Today is the day we have all been waiting for! The writers strike ended just in time (convenient, no?), Jon Stewart has been laboring extensively and the stars have been overwhelmed with swag and botox.
That's right- it's the 80th Annual Academy Awards. I am so excited. I have even picked the winners (which I will share with you- yay!).
And here we go.
Best Film:
Atonement (Golden Globes; BAFTA)
Juno
Micheal Clayton
No Country for Old Men (SAG) WINNER!!
There Will Be Blood
Ok- It's tricky because for the last 3 years the winner of the sag award has won at the oscars... Thus No Country has a great shot. I really want There Will Be Blood to win. Atonement is a little too British for us Americans I think. Juno and MC are the underdogs that are just happy to be nominated.
*Guess I have to see this now! Thankfully, it will be all over HBO soon. This is great for the Coen brothers... good for them.
Best Actor:
George Clooney- Micheal Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis- There Will Be Blood (Golden Globes- drama; SAG; BAFTA) WINNER!!!
Johnny Depp- Sweeny Todd (Golden Globes- musical)
Tommy Lee Jones- In The Valley of Elah
Viggo Mortenson- Eastern Promises
This easily goes to DDL. Same story here- last 3 winners of the SAG award won the Oscar. And DDL was amazing and deserves all the awards he can get. I don't think Clooney is the award type of an actor anymore. Oscars never go to Comedy people, In the Valley of Elah is a little too small to win and Viggo was good- just not good enough.
*WooHoo! Certainly the guy I wanted! So good.
Best Actress:
Cate Blanchett- Elizabeth
Julie Christie- Away From Her (Golden Globes, SAG)
Marion Cotillard- La Mome (Golden Globes- musical, BAFTA) WINNER!!!!*
Laura Linney- The Savages
Ellen Page- Juno
Julie Christie wins. Same SAG story here too. Her odds are just too good and she's winning all the other smaller awards too. Then, if she doesn't Marion is. It would be a huge deal if Marion won since it's been years (if ever) since a foreign woman one. I'm remembering that guy from Life is Beautiful winning years ago- and it was a huge deal for him. It's not that time for her yet, so it goes to Christie. Oh and Cate is winning down below, so don't feel bad for her.
*Wow. What an emotional win! Really didn't expect her to win, but good for her! It's hard to be upset about my predictions being shot to hell when she was so happy about winning.
Supporting Actor:
Casey Affleck- The Assassination of Jesse James...
Javier Bardem- No Country for Old Men (Golden Globes, SAG; BAFTA) WINNER!!*
Philip Seymour Hoffman- Charlie Wilson's War
Hal Holbrook- Into the Wild
Tom Wikinson- Michael Clayton
Hmmm, looks good for Javier. This is actually one category that the SAG and Oscars do not line up on. But... yeah... he's going to win. I haven't seen any of these yet though.
*It did look good for Javier.
Supporting Actress:
Cate Blanchett- I'm Not There (Golden Globes)
Ruby Dee- American Gangster (SAG)
Saoirse Ronan- Atonement
Amy Ryan- Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton- Micheal Clayton (BAFTA) WINNER!!*
Ok, this is a trick on. This is a SAG/Oscar lineup for the last few years too. But I just think she's old and people are just being kind. She was good, but meh. Didn't think much her either way. This is totally going to Cate. She won't win for Elizabeth- but pretty sure it will be here. We need to feel bad for the MC people this year- lots of nods... but I think the follow-thru will be weak. There just always seems to be something edging it out in each spot. I'm sure Tilda was just swell. But how can she compete with an old lady, a girl who played bob dylan, and a child?? Oh and the child Saoirse, is the same thing. It's cute when the nominees are really old or really young.
*Apparently Tilda can compete. And she also looks like David Bowie. Androgynous. But she had a nice mix of confused and gratitude. Not real sure where this came from... but what ever.
Directing:
Paul Thomas Anderson- There Will Be Blood
Coen brothers- No Country for Old Men (Directors Guild, BAFTA) WINNER!!!*
Tony Gilroy- Micheal Clayton
Jason Reitman- Juno
Julian Schnabel- Le Scaphandre et le papillon (Golden Globes)
Ohhhh- Is it time for a foreign director? Not sure. I'm thinking the Coen Brothers. it really is going to depend on the Best Picture win. I just really loved There Will Be Blood- but I haven't seen No Country for Old Men. And I love the Coen Brothers (The Big Lebowski- anyone??), so this very well could be there moment. And well deserved I'm sure.
*Score for them!
Best Original Screenplay:
Juno (Writers Guild; BAFTA) WINNER!!!!!!!!!*
Lars and the Real Girl
Micheal Clayton
Ratatouille
The Savages
Finally a battle for MC and Juno. But after all these heavy movies this year (even the musical is about a demon barber who murders people... not real light), Juno is so fresh and quaint. Go Juno Go!
*YAY! Go Juno Go!
Best Stolen Screenplay:
Atonement
Away from Her
Le Scaphandre et le papillon (BAFTA)
No Country for Old Men (Golden Globes, Writers Guild) WINNER!!!!*
There Will Be Blood
Tricky tricky trick!!! This will follow the best picture and director. But maybe we can throw it to Atonement just to shake things up!
*Told you it would follow best picture and director!
Whew! Check back soon for my Academy Awards follow-up! Who are your picks??
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
The Girl. The Cat. The Bed. The Night. (A Short Story)
There once was a girl (some say she had awesome hair and a keen fashion sense) who had a nice queen sized bed (rumor had it that a lovely blue silk duvet was draped across the satin sheets).
She had two cats. One was aloof (we shall call him Cat #1) and often slept in a red cube bought just for him. One was extra needy (we shall call her Cat #2) and thus the problem arose.
The girl often read for a bit before bed. Sometimes it was funny excerpts from Dave Barry and sometimes it was a serious literature book to enhance her mind... the girl is getting ahead of herself.
Cat #2 liked this time. She liked it because she could play a game called "place body between book and girl's eyes." This was a game she took seriously and often found she would have to lay on the book and push the girl away repeatedly with her tiny little paws just to win the game.
Cat #1 looked up occasionally from his spot.
Finally the girl would decide to turn the lights off, soften the music and lay her head against the pink satin pillow. Cat #2 would then decide to pounce upon Cat #1 and then run down the stairs so he couldn't figure out who/what bite his ear whilest flying from the bed.
Cat #1 would retaliate. He was larger, about two times in body mass. He could make her squeal an annoying shriek before she would hiss and then run around.
Did we mention that girl has a townhouse with no dividing walls? Thus there is no place to escape any sound made in the townhouse.
Cat #2 would find her favorite toy. The ball with the bell inside! What fun! Bring a ling a ling. Trot trot trot. bring a ling a ling. Trot trot trot. (you get the idea)
Finally girl falls asleep only to wake up a few hours later because her breathing has halted. Cat #2 is laying on her face. So girl moves Cat #2 and rolls to the other side. Cat #2 follows- annoyed by being bothered.
Plop on the face. Move. Roll. Repeat.
Finally cat and girl are annoyed. Cat #2 acquiesces to laying 2 inches from girls face. This is still too close for girl. Girl discretely edges her face back 3 more inches. Cat #2 is not one to be fooled. She throws out her paw to touch girl's face.
Round 1 to Cat #2.
Girl will win. One night, Girl will win.
She had two cats. One was aloof (we shall call him Cat #1) and often slept in a red cube bought just for him. One was extra needy (we shall call her Cat #2) and thus the problem arose.
The girl often read for a bit before bed. Sometimes it was funny excerpts from Dave Barry and sometimes it was a serious literature book to enhance her mind... the girl is getting ahead of herself.
Cat #2 liked this time. She liked it because she could play a game called "place body between book and girl's eyes." This was a game she took seriously and often found she would have to lay on the book and push the girl away repeatedly with her tiny little paws just to win the game.
Cat #1 looked up occasionally from his spot.
Finally the girl would decide to turn the lights off, soften the music and lay her head against the pink satin pillow. Cat #2 would then decide to pounce upon Cat #1 and then run down the stairs so he couldn't figure out who/what bite his ear whilest flying from the bed.
Cat #1 would retaliate. He was larger, about two times in body mass. He could make her squeal an annoying shriek before she would hiss and then run around.
Did we mention that girl has a townhouse with no dividing walls? Thus there is no place to escape any sound made in the townhouse.
Cat #2 would find her favorite toy. The ball with the bell inside! What fun! Bring a ling a ling. Trot trot trot. bring a ling a ling. Trot trot trot. (you get the idea)
Finally girl falls asleep only to wake up a few hours later because her breathing has halted. Cat #2 is laying on her face. So girl moves Cat #2 and rolls to the other side. Cat #2 follows- annoyed by being bothered.
Plop on the face. Move. Roll. Repeat.
Finally cat and girl are annoyed. Cat #2 acquiesces to laying 2 inches from girls face. This is still too close for girl. Girl discretely edges her face back 3 more inches. Cat #2 is not one to be fooled. She throws out her paw to touch girl's face.
Round 1 to Cat #2.
Girl will win. One night, Girl will win.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
These are a few of my most hated things...
Well, I told you I would have reasons by Monday- I just didn't tell you which Monday. I'm tricky like that.
Some of my reasons are valid, some are mere annoyances. Let's go!
(oh, and these are more in order as I approach them during the day rather than in order of hate.)
10. The Starbucks drive-thru person. "Hello and welcome to Starbucks. I hope you are having a great morning. Would you like to try our new Slim Vanilla Latte today or maybe a piece of pumpkin loaf with only 200 calories?"
No. I do not. I would however like a moment to actually order my Venti Soy Chai. That's all. If there is anything else I will let you know myself. Not to mention I am on a time-crunch. I can never be on time. Please stop talking so I can order and hurry on to work!
9. Public bathrooms. Attention Dillards: you are only as nice as your bathrooms. You can pretend all day long you're Neimans, but as soon as I walk into the blah bathroom with limited amounts of toilet paper and possible gunk on the floor... I know you aren't. Thankfully, right by my area are the outside doors that leads to the side hall of the mall with the mall restroom. There is a lady who is always there cleaning. Always. She cleans the toilets countless times during the day, there is nice Origins soap and lotion available. The mall restroom is nicer than Dillards. This seems wrong.
And no I will not stop sneaking out the side door to use the mall restrooms. Clean your restrooms and maybe I will frequent them and stop sneaking out!
Oh, and can we please make sure there is always a place to hang my purse? And why must the doors swing in? I can't back up to allow for a door to swing in-- there is a toilet there! I try to avoid walking all over it when exiting a stall. Let the freaking doors swing out. Much easier. And please make sure that when I'm sitting, the toilet paper dispenser is not in my face. I do not find that enjoyable.
I guess this is going to be too long for one post. I'll post soon (maybe tomorrow!) with a few more that are a little more intense. Enjoy!
Some of my reasons are valid, some are mere annoyances. Let's go!
(oh, and these are more in order as I approach them during the day rather than in order of hate.)
10. The Starbucks drive-thru person. "Hello and welcome to Starbucks. I hope you are having a great morning. Would you like to try our new Slim Vanilla Latte today or maybe a piece of pumpkin loaf with only 200 calories?"
No. I do not. I would however like a moment to actually order my Venti Soy Chai. That's all. If there is anything else I will let you know myself. Not to mention I am on a time-crunch. I can never be on time. Please stop talking so I can order and hurry on to work!
9. Public bathrooms. Attention Dillards: you are only as nice as your bathrooms. You can pretend all day long you're Neimans, but as soon as I walk into the blah bathroom with limited amounts of toilet paper and possible gunk on the floor... I know you aren't. Thankfully, right by my area are the outside doors that leads to the side hall of the mall with the mall restroom. There is a lady who is always there cleaning. Always. She cleans the toilets countless times during the day, there is nice Origins soap and lotion available. The mall restroom is nicer than Dillards. This seems wrong.
And no I will not stop sneaking out the side door to use the mall restrooms. Clean your restrooms and maybe I will frequent them and stop sneaking out!
Oh, and can we please make sure there is always a place to hang my purse? And why must the doors swing in? I can't back up to allow for a door to swing in-- there is a toilet there! I try to avoid walking all over it when exiting a stall. Let the freaking doors swing out. Much easier. And please make sure that when I'm sitting, the toilet paper dispenser is not in my face. I do not find that enjoyable.
I guess this is going to be too long for one post. I'll post soon (maybe tomorrow!) with a few more that are a little more intense. Enjoy!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Can't Say I Didn't Warn You...
...cause I did. Let it suffice to say that I have been to Fry's twice this week trying to resolve the keyboard issue, I have been to Best Buy twice to buy a cheap attachable keyboard and then to return it, been on the phone to Charter for about 40 minutes and now have a new "loaner" computer and a new wireless router.
Basically we're going strong again. And I have stuff to say.
And it's a little weird.
My friend Amber and I were talking a few months back about what if she became randomly pregnant (I refuse to say preggers.... that is not a real word and I am not in Hollywood). I decided if she was to be the next virgin mary she would have to "terminate"' the baby.
That's right.
Jesus has come and gone as far as we Christians are concerned. Thus this new baby must be the spawn of Satan. Only logical place for a random baby to come from. And the termination would be a sad thing only for the following reason: the baby/spawn of Satan would be amazingly beautiful.
Why would Satan send an ugly baby into the world? What would he gain from that? Nothing. But if he had a baby that was amazingly beautiful- I'd follow it.
And what about you Jews out there who only think Jesus was super nice? Well why would God choose Amber? She's a nice Gentile girl. Can't come from her.
So, in conclusion- if you find yourself pregnant from an immaculate conception... do the world a favor and get rid of Satan's beautiful baby.
(Told you this a strange thought- but it really was what I've been thinking of recently)
Basically we're going strong again. And I have stuff to say.
And it's a little weird.
My friend Amber and I were talking a few months back about what if she became randomly pregnant (I refuse to say preggers.... that is not a real word and I am not in Hollywood). I decided if she was to be the next virgin mary she would have to "terminate"' the baby.
That's right.
Jesus has come and gone as far as we Christians are concerned. Thus this new baby must be the spawn of Satan. Only logical place for a random baby to come from. And the termination would be a sad thing only for the following reason: the baby/spawn of Satan would be amazingly beautiful.
Why would Satan send an ugly baby into the world? What would he gain from that? Nothing. But if he had a baby that was amazingly beautiful- I'd follow it.
And what about you Jews out there who only think Jesus was super nice? Well why would God choose Amber? She's a nice Gentile girl. Can't come from her.
So, in conclusion- if you find yourself pregnant from an immaculate conception... do the world a favor and get rid of Satan's beautiful baby.
(Told you this a strange thought- but it really was what I've been thinking of recently)
Friday, January 11, 2008
Dying From the Inside Out
Recently I picked up my laptop to do some research on Project Runway. This is standard- I'm in a fantasy league and need to make sure I know my stuff.
Imagine my dismay when I went to type something on a blog- only to realize my keyboard wasn't typing!
So I punched somethings hoping it was a simple issue of a funky key combination that had been pressed when a certain cat decided to walk across my laptop. I reset it. I reset it again. Nothing.
My keyboard decided to retire. Without even giving me a two-week notice... I will NOT be giving my keyboard a reference if it tries to run off to a better computer.
And so, tomorrow, I will be taking my computer to Fry's where I will remind them that I DO have the extended warranty. This means they MUST fix it. NOW.
And so, if you know any great ideas I should try- feel free to let me know before tomorrow. And expect a slight delay in my personal response back.
I would like to dedicate this post to Cliff Scott's new laptop and its functioning keyboard.
Imagine my dismay when I went to type something on a blog- only to realize my keyboard wasn't typing!
So I punched somethings hoping it was a simple issue of a funky key combination that had been pressed when a certain cat decided to walk across my laptop. I reset it. I reset it again. Nothing.
My keyboard decided to retire. Without even giving me a two-week notice... I will NOT be giving my keyboard a reference if it tries to run off to a better computer.
And so, tomorrow, I will be taking my computer to Fry's where I will remind them that I DO have the extended warranty. This means they MUST fix it. NOW.
And so, if you know any great ideas I should try- feel free to let me know before tomorrow. And expect a slight delay in my personal response back.
I would like to dedicate this post to Cliff Scott's new laptop and its functioning keyboard.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
And Here We Go Again...
For those of you just dying to know what I'm doing with the hours in my day, I plan on telling you!
Working.
At BCBG.
Full Time-ish.
Again.
But this time I am looking for a new job and everyone knows it. The District Manager wants to promote me, but I say no- I am looking for my "real job" but thanks.
So if anyone knows of a "real job" please let me know. I mean, I love hanging clothes up for 8 hours day in and day out... but I'm ready to move on.
Working.
At BCBG.
Full Time-ish.
Again.
But this time I am looking for a new job and everyone knows it. The District Manager wants to promote me, but I say no- I am looking for my "real job" but thanks.
So if anyone knows of a "real job" please let me know. I mean, I love hanging clothes up for 8 hours day in and day out... but I'm ready to move on.
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