Chick Flick of the Week: Universal Soldier

July 20, 2011 ~ JodiLea

I’m Serious.

I absolutely love Jean-Claude Van Damme’s spin-kick. I don’t know why, but I was mesmerized from the first one I saw. I was not even watching the movie, my hubby and sons were having testosterone theater night and I was in another room reading a good book. I came out to the kitchen for a refill of popcorn and that’s when I saw it. Then a close up of the kicker clinched the deal. I could not believe what I had been missing! I plopped right down on a bean-bag and stayed there, not moving until the credits were over.

That movie was Nowhere To Run and it had a romantic, Knight-in-shining-armor story going on. Jean-Claude had to protect himself and the pretty single-mom with his spin-kicks. This was not your macho he-man only kind of movie.

When Hard Target was on TV I decided to check it out. The spin-kicks were even more awesome and intense. The plot was once again a damsel in distress (which I love, BTW). But the enjoyment of watching spin-kicks and the rescuing was tainted by Jean-Claude’s hair. I know it’s petty, but really, did his character have to have a greasy, matted, mullet cut? Yuck. Despite that distraction, it was a great movie.

I discovered that Universal Soldier was playing on HBO late Saturday night. I would be sleeping on the couch and vaporizing myself, so this cheered me up considerably. I had a “date” with Jean-Claude.

My “date” is in top spin-kick shape, and has clean, short, military hair in Universal Soldier. Even when wearing an eye-patch the dude is HOT !!!. I think I remember exactly how hot Jean-Claude is in between seeing him in action, but my memory is like black & white TV, compared to the high-def, full living color of this perfect man. Such a lovely surprise each time I see him!

This movie has many more lethal weapons and mindless shooting than the other movies I like. I just fast forward through those parts and get right back to the chick stuff. There should be no shooting in a Van Damme movie anyway. Just a bunch of major ass-kicking.

What could be better than Jean-Claude’s perfect face and body, kicking ass in a tight-fitting uniform?

His being out of uniform, that’s what. Jean-Claude plays a character that is too hot for his own bad self. When the man gets overheated he starts pulling off clothing and looking for ice. And girls, this happens more than once.

No matter which movie you pick to watch (and I know you will!), you may need ice yourself.

😉

Rushing Through Life

July 10, 2011 ~ JodiLea

When I read this article it gave me chills.

In Washington, DC , at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes.

Violinist at Metro During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.

About 4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

At 6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

At 10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent – without exception – forced their children to move on quickly.

At 45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

After 1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities.

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made . . .
How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?

Thanks to Lois Seiler for passing along this story

Even Tom Can’t Help Me Now

July 7, 2011 ~ JodiLea

Well then…

Tom (a.k.a. my Tom-Tom) tries to keep me from getting lost. If I still get lost (it happens), Tom re-calculates the route and gets me back on track. But, unless Tom got a memo about this, he would tell me to go straight. At this point I would cry and go back from whence I came. If I can find home again, I will update Tom’s maps – ASAP!

The Wrong Way Detour

My cousin Jennifer, came across this situation. Did she freak out? Nope. Did she cry? Not Jennifer! She just got out of her car, took this picture and later posted it on Facebook.

Some people are blessed with great coping skills.

Those that are not, steal their cousin’s cool photos for their blog 🙂