One of the best money-saving (and co-incidentally time-saving) tips that I can give anyone is to get rid of your cable television. It was one of the first things that we cut when I lost the job, and we haven't missed it at all. The kids have been having a ball playing with one another, playing video games and watching a show here or there on the computer. I can get stuff done at night and we are just freed up to live.
We have been going to the Redbox to rent movies though. If you haven't used the Redbox yet, you probably will soon. These little vending machines are popping up all over taking the place of traditional video stores. (By the way, the best job I ever had was at Take 2 Video in Fargo, ND. Just walking around and helping people pick out movies. Old school, but I loved it!) It's only a dollar a night to rent a movie, the only catch is that you can only rent what is in the machine at that time. So if you pull up hoping to rent the most popular movie out at that time, you may be severely out of luck.
Its hot again in Lincoln, so Mia (my 5-year old) and I decide to get some shakes from Sonic and then I decide to rent a movie for after the kids are in bed. I am not in the mood for a fluffy romantic comedy, all nauseatingly sweet with impossibly happy endings. (Seriously, as women, are we only supposed to fall for the guys that disgust us?) I am not in the mood for an action movie or a gore fest. (For some reason, I can't watch any horror movies since I have become a mother. Protective instinct or something, but I can't stomach them). So I chose Invictus-with Morgan Freeman. I still haven't even watched the movie yet, but I had a basic idea because I saw the previews.
Mia is fascinated with my movie choice. "Is it not for kids, Mom?"
"No, it's a movie for grown-ups, honey," I say
"Is it violent with lots and lots of blood?" She wonders.
"I don't know. I don't think so." I say, not really knowing. But I know that most Morgan Freeman movies aren't really the explosion, possessed killer dolls hell-bent on revenge types.
"Are there lots of bad words?" She quizzes.
"There might be a few," I answer. But I know that Morgan Freeman is playing Nelson Mandela in this movie, and it wasn't directed by Quentin Tarantino, so I felt pretty okay that there wouldn't be too much swearing.
"Well why is it only for grown-ups then?" she asks me.
"Well it's a drama, sweetie, and dramas can get pretty serious," I tell her.
She pauses for a moment to process and asks, "Like if a monster seriously wants to bite someone's head off? Seriously?"
"Yes, sweetie. That's it."
I love Morgan Freeman. (And not just because he used to be on the Electric Company.)
I watched "Deep Impact" on TV over the weekend. Morgan Freeman played the president of the United States and was totally believable in the role. It makes me think President Obama may owe some small debt to Mr. Freeman for "paving the way" for a black president; maybe a nice ceremony at the Kennedy Center...
ReplyDeleteGood ideas and very positive. Your Mom must be proud. Mia certainly uses her vocabulary well. I am a grown up and I do not like blood and violence in movies. Tell Mia that. But I did like the dragon movie. I can't remember the title.
ReplyDeleteHi, Husker Mama. I read about your blog in the paper several months ago. I, too, blog on Blogger, and I am hoping to host a Blogger birthday party on August 31st (if there is enough interest). Would you like to join forces? Do you have any ideas?
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeanie! I think I may have missed the party, but I'm up for anything!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Maybe we can try again another time. I was the only one who signed up, although I did get an e-mail from someone who sounded interested. (I hope he wasn't there by himself!) :-)
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