Tuesday, February 3, 2009.....
Let me explain..... LiLu at one of the blogs I love to read (http://www.livitluvit.com/) played a cute game that I decided to play and requested a letter.
If you want to participate, leave a comment on this post and I will assign you a letter. You then write about 10 things you love that begin with your assigned letter and post them on your blog. When people comment on your posted list, you give them a letter and the chain continues on and on.
After asking not to receive the letter "X" or "Z", I was given the letter "T". Here are the Ten Terrific Things I Love that Start with the Letter T:
1. Tequila - Silver Patron is my choice of consumption and after a horrible night of cheap tequila drinking, I've learned the importance that good tequila = no hangover.
2. Tea - A girl has to drink something other than alcohol. I love hot and iced teas, in addition to diet cola, but have come addicted to Starbucks 1/2 Passion/1/2 unsweetened lemonade with a lot of ice anytime of the year.
3. Toenails - Okay, what I really love are pedicures, but that didn't start with a "T". There is a place by me that has a grape pedicure and it is awesome. Unfortunately, unemployment has put a damper in getting them. Unemployment has helped me decide my next favorite letter "T" item....
4. Tens & Twenties. Yup. Moola, money, cash. Be unemployed for 9 months and you'll realize that I'm not materialistic wanting cash, but practical (Suze Orman would so proud of me).
5. Thyme. Yes, I said Thyme. The spice. I love to cook and have several fav spices and this is one of them.
6. Thanksgiving. I host and love to cook. Do I need to say more?
7. Top Chef, The Food Network. Hello...Just mentioned my love of cooking in #5 & #6 above, how could I not love the t.v show and a network devoted entirely to cooking.
8. Thunderstorms. I love to go to bed to the sound of thunder and rainstorms. I find it relaxing.
9. Texting. I have friends that hate texting, but I love to text, send pics & videos - great way to communicate when you really can't.
10. Travel. Love it. Love it. Love it.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Weekend Recap
Monday, February 2, 2009....
First, I need to address the stupid groundhog seeing his shadow --- has anyone thought of pulling a blind groundhog out of his hole on a sunny day???? Winter sun on bright white snow, how could he not see it?
Okay, I'm done ranting about the groundhog and the fact it will be another six weeks of winter (my friend told me the groundhog prediction is only 39% accurate - phew)....
This weekend, hubby and I grabbed a bite and headed over to see the Dark Knight at our local IMAX. I know, it was released in the summer, but he hadn't seen it and seeing it on IMAX is really cool.
Saturday proved to be a day full of errands, but included a stop at the local animal shelter where I think we found the dog we want to adopt. She's in heat and not available to adopt at the moment, but according to the shelter no one has asked to adopt her. She's a beagle and very cute. She'll fit in fine with all the howling dogs that my neighbor seems to house.
I also got to witness my new hubby almost kill himself on the roof. A sight a newlywed always wants to witness. He was on a step ladder by the chimney and the very old step ladder broke while he was on it. Luckily, he caught himself and I could only hear what happened. I wasn't up for him doing this stunt and if I had seen it happen, he would have spent the rest of the day with me being worried and saying I told you so (always an annoying way to spend a Saturday).
The rest of the weekend included more errands, good food, drinking and football. Although the Steelers are not my team, I was hoping they would win and they did (barely).
Besides the non-blind groundhog giving us six more weeks of winter, this week is looking good with a confirmed interview later in the week (woo hoo).
First, I need to address the stupid groundhog seeing his shadow --- has anyone thought of pulling a blind groundhog out of his hole on a sunny day???? Winter sun on bright white snow, how could he not see it?
Okay, I'm done ranting about the groundhog and the fact it will be another six weeks of winter (my friend told me the groundhog prediction is only 39% accurate - phew)....
This weekend, hubby and I grabbed a bite and headed over to see the Dark Knight at our local IMAX. I know, it was released in the summer, but he hadn't seen it and seeing it on IMAX is really cool.
Saturday proved to be a day full of errands, but included a stop at the local animal shelter where I think we found the dog we want to adopt. She's in heat and not available to adopt at the moment, but according to the shelter no one has asked to adopt her. She's a beagle and very cute. She'll fit in fine with all the howling dogs that my neighbor seems to house.
I also got to witness my new hubby almost kill himself on the roof. A sight a newlywed always wants to witness. He was on a step ladder by the chimney and the very old step ladder broke while he was on it. Luckily, he caught himself and I could only hear what happened. I wasn't up for him doing this stunt and if I had seen it happen, he would have spent the rest of the day with me being worried and saying I told you so (always an annoying way to spend a Saturday).
The rest of the weekend included more errands, good food, drinking and football. Although the Steelers are not my team, I was hoping they would win and they did (barely).
Besides the non-blind groundhog giving us six more weeks of winter, this week is looking good with a confirmed interview later in the week (woo hoo).
Friday, January 30, 2009
This Past Week.....
Friday, January 30, 2009....
This past week has been a bit odd in terms of dreams, job searching and blog suggestions from 3rd parties.....
Ever since the new bed's arrival, I have been having the oddest dreams. I've blogged about one where my hubby suggested we live in the side of a river embankment. I wish I could say they stopped there, but noooooooo....
In one dream, I was having dessert at someone's beautiful ranch out West and Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman were there. He ended up picking a fight with me because he wanted my dessert while Nicole sat on the couch and knitted 1/2 booties. She was going to be dropped off at the movie theatre and see if people would buy anything she had touched. The booties were useless and I was annoyed because I knew people would and I am unemployed looking for a job.
In another dream, my hubby wanted to treat me to a very special evening and was taking me to a concert and dinner first. However, because he had heard that Ted Kennedy liked McDonald's we went through the drive-thru of Mickey D's. He made me put the food, except the drink, in the trunk of the car. I think the best part of the dream was that I woke up and hubby was returning from the bathroom and I told him of my dream.....his comment was..... "Did I make you order off the dollar menu?"
The Tom Cruise dream I really can't explain, but the Mickey D's I can. Discovery or Travel Channel had a special on unique McDonald's on this past weekend. We watched for about 5 minutes and switched to the news where they were reporting that Ted Kennedy is upset over the proposed windmills they plan to put in Nantucket Sound.
In regards to job searching, things appear to be getting better. I had a first and second interview this week at two different companies. Second interview company informed me they are very interested in me, but between posting for the job and this 2nd interview, there is a hiring freeze. However, if I am offered another position, they'd like the opportunity to make a bid;if they can. Flattering, but annoying. Why not make the offer now? He did say, he couldn't promise anything, but had hired a person during a freeze in the past. Typically, many negotiators will "claim" to have another offer when they might not. I'm not the type to do that. However, I am lucky enough to have another company interested in me. We'll see how that goes. At this point, I know that I'm the only candidate with the qualifications they want and they've been looking since the summer. When the HR recruiter tells you to go for your salary requirement which is over what they want to pay, I believe that to be a good sign.
Blogging has made me look at things I come across differently. Some things I overlooked in the past, make me laugh. Some become blog worthy. Apparently, my observation skills are rubbing off on 3rd parties. Sometimes my sister will make suggestions of what to blog about and now my hubby. I will leave you what he thought should be the title of a blog post this week: "I didn't realize how big 16 inches was". --- It should be noted I was commenting on the amount of extra room there is between a Queen and King sized bed.
This past week has been a bit odd in terms of dreams, job searching and blog suggestions from 3rd parties.....
Ever since the new bed's arrival, I have been having the oddest dreams. I've blogged about one where my hubby suggested we live in the side of a river embankment. I wish I could say they stopped there, but noooooooo....
In one dream, I was having dessert at someone's beautiful ranch out West and Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman were there. He ended up picking a fight with me because he wanted my dessert while Nicole sat on the couch and knitted 1/2 booties. She was going to be dropped off at the movie theatre and see if people would buy anything she had touched. The booties were useless and I was annoyed because I knew people would and I am unemployed looking for a job.
In another dream, my hubby wanted to treat me to a very special evening and was taking me to a concert and dinner first. However, because he had heard that Ted Kennedy liked McDonald's we went through the drive-thru of Mickey D's. He made me put the food, except the drink, in the trunk of the car. I think the best part of the dream was that I woke up and hubby was returning from the bathroom and I told him of my dream.....his comment was..... "Did I make you order off the dollar menu?"
The Tom Cruise dream I really can't explain, but the Mickey D's I can. Discovery or Travel Channel had a special on unique McDonald's on this past weekend. We watched for about 5 minutes and switched to the news where they were reporting that Ted Kennedy is upset over the proposed windmills they plan to put in Nantucket Sound.
In regards to job searching, things appear to be getting better. I had a first and second interview this week at two different companies. Second interview company informed me they are very interested in me, but between posting for the job and this 2nd interview, there is a hiring freeze. However, if I am offered another position, they'd like the opportunity to make a bid;if they can. Flattering, but annoying. Why not make the offer now? He did say, he couldn't promise anything, but had hired a person during a freeze in the past. Typically, many negotiators will "claim" to have another offer when they might not. I'm not the type to do that. However, I am lucky enough to have another company interested in me. We'll see how that goes. At this point, I know that I'm the only candidate with the qualifications they want and they've been looking since the summer. When the HR recruiter tells you to go for your salary requirement which is over what they want to pay, I believe that to be a good sign.
Blogging has made me look at things I come across differently. Some things I overlooked in the past, make me laugh. Some become blog worthy. Apparently, my observation skills are rubbing off on 3rd parties. Sometimes my sister will make suggestions of what to blog about and now my hubby. I will leave you what he thought should be the title of a blog post this week: "I didn't realize how big 16 inches was". --- It should be noted I was commenting on the amount of extra room there is between a Queen and King sized bed.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Reading.....
Sunday, January 25, 2009.....
I'm in a quandary. I both love and hate to read. Unlike my sister who can read and skim books quickly, I get drawn into the words and places. I totally losing track of where I am and time of day. I become friends with the characters and/or author and enjoy the different anecdotes strewn throughout the pages. I feel as though I'm there. It's a great feeling and I know others have the same experience. However, I wonder if they experience what I do when I finish a book: remorse.
When I finish a book, unlike my sister, I find it a bit difficult to move onto the next (unless subject matter is completely unrelated i.e., fiction vs nonfiction). It's like I'm mourning the loss of a friendship. So odd. I'm waiting for more stories, more adventures,but nothing.
I wonder if others share this same experience of if I'm just a weirdo.....
I'm in a quandary. I both love and hate to read. Unlike my sister who can read and skim books quickly, I get drawn into the words and places. I totally losing track of where I am and time of day. I become friends with the characters and/or author and enjoy the different anecdotes strewn throughout the pages. I feel as though I'm there. It's a great feeling and I know others have the same experience. However, I wonder if they experience what I do when I finish a book: remorse.
When I finish a book, unlike my sister, I find it a bit difficult to move onto the next (unless subject matter is completely unrelated i.e., fiction vs nonfiction). It's like I'm mourning the loss of a friendship. So odd. I'm waiting for more stories, more adventures,but nothing.
I wonder if others share this same experience of if I'm just a weirdo.....
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday Evening....
Friday, January 23, 2009.....
Last night, hubby and I celebrated a great interview I had with some Chinese take-out. I'm not sure why, but the conversation fell into the following topic:
Egg Rolls -- where did their name come from? Hubby thought that it was because the egg roll wrapper had an egg in it and I thought it was because you could actually roll the food like an egg.
As the night progressed, I'm sad to say that the conversation did not climb any further IQ points. However, a night of useless, I can't save the world or my wallet conversation, is always fun.
If I thought my conversations had no point, neither did my dreams. First dream literally woke me up at 2:00 a.m.. I dreamt friends of mine became tele-evangelists and had their own t.v. show. For their first show, they decided it was necessary to save me.
I finally fell back asleep and had a dream that my hubby wanted to fish more and live closer to the water. I'm up for that. However, he wanted to live in the embankments of a river -- literally, under a tree. He dug a 10 x 12 hole in an embankment and used 2x4s as the floors and walls. In my dream he kept wondering why water could get in the home he built and why he couldn't convince me to come live with him (a shocker that I wouldn't).
I now realize, egg rolls means bizarre ass dreams!
Last night, hubby and I celebrated a great interview I had with some Chinese take-out. I'm not sure why, but the conversation fell into the following topic:
Egg Rolls -- where did their name come from? Hubby thought that it was because the egg roll wrapper had an egg in it and I thought it was because you could actually roll the food like an egg.
As the night progressed, I'm sad to say that the conversation did not climb any further IQ points. However, a night of useless, I can't save the world or my wallet conversation, is always fun.
If I thought my conversations had no point, neither did my dreams. First dream literally woke me up at 2:00 a.m.. I dreamt friends of mine became tele-evangelists and had their own t.v. show. For their first show, they decided it was necessary to save me.
I finally fell back asleep and had a dream that my hubby wanted to fish more and live closer to the water. I'm up for that. However, he wanted to live in the embankments of a river -- literally, under a tree. He dug a 10 x 12 hole in an embankment and used 2x4s as the floors and walls. In my dream he kept wondering why water could get in the home he built and why he couldn't convince me to come live with him (a shocker that I wouldn't).
I now realize, egg rolls means bizarre ass dreams!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Oscar Nods....
Thursday, January 22, 2009....
I'm so happy that my sister's friend includes me in major entertainment news. When I was working, I received great gossip, but now that I'm not, I'm sometimes left off the random star-gossip news. I was excited to receive his email with the Oscar Nods in my inbox today. Why? Haven't a clue. I haven't seen one of the movies nominated, but would like to recap the best pics from what I heard about them from others (aka 3rd party reviews):
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button --- too much of Brad Pitt as an old guy. That's what I heard and frankly, that saddens me. Nothing wrong with older actors (thought Clint Eastwood was awesome in Gran Torino), but when you think you're seeing eye-candy and paying good money, why are you hiding behind the makeup? FYI - LMB has never had desire to see this film.
Frost/Nixon - Definitely am planning on seeing. I was a history major in college and have liked Ron Howard movies. I was also a very small child when this happen and didn't quite get all the talk about the President resigning and know this interview was over the top because no one expected Nixon to say what he did. No one I knew saw this movie, so I can't give you a third party review.
Milk - I would see this before Benjamin Button (because I'm not seeing it), but I have so many pics to see, I think this will have left my indie movie theatre before I get a chance. Sean Penn is great in everything and I imagine he was wonderful in this. Again, no third party review of this movie (heck, what the hell are my friends seeing these days??)
The Reader - Okay, never heard of this until the Golden Globes and how shocked was I to learn that it started playing at the local indie movie theatre 2 or 3 days later -NOT -.....I really love Kate Winslet and knowing what the movie is about, I think it'll be very intense and interesting. Again, no third party review (hmmm....I'm starting to think my friends either don't go out or spend too much time at bars to be bothered with going to the movies).
Slumdog Millionaire -- I am going to see and here is my third party review: violent, EXCELLENT, far better than Benjamin Button, not violent because I covered my eyes, based on the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. However, all that saw this movie, loved it.
About the other nominees, here are my picks (I know they will be used in Vegas to determine the odds). Please note that some of my picks are highly scientific:
Best Motion Picture of the Year
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire
Having not seen one of these movies, I'll go with Slumdog Millionaire because it is the movie that most of my friends saw.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Richard Jenkins for The Visitor
Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn for Milk
Brad Pitt for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler
Mickey Rourke because I loved that he was shocked at the Golden Globes and that he thanked his dog.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie for Changeling
Melissa Leo for Frozen River
Meryl Streep for Doubt
Kate Winslet for The Reader
Kate Winslet - although all others would be good choices - wait, having never even heard of the Frozen River, I'll remove Melissa Leo from my choice. The others I know what roles they played.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Josh Brolin for Milk
Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt
Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight
Michael Shannon for Revolutionary Road
Is Josh Brolin the cute son of Mr. Ba-Ba Streisand? I think Heath will win....
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Amy Adams for Doubt
Penélope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis for Doubt
Taraji P. Henson for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler
Amy Adams because I like her name.
Best Achievement in Directing
Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry for The Reader
David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon
Gus Van Sant for Milk
Ron Howard because he is celebrating 50 years in show biz this year.
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Frozen River : Courtney Hunt
Happy-Go-Lucky : Mike Leigh
In Bruges : Martin McDonagh
Milk : Dustin Lance Black
WALL•E : Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter
In Bruges because I'd like to go to Brussels
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button : Eric Roth, Robin Swicord
Doubt : John Patrick Shanley
Frost/Nixon : Peter Morgan
The Reader : David Hare
Slumdog Millionaire : Simon Beaufoy
Curious Case of BB because someone famous wrote the original story. His name escapes me, but he was a literary genius.
Best Achievement in Cinematography
Changeling : Tom Stern
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button : Claudio Miranda
The Dark Knight : Wally Pfister
The Reader : Roger Deakins, Chris Menges
Slumdog Millionaire : Anthony Dod Mantle
The Dark Knight because it is the only movie I saw on IMAX and you could really feel everything.
Best Achievement in Editing
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button : Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter
The Dark Knight : Lee Smith
Frost/Nixon : Daniel P. Hanley, Mike Hill
Milk : Elliot Graham
Slumdog Millionaire : Chris Dickens
Haven't a clue how they select the winner in this category so I'm going wth Milk since I haven't selected that film yet.
Best Achievement in Art Direction
Changeling : James J. Murakami, Gary Fettis
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button : Donald Graham Burt, Victor J. Zolfo
The Dark Knight : Nathan Crowley, Peter Lando
The Duchess : Michael Carlin, Rebecca Alleway
Revolutionary Road : Kristi Zea, Debra Schutt
Okay, what exactly is Art Direction? Is "art" defined by the Met or MoMa standards? I'll choose the Duchess...
Best Achievement in Costume Design
Australia : Catherine Martin
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button : Jacqueline West
The Duchess : Michael O'Connor
Milk : Danny Glicker
Revolutionary Road : Albert Wolsky
Really Milk? Fashions from what the 70's/80's is that a stretch. I'm happy Doubt isn't on this list because it would be wrong.... My choice will be Australia because something associated with Nicole Kidman always wins.
Best Achievement in Makeup
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button : Greg Cannom
The Dark Knight
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
I'm giving this to the non-obvious HELLBOY II. Benjamin Button will probably win.
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button : Alexandre Desplat
Defiance : James Newton Howard
Milk : Danny Elfman
Slumdog Millionaire : A.R. Rahman
WALL•E : Thomas Newman
Defiance because James Newton Howard wins alot of things or writes alot of scores for movies
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
Slumdog Millionaire : A.R. Rahman, Gulzar("Jai Ho")
Slumdog Millionaire : A.R. Rahman, M.I.A("O Saya")
WALL•E : Peter Gabriel, Thomas Newman("Down to Earth")
This will go to WALL-E because there are two nods for Slumdog and the Academy doesn't want them to assume that they'll win. This is a basic psych-out nomination.
Best Achievement in Sound
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL•E
I'll go with Dark Knight, but really, doesn't it all depend if the sound system at the theatre you go to works?
Best Achievement in Sound Editing
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL•E
I'll guess Slumdog because of all the city noises (thinking there were alot of them)
Best Achievement in Visual Effects
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button : Eric Barba, Edson Williams
The Dark Knight : Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Timothy Webber, Paul J. Franklin
Iron Man
Dark Knight
Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
WALL•E
I'll rely on friend's comment - WALL*E, although I saw Bolt in 3D and thought it to be cute.
Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
Der Baader Meinhof Komplex (Germany)
Entre les murs ( France )
Revanche ( Austria )
Okuribito ( Japan )
Vals Im Bashir ( Israel )
Entre les murs because my sister went to France this year on vacation
Best Documentary, Features
The Betrayal - Nerakhoon
Encounters at the End of the World
The Garden
Man on Wire
Trouble the Water
The Garden because I love gardens
Best Documentary, Short Subjects
The Conscience of Nhem En
The Final Inch
Smile Pinki
The Witness from the Balcony of Room 306
Toss up for me for The Final Inch (that title just makes me giggle) and The Witness from the Balcony of Room 306 because someone was bold enough to make a film about a Peeping Tom (just my guess)
Best Short Film, Animated
Ubornaya istoriya - lyubovnaya istoriya : Konstantin Bronzit
La Maison en Petits Cubes: Kunio Kato
Oktapodi : Julien Bocabeille, François-Xavier Chanioux, Olivier Delabarre, Thierry Marchand, Quentin Marmier, Emud Mokhberi
Presto : Doug Sweetland
This Way Up : Alan Smith, Adam Foulkes
Presto because I like the name
Best Short Film, Live Action
Auf der Strecke
Manon on the Asphalt
New Boy
The Pig
Spielzeugland
The Pig. I haven't seen, but think that if this is a film about the movements of a pig, kudos to the filmmaker for filming a bunch of pigs in the mud.
Those are my picks for awards. I think they should release a list of the attendees and guess who'll be best and worst dressed for the Oscars.
I'm so happy that my sister's friend includes me in major entertainment news. When I was working, I received great gossip, but now that I'm not, I'm sometimes left off the random star-gossip news. I was excited to receive his email with the Oscar Nods in my inbox today. Why? Haven't a clue. I haven't seen one of the movies nominated, but would like to recap the best pics from what I heard about them from others (aka 3rd party reviews):
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button --- too much of Brad Pitt as an old guy. That's what I heard and frankly, that saddens me. Nothing wrong with older actors (thought Clint Eastwood was awesome in Gran Torino), but when you think you're seeing eye-candy and paying good money, why are you hiding behind the makeup? FYI - LMB has never had desire to see this film.
Frost/Nixon - Definitely am planning on seeing. I was a history major in college and have liked Ron Howard movies. I was also a very small child when this happen and didn't quite get all the talk about the President resigning and know this interview was over the top because no one expected Nixon to say what he did. No one I knew saw this movie, so I can't give you a third party review.
Milk - I would see this before Benjamin Button (because I'm not seeing it), but I have so many pics to see, I think this will have left my indie movie theatre before I get a chance. Sean Penn is great in everything and I imagine he was wonderful in this. Again, no third party review of this movie (heck, what the hell are my friends seeing these days??)
The Reader - Okay, never heard of this until the Golden Globes and how shocked was I to learn that it started playing at the local indie movie theatre 2 or 3 days later -NOT -.....I really love Kate Winslet and knowing what the movie is about, I think it'll be very intense and interesting. Again, no third party review (hmmm....I'm starting to think my friends either don't go out or spend too much time at bars to be bothered with going to the movies).
Slumdog Millionaire -- I am going to see and here is my third party review: violent, EXCELLENT, far better than Benjamin Button, not violent because I covered my eyes, based on the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. However, all that saw this movie, loved it.
About the other nominees, here are my picks (I know they will be used in Vegas to determine the odds). Please note that some of my picks are highly scientific:
Best Motion Picture of the Year
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire
Having not seen one of these movies, I'll go with Slumdog Millionaire because it is the movie that most of my friends saw.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Richard Jenkins for The Visitor
Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn for Milk
Brad Pitt for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler
Mickey Rourke because I loved that he was shocked at the Golden Globes and that he thanked his dog.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie for Changeling
Melissa Leo for Frozen River
Meryl Streep for Doubt
Kate Winslet for The Reader
Kate Winslet - although all others would be good choices - wait, having never even heard of the Frozen River, I'll remove Melissa Leo from my choice. The others I know what roles they played.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Josh Brolin for Milk
Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt
Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight
Michael Shannon for Revolutionary Road
Is Josh Brolin the cute son of Mr. Ba-Ba Streisand? I think Heath will win....
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Amy Adams for Doubt
Penélope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis for Doubt
Taraji P. Henson for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler
Amy Adams because I like her name.
Best Achievement in Directing
Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry for The Reader
David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon
Gus Van Sant for Milk
Ron Howard because he is celebrating 50 years in show biz this year.
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Frozen River : Courtney Hunt
Happy-Go-Lucky : Mike Leigh
In Bruges : Martin McDonagh
Milk : Dustin Lance Black
WALL•E : Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter
In Bruges because I'd like to go to Brussels
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button : Eric Roth, Robin Swicord
Doubt : John Patrick Shanley
Frost/Nixon : Peter Morgan
The Reader : David Hare
Slumdog Millionaire : Simon Beaufoy
Curious Case of BB because someone famous wrote the original story. His name escapes me, but he was a literary genius.
Best Achievement in Cinematography
Changeling : Tom Stern
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button : Claudio Miranda
The Dark Knight : Wally Pfister
The Reader : Roger Deakins, Chris Menges
Slumdog Millionaire : Anthony Dod Mantle
The Dark Knight because it is the only movie I saw on IMAX and you could really feel everything.
Best Achievement in Editing
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button : Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter
The Dark Knight : Lee Smith
Frost/Nixon : Daniel P. Hanley, Mike Hill
Milk : Elliot Graham
Slumdog Millionaire : Chris Dickens
Haven't a clue how they select the winner in this category so I'm going wth Milk since I haven't selected that film yet.
Best Achievement in Art Direction
Changeling : James J. Murakami, Gary Fettis
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button : Donald Graham Burt, Victor J. Zolfo
The Dark Knight : Nathan Crowley, Peter Lando
The Duchess : Michael Carlin, Rebecca Alleway
Revolutionary Road : Kristi Zea, Debra Schutt
Okay, what exactly is Art Direction? Is "art" defined by the Met or MoMa standards? I'll choose the Duchess...
Best Achievement in Costume Design
Australia : Catherine Martin
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button : Jacqueline West
The Duchess : Michael O'Connor
Milk : Danny Glicker
Revolutionary Road : Albert Wolsky
Really Milk? Fashions from what the 70's/80's is that a stretch. I'm happy Doubt isn't on this list because it would be wrong.... My choice will be Australia because something associated with Nicole Kidman always wins.
Best Achievement in Makeup
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button : Greg Cannom
The Dark Knight
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
I'm giving this to the non-obvious HELLBOY II. Benjamin Button will probably win.
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button : Alexandre Desplat
Defiance : James Newton Howard
Milk : Danny Elfman
Slumdog Millionaire : A.R. Rahman
WALL•E : Thomas Newman
Defiance because James Newton Howard wins alot of things or writes alot of scores for movies
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
Slumdog Millionaire : A.R. Rahman, Gulzar("Jai Ho")
Slumdog Millionaire : A.R. Rahman, M.I.A("O Saya")
WALL•E : Peter Gabriel, Thomas Newman("Down to Earth")
This will go to WALL-E because there are two nods for Slumdog and the Academy doesn't want them to assume that they'll win. This is a basic psych-out nomination.
Best Achievement in Sound
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL•E
I'll go with Dark Knight, but really, doesn't it all depend if the sound system at the theatre you go to works?
Best Achievement in Sound Editing
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL•E
I'll guess Slumdog because of all the city noises (thinking there were alot of them)
Best Achievement in Visual Effects
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button : Eric Barba, Edson Williams
The Dark Knight : Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Timothy Webber, Paul J. Franklin
Iron Man
Dark Knight
Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
WALL•E
I'll rely on friend's comment - WALL*E, although I saw Bolt in 3D and thought it to be cute.
Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
Der Baader Meinhof Komplex (Germany)
Entre les murs ( France )
Revanche ( Austria )
Okuribito ( Japan )
Vals Im Bashir ( Israel )
Entre les murs because my sister went to France this year on vacation
Best Documentary, Features
The Betrayal - Nerakhoon
Encounters at the End of the World
The Garden
Man on Wire
Trouble the Water
The Garden because I love gardens
Best Documentary, Short Subjects
The Conscience of Nhem En
The Final Inch
Smile Pinki
The Witness from the Balcony of Room 306
Toss up for me for The Final Inch (that title just makes me giggle) and The Witness from the Balcony of Room 306 because someone was bold enough to make a film about a Peeping Tom (just my guess)
Best Short Film, Animated
Ubornaya istoriya - lyubovnaya istoriya : Konstantin Bronzit
La Maison en Petits Cubes: Kunio Kato
Oktapodi : Julien Bocabeille, François-Xavier Chanioux, Olivier Delabarre, Thierry Marchand, Quentin Marmier, Emud Mokhberi
Presto : Doug Sweetland
This Way Up : Alan Smith, Adam Foulkes
Presto because I like the name
Best Short Film, Live Action
Auf der Strecke
Manon on the Asphalt
New Boy
The Pig
Spielzeugland
The Pig. I haven't seen, but think that if this is a film about the movements of a pig, kudos to the filmmaker for filming a bunch of pigs in the mud.
Those are my picks for awards. I think they should release a list of the attendees and guess who'll be best and worst dressed for the Oscars.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Snap Jump...
Monday, January 19, 2009
I fell prey to a new piece of exercise equipment (well, new to me). My gym membership has expired and I saw the Snap Jump advertised in one of my magazines.
The concept is awesome, two handles with short strings that mimic the sound of the rope hitting the floor when you make a complete rotation with your arm. Basically, you jump rope without getting caught up in the rope or having the rope hit a wall, bookcase, outside gutter, etc...
As I've mentioned, my house is tiny. The patch of cement in the back for the grill is way too small and my ceilings in most rooms are low. When in college, I'd jump rope for 1/2 hour everyday. It was great and I thought the Snap Jump was the perfect answer.
Well, I jumped rope in college - ummm 20 years ago! However, I knew that it would take some time to get back to the 1/2 hour (now, I'm realizing it could be decades) and forgot when I unpacked and programmed it, I put tiny weights in the handle....until this morning.
I was trying to scratch my head (upper arms are KILLING me) this morning trying to fugure out why my arms were killing me. I couldn't remember doing anything strenuous and knew that my hubby did not roll over and beat me in my sleep last night. However, I was totally perplexed until I remember my 94 jumps I did last night (fyi..that is about 1 WHOLE minute of jumping). OMG....how wimpy am I????
I've walked a marathon, hiked the Grand Canyon, but have been beaten by a fake jump rope.
I'm not going to give up. I have to at least make it to a 100 freakin jumps.....
I fell prey to a new piece of exercise equipment (well, new to me). My gym membership has expired and I saw the Snap Jump advertised in one of my magazines.
The concept is awesome, two handles with short strings that mimic the sound of the rope hitting the floor when you make a complete rotation with your arm. Basically, you jump rope without getting caught up in the rope or having the rope hit a wall, bookcase, outside gutter, etc...
As I've mentioned, my house is tiny. The patch of cement in the back for the grill is way too small and my ceilings in most rooms are low. When in college, I'd jump rope for 1/2 hour everyday. It was great and I thought the Snap Jump was the perfect answer.
Well, I jumped rope in college - ummm 20 years ago! However, I knew that it would take some time to get back to the 1/2 hour (now, I'm realizing it could be decades) and forgot when I unpacked and programmed it, I put tiny weights in the handle....until this morning.
I was trying to scratch my head (upper arms are KILLING me) this morning trying to fugure out why my arms were killing me. I couldn't remember doing anything strenuous and knew that my hubby did not roll over and beat me in my sleep last night. However, I was totally perplexed until I remember my 94 jumps I did last night (fyi..that is about 1 WHOLE minute of jumping). OMG....how wimpy am I????
I've walked a marathon, hiked the Grand Canyon, but have been beaten by a fake jump rope.
I'm not going to give up. I have to at least make it to a 100 freakin jumps.....
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