I'm infected
I found this posted in the lab where I work:
There is a dangerous virus being passed around electronically, orally, and by hand.
This virus is called Weary-Overload-Recreational-Killer (WORK). If you receive WORK from any of your colleagues, your boss, or anyone else via any means DO NOT TOUCH IT. This virus will wipe out your private life completely.
If you should come into contact with WORK, put your jacket on and take two good friends to the nearest grocery store. Purchase the antidote known as Work-Isolating-Neutralizer-Extract (WINE) or Bothersome-Employer-Elimination-Rebooter (BEER). Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system.
You should forward this warning to 5 friends. If you do not have 5 friends, you have already been infected and WORK is controlling your life.
best picture showcase 2008
I took Daniel and a friend of his to St. Louis for the AMC Best Picture Showcase at the West Olive 16. We met up with my friend Scott and his sister Tracey at the theater. We arrived at 10 AM, and the first film started at 11. We stayed for the entire event, which ended shortly after 11 PM. Sitting in a theater for roughly 13 hours was rough on me and my knee. I forgot to bring some ibuprofen with me; Tracey went to get some from the dispensers located in the restroom but they were all out. I decided I had to get up and move around to keep it from stiffening up.
Another packed house, and a very enthusiastic crowd. Same deal as last year – $30 for 5 movies and unlimited popcorn; the crowd highly voiced their displeasure over the exclusion of a free soda, including refills, which was included in the same price for last year’s showcase. You could buy a large soda for $4.75, but you would only be allowed one refill (and the staff was asking).
Michael Clayton – **** – George Clooney (Best Actor nominee) is superb as the title character, a fixer for a large corporate NY law firm who cleans up messy cases. Tom Wilkinson (Best Supporting Actor nominee) is fantastic as Clayton’s troubled associate Arthur Edens.
There Will Be Blood – **** – the story of prospector Daniel Plainview and his rags-to-riches story as an oilman in the early 1900′s. Daniel Day-Lewis (Best Actor nominee) is phenomenal as Plainview and should win the Oscar. However, the film was too long, and the eerie score was a little too much for me.
Atonement – **** – a love story that hinges on the observations and actions of a 13 year old girl. Based on the novel by Ian McEwan, this powerful story is told with flashbacks and fast-forwards. I especially liked the score where sounds of a typewriter emphasized the pace and tension in the film.
Juno – ***** – a hilarious film about a teen who finds herself with child. A great cast drives a sweet story that is from the heart; continuous laughs from start to end. Ellen Page (Best Actress nominee) is perfect as Juno. I know I’m biased because CL and I are having a baby, but this movie takes the idea and makes it more special and meaningful for me.
No Country For Old Men – **** – this movie will probably win the Best Picture Oscar. It is a dark and violent crime drama by Joel and Ethan Coen (Best Director nominees). Josh Brolin is great as Llewelyn Moss, the man who stumbles upon a drug deal gone bad and makes the unfortunate decision to take the money and run. This sets the stage for a terrifying cat and mouse chase. The hunter is chillingly played by Javier Bardem (Best Supporting Actor nominee, and my pick to win). Minus a star for me since I felt lost towards the end; I’m interested in reading the novel.
knee update
My knee is still not completely healed. I started the week off well, but by Wednesday, it started to stiffen again. If I’m walking a long distance, I have a noticeable limp. I normally use the stairs at work to go from floor to floor, but I’ve resorted to using the hospital elevators for the past 2 weeks. With the system implementation project on hold, I resumed working my normal 10-hr days. Which is good because that means I’m off for the next 4 days; the plan is to stay off my feet as much as possible. Daniel and I will be attending the Best Picture Showcase again on Saturday, so I’ll pretty much be glued to the theater seat for nearly 12 hours. If I’m still not walking well by Monday, I’ll be calling the doctor again.
update 021708
Just to get ya up to speed on what’s going on in my world. After having the doc tap my knee (no infection; just a severe case of bursitis), I was back to work. However, I probably rushed it, in turn prolonging the healing process. I still had slight swelling and stiffness. I spent most of the week limping around. The limp caused me to develop blisters on my toes. While standing, I would put most of my weight on my left leg. So … in a nutshell, I’ve worn myself out. Aside from a wedding and registering at Babies R Us, I’ve tried my best to stay off my feet this weekend. Work has been somewhat depressing. I’ve twittered (or tweeted) about recent changes at my job. To sum up the past week and a half – Corporate pulled the plug on our big project (new clinical system). Due to financial problems in our organization, we won’t be able to work on implementing the new system until a year from now. What does this mean for my department? We’re really not sure. There are other projects that we can work on. I’m not concerned about my position since I have experience with the current system. But the system is an old and crappy one, and it’s discouraging to know that it won’t be for nearly 2 more years until we get to use something bigger and better. Not to mention all the money, time, and effort that has somewhat gone to waste the past 6 weeks. Just a big disappointment.
my valentine
for my sunflower … I love you!
Uno
Congratulations to Uno on being the first beagle to win Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show. I’m partial to beagles since Salem is part beagle (not to mention Uno is from Belleville).
Tremont update 020908
Click on the photo to see how far the builders have come.
adventures in plumbing
Last week, Super Bowl Sunday was supposed to be an easy day for me. I did most of my chores on Saturday so I could enjoy my Sunday. I slept in, and when I woke up, I got dressed, ready to take Salem for his walk. However, curiosity got to me while I was in the bathroom. (more…)
getting older sucks
Here I go again. My right knee is swollen, and I’m in a lot of pain. I reaggravated it while replacing the sink faucet in the master bathroom (again, more on that later). I didn’t sleep well because of the pain, and when I did sleep, I dreamt that it was all better, only to wake up to more pain. I can’t put weight on it without feeling (you guessed it) pain. I called work to let them know I wouldn’t make it in today. Treatment? Ibuprofen to kill the pain and frozen veggies to reduce the swelling. This is getting to be an annual event for me (see “pain” and “bursitis“).
quickie 020508
What’s going on? We had 8 inches of snow on Friday. It’s all gone thanks to 75 degree weather Monday. Work is hell. I flooded the master bathroom on Super Bowl Sunday (more on that later). I cheered on the Patriots only to see them lose in fantastic fashion to the Giants (kudos to Eli Manning and the Giants D). Work is hell. Aggravated my knee again while working in the bathroom. Collecting Pepsi bottle caps for free music. Work is hell. I don’t have any updated photos of the Tremont because of said plumbing problems; I hope to get them on Friday.
