Movietime: could not walk away

Last month, 'Born On the 4th of July' aired on HBO.

I own this movie on VHS, and can watch it at my convenience. In spite of that
fact, it's difficult for me to walk away from the television when this movie is being shown.

In my humble, it is the only 'Tom Cruise movie' that even attempts to challenge his acting ability. Before 'Born On the 4th of July', it would be a stretch to say that the man could act at all.
Great direction makes quite the diff, as does a superb supporting cast.

One word movie review: riveting.
(read: I'm riveted to the set when it's on)

Take a look...

I love this style of shoe.

As a kid, I'd listen attentively as Mom made frequent mention of 'spectator pumps'.

Quite the fashionista in her youth, Mom always had a pair of 'spectators' to accessorize certain outfits in her very chic wardrobe.

I've never worn spectator pumps, but have always wanted a pair.

Maybe....this year.... I'll knock some fashion sense back into my old, worn-out wardrobe (which, unfortunately - goes with my old, worn-out bod)....and get a pair of 'specs'. Such a move could very well jump start a wee bit of a fashion uprising in the ol' clothes closet....

in praise (?) of fried food

Teaching the proverbial old dog some (healthier) new food choice tricks is next to impossible.

Weaning oneself off a diet that consists of reaching for more than
what I should of fave fried foods - ain't easy.

Eating of strictly fresh, unadulterated healthy food should define my eating, yet
those fried dishes can be something close to irresistible.

So what is it about fried, particularly deep fried?
What keeps us coming back for more?
For some (read: me), it is very likely the irresistible/inexplicable sensuousness of oil-infused crispyness.

This morning I came across and obit for Al Copeland.
Whoozzat? Copeland was the founder of fast food chain Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits.
Although I do not frequent Popeye's, I've known folks who are rabid fans.
Just about EVERYTHING is deep-fried on the Popeyes menu. Shamelessly so.

Just recently, I tasted for the first time - french fries from Popeyes.
MmmmmMmmmm Gooooood!
Crispy thin and tasty, they rival McDonald's fried spud offerings.

Believe me, I really do try to balance my consumption of the fried stuff with au natural fare, but it's been a tough-going struggle, let me tell you.
'Fried' may well be my downfall in an otherwise healthy food regimen.

[Just to whet your appetite!]
Fried wonton.
Batter-fried onion rings. (the best to be had are in Marysville, CA., at the Silver Dollar Saloon).
Cantonese brandy-fried chicken (it's all in the marinade).
Deep-fried calamari.
Fried zucchini (ooooh - a bit less oil!)
Bacon (OK, these aren't deep-fried, but you Baconites know all too well the attraction/addiction!).
Yes, I did make mention of salt: fried food's tasty accomplice.
This is serious: WARS have been fought over SALT.
Another post, another time...

Writing of the best of the worst in fried food, just as I just come off a day and a half of feeling poorly with fever,
lightheadedness, tossing my groceries, accompanying complete loss of appetite and the bed-ridden blues.
Just yesterday, I could not even think of food, much less fried food...
This post must mean that I am actually feeling better!

serenity prayer

God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things that should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.

As a life mantra/chant/guide, the Serenity Prayer certainly comes in handy.
Especially applicable this week - for me.

Alas.

Wild Kingdom

Nature shows: What's not to love?

Enough with all the knitting blogs, awreddy!
I've become a flat character of my own making ~ as of late, I am interested only in all things to do with yarn and knitting and yarn and knitting and yarn.

Fearful of becoming Single Subject Sue (and not getting invited to social gatherings because of it), today I sez to myself, I sez, it's time to (re)expand my repertoire.

So...
this evening I searched the web for other-topics-that-have-been-of-interest-to-me and came across this fun (and very educational) blog about nature/animals.
and...
I wanted to share it with you.

For tomorrow it's going to be All About Knitting again.

december 31 redux

If this image looks familiar, it's because you saw it last year, on the December 31 2007 post about the package of mochi with a possible $500 + price tag.

I can finally talk about it.
Here's the first part of the story in 25 (or so) words:
Crowded parking lot.
We back car out carefully.
Asshole in another car also backs out.
Fast.
Hits our car.
Dented. Fixed.
We pay $500 deductible.

Here's the second half of the story in another 25 (or so) words:
No Fault.
Yeah, right.
I'm (ahem) 'peeved'.
Last week, insurance company sends $250 check.
$250 + package of mochi-an.
Better than before.
Still too damned expensive!

forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah

The other day, I was informed via a group e-mail - that postage (for mailing your basic
letter) is going UP again. One penny more. On May 1, 2008.

Never down, only UP.
Increases.
No biggie, right?
Still a bargain, yes?
One cent at a time. Sometimes, two.
We get used to it, no?

Yet one does tire of the announcements of increase this and increase that.
(Watching a movie from the 70's-80's ?? yesterday, my jaw dropped at seeing gas prices posted at $1.31 per gallon! Gosh, that seemed like eons ago...).

At any rate...(haha)....and many of you already know this...
U.S.P.S. offers 'Forever' postage stamps. Buy them today at the current First Class Postage rates, use them forever without having to add more postage to meet
higher rates in the future.

I thought this a good idea.
Purchase a hefty stockpile of postage stamps at the current rate - use 'em 'later'. All the better to pooh-pooh any future hikes in postage.
Ace up the sleeve, like.

I was ready to head down to my local P.O. (which for me, typically stands for how Pissed Off I get at the postal service) for some Forever's, until I talked with a buddy-o-mine yesterday.
My friend stated that anyone who buys Forever stamps today will probably end up using them sooner than later. Like, much sooner.

You run out of stamps, you reach for the Forevers.

Sometimes, Forever ends up being Next Month.

She's right, y'know.
This same friend is having a time capsule sealed into a wall of her new home (currently under construction). Now, wouldn't it be coooooooool to have some Forever Stamps sealed into her time capsule for folks in the future to use?!? Say, 50 to 100 years or more in the future - when postal rates - if they still exist - may well be upwards of $10 per letter? Now, that makes some good sense (or cents).

More in U.S.P.S. related news:
I was surprised to see, at my local P.O., a 6 foot tall cardboard free-standing display - of HBO's upcoming 7-part miniseries, 'John Adams'.

Waaaah? Advertising T.V. shows at the Post Office?!?
Seems the P.O. has a deal going with HBO to promote the television show.
Velly intahlesting.
By the way, I am so ready to embrace Paul Giamatti in the role of John Adams, aren't you? And Laura Linney as Abigail Adams!

What's not to love?