Movies


Despite vowing we would get more sleep this weekend, Rob and I were up until 1 AM watching the dvd, Running with Scissors. Did you know it was actually nominated for a Golden Globe? I can’t imagine why. It was a hodge-podge of quirky characters in what amounted to a montage of scenes that almost, but never quite, tells a whole story.

Note to self – the only reason to stay up late is love making. And on a further note, it is really the only truly good reason to get up early as well.

Being a geek, I was driven to google Augusten Burroughs to ascertain whether the novel he wrote was as crappy as the movie made from it. I discovered a blog, a Wikipedia page, and this YouTube video. All of which has convinced me that I need to finally work his novel into my reading rotation. I have a copy. My BFF gave it to me for my birthday two years ago, but I was never moved to read it. My own life was drama enough then. I didn’t care to know about someone else’s true life woe.

You might wonder why I bother to research and report on the author of a memoir that was a predictably shit movie, but I find writers quite interesting. I love to know about what brought them “to the show” so to speak. Where did their book come from? How do they feel about the process and what is that for them?

One of the entries in Burroughs’ blog discusses his response to being asked about fame. In his reply he notes that the death of his best friend and former partner has tempered it in a way I can relate to. It simply is not that big of a deal in the light of everything else. Much of his perception changed and he didn’t care as he once did. Funny how widowed crop up in my life sometimes.

Anyway, tomorrow be sure to drop by to read a short (very short) piece of fiction I wrote in answer to a writing prompt on the blog of one of my husband’s semi-regular readers. It’s not bad but I am going to beef it up and change a few things before trying to find a magazine to send it off to.


Brian May, guitarist for Queen, recently published his doctoral thesis in astrophysicists. Rock on, Dude! In addition, he has taken a post at a university.

Okay, so he’s just a figurehead, and at sixty years old is unlikely to dive head long into any heavy research project. You still have to admire a person who finishes their education even when it is not necessary.*

Let’s hear a little Queen now, shall we?

Ooo. you make me live 
whatever this world can give to me 
It’s you, you’re all I see 
Ooo, you make me live now honey 
Ooo, you make me live 
You’re the best friend 
that I ever had 
I’ve been with you such a long time 
You’re my sunshine 
And I want you to know 
That my feelings are true 
I really love you 
You’re my best friend 
Ooo, you make me live 
I’ve been wandering round 
But I still come back to you 
In rain or shine 
You’ve stood by me girl 
I’m happy, happy at home 
You’re my best friend. 
You’re the first one 
When things turn out bad 
You know I’ll never be lonely 
You’re my only one 
And I love 
The things that you do 
You’re my best friend 
Ooo, you make me live. 
I’m happy, happy at home 
You’re my best friend 
You’re my best friend 
Ooo, you make me live 
You, you’re my best friend. 

* Steven Spielberg is another celebrity who went back to finish an abandoned college degree. He dropped out when he was offered a a chance to make his first short feature film. He returned later to finish as an example to his kids.