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A Comedy Tonight Comedy Classics

Its been a long week, its Friday night and you have the evening free. What better to do than pop some popcorn, open a bottle of your favorite brew, and settle in to watch a comedy. The most difficult thing about the whole venture is choosing what to watch. Never out of style, and appealing to the funny bone in all of us, comedy classics are sure to please. So throw on your jammies, relax in your apartment, and get prepared to laugh away the evening. To help you out, we have compiled a list of classic comedies to work your way through. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Get ready for a throwback to the psychedelic sixties, via ancient Rome, in this classic comedy. An all-star cast, including the talents of Zero Mostel, and Phil Silvers shows us what happens when a hapless slave must unite his twitter-pated young master with a virgin courtesan before his mistress gets home. McClintock! A western comedy, McClintock! will have you laughing out loud. Watch the sparks fly as McClintock (John Wayne) and his estranged wife, (Maureen OHara) engage in a battle of wills, only coming to a temporary, short-lived truce for their daughters homecoming. Throw in the conflict between the settlers, the Indians, and the townfolk, and you have a recipe for mischief. Definitely and 1960s piece, McClintock! is never-the-less a lot of fun, indeed. Its a Mad, Mad, Mad World What do you get when you throw a dozen of Hollywoods leading comics together? What producer/director claimed would be the comedy that would end all comedies. And, his comedy certainly has endured. Released in 1963, this comedic race to find the fortune buried under the big W will have you giggling, turn-by-comedic turn. And for some of todays best comedies, check out this list . And next time, schedule the big screen in the clubhouse and invite our friends. Drop a line in comments and tell us what your favorite classic comedy is today.

Its a Classic Tonight

Pop some popcorn, grab the Junior Mints, Milk Duds, and Gummis, bring the beverages, and now all you need to do is decide what movie to watch. Whether you have scheduled the big screen at the clubhouse or you are planning to throw on your jammies and relax in your apartment, choosing a movie to watch isnt always easy. To help you out, we have compiled a list of favorite American Film Classics for you to enjoy. Some Like It Hot Directed by Billy Wilder and starring the Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon this 1959 romp through a landscape of speakeasy establishments, mafia bosses, and a trio of hapless musicians in the era of prohibition is a classic for good reason. Noted film critic, Robert Ebert said this, "Wilder's 1959 comedy is one of the enduring treasures of the movies, a film of inspiration and meticulous craft. To Kill a Mockingbird Based on the Pulitzer prize winning novel by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird is a definitive piece exploring racial issues in America. As relevant today as it was in 1962, it is true that you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view. . . until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it. Gregory Peck stars as Atticus Finch, a lawyer who puts his reputation and career on the line when he represents Tom Robinson (Brock Peters), a black man accused of rape. Seen through the eyes of Finchs daughter, Scout, it deserves its classic standing. King Kong If theatrical screaming is a prerequisite for a movie to be considered a horror/thriller/adventure then King Kong has it in spades. The epic creature, King Kong, inhabits the aptly named Skull Island, where Carl Denham plans to finish his movie. His leading lady, Ann Darrow, ends up (literally) in the giant gorillas grasp. Easily assuming the title classic, King Kong is a must see. Shane Alan Ladd portrays Shane, a skilled gunslinger with a cloaked past who intends to settle down as a homesteader, but is drawn into a settler/rancher conflict which forces him to act. One bit of trivia about the movie is that Jean Arthur was over 50 years old when when she played the part of Shanes wife Marian Starret ; Katharine Hepburn was originally suggested for the role of Marian. One of the classic westerns, you wont want to miss it. And to help you find more classics you may enjoy, be they romantic comedies, dramas, or westerns, here are some links: Americas 100 Greatest Comedies Americas 100 Years 100 Passions The 57 Greatest Westerns Ever, Ranked The Top 100 Action & Adventure Movies We hope these titles have whet your appetite for American Film Classics! Click here to see the American Film Institutes 100 Years 100 Movies. What is your favorite classic movie? Leave a comment and tell us today.

Oktoberfest Themed Recipes That Are Perfect All Year Long

German food is known for being hearty and delicious. And while it gets its own celebration each year with annual Oktoberfest Recipes all around the globe, theres no reason that you cant enjoy some tasty German fare any time of year. Heres some of our favorite recipes to get you started. Oktoberfest Recipes Beer Braised Cabbage Pairing perfectly with other standard recipes like spaetzle, this tangy and smoky dish finds its character in the added apple slices and thick-cut bacon. With just a bit of brown or amber ale, fresh green cabbage, grilled onions, and apple cider vinegar, this is an easy dish. And itll take you just forty-five minutes in total to make. You can find the recipe and short list of ingredients in full over here . Bavarian Pretzels Theres not much that goes better with your favorite fall ale or lager than a traditional soft pretzel. And because they only take about thirty-five minutes to make, theres not that much holding you back from making that a reality. With the right amounts of flour, baking soda, active yeast, and coarse sea salt, youll have enough for six servings. The recipe and step-by-step can be found over here . Bavarian Lentil Soup Onions, sweet leeks, lentils, carrots, yellow potatoes, and bacon all work together to bring this chilly weather cure-all together in a memorable way. Though this dish will take about an hour to make, its a cheap dish thats worth the patience as it simmers away. With a little sautee skills, you can easily get this dish started and have enough time to finish the cabbage and pretzels by dinner time. Youll find the recipe to this one over here .

Making the Most of Your Storage Space

Getting our apartment organized is a common goal many of us have. The question is not whether to do it, but how to do it. There is wisdom in having a place for everything, and keeping everything in its place, figuring out where that place is though can be a challenge. Today we will be sharing some tips for getting a handle on getting organized. Tip #1 First things first. Make a checklist of your closets, drawers, and other storage containers. Use it to go through them one at a time. Figure out what exactly you have, and where it currently is stored. Does the storage place make sense? Is it with like items? Could it be placed in a kit? Does it require any sort of special storage? The answers to these questions will help you determine the best place to keep any given item. Tip #2 As you are working to organize a closet or a set of drawers, pull everything out and sort through it all. Create three piles: Throw Away, Donate, Keep. Once the items are segregated into these three categories, go through the Keep Items and ask yourself these questions: Do I really love it? Do I really need it? And for clothing, How often do I wear it? Your answers will help you determine whether to keep it or to put it in the donate pile for someone else to enjoy. Tip #3 If you have sentimental items that you cant justify keeping, but you are loath to get rid of, contemplate taking a picture first, and then getting rid of the original. Tip #4 Decide on an organizational strategy. Do you need additional totes to organize all of the toys or your hat collection? Use some sort of system to identify contents (a certain color or label), Think outside the box, or borrow creative solutions from others. Pinterest has a multitude of ideas for organizing your home. Tip #5 Remember you dont have to do the whole house in the next two days. Take your time to go through all of the stuff. It will be worth it when you can find anything at a moments notice. Now sit back and enjoy your newly organized home. Perhaps ended up with a lot of To Donate items, maybe you can host a mini swap meet at your clubhouse. Directions for how to do it can be found here . Please feel free to post your favorite organizing tips in the comments.

Elevator Etiquette for the Modern Apartment Dweller

Todays blog is a quick review about Elevator Etiquette. We all know indulging in any type of bodily function is definitely taboo. But what about the things you are supposed to do? These tips will help you get it right. Placement - or where do I stand? 1 person - wherever you want. Until someone else gets on. 2 people, separate, you dont want to get in their personal bubble. 3-4 people, each to a corner. 4 + stand where you can fit and still leave some space. Face the door and keep packages and bags in front of your body. In a crowded elevator, the person nearest the door becomes the Button Pusher. If you are the Button Pusher, be proactive and ask those entering the elevator which floor they wish to exit on. Now about Holding Doors If you are alone in the elevator, you should always hold the door. If there are a few other people in the elevator, but you are the designated "button pusher," use your discretion. (Did the person see your face? Do they seem desperate? Is it your boss?) If the elevator is very full, let the doors close, but make a lame, shrugging "Sorry!" face. Conversation If you must talk, a simple nod and general greeting is sufficient. If you simply must say something, keep it light. If you are with someone and conversing before you enter an elevator, put your conversation on hold until you exit. Never hold a personal or sensitive conversation on the elevator, in person or on the phone. Do not continue talking on your phone. Tell the person you will call them back. (If the elevator isnt terribly crowded texting is fine.) Entrance and Exit Strategies When you are waiting for the elevator, stay far enough back that those exiting the elevator have room to get out. Before you board the elevator, know whether it is going up or down (and know which direction you are headed). If the car is already crowded, watch to see if the passengers either verbally invite you to come aboard or squeeze together to provide room for you to enter. If you are in the back of a crowded elevator, let the other riders know when your floor is coming up. It is sufficient to say something like, My floor is next. This will cue the other riders to move so you have room to make your way to the front of the elevator. On the question of Ladies First it remains a debate. Letting a lady decide if she wants to get in the same car as a potential creepy guy by going in last has its merits; yet, on the other hand traditionally, as a courtesy, a gentleman lets the lady enter the elevator first, and takes on the chore of pushing the buttons. However, that could have its perils too, as this Shel Silverstien poem illustrates: Pamela Purse The bottom line, whoever gets on or off first, is to be courteous to everyone. Leave a comment and tell us about an elevator experience that has stuck with you.

Using the Fitness Center at Your Community

When was the last time you used the on-site fitness center at your community? If you are a regular user, kudos to you. If its been awhile, you may want to start using this great amenity. Granted, sometimes it is difficult to get motivated to start, or to keep going day after day, week after week, month after month. But, the payoff of looking and feeling better is worth the effort it takes. Here are some tips for getting the most out of the gymn: Tip #1 Set a regular time for exercise. Try several different time frames to figure out which one works best for you; then make a commitment to do it according to your schedule, and do your best to be consistent (and if you miss, just start again the next time). And if youve ever tried the form a habit in 21 days, you will want to read this article about how habits are actually formed. Tip #2 Create a routine that challenges you, but isnt too difficult. And it might be a good idea to check with your doctor before starting an exercise program. This article at WebMD provides a good overview of appropriate questions to ask. Tip #3 Track your progress so you can see how often you are exercising, and the results of your hard work. Whether you use a Fitbit, or simply jot down every time you exercise in a notebook, simply keeping track can help you to maintain regular exercise. Tip #4 Set up a support group and/or find a buddy to exercise with. Someone, being accountable to someone else for showing up to exercise can be the perfect motivator. Reporting to a group can give us a place to share our exercise triumphs and tragedies. Find your own cheering team. Tip #5 Take the time to learn how all of the machines work. Using the exercise machines properly can make a huge difference in how effective the exercise you do actually is. After your workout, you will be ready to hit the pool and relax! Please share a comment about how starting a fitness program has impacted your life.