Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Ron and I finally watched this movie last night. I don't know what took us so long to see it, except that maybe we were afraid that it would be too sad given the subject matter. Although there aren't many films that deal with 9/11, we have pretty much avoided them. It's been over 10 years, but it still hurts to think about it.

This movie was nominated for Best Picture this year but did not win. Had I been allowed to vote, I definitely would have ranked it higher than "The Artist." It took me about 15 minutes to get over being put off by the young star of the film. He was very odd, but was supposed to be. It was hinted at in the film that he might have Asberger's Syndrome or some other mild form of autism. Thomas Horn is the young actor that played Oskar Schell. By the end of the movie, he had me in the palm of his hand. Tom Hanks is the father who dies in one of the towers. He is present in the movie in a series of flashbacks that show what a close and important relationship Oskar had with his father. Tom Hanks is my favorite actor and I wish he'd had more scenes, but for the purpose of the film, it was enough. Sandra Bullock played Oskar's mother and she was equally wonderful. My favorite scenes were of Oskar and his new friend "the renter." Max Von Sydow did not speak one word in the entire film but his presence in it was absolutely crucial.

I'm glad that we didn't see this film when it was in the theaters. It would have spoiled it for me to have other people around me crunching their popcorn and unwrapping their candy. As it was I had to tune out Ron's snoring. Yes, we watched it on pay per view in the comfort of our home movie theater (also known as my California King!). In Ron's defense, he was very tired after a long week at work and couldn't keep his eyes open. He woke up in time to find me wiping my eyes and sniffling. Do see this movie. I recommend it enthusiastically.

Ali in Wonderland

I saw Ali Wentworth on a show promoting her book. Ali is a comedic actress, is friends with people like Oprah and is married to political journalist, George Stephanopoulos (I have a big crush on him). She shared a few of the stories that she has written about, so I thought, what the heck! I could use a good laugh – I’ll buy that book and read it. So, I did. Besides, Ali seems like the kind of person that it would fun to have as a friend.

Ali is a hoot! That much is clear just from the picture on the book jacket. She did have some funny stories to tell, but was also brutally honest about some difficult times in her life. I do applaud her for that. It was obvious after reading the first page that she wrote the book herself – no ghost writer. I found it difficult to follow her at times. She didn’t share her stories in chronological order – she bounced around from college stories back to her childhood and back again. I mostly appreciated the later chapters in which she shared stories about her courtship with George, their wedding and having children.

Ali Wentworth is irreverent, honest, crass and funny. There were a couple times that I startled Ron by laughing out loud as I read it. Still, this book is no great masterpiece. Reading it didn’t change my life. If Ali wasn’t a minor celebrity of sorts, I'm not sure that she would have gotten it published. If you are still interested in reading it, don’t buy it. You can have my copy.

The Hunger Games

There has been great anticipation for this movie - probably not as much as there was for the final Harry Potter movie or the upcoming final chapter of the Twilight series. Still, when I went to Fandango online to find out the available times, it appeared that it wouldn't matter when we went. There were 36 times available to see The Hunger Games at our favorite theater. I was surprised that when we got to the theater, there were no lines. Granted, it was raining so maybe people bought their tickets online. By the time the movie started, the theater was probably 80% full.

The downside of going to see a movie based on a series of young adult books, is that you end up having to watch the movie with a bunch of young adults. This generally means that there will be talking throughout the movie and inappropriate laughter at sensitive moments. Oh well...whatcha gonna do?

I read this book series last year and definitely had my opinions when they announced who would be playing Katniss, Peeta and Gale. Once photos started being released of the actors in character, I relaxed. Now having seen the movie, I congratulate the actors on a job well done. Jennifer Lawrence is a wonderful Katniss perfectly capturing the strength and vulnerability of the character. Josh Hutcherson is very convincing as Peeta Mellark. Liam Hemsworth doesn't get too much screen time as Gale Hawthorne, but that was fine with me - he looked too pretty and well groomed to play Gale. I remember that people were upset that Woody Harrelson was cast as Haymitch - but I thought he was quite good and I liked his portrayal.

The running time for this movie was 2 hours and 22 minutes. It went by in a flash for me. The pace of the film was good - there were no lulls. I was concerned how the brutality of the story would be played out onscreen - it could have been quite gory, but it was handled well. It was scary and disturbing that these teens were put in the position of "kill or be killed." The books were much more brutal than the movie portrayed - maybe it was sanitized a little too much.

All in all I think this was a good adaptation of the book, but I truly recommend that you read it before seeing the movie. There is just too much that the movie couldn't focus on. The books are almost always better than the movie, aren't they? Be that as it may, I am looking forward to the sequel - Catching Fire. I've got time to re-read the series before the it comes out next year in November.

An Invitation I'd Sooner Decline - revised

Look what came in the mail today....

...and you wonder why I'm obsessing about turning 50?!

So, I actually opened the envelope to see what AARP was selling. American Association for Retired Persons. I am not retired, nor hope to be so in the foreseeable future, but for the low price of $16 I get -

• 12 month membership in AARP (which means what?)
• 12 month membership for my spouse or partner (Ron will be thrilled!)
• Award-winning AARP The Magazine - World's largest circulation magazine (a friend tells me there are interesting articles in it)
• Access to exclusive products: health insurance, dental coverage, eye care, pharmacy. (I have all this, but I think it would be great for people that don't already have it)
• 10 issues of the AARP Bulletin Newspaper (more stuff that I won't have time to read)
• Access to discounts on hotels, car rentals, cruises, home security, cell phone service, and more. (add discounts for restaurants and movies and I would overnight my check!)
• Representation in Washington and all 50 states. Fighting age discrimination, protecting pension rights, Social Security, Medicare. (Hmmmmm....)

I am not against any of this for people...I am against the idea that someone outside my family and friends KNOW that I am almost 50. How do they KNOW?

I hope my friend Harriet won't mind me adding what she had to say on the matter..."Funny how folks react. It's been 10 years since I got my letter and card and it has been just fine. Being young at mind and heart has no number. So much of society focuses on the youth it feels great to be recognized as a more mature adult (remember how we couldn't wait to grow up). The worry of getting older contributes to stress (don't we have enough)? I say enjoy the discounts and offers available to members. We deserve something for that right of passage."

Well said, Harriet. I need to quit being so sensitive. Shut up and grow up, huh?

Celebrities turning 50 this year

As I continue to try to  convince myself that turning 50 is not that big a deal, I found an article listing celebrities that are hitting the big five - oh this year. I just selected a few of them...

Tom Cruise

Demi Moore

Joan Cusack

Jodie Foster

Kelly Preston

Wesley Snipes

Paula Abdul

Emilio Estevez

Matthew Broderick

Rosie O'Donnell

John Bon Jovi

Garth Brooks

1962 was a pretty good year. I wouldn't want their fame or notoriety, but I wouldn't mind a little of the cash...

Good things about turning 50 - Part 1

Here is my first installment of the good things about getting older - - - -

I care much less about what other people think than I used to.

I don't have to ask permission.

No more PTA meetings.

I don't get carded anymore.

I feel much less guilty about doing things I want to do.

I have time to enjoy art.

I read because I want to not because I have to.

I can put my pajamas on when I get home from work and I don't care what anyone thinks about it!

I have finally figured out how to relax.

Other people I know, love and respect are 50 or older and they are JUST FINE!

Stay tuned - there's more to come....

You are only as old as you feel...

When I was 7 or so, I remember thinking that when I was 12, I would really be grown up. When I was 12, I thought 20 was old. When I hit 20 I started to think that 30 was "middle age." At 32, I began working with older adults and all my preconceptions of aging and what is old were blown out of the water.

In 1994 I became the program assistant at an adult day program. The ADC was a day program where caregivers could bring their loved ones for a few hours every day for activities, exercise, socialization and a hot meal. What was amazing about this program was that it had a small paid staff, but a huge volunteer corps made up mainly of retired, older adults. These volunteers drove the program vans to pick up and take home participants, worked in the administrative office and helped facilitate all the activities of the day. Some of these volunteers were in their 80's! They did their volunteer work with energy, compassion, energy, dedication, enrgy and love. And did I mention energy?

Here it is 18 years later and I am still working with older adults. I know people in their 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and even someone who has passed the 100 year mark. Many of them face serious health challenges, but they continue to have young spirits. I am often inspired by their stories, their determination and their energy. Working with these people has also finally made me realize that I should really be taking better care of myself NOW. I AM trying.

Facing 50 has really made me reflect on age and what I have accomplished and how much more I want to do. The are so many good things about getting older. In fact, in honor of my upcoming birthday I am going to list 50 good things about getting older.

Before I start my list, I want to share a funny story from when my girls were in grade school. My oldest daughter, jb, was quite precocious at times. She was about 10 years old and knew everything, of course. Somehow, age entered the conversation. She said to me, "Mom, you and Dad are old, Nana is ANCIENT, but Grandma and Grandpa Beeson are PREHISTORIC!"