Chat…Just Because

Over the Fourth of July holiday, Don, Madeline and I went to see Pixar’s animated movie, ‘UP’ in 3D. I don’t usually head out to the movies with any regularity, but I was glad I did for this one. My brother had seen it a few weeks before and highly recommended it. I figure, he’s into making movies, so his suggestions are usually on target. Elyse had also seen it with her friend and thought it was adorable.

So sweet it was! What I found interesting was thatwhile it was a well-written piece, there seemed to be a minimal amount of dialogue, yet I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. Much of the storytelling and sentiments were depicted with the expressions of the characters faces, funny and breathtaking action scenes or beautiful visuals. It was so nice not having my ears assaulted with incessant jabbering or gratuitous dialogue. The story was completed with the perfect combination of resolution and hopefulness. And of course the animation was beautiful.

Many reviews say it is the best animated movie that has been completed to date. Go see it though for the story and the messages. Although billed as a children’s movie, adults will be more than happy that they experienced it as well.

Again, I’ve been fortunate to have come across some great blogs and sites in my 11 months of blogging (dang, it’ll be one year on Feb. 6 that I published my first entry … good time to celebrate. Ah! topic for another entry. Moving on!). As a believer in the ‘laughter is the best medicine’ adage, I’m always appreciative of a well-written, humorous and best of all, pee-in-your-pants funny article.

Pieces that offer insight, empathy, intelligence and a different point of view resonate best with me, and these two talents below do just that. And when people or other things move me to laugh out loud, giggle uncontrollably, smile broadly or otherwise feel sa-weet in general, I’m all about spreading the love and sharing my good fortune!  So without further ado, let me turn you on some blogs that will hopefully tickle your funnybone like they’ve tickled mine:

Suburban Jungle: It May Be Suburbia, But It’s A Jungle Out There
First up, the hi-larious blog, Suburban Jungle, by fellow Ladies Who Launch-er, Jenny Isenman. She writes about her daily observations on family, raising kids, raising a husband, life and things we (women) all think about, but sometimes don’t have the nerve (or energy, quite frankly) to express. A word of caution: Go to the bathroom before you click over to her site so there’s no chance of you wetting your drawers while reading it. Seriously.

She had me at ‘hello!’ on this one. So true! Are You Stupider After Having Children? I’s Be Too.
Then there was: Can a Nice Jewish Girl Sit on Santa’s Lap Without Being a Ho Ho Ho? and Why Are Men Such Babies?

LA365: Creating My Own L.A. Story
My younger brother, Andy (or ’AJ’ to his LA peeps) is another such writer who can elicit tears, snorts, clicks and the occasional burp from me laughing hard at his blog entries. After living in Minneapolis for many years working as a freelance video writer/producer/director, he moved to Los Angeles in August with no money, no job and no home, to try to make it as a writer there. He’s the epitome of the proverbial Starving Artist right now (he’s still working on it, btw, so if any of you can help, please drop him a line, k? Maybe some money too.).

His blog, LA365, is his way of chronicling his adventures, as well as a way to keep his writing juices flowing. You’ll need an open mind to visit (both blogs, actually), and it would probably be a good idea to keep some tissues nearby to sop up the tears of laughter (and muffle the burp sounds). I’ve linked only a handful of my favorite entries, but as he writes in a daily journal-type style, you may want to take a few days (or weeks) to go back to his first entry so you don’t miss any of his references as he goes along. Happy reading!

Day 84: A Very Brady Bike Ride
Day 82: The USPSWTF
Day 73: Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Day 60: Meet the princess
Day 17: Fake boobs, real friends
Day 4: Hot flubbed Sunday