Search Keywords:

(alternative title: How Paul Rudd saved me from a fiery crash -- let's see how long it takes for THAT to trend)

The most common phrases used to find my blog over the last month:

"paul rudd adventures in babysitting"
"george newbern paul rudd"
"life of a sequestered juror"
"twiddling my thumb"
"paul rudd father of the bride"
"sun salutation poses"
"life as a sequestered juror"
"life as sequestered juror"
"student revisited"
"sun salutation yoga pose"

Since Paul Rudd is the most photogenic of the bunch I decided to use a picture of him (from Thehunkies.com).

"Jurors" are usually NOT that interesting...unless you're a juror seated on the "Trial of the Century" or the first "Twitter Trial" or any one of the other similar references you'd like to use. If you don't know what I'm talking about then you've been living under a rock. LUCKY YOU!

Anything related to yoga is very interesting...but because my last experience was watching Power Yoga on ION Life (yesterday), I don't feel qualified to talk about it. NOT that I've ever been qualified to talk about it (except in the limited student way).

The last film I watched starring Paul was horrible. Yes, HORRIBLE. I can't believe I just said that either. How Do You Know also had Reese Witherspoon and Owen Wilson. I guess bad things do happen to awesome people. Will I hold it against either of the three? Absolutely not!

Now you can get back to Twiddling your Thumbs!

~~J

Child of Glass

(or creepy memories in the form of a blue ghost)

Years of asking, "Have you seen the Glass Child?" have essentially paid off...thanks in part to my lax Internet skills.

After research, the facts probably are as follows:

In Germany circa 1989, AFN aired this Walt Disney made-for-TV movie Filled With Murder, Mystery...And Ghosts!

The movie centers on a boy who moves into an old, majestic Southern plantation in Louisiana with his family and becomes involved in the legends that haunt the home and surrounding land.

I, alongside my next-door neighbor friends watched it, recorded it (VHS tapes, yo yo yo), and promptly became obsessed:

Halloween became All Saint's Eve
We saw "restless spirits" everywhere (or was that just me?)
Midnight was a special, creepy hour
Any unexplained sound was a ghost (our age, nice)

My crush on the main character Alexander Armsworth was serious...and I was convinced that the role of Blossom (his mystery-solving best gal pal) was created for me. Why else would I get so emotional when Blossom sees Alexander waltzing with another?

Finding a copy of the movie today is apparently difficult. I've seen bids on Amazon starting at fifty bucks! It's been downloaded to YouTube as well, but I refuse to watch the entire thing unless it's on the VHS tape I recorded it on (more than twenty years ago).

By thinking about this movie (and finally finding information on it), I can see where the foundation for my current interest in otherworldly beings, astronomical planes, and apparitions originated.

Question: Do I "believe" in ghosts?
Answer: Yes.

More entries to follow!

~~J

Meet Me on the Equinox...

Meet me half way.
When the sun is perched at

it's highest peek
in the middle of the day.

--Death Cab for Cutie

During the equinox, the length of night and day across the world is nearly, but not entirely, equal. This is because the day is slightly longer in places that are further away from the equator, and because the sun takes longer to rise and set in these locations. (source)

Anyway, it's here...Spring. And since my university is on "break" this week, I am home. Ironically LAST year around this time I was visiting the campus/program in Milledgeville. Don't worry though, I am busy with classwork and research paper construction.

Current reading material includes the following literary criticism:

"Classical Agents of Christian Grace in Flannery O'Connor's 'Greenleaf'"

"Flannery O'Connor's Inverted Saints Legend"

"'Greenleaf': A Story of Lent"

"Flannery O'Connor's 'Greenleaf' And the Myth of Europa and the Bull"

And the mythologies surrounding: Europa (and Zeus), Minos, Pasiphae, Ariadne, and Phaedra.

I'm also bringing Shakespeare into the mix--through Romeo & Juliet. As abstract as it all may sound right now, I hope to fashion this into 4,500 words of awesome.

But I still need a point, an outline, a thesis, a title...um. Everything.

What a lovely Spring Break, huh?

~~J

Memphis Memories:

The Switch, The Grizzlies, and Conversations under a Super Moon.

Obscenus!

“I never knew a girl who was ruined by a book."
--James Walker

I watched an interesting documentary via Netflix tonight entitled Obscene (2007).

It follows Barney Rosset of Grove Press, who published several alternative/literary classics in the U.S. when no one else would:

D.H. Lawrence (Lady Chatterley's Lover)
Henry Miller (Tropic of Cancer)
Allen Ginsberg (Howl)
William S. Burroughs (Naked Lunch)

It's a long documentary (as far as documentaries go)--more than an hour and a half in length. Some of it is a bit boring, while other parts are interesting. There is a lot about the Evergreen Review, a literary journal also published by Rosset from 1957-1973...(is now back Online) exciting!

I found out Grove Press is the exclusive U.S. publisher of the unabridged complete works of the Marquis de Sade....I own Justine as well as Lady Chatterley's Lover--but I have only scanned/skimmed through them...I haven't made it cover to cover yet.

Of course, I own four volumes of Anaïs Nin's journals and her Delta of Venus (related because of her famous relationship with Henry Miller).

Five of the authors Rosset had the nerve to publish have even gone on to win the Nobel Prize in Literature!

If none of these titles mean anything to you, here is a selection from the top 100 Banned/Challenged Books last decade (2000-2009) according to the American Library Association:

1 Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling
5 Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
6 I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
10 The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
14 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain

15 The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
16 Forever, by Judy Blume
17 The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
19 Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
21 To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

26 Beloved, by Toni Morrison
28 Bridge To Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson
29 The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
33 Snow Falling on Cedars, by David Guterson
36 Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley

43 Blubber, by Judy Blume
46 Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
49 One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, by Ken Kesey
50 The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
55 Summer of My German Soldier, by Bette Green

65 The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien
67 A Time to Kill, by John Grisham
69 Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
72 Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison
74 The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold

81 Black Boy, by Richard Wright
87 Tiger Eyes, by Judy Blume
88 The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood
89 Friday Night Lights, by H.G. Bissenger
90 A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle

Do you feel like READING? I feel like writing!

~~J

Adaptations (1)

Another trip to the bookstore (they usually run about $1 a piece) made me realize the amount of books I own which have also been made into films.

"Modern" books, let me rephrase this--because how many film versions are there of anything Shakespeare or Austen? Exactly. You could also include Little Women, Gone With the Wind, The Great Gatsby, Of Mine and Men, To Kill a Mockingbird in the realm of "classics" I own which have also been made into film.

And In Cold Blood was turned into Capote (recently read)...and then I have a few short stories which... OKAY...we're only talking about the twelve SIX pictured above!

Now here's a secret: I think I say 100% of the time that I read the BOOK first before seeing the FILM version. NOT TRUE! I only read TWO of the above books before the film came out.

Animal Husbandry (Laura Zigman) was turned into Someone Like You in 2001. I had read the book and had no idea about a movie until I saw a preview and screamed, "HEY! They stole that from the book I read a while ago!" Yeah, I was that passionate about it.

The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold) was read several years before the (very) recent film. I even loaned it to someone so she could read it before the movie came out. I liked the book better, although I appreciated the film as well.

---------------------------------------

I learned via a somewhat terse conversation in a Film class that movies and books are to be seen as separate from one another. This is a hard concept. Readers don't want to see their imagined worlds "ruined" on the big screen. We're a very specific bunch. I've learned to handle/watch the film version with a grain of salt (so to speak).

---------------------------------------

(Films before Book for the remaining run down)

Little Children (Tom Perrotta) is one of my favorite films as well as one of my favorite "modern" books. It is a guilty little pleasure for me (personal reasons) and even though the laundry room/basement scene in the movie is beyond amazing (hot hot hot), the chapter entitled "Reasons it Might Be True" is just as gripping.

What Was She Thinking? (Zoë Heller) was turned into Notes On a Scandal (2006). I was highly "into" the film, but have yet to read the book. It is one of the $1 finds of the day. The ephebophilic relationship is a commonly written about subject. I learned a new word today--click on the link and you will as well. (Edit: I'm 50 pages into it now)

Girl With A Pearl Earring (Tracy Chevalier) is a historical novel written/based on a painting by Vermeer. I have seen the film and I have studied Vermeer (officially, for a class) and so I felt it was time to grab the book. Again, it was hiding in a $1 box; glad I went shuffling through it.

The Reader (Bernhard Schlink) was one of those thought provoking films. It really had me. I bought the book in hopes of digesting it. It still hasn't happened. It was translated from German. As someone who has a deep understanding of the language, I can't stand reading the translation. I need the original (in German) I think. This is the same reason I can't read Kafka.

(six more to come tomorrow)

~~J

Learning Sanskrit:

although that's a little bit misleading.

Very misleading, to tell you the truth.

Learning sanskrit would probably be calmer and more focused than any post I could come up with right now.

Cohesive.

That's the word I was searching for...learning sanskrit would be more cohesive than any blog post right now.

Typically I like to have themes or one singular driving point:

I started an entry about Alice in Wonderland (which I saw and loved last weekend). My post included a feminist ramble and snatches from the Jabberwocky.

I started an entry rating rejection letters from various MFA programs. I have two "snail mail" letters and only one "e-mail" to refer to...and the "e-mail" wins hands down. It's the best. I've printed it out to be inspired (and I'm not being sarcastic).

Both entries were stagnant and short.

I considered writing about my obsession with Criminal Minds. Not the minds of criminals, per say, but the television show that seems to run in circles whenever I'm flipping through channels. And by "circles," I mean neverending, because I've never seen one episode twice.

The show is addictive, but maybe not the best to fall asleep to--I've found myself hopping up and finding HGTV so I can dream about vacation homes on Fiji or the Great Barrier Island of New Zealand instead of profilers working for the FBI.

I was going to tell you about my new (to me) car.

I was going to tell you about Yellow Tail Chardonnay and the night I had the pleasure to hear student fiction read to me until my laughter turned to tears.

But in a way, I guess I just did all that.

~~J

Books like to Teeter-Totter

(a statement proven by this very picture -- snapped this morning)

If I sleep with enough literature books under my bed, will the knowledge seep into my brain as I toss and turn OR do I have to open up the pages and actually read?

I jest (you know). But it was a good way to preface another trip to the used bookstore (maybe).

This time around I specifically did NOT pick up any F. Scott Fitzgerald (although a couple of his short stories are in the anthologies). I tried to be a little gender-biased and pay homage to my fellow female writers:

Margaret Atwood -- The Blind Assassin* (She is currently being read by a friend as a major project, so when I saw her name, I figured I could dive in as well)

Eudora Welty -- Delta Wedding* (Which I may have a copy of in storage--or I was supposed to have a copy of for Southern Literature, or I've heard it mentioned a few times and decided it was time...)

Sylvia Plath -- The Colossus* (Her first collection of poems, which were not hailed by critics...so why not have more Plath to carry around?)

And then I saw a 1st Edition John Updike collection (Museums & Women) and I had to buy that one as well. He is a master of the short story and who doesn't want to own a 1st Edition Updike?

So I broke code. Ah well.

Brief Yoga Update: We did enough leg work last night -- I have been making not-so-attractive noises as I go up and down the stairs.

Brief MFA Update: There was no e-mail at 3am, 5am, 7am, or the three times I've checked while tying this entry.

Ounces of coffee consumed? +/- 32

& I plan to see Alice in Wonderland before the clock strikes midnight.

~~J

p.s. The Mail Truck put me out of my misery with a rejection letter. That's all the news I need for today -- Thanks, universe.

Graduated, now what?

(toothpastefordinner)

I wait. I wait. I wait. It's the first full week of February and I have...ten (?) weeks of waiting to go:

Reading books (so my mind doesn't atrophy)
Knitting wearables (so my hands don't deteriorate)
Working full-time (so my bank account doesn't...shrivel up and die)
.
.
.
Watching movies (so my mind doesn't give way)
Yoga-practicing (so my body doesn't decline)
Working full-time (see the section above)


I'm pretty sure I just wanted to use the Thesaurus today because I can't tell you the first or last time I ever used "atrophy" in a written sentence.

I had a friend stop by a month or so ago and tell me about her new career as a teacher. We took a class together in the Fall of 2008. She told me that her school was probably going to be looking for a 10th grade English teacher soon...

*insert fantasies about being a 10th grade English teacher here*

There was a conversation about "applying" to local newspapers (the S is a bit misleading, because our print media market isn't gigantic--but it isn't lacking either). Not really sure about the want to apply though...

I know how that business works.

Conversations about what exactly I want to do or see myself doing or what in the world is an MFA have been had with all types of people.

Blah.

The Australian Open was a great distraction--Federer Reigns and Serena Swings!

Back to waiting for the rejection letters to come (psyching myself out)...
Back to downloading music on iTunes...
Back to ordering birthday gifts waaaay in advance...

The dripping, melting snow may as well represent my sanity.

~~J

"Off"

Apparently all the stars were in alignment yesterday...

the three Amigas (Js) had the day off and were able to meet for lunch.

We were lunchin' ladies at Panera--

giggling, hooting ladies "with three college degrees between us" figuring out the meaning of life, past adventures, literary heroes, sickness, and eventually coming up with an idea for a new cell phone application.

Brilliant.

I dined on fresh mozzarella, roasted & fresh tomatoes, fresh basil and all-natural sun-dried tomato pesto on Ciabatta bread while they had half-sandwiches, salad, soup...and we all had sweet tea (delicious)...

GO TO PANERA! Try not to inhale the bakery counter before you order--I'm surprised no one has broken in and carbed-out before...or maybe they have?

I've watched three four movies since I last talked about movies too! I shall reveal in my order of "like:"

Up in the Air (George Clooney, does he EVER go out of style? Goodness Gracious! I could watch him all day long, all night long. Where is the All-George channel? YUM!)
The Invention of Lying (Opening date scene had me bent over in laughter...and realizing how many lies I tell a day...simply by omitting my thoughts!)
The Lovely Bones (A bit different from the book, but I really liked it.)
It's Complicated (Meryl Streep can do no wrong--I adore her...Steve Martin was a silver fox, but less half-naked Alec Baldwin, please.)

You can blame it on the movies, I haven't been reading--although I did lend out the two Perrotta books already.

I started a new scarf too!

I'm actually using a "made-up" mistake rib stitch pattern. But it's a "real" pattern, I just randomly decided to use it over 17 stitches instead of the traditional 27....

I'm using a larger needle--size 13 bamboo straight needles (Clover)...and "homespun" aka bulky yarn. I hope to have the patient to do the same pattern (with 27 stitches) on smaller needles soon.

Don't give me THAT look, fair reader (that one). I'm really not talking TOO Knitting jargon, am I?

Realization: I graduated from college one month ago yesterday.

~~J

p.s. is it shameless that I put a photo of George Clooney on my blog?

Pass the tissues--

"I've dreamt in my life dreams that have stayed with me ever after, and changed my ideas; they've gone through and through me, like wine through water, and altered the colour of my mind." -- Catherine
















I watched Jane Eyre last summer and Netfilx suggested that I try Wuthering Heights because apparently I fancy classic literature/British dramas/movies with strong female leads...

I took the bait...

(how could I not? Look at these two, they are worth watching for their chestnut manes alone!)

So I spent a few hours tonight sniffling and swooning (and knitting) just the same. Don't judge me!

I'm ashamed to say I never read the book (like Jane Eyre before)...but I did after watching the 2006 film version, so we will see what the 2009 version of WH will do.

Why were the Brontë sisters never given to me to read? Was it the Gothic element? I guess I'm making up for that now.

Wickedly cruel and wickedly pitiful I have to say--and it's funny to read comments online from "real" fans of the book who either HATE or LOVE the film. That's how it goes, I understand.
-----------------------------------
In other news...

That's all I've got. Although after rereading this post, I realize that it seems I've morphed into one of those girls...I SWEAR I HAVE NOT! I'm going to watch college basketball now, just because...

~~J

"I Have Doubts."

I used to watch movies via Netflix like breathing air. Three to four movies a week, whenever I had a couple hours to spare.

It's been a while since I've had the time to spare...

But now it's time to catch up!

I started this evening with DOUBT (2008)--

Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic!

I felt as if I was watching a parable written by Hawthorne...of course it turns into something he probably wouldn't have written.

Or maybe he would've. He was rather progressive, and seemed to want to expose certain cultural things (mainly the falsehood of the Salem Witch Trials)--

I like a good "thinking" movie. And I've never wanted to smash Meryl Streep in the face so much in my life!

What an amazing actress she is--there are no words to really express it. All the awards, all the accolades are well-deserved.

"You just don't like him! You don't like it that he uses a ballpoint pen. You don't like it that he takes 3 lumps of sugar in his tea. You don't like it that he likes Frosty the Snowman and you are letting that convince you? Of something that's terrible... Just terrible..." Sister James

But can one be wrong if they are strong in their convictions--even if their convictions are wrong?

I feel like a nerdy Carrie Bradshaw asking the question, but I will let it fester here (and probably use it in a story sometime in the near future).

~~J

Reading for Pleasure:

I've spent the last week or so completely immersed in the world of F. Scott Fitzgerald--and believe me, I don't plan on leaving it anytime soon...

BUT

I got two new books by Tom Perrotta in the mail today and I couldn't be happier.

(Graduation gift cards!)

It's a little "escape" from the world of "not in school"...aka spending way too many hours in the pharmacy doing my "regular job."

Little Children & The Abstinence Teacher will have my full attention for at least a week.

I may have to rewatch the movie (Little Children) and maybe not just for Patrick Wilson aka The Prom King.

I know I'm a little late to the Perrotta party, but at least I showed up!

I can't wait to tell you more!

Other than that, I don't have too much to say, EXCEPT:

BE SURE to bring your new insurance cards to the pharmacy--and wait until next week to get your refills, please. You'll make the life of the technicians and pharmacists SO MUCH BETTER!

~~J

The Sound of Silence:

Hello darkness, my old friend,
I've come to talk with you again...

But not really. It's just been an emotionally-idiotic few days coupled with midterm week. Although technically I only have ONE midterm (tomorrow). How awesome is that?

In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone...

I've spent the week sloshing around campus under a Memphis umbrella, wearing a Memphis t-shirt. This is my new "smartie college girl" attire.

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more...

Smartie College Girl finally scheduled her GRE (Nov. 16). Look for her to be jumping off a tall object either the evening before or the day after. Giving oneself a nickname and then writing about oneself in the third person while using that nickname is really weird.

People talking without speaking,
People hearing without listening...

















Last night, just for the hell of it--I went to the movies (for free).
I saw All about Steve with Sandra Bullock and Bradley Cooper.

(who are both so adorable there should be photos of them everywhere, always--the world would be a happier place--or maybe they just have that effect on me?)

Being a lover of words and one who saw Wordplay...okay, and being an "odd individual" myself--I thought it was cuuute!

Now I need red rain boots so that my toes always feel like ten friends on a camping trip. (I do have my birkenstocks, same thing)

Or I need to stream my obsessive personality into make crossword puzzles about people I'm obsessed with! (although really that's my short story material)

Hear my words that I might teach you,
Take my arms that I might reach you...

I'm going to eat you like a mountain lion now!!!

~~J

My Blueberry Nights:

(song currently stuck in my head)



The Greatest -- Cat Power -- from the film.

...Once I wanted to be the greatest
No wind or water fall could STALL me
And then came the rush of the flood
The stars at night turned DEEP to dust...

~~J

P.S. I had Sweet Potato Pancakes at the Arcade Restaurant downtown this summer in honor of the film (Norah Jones loved them while they were in town filming).

On Our Feet!

Like a moth to a flame...I flitter and fly to the back of the Goodwill only to find--BOOKS!

This is getting a bit ridiculous, because I was there in desperate need of a bow tie. Why? Well, it was a special night in downtown Memphis, Rocky Horror Picture Show night (like Christmas, it only comes once a year)...

I wanted to join my friends and be an

"unconventional conventionalist"

...but again. BOW TIE? Only books.

But I think you get a pass on costume(s) IF your name is actually a character name, right?

I grabbed a few sections (C, D) of the Norton Anthology of American Literature alongside the illustrated edition of Strunk & White's Elements of Style...

THEN, because I don't have enough collections of short stories...the Oxford Book of Modern Women's Stories...somehow found it's way home with me.

Freeze! X-Ray!

Back to the show. Fabulous! I've never had so much fun being a ruckus at the Orpheum. The costumes, the shouting, the flying toilet paper...everything was perfection. EVERYTHING!

At the late night, double feature, picture show!

~~J

Soundtracks:

Since the beginning of time of (not silent) cinema, there have been scores...soundtracks...songs either written specifically for the film or just used in the film to garner a desired effect from the movie-watcher.

Somehow the good ones (scores, soundtracks, songs) become ingrained in our psyche.

I hummed the Jaws theme as a child in the pool while playing "sharks." I have to strut like John Travolta when the Bee Gees come on the radio. Sometimes I want to twirl on mountain tops like Julie Andrews, just because.

There have been a few "modern" soundtracks that completely move me--which is why I started writing this entry in the first place. To talk about them, especially since I saw a movie last night and promptly bought the soundtrack today.

Several movies have a great song or two, but these entire albums are fantastical!

My favorite "modern" soundtracks:
Romeo + Juliet (1996 was a good year!)
Garden State (bought the day after seeing the film)
The Last Kiss (see above)
500 Days of Summer (see above)

It's hard to pick just ONE song off of either of these to highlight or mention, but I am going to do it...okay, I am going to pick FIVE songs off of each of these...which means you need to find these five songs ASAP!

R+J: #1 Crush - Garbage, Local God - Everclear, To You I Bestow - Mundy, Lovefool - The Cardigans, You and Me Song - The Wannadies

GS: Let Go - Frou Frou, Fair - Remy Zero, Such Great Heights - Love & Wine, Caring is Creepy - The Shins, Don't Panic - Coldplay

tLS: Chocolate - Snow Patrol, Star Mile - Joshua Radin, Ride - Cary Brothers, Hide and Seek - Imogen Heap, Prophecy - Remy Zero

500: Here Comes Your Man- Meaghan Smith, Us - Regina Spektor, Hero - Regina Spektor, Bookends - Simon & Garfunkel, You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates

~~J

Great News:

Looks like it is official:

"There is one other thing you need to do and that is return a copy of your signed summary and then you will be set for December graduation."

Thank you, Graduation Analyst! Of course, I need to pass my remaining classes too--but it is nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Light at the end of the undergraduate tunnel. Next stop?

(graduate school?!?!?!) Chuga-chuga-choo-choo!

I refuse to take the GRE until I get a satisfactory score on the practice exam. And by "satisfactory" I mean, to my liking. So. October? Early October?

I also wanted to let the world know that Netflix is the oracle. Really. Today I found out that I like “visually-striking emotional movies,” and “comedies based on contemporary fiction.”

That's the perfect description for me! Also it says I like "TV," "gay & lesbian drama," and "dark movies." Don't scoff at theNetflix. It is all knowing and powerful. I should ask it where the hidden treasure is buried.

(it will probably say, "in your heart")

I'd perfer a treasure map, Goonies-style!

~~J

p.s. Are you humming Cyndi Lauper songs now too?

Literary Monday?

Not quite. Maybe.

I saw two really interesting films this weekend:

Away We Go (released last month) was quite a pleasing little one, filled with laughter, tears, and a great soundtrack.

It had me thinking about Garden State (2004) a lot. I saw Burt (John Krasinski) and Verona (Maya Rudolph) as an older Andrew (Zach Braff) and Sam (Natalie Portman) still on a quest for “home” or that infinite abyss.

Either film defines the existential struggles of my generation well—(my generation being those born in the ‘70s). Heartbreaking and funny. Poignant and silly. I may have to hang some plastic fruit on a tree just because…

THEN I finally watched Revolutionary Road (2008) and was blown away.

Again, another generational (is that a word) film—this one dissecting suburban life in the 1950s.

Kate Winslet was perfection (as always) and since I haven't read the book, the ending was a shock/surprise.


As I was watching, I thought about a few of the short stories I've read by John Cheever...and then afterward I started thinking about similar films, or films on similar themes.


I call them "films of quiet desperation"...they are my favorite! And so there was a texting session later on...

J: I'm the queen of suicidal flicks, I guess
A: Seems so! While I have many involving the murdering of others...
J: We may need to be studied.

Of course if you put our movie collections together...

J: It would be a bad idea; if we don't kill ourselves we'll commit murder instead.
A: True.

If you like The Hours, Evening, or Closer--you'll probably like Revolutionary Road.

If you like Garden State, Lost in Translation, or Juno--you'll probably like Away We Go.

~~J

Is that YOU, Paul Rudd?

A few weekends ago (too many weekends ago) I had a dear friend over for a “movie” night.

We watched 3 or 4 films (I told you it’s been too long) and somewhere after midnight we found ourselves in the middle of a heated debate.

Not really heated. Not really a debate.

We found out that Paul Rudd has a twin. Okay, he doesn’t have a twin per se.

BUT there is another actor out there that had us wondering, is that Paul Rudd or was it the “other guy.”

George Newbern, meet Paul Rudd.
Paul Rudd, meet George Newbern.

Father of the Bride? George Newbern.
Object of my Affection? Paul Rudd.
Adventures in Babysitting? George Newbern.
Clueless? Paul Rudd.

Friends? Are you ready for this???? BOTH OF THEM!

See, it’s hard to tell them apart if you start thinking about it. And we don’t mean any disrespect toward either. They are both dark-haired, blue-eyed actors that we love!

Can you tell the difference? Look at those photos....did you have to do a double or triple take? Think about that last movie or television episode.....WHO WAS THAT ACTOR?

~~J

p.s. I am not telling you the answer....you'll have to post a comment to find out.

Random(ness) from a Chick:

(Married to the Sea) ---------------------------------------------------------
Today is day SIX of working seven days in a row*...and I almost forgot (that I was working so many in a row).

Now, LAST week I was fuming about the whole idea--so apparently Yoga is doing a great job at relieving stress and relaxing me!

I'm not ASKING to work this much again, don't get me wrong--I'm just surprised at my general happiness and continued vigor.

*possible because it is split between two "work weeks."
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I started watching this version of Jane Eyre last night. Since I have yet to finish the book, maybe I am cheating a bit. BUT my goodness, I was on the verge of tears as the first installment ended (2 hours).

It doesn't takes Hollywood Magic or CGI to make my heart pitter. I'm a simple girl who loves watching tiny moments captured between people. (Which seems to be what I like to write as well).

I will have to wait for Netflix to send me the last installment (2 more hours).
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MORE from the Mouths of Professors:

• You can be 10 miles away taking a crap or eating some cheese and the next thing you know you’d be blown to smithereens!
• Suddenly at 5:30 Michael’s brain ruptures and he was just looking out the window...
• It’s just Scotty calling from the other world, if only we could all just be beamed up.
• The fly was actually Otto Terminex in another life.
• This is Keith Richard’s girlfriend...
• It’s not fantasy and it’s not the seat of his pants.
• This is astronomy; wonderful things are coming into the sky.
• A space ship landed in my yard from Mars..
• Magic is in all forms!
  

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So that was three distinct entries in one!

Random enough? Yes!

~~J