Oscars, briefly

Okay, I was commenting on another's blog regarding the bias of the Oscars and thought, "you know, this is one of those things I really should shout out on my own page" so, here goes.

I was able to see Capote, Brokeback Mountain, and Crash before the award ceremonies. Capote being the latest. I waited a few months after Brokeback's release to avoid the crowd and in the interim, heard MUCH praise for the movie. Now usually this leads to a big build up with a big let down. So when I viewed the movie I was objective in mind going in and somewhat confused on my feelings when I got out.


It is, in a nutshell, a movie about two men who find lust while on a mountain and realize at the end there may be more to it. However, they choose to marry women. I can imagine having to hide ( and did so myself for a brief while) like that but I can't help but notice they dragged others into it. They weren't requirement or even expected to marry in that time. I just thought it was a very selfish and indulgent move on their part.

The scenery, in the beginning 20 minutes, was beautiful and I've seen it on National Geographic. It was entertaining but I felt it slow and lacking something...I guess any form of empathy for the characters, mainly due to the way they cheated on their families. Only tender moment was the finding of the shirts behind the closet. And again, seeing the shirts on the closet door at the end.

I say this not with bias; I am a liberal lesbian with many gay and lesbian friends in which some enjoyed the movie, a lot. I just didn't find it Oscar worthy, especially against a film such as Crash.

This movie was not only entertaining and done well, but it was important in a politically valid and current way. It did make you think and it made you talk and it made a lot of buzz before Brokeback took more than it's fifteen minutes worth from the media machine. Crash deserved to win, it wasn't an Academy cop out...which, to say so only slights Crash even further because it was a valid and effective picture that was so intertwined in story and so relevant to our culture and so applicable to every single person in our country if not world that it ABSOLUTELY deserved the accolades it received.


It's upsetting to me that some of the gay and lesbian community are being sore losers. I think Brokeback did great things for the community in generating the buzz it did. It offered exposure and did seem to push the envelope and open another door for the 'cause'. But I also think there are better pictures that represent a better image and creative force for the community such as Brother to Brother. We all need to show grace in losing. There is no place for arrogance for anyone.

I'm not going to say bias doesn't exist, and that it doesn't exist even in liberal Hollywood and the Academy. However, I don't believe the award going to Crash was an example of bias, only of merit. If there was any disappoinment, it was in Joaquin not winning the Oscar for his portrayal of Johnny Cash. What an amazing performance. Love Phillip's work and have enjoyed him for years but Capote was an okay movie that was about a manipulative, selfish, and self-centered man. Phillip did a great job playing him but I don't think he pulled you in the same way Phoenix did. That was a shameful loss.

Time waster found at Tess's

last beverage: pink lemonade
last kiss: this afternoon
last movie seen: Supersta this afternoon at home; Capote in the theatre.
last phone call: Angela, ten minutes ago?
last cd played: Tori Amos Live
last bubble bath: October 11, 2003 - Bed and Breakfast in Sedona, AZ
last time you cried: a couple nights ago

8 have you evers:
1. have you ever dated one of your best friends: yep.
2. have you ever skinny dipped: yep
3. have you ever kissed somebody and regretted it: oh yea
4. have you ever fallen in love: Yes
5. have you ever lost someone you loved: Yes.
6. have you ever been depressed: yes.
7. have you ever been drunk and thrown up: Yes. Years ago, on New Years
8. have you ever had a one nighter: yes

7 states you've been to (currently living in AZ) :
1. New York
2. Louisiana
3. Nevada
4. Florida
5. Pennsylvania
6. D.C.
7. Washington State

6 things you've done today:
1. seeded the front lawn
2. bought the house fresh bagels (whew what a line!)
3. took a nap with one of my dogs
4. worked on my blog
5. watched a movie with the kids on the couch
6. made white clam sauce with angel hair for my lunch and dinner

5 favorite things in no order:
1. Partner
2. playing with the kids
3. Going for a drive
4. Our animals (all of them)
5. watching my partner sing and dance

4 people you can tell [almost] anything to:
1. partner
2. Ed
3. Minta
4. Tom

3 wishes:
1. that everyone I care about finds peace and happiness (I know, cheesy but true)
2. purchase my Saab
3. renovate or buy a bigger house

2 things you want to do before you die:
1. take that train ride
2. go to greece

1 thing you regret:
1. Fortunately, I only have small ones but perhaps the largest is selling my Triumph(and cheap!)

Not tagging anyone but it's open for those who care to partake.

Gum anyone?

So this past week I finally bit the bullet and went to the periodontist to take care of the start of gum disease. Much fun was had by all. Actually, she was great. Very personable; even offered to call me at home that eve to ensure I was okay. So now three days later, I'm sitting with packed gums on my upper left and brushing and rinsing three times a day just doesn't seem to kill the death of my breath because I can't touch the packed side. It's fortunate that I can't smell my breath however I am offending my household. For that I have apologized constantly.

Unfortunately this is something I'll, er...they will be suffering until next Wednesday when I go back to check on the stitching and healing etc.

Then after the month passes I'll be able to get prepped for my crown which seems to have started this whole process in the first place. UGH! I swear I'm not a sickly person, as I was just telling my partner the other day. But something happened in the last year where I am just falling to pieces and quite frankly I'm sooo over it! Put me in a bit of a funk last few days. To walk around with butt breath has me feeling so beyond less than attractive. I can't kiss or even offer dirty talk due to previous mention of breath. I've just felt utterly useless lately.

I've gone through bouts of this before where I feel like a bit of a failure and just not stepping up to the plate or under acheiving for lack of effort. I just can't shake it though...just feel like I'm not doing what I'm suppose to be doing, whatever that is. She thinks I need to get a hobby or do something that will help me become more fulfilled and it would be cool to take a class or something but I really don't have the time or energy to put into it. So I am at a loss, at least for the time being. Which of course just adds to the, "dumb ass go do something with yourself," feeling.

A few months ago I thought about joining a local women's choir. It's once a week that I am actually available to attend, it's not costly to cover expenses involved, they hold concerts at festivals, events, etc. Be great to be active and do something I enjoyed WAAAYY ago as a teen and just have some fun and get to know some people. But the whole committing to attending (can't have more than 3 absences a year) feel like another chore or responsibility. Who needs that?


I attended a book club a few years back and LOVED it. But it's also clear across town and the person who organized it switched hands, content changed a little, and overall just didn't hit the mark for me any longer. It would be great to start another near my home; I wonder how many would participate - I would find that so much fun and it might actually get my butt reading again like I used to. Still haven't finished Fingersmith and Water's new book is released in a couple, no less than a couple of weeks from now. Good thing I 'm back at work tonight. Maybe I'll be able to bust it out this week. LOL!

Well, I've rambled on long enough. Think I'm just going to figure out how I can offer time and maybe start something of my own that isn't too involved or committed; like a red hat ladies club for the thirty-something crowd but without the red hats?! I don't know, I'll fill you's in when I figure it out.

Huge Project

Okay, so my first huge narrative appraisal report was assigned to me and I took a week off from job #2 and postponed my Valentine train trip to work on it so I could turn it in on time. It was 2.5 acres of land with an existing 10 houses however the assignment was to appraise the parcel as if it were vacant today. Problem in doing this was that the land was rezone an R-6. This means that one home per 6000 square feet is allowed whereas other parcels currently for sale in the area or even several many miles from the area are either zone R-43 which is one home per acre or they are already split and built into R-6 subdivisions.
All of the available vacant land parcels were R-43 which gave the subject an adjustment in its favor because as an R-6, it's more valuable. Here's where it got interesting, or should I say, frustrating. How do you find a parcel that was once an R-43 that has been rezoned to an R-6 or even an R-8 to determine it's value and make the according adjustment? Well after an entire weekend of going thru fiche, film, online sites, and Phoenix zoning and planning...good old common sense prevailed. My partner and I know of someone who bought a home that was recently rezoned. Much research was necessary to find the origin of sale and the value, blah blah blah...but, we came up with the figures, percentages, and therefore the adjustment. I know this is probably terribly boring however I love research and actually being able to complete the task was just over the top. Of course in the middle of it I don't think those were words or thoughts I used.

Anyway, the project was completed and awaiting my boss's review to ensure I was on target. Today I got the news that not only was it spot on, but that he's pleased as punch at my work and how quickly I've caught on which only strokes my Type-A, over-acheiving personality. So...while I've been away from blogdom and have only taken time out to read vs. type up anything, now you know. Oh, the client called this afternoon and changed the scope so now there's more research to be done but along with that comes more money more money more money...so I'm quite pleased with that indeed!