Lifenut

Marie Antoinette Would Shake Her Head, If She Could

One of the things I love about our K-8 kids’ school are the many diverse hands-on projects assigned throughout the school year. It’s also something I dislike about the school, too, especially when they seemed to be relentlessly back-to-back. However, in the past few years, they’ve been better about not assigning so many while keeping some of the favorites. It’s Beatrix’s turn to do The Simple Machines project. The second and third-graders do it every other year.

Beatrix was having trouble coming up with an idea. The project requires students to use at least two simple machines to build some kind of invention or contraption. They are supposed to do it with minimal parental help. These are the simple machines that make up every complex machine:

Inclined plane

Pulley

Wedge

Wheel and Axle

Screw

Lever

One morning before school, we brainstormed ideas. We talked about simple machines we use in our daily lives, like tongs (lever) and knives (wedge). She was really pushing for using pulleys in some way. But she needed at least one of the other machines. An idea popped in my head. She could make a fruit or veggie cutter with a pulley and a wedge! I began to describe my idea:

“You can make a frame and we can help screw a pulley to the top. Then, we can attach a rope to a sharp wedge. You pull the rope up, put a tomato or something under the wedge, then let go of the rope! It will slice it!” Man, I have very good ideas.

She shrugged and moved on as I realized I just proposed my 8-year-old daughter make a guillotine for school.

This is how she looks when I have a very good idea.

Big Hero 6 is a Smart, Sweet Family Must-See

Prepare to fall deeply in love with a balloon. You’ll want to pounce, hug, bounce, and give many, many fist bumps to Baymax (voiced by Scott Adsit). He’s the heavily-featured robot in commercials and trailers for Big Hero 6, which opens everywhere tomorrow. But saying Baymax is the main character is saying that Olaf is the main man in Frozen. Disney’s latest late-fall wonder of a family film keeps many delightful secrets close to the heart.

You might think you know what Big Hero 6 is about. You don’t, especially if you think the white squishy guy is Big Hero 6, like I did. Of course, if you are a long-time fan of Marvel’s comic, you already know the scoop and I’m interested in hearing what you think after you see the film. When I took my teenagers, we had all kinds of notions regarding what we were about to see and we were happily proved wrong. Here’s a quick synopsis with no spoilers:

A 14-year-old genius named Hiro (Ryan Potter) lives with his aunt and brother in bustling SanFransokyo. Hiro is a bit of an underachiever and uses his skills in iffy ways. Cleverly, his genius older brother, Tadashi (Daniel Henney), inspires Hiro to see the possibilities and channel his brainpower in a better way. Along the way, Hiro gets to know Tadashi’s friends in the robotics lab at his university—and Tadashi’s very special pet project, Baymax. A tragedy occurs. Everyone grapples with loss and the startling realization something evil has been unleashed. What to do about it? Joining forces sounds good. In fact, 6 is a perfect number for a team.

My biggest gripe about Big Hero 6 is that it starts slow. It’s charming, with humor, and great imagination but I found the introductions to the other characters to be a bit cliche. There’s the tough girl, the girly girl, the good-natured but dim dude, the burly guy with a soft heart. Each has a special interest in chemistry, physics, magnetics, and one is well-funded. Thankfully, the film fleshes out the characters with revealing moments, but it takes awhile for it to get up to speed.

This is okay, because the Big Hero 6 story can continue for many, many more films. They won’t have to spend time as much time setting up the action and players as this first installment. Obviously, I predict more! How could I not?

It was awesome once it was fully inflated. Big Hero 6 is gloriously brimming with innovative fun and clever twists I didn’t see coming. As we exited the theater, after staying through the credits (you must must must stay through the credits) we breathlessly discussed scenes and our favorite moments. It reminded us of other favorite movies while still remaining wholly fresh.

Big Hero 6 is like a mix between Ironman, How to Train Your Dragon, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Scooby Doo. It has the humor, action, inventiveness, and camaraderie that brings out the best in a story—and an audience. Disney has done it again. It’s simply a good time with a lot of heart.

GO! Free pro tip: Start working on your Baymax Halloween costumes for next year.

Big Hero 6 opens in theaters on November 7, 2014. It’s rated PG for images of cartoon violence. The main bad guy is pretty creepy. It could be scary for small children, but Baymax is the perfect antidote.

It’s Monumental ~ A Photo Parade of a Beautiful Place

I grew up in the valley below. Every time we visit my parents, who still live in Grand Junction, I see the Colorado National Monument to the west. Visitors hear the name “monument” and assume it’s a statue but locals and people willing to explore know it’s like a mini Grand Canyon plus Mars. It’s the eastern frontier of the desert southwest and I was so very lucky to grow up there.

I often think of driving the loop up and over, but I never do. In high school, we drove up the road many times, especially at night because that was the best spot to look at the stars and distant heat lightning. Recently, I visited the valley and not only declared I wanted to go to the Monument, we did it. The day was rainy and cold, which made for a gorgeous viewing experience. Water darkened the sandstone cliffs and formations, making the textures more apparent. It collected in shallow bowls carved by other rainstorms and wind. Below, rainbows formed where the clouds passed over the valley.