Jinxed

For some reason, since the onset of the "car death" in December, there has been this bizarre cloud hanging over the household bringing mechanical meltdowns. Every week it seems like another obstacle to conquer. Individually they seem minor - but adding them up - it gets overwhelming.

We are now without a dryer. Guessing the belt is gone as it heats up but no longer spins the clothes to dry. I don't mind fixing it, but time has not been available to make it a repair priority. Little things like broken lamps, dimmer switches, the splash on the back door. A favorite glass shatters. Today it was snagging my favorite black winter coat on a fence while walking the dog. Gone! They just keep piling up.

I had been joking that Jeffrey has been breaking things. Which he hates. But I have had these phases before where it keeps coming at you and eventually it passes. Patience for now because there is not the time to deal with them.

Oscar hoopla

Another of the million bloggings today post-Oscars. Wondering if I have anything of worth to add or if putting it out in the universe makes any sense. I do get sucked into the glamour as I did with the Grammy's - but now this is 2:2 on racking up disappointments. I am not sure what has happened that the bar remains so low???

The one good thing was the musical elements which at least held my attention. The bad thing was the musical moments which were painful to watch and listen to. How is that for teetering? Thank God for both Barbra and Shirley Bassey who brought dignity to the proceedings - even with the "maturity" of their ripe voices. BUT - I am a big Adele fan, who was less than impressed with her vocals. I think I like her speeches better than her performances as of late. Catherine Zeta & Jennifer Hudson were great on their standout moments - but it seemed sort of arbitrary to "just pick two songs" from the 100s of musical possibilities that are out there. Why not a mash up of something old and something new? It could have been a dud, but at least groundbreaking. Seth's numbers were "intriguing" among many other words. A lot of spectacle with a bit of wit and plenty of question marks????? A musical number with chorus boys about boobs??

And what was up with the Best Song nominees that we only heard a handful of them? I couldn't understand any of Norah Jone's lyrics. Who played God and decided what was worth hearing?

Poor Les Miz! How could it possibly succeed after Jennifer Hudson? I was buying it at the onset until the cast kept coming and coming. And Russell Crowe did it in for us all I think. Talk about conductor ball busting! Elephant in the room am I right? Which brings me to the odd conceit of how they had an orchestra in a different building a few blocks away...... I get technology but that was bizarre. And when it does start breaking down like the Les Miz medley, how can the poor conductor bring the train back on the tracks. (and why was Adele on stage with strings and back-up? was it her own private orchestra? were they paid extras just miming the bow work? made no sense at all)

And why did Meryl Streep not have an envelope to open??? Is Daniel Day Lewis her BFF and she just rattled his name off? Maybe he didn't really win at all like Marisa Tomei! I want a recount. But am very glad that ARGO took home the top prize.

Swiming With Dolphins

Every once in a while the environmentalist comes out. Sometimes nature is so amazing that we cannot help but notice. This phenomena occurred a day or two ago off the coast of San Diego. It was a small passenger boat that stumbled onto what is called a "pod" of them swimming at play alongside the boat. But what made this sighting so amazing it that it was a large school of over 100,000 mammals free in the ocean. yes that number is correct. They were in tandem over a stretch that was some seven miles long. Hard to even fathom that number without seeing them myself. Watch the video and marvel.

Musical Madness

Everyone knows I am a sucker for a movie musical. Whether waiting in line for the first holiday premieres of Les Miz or Dreamgirls - or catching up on the latest episode of Glee. From a young age I was always drawn to song and dance on the screen.

Thus it is with much excitement that I am noting the release of Warner Bros. Best of Musicals box set. It is a staggering collection of 20 beyond classic movie musicals that span almost a century now. It is astounding to see how this one studio has been steadfast through decades of dominion and drought. There are of course the mammoths like Wizard of Oz, American in Paris & Singin' in the Rain. But these are only touchstones. It starts back with The Jazz Singer - and not the Neil Diamond travesty - but the original talkie that started it all. And then onto early classics like Broadway Melody and 42 Street with young Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell. James Cagney tearing up the stage in Yankee Doodle Dandy - check! Ava Gardner's tearful farewell in Show Boat - check! Judy Garland's defining "Man That Got Away" in A Star Is Born - check!

And for those that thought the great age of musicals died off in the 60's? Don't forget we still had The Music Man and Elvis flicks like Viva Las Vegas on the marquees. Liza Minnelli in Cabaret is there. Victor/ Victoria and Little Shop of Horrors hold their own for offerings from the 1980's. And Hairspray is also a worthy current entry. Like a kid in a candy store.

Sophie's Choice

Jeffrey made a very difficult decision this weekend to surrender his cat Sophie up for adoption. We knew when moving in together it might be a difficult transition for all of us involved. Waylon was certainly up for the challenge of a new playmate. Jeff's other cat Tucker is an outgoing creature and even though independent as any cat can be, seems to adjust to any situation as long as there is food. Sophie on the other hand has always been a more aloof creature.

She was fine for the first week of the move and appeared to be even more engaged by exploring the house and tempting the dog. But by week 2 we began the long process of pissing on the bed. Usually just before we tucked in for the night to find a huge pool of urine in the center or on our pillows. We tried a new litterbox and coaxing to make the fit more comfortable for her. But at times it was pointless.

Thus came the difficult decision about her future. She was Jeffrey's first cat and there is always the guilt involved. But I think it important that despite the loss, it is also about finding the correct fit for a gentle and loving animal. If our mixed household is not the right fit for stability she needs, there is someone out there looking for the bond with this loving cat. I hope she will be happier in a house with less animals to compete for her attentions. But I applaud Jeff for his bravery and loss - he is a special man.

No Longer Science Fiction

I posted this article in my blog at work the other day, but thought it was worth sharing with my home audience as well. From MyScienceAcademy.org - It is a look back in the year from science and technology and mind boggling things that have been realized. In my mind, they are beyond innovation...

Brain sensors that can hack a human mind or control an artificial limb on a paraplegic.

Stem cells that can prolong a life span in mice to triple their normal expectancy.

Artificial leaves that activate their own electricity through photosynthesis.

Genetically modified silk in worms that is stronger than steel.

A real invisibility cloak that bends light reflection to provide being seen.

All true - it lists 27 milestones and each of them is an achievement to be saluted.

My Science Academy 

the Cardinals are calling

Today is a lovely winter day spent at home in the comfort of my house. I took a voluntary day off from work because of all the extra hours I have been clocking. It is neither a beautiful sunny one or a dismal grey one. Nonetheless, there is a fresh blanket of white snow on the ground - enough to make it pretty without the hassle of a shovel or snow emergency. The house is quiet except for the purr of the furnace and music when I am choosing to play some. Dress is casual with a pair of flannel sweats.

But I was most intrigued with the sound of the morning cardinals at the top of the trees on my morning ritual with Waylon. I was commenting last night how chilling it was and that it is about the time of year when I start to pine for spring. With the barren trees, they are easy to spot with their loud calls from the tallest branches. It is a small sign that warmer days are soon to come. Also a reminder to fill the feeder by the front window so I can watch them frolic.

A Horse! A Horse! My Kingdom for a Horse!

Amazing technology has made the breaking news that infamous King Richard III has been found beneath a city parking lot in Leicester ENG. How is that for a breakthrough? The remains were unearthed in Sept. and extensive research over the last months has confirmed "beyond reasonable doubt" that it is indeed the deposed King.

Those not familiar with English history of the 15th century King: He was a villainous ruler during the era of the War of the Roses between the houses of York & Lancaster. He was corrupt and ruthless in his quest to cede power of the thrown. History tells us that he was hacked and put on display at his death and supposedly buried on the grounds of Greyfriar's Church or else tossed in the river. The confirmation of genetic tests and body scars now shows that he was left abandoned in a hollow grave with no adornment. History can now rest silently.

Super Bowl with the drums & guard

WGI - which is the head for our indoor color guard and drum line activity, put up a new video posting today in response to the Super Bowl yesterday. Our season is just underway over the last two weekends. And hoping to tap into a bit of the game excitement - they offered up a few clips from past shows. First is Father Ryan HS which did a football themed show in 2006. And then Centerville HS color guard which did their own take off of a half time marching band show. For those outside world of pageantry & marching arts.

a Cheer for Netflix

I know Netflix has had a steady stream of advocates and haters over the last year. I myself migrated away from cable and television long ago. I began with the little red envelopes that would come in the mail and later weaned myself off them to streaming on my computer, table and finally back onto big screen at home. But after reading a very insightful article in this month's GQ magazine, I have become an even bigger endorser. Head honcho Reed Hastings has an impressive ideology on all fronts from his consumers to the very people working in his offices.

First off - he speaks that television, cable and even the film industry with its endless train of previews, season premieres and cliff hangers - leave us all in a perpetual zone of waiting - for that next episode. No one cares about prime time or Neilsen ratings anymore. Why should we not have the convenience of what we want when we want it? How easy it is to get sucked into the entire season of Ugly Betty in one huge orgy of an evening. Or the opposite; taking the needed pause when watching an epic Merchant/ Ivory film.

And now that Netflix is offering it's own slate of series, they are hoping to expand the possibilities of small screen. Attracting the visionary talent that wants to push barriers without the "box" imposed by a major network. And who is to say that an ideal episode needs to be defined in 24 or 47 minutes? Can I say that I have eagerly been waiting the reboot of fan fave Arrested Development for the last 2 years and will gladly pony up my bucks for it. Or the concept of telling us what we like based on viewing algorithms so we don't bother wasting that valuable time on some corny movie that looked much better than the preview we saw at the cineplex.

And then there is the work environment nurtured by headquarters. There is no limit of vacation time or sick pay. As long as the job is done well - no questions asked. "You don't have to give up your life to do your job incrdibly well" he says. He even flew his entire staff in for the Arrested Development wrap party where they all took pics on the Bluth mobile and ate via a taco truck & chocolate covered bananas from the Bluth banana stand. How cool is that!