What To Do?

I have a dilemma.  My husband got a $25 gift card for Amazon.com.  Since he loves me and hates to shop on the Internet, he has given it to me. 

I know I could save it and buy something practical like vitamins, but I want something frivolous. 

Yes.  I am a little selfish.  It's only $25.00.

A couple of months ago I used some expiring credit card points for Barnes and Nobles gift cards.  This was good, because it will feed my intense Nook reading addiction. 

With have Netflix and HuluPlus, I don't really NEED any DVDs.  Plus there aren't any classics that I don't have and they end up playing newer movies over and over on cable anymore. 

So there are other things on Amazon.com.  For goodness sake there are millions of things there and this silly gift card is itching in my inbox.

I could get a Rubber Chicken Tote Bag.




I could afford two "Hunger Games" official replica Mockingjay pins.




I can afford a 16 oz canister of Bacon Salt.  And we all know everything is better with bacon.





I could buy Bongo Drums.  ( I'd have to hurry and decide on this one as there are only 12 left!)




Or I could finally invest in that Cat Face t-shirt I've always wanted.




It is too much stress.  I don't know what to do.

Random Thoughts 4/8/12

I had to work today.  I work in an office that is open nearly all the time.  So from 10 AM to 7 PM I was at work.   I hustled home for many reasons.

"Amazing Race" is on at seven, unless, like tonight some sporting event goes long and then it doesn't start until after "60 Minutes" airs in it's entirety.  This irritates the crap out of me!  How do they get that deal?  It must suck for the network to shuffle things around to catch up as well.  This also throws off the entire Sunday night DVR schedule.  Because we can only record two shows at a time, so if we want to see "Celebrity Apprentice" we have to cancel "Desperate Housewives". 

Just that is exhausting. 

I am also working at 6 AM tomorrow morning for the first time in months.  This means I need to get up at 4 AM in order to make it on time.  So, as I write this, I should be in bed.  Soon enough. 

It was also Easter Sunday. 







When I was a kid, Easter was a big holiday.  The weeks leading up to it were Lent, and being a Catholic school child, that involved a lot of church and no red meat on Fridays.  The smell of incense takes me back to this time in a flash.

My sister and I called the priest of our church to quiz him on the whole red meat thing.  Since chicken was called white meat, shouldn't we be able to eat that on Fridays during Lent?  That was a big no. 

When I was thirteen I went to a sleepover on a Friday night during Lent and they made little English muffin pizzas.  I was sure I was going to be struck down by lightening because I had eaten one with sausage on it.   This is the first time I have confessed this to anyone.  I am still a little scared.

But my favorite Easter memory was when I was about eight.  My parents worked nights and didn't leave work until seven in the morning.  Well that year my little sister and I woke up early.  We rushed downstairs ready to unleash our junkie selves into a big old chocolate bunny.

But to our devastation there was nothing there.  No colored eggs.  No green cellophane grass.  Nothing.

Just nothing. 

We sat on the couch holding each other.  The only thing we tasted was the salt of our bitter tears.  We couldn't figure out what we'd done to anger the big bunny. 

That is when my dad got home.  He walked in the door with his arms loaded down with five children's worth of Easter goodness.  He spotted us on the couch and let out a little gasp.

We stared at him in confusion.  What had happened?

"All this was on the back step."  He announced.  "I guess the Easter Bunny couldn't get in the house."

All was well again.  There was candy.  Later we put on new Easter clothes and made our way to church.  Easter services are among my favorite.  The spring flowers and the happiness of the resurrection.  It is a nice service.  

It is late, so I hope everyone had a nice Easter. 

Maverick - 1994

Today is James Garner's birthday.  I love him a lot.  I love just about everything he's done.  He has unbelievable charisma and poise.   This movie showcases him wonderfully.  I also like Jodie Foster and even pre-crazy Mel Gibson is delightful.  The best thing about this movie is that it seems like everyone is having a fabulous time.






Mel takes on the role of Bret Maverick and does it with his usual charm and humor. 


Maverick: Now, there's something I want you to do for me.
Annabelle: Never. I am a lady. Not if you were a hundred years old, not if I was a hundred years old...
Maverick: Calm down. I don't want to go to bed with you, lady.
Annabelle: Why not?
Maverick: Why - Why not? I'd be too frightened. God knows what parts of me you'd steal. I'd wake up with all sorts of things missing.







Jodie Foster has never looked better than she does in this movie. 


Maverick: I've just noticed something.
Annabelle: What?
Maverick: You can't help it can you? You are irresistible.






As Coop, James Garner is just sublime.


Maverick: My old pappy always used to say, "there is no more deeply satisfying religious experience... than cheatin' on a cheater."
Zane Cooper: I never said that once. You've been misquoting me all your life.
Maverick: What, we're going to quibble over fine points?
Zane Cooper: You never even get close. Give me some credit.


There are so many little cameos that it's like a game of "name that actor." 


















Maverick: Oh, you sure do pick the spots.
Joseph: Yeah, I know. You know the next time you people come and drive us off our land I'm gonna find a nice piece of swamp that's so God-awful, maybe then you'll leave us the hell alone.

This a funny movie. 

Happy 84th birthday James Garner.  I hope you have a few more movies in you.  I think you are awesome. 

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story - 2007

This movie is hilarious.  I went to see it over Christmas when my mom was visiting.  My husband decided to stay home.  This came out not long after all a series of bio-pics.  It parodied all of them from "Walk The Line" to "Ray". 

The story follows Dewey Cox who at the age of six accidentally cuts his older brother in half while they are playing with machetes.





Country Doctor: This was a particularly bad case of somebody being cut in half.

During my recent surgery I joked about how I was nearly cut in half.  My husband would, without missing a beat, point out that it was a particularly bad case of being cut in half.

We have all the cliches for a bio-pic.   Of course the brother was the favorite and his father spends the whole movie muttering or just yelling that the "wrong kid died!"

Then we have middle aged John C. Reilly playing fourteen year old Dewey ready to hit the road and start his career.  He brings his twelve year old girlfriend played by Kristen Wiig. 








Dewey Cox: Springburry ain't big enough for me no more. I reckon it's time for Dewey Cox to move on.
Ma Cox: But y-you're only 14?
Dewey Cox: Mama, I love you. But I don't need nobody. All I need is my music. I've seen my path today, and I'm gonna take it, and some day, I'll make my masterpiece, and you'll all be proud of me. Just like you were of Nate.
Edith: Can I come, Dewey?
Dewey Cox: Of course you can, Edith! You're my girlfriend.
Edith: I am?
Dewey Cox: Yes, silly! I pointed at you in the audience.
Edith: [to the family] Did you hear that? I'm Dewey's 12 year-old girlfriend!



It doesn't take long before Dewey gets his big break and goes through all the pitfalls of being a huge star.







[after Dewey accidentally barges in a room filled with smoke and groupies]
Sam: [coughs] Get outta here, Dewey!
Dewey Cox: What are y'all doin' in here?
Sam: We're smoking reefer and you don't want no part of this $hit.
Dewey Cox: You're smoking *reefers*?
Sam: Yeah, 'course we are; can't you smell it?
Dewey Cox: [Dewey doesn't have a sense of smell] No, Sam. I can't.
Reefer Girl: Come on, Dewey! Join the party!
[takes a hit off a joint]
Sam: No, Dewey, you don't want this. Get outta here!
Dewey Cox: You know what, I don't want no hangover. I can't get no hangover.
Sam: It doesn't give you a hangover!
Dewey Cox: Wha-I get addicted to it or something?
Sam: It's not habit-forming!
Dewey Cox: Oh, okay... well, I don't know... I don't want to overdose on it.
Sam: You can't OD on it!
Dewey Cox: It's not gonna make me wanna have sex, is it?
Sam: It makes sex even better!
Dewey Cox: Sounds kind of expensive.
Sam: It's the cheapest drug there is.
Dewey Cox: [at a loss and out of excuses] Hmm.
Sam: You don't want it!
Dewey Cox: I think I kinda want it.
Sam: Okay, but just this once. Come on in.


Then he meets the love of his life.






Dewey Cox: [singing] In my dreams, you're blowing me... some kisses.
Darlene: [singing] That's one of my favorite things to do.
Dewey Cox: [singing] You and I could go down... in history.
Darlene: [singing] That's what I'm praying to do with you.


Through all the ups and downs it is spot on farce and just hilarious.  I remember getting home and telling my husband he needed to see this movie.  I bought the DVD the day it came out.  It was one of those rare movies that was even funnier the second time around.  There are so many little moments that you miss while you are rolling on the floor laughing. 

Now, there is some bad language and a penis in this movie.  Just warning you!   But it is so funny and if you've watched even one other bio-pic, it makes it even better.

Titanic - 1997

"Titanic" is in the news a lot recently as it is being re-released in 3D.  I will not be going to see it in the theaters.  I saw it an embarrassing 4 times in the theater the first time it came out.  Most embarrassing because I was 28 years old when it came out. 

This is the only movie I have seen that many times in the theater.  I have seen a few movies twice.  Most of the time it was because I saw the movie and then wanted to see it again with someone else.  This just happened recently with "21 Jump Street".  I had seen it with my son and then went with my husband. 

"Titanic" was a special case.  I went to see it when it opened.  It is a long movie and I ended up missing about fifteen minutes in the middle due to a restroom break.  So when friends wanted to see it again, I went to see the minutes I missed.  The plus here was I could plan my restroom break and miss a different part. 





Now if I hadn't been working for the video distributor, it may have ended there.  Then the studio came in and offered to take us to the movie and we got to go during work hours. 

I'm not stupid!  Paid to go to the movies?  Sign me up!

The studio rep got us drinks and candy and we settled in.  I was next to someone who wasn't impressed with the movie.  Who you sit next to at any event can have an effect on your experience.

My husband and I went to see the musical "Rent" some years back.  I had heard of the show, but didn't know anything about it.  My husband had gotten the tickets for free.  As we settled into our seats the girl sitting next to me asked if I'd seen the show before.  I admitted I hadn't.

She had seen it EIGHT TIMES!  She proceeded with great enthusiasm to give me the history of the show and tell me about what to expect and watch for.  It enhanced the show for me. 

My husband was sitting next to a guy who hadn't wanted to be there.  They discussed ways to fake napping while the show was going on.

The result.  I loved it.  My husband didn't.

In my husband's defense, I think if we'd been in opposite seats, Rent Girl wouldn't have convinced him about the wonders of the show.

My co-worker walked out of the theater disgusted.  I had cried, again.  (I was probably experiencing PMS or had something in my eye).

"I almost cried too."  She announced.  This was surprising as she wasn't an overly emotional person. 

"Really?"  I inquired.

"Who throws jewelry in the ocean?  That made me really sad."





This is the movie that introduced me to Kate Winslet who is divine.  With the re-release there was lots of stories of who was almost Rose.  Including Gwyneth "The Devil" Paltrow.  I am glad she didn't. 

It was a good movie.  I have it on DVD but I don't think I've seen it from beginning to end in the years since it came out.   My husband just has to hear the haunting opening music to announce, "Oh no"  We are not watching that."





But it is a sweet and romantic film.   Was it worth seeing it four times?  By the way, the fourth time was free too, so I couldn't turn it down.  I did notice new things each time.  It was masterful how each story was resolved.  Even characters that were barely there were given a final shot. 

Since I only paid for two viewings, I guess so.   Free snacks go a long way with me.

Back To Work

On Monday I went back to work.  The first day was really hard.  I had to work all day!  I have spent the last eight weeks in yoga pants with the ability to nap at will.

Things are wild and crazy and I am working to jump back into it.  So many people greeted me and welcomed me back.  Then I get to tell my "surgery" story.  That is fun too.  I have several versions depending on the level of interest. 

Most people give me the head tilt.






They smile gently, sometimes touch my arm with the tips of their fingers.   Then a quiet, almost whisper.

"How are you?"

"Fine.  Thanks."  I answer just as quietly.

They nod and go on with their day.

Others are more interested.





But not in my surgery, more in my time off. 

"So did you get bored?" 

"What did you watch?"

"Are you happy to be back?"

If they don't already read my blog, I don't admit to what I really watched.

"Oh, I just got a lot of rest and I am glad to be back." 

Then there are the people that want to know!





I try to gauge their reaction on how much of the nitty gritty they really want.   Sometimes I go a little far but most people make their limits clear right away.

It is nice to feel like they missed me.  I figure next week all bets are off. 

I am going to get back to my daily posting too starting today!  See you tomorrow. 

What I Did On My Medical Leave

I was on medical leave for eight weeks.  A lot of that time was spent in my recliner trying to keep my abdomen from moving unless absolutely necessary.  To this end, for the first three weeks I couldn't watch anything that was too funny.

My view the last eight weeks.

I also couldn't watch anything too terribly engrossing.  Between painkillers and general fatigue, I was sleeping more than the cat and I have a really old cat. 

So, what did I do with eight weeks of time. 

I got Netflix at the beginning of the year in anticipation.  I added all kinds of shows to my instant queue that I hadn't watched but had heard wonderful things about.  I quizzed everyone on the things I should watch.

I added "Mad Men", "Sons of Anarchy" and "Downton Abby".  I didn't watch any of these shows.  I put in "Arrested Development" and "Parks and Recreations".  Didn't watch those either.

So what did I do?





I watched the first two seasons of "Glee" in a week.  This show was fun and totally unrealistic.  Then I had to join Hulu Plus so I could watch the third season and am dying waiting for the return to see what happened to Quinn.  I became a Gleek.





I started watching "My Three Sons".   It was on at 7 am every morning.  I started setting my DVR so if I overslept I would see it.  Yes, I am a little ashamed.  But I had to see Steve and Barbara's wedding and how Dodie adjusted to living with all those rough boys.  Plus Robbie and Katie had the triplets and one time Jerry Mathers was their jerky neighbor.  He had a mustache! 





I watched a bunch of "Quantum Leap".  This show was so awesome, one of my favorite late 80's shows.   I'd never seen the one where Sam leaps into Elvis. 





I watched a lot of "How I Met Your Mother".  This show is one I started watching a couple of years ago. When I was working nights, it was always on television in the break room during my lunch.  So I started watching the old episodes to get some of the history.  This show is great.  It is really funny and I love Neil Patrick Harris.






I watched all the Twilight movies on DVD.  Look away, just look away. 





Yes.  I watched the first three seasons of "The Facts Of Life".  I don't even have the excuse that I was watching the George Clooney episodes. 





I watched "The Bold and the Beautiful".  This isn't new.  I became addicted and DVR it.  Don't judge me.  My husband watches it too. 





It was on right after B&B.    And my husband was usually napping.  And they had a Valentine's episode where fifty couples got engaged at once.  Plus my husband is hilarious when making fun of all the ladies. 

I turned it over when "Let's Make a Deal" started.  I'm not a complete loser.





I tried to watch "Kevin Smith: Too Fat For 40" but I was laughing so hard I thought I'd bust a stitch, so I had to turn it off.  I tried to tell my husband about it and couldn't stop laughing.  I will get to it.

I am the queen of good intentions.  When we first got satellite, I was extremely excited.  I talked about how I could watch documentaries on the History Channel and finally get up to date on news and current events on CNN.

What do I watch?  My favorite channel is the Food Network. 

I am a geek.  (And a Gleek).    I'm going to back to work.   It's probably best I didn't win the Mega Millions jackpot.  I would have started watching "The Young and the Restless" again.