That's right...

Still no internet at home - But that is another story. I'm at work, and Easter is a comin' so there is still much to do. Today we are putting up some of the Easter set - But that too, is another story.

I really just wanted to say that I work with some of the most incredible people I've ever met. Last night our Tech Director Dave, and one of our Drummers were trying to teach me how to play drums. Folks, it's harder than it looks. I have new respect for our percussionists.

It was fun, but suffice it to say that I'll leave the drummin' to them.

whooppee

So I'm in my new digs (Our Arts Department staff has decided to revive the word "digs" as popular.). It's awesome. But I don't have internet until Saturday. I'll post some pictures this weekend so you all can see it and be insanely jealous.

movie review

If you know me at all you know that I am just wild about the work of Jane Austen, most notably Pride and Prejudice. It is one of my favorite stories for good reason: it is a timeless classic. This statement is validated by the fact that it has been made and remade in Hollywood for decades. The most recent film version of Pride and Prejudice came out last Thanksgiving, and on DVD this last Tuesday. I can't let the moment go by without adding my two cents.

In my opinion, the movie was well made and well worth watching. Although not as true to the novel as the A&E version with Colin Firth, this version was satisfying for entirely different reasons. I admit, that the first time I saw the movie in November I was sorely disappointed. I thought it had strayed too far from the novel, and I didn't care for the way some of the characters were portrayed (Mainly Elizabeth and Mrs. Bennet). However, that initial disappointment did not stop me from purchasing the DVD this week. I have since watched twice more; my opinion has changed.

It would have been ridiculous for a film maker to try and duplicate the A&E version. That film has already been made and we don't need a replicate. In this version, many of the scenes in the book are set in different locations andmuch is omitted (for time's sake I am sure...the A&E version is nearly four hours long). But here is why I have decided I like it: There is much more emotion in this version than in previous versions I have seen. This film does a remarkable job of highlighting the underlying romantic tension between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. In almost every instance, this is achieved through facial expression and subtle body movement. One of my favorite moments in the movie occurs when Mr. Darcy helps Elizabeth into her carriage upon her leaving Netherfield Park. It is early in the film - Elizabeth has gone to Netherfield Park to take care of Jane who had fallen ill. They are finally leaving, and Mr. Darcy takes Elizabeth's hand to help her into the carriage. Eliabeth is struck by the small contact (it is evident in her face) and Mr. Darcy retreats back into the house flexing his hand. It is small moments like that one that pepper this film and make it different than any other version of Pride and Prejudice that I have seen.

One of the reviews on the back of the DVD jacket calls the movie, "Lushly romantic and subtly sexy." I have to agree. If you like Jane Austen, this movie would not be a waste of your time.

gobble gobble

Today was my day off. I think I am going to switch to having Monday's off...but that is beside the point. My day off is traditionally the day that I will go grocery shopping. Today was no exception. I was wandering through the food section at Wal-Mart and thought to myself, "I think I want to make a turkey." So I bought one. Here was my thought process: I actually really don't like to cook. Many people will read this as an inability to cook. I can proudly say that is not the case with me. I am actually a very good cook...I just don't like to do it. But I thought that if I made a turkey (and hence making a lot of food at one time) I would have leftovers that I could eat for a week or so. Hence, less cooking. It made perfect sense in my head.

So I get home and realize that I need to thaw the turkey (We'll call him Fred). Fred is really, really frozen. So I proceed to thaw him in my sink. I started to thaw him at 2pm. I now realize that I am not going to get to eat Fred until late at night. But that is ok with me. So I press on. I then realize that I do not own a roasting pan, or a turkey baster. Drat. Luckily I am a resourceful little person....and Fred is only 9 pounds. I decide I can cook him in a 13X9 cake pan. I read the instructions on Fred's package and it tells me that he is a self-basting bird. Phew - I don't need to go buy a baster. Uh oh - I continue to read the directions and realize I do not own a meat thermometer. I actually thought of this while I was in Wal-Mart, but I got distracted and forgot to purchase one. No worries, I decide. The package gave approximate cooking lengths....I'll just go by that.

Fred takes a full three and half hours to thaw. By the time he actually gets stuff (yes, I made stuffing too) and into the oven it is 5:30. I cover him loosely with tin foil and begin to wait. I really love the smell of turkey in the oven. It brings up all sorts of memories of Thanksgiving with Dad. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Maybe that is why I love turkey. But I digress.

Finally, at 9:00 pm Fred is ready to come out of the oven. He smells delicious. Unfortunately, I am no longer hungry as I have been eating granola bars and oranges all day. So I take him out of the oven and let him cool. Since there is no room in my fridge for an entire turkey, I decide to carve him up all at once and put him on a plate. Easier said than done. Poor Fred ended up getting torn apart more than he got carved. But he made it onto the plate and into the fridge. I did sample some of him, and he is mighty tastey if I do say so myself. I think he will make a nice sandwhich tomorrow.