The Cootles Way

I know… that the Oscars shined bright tonight.

After many years of watching the biggest night for movies I have to say that this was one of my favorites.  Hugh Jackson did an amazing job especially since he represents everything old Hollywood.  His opening skit was great and I liked that Anne Hathaway joined in on the action. The jokes were amusing and you could tell the writers decided not to hold back.  I was shocked that they were willing to poke fun of the recent Joaquin Phoenix siting and Scientology.

Somehow the setting felt more intimate.  The layout that they decided to use really drew that fans at home to everything that was going on the Kodak Theater.  Plus I loved how they used past Oscar winners to present the acting awards while they explained why that person was being nominated.

It seemed that everyone learned that simpler is better when it comes to speeches.  Everyone said the right things- some funny, some sad and some that fit even though they may have had an agenda on their mind.

While most of the winners didn’t come as a surprise I was shocked that Sean Penn won for his role in “Milk”.  I’m sure he deserved it though since he really takes whatever role he is doing to heart.  And I was beyond pleased that Heath Ledger won for “The Dark Knight”.  You could truly tell he deserved it and everyone felt that the Oscar belonged to him.  One thing that really expressed me was the reaction that Anne Hathaway had when Kate Winslet won for “The Reader”.  You could tell that Anne was genuinely happy that Kate finally won her Oscar.

Happiness makes the night shine even brighter.

I know… I’m an Oscar fan and I’ve been that way for the past 15 years.

Something about that night is magical.  Everyone looks their best in their designer outfits from head to toe as they get to be rewarded for their performances.

Each year I try to guess some of the movies that would be rewarded.  Honestly I was surprised that Revolutionary Road didn’t have more nods since everywhere you heard good things about that film.

As my main predictions, I’m going with-

Best Picture- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (I really didn’t think Slumdog Millionaire was all that special.)

Best Actor- Mickey Rourke

Best Actress- Kate Winslet

Best Supporting Actor- Heath Ledger

Best Supporting Actress- Marisa Tomei

And Wall-E is for sure going to win best animated film because Disney Pixar knows how to make movies.

I can’t wait to see what happens.

I know… I have been lazy and haven’t written anything in an extremely long time.

Right now I’m suffering from writer’s block.  I have actually have too many things going through my brain that I can’t concentrate.

I honestly have to say that is the most annoying.

But out of everything I’m thinking I have nothing to give an opinion about.

I’ll try to control my thoughts and get back to you.

I know…the holidays can be crazy.  It’s even more crazy when people do not act in the holiday spirit.

I moved to the Seattle area and started working at the Southcenter Mall two weeks ago.  It hasn’t taken me long to get familiar with city life.

After a busy day of shoppers and finally a calm moment in the store the manager decided to get something to drink.  Moments later people heard a popping noise and shoppers started to run in panic.  The jewelry stores instantly closed their gates and other stores began to follow in suit.  One person laid motionless near a kiosk after being trampled on.  I lowered the gate locking it while there were three people in store having them head to the back room.  Finally getting service on my cell phone I was able to contact the manager that was on the other side of the mall saying there was a shooting.   Once things seemed to calm the I had the shoppers leave the store but adviced them to leave the mall.   I heard from the manager again saying to lock the store but leave the mall.   While outside talking to employees and shoppers their had been two maybe three people shot and one was not going to make it (which later happened to be true).  Police, swat team, paramedics and news crew rushed to Southcenter leaving shoppers and employees fighting to get through traffic but able to watch most of what happen unfold.

After two hours I finally got home even though I only live 15 minutes away.  It was crazy but everyone seemed to know what to do which protected thousands of lives.

Even though I was there I don’t know all the details.   I know there was a shooting and two maybe three people were shot.  They were fighting before it took place and one person got hit in the stomach the other near their head.  The shooter and the victims are in their late teens/ early twentys and it is possibly gang related.  Unfortunatley one person has died and many have been taken to the hospital mainly because of the stampeed.

Hopefully this won’t be bad for business.

I know…people are crazy drivers.

Over the past eight years I can’t believe how people act on the road.   I’m actually scared to get behind the wheel half the time because of how people act.

One thing I notice all the time is people passing on the right side.  Does anyone remember from driving class that it is against the law?

Almost every time I’m on the freeway I have someone tailgating me even though I’m going 80 (yes I know over the speed limit).  As I recall the speed limit is 70.  But somehow that doesn’t matter.

And on top of this, people forget to stop now days.   My husband was driving to work early in the morning and he was on a street that had the right away.  Someone came out of nowhere and almost t-boned him, even though there was a stop sign, and never even stopped.

These are only a few examples but I don’t understand how this keeps being something I see almost every time I drive.

People need to think before they get behind the wheel and drive like they are actually suppose to.

I know…finding a job is not easy.

And it is even harder when you’re looking for one a 100 miles away.

It can be exciting trying to figure out who you’d like to work for.  But at the same time it can be frustrating.

You have to hope where you want to work for allows you to be able to apply on their website.  That way you might have a job when you move to the area instead of trying to find one when you get there.

But at the same time it can take a hour trying to apply online especially when they require you to take a psychology test to see how you think.  But really what do half those questions have to do with the job you’re apply for?

Regardless it is satisfing when the search is over and you’re at that new job.

I know…I’m more of a city girl.

Small towns and me don’t get along.   The lack of things to do drive me crazy.  And I have a problem with everyone wanting to know everyones’ business.

Not only this but every small town I have ever been in has a conservative viewpoint.  I believe in being your own thinker.

At least in a city there is always something to do and people to me.  Mainly there is options and I like that.

The city is the place for me.

I know… this year needs to be the year for the Chicago Cubs to win the World Series.

Why?

Well the last time they won was in 1908 and it is now 100 years later.  It would only be right for them to win on the 100th anniversary.

See I have a thing for the Cubs.  Maybe more like anyone that is the underdog.

While growing up a Red Sox fan I have learned to appreciate the teams that happened had as much luck or have been plagued by a curse.

And even though my Red Sox are in the play-offs it needs to be someone else to win the series.

This year needs to be the Cubs.  They have suffered long enough from the Curse of the Billy Goat-

Started in 1945,  Billy Sianis owned a nearby tavern and had tickets to Game 4 of the  World Series and decided to bring along his pet goat.  Sianis and the goat were allowed to stay in the stadium where they had tickets.  But before the game was over it started to rain and Sianis and the goat were ejected due to the smell of wet goat. The outraged Sianis placed a curse upon the Cubs because they insulted his goat.

Hopefully the Cubs have learned from their mistake and will respect goats.

And maybe this year the goat is willing to forgive.

I know…moving is not my favorite thing to do.

Maybe it’s because of my last move or lack of move.  I thought I was moving to city after college until my then fiance had to move back to where I was living because of a great job opportunity.  The town is great for college but once you’re done you need to be out of here.

So I remind myself when it comes to moving… 1)The good part about it is once you’re in your new place it is awesome. 2)I do however love getting rid of stuff in order to downsize what needs to be packed.  (I must be the only woman to feel this way.)  3) And once you’re in your new place you get to meet new people and do new things.

Frankly, I’m overall excited to be moving from where I live now.  I know new and better opportunities will arise.

I just hate all those boxes.

I know…it’s been a long time.  But not because of lack of trying but a busy year.

I’ve dealt with four weddings, one being my own, and a funeral.

I graduated in June, well walked.  Then went to Vegas over the 4th of July.  Oh and the UFC fight was amazing.  I had my money on Griffin and it paid off.

I worked for a little bit but it wasn’t working out.  Lack of hours didn’t help.

Now I’m finally done with post wedding stuff and I can focus on writing.