Yes, yes – the books are way better than the movies. This is a given. But as Harry Potter movies go, this one was my favorite. The story was not that far off from the others, but the character development of Harry was so intense. He’s suddenly older, darker, angrier. He has a sexuality. Yes, our little Harry is growing up and going through his adolescence.
I went to see this at the IMAX theatre, for the 3D footage. It was spectacular. As I sat there, almost tempted to duck out of the way of Dumbledore’s wand sparking, I took a moment to reflect on how awestruck I am by the movies. This darkened theater is a place I have always loved to go. Just like reading, it transports me. It helps me forget my worries for a moment (Bridge to Terabithia when Grady died). It reminds me to be thankful for what I have (A Mighty Heart). It lifts me up when I am down (Super Troopers). It’s just like that Joe Cocker/Jennifer Warnes song.
Jen has been traveling in Europe for the last 3 weeks. She went to Germany for Documenta, Venice for the Biennale and now she is in Paris. Having never been to Europe before, she is faced with the somewhat blatant but humorous racism that occurs when gorgeous Asian-looking people go to predominantly white countries. On more than one occasion she has stepped onto a bus where the driver has said ‘Guten tag’ or ‘Ciao’ and then switched gears to ‘Konichiwa’ upon seeing her. And while it is true that many of the tourists in Europe during the summer are wealthy, beautiful Japanese people, it still stings.
We’ve been skyping each other when possible, as it costs next to nothing. Skype is truly amazing. And you feel like you’re operating the starship enterprise with a mouthpiece headset. I have had the following funny occurrences when trying to reach her.
Italy:
Hotel Employee: answers the phone with standard “Thank you for calling the hotel blah blah” greeting.
Me: Buona sera. May I please speak to Jennifer Reyes in Room 59?
Hotel Employee: You want to speak with a room?!
Me: No, the guest in the room. Jennifer Reyes.
Hotel Employee: Ah! Ok, one moment please.
France:
Hotel Employee: answers the phone with standard “Thank you for calling the hotel blah blah” greeting.
Me: Bonjour. May I please have Room 63 for guest Jennifer Reyes?
Hotel Employee: No, I’m sorry. She is outside.
Me: Is she right outside or not in the hotel?
Hotel Employee: No madame. She is outside. Please call in 2 hours.
The pace at my new job is much more reasonable than the last one, and I have been in a better frame of mind as a result. I feel more relaxed and that knot is no longer holding a permanent vacancy in my belly. I am starting to feel human again. I cant believe I stayed as long as I did in the old one, but it was a very good lesson. I will never do that to myself again.
Due to my shortened commute, I have more free time in the evening. While Max is away, I’ve been watching a little more tv than usual. And by a little, I mean I am on the couch with toothpicks propping my eyes open until I absolutely have to go to bed.
My two new favorite shows are both on Bravo, and both have a similar premise: To live vicariously through the lives of celebrities and to judge harshly. Through watching both Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List and Hey Paula I have learned so much about myself. For one thing, I always thought I loved Paula and hated Kathy. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. In fact, it is quite the opposite. And as the Israeli lady said to me in a jewelry store yesterday, “You should be careful what you think, because people might just surprise you!”. Thanks jewelry lady!
If you haven’t watched these shows, it’s better that you don’t. Because once you start, it is quite honestly like a train wreck. You will not be able to look away. If you make the mistake of adding it to the tivo, just send me an email and I’ll mail you some toothpicks. I know, it’s embarrassing. But I’m going to blame it all on my love for Bravo as a network. I mean c’mon! Anyone who gave me Project Runway, Top Chef and Inside the Actors Studio must have my best interest at heart. Right?!
Dear Michael, I just saw your new film Sicko. Granted that with all your films, you’re preaching to the choir when I am in the audience. But, it is still amazing to watch and enjoy the ride. There were moments when I was laughing, moments when I was actually weeping, and there were many moments when I felt a lot of anger.
I agree with you – this country does not take care of their less fortunate. “Skippy McDumbass” (as Studio 60 so beautifully put it) definitely doesn’t care about the poor, elderly or sick in this country. We are a wasteful, greedy nation. Should we all move to Canada, France, England or Cuba, where they treated you and the sick people you featured so kindly? Will this country ever change? Will the motivation for happiness and success ever move beyond the profit line? Perhaps if Hillary becomes President? You really showed her in her best light. Thank you for portraying her as a strong, smart, sexy woman. Thank you for portraying a strong woman, period! I don’t see this too often in film. Thank you for showing that socialized medicine can and does work. Thank you for refreshing my memory about how much Reagan sucked. Thank you for reminding me that despite tremendous adversity, trauma and pain – people can still smile and find a silver lining. The strength of the human spirit is an awesome thing. The sick people and their families in your film are an amazing group of people.
I am grateful that I made it through 30 postings about things I am grateful for in my life. When I set out to do this in March, I thought it would be a month long project, not 3.5. When I set out to do this, things had started to go wrong. My paintbrushes were destroyed, my job was destroying my soul, Max’s grandmother died and then soon after Grady got sick and died too. I still think of him and miss him everyday. It still hurts in my chest to think that he will never be at the door when I come home, ever again. But as I said in the past, he brought so much change and love into my heart in the 4 short months we had him. He opened my heart wider than the grand canyon. And for this I am eternally grateful.
I am grateful for Rex Lee. Whenever I see his character Lloyd on Entourage, I just want to hug him.
I am grateful for the short 15 minute walk to work at my new job. So much sunshine just lifts my spirits.
I am grateful for my crackberry. I saw how much max loved his, and decided to get one too after my TREO conked out. I love it. I never have to feel alone again. I can do email, web and phone from anywhere.
I am grateful for Jim Henson. I went to a screening of the Muppet movie at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts yesterday. Favorite moments: Steve Martin as the angry waiter and Mel Brooks as the mad German scientist. And I loved the rainbow song that Kermit sings.
I am grateful for this music video. Miranda July is so strange looking, you cant take your eyes off her.
Daily | 
July 13, 2007 8:37 pm | 
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