NortonMANIA 2010

Edward Norton‘s birthday has come and gone, and you may have been surprised at the lack of Norton posts on our blog this year. Well, we did things a little differently. Our family/congregation took the entire month of August “off”. We didn’t host anything here, as far as I can remember. Hence, the NortonMANIA film festival was not open to the public. Because of this, we decided to try some new flicks this year. It went as follows:

• Sunday, August 15: NortonMANIA kick-off with Rounders (Miramax Films 1998, starring Edward Norton, Matt Damon, and John Malkovich; rated R).
• Monday, August 16: Keeping the Faith (Spyglass Entertainment 2000, starring Edward Norton, Ben Stiller, and Jenna Elfman; rated PG-13).
• Tuesday, August 17: The Italian Job (Paramount Pictures 2003, starring Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, and Edward Norton; rated PG-13).
• Thursday, August 19: The Incredible Hulk (Universal Pictures 2008, starring Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, and Tim Roth; rated PG-13).
• Friday, August 20: 25th Hour (25th Hour Productions 2002, starring Edward Norton, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Barry Pepper; rated R).

That’s two old and three new films for the year. We had only seen The Italian Job and The Incredible Hulk, so we got to see some different roles for Edward this time around. Unfortunately, we turned off Rounders after about 30 minutes. 25th Hour made it to about the 40-minute mark, but had to be turned off then as well. Rounders tanked on language and sleazy quality (the language was seeping through our TV Guardian – not good). 25th Hour was dark, depressing, and quiet. Plus, it looked like Edward Norton started ad-libbing some profanity into the script. Keeping the Faith, on the other hand, was absolutely hilarious, and I look forward to seeing it again. It was probably especially funny to us because we practice Judaism.

Special thanks to the Spurlock family for hosting a night of NortonMANIA in their home. We enjoyed seeing The Incredible Hulk, complete with movie snacks and a scary-looking green drink, to set the mood. Good times.

It seems Edward Norton’s films are either very good or very bad, much like the little girl with the curl. Here’s a snapshot of our take on Norton movies:

Favorites:
 - The Painted Veil
 - The Italian Job
 - The Incredible Hulk
 - The Score
 - The Illusionist
 - Keeping the Faith

Not Recommended:
 - Rounders
 - 25th Hour
 - Pride & Glory
 - Kingdom of Heaven
 - American History X
 - Fight Club
 - The People vs. Larry Flynt
 - Frida
[I'll be honest with you, though: we haven't actually seen American History X, Fight Club, The People vs. Larry Flynt or Frida - but I've heard unpleasant things about all of them.]

If you’re up for something really freaky, see Primal Fear, starring Richard Gere, Laura Linney, and Edward Norton. It’s one of Norton’s most shocking roles.

We are so disappointed to hear that Edward Norton will not be returning as Bruce Banner in The Avengers. We thought he did a magnificent job playing Banner in The Incredible Hulk. However, we do still look forward to next year’s NortonMANIA, which may include Everbody Says I Love You, Red Dragon, The Invention of Lying, and Leaves of Grass.

Happy birthday, Ed. Thanks for the great films, and try not to swear so often, will you?

Where Have All the Good Posts Gone?

by Julianna Squicciarini

It has come to my attention that *I* am the only one writing anything on this blog. Or at least, I’m the only one posting to it since the beginning of the year. Scary, you know? I feel like the single sailor trying to keep the ship afloat…

No, not really. But if you’ve wondered where we went and what’s going on in our lives, here are the Highlights of Our Lives for the past few months, and our mysterious absence from our blog.

• First of all, the efforts of the main authors of this blog (that being my sister Morgan and myself – no offense to any of the secondary writers) have been focusing their attention on building a more spiritually-based blog centering around our faith and connection between other young women around the globe. You can check it out at http://www.candlelighters.wordpress.com. As our personal community grows, so is our online presence, and it is so encouraging – and amazing! – to see what G-d has done for us.
• As to our physical lives, you know that Morgan is now engaged. Because of this all-important fact, you can well imagine how her life has gotten busier over the last few months, during her courtship. Now that she is offically engaged, life will probably be getting even busier! That’s a good thing. If you want to stay updated with her life, feelings, plans, details, etc., be sure to check out her personal blog at http://www.torahgirl.wordpress.com, where she will posting things like that.
• I have been starting to implement my 10 Plagues Project – a community service idea to fill my summer with profitable and meaningful activities. Interested in what exactly I mean by that? Feel free to leave a comment asking for more details (it’s kind of a long story), or email me and I’ll send you my PDF explaining things. Anyway, to that end, I have signed up yet again to walk with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on their October Light the Night walk here in Charlotte. If you live in the area and want to walk with us (no donation necessary!), please join our team at http://pages.lightthenight.org/nc/Charlnc10/Squicciarini. Clicking the red “Join” button at the bottom of the page will add you to our personal team and you’ll be signed up to walk with us on October 16. I’d love to have you with me!
• My sisters and I have continued to volunteer at the USO in the Charlotte Airport. Curious about what the USO is and does? Check them out at http://uso-nc.com/. It’s really cool being able to get through security easily and serve our military from right here in our hometown. We go about twice a month, usually in the early morning on a weekday or on Sunday afternoon.
• You all know about my Valentine’s Day luncheon – third year in a row! If you haven’t read it yet, check out my write-up at http://squicciarini.wordpress.com/2010/02/11/hugs-kisses-the-valentines-day-luncheon-2010/. Not only was this year’s luncheon a smashing success (and probably the best year yet), but I also entered a contest a few days later, competing with a few other girls for the best Valentine’s Day event (in a do-something-for-others spirit), and won first place! It was very exciting. Prizes came flooding in. It was incredible.
• My father’s business is doing very well. Flourishing, in fact. New customers have continued to call, even in this recession. Our father had us schedule set work hours, so we do actually get things done. I’m a schedule freak, so that’s fine with me. Plus, he still allows us to be very flexible. We are now in the process of cross-training, since it looks like our Chief Operating Officer might be moving out and starting a new life soon…!
• Peter is still taking piano, but his final recital is coming up. He’ll be performing Saturday afternoon, May 8, at Mt. Harmony Baptist Church (moments from our house). Email me if you’re interested in coming. This is going to be fantastic.
• My mother and Mary have both had birthdays, which were celebrated accordingly. The post on my mother’s birthday can be read at http://squicciarini.wordpress.com/2010/03/17/thinking-happy-thoughts/.
• I’ve been busier than ever with piano lessons, as I have acquired another four students since my post about them (http://squicciarini.wordpress.com/2010/02/03/play-it-through-to-the-end-and-repeat/). That’s seventeen students! Even I can’t believe I have that many.
• Christine has been on the endless search for a car. This search has been on the side of the road, in car lots, CraigsList, and eBay. She actually went and saw one yesterday – a manual, yellow MINI Cooper – and something might actually happen with that. I’m sure you can easily see Christine driving a yellow MINI. We all can.
• Speaking of cars, Morgan updated her look with a new car, as well. She traded in her bright yellow VW bug for a 2008, vanilla VW convertible. It’s smooth and sleek, and drives like a dream. Drop by sometime to see it.
• We’re planning on opening our pool in very early May. If you’re interested in helping with that, and thus adding yourself almost permanently to our pool-party guest list for Summer 2010, comment below or email me. We’re always looking for willing helping hands, and cold beverages will be complimentary.
• I really do plan to go skydiving for my birthday – want to come with me? Comment below or….email me. (You should know the drill by now <wink>). It will be sometime in June, and you’re welcome to come along just for the ride and the view, if you want.

Well, I think that’s about it. Put down on “paper”, it doesn’t look so busy. But as I was recently telling my dad, sometimes it feels like I don’t have time for anything! Like I work all the time, or something! While that’s not exactly true, life certainly is jam-packed. In an extraordinarily good way! Please pray that G-d continues to bless our family so abundantly.

Thinking Happy Thoughts

by Julianna Squicciarini

Today is a very special day. Today, my mother is turning 39. No wait – actually, she’s 58. Haha! No, no. Just kidding. 42. Or maybe it was 37? 29? She’s been telling everyone different numbers, so it’s hard to keep it straight. They say, you know, that her age is the only thing a woman is morally and socially allowed to lie about.

My mother, like any great wine or cheese, has matured with age. Her “flavor”, her joie de vivre, has intensified throughout the passing years. We hear stories of her younger, rebellious, teenage days…we all know how she met my dad – and how he wasn’t her type AT ALL…we know she majored in Urban Forestry, which, for anyone who knows my mom, is ridiculous…we know how she pretty much had to turn herself from a turtle into a social butterfly, because of our father’s penchant for hospitality and networking. Her own sphere of influence has widened and deepened as her life has lengthened. She is now surrounded by women of all ages, and at least four of the younger ones are looking to her for a good example and much-needed guidance in their lives. <grin>

And you know what? She handles it with aplomb. She laughs and puts on her sneaky smile when we mention how much we rely on her opinion, and, being the very direct Northerner she is, she tells it like it is, whether you wanted to hear it or not. I love that about her, even though I sometimes dread hearing what she has to say. You understand.

So without further ado, here’s a birthday blessing for my mom:

G-d of days and years, Author of life, our times are in Your hand. We thank You for the blessing of life and for all that enriches our lives. We gather today in special thankfulness to share in the happiness of our mother, Allyn. Be with her always as the joy of her life.

May she be blessed with health and happiness, and with the strength to overcome sickness and sorrow. May we have the joy of coming together for many more years, united by mutual reverence and love for her. Then will our lives be filled with abundance and blessing.

My mother is my role model, my mentor, my teacher, and my friend. She is my inspiration! I love you, Mums – happy birthday!

“Life Is Too Short To Be Small.” ~Benjamin Disraeli

The summer is finally taking off… or should I say, about to begin. Either way, we’re approaching events of particular import and excitement, specifically a cause for great celebration and festivity…

Namely, my birthday.

It’s interesting, the way our family was constructed… that the first child has the last sequential birthday during the year (and the last child has the first birthday). It takes forever to arrive at my birthday in July. But they say waiting for something longer makes you appreciate it more…

At first I wasn’t sure if I wanted to get a year older, this year, but… after much thought and consideration… I’ve decided to go ahead and have the birthday after all.

Don’t miss an important note from last year, “What if everybody did”…

Birthday Fettuccini

By Christine Squicciarini

Last night, Noah Gordon came over for a casual jam session with Peter. They must have enjoyed each other’s conversation, because they still hadn’t played a note when we checked on them an hour later! At about 6:30, we grabbed the guys and headed out to Maggiano’s for some dinner. Unbeknownst to Noah, the restaurant had been fully briefed beforehand about the birthday dinner, and had already been told not to bring any coffee filters in sight of our table! (For the uninformed, please view the non-existent post on “Dad’s Embarrassing Coffee Filter Birthday Bash” in our archives.) 

After some great discussion, and a lot of fettuccini, Noah was presented with a not-so-small piece of Maggiano’s legendary cheesecake, complete with an ”N” shaped flexible candle and personalized birthday card from Maggiano’s! Don’t ask us how much we had to pay the waiter to get him to do that! …not really. Actually, we had never seen them do that before… they must have really liked Noah.

Upon our return to the Residence, Peter and Noah spent about another hour in the studio, after which we wished Noah a happy birthday and sent him on his way. All things considered, it was a splendid birthday dinner. Happy Birthday, Noah!