Happy-Go-Lucky? Not So Much

Yesterday I finally got around to watching "Happy-Go--Lucky." I have to admit I was really excited to watch this movie. All of the reviews I read made it seem like such a fun, light-hearted movie. I felt like I could relate to the main character, Poppy, because she's 30 years old and a teacher. I was very disappointed. The movie had the weakest plot I've ever seen. Essentially, Poppy has her bike stolen and has to take driving lessons. On paper that sounds good, but it didn't translate well onto the screen.. In between scenes of her driving lessons (which are funny), are these rambley scenes of Poppy partying with friends, teaching, taking flamenco dancing lessons with a friend and meandering her way around London. I guess there was the sub-plot of her dealing with a student who is a bully. Even that didn't really add much. Then, there was the third act addition of love-interest. That didn't save the movie. The movie left me wanting the two hours back I spent watching it. I kept waiting for some huge plot development, but sadly, it never happened.

"Happy Go Lucky" really disappointed me. I had heard such good things about and it was nominated for so many awards. Sally Hawkins won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical. Maybe it was just me. Maybe I just had too high of expectations going into watching it. I just don't understand all the hype.

Randomness

Tomorrow (it's not the next day til I go to bed) is my seventh day consecutive day of work. I think I've lost my brain somewhere on day four. I think the only thing that will help me get out of bed and go to work is that Chipotle is FINALLY opening a store in the MOA and they are giving away free burritos tomorrow. Woo-hoo. I am so there. I heart Chipotle.

Tonight while driving home from work, I heard "Bohemian Rhapsody" on the radio. Apparently, some of the lyrics are too edgy and not family friendly. The line: "put a gun against his head.." was changed to "put a ________ against his head. Seriously. Why is that bad? I think everyone can figure that out. In fact, you can use context clues with the next part, "pulled the trigger, now he's dead." Noooo.... people won't be able to figure out it's a gun. Gotta love the FCC. Why is 'gun' a bad word? I just don't get it. Maybe they shouldn't play the song at all, if they're going to be that lame. I bet Disney is somehow behind this.

This is My Confession...

Ok, ok. I've been hiding this secret for far too long. Granted, it's not as exciting as Usher's confession... but it has potential for causing people's jaws to drop. Here it goes: I am not a fan of "Sex and the City" and I don't get it. I know, I know. Everyone on the planet loves the show and has already seen the movie. It's probably a crime to not like it. I have only seen a couple of episodes and I really couldn't get into it. When the show premiered, I was in college and my cynicism and non conformist attitudes were through the roof (I've really mellowed in my old age). I was pretty much the Daria of my social group. I even wore a green army style shirt with my Doc Martens boots. I found SJP really, really, really annoying and I hated her little voice-overs. The cynic in me couldn't believe that she was really a writer. Now, ten years later with the release of the movie, I am finding it slightly embarrassing to not be able to partake in conversations with people about SATC. I am sort of wondering what I missed out on. It seems like everyone watched it. It's the universal show for women, young and old alike. And the fashions. If nothing else, that would've sucked me in. Although, ten years ago, I didn't really have a sophisticated sense of style myself, but I still appreciated crazy outlandish clothing. Heck, I still liked to wear overalls out in public ( I've stopped that and encourage others to do the same).

I feel like I am caving to peer pressure. I am super curious and might go see the movie. I never cave to peer pressure. I think it's a curiousity about the hype.

So, there's my confession. I feel better. Hopefully, Usher felt better, too with his confession. His was huge: he had a baby by another woman and she's keeping it. That is so major.

Leave Poor Miley Alone

I really feel bad for Miley Cyrus with the controversy over her photo shoot with Vanity Fair. The picture is completely in good taste. It's not slutty at all. I think it is very tasteful. I was expecting a Maxim style picture. When I saw the picture, I thought, "This is what everyone is in an uproar over?" I don't see anything wrong with it. Poor girl. She's wrapped in a sheet and is showing about 12 inches of bare back. Oh my gosh! That is so immoral! Put some clothes on her! Essentially it is the equivalent of wearing a strapless formal dress. America is in an uproar over this picture. People claim that she's not a good role model for kids or the picture is scandalous. I am so tired of all this. She didn't do anything wrong. It's an artsy, tasteful picture. It's not like she did a spread for Playboy. But, here comes the Conservative Right ready to jump in and make much ado about nothing. They've turned it into an issue of teenage girls being too grown up and skanky. I agree that that's a problem, but Miley isn't fueling it. She is a so-called role model for kids because she's on television. Out of all the people kids could look up to, I don't think she's a bad one. She strikes me as a normal kid. Parents should be using this as an opportunity to show their kids how Miley doesn't compromise her integrity and expressed herself in a tasteful manner. It's art. I am sure these are the same parents that are upset when their child sees a nude statue at an art museum.

Now poor Miley is embarrassed by her picture, which I find unfortunate. She should be proud of her picture. I think Disney brainwashed her. Not too many people get to work with Annie Leibovitz. And as a 15 year old? Even less. We're diminishing this great opportunity that Miley had. Isn't there something else to sensationalize? Maybe Mischa Barton wore an ugly outfit out in public. Or Britney tripped getting out of her car. Now, those are real stories.

Dara's Last Column

I just finished reading Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl last column in City Pages. Wow. It was so well-written and touching. It left me with tears in my eyes. I admit that I am not a foodie, but I love Dara's column. In fact, it's always the first thing I read in City Pages. She's such an awesome writer. So unpretentious and humorous. I wish her the best of luck as she moves onto other projects .

Clark and Michael

I am sure that most people have already seen at least some of the episodes, but if you haven't you must watch all ten episodes of "Clark and Michael." It is seriously one of the funniest shows I've ever seen. It stars Michael Cerra and his bf Clark Duke and the quest they embark on trying to get their show sold to a network. It works on so many different levels. I like it on the level that they are struggling writers, but it also works from a purely comedic standpoint, too. It's smart funny. When I was finished watching all ten episodes, I wished there was ten more.

Yet Another Reason to Hate Disney

I was so sad when I found out that the Satellite Sisters are parting ways with ABC Radio. I know this might make me seem dorky, but I really enjoy listening to them. For those of you not familiar with the show, it's five sisters that talk about pretty much everything-music to movies to current events to literature to everything in between. I really like how smart and savvy they are. It's not the typical stupid chick talk. But of course, anything smart and funny doesn't last. Unfortunately, stupid chick talk prevails in our society. I know that after November 9th, I can still download the podcasts, but it won't be the same.

Much Ado About Nothing

Last week the big story in MN was the baseball player on the Coon Rapids Little League team who spit in his hand before shaking hands with his opponate after loosing the big game. Everyone was so upset about this. The horror that the boy would do something so appaling! He ruined his teams image... Not to mention Coon Rapids. What will people across the nation think of Coon Rapids and MN. Not so MN nice anymore, are we?

It really must have been a slow news week. Seriously. The boy didn't kill the other boy. He spit in his hand and shook hands with the other kid. Yeah, it's disrespectful, but as far as the spectrum of awful things that kids do, it's not that bad. He probably should know better, but it's just kids being kids. Maybe he was dared by a team mate or just thought it would be a funny thing to do. It wasn't something that was done with malice. If you watch the clip of it, the kid was laughing. I think everyone has several memories of dares gone bad or doing something stupid from their own childhoods. I know that my own childhood was full of these experiences. The earliest one I can recall is being the lookout in kindergarten when the teacher left the room. That ended in me spending the afternoon in the hall thinking about my behavior. Or when I was in 8th grade and someone got the bright idea of pouring water on a bag from a player on the opposing basketball team. I was suspended for two games (even though I just watched) and my entire class thought I did it. I just don't think the spitting incident it's as big of a deal as people make it into. It's part of growing up to do things like this. I am sure this kid learned his lesson. And that's really all that matters.