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In the interest of increasing opportunities for reader commentary, I've decided (very spur of the moment-like) to start something new--a weekly poll. If it's well received, I might even do it again next week.
For my first attempt:
Anne Boleyn: Cut-throat, ambitious, "I will be Queen at all costs" harpy? Or smart girl who did the best she could after catching the eye of a murderous, old lecher?
Comment and discuss.
Sweet Husband and I went to see "Pan's Labyrinth" last night. Definitely not a kid's movie, but for grown-ups who haven't grown out of fairytales, it was incredible.
*SPOILERS*
The movie is about a little girl named Ofelia, living at a military outpost during the Spanish Civil War. There are almost two stories going on--the reality of the war, the girl's sick mother, and evil step-father, and then the fairytale world Ofelia retreats into. In the fairy world, Ofelia discovers a faun who sets her three tasks that she has to complete in order to escape reality and reclaim her rightful place as a princess in the fairy world.
You're never sure if the fairy creatures are real or just in Ofelia's imagination, in the end Sweet Husband said he didn't think it really mattered because Ofelia thought they were real. I'm not sure if I agree, because I think the girl might have stayed alive long enough to go away with the nice house keeper Mercedes if she wasn't completing the faun's tasks. So really if the faun was real, then she did the right thing and was able to escape into the fairy tale world. If the faun wasn't real, she died because of her imagination--very sad. But either way, very interesting to think about.
I have to say the violence made me cringe a few times, but at the same time I don't think it was gratuitous. I don't think the fantasy world would be as wonderful without the reality as a foil. I don't think Ofelia would have been so driven to complete the faun's task without the horror of her real life pushing her on.
Overall, as I said, not for kids, but definitely one you should go see.
We're under a "Blowing Snow" advisory. No, really, I'm not making it up. I was all set for a road trip back to our hometown to see my best girls and get some of Nice Mom's chicken 'n' noodles this weekend, when it started snowing like a 'lizzard this afternoon. All driving plans had to be abandoned until at least tomorrow morning.
It's beautiful, it's cozy, it's Norman Rockwell-esqe....will it be over soon?
I have a theory related to next weeks Grey's Anatomy. (If you don't watch, what's wrong with you?!) I actually very rarely have theories about TV shows, so I'm going to share this one. If I'm right, I can come back next week and gloat; if I'm wrong I just won't ever mention it again. Fair? OK. (FYI--SPOILERS.)
So, my mctheory is....
The rumor mill says someone dies tonight and someone dies next week, but only one will stay dead. The little blond girl is a metaphor for Meredith. She was traumatized by the accident and couldn't talk, but then she found her mom and everything was OK again.
Similarly, Meredith was traumatized by what happened with Ellis. She couldn't talk about it. I think Ellis is going to die and become one of the people in Meredith's near-death-dream. They'll patch things up, and then Meredith will come back to life and Ellis will be the one that really dies.
Also, this makes sense because I really don't think they're going to kill Meredith. Although it would be very interesting, I think they've still got a lot to do with her. And while it certainly would be a surprise in some ways (i.e. no one expects them to kill the main character) it wouldn't be in others (i.e. she was already mostly dead at the end of tonight). And since no one else is really in any danger--everyone is sitting safely outside of Meredith's hospital room--that leaves Ellis as the only other fairly major character to die.
So there ya go, that's what I think.
I read Dear Abby almost every day. I've done it since I was a young teenager. It's kind of voyeuristic in a "look at the weird-ass problems those people have" kind of way. It generally makes me feel better about my own life.
In all my years as a reader however, nothing has been as absolutely fucked up (pardon my language, but that's the only word for it) as this letter that was in Dear Abby today:
"DEAR ABBY: Please help me. My lover and I have been disagreeing lately and are considering couples counseling. However, he keeps insisting that we see the marriage counselor he and his wife are currently seeing.
I want to make this relationship work, but I think it's inappropriate to receive counseling from the same one that they are currently seeing. What do you think? -- NEEDS THERAPY IN TEXAS"
You can read the response here, however--although I think "Abby" was maybe just trying to be tactful--in my humble opinion it does not nearly adequately address the situation. WTF?!?
...under the 4 inches of snow we got last night. The cold is not even really a novelty anymore, although the snow is still pretty.
First, I have to say that I completely respect a person's right to not buy a product because they don't agree with the politics of the people producing it. I do it myself, and I think "putting your money where your mouth" (or in this case, not putting your money where your mouth is) is a very smart way to effect change.
But on the other hand, I really admire people who say what they think even though it's going to hurt their profit margins. After all, anyone can just spout out what they believe, but doing so when it's going to cost you something takes courage. And doing so when it's going to cost you more than money--i.e. your career and safety are also threatened--well, that's the kind of bravery this country was founded on.
Which is why I have to give huge props to the Dixie Chicks for their whopping 5 Grammys this evening. You've earned it this year ladies, keep up the good work!
I've been a poor blogger lately it seems...but in my defense, there just isn't much going on. It's that nasty, crappy time of year when it's just cold and grey and yucky.
We did duck our noses out for a muddy trip to the dog park this afternoon. Sweet Husband bought Moe a marvelous new toy called a "Chuck-It" which was probably one of the best $10 we've ever spent on dog toys, at least. Moe is so tired, we've had to poke him a few times tonight to make sure he's still breathing.
Although I know it's not appropriate for all dogs (the very badly behaved or dogs like Porter who just plain don't like unfamiliar places), if you have a fairly well-trained, happy-go-lucky pup I absolutely love the idea of vacationing with your dog. In fact we're currently in the early stages of planning a trip out west with the Wee-Welshman this summer.
Preliminary research indicates that it's not as difficult as you think it is. Admittedly it takes a little extra cash (again, not as much as you think), but mostly it seems to be a matter of planning. And part of the fun part of planning any kind of travel is that you always come across stuff that just completely broadens your original plans.
Like this website I found today--Scottie Tails. These pups have seen more of the world than most people have, and they're such terribly charming travelers. Who knows, maybe someday we'll take Moe on his own Grand Tour of Europe--sounds like it might make a good book....
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