Oh, the English language. With all its intricacies, I would not want to be a late-comer to learning English. With all of the rules and exceptions to rules, there are persistent rumors that it’s the hardest language to learn. According to www.mylanguages.org, that is an exaggeration. It didn’t even crack the top 10 hardest. Still, I have to admit, it is quirky. With the blend of so many nationalities, it’s become a smorgasbord of language. In honor of my native tongue, I am going to have some fun with English. Please keep in mind, I’m not an English major so the joke might be on me.
humor
Ta-Do Lists
I made a to-do list for this weekend because I mean business. Every Friday during the last half-hour of work (because let’s face it, I always start the weekend at least a half-hour before clocking out – no matter what time I leave) I take a few minutes and write my to-do list for the weekend. It’s usually a bit lofty and a very idealistic. I don’t make a list to help jog my memory of what I need to do; it would take more than a list that typically gets left on the coffee table all weekend to accomplish that feat. The sole purpose of the to-do list is for the satisfaction of crossing an item off. Oh, it feels so good. Conversely, when I have a lazy weekend, á la last weekend, the list just mysteriously disappears sometime before Sunday night.
But this weekend is going to be different and I’ve already been able to cross off the first five items on my list. When I get this blog done, I’ll have six things done and finished. But this might take a while. I’m starting to zone out a bit.
My sister, NJ, is moving to Idaho and my parents bought a shed to store her furniture in until she gets settled. The shed is made of wood and needs painting. That was task number three on my list. If I would have known how hard it is to paint a wooden shed, it would have been the only thing on my list. But, as the evening came on and the shadows grew longer, it became easier and went much faster. Of course, when I look at it tomorrow in the morning light, it’s probably not going to look so pretty.
I have to apologize to any teachers out there who might read the title of this blog and cringe. I mention teachers specifically because they are usually the most protective of the English language. Before you verbally stone me, let me explain. I used to watch a lot of musicals. Even though I don’t any more I am still waiting for the day when I will find myself in one. The passersby will break into a synchronized dance and I will get to sing. Not only that, but I will be able to sing. Ah, dreams. Stay with me, I’m almost to the actual explanation. Until that moment, I keep a sound track in my head chronicling certain aspects of my life. Think of the pink panther: ta-do, ta-do, ta-do ta-do ta-do, ta-do, ta-doooo, ta-ta-ta-do.
Hmm, did I mention I spent hours painting a shed this evening and I’m a bit tired?
Back When Disney Got It Right…
I went to see the rerelease of Lion King this weekend. It has been released for a limited two week run in 3D to theaters. Unfortunately, being a single woman with no children of my own I had to do what I did the first time I saw it 17 years ago. I borrowed a kid. When I saw it during its initial release, I took my nieces who were ages four and three and possibly a one year old. I can’t remember if Bubba got to come with us because I didn’t take the kids for them to see the movie. I took them so I could watch the movie. But 17 years ago I had a lot more energy and was a little crazier so I think she probably came.
Bubba was my borrowed kid for this viewing. When I asked if Bubba wanted to accompany me she told me she only wanted to see it in 3D. “I’ve seen it before so I don’t need to see it in 2D.” I didn’t tell her I would have gone to see it in 2D again. We showed up to the theater with a theater full of parents and little kids. And me, with my one big kid who will be nineteen in four months. To be honest, it was probably Bubba who was there with a big kid. We were just as excited as the little kids that surrounded us.
The movie started with the impressive “Circle of Life” number – which is still stuck in my head today – and I could tell this movie was just waiting for technology to catch up. It was always meant to be in 3D. I also enjoyed the fact that it looked like a cartoon. It didn’t look like a cartoon trying to look like it was live-action. The title came on and the little boy behind us said, “Oh wow mommy, that was cool!” The movie didn’t lose his interest one little bit because when the end title came on in similar fashion, he whispered the same thing.
And he’s right. The 3D effects gave Disney an excuse to rerelease the movie but it didn’t enhance it. Sure, I enjoyed it, but even without the special effects it’s still a good movie. It proves even more that Shakespeare was one good storyteller. Take the story of Hamlet and kidify it a bit by having talking lions and loveable baboons and funny meerkats and wart-hogs, make sure and take out the incestuous themes and BAM! A classic is born. Stories don’t need to be dumbed down for children. That being said, when I took the same trio to see “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” it scared the patootsies out of not only them, but me as well. The difference? No wisecracking/dancing meerkat. For example, the meerkat allowed the hyena-supremacist scene when the animals are marching Nazi-like past Scar. Never underestimate the power of the meerkat.
There is one plot point that bugs me every time I watch. How does a Lion become a fierce, strong animal by growing up eating bugs? Then I realize, the lions talk, the meerkat sings, and the baboon knows martial art. And the bugs are the deal-breaker for me?
One audience member enjoyed the songs thoroughly. While the lions were getting amorous with “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” we heard an echo in the theater. The voice was too deep to be a little kid. I couldn’t see who was singing along because of the 3D glasses and it was very dark, but it had to be a dad. Or one really big kid.
It was fun to see the Lion King in 3D but it was also fun to just have an excuse to watch it again. The story holds up. My recommendation is to watch it. If you don’t want to watch it in theaters, put the disc in and curl up on your sofa. It’s still a good time.
The Ride
Luckily, I lived
When I rode with a Frenchman
Courage was tested.
Ride with a Frenchman
If you don’t value your life
I did it and lived.
This and other fine poems available on Amazon
I’m With Them
I have accumulated quite the work history. In the past ten years alone I have worked at four different jobs. I blame it on my social anxiety that I aim so low and become bored quickly. However, because of my numerous jobs in a variety of fields (I’m still waiting for my niche to become apparent) I have had the opportunity to work with a cast of characters. Seriously. This blog was almost entitled, “I Once Worked with Michael Scott.” Let me explain.
Adventures at Wal-Mart
I went to Wal-Mart tonight looking for new marshmallow roasters. Since it’s the end of the season I was hoping to stumble onto a great buy. Something along the lines of the nice, sturdy pitchfork roasters for a couple of dollars would have been fantastic. But the section was pretty sparse and all I could find were the slide out variety for five dollars. But I did get two for that price so that made me feel a little better.
Time Flies Fast When You’re on IMDB
I’m watching “Can’t Get Enough of Jurassic Park” on AMC. Wayne Knight just became supper for a deceptively innocent looking (at first) dinosaur. I wonder what the guy is like in real life because he has played some real jerks in his roles. So, I go to IMDB.com the internet movie database that is so handy and to be honest, I spend more time on than any of the news websites. Not proud of the fact but that’s just how I roll.
Mini-Road Trip
Last Friday afternoon I was on my way to Salt Lake listening to Reba McEntire’s Number One’s CD – Disc 2. Reba and Lari White are my two essential travel CD’s, they must accompany me every road trip. For this trip, I traded out Lari so that I could listen to Sugarland. My sister bought me a ticket to the group’s concert on Saturday and I had some cramming to do.
F L A K… What Was I Doing, Again?
I have become a flake in my older age. This little fact bothers me because I didn’t used to be one. In fact, it was a matter of pride which could lead someone to point out perhaps that’s the reason why I’ve been humbled. But we’ll leave that for a discussion to be filed in the “Never Gonna Happen” file. I never needed to write anything down as long as I was focused on something when it was told to me or shown to me, I remembered it. Darn near forever. Sometimes I wished I could forget. Even though I used to carry a planner around it was empty. I guess I just thought the nerd look worked for me.
Family Prayer
The seven year old youngest sister, JT, said the family prayer the night before her oldest sister, NR, went to youth conference. The older sister, who was 15, was looking forward to asserting her independence from her family. Though not old enough to date, she would have plenty of opportunity to “scope out” the boys. And she wouldn’t have her parents there watching her flirt.
ck's days 