Information Overload

I'm experiencing information overload right now. Instead of taking a logical approach to my dilemma, I've decided to blog about it. Why not waste more time sharing the charms of my mental breakdowns with the likes of, well, everyone?

I hate when this happens. Too much stuff coming at me at one time. I'm good at multi-tasking, don't get me wrong, however, I tend to stagger over the trivial matters instead of focusing on the big picture. Go global, JMR, go global. So here I sit blogging. This tells me something about myself.

Self Realization No. 245: Writing is important to me.

When stress surfaces, my first instinct is to write about it. I consider that a good thing. It's definitely more health conscious than slamming a fifth of vodka, smoking a blunt or popping a few pills. Granted, those have their place in our world as we all need to find our vices, however it pays to choose wisely. I choose writing.

I don't consider myself a great writer, or even a mediocre writer, but I do consider myself part of the writing world. I'd like to fine-tune my niche in this world by becoming a "categorized writer" of some sort, most likely in the comedic realm. Blogging has introduced me to some of the most humorous and gifted writers. Everyone develops their own style, and I enjoy watching a writer's craft unfold through the stories they tell. They are an inspiration.

Yesterday, I was introduced to the Phat Phree.

I took an instant liking to this site because it has several references to the the area in which I grew up and because it's written by amateurs, very talented amateurs I might add. I wish I had found this site sooner. It has the same Web presence as the Onion, which, by far, is one of the best parody news sources out there. As you can see, I totally dig this kind of humor. If we can't laugh at what has become our reality, then what do we have left? I'm urging everyone to regain their sense of humor. Forget political correctness, laugh people, LAUGH!

I hope you've enjoyed this short introduction into microchasm that is my brain. I'm sure there will be more revelations. Fasten your seatbelts.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Unsettling, Beautiful, Phenomenal

It could painstakingly take hours for me to muster up a perfect movie review for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Why bother when someone already has? Michael Wilmington from the Chicago Tribune did the best job of portraying this movie from my vantage point.

Movie Review: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

I was captivated from the very first frame until the last credit rolled up from the bottom of the screen. It was one amazing ride. Perhaps the most fun I've had in a movie theatre since I was 15 years old making out with a cute boy in the back row. Incredible.

Johnny Depp moved up on my list of All-Time Greatest Actors, he's easily in the top 5. He mesmerizes me. In my opinion, there is not a better director-actor combination than Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. They are a force to be reckoned with.

I was surprised at how Burton captured the very essence of Dahl's story. He kept it dark, which, shouldn't be all that surprising given the fact that Burton directed it. But, given today's Hollywood, I expected a lot of flash and grandiose imagery and that's not what I saw. I saw the same scenery as in the first film, beautifully imperfect. It was choppy and allowed for your imagination to soar as far as you'd allow it to.

Depp's portrayal of Wonka surprised me. I knew it would be the perfect role for him, but I was suprised at how well he perfected it. It shocks you. He makes you feel uneasy. His childlike nature and androngenous appearance really makes you wonder. Every time Depp appeared on screen was like Burton handing you a stunningly wrapped gift. A surprise around every corner.

Johnny Depp was definitely the Golden Ticket in this film.

Wallace & Gromit Hit the Big Screen in October 2005

While at the movies last night, I was thrilled to see the trailer for Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. Being a fan of Chicken Run, I'm looking forward to the new feature film starring Wallace, the affable inventor (and lover of cheese and crackers, a man after my own heart) and Gromit, his wildly devoted dog. These are the kinds of movies I love seeing: cheeky, intelligent, light-hearted and enthusiastically hopeful. I like being the one parent in the audience who is laughing vivaciously at cleverly crafted lines. It makes me envious of the talented writers who think up these stories because in my next life, I can only hope I'm half as talented. It's funny how some of us never fully grow up.

I don't expect Wallace & Gromit to be a blockbuster like Finding Nemo or Monsters Inc. But I do anticipate that it will ultimately earn two thumbs up from the critics and Aardman Animations Ltd. will acquire even more admirers from across the pond. With a character in the new movie named PC McIntosh, how could it not?

PMS: Fact or Fiction?

I'm a sufferer. I refuse to believe that this is just part of my personality, that in fact, one week every month I turn into this uncontrollable, snippy, overly-emotional monster. It's simply not who I am.

About a year ago, my OB-GYN diagnosed me as not only suffering from PMS, but also suffering from PMDD - premenstrual dysphoric disorder, a more severe form of PMS. Sorry, folks, anytime you throw dysphoric into a diagnosis, it doesn't sound good. I suffer from all of these symptoms: unreasonable anger, irritability, anxiety, low self-esteem, inability to focus or concentrate, depression and irrational behavior. As a result, I've been on a myriad of prescriptions to help combat these symptoms, all of them being antidepressants: Zoloft, Lexapro and Serafem (Prozac). No, I'm not taking them all at the same time, but I have taken each of them at different times to find the one that is the right fit for me. So far, I haven't been successful. I will say, however, that they are effective in treating or lessening the symptoms, but the side effects, for me, have been unbearable. Those include loss of sexual interest, extreme fatigue, weight gain, and overall, a very "I don't give a shit about anything" kind of attitude. I welcomed that, actually, that kind of lackidaisical, carefree attitude, but it began to affect my life at home and work. I think I perform better when there is an underlying amount of stress to motivate me. So now I am med-free.

But still, I suffer. I'm not sure what to do. The good news is that at least now, I recognize what is happening to me. No, I don't use it as an excuse. I hate when women do that. And it annoys me that when a woman voices a strong opinion that goes against the grain, she is accused of PMSing. But that's a debate for another time.

I guess I just needed to write about it in this medium because I'm having such a difficult time today. I try to use humor to combat it most days, when I'm able to see through the fog. Take, for instance, last night. I took my son to see the movie, Madagascar. I was anxious for the two hours leading up to the movie because I wanted to make sure there was enough time for us deal with road closures and construction, and more importantly, enough time for me to get to the closest convenience store to get a king-sized Hershey's with Almonds. I'm not kidding, I was consumed by that. Chocolate before anything else. At one point, while I was eating dinner, I actually heard a voice inside my head say, "Hurry up, Joonya, and eat your dinner. If we're late getting to this movie and I don't have my purse well stocked with candy, there is going to be hell to pay." I hate to think what hell would have consisted of, but by God, it was going to happen. Fortunately for him, and everyone else, it didn't. And the movie was fun. And I ate my Hershey's with Almonds without incident.

I feel better already. And I'm content knowing that I have a second king-sized Hershey's with Almonds stashed in my purse for when a crisis strikes. It pays to prepare.

Office Space: A Cult Classic

Last night I was fishing around for something to engage my brain on television. Yes, difficult, I know. I mean, between "Dancing With the Stars" and the Fox News Channel, what more could I ask for? But luckily for me, my remote surfed me to AMC where Office Space was showing.

Office Space. What a brilliant movie.

I used to work in a cube farm. I had my Bill Lumbergh. (Mmmm, yeah) I knew Samir and Michael in a past life, and yes, Peter was my unsung hero. After college and before my husband received his teaching certificate, he used to work for TGI Fridays, and gasp, he wore flair. I used to accessorize his flair because he loathed wearing it. I'm sure he wore 37 pieces too.

And Milton? Simply priceless. Milton Waddams and his red Swingline stapler should go down in history as two of the greatest movie characters of all time. They should have their own stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Today, I spent the last two hours of my work day scouring the net for Office Space Web sites. In the grand scheme of things, how appropriate is that? I'm thrilled to know that I'm not the only one out there who holds this movie in such high regard. Perhaps it's because we are all living it every day. Some of us more than others. In short, Mike Judge did an excellent job of portraying the suburban office sprawl of the late 90s with this movie.

I think my next party will have an Office Space theme. Hawaiian shirts, staplers, TPS Report Cover Sheets, flair, ex-crack addicted magazine salesmen and of course, no talent ass-clown Michael Bolton music.