Postcards from the Edge of Sanity

Years and Years Season One (spoilers!!!!!!)

2019-08-12T11:43:00.001-07:00

Argh, there be spoilers ahead, matey!

Yesterday was a lazy afternoon at my house. In the morning I did my workout then cleaned out closets in preparation for the upcoming school year. Then we played outdoors for awhile, running through the sprinkler and jumping in the sandbox, then back to the sprinkler at Mom's insistence. The day started off nice but then became cloudy and humid, so we retreated indoors and lazed around. I haven’t binge watched anything for a long time; I’ve been spending most of my hours lately engaging with kids, in this Marie Kondo process throughout my house (at my own speed, hence the reason it’s still ongoing) and focusing on some personal goals, so the TV has been off. Feeling slovenly, I decided I’d allow myself this afternoon everyone was feeling pretty chill to relax some myself. I saw a pop up ad for Year and Years and it looked somewhat entertaining so I thought I’d give it a go. Fast forward to 1:00 am as I’ve finished the last episode, mouth gaping, wondering at the future of our world.

It starts out in the premise with one day that brings everyone together, then impacts in future years. I wasn’t immediately clear that first day... how the birth of Lincoln pulled them together, but the nuclear bomb later in the episode seemed to have more fallout ramifications that tied the family together. When the sirens started going off, I felt my heart racing as if it was in real time, the panic they felt I was feeling, and then related to the return to life as we know it, as it seems more and more there is some terrible disaster in the news that gives us all pause before our feeds are full once again with political debating, racy memes and puppy dog videos. Speaking of, the puppy dog digital face implants of five or so years from now seem so nuts, but I’m sure 5-7 years ago we didn’t expect our Facebook feeds to be filled with grown woman filtered over with rolled out tongues and floppy ears so.....

The refuge piece of the show was an eye opener, as we see this playing out in real day news now, but to pair the critical scene where disaster strikes with the character who is NOT trying to escape anything, but to free a loved one was something I didn’t see coming and made me pause. And then I felt guilt at that pause, because was I feeling worse that it was a upper middle class man that had no reason to be there other than love rather than someone who truly was escaping torture or trying to find a better life for their child that drowned? Still mulling that one over, and making me see things a little differently.

There’s transgenders and transhumans, there’s affairs and deaths and a judgy grandma, there’s love and hope in the face of corrupt politics.

In the end, Grandma tells her remaining grandchildren who are now shackled in prisons of gated, governed neighborhoods and jobs that require to sacrifice integrity and loss of personal identity as the government now owns part of one of them, the man that lost a million pounds ... there’s so much going on and Grandma says you did this. All of you are to blame. When you’d rather self-checkout than meet the cashier in the eye because her station is below you, you did this. Every choice you made led to this point, when we take the easier, more convenient route or the one that requires less human interaction, here we are, prisoners in our own homes as anyone with 2 extra bedrooms is required to let others left homeless stay with them. You did this.

And in the next scenes, her remaining grandchildren rise. Each one plays their own part in unchaining themselves and overturning the corrupt government, doing Gran proud.

The last scene is bizarre and I’m still not sure what to take of it, so I’ll leave that one to you. It started to have a 6 feet under vibe mixed with... maybe Black Mirror? I’m not sure. It’s been compared to Black Mirror in a lot of what I’ve read, but the extra episodes devoted to one family over decades gives it much more, the saga of a family through loss and gain, love and hate and betrayal and the ability, through it all, to stick together as a family. I recommend this hidden gem if you haven’t seen it, and welcome any additional thoughts, especially on that last episode.

Sneak Peek at Iku Turso

2019-08-11T11:34:00.001-07:00

Just something I'm working on....

Sigsbee Deep, Gulf of Mexico

The water around the beast was black as pitch. Sunlight could not reach these depths in this arcane part of the ocean, the molecules scattering the light and leaving in its place only the dark. To the human eye it would have been totally disorienting, and considering the creatures that called it home, completely terrifying. Long-toothed sharks with three eyes,crabs the size of a car and eels with razor sharp skin skidded away from the Leviathan creature. They could sense the evil that had lie dormant for all these hundreds of years was waking up. It was a hulking form, even in this vast space. It’s chest looked like the barnacled underside of an old sea vessel. Massive grayish green scales covered its torso and face. Where a nose should have been the monster had twelve tentacles that were each the size of a grown man’s leg. In contrast to the rest of it’s coloring, these were a sickly bruised purple shade, mottled with puffs blues and reds, like it’s creator hadn’t quite blended all the colors and the result was a painful, mangled mess of limbs. They dwarfed in comparison to the rest of it. There were four more tentacles on the left and four on the right, stretching out like arms but the were size of tree trunks. It had no legs, but a massive mound of gray flesh it had once used to slither and swim through the ocean’s depth. On occasion, in the days of old, it had ventured closer to land, creeping in the water, blending in with the waves, watching the smug faces of the humans as they exploited his home, with their naive notion they were the master race. Alas, those were the old days. Since one of those fateful visits, the beast had been here. Remaining motionless all of these years, frozen under the ocean, forgotten by man and sea life alike. Now something had happened above sea level, something the creature had been waiting a long, long time for. As the last school of fish scurried away, one black beady eye popped open, and the water around him glowed an eerie red. He concentrated, closing his one eye, focusing on his task. A few seconds later red ink shot out of his siphons, spreading through the water like blood. He waited a moment to see if it worked, if after all this time it still had the desired effect. He watched as the reef around him, now illuminated and glowing red, blackened as his ink washed over it and dissolved away before him. He slashed his tentacles wildly in success, and the last school of fish were obliterated from existence. A select few were impaled on the claws at the end of his feelers and became part of him, enhancing his sinister appearance. Feeling victorious, the beast’s gigantic mouth opened revealing hundreds of sharp green teeth. Bubbles boiled at its lips as it released an agonizing cackle.

Iku Turso was awake.

21 Day Fix and My 100 Healthy School Lunch Challenge

2019-08-10T12:25:00.001-07:00

For more on the 100 Healthy Lunch Challenge, see 100 Days 100 Healthy Lunches

Today I got my portion control containers in the mail to start 21 Day Fix. I’m in the middle (scratch that, first 2 weeks of) Morning Meltdown 100, and I really don’t want to wait until it’s over to start all things 21 Day Fix, so I think I’m going to start Sunday, August 11, so it coincides with my son’s first week of school, as we begin his 100 day healthy lunch challenge. He won’t be using portion control containers, of course, and neither will my 2 year old daughter, who stays at home 3 days a week with Dad, but I am going to try to create meals similar enough to each other I’m not making 3 separate lunches.

I have a plan to grill some chicken for dinner Tuesday, and use the leftovers for salad. My son likes salad as long as 1.) there’s chicken in it and 2.) it has ranch. Ranch isn’t on my menu, but I’ll include in his and my daughter’s lunches, just a little less than they’d probably like. Sometimes it turns into ranch with salad. We’re a work in progress here.

I’ve also got broccoli and cauliflower chopped up to go for all three of us, some carrots and hummus. This will be day one lunch. For Thursday and Friday, I plan on using the rest of the chicken for quesadillas the kids Thursday and mixed in with a corn salad Friday, and more for my greens salad, because I can eat the same lunch three days in a row. I’ve got some hummus to throw into their lunch to dip veggies, and some grapes and berries. I send my son with a huge water bottle they are allowed in class, but suspect he will also order milk with his lunch.

This is my plan, and Tuesday I’ve got another small grocery pickup for some essentials and anything I need to add or adjust for. I will be posting pictures daily of the finished products, but wanted to get a plan laid out prior to, as the first week always brings enough craziness of it’s own!

Now & Then ...Now

2019-08-09T07:10:00.002-07:00

Now & Then

90s kids rejoice, Now & Then is now on Netflix! Of course, I had to give it a rewatch. It was my birthday, and I’d had a full day with family and activities and my 2 year old was asleep, my 7 year old still wired. Typically he falls asleep right after her, but he wanted to watch a movie, and in the waning days of summer vacation I decided to let him stay up a bit later, even though I fully expected him to fall asleep before Devon Sawa kisses Christina Ricci.

I haven’t seen this movie in many many many years, but I remembered the iconic scene where they stole the boys clothes while they were skinny dipping and Chrissy wolfing down a Twinkie while her friends painted the garage, along with the general coming of aging premise of the movie. I had completely forgot about Crazy Pete or the mystery behind Dear Johnny, two things my son latched onto as he watched it like a mystery movie.

I probably watched this movie a million times in 1995-1996 timeframe. I had completely forgotten the mystery central to the movie because at the time, I guess there was another piece I latched onto. My mother passed away that same year the movie was released, and last night as I watched Christina Ricci destroy Cloris Leachman’s mirror, and make copies of the news article with her mother’s death in it, eyes brimming with angry tears, I realized this was the piece of the movie that drew me in.

I was a tomboy, playing basketball every day of the summer between bike rides with my two best girlfriends that lived down the street, traipsing all over town long before cell phones were a thing, dropping by home to “check in” every so often, crushing on boys and spending lazy afternoons in the swimming pool between it all. Christina Ricci was me-although I never had to worry about taping my boobs down (24 years later and that’s still not a problem). The free spirited girl with a bubbling well of anger and sadness mixed with pre-pubescent curiosity-wasn’t it all of us, really?

I didn’t remember the movie being set in 1970, though I’m sure I realized it then. Watching now, in 2019, aside from the clothes (Nancy Sinatra look-alikes)and the soundtrack (knock three times... that scene! Oh how I loved that scene!) this movie could have been us, in 1995 cruising the streets of our neighborhood, being chased or chasing down the neighbor boys all the while figuring out our own “stuff.”

The end of the movie, Demi Moore talks about how the treehouse was to bring them more independence but how it actually made them more independent from each other. This part holds true, especially because, unlike the foursome in the movie, my “gang” grew apart after that summer, and are distances away from each other now, with Facebook Happy Birthday messages and “likes” on our kids pictures our current contact.

Now, the world has changed and I don’t know this movie would have the same real-life connection with today’s girls, who are always connected but it’s a lot more virtual, FaceTime replacing a bike ride over to a friend’s house and treehouses a thing of the past. Then again, maybe it will, as girls will always be curious about boys, families will always have turmoil, and friends when you were 12 will never be like any other.

Ramble's Ramblings on Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

2018-06-26T18:54:00.003-07:00

**************************************************
Argh, matey, there be spoilers dead ahead. Read at yarrrr own risk.........

I went to the movies for the first time in a LONG TIME this past weekend. I mean like the Avengers, the first one, long time (Kids. All I can say, kids.) My son's birthday coincided with the release of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Jurassic World is what started the dinosaur obsession that lasted years. Years and years and years. While we've since moved on to Pokemon, we still spend a lot of time playing about dinosaurs and talking about them, while just not quite as much as Charmander and gang.

I was afraid he wouldn't enjoy the movie since he's not as into it as he was. This was also his first movie in the theater. We got there at the time the movie started, as I didn't want to have to wait too long through previews and him get impatient. 30 minutes later........ 30 MINUTES? when did previews start lasting 30 minutes??? He's looking at me, "Mom, is the movie ever going to start?" I keep reassuring him it will be around minute 21 I start looking around, pinching myself, wondering if I'm dreaming What if THIS is the new movie coming out, we are people trapped in an infinite movie preview loop, forced to figure our own way out? Not fair! We didn't even stop for popcorn!

Finally the movie gets going and YAY he's happy. The first few scenes we got some decent dinosaur action. Not necessarily by prior movies in the Jurassic series, but I figured they really had to build the story up since we're what, five movies into this franchise? Shortly after the few action scenes on the island, we started a lot of conversation. There were scenes back at the Lockwood compound with the fossils and displays and those types of versions of dinosaurs that we, outside of the movieverse, are familiar with. Not much excitement right?

I felt like the whole movie was like those inanimate fossils. There were a few scenes with the dinosaurs out and running and running and running from volcano, from the bounty hunter guys trying to chase them down for their Dark Noah's Ark thing they had going, and then the dinosaurs were pretty much locked up - the entire movie. So... YEAH. We saw this in 3D, and I had pumped my son up that this was going to make it even cooler. I thought for sure we'd see Blue jumping out from somewhere, or the TRex's tail would come lashing at the audience or...SOMETHING.

There was a nice long action sequence with the Blue and the new and improved creation of Dr. Wu. The IndoRaptor was cool. I really liked this dinosaur. The way that Dr. Wu explained him, I was like this guy, this guy is going to do some damage. With Indominus Rex in Jurassic World, we saw some buildup, we became somewhat acquainted with the dinosaur, how he operated, his cold blooded killing of other dinosaurs, etc. IndoRaptor held high hopes, but alas, we were EXPLAINED what he could be and tossed a couple bones what he could do. Granted, he was just a prototype, they weren't done yet. But that fight scene fell flat for me. The plot line with the granddaughter did, too. We are introduced, over and over to her. There's buildup to the picture of her mother. We get to it, we get to the admission, and then it's over. She releases the other dinosaurs to save them "Because they're like me", but... WHAT? Like I felt like this was kind of a big deal to skim over. Or will this be explored in future movies?

I felt like this was a filler episode-we are gearing up for another movie, setting the stage for the next great one, and this was just a layover movie. The important part? My kid loved it, regardless. Cos there were dinosaurs. For me, that's all that matters, so when it comes out on Blu-Ray and he wants to get it, I'll inevitably watch it so many times I'll have every word memorized (My personal favorite-Don't...Move...A Muscle!") and that will be ok.

Besides, look at this lil guy, isn't he cute?

aff link

Milton's Balls

2013-03-17T19:53:00.000-07:00

Anyone catch The Talking Dead after tonight's The Walking Dead? How do we feel about Milton? Ballless nerd? Snapped arsonist? Mad scientist mastermind? Todd McFarlane's perogative on The Talking Dead seemed far fetched, but seriously, how badass would that be if Milton was really trying to figure the zombies out to manipulate them? (Insert maniacal laughter) it would obviously deviate from the comic, but that's nothing new there. Any opinions? What would you do with a horde of zombies under your control?

Ramble's Book Review: True Confessions by Rachel Gibson

2012-01-30T09:52:00.000-08:00

On our typical Friday night date night, my fiancee and I went to dinner, Best Buy for a movie for him, and Barnes and Noble for a few new reads for me. With the belly continually bulging, I went for a few (more) books on pregnancy and new babies, but also had to cave to my desires of some good ole' fashioned escape fiction, after recently finishing a couple historical non-fiction finds. I opted for True Confessions for the same reason I opt for any other escape fiction: The cover was pretty in pinks and yellows, and when looking for a retreat, aesthetics sells.

I read the book in about a day and a half. I loved the premise, cliche as it was, a small town shaken up by the arrival of the big city's Hope Spencer, a writer cloaked in mystery, who keeps running into the small town's Sheriff, Dylan Taber, also cloaked in his own mystery. And thrown in the mix, the house she's rented was once home to the old Sheriff, who committed suicide inside the house under mysterious circumstances. The book had potential.

Now, let me clarify something. While I say I needed "escape fiction", I don't necessarily mean I'm a sucker for the "throbbing members" or "supple breasts" repeated over and over in romantic novels. I like a little bit of romance, but am more interested in the twists and turns the story takes. True Confessions had all the mystery, lies, and S&M secrets to lead one to think it was going that direction, but about halfway through the novel, I could see that was not the case. There was a lot of the above mentioned verbiage that had me rolling my eyes, and skimming the pages until it was over. I know this is a great appealing quality in a romance to some, but not this gal. I was really hoping to see how the story with the old Sheriff would develop, what her research would uncover, but it turned out to be a very shallow sub-story thrown in the mix. No development, much like the characters.

All in all, it was a quick, fun read, which I guess is what I was looking for, but still left me wanting a little something more. Until I can find that perfect escape novel, I'll return for now to my Dr. Oz book on parenting, hoping it leaves me with a better feeling than Gibson's novel.

Amy Winehouse Dead at 27

2011-07-23T12:47:00.000-07:00

Well I know she wasn't the surest bet to make it to social security, but finding this site was kinda sad. I guess on the brightside, someone may be the proud winner of a new Ipod.

Here's a list of some other famous people that died at 27:
Robert Johnson (May 8, 1911 – August 16, 1938)Sold his soul to the devil.... thereby being the first "sell-out". (I kid. I love Robert Johnson)

Brian Jones (28 February 1942 – 3 July 1969)One of the founding members of the Rolling Stones, first of the next 3 to die within a 2 year timespan
Jimi Hendrix, (November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970) I named my guitar Jimi, and almost broke a tooth trying to play like he could.
Janis Joplin (January 19, 1943 – October 4, 1970)The creative inspiration behind every female with a horrible voice thinking she can sing Bobby McGee (myself included) Janis was awesome. I used to play "Pearl" on my record player for hours around the age of 11. I think she was the inspiration for all of my musical tastes to follow.
Jim Morrison,(December 8, 1943 – July 3, 1971)I love his poetry books, and the movie spawned the Crush On Val Kilmer that would last until, well, his most recent movies.
Kurt Cobain (February 20, 1967 – c. April 5, 1994)The first big celebrity death I remember, and still sad to think of how Nirvana could have been had he lived. But then we wouldn't have had the Foo Fighters.

Jonathan Brandis (April 13, 1976 – November 12, 2003)Yeah, he doesn't really fit into this musical sphere, but I had every teen beat with his face on the cover during a period of the 90's (along with Brad Renfro, who died at 25...Thank God JTT is still around.)

Season 7 Weeds: More Thoughts From Ramble

2011-07-21T10:18:00.000-07:00

Well we've gone from Agrestic to the beach to Wyoming and then to the clink. Well, Nancy went to the clink while the rest went to Amsterdam. And as Shane recreated the Agrestic bedroom for his recentlly sprung mother, it feels as though Weeds has come full circle. Sort of. Nancy is back with nothing, Shane seems to be regressing to a little kid over his guilt from his mother going to jail for him. His need for approval is almost sickening to watch, as we not so long ago watched this kid kill a grown woman with a croquet mallet. Doug has gone back to working for the man, though those men are all potheads too. Andy is still the playboy we first met, still casting sidelong glances at Nancy. There is a lot of self loathing in Andy, for try as he might, he still loves Nancy. And speaking of self loathing, Silas has tried, tried, tried, harder than any other character, to break free of Nancy. Or at least he acts like it. Him coming home from Amsterdam surprised me, but Silas' character always has. In some ways, he seems to have evolved the most, standing up to Nancy at the apartment, telling her they were equals now. Then, they meet for lunch and he gives in and gives her his food, after rubbing it in her face what he had to eat. He is in an eternal struggle with his soul how to deal with his mother, but he came back. So obviously we know he hasn't completely broke free. He, along with every other man in Nancy's life, is still very much Nancy's bitch. Nancy is that person you hate because somewhere, deep inside, you want to be here. You think, "Damn, I wish I could get away with that. I wish I could say things like that. I wish Aidan Quinn would look at me like that" (Well, maybe not entirely.) Now matter what the situation, she keeps her cool, the lady gets her way nearly everytime, and the men can't seem to resist her. Now, with this lesbian twist, sounds like the ladies can't resist her either. Or maybe they just got bored in prison.

I know that as the seasons progress, in any show, the criticism draws sharper and harsher. I think Weeds has done a great job of new, crazy storylines to keep the plot going. This may also be why I don't see much development in the characters; they've been able to keep us entertained by twists like Nancy killing her DEA boyfriend, then getting knocked up by a Mexican drug lord/politician, Andy dating Alanis Morissette, Shane whacking that crazy Mexican brawd, and Richard Dreyfuss. Yes, Richard Dreyfuss. However, the characters remain somewhat stagnant and one dimensional. I miss the Hoades family, which to me seemed to have the most character development. I mean, c'mon it's three years in the future from where we left off, and the guys don't seem to have changed a bit. It will be interesting to see, as this season progresses, if Nancy's "You're adults now" speech will hold, and if Shane will get off his mother's tit, if Silas can finally free himself of her grasp, and if Andy can move on from this fruitless crush. The real question: If Nancy gets her wish for her boys to grow up and move on, can she survive without them? The freedom sounds nice, but the thought of Nancy minus her groupies may be more than she bargained for. What do you think of this season? Has it jumped the shark or are we just getting started?

Season 4 True Blood: Ramble's Thoughts Thus Far

2011-07-20T15:29:00.000-07:00

This season is based on my favorite book of the Sookie series, Dead to the World, in which Eric loses his memory. While in the books, I have always liked Bill a little better, I'm a total Eric fan in the show. I have been, along with many others, a bit frustrated with the stray from the books the show has taken, but expected that, as movies and television always take creative liberties with books. What I didn't like about Season 3 though were all sub-plots. I felt like there were so many different stories going on, that none of them were fully developed, and the whole season was like one big filler episode.

However, in the early stage of Season 4, I am starting to see some of that groundwork coming to fruition with the story of the coven. We have yet to see Tara's full evolution after being held hostage by a vampire and running of to New Orleans and becoming a lesbian. I feel so far that has just been sort of "skimmed over" and hope that it was, again, laying the foundation for something in the future. The fairies thing is just plain whack, and I will never be able to look at Tinkerbell the same way again.

As for Eric and Sookie, again this is my favorite book so I'm loving Eric's transformation from the serious, sexy vamp to the little puppy-dog carefree amnesiac. I don't think he's ever looked cuter than after draining the fairy, and turning to Sookie with that little smile (I'm screwed up, ok?) I'm excited to see their romance progress, and how it will compare to the books. And I'm excited to see more of Alcide with his shirt off. There should be a rule of True Blood: If Alcide is in the shot-he should be shirtless. And I especially liked the teaser before he shifted to search for Eric. You know what I'm talkin 'bout.

As for Bill, I love seeing him with all these different women that really mean nothing to him, and his progression to King. He's a jerk, I've always disliked him in the show, and this new role seems perfectly fitting for him. I like the introduction to Grandma Bellefleur , and especially that moment of realization: "Eek, your banging your great great great granddaughter" from her uptight lil ole self. As for Andy, he never ceases to provide the comic relief. Even more so now that Jason has gone missing. That storyline kind of bored me in the books, and I find it even more lame on the show, but I enjoy watching Ryan Kwanten's skinny little self so I'll deal with it. Sam's whole family of shifters story is ok, but as far as the shifter's stories go, I'd prefer just to stick with Alcide. Shirtless, of course.

Ramble's Top Five Recommendations: A Few Good Books

2011-07-16T19:55:00.000-07:00

Hi yo. Been beach bummin it for awhile and picking up some cool books in the process. They aren't necessarily "hot new releases" but rather a collection of things I picked up along the way, and until now never had the time to read. Here's some I'd like to share. Go forth, read, and report back.

1.) Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman. I'm kinda in this craze right now for his stuff. Known for American Gods, Coraline, and Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader (I love the gambit he runs!) this is a collection of some of his short stories. One that I am still stuck on, Closing Time, has this chilling quality that I can't explain-it's still haunting. In his ghost stories where the children are protagonist, there seems to be some force working for them; be it naivety, innocence, or some long forgotten strength we possess in our childhood, the characters march on in ignorant bliss as the reader cringes. (Don't open that door, don't follow that boy, etc. etc.)

2.) Cherry by Mary Karr. A girl after my own heart, Karr's memoir reads in such a way no matter what generation you were born into, you can relate. I found myself going back through my own journals in those formative years from 11-18, reading my own evolution. Her experiences with kissing boys, drugs, sex, and all the while returning home to her dysfunctional family sounds like a crazy childhood, but when you really think about it, whose was that different?

3.) Ava's Man by Rick Bragg. I plan to explore this a bit more as it relates to my own move to the south. This book made me laugh throughout, but I found myself sobbing at the books end. The story of Bragg's grandfather Charlie, as recreated through stories from aunt's, uncles, cousins and friends, is a heartwarming look at a South that is no more, a grandfather Bragg never knew, and a family that never forgot.

4.) Carnal Innocence by Nora Roberts. Yup, just like that, I throw in a Nora Roberts book. Again, maybe it was the move to the South, but I loved this book, maybe it was because it's the perfect beach read on a sultry hot day, maybe it's because I'm a sucker for a romance. Caroline Waverly is the type of girl you wanna be, that innocent, breezy, effortlessly beautiful gal that wins the heart of the town's playboy. A nice piece of escape fiction.

5.)Finding Your Own North Star by Martha Beck. This was probably one major contributing factor in my move. Beck's book is geared towards career change, but I took it as overall overhaul life change. The message is pretty simple: follow your heart, follow your gut. As we all know, that's easier said than done, and Beck's advice and exercises helps really pull out of you what lies beneath, and what is holding you back.

The Tale of the Exploding Bra

2011-07-09T20:56:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen that Will and Grace episode where Grace's water-bra explodes? Yeah. One day I was running around the house getting ready for work, and couldn't find a clean bra to save my life. I dug in the "crap drawer" (We all have these, right? The bras and panties of yesteryear, the random sock we swear we will find the other one, or am I just a complete pack rat?) and found a water-bra. Remember those? Yeah. So I scramble through the rest of my morning getting ready in the frenzy that is Ramble's a.m. everyday, and head to work.
I'm sipping my Mcd's iced vanilla coffee and jamming to some Jimmy Buffett as I pull into work. I breathed the sigh that is also part of my a.m. ritual (at least on days I work) and shut off the ignition. As I hung my badge that permits access to the building around my neck, I felt something wet. Something really wet. Hmm. Last I checked I wasn't pregnant, so lactation was out of the question. I then realized that I had put on that God-forsaken water-bra. Oh. My. God. It had sprung a leak. My mind raced for quick fixes. I thought of, as I always do in times of crisis, Chevy Chase. Bubble gum. But how did that work again? Think Ramble, think. National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation. Hoover Dam. Wait. That didn't work so well for him. The clock was ticking.

I made my way inside, grateful I had a black shirt on that day. I felt lopsided as I shifted my purse, trying to find balance as not to fall over. I passed my coworkers in a frenzy, bee-lining it to the bathroom. I hid in the stall for a few moments, weighing my options. I was lopsided and wet. I found my only option was to take off my bra in the stall, dry myself off, drain the rest of the "rightie" in the toliet, use my earring to pop the other side, and drain it as to not be off kilter all day. I felt like MacGyver as I put my bra and shirt back on, and made my way to clock in.
There is no moral of this story other than this: Throw out the "crap drawer", and never leave home without a spare earring, some TP, and a little quick thinking.

The Winter of our Discontent

2011-06-23T21:32:00.000-07:00

I just watched Reality Bites for the millionth time last night. It was the first time I've watched it in a few years, though, but could still repeat the dialogue verbatim. When Winona Ryder walked into the club looking for Ethan Hawke after they'd slept together, I had a minor epiphany.

My 29th birthday drawing near, I realized how certain movies had altered my perception of impending events. For instance, when I was twelve, I was sure that high school was going to be exactly like Dazed and Confused. Imagine my disappoint when it was very, very, very unlike anything Randall "Pink" Floyd experienced. When I was 16 or 17 and first discovered Reality Bites, I imagined college and my twenties to be just like it, complete with my own Ethan Hawke. Other than drinking massive amounts of big gulps, dating a few douches like Ben Stiller, and the occasional flash-song breakout of Conjunction Junction, alas, it has been another disappointment. Bring it on, 30's, I have no expectations, 'cept for maybe the Hangover. Third times a charm right? Any one else have a similar experience?

Insanity

2011-06-22T19:28:00.000-07:00

The last few months have been crazy. I've moved. More to follow, but for right now catch up with me in Destin

Kind of a big deal

2010-02-07T13:35:00.001-08:00

If you know me, then you know this. Yes, my apartment smells of rich mahoghany and I have lots of leather bound books. And now, I have my very own cuppycake named after me. Check it out. The Donna.

Step Away from the Facebook

2010-01-27T21:41:00.000-08:00

Am I alone here? I'm lying in bed, trying to get to sleep and there is this nagging, gnawing feeling I have something I should be doing. Paying bills? Eh. Laundry? Nah. Finishing that novel? or the screenplay? Or even a worthwhile blog? Oh no. I have spaghetti and meatballs cooking. And coconuts to steal. And maybe even some chicks to fight along with my sorority sisters. Oh yes, the vicious cycle that is Facebook Games.

I had a weekend of "reflecting" (or detoxing, call it what you will, I stayed out of the bars!) and spent a lot of time working on my writing. However, as soon as the flicker of the display comes on, I feel the need to gear my laptop away from it's intended target of Microsoft Word and into the world wide web of obsession. Farm Town? Check. Farmville? Check...Why again do I need two farms? Ok so that was alright, but while I was waiting for creative inspiration to strike (And those damn grapes to grow) I'd check out other apps. My Zoo. Check. Cafe World. Check. Oh dear. This is not going good. No I've got grapes and cows to harvest, lions to breed and oh my a french onion soup mess in my kitchen. Whew. Got it all cleaned and good to go. What to do now? Oh, look, a shiny Rock Pool. Check. Island Paradise? Check.

Today I stopped and thought about the time I've invested in these games and discovered I could have:
Done 4 loads of laundry
Folded all of said laundry and put it away in it's delegated spot.
Actually had delegated spots for my laundry because I'd have time to organize
Read a book.
Wrote a couple blogs.
Watched a movie that had more meaning that stealing someone's goat.

I admit, I'm an addict. Maybe there's self help groups out there. Maybe a dose of sunshine amidst the dreary January days is what I need. I felt that, if I posted this blog, maybe, just maybe, one you out there reading that has the same addiction wouldn't feel so alone, so ashamed, so scared if you knew there was others out there like you. Plus, you can add me as a neighbor and send me gifts :)

I couldn't help but wonder.....

2010-01-26T12:17:00.001-08:00

about Sex in the City reruns.
does anyone else feel guilty for listening to these girls in the past? was it because being a 30 something new yorker is like being a 20 something in the small towns? and in my late twenties I realize the bullshit of this show? Carrie is supposed to the be independent woman we strive to be (or I thought) but really she is a co dependent Blahnik addicted chain smoking mess. I feel better. Thanks for listening.
Now a word from our sponsor:

Arrested Development Coming Soon

2010-01-24T11:02:00.000-08:00

Will Arnett has confirmed....Arrested Development is coming soon to theaters. As interviewed Arnett stated he couldn't give many details for fear of being held up for treason. Arnett can be seen in the new movie When In Rome with Josh Duhamel (Las Vegas, major hottie...ya know he married that one singer chick....) and also going to be in Despicable Me. As for Despicable Me, I think I'm going to skip that. The previews teased at the beginning it could be something kinda "cute" but then it lost steam as the preview waned on. It does appear to have a pretty star studded cast, but maybe I'll wait for the DVD. And I recently caught him in Wristcutter's, A Love Story with Patrick Fugit from Almost Famous, another one of my favs. I recommend you see them both if you haven't. There's your homework for the week.

It sounds like Arrested Development won't be out till 2011, but in the meantime you can catch the rest of the cast in several things out this year. David Cross was just in Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Squeakqel, and in an effort to build in a Kevin Bacon 6 Degrees of Separation to this blog, he also stars alongside Kate Hudson (Almost Famous) in and Kristin Wiig, who is also in Despicable Me. (flowcharts to follow...right?!?) I also suggest you catch Cross in Mr. Show with Bob and David ("More homework, but Ramble..." Quit complaining and watch. Thank me later.)

Jason Bateman, who tore up the big screen in 2009 with roles in Couples Retreat, Up in the Air, The Invention of lying and more, will star in Paul and The Baster this year. And then there's that George Michael...a relative unknown until his success in Arrested Development. Although rumoured that he wasn't returning for the movie, Michael confirms he is returning to his roots on E!
although there is a much different take on the situation in this article.

Regardless of Cera's strife, I'm excited to see how the movie will play out. Much like Family Guy, Fox gave up too early on this show and it has found a cult following in the afterlife called syndication. IFC runs it pretty regularly, so check your local listings.

Can't Wait for Season 3

2010-01-17T20:36:00.000-08:00

anyone else missing this? I'm sorry Edward, Bill, Jasper, ya just don't do it for me.

Someone say Season 3??

Also, check out www.charlaineharris.com for updates on her latest book. I can't wait !!!

What's Up With....

2009-11-30T20:47:00.001-08:00

Just some general wtf moments I've had recently.

1.) the inspiration for this particular entry: Luke Wilson's hair on those cellular commercials. Really? What happened to you super cute Luke Wilson? Owen's look doesn't work on you. Sorry.

2.) People straight bashing Twilight and New Moon on Twilight and New Moon sites, articles, etc. Or people bashing in general different modes of entertainment on said entertainments website. I just don't get it. Who really takes the time to go out of there way to a website on something they don't like to bash it? I understand if it's politically and you feel that your opinion may "change the world" or whatev, but the fact you think Twilight is for teeny bopper girls...Really doesn't change my opinion and not an issue I'd focus my time on changing people's views on.

3.) The Jackson Five Reality show. Need I say More?

4.)The Coca Cola Christmas bears extinction. We can start playing Christmas movie at the mall in September, but my personal staple of Christmas is still in hibernation.

4.) Google wave. I don't want to be part of you elite society. No, thank you.

We Interrupt your Regularly Scheduled Programming.....

2009-10-21T22:47:00.000-07:00

Off the beaten path

You are The High Priestess

Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education.

The High Priestess is the card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information that she might, or might not reveal to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent by her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know. The High Priestess is also associated with the moon however and can also indicate change or fluxuation, particularily when it comes to your moods.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Jim Carroll 8/1/49-9/11/09

2009-10-21T20:49:00.000-07:00

Without internet for several weeks, I haven't been able to post anything recently. And on an incredible sad note, my favorite modern poet/spoken-word performer/punk rocker died and I grieved the only way I know how. I wrote. Now, since I'm back online I thought I'd share as he is a writer I think everyone should aquaint themselves with. He's raw, he's vivid, and his soul seemed to bleed through and spill over in his writing. Jim Carroll author of the Basketball Diaires, Forced Entries, and Fear of Dreaming died on 9/11/09. I think it's interesting to note the significance as Jim Carroll's background was always the pulsing city, whether it be his high school ball games or his next score or rocking out a list of people who died in his city (see video). I found this paper I wrote when I was a freshmen in high school. This was the time of my life I was determined to move to NYC and become a Village bum and hang out with Jim Carroll and the likes. Never made it to NYC but I still promise myself I will someday. It's sad now-as youth evaporates we see our dreams shriveling up due to circumstance. And now meeting Jim is one of those dreams deterred. I re-read my paper; I had wanted to share it on here but have decided against it. If this is the first time you've read anything by him, I don't want it to be tainted by my analysis. The thousands of dollars in student loans I pay on ever month for my schooling and the one lesson I've learned in my studies as an English major: Who gives a %#^@ what someone else's take on the work is? Enjoy it. Make it your own. Perhaps I've become a solipsist in my old age, or maybe I'm just over the "only one way to skin a cat" approach my school took and applied to all things literature, but I want you to read this and think of your own dreams, not jilted by mine... Make this one yours. RIP Jim Carroll.

Little Ode On St. Anne's Day by Jim Carroll
Your growing up,
And rain sort of remains
On the branches of a tree
That wil someday Rule the earth,
And that's good
That there is rain
It clears the month
Of your sorry rainbow expressions
And clears the streets
of silent armies
so we can dance

Just Because...

2009-09-05T21:33:00.000-07:00

....It was all rainy depressing day here in the midwest, so I had to add these to cheer myself up.... Even when it's rainy on the beach it was still beautiful!

Top Five Reasons I Can't Wait for September (+1)

2009-08-24T19:32:00.000-07:00

Here's the Top Five Shows I'm excited about this fall:

Vampire Diaries Another Vamp show? BRING IT ON! And super excited to see Ian Somerhalder (Boone from Lost, also was in Smallville) back in a series. Series Premiere September 10th-CW

Castle-I'm watching a re-run now. And I love it. Just love it. Season Premiere September 21st on ABC!! They are my new Bones for tension portrayed right?

Mentalist Simon Baker is my latest heartthrob-his wit, sarcasm, play into it, but it's his character's ability to be so laid back-not giving a care-but not come off as cocky but rather charming. Season Premiere September 24th on CBS.

NCIS My mom and I always called mark Harmon the "woo woo guy" b/c of his good looks...So I've literally had a crush on the man for 20 some years now. And the rest the guys? Not too shabby. Oh. Yeah, and the shows AMAZING. Season Premiere on CBS Sept 22

Fringe By far, my favorite new show of last year. It's interesting watching Joshua Jackson evolve over the years; it's like I've grown up with him from Mighty Ducks to Dawson's Creek to Fringe =)Premieres Thursday
Sept 17 on Fox

Ok this makes six but somehow I forgot Flash Forward September 24 on ABC. Penny and Charlie from LOST-plus a messed up timeline woven in the plot-Not that Lost can ever be replaced, but after this season I was terrified the "smart" show would die with it and the Smoke Monster...but with this show I believe there is hope....

Shameless Self Promotion

2009-08-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

And the people who love it.
No. Really. I have decided, being the eclectic wonder I am, to break up some of my blogs. I haven't uploaded the previous ones relating to these, they will stay here, but to try to sort out some of the madness, my Vamp related blogs will primarily go here
Style:Something With a Little Bit of Bite
My Lost related blogs (there haven't been many lately, but trust me, they're coming) will go here cuz I'm Lost Till the End
Depending how those go I may break up my political rants into a separate blog as well, I'm not sure yet though. They are very new so be gentle on criticism! I had been advised to redo my template for this blog, but I couldn't find anything I liked after hours of searching; it just feels right for THIS page. I did find so many other fun things out there I wanted to try them all, so I'm starting with those two.
Between those two and this one, and a blog I keep in anonymity, (No I can't tell you...that defeats the purpose!) I have also got a good start this weekend on my novel...I consider it my Magnum Opus but we'll see. I have been writing it in screenplay and book form, so I think it will take awhile but that's ok :) I'm patient.
I'm also participating in the local events for the Audit the Fed campaign on September 15 which you haven't looked into in your own area, I suggest you do. It's exciting with all the Tea Parties and 912 meetups and now this, how the mass movement of the people seems to be greater than any other time in our history. Vietnam had it's groups of protesters but they all seemed lumped into one "group" of young hippies, whereas now there is no stereotypical protester, yet an angry mob

I digress...

Anyway, check em out lemme know what you think and what you guys are doing on September 12th and 15th =)