Youtube classic

Just in case you are wondering why I am posting this video, I had a flash back while searching Youtube for my Rudo y Cursi post. I found a video that I watched constantly when I first moved to Houston under Youtube's "Recommended For You" section. Which by the way is not near as accurate as Amazon's "Recommended For You."  Also, all of the tribute montages to celebrities on Youtube are creepy. See, when I first moved to Houston, I knew no one. It was bad, really bad for a few weeks. I was the youngest employee at my office by 25 years. (Note to current co-worker friends who think that I am exaggerating: Jack and April were on vacation. Jessica started 2 weeks after me.) I needed motivation to keep going and Lesley Gore's live performance of "You Don't Own Me" got me through. I have this song on iTunes, but the video worked best during the dark times. I just had to watch the clip again for old times sake. I mean look at her. Lesley is probably about 17 in this video. Her eyes are so sleepy, but you can see how happy she is. This is just how I like my feminist anthems - approachable and joyful.

If I am being honest, there was also an exploding whale video that helped keep my sprits up in Summer 2007.

Rudo y Cursi

On Saturday night, my good pal Melina and I went to see Rudo y Cursi at the Angelika downtown. This drama/comedy is all the rage right now in Mexico. Bless Mexico's heart, that country needs something good. Times are tough with the drug lords, gangs, crushing poverty, and swine flue. The good people of Mexico deserve this movie.

I highly recommend watching a foreign film in the theater because the subtitles are easier to read. However, a fancy, huge flat screen will do if you want to wait for Netflix. The subtitles in this movie are a British-English translation. I found this fact to be hysterical. Who doesn't like statements like, "The tire is in the boot you wanker." Now, I am sure that some of my readers are thinking, "My boyfriend/husband will never want to see a foreign film." I honestly think that this movie is the perfect introduction to foreign films for guys. Rudo y Cursi is the story of half-brothers from the sticks who are discovered by a talent scout and transformed into Mexico City soccer stars (ladies think A League of Their Own). As always with rags-to-riches tales, the brothers faults are magnified because of fame, and this causes conflict. Rudo y Cursi translates to "Tough and Corny."

The stars of this movie are Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal. If you saw Y Tu Mama Tambien eight years ago, then you already know these actors. I have not seen Y Tu Mama Tambien, so for me I knew their names, but wasn't really sure who was who. Here are pictures for your foreign film education:

Diego Luna

Gael Garcia Bernal

Fun fact, Diego and Gael grew-up together in Mexico and are real life besties. They both had babies this year too. Isn't that cute? Another fun fact, Gael dated Natalie Portman back in 2003/2004. Diego plays Beto, nickname Rudo. He is a hard headed family man who loves goal keeping and gambling. Gael is Tato, nickname Cursi. He is a talented striker who has delusional dreams about becoming pop star. Basically, this movie is a satire on how Mexican men are big babies who love their mothers. Go see Rudo y Cursi if you want to have a good time at the movies and feel smug and artsy afterwards.

Below is one of my favorite moments from Rudo y Cursi. If this doesn't make you laugh, then you have no soul.

Maggie

Hi all. Recently, a friend of mine passed away. Maggie fought for life and was a force for good. She will be missed.

Maggie Mae Weaver
Maggie Mae Weaver On May 4, 2009, the world lost a dazzling smile. Cradled in the arms of her husband and surrounded by loved ones, Maggie Mae Weaver peacefully lost her arduous battle with colon cancer. During the 850 day siege, she lived more richly than most do in a lifetime: she graduated from Baylor Law School in 2007, passed the Bar Exam and opened her own law firm; traveled to Greece, Wyoming, Mexico, and Ireland; and hosted a celebrated art show of her own unique, beautiful paintings on April 22. Dancing through her life with the grace reserved for angels, Maggie changed people's lives with her story and charmed everyone she met with her infectious smile and effervescent spirit. She will be remembered by all those she touched. She was born Maggie Mae Pilat in Tennessee on December 9, 1975 but played most of her life in Austin. She graduated from The Science Academy at LBJ High School and subsequently graduated from The University of Texas in 1998 with a Bachelor in Social Work. In February 2004, she married the love of her life, Chris Weaver. Maggie is survived by her loving husband, Chris, who stood steadfastly by her side and now misses her dearly. She is also survived by her mother, Mary Valente-Russin; her sister, Lori Carnaghi; her brother, Virgil Pilat; her precious puppies, Niko and Kali; and many, many, many friends. As Maggie's final gift she donated her body to science in hopes that others will have a longer journey in their lives. A memorial service will be held on the rooftop at Third Base, 1717 W. 6th St. at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, May 10, 2009. Maggie was never afraid of dying -- she just wasn't done living. In lieu of sending flowers, please visit Maggie's website, www.thumpers-hole.net, for information on organizations to make donations to in memory of our Maggie.

Really, Paris again? Really?

I acknowledge that I should no longer blog about Paris, but I am in a rut. I have started and deleted a few posts. Nothing seems quite right. I intend to write more movie, book, and recipe reviews. Alas, I have not done too much of that stuff lately. What I have chosen to do is wallow in existential crises. Who has a career freak out at 27? This girl. Did you know that Barack Obama's head speechwriter Jon Favreau was born in 1981? Dev Patel from Slumdog Millionaire was born in 1990. All of the hip Hollywood screenwriters are 25. I don't know if these are careers I aspire to, but come on adorable Dev is 19!! Click on Favreau's link, he is worth reading about. 

Alright, back to Paris. I have uploaded a short, homemade video from my vacation. Included are the pictures from our day trip to London that I never blogged about. Make sure that you turn the volume up on your computer, the background song is fun. 

*For some reason the video doesn't fit in the margins of my blog. Simply click the middle of the picture screen twice and your computer will navigate you to Youtube. There, you can view the video full screen or whatever you want. Also, I have no idea why the first few pictures are fuzzy. Please do not give up on the video. The new pictures at the end are clear and crisp. Perhaps the fuzziness is sign that I should upgrade to Mac's new iLife.

Week in Review

Blogland, I am going to be straight with you, this week has been kind of lousy. Luckily, there were some one liners that got me through. Enjoy! 

Brent: That's good parenting right?

Erin: No, that is terrible parenting.

Evil woman at DFW: We cannot help you here. You need to leave.

Angela from The Office: Look, I hate to be "that person," but I just don't like the general spirit of music. 

McDonald's  Employee: We do not serve lunch until 11 o'clock.

Me: It is 10:58.

McDonald's Employee: We are not ready. You can return at 11 o'clock.

Mother: I saw another fat and sassy caterpillar in the garden today. That's a good sign.  

Emma: Brooke, do you want to know how old I am? I am 6 & 11/4. 

Katie's Song

To know me is to know that I am crazy about my niece Katie. Last weekend I was up in Dallas visiting and my sister-in-law shared a video of Katie singing songs. It was so cute that I wanted my own version. Alas, two-year-olds do not always perform on command. Below is a short video documenting the failed attempt to capture Katie. It begins with poor lighting, my apologies.