My Blog, My Predictions. And You Better Like It, Damn It!!! Part 1

I thought that this year was probably the best year for movies that I have seen since 1999 and I also applaud myself for going out and seeing a majority of the strong contenders (many of which I saw before the buzz was overwhelming - extra personal kudos for me). I also applaud this year for being quite the year for gay matter in cinema. I am still eagerly awaiting to see if Bush addresses this tonight in his speech before tackling such small matters as the little war over in Iraq or the the decomposing of public education. Okay, here are a few of my random plugs on some of the award categories. Take em or leave em....

Actor In A Leading Role: Wow, 3 leading men that have a strong shot of claiming the award? I have not seen that in a long time. I have to go with Phillip Seymour Hoffman in Capote. I've loved him ever since I saw him in Boggie Nights. He owned the role as Truman Capote in every essential way. I have to admit that for the first ten minutes of the movie I thought that his voice would annoy the hell out of me but it endearingly grew on me. I loved Heath Ledger in Brokeback. He did so many amazing things with nonverbal communication. As the movie went on, he just seemed to get stronger and more comfortable with his role. The metamorphosis was quite amazing. I know many are pulling for Phoenix in Walk The Line but I think he might be a year late. Back to back winners mimicking the lives of music outlaws with drug issues? Not a chance. In addition, I unfortunately noticed him profusely sweating throughout the movie and it was a major distraction. I have not seen Hustle & Flow yet but Terrence Howard seems to be the man of the hour. Must be those dreamy soft brown eyes. This has been his break through year and well deserved for him. I also give him props because his family is tight with my old supervisor. From what I have heard he seems like an all-around great guy. As for Strathairn in Good Night, And Good Luck, I have not seen it yet. Hopefully I will get to catch it before Oscar night.

Something New For 2006....

After many discussions over the years with different friends, I come to the conclusion that PMS is one of the biggest headaches when it comes to relationships. It greatly annoys both the woman, who's body internally endures hellish changes and the the men who many times have to suffer despite their best efforts.

With that said, I propose that modern day technology come up with some type of device that can alert bystanders when a women is going through PMS. A rough idea is to have some type of a sensor strip worn on a fashionable belt or shoulder strap on a purse that serves as the alerting device. The scale could have a variety of shades that translate how "bitchy" or "crabby" a woman is at a specific time. For instance, light yellow could signal that she is slightly aggravated but still generally pleasant toward the world, blue could mean she wants nothing more than a chocolate bar and a few minutes of alone time and red, oh crap, lets everyone know that they should avoid contact unless they want a limb to be ripped of in a matter of seconds.

You may think the idea of this device is pure craziness and possibly setting feminism behind by 200 years, however, I see many advantages to such an invention. I think it can take alot of the guess work out of this particular month and make things easier on both sexes. Heck, I would agree to be the first guinea pig! That way if people see that I am particularly crabby one day they know why instead of just assuming that I am always a extremely difficult. Now, I agree that this device might not be for every woman. I know that some are blessed not to have moodiness during PSM (either that or they are really good fakers!) but I know that I & even some of my friends would benefit from such a modern science marvel!

Just What I Need, Yet Another Reason To Hate Oprah....

Okay, isn't this suppose to be her final year or do I have to wait another 10 years or so before she is not on tv? It is not like I even watch her show anyway but even the commercials that I catch of her during the limited amount of ABC viewing that I do bothers me immensely. She needs to go away and after this whole James Frey fiasco she needs to do it ASAP.

So she realized that James Frey embellished the truth a little in "A Million Little Pieces". Sorry, I did not realize that there were actually people out there that were naive enough to swear by the truth of each and everyone one of his redundant words in the book (I swear, if I saw "fury" one more f*cking time on a page!) Didn't Tracy Chapman once say "There is fiction in the space between?" Why couldn't people just take it for what it was: slightly entertaining shock value (which it probably delivered about 65% of the time. It was not well written, despite the praise from critics, but then again Oprah tends to not care so much about quality with most of her selections.

The true problem that I have is people making it their personal bible. A whole slue of the cult members in Oprah's Book Club did swear by it and now she and everyone else is crying because they feel mislead. Okay, the first problem you have is relying on Oprah to determine your reading habits. The second problem is that if it did, even temporarily, give you something to oddly believe in and if you felt like it some how made you a stronger or better person just take that and get over it.

Actually, up until last night I had really big issues with Frey as a sellout (I even posted mocking comments on a friend's blogg) but seeing that he had the balls to go back on Oprah gave him a few bonus points in my book. Especially since he knew he was entering a direct firing zone after just a few short months ago he was being cheered looking all Eastern campus collegiate professorish in his tweed sports coat (trying show us that you have come a long way since your crack sluming days, eh?) He was lucky enough to have a captivating story at the right time with a powerful person in his corner doing the endorsing. I guess that I would only be so lucky to have one of those in my hand at a single time....

The Five Weird Things Game

Okay, it seems that alot of my fellow blogger peeps are jumping on the idea of listing odd behaviors about themselves so I thought better late than never!
Check out some good ones (sorry, for some reason my computer is not allowing me to enable direct links!)

waynelove1.blogspot.com & edgehos.blogspot.com

1.) I have to have at least 2 alarm clocks set & I check them frequently before I go to bed. I especially pay attention to the am/pm setting. Like someone is actually going to break into my place and screw with that??

2.) I have an unhealthy fixation with running. At first it started out as a healthy sport/habit but now I believe it has crept far beyond the status of "sane". I have missed weddings, funerals, graduations, baptisims and have altered numerous plans with my friends due to running around town.

3.) I have an inability to ride the tides. If things are going well with my life in general I have a sneaking suspicion that the bottom will soon fall out. I become overly nervous and intensely hyper. On the flip side, when things tend to get tough I wish for easy going times and I tend to enclose upon myself to find solace.

4.) This point sort of ties in with the last. For some reason I like to argue with my friends. In rare times I am actually passionate about the issue that I am defending but most times I just like to fight for the sake of causing an upstir. I really don't know why I do this. Things can be completely peachy and then I will just lash out for no apparent reason. Maybe because for 26 years I have seen my parents use arguing as a chief form of communication. Don't get me wrong, they still love each other and maybe that is why I have adopted this style. Arguing = caring? Whatever the case is, this affliction seems to have gone in a vicious cycle of getting better and then worse over the years.

5.) I always start falling asleep on my left side and just before I dose off completely into sleep I switch to my right side. For some reason I can't go into REM without turning onto my right side.

Enough with the dark side, Luke...

Okay, I had no idea that so many people read my blog. Wow, what a shocking & good surprise but after receiving several comments and even a few concerning phone calls from friends I decided to maybe stay on the lighter side of things. I also pulled the blog that I posted yesterday. I am grateful that I had so many concerned about me but to answer the frequent question: no, I am not currently a danger to myself or others! But thanks for looking out. : )

"WINTERY MIX"

I dislike this terminology for Cleveland weather used so frequently from late November-end of February. I think they should consider just calling it "snow, rain, slush and crap" Any takers?

learning the ropes......

Some of my friends have made comments that my Blog updates have been few and far between with mediocre material. Unfortunately, I have realized this. As many of you know, I have switched departments at work so recently I have been in training with people in my new department. So far it is going well. Lots to learn and pretty interesting material. I must say that I am a little sad to leave my old department behind but I felt that it was time for me to learn a new area and IRAs have always interested me.

I hope all is well with everyone & that you are counting down the minutes to the weekend. I will try to think of something more entertaining to write about for future entries....

taking it for what it's worth

I am sitting here watching "Dirty, Pretty Things" due to the recommendation from Deb. I trust her to train me at work so why not have confidence in her movie backing? Besides, I know that we are both suckers for British entertainment so I doubt that I will regret the couple bucks that I dropped at Blockbuster for a one week rental.

Today it occurred to me while complaining about my apartment heat being on the fritz yet again, that I have been looking on the negative side a lot recently. I need to remedy this and I need to do it fast. To speed this process up I will write about something positive and motivational - consistent friends. I am not talking about the casual ones that you can just call occasionally or share a simple laugh with. I am talking about the ones that are there through good times and through all of the bad times. The ones that don’t accept silence as an absolute or even as a temporary answer for obvious or sometimes undetectable issues. I applaud those that make the decision to remain as a fair and honest support system for their friends, Over the years I have gained some friends and I have easily lost some. Some have become tired and apathetic towards me and I have also lost faith in a few because I tried to make them into someone that they were not. As we all have had to learn at one time in life, it is painful when you realize that the ideals that you had in your mind can never add up the concrete.

My hope is that I always remember to cherish the consistent ones and appreciate the rare gems that they are.

Awesome Album...

I picked up David Gray's Slow Motion this weekend and it is simply awesome. Listen to "Ain't No Love" if you are going through any type of delemma or great debate in your life. It consoles you and speaks volumes. It is good to have a friend in Mr. Gray...

Congrats.....

To Kim & Kyle on the birth of Aiden William sometime around 2:30 pm. today. I was pulling for the name Martin Luther but oh well. Approximate weight around 7 1/2 lbs. (at least that is what I have heard down the pipeline). Good job Agent Kimmy Pants or shall I now say Agent Mommy Pants. Can't wait to see him!

Thing that make you go augh!!!!

Well, my plans to escape South for the long weekend were foiled yesterday due to the morning snow storm. Damn you Ohio and your nice one minute and horrible the next second weather! We had a small window to hit the road and head to N.C. to visit Lisa and due to the inability to see 100 feet in front of us, we had to turn around. I did not want to chance getting Lynn killed or skidding my car off the road.

I spent a better part of yesterday being pissed and crabby at the world. Being in that frame of mind lead to my over sensitivity towards annoying song lyrics that I heard on the radio. I am not sure if it was a Michelle Branch song or not but whatever song it was she kept referring to the fact that she would walk a thousand miles. No, really, you wouldn't and we all know that you could not do it just to see that special someone tonight. I do not have confidence in her saying, "Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles..." It is probably because I am a runner and was just overly annoyed yesterday but that just put me over the top.

Has this singer ever even walked/run a marathon before? If she has, I tip my hat to her. It's tough work and it is also one of the most satisying experiences. I have ran 5 and I know that there is no way in hell that I would be able to walk a thousand miles. I know it's just a song but it still pisses me off, even though I am now in a much better mood than yesterday. Okay, I will stop with this topic before I start ripping into songs by The Proclaimers....

Steve tagged me so here it goes......

* 4 jobs you've had in your life: helping clean halls after weddings, lifeguard (sometimes I wish I still had this gig), pharmacy tech, Resident Assistant of a dormitory
* 4 movies you could watch over and over: Boogie Nights, chariot's of Fire, American Beauty, Austin Powers
* 4 places you've lived: Alliance/OH, Northern Parma/OH, Southern Parma/OH (okay this is pretty pathetic. And I don't have any others!
* 4 TV shows you love to watch: Arrested Development (f*ck you, Fox!), The L Word, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Rescue Me.
* 4 places you've been on vacation: Las Vegas, The Bahamas, Boston, Chicago (but I am not sure if running in a marathon while there justifies as a vacation?)
* 4 websites you visit daily: my blog, Runner's World, Edgewise & Lowe's
* 4 of your favorite foods: perogies, my mom's lemon wine chicken, pasta, cheesey potatoes
* 4 places you'd rather be: hmmmm some I have not been to yet but want to: Florida, Oregon, England and sometimes Alliance (yes, odd but true)
* 4 albums you can't live without: David Gray-White Ladder, ELO-Greatest Hits, Alanis Morissette-The Collection, America-History
* 4 people tagged next: Sorry, can't do this yet because not many of my friends have jumped on the blog band wagon.

A Nice Easy Going Weekend...

I must say that this weekend was pretty much just right. It was a good combination of relaxing activities and good times with friends. It all started after work (well, my department ended up kicking out about 45 mins early. Nice!) when we headed over to Max & Ermmas for my farewell happy hour. We kicked back with a few drinks and shared some laughs. Most of the humor was focused on my attempt to drink the "red, white and blue shot". Thanks Mary, it hit me like a ton of drinks before the glass hit the bar again! I must say that I am a little sad to be leaving the gang. However, I have the feeling (and I am not just saying that like so many old co-workers tend to do) that we will still hang out lots outside of work. I also know that it is time for me to learn new skills and I want to make more money.

Saturday kept the good times rolling with a nice and easy 12 mile run with Jen. Shockingly, we both felt really well. Usually one of us feels like crap while the other one feels stellar but this was not the case on Saturday since we both felt strong by the end of the second 6 mile loop of the greater Parma area. Later that night it was off to The Rocky River Brewing Company for some laid back brews and a good mix of conversation with Matt, Julie, Alicia and Jenn. After that we headed back to my place to watch a movie. I think at least one of us was asleep for most of the movie. We might be the oldest 26 year olds around!

On Sunday it was off to the Olive Garden with the fam., nap and then into work to wrap up some last minute things for the old department. Still had some time to do some organizing and running before watching a superb episode of The Family Guy. All in all, a pretty freakin good weekend!

Could The L Word ever be shown on basic cable?

I saw Brokeback Mountain this past Monday. I felt quite accomplished because I actually attended the 10:15 am showing on the movie. That has been something that I have always wanted to do but never got around to doing - catching the first showing of a movie. I always say that when I eventually retire the early bargain matinee will be typical protocol for me. I walked into the theatre and had to laugh because there were so many other single, avoiding eye contact viewers like myself there. There was also a much older crowd there I guess that is typical for the time slot but I was pleasantly surprised at the dynamics considering the the publicity that the film is getting. I could go into how great the movie was and how much the media way over hyped the sex scences but I will save that for another blog posting since there is another issue that I wanted to bring up.

I am a big fan of The L Word. I have been since the first time my supervisor suggested that I watch the fab show on Showtime that caught her attention. Previously, I had been a huge fan of Sex and the City. I still am and own all 6 seasons on dvd. However, after watching The L Word I became aware of how weak the show really was when it came to dealing with sex, love and relationships (the marketing strategy that the show claimed to have). Where as Sex and the City tends to dip lightly into the waters, L totally immerses the characters into the tides. Many issues involved in L are addressed in multiple episodes or possibly even a whole season. Yes, sex is a mover and a shaker in the show but it gets put on the back burner (with the exception of Shayne) for struggles with career, politics and communication. The storylines are deep and emotion is always the focal point.

With this being said, I wonder if basic cable channels would take the chance if they were ever given the option of playing reruns of The L Word? I, like many, had some serious doubts when TBS picked up S & C but it has seemed to work wonders for them and their ratings. Sure, they soften the language up so much that it is a joke and cut out about 75% of what makes the show so great but I guess they still should be given some credit for taking a partial chance. I wonder if a station would ever take the chance with L even if they cut out the physical passion. Or would it be too much to risk because our society is still so frightened by the subject matter?

Please Keep In Your Thoughts...

Those deeply impacted by the West Virginia mining accident. My friend from college, Steve, is personally connected because his dad was on the rescue team - http://edgehos.blogspot.com/. If you are person of faith, I encourage you to keep those who have passed and those that have a long road of grieving ahead, in your prayers...