Pork Chop Dilettante

Decluttering Pains

I'm reading through some magazines so I can recycle them, and I came across a great (but not new) idea for organizing DVDs in stylish binders. It brings up a recurring problem for me: what to do with all the DVD cases? Also, will I miss looking at the artwork on them? I have the same problem with CDs--it's difficult for me to buy music only online. It's mostly because I love the thrill of opening up a new CD, looking at the artwork, and reading about the music. I have another issue though--not buying CDs anymore makes me feel like I'm not supporting local record shops. Sigh. Why do I feel like it's my duty to make sure they don't go out of business?

What do you do? Have you overcome this weird type of self-imposed guilt or am I the only one?

Movie Monday

As promised, this week's movie is Happy-Go-Lucky.

Image via www.thecia.com.au

Wow, I'm not sure what to say about it. I think it is at times painful to watch, which I'm sure is intentional, because the main character (Poppy, played by Sally Hawkins) is ceaselessly cheerful. Sometimes I wished she'd shut up instead of desperately trying to fill dead air. I suspect that the film is a study of her quirky personality: at first it seems like it is one-dimensional, because she is happy to the point of being flaky. But eventually you see all her layers; she is able to settle down and act like an adult when one of her students is showing signs of trouble at home. When she is on a date with a coworker, she softens and takes time to pause the conversation with a lingering stare into her date's eyes. Their cute, but not annoying, flirting indicates that they have been programmed with the same sense of humor.

There seems to be no real linear plot, just a glimpse into her ordinary life. I'm glad that I watched it, because I always enjoy quirky characters. If you can follow the thick London accents and offbeat storyline, then definitely rent it!

Movie Monday

On both of my blogs I am trying out an editorial calendar--you are now officially introduced to Movie Monday, peeps! I will be reviewing whatever movie comes my way each week, be it current or classic. I will be the first to admit that I am far behind on certain films, and I have no shame. So here is my inaugural post:

Image via horror-movies.ca

Up for review this week is the 2007 time-travel horror flick Cronocrimenes (Timecrimes), directed by Nacho Vigalondo. It's dubbed in English, which in the beginning is a little cheese-ball, but I'm grateful I didn't have to read and watch the movie at the same time. The premise is that a regular Joe (except it's technically a Spanish movie, so perhaps he should be called a "Jose Regular") is enjoying a voyeuristic break in his new backyard and witnesses a young woman disrobing in the woods. Of course, since his lover has driven off to fetch dinner, he decides to track this lady down. He ends up discovering her naked and unconscious, and is suddenly stabbed in the arm with a pair of scissors by some crazy dude whose head is wrapped in pink bandages. After a short chase scene, Jose Regular ends up in a time machine and goes back about one hour in time. The rest of the film is the story of him trying to right his wrongs. It's a lot like watching a train wreck, especially because A.) it's a bit horrific and B.) you can't look away even if you want to.

This is not a slice 'n dice film, but it seriously increased my heart rate. I can't explain why, but it freaked me out and I really enjoyed it. Have you seen scary movies that show the bad guy chasing the protagonist, and instead of running after him, he walks slowly and confidently? The whole movie was like that. Very creepy.

Here's a tidbit that totally took me by surprise (not): there is a US version in the works for a 2011! I can't wait to not see it. I bet there will be a different ending.

My recommendation is that you watch this film. It's pretty gripping and worth your two hours.

Next week: a review of Happy-Go-Lucky.

Dairy Queen

Did you know that Dairy Queen had a mascot? Neither did I. This beats getting your picture taken with the Easter bunny for sure:

Image copyright emilie kleiner 2009.

Yesterday I was doing some pondering while I did chores around the apartment. I wondered how it was discovered that one could pick a cherry off a bush, removed the pit and voila! A coffee bean. I am aware of the Arabian dancing goats story, but come on, who would think to roast the beans, then grind them, and force hot water through a puck of the grounds with high pressure? People amaze me. I could see how hard cider could be discovered by accident (since I did via my grandmother's fridge when I was eleven), but there are so many steps to the end product of coffee or espresso. Anyway.

I bought Neko Case's new album, Middle Cyclone, in preparation for her concert next Wednesday at the 9:30 Club. I'm beyond excited to go see her! I need to listen to the album a few more times and learn the lyrics so I don't look like a poseur trying to fumble my way through all the new songs. Anyone who reads lips could surely spot a fake...

Sunday in the Park

Sometimes after church some friends and I go to Fort McHenry State Park to have a pizza picnic. Now that the weather is nicer, I'm glad that we are able to start up that routine again. Here is a photo of my little friend Nehemiah:

Image copyright emilie kleiner 2009

He had been enjoying some cupcakes with pink icing, and if you look closely you can see some of it on his zipper pull. We had a great time outside, even though it was a bit chilly at times. No matter, because we had Ledo Pizza. All was well with the world.

I am so excited about it being springtime, but I feel so unmotivated. I have all these plans for when I get home from work (mostly having to do with cleaning and creating), yet when I walk through the door all I want to do is sit down and decompress. I'm going to try going to bed earlier tonight to see if that helps. Which means I should technically be in bed now...

Today I received an email from my sister, wanting to "take a field trip" to Baltimore to see "dead bodies in the harbor". This was based on the unfortunate news that another body was recovered in the water yesterday, this time near the 1400 block of Thames Street. I suggested she bring the kids and we can make it a family outing. Yeah. I'm really not that insensitive. I just thought it was a funny email to see in my inbox.

So. I think it's time to mosey on over to bed now. Maybe I'll feel better tomorrow if I do--no more nodding off in front of the computer!

Old Grampys

My nephew likes to run around the house with his pants hiked up, shouting, "I'm old grampys!" I wish I had a photo. I'll have to bug my sister to make that happen. The picture above is one I found at a flea market. Maybe I should get Matthew some suspenders...

I am nearly ashamed to admit this, but I desperately miss cable TV. I'm glad to at least get PBS with the digital converter box, but it's not the same as HGTV, USA, SCI FI and all the other channels of blissful programming that I'm used to. Some day I'll be able to afford it, but for now, that money has to go toward my credit card debt. Perhaps this will be a motivator for me.

I went to the ACC show this weekend and bought two necklaces. It was painful to be there and not be able to spend as much as I'd like to. That's OK, though. I know how to order great jewelry online and there's always next year. It was inspiring to see all the gorgeous work and catch up with my exhibitor friends.

One of my best friends went with me on Friday night. We ended up being interviewed on video as part of a VCU masters program student's thesis on altruism in craft. It was so random. We people-watched and saw many interesting outfits. My favorite was this middle-aged man who was wearing a nice dress shirt tucked into track pants. So hot.

Today after church I got a caffeine hit at Gerry's Goods (you should go there if you haven't yet!) in order to prepare myself for my weekend chores at home (I have to, or else I'll sit down and not get back up until five hours later). I scrubbed the kitchen and bathroom floors! And I vacuumed and decluttered a bit. The only thing that bothers me about living in an older building is that no amount of elbow grease can make the place look clean, even if it is. The tile in the bathroom floor is cracked and the grout is stained, and the kitchen floor is just el cheapo linoleum tile. If I owned this place I'd definitely give it mini face lift. Sometimes I wonder if I can do some of the work myself in exchange for cheaper rent. Right now, though, I'm going to try to sweet talk my way into being allowed to have a yardsale out front. I've been a good tenant; I have some clout, right?

New Shoes!

They came in the mail yesterday from www.shoetrader.com. I love them. I think I'll have to get a pair in black.

I'm reading this book called, "Who Switched Off My Brain?" by Dr. Caroline Leaf. It is an incredible explanation of all the processes that occur in your body in connection to your thoughts. I'm hoping that I can learn some tricks to stop toxic thoughts from taking life in my brain. I love all the science behind it. The fact that thoughts are actually physical, albeit on a microscopic level, is amazing to me (try to imagine brain cells as little trees with your thoughts being the many branches on it).

In other news, I'm tired. Off to bed.

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Scary Baby Dolls

I love my church. It is multiracial, come-as-you-are, genuine church. For once I feel like I belong in a congregation; I might even apply for membership (but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves). My favorite aspect of my church is that there are no cliques, everyone is friendly and welcoming, and the kids are just amazing. Most of them come alone to the service--I'm not sure where their parents are, but the kids sure do love New Song.

A couple weeks ago, a little one (we'll call her Miss B) came to sit with me and she had brought her baby doll with her. The doll was snuggled up in a blanket and had its face covered, so I asked, "How is your baby? What's her name?"

"Her name is Mindy," she said. "Well, can I see little Mindy?" Miss B looked at me with a hint of trepidation, and quietly pulled back the blankie from her doll's face. The doll's gaze met mine, except it had white, scary eyeballs. No pupils, no irises. Just whites. Holy freak out!

"My brother did that," Miss B reported, "and I'm gonna crush him tonight." Oh dear. I can't wait to miss that. I wished for some type of irony, like the sermon being about not repaying evil with evil, but I'm sure it would have been lost on these siblings. They are just over a year apart and are hyper-dramatic. Very cute, though.

I tried to find a photo online that could depict the fright that I saw, but I wasn't so lucky. I did find this, however:

Grey Wobble. Image via brepettis.com

It looks nothing like what I saw, but it makes me laugh. It is freakish and I can't stop staring at it. I love it.

Could I Possibly Have Arthritis?

I can't sit Indian-style, yogi-style, whatever you want to call it, for more than 10 minutes at a time. Whaaa, you say. Every time I go see a movie, especially if it's summertime and the A/C is really pumping, my knees ache so bad when I walk out of the theater. If I go on a trail ride that lasts more than an hour, I nearly cry as I try to unbend my knees and ankles.

Perhaps I'm too tense? That's a possibility. My mom thinks I might need more yoga. She could be right. I just think I'm weird. I also have an unending addiction to microwave popcorn. Perhaps I should invest in one of those microwave air popper thingys.

Image via www.marylanddogsledding.com

So, I always read the latest issue of the Urbanite about a month after it's been released. Anyway, in the January issue, I was so excited to read that I can go on a dog sled ride! Maryland Dog Sled Adventures LLC has a program on the Northern Central Railroad Trail in Hunt Valley, and for $75 smackeroos you can help rig up the puppies and go for a ride! I want to do this. I want to go! They have a blog, too. I didn't know this, but Fair Hill Nature Center has fun runs for dog sled teams. There are pics on the MDSA blog of the dogs on the same trails that I ride on horseback! Life is too cool.

What is up with all these movie remakes? Why does the original Jason movie need to be redone? And while we're at it, who on earth thought that The Day the Earth Stood Still needed a remix? Did you know there are three different versions of Invasion of the Body Snatchers? For serious. I've actually seen two of the three. I'm such a hypocrite. I guess while I'm at it, I should make snarky comments about how many different versions of Batman there are. But I won't, because I love me some Batman.

I think I'm done for the night. Perhaps you'll hear from me later this week. Happy Monday!