Being Thankful and Stuff

I put off writing this blog as long as I could because, well, I couldn’t figure out how to be sincere about it without sounding trite like the end of a Full House episode where the sappy music plays and Danny reminds the girls how lucky they are to have each other.  I haven’t figured out how to do that, so we’re just going to have to make it through.

 

The number one thing that I’m thankful for is that I am in a much better place in my life than I was this time last year.  That’s a broad way of putting it, so I should probably break it down.  The following are not in any particular order, just the order in which they occur to me.

 

My Family: This one probably goes without saying but family is placed prominently on the list because there have been specific instances in the last year during which I genuinely thought I was going to lose my mom, my dad and my brother.  If your name is Megan and you work with me, you’ve probably had to talk me down during all three of those crises.  It would be super awesome if we didn’t have to go through another year like that.  In the meantime, I am so thankful that we’re all still here and in good health, with affordable health insurance, unlimited cell phone plans that allow us all to keep in touch and the ability to follow our dreams (to be a teacher, a nurse, a financial wizard, a man of faith and the best mom on the planet).  Most of all, I am thankful for the abudance of I’m-about-to-pee-my-pants moments of laughter that we have shared this year and every year in the past.

 

Ace: I couldn’t speak about my family without mentioning about our new addition.  This puppy has brought so much extra joy, laughter and puddles of urine to our family, which is probably why I talk about him and post pictures like he’s my son or something.  He’s only six months old, so Acey may not be the best behaved of all the dogs in the world, but he is certainly the most beloved.  I’m thankful that he has joined the family, even with those first sleepless nights we had to endure, the dozens and dozens of accidents in the house and the fact that this little terror will eat anything—including and especially the contents of the garbage.  Nevertheless, I think we’re all very glad that Acey is with us.

 

My Job:  Some days it’s a little easier to wake up than others but 9 times out of 10, I’m happy to go to work in the morning.  That alone is something to be thankful for, I think we can agree.  Student loans are a heartless bitch but I’m thankful for the ability to fulfill my obligations by paying them.  In addition to that, I love my crazy students and (some of) their parents.  I love my coworkers and all the fun shenanigans and gossip we provide for each other.  I love that my job has given me the inspiration and the tools the pursue becoming a teacher.  Middle schoolers are some of the most hilarious, frustrating, endearing, infuriating little people you will ever deal with, but my job has kind of made me love them.

 

My Friends: They say that some friends come and go.  This has been a painful lesson to learn and unfortunately I’m still learning it, but I am thankful for the friends I have made since last Thanksgiving.  No matter what shit might be going on, I have a contact list full of people that I can call or text and know that they will care.  My best friend from high school and I still gmail chat at work all the time, my boo always makes me laugh, I got to spend 4 days in D.C. with two of my favorite coworkers and my hoebag is probably the best mentor I’ve ever had.  I also don’t know what I’d do without everyone else that encourages me, goes out to drink with me, helps me kill zombies on my iPad or just shoots the shit at my desk with me.  They make my life a hell of a lot more fun.

 

 

Gwen:  Gwen, my 2006 Ford Fusion (named after Gwen Cooper, the ass-kicking main character from Torchwood), is the car I’ve dreamed of buying ever since the first time I laid eyes on a Fusion.  I am so happy to finally have her but more importantly, the peace of mind that she brings me.  It is so nice not to worry about whether your car is going to make it from point A to point B or if it’s going to start when it’s too cold outside or if the engine’s going to die if I’m at a red light and I’m not revving the engine continuously.  (True story.  My first car, Todd.)  I love my car, it works well and it’s paid off.  I’m thankful for that!

 

As far as things go, it’s been a pretty awesome year.  I’m pretty happy with the way things are going in my life.  I still hemorrhage money like nobody’s business but I have a family that’s awesome, I job I like, friends I adore, more material possessions than I know what to do with and the resources to continue my education.  Hopefully by this time next year, I’ll be finishing up my student teaching with job prospects and a husband.  Okay, maybe not a husband.  That would be nice though.

 

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!  I hope you all have a great holiday, eat tons of food, drink a whole bunch and kill some bitches to get a 32 inch TV at Walmart!  Isn’t that what Thanksgiving is all about?

 

Becky

Movies/TV Shows I Like but No One Else Seems To

I don’t think I have terrible taste in things.  Well, except we’ve already discussed that I love ugly baby names and the guys I’m attracted aren’t usually handsome in the traditional sense, but it’s not like I’m just a freak who likes weird shit.  Well, maybe I am.  Anyway, here is a list of movies and TV shows that I really really like, but I think I’m the only one who does.

Pan Am: This show kind of fizzled out, halfway through the first season, (Some people would argue that it fizzled out before the first episode even aired), but I kind of liked it!  It was cute, it was mindless, it was a period piece which means I already love it.  Christina Ricci was charming and the one guy who played the pilot was hot.  (Because apparently they let 25 year olds fly commercial airliners in the 1960s.)  They tried to introduce some lame espionage plot that just ended up being so bizarre because the show barely made it through a handful of episodes, but I still enjoyed watching this fluffy little show.  If they could have gotten rid of the political parables and just written more about Colette (cutest flight attendant ever!) this show might have made it!  Well, probably not.  But it was a fun blend of soap opera drama and frivolous fun.

Stage Beauty: I never would have even known this movie existed if we hadn’t watched it in my Restoration Drama class in college, but I frickin loved it and now I watch it on a pretty regular basis.  It takes place in the 1660s, before women were allowed to act on the English stage and supposedly tells the story of Edward Kynaston, who was a real life actor and one of the best players of women that ever lived in the time period where women were just beginning to appear in plays.  Bonus points for Rupert Everett playing Charles II, probably my favorite role of his, to date.  Again, this is a period piece, but it’s also hilarious and it’s got all the trappings of a romantic comedy.  People compare it to Shakespeare in Love, but for some reason, not very many people have seen this movie.  I would highly recommend giving it a try, if you’re into that kind of thing.  For example, I think my cousin Teresa would love it.

Torchwood: My geeky, sci-fi vice.  For those of you who don’t know what Doctor Who is, it’s a science fiction show.  For those of you who don’t know what Torchwood is, it’s a super sexed-up version of Doctor Who.  Seriously, it’s true.  One episode deals with an alien that feeds off “orgasm energy” and has sex with and kills as many people as possible.  Then Ianto has sex with a Cyberwoman, Owen has sex with a lady from the past, Tosh has sex with a chick who’s actually an alien and Jack makes out with his old friend.  His name is John.  There’s some fun, actiony stuff that happens too, but all you need to know is that everyone is bisexual and they’re all sleeping with each other.  That said, it’s a totally enjoyable and campy show.

Orphan: Omg, I freakin love this movie. I seriously watch it every time they play it on cable. A dysfunctional family adopts a sweet little Russian girl to heal their heart following a miscarriage, and it turns out that little girl isn't actually a little girl. She is a full grown woman with some disorder that makes her look like a kid. Oh and she is also a psycho killer. Everybody got that?  As if the premise alone wasn't enough to make you love this movie, maybe the awesomely bad dialogue will: "I'M NOT YOUR FUCKING MOMMY!!!!"  This whole movie is a giant train wreck from start to finish and I love it!  Seriously, watch this movie. Watch it.

Here Comes Honey Boo Boo: Everytime I mention this train wreck of a show to someone, I'm disappointed to find that everyone else claims that they have never seen it. I don't know if they're lying or if I'm truly the only one who watched this show religiously. Everyone will claim that this show is everything that's wrong with America. I say pish posh. First, there's June: the bastion of graceful motherhood. She has a brood of classy daughters who participate in such activities as farting at the dinner table, smelling each other's breath, and getting pregnant at 17. Even though Glitzy the pig is probably the smartest member of the family, i would still rather spend a day with this family than with those awful Kardashians.

The Village: I’m a big fan of M. Night Shyamalan fan even though everyone says that his movies after Sixth Sense are crap, I think The Village is far superior.  I won’t spoil the big “twist” for you, but I think one of the reasons people were so disappointed with the film was because they were waiting for the twist and then when it came, their minds weren’t blown.  The movie itself is so good and because the twist comes in the last 8 minutes or so, it barely even registers on my radar.  The acting is great, the music is sublime and visually, it’s just beautiful.  Give this movie a try.  It’s one of my favorites.

Well, dear readers, perhaps I will revisit this topic some other time. I'd like to think of more examples but Sarah is home right now and we're going to go watch some Kevin Hart comedy. Let me know if there are any tv shows or movies that you adore but everyone else seems to hate. I'll talk to you soon!

Thanks for reading

Becky