A Good Car Mechanic

It's always difficult to find a trustworthy and good auto mechanic, I think even more so with the economy like it is (it could be more tempting to take advantage, obviously). Performance Place has once again proven to me why we've taken our cars there for years. We took it in for some oil and transmission leaks. Long story short, there was a new leak after we got it back. I called them back two weeks later and explained the situation and they said to bring it in. I thought - no way we're not getting charged for this. Well, we didn't get charged for it. They fixed it again and charged us zilch. This isn't the first time they've done that kind of thing for us either.
So, if you're looking for a good auto place... it's Performance Place just off 10600 south and Redwood Rd. and their phone number is 801-254-0715.

What do you mean you don't care what I think about movies?

I found yet another great Masterpeice Theatre period movie (really? aren't almost all of them great?) Now, this isn't like "North and South" great, but it's a more unconventional love story. It's called "Daniel Deronda" and it's worth seeing for the haunting music alone. Daniel meets and is drawn to Gwendolyn Harleth (nice last name don't you think?), but the story takes a different route. Gwendolyn is unabashedly selfish and determined to get what she wants out of life. (She does have some redeeming virtues). She is forced by circumstances into an undesirable marriage with Henleigh Grandcourt, but she is still drawn to Daniel and they strike up a friendship. But, she finds out about Daniel's involvement with a talented jewess whom he rescued from drowning. This thing is beautifully acted, well-written, and based on a victorian novel by George Eliot that created quite the stir when it came out.

The other period movie I saw was "A Room With a View" which definitely wasn't as boring as I remember the book being. I thought it was a light and cute film and lots of fun to watch. This one is the 2007 version (there a few different versions). It was really short (only 1 1/2 hours I think), especially compared to the epic period movies I like watching. I would recommend this for a cute happy movie.

Great Photography

There is a woman in my ward, Haylee Mcguire, who does photography and I wanted to post a link to her website. This isn't your normal I know someone who takes pictures kind of photography, this is really good professional quality (as you'll see when you click on the link). And yes, I have an ulterior motive, by posting this I get entered into a drawing to win a free session (the info is right there on her sight as well). Just go take a look.

http://hayleebeanphotography.squarespace.com/home/

"Ender in Exile" Review

Ender in Exile by Orson Scott Card

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
True rating would be more like 3 1/2 stars. This is an interesting book in that it isn't one continuous story arc, so to speak, but it felt more like little stories compiled into novel length. I guess if you view it as Ender readjusting to peace time then it could be one story arc. Having said that though, I found all of his stories interesting (sometimes when it went to other characters, I got a little antsy to get back to Ender, but not too bad). The feel of the book was a mix between "Ender's Game" and "Speaker..." through "Children..." - the latter being more philosophical in conversations and internal thoughts. There were some beautiful letters - esp. Ender to his parents - and the true arc (I felt) was at the very end when Ender confronts Bean and Petra's last child that had been thought lost. I love his dialogue, which is always sarcastic and clever, and I love Ender. It may seem that the views on society are a little more heavy handed, and though I think they are a little, one has to be careful in jumping to assumptions about Card's own views based solely on the views of his characters (a lot of them are very much different).


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Smart movies

I can't even remember all the movies I've watched, but these gems came to mind. Thank heaven for refreshingly smart screenplays, acting and directing!
"Serenity"
This is technically science fiction, so it may not be for everyone. But, I loved it! The writing on this is so smart. The villain is complex and has very fascinating motives and is creepy. It's an interesting and original idea. And like all good sci-fi it's really more about moral decisions and about characters. And if you need a little incentive to watch it, Joss Whedon wrote and directed it. He's the creator behind "Buffy" and "Angel".

"Stranger than Fiction"
I love love love this movie! Will Ferrell is able to acheive what Jim Carrey never really was - you forget that he's a comedic actor. He gives such a sincere performance. The script on this thing is just beyond awesome - it's so clever. And Emma thompson as the quirky writer makes me smile. This is a must see. It's rare that I like contemporary settings, but this is wonderful.

"The Holiday"
Speaking of it being rare for me to like a certain genre - contemporary chick flicks (aka romantic comedies). This movie had so many earnest cheesy (some cliche) moments, but I LOVED every second of it! And the cheesy parts really almost felt like they were laughing at themselves, which redeems them. The characters are typical in having no qualms sleeping together, but apart from that they were so wonderful. And I have to say, tiffany, if you're reading this, the diaz-law kissing scene, a must watch (esp. after our conversation at playdate) If you haven't seen this, take this from a person who's very skeptical about chick flicks, RENT IT NOW!

Am I the only one?...

Just a thought... why is it that when you feel fat or discover you have gained weight, the first thing you desire to do is eat whatever baked good or sweet you can get your hands on? Or, is that just me?

"Secret Life of Bees" review

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book! Lilly's voice is so unique and strong. I have to confess I enjoyed the creative cussing (I kept thinking, man alive, if I swore, I would definitely say that). Some of the psuedo-religious stuff was a little out there for me, but it didn't even begin to interfere with my enjoyment of the story. This to me is what a "feel-good" story should be, however much I cringe at that phrase - a story where the main character overcomes a large obstacle and learns to forgive herself and others, learns to love, and even helps others not give into anger, a celebration of life, however flawed it is, a celebration of friendship, a celebration of good. Would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone. I can't wait to discuss this at book club.


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