These Kids Are Amazing Dancers

Conan O'Brien-Sorry you got screwed.

Jay Leno's prime-time show sucked. It sucked so bad that the local affiliates lost viewership to their nightly newscasts. Now, that is some powerful sucking. So, NBC is going to cancel Leno's prime-time show. End of story? No, far from it. Apparently, if you are Leno, NBC rewards your piss poor performance in a piss poor show by giving you your old job back! Who the hell are these NBC executives? They really need to pull their heads out of their posteriors and take a look at what they just did. Disgusting!

I used to like Jay. Now, with what he is doing, I won't watch his show no matter what time it is on. I can't be the only loyal fan who is turned off by this whole thing. Conan O'Brien deserved better. Jay has more money than God, but can't let go. Johnny Carson wouldn't pull something so unseemly. Jay could have retired on top. Jay came up with the idea of retiring in 5 years time back in 2004. 2009 came and he didn't want to go. I don't know what all the behind the scenes political trouble is. I want Conan to get a chance to get a loyal audience. 7 months is hardly enough time. And the way I see it, Jay is to blame for this. And Conan is getting screwed.

Read Conan's statement here

AVATAR-Now there is a movie! 3-D HIGHLY recommended

SPOILER ALERT: IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE MOVIE YET, DON'T READ THIS! COME BACK, READ AND SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AFTER YOU SEE IT! YOU NEED TO ENTER THE MOVIE THEATER WITH AS LITTLE UPFRONT "AVATAR" KNOWLEDGE AS POSSIBLE.



Since I gave such a hard time to "Nine" I was losing hope that Hollywood could create anything that would truly entertain me. Well, "Avatar" did the trick. On the main "good movie" scale of making me forget that I should have peed during the previews, it ranks very high. I had no memory of even owning a bladder. I was lost in the forest on the planet of Pandora. Hell, I've decided that is now where I would prefer to live. Is that so wrong?


It's been quite awhile since Mr. I or I have been moved by a movie. This movie not only is visually beautiful, it has many messages that were not lost on this viewer. First I'll talk about the graphics....message thoughts to follow. The 3-D graphics were beyond incredible. They were spectacular yet subtle. And when it comes to 3-D graphics, less is more in my book. What I mean by that is that this movie was made to tell a good story, in a visually beautiful way. The 3-D experience enhances the movie just as it is supposed to. This movie wasn't made just to make objects pop out on the screen and scare the bejesus out of you. It was only used to enhance the story. The 3-D glasses were actual glasses, not the paper things with the red and blue film. Hence the higher price for this movie. At least $3.50 is going to the 3-D glasses that you recycle after the movie. Mr. I took the time to ask the attendant if we had to buy glasses if we came back to see it again. The answer is yes. They sell you new glasses every time you come. So it is probably best to recycle the glasses. Although when it comes out in DVD, I assume it will be a packaged deal with glasses. Time will tell.


The messages...oh, there were many. Cameron was not subtle in expressing his thoughts and views of the world as we now know it, and where we could be headed if we aren't careful. What amazes me is that he was able to throw in so many messages in one movie. If you please the mind's eye, you can get all kinds of people to listen. Now, they may not hear you, but they are listening. I noticed that other than a few people coming in late to the movie, I didn't witness anyone getting out of their seats to go do anything. They were glued to the screen.

Messages, some of the ones I got, but aren't limited to any of the below:

LOVE: He told a story about love; love of the earth; love of people who are different from us; love between a man and a woman of two different backgrounds and two different "races"; love, loyalty and responsibility to friends, no matter if we truly understand those friends completely.


GREED: Cameron's story of people (corporations and countries) consumed by getting what they want at all costs-no matter if it was theirs to take or not-wasn't subtle, but it was so true. Those of us in that theater who lean more to the left got it immediately. What amuses me is that there are a lot of people who lean more to the right (or FAR right) who I don't think saw the movie as anything other than what it was....a pretty and entertaining movie. If those people got the messages, I haven't seen anyone saying so anywhere. But then, many of those people are good at ignoring the signals. Foreshadowing is not their thing....unless it involves the world coming to an end.

WAR: War is sometimes necessary. I understand that. However, in my opinion, it has been a long time since war was necessary. I'll save you the whole post 9/11 mishandled ruckuses rehashing. And now I've heard that because the Military Industrial Complex was shown in a bad light, soldiers are threatening to boycott the movie. That is their right. However, this isn't a movie made to show how bad soldiers are. This is a movie that shows if we aren't careful, wars can be started over non-righteous theories. That isn't a soldier's fault, he is taking orders. Cameron shows that war is hell. War, like most everything, usually boils down to the haves and the have nots. In the future, I have no doubt if we continue down the road of mass consumption, we will be the have nots looking to another planet to get what they have. Do I need to remind anyone about our latest "finding water on the moon" NASA episode? The event of "blowing up the crater" to discover water made me wonder; just who decided that we owned the moon? Because we put a flag there, we now own the planet? Things that make you go hmmmm.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS: This goes to the whole mass consumption theory. We are quickly using up Mother Earth's resources. We already have gone to other countries to wreak havoc over oil, it isn't that far fetched an idea to think we would go to another planet to wreak havoc. It shows a people who are truly connected to their planet. They care for it, respect it, protect it and learn from it. We Earthlings could learn that lesson.

RACE RELATIONS: When watching this movie, I couldn't help but remember the plight of the American Indian or even the Aborigines in Australia. People came, they conquered, and the rest is history. Ask an American Indian how he feels after he or she watched the movie. I'd be interested to know their reaction. There was a theme that tends to follow actions of conquering; think of the people as "savages", it is much easier to kill them and take what they have. That history keeps repeating itself.

I've gone on too long about this movie. You really must go see it. You don't have to think as deeply about the movie as a whole to enjoy it. It is entertaining on just about any level.

Resolutions: January-Find some shoes that don't kill my funky feet.

UPDATE: 2/17/10 A nice person from Kuru, Nate, just commented on my shoe journey. That reminded me that I never completed the update. What a long strange trip it's been.

I finally settled on the Keen Emily style you see below. The great arch support, leather insoles and nice wide toe box makes me forget they are sized strangely. I went back to the 8.5 because the 9's were like boats on my feet. I ended up getting them in both the brown below and black. So far so good. There is a toe issue in that they touch ever so slightly on my middle toe, but I've gotten used to it. After the Zappos journey of the 30 some odd shoes, I just couldn't find absolute perfection. These were the closest I found. I also got a couple of pairs of Keen sandals. The Keen Venice in Black and Keen Venice H2 in Blue and Black. Both are washable and protect my toes.

I also purchased a couple of Dansko slide sandals for summer. I'll save room by not posting pictures and just give you links: Dansko Marion in Tan and Dansko Sunny in Black . Since it is winter, I haven't been able to wear the sandals yet but I think I'll be fine. I better be for the price! I tried some of the clogs from Dansko and Sanita and I found them very uncomfortable. I'm going to try Klogs USA because I've heard great things about them. But I have to financially recover from this adventure.

Now I still had to find some athletic shoes of some sort so I could actually go for a walk without bending over in pain. I went through every major brand of hiking shoe with no luck and finally I had to leave Zappos for this journey. I knew that New Balance ran wide and you could buy them in wide as well. Well, I just went to the New Balance Store in Green Hills Mall and let them help me. Best thing I ever did. Told the sweet guy all my ailments and he fixed me up. So far, no more shin splints and my bunions seem happy on a walk. Both are milestones for this chubby girl! The shoe I chose was PRICEY $136 to be exact. But I don't care....they work.

New Balance WR1012 Running shoe has "Motion Control" which in layman's terms means it has extra stabilizers (Stabilicore) on the inside sole that helps limit over pronation. Plus, I could get them in a wide. They come up higher on my ankle than my other running shoes never did. Gives me a little extra ankle support without being too cumbersome. They also have these great "wavy" shoe laces that eliminate the need to double tie your shoes. Whoever invented those was a genius!

So, I'm now broke, but my feet are covered. So far so good. I'm keeping my fingers crossed because these suckers have to last me awhile to make up for the hefty price tag on all of them. It took me most of January and in to February to complete the task...but I'm done. Walk on my friends.

UPDATE: 01/13/10 Strike that 1/2 size thing on Keen. If you ever want to buy Keen shoes, go up one complete size. I found some that were even closer, but too short. This last trip to the UPS store will make about 12 pairs of shoes I've returned. But Zappos' free shipping both ways, makes it much easier. I am determined to find a shoe that fits. I just ordered 3 different colors of the Keen shoe in 1 size up because it was just about perfect. Impulsive, yes...but I figured if I find a style and size that works...I'm getting it in every color. I'll keep you posted on the "Emily" style when it comes in the right size. I can honestly say, I'm tired of shoe shopping. Just to be sure, I also ordered 5 pairs of shoes from 5 other manufacturers. I'm on a mission.

UPDATE: 01/12/10 Received my order from Zappos.com which contained the Naot and Keen shoes. Still waiting for the Kurus.

Keen shoes run 1/2 to a full size smaller than advertised. Keep that in mind if you ever order them. The shoes that came in, were to short, too narrow and very stiff. They would rub my feet in places I forgot I had. I mean that in a bad way. So back in the box they went.

Naot shoes...now those have promise. Unfortunately, this style, although it was SO close to working, didn't quite make it. The only complaint I had was that there was a seam in just the wrong place, right across the bunion of my right foot. This made it impossible for me to keep them. I knew they would not last long before I had to rip them off my feet and run to house slippers. No need to spend that kind of money if I can't wear them everyday. So back in the box they went.

I ordered some more from Zappos. Now I'm giving this a determination I should give a good workout. I WILL find some comfortable shoes if it "Harelips the Governor" as my grandmother used to say. Stay tuned....

_________

If I'm going to have any chance at all to possibly making 2010 a healthier year for myself, I decided one of the first things I have to do is find some footwear that won't cripple me. I have a closet full of shoes that either make my feet smell, are too tight, are too worn out, make my heels hurt, make my bunions ache even more and my Plantar fasciitis act up, yada, yada, yada. It is official, I have now become my mother....only with feet that even she's not sure which gene pool would claim them. That's right I now HAVE to have comfortable shoes. To hell with cute, fashionable or even, dare I say, inexpensive. Years of shoving these puppies into high heeled pumps and putting them through torture with my additional gravity pull (i.e. fat ass) have put my overall orthopedic health in jeopardy. Witness past entries of my falls, sprains and surgeries of the official 2008-2009 "Help, I've Fallen And I Can't Get Up" season. That is a REAL sports phenomenon and soon to be Olympic Event you know...really it is!

I realized that my very expensive Nike running/walking shoes that I've been wearing for several years (I've been through a few pairs now) just aren't cutting it anymore. I don't know why. I can't even seem to walk 1 mile without either my feet aching or having incredible shin splints. It really makes it hard for a chubby girl to get in shape when she can't even walk 1 mile without excruciating pain. I'm not exaggerating there. I have to stop and try to talk to my feet and legs to make them cooperate. Then, I just walk with the pain. I keep telling myself it will get better by mile 2. Nope, by the time I return from my sojourn, I'm worn out. Completely exhausted from just 2 miles! Ridiculous. There has to be a reason other than my additional weight. I know my age, 47, and my extra heft could account for some of the pain, but I don't think it is all the problem.

I started hitting the stores shortly after Christmas. No luck. So, what's a girl who owns an Internet based business to do in the face of a comfortable shoe shortage? Zappos.com. My Lawd...they have just about every shoe ever made on that site. What is wonderful, you can buy them with free shipping, no sales tax (in TN anyway) and FREE RETURN SHIPPING! What's not to love about that. I gave it a whirl. Ordered 3 pairs of Clark's shoes in the "UN-Structured" line trying to find a loafer that would work as an everyday shoe. They were lovely, well made and pricey, but not one of them worked. So I packed them up and took them to the UPS store today. Off they go. But I'm not giving up on Zappos.com. I'm going to give them another try. I never thought buying shoes on the Internet was a good idea, but I have to do something. And Zappos.com is doing well, so there must be a bunch of other people who did the same thing.

The last few days I've been reading reviews for all kinds of shoes. I love the Internet. All you ever wanted to know is at your fingertips everyday. What a beautiful thing. I've learned about brands of shoes that I never knew existed. This time I have ordered a pair of NAOT shoes, a pair of KEEN shoes and a pair of KURU hiking/walking shoes. The Naot and Keens I ordered from Zappos.com but the Kurus I had to order directly from them at KuruFootwear.com. I read most every review for every shoe trying to figure out if it was wide enough, what were the flaws, will they hold up and do people love Zappos? I find the reviews VERY helpful. So I participated and wrote reviews for the shoes I returned. I was nice, but honest. I think that is the point of reviews.

Here are some pictures:

NAOT

KEEN

KURU

With the exception of those bright orange/red Kurus, the shoes look "sensible". And even those are "sensible" albeit bright. Yes, if they work, I will fit in really well at the next Lilith Fair or Indigo Girls Concert. Fine with me. I'm a breeder who loves her some "Girls in Sensible Shoes".

I'll get back to you all when I get them. Zappos.com sends them out quickly and even though they advertise 5 days, you usually get them within a day or two. We'll see how quick the Kurus get here.

"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.