The Past Few Days

A few things...

Our boss lost her nephew. He was only 16 and apparently died in his sleep. The obit listed it as "natural causes". Strange. The other half and I are also friends w/ our boss, and with her two children. They all flew directly to CA for the funeral. Our boss was apparently already there on vacation when it happened. I guess the timing was right for her to be w/ her sister and family, w/ no delay. Hoping for an ease to the pain, and fun in the memories. He was born in 1989, and now is dead. That is quite an eye opener. Use time wisely.

On Friday night, Madonna's new tour documentary; I'm Going to Tell You a Secret; premiered on MTV. While similar in style to Truth or Dare, the content was quite a turnaround. Madonna is still goofy, funny, bossy, but now she doesn't seem to take herself quite so seriously. I would love to be able to adopt her new outlook, but it took her many years and life lessons to reach this enlightened point. I can only hope life imparts the same valuable knowledge to me. She seems so mellow now, and very spiritual. I am sure she was before, but her priorities are now family and being kind to her fellow man. I was engrossed so thoroughly by this film, that it was a nice reminder of how much I enjoy her, her work and her icon status. She is finally at ease w/ who she is and doesn't seem to use her power, money and status as a weapon. Before, she certainly did. Of course she still gets what she wants, but her family reels her back in whenever she gets out of control. In one scene, she and her children enter a hotel room suite (it's beautiful) and Madonna proclaims that it is not too fancy. Lola (her extremely educated, advanced daughter) replies w/ an exasperated "Please!" Her husband, the incredibly hot Guy Ritchie, is clearly what keeps Madonna earthbound. He is your average straight guy, messing w/ her, patting her ass, keeping her out late in the pubs. He doesn't seem to give her any star treatment, other than the treatment a husband gives to a spouse whom he deeply loves. It was all very refreshing, and inspiring. As with most things, I don't carry any wishes from recent inspirations, past a few days. However, I do want to use her "teachings", for lack of a better word, in my own life. She is gentle, giving and in touch w/ her inner self. I don't mean I want to study Kaballah, or start up on some new journey. It would be easier to just start small. She read a passage from a book (I can't recall which), but it had to do w/ forgiving all those that have wronged you throughout your day. She said that part was easy, but it is the act of wishing them well that is difficult. We all get pissed off and angry @ things that people do, but before you go to bed, you should make amends with these people in your mind and the universe, and then wish them well. I am paraphrasing horribly here, but you get the idea.
The whole film was amazing. The various numbers from her show (again in color; like Truth or Dare) were spectacular. The other half and I were desperately waiting to see if we got any screen time. We were in the second row after all. No such luck.
Where Truth or Dare seemed to be all about the various dramas of a tour, the new film focused on the joy and love of this collaboration. The dancers bonded and Madonna loved them as before, but was unable to spend as much time w/ them as she had "her own family". What was touching about this, was that you could tell it really hurt Madonna to not be able to "hang out" with her cast and crew. It was all uplifting and I had a great sense of contentment and joy once it was all over. I am anxious to see it released on DVD, so that I can see if this same sense returns on repeat viewings. In the end, this is confirmation that she is still my favorite diva (and she is definitely still a diva), even though as I age and mature, I have less time to fulfill my various obsessive "fan duties". Love you Madge! I look forward to your next batch of secrets.

We had another meeting for our movie club. It was Sophie's Choice this time out. It was slower than I remember, but the performances were no less impressive. Most of the club had not seen it, so it was nice to experience it w/ "virgins". Oh Meryl, you great actress you... For party favors, I went out and bought a bunch of travel facial tissue packs, and then made new labels for them. "The choice for a good facial tissue...It's never easy...why not make it...Sophie's Choice brand facial tissue." I thought it was brilliant, and the other half agreed. However, the gems of good humor were not as well received by all of the movie club members. Before the evening began, I thought I might do something similar for each meeting, based on the movie choice for that get-together. Well no more. My sense of humor will not be unappreciated again! So long suckers! I will post photos of these items once I have some. They're funny dammit!

On Sunday, the other half and I were home, as it was dreary and rainy. We watched Scanners, that old David Cronenberg film, and Hide and Seek. Scanners was above average. It was not particularly scary. The concept was great, and the special makeup effects were stunning. I am glad to have finally seen it, but it will not be added to any kind of list that I may have roaming around in my brain, dealing w/ top tens, or scariest, or best dubbed films. Hide and Seek was great, up until the BIG SECRET reveal. I was ecstatic to see De Niro playing a "normal" guy, and he truly held my attention and sympathies. Dakota Fanning was wonderful, and it was nice to see Elisabeth Shue still working. She is sooo hot! Elisabeth, not Dakota. Sickos! I was completely taken in by the story, and was able to see the "twist" coming very early on. This did not hinder my experience, cuz deep down, I was hoping they would not take that route. But, they did, and it made the rest of the film pretty painful. It was reminiscent of The Shining, but no where near as disturbing. In the end, not a memorable experience.

I had a nice conversation via phone, w/ old friend Lisa (or Liza as she can come to be known). Plus she is not really old, just that I have been friends w/ her for many years. I have become so prone to email/computer communication, I do believe I have lost some of my social phone skills. Not that I am a bore to talk to, or insulting and tactless, just that I don't enjoy it as much anymore. I don't think it has anything to do w/ the people I am talking to, just the fact that I am rusty. I can't recall the last truly deep conversation I have had over the phone, other than my previous job as a phone sex operator...uh...the cat's out of the bag. So, to Liza, if I sounded monotone or insane, know it was only me, and not the threats YOU made to my body and home. Here's wishing you a quick recovery from my nastiness and droning on. I will send you some homemade lead based tater tot casserole real soon. (for my other avid readers of 0, that is not a threat to her well being, but an inside joke, unless you read her own blog, so relax).

I realize that "blogging" sure can be boring, especially if you have been too busy to write, and then one day you must catch up on all the various happenings. How interesting for your readers. Unless, of course you have none. Welcome to reality, klugula.