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March 29, 2006
Ella Enchanted
Yesterday, I basically didn't get out of bed. And that included being sucked into watching Ella Enchanted. Sad thing is, I think I missed more of the movie than I realized - okay, I'm not sure if missing the beginning of the movie is the sad part, or the fact that I read three reviews of the damn thing which pointed out all the early plot points I missed when I was watching it.
Things not pointed out in reviews:
1. The schlocky animation is so crappy that the "elves" look like normal size people.
2. Every scene reminds you of an earlier, funnier, smarter movie.
3. Cary Elwes as the Evil Uncle is just plain mean to women everywhere who grew up watching and loving The Princess Bride.
4. Did I mention the schlocky animation? A wanna-be lawyer elf is Hathaway's sidekick, so it's really distracting that he isn't small in the slightest. He just looks like a short guy. Nothin magical about a short lawyer.
5. Hathaway has an amazing body. I'm sure being 21 has a lot to do with that. But her huge lips and bodice filling bosom are simply unnatural. Am I wrong to notice these things in a children's movie? Oh well.
Rotten Tomatoes entry
Ebert's review
Elder's review in the Trib
Kehr's review in the NYT
Posted by cj at 01:59 PM | Comments (0)
March 28, 2006
i ate oatmeal!
Yes, I'm a freak for getting excited about this. But it's the first meal I've had today...I tried to eat some chicken soup at lunch and the first few slurps refused to sit still.
FYI, I've got severe bronchitis. My prescriptions cost $160.
When, oh when, will we get universal healthcare in the US?
...can't wait to start really feeling better. Being sick and alone really sucks.
and yet, for some reason, I'm convinced that I'd be able to eat Chicago's pizza. I think I've watched way too many commercials for inferior pizza. I have refrained from ordering home delivery. I'm afraid that (a)I'll fall asleep before the delivery person gets here and (b)I wont be able to eat it. And that is too horrifying a possibility to accept.
Posted by cj at 07:18 PM | Comments (0)
March 26, 2006
The Bug Is Draining Me Right Now...
For about a month, I've watched as all of my coworkers succumbed to one viral infection after another. Or maybe some of the infections were caused by bacteria. In any event, one coworker could barely talk and another kept reverting to sickness even after an antibiotic treatment.
And now, it's hit me. I started feeling bad last night, but I was determined to round off my bday weekend with another night on the town. And now, I feel like crap. I'll admit it - this is the time when living alone sucks. At least I stockpile canned Wolfgang Puck soup for such occasions...too bad I'm too nauseous to contemplate eating.
[/end pity rant]
Thanks to everyone who made my birthday memorable! It ranks up there in the echelons of "very good years."
Posted by cj at 03:11 PM | Comments (0)
March 22, 2006
Thoughts on Time and Space
On the eve of my 28th birthday, I'm faced with a lot of life that's happened. At times, it slipped by me while I wasn't looking. Other points in the past are seared into my memory: starkly dreary, amazingly beautiful, inspirational...
Spring is really blooming, despite the cold weather. I'm rather excited by the possibilities of life, and I try to remind myself that it's perfectly acceptable to not have A Plan. Too many people I know are wrapped up in Need To Do's. Especially important to many women is breeding. I suppose five years from now, this might be a concern of mine as well. But not now.
I'm perfectly happy having zero obligations that I can't get out of if I need to. Granted, I've attached myself to things: work, WILPF, blogs, and an extension on my lease. And during the winter of my discontent, I let go of some things. More importantly, I reached back and pulled myself to the surface: while I don't regret falling in love, I've learned the difference between love and co-dependence. My new interactions with the world aren't based on desperate need, rather I start from choice and move through preference to desire.
And now, I must push myself to do more than babble to myself and watch Lost.
Posted by cj at 08:38 PM | Comments (1)
March 20, 2006
Silly Quiz Time
A friend forwarded me this quiz...
You're a Chihuahua!
What Breed of Dog Are You?
Brought to you by Tickle
No bones about it, you're an energetic, devoted Chihuahua. For your breed, size definitely doesn't matter. After all, sometimes the best things (diamonds, car keys, Godiva truffles) come in small packages. Honest and straightforward, you're never afraid to speak up for what you believe in, especially if it's a cause near and dear to your heart. Having such a passionate personality can come with a few drawbacks, though. You can be moody at times, and people often find it hard to live up to your high standards. But once you make a friend, it's for life. Saucy and intense, your energy and unfailing loyalty make you a great companion. Woof!
Posted by cj at 05:51 PM | Comments (0)
March 19, 2006
Trader Joe's
The one chore I've been able to accomplish this weekend is going to the grocery store; probably because I was on the verge of an empty refrigerator. And since I quickly lost my cleaning momentum, I ended up reading "Is Whole Foods Wholesome? The dark secrets of the organic-food movement." by Field Maloney in Slate's Culturebox. The guy apparently doesn't like slick marketing campaigns and thinks healthy food is only available at upper-class prices. Apparently, he's never heard of Trader Joe's. Now, I grant you that Whole Foods is in many more cities than TJ, but I remember when there was only one Whole Foods in the San Fernando Valley, but plenty of TJ's. And now I live in Chicago, with two TJ's to choose from.
Here's what I wrote in "The Fray" on Slate:
I'm not afraid of the globalization of food trade, since I prefer to be able to purchase fresh tomatoes (and other produce) year round. Plus, I care as much about the lives of farmers in Latin America as I do about the lives of farmers in the US.
But I certainly don't make enough money to buy my food from Whole Foods, since it really does translate into Whole Paycheck in my life. Instead, I'm thankful I live in a city with several Trader Joe's, where organic produce always ends up being cheaper than my previous trips to Jewel. It's not just about pesticides - I don't want to eat beef from a cow that was fed other cows; nor do I want to eat animals that were doped up with antibiotics. Alternatives exist to agri-business conglomerates at affordable prices. Unfortunately, there aren't enough stores to reach everyone; but perhaps one day citizens will take back their power and the FDA and USDA will truly monitor our food supply instead of sitting in the back pocket of agri-business.
Posted by cj at 06:28 PM | Comments (0)
March 16, 2006
feelin guilty...
things I feel guilty about:
1. lack of updates on my blogs
2. not cleaning my apt
3. not finding sister activists to work with in Chi-town
4. not being okay w numbers one through three
there was other stuff but I lost my train of thought in the ether of the net. (cutting and pasting not my friend.)
on the other hand, i'm glad that:
1. My friend calls me to hear me tell her to break up with her s.o. Even if I have to have this conversation for another year, I'm glad she listens to me and I'm glad I'm strong enough to say this.
2. I'm a phenomenal, independent woman. I pay my own way and pave my own path. I've chosen a rocky road. My heart has been crushed. My ego demolished. My sanity questioned on several occasions. But, for the most part, I'm a level-headed woman who doesn't need a man to make her whole.
3. I've experienced love and the feeling that another human can make me whole.
4. I've separated my desires from my needs from my aspirations: I aspire to a better, more fulfilling job; I need to continue being an independent, opinionated woman; I desire a partner on my journey, but do not need that.
Posted by cj at 11:09 PM | Comments (0)