Working my way through the Oscar Films....

Based on various lists published by Entertainment Weekly, my friend, Mike's, movie review site, and others, I have been trying to see as many Oscar-worthy movies as possible.

So, most recently, I've seen (500) Days of Summer; Star Trek; District 9; The Hangover, and, Inglourious Basterds. All four were just as amazing as everyone said.

(500) Days of Summer totally broke my heart while totally uplifting my spirit. The movie, which covers, in non-chronological order, the 500 days of a relationship between the two main characters, is an emotional roller coaster.... but not in a bad way. I was in physical distress towards the end of the movie, but also ready to go out and fall in love.

As a pretty big fan of the various incarnations of "Star Trek," I really loved the new Star Trek movie. The action was exciting, the nods to the original series and its beloved cliches were adorable, and the ending was moving. Loved it!

District 9 was... gosh, how to even put it? So creative, so ground-breaking, so surprising. A profound statement about racism, apartheid, and bigotry, all in the guise of a sci-fi alien flick. Brilliant all around.

The Hangover was absolutely hilarious, and was all the more fun because I left for Las Vegas a few days later! Great writing, terrific acting, and mind-bending plot points.

Inglourious Basterds, a perfect addition to Quentin Tarantino's oeuvre, has been described as a "revenge fantasy." It made me want to scream out in victory as the Jewish characters slaughtered the nazis, but also made me want to cry over the fact that it was all mere fiction. Boy, did I wish this one was a documentary!

Did you see these? What did you think?

Oh my goodness - an award!!

I was delightfully surprised to learn that Sandy, over at I Beati, presented me with an award! She was in a particularly giving mood, and she gave many people different awards. I was blessed with the Special Scribe Award, which she said was given to those of us who have unique blogs and things to say. I am so excited to visit some of the other award winning blogs. If you happened to receive one from Sandy, mazel tov! No matter what, please be sure to visit her and see some of the other blogs that she has highlighted.

Thanks, Sandy!!!

Underblog Award

Lo and Behold, I am a winner of an Underblog Award! Thanks, Dixie Chick! This is a fun award being presented to blogs that are just waiting to be better known than they are, and are considered to be the "Underblogs." I am so amazingly honored that Bradley (over at the The Egel Nest) suggested to Dixie Chick that she award one to yours truly.

Hooray!! What a great Chanukah gift!!

Launching a New Award: Wonderful Women of the Web Award

Happy Thursday! I have been so inspired by so many of the blogs that I visit, and I am always so honored to receive awards from my blogosphere friends. Plus, as a woman rabbi, I find that my female voice adds something important to the centuries of male Jewish study and understanding. Put it all together, and what do you get? A new award!

I am hereby announcing the creation of a new award that seeks to honor the special women that add their voices and stories to the worldwide web. I am sure that you have all been inspired, have laughed, have learned, and have been moved by the words of one of the women who blog regularly. Well, now is the time to honor them.

If you receive this award, I encourage you to think about the women whose blogs you enjoy. Then do the following:

• Be sure to pass it along, and share the honors. None of us would be where we are without others supporting us, encouraging us, and teaching us.
  
• If you feel comfortable, tell the bloggers why they mean so much to you.
  
• Please link back here, and let me know that you have passed it on. It will be fun to watch it travel!
• Smile, knowing that you have brightened someone's day :)

And now, here are the first recipients of this new award.

Skittles, at Skittles' Place. Barb, aka Skittles, is one of the kindest, most thoughtful bloggers I have encountered. She shares her joys and sorrows, her laughter and her tears, with her readers. We all feel like part of a greater community when we visit her blog. She is, indeed, a Wonderful Woman of the Web.

Jojo A. at No Barking... After 6. This blog is filled with so many fun facts (who knew there were so many phobias out there??) and random observations. You never know what you are going to find from visit to visit. Yet, in the midst of the randomness, Jojo isn't afraid to speak personally, and these are some of the best posts. She is, indeed, a Wonderful Woman of the Web.

Shan, at Rambling Shan. Shan was one of the first bloggers to make me feel at home on the web. Her posts range from funny to profound, and she supports many other bloggers around the world. Plus, she just turned 30, so she deserves lots of good things! She is, indeed, a Wonderful Woman of the Web.

Jerseygirl89, at Dirty Little Secret. Jerseygirl is a SAHM (Stay at Home Mom) who takes breaks from her important duties at home to write thoughtful, hilarious, and personal posts. I enjoy stopping by to see what her latest adventures have been. She is, indeed, a Wonderful Woman of the Web.

Zilla at Zilla. I just love visiting her blog. She has endlessly wacky experiences with her family, as well as plenty of poignant moments. There are always many comments to her posts, and it is clear to see how many of us enjoy the lens through which she sees the world. She is, indeed, a Wonderful Woman of the Web.

BipolarLawyerCook at BipolarLawyerCook. Looking for yummy recipes? Hilarious transcripts of her conversations with her husband (known as BH, for Better Half)? Moving depictions of her emotional, familial, and personal struggles? It's all here, and each is exquisite. She is, indeed, a Wonderful Woman of the Web.

Phyllis at Ima on (and off) the Bima. Phyllis is a colleague and friend of mine who I discovered, a few months ago, has an amazing blog! In her posts, she shares her feelings about balancing her rabbinate, motherhood, creativity, and personal growth. She is also an avid reader of others' blogs, and I think that is the most important part of being a worthy blogger. She is, indeed, a Wonderful Woman of the Web.

Finally, Sarene at Confessions of a Rock and Roll Bride. Sarene's blog is just waiting to "be discovered," so I encourage you to stop by. Sarene is a journalist, but really wishes she were a rock star. Hence, her witty observations bring together her writing skills and her passion for music. She is getting married soon, so you even get to witness her wedding planning. She is, indeed, a Wonderful Woman of the Web.

These are just the beginning. I have so many other blogs that I want to honor, so over the next few weeks, I will send out new batches of awards. For those who have won, I look forward to seeing who you honor next.

Yay for Wonderful Women of the Web!

Oh My Goodness - An Award!

Hooray! I was awarded another award, and I just can't believe it! Bradley Egel, over at The Egel Nest, was kind enough to select me as a recipient of an award that he created. So now, my blog has been "hatched" - whatever that means, it sure sounds fun!

Funny story about Bradley - I actually knew him WAY back when. We both went to the same overnight camp, OSRUI, when we were much younger. I was also friendly with his younger sister, Sue. Fast forward to now (gosh, 15 years later?), and I saw his name on comments on some of the blogs that I visit. Could it be the same Bradley Egel from all those years ago? So I checked out his EGGScellent blog, and it sure is! What a fun way to get back in touch... the blogosphere never ceases to amaze me.

But, wait, there's more! His sister, Sue, wound up being set up on a date with a friend of mine, Tom, from high school. They fell in love, got married, and had a baby a few months ago. Tom is close friends with my best friend's husband (they are the ones who live in Arizona)! What a small world!!

Anyway, thanks, Bradley, for the award. Your blog is so exemplary, so informative, and so fun - I learn much from you. I can only hope to aspire to your blog-errific-ness!

Community Blogger Award - hooray!

Oh my goodness, I am so incredibly honored! Skittles was kind enough to think of me when giving out a Community Blogger Award. Thanks, Skittles!

This award was created by Sultana Blog. It is a Community Blogging Award designed to "celebrate people who reach out and makes the blogger community a better one."

It is my honor to send this award out to some of the blogs that, in my humble opinion, enhance the blogging community in their own special way. Please be sure to check out each of their blogs - they are informative, funny, moving, and always a joy to visit.

ZBTZahBTZoo
Ima on (and off) the Bima
BipolarLawyerCook
Rambling Shan

Thanks again, Skittles, and congratulations to the next round of winners :)

The Power of Schmooze

It has taken me awhile to figure out to whom I should present awards, but I am really pleased to announce that the "Power of Schmooze" Award is being given to:

Cooper at superconductor: I am always tickled by what Cooper has to say on all sorts of topics. His posts cover everything from art, current events, games, and personal observations. Not only do many people visit his blog, but he is a devoted reader of others' blogs. I am always excited to see what he has to say on my newest posts. Thanks, Cooper, for creating a blogging community (filled with plenty of laughter!).

Andra Sue at I've Landed: Andra Sue shares so much about her life (she's a tri-athlete), her dogs, her appreciation of nature, and more. I always enjoy her blog, and other readers do, too! She writes with candor and a great sense of humor, and I think she contributes a lot to the blogging world. Thanks, Andra Sue!!

Please be sure to visit these terrific blogs :) And I look forward to seeing who they pass this award onto later on!!

Have a great Tuesday :)

Oh my goodness - another award!!

I am so honored to have been selected for the above award. My dear blog-friend, Shan at Rambing Shan, bestowed this honor on three blogs for, well, basically being nice!! Here's what she said about me:

"To Marci at The Myriad Musings of Marci: Marci has been through a lot lately, but she stills remains a strong spiritual leader, an optimist, and a downright amusing blogger. Her post about PostSecret was enough to make me feel she deserved this award. I have also never seen a bad word about anyone on her site. She is quite nice indeed."

Oh my goodness, I just don't know what to say. If you haven't had a chance to visit Shan yet, please do. She is what we call a "mentsch" - a truly good person. She was one of the first blogs that I visited, and she has been very welcoming to me. It's because of people like her that there is, indeed, a blogging community.

I look forward to passing this award on to others, and spreading the joy around. Have a good week, everyone!!

I'd Like to Thank the Academy...

I am just so gosh-darn honored to have been given an award from my blogging buddy, Shan at Rambling Shan.She has bestowed upon me the Schmooze Award:

The Schmooze award apparently goes to bloggers who blog themselves and also comment on many other peoples' blogs (which is a favorite hobby of mine - I just love seeing what is out there, and hearing people's individual stories). They truly have the "power of schmooze." I got all choked up when I read the following on Shan's page:

"The Myriad Musings of Marci--She approaches everything with such honesty and sensitivity and she always has some great link for her readers to check out."

Well, thanks again, Shan, and I look forward to finding other wonderful blogs to pass the award onto!