(my Instagram pic of the week)
Hello readers, I must say I'm feeling very thankful this Sunday. That horrible snowstorm that hit the East coast missed us for the most part (just a dusting) although we did have 40 mph winds. I guess we paid our dues last year when we got buried several times. I do hope that all of you affected by the storm are now safe and sound.
This week at the movies we saw a very enjoyable movie (highly recommended)
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The film based on the book by Michael Lewis which details the fall of Wall Street in 2008 and the circumstances that led up to it. Fantastic cast including Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, Christian Bale and Brad Pitt. Christian Bale’s character and 3 others find out that bundled mortgages loaded with bad debt/sub prime mortgages - no income verification mortgages etc., are being sold by Wall Street firms to their investors. Many of these mortgages were interest only and other low interest loans for the first few years and then scheduled to soar to much higher rates between 2007-2008 which would cause many monthly mortgage payments to jump 200-300%.
Told from the perspectives of different investors who were able to take advantage of the situation by figuring out what was going on beforehand and by short selling the loans that the huge investment banks were re-bundling along with a few good loans. The movie is presented in a way that makes the disastrous housing market crash so much easier to understand. Be sure to SEE IT!
Books Reviewed This Week
- Under the Influence; Joyce Maynard - 4.5/5
- Perfect Days; Raphael Montes - 4/5
New Books
I was pleasantly surprised when I took a break from coloring (yes coloring) to get the mail yesterday and there was a beautiful new coloring book from Watson Guptill called Cats in Paris. This book is beautiful and just how did they know I loved cats? LOL
I also received
- Surf's Up; Kwame Alexander (Amazon Vine)
- Dancing Lessons for the Advanced in Age; Bohumil Hrabal (NYRB-purchase)
- Love in the Lower Case; Frances Miralles (Penguin Books)
Have a nice upcoming week everyone.
Happy Sunday, Diane! Love your Instagram photo! Cats in Paris sounds très magnifique.
ReplyDeleteThanks and I'm hoping you had a perfect Sunday as well. Your "almond butter" creation looked awesome.
DeleteThanks, Diane! I am greatly enjoying trying new "recipes" in the Vitamix. It is a GREAT appliance. :)
DeleteGlad the storm missed you and as you say you have paid your dues. I'm counting my blessings this morning as though we have a whole pile of snow to dig out of, at least we have heating. I am also very thankful for all the people who keep our roads clear. Nice review on the movie, one I shall think about going to see. Also enjoyed the look of your coloring book. Have an enjoyable week Diane.
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise. As you point out we need to look at the big picture and be thankful for little things in crisis -- glad u had your heat.
DeleteThanks for the tip about the movie! I had this on my radar and seems like good actors all around.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoy Joyce Maynard's books, and hadn't heard of this one. I'll be sure to keep it in mind.
Rita, be sure to try this latest Maynard book - very good.
DeleteGlad you were not in the path of Jonas! You definitely had more than your share of storms last winter. My husband saw The Big Short last week and thought it was very good... can't remember why I didn't go along. Great books in your mailbox, especially the coloring book. Have a good week, Diane!
ReplyDeleteThanks JoAnn. Glad your husband enjoyed The Big Short - enjoy Florida.
DeleteSorry about the winds, but happy you guys weren't buried. I wondered about your area. Cats In Paris - enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kay - no things were uneventful for the most part here.
DeleteGlad to hear you guys aren't buried in all that snow! I definitely want to see the Big Short among some of the other Oscar nominees. And, that coloring book is so cute. Enjoy your new books.
ReplyDeleteI was so pleasantly surprised by that coloring book - super cute.
DeleteI love that cover on Cats in Paris! I really need to start coloring! Glad we missed most of that horrible snow! And towards next week we're going to be in the high 40's! Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne, I find it hard to sit still and just watch tv so, for me, coloring while we watch tv works well.
DeleteWow, The Big Short has a great cast! Sounds like one my husband and I would enjoy. I'm glad the snow storm missed you for the most part. Last week, we had some freezing rain and light snow - the joys of winter! We're anticipating temps in the mid-50s by the weekend. *fingers crossed*
ReplyDeleteDiana, we've been super lucy this winter and we'll be having mid to high 40s this week so happy happy days.
DeleteThat's a great photo! I'm glad the storm missed you. It just barely missed us too, and we're happy about that.
ReplyDeleteGlad you fared well with the storm Brian.
DeleteLove in lowercase is a nice read -- I really should get around to reviewing it.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear this -- I am curious.
DeleteI've seen no recent movies in the theater since The Force Awakens on Christmas Day. I am so out of the loop and not ready to make my Oscar predictions.
ReplyDeleteThe Force Awakens is one I passed on - not a Star Wars fan.
DeleteThat is the movie my husband and I are excited to see! Can't wait. Glad to read that you guys were safely out of the brunt of the storm. Enjoy your week, Diane!
ReplyDeleteThanks Natalie, the movie was an eye opener and entertaining.
DeleteI'm glad the storm spared you this time around, although those high winds can cause their own sort of havoc. I haven't seen The Big Short. We've mostly been watching the Harry Potter movies. The Cats in Paris coloring book is just lovely, Diane!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful week!
Wendy the coloring book is so sweet, love it.
DeleteLove the kitty picture. So glad the storm missed you. It was not bad by my brother either. He was so glad cause he has recently moved back to Mass and does not have a shovel. I saw a trailer for The Big Short and wondered what it was about. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, go see the Big Short! Hope your brother loves MA - I was spent most of my life in MA and love that it's close to ocean or mountains.
DeleteYes I too liked The Big Short a lot and sort of would like to have it win Big Picture but I don't expect it will. It's an important movie to see!
ReplyDeleteNot sure it will win awards - lot's of good movies this year for sure.
DeleteWhat a relief about the weather, eh? We had some freezing rain and snow (3-4 inches) yesterday, but we're warming up, so the sidewalks and roads are already looking clear. Nonetheless, I'm still counting the days until summer!
ReplyDeleteThe Big Short looks like a great flick, but I have a feeling it will make me anger to watch.
Love that kitty coloring book. I need to try to remember to order some into the store tomorrow. Looks like it could be a big hit.
Have a good week!
The Big Short was very good but, yes, it did make us mad that no one went to jail and they are doing it again.
DeleteI really liked The Big Short too. That's what Jason does and he thought it was well done too.
ReplyDeleteWow, I bet Jason could really relate to that movie. It made me mad because no one went to jail and there is plenty incentive to keep doing it.
DeleteThanks Vicki - the movie was very informative and entertaining.
ReplyDelete