Good Will Hunting is an excellent film. Everyone says so- all of the film reviews and best movie countdowns put this movie on their best 100 films list. For a blog about higher ed, can you get a better movie? It takes place at MIT, an institute of higher learning, with a professor and his old college roommate. Skylar, Minnie Driver's character, attends Harvard and we even see her doing homework at her residence hall room. It also includes the student affairs parts of the field with Robin Williams in an Oscar winning role as a counselor who works with Matt Damon's character Will.
The best part of this movie for me is that two childhood friends got together and wrote the movie. And it takes place in their childhood town, South Boston. Then they star in it and win a bunch of awards. That is really pretty cool.
For those of you who have not seen the film, it is about Will Hunting who is working as janitor at MIT and solves a ridiculously difficult math problem left on a chalk board because he happens to be a mathematical genius. He has struggled with his own demons from a childhood and past that has affected his everyday life. He finds himself in legal trouble because he is one scrappy lad. Well the MIT professor impressed with Will's skills and bails him out on the condition he solves math problems all day and gets some therapy. You can imagine the type of guy Will is- he don't need no stinking therapy. He don't need no body or no thing. He does not want to leave the comfort of his friends in Southie or use any of that inherent math skill for a career. He is afraid of letting anyone in. Well he finds a strong source of support in his mandatory counselor Sean played by the wonderful actor Robin Williams. Ben Affleck and Casey Affleck round out the main cast and along with Robin they are all so at home in the world of Boston.
In the movie we see Will find out things about himself and what he wants out of life. You see the rich relationships that change him and you also see the impact that people can have one another. Luckily and conveniently these things in this film involve a professor and a counselor who have been roommates while in college and they have great conversations about different types of students and what success is defined as-then you have a girl who attends college as well and she has her own struggles with her definition of success and attaining it. As college seems to serve as the playground for this wonderful film about love, support, and happiness it makes sense that RAs would want to use this film in their programming. I read something somewhere that said TV shows and movies that are exclusively about college life are not successful as the majority of the American public can not relate to a traditional four year college experience.
Movies like Good Will Hunting take place in the college environment but it is supplemental to the story, not essential. Plus any college student who sees Skylar's residence hall room at Harvard know right away that is is just a movie. No one's residence halls are that nice, not even Harvard. But I was pleased that Skylar took advantage of living on campus even though as a senior I do not think it is required. :)
To plan a program here I would talk about success and how everyone has their own definition. For Professor Lambeau it was to be a Field's Medal winner and a math genius (well until he meets Will-but you have to watch the movie!) and for Sean it was the love of his wife and that relationship that changed his life. Will's "coming of age" moments help him to define what he considers his success. Not everyone that is living in our halls and attending class together will have the same path and the same way that they define their successes and the stress of trying to learn that about oneself in those four short years is hard enough. Why not have a program where you we take a minute to stop feeling the stress of defining success and remind ourselves of the people, relationships, and the stuff that makes us happy right now. That is most likely going to remain part of our future success and it will do all of us some good to remember those things.
Monday, December 29, 2014
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
#respectfuldifference
Working in Higher Ed has taught me to be aware and conscious of students and the issues that affect their experience in the college setting. As a white woman I am also aware of my inherent privilege, I am aware that it is impossible for me to understand the development and everyday life that a person of color lives.
I just recently posted my review of Hairspray which highlights a problem with race in America and the inequity that exists between black and white. The original movie made in 1988 has 1962 as its setting. Then, as if race is not something that is part of daily life, the Ferguson decision pushes things into the national spotlight for a few minutes.
Then this evening I attended an event with my public library and started a conversation about race and privilege with six other white women who were there to share their most recent read. I shared that I am reading A Time To Kill by John Grisham which is set in 1984. I have read this novel before and I have seen the movie but we talked tonight about race and how conversations about Michael Brown and Treyvon Martin bring these same issues to the national stage that are found in Hairspray and A Time to Kill. This film and book were created over 30 years ago. Thirty.
For the book group tonight we were asked to bring a word cloud describing our books. Mine included words like ethics, inequity, criminal justice system prejudice, politics in the police and justice system, along with words like race and violence. This group of women of varying ages talked about our privilege and how we want to encourage others to have conversations just like this.
One could argue that our circle was a relatively safe space for us to be honest. For some of us this was the fourth month in a row we had spent the evening discussing books we all have read. From my experience working with students, they find themselves in a safe space when they are in a group that looks like them. No matter the attempts that we as Higher Ed professionals to create safe spaces for our students to discuss their concerns, address their problems, and learn the resources that we can offer to move things in the direction of their choosing. But as white administrators we may never be able to create that space for our students of color. There are times when I mistake my feelings here as frustration rather than inspiration to continue to try harder to be an asset to these students. I am not afraid to start a conversation about race and I am not afraid to be part of conversations that confirm my privilege that I know is there.
I will continue to communicate this to students I see everyday and I will continue to be part of the group of educators that advocate for these populations. Student growth and development is just awesome to see first hand and I have yet to find a year where I did not learn things as well. The collegiate environment is ripe to host these conversations and encourage our students to respect one another, disagree at times, support one another and their ability to express themselves, and learn from one another. I am lucky to be part of such a process that can help us to stop hearing the same words describe movies, novels, and news stories thirty years from now.
I will continue to try to create that safe space for my students. I will continue to start, participate, and facilitate conversations about race, racism, inequity, privilege, or anything else that students need or should be talking about. I am not afraid of these topics nor am I afraid of learning the things that I could not possibly understand first hand. I will also continue to be an advocate for students in the four years they are here to learn.
I just recently posted my review of Hairspray which highlights a problem with race in America and the inequity that exists between black and white. The original movie made in 1988 has 1962 as its setting. Then, as if race is not something that is part of daily life, the Ferguson decision pushes things into the national spotlight for a few minutes.
Then this evening I attended an event with my public library and started a conversation about race and privilege with six other white women who were there to share their most recent read. I shared that I am reading A Time To Kill by John Grisham which is set in 1984. I have read this novel before and I have seen the movie but we talked tonight about race and how conversations about Michael Brown and Treyvon Martin bring these same issues to the national stage that are found in Hairspray and A Time to Kill. This film and book were created over 30 years ago. Thirty.
For the book group tonight we were asked to bring a word cloud describing our books. Mine included words like ethics, inequity, criminal justice system prejudice, politics in the police and justice system, along with words like race and violence. This group of women of varying ages talked about our privilege and how we want to encourage others to have conversations just like this.
One could argue that our circle was a relatively safe space for us to be honest. For some of us this was the fourth month in a row we had spent the evening discussing books we all have read. From my experience working with students, they find themselves in a safe space when they are in a group that looks like them. No matter the attempts that we as Higher Ed professionals to create safe spaces for our students to discuss their concerns, address their problems, and learn the resources that we can offer to move things in the direction of their choosing. But as white administrators we may never be able to create that space for our students of color. There are times when I mistake my feelings here as frustration rather than inspiration to continue to try harder to be an asset to these students. I am not afraid to start a conversation about race and I am not afraid to be part of conversations that confirm my privilege that I know is there.
I will continue to communicate this to students I see everyday and I will continue to be part of the group of educators that advocate for these populations. Student growth and development is just awesome to see first hand and I have yet to find a year where I did not learn things as well. The collegiate environment is ripe to host these conversations and encourage our students to respect one another, disagree at times, support one another and their ability to express themselves, and learn from one another. I am lucky to be part of such a process that can help us to stop hearing the same words describe movies, novels, and news stories thirty years from now.
I will continue to try to create that safe space for my students. I will continue to start, participate, and facilitate conversations about race, racism, inequity, privilege, or anything else that students need or should be talking about. I am not afraid of these topics nor am I afraid of learning the things that I could not possibly understand first hand. I will also continue to be an advocate for students in the four years they are here to learn.
Sunday, November 16, 2014
"Word Crimes"
How many of you have listened to Weird Al's new songs? Or seen the videos? Well I LOVE his song Word Crimes. If you have not seen it you should click here and watch it. Then you should watch it again and look at the part about the word crimes committed in blogs.
I know that I write how I speak. It has been confirmed since I started this blog project. I also recognize that grammar is not one of my skills. Good thing for me I have lots of other skills, nunchuck skills and I am pretty good with a bow staff. So I am not too bothered about my inability to use proper grammar. This song brought all the faults of bloggers everywhere to the mainstream-well some of us bloggers. Those professionals don't have these problems...
I know that I write how I speak. It has been confirmed since I started this blog project. I also recognize that grammar is not one of my skills. Good thing for me I have lots of other skills, nunchuck skills and I am pretty good with a bow staff. So I am not too bothered about my inability to use proper grammar. This song brought all the faults of bloggers everywhere to the mainstream-well some of us bloggers. Those professionals don't have these problems...
Good Morning Baltimore!
Have you ever heard of John Waters? He is a great filmmaker from Baltimore with a pencil mustache. I have two favorite movies and one of them was made by John Waters and I am not going to reveal that one until we get there in the countdown.
My first favorite movie I only own on VHS- it is called Paris When it Sizzles staring Audrey Hepburn and William Holden. I will review that film for the blog if we get to the VHS reviews. Since I have been so good at maintaining and continuing to blog with just the DVDs eh?
Anyhoo, John Waters was the first guy to make the move Hairspray. I own both copies and the story is very similar, which is refreshing. You know how when people remake films these days and they change the story itself which is not really re-making a movie in my opinion. The 1988 version is better, of course, but I enjoyed both films.
The movie follows Tracy Turnblad and her love of the Corny Collins show, a popular dance TV show in Baltimore. Tracy is a progressive young lady in the 1960s when the movie takes place. Not only does she weigh more than the other girls on the Corny Collins show, she is also asks a lot of questions about Negro Day. Negro Day is one time a month where black teenagers can dance and be on the Corny Collins Show. There are other important characters like Link Larkin (Amber then Tracy's boyfriend), Amber Von Tussle (the too beautiful girl with the pushy parents who used to be the fav on Corny Collins), and Penny Pingleton (Tracy's bestie) that help in Tracy's adventures.
Tracy wins the popularity of viewers of the Corny Collins show, becomes a show regular and she does not understand why Negro Day cannot be everyday. She sings some songs, Penny falls in love with Seaweed, a black teenager show who is the son of the Negro Day co-host of the Corny Collins Show, Motormouth Maybelle, and Tracy inspires a race riot in Baltimore.
These two movies have lots of great messages, Tracy as the spokesperson for Mr. Pinky's Hefty Hideaway that specializes in plus sized clothes is a great vehicle to start discussions about body image and the role it plays in this film. Especially if you factor in the pressures with zits, big hair, Amber's pressures to be what her parents decide is "perfect," you can have quite the discussion with your residents after watching this film.
The easiest program to plan with this film is to talk about race and how it is portrayed in this story and you can compare that to how race is portrayed today. Conversations about race are important in everywhere, but especially in the residence halls in institutions of higher education. Respectful discourse about race and the differences among us is how we learn about each other. College is a place where we learn about ourselves and in that context we learn to make decisions about things for ourselves that will influence our outlook on life. This film can spark that conversation and by bringing in information about current events that involve race, for example Ferguson, MO, a program that features this film could be successful in helping students learn outside the classroom.
My first favorite movie I only own on VHS- it is called Paris When it Sizzles staring Audrey Hepburn and William Holden. I will review that film for the blog if we get to the VHS reviews. Since I have been so good at maintaining and continuing to blog with just the DVDs eh?
Anyhoo, John Waters was the first guy to make the move Hairspray. I own both copies and the story is very similar, which is refreshing. You know how when people remake films these days and they change the story itself which is not really re-making a movie in my opinion. The 1988 version is better, of course, but I enjoyed both films.
The movie follows Tracy Turnblad and her love of the Corny Collins show, a popular dance TV show in Baltimore. Tracy is a progressive young lady in the 1960s when the movie takes place. Not only does she weigh more than the other girls on the Corny Collins show, she is also asks a lot of questions about Negro Day. Negro Day is one time a month where black teenagers can dance and be on the Corny Collins Show. There are other important characters like Link Larkin (Amber then Tracy's boyfriend), Amber Von Tussle (the too beautiful girl with the pushy parents who used to be the fav on Corny Collins), and Penny Pingleton (Tracy's bestie) that help in Tracy's adventures.
Tracy wins the popularity of viewers of the Corny Collins show, becomes a show regular and she does not understand why Negro Day cannot be everyday. She sings some songs, Penny falls in love with Seaweed, a black teenager show who is the son of the Negro Day co-host of the Corny Collins Show, Motormouth Maybelle, and Tracy inspires a race riot in Baltimore.
These two movies have lots of great messages, Tracy as the spokesperson for Mr. Pinky's Hefty Hideaway that specializes in plus sized clothes is a great vehicle to start discussions about body image and the role it plays in this film. Especially if you factor in the pressures with zits, big hair, Amber's pressures to be what her parents decide is "perfect," you can have quite the discussion with your residents after watching this film.
The easiest program to plan with this film is to talk about race and how it is portrayed in this story and you can compare that to how race is portrayed today. Conversations about race are important in everywhere, but especially in the residence halls in institutions of higher education. Respectful discourse about race and the differences among us is how we learn about each other. College is a place where we learn about ourselves and in that context we learn to make decisions about things for ourselves that will influence our outlook on life. This film can spark that conversation and by bringing in information about current events that involve race, for example Ferguson, MO, a program that features this film could be successful in helping students learn outside the classroom.
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Change
My friend Tate found this in the mall. He took a picture too. I thought I would post it here to my blog. Do you ever stop to think if you are the same person you were a year ago? Two years ago? How about ten years ago? I doubt any of us are the same people we were ten years ago.
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This post also reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:
If we ain't changin' people we ain't livin'.
This post also reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:
Harry Potter Mania
Perfect cure for a headache? Harry Potter marathon! I own all eight films so of course they are all part of the blog project. I thought long and hard about how to blog about eight movies in one post. In a perfect world I would have eight separate posts. But I conducted a brief survey of people that might want to read my blog and they unanimously voted that I should NOT post eight different posts about this amazing series.
I thought instead I would tell a quick story. Once I was in college, at a small, private, liberal arts institution in MI that changed my life in so many ways. One is that it introduced me to the lovely ladies of first east Wesley Hall. I met my first real career role model in Jessica Zamborsky. She had a little apartment and was probably the best RA I have ever come across. I also meet a great gal named Angela. Angela would turn out to be my roommate in the Mae when we were seniors. It was there, in that glorious building number four with the crabby party animals living downstairs that I discovered Harry Potter. It was the 2003-2004 academic year and Angela suggested I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone when I had some down time from class. There was this rust colored arm chair that was in our room to collect clean clothes and winter coats. I cleaned that bad boy off and read that classic in record time. I was amazed that I had not read it before! How had I avoided the wonderful tale of the boy wizard that long!
Well I was books behind. I needed to catch up and quick. Thank goodness I was a senior and Friends was in its final season so that I could find time to some reading! I had four minutes of spare time as I was failing economics each week and I spent them reading Harry Potter! Then I graduated from college and moved to Wisconsin to become a hall director. Well you know what happened next...I read every Harry Potter book as they came out. From cover to cover and usually within days of purchasing it. Well you can imagine my joy as all of the books were made into films and I got to enjoy them in my next favorite form of media-film.
I recently learned that my friend Pam has not finished reading all of the books. So if I were to recap these films I might ruin parts of those books for her! And since there are only a few people who read my blog I need to be loyal to those few. But I can share that one of my RAs found a sweet program online to work out to the Harry Potter movie. I think it was on Pinterest. But wherever she found it, it was a sweet program. A little bit Jane Fonda brought into the current generations mental time frame with Harry Potter.
I thought instead I would tell a quick story. Once I was in college, at a small, private, liberal arts institution in MI that changed my life in so many ways. One is that it introduced me to the lovely ladies of first east Wesley Hall. I met my first real career role model in Jessica Zamborsky. She had a little apartment and was probably the best RA I have ever come across. I also meet a great gal named Angela. Angela would turn out to be my roommate in the Mae when we were seniors. It was there, in that glorious building number four with the crabby party animals living downstairs that I discovered Harry Potter. It was the 2003-2004 academic year and Angela suggested I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone when I had some down time from class. There was this rust colored arm chair that was in our room to collect clean clothes and winter coats. I cleaned that bad boy off and read that classic in record time. I was amazed that I had not read it before! How had I avoided the wonderful tale of the boy wizard that long!
Well I was books behind. I needed to catch up and quick. Thank goodness I was a senior and Friends was in its final season so that I could find time to some reading! I had four minutes of spare time as I was failing economics each week and I spent them reading Harry Potter! Then I graduated from college and moved to Wisconsin to become a hall director. Well you know what happened next...I read every Harry Potter book as they came out. From cover to cover and usually within days of purchasing it. Well you can imagine my joy as all of the books were made into films and I got to enjoy them in my next favorite form of media-film.
I recently learned that my friend Pam has not finished reading all of the books. So if I were to recap these films I might ruin parts of those books for her! And since there are only a few people who read my blog I need to be loyal to those few. But I can share that one of my RAs found a sweet program online to work out to the Harry Potter movie. I think it was on Pinterest. But wherever she found it, it was a sweet program. A little bit Jane Fonda brought into the current generations mental time frame with Harry Potter.
Monday, July 7, 2014
Training the Trainer
I am one of those people that learns something new all the time. Today I learned something about nature and I also learned something about myself in a way. First-I love watching nature shows/videos and today I learned about these stinging bullet ants that simulate the feeling of being shot with each bite. Also I learned how ants eat a worm and get all the food inside for the other ants, imagine a food regurgitation train. It might look a little like this in humans or this classic video. Be careful watching these videos- I just laughed so loud my neighbor knocked on the wall.
I must learn because I also read a lot. I did not know how cool Twitter was until I started using it for work rather than just personal stuff. I find so many great blogs, articles, and news about higher ed that I have to ration it during the daytime work hours. Even though I think that counts as professional development time and the College should be so lucky that all of my development has been free on the Twitter.
Anyway today I was interviewed by a former student about my role in training the RHDs and RAs on staff. It is so easy to be consumed by our own areas of expertise that it is nice to talk about training in a broad sense and then relate it back to higher ed. I get inspired by conversations like that- you know the kind where you are forced to think critically and assess your methods then justify them to another person while they look at them through a different lens? Well Amelia did that all while having a higher ed perspective and the unique opportunity of having been trained by me when I was what we will call a "novice".
This past week at work there have been lots of discussion about people in an organization and how they make the difference. Leadership, orientation, and training of your employees can make a big difference when there are big changes in an organization. Time is the one thing that does not factor into a budget that can make changes and challenges seem smaller and easier to deal with in a department. In my opinion, time with people on your team, your staff, your workplace, is the single most valuable asset to an organization.
Time makes the biggest impact on our students as well. This past weekend was alumni weekend on campus and the students who came back and chatted with me shared those moments when I spent time helping them solve a problem, showing them that I cared about them when they were sick, helping them develop a program or a organization that has left a lasting impact on them and the College. None of those things cost the College money, none of them cost me money personally either. Not all of those things happened when I was "on the clock" (not that there is a clock in student affairs). It is rejuvenating when I can see the transferrable skills those students learned in action when they describe their current careers. It is a great reminder of why I do what I do.
Some of what Amelia and I talked about was taking time to know your audience and taking the time to form those relationships that make all the difference on a staff. Not only does this help you be a better and more effective trainer, it teaches those intangible skills that students need. It is easy to get discouraged in times of budget cuts or when you wish you could pay your student staff more for what they do- but having time to reflect like I did today with a former student brings everything full circle. Amelia learned a lot during her time in College, she learned some examples of what to do and what not to do in building and maintaining relationships on a staff. She learned about training and how to adapt to your audience to make sure the message is heard. Then she took jobs both in and out of higher education and still used those skills. Even now while getting her Masters Degree she is learning more formally all those things she has been part of since she was 19 years old. She is learning how to train, how to teach, and how to make that applicable in a any situation.
Just listening to Amelia tell me about her goals and projects in this Masters program warms my heart and reminds me just why I spent all that time with her when she was a student. I can see the skills she learned then- maybe without even realizing she was learning- showing through in the professional she has become. But I can also see that in the human she is today. On the other side of the coin, I feel like I am a better person for the time I spent with her. There are times still today where I look back on some of the experiences I had in hiring (or not hiring in one case) her for specific jobs in the department or thinking about the things I learned too about myself as a supervisor during a long night watching the Lion King. People make the difference, no matter what you do for a living, but for me especially in higher ed.
I must learn because I also read a lot. I did not know how cool Twitter was until I started using it for work rather than just personal stuff. I find so many great blogs, articles, and news about higher ed that I have to ration it during the daytime work hours. Even though I think that counts as professional development time and the College should be so lucky that all of my development has been free on the Twitter.
Anyway today I was interviewed by a former student about my role in training the RHDs and RAs on staff. It is so easy to be consumed by our own areas of expertise that it is nice to talk about training in a broad sense and then relate it back to higher ed. I get inspired by conversations like that- you know the kind where you are forced to think critically and assess your methods then justify them to another person while they look at them through a different lens? Well Amelia did that all while having a higher ed perspective and the unique opportunity of having been trained by me when I was what we will call a "novice".
This past week at work there have been lots of discussion about people in an organization and how they make the difference. Leadership, orientation, and training of your employees can make a big difference when there are big changes in an organization. Time is the one thing that does not factor into a budget that can make changes and challenges seem smaller and easier to deal with in a department. In my opinion, time with people on your team, your staff, your workplace, is the single most valuable asset to an organization.
Time makes the biggest impact on our students as well. This past weekend was alumni weekend on campus and the students who came back and chatted with me shared those moments when I spent time helping them solve a problem, showing them that I cared about them when they were sick, helping them develop a program or a organization that has left a lasting impact on them and the College. None of those things cost the College money, none of them cost me money personally either. Not all of those things happened when I was "on the clock" (not that there is a clock in student affairs). It is rejuvenating when I can see the transferrable skills those students learned in action when they describe their current careers. It is a great reminder of why I do what I do.
Some of what Amelia and I talked about was taking time to know your audience and taking the time to form those relationships that make all the difference on a staff. Not only does this help you be a better and more effective trainer, it teaches those intangible skills that students need. It is easy to get discouraged in times of budget cuts or when you wish you could pay your student staff more for what they do- but having time to reflect like I did today with a former student brings everything full circle. Amelia learned a lot during her time in College, she learned some examples of what to do and what not to do in building and maintaining relationships on a staff. She learned about training and how to adapt to your audience to make sure the message is heard. Then she took jobs both in and out of higher education and still used those skills. Even now while getting her Masters Degree she is learning more formally all those things she has been part of since she was 19 years old. She is learning how to train, how to teach, and how to make that applicable in a any situation.
Just listening to Amelia tell me about her goals and projects in this Masters program warms my heart and reminds me just why I spent all that time with her when she was a student. I can see the skills she learned then- maybe without even realizing she was learning- showing through in the professional she has become. But I can also see that in the human she is today. On the other side of the coin, I feel like I am a better person for the time I spent with her. There are times still today where I look back on some of the experiences I had in hiring (or not hiring in one case) her for specific jobs in the department or thinking about the things I learned too about myself as a supervisor during a long night watching the Lion King. People make the difference, no matter what you do for a living, but for me especially in higher ed.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
I Must Confess!
I am about to confess something that I am a bit embarrassed to admit. I tend to be a goal follower right? I try to make some goals and stick to them like any good adult. But, I must confess- I am only human. An exceptional human, but human nonetheless.
I caved last month and bought Netflix. I am not sure if it was the smartest decision. I told myself that if I finished the blog project I would reward myself with Netflix. But there are so many good original programs on Netflix that I was interested in seeing. And it is crazy how much time I used to spend watching my films and blogging about them that I know seem to spend on 90s movies and TV shows that I have missed or great original programming.
For example- House of Cards. What a show! Of course that inspired me to rewatch The West Wing. I also have always wanted to watch Parks and Rec after a coworker told me how much I remind them of Leslie Knope. Well I am pleased to announce that right between Tina Fey's character Liz Lemon and Leslie Knope lies me. I am a perfect mix of the two. Complete with the hoarding and messy apartment. What is funny is that I felt the need to clean a little bit today before I wrote this post so that would be funny and not totally true :)
I am still dedicated to the project. It just might be slower going, as if this blog could get any slower! I have not blogged about anything in ages that these few blogs feel foreign. I have missed the feeling of checking the stats in the morning and seeing which post was most popular and what country was reading my recent stuff. I am going to get back into it. I swear. I have really missed this creative outlet. Even though it is summer time and I am spending more time outside I am telling you right now that Netflix or not- I will continue with the project. I am currently working on a marathon of Harry Potter movies post. It is difficult to write about movies and books that I so enjoy. I might skip describing them to you- because I am sure anyone reading my blog is a BIG Harry Potter fan anyway right? But instead I might tell you about how I fell in love with the series. And there is a kid sized pool involved in the story too. Just wait.
Anywho I just wanted to publicly confess about my new addiction, Netflix and making myself accountable to you as my readers by finishing the project. As a hint, as soon as Harry Potter is finished being reviewed, I will have 48 titles left. that is just a shelf and a half in the cabinet. I will pepper in some other films too. Especially since my friend Nic is determined to introduce me to films I did not enjoy in my childhood that I should have. Stay tuned. Great blogs ahead.
I am still dedicated to the project. It just might be slower going, as if this blog could get any slower! I have not blogged about anything in ages that these few blogs feel foreign. I have missed the feeling of checking the stats in the morning and seeing which post was most popular and what country was reading my recent stuff. I am going to get back into it. I swear. I have really missed this creative outlet. Even though it is summer time and I am spending more time outside I am telling you right now that Netflix or not- I will continue with the project. I am currently working on a marathon of Harry Potter movies post. It is difficult to write about movies and books that I so enjoy. I might skip describing them to you- because I am sure anyone reading my blog is a BIG Harry Potter fan anyway right? But instead I might tell you about how I fell in love with the series. And there is a kid sized pool involved in the story too. Just wait.
Anywho I just wanted to publicly confess about my new addiction, Netflix and making myself accountable to you as my readers by finishing the project. As a hint, as soon as Harry Potter is finished being reviewed, I will have 48 titles left. that is just a shelf and a half in the cabinet. I will pepper in some other films too. Especially since my friend Nic is determined to introduce me to films I did not enjoy in my childhood that I should have. Stay tuned. Great blogs ahead.
Helloooooooooooo Dolly!
Oh Barbara! Her voice! Her hair! Her choreographed arm movements! Its butter! Hello Dolly is one of my favorite musicals. I know what you are thinking-"she says all of these musicals are her favorite" but honestly I love to hear all of those wonderful notes coupled with dancing on screen. Look at that dress! And her headpiece! Does it remind you of any certain feather headdress that a certain blogger made for her second Vegas debut on campus?
In this film Barbara plays a woman named Dolly Levi who is helping Horace Vandergelder find a woman to marry. Horace is quite wealthy and Dolly is certain she can find the right woman for him. Another piece of this film that makes it one of my favorites is that Horace and his two shop keepers live in Yonkers, NY.
Have you ever seen Lost in Yonkers? It is a Neil Simon play that was also made into a film. It is a wonderful story and despite never travelling to New York or Yonkers, it just makes me smile. When I am 85 and there is an autobiography written about my life, I will probably falsify information and claim I was born in Yonkers or something significant happened to me there. Well who knows if something will happen to me in Yonkers between now and then. If I were you, I would set up a google alert with my name and Yonkers just in case.
Anyway, Dolly Levi is a bit of a local celebrity in New York. Everyone there is familiar with her and her match making skills. In the film we see her work her magic with Mr. Vandergelder's employees Cornelius and Barnaby too. There is a lot of love finding in this film. Dolly also sings to and about her late husband, Ephram. Similar to my post on Yours, Mind and Ours these kind of story lines about finding love after loss have a special spot in my collection.
Even before I started blogging about residence life and higher ed, I have always seen things through my "work" lens. Is that a symptom of not leaving work at work? Is that because residence life is a lifestyle and not just a career? Or is it a sign that I not only have consumed the kool aid, I am actively trying to sell it to others? Anyway as I watch Hello Dolly and her natural ability to read people and find others that would make good mates for them- it reminds me of RAs.
RAs are always match making with their residents and helping them make friends with each other. Hopefully after a couple years of practice and solid RA training they will retain that skill for life. To this day I can greet someone in the waiting room at the doctor's office and make a fast friend. Even when I go to Pinterest craft club at the public library I make new friends. RAs are similar to Dolly Levi as they help to create life long relationships in the halls. And also just like Dolly they sometimes end up finding friends for themselves too! I bet if I were to survey my RAs right now they would report that they have make life long friendships with their residents, or while running programs or attending them, or just with their confidence and skills in meeting new people and starting conversations. I cannot wait until RA training to let my staff know that I just compared all of them to Barbara Streisand!
Saturday, June 14, 2014
No Capes!!
Edna Mode is probably my favorite character in all the Pixar films. She is based on costume designer Edith Head, one of the more famous faces behind the camera in Hollywood. When Pixar made another great film The Incredibles they chose Edith as the perfect inspiration for Edna. Movie trivia is one of my favorite part of movies. I think it is a sign of a wonderful film when the trivia speaks to those "extras" that are added to the film for people like me. I am sure that part of Disney's and Pixar's marketing strategy to make viewers feel like their movies were made just for them. Their stories are easy to relate to and have a little something for everyone.
I am suckered in every time.
The Incredibles is a film about super heroes that have been forced to hide their super powers and now just live in the burbs like the rest of us. Mr. Incredible and Elastic Girl have three adorable children who are also pretty super. In stereotypical as-time-passes fashion, Mr. Incredible ages and feels as though he is in a rut in his life. He gains some mid life weight, does not feel fulfilled in his day job, and is lured back into the super life underground. When he takes a job that uses his super abilities he finds some new zest for his life. In all of the adventures there are of course a couple things that do not go according to plan and Elastic Girl, Mr. Incredible, Dash and Violet save the day. Even Jack Jack, the youngest member of the clan gets in on the "saving the world."
I am also pleased to report that there are hidden gems about the importance of family and celebrating your individual strengths and how they can better the whole. Sort of like a team of RAs all come together to help a building of residents. During RA recruitment I am fond of reminding candidates and current RAs that we are not looking to hire a staff full of the same kind of person. While we assign specific residents to specific RAs on each floor- the team of RAs work in that whole building. Some residents will connect with their RA, some with the RA upstairs, and still others will connect better with the Hall Director than they do with any of the RAs! So it is important that there are multiple personalities represented in that building for our residents to meet. Some RAs are really funny and outgoing like Dash, others are quiet but very approachable like Violet, others are flexible and drop everything for you like Elastic Girl and there are also those are brave and make you feel like you are in a safe space like Mr. Incredible. Those skills make for a great RA staff- maybe I should ask the RAs to watch the film as homework before we get cracking in August eh?
I am suckered in every time.
The Incredibles is a film about super heroes that have been forced to hide their super powers and now just live in the burbs like the rest of us. Mr. Incredible and Elastic Girl have three adorable children who are also pretty super. In stereotypical as-time-passes fashion, Mr. Incredible ages and feels as though he is in a rut in his life. He gains some mid life weight, does not feel fulfilled in his day job, and is lured back into the super life underground. When he takes a job that uses his super abilities he finds some new zest for his life. In all of the adventures there are of course a couple things that do not go according to plan and Elastic Girl, Mr. Incredible, Dash and Violet save the day. Even Jack Jack, the youngest member of the clan gets in on the "saving the world."
I am also pleased to report that there are hidden gems about the importance of family and celebrating your individual strengths and how they can better the whole. Sort of like a team of RAs all come together to help a building of residents. During RA recruitment I am fond of reminding candidates and current RAs that we are not looking to hire a staff full of the same kind of person. While we assign specific residents to specific RAs on each floor- the team of RAs work in that whole building. Some residents will connect with their RA, some with the RA upstairs, and still others will connect better with the Hall Director than they do with any of the RAs! So it is important that there are multiple personalities represented in that building for our residents to meet. Some RAs are really funny and outgoing like Dash, others are quiet but very approachable like Violet, others are flexible and drop everything for you like Elastic Girl and there are also those are brave and make you feel like you are in a safe space like Mr. Incredible. Those skills make for a great RA staff- maybe I should ask the RAs to watch the film as homework before we get cracking in August eh?
Oh Goodness!
I cannot apologize enough to my faithful blog readers for my absence! I could sit here and type excuses for you- but you are better than that. You are readers who find my movie project interesting, or my humor so wonderful, or maybe you read this blog because I pay you to do so. Whatever the reason you are here to read- I will provide you with some material today.
The past couple weeks I have done some fun things! First of all, I learned what is called "trolling" as it relates to fishing. We all know I enjoy to fish, I like the catch and release method personally. I also have a strong and possible irrational fear of drowning so that makes me a less than good fisherwoman from the boat. But I braved those elements, got on a boat, and learned a new way to fish! I used a fishing pole that has a counter on it for the first time, I used these planer boards and was sort of in charge watching those boards to find the fish.
I even wrote a song, I did not want to sing it out loud in front of John and Renee because John might already think I am a bit ridiculous. But imagine you are listening to the music from the song Ridin' by Chamillionaire (for those of you who are unfamiliar with Chamillionaire- imagine Weird Al's White and Nerdy) and read this small sampling of lyrics:
They see me trollin'
For walleye
and white little bass
Avoiding weeds and sheepshead
Watching planer boards be floatin'
They see me trollin'
Well the moral of the story is that I helped to catch my first walleye ever and then I watched it get filleted. It was a pretty great morning.
The past couple weeks I have done some fun things! First of all, I learned what is called "trolling" as it relates to fishing. We all know I enjoy to fish, I like the catch and release method personally. I also have a strong and possible irrational fear of drowning so that makes me a less than good fisherwoman from the boat. But I braved those elements, got on a boat, and learned a new way to fish! I used a fishing pole that has a counter on it for the first time, I used these planer boards and was sort of in charge watching those boards to find the fish.
I even wrote a song, I did not want to sing it out loud in front of John and Renee because John might already think I am a bit ridiculous. But imagine you are listening to the music from the song Ridin' by Chamillionaire (for those of you who are unfamiliar with Chamillionaire- imagine Weird Al's White and Nerdy) and read this small sampling of lyrics:
They see me trollin'
For walleye
and white little bass
Avoiding weeds and sheepshead
Watching planer boards be floatin'
They see me trollin'
Well the moral of the story is that I helped to catch my first walleye ever and then I watched it get filleted. It was a pretty great morning.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Hattori Hanzo Steel
After posting about The King and I and Anna being a strong woman, I get to write about Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2 and the strong women that is portrayed in this film- Black Mamba! Uma Thurman plays a bad ass chick in this film who is also know as the Bride. She is one tough cookie that would probably kill me (if she was not just a character in Quentin Tarantino's imagination) if she heard I referred to her as a tough cookie.
I like these movies because the story is well written and put together. The story kind of jumps around in a way that keeps things interesting but it is organized at the same time with chapters for us as viewers to keep things straight. Plus there are some great characters in this movie and AWESOME fight scenes. Lots of fake blood and sick death scenes. Some of it is unrealistic, ok well all of it is movie magic so not real. But I like to think that how O-Ren Ishii died is both realistic and movie fantastic. The over the top, graphic type of fighting and death with some sweet back flips and such makes movies like these pretty cool in my book.
The story is about the Bride and her almost untimely end at her wedding rehearsal. Then we follow the story about how she gets revenge against the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad. Our Bride travels all around so there is a lot of different scenery to enjoy and she has some different kick ass martial arts skills that are fun to watch as well. Watching movies like this makes me think that I can kick some ass and when the movie is over I jump up with my hands now classified as deadly weapons. Anyone who touches my popcorn or gives me the stink eye-BAM-they are getting karate chopped to the face! The Bride, who we learn later is named Beatrice, has some complications with this Deadly Viper Squad. She and Bill seem to have had some previous "complications" in their relationship that makes the movies even more interesting.
Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2 really need to be watched together. So I did watch them together and I did not watch them in reverse order. I thought it would be odd to watch Vol. 2 before Vol. 1. But in retrospect these two movies are really just one long movie that bounces around so much that I could have watched them that way and it would not have made a difference!
As an RA planning this program there are lots of different ways you could plan this one. You could go the obvious route and teach some self defense or some mixed martial arts with these movies. Since there is so much violence in these films you should really be able to get some strong self defense moves out of it.
You could also think outside the box and maybe do a laundry program about getting different things out of ones dirty clothes- so much dirt in these movies too. Tobacco spit, black mamba venom, grave dirt, gun shot residue, blood, all of these things are in the clothes of these actors and we could all benefit from learning how to remove stains like these.
I like these movies because the story is well written and put together. The story kind of jumps around in a way that keeps things interesting but it is organized at the same time with chapters for us as viewers to keep things straight. Plus there are some great characters in this movie and AWESOME fight scenes. Lots of fake blood and sick death scenes. Some of it is unrealistic, ok well all of it is movie magic so not real. But I like to think that how O-Ren Ishii died is both realistic and movie fantastic. The over the top, graphic type of fighting and death with some sweet back flips and such makes movies like these pretty cool in my book.
The story is about the Bride and her almost untimely end at her wedding rehearsal. Then we follow the story about how she gets revenge against the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad. Our Bride travels all around so there is a lot of different scenery to enjoy and she has some different kick ass martial arts skills that are fun to watch as well. Watching movies like this makes me think that I can kick some ass and when the movie is over I jump up with my hands now classified as deadly weapons. Anyone who touches my popcorn or gives me the stink eye-BAM-they are getting karate chopped to the face! The Bride, who we learn later is named Beatrice, has some complications with this Deadly Viper Squad. She and Bill seem to have had some previous "complications" in their relationship that makes the movies even more interesting.
Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2 really need to be watched together. So I did watch them together and I did not watch them in reverse order. I thought it would be odd to watch Vol. 2 before Vol. 1. But in retrospect these two movies are really just one long movie that bounces around so much that I could have watched them that way and it would not have made a difference!
As an RA planning this program there are lots of different ways you could plan this one. You could go the obvious route and teach some self defense or some mixed martial arts with these movies. Since there is so much violence in these films you should really be able to get some strong self defense moves out of it.
You could also think outside the box and maybe do a laundry program about getting different things out of ones dirty clothes- so much dirt in these movies too. Tobacco spit, black mamba venom, grave dirt, gun shot residue, blood, all of these things are in the clothes of these actors and we could all benefit from learning how to remove stains like these.
Et cetera, Et cetera, Et cetera
It is fitting that in reverse alphabetical order Lady and the Tramp comes right before The King and I. As there are two Siamese cats in our previous film and Yul Brenner plays the King of Siam in The King and I. There are many great musicals out there, but they just don't make them like they used to! Rodgers and Hammerstein were geniuses when it came to musicals. Their music and lyrics shaped my childhood as I was exposed to the film versions of their Broadway classics.
The King and I is no exception to this genius. The story is about an English woman who arrives in Siam to teach the King and his children Western ways. The King is very interested in making Siam a modern country with Western influence. There are some wonderful songs, my favorite being "Getting to Know You," which I sing about as frequently as "Good Morning" from Singing in the Rain. It is one of those songs where you really only know the chorus but you sing it over and over again anyway. Singing in the Rain is missing from this blog because it is one of those films I own on VHS so it is not included in the project-- but maybe one day when I finish the DVDs I will have to move on to the VHS.
Part of Siam becoming a wise Western-like nation includes the King being challenged by Anna, our Western expert. When she first arrives the King's wives and others refer to her as "sir" because she is smart in a scientific way, unlike a woman. Well of course I have seen this movie before, but this part struck me this time. Maybe because it is March and its Women's History Month and I am a bit more sensitive to statements like that, or maybe its because I am older. Since assuming the Director role in my department in 2010 I have learned a great many things about the perception people have of a woman in charge. I did not observe this in any role I have had at the College up til now, I think it can be said that lots of roles in Higher Ed are occupied by women, until you get into the Director, Dean, Vice President spots.
That is most obvious when you travel to national conferences and see the Senior Student Affairs Officers lounges with lots of men in ties or the president of the College or University you are visiting is male. One of my former supervisors (well sort of supervisor:)) AnnMarie Klotz did her doctoral research about being a woman in the world of College Presidents and from what I read on her Twitter and blog- it is some good stuff! I encourage you to check it out.
While Anna was in Siam she was challenged in her views about women and their role in society as she met and taught the King's wives and also in her interactions with the King. There is some humor built in as the King teases her in parts about her head not being higher than the King's. There is also a mini story line about a woman who was a gift for the King but she loved another man and we see that unfold. Even though it is not an overtly obvious love story, the King and Anna develop a strong appreciation and fondness for one another. Anna challenged the King and as viewers we are lead to believe that Siam becomes a better country for it. It can also be argued that Western influence and its perceived superiority should take its imperialistic attitude elsewhere and leave countries like Siam alone. But I am choosing to focus on the love story :)
Anna is a kick ass kind of lady that makes me smile. I enjoy watching films that highlight women like her and in 1944 when the book Anna and the King of Siam came out there were probably not too many books that highlighted women like that. It gets even better that the book and then subsequently the musical were loosely based on a true story about the real life Anna Leonowens. I often think I was born in the wrong era- it would be been quite interesting to meet women like Anna in real life.
Again I am going to break with the spirit of the blog and skip the RA program with this film. Instead I want you to read AnnMarie's blog or spend some time celebrating Women's History Month today!
The King and I is no exception to this genius. The story is about an English woman who arrives in Siam to teach the King and his children Western ways. The King is very interested in making Siam a modern country with Western influence. There are some wonderful songs, my favorite being "Getting to Know You," which I sing about as frequently as "Good Morning" from Singing in the Rain. It is one of those songs where you really only know the chorus but you sing it over and over again anyway. Singing in the Rain is missing from this blog because it is one of those films I own on VHS so it is not included in the project-- but maybe one day when I finish the DVDs I will have to move on to the VHS.
Part of Siam becoming a wise Western-like nation includes the King being challenged by Anna, our Western expert. When she first arrives the King's wives and others refer to her as "sir" because she is smart in a scientific way, unlike a woman. Well of course I have seen this movie before, but this part struck me this time. Maybe because it is March and its Women's History Month and I am a bit more sensitive to statements like that, or maybe its because I am older. Since assuming the Director role in my department in 2010 I have learned a great many things about the perception people have of a woman in charge. I did not observe this in any role I have had at the College up til now, I think it can be said that lots of roles in Higher Ed are occupied by women, until you get into the Director, Dean, Vice President spots.
That is most obvious when you travel to national conferences and see the Senior Student Affairs Officers lounges with lots of men in ties or the president of the College or University you are visiting is male. One of my former supervisors (well sort of supervisor:)) AnnMarie Klotz did her doctoral research about being a woman in the world of College Presidents and from what I read on her Twitter and blog- it is some good stuff! I encourage you to check it out.
While Anna was in Siam she was challenged in her views about women and their role in society as she met and taught the King's wives and also in her interactions with the King. There is some humor built in as the King teases her in parts about her head not being higher than the King's. There is also a mini story line about a woman who was a gift for the King but she loved another man and we see that unfold. Even though it is not an overtly obvious love story, the King and Anna develop a strong appreciation and fondness for one another. Anna challenged the King and as viewers we are lead to believe that Siam becomes a better country for it. It can also be argued that Western influence and its perceived superiority should take its imperialistic attitude elsewhere and leave countries like Siam alone. But I am choosing to focus on the love story :)
Anna is a kick ass kind of lady that makes me smile. I enjoy watching films that highlight women like her and in 1944 when the book Anna and the King of Siam came out there were probably not too many books that highlighted women like that. It gets even better that the book and then subsequently the musical were loosely based on a true story about the real life Anna Leonowens. I often think I was born in the wrong era- it would be been quite interesting to meet women like Anna in real life.
Again I am going to break with the spirit of the blog and skip the RA program with this film. Instead I want you to read AnnMarie's blog or spend some time celebrating Women's History Month today!
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Another Departure from Film, sort of...
Last night I was escorted to Ghost: The Musical. Initially I was curious as to how they were going to make the 1990 classic into a Broadway musical with song and dance. I really enjoying going to shows like that- where you have to pay attention to the songs as they are telling the story- not just a great Disney movie with songs that compliment the story. Ghost did not disappoint. Had it been appropriate I would have danced along more than I did from my seat. The key to seeing shows like this is to go with people who will not be embarrassed when you do a little dancing and such, lucky for me I had a pretty great date for the show :)
I recently watched Ghost the movie in preparation for the musical. I wanted to see where the stage production followed the movie and where it differed. Plus there are things that are difficult to make come to life on stage but easier on film. Like the parts where Sam's ghost hand is unable to touch things and eventually he is able to go through a door- this is easy with movie magic- but I needed to see how they were going to trick me in front of my eyes.
Well all this thinking about bringing the story to life on stage reminded me of when I saw Les Mis in the 7th grade. I was in the school choir and in both 7th and 8th grade we held fundraisers and took back our neighbor's pop cans in order to raise enough money to travel to see cool shows. Les Mis was my first stage production of Broadway caliber. We learned the story in choir then got on a chartered bus and headed to the Fisher Theater in Detroit. When Inspector Javert jumps off the bridge to commit suicide in the show, there were lights swirling to make the stage look like a pool of water and from my orchestra row seats I really thought he was jumping into water! The actor disappeared in a trap door in the stage and I was terribly impressed. I have a strong appreciation for the art that goes into set design and making stage productions work for the pure joy of us as audience members.
Ghost did not disappoint in this regard. My favorite part was probably when they were on the subway train car and Sam is "talking" with the subway ghost. There was a series of translucent screens that had images of the train projected on to them and it realistically looked like the actors were on a subway car. There were also sweet movable set pieces so at one minute we had a sideways view of the subway car and then we were looking at it from the back end. The orientation switch was seamless and pretty cool.
If you have seen the movie Ghost then you know what happens, the stage show does not deviate too much from the original story. Sam and Molly are our main characters and they love each other (or ditto each other if you prefer). Sam is murdered and we find out it is part of a plot because his friend Carl is in debt deep with what I think are mobsters and Carl needs Sam's access to accounts at the bank. Sam does not "cross over" and we see him learn how to be a ghost and solve his murder. He protects Molly and we can feel that loss and grief through the story as well. I was struck in rewatching the movie and now seeing the musical how genuine I felt Molly's grief to be after experiencing my own loss.
Adding songs really did add to the experience- Oda Mae Brown's character was really emphasized with song. As impressed as I was with the set and the moving parts traveling through the show, I was even more impressed with that actor and her performance. Pure joy. Whoopi should be very proud. Overall I recommend Ghost: the Musical and would encourage at the very least a little bit of youtubing to hear their versions of Unchained Melody and With You.
I recently watched Ghost the movie in preparation for the musical. I wanted to see where the stage production followed the movie and where it differed. Plus there are things that are difficult to make come to life on stage but easier on film. Like the parts where Sam's ghost hand is unable to touch things and eventually he is able to go through a door- this is easy with movie magic- but I needed to see how they were going to trick me in front of my eyes.
Well all this thinking about bringing the story to life on stage reminded me of when I saw Les Mis in the 7th grade. I was in the school choir and in both 7th and 8th grade we held fundraisers and took back our neighbor's pop cans in order to raise enough money to travel to see cool shows. Les Mis was my first stage production of Broadway caliber. We learned the story in choir then got on a chartered bus and headed to the Fisher Theater in Detroit. When Inspector Javert jumps off the bridge to commit suicide in the show, there were lights swirling to make the stage look like a pool of water and from my orchestra row seats I really thought he was jumping into water! The actor disappeared in a trap door in the stage and I was terribly impressed. I have a strong appreciation for the art that goes into set design and making stage productions work for the pure joy of us as audience members.
Ghost did not disappoint in this regard. My favorite part was probably when they were on the subway train car and Sam is "talking" with the subway ghost. There was a series of translucent screens that had images of the train projected on to them and it realistically looked like the actors were on a subway car. There were also sweet movable set pieces so at one minute we had a sideways view of the subway car and then we were looking at it from the back end. The orientation switch was seamless and pretty cool.
If you have seen the movie Ghost then you know what happens, the stage show does not deviate too much from the original story. Sam and Molly are our main characters and they love each other (or ditto each other if you prefer). Sam is murdered and we find out it is part of a plot because his friend Carl is in debt deep with what I think are mobsters and Carl needs Sam's access to accounts at the bank. Sam does not "cross over" and we see him learn how to be a ghost and solve his murder. He protects Molly and we can feel that loss and grief through the story as well. I was struck in rewatching the movie and now seeing the musical how genuine I felt Molly's grief to be after experiencing my own loss.
Adding songs really did add to the experience- Oda Mae Brown's character was really emphasized with song. As impressed as I was with the set and the moving parts traveling through the show, I was even more impressed with that actor and her performance. Pure joy. Whoopi should be very proud. Overall I recommend Ghost: the Musical and would encourage at the very least a little bit of youtubing to hear their versions of Unchained Melody and With You.
Mr. Peabody and Sherman
It might not be obvious, but I am a sucker for a great animated flick. I decided to see Mr. Peabody and Sherman last night and I was not disappointed! It was very cute and heartwarming, I also found myself laughing out loud at points! There is something perfect about Ty Burrell's voice as Mr. Peabody too. It is great to hear him as Phil Dunphy and his "Phil"osophies on Modern Family and then to hear him as the world's smartest dog.
There was so much to love about the film, I do not remember the Rocky and Bullwinkle shorts very well but I remembered enough to be excited to see this film be released. First of all the animation is cool, the physical look of it. Julie went with me to see it and she commented on Mr. Peabody's nose- which I would have commented on too but one should limit movie theater conversation as to not disturb the other patrons. :) Similar to my fascination with how Pixar is able to animate things like Sully's hair in Monsters Inc. I was impressed with Dreamworks and their ability to bring Mr. Peabody and his nose into focus for me.
The movie also took us through history and other lessons that we all should have learned in school just like the Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons and that was very entertaining. Peabody, Sherman, and Sherman's friend Penny were moving from crisis to crisis and problem solving all over the place with the right amount of historical drama and comedy. Penny was an interesting addition as a kid who teased Sherman in school because he had a dog for a dad and in the end learned all about what makes a father and son relationship and it does not matter if one is canine and the other a little boy. That part was quite touching, I was concerned that Julie would take the message of the movie seriously and try to convince me, again, that she needs a dog in the residence halls.
I still disagree, even if that dog is your dad.
There was so much to love about the film, I do not remember the Rocky and Bullwinkle shorts very well but I remembered enough to be excited to see this film be released. First of all the animation is cool, the physical look of it. Julie went with me to see it and she commented on Mr. Peabody's nose- which I would have commented on too but one should limit movie theater conversation as to not disturb the other patrons. :) Similar to my fascination with how Pixar is able to animate things like Sully's hair in Monsters Inc. I was impressed with Dreamworks and their ability to bring Mr. Peabody and his nose into focus for me.
The movie also took us through history and other lessons that we all should have learned in school just like the Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons and that was very entertaining. Peabody, Sherman, and Sherman's friend Penny were moving from crisis to crisis and problem solving all over the place with the right amount of historical drama and comedy. Penny was an interesting addition as a kid who teased Sherman in school because he had a dog for a dad and in the end learned all about what makes a father and son relationship and it does not matter if one is canine and the other a little boy. That part was quite touching, I was concerned that Julie would take the message of the movie seriously and try to convince me, again, that she needs a dog in the residence halls.
I still disagree, even if that dog is your dad.
Monday, March 17, 2014
He's a Tramp But We Love Him
Wikipedia (the most reliable source online, of course) tells us that a tramp is a long term homeless person. There is another definition used in current times, that a tramp is a harlot or a slut. While watching Disney's Lady and the Tramp I was thinking critically about these definitions. At times it could be argued that I have the mind of a 15 year old boy, especially when it comes to dirty jokes. So naturally I have always thought, even as a kid, that Tramp was the kind of dog that had lots of female dog "friends" for a short time, often only one night, and he finally met the one that convinced him to settle down in Lady. But actually I think Walt and his pals over at Disney were using the first definition when they named our young, male, canine lead. Lady and the Tramp was released in 1955, before the word was regularly used to describe floozies. But then again we hear in the dog pound about how Tramp has been around the block a few times... I just cannot decide. But I suppose that a double meaning to something is exactly what Disney and Pixar are known for- an adult line of humor built into family friendly films.
The film follows Jim Dear and Darling, our faceless human owners of Lady, a loyal and beautiful Cocker Spaniel puppy. We see how Lady grows up and falls in love with the neighborhood mutt, Tramp. There are some lovely other characters in this film as well, Trusty and Jock are the older dogs next door. There is Aunt Sarah and her Siamese cats and a whistling Beaver in the story too.
This is another Disney classic where animals sing, dance, and eat spaghetti. Peggy Lee did some of the voices in this movie, including Peg, one of the dogs in the pound. Peg sings the famous song "He's a Tramp" and since rewatching Lady and the Tramp I cannot get it out of my head! When doing some research about the song I learned that Peggy Lee also did the voices of Darling, and the Siamese cats in this movie too. That explains why all the songs are so great!
RA programming with Disney movies is my favorite thing to think about! Even though I am convinced I would be the only person in attendance. It would of course make sense to have a program about love or family as those are primary themes in the movie. But instead I think we should look at the importance of the dog licenses in the movie. Lady is so proud, and so is Tramp for that matter, when they get their licenses that prove they are proper adult-dogs. That can be compared to the "real world" things that a college student is soon to receive that also resemble adulthood. Things like an apartment lease, the first utility bill, their first mattress and box spring can all be considered shiny examples of growing up. Having a program where the RA brings the Sunday paper ads and maybe a laptop for some Craig's List so that your residents can plan out their adult budget. Researching the real costs of rent in their ideal city, the average cost of living and utilities in that area, as well furnishing that apartment would be a valuable lesson for all college students. It could be a pleasant reassurance that students have realistic expectations or a rude awakening!
The film follows Jim Dear and Darling, our faceless human owners of Lady, a loyal and beautiful Cocker Spaniel puppy. We see how Lady grows up and falls in love with the neighborhood mutt, Tramp. There are some lovely other characters in this film as well, Trusty and Jock are the older dogs next door. There is Aunt Sarah and her Siamese cats and a whistling Beaver in the story too.
This is another Disney classic where animals sing, dance, and eat spaghetti. Peggy Lee did some of the voices in this movie, including Peg, one of the dogs in the pound. Peg sings the famous song "He's a Tramp" and since rewatching Lady and the Tramp I cannot get it out of my head! When doing some research about the song I learned that Peggy Lee also did the voices of Darling, and the Siamese cats in this movie too. That explains why all the songs are so great!
RA programming with Disney movies is my favorite thing to think about! Even though I am convinced I would be the only person in attendance. It would of course make sense to have a program about love or family as those are primary themes in the movie. But instead I think we should look at the importance of the dog licenses in the movie. Lady is so proud, and so is Tramp for that matter, when they get their licenses that prove they are proper adult-dogs. That can be compared to the "real world" things that a college student is soon to receive that also resemble adulthood. Things like an apartment lease, the first utility bill, their first mattress and box spring can all be considered shiny examples of growing up. Having a program where the RA brings the Sunday paper ads and maybe a laptop for some Craig's List so that your residents can plan out their adult budget. Researching the real costs of rent in their ideal city, the average cost of living and utilities in that area, as well furnishing that apartment would be a valuable lesson for all college students. It could be a pleasant reassurance that students have realistic expectations or a rude awakening!
Saturday, February 22, 2014
"Love to Chop and a Serve Little Fish!"
Tonight with the joys of having the internet at home once more I am able to finally get back on track with the blog from the comfort of the sectional couch! We have reached a point where I am watching a movie that I have already seen in this project- The Little Mermaid. Before I had strong direction for this blog I tried to blog about this movie, you can read about it here. Now that blog post did not work out as planned. Mostly because of my inexperience in the blogosphere (that is what we are going to blame it on- not operator error and simple-stuff-one-should-know-by-now as an adult in 2013).
Well today I am lazy about writing about The Little Mermaid. I know I should provide you with a synopsis and witty comments about parts of this movie reminding me of my childhood or comments on Disney's creation of the story. Instead all I can think about is how I can dress up as Ursula as Halloween next year and still be able to sit at my desk and be productive. We all know that I have a slight addiction to Pinterest. One of the things that I enjoy about it is the wonderful and creative ways to see what those creative people out there come up with for costumes for Halloween. Don't get me wrong, I really do not like Halloween as a holiday. I do not like scary stuff or scary movies, I eat enough candy that I do not need a holiday for an excuse, and students tend to celebrate with alcohol (which is stressful and concerning for student life professionals). But I love the idea of dressing up and coming up with creative costumes.
I strongly recommend visiting Pinterest right now- go! Click on that blue word that can take you there and look up some great ways to look like Ursula and Ariel or even Scuttle!
Well today I am lazy about writing about The Little Mermaid. I know I should provide you with a synopsis and witty comments about parts of this movie reminding me of my childhood or comments on Disney's creation of the story. Instead all I can think about is how I can dress up as Ursula as Halloween next year and still be able to sit at my desk and be productive. We all know that I have a slight addiction to Pinterest. One of the things that I enjoy about it is the wonderful and creative ways to see what those creative people out there come up with for costumes for Halloween. Don't get me wrong, I really do not like Halloween as a holiday. I do not like scary stuff or scary movies, I eat enough candy that I do not need a holiday for an excuse, and students tend to celebrate with alcohol (which is stressful and concerning for student life professionals). But I love the idea of dressing up and coming up with creative costumes.
I strongly recommend visiting Pinterest right now- go! Click on that blue word that can take you there and look up some great ways to look like Ursula and Ariel or even Scuttle!
Golden Gun, Golden Bullets
If you did not already know, I love James Bond. I mean really. Click here to see my other blog post about Mr. Bond. I do not own very many James Bond films though, only a few here and there. When I was a kid we used to watch the 24 Days of Bond on cable right between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Did anyone else used to watch that? Well that cemented my love for spies and especially Sean Connery. It is not like I dislike the other Bonds, but Mr. Connery is my favorite, followed by Daniel Craig and Pierce Brosnan.
The Man with the Golden Gun was the Bond film I most recently watched. Roger Moore plays Bond and he is one smooth operator, as to be expected, in this film. The film was released in 1974 and is about an assassin who kills with one shot, get paid a lot, and uses a golden gun and bullets. It is also about solar power and saving something called the Solex. I love how when one watches a James Bond movie you are really transported back in time, in this movie we see actors that were famous in the 70s like Herve Villechaize (he played Tattoo on Fantasy Island), Christopher Lee (what kind of character hasn't his great voice played? Saruman anyone?) and Maud Adams who is in another James Bond movie later. I also love watching the technology in a Bond film. The solar energy parts were pretty interesting to learn about with 2013/2014 technology to compare it to.
Apparently The Man with the Golden Gun is one of the less popular Bond films. I enjoyed all of them but of course I have my favorites- but parts of these films that are cheesy and sometimes feel out of context make it an even better James Bond movie for me. But that is probably because I am also one of those people who can watch the same film multiple times and still be entertained.
If I were to program for college students about this movie I would probably do something fun with the scene where our Golden Gun man trains to be the best assassin ever. There are lots of mirrors and places to hide to not only get caught off guard but also to confuse your target. Once I was part of a training simulation where we broke students up into teams and their objective was to retrieve their assigned type of plastic silverware from the maze. They were blind folded and had some students on the side lines giving them all the information they needed to find their forks. It was a great activity but it was also lots of fun for them and to watch.
The Man with the Golden Gun was the Bond film I most recently watched. Roger Moore plays Bond and he is one smooth operator, as to be expected, in this film. The film was released in 1974 and is about an assassin who kills with one shot, get paid a lot, and uses a golden gun and bullets. It is also about solar power and saving something called the Solex. I love how when one watches a James Bond movie you are really transported back in time, in this movie we see actors that were famous in the 70s like Herve Villechaize (he played Tattoo on Fantasy Island), Christopher Lee (what kind of character hasn't his great voice played? Saruman anyone?) and Maud Adams who is in another James Bond movie later. I also love watching the technology in a Bond film. The solar energy parts were pretty interesting to learn about with 2013/2014 technology to compare it to.
Apparently The Man with the Golden Gun is one of the less popular Bond films. I enjoyed all of them but of course I have my favorites- but parts of these films that are cheesy and sometimes feel out of context make it an even better James Bond movie for me. But that is probably because I am also one of those people who can watch the same film multiple times and still be entertained.
If I were to program for college students about this movie I would probably do something fun with the scene where our Golden Gun man trains to be the best assassin ever. There are lots of mirrors and places to hide to not only get caught off guard but also to confuse your target. Once I was part of a training simulation where we broke students up into teams and their objective was to retrieve their assigned type of plastic silverware from the maze. They were blind folded and had some students on the side lines giving them all the information they needed to find their forks. It was a great activity but it was also lots of fun for them and to watch.
Trained or Untrained
Today's Blog selection from our illustrious film collection is Man on Fire with Denzel Washington, Christopher Walken, Marc Anthony and Dakota Fanning. Oh and Mickey Rourke is in this movie too. Before he looked like he did in his "comeback" movie The Wrestler. It is probably clear that I love lots of different kinds of movies. But sometimes you really just want to watch an action flick with violence that is justified in some sense. I did not expect to have an emotional connection to the story line in this film the first time I saw it- but man! It is a doozie!
This watching my movies in reverse alphabetical order project has really opened my eyes to the different kinds of movies I own. In one post I commented that all of the movies I had been watching to date were full of love stories and cartoons- and in some cases both. But I like Quentin Tarantino kind of films and movies that too.
Washington plays a character who does not smile and looks sad, it is unfortunate that the film does not give us enough time to really develop and understand what happened to him before he came to be a body guard in Mexico City. But once he is hired by a family to protect their daughter from being kidnapped we see her character Pita having a life changing affect on him. It is a good thing that Washington used to be an assassin in another life because he needs some bad ass skills to make this movie happen. There is also some good old fashioned switch on a switch in this movie too that keeps the plot interesting.
There is not a whole lot of sex and stuff in this movie either. I enjoy a movie that can tell a story without a bunch of sex and lots of unnecessary foul language. Sometimes foul language is important to the story line, I feel like Pita's mom in this film uses profanity the way it was intended.
If I were to plan an RA program around Man on Fire I would start by explaining that the injuries that Denzel sustains in this film cannot possibly have been portrayed accurately and true to life. I am confident that no one could function, walk around, shoot a gun for that long of a sustained period of time after being shot so many times. I mean adrenaline can only take you so far. Then I would plan an event where my residents could learn more about adrenaline and how it relates to procrastination and waiting last minute to do your homework, papers, and projects. I would also offer some tips that would make those situations less stressful!
This watching my movies in reverse alphabetical order project has really opened my eyes to the different kinds of movies I own. In one post I commented that all of the movies I had been watching to date were full of love stories and cartoons- and in some cases both. But I like Quentin Tarantino kind of films and movies that too.
Washington plays a character who does not smile and looks sad, it is unfortunate that the film does not give us enough time to really develop and understand what happened to him before he came to be a body guard in Mexico City. But once he is hired by a family to protect their daughter from being kidnapped we see her character Pita having a life changing affect on him. It is a good thing that Washington used to be an assassin in another life because he needs some bad ass skills to make this movie happen. There is also some good old fashioned switch on a switch in this movie too that keeps the plot interesting.
There is not a whole lot of sex and stuff in this movie either. I enjoy a movie that can tell a story without a bunch of sex and lots of unnecessary foul language. Sometimes foul language is important to the story line, I feel like Pita's mom in this film uses profanity the way it was intended.
If I were to plan an RA program around Man on Fire I would start by explaining that the injuries that Denzel sustains in this film cannot possibly have been portrayed accurately and true to life. I am confident that no one could function, walk around, shoot a gun for that long of a sustained period of time after being shot so many times. I mean adrenaline can only take you so far. Then I would plan an event where my residents could learn more about adrenaline and how it relates to procrastination and waiting last minute to do your homework, papers, and projects. I would also offer some tips that would make those situations less stressful!
Sunday, February 9, 2014
P.L. Travers
In December I went to see Saving Mr. Banks with my Aunt, Uncle and cousin. I know, I know- you are asking yourself why it has taken until February for me to blog about it. Even though I do not really believe in coincidences or signs it was the perfect combination of viewage frequency and blogging frequency that made it so that I watched Mary Poppins just before seeing the film. I really enjoyed Saving Mr. Banks and for those of you who have not seen it, it is the story of P.L. Travers and Walt Disney making the movie Mary Poppins and about the author P.L. Travers (or Pamela for those of us who feel like we know her well). If you are anything like me seeing a film that describes the making of a film makes you want to see that original film desperately. I might not have enjoyed Banks as much if I had not just recently enjoyed Poppins.
Mary Poppins is about the Banks family and their need for a new caretaker for their children Jane and Michael. The story follows the wonderful adventures that the children have with Mary Poppins, the most magical governess around. In true Disney style there are some wonderful songs, some great dance numbers, and even some well placed animation in this live action film. Movies like Mary Poppins really jazz up one's imagination. Like many movies based on a book, it also gives us perspective when we read those stories first hand as well. Once I got back from visiting my family I borrowed the first in the Mary Poppins series by P.L. Travers and read it in about two hours. It was impossible to let my imagination create the scenes and characters because Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke were already there acting out the scenes. But it is always interesting to see where Disney stuck to the story, and in this case how Mrs. Tavers made sure that Disney stuck to the story.
I had said many times that working with college students has kept me young. I still get asked if I am 20 something (thank you!) and I am forced to be hip and with it if I am going to stay current in what college students think is cool. So I am always well verse in the latest apps for the iPhone or youtube videos and memes that are circulating the globe. I not only know what the fox says I have seen a room of students explode into applause and dancing when it was played at Yule Ball. Movies like Mary Poppins and even Mary Poppins herself inspires me to feel young. She is a great example of having fun no matter what you are doing and maintaining a positive attitude. I also feel fortunate that as an adult I have not lost my imagination. You know, come to think of it, that must by why my friends call me the baby whisperer. I can play farm with that momma cow and her baby all day long and not get bored. They each have their own voices too.
But imagination has made it so that I can be inspired by anything. That also makes this blog possible. What kind of RA programs can we come up with for Mary Poppins? Let's see. My favorite part in this movie is where they are laughing and float right up to the ceiling. Laughing can be so much fun, it can burn calories, it causes spontaneous knee slapping, and it relieves stress. College students could stand to decrease their stress count for sure. If I were showing this movie I would be prepared to share fun facts about laughter and how it is the best medicine with or without a spoonful of sugar to accompany it. I would also find an old joke book with clean, silly and child like jokes in it and read those to each other. There might be things like this at your public library so that it would not cost you a cent. Have everyone go around and tell these jokes trying to get your other residents to laugh at each other.
Mary Poppins is about the Banks family and their need for a new caretaker for their children Jane and Michael. The story follows the wonderful adventures that the children have with Mary Poppins, the most magical governess around. In true Disney style there are some wonderful songs, some great dance numbers, and even some well placed animation in this live action film. Movies like Mary Poppins really jazz up one's imagination. Like many movies based on a book, it also gives us perspective when we read those stories first hand as well. Once I got back from visiting my family I borrowed the first in the Mary Poppins series by P.L. Travers and read it in about two hours. It was impossible to let my imagination create the scenes and characters because Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke were already there acting out the scenes. But it is always interesting to see where Disney stuck to the story, and in this case how Mrs. Tavers made sure that Disney stuck to the story.
I had said many times that working with college students has kept me young. I still get asked if I am 20 something (thank you!) and I am forced to be hip and with it if I am going to stay current in what college students think is cool. So I am always well verse in the latest apps for the iPhone or youtube videos and memes that are circulating the globe. I not only know what the fox says I have seen a room of students explode into applause and dancing when it was played at Yule Ball. Movies like Mary Poppins and even Mary Poppins herself inspires me to feel young. She is a great example of having fun no matter what you are doing and maintaining a positive attitude. I also feel fortunate that as an adult I have not lost my imagination. You know, come to think of it, that must by why my friends call me the baby whisperer. I can play farm with that momma cow and her baby all day long and not get bored. They each have their own voices too.
But imagination has made it so that I can be inspired by anything. That also makes this blog possible. What kind of RA programs can we come up with for Mary Poppins? Let's see. My favorite part in this movie is where they are laughing and float right up to the ceiling. Laughing can be so much fun, it can burn calories, it causes spontaneous knee slapping, and it relieves stress. College students could stand to decrease their stress count for sure. If I were showing this movie I would be prepared to share fun facts about laughter and how it is the best medicine with or without a spoonful of sugar to accompany it. I would also find an old joke book with clean, silly and child like jokes in it and read those to each other. There might be things like this at your public library so that it would not cost you a cent. Have everyone go around and tell these jokes trying to get your other residents to laugh at each other.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
"It's Not Trash It's a Library Book!"
My favorite book of all time is Matilda by Roald Dahl. Many of my childhood favorites were by Roald Dahl. I secretly stayed up late at night and reread Matilda so many times that the cover is now taped together and is a treasured possession. I also thought that I could be just like Matilda- a girl who read so much that she was extra smart with special powers.
Lucky for me and a generation of kids who grew up with this story- TriStar Pictures made it into a film in 1996 with Danny DeVito, Rhea Pearlman and Mara Wilson. Matilda is presented pretty close to the book, a couple glaring differences but what book isn't changed when the screen play is written? Am I right? It is still an enjoyable couple hours of cinema. For those of you who have not read the book, here is a brief summary. Matilda is an extremely gifted little girl. She teaches herself to read before she can walk and buries herself in the adventures found in book pages to escape her dull, dim witted and just plain mean family. She was desperate to go to school and learn even more things, but she happens to be enrolled in to Crunchem Hall which is run by the Trunchbull- an evil headmistress that Matlida is determined to outwit much like she outsmarts her parents.
I am currently challenging my teenage cousin to a #52in52 challenge. That means that we are both trying to read 52 books in 52 weeks for 2014. I feel so fortunate to have so many books like Matilda on my bookshelf to reread and feel like a kid again. Watching the film inspired me to read the book again and then get to my public library to read other Roald Dahl books that I fondly remember. I am not sure if I am going to get 52 books in this year but I am making a solid effort. Especially if I can count 100 page young adult books :) Reading is reading people. It is also helpful that my internet was on the fritz for a while and that I do not have TV to watch.
There are plenty of complaints and Pinterest pins that talk about the books that have been turned into movies. Of course the book is better- your imagination will always be able to trump what Hollywood can come up with, but a book does not require millions of dollars to make and investors to then please. But is nice to see a Hollywood take on your favorite literary characters sometimes and Matilda does not disappoint in this area.
There are a couple different ways to look at programming around this movie. First of all you could start your own #16for16 challenge with a movie like this- kick off the challenge to read 16 books in a 16 week semester on campus and maybe encourage your residents to make those books they enjoyed as kids. They tend to be easier reads and also uplifting in some way. This would be a wonderful stress relief for college students. You could also program about brain power. Matilda is able to do great things with her mind because she was not challenged enough by her classwork. By encouraging your residents to exercise their brain so that they have the maximum power to focus on schoolwork- they could realize greater potential. Whether it is through timed brain tests like sodoku or word puzzles, or though brain food like crunchy things and blueberries that increase brain function, or even the importance of water in brain health- you can take the program a few different directions.
Lucky for me and a generation of kids who grew up with this story- TriStar Pictures made it into a film in 1996 with Danny DeVito, Rhea Pearlman and Mara Wilson. Matilda is presented pretty close to the book, a couple glaring differences but what book isn't changed when the screen play is written? Am I right? It is still an enjoyable couple hours of cinema. For those of you who have not read the book, here is a brief summary. Matilda is an extremely gifted little girl. She teaches herself to read before she can walk and buries herself in the adventures found in book pages to escape her dull, dim witted and just plain mean family. She was desperate to go to school and learn even more things, but she happens to be enrolled in to Crunchem Hall which is run by the Trunchbull- an evil headmistress that Matlida is determined to outwit much like she outsmarts her parents.
There are plenty of complaints and Pinterest pins that talk about the books that have been turned into movies. Of course the book is better- your imagination will always be able to trump what Hollywood can come up with, but a book does not require millions of dollars to make and investors to then please. But is nice to see a Hollywood take on your favorite literary characters sometimes and Matilda does not disappoint in this area.
There are a couple different ways to look at programming around this movie. First of all you could start your own #16for16 challenge with a movie like this- kick off the challenge to read 16 books in a 16 week semester on campus and maybe encourage your residents to make those books they enjoyed as kids. They tend to be easier reads and also uplifting in some way. This would be a wonderful stress relief for college students. You could also program about brain power. Matilda is able to do great things with her mind because she was not challenged enough by her classwork. By encouraging your residents to exercise their brain so that they have the maximum power to focus on schoolwork- they could realize greater potential. Whether it is through timed brain tests like sodoku or word puzzles, or though brain food like crunchy things and blueberries that increase brain function, or even the importance of water in brain health- you can take the program a few different directions.
The Worst Blog Writer EVER
Oh dear my many blog fans! I apologize that I have been absent for so long without explanation! I will do my best to redeem myself here with this post and I pledge to post about the movies I have seen and ROBBED you of reading about:
Matlida
Mary Poppins
Man with the Golden Gun
As you may or may not have gathered from my some of previous posts I work in Higher Ed and that makes some times of the year (August, December and early January) much busier than normal at work. That explains some of my absence and also I caught the flu! I was out of work for the entire part of Winter Training with my RA staff and missed the start of the semester as well. 294 emails later I returned only to be sent home because I was not well enough to sit for 8 hours. Sigh. I am happy to report that I feel much better and all I have is a stubborn cough that I am willing to live with forever compared to that flu crap. For those of you wondering- No I did not get a flu shot and I still do not intend to any other season. Other than a brief bought of food poisoning this summer, I have not been that sick since I was like 12 years old. If I have to get that sick every 20 years I am ok with that.
For those of you other Higher Ed professionals- yes you read that right- I missed almost the ENTIRE RA training this year. I made it to about 2 sessions and even those I am not sure if I was having fever induced hallucinations or not. That made me feel worse than the flu! Thank goodness I was already training my staff to to be able to run it without me (I had a premonition, well and it was time) and they did wonderfully. The students report that training was great and the RHDs did a wonderful job. I am sad that I did not get to see them in a proud momma kind of way running those sessions and keeping order in a way that I am sure was after my own heart. I am so proud of the things they have learned so far and the resume building experiences they are creating for themselves. That is a great thing for a supervisor to see in entry level employees that are bound to one day leave me and go on to bigger and better things.
Faithful readers might have also deduced that in the last couple of years my mental health has been put to the test. My head and my heart are currently in a bit of battle and that made the holidays and being sick all that much harder. Not surprisingly, I did not reach out to my tried and true support system like I should have, but it feels good just knowing they are there and just that has been helpful. In 2012 I said multiple times that 2012 was going to be MY YEAR. Well that flopped in the biggest way but I have some hope for 2014. It started out a bit too rough for my liking but I am confident all the work I did in 2013 to make things great will work out in 2014. Time is a funny thing- I do not believe it heals all wounds but I do believe that a heart doesn't find its match everyday and time alone cannot change that.
So watch out for these blog posts and much more regular posting in the future. Scouts honor. That is if I was a scout. Which I am not. :)
Matlida
Mary Poppins
Man with the Golden Gun
As you may or may not have gathered from my some of previous posts I work in Higher Ed and that makes some times of the year (August, December and early January) much busier than normal at work. That explains some of my absence and also I caught the flu! I was out of work for the entire part of Winter Training with my RA staff and missed the start of the semester as well. 294 emails later I returned only to be sent home because I was not well enough to sit for 8 hours. Sigh. I am happy to report that I feel much better and all I have is a stubborn cough that I am willing to live with forever compared to that flu crap. For those of you wondering- No I did not get a flu shot and I still do not intend to any other season. Other than a brief bought of food poisoning this summer, I have not been that sick since I was like 12 years old. If I have to get that sick every 20 years I am ok with that.
For those of you other Higher Ed professionals- yes you read that right- I missed almost the ENTIRE RA training this year. I made it to about 2 sessions and even those I am not sure if I was having fever induced hallucinations or not. That made me feel worse than the flu! Thank goodness I was already training my staff to to be able to run it without me (I had a premonition, well and it was time) and they did wonderfully. The students report that training was great and the RHDs did a wonderful job. I am sad that I did not get to see them in a proud momma kind of way running those sessions and keeping order in a way that I am sure was after my own heart. I am so proud of the things they have learned so far and the resume building experiences they are creating for themselves. That is a great thing for a supervisor to see in entry level employees that are bound to one day leave me and go on to bigger and better things.
Faithful readers might have also deduced that in the last couple of years my mental health has been put to the test. My head and my heart are currently in a bit of battle and that made the holidays and being sick all that much harder. Not surprisingly, I did not reach out to my tried and true support system like I should have, but it feels good just knowing they are there and just that has been helpful. In 2012 I said multiple times that 2012 was going to be MY YEAR. Well that flopped in the biggest way but I have some hope for 2014. It started out a bit too rough for my liking but I am confident all the work I did in 2013 to make things great will work out in 2014. Time is a funny thing- I do not believe it heals all wounds but I do believe that a heart doesn't find its match everyday and time alone cannot change that.
So watch out for these blog posts and much more regular posting in the future. Scouts honor. That is if I was a scout. Which I am not. :)
Friday, January 3, 2014
Precrime to the Rescue
I hope I have made it clear through this project that I enjoy a large variety of films. I have a fondness for animated stories, comedies, older films, action, Bond, and today's film is an example of a switch-on-a-switch film that speaks to the futuristic interests.
Minority Report stars Tom Cruise and a little bit of Colin Farrell in a world where Washington DC has a Precrime department that can predict when a murder will take place. It can also predict who is killing who- then these Precrime Cops get out there and arrest the would be murderer. Apparently pre-meditated crime was eliminated and this crime fighting until has prevented all murder in the District all together. But of course that is not the whole movie-that would be boring! There is some classic switch on a switch, edge of your seat action. Your brain gets a work out while watching this film as you figure out the plot and if there are weaknesses to the Precrime system. As you can imagine with his skeptical eyebrows, Colin Farrell is suspicious and Tom Cruise always looks concerned as he figures out the story was well.
It has been long established that I love these kind of movies that make you think and you feel smarter if you figure out the story before the movie wants you to. But I have also explained to you as my blog followers that even though I have seen all of these movies before, I never remember what happens in them and I am always surprised! I had forgotten about some of the more gross scenes in this movie that involve eyeballs. And snot.
The Precrime Department gets all of its information from these three "Pre-Cogs" who float in this pool of water and we read their thoughts. There are two men and one woman who are the Pre-Cogs predicting all this crime. And of course the woman Pre-Cog is the smartest and the key to the whole puzzle. Her memories and her brain prove to be the key to solving a long unsolved murder. While the idea of three semi-comatose, floating in water geniuses predicting crime is a bit far fetched but my friend Brandon does think the idea of having prisons keep prisoners in halos might be realistic.
You know that pinterest pin that uses THINK to describe how we should think as people before we speak or type? While it might appear too juvenile for some college students- the message is important. Gossip is dangerous and harmful on your floor, or at a smaller college where everyone already knows everyone else's business. If we all were a little kinder to each other the world be a better place.
Minority Report stars Tom Cruise and a little bit of Colin Farrell in a world where Washington DC has a Precrime department that can predict when a murder will take place. It can also predict who is killing who- then these Precrime Cops get out there and arrest the would be murderer. Apparently pre-meditated crime was eliminated and this crime fighting until has prevented all murder in the District all together. But of course that is not the whole movie-that would be boring! There is some classic switch on a switch, edge of your seat action. Your brain gets a work out while watching this film as you figure out the plot and if there are weaknesses to the Precrime system. As you can imagine with his skeptical eyebrows, Colin Farrell is suspicious and Tom Cruise always looks concerned as he figures out the story was well.
It has been long established that I love these kind of movies that make you think and you feel smarter if you figure out the story before the movie wants you to. But I have also explained to you as my blog followers that even though I have seen all of these movies before, I never remember what happens in them and I am always surprised! I had forgotten about some of the more gross scenes in this movie that involve eyeballs. And snot.
The Precrime Department gets all of its information from these three "Pre-Cogs" who float in this pool of water and we read their thoughts. There are two men and one woman who are the Pre-Cogs predicting all this crime. And of course the woman Pre-Cog is the smartest and the key to the whole puzzle. Her memories and her brain prove to be the key to solving a long unsolved murder. While the idea of three semi-comatose, floating in water geniuses predicting crime is a bit far fetched but my friend Brandon does think the idea of having prisons keep prisoners in halos might be realistic. You know that pinterest pin that uses THINK to describe how we should think as people before we speak or type? While it might appear too juvenile for some college students- the message is important. Gossip is dangerous and harmful on your floor, or at a smaller college where everyone already knows everyone else's business. If we all were a little kinder to each other the world be a better place.
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