Monday, February 2, 2009

por favor

I have a secret soft spot for musicals. One of my favorites is Camelot, that ode to All Things Sixties - with the bouffant hairdos and the brocade gowns. I love it. The hazy camera shots, the men wearing tights, the music. The wedding scene is still, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful chapel scenes I've ever witnessed on film (with the candles! and her dress!). And honestly, you can't tell me that Vanessa Redgrave isn't absolutely stunningly beautiful in Camelot. I don't even mind Richard Harris' weird purple eye make-up. (Oh if you don't believe me - watch it and report back. The dude is wearing purple eye shadow. I don't even want to know why.) Anyway. There's a scene in Camelot when Guinevere has started to realize her very complicated feelings for Lancelot (I HATE that guy), as well as her continuing love for Arthur. Everything around her is messy, messed up - and she longs for a simpler time, a less tangled life. She asks Arthur about "the simple folk" - and what they do when they are facing trouble. What do the simple folk do... So in honor of Camelot, I'm going to ask you today: what do YOU do when you're facing trouble? (Not that you're SIMPLE, or anything, k? Because in this situation, and in terms of SIMPLE MINDED - that would be ME. My mind is CURSED with its simplicity. Me simple. You much more, um, advanced. Ug.)

Distract me. Please. Bad News and Very Stressful Situations abound. Most blogs I visit, most friends I talk to, the news stories, the newspapers, the radio. It's all doomy, gloomy, and yuck.

So tell me. What do you do to distract yourself from the Yuck? Or, if you're not a distracting kind of person - just distract ME. Please. The best I've been able to come up with is to watch this trailer of Will Ferrell in the new movie for LAND OF THE LOST. It gives me about 45 seconds of respite. I need more. Whatcha got?

11 comments:

wandering nana said...

Turn the TV off.... turn the radio off...... don't bring a newspaper into the house. Turn on your ipod and dance around the house like no one is watching... enjoy. (Camelot is our favorite movie too... I LOVVVVVEEEE the wedding scene and also the scene where they first meet.)

Pickles and Dimes said...

I sleep. Seriously. That is how my body copes with extreme amounts of stress; it just shuts down. I also try to hang out with people who will make me laugh. Just yesterday we hung out with my favorite cousin and his wife and I swear for the whole two hours I didn't stop laughing.

Bird said...

I have an advanced degree in Totally Ignoring Things. Economic downturn- go bake cookies. Friends tell you bad news- go watch bad-but-good reality TV. General malaise- take a walk or knit a cute hat. I find if you ignore it, it isn't there anymore!

Kristi said...

I can't wait to see Land of the Lost. It looks great!

I'm a sleeper also, and I have a bad hapbit of Target shopping sprees when I get really down. And when things get as bad as they can possibly get, reruns of Gilmore Girls work wonders on my soul.

M said...

Um, Friend?

What's going on? email me, ok?

Heidi said...

Amy I hope everything is alright. If I need to relax I pick up a book and read. I didn't know you love musicals! I grew up on musicals! They are my favorite things to watch. Yesterday I bought a DVD from walmart with "Cauousel, Oklahoma, and State fair." My mom and I always sit and watch them together. Have you ever seen "Summer Stock" with Judy Garland and Gene Kelley? It is hilarious and one of my favorites. I think I might still have it on vhs! You could borrow it. I promise it will make you smile and laugh!

Alice said...

i am also a big "sleeper" and "ignorer" when things go bad. if i'm not thinking about it, it's not real! la la la la la la la!!

wandering nana said...

After reading the comments.... do I need to come over there....I'm down the street.... I'm home......I have 5 daughters so I know how to "mom" people. Call me (I'm actually doing the fingers to my ear but you can't see it... better yet, I'm calling you!

Rachael said...

Hope everything is okay- it's cool to see your blog after so long. Your place still rates as one of the coolest homes I've been in.

I allow myself a sulk day, let the kiddo watch too many movies, and think of what action I will take tomorrow to make it better.

angelalois said...

My favorite part is, "that's adorable... taxpayers' money." hahahahahahaha

I have a gratitude journal. I write when I'm in a great mood, and read when I'm in a poopoo mood. It helps.

Swistle said...

I bake. Also, I read books by comedians. Dave Barry and Colin McEnroe and the Jeeves books by P.G. Wodehouse, and Miss Manners, who knows the answers to EVERYTHING.