n e r d y g i r l . c o m

:: Wednesday, March 26 ::

Some things I've learned (or, in some cases, re-learned) recently:

The word "motel" was coined in San Luis Obispo, California.
If I attempt to descend stairs with heels on, I will fall down said stairs.
Yerba mate is an herb that can be brewed into a tea, and can act as a stimulant (without caffeine). It smells like hay.
There is more caffeine in brewed or drip coffee than in espresso.
Fred Meyer has a buy one pair, get one free special on eye glasses.
Information for Pacific Power can be obtained in English, Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese.
There is apparently a chemical you can spray on brick to get rid of grafitti.
Les Schwab goes above and beyond their free beef promises by fixing flat or leaky tires for free. And while only February is Free Beef Month, the tire thing is year-round.

:: Sunday, March 23 ::

I was all excited to see The Bourne Identity, since I recently read the book. I like seeing how true to the book movies are, and it's always fun to see if the images I had in my head while reading are anything like whatever the director envisions. Except this time, it sucked. It sucked partially because I am a literal person, and partially because whoever put together the screenplay obviously did not read the book. This was not a movie based on the novel, this was a movie that took a couple of names and part of an occupation and a beginning from a novel and created a new story about it. I don't want to give anything away, but here's one example: in the book, Marie was tall, red-haired, independent, super-intelligent Canadian woman who worked in government finance. Her knowledge of the ins and outs of finance played a key role in the overall plot. In the movie, Marie was a German gypsy of average intelligence. What's that all about?

I understand the desire to adapt a movie to modern times, which means all the Cold War stuff is out, but why even bother saying it's the same story, when it so clearly is not? Is it wrong for me to expect a movie to at least follow the plot of the book it's supposed to be based on? When it ended, I was pretty irritated because I was still waiting for the movie to connect itself with the book. I was looking for overlap, but there was very little. I know a lot of people like the movie; I really have no idea if I would have liked it had I not read the book first, but I somehow doubt it. It was too incomplete.

So, to sum up: if you are going to write, produce, or direct a screenplay based on a novel, read the novel first. All of the novel, not just the back cover. Expect that there might be someone in the audience who read the book upon which your screenplay is allegedly based, and that person might be disappointed when your movie bears little or no resemblance to that novel.

link

:: Friday, March 21 ::

I finally got a new DVD player (to replace the one that broke about two years ago) and have been having fun with NetFlix. I signed on for their free 10-day trial, and am pretty amazed at how quickly they get the movies to me. They must have a shipping center right down the street from me. I just looked on their website, and, according to their press releases, the NetFlix goal is to have 1-day delivery for everybody. That rules.

So far, I've watched Moulin Rouge, North By Northwest, and Amelie. I'd already seen Amelie, but it's pretty close to perfection in a movie, and was definitely worth watching again. Actually, it is perfection in a movie (for me), as there's nothing about it that I don't like. The storytelling is wonderfully done, with lots of quirky details. Such a beautiful film. Moulin Rouge was better than I expected it to be. I realized while watching it that I'd forgotten what it's like to be in love; it proved to be a sweet reminder of that feeling. As for North By Northwest, what can I say? Cary Grant is the man. It's not a very believable movie, but it's a fun one to watch.

link

:: Tuesday, March 18 ::

Yesterday, as the sound of bagpipes filled my office, drifting up from the street below, I listened to an NPR stream of our president. He was telling us we're going to war. He told us that Saddam Hussein is a bad man, that if we don't act now, he'll get weapons of mass destruction and use them. He repeated what has been said before. He did nothing to allay my fears that this war will spell doom for many people, that the world is in for a tough time. Global stability is low; we've turned friends into foes, and have done it with neither maturity nor respect for their opposing viewpoints (not that opposing viewpoints in our own country garner any respect).

I hate that our elected representatives so completely fail to represent me. I detest their arrogance, despise their hidden agendas. And when I order a side of fries, you can bet your sweet ass I'm not leaving the "French" out on purpose. I'm not five years old anymore -- it's just the way I talk.

link

:: Sunday, March 16 ::

Boy, do we need a new topic. Not that anybody cared about the ice cream thing, other than vectorgirl and Bret, and possibly my mom, but she's in Memphis right now, so she probably hasn't seen it yet. At any rate, the comments from the 3/10 post actually broke two records: most comments ever on one thread, and comments resulting in the most "who's the weirdo posting comments on your blog?" messages/queries from concerned friends. Turns out, I have some very protective friends, which is actually very sweet. Anyhow, just to make it clear, Sam Loyd is not a threatening individual. I used to work with his wife, and we've all become friends; they're both very nice people.

So, new topic entirely: I saw Margaret Cho live last Thursday, and it was great. She has an amazing talent for telling stories with facial expressions, which she uses more than words to evoke laughter. It occurred to me that I maybe shouldn't have gone, as I was probably taking a seat away from a gay man, but the guilt didn't last too long. Margaret Cho is pretty shocking, though. I kept thinking, "I can't believe she just said that. Out LOUD. To a huge f***ing audience!" But she did. She does.

Another new topic entirely: I didn't realize before a few weeks ago that 'the ides of March' is really just March 15. Here's some information about it.

link

:: Monday, March 10 ::

For me, freedom was always sort of something I took for granted. When I was in high school, there were relatively few restrictions on my movements. Because of this, it rarely occurred to me to assert my freedom. Until one day, about four years after I moved out. My mom called and asked what I was doing.

"Eating ice cream. For dinner." I was smug.
"No you're not." She was not smug.
"Am so."
"Tell me you'll eat a sandwich."
"Nope. No sandwich. Just ice cream."

Ahh, freedom.

(I was reminded of this by something Jason Fush said.)

link

:: Wednesday, March 5 ::

"If you are really stupid, I would call that a disease." --James Watson
(From a NewScientist article entitled Stupidity should be cured, says DNA discoverer)

link

:: Tuesday, March 4 ::

I'm sad that Mr. Rogers died last week. I used to love watching his show when I was a kid. I seriously wanted to be his neighbor, and would scan the houses of the little toy town at the beginning of the show trying to figure out where I would live. I also wanted a train in my house and a Picture Picture that showed movies. I loved it when he fed the fish. LOVED IT.

My dad had a Mr. Rogers sweater for awhile and sometimes he'd act like Mr. Rogers and toss his shoes back and forth before putting them on. I'm pretty sure the sweater met a rather sad fate: I think it was in my mom's car when some kid stole his neighbor's car, got in a police chase, and smashed into it, causing the gas tank to explode. Luckily, my mom's car was parked at the time and nobody was in it, but her car and a couple of others were totaled. I remember my dad saying that the only thing that didn't get ruined was the tires, and if the stuff in the car had been in the tires, it'd be okay. This is why, whenever I think of my dad's Mr. Rogers sweater, I picture it tucked safely away inside a car tire.

link

:: Saturday, March 1 ::

Cooking for losers. I like it. (Link via Tumbleweed)

link

	:: Wednesday, March 26 :: Some things I've learned (or, in some cases, re-learned) recently: The word "motel" was coined in San Luis Obispo, California. If I attempt to descend stairs with heels on, I will fall down said stairs. Yerba mate is an herb that can be brewed into a tea, and can act as a stimulant (without caffeine). It smells like hay. There is more caffeine in brewed or drip coffee than in espresso. Fred Meyer has a buy one pair, get one free special on eye glasses. Information for Pacific Power can be obtained in English, Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese. There is apparently a chemical you can spray on brick to get rid of grafitti. Les Schwab goes above and beyond their free beef promises by fixing flat or leaky tires for free. And while only February is Free Beef Month, the tire thing is year-round. link :: Sunday, March 23 :: I was all excited to see The Bourne Identity, since I recently read the book. I like seeing how true to the book movies are, and it's always fun to see if the images I had in my head while reading are anything like whatever the director envisions. Except this time, it sucked. It sucked partially because I am a literal person, and partially because whoever put together the screenplay obviously did not read the book. This was not a movie based on the novel, this was a movie that took a couple of names and part of an occupation and a beginning from a novel and created a new story about it. I don't want to give anything away, but here's one example: in the book, Marie was tall, red-haired, independent, super-intelligent Canadian woman who worked in government finance. Her knowledge of the ins and outs of finance played a key role in the overall plot. In the movie, Marie was a German gypsy of average intelligence. What's that all about? I understand the desire to adapt a movie to modern times, which means all the Cold War stuff is out, but why even bother saying it's the same story, when it so clearly is not? Is it wrong for me to expect a movie to at least follow the plot of the book it's supposed to be based on? When it ended, I was pretty irritated because I was still waiting for the movie to connect itself with the book. I was looking for overlap, but there was very little. I know a lot of people like the movie; I really have no idea if I would have liked it had I not read the book first, but I somehow doubt it. It was too incomplete. So, to sum up: if you are going to write, produce, or direct a screenplay based on a novel, read the novel first. All of the novel, not just the back cover. Expect that there might be someone in the audience who read the book upon which your screenplay is allegedly based, and that person might be disappointed when your movie bears little or no resemblance to that novel. link :: Friday, March 21 :: I finally got a new DVD player (to replace the one that broke about two years ago) and have been having fun with NetFlix. I signed on for their free 10-day trial, and am pretty amazed at how quickly they get the movies to me. They must have a shipping center right down the street from me. I just looked on their website, and, according to their press releases, the NetFlix goal is to have 1-day delivery for everybody. That rules. So far, I've watched Moulin Rouge, North By Northwest, and Amelie. I'd already seen Amelie, but it's pretty close to perfection in a movie, and was definitely worth watching again. Actually, it is perfection in a movie (for me), as there's nothing about it that I don't like. The storytelling is wonderfully done, with lots of quirky details. Such a beautiful film. Moulin Rouge was better than I expected it to be. I realized while watching it that I'd forgotten what it's like to be in love; it proved to be a sweet reminder of that feeling. As for North By Northwest, what can I say? Cary Grant is the man. It's not a very believable movie, but it's a fun one to watch. link :: Tuesday, March 18 :: Yesterday, as the sound of bagpipes filled my office, drifting up from the street below, I listened to an NPR stream of our president. He was telling us we're going to war. He told us that Saddam Hussein is a bad man, that if we don't act now, he'll get weapons of mass destruction and use them. He repeated what has been said before. He did nothing to allay my fears that this war will spell doom for many people, that the world is in for a tough time. Global stability is low; we've turned friends into foes, and have done it with neither maturity nor respect for their opposing viewpoints (not that opposing viewpoints in our own country garner any respect). I hate that our elected representatives so completely fail to represent me. I detest their arrogance, despise their hidden agendas. And when I order a side of fries, you can bet your sweet ass I'm not leaving the "French" out on purpose. I'm not five years old anymore -- it's just the way I talk. link :: Sunday, March 16 :: Boy, do we need a new topic. Not that anybody cared about the ice cream thing, other than vectorgirl and Bret, and possibly my mom, but she's in Memphis right now, so she probably hasn't seen it yet. At any rate, the comments from the 3/10 post actually broke two records: most comments ever on one thread, and comments resulting in the most "who's the weirdo posting comments on your blog?" messages/queries from concerned friends. Turns out, I have some very protective friends, which is actually very sweet. Anyhow, just to make it clear, Sam Loyd is not a threatening individual. I used to work with his wife, and we've all become friends; they're both very nice people. So, new topic entirely: I saw Margaret Cho live last Thursday, and it was great. She has an amazing talent for telling stories with facial expressions, which she uses more than words to evoke laughter. It occurred to me that I maybe shouldn't have gone, as I was probably taking a seat away from a gay man, but the guilt didn't last too long. Margaret Cho is pretty shocking, though. I kept thinking, "I can't believe she just said that. Out LOUD. To a huge f**ing audience!" But she did. She does. Another new topic entirely: I didn't realize before a few weeks ago that 'the ides of March' is really just March 15. Here's some information about it. link :: Monday, March 10 :: For me, freedom was always sort of something I took for granted. When I was in high school, there were relatively few restrictions on my movements. Because of this, it rarely occurred to me to assert* my freedom. Until one day, about four years after I moved out. My mom called and asked what I was doing. "Eating ice cream. For dinner." I was smug. "No you're not." She was not smug. "Am so." "Tell me you'll eat a sandwich." "Nope. No sandwich. Just ice cream." Ahh, freedom. (I was reminded of this by something Jason Fush said.) link :: Wednesday, March 5 :: "If you are really stupid, I would call that a disease." --James Watson (From a NewScientist article entitled Stupidity should be cured, says DNA discoverer) link :: Tuesday, March 4 :: I'm sad that Mr. Rogers died last week. I used to love watching his show when I was a kid. I seriously wanted to be his neighbor, and would scan the houses of the little toy town at the beginning of the show trying to figure out where I would live. I also wanted a train in my house and a Picture Picture that showed movies. I loved it when he fed the fish. LOVED IT. My dad had a Mr. Rogers sweater for awhile and sometimes he'd act like Mr. Rogers and toss his shoes back and forth before putting them on. I'm pretty sure the sweater met a rather sad fate: I think it was in my mom's car when some kid stole his neighbor's car, got in a police chase, and smashed into it, causing the gas tank to explode. Luckily, my mom's car was parked at the time and nobody was in it, but her car and a couple of others were totaled. I remember my dad saying that the only thing that didn't get ruined was the tires, and if the stuff in the car had been in the tires, it'd be okay. This is why, whenever I think of my dad's Mr. Rogers sweater, I picture it tucked safely away inside a car tire. link :: Saturday, March 1 :: Cooking for losers. I like it. 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