Books and other stuff I feel like discussing
By education and experience - Accountant with a specialty in taxation. Formerly a CPA (license has lapsed). Masters degree in law of taxation from University of Denver. Now retired. Part time work during baseball season as receptionist & switchboard operator for the Colorado Rockies. This gig feeds my soul in ways I have trouble articulating. One daughter, and four grandchildren. I share the house with two cats; a big goof of a cat called Grinch (named as a joke for his easy going "whatever" disposition); and Lady, a shelter adoptee with a regal bearing and sweet little soprano voice. I would be very bereft if it ever becomes necessary to keep house without a cat.
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Little Miss Sunshine
We went to the movies yesterday.
First - a side comment. To my mind (which is probably out of date and behind the times) there is a huge gulf of late between the cost of a first run movie and the value received. Several years ago when I was raising my daughter on my own, we went to A LOT of movies. I recall I got my first VCR in 1984, so I'm talking about pre 1984 years. Money was tight then, and I carefully considered almost every expenditure with the exception of MD & dentist visits. And I didn't think the cost of a couple of movie tickets was exorbitant. But now, when the cost of having fun is less of an issue, I just balk at forking over $15 or more to see a movie. I'd rather wait for the DVD. Senior pricing helps, and we often go to an early afternoon show anyway.
I have been wanting to see "Little Miss Sunshine" since I first saw the previews, and we planned to go yesterday. Looking through the movie ads to find a theater and time, I noticed that two first run theaters quite near to us had big banner ads - all shows M-F before 5 pm are $5! Hot damn, we're on our way!
Anyway, the movie. A young girl - looking like the most ordinary fourth grader you could possibly imagine - Olive is no beauty queen - wins a local "Little Miss Sunshine" pageant on a fluke. The kid who came in first has broken her leg or something, and if Olive can get to Redondo Beach California by 3 pm on the day after tomorrow, Olive can compete in the regional finals. Olive's family includes her father, who has devised a scheme for finding success - similar to a lot of those late night TV infomercials, only worse. There's Grandpa, who has been kicked out of his retirement community for trolling for sex and abusing drugs. Grandpa played by Alan Arkin, keeps his heroin stash in a fanny pack and dips into the bathroom ever so often for a toot. Olive's teenage brother doesn't speak. He has a plan to gain admission to the Air Force Academy and learn to fly jets, and a strict body building regimen and a vow of silence are part of the plan. Olive's uncle is newly released from a locked ward after a suicide attempt. And Olive's mom just struggles to keep everyone on track, speaking politely to each other, setting the table on time, and preventing chaos.
What no one in the family is aware of is the type of coaching Olive has been receiving in preparing herself for the regional competition. Grandpa has been doing that job, saving Mom the effort - and considering the highlights of life for Grandpa, perhaps another choice of coach would have been wise.
Well - to pique your interest and not give away too much of what follows - the entire family sets off in a balky VW bus to make the road trip from Albuquerque to California. Quite a bit happens along the way. There are laughs, of course, and lump in the throat moments. Like the best comedies, "Little Miss Sunshine" is played for laughs with an eye to more thoughtful themes as well.
I recommend the movie highly, and if you'll wait for the DVD, I understand!
Woodstock
First - a side comment. To my mind (which is probably out of date and behind the times) there is a huge gulf of late between the cost of a first run movie and the value received. Several years ago when I was raising my daughter on my own, we went to A LOT of movies. I recall I got my first VCR in 1984, so I'm talking about pre 1984 years. Money was tight then, and I carefully considered almost every expenditure with the exception of MD & dentist visits. And I didn't think the cost of a couple of movie tickets was exorbitant. But now, when the cost of having fun is less of an issue, I just balk at forking over $15 or more to see a movie. I'd rather wait for the DVD. Senior pricing helps, and we often go to an early afternoon show anyway.
I have been wanting to see "Little Miss Sunshine" since I first saw the previews, and we planned to go yesterday. Looking through the movie ads to find a theater and time, I noticed that two first run theaters quite near to us had big banner ads - all shows M-F before 5 pm are $5! Hot damn, we're on our way!
Anyway, the movie. A young girl - looking like the most ordinary fourth grader you could possibly imagine - Olive is no beauty queen - wins a local "Little Miss Sunshine" pageant on a fluke. The kid who came in first has broken her leg or something, and if Olive can get to Redondo Beach California by 3 pm on the day after tomorrow, Olive can compete in the regional finals. Olive's family includes her father, who has devised a scheme for finding success - similar to a lot of those late night TV infomercials, only worse. There's Grandpa, who has been kicked out of his retirement community for trolling for sex and abusing drugs. Grandpa played by Alan Arkin, keeps his heroin stash in a fanny pack and dips into the bathroom ever so often for a toot. Olive's teenage brother doesn't speak. He has a plan to gain admission to the Air Force Academy and learn to fly jets, and a strict body building regimen and a vow of silence are part of the plan. Olive's uncle is newly released from a locked ward after a suicide attempt. And Olive's mom just struggles to keep everyone on track, speaking politely to each other, setting the table on time, and preventing chaos.
What no one in the family is aware of is the type of coaching Olive has been receiving in preparing herself for the regional competition. Grandpa has been doing that job, saving Mom the effort - and considering the highlights of life for Grandpa, perhaps another choice of coach would have been wise.
Well - to pique your interest and not give away too much of what follows - the entire family sets off in a balky VW bus to make the road trip from Albuquerque to California. Quite a bit happens along the way. There are laughs, of course, and lump in the throat moments. Like the best comedies, "Little Miss Sunshine" is played for laughs with an eye to more thoughtful themes as well.
I recommend the movie highly, and if you'll wait for the DVD, I understand!
Woodstock
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