"Nine"- The movie with no soul

Yes, I said that. The performances were wonderful. The dancing beautiful. The costumes were exquisite. The singing was grand. Then why did I walk out of the theater thinking, I didn't watch another energetic "Chicago"...I just saw another "All That Jazz" which was just as narcissistic and bizarre.

I didn't hate "Nine", I just left feeling disappointed. I'm always amazed when a movie is well executed, but yet it seems hollow. I believe that boils down to the screenplay and the script. Writing is everything. But yet that was a theme running through this film...no script, make a movie by the seat of the pants. But it missed some unwritten mark.

I read somewhere about this movie that it was based on Fellini's "8 1/2". Ok, fair enough. I was never a big fan of Fellini's movies. However, I saw many of them so long ago I should probably revisit them. I do appreciate that he gave us the word "paparazzi". Even though the direct definition is closer to "buzzing insect", that is pretty close to what those people do for a living. So I'll give him that. But somehow I think Mr. Fellini was just as narcissistic as the character of Guido in "Nine". But is that worth even the $14 of matinee priced ticket?

I have really basic needs of a movie. If I'm going to deal with the lines, the price and the talking of other patrons, I want to be not only entertained...I want to forget that I have to pee. Make me forget that I should have gone to the bathroom during the previews. Make me and my bladder so entertained that I have no need to move. So if I'm judging this one based on that, then I didn't get up to pee...but I could have an wouldn't have missed a thing.

And there you go.

The Mall-The Day After Christmas

I'm not sure what possessed Mr. I and me to visit the mall today. Actually, I just wanted to add two capiz shell snowflakes to my new collection for the fireplace. Yes, the irony of me having the bah humbugs but yet put up some decorations (sans a tree) is not lost on moi...but I digress. As with so many trips to the mall, the picking up of the capiz shell snowflakes led to waiting in a slow line. God was testing my patience today. But I stood there, to give them my $14 like a good little soldier of the consumer army.

After leaving one of my favorite stores, Restoration Hardware, snowflakes in tow, we decided that we needed a little more feeling of rudeness. So we walk around to Pottery Barn. Then back to visit a friend at Davis Kidd. And on this journey I was lured into Coldwater Creek to pick up a couple of sweaters. They were having a 50% off sale on THE ENTIRE STORE. How could I pass that up? So I scooped up the sweaters, and stood in the longest, slowest line in all the land. The line rivaled that of a Six Flags ride. It was the kind of line where you get to know the people around you. You hear their stories, and as you stand there listening, you forget not only why you are standing in this insane line, but you forget what items you are holding in your hands. Was it worth this effort? The jury is out since I didn't try anything on. I like living life on the edge.

So that was my day after Christmas. On to warm up some leftovers and uncork the wine. Hope your day was fun.

Holiday Hermits Part Deux - The Tree

There is this tree here in Nashville. A Dogwood. Every year the owners would light the tree to a magnificent splendor. The owners decided to sell the house. When I saw the "For Sale" sign go up in the yard I was heartbroken. Would the new owners relight the tree for the next Holiday Season?

Spring came and the Dogwood bloomed. The blooms fell and the leaves grew. The "For Sale" sign left the yard and the new owners moved in. But if you look closely as you drive by on that busy street, you'll see the sun's light casting a glimmer of the lights(unlit)woven on to the branches of the tree. There was hope.

I noticed as Spring moved into Summer that the Dogwood was looking a little droopy on one side. I noticed that the leaves never grew on one side of the tree. I surmised that the lights that I loved so much had damaged the beautiful old Dogwood. I was heartbroken once again.

Summer moved into Fall. Fall moved into Winter. The Holidays were upon us. One evening as I rounded the bend of that busy street, I was breathless! There it was, lit with all it's previous glory. I noticed the owners removed the dead branches but re-lit the tree. God Bless us every one! It is a Chanumas Miracle!

I decided that this year, I MUST photograph that tree. I knew I would never capture its true glory. It would take a camera much better than mine with a nice tripod. But I didn't want to disturb the owners with a big to-do. I had Mr. I drop me off at the house (like I said...it is a very busy street. There are no sidewalks. Danger lurks with every car that speeds by) so that I could quickly shoot the tree. As I suspected, I couldn't capture the grandeur of the tree. So today, since I'm a Holiday Hermit, I turned it into a dream.

I wanted to thank the owners of that cute little house for taking the time and effort to re-light the tree. It just goes to show you that one action can affect many people and bring them much joy. I'm sure no one tells those homeowners just how much they enjoy their tree. So, I'm doing it now. Thank You! I would leave a note of appreciation or a card in your mailbox, but the speeding traffic and impatient drivers prevent this thoughtful act. Please take this as my heartfelt thanks for lighting your beautiful tree. You make my Holiday EVERY year. And welcome to the neighborhood!

Holiday Hermits

I think we may have started a new tradition this year. Holiday Hermits.

I'm not sure why, but I had zero, zip, nada Holiday Spirit this year. I went about making the motions to see if I could knock myself out of the Festivus Funk, but to no avail. So here it is, December 25th and Mr. I is feeling bad so we aren't going to see a movie. That is really OK with me. Not that he isn't feeling well, of course. I don't like it when he is sick. But it is OK with me that we aren't getting out to see a movie. It is cold, WINDY, rainy and very gray today. We have 3 Netflix movies that we haven't seen, so staying in is just fine.

We did peruse the movie section, just to see if anything peaked our interest. We really want to see 4 actually. "Nine", "Avatar", "Up In The Air" and "Sherlock Holmes". But Mr. I really wants to be feeling good to see "Avatar". I felt like "Up In The Air" and "Sherlock Holmes" could be good Netflix movies. But "Avatar" and "Nine" need to be seen in a theater first. Don't you love the way we rationalize and justify whether taking a shower, getting dressed and riding in a car today is worth it or not? Let me give you a hint: I'm making this post at 12 pm-ish still in my Christmas jammies. Mr. I is taking a nap. Holiday Hermits are we.

I had a lovely surprise this morning. Mr. I made me Christmas breakfast. French Toast, Scrambled eggs and turkey bacon. It was tre YUMMY! Tonight's feast will consist of two steaks that are bigger than my ass (yes, that is MIGHTY big) and the usual sides, plenty of wine and homemade Key Lime Pie for desert. Santa, aka Harry Hanukah, brought Mr. I a beautiful new grill that he got for a wonderful price. It's a much fancier one than we have ever had before. So we feel rich. Well, until the bills come due.

So, that is what is happening at our house today. All things being equal, I'd say Holiday Hermits should be the new wave of celebratory traditions.

Merry, Merry! Cheers!

Twas the night before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
No power to be had for me or my spouse.
The wind is blowing! I do declare; with trees falling here and there.
Lucky for me on this most famous night,
Cabernet needs no power to make me feel light.
Merry Christmas to all, say CHEERS and Goodnight!

Boredom..a journey

It is 6 pm on Sunday and I'm bored. There I said it. Nothing really happening on Twitter or FaceBook tonight. Well, there is all that Senate debate about Health Care Reform, but other than that there is nothing. I've had to disconnect from much of that. The sausage factory is starting to stink more than normal.

I could pick up a book or count my blessings....but, who am I kidding. That's not going to happen. It is much more fun to bitch.

I figured I can blog. However, to tell the truth, this is boring me too.

I'm not happy. I don't know why. No one can fix this but me. With the new year approaching, I feel the need to make some changes with myself. But where do I start?

I've noticed that time is racing by. I've said many times, the only way to slow down time is to have a job you hate, or go to jail. Neither of those choices seem appealing. My life is passing me by and I might as well start making the best of it. But I seem to be stuck in a rut and a funk...at the same time.

Like I said earlier, I'm not requesting help with this unsettled feeling and I'm not going to go all "Up With People", Polly Anna, Count my Blessings bullshit. This is just me, admitting that I've got to make some changes.

Admitting you have a problem is the first step. Admitting it on a public blog for all to see...I guess I'm either completely narcissistic or self-loathing or a combination of both. On the other hand, it is probably more that writing is how I work things out. I'm usually private about it, but what fun is that? It is 2009...throw it on the public wall and see if it sticks.

Ok...I'm still bored.

Blue Skies and Fridays

It is still cold in NashVegas today. But not as cold as yesterday was. The sky is clear and blue. I got some more Christmas Shopping done last night. I only have a few more to get then I'm done.

I'm going to try to be productive today. So I'll make this short and to the point.

For Chanumas I would like the ability to say or write what is on my mind without the worry or guilt of how it will affect someone else. What I mean by that is that I have so much inside me that needs to get out. But I can't disguise it well enough in humor so that it won't offend at least some friend or family member. I would also like the ability to have an unexpressed thought without feeling that I will explode if it doesn't get out of me. Now there is a dichotomy if ever there was one.

Give me the gift of telling it like it is and if I can't give me the ability to not care if I express myself.

Seems simple enough. Is there a store that sells that?

Happy Birthday Sweet Cheeks

We lost our K to a teenage driver of a pick up truck. On February 28, 2009 K was the 4Th passenger in standard cab that should only hold 3. All the kids were no older than 16. K was 15. None of the kids had seat belts on. They all knew better. To make a sad story shorter, the truck flipped, 3 of the kids survived with 100% recovery but K was hurt very badly. She was life flighted to the hospital where she fought for a week and died on March 7, 2008.

K was an organ donor and she was able to help a lot of people. But sorry, I would rather have her here with us.

K was good at most things she tried. She made friends quickly. She rarely met a stranger. She was smarter than her mother and father put together. She understood human behavior very well for her young years. Although she took advantage of that knowledge on occasion, she also "got" people who were close to her. She was quick witted, funny and silly. She loved fashion. She loved her cell phone. She was very loving and extremely loyal to many. She took up for her big sister many times. She could dance and sing very well. K was a challenging child, but despite what many members of my family believe about me, I loved K dearly. She was our beautiful K. We miss her.

Blogging...I really must do that more often

As we all know, there are only so many hours in a day. Yada, yada, yada...I need to blog more. It isn't for lack of material, but more a lack of "using my time wisely". I got good marks in elementary school for that, but somehow I've lost the knack of good time management or whatever they are calling it now. I know it would help if I would crawl out of bed earlier, immediately run 3 miles and accomplish everything on my list before noon. But who am I kidding. That's not going to happen anytime soon. But maybe I can accomplish the goal of blogging more. Sounds like a good New Years Resolution. Ahhh....procrastination, she is a wicked friend of mine who visits more often than she used to.

So here are my thoughts for today:

I've come to the conclusion that my life is MUCH more interesting when I'm sleeping. Seriously, I have a good life, but I have a better dream life. All the interesting places I go, things I create and people I visit. Not to mention the fact that I am almost always thin in my dreams. So what is not to love?

However, like any good movie or book, the dreams come to an end. The dreams make way for reality for those of us lucky enough to wake up this side of the dirt. And when I wake up, the responsibilities and minutia of the day are there saying, "Hey Biatch...get to work". To quote Linda Ellerbee, "And so it goes."

I'm not sure what that says about me that I find life much more interesting when I'm sleeping. I'm not sure I want to say it out loud. But somehow I think it is something that I need to fix. Yeah, whatever...I think I need a nap.