Let's try this again!

Hi There! I can't believe it's been a year since I posted and since I quit my horrible corporate job. I've been technically unemployed this entire time. Don't ask how I'm supporting myself. I'm not really but it's actually been a great year. I've been enjoying sleeping in and doing what I want and searching for alternative ways to make money. Some I can talk about here and some I probably shouldn't. I'm actually enjoying working retail. I enjoy the product and a majority of the people are more than tolerable. Some I try to avoid, but that's OK because since I only work three to four times a week and shifts are only four hours long, it's not too difficult.

So, I suppose I should talk about what's happened this year but really, not much has. Although, I have made one major decision that started in January. I've stopped paying my mortgage. Given that another condo in my development sold (in Foreclosure) for only $35,000 and I owe quite a bit more than that - actually three times that - it just doesn't make sense to keep paying it. I've already lost about $40,000 on the place given what I put down, the extra insurance costs, the association fees and special assessments. It's time for the mortgage company to start losing money on the deal. The end goal is, of course, to keep the place and get a principal reduction but really, how likely is that? Barring that, I guess I'll just live here for free as long as I can and then go rent an apartment that isn't surrounded by little old ladies. If the mortgage company doesn't want to make it make sense for me to stay here, then they can have this $95,000 box and see what they can do with it. I guess if I absolutely loved the place and it was my dream house I would fight more for it, but it's really not. Like I said, I'm surrounded by little old ladies and in the middle of lower class suburbia. I used to live two blocks from the coolest lake in the cities! I could walk to Jamba and Whole Foods and take a 5 minute drive to Trader Joes! Life was just so much more interesting.

I guess the moral issues of not honoring a debt should be discussed but I read a fabulous NYTimes article that made it much easier for me to make this decision. One of the main points is that many people think they have a moral obligation to pay the debt that they freely and willingly signed up for. The writer disagreed with this. He said, people have a contractual obligation to pay their debts. They have a moral obligation to themselves and their own financial future. One of the things I also signed up for is that my money would accrue equity. The mortgage company gets their interest payments and the home owner earns equity. Well, that's not happening and I shouldn't be the only one losing money in this effed up situation of an economy we've got right now. It's not often that I only look out for number one but in this case, it's necessary for my sanity, my happiness and my future.

I'm back!

Yes, I'm back and I'm unemployed again! Surprise, surprise. There's so much to tell, I'm not sure where to start. I left the contractor job in December and started a new job we'll call Plymouth. Just for reference sake. Things started out well. . . wait. No they didn't. Now that it's over, I can see that it felt wrong on the first day. It should have been obvious to me that there were going to be issues when we went to my welcome lunch (at the Chinese buffet - if you can believe it) and they only asked me one question about myself the whole time. The rest was them harshing on people they worked with and trash talking other teams. Ever heard the axiom "Small minds talk about people, average minds talk about things and great minds talk about ideas"? Very apropos in this situation. They had absolutely no interest in learning anything about me. Big boss just wanted to pontificate on his opinions and little boss just wanted to agree with him. This would be indicative of bigger issues to come.

So, what happened? I'll just make a list:

• Working 60 or 70 hours a week was still not enough to get everything done.
• I was on call 24x7 and could expect a call at any time (even on holidays) to deal with site issues.
• We were required to take our computers home every night and weekend and have it with us if we were more than 30 minutes away from home.
• Totally incomplete training and I was just supposed to figure things out and they would tell me when I got it wrong.
• Total misdirection on major projects multiple times. I wasted weeks working on the wrong things.
• I was being blamed for not getting a major project completed even though I planned 6 meetings to discuss it and they were all postponed or canceled by Big Boss and I talked to little boss about the deadline issues repeatedly and followed up with Big Boss many times. Yet somehow, I wasn't taking ownership over the failure and didn't push hard enough.
• I took 2 hours to respond to a phone call question when I was on vacation in San Francisco. This was a major problem for them even though the question was not that urgent.
• I took 15 minutes to respond to a IM from Big Boss because (as I explained to him) I was training our new employee. This was also a major problem. I was supposed to drop everything to work on whatever he deemed important because he was a director.
• Even with all the projects and work to be done, on top of that was having to constantly monitor the weather around North America and interpret how it might effect business, send out communications and talk with locations to prep them. Oh, and they just decided to add Europe to that, too.
• If there were weather issues to deal with, I was not able to get any other work done. Weather issues could take up an entire week, by the way.
• Little boss says I should just learn to deal with the egomaniacal (her term) nature of Big Boss and not let it bother me because he won't change.
• Two part-time college students were starting on Monday and even though Big Boss said he would be sending out a training plan, he hadn't and I knew that it would all fall to little boss and me to get them settled and do everything to train them.

So, last Sunday, I was psyching myself up to go back to work the next day, looking at the massive snow and ice storm hitting Atlanta that I was going to have to deal with, plus all the projects coming at me and the struggles just to get to this point. I suddenly realized that my heart was racing and my hands were shaking. I thought, this is ridiculous! Why am I doing this to myself? I don't like the job, I don't like the people, this isn't the life I want! So, I took the highly unprofessional and easy way out and sent them an email. 10:00 pm on Sunday night I told them that it wasn't working and I wasn't coming back. Give the job to someone who is willing to do the work. No notice, no nothing. I must admit I feel a little guilty about that. But in a way, I don't. It would have been hell to talk to them face-to-face about it. Big Boss manipulates conversations into what he wants and I knew that I wouldn't be able to speak my peace. And then to sit there for two weeks feeling guilty. . . ugh. Forget it. And now the real fun begins. . .

Alphabetical Movie Marathon - Lonesome Dove

Lonesome Dove - This epic 6 hour miniseries deserves it's own post. Let me start by saying that I'm not big on Westerns but for some reason, this film (and it is a film, despite being made for TV) transcends its genres. It's a romance, a buddy film, a tragedy, a Lear-like end-of-life realization, a father-son drama, a coming-of-age adventure. It's just so big and so real and dirty and gritty and hard and painful. I think it touches me because, while all of the main characters are men, most of them are motivated by the women in their lives. Jake goes on the drive because of Lorena, Gus agrees to go because he might see Clare Allen, July goes after Jake because of Peach, changes course to find Almira and finds his new place in the world because of Clare, Woodrow takes in Newt because of the love he can't admit for Maggie. Jake even falls in with the outlaws and eventually gets hanged because he's avoiding a madam trying to get him to clean up a customer she shot. I can enjoy this film because it acknowledges the meaning and importance of women in these men's lives even though they are rough and tumble cowboys off on their last adventure.

The dirtiness of the production design is also very appealing to me. I love dirty movies. Where the hats are worn, the pants dusty and patched, the hair messy, the faces smudged, the horses sweaty and frothy. Its one of the reasons I didn't like The English Patient. Not dirty enough. It's a metaphor for life, in my opinion. Messy, crusty, dirty life. And it takes a lot of work to get that dirt on screen. There are many different stages of dirtiness as well. You can see the deterioration of the clothing as representative of the breaking down of the characters outer shells as the narrative arc progresses. You also see their attempts at putting themselves back together as they reenter more civilized towns. And one of my favorite lines: "Well, he's never been one to quit on a garment just cuz it's got a little age." The characters acknowedge the role that clothing plays in society quite a few times in the dialogue. It's really fascinating.

I may have more to write on this film later.

Alphabetical Movie Marathon - J, K & L1

Julie & Julia - It's cliche to say, I know, but the book was better. Of course, it was, it always is. It was also snarkier and Julie is bitchier and the kitchen is way messier in your head than they made it in the movie. I was sad that they cut the maggots under the dish drainer scene. That being said, I really did enjoy the movie and all it made me want to do is cook with butter. I love foodie movies. I need to look into more of them.

Juno - A Minnesota film. Gotta love it. Ellen Page is so natural and subtle for such a young actress. And like our other J movie, I love the snarkiness and sarcasm. Have to deride it for brushing off the abortion issue but I think the world needs more teen pregnancy movies. And more adoption movies. It could only be a good thing. That scene at the end after she has the baby and her dad talks to her . . . so beautiful and real and touching.

Karate Kid - Classic! Can't get over how much I loved this film as a kid and it's still so good! I can totally relate to the uncool, picked on kid. I never got to find a mentor and beat the crap out of the bullies but it's always good to see the underdog gain the necessary skills and life wisdon to win against the bad guys. Always try to catch flies with my chopsticks when I eat Asian food.

Ladyhawke - An oldie but a goodie. I love the historic era film mixed with the rock-n-roll/synch background music. And it contains my favorite fundamentalist Christain comeback line ever: "I talk to God all the time and, no offence, but he never mentioned you." I'm a big fan of Rutger Hauer as well. There's something very intense and oddly attractive about him.

Labrynth - I'm not as in love with this movie as I was as a kid but I still enjoy the puppetry effects and the sophistication of it for a movie essentially aimed at children. The hands catching her as she falls down the obelisk and talking to her when she stops is so cool. I see it very much like the Broadway version of Lion King. Very complicated symbolism and simple effects that you see right through and know exactly how it was done, but it doesn't matter. It's just so clever that you go with it.

Alphabetical Movie Marathon - H & I

Hangover - I was not thrilled about having to go and see this movie in the theater and was I ever wrong! I love this film. It's very clever and much like 40 Year Old Virgin, it's a guy flick with a heart. Yes, actual emotions are shown and it's a great example of the relationships guy friends have. Very much enjoyed and didn't hesitate to add to the library.

Hope Floats - Thank God for Speed 2 or this movie wouldn't exist. This has always been one of my favorite films. And while I wouldn't say that I'm a huge Sandra Bullock fan, she really is a driving force to making great movies. I wish she'd do more producing. And Harry Connick Jr. is so sexy and nice and smart. The scene at the end where the dad drives away and the daughter is left screaming at the end of the sidewalk. . . ugh, can't even finish that sentence. So emotional for me. Sniff. Moving on.

Henry V - Mmmm, the rightous anger of the tennis ball scene. Gotta love it. I'm not big into the war scenes in this film but as a whole, I do enjoy it. Makes me feel smart to see it on the shelf next to silliness like Mystic Pizza.

Into The Woods - Sondheim genious strikes again. I don't need to go on and on about this musical but it's really clever and quick and challenging. Like all of Sondheim's work.

Immortal Beloved - Wonderful and intense. And Isabella Rosellini, the most beatiful actress ever! The Ode To Joy scene at the end is just so . . . I don't even know what word to use. Another wonder artist at work film.

Job Update

So, yeah, I'm working again. And haven't written in four months. Maybe that's why I'm so miserable. Need to get all the work angst out on paper. And is there ever angst! Ugh. I'm already looking for another opportunity, as they say. The real problem is doing the contractor thing again combined with the boredom. Why am I there? Did they think I would have stuff to do? At this point, I won't actually get to do any real work until Mid-June and even then it won't be much. The real stuff doesn't start until JANUARY!!! Can you believe it? Are they seriously going to pay me to sit around and read the New York Times online for a year? Not if I have anything to say about it, for crap sake. I'll try to write more and maybe it'll help.

Alphabetical Movie Marathon - Christmas Edition

It's snowing like crazy outside so it's time for the Christmas Movie edition of the marathon.

A Charlie Brown Christmas - It's funny how cute and how universal this movie continues to be. I think it really has to do with the music and the lovely Linus on stage telling the true meaning of Christmas part. It doesn't really have much of a plot so it's obviously not the story. A classic and vital part of the Christmas tradition.

It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie - This is a little too topical to become a classic but watching Kermit get really frustrated and lose hope is a first for the Muppets, I think. Whoopi Goldberg as God is always awesome and Pepe The Prawn makes me laugh my ass off.

It's A Wonderful Life - People dog this movie as too sacharine but I'm surprised as how truly bitter George is about his entire life, not just at the end when the shit hits the fan. He is very angry the whole time. The scene where he explodes in front of his family and screams at the teacher over the phone is truly frightening. I try to imagine if my husband came home and screamed at the kids for nothing and then took off, what I would do. The ending is sickly sweet but I think it balances the bitterness of the rest of the movie well.

Love Actually - I find this movie rather sad at times. I really enjoy watching it but the lost love stories - Laura Linney and Emma Thompson especially - that really get to me. You so want Laura Linney to get together with the hot guy and it just doesn't happen. Bill Nighy always makes me laugh in a truly naughty way so this will continue to be one of my favorites. I didn't really like it at first but with repeated viewings, it has ingrained itself in me.

The Nightmare Before Christmas - I always think of this a Halloween movie and it's not one of my favorites at Christmas time but it's a joy to watch anyway. I love how animation can capture with live action just simply cannot. You can be nasty and talk about killing Santa if you're a little goblin.

Scrooged - Oh my God, Carol Kane kills me in this! "Some times you have to slap them in the face to get their attention!" I could watch her scenes over and over again. And it's just a clever retelling of the Dickens story. Whereas so many others get sickly sweet, this one really avoids it. And that's due to Bill Murray's genious comedy and nastiness.

Trading Places - Yes, this is actually a Christmas movie. Most people forget that. Jamie Lee Curtis really makes this movie for me as she is the ultimate hooker with a heart. And good business sense. The scenes with Aykroyd and Murphy together are my favorite. They're a great foil for each other.

White Christmas - The penultimate Christmas movie in my opinion. Why do I love this movie so much? No kids! No family! No cliche transformation of a bad attitude! It's just a love story about performers who get together to try and do something nice for someone who is important to them. I want to be Rosemary Clooney in that black dress with the rhinestone broach on the butt! And again at the end in that red dress with the white fur trim! The costumes in this movie are fantastic. Edith Head I believe. The songs are fantastic, the dancing is amazing, the business between Kaye and Crosby in the dressing room scene is a master class. It's got a ton of exposition but it's not heavy or dragged down with dialogue. I shall forever use "Give me one good reason . . . " "Well, it's not good but it's a reason." and "Like honesty needs a little plus, fate needs a little push." A must see every year.

Alphabetical Movie Marathon - F2/G

Funny Face - "Take the picture!" "Stop!" "I don't want to stop, take the picture!" Such fabulous costumes in this film. I wouldn't say that it's one of my favorite musicals but hey, anything with Audrey Hepburn works for me.

Funny Girl - This, on the whole, is a sad film. Fanny's relationship with Nick is doomed to fail from the beginning but the way it plays out is difficult to watch. But the songs are great and it's Barbra so I watch with joy nonetheless.

Girls Just Want To Have Fun - I watched this movie so many times as a kid. I just loved it. Who knew then that SJP would turn into the fabulous fashion icon of SATC? And an early Helen Hunt is super cool. Another awesome 80's dance movie.

Get Shorty - This is a fun movie but not one of my favorites. I'll save my love of Renae Russo for The Thomas Crown Affair. I think I got this free with my DVD player. Clever but. . . eh.

Gosford Park - Saw this movie for the first time in London. I love the conversational, ensemble nature of the direction and of course, anything with Emily Watson works for me. I wish she was in more American film.

Grosse Pointe Blank - This is by far the best John Cusak film, in my humble opinion. I love that he fully admits that he's an assassin and people just go with it because they think he's kidding. His scenes with Minnie Driver have such connection and attraction, I could watch them over and over. And I have. Rather violent in spots but it's so funny that you forgive.

Good Will Hunting - Another Minnie Driver example of awesomeness. I can't really say anything about this film that hasn't already been said. Only that I wish Matt/Ben would write another film. It could only be a good thing.

Alphabetical Movie Marathon - 1 Forgotten E & F2

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Wrapping your brain around the plot of this movie is really difficult and that's one of the reasons I love it. It's challenging and completely illogical and totally original. And who wouldn't want to wipe out the memories of a relationship that ended badly? It's a very common movie theme that you don't know what you got until it's gone but rarely is it done with such emotional rawness and pain. It's a love story but it's messy and messed up and fraught with fear. Just like life.

Frida - I love bio-pics about artists. Especially ones in which you see the actor actually paint. So far this and Pollock are the only ones I've come across. Being able to see what inspires the artist to come up with all that crazy shit is really fascinating to me. You literally see Frida's soul spew out onto the canvases. And Julie Taymore's direction, the colors, the animation dream sequences - it's all captivating. It also includes the best wedding speech ever. I'll include it here in the hopes that I'll be able to repeat it at an actual wedding someday.

"I don't believe in marriage, really I don't. At it's worst it's a hostile political act, a way for small minded men to keep women in the house and out of the way, wrapped up in the guise of tradition and conservative religious nonsense. At best, it's a happy delusion - these two people who truly love each other and have no idea how truly miserable they're about to make each other. But, but, when two people know that, and they decide with eyes wide open to face each other and get married anyway, then I don't think it's conservative or delusional. I think it's radical and couragous and very romantic."

Alphabetical Movie Marathon - F

Fabulous Baker Boys - LOVE. This is a recent addition to the library and I've watched it at least five times since I got it. The music is fabulous and this fits right in with my love of watching people do things with their hands like cook, build things and play fabulous piano. It's not just a movie it's part of the cultural lexicon (re, the scene on the piano). Michelle Pfeifer's greatest role to date.

40 Year-old Virgin - What I love about this film is that while it's a "guy" movie, it's very sincere and emotional and respectful of women. It has a certain sweetness and intelligence to it and you can tell that the writer doesn't have much fear of looking silly and expressing his feelings. It's not about getting with girls but getting THE girl, even though she's a grandmother. Very much like American Pie, you like they guys and want them to be happy despite the stupid "guy" things they do. The chest waxing scene will go down in movie history as the most painful thing an actor has ever willingly done for a role. The on-screen chemistry between Steve Carell and Catherin Keener is really cool and the final number is killer.

A Fish Called Wanda - "Asshole!" is my favorite line and one I use quite often. Especially while driving. "Disappointed!" is also very useful. Again with the British comedy. I just dig it. There's a certain self-effacing quality and no fear of making an ass of ones self. Maybe is the contrast between the uptight pompious English attitude and the sheer stupidity of the circumstances in which they find themselves. You know a movie is funny when a guy actually dies watching because he was laughing so hard.

Flashdance/Footloose - Lets take these together, shall we? To amazing dance movies with awesome 80's vibe and superb music. Both have scenes that have become culturally iconic touchstones and have been reference repeatedly in pop culture. I think people under appreciate these but it may be because I was just at the right age to be all over these films when they came out. It's probably because of the hair (or the low self-esteem) but Jennifer Beales always reminds me of my sister. I love that Kevin Bacon stands up to radical Christianity and uses the Bible to reason with them. And when they are denied anyway, the find a way to make the dance happen.

Alphabetical Movie Marathon - E

Yes, it's been a while so I figured I had better catch up on my viewing activities before I jump into the Christmas Movie Marathon next week.

Elizabeth - Cate Blanchett was robbed of that Oscar. She should have received it for this film. This is a knock-down, drag-out performance. She carries this movie and doesn't even look like she's working at it. The costumes are amazing and the transformation of her appearance and bearing from young niave princess to formidable and historically integral ruler is really amazing to watch. Very powerful woman indeed, actress and subject.

Extras - I have friends who don't much like Ricky Gervais, but I think he's hilarious. Of course, a good bit of English humor always got me giggling. And Extras is full of not just humor but rolling on the floor laughing and peeing your pants funny shit. Maggie is really my favorite. She's got that Bridget Jones way of being stupidly sweet. This is a great series to watch because it's quick and dirty - six 30 minute episodes per season and a totally awesome and surprisingly heartfelt final episode that sends up reality TV.

Enchanted - Ah, Disney. I didn't have high hopes. But so cool, this movie. I've always loved stories that start in animation and transition into live-action. I remember a Raggedy-ann and Andy film from years ago that was the opposite. And they did figure out how to do away with the simpering princess waiting for the prince to come and save her. She saves him in the end. I'm willing to forgive the tragic under utilization of Susan Sarandon and why in god's name they would cast Edina Menzel and not have her sing in a musical is beyond me. I enjoy the movie's modern touches anyway. The rats, pidgeons and cockroaches cleaning the apartment is super clever.

Job Offer in the Works and Another Interview

So, yeah, I think I have a job now. Unfortunately it's at one of my old employers as a contractor again. I'm not crazy about that but it's better than nothing. It's a 2 year contract which is cool and the interview was with two rather cool chicks that I'll be working with. I'm excited to get back into the land of the living again. I'm not excited about no insurance, no vacation, no holiday pay and all that not being rewarded the way my co-workers are being rewarded but hey, beggars can't be choosers. It's a mixed blessing. I also just sent in my loan-modification paperwork so I'm pretty sure that's not going to happen now. It's unfortunate that I waited so long in that any changes they would have made would have been permanent but . . .

I also had an interview today, which I think went well. It pays better than the contractor job, is permanent and includes benefits. In talking with my placement guy, he said I should accept the contractor job and then I can always quit when I find out about this one. Of course, I'll be taking this one if I get an offer for it. It's just better and I'll always chose the devil I don't know, cuz that's just me. As I told a friend who was offered a job by her old employer after being laid off, going back to an old employer is like going back to a boyfriend who broke up with you and then wants you back. There's just a lot of hard feelings and bad history there.

Alphabetical Movie Marathon - D2

Dirty Dancing - Ah, the world has lost a great man in Patrick Swayze. It really is sad. I was watching both this film and Too Wong Foo and just sad that we won't see any really daring hotness anymore. A muscle-bound, man's man not afraid to dance and wear a dress. Now that's a man. This film (and Pretty Woman, which we'll get to later) are kind of "family movies." My mother, sister and I can quote freely from these movies and instantly have a reference. This film reminds me in spirit of American Beauty in the sense that she is living her life the way she is supposed to and is awakened by circumstance to the possibilities. I think everyone wishes that had happened to them at 18. I could watch the scene where he's teaching her to dance and they pass the camera past the rippling muscles on his back. Very yummy. The world is less sexy without him.

Don Juan DeMarco - This is a funny little movie. Of course, Johnny Depp is amazing but the plot is so sweet and gentle that it's hard not to love this. Faye Dunaway, though older than most leading actresses now, has got to still be one of the most beautiful women in the world.

Deadwood - A little out of order because I forgot about this one. I had watched this entire series right before starting the marathon and didn't want to start it again but I can't finish the Ds without it. This is simply a great movie-quality show. Which is unfortunately why they're not making it anymore and never got the chance to finish the story in a satisfying way but it's still amazing to watch. I love what this show can teach us about the roll of women in previous centuries. It's hard to talk specifics because the plot is so intensely packed per episode and there are so many episodes so I'll leave it at "Watch it. It'll be good for you. You'll swear more."

Dreamgirls - I saw this film the first time in the theater and wasn't all that impressed with the opening number. However, Eddie Murphie teaching the girls to be his back up singers seamlessly sliding into him performing onstage with them in front of a cheering crowd made me thing "Oh, this is gonna be good." And I wasn't disappointed. I had the same reaction to this film ending as I did to Moulin Rouge - "Can we watch it again?"

Alphabetical Movie Marathon - D

Dangerous Liaisons - I think this is the coolest costume drama ever made. The sheer vengeance factor will blow you away to say nothing of the costumes, the sets, makeup, music and the joy of seeing John Malkovich and Glenn Close throw daggers at each other. Unfortunately, you've got to sit through a few scenes with Keanu Reeves trying to act his way out of a paper bag with a pair of scissors but it's worth it to get to Michelle Pfeiffer. A good film to watch when you're really really pissed at someone.

Dead Again - Full disclosure: I'm a huge Kenneth Brannagh fan. So the fact that I love this movie shouldn't come as a shock to anyone. I kinda believe in the possibility of reincarnation so I'm very willing to just go along with the plot, which is pretty complicated. Just love the scenes with Robin Williams "Fcukin' knife her, man. Do her before she does you!" And the clothes. Good low key thriller for the person who doesn't like horror movies.

Desperately Seeking Susan - Isn't it amazing how fashions come full circle? I saw shoulder pads in the mall the other day. This is the ultimate fantasy for every uptight housewife - follow a cool girl, get amnesia, accidentally steal her identity, find a great guy and fall in love with him. And Aidan Quinn? Hello. I'd sleep on his floor anytime. Great clothes, great music. A good movie for when you're missing the 80's.

Devil Wears Prada - Another great fashiom movie. And who doesn't love Anne Hathaway? I don't have much to say about this movie. I got it for free left over at our bar from an event that we arrived after. Fun to watch when you're in the sassy fashion mood, though.

Unemployment Update

Holy crap, it's been a month since I've posted! Amazing how time flies when you're completely bored and miserable and broke, isn't it? OK, truth be told, I'm not totally miserable or broke but I'm definitely getting there. And no, I don't have a job yet please stop asking for crap sake.

So, I know I said this would be an update but there's not really that much to update on. Still looking for a job and still not finding one. Actually, I kinda feel like I've given up finding a job the traditional way. I've applied for over 150 jobs through Monster and CareerBuilder and not getting any responses. I'm still at the flower shop and enjoying it especially now that the Christmas decorations are coming out. They really do it up big in the entire store so it's really easy to get in the spirit even before Halloween/Thanksgiving. Have applied at the perfume counter's competitor (at the same mall) and have an interview on Monday. We'll see if they pay more than $7.75/hour or not. Might not even be worth it.

Alphabetical Movie Marathon - C3

I've been a little remiss in writing so I'll try to catch up a bit.

Chocolat - Do not watch this movie if you're on a diet. It will just make you want to eat chocolate, make chocolate, smear chocolate all over yourself. And Johnny Depp. I'm not sure that I like the changes they made in plot from the book but I enjoy it just the same.

Chorus Line - So classic. Such a great musical. Rare is the musical that doesn't have a star or a main character. Much beloved.

Clue - Communism is just a red herring. Love the triple ending options. I always watch them all in a row as the last one is really the only one that makes sense.

The Color Purple - I still have a hard time believing that this is Steven Spielberg. From Jaws to this is really an amazing show of flexibility.

Company - Can I just eat Raul Esparza for lunch? I find this a fabulous stage production to watch in the place where I am right now. Bobby's realizations about his life and where it's going as far as relationships is really illustrative for me. "Sorry, Grateful" is my favorite song other than the finale. So lovely to see him in Pushing Daisies.

Alphabetical Movie Marathon - C2

Casino Royalle - Sorry to all the James Bond fans out there but I just couldn't watch this movie. I waited through the first 15 minutes or so and decided to turn it off. There was nothing but running after shooting after fighting - on and on and on and no clue about the plot or anything. I'll just wait until I get to the Ts and can watch The Thomas Crowne Affair.

Cast Away - I have a friend who cannot watch this movie. She's terrified to fly in the first place and watching the plane crash in this film would just put her over the edge. It really is a terrifying scene and what he has to go through to survive and eventually escape the island makes you change your mind about the romantic notion of being stranded on a desert island. I see many similarities between this film and American Beauty. Both are about men just lost in their lives and not being aware of what they're doing. It takes a major event to wake them up. I just love the scene at the end where he is literally at a crossroads and has the opportunity to decide how he wants the rest of his life to turn out. How many of us really get that chance?

Chicago - Another movie musical. Some people didn't like the scenes and dialogue being added to this film but I never really liked how the stage presentation just jumped from song to song without connecting them. I continue to be impressed by Renee Zelwiger's talent and was glad to see Gere and Zeta Jones singing and dancing. I remember when I heard that Queen Latifa was going to play Mama Morton and thinking "Of course! Who could play it better." I just can't believe there haven't been more musicals or serious mainstream roles for her. I would pay to see them. Very pissed, though, that they cut the "Class" song.

Alphabetical Movie Marathon - C1

Cabaret: I know this musical like the back of my hand having stage managed it a few years ago and I'm surprised to realize how much dialogue they added/changed in the movie from the original production. I don't think it's necessarily bad, though. It seems rather normal when transitioning a musical to film so I guess it makes sense. I love how daring a commentary on society this movie is, and I wish more filmmakers had the courage to do that these days. How many films do you know deal with prejudice, abortion, sexuality, homosexuality, war, etc., and do it in a way that is so entertaining? And Liza is . . . well, Liza. So fabulous and dark and emotionally raw.

Caddyshack: Do I really even need to say anything about this film? It's just so classic that nothing I could say would do it justice.

CAMP: This is the experience I wish I would have had as a highschooler. I would have loved to go to theater camp. The plot is really lacking and filled with holes you could drive a truck through but it's just so sincere and lovely and nerdy. I can't resist. The pain of being a nerd and being completely outcast at home and finding a place where everyone understands and has the same heroes is something that every non-cool person yearns for. Ad a cameo appearace by the greatest living musical creator of our time, Steven Sondheim and well, you've got a pretty damn good movie in my humble opinion. Great soundtrack. Seeing a 16 year old sing "Ladies Who Lunch" though is just wrong in so many ways. But very All About Eve.

Alphabetical Movie Marathon B6

Buffy, The Vampire Slayer - This is a little Season One preview disk that I got for free. It only contains Episodes 1 & 2. I'm not sure why I don't own the whole series. It's so fabulous. I love that Buffy is such a strong female character who doesn't have to surrender her feminity to be so. She's blond and skinny and sexy but also strong, smart and courageous. And has great fashion sense and good friends behind her. We should all be so lucky. And David Boreanaz is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, in my opinion.

Bull Durham - Best sports movie ever. Bar none. And the thing that sets it apart is that it has nothing to do with winning. It's about the relationships built through the love of baseball and the search for life meaning in the sport. And Susan Sarandon is amazing. A goddess! And I don't use that term lightly, my friends. She is the woman we all aspire to be. Uber sexy, in control, wise, gorgeous and not afraid to ask for what she wants. (Susan herself and her character, just to be clear.) I'm really starting to see a theme here in the strong female character category.

Alphabetical Movie Marathon B5

Braveheart - I used to love this movie. Then Mel Gibson went crazy and became a hypocrite. Just cannot enjoy it so much anymore. I will say that I love how dirty this movie is. There is mud and rain and dirty faces everywhere. And not the kind of dirty faces created by the costume department. But, yeah, then good ol' Mel went and preached the uber-Catholicism but somehow thought it was OK to divorce his wife for a new young chippy so, I just can't enjoy his work now. Maybe someday, like Whitney Houston, he'll find a middle ground and come back to us. Oh, but I forgot about Angus Macfadyen. Hmmm. He's really yummy. Maybe I'll just fast forward to his scenes.

Bridget Jones's Diary - Colin Firth and Hugh Grant - what more could a girl want? This film is so fun to watch. I'll bet I've seen it at least 25 times. The non-skinny, single girl who says and does stupid things . . . wait. . . that's me! Well, I never slept with my boss (and never really wanted to since most of them were either women or gay) but the other stuff is pretty close. I love thinking that I someday may be with a man as good looking, successful and socially conscious as Mark Darcy. I also hope to someday quit my job in such a glorious fashion. Someday a lovely man will say to me "I like you, very much. Just as you are." Not thinner, not cleverer, with slightly bigger breasts and a slightly smaller nose. And the Jane Austen tie-in is just too good to resist. I wonder how much of the current blogging trend is attributable to Bridget's diary.

Some choice quotes:

"Every time I see you, you seem to go out of your
way to make me feel like a complete idiot. And you really needn't
bother. I already look like an idiot most of the time anyway."

"After all, it's only a diary. Everyone knows that diaries are just full of crap."

"F*ck me, I love Keats."

"I will not be defeated by an bad man and an American stick insect. Instead, I choose Vodka. And Chaka Kahn."