Roku vs. AppleTV - why this Apple lover actually prefers Roku

In my most recent post, I shared why I love being cable free. I also mentioned that we purchased both AppleTV and a Roku box.  When we were first setting everything up, I connected the Roku box first, and got distracted with Johanna, and before I knew it, a couple months had passed with us using the Roku box exclusively.
A couple months ago, while watching Netflix during a storm (another benefit of cable free..no weather related outages) we had a power surge to our Roku box.  We didn't have a surge protector, and the box hasn't worked since.  So I broke open the AppleTV and have now been using that for a couple months.
With a few months of using both streaming tools under my belt, I have to admit, even as an "Apple person", that the Roku box is a superior product for me.  Here's why:

• The remote
• The Apple TV remote is small.  While teeny, sleek remote may seem cool to some, a remote control is not like a cell phone or iPod where smaller is usually better.  In my house, Johanna can turn a room from clean to disaster zone in 3.5 seconds.  We are constantly searching for lost remote controls, and the Apple TV's remove is sooooo small, we're wasting more time than ever with our faces on the carpet reaching under couches or digging into cushions trying to find the lost remote.
• Roku's remote has an original Nintendo style arrow menu, which is easy to definitively navigate.  Apple TV's remote uses Apple's signature dial menu, which requires a bit more refined motor skills.  Johanna has trouble with the remote and even adults who are distracted or fat fingered will as well.
• Amazon Instant Video
• Amazon Instant Video is not available on Apple TV.  Since Amazon Instant Video is Apple's competitor for rental and download sales, Apple doesn't put an Amazon Instant Video app in the menu.  But what about Amazon Prime members (like myself of course) who enjoy unlimited streaming from Amazon Instant Video?  Apple throws us a bone by allowing us to project Amazon Instant Video from our phone or tablet to the TV.  But what about us multi-taskers who NEED to use their phone or tablet WHILE watching TV?  SOL.
• App Selection
• The above brings me to my next reason why Roku is superior.  You can customize the menu.  You are not at the mercy of Apple to tell you your selection.  You can pick and choose what you want to use and see displayed. 
• Roku isn't worried about protecting the other assets in it's empire, they just focus on creating a good streaming product.  As other streaming services enter the market, which they inevitably will unless cable/satellite make some sort of huge power play in the near future,  Roku will happily provide them to their customers without concern over the competition.
• Viewing
• With Roku, it was always easy for us to know where we were at. After an episode finished, Roku defaults to the next episode in the series.  With Apple, it stays on the episode you just watched, which (and maybe this is because we started with Roku first) always messes with us.  With the Apple TV, we seem to find ourselves wasting more time reading episode summaries to see "where we are at". 
• I also prefer the linear , horizontal layout of Roku when viewing episodes in a series vs. Apple TV's vertical listing.  I know that's a very personal preference, but it's just more appealing to me visually.  

So there you have it.  With a broken Roku box, and a working AppleTV,  am I going to run out and pay $100 for another Roku box when we have a working AppleTV to do the job?  Probably not.  But if I were making the decision again (and my definite recommendation to others) is resoundingly Roku.

Why We've Cut the Cable Cord...And Are Loving It!!!

If you've been to our house, or let's be honest, been anywhere near me lately, you know that we've done away with cable TV.   I've been telling everyone and anyone how I great it is to be cable free, so I figured it was worth a blog post...
If you know me, you know that I am a TV addict.  It started in childhood.  Instead of Barney or other kid shows, I grew up watching classic/cult classic movies like Back to the Future, Terminator, and Leprechaun with my older brother and sister. In first grade I had a strict TV schedule that I adhered to daily: Brady Bunch until 4pm, Saved by the Bell 4-5pm, and "Hour House" from 5-6pm.  (AKA one hour of Full House on WGN with the promo song to the tune of the 80's classic "Our House" by Madness).  Around 6 there was a break for dinner and then it was on to prime time viewing.  By third grade, my favorite show was Melrose Place and I was averaging 7 hours of TV per day including one hour BEFORE school.  When VH1 introduced the World Series of Pop Culture in 2006, I was upset that I was not able to round up a suitable team to audition for season 2.
So how, you might ask, does someone with my television repertoire, go cable free?  It's simple.

• What Do You Watch?
• Everything that you watch.  Between Netlix, HuluPlus, and Amazon Prime we can stream just about everything we were already watching for around $20/month in subscriptions.  And that's if you include Amazon Prime which we would pay for even WITHOUT the available streaming (but that's a whole other blog post).  We also have an HBO Go account, but only because another stream savvy couple shared their username and password which can be used and shared with others on multiple devices as long as that person has a regular paid subscription to HBO (good deal if you have a group of friends that all want to go in for the subscription). 
• How Does It Work? 
• Using AppleTV and Roku (or you could use the new smart TV's) we can stream ungodly amounts of tv shows, movies, and more on demand.  Sure, you have to wait for some shows to come to Amazon Prime or Netflix, generally about 1 season behind what is currently on air in cable.  But with HuluPlus, you do get to watch many shows in "real" TV time.  Sometimes I do miss my immediate gratification of getting to watching The League or The Walking Dead in "real" TV time, but then I just put on the show I am currently obsessed with and able to watch marathon style on Netflix and forget all about it!  How's that for instant gratification? In 8 months or so, I'll be able to watch American Horror Story all at once instead of waiting for whatever night it is on each week. When I hear someone talking about the current season of It's Always Sunny in the cafeteria in work, I just tune them out and enjoy thinking about how much money I'm saving each month and how smart I am!
• No More Mindless TV
• What is also nice, is there is no more "mindless TV" in our house.  On cable, when our show ends on the DVR, I would be immediately sucked in to 30 minutes of Say Yes to the Dress or Love It Or List It, or some other show that I've probably seen before.  Even if I haven't seen that exact episode, let's be serious, I've seen it before.  And Love It or List It is really only about the last 5 of the 42 minutes they drag it out anyway, right?  Now, if we are watching something, it's intentional, because when our show ends, YOU have to take the action to put on the new show.
• Convenience
• With Apple Airplay, anything that's on my iPad is available on the Apple TV and visa versa.  I can start a movie downstairs and then finish it in bed, on the go, anywhere, with my iPad.
• What About DVR?
• Yes, someone actually asked me this question.  When you are streaming everything, it's always ready when you want it.  Why would I need to record it?  It's already there! Sure, some network shows that you watch on HuluPlus or directly on the network's website (I'm thinking like ABC's the Bachelor for example) then you do have to watch about 5 commercials through the hour of streaming.  Sure it's a bit annoying since I've been living in the commercial free DVR world for about 6 years.  But again, we're talking about 5 commercials vs. the massive savings of not paying for cable. I'll sit through them.
• What About Kid Shows?
• Streaming is great for kids! I have every season of Dora, SuperWhy, Mickey Mouse Club House, and more on demand.  I don't have to tune to Disney or Nick Jr only to be disappointed that Little Bear is on (Johanna doesn't mind it, but I can't take that show. It has to be the worst children's programming ever!)  I can immediately go to Johanna's favorite shows, and more specifically, her favorite episodes.  At just under 20 months, she knows how to use the Roku remote to flip through her favorite Netflix shows.  She's still not sure how to get it to play, but when she arrows to the show she wants, she'll point at it, bring me the remote, and say "yesssss, mama?"  A child after my own heart!  Except for the days when I have to watch Mickey Mouse Road Rally 4 times in one day!
• What About Movie Channels and Movies on Demand Same Day as Rental?
• With services like Vudu and rentals from iTunes, we can stream most movies same day as rental for a nominal fee.  It may be slightly more than on Demand fees for new movies or old fashioned red box, but with the mountain of entertainment available with our regular streaming subscriptions, we don't use it often.  And even if we did use it often, it would definitely be worth the convenience of NOT wamping Johanna into her car seat to stand with my nose hairs freezing at a Redbox outside of Jewel!
• How Do You Know It's Available?
• How do you know to go to Hulu, or Netflix?  What shows are available where?  I've found that most shows and movies span multiple services and most often, things that are popular are available on all streaming services.  If I'm looking for a more obscure movie or I'm not sure and don't want to take the time to search each one, I go to my "CanIStream.It" App.  I type in the title and it instantly tells me what streaming service it's available on.  So far, only one movie that I've wanted to watch was NOT available somewhere.  (and incidentally, it was a movie we'd seen MANY times, Dumb and Dumber.  Not a huge loss.  I actually think I have it on VHS somewhere in a closet...if we still had a VCR...)
• But What About Shows That You Can't Stream?
• Haven't run into that much, usually it's just the waiting since we are delayed in our watch time compared to "real" TV time.  More importantly, I actually find myself watching better quality shows now. My DVR was set to record a lot of reality shows that I continued to watch simply because they were there.  Now don't get me wrong, I love a good trashy reality show.  And there's definitely a time and place when I need a Keeping Up with the Kardashians fix.  But to watch Bad Girls Club, Snooki & JWoww, The 40th season of the Real World, and more on a regular basis instead of quality shows that friends and family have recommended to us simply because they auto record on my DVR was just not working for me anymore.  Maybe I am showing my age, or maybe it's because now with a child I have less free time of my own, but I want to make better use of my TV watching time.  In just the short time we've been cable free, I've been able to watch marathons of many of the quality shows people have been telling us to watch for years like Downton Abby, How I Met Your Mother, Arrested Development, and Revenge (not sure how quality that last one is, but it's certainly a step up from Bad Girls Club!).  But our list of quality shows to stream keeps growing and growing.  Currently on the to-watch list are Breaking Bad, Homeland, Shameless, The Wire, and Scandal.  Oh and by streaming we also get access to Netflix exclusive shows like Orange is the New Black, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!, and House of Cards, also in our queue.
• What About Live Events and Shows?
•  For live events like the Academy Awards, Grammys, VMA's etc. there are easy solutions.  We missed the VMA's last Sunday night, but I certainly didn't feel like I missed anything.  My Facebook newsfeed offered me a play by play.  I knew the same time as everyone else that Miley was acting scandalous and Justin Timberlake's performance "rocked" but the reunion with N*SYNC was too short and they looked old and out of touch next to him.  Within hours of the show finishing I was able to stream these "must see" moments on MTV.com.  All I missed was wasted time watching the rest of the fluff. And if social media outlets weren't enough, you could always find a way to invite yourself over to friend's house for an Oscar party.  Offer to bring food and beer. 
• What About Sporting Events?
• This is the one area of slight contention in our household, but an easy compromise. With NHL GameCenter, MLB.TV, and other streaming subscriptions available for low one time fees as well as websites like Streamhunter, you can still watch your favorite sporting events.  The only professional sport not offering streaming options currently is the NFL.  This is where the compromise comes in.  My husband is a high school football coach and a member of multiple fantasy football leagues.  I am even the commissioner of our "football wives" fantasy league.  We are a football household.  Must. Watch. Football.  The solution, is to simply pay for the basic cable connection for the 5-month football season.  We could just do rabbit ears and pick up the basic networks where most of the games are, but then we would miss many Thursday night games and would not have access to DVR and HD quality for the games.  And for my husband, this is simply NOT an option.  Must. Watch. Replays.  You may be saying, but how have you cut the cord then, you still have cable.  Let me reiterate that we have the BASIC cable connection. Not expanded basic. This option includes networks, home shopping network, and local public access channels only.  We have a total of about 25 channels from September through the Superbowl (maybe shorter because once it's the playoffs, we usually watch with friends anyway, see above about inviting yourself over to a friends house)  Trust me, the cord is cut.

 Prior to disconnecting our cable, we were paying around $145 a month for basic expanded cable plus another $57 for our home Internet.  Our new set up is just under $100 month including all subscription fees and a faster Internet connection.  This is around $100 in saving a month during football season.  The other 7 months of the year it's around $150 a month a month in savings.  We are saving around $1550 a year and still enjoying our programming. 

I foresee in 3-5 years almost everyone will be moving the same way.  Cable companies are soon going to be obsolete.  They have to see this coming.  I wonder what their plan is? My recommendation to remain relevant would be to offer networks individually, the same way your purchase a streaming subscription.  Each household could build their own personalized guide.  With current cable/satellite, you still have your favorite core channels, mine were  TNT, TBS, USA, Bravo, E!, MTV, VH1, A&E, HGTV, TLC, AMC, Comedy Central, FX, and Lifetime.  I would've gladly paid to have a cable offering with just these channels.  Similar to how iTunes reinvented music with listeners only buying their favorite songs instead of the whole CD, cable companies should allow customers to only buy their favorite channels via subscription.  I'm sure the cable companies have contracts with these networks, so it would be difficult to coordinate with a lot of push and shove and contract end dates etc. But wouldn't it be worth it for some contract fees and negotiations vs that revenue stream eventually dying out?  At least Comcast and some others offer Internet connections, so they will be able to continue down that road.  But satellite providers like DirecTV or Dish Network, what is their plan?  Cable/Satellite is the new "home phone".  It's dying.  And I'm enjoying being an early adopter. 

Top 15 Cult Classic Lifetime Movies

So it's been more than 6 months since my last post, and Johanna's mastered lots of new stuff now: walking (seems more like running and constantly), eating everything in sight, dancing, throwing tantrums, waving hi and bye, blowing kisses, giving high fives, opening apps on the ipad, hanging from Daddy's pull up bar, and saying lots of words including "yum","pup","avion" (airplane in spanish), though still nothing that in any way resembles "mama".  Earlier this week I starting thinking about my favorite Lifetime movies, and so instead of another post dedicated to Johanna, I give you the Top 15 Cult Classic Lifetime Movies.  Criteria considered: title, recognizable actors, best scene, and overall notoriety.  Enjoy!  

15. My Stepson My Lover (1997)  

• IMDB synopsis: A kind nurse finds herself embroiled in a tense and potentially deadly family affair when she falls for the son of her ruthless new husband. 
• Stars: Rachel Ward, Joshua Morrow, and Terry O'Quinn
• Best scene: Any scene that takes place at the love shack! 
• Thoughts: Stepson is always doing manly things at his (love) shack which is conveniently on the water so he can go swimming often and never wear a shirt.  Spoiler alert: after we learn that the stepson is the one responsible for the murder of his father (step mom was previously on trial) he falls, in slow motion no less, to his death at their love shack.  The last scene of the movie is step mom spoon feeding her now paraplegic son/lover.
• The Takeaway: Best to date outside the family, or make sure you meet the kids first!

14. Sin of Innocence (1986)

• IMDB synopsis: When David, a widower with a teenaged son, marries Vicki, who is divorced and has a teenaged daughter, it's sure to be a happy family. But the kids, Tim and Jenny, become romantically attracted to each other. Which makes David and Vicki VERY uncomfortable, and Vicki's ex-husband, Andy, furious. It's no longer a happy family in this household.
• Stars: Megan Follows, Dermot Mulroney
• Best scene: Tim and Jenny skinny dipping in the lake during a family vacay and later getting caught in bed together
• Thoughts: I can't watch these two without thinking of Anne of Green Gables or My Best Friend's Wedding, but the taboo topic of step incest is addressed with plenty of 80's fashion and hairstyles!
• The Takeaway: Again, best to date outside the family!

13. The Burning Bed (1984)

• IMDB synopsis: An abused battered wife has had enough of husband beating up on her. Everywhere she turns for help, there's not much anyone will do. After he rapes her one night, she sets the bed on fire with him in it asleep.
• Stars: Farrah Fawcett, Paul LeMat, Richard Masur
• Best scene: What else? Francine setting her husband on FIRE while asleep in bed!
• Thoughts: This movie actually sort of gave me a headache, watching Fran continue to go back to her abusive husband over and over again! I was def ready for him to burn!
• The Takeaway: Hell hath no fury like that of a woman scorned.

12. Coed Call Girl (1996)

• IMDB synopsis: Thanks to a roommate's practical joke, bookish college student Joanna Halbert finds herself signed up with a Malibu-based escort service. Her initial annoyance turns to curiosity when she visits the boss's beach house - and she is soon captivated by the seemingly glamorous lifestyle of working as a high-class escort.
• Stars: Tori Spelling, Susan Blakely, Scott Plank, Barry Watson
• Best scene: Tori Spelling strips for her Maestro client while he plays Chopin "ON THE FIRST NOTE JOANNA!" For some reason this scene was supposed to make her feel scared and bad about herself, but c'mon, being a call girl you certainly run into worse things than this high brow creepster.  This scene is worth checking out: 

• Thoughts: Tori Spelling will never convince me that she's any character who is supposed to be bookish and shy.  The more believable scenes are after the reverse Pretty Woman makeover montage.  And what is with her rack?? Why is there negative space in her cleavage?  Barry Watson of 7th Heaven fame also makes lame cameo as Joanna's boyfriend, who somehow learns about her behavior but still stays with her, something NO boyfriend in the history of boyfriends would ever do upon finding out his new girlfriend is a prostitute.
• The Takeaway: There's no such thing as a free lunch

11. Our Guys: Outrage in Glen Ridge (1999)

• IMDB synopsis: In 1989, a group of well-known high school athletes in Glen Ridge, New Jersey were accused of the gang rape of a mentally retarded teen girl. When the town rallies to protect their stars, a detective and the prosecutor have to unravel the cover-up by the school board and the police.
• Stars: Ally Sheedy, Eric Stoltz
• Best Scene: When we find out that the gang rape involved a bat, broomstick, and a stick from outside!
• Thoughts: This is another movie that did actually make me sad, because I know that this actually happened and all she wanted was for these boys to like her. 
• The Takeaway: Another coverup for those of privilege.

10. 15 & Pregnant (1998)

• IMDB synopsis: Based on a true story, 15 year old Tina Spangler discovers she is pregnant. Her choices are abortion, adoption, or a lonely, exhausting life as a single parent. Abandoned by her boyfriend, she turns to her mother. Tina discovers although it has torn her world apart, her pregnancy could re-unite her shattered family and help her find her true purpose in life.
• Stars: Kirsten Dunst, Park Overall, David Andrews
• Best Scene: Tie between Tina's bratty reaction when no one shows up to the baby shower that she threw for herself, and when her loser boyfriend Ray shows up at the hospital postpartum with his new girlfriend.  Tina's dad tells Ray "sperm doesn't entitle you to much"
• Thoughts: I never understood why Kirsten Dunst would get involved with this film after making quality projects in her young age such as Interview with the Vampire and Little Women.  Not that her character is really that important.  Any 15 year old could've pulled off the whiny selfishness needed there.  The loser boyfriend is the real scene stealer!
• The Takeaway: The first ever episode of Teen Mom

9. Lying Eyes (1996)

• IMDB synopsis: Derek Bradshaw, a 33-year-old lawyer, courts and wins Amy Miller, an 18-year-old high school cheerleader. The affair progresses until she learns that he is married and has a family. During this period, she has been receiving anonymous notes, been the victim of vicious pranks and ultimately, life threatening attacks.
• Stars: Cassidy Rae, Vincent Irizarry, Allison Smith
• Best Scene: After all is said and done, we see Derek stalking next year's prey at cheerleading practice.
• Thoughts: Derek is not only able to pick out and stage a fake meeting with a hot high school cheerleader from the bleachers, but apparently he also has some kind of slut radar since Amy gives it up on the first date.  But  *spoiler alert* it must be some sweet lovin' since last year's girlfriend turns out to be the the one stalking and trying to kill Amy.
• The Takeaway: He never leaves the wife, ever.

8. Prison of Secrets (1997)

• IMDB synopsis: The true story of a middle-class wife and mother who is found guilty of a white-collar crime and must serve a lengthy prison sentence. While incarcerated, she witnesses male guards sexually assaulting female prisoners and uncovers a prostitution ring operated by guards. Outraged, she informs her husband, a popular local talk-show host, and risks her life and her family's safety to successfully expose this conspiracy.
• Stars: Stephanie Zimbalist, Finola Hughes, Gary Frank
• Best Scene: Evil prison guard Sergeant Crang feels up Lynn Shaffer as part of standard prison "protocol" after family visiting hours.  When Sergeant Crang is sure Lynn's husband is getting a big eyeful, he adds a nice squeeze and smack on the ass!
• Thoughts: The prostitution ring run out of the back of the laundry truck is pretty choice as are any of the night scenes in the prison really...who is the lucky victim who will land under the flash light beam tonight?
• The Takeaway: Don't wanna get raped in priseon? Straighten up and fly right!

7. She's Too Young (2004)

• IMDB synopsis: Middle-class parents Trish and Bill Vogel are stunned to learn that their responsible and intelligent fourteen-year-old daughter Hannah has been sexually active with an older male student. When an STD spreads throughout the school, Trish's attempts to enlighten her community cause her to be ostracized.
• Stars: Marcia Gay Harden, Alexis Dziena
• Best Scene: The high school nurse's office turns into a cattle call for syphilis antibiotics.  Stud Nick, patient 0, tells the school nurse that she better "stick them all, 'cuz I already did"
• Thoughts: What's not to love about this movie?  Teen orgies, skanks, and syphilis!
• The Takeaway: If there's grass on the field...

6. The Babysitter Seduction (1996)

• IMDB synopsis: The mother of the family for which Michelle baby-sits dies unexpectedly. Michelle is asked to take over looking after the children and is gradually "seduced" by the father. When suspicions arise that the mother had been murdered (and had been having an affair), Michelle unknowingly becomes enveloped in a web of lies until she herself is suspected.
• Stars: Stephen Collins, Keri Russell
• Best Scene: Michelle jumping three stories into the family's swimming pool and playing dead. 
• Thoughts: Michelle is totally clueless throughout this whole movie. Who wouldn't be creeped out by babysitting in a house where someone was just murdered, or by the Dad from 7th Heaven giving you a Range Rover and come hither stares?
• The Takeaway: Felicity was a smart college girl and should've known better!

5. She Cried No (1996)

• IMDB synopsis: A college freshman is date-raped at her brother's frat party by a fraternity member.
• Stars: Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Candace Cameron, Jenna Von Oy
• Best Scene: Scott and the guys of the "most popular frat on campus" scope out the fresh meat on freshman move-in day using binoculars from their balcony.
• Thoughts: Zack Morris raping DJ Tanner?! Enough said! But seriously, Marc-Paul Gosselaar plays a great villain, especially when he punches a bathroom mirror where someone has written "Scott is a Rapist" in bright red lipstick! The only other thing left to comment on is the extremely unflattering genie costume Donna Jo wears to the party her impending doom.  It was kind of surprising that she even needed to cry no wearing that get up. 
• The Takeaway: Even an unforgiving genie outfit can make you "ask for it"  Here's a great montage of clips to some bad 90's rock music:

4. Death of a Cheerleader AKA A Friend to Die For (1994)

• IMDB synopsis: At an American high school, all that matters to the materialistic kids is that they are the best at every thing.  Outsider Angela's plan to befriend the most popular girl in school backfires leading to deadly consequences.
• Stars: Kellie Martin, Tori Spelling, James Avery
• Best Scene: Angela pathetically telling Stacy Lockwood how cool and popular she is and how much she wants to be like her only to have Stacy call her "pathetic."  Angela completely freaks out and stabs Stacy with her apple knife. 
• Thoughts: Why there was a a knife for eating apples in the car, I'm not sure, but Becca Thatcher is amazingly twitchy and weird as Angela Delvecchio.  The real scene stealer, however, is Donna Martin as the evil yet popular Stacy Lockwood, especially when she's reading others diaries.  One of the central ties between Angela and Stacy is the social group "The Larks".  What I could never really figure out what was the Larks did and what the group even was? 
• The Takeaway: Take pity on the weird girl on the outskirts of your social circle, or watch your back.

3. She Woke Up Pregnant (1996)

• IMDB synopsis: A woman whose husband has had a vasectomy learns that she is pregnant.  All signs lead her to believe she was raped while under heavy sedatives during a recent oral surgery.  Her marriage and life fall apart while trying to prove that she was raped.
• Stars: Michele Green, William R. Moses, Lynda Carter
• Best Scene: A "hot" undercover police officer needs to get her wisdom teeth out, the perfect opportunity to set up a sting operation to catch the dirty dentist!  The anticipation has me twitching every time as I wait for the good doctor to make a move.
• Thoughts: Given that the husband had a VASECTOMY, I was somewhat shocked how easily he believes his wife when she swears she has not been unfaithful.  With a name like "She Woke Up Pregnant", there's no way this movie could not be towards the top of this list. 
• The Takeaway: Consider local anesthesia

2. Mother May I Sleep with Danger? (1996)

• IMDB synopsis: Kevin is the boyfriend of Laurel's dreams.  He is totally devoted to her but overtime, Laurel notices that he never leaves her alone. When she tries to get some distance he responds with aggressiveness.
• Stars: Tori Spelling, Ivan Sergei
• Best Scene: Stupid Laurel goes with psycho boyfriend Kevin out to a cabin in the woods where he essentially keeps her prisoner.  Lots of bad canoe rowing ensues.  Runner up for best scene is the first 5 min of the move where Billy/Kevin kills his first girlfriend whose "body is so perfect".
• Thoughts: Terrible acting, amazing title, and a 90210 alum getting attacked...all boxes checked.  The background music is also pretty spectacular, especially during this tense chase scene at the cabin.  Thank goodness Mom is on the rescue!
• The Takeaway: Mother knows best!

1. No One Would Tell (1996)

• IMDB synopsis: Shy sixteen-year-old Stacy Collins can't believe that the most popular guy in school, wrestling star Bobby, is interested in her. At first she is flattered by his constant attention, but it soon turns possessive and violent.  
• Stars: Candace Cameron, Fred Savage
• Best Scene: Stacy wears a short jean skirt, big white boots, and a tight shirt with a giant star on it to impress Bobby with her cool sense of style. Her plan goes awry when Bobby's friends notice her instead and he becomes threatened and embarrassed.  Confused by Bobby's anger and slamming of her locker, Stacy profusely apologizes and tells Bobby "I wore this for you!!"
• Thoughts: This movie really has it all! DJ Tanner getting beat down by Kevin Arnold, great 90's fashion, trashy/slutty maternal influences, true love on the wrestling mat, and the fantastic  Whitney Houston soundtrack is the cherry on top!
• The Takeaway: If you haven't seen this movie and you are a Lifetime fan, WATCH IT RIGHT NOW!

Honorable mentions:  Dying to Belong (1997)

• IMDB synopsis: When a girls friend is killed by a college hazing, she is the only one who can find out the truth.
• Stars: Hilary Swank, Sarah Chalke, Jenna Von Oy, Mark-Paul Gosselaar

Friends 'til the End (1997)

• IMDB synopsis: An emotionally disturbed and hyper-competitive young woman schemes to take over her friend's band, boyfriend, and then her life.
• Stars: Shannon Doherty, Jennifer Blanc, Jason London

A Secret Between Friends (1996)  

• IMDB synopsis: Two friends keep their vomiting a secret until one friend almost dies.
• Stars: Lynda Carter,  Katie Wright, Marley Shelton

Moves Like Jagger

New Developments

Though she's been pulling herself up to standing since 6 months, at 10 months, Johanna has yet to learn how to walk. We're not worried about it, since most babies don't walk until around their first birthday. But, we had thought that by crawling and standing at 6 months, that she would be early to walk as well. While we're waiting on that one, Johanna has decided to check a few others off the list this week, all within a few days. From Monday to Wednesday, she learned to give besos (kisses) and high-fives on command as well as clap and stand alone for 2-3 seconds.
We also learned that she, like all kids, is already in love with Elmo! Whenever we pull up "Elmo Song" on youtube, she shakes her head sideways and moves her right arm back & forth in this funny little way that I've never seen before. I guess we know what to get this girl for Christmas!

Express Yourself!

So after rereading my last post, I feel the need to write more about breastfeeding/pumping and the workplace.

I think I sounded more horrified than I actually was about pumping in a room full of strangers. It actually didn't bother me too much. Physically I was covered, so whatever. But, I am also not a shy person.

I could only imagine what a modest mother might have gone through when being told it's her civic duty to pump breast milk in a jury room of 11 peers that she has just met. It probably would've caused more post traumatic stress than the plaintiff claimed she had!

While from most people I get sympathetic/understanding/good for you smiles when I am forced to pump in public places, there are also a number who glare, stare, and look at me like a crazy person! To those people my response is generally to roll my eyes and let them get over it since they are usually just in passing. Still, in the jury room, I found myself apologizing to everyone and profusely explaining that I tried to not be there.

WHY? Why should I apologize? Why do we all need to feel uncomfortable? We all know what's going on under there, but does it have to be so damn taboo?! We all can't be stay at home mothers. Most of us can't even get a decent maternity leave, but that doesn't mean we don't want to do the best for our kids. And if that means YOU have to feel a bit uncomfortable about what's going on under my nursing cover and what that whirring sound is, then DEAL WITH IT! Because guess what? As uncomfortable as you think you are, you are not the one with your shirt and bra hanging around your neck for the world to see while your nipples are being suctioned 3 inches long!

During pregnancy and in the hospital, we're encouraged to breastfeed and told how great it is etc. Yet, most of us have to return to work before we can even establish proper breastfeeding, before we have even emerged from a sleepless haze, and carrying your pump and ice pack all over the place is just a damn PAIN IN THE ASS! And I'm in a work place where I'm at least provided a private place and can take breaks when needed. I can only imagine the adversity moms are up against in lower paid, hourly positions or small businesses. Most women aren't informed that it's their right in Illinois to be provided a private place, not a bathroom stall, to express milk. Other women may be scared to boldly demand their rights in the workplace for fear of their boss's response, again, because there is so much taboo around the topic. I'm writing this, and I didn't even strongly enough stand up for my rights, as apparently this Illinois jury act, Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 705 § 305/10.3, should've allowed me to be released from jury duty whether I already had a 6 month extension previously granted or not. And Illinois is one of the most forward thinking states when it comes to breastfeeding. I am shocked and appalled by the number of states that have no laws whatsoever regarding a nursing mother's right to pump in the work place. It's no wonder so many women stop breastfeeding and get formula through WIC. How many millions of women would not be doing that if they had a decent maternity leave and some support for breastfeeding in the work place? What is the National Debt again?

Most moms I work with didn't make it beyond 2 months breastfeeding and treat me like an anomaly. "I can't believe you are STILL pumping!", "I could never have made it that long, good for you!" It may sounds like I'm patting myself on the back here now, and well, so what if I am a bit? To anyone who's breastfed a baby exclusively for 9 months, 7 of which while working a 50-60 hour work week, I salute the hell out of you!!! It can take a thick skin and a strong will. And if you don't have enough confidence to give "fuck you" looks to all the staring idiots or enough balls to tell your boss that I need to pump NOW, then you get mommy-guilt-ed by the rest of society about why you stopped breastfeeding. Don't you know how good it is for the baby?

We've come a long way in the last century in equality for women. Instead of hiding at home while we are in "delicate condition", we now proudly display our baby bumps. But what about our breast pumps?

Serving My Civic Duty

While I could be posting about our fabulous Toddlers & Tiaras party, plans for Halloween, and our upcoming birthdays, or just more of Johanna's recent accomplishments etc. I feel compelled to share about my recent service to our country.
It was definitely an experience! Everyone goes to jury duty hoping to not be picked, and I was no different.
I received my first summons when Johanna was about a month old. I called them and was forced to mail in a letter along with a copy of her birth certificate to prove that I was unable to serve. I then received another summons in the mail in August. I called again to say that I was still breastfeeding my child and could not serve, but apparently you are only expected to breastfeed your kids for 6 months bc the nightmare on the other end of the line at the 1800-go-to-hell Cook County office indifferently rebutted that I had already been given a 6 month extension and that's all I get. So even though it was a particularly busy week at work, I accepted my fate.
As it got closer, I thought, this actually won't be so bad. I'll just go sit there all day. I can take my new iPad (it's for "work", at least paid for by them anyway) and stream Netflix or finally start the oh-so-terribly written 50 Shades of Grey books.
That was until I walked into the jury holding room that morning. As soon as I walked into the room and was asked what my profession was and was given a number, I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach. I'm going to get picked. I tried to ignore it. I told myself I was just being silly, there are hundreds of people in this room. But you always know when you're right about these things. Sure enough, within 30 minutes, my number was called and I was brought to a courtroom with 30 other weary souls.
The prosecution went first going around the room and asking us all the same questions, where we worked, where our family worked, if we'd been in a car accident before, and if we understood that this case had a lesser burden of proof than a criminal case so we had to "weigh the evidence and decide what more than likely happened." I will never be able to erase that phrase from my memory since he repeated it to all 30 of us with the exact same emphasis on "Ev-i-DENCE" doing an imitation of a scale with his arms raised on either side of his face, wrists turned up, wobbling.
I got the same feeling again in the pit of my stomach as they went around the room. I knew they were going to pick me! Sure enough, I was one of twelve names read some time after by the judge.
Luckily, the case was a short one and only required two more days of missed work. And I also found myself extremely interested in not only the case but on the goings on in the courtroom. During breaks I was fantasizing my career as a stenographer. Working 9-4 with an hour lunch break downtown to do some shopping and eat at trendy restaurants and going from court room to court room hearing interesting cases. These daydreams took place while I was in the jury room with the rest of my 11 peers as I, yes, pumped breast milk with only a nursing cover for privacy. Luckily these 11 peers all turned out to be some of nicest, most considerate, and unbelievably like-minded people that I could've possibly been lumped with when you consider all of the people that live in Cook County! I was lucky in that aspect.
We were able to deliberate and come back with a verdict and a monetary amount within an hour.
What was the case you ask? Little old lady turning left on a green light (not arrow), driver coming through the intersection the other way also has a green light and hits little old lady. Unfortunately for little old lady, the other driver turns out to be a psycho who has panic attacks onset by spiders, confined places, and the fear of there not being enough water bottles. YES! YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY!!! And apparently due to this accident, she still has panic attacks on a daily basis, was committed to a partial hospitalization program for 6 weeks for post traumatic stress 2 years after the accident, did 7 months of additional physically therapy after having met her "goals" within 3 visits, can't drive at night, and still sees a therapist once a week. All of this due to an accident that took place 4 years ago while going approx 30mph!!!!
Her slimy ambulance chasing lawyer actually had the nerve to ask for $288,000 for this crazy broad because of loss of normal life (past and future) and pain & suffering. I almost PFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTTT in the courtroom when that amount was read. In the end, justice was served and though we did have to side with the crazies because granny was at fault for the accident, damages awarded were less than the defense offered, so I'm sure granny's insurance covered everything. The only thing we couldn't help her with was the lawyer fees which were probably extensive after 4 years of refusing to settle out of court. Crazy should've taken her money and run!