Why can't I watch movies for a living?

Well, I finished watching "Employee of the Month" - my first Blockbuster Online selection. It was funny, had a few "morals of the story", and, par for the course regarding this type of movie, had quite a few crude moments! Starring stand-up comedian Dane Cook (reminded me very much of a young Will Ferrell), and Jessica Simpson, with quite a few other recognizable faces, the movie centers on Zack's ambitious efforts to gain Amy's attention by winning the afore-mentioned title.
It provided a visual lesson in remembering your friends while chasing your dreams, and working towards goals without losing sight of your true passion in life.
Rated PG-13, it's not for everybody, but still pretty tame compared to a lot of other movies. I laughed a lot, and while the humor was fairly amateurish, it didn't get boring. (p.s., If you're able, watch the deleted scenes for Eva Longoria - her character continues "later" in the movie...)
I really was only interested to watch this movie since I read online that Needtobreathe's "Shine On" was part of the soundtrack - it was!



After being told by a co-worker, and also a friend, to watch ""Wicker Park", I was able to get it transferred from a library in the lending network, and watch it.
Both referrers told me they "didn't get it", and while the movie timeline does jump back & forth, I didn't find it difficult to keep up with.
It posits the "what-if" question that so many of us have... What if you had continued with that person? What if things had worked out? What if you had a second chance?...

Matthew, successful in his career & engaged to beautiful Rebecca, overhears a voice in a crowded restaurant. He catches a glimpse of the voice's owner, and is positive she is his lost love, Lisa. Rather than traveling to close a deal for his employer, he stays to track her down. He encounters an old friend, Luke, who tries to reason with him while juggling a delicate relationship with his "girl", Alex.
Matthew's efforts lead to some temptations & painful revelations for himself & his friends, but he emerges a better man.

There are many points in this movie that I was able to identify with, some painfully so. There are so many paths we may choose which lead us astray, no matter how promising & correct they seem at the time. We will all be tempted, but, as Jesus Himself set the example, we can rise above, and if it's in God's plan, we'll get another chance.
I've heard it said, "God is the god of second chances". Often, we need more than one to see the bright path He set aside for us before time, but I believe if we trust Him, follow Him completely (not just for the sake of getting what we want), and wait for His time, He'll lead us to what He intended & open our eyes.

So, back to "Wicker Park"... This movie details the mistakes & complications that can arise when one selfishly chases one's desires, but also gives hope through owning up to one's mistakes.
I think we all have just one person who was designed exactly for us, and for no other. With each disappointment comes a clearer picture of who that person is - what we can hope for.
I pray that we all find that person, without needing too many "second chances".



listening to...

3 Doors Down - Landing in London
Coldplay - The Scientist
Five for Fighting - The Riddle

Busy Busy Busy!

or is that "Tired Tired Tired"?

Most likely it is both, so consider the title amended!

Of course, I don't have the most active & interesting life out there, but things do happen, and I do occasionally engage in activities, so here are a few highlights...

I'm getting used to my new cellphone, a Samsung A640. It is a flip/clamshell style phone (I don't know if there is a difference, or how to tell said difference), with less space for an antenna. As a result, I have more dropped calls, along with more static at times. Also, my other complaint is that the onboard calculator only allows 2 decimal points, so I've had to modify my methods of computation. Ha! At least I'm using my brain - I guess I shouldn't complain.
I purchased some "skinz" - peel & stick labels that protect the surfaces of the phone (since I can't purchase new covers for this type of phone), and the sticker on the inside top part rubs against my ear when I use the phone. Also, it was a bit trickier than I'd imagined to apply the skin(z), so everything is not perfectly aligned :P - it looks a bit sloppy at close range.
Another add-on I purchased is a Bluespoon headset (Bluetooth technology, but different manufacturer). Aside from my initial fear I was losing my hearing in my left ear, due to the little rubber in-ear-thingy not lining up with my ear canal, I LOVE it! I can set my phone down, or leave it in the holster on my belt, and still talk on the phone. It cost about $30, versus maybe $10 for a corded earpiece, but it's worth every penny, nickel, & dime!

New boots, too, for work. I spent more than I have in the past for work boots, but am satisfied with my purchase. I originally bought leather/waterproof steel toe boots at Wal-Mart or Kmart for $20-30, but they would quickly become uncomfortable (throughout the day, and as the weeks marched on), and after 3 months or so, would need to be replaced, as they'd be falling apart - quite literally!
My new boots are Red Wings, purchased from a local shoe store, The Cobbler's Closet. Taking advantage of an end-of-winter sale (and $30 off listed price), I paid $155 for them. I added rubber toe guards (which I glued on the other night) to protect the leather on the front of each boot. They should last me 2-3 years minimum!
My last pair I purchased in Green Bay (Mills Fleet Farm) for $83, and they've lasted me just over a year. Between wearing them every other day now, and seriously overhauling them (re-waterproofing, re-treading, and sealing some holes), I hope to make them last 'til summer or later.
I am fairly hard on my footwear, given my job, and the fact that I walk at least 5 miles each day, filling soda machines & stocking shelves & fixing afore-mentioned machines & coolers.

Let's see - what else...
Oh yeah, my most recent 'pet', "Andromeda" arrived a while back, and has been behaving admirably. She's eating well, and doing all other things a snakes does, without incident. I have another one ordered & paid for - just waiting for temperatures to rise so she doesn't freeze en route!
The rest of my zoo is doing well, putting up with the cold better than I, mostly since they don't have to be out in the weather most of the day! :)
Warm weather will be a welcome change for me & my pocketbook - it takes a lot to keep snakes (& rats), a lizard, a parrot, fish, and a dog & cat warm all the time!

Tomorrow, I should be receiving my first 3 selections from "Blockbuster Online".
Yes, I finally broke down and subsribed to a DVD-by-mail service. I had always thought they are rather pricey, and since I currently don't have lots of time to watch movies (maybe one or two a week, if I make time), I felt it a waste of hard-earned cash.
But, I sat down & did the math, and I'll actually save money (it helps Blockbuster is paying me $30 to try the service!) - not to mention time & effort wasted looking for titles around town (Movie Gallery, Family Video, & the local library), returning videos that were too scratched to view, and rushing to watch a film & return it before it's marked "late", and I get phone calls to return the overdue selection. In addition, ever so many titles are available to me now, and I can rent "chick flicks" & kids' movies without blushing! Someday, I hope to have nieces and/or nephews to watch such movies with (my sister & her husband want to "start a family"), and perhaps one day, I'll have a child (or maybe children) of my own to watch kids' movies with, but for now, I'll watch "Lilo & Stitch" and such by myself :)

Okay, grumbling stomach says it's supper time, my pets need feeding, and I should get to bed early for a change!

listening to...

Emi Fujita - Camomile Blend