Maintaining

It's Wednesday. Happy Hump Day. I really have no idea what Hump Day is supposed to mean. I guess it means we are over the hump and the worst is over, it's all down hill from here. Somehow I just can't get the image out of my head that somewhere there are a bunch of dogs getting their jollies off every Wednesday afternoon.

The week is going much better than expected so far. I am under no illusions that it will remain so though. There has only been one hiccup so far, and it is part of the endless problem of the officers I work for having no idea what it is I need to do to make stuff happen for them. Yes, I can beg, plead, and offer my first born in order to get things done to the powers that be 400 miles away, but as of this date I have not been issued a magic spell that will allow me to pull legal documents out of my butt without the proper information to complete it, let alone have it ready by next morning. Sad, but true. My tiara may be slightly tarnished after this week, and a little less glittery, but them's the breaks.

In the candle shop news, I had a kickin' sales day. I still love the Halloween decorations we have and will probably have to buy another tote to store the new stuff in. There is a haunted house I am dying to get that you put tea lights in. Too cute!

I know we are barely a week into August, but I'm started to plan my Halloween movie night. Since I don't really like horror films, I'm thinking Ghostbusters. Blair Witch kinda freaked me out until I hit the mute button. It suddenly became a comedy with the subtitles on.

So, what kind of Halloweenish movies do you like to watch? It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a given.

Pffbt Part 2

Doesn't it just figure.

My new toy, the DVR, had a "component malfunction" (ie, it would not correctly program TV channels) and we had to take it back.

And the store does not have any more. Not only that, they do not plan to get any more in. The next closest model costs nearly $60 more.

OK then. I'll drive around town on the off-chance that there is still one model left in one of the stores at the price I can afford, but I won't hold my breath.

Well, the toy was fun while it lasted. It'll be a few weeks before we buy another one. At least I got my wedding video taped and DSS's baby video.

In other news, my folks are coming to visit and the temperatures just dropped 30 degrees so we are hovering around freezing again. Maybe we should have all gone to their house for Easter. It's gotta be warm there than it is here.

Pfffbt

Well, ok. My new little toy is being ornery, but that's all right. I know I hold the power. Really. Otherwise that little puppy is going back in the box and back to the store.

But I don't think it'll come to that.

The toy is the new DVR I just bought. I taped my stepson's baby videos over the weekend, and I don't think he had ever seen them before. I can't imagine, but growing up, we always looked at our pictures, slides, and scrap books. Yes, my sisters and I know every blackmail picture, its precise location, and who has a copy of it.

The problem with the DVR is that I can't get all my cable channels to program. I'm sure its just a little glitch, but sheesh. I've checked all the plugs several times. I mean, I used to joke that my major in college was programming the VCR. Now I feel old. All my hard-earned technological knowledge is obsolete.

But on the plus side, the picture is crystal clear on channels 1 through 13.

Egads, but I may have to call the customer service number. *gasp*

Weird Science

(Ok, so that was as close as I could come first thing in the morning with a movie reference to a technology-oriented post.)

I love my gadgets. A lot of women prefer flowers or jewelry for birthdays and anniversaries. One year DH bought me a DVD player. I was in nirvana. Of course, I'm a movie and TV geek too, so it all ties in.

I began my college career in photojournalism, discovered I was so-not-outgoing enough to go get the who-what-when-where-whys and hows of the photos I shot. I was more of a hit-and-run photographer. "Who's that?" "I have no idea. Isn't that a great shot?"

I quickly meandered over to Telecommunications where I concentrated on Broadcasting and Media Writing. I discovered I could make stuff up with the best of them. Unfortunately, there were not a whole lot video production companies out in the middle of the corn fields I was living in and I was finding it difficult to set off for parts unknown on a hope and a prayer of finding a job.

Now you have to remember that I was in college from 1988-1992, and CDs were a fairly new thing. The You Tube and digital media craze was barely haze on the horizon. Now you can shoot and produce virtually anything anywhere. Back then I was hesitating about moving two hours away for the gritty streets of Chicago, and even then there was not a great demand for AV people outside tv stations.

Part of me thinks about what it would be like to go back to college and do my Video Production and Writing over again. Then again I like getting paid too. Maybe I'll just invest in some Photo Shop and Video Editing software for my computer and make believe I'm George Lucus again. I always wanted to edit scenes from the original trilogy to the song "Night on Bald Mountain." Pesky copyright rules.

Anywho, last night DH and I bought our latest little toy - our first DVD recorder. It's nothing fancy, I assure you. No need to track me down and break into my house. You might be tempted to bring some of your own stuff over. "Good lord, they still have a turntable. Fred, give them your MP3 player."

Our VCR has been taunting me lately. It's annoying. I can't put my finger on it, but I think it's planning a revolt. I'd better record my wedding video to DVD before it eats everything in sight.

And since DH and I are feeling old, we got ready for bed at 10:00 last night, leaving the DVR in the box. A few years ago, that never would have happened. We would have been recording infomercials at 2 AM, just to see it work. Naturally, I couldn't help myself and set the thing up this morning.

I missed breakfast and was nearly late for work. Oh well :)

Movie Review: Black Dahlia, The Gridiron Gang, Invincible & The Illusionist

I had a coupon so DH and I went nuts and rent FOUR movies. Woo-hoo!

The results were 50/50. I really didn't like the Black Dahlia. It didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. By the time the murder was solved, I didn't care and was distracted by more than one ick factor. I'd hoped it would be better.

The Gridiron Gang is the latest with the "Rock". DH likes him and I think he's entertaining to watch. The man has some white teeth. It was ok.

Invincible was with Mark Wahlberg. Despite taking place during the '70s, it was pretty good. Two football movies - can you tell it was Super Bowl weekend? And this from two not real huge football fans. Anyway, I think I'm really getting burned out on the feel-good sports movies. And according to the previews, there are at least two more coming out. Ugh.

Finally, we saw The Illusionist with Edward Norton. This was by far my favorite of the bunch. A period piece, magic, and a twist at the end? Loved it.

The Best Christmas Pagent Ever

One of my favorite Christmas specials ever. Just had to throw that out there. It's the one with Loretta Switt and the welfare kids who bring a ham for baby Jesus. I love the angel at the pagent.

I was on the Running With Quills blog a few weeks ago and the question was posed, "What are your holiday traditions?"

Since I seem to gravitate toward the humorous, I immediately joined in with the dumbest tradition I have ever started. Now that my step-son is fully aware that I am nuts, he just sits back and waits to see what I'll do next. Therefore, I have to keep doing the afore mentioned stupid thing until he is married and starts his own traditions he will live to regret.

Don't worry. My husband is fully aware of the nuttiness as well. I believe his motto is currently, "Way to go, Vern."

I got stockings for our pets.

I don't just mean for the dog. The dog is every bit as much family as the people are, although I know there are some of you out there who are shaking your heads already. Oh no, I got stockings for the guinea pig, the goldfish, and our the tropical fish. We had one for the hamster, but sadly he passed on to the big hamster ball in the sky.

At first, it was cute. Little snack sticks for the rodents and fish flakes for the fish. Ok, the guinea pig I can deal with. There are all kinds of snacks for Tiger like a salt wheel, snack sticks, flavored wood thingies, yogurt ma-bobs, etc. But the fish? Oh look. More fish flakes. Great.

Maybe I just need to buy more fish. Look! Santa brought you new friends!

I tried to "forget" the pet stockings last year. DSS busted me. How do you tell a kid his pets are undeserving of presents from Santa? Even if there is a good possibility he no longer believes in Santa, I think he gets a kick out of the fact that everyone in my family still gets presents from the big guy. Heck, we all get presents from the dogs. Oh, I wasn't supposed to buy you anything else? But I didn't. The dog got that for you. *wink wink*

Do you have any goofy traditions in your family for the holidays?

Damn it, Jim ...

(from Star Trek)

I don't know why, but that line always cracks me up. "Damn it, Jim. I'm a doctor, not an interior decorator!" (And yes, I just made that up. It wasn't in Star Trek.)

It's one of those lines that keeps popping up in conversations with my sisters. These are the same sisters who, at any given moment, will launch into a "Star Wars: Episodes IV - VI Quotefest". (deep breathing), "We're doomed!", "Governor Tarkin, I thought I recognized your foul stench.", "But Uncle Owen ...," "Beep bo Bap Bloop!", "Aauuuuuug!" (wookie-speak), "Sorry for the mess," "A little short for a Stormtrooper, aren't you?", "I care," and so on.

Dad is a huge Star Trek fan. Not Trekkie convention huge, but he holds an honest appreciation for the series. And I watched enough of it growing up that not only do I know what at Tribble is, but think the movie "Galaxy Quest" is possibly the funniest spoof movie ever.

I actually considered getting a scottish terrier just so I could name him Mr Scot and go around saying, "Aye, Cap'n!"

(And yes, I am well-aware of the differences between Star Wars and Star Trek. They just both happened to be a large part of my growing up.)

Several years ago there was this TV show called, "Two Guys, a Girl and Pizza Place," or something like that. The first season had one of my favorite TV characters of all time, played by David Ogden Stiers (Winchester from MASH). His character would channel some other famous character from a movie throughout the show. One time it was a football player, the Gipper or something. Another time he was Obi Wan from Star Wars. Cracked me up. I was devestated when he didn't return to the series.

So, do you have any quotes from movies or TV that show up from time to time in your life? Or am I the only nutcase that is so lucky? What is your favorite movie quote or favorite memory attached to a movie/TV show?

Hey, Rosalie. I think I gotta little virus.

(from I Love You To Death)

Actually not a virus, but was miserable just the same.

Every once in a while my body decides to take a little siesta, complete with Montezuma’s Revenge for whatever reason. Apparently too much stress, too little sleep and an extremely sensitive stomach was reason enough this time. Plus throw in Mother Nature’s way of saying, “Hey, you’re not PG,” and I was down for the count. I know, TMI, but I swear it’s like getting the stomach flu every month with every worst symptom. Yay me.

While I was in a moping contest yesterday with the dog for “Who is More Pathetic,” I finished reading Janet Evanovich’s “How I Write.” Excellent book, and not just for Plum maniacs such as myself who want to know every since detail of what went into writing the series of Stephanie Plum mysteries. In the back is an excellent section of resources for writers, including organizations, books and websites. As soon as I am fit to go out in public, I’m going to comb my local library to see what they’ve got from Janet's lists.

Over the weekend, my husband and I rented some movies, none of which were particularly noteworthy with the possible exception of “The Sentinel” with Michael Douglas and Kiefer Sutherland. I liked it and was pleasantly surprised. Our other selections were kinda “out there” and included “Larry the Cable Guy in Health Inspector” (DH's pick. I cannot believe someone let my stepson watch it and it wasn’t at our house), “UltraViolet” (loved the cinematography and choreography but fell asleep due to the plot) and a documentary on the Boston comedy club scene from the eighties (love Stephen Wright, but it turns out I wanted straight up comedy, not a documentary about it).

Speaking of, my favorite Stephen Wright line is, “I spilled spot remover on my dog and he disappeared.”

Followed by my next favorite, “I’m in love with my dental hygienist. I eat a box of Oreos an hour before my appointment.”

(These are paraphrased because I don’t have my source handy and the man is just too funny not to share.)

Now if you will excuse me, I need to try and suck down some more 7-Up. Cheers.

Hello, my name is Indigo Montoya ...

From the Princess Bride.

Love the movie. My sisters and I all have a copy on DVD and it is one of our "sick movies," as in we pull it out when we are sick and need a pick me up.

The LaPorte County Library was awesome while I was growing up. It had great movies and a great CD collection. (Of course, the books were great too.) That's where I first discovered The Princess Bride. I think we rented it a kazillion times before we broke down and bought it.

When our tape died (yes, it was pre-DVD), I went on a quest of sorts to find a replacement. No one had it in stock. Fewer people knew what it was. I wound up in South Bend at Media Play (about and hour away) and asked the video guy if he had it in stock. Nope. I asked if I could order it. He brought up the catalog to check. He looked at me and told me it sounded familiar and gave me a few plot points. Eureka! Someone else knew it! A co-worker came up and asked what movie we were looking for. Turns out he knew it too. Before I knew it, the two of them are acting out the poison scene with "it's one of the classic blunders" and "ha ha ha! Ha ha ha! Ha ha-- (thunk)". The two of them were laughing uproariously (it was pretty funny) and having a grand ol' time with it. One said, "That was a great movie!" The other looked back at the catalog and said, "Oh man. It's out of print." I left the store feeling like I'd just ruined both their days.

No movie, but I did get a floor show.

I hate it when they re-release a movie on DVD several times. I love the behind the scenes stuff as much as the next movie maniac, but come on. Now there is an anniversary edition of the Princess Bride that I am going to have to buy - it has extras the original doesn't. And don't get me started on the Star Wars re-re-releases. There is another ALREADY SCHEDULED for all six episodes. How many times can you kick a dead horse? I've heard of a movie making one's career, but sheesh. George Lucas, I love ya, but even I am thinking it's time to put it to bed.

Rosebud

(from Citizen Kane)

*** Spoiler Alert. If you’ve never seen Citizen Kane and plan to, stop reading now. ***

Ok, I was at a serious disadvantage by the time I first saw Citizen Kane. My minor in college was Comparative Literature – Film Studies. There had been a song out called, “The Homecoming Queen’s Got a Gun.” Not really a funny title now, but back then it was hilarious. I can’t remember the lady’s name (Judy? Stacey?) who sang it, but my sisters and I knew nearly every word. In the song, she has this conversation at the end, typical high school post-Valley girl speak (when OHMYGOD was one word), and she says, “You know? Like when in Citizen Kane you find out that Rosebud is a ----?” For YEARS my sisters and I thought she said, “slut.” Harsh, but ok. Never thought anything different. So there I am in film class, watching the movie, thinking about the song, and in the last scene we find out that his beloved Rosebud is – get this – a SLED.

WTH?

I am pretty sure that is a direct quote from my brain as I sat there, stupefied. To have your life irrevocably changed by another person is a pretty common theme. But a sled? It took me weeks to get my head around that, which was unfortunate because I am pretty sure there was a quiz later that week.

Years later I found out both of my sisters eventually saw the movie. And we all thought the same thing: WTH?

What does this have to do with my WIP? One person having a profound affect on someone’s life. With our heroine, the hero kisses her once in celebration when they were young, setting in motion a series of events that culminates with a broken engagement and a broken nose. When they meet again years later, she thinks he has ruined her for all other men. No one’s kiss had ever affected her the way his did and by golly, she doesn’t appreciate that one bit.

How do I write thee? Let me count the @#$! ways ...

Saw Psych for the first time last night. Cracked. Me. Up.

I was down with a migraine most of yesterday. Second time in 7 days. I kept thinking if I didn’t refer to it as a migraine, it wasn’t. As in just an everyday headache. Right. Nausea? Sensitivity to light? Persistent desire to hide in the dark? Girlfriend, that was a migraine. It just really stinks when the meds aren’t working. The one that did, they took off the market. Come on, I really wasn’t using my liver anyway.

Apparently, I get cluster migraines. Cluster is a good word for it, and I don’t mean headaches. Mine are triggered by hormone changes, allergies, moon phases, changes in atmospheric conditions, a different food every time, stress, and breathing. Then they start and stop with no apparent warning for about two weeks' time. I'll be minding my own business, do-be-do-be-do and then WHAM! Dear-God-who-let-the-little-man-with-the-pick-ax-into-my-head Migraine. Now who wants to be me for a day?

I am needing to get back to my manuscript. I’ve been rolling a few ideas around in my head and it’s past time to get them on paper.

Writing style: How do I write? I am a very visual person. I see mini-movies in my head. I see conversations and body language. I see entire scenes. It’s getting them down on paper that’s hard. I have one Work In Progress that is a real mess. It was written as a series of scenes, not in any particular order. A conversation would pop into my head and I would write it down. The task now is to link them all together now under the umbrella of my story. Some really great scenes have absolutely nothing to do with my plot, so off they go into my idea file. I actually have a stack of binders, accordion files and computer disks just full of miscellaneous scenes. Hopefully they will see the light of day – someday.

If I ever get this first one out, I may actually stand a chance of getting several more out pretty quickly. But it's always that first hill that's a doozie ...