Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Olympic Fever

I'll admit it, I totally have Olympic Fever and I know I'm not alone in this.  I watch sports rarely, less than rarely really, but once every four years I get obsessed with the Olympics.  (I say every four years because the Summer Olympics just don't do it for me, after gymnastics and diving I'm pretty much out).  But for the Winter Olympics? I'll watch just about anything, all of that skiing and skating and snowboarding and sledding (I'm talking about you bobsledders and lugers), that stuff is wicked fun to watch.  It also helps that those athletes are all a little bit nuts, you'd have to be to do what they do.  I love every cheesy, over the top, stupid dramatic, piece of it. 

Touching stories about athletes overcoming adversity?  Love it!

Profiles of countries and places that I've never heard of?  Love it!

Restrospective looks at every mistake an athlete made at the last Olympics followed by the word "redemption" said at least 1000 times a broadcast?  Love it!

Instant replays everytime someone falls down?  Love it!

Watching the Olympians tear up at the medals ceromony and tearing up myself no matter what national anthem is playing?  Love it!

I love it all, but the snowboarding? Oh the snowboarding.... I admit to be unabashedly jealous of the snowboarders. I want to be able to do that!  Not enough to actually learn mind you, because I don't want to be a beginner, I want to be good and I'd like to start out that way.  Clearly this as good a reason as any to just dream about it and not actually do it.   None of the other sports look nearly as cool as the snowboarding.  None of the other athletes look nearly as fun to hang out with.   It is by far my favorite Winter Olympic sport (and I realize they snowboard at other times that I could watch on tv but it's just to stressful!)  I'm tell you the reason I never watch sports is probably because it's to exhausting to love something this much.  From every over the top opening ceremony to the torch being extinguished I just love the Winter Olympics, heck I'll probably even watch Curling (if just to marvel at the fact that it is an actual sport), but Snowboarding will always be my favorite!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Times they are a changin'

To put it mildly the economy sucks, I mean really sucks.   People are losing jobs, houses, savings, and retirement funds.  I have been very lucky that I haven't lost any of that and, despite my whining about it, I am grateful to have a job.  Still, paychecks keep getting cut, class sizes are getting bigger, stress levels are rising, and expectations keep getting more unbelievable...

For over a year my sister and I have talked about what we would do if the economy sunk so low that having separate houses no longer made sense.  We talked about selling both our houses to buy a larger (but cheaper) home, we talked about renting, refinancing, and moving in with our parents (hi mom).  We talked, and talked, and talked, and talked.  And finally we decided that it was time.  Next year is going to bring more cuts to the education budget (thanks government) and, while Dave Ramsey has made a huge difference in how I approach money, I won't be able to save nearly as much as I would like.   She is in a similar boat and although she isn't saving for an adoption she would like to pay down some debt. 

The next few months are going to be full of changes at my house because I'm about to get two roommates, one sister/best friend, and one adorable (although kinda loud) three year old,.   It is going to be mutually beneficial on both parts and should be good fun.  We've voluntarily lived together before, much to our parents surprise, and are looking forward to doing it again.  I'll be able to save for Bulgaria while also paying down debt, and she will get to pay down debt and start saving for life.  It will definitely take some adjusting but we are both looking forward to it.  My once neglected loft will soon become home to some awesome IKEA wardrobes (hello sale), and the guest room downstairs will become a room for cousins to share....someday! 

So bring it on Economy, Bring. It. On.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Black & White

I guess its time to get this out in the open....I think black and white movies are boring.  And yes I do mean all black and white movies.  I can't help it, I guess my brain just isn't wired for that.  I need color, bright bold over-the-top color.  I've tried to like black and white movies, I really have.  I've seen It's a Wonderful Life and, sorry Clarence, I hated it.  Any not just a little....

I mean come on...nothing even blows up.  It's boring, a friend recently told me that black and white movies make her sleepy, and I totally agree.   I practically needed an IV drip of caffeine to make it through Casablanca and I really, really wanted to like that one (it's a classic). 

Call me unpolished, uncouth, or a product of my generation but seriously I need action and adventure and cute boys and color!  I'd rather watch Lethal Weapon (it's funny and stuff blows up), The Hangover (it's funny and there are cute boys), Die Hard (stuff blows up and there are cute boys), or The Sound of Music (threw you with that one huh, but really folks musicals win me over every time...unless they're in black and white).

So maybe I'll never be a film critic or a member of the Academy but, I'm ok with that.  And if you're a movie that is musical, or funny, or has cute boys or explosions then my house is the place to be...black and white movies need not apply (although I do accept the cheesy and sappy as well).