Family loves baseball, they have always been clear about that. They see the romance in it that I see. Laura is from Texas, pretty sure she is Ok with beards. She may not love them as much as I do, but I think she appreciates them. Maybe W should grow one? Hmmm. And as for Barbie, Laura makes me believe like Barbie does. I don’t know Laura, but I look to her for inspiration. I think about how she tries to handle herself in situations and I strive to do the same. I love her. What would Laura Bush do?

Thursday nights

I love Thursday nights. Thursday nights for the past couple of years are Best Friends Night. Everyone in both my life and my best friend’s life know that Thursday nights we are together. Her kids even know that I am coming over and having pizza and tell anyone who will listen. Seriously, their teachers know what happens on Thursday.  Life sometimes throws curveballs that mean no Thursday night date, but even then, I love Thursdays.

How our Thursday nights started is pretty simple, football. The NFL network is not offered as part of my cable service (ugh), and I need to watch football. Now while my Browns rarely ever have a night game, I still need football. My BFF suggested coming over and watching with her husband — and so it began. After the football season was over, we still stuck with our Thursday nights. And then I discovered Project Runway.

I had never watched the show before and somehow stumbled on a re-airing of one season’s premiere, and I was hooked! I texted my BFF about my television show discovery and not only did she watch it, but it was on Thursday nights. It was perfect! We have been Project Runway obsessed ever since. It is to the point that when the designer I loved won the season, we cheered like we actually knew him. We also cheer when the people we don’t care for are eliminated like this has any effect on our life whatsoever. It is an escape.

At this point in my life, I would be lost without my best friend. I would be lost without the daily texts. I would be lost without her support. I would be lost without her kindness. I would be lost without her family. I would be lost without her friendship. She makes me want to see myself the way she sees me, and her kids see me. No matter how bad it gets for me, I know she will never let me drown. Her husband is very aware of the fact that when he married her, he got me as well. He lets us be best friends.

I am honored to have two best friends, three including my sister, but only one lives near me. Our friendship still confuses others since in high school we were nothing alike. We hung in different circles and she is younger than me. Outside of National Honor Society, we were not a part of the same clubs or classes. She was way smarter than me. Funny how people still compare you to who you were in high school. The joys of small towns.

Anyway, we became friends in college, later roommates, and we are still together. Some people you just click with, and she was mine. In college we were totally different, but it worked. As much as I disliked her forcing me to watch hours and hours of Buffy, I endured since it made her happy. Plus, she was forced to listen to the music I like that she may have thought sucked. She was wise enough to not tell me such — told you she was smart.

After school we took completely different paths. She married the love of her life and now has great children. Well we all know from this blog experiment that was not me. And you know what? It didn’t change anything. Of course she has other responsibilities and isn’t always available, but she never makes me feel like that. She knows when I need her and she is there, usually with sweet tarts. Never has being a wife and mother been an excuse for us to grow apart. In fact, she gets angry for me when others use that as an excuse to me. Our lives are so different but we have Thursday nights. Every week we both have something to look forward to. During those hard weeks, we can just count down the days until Thursdays.

Laura Bush seems to still have the same group of friends she had when she was younger. She has gained new ones, but those first friends are still in her life. I look to Laura Bush when it comes to my “core” friends. I hope they are always there. Her husband became President of the United States and she still maintained her friendships. They may have not seen each other as much as they liked, but the friendship was still there, still strong. What would Laura Bush do?