100 Mile Fitness Challenge

On a whim, and because I really need to get back in the gym, I have joined the 100 Mile Fitness Challenge. I’m not sure if I will be able to complete it, but I’m determined and always love a challenge.

The Rules:

Here’s how it works:
In order to complete this Challenge, you will need to “travel” 100 miles from October 1st through December 31st.

Here’s how you calculate your mileage:
*Running or walking 1 mile outside or on a treadmill equals 1 mile.

*15 minutes of other workouts equals 1 mile (elliptical, swimming, weight lifting, workout video, workout classes, etc.).

A few “workout” stipulations:
“Workouts” only include activities specifically done for the purpose of exercise. Shopping, house cleaning, walking to and from the parking lot, and other day to day activities should not be included.

Partial miles travelled on different days cannot be combined. For example, if you run 1.25 miles on one day, and .75 mile on another day, that does not equal 2 miles. It counts as 1 mile.

Minutes accumulated on two different days cannot be combined. For example, if you workout 10 minutes one day and 5 minutes the next day, that does not combine to equal a mile.

1 mile on the bike does not equal 1 mile, etc. Only walking/running is mile for mile. Otherwise it would be too easy, huh?

I haven’t kept track yet, so today will be my kickoff. I will update along with everyone else on Fridays. For more details visit the blog HERE.

This Month Releases – July

I’m so far behind on putting these up I figured I would do a full July recap (minus the week of July 6).

On DVD (7.14)

• 12
• Grey Gardens (MY PICK)
• The Haunting in Connecticut
• Leverage: Season 1
• Mad Men: Season 2

On DVD (7.21)

• Coreline
• Charlies Angels: Season Four
• Messengers 2: The Scarecrow
• Watchmen (MY PICK)

On DVD (7.28)

• The Tenth Victim
• Fast & Furious
• Miss March

In Theaters (7.15)

• Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince

In Theaters (7.24)

• G-Force
• Orphan
• The Ugly Truth (My Pick)

In Theaters (7.31)

• Aliens in the Attic
• the Collector
• Funny People

This Week Releases – July 6

On DVD (7.7)

• Kath and Kim: Season 1
• Five Fingers
• Flying By
• Push
• The Unborn

In Theaters (7.10)

• Bruno
• I Love You Beth Cooper

This Weeks Releases – June 29

I missed a week so I’ll include it here, just in case.

On DVD (6.23)

• Confessions of a Shopaholic
• Inkheart
• The Pink Panther 2
• Waltz With Bashir

On DVD (6.30)

• 12 Rounds
• The Betrayed
• Entourage: Season Five
• Lookin’ To Get Out (Anniversary Edition)

In Theaters (6.26)

• Cheri (MY PICK)
• My Sister’s Keeper

In Theaters (7.1)

• Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
• Public Enemies (MY PICK)

Best of True Blood – Season 2 Episode 1

Baking 101 – Devil’s Food Cupcakes

I got extremely excited about baking when I heard that Martha Stewart was releasing a cupcake book. Especially because my favorite things to make are CUPCAKES. And just for fun, since I hardly blog much, I’m going to start documenting the cupcakes I make for the various occasions.

This specific cupcake, the Devil’s Food Cupcake, made from scratch and not from a box, was for the event a friend’s birthday this past Monday. She wanted chocolate — here’s the result.

The biggest surprise was that the recipe called for sour cream, which is unexpected in cupcakes. My favorite part was probably shaving the chocolate toppings all by myself, instead of store bought sprinkles. PS-the frosting is homemade too.

They are very rich and good to eat. Yum.

Bloggiesta – Update 3

Well, I haven’t got a whole lot accomplished in the four or so hours I have spent this weekend blogging. I need to step it up some, but hopefully this afternoon or tonight I will have a chance to do some major updating and get more hours in.

I’ve completed the following reviews, bring July-December 2008 to completion:

• Braveheart
• Saved
• Halloween: Curse of Michael Myers
• Proof of Lies
• Now and Then
• Double Indemnity

I also realized that I had already completed a few other reviews and have never linked them up.

• Changeling
• Slumdog Millionaire
• Frost/Nixon
• Gigi
• Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
• Transformers

I may come to find even more I forgot about along the way.

July-December 2008 Reviews

To make things quicker for my review catch-up I’m going to work on short quick reviews. I don’t know how much time today I will have to catch up, so I figure this will help me make some progress.

Braveheart
Most everyone knows this story, but either way, the epic tale directed by Mel Gibson, is about William Wallace and his fight for freedom. I had spent years catching bits and pieces of the film but never sat down and watched it in its entirety, which is strange. War and battle films are never my favorite so I think I avoided it because of that and its hype. Overall, an amazing film and worth the entire watch.

Saved
A re-watch, but hilarious film, about a group of students at a christian school who face the tests of God during the school year. Most films involving religion do not have the humor that this one does, but it is fun to watch and find the differences in what Christianity means to different people. It does have some bad language and sexual content, but Mary Louise Parker, Jena Malone, Mandy Moore and Macaulay Culkin create an amazing cast and wonderful chemistry.

Halloween 6
Continuing to work my way through the Halloween series, The Curse of Michael Myers, is the last of the old franchise before returning years later to reintroduce familiar characters and the original storyline. This installment begins to reveal answers to questions and background of Jamie and Michael and their connection. It also is the last performance of Donald Pleasence. It’s not bad as far as sequels go, but it wasn’t perfect either. Only die hard Halloween fans will probably enjoy it.

Proof of Lies
A television movie about a group of scientists researching a genetic cause for addictive behavior. I don’t remember a whole lot about the movie because it was just a quick pick while watching late at night, but it was somewhat interesting, though not memorable. No one really of name stars and it remains a film I won’t remember. Oh well. TV movies are fun.

Now and Then
A 90s classic for any girl, and another re-watch, just for fun. Now and Then is about a group of four girl friends who remember their childhood as they embark on their next stages in life. They all come together in their small hometown when one goes into labor and they all gather after a long separation to find now much has really changed. It’s a cute film and if you haven’t seen it I highly recommend it just for a few laughs and not much brain power.

Double Indemnity
The 1940s film staring Barbara Stanwyck, is about a married woman who plans to kill her husband with the help of her lover in order to gain a large insurance policy – rightly called the “double-indemnity clause”. The story is based on a real life case where the wife and lover were found guilty. Nominated for 7 Academy Awards, but did not end up winning any.

Bloggiesta – Update 2

Time for another update. I got some much needed reviews in on TV shows which makes me feel somewhat accomplished.

• Sopranos: Season 3-Season 6
• True Blood: Season 1
• Slings and Arrows: Complete Series
• Rome: Season 1
• Tudors: Season 1
• House: Season 3

I have a couple more TV seasons to review, then I will get started on the backlog of movie reviews.

The Tudors: Season 1

Another history show, this time from Showtime, that I found more interesting than others. Maybe it’s just the story of King Henry that is intriguing and his life and many wives.

Season 1 deals with Henry’s international conflicts, his affairs and the pressure for a male heir. Those somewhat familiar with King Henry VIII’s rule know about his relationship with the Boleyn sisters, Anne and Jane, but not much has been produced in television and movies regarding his other affairs with various women through the years.

While I have yet to see the following seasons, I know they continue to chronicle his life and wives just as season 1.