Saturday, January 31, 2009

Best movie ending e-va!

So Ty and I had our infamous Italian night tonight. Bread, pepperoni, cheese, olive oil, apples and steamed artichoke...and needless to say wine. We also played our movie game. We come up with a theme, we each pick three movies from our library based on that theme and through process of elimination, end up with a movie. Tonight that movie was none other than "Say Anything".
Now, do I love Say Anything? Sort of.
Did I marry Lloyd Dobler? Yep
But here's the thing...while I most definitely have a top 5 list of movies, Say Anything is nowhere near that list.
But it does top one crucial list.
I, Sara Patsy Cobb, believe that, Say Anything has the BEST movie ending ever!
Pretty bold statement, I know.
There are other movies that have great endings.
The Godfather, Shawshank Redemption, The Sixth Sense and Casablanca.
I believe Say Anything tops them all.
Here's why.
Hope.
Lloyd and Diane fly off (literally) into the blue skies of hope.
After 16 weeks of an adolescent love affair they make a choice. A very adult choice to remain together.
But that's not why.
They sit in an airplane, of which she fears and he holds her hand. He holds her hand and supports her. He talks her down from a ledge and they wait...together. And we as an audience are left with hope. Hope for their lives together, hope for their future together and hope for a great love story. We are left to figure it out for ourselves. And I love that.
I love that we are left silent, waiting for that ding...together. They pull us into their journey and we join them in fear, excitement, and hope.
We have no idea how it all ends up for Lloyd and Diane and frankly I didn't care. Just the idea. The thought that they were off together on this adventure and we got a glimpse of it, was ok with me.
...
...
...
Ding

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Can we talk about Idol please?

Apparently it is the day of blogs for me.
Anyhoo, Idol. Oh Idol, Idol, Idol. Can we PLEASE stop with the human interest stories? Really.
Don't get me wrong. I appreciate people who have had major loss in their life whether that be loss of a sense, a parent, freedom or just plain innocence.
But come on! That doesn't mean that they are good singers. That also doesn't mean that you should pimp them out for the last 20 minutes of your show for ratings sake.
And here's what really, really bugs me about it all. It breaks the "fourth wall" so to speak. It takes us all out of the "audition" and makes us, as an audience, well aware that this is a very well planned, well edited television show. I once had a friend who auditioned for a reality show. She was standing in line to audition for said reality show and one of the cameras was shoved in her face. "Hey! Pretend that a judge just said something really mean to you. What's your reaction?" She was stunned. Not only had she not met the judges, but she was still in line...she hadn't even gotten in the door yet, much less been insulted by the judges.
And another thing. I hate to say it but dammit, whatever happened to good old fashioned talent, huh?
Who cares what hardships you've been through...talent is talent. I wear a fucking brace on my leg, I have no ankle motion in my left leg, I have ALWAYS wanted to sing and dance on Broadway......does this mean they should cast me in 42nd Street??? Fuck no. But I was perfect for "Little Becky Two Shoes" in Urinetown.
So please American Idol, can we stop feeling bad for people? It wastes you time, their time and most importantly MY time.

A couple of corrections

My memory fails me these days in my old age.
It was 2 years ago that we had the ice storm here that left us homebound for 2 days.
Also my mother decided to call and correct me about my childhood.
Apparently we did have one or two snow days (ok mom....one or two snow days in 13 years of schooling and you wonder why I've forgotten).
But I guess what that means in White Bear Lake is that you put your child in a snowsuit and onto a sled. Pull said child 3 blocks to your girlfriend's house. Plop the kids outside to play while you and your girlfriends drink coffee and chat.
Sounds about perfect to me.
I might end up liking this parenthood thing after all.**

**(no, i am not pregnant, nor will i be in the near future...i'm just sayin'... that's all)

God we're pussies!

So...I wrote a very similar post to this almost a year ago and I still feel as if I have to comment on it. Two days ago it started lightly...and I mean lightly, snowing and I just knew. I had my Tuesday all planned out. I was to have the day to myself, the whole day. Ty would have school and then his his speech therapy group until 8 ish. There was coffee on the menu, blogging, MAJOR cleaning (no really, I was on a mission), a nap, and some crap t.v./reading depending on what crap was available. And then it snowed.
At first it was that really pretty, I'm not even sure it's actually snowing-snow that just sort of floats and hangs in the air. Then it was the sideways, not gonna touch the ground-snow....and finally as I was roused from sleep by my giddy husband, it was an official snowstorm and Ty would have an official snow day.
Instead of coffee, cleaning and crap our day consisted of, well, coffee, crap and cuddling by the fire. I guess it could've been worse.
As I have said before, we NEVER had snow days when I was little...NEVER. I'm from Minnesota and we don't mess around. We get up excessively early to warm up our cars to drive through the streets that have been plowed and salted for hours already. So I usually just laugh at situations like this. Fast forward to this morning. I am already certain that Ty will have another snow day (which he does) and that I will have to go to work..which I did...sort of. I got up, walked the dog, and warmed up my car. I knew this was gonna be difficult. Our entire neighborhood is covered in ice and because it is a private neighborhood the snow plows and salt trucks had not been through. I suck it up, text my coworker that I may be a little late, and get on the road. Well I was not a block from my house when the wheels start spinning and I begin to slide back down the tiny hill I was trying to get up. Long story short, I finally get through to Ty after 4 tries (!) and while he came to help me move my car to the side of the road I get the call that my morning shift is canceled....gee, thanks!
Once again, I guess it could be worse. I went back to bed and woke up to Ty making breakfast. Now I sit here waiting to hear if I will have to go in tonight while my adorable husband sits in his p.j.'s happily watching Man vs Food. God I love him!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Can't live in this country this week and not talk about it

So. It was kind of a big week here in the good old U S of A. I saw the Wrestler, Tom Colicchio saved some guy's life and a nice gentleman by the name of Barack Obama became our 44th President.
I'll get to Tom and The Wrestler later. Let's chat about the new prez.
Everyone I know....everyone (!) is pumped. I am pumped. Here comes some change, change is good........but here's my thing.
Everyone that I am friends with on myspace and facebook has made some status comment within the past week about this event. "Tears of Joy"..."I never thought I would see this in my lifetime"...."His speech made me weep".
Getting a new leader doesn't make me cry, I'd like to think that in my lifetime (which still has a way to go, I hope) that my generation would step up and make some of these changes happen...um...kinda like we just did in November and frankly while I thought his speech was nice, I was not necessarily moved by it...it was a realistic speech about all the hard work we have ahead of us as a country.
And here's another thing...
Ty and I were chatting during the Inauguration (living geographically so close to where it actually happened my husband's school canceled classes for the day and he got to hang with me...I already had the day off) and we both sat there wondering why we weren't more excited, more moved, more...well...anything. And I think I figured it out.
We're gonna have a new President...every 4 to 8 years. And while I appreciate that this was a historic event that we all were a part of, I also recognize that he is human and is going to make mistakes and piss all of us off.
And about this whole "historic" event. Yep, sure was. But I feel, as a 31 (almost 32) year old, white, middle class woman, I don't really get to say that.
Here's why.
I was raised and continue to be a very open minded, tolerant person. I would like to say that I don't see color but that's not realistic....what is realistic is that I never for once thought that we would never have an African American person leading our country...and you wanna know why?
Because I am not black. I can read about racial struggles in every history book ever written and never come close to realizing the struggles of a black person in America (or any other minority except for women). I don't really get it and I never will.
This does not make me a bad person. What this makes me is a very idealistic person in a very screwed up world.
So while my friends wear their hearts on facebook, I keep mine a little bit closer. This election was historic for this country, not necessarily for me. I would like to think that we can make this happen again and again...choosing the right guy for the job, that is. And I can just sit back and quietly think about how fucking cool this is.
And...um...The Wrestler was just ok although Mickey Rourke was amazing and I actually don't know anything about the Tom Colicchio stuff but I will be watching him on Top Chef tonight.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

I would love to give my husband a blowjob...

...but I really can't right now.
Why Sara? You love him right? You got married right? You didn't injure your knees recently, did you?
Yes, Yes, and No.
Here's why folks. Because after two, count them, TWO trips to the dentist for one, yes ONE root canal, it is still not finished.
WHAT?
Before the "I told you so's" or the "Let's sue the bitches" start, let me at least say this. I am not really in any pain, she seems to be doing exactly what she should be doing and hey...just another reason to keep stocked up on Vicodin.
Of course, all of this being said...it still sucks (no pun intended). I've had to rearrange my schedule and frankly just living with the knowledge that it's gonna be another two weeks before they can finish it (fingers crossed) is daunting. I hate the frickin' dentist. For god's sake that's why I didn't go for so long and got into this predicament in the first place.
So here I sit. My face has been puffy all day, my jaw is killing me from being wide open for two and a half hours, and my husband...well...you can only guess.
Take it from me. It pays, for all involved, to keep up on your dental health.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

They got it wrong.

In honor of awards season and really the Golden Globes tonight (hehehe always sounds like boobies), I have decided to write a little blog action on how they got it wrong. (You can expect one of these for the Oscars too...I adore the Oscars)
Now I LOVE awards shows. I have a whole set up. Champagne and chips and salsa for the Oscars. Why? I have no idea, it started one year and stuck...they don't even go that well together but hey. I may not have seen all the movies or really cared but dammit I've read enough gossip to know who to root for and who isn't worth it.
So here is my opinion on three times when the Golden Globe Awards got it wrong.
(Buckle up, this is gonna be a long one!)
The year- 2000. The Race- Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama.
Here are your nominees. Ellen Burstyn (Requiem for a Dream), Bjork (Dancer in the Dark), Joan Allen (The Contender), Laura Linney(You Can Count on Me), and Julia Roberts (Erin Brockovich).
I think we all remember who won. Julia Fucking Roberts. She wore that fantastic black and white Valentino dress and very memorably thanked then boyfriend Benjamin Bratt (yum).
But did they get it right?
My answer-Nope.
I love Julia. That hair, that smile, for god's sake I know Pretty Woman by heart. And speaking of which, she had already gotten the award...for the deserving role...in 1991!
Now I fully admit I did not see all of Erin B. I got bored and turned it off, not a good sign. So here are my feelings on this one...they got it wrong. I did see Dancer in the Dark. Bjork was a-frickin-mazing. But the role was a little too artsy for some (not me). I'm pretty sure I saw The Contender but it was awhile ago...who cares, it's Joan Allen! I did not see You Can Count on Me but for christ's sake will somebody just give Laura Linney an award already, she's terrific!
Now, Requiem for a Dream I have seen...oh yes I have. And is there any way that you can tell me that Julia, dressed in leopard print and a push up bra, saving the town from the meanies at the plant beats out the brilliance that Ellen Burstyn brought to that screen? Is there? She was scary, vulnerable, funny, sad, and heart-wrenching. And she deserved that award dammit.
I will pause right here. Now Sara, how the fuck can you justify such a passionate opinion without having even seen all the movies? It's my blog, that's how.
Onward.
The Year-2008. The Race-Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical/Comedy.
Here are your nominees. Ryan Gosling (Lars and the Real Girl), Tom Hanks (Charlie Wilson's War), Phillip Seymour Hoffman (The Savages), John C. Reilly (Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story), and Johnny Depp (Sweeney Todd).
And, of course, we all know who won. My sweet, incredibly talented, oh so deserving of an award Johnny Depp. And they got it wrong.
In just a few moments you will read how I feel about this movie version of Sweeney Todd but for now let's stick with Johnny. God he's gorgeous, he's so talented, he can do whatever he wants...except play Sweeney. I had always thought he looked too young, for one. And two, well...he really can't sing, really. He's ok but this is Sondheim dammit. I will not examine all of his competition just one. Ryan Gosling. Ryan Gosling who acted opposite a mannequin in Lars and the Real Girl...and didn't we all wish we were that mannequin? He brought to life this vulnerable, sad, innocent and joyful character with such ease and simplicity. And he should have won.
And finally.
The Year-2008. The Race-Best Motion Picture Musical/Comedy.
Here are your nominees. Across the Universe, Juno, Hairspray, Charlie Wilson's War and Sweeney Todd.
And who won? Sweeney Todd. And you guessed it, they got it wrong, for many reasons.
Let's examine the nominees.
Charlie Wilson's War...I've never seen the whole thing but compared to the other nominees I am disregarding it right now.
Juno-Funny, heartwarming, sassy. Could have won, I guess..but didn't, who cares.
Across the Universe-I LOVE this movie, I LOVE this soundtrack, I was pleasantly surprised by the performances, and I understand why it didn't win...although I possibly disagree.
Hairspray- Hairspray, Hairspray, Hairspray. How I loved John Waters' original. Ricki Lake, Debbie Harry and good lord Divine! I boycotted the Broadway play, I thought it was blasphemy. Then I stumbled across this gem of a movie and while I realize it is not really a "remake" I enjoyed it as much, if not more than the "original". It's a musical that does the "musical" justice. Nikki Blonsky is adorable, John Travolta is charming and James Marsden is fantastic. And don't even get me started on the talent of the dancers and singers or Amanda Bynes for that matter (I have a total girl crush). Like Chicago before it, Hairspray truly encompassed the movie musical and it was funny to boot, it should have won.
Why Sara? You love Sondheim, you love Johnny! Why choose a Zac Efron movie over that?
Here's why-I do not believe it was completely true to the script. What movie based on a play, book, etc. ever is right? The problem here is that the things that director Tim Burton chose to cut I believe, are imperative to the storyline and without them you completely lose the climax of the title character. He cut the chorus from a chorus driven story and in turn, I believe cut a major character and major motivation for Sweeney...and some pretty fucking unbelievable music, including one of my favorites, Judge Turpin's "Johanna" aka "Mea Culpa" which, disturbing as it may be, that's the whole point. It makes the Judge even more of a villain, which I don't think was portrayed as well as it could have been, by Alan Rickman...I do love him but he was not my favorite in this.
While there are things I thought were ok in Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd (the atmosphere, the way the bodies hit the basement floor head first and most surprisingly, almost all of Helena Bonham Carter's performance), unfortunately there was too much I didn't. I was disappointed because I think Tim Burton is amazing and I was really looking forward to it. It did not deliver and in my not so humble opinion, did not deserve to win.
Jesus, that was a long post! Sorry, next time I will cut it up into more than one. Anyhoo, there you have it. My thoughts on a few of the times that The Golden Globe Awards got it wrong. I know that there are more and I also know that there are people out there who will think I am full of shit.
I hope you enjoyed. And depending on the outcome tonight you may be hearing from me again very soon.
Peace out.

Friday, January 9, 2009

The List.

So I got back from the Holidays (to catch you up...Minnesota followed by Chicago), settled back into normal life again, and got a little bored. Recently I got very lucky and was able to perform with a bunch of talented folk. I also auditioned for a show but did not get it. I was feeling "uninspired", not so much "creative". These whole 5 and 1/2 days that I have been back I've wanted something more.
So here's the deal.
I have decided...NOT in a New Year's way...but in an "I'm needing to be creative dammit" way...that I will write on this blog at least once a week (maybe more;). Not about my daily life, my daily life is not that exciting right now (go to work, play with kids, check for dirty diapers, come home, walk dog, watch tv, go to bed). But observations...things I read, hear about, see.
Please feel free to let me know what you think. I would love to think that some of these might even be conversation starters.
Anyways. Today we start with The List. Not the ever dreaded NY list, no. The "mate" list. That list that we all make or made up before we get/got married. What we want in a mate.
I was listening to a local radio show the other morning and they were going through traits that people had sent in. I did agree with some (respect, intelligence) I was appalled by some that were missing, we'll get back to that. I thought I would do a little research. Here are some of the things I've found.
The Neanderthals had a formula. Women looked for security and commitment while Men wanted beauty. As that formula progressed it became Women wanting an older, established mate with money and security while Men would seek out a younger woman who was considered beautiful and fertile...i.e. "sugar daddies" and "trophy wives".
While I would like to think that this "formula" is a little dated I will not negate the need for security, commitment, and of course, a nice little hottie on your arm.
Fast forward to our age of speed dating, web dating and Mars versus Venus. We now have to be a little more specific. Here are some newer traits that appeared during some of my research.
Personality, Ambition, Chemistry, Spirituality, Character(meaning honesty, courage, etc.), Creativity, Parenting Skills, and Authenticity.
Whew! It's like a resume.
I'm sure I made a list. I'm sure it had traits like Italian, funny, loves me for me, not blonde, NOT an actor, has a muscular back....and so forth.
But what struck me most about all of these "lists" and "desirable traits" is that not one list said sense of humor! That has always made it on my lists as much as they changed over the years. It was even in my vows for god's sake. If you can't laugh on a daily basis, what's the point? (of course that's my opinion).
And that got me thinking about how much effort people put into these damned lists and fall in love with someone completely different.
To loosely quote The Rolling Stones... you can't always get what you want...but you might find, you get what you need.
I fantasized about a gorgeous italian man whose family owned a restaurant. My husband comes from a southern, military family.
I was hellbent on a man who was in no way, shape or form involved in the entertainment industry...especially not an actor. I married an actor who wrote a play that I starred in.
I didn't get everything that was on my "dream mate" lists that I'd been making since high school. But I did get the one thing that was on every list, the ever important (to me) Sense of Humor.
Everything else just fell into place the way it was supposed to.

Monday, January 5, 2009

And they're back!

I've been avoiding this post.
I didn't want to come back.
Don't get me wrong, but really I didn't.
We had an amazing trip to the mid-west for the holidays. We drove, yes drove, the 12 hours to Chicago, stayed a night with friends and headed out on the final leg to Minnesota.
We spent many a day with my niece and nephew, Moraya and Nathan, who are both getting so big and are so much fun. We partied a plenty with my parents and other friends and family. Christmas eve and day were nice and low key and we finished out the week with a couple of relaxing nights in the sauna and hottub.
Then we got to Chicago.
Oh Chicago.
(We're moving back, dammit)
We relaxed, drank, party hopped, drank, had an amazing (very expensive) dinner with friends, and played giant Jenga.
The best part of the Chicago trip?
Two moments come to mind.
#1-The first night we were there. We unpacked a little and then headed out to one of our old haunts. Nope, not the old haunt or the friends we saw there...but walking to the train. Just simply walking and talking with my husband. It felt so natural to us both.
#2- Pretty similar moment I must say. New Year's Day brunch. On a whim we decided to hit a local place for coffee, mimosas and green eggs and ham (yes they serve that...look it up "Kitsch'n" in Chicago). Again just simply having the freedom to get up and go. No warming up of vehicles, no worry about gas(the car's, not Ty's), not the slightest bit concerned about getting tipsy at 11am...we don't have to drive anywhere.
The drive back home was rough. We were tired, we had already spent 20-something hours in this car together, and we just wanted to be home.
Except maybe we didn't.....
(We're moving back dammit!)
Now I sit here, hopped up on Vicodin from my root canal this morning, thinking about our trip. It was good.
My root canal was not.