I was supposed to be Mrs. DiCaprio

I just got back from a ride in a time machine. And yall, it was awesome! I was sitting here, watching the finale of The Bachelor and grading papers, when I heard it. You know. Those first few notes of an Irish tin whistle (forgive me if that's the wrong instrument...I'm in a Titanic-induced stupor right now). The beginning of "My Heart Will Go On". The theme song to the movie that single-handedly defined my early adolescence. The movie that made me fall in love with one Mr. DiCaprio. The movie that kinda made me want to go back in time and be on the Titanic, just so I could hang out with Jack and Rose.

Wait, they weren't really there? Minor details.

Yall...Titanic was on my TV screen. And it's coming to a movie theater near me in less than a month. In 3D! I. Can't. Wait. Seeing that on the TV took me right back in time.

All of a sudden, it was 1997 again. I was 12 whole years old (bless my heart) and putting on my clear mascara and LipSmackers lip gloss and baggy, straight-legged jeans and being dropped off at the movie theater at the back of McFarland Mall by my mom who was telling me she would be waiting right here and to come straight out after the movie and I was rolling my eyes at her and then the theater went dark and there they were! Jack and Rose. Oh, heavens, their love story...my little 12 year old heart swooned. And then it broke when Rose just couldn't make any space at all on her little piece of wood for Jack to get out of the frigid water. I've found it in me over the last fifteen (!) years to forgive Rose for that, just so you know.

I saw it over and over, three times to be exact. The parents finally put their foot down and said if I wanted to go see Titanic again, I was going to have to go get a job of my own. At the age of twelve. So, I just got the VHS tapes for my birthday and watched the movie over and over again until I had it memorized.

And oh, that song! I remember listening to the "Top 8 at 8:00" with Louie Linguini every night on 94.1, blank tape in my cassette player, finger poised over the Record button, waiting to record the best song I'd heard at that point in my life. Over the course of quite a number of weeks, I managed to get the song perfectly recorded over and over enough times to fill one side of my cassette tape. In the days before recordable CDs (where you can record once and just hit "repeat") this was quite an accomplishment. Some of my friends were jealous.

And here I am, fifteen years later. Lots and lots and lots of things have changed. I was just sitting here in my  little grownup home, drinking a grownup glass of wine, doing grownup work for my grownup job, and now I feel as giddy as a middle schooler again.

And I can't wait until April.

Getting in touch with my inner Scarlett

I love Gone with the Wind. Love, love, love, love, LOVE it. I've read the 1,000+ page book three times and seen the movie countless other times. I own the 70th anniversary collectors edition DVD. A few years ago, I was given what has to be one of the greatest Christmas presents of all time: a first edition copy of the book published in 1937. Major score for Mama and Daddy. If you absolutely forced me to choose which one I liked best, the book or the movie, my vote goes to the book. The book includes so many more details that had to be cut from the movie for time's sake. The book and movie are just so intertwined in my mind that I really do think they're both incredible.

If you're bored out of your ever-lovin' mind right now, it won't hurt my feelings if you run away screaming. I don't blame you.

Yesterday, Mimi took me, my cousin Sarah, and Sarah's boyfriend Chas on a little Southern adventure. We went to Arlington House in Birmingham to eat lunch and tour the house. It's the only antebellum home in Birmingham (fun fact: Bham didn't really exist before the war), and it. is. FABULOUS. This was completely up my alley. I love old homes, Southern antebellum homes in particular.

{I took this shot with one from the movie in mind...}

{Kinda, sorta similar, right?}

{photo source}

The lighting in most of my indoor pictures is pretty horrific...I know. Midday summertime sunshine is no friend of mine.

{Mimi thought this chaperone couch, with room for a courting couple and a chaperone in between, was a fabulous idea.}

{The quilt on this bed, called a crazy quilt, was phenomenal. Somebody please teach me how to do that.}

{close-up of the pretty wedding dress and shoes displayed in the master bedroom}

{mid-giggle...love these girls to utter pieces}

There were even girls in hoop skirts, hats, and gloves there to do the tours. (I was a bit bummed that they were rocking hoop skirts and I wasn't. I think I could totally rock a hoop skirt.) The Arlington House is a really incredible step back in time. If you're ever in the area, you should absolutely add this to your to-do list. Get in touch with your inner Scarlett!

The Help

{photo source}

I finished The Help yesterday (after posting about it earlier) and feel compelled to recommend it to anyone I can get my hands on. Holy moly, this book is so good and just feels so...important. I'm glad to say I've read it. It's set in Jackson, Mississippi in the early 1960s, in the infancy of the civil rights movement. The main character, Skeeter (who is white and dreams of being a writer), becomes disillusioned with the "Old South" way of life that persists in Jackson and decides to interview some of the black maids about their experiences working for white families. This quickly becomes a covert operation that Skeeter never anticipated. She meets with much resistance and has her eyes opened to the ways of the world while writing her story. I loved reading about the new friends Skeeter made and the changes that occur in so many lives because of her book.

I really can't say enough good things about this book. I often told myself, "Self, just one more chapter and then go to bed," only to find myself still awake reading three hours later. I just couldn't wait to figure out some of the more mysterious characters and see what unfolded next. Incredible story.

Look into The Help sometime soon; you'll be glad you did. Oh, and the movie comes out August 12th, so you now have one month to read the book first, if you're a "read the book before the movie" kind of person. Get on it!

What about you...have you read The Help? Are you planning to see the movie? When books are made into movies, do you like to read the book first? If you've read this one, let me know what you thought! If you haven't read it, get on that ASAP and report back to me :)

Team Colin

Well, Team Colin...Team Geoffery...Team Helena...Team "King's Speech". I absolutely adored this movie. I'm even hoping to see it again. That's huge! I don't often pay for movies, and now I'm looking to pay for one twice. This precious movie was nominated for 12 Oscars, and you best believe I'll be watching anxiously on Oscar night. Not only because I like this movie so much, but because it's the only nominated movie I've seen. Yeah, I don't go to the movies much. I may even have time to get "Team King's Speech" t-shirts printed by February 27th. I'll keep you posted.

(list of all the noms for those who care about such things) http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/83/nominees.html

PS--Sickness is still a giant loser with no friends, and is desperately fighting to remain a part of my life. I'm fighting back savagely with antibiotics. We'll see who comes out on top.

The King's Speech

(picture from here)

I decided 30 minutes before showtime to see this movie yesterday, despite the fact that I have no more fun money. Despite the fact that I think movie tickets cost too much. Despite the fact that there was a good chance the theater would be empty for the first show of the day.

You see, I saw this movie once about two friends who went to see a movie. Their theater? Empty. During the previews, a man came in. He moved closer and closer to the girls throughout the movie, and then sorta killed 'em as the credits rolled. You think I'm kidding, but the few times I've ended up in an empty theater, I've remembered that movie and had to fight the urge to go ask for my money back. Once the five couples in front of me (none of whom looked quite like killers) bought tickets for "The King's Speech", I felt better.

Wait, where was I going with this? Oh, the movie. Yall, it. was. fabulous. Fabulous-o! So good I want to see it again. It was nominated for some Golden Globes, and I'd be really surprised if it doesn't score some Oscar nominations, too. Colin Firth (who is one of my all-time faves) was absolutely superb as Bertie. No other words to describe him. He was so break-your-heart genuine throughout the movie that it made me want to weep. The story is so very moving and has inspired me to research the real life Bertie. And his speech therapist...my gosh. What an incredible job (a calling, really!) to be able to help someone find their voice. Elizabeth and Sarah, this made me think of you! The theater full of non-killers even started clapping (not killing) as the credits rolled. Go see it...it just may change your life for the better.

Just make sure the theater isn't empty. You know.

Revolutionary Road...and something way more cheerful

I rented this movie over the weekend and was pretty excited about it. I'd meant to see it when it was out in theaters but never did. I love Kate and Leo together. Since I saw "Titanic" 3 times in the theater and let it affect my early adolescent soul so profoundly, I figured I'd love this one, too. Uh, WRONG! It's about a couple in the 1950s who have bought into the "Leave It to Beaver" lifestyle: house in the suburbs, 2 kids, husband works in the city, wife is a homemaker, etc. The couple are unhappy with their stereotypical life and set out to change it. I knew that part; no surprise there. I just had no idea how dark this movie was. I spent two hours watching two people fight and come totally, completely, hideously unraveled. It was one of those movies that, when the credits roll at the end, you think, "Are you kidding me????" In their defense, Kate and Leo did a phenomenal job with their characters. The acting was amazing; I just hated (!) the story. My life has yet to return to normal; I feel like they owe me something.

On a happier note, I was able to meet sweet Kira in Montgomery for lunch yesterday. It was so nice to be able to catch up with her and enjoy a little time together before Miss Elizabeth arrives next month. She's going to be such a great mama to her little girl; I can't WAIT to meet her!