Sunday Stealling

Sunday Stealing: The Meme From Memphis 
(part one)

Be honest, who texted you last? My friend Tom.

Do you sleep with the bedroom door open or closed? Open.

Do you drink tea? Not very often.

Do you have plans for tomorrow? Monday it's back to work and back to the project that's due for internal review on (gulp!) Wednesday.

What’s worse: dry skin or chapped lips? I'm suffering from both right now. I'll vote that chapped lips are worse because at least the maddeningly dry spot between my shoulders doesn't show.

Would you be surprised if Facebook started charging? Charging individuals? Yes. Charging businesses? No.

Would you rather go to Canada or California on vacation? California, because my oldest friend lives there and we had fun when I visited her last fall.
 
How many social media sites are you registered with? Three: Linkedin, Twitter and FB.

Are you wearing jeans, shorts, sweatpants or pajama pants? Jeans

So, what if you changed lives for one day with the last person you texted? That would be Tom, which would mean I'd suddenly be a newly-engaged thirtysomething Cuban American man, instead of a fiftysomething pale-as-paper old chick. I might like having some color to my skin.

Last person you told a secret to? Tom again! Third Tom answer this meme. I told him a secret, but I must confess he didn't care.

What are you listening to at the moment? I've got the TV on.

Where was the last place you fell asleep other than your bed? I crashed on the sofa. I hate it when I do that.

Is there someone that you believe you will always be attached to? Romantically? No. Emotionally? My best friend.

Are you going to any concerts this year? If Bruce Springsteen's tour comes through Chicago again.

Do you believe in Karma? Yes.

The final shot

Just watched George Clooney's Ides of March again. That last shot, where once idealistic Ryan Gosling silently stares into the camera while listening to the candidate's platitudes in his head and wonders what they've both become, reminds me of another final scene …

Michael Clayton, where George Clooney is alone with his thoughts in a cab, wondering what he's become.

Clooney directed Ides of March after working with Tony Gilroy on Michael Clayton, so I don't think the similarity is an accident. I suspect it's an homage. A risky one, at that.

It works more successfully in Michael Clayton because Michael Clayton is simply a better movie than Ides of March. It's about something, whereas Ides of March is at heart just a thriller, so that self reflective last shot feels inauthentic. And Ryan Gosling -- hottie though he is -- is not yet actor Clooney is and Clooney -- hottie though he is -- is not yet the director Gilroy is.

Still, it was an entertaining movie to rewatch and I enjoy Clooney's career soooo much. The boy ingenue who was a supporting character on The Facts of Life has turned into a movie-making presence. The new Robert Redford. (Not that the original Robert Redford is done. His new movie, The Company You Keep, will be in limited release next month.)

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Midnight Train to Georgia
 

1) Have you ever been to the Atlanta? In the city proper? Only the airport. But I have gone from Hartsfield to a town called Braselton, home of the completely wonderful Chateau Elan Spa. I'd love to return there someday (maybe 2015?).

 
2) Do you enjoy traveling by train? Yes. I take the el to and from work each day and enjoy taking short trips by Amtrak. It's relaxing.

 
3) "Midnight Train to Georgia" is Sam Winters' signature number at the karaoke bar. What's your go-to song when you take the mic? I don't have one because I'm utterly tone deaf. So instead I'll share my best friend's favorite karaoke song -- "Friends in Low Places."

4) Do you drink tea? Only occasionally. On mega cold mornings.

5) What's the most recent thing you purchased for your home? A shower curtain liner.

 
6) Are there dishes in your kitchen sink right now?
Yes. Always.

7) Have you ever been fingerprinted? Yes. When I refinanced my condo, the loan officer took my thumb print.

 
8) What was the last check you wrote? To the electric company.

9) What color are your eyes? Green