She Likes It

Happy Thanksgiving

So, Internet, I'm going to jump on the bandwagon and be happy about tomorrow. I'm pretty excited that my sister and her family will be (finally) making the trip up to Seattle to spend some quality time with me. <If you haven't visited me yet, you're surely missing out.> I will miss my mom (in Fresno) and dad (in Boulder City) but maybe once they move to Portland I'll see them more regularly.

Oh yes, I have a ton to be thankful for. I bitch a lot, but I have to say that I have quite a fantastic life out here in Seattle. I live in a place that makes me happy just by walking out my door. I have a simple life that affords me good food and good drink. I have two bosses that are the best ever. I mean, I never wanted to have the job title I have, but I really can't imagine laughing about the poop on my desk sincerely with anyone else. And most importantly, I have my family who I adore and have managed to make and keep the best friends ever.

Because everything is so great, I assume you'll forgive me the sappiness.

Happy Thanksgiving, people. Love you! C

I wouldn't say I've been missing it, Bob.

Is there anyone out there that doesn't love Television Without Pity? Well, okay, except those freaks who don't like television at all, is there anyone out there who doesn't like TWOP? That site is fabulous. I tried once to read some of the copy-cats and while they were entertaining, they were nothing like the full-on 14+-page recap of an hour's worth of TV. I even read their recaps of shows I'd never watch EVER, such as Seventh Heaven. Okay, maybe I watched it once, but not ever again! I swear.

So today I was reading awesome Jacob's recap of last week's Battlestar Galactica (yes, I'm a dork) when I came across this gem, "everything that happens has the immediacy and the viscerality of life, and none of the follow-through of fiction." I had to immediately cut and paste.

You see, it's a semi-sickening, somewhat endearing fact that every single time Beard Boy and I watch a movie, and we do watch a lot of movies, thanks Netflix!, regardless of genre or artistic merit, we end up having the exact same discussion. No matter where we start the discussion off, we could be talking about something as mundane as what other movies a particular actor was in, but somehow we always end up with me arguing for realism and him arguing for storytelling principles. We do try to vary it a bit by citing different examples and applying it to different movies, but really, this is The Discussion. I wonder what that means about us? Heh. Heh.

For example, after viewing High Tension a week or so ago, we both started off by ranting and raving about the bull-fucking-shit ending the director, Alexandre Aja, pulled on us. Let me tell you, we were PISSED, PO-ed, hacked off, aaangry. We spent a good half hour, maybe more, bitching about what an utter disappointment that movie was and finally came to the conclusion that nothing is quite so upsetting in the movie watching realm than to have such a well-made, extremely promising movie wait until 4/5ths of the way through and then just turn around and take a dump in your DVD player with some made-up, cheating, stupid-ass ending. Seriously. Did I mention PISSED? Which doesn't bode well for that new Hills Have Eyes movie does it? Anyway. We were having said big frenzied discussion about how hard it is to make a good horror/slasher flick and what people do to make them terrible and blah de blah when of course I strayed into the its-got-to-be-something-the-viewer-can-relate-to realm and BAM we were off. Again with my, it's better when it's more true to life and screw the neat little bows and always with his the characters have to make some sort of arc for me to be invested. Clearly an argument that will never be settled between us. But it's good, it's nice that we don't agree on everything because how can you have discussions with a person everyday when all you say is, "Wow. I totally agree. Next?" Bor-ing.

Yes, I'm glad we discuss. In fact, just last night we had a great conversation going that ended so beautifully.

BB: "If that were true, then a person with an IQ of 40 could become president."

<pause>

Me: "Aha! Slam dunk!"

Point? Nah, not today. I'm too excited about going home tonight (Friday night, I might add), ordering a pizza and watching the season finale of Battlestar. You know, I don't think I've been this in love with a TV show since 7th He21 Jump Street.

Ha! I've just outed myself as a geek AND old. Good one, Peter.

Illustration from Gaping Void.

Maybe I should have said brain surgery

Yesterday when I wrote, "it's not rocket science," I was reminded of another time I said that same thing:

A couple of summers ago, I was visiting Em in DC and we were heading out to the driving range for some hilarious golfing practice. Her boyfriend (fiance! now) wasn't going with us, but was staying home to study.

I said to Em, "He shouldn't study so much. He should come out and have fun with us. I mean, it's not rocket science!"

To which she replied, "Actually, it is."

Ha! I'm such a dork. I should get new phrases.

In other Em news, I was just emailing her about my life and its goings ons. Her response? "To quote Yoda: 'Do or do not. There is no try.'" I love it that my friends are nerds just like me.

Image via Animals have problems too, of which this example isn't nearly the awesomest, but it fit my post quite nicely - so go there, be amused.

Personal Note to Beard Boy

or anyone else who may have designs on my heart/mind/body.

Valentine's Day is coming up.

Oh yes, I can be purchased. But don't tell my Mom, she'll be disappointed.

Actual anniversary

To continue the theme or something like that, last year on this day, Beard Boy and I were hiking in Northern California:

And then we got in the car and drove to Portland, OR for the night.  More pictures in my photo album over there -->

I don't want no stinkin' ring

or Why Beard Boy and I won't break-up for a long while.

You know that fairy tale Cinderella? I always thought that was the very best story ever because in the end Prince Charming gets the girl by bringing her a shoe. Not some silly people-died-in-the-mines-for-this shiny hunk of rock that serves no purpose, but a shoe. A shoe! Sure some shoe makers probably employ poor sweatshop kids in third world countries, but Fluevog doesn't and shoes? They serve a purpose. Shoes are needed for foot protection. Shoes are needed by me!

Last year for my birthday, Beard Boy bought me these absolutely, positively fabulous shoes that I had been coveting forEVER. I'm not usually very materialistic but these shoes, oh these shoes, I wanted with my very being. They might have been designed by God and they're Satan resistant. No really they are. So, when he bought them for me, I melted. These shoes won my heart. I'm wearing them today and the shine still hasn't faded. They rock. Thus, no break up, even if he doesn't want to get me a real puppy, even if he hogs the bed, even if he wanted to.

Meanwhile, today, John Fluevog, designer of said shoes of love, was in town visiting his Seattle store. I trekked down there. Okay, maybe not trekked, it was 7 blocks. But anyway, I entered the store and was greeted by the genius designer himself and was super star-struck. Of course. He complimented my shoes and introduced me to some new designs himself. Oh Lord, I almost blew my Christmas wad right then and there. I saw at least three pairs of shoes and another pair of boots that I want with all my little grinchy heart. I tried them all on with my Wicked Witch of the West socks (cue theme song) and they still were fucking awesome. Damn I love Fluevog shoes. I was this close to not giving any gifts this year to anyone but myself and also not visiting my family in Vegas for Christmas.

Which is crazy because like I said before, I'm not a fashion hound and hate shopping and generally eschew all things girlie, but hot damn, shoes get me all het up.

I might need an intervention.