colin firth = freakin' awesome

Dear Colin Firth,

Why are you so freakin' awesome? Seriously, I love you. And not in a kissy-kissy type way (although you are quite dashing) but in a you're-the-best-actor-to-ever-star-in-myriad-period-pieces way. Yep, I saw The King's Speech recently, and you've outdone yourself.

I will buy the following circa-1939 poster (coined by King George VI) in commemoration:

mommyhood and happiness

So yesterday I found myself at a tot's birthday party in the company of several SAH moms. It's strange, but I think you become part of an exclusive, mommyhood sorority when you have kids, especially when you decide to work from home or become a full-time mum. I never thought I would be the kind of mom who would converse about playdates, mom-and-baby activities, and preschool and get EXCITED about it. But there I was, in a friend's kitchen, holding a beer, and watching gazillions of toddlers and kids run around me like little bees. The Husband stood next to me, holding Harper, and we were all engrossed in parenthood fodder. I was so happy. I was so giddy about being a mom that I came home and joined the local early childhood PTA.

Once we got Harp home and asleep in bed, we watched A Single Man, one of the most visually stunning films I've seen EV-ER. If you know me well, you know I am a tad obsessed with the 1960s, and this director got it SO RIGHT. Granted, I've never been to the 60s, but I know it was right on the money. I could FEEL it. Anyway, the storyline was good too, but I was more embedded within the visuals and lovliness of this film. While the ending was somewhat sad, I went to bed feeling happy and alive. And Colin Firth was fantastic. Simply fantastic. See it.

an offer you can't refuse

I recently watched The Godfather and The Godfather II back to back. It had been a while since I had seen them, and I had almost forgotten how good these movies are. The are complicated and wonderfully rich, full of lessons and emotional turmoil. I remember seeing them for the first time when I was in my early twenties (too long to wait, I know), and I recall saying something about how young Al Pacino looked. I couldn't believe it was him. On my recent trip to NYC, Renee and I took a cheesy bus tour around the city. I remained calm as the tour guide showed us famous landmarks, from the Statue of Liberty to the United Nations, but when we passed by the hospital from The Godfather, the one where Michael saves his father from being murdered, I nearly jumped out of my seat. If it's been a while since you've seen this movie, do yourself a favor and watch it. It's a great Sunday afternoon activity.