Cedar City - Part One

We did our trip to Cedar City and the Utah Shakespeare Festival this week. It’s one of my favorite things and I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time. This year it was me and my 2 sisters and all their kids (minus one and then plus one from my brother). So nine of us. We decided with the price of 3 hotel rooms, it would be easier to rent an AirBNB. It was a good decision. The house was in a different location than where we are used to staying, but it was actually really easy to get places and close enough to everything we wanted to do. I had a really good time. 

The house was little pricier than we had wanted to spend, but my very frugal sister had love at first site and we talked my other sister into it. The entire house has every room decorated like a different movie. Pictures just don’t do it justice. 

Barbie Room - the twins favorite

The Up room - this was my room

The Star Wars room - one of my sisters stayed here 

The Harry Potter room - one sister and a couple kids slept in the 4 bunk beds -(one bed for each house)

The Pirates of the Caribbean room - my 2 oldest nieces slept here

Then there was the Home Alone bathroom and the Raiders of the Lost Ark living room. Plus a Napoleon Dynamite game room, and a movie theater room that was not even on the listing. Adults and kids alike had so much fun. One of my sisters is planning her own family trip there already and I’m pretty sure we will try to go back. 

I think we counted 8 tvs and then there were games of all kinds and a trampoline in the backyard. As soon as we saw the house, we knew we didn’t need to spend a lot of money on entertainment. 

Truly an experience that was worth a little extra money. 

Movie

I went back to the movie theater for the first time in 2 years. Maybe even a little longer since I didn't go at all in 2020 even before the theaters closed. We saw The Lost City, which was dumb, just like I expected from the previews, and gave me some good laughs. I got to sit in a reclining seat with movie theater popcorn - aka too much butter on the top and nothing at the bottom. It needs to be more evenly coated, IMO.

Still it was so nice. I haven't paid attention to what's coming out in a long time but I guess I'll start again. Movies are one thing I like to do by myself. I mean, it's fun with people too, but I don't have to worry about anything when I'm by myself. I sit where I want, eat what I want, and watch what I want. 

Play On

I listen to classical music many mornings. I have a 30 minute drive to work most days and I turn the radio to my classical station and drive. I despise other radio station morning shows. I don’t think they are funny. Classical music starts my day right. Even on the days I work from home I sometimes put it on to work. I love it. This morning I pulled out of my driveway and heard the first strains of Claire de Lune so I turned up the volume. That piece is so beautiful. Then it was followed by something I had never heard before. They announced it as Paul McCartney’s Somedays played by the Loma Mar Quartet. I found it on YouTube after I got to work. It’s stunning and the melody is haunting. I much prefer it to the original song, no offense to Mr. McCartney. I’m going to be listening to it over and over again today. Yesterday I was listening to Casting Crowns’ Only Jesus and was singing the refrain to myself getting ready this morning. Good music soothes my soul. It doesn’t have to be only religious or instrumental, just good.  The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights is another example of good music that just makes me happy. I needed that lift this morning so what a wonderful way to start the day.

My Favorite Things, Fall 2018

Now that fall is officially here, and it’s almost October, I’m thinking of my favorite things, both old and new, that I’m ready for.

Music:

One of my favorite pieces of classical music is Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saens. Nothing says October to me like this piece. I’m pretty sure there is an old cartoon of skeletons dancing to this music somewhere and I can totally see it. (There is. I found it on youtube – it’s from the 80’s.) I also love The Village soundtrack around this time of year. It’s beautiful and haunting.

Perfume:

I am loving James by Rosie Jane. It’s supposed to be inspired by fall and I believe it. The scent is fig and gardenia, but I get a lot of fig when I wear it and to me it just screams jumping into a pile leaves.

As it gets a little colder, I have some more chocolate fragrances to play around with, including my favorite: Guerlain’s Elixir Charnel Gourmand Coquin. I don’t know why, but I like them best in Fall/Winter.

Books:

A few years ago I started reading books specifically for Halloween and I think it’s a fun tradition to continue. I have Wilkie Collins’ The Woman in White on my list for sure.  I finished The Moonstone a few months ago and I really liked it so TWiW is a must read. I’m also debating on 2 other classics: Dracula or A Picture of Dorian Gray. Of course, I’ve got a bunch of mysteries of all sorts sitting on my bookshelves and I have an urge to throw in a little paranormal romance to round things off.  

Movies:

October is a great month for old horror movies too. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), The Birds (1963), The Bat (1959), and multiple other Vincent Price movies will all be watched.

Podcasts:

And of course, I will get out and walk a lot more now that it is cooling down. Walking means I listen to podcasts. I need to catch up on a few of my favorites: By the Book for comedy, Women Who Travel and Extra Pack of Peanuts for travel, Stuff you Missed in History Class, and You Must Remember This for random history, along with a few book podcasts.

It looks like it will be a busy October. I’ve still got work, friends and family, and theater to do also. I can’t wait.

October

We’re finally getting a little fall weather. It’s actually been a bit warm for a lot of the month. Not hot, though, so I’ll take it. I did switch my heater on since one colder day it did get down to 65 in my house, but it rarely comes on.

I’ve spent a few of the nice days with walks outside. The leaves are gorgeous.

And this past weekend my sister and I took my niece to the pumpkin walk in North Logan. I rarely get to Logan these days and I’m always amazed at how much it’s grown since my college days. The pumpkin walk is free so I guess it’s worth it. There were a lot of people there. I think my niece liked the ice cream afterward better than the pumpkins but what can you do?

I just finished reading The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. It was my Halloween pick (one of them anyway) and I must say I was a little bit disappointed. I picked it because I didn’t want to actually be scared but wanted to read something a little creepy.  This is the second of Shirley Jackson’s books I have read and I do like her writing. I guess I just expected something a little bit more from this one. I thought Eleanor was sad and pathetic so I didn’t actually care what happened to her. And Mrs. Montague was crazy. I think she needed to have a good scare, not the others. There was one scene that was creepy and absolutely brilliant where Eleanor was being haunted and was holding on to Theodora’s hand only to find she wasn’t. I loved that part but the rest was just ok.

I’ll think I’ll stick with old Vincent Price movies instead. Even though they are a little laughable now, they still have a few scenes that are creepy or just the right amount of scary for me and I really just love the old time campiness about them. The Bat (1959), House on Haunted Hill (1959), The Pit and the Pendulum (1961), and House of Wax (1953) are my favorites.

Star Wars

I’m not going to lie; it’s been a pretty bad week. Between not feeling that great and dealing with a few issues at work, I’ve kind of had it and I’m glad the week is almost over.

Last night after work I went home and hurried and did everything that needed to be done and then I went to the movies. I finally saw Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It hasn’t been high on my priority list but I’ve wanted to watch some sci-fi movies ever since I finished reading Illuminae a few weeks ago.

I’ve got to say I liked, but didn’t love it. I swear I’ve seen it before. It’s almost the same movie as the original Star Wars. I guess that’s why fans love it. I loved Rey, but putting in a female character like that almost has to be done nowadays. It’s like the anti-Bella Swan. I loved seeing Han Solo, Chewy, and the Millennium Falcon again. And General Hux was a great bad guy because he was scarily dedicated to his cause. The rest was good but nothing I’m really excited about.

It was a fun movie, and exactly what I needed last night, but I think I’d rather go re-watch Avatar. Now there’s a movie that I unapologetically love. :)

Some favorite movies

I’m not really into modern “chick flicks” or even romantic comedies, although there are some I like, but I adore romantic period movies so I decided to make a list of my favorites.

1.      North and South (2004) – This movie has the best ending EVER! I seriously cried buckets (the good kind) the first time I saw the end of this movie. It has some great moments and I don’t see how anyone can not be affected watching John Thornton say “Look back at me.” After I saw this movie, Mr. Thornton became the number one gentleman for me, and it’s hard to top Colin Firth’s Mr. Darcy. It’s not all about Mr. Thornton though. Nicholas Higgins and Mrs. Thornton are excellent characters as well. And the contrast between the north and south and rich and poor is well done. As a plus, this movie has some really beautiful theme music. 

2.      Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008) – Oh, Miss Pettigrew! This is such a feel good movie for me. One crazy day and a down on her luck governess has her life changed forever. I never tire of this movie. Francis McDormand does an awesome job as Miss Pettigrew.

3.      The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) – Yes, I know they butchered the book here. I enjoyed the book but I think if you can forget about it and just pretend the characters share names and a few similarities, you can enjoy the movie. I think it’s fantastically entertaining and full of betrayal, loss, love, and redemption.  And I really like the happy ending.

4.      Persuasion (1995) – This one stars Amanda Root and Ciarán Hinds (although I do like the 2007 version too). Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen novel. I love Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth and I like this adaptation of the novel. I like the way Anne has learned her own mind and tries to be a good daughter and friend but at the same time won’t give up her second chance for happiness. Ciarán Hinds may not be the most handsome man, but I think he’s a great actor and a great Captain Wentworth. And it contains what I think is one of the most romantic letters ever written.

5.     Pride and Prejudice (1995) – This was probably the first period movie I ever saw and loved. Until I saw North and South, Mr. Darcy was THE MAN. The scene where Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth stare at each other across the room is classic. As is the wet shirt scene. J

6.     Cold Comfort Farm (1995) – I love the Starkadders. “There’ll be no butter in hell!” has got to be one of the best lines ever, but there are a bunch of great lines in this movie. A house full of eccentric and crazy people is my kind of house. There are some great performances in this one, especially Amos, Judith, and Seth, and I love watching Flora make them all neat and tidy.

Interestingly enough, all of these movies were based off books and I have read every one of them except for North and South. I own the book, so I need to get around to reading it one day soon.

Some runners up:

Wives and Daughters (1999) – subtract major points for no kiss at the end, but the rest is quite good.

Northanger Abbey (2007) – this seems to be JA’s least well liked book, but I liked it and think the movie is charming and one day I will read The Mysteries of Udolpho.

Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998) – Drew Barrymore isn’t my favorite for Cinderella, but I do love that her character is strong and knows her own mind.

Twelfth Night (1996) – Helena Bonham Carter is great in anything she does and it’s easy to understand even with the Shakespeare.

The Princess Bride (1987) and Stardust (2007) – not sure if these last 2 are really period movies, but again they are both great romantic, happily ever after movies.

Lazy Thursday

Yesterday on a whim I decided to go to the movies. I went to see Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. I liked it. There really wasn't much to it. It's a movie about a rich sheik who wants to introduce fly fishing to Yemen, where it is not cold or wet (evidently 2 things salmon must have). It's interesting because not much really happens the whole movie. There's no grand adventure or action and it's not all that funny (although there are a few moments I laughed out loud). Yet I ended up leaving with a smile on my face.