The Day the World Came to Town

I just finished reading this book. My book club read it a few months ago before I moved here but they let me borrow a copy because they all loved it so much. It really sheds light on how 9/11 effected so many people, people I never even thought of before reading this. It tells the story of a little town in Newfoundland, Canada (the town is about the same population of Riverton) and how they pulled together to help roughly 7,000 passengers of diverted flights from around the world. Some 300 planes were forced to land in Gander, Newfoundland the morning of 9/11 because the air space was closed over US. This book follows a few of the passengers on their backgrounds, why they were flying that day, what happened to them while they were in Gander, and how they got home. Some notable stories are of an African Princess, a couple traveling back from Russia after adopting a child, and a couple whose son was a missing FDNY. The people of Newfoundland went above and beyond to help these passengers, and since most of the flights were International a lot of the people didn't even speak English. The logistics of accommodating that many people is incredible.This story is really uplifting and gives you a new sense of hope in humanity and I think every one of you would love this book. It is not long at all, a very easy read. I give it a solid 4 stars.

"We're all Americans tonight." 

-Lieutenant Colonel McKeage, Canadian Air Force, Newfie

Your random internet video of the day

This one's for Scout.............and dad.

Happy News!

Time for a little action on this blog. We were all so excited for Matt and B with their exciting announcement,and then so disappointed that we're going to have to wait a little longer to have a little Wright baby in the family. Wow, I just realized that Matt was the last "Wright baby". I didn't want to take anything away from Matt and Bronwyn's happiness and then the following sadness, but I think it might be time to let you know what's going on in our family. Most of you probably saw it on facebook, but I just wanted to officially announce that Sarah got engaged on Saturday, October 8th, to Cody James Griffiths. They are going to be married on Thursday, January 12, 2012 in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple in South Jordan. There will be a reception that evening at Highland Gardens in Highland. Then there will be another reception at the Holiday Inn in Riverton on the 14th. We would love for you all to plan on being there for this special day. Cody is a great guy and we're excited to welcome him into our family. He loves Sarah so much and she is so happy.



While we're at it, while this is not official with a ring yet, Kelly and Mike Long are also getting married! They are planning a wedding for Saturday, March 24, 2012 in the St. George Temple and then a reception in Riverton on Friday, March 30. We are so excited for these two, also. Mike is such a great guy, too, and they are unbelievably cute and happy. So, save these dates!!

Well, as for me, I'm spending hours upon hours on the internet and the phone searching for bridesmaids dresses, caterers, photographers, florists, cake makers, and worst of all, mother of the bride dresses! I'm loving it, and making progress and looking forward to having two more sons. I couldn't have hand-selected any better for these two daughters of mine.

Oh, and I'm leaving Thursday to spend 3 days with Jeanine in New York City, and a WEEK with Allison, Will, Haley and Marcus in Pennsylvania! Can I tell you how excited I am?! Love you all! Kisses!

WIN!

We all know and love failblog.org and FAIL videos. But some may not be as familiar with their counter part WIN videos.

This is a WIN video that B and I just thought had to be shared. It is very short, so give it a watch!

For the time being, if we could please keep this off of Facebook, that would be greatly appreciated :-D

WTBatman Returns

Yes, Batman Returns. And so do I... Finally. I guess I apologize, but no one really seems to care to much. Although, I'm sure we would all love to see the blog alive again. :( Maybe we need a new game? OR, how about we get going on that game where we all watch the same movies and talk about them? What are we waiting for?

So, Batman Returns: A favorite of mine, and watched frequently in the Wright house for a few years. I remember getting it on VHS at Reams in Springville and staring at it in the shopping cart in anticipation to go home and watch it again. I just loved the crazy mayhem in the streets with all the creepy circus characters! (totally my bag) Danny DeVito didn't even look like himself at all, and totally nailed the role and delivered a lot of funny, quotable lines. The Tim Burton-y soundtrack is great, and really adds to the dark feel of the movie.

Watching it again a few years ago, I remember Michelle Pfeiffer being just kindof ok... and it was probably Christopher Walkens most boring role. But hey, still Christopher Walken. Maybe he had to "explore the space!" hehe. And I always quote his: "I've got better fish to fry!" line for some reason.

Em won on the first quotes. Dad got it a little later from the first quotes as well. Good going guys. It was quiet from the rest of the gang except Sue guessed Spiderman on the last giveaway lines. Which was obviously a joke. Like this whole WTB session has been. My bad.

Love you!

Kisses!!

WTB took so long?

Alright... fine.

Sorry everyone! I can't believe how much the WTB game has been keeping this blog alive. It has been quiet and sad for a few weeks. My bad. I don't have any really good excuses, so I won't make any.

We are running out of movies! But I managed to pick one that was played a lot in our home while I was growing up. I find myself quoting it often actually... It really just has some lines that seem to creep into everyday life for me. (That doesn't mean that these lines are the ones I quote... that would be scary and not true) Good luck! Let the game begin again!

Person 1: "Okay, go ahead. Intimidate me, bully me if it makes you feel big. I mean it's not like you can just kill me."
Person 2: "Actually, it's a lot like that."

You know what? Lets do another just for the bip of it.

"I was their number one son, and they treated me like number two."

Here is another bonus couple.

Person 1: You know, mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it.
Person 2: But a kiss can be even deadlier... if you mean it.

Person 1: I mean, killing sleeping children. Isn't it that a little, uh...
Person 2: No! It's a lot!!

Random week later giveaway quotes:

"Just relax. I'll take care of the squealing, wretched, pinhead puppets of Gotham! You gotta admit, I play this stinking city like a harp from hell!!"

"Dear Penguin. The children regret they are unable to attend - Batman."

See you in another week with the results. haha

2011 movies B wants to see...

Since Matt won’t do the WTB, I thought I’d breath a little life into this place. I am bent on not being completely in the dark when Oscar season comes, so out of that came lots and lots of movie trailer watching (and a whole lot of disappointment when some things were just lame-sauce fan trailers). Anyways, here are my picks, in completely random release date order.

The Help: Just finished the book, so stoked for the movie!!

Jane Eyre: Duh

Wimpy Kid 2: Don’t judge me. The first one was cute, and that kid is endearing.

Hop: Russell Brand plays the Easter Bunny's teenage fluffy bunny son who wants to be in a rock and roll band. Sounds good to me!

Mars needs Moms: Actually, never mind. Those cartoon aliens are a little much for me, and Joan Cusack’s voice is SO ANNOYING.

The Conspirator: Most Abe Lincoln things are awesome and I read that the main character lady did really good.

Abduction. Taylor Lautner finds out that he’s a missing child and has to run from people? Looks a lot like Taken, which is fine with me.

50/50. Joseph Gordon-Levitt from 500 Days of Summer has a brain tumor.

And most of all (Dun dun dun…) Footloose 2011. It looks as awesomely terrible as the first one!! I was wondering when there was going to be a re-make. Notice how many re-makes and sequels there are lately?!

Ok, so apparently the sight I was on is SUPER LAME, and featured barely half of these movies. So here is the Extended Version of my list.

Breaking Dawn: Again, duh. I am actually really excited to see how they do this!

Muppets: Not as excited as Sue, but still stoked.

Tintin: WHAT?! Yes please!!! Sadly, it’s animated, but Steven Spielberg did it, so I’ve got my fingers crossed. I have read almost every single Tintin book, and LOVE THEM!!

The Host: It’s a cross between this and Tintin for movie I’m most excited to see.

The Green Hornet: Self made super hero with awesome sarcastic sidekick. What’s not to love.

Hanna: A 16 year old is raised by her dad in Antarctica to be an assassin. Looks kind of awesome (although after reading Endurance, I DON’T KNOW WHY PEOPLE GO DOWN THERE!!!!).

Paul. Two alien lovers go exploring alien sites and find an alien, named Paul. While I’m not an alien lover, Paul seems non-threatening enough. Looks funny, albeit a little crude.

Rio: I am a Jesse Eisenberg fan, so him doing animation sounds GREAT!

*The Beaver: Mel Gibson uses a beaver puppet as a therapeutic tool to separate his anxious self from his real self.

War Horse: “Follows a young man named Albert and his horse, Joey, and how their bond is broken when Joey is sold to the cavalry and sent to the trenches of World War One. Despite being too young to enlist, Albert heads to France to save his friend.”

*Meek’s Cutoff: A story about Oregon Trail pioneers.

*Totally just on here because I find them on an early Oscar Predictions website. But the trailers were intriguing.

One last thing. We (Matt, Amy, Kelly, Annie, Kyle and I) watched the new Arthur with Russell Brand, and it was HILARIOUS!!!! We highly recommend it. 

sweeny Todd

Thought I would capitalize on the musical jag that seems to be pouring out of the Wyoming peeps. Perhaps this one isn't as safe a bet as Singin' in the Rain (which is also great), but this is a fun story in a twisted way. If nothing else, it is a great lesson on revenge. It has always been one of those musicals that I have been fascinated that it exists, then when I found out that they were going to make it into a movie by Tim Burton, featuring Depp, Carter, and Rickman, well shoot- I am IN! Especially Johnny Depp singing, I just had to see that. He did a superb job, I gotta say. Do you need me to explain the story? Cause I will.


So, the winner this week was..........drum roll..........Matt! He got it quickly from quote #1. Sue was next, then with the last giveaway, Dan finally got it. He seemed to have found the movie lackluster and is anxious to hear why we liked it. Cat guessed incorrectly with "Edward Scissorhands", on the right track Cat, but no cigar. B got it after Matt and I discussed WTB for a few minutes and then found it very hard to keep ourselves from breaking out into song and giving it away.

(For the record Matt absentmindedly broke out in song after a few minutes and she figured it out, so even though she didn't give an official guess and got it from Matt singing, she should be recognized I suppose on the boards.)

It's all yours Matt.

WTB

Sorry for the week off. What can I say? I just plain slacked off. Here we go:

" At last! My arm is complete again!"

Wednesday hint:

"You gandered at her. YES, sir, you gandered!"


Friday clue: (another to follow Saturday am)

"These are my friends. / See how they glisten. / See this one shine, / How he smiles in the light. / My friend, my faithful friend. / Speak to me, friend. / Whisper, I'll listen. / I know, I know- / You've been locked out of sight all these years- / Like me, my friend. / Well, I've come home / To find you waiting. / Home, and we're together, / And we'll do wonders, won't we?"

Give away:

Woman: [placing a small pie on the counter] Here we are. Hot out of the oven.
Man: What is THAT?
Woman: [sings] It's priest. Have a little priest...
Man: [sings] Is it really good?
Woman: [sings] Sir, it's too good, at least. Then again, they don't commit sins of the flesh... so it's pretty fresh.

Sowwy sowwy-WTB

Sorry peeps, I totally spaced this this week. Heeeeeeere are your results!!!!!



The movie was *dum dum dum* The Adventures of Milo and Otis! I remember seeing this in the theater when I was little, and have rediscovered it as an adult and am totally in love with it again. It's so clever, and well narrated and... there may have been some animals hurt in the making of it, because they do make the animals do some pretty crazy things, and it's totally awesome. Matt and I own this movie, and pop it in whenever we have little people over, and sometimes just for fun. We have some often quoted lines such as the giveaway, and "We're frolicking".

So, everyone was stumped by the first quote, but it did sound familiar to Em, who got it after the second quote, whoo hoo! Matt and Haley got it after the giveaway, and that's it. Then I totally forgot about the game, and.... here we are. So, take it away Em!!!

Unbroken

READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!! I bought this book as a gift for my Father-In-Law for Christmas. I didn't know what to get him and books are kind of my go to gift when I can't think of anything else. I knew nothing about this book, but it was in the top 10 books on Barnes and Noble's website. Ron loves World War II stuff, so I figured he would like it. Well, Ron really, really liked it. He passed it around to different family members, and then it got passed on to me a couple of weeks ago. And now I am highly recommending this book.

It is the story of Louis Zamperini. Louis was on the US track team in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. He was almost the first person to run a 4 minute mile, I think he did it in 4:08. After the Olympics he was drafted for World War II. He was a bomber on a B24. You will not believe what he went through the years he was in the war. There were times I could swear this book had to be fiction, but it's all true. I'll just give you one little scenario:

His plane went down in the ocean while they were searching for another plane that had gone down the day before. He and two others survived the crash and were on two life rafts tied together for 47 days. The entire time they were on the rafts, sharks were circling them and bumping the bottom of their raft. After a few weeks on the raft, they saw a plane. They thought it was an American plane and shot a couple of flares in the air. The plane saw the flares and flew toward them. It was a Japanese plane and they started shooting at the men on the raft. Louis jumped into the water to avoid the bullets and while under water avoiding those bullets he was punching sharks in the noses to keep them away. These were not Great Whites, I think they were Reef sharks. Anyway, the plane flew over them 4 times shooting at them every time. Louis jumped in the water everytime and punched sharks. Not one of the bullets hit any of the men, but one of the rafts was completely demolished, the other one had 48 bullet holes in it and started sinking. The further they sunk in the water the more excited the sharks got. The sharks started jumping into the raft. The men had two oars with them. So, while one man was patching the bullet holes, one man pumped air into the raft and the other man hit sharks in the face with oars to keep them from jumping in the raft. I'm not even going to get into what these men ate while on the raft.

Okay, that is all I'm going to say, except further into the book, Louis starts longing for the days he was on the raft fighting sharks. Oh yeah, and Louis picks up skateboarding in his late 70's. He's adorable.

The book was written by Laura Hillenbrand, she wrote the book Seabiscuit. I haven't read that book, because, sorry Scout, horses are about the least interesting thing to me. But, I may just pick it up, because she is a really good writer. She can go into very specific detail, but yet kind of gloss over things. Some authors would probably have dedicated a hundred pages or more on just the raft story alone, Laura does it in about 30 to 40. Read this book, you won't be sorry. And it is a great reminder of the amazing men who fought in WWII. You cannot believe what some of these men went through and how they put up with it and got through it because they loved their country so much and believed in what they were doing.

New Game

Sorry peeps, it's been quite the month.

Hehe, I don't know if any of you will get this unless you watched this recently, or are savants. But I was pretty excited to see that this hadn't been done yet.

Here's the new quote


"Some of them just accepted it, some were pretty annoyed, and a few quietly plotted revenge."

Here's the Wednesday quote.

"Is she staying home with it or is she going back to work?"

Friday Giveaway!!!!

"Mummy, mummy... chicken mummy"

WtB manifesto

ALIVE!

B won. Great job hun face. Em got 2nd, then Pops. This movie was watched many many times by us younger Wright kids. Here are some other memorable quotes from this movie...

Nando: [addressing the survivors] Okay, uh, I got something to tell you. Good news - they called off the search.
[everyone objects and argues]
Carlitos Páez: Why the hell is that good news?
Nando: Because it means we're gonna get out of here on our own.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mrs. Alfonsín: My legs! God forgive you all for not helping me! I'm in agony!
Carlitos Páez: Shut up! Shut up, you stupid... cow! I'll punch your face in!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Roberto Canessa: We're gonna die, you know.
Nando: Maybe. But if we die, we're gonna die walking.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Carlitos Páez: I have to tell you something. I had a dream last night, a tremendous premonition. I saw green fields and flowers. I could smell the grass.
[pause]
Carlitos Páez: Your expedition will succeed.

Matt's gone viral!

Ok, not really, but he is the man of the hour in Pixie facebook fandom. I assume most of you are familiar with this video he edited:


Well, I have always loved it, and not just for the stellar subject matter you just can't beat, but it was really well edited and beautifully done. So, yesterday the Pixies posted a video of Bowie talking about the Pixies, and it reminded me of Matt's video so I thought for the heck of it I would post it on their wall. I checked the video on youtube a few times yesterday and his video got about 1,500 hits in about 10 hours! I told Matt that I hope he doesn't mind (he didn't of course!) and he said, "that would be a really weird feeling if the Pixies reposted my video". Well, I am happy to announce that Matt must be feeling very weird this morning, cause that is exactly what they had done when I logged into facebook this morning! People are loving it too!

Anyway, just a little bit of fun on a Saturday morning and a HUGE congratulations to my brother Matt on making a great video and for having his favorite band on earth give it some love and appreciation!




I have half a mind of posting it on Radiohead's wall.

But RH fans tend to be a little snobby and will no doubt have some things to say about Yorke admitting that there is another band out there worthy of praising.

Ok, that settles it, I must do it just for that.

What the fetchin bip

Sorry to beat you by a hair Cat! I know how that feels.

Kinda funny, we have, sitting on our shelf one of those combo DVD's of The Money Pit- and The Burbs in one. Good choice Ems. I remember laughing with you guys a ton watching those movies. Remember the sound when Tom Hanks bites into the sardine and pretzels that the Klopecks serve? And his awesome coughing fit? hehe.

Ok, so this weeks WTB is going to be hard for most, easy for others. Probably how it is most of the time... But, I couldn't let this movie not make an appearance on this blog.

HARD STUMPER QUOTE:

"I'm proud to be a man on a day like this"

Good luck, see you all Wednesday some time.

WEDNESDAY EASIER QUOTE:

Person 1: What's more important to you, rugby or girls?
Person 2: Girls. You?
Person 1: Girls.
Person 2: But when I'm playing rugby, rugby's the most important thing.
Person 1: Yeah, unless girls are watching.

Person 2: Right.

Hmmm... I didn't even get a wrong guess. Still anyones game! Maybe this isn't fair to post this while most of you are traveling or getting ready for travelers... Eh, it's a game.

GIVE AWAY?

Person 1: I think God would want us to survive. Strive to live.
Person 2: At all costs?
Person 1: No. I mean, we shouldn't murder innocents to live.
Person 2: And what about our innocence? What's gonna become of our innocence if we survive as cannibals?

The 'Burbs

Just felt like continuing our stupid-Tom-Hanks-movies-from-the-eighties-that-are-actually-awesome thing we had going. Can't tell you how many late nights I have spent with various siblings watching this and laughing like crazy. Many lines from this movie have made it into my movie quote hall of fame, and I can't see anyone ever stumble on a stair and not giggle in remembrance of Tom Hank's character sliding down the stairs at the Klopeks.

I got two right answers from the first quote and they were within 20 minutes of each other from the two siblings that I would expect would know just about any line from this movie right away. Matt and Cat. Congrats Matt, you beat her just barely. Sorry Cat, maybe next time. I kind of think that B got this too, but I couldn't find an email, so maybe not. Haley got it today after my giveaways. That is that! Fun movie. Stupid sauce for sure, but well, what can I say? It's stupid done well and funny. I would have loved to find a "Tom Hanks best moments clip" but, there doesn't seem to be one, this one will have to do. It has the yelling at the bone scene in it at least, but alas- not the crushing of the beer cans in anger.

wtb

Well, it's late, but it's here. Unforeseen weekend events got in the way, but life and wtb must go on.

First quote:

"Oh-ho! Hans! A fine Christian name. Hans Christian Anderson! What are you, Catholic?"


Wednesday clue:

Person #1: Art!
Person #2: Your wife is home!
Person #1: And your house is on fire!
Art: My wife is home?!

June/July Book Club

Travels With Charley: In Search of America

This is the book I have decided to choose for our book club selection. I left it off the book list which could only have been an oversight, because this is one of my favorite books to read. I haven't read it in years, but in my life I have read it no less then 6 or 7 times. PLUS it is one of Steinbeck's "short" books, and given the fact that we are into June already, summer is busy for most people, and most of us will be vacationing a bit (rapids), a short, easy read sounds like just the thing.

A little about the book:

Have you ever read a Steinbeck book and been totally moved by the way he can write about the land? There are few more beautiful bits of writing then when he describes the Salinas Valley in East of Eden. Have you ever read his descriptions of people and thought, "man, this has got to be an interesting guy, I would love to sit down and chat with him and get to know him better"? Well, if you by chance have, this book is as close as you can get. This is a work of non-fiction (I love my non-fiction, as you probably know).

Near the end of his life, Steinbeck decided that being an American author, it was about time he really got to know America. So he bought a truck/trailer, scooped up his dog Charley, and took a road trip that took him all around the country from Long Island to his beloved California and back again. Being very well known, he traveled incognito, never telling the people he met who he was. He drove the countryside, wrote very descriptive passages about the land he observed, chatted with people at campsites and diners, and expressed his thoughts on the changes in America and the differences of people and attitudes from state to state. I love his musings and I really love how he relates to his dog. They have a very cute relationship. (There is a part where he is excited to see how Charley reacts to the Redwoods in N. California since he considers Charley a tree aficionado, only to find that Charley can't even comprehend them as trees, they are just too big, therefore is unimpressed). He also has a very memorable encounter with a gas station attendant in Oregon I believe, which is one of my favorite parts of the book.

This book makes you want to travel and see the places he describes. It makes you think about the state of America and where it's going. It makes you wonder how incredibly shocked Steinbeck would be to see America today. Steinbeck is an amazing writer, he blows me away, reading this book is a fun glimpse into the man behind some really wonderful classic books I love. Hope you guys read it and like it.

Due Date

I can't seem to get an image to upload. Who cares. My point is: Stay away from this movie!!! I cannot stress that enough. It is terrible. Travis brought it home last night and I did not like it at all. The writing was terrible, and it was just not funny. As hard as it tried to be, it failed miserably. And I like Robert Downey. Zac Galaifinakis sometimes makes me laugh, but this movie sucked so bad. It tried to be like Ps, Ts and As. Straight-edge guy ending up being forced to travel with this doofus. Just terrible. The dog is cute in it, though. I love French Bulldogs. I would totally get one of those. All of our movies are still in storage and we don't have our dish hooked up yet. So we've been red boxing it. Last night we got Dinner For Schmucks. And I'm sorry Em and Rob, but we thought it was really funny! We laughed a lot through it.

LESSON in NATURE 201

Okay, Peeps, here is the lesson of the day. Tuesday I was mowing the grass around the airport runways, lights, and taxiways in our John Deere tractor pulling a 15 foot mower deck. It is pretty nice duty as the tractor is air conditioned and I have my i-pod nano. So I'm mowing and listening to my Bee Gees, Neil, Queen, whatever when out of the grass in front of the tractor pops out this little baby Cottontail bunny. I slow down to let it get out of the way and as I am going past it I think about stopping and grabbing it and put it in a box and take it to show Allison and return it the next day. I did this same thing for Haley a number of years ago. So I turn around in the tractor and.....

what do I see 10 feet in front of me?? A red tail hawk sitting in the field with the poor bunny in his talons. It looks me over and lifts off flapping his wings (5 feet, tip to tip) and takes away Allison's rabbit for his lunch.

I didn't see him at all until his was on the ground. He (or she) flies and circles over head when we mow and watches for the mower to disturb the rabbits, mice and whatever we kick out of the grass and then swoops down for the kill. Pretty smart guy. Last fall, I was mowing and right in front of me hops out a rabbit and I am watching him and I see this flash of movement and there comes this hawk in a power dive. I am watching close and I see him tuck his wings tight against his body and lay out flat and body slams this rabbit. This is 15 feet right in front of me. Wham! he hits the rabbit with his body, stuns it and then he hopps up and grabs it with his talons and flies off. Very impressive! I always thought they come in fast with their talons out streached, like in the pictures, and kill their prey. Well this airport Red Tail body slams his dinner.

And so the food chain goes on and on. The big ones eat the little ones. The raptors do keep the mice and rabbit population down. We have a den of foxes inside our airport wildlife fence that we see on ocasion. I always like to see them hiding in the sage or running across the taxiways.

So there you are..... Allison, I will watch out for another bunny to show you.

*Leap leap leap leap*

Those are my lamb sound effects. Pretty sweet, eh? And I was watching Les Miserables 25th anniversary edition concert over at Phistas, then I was working. Sorry I didn't get around to it.

Well, I really hope that none of you texted Matt the answer, because I have zero record of that.

The movie is...

A Wright classic for sure. Matt and I went over every list Dan sent us twice and didn't see it, so he went with it. Such an awesome movie. My favorite part is the quote I used for the giveaway. Second would have to be the laugh scene after the stairs fall down, of course.

Well, I have no idea how far apart the guesses on Facebook are (it's not listing any times), but there are 4 right in a row, and it's.... Em first!!! Then Haley, Amy and Cat (in that order) right behind her. Pops came in yesterday or early this morning, can't remember which, and that concludes the winners circle.

Sorry, I wasn't very motivated since it wasn't my win. But I did enjoy Cactus quite a bit.

Where's B?

..................................

Amy's Poisonwood Bible Thoughts

I'm glad so many of you read it and enjoyed it. It's just the kind of book that really makes you think, appreciate the excellent way it was written, learn about history, and just kind of haunts you for a long time. I'm glad I read it for a second time. I'm amazed at how much I had forgotten and I appreciated it all over again. Remembering what I did, as I read it again, I noticed a lot of foreshadowing, especially when it came to Ruth May and snakes. There were so many occasions when the author paired the two together. I found that interesting.
I thought it was amazing how she was able to give all five women(girls) a voice and a personality and was able to change language and writing styles with each one, even as they grew up (well, most of them grew up). I absolutely loved Orleanna's reflectiveness on her past, which was the only time we heard from her. She never narrated the book in the current time, like the girls did. I found that interesting. I felt so sad for her and how she could never forgive herself for everything that happened to their family. I loved how the final words of Ruth May were of forgiveness and wanting her mother to feel that from her. I think Orleanna probably did the best she could in most ways.
Nathan, as a few of you have already mentioned was the worst! I will share with you one passage from Adah which really demonstrated to me what a ridiculous person he was. She was talking about the grief the mother's bore at the loss of a child she wrote, "Our Father takes their ironical and self-interested tone to indicate a lack of genuine grief. His scientific conclusion: the Congolese do not become attached to their children as we Americans do. Oh, a man of the world is Our Father. He is writing a learned article on this subject for the Baptist scholars back home." Just one example of the awfulness of Nathan.
Rachel drove me crazy, but I really enjoyed her final chapter summing up her feelings on Africa and her life. I liked this passage about her father, "He came on strong, thinking he'd save the children, and what does he do but lose his own? That's the lesson, right there. If you take a bunch of practically grown, red-blooded daughters to Africa, don't you think at least some of them are going to marry or what have you, and end up staying? You can't just sashay into the jungle aiming to change it all over to the Christian style, without expecting the jungle to change you right back." I loved how she always used the wrong words, for example, "monotony" for "monogamy". Pretty funny.
I loved Adah. Such a fascinating character. I think her chapters were my favorites. I loved her love of words, language and palindromes. It was sad, though, how she always felt like "half" of a person and always left behind, or not chosen. Interesting how she learned to walk and talk and became a doctor and studying diseases. Oh, Haley, I found the quote you were looking for. Adah said, "For every life saved by vaccination or food relief, one is lost to starvation or war. Poor Africa. No other continent has endured such an unspeakably bizarre combination of foreign thievery and foreign goodwill." Interesting thought.
Leah was a great character, too. Pretty solid. I also loved Anatole and their relationship. She sacrificed so much for her husband and boys and for the people of Africa. I loved her passage on pg. 235 where she is talking about writing home to her classmates about Africa and how do you even begin? She says, "this morning I pulled back the mosquito netting that's tucked in tight around our beds because mosquitoes here give you malaria,.......and you wouldn't even get as far as breakfast before running out of paper. You'd have to explain the words, and then the words for the words."
Well, there is so much to say about this book. It's a book that when I read it, I wanted to share it. So, I'm glad that you took my suggestion and Dad read a book that he "wouldn't have read in a million years" and Catherine who doesn't like book clubs even read it! Yay. This is why I really like my book club, because I read books I never would have read, or known about and almost without exception, I'm glad I read it. Thanks for your time. I think I will definitely read another book written by Barbara Kingsolver.

Haley's thoughts on The Poisonwood Bible

Man there is so much to say about this book! First of all I have to say Nathan, the dad, is the worst ever! He is so ignorant and pompous and the worst hypocrite. Claiming to be a Christian but acting to opposite. He was so blinded by his mission to "save" these poor Africans that he didn't realize he wasn't helping them at all and he was destroying his family. I loved the way the author wrote it from the women's points of view. Orleanna's memoirs were beautifully written and sort of haunting I thought. The different girl's points of views were all interesting in their own ways. I think Adah was my favorite, she was very insightful. Rachel of course was entertaining but man, she just doesn't get it. She never quite figures life out. Leah really grew on me as she got older and more mature. It's sad how much she looked up to her dad and how much he let her down. I love Anatole and thought he was a great character. I felt bad for her as she was sturggling to feed her children and how hard it was to have her husband in prison.

Did anyone notice that Adah referred to Nathan as "the Reverend" and not "Father?" I thought that was interesting. She definitely hated him the most I think. It's sad what he did to their family. I felt really bad for Orleanna. She was conditioned through her life to become weak and not stick up for herself because of how she was treated by her husband. I think she was a really strong person though, to go through as much as she did. Ruth May's death was just the last straw and she couldn't take it anymore.

It's really sad what has happened in Africa throughout history. How come you don't really learn about those things in history class? Did the US Presidents really do those things that she said they did in the book? Like have the Prime Minister assassinated? Adah makes a comment in the book about how Africa has the most help and the least help at the same time. That's not what is says but I can't remember. Shoot. It's about how white people feel so compelled to "help" them but at the same time they are pretty much the cause of the problems in the first place.

Oh man the ants were disgusting. That part made me itch for days. Eww!

I thought it was a great book that really made you step back and think. I learned a lot about the times of the Revolution, something I didn't know much about before. It really makes you think about how you should treat others and how we use religion in our lives. It shouldn't be something that we push on people at any cost, as Nathan did. He was so caught up in it he didn't even realize what it's for and the good it can do if we use it in the right way. I think it also shows that, as a father, your family should come first.

Alright that's all I can think of at the moment but I may add more as I think about it.

Two...Under the Radar

Mother and I have seen quite a few of these (what do they call them? Date flicks?) lately and found most of them lacking good dialog, writing, or interesting or compelling. You know what I mean. We found Morning Glory funny with pretty creative writing and acting. Rachel McAdams as a perky morning show producer was excellent and the supporting cast was good too. Jeff Goldblum even had some of the funnest lines. Over all... worth watching, even if you are not like mom and have been watching Good Morning America and Today all your lives.

This one worked for me. Just a simple plot. Two guys trying to stop a runaway train before it crashes and kills a lot of people in a town. Some good character development and enough action to keep you watching and not bored. Denzel Washington is always smooth. Real trains and not a lot of special effects impressed me.

The Poisonwood Bible Book Discussion

OK guys, it's June 1 and time to discuss The Poisonwood Bible. I'm not sure how we want to do this; if you all want to just comment on this post or make your own if you need more space. Either way is fine with me. I will probably make a new post to discuss my thoughts since I don't really have the time right now. I hope a few of you read it and enjoyed it. Emily agreed to choose the next book, so take it away Em!

WTB?

Enjoy my tunes while you rack your brains guessing my movie. The Bowie song is for B. She listens to it all the time.

This movie slipped through the cracks... Might even throw it in a Wright Classic category.

Person 1: When I do get the permits, how long will the job take?
Person 2: Two weeks.
Person 1: Two weeks? Two weeks?
Person 2: You sound like a parakeet there. "Two weeks! Two weeks!"

Good luck fam-bags!


Sorry peeps! I have an excuse, but not one that I'll broadcast. You will live, and Dan is once again undermined in his attempt to rule at WTB and all of blogdom. Matt says he is doing great, loving the "Fon doo" (those Wright boys and their spelling), and slept in a 3 man tent in the courtyard of the interpreters house last night. The Rinpoche's wife is a great cook, and he's blown away by the scenery and the food. 


Here's your next quote. 


Person 1: Mozart? Mozart is dead, his problems are over, help MEEE... 




Here's the giveaway. 




Anna: Walter?
Walter: Oh, Anna, thank God it's you! Thank God! Anna: Walter? Walter: Thank God you're here, honey! Anna: Is that you? Walter: Is it me? I'm speaking so loud I'm hallucinating! For a while, I thought the Care Bears were here! Anna: Walter? Walter: Farm animals or geese or chickens... Anna: Walter? Walter: UPSTAIRS! Anna: Are you alright? Walter: No, I'm not alright. Anna: Where are you? Walter: I'm in the den! Anna: No you're not, I was just in there... Walter: I'm in the den! I swear it! Please believe me! Anna: Will you stop fooling around, Walter? I'm tired! Walter: I'm right here. Anna: Look, Walter, enough is enough! Walter: I'M RIGHT HERE! Anna: Where? Walter: In the floor behind the chair. Anna: [laughs] Walter: Laughing, huh? We're laughing. 

WTB Movie ROCKY

I remember the last year we were living in Chula Vista on Carvallos Drive and watching the Good Morning America show in the bedroom and hearing a movie review of the Stallone movie called Rocky. The guy really liked it and was supprised a guy like Stallone could put together such a good movie. The rest is history as they say.

Matt was first. Wright after the posting, except Haley would have beaten him if she had gotten the wright Rocky movie. She guessed Rocky II. by the time she got the wright Rocky Dan got in there with the second place guess. Haley third, and then Bronwyn, Any and Emily. Emily knew it early but guess she was late and didn't put in her answer until yesterday.

So many good quotes.

It should be an interesting week with Matt going off to Switzerland (sp) on monday. If he gets a post up this weekend I guess B can take over the rest of the week. So it can be a joint effort on their part. Take it away, Matt and B.

Fever Pitch

This was on tv a couple of weeks ago and I stayed up to watch it because I remember liking it so well. It's a really great movie, kids. It's Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore who are both really great in it. Barrymore is a career-driven journalist who meets Fallon, an elementary school teacher. They start dating and Barrymore and her friends start wondering how is this super cute and super funny guy is still single? Well, that gets answered. He's obsessed with the Red Sox. I mean crazy obsessed. It's hilarious. It has themes of sacrifice and compromise and the things we do in relationships for the sake of relationships. It is really funny. It's based on a Nick Hornby book, so you know the dialogue is really good. He's so great at writing dialogue. I'd recommend it highly to even romantic comedy haters.

Also... I just finished The Pale King by David Foster Wallace last night.

But I don't really want to talk about that. Anyone have a copy of The Passage I could borrow?

WTB Movie contest

Whoo Hoo! I finally won first place. Glad to be back on the board and hip hopping along like Brer Rabbit. Good movie, Dan. It threw a lot of things at you to think about. When I first saw it I was not very pleased with the concept. It went against my black or white theology. But later I have come to appreacate the movie more and more. I made the guess before you posted your playlist and then I had to laugh. It was a sure giveaway if one was on the wright trac in guessing the movie.

As to my playlist. I was going to have a contest inside a contest and have you guess the movie the tunes represented. I knew it would be a slam-dunk for Emily and Matt. But thought the rest of you would have some fun with it. Of course, now, with Pulp Fiction written all over the playlist it is all beside the point. Hope you enjoy the music anyway. "Know what they call a cheeseburger in France?" hahaha So many quotes from that movie. Right! HoneyBunny?

This weeks movie I had to read Dan's list of movies used three times before I could believe we have not used it before. One of the great ones and one often quoted, at least here in Wyoming Country. This one should be easy for most all of you. Have a good week.

Quote one: Man: Stay in school and use your brain. Be a doctor, be a lawyer, carry a leather briefcase. Forget about sports as a profession. Sports make ya grunt and smell. See, be a thinker, not a stinker.

Quote two: Man: You're gonna eat lightnin' and you're gonna crap thunder!

Wednesday quotes:

Man: Your nose is broken.

Man 2: How does it look?

Man: Ah, it's an improvement.

Quote 2:

Woman: Why do you wanna fight?

Man: Because I can't sing or dance.

Quote 3: Man: I wanna kiss ya-ya don't have to kiss me back if ya don't feel like it.

Have a great rest of the week and talk to ya Friday yo.

FRIDAYS GIVE-AWAYS:

Paulie: I want you outa here instamatically.

"Cut me, Mick.

"Yo Adrian."

WTB--Pleasantville

Woo hoo, Pleasantville. LOVE this movie. It came to my mind along with The Truman Show (that I used last time I won) as films I like that have a similar theme--and I thought of these two films to begin with as I reflected on why I liked M. Night Shyamalan's The Village when Matt didn't). I guess all three movies work for me on the level of the deep philosophical truth that you can't successfully design a life or world that goes against allowing people their full freedom to be; you can't keep chaos at bay; that remind us that reality is not something you can control against, for it will always break into even the best-laid plans. Dictators eventually learn this. And to me, it's Plan of Salvation 101, yet unfortunately many Mormons (and, of course, conservatives from many religious and philosophical traditions) forget that fact and end up pretty miserable and disappointed (and feeling unnecessarily like a failure) because we just CAN'T live in a protective bubble. We must be IN the world even as not OF it, yet too many of us think we can just stay in "not of the world" mode without really even starting the wrestle that leads to where all the real blessings lie. (Okay, preacher mode switching off now. Please don't let my soap-boxing stop you from seeing these films. And still happy to argue about The Village with Matt or others...).

A couple of you who got it right from the clues admitted that you haven't seen Pleasantville but always intended to. I highly recommend it for all of you. It's a bit adventurous about sex in spots, but no nudity or anything overt or in your face. Mostly part of the storyline as a none-too-innocent teenaged Reese Witherspoon from the present day gets sucked into a 50s television show with characters that don't know what to do at lover's lane, and housewives who don't know sex can be pleasurable and they have the right to their own enjoyment, etc. I promise that there's more robustness to the reasons than sexual awakening for the characters turning from black and white into color, but that is one part of it. Overall a good, thought-provoking movie that deals with tons of important themes and with the metaphor of black and white vs color standing in well for other issues that have played out (and still do) in society.

So who won the contest?! Almost every one of you eventually got it, but from the initial quotation and hint about the two actors who were early in their careers but are now big timers, George (Pops) Wright came in strong the first day! Way to go! Back in the lead by himself, now!

Following George, Alex got it on Wednesday morning BEFORE I put up the Wednesday clues. Said he got it mostly from thinking about the first quote and the clue that was basically my whole playlist, which had tunes with either Black and White, White, Color, or the name of a color in their titles. (All of you serious players should remember that my playlists almost always contain hints. This time was, by far, the biggest hints yet.) Nice job, Spoon!

When the Wed clues went up, Matt sent in the right answer pretty quickly, followed by B a couple hours later. Haley came in with correct guess on Thursday. When the Friday quotes went up, both Sue and Emily got it right within 7 minutes of each other. So, overall, a strong, clear win this week, plus lots of other folks "on the board." A good week--very pleasant one--in WTB land, I think!

Take it away, big Poppy George!

WTB Baby....

Hey All,

Here we go again! Good movie, released within the past fifteen years, stars two of today's big actor/actress celebs that were not unheard of when it came out but have had major careers since. Good luck! Awesome playlist to go up tomorrow most likely.

Here is first clue:

Mom: When your father was here, I used to think, "This was it. This is the way it was always going to be. I had the right house. I had the right car. I had the right life."
Son: There is no right house. There is no right car.
Mom: God, my face must be a mess.
Son: It looks great.
Mom: Honey, it's really sweet of you, but I'm sure it does not look "great."
Son: Sure it does. Come here.
Mom: I'm 40 years old. I mean, it's not supposed to be like this.
Son: It's not supposed to be anything. Hold still.
Mom: How'd you get so smart all of a sudden?
Son: [long slow smile] I had a good day.

Wednesday clues:

Clue 1 (can't resist any mention of a "George"!):

Person 1: Everybody really likes you, George.
Person 2: Oh. Well...
Person 1: No! They do! And it's not just 'cause you're a good bowler. It's 'cause people respect you!


Clue 2 (different Persons 1 and 2):

Person 1: What goes on up at Lover's Lane?
Person 2: What do you mean?
Person 1: Well, you hear these things lately... kids spending so much time up there. Uh, is it holding hands? That kind of thing?
Person 2: Yeah! That and...
Person 1: What?
Person 2: It doesn't matter.
Person 1: No, I wanna know.
Person 2: Well, sex.
Person 1: Oh. What's sex?

Friday clues (these should give it away):

"Up until now everything around here has been, well, pleasant. Recently certain things have become unpleasant. Now, it seems to me that the first thing we have to do is to separate out the things that are pleasant from the things that are unpleasant."

Separate scene:

[In a town hall setting, and leaning forward toward the mayor and speaking confidentially with a mischievous grin]: What do you want to do to me right now? Come on. Everyone is turning colors. Kids are making out in the street. No one is getting their dinner.[Then raising his voice for all to hear]Hell, you could have a flood any minute! Pretty soon, the women could be going off to work, while the men stayed at home and cooked!

Contact me with your guesses!

North By Northwest

Yes, North By Northwest is the movie I handed to you guys on a platter. I get a message from dad that says, "Wow! Easy clues. I have been off the internet for a day and a half. Been to Casper early today and just got back. The movie is North by Northwest. I would have gotten it with the Teddy Roosevelt looking clue." I couldn't help but laugh. YES! Easy clues indeed. Although, looks like this film is color. I swear I've seen it in black and white, so I don't know what's going on there. But I have a hard time believing that would have thrown anyone off if the other clues made sense to you. Have you guys not seen this? It is arguably Hitchcock's finest film (and #40 on the list AFI's 100 years, 100 films). Cary Grant plays a business man that is mistaken by some thugs to be a spy that has something on their boss. So this innocent man is thrown into a big mess that is suspenseful and really good action, especially for the time. Watch it! And I'm going to watch it again.

I mentioned that pop's did indeed get the right answer. Unfortunately for you pops, you spent 22 minutes too long in Casper, cause Dan pieced it together by the clues just before you got on the computer. That would be it! That would be all the guesses I even got. Kids Were All Wright peeps are S-L-E-E-P-I-N-G this week!




Giddy-up Dan

WTB

Haha Alex! They don't give me a hard time, cause I'm awesome.


Here's your quote biploves:


Man: When I was a little boy, I wouldn't even let my mother undress me.
Woman: Well, you're a big boy now.

Alright, here it is AGAIN with the Wednesday clue: (I even extended it a few lines)

Man: I know, I look vaguely familiar
Woman: Yes!
Man: You feel you've seen me somewhere before
Woman: Uh huh
Man: Funny how I have that effect on people, it's something about my face
Woman: It's a nice face.
Man: You think so?
Woman: I wouldn't say it if I didn't.
Man: Oh, you're THAT type.
Woman: What type?
Man: Honest.
Woman: Not really
Man: Good. Because honest women frighten me.
Woman: Why?
Man: I don't know, somehow they seem to put me at a disadvantage.
Woman: Because you're not honest with them?
Man: Exactly
Woman: Like that business about the 7 parking tickets?
Man: What I mean is- the moment I meet an attractive woman, I have to start pretending I've no desire to make love to her.
Woman: What makes you think you have to conceal it?
Man: She might find the idea objectionable.
Woman: Then again, she might not...
Man: Think how lucky I am to have been seated here!
Woman: Luck had nothing to do with it
Man: Fate?
Woman: I tipped the steward 5 dollars to seat you here if you should come in.


Friday clue:

"I don't like the way Teddy Roosevelt is looking at me."


Wow!!! Freaking crickets! I can't imagine you guys haven't seen this movie. I can accept that everyone hasn't seen it, but I would be really really surprised if most of you haven't.

Here are some hints:

Black and White -1959

VERY famous director EVERYONE has heard of -Alfred Hitchcock

the "Teddy Roosevelt" in question was the image carved on a mountain, not the real thing. -famous shooting scene that takes place on Mt. Rushmore.

Scout's first ballet recital

I wanted everyone to know that Scout's first ballet recital is coming up. It is on Wednesday, June 15th at 4:30. Considering that it is in the middle of the week at 4:30 we don't expect you all (or anyone really) to come, but I wanted to let you all know so you know and give you the chance to go if it's something you want to do. It takes place in American Fork in her ballet studio. It will have an Alice in Wonderland theme, and it will just be the little ones. The deal is, the regular ballet company where Scout takes lessons, is doing an Alice In Wonderland ballet, but starting this year, the youngest class no longer performs with the company. The moms complained about the frequent and long rehearsals and the expensive costumes for a part that lasted like 1 minute. So this year they have decided to just have the girls wear simpler costumes and just perform in their own studio for parents and relatives.

I'm not complaining. This seems a whole lot easier to me and frankly, since last month when I had to do the entire scripture talk in primary for her because she refused to open her mouth, I have my doubts she would even get on that giant stage in front of hundreds of people. Then it would have been REALLY sucky to go through all that for a nice case of stage fright. It might have been alright though, since she doesn't have to open her mouth. We may never know (well, maybe we will next year).




I tried to get her to open her eyes, but she told me that girls look prettier with their eyes closed. (??).

They must look prettier with pursed lips too. Who knew?

Book

I am just backing up Susan for her recommendation of this Book. I finished it two weeks ago or so and I still think about it nearly every day. Good stuff. Thanks, Sue, for the tip.

WTB WTB? Grumpy Old Men

Grumpy Old Men. I cannot believe nobody got this one before Saturday when I had to pretty much come right out and tell ya. I've seen this movie so stinkin many times. I swear it was the only DVD my friend, Chad, owned. Every time I went over to hang out at his place, it was what was playing in the background. It's kind of engrained in my brain whether I like it or not. I really did expect more of you to have known this one better. In fact, I actually checked the list to make sure it hadn't been done by someone else before. So I really didn't know I was picking such an obscure one. My bad, peeps. My bad.





Tuesday morning Dan was confident that it was What a Girl Wants (which kinda makes me giggle for some reason) that, of course, was incorrect. Then I didn't hear anything for four long days, until the super giveaway, to which Emily was the first to respond. Her exact words were "Rob says Grumpy Old Men". Good thing you have a smart spouse, cause Big George was a mere 14 minutes behind ya with his Wright guess. After that it was Matt, Cat and finally Dan, who seemed a little upset, as his message read "Pick movies people have seen!" Well excuse me, Father. I will make sure to take you into special consideration next time I pick a flick... I believe it was Kevin Spacey who said in the movie 21 (have you seen that one, Dan?) "Win like a man, lose like a man."

Does anybody else smell burnt toast? ZING!



Go ahead Em Sauce.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!!

(I have only a very few pics of mom on my computer and you can't steal photos to download on facebook anymore.......SO if anyone has any good pics of mom, feel free to post them here)

I just wanted to wish mom (Jane) a happy mother's day today! She is kind of the matriarch of The Kids Were All Right, in addition, she is or has been a mother figure at one point or another to most people that participate in this blog, so I thought this was appropriate. Plus, she deserves a big cyber mother's day shout out.

I thought maybe we could share a story or something or just say something nice about her in the comments andor let her know what she means to us.