2010 Can Suck It

For those in the know, 2010 has been one of the worst years ever for my family. To let it all go and ring in the new year here is the 2010 Suck It list:

1. Miscarriages
2. Stage 4 Lymphoma
3. Chemo
4. Death
5. Dogs biting children and having to go away
6. Ectopic Pregnancy
7. More deaths
8. Moving
9. Starting over, again
10. Bone Marrow Transplants

Which came first, the movie or the book

Okay, as both an avid book reader and a movie watcher I have gone both ways with this issue in my life. The important thing to remember in the of books to movie issue, is that although they are similar they need to be viewed as different stories all together (with the exception of BBC's 5 hour pride and prejudice - which is of course perfection and almost exactly the same as the book. This is the only notable exception to the rule that I can offer at this moment).

Some examples:

Both equally great:

Bridget Jones Diary and Bridget Jones Edge of Reason (which of course are fashioned after some of Jane Austin's greatest works. Hey, if you are to steal a plot, steal from the best). The books are fabulous, laugh out loud creations that are only similar to the movies which are equally entertaining (lots and lots of changes in the 2nd book).

Also to note - I would put in her most of Jane Austin's books and movie. Although many times when they convert her books into movies (of course not including the exception above) they often don't do her writing justice but still, inexplicable seem to capture the characters extremely well. And who are you kidding, if you are a Jane Austin addict, you just can't get enough of her no matter how you roll.

Movie Better:

Time Travelers Wife - the book was good, great idea but a little scattered (I am surprised it did as well on the best sellers list as most people can't follow scattered). The movie was an improvement. Hollywood often does a good job of simplifying things.

First wives club - book and movie quite different, both good, but the movie was much better. Though, with a cast like that - is this even a fair comparison?

Julie and Julia - the book is good, entertaining, but it doesn't have the same adorable sweetness that the movie has. Which again, could be because of a fabulous cast and that winning Hollywood sparkle.

Sex and the City - not even a debate. The book is simply a tool to make a fabulous tv series, then 2 movies. Cannot wait to see what they do with the girls this summer.

Book Better:

There are almost too many of these examples to note - but the most important one to name is of course the infallible Harry Potter series. I will be the first to admit - I adore both the books and the movies. But honestly, although the movies are absolutely fabulous they can never contend with the books. Anyone who thinks they can are simply food.

I have also noted in my somewhat skewed world, that I seem to have a bias toward the movie if I have seen it before I read the book. I have kept this bias in check whilst writing this post.

This to come:

Eat Pray Love - you simply CANNOT top this book and if you know me, I detest non-fiction. I simply don't see the point outside of an academic setting. But, this book went above and beyond. It was inspiring. Can Ms. Roberts do it justice in her upcoming film? Will the screen writers capture the essence of the book? I am dying to find out.

Random cupcake update

Okay, I did a little cupcake experimenting the other day. I HIGHLY recommend putting frozen raspberries in your chocolate cupcakes. It is freaking phenomenal. They are the last thing you put in, and you whir them up with your mixer. Amazing and a must try!

Who the hell let her out of the house?

I like to think of myself as one of those amazing women who can do it all and make it look effortless. You know like a combination of Martha Stewart and Rachel Ray, but with the hip trendy looks of SJP. Needless to say, I am not even the slightest of each of those people. Sure I can make things, but only if they are the easy level and a 10 year old could do it. Absolutely I can cook, but well I am never going to win an award and sometimes it is frankly inedible. And sadly although I dream of Jimmy Choo, Manolo's and Prada I only own one mid line designer label, which I bough on clearance (and still spend entirely too much on). So it's obvious that I have big aspirations, but the lack ability to make it all happen. Case in point. Today is a rainy, cold, crappy, why the hell do I have to get up and exist in this world, much less put on clothing October day. Well, I barely put on clothing. I put on my best pair of sweats (which is a fashion oxymoron - they aren't juicy after all) and ratty, permanently dirty sweatshirt. I was only going to Michael's, then popping by my local grocery, what would be the point of putting on something non-nasty? Well, the trip to Michael's was effortless. I didn't actually find what I was looking for, but I found many other fabulous things that would make Martha weep. My family will be SO impressed with their Christmas presents (once I figure out how the hell to make anything out of what I bought). Then, I popped by the grocery store on the way home. Sad to say, my plan to go out into the world undetected began to go awry. At the sad little local grocery store, there hailing me across the aisle was one of my new friends. The type of friend you are really proud to have and secretly want her to think you are as cool as you think she is. She was brilliant, cheery, witty and brief. Was she afraid of the horror I presented in public? Or was she just in a hurry? I clung to the belief she was in a rush as I hung my head in shame and waited for my turn to pay. Somehow, I eventually found my way home and decided I could make up for my earlier fashion mistake by beautifying the outside of my home with wonderfully colorful mums I had bought at the grocery. I brought my 3 bright pots to the front and scoped out the scenery. There hanging were the pots remaining from the summer cheeriness. Sure, they were permanently fixed to the porch roof, but no matter. I can stand on something and plant my mums in them. It will look smashing. So, in gale force wind and rain I stood on a bench and attempted to dig a hole in a pot, that was hanging above my head. The dirt flew everywhere - on my shirt, in my shirt, in my pants and all over everything within a 10 foot reach. No worries I thought, it will still look fabulous. Until it didn't fit. Bugger. Okay, ummm, the plant is really several, I'll split them... well... this type of though process went on and on. Happily the neighbors got to watch as I dumped more and more mud on myself and my house. Strangely no one came to chat with me during the process, but maybe they were afraid that they would become covered too. Now I have a lumpy looking set of mums hanging from my porch looking like they went through hurricane Katrina. The last mum is just plunked on the front step. Why torture it - it already had to watch its brothers demolished. So, in one fell swoop I managed to disgrace myself and my home. Not bad for a Wednesday. So Martha stuart I am apparently not, but I am meeting with friends tomorrow. I think, with my dirt stained hands and body, I will go make a cake for them. I suspect I am somewhat of an expert cake baker. Ahhh, hope. Lovely thing!