This is a rant.....
Organizing ribbons for an all breed dog show SUCKS!!!!! I've been organizing the ribbons & rosettes for the Alberta Kennel Club dog show for the last 5 or 6 shows. It isn't difficult work.... it's just a LOT of work. And it's a very thankless job. It would probably be easier for a smaller club but the AKC likes to do things in style. So all the larger rosettes are dated, the group rosettes have the group name on them, etc. This means they are not interchangeable and I better have the exact right rosette available at ringside at the right time. Still not such a big deal, right? WRONG! That's just some of the rosettes. This club also gives out "breeder rosettes" to the winner of each group, puppy in group, BIS, and BPIS. Then there is reserve BIS, Best of the Best (or "Alberta Beauty" as they are now calling it), brace rosettes for group and BIS, and I haven't even talked about the booster, junior handling, miscellaneous class, or breeders sweepstakes rosettes.
And in the summer show it's even worse as there is one day of "limited breed" showing so every rosette has that printed on it.... can't get them mixed up with the "all breed" rosettes. And then there is obedience. I find those especially frustrating because I take home half of the rosettes at the end of the show due to so many dogs not qualifying. That's just the nature of obedience trials. There is a rosette for first through fourth place in each class, high in trial, high aggregate, obedience best of the best (or "Rocky Mountain High" as they call it), breed boosters, and new this year is a high combined in open & utility rosette. Then there's the unofficial classes (brace, team, veterans) that have their own rosettes.
And then there's the flats. I've seen smaller clubs (with just one or two rings going at a time) place all their flats on the judge's table in a nice slotted tray. I have to have an actual piece of furniture in my living room to store them there are so many. It's approximately 4 feet wide, 3 feet tall, and a foot deep. It's huge and ugly and a pain in the ass. And counting the ribbons is such a pain. If you had to count out 131 blue flats for first in class, you'd probably agree with me. But that's just one ribbon type out of 11 that goes into each apron. I need one apron for every conformation ring... usually 7 rings. And a new apron for each day. I calculate that to be 231 sets of ribbons I need to count out for the winter show. Obedience is a little easier as I just lump all flats for the 2 rings over 3 days into 2 aprons. It's just too tedious to separate them out.
So organizing the ribbons & rosettes has taken me 2 full weekends. And that doesn't even include taking an initial inventory, calculating what we will need, ordering them, and going to pick them up.
I told the show committee that this is the last time I am doing the ribbons. It's way too much work in the days before the show which is when I am trying to get my dog ready to step in the ring again. If I was showing a beagle or a pug or a whippet maybe it wouldn't be so bad. But lemme tell ya..... American Cockers don't groom themselves!
Monday, January 30, 2006
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
How To Destroy Your Self Esteem
Last night I decided to go and buy a new swimsuit. As it is January (not exactly swimsuit season in Calgary) most stores aren't carrying swimsuits yet. So I went to the Sears outlet store as they had last summer's "collection". But on my way in, I first stopped at another clothing store and decided to try on some jeans. I was pleasantly surprised to find out I fit a size smaller than I thought. So I was feeling pretty good as I went to Sears and wandered into the swimsuit section.
Unfortunately the outlet store doesn't carry the greatest selection of merchandise. You may find the perfect suit but not in your size. Or you may find one in your size but you don't like the colour. Let's be honest, the selection is basically what no one wanted in the retail store. So I grabbed everything in my size hoping something would look good and headed to the fitting room. I had one pieces, bikinis, tankinis, little skirt wraps, and long flowing wraps.
As I was feeling good and somewhat sexy from the smaller jeans experience, I started with a bikini. I can testify that NOTHING will bring you crashing back to earth like looking at yourself in the mirror in a bikini. The swimsuit gods are bitter, ruthless, and vengeful. Every little flaw in your body, no matter how insignificant or trivial, seems to magnify. And the big flaws, the parts of your body you never liked but hoped somehow would magically disappear, just seem to take over completely. Strike one for the self-esteem!
So after the bikini I tried the tankini. This was surprisingly worse in many ways. The tankinis actually hid the virtues and accentuated the flaws. Strike two for the self esteem!
Okay, let's try it with a little skirt wrap. Okay, that's a little better but it doesn't hide the rolls that are making me sick every time I glance in the mirror. I quickly realize that these are outfits that will cause children to run away in terror to their mommies.
So let's try the one piece. I didn't want a one piece as that's all I have ever had my entire life and I really wanted to be sexy and not so "grandma-ish". However, this particular suit has a mesh panel on the front which I thought was kind of sexy... not a bikini but it shows a little tummy. So I try it on and, sure enough, the mesh panel sits right at the belly button which is okay if my rolls didn't make it look like a squinting eye!!!!! Strike three. The self-esteem is outta here!
However, after some pulling and pushing and manipulation of the rolls, I realize I can make the mesh panel (at least for a short while) show a strip of skin that isn't too nauseating. And, paired with a long flowing wrap skirt thingy it actually looks okay.
So I changed back in to my regular clothes, exited the fitting room with my self-esteem in shatters, my energy depleted, and my commitment to Weight Watchers renewed. I purchased the swimsuit and wrap and got the hell outta there. It's gonna take months or even years before I'll have the energy to go swimsuit shopping again.
Unfortunately the outlet store doesn't carry the greatest selection of merchandise. You may find the perfect suit but not in your size. Or you may find one in your size but you don't like the colour. Let's be honest, the selection is basically what no one wanted in the retail store. So I grabbed everything in my size hoping something would look good and headed to the fitting room. I had one pieces, bikinis, tankinis, little skirt wraps, and long flowing wraps.
As I was feeling good and somewhat sexy from the smaller jeans experience, I started with a bikini. I can testify that NOTHING will bring you crashing back to earth like looking at yourself in the mirror in a bikini. The swimsuit gods are bitter, ruthless, and vengeful. Every little flaw in your body, no matter how insignificant or trivial, seems to magnify. And the big flaws, the parts of your body you never liked but hoped somehow would magically disappear, just seem to take over completely. Strike one for the self-esteem!
So after the bikini I tried the tankini. This was surprisingly worse in many ways. The tankinis actually hid the virtues and accentuated the flaws. Strike two for the self esteem!
Okay, let's try it with a little skirt wrap. Okay, that's a little better but it doesn't hide the rolls that are making me sick every time I glance in the mirror. I quickly realize that these are outfits that will cause children to run away in terror to their mommies.
So let's try the one piece. I didn't want a one piece as that's all I have ever had my entire life and I really wanted to be sexy and not so "grandma-ish". However, this particular suit has a mesh panel on the front which I thought was kind of sexy... not a bikini but it shows a little tummy. So I try it on and, sure enough, the mesh panel sits right at the belly button which is okay if my rolls didn't make it look like a squinting eye!!!!! Strike three. The self-esteem is outta here!
However, after some pulling and pushing and manipulation of the rolls, I realize I can make the mesh panel (at least for a short while) show a strip of skin that isn't too nauseating. And, paired with a long flowing wrap skirt thingy it actually looks okay.
So I changed back in to my regular clothes, exited the fitting room with my self-esteem in shatters, my energy depleted, and my commitment to Weight Watchers renewed. I purchased the swimsuit and wrap and got the hell outta there. It's gonna take months or even years before I'll have the energy to go swimsuit shopping again.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Why the Canadian Government drives me insane!!!!
So my friend and I want to go to Disneyland this spring. For various reasons, I quickly realized it made more sense for me to get a passport in order to get across the border instead of relying on other paperwork.
But I'm in a bit of a pickle because many years ago I threw away my proof of Canadian citizenship as I never used it (I was young and foolish and would certainly not recommend doing that!). But of course they won't issue a passport to someone who cannot prove they are a Canadian Citizen. So after many phone calls, many e-mails, much standing in line, and much use of my Visa, I finally have all the documents I need to get my Canadian Passport.
So this morning I walked 10 blocks in -12 degrees Celsius weather to get to the passport office. Once I get there I stand in the first of three lines.... the first is to get a number. Yup, you have to line up to take a number LOL.
Then I get in the second line. This is for pre-screening to make sure you have all your documents in order. The pre-screening lady (who seems to really enjoy her job - major sarcasm) verifies that I am flying down on March 5th (I had copies of my flight receipts there) which was correct. She then tells me that I can't get my passport until February 6th. As this is about 2 weeks away (the estimated time it takes to process the paperwork and pick up the passport) I say thank-you and proceed into the third line where I will actually submit my paperwork. The pre-screening lady follows me and in a very loud voice so everyone in the passport office turns to look at her she says "MISS! MISS! I mean you can't SUBMIT your paperwork until February 6th!"
Oh! Well that was a wasted 10 block walk in -12 weather! So now I have to do that again in 2 weeks when the temperature is forecasted to be even colder! Then do it all again 2 weeks later to pick up the damn thing!
But my big question is... WHY!!!????!!! Why won't they accept my paperwork more than a month before I expect to travel? What's the difference in submitting it 6 weeks before I leave vs. 4 weeks before I leave? And if it DOES make a difference, why can't they just sit on the paperwork for 2 weeks and then process it after February 6th? WHY? Because the Canadian government is out to freakin' lunch!!! They are an example of process superseding common sense! But because they are the government, there is no point arguing with them. I'd be wasting my energy.... and I'll be needing that energy for the 10 block walk back to the office!
But I'm in a bit of a pickle because many years ago I threw away my proof of Canadian citizenship as I never used it (I was young and foolish and would certainly not recommend doing that!). But of course they won't issue a passport to someone who cannot prove they are a Canadian Citizen. So after many phone calls, many e-mails, much standing in line, and much use of my Visa, I finally have all the documents I need to get my Canadian Passport.
So this morning I walked 10 blocks in -12 degrees Celsius weather to get to the passport office. Once I get there I stand in the first of three lines.... the first is to get a number. Yup, you have to line up to take a number LOL.
Then I get in the second line. This is for pre-screening to make sure you have all your documents in order. The pre-screening lady (who seems to really enjoy her job - major sarcasm) verifies that I am flying down on March 5th (I had copies of my flight receipts there) which was correct. She then tells me that I can't get my passport until February 6th. As this is about 2 weeks away (the estimated time it takes to process the paperwork and pick up the passport) I say thank-you and proceed into the third line where I will actually submit my paperwork. The pre-screening lady follows me and in a very loud voice so everyone in the passport office turns to look at her she says "MISS! MISS! I mean you can't SUBMIT your paperwork until February 6th!"
Oh! Well that was a wasted 10 block walk in -12 weather! So now I have to do that again in 2 weeks when the temperature is forecasted to be even colder! Then do it all again 2 weeks later to pick up the damn thing!
But my big question is... WHY!!!????!!! Why won't they accept my paperwork more than a month before I expect to travel? What's the difference in submitting it 6 weeks before I leave vs. 4 weeks before I leave? And if it DOES make a difference, why can't they just sit on the paperwork for 2 weeks and then process it after February 6th? WHY? Because the Canadian government is out to freakin' lunch!!! They are an example of process superseding common sense! But because they are the government, there is no point arguing with them. I'd be wasting my energy.... and I'll be needing that energy for the 10 block walk back to the office!
Thursday, January 19, 2006
I over ate yesterday. So now what?
Yesterday was a bad day... food-wise. I can't seem to forget about it and move on though. So I thought "blogging" it (is that a word?) might help.
I am doing Weight Watchers and ate more than enough yesterday for 2 full days. The funny thing is, at the time I didn't feel like I was overeating. But this morning I feel bloated and puffy and almost sticky from the sugar I ate. Here's what I ate:
Breakfast - instant oatmeal (5 points) and tea
Lunch - cheese & crackers (7 points) and water
Supper - fries & gravy (9 points) and water
- large ceasar salad with extra croutons (24 points)
- cinnaparts from Pizza Hut (estimated at 8 points)
As you can see, I was doing okay until supper time. I was supposed to go out for dinner with my cousin so I planned on having a large salad (as I hadn't had any vegetables yet) but the plans fell apart and we ended up eating at a cafeteria where all the food was either deep fried or pre-packaged. In retrospect, I should have asked for them to make me a fresh sandwich but at the time it didn't seem like an option so I went for the fries & gravy. Then on the way home I was still hungry so I stopped at Pizza Hut for the ceaser salad and cinnaparts. Of course it COULD have been worse as I was tempted to get some cheese bread as well but thought I would "be good" and pass it up LOL.
Anyways, how can I move on from this? What's done is done and there is no changing the past. I'm not interested in being bulemic and even if I was it is too late to throw it all up now. So all I can do is let it pass and try to learn from the experience.
So what have I learned? I've learned that eating a lot of sugar makes me feel puffy & bloated the next day. I already knew this was true of salt & alcohol but now I can add sugar to that list. I've also learned that inspite of planning my meals, shit happens and all the plans can go out the window in seconds. So I just have to accept that and try to make the best food choices possible in the circumstances.
If I could go back and do it again.... I would ask for a fresh made sandwich on whole wheat bread instead of the fries & gravy. I would have also looked more closely at the pre-packaged snacks hoping to find some baked chips or a granola bar that is lower in point value. It wouldn't have been as enjoyable as the large salad in a nice restaurant that I thought I would have but at least it would have been more nutritious and less guilt-ridden than what I ended up having.
So today is a new day. I haven't eaten yet. I have nutritious food in my fridge and cupboards. I also have the motivation to make a salad and eat within my points range today. So now I'm going to post this blog, get up, and have a bowl of cereal & milk (2 points). Then in an hour I'll start making a salad to go with my low-fat pizza for lunch. I still feel a little guilty and pretty puffy but I can only move forward from here :)
I am doing Weight Watchers and ate more than enough yesterday for 2 full days. The funny thing is, at the time I didn't feel like I was overeating. But this morning I feel bloated and puffy and almost sticky from the sugar I ate. Here's what I ate:
Breakfast - instant oatmeal (5 points) and tea
Lunch - cheese & crackers (7 points) and water
Supper - fries & gravy (9 points) and water
- large ceasar salad with extra croutons (24 points)
- cinnaparts from Pizza Hut (estimated at 8 points)
As you can see, I was doing okay until supper time. I was supposed to go out for dinner with my cousin so I planned on having a large salad (as I hadn't had any vegetables yet) but the plans fell apart and we ended up eating at a cafeteria where all the food was either deep fried or pre-packaged. In retrospect, I should have asked for them to make me a fresh sandwich but at the time it didn't seem like an option so I went for the fries & gravy. Then on the way home I was still hungry so I stopped at Pizza Hut for the ceaser salad and cinnaparts. Of course it COULD have been worse as I was tempted to get some cheese bread as well but thought I would "be good" and pass it up LOL.
Anyways, how can I move on from this? What's done is done and there is no changing the past. I'm not interested in being bulemic and even if I was it is too late to throw it all up now. So all I can do is let it pass and try to learn from the experience.
So what have I learned? I've learned that eating a lot of sugar makes me feel puffy & bloated the next day. I already knew this was true of salt & alcohol but now I can add sugar to that list. I've also learned that inspite of planning my meals, shit happens and all the plans can go out the window in seconds. So I just have to accept that and try to make the best food choices possible in the circumstances.
If I could go back and do it again.... I would ask for a fresh made sandwich on whole wheat bread instead of the fries & gravy. I would have also looked more closely at the pre-packaged snacks hoping to find some baked chips or a granola bar that is lower in point value. It wouldn't have been as enjoyable as the large salad in a nice restaurant that I thought I would have but at least it would have been more nutritious and less guilt-ridden than what I ended up having.
So today is a new day. I haven't eaten yet. I have nutritious food in my fridge and cupboards. I also have the motivation to make a salad and eat within my points range today. So now I'm going to post this blog, get up, and have a bowl of cereal & milk (2 points). Then in an hour I'll start making a salad to go with my low-fat pizza for lunch. I still feel a little guilty and pretty puffy but I can only move forward from here :)
Friday, January 13, 2006
"The Office" imitates life
This week on "The Office" the boss named Mike (played by Steve Carell) explained his morning ritual and it made me think of a dear relative of mine who has recently discovered the joy of cooking bacon on a George Foreman grill.
Mike's ritual starts the night before by laying strips of bacon on an unplugged George Foreman grill next to his bed. Then in the morning he wakes up, plugs the grill in, and within minutes he is waking up to the smell and sounds of cooking bacon.
It all sounded reasonable to me except for the possible spoiling of the meat as it sits out overnight at room temperature. Not to mention the smell of cold bacon that would keep me up all night. And if you have dogs, well I'm sure you can imagine how much bacon would be left to cook in the morning LOL.
Mike's ritual starts the night before by laying strips of bacon on an unplugged George Foreman grill next to his bed. Then in the morning he wakes up, plugs the grill in, and within minutes he is waking up to the smell and sounds of cooking bacon.
It all sounded reasonable to me except for the possible spoiling of the meat as it sits out overnight at room temperature. Not to mention the smell of cold bacon that would keep me up all night. And if you have dogs, well I'm sure you can imagine how much bacon would be left to cook in the morning LOL.
New Favorite Quote
My view of hell would be to be stuck in Mormon heaven.
--- Steve Benson
This is meant as no offense to mormons. I grew up mormon and was continuously told how mormon heaven (or the "celestial kingdom") is the ultimate goal and reward for living a good mormon life during our mortal existence.
However, the more I come to understand the doctrines of the mormon church (100% from mormon sources - nothing "anti-mormon" here) the less appealing the "celestial kingdom" is to me. In a nutshell, if the eternities are filled with either procreating endlessly in a polygymous relationship (supposedly the ultimate reward) or becoming a "ministering servant" (the highest reward for unmarried individuals) then I'm good having other goals and rewards :)
--- Steve Benson
This is meant as no offense to mormons. I grew up mormon and was continuously told how mormon heaven (or the "celestial kingdom") is the ultimate goal and reward for living a good mormon life during our mortal existence.
However, the more I come to understand the doctrines of the mormon church (100% from mormon sources - nothing "anti-mormon" here) the less appealing the "celestial kingdom" is to me. In a nutshell, if the eternities are filled with either procreating endlessly in a polygymous relationship (supposedly the ultimate reward) or becoming a "ministering servant" (the highest reward for unmarried individuals) then I'm good having other goals and rewards :)
Friday, January 06, 2006
Why losing weight is harder when you are sick!
I've heard people say they were sick for a week and lost 5 pounds. I don't believe it! Maybe if they had a stomach bug and couldn't eat anything for a week it would be possible but not for a cold or the flu. That's what I have right now and I can testify that weight loss is an even bigger challenge than it normally is.
First of all, when you are sick you can't go to the gym. It is disgusting when someone is sniffling on the treadmill next to you. Also, if your lungs are congested, the last thing you want to do is work out and make your lungs work even harder!
Secondly, I am sucking on Halls cough drops constantly. The package says to have a maximum of 2 per day but no one does that. I have like 2 packages per day. They don't list the nutritional information on the Halls packaging but considering they are basically candies (made with real sugar... no aspartame here) I would ball park them at about 40-50 calories each. Not so bad for just one or two.... but pretty bad for 2 packages per day!
And finally, just because the lungs are congested and the sinuses are stuffed doesn't mean the stomach doesn't work. I still get hungry so I still eat. However, the food choices are limited to what is available and quick. It has to be available because I don't have the energy to go to the store and buy fresh produce. And it has to be quick because I don't have the energy to stand in the kitchen preparing a big salad with grilled chicken breast. If someone went to the store and got the ingredients and then stood in the kitchen to make it for me then I would probably eat it but since I don't have anyone volunteering to do that, I'll just keep eating chocolate, popcorn, and cereal... none of which is weight-loss friendly :P
So I am hoping this cold/flu thing clears itself up soon. I want to go to the gym with all the other new year's resolution-ers and have a grilled chicken salad when I get home :)
First of all, when you are sick you can't go to the gym. It is disgusting when someone is sniffling on the treadmill next to you. Also, if your lungs are congested, the last thing you want to do is work out and make your lungs work even harder!
Secondly, I am sucking on Halls cough drops constantly. The package says to have a maximum of 2 per day but no one does that. I have like 2 packages per day. They don't list the nutritional information on the Halls packaging but considering they are basically candies (made with real sugar... no aspartame here) I would ball park them at about 40-50 calories each. Not so bad for just one or two.... but pretty bad for 2 packages per day!
And finally, just because the lungs are congested and the sinuses are stuffed doesn't mean the stomach doesn't work. I still get hungry so I still eat. However, the food choices are limited to what is available and quick. It has to be available because I don't have the energy to go to the store and buy fresh produce. And it has to be quick because I don't have the energy to stand in the kitchen preparing a big salad with grilled chicken breast. If someone went to the store and got the ingredients and then stood in the kitchen to make it for me then I would probably eat it but since I don't have anyone volunteering to do that, I'll just keep eating chocolate, popcorn, and cereal... none of which is weight-loss friendly :P
So I am hoping this cold/flu thing clears itself up soon. I want to go to the gym with all the other new year's resolution-ers and have a grilled chicken salad when I get home :)
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
DVD Reviews #1
Well, since I've been sick over much of the holidays, I have watched a large number of DVD's. Thanks to my sister Louisa for lending me the movies. The TV DVD's are my own. Here, FWIW, are my thoughts.......
5 stars = Outstanding!
4 stars = Pretty good
3 stars = Average
2 stars = Poor
1 star = Suckfest!
TV Shows
Scrubs Season 1 - Outstanding! 2 enthusiastic thumbs up. This DVD set includes all season one episodes with various commentaries covering about 6 episodes. There are also cast, writer, etc interviews and a gag reel. If you like Scrubs, even a little bit, this is worth purchasing.
Scrubs Season 2 - Pretty good. Includes as much extra footage as season 1 but didn't seem to have the same impact.... maybe they set the bar too high with season 1? Worth watching but should only be purchased by the die hard fans :)
Friends Season 8 - Pretty good. The episodes have been in syndication for a while so nothing really new or unexpected there, even with additional scenes. The extras on this DVD set are worth watching though. Highlights are the "guest star" episodes with Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, and Alec Baldwin.
Friends Season 9 - Pretty good. Similar to season 8 but with a slightly better gag reel.
Friends Season 10 - Outstanding! Although the 10th season of Friends was shorter (18 episodes instead of the usual 26) these are some of the best episodes. The extras are oustanding with a gag reel from the 10th season as well as seasons 1-4..... totalling over 45 mins of gags. The gag reel is the highlight of any Friends DVD because it's not only flubbed lines but jokes the cast played on each other.... many a chuckle is to be had :)
Movies
Uptown Girls - Poor. The story is weak and Britney Murphy's acting is hardly Oscar-worthy. Dakota Fanning is cute but she can't carry the movie. Overall, not a great flick.
When Harry Met Sally - Pretty good. While the movie is a classic and enjoyable, the DVD extras actually pull it down in rating. The "behind the scenes" featurette is pretty good but they only got recent interviews from actors Billy Crystal and Carrie Fisher.... Meg Ryan and Bruno Kirby are shown but with footage from 1988. Unfortunately the Rob Reiner commentary is pretty dull and any other DVD extras are very forgettable.
The Family Man - Outstanding. Both the movie itself and the DVD extras are great. Extras include not only a gag reel and deleted scenes but three feature length commentaries.
How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days - Suckfest!!!! I was extremely disappointed with this movie. There was almost no chemistry between the two main characters (played by Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey) and the story limped along badly! It was so bad I didn't even watch the DVD extras
Spanglish - Outstanding! I knew almost nothing about this movie when I put it in the DVD player so I had no expectations. As it turns out, the movie was both entertaining and very well made. The extras were also great as they include commentaries, screen tests for some of the actors, as well as a short documentary on how to make the "world's greatest sandwich". All in all a delightful DVD :)
5 stars = Outstanding!
4 stars = Pretty good
3 stars = Average
2 stars = Poor
1 star = Suckfest!
TV Shows
Scrubs Season 1 - Outstanding! 2 enthusiastic thumbs up. This DVD set includes all season one episodes with various commentaries covering about 6 episodes. There are also cast, writer, etc interviews and a gag reel. If you like Scrubs, even a little bit, this is worth purchasing.
Scrubs Season 2 - Pretty good. Includes as much extra footage as season 1 but didn't seem to have the same impact.... maybe they set the bar too high with season 1? Worth watching but should only be purchased by the die hard fans :)
Friends Season 8 - Pretty good. The episodes have been in syndication for a while so nothing really new or unexpected there, even with additional scenes. The extras on this DVD set are worth watching though. Highlights are the "guest star" episodes with Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, and Alec Baldwin.
Friends Season 9 - Pretty good. Similar to season 8 but with a slightly better gag reel.
Friends Season 10 - Outstanding! Although the 10th season of Friends was shorter (18 episodes instead of the usual 26) these are some of the best episodes. The extras are oustanding with a gag reel from the 10th season as well as seasons 1-4..... totalling over 45 mins of gags. The gag reel is the highlight of any Friends DVD because it's not only flubbed lines but jokes the cast played on each other.... many a chuckle is to be had :)
Movies
Uptown Girls - Poor. The story is weak and Britney Murphy's acting is hardly Oscar-worthy. Dakota Fanning is cute but she can't carry the movie. Overall, not a great flick.
When Harry Met Sally - Pretty good. While the movie is a classic and enjoyable, the DVD extras actually pull it down in rating. The "behind the scenes" featurette is pretty good but they only got recent interviews from actors Billy Crystal and Carrie Fisher.... Meg Ryan and Bruno Kirby are shown but with footage from 1988. Unfortunately the Rob Reiner commentary is pretty dull and any other DVD extras are very forgettable.
The Family Man - Outstanding. Both the movie itself and the DVD extras are great. Extras include not only a gag reel and deleted scenes but three feature length commentaries.
How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days - Suckfest!!!! I was extremely disappointed with this movie. There was almost no chemistry between the two main characters (played by Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey) and the story limped along badly! It was so bad I didn't even watch the DVD extras
Spanglish - Outstanding! I knew almost nothing about this movie when I put it in the DVD player so I had no expectations. As it turns out, the movie was both entertaining and very well made. The extras were also great as they include commentaries, screen tests for some of the actors, as well as a short documentary on how to make the "world's greatest sandwich". All in all a delightful DVD :)
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