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.