Movietime: The Kids Are All Right

Joy had been wanting to see The Kids Are All Right since she first saw the trailer. We tried to go a couple of weeks ago but it was not showing anywhere at the usual theaters we go to. She stayed home from work today and I saw that it was showing at the Dunvale 30, so we decided to go. In case you haven't heard of it, this movie stars Annette Benning and Julianne Moore as a lesbian couple with two children. [SPOILER] The older child, at the prodding of the younger, contacts the sperm donor. Some awkwardness ensues as does a sexual relationship between the man and Julianne Moore's character. For about twenty minutes I sat there offended. Then I realized that this does indeed happen. And I just realized the opposite scenario has been in a very popular movie (that I regret to say I have yet to see). I am happy with the way things turn out in the end of the movie and think, overall, it was a good movie. I'm just really glad it ended the way it did and not with the guy getting the girl.

This also makes me wonder how this movie would score on the Bechdel test. I found a blog that rated movies based on the Bechdel test, but the last posting was in Janauary. I hope she continues to update it. (I also wish she would change the background from black to another color. I don't know about you but I have such a hard time reading pages like that.)

Random Ketchup Thoughts

While I do so love ketchup, I titled this blog entry that way because of the way it sounds. So many days have passed that included times I wanted to include here but haven't been able to, so today I'm trying to catch up.

In seventh period today, a couple of my students brought to my attention the big news of the day, namely the man who crashed his plane into the IRS building in Austin. A few of us read through cnn.com's report of events. I continued reading past the article to the comments section. I don't know why I do that since it always annoys and frustrates me with the usually idiotic responses people post. The main issue that kept coming up was the political leanings of the pilot. People were actually arguing about whether the guy was tea party, left-wing, or right-wing. Really? That's what you go out of it? Has the disparity between political beliefs really gone so far that people are trying to be the first to blame the other side? Bleh.

I've been sick for a week, and on Tuesday I finally took the day off to go to the doctor. I must say the customer service at reception has improved, which is nice. I'm not saying it was awful, but I could tell there were new standards the receptionists were trying to reach, and they were doing a great job. When I was called back (shockingly in under fifteen minutes) I waited a bit for the nurse the come in and do all the vital information stuff. Then I waited a little for the doctor--only it wasn't the doctor who came in. It was a young man who I can only guess is an intern or student of some kind. He was very thorough with his questions about my symptoms, which was nice since I wasn't in any hurry to get back to work since I had taken the day off. I probably would have been annoyed if I had been in a hurry to get back to work. After his session of questioning, I could hear him in the hallway discussing what was probably his diagnosis theory for my symptoms. Then, my doctor came in and talked for a bit and gave me a prescription. All in all, it was probably one of the most pleasant times I have ever spent going to the doctor. (About the possible intern, I put two and two together when I realized he was the same person who was telling the nurse that he had gotten something right and how proud they both were of him. It was cute.)

Speaking of cute, Joy and I spent Valentine's Day together. We went to brunch at the zoo and met some awesome animals including this teensy tiny screech owl (apparently they are small birds even when full-grown)

and a gigantic rabbit that tried to jump into my lap.

We then went to the movies. We wanted to see Wolfman even though it got bad reviews because, really, who doesn't want to see a movie with Benicio Del Toro? Unfortunately, we arrived ten minuted too late for one show and an hour and a half too early for the next one, so we decided to watch Valentine's Day. I didn't care for it. I thought there were too many threads to follow, which left little time for me to grow attached to any one of the characters, so in the end I didn't really care about anyone in the film--besides my opinion that the entire movie was completely predictable. What was unpredictable, though, was the loud shock that spread throughout the theatre when a certain couple was revealed. Joy liked the film, though, so that was good. For Valentine's Day, she gave me the Siouxsie and the Banshees CD that I'm listening to right now. I loved that band so much when I was in high school, but somehow in the intervening years, I had lost track of all my Siouxsie music, but now I have a Best of CD. Yea! (Oh, and I surprised her and went over the agreed upon budget and got her a ring from Tiffany. She loved it, but who doesn't love Tiffany?)

Well, I think that's about it for catching up. Oh, wait, I forgot to say that Joy will be one of the DJs at Bunnies on the Bayou. Yea! I can't wait.

One Week Down, One Week to Go

Last month I took part in--wait. Edit that. Last month I signed up to do NaNoWriMo at the prodding of my FPA. I had a brand new terrific idea that I got two pages into and three pages worth of character description. And that's about all I did because I was wrapping up my last paper for my very first grad class for my library science degree. I finished it on Thursday with one hour to spare. Yikes! I really need to stop procrastinating--especially since next semester I'll be taking two classes and then, with a little luck, a mini-mester class.

I also joined a gym this month and I've been three times since signing up last week. I went today to meet with my personal trainer to find out he resigned. Eh, I was fine with that since I wasn't crazy about him. He was nice and all, but I think I want to work with someone who practices what s/he preaches.

We went to see New Moon today. What a waste of good money. I think my favorite actor by far in this one was Dakota Fanning. Sad she was only on screen for about five minutes.

Finally, the mayoral election ends today. Unfortunately, I did not get to vote since I changed my address too late and my old address was out of the city--by far (since I was living in Japan). I really do hope Annise Parker wins. I really do think she is the better candidate. I also think it's silly that there are actually people voting based on her sexuality. Ridiculous. What does it matter? Some say they're worried she's going to push a gay agenda. Really? Is that what she's been doing all these years in office? Eh, I think I'll leave it there for now. [Later edit--it's official. She won! Yea!]

I have one more week of school left before the holidays. Won't it be glorious to be off for two weeks! I guess I should enjoy it while it lasts since I doubt I'll get the same benefits when I become a librarian.

You Know You've Been in Japan Too Long When...

I went to see Star Trek with a couple of friends. At one point in the film, one of the characters gets a commendation. This character is presented with the commendation in an official ceremony in front of a huge crowd of people. He takes the commendation and I think he says, "thanks," and then he just stands there. I was shocked. I grabbed my friend's arm and was about to ask why he wasn't bowing. Really. I had to stop and remind myself that not everyone bows. Still, it was so strange. That's when I realized I've been here long enough to become so inculcated with Japanese customs that I forget they're not necessarily the customs for the rest of the world. I fear for myself when I return to Texas. I may suffer from Dun! Dun! Dun! REVERSE CULTURE SHOCK. Yikes!

Slumdog Millionaire

Last night I went to see Slumdog Millionaire at the theater at Main Place in Shinotshin with a couple of friends. I loved it. I had no idea what it was about when I walked in but I had my own idea based off the title. (I was wrong.) It was really good. It was really expensive, but it was so good I didn't mind the 1600 yen price tag. Although, the fact that the triple set (hot dog, popcorn, and a drink) was only 500 yen did make me feel better. I also found out that Wednesday night is lady's night, which means the price of the ticket will be 500 yen cheaper. Yea! (For you guys reading this, Monday night is men's night.)