3 Strikes?

Do you think if you spill food or drink on yourself three different times during the day (or morning, really) you should be able to leave work and go home?

I feel like the only thing I have accomplished today is giving the high school girls I teach something to laugh about. I couldn't write on the board (how hard can it be to write "work"), couldn't come up with words ("Now what is that word that means something like assimilate?"), and spilled diet coke down my sweater. At least they enjoyed class...

Sweet Smell of Defeat

Loyal readers know I have been fascinated by Sonny Boy's wrestling this season - a sport beyond my comprehension. I missed his tournament last Saturday (Hubby was there), but here is a synopsis of a phone conversation:

Mom - How did this first match go, honey?
Sonny Boy - I lost.
M - Well I'm sure you did your best. You seem okay about it.
SB - I didn't get pinned until the last few seconds. I was wrestling a girl. (pause) She's hot.
M - Oh?
SB - Yeah - all the other guys on my team want to wrestle her too, but she's not in their weight class.
M- Well, I'm glad you got to wrestle her sweetie. Hope your other matches go better.

Tendonitis Cure?

I have been dealing with tendonitis in my right hand for a full year now. I have tried all sorts of things - my chiro does laser treatment, a tennis elbow thingy when playing and using the computer or doing some housework, really cutting down processed foods (love my Wheat Thins), and just not using my hand. I had blamed tennis for the bulk of the problem, but I have not played in over a month now and am still having issues.

So last week a co-worker said I should eat 9 golden raisins, soaked in gin, each day. Well, I figured, it couldn't hurt. I have been doing this for a week, in addition to all my other little tricks. Any opinions on this?

Heath Ledger

I have always been a sci-fi/fantasy fan. (probably started with Star Wars when I was 10 years old). 10 years ago a fantasy show called Roar lasted about 6 episodes. I loved the show, but was probably the only person in the country who was watching it. It was written and produced by Shaun Cassidy (yes, the former love of my life when a pre-teen). It centered around a Celtic prince in Roman ruled Britain. The prince had such an incredible presence. I found out he was played by a young Aussie, Heath Ledger. When I discovered he was only 18 years old, I was stunned. So much talent for one so young.

He came into the mainstream not much later with 10 Things I Hate About You, one of the few teen movies out there that is a real gem. But I think most of us will always value his work in Brokeback Mountain the most.

Ledger was found dead in his apartment in NYC yesterday. The cause of death is unknown as of yet, but there is speculation it was an accidental overdose of sleeping pills. He leaves an ex-fiance, the talented actress Michelle Williams, and a 2 year old daughter. He was only 28 years old. It's such a tragic story - to leave family and loved ones so unexpectedly, and for all us not to be able to enjoy his gifts in the coming years. My heart goes out to his loved ones.

Morning Talk

Listening to the local pop radio station this morning (can't do NPR every morning), I heard this interesting tidbit. Apparently, a woman called the police because she couldn't get her husband to stop talking. Hmmmm......

Atonement - the Movie

A few years ago, my Asheville book group read Ian McEwan's Atonement at the suggestion of Edgy Mama. I only read it that one time, but it is one of those stories that I just couldn't forget. I was curious how it would be adapted to the big screen, and recently was able to see for myself how this was done.

The story is about a writer's search for atonement after a fiction she creates in 1935 as a 13 year old girl. This fiction destroys lives around her. Does she have the courage to atone for this terrible thing she has done? Will others be able to overcome the harm done to them by her actions?

The movie itself is beautifully and wonderfully done. The acting is superb. I have been a huge Keira Knightly fan for years. I wrote off James McAvoy as that deer type creature in Chronicles of Narnia -boy was I wrong. He brought me to tears several times in the movie. And the different incarnations of Briony (the 13 year old at the beginning of the movie) - each of the actresses were brilliant. Her self-righteous attitude and rigidity were matched in the posture and facial expressions of the actresses. The score matched the acting (with staccato typing throughout) in a perfect manner. Much has been written about the large war scene on the French shores. The intermixing of the story from small British countryside to a large scale international scene was quite moving.

This movie deserved the Best Picture Golden Globe in won last night. It is an interesting and thought-provoking story. The characters feel so real and immediate. It is a story that stays with someone. I was so uncertain this story could be brought to the big screen in a manner consistent with this wonderful book, but it was done. Definitely one of the best pictures (if not the best) of the year. My grade - A

The New American Gladiators

Just a little over a month ago, I recounted my love for the classic American gladiators from the early '90s. Due to the writers' strike, reality tv is more and more of a reality, but I was pleased when NBC premiered the new American Gladiators last night. Kids and I had been anxiously waiting.

I was thrilled when I saw that Laila Ali was one of the hosts. She is so way cool. But then there is Hulk Hogan as the other host. He is just so way annoying. He particularly annoyed me when announcing the first men's event. The women had already completed an event, so he introduces the men while saying, "And NOW we are ready to get serious!" Because of course in his mind the women's events aren't as serious as the men's'? Don't know if Laila heard that, but I bet she could kick his overtanned and bleached hide in a heartbeat.

Overall, I enjoyed the competition. My fave new gladiator is Crush (see picture). It is nice to see women on tv who actually are a normal size (most the female gladiators weigh around 150), and then to have such great muscles. The male gladiators were just a little scary (6'9 and 290 pounds? - who wouldn't be scared?).

The events were fun, the competitors sassy and energetic, and everyone seemed to be having a great time. Every Monday at 8pm I have something to keep me entertained. We'll see how it goes...