Not going to Vegas anytime soon

So the Oscars are over...
Worst moments: Ignoring Farrah Fawcett during the 'In Memory' part of the show (while including Michael Jackson???) and disgruntled Elinor Burkett who rushed the stage during her ex-collaborator's acceptance speech for Best Documentary Short.
I picked 5 out of the 9 below - so not bad

How did I do?
Best Picture: I wanted Inglorious Bastards, but picked Hurt Locker or Avitar.
Winner: Hurt Locker

Best Actress: I wanted Meryl Streep, but picked Sandra Bullock or Helen Mirren.
Winner: Sandra Bullock

Best Actor: I wanted George Clooney, picked Jeremy Renner or Morgan Freeman.
Winner: Jeff Bridges

Best Director: I wanted Quentin Tarentino, picked James Cameron.
Winner: Kathryn Bigelow

Best Supporting Actress: I wanted Anna Kendrick, picked Penelope Cruz
Winner: Mo'Nique

Best Supporting Actor: I wanted Christoph Waltz, didn't care enough to pick.
Winner: Christoph Waltz

Best Animated Feature Film: I wanted Coraline, picked Up
Winner: Up

Best Writing - Adapted Screenplay: I wanted Up in the Air, picked Precious
Winner: Precious

Best Writing - Original Screenplay: I wanted Inglorious Bastards, but picked Hurt Locker.
Winner: The Hurt Locker

And the Winner is...

Here are my Oscar picks...well, really what I want to win and what will most likely win. Monday, I'll post results and if I even came close!

Best Picture
First of all, it's now 10 nominees instead of 5 which is ridiculous. And I just read the way the votes are now tallied, which most people won't ever know...simply put, getting the most votes doesn't win anymore.
What I want to win: Inglourious Bastards.
Up in the Air was my personal second favorite, but I wouldn't be mad if An Education won either. Of course neither will.
What will win: Between Avitar and The Hurt Locker - both of which were gimmicky in my opinion. One that appealed to the sci-fi / fantasy crowd and the other, well - you know - it's war and all that shit so it has the flag on its side.

Best Actress
My pick: Meryl Streep for Julie & Julia; but I wouldn't be upset if Carey Mulligan pulled if off for An Education. Streep was awesome though, hopefully the fact that she makes it seem so easy doesn't work against her.
Who we'll probably see win: Again, so much buzz for Sandra Bullock, but I hope it isn't the case - I don't mind her in a serious role, but the award would have been more deserved for her performance in Crash several years ago. I hate it when they give it to someone based on past performances or because they just haven't won before. The other likely candidate is Helen Mirren because well, she's always nomiated for anything she does - which gets annoying after a while.

Best Actor
My pick: George Clooney. Best role of his to date this time around in Up in the Air. The story was great, but his performance brought it home. I wouldn't mind terribly if Jeff Bridges won for Crazy Heart or Colin Firth, who has no chance since probably only myself and about 10 other people went to see A Single Man...it was my favorite performance of his so far too.
Who will win:  I wouldn't be surprised if either Jeremy Renner or Morgan Freeman's names are called.

Best Supporting Actress:
In my opinion, toughest category this year. I won't be sad to see any of them win - all super performances. Most surprisingly good performance goes to Anna Kendrick for Up in the Air - to go from playing a high schooler crushing on the basketball player and a vampire (Twilight) to playing opposite (and holding her own) George Clooney. Like I said, I like every nominee here, but she gets my vote.
Who will probably win: Penelope Cruz for Nine.

Best Supporting Actor
Most boring category this year. There should have been other choices from Inglourious Bastards.
My pick: Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Bastards
Who will win: Who cares

Animated Feature Film
My pick: Coraline
What will win: Up

Best Director
My pick: Quentin Tarentino (Inglourious Bastards)
Who will win: James Cameron for Avatar

Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
My pick: Up in the Air
What will win: Precious

Best Writing (Original Screenplay)
My pick: Inglourious Bastards
The one that could get in its way: The Hurt Locker

What's in a number?

My frustration is showing today.

Having to return to the bank three times to have them correct an error and being sat next to a group of people who feel the need to scream across the breakfast table has me retreating into my room.

Tomorrow is my birthday; and I'm not sure that doesn't play into my foul mood. While I spent years hanging onto my youth, I'm resigned to my age at this point. It truly is just a number, and what's going to come is going to come...I just don't feel the need to fight it anymore. The number doesn't change the music I like, political or social views, or the people I hang out with.

That's it, short and not so sweet today - love you all!

What's in a Month?

Ahhh, tomorrow is February. My favorite month. My birthday, J's birthday, Valentines Day, State Fair, President's Day (paid vacation lol), friend's birthdays....what could be better?

 I hate January. So much expectation, so much time spent organizing, planning, setting goals - people waste the entire month setting themselves up for a year that may or may not give them the results they were looking for.

I love February.

February doesn't ask for anything. It's pretty, romantic and doesn't need an extra couple of days tagged on to the end to make its statement.

Oscar's Not the Only Grouch on the Street!

For whatever reason, my soon-to-be 12-year-old and her friends don’t hesitate to share with me basically everything, including things they probably shouldn’t. Which just goes to show they haven't crossed over to that secretive teenage path yet. I know that will all change soon, so I’m taking what I can get now.

Today, she was with three of her friends, checking out videos on youtube. Now I’ve heard her talking about an Elmo video for weeks, even asking her dad if he’s watched it yet, so I thought it couldn’t be that bad. The rule for her as far as youtube goes is supposed to be no sex, no violence, no cursing…well this video breaks all of them, but I’m going to grant her a pass on this one because it made me laugh.

When they realized I was bringing it up on my laptop in the kitchen, my daughter started panicking at the thought of me really watching it, so she started covering, saying, “oh no, it’s bad, this is bad”….but laughing at the same time.

Don’t think I’m a bad mom, believe me she gets enough lectures from me to last a lifetime, and if this is the worst I have to deal with for the next year or so, I’ll be happy. Gotta learn to choose your battles!

So…to take a break from all the seriousness I am feeling lately, I offer you this simple, inappropriate pleasure…enjoy, and please – leave a comment!

Elmo Behind the Scenes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w14aCTMcrgQ