I decided to take my 9 yr old daughter to see the new Justin Bieber movie. She likes the "Baby" song but I wouldn't consider her a huge Bieber fan. I thought the movie would be fun and might have some good lessons in it. I mean, his story is inspirational. A kid born to a teenage mother in a small town in Canada. Then, based on pure talent and fueled by social media, becomes a huge sensation without the help of either Disney or Nickelodeon. Amazing. I thought the whole night would be about showing my daughter the importance of following your dreams and never giving up.
However, something bizarre happened to my child during that film. That Bieber kid smiled at the camera, flipped that hair, and she was gone. Really gone. I mean, she went completely insane. When she first started screaming, I thought she was kidding. She is a little bit of a ham and very sarcastic. So, I presumed she was making fun of the entire experience because most girls in the theater were screaming. Once I realized she was seriously going nuts, I was shocked and a little scared. I could not get her to settle down for the next two hours. When Justin sang, "I Want Someone to Love", my sweet little girl screamed, "Pick Me! Pick Me!", at the screen. Yikes. I underestimated the power of Bieber and felt like I was watching her turn into a pre-teen before my eyes.
There is just something about that Bieber kid. He's irresistible.
I have to admit, the movie was very sweet. I had to choke back tears when Justin's dad, filled with pride, broke down the first time he saw his son perform in concert.
The funniest part of the night, however, was my daughter's best friend. She was no Bieber fan but came along with us for fun, and for the popcorn. While waiting in line outside the theater, she mocked the whole experience.
"I don't get it", she said. "I can't take that kid seriously. He is almost 17 and I'm pretty sure I'm bigger than him." She is ten, by the way, and a total tomboy. Half way through the movie, however, she turned to my daughter and screamed, "Oh my god, he is so cute!"
Those two girls screamed his songs all the way home in the car.
There you have it, Bieber Fever.
It's contagious.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Everyone Has Their Day... and This Is Mine.
I am an Oscar fanatic. The day that the Academy Awards are broadcast is my favorite day of the year. Some people have their birthday as that special day that they set aside to do whatever they want. I have friends who plan a whole weekend of fun around their birthday. I actually think my sister does a whole month for hers. I know moms who take Mother's Day as their "I am doing whatever I want and you ("you" meaning spouse and kids) will either a) be expected to attend and enjoy whatever I plan or b) get out of my way so I can relax." Men spend whole weeks dedicated to the Super Bowl, World Series, or whatever.
For me, that day is the Oscars.
I have adored movies all of my life. I still remember the distinct feeling of sadness that came over me when the credits of Grease scrolled across the theater screen. I didn't want it to end! I was five and after a lot of begging, my dad had agreed to take my sister and I to see it. I loved every second of that movie. Spontaneous singing and dancing?! I was hooked! On the way out, my Dad said that he wasn't so sure he should have taken us to see it. I had no idea what he was talking about. I didn't get any of the inappropriate innuendos. I don't think I even realized Rizzo (my favorite character, by the way) was pregnant, which is kind of a major subplot. Whatever, it didn't matter. I was a movie junkie for life!
To this day, nothing is more fun to me that hiding away in a theater and getting lost for a few hours in another world. I love to go with my husband, with a friend, in big groups (hey to my Twilight peeps), or just by myself. Between the theater and Netflix, I probably watch an average of five movies a week.
The Oscars are the annual denouement of my movie watching. My husband once explained to someone that it was such an important day for me that he sometimes felt he should buy me a gift for the occasion. When my daughter was about 4, she woke me up on the day of the Academy Awards by saying, "Happy Oscar Day, Mommy!"
I put months of effort into that day. The Oscar season, from September through January, is when I really start getting into it. I scour movie and Oscar websites to get a list going of potential Oscar movies and then proceed to see every single one of them. I watch every award show preceding the Oscars (Golden Globes, Critics Choice, Screen Actor's Guild), usually while simultaneously watching live blogs about the show on my favorite websites.
Back when I started Oscar watching (as us insiders call it), I decided the best way to celebrate the Oscars was to throw an Oscar party.
I soon realized my mistake.
Not having put months of research into the Oscars, my guests were more interested in the party than in the actual award show. I was annoyed when people talked over the red carpet interviews (this is half the fun, people!) and was shocked and dismayed when everyone kept chatting throughout the entire telecast. They were talking about the show and movies in general but still... shut up!
That was the end of that party. The problem I faced was that I still wanted the party. I loved decorating for it, creating an Oscar ballot with prizes, and planning the menu (always with food themed around the nominated movies). I just didn't want the guests.
So, my idea was born: The party where no one is invited.
It is honestly my best idea ever. My husband and children know the drill. My daughter dresses up like a movie starlet and everyone in my family does an Oscar ballet. During the pre-oscar telecast and the red carpet coverage, they are basically required to entertain, bathe, and feed themselves. I won't so much as help find a lost hair clip. Then, they sit down and watch the show with me. We chat only about the show during commercial breaks but there isn't a peep out of anyone during the actual show. My sister is the only other guest. She loves a good party and as soon as she realized she had to get on the Oscar watch band wagon or miss the party, she was in! Plus, I endlessly send her updates and information about what movies she needs to see based on order of importance and release dates. I basically bossed and annoyed her into being an Oscar watcher.
This year is no different. We are currently three weeks away from the Academy Awards and I cannot wait! Since I have moved out of state, my sister is flying in for the weekend to watch the show with me. I am doing a candy bar this year with a candy to represent each best picture nominee. Included are Boston Baked Beans for The Fighter, English Toffee for The King's Speech, Crystal Rock Candy for Winter's Bone (that last one is funny if you've seen the movie).
Anyway, it will be the best party that no one is invited to that ever existed. And, I am lucky enough to have a husband and kids who not only put up with my craziness but also join in on the fun. Life is good.
For me, that day is the Oscars.
I have adored movies all of my life. I still remember the distinct feeling of sadness that came over me when the credits of Grease scrolled across the theater screen. I didn't want it to end! I was five and after a lot of begging, my dad had agreed to take my sister and I to see it. I loved every second of that movie. Spontaneous singing and dancing?! I was hooked! On the way out, my Dad said that he wasn't so sure he should have taken us to see it. I had no idea what he was talking about. I didn't get any of the inappropriate innuendos. I don't think I even realized Rizzo (my favorite character, by the way) was pregnant, which is kind of a major subplot. Whatever, it didn't matter. I was a movie junkie for life!
To this day, nothing is more fun to me that hiding away in a theater and getting lost for a few hours in another world. I love to go with my husband, with a friend, in big groups (hey to my Twilight peeps), or just by myself. Between the theater and Netflix, I probably watch an average of five movies a week.
The Oscars are the annual denouement of my movie watching. My husband once explained to someone that it was such an important day for me that he sometimes felt he should buy me a gift for the occasion. When my daughter was about 4, she woke me up on the day of the Academy Awards by saying, "Happy Oscar Day, Mommy!"
I put months of effort into that day. The Oscar season, from September through January, is when I really start getting into it. I scour movie and Oscar websites to get a list going of potential Oscar movies and then proceed to see every single one of them. I watch every award show preceding the Oscars (Golden Globes, Critics Choice, Screen Actor's Guild), usually while simultaneously watching live blogs about the show on my favorite websites.
Back when I started Oscar watching (as us insiders call it), I decided the best way to celebrate the Oscars was to throw an Oscar party.
I soon realized my mistake.
Not having put months of research into the Oscars, my guests were more interested in the party than in the actual award show. I was annoyed when people talked over the red carpet interviews (this is half the fun, people!) and was shocked and dismayed when everyone kept chatting throughout the entire telecast. They were talking about the show and movies in general but still... shut up!
That was the end of that party. The problem I faced was that I still wanted the party. I loved decorating for it, creating an Oscar ballot with prizes, and planning the menu (always with food themed around the nominated movies). I just didn't want the guests.
So, my idea was born: The party where no one is invited.
It is honestly my best idea ever. My husband and children know the drill. My daughter dresses up like a movie starlet and everyone in my family does an Oscar ballet. During the pre-oscar telecast and the red carpet coverage, they are basically required to entertain, bathe, and feed themselves. I won't so much as help find a lost hair clip. Then, they sit down and watch the show with me. We chat only about the show during commercial breaks but there isn't a peep out of anyone during the actual show. My sister is the only other guest. She loves a good party and as soon as she realized she had to get on the Oscar watch band wagon or miss the party, she was in! Plus, I endlessly send her updates and information about what movies she needs to see based on order of importance and release dates. I basically bossed and annoyed her into being an Oscar watcher.
This year is no different. We are currently three weeks away from the Academy Awards and I cannot wait! Since I have moved out of state, my sister is flying in for the weekend to watch the show with me. I am doing a candy bar this year with a candy to represent each best picture nominee. Included are Boston Baked Beans for The Fighter, English Toffee for The King's Speech, Crystal Rock Candy for Winter's Bone (that last one is funny if you've seen the movie).
Anyway, it will be the best party that no one is invited to that ever existed. And, I am lucky enough to have a husband and kids who not only put up with my craziness but also join in on the fun. Life is good.
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