I couldn't even blog yesterday afternoon, I was so upset.
When I went to pick up R. from school early yesterday (to go to the dentist where he behaved AMAZINGLY well!), I found him in the principal's office wearing his headphones and typing text from a book into his adaptive computer. The principal then accosted me about why R. was refusing to do his work in the classroom and said, "well, if he refuses to do his work, then why is he here?" I'm looking at him contentedly typing into his computer on her floor and thinking, "if he's so utterly defiant, then why is he doing his work so happily right now?" Anyway, things went downhill after that. She kept pushing me to explain exactly what R. could and could not do and why, I kept telling her to read his file to get those answers and that I had to take him to his dentist appointment and why don't we schedule a meeting to talk about these things? I felt completely ambushed. She acted like this was just the last straw, when I had been so happy earlier that his behavior had evened out and he was not hitting, etc. any other kids this week.
The good news is that through my frustration yesterday, I did what I do best which is to call everyone I can think of...which led to me talking to a behavioral consultant today at our local Children's Hospital who deals with kids on the spectrum. D. and I are meeting with her in a few weeks, and she has already promised to serve as support for his classroom teacher and resource teacher. Plus, she already has some good ideas to keep him on task in the classroom.
Also, his teacher emailed me this morning to say that he was doing so much better today, and that they had figured out that he could dictate his writing to her (or another kid) and then have R. type their writing into his computer. How creative! And a much better solution than rushing to judgement and questioning the child's placement in a public school. Mama Tiger was out in full force today and yesterday...you don't want to mess with her!
**shout out to my friend, Sheri, for the Mama Tiger reference.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Brain Freeze
Today, R.'s brain was frozen. At least, that's what he said as I was trying to get him into his day at school. I had read on another autism mom's blog (who knew there were more of us?) that sometimes these kids have a problem with white paper...it's too bright for them. So, I asked R's teacher if she could put his daily contract on colored paper rather than white. She happened to have a few copies run off on light green paper, so we used that today. Hard to tell if it was helpful or not, though, since R decided that he wasn't having anything to do with writing today...not even the date and his name.
Sigh. I left him working with his former Resource teacher (that's what they call Special Ed these days) who always had a great way of making him laugh and getting him to do things when no one else could last year. She is a miracle worker. Let's hope that she worked a miracle on R.'s frozen brain this morning.
Sigh. I left him working with his former Resource teacher (that's what they call Special Ed these days) who always had a great way of making him laugh and getting him to do things when no one else could last year. She is a miracle worker. Let's hope that she worked a miracle on R.'s frozen brain this morning.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Tuesday Sunshine
R. had a good morning...no hitting, choking others, or taking off his pants at school (yesterday's fun!)...bravo! The only wrinkle this AM was an announced fire drill. He started worrying about that the moment they announced it on the intercom first thing. I told him he had his headphones on and they would call his teacher on the intercom before the big buzz. I left with my fingers crossed. His teacher emailed me mid-morning to say that he was fine during the fire drill...no small feat. I'm really coming to love his new teacher; I think she gets it.
Oh, and R.'s new obsession (and I mean a literal obsession...he mentions it all the time) is the release of the new Lego Star Wars II video game on September 12. Their website even has a countdown clock until the big release...how nice of them to accomodate R. that way! He's taken to checking the clock online every morning and he worries that it really won't be released on Sept. 12 as they say. My mom is tapped to actually get the game for him...he asked her this weekend on the phone. She says she likes his directness. No subtleties with this kid, nosiree!
Oh, and R.'s new obsession (and I mean a literal obsession...he mentions it all the time) is the release of the new Lego Star Wars II video game on September 12. Their website even has a countdown clock until the big release...how nice of them to accomodate R. that way! He's taken to checking the clock online every morning and he worries that it really won't be released on Sept. 12 as they say. My mom is tapped to actually get the game for him...he asked her this weekend on the phone. She says she likes his directness. No subtleties with this kid, nosiree!
Monday, August 28, 2006
Monday
This morning, R. slammed into the door at school first thing. Then, he rolled up in a ball and rocked back and forth on the floor when he was supposed to be doing his work. I couldn't even get his headphones on him. Finally, as I tried to ignore what was going on, he started taking off his pants (to get my attention? because the waistband of his underwear was bothering him? I don't know). I was so angry at him...
But, I finally got him on track, got his headphones and "hug belt" on him, and got him in his seat. I left and told his teacher that at least he was being quiet and sitting in a chair. A small triumph.
Update: I went to check in on him at lunchtime. His teacher said that he had tried to take off his pants again, and I was reminded that we need to get him larger underwear (maybe that will help? He keeps complaining of "rashes," which I think are just the waistband bothering him). He had his headphones on and was reading a "Captain Underwear" book (do you see a theme emerging?) in his quiet place. He had settled down so much; I was proud of him.
His teacher was concerned that he wasn't doing any work and especially since she will start grading them soon. I told her that I wasn't concerned with grades; I would be happy just to have consistent good behavior from him. I think she thinks I'm a strange parent that way! She also asked me if I had thought about how he will deal with middle school...I couldn't tell her that I think about this all the time...way too much. Instead, I said that we take it one year at a time (one day at a time!), and we'll deal with that when it happens. She's really trying to help R., and I do appreciate it, but this is all new for her. R. and the new teacher are both on the learning curve.
As I left R. at recess (which he hates), he was contentedly reading his book with his headphones on...sitting on the stairs...doing the best he can do.
But, I finally got him on track, got his headphones and "hug belt" on him, and got him in his seat. I left and told his teacher that at least he was being quiet and sitting in a chair. A small triumph.
Update: I went to check in on him at lunchtime. His teacher said that he had tried to take off his pants again, and I was reminded that we need to get him larger underwear (maybe that will help? He keeps complaining of "rashes," which I think are just the waistband bothering him). He had his headphones on and was reading a "Captain Underwear" book (do you see a theme emerging?) in his quiet place. He had settled down so much; I was proud of him.
His teacher was concerned that he wasn't doing any work and especially since she will start grading them soon. I told her that I wasn't concerned with grades; I would be happy just to have consistent good behavior from him. I think she thinks I'm a strange parent that way! She also asked me if I had thought about how he will deal with middle school...I couldn't tell her that I think about this all the time...way too much. Instead, I said that we take it one year at a time (one day at a time!), and we'll deal with that when it happens. She's really trying to help R., and I do appreciate it, but this is all new for her. R. and the new teacher are both on the learning curve.
As I left R. at recess (which he hates), he was contentedly reading his book with his headphones on...sitting on the stairs...doing the best he can do.
Friday, August 25, 2006
He can draw, so why can't he write?
This is the question that I got from R.'s principal today. Not in so many words, but it was there underneath the surface of our conversation about her watching him draw this intricate picture of cyborgs and transformers battling the humans. In the moment, I had no answer for her. She and I have a history (thankfully, most of the bad stuff happened long ago), so I always have my guard up around her. After I left her, I thought of possible reasons why...drawing is free from expectations to produce or communicate, while writing is all about that. I'm sure R.'s anxiety level rises just thinking about writing at this point. I worry that they will take away his adaptive computer (fancy word for "laptop") and make him write. He just got the computer this week and is doing well with it. Sigh. Sometimes I think I know how R. feels--people coming at you from all sides. Sometimes I want to scream, "We're doing the best we can!" Sometimes I want to hold him like a little baby and go back to the time before we knew about all of this.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Day 9
It's 1:30pm, and I have yet to get a call from R.'s school. This is a good thing! Days 6 and 8 were bad this week, but Day 7 was fine. Let's hope Day 9 will be the day that he keeps his hands, feet, and other objects to himself. I've got an hour and a half to go (3pm is when his school lets out). Fingers crossed....
Update: YAY! Day 9 was a good one. He wore his headphones all day and did his work AND kept his hands, feet, and other objects to himself. We're celebrating tonight!
Update: YAY! Day 9 was a good one. He wore his headphones all day and did his work AND kept his hands, feet, and other objects to himself. We're celebrating tonight!
3rd Grade
R. started 3rd grade last week...I know the drill, so I met with his classroom teacher, his new Resource teacher, his new Art teacher, and the principal beforehand. Since he has been at this school since kindergarten (mid-way through that year), they know him. So, it seemed like everyone was on board. But it is so difficult to explain R. to someone who has never met him...it is an experiential thing! How can I explain how wonderful and smart he is, but how he will go on sensory overload for no apparent (to us, at least) reason and start attacking his friends? (already happened once this week). Or how he will interpret a gesture from another kid as a life-threatening event and then grab that child around the neck to stop him? (also happened this week). His new teacher is also new to the school, so the good thing is that she had no preconceived notions of R. But I could see it in her eyes when we talked...that look of "what am I getting myself into with this kid?" It is always so difficult for me to balance talking about R.'s limitations with talking about his strengths. Since his is a "hidden" disability and he is verbal, everyone assumes that he is "normal." And I want him to be "normal"...or at least functioning as normal. But I also want him to get the help that he needs when he needs it. It is such a fine line to walk...wanting him to be independent, yet knowing that he needs help.
A good example: when I took R. to get his haircut the day before school, I told the stylist that he hated the sound/feel of the electric clipper on his skin and near his ears. She chided him, "You're a big boy...you can't be scared of this!" What should I have done? Told her, "he's not scared because he's not a big boy, he's scared because it sounds like a jackhammer in his ear, you stupid idiot!" That's what I wanted to say, but instead I reassured R. that I was right there, that the buzzing sound would not last long and I held his hand throughout. I didn't want to waste my time or hers by explaining SPD to her. These are decisions I make every day when dealing with R. and the world. Soon enough, he will have to make these decisions for himself.
A good example: when I took R. to get his haircut the day before school, I told the stylist that he hated the sound/feel of the electric clipper on his skin and near his ears. She chided him, "You're a big boy...you can't be scared of this!" What should I have done? Told her, "he's not scared because he's not a big boy, he's scared because it sounds like a jackhammer in his ear, you stupid idiot!" That's what I wanted to say, but instead I reassured R. that I was right there, that the buzzing sound would not last long and I held his hand throughout. I didn't want to waste my time or hers by explaining SPD to her. These are decisions I make every day when dealing with R. and the world. Soon enough, he will have to make these decisions for himself.
A change in focus
Recently, I have decided to change the focus of this blog, and talk about one of the biggest issues that I face daily...being a mom to my eight year old son who has been diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and Pervasive Developmental Delay--Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). This change in focus was born out of desperation relating to a very commonplace event...the start of a new school year. While my older daughter looks forward to the first day of school each year with anticipation and excitement, it is something that my son, R., dreads. For him, it means having a new teacher, a new classroom, a new set of rituals, routines, and rules...all of these things upset him more than you can imagine. So, out of my own frustration to try and help him (and as a writer who deals with life's issues best by writing about them!), I decided to use my blog as a place to vent my feelings, share our successes, and connect with other families dealing with children on the autism spectrum. It will be a place for me to record the absolute joy and the weary challenges of being a parent to one of the most amazing kids ever. I look forward to sharing my journey with you.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
It's....almost May?
One of my three readers actually posted to ask why I haven't posted since February. Ack! Is it really almost May?! Looking at the calendar, I find that it is too true.
What have I been up to? Let's see...working, taking care of the kiddos, thinking about planning a wedding next year, thinking about buying a house next year, writing, worrying about not exercising, launching a new grantwriting business on the side...you know, just your typical Diva Mommy activities! D. participated in this project at Vanderbilt with Judy Chicago, which opened on April 21. If you live in Music City, go see it! It's open until May 13. His project is entitled "100 Women." If you look closely, you'll see my name and my daughter's name on the wall he painted. It's a very cool piece, and he worked so hard on it. I'm very proud of him! The picture below is of Darling Daughter at the opening listening to Judy Chicago speak. She (DD) was tired and hungry, but held it together for the sake of art.
Oh, and Steely Dan goes on tour this summer...and they're coming to Music City...yessss! I'm so there. Finally downloaded "Morph the Cat," and I like it. Of course, as I said to a friend, it would take a whole lot to make me *not* like anything by DF--he'd have to put out a record full of screeching ala Yoko Ono for me to not like it (note to self: record? Yoko Ono? you're showing your age, Diva).
What have I been up to? Let's see...working, taking care of the kiddos, thinking about planning a wedding next year, thinking about buying a house next year, writing, worrying about not exercising, launching a new grantwriting business on the side...you know, just your typical Diva Mommy activities! D. participated in this project at Vanderbilt with Judy Chicago, which opened on April 21. If you live in Music City, go see it! It's open until May 13. His project is entitled "100 Women." If you look closely, you'll see my name and my daughter's name on the wall he painted. It's a very cool piece, and he worked so hard on it. I'm very proud of him! The picture below is of Darling Daughter at the opening listening to Judy Chicago speak. She (DD) was tired and hungry, but held it together for the sake of art.
Oh, and Steely Dan goes on tour this summer...and they're coming to Music City...yessss! I'm so there. Finally downloaded "Morph the Cat," and I like it. Of course, as I said to a friend, it would take a whole lot to make me *not* like anything by DF--he'd have to put out a record full of screeching ala Yoko Ono for me to not like it (note to self: record? Yoko Ono? you're showing your age, Diva).
Monday, February 06, 2006
Tagged and Dangerous
Okay, I got tagged by yelhsacrow, so here goes:
The Rule of Four
Four jobs I've had:
1. Food Stamp Lady in Denton, TX
2. Picture ID taker at the University of Southern Mississippi (my first real job!)
3. Polymer Science grantwriter
4. 4th grade teacher
Four movies I can watch over and over:
1. Gone with the Wind
2. The Goodbye Girl
3. Bridget Jones' Diary (only the first one!)
4. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Four places I have lived:
1. McComb, MS
2. Denton, TX
3. Aberdeen, Scotland
4. Nashville, TN
Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Survivor!
2. America's Next Top Model
3. The Weather Channel (is that a show? More like a state of mind!)
4. Sex and the City
Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Stavanger, Norway
2. Washington, D.C.
3. Disney World
4. Lake Tahoe, NV/CA
Four of my favorite dishes:
1. Beans and Three from Calypso Cafe (favorite sides: bean and corn salad, corn muffins, house salad)
2. Artichoke and Spinach Lasagna
3. Fried Green Tomatoes
4. My grandmother's peach cobbler
Websites I visit daily:
1. My Yahoo
2. Celebrity Baby Blog
3. Salon.com
4. New York Times.com
Four places I would rather be right now:
1. In a cozy B&B in Scotland
2. At home reading a great book
3. Skiing in Lake Tahoe
4. Dancing around my living room with my kids
I'm not going to tag anyone else, since I don't know more bloggers. So, let the tagging stop here!
The Rule of Four
Four jobs I've had:
1. Food Stamp Lady in Denton, TX
2. Picture ID taker at the University of Southern Mississippi (my first real job!)
3. Polymer Science grantwriter
4. 4th grade teacher
Four movies I can watch over and over:
1. Gone with the Wind
2. The Goodbye Girl
3. Bridget Jones' Diary (only the first one!)
4. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Four places I have lived:
1. McComb, MS
2. Denton, TX
3. Aberdeen, Scotland
4. Nashville, TN
Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Survivor!
2. America's Next Top Model
3. The Weather Channel (is that a show? More like a state of mind!)
4. Sex and the City
Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Stavanger, Norway
2. Washington, D.C.
3. Disney World
4. Lake Tahoe, NV/CA
Four of my favorite dishes:
1. Beans and Three from Calypso Cafe (favorite sides: bean and corn salad, corn muffins, house salad)
2. Artichoke and Spinach Lasagna
3. Fried Green Tomatoes
4. My grandmother's peach cobbler
Websites I visit daily:
1. My Yahoo
2. Celebrity Baby Blog
3. Salon.com
4. New York Times.com
Four places I would rather be right now:
1. In a cozy B&B in Scotland
2. At home reading a great book
3. Skiing in Lake Tahoe
4. Dancing around my living room with my kids
I'm not going to tag anyone else, since I don't know more bloggers. So, let the tagging stop here!
Monday, January 30, 2006
Survivor...Again and Again and Again
Survivor Panama: Exile Island starts on Thursday, and not a moment too soon! This one ought to be good...4 tribes divided up by age and gender (initially, at least). Should be some other shake-ups as well, in terms of the rules. Needless to say, I can't wait! There's just so much entertainment that American Idol can provide (usually not too much after the horrible, wonderful, fugalicious audition rounds).
Friday, January 20, 2006
The post in which I eagerly anticipate Donald Fagen's new CD!
Just heard Donald Fagen's new song, H Gang, on XM Cafe yesterday and went to search for news on the new CD. It's dropping in March! Cool! Off to search for more news about the CD....
Thursday, January 19, 2006
The post in which I apologize to my 2 readers for no posts in forever and try to remember all of the movies I saw over the holidays
First, apologies to A. and K., my only two readers, for not posting in a while.
Second, I spent the majority of my time over the holidays (when kids were gone to their dad's) watching movies. Really. Oh, and eating cookies and chocolate (which explains my fervent attendance at the gym this past week). Let me see if I can remember all of the movies I saw (theater movies first):
The Squid and The Whale: from Noah Baumbach, who co-wrote the screenplay to My Life Aquatic with Wes Anderson. Great performances from Jeff Daniels (who knew?) and Laura Linney (as usual--she always brings her A-game...when is she going to get an Oscar?). Kid to watch: Owen Kline (son of Phoebe Cates and Kevin Kline)...much better than that "I see dead people" kid or the freakishly-ET-looking Dakota Fanning. Scene between him and Jeff Daniels when they are playing ping-pong is priceless, my brother.
Pride and Prejudice: Gorgeous movie with the gorgeous Keira Knightley. Oh, and Donald Sutherland and Judi Dench are in it, too. The last scene reminded me of the last scene in Sixteen Candles, though (not that there's anything wrong with that!).
Fun with Dick and Jane: Went to see this with D and his son (son's choice). I really like the new Tea Leoni wild-psychotic-mom character that she's got going (see Spanglish). And it had the best quality of a Jim Carrey movie--the fact that Jim Carrey playing Jim Carrey did not bug me to death (as he usually does).
Syriana: This movie had "Terribly Important" written all over it, but it was much like Traffic without the drugs. I like the plumper, older George Clooney. And who knew that Jeffrey Wright (see Broken Flowers) could play such a good straight man? He's my new favorite "actor who is so good, but never gets noticed" (former favorites: Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Don Cheadle, and that other guy from Boogie Nights. Basically, the whole Boogie Nights cast, but that's another post for another time).
Brokeback Mountain: Brilliant. My best movie of 2005. Here's a better review than I could ever write myself.
Memoirs of a Geisha: Beautiful to look at, delightful to hold, but if it's broken, I've been sold (a bill of goods). An entertaining book, but the movie dragged on, and on, and on. So much more could've been done with this movie.
Movies I saw on DVD or at D's house on cable:
Mystery Men: I kept saying to myself, "why did I never see this movie?" It was hilarious and had all of my favorite people in it (Ben Stiller, Jeanene Garofalo, PeeWee Herman). I liked it enough to consider it for my very-exclusive DVD collection (I think I own 10 DVDs, tops).
Liar, Liar: As you know, Jim Carrey playing Jim Carrey usually bugs me to death. But, D. insisted that we watch this movie, and it was pretty good. I do like Jim Carrey better when he is playing someone else (like in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind)
The Warriors: This was a DVD that belonged to D's teenaged son that we watched. The most remarkable thing about it was that Michael Beck (of Xanadu fame) was in it, along with James Remar (best known for his role as Richard the Rich Guy who broke Samantha's heart on Sex in the City--until she fell in love with Smith, that is. Best decision she ever made.). This movie had that gritty, late 70s, one-day-I'm-wearing-legwarmers-and-rollerskating-with-Olivia-Newton-John and-one-day-I'm- kicking-butts-and-taking-names kind of feel to it.
parts of Bad Boys 2: I never saw this whole movie, but I saw about 60% of it. Gabrielle Union is cute, Will Smith is funny (though it was bizarre imagining him as the Fresh Prince while he's shooting all of those people) didn't like all of the violence. Which is why I didn't see all of it.
Movies I saw for the second time (or umpteenth time):
Kinsey: Same reaction as before. Went on a bit too long, and Laura Linney was the best thing about the movie.
Bridget Jones' Diary: A movie I actually own on VHS. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. D and I watched this at my house the night I made him vegetable lasagna. We both laughed like we'd never seen it before.
Bottle Rocket: Owen and Luke Wilson's tour de force (directed by Wes Anderson). They will never make a movie this funny and this quirky and this heartwarming ever again. Plus, it was shot in Austin, TX and I recognize some of the location sets. Favorite line: "They'll never catch me, because I'm f***ing innocent!"
So, there you have it, folks (all 2 of you). My Life in Movies, or something like it. Kids are now back, school's in session, and I'll be lucky if I get to the theaters to see anything but Hoodwinked in the next month or so. But there's always Netflix!
Update: forgot about seeing (for the 2nd time) Love Actually (liked it just as much the 2nd time).
Second, I spent the majority of my time over the holidays (when kids were gone to their dad's) watching movies. Really. Oh, and eating cookies and chocolate (which explains my fervent attendance at the gym this past week). Let me see if I can remember all of the movies I saw (theater movies first):
The Squid and The Whale: from Noah Baumbach, who co-wrote the screenplay to My Life Aquatic with Wes Anderson. Great performances from Jeff Daniels (who knew?) and Laura Linney (as usual--she always brings her A-game...when is she going to get an Oscar?). Kid to watch: Owen Kline (son of Phoebe Cates and Kevin Kline)...much better than that "I see dead people" kid or the freakishly-ET-looking Dakota Fanning. Scene between him and Jeff Daniels when they are playing ping-pong is priceless, my brother.
Pride and Prejudice: Gorgeous movie with the gorgeous Keira Knightley. Oh, and Donald Sutherland and Judi Dench are in it, too. The last scene reminded me of the last scene in Sixteen Candles, though (not that there's anything wrong with that!).
Fun with Dick and Jane: Went to see this with D and his son (son's choice). I really like the new Tea Leoni wild-psychotic-mom character that she's got going (see Spanglish). And it had the best quality of a Jim Carrey movie--the fact that Jim Carrey playing Jim Carrey did not bug me to death (as he usually does).
Syriana: This movie had "Terribly Important" written all over it, but it was much like Traffic without the drugs. I like the plumper, older George Clooney. And who knew that Jeffrey Wright (see Broken Flowers) could play such a good straight man? He's my new favorite "actor who is so good, but never gets noticed" (former favorites: Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Don Cheadle, and that other guy from Boogie Nights. Basically, the whole Boogie Nights cast, but that's another post for another time).
Brokeback Mountain: Brilliant. My best movie of 2005. Here's a better review than I could ever write myself.
Memoirs of a Geisha: Beautiful to look at, delightful to hold, but if it's broken, I've been sold (a bill of goods). An entertaining book, but the movie dragged on, and on, and on. So much more could've been done with this movie.
Movies I saw on DVD or at D's house on cable:
Mystery Men: I kept saying to myself, "why did I never see this movie?" It was hilarious and had all of my favorite people in it (Ben Stiller, Jeanene Garofalo, PeeWee Herman). I liked it enough to consider it for my very-exclusive DVD collection (I think I own 10 DVDs, tops).
Liar, Liar: As you know, Jim Carrey playing Jim Carrey usually bugs me to death. But, D. insisted that we watch this movie, and it was pretty good. I do like Jim Carrey better when he is playing someone else (like in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind)
The Warriors: This was a DVD that belonged to D's teenaged son that we watched. The most remarkable thing about it was that Michael Beck (of Xanadu fame) was in it, along with James Remar (best known for his role as Richard the Rich Guy who broke Samantha's heart on Sex in the City--until she fell in love with Smith, that is. Best decision she ever made.). This movie had that gritty, late 70s, one-day-I'm-wearing-legwarmers-and-rollerskating-with-Olivia-Newton-John and-one-day-I'm- kicking-butts-and-taking-names kind of feel to it.
parts of Bad Boys 2: I never saw this whole movie, but I saw about 60% of it. Gabrielle Union is cute, Will Smith is funny (though it was bizarre imagining him as the Fresh Prince while he's shooting all of those people) didn't like all of the violence. Which is why I didn't see all of it.
Movies I saw for the second time (or umpteenth time):
Kinsey: Same reaction as before. Went on a bit too long, and Laura Linney was the best thing about the movie.
Bridget Jones' Diary: A movie I actually own on VHS. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. D and I watched this at my house the night I made him vegetable lasagna. We both laughed like we'd never seen it before.
Bottle Rocket: Owen and Luke Wilson's tour de force (directed by Wes Anderson). They will never make a movie this funny and this quirky and this heartwarming ever again. Plus, it was shot in Austin, TX and I recognize some of the location sets. Favorite line: "They'll never catch me, because I'm f***ing innocent!"
So, there you have it, folks (all 2 of you). My Life in Movies, or something like it. Kids are now back, school's in session, and I'll be lucky if I get to the theaters to see anything but Hoodwinked in the next month or so. But there's always Netflix!
Update: forgot about seeing (for the 2nd time) Love Actually (liked it just as much the 2nd time).
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Open the box!
My friend, K., mentioned a music website called Pandora, and I created an account today. What a cool site! And it's free (at least for now). Check it out, and let me know what you think!
(Thanks, K.!)
(Thanks, K.!)
New year
Now that all of my reality TV shows are over for the season, I'm feeling like I need to turn back to writing more about poetry, books, music...other art forms! TV is so addictive that way...visual crack or somesuch.
Anyway, my family celebrates our holiday early, so I've already gotten my presents, the tree's needles are falling, and I'm reflecting on the past year. 2005 was a good one for me...lots of life lessons learned, some harder than others. I feel blessed in so many ways, but always see room for improvement (the human condition, I suppose). One of my wishes for this next year is to try and take more time to just "be"...a difficult concept for me, at best. I'm a do-er and a move-er and find it difficult to just sit and be. But that will be my project this year...find more ways to "be."
As usual, I have a Christmas Break Movie Orgy planned...there are about 8 movies that are playing right now (or opening soon) that I want to see. I don't think I mentioned that the kids, D., and I saw The Chronicles of Narnia a few weeks back. I thought it was fabulous...the kid actors were all spot on. My kids and I have been reading the books, so it was fun to see the characters come to life on the big screen. The movie got a big thumbs up from all of us.
So, I'll post some movie reviews soon...The Squid and the Whale is the first on my list to see.
What I'm reading right now:
What I'm listening to obsessively these days:
What I'm dancing around the house to these days:
Anyway, my family celebrates our holiday early, so I've already gotten my presents, the tree's needles are falling, and I'm reflecting on the past year. 2005 was a good one for me...lots of life lessons learned, some harder than others. I feel blessed in so many ways, but always see room for improvement (the human condition, I suppose). One of my wishes for this next year is to try and take more time to just "be"...a difficult concept for me, at best. I'm a do-er and a move-er and find it difficult to just sit and be. But that will be my project this year...find more ways to "be."
As usual, I have a Christmas Break Movie Orgy planned...there are about 8 movies that are playing right now (or opening soon) that I want to see. I don't think I mentioned that the kids, D., and I saw The Chronicles of Narnia a few weeks back. I thought it was fabulous...the kid actors were all spot on. My kids and I have been reading the books, so it was fun to see the characters come to life on the big screen. The movie got a big thumbs up from all of us.
So, I'll post some movie reviews soon...The Squid and the Whale is the first on my list to see.
What I'm reading right now:
- Surrealist Love Poems, ed. Mary Ann Caws
- Elegy on Toy Piano, Dean Young
What I'm listening to obsessively these days:
What I'm dancing around the house to these days:
- "Feel Good, Inc.," Gorillaz
- "Beverly Hills," Weezer
Monday, December 12, 2005
Danni, the nice one, is the Sole Survivor!
Nice girls do finish first! At least, sometimes on Survivor. :-)
So, I was wrong about Rafe going first; it was Lydia instead. But, that made sense. Even though I really liked Lydia and really respected her game, she was definitely not a physical player. I couldn't even imagine her lasting for long at all in that final immunity challenge.
I have to say that I was a bit shocked when Danni chose Steph over Rafe in the final 2, but again, it definitely made sense for Danni (she had a much better shot at the $1 million with Steph by her side). Plus it made for a MUCH more interesting final Tribal Council, though I thought Judd would go off even more on her. I did like his "well, you'll be starving for my vote!" comment.
So, another Survivor season is over, sigh. I suppose I'll have to pick up a book and actually READ over the Xmas break now! ;-)
Shoutout to my Survivor phone buddy, JM! You rock! :-)
So, I was wrong about Rafe going first; it was Lydia instead. But, that made sense. Even though I really liked Lydia and really respected her game, she was definitely not a physical player. I couldn't even imagine her lasting for long at all in that final immunity challenge.
I have to say that I was a bit shocked when Danni chose Steph over Rafe in the final 2, but again, it definitely made sense for Danni (she had a much better shot at the $1 million with Steph by her side). Plus it made for a MUCH more interesting final Tribal Council, though I thought Judd would go off even more on her. I did like his "well, you'll be starving for my vote!" comment.
So, another Survivor season is over, sigh. I suppose I'll have to pick up a book and actually READ over the Xmas break now! ;-)
Shoutout to my Survivor phone buddy, JM! You rock! :-)
Friday, December 09, 2005
Automotive Tiki Idol!
So, Cindy thought she could break that car curse. She even turned down giving 4 cars away to her tribemates as a talisman against the car curse. She flagrantly flaunted the car curse at Tribal Council. Didn't you ever watch the Brady Bunch episode in Hawaii, Cindy? Don't you know that you can't tempt the Tiki Gods that way? The tribe has spoken...buh-bye, Cindy.
In ANTM news, the bland midwestern looking girl won. Blah, blah, blah...Kim should've won. When does American Idol start again?
At least we have the Survivor finale to look forward to on Sunday! My sentimental favorite is Danni, just because I like her. I don't think she necessarily "deserves" to win, but she is the finalist who I'd most like to go have a drink with. But, Lydia has been my pick from way back...she's a stealth player who has flown under the radar somehow even with a clear target on her back from week 2. Go, Lydia! She's the real gamer of the bunch. Rafe is like Ian from last season, but with more of a Jesus complex. Steph is just so....Steph. I loved her last season, but she's hard to even like this time around. So, my pick is Lydia (she'll get the "sympathy" vote, much like Sandra from the Pearl Islands season). I think it will be Rafe out first, then Danni, and Steph and Lydia will be in the final 2. But, we'll see what happens, my little chickadees!
PS--I just read my older post about my final 4 being Steph, Rafe, Lydia, and Gary. I was 3 for 4...whoo-hoo!
In ANTM news, the bland midwestern looking girl won. Blah, blah, blah...Kim should've won. When does American Idol start again?
At least we have the Survivor finale to look forward to on Sunday! My sentimental favorite is Danni, just because I like her. I don't think she necessarily "deserves" to win, but she is the finalist who I'd most like to go have a drink with. But, Lydia has been my pick from way back...she's a stealth player who has flown under the radar somehow even with a clear target on her back from week 2. Go, Lydia! She's the real gamer of the bunch. Rafe is like Ian from last season, but with more of a Jesus complex. Steph is just so....Steph. I loved her last season, but she's hard to even like this time around. So, my pick is Lydia (she'll get the "sympathy" vote, much like Sandra from the Pearl Islands season). I think it will be Rafe out first, then Danni, and Steph and Lydia will be in the final 2. But, we'll see what happens, my little chickadees!
PS--I just read my older post about my final 4 being Steph, Rafe, Lydia, and Gary. I was 3 for 4...whoo-hoo!
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Who's your daddy now, Judd?
Tonight's Survivor episode was the BEST this season! I love it when they blindside people, and it's even better when they blindside someone I DETEST! I had hopes that Judd was going down, but I was worried that they might be teasing us and Lydia would go home instead, but NO! Steph switched sides at the last minute and cast the deciding vote for Judd. Yahoo!
It may have been the biggest betrayal ever since Kelly/Sue from the first season. Should make for an interesting final tribal council if Steph makes it that far (which I think she just might now).
Also, we are saddened in our house by the elimination of Kim and Jayla on ANTM. We're still watching, but we aren't as excited as we were before. We're rooting for Nic now, only because we have to root for SOMEONE. Sheesh.
It may have been the biggest betrayal ever since Kelly/Sue from the first season. Should make for an interesting final tribal council if Steph makes it that far (which I think she just might now).
Also, we are saddened in our house by the elimination of Kim and Jayla on ANTM. We're still watching, but we aren't as excited as we were before. We're rooting for Nic now, only because we have to root for SOMEONE. Sheesh.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Survivor/ANTM Update
And for the reality TV fans, an update:
Ding, dong....Jamie's gone! In a bit of excellent play by the remaining Survivors, they crossed tribal lines to vote Jamie off. I love when this happens! And Bobby Jon's gone, too, so I'm doubly happy. I'm now rooting for Gary (who would've thought he'd end up being the underdog at the beginning? He seemed to have many advantages back then). And I told you that Lydia was a stealth player! Watch out for her....and for Rafe. My final four now is looking to be Lydia, Rafe, Steph, and Gary. That would be awesome! We'll see how it all plays out...
And for ANTM, ding, dong, Lisa's gone! I mean, that bit with the adult diapers? Hello? I did like her spunky attitude, but she quickly went psycho on us. We're rooting for Kim in our house...go, Kim!
Ding, dong....Jamie's gone! In a bit of excellent play by the remaining Survivors, they crossed tribal lines to vote Jamie off. I love when this happens! And Bobby Jon's gone, too, so I'm doubly happy. I'm now rooting for Gary (who would've thought he'd end up being the underdog at the beginning? He seemed to have many advantages back then). And I told you that Lydia was a stealth player! Watch out for her....and for Rafe. My final four now is looking to be Lydia, Rafe, Steph, and Gary. That would be awesome! We'll see how it all plays out...
And for ANTM, ding, dong, Lisa's gone! I mean, that bit with the adult diapers? Hello? I did like her spunky attitude, but she quickly went psycho on us. We're rooting for Kim in our house...go, Kim!
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