IRON MAN III

“How Superheroes Make Money:
- Spider-Man knits sweaters.
- Superman screw the lids on pickle jars.
- Iron Man, as you would suspect, just irons.”
― Jim Benton, Okay, So Maybe I Do Have Superpowers

IRON MAN III

Genre: Fiction, Marvel Comics Super Heros

As part of our “staycation” this weekend we saw two movies on Saturday.  The first of which we saw was “Iron Man III”.  It was standard Iron Man fair, flying suits, resident bad guy, save the maiden type fare, but it was a fun movie.

Robert Downey Jr. took up his ongoing role of Tony Stark, aka: Iron Man. In this episode he is a bit more neurotic suffering from panic attacks.  His salvation is a young boy, Harley,  played by Ty Simpkins.

Harley is the first supporting child actor featured in the Iron man films, he adds a bit of added humor to the movie with his easy handling of Tony Stark throughout the movie.

Of course I don’t want to give away the plot, I hate when people do that.  So I simply will remind you to keep your eyes open for Stan Lee making his cameo appearance as he does in all Marvel Comic movies.  We spotted him easily, but he’s only there for a split second, so keep your eyes open.

Throughout the movie we caught quick references to other Marvel Comic superheros, which always makes movie watching fun.  Kind of like listening to  Disney animated movies for that one snippet of “when you wish upon a star” playing in some piece of movie.  It’s generally there, you just have to watch/listen for it.

For one final smile stay through the credits for a final scene that includes another suprise cameo.

In our family rating system we give this movie a solid B, with all three of agreeing it was a far more interesting movie than the second one we saw, “After Earth”.

THE GREAT AMERICAN STAYCATION

“I think people need hope when times are tough. I think they also need escape and adventure and fantasy. Books are like cheap mini vacations.”
― Michelle M. Pillow

THE GREAT AMERICAN STAYCATION

By: Matt Wixon

Genre: Non-Fiction, Travel

Well I finally came across a book that I give an A for its genre.  I have to admit I picked this book up on a whim.  I periodically work on ideas for Summer Time Fun posts on my Mind Your Pennies Blog.  While I was in the library I decided to look this book over looking for ways to entertain children while they are out of school on summer vacation. After all most such books deal with traveling with children only.

I choose the Memorial Day Weekend to read this book and found so many ideas for my own family of three adults I soon found myself taking copious notes so I wouldn’t forget them.

Mr. Wixon writes as most of us speak, facts sprinkled generously with humor and some sarcasm.  Yes there is a lot about traveling with children, but there are also large sections on adult travel.

My family is not new to staycations, but we have never approached them in the manner that Mr Wixon suggests and I can see how his suggestions could make it feel so much more like a “real” vacation. Remember we are big Walt Disney World fans.

The book is broke down by the various types of vacations you would normally be interested in ranging from roughing it in the outdoors to deluxe spa treatments.  Each section has a multitude of web links to help you locate the perfect staycation for your entire family. 

I have already found far more possibilities for my family than I ever dreamed was available less than 100 miles from our home in just a few hours after completing the book.

If you have any reason you are not going on a vacation this year consider a staycation of any length from just a few hours to a full blown all out two week (or longer).

A great place to start in your staycation plans would be this book.

Jan who is glad she picked the book up on a whim in OK