"Home Alone"

I forgot how much I loved this movie.

Even though I had to leave before it was over, I was just so pleasantly fulfilled in its viewing. It's just such a throwback. Considering it came out when I was six years old and my sister, who is now in college, was but a wee infant. Not to mention Macauley Caulkin's finest acting to date and a million great quotes. For those reasons, last night was great.

Or maybe it was that some of my oldest friends here in Nashville and I cozied up in a Green Hills apartment eating cheese pizza and other goodies while watching it. Yeah, maybe that was it.

Australia: The Movie

Last night, after some shopping and dinner out at Hamilton Place with Cliff's parents, the four of us decided to catch a movie. I had been kind of tugging at Cliff's sleeves about this movie for the last four days. It's hard to watch the preview or look at the images without wanting to see it, well, at least it's hard for me. And it didn't disappoint!

A movie rife with adventure, romance, drama, history, beautiful landscapes, and a few good laughs just can't go wrong in my book. Nor in Cliff's, either. It's incredibly safe to say we loved this movie.

Into The Wild

Okay, I know we're a little late on this one. But last night, we finally watched "Into The Wild."

If you know nothing about it, it's a movie written and directed by Sean Penn based off of this book which was essentially Jon Krakauer's extension of this article he first wrote. It came out September of last year and got a lot of rave reviews, but for whatever reason, we just never got around to seeing it. I always wanted to, and last night when Cliff went over to Publix to rent the most recent "Indiana Jones" movie from the MovieCube (which was out), he decided to finally grab "Into The Wild."

And I'm so glad he did.

I am struck by this movie. Present tense, because simply, I can't get it out of my head. The landscapes, the plot line, the soundtrack, the acting, and the "everyman" themes of community, of adventure, of discovery, of loss, and of journeying. I want to watch it again to just dissect it all - to make sense of the quotes from classic literature laced throughout the story and to catch the small moments in the bigger story that all come together at the end. Man, it was good.

So, on my way into work today I'm going to run by the library and pick up the book. Because we hear if you like the movie, the book is just that much better (says one of our best friends who could have lived the life of Chris McCandless, himself).

All this to say, if you haven't seen it - we would highly suggest it!

By the Way

Cliff and I celebrated Valentine's Day early on Saturday evening, as a surprise, since I have class tonight. He picked me up and had a heart-shaped box of dark chocolate candies and a handwritten Valentine's letter waiting in the passenger seat. First stop was Hollywood 27 for the 7:15pm showing of "The Pursuit of Happyness". I was actually very impressed with the movie, despite it's agonizing build towards a triumph that you only get to see a glimpse of. I love, though, the strength of character that Will Smith pulled off and the interplay between real and character father and son. I give it an A-.

After the movie, Cliff surprised me yet again with a 9:45pm reservation (because you have to have one) at a new restaurant (well, new for us) called Restaurant Zola. Oh my goodness, amazing. It's near the corner of 29th (Vanderbilt side, not Centennial Park side) and the owner is also the head chef. Cliff and I ordered a chile shrimp tempura starter, a glass of red zinfadel, what they call their "seafood blt" for an entree, and two incredible desserts. I am a big fan of great seafood which is hard to find here in Nashville, and this place has got it down! The tempura was awesome, just a great mixture of flavors and the entree was a hit. The "blt" is really a filet of flounder between two bacon and corn cakes topped with a tomato sauce and brussel sprout slaw. The flounder was served with blackened scallops as well, mmm! For dessert we both got our own and shared; the dark chocolate torte had port wine and rasperry with a whipped topping and we also got a pumpkin cranberry bread pudding with maple pecan ice cream. OMG. This place was incredible and a perfect romantic ending to a wonderful early Valentine's celebration.

Tonight, I am cooking dinner (fajitas) for Cliff and Aaron and will attempt to bake one of Cliff's favorite desserts ever, the Pizookie.

Oh, the joy of Valentine's! Hope you have a great one, however it is spent.