Update (a bullet list)

Hello friends and blog buddies!  Here's a quick bullet list to catch you up on what's going on in my life.

• I've totally fallen off the wagon with this diet thing.  I just got tired of thinking about food!  And logging in to weight watchers dot com to look up the point values of what I'd eaten.  It just became a hassle.  Plus I've been all over the map emotionally (partially because of the season change-- I think I suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, frankly ) so I've been eating irrationally.  I'm an emotional eater- I've said it before.  I eat to make myself happy--- oh the joy of biting into snickers bar or a big juicy hamburger! 
  
• I love musical theatre-- but I hate that I've had Alice in Wonderland lyrics stuck in my head all week!  "Falling... Falling... Down Down Down.. Curiouser and curiouser... "
• Ophelia seems to be much more affectionate in the winter.  Maybe she wants to share body heat. In any case, if I'm sitting she wants to be in my lap. On related note- I really need to trim her claws.  
• I'm excited about going to see Quantum of Solace this week!  I've been preparing for it by watching some of my favorite Bond films.  Last night I watched From Russia With Love- the 2nd installment in the series and arguably the best.  But watching this Connery classic has brought up some mixed feelings about Craig's second installment in the Bond franchise.  I fear they might have turned the debonair man of mystery that I've idolized since childhood into an action hero-- more interested in explosions then espionage  (at least that's what Roger Ebert says).  I should withhold my own review till I see the film. 
• Speaking of film franchises that I love-- there's some news  over at Trek Movie.com.  The new trailer (already been leaked onto the internet) will be on the official site tomorrow.  The folks over at Paramount have also released images from the film including a glimpse at the new/old Enterprise.  I'm not sure how I feel about this.  I mean, I loved the idea of a prequel-- a film that explores a young Kirk and his journey to the center seat-- his early friendships with Spock, etc.  But why redesign the Enterprise?  What was wrong with Matt Jefferies' original design?  Hmm.. I'm trying to keep an open mind.   Don't get me wrong-- I'm very excited about the film and even more happy that it's coming out on my birthday (May 8th). Again, I won't pass final judgement until then. :) 

[UPDATE: Here is the Official Trailer for Star Trek!]

Election Ups and Downs

I have a lot on my mind today and, as usual, I'm having trouble filtering it down onto the page.  The page being a screen of course.  Last night's election results left me emotional.  I had tried not to get my hopes up too high.  I was let down in 2000 and again in 2004 so this go-round I had my guard up.  I didn't go to any fun election night parties or gather with friends around a TV.  I decided to watch the election results from home with my cat.  It was looking good... as they say "fool me once..."  Then Fox News flashed a headline "Obama To Be President" I looked in disbelief.  I quickly switched to NBC-- nothing.  ABC-- chatter.  Had Fox jumped the gun?  My fears were soon laid to rest when all the networks and CNN.com announced Barack Obama the winner!  I soon started crying-- tears of joy.  I mean this is history!  This is what we need!  This is hope! This is change!  This is America living up to its potential!  Suddenly I regretted not going to the election parties.  So I quickly started texting and messaging friends from my comfy spot on the couch.  Messages like "YAY!" and "GO OBAMA!"  I grabbed a Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich and munched on it while McCain gave his speech.  Later I was too emotional to eat  while Obama gave his inspiring speech.  I went to bed happy feeling like we were on the right track.  I was proud to be an American-- as proud as I was in my childhood when I happily pledged allegiance to a small flag hanging next to the chalkboard in Ms. Osborn's classroom.

But this morning I got the rest of the news.  Proposition 8 passed in California?!?!  How could this happen?  What went wrong people?  It just goes to show that we haven't come as far as we think we have.  And that we have a long journey to go for true equality.  That being said, I turn to President Elect Obama's words for inspiration.

"There will be setbacks and false
starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I
make as President, and we know that government can't solve every
problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we
face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all,
I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way
it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block
by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand. 

So let us summon a new spirit of
patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to
pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each
other. In this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people."

GO OBAMA!

Thoughtful Mike

 Hello friends-

I hope everyone had a lovely Halloween.  I have a couple of things on my mind-- and when that happens I often turn to my little blog.  Let's make a bullet list!!

• Election Update: This is my first election year in Ohio.  No one prepared me for the barrage of political ads I'd be subjected to living in a swing state!  My god!  It's insane! Not only have political ads taken over the TV, but they're filling up my mailbox now-- my real mailbox that is- not e-mail.  These ads are always so negative.  It's depressing in a way.   I'll be happy when this election is over.
  
• Weight Watchers Update: It's going ok.  I did stray yesterday quite a bit by indulging in some Halloween candy and baked goods at work.  I mean- what the hell.  It's a holiday- right?
• Reading Update: I may have abandoned my laundromat book "A Habit for Death".  I might pick it up again on some cold laundry day, but for now it's back on the shelf.  I've started "Running With Scissors".  So far it's absolutely fascinating!  I want to see the movie too-- but not until after I finish the book.  I love that now I have time to read things other than plays or textbooks that I'm not in grad school anymore!