Dramatic Chipmunk

What to blog about?

It hasn't exactly been an uneventful month. The dogs got bathed. I almost got caught up on laundry. I have managed to keep two pots of herbs alive (thyme and oregano). We started the summer quarter at work...always a hectic first two weeks. Hannah turned 21 and she was home that weekend, so we spent some time together. Andrew was home for a week. And then there's that stupid cancer thing. Cancer is ugly and mean and scary. But! There's something to be said for regular check-ups. As many of you already know, we are thrilled that the only location of mom's cancer is that tumor (about an inch big) in her right lung. Tests did not find more. PTL!!! And, so we move to the next thing which is surgery on Friday morning to remove the lobe of the lung where that little bastard lives. It thought it could hide, but it was mistaken.

Enriching Lives

I saw a Mary Kay bumper sticker tonight that said something like, "Mary Kay...Enriching Lives." So...to have a rich life, I have to have makeup???

Dinner & a Movie

Dinner
The dinner was complimentary, because Shalane gave feedback about a less than stellar experience at the same restaurant. As a result, the manager wanted to prove how well Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar can serve its customers. We expected to at least pay for our wine and dessert. There was no check. Not even for our $50 bottle of wine or our sinfully delicious hot fudge lava whatever cakey soufflé thing.

I can tell you this dinner was superb, but I can also tell you that it will be once in a blue moon that I shell out the cash for it myself. Can you say "pricey?" Good grief...I know the total bill between the two of us must have been at least $250. Can you believe that? I had the ribeye. Shalane had a filet & lobster something or other. We shared big dishes of sautéed spinach (with purple onions) and mashed potatoes with truffle butter & tomato basil garlic butter (I think?). The wine made the meal. We chose Estancia Pinot Noir (2004 Stonewall Vineyard from the Santa Lucia Highlands). It was a perfect match of spice-laced smoky fruity smooth-finish wine with some awesome meat & veggies. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Our server, Lance, clearly was chosen especially for the evening--he was outstanding. We made a new friend and had fun in the process. Very personable and funny with just the right balance of "How's everything going?" and "I'm smart enough to know when to leave you alone."

& a Movie
Once again, I disagree with Betsy Pickle. Only this time, she has got to be out of her freaking mind!!! She thinks this movie is good! Her article is a good summary of the plot, however.

If you like Kevin Costner movies, this one is as slow and boring as all the rest. Mr. Brooks (<-- click and watch a trailer) was disappointing. We were ready for a psychological thriller. About half-way through, my eyes got heavy. I looked at the time and was disappointed to see that I had about another hour to suffer through this very slow moving tale of a loving father husband serial killer. He likes to kill couples, pose them, and then take pictures of them. He also has this alter ego ghost-like character who he talks to all the time...sort of the devil on his shoulder.

Contrary to Betsy's assessment, it was very predictable. There were no surprises and no twists, except the one where he sort of redirected the cop on his tail to another murderer--once put away by her, but now on the loose. He basically put her in the position to either kill or be killed by this other serial killer. After a gun fight, other serial killer killed his girlfriend and then himself. In the middle of all this, Mr. Brooks suspects his recent college drop-out daughter is also a killer after police show up to question her about an acquaintance's death at her college. He comes to the rescue all daddy-like and kills someone on the campus in the same manner as the other murder so that the cops are off the trail of his daughter. It all really sort of goes nowhere, except leaves itself wide open to a sequel. I can't wait.

How dare we celebrate?

When I graduated from high school in 1981, the audience was cautioned about cheers as we walked across the stage. A graduation ceremony should be dignified...serious...and we should all be mindful of respecting graduates' rights to have their names heard as they are announced. Then, we should solemnly be pleased about each person's major accomplishment. Right? Well, I think I was the first one whose name was called. I'm sure my cheering section ruined the whole ceremony. I specifically remember my CCD teacher & friend Cindy's father, Mr. Fuhr, whistling from the balcony (in the Knoxville Civic Coliseum) and yelling my name. I still got my diploma. The same requests (to no avail) were made of us all when Hannah (2004) and Curtis (2006) graduated some 23 and 25 years later...it was madness, I tell you, but the school administrators & staff seemed to be enjoying it as much as the rest of us. Some things don't change and probably never will. I guess some folks can hope, however.

When the penalty is that the graduates don't receive their diplomas, however, I think we've gone a little too far in trying to enforce dignity. Give it a rest, already! Who cares if each graduate's cheering section raises a little ruckus? I didn't back then and I don't now. What kind message are we sending our young people? I say when the occasion arises, let's celebrate in an undignified manner. Life's celebrations seem to come too few and far between.