March 4th the Discovery Channel will air a documentary (with heavyweights like James Cameron behind it...) regarding the [supposed] discovery of Jesus' family Tomb. Yes, I'm a mite skeptical. I'll be watching it anyway, though... what is it... keep your friends close but your enemies closer?! Not saying they're my enemies... but certainly not the truth I believe in.
I came across this blog that makes some good comments. A long read, but I think what he says is worth thinking about.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
What Accent do you have?
My Answer: The West. Fun Stuff
| What American accent do you have? Your Result: The West Your accent is the lowest common denominator of American speech. Unless you're a SoCal surfer, no one thinks you have an accent. And really, you may not even be from the West at all, you could easily be from Florida or one of those big Southern cities like Dallas or Atlanta. | |
| The Midland | |
| Boston | |
| North Central | |
| The South | |
| The Inland North | |
| Philadelphia | |
| The Northeast | |
| What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz | |
Monday, February 26, 2007
Doin' the Happy Dance
...cuz my Christmas tree is undecorated, un-lighted and now in himself's room to be put away in the box. It will probably be in there for a couple months, but I'm certainly not throwing any stones. ha! That place at the wall where it was looks a little empty, but we're decorating our living room, ooops, I mean our "home theatre" (yeah right!) with movie posters - so far we have Breakfast at Tiffany's, Star Wars, The Godfather, Braveheart & a poster of Marilyn Monroe. (One day maybe I'll post a picture of the living room wall in Scotland in our flat in which himself had put up Marilyn Monroe black & white wall paper. really. cuz it was on sale. yep. a reason Scotsman are called 'thrifty' or 'mean' or 'tight' -- it was kinda retro cool, actually -- but to me more befitting of a fifties bathroom or something... ) We have a movie 'clapper' thing-a-majig on the wall, and I have my Cinderella whatsit that came with the special edition DVD. I also have a few 12 x 12 musical theatre movie posters from last year's calendar which I'm not sure where I put them for safe keeping... *Sigh* We can seat 5 with excellent viewing to the screen, and floor room, for those who can do that (I will again soon....). So the room is taking shape...
Anyhoo....
It is 5:52 pm - himself gets off work at 6pm - I've done his laundry, half of mine, unloaded the dishwasher and loaded it, put away the clean dishes lying out on the counter and emptied the kitchen garbage can. I talked to my friend who came over to watch the Oscars with me for over an hour -- she's always fun to talk to - had to go plug my phone in cuz the battery started dying; then talked to another friend for 43 minutes (doncha love cell phones?)... but I've not dressed or even brushed my teeth. gross, huh? I'm getting ready to go brush my teeth in a minute. I'm thinking I'll go walk for 1/2 an hour in front of HGTV and then maybe shower... haven't spent a second figuring out what I'm going to sing on Wednesday -- but started an email to a guy I want to hire to record songs *I* want to sing in *MY* key (vs. canned music aka Karaoke backtracks), which I think will make a huge difference in my attitude of pursuing singing.
I watched Diana Ross on Inside the Actor's Studio (love that TiVo!) -- and as usual I cry -- I'm thinking long and hard about what I'm wanting to express here.... In many ways I have a lot of fear when it comes to performing and following that dream. The opportunities music and acting give musicians and actors regarding emotional release is something I envy. It is a safe environment for delving into darker worlds and emotions that *I* don't want to live in real life. To explore human-ness and all that we are is fascinating to me -- I often wish I had pursued psychology (since I was a chicken wuss and didn't pursue performing) -- the thought of more school back then was daunting (cuz everyone knew/knows you have to have at minimum a master's degree in psych or counseling to achieve any kind of career in it...) -- but acting and to a lesser extent, singing, those activities (jobs, careers, opportunities) can give a performer an opportunity to cross over to "the dark side" without having to live there or stay there, but to become a stronger person having seen it. I don't know if I'm making sense.
These thoughts clarified themselves watching Diana Ross talk -- I now want to see "Lady Sings the Blues" -- YET while watching her sing on the show, I didn't see her communicating as much as I saw her emoting [the same emotion].
Relating to my fear - fear of hard work, fear of rejection, fear of being out of my comfort zone - which is going to those dark places and being afraid I wouldn't come out... afraid of my physical self and of showing too much of who I am that I don't want others to see...
I saw Babel -- excellent film (with similarities to Crash for the small vignettes, only tied together with a thin thread that isn't obviously kept from the audience, that being said, sure am glad I didn't see it with step-dad... he's a nightmare to watch anything with, really!!). I'm not sure why Cate Blanchett was nominated, I think she's a fab actress, certainly.... but I certainly understand why Rinko Kikuchi was. Wow. Her performance in this film, everything she emotes, shows, goes through, takes off... it all sums up perfectly why I didn't pursue musical theatre or acting.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Oscars:
Oops... realize now that it was Letters from Iwo Jima that was nominated, NOT Flags ... easily confused, being directed by the same director (Clint Eastwood) ... thrilled Sunshine got Best Original Screenplay, Thrilled Helen Mirren got Best Actress, Thrilled Jennifer Hudson got Best Supporting, Really Really Happy for Forrest Whitaker for Best Actor, Thrilled for Martin Scorsese on his First (so hard to believe) Oscar for Directing -- a bit surprised The Departed got Best Picture -- but it was a tight, well-put together and well-acted movie.
Where does one see the Best Shorts -- "West Bank Story" is a musical take off on West Side Story about Israel & Pakistan between two Falafel Stands. Really, this is a must see. The short clip shown was might funny -- and humor almost always drives home the point better than anything else.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Saw Man of the Year with Robin Williams, Laura Linney & Christopher Walken -- very mis-represented movie. Not a bad movie, just not what it was presented and advertised as, and that is just bait and switch, ya know?!
I'm trying to keep track of all the movies we've seen -- and I just lose track. We saw Flyboys a few nights ago -- long movie. They sacrificed some of the acting on some beautiful cinematography -- really cool dogfight in the air scenes... another fair movie.
Waiting to be seen on top of the DVD player is:
hah. no wonder I'm moaning about all my wasted time...
Anyhoo....
It is 5:52 pm - himself gets off work at 6pm - I've done his laundry, half of mine, unloaded the dishwasher and loaded it, put away the clean dishes lying out on the counter and emptied the kitchen garbage can. I talked to my friend who came over to watch the Oscars with me for over an hour -- she's always fun to talk to - had to go plug my phone in cuz the battery started dying; then talked to another friend for 43 minutes (doncha love cell phones?)... but I've not dressed or even brushed my teeth. gross, huh? I'm getting ready to go brush my teeth in a minute. I'm thinking I'll go walk for 1/2 an hour in front of HGTV and then maybe shower... haven't spent a second figuring out what I'm going to sing on Wednesday -- but started an email to a guy I want to hire to record songs *I* want to sing in *MY* key (vs. canned music aka Karaoke backtracks), which I think will make a huge difference in my attitude of pursuing singing.
I watched Diana Ross on Inside the Actor's Studio (love that TiVo!) -- and as usual I cry -- I'm thinking long and hard about what I'm wanting to express here.... In many ways I have a lot of fear when it comes to performing and following that dream. The opportunities music and acting give musicians and actors regarding emotional release is something I envy. It is a safe environment for delving into darker worlds and emotions that *I* don't want to live in real life. To explore human-ness and all that we are is fascinating to me -- I often wish I had pursued psychology (since I was a chicken wuss and didn't pursue performing) -- the thought of more school back then was daunting (cuz everyone knew/knows you have to have at minimum a master's degree in psych or counseling to achieve any kind of career in it...) -- but acting and to a lesser extent, singing, those activities (jobs, careers, opportunities) can give a performer an opportunity to cross over to "the dark side" without having to live there or stay there, but to become a stronger person having seen it. I don't know if I'm making sense.
These thoughts clarified themselves watching Diana Ross talk -- I now want to see "Lady Sings the Blues" -- YET while watching her sing on the show, I didn't see her communicating as much as I saw her emoting [the same emotion].
Relating to my fear - fear of hard work, fear of rejection, fear of being out of my comfort zone - which is going to those dark places and being afraid I wouldn't come out... afraid of my physical self and of showing too much of who I am that I don't want others to see...
I saw Babel -- excellent film (with similarities to Crash for the small vignettes, only tied together with a thin thread that isn't obviously kept from the audience, that being said, sure am glad I didn't see it with step-dad... he's a nightmare to watch anything with, really!!). I'm not sure why Cate Blanchett was nominated, I think she's a fab actress, certainly.... but I certainly understand why Rinko Kikuchi was. Wow. Her performance in this film, everything she emotes, shows, goes through, takes off... it all sums up perfectly why I didn't pursue musical theatre or acting.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Oscars:
Oops... realize now that it was Letters from Iwo Jima that was nominated, NOT Flags ... easily confused, being directed by the same director (Clint Eastwood) ... thrilled Sunshine got Best Original Screenplay, Thrilled Helen Mirren got Best Actress, Thrilled Jennifer Hudson got Best Supporting, Really Really Happy for Forrest Whitaker for Best Actor, Thrilled for Martin Scorsese on his First (so hard to believe) Oscar for Directing -- a bit surprised The Departed got Best Picture -- but it was a tight, well-put together and well-acted movie.
Where does one see the Best Shorts -- "West Bank Story" is a musical take off on West Side Story about Israel & Pakistan between two Falafel Stands. Really, this is a must see. The short clip shown was might funny -- and humor almost always drives home the point better than anything else.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Saw Man of the Year with Robin Williams, Laura Linney & Christopher Walken -- very mis-represented movie. Not a bad movie, just not what it was presented and advertised as, and that is just bait and switch, ya know?!
I'm trying to keep track of all the movies we've seen -- and I just lose track. We saw Flyboys a few nights ago -- long movie. They sacrificed some of the acting on some beautiful cinematography -- really cool dogfight in the air scenes... another fair movie.
Waiting to be seen on top of the DVD player is:
- Flushed Away
- Rumor Has It
- Finding Neverland
- Superman Returns
hah. no wonder I'm moaning about all my wasted time...
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Time by myself
There's a reason I do a lot of stuff. So I don't have to listen to my own thoughts. Where does this crap in my head come from?! It is paralyzing. Makes me want to run away - I just had a blissful time at mom's with my nose in a book for 2 days -- I don't read anymore unless I'm on an airplane, that is how busy I always feel -- something else I need to be doing. Escape -- that is my purpose in saying yes to so many people and projects.
Today I have nothing on my calendar. Tomorrow same. Monday I've got some gals coming over to sing... (another post), Tuesday is scrapping. Wednesday I'm singing. Saturday is scrapping. An easy week. It is dangerous for me to have open days with no nagging goal in sight. Just opportunity to be on my own with my own thoughts and messy house & messy himself.
Even the 15 minute rule today seems too much. Everywhere I look there is a surface covered with stuff that isn't in the right place. The chaos of my home reflects the chaos of my mind... a quote I read on flylady - and it is true. There are some days I seem to be better at ignoring and can do stuff -- but even with people coming over tomorrow to watch the Oscars, I still have very little motivation, okay, honestly NO motivation to take down the flippin' Christmas Tree.
*sigh* I think it is hormonal - and I know it will pass and I'll feel better... the trick is to do IT (whatever it is at the time) despite how I *feel* (for that is the essence of self-discipline). I'm such a feel-y person that I don't check in with my brain, instead letting all the emotions run things -- and at 39, it still ain't workin' for me real well. [duh]
Just typing that paragraph helps me feel better. Set my timer. 15 minutes to clear my craft table so I can at least scrap today. Thanks for listening :-)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Academy Awards:
I've seen all but 'Babel' now -- films up for Best Picture Awards. So far I'm rooting for The Queen, or Little Miss Sunshine. The Departed was well acted but a bit graphically violent for me, and Flags Of Our Fathers was good, meaningful and well-meaning, but I don't think all the elements came together for a Best Picture. Helen Mirren was outstanding in The Queen. Leonardo Di Caprio was also excellent in the Departed. No cast member stands out in Sunshine, they as an ensemble were all really fab. If you haven't seen it, you should -- funny funny! But also a great message. No one really stands out individually or even as an ensemble to me in Flags.
Today I have nothing on my calendar. Tomorrow same. Monday I've got some gals coming over to sing... (another post), Tuesday is scrapping. Wednesday I'm singing. Saturday is scrapping. An easy week. It is dangerous for me to have open days with no nagging goal in sight. Just opportunity to be on my own with my own thoughts and messy house & messy himself.
Even the 15 minute rule today seems too much. Everywhere I look there is a surface covered with stuff that isn't in the right place. The chaos of my home reflects the chaos of my mind... a quote I read on flylady - and it is true. There are some days I seem to be better at ignoring and can do stuff -- but even with people coming over tomorrow to watch the Oscars, I still have very little motivation, okay, honestly NO motivation to take down the flippin' Christmas Tree.
*sigh* I think it is hormonal - and I know it will pass and I'll feel better... the trick is to do IT (whatever it is at the time) despite how I *feel* (for that is the essence of self-discipline). I'm such a feel-y person that I don't check in with my brain, instead letting all the emotions run things -- and at 39, it still ain't workin' for me real well. [duh]
Just typing that paragraph helps me feel better. Set my timer. 15 minutes to clear my craft table so I can at least scrap today. Thanks for listening :-)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Academy Awards:
I've seen all but 'Babel' now -- films up for Best Picture Awards. So far I'm rooting for The Queen, or Little Miss Sunshine. The Departed was well acted but a bit graphically violent for me, and Flags Of Our Fathers was good, meaningful and well-meaning, but I don't think all the elements came together for a Best Picture. Helen Mirren was outstanding in The Queen. Leonardo Di Caprio was also excellent in the Departed. No cast member stands out in Sunshine, they as an ensemble were all really fab. If you haven't seen it, you should -- funny funny! But also a great message. No one really stands out individually or even as an ensemble to me in Flags.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Fighting Cynicism (or, Another Whine... where's my cheese?)
I was going to show pictures of himself looking for and finding 41 hearts that I hid all over the house for his Valentine/Birthday celebration -- it was a very private affair this year - not a quartet to embarrass him in sight!! *heh heh* -- but I've not downloaded the pix yet.
But I ran across a blog that had someone talking about fighting cynicism, and I thought that was pretty relevant to me... I don't want to believe the worst of people, but I often do. I don't want to be gullible -- why? The world makes fun of gullible people -- so!? What is wrong with having the trust (with plenty of wisdom thrown in) of a child.... [here comes the cynic...] because not all people are nice. Not all people are kind. Not all people are gentle or have your best interest in mind. Hmmmm... a song there?
[random thought having nothing to do with cynicism...]
I'm incredibly self-involved. Pathetically so. I don't want to be anymore. I want the good I feel for doing good, kind, nice things to be a side effect of the good deed... not the good feeling to be the purpose why I do it - for people to know that I have gifts... holy cow it sounds horrible when I put it out there in black and white.
Ouch. My truth mirror is not showing me in my best light, and that doesn't happen very often - I manipulate very well, usually.
So what is my point? I'm not sure I have one. I'm not in a bad space, my negative week was a couple weeks ago and I got through it okay -- himself & I talked about the grocery issue (!) and what all that means... we're going to be getting a dog with the birthday money his mum sent him...
I'm going to sign up for the Susan G. Komen 5K fun walk - I haven't officially signed up yet, but when I do I'll post the link and when/if people sponsor me, it will help me have a goal for my fitness & exercise -- not just a general "to be in better shape." Nope, I need external motiviation... people counting on me (which I resist and groan and moan about, but that is definitely what makes me do stuff!). The walk is at Reid Park on the Sunday after Easter - 9 weeks away. When I started searching for info I started looking at the running sites, too -- I was forced to run in jr. high - Coach Robertson was my arch-foe.... but maybe to get to the point that I could *start* running again without killing my knees would be a goal to strive for in my fitness efforts.
The SU consultant deposited my check too early - and I was doing really well keeping that $20 in my account... grrrrrrr... not happy.
Okay, enough randomness for now -- gotta go waste more time on the 'net.
But I ran across a blog that had someone talking about fighting cynicism, and I thought that was pretty relevant to me... I don't want to believe the worst of people, but I often do. I don't want to be gullible -- why? The world makes fun of gullible people -- so!? What is wrong with having the trust (with plenty of wisdom thrown in) of a child.... [here comes the cynic...] because not all people are nice. Not all people are kind. Not all people are gentle or have your best interest in mind. Hmmmm... a song there?
[random thought having nothing to do with cynicism...]
I'm incredibly self-involved. Pathetically so. I don't want to be anymore. I want the good I feel for doing good, kind, nice things to be a side effect of the good deed... not the good feeling to be the purpose why I do it - for people to know that I have gifts... holy cow it sounds horrible when I put it out there in black and white.
Ouch. My truth mirror is not showing me in my best light, and that doesn't happen very often - I manipulate very well, usually.
So what is my point? I'm not sure I have one. I'm not in a bad space, my negative week was a couple weeks ago and I got through it okay -- himself & I talked about the grocery issue (!) and what all that means... we're going to be getting a dog with the birthday money his mum sent him...
I'm going to sign up for the Susan G. Komen 5K fun walk - I haven't officially signed up yet, but when I do I'll post the link and when/if people sponsor me, it will help me have a goal for my fitness & exercise -- not just a general "to be in better shape." Nope, I need external motiviation... people counting on me (which I resist and groan and moan about, but that is definitely what makes me do stuff!). The walk is at Reid Park on the Sunday after Easter - 9 weeks away. When I started searching for info I started looking at the running sites, too -- I was forced to run in jr. high - Coach Robertson was my arch-foe.... but maybe to get to the point that I could *start* running again without killing my knees would be a goal to strive for in my fitness efforts.
The SU consultant deposited my check too early - and I was doing really well keeping that $20 in my account... grrrrrrr... not happy.
Okay, enough randomness for now -- gotta go waste more time on the 'net.
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