Yesterday we met my mother in law, Jesus Bill and another of Hubby's brothers for dinner. As I was getting ready to go, Son #2 said, "Some of your blog commenters are really attractive! Like Penelope. I mean, she's a MOM, and she's still very nice looking. I didn't think that was possible."
I gave him The Look. It requires one lifted eyebrow. And he continued, "Oh, I know, but you're not going to get any reassurance from me. You can get that from Son #1."
So, OK, Son #2 has put me in my place. Fine.
So then we met Hubby's family and that went fairly well. And as we left, Hubby's Mom said what she says to almost everyone, almost every time I see her: "Have you lost weight?"
It may be like "Have a Nice Day" or "Aloha" to her, but I'm taking it, OK? Just this once.
Showing posts with label Everybody's a critic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Everybody's a critic. Show all posts
Monday, October 05, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Great movies to see without my parents
Hubby and I took the Sons to see District 9 this weekend. It was nothing like the (preachy, campy) movie we expected to see, but we all enjoyed it.
But, um...if no one ever says the F word again, I will not miss it, ok? And the Sons all seemed to think the nature of the violence was very shocking--although I think the previews we sat through before the film started were a lot more scary and gruesome.
Yes, there were some plot holes. And I could not shake the feeling that the entire movie was building up to something which did not arrive. But we liked it.
But, um...if no one ever says the F word again, I will not miss it, ok? And the Sons all seemed to think the nature of the violence was very shocking--although I think the previews we sat through before the film started were a lot more scary and gruesome.
Yes, there were some plot holes. And I could not shake the feeling that the entire movie was building up to something which did not arrive. But we liked it.
Monday, June 01, 2009
Is that Ed Asner? Yes, it is.
Hubby spotted Ed Asner's voice yesterday, during UP. It always amazes me how he can identify people by voice, because that is something I almost never can do. Even people I know. Yes, I have had some awkward telephone conversations, over the years. Half of you sound exactly alike, I swear. I'm sorry.
But good grief you should go see UP. It is terrific. The texture of the animation is just precisely right. The characters are fun. There's plenty to think about, genuine emotion and adventure and ohmanthatmoviewasgreat.
Son #2 was intrigued by the inclusion of a couple of Asian characters (who didn't make a big deal about being Asian.)
Hubby was surprised that a Pixar movie could show blood. But, don't let that scare you. They're pretty good about sweetening all the danger so smaller kids don't have to worry.
Gotta warn you, though, about half an hour in, the Sons and I were all in agreement that it was the saddest, most depressing cartoon ever.
Yes, worse than Dumbo.
So, pile all your emotionally fragile friends into the theater and watch. It's a great movie.
But good grief you should go see UP. It is terrific. The texture of the animation is just precisely right. The characters are fun. There's plenty to think about, genuine emotion and adventure and ohmanthatmoviewasgreat.
Son #2 was intrigued by the inclusion of a couple of Asian characters (who didn't make a big deal about being Asian.)
Hubby was surprised that a Pixar movie could show blood. But, don't let that scare you. They're pretty good about sweetening all the danger so smaller kids don't have to worry.
Gotta warn you, though, about half an hour in, the Sons and I were all in agreement that it was the saddest, most depressing cartoon ever.
Yes, worse than Dumbo.
So, pile all your emotionally fragile friends into the theater and watch. It's a great movie.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
When I die, I am tracking down George Orwell
Because that man was awesome. Truly awesome.
I have always loved Animal Farm and 1984, and recently told Son #2 that he had (HAD! NOW!) to read 1984. I scoured the house because I know we had a copy but it was gone...
Anyway. Found a copy of 1984 on Freecycle, told Son #2 to read it and then promptly holed up in my bedroom with it for the next couple of nights, because I LOVE IT SO MUCH AND I COULD NOT HAND IT OFF.
It's a great book. If you haven't read it yet, please, do not continue suffering. Read it. Love it. Discuss it.
I have probably read it 7 or 8 times, over the past 25 years. And so, well, there are parts of it, the reading of which is almost liturgical, for me. I know what is coming. I relish it. I expect it. It is fulfilling.
But then there is that one scene which sends a chill through me, every time. Did it again, this past week. I am not going to tell you which scene, because Son #2 is still reading.
Yesterday I started reading Burmese Days, another Orwell book but one I'd not read before. I am loving it, too, partially because
(oh geez, here she goes)
it reminds me of Thailand: the scenery, the culture, and the obnoxious attitudes of so many of the foreigners. Can't wait to see how it goes.
Had a great conversation with Fiddlin' Writer, today. She makes me want to write--makes me remember I want to write. Thank God for inspiration.
Oh, and I just fired up the grill for the first time in probably 2 years. Burgers, baby. And char.
I have always loved Animal Farm and 1984, and recently told Son #2 that he had (HAD! NOW!) to read 1984. I scoured the house because I know we had a copy but it was gone...
Anyway. Found a copy of 1984 on Freecycle, told Son #2 to read it and then promptly holed up in my bedroom with it for the next couple of nights, because I LOVE IT SO MUCH AND I COULD NOT HAND IT OFF.
It's a great book. If you haven't read it yet, please, do not continue suffering. Read it. Love it. Discuss it.
I have probably read it 7 or 8 times, over the past 25 years. And so, well, there are parts of it, the reading of which is almost liturgical, for me. I know what is coming. I relish it. I expect it. It is fulfilling.
But then there is that one scene which sends a chill through me, every time. Did it again, this past week. I am not going to tell you which scene, because Son #2 is still reading.
Yesterday I started reading Burmese Days, another Orwell book but one I'd not read before. I am loving it, too, partially because
(oh geez, here she goes)
it reminds me of Thailand: the scenery, the culture, and the obnoxious attitudes of so many of the foreigners. Can't wait to see how it goes.
Had a great conversation with Fiddlin' Writer, today. She makes me want to write--makes me remember I want to write. Thank God for inspiration.
Oh, and I just fired up the grill for the first time in probably 2 years. Burgers, baby. And char.
Monday, July 07, 2008
One of THOSE days
I am a stay-at-home-mom. That means I clean and read to my children and bake cookies, right?
Actually, today I did not do any of that.
From 9am to noon, I fought by fax, phone and email to get:
--repairs expedited for my washer
--a rental washer until the repairs are done
--insurance coverage for several covered expenses about which the insurance people are being jerks
--service on our gutters, which the gutter service people say are "not clogged" although we watch water sheet over them during every rainfall
I only left my desk long enough to throw a heap of beach towels on the basement bathroom floor, when the toilet overflowed.
I then took a shower, made my daily frozen mocha, and ran errands:
Blockbuster return (I liked The Darjeeling Limited. Hubby was less enthused)
Bank transfers
Oriental Market to buy shrimp chips (yes, they are worth a trip)
Chamber of Commerce to pick up a copy of the book I worked on in May and June
Dropped Son #1 off at a job interview, and picked him up
Picked up Hubby's dry cleaned jacket
Dropped off the recycling
Dropped off a bag at the thrift store and shopped while I was there
Hit the post office to return some Lands' End purchases
Ran by the opthalmologist's office, hoping he could help me renew my driver's license by mail (can't, but maybe that is a blessing, as my old license photo is horrific)
Got home with just a few sips of mocha left in my cup. Took off the lid and found---the blade to my blender. It is dead. So, looks like I will be shopping for a new blender. I think we are going to invest in a Vita-Mix, because everyone swears they last forever.
But first, I have an article to write. And chicken to fry...
Actually, today I did not do any of that.
From 9am to noon, I fought by fax, phone and email to get:
--repairs expedited for my washer
--a rental washer until the repairs are done
--insurance coverage for several covered expenses about which the insurance people are being jerks
--service on our gutters, which the gutter service people say are "not clogged" although we watch water sheet over them during every rainfall
I only left my desk long enough to throw a heap of beach towels on the basement bathroom floor, when the toilet overflowed.
I then took a shower, made my daily frozen mocha, and ran errands:
Blockbuster return (I liked The Darjeeling Limited. Hubby was less enthused)
Bank transfers
Oriental Market to buy shrimp chips (yes, they are worth a trip)
Chamber of Commerce to pick up a copy of the book I worked on in May and June
Dropped Son #1 off at a job interview, and picked him up
Picked up Hubby's dry cleaned jacket
Dropped off the recycling
Dropped off a bag at the thrift store and shopped while I was there
Hit the post office to return some Lands' End purchases
Ran by the opthalmologist's office, hoping he could help me renew my driver's license by mail (can't, but maybe that is a blessing, as my old license photo is horrific)
Got home with just a few sips of mocha left in my cup. Took off the lid and found---the blade to my blender. It is dead. So, looks like I will be shopping for a new blender. I think we are going to invest in a Vita-Mix, because everyone swears they last forever.
But first, I have an article to write. And chicken to fry...
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Iron Man
We took the three youngest Sons to see Iron Man last night. Son #1 claimed that he would rather stay home and mow the lawn. Hubby and I realized IMMEDIATELY that he would not, in fact, mow the lawn, but would rather spend the evening visiting his girlfriend.
That included a bike ride to her house, which required the use of my cell phone, because naturally he had to talk to her on the ride. Also predictable? He stayed at her house for so long that he was afraid to bike home in the dark, so I had to go pick him up, after the movie.
Anyway, we all enjoyed Iron Man. The Men liked it for the story and the cinematography. And I, well, I have been staring at Robert Downey Jr. since, like, FOREVER.
That included a bike ride to her house, which required the use of my cell phone, because naturally he had to talk to her on the ride. Also predictable? He stayed at her house for so long that he was afraid to bike home in the dark, so I had to go pick him up, after the movie.
Anyway, we all enjoyed Iron Man. The Men liked it for the story and the cinematography. And I, well, I have been staring at Robert Downey Jr. since, like, FOREVER.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
The Boy Needs a Scratching Post
Years ago, up-to-our-eyeballs in a Son who seems bent on destruction of everything we own, we started calling him The Boy--after Homer Simpson's references to Bart.
He is now almost as tall as Hubby, and starting to look like a man, a little, but I swear to you he is still The Boy. Let me give you a For Instance.
This morning, I needed nail clippers. A few months ago, aware that The Boy has a tendency to pick things up, use them, and then either abandon them wherever he happens to lose interest in them, or, alternatively, break them into tiny pieces and abandon THEM wherever they will be most unattractive, I bought 7 pairs of nail clippers.
I put one on my desk.
I put one in the basket where I keep my nail polish and stuff.
I hid 5 behind that basket.
In recent weeks, I have been finding broken pieces of nail clipper all over the house. Fortunately, I have had my shoes on when I found them, because even a broken nail clipper would be uncomfortable under a bare foot.
Today, I officially have NO nail clippers. They have all been dismantled, or at the very least hidden away in his basement lair.
Hubby says what we need is something big we can give him to destroy, so he won't destroy the stuff we actually need. A sort of Scratching Post. Do they make such a thing? The image of him standing in the middle of the living room, scratching on a 7-foot-tall tube of cardboard as thick as a Sequoia, had me busting a gut laughing, this morning.
On an unrelated note, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story is also hilarious. Key Quote:
"I'm cut in half, pretty bad."
He is now almost as tall as Hubby, and starting to look like a man, a little, but I swear to you he is still The Boy. Let me give you a For Instance.
This morning, I needed nail clippers. A few months ago, aware that The Boy has a tendency to pick things up, use them, and then either abandon them wherever he happens to lose interest in them, or, alternatively, break them into tiny pieces and abandon THEM wherever they will be most unattractive, I bought 7 pairs of nail clippers.
I put one on my desk.
I put one in the basket where I keep my nail polish and stuff.
I hid 5 behind that basket.
In recent weeks, I have been finding broken pieces of nail clipper all over the house. Fortunately, I have had my shoes on when I found them, because even a broken nail clipper would be uncomfortable under a bare foot.
Today, I officially have NO nail clippers. They have all been dismantled, or at the very least hidden away in his basement lair.
Hubby says what we need is something big we can give him to destroy, so he won't destroy the stuff we actually need. A sort of Scratching Post. Do they make such a thing? The image of him standing in the middle of the living room, scratching on a 7-foot-tall tube of cardboard as thick as a Sequoia, had me busting a gut laughing, this morning.
On an unrelated note, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story is also hilarious. Key Quote:
"I'm cut in half, pretty bad."
Thursday, February 21, 2008
3:10 to WHAT, now?
The critics love 3:10 to Yuma. My parents loved 3:10 to Yuma. Yuma, Yuma, Yuma, it is great and we much watch it.
We rented it.
Not to spoil things for those of you who haven't seen it, but...the ending just made. no. sense.
Son #2 watched it after Hubby and I finished, and he agrees. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING, with that ending?
But, hey, feel free to love it. After all, my parents and every critic on the planet thinks Hubby, Son #2, and I are morons.
We rented it.
Not to spoil things for those of you who haven't seen it, but...the ending just made. no. sense.
Son #2 watched it after Hubby and I finished, and he agrees. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING, with that ending?
But, hey, feel free to love it. After all, my parents and every critic on the planet thinks Hubby, Son #2, and I are morons.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
