So I watched two movies last night, and I cannot explain how different each left one feeling afterwards.

First, Fiancee (TM) and I went to a 4:30 p.m. matinee showing of Sideways at the local Indie House called The Lagoon Theater. Good popcorn and DC, good acting, weird movie. I felt guilty after watching it. Weird and dirty. Very strange.

Paul Giamatti plays the lead character, and embodies the helpless loser pretty well. After all, that's what he's usually type-cast as in previous films. And, surprisingly, there were many who questioned him being cast in a lead role in a Hollywood film... Why? He owns the helpless loser. Owns it. Good choice by the producers.

You cannot help feeling sorry for him in the movie, even if he admittedly cheated on his wife leading to a messy divorce and stole $1000 in cash from his own mother early in the film. For some reason, you want things to work out for him. You see some sort of hope and morals inside him, although you shouldn't... Once again, good acting.

Anyway, you're forced to watch him and his even less upstanding friend make poor decision after poor decision, leading to some uncomfortable, yet very funny scenes. In all, an enjoyable movie, but plan on feeling weird and dirty when it's over.

So, after plowing through a large buttered (much to Fiancee's (TM) chagrin) popcorn, the Diet Coke and some awkward moments, we headed south and picked up Shrek 2 -- a movie about as entertaining as it is mindless fun, ordered a thin crust pepperoni and g. pepper, cracked a Boulevard Wheat and settled in for the night, in hopes of improving our sour mood.

Turned out it was a good recipe for exactly that. You'll have to remember that next time things aren't so Kosher around home. Animation, beer, pizza and a comfy couch. Perfect.

Woke up early today, hung some new towel racks from IKEA, put together some shelving units for the basement and started making baguettes (a real pain in the ass, I might add.)

Having beers with some Wobegon friends this evening at a venue to be named later (VTBNL).

It's 40 and raining. In December. In Minneapolis. Yes, it's true. The apocalypse is upon us, Friends. Take cover and remember to stock up on canned foods and bottled water. We could be in for a long one.

Then again, we could just forget it all and throw in Shrek 2.

Oh, by the way --- I'm not ashamed that I spent $4 to rent an animated film, either, so don't even start.