A week or so ago, I saw a mysterious charge to my checking account. I found it strange because the charge was to a restaurant in New Mexico. I new exactly where this restaurant was but I had never eaten there. I came to the conclusion that it was just a coincidence that the charge was in a town I had visited.
I contacted my bank to have my card canceled. I was told I could come into the branch to get a temporary debit card until the new card arrived. I was also told I could open a separate checking account, with a very low balance, to use for online purchases to sites I wasn't familiar with. I thought this was a great idea. Then, if my account was compromised, the thief would only get a small amount of money. The bank would reimburse me but they said at least I wouldn't be wiped out, having to wait several days to have the money returned.
So, I left the bank feeling better and would wait for my two new debit cards to arrive. Then I get this email from the bank saying my debit cards had shipped, all three of them! THREE???? Wait, I only need two. So now I have to go back to the bank to find out what happened. My secure feeling has left, as it did when I saw the unauthorized charge. This should be interesting. I'll keep you posted (get it...post-ed?).
At work I help new people find where they need to be. Today I had five of these in a row:
7:00 a.m. Person #1-5: Can you help me? Me: I hope so. Person #1-5: I went to that classroom right there, and my class isn't there. Me: Ok, let's look at your schedule. Oh, that class is at 7:10 p.m. Person #1-5: Yeah. Me: P.M. (Looking into his eyes for some sign of life) Person #1-5: Yeah (Looking at me like I'm some kind of moron) Me: Peeeeee Eeeemmmmaaahhhh!!!! Person #1-5: Oooooohhhhhh. Thanks.
I was listening to a man being interviewed today on the radio. He lives in southern England near Cambridge. Apparently, their particular use of the English language doesn't use the letter "t".
Examples: We say: later They say: la (silence) err
We say: skate They say: ska (silence) ee
We say: water They say: wah (silence) err
I guess when they recite their alphabet they say: q, r, s, (silence) u, v, and so on. Must be confusing to non-English speakers trying to learn the language.
Ok, so here are the final reviews of the movies I saw on my vacation.
First up, Whip It. This movie is with Ellen Page, from Juno. It's about roller derby. I remember as a kid watching the Bay City Bombers and wishing I could skate. I grew up in the foothills to the Santa Cruz mountains and we didn't have sidewalks, hence we didn't roller skate. I found it very difficult when I went to Junior High in the "flats" and I would be invited to skate parties. When there wasn't a bar along the edges of the rink I discovered I couldn't embed my fingernails into the block walls of the rink. There was nothing to hold onto and I spent most of the night crawling to the edges to grab something to hold onto to pull my self up. So as you may have guessed, I loved this movie!
Next, Inglourious Basterds. I've never been a huge fan of Quentin but I liked this movie. Probably because the bad guys got what was coming to them. And, in case you're wondering, I don't mind gore that much.
Moving along...I did see a movie that isn't out yet. I feel I can't review it for you as I don't want to get my Hollywood connections in trouble for including me in the screening. Maybe next week.
Then I saw Up In The Air. This was a good George Clooney movie. I feel like he and Sandra Bullock are similiar in that they make some really good movies and some really bad movies. This one was good, but don't be decieved, the ending isn't very uplifting. I found I was arguing with myself about the ending, but all in all, a good movie.
Next, The Hurt Locker. This movie was released last January and I had never heard of it. It is another movie that doesn't have a happy ending but was a very realistic account of what war can do to people. I was extremely surprised to find this movie was written and directed by a woman. Not that I don't think a woman is capable of good work but I guess I still am under the misconception that women don't see much combat. Well, not really combat but what really goes on over there. I don't want to spoil it but don't see this film if you don't have nerves of steel.
The next movie I saw was Away We Go. This came out a while ago but I missed it. It's about a pregnant couple who travel around the continent trying to figure out where to raise their child. It stars Maya Rudolph from SNL and John Kransinsky from The Office. I liked it. It was a little quirky but it worked for me.
I finally got the correct movie time to see A Single Man and Pretty Girl went with me to see it. We both love Colin Firth. This movie is set in the early sixties. I love to see what set designers and costume designers do with the early sixties and they did not disappoint. This movie also is in the category of not a happy ending but I did enjoy the film, a lot!
And last, but not least, I saw It's Complicated. I liked this movie a lot. I love Alec Baldwin even though you see him shirtless, and he's not in the greatest shape. I don't judge. Meryl Streep's character and Alex's character are trying to figure out if they should get back together. John Kransinki is in this movie too. I found his character a bit slapstick-ish but it's a very funny movie and I think most people will enjoy it.
So the only movie I didn't see, that I wanted to, was Up. There's still time. We have a three day weekend coming!
And I do mean it. Will you be saying two thousand ten or twenty ten?
I have heard many people say that they hope this year is a lot better than the last. I hope they get what they wish for. I didn't think 2009 was so bad. Although, I'm a little uncertain about 2010. As I sit here watching the Rose Parade (the bull dogs snow boarding were awesome!) I am also reading the paper. I have to tell ya, I am shocked and appalled at what is still going on in this country. Here is a recap:
In Hemet, CA police discover someone has piped in a gas line to blow up a gang task force building. (Wow, no one ever saw any of that work being done?)
In Gainsville, FLA a detention officer is fired for being a member of the KKK. (Huh, I guess he didn't see that as a problem, being in his position. On the other hand, why is it not illegal for the KKK to be a club you can join in?)
Rapid City, S.D. authorities found a passed out woman with a blood alcohol content of .708%. That's nearly NINE times the legal limit! (Surprising she didn't freeze to death, oh wait, alcohol doesn't freeze!)
People, you can't make this stuff up. So, go out and make it a great year and please don't make me read about you in the newspaper!
