My Bloody Valentine!

Last night, Chris and I went to see My Bloody Valentine.

I went on Fandango and ordered the tickets. I really wanted to see the 3D version and requested theaters that supposedly had the movie in 3D but when we got to the theater we were suprised to discover – no 3D.

Just to let you know, the Regal Hunt Valley theater in the Baltimore area DOES NOT have the 3D version of My Bloody Valentine!

The movie was gory and quite good. It stars Jensen Ackles (star of TV’s Supernatural) who must have gone to the Keanu Reeves school of acting because I am quite convinced that he has only one facial expression. It also stars Betsy Rue as Irene, and if you want to see quite a lot of Betsy Rue, you will not be disapointed. I think she has a scene where she is completely nude for at least ten minutes. And you get to see everything. When I say completely nude, did I forget to mention the heels? Do women really wear heels while having sex? I can’t answer that, but I wonder if that actress feels uncomfortable or akward about her role. At least her costume budget was cheap!
The story itself centers around a mad miner with a really large pick. He went mad down in the mines and surfaced with a madness that causes him to hit a myriad of people with this large weapon, all the time wearing a mining mask and breathing like darth vader. Needless to say he is captured and shot and then buried under rubble, or is he? Ten years later in the same mining town, a suspicious character comes back, in full mining gear, gas mask and large pick. Has the dead come back to life? Or is something else afoot?

Anyway, there are plenty of scenes where wildly flung picks, bullets, punching hands, shards of glass, bits of gore, and balls of fire fly at the screen. And it would have been something in 3D, but you can’t ask for everything.

But it was enjoyable. And as the theater only had Chris, myself and one other person, it was quiet and no one bothered me with talking. Except for Chris. He seems to think every movie is of MST3K quaility. I had to shush him at least four times.

The next big thing will be the remake of Friday the 13th! And this stars Jared Padalecki, also of Supernatural fame! We will see if his acting is any better than Jensen Ackles. We shall see.

The Sheet of Ice

It is Wednesday morning. I am feeling a bit better. Thanks for all your kind words. Still stuffed up, but hanging in there.

Last night we had an ice storm, and the ground is covered. It is really slick out there. And, the library decided not to open until 11:00 today! This almost never happens, so it must really be bad out there. So I have time to drink more coffee, clean off my car, ect.

I was supposed to have a story time this morning but now it is cancelled. I was rather excited about it. I had several books on snow picked out and a whole pile of puppets. I was going to do animals you find in North America that are active in the winter. I had a rabbit, a squirrel, a wolf, a bobcat, a porcupine, an owl to name a few. I even made coloring sheets of a grey wolf to pass out and a picture of what wolf tracks look like in the snow! It was gonna be awesome!

But I guess I can save it for another day. I think I will still put the coloring sheets out and some kids can get them later. I am sure most of the schools are closed today, so we might see the kids.

John Updike has passed away, so last night I found all of his books that we had in the collection and put them out on display so people could get them. Funny, I don’t think I have ever actually read him, but supposedly he is good. Maybe someday.

That is all for now. Stay warm!

The Sheet of Ice

It is Wednesday morning. I am feeling a bit better. Thanks for all your kind words. Still stuffed up, but hanging in there.

Last night we had an ice storm, and the ground is covered. It is really slick out there. And, the library decided not to open until 11:00 today! This almost never happens, so it must really be bad out there. So I have time to drink more coffee, clean off my car, ect.

I was supposed to have a story time this morning but now it is cancelled. I was rather excited about it. I had several books on snow picked out and a whole pile of puppets. I was going to do animals you find in North America that are active in the winter. I had a rabbit, a squirrel, a wolf, a bobcat, a porcupine, an owl to name a few. I even made coloring sheets of a grey wolf to pass out and a picture of what wolf tracks look like in the snow! It was gonna be awesome!

But I guess I can save it for another day. I think I will still put the coloring sheets out and some kids can get them later. I am sure most of the schools are closed today, so we might see the kids.

John Updike has passed away, so last night I found all of his books that we had in the collection and put them out on display so people could get them. Funny, I don’t think I have ever actually read him, but supposedly he is good. Maybe someday.

That is all for now. Stay warm!

Under the weather.

Sorry I have not been chatty.

I have been sick. It has been going on now for five days.
I think it might be a really bad cold. I am stuffed up completely, my throat hurts, I can’t sleep because when I lie down, everything stuffs up even worse, and it makes my throat really hurt when I wake up from dozing.

Anyway, today I added a cough to the mix, which usually means it is on the way out. I can only hope. I have been paralyzed on the sofa for days on end. At least the dog comes over and licks me when I look really pitiful.

And trust me, i have been looking quite pitiful.

I just want to feel better!

A historic day.

yes, we all know it is historic!

And what can I say that hasn’t already been said, by better people than I!

So, I will say nothing on the topic of the day and hum silently to myself.

Having a three day weekend was quite exciting, even though I did not accomplish anything. I really wanted to read, and I meant to read, but I ended up not even cracking a book.

It is all because of this affair I am having with television shows. I watched Medium, I watched Cold Case, I watched Merlin, and Jonathan Creek, and No Heroics, and when i was done with all that, I discovered I also like Supernatural. When you watch a lot of television, there is no room for reading!

You would think that I would soon run out of things to watch, but oh-no. There is always more to be seen, from the Mentalist to Desperate Housewives, to Gossip Girl to the Ghost Whisperer. And these are just a few of my favorites. I have become glued to the boob tube.

And Life on Mars needs to start up again, and I will soon need a new episode of Fringe to keep me going.

What is happening to me!

I think I need an intervention.

And what is the deal with McCafe anyway? Did you know you can now get a cappucino at McDonalds? And that it is almost three bucks? For a McDonald’s cappucino?

Good Lord!

Anyway. That is all for today.

Leaky Sink

Yesterday I had to deal with a sink leak.

That is to say we called our handyman Dean, and he came and fixed the sink. It was rather expensive, and I think in the future, I may check out a book and see if I can fix the thing myself! But, maybe I better rethink that, I probably would make it much worse!

Anyway, something was cracked just under the sink and was causing a torrent of water to flow freely all through the cabinet. Something had to be done! Luckily the sink is all better now, and we can get back to our regularly scheduled program!

This week has been going well so far. (other than the sink). I have a three day weekend coming up that I plan on enjoying. I don’t really have any plans, just hope to hang around and read a bit and maybe watch some TV. I see a trip to Holy Frijoles in my future, if I can talk Chris into going, and probably pancakes will fall into the plans somewhere, they usually do.

Nothing like pancakes!

Not much of an update today, I know, but I am still here, tapping away at my keyboard. What else can I say?

Hope midweek finds everybody well!

Clam Chowder

No, this is not an attempt at a recipe!

I have heated some clam chowder (Campbell’s) and am having it for lunch.

This is to say that I have had a relaxing weekend and not much has happened in my life to report.

I actually kept it almost a computer free weekend. I really didn’t check email, or blogs, or news, or anything, really.

Though I did not get as much read as I would have liked. I have several new books piling up on my bookshelf, and really need to get to them.

Including a new one by Jo Nesbo and a new one by Ruth Rendell. And I still have not read the latest by P.D. James, so I must be slipping. Not that many of you ever comment when I have a book related post! But I am thankful for those that do!

I think the woman that wrote the Rose Labyrinth is really into numerology because there are so many number puzzles and instances of numbers it is starting to make my head spin. I get a little woozy around math anyway, so I don’t see myself as a numerologist. I am only about 100 pages from finishing so I hope to be on to the next book soon.

We have a three day weekend coming up and some friends and I are going to go out to dinner on Monday night and that should be a really good time. A night out, just the girls.

Chris is at jury duty today. I don’t think he is having a very good time and I also don’t think he will wind up on a jury. He has some strong opinions, and I do not think a criminal would want him trying a case. Chris takes a hard line with criminals!

But he does get a day from work! and I think he gets to leave around 3:00. I wonder if they provide lunch for him? I have never had jury duty. I don’t think I would make a good juror either. My mind tends to wander when I get bored.

Oh well.

Hope everyone is having a lovely week!

The Rose Labyrinth

I got a book for Christmas  (and this shouldn’t suprise anyone…)

I got the Rose Labyrinth by Titania Hardie.  I have been anxious to read this book for a long time.  Finally the day arrives that I can start.

I discovered the book several months ago on Amazon.co.uk.  I read the description and it sounded good but I held off buying it because the exchange rate was so high.    I put it on my wish list and moved on.

One day I was searching the libary catalog, and there it was. The Rose Labyrinth.  I was very excited. It meant that not only was it going to be published in the U.S., the library was going to get it! So I placed a reserve on it and waited.

Then suddenly I get a notice that the library is NOT getting the book and canceling all the holds.    Not beaten yet, I put the book on my Christmas list.       I discovered the reason that the library cannot get the book is the format.  It comes with this sheaf of paper that are clues that the characters find that help them solve the mystery in the book..  The cover of the book is like a folder and one side holds all these pages of paper.   You could not circulate this in a library, as the paper would get lost or torn.    There are pictures on one side of the paper that form a puzzle, and apparently you can put the puzzle together and find another clue.  I have not done that yet, I am still reading the book!

I found out that Titania Hardie is a white witch and very well known in the U.K.  This is her first work of fiction but she has many books on numerology and oracles and the tarot and spells.    Quite exciting!    Chris was thrilled with that information.

The book itself is mysterious.  I am only about 100 pages in,  but really like it so far.   There is this key that was left through the generations and finally ended up in the possession of Will, who becomes determined to find out what lock the key will open.  

Unfortunately for Will, he never gets the chance.  I am assuming that his brother Alex will wind up with the key but at the moment, I don’t even know where the key is!

And there is Lucy, who just had a heart transplant and seems to be quite fond of Alex, and I am also assuming that they will solve the mystery together.

There are also pieces of paper that have clues that lead to other clues that lead to… well you get the drift.   The paper that comes with the book are the clues that the characters find, but the clues are also written IN the book, so I think having the clues early is just an extra touch.

I like the characters so far and am really liking the plot.  A bit supernatural, but not overly so.     I think it definately will be a good read.  

Better get back to it!

Apology to Chris…

But first, THIS:

Yes, this is ABBA singing Waterloo.  I am hoping that it makes me feel better.  I am hoping it makes the world feel better!

Yesterday I was in a crap-tastic mood.    I think when I got home Chris felt it, and I wanted him to know that it was not his fault.  I was just in a crappy mood with one thing after another. 

It all started with a senior volunteer.   I went into the break room and someone had left a cake for us to eat.  So I cut a small piece and started to eat it.   This senior volunteer walks in and says to me  “You’re gonna get fat”.

Well, open your eyes, sister.  I AM fat.  Can’t you see that?  And don’t you see how rude it is to say that to anybody, even a fat person?  I could be thin and anorexic for all you know.  So just shut the f*** up and get off my case, and don’t talk to me again.

Because if you do, you are going down.   I am sure I can take you.  I may swing like a girl, but if I throw my weight into in, you are toast.  So we will have none of that anymore.  

Well, I really won’t say anything.  Fat people are supposed to be jolly , and we are not supposed to have negative emotions.  We stuff all of our negative emotions in with the food.    So, we don’t say anything.     But, boy do we think it. 

So, then I get home, and all I want to do is sit down because I am very tired.  And I go over to the chair where I like to rest.  Wouldn’t you know, the dog decided to pee on the chair cushion.  So I had to get the resolve and clean it.  Then turn the cushion over so I had somewhere to sit.   So, I get my blanket to wrap around me because I am still tired, and I find out that the dog has also thrown up on the blanket.    And I just put it around me.  So I had to take the blanket to the wash.    So I go over to the sofa and of course, the sofa is also all wet.  I don’t think it is pee, but the dog has a tendency to lick the same spot over and over again, until it is soaked.   So I had to turn that cushion over and by that time I was thouroughly mad.

I had been trying to put stuff all over the chair and sofa when I am not home to prevent the dog from getting up on them, but in the morning I forgot.  I have so many things to think about getting out the door to remember to put boxes all over the sofa.

But I managed to do it this morning so we should be OK.

But I think I was sending out bad  vibes to Chris and it was not his fault. He even made a lovely dinner for us that was quite good.    And we got to watch some TV and then we went to be a little early.

But the good news is that I got a good nights sleep and I got to sleep in early, and so I feel much better today.  

I will try not to be grumpy. 

Love to you all.

Pop Culture notes

As I have a few topics to cover, today you get some “mini-posts”.

1.  John Barrowman  – Music Music Music!

I just got the CD in the mail this weekend, and I was very excited.  I love John Barrowman, both as an actor and singer, and was looking forward to getting this CD.   I have played it several times and I do like it, I am just not sure where he sees his intended audience.    Some of the songs are a bit schmaltzy.  He does a Barry Mannilow cover.   He sings “Right here waiting for you”  and although that is a pretty song, it is a song that has been overplayed and I can hardly stand to listen to it, regardless of who may be singing it.   He also sings  Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl” for some odd reason.    My two favorite songs on the CD are two songs that I have not heard of and may be original material written  for this particular CD, and I hope that in the future, John will craft a pop album with all original material and stop dipping from the barrel of covers.    One or two covers on a CD are fine, but let’s not become a lounge lizard!

2.   Gossip Girl.

Will someone PLEASE call the producer and get them to fire the guy that plays Serena’s boyfriend, Aaron.   He has the charisma of a rag mop, and acts about as well.     Blake Lively is wonderful and she really needs to be dating someone with pizzazz.      This guy is not it.    And he has been on for way too many episodes.   It is time for him to go.

3.   Sanctuary.

This little gem is on the Sci-Fi channel and stars Amanda Tapping of Stargate fame.    And I do like the premise.  Amanda Tapping is a scientist who studies abnormals  (people and creatures with strange abilities) and puts them in a sanctuary for their own protection or for the protection of others (because some of them can be nasty.)

Unfortunately, the show seems to be going downhill as it has introduced vampires and werewolves.    Not that there is anything wrong with vampires and werewolves, they are just a bit overdone in popular media.  And the show was much better without them.     I liked it better when the abnormals were strange and wonderful and creative.      Just my two cents.

4.  How I met your Mother.

Has this been getting good reviews?   It seems to have been.  Maybe I am just not a fan of sitcoms, but I have watched about three episodes from the current season and the show does nothing for me.  I just don’t find it funny.  And the characters don’t seem to have any substance!     I know that most sitcom characters are flat and that is why I don’t really like them, but once in a while a sitcom comes around that is quite good  (at least good for my standards)  but this one just misses me completely.

And some of the characters are a little annoying and I can’t see that anybody would continue to hang around with them.     So, I have learned the show is not for me!

 

Just some of my thoughts.  take them or leave them!