Yee-haw!

Rodeo tonight!  I'm excited.  It is opening night and we are seeing George Strait.  George has had more number one hits than any other artist in any other genre.  He is right behind the Bush family when it comes to who would be the King of Texas.  Katie, Rob, Sarah and I are going,  It's going to be fun.  I've never been on opening night and I've yet to see the man.  Pictures to follow..

The Future

In general I get two reactions when I tell people what I want to do with my life.  I find both interesting.It always starts out the same.  Someone asks me what my future plans are and I share that I’m going to get my Masters and I’d like to be  college Professor.  They always ask what I want to teach and when I tell them (Public Speaking) they either react with delight or disgust.  Of course, the reaction has nothing to do with my chosen career path, but more with the individual’s feelings on public speaking. 

Right after I finish my, ‘yes I really enjoy public speaking and I think teaching it could impact so many lives as it is such an essential life skill,’ I follow up with how I’d ultimately like to be barefoot, pregnant and cooking my man a meal. 

This is the point in which I get one of two reactions.  Sometimes I have the person who lights up with joy and expresses how great that would be for me.  Then there is the person who is so disappointed by my ‘obvious’ lack of personal ambition that they are forced to convince them self that I’ll grow out of the grotesque ‘phase’ of wanting to throw my life away.

I’ve learned to graciously accept both reactions to my hopes and dreams.  For some reason, when it comes from someone in my own generation (usually it is a guy I am interested in or that I’m on a date with) it cuts a little deeper.  It makes me sad to know that my generation has no concept of what it takes to properly raise children and care for a family.  I guess I should be a little thankful as it has made weeding out who I do and don’t want to be in a relationship with easier. 

Ultimately I’m proud of what my plans are.  I truly feel that God has prepared me to do things that I enjoy doing.  Or perhaps I enjoy doing those things because of how God has gifted me.  He gives me the confidence to continue to accept both of the reactions to my hopes and dreams without fear of doubting my own personal abilities.  He’s got a plan for me…I’ve just got to keep living it. 

Dimitri’s 21st Birthday Party

Everyone ate and drank too much.  We danced, laughed and smoked cigars.  The cops only showed up once…and there was only one arrest.  Another successful Wysocki party was had.

Vexed and Glorious as Ever

"and nothings what it seems anymore
nothings what it seems anymore
my life aint what it seems
living out tired dreams
where nothings what it seems anymore"
                    -Kenna

Boy can I relate to that.  For some reason that just stuck out tonight.  This album speaks to my soul.  I love it.

There were trail riders coming into town today.  It's so strange to live in the fourth largest city in the USofA and be stuck in traffic because of all the horses and chuckwagons using the freeway.  I love it.    Rodeo kicks off on Saturday with the big cook off.  I can already tell that it is going to be a fabulous Rodeo season.

I think I'm too materialistic.  Today I realized how intensely heartbroken I'd be if something were to happen to my iPod.  Is that materialistic?  I mean, I'm not just into the iPod for the sake of being into it.  Music is so important to my daily sanity.  Like the engraving on my iPod states, Musicus est vitae essential.  (Or…for those of you who don't read Latin, "Music is the essence of life.")

In other news, I'm thinking of making The Man Blog entirely private.  I only write there about once a month and I get all sorts of strange e-mails because of it.  (Yet still no marriage proposal!)    I've yet to decide if I really want to world to have access to 105 Ways I'll Express My Love to my Husband and Qualities My Man Must Have.

I get to put together a bunch of Ikea furniture tomorrow.  Oh joy!  I love trying to assemble things in Swedish.

Brokeback Mountain

So I did it.  I finally went and saw Brokeback Mountain.  My mother and I went to see it Friday night.  I make a point every year to see every film up for Picture of the Year.  Like I said in a text to a friend, "What says Friday night like gay cowboy lovin'?"  Honestly, I was willing to give this film a chance.  I think that people of my generation are much more open to this film.  Regardless of your own personal convictions on homosexuality, my generation is much more immersed in the the homosexual culture than the baby boomer generation. 

I'm going to go through each of the Academy Award nominations that Brokeback Mountain received and comment on why the film should or shouldn't win.

Best Actor – Heath Ledger
I can't believe they are even calling what he did acting.  He had two facial expressions through the entire film.  1.) Constipated.  2.) Angry.  That was it.  The film had a few emotional moments where he could have snuck some acting in, but he chose not to.  Plus he pretty much mumbled most of his lines.  I laughed as the guy in front of me kept turning to his wife and saying, "What'd he say?!"  The award for Best Actor should go to Eric Bana for Munich, but he wasn't even nominated. 

Best Supporting Actor – Jake Gyllenhaal
Though I'm one of the few people in the world who didn't like Donnie Darko, I think that Jake is a pretty good actor.  Anyone who disagrees with this can go see Jarhead.  Brokeback Mountain did not offer him the opportunity to flex his acting muscles.  The highlight of his role for me is when he 'aged' and grew a nice pornstache.  I laughed out loud when he came on screen.  It was that good.  The award for best supporting actor should go to Paul Giamatti.  He is fabulously talented and underrated.

Best Supporting Actress – Michelle Williams
Michelle was great in this film.  Her acting was right on, even if the writer of the script decided she would be another irritating female.  I was seriously impressed.  I haven't seen her much since the Creek (As in Dawson's) and I look forward to seeing what she brings to the screen in the future.  The award for best supporting actress should go to Amy Adams for Junebug.

Cinematography
Brokeback Mountain should win this award.  The film was beautiful without being over the top. It was well done.  It complimented this film.  (And trust me…the film needed complimenting.)

Best Directing – Ang Lee
I still have no idea why this man is a respected director.  I've seen many of his films and I've yet to enjoy any of them.  I do not know who should win as I have not seen all the films in this category.

Best Original Score
I love movie scores.  A score should mix well with the film.  This one made the film seem so much longer.  Seriously…it was painful.  It sucked. 

Best Adapted Screenplay
No way.  It should go to Munich.  The book was good and they did a great job taking it to film.

Best Picture
Psh!  This movie sucked.  It should go to Capote or Munich.

Overall I just felt this film was long and dragged out.  I know they wanted us to feel for these two cowboys who fell in love, but there wasn't any love there.  They clearly showed that all these cowboys wanted was some gay sex.  There was no passion in their romance or deep talks.  It was just sex….and nothing more.  If I was a member of the gay community, I would be upset about this.  Unless that is what homosexual relationships are like. 

It has been a good while since I've seen a film where I was checking the time every five minutes and wishing it would end.  I don't understand all the buzz over this film.  I wish someone would explain it to me.

Most important of all, I'm sad that I didn't take my brother to this when he thought it was just a cowboy movie and didn't know about the gay twist.  Yeah, that would have been fun.

Attn: Housemates

Katie, Sarah and Shani.  I promise never to do this.  Ever.

Man 'killed roommate over toilet paper'…

Love you guys!

My Saturday Night

Got dressed up. Left with Rob. Stopped at Rob’s apartment. Text messaged. Headed towards downtown. Missed the bank. Headed up Washington. Stopped at an ATM. Found a kick ass parking space. Went to the Flying Saucer. Met a Goddess. Drank beer. Watched the NBA Allstar Festivities. Drank girly beer. Watched the Slam Dunk Contest. Drank Frambozen. Made the decision to buy Frambozen the next time I buy beer. Walked down Main Street. Saw lots of police officers and partygoers. Bought Metro Rail ticket. Froze. Jumped up and down because I was excited about my first time on the rail. Got on the rail. Watched downtown fly by. Chatted with Rob. Was informed that the Downtown Transit Center was not where I ever want to get off the rail. Realized that Rob and I were wearing the same color blazers as a male stranger commented on how cute our matching jackets were. Smiled because Texans are friendly. Hopped off the rail in the Medical Center. Tried to get a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Groaned in disappointment as we saw that Starbucks was closed. Walked around the corner to see if the Sushi place was open. Kept walking so Rob could pee at the corner of Dryden and Fannin. I was his Goose. Walked back up through the Medical Center. Tried to look at this awesome fountain tucked back in the middle of all these medical buildings. Realized fountain was turned off for repair. Saw where Rob used to work. Walked by TWU building. Thought of Nikki. Walked a few blocks back up to the rail station. Froze my freaking butt off! Twice. Got on crowded rail. Rode the rail back to downtown. Got off rail. Still cold outside. Appreciated the buzz of Downtown. Kicked a beer bottle. Decided we are the new New Orleans. Smiled because I love Texas. Walked through traffic. Found our car. Drove through traffic. Went speeding down the Allen Parkway. Went down a sketchy dark alley. Stopped at IHOP. Saw 15 cops all eating together. Ate Omelet. Discussed the complexities of Ketchup. Rob confirmed that Ketchup was easily the most underrated condiment. Ate Pancakes. Sent Sarah text telling her how good IHOP is. Laughed more with Rob. Chatted with IHOP Manager who said I was a happy person who laughed a lot. Got back in car. Headed towards home. Rocked out to Wilco. Stopped at Whataburger. Got home. Had Rob call Sarah. Greeted her at her window in Repunzel-esque manner. Told her we brought her Whataburger. Headed upstairs. Made Sarah a happy girl by handing her Dr. Pepper and a Chicken Strip Honey BBQ Sandwich. Watched funny GI Joe videos. Took off boots. Decided I was tired. Said goodnight to Rob and made him turn off the lights downstairs as he left. Uploaded pictures from my camera. E-mailed. Wrote blog entry. Crashed in my bed under my quilt.

ARReSTeD DeVeLOPMeNT

I miss it so much.

Walking in a Wormy Wonderland

Lisa leaves for Texas in ten days! I’m so excited! She’s never even been here. I can’t wait to show her what Texas is all about. It is going to be a blast. In honor of her trip, and the greatest state in the USofA, she dedicated her entire post today to Texas. Go leave her a nice little “Howdy.”

Much to the chagrin of their mother (yours truly) the twins have a new favorite game. They go in the backyard, dig up as many earthworms as they can, bite them in half, and toss them on the back patio. Plus it took me a minute to realize why they were both covered in dirt and happily wagging their tails at me. They had this look on their face that said, “Look what we did, mom! All by ourselves!” As I glanced down to my feet I saw why they were so happy. Trust me…it was not fun to clean up. I put on my big hunting boots and kicked the worms back into the dirt. I guess you can say they sort of had a burial as I then kicked some dirt back over them. Why do worms keep wiggling once cut in half? Eww.

V-Day all Texas Style

Valentine's Day rocked my world.  Actually, it rocked my face off.