How To Get Through a State of the Union

Bush is painful enough without having to watch him on purpose do our State of the Union. Well, one way to dull the pain and still pay attention is to play the State of the Union drinking game. Enjoy.

State of the Union starts at 9pm EST on most local stations.

Movies In My Head

I had the pleasure of seeing two excellent movies this weekend. Friday night, I took in Brokeback Mountain at one of our local theatres. As the lights came blazing up in the theatre at the end of the movie, I noted that most everyone was trying to wipe their eyes without it looking like they had been crying. A powerful, beautiful movie. I was a little amazed that it was even showing in the Jamestown-area, but I like to call this the "Golden Globe effect." It seems that after the Golden Globes come out, some of the favored winners suddenly appear on our movie screens. We don't usually enjoy a wide selection of "indie films" the rest of the year unless you head out to Chautauqua Institution or the Reg Lenna. Which brings me to my next film...

On Saturday night, Matt and I headed to the Reg Lenna Civic Center along with a rather large crowd to see Good Night, and Good Luck. Some of the people we talked to after the movie, including the Mayor, concluded that the subject matter was rather timely. We were very impressed with David Straithairn's representation of Edward Murrow. Matt even asked me after the film, if some of the scenes with him weren't news footage. It was all Straithairn. However, all the scenes of Joseph McCarthy were of the real man. No actor was used.

Two movies that would be worth the high price theatres want you to pay these days.

Don't Mess With Me When I Haven't Had My First Cup of Caffeine in the Morning

You are a Black Coffee

At your best, you are: low maintenance, friendly, and adaptable At your worst, you are: cheap and angsty You drink coffee when: you can get your hands on it Your caffeine addiction level: high

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

A Friday Meme on Saturday

Four jobs I've had:
1. Amusement Park Ride Operator
2. Radio News Reporter/Anchor
3. Executive Assistant to a County Executive
4. Public Relations Specialist

Four movies I can watch over and over:
1. When Harry Met Sally
2. Sleepless In Seattle
3. You've Got Mail
4. A Christmas Story

Four places I've lived:
1. Rochester, NY
2. Berea, OH
3. Buffalo, NY
4. Jamestown, NY

Four TV shows I love:
1. CSI
2. Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations
3. House Hunters
4. Designed To Sell

Ten highly regarded and recommended TV shows that I've never watched (added category courtesy of kottke.org:
1. 24
2. Lost
3. The Sopranos
4. Arrested Development
5. Buffy The Vampire Slayer
6. Battlestar Galactica
7. 30something (I know, that goes way back)
8. Deadwood
9. 8 Simple Rules
10. The Wire

Four places I've vacationed:
1. London, England
2. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
3. New Orleans
4. Washington, DC

Four of my favorite dishes:
1. Kraft Macaroni & Cheese
2. Basil Chicken Curry
3. Nick Tahoe's Garbage Plate
4. Sushi from California Rollin'

Four sites I visit daily:
(In my "open all in tabs" catagory):
1. Kinja
2. Muzenew's Inside View
3. National Weather Service: Buffalo
4. Google

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. In my car on a roadtrip
2. Under an afghan with an endless cup of tea and the latest edition of Real Simple
3. Quebec City
4. Any time between May 24 and June 8, 2003 (on vacation with my parents and my grandma)

Four bloggers I am tagging:
1. Matt
2. Heidi
3. Courtney
4. Matt F

Along The Wall

Linda had asked me in comments to tell you all what I thought about The Wall exhibit.

A little personal art history first. I've never been a big enthusiast of modern art. In my early teens, I was all about Monet, Cezanne, Degas, and other French Impressionists. I think I've seen about 5 different versions, if not more, of Degas' Little Dancer. Even as I got older, I leaned more toward the easy styles of Maxfield Parrish, Georgia O'Keefe, Tissot, Van Gogh, and Hopper. Then on a visit to NYC in November '03, I saw a James Rosenquist exhibit at the Guggenheim. For the first time, I not only "got" Modern Art but enjoyed it as well. Like some foods, I think you can learn how to enjoy the bizarre.

And that's the mind-set I had going into The Wall exhibit. Matt and I really enjoyed it. We were fascinated by the screens of human hair at Albright-Knox. We marveled over the Buffalo sky-line that was recreated using imported stainless steel pots and pans from China at the Anderson Gallery. We giggled at the close-up shots of insects that had human body-parts "photo-shopped" in to look real. And we stood in wonder gazing at the wavy-rubbings of the Great Wall of China that stretched in front of us and up the sides of the walls.

I almost purposely didn't read a lot about the exhibit. I know a little bit about the history of China and the culture there. I kept thinking about the artists who had created the works we saw, and the fine lines they must walk while creating their art under the communist state they live in.

This is the only American showing of this exhibit. It closes on January 29th. On the date that I write this, there is still time for you to see it. The part of the exhibit that are at the UB Center for the Arts and UB Anderson Art Gallery are free. The main part of the exhibit at Albright-Knox is only $12. I strongly encourage those who can make it to go.

Life One Page At A Time

I got turned onto Library Thing by Heidi. It's quite a useful tool. You can use it in a variety of ways, including using it to catalogue books you own or books you've read. I'm choosing to do the latter since I borrow from the library more than I actually buy. The only dilemma is whether I should keep to books I've read in my "adult" years (which include some children's and YA lit) or include everything I've read.

My growing catalogue can be viewed here.

Wiling Away a Friday Night

Since Matt and I are getting up early tomorrow to take in The Wall: Reshaping Contemporary Chinese Art at the Albright-Knox, we're hanging in tonight. Matt's mom had given me the tickets for the exhibit for my birthday back in October. Junk Store Cowgirl has a review up from when she went a couple weeks ago. As for tonight, Matt is crashed out on the sofa and I've snagged the computer. Here's the past five songs flowing through my eardrums courtesy of iTunes:

"Detachable Penis" - King Missle
"Love At First Sight" - Kylie Minogue
"Sweet Soul Revue" - Pizzacato Five
"Super Sex" - Morphine
"Cherry Coloured Funk" - Cocteau Twins

The weather continues to blow my mind and lift my spirits. Naturally, the fantasy world outside will come crashing down as rain, then snow sweeps in from the south and west. Still, I got a few moments tonight to stand outside without a jacket and smile at the moon.

January Thaw

Our January thaw is at its height right now. As I write, it's already 52-degrees in Jamestown. Last year, I remember an early January day making it near 70-degrees in the Dunkirk area. Not bad for Western New York. And well deserved after a colder than average December. I'd link to the article if I could find it, but not even Google News seems to want to cooperate.

This is a Republican Scandal

One of my favorite Congressional Representatives, Louise Slaughter, will speak about the whole Jack Abramoff scandal at 2:50 p.m. EST on C-Span today.

The Greater Rochester Weblog has a related post. It has snippets of Slaughter's post on Daily Kos depending on where you feel like surfing today.

End of the Year Meme: 2005 redux

Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

What resolutions?

Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes, three friends did this year! Lori had Ben in June, Kim had Emily in June, and Christa had Harrison in September.

Did anyone close to you die?

Yes. My Grandma died from pancreatic cancer on August 8th.

What countries did you visit?

Canada. More specifically, Burlington and Orangeville, Ontario, Canada.

What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?

Materialistically, a new car (this is a carry over from last year).

What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Staying employed?

What was your biggest failure?

Not finding a better job.

What was the best thing you bought?

Our new house.

Whose behavior merited celebration?

Matt. He has been ultra-supportive through everything that happened with my Grandma's sickness and subsequent death; and with all the bullshit going on for me at work.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

I can't really say who it is because I'd like to stay employed.

Where did most of your money go?

Bills.

What did you get really excited about?

Moving into our new house and the U2 concert we went to on December 9th.

What song will always remind you of 2005?

Gorrilaz - "Feel Good Inc."
Hot Hot Heat - "Middle of Nowhere"

Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder?

Sadder.

Thinner or fatter?

The same.

Richer or poorer?

Same in some ways. Our savings is somewhat depleted due to the buying of the house, but we have a house and I'm making more per hour than I did a year ago.

What do you wish you'd done more of?

Been able to pay off one of my bills so I could save more. And read more books.

What do you wish you'd done less of?

Watched less tv probably.

How will you be spending Christmas?

We spent it with our families.

Did you fall in love in 2005?

Yes, I fell in love with our second new doggy, Zak.

How many one-night stands?

Well, we have several night-stands in our new house. One in each of the bedrooms in fact!

What was your favorite TV program?

CSI. The original. Still.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Again, can't name those people.

What was the best book you read?

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

What was your greatest musical discovery?

The new album by Franz Ferdinand

What did you want and get?

Our house.

What did you want and not get?

A new, or even new-used, car.

What were your favorite films of this year?

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, March of the Penguins, & Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

What did you do on your birthday?

My parents were visiting, so we looked at some shops near Mayville and had dinner at the Nik-L-Inn.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?

Umm. Layers? As in, let's buy more cuddl duds so I don't freeze my arse off at work.

What kept you sane?

My husband.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Jon Stewart. If I wasn't and he wasn't married....

What political issue stirred you the most?

I'm not sure I paid that much attention this year. That's not true either. The county executive race in our county. Unfortunately, our guy lost. Now we wait in quiet anticipation to see what his successor will do.

Who did you miss?

My Grandma.

Who was the best new person you met?

Amy. Our H.R. Manager. She's very smart and very supportive.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005:

Spend quality time with those you love.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

"You don't have to put up a fight
You don't have to always be right
Let me take some of the punches
For you tonight

Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don't have to go it alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you when I don't pick up the phone
Sometimes you can't make it on your own

U2- "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own"

Surviving Long Winter Months

Two of the things that help me get through our gray, cold winter months in Western New York are WBFO evening jazz programs and really good hot drinks. I don't care if it's an awesome cup of coffee, hot chocolate, steamed egg nog, or hot cider just as long as it's hot. Locally, Tom & Jerry's are pretty popular, but I can't get into alcoholic hot drinks. The jazz helps mostly because it reminds me of my youth. Java Joe's, yada yada yada. I reflected on the fact that as a teen I couldn't wait to get older so I could hang out in coffee shops every night, enjoying the sweet music performed by Eastman School of Music students. Fill in your favorite cliche about youth being wasted here. That's the past. I think I'll go enjoy the rest of my hot cocoa and wallow in a little Blue Train.

Happy Holidays

I'd like to wish everyone who reads this a happy holidays. I mean that in the broadest of senses since we are knee-deep in the wonderful collage of festivities for various religions and cultures. The Winter Solstice was last Wednesday, Christmas was Sunday, tonight is the second night of Hannukah, Kwanzaa began today, and I'm sure there's so much more I'm forgetting. And then on Saturday night, we will ring out 2005 and celebrate the new beginnings of 2006. Here's hoping that the new year will bring much more happiness than this year.

No Surprises to Report In The End

Cardinal sins aside, I unfortunately don't have any exciting news all said and done. I'll tell you the short hullabaloo that was raised in our house for a couple of days. And that would be that for about a week, Matt and I seriously looked into buying a specialty beer store. I wouldn't say it worked out since we haven't spoken to our bank about getting a loan, and the store owners did have other offers on the table. I would say I'm a little disappointed if not for the fact that running the store involved selling cigarettes. That didn't sit well with me, and when you take into consideration that cigarette sales made up a huge percentage of the profit, it was bound to be uncomfortable.

So that would have been the good news if it had worked out. Maybe another time.

The not so hot news is that things are in flux for me at my job. I'm still employed, but how that all is going could be described as somewhat demoralizing. I do not wish to say more since you never know who reads your blog. Suffice to say, it will become an even tighter financial situation in our household.

Plotting

A lot of underground and if-I-told-you-I'd-have-to-kill-you-and-myself stuff going on in my life right now. Some of it is not very good and some having me thinking that instant karma is possible. In a good way. So in the spirit of Waking Dreams, I'll leave you hanging until it all shakes out.

To save you some curiosity, I will tell you it's not any of the following:

1. I'm not pregnant
2. I haven't won the lottery
3. Matt hasn't become allergic to anything new
4. No one has died or is dying. Well, no one new at least.
5. Again, I'm not pregnant (because I know y'all wish that on me, you haters)

Rawk

PUNK ROCK: Oh boy, rock with an opinion.
Punk rock is generally known for its loud
proclamations, which are generally critical of
the government and other things that are going
on in the world at the time when the punk rock
band was around. This means that you're an
opinionated individual who stands up for their
beliefs, is very loyal, but can be very
stubborn as well. You're definitely a rebel.
Some punk rock bands: Green Day, the Ramones, &
the Sex Pistols


The Rock and Roll Personality Quiz
brought to you by Quizilla

Damn Lot of Snow

I'm wrapped up in an afghan while I write this. It's been a fairly busy morning. I've already taken the dogs out, shoveled the walkway to the driveway and our front steps, eaten breakfast, read the Buffalo News, caught up on all my blogs, added some TMBG to my iTunes, loaded and ran the dishwasher, and am now listening to a playlist I created of stuff I actually own that is in WBER's rotation.

I haven't felt a need to move from my spot in front of the computer since I noticed that it's snowing again. The snow caused some problems across our county yesterday. Besides postponing our annual holiday parade, the Living Christmas Tree performance scheduled for 8pm was canceled. I guess they've almost never canceled a performance in the program's 21 year history. We're back on schedule for tonight. Matt and his parents are coming to the 8pm show. I've made Matt promise to take me to Friendly's afterwards for ice cream. I don't care how cold and snowy it is outside, there's something comforting about continuing a tradition as set by my parents when I started playing violin years ago.

There is a list of the 50 greatest indie films online. Surprisingly, I've only seen 9 of the films. My aversion to violence and gore are probably to blame. However, I have seen Reservoir Dogs.

Sometimes you can never tell.

A Little Holiday Spirit

My friends and co-workers know I tend to get a little blah about the winter holiday season. Still, I try to get in the spirit in small ways. This year, I'm leaping into the season pretty early on by participating in the local production of The Living Christmas Tree. The picture shown here is of a different church's production, but the set-up is almost the same at the church holding it here in Jamestown. Instead of the white pointsettas in front of the chior, picture a small orchestra squished in front.

Our performances start this Friday at 8pm, with four more to follow at 5 and 8pm on Saturday and 5 and 8pm on Sunday. For someone who is not religious in the organized-sense, I'm getting more than my fill of the Jesus-season over this week.

I'll let my iPod do the rest of holiday-spiriting by randomly playing several of the tunes I'm uploading today. I expect to be entertained by the following discs, mixed in with my usual crazy assortment over the next four weeks:

Maybe This Christmas
Maybe This Christmas Too?
Maybe This Christmas Tree
Barenaked For the Holidays
Bog Sie Rodzi

Thanksgiving 2005

Matt and I survived the first Thanksgiving at our new house. The final guest total came to 21 people, with a few change-ups the day of the feast.

It was good to see everyone and the food that everyone brought was great. There was a moment of panic when my dad informed me there was hardly any breast meat on the 21.95 lb turkey I cooked. We breathed a sigh of relief when we realized the turkey was just oddly shaped and the breast meat was hidden some other place on the bird. But even if the turkey had lacked the proper amount of meat, my sister-in-law, Sue, had brought half a cooked ham for the non-turkey lovers (my father-in-law).

Here are the rest of the holiday pictures.

Another happy moment included the fact that the entire kitchen is now painted. There are a few minor touch ups, and the curtains need to be hung, but it's a relief to finally have one room completed in our house.

And the predictions of 1 to 2 feet of lake effect snow led to more people coming up Wednesday night, but then they all took off before meal #2 (turkey sandwiches) on Thanksgiving Day. My parents left yesterday right after dinner so they could get home to continue packing for their Carribean cruise that leaves on Sunday. The rough weather on Thursday meant the family had to forgo our traditional post-dinner walk to avoid the effects of tryptophan. I didn't completely collapse from exhaustion until last night while watching tv in the recliner.

Going Turkey

With the new title of homeowners bestowed upon Matt and me, I decided to suggest having all the family to our house for Thanksgiving. It seemed to make sense at the time. After all, we are able to sleep 6 people (couples) on beds, and have two couches to accomodate the less picky or latecomers. Then the invites went out. Then our invitees decided to invite other people. While it's not definite, there's a chance we'll have 21 people at our house for Thanksgiving.


On the upside, it'll be good to have all the family down for the holiday and everyone is bringing a side dish. My main responsibility, cooking-wise, is baking the pies, buying the rolls, and making the turkey. The latter should be easy if not for the fact that Wegmans has run out of all the turkeys that are 29-cents a pound when you spend $25 on groceries. They were supposed to get a shipment last night. I went in this morning and the stock boy told me that they only had 10-lb turkeys. He was real nice about it though and told me that I should call later since the 10-plus-pounders should arrive sometime today. I'm just afraid that the rest of Jamestown will buy out the turkeys before I get my 20-lb plus bird.

Another plus item is that our kitchenette is finally getting painted. With the humidity of summer, family stuff, and elections, it just wasn't going to happen before now. And the paint is going on a lot better now that it's drier in the house. So much happiness abound in regards to that!