Needed to create, code, construct to sharpen the mind.

Note: This is a temporary, dynamic page and I, as well as others, will not see the word choices. So be as vulgar as you wish.

This week I spotted two left-handers. Milla Jovovich, which particularly pleased me as I have an odd affinity for her as I consider her one of the most beautiful people in the celebrity world. The second was actor Victor Garber writing during a scene in the television series “Alias”. Sadly, he did not make my most beautiful people list.

Sorry, cannot give Nancy Drew the movie a positive review.

(Do people still name their kids Corky?)

Review coming soon…

I upgraded WordPress, my blogging software, so the design changed somewhat. A supposed ten-minute task ended up becoming a multi-hour process. I needed to upgrade my version of MySQL which required me to un-install the older MySQL database engine which required a back up of all current databases which caused concern in light of my recent total HDD loss. Needed to re-do images. But I do recommend using WordPress if you are looking for a free blogging application. I chose it years ago before it was so popular. It must be popular as templates are available specifically for Wordpress sites at MonsterTemplate.com. Smarty templates are not my favorite. Why do I need to alter four files to change the header on one page? Why do I often forget to use a question mark after questions? Are my questions really statements in disguise? Too much upgrading, revising, re-coding in the tech world. It’s a free, open source, tool, so money isn’t driving the changes here. So tired of all the browser variations to consider in the Internet world. Thunderbird, your spell check dictionary suggestions could still use some help. It’s improved, just not enough. But I can’t use MS to browse or email as they own enough of me. But they already know this, I am sure. Odd numbers make me so much happier than even ones. I dread 2008.

Recently a Starbucks barista and I discovered we shared the same name. She asked me if I liked my name. Thanks for painting me into that corner, Valerie, by asking me if I liked my name, which is your name. But it got me thinking. I know I never had issue with my name as a young’n as I recall having bright pink, multi-sized ,personalized stickers, pencils engraved with my name, a bicycle license plate revealing my identity, valerie, valerie, valerie, for all to know. I was always firm about being called Valerie versus Val. Even now the name “Val” conjures up an image of a bigger female with long, straight, brown hair who pitches for the Babes of Steel, a 16-inch all-girl softball team on the South side of Chicago. No, I’d rather not be called Val. But with time I have encountered more people with the name, and I am more likely to think of an acrylic-nail-wearing, gum-cracking, stylist at the It’s a Hair Weave-o-lution salon when I hear the full moniker, Valerie, than anything else. Names are serious business. Weigh all options, consider all possibilities, parents-to be.

Not being a parent I have at times wondered if p’s ever regret the name they chose for their offspring. I think they do and I am basing it on my regret at names I have chosen for pets and Build-a-Bears. First, my cat. “Party of Five” was still on the air and it introduced me to the name “Bailey”. I thought it was cute, the name versus the character*, and it was befitting to both a male and female. I like names that cross gender lines. Anyway, about a few months after Bailey came into being, I could not believe that I chose that name for a cat. I felt forlorn that this was going to be his name for life. The regret intensified when someone inquired, “As in Bailey’s Irish Cream?” It didn’t help that my sister’s cat was named after an alcoholic drink, so this person was extrapolating a bit. “Noooo, not in Bailey’s Irish Cream,” I answered with attitude and indignation, “but as in Bailey from “Party of Five”.” I really couldn’t say that last part without smiling because it truly sounded ridiculous. Then I proceeded to try and explain my reasoning which sounded pathetic. After that incident, I make no explanation for his name. It’s Bailey and we both need to live with it. Or I simply say my sister named him.

Then there is my Build-a-Bear.** I thought with age and experience I had developed some taste and sense in choosing something so important as a name. So I spent a few weeks dreaming of the perfect name. I knew I was going to build a girl (no ultrasound needed) and I really wanted Cate, with a “C”, to be her middle name. Finally, it came to me. A very pretty name, gender neutral, sitting right there in front of my face. I had just undergone a full-head foiling and shampoo and, probably being too tired after this tedious task, the stylist sent me to another station. Sitting there sweating under the blasts of heat, bleached blond wisps of hair fluttering across my eyes, I spotted the beauty school diploma and thought, so this is Devin drying my hair. Devin. I loved it. Perfect. I would name my future Build-a-Bear Devin Cate and her initials would be DC, very cool.

But later my niece liked to ask questions about or offer to babysit my build-a-bear and she would always do so by using her full name, Devin Cate. The name began to irk me. I would cringe sometimes when I heard the name. At the time I was not sure why I felt dislike for the name. I should have considered the possibility that it was a pretty name but more fitting to a person than a stuffed, white bear. Ya think? Time passed and I started liking the name again.

So I assume there do exist parents who regret the names they bestow upon their progeny. And I surmise they keep this feeling hidden deep inside, as they should, because really who wants their mom and dad to say “We apologize for the name we chose for you, but we never thought to look it up. I mean, “Dynasty” was on in the background, we were toasting to the new flavor of wine coolers we had just bought, and then we heard the word on the TV. We thought it sounded so pretty… Later when we realized you were conceived that night, we believed it was fate, that the name was both meaningful and beautiful. We just didn’t know. Sorry, Bidet.” Thanks mom and dad.

*Scott Wolf was ok, not really my type, and I wouldn’t select a name merely because that person was cute. But then if one of the Salinger’s grandfathers, played by Carroll O’Connor, was named Bailey, would I have still thought it “cute”? Would today I be sighing “Bailey, why is your hair everywhere, damnit?” Hmmm, probably not.

**Build-a-bear deserves it’s own blog entry. Coming soon at a later date. I am jealous of few business ideas, but I would have given anything to have dreamed up this concept. I envy the builder of the Build-a-Bear’s empire. Kids and bigger kids love their stores. Bfs build personalized animals for their gfs. Later the heartbroken girls slash open the furry creatures, rip out and then rip up the little red hearts stuffed inside the bear, supposedly lovingly, by the bfs. It mimics the same evil game the boys played on their hearts.

I myself put little personal objects inside the bears, like a little treasure, so somewhere down the road they can gently cut open the aged animal and see discover the precious and personal item I placed within years back.

2006 WSOP Bracelet

While reviewing the movie, Lucky You, Richard Roeper parlayed his critique into an opportunity to mention that he will be competing in the 2007 World Series of Poker. Being a writer he attempted to make this claim sound somewhat witty so phrased it as he spent almost as much time at the poker tables as he did inside screening rooms. Ha, I wonder how long he had sought an appropriate film to tack on this self-promotion? Was he prepared to throw in this mention while reviewing some random movie where some guy is eating chips “That guy was really shoveling in the chips. I used to wolf down chips, too, but nowadays my hands are more likely to be grabbing poker chips.”

I admit to being intrigued by Roeper’s comment, because I have found I tend to agree with his movie assessments. He doesn’t play the high and mighty card (he saves that for the poker tables) when authoring his reviews and automatically applaud a movie that employed subtitles or pan a movie simply because it was the seventh in a certain slasher-type series. His reviews bode well with my preferences and that makes me happy because I am a common person who likes to feel validated. My brother loudly guffawed when I told him my opinion, but I knew he would as I never felt he was a Roeper fan. My guess would be that Roeper’s readership proves more popular with females, but its purely speculative. I like to speculate.

I find Roeper somewhat transparent regarding his likes and dislikes of actors themselves. An easy read, if you will. I bet this trait will not serve him well at the WSOP. Get the sunglasses and hat ready, Mr. Columnist. Nonetheless, I think it is somewhat endearing when he is reviewing a movie which features an actor he likes and his captivation seems so apparent to me. I recall seeing a review with the then unknown Rachel McAdams. He praised her performance greatly, but I could tell his fascination extended beyond her acting ability. Like, if he was back in school or had issues with obsession, he would have a folder titled “RachelMc” on his computer and inside he would have dozens of her photos he found via Google images.

But Roeper doesn’t give off a creepy vibe. Unlike his "former" fellow movie analyst, Ebert, who I believe gave thumbs up to the Tomb Raider movies because of the wet-suit wearing Angeline Jolie. Sure, she’s hot, but when Ebert mentioned her during the review, lustfulness came through the television set more than critical lauder. But I respect Ebert, wish him well in his cancer battle and think its cool he maintains ties with his (and my) alma mater by holding an annual Ebert Fest in Champaign, IL.

More recently Roeper reviewed McAdams in Wedding Crashers and Red Eye and his admiration continues. I felt justified when he commented how he “really liked” McAdams, as if my initial impression was on target. Frankly, McAdams proves a talented actor, seemingly with substance, and probably will maintain a long and successful career in the trade.

*? Why do these blog entries go on forever? I try and write a letter of intent for law school and keep checking my word count which barely tops 500 and here I wax inane about trivial pursuits. Whoa, the 80’s edition wasn’t what I expected.

** The 2007 World Series of Poker is currently in play. Check it out. I bet that Daniel Negreanu will make it to the final table of the main event. He’s a solid, skilled player and entertaining as well.

***Wow, I was so excited - I met a relatively brand spankin’ new lefty! I was a bit worried that the breeders had perhaps stopped making them, but this angelic-faced, little girl alleviated those fears. Phewww.

Ah, human development observed from afar. As a psych student I think I felt nurture/ environmental factors had a slightly greater edge in the development of a child, but as an adult I feel somewhat swayed by the awesome power of the intrisic personality, coded within the DNA. It’s like the framework - hard to bend, demolish or significantly alter.