Appreciating the little things

To all our faithful blog readers, we apologize for the recent silence in our Off-key Duets world (or maybe that’s not such a bad thing). My co-blogger and I have both found ourselves in a bit of a crazy life season lately. Namely, “eat a little, sleep a little, work…a lot.”

Busy times like these makes you focus on and appreciate the little pleasant things of life. So I’m trying to enjoy my perfect fall weather walks outside (meaning, walking from my office building to my car in the parking lot at 8:30 p.m.), meeting a friend for lunch (even if it feels rushed), and getting excited about the fact that one of my favorite movies, Newsies, is being adapted for a Broadway musical.

Incidentally, this is not the first time we’ve found a way to mention Newsies on this blog. We’re sneaky like that. If only I could make the Newsies song and dance strike strategy work for me in my job. Oh well, I’d rather be doing what I’m doing than selling “papes” for small change anyway.

Lessons from Toy Story 3

This week I saw the movie Toy Story 3. Like the previous movies, it’s clever, funny, and an all around good story. Andy, the boy with the toys in the movie, is headed off to college. Not surprisingly, I got all teary at the end of the movie. It was bittersweet simply because I could relate. I often have a hard time with change, even when the change is entirely positive.

We all know I’m sentimental; I mean, remember my emotional car story? It’s that same sentimentality that causes me to hang on to a sweatshirt from my high school dance team, even though I haven’t worn it in 13 years. It’s also the reason I sat in my freshman dorm bathroom stall with tears in my eyes after my parents dropped me off at college. I just knew it was a defining moment…old memories were simply that, and new memories were about to be made.

Defining moments. They are the reason I’ll celebrate at my cousin’s wedding this weekend and the reason I’ll be sad to attend my uncle’s wake tomorrow after cancer ended his life. I just pray that all of us will use well the moments we’re given.

There’s one more defining moment for me this week. Today I’ll find out that baby Knight is a…[check the comments on this post later today, I’m about to go get a look at baby and hopefully find out the gender]!

Coming soon: Blogging in 3D

All of a sudden, 3D films (which have been around for 50 years) are the next big thing. I don't really get it. Maybe it's because I don’t have great depth perception to begin with. I run into things more often than I'd like to admit here. And my memories of 3D movies growing up mostly involves motion sickness. Basically, 3D just sort of creeps me out. I already jump out of my seat in movies when there's a loud noise (even when I know it’s coming). Why do I now need to embarrassingly dodge flying objects from my seat?

But some people love it. That's cool. I've heard the 3D was great in Avatar. I can see how it would enhance the entertainment value for a lot of people. However, the news that ESPN will offer some of its coverage of this weekend's Masters Golf Tournament in 3D is puzzling. Jen already voiced her confusion about watching golf here. I echo the sentiment and now add: What is cool about watching golf in 3D?! Where are the special effects? After you've seen one guy swing a club in 3D, is there any point to it anymore? Perhaps I'll be less likely to fall asleep while watching if a golf ball is flying toward me at 150 mph. I'll never find out since I lack the 3D TV. Somehow, I'm ok with that.

But back to movies for a moment. Check out the new movie trailer for Step Up 3D. Suddenly I'm changing my tune on this 3D thing. I can't believe I've yet to address my love of all things Step Up on this blog. (If I could turn the clock back 15 years and actually attend the Maryland School of the Arts, I would do it in a heartbeat. And if I could dance with Channing Tatum…yep, I'd do that too.) As soon as the lines begin to form for this flick, I'll be there. I wonder if I should take some Dramamine beforehand. I never thought of a little breaking and booty shaking as causing nausea, but I don't want anything to ruin this movie for me.

So, some like big-budget movies and special effects, some like golf, and I like epic dance battles. I wonder where 3D will catch on next.

The best-laid plans

Last night I attended an advance screening of the new movie Leap Year. It was pretty cute. Amy Adams is fast becoming one of my favorite actresses and, let’s face it, I’m a sucker for just about every unrealistic, cheesy and predictable romantic comedy out there.

In the movie, Amy’s character, Anna, hears about the Irish tradition that a woman can propose to a man on Feb. 29. Since her boyfriend of four years still hasn’t proposed (and is conveniently in Ireland that day), she goes on a cross-continental adventure to propose to him herself. Of course, hilarity ensues, and if you care about the rest of the story you’ll have to see the movie.

There was one thing about Anna that I both appreciated and loathed (don’t worry, no spoilers here). She is a little OCD in her desire to plan—well, control—everything that happens to her. I appreciate this because I can totally relate. I loathe this because, ugh, I can totally relate!

I am a plan A person. When plan A starts to go off course, my immediate reaction is to take matters into my own hands (never mind that they are matters completely out of my control—I’ll still try). Sometimes realizing I’m not in control—of which there have been plenty of reminders lately—is actually very freeing. But other times, it just stinks!

I’d love to say I’m turning a corner now that recent conversations and happenings have put this flaw of mine in the spotlight, but that would involve some serious letting go, which wasn’t in my plan for today. But I think/hope I’m at least doing less kicking and screaming (sometimes) when plan B (or Z) sticks its tongue out at me and does a little happy dance. One of these days, maybe I’ll dance along.

Remember my name

Ever since movie makers announced they were re-making FAME I have been looking forward to this weekend. Luckily the bad reviews convinced me to go in with low expectations. If you prefer good acting and a compelling plot, I’d recommend you skip this particular movie. But the performances sprinkled throughout were still fun.

It’s movies like this—and TV shows like So You Think You Can Dance, and of course, GLEE—that send me into daydream heaven. Despite my bad knees and 30-year-old body that hasn’t done a double pirouette or split leap since high school, I still aspire to be a performer.

Nothing puts a bigger smile on my face than a flashy song and dance routine. Put me in the audience of any Broadway show and I’ve got happy tears in my eyes the moment the curtain goes up.

Why can’t life be more like a musical? We all randomly break out into song and a perfectly choreographed dance routine at random times—at the grocery store, during meetings at work, going to check the mail. I’d like to think heaven will be one eternal Tony Award-winning musical. But for today, I guess singing at my church and dancing at weddings (and occasionally in my living room) will have to suffice.

So, what’s your favorite Broadway or movie musical? I know. There are too many to choose from. I’ll have to think about it and get back to you with my pick later.