You know what’s way better than any holiday you can have? An unexpected one. We got 24 inches of the white stuff last night, but it ended around 4am, and I was worried that they wouldn’t cancel classes at the university–they seem to have been a bit stingier about that this year than they have in the past. So I was really gunning for a two hour delay–something long enough to let me dig myself out. Instead, when I phoned the switchboard at 5:35, I heard that classes were canceled! Sure, I had to spend an hour and a half snow blowing my driveway (you should have seen the snowdrift where the plow had gone by), but still–it’s been a much nicer Monday than it could have been. π
And it was a very nice weekend, too. I’ve been on the verge of feeling sick for the whole of it–there’s a nasty flu going around that I’m deathly afraid of catching–but I’ve stayed well despite all of that. Saturday evening DKC and I dropped the kidlets off at some friends, then went skiing at the local hill. It had been three years since I’d been before, so I was quite very on the rusty side. Still, we had a good time–I think next year we’ll try to go earlier in the season, and then shoot for once a month or something. The problem I always have is that I go once and finally start to get more comfortable with skiing, then don’t go again for the next few seasons, which makes it quite difficult to get any better.
And of course, last night was the Oscars, which I love to watch. Hugh Jackman did a really good job, and with the exception of the abysmal “the musical is back!” number, the show was pretty good. For a guy who watches three or four movies a week, easy, I don’t see many of the most current films, which means I have to catch up on the movies a year later–but it also means that I don’t really have any favorites, usually. I prefer it when the awards get peppered around some. Last night Slumdog Millionaire was the big winner, but it sounds like it was deserved.
One gripe, though. I really don’t like it when winners take their 45 seconds and decide to tell everyone about their political views. Congratulations–you’re a great [insert category here]. That doesn’t make me care about what you think, personally. If I ever won an award (not likely to happen), I wouldn’t take the time to tell everyone they should convert to Mormonism, or should vote Republican, or stop aborting babies, or give up smoking or whatever. Of course, if I won an award for Best Mormon or something, I suppose that would be an appropriate time to promote my religion. But hey–they won, I didn’t, and they had a microphone, and I didn’t. So I listened to every word they had to say. (Not really–I fast forwarded through a lot of the acceptance speeches–particularly if politics started to pop up. Thank goodness for DVRs!)
And for those of you following along at home, I only got 9 of my picks right. A terrible year for me. DKC got 11, making her the new reigning champion of the house. Sigh. There’s always next year . . .
Have I gone on long enough now? I’ll shut up, then. Carry on.
I fully agree
With all of your post.
1. I’m sick of the snow, but only because it doesn’t get me snow days like you. If it did, I’d be much happier. π
2. I’m the same way with skiing, but I’ve also decided I prefer East Coast gentle-slope skiing as opposed to Utah I-am-going-to-die-slope skiing.
3. Yeah, the “musical” musical number was schizophrenic, but that was explained when they mentioned it was directed by Baz Luhrman. Mystery solved. Hugh Jackman is absolutely amazing.
4. Couldn’t agree more about the politics stuff. Like when the Bowling for Columbine guy did the same thing. Your Wedding Singer quote said it all, BTW. I was going to tape the whole night (we don’t have DVR) and watch later, but somehow sucked myself into watching it live, which meant I watched the whole thing. There went one evening of my life that I’ll never get back. Oh, well.
π
Gretel
Re: I fully agree
DVR. You will go out and buy one. Now. That is all. π