I got this movie from Netflix 5 weeks ago and had been putting off watching it because I kept attaching unnecessary stigma to it. I heard the book was amazing, but I just couldn't bring myself to watch the movie. Well, I finally watched it tonight and it was actually a pretty good fick.
If you are interested in period pieces from the days of the American Civil War this is a perfect movie for you.
It seems well directed and the cast compliment each other nicely.

I give it 2 cookies!!!

Has anyone else noticed a lack of Christmas lights this year?

It seems like less and less people are in the festive mood this year.

I wonder if the rising costs of utilities are the cause of this much darker holiday season or if its something more?

I for one miss all the lights and hope that people are just a little behind this year.

The glow of Christmas lights bring hope, joy and renewed peace to me during this crazy season.

So hang them up and plug them in, please!!!

I like to think of myself as a traditional person. I get very excited about the holidays because I look forward to things that happen from year to year. I enjoy the nostalgia of the holidays and sharing those times with family and friends.
That being said, I don't tend to do well with changes to the holiday routine; like take Thanksgiving for instance. Every year I volunteer to get up at 5am and help set up the start and finish lines at the Turkey Trot. I then go home and wake my brother (who always sleeps over) and we go and run the Turkey Trot. After the Trot we make our way out to my parents house in the suburbs for an enormous feast and more festive traditions.
Well...
Much to my dismay... NOT THIS YEAR!!!

Two weeks ago I broke my foot, so running the Trot is not looking too good and on top of that my mom has decided that after 25+ years she is no longer interested in doing the whole "Thankgiving thing" so now that traditions had been crushed as well. My Thanksgiving traditions are pretty much shot!

I am excited to report that I do have an ideal alternative and will still get to spend the holiday with wonderful people having a traditional Thanksgiving meal...
But I think that the real questions that is still lingering for me is this concept of traditions.

Why do I cling to them with such convictions and why do I wish to hold my family and friends in contempt when they break tradition or wish to alter them. And... while I am at it, what is with changing them? Why call it a tradition if we are going to change it or cancel it? I always thought that traditions were good things.

In the spirit of forced change, I am going to embrace the end to old traditions and maybe start some new ones? Or, maybe I will just have a Thanksgiving this year that is different than all in the past and nothing like any in the future.

After being casually introduced to Elmwood Strip by my boyfriend Matt I had the opportunity to experience it formally last night when I accompanied him to the 10,000 posting party.
I had a really nice time and met some really great people.

So... after that experience, I decided that I should give this a try.

I don't have a whole lot to say today, because I am still figuring this all out. I don't know too much about this sort of stuff, but it looks pretty painless.

It was a pleasure meeting all of you last night and I look forward to reading and sharing from now on.