This 'n that, part 458

Lots of shit flying around in my head today. Let's start with what I am reading.

I currently have 17 books waiting in my bookcase to read. I read all the time. Every time I have some free time, I read. I am currently reading Lottery by Patricia Wood. It is wonderful. I started it yesterday afternoon and read far into the night last night and am over three fourths of the way finished with it. Read it. It is THAT good. I love it when a book takes me completely away from my world and someone calls my name and I look up and am just...in a fog for a moment. READ this one. It is so worth it.

Yesterday, Liv had children's orchestra rehearsal and then was going to go for a play date with her seatmate for the afternoon. Bing and I had a WHOLE afternoon free. This used to mean an afternoon bouncing under the bed sheets. But, now it means we go to a movie. Actually, I think Bing did suggest a bed romp, but I vetoed it and said that I really, really wanted to see the movie Atonement. Bing gave me a long look because I think she could smell that this movie was going to be like The English Patient or Chariots of Fire. The kind of movie that I love and she hates. Remember that Seinfeld episode where Elaine goes on and on about how stupid The English Patient was? Well, that could have been Bing. She HATED that movie and I, of course, loved it. Wept ALL the way through it. We were just friends at the time and I recall being so pissed off at her for falling asleep halfway through it and then waking up when it was almost over and saying, "Jesus Christ! It isn't over YET??"

But, Bing is a good sport and thinks that Keira Knightley is hot, so she agreed to go.

It was The English Patient all over again. I, not only loved it, but I wept copiously and kept leaning over to whisper how incredible the acting, the cinematography, the everything was. I could see Bing stifling yawns.

It was the best movie I have seen this year. And all because of James McAvoy. I had only seen him once before in Narnia, and thought he was an excellent Mr. Tumnus. But, in Atonement, he is just about the most incredible actor I have ever seen work it. I wasn't watching Keira Knightley. I was sighing with deep lust for James. Actually, I suppose, it was his character, Robbie. I actually leaned over and whispered to Bing, "God, if that was a woman, I would leave you right here, right now." She snorted. She whispered back that it was "That accent, dear heart. You are a goner for English or Scottish accents and you know it..." Well, Keira had an English accent and she did like....nothing...for me.

But, it was his sort of character that just does me in: smart, funny, clever, quiet, strong, high minded.

And the whole story was riveting. GO SEE IT. Even though Bing hated it, you have to remember that she and I like very different movies. We seldom like the same ones. She likes things like I, Robot, The Terminator,Indiana Jones, Star Wars. Anything without a lot of adventure sort of leaves her cold.

Atonement was grand. Go see it and then come back and thank me. Because you will.

Today, when I got out of the shower, Bing came in and told me that "your guy is on Meet the Press..."

For a split second, I thought she meant James McAlvoy....

But, no...I thought about it. It is 48 hours away from super tuesday. This can only mean the master democratic strategist: James Carville.

Now, HE we can both agree on. We are both die-hard Carville fans. I've read all of his books, even bought his children's book for Liv, (who by the way, loved it) and I had high hopes that Mary Matalin would be on with him because that just makes for a solid political hour on television.

It was a great hour. James and Mary were on the panel, along with Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy. James made some excellent points, mainly that Hillary needs to stop with the I have experience platform and move it to the it's the economy, stupid... platform. He also thought that she would be well served to just admit that she made a mistake to vote for the war. I couldn't agree more. Best to just say that given the information she had at the time, she felt it was a good idea, but in retrospect, maybe not so much.

So, a good book, a good movie and a good hour of television. What more could I ask for?

Well, Liv does have a basketball game this afternoon and then we will settle in for The Super Bowl. Who do you want to see take it?

Bing is a Patriot's fan, I like the Giants. Liv could care less. She likes her Cornhuskers and that's about it. She will spend her time drawing on the floor while Bing and I make snide remarks about each other's team and any dumb plays they make.

And the commercials. I love the commercials. I hear that Justin Timberlake's diet pepsi commercial will be played...I love that one. I also hear that there is a James Carville one too.

So, life will be good. A cup of chai tea, a football game and sexy het dreams of James McAlvoy, this is my idea of a good time....

Have a good week, y'all...