A Few Funny Things

The face of my baby brother right after I woke him up and told him he was up for jury duty….

And posing with his papers….

My face the exact moment I sprained my ankle badly…

There were ten donuts in this box…

And she ate them all!

Popcorn and Milk Duds

So I’ve seen three movies over this weekend. A few notes (no spoilers) on the films and then two films I can’t wait to see!

Across the Universe

If you liked Big Fish or Moulin Rouge, you will probably enjoy this film as well. I loved it. The many, many different Beatles references are fabulously peppered throughout the film. There are many tiny references in dialogue that only the most hardcore Beatles fan would appreciate. The attention to detail in the film was brilliant. The costumes and sets were creative and colorful. The story seemed to lag at times. The full length song sequences and the psychedelic trip to visit “Mr. Kite” in the woods might not be for everyone. I really think only hardcore Beatles fans or people tripping on acid will really appreciate this film. Cameos by Bono and Salma Hayek were delightful. I will buy this DVD the day it comes out, but this film isn’t for everyone.

Michael Clayton

I ended up seeing this movie on a whim. I felt like seeing a movie and it was showing at the right time. George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, and Sydney Pollack couldn’t even save this film. I laughed through the last two minutes of the film…as did the person I was with. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t supposed to be a comedic scene. Let me just say this. The scene won’t be winning George Clooney an Oscar. And what is with movies trying to be like Momento? Don’t see this film.

Rendition

I had mixed feelings on this film. It is in no way a feel good film. I was in tears several times and despite wrapping up the various plot-lines, I felt empty after leaving this film. I think that was the point. There was an obvious political statement made against post 9/11 security laws. I appreciated that. The person I saw the film with did not and felt that it was more Hollywood propaganda being forced down their throat. Unlike Michael Clayton I was entertained through the entire film and I did want to find out what happened to the characters. Though subtitles historically hurt a film’s potential earning power, I loved them in this film. They added an authentic touch and without them the film would have seemed fake. I liked the movie. Not the best film I’ve ever seen but I was entertained. Plus, it didn’t suck being forced to appreciate the acting of Peter Sarsgaard or Jake Gyllenhaal.

Movies I’m looking forward to seeing?

American Gangster

 

Charlie Wilson’s War

Only 537 days left!

Yes, I’m still sick and my mono has flared up quite badly. But that is sooo boring to talk about so I think I’ll write about what has really been on my mind.

In 537 days I turn 25. I have a party every year for my birthday. Not because I think my birthday is all that important, but because I think any reason to have a party with friends is a good one. I wasn’t able to have a party for my 23^rd because I was sick. I’ve already decided to skip out on a party for my 24^th. It is all about the big 2-5.

When thinking about my party I have to think about two things. What my dream party would be and what my actual party will be. I’m working on getting Paul McCartney for the bash. He really isn’t that expensive. With taxes and travel I have to save $1007.92 a day from now until April 9, 2009. Sure, it is ambitious, but isn’t it good to set high goals for yourself? I mean, this is PAUL MCCARTNEY. $541,250.00 isn’t all that bad, is it?!

I think it is a deal. On the other hand, my parents think it is a bit excessive. So, I’m looking at other bands. I tried to get them to compromise with Billy Joel, but that didn’t go over well either. Plus, the venue my party is going to be at is down a bunch of twisty country roads. I’d hate for him to hit a tree on the way.

I guess I’ll have to focus on drinks, food and the guest list for now. The band shall remain up in the air until I get a true verdict on if I’m allowed to have Paul or not.

How long must I sing this song?

Being sick for 6 years and dealing with doctors, nurses, insurance companies and pharmacists is really starting to take a toll on me.  After 7 days of vomiting, a racing heart rate, tremors, mysterious bruises all over my body, and overall pain, I found myself in tears on a bed in the emergency room last night.  The pompous doctor walked in and without doing any kind of tests told me there was nothing wrong with me.  He almost suggested that my bruises were self inflicted and all the other symptoms were in my head. 

I told him I couldn’t keep anything down.  I had chicken brother for dinner and it came back up.  He was skeptical.  Being sick is difficult enough without fighting for everything along the way.  My body, mind, and spirit are so weary right now.  I know my family is tired of fighting this too.

I’m assuming all my symptoms are just side effects of detoxing off narcotics.  The frustrating thing is there is no information (anywhere) on the physical issues of detoxing.  All the information I’ve found wants to guide me in overcoming my cravings and not buying the drugs illegally.  Both problems that I don’t have!  I’M NOT A DRUG ADDICT!  I feel like screaming this as loud as I can.  My body has simply been on the narcotics for so long that I have a physical addiction.

How is it that doctor’s who are so quick to dose out narcotics know nothing about detoxing from them?  I find it incredibly frustrating.  If I was a doctor I’d feel inadequate not knowing how to help my patients recover from taking a drug I gave them.

Six years, nine surgeries, dozens of doctors, six hospitals, over one hundred spinal taps, multiple MRIs, CTs, x-rays, hundreds of attempts at starting IVs, four IVs in my juglar, 8 central lines, hundreds of pills and medical bills that reach in the hundreds of thousands.  (Have I gone over a million yet?  I’m not sure.)  I constantly cancel travel plans and let friends down.  I never answer my phone because I’m usually sleeping.  Like I said.  I’m just so weary.  I don’t know how much further I can push on.  Every day I wake up feeling like it is the last day I can handle being sick.  Every day God is good to me.  He sustains me and is always faithful.  And that is all that keeps me going right now. 

The Canine Kobayashi

How could someone so cute be so evil?

 

I’m hungry.  And why am I hungry?  I was up early today so I decided to go get a bagel.  I’ve been craving bagels all the time lately.  Anyway, I go get one.  I come home, set it on the counter, and run upstairs to grab the book I was going to read with my breakfast.

I come back downstairs and find Dixie wagging her tail with her big lab ears sticking out of the bag that my bagel used to be in.  I was so mad at her.  And now I’m hungry…and still mad at her.  Ugh!

I pretty much lost it on her.  She got to have a good ten minute “time out” in her room.  And just to rub it in, I sat on the floor and played with Dunhill the whole time.  The cute thing is that he came upstairs about thirty seconds after I did and was pacing at my bedroom door.  He was totally telling on her!  Dunny is so much more sensitive and emotional and would never dream of doing something that would make me that mad at him.

Dixie doesn’t need help with her weight.  She manages just fine.  But if she ever gets too thin I’ll have to keep in mind that she prefers things smothered in butter and cream cheese.  She is my trouble maker and the one who is always getting into things.  She is pure evil.  But I still love her.

There is no way Dixie doesn’t have a sore stomach.  She wolfed that bagel in under a minute.  I swear…if there was a speed eating competition for dogs, she’d be the canine Kobayashi.

How is your governmet spending your money?

FYI, the central area (offshore Louisiana primarily) offshore Gulf of Mexico federal lease sale occurs tomorrow. Bids are in. The International Oil Scout Association just released the following statistics on tomorrow’s sale:

The US government will receive appx. $600 Million in cash tomorrow from companies (just the winners on blocks bid) for the right to drill on blocks.

The average share the government will receive on these blocks if oil and gas is found is 1/6^th. That is to say 1/6^th of any oil and gas you produce on these blocks goes to the US Government.

1,428 total bids on 723 offshore tracts

73 participating companies.

Another lease sale for the eastern gulf (Alabama and Mississippi) in a few months, then another central area sale in March followed by the western gulf (Offshore Texas) sale in August. Then the whole process repeats.

Yet we need to punish the evil oil companies.

Didn’t we after all steal all the oil and gas from Iraq?

This is the single largest revenue source for the US Government.

Your welcome tax payer.