Pre-Christmas Random

The family went to see The Hobbit last Saturday.  We went to the first showing at 10am, and were blessed with a less than packed theater, and we got to sit in the most fortuitous spot for movie viewing.  Where is that?  That is the spot where you can get up and leave the theater without disturbing other patrons.  For us, these are seats where one of us is on the aisle.  Since Larry is the one who has been impatiently waiting for this movie since the Return of the King was finished, I was the one who took Zane to the bathroom four or five times, got more popcorn, got more drinks, etc. So I missed a little of the movie.  Normally this would bother me, but I am sure that I will be seeing the 3D version of the movie as well as the 48-frames-per-second version that people either love or hate.  If any theater in San Antonio has that particular version; we seem to be looked upon as a less than educated movie going audience, and they might not think anyone would be interested in something new.  

Christopher Lee is in The Hobbit, revising his role as Saruman the White Wizard.  Christopher Lee actually met Tolkien, and that already makes him cooler than most people.  What is also cool is that Christopher Lee has been in more movies than anybody. Think about how many movies he's starred in, or had a cameo, etc.  That's a very long and distinguished career for an actor.  I don't think that I want to be a school psychologist for that long; there's only so many IQ tests one can give before it all runs together. 

Speaking of movies, I really would like to see the new Tom Cruise movie, which is based on a character from a Lee Child novel.  I'm a bit leery, however.  The character, Jack Reacher, is described as 6'5", and 250 lbs.  Tom Cruise is what--5'7"?   Also, Jack Reacher is described as not all that great looking.  Which is going to make this movie a bit awkward, but I'm willing to give Cruise the benefit of the doubt.  He has shown before that he can actually act, so if anyone can pull it off, he can.

There's quite a few movies coming out over the next year that I'm eager to see, including the new Superman movie and the new Star Trek movie.  There's also another Iron Man movie and another Thor movie!  Have you noticed a theme to the movies I want to see?  If a film is 'romantic',  'arty', or 'drama", I would rather wait and see the movie at home.  That way, if I cry and get all puffy, nobody sees that.  I go to the movies to escape, so I want lots of action, stuff blowing up, people getting smacked around without suffering any significant damage, etc.  Those sorts of movies lend themselves to the big screen, I think. 

I am halfway finished with my Christmas shopping, thanks to Amazon.  I don't particularly enjoy big crowds anymore, so I am happy to do my shopping online.  I hope to sneak out during my lunch hour to grab a couple of gifts, but I may just have to get up early on Saturday.  Zane has asked for a Nintendo DS, and I think that we are also getting him a new bike.  He may be ready for us to take off the training wheels this year, which will be both good and bad.  Bad, just because he will be riding way faster than I can run, even on a good day.   Between Zane on his bike and walking Maisy, I may even lose some weight!

Zane wanted to give presents to all of his teachers, so I let him rummage through all the stretchy bracelets I've made over the past year. He and I put them together; I hold the stretchy part, and Zane  puts the beads on.  I figured that doing that activity would be good for his fine motor skills, but we won't see the benefits from that until he starts actual writing.  Right now he's just copying letters.

I will be going to my son's "Christmas Sing-a-long" this week. I'm skipping work for a couple of hours, but it will be worth it.  I will have to bring the camera, and the Flip camera.  Zane has been singing Christmas carols nonstop for the last month, and we've been amazed at what he is remembering.  I'm so eager to see my little boy up there, but I hope that I don't embarrass him with my cheering.

I think that's about all the random I have for today.  Please go and visit Stacy over at Stacy Uncorked, because she is awesome.   Also, hug your child today, and tell them that you love them.  Tell all of your loved ones that you love them, as a matter of fact.