White House Press Dinner and Stephen Colbert

Today’s canvassing turned out fine, except for twisting my ankle…twice. Karla and I took part of precinct 12 and knocked on some doors, hung door hangers on many more.

Now, guess what I’m doing through the magic of the Internets? I’m watching the White House Correspondent’s Dinner live. It’s streaming at C-Span (I don’t have cable or a satellite dish, so must watch online). Bush is there. Ugh. The highlight will be Stephen Colbert’s speech. Bush is talking in about another five minutes at 7:05 Arizona time and Colbert will be speaking around 7:30.

Update: I can’t get a link added to C-Span, so here is the URL: http://www.c-span.org/watch/index.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS

Later Update: Colbert was hilarious, but only for those not in the audience. He was telling the truth, blasting the administration and the press. The audience didn’t find it too funny, but his routine was spot on. Bush looked pissed. C-Span will be loading the video later. Check it out. I also have to admit that Bush had a good routine with an impersonator.

Beautiful Day and Democratic canvas

It looks to be a beautiful day, which is a good thing as today is the national Democratic Party canvas day.  Across the country today, in all kinds of communities people are gathering to canvas their neighborhoods promoting the Democratic Party. You can find out more information here.  I'm going to do my part.  What I am not going to do is join the local dems for our annual Roosevelt-Kennedy dinner tonight.  Even with Governor Napolitano as opening speaker and special guest speaker, Gary Hart, I'm just not in the mood to go.

Anyway, I need to get the backside in gear to get ready for the canvas.  I'll let you know how it goes. 

Watching “United 93″

“United 93” hits with a sledgehammer. I am still in an emotional holding pattern after watching it. The movie is well done and respectful of that horrid day, but I often found it unbearable.

The movie starts with the Flight 93 hijackers preparing for that day. I was doing fine and calmly watching the movie, eating my nachos. I lost it when we saw the flight crew showing up for work. It was just another day at work for them as they discussed the normal mundane things we discuss with our co-workers. Tears bubbled up and over. The thought of eating more nachos roiled my stomach. I could only sip my soda as my palms began to sweat. They remained sweaty for the whole film.

The movie slowly builds to those painful scenes of the World Trade Center towers burning. We know it’s going to happen and we watch as the air traffic controllers fight their disbelief that a plane is hijacked. When the first tower is hit, the confusion is overwhelming. The military folks at NORAD and the air traffic folks are astonished. If possible, the movie becomes even more tense, because we, unlike the folks that morning, know there’s more to come.

As a movie, I can’t say if it is excellent. It doesn’t seem unreal and I didn’t find anything too jarring and farfetched. So, it does a fine job. The problem is me. I can’t be objective. Of course, watching a movie isn’t about objectivity. Our life experiences, our emotional states, and cultural expectations always control our appreciation of films, music, and books. Yet, as a reviewer I can sometimes let a part of my brain dissect what’s going on onscreen even while enjoying the movie. With “United 93” I couldn’t. The film just hurt too much.

I am going to need a day or two to figure out what to write. Yes, “United 93” will earn a high score from me, just because of my emotional state. I only wish I knew if that was due to the skill of the moviemaker or my own emotional memories of that horrid day to be forever known as 9/11.

United 93

I have to review "United 93" this weekend. This is a movie I'm not sure I want to see at all. In fact, I'm feeling anxious as I'm about to go see it in a little bit. Those feelings of that day can still come bubbling up any time I see anything about 9/11 and I could end up an emotional wreck.  This movie may be hard to sit through.  

I'll let you know what I think of it when I get back.  

This morning

What a lovely morning. A light rain is falling, I got up early, and I think I'm going to take the dogs out for a short hike before heading into work. So, a muddy hem is in my future. 

Now, of course, getting up early is easier when it isn't dark in the morning. I'd like to say that's what got me up before 7:00 (yes, that's early for me). Unfortunately, I got up early because I never went to bed.

Yes, yes, I did get some sleep, but it was the restless sleep of someone trying to find a comfortable position on the couch. Wait – did I say couch? Let me re-phrase that. I slept all night on my not-so-spacious loveseat. I'm a champion fetal position sleeper.

It gets even more interesting when my corgi, Spencer, insists on joining me on the loveseat. For him to find a place to jump up I am forced to hold my legs straight out in front of the "couch", which allows Spencer to jump up by my butt. I then swing my legs back in and Spencer rests between by pillowy butt and my legs. 

So, a beautiful morning and a lack of good sleep may make for a fun day. 

Doris Day and Sex?

Okay, I’m confused. I look at my stats for this blog and quite a few people seem to like my post, “Sex – Doris Day Style.”  It was one of those quick posts one night about watching “Pillow Talk,” one of my favorite movies.  Well, the words “sex” or “sexy” and “Doris” seems to come up in searches once in a while, thus leading to my post. 

Now, I’m thrilled to get readers, but how disappointed must they be to read my quickie post when they might be looking for something different? So, I had to find out what’s going on.

I did some research and there is some site that has a Sexy Doris (which I can’t find now).  I didn’t visit it, because it looked a little unsavory. There’s also a film directed by Doris Wishman called “The Sex Perils of Paulette” – another one I’m not visiting – wait, it was made in 1965, I’m checking it out…okay, looks slightly naughty.

Maybe some people are interested in Doris Day and sex…um…together.  It can happen. She was beautiful in her younger days, with a sweet and wholesome look. Her singing voice is great. I absolutely love her “Sentimental Journey” with the Les Brown band. I’ve bought several old albums that she released. I also admit that I’m a sucker for “Que Sera, Sera.”

She played all kinds of roles, but got typed for a while as the sweet, plucky woman who stands by her man.  It was “Pillow Talk” that changed all that. She was smart and, yes, sexy in her Jean Louis outfits. Of course, in movie-land, manly Rock Hudson was attracted to her. Yet, it wasn’t that she was reeking of sexuality it was that she was independent, intelligent, and was willing to laugh along with Rock’s faux “Rex Stetson” (Rock puts on a fake persona and name in order to get close to Doris). She wouldn’t laugh with Rock’s smarmy character and Rock knew it. 

Anyway, if you stumble upon this post looking for more Doris Day info, here’s some good links:

IMDB Page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000013/

Wiki entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doris_Day

A nice site all about her: http://www.dorisday.net/index.html

Here's Doris Day with Nick Adams in one of the highlights in "Pillow Talk."  This is a gorgeous Jean Louis gown that she's wearing.  The picture is black and white, but the film is in color (Dawn can watch it!) and Ms. Day looks gorgeous.

Tonight’s DVD – Liza with a Z

Got home from vacation last night and I'm still feeling wiped out. The dogs are glad to be back, the cat wasn't impounded (animal control was out grabbing cats last week), and I'm glad to have some quiet time. Of course, this means sitting back, resting my tired feet, and putting on a DVD.

Well, tonight's DVD is a goody. I was 14 when this appeared on NBC as a special in 1972. Finally released on DVD, "Liza with a Z" isn't for everyone, but, man, do I have fond memories of the show. I had even bought the album and played the heck out of it (I still have it – scratched and slightly warped).  Liza Minnelli, though now considered something of a joke, was once a dynamic, impressive performer. She dances, sings, and emotes through the whole show. Winning four Emmys and a Peabody, "Liza with a Z" is entertaining. Hey, it was directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse! Of course, it's good.  I can't wait to check out the bonus features. Best of all? The DVD also came with a CD of the show. I can replace that old beat up LP and sing along with something newer. 

Last Day at Disneyland – and old poopsterism

We fly out this afternoon and I plan on hanging out in the hotel room.  My back went kerblooey and the thought of a leisurely morning getting packed sounds much more like a fun ride than whatever California Adventure and Disneyland has to offer.

Yes, I am an old poop.

Disneyland Today – a new day

Well, we are getting a late start today, which is fine with me. We all slept in til after 8:00. Now, it's just time for the kids to get dressed and we will head on out. I'm not sure what we'll do today, but I bet it will involve Disneyland!  

By the way, my feet feel much better this morning.  We'll see how they feel by lunch time.  I taped my right one as it's the most painful. Plantar fasciitis ain't fun, especially in Disneyland.

Hey, has anyone seen the Talking to Crush show at California Adventure?  How do they do that? This animated character (Crush the sea turtle from "Finding Nemo") interacts with the audience, asking and answering questions. It's wild. 

Disneyland Today Part 2

My feet hurt. They hurt real bad. They are throbbing masses of painful nerve endings that are screaming in a piercing, shrill voice that I'm stupid and I deserve all the pain. After all, I was either walking all over Disneyland and California Adventure or I was standing in line waiting to get on some ride. May I just say, "Ouch."  

I'm staying in tonight with my mom and David, my two-year old nephew. Sue, Larry, and Jamie have gone back to brave the crowds at the Most Crowded Place on Earth. David's already asleep after a short crying jag (didn't want to be left behind), Mom's in bed and mighty quiet (she's probably out of it also), and I'm sitting back with my feet up, listening to some Patsy Cline on my iTunes (man, I love laptops).

Tomorrow is another day and another day to torture my mangy feet. Naturally, they'll pay me back for my inconsideration, but there are more rides and more activities to enjoy.  Hey, we're talking about Disneyland here!

Disneyland Today

Jeez, my feet hurt. Disneyland requires walking and I feel like I’ve walked every inch of it. Of course, you don’t have to walk if you do what my mom did – rent one of those motorized chairs. Mom loves it. She’s a motorized mama ready to run down anyone.

This morning is our character breakfast at the Plaza Inn. Oh, to have your breakfast interrupted by Princess Jasmine or Belle. You can’t get anything like that back in Arizona. You can only eat your breakfast in peace.  Hmmm…is a little bit of sarcasm and cynicism coming through? It must be the early morning. We can get in early at the park today, so I’m ready to go, but waiting for the others.

Some of us hit Space Mountain yesterday and it has improved. It’s still one of my faves. Thunder Mountail Railroad is another. We’ve done that one too. The lines are humongous so we aren’t able to get on a lot of rides without waiting in line for a long time.

We visited California Adventure last night and rode the new Monsters Inc ride. A big hit with my two-year old nephew. I loved the Muppets 3-D Animation show. Mainly ‘cause it was the Muppets and they always make me laugh.

Well, time to get my butt in gear before my mom tells me to get it in gear. She lives for moments like that.

More Power to Ya

Oh oh. Now my niece, Jamie, wants to add something to my blog.  Here’s her help: 

I  am  so  glad   that  the  power is   on!

She wants to write more, but we’re going out to eat now, but ain’t she brilliant? I’m a proud aunt. 

 

Empowered!

Hey, the power is on! Whoo hoo. Meanwhile, my nephew, David, wants to help me write. Here’s what he has to say:

Ddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc

(He’s two years old)

 

Whew.

 

Powerless

Well this is interesting. I’m sitting here in the dark…alone. A circuit breaker has tripped and there’s no power, except for some nasty intermittent beeping sound that is telling me that the power is off. Sigh. Of course, this is the night before we fly to California. My sister has more laundry to do, plus there’s dinner to do, a video to watch, and the kids will have to get ready for bed later. Doing this all by candlelight just doesn’t sound so hot.

 
My brother-in-law has headed over to Home Depot to buy another circuit switch. I do hope that fixes the problem. Just from a selfish standpoint this sure can screw up the whole vacation thing. Please let it all get fixed.

Goofy Kissing

Only a few things left to do:

• Write the vet’s phone number down for the neighbors keeping their eye on my cat.
• Empty trash.
• Finish off the rice in the fridge or throw it out.
• Pay bills.
• Send review for “The Wild” to Flag Live.
• Pack.
• Get a good night’s sleep.

Tomorrow I drive to Phoenix to join my family, because Tuesday we are heading to the happiest place on Earth. We are going to Disneyland.

My niece and nephew are ecstatic. My sister is frazzled. My mom and I are fighting over who gets the aisle seat on the airplane (we are both on the big side and have seats next to each other). My brother-in-law is looking forward to the whole thing. After all, he and Disneyland are compatriots – Disneyland opened three days after Larry was born. They’re old buddies.

I have to admit. I’m looking forward to the week’s vacation. I’ll enjoy spending time with family, especially Jamie and David, my niece and nephew. My only worry is my feet. Plantar fascitis in both feet may end up too painful. I had the problem last year in one foot and survived our Disneyland trip. This year I have to cope with both bad feet.

Hey, I’ll be in Disneyland – who cares about feet? There’s going to be hanging out with Goofy. My man…er…dog…or whatever he is. I got a snapshot of me kissing Goofy, but the camera died and didn’t get the picture. When I emailed my co-workers that I kissed Goofy, one of them emailed back, “Are you talking about the Disney character or just how you kiss?”

Anyway, there’s more to do before I head to bed. I’m bringing my laptop and hope to post every evening, but I ain’t promising anything. I may be too tired after keeping up with Jamie and David. Oh, you know I’ll post. I’m addicted to this blogging thing.