Monday Movie Challenge

Week 15:  A character that you can relate to the most.

I love the film Girl Interrupted.  Winona Ryders performance of Susanna Kaysen is excellent.  I can relate to Kaysen's situation whereas her parents don't understand her and think that she is completely nuts.  The "so-called" professionals misdiagnose her with Borderline Personality Disorder.  When, in reality, she is just a girl coming of age and trying to decide what she wants in life.  She knows what she does NOT want...and that is to be trapped like her mother.  

For those who don't know, the film is actually based on the true events in the late 60s of Kaysen.  (Based on her book)  If you have not seen it or read the book, I highly recommend it!

Slumber In Luxury...On A Budget

I have been wracking my brain trying to figure out a way to improve my sleeping arrangement.  In short, it sucks!  For the longest time the BF and I had been sleeping on an ancient mattress.  It belonged to his parents and I have no idea how old it is.  Lets just put it this way, I would not be surprised if the sucker came over on the Mayflower!  I have tried to convey to him the importance of one's sleeping arrangement.  Finally after he was nearly doubled over in back pain, he believes me.  Although, its not been much of an improvement.  He switched mattresses with his mom.  (Hers is not much better-its at least 5-8 years old)

The mattress is only a full size.  I am of average height and weight for a female.  The BF is 6' and over 200lbs.  A Full size is WAY too small for us.  I'm quite sick and tired of being pushed to the edge of my side-trying to sleep about 2" from the edge.  Also, I am what's called a "Flamingo" sleeper.  I sleep kind of on my stomach/side with one leg bent up.  WHEN I'm able to sleep in that position, I take up more room.  However, there's not enough room for me to sleep like that so generally I toss and turn all night.  

The BF used to be a side sleeper and was generally quiet.  He has gained some weight and I feel he has sleep apnea.  (He won't go be tested for it, though)  I don't know what is worse; his tossing and turning all over the bed, his elbows jammed into my back or his horrendous snoring.  Usually I end up getting pissed and waking him up to turn over on his side to stop the snoring!  Oh, and he also has some wicked acid reflux at night.  But again, he won't listen to me.  I attended nursing school and worked in the field...what do I know though?

We honestly need a King side bed.  That's not going to happen, though.  Its not so much that we can't afford it, its that he doesn't feel that its an important investment.  So, I've come up with an idea.  Slap two Twin sized mattress and box springs together to make a King.  (It ends up being the same measurement as a King)  I found several cute setups where someone has done this.  This one looks very nice...and I just love the color combo.  Its not really very "manly" but who cares.  The BF couldn't give a shit less what his bed looks like.  

Then if that set up doesn't work out, we'll go with the-what I call the Lucy & Ricky set up.  Haha!  That would be more for his protection.  If I continue to lose sleep from loud snoring and elbow jabs, I may end up suffocating him with a pillow!

And if/when the time comes for me to move out, I'll just take my nice little Twin size bed and go.  This way there would be no fighting over who gets a King size bed.  Once I move out into my own place, I'll be happy with my little Twin. Maybe even turn it into a princess canopy like I've always wanted. LOL   Trust me, I have NO intentions of sharing my bed with anyone in the near future!

Saturday Song Challenge

Week 22:  A song that makes you want to be a better person.

I'm sure that there's been several songs over the years that have done this but the one that comes to mind is Michael Jackson's Man In The Mirror.  It came out when I was at a pivotal age-18 years old.  This is not the original video but I chose this one because it has the lyrics...which are powerful.

Monday Movie Challenge

Week 14 - A movie that no one would expect you to love.

I was going to say A Woman Under The Influence for this but I think I have already used that movie for another question.  So, I'll choose a different one.  I'm going to say Whatever Happened To Baby Jane with Joan Crawford and Bette Davis.  I'm not sure when it was filmed but I'm fairly positive that it was before I was born.  I used to hate black and white movies also.  I LOVE this movie though.  Its not really a horror movie, per say.  I would categorize it as suspense/thriller.  I never tire of it!  And how can one NOT love the sinister interaction between Davis and Crawford, who hated each other!

Trivia:  Lucille Ball owned the house that is shown in this movie. 

Song Challenge Saturday

Week 21: A song that you appreciate more and more as time goes on. 

I suppose that would be John Lennon's Imagine.  I don't think I really liked it as a kid.  Being brought up a good Catholic girl, I misunderstood his point when he said "Image there's no Heaven...no religion too." As I got older I began to really appreciate the words and meaning that Lennon was trying to convey.  I pretty much agree with what he's saying.  I don't consider myself a Christian anymore but rather have Hindu beliefs.

Now it gets me every time I hear it...

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

The Stuff that Movies Are Made Of.

Meet John Stroud, escaped mental patient last seen about 50 yards from my home!  He was staying at the Heath Nursing Care Center, which is just down the street.  Apparently he was staying in the facility's "psychiatric unit."  This place is like your traditional nursing home-full of the elderly with varying degrees of abilities and disabilities & illnesses.  No one knew that there was, in fact a "psychiatric unit" let alone that this Stroud guy was a patient there.  The chief of police here in Heath is PISSED OFF!  He says that he should have been notified of this man and I agree with him.  

The problem is that Stroud has a violent past.  (Not to mention that he is bat-shit-crazy)  He was on bond at the nursing facility awaiting trial for charges of attempted murder and several other charges.  His crime was committed in Southern Ohio.  Everyone is questioning why he was in a facility up here.  My bet is Heath Nursing Center is the first place who would take him.  Its no secret that administrators of skilled nursing facilities are told to "FILL THOSE BEDS!" I still think that an Indicted felon with a history of psychosis, suicidal, mood disorder, delirium and alcoholism, should not be housed with senior citizens.  We have a plethora of better capable facilities in the state of Ohio.  

Stroud escaped from his room around 4:30am today.  He was last checked on at 4:20am.  An employee came back at 4:40am to find that Stroud was gone and his window was broken out.  Here is an aerial view of the facility, where he was last seen and proximity to where I live.

The white arrows represent where some railroad tracks and the local city park are.  Stroud is being reported as an avid outdoorsman.  Authorities are thinking that he won't have a problem spending the night outside if he has to.  (Its supposed to get down to 37F tonight)

There have been helicopters searching the area and ground patrol but so far nothing.  The last sighting of Stroud was around 5am.  The police chief and school superintendent closed school today.  I wonder if Stroud is not found tonight if they'll close school tomorrow?  

It will be quite interesting to see how this turns out.  Especially considering the chief of police is extremely pissed that this man was in a nursing facility without his knowledge.  It will also be interesting to see if the nursing facility administration is held liable for this.  Hopefully Stroud is found without hurting anyone.  They have said that he is suicidal and feels that he has nothing to lose.  Not a good frame of mind to be in! 

**UPDATE**  They found him 17 hours after his escape.  He ended up being 2 miles away.  Scioto County Sheriff's Department came to pick him up.  The guy looked so weak, etc., that I'm not so sure why he was considered so dangerous.  I don't think the man could've fought his way out of a wet paper sack.

Monday Movie Challenge

Week 13:  A movie that is a guilty pleasure.

Without a doubt this would be Steel Magnolias or Beaches.  Both are cathartic and therapeutic...for me, anyway.  I have seen both of them countless times but it seems that if I'm flipping through the channels and one is on; I can't pass it up.  Steel Magnolias has a superb all-star cast.  My favorites would have to be the Ouiser-Clarie duo. (Shirley McClain & Olympia Dukakis)  Ouiser/McClain is absolutely HILARIOUS.  I've always loved Dukakis, too.  To me, she is the definitive classy older lady.  My luck I'll be a cranky old broad like Ouiser.

 

"I may not be where I want but at least I'm not where I was."

Its funny how things have a way of humbling a person.  I suppose these things are different for each person based on his/her beliefs.  Some people would call it God, the Universe, Karma, whatever floats your boat.  I tend to think its all of the aforementioned.  

I was at the grocery store earlier this evening around 7pm.  Getting the weekly groceries and such.  As I was in line checking out, I see a woman about my age come speed-walking in.  I mean this woman was definitely on a mission.  So much so that she couldn't be bothered to come in through the Entrance-which was another 20' or so past the Exit that she came through.  

I was finished checking out and was on my way to the car when this same woman came from behind me, still in a rush.  She was parked close enough to me that I was able to get a better look at her...and smell.  I looked over and thought "Holy shit, I know that look."  The woman had some serious shaking going on.  I'm surprised that she was able to get the key into the hole in the door.  She looked like death warmed over and smelled like alcohol, hard liquor.  
 She took off like a bat outta hell and was speeding like a maniac down the road.

I know what old girl was doing.  I know that look and odor all too well.  Her mission was to find liquor...and FAST!  Girlfriend was in withdrawal.  I'm sure that she made a beeline to the liquor store which is inside of the grocery store.  It was closed, today is Easter.  My question is why didn't she just get some beer, wine or lower content adult beverage?  Of course that's probably my alcoholic thinking, though.  Sure when I drank I liked Gin, Rum, Vodka but in a pinch I had to qualms with settling for some wine.  (Chardonnay, Merlot & Barolos have a higher alcohol content than most other wines-by the way)  

Maybe this woman wasn't an alcoholic.  Maybe she was just a problem drinker with a bad hangover.  Who knows.  Regardless, I'm glad my days of going through that routine are over.  Depending on the situation, this was an every  day event for me...if not more often. (Running out of my supply and racing to get more)  The horrible shaking and auditory hallucinations when one's blood alcohol level has dipped too low.

Yes, today was just a friendly little reminder of where I used to be.  It humbled me and made me VERY grateful that I'm no longer there. 

 

Song Challenge Saturday

Week 20:  A song that blew your mind the first time you heard it.

I'm sure that there have been tons of songs that blew my mind the first time that I heard them.  The problem is narrowing it down to one.  The one that immediately comes to mind right now is "I Turn My Camera On" by Spoon.  It was released on a local alternative radio station about 8 years ago.  I don't think it got that popular but I loved it...still do.

 

Monday Movie Challenge.

Week 12 - A Movie you hate

I don't know if I'd say I HATE it but it definitely did not keep my interest.  I'm usually a big horror movie enthusiast but this one was just terrible!  Freddie and Jason were great in their individual movies...for the most part.  But of course, the more sequels you have, the worse the movies get. 

I went to see this in a movie theater years ago.  It was one of the first dates that my boyfriend and I had went on back then.  It was so bad that I actually fell asleep during the movie...in the theater...with stadium seating.  How bad is that?  Freddy Vs Jason...don't waste your time!

An honorable mention would be Jeepers Creepers 2.  I saw the first one and actually liked it.  Went to see the sequel and well, lets just say I fell asleep in that one also!