I love the help in The Help

There are movies that entertain and there are movies that make you question who you are and what your place is in this world. The Help is both.

The Help is a movie based on the fictional book of the same name by Katheryn Stockett. It is about the housemaids who raise the children, cook and clean the houses of young white wives and mothers of the 1960s. The way these maids were treated and how black people in general were treated fifty years ago really was deplorable and watching it hurt my heart. I spent most of the movie tearing up or crying. I was truly sad at some points, but I know that is how it really was back then and that really pissed me off.

There are many times in your life where you ask yourself if you are going to let something ethically wrong happen because you are too afraid to act and do what is right. I try to live my life in a way that I don't allow such things to happen in my presence and I try to make people understand why intolerance and racism is wrong, but I can't do it all the time and that is a failure that I have to deal with. After watching this movie, you will ask yourself whether or not you are a good person and what side you would be on, and hopefully you will choose the right, morally sound side because that's the side you should be on.

Next, onto the book.

What I Have Learned So Far...(Item #5)

Today I learned that you shouldn't leave blue painter's tape on too long because if you do, it may rip up the paint underneath it. This paint may also be ceiling paint that the previous owner did not leave behind for you to touch up the ceiling with.

What I Have Learned So Far...(Item #4)

Today I learned that you should learn how to use a steam cleaner correctly. If you do not, you might create puddles all over your floor or soak your pajamas. Also, learn how to use the attachments so that you do not have to lift up the whole device to clean your couch and hurt your back.

What I Have Learned So Far...(Item #3)

Today I found out that you should blow dry your hair with the door closed or away from the door if your smoke detector is right outside of the bathroom. If you don't, the smoke alarm will go off because of the hot air coming out of your dryer and scare you and your dog in the early morning.

What I Have Learned So Far...(Item #2)

Something else that I found out as a homeowner is to learn how to load the dishwasher correctly. If you don't, you may put the knives in with the blade facing up and stab yourself in the wrist while trying to put the spoons or forks in.

Happy 31st Birthday to Me!

Today I turn 31. 31. I don't even like the sound of it. It is both an odd and a prime number. However, I was told at a bar recently that I look 23 and the person "would have never guessed I was even close to 30." Ah, the wonder of face cream and good genes.

I don't mind aging because it shows that I survived yet another year on this earth without a bus hitting me or suffering from bad sushi. But, I do mind people saying that my clock is ticking, I am not getting any younger, etc. I think my life is just getting started. I am not over any sort of hill yet. This may be a year of BIG changes though; with the whole new house and all. Ya never know. I guess you will have to stay tuned to see what kind of excitement, madness or stupidity ensue.

What I Have Learned So Far...(Item #1)

Now that I am a homeowner and living in my house, there are have been "learning experiences" or mistakes that made me flip out or get hurt and taught me not to do them again. From now on, I will share my newly acquired knowledge with you so that you can learn from my many mistakes.

First thing I learned is that you should not label paint cans by sight. You should actually paint little squares on the wall to see which paint is correct for that room. If not, you will have to stay up until 3:15 a.m. painting an entire room a new shade of tan.