No cooking (or drinking) today. Mark is working the nightshift, it's the 4th of July, the house is still a chaos of tarps and paint fumes, and I'm exceedingly crabby. Bitchy, even. Just ask the ticket taker at the Sequoia theatre, the one with the Barry Manilow haircut who tried to explain to me that there are no bargain matinees on a holiday no matter WHAT it said in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Jerk.
So, I took Isabel and Owen to see The Visitor. I didn't know how it would go over with them, and Lord knows I've made some monumental mistakes in this department. But it was fantastic! The Visitor won't insult your intelligence, your 11-year-old daughter will be curiously enthralled, and even an excitable 7-year-old boy may find the thoughtful drama -- about illegal immigrants, draconian post-9/11 bureaucracy, African drumming, and one very lonely man -- touching. (Though he probably won't be able to articulate why.)
The film didn't make me feel particularly patriotic, but it was a perversely good choice for this dismal 4th. I highly recommend for all stir-crazy mothers whose children have not yet started camp.
I promise, tomorrow I will cook.
Loved this post. AND wish we'd joined you at the visitor instead of at Wall E. which was good and of course had a happy ending, but too apocalyptic and dark for my mood today, and for the 4th. Looking forward to your return to the stove!
ReplyDeleteLet's say you worked at a movie theater, with or without the Barry Manilow hair. Would you prefer to work as cashier, ticket taker or concessionaire?
ReplyDeleteHoliday grumpiness! No cooking, just a chaotic house and a movie outing. The Visitor surprisingly captivated both kids. Maybe relief from playing Funny Shooter 2 all day?
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ReplyDeleteSounds like a tough day! Holidays can be deceivingly stressful. Dealing with disorganization and paint fumes? Yikes. Maybe unwind with a low-stakes game instead? Something less terrifying than a real-life Fnaf scenario, perhaps. A little virtual fun might be the perfect antidote to a Barry Manilow haircut encounter. Hope tomorrow brings fewer frustrations!
ReplyDeleteI once used Omegle to connect with people from different cultures while my kids were napping. It was surprisingly enriching, much like your movie experience. You get to hear various personal stories, which can be touching and insightful, just like the themes in The Visitor. If you're ever looking for a low-key way to explore new perspectives from home, Omegle can be a great, spontaneous way to do that without any pressure.
ReplyDeleteI totally get that feeling! Last holiday when my kitchen was under renovation, I found myself in a similar cranky mood. Instead of cooking, I ended up grabbing some ready-made snacks from Monkey Mart nearby – saved the day and my patience. Sometimes, a little convenience really helps when everything else is chaotic. Hope your house settles down soon and Mark has a smooth nightshift!
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