You're so Vain, You Probably Think this LJ is About You

I know y'all are probably sick of hearing about it, but my next paycheck will have 40 hours of overtime. FORTY HOURS. That's so insanity...

I was graciously allowed two days off at the end of the month so I am getting a four-day weekend - what should I do? "Drink" and "sleep of the dead" are for normal weekends, so I feel this one must be special.

It's cold and rainy outside, but that's okay because it fits my mood.

JP is making me watch episodes of Northern Exposure and I am enjoying it. It's a little strange at times, but good. We have also been watching season 1 of Merlin, which is good in a "bad TV" kind of way. It's not even the non-canon stuff I have the issue with, it's more the modern slang they use and the smirky, "haha, get us in tights!" kind of undercurrent. I don't know. The two main characters are all kinds of pretty and I want to keep watching to see if the writers get a grip on where they want to go with the show. Anyone out there watch it? Does it get better?

I am also reading Hayao Miyazaki's Starting Point, which is mainly a collection of interviews, essays, and stories from 1976-1996. They cover the gamut from his work history and thoughts on animation to his ideals and beliefs. It's a heavy read and dry at some points, but if you ever want to find out what Miyazaki is like, this is not a bad way to do it (he's kind of an opinionated workaholic, but I don't think that surprises anyone, considering the sheer volume and quality of animation the man has generated).

Oh, good. I am getting texts and phone calls from work. Let's bump that overtime higher! Bye, y'all.

So, in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, I dragged my ass out of bed and JP drove us to the middle of Darkest Texas so we could watch the Leonid meteor shower. We didn't see a whole bunch, but we saw a few impressive ones. Very, very beautiful. Cold as hell. And spooky because it was very dark and very lonely. But totally cool.

Afterward, we returned home and I trudged off to work aka The Longest Day EVAR on roughly three hours of sleep. Joy! Then I came home and instead of resting, JP and I went to the San Antonio Museum of Art! Yaaaay!

Backstory:

The weekend before last we actually went to the museum to see Frederik Schodt talk about his latest translation effort, Hayao Miyazaki's Starting Point: 1979-1996 (reminder to self: go pick that up). Anyhoo, it turned out kind of awesome because duh! anime and especially Miyazaki! And also, JP and I brought some of our cels and afterwards we set them out on a table in the lobby and garnered quite a bit of interest (well, JP did - you know how I looove interacting with people, LOL). Anyway, it turned into an impromptu lesson on animation art and I actually had a good time mingling (after I helped myself to the free! pinot noir and snackage that the museum had on hand). Everyone was really polite and engaging.

Er, front story?

Well, in addition to this, the museum was also planning on showing some Miyazaki movies which is why we went again on Tuesday night (to see Laputa in the museum auditorium....nice big screen, stadium seating). And while the crowd was not particularly large, there were some blowhards one aisle back who were maniacally laughing and talking throughout the movie until JP turned to them in a quiet moment and said, "Hey, guys the soundtrack would sound so much better without you adding to it." And if this wasn't awesome enough, some guy right behind us said, "Straight up." I couldn't help but laugh. JP is my hero! Anyway, the assholes shut up and we enjoyed the rest of the movie in relative silence (with the exception of the toddler who was asking questions towards the end because BABIES CAN'T READ SUBTITLES, GENIUS PARENT!).

Ahhhh, that felt good to get out.

Work sucks, no surprise there. I am feeling particularly put upon and it's depressing. Woe.

Okay, just two more days, people and it. Is. On. Thanksgiving Vacation 2009. WOOOO!!!

Saw Brokeback Mountain today. It is everything I expected it would be. Heath Ledger is heartbreaking. The story is just *guh*. The cinematography is achingly beautiful and lonely. Ang Lee put a very delicate touch on everything. Just when you think you can't take the onscreen pain anymore, he pulls back and shows you something beautiful or even gently funny. Perfect and painful and not something I could watch repeatedly. Wonderful, though, and very highly recommended if you want a good cry. My collar was soaking when I left the theater. >_<

In lighter news, I dunno if anyone has heard about this, but JP discovered that TCM will be showcasing Hayao Miyazaki films this month, on Thursday nights. They will be showing Whisper of the Heart! *glee* The complete listing is here. Thanks for the info, honey!

And because I have not got around to doing it yet:

2006 Resolutions

1. Step up the workouts. 2-3 times a week is not cutting it.
2. Research Masters programs for continuing education. Must find new job befoe I go postal.
3. Get my house in order. Clean, repair, hang pictures, etc.

Yar, that's good enough. I don't want to go all crazy now...LOL!

G'night ya'll.