Third time lucky

You know how much we enjoy a good movie and when times are tough you can't beat a good comedy. So, off I went to buy some cheer in the form of "The Hangover". It received such good reviews, some boffin even suggested it should have been in the Oscar top ten movies (clearly tongue in cheek). R149 later I can only say what a load of cr (sorry, I can't say that). The funny parts were all in the trailer and the rest was crass. Ho hum.
Next up, Paul Blart, Mall Cop. Seen "the making of" etc so I set the PVR to record and it actually got the whole movie. Well, it was better than The Hangover, a bit slow to begin but it gathered pace. For me the star of the movie was the Indian boyfriend (Eastern, not Native American) and all in all it was better than watching rugby.
Finally, I threw caution to the wind, grabbed the last of my savings and bought "UP".
Now that was money well spent. Firstly I retract my remark that it shouldn't have won the best soundtrack award, the music was a character in its self, painting such a lovely picture. Secondly, that was such a gosh darn good movie that I forgave myself for the first two mistakes and will certainly be enjoying "UP" more than a few times in the future.
Little wonder it was brought to us by a Stanton.

For the record

I would like it to be noted that I am thoroughly FED-UP with my TV programmes being tossed in favour of rugby. We pay for about 7 or so Sport channels and yet, as soon as the programmers see men playing with funny shaped balls they have to whack them on to MY channel. Once again I miss out on Lie To Me which I happen to enjoy. If only they could analyze my facial expressions.

Snippets

Last night, watching TV I discovered a good thing. This nice young man told me that if I sms 31something or other I can find out if I'm the next Lotto winner. Well, at first I thought this might save me a lot of money, once a week I sms this number and if I'm NOT the next Lotto winner I don't have to waste my time buying a ticket. Genius! But then I realised the sms would cost more than the ticket so I'll carry on taking my chances.
I bought a new product from The Body Shop - now that Estee has pushed her prices too high for my taste. An organic range of moisturisers, lovely. Last night I cracked open the eye cream, it goes on so smoothly, but just a tad tingly. As I had taken out my contacts I was able to read the (very) small print on the packaging and Horrors, it contains Aspirin, Salicylic Acid. I'm allergic to that, taken internally it causes, well, death but I don't know what it would do to my skin. As I don't want to turn more pruney than I am I shall return it today. Maybe that's why Estee increased her prices, she doesn't use Aspirin in the range I used to buy. Do you have any idea how many people text while driving their cars? often with a little kid (no I haven't as yet seen a goat in a car although I'd like to see the George Clooney movie) on the front seat. Faar too many. They weave across the road, go through stop streets without looking and lots of other bad stuff.
When Merlin and I are out in the car (bird, remember?) if he spots a plane in the sky he is so excited. He clearly thinks this is the god of gods, the big bird who rules all and as such he should be greeted with loud birdy cries and reverance. I on the other hand try to imagine the contents of big bird as it's going in to land. The ones who are finishing their prayers for safety, the excited lovers, waiting to see the girlfiend/boyfriend/spouse. The ones who are coming to town to seal a deal or the ones who perhaps lost a big contract the day before. It's so exciting, I love the notion of flying into the blue so I'm really rather peeved that cabin crew would contemplate a strike. Flying isn't just about the destination, it's the whole package, the way in and the way out, some will have saved for, dreamt of and look forward to a trip for months or years, some may be visiting a sick friend, whatever, please don't dash their plans.

The best laid plans

Today is, I believe, Chuck Norris Day. Time to break out the "Chuck Norris se Mxxr" T shirt and assume a macho attitude, tell a few CN jokes e.g. "Chuck sleeps with a pillow under his gun" and just celebrate the man.
Somewhat like the Oscars.
It is a long held tradition with Rowland and I, Academy Award night, we sit in front of the TV and thoroughly enjoy the movie love fest. We don't listen to the radio or read a newspaper, we relish the surprises.
So, Monday evening, come 19.30 (Happy Hour until 19.45) we settled in front of the telly - ah, the anticipation. The first half hour was good, we decided to break at 20 hundred hours for dinner. That's when things went awry. We had unexpected visitors as I was dishing up - an absolute treat, number two son and his three lovely ladies, they had just been out celebrating Marleze's 39th birthday. So good to see them. Once they had left RX suddenly felt dreadful (this happens with the treatment he's had) and went to shower and off to bed.
No worries mate. As the Oscars were being recorded on the PVR we planned to resume Tuesday evening.
So, once again, happy hour at the homestead, 19.30 we sat down to resume our show. Day two of no radio, no newspapers etc.
I thought it quite a good show, the League of Dancers were excellent, Jack wasn't there - again - but we caught a glimpse of him at some other award ceremony looking happy. The faux pas of the night must have been leaving Bea Arthur and Farrah Fawcet off the In Memorium section or perhaps, a strange woman who leapt into view and hijacked an acceptance speech.
I felt that the Avatar soundtrack should have won but aside from that all was good.
Let me pause to explain what I understand of the workings of the PVR decoder. You do not set it to record by time, you set it to record by programme. I set it to record the Oscars.
So, DSTV, why did the recording stop three awards before the end of the show?????????????. Not acceptable.
Should I perhaps notify Chuck Norris? It being his day and all?
As we're adults we overcame our disappointment and this morning I googled the awards, not nearly as much fun as watching them but, such is life.
All that being said, to Aunty Eva, Nina and Chuck, Happy Birthday and many more, may your timeslot not be messed up by the PVR of life.

Tuesday Tip

I buy bandanas. All designs, local, eastern or Mexican looking, I find them so useful. If you're having pizza or something messy to eat the bandana is so big and user friendly.
When I'm preparing veg for a meal I tend to get a little carried away with the Shogun veggie peeler, you know, slices all over. On Sunday, the love of my life was peeling a huge butternut for me, he's so strong! We just put a bandana on the table and work over that, fold it up once you're done and dispose of the skin as you wish. Easy, peasy.

March

Peace March, Million Man March, March of the Penguins, that march from Aida. Marching to Pretoria, an army of ants on the march. Beware the Ides of March ("I told him "Julie, don't go"").
This must be the most decisive sounding month of the year, it vibrates with movement and progress.
An army marches on its stomach?? Marching to a different drum. Time marches on.
It's going to be a good month, march my words.