It's Lori's World: May 2008

The perfect movie

***** May contain spoilers

Saw "Sex and the City: The Movie" last night. My initial thoughts were that it was an almost perfect movie. As I've pondered it since then, I realize it has a few flaws. For one, I missed some meaningful face time for some characters we SATC fans have loved since the beginning of the HBO series, like Stanford and the even more flamboyant Anthony. And I thought Charlotte was a bit short-changed, although she has a couple of the funnier moments in the film

But I've decided those are really minor flaws, and my initial conclusion was right: This is a near perfect flick, especially for women, and especially for fans of the original series. Not only does the movie provide a few great laughs, but the scenes that are meant to touch your heart are brilliant. When Carrie looks at her drawn, lifeless face in a mirror after things go awry with Big, the moment is truly heartbreaking and spot on. Miranda and Steve have an incredibly moving scene on the Brooklyn Bridge, a scene that gives Cynthia Nixon (who looks better than ever, by the way) one of the best cinematic moments in the film.

Many of the early reviews were just lukewarm. However, I did see a review by Kurt Loder that was one of the few praiseworthy ones written by a man. Here's a snippet:

"This film maintains a near-perfect balance between tender sentiment and carnal extroversion. (When was the last time you saw a naked woman turn herself into a living sushi platter?) It's a funny movie that also resonates emotionally — a rare-enough twofer — and it's great to see these familiar characters being taken someplace new and considerably more adventurous. What's not to like?"

And I don't need to tell SACT fans which of our gal pals turns herself into a sushi platter....
I was also struck by the audience reaction to this movie (and there were a surprisingly large number of men in attendance). The audience was truly into the movie, and even applauded at the end, which is something you don't often see.

So, yeah, this one's a keeper. I definitely intend to see it again (anyone up for a viewing later this weekend?) and I have little doubt that I'll also buy the DVD. I want to keep these fabulous women around for a long time to come.

He's funny like that

Dale has some eccentricities that I think are pretty cute.

For one, he still attaches letters to the mailbox for the postman to pick up, just like they did back on the farm....

And when I get up in the morning, always after him, I find many of the kitchen cupboard doors and drawers open, because Dale has never met a door he wanted to close...

He mows our lawn on a riding mower....

And he really loves any task that involves a chain-saw.
Really glad right now that he doesn't have a blog.

Sisters

My younger sister Lisa and my mom came to visit during my staycation. We got our drink on starting at about 4:30 Wednesday with my special cosmos. It's become a tradition when these two come to visit.
Lisa is inspirational to me because she has early-onset Parkinson's. She was diagnosed about 10 years ago, but has persevered with grace. With the help of medication, she's able to continue teaching and also to be a fabulous mother of three and grandmother of four.
Hard to believe. And, frankly, she looks better than ever. She's about two inches taller than me but about 20 pounds lighter. And she eats candy everyday. Way to go, sis.

Is it worth it?

Yeah, now I have your attention.
One of my goals on my staycation has been to work out every day.
Check.
But today, I had a session with a personal trainer. When he told me that I had to up my game to get more results, I had to wonder, is it worth it?
I try to do cardio three times a week for about 40 minutes each time, and strength-training twice a week for about 30 to 40 minutes.
Isn't that adequate?
Not according to Robert, the personal trainer who did unspeakable things to my body today. I would like to work out tomorrow, but I'm sure I'll be too sore to even think about it.
Robert says I have to do strength training at least three times a week, for an hour each time. And cardio on top of that.
Aren't these people supposed to be motivational?
And then he started talking diet. When I told him one of my favorite foods is pizza, his eyes bulged out of his head. He eats a lot of seafood -- especially salmon that he has delivered to his home from Alaska.
I have another session with him on Monday. I feel a cold coming on....

Spring greens

Today we harvested spinach from Dale's garden...

which also includes....

Lettuce, very close to being ready to be picked.

Dinner was fresh spinach with grilled chicken, feta, onions, toasted walnuts, mango and raspberries in a raspberry vinaigrette. Then we had ice cream.

Baby bird update

Despite the recent rains and bizarrely strong winds, our nest of killdeer seem to be surviving.

This morning, these two were cuddling while one of their siblings was already up and walking around. Unfortunately, the fourth egg (next to the babies here) has not hatched yet, which makes me fearful that it will be abandoned. We should know by the end of today.

Mea culpa!

Three people scolded me today for not updating my blog in a week, so here's my feeble attempt to do so...

Dale and I (but mostly Dale) have spent time monitoring the nest that a couple of killdeer have deposited in the field near our house. Killdeer are amazing birds. They build their nest on flat grounds in the middle of nowhere. They form a small, bowl-shaped hole in the ground, then usually lay four eggs. For the past three years, we have watched this process. Last year, tragically, a hail and windstorm destroyed the eggs, which makes you wonder how the killdeer manage to propagate their species. We are hoping for the best this year. Once the birds hatch, they learn to walk within a matter of minutes, then they all run, following mom, to the cover of nearby brush. That means these babies are going to have run (not fly) about a block to get to brush by the river. Good luck, crazy birds.