I saw Alexander Payne’s new film, “Sideways,” last night at the Dundee Theater. Very funny, although the language was a bit unsavory at times. Then there are two sex scenes that made me a wee bit uncomfortable. The inward-focus on the characters was indicative of Payne’s work, as in “About Schmidt.” I’d recommend “Sideways” to a family member or friend.

http://www.shaggy-money.flywheelsites.com/mp3list.html

Go get it: http://www.shaggy-money.flywheelsites.com/writing/

Working seven days a week is starting to take its toll. I’ve written this before, I know, but I’ve worked at Nu-Trend for more than a year now, every Saturday and Sunday. I took Wednesday off because I worked until 2 a.m. covering the elections. I didn’t shower until 5 in the evening, and that was only because I met Matthew for dinner and drinks. I crave having a normal weekend like most people. I can only hope and pray that my shot at success is just around the corner.

EDIT: It’s now 75 degrees on a November day in Nebraska. Unexpected. Delicious.

I am in love with this suede handbag. Should a new, better paying job surface, this beauty could be mine :-)

Frank likes to look out of the living room window.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/06/arts/music/06post.html

I went to the eye doctor yesterday to have my eyes checked. It has been two years and I had a feeling my prescription had changed. I was right! While there, I also picked out new frames, which should be in within two weeks. Check ’em out!

One of these things is not like the other.

Today’s speech by John Kerry was a rather emotional experience not just for me, but for the thousands of people who voted for him and volunteered for him. It really was rather heartbreaking to watch Kerry’s eyes well with tears when he mentioned his supporters. I cried along with him. And I think it was rather telling when he used the phrase “I’m sorry” in this historic speech. He apologized for losing the election. It was so overwhelming to watch him speak about his campaign and know that he won’t be our 44th president. Kerry has his faults. Bush has his faults. We all do. But there was something about Kerry that just made you like him. Although he slung mud with the best of ’em, at the end of the day he was this simple, honest man who simply wanted his country — our country — to be a better place. Just because his opinions and beliefs and strategies differ from Bush doesn’t make him a bad person or unfit to serve as our president. You could tell the toll the campaign and ultimate loss took on Kerry today as stood there, alone, at the podium where it all began.

Kerry’s loss has made me more aware of our political system and you can bet I’ll take a greater interest in our government and the next four years.

It also bothered me how Kerry and Bush agreed that “our nation needs healing.” Yet during his speech today, Cheney emphasized how well the Republicans did in Congress with regard to the elections. I can only hope that Kerry remains a player in our government and works to right the wrongs.

(And, yes, I voted for Kerry.)