Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Missed It By That Much

In the past few months, my relationship with the post office has been dismal. Back in June, I had some mail returned, not for any error on my part, but because the post office scanned my return address instead of the delivery address. Then on Halloween, I had an unfortunate fall at the local post office while going to buy stamps. So, my postal experience hasn't been a good one lately.

A couple of weeks ago, January 11th to be exact, I mailed a bunch of bills in the mailbox outside of my office building. One of those bills included my outrageously high gas bill. A few days after that, I found out that the postage has gone up to 39 cents on January 8. From that point on, I held my breath that my bills wouldn't get returned.

I'm pretty aware of the goings on in the world. I may not watch the news, but I read the paper, and am online reading the latest updates during my day. I also keep my radio tuned on various stations while driving. None of these outlets had mentioned the exact date of the increase - just that one was coming. Also, as a person with a mailbox, the lovely US Postal Service never sent me a postcard forewarning me of the looming increase. (Unless, of course, it's lost in the mail) Note to the government - those kind of easy alerts might be helpful.

It's now January 24th and so far, no mail has been returned and my heat hasn't been turned off. Who would have thought the Post Office had such mercy and grace.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Top Five Signs You Aren't an American Idol Judge

5. Refuses to drink Coca-Cola out of a branded glass or use Cingular Wireless text messaging

4. Never had a hit dance album in the 80's

3. Thinks the "Dog Pound" is for wayward puppies

2. Has no clue what the word "pitchy" means

1. Uses the annoying word "Out" when signing off a broadcast

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Who Do You Look Like?

In my roaming around the blogosphere, I came across a site some folks had recommended - MyHeritage.com. It's a cool new site that utilizes face recognition technology. The process works like this. You upload a photo with a clear picture of a face. Side profiles aren't good and small photos that don't show the intricacies of the face won't work well either. Once the photo is uploaded, the software scans the face and compares it with the database of celebrity pictures. Then it returns results on who you most resemble. Eventually the site will provide you a place to store your own database so you can compare your photo to your family members or friends.

Since I'm such the tech geek, I decided to try it out. I had the perfect picture of myself - a head shot I use for speaking engagements and bios for brochures. So, I uploaded it and patiently waited to see who in the world of Hollywood I looked like. I'm one of those people who really don't look like anybody, so I was extremely curious.

Well, quite the boost of my confidence happened when the results came in. The two actresses they said I looked most like were Kate Winslet and Rita Hayworth. Now, from the neck down, I look nothing like these starlets. And, I really look more like Rita than Kate, actually, but it looks like the only pattern between the two are their lips and maybe eyes. So, I guess technology can be somewhat accurate. At least for now, I'll enjoy the compliment.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Getting Recharged

Sunday night, after a week that seemed 12 days long, my car died...flat. Thankfully I was with my good friend, Beth, dropping her off to her family. Her wonderful husband, Kelly, jumped my car and advised me to head to Autozone the next day for a free battery and alternator checkup. The next morning, after much prayer, my car started without assistance - whew. I went directly to Autozone and discovered my battery was on it's last amp. So, $60 later, I was back on the road.

This little blip on my radar screen wasn't that disasterous, but annoying. It's one of those things I always thought I'd have a husband to handle. But, alas, I must tread on solo through the boy jobs of my life. It had been a very long week, as I mentioned earlier, and this seemed like icing on the cake. I encountered many a shed tear last week, long nights of introspective talks, and sad goodbyes. If I had known better, I would have thought it was a full moon.

What I discovered during that is I'm like my car battery....eventually my juices are drained. But, unlike my poor battery that had to go bye-bye for a newer model, I can be recharged - and after last week, I needed it. My recharging doesn't come from an electrical outlet but from scripture and daily time with God. When that doesn't happen, I become quite the wilted flower. Isaiah 40:31 says, "those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary;they will walk and not faint."

Take time to renew your strength by spending time with the Lord. It'll give you an electrifying jump start to your day.

Friday, January 06, 2006

Lights, Camera, Action

I come from a lineage of actors. The great Edwin Booth was a noted actor in the 1800s, but better known for his brother, presidential assasin John Wilkes Booth. I attribute my own personal drama queen status to the fact that it is in my genes. But, I believe my real place on the stage would be as a director. I would enjoy being the person behind the scenes watching the story unfold and give guidance to the well-paid actors on how to do it better. A beautiful marriage of drama and power. And, I have the movie I'd like to direct...

Recently I finally watched the 1957 movie, An Affair to Remember, starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. I had seen bits and pieces of the movie, but never fully enjoyed the complete feature before. The movie has quite a heritage itself in the way of remakes. I just realized after watching this 1957 movie, that it was a remake of the 1939 movie, Love Affair, starring Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne. Leo McCarey directed both the 1939 version and the even more successful 1957 remake. As if that wasn't enough of the remakes, a 1994 version of Love Affair, debuted directed by Glen Gordon Caron, and starring Warren Beatty and Annette Benning. An interesting triva tidbit - Glen Gordon Caron also directs the TV show Medium, and has directed past favorites, such as Moonlighting and Remington Steele. I haven't seen the 1994 version yet, but it's the next movie on my list to watch.

As I watched the movie the other day, I immediately thought there needed to be a remake - one worthy of the 1957 version. Although I can't personally comment, history shows the 1994 version paled in comparison to the 1957 classic. So, maybe my first venture into directing needs to be the remake of An Affair to Remember worthy of timeless recognition. The screenplay is already written, with a few tweaks to make it modern day, it's a beautiful piece. The lead actor for my version is, hands down, George Clooney. But casting the lead actress is a challenge. I, of course, would love to do it, but for better publicity, a well-known actress would be much better. It would need to be someone with sass, sarcasm, and a good singing voice. I loved Michelle Pfeiffer paired up with George in One Fine Day, but, can she sing? Nicole Kidman wowed me with her vocal abilities in Moulin Rouge, so maybe she's a possibility. And, then there is Jennifer Lopez, who could always use a good love story in her acting career.

So, any thoughts from the blogging audience? Who would you cast as the actress? Or, if you could direct a movie, what movie would you love to direct?

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Off to a Funny Start

On New Year's Eve, a group of my friends from church celebrated the evening at a local bowling alley. It was actually a really nice deal - 4 hours of unlimited bowling, free cokes, party favors, karoke, and sparkling cider at midnight - all for the low cost of $75 per lane. Splitting two lane fees between 11 other folks made it a pretty cheap way to spend the evening.

Soon after arriving, my friend, Christie, noticed one of the managers and remembered him from our church long ago. After having an unsuspecting member of our party go spy out his name tag, it hit me who he was - a friend of a friend who used to attend our church a few years back. The interesting connection, Mr. Manager's friend married one of my best friends.

I debated most of the night on whether or not I should say something to him, figuring he wouldn't remember me. But, knowing my best friend, she would have slaughtered me if I didn't say something to him. You see, Mr. Manager is single...and her ultimate goal in life is to marry me off - not necessarily to Mr. Manager, but being bold enough to talk to someone who has met me before is a good start in her book.

So, after the stroke of midnight, I decided to head home and thought, what the hey, I'll never see him again. I walked up to the counter and said, "Are you a friend of Bobby's?" He responded, "Yes." I replied, "You may not remember me, but I'm Alisa's friend, Rose." And, he unexpressively replied, "No, I don't remember you." Ok, talk about your awkward moments. He made a comment that he talks to Bobby every couple of months, and I said, "Well, it's good to see you...take care."

At least I know I'm attempting to meet guys, albeit disasterous. I'm hoping this isn't a foreshadowing of the year to come, but it made for some comic relief and great blog content.