Previously on Pattie’s Pop Culture Paradise…

Song Lyric of the Day:

Sometime from now you’ll bow to pressure / Some things in life you cannot measure by degrees / I’m between the poles and the equator / Don’t send no private investigator to find me please



Michael Penn / “No Myth (Romeo in Black Jeans)”

9:36PM.

Just finished watching the movie “Monsoon Wedding,” and I have to say, I absolutely loved it. The story centers on the arranged marriage of a young Indian woman in New Delhi. There are at least four other, equally intriguing, major plots as well. It’s also very Altman-esque in that there are almost 70 actors with speaking parts. I really enjoyed the glimpse into the culture and rituals of a modern-day, upper-middle class family in today’s India. The writer, Sabrina Dhawan, managed to seamlessly weave a story about families, relationships, and tradition that never feels fake or forced. The drama of trying to meet others’ expectations while being true to oneself is equally balanced by the comedy that comes about from simply interacting with loved ones amidst the craziness of planning a wedding. Director Mira Nair has made a beautiful valentine to her native land, and crafted one of the most incredibly heartbreakingly romantic single-worded declarations of love I’ve ever seen on film. And did I mention the great soundtrack? The music only serves to make you feel like you’re at the engagement party and other celebrations along with the Verma and Rai families, dancing to the music in your heart and soul.

Did I mention that I love this movie?

1:02PM.

I’m bored. Ready to go home. Work is really dragging.

7:59AM.

I got my desk rearranged and my printer set up last night only to discover that it did not come with a USB cable. So once we buy one, then we’ll be able to print photos and documents to our hearts’ content. I’m really looking forward to being able to just plug my new Canon camera into the printer and printing up photos at home. As it is, we managed to take a ton of pics back home over Christmas once we had the new camera up and running. In addition to a lot of picture-taking, we managed to pack a lot into the week we spent at home. Some highlights:

• had lunch at Chili’s with Brent and Tamara
• had Christmas Eve dinner at my parents’ house
• met Vanessa and Ken’s 200-pound English Mastiff, Moose, and introduced him to Caleb (Moose is a beautiful brindle, unlike the tan dog in the breed info link)
• opened Christmas gifts at my parents’ house Christmas morning
• had Christmas Day dinner at Rich’s parents’ house
• opened Christmas gifts at Rich’s parents’ house Christmas night
• saw “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events” with Rich and Brent
• saw “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou” with Rich, Brent, Elaine & Dale, and Sallie & Dave
• hung out with Rich and the Wheeler clan Sunday night
• had lunch with Samantha at Chili’s again
• helped my dad get his internet cable access up and running hung out with my mommy
• hung out at Brent’s house with him and Tamara
• ate at Johnny Carino’s Italian Restaurant with Rich and his parents
• saw some houses (including our dream house)
• met up with Renee, Heather, and Ashley at BQ’s Mongolian BBQ
• went to Big Ed’s Pizza (mmm…pizza) with Rich, Brent, and Tamara where Rich made me stop eating after 7 slices
• hung out with Rich, Brent, and Tamara, at Jonathan and Curry’s new house and fought a good fight in playing Trivial Pursuit Saturday Night Live DVD Edition
• took Caleb to Knoxville’s downtown area, Market Square, and discovered his fear of sculpture
• went to the best used bookstore around, McKay’s
• again ate at Johnny Carino’s Italian Restaurant with Brent, Tamara, Samantha, Jonathan, and Curry
• met up with Keith and Julie and finally met their adorable 8-month old son, Ryan, the most laid-back baby we’ve ever met
• had dinner with my parents, Rich, Samantha, Tamara, and Brent at Famous Dave’s Legendary Pit BBQ
• hung out with Rich’s folks and helped his dad put a puzzle together

That’s about all I can recall off the top of my head. As you can see, the week went by in a fun, fast-paced blur.