A Problem

So, we just watched Air Force One, one of my childhood favorites.  Something difficult about that movie is that it pits Harrison Ford, bum-kicking President of the United States, against Gary Oldman, Russian terrorist who is really passionate about his country.

Which led me to this headache-inducing train of thought: how could I ever choose between Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman?  

On the one hand, Harrison Ford has been one of my favorites since I was 7.  Indiana Jones, Han Solo, Linus from Sabrina (the man knows how to take off his glasses), everything else he's ever done except Six Days, Seven Nights...come on.  The man is a demi-god--although in my mind, he took some hits when he pierced his ear and started dating Calista Flockhart.  But I'd forgive him anything.

However...GARY OLDMAN!  The man is an amazing chameleon actor (even Keith Johnson says so, and HE knows everything) and one of the most lovable guys ever!  I actually fell for him when I saw Air Force One as a kid (it's okay to love a terrorist, right?).  My love was instantly and exponentially reaffirmed in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (oh man, he is FANTASTIC) and come on, Commissioner Gordon? Love him.  And okay, you have to mention him as Dracula, and even Sirius Black--he just really knows how to pull it off.  

All I can say is...they both know how to plead for the lives of their wives and children DANG WELL.  I think Gary Oldman must have picked up some tips for his performance in The Dark Knight while filming Air Force One with Harrison.  That same look of pleading, the "Leave my family alone" line that makes me cry (yeah, still does), that "It's going to be all right" to their about-to-be-almost-killed-and-then-saved child.  These men are tear-jerking geniuses.

So...I'm just never going to pick, okay?  While it's painful for me that Harrison had to end up killing Gary in Air Force One (especially in such a gruesome way!), I'm sure they're still buddies.

Cooking successes

We are just having the best time in the kitchen lately! I am rarely in a cooking mood, but lately I crave it. I think it's because Kyle is so good at cleaning our kitchen. Last night we had Katy over for dinner. We made delicious--DELICIOUS--manicotti (I love the America's Test Kitchen cookbook!) that was seriously good, and this pie from Pioneer Woman. Oh man, it just about killed us with goodness. I'm about to go snag a piece right now from the leftovers. I so rarely cook something new and have it actually work out--it's very exciting. Anyways, I'm still in the mood so tonight we're probably going to make baked ziti, and I'm thinking about trying Pioneer Woman's chocolate sheet cake. This may not be great for our waistlines, but it's exciting to discover that I do actually have that womanly instinct. We'll see how long it lasts!

Great news!

Guess what!

I don't have cancer! Now I for sure don't have brain cancer OR cervical cancer.

Most of you don't know that we were worried for a bit, but now you can rest easy knowing that I for sure don't. The doctors still don't know what's wrong with me, but at least it's probably not life-threatening!

Life is definitely looking positive to me today, after a long crappy depressing week.

Here's why:

• It's Friday
• It's the weekend before Thanksgiving
• Kyle and I are coming up with fun plans for tonight to celebrate me being cancer-free
• I am so close to being done with my Christmas shopping (what does one get for one's husband?!)
• My Thanksgiving holiday plans are looking awesome (thanks mostly to Nancy taking me to Twilight next week! Yes I gave in to the temptation, judge all you want)
• It still hasn't snowed
• I listened to Christmas music for the first time today! A little early maybe, but it was great.
• In a month I get to go HOME and see my family!
• Oh, and I don't have cancer

Happy Friday!

YES! I am so happy that it's the weekend. I want to sleep for 2 days straight...but that's probably unrealistic.

Here are some good things:

• I finally got new jeans yesterday. TWO pairs!
• My scariest project of the whole semester was yesterday, went well, and I don't have to think about it ever again
• Quantum of Solace came out today, which means it's that much closer to coming to the dollar theater
• It has been raining a lot recently and I love it
• My house is really clean
• Katy and I rocked our Welsh class yesterday with an AWESOME Welsh Choose Your Own Adventure game
• Some of my plans (for something that I guess can't be announced officially yet) are really coming together! (Oh that has nothing to do with babies)
• I haven't had a really bad, put-me-out-of-commission migraine for over a whole month! Vitamin B2 and Magnesium are actually working
• Our holiday plans are finally solidified, we're staying here for Thanksgiving and going to Concord for Christmas
• I've already started getting Christmas presents for my family
• I get to leave work early today because I've worked too many hours this week

So, yeah! I'm feeling pretty good. As soon as I leave work I'm going to the mall to spend a gift certificate that's burning a whole in my pocket.

A simple equation

Sitting with Kyle

+in front of our gorgeous tv

+with the rain tapping the window

+and the pumpkin spice candle burning

+while eating peppermint ice cream

=

what I want my life to be about

I keep dreaming about Prop 8...I gotta stop reading blogs and forums!

I found this quote in my scriptures yesterday.

I plead with our people everywhere to live with respect and appreciation for those not of our faith. There is so great a need for civility and mutual respect among those of differing beliefs and philosophies. We must not be partisans of any doctrine of ethnic superiority. We live in a world of diversity. We can and must be respectful toward those with whose teachings we may not agree. We must be willing to defend the rights of others who may become the victims of bigotry. (Gordon B. Hinkley, May 1995)

This is what I believe, this is how I live. How WE live. Our Church is doing a great job at staying dignified in the face of so much persecution. And how much do you love Catholics right now! I feel like Bishop Weigand has my back, yo!

Man, I'm so sick of being called a bigot.

The Results

HOW awesome was John McCain's concession speech?

Answer: SO AWESOME.

He was so gracious and moving. Good guy. I liked when he told us to support Obama because he's our leader. I'm proud of him, and sad for him, but I'm okay with things. I already hate Obama less--my goal is totally working. I liked his speech (but that's not a surprise, he's an incredible speaker so I can't help it)--I liked that he spoke to ME (ie the people who didn't vote for him) and said that he would be my president too.

But the most exciting part was our major victory in California. I cannot tell you how proud I am of my state! My faith in my countrymen (statemen?) has been restored! I mean, who's on the Lord's side who? At least on this issue, over half of my pretty liberal state! The majority chose the right on this moral issue! I am shocked and relieved and surprised and pleased and happy and grateful. I'm so proud of my family and friends who worked so hard on that campaign. I am so proud of California. This is the SECOND time we've decided this--we do not back down. I'm trying not to be bugged by the facebook stati of all the people who were against it and are not gracious losers (they could learn a lesson from McCain...MAN they would hate me for saying that) and need vulgar words to express themselves. Or the people who are mad at Mormons, or the Mormons who are mad at the Church. I don't care. They just don't know what I know. Some of them SHOULD know, but they don't understand what I understand.

(I hope that awful ad smearing our nice missionaries hurt their campaign. It should have. Oh ignorance.)

I'm feeling so good--I think I need to go watch a youtube video of Bill Pullman's speech in Independence Day.

I would rather...

I don't think I'm joking.

Eww politics

Instead of studying for one of the 3 tests I have to take in the next 2 days, Kyle and I are watching, of course, Fox News and Comedy Central's Indecision 2008. With all the hopelessness of McCain's campaign, I've been doing a lot of thinking. Yesterday I came to a conclusion.

I like George W. Bush, (that's not the conclusion I came to) even though...you know. Things aren't great, and I'm not saying he's the best president ever or the smartest man ever or...you get the idea. But you know what, I think he's a good man with good intentions. He's done his best in a CRAPPY situation and you know what--WE elected him. Everyone has turned on him when we, as a country, are the ones who put him in the situation. Everyone has talked so much crap about him for the last 8 years, and I think it's mean. I feel bad for the guy! But mostly, I support him because he's the president! He's my leader, and I'll stand by him and be loyal because that's what I do.

That being said...there is a good chance that soon, Obama will be my president and leader. And I am going to try my darnedest to to be cool with it. I have decided to try really hard to support him. I don't have to worship him or agree with him on some (slash most) things, but I can...you know...not hate him. Once everything's done and he's my president, I can try to like him. I pretty much have to, after 8 years of resenting the rabid Bush criticism. Don't get me wrong, it's fine to question our leaders and all. But let's not demonize them, okay?

Umm but until it's impossible, I'm pulling for McCain.

You know what's bugging me? The biggest issue in this election (according to exit polls and common sense) is the economy. I wish that had been the case a year ago. Then we'd be voting for Romney today, the economic genius. LOVE him. Miss him.

A little dull

So, guess who forgot to put her battery in her camera on Halloween and therefore has NO pictures of her looking entirely awesome? Yeah. I'm so sad! I think a couple other people have pictures--meaning, Amanda you should email those to me.

Anyways, we had a great Halloween. I won a prize for my costume at my work party, and our party at the Bluffs' was awesome! But without any pictures to illustrate, that's all I'll say.

This weekend we spent many hours of quality time with the Food Network, Style channel, and H/G TV. In between episodes of Good Eats and Clean House and Design on a Dime, we went to the mall to buy presents for Lucy, went to Rice King, meandered down Center Street, and went to Brick Oven. Wow--we really did nothing this weekend. It was awesome.

This is going to be an awful week--academically speaking. I have tests in all my classes, and I am way behind on some things. Oh well--I think I'll be happy again...next Friday?