Pop Culture Wednesday

Here are some recommendations from a girl who spends a lot of time on the couch taking in the latest entertainment!

2 Days In Paris:

I love this cute little film.  I could watch it all of the time :).  I love the neurotics!  This couple falls into numerous mishaps over their brief trip to Paris, making for both poignant and amusing scenes.  It's a beautiful character study...something that Julie Delpy does so well.

Knocked Up:

This movie is funny.  Very funny.  Add in a happy ending and it's near perfect.  It's slightly crude (as all movies appear to be these days - not something I have a problem with!), but Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl make an unexpected pregnancy into a really beautiful thing.  Always a great show to throw on when you are feeling under the weather :).

What's Up Tiger Lily?:

I LOVE Woody Allen movies.  I mean LOVE.  Alas, this one just didn't do it for me.  It's an Asian film that was bought by Woody Allen, in order for him to do comical voice-over.  It had it's moments, but it definitely doesn't fall into the category of Annie Hall or Whatever Works.  It's one of his earlier films, so obviously it has been an uphill creative climb for him!

Mallrats:

I can't believe it has taken me SO LONG to see this movie!  This film was so much fun!  Easily one of Kevin Smith's best, and he's made quite a few great movies (Can anyone say Dogma and Chasing Amy??!!).  Anytime you are feeling down in the dumps - I HIGHLY recommend.  I love these crazy kids :).

What have you watched/listened to/read and loved this week??  I'd love recommendations!

xoxo,

Annie

11 Things My Life Does Not Need in 2011

1. Putting up walls around myself.  I've done it for years, and I do not need to anymore.  I'm confident enough in my own (slightly evil) body, and I want to get closer to those who are important to me.  Especially my family.  I feel less ashamed of my illnesses every day, and I hope I will be able to continue this journey.  Now I want to know about everyone else :).
2. Spending too much time laying still.  I actually feel better when I take a meditation position, or do some stretching.  Now that I have a great mat and space for it, I have no excuse.  Who knows, maybe it will magically bring me to the point that I could have a part-time job (dream!).
3. Not making meals.  Jon has even offered to play one night on, one night off in terms of household cooking.  It's not that hard.  Just because I don't have an appetite doesn't mean I shouldn't try to put the best nutrition into my body (and my boyfriend's).
4. Too much of the news.  It's depressing.  It's unnecessary unless at a dinner party.  I have better uses of my emotional energy.
5. Feeling guilty about my emotions.  My emotions are as real and as fair as any other person's.  I have to stop dismissing them as crazy or over-reactive.  Everyone has a different perception of the world, and mine is not wrong in any way.
6. Hunched shoulders and clenched hands - this is my natural state of being and it is extremely unhealthy.  I don't know how to relax.  It is my goal of 2011 to be mindful, and to notice when this is happening so I can put my shoulders down and open up my hands.
7. Cleaning my side room which is all full of storage after getting our washer and dryer.  That space is important for crafting, and I need to clear it out.  The year 2011 does not want a room too messy to even use.
8. I don't need to pretend that my doctors know more about my condition than I know.  I'm hugely well-educated in my issues, and I don't need doctors who don't believe in Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS shaking my confidence.  I will be polite obviously, but I don't need to internalize the pain.
9. Drama. I'm SO OVER drama.
10. Letting the moods of other people affect mine.  This is a natural process, but I need to learn to the fact that people can be upset without it having anything to do with me.
11. Lessen some of my medication.  I don't know if this will happen, but I sure want to try.

What do you want to drop for the New Year?  What are your bad habits?  Do any of these ring a bell?

xoxo,
Annie

Things That Bug Me Mondays

• Not getting enough of my to-do list done.
• Money, money, money! Drowning in bills :/.
• The chest pains I've had all week.
• Running out of dark chocolate!
• Dry mouth.
• Needing to work more on my cross-stitch...I'm almost procrastinating...
• Running out of Louis C.K. comedy specials haha
• The fact that I missed Susan when she was dropping off fudge on Sunday!
• I wish I could make everyone (including myself) feel better. Grandiose, I know.
• That I have to re-register with my bank in order to see what the statement is on my MasterCard. Grr.

Otherwise, just can't wait to land in bed!  

(Images from WeHeartIt)

What is making you angry/sad/jealous/etc... of this week? Sharing these feelings is the best way to dust them off and start moving forward!

xoxo,

Annie

Links, Links, Links!

My scattering of Internet distraction and fascinating articles of the week!

All of my twitter friends will understand this feeling (and likely be guilty of it!).
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/follow_friday

A manatee running into glass - which I shouldn't find as funny as I do :P
http://i.imgur.com/YHUxY.gif

Cat Vs. Internet by the Oatmeal. Hilarious.
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/cat_vs_internet

A little Christmas cheer!
http://thedailywh.at/post/2171969587/after-hours-meanwhile-in-stumptown-reddit

Lifehacker's top 10's of 2010!
http://lifehacker.com/5709479/most-popular-top-10s-of-2010

Time's view on Wikileaks main man...
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2028734_2028733_2028727,00.html?xid=poyw-twit

Procrastination, as hilariously showed by Hyperbole and a Half :)
http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/03/procrastinator.html

A really poignant article about how we should value ourselves, even if we may feel like broken dolls.
http://midatlanticarthritis.wordpress.com/2010/12/10/broken-dolls-the-things-and-people-we-keep-flaws-and-all-by-ashley-boynes/

What have you found this week and loved??

xoxo,
Annie

Quote of the Day - Marilyn Monroe

"Dogs never bite me. Just humans." 
~ Marilyn Monroe

(Image from WeHeartIt)

Thoughts?

xoxo,

Annie

Love Me Fridays

• My supportive family who will sit with me in the ER
• Writing by candlelight
• Aleve
• Sleep (which I'm not getting enough of!)
• Bejeweled 3!!! It's soooo cool!
• SpongeBob SquarePants Christmas wrapping paper!
• Christmas cards from online friends! (Here's looking at you Sonja!)
• That I actually got a donation for the opportunity to see Kim! 
• Learning more about alternative therapies for my illnesses
• That my boyfriend is turning into a damn good cook!
• Looking at pretty things online

(Images from WeHeartIt)

What is making you feel all warm and happy this week?!?!  There is no greater feeling than that of gratitude for what you still have.  

xoxo,

Annie

A Little About Me, Maybe Even More About You??

To my beloved blog readers...here is a bit more info about me. Honestly, I just want to learn more about you all!  If anyone wants to fill out a similar survey in the comments please do!  I want to know my "spoonie" sisters and brothers!

Tell me what you love and hate about your illnesses, and what drives you to rise above them!  If I get enough responses, I'll compile them into another post!!

Three names I go by (besides given name)

1. Annie
2. A
3. A lot of random pet names!

Three jobs I have had in my life

1. Cashier
2. Office Administration
3. Writer

Three places I have lived

1. Charlottetown, PEI, Canada
2. Montreal PQ, Canada
3. Seattle, WA, United States

Three of my favorite drinks

1. Water
2. Smoothies
3. Diet Coke

Three of my favorite movies

1. Annie Hall
2. Love Actually
3. Rear Window

Three places I have been

1. Florida
2. Ontario
3. West Virginia 

Three of my favorite foods

1. Chocolate
2. Gluten-free Christmas Dinner
3. Raspberries

Three things I am looking forward to

1. Cure for ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia
2. Being recognized for contributing something to the subjects above
3. Enjoying time with my family and friends

Three things that are always by my side

1. My laptop
2. A blanket
3. A drink

xoxo,
Annie