Disturbing trend

Well, it disturbs me anyway. During my holiday time off, I have caught quite a few movies. I may do some reviews here. However, I never feel like I can do them very well without giving away some of the plot. But I guess I could work on that here.

Since I like going to movies so much, I tend to go during the day when it isn't as crowded, and supposedly when it is cheaper. But it seems that they are doing away with the matinee's. I am hoping that maybe I am wrong, and after the holiday season it will return.

Last year I went on a Saturday, expecting a matinee price at an "_ M _" theater, and was told that only the 1st movie of the day on the weekends had the cheaper price, so I paid the high price, and started going to their competitor. Then it appeared that only the movies that started before noon were given the cheaper price. Now, it looks like they are doing away with matinee prices all together. Maybe it will only be the weekend movies, and possibly only here in the Atlanta market. I will have to research it and see.

But it just seems to me that the way the industry calculates box office sales and the fact that they have made it too expensive for movie going to be a family outing that movie going may be a thing of the past soon. I know many people prefer to wait for video and watch at home, but I like seeing movies when they first come out. There is something about the big screen, and the smell of popcorn that makes that one of my favorite things to do. I know there are ways around the high prices of the snacks & the movies...and I will admit to nothing here. :-)

But I may spend less money if I invest in a big screen & popcorn maker at home. The prices are on the way done on the TV's.

I stole a New Year's MeMe

1. What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before? I went to the Bahamas.

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions? I don’t make them.

3. Did anyone you know give birth? One of my former co-workers did, it was baby #4 for them.

4. Did anyone you know die? No one personally, and I didn’t attend any funerals.

5. What countries did you visit? See # 1.

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? More travel to other countries.

7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory? My son’s high school & basic training graduations, and the day I quit my job of 13+years.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Returning to college

9. What was your biggest failure? There were a few tests. J

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? I had a hysterectomy that ended an illness, and I am happy about it.

11. What was the best thing you bought? My car & my laptop.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My son’s

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? I can’t think of any

14. Where did most of your money go? School

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Well, if having an orgasm is really, really, really excited…then I would have to say sex. J

16. What song/album will always remind you of 2006? Anything by Gerald LeVert

17. What do you wish you’d done more of? Traveled

18. What do you wish you’d done less of? Watched TV

19. Did you fall in love in 2006? No

20. How many one night stands in this last year? one

21. What was your favorite TV program? Grey’s Anatomy

22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? No

23. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Spending time with my mother.

24. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006. Having a laundry room upstairs is not as great as I thought before

25. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year? EWF’s “On Your Face” it is really my theme song.

He caught me cheating on him.

Have you ever been caught red-handed? I was today, dang I thought I was better at this.

I was on my way out this morning, and walked to the mailbox. It was pretty full there was a box, and when I looked up there he was standing in my driveway. Oh my! What are you doing here? You could tell by his posture that he knew he wasn't supposed to be in my driveway.

Maybe, just maybe...I looked up, and yes standing in the window, he was watching. Oh, I am soo busted. But I guess I have to finish this, turning my attention back to the cutie standing here in the driveway...

He's wagging his tail, and he comes up to me, ahh no tag. Who do you belong to? Go home! My D-O-G is in the window, don't you hear him barking? Yes, I guess you do "Lost D-O-G" there he goes running off down the street.

I am going to have some explaining to do when I get home...I better just pick up some doggie treats at the store. He'll understand...well, he'll be happy for the treats any way.

Happy Holidays!

I passed all my classes! Yea! I was worried about my math class.

I also made it through the flight. It was so fun! Taking off my shoes, taking out the quartsize bag and taking out my laptop and then getting out of the way of those behind me. And I forgot to buy gum on the way to the airport, so I had to spend big money on gum.

Oh, and where did I go on my short trip? I went to KY to see my son graduate from Basic Training. He did well, and I am very proud of him. I didn't actually get to see him until the graduation ceremony, and it took me almost the whole ceremony to be able to pick him out of the sea of green. And it seems that he has grown up soo much in 10 weeks. He is home for the holidays, and then he will go to another 6 weeks of training.

So we have a few holiday things to do, and he is catching up & hanging out with his friends.

I am sure I will be posting more during the holidays, but I still want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

A Joke to make your day

It made mine.

An extremely modest man was in the hospital for a series of tests, the last

of which had left his bodily systems extremely upset.
Upon making several false alarm trips to the bathroom, he decided the latest
episode was another and stayed put. He suddenly filled his bed with diarrhea
and was embarrassed beyond his ability to remain rational.
In a complete loss of composure he jumped out of bed, gathered up the bed
sheets, and threw them out the hospital window.
A drunk was walking by the hospital when the sheets landed on him. He
started yelling, cursing, and swinging! his arms violently trying to get the
unknown things off, and ended up with the soiled sheets in a tangled pile at
his feet.
As the drunk stood there, unsteady on his feet, staring down at the sheets,
a hospital security guard (barely containing his laughter) who had watched
the whole incident walked up and asked, "What the heck is going on here?"
The drunk, still staring down replied: "I think I just beat the shit out of
a ghost".

ISO 3 ounces

I realized that flying could be rather frightening now in these days of tight security. And no I don't mean that being on an airplane thousands of feet in the air at a very high rate of speed is scary.

The decisions one has to make in regard to what to take in carry on luggage. I am only going out of town for 2 days & 1 night, so I do not want to check my bags. So, I have to decide will I be ashy? Take my contact lenses yes, but I won't have fluid for them? Oh, maybe I can do without toothpaste. But I can take my corkscrew & cigar cutter, maybe I should start knitting, because I can take knitting needles. Who needs a corkscrew on a plane? Or shortly after landing? Smoking is not allowed, so cigar cutter? WTF?

What to wear? Cute boots boots with a zipper, or ugly shoes that are easy to slip out of, or better yet sandles. They go with socks, right?

And I am a black woman, lets not even go into the list of hair products that won't fit in a 1 quart sandwich bag. Decisions, decisions. But I can buy all of this once I have gone through security at the airport. Yeah right, I want a $20.00 bottle of lotion with that $5.00 pack of gum.

So if you are in the airport and see a woman with no makeup, ugly glasses, ashy skin, don't be scared, just ask me to open your bottle of wine with my corkscrew. ;-)

Don't give up

on me. :-) I am trying to finish assignments & study for finals. So after the 15th, I will probably try to blog every day until the next semester starts in January. I will also be catching up on all the blogs that I read as well.

I actually passed a math test, there IS hope!

Great Thanksgiving!

I had a very nice Thanksgiving Day yesterday. I spent a good bit of time on the road, but it was a beautiful day and traffic was moving smoothly. And I got home in time to get a phone call from my son.

I cried today.

I signed the list, and took a seat and started reading my magazine. "Remnants! 1st chair to the left."

I take the seat, lay back, and hold my eyelid closed. Then the beautician (torturer) starts threading my eyebrows. She is quick, but the hairs are still being yanked out by the roots. My eyes start watering, But that's o.k. I will hold my eyelid shut with my fingers. So I participate in this torture.

When she's done, she hands me a mirror. I guess it is for my approval. I can't see, because my eyes are full of water, and one of my contacts is folded in my eye.

But I paid for the torture, and I left her a tip. Now that I can see, it looks like my eyebrows are even and quite natural looking.

So I cried today, and in about 2-3 weeks, I will go do it again.

Yes, I have done that

and other things even dumber. Thanks Chele for making me think about it. I can't even say that I had anything good to drink to cause it. Maybe I was just hungry, yeah that's it.

It was a couple of months ago. My son had a guy work on his car, and owed him some money. So, since my school is near his house, we agreed that I would call him on my lunch break and we would meet in a parking lot so I could give him the money.

I pull into a parking space & look frantically for the money in the many compartments of my purse. Just as I find it I look in my rearview mirror...and think "Dang he does live close, he's here already?" So I get out of the car, and give him the money. And then I go in to the sandwich shop. There are a few people in front of me, but I have some time before my next class so I wait. Now, I have them make my sandwich, will this be for here, or to go. Hmm, I think I will take it to go, so I pay, and on my way out..."oh, no, where are my keys? Oh, here I go in the purse again, damn!" I didn't realize I had so many compartments.
The light bulb goes off! You know what the keys are not in my purse...Is the car still there? Whew! Yes it is still where I left with the keys in it and the ignition still on.

What is that saying about fools & babies? And we know I am not a baby.

We Lost another one

Yesterday, I was surprised to hear that Ed Bradley died. He was probably the 1st black man I saw on TV doing the news.

But, I was floored today, when I heard that Gerald Levert died. I think he just turned 40 this year.

They say bad news comes in 3's. I am afraid to watch the news or listen to the radio.

2 Things

This is going to be a drive-by or a quickie.

I saw a dead armadillo on the highway this past weekend. Yeah, rather unremarkable bit of information. However, I grew up, and did quite a bit of driving in Texas, and it dawned on me that it had been years since I saw an armadillo, dead or alive.

When I was in girl scouts, and went camping. We had tents that were on a platform about maybe 2 feet off the ground. Yeah we were really roughing it, because there were 4 twin sized cots inside. But at night the armadillos used to make a lot of noise under those tents. Thankfully the didn't do steps. That was thing #1 on my mind.

Thing #2 on my mind...well you may think it's a gross & and a strange thing to have on my mind. But it is something that I learned in college, and I don't even have a science class. There are ducks, swans, and geese (actually they may have migrated) on campus. I used to wonder who was letting their small dog poop on the sidewalk, that is until I started parking on the other side of campus. Then I realized that it is actually, large bird (duck/swan/goose) poop. They are rather messy. LOL

Ok, now I am off to learn something else...in class. I wonder if it will be so profound. Heh-heh-heh.

Saturday Ramblings

I heard from my son and he sounds like he is doing well. He was so addicted to the video games, that I was worried that he would have trouble with the physical training. But he makes it through the daily running, and has passed the other physical things that he has to do, so I guess I was just being overly mom-like.

I really have a quite a few things including homework that I should be working on right now, but I have detoured here instead, because I feel like I have been away too long. It's funny how when I am in the car or doing something else, I will say to myself, I need to write about that. However, finding the time is the problem.

Sometimes it seems that plans that happen at the last minute are the most fun. I was invited last Sunday to a gathering that was happening only 2 hours later, and had a great time. Maybe the fact that I do things on the spur of the moment makes me open to that. Because I have friends that plan things well in advance, and even if they don't have plans, they wouldn't have accepted. I have to admit I love my friends that plan things, so I don't have to.

Although, a few years ago I did want to scream at one of my "friends that plans ahead" when I was getting a call at work in December about a trip we were going to take in July. Maybe if there was a deadline for the payment or something, I wouldn't have been so frustrated, but it wasn't. She was just off, and had questions. I on the other hand was at work and it was the busiest time of the year for us. I have to admit though, that was a great trip, her early reservations allowed for us to have a great condo very close to the beach.

I know this is rather short, and probably boring, but I have to run some errands. I will be back, because I a number of things that I want to blog about.

Kill that freakin' bird!

It's not what you think. So P.E.T.A. doesn't have to start a picket line outside in my yard. I am still a dog lover. Yes, Shaggy is laying by the door looking at me as if to say "What is this dog creature that you keep talking about?" LOL

I was in the restaurant, and I use the term loosely. For those of you familiar with Georgia, it's on every corner, open 24 hours, and has House in the name. ;-) I like to go in the morning, and listen to the conversations between the waitresses & the regulars. Mr. Floyd was the man of the hour that morning. He looked to be about 70, and all the waitresses seemed to know him.

Oh, yes, back to the bird.

I am talking about the annoying chirp from the cell phone. Why does it have to chirp between each part of the conversation? Example: Guy at counter.
"Hey! Where are you?" (Annoying chirp)
"Wauwau, wau wau, wau." (that's the adult speak from Charlie Brown, 'cause I couldn't understand what the other person was saying.)
(Annoying chirp) Guy at counter. "Yeah." (Annoying chirp)
Wauwau, wau wau, wau." (Annoying chirp)
Guy at counter. "uhh, huh." (Annoying chirp)
Wauwau, wau wau, wau." (Annoying chirp)
Guy at counter. "uhh, huh." (Annoying chirp)
and so on.

I was ready to jump up from my seat, stab his hand with my fork, snatch the phone from him, throw it on the floor, and stomp it. And then sit back down and finish my grits, cheese eggs, and raisin toast. :-) Fortunately for him his to go order came out.

Why does it have to chirp between each part of the conversation? If there is a response within 10-15 seconds there should not be a chirp. I don't know maybe it's just me. Maybe other people like that noise.

Who is going to drink the milk?

I tried to post this a few times, but it seems I chose to try when blogger was down.

It was a week ago, but last week my son left home. To go where you ask? He is in Basic training. He joined the Army Reserves. I certainly didn't want him to join while we are at war. But his 19th birthday was a few weeks ago. I think "the do as I say not as I do/did" is beneath him. Or that he is too smart to fall for that one.

I was a reservist myself before he was born (not Army) and his father & both of his grandfathers were in the Army. He also has an aunt that retired from the navy about 2 or 3 years ago. Fortunately he chose a job that isn't one that would have him in direct combat. But anyone that goes overseas is in harms way. So I will have to pray that his unit will not go anywhere anytime soon.

And I am lactose intolerant, so I guess I will be pouring out what is left of the gallon of milk. He should have pretty strong bones, because he went through quite a lot of milk in a week.

So the d-o-g and I are getting used to life without him for the rest of the year. Which will take a lot of getting used to for me, because he was never gone for more than about a month at a time.

He doesn't know!

I was going to write a cute little ditty, using the tune to Shaggy's "It wasn't Me"...Yes, I said ditty...But it is after midnight & I have to be up by 6:30, so I will tell the story.

My best friend made that statement to me about my dog, and after an episode on the park on Saturday, I had to call her and tell her she was right. Well, her exact words were "Remnants, he doesn't know he's a dog."

I drove to Piedmont Park in Atlanta, so that we (me & the dog) could find the dog park there. An area, that is fenced in so the dogs can run free. And since my dog is always on a leash or a chain, I thought this would be soo exciting for him. And I would enjoy it too, since I wanted to see him happy...yeah, just like I do for my son.

So we finally went down the right path that leads us to it, and since it was a nice sunny Saturday, there were dogs & owners of all shapes and sizes. We walk in and I see dogs all over the place, so I walk away from the entrance, and take his leash off. Immediately about 3 dogs run up to great him...Well, he sees them and he takes off...the chase is on.

However, I could tell by the look in his eyes...yes, I said the look in his eyes. That he was scared, and not playing "catch me if you can," but trying to get away from these 4 legged creatures that were right on his tail. The faster he ran, the faster they ran, as he would stop and pivot right, so would they, oh a turn to the left, no he didn't lose them that time either. Finally everyone was tired & went their separate ways, he came and stayed right next to me, panting heavily. This is the dog that always runs away so I can chase him to hook the leash on him. So I tried to get him to go drink at the water fountain (it had a big bowl under it) But he would not go near it...Even when the other dogs left it.

I walked casually around, and he stayed right next to me, greeting the humans that we passed. But when another dog would come to sniff him, he was having no parts of it. So, I started talking to another dog owner there,, and we both agreed, that our dogs were probably more comfortable looking for the couch & the TV. So, my dog &I left, and I finally had to pour water out of my bottle for him to drink before we got back to the car. So yes, I was a little thirsty, but since I didn't run anywhere, I decided he needed it more than I did.

And, I will have to break the news to him slowly...Shaggy...You are a dog.

Life & Death

Both have been on my mind lately. A number of things have happened recently that brings both subjects to light.

About 2 weeks ago one of my long time friends called, and told me that she was on medical leave, because she had a stroke. What?! We are only 42 years old, and I am older by a few months. She is still having various tests done, but she is ok. Of course in our conversations, she mentioned some of the things she had in place for her son. And a family member being upset because they wanted her car...WTF? Ok that will be another post.

However, all of this had me thinking about friends and/or relatives that didn't live to see certain milestones in their life.

1. My dad, who died shortly after his 50th birthday, but before his grandson was born (my son who just turned 19 yesterday.)
2. A highschool classmate that died in a car wreck, before our 5th year highschool reunion.
3. A close friend of mine, his birthday was the day before mine...he died of cancer a few months before he would turn 40.
4. Another friend of mine lost her sister to breast cancer a few months after we turned 40.

There are others some that I may not remember in this moment.

And I also remember things that have happened to me where I think, "Wow, I lived through that?" All of this makes me think that each day I get I need to be thankful for. Even if that is a day that I failed my math test, or don't quite have the money to pay that bill. I am not going to be happy every single day, but I have to make the most of the days that I have. And fulfill whatever purpose that I have on this earth, even if I am taking a little longer than most to figure out what that is.

Actually as I write this there is a report right now on the news, about a local 15 year old that died after a battle with cancer. They were interviewing children from the middle school he attended.

In Black and White

I think quite often race "colors" our perspectives. And of course I can only speak about my own experiences. I am a black woman (stating the obvious) and even though my elementary school years placed me in predominately white environments in the 70's, I still feel that my views differ from white people. Based on mainly race.

My most recent example happened in school. A small group of students between classes started talking about the high schools they went to. And one of the guys (white) commented on a school, and said "It's a war zone over there." Well, the young man (black) that had gone to the school said, "About 10 years ago when we moved to that area, it was mostly white. Now, the area and the school are predominately black. I don't think it's a war zone, it's just mostly black now"

The funny thing is I had been a party to conversations about that city before, when I was at work, so the people were probably 10 to 20 years older that these students. But the conversation was pretty much the same. The white people/person making an extreme statement about the area being dangerous/a war zone etc. and the black person/people commenting/thinking no, it's just mostly black.

I think it's ironic that no matter what the age, the perception was the same based on race. Although maybe it is a geographical thing. This is the south.

I must admit though even from my "black woman" perspective I chose not to live in that area because I didn't think the schools were academically up to par. I decided to live where I do so my son could go to a school that was diverse, not just racially, but economically as well. However, at the college level, I would love it if he decided to go to an HBCU. Ahh, I guess that will be another post.

But back to black and white. I think about a few conversations that I had were it seems that some of the opinions were along racial lines, as opposed to gender or age. Am I unusual? or does anyone else think the same/differently?

I am still here! So, I will ramble

I have made it through a few tests. And on 1 test the teacher will throw out our lowest grade ok...yes, I have used it. :-)

My car is running fine, but one rainy morning one of my wind shield wipers went out. Yes, I said 1, the other one kept going, but of course the 1 that broke was...yes the driver side wiper. Not while I was on a street close to the house, but once I was on the highway, with trucks splashing water on my windshield. It is fixed now, apparently something was loose.

As a parent, I enjoy making my son happy. But did he really have to laugh so hard...and long the other day when he found some pictures of me from my high school days. Yes, it was the 80's, but those big glasses were in style...really. Hmm, 2026 should be interesting. I will pull out the photo album for his girl friend/wife/kids...somebody...and entertain them 20 years from now. LOL

I had so many things in my head earlier that I wanted to type...but I am tired.

Thursday Ramblings

School
I think I am on the computer more hours during the day, now than I was when I was working. But I am happier, less stressed (for the most part) . Or at least stressed but happier about this stress than I was at my job. Did I just say happier 2 sentences in a row? Ha! I guess some of my former co-workers would say I was rubbing it in...no, just stating a fact. In a much happier way. LOL

Teens
My son ran out of gas last night, on the highway. Guess who had to get the gas can and go find his Ass...yeah, me. I just don't understand...must I ask him daily "Did you go to the gas station?" I know, maybe if I didn't go save him...but it was the highway, with trucks whizzing by. Ahh, maybe I should make him pay for the upgrade on our Triple A membership...because he has already used his limit of 3. Great idea if I must say so myself...He will be paying for the upgrade.

I really have more to ramble about, but this was a study break, and I have a few problems to finish before the 11pm deadline.

Don't leave me...I will try to post more often, and more interesting stuff. :-)