Forks Over Knives: Examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting our present menu of animal-based and processed foods.

I have a thing for food docs – always interested in what people eat, why they eat it and what food does to our bodies. The cancer statistics they covered were quite shocking and now I’m trying to limit the animal products I consume even more. Not quite vegan, but leaning in that direction. (If you have any good recipes that don’t involve a lot of tofu or soy products I’d love to try them out :)

Eames: The Architect & The Painter: The husband-and-wife team of Charles and Ray Eames were America’s most influential and important industrial designers. ‘Eames: The Architect & The Painter’ draws from a treasure trove of archival material, as well as new interviews with friends, colleagues, and experts to capture the personal story of Charles and Ray while placing them in the context of their fascinating times.

This one was really inspiring and funny as they interviewed the kooky cast of designers that worked at the Eames office. Also very interesting was the way Ray was placed behind Charles by the media even though her work was equally as ground breaking and important.

Bill Cunningham New York: A cinematic profile of the noted veteran New York City fashion photographer. 

I was really surprised by this one. I didn’t know much about Cunningham except that he was the guy that rode around on a bike and took fashion photos. He’s actually an 84-year-old photographer who creates the On The Street style page for The New York Times. He was adorable and ever focused on his work. Being that I want to live to be 100 it’s an inspiration to me that he’s still riding around taking photos, loving his work at that age

Exit Through the  Gift Shop: The story of how an eccentric French shop keeper and amateur film maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner. The film contains footage of Banksy, Shephard Fairey, Invader and many of the world’s most infamous graffiti artists at work.

I liked this one, but I didn’t love it. For all the hype I expected more.

Man on Wire: A look at tightrope walker Philippe Petit’s daring, but illegal, high-wire routine performed between New York City’s World Trade Center’s twin towers in 1974, what some consider, “the artistic crime of the century.”

For a circus kid like me, this movie was super inspiring. Another cast of kooky characters tell the story of the three day process it took to secretly rig the wire between the two buildings. It was thrilling to see Petit’s never waning desire to cross between the buildings knowing full-well it could lead to his death. What a spectacular way it would have been to go

Waiting for Superman: Filmmaker Davis Guggenheim reminds us that education “statistics” have names: Anthony, Francisco, Bianca, Daisy, and Emily, whose stories make up the engrossing foundation of Waiting For Superman. As he follows a handful of promising kids through a system that inhibits, rather than encourages, academic growth

This one was heart breaking to watch as a group of kids enter a lottery for a place at a charter school, which may be their only chance at getting a good education and finishing high school. It made me a little fearful for when I have kids some day and it was frustrating to see how great teachers and horrible teachers are given the same salaries and the same opportunities despite the later completely failing at their jobs.

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead: 100 pounds overweight, loaded up on steroids and suffering from a debilitating autoimmune disease, Joe Cross is at the end of his rope and the end of his hope. With doctors and conventional medicines unable to help long-term, Joe turns to the only option left, the body’s ability to heal itself. He trades in the junk food and hits the road with juicer and generator in tow, vowing only to drink fresh fruit and vegetable juice for the next 60 days.

Another food doc :) My brother called it a giant commercial for juicers, but it totally was and now I want one.

Pearl Jam Twenty: A documentary on the band Pearl Jam that marks their 20th anniversary in the year 2011.

This one was by far my favorite. I’m not a huge fan of the band, didn’t grow up listening to them, never saw them live, but something about this movie struck a chord with me. Throughout the whole thing – from the tragic circumstance surrounding their formation to becoming one of the biggest bands in the world they never once compromised their values or their music to fit into some marketing mold. Always be yourself – so cheesy, but true.

* Movie summaries from IMDB.com

Last night B and I stopped by Jessica’s work for Cuban food (they have the best limeade!) then we went and saw Scott Pilgrim vs The World. I wasn’t sure about this movie because I’m not a huge Michael Cera fan – I mean, how many times can he play the same super awkward indie kid? I liked Juno and hated Youth in Revolt, but Scott Pilgrim was awesome! I loved the game points and coins and the music was fantastic. Kieran Culkin kinda stole the show for me. Plus slow motion ninja moves?! Best! There was a dude in a Misfits shirt with a little girl and she was cracking up the whole time – it was so cute.

[ Scott Pilgrim avatar creator ]

Other things rocking my week…hangs with Jessica after a week away + seeing my cuteface puppy after a week away + texts from lots of people saying ‘you’re back?! let’s hang out!’ + registering for pole dancing with my favorite MI bloggers (yes, there will be a million pictures) + refilling my very empty fridge + finding a really good salsa (I always have about 4 barely eaten jars in the fridge because I’m so picky) + coloring my hair at home for seven bucks aaaand getting a bunch of compliments on it+ responding to everything with ‘holla!’ + blue sparkly nails + rain starting to turn my grass slightly green again + being a bit broke and still ordering books online + hangs with someone I haven’t seen in months +  getting out of work early!!

Seeee ya!

It’s always nerve wracking, when you love a book so much (I read it twice), to see it made into a movie. I wanted all my favorite parts included and intact, and in my opinion, the director did a great job making sure the movie lived up to the book. I loved that there were parts taken verbatim from the text -  I was anticipating the words coming out of the actor’s mouths, thinking “Say it! Say it!”

It seemed there was a lot of back story leading up to her traveling, whereas in the book it’s just immediately in your face, sobbing on the bathroom floor, crazy conversations with God, which made her taking off around the world more believable and understandable. I found a few parts to be slow moving – I knew what Gilbert was thinking, but I’m not sure how it would come across to someone who hasn’t read the book.

Wayan and Ketut were perfectly cast and I wish there had been more of them in the movie. I wanted to step into the screen and hang out in Wayan’s shop all day. James Franco as David didn’t thrill me – maybe that’s exactly what he was like in real life, but I pictured someone different when I read the book.

I know not everyone was a fan of Eat Pray Love, but if nothing else, the scenery and food are beautiful, and of course, Julia Roberts is impossibly charming.

Throughout the movie I kept thinking “I’m doing it – I’m on my journey.”  I may not be flying around the world, stuffing my face with pizza and meditating all day, but I’m having my own adventure right here at home and figuring out where I want to be in life. I’m doing something a little crazy, taking every chance to get out with my friends, meeting new people and taking all the time I need to just be alone. It  made me feel good that I’m taking care of myself and hopeful for what I could manifest with all this positive energy.

Can you spot the cutest puppy ever?

LOST blew my mind tonight, so I don’t know how much of a post I’ll be able to construct. I will say I got the best news ever today – the launch date for the site that has been frustrating me all week (almost cried at my desk at least twice) got pushed back a month. SO HAPPY. We were supposed to launch next Tuesday and we would have absolutely whipped that site into shape in time, but I am so relieved to have an extra month to work on it.

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Over the weekend I watched the movie Waitress. HOLY PIE CRAVING BATMAN. Why didn’t anyone warn me?! The movie was absolutely lovely and I completely recommend you watch it, but, BUT! you must have pie in the house. Lots of pie. Cover all the basic pie groups – fruit, cream, chocolate, maybe even a little pecan. I was dying all night and then woke up the next morning still craving pie. So I went out and bought stuff to make chocolate tofu pie the next day (along with groceries to feel my family of 12). Silken tofu + melted semi-sweet chocolate chips, slather a graham cracker crust with peanut butter, pour in the filling and freeze. NOM!

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Other things making me oh so happy this week…long-distance Scrabble games, my calves hurting from running, LOSSSST, icon packs, reading 4-Hour Work Week, making pickles with my grandma’s pickling spice, Millionaire Matchmaker, melon scented sugar scrub cubes, sing-a-longs all by myself as I drove out to my parents house after locking myself out, my mom sending me off with a giant bag of candy, getting a real sunburn and a fake tan, Red Wings playoffs, living in my FDLS hoodie.

Aerial yoga started back up yesterday with Jenni joining us this time. I had continued with stretching, push-ups and pull-ups during our two weeks off, but nothing compares to the workout I get during class. I’m so sore today! We’ll be doing most of the same tricks from last session, so I’ll be working on memorizing the steps and making it pretty. I can get into this above pose with almost no direction now and I can do the tricks higher off the ground since I’ve mastered the foot lock.

I worked on my Russian descent and was amazed how much easier it is this time around. Last session I could barely keep my legs in a V and now I can hold them in that position with my arms bent and slowly lower myself to the ground. We’re going to have to start taking some video so you understand what the hell I’m talking about.

We also working on half-iron (pictured above) and full-iron cross – my most hated trick. I got into it with much more ease and felt a little more comfortable, but still – do not like!

After class Ria, Mandy, Jenni and I got lunch at the Thai restaurant next door and made a million plans for summer adventures. There was talk of karaoke and Cedar Point, which makes me so excited!

Then I spent the rest of the afternoon in bed watching Food, Inc. and No-Impact Man. Both were really good, but I recommend everyone see Food, Inc. One part that stuck in my mind was a farmer talking about “growing cattle.” I’m guessing that 20-30 years ago he would have said “raising cattle,” but now cows, pigs, and chickens are not living, breathing beings, but products.

I learned a lot from both movies and now I’m excited to go grocery shopping and try to buy mostly local food. Plus there’s a farmers market on Saturdays within walking distance of our circus class, so we’re going to stop by there a few times too.

These 3D glasses are just a little ridiculous.

Yet Mae somehow managed to make the glasses look cool.

Then it was over to Bahama Breeze for dinner where SuperGirl met up with us. We all ordered fruity frozen drinks while we waited for a table. Mandy ended up with a dirrrty mojito. Which we pronounced phonetically and laughed like 10-year-olds.

Drinkies make bloggers very happy.

I feel so lucky to have met all these girls. They are some of the sweetest ladies I know and I can’t wait to hang out again!

Jessica and I headed to Corktown for bbq at Slows last night. We sat at the bar and drank pear cider while we waited for a table and then downed mass amounts of vegetarian bbq and waffle fries.

Jenn was my Valentine this weekend – she stopped by my house on Saturday to give me a rose and torment Slayer.

While I didn’t manage to clean my house I did watch The Diving Bell and The Butterfly and Into The Wild. Both were incredible stories of perseverance. Diving Bell was a little difficult to watch in the beginning because you are seeing through the main character’s eyes who is just waking up from a coma. I also decided to stretch while I watched it and had to sit in awkward positions so I could read the subtitles. Into The Wild had beautiful scenic shots. I’ve always wanted to drive across the country and I’m thinking next summer I’ll take a week or two off and have a little Double Trouble vacation.

They even have a pool table in the men’s room.

And FAYGO!! MmmmRedPop :)

Unfortunately, the movie was slow moving and the kids were way too awkward for my taste. I thought it could have much funnier, but it came off super weird instead. I think people will either love this movie or hate it. My recommendation is to wait for it to come out on DVD and get a little tipsy before watching.

Jessica sent me home with a prezzie for Slayer since it no longer fit her pup. I put it on him when I got home and couldn’t stop laughing. I think he’s going to be wearing it a lot now, if only for my own amusement.

Other things that make me happy:

+ Listening to Saves The Day + homemade Arnold Palmers + pizza grilled cheese + new commenters (Hi!) + sunny, spring-like days & melting snow + digging out skirts and sweaters I haven’t worn in a while + planning to do nothing but paint my nails and watch Dexter + making popcorn at work + Gaga TOMORROW!! +

I downloaded Rachel Getting Married last night. I hated it and wanted to turn it off in the middle, but made it to the end only hating it slightly less. I just found the first three seasons of Dexter (yes, I know, I’m the only person who hasn’t watched it), which I will begin watching today. Though I should be cleaning my house because there is stuff EVERYWHERE. My room is cluttered with cups, tissues, empty medicine and vitamin bottles, clothing, boots, and bags of gifts. My dining room table has three, THREE, Frye boot boxes, two of which need to be taken to UPS, along with piles of mail and bills that need to be filed. My bathroom hasn’t been cleaned in weeks. But I will ignore all of this and stay in bed to snuggle my cute puppy and watch TV and movies on my computer.

B and I went to see Sherlock Holmes yesterday. It wasn’t my first choice, but it was pretty good. I really like Ritchie’s style of slowing down action scenes so you can tell what’s going on. We also plan on seeing Avatar in 3D and Up In The Air before my vacay is over.

Yay for not being productive!