Why are there so many rules?
Why is there a certain order of things you're supposed to accomplish in your life? And why do people think you're a failure if you never cross one of those threshholds? We used to be just a bunch of cavemen running around. There were no gun laws that didn't get followed, no standards and practices, no credit score determining your value. We bought and traded with tools and food and other goods. Can't we just all loosen up? I'm not saying I want to go back to that. I'm not about to try and start eating raw meat and killing my own food. I just wish there weren't so many expectations. Must I go live on some hippie commune to get a break? *sigh*
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
I hate, loathe, despise, and abominate sports.
Kentucky has been in the news recently thanks to the NCAA tournament, and in particular, the Final Four game against our rivals the Louisville Cardinals. Living in Lexington through all this has been a nightmare. It's bad enough whenever our team just has a mediocre season. Basketball consumes people's lives in this town like you wouldn't believe. But whenever we get this far in the tournament, people act absolutely crazy. There were literally riots in the streets because we won a basketball game Saturday. Riots! It makes our whole state look like flaming idiots!
Maybe I'm prejudiced. I've held a grudge against organized sports most of my life. I mean, I played organized sports for a long time. I enjoyed them. Basketball and softball both. But coaches got frustrated when you didn't want to put in extra practices in your spare time. I'm sorry. Was I not allowed to have other hobbies? Some of the people I played for were even family members. My parents, as my softball coaches, thought I was lazy. I played softball for fun, but my interests were elsewhere. My uncle, as my basketball coach, didn't want to seem like he was showing nepotism, so instead he purposely benched me. I'm not deluded enough to think I was great at either sport, but I was always better than someone on the team.
I've played sports and I've been around people coaching them my entire life. What I don't like about organized sports is the way they rule people's lives. When you have to put your family second for "the game", or when you missed out on other events because you were tied down to a sports team, what are you really gaining? There have been so many times when my relatives have missed birthdays and non-sport events (concerts, etc.) because of having a game to play/attend. My mother is totally supportive of her niece and nephews and have always tried to attend as many of their extra cirriculars as possible. But have her brothers shown her own children the same courtesy? No. I have been looked over my entire life in favor of a baseball game, and I am so tired of being surrounded by people who put sports above everything in their lives. It's sickening.
So, in other words, I will be so glad when this championship game is over and I can spend at least a few weeks not hearing about basketball every waking moment.
Maybe I'm prejudiced. I've held a grudge against organized sports most of my life. I mean, I played organized sports for a long time. I enjoyed them. Basketball and softball both. But coaches got frustrated when you didn't want to put in extra practices in your spare time. I'm sorry. Was I not allowed to have other hobbies? Some of the people I played for were even family members. My parents, as my softball coaches, thought I was lazy. I played softball for fun, but my interests were elsewhere. My uncle, as my basketball coach, didn't want to seem like he was showing nepotism, so instead he purposely benched me. I'm not deluded enough to think I was great at either sport, but I was always better than someone on the team.
I've played sports and I've been around people coaching them my entire life. What I don't like about organized sports is the way they rule people's lives. When you have to put your family second for "the game", or when you missed out on other events because you were tied down to a sports team, what are you really gaining? There have been so many times when my relatives have missed birthdays and non-sport events (concerts, etc.) because of having a game to play/attend. My mother is totally supportive of her niece and nephews and have always tried to attend as many of their extra cirriculars as possible. But have her brothers shown her own children the same courtesy? No. I have been looked over my entire life in favor of a baseball game, and I am so tired of being surrounded by people who put sports above everything in their lives. It's sickening.
So, in other words, I will be so glad when this championship game is over and I can spend at least a few weeks not hearing about basketball every waking moment.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
In praise of Michelle Williams.
I didn't get a chance to watch very many of this year's Oscar-nominated films before the awards ceremony. Last year, I made a point to watch as many Best Picture nominees as possible. I didn't get around to all of them, but I did see over half. This year, I only saw one. (Although I did get to see the film that housed Meryl Streep's winning performance.) Anyway, this week I saw My Week with Marilyn.
I was a little skeptical, just because the Marilyn biopic has been done so many times before in varying forms. The movie itself was not very impressive. The story had a few holes, and there was very little setup of the plot in the beginning. You're given a portrait of Marilyn that only extends over a very brief period of time, and there are characters whose opinions of Marilyn seem to have no basis, or are contradicting throughout the film. However, the saving grace of the movie is Michelle Williams. She embodied Marilyn in a way that I have never seen. The physical resemblance is minimal, but she felt Marilyn. It was obvious in the way that she moved, the way that she laughed, the way that she batted her eyes at men.
Many people will not know what is meant by this, but Michelle Williams was to Marilyn Monroe what Judy Davis was to Judy Garland. This is an incredibly high compliment to be paid, as I feel Judy Davis became Judy Garland when she portrayed her a decade ago. Both of these women, if only momentarily, make you forget you are not watching the true Hollywood star on screen. If not for the fact that Meryl Streep was PHENOMENAL in The Iron Lady, I would gladly put the words "Oscar winner" in front of Michelle Williams name on any possible occasion.
Isn't it amazing how Michelle Williams ended up being the best thing to come out of Dawson's Creek?
I was a little skeptical, just because the Marilyn biopic has been done so many times before in varying forms. The movie itself was not very impressive. The story had a few holes, and there was very little setup of the plot in the beginning. You're given a portrait of Marilyn that only extends over a very brief period of time, and there are characters whose opinions of Marilyn seem to have no basis, or are contradicting throughout the film. However, the saving grace of the movie is Michelle Williams. She embodied Marilyn in a way that I have never seen. The physical resemblance is minimal, but she felt Marilyn. It was obvious in the way that she moved, the way that she laughed, the way that she batted her eyes at men.
Many people will not know what is meant by this, but Michelle Williams was to Marilyn Monroe what Judy Davis was to Judy Garland. This is an incredibly high compliment to be paid, as I feel Judy Davis became Judy Garland when she portrayed her a decade ago. Both of these women, if only momentarily, make you forget you are not watching the true Hollywood star on screen. If not for the fact that Meryl Streep was PHENOMENAL in The Iron Lady, I would gladly put the words "Oscar winner" in front of Michelle Williams name on any possible occasion.
Isn't it amazing how Michelle Williams ended up being the best thing to come out of Dawson's Creek?
Monday, February 27, 2012
Yay Meryl!
I am so frigging proud and happy for Meryl Streep's Oscar win last night. While she may be the most nominated actor in history, she has only won three statuettes. The last one was 29 years ago, making last night her only win in my lifetime. While a tie with Viola Davis would have been spectacular, I am just elated right now. Meryl's portrayal of Margaret Thatcher was phenomenal, and she has deserved another win for a long time.
That's really the only comment I have on the awards, as this upset at the end of the night had me floored.
That's really the only comment I have on the awards, as this upset at the end of the night had me floored.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Goodbye, Whitney Elizabeth.
When I was about thirteen or fourteen years old, I was a huge Whitney Houston fan. I was a member of her fan club for a year after My Love is Your Love came out, and even through all of her struggles personally, I was able to enjoy her body of work without letting the bad parts of her cloud that original image in my mind.
I follow the celebrity world so closely that I did not find out as early as some people about her death. I've been so busy, and the day it happened I had been helping my sister and her family move into a new apartment. I had to take something over to my aunt and uncle's house that evening, and their big screen is visible from the front door. So as soon as I open the door, before I even say hello, I see on CNN "Whitney Houston 1963-2012" and I felt my heart fall into my stomach. I have so many memories that are tied in closely with celebrity events that there are not a lot of them I remember vividly. I do remember the exact moment I found out John Ritter died and the exact moment I found out Rue McClanahan died, and I'm sure this memory of Whitney's death will always stick out in my mind as well. Even three days later, I cannot get Whitney out of my head.
In middle and high school, before I got into Stevie Nicks, I had seven women that I adored. Of course Bette and Meryl were two of them; there was also Susan Sarandon, Shirley MacLaine, Mimi Rogers, Joan Cusack, and Whitney. I doodled their names like a little schoolgirl and was always coming up with different ways to arrange their initials to make some sort of anagram to discreetly put their names on my notebooks without seeming like a total weirdo. I felt a connection to Whitney because our birthdays were just a few days apart and because we had the same middle name. To me, she was THE voice. I mean, don't get me wrong. I adore Bette, but for actual vocal ability, Whitney blew everyone else out of the water. Such talent, such control. No one else will ever touch her in my mind.
So today I'm listening to Whitney, remembering what she meant to me, and remembering what a fantastic spirit she had before her life was taken over by drugs. As corny as it is, and as many people as have already said this, I will always love you, Whitney.
I follow the celebrity world so closely that I did not find out as early as some people about her death. I've been so busy, and the day it happened I had been helping my sister and her family move into a new apartment. I had to take something over to my aunt and uncle's house that evening, and their big screen is visible from the front door. So as soon as I open the door, before I even say hello, I see on CNN "Whitney Houston 1963-2012" and I felt my heart fall into my stomach. I have so many memories that are tied in closely with celebrity events that there are not a lot of them I remember vividly. I do remember the exact moment I found out John Ritter died and the exact moment I found out Rue McClanahan died, and I'm sure this memory of Whitney's death will always stick out in my mind as well. Even three days later, I cannot get Whitney out of my head.
In middle and high school, before I got into Stevie Nicks, I had seven women that I adored. Of course Bette and Meryl were two of them; there was also Susan Sarandon, Shirley MacLaine, Mimi Rogers, Joan Cusack, and Whitney. I doodled their names like a little schoolgirl and was always coming up with different ways to arrange their initials to make some sort of anagram to discreetly put their names on my notebooks without seeming like a total weirdo. I felt a connection to Whitney because our birthdays were just a few days apart and because we had the same middle name. To me, she was THE voice. I mean, don't get me wrong. I adore Bette, but for actual vocal ability, Whitney blew everyone else out of the water. Such talent, such control. No one else will ever touch her in my mind.
So today I'm listening to Whitney, remembering what she meant to me, and remembering what a fantastic spirit she had before her life was taken over by drugs. As corny as it is, and as many people as have already said this, I will always love you, Whitney.
Monday, January 16, 2012
I'd like to thank the Academy.
You are not going to believe this, but I did not watch the Golden Globes this year.
I used to follow the Hollywood awards season like nobody's business. I would watch the E! pre-shows all day leading up to the awards ceremonies. The Golden Globes and Oscars especially, but often the Emmys and Grammys as well. (Never got into the Tonys, as I was not very familiar with current Broadway plays, and still don't stay terribly well-informed.) But being without cable has really messed with my awards traditions. In fact, I was unsure of how I was going to watch the Globes anyway, but I forgot about them until about an hour in and by that point it seemed irrelevant. I mean, the whole reason for watching is to see the gowns, right?
Being as how at this point in my life I have basically given up on any dreams I ever had of being famous/semi-famous, I suppose now is as good a time as any to compose my useless Academy Award acceptance speech.
"Wow. I know people say all the time that they have dreamt of this moment since they were a kid, but I really have. I really have, I swear. Ask my mom and she'll tell you. I'll give you her phone number after the show. You can find me in the bathroom. I'm talking to you, Clooney.
Wow, okay, focus. I have to thank my family, especially my parents, who have done a lot to help me out over the years. I have to credit the love of my life, Bette Midler, who has made me want to be a better, more talented person. Thanks to my co-stars, director, and all the writers involved with *insert project name here*. Thanks to the Academy. Most importantly, I have to thank myself, without whom none of this would be possible. I have been my rock and my inspiration for so many years. Thanks, me! Oh, and thanks to Streep for not being nominated this year! Goodnight!"
I used to follow the Hollywood awards season like nobody's business. I would watch the E! pre-shows all day leading up to the awards ceremonies. The Golden Globes and Oscars especially, but often the Emmys and Grammys as well. (Never got into the Tonys, as I was not very familiar with current Broadway plays, and still don't stay terribly well-informed.) But being without cable has really messed with my awards traditions. In fact, I was unsure of how I was going to watch the Globes anyway, but I forgot about them until about an hour in and by that point it seemed irrelevant. I mean, the whole reason for watching is to see the gowns, right?
Being as how at this point in my life I have basically given up on any dreams I ever had of being famous/semi-famous, I suppose now is as good a time as any to compose my useless Academy Award acceptance speech.
"Wow. I know people say all the time that they have dreamt of this moment since they were a kid, but I really have. I really have, I swear. Ask my mom and she'll tell you. I'll give you her phone number after the show. You can find me in the bathroom. I'm talking to you, Clooney.
Wow, okay, focus. I have to thank my family, especially my parents, who have done a lot to help me out over the years. I have to credit the love of my life, Bette Midler, who has made me want to be a better, more talented person. Thanks to my co-stars, director, and all the writers involved with *insert project name here*. Thanks to the Academy. Most importantly, I have to thank myself, without whom none of this would be possible. I have been my rock and my inspiration for so many years. Thanks, me! Oh, and thanks to Streep for not being nominated this year! Goodnight!"
Long time. Long time no see, huh?
I felt bad for slacking on my posts, until I logged onto Blogger to see that none of the blogs I currently follow have been updated in at least two months. Glad to see I'm not the only lazy DOB out there. (DOB - daughter of a bitch)
I have been busy almost constantly for the last six weeks. I've been driving back and forth from Lexington to Campbellsville, or Lexington to Lousiville, or any combination of those locales, a lot recently so I feel like I've hardly had time for myself. My nieces are still in the hospital but are doing great. They still receive some milk via feeding tube, so they can't come home until they're able to take 100% of their milk by bottle, but they are progressing nicely in this area. They've both also put on over a pound since birth and should both hopefully be a little over four pounds when they come home, which may or may not be at the same time.
We have all been incredibly blessed over the last six weeks to receive so much love, support, and prayers from people who will never really even be involved in the girls' lives. It's amazing how small communities pull together in times of crisis.
This past weekend was stressful. We had finally rescheduled the baby shower for Saturday the 14th, and so in order to get down there and start preparing for that, I went to Campbellsville after work Thursday evening. Unfortunately the road conditions were not good and my usual hour-and-a-half trip was stretched out to 2 hours and 20 minutes. It was agony and made me never want to get in a car again. But the baby shower went well, and I got to spend quite a bit of time at the hospital during the day on Friday, so all in all I would say it was a good weekend. I am exhausted, though, and I feel like this day of work has gone on forever.
I have been busy almost constantly for the last six weeks. I've been driving back and forth from Lexington to Campbellsville, or Lexington to Lousiville, or any combination of those locales, a lot recently so I feel like I've hardly had time for myself. My nieces are still in the hospital but are doing great. They still receive some milk via feeding tube, so they can't come home until they're able to take 100% of their milk by bottle, but they are progressing nicely in this area. They've both also put on over a pound since birth and should both hopefully be a little over four pounds when they come home, which may or may not be at the same time.
We have all been incredibly blessed over the last six weeks to receive so much love, support, and prayers from people who will never really even be involved in the girls' lives. It's amazing how small communities pull together in times of crisis.
This past weekend was stressful. We had finally rescheduled the baby shower for Saturday the 14th, and so in order to get down there and start preparing for that, I went to Campbellsville after work Thursday evening. Unfortunately the road conditions were not good and my usual hour-and-a-half trip was stretched out to 2 hours and 20 minutes. It was agony and made me never want to get in a car again. But the baby shower went well, and I got to spend quite a bit of time at the hospital during the day on Friday, so all in all I would say it was a good weekend. I am exhausted, though, and I feel like this day of work has gone on forever.
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