changed again

Alright, just a few minutes in and the loss of the nav bar bothered me enough that I changed the template again. It's going to take a few tries to get it right. Stay with me.

Return of The Jedi

Okay, so I may not be a Jedi...yet...but I am back on line. My new modem was delivered by the UPS driver that I knew from the book store! It was a bit weird seeing Dave after all these months. It was recently pointed out to me that I haven't been blogging much lately, not counting the service issues. Honestly, I think this is because I don't have as much to bitch about anymore.

Strange how it is difficult to write about happy things. Not that I can't do it. I've written essay length emails recounting concerts before. I'm just not sure I'm as funny with the happy as I am with the horribly, horribly strange and wrong. Guess we'll just have to see.

I was on a mission to get my presents wrapped and cards addressed this weekend. I'm fairly close to succeeding; still need to look up a couple of street names. Then I have to knuckle down and write the letters. I am desperately trying to preserve the art of the written letter. Not to suggest what I write qualifies as "art," but I at least want to keep the beauty of seeing someone's handwriting alive. I can get very sentimental about this sort of thing. I still have a note from my first boyfriend (Marty in 8th grade) where he mostly writes about that night's upcoming basketball game. Not very romantic, but I kept it because not only did he write on the page, but his best friend, Casey, did as well. Casey was the one who called me during Christmas break to tell me that Marty wanted to break up with me...loser (that would be Marty, not Casey). I also find the poor spelling rather amusing.

Do people even write love letters anymore? I've never gotten another one. I suppose it's all gotten lost in the world of texting. Just a few bits of the alphabet here and there, almost as though we have regressed to the grunts and howls following our first steps out of the ooze. If you've written a love letter or gotten one in the last few years let me know. I'm curious.

Hope everyone had a good and filling Turkey Day. I'll make an effort to be a better blogger.

GO DUKE!!--they are playing Purdue on Tues.

Also, what do you think of the new layout? I like it, although I wish I could change the color of the text at the top. It sort of disappears into the picture. Opinions are welcomed.

It never fails...

Seems I will not be surfing at home until next Friday at the earliest. After repeated phone calls and a visit from a tech to confirm I even had a signal coming to my house, it was discovered that my modem (which I'd been told earlier was fine) is the issue. It is still under warranty so I'm getting a new one sent in the mail--just in time for the holiday to mess up delivery schedules. Figures.

Tossed on the photo of David Tennant because I recently saw a blurb that he is leaving Doctor Who after this next run of specials. He has been amazing as The Doctor and it'll be sad to see him go. I'm not sure much can top last season's combo of David and Catherine Tate. Fabulous actor with the added bonus of fabulous hair.

Enjoy turkey day--I'm still debating as to whether or not I feel like moving all my DVD's to make room for my Christmas tree. Stay safe and travel well.

Still down for the count

Hey gang.

I'm still working on getting my internet back up at home. It's a slow day so far at work so I figured I'd update really quickly.

Went and saw the following:
Quantum of Solace: B+ Due to the nature of the story, this one isn't as witty or charming as Casino Royale. That being said it is still a solid Bond movie. The action set pieces are very intense and Daniel Craig is lovely as ever.

Twilight: C I've read the series and if you are interested in checking them out I'll give you this thought. Stop after the first one. The movie is okay. The photography is great and Edward is awfully pretty (though when he bugs his eyes out it gets a bit weird). The story moves slowly and I don't think you get a real sense of the push and pull between the characters. It was amusing the hear the teen age girls in the audience react to certain scenes.

Bolt: B Went a friend and her kids to see this and I'm almost scared to admit I enjoyed it. The movie isn't on par with the two big (and amazing) animated movies of this year, Kung Fu Panda and WALL*E, but it is really quite enjoyable. The story, while predictable, is not so cliche that adults will be bored with it. The voice work is quite good, esp. Mittens the cat and Rhino the hamster who pretty much steals the movie for me. The animation looks cinematic, esp. in the action sequences involving the tv show that Bolt stars in. This is definitely a family film that all ages can enjoy.

Keep your fingers crossed that I'll be up and running internet wise soon. Have a great Thanksgiving!

Man down...

Or rather, internet down. I haven't had access at home for 3 days now and haven't had time to get it fixed. Here's a quick thing to watch until I get my life together.

One of my co-workers found these. They are silly and make a bit more sense if you live in HVAC world, but they are fun none the less.

The Romance Of Porn

Sure there is nudity ("Jay" full frontal if you are interested). Sure there is crass humor (and a poo joke that really could have been left out). But, like a candy made by a deranged person, there is a gooey center to Zack and Miri Make A Porno. Our title characters are down on their luck thanks, in part, to questionable Amazon.com purchases. They go to their high school reunion for the same reason I went to some of mine...to mock people. After a funny encounter between Miri and her high school crush, she and Zack leave and go to a bar to ponder their current situation. An off hand comment later and the plan to make a porno to earn some cash has been born. Romantic complications ensue.

It's all pretty decent Kevin Smith stuff. And like all decent Kevin Smith stuff, there is sweetness just under the surface. The main characters are instantly likable. Elizabeth Banks is definitely the pretty girl you like to like and Seth Rogan has perfected the vulnerable guy beneath the snark genre. The pair work well together and their big moment in the two movies (the one we are really watching and the porno they are "making") is actually quite romantic and touching.
The plot will in no way stress your brain and some bits do lag, but on the whole the movie is really enjoyable and worth checking out.

Also saw Changeling with Angelina Jolie last weekend. It moves a tad slow and like Return of the King it seems like it ends about 5 times. But, the story is compelling and Jolie uses her experience as a mom to bring a nice depth to the role...though I got really tired of hearing the phrase "he's not my son" about a million times.

As is obvious by my lack of blogging, it's been a busy week. One of the local school districts is revamping several buildings so there have been lots of jobs to bid. I had two due on Tues. and another two due this Wed. Of course, I didn't find out about the two due on Wed. till the other assistant asked about them. Surprise--they were mine to work on and I hadn't been told yet. ARRRGHHH!!! I've discovered one of my reps seems to think he tells me things when he actually hasn't. The other rep sounds grouchy no matter what he is saying. It's taken some time getting used to the way things are there.

I stayed up late on Tues. to watch Obama's speech in Chicago. It was another example of just how great a speaker he is. I appreciated how respectful the crowd was when he talked about McCain. This behaviour was in contrast to the McCain crowd who frickin' booed during the Obama references. Not sure how true all the former McCain folk talk about Palin is, but it doesn't seem that far out there. The idea that she can't name the countries in NAFTA and doesn't know Africa is a continent fall right in line with some of the other things she's said. Who knows. Back to Chicago, who was that chubby white guy Oprah was squished up against? I'm thinking someone who works for Harpo. I'm just glad Obama kept the celebs at bay for his speech. Don't know how I would have felt seeing Brad Pitt gadding about on stage.