Documentaries

Nick and I love to watch movies.  We don't always agree on the same films, but at least that means we will always see a wide range of films.  Even if we don't really want to watch them.  We both enjoy a really good documentary though.  So much so, that I have seen at least 25 documentaries since we've been together and the list keeps going.  We currently have 10+ on our Netflix queue.

SO, I want to share with you some of my FAVORITE documentaries that I believe will change your life or at least make you think.  You don't have to change your life.

*These are in no particular order and I'll be creating more of these lists throughout my movie watching career*

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Waste Land
This documentary is amazing.  If you haven't heard about it, it's about a modern artist, Vik Muniz, and how he visits one of the world's largest landfills Jardim Gramacho in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the pickers that work there, to create art.  The landfill doesn't have any recycling system so there are people, called pickers, that dig through the landfill finding recyclables to help lessen the impact on the environment.
I won't say anything else about the art he creates or the people he helps/meets along the way, but it is truly an amazing documentary.  Nick even teared up at the end!

And, you know what, even Rotten Tomatoes gives it 100%.  That's saying something.

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Endless Summer
This documentary we weren't too sure about at first.  It's from the 60's and it's about two surfers who set out to chase summer and surf around the world.  It doesn't sound too great, but it's actually quite funny and we found ourselves watching the whole thing.  The thing that makes it all is the hilarious commentary during the whole thing.

It's not my all-time favorite documentary (come one, who can beat Planet Earth), but it's definitely worth a watch.  Especially if you like beaches, good-looking men from the 60's, surfing, and 60's humor.

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Reel Injun
You might not have heard of this film, but you have now.  It brings to light the stereotype people have put on Native Americans, mostly in films.  It may not sound that interesting, but it really is.  You learn things about so many films and actors that you had no idea were going on.  The whole "cowboys and Indians" game you played growing up will just seem inappropriate now.   Plus, there are some great interviews by current celebrities.

It was incredibly insightful and kind of gave me a kick in the pants for ever wanting to dress like a stereotypical Indian or play "cowboys and Indians".

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Food Inc.
This is the first documentary about food that I ever watched with/without Nick.  It will make you want to become a vegetarian or at least eat natural, grass-fed, free-range chicken, beef, etc etc.  It is a disturbing film that shows what major corporations are doing to the mass-produced food we are eating.   It will make you think, or at least I hope it does, about what these major companies are doing to the animals and food we eat.  You don't have to go vegetarian after eating this either, just be aware.  That's all.

It is a great film and really opened my eyes to some of the disheartening things going on in the nation.

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Planet Earth
Of course I have to include this on my list.  It was my amazing study buddy throughout most of college.  Seriously.  It was the perfect companion to have on when you have long boring textbooks to read, homework to do, or papers to write.  I could work on whatever it was that I was doing and if I got annoyed or bored, I could just take a quick break and watch polar bear cubs slide across a glacier or a million flamingos fly across Africa.
If you haven't heard of it, which I hope you have, it is an amazing film documenting the awesome planet that we live on.  It can make a gigantic cave filled with bats and guano (bat poop) seem as incredible as a great white shark jumping to catch a seal... in slow motion.

I have seen it at least five times all the way through, even the behind-the-scenes videos, and I still learn things that I missed the first five times.  You must go watch it.  It's for your own good.



Like I said before, these aren't in any order and I have at least 10 more to add to this list, including more food documentaries, baby documentaries, obscure documentaries, etc. (expect at least two more of these lists).

What documentary is on your MUST watch list? 

Was it really a weekend?

I have been miserably sick all weekend. 

It's just a cold, but a seriously awful one.  I can't do anything except melt onto the couch or my bed.  It's awful because I sit on the couch watching the dust fall and making my house messy.  Not to mention the dishes pile up because I don't want to clean up yet.  Such a sad thing to watch.

Luckily, I have had Downton to keep me feeling better and support my extreme laziness.

The Dowager knows exactly how I felt this weekend.  I don't think it actually happened.
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That, and quite a few other shows on my Hulu queue that I needed to catch up with.  


I also have a beautiful new cowl to keep me warm thanks to the wonderful and talented Angi.  Go to her shop and buy one.  Seriously, it's so warm and cozy!

See?  Very cute.  Just ignore my wide-eyed face.

I am feeling a little better today.  Still have some infected sinuses and runny nostrils and coughs, but I think I'll be quite a bit better.  Especially if I can get some decent sleep.  Why is it SO hard to get sleep when you're so sick?  It's all I want to do, but it takes so long for me to get to sleep because I have to keep blowing my nose!

I'm very grateful that we got our juicer before I got sick, though.  I think it's what will keep me alive during and after this.

Yesterday alone I drank two cups of pure orange juice.  Of course mixed with other veggies to be even healthier.

For one glass all you need is two large oranges, a couple of carrots, and a small handful of kale and you have a super healthy - and tasty! - drink. 

The day before I think I also drank two of the same thing.  I'd recommend a juicer to anyone who has access to lots of fruits and veggies!  You can even make some juices from a blender, too.  Here's a great tutorial.

Now, I'm off to shower my nastiness away and be sick some more.  In fact...

Kidding.. but seriously.
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Life lately

Why, yes.  I do still exist!

And, so does this...

That, my friends, is a cloned sample of Justin Bieber's DNA.  Now you too can forever carry around the Bieber.  
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Well that was a bit of an unplanned blogging break.

I hope none of you were let down, because I really didn't mean to ditch you all for so long.  Life somehow tends to get in the way of things.  Well, mostly blogging things actually.

Blogging tends to get put on the back burner when my life gets busy.  That and crafts.  Don't get me started on all the projects I have stacking up that are half completed.

I blame it all on the job during the week.  I work 5-5, get home, shower, eat, and spend an hour or so doing something - usually watching Downton Abbey - and then sink into bed.  It's a pretty boring life I lead Monday thru Thursday.  Hence the lack of blog posts during those days usually.

I do have breaks in my day, but I find that I tend to take a nap then.  I mean, how else am I going to get my 8+ hours of sleep? 

I did do some things this week/weekend that are worth noting.


We bought a juicer.  Yes!  Nick has been wanting one for awhile and he did some research and found one he really likes at Fred Meyer.  

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We've done some juicing before when we went on our week-long fruit and veggie fast, but we're going to need some more juicing ideas.  If you have a juicer or know any good juicing recipes send them my way!

It will be fun to add juices to our routine - besides the smoothies we drink quite often.


Meal planning.  I realized the other day that with my busy/awkward work schedule we don't always have time to cook meals.  Nick has been incredibly busy with all of his music things and he doesn't always have time to cook dinner some days.  This means that I may come home and eat a PB & J sandwich because I don't have that much time to whip up something.

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Therefore, I've decided to start meal planning.  Meaning that we'll probably start doing more crock-pot meals, frozen on the weekend, so I can throw it in in the morning and come home to an actual dinner.  Sometimes PB & J or Trader Joe's mac 'n cheese just doesn't cut it.  

I'm also going to try and make bigger meals on the weekend so we can have leftovers during the week.

Did you know that it's not super easy to find crock-pot meals that don't involve tons of meat, cream of whatever soups, or cheese?  We aren't vegans, but we don't like to eat meat ALL the time - it's also very expensive to do that - and I really don't like using the cream of soups.  They aren't the healthiest of things.

Anyways, I'm saying all this for more advice.  If you have/know of any good recipes that I could make in big batches or throw in a crock-pot, let me know!  I'm so glad Pinterest is around these days for this reason.


And just because I love you all...

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It's... Okay...

It's okay...

... that I've been incredibly tired ALL week.  It doesn't help that I've been working 12+ hour days all week as well.  Waking up at 4 and trying to go to bed at 8 because you're pooped will do that to ya.

This is how I feel...      via

... that I haven't been able to really hang out with Nick all week because of said work week.  He's also been incredibly busy with a lot of music stuff.  His band is performing for the first time this week, he's in a pit orchestra for a school musical, AND he joined a local community jazz band. 

... that I was up most of the night with an awful headache.  It was one of those where you go to bed thinking you'll just sleep it off, but wake up in the middle of night with it 50 times worse and no matter what way you lie in the bed, it's not going to help.  Maybe that's not okay.  No... it's not.

... that I have finally jumped on the Downton Abbey train and it is awesome.  I actually watched 5 episodes on Sunday and finished the rest this week (when I wasn't sleeping).  Now I need to find the second season!

... that the Dowager Countess is awesome.  I love her.

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... that I have realized that I have watched a LOT of TV shows lately.  It's one of those things where I like to have something on in the background, especially when Nick is not home, and a good TV show just about does it.  Although, if I really want to get things done music will have to be on.  I can't do anything super productive (besides folding laundry) when the TV is on.

... that I'm excited to go snowshoeing again tomorrow!  Sure, I'll be incredibly tired because Nick's band has a show tonight and I'm sure I'll get little sleep, but that just means I can be extra lazy Friday night.  Yes.

... that poorly written Facebook statuses drive me crazy.  I saw one person use "our" instead of "are".  I don't think that's an auto-correct mishap. 

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... that all I want right now is some yummy sherbet (or ice cream), a bed, and some funny Parks and Rec.  Or the Office.

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 Linking up with Neely.

What's my age again?

I turn 25 this year.

When did I become this old?!

You know, if I would've been smart I could've been an accomplished celebrity by now.  You know, 10 Grammy awards, 5 Oscars, the works.  I should've gone on America's Got Talent.  Bummer.

You know what else is crazy?  That there are people out there who are turning 25 this year that have Grammys, Oscars, big careers, whatever.  You want to know who?  Well, let's just take a look...

Adele

 

 This girl got 6, SIX, Grammys last year and just had a baby.  That could be me.  No, not really, but it is crazy that she's not 25 yet.

Mae Whitman

 

Not everyone knows Mae, but I'm putting her on here because she's on one of my favorite shows: Parenthood.

Michael Cera

 

While he's not the cutest boy around (sorry if you feel the opposite), he is pretty big these days.  Being in Juno, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Superbad, etc will make you that way.  By the way, I love Juno.

Rihanna

 

SHE'S NOT 25 YET?!  Crazy.  She's actually only a few weeks older than me too, which is even crazier.  Did you know she also has a bunch of Grammys?  Five to be exact (oh thanks Wikipedia).

Rupert Grint

 

I remember watching him when he was on Harry Potter and I never assumed that he was my age, although that makes a lot of sense now.  

Russell Wilson

I must admit that I am love my local sports teams (even if we don't win or haven't in a long, long, long, long time), so that is why Russell Wilson is on here.  He is an insane, and awesome, quarterback.   Not to mention he's not too bad looking. 

Don't worry, my husband and I compare hot/cute celebrities all the time.  There's no need to get worried ;)

My birthday isn't for another 3 months, but it makes you think when there are people your age doing such crazy big things!  I think I also overused the word crazy in this post.  

Who's your age?!

**all images were found via Google image search

High School Alison

There was a time when I was in high school.

Unbelievable, I know.  But I was there and did, in fact, graduate.

I'm sure you are all very skeptical of this, so I am going to share with you "High School Alison."  An Alison from 5+ years ago.  Seriously, how does time go that fast?

Please refrain from giggling until you've reached the end.  Ah, whatever.  Giggle all you want :)

First off, you must know that I was a huge band nerd.  I lived in the band room (minus freshman year when I was still figuring things out).  My friends and I, when we could, would eat lunch in the band room with our band director. 

 

 Some proof of my nerdiness.  My friends and I became the "3 BG's" - meaning 3 band geeks - and made ourselves some awesome t-shirts with our little "cheer".

I was involved in jazz band, pep band, a musical pit (at a totally different school), and summer jazz camps.

School colors were green and gold and this was spirit day.  That's why our faces were painted and we're wearing silly outfits.

My Friday nights/weekends involved movie nights and bonfires.  You should also know that my friends and I never drank.  We never really swore either.  We just hung out and got high on life, dude.

 My best friend lived in the country and they had a big gravel pit so we could have big bonfires if we so desired.

My best friend and I made puppy chow ALL. THE. TIME.  I don't know why we did, but we were addicted.  Most of the time someone would end up throwing it during the movie and we'd find it weeks later under couch cushions.

See all that chex mix?  Serious sugar coming.

I was also involved in golf the last three years of high school.  Unfortunately I only have one picture of me golfing.  You get the idea, though.

Not a very good picture, but at least I have a ball and club!

My friends and I were also very crazy.  We would wander around stores taking funny pictures and planned a couple of new year's eve parties that were very fun and non-alcoholic, of course.

My best friend and I went to prom and tolo together.  Once we went as each others' dates.

I had short hair most of my high school career and even did the whole bleach blonde on top with dark underneath.

Proof.

I even graduated from high school and left to go to college across the mountains.  You'll get some fun pictures from that time later, promise.

There you have it.  High School Alison.  And a major photo dump.  I hope you enjoyed looking at a younger me!  Maybe I'll scan some older ones for you to giggle over.   

It's a hodge podge

I'm going to be a bit random today.  I'm tired and it's been a busy week.  I apologize if that completely bums you up.  Ha, know where that's from?  The actual line is "this really bums me up".  I'll give you a hint below.  

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--Remember how I whined about my planner problems?  Well, I have been researching and researching all week.  It's been pretty silly according to my husband.  I found quite a few that ALMOST fit the bill, but didn't have enough extra blank pages for budget things, blog post ideas, to do lists, etc etc.  And the ones that I did find cost about $50+.  I don't want to pay that much for something that I just may not use 24/7.  Although I'd really like to use it all the time..

I thought about printing my own planner pages (creating my own or buying one off of Etsy) and then binding them myself somewhere, but that requires more free time and patience than what I have right now.  So I searched all the office supply stores around here, including Wal-mart and Barnes & Noble and I finally decided to pick one up from Fred Meyer for... yes.  $10.  Ahhh, good 'ol Freddy's.

It may not be my ideal planner, but it's refillable which is incredibly nice because I can just keep reusing it forever (or until they stop making the refills).  And it's big enough to hold enough papers and goodies inside.  Problem(s) solved.

--I still haven't completely unpacked our Christmas presents.  They're sitting in a box on the dining room floor.  My excuse?  Well, it's all those little things, especially stocking stuffers.  I'll get to it someday.


--I also still haven't shared our Christmas gifts with you all.  I'll try to get to it.  Although if I don't, don't hate me.


--I love being a nanny because of the funny moments that come with it.  I took J (she's 4) to visit our friend who just had a baby.  She was breastfeeding and J was watching intently.  She then came to a conclusion in her little head and said "So he's like a vampire!  He sucks your blood!"   Ah, I still laugh.  Of course we corrected her, but she didn't really believe us at first.









--I have caught up on all of my Netflix TV shows and I think I need another one.  Or maybe I need to re-watch some.  I re-watched the Office last year, but maybe I'll do Family Guy or get into Downtown Abbey.  Any suggestions?


--I finally organized my pantry!  Yes-sir-ee.  It is wonderful.  Thanks to dollar store bins that all look alike and are the same size :)  It may not be the picture-perfect organizing goddess's pantry, but I work with what I got in my house and in my wallet.  Next on my list: our hiking/backpacking closet.  Yikes..

 Left: pantry    Right: an incredibly, but somewhat organized, messy closet