Brain Dump
Nice Work If You Can Get It
I must apologize for my infrequent posting and commenting these past few months. I lost my job in May, and in addition to joining the ranks of the unemployed in Michigan, I also joined the ranks of those who do not have convenient Internet access. Here’s hoping I find a job soon.
Harry is the Potter, I Am the Clay
Rachel let me borrow some Harry Potter books from her not too long ago. I had seen the movies, but never read the books. Let me say that the books are fantastic. They’re not just kids’ books - they hooked me, too. And now I’m anxiously awaiting the seventh and final book, due out one minute past midnight on Saturday. Great story lines, great characters. Some of the books are humongous. The longest book was the 5th, which was about 870 pages. I figure I’ve probably read the equivalent of 2.5-3 War and Peaces.
Death and Horses
In one of the Harry Potter books, creatures called thestrals are mentioned. These are sort of reptilian horses that can only be seen by people who have seen death. If these were actual creatures, I would be able to see them. I’ve seen death. I held my Grandma’s hand when she died. I was so glad I was there for that moment. I had watched her go for about a week. I came to the hospital and sat by her, holding her hand. On that last night, I was the one who noticed that her breathing changed. I told the others in the room, and we gathered round her bedside as she slipped away peacefully. Some of our relatives didn’t come to visit Grandma in the hospital - I think it was too hard for them to see her in that state, and they didn’t want to remember her in that condition. But I was there every day, watching her, watching her face, and I don’t really remember much of how she looked in the hospital. There was no horrible memory of how sickly she was. I remember her as she was in her healthy days. And though I don’t blame people who stay away from dying relatives, I would encourage you to go see them. You won’t remember much of what they look like in the hospital, you’ll just remember that you were there with them. And you’ll be glad you were.
Chocolat’
I’ve been on a sort of diet for a few weeks, and will hopefully shed some unwanted pounds. Before I started the diet, if you had asked me what I would do for a Klondike Bar, I would have given you a list like this:
- Act like a chicken
- Blow bubbles with my spit
- Stand on my hands (or try)
- Say something crazy to a stranger
Now, however, my list looks something like this:
- Deface a national monument
- Set a senator on fire
- Pee on an orphan
- Kill a bear and make a thong out of its hide
- Wear the bear thong
I’m just saying.
The Moore, The Merrier
I saw SiCKO last Saturday. Great movie. I love Michael Moore. A lot of people don’t. A lot of people thinks he hates America, etc. I think that’s a load of bollocks. He loves America. If he hated this country, he’d move, or at least not put effort into bringing awareness to the injustices here. But he loves America so much that he’s willing to put the effort into showing us areas for improvement, in the hopes that this awareness will lead to action. And he’s got a fantastic sense of humor. I’ll say the same thing for SiCKO that I said for his Farenheit 9/11 movie: to the naysayers out there, even if 75% of what he says is untrue, the 25% that is true is cause for serious thought. Now, I of course believe that he is much more than 25% correct. Go see this movie. It gives you something to think about in regards to healthcare in this country. My dad is coming down to GR at my invitation to see the movie, since it’s not playing in Cadillac.
That’s Just Not Right
There is a news story here about a golfer who was attacked by a one-eyed alligator (no, you can’t make this stuff up).
I don’t know what makes me sadder…the thought of a poor animal having only one eye, or the thought that he only attacked one golfer.
Rachel responds:
Posted: July 18th, 2007 at 1:02 pm →
Are we gonna dress up when we go stand in the crowd to grab the 7th book? I was thinking that you could wear Quiddich robes with a football helmet and shoulder pads so that you can plow through the 12 year olds and grab us a couple of books.
I will dress up as Professor Trelawney. I am thinking that my Mimi Bobeck outfit would work for that too.
Andrea responds:
Posted: July 18th, 2007 at 3:07 pm →
Glad you are enjoying the Harry Potter books! We also are highly excited for Friday night (or Saturday morning depending on how you look at it.) Sorry you lost your job. I have been laid off twice and know the frustration…even if you don’t enjoy your job, it pays the bills. I definitely agree with the importance of visiting sick relatives in the hospital. It is painful, but you can’t kick yourself later for NOT having that last chance to say good-bye. The only part of your blog I would disagree on would be the Michael Moore stuff. I happen to be a fan of the book, “Michael Moore is a big, fat, stupid white man” by David T. Hardy and Jason Clarke. And yes, I have seen some of his “documentaries” if you can call them that, so I don’t feel wrong in saying I dislike him. I hope you find a job soon and enjoy this time of rest that you do have!
David in DC responds:
Posted: July 19th, 2007 at 12:03 pm →
Cue the Carpenters music:
Thing.
Thing a thong.
Thing out loud.
Thing out thtrong.
Leigh responds:
Posted: July 19th, 2007 at 12:27 pm →
You’ll get a job soon. I mean, eventually someone has to realize you’re brilliant. Even in Michigan where we have the worst unemployment in the nation.
Ok-this time don’t give away the end of the Harry Potter book BEFORE I actually read it. 8P
I understand being with your Grandma in her final days. Although I was not actually present at the moment my Grandpa passed, I had been stopping every day to check in on him and help him get going in the morning. I was with him the morning of his death and in the evening shortly after he passed. I only regret not staying the whole day because I knew he was having a bad day when I left that morning to go to work.
I can respect Michael Moore in that he strongly exercises his freedom of speech. However, I dislike him because, although he may point out things that should be addressed in America, he twists and turns things so badly they are barely the truth by the time they are presented to the viewer. Don’t take that I don’t like him because he is strongly democrat. I don’t like Rush Limbaugh for exactly the same reason. They both start with good points and then run far astray with them. I would like to see Sicko because Big Pharma and HMOs are evil. But I can’t, in good conscience, support Mr. Moore.
Dennis responds:
Posted: July 19th, 2007 at 2:58 pm →
You definatly have a view on life shared by few others. That is not a bad thing. Just makes you unique.
laughingattheslut responds:
Posted: July 19th, 2007 at 4:07 pm →
I haven’t seen Sicko yet. I liked Roger & Me and TV Nation, but I didn’t like his stuff after that so much. Probably not his fault, just wasn’t in the mood to hear about kids shooting other kids and such.
I saw the latest Harry Potter movie. But I like to see movies before I read books, so I’ve only read the first Harry Potter book (and I only did that because of school). I hate spoilers, so I’m going to threaten a lot of people with various forms of horrible death in the coming weeks. If I can find the rest of my costume, I’ll be at a bookstore tomorrow night.
Sorry about the unemployment thing. That’s a surprise when they think enough of you to send you on an out of state business trip and then they don’t need you at all a few months later.
brett responds:
Posted: July 20th, 2007 at 6:49 pm →
if it makes you feel any better - i want to come home
and I think I’m gonna make it happen next year…
more details to come.
brett responds:
Posted: July 20th, 2007 at 6:51 pm →
you should talk to that recruiter guy I had - even though he was shitty about the paychecks (he should have direct deposit now) - 616*915*0971 - I’m sure he could help you find something. Just a thought
sorry you are struggling up there - it sucks up there for sure job wise.
Andy responds:
Posted: July 20th, 2007 at 7:33 pm →
Being out of work sucks. the first couple of weeks were ok (only because I had severance) but after that, the ol’ ADD kicks in and I drove myself crazy. Almost felt sorry for the poor buggers that hired me in that state, must have been desparate. Good Luck with the job hunt!
I’ve read all the Potter books and as for the online debate, I say Snape is Good, and Potter’s gonna DIE!!!! It’s what I’d do, but I liked the original death of Sherlock Holmes too.
not a big moore fan, but some of the things about Sicko do intrigue me. The story about the trip to Cuba especially. It’s on my list to see as soon as I get some time off. I think my next day off is Labor Day weekend. (wish I was kidding)
Terri responds:
Posted: July 25th, 2007 at 7:26 am →
Cheap old men willing to risk thier lives for a golfballs get what they deserve. We should feel sorry for the wives and girlfriends they have left behind because men this cheap tend to scrimp on life and long term disability insurance policies too.