MindComet

Attention Moms!

I usually do not do this, however I feel compelled as a parent.  I took my eight year old son, Caboose, to see Disney’s holiday animated movie and was completely underwhelmed and just a little appalled.  A Christmas Carol is a beloved holiday story by Charles Dickens that has been told many times and in many formats, as it is a wonderful story of redemption.  I will go on record and say that I love this story so much that I have seen countless versions (my favorite is Alastair Sims’ “Scrooge“), so I am extremely familiar with the story.  This latest rendition, Disney’s A Christmas Carol by Robert Zemeckis, is a crime against Dickens.  I am unsure where to start this little rant…. Oh, let’s start with Jim Carrey.

Zemeckis tried to recreate the Polar Express formula with A Christmas Carol, in that he used a single actor or “give life” to multiple characters in the film.  It worked with Polar Express because Tom Hanks is an extraordinary dramatic actor.  It did not work in A Christmas Carol because Jim Carrey is not an extraordinary dramatic actor.  Every character, with the exception of Ebenezer Scrooge, is an over-the-top, over-done, and ultimately irritating hallow imitation of Dicken’s original characters.  At no point did I feel compassion, empathy, or connection with any of the characters.  The redemption of the character and the moral of the story didn’t reach me (or anyone else) as the focus of this movie was action.  Zemeckis tried to turn a dramatic masterpiece into a Michael Bay’esque blockbuster.  It’s an #EPICFAIL.

Ultimately, I am unsure who this movie is for…. Not for young holiday movie viewers (as it is way too intense) and not Dicken’s fans.  I am searching very hard to figure out who this movie was supposed to target?  This is just one Mother’s opinion, but I like my holiday animated movies to be tender, heart-warming, and fun.  Disney’s A Christmas Carol was none of these.  Don’t waste your holiday time or holiday money on this offering.

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Posted by Jennifer Carey on Nov. 12, 2009

Daylight Savings Time and You

Usually, I am not one to complain about extra sleep (this time in the form of DLST), but Caboose (my eight year old son) just isn’t getting with the program.  On Sunday morning, he woke at his usual 6:00a, but thanks to the end of DLST that was a not-so-sweet 5:00a.  Monday morning was worse, as he was up and chipper (by chipper I really mean LOUD) at 4:50a.  So instead of slowly moving toward the correct time, he is in fact moving in the opposite direction.  I found an article that lists coping tips.  I was planning on trying these, but frankly they are all geared toward adults.  Caboose doesn’t drive, doesn’t drink stimulants, doesn’t sleep in, and really isn’t the one stressed out about his sleeping habits.  I think my only hope is employ the strategy that I used when he was a baby…. Sleep when he sleeps, wake up when he wakes up.  Oh boy.  4:40a here I come!

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Posted by Jennifer Carey on Nov. 05, 2009

Halloween, You’ve Always Been My Favorite

I have always been in love with Halloween.  As a kid, I could not wait to pick-out a costume and wear it around the neighborhood with my brother and sisters.  I’ve had quite a selection of costumes over the years, as that has been the one thing that has never changed.  I still love to dress up in Halloween costumes.  This year I had a dilemma, as I had prepared to wear a bumblebee costume (notice, I did not say “Slutty Bumblebee”).  This costume is large, heavy and round like an actual bumblebee.  When Caboose tried on my costume, it covered almost his entire body and when he shook his very hidden back-side and say “Does this make my butt look fat?“.  The dilemma this year, however, is that it will be close to 90 degrees and wearing a furry heavy costume is less than enticing.

Last year, I made up a costume (I usually buy) and it was a horrible failure.  I was told that it was too obscure and no one got it.  It really stinks when you have to continuously explain your costume and the only response you get is a look that says “Man, you are odd!“.  Let’s play a game.  I will describe my costume to you and see if you can guess who/what I was…. Ready?

I wore a black dress.  I had silver buttons running down my back and I had a “Mary” name tag sticker on.

Last year’s failure is one of the main reasons I am clinging to the bumblebee outfit so tenaciously.  Everyone should be able to recognize a bumblebee when they see one.  Hopefully. 

Because I love lists, I am going to give you a run down of my Halloween costume history.  Here we go; Bumblebee, Miss Mary Mack (that’s the answer), A Best Buy Employee, A Giant Referee (it had a hoop around the middle so I looked like a ball), Miss Trailer Park 2005, Snow White, Snow White again, and the list goes on.  I encourage everyone to loose their inhibitions, dress up as something fun, and get your Halloween on!!

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Posted by Jennifer Carey on Oct. 29, 2009

I Just Can’t Have Nice Things Anymore

As I continue to settle into my new home, I find that my budget allows for me to buy one new home accessory a month.  Even with the budgetary allotment, I never seem to have enough money for sweet paintings like this anymore.  Is it because I have a child, all my extra money goes to the purchase of Bionicles and Xbox 360 games?  I am unsure.  All I know is that they don’t paintings like this in IKEA.

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Posted by Jennifer Carey on Oct. 19, 2009

Good News For Drinkers!

Moderate drinkers that is….  According to a study by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, non-drinkers and heavy drinkers have a higher likelihood of suffering from depression and anxiety than their moderate drinking counterparts.  Even more troubling for the non-drinkers, according to the study, they had fewer friends and were less well-adjusted socially than the other groups. 

For clarification sake, moderate drinkers have two drinks per week.  So I say that beer at Happy Hour on Friday with your friends is a great idea!

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Posted by Jennifer Carey on Oct. 13, 2009

Still Another Item In The “I Want That” Category

Since I’m trying to be diligent in saving money, I am packing my lunch every day.  Now I own one of those ubiquitous insulated nylon lunch bags, you know the ones I’m talking about.  But there are days when I am uninspired by my lunch.  I think I’ve found the solution.  No, it’s not better quality sandwiches (but that would be an improvement), it’s a better lunch box.  I think I’ve found the perfect one.  I will continue to look around, but check out this sweet number.  Don’t be jealous, you too can own one.

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Posted by Jennifer Carey on Oct. 07, 2009

Are You The Next….

I ran across a contest looking for a spokes model for sustainability.  This model, aside from being pleasant looking, has to actually live the green lifestyle.  The winner will become the face and brand ambassador for the movement.  That started me thinking, not about entering that contest, but what kind of contest would I be a perfect representative/model. 

Let’s review my qualifications; I’m not photogenic.  I’m not highly educated (I don’t posses advanced degrees).  I’m not particularly talented or coordinated.  I can’t juggle / sing / dance / crack a whip / shoot a gun / whisper to animals / or ride a bike.  I am average in the most painful way.  I am “Middle America”. 

Being average “Middle America”, I think that I would be the perfect tester / reviewer / judge for new products.  That would be the contest I could win; “America Says What?“!  Who better than a middle aged Ohio transplant living in Florida to say what average people would like or dislike.  Anyway, if there were a contest designed for me it would be “America Says What?“.  What would yours be?

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Posted by Jennifer Carey on Oct. 01, 2009