-Dana started her job this week. She has her own office, new computer (with 2 monitors so she can look at two blogs at once), and a new understanding of what constitutes sexual harassment because of the video she's required to watch. So that's good.
-I've made it to the mid-way point of the semester with an A average in all my classes. It sounds awesome, but really it's not based on much more than a few things and very subject to change. But I do feel a little smarter and am speaking in more than sentence fragments now.
-One of the things I am most excited about is coming up on May 9th:
The Inaugural Jamboe Cup. This is the brainchild of my buddy Mike and myself. We are going to divide up around 20 of our friends into to two large teams, and have a Ryder-Cup style Jamboe (also known as "cornhole") competition. It will have individual awards to be handed out at the conclusion of the day, and of course the award of the Jamboe Cup to travel between the houses of the winning team.
-Grits is struggling a little with her arthritis and only goes to the park with me and Pistol occasionally. This is because when she does go, by the end of our jaunt, she's usually dragging behind by quite a ways. That coupled with the fact that she tries to attack every dog she sees really adds to my stress which is what I'm trying to relieve by going in the first place.
-I am enjoying a few songs right now at a high level:
Ryan Adams - Mockingbird, and The Rescue Blues
Radiohead - 15 step and Everything in its Right Place
David Gray - Last Boat to America
Ben Folds - Still Fighting It
Dana told me she's loving "The Bear" by My Morning Jacket which of course is a not-so-subtle nod to the great football coach from Alabama.
-In the annual Oscar pick-em, I whipped Dana with a score of 12 for 15 to her 9 for 15.
And this brings me to a short commentary: Really, Academy?! You couldn't have nominated Bruce Springsteen's song from The Wrestler? Jai Ho and that other crap was sooo much better? Come on!
Hugh Jackman was a good host, although no the musical is not "back."
I would give more commentary, but I'm busy reflecting on the positions of those who are shaming themselves in the eyes of their unborn grandchildren while thanking Sean Penn for bringing it to my attention.
Commentary over.
Moments where Dana teared up during the ceremony:
1. any time they showed Kate Winslett, and especially when she called out to her dad and mum.
2. almost every time there was choreographed dancing and singing (a given).
3. any time the showed the little kids from Slumdog.
4. during the Heath Ledger family speech (of course)
5. when Queen Latifah sung. It is unclear whether it was over the people who died this year or the performance itself.
Between now and next time, discuss whether Danny Gokey is an inspirational story or a shameless guy using a tragedy to gain votes to win a singing contest. I prefer the first one (I'm an optimist), but even I thought it was sorry when they put that picture up on screen last time. Stay tuned.
1 comment:
Great post! Glad Dana seems to enjoy her new job. I did not really get into the awards this year but I really want to see Slumdog Millionaire.
My take on Danny Gokey (I am copying my thoughts that I sent to our good friend Benji about the issue):
Why I think he is NOT pushing his situation on viewers.
1. His wife passed away 4 weeks before he tried out, some may think "why did he do this?" but he had been planning on trying out and his wife was really excited about it and believed he could make it...plus it is a great way to do something positive.
2. Why did he even mention it...well it was so fresh on his mind...In my opinion all his song choices the way he speaks... everything is going to be a reflection of her... Since at this exact point she passed away 7 months ago...that is not very long. I am sure his wife is ALL he thinks about and at this early stage of grief it is POSSIBLE that he just wants to shout to the mountains about how amazing his wife was...he wants everyone to know this woman he loved!
3. He has only talked about it at the very beginning "auditions" which I am sure they asked questions about. And when he was interviewed after he made it to the top 12 and they asked him more questions about what his wife would think and do etc.....
Also we don't know that he had anything to do with the guy holding up the picture of his wife...BUT maybe that is her brother and he wanted to share with the world that this woman is a HERO. Who knows...we don't know until we walked in their shoes.
I think until he is saying "Don't forget my wife died" etc he isn't necessarily trying to push it...in his grieving process if he wants to talk about her he should if he doesn't he shouldn't be forced to what ever helps him to heal.
This is a quote from his last interview right after he made it to the top 12:
“I apologize to everybody if they feel like it’s shoved down in their face but it’s so fresh in my mind. It’s only been 7 months,” he told reporters. “Honestly, this is a sob story I don’t want but it is shaping my life, and it’s causing hope for a lot of people. Now I have my mission set in stone.”
This is only MY opinion but I thought you might want a different perspective on Danny before you cast him aside. Also I am not saying he is my number one bc at this point he in NOT, however I do like him and think that it is great that he is doing something positive right now...I am sure his wife would be really proud!
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