10 Things Blockbuster Movies Teach Us About Life

A.O. Scott writes that every movie genre offers teachable moments. Dramas highlight the importance of interpersonal connections. Horror movies impart the need to avoid being reckless and impulsive. Romantic comedies let us see that the "perfect man" is really the narcissitic jerk, while the one you never looked twice at is really your soul mate.

Here is his take on what summer action blockbuster movies teach:

1) Heroes don't always know that they're heroes
2) Heroism is a lonely, thankless vocation
3) When the going gets tough, the rules don't apply
4) It's always personal
5) You can't trust anyone
6) There is always someone you can trust
7) There is always enough time
8) You should never get too comfortable
9) Everything will be okay in the end
10) There is always a sequel

This can parallel life, don't you think?

For the indepth details to this piece, check out Real Simple Magazine

LEGO-ize Yourself

Go make yourself a LEGO and have some fun.

I am totally Jedi-fied, ready for the force to be with me while I take a vacay from the old blogerino.

Play is good for your well-being.  So is taking a time out.

See you in July.

Your Worry Factor Quiz

Your Worry Factor is 31%

You worry a little, but you usually don't go overboard. You know it's good to recognize your fears, as long as you let go of them. So whenever you start to worry too much, just take a deep breath and relax. You're not the worrying kind - and there's no reason to start.

Do You Worry Too Much?

Chastity Bono Brings Awareness To Transgender Issues

Longtime American activist for LGBT rights, Chastity Chaz Bono, born to Sonny & Cher, is beginning the process of transitioning from female to male. Bono says he will avoid being in the lens of the public eye as surgery and reassignment proceed, but hopes that his journey will educate others.

Having a healthy gender identity means that a person experiences harmony with their sense of self and their own physical sex. However, Transgender people find their sense of self differs from their physical sex. There is anguish about being in the wrong body. Research over many years has shown that there is a strong genetic base that underscores gender issues.

I hope this journey will bring Chaz Bono a sense of peace and help others understand and celebrate the differences in us all.


HARE, L., BERNARD, P., SANCHEZ, F., BAIRD, P., VILAIN, E., KENNEDY, T., & HARLEY, V. (2009). Androgen Receptor Repeat Length Polymorphism Associated with Male-to-Female Transsexualism Biological Psychiatry, 65 (1), 93-96 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.08.033

Dealing With People Who Drain You Dry

I just heard an expression the other day.

Emotional Vampires - Psychological slang for the kind of person who sucks the life out of you because they demand so much.

Click here to learn more and to find tips to help ward off these behaviors if you have vampire tendencies. There's also compassionate suggestions to deal with those who drain you dry. No garlic needed.

Funny Words

I love words.

Especially funny ones.

Studies on humor tell us there are a variety of reasons why things are funny. For words, having an abundance of similar sounds within it (assonance) or the drumming sound of repetitive hard letters that roll through the word (consonance) can render the word funny. 

Then again, maybe the word just tickles you for your own personal reasons.

My favorite funny word is Kerfuffle - which, defined, is a fuss or disturbance.  

What's your favorite funny word?

Bell, N. (2007). Humor comprehension: Lessons learned from cross-cultural communication Humor - International Journal of Humor Research, 20 (4), 367-387 DOI: 10.1515/HUMOR.2007.018