mind bullets

I hate the movie Bruno already, and it hasn't even come out yet. If I could make someone dead with my mind, it would be Sacha Baron Cohen...

la vie boheme!

We went up to Portland last night with the Drakes to see 'Rent' - the original cast members Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp were reprising their lead roles as Roger and Mark! it was amazing. the girl who played Mimi was NOT amazing, but I quickly got over it, because it was 'Rent' with Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp! no cameras allowed though; I took surreptitious shots with my cell phone periodically, but they are blurry in the style of "look, it's sasquatch!"

during 'La Vie Boheme'

during 'Seasons of Love'

celebrity

of all the articles out there on Michael Jackson both celebrating and bemoaning his life and death, I like this excerpt from tomatonation.com best.

"...of course he must have known what we said about him, about the tawdriness that couldn't even manage a southern-gothic type of grandeur, although I suppose his collapsing nose is a sort of equivalent to the family manse taken over by mildew and vines.
Imagine existing in that funhouse body for ten minutes, living with the irreclaimable warping, knowing that you're a part of history, and doomed. I don't apologize for liking his music, or excuse anything else he did, but I have to wonder what the autopsy will say about his heart, and if it just broke, in the end."

they're robots. like, in disguise.

we saw Transformers last night. it was loud and flashy and macho and amped with testosterone. it was entertaining, but it lacked the wonder of the first one, simply because of its own nature as a sequel- we are not quite as astonished at how cool it is when the bots transform and fight, because we've seen it all before...

the producers/directors apparently decided that if it ain't broke, don't fix it, so they didn't change much - Shia does his thing, Megan is sexy, his parents are quirky, lots of metal and sound effects and irritatingly voiced bad guys, Michael Bay swirling camera shots so that you can't quite see what's going on, and it all ends with a Linkin Park song...

but mostly: Optimus Prime is awesome. again.

going UP

I took my dad to see 'UP' tonight, as a belated Father's Day present. it was funny...heartfelt... beautful...charming. I cried embarrassingly hard within the first ten minutes, and then laughed out loud during most of the rest of it, despite my resolution to hate the large bird. go see it. it's beautiful art, and it will move you from truly sad to truly joyous, which is the epitome of what we ask from films.

Murphy's law: anything that can go wrong...

all the 'bosses' at my work are out of town, as of this morning. so, of course all hell promptly broke loose (in the form of scheduling conflicts, unexpected funerals, and menopausal (therefore crazy) women).

bring it on, Murphy, I am fierce when my competence is challenged.

boring blogger

I have nothing exciting to blog. I've been busy, but in the boring way that I do busy - too much work, followed by a necessary hibernation period at home to recharge for... more work!

while I have been hibernating, I have enjoyed the following:

Green Day: 21st Century Breakdown. Not as good as American Idiot, better than Warning and Dookie.

Silversun Pickups: Swoon. They remind me of a more lushly layered, more earnest version of Smashing Pumpkins.

Dean Koontz: Odd Thomas. I have never read Koontz, lumping him in with authors like Clive Cussler and Tom Clancy, whose books I have no desire to read. Fortunately, I checked it out and was pleasantly surprised. I'm not saying his stuff will win awards and be enduring classics, but they're a good summer read...

John Ajvide Lindqvist: Let the Right One In. a very well-written, interesting twist on a vampire story. a little more explicit than I normally prefer or recommend, though.

Taken. a good, clean action film that doesn't mess around with complicated side plots and sub plots and whatnot - it tells you what you need to know, careens you around for an effective thrill-ride, and ends the movie 10 minutes before you even think about looking at your watch.

billie joe loves Jesus too!

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lookout!

I went camping at a fire lookout with two other co-workers for the past 3 days. I am not the best camper in the world - I don't like pit toilets, bugs, and lack of showers. I do, however appreciate the opportunity to read lots of books.

this is the place where we stayed on Green Ridge above the Metolius River. from there we could see (from left to right) Black Butte, the North and South Sisters, Mt. Washington, 3-Fingered Jack, Mt. Jefferson, and Mt. Hood.

I was dragged away from my book out on a hike. the weather was nice, which was great, and there were pretty flowers, which was nice.

there were also ticks. (every time I try to take a picture of a bug, the picture goes all blurry. I think it's the combo of my crappy cell phone camera and my shaking hands.) anyways, this is one of the many I found on my person, it's in the lower left corner of the picture, on my shoelace.

You otter know

Mitch and I 'played hookey' from work on Tuesday afternoon and went to the aquarium in Newport. This little guy and I fell in love at first sight.

Come with me, if you want to live

Saw 'Terminator Salvation' last night. (I really wish they would have used a colon in the title. 'Terminator: Salvation'. )

it was a great, gritty action movie, but maybe not a great Terminator movie. the thing about the original movies, and even the horriffically-reviewed third one, was that it was always the characters and their roles in the predestination paradox that drew you in and held you there. This one missed a key few moments between some characters that I REALLY would have liked to see - realizations about fathers and sons that could have been fleshed out in dialogue, opportunities to examine at the cause-and-effect/self-fulfilling prophecy/fate vs. will storylines...

Believe me, I never, never thought I would ever say this (because I loooove Christian Bale), but instead of Bale's rendition of Connor as confident leader, I wish that we could have seen some more of Nick Stahl's John Connor opposite Anton Yelchin as Reese. not only are they more physically similar, making their connection more plausible, but I think their acting styles would also be a better match...

All in all, I liked it, but I didn't love it, which is too bad. Here's hoping that the future Terminator installments make a new fate for themselves...

TV blues

I read an article a few weeks ago about how people form emotional attachments to characters on television shows. so not healthy but so true.

oh, Peter and Olivia and Walter, Bones and Brennan and Sweets, Dr. Lightman, Echo, Claire and Peter and Horn-Rim-Glasses Guy, Chuck and Blair, how I will miss you for these next few months!

(I did set my DVR to record new shows 'So You Think You Can Dance' and 'Glee', which should be fluffy entertainment at best, and deleted before watched at worst. I also plan to watch some shows on DVD this summer - season 2 of 'Mad Men', seasons 3 & 4 of 'Battlestar Galactica', as well as the past few seasons of 'Lost'.)

the Trek

I love Star Trek. and Sci Fi in general. love it, love it, love it! In regards to the release of this new movie, two things were guaranteed to be true about it:

1. it will make Billions of dollars
2. it will polarize fans like nothing else

As a Sci Fi fan, I understand that one of the most important tenets of any good Sci Fi tale or myth is that it is deeply established in a canon of its histories and facts and backstories. This roots the story in truth (although this truth may not be relative to the truth of reality).

HOWEVER, in this new movie, they (the writers) really messed with some key canon points, not to mention alot of other small details, from set to costume to character. But I am not going to complain about any of it, because I loved every second of the movie. Every. Second.

These stories to help us plumb the depths of ourselves, and canon simply exists to give the story a parameter, so that it doesn't continually escalate to the point of ridiculousness, like a child telling a story. It's a means to an end, not the end.

So, it's my opinion that as long as they maintain the integrity of the story and characters, and maintain the truth of the world in which they exist, that the canon can be altered in such a way without ruining the purity of the story.

----

Now as for this movie, have already said that I loved it. LOVED it. I LOVE prequels. they allow us to newly discover people that we already loved, and remind us afresh why we love them so much in the first place. and YES, this is the crew we know and love, not young replacements with the same names adapting their tics.

Karl Urban is dead-on as Bones. Anton Yelchin may not look like Chekhov, but he is the cutest thing since baby seals were invented, and you forgive him because of that. I don't even know the name of the guy playing Kirk, but he managed to preserve the bravado and swagger of Shatner's portrayal, but wiped away the slimy layer of oil he always oozed in the role. and Zachary Quinto is just...perfect as Spock.

go see it. it's well-balanced writing and action... it is eye-popping effects and epic storying... it is overall exhilarating and joyful.

it's freeeeeeeeeeee!

Anyone have a Samsung ML-1610 laser printer? I have an orphan cartridge needing a good home. I accidentally ordered the wrong model number. oh shut up.

and what is the cost, you ask? why, it's free. because if it has to sit on my desk simultaneously reminding me of said mistake AND taking up precious desk space, I am going to freak out and throw it away. yes, I said it. throw. it. away. brand. new. and all. I am a compulsive thrower-awayer. but first...I at least have to TRY and find the little guy a home!

oh, come on, nothing is free these days! jump on it while you can! if nothing else, you can SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT! that's RIGHT, because I might even throw it away in the GARBAGE!

damn, I am in a bad mood. does anyone else ever passive-aggressively threaten to throw away office supplies when they're cranky? no, just me...ok.

paranoia, man

someone used my work credit card (thank GOD it wasn't my personal credit card or I'd probably never sleep again!) to buy over $1,000 ... on itunes. (no, they didn't hack into my itunes account, they just got my card info and decided to go nuts on itunes. no other purchases. thieves are weird.)

the writing on the wall

I found this article on how our handwriting can reveal our personality and thought it was an interesting idea, so before I read it I wrote some sentences on unlined paper. let's see what's revealed:

Spacing Between Words: According to graphology, this represents
your comfort level when it comes to socializing. Having very little space in between words suggests that you are a people-person who craves social contact. A large gap indicates that you have trouble relating to others and might prefer being solo. Those with an average amount of space fall somewhere in the middle.

Spacing Between Sentences in Paragraphs: If it’s difficult to determine
one line from another (i.e., there’s almost no space separating them), your thoughts might be a bit jumbled and confused. On the other side of the spectrum, large spaces are associated with sharp perception and meticulousness. Average spaces represent a balance between the two.

Straight: Someone who writes in an exactly straight line could be rigid
and methodical, to the point where he/she sees being emotional as having a lack of discipline. Mostly straight lines speak well of a person’s level of
self-control and success in a variety of trades.

Ascending/Descending: If the baseline slopes upward as you write from
left to right (as it does in the picture below), graphologists would say
that you have a positive outlook and are generally enthusiastic and
determined. If it slopes downward, that suggests depression, lethargy, or a tendency toward moodiness.

Left Slant (\\\): If your writing slants toward the left, it’s possible
you have trouble expressing yourself and come off as indifferent and distant to those around you.
Vertical (): A lack of slant in writing suggests that you’re guided by logic more than your emotions, but that there’s a fair balance between the two.
Right Slant (///): People who write with a forward slant follow their hearts and are usually more empathetic and caring than most.

Small: Small writing characters often belong to someone with a high
concentration level and a superior attention to detail. They operate best when given one task at a time and the ability to tackle it alone.

not the cheerleader

like, gooooo Blazers. or something.

can this playoff-thing be done soon? it's cutting into my quality tv time.

my favorite things

the main entrance to the park. literally makes me cry when I go into the park, because I just love it so much.


the parades. my absolute favorite thing that Disney does.


the fireworks. I am not a fireworks person (kind of hate 4th of July a little bit) but Disney does them right.

the happiness tour

in 16 hours we'll be on our way to Florida and the Magic Kingdom for a WHOLE WEEK!

my favorite rides: Peter Pan, The Haunted House

my least favorite rides: Space Mountain, and anything where the point is to dump you through a waterfall at the end. if I wanted to get soaked I'd be at a water park, eh?

today for you!

Rent is coming to Portland for 1 week in late June---with Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal playing their original roles (Mark and Roger, respectively)!

and we have tickets!

the dance

see this?



that's what I'm talking about!

it's the law

Yahoo! posted an article on its front page earlier today about the World's Strangest Laws.
I am apparently the World's Strangest Proponent of its Strange Laws, because I would totally lobby for (almost) all of them, and then add some to the list.

No Feeding Pigeons
totally. and I would without hesitation add Gulls and Geese to that law.

No Stopping on the Autobahn
duh. that thing is ridiculously fast driving. stopping will inevitably equal carnage and death.

No Driving Shirtless
amen.

No Paying in Pennies
true that. I almost garotted my own mother the other day while she rifled through her purse looking for the change that she just "knew was in there somewhere!" debit. card.

No Kissing at Train Stations
or Quiznos.

No Driving a Dirty Car
well...I disagre with this one only because I am a total car slob.

No Strolling in a Bathing Suit
does anyone need to be in a bathing suit other than on the beach, by a pool, or at the river? I think not. I would also take it farther and add 'no speedos' and 'no string-bikinis' to that rule, but that's because I'm a prude.

No Driving With Headlights Off
word, yo. I drive with my headlights on at 1pm in the middle of summer. it's just safer. science says so!

No Chewing Gum
at this one, I completely balk. Gum is a godsend.

I would also lobby for the following laws:

No driving (except for extreme medical emergencies) when there's more than, say, 1/2 inch of snow on the ground.
automatic holiday. yes, I am that much of a Pacific Northwesterner, and a total girl to boot. I just like to stay at home and be cozy when it snows, not sludging around trying not to crash and die. plus, I'm lazy. a few extra days of sleeping in...not such a bad thing for anyone.

Mandatory Synchronized Dance Routines taught in Gym.
seriously. that way, if like, I was walking through the mall and suddenly started a mad dance sequence, everyone else could join right in. life as a musical. consider the possibilities...

days of the new

This is our new dog, Sharpie. we did not name him. he is part cocker spaniel, part poodle, which means that he is part dumb and part smart, and most importantly that he does not shed. we still have our bulldog, Hero, but she is getting old old old for a bulldog, and if I don't have another dog when she dies, I don't think the world would be able to contain my sadness. (cuddling up to another pet is very comforting when you are mourning the loss of another dog.) he just sort of ended up in our lives unexpectedly, but he is charming and I love him (and Mitch will love him one day too...)

Anyways, Sharpie is posing amongst our new wood floorboards, which are going to be installed in our living room tomorrow. farewell evil carpet, I shall not miss you at all! (& thanks, Joneses, for helping us rip it out!)

help?

I am desperately afraid of bugs. ants creep me out. moths send me into a total panic. and stinging/pinching/biting bugs that can actually cause me physical pain are on an entirely different plane beyond sanity.



so imagine how much work I am unable to do at this very moment with seven wasps in my office.

who loves their new office NOW?

update: cancel that distress call. thanks to the magic of fly-swatters, weather-stripping, spray-foam, and lots of wasp spray, I think the coast is clear.

no thanks, I'll just have water...

on Monday night at Quiznos, I was waiting in line, trying to politely ignore the snuggly couple next to me while I pondered the eternal question: chicken carbonara or turkey bacon guacamole?

anyways, I happened to look up at just the wrong moment: she decided that it was an appropriate moment to nibble on and lick his ear. in public. at Quiznos. while I was thinking about food.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

I was immediately unhungry. dehungerized. antistarved.

the flicks

I hit up the Hollywood Video last night for the first time in what seemed like forever, and I just couldn't decide what to rent. First, I was going to get 'Pineapple Express' and 'Milk', but then I rembmered that I hate James Franco. As much as I dig Seth Rogan and Sean Penn, I just wasn't in the mood for the Franco...

I ended up getting 'Rachel Getting Married', 'Synechdoche NY', and 'Twilight'. Yes, THAT 'Twilight', the one that tween girls the world over deafened us all with their squee-ing over. AND, of those three movies, I chose to watch that one first. yes, I am ashamed of myself. kind of. but not really...I can't help it; the nerd in me LOVES vampires! their whole 'eternal outsider, eternally alone' rap is totally my style.

anyways, it was awesome and awful at the same time. horrible, terrible, cringe-worthy effects, but awesome in the moody, brooding, restrained passion department.

I recommend that guys NEVER watch it. and I recommend that girls (who like that kind of movie) do what I did: rent it, watch it in secret, and then pretend it never happened.

free at last!

after years of sharing an office at a 'reception' desk at the main entrance of the building, I finally have my own office. when strange people come in with even stranger questions, I will be tucked safely away in my corner. why yes, that is weird foil ducting above my desk. and yet, I am completely undeterred in my joy at this development.

pop!

why, for the love of God, does the popcorn function never work on any microwave I have ever tried?

and why, for the love of God, do I keep pushing that button instead of just setting it for three minutes and then using my ears?

foiled again by my love of pre-programmed buttons. burned popcorn is the worst. I opted for oatmeal for lunch instead...

wicked awesome

we went to go see 'Wicked' at the Keller on Sunday night, and then we stayed at the Governor Hotel downtown. they accidentally overbooked, so we got upgraded to the Governor's Suite! Sweet!

downtown P-town is fun and interesting and exciting, but mostly the traffic just stresses me out.

p.s. - 'Wicked' is still in town for a couple more weeks. if you enjoy musicals at all, you will definitely enjoy this one. it is fantastic!

who watches the Watchmen...? I DO!

I went to the 12:01 of Watchmen last night. ye-ah! I really liked it. and I WILL watch it again. It was deranged and visceral, definitely paying homage to its source graphic novel by being both graphic (gratuitous violence and sex), and novel (an alternate version of America, starting from the rise of an original group of Masked Avengers in the 40's that changed our history as we know it).

I watched 'Almost Famous' on cable the other night, and the scene where Jason Lee's character exclaims "We come off as amateurs, man, fighting and about to break up" kept coming back to me - this is a story of masked amateurs grappling with vengeance, inadequacy, fear of their own past, and narcissism. They don't have superpowers, save for Dr. Manhattan, who seems to be able to control the universe around him at whim, due to a freak accident that rendered him detached and blue (and for some reason, naked).

One of the guys I watched it with complained that there was too much backstory and not enough plot, but I vehemently disagree - without the backstory, what do we care about the plot?

Billy Crudup had the most thankless role, as he spent all but 5 minutes of the movie painted entirely blue with dead white eyes, conveying impassive detachment from humanity.

Jackie Earl Haley was vicious as the snarling Rorschach. His ever-shifting rorschach-like mask was well-animated, and managed to convey emotion even when he didn't speak.

Patrick Wilson was kind of the boy scout/batman of the movie as Nite Owl II, a role I wasn't sure he fit, but with his awesome 80's glasses, sad haircut, and paunch - his sad, settled, impotent character made you root for him to mask up and kick ass.

Matthew Goode was also good(e) as the success-driven Ozymundias. Whether it was the actor or lighting and contacts, his eyes fairly blazed with fervor akin to madness.

...Also, whoever the music producer on this movie was, I would like to kiss them. Their choice of music was note-perfect every scene.