Thoughts on the Jaws series

It's no secret to those who know me that I'm obsessed with sharks. Which is funny because people who know me also realize that I won't go more than ankle deep in the ocean. So I guess rather than obsession it's more of a healthy terror.

So when searching though On Demand this weekend and I saw the first three Jaws movies were available, well, I had to watch.

Jaws (the original) - This is my third favorite movie of all time. Bruce is my favorite monster ever!!! I remember when it first came out. Hell, if your father had tortured you with the image of the movie poster you'd remember too. But I didn't see it until I was in high school. Seeing as it was at that age that I started dating i don't think it's at all odd that to this day when I start dating someone new I dream about shark. Well, at least, it's not odd for me. While I do tend to root for Bruce in the movie, I'm still upset he ate the dog.

Jaws II - I actually saw this movie before the original. Sad, but true. To this day, when Brody calls Bruce II over to bite down on the cable, I still hear "Come here you big sausage!" I don't know what childhood trauma caused that misunderstanding. Remember what I said about the dog in the first? Well, I forgive Bruce for that since he managed to eat the helicopter in this movie. Best...feeding frenzy...ever!

Jaws III - I remember renting this one when I was in high school too. And I remember watching it and thinking that it was one of the worst movies ever, especially the special effects. Watching it now, well, all I can say is it's worse than I remembered. The opening credits make me chuckle too. Did Louis Gossett Jr.'s character name really have to be listed in quotation marks? What's not to laugh about with that?

Now I really need to rent Jaws IV. Mentally, I know it's worse than III, but I just can't wrap my head around that possibility right now.

September 10, 2001

Nine years ago today, I got home and got a phone call from a girlfriend of mine. She and her husband were fighting and she was upset. She wanted to know if worse came to worse, could she stay at my house? I told her of course she could.

Then I called another girlfriend of mine to tell her how down I was feeling. She proceeded to unload all of her problems on me, and I ended up not having a chance to vent.

By the time Marc got home that night I was almost in tears feeling overwhelmed at all the drama that had been foisted on me. Luckily, the first half of "Who Shot Mr. Burns?" was on that night and I got the chance to laugh.

Of course, the next morning none of that mattered anymore. The world I knew, the New York I had just explored that winter was changed forever.

I hope I never forget the horror of that day. Remembering what we went through that day is a constant reminder to live a responsible fulfilling life, to make up for the lives that were lost.

Two way auditions

So, I've been out of work now for a few weeks. I've been sending out 5 to 10 resumes a day and interviewing with everyone who is willing to meet with me. And here I am, still looking.

Anyway, I got a phone call yesterday in response to a resume I sent in for an administrative assistant job. The business owner told me he was in construction and there were only two people in the office, although during the busy season he often has a crew of 8 or 9. So I went in for the interview this morning. I was feeling a bit against this position , mostly because in an office with so few employees benefits can be quite sketchy. Also, construction has to run thin in bad weather, and in Oregon the weather is often bad for business. Therefore, I know that admin. ass't positions are likely to get hours cut in the winter.

It didn't look any more stable when I got to the office. The owner kept me waiting for 20 minutes, then blamed it on his being long winded when he's talking to someone. In my experience, anyone who keeps a possible employee waiting like that will do the same to clients, ensuring short lived and unpleasant working relationships.

Once the interview started he looked over my resume, and noting that I had been in the insurance biz he began stating his opinions on health insurance. He then asked me for my opinion. Please understand, if the guy hadn't already shown me how irresponsible he is in running his office I NEVER WOULD HAVE ANSWERED HIS QUESTION. After giving him my opinion, he went on to lecture me on why I'm wrong. After half an hour of it I stood up, told him the interview was over and that I would never be comfortable working with him.

The moral is...while interviewing, always remember a job needs to be a good fit for all parties. Don't settle for a job out of desperation if it means working for a douchebag.

The most wonderful time of the year...

Everyone has holiday traditions, right? For me, it's the December edition of missung lyrics.



My favorite is Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song"-
"And so, it's been said, many times, many ways
"Merry Christmas, screw you"


But there's also "Deck the Halls". Everybody knows the Fa la la la la part. But how many know the second verse? I'll bet I'm the only one that sings:
"See the blazing yule before us, fa la la la la, la la la la
Strike the harp and then Chuck Norris, fa la la la la, la la la la"

And there's the version of "Let It Snow" that a high school friend of mine liked until I sang it a few too many times in her presence.
"And since we've nowhere to go
You're a ho, you're a ho, you're a ho"

Anyway, whether traditional, unique, or just plain twisted, may you and yours have a great holiday season!

Who woulda thunk it?

I have a friend from high school that is an honorary sister. My Dad used to always refer to her as his "other daughter". Which is a good thing, considering her relationship with her own mother was less than rewarding.

I think everyone in our high school group has a story about Helen (the mother) wigging out on us for various reasons. Some mildly entertaining, some just embarrassing, and at least a couple of them involving our own parents giving Helen an earful about how inappropriate she was to us and her daughter.

Turns out that Helen had some mental health issues that came to attention in the 90's, which explained a lot.

And now Helen is sick with cancer. My friend is on her way right now to California because Helen's doctors say she only has a few days left. I called my parents yesterday to let them know, partly because my friend should be contacting while she's in town, and partly because I know both my parents want to be there to support her through this.

While on the phone with my Dad I started crying. Which makes me wonder. Is it just because I have a tendency to cry at the drop of a hat? Do I feel actual grief for this woman who made me crazy during adolesence and young adulthood? Or am I just hurting for my friend, whose emotional rollercoaster ride is bound to be conflicted?

I guess it's all part of the human condition. Whatever the reason I feel the way I do, my heart goes out to my buddy. She'll get through this with the strength she's demonstrated in the over twenty years I've known her. I love you, Dude.

Blondie

If you've ever seen my apartment, you'll know it's right by a man made pond. A pond swarming with avian life. It has geese, ducks, and last summer there was even a heron making regular appearances. (I made sure to keep the SRM locked inside when the heron was around.)

I love watching them. Hours of senseless entertainment. And there's one duck that always stands out. I don't know how else to describe her than blonde. Her feathers are all cream to light brown. And last week the SRM and I noticed that she's been hanging around the garages at the far end of my side of the apartment complex. We saw her there every morning last week, and it seems odd because it is so far from the pond and she's always there alone.

Then we walked by yesterday morning. She wasn't there. But...as we walked past one of the small planters, we saw the object of her fascination. She's nested there. And there are eggs.

This morning instead of quacking at us and waddling off as she usually does, she stayed on her next. I'm taking that as a sigh that her duckings will be making an appearance soon.

I can't wait to see them. Hopefully at least one will get its coloring from its mother. :^)

One of those conversations you love to have...

So, I'm in my boss' office yesterday and she tells me how when she meets with a client who is bonkers, she writes my name and number on the back of her business card in the hopes that the nuts will call me instead of her.

Boss - "And you thought this would be a good transition."

Me - "In this economy and job market any transition is a good transition."

Boss - "Thanks for making me feel like a last resort."

Me - "Actually, two other advisors contacted me when they heard I was available."

Boss - "I guess I better start being nicer to you then, huh?"