I Love Travel Movies!

It's no surprise that I am a huge movie buff. I will talk movies with anyone. It's one of my favorite things to do with family and friends. I also make many movie references and quote them quite often. I also love to travel so movies that feature traveling is a win win in my book. You have a couple different types of travel movies, the funny silly ones and the serious dramas. I had a lot of fun creating a list of road trip movies. There is really something for everything. They are mostly for adults though. I was able to even use a couple of my favorites. One of them is a lesser known weird yet amazing movie that I randomly saw on broadcast TV years and years ago. I was just flipping channels and I didn’t even have cable.  I immediately fell in love with it and ordered it from Amazon that night. The other is a newer movie, that I heard wasn’t too great. I ended up loving it and have watched it every time it has been on HBO.  I think that it's fun to share ordinary experiences with movie characters like traveling. Flying wasn't as popular when I was growing up so my mom, sister and I spent a lot of time in the car. I have luckily only had a few weird experiences while traveling. Nothing compared to the movies on the list. One year we were on our way to Gulf Shores and had to take shelter from a tornado in a Dairy Queen bathroom. I am from the Midwest, so I know tornado safety in my sleep. It's engrained in us from birth. That's probably the craziest thing that has happened to me traveling. We have also ended up in other states but that's no big deal.  

Check out my list of great road trip movies.

The Adventures of Traveling with Noah

Riding in a car can be boring. Noah's been traveling in the car his whole life. When Noah was two months old, we went to Virginia Beach. We had been in the car for hours and hours when Noah had enough. Right at that moment, his toy broke and that was the one thing that stopped his crying. I couldn't hold him because we were riding in the car. We were almost to the hotel so I tried everything I could think of. I started singing the Car-X commercial jingle over and over again and he stopped crying. When he was three, we would go visit my sister often. She lived three hours away. Noah started saying Wanna go down the road and asking are we there yet? I had to come up with things to entertain him in the car. Thankfully, I grew up going on vacations in the car. I was able to use my experiences and had an advantage with ideas. I didn't have my mom's smart phone, my mom doesn't have a smart phone, or a tablet, so my ideas were good old fashion fun. I didn't have any screens to watch movies, now kids have it easy. I try and limit Noah's screen time so I don't let him have it in the car. I prefer games, reading and other things that help his brain develop. It's also extra stuff to lug around. We have some fun times in the car together. I use this time together to make fun memories with him like my mom did. I still love to sing Billy Joel and Carly Simon like I did many times throughout the years. 

Be sure to check out my post about How to Entertain Kids in the Car.

Food Network Star returns for a ninth season

I love to watch Food Network. I have watched it pretty much since we have had it. I remember how excited I was when I first learned about it. When I was younger I used to have my own cooking show every time I would cook or bake, which was all the time.  So, naturally Food Network was something I was very interested in.  I remember that I watched Food Network all the time. I didn’t really watch anything else. I love watching other people cook.  I spent a lot of my pregnancy watching Food Network while I was on bed rest too.  I knew if I turned on Food Network there was always something entertaining to watch.

My family likes to watch  Food Network Star. We have been watching it from the beginning.  Just like any competition show, you have your favorites. You also have the ones who you wish would leave.  These people become like your friends. Sometimes you end up getting just as emotional as the contestants. Only one time, has my favorite ended up winning.  I end up being very happy with the winner though.  I used to dream of having my own cooking show. I actually thought about trying to be a contestant. I decided my palate is probably too boring. I wouldn't be able to make exotic dishes like they make.  It's fun to see all the work that goes in to it. I love to watch them grow and see all their different styles.  I love their personal stories, and who their influences are.  I know that some of my favorite dishes to make are inspired by family.  My favorite part is watching the winner go from an unknown chef to a star. I love watching their new show and know that their dream has come true. Some people forget that Guy Fieri got his start on Food Network star, and he is huge. He has so many different shows, products and even has his own brand of meat!  It is really exciting I am so happy that they are doing another season of it.  I know that when I start seeing the commercials it is a sign that summer is coming.

Food Network’s long-running competition series Food Network Star returns for a ninth season this summer with fresh talent, intense challenges, and culinary icons Alton Brown, Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay leading the charge to discover the best and brightest new faces in food television. In the one-hour season premiere on Sunday, June 2nd at 9pm ET/PT, the twelve contestants arrive in Los Angeles, ready to kick off the biggest audition of their lives to find out who has the personality, on-camera charisma and kitchen chops to follow in their idols’ footsteps and helm their own show. In new twists, focus groups of Food Network fans will also have their say on contestant performances and one finalist will be brought back after elimination for another chance at victory. Viewers will again be able to vote online or via phone before the August 11th finale to determine who will win the ultimate prize: their own show on Food Network.

I hope you will check it out. I really enjoy it. 

Do you like to watch Food Network star? 

I am working with Food Network on this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Exclusive Interview with Darwin Misha Reedy from American Idol

I thought it would be fun to interview my friend Darwin Misha Reedy. She tried out on American Idol in Seattle for Season 6. She seemed like a really nice person during her audition and I didn’t like what Simon said to her. I think because she is different than the typical American Idol contestant they didn’t want to give her a chance. I became her friend on Myspace and she is such a sweet person. She is so much fun to talk to and she is very caring and nice. I have so much respect for her because she actually went after her dreams of trying out for American Idol. I would be way too nervous and scared. I wanted to share her with all my readers because she is awesome.
Her responses are in bold.

Do you prefer to go by Darwin or Misha? Darwin.

What made you decide to try out for American Idol? I have always been a fan of the show, and my passion is to be a professional singer.

What is going on with your music now days? I'm still a singer and songwriter, but I'm unsigned.

Do you have any links of videos that you have done that people can check out? I have a youtube video, but I'm updating with a new video soon. People can click on the link and subscribe to my youtube channel. www.youtube.com/DarwinMishaReedy

I know you change your hair color often which do you prefer? Black or Blond? Right now, blue-black.

Did you ever finish your Novella that you are writing with your mom? If, so is it going to be published? The Curse of Murmuring Brooks is completed. We are considering setting up a website where fans at a low-price download the novella. I will have a link to it on my myspace page.

I know your mom Sherry is your number one fan, how is she doing? She thanks you for asking. She recently fell and injured her knee, but it is getting better. She is working on her own projects, including sci-fi stories, and is working hard as my manager to promote my career.

Do people recognize you from your audition? In Houston the fans are not as open as in Seattle. They will take your picture in a club or once in a while wave from a car, but no-one approaches you. Seattle fans come up to you, make the rock and roll sign or smile at you. People still recognize me.

What is your favorite memory from the audition? Ryan Seacrest's friendliness and support just before I went into the audition.

Did you meet anyone that you became friends with? Shymalai, her brother Sanjaya and their family the most.

What was Simon really like? Simon was the nicest judge, laidback and witty. He was interested in my writing and encouraged me to do something with it.

Would you audition again if there wasn't an age limit? No, but I possibly would be interested in The X-Factor.

Are you more driven to prove to Simon, Randy and Paula that you can make it? No. I am driven by my own desire for excellence and success. I have my own reasons.

What kind of music do you like to listen to? I enjoy all music genres, but I listed mostly to rock, alternative and rap.

Are you dating anyone? Not at the moment.

Is there anything else you would like to share with my readers? Special thanks to the fans. My email address is www.myspace.com/darwinreedy. You can also contact me at idolgirl01@yahoo.com. If any of you have any ideas or connections to help me get my music and writing out there, please let me know. Thanks also to Sheila for posting in her blog. Hey, Sheila! Please say hello to your beautiful son Noah.

Thank you Darwin for taking time out of your schedule to answer my questions.