Ramblings

On My Honor

When I think strong, smart, and bold I think Girl Scouts. Wait, what Girl Scouts? Take it from me, I’ve been a Girl Scout for 17 years. I know to many of you it may come as a shock that membership in this organization doesn’t end at puberty and that we aren’t all cute little 8-year-olds selling cookies. While certainly that’s one scouting experience (and a valuable one to boot),  it wasn’t my scouting experience. That’s why on Girl Scouts 100th anniversary I’d like to tell you a little bit about mine. Juliette Gordon-Low,  eat your heart out.

  • I was never one of those cute little 8 year olds (aka Brownies) selling cookies.  I joined in 4th grade as a Junior. Luckily you’re never too old to become a Girl Scout.
  • Both my parents were also registered Girl Scouts. My Dad loved to boast about it to strangers and see the quizzical looks on their faces.
  • Typical Junior High Conversation – Me: “I’m a Girl Scout.” Random Peer: “Still? That’s lame.” Me: *sighs, tries to keep chin up*
  • Typical High School Conversation – Me: “I’m a Girl Scout.” Random Peer: “Sweet, that means you sell cookies right? OMG I love Thin Mints, totes put me down for a box! Say what else do you guys do?” Me: “Well, my troop is currently planning a camp-out for the 200 younger girls in our service unit, we’re getting ready to go to GAM which is a nautical skills competition for Senior scouts where you camp on the beach and compete in skills like sailing and rowing, we just attended a career exploration event where we got to hear from a real FBI agent and a Hollywood screenwriter, oh, and we’re trying to sell enough cookies so that we can go on a cruise to Mexico in two years.” Random Peer: “S&%t I had no idea you could do that stuff! Man, I wish I was a Girl Scout.” Me: *smiles proudly*
  • I am part of the 1%. No, not that 1%, the 1% of girls nationwide that earn the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouts. Along with a host of prerequisites, the Gold Award is a project that not only demonstrates leadership, but provides a lasting benefit to the community at large. For my project I ran a summer theater workshop for kids at a local Boys and Girls Club. Nothing went according to plan, which frankly was the best lesson you can learn at 17.  Be prepared, but be ready to improvise.
  • Every 3 years Girl Scouts hosts a National Convention where the organization evaluates where it has been and where it should go next. I was one of two girls who got to represent my council as a voting delegate at the 2002 National Convention. I voted on policies that would shape the organization for years to come. Girl Scouts really is an organization by girls for girls.
  • When I graduated high school, I took advantage of a great deal that made me a lifetime member. Yup, I’m a card-carrying Girl Scout for life.
  • I get the uncontrollable urge to go camping every spring, right around when we’d have our annual service unit camp-out. Old habits really do die hard.
  • Lastly, at 27 I’m still having new scouting experiences. As an adult, I’ve volunteered to sit on committees that review and approve Gold Award proposals. It’s neat to be on the other side of the process, and incredibly inspiring to see enthusiastic teens making the world a better place.

It’s not just a motto. Girl Scouts really is where girls grow strong.  I know because thankfully  I was one of those girls. I was, and will always be, a Girl Scout.

 

 

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Rifftrax: Eclipse

The other day Matt and I were walking through a soon-to-be-closed Blockbuster and I saw cheap-ass copies of “Twlight: Eclipse” This caused me to jump and down from excitement.  No seriously, I was down right giddy.  It was time for a Rifftrax Girls Nite.

For those that aren’t familiar with Rifftrax, the guys behind “Mystery Science Theater 3000″ are still at it. Better yet, now they are riffing current movies, rather than b-films from the mid-twentieth century. By only selling you the audio file of their commentary  (for the low low price of $3.99), they have found a delightful way to deliver their irreverent wise-cracking without stepping on copyright holder’s toes. Oh internet age, how I love thee.

So in short, I bought “Eclipse” and am forcing all my besties to watch it with me.  That’s the way to tackle a Friday night.

 

 

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7 Films You Probably Didn’t See in 2011 (But Should)

It’s the Oscars next week, and I keep hearing from many of my friends that 2011 was not a great year for movies. The real truth? It was a bad year for the old guard, but a great year for independent filmmakers.

Here’s my list of films that you should check out if the offerings from the major studios didn’t wow you. To be honest, most had limited or very short releases, and Matt and I have seen them thanks to either Film Independent (which you should join, if you aren’t a member), Redbox, or Netflix. In case you’re a doubter, I’ve included their Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer scores. Stop being cynics.

  • Beginners (Tomatometer 84%) – If there was a nomination for best performance by a non-human, Cosmo would kick Uggie’s ass. The humans are pretty great in it too. Christopher Plummer is definitely Oscar worthy in this quirky heart-felt comedy. I just wish this had garnered more attention.
  • 50/50 (Tomatometer 93%) – Based on the real-life experience of screenwriter Will Reiser, I think this is the most snubbed film on this list, most likely because the key creatives behind it are all so young (according to the LA Times, 86% of voting academy members are over 50). A drool-worthy cast *cough cough* Angelica Houston *cough cough* tackle the uncertainties of illness and mortality with skill, grace, and the perfect blend of comedy and drama. It’s the only flick about cancer I’ve ever actually enjoyed.
  • Martha Marcy May Marlene (Tomatometer 90%)- Disturbing and creepy doesn’t being to describe writer/director Sean Durkin’s first full-length feature. Elizabeth Olsen, Sarah Paulson, and John Hawkes take dysfunctional relationships to a haunting and terrifying level. From start to finish, it’ll have your skin crawling.
  • Shame (Tomatometer 80%) – While a film about a sex addict isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea, if you want to see a truly amazing performance by a lead actor you have to see Michael Fassbender’s portrayal of Brandon Sullivan. I wouldn’t call watching this enjoyable, but the man was definitely snubbed.
  • My Week with Marilyn (Tomatometer 84%) – I completely forgot I wasn’t watching the actual Marilyn Monroe. Seriously. While the film certainly is a hyper-romanticized vision of the past, Michelle Williams’ enchanting performance suspends any disbelief you may have. Thanks to Oscar buzz, hopefully more folks will check out this flick.
  • Pariah (Tomatometer 96%) - Writer/director Dee Rees weaves a powerful tale of coming of age in this indie of indies (she raised her finishing funds on Kickstarter). The characters, especially Alike, are raw and real, a far cry from the tired stereotypes of The Help. If you’ve ever struggled to be comfortable in your own skin, you will easily relate to this film.
  • Hanna (Tomatometer 71%) – A thriller on par with any of the Bourne films, the most surprising thing about this fast-paced, action-packed flick isn’t Saoirse Ronan but that the director, Joe Wright, is the same guy behind Pride & Prejudice and Atonement.
This is my list, what’s yours? Feel free to comment and let me know what flicks you thought deserved a little more love in 2011.
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That’s What Sheep Said

Saw the “What Is Love – Don’t Herd Me” meme today and thought there was really only one response.

 

 

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Super Misnomers

In honor of Comediva‘s Superhero Week, here’s a little piece featuring an obscene amount of the word “super.” And by an obscene amount I mean twenty-one times. So much super.
Super Misnomers
Just because you put the word “super” in front of something, doesn’t mean it kicks ass. Here’s the list of the worst super-misnomers and why they’d have Robin saying “Holy Wordage Misuse Batman!”
  • The Super Committee –  Capable of deadlocking before their first session, this magnificently dysfunctional group of bureaucrats was hardly the cadre of legislative heroes us citizens had been hoping for. Despite the grandiose name, the committee turned out to be just another subset of the same old Congress we all hate and loathe.
  • Super Foods –  Don’t be too proud of that kale you just consumed. The ability to poop on a regular basis is insignificant compared to the power of invisibility, telepathy, telekinesis, invulnerability, flight, shape-shifting, not to mention the force which isn’t even a super power but when used properly is pretty damn super. Consuming super foods does not lead to super powers. They just sound like they should.
  • Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2 – The brilliant savants behind this piece of un-entertaining entertainment thought they could get audiences to go gaga a second time by making them not just annoying talking babies, but SUPER annoying talking babies. Right.
  • Super Kmart – More expensive than Walmart and tackier than Target, Kmart is the Aquaman of the retail chain universe, the lamest member in the league of discount retailers. Not even a ‘Super’ Kmart that sells groceries can compete. Yet despite their weak business strategy, Kmart continues to operate…just like Aquaman continues to be in the Justice League despite his fishy powers.
  • Superbad –  Superbad isn’t actually super bad. With a comic dream team of Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, and one of Comediva’s favorite giggle goddesses Emma Stone, this film is super frickin’ funny. Don’t be fooled by the false advertising, it’s (almost) as good as a lovin’ from McLovin.
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