Watergate, what? Isn't that green with marshmallows?

I've been lying to myself for a long time, but it's time to come clean. I do not have a politically set mind. I have never realized (or probably more correctly admitted it to myself) until I went to see the movie Frost/Nixon. I guess it makes me feel really stupid how much I don't retain when it comes to political or historical things.

During the movie I actually thought to myself, "I must have been told at least once in my life that Nixon resigned from presidency", but there I was shocked to hear him resigning (albeit fakely) on the big screen. There has to be some disconnect between these subjects and me because I've never done too well in history (in my opinion). I got good enough grades to keep getting me through, but in the back of my mind I thought that all these teachers were crazy because I have no idea what I am talking about.

My favorite history class experience was in High School when our class was studying World War I and World War II. The entire class broke into groups and had to take different topics of interest to present on: weapons, troupes, etc. Lucky for me there was one topic that I could actually identify with. I convinced my group to do the impact on media. I got to see the impact of the wars on the film industry and clothing and whatnot. Our presentation was the best because we dressed up in more 40's inspired garb, an Andrew's Sister and Charlie Chaplin, and got to show movies and listen to records. It was sooo much fun, but I didn't REALLY learn anything about the wars, if I'm completely honest (except now I know the approximate dates they occured, I guess that's something).

Okay, so why did I go see this movie? First of all, I just wanted to finally hang out with my friend again. He told me what the movie and I would lie if I didn't say I judge a movie by it's title. My mind went, Nixon?=boring historical stuff. Then, I gave it a chance and watched a preview for it and thought it looked kind of interesting and wanted to give it a try. So I went and for a while I thought, "What the crap did I get myself into?" They were throwing out issues and words right and left and I had no clue what ANY of it meant. I felt like I probably needed to do some research and studying up before I went to see this movie.

Finally, I was just gave up trying to make any sense of the things they assumed I already knew about (because what normal college graduate doesn't?) and looked at the film-making, the acting, the makeup, lighting, editing, everything. It's an amazing film looking at it that way. I was truly impressed by how amazing this film is. Yes, I tuned out during every long monologue they had (which was almost every line), but was deeply moved by the passion that went into playing the part of Nixon, played by Frank Langella, and the final part of the interview with Frost when he was completely broken and admitted the wrong he did in office. That was brilliant. Frost, played by Michael Sheen, was alright, but I was more distracted by his eyebrows and how much they made him resemble Jack Nicholson. That kind of overpowered his performance. A shout out will be made for Kevin Bacon. He played the silent, brooding Jack Brennan who is Nixon's chief of staff. There was such loyalty shown in this portrayal that it was endearing (plus, he looked quite snazzy in his suit vest, yup).

Anyway, sorry this turned into another movie review, but honestly I'm better at that then pretending to be politically interested. Yes, I have debated politics before, but if you pay any attention I always stick to logical things and not delve into past issues for my rebuttals. I would also be lying if I wasn't somewhat relieved when I never got my out of state voting stuff for this past election. On the important things (to me) I know where I stand, but I did not know who I was going to vote for, I had an idea, but it was never actually finalized. I knew that when I voted I would have to read up on the issues and whatnot and so when it never actually came...yea, I was angered at first. Who are they to deny me my right to vote? But when I really thought about it...

Basically, politics and history are completely foreign to me. I don't get it and maybe never will. But I already put that on my list of qualities my husband needs to possess because if he doesn't, our children will never have a chance. But hey, at least I learned something today about our former President Tricky Dick. And people think the media is bad for us, hah!

Isn't he a Rabbit?

So I didn't think I would turn this page into a review of anything, but I'm thinking if I see something that really inspires or really sucks there is merit in letting you people know about it. I went with Heather saturday to see the movie Last Chance Harvey.



I wasn't sure whether I was going to love or hate this film. I thought that I was going to feel indifferent about it and then just leave it at that. So our lead male Harvey's, played by Dustin Hoffman, life is completely screwed up. He's losing his job, his ex-wife turns his nose up at him and his daughter is getting married and isn't too keen on him being a part of the festivities. I kept feeling sadder and sadder as the movie went on. Emma Thompson's character Kate is still single and older without any profits and you can tell the wear that that is taking on her. I was maybe 30 minutes into the movie and felt as though that anything and everything that could go wrong to make somebody suicidal was about to. I was feeling as though I needed to leave the movie and that would help cheer me up.

Then it happened. The meet cute between our leads and though it was at first a strained happiness it was nice to not be so emo anymore so it was taken in with enthusiasm. I was just happy that they finally met, because we all know that's what the movie was about. The rest of the movie was amazing. The ENTIRE movie was amazing. It's really something that can bring hope and cheer into all of our lives. My favorite part of the movie was the many characters and the quirks that made them amazing.

Heather said, "If this film doesn't prove we have British in us then I don't know what does." She's right, it had British humor in it through and through and most of the time Heather and I were the only ones laughing. I was seeing so many family traits in this movie it was quite endearing. The number one favorite was Kate's mother Maggie, played by Eileen Atkins. She has such a few amount of lines and her scenes are filled with just her looking around, spying on the neighbor and internally connecting with the audience. To say she is brilliant is an understatement. She also bore quite the resemblance to my mother in her emotions and actions. In one part Kate has her arms around her and tells her three times in a row, "Hug me mum" while Maggie's arms are at her side trying to ignore her, but after the final plea puts her arms around Kate in what is obviously an exasperated hope that her daughter will stop hugging her. It's priceless. (That's totally my mom.)

Dustin Hoffman is quite a gruff old man, but is completely delightful. He can certainly deliver a line and, with that sparkle in his eye, he will charm your pants off. He certainly delivered the complete lows and highs of Harvey's life with such purity and raw emotion it was compelling. Emma Thompson is just beautiful to watch. She has poise and vulnerability and is a complete star. I don't know what else to say, she's just an entrancing actress because it is completely real with her. She's not just pretending, she's living. These two together is such a match. She's about 4 inches taller than him the entire film because of her shoes with heels and it's so funny to see them together. At the end she does take her shoes off and comes almost to his level (at least to the level of his hair) and they walk off in one of the most beautiful vertical crane shot panning up and out through green trees filling both sides of the screen with a sliver in the middle to still view both actors walking off together. Such a brilliant thing to end on.

I have to say how much I love movies that have been filmed in London because I am constantly looking at the scenes to see if I was where they currently are. In this film I got really excited because Kate has a class in the National Theatre and I have been where the class was shot. Then I have walked down the river and across those bridges. It was kind of fun. I know, I'm totally lame, but it's still way cool for me. But anyway, the places they chose to film in London were so exquisite and beautiful and lent so much for the movie. It was beautiful to see.

So if you didn't guess already, I completely endorse this movie. It's funny and enjoyable in every sense of the word and is still touching and dramatic. It's definitely a must see in my opinion. Hopefully this all didn't sound so lame and boring, but I just wanted to write about it. Good movies make me want to take action somehow.

Call Sasquatch, he has better stories than me anyway.

So I welcomed in the New Year with the renewed knowledge of how awkward a person I am vocally. I find that I never know the right things to say so I end up sounding stupid, snarky, or completely mad (crazy). I feel that there is never a situation where I say the right thing, but I came to that conclusion a while ago and used it to my "advantage" (somewhat).

The stupid thing I turned into a "dumb blonde" thing. I'm sorry people for using the stereotype to my advantage. But hey, it's there already, might as well prosper from it. So whenever I say the wrong thing in a stupid way it's chalked up to hair color. I trick I used to pull a lot in high school (and still occasionally) is I would just put a blank look on my face and "space out" when I knew that I really had nothing to contribute, but if I looked as though I were a part of whatever conversation was going on I would be expected to contribute.

Snarky remarks come out of my mouth right and left. I used to keep quiet because I knew that what I had to say (or contribute) would not be helpful or wanted by other people. Then my Mom got mad at me because she never knew what I was thinking because I was quiet about everything (believe me, that's how often the wrong thing pops into my head). That's when I snapped and I'm sure that she regrets ever telling me to open my mouth. Yes, we can all blame her for me always speaking my mind. Although, small kudos to me because I've learned how to sometimes control it and keep the funny, yet rude, remarks to myself (or the people I text...I need an outlet somewhere). Don't blame me, blame my mother people. Look what she has done to society.

Then I come off as crazy. Like the step-second-adopted-twice-over-niece-of-your-nephew-who-was-dropped-on-her-head-at-birth (and repeatedly after that) kind of crazy. I sometimes wonder why people hang out with me at all. It's not often, which is good, but when it happens, oh man. I'm embarrassed for myself, my family, my friends, people I don't even know, because they may come across me (even once) in their lifetime. It's like every full moon I open my mouth and howl the thing that makes people move chairs away from me. I'm a looney. Sad days.

So all this ends up with me being socially inept, but honestly I've tried to work on it. Seriously, I have. Maybe if you have known me for a while you will have noticed the progress I have made (maybe you just ignore me and that's fine too). I thought my interactions with people have risen and I was doing good...then I was reminded of my biggest flaw of all time. (Whisper) I am the worst person to talk to on the phone (end of whisper).

I KNOW!!! I've tried to overcome it, but I have serious issues with using the telephone. I've even fooled myself into thinking that I've gotten better, but then I realized that it's the people on the other side of the call that make it work. If we have good conversations on the phone then you are the one who has the amazing God given talent of "being an expert phone conversationalist". I was trying to talk to one of my best friends on the phone and I just felt so sorry for her.

I wanted to apologize during the conversation because it literally sucked a thousand times worse than Taco Bell's mild sauce in a fresh paper cut (believe me, that sucks!) I wanted to be able to talk to her and tell her many strange and wonderful things, but all I could think of was "you suck", "why do you even answer your phone", "think of something to say" and "if you can't think of something real, make it up, tell her you saw sasquatch or something". I feel that that phone conversation was the basic equivalent of being on a blind date, having nothing to talk about and realizing that you are out with your step-second-adopted-twice-over-niece-of-your-nephew-who-was-dropped-on-her-head-at-birth. I cringe thinking about it.

Goodness, of all the social problems I have when I open my mouth it's a million times worse when I can't. She must think I had something better to do (I didn't), I hate her guts (I don't), I never want to see her again (not true, I'm finding a way to see her in March). There is no hope for me. I think about it and the people I have good phone conversations are the people I have known from birth and Justin. Maybe because they have unconditional love for me and I have awkward conversations like that with them too, but don't realize it. Oh my gosh!!! That's it. I don't ever want to use the phone again, because I'm awkward and unsociable and only do well in person (subjective). So text me, show up at my door, hit me in the face and if you call me expect to have a brief conversation (if one at all) or be able to carry the conversation on all by your lonesome because this blonde is spacing out.