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So, I Met This Guy… | Meeting Alton Brown

I still plan on writing about this some on my travel/adventure blog at a later date, but I’m such a fangirl I can’t wait that long.

This past Friday, 7 October, was amazing!  Actually, there was a lot of bad stuff that happened, too, but it’ll forever be remembered as a great day.  I’m sorry, whatever else happens in my life, but I met Alton Brown!

I may have mentioned before, but I couldn’t cook before I got married.  My mum wasn’t a bad cook or anything, but I stayed clear of the kitchen; cooking just didn’t interest me at all.  (Now baking — that’s another thing.)  Hubby’s family loved to cook, and Food Network often played on their TV.

A little funny side story: when Hubby and I first got together, I asked what his favourite TV show was.  I’ve always been obsessed with science fiction (especially Star Trek) or other script-based fiction shows, and was hoping to hear him answer with something I loved so this fangirl could let go and express herself.  His answer?  “Good Eats.”  Keeping in mind that I hadn’t had cable since I was six, my thought was, OMG, his favourite show is a cooking show?  How boring is this guy?  I didn’t even know how to respond.  After watching my first episode, though, I completely understood.

Long story short, it’s pretty much all due to Hubby and Alton Brown that I can cook now (despite most of the time still disliking to do so).

It was really great to get to meet him at the signing of his new cookbook in Kansas City, even though the moment seemed to come and go so fast after hours of waiting, and I hardly remember a word he said directly to us.  I know when we first walked up, he thanked us for coming and waiting out the line (there were at least 800 people in front of us, no exaggeration).  Hubby responded with something like, “hey, I’m doing this for her.”  Mr. Brown looked up at him and said, “good answer!”  (The only thing I remember distinctly.)  I watched him write our names in the book, hoping he’d ask about the pronunciation of my name (I had this whole humorous answer planned out), and he talked some more.  He even put his hand on my shoulder and spoke directly to me for a moment, but I don’t remember a word he said.  Then, we posed for a picture on Hubby’s phone (the guy holding his phone took pics the whole time, though), and then it was over.

Have you ever met a celebrity (at any level of fame), and it turns out they’re a bit of a jerk?  Or you’re at least disappointed by meeting them in some way?  I have, but not this time.  Even after signing books for and interacting with over 800 people, he was still lively, funny, and friendly — just as you’d expect Alton Brown to be.

A big thanks to Alton Brown, his team, and everyone at Rainy Day Books for making this happen.  I’m so thankful.  And cooking like crazy 😁.

“True Stories — We Made Up” (Book Review)

Once in a lifetime a book comes along that will change the course of your life, and shoot you soaring into the atmosphere with your dreams. This is not that book.
(Excerpt from the book’s back cover.)

We’ve all been there.  Something ordinary happens in our life as a child, but our sheer excitement and pure emotions exaggerate it in our innocent minds.  You’re granted a minor confidence boost that gives you bonafide super powers.  Channeling Michael Jordan as you slam dunk into your Little Tikes basketball hoop.  Your favourite toy breaks, and it is the literal END OF THE WORLD.

THAT is what this book is.  True stories from childhood hilariously exaggerated as a child would see them.  My relationship with books is complicated, but this is one book I simply could not put down.

–SPOILERS–
I still can’t get over the part about a seemingly impossible victory in a backyard baseball game where the 11-year-old protagonist bumped chests with his brother, “instantly forming a rippling six pack.”¹  I couldn’t finish the story for at least another day (but realistically, five minutes), because the laughing brought me to my knees.
——————

If you want a book to read that will not only hold your attention, but make you laugh and reminisce at the same time, THIS IS THAT BOOK!

 

True Stories – We Made Up by Michael Johnson, David Beebe II, Chris Johnson
★★★★ 4.62

“True Stories – We Made Up” is a collection of short stories based on the lives of three authors: Michael Johnson, David Brett Beebe II, and Chris Johnson. There are mention of bears, the mark of the beast, superheroes, and maybe even a few miracles. (read more)

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¹ Page 181.

30 Day Movie Challenge 2 – Day 30

 

Day 30: The First Movie You Remember Seeing

 

Beauty and the Beast

 

Credit: disneyscreencaps.com

I guarantee this isn’t the first movie I saw, but it’s the first one I remember seeing in the cinema.  My dad took me to see it when I was old enough to sit still and shut up in a theatre.

Beauty and the Beast has always been my favourite fairy tale, Disney or otherwise.  I’d nearly forgotten it until I saw a play at Disney World, Orlando, Florida, when I was in high school.  It’s also my absolute favourite story in “my fairy tale book.”

 

What’s the first movie you remember seeing?

 

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30 Day Movie Challenge 2 – Day 27

 

Day 27: A Movie From Your University Years

 

Twilight

 

 

Yeah, yeah, so I picked Twilight.  It’s not like I said I was a real fan of this saga.

Mostly, I picked it because I have fond memories with friends related to this series, whether it be the movies or the books.  I admit, my first date with Hubby was to the release party at Barnes & Noble for the book Breaking Dawn.  (I’d only heard of the series at the time, but he’d read all the books.  Even at the release party, he complained that fangirls were ruining it.  Also, he was Team Jacob.)

Our hanging out with some couple friends from university always involve Twilight the first few times.  The first time we hung out, we all watched Twilight at our house after dinner.  I think the next time it was the same with New Moon.  Finally, when Breaking Dawn Part 1 was being released, we figured we might as well go see it at the cinema together.

 

 

What’s a movie from your university years?

 

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30 Day Movie Challenge 2 – Day 22

 

Day 22: A Movie You Feel Didn’t Live Up to the Hype

 

Guardians of the Galaxy

 

Credit: masterherald.com

 

WAIT!

Before everyone starts leaving hate comments, let me explain.

I didn’t see this movie until it had been released on DVD.  By then, everyone had been raving about how brilliant it is and how I HAVE to see it.  I thought, “OK, it must be pretty gosh darn amazing then!”

THAT was the hype it had to live up to.

I also looked forward to seeing the movie that made Karen Gillan shave her head.  Somewhere along the line of awaiting the movie, I was led to believe she would be the main villain.  Obviously, I was disappointed to find she wasn’t.

Karen Gillan, before and after shaving her head.
Credit: telegraph.co.uk

I’d only seen one trailer, and knew nothing of the comics, so I couldn’t even think “well, at least it was true to canon.”

Lastly, I’ve only seen it the one time.

I fully acknowledge that my disappointment with Guardians of the Galaxy has nothing to do with the movie itself, but rather with what I was made to believe about the movie before I saw it.

And now it’s time I gave it another chance.

 

What movie do you feel didn’t live up to the hype?

 

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30 Day Movie Challenge 2 – Day 21

 

Day 21: A movie that made you think WTF AM I WATCHING?

 

2001: A Space Odyssey

 

 

Besides the needless length of a lot of the scenes, I was thoroughly enjoying this movie the first time I saw it.  It was definitely an interesting story, and that’s the only reason I continued to bear the bits that were stretched out.

The end, however, was confusing.  I had no idea what was going on.  There was no narration.  And then, the movie ended without explaining any of it.  What?!

I finally read the book earlier this year, so I understand more of what was going on in that strange ending.  I’m going to watch the movie again and see if I get it now.

 

What movie made you think WTF AM I WATCHING?!

 

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30 Day Movie Challenge 2 – Day 20

 

Day 20: Last Movie You Saw In a Cinema

 

Captain America: Civil War

 

Credit: blastr.com

 

Before this movie, I knew nothing about the civil war from the comics except that there were FAR more superheroes involved than in the movie.  I’d chosen to be #TeamIronMan, simply because he had more heroes on his side that I would consider favourites, haha.

While watching, I was understanding of both sides, so I couldn’t, and wouldn’t, choose a side.

 

*SPOILER IN THIS PARAGRAPH* My only thing about Iron Man’s reason for not wanting to fight anymore was, in a way, negated in this fight.  There was still a lot of destruction being caused during the battle, even though there weren’t any people around.  The destruction during any superhero fight has always bothered me, though.

 

Anything I wasn’t thrilled about in the movie was partially made better by the fact that I do like this version of Spider-Man/Peter Parker.  Also, this Aunt May didn’t seem agonisingly worried about her nephew.  Finally.

And Martin Freeman was in it (what little screen time he had).  That was just a little icing on the cake for this fangirl.

 

What’s the last movie you saw in a cinema?

 

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30 Day Movie Challenge 2 – Day 19

 

Day 19: Favourite Subgenre

 

Super Heroes (Live Action)

 

 

We all know the real answer is disaster movies, so I figured I’d expand on something not-so-known.  Though the only comics I was ever able to get my hands on when I was younger was Archie and Friends, I devoured any knowledge I could find about Spider-Man.  I’m not really sure why I liked this hero so much over others when I hadn’t even read his (or any other super hero) comics.

I may not enjoy them all, and feel the sheer number that gets released more and more lessens my anticipation, but I’ve seen them all (the ones released this century).  Good and bad, Marvel and DC, Tobey and Andrew.

Let’s keep in mind that this is about movies, not TV shows.  The shows on the CW and Netflix don’t really pique my interest.  I quit Arrow at the end of season three (and only started watching it because several people told me I had to), and the rest don’t even intrigue me.  (Except Legends of Tomorrow, but I make myself enjoy watching it because of Arthur Darvill.)

But I digress.

While I may have only read a handful of Marvel comics, I have done a bit of reading about characters and storylines, and I’m so glad they’re making movies about them (and that they’re actually made with quality now).

Since X-Men: First Class and The Avengers is taken by another topic in this challenge, I’m going to choose Spider-Man 2 for today.  Sorry, Tobey haters.

 

What’s your favourite subgenre?

 

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30 Day Movie Challenge 2 – Day 14

 

Day 14: A Movie You Could Watch On Repeat

 

X-Men: First Class

 

Credit: thefilmstage.com

While watching this on repeat applies more to two or three years ago, I would still enjoy it today.

Marvel superheroes, an origin story to adore, and 1960’s fashion.  Erm, yes.

 

What movie could you watch on repeat?

 

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