The Bobbleheads

To be fair, when John asked me to marry him, I knew what I was getting myself into. I was prepared to not only love and care for him in sickness and in health until death do us part but to also embrace his collection of bobbleheads.

John began collecting bobbleheads in high school and several new heads have been brought into the group over the years. Last night we went to the Ballpark in Arlington to pick up the newest member of  the collection, Elvis Andrus.

(John with the new bobblehead, wearing his Texas Rangers cap that my Mom asked David Murphy to sign during batting practice. She told him to write, "Sic 'em, John!")

(Spending some QT with the Newman family.)

Elvis' appearance brings the rapidly growing collection to 35. 3-5. You may wonder, "Where does one store 35 bobbleheads?"

Well, in John's bachelor days, he stored the bobbles above the cabinets in the kitchen. When I moved in, we made a lot of trips to Goodwill adjustments but removing the bobbleheads from their current location was something I could not do for three reasons. 1) What the heck are you supposed decorate with above kitchen cabinets?  2) I knew John's big heart would be broken if he had to put the bobbleheads in a closet. And 3) I'll admit that it's kinda a cool collection...

It's worth noting that John has collected every Texas Rangers' bobblehead and has picked up some other bobbleheads along the way like Dwight Schrute, George W. Bush, Big Tex and the Godfather.

But his favorite (after Michael Young, of course) happens to be the bobbleheads that his parents gave us last year as our wedding gift.

(You have to admit, they look a lot like us! How cool is that?!)

We'll let you know of the next time our collection grows.

P.S. John is really proud that I just referred to this as "our collection"....

Happy Dia.

Today is Diadeloso at Baylor. That's Day of the Bear for all you non-Baylor folks. Dia is a Baylor tradition where students get the day off from class and enjoy having all kinds of fun with friends while frolicking in the lovely spring weather. There's a handful of on-campus activities, concerts, tournaments and the like. There's also a lot of opportunities for parties and cook-outs off-campus. It's really great fun and one of my favorite Baylor traditions.

Sadly, Baylor graduate students do not get to observe Diadeloso and I've been inside working on a presentation for most of the day. Wah-wah. And, through my front window, I've been forced to observe countless undergrads drive by in a packed car with their besties, singing loudly to "Party in the USA" and loving their lives.  I've also received  texts from my sister, a freshman at Baylor, saying how much she LOVES Diadeloso already. I'm not bitter or anything. ;)

To combat bitterness, I had to remind myself that I too once celebrated Dia with my besties. And thinking of those memories made me recognize how much I miss all of us being together. Realizing I needed therapy, I rummaged through some boxes, found my CDs with all my college pictures and reminisced on the glory days of the Hacienda....

Missing the loves of my life. Our next reunion isn't until July!

More pictures of college fun to come for sure.

Last of the Dogmen

What’s the Deal: Tom Berenger plays Louis Gates, a mountain man / bounty hunter in rural Montana. After a prison bus crashes and 3 prisoners are on the loose, local law enforcement sends Gates into the woods after the prisoners. While on his hunt, he sees “something” through the fog in the woods, then the prisoners disappear. Gates suspects that he knows what the “something” was. He does some research and discovers that an unusually large number of people have disappeared from those very woods. His curiosity gets the best of him, and he and a professor from a local University go into the woods to try to solve the mystery of the “something,” and the disappearances.

What I like:

1. Very interesting plot. I don’t want to give too much away, but the mystery in the woods is interesting, even if not very plausible. But that’s the fun of it…these characters didn’t think it was plausible either, and it turned out to be.

2. The setting / cinematography. What’s not to like about a movie set in the mountains and woods of Montana. Most of the movie takes place out in the woods, and there are numerous beautiful shots of forest, snowy mountains, trees, rivers, waterfalls, etc. Think “Legends of the Fall.” Seriously, it’s that good.

3. Melissa actually suggested it. Usually when I suggest watching a movie I am met with blank “not-again” stares from Melissa. But this time it was her idea. On a related note, I’m going to need Courtney Giammalva to suggest more movies to Melissa, so that she’s actually interested in seeing them. Thanks.

4. The side characters who I also recognize from sitcoms. This is just more of a personal thing. The escaped convicted plays Mac’s dad in Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia, where, interestingly enough, he also plays a convict. The Sheriff also plays the dad from That 70’s Show, which is as unfunny as anything ever. And the old man in the nursing home plays the Mayor from the Andy Griffith Show. Grouchy mayor, not bumbling mayor. One of them is Mayor Stone, one is Mayor Pike, but I can’t remember which one. Also there is a random appearance by a redneck at the beginning who plays Brisco Darlin, also in the Andy Griffith Show. Good Stuff.

What I didn’t like:

1. There are some times when the dialogue seems pretty forced and there really isn’t much chemistry between the stars. The word “cheesy” comes to mind at points.

2. Also, the subplot where the sheriff and Gates don’t like each other is also cheesy.

Happy Birthday, John!

Today is John's birthday!

We began celebrating John's birthday this past weekend at the Pat Green concert in Austin.

And we'll continue celebrating tonight by cooking out with friends and family in Cameron Park!

 In honor of the birthday boy, I'd like to share my top five favorite things about John.

1. His laugh. And smile. He can be laughing or smiling with me or at me and it makes my heart swoon. He can sometimes be found laughing when no one else is around and he finds something on the TV, internet or book particularly funny. It always makes me smile when I hear his giggle from the opposite side of the apartment.

2. He's an excellent helper. John is always looking for a way to be a part of cooking dinner, cleaning our apartment or making plans. I realize he's not doing this because he enjoys scrubbing bath tubs, but doing so lessens my load and gives us more time together. And I know John doesn't hesitate to help out friends or family in their times of need either.

3. I never have to worry about John being late. He'll be there five minutes before the stated meeting time.  This also runs in his family. I generally  run five minutes late. I am adapting.

4. He's very loyal to the people and things he loves. I have no doubt that John would still support the Rangers, Cowboys and Baylor even if they didn't win a game for the next decade. He'll always love Bruce Springsteen. John's a great friend, brother, son, and son-in-law and is always enjoys finding ways to make memories with all of them. It should go without saying that I think he's the best husband ever.

5. John's the best scrabble partner.  He makes the best pancakes. And stuffed mushrooms. He's a great snuggler.  He's gotten really good at shoulder massages. I love hearing his thoughts and having long conversations with him. He makes me laugh at least once a day. He has a heart for little rescue puppies. He's my Johnny-on-the-spot. He looks good in his shades. John bounces around the bed before falling asleep. He loves anything that's patriotic. He appreciates my jokes and puns. I love listening to him sing along with Bruce or Pat.

Okay, that's technically more than five. But, more than anything, my favorite thing about John is that is just being himself.  And he loves me for just being myself. And that's pretty awesome.

Happy Birthday, John!

Another Busy Weekend

Once again, the Hardages have been on the move.  This most recent weekend centered around a little trip to Austin.  Friday morning we drove Southbound 35 towards Austin, stopping first at the outlet mall in Round Rock, Texas, which has both a J. Crew and Banana Republic outlet.  Apparently there are options at these stores that are not available at Target or HEB or starbucks or wherever the heck girls shop.  Anyway, Melissa was excited about these stores, and she got some "cute" sandals from one of them.  (I actually spent a long time looking for a photo of them, because photos seem to make the thing more interesting, but there aren't any on the internet.  anywhere.  So I'll describe them.  There is a piece of leather on the bottom, and one on the top that looks like a belt buckle.  You girls will love them, I bet, when you see them in real life). 

After shopping, we continued south into Austin, where we checked into our little hotel and started getting ready for the evening.  For my birthday, Melissa had given me tickets to Friday Night's Pat Green concert.  Pat Green is special to Melissa and I.  The first time we ever really hung out was at a Pat Green show, and we have seen him in concert several times since then.  Melissa has also met him twice.

But before the concert we grabbed a light dinner at the Austin mainstay "The Oasis."  It's an outdoor restaurant that overlooks Lake Travis, a few miles West of town.  The food was good and the weather was perfect, so we were able to just sort of hang out and relax for a while.

Then we drove down to the Nutty Brown Cafe, the concert venue.  We got a great place to stand, and again, the weather was just great.  Pat (that's what his friends like us call him) played all the favorites, but the highlight of the evening was when he played Joe Ely's "All Just to Get to You," one of my very favorite songs, and one of the songs that was played during the slide show at our Wedding rehearsal dinner. 

(Opening Act...not sure of his name)

(that's him.  the blur back there.  apparently this was a good time for photos..I hope the guy in front of us got a good one). 

The next morning we met my cousin Clint and his wife Jean for breakfast at the South Congress Cafe.  It was great to catch up with them, and we had some great food.  For lunch we met my Aunt Natalie and my two Cousins Diana (7) and Olivia (9 or 10, going on 18) at Julio's cafe for lunch.  Again, it was great to catch up with family members that I don't get to see that often. 

And we had cupcakes.  From a trailer.  But they were really good. 

The weekend concluded with another great concert, this time from a somewhat different genre than Friday night's.  That's right...Melissa and I attended the Elton John show.  pretty wild.  He played for almost 3 hours, all the hits, all while wearing a black trench coat with a sequened crocodile on the back.  And sunglasses.  Par for the course, I assume. 

(he's down there...behind the piano). 

Date Night

With a couple of hours to kill at the mall in Austin, the timing worked out perfectly and Melissa and I were able to squeeze in “Date Night.” Despite plenty of problems, the movie was pretty funny overall.

What’s the Deal: Tina Fey and Steve Carell play the Fosters, a suburban married couple. They have stressful jobs, children, a couple of hobbies, become exhausted, and get stuck in the proverbial “rut.” In an effort to bring a little spice/variety into their marriage, they try to go to a romantic dinner in Manhattan. When the swanky restaurant they try to eat at can’t seat them, they take someone else’s reservation. Then, of course, they are mistaken for the people whose reservation they stole, who happen to be criminals, and hilarity ensues. Sometimes.

Things I liked:

1. Before the “date” starts, it’s actually funnier (incidentally, this could also be something I didn't like.  But I figured I'd be positive): the 20 or 30 minutes before the crazy date starts were actually much funnier than what happened during the “date.” Their children, jobs, book club, Tina Fey’s retainer…t’s all funny stuff. Also, before they go on this wild date, they go on a much tamer one to a laid back applebees-style restaurant in the suburbs. Again, their conversation here is really funny.

2. Tina Fey and Steve Carell: Especially Tina Fey. This is a pretty weak script, but these two stars make it much, much better.  Also, there is an outtake reel during the credits, and no two takes were exactl;y the same.  It seems they did a lot of ad-libbing.  Good for them. 

3. Minor Characters are also funny: James Franco and Mila Kunis make appearances as the druggies whose reservation the Fosters stole, and they are loud and crazy, and really funny. Also, the Mark Wahlburg subplot, which you have no doubt seen from the previews, gets the job done. 

Things I didn’t like:

1. It’s all in the previews: Seriously. Did you know that Mark Wahlberg answers the door with his shirt off? Did you know this because you’ve seen it on ever preview and plug ever? That’s right, you did. That would probably be a really funny bit if you didn’t know it was coming a mile away.

2. Too much yelling. (director). Take a look at this guy’s film history, and you will see a bunch of “comedies” that are not funny. Cheaper by the Dozen, Night at the Museum, Night at the Museum 2, Just Married, The Pink Panther. It seems that this guy doesn’t really know what’s funny. In fact, he seems to live by the oh-so-wrong assumption that louder and/or busier is always funnier. So how is this movie funny? The stars. It’s easily distinguishable what parts the stars make funny with their dialogue delivery, and what parts the director ruins with ill-timed screaming, screeching, explosions, and crashes. (I’m thinking of the car chase scene, which almost gave me a headache).

3. Kristin Wiig: She only has a small part, but I do not like her in anything she’s been in yet, including this. Saturday Night Live skits, (not that I watch that often anymore) take a noticeable nosedive when she comes on screen.

4. Script problems. It’s not hard to think of funnier situations that these two people with the wrong identities could have been placed. Oh well. Also, don’t pretend that any of this is plausible in real life. That helps your enjoyment of the movie. Just relax, turn your brain off, and laugh at Tina Fey.

Happy Favorite Day, John!

As mentioned in this post, the Hardage family enjoys celebrating each person's favorite day of the entire year. Today, the opening day of Major League Baseball, is John's favorite day. And, to be even more specific, the first day of the Texas Ranger's season.

That opening day is John's favorite day should come as no suprise to family and friends. John has LOVED the Rangers for as long as he can remember and has stuck with them through all  most of their less than stellar seasons.

(Opening Day for Texas Rangers in 2007)

I don't know anyone else who gets more enthusiastic about going to (and watching on tv!) a baseball game. John is ready to get to the game about an hour before it starts, always gets a hot dog and a cold beer and sounds like an ESPN analyst for the duration of the game. Or, if we don't make it to the game, it's always on...It's also noteworthy that John's mood also improves/worsens depending on the outcome of the game. This is always fun for me.

(Best wedding gift = front row seats to the Ranger's game)

(One happy dude)

In honor of John's favorite day, I'd like to share several of the phrases regarding baseball and the Rangers I'll hear coming from his mouth for the next five to six months.

• "I really think this is the Ranger's year."
• "Kinsler, stop trying to hit homeruns. All you do is fly-out to the infield."
• "Chris Davis is a strikeout waiting to happen."
• "Michael Young can do no wrong." **Young happens to be John's favorite player/idol...
• "Gosh the Rangers suck. I hate them. Melissa, why can't I cheer for a winning team? I've spent my whole life cheering for the Rangers and for Baylor. Feel sorry for me...."
• "C.J. Wilson is such a headcase."
• "Put Murphy in."
• "I hate the Yankees. And the Red Sox."
• "Welp, I'm done. I'm ready for football season."

This just in: The Rangers won their first game of the year by beating the Toronto Blue Jays in the bottom of the 9th. I'm glad I'm spending the evening with a happy husband. ;)

HAPPY FAVORITE DAY, JOHN!

Elite Eight and Easter

(I love alliteration...)

John and I spent the final part of last weekend driving to Houston with Courtney and Rett to watch Baylor play Duke in the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament. It's not that often (or not since 1948) that Baylor advances to the Elite Eight and only plays three hours away from us....

(Lunch break in College Station.)

We got to Reliant Arena, picked up our tickets and tailgated with friends in the parking lot until game time.

(Mr. and Mrs. Everett Williams III)

(Mr.and Mrs. John Marshall Hardage)

The arena was PACKED with Baylor fans. It was good to see so much support from students, alumni and even some bandwagon fans! We hated to see Baylor lose, but were proud of them for allowing us the opportunity to experience March Madness!

We headed to Fort Worth Thursday evening and spent most of Friday and Saturday eating, hanging out with my family, shopping and watching movies. I did get to see my good friends and college roommates Tamara and Rebecca Friday night for some dinner/drinks at Park in Dallas. And my favorite part of the whole weekend was ordering pizza and playing spades with my parents until the wee hours Sunday morning.

We went to Southcliff Baptist Church Sunday where it was good to see the familiar faces, hear a great message and worship through some great music. (Bagpipe included!) We then headed to Nana and Dandy's for Easter lunch and ate way.too.much.

(We have about 4,000 pictures of us standing behind this same dang tree. It's the only place my Mom thinks we can take pictures inside of her house. )

(The Newman/Hardage clan)

(Sister love...)

We headed back down to Waco, unpacked the car and headed to David and Kathleen's house to celebrate Easter with them and catch a little of the Lady Bears playing UConn in the Final Four. We had even more delicious food and got to enjoy their company for the rest of the evening! 

My favorite thing about being with the Hardages is hearing David's humorous experiences as a pastor--and then commentary by John, Rebekah and Kathleen as to how they felt it "really" happened. We're having them over for dinner Wednesday night and I'll have my camera with me this time to get some pictures of our time with them.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! And for those who don't know, the Texas Rangers play their first game of the season today. I can now guarantee you I will spend the next five months listening to John's love/hate relationship with his favorite team.

Temple Grandin

Melissa and I made the trip to Fort Worth this weekend to take part in the Newman / Yowell Easter Festivities. Her parents get HBO (unlike us) and at one point we came across the HBO original called “Temple Grandin.” I was especially excited to see this movie because I knew that my uncle, Phil Hardage, was an assistant director.


What’s the Deal?: The movie tells the true story of, you guessed it, Temple Grandin. Ms. Grandin is an autistic individual. The bio-pic chronicles her social struggles juxtaposed against her academic excellence. There are several interesting aspects of Ms. Grandin’s life, but the most prominent is her revolutionizing of the United States cattle industry. Her interest in the cattle industry began when, as a child, she visited her Uncle’s ranch and observed the cowboys’ handling of the cows. While studying at college, she wrote her dissertation about cattle movements, tendencies, and stress. She then published several related articles in various ranching magazines. She finally winds up designing revolutionary dip vats and other humane and efficient procedures.
Things I like:

1. Claire Danes’ performance. Look, I don’t understand “acting.” The only “performances” I really ever notice are truly bad ones. However, I do acknowledge that it must be tricky to play someone with a learning disability or something as unique and misunderstood as autism. So…it is clear that Claire Danes spent a lot of time studying autism generally, and Ms. Grandin specifically. Another note, you may think that Claire Danes is “overacting,” as her eyes are constantly open widely and her movements are often greatly exaggerated. However, I have discussed this with my mother, a teacher who has taught autistic students, and she has confirmed that autistic individuals often do keep their eyes wide open just like the actress in the movie. So that’s interesting.

2. The way the movie demonstrates how Ms. Grandin thinks. The script calls for Ms. Grandin to say several times that she “thinks in pictures.” These words themselves aren’t really that clear, but the film goes further by showing on screen several of the images that Ms. Grandin is “thinking in,” and it’s an interesting step towards understanding her unique mind.

3. The little accomplishments. This might sound odd. What I mean by this is that much of the movie shows us her hard childhood and her painfully awkward social interactions. So when her teachers compliment her or when she does figure out a complicated problem (building the diorama) and she smiles, it, oddly enough, really makes you feel good. In other words, because of all the bad in her life, when something does go her way, it is especially gratifying.

4. Its not preachy. Yes, the movie deals a lot with slaughterhouses and feed lots, but at no time does it make you feel guilty for enjoying steak. “Humane slaughter” might seem like an oxymoron, but the point of the movie is not “killing-animals-for-food-is-an-evil-thing-to-do,” it’s “look-at-the-amazing-accomplishments-of-this-remarkable-individual.”

Things I didn’t like:

1. Its a biopic. It’s hard to sum up someone’s life in 2 hours, so the moviemakers have to just kind of go from one big event to another. They did it well here, but that is still hard to ignore. Also, it’s “made for TV.” The quality is still very good, but you can tell it’s just not quite theater-ready.

2. Melissa now likes to pretend she is Temple Grandin, frequently saying “I only eat jello and yogurt,” and “a door opened and I walked through it!” It was charming at first…

Overall – highly recommend. Very interesting and entertaining.