June 1st

As I mentioned in my last post...in honor of my upcoming birthday I have decided to have a Disney Week. Each day, I'm going to post about one of my favorite Disney movies leading up to my birthday on Saturday. So kicking the week off is going to be... John Carter!

John Carter

 This is a movie that I feel was quickly passed over. I hate that the company actually lost money on this one...I feel like it offered a solid story but since it went well over budget it would had to have made Avengers numbers (and that movie hadn't come out yet). 

 Now this story is based on the book The Princess of Mars which I have not read so I can really only comment on the movie itself. The graphics are amazing since most of the film is CGI based. The best synopsis I can offer is this soldier (John Carter) is transported to Mars where due to the gravity of Mars he is able to bounce incredibly high and have increased strength. One of my favorite parts of the movie is where he first meets the Tharks and tries to introduce himself...(I'm trying to not give anything away here!) There's a lot of action and of course a chance for some romance when John meets Dejah (the princess).

 If you are a fan of Sci-fi films...I really think you will enjoy this one. I hate that I'm not going into tons of detail here but I'm pretty exhausted from the day. Stay tuned readers to see what movie I pick tomorrow! 

John Carter is availbe on dvd, Blu Ray and digital copy
John Carter on Wikipedia

I'm back...

So I know it's been a year since I've made any posts...but it has been such a crazy time for me where I've hardly felt like I've had time to sleep let alone sit on the computer and let my inner writer out!

 One of my goals for this next year of my life is to focus more on the blog as well as my photography. So be on the lookout for more of me...and sorry for being away for sooooo long!

The husband and I at Hollywood Studios in March

The first thing I'm going to work on is this idea I have to sort of celebrate my birthday with you, dear readers. So this is going to be Disney movie week in honor of one of my passions. Anyone that has ever had a long conversation with me will tell you that I have no shame in letting my Disney geek flag fly proudly. I hope that you will join in my adventure of posting about some of the cases that don't sit on my movie shelves long enough to collect dust!

 Have a wonderful day and happy June readers!

May the 4th Be With You!

In case you don't have a calendar, today is May 4th...also known to geeks worldwide as Star Wars Day! I don't think I have to tell you what Star Wars is (or how awesome it is) but just in case you can educate yourself here: STAR WARS

All six films

So Star Wars Day is a play on the best known Jedi phrase "May the force be with you" for fans of the series. One of the perks of today is that if you were thinking that you could use another poster or perhaps your favorite Star Wars shirt is about ready to be retired, you can head to your local Hot Topic (or visit the web at Hot Topic) and save 25% today only on all Star Wars goodies! Also, check with your local Books A Million some host a Star Wars day. (Don't just check the web, call your local store...cause not all stores do it. They should...but I'd rather you not take the drive and end up disappointed!)

Taken directly from my email

Minus the setback of LucasArts closing this year, this has been a great year for the Star Wars Universe. As you most likely know, last year Disney purchased Lucasfilm and while there were several fans who were worried of a Disney addition for the most part it looks to be a promising relationship. Disney has announced that Star Wars VII will hit theatures in our galaxy in 2015. In April, they annouced that a Star Wars film will be released annually starting in 2015! J.J Abrams is signed on to direct VII (J.J. Abrams). Coming up in a few weeks is Star Wars Weekends at Disney Hollywood Studios.

Picture tweeted from D23 

For more on Star Wars Day click on May the 4th. The complete saga is available on dvd and blu ray. There are also several books, comics, and graphic novels that give backstory to the saga as well as continue into the universe. By the way, did you know that if you want to write a book for the Star Wars universe that your story is fact checked so if someone has killed off a character, you can't bring him back. Or if a ship has been destroyed...it can't be used again. I had the chance to meet Timothy Zahn a few years back and he was talking about writing his books. (Which are rumored to be upcoming film plot). Do you have any big plans for today? I'd love to hear all about it so leave me a comment or feel free to send me an email at takeitfromladyj@hotmail.com. May the 4th Be With You readers and have a great weekend!

Art vs. Artist

So for starters let me just go ahead and say that I'm sure some of you are going to make fun of me once I tell you where my latest blog entry came from. Despite how you might feel about the show, I really think that they brought up a good point on the last episode and if you disagree then feel free to skip this entry. Onward to my post:

  Today I spent time getting some of the shows on my DVR watched so my box would stop reminding me that it was slowly running out of room for new shows. (I hate falling behind on shows but at least I have things to watch!) As I was watching an episode of glee I found myself very intrigued when many of the characters flipped out on a guy who was planning to sing a Chris Brown song for the week. (For those who don't watch, usually each week they have a theme for the songs they are going to sing at practice like guilty pleasures or diva songs.) Most of the group is telling this one guy that he can't sing a Chris Brown song because he had an abusive relationship with Rhianna and if he sings Chris Brown it makes the statement that he thinks it's ok. This character decides that the group is right and decides to sing a Brown song, but instead of singing a Chris song...he sings a Bobby Brown song instead. Of course the group is still upset and informs this character that Bobby Brown was no better than Chris.

This is after he sang My Prerogative (I think)

All this got me thinking, when it comes to music or any form of art can we forget the terrible things he/she/they do in private if the art is wonderful? Are some bad choices easier to overlook than others? Does a person's private life affect how his/her art is perceived? Think of a song that you absolutely love, a song that you know all the words to, something you can't help but feel happy when it comes on. Now imagine that the person who sings this amazing song is a puppy killer.

Look at how adorable!

Are you going to stop listening to that song? If you bought the cd, are you going to throw it away? Odds are, you won't buy any more concert tickets or posters of this artist. Now if the artist is a tax evader or heavy on drugs, does that chance your stance? Michael Jackson was accused of messing with little boys...but you never hear people say anything negative about his music. Whitney Houston was on drugs and people talk about how horrible a loss it is for the music industry now that she's passed on. Am I trying to hint that I think either of the Browns are better than MJ or Whitney? No, of course not. My ears work fine but my point is that while they both had faults that were often the headline for the tabloid section at your local grocery store, it seems that the general public can overlook these bad choices and focus on musical talents and catchy songs.

If we turn from music to movies you can see that it's close to the same deal. Most of us have heard about Mel Gibson's slurs. If you haven't noticed...the offers don't seem to be pouring in for him anymore. Do we stop watching the good movies though? Braveheart may be one of his best know movies. AMC plays it very often. Do we stop watching it? Has anyone actually seen Gibson's latest movie that went straight to dvd? (Unless it's a movie for kids...this is usually a bad sign) How about David Hasselhoff who lost custody of his daughters when that video of him on the floor with the cheeseburger surfaced? Do we stop letting kids watch the Spongebob movie?

This is a real scene from the movie

So here's my opinion on the matter. If it's a simple mistake and they make great music...it's easy for us to forget and move on but some of the heavier things (like hitting women or having an addiction) are harder to overlook and while we won't talk badly about previous work...it will stop us from liking anything new. In my opinion, I don't really care for the music of Chris or Bobby Brown so I haven't ever supported either of them. Honestly,  I'd much rather be listening to Blink 182 any given day!

Blink 182

Ok readers, I want to know what you think! Is there a line you hope your favorite artist never crosses so you don't have to burn all that merch you bought at the last show? Leave me a comment and let me know what you think about MJ, Whitney, Mel, ect... Feel free to tell me what you think about Blink (just know that I might have a comeback already lined up...hehehe)! Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Night Owls Unite!

For the past three nights this week...I've been up so late that I've debated just not sleeping at all! It would be so easy to blame being on the computer as the reason that I have stayed up all night, but two nights ago I wasn't on the computer...I was up with my husband watching tv. At the moment I can't think of what I was doing last night that cause me to stay up so long. My close friends will tell you that usually it doesn't take much of anything for me to get to sleep. Yep, I'm one of those rare and lucky people that are usually asleep before the head and pillow meet. However, the downside to that is most often if I can't get myself to want to go to sleep it simply won't happen (which is really what happened tonight...I just chose to make the most of my time and work on my blog and uploading pictures and finally getting all these pictures off my phone!)

 

Thor, Hulk, Iron Man, and Captain America

So in the event that you find yourself up all night and you really need to get some beauty sleep, try a few of these tips to see if the sandman will come:
1.) Get some reading done. Sometimes curling up in bed with a good book will help you get to sleep.
2.) Take a warm shower at least thirty mins before you want to go to sleep. Cooling down from the shower will help give your body the signal that it is time to sleep.

3.) Try not to eat anything or have anything to drink other than water at least three hours before you want to go to sleep. (I know this one isn't always easy to follow, but try to limit the caffeine intake in the hours before bedtime)

4.) Drink a warm glass of milk. (This one has never worked for me...but you never know)
5.)  Play some soft music. Like classical music before you crawl into bed
6.) Turn off everything that puts off light. Studies have shown that people sleep longer and better in darker rooms. If you simply can't imagine turning off your phone, at the very least leave it face down so it you do get a random text during the night it won't light up your room.

7.) If you find yourself staring into the darkness and can't seem to get to sleep, start daydreaming. I know this one is really hit or miss but it does work for me. I've started thinking about remolding the basement and turning it into a studio apartment. Imagined myself in a nice gown trying to waltz around a ballroom. For the most part, I've found that daydreams that don't really take much of an effort work very well for me and do help me get to sleep when I'm having trouble with it.

Some things the internet had to say, a few of these I've mentioned but they list more:

Forbes: reasons why you can't sleep
Prevention: 10 reasons you can't sleep


Did one of my tips work for you? Do you have the perfect trick to bring on sleep? I want to know! Make sure to leave your tips or comments below cause I would love to hear from you. May you have a great night of sleep readers!

I shall end with this cute pic!

Drip Drop Little April Showers

While this may actually be an exaggeration, it has felt like every other day this month has included rain! It started here at the very end of March and only lets up for a few days before it comes back. Of course the saying "April showers bring May flowers" immediately comes to mind...and for the most part I don't mind the rain (especially if I don't have to get out in it)! The rain can be very calming and helps me get some extra sleep in the mornings. 

 I don't know if this is true for anyone else, but I do feel foolish if I've taken the time to dry and/or fix my hair and then see that the rain has returned (I just feel like I've wasted time). I think the best thing for me to do is learn more styles that involve braids so I won't have to worry about frizzy or stringy hair. (Thank goodness for Pintrest!) 


 Back to the topic at hand... if you can make the time for it (and have a good eye), the rain can give you some great pictures! Of course you'll want to be careful since the water can be harmful to your electronics so be sure to take them under shelter or an umbrella. Here are a few of mine that I've taken so far this month so enjoy!

And the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down

 Rainy day at work

 More rain on my windshield

Safely under my umbrella on the way to the movies

I must say that the only time this month I was bummed about the rain was the opening day for the Lookout's...the game was postponed. The good news was we were able to attend a double-header that Sunday and had a fun time (and even got sunburnt) but that's something I'll get into in another post! These pics are helping me with one of my goals for the year and I really hope that you enjoy them readers! Also if you know of a good place to get some rain boots, I'm thinking I should invest in a pair. 

This pic is from last year...but I love it

It's time for the great American pastime!

For those that are into it, April brings the official start to baseball season and I for one couldn't be happier about it! Personally I've never been to a major league game, but the husband and I always make time for our local minor league team, The Chattanooga Lookouts! We bought our ticket to the season opener almost two weeks in advance, only for the game to be canceled due to weather. For the record, it wasn't even raining an hour prior to game time. The plus side is that we were able to attend Sunday's double-header to make up for the game we missed! We had a lot of fun. We all got a bit sun burnt and I have some weird tan lines going on at the moment but it was well worth it since the Lookouts did such a great job during the first game. They lost steam in the second one and it was very uneventful (they also lost) but that first game was a killer!

In the event that you have never been to a Lookouts game, there are a few tips I can give you if you're ready to try something new:
1.) Arrive about 20 mins before the game is set to start (earlier if you're going to a Friday game as those are usually packed). This gives you time to grab a snack or two and get comfortable in your seat. Plus you'll get to see the starting line up!
2.) If you need to bring a bag (or purse) make sure that you pack lightly and be prepared to stop and have your bag checked. They don't want people bringing in weapons or snacks. Personally I bring a camera bag and it only takes security a second to look in and see that I'm bringing in... a camera.

My pretty yellow rose

3.) Make sure that you grab a schedule. They do so many promotions during the summer. Last year I went with a friend and her daughter to Lady's Night which was fun. I got a yellow rose. For that matter, make sure that you pick up a program by the gate when you first come in. It's always the same sweet lady selling them...and it's only 25 cents!
4.) Every Friday that the Lookouts play a home game, win or lose...there are fireworks after the game and it is awesome!
5.) The best place to buy beer (if you want a drink at the game) is to hit the Big River Beer Garden or the Budweiser Beer Time Club. Both have lovely staff and are cheaper than what you get by the concessions. (At least it was true last year...after I go to a game this year I'll give an update!)

Koda's birthday gift. A glass and a foam hat!

6.) The players will sign your foul balls and foam fingers before and after the game. Just remember to bring a sharpie. (They also sell them in the gift shop)
7.) Speaking of, make sure you are on the lookout for foul balls. My mother in law almost got hit with one. As well as my friend's uncle who was busy texting and it went right over his head. I had one whiz past me last year. My husband caught that one!

So I want to know, are you attending any baseball games this season? If baseball isn't your thing...I'd like you to tell me what you're most excited for this spring. I'm always trying to think of new and fun things to do. Have a great week dear readers and try to stay dry!