Routine

Sad as it is, I have come to the realization over the past year or so that I need a set routine in order to function. Well, I can function without a routine, but I do much better when I do have one. I just get more done when I have a schedule that tells me what I'm supposed to be doing.

Now, I'm not talking about an intense, minute-to-minute plan. I'm just talking about a general plan for how my week is supposed to go. Class at this time, work at this time, studying during these hours, meals, personal time, etc. If I got it planned out, then I work more effectively and I feel more in control of my life. Without this schedule, I tend to slack off, procrastinate and generally be a lazy bum. If things changes from week to week and don't follow my schedule, then I don't get all the things done that I need to get done. I suppose its good that I know this about myself, but it makes me feel a little sad. I'd like to think that I'm a more together person than that, but I have to face the facts. I need organization and routine in my life. This semester is proving difficult because I can't seem to find a steady routine that works. Things keep changing week to week and its really throwing my off my stride.

Bo says I'm just trying to do too much. He tells me I need to back off a little and take it easy, but I already feel like I'm being lazy when I spend every evening hanging out with him and not doing work that needs to get done. Besides, if I don't do all the things that I have planned, then I won't do well in my classes, I won't do well at work and I won't do all those little things that I want to do. I don't know who is right in this situation, but I do know that I am a creature of habit and there's not much I can do about it, even if I don't like it.

Illness

So, I'm sick. Again. I seem to catch colds very easily and I don't know how or why. I guess it might be because I work with kids sometimes, but I came down with several colds last semester and I wasn't working at the museum then. I guess I'm just rather susceptible to the common cold. Grrrr.....not fair. Maybe I should start taking Airborne or something like that.

What's frustrating is that I wanted to nip this in the bud, but apparently the medicines that can do that only work if you take them before you actually have the cold. I went to a pharmacy to pick up some Zicam, but the pharmacist told me that I shouldn't bother because it won't make any difference. That makes no sense to me, but I didn't waste my money and I'll just suffer through. I just hope I don't suffer long. Thankfully, I didn't have work or school today, so I could rest all day. Even better, Bo had the day off, so he could take care of the errands I needed to do and keep me company. I'm crossing my fingers that I feel better tomorrow. I don't have a lot to do tomorrow, so I can take it a bit easy.....just not too easy. I just don't have the time to spend another day doing nothing. I can't afford to get behind this early in the semester! So, let's just hope tomorrow I can get some work done!

Movie Update

Time for yet another movie update. I realize its close on the heels of the last one, but I saw this movie last night and enjoyed it so much that I just had to write it up as soon as possible!

So, last night I went to see Juno. This movie now ranks among my all time favorite movies. It is that good. It is fantastic! For once, I have absolutely no complaints about a movie. Everything was so well done. The writing, the casting, the acting, the music, the timing....everything was just wonderful. Now, I realize that not everyone will appreciate this movie in the same way I did. It does take a certain mindset and sense of humor to appreciate Juno. However, I think anyone can appreciate the tactful and positive way that the movie addresses complex issues like divorce, teen pregnancy and adoption. I mean, most movies or TV shows portray these things as inherently negative and damaging to anyone involved. At the end of the movie, everyone is in a good place and everyone has a happy ending despite getting pregnant or divorced. I really respect that.

Also, I have to say that hearing several Moldy Peaches songs, including one of my favorite songs by them, was great fun. Their music is just so quirky and upbeat. So much fun to listen to. Bo and I were singing along with the final song. I know I'm going to be getting Juno when it comes out on DVD and I will probably be getting the soundtrack as well, which is something that I rarely do.

The updated, still-to-be-viewed list:
August Rush
I Am Legend
Atonement
P.S. I Love You
Grace is Gone
The Water Horse

(I've dropped a few movies because they have already left theaters. I'll have to wait until they come out on DVD.)

Movie Update

As I mentioned in my New Year's post, I went to see Sweeny Todd on New Year's day with some friend. It proved to be an interesting mix of people because some of us had seen the musical before and some hadn't. I have seen it before, during college, so I was prepared for all the death.

Anyway, Sweeny Todd is a rather violent film by its very nature. The plot requires lots of death and it wouldn't be Sweeny Todd without it. However, if you can look beyond the violence, the film itself its really amazing. Tim Burton captures the eerie, dark and depressing feel of the period while letting the whimsy of Sondheim's music and lyrics shine through. The movie did a great job of brining Sondheim's work to the big screen without many cuts or alterations. I was very please that Burton didn't pull any punches, though I think they went a little overboard on the blood. The staging of the songs was well doneI especially liked the "House by the Beach" song sung by Mrs.. Lovett. Johnny Depp and Helena Bohnam Carter are wonderful in the lead roles. Carter's vocal ability isn't as strong as I'd like, but her acting makes up for it. Depp really surprised me with his vocals, but then, he constantly surprises me with his versatility and talent. Alan Rickman also did a great job, but he was overshadowed by the rest of the cast. Overall, a great movie if you can stomach a little blood. If the blood scares you off then you'll probably enjoy the movie just fine on a smaller screen. While the big screen is always better, it isn't necessary to enjoy Sweeny Todd.


And the list is still quite long:
Martian Child
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
August Rush
Juno
I Am Legend
Atonement
P.S. I Love You
Grace is Gone
The Water Horse

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a safe and wonderful New Year's and I wish you all lots of laughter and love, joy and peace in 2008.

I realize its already January 4th, so I'm a little late with my New Year's wishes, but better late than never, right? I went back to work New Year's day. (The only member of my department to do so!) I then had the 2nd and the 3rd off, which was really nice. Bo had those two days off as well, so we got to have a 'weekend' together, even though it was on a Wednesday and a Thursday. We've also been spending time with Faith, Russell and Kipp over the past few days. We all went out to see Sweeny Todd (review coming soon) the night of the 1st, then Kipp left the next day. Wednesday, Bo played a show at a local restaurant called Satchel's. It was really, really short notice, so unfortunately we couldn't get a lot of people together to come, but the few that came had a good time. It was freezing cold and the venue was in an open shed area, so we all sat around in our coat and scarves shivering to the music. Bo played really well, but he struggled with the lack of preparation, audience support and cold weather. Could have been better, but it also could have been a lot worse! Yesterday we spend the afternoon and evening with Faith and Russell, which was really nice. They really are great friends and its hard not seeing them because they live all the way up in Wisconsin. However, when we do get to spend time together, its like we were never apart.

I'm back at work today and I'll be busy at work tomorrow as well. Tomorrow is the museum's Collector's Day and we are expecting lots of visitors. Collector's Day is very popular. The whole day is dedicated to amateur collectors and their collections. We give them space to display everything and then let them take it away! I haven't been before, but apparently we have a wide variety of personal collections on display, everything from classic cars to Barbie Dolls to sticks collected by a seeing-eye dog. I have to come to work early to help set-up, but I don't mind. Besides, I can spend my lunch break wandering the museum and checking out all the stuff! I'll probably be exhausted at the end of the day, but it'll be worth it! Maybe I'll snap some pictures of the more outlandish collections and share them with you.