Things that going back to school have showed me.

1.) 6:00 a.m. is very, very early.

2.) 6:00 a.m. every day for fifteen weeks in a row? Seems even more early.

3.) Seriously. Effing early, man.

4.) I listen to way more music during the school year. I heard songs during my drive down yesterday morning that I haven't heard since May.

5.) [(Six classes x 3 to 4 exams each)+ papers+ reading+ other shit]= *head explodes*

6.) The east side is big, y'all. HUGE.

7.) Perhaps my life goal is to become a part time frozen yogurt chef and that doesn't require #5.



I guess Al Gore was right, because the entire city is going through a heat wave, and it won't be over for three days and I am not amused.

Because every single incoming freshman who has not yet stopped washing her hair/buying makeup/being able to eat everything that the cafeteria offers without gaining weight (give it two weeks, I tell you) takes this opportunity to wear tube tops and short shorts and I want to go die in a vat of ice cream.

*sigh*

Almost got a hot TA this year. Almost. It was close. Instead I ended up with the married guy with aggressive hair.

*bigger sigh*

Personality would have been so much more fun.



That's about all I've got for you today, as I have to go dry my hair, fold the laundry, dust the entire house and then go see The Nanny Diaries with Kate. Yay. I've been wanting to see that for ages, and nobody wanted to go with me.

Also need to to clear the movie-seeing decks for the double whammy of hotness coming to a cinema near you on Friday!!!

No estrogen-fueled craziness today. Although I was on the boards at midnight last night. So I think that counts.

Guess where I'm updating from?

My living room.

On my laptop.

Mine.

All mine.

I am pleased. Poor, but pleased. And also slightly faint from when I tired to make the internet work, but neglected to turn on the wireless switch and then I kind of had a slight coronary issue. With my complete and utter inability to make thing that plug in work, I was thinking that perhaps I spent a lot of money on a desk weight. I would not have been amused.



Now, some people in my family *cough*Spawn of Mickey 1*cough* received massively expensive laptops for graduation *cough*reaching the appropriate age*cough* from high school *cough*somebody's basement*cough* to use during their illustrious career at the prestigious University of Minnesota *cough*five weeks*cough* and then proceed to lose them *cough*stolen at an illegal poker game*cough*.

I am not one of those people.

Which is why the next time I see London will be when I marry Josh Groban and he takes me there for our honeymoon. Ha.



Other than spend my unborn children's inheritence, I didn't accomplish a whole lot today. I was totally going to clean and fold laundry, the my brand new widescreen is totally way more fun.

Oh, and I played Colleen's secretary for awhile, setting up advising appointments pretending to be her mom, and haircuts, and reordering contacts. You may all marvel at my display of sibling assistance. I rock.

Except then I realized that I would have to kill time at UWM for a hour while Colleen and her real mom were being advised. Crap.


National Treasure 2 trailer. I know it's cheesy, and totally not tru, but I. Love. This. So. Much. I cannot wait. It will be awesome.

I'm going to go eat.

Randomness During My First Weekend Off In Long, Long Time

Good moring, all. It's nine-thirty on Sunday morning, when I'm usually asleep, at Mass, or at work. But I had to get up to drive Colleen to work, I went to Mass last night so I could drive Colleen to work, and frankly they don't want to pay me any more after the full-time week I put in last week.

I don't know what to do on Sunday mornings. I'm all alone here, and there's nothing to do. I could clean. My house is filthy because of the full-time week put in last week, and there's some serious laundryage up the chute. Or I could blog. Yep. Definitely blog.

Today will be rather random, mostly because I'm working on about five hours of sleep and a venti iced latte from Starbucks. *Suspend disbelief here for a moment, because I do, after all, work at a coffee shop. A subsidiary of Starbucks, even* Seriously. $4.07 for a coffee??? It's two shots of espresso and milk. Gah.

But I was feeling entitled after driving to and back from Cedarburg twice, once with an apron. Hey, I'm just happy I didn't get a ticket, because I'm almost positive that I parked in a non-parking zone. Whatever. The hair was working and wearing a boob shirt. I could have gotten out of it.

Random Section #1- Music. I know, right? I don't like music. But I have like three things I want to hit on. Well, not "hit on" in the "How you doin'?" sense, but rather discuss.

First, mostly directed at those who share my computor, who downloaded Hey There Delilah? Because I seriously need to talk to them about how much I love Plain White T's. Have you heard All That We Needed??? You should. It's amazing.

Also downloaded Umbrella, the unofficial song of summer '07. And if I could find the live sans Jay-Z version I think I'd like it much more. Thankfully it's just the first thirty seconds. I flippin' love Rihanna. She's about as close to something other than white-bread pop that I enjoy.

And Kelly Clarkson's new I'm Angry At My Management See Look At My Angry Dark Cover Pose? album comes out on Tuesday, which I think I'll buy because I'm such a dork I like everything she sings. No, really. Behind Your Hazel Eyes was the ONLY song I listened to the ENTIRE way to Ohio two summers ago.



Speaking of Ohio, apparently we have vacation plans there for this summer or fall. I don't know anything more that that, though, because my father got all weird and refused to tell me anything else about it. This was our conversation.

Me: Well, I need to know about Galena because I have to ask off.
Dad: I know, but we were also going to go to Ohio.
Me: What? Why? Where? Why Ohio?
Dad: Your mother wants to go.
Me: Why? There's nothing in Ohio! What did she say?
Dad: I don't know! I don't owe you and explanation!
Colleen: Um, yeah, when you're asking us to take off of work and leave the state with you, you kind of do!
Dad: I haven't asked you guys!
Colleen: What!?!? I'm a child! You have to take me.
Me: No. Really. Why Ohio? The clinic? Fond memories?
Dad: Go talk to your mother.

See??? He gets really weird.

Also, I kind of completely forgot that we have a relative in Ohio. *shame*



Finished the freakishly long training week on Friday-whee! And got free food! I only had to buy lunch on day last week. And my sensitive gastointestinal system has calmed down after basically being hooked up to a caffeine drip for the past week. I can sleep and not throw up again! Yay!!!

Have to work at the actual cafe on Monday, though, which should be massive amounts of scariness, because it's me and Music Guy, who have like a negative idea of what to do. Except he's cute and I'm good at sucking up. So customer service should be handled well.

Being at work all week last week really cut into my preferred method of passing summer, though: sitting alone and reading. I did finish Nineteen Minutes, Jodi Picoult's latest. It was really good, and really disturbing, but not in poor taste because it was published three weeks before the whole Virginia Tech thing. Still. And I haven't read any of her other stuff, so I didn't see the apparently trademarked twist at the end, and was pleasantly surprised. So very good.

And got a Harry Potter in there, too. They're actually kind of good. And at least I can picture Alan doing all the Snape parts, because God knows the producers don't give him enough to do in the movies.

Although he was featured in Entertainment Weekly's 100 issue! YAY!!! Colleen had plenty of snarky comments about that. *sniff*

Some stolen stories that I must comment on:

Jane Austen Book Club movie stills. I'm really looking forward to this movie, because I ADORED! the book, but they screwed up the ages. Who the hell is Hugh Dancy playing?? Oh, Grigg. Wasn't he way older. *sigh*

KATE AND LEO!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!! PLEASE GET MARRIED AND ONLY ACT WITH EACH OTHER!!!!!!!!!! I'm sorry, was my Titanic-fangirl showing?

God, this is going to suck SO MUCH. But you know I'll be there opening weekend, with all the other losers.

YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE, BITCH!!! HANDS OFF!!! What the hell am I going to do with my useless background in history if she marries him!?!?!?

Aww, crap. I was really hoping they'd find her alive, even if the whole "Mommy's in rug" thing wasn't too hopeful. This sounds horrible, especially now that she's dead, but what was she doing with that guy? She was beautiful, and had a lovely house, had a mother who must have been kind of in her life because she was the one who made the 911 call, and she was sleeping with a married unattractive guy who clearly killed her. *sigh*

Meanwhile, I've decided that having children is much too risky, because chances are the dad will kill you. And I'm so paranoid, I'll think my husband is trying to get me. I swear, he's going to wake up one morning and I'll be doing the "I'm on you" eyes. Yeah. We're gonna be happy. :D

An uncharacteristic burst of activity.

Pretty much since classes let out my days have consisted of eating (mmm, cheesecake), sleeping, experimenting with mineral foundation (very good look, but my skin is so oily that it disappears after about ten minutes *sigh*), and making Blockbuster runs (A Very Long Engagement??? Really boring and LOTS of stuff I didn't want to see. Even I could barely get through it.). And that's about it.

But today already I've cleaned the kitchen, put away my winter clothes, separated my shoes into wear and don't wear categories, done a couple loads of laundry, and made a Facebook album from this weekend. I am very pleased with myself.

This should be enough activity for about a month awhile.

Broke my own rule about not going to see any other movie as long as Pirates is at the theater yesterday, and saw Knocked Up with the Empress. Pretty funny, really vulgar, and OH HOLY MOTHER THAT'S AN ACTUAL BIRTH RIGHT THERE.

I. Am never. Having children. EVER.

Also, I don't think I can watch Grey's Anatomy again.

Bunches of old people, who were whining about the language all through the movie. I'm sorry. You bought a ticket to a movie called KNOCKED UP. You had to say it to the ticket lady. What the hell did you think you were going to get??? And there was this woman sitting next to us who was commenting on various plot developments as they occurred, which was massively annoying.

That kid cracks me up. Also, she really looks like either my mom or my aunt. I can't figure out which one.

So, as the Facebook album linked above indicates, the Tsarevitch finished eighth grade this week, and much partying was had by all. I'm very sorry that there aren't more of the actual person the party was thrown for in the album, but I for one hate looking at other people's party picks, so twenty-five shots of John opening cards from various relatives wouldn't be too interesting. So I just put up the funny random ones instead.

Le anyhoodles, it was a very good time, and The Boy John (I'm trying to be nice here) got a ton of money, a bunch of Stargate/Kingdom of Something/Whatever crap that I don't understand, and a freaking iPod. This has not unplugged from his ears since I showed him how to use it on Saturday night. I'm kind of scared that the earbuds aren't going to come out, but rather he's grown protective bone over them or something.

Also, we had very good cake, and the lovely twisty pastry thingies that I'm having at my wedding.

^^^That is a picture of my third DVD player in as many months, it seems like. The last one (free because I know someone who bought a massively expensive HD TV because she was convinced it saved her money I don't know I've stopped asking) broke on Saturday morning, which was terribly unfortunate as a.) I'm broke, b.) it trapped a library DVD in it, and c.) see a re: b (they don't let you just keep those, damn them).

Fortunately, John was so preoccupied with iGoodness that I could spirit his player away and acknowledge it as my own mwhahaha. (Okay. He gave me permission.) And now I have entertainment again, which is just loverly as Target had the first season of Bones on sale for $16.99 last week. I know, right? Couldn't pass it up, mate.

Okay, I'm linking less about the article and more about the booking photo. It looks more professional than many studio photographs I've seen. And it appears she won't get the chance to be anyone's bitch. *sigh*

I'm going to go eat leftovers, but happy anniversary to Mommy and Daddy!!! I really hope that my orphan convert with an accent who makes over 150 k a year and I make it that long. :D

We shall war with France. And then I can play.

All hail the Lovely Mary's Lovely Consort Nick, who is in possession of Showtime and tapes and therefore I will have the episodes of The Tudors, in all of their uncut Showtimey goodness, almost as they air. Life is good.

Just a couple of thoughts on the Tudors, because as you may have been able to divine from the past---oh---two years of posts, there is nothing I like more than a juicy-if-completely-inaccurate-royal saga (see: the entire summer of '05, or When I Convinced Myself I Was Russian).

- Thomas More? Sexier than previously assumed. Oh, I am so going to hell. The special hell for people who want to sleep with saints.
- Prepare for Reign? Probably the best tagline ever. I'm thinking of having it tattooed somewhere. Right after I send in my transcripts to St. Thomas More College.
- OMG I TOTALLY WANT THE POSTER!!! Somebody buy it for me, please.
- Okay, so I'm thrilled and humbled that IMDB offers the first two episodes, but they majorly edited them. I am not amused. Yeah, I'm sure there's something about it being a family site or whatever, but I seriously doubt that any person searching for and watching any episode of a Showtime series is going to be irreparably harmed by seeing some woman's breast. Get over it.

As of Wednesday night when I realized that I was about to start Year 2 of working towards a career that I don't want and consequently had a major breakdown that involved me flipping out on the sofa until Bones came on, we have a New Life Goal here in the Realm of No Marketable Skills, Talent, or Drive to Succeed- I've changed my major to history, and am now considering either law school (in very few situations is law school the easy way out, but I think it might apply here), or going on and getting a PhDin history and then teaching. Or, I'm going to die in grad school.

Having no marketable skills is a difficult thing, but having one marketable skill (writing) that you don't want to market is even more difficult, and when I actually thought about it (something I try to avoid at all costs), the only thing I can think of being happy doing is teaching. Either little kids or adults. And I'm way too shallow to survive on thirty grand a year for the rest of my life. So there. New Life Plan.

Please, before you automatically assume that this will be replaced by, oh, I don't know, kineseology or something in like three weeks, and begin to scroll through this, bear with me. I'm serious this time.

First, I'm going to be a sophomore, so I really do have to make up my mind about SOMETHING soon, or I will have spent two years starting every major in the College of Letters and Sciences. Not recommended.

Also, this time I did not make a decision under the influence of the emotional wreckage caused by graduation (art history), failure of requirements for another major (journalism), plan to marry a prime minister (international relations), or a hot TA (psychology). I am going to be at UWM for a long, long, long time (no emotional problems), I'm doing quite well in all my classes (no French---whee!!!), I realized it's a crapshoot to marry a prime minster because you have to get them while they're young or people think you're a gold-digging whore and then you're not sure whether they'll be rich or unemployed (no pipe dreams). So I have managed to make a decision without emotional distress. Am quite proud of myself.

And yes, I realize that this sounds like every other resolution I've made regarding my education, but this time I really think it makes sense. Of course, this is coming from the girl who has had 125% more majors than semesters completed, but whatever.

Dissertation topics, anyone?

Continuing with my crusading movie mini-marathon, I'm almost finished with Kingdom of Heaven, which much like Troy, apparently kicked ass at the overseas box office. Which would explain why the United States managed to come further in 250 years than the French ever have, even with a 1200 year head start.

I started watching it last week, but I was so exhausted that I fell asleep, and when I woke up Orlando was in Jerusalem already and shtupping the Bond Girl (btw, I bought the movie, and Natalie was right---it was worth it...) and I was very confused. So I had to start it over.

Tears for the fact that we never get to see Edward Norton though (although the mask thingy was kind of hot...okay, it wasn't, but still), and that he's dead with an hour left to go in the movie. *sigh* Why must the hot die young?

Well, I'm sure I had other things to talk about, but frankly I can't remember any of it. I've been interrupted writing this by two runs to pick up Colleen, two people at the door, and three phone calls.

So this is all you're getting. How I Met Your Mother tonight---*does happy dances*

Morris! Breath check!

Ah, spring break. I have done exactly one paragraph more of my plague paper, put some papers over my art history notebook that I'm ostensibly supposed to be studying so that it doesn't bug me, and watched far too much TV for a twenty-four hour period.

Also, I've watched the POTC 3 HD trailer approximately 544 times. (Hint: Blow it up to full screen and watch it on a 17" monitor---*is dead*) ALso, some commentary courtesy of the folks over at EW.com...WHAT NO YOU DO NOT COMPARE JOHNNY TO MR. COLLINS THEY ARE BARELY THE SAME SPECIES GAH STUPID PEOPLES YOU DO NOT DESERVE THE PIRATEY GOODNESS.

*ahem*

HIMYM was new last night. *squee* I finally figured out that Hot TA kind of reminds me of Ted. It's not that they look a lot a like, but he reminds me of him. I miss Hot TA. It just makes the whole semester better. *sigh* Maybe I could switch my major to psychology. It's not like I'm married to this journalism thing, after all.

Today's Spring Break Movie? Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, a terribly acted, gut-wrenchingly awful movie starring Kevin Costner as a *snicker* British dude, but made up for by the fact that the Esteemed Mr. Rickman plays the Sheriff of Nottingham.

I had to see it again, as I almost bit through my tongue trying to stop from laughing when it was cited in an example paper we had to look at for history last week. You cannot cover up a fit of giggles if you are one of five people in the room. Impossible.

Well, I'm off to lunch with the Lovely Mary to plan our Find Me A Husband So That I Can Have Adorable British Babies Like In The Holiday Trip (at least that's what I'm calling it, I'm assuming she's not thinking the same thing, as that would be weird). Ciao.

This here's a covenant with God, bitch.

Yay---Golden Globes tonight---whee!!! So I'm gonna run down the major categories with who I want to win and who actually will win (these very rarely if ever match up---sadly, no one asked me to be on the board of anything handing out awards this year. Whatever.)

But first, I'd just like to say how much I really, really hate everyone who actually *is* on these committees because they get sent piles of DVDs of movies that are either still in theaters or theoretically in theaters but cannot be found anywhere near your house (*cough*Notes on a Scandal*cough*). I saw Children of Men and The Good Shepherd this weekend, but I actually ahd to PAY for them. Gah. I want a pile of movies that I can watch at my convenience. *sigh*

*ahem* With that, I give you the awards...

Best Picture Drama: Babel/The Queen

Sadly, The Queen is looking like it's only taking acting noms this year, even thoughit was a really good film in it's own right. Definately my favorite (well, okay. The only one I saw, but still) of the whole list. I'd give it to Babel, because it's weird and artsy and politically current enough that people will vote for it. I think The Departed is merely a Leo vehicle, and won't hold up on it's own, and nobody saw Bobby. Little Children what with it's hot-people-committing-adultery story would work, but it's not popular or edgy enough.

Best Picture Musical or Comedy: Dreamgirls/The Devil Wears Prada

Okay, I've seen and loved every one of these movies except the one that's going to win. And Borat, but still. Dreamgirls will take it, and maybe even the Oscar, because apparently people love watching people try to sing. Not my kind of thing, but whatever. I'm seeing it this week, so I'll update you on that (I know you're waiting.)

The other three, Little Miss Sunshine, Thank You For Smoking, and The Devil Wears Prada, were all fantastic, and I adored and have each one of them on DVD, but I think The Devil Wears Prada was my favorite. Just because it was so well done and I love Meryl Streep (when she's not shooting off her mouth), and it was so much fun. Thank You For Smoking would have done better if it hadn't have been released almost a year ago and people have forgotten about it already. Little Miss Sunshine would be my second choice. Not that it matters, because Dreamgirls will totally take it.

Best Actor Drama: Leonardo DiCaprio/Will Smith

I haven't seen a single one of these movies, but I know enough to know that Leo's gonna win for The Departed. I want Will Smith to win because he is my Squishy and I love him, but he's not going to. Sad.

They won't give it to Leo for that other one about the diamonds, and Forest Whitaker, while probably doing the best job critically at least, doesn't have the clout to win anything. Also, I didn't even know Peter O'Toole had a movie out.

Best Actor Comedy: Sacha Baron Cohen/Johnny Depp

Oh, Johnny. You don't have a shot, baby doll. But for religious reasons I am forced to root for you against all odds and even pray that you'll be there tonight (*crosses fingers*)

Borat will win. Duh. Again, Aaron Eckhart would have done a whole lot better if they had released this a couple months ago, but they didn't so he probably won't win. I'd love it if he did, though. And Stranger Than Fiction was popular enough with the critics or audiences to give Will Ferrell a chance.

And I've never heard of Kinky Boots.

Best Actress Drama: Helen Mirren/Helen Mirren

WHEE!!! The one time all night I'll probably be right!!! Helen Mirren was fantastic, and will will.

I'm sure Judi Dench did a good job, but The Queen has been out longer and more people have seen it. Maggie Gyllenhaal might have gotten it if Sherrybaby had been released more recently, and Kate Winslet isn't going to get it. Also, I'm not sure why they nominated Penelope Cruz, but they did.

Best Actress Comedy: Meryl Streep/ Meryl Streep

Ooh, another one!!! I think she'll win, because everybody absolutely adored Miranda Priestly. My choice for an upset would be Annette Benning, but Running with Scissors really tanked and she'd have to win it on being a critical darling alone, which is pretty hard to do. Toni Collette was good but not that good, nobody is going to give Beyonce an award over Meryl Freakin' Streep, and is Miss Potter even out yet?!?!?!

Best Supporting Actor: Not a clue/Don't really care

Why is it that I can never get involved in this race??? Last year Clooney was even in it and I couldn't be bothered!!! It wasn't for the movie I liked and he wasn't even hot in Syriana. I just never seem to care about anyone involved in it. I'm a bad moviegoer. Anyway, I'd say Brad Pitt or Jack Nicholson just 'cuz, but Mark Wahlberg could take it too. I don't think Eddie Murphy has a chance, and Ben Affleck just sucked in Hollywoodland. Or rather, that whole movie sucked.

Maybe next year they'll nominate some interesting people.

Best Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett or Jennifer Hudson/Cate Blanchett or Emily Blunt

I think Cate Blanchett is going to get it, but I'm torn, because I haven't sen Notes on a Scandal and I have seen Devil and I loved her character.

But then all people talk about it how amazing Jennifer Hudson is and she might get it too. I don't think Emily Blunt actually has a chance, but I still like her.

I don't know who the other two are and I can't pronounce their names. *sigh*

Sooo, Children of Men---quite good and disturbing but still good. Also, I Heart Clive Owen, but you probably knew that already. It felt a little bit long, like they could have trimmed something from the middle, but overall very good. I recommend it. But not for the faint of heart. Because once you as an audience member find yourself going, "Eh. Suicide kits. Good plan. I'd use one.", you know things are not good.

Also saw The Good Shepherd yesterday---watch out for the WASPs---they will kill you. No, no, I kid, it was also very good. No spoilers, because I know Mickey wants to see it. I don't know why it wasn't up for more awards, because it had a great cast, a great story, and Robert DeNiro directed it---if that's not Oscar bait I don't know what is. Angelina Jolie didn't really even bug me that much, which is saying something.

Almost three hours, but it didn't feel overly long, except that looking back there was some stuff that they could have done without. Like I'm not entirely sure we needed to keep flashing forward everytime they figured out something new about the photographs, and the whole story line with the director seemed kind of pointless, except that he was always kind of a scumball and we knew that from the beginning, and who the hell was Alec Baldwin and why was he there?!?!?!?!

Also, the little Skill and Bones group? Quite possibly the Gayest Thing Ever. They mudwrestle and thens ing about it. I'm pretty sure there are shows like that in Vegas.

Le anyhoodles, I'm off to do some laundry and watch the snow fall---ooh, so pretty!!!

I officially have too much time on my hands.

I was in a vegging mood this afternoon, and thought to myself, "Self- it's been awhile since you witnessed the immense acting talent that is Joaquin Phoenix," also, I really didn't want to wipe the kitchen floor.

So I got The Village from the library (they didn't have Walk the Line---boo) and watched it, and it was actually quite good. I saw it in theaters when it came out about two and a half years ago, and inadvertantly figured out the major twist (not that major, but whatever) half an hour in, and kind of don't remember anything else except that the camera panned away when Joaquin Phoenix and Spawn of Opie started to make out and I was quite depressed.

It help up quite well under a second viewing though, and is actually kind of a good movie in it's own right. It did bring to mind some unanswered questions, though, so there are some spoilers if you haven't seen it and are planning on it (although it's been out for two years, so you should get on that).

First, what, exactly, were their plans to prevent inbreeding? You can build an entire little civilization and pay off the government and keep a bunch of teenagers contained to one stinkin' field (it would take and act of God, I tell you, not just some faux-Puritans) and you can't figure out that your kids are going to have to marry their cousins? Because I counted like ten families at most, and those ten, even if you only let certain families marry into certain families or something to keep the family tree realtively forked, can only last you two or three generations at most. And then there's gonna be some poor little grandchild with flippers who thinks it 1897.

Also, I wasn't aware that in order to teach history at the University of Pennsylvania you had to be able to speak English the way they did in the 1850s, but apparently it's a requirement.

Did they not have combs in 1897? Because everyone's hair was going every which way and an hour in it really started to bug me.

And who the hell killed the dogs??? What cold-hearted bastard did that??? Ivy's dad said he thought it was one of the elders, but they never cleared it up. And now I don't know and it's bugging me. Damn you M. Night Shyamalan.

Finally, where the hell did Main Guy With Preternaturally Pretty Daughters find all these damaged people whose lives had been ripped apart by violence? Did he troll support groups? Because that's kind of sick, actually.

Le anyhoodles, it was interesting and kind of funny and has Judy Greer who is my Favorite Sidekick of All Time, except I feel kind of badly for her because she's so good she deserves her own career but she's so good at being a sidekick that she probably won't ever have one.


Ummm, yeah, if we want to call crack "technical problems". Oh, Paula. It's been a long time since the Laker girl days, hasn't it???

Well, I'm off to go eat dinner and watch Grey's Anatomy---yes, I realize it's a day late but I simply have too much to watch on Thursdays. Thankfully, ABC and their utter lack of dramatic shows to fill up the primetime hours is looking out for me.

Yeah, like inbreeding works well in cows, not so much in people.

You cannot go wrong with polygamists on Numb3rs, especially if they are of the creepy old fat dude marrying the young woman after he's killed off all the competition variety. I'm so weird.


So. Yeah. G-Dub addressed the nation last night smack dab in the middle of what was supposed to be a new Criminal Minds/CSI:NY block but wasn't because he decided we all needed to know some more about Iraq. And I am not amused. *sigh*


If I wasn't so pissed about the having to wait another week for brand-new CSI goodness, I guess I'd be kind of pleased that he did talk, though, because he looked very contrite and admitted that perhaps things aren't going quite as swimmingly as we would hope, and I think that's what people need to hear. (The "I talked to our allies in Europe" thing kind of made me giggle a little bit. I'm sorry. Isn't it pretty much just Blair?) Personally, I don't think more troops is the way to go, because I don't think you can win against people who are willing to blow up their children, but I don't have any better ideas, so whatever. War is hell. Maybe it's time we all just realize it.


All Office icons all the time here today, because it is new tonight and I actually get to watch it, and Imladris sent me a loverly site yesterday full of loverly Office icons. So that's what you're getting.

Mmkay, what else is going on in my life? Nothing. Worked Tuesday, and had crazy people come in and try to exchange stuff ten minutes before we closed and they reeked of smoke and were quite weird and I didn't like them because they bought a crapload of stuff right at closing when I was ready to go home. Buggers. Also only made three bucks in tips. Boo.

Yesterday I did nothing. I think. Can't really remember. Oh, went out with Kate for coffee. Interesting. Very, very interesting.

Have been watching bunches of movies, lately, though. Finished I Heart Huckabees, which was quite hilarious and very good. And I officially love Jude Law again, even if his accent did kind of come and go.

Then I watched Shakespeare in Love, which was quite possibly one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. It was funny, and interesting, and moving, and had Geoffrey Rush who I seem to be inadvertently stalking along with Cirian Hinds as they show up in every single movie I watch. Anyhoodles, I loved it. If you all are going to get me the same movie next Christmas, this would be a good one. :D

Finished the night (it was like one thirty by this time) with Veronica Guerin, which was also a fantastic movie, featuring the Lovely Cate Blanchett who apparently the Empress adores and worships. Which is...kind of creepy, actually. But I digress. SOOOO sad though!!!! She had a son!!! Why must the good die young!?!?!? *ahem*

Yesterday we did The Woman in White, which was your typical Masterpiece Theater goodness with Guy Who Loves Keira Knightly From Love Actually playing the main guy. I love anyone and anything connected to that movie, so we loved it. Creepily good. Love Wilkie Collins.

Finally, working my way though the non-Patrick Swayze miniseries North and South, which is quite lovely in the Bleak House way. It has Anna Maxwell Martin (squee!!!) who is dying (sad), and the main mill guy who the main girl totally loves and wants to get it on with but can't admit it because he is of a different class is quite hot, actually. It's quite good. I'm considering buying the DVD.

Finished Philip and Elizabeth---great book. Fantastic. Loved it. I should be British, because I love that royal family so damn much. All of my monarchy love is just going to waste over here because we had to be so damn independent. Sheesh.

The Empress and I are planning to see Children of Men this weekend. Even the apocalypse is more fun if Clive Owen shows up. ;p

And considering you were the one twiddling the finger for the purpose of blackmail, there's a chance you may come off as less than adorable.

*pout* Have to miss Boston Legal this week.

So, Blog Kitties, how are we all doing today? Well, I know how Imladris is doing, because I dropped her off at school at some ungodly hour this morning when I was sporting a hasn't-been-washed-in-awhile ponytail, barely enough mascara to separate my eyes from the rest of my face, and my very best crappy sweatshirt. Very, very good thing I didn't get into an accident. I wouldn't have wanted to talk to anybody.

Even though, as we established last week through no fault of my own, real cops don't look like CBS wants us to think they look. Tragic, really, or I'd be a criminal justice major.

Following in Mickey's footsteps of course, because she was a criminal justice major somewhere between art history (doesn't think it's art if it doesn't have ears on it) and home ec (most of her speed dial options are restaurants).

Anyhoodles, I hope the rest of you are doing well.

Had a fun weekend--- theoretically had a chance to sleep on Saturday, except that I kept waking up and finally gave up and go dressed at eight-thirty. There's not a whole lot to do at eight-thirty on a Saturday. TV Land is running a Wings episode. That's about it.

Had coffee with the Empress and Mommy Dearest. Our regular place was filled with other locals screw them, and we were forced next door to our backup location who's coffee isn't as good but had the advantage of actually having tables. And, as it is January (although a freakishly hot probably global warming induced one at that), a table inside was a plus.

Spent an hour and a half talking about how the Colleen has no life goals and will fail in college and will be all alone OMG. Because apparently her court is all going to out-of-town schools. Having no money or ambition, the Empress is sadly left here with Mary and I. Wait. That came out wrong. On so many levels.

She has decided that maybe social work is for her. Or marrying up. That's my plan. I'm pre-law for a reason.

Then I went ice skating with Mary, Nick, and Steve, and ended up spending more time on my derriere (see? some French took.) than on the skates, even though I actually had my own and didn't have to rent the ugly brown ones. Ick. Mary had Nick pull her around, using absolutely no skills whatsoever so she should not have been laughing so hard when that little girl passed me. *sigh* And they were playing lots and lots of Kelly Clarkson hits. By the third time though Since U Been Gone I was ready to hurt somebody. Maybe that little girl who passed me.

Also now I kind of can't move. My right thigh is bruised to my knee, by arms ache from either pulling people down onto the ground with me or slamming into the railings, and I think my wrist is sprained. Still fun, though.

We finished at Culvers, which is way more my speed than actually doing some sort of activity, and I have discovered that Custardcinos are quite possibly the best things since pumpkin spice lattes. Which is saying something.

Worked all day yesterday. Not fun. Watched Beauty and the Geek at night, at least until the station cut out halfway through and I was very upset. I like that show.

*sigh*

Now I'm back to reality, which is kind of fun too because I have no responsibilities. Except I have to overhaul the bathroom, but we'll get to that in a minute.

Movie Update: Decided to move up a little from the 19th century, and am finishing up I Heart Huckabees, which is quite funny in a way that I kind of don't get but am completely enjoying laughing at the absurdity. Veronica Guerin is up next, which I'm expecting to be less absurdly hilarious. Not that Irish drug lords aren't a good time, but still.

Then we have Shakespeare in Love, featuring the Brother of Fiennes.

Also I NEED TO SEE CHILDREN OF MEN. NOW. Must go this week. Also need to see The Good Shepherd, if only for the chance to see Angelina Jolie trying to be domestic.

Speaking of which, our favorite little home wrecker told Elle that she kinda cares more about Maddox and Zahara because they're damaged. Wow. Saviour Complex much???

So, the bathroom. Daddy finally fixed the shower (the thingy had inexplicably become detached from the wall--it wasn't my fault, that's all I know), and now I have my own bathroom. Sorta. But this will alleviate the "Seriously. When are you going to be FINISHED ALREADY IN THERE???" every morning once school starts. And, I have to say, it's lovely to be able to have a place to put all of my stuff.

This does, however, mean that I actually have to make the shower clean again, though, a state it has rarely seen since, ooh, 2004 when Mom stopped doing it and I discovered that closing the curtain was way easier than scrubbing Imladris's hair junk stuff off the bottom of a tub that no one uses. So I will probably spend the better part of the afternoon doing that. Not looking forward to it. The smell of Comet makes me nauseous.

My Inner Pop Culture Whore is also a End of the Year Top 10 List Whore.

Shhh. Don't tell anyone. She's kind of embarrassed. But she will sit and watch VH1 for pretty much all of December.

Also, she doesn't really feel like studying or cleaning, which is pretty much all she has to do today before five thirty. Oh the joys of exam week.

So, without further ado, her top 10 15 favorite movies of 2006, including ones that she saw on DVD for the first time in 2006. Don't worry, she only does recent ones, though. For instance, she recently viewed Newsies (1994) and while it definately deserves a place on her favorite movies of all time list, it does not get one on the '06 list. Even though it kind of deserves it. But she digresses...

In a very particular order...

15.) A History of Violence~ Viggo Mortensen being a mobster. This is enough to get her to watch the entire movie many, many times. She wants the DVD desperately (last minute Christmas gifts, anyone???). Also, That Guy Who Is In Everything playing his brother was quite good.

14.) Friends With Money~ Okay. The pot and vibrator gags aside, this was a very good movie in that indie kill-an-afternoon kind of way. I loved it. I wonder if anyone has the DVD for cheap?

13.) Inside Man~ Another movie I didn't want to go see and Imladris insisted and it turns out to be a favorite. And, in a surprisingly show of emotional maturity on my part, *not* just because of Clive Owen. Not that much emotional maturity, because he's still pretty damn sexy, but he's not the only reason. It's one of those movies that you kind of forget you loved, or even saw, and then you remember and you're like "Damn!!! That was a great movie!!!"

12.) Walk the Line~ Yes, I've totally used this before, but half of me would be scared to run into Joaquin Phoenix in a dark alley, and the other half really, really wants to. Really. Also, snaps for newly single Reese who totally deserved the Oscar and how much did we love her dress???

11.) Good Night and Good Luck~ One of the very few good and memorable things to come out of my American government class last semester. Very good in a quiet kind of way. Also, we heart George Clooney.

10.) Stranger Than Fiction~ I was reading something about this in the paper the other day, and the columnist said that this was one of his favorite movies of the year, but it was one he wasn't even sure he liked until the end. And I completely agree---it was kind of depressing for awhile there, but when it was over, I really, really was glad I went.

9.) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest~ Okay. I know. You're all going to comment about how my devotion is failing and what not, but I really do have a good reason for putting it so low on the list. First, let it be known that known that, as a sequel to POTC and a Johnny movie, this could not get any closer to my heart. However, as a movie, well, it kind of pales in comparison to the first one, or any other movie on the list. I didn't notice it in theaters, probably because I was all "GAH!!!! JOHNNY!!!!!!! POTC 2!!!!! GAH!!!!!!" all through them, but when we watched it again on DVD a couple weeks ago...well, I kind of got very confused. What was the point of the island? And why didn't Jack follow through with the 99 souls thing? And what the hell was up with Elizabeth bringing the horniness? Seriously. Down, girl.

But I still love it, and I still can't wait for May 2007. *squee*

8.) Marie Antoinette~ Yes, I realize that it made about six bucks. And that the blessing before sex is majorly skeevy. And that Mary will never be the same again. But I really, really liked it. Can't wait until it's on DVD.

7.) Casino Royale~ Two words: Bond ass. Go see it.

6.) Thank You For Smoking ~ One of the most hilarious movies that I've ever seen and if I could remember a single quote or funny line I'd tell you, but sadly I cannot. Still, awesome movie.

5.) The Devil Wears Prada~ I cannot say enough good things about this movie, even if the message of "Lose weight and sell your soul and get to wear pretty clothes" kind of sucks. It's still awesome. And read the book (now available in mass market paperback for only $7.99---run to your bookseller now!!!)

4.) Capote~ I'm not a real In Cold Blood kind of girl. In fact, I read the book and couldn't sleep for three days because I was convinced somebody was going to kill me over $16. But this was, quite possibly, the best film of 2005, and it's only #4 because I saw it in 2006 with so many other good movies! The true test of my devotion? I bought the DVD after it was on sale for being new but before it was on sale for being old. Paid full price. Can't remember the last time I did that.

3.) The Prestige~ Unquestionably one of my favorite movies this year. Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, and Michael Caine. You cannot possibly get a bad movie out of that cast. And it wasn't even a bad movie---it was really good!!! And it's coming to DVD on February 20th. *does insanely happy dances*

2.) Little Miss Sunshine~ A quest to get Colleen carded on the day after she turned 17 was a bust. But the movie that we saw was completely awesome. It is a travesty that Steve Carrell didn't get a Golden Globe nomination for this. TRAVESTY, I tell you!!!

1.) The Queen~ There are very few movies I will see at night when prices are highest. There are even fewer that I will see at an unfamiliar theater where I have to wait in line and listen to the mayor ramble about what a great city this is. Fewer still will I miss a new episode of CSI for. This was one of them. I don't even know how to describe what I loved so much about it (well, Helen Mirren was a big part of it) but I completely and totally fell in love with it. If you can find it in a theater, I highly suggest going.

So, back to reality where dirty dishes and conjugations of -er verbs await. Comment, please...