Singin'

Yesterday was the 60th anniversary of the 50's musical Singin' In The Rain, and it was being shown in select theaters across the country so you  could experience it on the big screen.  Over the years I've seen snippets of the famous Gene Kelly dance that goes with the title, and probably somewhere along the way saw the whole dance, but I can't say I'd ever seen the movie.  So I went.

What did I think of it?  I liked it.  Times were different back then, and its reflected in the movie.   There's an innocence about it that's nice to see.   The female dancers danced suggestively using mainly their shoulders as the primary body part other than their legs...meaning no gyrating torso movement.  There was laugh-out-loud comedy, thank you Donald O'Connor, and lots of singing and dancing.  I do have to say though the movie also reflects the era in that there were no ethnic performers.  Well, unless you count one scene depicting the white actors in blackface makeup.  I'm used to seeing the diversity of today's movies, and when one or two scenes scanned the audience, it was a sea of white faces.  Again, a sign of the times.

This one-day presentation was put on by Fathom Events.  Go to their website and check out what's on the schedule.  I'm looking forward to the 50th anniversary showing of The Birds in September.   Will it be as suspenseful and scary as it was back in the 60's?  I hope so!

I learned a bit this week

Since I disconnected my U-Verse because I thought it was messing up, only to discover my television still doing the same thing afterwards, I knew it was time for a new television.  Things have changed quite a bit since the last time I bought one, and I'm so impressed with the flat screens being light weight enough that I can handle it.   David came by this morning and got the old tv out of the house for me, and I took it from there.

When I started on this journey, I only knew of the term "plasma" tv.  As I talked to a few knowledgeable people, I learned that for my needs (i.e. very few bells and whistles, I just want to get local channels and watch some dvds and Netflix) the choices were plasma, LCD, and LED LCD.  Plasma would be good for fast moving action, like a lot of sports activities.  The LED LCD is the newest technology, and of course with that distinction comes a higher price tag.  I didn't want to spend an arm and leg on this, so LCD worked out fine for me.

I thought of the 40" or 42", but quickly learned that compared to a 32" I would be spending 75-100% more.  Since I had a 32" previously and it worked fine, I decided to stay with that size.  Granted, the screen is now rectangular rather than square, so the picture is a bit wider and not quite as tall as what I was used to.  Overall though, I think it will work just fine for me.

Here's what I got:

See that little black rectangle on the side?  That's the antenna.  Things have changed from the old rabbit ears.

After I assembled this (all by myself!), I've watched a bit of local tv and one movie this afternoon.  I think it will work out just fine.

I mentioned previously that I got some shredding done earlier this week.  This morning I shredded another couple of bags, and tossed some miscellaneous papers

Next week I'll start keeping Elise again for the school year.  She stayed here Wednesday while David played golf with his dad, and we both liked the feel of being back in our routine.  While she was here I was able to finish a little top that was already cut out.  I've got a bit of adjusting to do on the straps, but it came out cute.



So that's it for now.  Have a good weekend everyone.  :) 

I did it

I took the plunge, and called AT&T to disconnect my U-Verse.  I had a quiet weekend, and got quite a bit done....mainly I cleaned out part of a closet and shred several years of bank statements that were beyond the retention schedule.

After a couple of days I was in conversation with Nolene, and she reminded me that I could always get a converter box and be able to watch my local stations.  Dancing With The Stars!  And Elizabeth mentioned that if I had the Blue  Ray/DVD player, I'd be able to get Netflix streamed in as well, which would give me a lot of TV series and Elise's beloved cartoons.  So, after about two seconds of thought, I went to Walmart and got a converter and the Blue Ray/DVD player.

I figured I'd have to call David to come over and help me get it all together, but lo and behold, I managed to hook them up myself.   I won't say how long it took me, but I got it done.  So proud of myself.  This morning came along, and while watching a move I started experiencing the same problem that I had with U-Verse.  Sigh.  Turns out its my TV after all.  While I thought it would go completely out all at once, I guess its on it's way out and shows it by playing sporadically. 

So now my mission is to do a bit of research, and get another television.  I stopped at Best Buy tonite to get some basic information.  I should be able to just plug in a new tv, and with an antenna be able to get my local stations.  I told the guy I want to keep it simple.   There was one plasma that looks pretty decent, so I'll check it out on the computer and read a bit more about it.  It's about 43", and I need to decide if that's too big.  I just don't want an itty bitty one.  After all, I "need" something big enough to see those dance moves, right? 

Wish me luck.  In the meantime, the quiet house isn't bad at all.

just a thought

I've been having trouble with my U-Verse service the last 2 or 3 months.  After several phone calls, all with very polite technical help, yesterday a service tech came to take a look.  He replaced the receiver box, and it worked fine while he was here....then a couple of hours later it started doing the same thing.  The screen just goes black, it all turns off.  Sigh.

Now here's my thought.  It actually hasn't been bad not having a television on.  Oh sure, I enjoy watching the Olympics, and Elise does like her cartoons, but on the whole, I think I could live without a tv.  I'm going to think about this a few days, but maybe I'll just take the plunge and have them disconnect the service entirely.  I'll  just get internet service only, and be done with it.

I can get news through the internet and various IPad apps, and possibly some tv shows.  I guess my biggest loss would be Dancing With the Stars.    And I know for a fact I get more done, more books read, when I'm not glued to the tv.  Plus there are dvd's I can watch, and they don't require assistance from satellite/cable/microfiber.  Decisions, decisions.

Anyone know of those who have disconnected from the big box in the living room?

Another milestone!

Happy birthday dear Robert, happy birthday to you!

We've come a long way, haven't we? 

In other news, Summer is rolling right along.  Been playing a few of those dang computer games, but I sure do like them.  There's Draw Something, a fun way to work on your art skills.  Now these pics were screen shots, so they're kind of small, but there's a golf cart and a canoe.

And Words With Friends.  Again, an educational way to keep your mind working.  Win or lose, its another fun one.

This past week I kept Elise while Elizabeth and David had a few days away.  Always discovering something new, I learned she likes to pose for pictures!

I've done a little experimenting with cooking too.  Made these cheese sticks using a recipe from Pinterest, with some marinara sauce on the side.  They weren't bad, probably will make them again.  They didn't brown as pretty as the store-bought, but tasted good.

I also tried a chicken and rice casserole that my Bunco buddy Colissa made, and it came out so yummy.  Thought I had taken a picture, but no, so here's how the professionals do it.  Like Colissa, I added fried onion rings after the cheese...sooooo good!   I took a serving to my neighbor and froze a couple of servings, as well as eating off of it a couple of days, so it went a long way. 

Okay, guess that's it for now.  Have a good week everyone.

a Friday favorite on a Monday

I've been a tad lax on my Friday Favorites, but consider this little hose caddy high on the list.  I've heard about these little wonders that use the power of the water to rewind the hose, but didn't seriously look at them till this year.  Previously my hose might lay stretched out across the yard for several days because either it was too hot or I was too lazy to put it up.  I'll let you choose which excuse you prefer.  

Mine doesn't look exactly like this one, but very similar.  At this point I intended to insert a little video, but I'm having problems wrapping my brain around it.  Maybe later, sigh.  But how nice it is to just sit on the little ledge, flip the handle, and it starts winding itself up.  Who knew, right?

I find myself lacking a bit in the motivation department this summer.  This is the time of the year to be working on my Scraps to Treasure challenge quilt, and I'm having a time making any progress.  We've all exchanged our fabrics, and I've had mine a few months now.  Ah, we'll see. 

I have read a few books though.  I'd listened to Lee Childs, among other authors, when I was still working.  I've gone back and read a couple of his first books with the Reacher character, and really enjoyed having something that is hard to put down.  I'm on the library's waiting list for the next in line.  In the meantime, I've heard about Robyn Carr, and have just checked out the first 4 books (all in one book) for one of her series.  Think I just figured out what I'll be doing this afternoon.   ;)

That's it for now.  Take it easy, all.

they'll get you in

Nolene and I just returned from a little road trip to see our sister in Arkansas.  Always a nice little drive, and I enjoy the miles of trees on either side of the road.  As can be expected on a trip like this, I had to make some stops for gas along the way.

When we went into a town, a little off the highway, getting gas was no problem. Slip the card into the slot, and pay at the pump.  Then of course we might wander in and pick up a soda or snack.  However, coming home we stopped at one of the stations on the freeway.  I slipped my card into the little slot, and lo and behold, I got a message to see the cashier.  I was not given the option of a debit purchase, just credit.  I go in and she's only able to take my card for a set amount.  "I want to fill up."  I would have to prepay, and if I overpaid, she would refund.   I declined and left.

I headed down to another station, this time a truck stop.  Lo and behold, similar situation.  I slipped my card into the slot, and without even being given an option of credit or debit, got a message to go inside.  Same scenario.  This time, with a huff, I did tell her a dollar amount (which was paid by debit, not credit), filled up, and went back inside to get my change...which was just credited back to my account.

Did I make any inside purchases in either of these facilities?  You can bet your bottom dollar I did not.  I don't like being manipulated, and I feel like this was blatant manipulation.  Sadly, yes, some of these stores have probably seen fewer sales on their high profit items inside the store since pay-at-the-pump is now the norm.  However, with these actions, they won't be seeing repeat fuel service from me.  I'll make sure I stop in populated areas.

I understand there is a legitimate theft deterrent here.  A few months ago at a local station it would not process a credit payment at the pump, and I had to go inside and pay by debit.  I called my bank when I got back home, and yes, its not unusual to decline the credit transactions because of the possibility of someone using your card without your permission.  However, debit transactions would not be a problem because a password has to be entered.

So be aware.  If you're on the highway, and not even offered the debit transaction at the pump, they could just be wanting you to come in the door and spend additional dollars on inside sales.