Movie Happenings of Late With the Christmas holiday and having 4 days off in a row, I had some time to relax and remember things that made me happy, such as watching movies. I just haven't had time to spend on movies lately. However I realized just how much I missed them. We took in a double feature on Friday. We saw The Spirit and The Day the Earth Stood Still The Spirit was an odd but fun movie. It was done in the blue screen manner like 300 with some beautiful art design. The story was interesting. In some ways it had some corny moments. I have never read the comic book, so maybe that is part of the way the comics are written. Samuel L. Jackson was his usual gregarious self. I enjoyed Gabriel Macht as the spirit. He did a good balance of earnest crime-fighter and seemed very good at handling the goofy moments without coming off as a jackass (excuse my French). He was a cat lover so he gets brownie points. Lots of gorgeous women in beautiful clothing as well. It was enter...
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Tis the Season Have I mentioned that Christmas is my favorite holiday? Well it most definitely is. I love the Christmas season, although it can be very stressful. Although I get a little stressed when I see that everyone has their decorations up and I don't yet, I love driving around and seeing the Christmas lights and decorations. It reminds me that there is light in the darkness. That there is always hope. It reminds me to take time out of my busy schedule and enjoy the beauty of life. I thought I'd list some reasons why I love Christmas: It celebrates the birth of my savior, Jesus Christ It's an opportunity to give of ourselves to others (I love shopping for other people's gifts) It's fun and happy and allows the inner child to come out to play It allows me to be creative and crafty I get a day off from work (sad but true that this is important to me) Christmas cookies and candy (enough said) Presents under the tree and the excitement of not knowing what's ...
My Blond Yummy Gallery Includes: Rupert Penry-Jones Luke Goss Douglas Henshall Thomas Kretschmann Phillip Winchester Sunday is a Good Day Did you enjoy the gallery of Blond hotness? Don't forget Quantam of Solace comes out this weekend. Can you say Daniel Craig you have washboard abs I could bounce a quarter off of? You probably wouldn't say that, but I will. I am so feeling blond men lately. But I guess they are becoming hotter as I get older. I am just chilling today. Trying to get over this cold I caught. It could be worse, though. I have to get up very early tomorrow to go back to work after spending last week in Mississippi for a work conference. Unfortunately the hotel we had to stay in was a fleabag. It is so nice to be home in my own bed and clean house. The good news is I spent the week with some hot guys (in the books, unfortunately). I read the following books last week: Sale or Return Bride by Sarah Morgan Ice Storm by Anne Stuart Surrender by Pamela Clare Dark Desi...
Ten Things I'd Say to Michael Scofield I was eating dinner last night and watching an episode of Prison Break on DVD with my mother and sister. They are well aware of my fixation on Wentworth Miller and Michael Scofield. Typically it takes the form of sighing and making strange noises while I watch the show. My mother at one point said that the reason why I didn't know what was going on, was because I never was quiet and just watched the show without any commentary. Okay, there is some truth in that. What can I say? I just go into ecstasies about Wentworth/Michael. I adore the guy. So anyway I thought about having a blog where I'd list things I say to Michael Scofield. It's goofy, but I'm allowed to be goofy. It's a constitutional right. Not really. I am allowing myself the freedom to do so anyway. Without further ado.... Are you a virgin? I think you are. I love you for it. You can break me out of any prison, office, house, or room you want to anytim...
I Know My Fairy Name and Other Useless Ramblings Well this last two weeks has kicked my butt. I have tried to go to bed a little earlier and that has helped. I had to work all day Saturday so I didn't get that day to chill. It was worth it because I missed being in the clinic and also I got paid money that I can put towards the Vegas trip. I did not go to the movies this weekend. I did not watch any movies this weekend. I did finish a book on Sunday, Beguiled by Arnette Lamb. It was very good, and reaffirmed my desire to be a woman of purpose. It's hard sometimes being someone who is motivated and willing to work hard. You get tired and you get discouraged. You wonder what are you missing out there when you have to be in bed ideally by 10am (never happens really), and get up early. And when you work a lot and don't party at all. Then people say, you need to get out more. What if you're too darn tired to get out? How fun is it to stand around a party and do a ...
The Lyrics to Take You on a Cruise by Interpol (My favorite song ever!!) Take You on a Cruise by Interpol I'm timeless like a broken watch,I make money like Fred Astaire. I see that you've come to resist me, I'm a pitbull in time. The pretence is not what restricts me,It's the circles inside. The anatomy of kisses and a teacher who tries,Who knows how we'll disappear. Would you like to be my missus,And in future with child? You know that we can't get back from here.We can get away. Baby don't you try to find me. Baby don't you try to fight. Baby don't you try to find me. Baby, it will be all right. Along the way...Tears drown in the wake of delight. There's nothing like this built today. You'll never see a finer ship in your life. We sail today Tears drown in the wake of delight. There's nothing like this built today You'll never see a finer ship Or receive a better tip in your life. I am the scavenger...Between the sheets of union. L...
I Am Not the Target Audience The older I get, the more I realize, that as I watch television, listen to the radio, and watch movie trailers, I am not the target demographic for much of what is produced for public consumption. It is disconcerting for a self-described movie and tv-buff. And for a music fan as well. When it comes to music, nine times out of ten, I am not going to hear a song that blows me away on the radio. Internet radio, maybe. I have to search pretty hard to find music that tickles my ear. I might hear it on a tv show, but usually not. Sometimes I will hear songs that sound good on commercials. And then I don't know how to track it down. But the radio, not so much. All I can say is thank God for Amazon. Their recommendations keep me in music. Otherwise I listen to old favorites. I don't like the new kind of rock music, basically garage bands that followed on the coattails of Blink 182, heavy on loud guitar and what loosely passes for singing ability. It reminds...
Thank God It's Friday I can tell you that when I woke up to the harsh, relentless blaring of my alarm, one of my first thoughts was: Thank God It's Friday. This week did go by fast, but it was painful. I hate getting up at 5 am (or anytime before 7:30am). I feel like I am getting more used to it, but it's still hard. As I took my wake-up shower, I planned out my day and my weekend. My goal is to do as little as possible this weekend, catch up on my reading, emails, writing, and sleep. Hopefully I will achieve this lofty goal. Of course I have some shows on the DVR to watch that I missed this week, such as Fringe, Supernatural, CSI Miami, Prison Break, NCIS. The desire to watch these wars with the desire to lay on my bed and read. But I think I will have to spend some couch time this weekend watching tv. Also I need to watch Primeval. I missed it last week, and I did not get my dose of Nick Cutter (played by Douglas Henshall). I seriously considered skipping my workout, but ...
Fall Is Here ( I found this picture on Flickr. It's by zwstr). I am very excited that fall has arrived. It is my second-favorite season (after winter). Here are the things I love about fall: The smell of autumn The cooler weather Halloween ( I love the inherent eerieness of dark, cool nights. I don't think Halloween being in the fall is a coincidence) Thanksgiving Knowing that Christmas is coming The relief of the hot summer weather More obligatory indoor time (for reading) yet it is cool enough to go outside and enjoy the outdoors When I was growing up in Illinois, I loved the colors of the leaves. We used to rake leaves and dive into piles of them. Wearing my cooler weather clothes like corduroy (I love it) and wool Being chilly (I love being cold) Fall foods like pumpkin, caramel apples, etc The new tv season I plan to enjoy the fall season. I am going to try to take some walks outdoors on the days I can squeeze them in. I also plan to get a pumpkin for Halloween this year....
Through A Glass Darkly This phrase is mentioned in Corinthians in the New Testament of the Bible. I have read the New Testament through at least three times, initially the King James Version. I must admit, the first time I read this phrase, I truly didn't get it. But with time, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I have come to understand that it refers to the imperfect perception of reality that we as humans have of the world. You see what is real and material, but there is another reality underneath, around, and between this visceral being that we call the material world. Have you ever had a surreal experience, dreamlike, but you knew that you weren't dreaming? I am sure we all have experienced deja vu. What about other moments that seem subreal, yet hyperreal at the same time. I was talking to my mother and sister about times that I have heard my name being distinctly called. I turned around and literally no one was there. I know I was not dreaming, and I actually hear...
Fall Promises to be a Great Time to Buy Books. This is a good thing and a bad thing. Bad because I need to save money for my trip to Vegas this February. Good, because I love love love buying books, and it's nice when there are books worth buying coming out. I am restraining myself from buying Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon, although it's hard. I should because I am at least two books behind (more if you count the Dream Hunter books). I know that God will bless me and I will find it at Half Priced Books one day, and I'll sweep it up for half price. Patience is a virtue! It really is. I am also excited about Nalini Singh's next book in the Psy/Changeling series, Hostage to Pleasure. It's about Dorian, a member of the pride that cannot shapeshift. That doesn't mean he's any less dangerous. His heroine is Ashaya, who is a Psy. I've heard good things about it so far. Also Lisa Kleypas has a new book coming out in the Hathaway series, Seduce Me at Sunrise. I can...
Great News for Deborah Simmons Fans Deborah has a new historical coming out with Harlequin Historicals and is hard at work on Reynold De Burgh's story (great news for us De Burgh family fans). I am so happy. She is an excellent writer. Years ago, I emailed her and she said she was without a contract and that Harlequin did not want to continue the De Burgh books. I was very upset on her behalf, and also on her fans. I love the De Burgh brother series, and there were two stories left that were untold. Reynold is my favorite brother, surly and has a leg injury. You know me and those tortured/scarred heroes. So go out and buy her new book, The Dark Viscount, new if you possibly can. I have a subscription to HH, so I'll get it and won't have to do any work, other than check my mail and pay the bill. :) If you haven't read Deborah Simmons, you should. She is great at combining humor, steamy sensuality, authentic language and setting, with pathos. Her characters come off the p...
in In Praise of Black British Male Actors You may not have noticed that a good number of Black male actors that we see on television and films, are not African Americans. They are, in fact, Black British men. As a serious lover of all things British, especially men, I certainly did. I affectionately call these lovely guys Brifrican (a contraction of British and Black African-descent, which never fails to make my sister giggle). Who are some of my favorite of these distinguished actors? Well if their names are not familiar, I am sure that you may recognize their faces. Adrian Lester: This dreamboat appeared on the American scene years ago when he co-starred in Primary Colors, but has been very prolific in British TV, movie, and theater, notably playing Henry V in Shakespeare. I thought he was terribly cute when I saw him in Love's Labours Lost, which I think is the time when my crush began. I was very pleased to see him playing Mickey Bricks on the joint BBC and A&E show Hustle....
No Longer The Rabid Moviegoer I Was (Not that I don't still love movies. That will never change!) Those of us who are serious moviebuffs know what time of year this is. Summer movie season. In the past my butt would have been firmly planted in a seat at the local theater around this time of year. But there has been a serious decline in my moviegoing. It's truly multifactorial. It started when I moved back to Texas and was really hurting for money at first. I left a job that I stayed at too long and really hated, and took a chance and moved back to Texas to what was hopefully a better future. Since I didn't have a job when I did it, but by the Grace of God managed to keep a roof over my head, I'm not complaining. The funny thing is, the girl who bragged about not going more than a couple of weeks between seeing movies at the theater realized that she could go pretty long without that crutch. I had used my moviegoing to define me as a person, and that was selling myself s...
Is the Western Movie Genre Really Dead? I am afraid that the answer is yes, at least in its purest form. I only have theories about this slow death of the genre. Perhaps the setting is so far away from what the millenial-consciousness public can wrap their minds around. In this age, horses, carriages, cattle, false-fronted wooden buildings, range wars, and such fare is unknown and alien to most urban-dwelling people. There are pockets of people who still live in this reality, but they are probably not the driving force behind the box office and studio movie-making decisions. Most moviegoers may find the old school western corny. And I believe that this is at the crux of the dearth of western movies being made. I must say that I have mixed feelings about some of the more recent western movies. Here are some of the newer westerns and my thoughts 3:10 to Yuma: It was good but I didn't like the ending. I think the good man suffered and the bad man prospered. That's just backwards t...