30 Things I'm Looking Forward to in the States

With our departure being only 1 week away, I was thinking about things we're excited about that we can't really have or get here.  It's a totally vain list (sadly mostly food items are on it), but I hope it shows just some of the small differences between Russia and the US.  And don't worry-- next up will be 30 things I'm going to miss about Moscow.

So here it goes-- some things I can't wait to get back to in the US:

1. Chick-Fil-A (this one is probably a no-brainer)
2. Pumpkin Spice Lattes
3. Free Refills
4. Pedestrians having the right-of-way
5. Free condiments at fast food joints
6. Being able to hold random conversations with people in lines at grocery stores
7. Cheez-its
8. Being able to eavesdrop
9. Mellow Mushroom
10. Driving
11. Reese's Pieces
12. Coupons and bargain shopping
13. Root Beer
14. Ginger Ale
15. Dr. Pepper (Although you can buy this here, it's just much much more expensive and rare)
16. Peanut Butter (You can also buy this here, but it is also more expensive)
17. Free plastic bags at grocery stores
18. Cashiers not getting frustrated if you don't have the correct amount of change
19. Zaxby's
20. Being able to smile in public
21. Thrift stores
22. Air conditioning
23. Triscuits
24. Barbeque sauce (more specifically:  Sweet Baby Ray's Barbeque Sauce)
25. Hulu
26. Netflix
27. Ordering things online
28. Traffic laws (or the relative obedience of them)
29. Urinating in public is frowned upon
30. A lengthy Autumn (at least as far as Georgia is concerned)

Favorite Movies of 2010

This is probably the least informed list of the year.  You'll be able to tell that by part of the selection I'm sure.  It's tougher to catch newer movies here in Moscow.





10.  Date Night


While the plot was problematic, I just love the chemistry and power that Steve Carell and Tina Fey possess together.


9.  Shutter Island


This film did an incredible job at bringing DiCaprio's confusion to life.


8.  How To Train Your Dragon


I was completely surprised at how good this movie was.  Totally didn't expect it.


7.  The Town


While I thought the big shootout at the end was slightly ridiculous, I really enjoyed the movie overall.  Great cast.  Affleck can really direct.


6.  127 Hours


James Franco and Danny Boyle both attracted me to this film and it didn't disappoint.


5.  Exit Through the Gift Shop


I was completely surprised by this movie.  The first quarter or half of this film I had no clue where it was going, but the second half riveted me.  Incredible movie.  What Grizzly Man should have been.


4.  Black Swan


I've noticed many critics complain that this movie was about as subtle as a sledgehammer.  They're mostly right, but that really didn't bother me.  A powerful movie-- where much like Shutter Island, by the end you're struggling with the line between what's real and what's in her head.


3.  The Social Network


You can call this the biggest surprise of the list.  When I heard that this movie was being made I was dumbfounded, to be honest (looking back I'm not sure why).  I didn't expect this movie to be as good as it was.  The modern creation of Facebook is a perfect backdrop for very pre-modern themes:  tragedy, greed, betrayal,-- and especially-- the desire and need to belong and be loved.


2.  Toy Story 3


An animated "kids" movie that deals with death and (again) belonging.  Near perfection.  It's Pixar.


1.  Inception


Orignal and entertaining.  I'm still blown away by almost every aspect of this film.  It's definitely imperfect, but its creativity and fantastic performances in so many areas make this my favorite film of 2010.

favorite songs of 2010 teaser

This just might be on the list:

To: Liam

(don't pay too much attention to what you're watching.... it's the music I'm interested in)