Well, alrighty! The Blog's template's not looking exactly the way it's supposed to, but it's good enough. And, more importantly. readable. On with my entry...
Vegas was fun.
It was a whirlwind of a trip to visit my Mom for her birthday, courtesy of
Southwest Airlines' $19.00 one way fare special. Southwest Airlines is like my favorite airline. They’re all about no frills, but what really counts – on-time flights [except for that 2 1/2 hour delay to San Francisco, but that was a fluke], efficient customer service. Efficient. Love that word. Two bags of dry-roasted peanuts and a ginger-ale later, they drop you off in Vegas with a wave and a smile.
The only thing Vegas-wise that I did differently than usual is that I went up to the top of the Stratosphere and saw the view of the valley. MAN! Whadda view! On the upper observation deck the wind was blowing hot and dry. It was eye-burning, but the experience was so worth it – lights for as far as they go in any direction and the vertigo-like illusion that you can just reach down with both hands and scoop up The Strip.
Oh! And I hit a slot machine that paid out 750 quarters. As the machine continued dispensing and dispensing and dispensing the coinage, I kept trying to figure out how much that came to. “UM…. 750 divided by 4… Um…” So, I pulled out my trusty cell phone and used it for something other than the tip calculator. Unfortunately, it’s really difficult to use my cell phone for a calculator so I just ended up taking my two buckets [!] to the Change booth and the machine sorted it all out for me. That was at the Mandalay Bay, where Oscar de la Hoya had won his boxing match the night before. I’ve never won squat on The Strip before. That was fun.
The first day on the job turned out OK. They expect me back tomorrow. That's probably a good sign.
Wiseblood shuttled me some screen caps of the Angel trailer for S4. I’ve heard it’s a little on the spoiley side so I may try to avoid it completely. As of last week, I realize that I can’t even surf through the titles and story descriptions at fanfiction.net anymore for fear that an author has decided to write ‘future fic’ based on a spoiler. Mind you that’s not a brand new occurrence, but I’d never come across such an inconsiderate example before – literally giving away a supposed plot point. Wiseblood assures me that not all spoilers are true; some are definitely there to throw off the scent of rabid fans.
Still, it’s just not cool. Also not cool? Giving away someone’s plot in a review. There was a movie critic here in So Cal for the Orange County Register who used to give away the entire movie’s plot in his review. A critique isn’t about reading or viewing comprehension.
[Spoiler for S3: Episode “Lullaby”…]
I was completely unspoiled for Darla’s suicide and I remember sitting on the edge of my seat crying and unable to take a breath. A writer’s work – whether to be read or viewed – is there to be interpreted by each member of its audience.
[End spoiler for S3: Episode "Lullaby"...]
I can probably count how many times I’ve avoided – or seen – a movie based on a critic’s review. Believe it or not,
U571 was highly entertaining;
Before Night Falls was devastatingly dull. The former is one I’d avoided; the latter is one I’d put on my list to see because of the accolades bestowed upon it. Javier Bardim is a very good actor and the only reason I was even able to sit all the way through Julian's Schnabel's self-homage to his own creative eye.
Live Flesh is a much more enjoyable film and an excellent example of how fully Bardim can take on a role.
Oh! On my last Blog entry, I forgot to include the fact that I went to the Hollywood Bowl and saw
Zap Mama, Wyclef Jean, and Erykah Badu. Zap Mama was delightful. Wyclef Jean came across as a total poser. Erykah Badu… Wow. After hearing her live, suddenly
Mama’s Gun sounded so much better. That woman has pipes! Her band is jammin’. If you get a chance, you MUST see her live; her records do not do her justice.
And, not to totally knock Wyclef Jean... He can play a mean guitar. I guess, as my Mom would say, “He’s just not my cup of tea.”
p.s... Sounds like Wiseblood's about ready to 'ohm' with the motoring mass that is Southern California.
