Three Movies

 "My Fake Fiance" is a tv movie starring Melissa Joan Hart, aka "Sabrina the Teenage Witch", and Joey "Blossom" Lawrence. I'm pretty sure the only memory they took away from the film was of cashing their checks, but it wasn't bad for what it was; a light, superficial rom-com. C

"Play the Game" is another romantic comedy this time starring TV legend Andy Griffith as a senior citizen whose playboy grandson helps make him a hit with the ladies. It was long for a rom-com but sweet and entertaining, and I'm immature enough to enjoy seeing Andy Griffith talk about Viagra and bumping uglies. B

"Larry Crowne" is a comedy starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. Hanks loses his job and returns to college, where he befriends a gang of scooter riders and falls for his teacher (Roberts). It was pleasant, but the script seemed loose (relying on too much fluff and filler early on, then forcing the romance at the last minute). It should have been better, esp. w/ these two in the lead. C+/B-

Junie lining up for Church

 

Big News

I have a longstanding rule not to talk about work online. Think about it: if you didn't know me in 'real' life, would you even know what Job Prior - my career of ten years - was? Howsabout where I work now? Probably not. "Don't sh*t where you eat" is a nice rule I picked up watching the Sopranos, but I'll break it just this once:

On Friday I received word that the long drought was over. I was offered, and accepted, a 'real' job. Not great pay, but a big swing in the right direction.

 That's about all the details you'll get out of me online, but yes, I'm very happy :)

Death of Kings by Bernard Cornwell

Late last night I finished reading "Death of Kings", the newest book in the Saxon tales by Bernard Cornwell. Uthred, the fierce pagan warrior, remains loyal, if indifferent, to Alfred the Great and his quest to unite 9th century England. With Alfred's death Wessex faces its greatest test: a Danish invasion from the north and dissension from within, and Uthred must ride forth, no longer as the shield of the Saxons, but as their sword. A GREAT historical adventure by the master of the form, and even as a devout Catholic I LOL'd at Uthred's blasphemous retorts to the Bishop's who seek to reign him in. Well worth a read. A+

Red Lobster

Just back from a rare trip to Red Lobster, celebrating news I received Friday. I am stuffed full of wasabi rubbed salmon and those damn cheddar biscuits. Busy evening ahead: me thinketh a nap might be just the right dessert.

WOT

Just a quick dork note: I think it's grand that the final book of the Wheel of Time series will see the light of day in the Chinese year of . . .you guessed it, The Dragon. 

Sister Wives

Last night we finished watching Season 2 of "Sister Wives", a reality show about a polygamous family in Utah. I have ZERO problem with a loving polygamous family that obeys the law (well, outside of that pesky 'bigamy' crap). A good show and I hope there's a season three.

Monster Truck Jam

Last night I took Smiley to a Monster Truck rally at the Bradley Center, courtesy of his Cub Scout Pack. We had great tickets only two rows back from the action. (good thing we had ear plugs!). Now personally, I was bored as hell. There's an awful lot of downtime and I have zero interest in trucks/cars/BMX's/ten minute tributes to the American flag, etc. That's just me. Smiley enjoyed most of it, but I was amused to see that he too was generally unimpressed on a whole - when it comes down to it, he's a 6 year old Danny. Still, we had fun. 

Joe Paterno

CNN reports that legendary coach Joe Paterno has died at age 85. He didn't deserve to die a broken man. His vision was obscured by the sexual blinders of his generation, but he still reported the crime, a hell of a lot more than could be expected of many then-75 year olds forced to acknowledge such predators. Hell, there are middle aged adults NOW who think a rape victim 'asked for' it for one imaginary provocation or another. Anyone who thinks that Paterno willingly sacrificed a child is themselves blinded by hate. What a crappy last few months to cap such a long and productive life. RIP.

Some Pics of The Kids Things

Ellie Sparkles

Beowulf

I was stuck at work tonight for two hours after I punched out, waiting for my ride (mainly due to the snow). No bother, as I used the delay to read Seamus Heaney's translation of 'Beowulf' cover to cover. Over the years I've read every bit of Beowulf in various chunks, but this was the first time I've read it straight through so it's the first time it counts for my obsessive "Books Read" list. It is, was, and probably always will be one of my personal favorites. I am also unduly proud to have attended a poetry reading of Heaney's back in the day.

Build A Bear

Etta James

 RIP Etta James, age 77. The music world will miss you

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

In the wee hours of the night I also watched "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest", a Swedish film that concludes the trilogy based on the blockbuster books. It was very good (as was the 1st; the 2nd, so-so), and Noomi Rapace is mucho hot. Yes, I noticed the conspiracy at the center of it is cliche, but big deal. Take note, europhiles who blast America, of the 'trial' in the film. If that's the best their justice system can do, we should all fall on our knees and thank the Founding Fathers right now.

This Film is Not Yet Rated

 Last night we watched "This Film Is Not Yet Rated" a documentary about the MPAA movie rating system. It's a propaganda piece alleging the rating system is censorship, it restricts freedom of speech, blah blah. No. It's a rating system. You can make whatever film you want and deal with the rating or choose not to have it rated at all. Will a 'bad' rating limit distribution? You bet, and good. There's too much sex and violence in films as it is. God help us all if there wasn't …

So Cold the River by Michael Koryta

Last night I finished reading Michael Koryta's "So Cold the River",  a horror novel set in Indiana (as if those poor people don't suffer enough just by living there). 

I'm jealous of Koryta. Not only is he young and prolific, his writing style is beautiful; his "Cypress House" made my 'best of' list of 2011. 

I had to read this novel in spurts, which as always makes me resent it and want to hurry it along, but that's my schedule's fault, not the book's. Keep Koryta in mind as a successor to King. B+/A-

So Cold the River by Michael Koryta

Last night I finished reading Michael Koryta's "So Cold the River", a horror novel set in Indiana (as if those poor people don't suffer enough just by living there). I'm jealous of Koryta. Not only is he young and prolific, his writing style is beautiful; his "Cypress House" made my 'best of' list of 2011. I had to read this novel in spurts, which as always makes me resent it and want to hurry it along, but that's my schedule's fault, not the book's. Keep Koryta in mind as a successor to King. B+/A-

My Life

 just in case you think my life is all 'sit on his butt and watch movies', here was my day, one no doubt mimicked by Lisa 1000x over: take kids to school. Drive to work in snowstorm. Finish shift, go to fabric store for Girl Scout supplies. Pick up two little ones from sitter. Go to grocery store. Put groceries away. Make tacos for dinner. While that is on the stove, run dishwasher and prep clothes for interview tomorrow. Do a load of laundry. Pick up two oldest from play practice. Return home to *eat* dinner. Take out recyclables. Read Lauren a book. Break up 30 fights between the kids. Take oldest to basketball practice. Get gas. Pick up Lisa. Straighten the kitchen. Work on script I'm writing for a local recital. Collect school uniforms and toss them in the washer. Facebook. Sit on butt and watch a movie.

Junie

 

My Thoughts

 A guaranteed vote = guaranteed inaction by those in office

You Take the Good with the Bad

The good? I found my lost credit card, right where it must have fallen from my wallet yesterday. 

The bad? I slipped on the back porch stairs and landed with the edge of one step in the small of my back and another saying howdy just below my neck. Yeah, I'm fine. In fact I got up and took Junie sledding. 

The good? The fall oddly seemed to make my headache better for a bit. 

The bad? I think it was because my sore back soaked up the attention, and the headache resumed a few hours later. 

The good? I have replaced my mobile phone. 

The bad? It's a downgrade from my old one, and what's worse I've lost all my #'s.

Money Never Sleeps & The Sentinel

Ok, yesterday we watched "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps", the sequel to the iconic '80's original.. I think director Oliver Stone must have had trouble deciding where to focus his ire, because to me it seemed listless and devoid of the passion and righteous indignation of the Charlie Sheen vehicle. Michael Douglas was superb and LaBeouf was adequate, but Carey Mulligan, who played Gekko's daughter, should take home an award for Most Lifeless, Boring, Personality Deficient Portrayal in a Motion Picture. Cut twenty minutes from the film and tighten its focus and I'd bump it up a grade, but as is I mark it down for a B/B-.

Meanwhile, over the weekend Lisa & I Netflix'd "The Sentinel", a 1977 horror film about a fashion model whose furnished apartment comes with a catch - it's built over the gates of Hell! I have a deep and unhealthy love for '70's horror films, and this is no exception. But while the movie seems to have been widely well regarded, I thought it was subpar. That's surprising, given the amount of star power at play: Chris Sarandon, John Carradine,José Ferrer, Ava Gardner, Burgess Meredith, Eli Wallach, Christopher Walken, Jerry Orbach, Beverly D'Angelo, Jeff Goldblum and Tom Berenger. On the plus side, lots of boob and butt shots, plus an odd scene where D'Angelo masturbates until orgasm to annoy a guest at a tea party. An odd, but fun movie experience. Grade: C.

Sledding

 

Quite the Day

In the last half hour I have lost my credit card and my cell phone is broken. Nice. Real nice.

How Do You Know?

Last night we watched "How Do you Know?" a rom-com starring Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson and Jack Nicholson. Financially, this film was one of the biggest flops in history, and it's scorned by critics. I enjoyed it, even while I cataloged a host of problems with its script: the extraneous, under-developed Rudd-Nicholson plot; the fact that Reese's character seems less a human being than proverb spouting robot; and of course the fact that in the end she seems to chose the wrong guy for no apparent reason. Still, like I said I liked it. C+/B-