The time has come.

For yeeeeears Mr. Quentin Tarantino has been working on a little movie titled "Inglourious Basterds." First, I did spell the title correctly. Second, the teaser has finally been released, and it looks magnificent.

Destroy Nazis and enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pel3GE97evA

Valentine's Day weekend.

To prove I wasn't exaggerating in my previous post, yesterday was "Ice Sculpting" day in Saint Joseph. Dozens of artists set up shop in the middle of downtown and were each given a giant ice block. By the end of the afternoon, every street corner in downtown Saint Joseph sported an ice sculpture depicting anything from a dragon to an otter. John and I got icecream and watched the madness from The Chocolate Cafe.

Valentine's Day was wonderful. We had a beautiful candle-lit dinner of Chinese takeout--complete with fortune cookies and a carton of blueberries. After the food intake, we went to see Friday the 13th, but the stupid show was sold out. Instead, we hit up The International (which was fabulous) and saw Friday the 13th (which was fabulous) the next day. We polished off the night with a bottle of wedding Champagne and a viewing of Duck Soup--our first Marx brothers experience. It left a good impression.

On a side note, my current reading material couldn't possibly be more varied. My [very slow] ongoing Ulysses project is still underway, with World War Z (zombie novel) and Howl (poetry collection of Allen Ginsberg) making significant appearances. The last two Twilight novels are calling my name, but I'm trying to save them for the week John goes to Colorado. I'll need something to keep me busy on the train ride home.

I also made the mistake of investigating the planetarium in Chicago. Now I can barely contain my excitement to go. John promised to take me in April. He's going to take me to the aquarium too. I'm feeling good about it.

A Fairytale Town

I walked to work with an umbrella today. It was the first rain of the season. It is perfect lay-on-the-couch-with-a-good-book-and-giant-comforter weather, and I wish I could do just that. Instead, I'm sitting through work with very little to do because my company insists on underestimating my abilities. The teasing of spring is holding up my spirits though, because I remember what summer is like in Saint Joseph.

Every town has the "bad" parts of town, and St. Joe isn't an exception. But in the summer, the downtown area is transformed into something of a fairytale place. Every corner has a sailboat statue that doubles as a sandbox for kiddies. The stores move their goods outside so folks can shop in the sun, and the roads are all made of brick. Every weekend, artists bring their work to sell in hoards along the bluff overlooking the lake. On Saturdays, the local farmer's markets bring in fresh produce and the 1,000 fudge shops in town renew their delicious supply. It's never too hot to eat lunch outside because of the perfect breeze that comes off the water, and John and I get to sit by the beach and read and swim for hours.

Quaint. I suppose that's the word.

Staying put.

The morning started off with a bit of disappointment. John had applied for an international rotation with his company, but he didn't get it. I suppose we can try again next year. Plus, this means we'll get to spend the summer reading on the beach, and, best of all, I will get to see my first and second nieces/nephews born. Brett and Brad are both spawning these days, so there will be some new loin fruit crawling around in no time.

I've been reading like a crazy woman this new year. I've already finished Crime and Punishment (amazingly disturbing), The Good Body (woman power), and Three Men in a Boat (quite funny). My current project is Twilight, which I've powered through 260 pages in two days. I'll make short work of it. Then comes Howl, The Fight, and War and Peace. I wunna git real brainy.

I've been promoted at work--if you can call more responsibility for the same pay a promotion. I went from Proofing to Scheduling and Tracking, which apparently is the next step towards technical writer. Dear God, I don't want to be a technical writer. Then again, I don't want to be in Scheduling and Tracking either. Acceptable jobs: Queen of the World, Puppy Play With-er, Bookstore Owner, Publisher, Editor, Word Maker-Upper, Jedi, Yoga Instructor, Movie Critic, Cake Taster, Tea Sampler. Tell me if you know of any openings in these departments.