Thursday, January 31, 2013

Theater Thursday

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing! It's Theater Thursday! This week's featured movie is, Pumping Iron.
 
Pumping Iron follows the world of bodybuilders on their quest to win the 1975 Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe bodybuilding titles. The main featured bodybuilder is none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger. Who at the time had won it a record breaking five times. His biggest competition and rival for 1975 and standing in his way of a sixth win was Lou Ferrigno (who later portrayed the Hulk). 

The documentary also focus' on others training habits, their mentality and how they came to be in the sport of bodybuilding. A fellow foreign bodybuilder, Franco Columbo is also featured. It follows his journey on winning the under 200 pounds category of Mr. Universe. It should also be known that Franco and Arnold are best friends and at the time were roommates. They still remain good friends and Franco was the best man at Arnold's wedding. 
The stress of the competition is heightened because Arnold has made it known to everyone that no matter win or lose he will be retiring from the world of bodybuilding proceeding the event. The suspense rises and the fans flock to the event to see who will take home the number one prize. This documentary was a first of it's kind at the time and gives the world an inside view to the world of bodybuilding and what it takes to make it in this kind of physically and mentally demanding sport. 

If you like documentaries or if you are a fan of bodybuilding and Arnold then you will definitely find this film interesting. I had a friend watch this documentary even though he's not a big Arnold fan and he liked it! 

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Insurgent

The Year of Reading Continues! 

I recently finished my third book for this year and it was the second book in the Divergent Trilogy: Insurgent
Insurgent picks up where Divergent left off. Tris and Four are still in Chicago but their world has completely changed. No longer do they live in a world of factions trying to live in harmony. War has broken out and at the helm is Erudite. Right behind them and the muscle in their effort is the Dauntless, at least the traitor Dauntless. Once the simulation was over people of all the factions quickly realized what had happened. It split factions and in others such as Amity, it separated them even further from the other factions because they want nothing more than to keep the peace. 

What subject Insurgent dives into more than the first book did is the factionless. They become a key player in Insurgent and play an important part into what will happen to the city and it's people. Tris is still reeling from events that happened in Divergent and the outcome is carrying on with her. Four is trying to protect Tris at all costs even if it means allying with people whom he may not be fond of. He's even willing to travel into the faction that is filled with memories of hurt and pain to prove to Tris that he loves her. 

Can their love handle secrets, lies and betrayals? Only time will tell....

BEWARE this book is a cliffhanger and the third book has yet to be released. I am dying waiting for it to come out! 

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

The round up is back! 

The Good....
I got a promotion! Yes... finally! I've worked for the same agency since April 2009 and have never got a promotion. Yes, I was recognized with awards and bonuses but never have I actually got a promotion. While this one doesn't change my salary at all, at least it's a promotion! I'm hoping the money promotion happens soon though! I've got bills to pay and it's called a mortgage. Ha! 

The Bad...
The weather. I moved to California so I could be warmer year round. Um... did someone get up Mr. Sunshine's butt? Because December and January have been downright freezing! I mean granted I haven't seen any snow and it's far warmer here than it is in West Virginia but it's cold! The nights get really chilly and my heavy coat hasn't gotten a reprieve. I guess the sunrises make up for it though...
I couldn't ask for a prettier one. 
The Ugly...
Josh still isn't living in California with me yet. Some days are really hard then there is days that everything is ok. We just try to get through each day and believe in the fact that with each day that's passed that we are another day closer to the day he can move out here. In the meantime, we facetime, text and call as much as we possibly can. 

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Weekend Review

I started my weekend out right with In-N-Out Burger. 
Note the convertible in front of me. The weather is finally warming up some! I usually treat myself to some take out on Saturdays and it's usually at In-N-Out! If I ever leave California, this is one thing I will definitely miss for sure!

I have become obsessed with everything Divergent since reading the first two books. I found out there was short teaser written by Roth from Four's perspective called Free Four. Umm... yes please! It was the best 99 cents that I ever spent because I love Four in the books! If you've read the books, read it. It's a nice addition.
Then of course the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards happened on Sunday. I of course, watched the red carpet and the awards show. I thought my girl Jennifer Lawrence looked stunning! But I also loved Kerry Washington!
 

Friday, January 25, 2013

Page Turner

I know it's only January and it's only the second book I've read this year but I can tell you right now, hands down, without a doubt... best book of the year.
 
At the suggestion of my friend Erica on multiple occasions, I read Divergent. It did not disappoint. I read it cover to cover in 48 hours and out of those 20 hours I was working. It was a page turner and I couldn't put it down. From the very beginning it had me sucked in. I fell in love with Tris and Four. Four in particular. 

The story takes place in Chicago during a time that society is completely different from anything like present day. People live in factions based on personality and mental astuteness. The main character is Tris, a 16 year old girl who has chosen to leave her family to take up with another faction. She leaves behind her parents and separates from her brother who she may never see again considering the motto is "faction before blood". Once Tris joins her new group she must go through an initiation and pray she survives it. If not the consequences could mean she would be factionless and living on the street. Knowing all of this she chose to break out of her selfless life and be dauntless. 

In Dauntless she meets people who she can feel are friends but among the friends lies many enemies and people who only want to see her fail. She also meets a training instructor named Four who confuses her, challenges her and gives her hope. In turn, Tris challenges Four and pushes him open further than anyone else ever has. 

Divergent is the first book in a trilogy. The second book Insurgent is currently available. The third installment is expected to come out in the fall. 

Have you read the book? Share your thoughts! I loved it!!!!!! I can't wait for the 3rd one to come out! 

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Theater Thursday

It's Thursday and here at Crazy Shenanigans that can only mean one thing... it's Theater Thursday. Each week I pick out a movie I've seen and review it. Usually it's something available on dvd so everyone has a way to watch it. This week's featured movie is a recent hit, Hot Tub Time Machine
Hot Tub Time Machine stars John Cusack as Adam, a self absorbed man who doesn't have anytime for his friends and his love life has went into the toilet. Him, his nephew Jacob (Clark Duke) and two of his life long friends, Lou (Rob Corddry) and Nick (Craig Robinson) head up to a Kodiak Valley ski resort to reconnect. Since Lou just tried to commit suicide they decided to relive some of their best 1980's weekends. 

When they get to the ski resort it's run down and nothing like their glory days of the 80's. All the guys decide to spend the evening in their room's outdoor hot tub and get drunk. When they wake the next morning all seems right until they realize that everyone is acting odd. Everyone is wearing 80's neon and MTV is actually playing music videos. When Nick asks a woman, What color Michael Jackson is and she responds with black. He screams. Something is up! The guys are freaking out and head back to the room. 

That's when they realize they got into a.... HOT TUB TIME MACHINE! 

They realize that they are reliving a weekend from 1986 and that to everyone else they look just like themselves back then. They set out to make the day the same but with a few changes that could change their present world. 

If you've never seen this movie, it's funny and entertaining. They even call themselves out for saying that they travel back in time via a hot tub. Give it a shot! It's a funny movie and very entertaining. 

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

The Year of Reading

The past three years I have made the goal of reading 50 books during the year. This is how the past three years shaped up...
2010: I read 44 books. 
2011: I read 43 books. 
2012: I read 37 books. 

Last year I kinda gave myself a pass mid year since I was moving across the country, buying a house and getting settled into a new town. Now that I've been in Sacramento for almost six months and it's the start of a new year, it's time to get my read on. I got a few books for Christmas and I was able to read two of them before the end of the year so those went on 2011's totals. I'm adding to my list of books I can read this year so if you have any suggestions please let me know! One of my best friends, Erica, mentioned Gone Girl so I need to pick that one up. She also recommended Divergent which I've already picked up. 

Did I mention she's a librarian? She use to blog and I'm begging her to start a blog that's nothing but book reviews. DOOOO IT! She lives in South Carolina and has a cat named Hansolo who I fondly refer to as fancy duds. 

Anyways, let's get back to the books! I've already finished my first read of 2013 and it was a biography. It was Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story by Arnold Schwarzenegger. 
I've always been a fan of Arnold's work. I love his movies. I love the fact that he came from a small town in Austria and made himself into a multi-millionaire. He left behind his family, his friends and everything that was familiar to him. He left so he could pursue a dream. He was hanging it all on the hopes that his dream would come true. He buckled down and worked hard. I think the self discipline it took for him to become the best bodybuilder was incredible. He believed in himself when others told him he couldn't do it. He said yes when other people said no. 

I know that a lot of people have strong feelings and opinions on Arnold. Usually you either love him or hate him. Then there is that tiny little fraction of people who just don't know that much about him besides the fact that he was governor of California and his long movie career. In his new book, Arnold sets out to tell the ups and downs of his personal and professional life. He gives readers full disclosure on all the nitty gritty details of his life since childhood. He talks about off screen affairs. His fears of becoming a married man. He's desire to succeed in bodybuilding then in movies. He also shared his stories of real estate success and mail order catalogs. 

The book is over 600 pages. The first 400 were very easy to read and entertaining. Then came the part about his becoming California's Governor or should I say Govenator? Haha! Once Arnold starts talking about being governor and all of the issues and politics that he was involved in, the book got a little.... dry. The only thing that saved the end of the book was his last chapter entitled: The Secret. Yep... he talked a whole chapter about his secret child. 

If your like me you had already heard all about his secret love child and his impending divorce with Maria. The chapter talks about how the secret came out. How and when he found out he was the father of the boy and how he dealt with it. He also talks about what he hopes to come and how sorry he was for it. I felt like he really came clean in this book. He talked about a lot of things he could not of or lied about. He gave details that made him not come off great and it's my opinion that he was probably telling the truth. I mean if you are going to lie wouldn't you paint the best picture of yourself that you could? 

I recommend the book. The last chapters were a little dull but all in all it was a good book. It also had some great photos to back up his life story. 

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Dynasty

Have you ever heard of the 1980's hit show Dynasty? It's about this large Denver, Colorado family the Carringtons. They have more money than Trump could ever dream of and more drama than all reality tv shows combined. It was on television from 1981-1989 and starred Linda Evans, Joan Collins and John Forsythe. It was also produced by the television mastermind Aaron Spelling.
Don't you just love the 80's hair?! Each week the Carringtons would entertain millions of Americans with their outrageous shenanigans. They would spend money like nothing. They had everything from huge jewels to large furs and private jets. They would sleep with each other's husbands and wives. They'd fight and make up.Then they would pull together because they were family. America loved it and it was a hit for years. It also introduced everyone to Heather Locklear who would skyrocket to fame as Krystal Carrington's niece Sammy Jo.

The Carrington Mansion was always a focal point of the show. The credits began by showing an aerial shot of the home and grounds. It would also show the front and the gardens frequently. Everyone always gathered to the mansion for parties and major life events. So imagine my surprise when I found out that the mansion actually isn't in Denver Colorado but right outside of San Francisco, California!
The actually home is named Filoli and is located 30 miles south of San Francisco in Woodside, California. It sits on 654 acres of land and is considered one of finest remaining country estates of the early 20th century. The house itself is 36,000 square feet and has a 16 acre English Renaissance garden. It is also a part of the National Historic Preservation. 
The garden is a famous part of Dynasty and television history. It's the site of the famous fight scene between Alexis (Joan Collins) and Krystal (Linda Evans) where they end up slinging mud at each other from the bottom of this pond in the garden. It's also the site of other famous scenes from Dynasty. The fact that Filoli is so close to Sacramento means that I can tour it! When I found out all of this information I immediately got on the official website to look up a time to visit. It's open to the public!

I got an even bigger shock when I found out Filoli is currently closed until February 5th. I guess they shut it down to the public during this time of the year for grounds keeping and such. So until then I'll be watching season 5 and finishing it up until I can finally tour the place. I'm interested to see what the inside looks like compared to what they portrayed on the show. I'm also pretty excited to walk around the garden and the famous front of the home. Trust me once I tour it, you'll hear all the details!

Monday, January 21, 2013

Monday Fun Day

It's Monday and it's a fun day thanks to MLK!

This weekend I started it off with an amazing sunrise in California! 
Then I spent some time to add movie posters to my movie room wall...
Then I went out and got some In-N-Out. Yum!

Then I worked on some Origami Owl  lockets.
 
 
Interested in any of these lockets or placing an order check out my site  or send me a message! I'll be happy to help! Valentines Day is coming up soon!

Then I proceeded to watch the entire fifth season of Mary Tyler Moore. All in all it was a good weekend! How was yours? 

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Sunday Social

Sunday Social

1. Top 3 favorite kinds of food





Can I just say all breakfast foods? LOVE THEM!

2. First 3 things you do in the morning
Moisturize my face
Get Dressed
Eat Breakfast
3. Last 3 things you do at night
Clean my face
Set my alarm
Read
4. 3 TV shows you NEVER miss
5. 3 places you want to visit
Italy
Australia
And of course I'd love to go back to England!

6. 3 people you can always count on
My mom
Josh
Kristin and Erica

Friday, January 18, 2013

Buck Wild!

This weekend I finally had the opportunity to watch the new MTV reality show called BuckWild.

Before I share my thoughts on it, let me just say that I was born and raised in Huntington, West Virginia. I was and am a "city" kid. I didn't grow up on a farm or out in the sticks. I grew up on 30th street in the middle of Huntington. I have always had running water, electricity and worn shoes. I've been to smaller towns in West Virginia and I've even been to Sissonville where BuckWild is filmed. When I was in college, I even performed an exhibition show there once as majorette for Marshall so it's not like I've just driven through. I am a West Virginian. I may not live in Huntington anymore but I spent 27 years there, it will always be a part of me. 

When I first heard about the show, it was because the Governor of West Virginia was asking MTV to not to air it. Well..... that obviously meant it wasn't going to be pretty. A few days later people at work started to ask me about it. Everyone here knows I'm from West Virginia. In fact I'm pretty for sure I'm the only person from West Virginia any of these people have ever met. 

I hadn't seen the previews, I hadn't been following it on the news. So I said, well I'm sure they'll just exploit the fact that they are country. Exploit might even not be the right term. I mean is there really anything wrong with people want to ride four wheelers, drive big trucks and set bonfires in their front yard? No not really. Then I finally watched the first two episodes of the show. 

These are kids who just graduated high school, who are out in the real world and don't have a clue what the heck is going on. They don't know what consequences are and they don't have any clue or maybe care how they are portraying themselves to the world. They are also not what MTV would have you believe they are.... some of them are actually very wealthy or I should say their parents are wealthy. They have had good schooling and college educations. ACTING may be involved.

They have parents that are doctors and obviously they were smart enough to figure out how to get on a television show and not only that but be features on the show. They have cameras following them around, of course they are going to do dumb things. They want ratings. They want people to talk about them. They want to get paid! So the next time you tune into the show please remember that not everyone from WV is like the people you are seeing. I beg you.... please. BECAUSE I have spent a lifetime trying to prove to everyone that I meet outside of WV that not every is like these stereotypes.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Theater Thursday

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing... it's Theater Thursday! This week's featured movie is, Playing For Keeps
Three best friends, Danny (Daniel Jordano), Spikes (Matthew Penn) and Silk (Leon Grant) have graduated high school and are living out in the real world of New York City. Floundering and not really having any direction all three guys are trying to figure out how to make it big. One day while Danny is going through family papers he finds a title deed to a hotel in the little town of Bethany, Pennsylvania. Immediatly, Danny believes this is his chance to strike it rich. He enlists the help of his pals Spikes and Silk and makes them believe that this is going to be their big break. 

Once they get to PA and see the Hotel Majestic they realize it's a completely run down dump that hasn't been used in years. They also find that the locals aren't too interested in them turning their sleepy little town into a town with a rock n'roll themed hotel resort. A few members of the town have other lucrative plans for that property. So much so that they want to sabotage Danny and his gang of friends. Their first plan is to let Danny know he's only got 30 days to pass an inspection and or lose the place for good due: condemned. 

Will Danny and his friends succeed? Check out this 80's classic to find out! It's also got little known (at the time) Marisa Tomei in it as one of the girlfriends. 

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Origami Owl

Have you heard of Origami Owl ?
   
Origami Owl: Living Lockets are beautiful lockets that are completely unique! Every locket is unique to the owner and with hundreds of charms to choose from you can interchange them as much and as often as you'd like. The lockets come in nine different styles and two sizes to choose from. There is also three different metal types to pick from: Silver, Gold and Rose Gold. You can add dangles and plates to them for even more personalization. The possibilities are endless!

Are you a sports lover? You can create a living locket to support your favorite team!

Do you love the winter season?
 
Are you a survivor or know someone who is?
Maybe your one of many siblings?
 
The choices are endless. You can come up with so many combinations and for so many likes, hobbies, faiths, occasions, etc. Here's a personal locket that I made for my mom....
She has a personal connection with humming birds and is a lucky lady so that's her living locket . She wears it everyday and loves it!

Now why am I telling you so much about Origami Owl Living Lockets? Because I've become one of their independent consultants. If you're interested in getting a locket or maybe you already have one and want to add some new charms think of me! You can check them out on my direct site here or shoot me an e-mail to discuss it at Jmomiller@gmail.com

To order from my site all you have to do is go to the link (http://jmomiller.origamiowl.com), create and account and then you can start adding to your shopping bag! It's as simple as that! Just make sure you see my name in the upper right hand corner!

If you are interested in hosting a party let me know! We can work together and usually the hostess always gets a few free items! We can even host a party online !

Monday, January 14, 2013

Golden Globes 2013

Awards Season is here! Last night it all began with the Golden Globes! I have a deep love for Back to the Future so the fact that Michael J. Fox was there made me so excited! His son was Mr. Golden Globe (basically he escorts people on and off stage).
    
Then of course there is the always beautiful Hayden P. I love her! Maybe it's because of my major obsession with Nashville but I loved her dress and her cute little pink clutch which I'm sure cost thousands of dollars. 
Then there's Katniss Everdeen aka in real life as Jennifer Lawrence. Some people either loved or hated her dress. I loved it! Again... it could just be because I love her so much as Katniss and everything else that she's ever done! 

So did you watch the Golden Globes? Who did you love? I can't wait to see the rest of the dresses this awards season! 

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Social Sunday

Sunday Social
1. What is the name of your blog? How long have you been blogging?
Crazy Shenanigans
4 years and counting
2. Why do you blog?
I love to share my life with family and friends. Now that I've moved 2,600 miles away from my family, it's a way to keep in contact and in touch. I also love the people that I've met through blogging and in the blog community! 

3. What is the first blog you ever followed?
Sadly she doesn't blog anymore but it was called Just Another Day in Paradise.

4. What is your favorite post you wrote in 2012?
I wrote 203 blog posts in 2012 so it would be too hard to narrow it down to just one favorite but this one: Turning off the Noise , is up there in my favorites.

5. What are your blogging goals for 2013?
I would love to get more followers. I mean who wouldn't? I love it when people read what I write and join in with the comments.

6. Name your top 3 favorite blogs.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Theater Thursday

Welcome to Theater Thursday! Here at Crazy Shenanigans Thursday is movie day! I watch a movie that's currently avaliable to watch on dvd, netflix, amazon, etc then I review it and post about it. It's fun and you can even join in. Have a movie that you that you've seen and think others should see it too? Great! Write a grab my Theater Thursday button, write a blog post and then come back here and link up! It's always a fun read! Plus someone might be looking for something to watch!

This week's featured movie is, Love Wrecked.
Can you believe I had never seen this movie till this past weekend? I know right! It's got Amanda Bynes starring as Jenny, a Conneticut girl who's working for the summer in St. Lucia at a resort. She's also got her best friend with her, Ryan (Jonathan Bennett) to work along side. What she doesn't know is that Ryan has a major crush on her and has for awhile. She's just been too busy to notice because she's been obsessed with a world famous, rock star named, Jason Masters (Chris Carmack). 

While working at the resort, Jenny gets the surprise of her life when Jason stops over for a night at the resort. She's on cloud 9 and can't wait to try to talk to him. She even sneaks onto a night cruise just to try to meet him. Then the weather starts getting rough and Jason is knocked into the water and Jenny jumps in trying to save him. However, the boat gets further away from them and they wash up on a desert island stranded. 
Or are they? 

The first day Jenny realizes that they are on the same island as the resort but on the other side. She decides to keep this to herself to try and spend time with Jason. Meanwhile the entire world is looking for them and Ryan is devastated thinking that something has happened to Jenny and he never got the chance to tell her how he really felt. 

If you've never seen this movie, watch it! If it you really liked She's the Man this movie is really similar to it and just as funny. Check it out! 

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Christmas Day in West Virginia

Christmas morning we woke up to tons of presents from Santa! I don't know about your households but Santa still makes a stop at our house. I got some really great gifts this year. Thanks Santa (Mom)! My mom also got a gift from Santa... An Origami Owl necklace!
I got dressed and wore my new winter tights for the occasion...
The last couple of years my family has been doing a Christmas breakfast. We all gather bright and early at my grandmother's house, eat a huge breakfast, exchange and open presents. It's always a lot of fun and definitely filling. We also take our famous family couch photo during this time. This year was no different.


I can't believe how big baby Olivia is getting! I mean granted she's now one year old but still! She's walking and kinda talking! She also gives a good blue steel look too!
In addition to getting real gifts, a few of my family members also give each other kinda like white elephant/gag gifts. This year my uncle Kenneth got the best gift. It's a book called, I Could Pee On This. Why was this the best gift? Oh because he hates cats. Plus it's an entire book of poetry written from a cats perspective. HILARIOUS! He started reading some of them out loud and all of us were dying laughing. Here's an excerpt from one...
I Could Pee On This
Her new sweater doesn't smell of me
I could pee on that                               
She's gone out for the day and
                           left her laptop on the counter
I could pee on that                     
Her new boyfriend just pushed
my head away
I could pee on him                     
She's ignoring me ignoring her
I could pee everywhere             
She's making up for it                
                   by putting me on her lap
I could pee on this                     
I could pee on this                     

Pure genius! I mean who would think up something like this and then actually sell it! Like it's an actual book you can buy on Amazon! It definitely made us laugh Christmas morning.

Once we were done eating breakfast and exchanging gifts, my mom and I went back to the house to spend time with Shayne and Josh. Plus we had a ham to get ready for a Christmas dinner for the four of us. This is what Christmas day looked like...
The rest of the day was spent watching Christmas movies, getting the food ready and enjoying our new gifts. Sadly, Josh came down with a major stomach bug that day and couldn't enjoy any of the food. He was able to eat leftovers the next day though. Poor guy! He's much better now. 

I was so happy to be able to go home and spend time with my family for the holidays. I missed them before I got there but now that I'm back in California, I miss them even more. I don't know what this year will hold for me but I'm glad I was able to ring in the new year with them in West Virginia.