I know right? A whole year has already gone by since I said good bye job and hello freedom with a dash of pink glitter and dancing involved.
And it has been awesome \o/
Which is so not the thing people seem to expect me to say. I've been asked quite a few times if I:
"Miss working" - nope not even in the slightest
"Miss the money" - sometimes but there are other ways to make money, live frugally and pay the bills AND still have a good life
"Get bored" - not once, not ever. In fact I find I still haven't done everything that I wanted to do which just means more goals for the next year
"Miss the social contact" - okay this one I'll give. I do, sometimes, miss some of my colleagues and our weird day-to-day conversations that we had BUT I have Facebook and Twitter and email to keep in contact and chat with people so it's not a life of complete isolation which weirdly people seem to think it must be. I DO go out sometimes you know. Having said that I do quite enjoy having lots of 'me' time so it's a pretty good balance on the whole.
Looking back I've done quite a bit. Certainly a lot more than I thought I would last June the 30th.
Travel
I actually managed 2 trips. Something I never thought I would be able to do while living the life of the poor and the broke. Just goes to show you are never as poor as you think you are.
First up was a week long trip to Sydney. Mostly thanks to special deals, Airpoints and doing as many free things that we could. By saving money where we could we managed to treat ourselves to a massage and pamper session at a very ritzy hotel and have an amazing time. We also as usual walked heaps.
Second trip was 2 weeks in the South Island. Again accomplished by saving money where we could. This meant camping. In an actual tent. In the outdoors.
I know? I'm still amazed that I managed to do that. The girl who likes a comfy bed and room service. And yet I did it and it wasn't too bad, not that I would recommend it as a life long habit.
We also ate cheaply (bread rolls, coleslaw, boiled eggs - cooked in our cooker on the side of the road no less, and apples). All of which meant that once again we could spend money on the things we really wanted to do like whale watching.
Moving House
Who would've thought this would happen. Certainly not me. But in the end we did it. Sold a house, moved out of a house, lived a life on the road while our things were in storage, brought a house and then finally after what seemed like an endless wait we moved in.
Very stressful but also very worthwhile.
Now we live in a small rural town, surrounded by farm land and noisy cows, have a house that cost us about half the price of our house in Auckland and a feeling much more relaxed now that we are away from the noise and pollution of the big city.
Exercise and Get Healthier
An all round success despite getting the flu in February (like seriously, who gets the flu in the middle of a summer, in a heatwave? Me, obviously) and having the worse panic/anxiety attack that I ever have because yeah that was so much fun.
Yet despites those setbacks I'm actually feeling really good. I've managed on average to walk for an hour about 3 times a week and that's counting in a heatwave and wet weather. I definitely feel that my fitness has improved.
As for health I've had not one single cold or asthma attack or bout of bronchitis; something that I had every year since I had worked in the city. I'm also eating better. Sure there's still chocolate on occasion but there's also a lot more fruit and vegetables and eggs and chicken in my diet. Takeout has gone completely and I'm even cooking from time to time. My soup making skills are on fire.
And All The Rest
As for the rest, I've blogged more, read an enormous amount, done a fair amount of gardening, knitted, caught up on movies and TV shows I wanted to watch and even done a bit of genealogy research.
I now know that though some of my family ended up as paupers they came from quite wealthy families several generations back; that I have 3 ancestors who were Master Mariners but all died young and at sea including 1 who died from cholera and that while one side was very Catholic another side were Bapists and Quakers.
I'm looking forward to not only what I can find out this year but also writing more, learning Italian, taking up Tai Chi, finishing my 365 Movies in 365 Days and generally being busy as always.
I'm a bit behind this week courtesy of some electricians. Because of course electricians meant no power and no power meant no movie watching for me. Coupled in that with visits from family and friends and the week was almost a total write off in movie watching terms.
Will definitely have to do some major catching up.
As for this weeks movies it's a pretty quiet affair, with a couple of mindless actioners and a dramedy and look at how the movie Mary Poppins came into being.
Into The Storm
Starring: Richard Armitage
Original release: 2014
Synopsis: Tornadoes causing mayhem.
The blurb pretty much sums it up. Throw in some teens getting trapped, an oh so sexy Brit trying out his American accent and some storm chasers and you've got the gist of the film.
Totally mindless and silly but worth it just for RA alone. American accent or not he is still swoon worthy.
If only the had thrown in a shirtless scene...
Finding Your Feet
Starring: Imelda Staunton and Celia Imrie
Original release: 2017
Synopsis: A lady has her prim and proper life turned upside down when she discovers her husband is having an affair.
I really thought this would be a lot funnier than it was. One of those movies that the Brits seem to be turning out lately with feel good moments and quiet humour mixed in with some totally serious bits.
Dramedy anyone?
Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom
Starring: Chris Pratt
Original release: 2018
Synopsis: This time round there is a volcano.
I watch this totally just for Blue. Who knew an animated dinosaur that could rip you to shreds in mere seconds could win my heart?
Chris Pratt is not too bad either. As for the rest? I could probably have given that a miss.
On a side note: I would seriously live in that cabin in the woods.
Saving Mr Banks
Starring: Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks
Original release: 2013
Synopsis: Author P.L. Travers travels from London to Hollywood as Walt Disney Pictures adapts her novel Mary Poppins for the big screen.
I kind of liked this. Funny and sad in parts it was an interesting look at a woman I knew almost nothing about and Emma Thompson was just wonderful in the lead role.
A bit of a theme this week. But one that turned out to be on the whole really interesting and inspiring.
So many fascinating and quirky people living amazing lives. Totally my kind of people. And a great way to get those feel good vibes. Just the kind of movies you need in your life.
Advanced Style
Starring: n/a
Original release: 2014
Synopsis: Advanced Style
examines the lives of seven unique New Yorkers whose eclectic personal
style and vital spirit have guided their approach to ageing.
I have absolutely no sense of style and pretty much look like a bag lady most of the time. Despite this I can still appreciate style in others.
A fascinating look at seven interesting women who wear what they want how they want and don't give a damn what others think.
Meet The Patels
Starring: n/a
Original release: 2015
Synopsis: For Ravi Patel the expectation is that he will marry... as long as she is nice Indian girl from a nice family with a good education and with the last name Patel. But can he actually find the girl that will not only make him happy but his parents too?
This is a really quirky movie which I turned out liking. An interesting look at a culture different to my own.
Bag It
Starring: n/a
Original release: 2011
Synopsis: An average guy takes a look at our plastic consumption and what we can, if anything, do about it.
Okay. The presenter is a bit of nerdy guy at times who has a dorky sense of humour but putting that aside this documentary was actually really good.
Totally got me hooked and one I would definitely recommend to others. Really makes you think.
If You're Not In the Obit, Eat Breakfast
Starring: n/a
Original release: 2017
Synopsis: Writer-comedian
Carl Reiner, who shows no signs of slowing down at 94, tracks down
celebrated nonagenarians, and a few others over 100, to show how the
twilight years can truly be the happiest and most rewarding.
A feel good documentary that makes you want to live a long and happy life just like the people in this movie.
Inspiring.
Ex Libris: The New York Public Library
Starring: n/a
Original release: 2017
Synopsis: A documentary
about how a dominant cultural and demographic institution both sustains
their traditional activities and adapts to the digital revolution.
You would think that I would totally love this movie. After all it's about a library. But nope. Boring and dull and really long at over 3 hours. Basically just a film where the filmmaker pointed his camera and shot. No voice over, no narration, no real feel for what the film was trying to tell you.
I skipped ahead quite a few times hoping it would get interesting.
It didn't.
The Strange Name Movie
Starring: n/a
Original release: 2017
Synopsis: How do perfectly
ordinary, normal people cope with the extraordinary challenge of an
embarrassing, provocative, famous or unbelievable name?
Another one of my weird and quirky picks that once again turned out to be kind of interesting.
Certainly more so than the movie above.
Tomb Raider
Starring: Alicia Vikander and Dominic West.
Original release: 2018
Synopsis: Lara Croft, the
fiercely independent daughter of a missing adventurer, must push herself
beyond her limits when she finds herself on the island where her
father disappeared.
Completely mindless and totally needed after all those documentaries. Perfect way to wind down and not have to worry too much about the story.
I know. I know. I am, once again, late in posting. What can I say except that I have been down a genealogy hole and swimming in all the information. Sometimes you just lose yourself in a project. Not that I am giving up on this one. So far 365 Movies in 365 Days is right on track... in fact I am, I think, even a little bit ahead. So go me.
A very mixed bag makes up this week's viewing. As you will see I have wide and varied tastes and am constantly intrigued by the blurbs I read when making my picks. Of course if you have recommendations please feel free to post them in the comments.
And on to the viewing...
12 Years A Slave
Starring: Chiwetel Ejoiofor and Michael Fassbender
Original release: 2013
Synopsis: Solomon Northup, a free black man from New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.
I missed this when it first came out. Most likely because it's one of those movies you have to be in the right frame of mind to watch and with everything else that I was watching at the time i.e. Supernatural I never got around to it until now.
And wow, such a good movie. Harrowing at times but all the better for it. And excellent acting all round.
On a side note - Seeing Michael Fassbender play a baddie still didn't make me swoon any less. So yes there were some swoony feels during the movie watching too. I seriously need help.
Pride And Prejudice And Zombies
Starring: Lily James and Sam Riley
Original release: 2016
Synopsis: In 19th century
England Elizabeth Bennet is a master of
martial arts and weaponry and the handsome Mr. Darcy is a
fierce zombie killer.
Something completely silly. Because why the hell not. Sometimes silly is good, at least for the soul.
It's not a good movie but with a title like that you shouldn't be surprised. Still I loved the fight scenes and Sam Riley does gravelly sexy voice very well. Who knew.
20 Feet From Stardom
Starring: n/a
Original release: 2013
Synopsis: Backup singers
live in a world that lies just beyond the spotlight. Their voices bring
harmony to the biggest bands in popular music, but we’ve had no idea who
these singers are or what lives they lead, until now.
If you like music, which I do, then you'll probably find this interesting as I did. A look at the singers we never even noticed let alone heard of.
Ocean's 8
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett and Anne Hathaway.
Original release: 2018
Synopsis: Debbie Ocean, a
criminal mastermind, gathers a crew of seven other female thieves to
pull off the heist of the century at New York’s annual Met Gala.
Hey what can I say except sometimes mindless, entertaining heist films are the way to go. Enjoyable with Anne Hathaway pretty much stealing the show as a vain and bitchy diva.
My Stuff
Starring: n/a
Original release: 2013
Synopsis: Putting all his belongings into storage, Petri allows himself to retrieve only one item per day for one year. New life begins naked next to a radiator.
Totally weird. And yet strangely fascinating. At least parts of it. Other parts? Not so much. As a presenter he's kind of boring which doesn't help.
Still I managed to watched it all the way through the boring parts.
Meet The Hitlers
Starring: n/a
Original release: 2014
Synopsis: What would it be
like if your last name was Hitler? Director Matt Ogens seeks that answer
by intimately portraying a diverse group of individuals with that same
unfortunate name.
Another weird documentary but also really fascinating... and disturbing... at least in parts. An interesting look at a variety of people all connected to the name Hitler in some ways.
Six weeks and counting.
I mostly stuck with a bit of theme this week and watched kids movies. I definitely needed the pick me up after last weeks viewing. I'm already thinking of doing another theme type viewing at a later stage.
Pete's Dragon
Starring: Robert Redford and Karl Urban
Original release: 2018
Synopsis: Pete is a 10-year-old with no family and no home who lives in
the woods with a giant, green dragon named Elliott.
Dragons, beautiful New Zealand scenery and gravelley voice Karl Urban who always manages to look pretty damn fine, what's not to love.
Then again dragons are always awesome so it was pretty much a given that I would like this movie.
Gnomeo & Juliet
Starring: n/a
Original release: 2011
Synopsis: Garden gnomes
Gnomeo and Juliet have as many obstacles to overcome when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors. But with
plastic pink flamingos and lawnmower races in the mix, can this young
couple find lasting happiness?
Gnomes.
I know right?
Totally creepy in real life but pretty funny in this animated movie. Then again maybe it was James McAvoy's voice that helped me liked this. That and Jason Statham as a bad ass Gnome.
The Princess and the Frog
Starring: n/a
Original release: 2009
Synopsis: A waitress,
desperate to fulfill her dreams as a restaurant owner, is set on a
journey to turn a frog prince back into a human being, but she has to
face the same problem after she kisses him.
I know so many people who love this movie so I felt just a tad bit of pressure. Sadly it was not to be and I came away from the movie feeling that somehow I had missed something.
A lovely movie to look at but one that just didn't maybe me fall in love with it.
Bombshell The Hedy Lamarr Story
Starring: na
Original release: 2017
Synopsis: The world’s most
beautiful woman was also the secret inventor of secure wifi, bluetooth
and GPS communications, but her arresting looks stood in the way of her
being given the credit she deserved… until now.
A wonderfully fascinating documentary about a woman who was famous for her beauty but never truly recognised for her brains.
Like Hidden Figures this documentary brings to light how women were often ignored in fields that were dominated by men such as engineering and science.
A Dog's Purpose
Starring: Dennis Quaid
Original release: 2017
Synopsis: A dog goes on quest to discover his purpose in life over the course of several lifetimes with multiple owners.
I cried buckets. Like seriously. There was a ton of sobbing pretty much throughout this movie. I'm pretty sure I went through an entire box of tissues.
And yet as super sad as it is it's also really hopeful. Just have a box of tissues on standby.
The Incredibles
Starring: n/a
Original release: 2004
Synopsis: Bob Parr has given
up his superhero days to log in time as an insurance adjuster and raise
his three children with his formerly heroic wife in suburbia. But when
he receives a mysterious assignment, it’s time to get back into costume.
The Incredibles is such a cool movie that it's definitely worthy of a second viewing. Which is exactly what I did.
Roll on Incredibles 2 which is due out later on this year.
