Identity

There are a lot of things that make up a person’s identity. Their likes and dislikes, interests, hobbies, jobs, morals, religious affiliation, physical traits…the list goes on and on. Every once in a while, I struggle with my own identity. What makes me different? Special? Where am I in relation to others around me? What can I do to make my life better? My job better? ME better?

But with so many facets to my identity, it can get a little murky figuring things out. Much easier to just watch a movie and hang out with my husband.

The movie itself was meh. Maybe I’m just getting older, but the movie could have been just as amusing without a few scenes/unnecessary F-bombs that made it earn a rating of R. I love Jason Bateman and both the JA and I left feeling happy that we used gift cards to pay for the movie. It might be one of those films that’s better the second time around, but I’m not counting on it. Super disappointing.

Good thing there was cheesecake afterward.

Try It Tuesday: Modern Family

I mentioned last Friday that in order to help improve my mood, I turned to the TV show Modern Family for help. Here’s why it helped and why I think you should check it out.

Modern Family (according to the very bland IMDB summary) is, “A satirical look at three different families and the trials they face in each of their own uniquely comedic ways.” However, it is much more than just that.

The casting is superb and each actor/actress has their part nailed to a tee. There’s overbearing, Type A Claire, her bumbling but good intentioned husband Phil, and their three kids. There’s Mitchell and Cameron, a gay couple who adopted their daughter Lily. There’s Jay, the patriarch of the family, and his trophy wife Gloria who has an overly articulate, mature-for-his-age son Manny.

The situations the family gets into can sometimes be a little far-fetched, but never so much so that it’s unrelatable. I feel that the characters are developed enough that you see a snippet of someone you know in every episode.

I’m not the only one who thinks Modern Family is the bee’s knees. The show has won multiple Emmy awards and, if that’s not convincing enough, Mommy Janks rearranges her schedule to watch the show. (She’s super picky about her TV shows).

Modern Family airs Wednesdays on ABC. To view full episodes, click here.

Enjoy!

Book Review: Bossypants

I haven’t done a book review in a while. Sorry ’bout it – been a little busy with the holidays and wedding planning. However, once things calmed down I had time to fit in a few gems – one of which was Tina Fey’s Bossypants.

Hysterical. I was laughing out loud throughout the entire book. First off, I don’t know about you, but when I read emails from friends, I can hear their voice inflections. The same theory applied to this book. Between SNL and 30 Rock, I could hear Tina’s voice in my head as I read the text – making it even more enjoyable.

The book is totally geared at women (sorry, boys) and touches on topics such as first crushes, summer camp, pregnancy, female milestones, feminism and women in business. Tina’s writing style conveyed her thoughts on each of these topics in an honest, upbeat and comedic manner. Coming from one of the more recognizable female comedians, I wouldn’t expect anything less.

Highly recommend as a read. However, would not recommend reading at the gym or anywhere else you would feel self-conscious about giggling, chuckling and/or laughing out loud.

Enjoy!

Bridesmaids: A Movie Review

My. goodness.

I know I’m a bit late to the game on this one, but if you’re on the fence about seeing Bridesmaids – do it. It’s the perfect blend of romantic comedy and raunchy humor.

A female version of The Hangover, Bridesmaids follows a thirty-something, ex-pastry chef whose world completely changes when she’s asked to be the maid of honor in her best friend’s wedding. Saturday Night Live’s Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph are the main characters, but the whole cast is brilliant.

I watched this on Friday night and am still finding myself chuckling about it. Since it’s Hangover-esque and produced by Judd Apatow (famous for the 40-year Old Virgin, Knocked Up & Forgetting Sarah Marshall), I’m thinking it wouldn’t be difficult to get a guy on board to watch it with you.

However, I do have to say that if you watch it with a group of ladies, you can swoon over the main male lead’s accent. MMMM.