As a substitute teacher, I enjoy those days when the teacher leaves a movie. Today was such a day.
Why do I like it? Because this is my job: Take role, explain that if people are talking I will send them to the office, then I push play, turn out lights, say "SHHHHHHHH" with a raised eyebrow and surprised look (As though surprised they dare talk after my warning seconds before), return to desk and do whatever the hell I want, then push stop and turn lights on. Repeat as necessary.
In that capacity, I drew several pictures for the new coloring books. I drew some dragons. I also drew some girlie things. It is so difficult for me to determine what a girlie drawing is! And, of course, everyone asks for "princesses." Do you know how hard princesses are to draw? I don't do well drawing people. Sure, yes, in a pinch I can draw people, but damn, it's SOOO much easier drawing fish.
I enjoyed the day, though. When it was over, I came home and delivered the That's My Pan order. I got home just a short time before Cora. I also sold a coloring book...to a parent of one of my students. She was in the classroom I was in yesterday. I showed her the books and she said her son had been talking about them for quite some time. Apparently all those free color sheets might be working out!
Our clown fish babies hatched yesterday, sometime before we awoke. I am sure they are gone, but maybe in a few months one will creep out of the rock work and we'll have a baby! Fish. That is the most likely baby we will ever have, at this rate.
I need some wine.
Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts
Friday, April 23, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Movie Madness
What is it about me? Do I have a tattoo on my head that says "ATTENTION: Freaks Gather Near!" ? Really! It isn't fair.
Cora and I went and saw a movie tonight. We decided to go watch "Alice In Wonderland." It began well enough. We got a large popcorn and some drinks and sat down awaiting the movie. We were about 40 minutes early, but we had the theater to ourselves. It was a nice way to spend some time with my wife...that is, in the dark. I decided to get up and return to the lobby.
When I came back I followed four 6-8 year old boys into our theater. Ah, well. The Silence could not last forever. A couple minutes later their mother/chaperon came in and declared that she would not let a group of eight year olds sit by themselves. Cora and I chuckled.
The theater began to fill up quickly. There were many kids, since this is a PG movie. It was fixing to be a good evening! Then I noticed that the row next to me was bare of people. I thought it would be nice if no one sat there. I fully expected some kids to walk in, but that is ok. As you may recall, I had bad luck with the person who sat next to me at the theater the last time.
It was only a couple minutes before the movie was to start and this tall gangly guy came rushing along our row from the wrong end. He didn't even say excuse me. He carried the slight smell of old tobacco and, in the dim light, I could make out, or perhaps I imagined, a sparse mustache (the kind I grew in eleventh grade), short cropped hair and the unmistakable gate of someone who lives in "the 'hood" and has gang members for friends. He continued on, though, and sat at the last seat, looking just a bit too awake for that time of day. I thought, "Wow! I have been spared!" Then his girlfriend came in. She sat beside him and though neither of them showed great grooming habits, I decided it would be ok for them to be there.
It was then that his ...buddy came in. His buddy was similarly tall, but also had great girth. He had a shaved head and wore his sunglasses on his forehead, as though he may use them in a moment. He had a mustache, the kind you see on convicts these days. I heard his friend say there were four seats. I thought, cool, he will sit next to his buddy and I will still have a three seat buffer.
Not a chance in hell. He walked straight over and parked his bulk in the chair next to mine. Apart from his strangely high pitched voice, I was surprised by the smell of urinal cake. He began this all by being strangely loud, too.
So, he sat down and he was somewhat larger than the seat and his arms were crossed to keep from bumping me. There are at least three seats between him and his buddy. He's right smack up against me. Cora, bless her heart, offered to move down one space. I accepted her offer. We moved down, I explained, so as not to piss him off, that at least we would not have to bump elbows. And just in time too. His girlfriend came in.
I am no police officer or medical examiner, but these people may have been on drugs. I know that crack gives people a certain look. These people had that look. Also, when I got up to move, I saw a large variety of tatoos on this man. One large TEAR on his eye made me suspect he may have had his share of prison time.
The movie started just as his girlfriend came in...with nachos. He then began eating as though this was his first meal in months. Loudly and with a great amount of moaning and num-num-numming. I over heard some coarse language and it did not get better. The opening scene of the movie showed Alice in her bed. He, dumbly, asked, "Is that Alice?"
For the entire movie it was either coarse, rude language (Offensive to me and no doubt the rest of the crowd), and loud speaking. Several people SHUSHED him and his girlfriend. She, at one point, was on her cell phone speaking loudly! We shushed her again. Did I mention he looked like he might be carrying a weapon? I chanced a side-long glance at him and his girlfriend, and noticed he was holding his cell phone up to his face, apparently having difficulty reading a text message. A few seconds later, he tensed and started to get up and then sat down and seemed very angry. His voice said as much, but with far more F-words than I hoped would be used around so many kids. I thought, perhaps I had shushed him and his girl one too many times. He calmed down, though.
But, finally, he got up and his girlfriend followed.
He said to his friend, in his high-growling voice, "I'll be waiting outside for you."
I thought I was being paranoid when Cora and I walked out after the movie, and I kept watching for this guy. I just knew he was going to jump out and stab me for looking at him too many times and shushing him. We made a direct route to the car. I was glad i'd parked close to the front.
When we got in the car, Cora mentioned that she thought maybe he'd be waiting for us, since she had shushed him, too. At least we are BOTH paranoid together.
At least I THOUGHT it was paranoia...until we got home and heard about some L.A. man that had been stabbed WITH A MEAT THERMOMETER for shushing a lady in a theater who was talking on her cell phone during the movie. Maybe we should consider renting DVDs.
I cannot believe the way some people act in the theater. What happened to manners and mores? I was NOT comfortable sitting near that man, wondering just exactly when he was going to come unhinged and start stabbing, or perhaps shooting people with his weapon of indeterminable nature. How unpleasant.
Cora and I went and saw a movie tonight. We decided to go watch "Alice In Wonderland." It began well enough. We got a large popcorn and some drinks and sat down awaiting the movie. We were about 40 minutes early, but we had the theater to ourselves. It was a nice way to spend some time with my wife...that is, in the dark. I decided to get up and return to the lobby.
When I came back I followed four 6-8 year old boys into our theater. Ah, well. The Silence could not last forever. A couple minutes later their mother/chaperon came in and declared that she would not let a group of eight year olds sit by themselves. Cora and I chuckled.
The theater began to fill up quickly. There were many kids, since this is a PG movie. It was fixing to be a good evening! Then I noticed that the row next to me was bare of people. I thought it would be nice if no one sat there. I fully expected some kids to walk in, but that is ok. As you may recall, I had bad luck with the person who sat next to me at the theater the last time.
It was only a couple minutes before the movie was to start and this tall gangly guy came rushing along our row from the wrong end. He didn't even say excuse me. He carried the slight smell of old tobacco and, in the dim light, I could make out, or perhaps I imagined, a sparse mustache (the kind I grew in eleventh grade), short cropped hair and the unmistakable gate of someone who lives in "the 'hood" and has gang members for friends. He continued on, though, and sat at the last seat, looking just a bit too awake for that time of day. I thought, "Wow! I have been spared!" Then his girlfriend came in. She sat beside him and though neither of them showed great grooming habits, I decided it would be ok for them to be there.
It was then that his ...buddy came in. His buddy was similarly tall, but also had great girth. He had a shaved head and wore his sunglasses on his forehead, as though he may use them in a moment. He had a mustache, the kind you see on convicts these days. I heard his friend say there were four seats. I thought, cool, he will sit next to his buddy and I will still have a three seat buffer.
Not a chance in hell. He walked straight over and parked his bulk in the chair next to mine. Apart from his strangely high pitched voice, I was surprised by the smell of urinal cake. He began this all by being strangely loud, too.
So, he sat down and he was somewhat larger than the seat and his arms were crossed to keep from bumping me. There are at least three seats between him and his buddy. He's right smack up against me. Cora, bless her heart, offered to move down one space. I accepted her offer. We moved down, I explained, so as not to piss him off, that at least we would not have to bump elbows. And just in time too. His girlfriend came in.
I am no police officer or medical examiner, but these people may have been on drugs. I know that crack gives people a certain look. These people had that look. Also, when I got up to move, I saw a large variety of tatoos on this man. One large TEAR on his eye made me suspect he may have had his share of prison time.
The movie started just as his girlfriend came in...with nachos. He then began eating as though this was his first meal in months. Loudly and with a great amount of moaning and num-num-numming. I over heard some coarse language and it did not get better. The opening scene of the movie showed Alice in her bed. He, dumbly, asked, "Is that Alice?"
For the entire movie it was either coarse, rude language (Offensive to me and no doubt the rest of the crowd), and loud speaking. Several people SHUSHED him and his girlfriend. She, at one point, was on her cell phone speaking loudly! We shushed her again. Did I mention he looked like he might be carrying a weapon? I chanced a side-long glance at him and his girlfriend, and noticed he was holding his cell phone up to his face, apparently having difficulty reading a text message. A few seconds later, he tensed and started to get up and then sat down and seemed very angry. His voice said as much, but with far more F-words than I hoped would be used around so many kids. I thought, perhaps I had shushed him and his girl one too many times. He calmed down, though.
But, finally, he got up and his girlfriend followed.
He said to his friend, in his high-growling voice, "I'll be waiting outside for you."
I thought I was being paranoid when Cora and I walked out after the movie, and I kept watching for this guy. I just knew he was going to jump out and stab me for looking at him too many times and shushing him. We made a direct route to the car. I was glad i'd parked close to the front.
When we got in the car, Cora mentioned that she thought maybe he'd be waiting for us, since she had shushed him, too. At least we are BOTH paranoid together.
At least I THOUGHT it was paranoia...until we got home and heard about some L.A. man that had been stabbed WITH A MEAT THERMOMETER for shushing a lady in a theater who was talking on her cell phone during the movie. Maybe we should consider renting DVDs.
I cannot believe the way some people act in the theater. What happened to manners and mores? I was NOT comfortable sitting near that man, wondering just exactly when he was going to come unhinged and start stabbing, or perhaps shooting people with his weapon of indeterminable nature. How unpleasant.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Wild Things...What?
We watched "Where the Wild Things Are" and I have to say, "WHAT???" I was expecting a very cool, positive, happy, simple, easy to follow movie that would be fun for kids.
and...
I was surfing the net, keeping an eye on the movie like I usually do. And was quickly lost in the jumps and boredom of a movie that was apparently meant as an art/metaphoric piece on the trials of adolescent lives. The art was fantastic. The photography and the monsters were well devised. The story? I don't know, I wasn't paying attention. I know I would have been PISSED off if I'd have taken my kid to watch the movie...because, even though I am not a kid (Or a parent yet) I am pretty sure they advertised it as a different movie than it really is! Overall, I give this movie a big thirteen thumbs down.
So, tomorrow, I need to, A.) find a job, B.)collect funds for some of the coloring books I have sold, and C.) mail a few coloring books. Can you believe the way these things have sold?
I have had kids at the schools tell me they thought I had printed my drawings off the internet. To which I reply by drawing them a picture in front of their eyes, or another student comes up and tells them to have their head examined because Mr. H is an Artist! I have had people tell me I am gifted, which is hard for me to swallow, since I think ANYONE could draw like I do, and many do, and better than I. Still, I suppose the ability to visualize and place things spatially on a paper is not the kind of thing they teach in Kindergarten. I have worked to get to the point I am at. I was always jealous of those artists who could make a painting in five minutes, or draw faces at the fair, or make a cartoon character in seconds without sketching. Now, I can do some of that. It is something I have worked toward, but I still feel that with patience and determination anyone can do it.
On the down side, I have to keep up my pace, since there is such a demand, and I want to keep up the sales, so a new book is going to have to come...but, where do I get the ideas? (Many people ask me that) OUT of my WHOLLY mismatched and poorly working head. I use all sorts of things for ideas. I do that without thinking most times, though. One instance where you can see me consciously looking for ideas would be that picture of the truck from about a week and a half ago. I used it for the coloring book (next to the last page). So, it is not completely in a vacuum (well, maybe, if you were to talk to my sister or my wife, they might tell you that the inside of my head IS a vacuum).
Anyway, time for bed!
and...
I was surfing the net, keeping an eye on the movie like I usually do. And was quickly lost in the jumps and boredom of a movie that was apparently meant as an art/metaphoric piece on the trials of adolescent lives. The art was fantastic. The photography and the monsters were well devised. The story? I don't know, I wasn't paying attention. I know I would have been PISSED off if I'd have taken my kid to watch the movie...because, even though I am not a kid (Or a parent yet) I am pretty sure they advertised it as a different movie than it really is! Overall, I give this movie a big thirteen thumbs down.
So, tomorrow, I need to, A.) find a job, B.)collect funds for some of the coloring books I have sold, and C.) mail a few coloring books. Can you believe the way these things have sold?
I have had kids at the schools tell me they thought I had printed my drawings off the internet. To which I reply by drawing them a picture in front of their eyes, or another student comes up and tells them to have their head examined because Mr. H is an Artist! I have had people tell me I am gifted, which is hard for me to swallow, since I think ANYONE could draw like I do, and many do, and better than I. Still, I suppose the ability to visualize and place things spatially on a paper is not the kind of thing they teach in Kindergarten. I have worked to get to the point I am at. I was always jealous of those artists who could make a painting in five minutes, or draw faces at the fair, or make a cartoon character in seconds without sketching. Now, I can do some of that. It is something I have worked toward, but I still feel that with patience and determination anyone can do it.
On the down side, I have to keep up my pace, since there is such a demand, and I want to keep up the sales, so a new book is going to have to come...but, where do I get the ideas? (Many people ask me that) OUT of my WHOLLY mismatched and poorly working head. I use all sorts of things for ideas. I do that without thinking most times, though. One instance where you can see me consciously looking for ideas would be that picture of the truck from about a week and a half ago. I used it for the coloring book (next to the last page). So, it is not completely in a vacuum (well, maybe, if you were to talk to my sister or my wife, they might tell you that the inside of my head IS a vacuum).
Anyway, time for bed!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Avatar!
I am a nerd. Nerd to the 7th power probably. No, I have never gotten dressed up in a robe to see a Harry Potter movie, nor have I ever donned Star Trek attire just for fun (I did it once in High School, but that was for a skit, so I don't think it counts). Thinking it might be fun to dress as a Klingon, but being mainstream enough to know that is a fantasy that will never be realized, well, that's different...(I don't think that counts either)...I was JUST thinking. Anyway, I bought tickets to Avatar the movie that just came out.
So, here's the thing: I think it is an awesome movie...I believe that, in itself, rates it at about 7 stars on a 5 star scale or six thumbs up on the Siskel and Ebert Scale. I'm not saying I loved it (OK, yes, I am.) but, I will definitely buy it when it comes out on DVD. I wonder if they will have any figurines...
For those of you who don't know, it is a story of a crippled Marine who gets to go to a different planet and play with a remote control body. In so doing, though, he gets lost on the planet among the native people. The movie has a strong environmental message, that I wish people in developing nations might see, still, it isn't so blatant or overwhelming that it makes you gag. It's a case of trying to get to know your enemy and finding that you are really brothers. It is a VERY good story, well developed by American movie standards, and the entire thing is like a great tapestry that has been woven together with nary a thread out of place.
The animals on this alien planet are well planned, and terrifically portrayed. The culture of the Na-vi reminds one of Native Americans, or for that matter, any native culture that values the land on which they live.
The machines, though futuristic and wild in capability, were believable enough and well designed. One can imagine getting into one and potentially flying one. Everything had the feel that it belonged. It worked the way it felt like it should.
I believed this movie...and isn't that the idea of a movie? To make the audience BELIEVE, if only for a moment? I enjoyed it. I may eventually love it (when was the last time I said that about a movie? [Never]).
This movie was made by the same guy that made Titanic. Remember as the ship slipped under the waves? Remember the Diamond? Remember the old lady? Remember Leonardo De Caprio slipping into the cold waters of the North Atlantic? No? Me neither, all I remember is Kate Winslet's breasts. I think Avatar is better than Titanic, except the breast part, although, those are some HOT alien women!
Would I recommend this movie? HELL YEAH! Especially if you like Sci-Fi...but, even if you aren't a big fan. As long as you can follow a plot, I think you will like it.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Weekend Work
We worked on the house this weekend! There was some fun, too, though. We cleaned the house but we also watched some movies. Starting Friday, we went to New Moon. Saturday, while we were cleaning we watched a few movies, too. We watched Star Trek, the new movie, for the second time in a week. We also watched some other movies, but the main thing is, I think the new Star Trek has taken its place amongst its brethren.
The house is almost there. I think we will be ready for Thanksgiving Day and a whole mess of family. Cora did some cooking and food prep and I helped. We cleaned at the house, floors and more.
I rearranged one of the fish tanks a bit, in hopes of getting the smaller Skunk Clown to stop picking on my Maroon Clown. Most sources say that Maroons are pretty plucky, but mine must be a pacifist.
I managed to contact the son of a pilot that died in an aircraft crash. I am hoping to get more information from this man concerning his father. His father was a highly decorated pilot in Vietnam. I hope to write the article in the coming weeks.
I work in EV twice this week. I am looking forward to it! Hopefully, I can pick up another job this week.
Gypsy began limping around on Saturday morning. She won't put weight on her right back leg. She did not move much Saturday, but Sunday she began to move around a bit more. Still, Cora plans to take her in to the vet to figure out what's wrong. We all hope it will be something simple (and let me honest, CHEAP).
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Sunday Movie
We went to a movie today. We went and saw UP! It's a pretty good little movie. Not exactly what I expected, but good! After that we had some ice cream at a Cold Stone.
We hung around today. Cora did alot of work and I didn't do much. I should feel more guilty, but I think I may have a relaxed sense of guilt. Surprisingly I am completely OK about that.
So, a fourth celebrity has passed in a week. I will not say who, since my last post about him incured some rather foul language, but suffice it to say he was a big fan of Oxi-Clean. You'd think I had had a hand in the slaying of the Masiah! Jeez, some people are so cranky! He was just a person who yelled loudly out of my TV. I am sorry he is gone, but I'm not sorry about the post...it wasn't that bad of a post. I have seen worse posts and articles about this same guy! Oh, well!
Well, my goal for this week is to make a painting...Seems the summer keeps dragging me away from my plans. You know, it has been 90 days since we had BB referred to us? Well, we will continue to hope for a speedy union! I can't wiat to meet him in person...of course, he'll probbly ask for the car keys as soon as we get home...ok, maybe it won't take THAT long, but sometimes 90 days is forever...and 26 months is longer than that.
I'll tell you movie about the movie UP-what? SQUIRREL!!
We hung around today. Cora did alot of work and I didn't do much. I should feel more guilty, but I think I may have a relaxed sense of guilt. Surprisingly I am completely OK about that.
So, a fourth celebrity has passed in a week. I will not say who, since my last post about him incured some rather foul language, but suffice it to say he was a big fan of Oxi-Clean. You'd think I had had a hand in the slaying of the Masiah! Jeez, some people are so cranky! He was just a person who yelled loudly out of my TV. I am sorry he is gone, but I'm not sorry about the post...it wasn't that bad of a post. I have seen worse posts and articles about this same guy! Oh, well!
Well, my goal for this week is to make a painting...Seems the summer keeps dragging me away from my plans. You know, it has been 90 days since we had BB referred to us? Well, we will continue to hope for a speedy union! I can't wiat to meet him in person...of course, he'll probbly ask for the car keys as soon as we get home...ok, maybe it won't take THAT long, but sometimes 90 days is forever...and 26 months is longer than that.
I'll tell you movie about the movie UP-what? SQUIRREL!!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Grandma's Blog!
So, today was a big day for My wife's grandmother (I also claim her as mine, but Cora had her first, so I really have to take seconds, I suppose.). The local newspaper ran a story on her. Apparently not all 80 year old women have their own blogs...if they don't, I think they ought to. Here is a link to the story... You all better think she is the most awesome, or I am coming to see you with a baseball bat and a sledge hammer...just kiddin'! But, you should check out her site, if you haven't already.
Cora and I stayed in. I did go out and shovel the walk and get the paper. Cora made candy and goodies, while I looked on...eager to lick the fodge bowl. YUM! She can make some mean fudge! I was mostly in charge of making sure we were watching a movie at all times.
In 1994, a movie came out, which is not so surprising, because many movies come out each year, which makes that kind of dumb statement, unless I am introducing a movie that I think deserves particular attention, which I am. It was about the time that Hugh Grant began to become popular and quite awhile before his experience with a call girl and TV cameras.
It is a tale of woe and happiness. It is a tale of four weddings and a funeral, hence the name: Four Weddings and a Funeral. Ever since we first saw it, we both loved it. Some of the best scenes show how the main character Charlie seems to have bad luck with women. It is a great window into Birtish humor.
The winter weather continued to hound us. We have picked up an additionl inch or so since this morning. I shoveled the walk a few times, still, I will neeed to do it again in the morning. I also made soup for dinner...chicken and potato soup. Yum! It was excellent. I also chopped up some BBQ pork and some cheese and we had a light lunch. Cora's goodies were...well, they may not make it to the holidays!
Cora wrapped gifts and I helped where I could, mostly I helped her out. We watched movies all day long. Which leads me back to Four Weddings and a Funeral. After my best friend passed away, the eulogy that is delivered during the funeral part seemed to take special meaning to me.
It is called the Funeral Blues, buy W.H. Auden.:
Funeral Blues
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin,let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
W.H. Auden
I hope I haven't brought too many of you down, I just like the poem. I also had an excellent day! I spent it with my wonderful wife and we took it easy while watching the quail break bread on our walk. I had a good day! I hope yours was the same!
Cora and I stayed in. I did go out and shovel the walk and get the paper. Cora made candy and goodies, while I looked on...eager to lick the fodge bowl. YUM! She can make some mean fudge! I was mostly in charge of making sure we were watching a movie at all times.
In 1994, a movie came out, which is not so surprising, because many movies come out each year, which makes that kind of dumb statement, unless I am introducing a movie that I think deserves particular attention, which I am. It was about the time that Hugh Grant began to become popular and quite awhile before his experience with a call girl and TV cameras.
It is a tale of woe and happiness. It is a tale of four weddings and a funeral, hence the name: Four Weddings and a Funeral. Ever since we first saw it, we both loved it. Some of the best scenes show how the main character Charlie seems to have bad luck with women. It is a great window into Birtish humor.
The winter weather continued to hound us. We have picked up an additionl inch or so since this morning. I shoveled the walk a few times, still, I will neeed to do it again in the morning. I also made soup for dinner...chicken and potato soup. Yum! It was excellent. I also chopped up some BBQ pork and some cheese and we had a light lunch. Cora's goodies were...well, they may not make it to the holidays!
Cora wrapped gifts and I helped where I could, mostly I helped her out. We watched movies all day long. Which leads me back to Four Weddings and a Funeral. After my best friend passed away, the eulogy that is delivered during the funeral part seemed to take special meaning to me.
It is called the Funeral Blues, buy W.H. Auden.:
Funeral Blues
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin,let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
W.H. Auden
I hope I haven't brought too many of you down, I just like the poem. I also had an excellent day! I spent it with my wonderful wife and we took it easy while watching the quail break bread on our walk. I had a good day! I hope yours was the same!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
"I Never Thought Much About Dying..."
Those are the words (or some semblance) that "Bella" says at the beginning of the movie. I think I may need to give up a few man cards, because, gentle reader, I kinda, sorta, in between all the mushy teenage angst and long lingering glances...ok, they were stares, liked it. Yes, I took Cora to see Twilight, or Twinge, or Vamp Fever...or whatever it's called. I won't get into it, but, it was acceptable for an evening at the movies. Oh, and I HAVE to say, Alice is...well, the character they chose was HOT! (She's the second from the left)
I worked maintenance today. I continued cleaning a corner of the shop. Seriously, it was just a corner. You may recall Twinky from this summer? He was given the simple job of straightening up the corner of the shop I worked on today, back in September. When I began this job, last week, there was a large stack of boxes and other odd things (a large neat stack, admittedly) sitting in the general vicinity of the corner and..., a little room I like to call a storage closet. His large neat pile was blocking the door to this (we will refer to it as a) storage closet, in which the walls were lined with (we will call them) shelves...empty shelves. I merely emptied the boxes nd placed their contents on the shelves. I also put up a set of shelves in the corner, more places for boxes! I am not a genius, but apparently I see things differently than Twinky.
Oh, and Cora seemed to enjoy the movie, too...I think she even lived through me rolling my eyes a few times...She also seemed to indicate that the guys in the movie were somewhat...well, let's just say, not ugly.
I can't recall, did I mention that Alice from the movie was quite attractive? It's only fair, she was staring at man candy all over the screen...
I worked maintenance today. I continued cleaning a corner of the shop. Seriously, it was just a corner. You may recall Twinky from this summer? He was given the simple job of straightening up the corner of the shop I worked on today, back in September. When I began this job, last week, there was a large stack of boxes and other odd things (a large neat stack, admittedly) sitting in the general vicinity of the corner and..., a little room I like to call a storage closet. His large neat pile was blocking the door to this (we will refer to it as a) storage closet, in which the walls were lined with (we will call them) shelves...empty shelves. I merely emptied the boxes nd placed their contents on the shelves. I also put up a set of shelves in the corner, more places for boxes! I am not a genius, but apparently I see things differently than Twinky.
Oh, and Cora seemed to enjoy the movie, too...I think she even lived through me rolling my eyes a few times...She also seemed to indicate that the guys in the movie were somewhat...well, let's just say, not ugly.
I can't recall, did I mention that Alice from the movie was quite attractive? It's only fair, she was staring at man candy all over the screen...
Friday, November 21, 2008
Pizza Particulars
Cora has been waiting to make some sort of homemade pizza for the past week, but due to her audit she has not felt up to it. So, tonight she took the kitchen from me. She began by spreading out the dough, the other particulars involve what goes on top. This is a Bacon pizza. Well, there is bacon on it. There is a sundried tomato alfredo sauce on it. Spinach, sundried tomatoes, olives, and garlic make up the rest of the ingredients. It should be out in a few minutes...and I can't wait!
I taught HS yesterday. When I was done I went into town to partake in a "Wine nd Cheese" sale. I got a very good deal. At an average of 30% off. I got some inexpensive wines, but also a few that I would not normally buy because of their price.
I opened a good bottle of wine for dinner (Portteus, Rattlesnake Red). I visited their winery last summer, but the choices were too dear for me to buy. Most of their bottles were in the $40-50 range, their cheapest were in the mid to high twenties. I love good wine, but I am also a big fan of money.
I rented Tropic Thunder and Wall-E, Tropic Thunder is good. Cora's Pizza was EXCELLENT! And the WINE was FINE! I'll keep you posted on the other movie. I hope everyone has a good weekend!
I taught HS yesterday. When I was done I went into town to partake in a "Wine nd Cheese" sale. I got a very good deal. At an average of 30% off. I got some inexpensive wines, but also a few that I would not normally buy because of their price.
I opened a good bottle of wine for dinner (Portteus, Rattlesnake Red). I visited their winery last summer, but the choices were too dear for me to buy. Most of their bottles were in the $40-50 range, their cheapest were in the mid to high twenties. I love good wine, but I am also a big fan of money.
I rented Tropic Thunder and Wall-E, Tropic Thunder is good. Cora's Pizza was EXCELLENT! And the WINE was FINE! I'll keep you posted on the other movie. I hope everyone has a good weekend!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
It's Happening
Last night when we got home, we decided to rent a movie. We have always enjoyed M. Night Shyamalan's movies, so we thought, why not rent The Happening? Well, apparently every other person and his mother had the same idea. So, I had to settle on Iron Man. I left my number should they get a copy of The Happening in later. Sure enough, they did. So, at 9pm, I went over (two whole blocks) and got it. We were tired, so we decided to watch it this morning. It is good movie. A bit more gore than I prefer, but then again, I do like war movies, so it didn't bother me a bunch. I have liked his other movies better, but this was good.
I did notice something, however. All of M. Night Shyamalan's movies occur on the EAST COAST. I feel VERY safe living on the WEST COAST. You see it is unlikely that a bunch of weirdos build a town in the woods here, because they did that on the East Coast. It is unlikely the Aliens will want us, since they did that on the East Coast. It seems highly unlikely that any of us will See Dead People, since that also happened on the East Coast. This latest movie had some inanimate objects apparently angered by the human presence there... Seems unlucky to live on the East Coast.
This morning I got up at 8am. I was annoyed with the dog...he had somehow wormed his way into the bed and forced me to sleep on my side. There was also some sort of low pitched rumble. It was coming from the firing center. This is the Yakima Training Center, and it is my understanding that it is a sub-set to Fort Lewis.
I decided to drive up and see if I could see any action from the public side of the fence. I took the video camera and the still camera. I got audio of the explosions from up there, but I could not locate the source visually. My asumption is they were practicing their artillery artwork in the opposite valley. I did however, get a few still pictures looking back toward our own valley. I used my sunglasses to filter a few pictures. I hope you like these pictures, which show some of our local flora.
the next is looking south...
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Tina Fey, Delicious Dinner!
Crook Neck Squash is a nifty thing. Add a little steam and a little butter, and this vegetable becomes a sweet medley of luscious tastes and textures! Oh, the wonders of home grown vegetables. Cora made excellent dinner tonight. Included in her recipe was crook neck squash...YUMMY. She also included some cucumber with some balsamic, olive oil and sesame oil. OOOOH! Awesome.
We also rented Baby Mama! OK, I think this is a spectacular movie! If you have not seen it...GO GET IT!!!!!!! I mean it! Of course, I also like the movie "Mr. Roberts." Cora, while seeing some of the merits of this movie, does not agree with me when I say it is the world's best movie. But, she is actually splitting a gut...it may take staples, since stitches probably won't cover this kind of splittage! So, since everyone likes a good side-splitting movie, you had better go watch it...wow, I think I will watch it again, I made a pretty good argument for it. Also...uh, don't tell Cora, but,Tina Fey is HOT!! (WITH OR WITHOUT GLASSES)
We also bought a new Pudge. A clown goby, yellow in color. I have commenced calling him Pudge Junior...PJ. We also got two hermit crabs! Awesome. The only down side is he is hiding behind the heater.
Tomorrow we go to the Seahawks/49ers game! I will post pictures when we get home!
We also rented Baby Mama! OK, I think this is a spectacular movie! If you have not seen it...GO GET IT!!!!!!! I mean it! Of course, I also like the movie "Mr. Roberts." Cora, while seeing some of the merits of this movie, does not agree with me when I say it is the world's best movie. But, she is actually splitting a gut...it may take staples, since stitches probably won't cover this kind of splittage! So, since everyone likes a good side-splitting movie, you had better go watch it...wow, I think I will watch it again, I made a pretty good argument for it. Also...uh, don't tell Cora, but,Tina Fey is HOT!! (WITH OR WITHOUT GLASSES)
We also bought a new Pudge. A clown goby, yellow in color. I have commenced calling him Pudge Junior...PJ. We also got two hermit crabs! Awesome. The only down side is he is hiding behind the heater.
Tomorrow we go to the Seahawks/49ers game! I will post pictures when we get home!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Bicentennial Post
200. 2X100. 4X50. I have now posted 200 times. I have enjoyed this blogging thing. I don't necessarily know how many people read this blog, but I enjoy writing it for those who do. I also enjoy writing it for myself. I used to write in a journal when I was a teenager. I look back on it once in awhile and at times am astonished at my subject matter and sometimes amused. I think writing in a journalhelped me become a better writer. I am aware that I am not the best writer, but I know I am not a horrible writer, you guys can at least keep up with my train of thought...most of the time.
Today, I got up and made coffee and then proceeded to relax for awhile. Cora left for work nd I began cleaning house. Dogs. I think we should shave our dogs. Just for the simple fact that it requires so much work to clean up all that hair. I also took Cora a sandwich for lunch and then came back and used her computer (at her suggestion) to edit a video of our geocache from Sunday. I even put it on DVD with music and titles and everything! It is only about 7 minutes long, but I had fun and I need to practice for Africa and China. Now, I need to learn to upload to You-Tube. I also know I want to take more footage so I have more to choose from when I edit it. Now, I know why directors take so many takes.
Cora and I went to The Mummy 3...it was a good movie! I now want to watch the other two again. We ate at the theater. You know that healthy stuff they stock. I went with a polish sausage and she chose a hot dog. Add the bun and relish and you have most of the food groups, minus bacon.
I have an update and a minor excuse next. You know I took my computer in. My computer is now aged. I bought it in the fall of 2005. The computer guru at the shop said he was surprised at how well mine has held up. He then said that I was lucky with the Toshiba Satelite 25...the following models apparently were not as good. He also said that to expect more than two years out of a laptop was being optimistic...I thought they'd last longer than that...mine has. It is now 3 years old and apparently going strong...so long as I can keep clear of malware. On the down side, it has a few quirks.
My computer has all its keys; though, a couple are only held on by hope. Some of the keys no longer work. My computer has a function key, you press it and press one of the f keys and you can turn down the screen brightness, or the volume, or turn the mousepad on and off...or you could when it was new. Now, if my mouse dies, I have to borrow Cora's mouse to turn on my keypad. I mentioned that my Z key was no longer reliable, now, after this last visit to the shop, my A key is ALSO unreliable. There is a crack in the backside of the screen. The cord pulls out without notice and the battery has long since ceased to hold a charge. I might get three minutes out of the battery, I usually get the notice from the computer that I should plug it in AS the screen is fading! Yes, she is a wonder of the world, but I love my little Toshi!
So, 200 posts and I still don't have a hit from Montana or Nevada or West Virginia. So, I will leave you with some open attempts at search engine baiting: When I was a kid my parents volunteered with the city parade float. My Mom designed the float for three years in a row...and got numerous awards (yes, they give awards for floats). For two years we went to Butte, Montanna. Some company rented it for the city parade there. It was a neat experience. We got to go to the mining museum there. It was home to a large copper mine. Butte, Montana was not much different from here, though I saw a real hard rain there. It came down in sheets and then two minutes later it was done and the sun came out again...weird.
When we lived in California, we went to Reno, Nevada with my parents. All we had to do was drive about 2 hours across the Sierra Nevadas. We drove past Truckee, CA and then on to Reno. We had to gamble in a casino in Nevada, so we played slots. We went with 10 dollars and came back with 11! I say we came out head! I don't think you have patients for me to write about West Virginia, and, frankly, I am tired! I hope you all have a good night!
Today, I got up and made coffee and then proceeded to relax for awhile. Cora left for work nd I began cleaning house. Dogs. I think we should shave our dogs. Just for the simple fact that it requires so much work to clean up all that hair. I also took Cora a sandwich for lunch and then came back and used her computer (at her suggestion) to edit a video of our geocache from Sunday. I even put it on DVD with music and titles and everything! It is only about 7 minutes long, but I had fun and I need to practice for Africa and China. Now, I need to learn to upload to You-Tube. I also know I want to take more footage so I have more to choose from when I edit it. Now, I know why directors take so many takes.
Cora and I went to The Mummy 3...it was a good movie! I now want to watch the other two again. We ate at the theater. You know that healthy stuff they stock. I went with a polish sausage and she chose a hot dog. Add the bun and relish and you have most of the food groups, minus bacon.
I have an update and a minor excuse next. You know I took my computer in. My computer is now aged. I bought it in the fall of 2005. The computer guru at the shop said he was surprised at how well mine has held up. He then said that I was lucky with the Toshiba Satelite 25...the following models apparently were not as good. He also said that to expect more than two years out of a laptop was being optimistic...I thought they'd last longer than that...mine has. It is now 3 years old and apparently going strong...so long as I can keep clear of malware. On the down side, it has a few quirks.
My computer has all its keys; though, a couple are only held on by hope. Some of the keys no longer work. My computer has a function key, you press it and press one of the f keys and you can turn down the screen brightness, or the volume, or turn the mousepad on and off...or you could when it was new. Now, if my mouse dies, I have to borrow Cora's mouse to turn on my keypad. I mentioned that my Z key was no longer reliable, now, after this last visit to the shop, my A key is ALSO unreliable. There is a crack in the backside of the screen. The cord pulls out without notice and the battery has long since ceased to hold a charge. I might get three minutes out of the battery, I usually get the notice from the computer that I should plug it in AS the screen is fading! Yes, she is a wonder of the world, but I love my little Toshi!
So, 200 posts and I still don't have a hit from Montana or Nevada or West Virginia. So, I will leave you with some open attempts at search engine baiting: When I was a kid my parents volunteered with the city parade float. My Mom designed the float for three years in a row...and got numerous awards (yes, they give awards for floats). For two years we went to Butte, Montanna. Some company rented it for the city parade there. It was a neat experience. We got to go to the mining museum there. It was home to a large copper mine. Butte, Montana was not much different from here, though I saw a real hard rain there. It came down in sheets and then two minutes later it was done and the sun came out again...weird.
When we lived in California, we went to Reno, Nevada with my parents. All we had to do was drive about 2 hours across the Sierra Nevadas. We drove past Truckee, CA and then on to Reno. We had to gamble in a casino in Nevada, so we played slots. We went with 10 dollars and came back with 11! I say we came out head! I don't think you have patients for me to write about West Virginia, and, frankly, I am tired! I hope you all have a good night!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Daddy's Got a New Pair of Shoes!!
Yesterday was a relaxing day. We took it easy, but we did go to town to get a few things. I got my last pair of tennis shoes last spring…maybe last winter. I have not worn them as much since I have been teaching. I have some dressier shoes for that. However, my shoes are showing the wear of time and that hole in the sole from when I stepped down on that stupid T post is still there, too. I decided I would like to get a new pair of shoes. I don’t enjoy shopping for shoes…or anything else for me, for that matter. I would just prefer Cora get my size and do it for me. She does not like to do that, though. So, we both went shoe shopping for me…I am NOT going to do it alone! I found a pair that looked nice and looked to see if they had my size. They had one shoe that was a size 9. The other shoe was nowhere to be found. We looked high and low, no other size nine of that style. So, I decided to try a pair of 8.5’s. They seemed to fit. I thought a little snug, but decided to buy them anyway, then go to another shoe store to test sizes for that brand. Turns out the 8.5’s were fine. I was happy to get a new pair of shoes.
We came home and then yesterday evening we took the dogs for a walk. My shoes are great. I did not get any splinters in my toes. I did not have to limp because I stood on a pebble. My feet did not get too cold. When I stepped in a shallow puddle my feet did not get wet. They did everything a shoe is supposed to do. I was pleased. I kept telling Cora I was happy to have new shoes. I think she got tired of it and she told me to blog about my new shoes. Now, as I sit here barefoot and sipping coffee, I see them on the floor and I indeed felt the urge to blog and tell the whole world about my new shoes. (If you have not caught on yet, this might be a slow blog day.) I like them because they are green and tan. Not a pair of colors often seen in tennis shoes. They should go well with this year’s shorts. I bought another pair of shorts yesterday, too. I now have four pairs I am allowed to wear in public…Cora frowns on public showing of the holes in my shorts, so I am forced to wear new-ish ones. Just because there are holes in them does not mean they are bad!
We also got Cora a tiny pair of elf scissors. She said they were necessary for cutting butt holes. (She was talking about butt holes a lot yesterday. She was threatening to sew some earlier in the day…now she wanted to cut them?) Then she clarified when I looked at her funny. “BUTTON HOLES.” Oh, that makes more sense. I now knew she was talking about the dress she was making for Little Miss. Here is a picture of how it turned out. I think she did a really good job and her choices for fabric and butt(ons) were perfect.
We came home and then yesterday evening we took the dogs for a walk. My shoes are great. I did not get any splinters in my toes. I did not have to limp because I stood on a pebble. My feet did not get too cold. When I stepped in a shallow puddle my feet did not get wet. They did everything a shoe is supposed to do. I was pleased. I kept telling Cora I was happy to have new shoes. I think she got tired of it and she told me to blog about my new shoes. Now, as I sit here barefoot and sipping coffee, I see them on the floor and I indeed felt the urge to blog and tell the whole world about my new shoes. (If you have not caught on yet, this might be a slow blog day.) I like them because they are green and tan. Not a pair of colors often seen in tennis shoes. They should go well with this year’s shorts. I bought another pair of shorts yesterday, too. I now have four pairs I am allowed to wear in public…Cora frowns on public showing of the holes in my shorts, so I am forced to wear new-ish ones. Just because there are holes in them does not mean they are bad!
We also got Cora a tiny pair of elf scissors. She said they were necessary for cutting butt holes. (She was talking about butt holes a lot yesterday. She was threatening to sew some earlier in the day…now she wanted to cut them?) Then she clarified when I looked at her funny. “BUTTON HOLES.” Oh, that makes more sense. I now knew she was talking about the dress she was making for Little Miss. Here is a picture of how it turned out. I think she did a really good job and her choices for fabric and butt(ons) were perfect.
We went and saw “The Spiderwick Chronicles” when it was in theatres and we both thought it was an excellent movie. So, when we found that it was out, we bought it on DVD. We watched it yesterday.
I spent the final portion of my evening attempting to catch up on some reading for the master’s. I hope I can manage it, it is just SO hard to set time aside for that particular reading, when I would rather re-read the Harry Potter series again…Some books I can read over and over, and those are some.
Oh, we also opened a bottle of Piety Flats Mercantile Red...Mmmm-mmmm, I wonder why other wineries bother, when perfection in a glass can be obtained from Piety Flats? It is GOOD wine. Oh, and check out Toby's position...which, I assume, he felt was comfortable, but did not quite look like it was.
I don’t know what we are doing today, maybe some more relaxation. Cora got up and had part of a cup of coffee while fighting to keep her eyes open, then she gave up and went back to bed. I think I will go read a little more about the Cold War and maybe make some notes after I finish here. I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday!
I don’t know what we are doing today, maybe some more relaxation. Cora got up and had part of a cup of coffee while fighting to keep her eyes open, then she gave up and went back to bed. I think I will go read a little more about the Cold War and maybe make some notes after I finish here. I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
I Am Amazed At The Wonders Of My Cat
"Oh, I found it, you may go now."
Several years ago, I wrote a short poem expounding on the wonders of my cat. My cat at the time was named Moe. He was a nice, long haired, black cat. He had personality…one day he went outside on a cold January morning. When he came back he was still black, just not so fluffy. Our lovely neighbor stored their used motor oil in an open pan, which apparently had collected some snow and water. The water froze, and it seemed obvious at the time, then Moe came along and somehow landed on the ice, which dutifully collapsed, cat and all. Moe was dripping oil. He rushed in the door before Cora or I knew hat was wrong…there still appears to be a slight Moe print in the carpet. It is quite faint now. Another day, he went out and he never came back. We were very sad that it was him and not the semi-psycho cat, Sassy, that disappeared. (I should point out that in her final years, Sassy actually became a very dear member of the family, whose eventual demise was extremely difficult for me) Eventually, we got over Moe. I still have a poem that points out his wonders, though…somewhere.
With that, I am forced to continue my previous musings over the wonders of my cat. Moe and Sassy are gone. We still have Sully. Sully, our black and white long haired Canine cat. He seems to think he is at least part dog. We got Toby in the spring of 2002, within a couple weeks we got Sullivan.
I was at home one day in the spring. Cora called and asked me to bring some canned cat food to her. I knew something was up, so I told her no immediately. Then I went down to see the kitten she had rescued. Apparently, while out on their walk the women of the plant saw a white (skinny) ball of fluff come out of the bushes. It further headed straight for my beloved wife. She already had a small box with some towels set up for the small black and white cotton ball. It looked at me with large eyes that pled for me to take them home (not the eye balls, the cotton ball)…I broke and told her she could bring him home.
He and Toby grew up together, and before Gypsy entered the picture, they were brothers and best friends. Often you would see the cat chase the dog down the hall and then the dog chase the cat back and then they would change roles again. They still play with each other from time to time, but Sullivan has matured whilst Toby has remained a puppy at heart. Sully, though, has developed some strange quirks.
First: He uses a dog door.
Second: He does not use a litter box…he goes outside.
Third: He seems to believe his place to sleep is on our feet, and despite being kicked numerous times, usually none too gently, he keeps coming back.
Fourth: He likes us to show him his bowl. It usually still has plenty of food in it, but he meows until he annoys us enough to follow him to his bowl. He then sits on the ground and meows more, then when you take that final step forward (often considering whether to drop-kick or hurl him in an arc out the door) he jumps up and “discovers” that he still has food. He even looks surprised. Then he nods at you as if to say, “You may go now.”
Fifth: He knows when you are in the bathroom. I swear, he could be three miles away and if I get up to go to the bathroom something clicks in his brain that tells him my bladder is full. He probably races home at the speed of fur, comes through the
Sixth: He drools.
"Listen, I let you follow me over here, but I wish you would not watch me eat!"
Gypsy was glad to see us tonight...can you tell?
I had a long day painting. I did not enjoy it. We did go see “Kung Fu Panda,” though! It is a GREAT movie! I highly recommend it! I hope your Independence Day Weekend goes well!
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