yep, when it rains, it pours

I really appreciate our car mechanics at Bayless Tire & Auto. They're the best. They're very knowledgeable, and they get the work done quickly. And they're close to our house, so we can easily walk there to drop off/pick up the car.

However, I would prefer they didn't know us on a first name basis. Perhaps it's time for a new car when this happens.

I would also love it if the above-mentioned piece of crap wonderful, sexy, beast of a car wouldn't die in my company's garage. The one that only allows access in and out (yes, from the inside) with an access card. That way I wouldn't have to stand there in the freezing-ass cold and wait for the tow guy to load up my car so I can kindly let him out. I'm all for safety and all, but it's not like we work in north city.

Boy wouldn't it have been nice too if I'd called our auto agent and asked to add the tow coverage on before it needed to be towed 3 times in the past two years. Yep, that would have been great. Perhaps now is a good time to heed this lesson and get it added. That is if it's not in fact time to rid ourselves of the piece of crap wonderful, sexy, beast of a car.

sheesh

I love it when everyone freaks out about the weather. This morning when we woke up there was MAYBE ½ inch of snow – really light and fluffy snow too, the kind that doesn’t even need to be scraped off the car. Just a quick swipe with the wipers is all it takes. Funny enough though, the news was telling everyone to stay home if at all possible. The roads were treacherous, there were accidents everywhere, and there was a threat of more snow this afternoon (which has yet to materialize at 2:30 PM).

Add in the fact that last time they predicted 5 inches of snow we got maybe ¼ inch, and none stuck to the roads as it was like 37 degrees all day. Hmmm.

I’m all for erring on the side of safety, even though I’m not one to do it. But seriously? Staying home with ½ inch of snow? That’s a bit much. The roads weren’t even slick. I usually defend my lovely state of Misery from those who call us wimps when we cancel schools after 3 inches of snow. I’m also all in favor of taking much needed snow days, even if they’re unnecessary. But really.

Then again, if you’re dumb enough to believe what you hear on the network news channels, then perhaps you should stay off the roads.

you need a new hat

My good friend started his very own Etsy shop. He crochets, and is great at it. He is currently selling hats, scarves, and soon will be selling mary jane style slippers. He will be offering already-made merchandise and also taking special orders. He’s made my Bee a hat, and also an awesome pair of hi-top slippers complete with non-skid bottoms. They’re beautiful. I’ve also seen blankets that he’s made, and they’re gorgeous. I’m sure he could be convinced to make anything you can dream up – for a price of course. No really though everything is quite reasonable. Check it out!

On a non-related note, I’m pretty sure I heard one of the worst sounds ever today – a kid screaming in the room next to me at the dentist. Being at the dentist’s office is bad enough – do I really need to hear a kid in pain? It was horrible. And soon to be followed up by the sound of the dentist sawing the heck out of my custom-fit bite guard (apparently I grind my teeth at night and had no idea – so bad in fact that they’re practically worn down to mere nubs – like maybe a year from being rid of enamel altogether, nice). Not a nice sound. But my dentist is kind of attractive, so going there isn’t the worst thing in the world.

On a kind of funny note, my dentist practices with his brother and father in a practice started by his grandfather. His father’s name is Christopher Wolken. I can’t help but think of the infamous Christopher Walken whenever I happen to spy his business card at the check-out desk. More Cowbell!

the avatar debate

So I took my ‘little bro’ to see Avatar yesterday. I really didn’t know much about the movie except that it was in 3D, which I didn’t really care about. I was actually worried it would get old, or that wearing those glasses for 2 ½ hours would give me a headache.

I ended up really enjoying the movie. We both did. The 3D was really cool, and though the glasses were annoying, they weren’t that bad. It was really beautiful, actually. The colors were amazing, and I thought a lot of creativity was used in the creating of the native people and how they interact with nature. They way they ‘plugged’ into the animals for instance was really cool.

The story wasn’t great, but it wasn’t so horrible as to throw me out of the experience. Then again, I didn’t expect much either. Big budget, 3D movie – no surprise there that the story was somewhat secondary and not really the focus. It was predictable and cheesy, and the characters were very stereotypical with dull dialogue. So what. It was more than watchable, and again, I didn’t expect much, so whatever.

I think it’s funny how up-in-arms people are getting about how cheated they felt by the story. Seriously? I just can’t imagine going into this thinking it would be Oscar-quality acting and writing (not that I think the Oscars are the be-all/end-all when it comes to movies anymore). It was made to be visually beautiful, which it was. And the main character (Sam Worthington? Never heard of him) was not too hard on the eyes either. Yum.

When I go to the movies I want to be entertained. Sometimes that means witty dialogue and great acting, sometimes it means rip-roaringly funny, and sometimes it’s a beautiful setting. It doesn’t have to be all three, or perfect in any way. If a movie can entertain me for 2+hours without needing to look at the clock, then I consider that a success. I really enjoyed the movie, and couldn’t believe it when it ended 2 ½ hours later. It seemed like maybe a ½ hour. So I say it’s a success.

Go and see it, you’ll enjoy it. Just don’t go into it thinking it’s going to be some masterpiece, and just ignore the meathead characters and cliché dialogue. It’s not hard when you’re distracted by the 3D and scenery anyway. Enjoy it for what it is and no more.