rounding out the fab five
After posting yesterday's random thought about Gérard Depardieu, I couldn't help but think of some other actors of the same ilk. I concede that this is not an absolute list, and there may be other actors better suited for it (suggestions?). These are just the ones I originally thought of without devoting too much time or effort.
In no particular order:
1. Gérard Depardieu
2. Sinbad
3. Lark Voorhies
4. Rick Moranis
5. Lucy Lawless
Besides Gérard, I did not look up the imdb pages for the other 4, out of fear that it would become the most wasted 10 minutes of my life. But still, kinda wonder what they're up to these days.
don't forget the french
Tonight this random though popped into my head...
Whatever happened to Gérard Depardieu?
I haven't seen him in anything for such a long time. I think the last thing I remember him in was that movie "Green Card" with Andie McDowell. I think he also may have been in an ABC Family movie awhile ago, but I might be confusing him with someone else. Anyway, I hopped over to imdb.com, and it turns out he's been quite busy. He's got like a jillion credits, but for the last decade or so it's all been foreign stuff, with the notable exceptions of "102 Dalmations" with Glenn Close and "Last Holiday" with Queen Latifah. So that's why he hasn't been on the radar on this side of the ocean. Maybe that will change soon though, because he's currently got eight(8) projects in the works.
Also, there's a new lady at work today and she's got a serious mullet. And a white jacket with gold sparkly fringe running all the way down each sleeve.
Sunday culture
Yesterday was a pretty cultured day for me. I spent the late morning/early afternoon at the Art Museum. I haven't been there in about 6 years, so I forgot how much I like it there. My favorite piece of art was "Woman with a Harp" by Elizabeth Nourse. I don't know how to describe the feeling that came over me when I was standing in front of it. I looked at the painting online and it didn't have any of the same effect at all, but seeing the painting in person was incredible. I don't really understand it, but I'm so in awe of the emotional effect that great art can have on a person.
My afternoon was spent watching "Master Harrold and the Boys," which is a play going on at the Freedom Center. It was set in South Africa during apartheid. It was such an interesting play because there entire thing is done in one scene and with only three characters. There's not much action or anything in the first 75% of the play. It's all conversation and serious character building. So it's a tad bit slower to start off, but when it climaxes the payoff of the resolution during the last quarter of the play is definitely worth it. It was powerful.
it's a strange world
3 recent happenings from around the globe...
1)In Washington state, legislation has been introduced that would require all heterosexual married couples who do not have a child within the first 2 years of marriage to have their marriage annulled. The pro-gay group who introduced the bill concedes that it is ridiculous and does not expect it to pass. The intention is to counter the anti-gay argument that reproduction is the main goal of marriage. Even though officially introducing this legislature is probably a waste of Washington tax payer money, I personally find it quite clever.
2) A giant squid weighing in at just under 1,000 pounds has been caught off the coast of New Zealand. Wasn't there a pretty bad TV movie about that a few years ago?
3) The President of Zimbabwe has a birthday coming up. The price tag for his party: $300 million. I can't imagine what a person could possibly have at a party that would cost that much. And I thought the kids on "My Super Sweet 16" were bad.
addendum
I would like to add Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn" to the playlist I posted a couple of days ago. It is one of the only recent-ish songs I can think of that deserves to be included.
interesting idea from Guillermo del Toro
Tonight I heard an interview with Guillermo del Toro, director of the recently released movie "Pan's Labyrinth." I haven't seen the movie yet, but it's definitely on my list. Anyway, he said something that really got my gears turning. del Toro said that the movie is sort of an adult fable about choice and obedience. He said that "disobedience is the threshold of responsibility" and that it's "necessary to exert disobedience, both socially and personally." I found myself rather intrigued by these comments. I haven't had too much time to process it yet, so I'm not yet sure if I agree with him or not. One of my first thoughts was that disobedience often precedes consequences, and consequences can have a way of forcing people to take responsibility for what they've done, who they've become, etc. I'm not sure if that's at all what he means...just sort of a first reaction or thought to his comments. It's something I'll have to stew on some more, especially his validation of and distinction between social and personal disobedience. Maybe I'll understand it more after I see the film, but regardless it sure is interesting.
a question, a comment, and a useful tip
Why was the vodka in the freezer frozen today? This question has been stumping me all day since I noticed it when I opened the freezer to get some ice cubes for my diet coke. Vodka is often kept in the freezer and everyone knows it never freezes, since the freezing point is so low. At first I thought it was because it was cheap vodka, but then I remembered that it wasn't that cheap. It's not Grey Goose or anything, but it's definitely not the cheap stuff either. So I'm puzzled.
I'm so glad it's going to start thawing out around here tomorrow. The warm up couldn't come quick enough for me. The only good part about all the recent cold is how pretty it all is. Having a couple inches of ice coating all the tree branches (and everything else) has made me feel like I've been living in Narnia. I've sorta expected the White Witch to come around the corner any second and offer me some turkish delight.
I found a great way to "stick it to the man," and so I'm glad to pass it on to you. As gross as I know (from Supersize Me) the whole thing is, I like McDonald's french fries. I also like them with sweet-n-sour sauce, and I've been a little peeved they've started charging 10 or 15 cents for it. So, now when they inform me it'll be an extra charge, I say very cheerfully that that's no problem at all. Then I hand them my debit card. Every single time I've done this (which has only been like 3 times so far) they say it's too much trouble for that and throw the sauce in the bag for free. I don't feel bad about this because I have offered a form of payment. They have every chance to run my card through the machine and charge those 10 cents or whatever, but they decline. So I get my sauce for free. You should try it...it'll work.
sing it like you mean it
Yesterday, while driving home from work, I compiled a list of essentials that must be on any good belt-it-out-in-your-car-by-yourself playlist. Interestingly, I couldn't think of any recent music I wanted to add to the list. Here's what made the cut:
So Emotional by Whiteny Houston
End of the Road by Boyz II Men
It's Raining Men by The Weather Girls
Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves
Turn the Beat Around by Gloria Estefan
I Would Do Anything for Love by Meatloaf
Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler
Heaven by Bryan Adams (note: the cover version by DJ Sammy and Yanou featuring Do could also be on the list. It's one of my all-time fave remixes)
Why isn't anyone cranking out music like this anymore? Good thing we still have these classic gems.
it's the middle of the night, and here's what i'm thinking about...
1. carpal tunnel syndrome is no longer just for 50 year old ladies who have been secretaries or typists for 30 years. i guess there's been a recent surge among twentysomethings in cases brought on by the text messaging phenomenon.
2. i really really like the cd "Share the Well" by caedmon's call. i've had it for a long time, like over a year, and just now listened to it. i think i put it in my itunes and then stashed the cd with the rest of them in some box somewhere. then i forgot i had it. anyway, the cd is amazing. it's so catchy, and is actually ABOUT something.
3. i can't believe pam went home with roy in last week's episode of "the office." and also, john krasinski is adorable.
4. i've never been so thankful to have rain boots as i was tonight.
5. i've only completed one book this calendar year. i'm close to finishing a second, but still, that's sick.
6. why is stool called stool? is it maybe because a toilet sorta resembles a stool? if so, what was it called before modern looking toilets were invented? (this obviously doesn't really matter so much)
7. is it gonna snow all day tomorrow too? i hope not.
8. i should change the title of my blog since i don't live in california anymore.
projects
I love having projects to do, and for some reason I've got plenty right now. Maybe knowing that spring is around the corner is making me restless or something. Anyway, here's what on tap:
--unpack and organize my room since I just moved to a different apartment
--finish my February puzzle
--get a couple new podcast episodes up and redo my web page. i've got lots of ideas brewing for this
--continue studying Italian in my effort to become fluent
--update my computer catalog (for my books)
--redo my budget
--find a different second job
--round up all the clothes I don't want and take them to a consignment shop
Should be a busy few weeks!
it's no joke
I am currently watching the Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament, and I want to take this opportunity to let everyone know that Pebble Beach really is THAT beautiful. They are not over-hyping it. I had the privilege of spending some time there this past summer, and the Pebble Beach/Carmel/Big Sur area is breathtaking. If the chance to go there ever comes up, you should be all over it.
stuff i like and stuff i don't
The following are things I like:
1. British bands, particularly Athlete, Snow Patrol, and Keane
2. my french press coffee maker
3. the online game Text Twist
4. driving with the windows down on a warm spring day
5. public broadcasting and radio
These are some things I don't like:
1. Groundhog Day--the whole concept is absurd, and the movie is not that great either
2. when people eat chinese food without using chopsticks...I don't care if it makes me a snob, but eating chinese food with a fork strikes me as ignorant, culturally insensitive, and moronic. It makes us all seem like stupid Americans.
3. not turning off lights and appliances. or more broadly, the overuse and virtual exploitation of energy
4. pretentious talk show hosts
5. mushrooms
knock on wood
I realized today that I have not gotten sick at all this winter. This is pretty remarkable because I have poor eating habits, awful sleeping habits, and don't take any sort of vitamin or supplement.
That said, I guess I must be doing something right. I only have to go about another month to make it though the winter season sickness-free!!
2 thoughts
1. I am so glad to see sundresses, swimsuits, and the like back on the store racks. I'm not sure how much longer I can tolerate being cold all the time.
2. I hope you had as clear a view of the moon tonight as I did. It was spectacularly beautiful.
