Snake Surly

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April 17, 2009

Oscar Challenge: All About Eve

I was *sure* I'd seen this before, but it only took about fifteen seconds to realize I hadn't. This is, of course, sure to be used against me in my insanity trial. HOW could I have never seen it?

I've heard all the quotable quotes, and I've seen all the scenes with Marilyn, and I know all about Edith Head's dress that wouldn't stay on Bette Davis' shoulders, but somehow I managed to get through the last 38 years without seeing it.

Holy crap, this was good. There was not a moment that wasn't riveting, there wasn't a performance that wasn't wonderful, it was beautiful to look at, it's about the theatre, the story was simple and clever, and did I mention Marilyn? (Nathan had to get himself a cold compress after her scenes.) It's sort of got everything I like in it.

This is going in my top ten Oscars list. It might even make the top five.

April 13, 2009

Hoes Around House

Since we moved in, the variegated Eunonymous fortunei has been lurking on the dear-god-can-we-rip-this-out list. It wasn't as bad as the Xylosma Giganticus and not as bad as the Privet from Hell, but I hated its lurid yellow foliage. This last month when it was cold and wet out, the golden hedge added some warmth to the barren yard.

Sort of pretty, but the memory of those mustardy yellow leaves reflecting the summer sun was too strong, so they had to come out. And come out, they did. Of course, as soon as the first plant got ripped out, we saw how ugly the fence was, so that had to come out, too.

This photo is a bit of a cheater. Tom came over and was shocked that we hadn't properly documented our progress, so he made us re-enact the removal of the fence. Astute viewers will notice the newly planted rose bush taking a swipe at my knees. (Also one might notice the attractive mattress in our neighbors' yard leaning against the rest of the decrepit fence.)

Anyway, we got a shitload done this week. We planted five bare-root David Austen roses (a little late, I know, but what can you do?), and one more David Austen plant that we found unexpectedly at the nursery today. (Pat Austin! W00T!)

Now I must go make us a Meyer Lemondrop with the bucket of lemons Tom gave me.