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I'm just dropping in to say that I am out of commission until end of June due to two concerts coming up. Crunch-time. However, I would like to leave three mini movie reviews before checking out, as I have seen three movies lately. Yes, my life is just that exciting.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Sheesh, that is a long title. And they could have just remade Kingdom of the Spiders for a better result. If you have not yet seen this, I'll save you the bother and let you know that it is no Raiders. None of the Indy sequels have come close to the first one, which is still a good movie. A classic, if you will. Really: the characters were interesting, the action was exciting, there was humor, romance, and good, old fashioned special effects. Crystal Skull sells out with tons of CGI, a lame plot, and the disappointing return of Marion, who has apparently had a lobotomy since last we saw her.

Atonement (rented on DVD, obv.) I'm not sure why everyone was raving about this film, but I shouldn't have listened to them. It starts well, picks up with excitement, and then kind of peters out. I found the story slightly unbelievable, at least, the "twist" the sets the story in motion, and there is such an effort to Anglicize emotions that the tragedy of the whole scenario is not cathartic but rather dry and uninspiring. Atonement left me empty.

Sex and the City. I am a little embarrassed that I enjoyed this movie so much. It's far too long, and Carrie is up to her usual overly dramatic antics and Big yada yada blah blah, but I actually liked Big better here than in the tv series, and there are some funny lines and touching moments with the new children. What else can I say? My neighbor convinced me to go with her, and I had fun. It's what a summer movie should be: frilly but not patronizingly so.

I just got home from a spa vacation in Southern Utah, and folks, I am not ready to resume my regularly scheduled life. Visiting an exotic and new part of the country, exploring it in adventurous ways, and receiving spa treatments, all while spending quality time with my mom and sis turned out to be my idea of a nearly perfect vacation. I got to try meditation, qi gong, chi ball, and yoga for back injuries (joining my mom and sis on that one; I don't have a back injury, but I do have scoliosis, so it was helpful). I also got a spa body treatment, a reflexology massage, and an old fashioned, straight-up Swedish massage. Ahhhh. Additional highlights included: rock climbing (yikes.) and spending copious amounts of time in the spa steam room. Who knew Utah was so dry? Oh, yeah; I think I did know that.


The only thing that would have made this THE perfect vacation, other than having the hubby present, would be more gourmet meals. Alas, due to its spa status, Red Mountain's Spa's food was heavily on the healthy side, meaning lots of vegetarian meals (good), and much consideration for cutting the fat (not always good). I know I can afford to trim some fat, but I don't enjoy sacrificing flavor. I mean, the food was palatable, besides the occasional dry tofu fritter, and even, at times, quite good. But let's just say they don't subscribe to Julia Child's slogan: "If you're afraid of butter, you can use heavy cream."


Back only two days, Maryland paid me welcome by taking out a chunk of our old, sturdy maple tree, a fixture of the backyard. Yesterday, a viscious wind whipped through and, in no time at all, cracked and even uprooted some of the old and lovely neighborhood trees. This is the first time in my life I've ever had to make a home insurance claim.



My neighbors and I are already planning a New-Fence-Raising-Party. Yippee!