Lest I be misunderstood

Lest some of you take my last post wrong, I should point out that I love movies.
Boy oh boy, do I love movies!

My problem is that I have extremely high expectations, and we all know how well that turns out (e.g. my marital status). In fact, most modern movies just end up depressing me. I'm much better with good old fashioned movies.

My college roommate used to swear that if we were watching TV and I had the remote, I'd just start flipping channels until I saw something, anything, in black and white, and that's what we'd watch.

That's really not true - but it's pretty darn close!

However, I'd like to point out that there are two movies coming out soon that I'm pretty excited to see. (This doesn't count "Julie and Julia", which I'm going to see next week if it kills me!)

First is "Number 9". This little Tim Burton film is about nine little golems that a scientist creates just before ... ah, but I'll let the trailer show you.



Looks like fun, no?! It comes out on 9.9.09. hehe! I love it.

Next is "TRON Legacy" We have to wait for next year for this one, but I'm geeking out already! (If you haven't seen the original "Tron" movie, don't go any further. Stop. Head to your video store. Watch it on the biggest screen possible. Then come back here an continue.)

Feast your eyes!



I know exactly at what moment you'll say, "Whoooooa!!!!". That's 'cause I said the same thing.
I loved "Tron". It came out when Disney was still making wholesome movies.
That cool, slick black landscape with the amazing lights. And was that a great plot or what??

All I can say is, "Greetings Programs!"
Yup. I'm geeking out.
Somebody hand me a lightcycle.

Giving up control

One has to wonder what Stephanie Meyers is thinking right now.

She created a world filled with fascinating characters and dripping with pathos and angst - and suddenly no one cares any longer. They have forgotten Edward and Bella and rest. All they care for are the antics of "Robert and Kristin".

She should never have turned over control of her world to Hollywood. No one even thinks about what she wrote. They only know what the screen writers churn out and what the self-important actors do, both on and off screen. And then there's the CGI...

Let me back up. I shouldn't say EVERYONE. There are those of us who read the books, refused to see the movie, and still can enjoy the pretty pictures in our heads. *wink*

I learned a similar lesson when I was in Junior High School and it's stayed with me. Key learning: Never confuse an actor with his character.

Sadly, most people fall right into the Celebrity Trap.
I'm certainly not one of them, but only through sheer will power. Let's face it - the power of an Idol is exactly that. Power.

To combat this, I refuse to see a movie if an actor on my Black List is in it.
The list is long and convoluted and does stop me from seeing many new releases.

It starts, ignominiously, with Keanu Reeve. He has to be the WORST actor of all time. Why does ANYONE cast him??? In ANYTHING??
We go from the wooden actor to the great mouther, Kenneth Brannagh. Ugh. I can't stand to watch him. The fact that he deserted his wife for a not so sweet young thing makes him all the more despicable.
Tom Cruise was on the list long before he revealed his mania on Oprah's couch. Or was it Letterman's couch? No, I will not be seeing Valkerie. *pouts* That patented "sniff" of his really annoys me.
Brad Pitt (is there a male word for slut?) is prominent on the list, as is his rotten girlfriend Jolie (there is a word for her).
Sadly, a new entrant to the list is Morgan Freeman. I liked him. I really did. What a scumbag he turned out to be.
I'm going to have a problem next year when "Toy Story 3" comes out. I love those movies, but Tom Hanks is now on the black list... soo...

Just to be perverse, I do allow exceptions.
I do watch Robin Hood and Captain Blood, even though Errol Flynn's personal life churns my stomach.
I still enjoy Casablanca and Intermezzo, even though Ingrid Bergman dove off her pedestal.

There are bright spots. Some longtime members of my list have redeemed themselves.
These people haven't done anything perverse, their type of humor or acting is just offensive to me.
For example, you can't drag me screaming into a "funny" Jim Carrey show. But the "Truman Show" I'm inclined to give him another chance.
Same for Adam Shandler. He disgusts me, but I understand "Bedtime Stories" is fun and won't make your eyes bleed after watching it.

Ah well.. enough of my Monday morning rant.

I just feel very sorry for Stephanie Meyers.
Oh, and more importantly -

Always read the book and SKIP the movie.
The story that played out in your mind is infinitely better than anything Hollyweird can come up with.

What is in your Emergency Kit?

On Saturday nearly 200 people descended on the air-conditioner-less Stake Center and pitched in to assemble 72 hour emergency kits for the developmentally disabled of Washington County.

I had the enviable task of photographing this event. Enviable because I did NO work whatsoever!! I just walked around, poking my nose in and snapping pictures. Truth is, I feel like I missed out. Everyone was having so much fun making the kits! Don't get me wrong, I had fun also, I just didn't contribute much.

Here are a couple of my favorite shots from the activity:


Isn't he a cutie? Paying such careful attention to his mom... I'm sure he had some suggestions for her, also.

Great hands! Three nice ladies, all busy making first aid kits.

Now, for the big question - What is in YOUR Emergency Kit?
Yes, there's food and bandaids and water and a blanket... but what are your secret "Must Have To Survive" items?

Here are a few of mine.

1) Tweezers
One word - splinter. uh huh. Now you agree with me, don't you? Last thing I need in an emergency is a splinter. Or a hang nail. Must have tweezers. In a pinch I can do with a loop of thread, but I'd much rather have a good sturdy metal tweezer with me.

2) Nail File
Don't look at me like that - you know my hands never get a manicure. But I do have rather brittle nails which tear easily, and a nail file saves me from ripping the nail down to the cuticle. Definitely a need for survival (especially if I need to be chopping wood or putting up a tent!)

3) Book
Something to let my mind escape. If it's a very good book, when I'm done, maybe I could barter off readings for chocolate... hehe...

4) Paper and pencil
Keep a journal, write a HELP ME note, whatever - can't go anywhere without paper and pencil.

5) Small glow in the dark Star Chart

6) Two dog collars, treats and food.
I don't care what disaster takes place, I'm not leaving without my dogs. And if the rescuers get snotty about it, I'll stay rather than go. I guess I'd better add a "king sized down comforter" because my spoiled dogs may refuse to sleep on the ground. heheh!!

Manga!

You won't believe this, but I think there's actually going to be an entertaining movie coming out this summer!


Julie and Julia looks look so much fun!
But I think this is one movie where we'd better eat before we go.

Practice makes perfect

Or, in my case, practice pays off big time, but if the bug holds still it sure helps!

Click the image for full sized - it's much better.

Speaking of which, I need some more practice.
Would anyone like to be my guinea pig?
I'll do my very best to capture your fabulous-ness. :)

Castle!

Castle is back on television!

If you haven't already become a fan of this murder mystery television show, you should check it out. Season one is being re-run on Saturdays on ABC. Get your TiVo set up. :)

You've already missed Episode One, but it's available for the next few weeks on the ABC website and Hulu (which links back to ABC).

This is an adult show, not for the kids. I find some of the crime scenes disturbing, but they go away quickly and the rest is great stuff. I really love the daddy/daughter scenes, and who can pass up a chance to watch Nathan Fillion (aka Malcom Reynolds, aka Captain TightPants).

Wait.
Don't tell my mother I wrote that last part.

Blustery Spring

March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.
April showers bring May flowers.

At least, that's what my mother taught me.

It's been a typical blustery Oregon spring so far. I just wish it would be sunny on a weekend - long enough for me to get out and take a few pictures of the gorgeous blossoms that are cycling through the trees.

This last week I noticed that the dogwoods are in full bloom. I really love dogwoods, despite their rather erroneous and dour reputation. The fabulous textures - strongly veined petals with a hard little nub at the end - and the dusky rosy colors all add up to be one of the most interesting flowers. Just four petals. That's all it takes to make me happy.

I ran across something interesting while I was taking the dogs for a walk. A tiny blue eggshell, sitting right in the middle of the street. The wind was up, so I ran for home to get the camera. (The dogs weren't happy about their walk being cut short, but I gave them a good tummy rub to make up for it.)



I just love the stark contrast between the fragile shell (with its tiny lining intact), the high relief of the asphalt and the lengthening shadow.