The Adventures of Mrs.Movie Snob

"The past beats inside of me like a second heart." -John Banville, The Sea My memory is long. It is vivid. It is unforgiving. For better, it is remembering song lyrics, movie quotes, important dates and fun times. For worse, it is remembering every embarrassment, hurt and traumatic childhood moment. With both, something will trigger me (a song, smell, a feeling) and *poof*, I'm right back in it. Does this happen to you? Do you think of comebacks years later in the shower? Do you dwell on that time you fell in front of all of those people? Do you still get a rush when you think about that first kiss with your honey? It's something I've come to depend on. (Especially when competing in trivia) And I've never really understood how it feels to not have this ability. My Mother used to get very frustrated with me because I remembered everything she said; even when she didn't. She once said to me, "I hope you have a daughter one day with that memory!...

I'm usually in a pretty good mood. * I'm usually quick to smile; quick to laugh. I like to say "hi" to people on the street. I like to hug good friends. I like to kiss my husband. I like to keep it light and try not take it all so seriously. It's a conscious decision, albeit not always an easy one. Most days, though, I'm pretty good at NOT giving into the bullshit. Recently, in my Kickboxing class, (my new passion!!) I was paired with a 20-something girl for the partner drills. I greeted her with a smile. Nothing. I cracked a lame joke about how we should try to NOT punch each other in the face. *crickets* (Does she not realize I'm a delight?!) Then we started our exercises; me with a mid-level intensity and steady beat to the Flo Rida song booming over the sound system; her with an intense fervor like she was training for her next MMA fight. Now, I kept up. (Awwwww yeeeeahhhhh!) But I was (at first) more than a little annoyed. I wanted to say, "Y...

"Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children."                                                                                        - William Makepeace Thackeray Yeah....no pressure. Today as I'm getting ready for work, applying my makeup and straightening my clothes, a little voice in the distance says, "You look beautiful, Mommy." She's told me this before and I always thank her and accept the compliment. This time, however, it struck me particularly hard because as I was looking at myself in the mirror, I was thinking everything opposite to her sentiment; I am PMSing=bloated, I have a zit on my chin, I need to wax my upper lip and I perpetually want to lose about 20 pounds. Yet somehow, with all my insecurities, this sweet little sou...

PLOT TWIST! Mrs. Movie Snob has a new alias; Mrs. First Time Novelist! The first time novelist I'm referring to here is not myself. Blogs and funny quips are about the extent of my writing talents. No, the first time novelist to which I'm referring is, of course, my husband, Matt. C. Sully. For months, he's been researching, outlining, networking and writing what I'm sure is going to be an opus the likes of which are rarely seen. (read?) Night after night, he talks to me about his characters; their strengths, weaknesses and journeys. I can tell he's truly come to love them. It's really something to watch him get so excited about this world he's created out of thin air. Even though he just began writing in the Spring, I know this story has been in him for some time just waiting to be told. The timing had to be right to give it it's due, but now that he has surrendered to his creative inclinations, it seems to be pouring out; word by word, page by pa...

Some heard " yanny ," other's heard " laurel ." We were all right. We were all wrong. Still, we were all steadfast in our conclusion. Science has shown us that it is entirely possible for one thing to be interpreted in two completely different ways. It's kind of amazing. Going for a walk with my daughter one afternoon, she asks, "Mommy, let's take a picture of everything pretty." I pull out my phone and 287 pictures later realize, everything is pretty to her. Everything is still new and to be appreciated. My grown-up brain did notice it was a gorgeous day but mostly, I was focused on her and the most efficient route home. One situation; two completely different interpretations. Mostly, it's maturity. I'm old now. I've seen things. I have experiences, good and bad, that now show me a filtered world. None of this is more evident than when I sit down to watch an old movie. (Old meaning 1980's and 90's) My once carefree ci...

I used to be an asshole. No. No. Don't argue. It's true. HA! I laugh because I don't' think that many would argue. And that's ok. I can fully accept that now. You have every right to feel the way you do. I take full responsibility.  But there's good news! I'm not an asshole anymore. Step 2: ???. Step 3: Profit. I'm not trying to make excuses but, to be fair, my past asshole tendencies could be attributed, at least in part, to survival instinct. You see, I didn't grow up around people that were particularly nice to me. It's cliche but you weren't going to get me if I got you first. Kentucky was (is?) pretty unforgiving as a Latina girl. I look back now and realize I was surrounded by prejudice; from teachers, other kids and our in-laws. That didn't help matters. Then, suddenly, I was an insecure adult trying to find my way, still completely convinced that EVERYONE had an agenda. It's safe to say I became my own worst en...

I love a good scary movie. I love a good scary movie any time of the year. But, it's almost Halloween and that gives me the perfect excuse to select the "horror" genre on Netflix and not get any lip from the Hubs. Well, not a lot of lip. He may contest my choices but he always seems to man up. It always leaves me a little baffled though. What's not to love about good scary movies? The suspense. The tension. The jumps. I love it. I have noticed, however, that we go through this same back-and-forth every Halloween season. My suggestions are usually met with an unenthusiastic, "ugh, fine." Wait a second...It's not that he hates horror movies. It's that I suggest the same horror movies every Halloween. (And throughout the year, for that matter) Yes, we've seen them hundreds of times but I can't help myself. Is it nostalgia? Surely. Is it just that I love scaring my fradey cat husband? Most definitely. Whatever it is though, I return to these movi...