Long Time No Talk. . .

Well, hello there, party people. Sorry about the week-long absence. Life's been pretty tough for our family lately, but here we are with our heads poking out on the other side. Last time I was on here I was bound and determined that nothing would break my stride. Well, let's just say that the stride was broken like a sombitch. Shoot.

Matt had been out of town (which I didn't tell you about before just in case you are a murderer who would then decide that--since my strapping protector husband was gone--it was high time for some murderin'), and I learned the hard way that I'm just no good at being by myself for long periods of time.* Even Mitch missed him.

But Matt's back, and although there are still some very sad circumstances that are out of our control, and some very annoying circumstances that are out of our control, we're doing better. It's been nice returning to our awesome, albeit boring, routine.

Cue the triumphant Forrest Gump music!



You didn't miss too much in the last week. I spent too many hours grading essays, waiting tables, and being otherwise pitiful. I was abandoned by Matt's car not just once but twice. I may or may not have witnessed a gas station robbery. I ate too much fast food and drank too much wine--so much wine, in fact, that I may have accidentally fallen into some curtains and pulled them down from the window. Oops. I filed the mail for the first time since this happened. And I started our taxes.

Exciting, huh? Try not to get too carried away with jealousy.

Actually, look at today's weather forecast for the SAV, and then you can be overcome with envy.

So, yeah. Things sucked there for a while, and I apologize for the absence. But short weeks and happy times lie ahead of us, and I can't wait to share those with you. I've missed y'all.**



*Judge away. I've spent days beating myself up about not actually being the strong, independent, "I don't need a man" kind of gal I've always fancied myself to be. Twenty-year old Mandy kind of hates twenty-nine year Mandy, but it doesn't really matter. Twenty-year old Mandy was a terrible cook, so take that!


**Twenty-year old Mandy also judges present-day Mandy for her use of y'all. Twenty-year old Mandy is such a bitch!

More Ranting about Avatar

When the Golden Globes aired last week, Matty and I were enjoying our last night in tropical paradise, and I was forcing myself to puke after having eaten too much bar food. (Not a new diet, just a negative consequence of being a fatass.)

At least, I thought I puked because of the nachos, wings, burger, margaritas, and chocolate cheesecake. . .

Perhaps, though, my body sensed what was about the happen during the awards show. F'ing Avatar and its pain in the ass creator won best picture. Really, Golden Globe voting people? Really? Best picture?

What really made the puking commence, though, was probably James Cameron speaking in Na'vi.
I didn't even watch the awards show, and it sickens me. In fact, I might puke again. Damn you, psychic stomach full of junk food! Damn you James Cameron, you crazy bastard!

Anyway, a few weeks back, Matt's buddy Drew sent us a link to a HILARIOUS article about Avatar. Now, I don't yet have it translated into Na'vi, but hopefully you'll retain your English skills for a bit longer. The article discusses how many moviegoers slipped into deep depression after watching Avatar, because life on earth just can't compare to the beauty of life on Pandora. Seriously, that's what it's about.

Here are some of my favorite excerpts:

"Ever since I went to see 'Avatar' I have been depressed. Watching the wonderful world of Pandora and all the Na'vi made me want to be one of them. I can't stop thinking about all the things that happened in the film and all of the tears and shivers I got from it," Mike posted. "I even contemplate suicide thinking that if I do it I will be rebirthed in a world similar to Pandora and the everything is the same as in 'Avatar.' "

"One can say my depression was twofold: I was depressed because I really wanted to live in Pandora, which seemed like such a perfect place, but I was also depressed and disgusted with the sight of our world, what we have done to Earth. I so much wanted to escape reality."

Within the fan community, suggestions for battling feelings of depression after seeing the movie include things like playing "Avatar" video games or downloading the movie soundtrack, in addition to encouraging members to relate to other people outside the virtual realm and to seek out positive and constructive activities.

Discuss. Did you experience negative or suicidal feelings after watching Avatar? Were they because of how bad the movie was, or because your dream to live on Pandora will never come to fruition? Have you downloaded the Avatar sountrack or joined a support group to cope with these feelings? Will you ever rebound?

Talk amongst yourselves.

(p.s. I wrote this entire post from bed. I love the new computer!)