Popcorn: Theory: Jason Retiman's films

I've seen all of Jason Reitman's major films, two of them Oscar nominees for Best Picture: 

• Thank You for Smoking 
• Juno 
• Up in the Air

And I have to say, he's got the makings of a Hollywood Conservative.
Think about it. First, Thank You is based on humorist Christopher Buckley's (son of William F. Buckley) novel, and is about good parenting and being honest (well, as honest as a lobbyist can be...). Juno is about a pregnant teen who was going to abort her baby, but decides to give it up for adoption. Up in the Air's Natalie wants to be driving a Grand Cherokee full of kids, and scolds Ryan for his lack of personal connections.

Really, what these characters are first considering aren't bad. The lobbyist is just doing his job, and he's good at it. Doesn't matter if lying is involved, or that he never sees his son, or that he sleeps around.
Juno is a teenager. She could abort her baby. Lots of girls do. She doesn't need to be pregnant. (OK, yes, what she's considering is bad. Very bad. But not in some parts of society.)
Ryan has a good life. Doesn't matter that he doesn't have a real home, or a close family, or someone with which to share his life, or any real friends. He thinks he doesn't need those things.

But then..these characters change. They realize what they were missing, or what they would be missing if they'd continued doing what they were doing.

• The lobbyist gets a better relationship with his son.
• Juno has a relationship with the baby's adoptive mother, and she realizes how much she really loves Paulie. 
• Ryan becomes less self-centered. He realizes that he wants to be closer to his family (he transfers a  million miles to his sister and her husband so they can have a honeymoon). Natalie had an impact on him. 

(Sorry, haven't seen Thank You for awhile, so I'm missing names.)

These are normal people. Juno's life is a lot like any high-schoolers. Ryan could be the corporate everyman, living for the job. 

In all of Reitman's movies, there's redemption of a sort. And it's usually a swing back to something more traditional that other people around the character have rejected (the other lobbyists, some of Juno's peers, Alex--even with her husband and family, she still wants "the escape."). 

The changes all the characters make are appalling to the others--at first. But then we see the reconciliation and acceptance. Juno's father and stepmother help her with the baby, and she falls in love with Paulie. The lobbyist is an outcast, but then is invited back. Ryan is heartbroken, but emerges with a new appreciation for Natalie and his "goofy" family. 

I don't know if that's compelling evidence that Reitman is a Hollywood Conservative. But I think there's a definite theme in his works, and it's one I like. 

Into the Ether

It is a strange thing to know people read your blog.
You hope people do. I hate to think of my words just flying off into the ether, never to be read by a single soul but me. Usually, if you're writing a blog, it's because you have a desire to share something (hopefully brilliant/insightful/at the very least funny) with mankind. Or your kind relatives and friends that humor you and bump up your stats counter.
So it's very strange to see people (strangers!) not just reading, but linking to your blog.
(How did I get here? I'll tell you...)
I was playing one of my favorite time-wasting games, "Six degrees of me", on Facebook. What I do is click on a friend, then click on one of their friends, and so on, just to see if anyone knows anyone super cool (like Christian Bale, or whatever) personally. (Or as "personally" as one can on facebook.)
While doing this, I noticed that one BalletMet dancer had posted a link to my entry on A Midsummer Night's Dream on another dancer's page.
Seeing this made me promptly scurry back and read the review, and then sigh when I realized that I had said nice (in one case, rather adoring) things about the dancers.
I know that people read this blog. I don't have thousands of family and friends. And I definitely don't have any that live anywhere near Tibet.
But it's still weird to see your post posted on someone else's wall, by someone you don't know.
And in a way....strangely gratifying.

"Big News!"

Another week goes by...in Atlanta.... (sorry, couldn't help it!)

I have finally, at last, and for the first time (excepting my creative writing class where it was for a grade) finished a piece of fiction.
It is done. It has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
I want to edit it now, go over it for dialogue and details and minor revisions. So I won't post anything (not even a teaser) until that's done.
It is 17 pages long.
I am pretty proud of it.

The Simple Woman's Daybook--January 24, 2010

Outside My Window::

Dark, raining, but snow is gone!

I am wearing ::

A J. Jill camisole, Life is Good shorts

I am Thankful For::

A nice weekend

I am Reading:

Traveling with Pomegranates

From the Kitchen::

Just made these muffins--very good. Other things this week: a chocolate pound cake, chicken  piccata, and a new pasta recipe.

I am Thinking:
That I am ready for this week

I am Creating::
My memoir. It's 100 pages now!

On my iPod::

Titanic soundtrack (broadway show)

Towards Rhythm and Beauty:
I vacuumed, unclogged the shower, and did a bunch of dishwasher loads. The place looks pretty good.

To Live the Liturgy:

Liturgy of the Hours, in the first Ordinary Time book. Back to green vestments.

I am Hoping and Praying:
For a good audition tomorrow.

Around the House:

Always--the kitchen table. 

One of My Favorite Things:

Books

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:

Monday: Audition
Tuesday: Governor's State of the State
Th: Voice
Saturday: Symphony Concert

   A Picture Thought  I'm Sharing:

For my cousin, Kelly, who has never seen this movie in its entirety. Shocking. 

Totally free

Today was one of the days where I like being single.
For the first time in a long time, I had the entire day free. No obligations, my parents are in Pittsburgh, so I have able to do whatever I wanted, all day. This is sort of unheard of.
So, I did the clips, got dressed, and then...my power went out. No idea why. But it didn't matter anyway, because I was going out.

My first stop was the Columbus Museum of Art. I have a membership and wanted to see the Chihuly exhibit. It was crowded--Sundays have a lot of family programming--but I was glad it was crowded. The museum is undergoing a big renovation project, so all there was to see were a few pieces from the permanent collection, and Chihuly. I love his glasswork so I enjoyed the exhibit, especially Mille Flore. 

After seeing the exihibit, I bought a Diet Coke at the cafe and did some writing exercises from Elizabeth Berg's book. Two of them involved an art museum, so those were the ones I (naturally) did. After doing that, and getting two books in the book shop (since I'm a member, I get 15% in there, yay!), I headed up to Easton.

It was raining, so I didn't think the outdoor shopping complex would be too crowded, and I was right. I stopped in Nordstrom to get some make-up I needed, then went to Talbots and Ann Taylor to see what was coming in for Spring. I'm glad I stopped at AT, because I got 40% off everything I bought in there. Heck yes! Very exciting.

After that, I treated myself to Fado's fish and chips, watched the Vikings slaughter the Cowboys, and did a few more writing exercises. Fado is a great place to write--I always feel inspired there.
After finished lunch/dinner, I headed home, to find the power back on.
It was GREAT being able to do precisely what I wanted. I could look at the art I wanted to see, eat where I wanted to eat, and shop without worrying about meeting anyone or holding up anyone else.
A very excellent Sunday.

Seven Quick Takes Friday--Vol. XVII

I.

First, the BIG NEWS: My best friend is getting married! She called me yesterday to tell me the news. I am so excited and happy for her and her fiance. They are a great couple.

II.

Other than that big news--thanksgiving was uneventful. I watched my high school band in the parade--they were the big purple group before Santa, weren't they great!?--made biscotti, and then headed over to my parents'. We watched Star Trek, had dinner from Bob Evans', and then played Apples to Apples. Dad won. It was a great day with lots of good food.

III.

It snowed last night. First snow of the season. It's mostly gone now, but there's still some wet powder clinging to my back porch. Hey, if the first snow of the year is on November 26, I'll take it.

IV.

I also have today off, so yesterday I was singing the "four days off! four days off!" song.

Can you tell I'm really excited about that?

V.

Bought House seasons 3 and 4 for $12 apiece this week, so I'm making my way through those.

VI.

Want an early Christmas miracle? I've been to the gym twice this week. And I'm going today.

Maybe I subconsciously knew my best friend was getting married, and I had a wedding to prepare for?  I mean, cute guys might be there.

VII.

Also making progress in my biblical studies class--planning on starting my second assignment today.

Oh, and the novel? Up to 159 pages.

Have a great Black Friday, y'all!

Hey, whatever happened to...

That novel you were writing, some of you may be asking?
This is my problem as a writer. I get ideas. I think they are good. And then I go to write them down.
And then...they die.
As in, I write the good parts. Or as far as I can go. And then the characters just languish in writing hell, 99.9% of them never to be freed (or, at least, completed).
This, to put it vulgarly, sucks.
But there is one--one!-- writing project that show signs of emerging from my MacBook in completed form. Whether anyone else will see the completed form is debatable. But it might actually get there. 
That's this.
I have written, at last count, 158 pages.
That's 55,715 words (and change), at least according to Word.
So that's a lot of writing.
I want to get one draft done--completely, utterly, finished. I want to write THE END.
Actually, I've already written the last scene. It wasn't hard.
Now I just have to get there, and I can sort of see the end in sight. I just have to determine how to write it.
But anyway, I just thought you'd like to know about The One Project That Didn't Disappear.

The Simple Woman's Daybook--October 5, 2009

Outside My Window ...

Another lovely fall day in central Ohio--a bit of a breeze, sunny, mid 60s. Perfect. 

***

I am listening to...
Loreena McKennit, "The Book of Secrets"

***

To Live the Liturgy...

Rosary, Magnificat, Bible reading, classes

***
To Fit and Happy...

Gym and ballet class. I feel so much better than I did last week, the gym will be happening. 

***

I am thankful for...
A few days to recover and get back on track.
***

I am pondering ...

How really good this smoked milk chocolate with marshmallow ice cream is. 

***

From the kitchen ...

I'm on the "milkshake, ice cream and pasta" diet until Friday, thanks to my oral surgery last week. Not that Imind, because I get to eat the yummy flavors I linked to above (besides the chocolate, I have root beer and Red Hot Apple Cider Sorbet! Don't those just sound delicious?)

I am wearing ...

my string of pearls, a white camisole with lace trim, a lavender cardigan from J.Crew, and a wool boucle skirt (in a purple-ish weave) from Talbots. And brown tights. 

***

I am creating ...
My memoir. I gave it to my brother to read yesterday and he really likes it so far, so I am pushing onward.

***
On my iPod...
Voice lesson music

***

I am thinking...

that fall is my favorite season
***

Around the House

Cleaning the floors, but that's about it...

.***

I am reading ...

Just finished the new Isabel Dalhousie novel. Tremendous! 

***

I am hoping and praying ...
For friends who are undergoing chemo this week; for my body to keep cooperating. 

***

On Keeping Home ...

these candles look awesome. (keeping this link because they are awesome)

***
One of my favorite things ...

See ice cream link, above. :)

***

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Monday: Parish Council

W: Ballet

Th: Voice

Sat: Homecoming at Capital--my five year class reunion. Yikes!

***

If you like reading my daybook, you can find many more over at Peggy's!

Seven Quick Takes Friday--Vol. XIII (Early Bird edition)

I.

You're probably looking at this thinking, "whoa, it's really early for her!" And you would be right.

II.

Last night I couldn't sleep. I went to bed around 9:30 and got up at 2:00 a.m., wide awake. I've decided not to fight this, so I got up and wrote a few more pages in my memoir, "A few=twenty. Go me! After writing, I still wasn't tired, so I decided to clean. Yes, you read that right. I cleaned my mirrors, dusted pictures and bookshelves, ran a load of dishes in the dishwasher, cleaned out my closet, put shoes away, and put books back in their correct bookshelf places. This took me until about 5:00, at which time I decided, "hey, let's try sleep again!" Got up about 18 minutes ago.

III.

So, my Friday is off to a roaring start, which is good, given that this week I've been fairly catatonic. Throat bugging me, nose bugging me, chest bugging me. Hopefully my body has gotten the memo to quit it. 

IV.

Looking forward to a weekend of nothing. I like weekends of nothing. Parish picnic and Faith Sharing group on Sunday, but that's not something difficult, that's something fun!

V.

Some book takes: Cookbooks this week--The Amish Cook at Home, which I am continuing to love, and Relaxed Cooking With Curtis Stone. Some of these recipes look really delish, so I can't wait to try them.

VI.

MEdical stuff: Next week is busy! Dr. A appointment on Monday, and then oral surgery on Friday to repair the gums on my lower teeth. Apparently all my aerosol treatments and stuff like that makes the plaque on my teeth really hard to remove, which has lead to gum erosion over the years. So now I"m getting this fixed. Surgery on Friday, recovery at parents' over weekend. There may or may not be blogging.  In addition to all this, there is the Saga of the Port. Apparently, Children's decided to get rid of the old system (Huber needles) and go for a new system, which removes the needle entirely once you are accessed. The only problem with this is you can't wiggle the needle around to get the access to take. With my port (it's a "floater"), you have to jiggle it. It's the only way it works.

So last Saturday a home care nurse came out to show us the new thing. We tried to access it three times. No go. My mom used the old needle after the nurse left, and we got it. The port site is now a lovely shade of bruised flesh, so I'm hoping the infusion gals can get it on Monday. If not, it could be a long day.

VII.

And finally...my friend Val is a grandma! Her daughter, Sara, gave birth to a daughter this week.

Have a great weekend, y'all!

The Simple Woman's Daybook--September 14, 2009

Outside My Window ...

Another great early fall day here. The leaves are starting to turn gold on more trees. I love fall!

***

I am listening to...
L'Angelus "Sacred Hymns" (yes, still. It's that good!)

***

To Live the Liturgy...

Today: Exaultation of the Holy Cross

Tomorrow: Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (so hopefully Mass)

in between--rosary, Magnificat

***
To Fit and Happy...

Gym with my brother tonight; dance on Wednesday--that's what is set in stone right now.

***

I am thankful for...
My family; football season
***

I am pondering ...

What to order tonight at dinner w/ my brother
***

From the kitchen ...
Made a pizza over the weekend, and cake for the two birthdays I celebrated. Yummy.

I am wearing ...

gray slacks, a Boden top, my pearl necklace.

***

I am creating ...
typed at least 10 more pages in the memoir yesterday. Yay!

***
On my iPod...
I have to reinstall iTunes, so right now...nothing.

***

I am thinking...

I'm excited to see my brother tonight.
***

Around the House

Vacuuming (again, always)

.***

I am reading ...

Finished We Two (about Victoria and Albert) over the weekend, and picked up Home. Also read The Gargoyle, and it is amazing; do yourself a favor and pick it up!

***

I am hoping and praying ...
For friends I know with cancer and who are receiving treatments this week.

***

On Keeping Home ...

these candles look awesome. (keeping this link because they are awesome)

And MORE candles: these are what I'm burning right now.

*yeah, I really like candles*

New stuff: Just general cleaning, getting ready for fall and colder weather.

***
One of my favorite things ...
The Gargoyle (see above); football; hockey training camps!

***

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Tonight: Dinner and gym with my brother

Tuesday: Biblical Studies Lecture

Wednesday: Ballet class

Thursday: Voice lesson

Sat.: A friend's baby shower

Sunday: football!

***

If you like reading my daybook, you can find many more over at Peggy's!

Simple Woman's Daybook--August 24, 2009

Outside My Window ...

It feels like fall. All my windows are open and I am very happy about this.

***

I am listening to...
the traffic on I-70, outside my window.

***

To Live the Liturgy...

Liturgy of the hours (I'm getting on board w/ this), Bible Reading, spiritual reading daily, rosary.

***
To Fit and Happy...

More gym, ballet classes start next week so thank God for that.

***

I am thankful for...
beautiful days like today.
***

I am pondering ...

What to do this evening. Other than sacraments class.
***

From the kitchen ...
Cowboy spaghetti, with meat, onions, hot sauce....we'll see how this goes.

I am wearing ...

jeans, a Life is Good long-sleeved shirt (bright pink)

***

I am creating ...
My memoir, which is coming, slowly but surely.

***
On my iPod...
The gym playlist.

***

I am thinking...
This weather is fantastic.
***

Around the House

Taking out the trash, dusting a bit.

.***

I am reading ...

A&J (because it will never end), Medjugorje: The Mission

***

I am hoping and praying ...
For some church friends who are battling cancer.

***

On Keeping Home ...

these candles look awesome. (keeping this link because they are awesome)

***
One of my favorite things ...
spaghetti; good friends

***

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Gym

Lunch w/ a friend from high school tmr.

Mass

Steel Magnolias auditions this weekend, Pickerington Community Theater

***

Me in Threes

Three names I go by:
1. Em
2. Emmers
3. Emmy

Three Jobs I have had in my life:
1. Old Navy
2. Swim Club concessions
3. Congressional Intern

Three Places I have lived:
1. Pickerington, OH
2. Reynoldsburg, OH
3. Bexley, OH

Three Favorite drinks:
1. Diet Coke
2. PEach iced tea
3. coffee

Three Favorite hobbies:
1. acting
2. reading
3. writing

Three Pet Peeves:
1. Smoking
2. whiners
3. bad drivers

Three TV Shows that I watch:
1. Bones
2. Pushing Daisies (until it died. Wah!)
3. Glee

Three places I have been:
1. Houston
2. OBX
3. Chicago

People that text me regularly:
1. Mom
2. Bub
3. Tiffany

Three of my favorite foods:
1. carbonara
2. pizza
3. burgers

Three friends I think will respond
1. Abby
2. um...I got nothin'.

Three Things I am looking forward to
1. Christmas
2. Fall/winter musical auditions
3. Christmas :)

(Note on the musical auditions: they are--Wizard of Oz with Columbus Children's Theater; Jekyll and Hyde (AGAIN!) with Emerald City Players, and THe Music Man with Pleasure Guild (directed by one of my J&H castmates)

Story Part IV

Part IV of non-short story up here. 

(in which I take shots at a vegetarian character....ha ha)

Story

So, I thought I'd have part IV, but not so much...it would be really short.

If you've read it, can you leave me some feedback? 

And if not...it's here. 

Short story Part III

Rapidly becoming Not Short Story, but....

New installment, Part III, and links to I and II, here. 

Short story part II

up here. 

The Simple Woman's Daybook--May 25, 2009

For Monday, May 25,2009

Outside my window...
It's almost dark, but it was a very pretty day. HOT though, about 86. 

I am thinking...
That it was a great weekend. Do I have to go back to work? (answer: Yes)

I am thankful for...
My family, days off

From the kitchen...
I finished brioche today. 

To live the liturgy...
Magnificat, Bible reading, rosary, St. Francis prayer book 

I am wearing...

>A raspberry colored tank top, and shorts

I am creating...
A new short story

I am going to breathe deeply ...
And relax--work will be fine!

Bringing beauty to my home ...
the house is clean!

I am going...

to take my pills, have a snack and go to bed. 

I am reading...

Sense and Sensibility, David Copperfield

I am hoping...
For a good, sane week. 

I am hearing...
The Star Trek soundtrack (n the car)

One of my favorite things...
Jane's books :) 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Classes in general...

W: Volunteering at LOOP

Th: Post-tx CF clinic

Simple Woman's Daybook--April 13,2009

The Simple Woman's Daybook
For MONDAY, April 13, 2009

Outside my window...
Raining and a bit chilly!

I am thinking...
that dinner was good.

I am thankful for...
my faith.

From the kitchen...
TJ's steak tips with Stonewall kitchen steak sauce.

To live the liturgy...
Bible, rosary, Magnificat,

I am wearing...
jeans, blue Boden sweater with green edging around the collar.

I am creating...
writing daily in my journal

I am going to breathe deeply ...
and enjoy spring.

Bringing beauty to my home ...
The usual--vacuuming, cleaning off the kitchen table, putting more water in my rose vase.

I am going...
to watch movies and read , since it's raining here.

I am reading...
God's Fool (about St. Francis of Assisi); Habits of Being (Flannery O'Connor's letters); The Loved One and Scoop by Evelyn Waugh.

I am hoping...
for a grace-filled Easter season.


I am hearing...
one of my iPod mix CDs

Around the house...
Balancing checkbook, organizing Parish Council minutes.

One of my favorite things...
writing, the sweater I'm wearing.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Thursday: Ballet class
Friday: Lunch w/ dad
Saturday: Birthday dinner w/ friends at Scali's

A Picture Thought I am Sharing:


My new hair cut. :) With Bryan at Buca Di Beppo after Easter Mass yesterday.

The Simple Woman's Daybook--April 6, 2009

The Simple Woman's Daybook
For MONDAY, April 6, 2009

Outside my window...
Raining. But that's OK. Not too cold.

I am thinking...
that it's going to be an excellent week.

I am thankful for...
my faith.

From the kitchen...
Soup for dinner; Wahoo Chili dip from tastefully simple.

To live the liturgy...
Bible, rosary, Magnificat, and Lent and Easter with JPII

I am wearing...
blue cashmere sweather; ivory lace camisole under it; black and brown checked pants; my Miraculous medal

I am creating...
a new short story, we'll see how it goes. I will put part of it up at Clusters.

I am going to breathe deeply ...
and enjoy this week.

Bringing beauty to my home ...
Total closet purge yesterday. Yes!

I am going...
to prepare for the triduum and Easter.

I am reading...
God's Fool (about St. Francis of Assisi); Habits of Being (Flannery O'Connor's letters); and just finished The English Patient yesterday. Also read A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson last week.

I am hoping...
for a great birthday! (on Thursday)


I am hearing...
the 1997 Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack

Around the house...
Catching up on mail.

One of my favorite things...
writing, the sweater I'm wearing.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Tonight: Parish council
Tuesday: Peter Pan audition at Columbus Children's Theater
Wednesday: Tenebrae service
Thursday: MY BIRTHDAY!; Holy Thursday Mass
Friday: Good Friday
Saturday: hair cut
Sunday: Easter!!

A Picture Thought I am Sharing:

These are the dogs I just finished watching over the weekend with their "mommy", Karen. Not sure in this photo which dog is which...

Simple Woman's Daybook--November 17

From Peggy

(with some editions from Elizabeth)

For MONDAY, November 17, 2008 

Outside my window...

The leaves are totally gone. Sky is light gray, but at least there's no more snow like there was this morning!

I am thinking...

about dinner ideas.

I am thankful for...

friends and good movies. 

From the kitchen...

Probably pasta. I need to go on a grocery binge. 

To live the liturgy...

Magnificat, daily Bible reading.

I am wearing...

khaki slacks, a violet/gray/black cashmere sweater from BR; brown boots; cream-colored socks (which will be red on the bottoms because my boots are lined in red leather.)

I am creating...

a new story, and working more on L&A. I finally have the ending written for that. Now I just need the middle!

I am going to breathe deeply ...

and enjoy being warm in my apartment.

Bringing beauty to my home ...

Still toying with book placement due to the new shelf. 

I am going...

to see TWILIGHT on Friday! I already have my ticket!

I am reading...

Truth and Tolerance (B XVI); The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Stories (Tolstoy), Bleak House (Dickens, which is really good, even if it is like 700 pages long!) (Yeah, OK list hasn't changed in awhile, but these are long!) And the Harry Potter books. I re-read Twilight, too, in the past week or so. 

I am hoping...

for a good week.

I am hearing...

the Twilight soundtrack (yes, there is a theme here); Muse's Black Holes and Revelations

Around the house...

General cleaning after Sunday hibernation.

One of my favorite things...

my new CDs, which are awesome and make me want to drive to work so I can listen to them. 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Wednesday: choir rehearsal

Thursday: ballet class

Friday: TWILIGHT! 5:00 show! 

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

One of my favorite winter things--time for it! Yay!