It's been awhile since I've posted here and it's time to get back into it. I figured I would start with some basic facts of life and then together we can go from there.
Here you will find ten things that I sometimes say out loud but definitely say to myself daily.
1. I keep my eyes open during yoga oms and I really can't be bothered with them anyway because I just spent 90 minutes sweating my ass off and all I want to do is drink water and leave.
2. Nickelback aren't as bad as everyone says. You only say they are because everyone else does.
3. It's cute when you post pictures of your babies on Facebook but when they reach let's say seven or eight years old, we just don't care anymore. Come back when you have something interesting to talk about.
4. How the hell do birds get out of the way so fast when you are about to run over them?
5. At least five times a day I think that life would just be exactly the same without me and what's the point really?
6. I kind of just judged you because of your race for a second.
7. I have no desire to go to India.
8. I seriously can't remember the names of everyone I've dated.
9. Do I really have to say how happy I am for you?
10. Why does every person seem to know which lane to get into to go the fastest? I never get it right. What am I missing? And if everyone is doing it, then shouldn't my lane be the fastest? I don't understand the logistics of this. I can't seem to visualize this. I am so bad at science. Is this even science?
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Are pretty people happy or are happy people pretty?
This is a question I ask myself often. It's usually during a time when I am down on myself for something and I decide that this would be the best and most appropriate occasion to compare myself to others.
I am not talking about celebrities here. Of course they are pretty and of course they are happy. And don't tell me that they all have their own problems too because I obviously know that but at the same time, they can afford to go to a 8 day, 7 night hydro-colon cleanse spa in Palm Springs and I can't. So they don't count.
I'm talking about the people I know that just seem to have it all together and at the same time, just look good. I have three people that I am thinking of right now in mind. These three people come from different backgrounds and have different situations (although two of them have the same job). These three people are just beautiful in my mind. They have great skin, great hair, great eyes, great bodies and more than anything, they just seem happy. And I've met these people in person. Honestly, they are happy. Like, seriously, happy. (Sidenote: I often like to go on these three people's Facebook page when I'm down as well and each time I do I tell myself "I'm deleting my page!" but then they post one thing that happened that kind of sucks and then I can feel better again.).
So my question is: Are these three people happy and healthy because they are pretty and always look good or do these people look so pretty and healthy because they are happy?
I think I am attractive but I am by NO MEANS together in any sense of the word. I drop food on my chest daily, my hair is often a mess, my glasses are smudged with grease (and for some reason I can never take the time to clean them) and I always just have this overwhelming feeling that something about myself is amiss.
That being said, when things are going well and something happens that makes me feel good about myself, I feel prettier and I think I show the world that. When I am feeling down, I think I look less pretty and just assume everyone else does too. But, when I take a picture and I know I look good, then that also makes me happy so in turn I feel better and want to do things that make me happy.
So if I just changed my thought process and worked to look good all the time with my eating and yoga and hair products and eye liner and clothes, would that in turn, make me happier? Or could I just do those things anyway, be happy and then in turn be pretty?
It's so confusing. I'm going to go eat a Lindt truffle, drop some of the chocolate inside on my white sweater and get back to you on this.
I am not talking about celebrities here. Of course they are pretty and of course they are happy. And don't tell me that they all have their own problems too because I obviously know that but at the same time, they can afford to go to a 8 day, 7 night hydro-colon cleanse spa in Palm Springs and I can't. So they don't count.
I'm talking about the people I know that just seem to have it all together and at the same time, just look good. I have three people that I am thinking of right now in mind. These three people come from different backgrounds and have different situations (although two of them have the same job). These three people are just beautiful in my mind. They have great skin, great hair, great eyes, great bodies and more than anything, they just seem happy. And I've met these people in person. Honestly, they are happy. Like, seriously, happy. (Sidenote: I often like to go on these three people's Facebook page when I'm down as well and each time I do I tell myself "I'm deleting my page!" but then they post one thing that happened that kind of sucks and then I can feel better again.).
So my question is: Are these three people happy and healthy because they are pretty and always look good or do these people look so pretty and healthy because they are happy?
I think I am attractive but I am by NO MEANS together in any sense of the word. I drop food on my chest daily, my hair is often a mess, my glasses are smudged with grease (and for some reason I can never take the time to clean them) and I always just have this overwhelming feeling that something about myself is amiss.
That being said, when things are going well and something happens that makes me feel good about myself, I feel prettier and I think I show the world that. When I am feeling down, I think I look less pretty and just assume everyone else does too. But, when I take a picture and I know I look good, then that also makes me happy so in turn I feel better and want to do things that make me happy.
So if I just changed my thought process and worked to look good all the time with my eating and yoga and hair products and eye liner and clothes, would that in turn, make me happier? Or could I just do those things anyway, be happy and then in turn be pretty?
It's so confusing. I'm going to go eat a Lindt truffle, drop some of the chocolate inside on my white sweater and get back to you on this.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Oscar and the Grouch Part? Maybe 8 or 9?
Oscar and the Grouch Part? Maybe 8 or 9?
What a great year for film; that is if you enjoy sickness, depression, war, murder, terrorism and all kinds of water disasters. Although I am not counting Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert jumping to his death in the River Seine a disaster so to speak. There are some sure things this year but I also think this could be a real year for upsets and I am not talking about Ben Affleck not getting nominated for Argo because everyone else is so I don’t need to.
So here you go. Laura’s 2012 Oscar predictions.
Best Award Night Dancing: Seth McFarland or Neil Patrick Harris. I don’t know if NPH is going to show up but he probably will and if he does, than obviously he will sing and dance.
Best Award Night Singing: Barbara Streisand. Like that is even a question. Sorry Adele. You will win for Skyfall so you will get your chance to be on stage. Maybe you will also stop being mum on the name of your baby. Honestly, it’s not a big deal. Just tell us.
Best Dressed: Still believe that Naomi Watts will play it really beautiful and simple.
Who will shake the most showing her manicure in E!’s Mani-cam: Jennifer Lawerence.
Best Movie of the Year:
There are nine in this category. Let me start with what should and will win then go from there.
Will win: Argo
Should win: Argo
Runner up for who will win: Lincoln and Silver Linings Playbook
Runner up for who should win: Django Unchained or Silver Linings Playbook
Amour: I don’t know what to say about this. The acting was stupendous by both main actors. It was only filmed in a couple of rooms but I still loved the camera angles. The writing was genuine and raw and even with it being so unbelievably slow and at times, painful not to put your head on your neighbors shoulder for a nap, there were still surprises throughout and questions at the end. It will win for best foreign film so it won’t win in this category.
Argo: Besides nominations for Alan Arkin, best screenplay and editing, which it will not win, it is the front runner in my mind and in many critics’ minds to win best picture of the year and it should be. Filled with suspense, comedy and real-life situations, it definitely had me on the edge of my seat. I know that in real life, things were a bit different and the airport scene didn’t happen like that at all but that doesn’t matter. It kind of happened and that is enough for me. And I always know a movie is good when I need to spend the next day googling everything about it. Will win.
Beasts of the Southern Wild: Let me guess. You have never heard of this movie and you haven’t seen it right? Well I have and it was a great movie filled with “nobody’ actors in Louisiana. It beautifully portrayed the love of a group of people trying to live their life on their own terms in basically the swamps of Louisiana. The movie was great because of the little actress I will call “Q”. This won’t win.
Django Unchained: I loved this movie which is not what I thought would happen. I feel like I have been annoyed with Quentin Tarantino ever since my time at Syracuse when I had to write a paper about Pulp Fiction and I got a D because I suppose I wasn’t artsy enough at the time to understand the “essence” of the film in the eyes of a want- to-be director-turned professor. That being said, this film made me laugh, made me cringe and I really enjoyed all 3 hours of it. Won’t win but I am routing for it for best original screenplay.
Les Miserables: Le Sigh. I definitely think this deserves to be in this category and I sigh only because it doesn’t stand a chance to win against a movie like Argo and Lincoln. Only 9 musicals have won in the 85 years of Oscar history and it looks like this won’t be number 10. I blame Russell Crowe. When in doubt, always blame Russell Crowe. Although Meg Ryan did that very thing and look where that got her.
Life of Pi: I think the special effects and the cinematography were amazing even though I don’t think it needed to be in 3D. Any movie that has a tiger in a starring role is good enough for me. See the movie but definitely also read the book. Will win for visual effects and most likely cinematography if Lincoln doesn’t.
Lincoln: Who doesn’t like Abraham Lincoln besides the south? Even though I fell asleep for about ten minutes at the beginning and I was a bit confused as to what exactly was going on through most of it, I do think it is an amazing film achievement. I also think it’s important to remind us all that if we didn’t have Abraham Lincoln, I do know that the country’s bird would have been changed to a duck and the new capital of the country would have been the entire state of Texas.
Silver Linings Playbook: This is by far, the best movie depiction of mental illness that I have ever seen. I should know. I plan a film festival on films about psychiatric disabilities for god’s sake. Bradley Cooper delivered such a real and raw performance about a man with bipolar. He showed us all how people with it are creative and idealistic and how much a person can suffer to just fit in the world. This film also showed how important it is to find that certain someone who can love you not in spite of it but because of who you are. And that is, in my opinion, the only reason Jennifer Lawrence and Jacki Weaver are nominated. This movie might pull the upset for best picture.
Zero Dark Thirty: Why was this movie made? If you want to see one of the best tellings of this story, you need to watch the episode of the not so well known HBO TV series, The Newsroom. I didn’t see this movie and I most likely won’t.
Movie that got screwed: I can’t really think of a movie I saw that wasn’t rightfully nominated so I’ll say Les Mis again.
Worst movie of the year: The Grey. It technically was 2011 but it deserves to be mentioned here. Magic mike comes in at a close second.
Actor in a Leading Role:
Bradley Cooper for Silver Linings Playbook: This one I get. His performance was perfect and I hope that people seeing someone as hot as Cooper playing someone with mental illness will realize that you don’t have to walk around talking to yourself and drool to be considered mentally ill. I mean come on, really we are all a little mental. He won’t win but I think we will see him win in the future.
Daniel Day-Lewis for Lincoln: It will be hard to find anyone else in this category fill his size 15 shoes for his portrayal of the 16th President of the United States. The makeup and costumes were also perfect and you really do have to take a double-take when you look at the poster because if I didn’t know any better I would think it was really him. He really does deserve this award and he will win it.
Hugh Jackman for Les Miserables: I think if it wasn’t for Daniel Day-Lewis he would win for this. He was brilliant in this role. I knew that Jackman could sing but I have never seen him play such a powerful character. And the singing was live. I can’t stress this enough. He won’t win.
Joaquin Phoenix for The Master: This was such an incredibly bad movie even though the acting was great. I am a huge Phoenix fan and I truly believe he is one of the greatest actors of my generation. I think one day we will actually see him in a role where he doesn’t play an alcoholic or a drug addict and I am looking forward to that.
Denzel Washington for Flight: Great movie and great acting. He deserves to be in this category but he won’t win. Although the end of the movie when he is in court and admits to drinking because he is an alcoholic made my jaw drop and the runts in it to fall on the floor.
Most Screwed: John Hawkes for The Sessions and Jean-Louis Trintignant for Amour.
Who will win: Daniel Day-Lewis
Who should win: Daniel Day-Lewis
Actress in a Leading Role:
Jessica Chastain for Zero Dark Thirty: If you can win an Oscar for looking incredibly hot in Ray-Ban Aviators, Chastain should definitely win in this category. Heck, I should even win in this category. Like I said before, I haven’t seen this movie and I probably won’t until it comes out on DVD and I can’t find anything else to watch and I am really bored and that is the only movie left in the Redbox at Shaws. That being said, I really do love Jessica Chastain for no other reason that what she did in the movie “The Help”, which she should have won supporting actress and didn’t. Will she win? This is a tough one. I am going to say yes.
Jennifer Lawrence in Silver Lining Playbook: Am I missing something here? I mean she was great and the movie was great but I can’t really remember leaving the theater and saying “Wow, she deserves an Oscar for that role”. It was funny and heartwarming and not everyone can pull off white leggings, but Oscar worthy it was not. I can actually see her winning more for the Hunger Games than for this. She is the front runner in most reviewers list. And she is definitely the front runner for me for the future.
Emmanuelle Riva for Amour: This. Was. The. Most. Depressing. Movie. I. Have. Ever. Seen. That being sad, she did a fantastic job in this role. It was heartbreaking and for anyone who has ever watched a loved one suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s (which thank god I have not), I can only imagine this is what it would be like. Will she win? No. But she is definitely in my top 3.
Quvenzhane Wallis for Beasts of the Southern Wild: You have never heard of her but hopefully you will in the future. She was delightful in this movie. The scene where she is helping her father as he is dying and the love she has for him even with his abuse was heartbreaking. She is the youngest ever nominated and that is an achievement all on its own. I am also just really looking forward to last year’s winner for Best Actor Jean Dujardin try to pronounce her name.
Naomi Watts in The Impossible: I sadly have not yet seen this movie but I am betting that when I do, I will say that she should win. I can’t really speak any more about it but I hope she pulls the upset. I don’t think she will though.
Most screwed: Only because reviewers are also saying this but I haven’t seen it yet is Marion Cotillard for Rust and Bone.
Who will win: Jessica Chastain
Who should win: Naomi Watts
Actor in a Supporting Role:
Alan Arkin for Argo: I remember saying after Argo that he would win an Oscar for this role. It reminded me so much of what he did in Little Miss Sunshine for which he won an Oscar. He was hilarious in delivering his lines and was such a hero of the movie. He won’t win.
Robert DeNiro for Silver Linings Playbook: I can definitely see him winning this year, if not just because the movie has all four leading characters nominated and somebody has to win. I wouldn’t be upset. For anyone who has OCD, or even just a little bit of OCD (and let’s face it who doesn’t), you can definitely understand his character. It makes you uncomfortable and upset. It seems like he worries so much more about keeping things in order than he does for his family but that is not true at all. I say he is runner-up.
Philip Seymour Hoffman: Again, just like with Joaquin, this was an awful movie. However, he was fantastic in his role (as usual). He did his fair share of sweating and mumbling like he does in every movie he is in but he commanded the screen and just completely pissed us all off. All of us besides the thousands of people in middle America who actually believe this religious shit. And John Travolta.
Tommy Lee Jones for Lincoln: Hmmmmm. He really was great in this role and he is the front-runner. So is his wig. I say he shouldn’t win only because he ALWAYS has a scowl on his face no matter what role he plays. Think about it; The Fugitive all the way to Hope Springs. I can honestly say that I still have no idea what he said in Lincoln and I couldn’t tell if he was a “good” guy or “bad” guy for the entire movie until the end when I realized he was on “our” side or should I say “the side where people don’t believe in hanging trees.” He might win but I am still going with Waltz.
Christoph Waltz for Django Unchained: I love him in this movie. He won for Inglorious Bastards as such, well I am going to say it, a bastard. I really want him to win for this again. He played the good guy. I was cracking up at every one of his scenes and I couldn’t wait to hear what he had to say next. I think he will win. I hope so.
Most Screwed: I’ll say Leonardo DiCaprio just because I love him so much. However, I will say that an award should go out to John Goodman for being the most over-used side-kick in movies this year. Let’s count them, Trouble with the Curb, Argo, Flight and even The Artist last year. Also, the soon to be Hangover 3. Yes, you heard me right. I don’t drink. This might lead me to it.
Who will win: Christoph Waltz
Who should win: Christoph Waltz or Alan Arkin
Best Supporting Actress AKA this year as Best Naked or Semi Naked Woman in a Supporting Role:
Amy Adams for the Master: Her again???? I understand Joaquin and Hoffman, but not so much her. I am getting sick of her. I’d like to see her in some sort of action movie.
Naked Scene: Naked pregnant and singing.
Sally Field for Lincoln: Don’t get it. If we are talking about roles of woman suffering from PTSD and depression, then Jennifer Lawrence, Anne Hathaway and Naomi Watts I get. But, Sally Field not so much. Don’t get me wrong, she was fine and played the role to the best that was written for her.
Naked Scene: She wasn’t. Thank god.
Anne Hathaway for Les Miserables: Yes, she will win. Yes, she deserves to win. I’ve seen the movie twice and this is still my favorite scene both times. And when she reappeared at the end, I lost it and could not hold in the tears anymore. For those of you who are going to say “but she was only in the movie for 28 minutes” let us not forget the year Judi Dench (see below) won for only being in the movie for 8 minutes. And let’s all agree that who doesn’t sing “I’ve Dreamed a Dream” every now and again especially when I work in particular the line “I had a dream my life would be so different from this hell I’m living.” Hathaway sang this song live in one take. Done. She should win. Jennifer Hudson won for her one song. Please though, I hope after she wins, she doesn’t sell herself and go make money in Weight Watchers commercials.
Naked Scene: not exactly naked but in the rape scene her emotions were raw and naked so that counts.
Helen Hunt for The Sessions: Love her and love her in this. I definitely chose her as my second pick for winning. The scene in the car when you finally realize how important her relationship was with Mark and she had to say goodbye with tears was fantastic. If it wasn’t for Hathaway, she could have won.
Naked Scene: Basically the whole movie and good for her.
Jacki Weaver for Silver Linings Playbook: I can imagine that living with a father and a son with mental illness you would have to be a little screwy yourself to deal with it and she was definitely that in this movie. She seemed kind of quiet and reserved but when it was necessary really spoke up to herself with her husband. Yeah, she was good. No she shouldn’t win.
Naked Scene: She wasn’t naked but was in pajamas in bed. Guess that counts.
Most Screwed: Cannot believe I am going to say this but Judi Dench in Skyfall. I know I give her a lot of crap for always being nominated and stuff but finally we got to see a more personal side to this woman. And we got to see her die.
Who will win: Anne Hathaway
Who should win: Anne Hathaway
And there you go. My predictions for Sunday February 24th on ABC! Enjoy the show everyone!
What a great year for film; that is if you enjoy sickness, depression, war, murder, terrorism and all kinds of water disasters. Although I am not counting Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert jumping to his death in the River Seine a disaster so to speak. There are some sure things this year but I also think this could be a real year for upsets and I am not talking about Ben Affleck not getting nominated for Argo because everyone else is so I don’t need to.
So here you go. Laura’s 2012 Oscar predictions.
Best Award Night Dancing: Seth McFarland or Neil Patrick Harris. I don’t know if NPH is going to show up but he probably will and if he does, than obviously he will sing and dance.
Best Award Night Singing: Barbara Streisand. Like that is even a question. Sorry Adele. You will win for Skyfall so you will get your chance to be on stage. Maybe you will also stop being mum on the name of your baby. Honestly, it’s not a big deal. Just tell us.
Best Dressed: Still believe that Naomi Watts will play it really beautiful and simple.
Who will shake the most showing her manicure in E!’s Mani-cam: Jennifer Lawerence.
Best Movie of the Year:
There are nine in this category. Let me start with what should and will win then go from there.
Will win: Argo
Should win: Argo
Runner up for who will win: Lincoln and Silver Linings Playbook
Runner up for who should win: Django Unchained or Silver Linings Playbook
Amour: I don’t know what to say about this. The acting was stupendous by both main actors. It was only filmed in a couple of rooms but I still loved the camera angles. The writing was genuine and raw and even with it being so unbelievably slow and at times, painful not to put your head on your neighbors shoulder for a nap, there were still surprises throughout and questions at the end. It will win for best foreign film so it won’t win in this category.
Argo: Besides nominations for Alan Arkin, best screenplay and editing, which it will not win, it is the front runner in my mind and in many critics’ minds to win best picture of the year and it should be. Filled with suspense, comedy and real-life situations, it definitely had me on the edge of my seat. I know that in real life, things were a bit different and the airport scene didn’t happen like that at all but that doesn’t matter. It kind of happened and that is enough for me. And I always know a movie is good when I need to spend the next day googling everything about it. Will win.
Beasts of the Southern Wild: Let me guess. You have never heard of this movie and you haven’t seen it right? Well I have and it was a great movie filled with “nobody’ actors in Louisiana. It beautifully portrayed the love of a group of people trying to live their life on their own terms in basically the swamps of Louisiana. The movie was great because of the little actress I will call “Q”. This won’t win.
Django Unchained: I loved this movie which is not what I thought would happen. I feel like I have been annoyed with Quentin Tarantino ever since my time at Syracuse when I had to write a paper about Pulp Fiction and I got a D because I suppose I wasn’t artsy enough at the time to understand the “essence” of the film in the eyes of a want- to-be director-turned professor. That being said, this film made me laugh, made me cringe and I really enjoyed all 3 hours of it. Won’t win but I am routing for it for best original screenplay.
Les Miserables: Le Sigh. I definitely think this deserves to be in this category and I sigh only because it doesn’t stand a chance to win against a movie like Argo and Lincoln. Only 9 musicals have won in the 85 years of Oscar history and it looks like this won’t be number 10. I blame Russell Crowe. When in doubt, always blame Russell Crowe. Although Meg Ryan did that very thing and look where that got her.
Life of Pi: I think the special effects and the cinematography were amazing even though I don’t think it needed to be in 3D. Any movie that has a tiger in a starring role is good enough for me. See the movie but definitely also read the book. Will win for visual effects and most likely cinematography if Lincoln doesn’t.
Lincoln: Who doesn’t like Abraham Lincoln besides the south? Even though I fell asleep for about ten minutes at the beginning and I was a bit confused as to what exactly was going on through most of it, I do think it is an amazing film achievement. I also think it’s important to remind us all that if we didn’t have Abraham Lincoln, I do know that the country’s bird would have been changed to a duck and the new capital of the country would have been the entire state of Texas.
Silver Linings Playbook: This is by far, the best movie depiction of mental illness that I have ever seen. I should know. I plan a film festival on films about psychiatric disabilities for god’s sake. Bradley Cooper delivered such a real and raw performance about a man with bipolar. He showed us all how people with it are creative and idealistic and how much a person can suffer to just fit in the world. This film also showed how important it is to find that certain someone who can love you not in spite of it but because of who you are. And that is, in my opinion, the only reason Jennifer Lawrence and Jacki Weaver are nominated. This movie might pull the upset for best picture.
Zero Dark Thirty: Why was this movie made? If you want to see one of the best tellings of this story, you need to watch the episode of the not so well known HBO TV series, The Newsroom. I didn’t see this movie and I most likely won’t.
Movie that got screwed: I can’t really think of a movie I saw that wasn’t rightfully nominated so I’ll say Les Mis again.
Worst movie of the year: The Grey. It technically was 2011 but it deserves to be mentioned here. Magic mike comes in at a close second.
Actor in a Leading Role:
Bradley Cooper for Silver Linings Playbook: This one I get. His performance was perfect and I hope that people seeing someone as hot as Cooper playing someone with mental illness will realize that you don’t have to walk around talking to yourself and drool to be considered mentally ill. I mean come on, really we are all a little mental. He won’t win but I think we will see him win in the future.
Daniel Day-Lewis for Lincoln: It will be hard to find anyone else in this category fill his size 15 shoes for his portrayal of the 16th President of the United States. The makeup and costumes were also perfect and you really do have to take a double-take when you look at the poster because if I didn’t know any better I would think it was really him. He really does deserve this award and he will win it.
Hugh Jackman for Les Miserables: I think if it wasn’t for Daniel Day-Lewis he would win for this. He was brilliant in this role. I knew that Jackman could sing but I have never seen him play such a powerful character. And the singing was live. I can’t stress this enough. He won’t win.
Joaquin Phoenix for The Master: This was such an incredibly bad movie even though the acting was great. I am a huge Phoenix fan and I truly believe he is one of the greatest actors of my generation. I think one day we will actually see him in a role where he doesn’t play an alcoholic or a drug addict and I am looking forward to that.
Denzel Washington for Flight: Great movie and great acting. He deserves to be in this category but he won’t win. Although the end of the movie when he is in court and admits to drinking because he is an alcoholic made my jaw drop and the runts in it to fall on the floor.
Most Screwed: John Hawkes for The Sessions and Jean-Louis Trintignant for Amour.
Who will win: Daniel Day-Lewis
Who should win: Daniel Day-Lewis
Actress in a Leading Role:
Jessica Chastain for Zero Dark Thirty: If you can win an Oscar for looking incredibly hot in Ray-Ban Aviators, Chastain should definitely win in this category. Heck, I should even win in this category. Like I said before, I haven’t seen this movie and I probably won’t until it comes out on DVD and I can’t find anything else to watch and I am really bored and that is the only movie left in the Redbox at Shaws. That being said, I really do love Jessica Chastain for no other reason that what she did in the movie “The Help”, which she should have won supporting actress and didn’t. Will she win? This is a tough one. I am going to say yes.
Jennifer Lawrence in Silver Lining Playbook: Am I missing something here? I mean she was great and the movie was great but I can’t really remember leaving the theater and saying “Wow, she deserves an Oscar for that role”. It was funny and heartwarming and not everyone can pull off white leggings, but Oscar worthy it was not. I can actually see her winning more for the Hunger Games than for this. She is the front runner in most reviewers list. And she is definitely the front runner for me for the future.
Emmanuelle Riva for Amour: This. Was. The. Most. Depressing. Movie. I. Have. Ever. Seen. That being sad, she did a fantastic job in this role. It was heartbreaking and for anyone who has ever watched a loved one suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s (which thank god I have not), I can only imagine this is what it would be like. Will she win? No. But she is definitely in my top 3.
Quvenzhane Wallis for Beasts of the Southern Wild: You have never heard of her but hopefully you will in the future. She was delightful in this movie. The scene where she is helping her father as he is dying and the love she has for him even with his abuse was heartbreaking. She is the youngest ever nominated and that is an achievement all on its own. I am also just really looking forward to last year’s winner for Best Actor Jean Dujardin try to pronounce her name.
Naomi Watts in The Impossible: I sadly have not yet seen this movie but I am betting that when I do, I will say that she should win. I can’t really speak any more about it but I hope she pulls the upset. I don’t think she will though.
Most screwed: Only because reviewers are also saying this but I haven’t seen it yet is Marion Cotillard for Rust and Bone.
Who will win: Jessica Chastain
Who should win: Naomi Watts
Actor in a Supporting Role:
Alan Arkin for Argo: I remember saying after Argo that he would win an Oscar for this role. It reminded me so much of what he did in Little Miss Sunshine for which he won an Oscar. He was hilarious in delivering his lines and was such a hero of the movie. He won’t win.
Robert DeNiro for Silver Linings Playbook: I can definitely see him winning this year, if not just because the movie has all four leading characters nominated and somebody has to win. I wouldn’t be upset. For anyone who has OCD, or even just a little bit of OCD (and let’s face it who doesn’t), you can definitely understand his character. It makes you uncomfortable and upset. It seems like he worries so much more about keeping things in order than he does for his family but that is not true at all. I say he is runner-up.
Philip Seymour Hoffman: Again, just like with Joaquin, this was an awful movie. However, he was fantastic in his role (as usual). He did his fair share of sweating and mumbling like he does in every movie he is in but he commanded the screen and just completely pissed us all off. All of us besides the thousands of people in middle America who actually believe this religious shit. And John Travolta.
Tommy Lee Jones for Lincoln: Hmmmmm. He really was great in this role and he is the front-runner. So is his wig. I say he shouldn’t win only because he ALWAYS has a scowl on his face no matter what role he plays. Think about it; The Fugitive all the way to Hope Springs. I can honestly say that I still have no idea what he said in Lincoln and I couldn’t tell if he was a “good” guy or “bad” guy for the entire movie until the end when I realized he was on “our” side or should I say “the side where people don’t believe in hanging trees.” He might win but I am still going with Waltz.
Christoph Waltz for Django Unchained: I love him in this movie. He won for Inglorious Bastards as such, well I am going to say it, a bastard. I really want him to win for this again. He played the good guy. I was cracking up at every one of his scenes and I couldn’t wait to hear what he had to say next. I think he will win. I hope so.
Most Screwed: I’ll say Leonardo DiCaprio just because I love him so much. However, I will say that an award should go out to John Goodman for being the most over-used side-kick in movies this year. Let’s count them, Trouble with the Curb, Argo, Flight and even The Artist last year. Also, the soon to be Hangover 3. Yes, you heard me right. I don’t drink. This might lead me to it.
Who will win: Christoph Waltz
Who should win: Christoph Waltz or Alan Arkin
Best Supporting Actress AKA this year as Best Naked or Semi Naked Woman in a Supporting Role:
Amy Adams for the Master: Her again???? I understand Joaquin and Hoffman, but not so much her. I am getting sick of her. I’d like to see her in some sort of action movie.
Naked Scene: Naked pregnant and singing.
Sally Field for Lincoln: Don’t get it. If we are talking about roles of woman suffering from PTSD and depression, then Jennifer Lawrence, Anne Hathaway and Naomi Watts I get. But, Sally Field not so much. Don’t get me wrong, she was fine and played the role to the best that was written for her.
Naked Scene: She wasn’t. Thank god.
Anne Hathaway for Les Miserables: Yes, she will win. Yes, she deserves to win. I’ve seen the movie twice and this is still my favorite scene both times. And when she reappeared at the end, I lost it and could not hold in the tears anymore. For those of you who are going to say “but she was only in the movie for 28 minutes” let us not forget the year Judi Dench (see below) won for only being in the movie for 8 minutes. And let’s all agree that who doesn’t sing “I’ve Dreamed a Dream” every now and again especially when I work in particular the line “I had a dream my life would be so different from this hell I’m living.” Hathaway sang this song live in one take. Done. She should win. Jennifer Hudson won for her one song. Please though, I hope after she wins, she doesn’t sell herself and go make money in Weight Watchers commercials.
Naked Scene: not exactly naked but in the rape scene her emotions were raw and naked so that counts.
Helen Hunt for The Sessions: Love her and love her in this. I definitely chose her as my second pick for winning. The scene in the car when you finally realize how important her relationship was with Mark and she had to say goodbye with tears was fantastic. If it wasn’t for Hathaway, she could have won.
Naked Scene: Basically the whole movie and good for her.
Jacki Weaver for Silver Linings Playbook: I can imagine that living with a father and a son with mental illness you would have to be a little screwy yourself to deal with it and she was definitely that in this movie. She seemed kind of quiet and reserved but when it was necessary really spoke up to herself with her husband. Yeah, she was good. No she shouldn’t win.
Naked Scene: She wasn’t naked but was in pajamas in bed. Guess that counts.
Most Screwed: Cannot believe I am going to say this but Judi Dench in Skyfall. I know I give her a lot of crap for always being nominated and stuff but finally we got to see a more personal side to this woman. And we got to see her die.
Who will win: Anne Hathaway
Who should win: Anne Hathaway
And there you go. My predictions for Sunday February 24th on ABC! Enjoy the show everyone!
Monday, October 22, 2012
Am I the ONLY ONE?
Last night was an eye opener for me as I am only a few weeks away from turning 36 years old. I went to my second Melissa Ethridge concert in my life and I can only describe it (and I take these words from the friend who went with me) as "psychologically horrifying". That being said, Melissa Ethridge still rocks, looks great in leather pants, can belt out a song like nobodies business and make any straight person consider for just a second turning to the dark side.
I am not sure if my friend and I were just feeling the same way or she could sense from my body language and facial expressions, but about an hour and a half into it, everything seemed to change for me. My favorite quote from her was "I think I need to just focus on my career right now." The thing is, I don't understand 80% of lesbians in just a general sense. Last night, that number skyrocketed to about 98%.
I consider myself an attractive woman (or chick, girl, lady, gal). I think I have a good sense of style. I like labels. I can dress it up. I can tone it down. And regardless of what some people think of my sweatpants and crocks look when I am at the dog park or grocery store, I still look good. I understand social behavior and cues. I try as hard as I can not to take myself too seriously. And in the most simplest of common modern day tasks (and by modern, I mean no longer cave men), I know that it's important to brush your teeth and wash and comb your hair.
I think as a female, it's important to show yourself in the world as confident yet flawed. As beautiful, yet at times in need of some weight loss. What I don't understand is why 98% of the lesbians last night did not seem to understand this. Therefore, I am putting up a few sets of rules that should be applied if you are thinking of becoming, or already are, a lesbian in the year 2012. These rules apply mainly to woman over the age of 45 I guess but even still. I don't want to turn 36 and be almost 40 and think that I can just give up on beauty.
1. While you may not want a subscription to Glamour Magazine, pick one up occasionally and check out some of the hairstyles that are happening right now. These styles do not include Don Johnson's look from Miami Vice. If you saw it in 1980-1999, just think about maybe taking a trip to the salon. You can even go to Cost Cutters or Supercuts if you want. I don't care. Just think about it.
2. Ponder for a few about maybe buying one pair of designer jeans. Honestly, that's all you need. You can even get a pair for under $100 if you look hard enough. I know you may be disappointed at first if the jeans don't go over your belly button but trust me, you will come to like it.
3. Neon track jackets that snap are not okay.
4. Get a bra that fits. They don't have to hang down to your toes. They really don't. I know you probably hate your boobs (I get it) but if you can find a way to lift them just a bit, I promise you they will be a bit more tolerable.
5. This is just an assumption of course, since 98% of the lesbians did have on their Lee jeans on but think about self some care down there. I can only assume, you don't shave. I am positive you don't wax. I know you have had the same "lover" and "partner" for years but let's keep this world clean folks. The Venus razor might come in a pretty little case but use it. Hell if you want to buy a Bic $.50 razor, by all means cut yourself up just get rid of the hair.
I know you lesbians can do this! You all have iphones. You were ALL updating your statuses and uploading pictures during the show. This is a modern invention. I know you have the ability.
I am not sure if I was just in the wrong section of seats. Maybe I was sitting in the "Melissa Ethridge 500 years of social intolerance therefore I am going to prove to the world that I can be a lesbian and totally let myself go fan club"? Maybe the attractive, modern day lesbians were up in the balcony? I don't know. All I have to say is if I ever look I might be breaking any of these above rules, please oh please kidnap me and take me to a Rhianna concert immediately.
I am not sure if my friend and I were just feeling the same way or she could sense from my body language and facial expressions, but about an hour and a half into it, everything seemed to change for me. My favorite quote from her was "I think I need to just focus on my career right now." The thing is, I don't understand 80% of lesbians in just a general sense. Last night, that number skyrocketed to about 98%.
I consider myself an attractive woman (or chick, girl, lady, gal). I think I have a good sense of style. I like labels. I can dress it up. I can tone it down. And regardless of what some people think of my sweatpants and crocks look when I am at the dog park or grocery store, I still look good. I understand social behavior and cues. I try as hard as I can not to take myself too seriously. And in the most simplest of common modern day tasks (and by modern, I mean no longer cave men), I know that it's important to brush your teeth and wash and comb your hair.
I think as a female, it's important to show yourself in the world as confident yet flawed. As beautiful, yet at times in need of some weight loss. What I don't understand is why 98% of the lesbians last night did not seem to understand this. Therefore, I am putting up a few sets of rules that should be applied if you are thinking of becoming, or already are, a lesbian in the year 2012. These rules apply mainly to woman over the age of 45 I guess but even still. I don't want to turn 36 and be almost 40 and think that I can just give up on beauty.
1. While you may not want a subscription to Glamour Magazine, pick one up occasionally and check out some of the hairstyles that are happening right now. These styles do not include Don Johnson's look from Miami Vice. If you saw it in 1980-1999, just think about maybe taking a trip to the salon. You can even go to Cost Cutters or Supercuts if you want. I don't care. Just think about it.
2. Ponder for a few about maybe buying one pair of designer jeans. Honestly, that's all you need. You can even get a pair for under $100 if you look hard enough. I know you may be disappointed at first if the jeans don't go over your belly button but trust me, you will come to like it.
3. Neon track jackets that snap are not okay.
4. Get a bra that fits. They don't have to hang down to your toes. They really don't. I know you probably hate your boobs (I get it) but if you can find a way to lift them just a bit, I promise you they will be a bit more tolerable.
5. This is just an assumption of course, since 98% of the lesbians did have on their Lee jeans on but think about self some care down there. I can only assume, you don't shave. I am positive you don't wax. I know you have had the same "lover" and "partner" for years but let's keep this world clean folks. The Venus razor might come in a pretty little case but use it. Hell if you want to buy a Bic $.50 razor, by all means cut yourself up just get rid of the hair.
I know you lesbians can do this! You all have iphones. You were ALL updating your statuses and uploading pictures during the show. This is a modern invention. I know you have the ability.
I am not sure if I was just in the wrong section of seats. Maybe I was sitting in the "Melissa Ethridge 500 years of social intolerance therefore I am going to prove to the world that I can be a lesbian and totally let myself go fan club"? Maybe the attractive, modern day lesbians were up in the balcony? I don't know. All I have to say is if I ever look I might be breaking any of these above rules, please oh please kidnap me and take me to a Rhianna concert immediately.
Friday, June 22, 2012
You know what makes me smile?
When I call CVS to get the pharmacy and when they are looking for your records the computerized noise comes on like, "do do dooo dooo doo doo do". If you have ever filled a perscription over the phone you know what I am talking about. If you have never filled a perscription over the phone, chances are you need to be on meds for something and you probably should go see your doctor.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Tick Tock
So once again I'm in the process of going through some crap and really taking pride in myself that I can overcome pretty much anything because I accept the fact that I have feelings. Sure, I might do a lot of obsessing and wondering why and trying to figure out how it could have been better, etc but I think just like everyone tells me "time will tell everything" and I have to believe that. It's scary not knowing what my future will bring and yes it's always so much easier to have a plan but that's not the way my world seems to be going.
Today, all I can do is get a haircut. And tomorrow all I can do is go to the movies with my mom and Saturday all I can do is hike and Sunday all I can do is watch the entire second season of Game of Thrones and get soft serve ice cream for dinner. That's all I can do for now. And time will tell. Time will if I get what I want.
Today, all I can do is get a haircut. And tomorrow all I can do is go to the movies with my mom and Saturday all I can do is hike and Sunday all I can do is watch the entire second season of Game of Thrones and get soft serve ice cream for dinner. That's all I can do for now. And time will tell. Time will if I get what I want.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Pride and Oy
Well another pride week in Boston has come and gone and I as usual, I have some thoughts on it. Mostly though, this weekend has made me realize once again how lucky I am that I can openly say I am gay without judgement from the people I care about. I think I take that for granted sometimes. Being gay is something that is just a part of me and not something that I really think about when it comes to stigma from the public. My family are very open about it and they really just want me to be happy. Although my social worker mother would have a field day with some of the gays I saw this weekend for sure.
I wish that everyone could openly say that they are gay and I think that with time, they will be able to.
This brings me to pride weekend.
Let's begin with Friday at the dyke march. This was my first year doing the dyke march and I am really glad that I did it. I think it was important for me to see a group of people getting together to show the community that it is okay to be gay. I've never really worried about that before so being in a group of other people who have had to fight for it was in a way humbling for me. Fred, the girl and I walked together.
Now this doesn't mean I don't have some thoughts on the march. I do. Trust me I do. While I understand and fully agree that gays should have all the same rights as everyone else, I know that this will take time. It was only a couple of decades ago that men were legally told that they couldn't slap a woman on her ass in the workplace. Things like this take time. And we are getting closer and closer. That is why marches like these are important. However, I don't always agree that people need to be so angry at them or come up with chants that make absolutely no sense at all.
"Fuck your pink. Fuck your blue. Fuck your gender and we'll fuck you." What does that even mean?
And the signs. One girl had a sign that on one side said, "Butch and proud" and on the opposite side said "No more labels". That is just a contradiction and really just makes her look kind of like an idiot. All be it, a gay idiot. And let's face it, when it comes to idiots, I don't discriminate.
Moving on the parade on Saturday. If you don't know, I love parades. I love any kind of parade and I hate to miss them. And just for anyone who is reading for the future, I may seem anxious about getting to a parade on time, just wait until there is a fireworks display scheduled. You might as well drop me off the night before if you don't want me pacing back and forth and tapping my leg until we leave.
The girl and I reached the parade after of course I paced and tapped my due share. Hey, I am slowly becoming more patient but even I have my moments of setback. The parade was fun but once again I had to wonder why there weren't more fancy floats and drag queens and music and flair. Mostly, there were just people from different churches marching. Boring. I mean I am glad that your church and your Jesus accepts you and all but after one or two, I get the point. By the way, Jesus wore basically what looked like Birkenstock sandals and drank wine when he went out. Gay.
My favorite part of the parade, however was the end. I have never been part of that before. At the end of the parade everyone got on the streets and walked down to Government Center together while the Portuguese played music. It was a lot of fun. I love when the city gets together like that. It makes me feel so happy to live in Boston.
Moving on to the block party. Yes, I went to the block party. Yes, I drank a can of beer. A can. I never drink beer in cans. But, I did it. The girl and I went together and it really wasn't all that bad. In the past, the block party has been a source of major annoyance and anxiety for me and I would always leave feeling really pissed off. However, this time I just took it all in and looked around and mostly just laughed.
The thing is, most people at this block party were so young. Every year, the lesbians get younger and younger while I get older and older. And while the lesbians my age are getting married, and buying houses and adopting kids and traveling the world, the younger ones are getting sloppy drunk, humping each other and wearing neon tank tops. It's all just so silly to me. I'm all for a fun day and hanging with friends and having a drink or two but I don't need to be with the young lesbians finding their way. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have some more gay friends. I need more gay friends. But, I want gay friends who love to go hiking and camping and to the theater and the movies and travel and go to nice restaurants and order fancy meals and make sarcastic and witty comments and are just as comfortable going out for a drink as they are playing a game at my house.
As you can tell, the girl and I were out for a few hours by this point. We decided to keep it going and we went to the Rattlesnack. We were the first in line, which never happens for me at these things. It was around this time, that my sarcastic mood began to appear more rapidly. I was looking around at all the people in line and started to really wonder why so many lesbians just let themselves go. So many lesbians are overweight, wear clothes that don't fit, and walk around with a frown acting like they are just too cool for everything and everyone. I am not sure if this has to do with their self esteem or what, but I think I could make a fortune on a lesbian diet plan. I figure if I just put a diet shake in a cans of bud light, that could be a start. It could work. Then I looked down at my belly and realized that I need to get in shape too! My back has been hurting so I took ten days off of yoga and it has made a huge difference. I have been eating like crap and this has drastically affected both my belly and my mood.
The Rattlesnake wasn't all that bad accept once again, it was filled with really annoying and young lesbians. A few of them just made me shake their head. What is with the baggy jeans, the plaid shirts with the sleeves cut off, the suspenders and the boxers. And yes, this was one person. It must take such a long time to look so un-put-together. Everyone pretty much just got drunk and I watched the Celtics lose. But that was fine. At the end of the night, I got to get away from the lesbians and I got pancakes.
So to conclude, yes I am glad that I can say I am gay. I am glad that I can date someone and kiss her in public and hold her hand and walk beside her and be happy. For me pride week doesn't mean lime bud light and rainbow wrist bands. I mean, those are good too but pride week for me just means, well, that I can be proud.
I wish that everyone could openly say that they are gay and I think that with time, they will be able to.
This brings me to pride weekend.
Let's begin with Friday at the dyke march. This was my first year doing the dyke march and I am really glad that I did it. I think it was important for me to see a group of people getting together to show the community that it is okay to be gay. I've never really worried about that before so being in a group of other people who have had to fight for it was in a way humbling for me. Fred, the girl and I walked together.
Now this doesn't mean I don't have some thoughts on the march. I do. Trust me I do. While I understand and fully agree that gays should have all the same rights as everyone else, I know that this will take time. It was only a couple of decades ago that men were legally told that they couldn't slap a woman on her ass in the workplace. Things like this take time. And we are getting closer and closer. That is why marches like these are important. However, I don't always agree that people need to be so angry at them or come up with chants that make absolutely no sense at all.
"Fuck your pink. Fuck your blue. Fuck your gender and we'll fuck you." What does that even mean?
And the signs. One girl had a sign that on one side said, "Butch and proud" and on the opposite side said "No more labels". That is just a contradiction and really just makes her look kind of like an idiot. All be it, a gay idiot. And let's face it, when it comes to idiots, I don't discriminate.
Moving on the parade on Saturday. If you don't know, I love parades. I love any kind of parade and I hate to miss them. And just for anyone who is reading for the future, I may seem anxious about getting to a parade on time, just wait until there is a fireworks display scheduled. You might as well drop me off the night before if you don't want me pacing back and forth and tapping my leg until we leave.
The girl and I reached the parade after of course I paced and tapped my due share. Hey, I am slowly becoming more patient but even I have my moments of setback. The parade was fun but once again I had to wonder why there weren't more fancy floats and drag queens and music and flair. Mostly, there were just people from different churches marching. Boring. I mean I am glad that your church and your Jesus accepts you and all but after one or two, I get the point. By the way, Jesus wore basically what looked like Birkenstock sandals and drank wine when he went out. Gay.
My favorite part of the parade, however was the end. I have never been part of that before. At the end of the parade everyone got on the streets and walked down to Government Center together while the Portuguese played music. It was a lot of fun. I love when the city gets together like that. It makes me feel so happy to live in Boston.
Moving on to the block party. Yes, I went to the block party. Yes, I drank a can of beer. A can. I never drink beer in cans. But, I did it. The girl and I went together and it really wasn't all that bad. In the past, the block party has been a source of major annoyance and anxiety for me and I would always leave feeling really pissed off. However, this time I just took it all in and looked around and mostly just laughed.
The thing is, most people at this block party were so young. Every year, the lesbians get younger and younger while I get older and older. And while the lesbians my age are getting married, and buying houses and adopting kids and traveling the world, the younger ones are getting sloppy drunk, humping each other and wearing neon tank tops. It's all just so silly to me. I'm all for a fun day and hanging with friends and having a drink or two but I don't need to be with the young lesbians finding their way. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have some more gay friends. I need more gay friends. But, I want gay friends who love to go hiking and camping and to the theater and the movies and travel and go to nice restaurants and order fancy meals and make sarcastic and witty comments and are just as comfortable going out for a drink as they are playing a game at my house.
As you can tell, the girl and I were out for a few hours by this point. We decided to keep it going and we went to the Rattlesnack. We were the first in line, which never happens for me at these things. It was around this time, that my sarcastic mood began to appear more rapidly. I was looking around at all the people in line and started to really wonder why so many lesbians just let themselves go. So many lesbians are overweight, wear clothes that don't fit, and walk around with a frown acting like they are just too cool for everything and everyone. I am not sure if this has to do with their self esteem or what, but I think I could make a fortune on a lesbian diet plan. I figure if I just put a diet shake in a cans of bud light, that could be a start. It could work. Then I looked down at my belly and realized that I need to get in shape too! My back has been hurting so I took ten days off of yoga and it has made a huge difference. I have been eating like crap and this has drastically affected both my belly and my mood.
The Rattlesnake wasn't all that bad accept once again, it was filled with really annoying and young lesbians. A few of them just made me shake their head. What is with the baggy jeans, the plaid shirts with the sleeves cut off, the suspenders and the boxers. And yes, this was one person. It must take such a long time to look so un-put-together. Everyone pretty much just got drunk and I watched the Celtics lose. But that was fine. At the end of the night, I got to get away from the lesbians and I got pancakes.
So to conclude, yes I am glad that I can say I am gay. I am glad that I can date someone and kiss her in public and hold her hand and walk beside her and be happy. For me pride week doesn't mean lime bud light and rainbow wrist bands. I mean, those are good too but pride week for me just means, well, that I can be proud.
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