12 Angry Men

Even though I'm only missing a couple, I thought I would blog about all the AFI Top 100 movies as I complete the list for a second time. On Tuesday night, I watched 12 Angry Men by Sidny Lumet. For those of you have never heard about it, it's set inside a jury room as one lone holdout (Henry Fonda) slowly tries to convince the other 11 of the defendant's innocence. Mainly, it's an intense study in psychology.

Henry Fonda does a fantastic job - as does the whole cast anyway. The tension and anxiety of the room really reaches through the screen and starts to affect you. Of course, as a recent law graduate, the legal aspect was fascinating. More than that, Lumet really does an excellent job of portraying the give and take of human emotions, not only as its acted out on other people but also within ourselves.

I thought it was thoroughly entertaining and a great addition to the list.

Freckles

As we all know, I am in Kentucky. Yesterday, I went down to La Center to visit my grandmother. Everytime Nicholas and I go down there we threaten to dognap this little dog that lives outside between my grandmother and great-aunt. My aunt rescued it a couple years ago and it was my great-uncle David's dog till he passed away several years ago. No one really took charge of Freckles upkeep and he got kind of shaggy to say the very least. He's a cocker mutt so he's got real long hair that was all matted up and dirty. He is the sweetest dog and everytime Nicholas and I said we wanted to take him and get him groomed.

Well, this morning I decided to do just that. I decided it was easier to ask forgiveness than permission so I went and dognapped Freckles (after borrowing my cousin's truck) and took him to the vet. They clipped his nails but their groomer was out of town so I had to call another groomer. I informed her that I had a grooming emergency and she said she could fit us in. I didn't take a real good picture before but here is Freckles when she started shaving away.










Here is the amount of hair on the floor when she was done:










He got a bath, deticked, and a new red collar. And now I would like to gladly present Freckles, version 2.0!









He really is the sweetest dog and put up very patiently with all the poking, proding and loud razors, blowdryers, and clippers. It made my week to see him so happy to be free of all that hair. :)

Home with the Family

Grandaddy's Birthday
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

I've been home in Kentucky now for four days now. I came home for my great-grandfather's 95th birthday and decided to stay through July 4th. It started as a fun trip until I had to make a fun trip to the emergency room because I coughed so hard that I popped my rib out from the cartilage. Let's put it this way - I wouldn't recommend it.

Otherwise, I've been laying around reading, watching movies, and visiting with families.

AFI's Top 100

Remember a while ago when I happily announced that I'd finished watching all the movies on the AFI's Top 100 list. Well, apparently I took way too long to complete it because the list just celebrated it's 10th anniversary by ... CHANGING THE LIST!

I mean seriously. We all know I have no choice but to complete it again. Of course I'd say I'd seen about 1/5 of the last list when I started. This time I only have about 1/10 to see so that's good. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. First, let's go over the ones from the list I watched for no reason, because they got dropped.

Doctor Zhivago
Birth of a Nation....I can't believe I sat through 4 hours of silent racism for nothing
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
From Here to Eternity...Fell asleep three times while watching it.
Amadeus
All Quiet on the Western Front...A bit disappointing, I really enjoyed this one.
The Third Man
Fantasia
Rebel Without a Cause
Stage Coach
The Manchurian Candidate...I guess Angela Lansbury's performance wasn't enough
An American in Paris
Wuthering Heights
Dances with Wolves
Giant
Fargo
Mutiny on the Bounty...Again, I really enjoyed this one so I'm sad it got dropped.
Frankenstein
The Jazz Singer
My Fair Lady
Patton
A Place in the Sun
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner...This one is probably the one I feel most strongly about. It's amazing and Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracey are beyond compare in this film.

My emotions are a little torn by most of these. In some ways, I'm like, "Yeah, that movie sucked kick it to the curb!" but then I think, "Wait, what did I watch that crap for!?!"

Anyway, on to the new additions, I thought the films added would be films from the last ten years but only four or five were. They added several silent films, which I thought I was done with. Overall, the new films I haven't seen are ones I've wanted to see anyway, like Twelve Angry Men and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Here's my new list:
Blade Runner
Swing Time
12 Angry Men
A Night at the Opera
Sunrise
Spartacus
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf
Cabaret
Sullivan's Travels
Intolerance
The General

Another interesting part of the new list were the movies that moved either up or down the list. The movie that climbed the most was The Searchers, which went from 96 to 12. I have to say I'm a little confused by this. I don't remember being particularly impressed by this film. I didn't hate it but I wasn't overwhelmed.

The movie that dropped the most was The African Queen, which went from 17 to 65. This has to be the ultimate vindication for Nicholas. He hated The African Queen, really hated it. Every time we talk about old movies with other people he goes on and on about how much he hates them and he invariably uses African Queen as an example. I liked it but I like anything with Katharine Hepburn so I'm probably not objective.

So, I guess I'm off to update my Netflix list! :)

Whoops

I think the Gray Lady should pay closer attention to how they upload their headlines.

Tuesday: Pizza

Tuesday: Pizza
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

Underwater Doggy Treadmill

I have no words...only laughter

No, Jessica, I'M going to win

My favorite mug is this dada mug from the exhibit at the National Gallery a while back. I love the size, I love the handle, and I love Dada! ;)

Thursday: Green Curry Tofu

Thursday: Green Curry Tofu
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

Home Inventory

Today, with the guidance of Real Simple, Nicholas and I did a home inventory. We took pictures of most everything, while recording the model number, price, and other info of the major items.

In some ways it made me fee a lot safer having it done. However, it was really weird to take in all that we own and how much money went into all of it. I couldn't help thinking what I would do if something happened to all of it. Most of it is replacable, but so much isn't. I started running through what I would grab in a fire. Luckily, because of technology the list isn't as long as it would be a couple of years ago. Almost all of our pictures are online, which would definitely have been the first thing I would have grabbed otherwise. Plus, our wedding pictures are digital so they are also replacable. So that's good. I wish I could the say thing about my music library but oh well. The truth is that's all replacable too.

I guess when you really start to think about it, most of it is with the right amount of money. So, hopefully now with our home inventory, we'll be able to get that right amount.

Wednesday: Talapia, Pasta Roni, Broccoli

Wednesday: Talapia, Pasta Roni, Broccoli
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

Don't feel too sorry for her.

Get Well Soon presents
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

Maggie received a get well present from Stephen, William and Max today (although I'm pretty sure Jennifer and Geoffrey might have had something to do with it since none of them have a bank account). As you can see, it was pretty much the most adorable thing ever. A little box of doggie cupcakes and a little box of doggy treats made to look like a hamburger and fries. Maggie had a fry and cupcake for dinner. To say they went overwell would be a grave understatement.

Needless to say, Maggie says thank you. That, and if the presents are this good, I'm scheduling my surgery next week. ;)

Sunday: Lasagna

Sunday: Lasagna
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

Thursday: Shrimp Scampi

Thursday: Shrimp Scampi
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

Recovery

Recovery
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

Our darling dog has now returned home. The vet was very encouraged by her recovery so far. (The staff also threatened to steal her because she was so sweet.) She has a pain medication patch which she will wear for the next couple of days. Then we go back on Wednesday for her first physical therapy appointment. Otherwise, her recovery will consist of strict crate rest for the next 4-6 weeks.

All that really matters is that she's home and she's ok.

Aim your good thoughts towards Springfield, VA

On Sunday night, when I went to get in bed Maggie was already in our bed asleep. However, usually when we wake her up she gets up immediately and jumps down. Instead, she was moving really slowly and wouldn't move any faster even when offered treats or the chance to go outside. Her abdomen felt bloated and tense so I called the vet. She said she might have eaten too much food and watch her carefully.

When she hadn't gotten any better Monday afternoon, I took her to the emergency vets. They exrayed her abdomen and she seemed ok. The doctor mentioned that it can present as a secondary system if there are back problems but she checked Maggie's back and said everything was fine. When I took her home, I noticed she was slightly dragging her left back leg and I called back to tell the vet but again they assured me it was her stomach discomfort.

On Tuesday morning, her stomach seemed better but her leg had gotten worse. She sort of wobbled around and would fall occassionally. I took her back to the ER. The emergency vet said she definitely had "neurological defencies" and that we should take her to a neurologist in Springfield the next day. When we got home, we of course googled the crap out of her symptoms and it seems she had probably ruptured a disc in her back. I was hopeful that she could be treated with meds and rest.

We got to Springfield this morning and went straight in to see the doctor. Fifteen minutes later they had examined her and were recommending spinal surgery for later in the afternoon. Ten minutes later we had to say goodbye. Needless to say, pretty freaking traumatic. Hopefully, within the next couple of hours, they will put her under anethesia to perform a mylogram to see where the injury is and then take her immediately to surgery. They are supposed to call us as soon as the mylogram is performed and then after the surgery.

I just really want my dog to be ok.

UPDATE: Maggie has had her myelogram. The doctors have located the abnormal area and are prepping her for surgery right now. The surgery lasts from an hour to an hour and a half. They should call us afterwards and I'll post an update as soon as I can.

FURTHER UPDATE: Maggie is out of surgery. The surgeon said that the procedure went smoothly and was a success and that Maggie was awake and responsive post-surgery. We'll keep you updated as we learn more. Thank you for all your well-wishes and prayers.

Monday: Red Lentil Dahl

Monday: Red Lentil Dahl
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

Sunday: Barley & White Bean Salad

Sunday: Barley & White Bean Salad
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

Saturday: Barbefu

Saturday: Barbefu
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

Saturday: Cake with Plums

Saturday: Cake with Plums
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

Every once in a while I step out of the Cake Mix Doctor and try something new, usually it's recipe from Oprah Magazine. This is a good example and it was delicious if I do say so myself. So good I'm going to try the other recommended fruit - Granny Smiths or peaches.

Thursday: Tostadas

Thursday: Tostadas
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

Tonight on TV

Ok so tonight was a big viewing night for me. First, I went to Hillaryland to help log the Democratic Debate. Hillary won. Why are we still talking about this. ;)

Then I came home and watched The Sopranos. I am not ready to talk about it yet.

Not. Ready.

Then I started watching the MTV Movie Awards, which seemed immediatley promising because Sarah Silverman was hosting. She came out the gate with several funny jokes. However, she then went after Paris Hilton - who was in the crowd! First, she said that Paris was going to jail in four days. The crowd started cheering wildly.

Now, I've told a couple of people that I've started to feel bad for Paris Hilton. I think what she did was inexcusable but this has got to be shaking her entire world. Plus, something tells me Paris hasn't ever had a chance to gain the emotional skills needed to deal with this.

However, Sarah Silverman didn't stop at the jail thing. She went on to say they painted the jail bars to look like penises so she'd be more comfortable. THEN she said she was worried about her breaking her teeth. Did I mention Paris Hilton was in the audience?!?

I mean seriously. I know this will come as a shock but Paris Hilton is a real person with real feelings. And as much as I think her celebrity is ridiculous and maybe she should just get a real job. I'm not sure I think anyone deserves to be made fun of for going to jail THEN called a whore in front of millions of people. It wasn't funny. It was just cruel.

BabyChat

BabyChat
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

Hands down the best thing about my new computer.

This week

Awesome things about this week:
- I got a new Macbook!!! It's so sparkly and new I can barely stand it and it's faster, and has more memory, and I just loooooooove it.
- We went to see Knocked Up last night and it was hilarious. Even better than 40 year old Virgin which is one of my favorites.

Not awesome things about this week:
- Jury duty, which I thought would be in the former category but turns out not. I had to sit there from 8am to 2pm and I never even got called into a jury pool
- The kickin sinus infection I got.