Simple Kind of Life

Is it Time for a Second Dog?

amandaleavelle — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:35:29 +0000

For the last few years, Bryan and I have thrown around the idea of getting a second dog. This is a serious decision.

Right now we have one of the best dogs in the world. We rescued Buster from a pound in Salt Lake City when he was around a year old. From the beginning, he was a relatively easy dog. We only had to deal with growing pains, accidents and the occasional chewing for the first few months. He is the ideal dog for two busy people. He sleeps all day, and is active when I need him to be. Full of love, he is always at our side ready to cuddle.

The one thing that really changed with him was his interactions with other dogs. When we first took him to a dog park he loved it. He ran around and tried to play with the big dogs. Now (and I am afraid because of his lack of socializing), he stays by our side constantly, and snaps occasionally at other dogs. I’m wondering if giving him a best friend will be the right move.

I thought I would list out the pros and cons and see if anyone had any thoughts.

PROS

Buster gets a friend
Hopefully Buster learns to socialize
Bryan and I get a new baby
More fun for us
Could be blessed with another dream dog
Save a dog’s life

CONS

Could rescue a nightmare dog
More vet, food costs
Harder to find dog watchers
(However, I assume now I would just need to get housesitters)

So there it is. I know if we rescued another dog, I would look for that “Buster-friend.” This means another small cuddly sleepy pup.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close: My Thoughts

amandaleavelle — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:22:02 +0000

Here is the situation. When I was in Europe between my junior and senior of college I began to read Everything Is Illuminated, by Jonathan Safran Foer. I loved it so much, that when I noticed that he had as second novel, I picked it up and devoured it immediately. It is no understatament to say that this book changed my life. It didn’t change my life in the way a self help book does, or a book that brings to light social travesties … it changed the way that I interacted with literature. It gave me a favorite book. It gave me a present to give to people who I care about. It gave me a passion.

So that is back story…

Now you know that the book has become a movie. The critics and viewers are not loving this at all. I went to see it this weekend, even though it has a 49% rating on RT and 6.2 stars on IMDB.

The most common complaints I see are that Oskar is annoying, that they did a terrible job making a 9/11 movie. Most reviews are negative. However, reading them all, it’s clear to me that there should be two categories of reviews: people who read the book, and people who didn’t.

Here are my thoughts, mind you, these are the thoughts of someone who has read the book around 9 times and cried when she found out Tom Hanks was going to be playing Thomas Schell.

Thomas Horn was an excellent choice for Oskar.
Oskar is a weird kid. He is an extremely odd and intelligent boy who is ultimately 9 years old. Choosing a child, who is a boy genius was one of the best casting decisions I have seen. Here is a kid who is so smart that he teaches himself how to act. He is so believable as Oskar. I do wish he would have said some of my favorite phrases such as “Jose!”

I am so happy that it wasn’t a Tom Hanks show.
This story is about Oskar, not Thomas Schell. Some critics have complained that Tom Hanks was not in the movie enough. He wasn’t supposed to be. The story is not about him, it includes him.

I was confused by what was left out.
There were multiple times throughout the film when I thought to myself Hmm, that’s missing. It’s inevitable, yes. I know that not everything in an entire novel can be included. There were parts in the book that were so monumental, that I don’t really understand how they could have been left out.

In the end, I need to see the movie again. Everyone I saw it with cried many times. I wasn’t moved to tears because I was doing too much analyzing. Part of me is mournful that I have now lost the “I wish they would make this a movie” feeling. I am also sad to no longer have the anticipation. The truth is I am happy. I will still recommend the book to everyone that I meet and I will always love everything by Mr. Safran Foer. I invite you to watch the movie and judge it for yourself.

My Hair Likes to Change

amandaleavelle — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:21:25 +0000

Yes, this post is about my hair. I know … what a dumb topic! However, I recently dyed my hair red, and thought it may be fun to show the progression for the last two years.

June 2009 - Dyed & growing it out

May 2010 - Long, fried on the ends

July 2010 - Super short & natural color

Dec 2010 - Started to grow it a little

April 2011 - Started going blonde & growing out the pixie

Oct 2011 - Blonde, Blonde

Dec 2011 - Blonde & Growing

Jan 2012 - RED

TEAM MONDO

amandaleavelle — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:55:30 +0000

Who doesn’t love MONDO?

For Project Runway ALL STARS my friend Jess and I are volunteering to officially be a part of Team Mondo. I was so excited when I found out that Mondo was going to be on the show that I didn’t hesitate when they put out the word for volunteers.

You can help too by becoming a fan of Mondo on Facebook, at http://www.facebook.com/LoveMondo.

You can also join me at Beauty Bar every Thursday night for the viewing parties.

Here’s to you Mondo! Best of Luck!

Halloween Costume – Margot Tenenbaum

amandaleavelle — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:38:55 +0000

This year I tried to go all out and make a big effort for Halloween. I had been thinking about this ever since I was Mondo last year and had to use a belt as suspenders. A good costume is dependent upon the details.

I decided to be Margot Tenenbaum this year mainly because of my hair. For some reason, wigs are never an option for me, and I always make my costume based upon my current hairstyle. Right now, it’s a blonde bob, so it just made sense.

I knew I needed a polo dress, fur coat (faux), and black orthopedic loafers. Seemed easy enough. I searched and searched for a blue stripped polo dress on eBay and could never find the perfect one. I ended up buying a Beverly Hills Polo Club dress from Apparel Zoo. My coat I purchased from a local vintage shop in Denver, Boss Unlimited. I am in love with it and will wear it again & again. My loafers I scored with on ebay. They are Bass Loafers. Normally $149, I got them for $9!

I was so happy with the finished product, down to the wooden (cardboard) finger. I will never again not put 100% effort into my costume.

Done getting ready

Finished look (forgot the cig)

Me and Debbie Harry

Gal Pals

amandaleavelle — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 23:00:16 +0000

Gal pals are what we all need in life. I have the best friends. I know that if I ever needed any one of them to drop everything and be there for me, they would. I would do the same for them.

Cheers to friends. Lifelong friends.

Lately

amandaleavelle — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:10:40 +0000

So I obviously have not been blogging. I wish that I was. To those who read this (family), life is a little cray cray right now.

Hopefully soon I will:
- Live in a home that I OWN
- Begin transformation of said home
- Have time to work on exciting side projects
- Begin to share with you, the interesting things that I find

So I Watch a lot of Netflix…

amandaleavelle — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 03:35:39 +0000

Like most of the people that I know, we have decided that we no longer need tv. As a teenager and little beyond, I would probably have been considered a tvholic. In college, my roommate and I were the only people that we knew of that actually paid for cable. But my new outlook on life helped me to finally reach a decision to cut the cable. But now there seems to be a bump in that road: hulu and netflix… and there doesn’t seem to be an end to the library at my fingertips.

Now this isn’t just a post about how much I love to be lazy and watch movies, it’s an opportunity for me to share what has captivated me lately. I like to recommend movies to friends, and this will be an easy way to share with a wider audience. As I was drafting a list, I realized all are really documentaries, or tv documentaries…so hopefully you are into those.

Recent Documentaries I Enjoyed:

Unmistaken Child (2008)
I have seen this film twice, and have recommended it countless times. It follows a Buddhist Monk named Tenzin Zopa who is searching for the reincarnation of his master, Lama Konchog. He follows the advice, and signs from fellow monks and travels to the country lands of Nepal & Tibet, and more specifically to his hometown. He is only given a few clues as to who this child could be (location, what letter the father’s name begins with, possible age) but is determined to find a child that could be no one other than his master. The scenery is beautiful, the spiritual nature is inspiring, and the story is just captivating. I recommend this to anyone who wants to be swept away by a great story.

Unmistaken Child

Praying with Lior (2007)
I should preface this by saying that I cried so much watching this documentary. Mostly happy tears, but sometimes I was just overcome with emotion. It follows a jewish boy with down syndrome, Lior, who is getting ready for his bar mitzvah. He is the light in his family, school and synagogue and is loved by everyone. He says some really profound things, as do those who are close to him. A very heart warming story that I think anyone can enjoy.

Lior with His Friend Shawn

A State of Mind (2004)
This documentary follows two young gymnasts and their families as they prepare for the national Mass Games of North Korea. The Mass Games are put on for a number of special occasions in the country, and involve thousands of performers. Before watching this film, I knew nothing about North Korea. Watching this will give you great insight into their daily lives and their unique history. There is also amazing visuals involving these talented young ladies.

Mass Games

Documentary TV Shows We Caught Up On:

Dogs Decoded Nova Special (2010)
The moment after watching this special, I sent a link to all the dog lovers that I know. Nova specials are always so interesting, and the great thing about Netflix is that they post new ones pretty regularly. This one is all about dogs and their connection with humans. It was completely fascinating, and further confirmed my beliefs that dogs can truly understand us. You won’t look at dogs the same way again, I promise.

Buster (My Dog)

30 Days (3 Seasons)
I just began watching these yesterday, and already we watched about 8 of them. This show was created by Morgan Spurlock, the man who made Supersize Me. It places someone in a foreign situation for 30 Days to experience what life could be like. It reminds me of Wifeswap in a way because it tends to place someone who holds a certain belief in a situation where they are confronted directly (minuteman living with illegals, right-winged Christian living in Gay San Francisco). But what I respect is that they take people who are educated and willing to learn. It is a really well made show and covers really interesting topics.

Hunter Spending 30 Days as an Animal Rights Activist

Out of The Wild (1 Season)
For those who love wilderness specials, this is perfect for you. It follows 9 people who love the outdoors, but don’t have much experience and places them in the Alaskan wilderness with a mission to find civilization. They are out in the wilderness for a month and have to do almost everything by themselves. They are pushed to their limits, and overcome so much.

Out of The Wild Cast

……

I feel like there are many more that I could recommend, many that I have watched throughout the last 2 years, but I think this is a good list for people to start with if they are looking for some recommendations. Maybe later I will recommend some more.

Current Inspirations

amandaleavelle — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 18:45:55 +0000

An Education

The Beatles

A Single Man

Anthro (As Always)

2010 : A Good Year

amandaleavelle — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 21:23:39 +0000

Well, 2010 is almost over. If came and went so fast.

Where I have been:

My theme for 2010 has been rediscovery. Most people go along life as a straight path, weaving in and out of different circumstances, events, and relationships. When it comes to my life, I feel that I have made some wrong turns, not mistakes, but I find myself sometimes in a place I have already been. I have to reevaluate where I am, in order to determine which way I should I have gone.

I started 2010 off in my hometown, living with my Mother. It was nice while it lasted. I enjoyed working from home, and spending time with my Mother and friends. My dear friend Amy and I reconnected, and it was a reconnection that I was in desperate need of. In regards to rediscovery, Amy is perhaps the person that has had the most influence in my life. We became friends and a crucial moment in our lives, and helped each other become young women. Meeting with Amy again has allowed me to reconnect with a younger version of myself, and it was a fun me full of Unity & Spirituality.

2010 was a year full of travel. My husband and I went around this country, not once, but twice with his band. The first tour went extremely well, and it was so nice not being the only girl on the road with the boys… my sister in law was able to join us. Spring is such a beautiful time to travel, I feel like we followed the wildflowers as they sprang up.

Our summer was a little harder than expected, with the tour not going as well as planned, but I enjoyed myself everyday and made so many amazing friends across the country. When I left on the summer tour, I knew that it would be my last long tour. This helped me to live in the moment and appreciate all that I saw. It also made me so ready for what came next.

During this summer tour, Bryan and I decided to plant our roots again, and this time…in DENVER. Best decision we have made. Why Denver? Well many reasons, the main being, friends. It had been over 3 years since I lived in a place surrounded by friends, and it was time again. My best friends live here. Women who empower me, support me, and truly understand who I am. There are also new friends out here that are so welcoming and warm. Bryan has been thriving with his new hobby, home brewing and has started his own blog all about Home Brewing, Cramped Space Brew.

Denver is a city that loves community, small business, and vegetarians. I feel so at home here, and at the moment, cannot imagine living anywhere different.

Where I am going:

Changes will be welcome in 2011. I feel called to write on here what my goals are, maybe and hopefully I will stick to them a little better than I have done in the past.

I want to be a healthy and happy. Sounds simple… this means establishing a workout routine and cutting back on my sweets.

Get back into career mode. While lots of people want to get out of that mode, I want to be dedicated to learning new skills and advancing my career.

Connect with the Denver Community. This one should be easy, but I want to learn more about this city, and become a supportive resident.

The summary of my life right now is that I am happy. I have a wonderful loving husband who has been by my side for over 9 years, and this year is our 10th. In November of 2011, we will have been together for an entire decade, and a very important one. 16 years old to 26. I live in a city that I love, and I am surrounded by good friends. I have a loving family, who I am very proud of. I have a wonderful little dog, who is a huge part of my life and happiness.

Needless to say, I’m looking forward to the future.

Cheers.