Laziness has set in…
Hey look at that, this ended up being a halfway decent blog post
I think, NO, I know I really needed a few days off from work and life in general. However is it possible that three days vacation is just too long for me? Laziness, sheer and unadulterated laziness had enough time to dig it’s ugly claws into me, deep into me. That is why I have not blogged, nor done any chores, nor made any decisions, nor returned any e-mails, nor called anyone back since sometime last week. I have been living in a hedonistic bubble and have been enjoying it a little too much (What makes it more fun is that my other half, H, has been in the bubble with me, we are very bad influences on one another)
I am hoping now that I am back to work that my routine will also kick back in.
All is not lost though. I did manage to fulfill a commitment other than work today. I had my first volunteer shift at the Cat Shelter tonight. Scooping poop, folding laundry, washing floors and playing/snuggling with the kitties. I made some feline friends, and some grumps have yet to warm up to me. The place is rampant with kittens right now, there are easily 3 dozen running around the place. You have to watch your every step to not stomp on one. They are a riot to watch scamper, jump and roll. But then there is one named “cupcake” that breaks my heart. Her rear legs are nearly paralyzed and then there are her five brothers & sisters trample all over her. It is my understanding that she may be able to be rehabilitated to walk again, but the commitment to get her there is PT every two or so hours, unfortunately it appears that frequency is too intense for the volunteer infrastructure of the organization at this moment. I wish I had the time to be able to help her. But I am going to keep an eye out for that special person who may be able to be her angel. In the meantime I might stop by some extra time to hold her and give her some Reiki. I have to remember to keep it all in perspective. Number one – I must remind myself that I cannot save the world. And out of all the cats there at the moment it is amazing that she is the only one with a severe disability like that. I am sure that the shelter has seen worse injuries and disabilities, and if I am in it for the long haul I will probably see worse as well. Cupcake is loved regardless of disability and will eventually find a forever home that is perfect for her needs. Cats aside, the humans there are pretty cool too, they are good peeps who set time aside and volunteer because they care about the cats. I think I am going to really like it there. I’ll keep you all posted. And still the answer is NO I have not come home with a cat yet.
Since my regular shift at the shelter is going to be Monday nights I am going to have to probably permanently move “Chick Flick Nite” to another day of the week. Right now I am thinking Thursday, but I won’t make any promises. Nonetheless I enjoy my movie time and want to set aside that special time for me to indulge in the latest chick flicks, cry/sob/sniffle/tear, and inform all of you my opinion on the number of tissues you will need to properly enjoy the film.
I will try banish the laziness and finish up the “vacation post” with pics tomorrow or Wednesday. ’Til then namaste.
Not really a Chick Flick, but worth watching – Four Tissues
Thank goodness for laptops with DVD players. This movie review comes from the bedroom where I have the comfort of air conditioning. Beats the heat in the rest of my “rooftop” apartment, I honestly think that it is hotter in my apartment than it is outside right now. (that is except for the bedroom)
the air i breathe
The question is not whether we will die, but how we will live.
A drama based on an ancient Chinese proverb that breaks life down into four emotional cornerstones: happiness, pleasure, sorrow and love.
What drew me to this film was the cast, Forest Whitaker, Andy Garcia, Kevin Bacon, Julie Delpy, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Brendan Fraiser and Emile Hirsch. My first thought was whoa, that is a lot of big names in one film. Then when I read the description I knew I had to rent it.
“the air i breathe” is broken down into four stories whose characters intertwine. Without actually comparing “the air i breathe”, this film is in the same vein as “Shortcuts”, “Magnolia” or “Crash”. Now that I am at a computer I see the movie got mediocre to horrible reviews by the “professional critics”, but I would recommend it regardless, many – many regular folks like you and me appear to have appreciated and enjoyed this film (see IMDB reviews). It is very well acted, the cinematography is beautiful, and the soundtrack doesn’t suck. I also believe it to be a film that either gender would appreciate equally.
Each of the main characters is struggling with one of these emotions…..Happiness, Pleasure, Sorrow, Love. I particularly liked the fact that the characters were listed under their “emotion” in the credits and not by their character name (we never did learn their names), very nice touch.
I really don’t want to say much more about this film because getting into the plot will give too much away. I will admit that this film may not be for everyone, but I give it Four Tissues, even though I did not cry, “the air i breathe” was certainly worth the $4 I slapped down at the rental store. (go for it, it is worth the risk)
Sometimes the things we can’t change…end up changing us.
Please note that the rental cover is different than the theatrical release.
Cat Hunting Cat Hunting Chipmunks
This is Boo (my other half’s cat). Look closely.
Putting it mildly, Boo is quite a territorial feline. (bad ass kitty) Although Boo is an indoor cat she protects us from any other animals, and sometimes people, that come near the house. A week or two back Boo actually chased a cat up a tree from inside the house. She has also scared a grown man and his German Shepherd back down the driveway and into their car.
Do you see who Boo is hunting?
She is hunting the cat from next door “Alice” AKA “Smokey”, who is laying camouflaged amongst the lillys hunting the chipmunks eating the seed underneath the bird feeder.
After a hiatus I am glad to announce that Monday Chick Flick Nite has returned. Look later tonight or tomorrow for my latest review.
Chick Flick Nite – “P.S. I Love You”
Or what I did instead of going to see the Cure at BU tonight.
SOB – 5 Tissues
Make that half a box of tissues. Heart-wrenching, I think I cried through the whole damn movie, (muttering curses and swears at the screen under my breath), I even had to take a few “Pause” breaks to compose myself (Damn, puffy eyes, I am going to look like hell tomorrow).
To all my girlfriends out there who expressed wanting to see this movie, I warn you it is not to be taken lightly. Sure it has comedic moments, a giggle here and snicker there but mostly it is just romantic and sad, and sad and romantic, and sad, did I say sad? Sob, sniff, I need another tissue.
The story goes something like this:
Holly Kennedy is beautiful, smart and married to the love of her life – a passionate, funny, and impetuous Irishman named Gerry. So when Gerry’s life is taken by an illness, it takes the life out of Holly. The only one who can help her is the person who is no longer there. Nobody knows Holly better than Gerry. So it’s a good thing he planned ahead. Before he died, Gerry wrote Holly a series of letters that will guide her, not only through her grief, but in rediscovering herself. In the weeks and months that follow, more letters from Gerry are delivered in surprising ways, each sending her on a new adventure and each signing off in the same way; P.S. I Love You. Holly’s mother and best friends begin to worry that Gerry’s letters are keeping Holly tied to the past, but in fact, each letter is pushing her further into a new future. With Gerry’s words as her guide, Holly embarks on a journey of rediscovery in a story about marriage, friendship and how a love so strong can turn the finality of death into a new beginning for life.
Staring Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler (King Leo of the 300, yummy). Directed by Richard LaGravenese
I recommend the movie solely for cathartic purposes, you know, to clean out all those emotional cobwebs that have been cluttering up and fogging your brain. It’s the kinda movie that you pull out when you need to have a pity-party. I would not recommend it for entertainment purposes only, not a date night movie, although it does have a “happy” ending it is inevitable that it will turn a good evening bad- very, very, very sad.
With all that being said, I was asked by my other half, “Did you like the movie?”. I have to say yes, definitely, yes. I knew the premise of the story going into it and assumed it had potential for tears yet I did not expect it to be so emotionally heavy. (And, no, stop what you are thinking, the hormones are on the up swing this week, not down)
Again like many movies mad these days, this screenplay is based on a book by Cecelia Ahern. (I have not read it) I have though read some lay-critics reviews that imply that the book is better, but my response to them is- well isn’t the book always better? Think about that.
Best line in the movie:
Every morning I still wake up and the first thing I want to do is to see your face.
And, YES, my college buddy and I had tickets to see The Cure in concert tonight…. but the stars were not aligned in our favor to go. Ten months ago when we purchased the tix it seemed like a smashingly fantastic idea, reliving our youth, but alas, last week we realized that we are just too damn old and too distracted by life to not only see a show in Boston on a Monday night, but allow ourselves to enjoy it as we did in our “youth”. Maybe that is why I felt so melancholy tonight, unconsciously I yearn to goth myself out and sing along to Robert Smith crooning “One more time”.
Chick Flick Nite – 27 Dresses
4 Tissues (and not because I am sick)
After serving as a bridesmaid 27 times, a young woman wrestles with the idea of standing by her sister’s side as her sibling marries the man she’s secretly in love with.
This is a true honest to goodness romantic comedy “chick flick”, one of the best I have seen this year (next to “No Reservations” and “Enchanted”, neither of which, come to think of it, I reviewed in the blog. Sorry girls I have time to watch ‘em but not always time to review ‘em).
Yes, 27 Dresses follows the typical girl loves boy, boy does not recipricate her love but falls for sister of girl, different boy falls for girl, she does not recipricate different boy’s love, yada yada yada….. We all know this story, it never changes from one film to the next….but that is why we keep watching ‘em girls isn’t it? Girl always gets the boy in the end, we feel all warm and fuzzy, aaaaahhhhhh <<sigh>>. 27 Dresses follows the formula. You know before you even hit play on the DVD what is going to happen in the end, it is comforting, but formula aside….
This movie is funny and fresh. It is light and entertaining. And most of us girls can relate to the the whole bridesmaid dress thing, (it’s OK to giggle out loud when she opens her closet). If you are in the mood for a feel good no brainer movie then I would recommend 27 Dresses.
Best quote of the movie:
I feel like I just found out my favorite love song was written about a sandwich.
