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!
I saw movies! In keeping with my tradition of seeing as many movies as I can while I take a break from work, here are the reviews. Yes, I know you have been on the edge of your seat waiting (and if you weren't please keep it to yourself, I like to think I have some importance in life).
First off, Precious. OMG do not see this movie if you don't want to be depressed for the rest of your life. On the other hand, if Mo'Nique doesn't get an Oscar for her performance then there is nothing right in the world.
Next, I saw Brothers. This movie wasn't really uplifting either. It's about the horrible things that happen when you fight in a war. It was good to see Natalie Portman. I have always liked her.
Moving on... 2012. Now that I'm writing about these movies it doesn't seem like I saw anything with a good message. Just wait. Anyway, I don't think the world will end in 2012 so I wasn't afraid to see this movie. I really wanted to see the special effects. They were awesome! Oh, and the world didn't end at the end of this movie for all of you who missed the movie. I don't think that spoiled it for you.
Next stop, Avatar. This movie was excellent! Really, really excellent. I went with Pretty Girl before Pretty Teacher came into town (which PT wasn't too happy about!). We both loved it. We didn't see the 3-D version. If you haven't seen it I recommend you see it in 3-D. Pretty Teacher went to see it last night and said the 3-D effects were incredible. I can't recommend the 3-D IMAX experience because I'm afraid it may make me sick to my stomach. If you have a strong stomach it may be the way to go.
I love a movie that points fingers at wrong-doers and this movie makes it's point on many levels. Not sure the conservative crowd will think the same.
After Avatar I saw A Christmas Story (see previous post).
Then, I watched 500 Days of Summer. Meh! Pretty Teacher liked it. I thought it was just ok.
Next up...All About Steve. Yeah, I know, it looked stupid and it was. I just thought I would give it a try. Sandra Bullock can never make two good movies in a row. I mostly watched it for Bradley Cooper. Nothin' wrong with him!
The Kingdom was the next movie. I was pretty sure that I had seen this movie before but I thought I never finished it. Well, I had finished it but it was fun to see the familiar sights in the movie. This movie wasn't uplifting but the good guys did prevail. Yay! I love when that happens.
The Pretty's and I drove up to Scottsdale to see A Single Man. It's not widely released yet. Well, I got the time wrong and didn't feel like waiting around so we drove back to our part of the valley and saw Did You Hear About the Morgans?
I had heard this movie wasn't very good but I love Sarah Jessica Parker and High Grant. I liked this movie. It was pretty good. Sam Elliot is in it also and he was always a favorite of mine in westerns. Hugh Grant is always funny. The Pretty's and I were trying to figure out if he's funny because of his accent. I say it's his sense of humor and wondered if he contributed any dialog.
Last, but not least...Invictus. When I first started watching this movie I was wondering who the Captain of the rugby team was. Then I realized it was Matt Damon. I really liked this movie. Since I didn't know much about this historic era I didn't know the outcome. I was glad it came out the way it did.
Well, that's it for now. I still have some time left before I head back to work. Maybe I can squeeze a couple more movies in before then. It didn't seem like this holiday movie season was as good as last year and I'm still wondering where the heck is Will Smith?
I know you will find this hard to believe but I have never seen the movie A Christmas Story. I know, I know, but you have to understand that I don't have cable. I have heard stories that it plays around the clock Christmas Eve or Christmas Day or something like that on cable. I'm not sure why one would want to watch it over and over again but I guess enough people do.
Tonight, Pretty Girl is getting together with the Home Owner and his family and she said they were going to watch it. Well, not to be out done, I said I would find it on the Internet and finally see it. And I did. And it was good. And it was funny. I thought that the whole BB Gun scene was anti-climatic. Once he got the gun, that he had been obsessing over for so long, and shot the one shot that was about it for the gun.
My favorite parts were when Ralphie beat up the bully, Randy eating like a pig and the wait-staff in the Chinese restaurant singing Christmas Carols.
So for all of you that have cable, don't watch A Christmas Story over and over and over... it'll put your eye out!
