Thursday, November 26, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Worst Movie of the Year
The Box.
First of all, what did Cameron's foot deformity have to do with the plot? HELLO!
And then there's the mysterious package left on the front stoop at 5:45 in the morning. Someone rings the bell, Cameron answers the door and sees a package wrapped in brown paper with nothing on it and a black car driving away. So what would a "normal" person do?
A) Call the police, fearing it might be a bomb?
B) Pick it up and bring it in the house and open it?
Of course Cameron and hubby opened it.
That's where the movie lost me. I couldn't get passed it.
The movie went downhill from there. Weird library. Bloody noses. Water coffin. Light tunnel. Alien swimming pool.
First of all, what did Cameron's foot deformity have to do with the plot? HELLO!
And then there's the mysterious package left on the front stoop at 5:45 in the morning. Someone rings the bell, Cameron answers the door and sees a package wrapped in brown paper with nothing on it and a black car driving away. So what would a "normal" person do?
A) Call the police, fearing it might be a bomb?
B) Pick it up and bring it in the house and open it?
Of course Cameron and hubby opened it.
That's where the movie lost me. I couldn't get passed it.
The movie went downhill from there. Weird library. Bloody noses. Water coffin. Light tunnel. Alien swimming pool.
I didn't get it.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Be Happy
Browsing at Barnes and Noble the other day, I came across an amazing little book called "Be Happy" by Monica Sheehan.
The delightful line drawings by Sheehan illustrate each "happy" tidbit. For example:
Have a sense of wonder
Exercise
Reach out
Don't lose hope
Stop being a victim
Love your work
Don't compare yourself with others
I'm keeping this book here at my desk so I can refer to it often.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Love Happens
Hubby and I went to see Love Happens this week at our local cineplex. I'd read the reviews and they weren't good. But I liked the movie, and so did hubby.
The movie was promoted as a "romantic dramedy," whatever that is. The romance was not the key issue in the film. It was about how people deal with the death of a loved one; a psychological character study. Not a romance, in my opinion. Although Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart were on the road to becoming "significant others" at the end of the movie, they never kissed until the final scene.
There was humor, which was desperately needed for balance. Best funny scenes:
Aaron stealing the parrot from Martin Sheen's kitchen.
Jennifer and Aaron's confrontationin the men's room
I did not like the epilogue scene tagged on at the end of the movie in which the parrot returned to Martin Sheen after it was set free in the wild. Why was this included? I think it detracted from the sweet finale with Jennifer and Aaron in the flower shop.
The movie was promoted as a "romantic dramedy," whatever that is. The romance was not the key issue in the film. It was about how people deal with the death of a loved one; a psychological character study. Not a romance, in my opinion. Although Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart were on the road to becoming "significant others" at the end of the movie, they never kissed until the final scene.
There was humor, which was desperately needed for balance. Best funny scenes:
Aaron stealing the parrot from Martin Sheen's kitchen.
Jennifer and Aaron's confrontationin the men's room
I did not like the epilogue scene tagged on at the end of the movie in which the parrot returned to Martin Sheen after it was set free in the wild. Why was this included? I think it detracted from the sweet finale with Jennifer and Aaron in the flower shop.
Foxy News
Just observing that all the women reporters on Fox News (and other cable "news" channels) could moonlight as fashion models. They are young, reveal cleavage and look like they should be on the cover of Marie Claire.
Hello! This is supposed to be news, people! Yeah, I know. It's television. They can't have a woman who looks like a normal person on the NEWS! It's all about ratings, right? It's all about money, right?
But why is it that the MEN can be old and ugly and nobody cares?
Just wondering.
Hello! This is supposed to be news, people! Yeah, I know. It's television. They can't have a woman who looks like a normal person on the NEWS! It's all about ratings, right? It's all about money, right?
But why is it that the MEN can be old and ugly and nobody cares?
Just wondering.
Friday, September 18, 2009
The Walk
So yesterday afternoon, hubby and I went for a walk. It's mid-September and the weather is fabulous! We had been playing the Beatles Rock Band game earlier and were singing songs as we walked through the neighborhood. "I am the walrus...goo goo ga joob..." People must have thought that we were nuts. Whatever.
Sometimes when we walk we don't talk much because we are just enjoying the walk or thinking our own private thoughts. Other times we talk a lot. On this walk, I wanted to talk and hubby wanted to sing. Here's a snippet of our conversation:
ME and HUBBY (singing): "I am the walrus, I am the walrus, goo goo ga joob, goo goo ga joob..."
ME: So what about all the brouhaha about President Obama talking to the kids in school? I think it's wonderful. I don't understand what the big deal is. George Bush talked to kids and nobody said a word about it. I would think people would want the president talk to the kids.
HUBBY: You should run for president.
ME: Are you crazy? I would never want to be the president. For one thing, they have to give speeches and I'm terrible at giving speeches. They give speeches all the time. Every day, almost. I don't know how they find the time. But I guess that's why they have speech writers. Have you ever wondered why the speech writers don't get credit for the speeches? The president gets all the credit. The presidential speech writers throughout history are getting ripped off! Remember when JFK said "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country"? The speech writer came up with that historic, profound statement, but Kennedy gets all the credit. That happens all the time with speech writers. It's just not fair. Are you listening to a word I'm saying?
HUBBY (singing): Lucy in the sky with diamonds...
Sometimes when we walk we don't talk much because we are just enjoying the walk or thinking our own private thoughts. Other times we talk a lot. On this walk, I wanted to talk and hubby wanted to sing. Here's a snippet of our conversation:
ME and HUBBY (singing): "I am the walrus, I am the walrus, goo goo ga joob, goo goo ga joob..."
ME: So what about all the brouhaha about President Obama talking to the kids in school? I think it's wonderful. I don't understand what the big deal is. George Bush talked to kids and nobody said a word about it. I would think people would want the president talk to the kids.
HUBBY: You should run for president.
ME: Are you crazy? I would never want to be the president. For one thing, they have to give speeches and I'm terrible at giving speeches. They give speeches all the time. Every day, almost. I don't know how they find the time. But I guess that's why they have speech writers. Have you ever wondered why the speech writers don't get credit for the speeches? The president gets all the credit. The presidential speech writers throughout history are getting ripped off! Remember when JFK said "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country"? The speech writer came up with that historic, profound statement, but Kennedy gets all the credit. That happens all the time with speech writers. It's just not fair. Are you listening to a word I'm saying?
HUBBY (singing): Lucy in the sky with diamonds...
Beatles Rock Band
Hubby bought Beatles Rock Band that came out last week. And Wow, it's awesome! As a Beatles aficionado (notice I didn't say "maniac"...when you're 52, you're supposed to have matured...yeah, right), I know all the songs and it's a blast. We still haven't figured out all the features; we're just singing along trying to match harmonies. You score points for staying on pitch. As you sing, your progress is measured by certain words that pop up: "Fab"..."Great"... "Okay"..."Messy." We were proud when we sang "I Feel Fine" on Expert Level and actually completed the song without being booed off the stage. They don't actually "boo," but the song stops and they look at you like you're an idiot.
The downside is that with facebook, twitter, blogging, and the Beatles, I will never get any work done.
The downside is that with facebook, twitter, blogging, and the Beatles, I will never get any work done.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
The Rachel Incident
Yesterday A. H. and I were having coffee at the local Starbucks and ordered the grande iced vanilla latte as usual. If you're a Starbucks regular, you know that the server asks your name and writes it on your cup when he/she takes your order.
Because my name is so difficult for people to spell and pronounce, I decided to use a fake name. Out of the blue, I picked Rachel and he wrote it on the cup. While we were waiting for our orders, I recalled that last week I had taken a facebook quiz "Which Friends Character Are You?" The result was "Rachel."
Anyway, a few hours later, A.H. and I were at Penny's shopping and after trying clothes on and deciding what to buy, we went to the counter with our items. The young lady who worked at the counter kept looking at me strangely and asked if we had met before. I said, No, I don't think so. She said that I looked like her friend and she wondered if I was her friend's mother. I said, no, my adult children don't live here...one is in California and the other is in Washington. Curious, I asked her what her freind's name was. She said, "Rachel."
A.H. and I looked at each other in total shock. What are the odds? A million to one. As we walked away, A.H. hummed the "Twilight Zone" theme. Doo doo doo doo. . . doo doo doo doo. . .
Because my name is so difficult for people to spell and pronounce, I decided to use a fake name. Out of the blue, I picked Rachel and he wrote it on the cup. While we were waiting for our orders, I recalled that last week I had taken a facebook quiz "Which Friends Character Are You?" The result was "Rachel."
Anyway, a few hours later, A.H. and I were at Penny's shopping and after trying clothes on and deciding what to buy, we went to the counter with our items. The young lady who worked at the counter kept looking at me strangely and asked if we had met before. I said, No, I don't think so. She said that I looked like her friend and she wondered if I was her friend's mother. I said, no, my adult children don't live here...one is in California and the other is in Washington. Curious, I asked her what her freind's name was. She said, "Rachel."
A.H. and I looked at each other in total shock. What are the odds? A million to one. As we walked away, A.H. hummed the "Twilight Zone" theme. Doo doo doo doo. . . doo doo doo doo. . .
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Write Off
Here's a snippet of an actual conversation I had with hubby yesterday morning:
ME: Why do we have so many computers?
HUBBY: What do you mean?
ME: You have three computers. I have two computers. That's a total of five computers for just two people.
HUBBY: You should see how many computers Luke has. (Luke is our 29-year-old son who lives in Seattle and worked at Microsoft as a software developer before he started his own company.)
ME: Yeah, well, computers are part of his job. He can write them off on his tax returns. We can't write off our computers. In fact, we don't write anything off. Why is that?
HUBBY: Well. . . we "write off" into the sunset.
THE END
ME: Why do we have so many computers?
HUBBY: What do you mean?
ME: You have three computers. I have two computers. That's a total of five computers for just two people.
HUBBY: You should see how many computers Luke has. (Luke is our 29-year-old son who lives in Seattle and worked at Microsoft as a software developer before he started his own company.)
ME: Yeah, well, computers are part of his job. He can write them off on his tax returns. We can't write off our computers. In fact, we don't write anything off. Why is that?
HUBBY: Well. . . we "write off" into the sunset.
THE END
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Shoe Calendar
Went calendar shopping yesterday and couldn't resist this fabulous shoe calendar with the famous Manolo Blahnik shoes from the "Sex and the City" Movie. SNAP!
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
The Shirt
My BFF A.H. and I are the quintessential clothes horses. We love to shop for clothes and our tastes are almost identical. I can't tell you how many times we'll be searching through racks of clothes and pull out the same item. It's insane.
A while back, we had gone shopping and saw this gray long sleeve shirt that looked great with jeans. It was an open-collar button up that covered the poochy belly and flabby arms beautifully. And we both wanted it. Typically when this happens, A.H. will get it in one color and I'll get it in another. But we both wanted the gray. Okay, fine. So we both bought the same shirt.
Of course, we had to have a game plan so we wouldn't be seen wearing the same shirt when we got together. When we talked about meeting for coffee, shopping and whatnot, our phone conversation went like this:
ME: So you want to get together for coffee?
AH: Sure, sounds like fun. The usual place?
ME: Of course.
AH: Are you going to wear The Shirt?
ME: Not if you want to.
AH: You can wear it, I'll find something else.
ME: Okay. You can wear it next time.
A while back, we had gone shopping and saw this gray long sleeve shirt that looked great with jeans. It was an open-collar button up that covered the poochy belly and flabby arms beautifully. And we both wanted it. Typically when this happens, A.H. will get it in one color and I'll get it in another. But we both wanted the gray. Okay, fine. So we both bought the same shirt.
Of course, we had to have a game plan so we wouldn't be seen wearing the same shirt when we got together. When we talked about meeting for coffee, shopping and whatnot, our phone conversation went like this:
ME: So you want to get together for coffee?
AH: Sure, sounds like fun. The usual place?
ME: Of course.
AH: Are you going to wear The Shirt?
ME: Not if you want to.
AH: You can wear it, I'll find something else.
ME: Okay. You can wear it next time.
Oddly enough, in all the years we've known each other (over 20), we've never had to do this with any other clothing item. Only The Shirt.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
15 Books that Changed My Life
I found this challenge on one of the blogs I follow called the Writing Bug. In 15 minutes, list 15 books that impacted your life.Here are mine:
Gone With the Wind (I read it as a teen when I was going through a difficult time in my family. It was a way for me to escape to another world. I read this book 13 times.)
Watership Down (The most imaginative and creative book I've ever read. My all-time favorite novel.)
Anne of Green Gables (Anne was everything I wanted to be: smart, funny, creative and adventurous. )
Roots (Fascinating story of Black history in America. Inspired the best TV miniseries ever created.)
On Writing (Best book about the craft of writing I've ever read.)
Chronicles of Narnia (Christian allegory at its best.)
Mere Christianity (C.S. Lewis tackles apologetics brilliantly. )
Night (Elie Wiesel's biographical novel about his experience in a concentration camp. Heartbreakingly tragic.)
The Diary of Anne Frank (Inspired me to be a writer of life.)
The Kent Family Chronicles (John Jakes made American History exciting in this series of historical novels.)
A Christmas Carol (I read it every Christmas. It's become a tradition. I'm always amazed at how food is so highly prized in Victorian England. The family applauds when the main course is served. These people know how to enjoy their meals.)
White Fang (A wonderful story about love and hope. I'm a dog lover and this book inspired me to write my dog anthology.)
The Chosen (I learned a lot about the faith and practice of the Orthodox Jew. I also love stories where young people pursue their dreams, despite family opposition.)
Without Feathers/Getting Even/Side Effects (Woody Allen's collection of short stories and essays. Absolutely hilarious.)
The Bible (My daily bread.)
Gone With the Wind (I read it as a teen when I was going through a difficult time in my family. It was a way for me to escape to another world. I read this book 13 times.)
Watership Down (The most imaginative and creative book I've ever read. My all-time favorite novel.)
Anne of Green Gables (Anne was everything I wanted to be: smart, funny, creative and adventurous. )
Roots (Fascinating story of Black history in America. Inspired the best TV miniseries ever created.)
On Writing (Best book about the craft of writing I've ever read.)
Chronicles of Narnia (Christian allegory at its best.)
Mere Christianity (C.S. Lewis tackles apologetics brilliantly. )
Night (Elie Wiesel's biographical novel about his experience in a concentration camp. Heartbreakingly tragic.)
The Diary of Anne Frank (Inspired me to be a writer of life.)
The Kent Family Chronicles (John Jakes made American History exciting in this series of historical novels.)
A Christmas Carol (I read it every Christmas. It's become a tradition. I'm always amazed at how food is so highly prized in Victorian England. The family applauds when the main course is served. These people know how to enjoy their meals.)
White Fang (A wonderful story about love and hope. I'm a dog lover and this book inspired me to write my dog anthology.)
The Chosen (I learned a lot about the faith and practice of the Orthodox Jew. I also love stories where young people pursue their dreams, despite family opposition.)
Without Feathers/Getting Even/Side Effects (Woody Allen's collection of short stories and essays. Absolutely hilarious.)
The Bible (My daily bread.)
Friday, August 28, 2009
thirtysomething...it's about TIME!
Just ordered the newly-released "thirtysomething" season one dvd set. Now I can get rid of my old VHS tapes as new seasons become available. I didn't really get into the show until it was on reruns after it was cancelled. That's when I got hooked. I even bought the soundtrack CD!
The show is SO 80s! The hair (frizzy perms), the clothes (shoulder pads and tapered pants), the Reagan politics (GARY: Edwin Meese Attorney General? Are you kidding?)
Favorite storyline: Elliot and Nancy. I was so glad they got back together. The cancer stories were heartbreaking and so very real.
To ponder: I never understood why Ellyn was afraid of the dark cave.
The show is SO 80s! The hair (frizzy perms), the clothes (shoulder pads and tapered pants), the Reagan politics (GARY: Edwin Meese Attorney General? Are you kidding?)
Favorite storyline: Elliot and Nancy. I was so glad they got back together. The cancer stories were heartbreaking and so very real.
To ponder: I never understood why Ellyn was afraid of the dark cave.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Watching "The Savages" again...
I'm very impressed with this film. Yes, it's a sad and depressing story about dealing with an aging parent, but the thing that strikes me more than anything is that it's real. The relationships (between the parent and the children; between the siblings; between the siblings' and their signifcant others) are authentic. As a film, everything works to bring you into the story: the cinematography, the music, the script. A perfect movie. It's not for everyone, but a movie shouldn't be "for everyone," just those it's meant to be for.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Another Saturday Night
It's so fun to hang out with my friend J. R. We have so much in common, including our love for coffee, chocolate and movies. We went to the movies yesterday and saw The Proposal (Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds)...a romantic comedy with a serious message about marriage, family and honesty. We could have done without the male stripper scene. Yoiks! I much prefer Oscar Nunez as the gay accountant in "The Office."
My favorite scenes were the dance in the woods and the accidental naked encounter.
Afterwards we spent several hours at Applebees. J R had the Chicken Quesedilla and a side salad (which just happened to be as big as a house; we thought it would be smaller...OY!) I had the Sante Fe Chicken Salad. Yum! After the meal we had coffee and discussed purses, spiritual warfare and guinea pigs.
It was 8:30 when we left the restaurant so we decided to stop by her house, pick up some gourmet chocolate and some films and go to my house to finish the party. I made popcorn and we watched Hangman's Curse (a family detective team solves a murder mystery at a high school). I was pleased to see Mel Harris as the Mom (loved her in "thirtysomething") and David Keith as the Dad ("Firestarter" and "Heartbreak Hotel.")
Speaking of "thirtysomething," I heard the first season DVD will be released next week! YAY!
My favorite scenes were the dance in the woods and the accidental naked encounter.
Afterwards we spent several hours at Applebees. J R had the Chicken Quesedilla and a side salad (which just happened to be as big as a house; we thought it would be smaller...OY!) I had the Sante Fe Chicken Salad. Yum! After the meal we had coffee and discussed purses, spiritual warfare and guinea pigs.
It was 8:30 when we left the restaurant so we decided to stop by her house, pick up some gourmet chocolate and some films and go to my house to finish the party. I made popcorn and we watched Hangman's Curse (a family detective team solves a murder mystery at a high school). I was pleased to see Mel Harris as the Mom (loved her in "thirtysomething") and David Keith as the Dad ("Firestarter" and "Heartbreak Hotel.")
Speaking of "thirtysomething," I heard the first season DVD will be released next week! YAY!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Julie, Julia and Me
Hubby and I went to see "Julie and Julia" to celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary. For the record, while hubby (like most guys) enjoys action movies, he is a romantic at heart. So if you think he suffered through this movie for my benefit, you are mistaken. We laughed, we cried, we bought the T-shirt.
Afterwards, the plan was to go to our favorite Mexican restaurant. They serve complimentary chips and salsa...to DIE for. I usually get the taco plate with tacos, refried beans, rice and guacamole salad...hubby likes the beef sopapilla. And of course, their margaritas are the best in town.
However, when we arrived at the restaurant, the line was a mile long. We had forgotten that it was Tuesday...that's when the margaritas are two for the price of one. So we decided to go to another of our favorite eateries, Poor Richards. I had the Wild Mushroom with Tenderloin tips and hubby had the Prime Rib. The meal was delicious.
Hubby takes his food very seriously. He will not return to a restaurant that has bad service or bad food. I take things in stride and allow that the server or the chef may have just had an off day. My policy is to give people another chance.
We are opposites in our menu choices as well. I like to try new dishes every time, but hubby sticks with the same thing. I know exactly what he will order when we go out to eat. At Poor Richards he always gets the prime rib, medium rare. At Olive Garden it's the soup (Zuppa Tuscana) and salad. At Casa it's the Beef Sopapilla. At Twin Dragon it's Pepper Steak.
I can occasionally twist his arm to try new restaurants, but if he doesn't like it, he won't go back no matter what. My mission is get him to try "2 Doors Down"...a quaint spot downtown with a fun atmosphere. I ate there a few weeks ago with my friend Zoe and it was fabulous!
Afterwards, the plan was to go to our favorite Mexican restaurant. They serve complimentary chips and salsa...to DIE for. I usually get the taco plate with tacos, refried beans, rice and guacamole salad...hubby likes the beef sopapilla. And of course, their margaritas are the best in town.
However, when we arrived at the restaurant, the line was a mile long. We had forgotten that it was Tuesday...that's when the margaritas are two for the price of one. So we decided to go to another of our favorite eateries, Poor Richards. I had the Wild Mushroom with Tenderloin tips and hubby had the Prime Rib. The meal was delicious.
Hubby takes his food very seriously. He will not return to a restaurant that has bad service or bad food. I take things in stride and allow that the server or the chef may have just had an off day. My policy is to give people another chance.
We are opposites in our menu choices as well. I like to try new dishes every time, but hubby sticks with the same thing. I know exactly what he will order when we go out to eat. At Poor Richards he always gets the prime rib, medium rare. At Olive Garden it's the soup (Zuppa Tuscana) and salad. At Casa it's the Beef Sopapilla. At Twin Dragon it's Pepper Steak.
I can occasionally twist his arm to try new restaurants, but if he doesn't like it, he won't go back no matter what. My mission is get him to try "2 Doors Down"...a quaint spot downtown with a fun atmosphere. I ate there a few weeks ago with my friend Zoe and it was fabulous!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Behind the Seams
Project Runway's new season begins August 20. Me and my J.C. Penny's Worthington navy pencil skirt couldn't be happier.
Love Tim Gunn ("Make it work!") Love Heidi (blonde amazon on stilettos). Love the chaos, craziness and challenges ("You have five minutes to design an outfit with a copy of Newsweek. Your time starts now!")
This season there will be additional scenes featuring the "Models of Project Runway" who are also competing.
Totally psyched!
Love Tim Gunn ("Make it work!") Love Heidi (blonde amazon on stilettos). Love the chaos, craziness and challenges ("You have five minutes to design an outfit with a copy of Newsweek. Your time starts now!")
This season there will be additional scenes featuring the "Models of Project Runway" who are also competing.
Totally psyched!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
That Girl!
Just received Season Five of "That Girl" from amazon. I now have the complete set. Huzzah!
I was nine years old when "That Girl" made it's debut on TV in 1966. The show ran for five seasons (from 1966 to 1970). I was 13 when the final show aired. Ann Marie became my idol. She was beautiful, funny, friendly, an actress...everything I wanted to be as pre-teen girl. I wore my hair in a flip just like her and fantasized about living in New York as an actress and having a cute boyfriend like Donald Hollinger. And of course, wearing those fantastic designer clothes! HOLY COW! Of course, at the time I didn't understand that a starving actress in New York wouldn't have the money to buy those cute outfits. Kind of sounds like "Sex in the City." Carrie Bradshaw spends hundreds of dollars on shoes and designer clothes on a column-writer's salary? Yeah, right.
The "That Girl" theme song didn't have lyrics until season five:
Diamonds, Daisies, Snowflakes, That Girl!
Chestnuts, Rainbows, Springtime... Is That Girl
Chestnuts, Rainbows, Springtime... Is That Girl
She's tinsel on a tree...
She's everything that every girl should be!
She's everything that every girl should be!
Sable, Popcorn, White Wine, That Girl!
Gingham, Bluebirds, Broadway... Is That Girl
She's mine alone, but luckily for you...
If you find a girl to love,
Only one girl to love,
Then she'll be That Girl too... That Girl!
Of course, the lyrics are corny, but who cares? It was a catchy tune. My favorite is season one...the episode when Ann met Donald (Captain Dumb Dumb). In the pilot, Ted Bessell played Ann's agent. Thank goodness they changed his part to the boyfriend instead.
This show is "Terrific!"
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