Adam

Okay so I don't normally post reviews because I'm not very picky about my cinematic experiences. I'm always looking for a good flick but generally, I'm easily entertained (Unless of course I have to watch Nine, 9, Leap Year, or Did You Hear About the Morgan's again.. Okay, so maybe I'm pickier than I thought). However, I recently saw the movie "Adam" which first premiered in the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. If not, go rent it. Seriously. I haven't seen a movie that I have absolutely loved for awhile but this did the trick. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me think (I know right? Rarity), and the soundtrack is borderline amazing.

Here is my non-professional overview of the movie. Adam is a twentysomething year old guy suffering from Asperger's whose father recently died. Beth is likewise a twentysomething year old who happens to move into the same apartment complex as Adam. There is a great chemistry between the two but Adam is clearly oblivious to social norms and awkwardness. Basically, the movie is about their interesting/challenging relationship while stretching out of their own comfort zones to unknown territory.

I haven't seen too many Sundance films but the ones I have watched I've really enjoyed. There is something about them that just makes them more raw and real than your traditional box office hit. They take these awkward human experiences and turn them into something that people can relate to. You don't always walk away feeling bubbly and happy but you definitely come away with a new perspective and a few good laughs.

Anyway, here is an official trailer of Adam if you are interested or if my synapses didn't pull you in. I wouldn't blame you if that were the case.

Sisters

Could this possibly be the four Stimpson sisters, Nicea, Coy, Ceri, and Shawn? I'll let you all decide which gets to be "Judy."

My Favorite Era

My biggest (and uncontrollable) regret was that I wasn't a teenager in the 80's. I swear I was born to wear those clothes, watch those TV shows, and show off those dance moves. Pat Benatar is my hero. Saved by the Bell (The Prom episode? AMAZING) is genious. And yes, I own colored skinny jeans. Now that I am older, and somewhat wiser, I realize that I missed out. Therefore, I'll just survive on watching old music videos, SBTB re-runs, and borrowing my mothers old workout leo (puff sleeves included) and Jane Fonda videos.

This is one of my all time favorite music videos. Teen rebellion, check. Man in leather pants, check. Man in crop top, check. Man in short white shorts, check (unfortunately). Girl power, check. Dance break, check. 5 minutes of sheer and total tubular awesomeness, CHECK.

The Silver Lining

Last week we found out that my Grandpa passed away. He'd been suffering from Alzheimer's the past few years and had gotten progressively worse within the last few months. I was torn about the whole situation. I did not know whether to feel happy that he was finally able to move on, or sad that for the first time, I would pull up that gravel driveway in good old Wapato, Washington and know that he would no longer be inside. I figure that in the end, it was better for him even though my selfish desires wished to keep him hear as long as I could.

This man never ceased to amaze me. I remember my visit this past June on the way to the traditional Stimpson Family Reunion. I sat on the recliner next to his and visited with him for at least an hour, reminding him that I was Nicea's daughter, which made me one of his granddaughters. The channel on TV was set to CNN which was flooding with stories regarding WWII, specifically D-Day. Grandpa had been there. He repeatedly told me he was a war veteran, and on June 6, 1944, he landed on Omaha beach. That he had faught in that war. That he had served his country honorably.

I'll never forget the numerous times I was thrown into the pool even before I knew how to swim. Grandpa thought it was the best way to teach me I guess, or perhaps he forgot which of us cousins knew how to swim and which didn't. Either way, I learned and swam in that pool millions of times. I probably went down the slide even more and lets not forget about the time when I was 6 years old and I learned how to dive.

"The Monster" was another Grandpa Stimpson trademark. With either knee as an "on/off" button we'd play this game with Grandpa at least twice a day. By simply hitting the "on" button he would grab us and tickle us until we could manage to hit the "off" button (he made this very hard to do). During the game, Granpa would frequently "blow a fuse" which I now realize meant he was tired and didn't want to play anymore. I think this is a prominent memory for all the Grandkids which only goes to show how much we all loved it.

All these memories and more came flooding back as we all gathered together in 101 Skoneway to say goodbye. Every single cousin, aunt, and uncle was able to make it to the funeral (I suppose we'll excuse Loren, him being on a mission and all) and I believe this alone is very telling of the family this incredible man raised. Grandpa is gone but we know he is in a better place and that we will see him again soon. And that's the Silver Lining.

Nice Notes

Isn't it the best when you walk from class to your car and a little piece of paper is flapping on your wind shield? "Someone has left me a note!" I think to myself, "aw, I probably don't even know this person. How kind. See, this is why I love BYU!" And then you actually pick up the note...and read it...and realize people have way too much time on their hands.


P.S. Go ahead and send me back to Driver's Ed. I'd quite like to perfect my spit-wadding skills. Prank calling Mr. Ashdown from his own classroom again wouldn't be so bad either.

Everyday in the World

Everyday in the world many a thing could happen...

One could win the lottery...
fall in love...
make a new friend...
discover a hobby...
quit a job...
find a job...
finish a good book...
invent a new ice cream flavor...
dance in the rain...
learn a language...
write a short story...
have a good cry...

or anything else one could think of...

and if it all becomes too overwhelming

perhaps...

one could just sing.

Rip Roarin and Ready to Run!

Okay. So picture a bunch of crazy people that join a team to run 180 miles straight in 24 hours. Nuts right? Totally. So what kind of people would participate in such a feat?

WE WOULD!

Allow me to explain. I participated in the Red Rock Relay a couple of weekends ago and it was the hardest, funnest, coolest experience. For those of you that have heard of the Ragnar "Wasatch Back" it is the same exact thing. It is a relay race that runs for 24 hours in which someone from your team is always running. So yes, you run through the night, and pretty much you get no sleep for 24 hours and run your heart out. I ran about 14.5 miles of the total 180. We were 2 people short so some members of the team ran twice as much as I did. Oof. I could never.

This was me before my first leg. Notice the smile and excitement. It faded around 4am.

And here is your proof. Like I said, excitement slowly faded. In fact, I think Jen and I completely slept through Mike and Clint's final legs...sorry guys.

As time progressed we had to find ways to keep ourselves busy...
So we took plenty of scenic pictures (since we all looked so fresh and clean, sarcasm, please tell me you caught that)

We brushed Jen's hair.

And most importantly, we played some intense road games. This was approximately 8am of day 2 when the game was played. Therefore we had some pretty creative answers. They go as follows:

Things you fear that start with Letter "F": Fugly Friends.
Famous Athletes that start with Letter "R": Rarl Malone.
Or my personal favorite, contributed by a passing (and panting) runner
Ice cream flavors that start with Letter "H": Oh hell no. (Now, I don't know if this particular runner was aware that this flavor doesn't actually exist, but what a great idea?! The Oh hell no ice cream flavor. "Uh yes, give me two scoops of 'hell no.' Thanks.")

Marks on our calves represent each time we finished a "leg."

Our team shirts.

All in all we had the best time ever and most importantly, WE FINISHED! I have never been so exhausted in my life and at the same time felt so great. I can't wait to do it all over again!