Shakespeare said it best...

I love you with so much of my heart that none of it is left to protest.
Love is blind and lovers cannot see.
Love looks not with the eyes.
If music be the food of love, play on!
Love sought is good, but given unsought better.
O, Spirit of Love, how quick and fresh art thou.
To entertain the time with thoughts of love.
The course of true love never did run smooth.

Movie Review 'Friends with Benefits'

Out Friday, July 22nd

Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis mostly naked?! Oh boy! I was lucky enough to attend an advanced screening of the new movie ‘Friends with Benefits’. Sound familiar? You may remember a movie called ‘No Strings Attached’; same idea, but not nearly as funny.

Not only is this a hot topic in the dating world, but my friends and I are always discussing this arrangement and whether or not it can ever work.

The premise: Justin’s character is emotionally unavailable; Mila’s character is emotionally damaged. So why can’t sex be like tennis?! You play the game, shake hands, and then go your separate ways!

But as my friends have decided over and over again, it just can’t be so simple. The two main characters start as friends but when sex is introduced, things get complicated, emotions get involved, and they begin to realize how different their relationship is.

All in all, this is a typical romantic comedy (with a spoof movie within the movie where they attempt to make fun of romantic comedies, this one starring Jason Segel and Rashida Jones). Kudos to the amazing supporting cast: Richard Jenkins as Justin’s father and Jenna Elfman as his sister, the beautiful Patricia Clarkson as Mila’s free-spirited mother, and of course Woody Harrelson as Justin’s gay coworker. There is also a cameo by a famous snowboard gold medalist playing himself as a somewhat deranged friend of Mila’s.

This film was somewhat predictable, but had some twists, steamy sex scenes, and some great humor! Flash mobs, Kris Kross, and so much more, I think this movie is definitely entertaining although my expectations are never very high for romantic comedies!

So do FWBs ever work out? Woody’s character summed it up best when he said “That NEVER works!”

To let Love in...

To let Love in means be willing to lose it. To let Love in means being willing to be hurt again. To let Love in means facing the wounds and hurts from the past that will come up and having the courage to let your new awareness transform those past wounds into wisdom.

Thanks to Heathen for sharing this!

Cynical and Jaded at 30. Is it possible to be an optimist?

Sadly, I tend to consider myself cynical and jaded, although I also consider myself an optimist! Contradictory? Probably…

Cynical: Distrustful of human nature, doubting or contemptuous of human nature or the motives, goodness, or sincerity of others.

Jaded: To be conditioned against someone or something.

Optimist: One who usually expects a favorable outcome.

Is it possible to be optimistic, cynical, and jaded?! In this day and age, why not?! So what leads to hitting this point so early in life? As always, I have some theories and I LOVE to make lists!

Being cynical and jaded at an early age from a female perspective – A life cycle:

·       Being teased by mean boys as a child. I remember every boy who was mean to me from kindergarten through junior high. You know who you are!!

·       Being told repeatedly that men only want one thing and to always be aware of that fact. This message is heard well into adulthood. My dad is quick to remind me even still.

·       Two words: High School! A bunch of hormonal teenagers striving to stand out in some way. School dances (none for me, never got asked), first dates (again, none for me), first boyfriend/girlfriend (man, this is depressing). High school can be a real nightmare in the world of a teenager.

·       Life outside of high school. Optimism about the future, the world is your oyster! Dates, kisses, and boyfriends in your twenties: Oh my God, he likes me!!

·       The dating pool is getting shallower in Utah by your thirties. Boyfriends in your thirties: Oh my God, do I like him?!

·       After being in the dating pool for a while, you start to notice trends in the people you date. They’re too clingy and want to be around you too much, or maybe it is the opposite and they float in and out of your life of their own accord.  Maybe they have the emotional capabilities of a 5-year-old. I could go on and on!

You get used to relationships starting out with lots of passion and excitement, but they fizzle out quickly. You begin to believe this is normal.

You experience a relationship that started slowly and the passion and excitement continued to build as time went on. Well there must be something wrong with him! This type of relationship is not normal! My, oh my, how bass-ackwards!

I remember as a kid, my mom telling me not to allow myself to get “desensitized” to relationships and love. I’d always say “Don’t worry Momma, I won’t.” It’s funny, I think the only way to avoid becoming desensitized is by becoming a nun, getting married right out of the gate, or locking ourselves in a tower.

Sorry Mom! It happened anyway. The good thing is that I am aware of it and I am constantly reminding myself that I deserve the whole loaf of bread, not just the crumbs!

So is it possible to be cynical, jaded, AND an optimist? YES! I believe that we are constantly evolving, learning more about ourselves and others, and that in spite of our jaded cynicism, we deserve good things and we’ll recognize and hold on to those good things someday!



The Science of Sex Appeal

The Science of Sex Appeal

I saw this special on the Discovery Channel a couple of years ago, but I find myself watching segments of it online from time to time. If you haven’t watched it I would highly recommend it.

Insights include how voices, walks, symmetry, scents, and so much more affect human attraction. Segments are available to watch online at: http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/science-of-sex-appeal/ .

This week's winner for best username goes to...

GirlJunky

Thanks Erin for bringing this hot specimen to my attention ;-)