Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Monday

Well I saw this household tip a year or two ago and I'm not sure why I finally got around to trying it (maybe because I ran out of dryer sheets?) but it completely works like a charm.

Instead of dryer sheets, crumple a bit of aluminum foil into a four-inch ball and toss it in with your laundry to control static.  You have my word that I tested it myself just this week and it really does work.

Of course it doesn't give you that wonderful fake-flower, manufactured-perfumy, sickly-heavy, synthetic smell like a dryer sheet does which is a down-side for those of you who love that scent (can you tell where I stand on the issue?) but then nothing is perfect.

And the best part is that it's reusable. 

No need to send me flowers in appreciation, just knowing that your laundry is static-free and economical is thanks enough. Though I've always thought it would be nice to have someone name a child in my honor. . . .

And in unrelated news, this weekend Andrew and I saw The Eagle (mostly because it was the only thing that looked remotely interesting--there is so much junk in the theaters right now I don't know how the industry stays afloat) and it wasn't a bad movie at all--quite fun in fact.

We hadn't heard a thing about it before going to see it but it turns out that it's a movie version of the famous historical novel The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutliffe that I coincidentally had just checked out of the library in an effort to interest the boys in manly fiction. They weren't interested because it was an "old-looking book" (sigh) but maybe after they see the movie they'll be more interested.

Taking place in 140 AD during the Roman conquest of Britain, it's the story of a young man (at least in the book he was young, this guy in the movie is closer to 35 than not which is practically at death's doorstep in Roman years) who arrives to avenge his family's honor. His father had lead a regiment of 5,000 men into the north 20 years before, never to be seen again (true story) and now Marcus Flavius Aquila is going to find out what happened and bring back the preciously symbolic brass eagle that the company had carried as a standard, because "It's not just a piece of metal, darn it, that eagle is Rome!"

Think of it as the greatest game of capture-the-flag ever played.  Of course he needs a faithful sidekick so Jamie Bell plays Esca, his British slave with a definite chip on his shoulder and a lot of modern philosophical tripe about how evil expansionism and imperialism are (though as for myself, I'm pretty grateful for the Roman Empire which really did civilize a lot of the world and allow us to enjoy the fruits of all sorts of great things from our democratic republic to Christianity to pizza).  Still, it's fun.  Probably because it's one of the few movies I've seen lately that seems to realize that CGI and blue screens have their place in the movie industry but shouldn't be a replacement for actual drama.

See it for the heroic feats, see it for the beautiful scenery (please tell me it wasn't filmed in Toronto or Vancouver--I want to believe that it really was Scotland) or see it for the ferociously savage blue men that make you grateful the Romans were the victors in that little neighborhood skirmish.  It's like Gladiator meets Braveheart, only cleaner (yes there are lots of battle scenes and talk of brutality but the actual blood and gore is done mostly out-of-shot) and I'd give it a solid B+.

14 comments:

Tim Appleton (Applehead) said...

They DID film it in Scotland. and You know the reason Hollywood puts out that stuff.. Stating the obvious, because people watch it... Nice tip by the way, did someone just leave some foil in the dryer on accident one day? How people find these things out?

Raejean said...

I'll have to try that foil trick!

link said...

I read that book. It's Awesome!

Katherine said...

My daughter read the book for a book report. She and I saw it this weekend as well and we thought it was every bit as good as we had hoped. It's definitely a must-see.

Aleta said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Aleta said...

I would think the foil may have a chance of catching on fire! EEEK! We use wool dryer balls here instead.
[URL]http://goodmama.typepad.com/goodmama/2008/05/make-your-own-wool-dryer-balls.html[/URL]

Carinne said...

Michelle - Tell your boys that Ethan just finished reading it for his World Lit class and LOVED it. He's anxious to see the movie. Ethan's been studying Ancient History too and really enjoyed learning about Ancient Rome. He said to tell Spencer and David that they should definitely read it. He gives it 9 1/2 stars out of 10. He said sometimes its a little hard to understand, because of the old language, but stick with it and its really good. Ethan says its exciting - the main character gets run over by a chariot in like in Ben Hur. There is a really cool battle scene. He meets a girl. He meets an Egyptian warrior too. How's that for a review?

Anonymous said...

Really gory movie

Scribbit said...

Well . . . I'd think if there were a fire danger then the clothes might be at risk before the metal ball. Or at least the wool would burn before aluminum--though now I've jinxed myself and will find a dryer fire next time I do laundry, you just wait and see.

Anonymous said...

I have heard dryer sheets will help your clothes not stick to you. Rubbing the dryer sheets on your nylons (for example) will help your dress not cling to you...I have never heard of the tin foil trick. I will have to try that! Thanks!

Aly said...

SORRY! I am not Anonymous! I hit the wrong button.

I have heard dryer sheets will help your clothes not stick to you. Rubbing the dryer sheets on your nylons (for example) will help your dress not cling to you...I have never heard of the tin foil trick. I will have to try that! Thanks!

Hazel said...

Rosemary Sutcliffe has been on my list of all-time favourite authors for a long time. Readable by any age group (except for the picture books!)

Daisy said...

I started using anti-static dryer balls more than two years ago and I've never looked back. I only use fabric softener on knits; everything else works great with the dryer balls, and it saves a bundle.

Stephanie said...

I'll keep that movie in mind. I always appreciate your recommendations.

Did you see "The King's Speech," by chance? That's one that I really want to see.

stephanie@metropolitanmama.net