SlowTrav | Fizzy Thoughts

The end of March Madness.. and off on an April Adventure

31 March 2008

For two months in a row, I blogged every day. I’m not really sure how I managed to accomplish that, but I did, and it’s over. And so far, no one over at Slow Travel has laid down the gauntlet for April. Thank gawd. Thanks to all of you for the comments. I looooooooove comments, even if I don’t always respond to them.

Tomorrow, I’m off to Savannah for my long awaited vacation. Yes, I realize I went to Italy 6 months ago, and that was a long awaited vacation, too…but let’s be honest, all my vacations are eagerly anticipated and long awaited, because I’d much rather be traveling than working. I can guarantee as soon as I return from Savannah I’ll be dreaming about where I can go next.

Anyways…I’m packed, the house is clean, my car is at the mechanics for some much needed TLC (aka its 90,000 mile service) and I can throw away my mile-long to-do list, because it’s all done. And I finally finished Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, John Berendt’s non-fiction (hah!) account of murder in Savannah. I loved reading about all the places I’ll be seeing, but I still can’t get over the fact that this book is classified as non-fiction.

Here are a few of the places on my must-see list for Savannah:

So stay tuned…the laptop is going along for the adventure, and while I’m sure I won’t be posting daily, I do plan to blabber on about what I’m up to in Savannah.

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In Bruges

30 March 2008

In Bruges is one of those films where you’re not really sure if you want to recommend it to someone. My mom, her friend and I (and most of the theater) really enjoyed it. But we were at the Palm, and in San Luis Obispo, when you say it’s a Palm movie, people instantly know what you’re talking about. Not necessarily mainstream, a little off, and sometimes weird.

In short, In Bruges is about two hit men holed up in Bruges, Belgium, after a job went bad. Ken is excited at the chance to play tourist…he thinks Bruges, in all it’s medieval glory, is wonderful. Ray isn’t so happy. Early in the movie he tells Ken, “If I’d grown up on a farm and was retarded, Bruges might impress me, but I didn’t, so it doesn’t.” When their boss, Harry, calls Ken and gives him an order things begin to get complicated. And the language gets even worse.

Colin Farrell is great as Ray, especially when he acts like a petulant little kid. In one scene Ken is playing tourist and trying to explain the significance of a church. Ray pouts on a pew, and makes noise by rattling chairs around. When Ken glares at him and tells him to stop, he slinks up to Ken, dragging his feet just like a little kid would.

Here’s another quote from Ray: “Because at least in prison and at least in death, you know, I wouldn’t be in fuckin‘ Bruges. But then, like a flash, it came to me. And I realized, fuck man, maybe that’s what hell is: the entire rest of eternity spent in fuckin‘ Bruges. And I really, really hoped I wouldn’t die. I really, really hoped I wouldn’t die.” Ray’s hatred of Bruges is a recurring theme in the movie, and it’s actually funny how much he loathes the town. Especially because they do a great job of showing Bruges‘ beauty. If you’re a traveler, it’ll make you want to plan to visit one day.

The movie has lots of blood, and lots of creative (and not so creative) swearing and politically incorrect language. Which probably says something about my maturity level. But in my defense, my mom liked it, too! So while I really enjoyed the movie, I have some reservations in telling anyone to go see it. But let me know if you do, and what you thought.

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What’s in a name

29 March 2008

I stole this meme from Sandra, because my original idea of telling you about the movie In Bruges is simply beyond me. Loved the movie, but words fail me. So…I found an amusing meme about names.

1. Your rock star name (first pet, current car): Louie Honda

2. Your gangsta name (fave ice cream flavour, favourite type of shoe): Chocolate Wedge

3. Your Native American name (favourite colour, favourite animal): Green Giraffe

4. Your soap opera name (middle name, city where you were born): Lora Downey

5. Your Star Wars name (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 of your first name): Powji

6. Superhero name (2nd favourite colour, favourite drink): Pink Latte

7. NASCAR name (the first names of your grandfathers): Chuck Erett

8. Stripper name (the name of your favourite perfume/cologne/scent, favourite candy): Happy M&M

10. TV weather anchor name (your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter): Gregory Glasgow

11. Spy name (your favourite season/holiday, flower): Spring Daffodil

12. Cartoon name: (favourite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now): Peach Capri

13. Hippie name (What you ate for breakfast, your favourite tree): Lunabar Willow

Okay, I cheated on #10 and used the 6th grade teacher, because I can’t seem to remember the name of my 5th grade teacher, despite the fact that I can picture him in my mind. And #2 should really be something like chocolate with chocolate chunks and fudgy swirls wedge. I like my ice cream to have texture and lots of chocolate in it.

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A fun-filled evening at Casa Softdrink

28 March 2008

It’s official. As of 3:15 this afternoon (that’s an odd time, but I had a hard time getting all my stuff done and leaving on time) I am on vacation. I don’t have to be back at work until April 15th. In 4 days I leave for Savannah. And I have a to-do list a mile long, most of it involving cleaning and laundry. Why do I feel such a compulsion to have a clean house whenever I leave on a trip? Anyone else have this issue? Tonight I cleaned the kitchen. I even mopped the floor. Good times.

However, tomorrow I’m taking a break from the drudgery and going to the movies with my mom. We have plans to see In Bruges, so at least I’ll have something a little more entertaining to blog about tomorrow. We hope.

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Cover Up

27 March 2008

While acknowledging that we can’t judge books by their covers, how much does the design of a book affect your reading enjoyment? Hardcover vs. softcover? Trade paperback vs. mass market paperback? Font? Illustrations? Etc.?

I’m a visual learner. I adore books with quirky layouts and font changes and little illustrations, especially fiction books where you don’t normally see these things. Special Topics in Calamity Physics and The Cheese Monkeys are good examples. For me, these additions are eye catching and they add a little visual interest to a page filled with lines of text. It’s like finding a treat in the book.

I also like photos, especially when they’re interspersed throughout the book. Or, there’s a picture at the beginning of every chapter, as in Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight. What I don’t like is when the pictures are all in the middle of the book. I look at the pictures first, and they have no relevance. Then when I’m reading and something sounds familiar, I flip to the middle and check out the pictures again. It bugs me, because it interrupts the flow of the book, but I can’t seem to stop myself from looking at the pictures.

And don’t get me started on cover art. I’ve been known to buy books just because the cover caught my eye. It can be quirky, or a beautiful picture, or even an eye-catching title or color. A few of my favorites:

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The next generation

26 March 2008

My boyfriend is a surfer. Every year he takes off for 3-4 weeks and travels to some remote place in search of great waves. This year, it’s Indonesia. A group of 10 guys chartered a boat…they’ll be sailing around in search of the best waves Indonesia has to offer. And knowing HB, he’ll only get off the boat for a wave. He is so not into any other travel experiences.

HB also makes surfboards as a hobby. He makes all of his own boards, and most of his friends have at least one board that he’s made to their specifications.

So HB left today to go up to Monterey, to meet up with the group traveling to Indonesia. He told me when he arrived at his friend Randy’s house, the first thing Randy’s son Braden said to him was “Hey Mitch, where’s my board?” Braden has been surfing for awhile and evidently, he’s ready for his very own board from Boards by Burger. HB replied, “It’s not your birthday yet dude.” Braden informed him it’s in July.

Braden is 4.

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Short and sour

25 March 2008

Taxes suck. Doing other people’s taxes really sucks.

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A few things

24 March 2008

First up…

Lisa is having a book giveaway. Yay Lisa! She recently reviewed Keeper and Kid and interviewed the author. I had read about this book before, and thought it sounded interesting. Now, thanks to Lisa, I really want to read it. And see, by telling you about the book, I get an extra chance at winning it. Although I’m simultaneously lowering my odds because you might just go sign up to win the book. It’s quite the dilemma.

Second up…

Seven days until vacation. As Yoshi would say, wa-hooooooooooooo! Does anyone remember Yoshi? He’s the little mushroom headed dude on Mario Kart. Anyhoosie..I’ll be going to Savannah, Georgia next week. And I can’t wait.

Third up…

Because I’m going to Savannah, I’m re-reading Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. At least I thought I was re-reading it. It’s not in the least familiar, so maybe I’m just reading it. Whatever the case, I’m still enjoying it, although I was disappointed to discover that although it’s presented as nonfiction, the author actually inserted himself into much of the book where he never was. Whoa…that doesn’t make sense. Let’s just say he writes the story as if he was there from the beginning. And he wasn’t. I’m a bit miffed about this. But I’m still enjoying the story. But still miffed.

Fourth up…

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is on. And HB is watching it for the umpteenth time. Why is it that guys can watch movies over and over (and over and over) again? Ferris Bueller always reminds me of when I was teaching high school, and I would ask the class a question and get 30 blank stares, I used to say “Anyone? Anyone?” and I would crack myself up. The class didn’t get it. That was 12 years ago, and it made me feel old then.

Fifth up…

Trish wrote an awesome post about Google Reader. You should read it. I did, and then I promptly abandoned whatever feed reader hangs out up there on the tool bar. As a new convert, I can say that Google Reader is the bee’s knees. Love it, love it, love it. Thanks Trish!

Sixth up…

I didn’t think I had five things to say today. Although this is where I confess at this point I’m just blabbering on ’cause I wanted to make it to…

7-up

Hah! I’m easily amused.

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Happy Easter!

23 March 2008

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6 Random Things

22 March 2008

Here’s another meme that I’ve seen while out and about reading various blogs. All you have to do is share 6 random, and little known, things about yourself. Have I done this before? If I can’t remember, then it doesn’t count. And besides, I need a topic! So, here goes…

1. I love going to the dentist. I have never had a cavity, and I used to babysit the dental hygienist’s kids (23 years ago…yikes!). So there’s no stress and fun conversation whenever I go to an appointment.

2. That same dental hygienist actually made my prom dress. It was one of those bubble dresses popular in the ’80s. *shudder* Oh, and it was green. And no, I won’t post a picture.

3. When I was a substitute teacher, I got nailed in the forehead with a spit wad. And in the butt with a piece of homemade barbed wire (staples twined together, it was really quite clever, although it was a pain in the ass. And I mean that literally.) I was also called bitch. High schoolers can be so charming.

4. I have never sent a text message. In fact, I disabled the feature on my cell phone.

5. I don’t remember when or how I learned to read. Not even a glimmer of a memory.

6. I only wear one contact lens. My vision in my left eye is so bad it can’t be corrected.

And I’m sure you could have gone the rest of your life happily not knowing those six things. But there you have it, my post for the day.