lirazel: An outdoor scene from the film Picnic at Hanging Rock ([bsg] this is my bored at work icon)
lirazel ([personal profile] lirazel) wrote2010-02-24 10:40 am

Sundries

A series of things you probably care nothing about! Yay!

- I have finally (finally, finally) seen Inglorious Basterds and I am in love. I have sort of a love/hate thing with Tarantino, but there is no hate here, only love.

1. Shosanna is my hero. That is all.

2. DANIEL BRUHL! *loves* I've loved him since Goodbye Lenin, and I may have flipped out every time he was on screen (and May, I know you're hiatus-ing, but on the off chance that you see this, I'm already scheduling a freak-out over his awesomeness with you when you come back. Okay?).

3. I feel like, as a Tennesseean, I should be offended by Brad Pitt's character, as I usually am when Tennesseeans are stupid and ignorant (which is how we're always portrayed)...but I can't help but love him and his ridiculous "accent" and his ridiculous facial expressions and when he tries to speak Italian....Reader, I died.

4. One of the things I love that Tarantino does are his films-within-films. The first "chapter" with Landa and the French farmer could be its own film. It's perfect in and of itself. And the same goes for the scene in the pub. The man's love of film just shines through so wonderfully, and that's where most of my love for him comes from.

5. This movie is so meta. It's like he made it just for me! Meta meta meta!

6. I love that Tarantino doesn't take himself so seriously. Win. It's really a hilarious movie (and beautiful to look at, besides).

7. I was actually surprised by how little violence there was. I mean, yeah, the ending scene and the baseball bat and there was a lot of shooting, but his films usually feel more gratuitous than this. For a revenge flick, it was downright restrained.

8. If Christoph Waltz doesn't win that Supporting Actor Oscar, I'm a gonna be pissed.

9. I wish that more people made films that were actually good but also ridiculously entertaining and just full of the joy of movies. Paging Tarsem Singh! When is your next film coming out, please?

10. .gif queens of my flist! (You know who you are.) Do any of you have any Shosanna .gifs? I kind of want one for my profile to match my Betty-Draper-is-60s-for-badass one. (Also: a Buffy one? Do we have Buffy .gifs of our girl kicking ass? This should happen, methinks.)

Now I just need an icon....

- This past weekend was warm! Like, short-sleeves warm! I washed my truck, and it is shining and clean and lovely. It was disgusting before, covered with all that streaky whiteness that is the result of snow and salt. My daddy showed me how to change the oil, too, so now I know how to do that in addition to changing tires and such. Things everyone needs to know, y/y?

- Work kinda sucks. I need a new job.

- I am annoyed that the Russian couple got the bronze in ice dancing (you know you've been in Buffy fandom too long when: you want to capitalize the word "bronze" every time you type it). I thought they were heavy on their feet and that Belbin and Augusto (of whom I've been very fond for a long time) had a much more poweful skate. But I was thrilled for Virtue and Moir (who were exquisite), and I fangirl Davis and White liek woah, so I was very pleased about their medals.

- KIM YU-NA DID JAMES BOND. HOW AWESOME IS THAT? Also, it made me wish that there was a female equivalent of Bond. That would be epic. Help me cast such a thing. Zoe Saldana, perhaps?

- Speaking of skating, a new entry into the list of things-I-shouldn't-care-about-but-I-do: Evan Lysacek is dating Nastia Liukin. Why is this the cutest thing I have ever heard ever ever ever? I do not know, but I love her and I love him, and the idea of them hanging out and comparing gold medals has me squeeing for joy when I usually could care less about the love lives of famous people. Adorable x 1000.

- Thank y'all so much for the book recs. I swung by the library Monday night and picked up a few, and there are so many more that I'm so excited about! I knew you'd come through; y'all all have great taste!

- A question: Would anybody be interested in Three Sentence Drabble-a-Thon or something like that? There was one I was a part of (and a few members of my flist made appearances as well) a short time ago, but there wasn't much (any?) Buffyverse stuff, and I was wondering if y'all would be interested. The thing I like about it is that it takes so little time--you can whip them out in a few moments, so there's no commitment there, but it's enough to get the creative juices flowing. Thoughts?
molly_may: (Cherry on the motorcycle - fandomoncrack)

[personal profile] molly_may 2010-02-24 04:53 pm (UTC)(link)
I used to have a love/hate thing with Tarantino, but ever since Grindhouse it has been more of a love/love thing. Not only does he make movies that really embrace the joys of watching movies, but I can't honestly think of another major writer/director working today who writes better female characters.

Shosanna is my hero. That is all.

Shosanna is AWESOME. I was so disappointed that Melanie Laurent didn't get an Oscar nomination, because she totally deserved it.

but I can't help but love him and his ridiculous "accent" and his ridiculous facial expressions and when he tries to speak Italian....Reader, I died.

I KNOW! I think that might be my favorite Brad Pitt scene ever.

In conclusion, I too loved Inglourious Basterds and I'm rooting for it to win Best Picture this year.

I am annoyed that the Russian couple got the bronze in ice dancing

Ugh, me too. After that clunky, embarrassing "aboriginal" routine it's a travesty that they won anything.

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2010-02-24 05:02 pm (UTC)(link)
I actually haven't seen Grindhouse, but I have heard it ends up being a pretty great statement about women. I'll have to check that one out.

Not only does he make movies that really embrace the joys of watching movies, but I can't honestly think of another major writer/director working today who writes better female characters.
Signed.

YES. I was disappointed at the lack of a nom for her, too, but then I was also disappointed by the lack of one for Abbie Cornish, so I decided to ignore the Best Actress race this year because it will make me angry if I think about it.

I think Brad Pitt has a sense of humor about himself, which makes me like him more, no matter what I think about his private life. Plus: actually talented.

It's officially my choice for Best Picture now, too. It was a truly joyful experience.

I meant to rant about the "aboriginal" dance! I really, really did! I thought it was horribly culturally insensitive (and the aboriginal response to it was classy, eloquent, and kick-ass) and that they should have been docked major points because of it. I'm still fuming about that.
deird1: Fred looking pretty and thoughful (Anya (glasses))

[personal profile] deird1 2010-02-24 08:08 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm still fuming about that.

Not nearly as much as I am. :)

(I came very close to writing a long ranty post about Aboriginal culture, and how Americans keep telling us we're racist towards Aborigines - which we are - and yet we still know not to pull that kind of crap.)

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2010-02-24 08:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Not nearly as much as I am. :) Oh, I'm sure!

I would read that long, ranty post!

I still can't believe the Skating Federation let them get away with that. It was disgraceful.
deird1: Fred looking pretty and thoughful (Farscape (Aeryn))

[personal profile] deird1 2010-02-24 08:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Just by the way (because it's important), you guys have both said "aboriginal", and it absolutely needs a capital.


Mini version of my rant:
I went to a presentation yesterday, and the first speaker started by saying "Firstly, I'd just like to acknowledge that this land is, and always will be, the home of the Aboriginal peoples. I'd especially like to acknowledge the C_____ tribe, and welcome any of their descendants who are here today." - and no-one saw anything the least bit unusual in that, because it's reasonably common practice around here.
And as I said to [livejournal.com profile] molly_may, doing anything remotely Aboriginal would generally involve us checking with tribal elders to make sure it wasn't disrespectful first. For crying out loud, we don't even climb Ayers Rock without checking with the tribal elders, and that's one of our biggest tourism industries!

We do have some horrible problems with racism towards Aborigines - but that generally involves believing that they're all drunks/slackers/uneducated, and ignoring them. It does not involve disrespecting their culture. Ever.

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2010-02-24 08:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't realize that the adjectival form was capitalized as well. I'll remember that from now on.

That's a really cool way of opening the presentation.

We do have some horrible problems with racism towards Aborigines - but that generally involves believing that they're all drunks/slackers/uneducated, and ignoring them. Sounds like American stereotypes of our Native peoples.

It does not involve disrespecting their culture. Ever. I wish I could say the same for us. That's very commendable.
deird1: Fred looking pretty and thoughful (Default)

[personal profile] deird1 2010-02-24 08:06 pm (UTC)(link)
The Aboriginal routine actually really offended me. Especially because, as an Aussie, I'd never dream of anyone doing something like that without permission from tribal elders. Seriously - it's unthinkable over here.

[identity profile] rebcake.livejournal.com 2010-02-24 05:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Inglorious Basterds is, how do you say: the awesomest! I finally saw it a few weeks ago and whoa! I would add the strudel scene to your list of the incredible film-within-a-film gems. I, too, was surprised by the relative lack of violence, until the orgy at the end (and the bat) made me say, well, I guess the kid won't be watching this, after all.

The cool thing was that it didn't make the violence and the revenge seem like anything but destructive to the people indulging in it. Unlike the propaganda film at the center, nobody gets out alive. Well, okay one or two people do, but you know what I mean.

The whole hilarious Pitt performance was just a thing of beauty and too over-the-top to be offensive, I'd hope. If so, it's definitely a comment on Ugly Americans, not just Southerners. I have this minor kink for seemingly ignorant (certainly undereducated) American men being all ingenious and wily and clear-sighted. It's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court and Bugs Bunny and all sorts of things I like to think of as us. I'll never get used to the muscle-bound, storm-trooper type of US military. We're supposed to be scrappy, dammit!

*climbs down off the soapbox*

I got all excited about a Buffyverse version of the six word memoir last year, but it never went anywhere. Maybe three sentences will have more juice.
Edited 2010-02-24 17:11 (UTC)

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2010-02-24 05:13 pm (UTC)(link)
First off, I love your icon. Lots.

Ah, yes! The strudel scene! Brilliance! And the brilliant thing about it was that the tension was so lacking within the scene itself (except for Shosanna, obviously) that it made the tension in me as an audience grow even more intense. Does that make any sense at all? Regardless, it was awesome.

I absolutely agree about the revenge being destructive thing. And since I don't believe in revenge, that worked for me. It was nicely done.

The whole hilarious Pitt performance was just a thing of beauty and too over-the-top to be offensive, I'd hope. I absolutely think it was. A thing of beauty indeed. I absolutely adored him in it.

I actually have this minor kink for seemingly ignorant (certainly undereducated) American men being all ingenious and wily and clear-sighted. It's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court and Bugs Bunny and all sorts of things I like to think of as us. I'll never get used to the muscle-bound, storm-trooper type of US military. We're supposed to be scrappy, dammit!


I...absolutely love this. I think I have suddenly developed such a kink myself. And absolutely: scrappy!

Well, you'll certainly be hearing about it if anyone else expresses any interest! I'll host it and pimp it out; I just want people to participate. Hopefully they will?

[identity profile] angearia.livejournal.com 2010-02-24 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, I love your icon too! Can I snag it?

[identity profile] rebcake.livejournal.com 2010-02-24 11:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Girls! Girls! You're both beautiful and intelligent! Of course you may snag the handsome icon as long as you credit the very talented [livejournal.com profile] yourbestbeticon!

[identity profile] anythingbutgrey.livejournal.com 2010-02-24 05:49 pm (UTC)(link)
i would thoroughly enjoy a female bond who acted like a male bond with all the scotch and sex and such. i think that would be wonderful. i don't know who i'd cast - i like zoe but tbqh i doubt if she'd be able to carry it by herself? idk her acting skillz have yet to be proven to me. her ferocity has been proven. i will obviously ponder this all day.

i love skating pairs that are dating/married. so fucking wonderful.

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2010-02-24 05:57 pm (UTC)(link)
I hope that you do ponder it all day and share your ponderings with me. She was the first person who popped into my head, and I was thinking as much about Center Stage + her all around ferocity as anything. I am open to many suggestions.

Actually! They aren't pairs skaters! He's the male champion and she's an Olympic gymnast. They are very adorable.

But yeah: I was rooting so hard for the Chinese pair that ended up winning because they were cute and married and wonderful. It was a joy.

[identity profile] brunettepet.livejournal.com 2010-02-24 05:58 pm (UTC)(link)
It was hot here (central Texas) on Sunday (nearly 80) and then it snowed yesterday. WTF weather?

I love Tarantino, though I haven't seen "Inglorious Basterds" yet. We're so lame, we see one or two movies a year. At that rate, IG is slated for viewing in 2023.

Ugh, the Russians routine was so clunky and I was cringing during their short program.

A Three Sentence Drabble-a-Thon sounds right up my alley.

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2010-02-24 06:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, it is currently snowing here. Which is just stupid. But it won't stick; the ground's too warm, thank God.

You should most definitely see it as soon as you get the chance. It's a joy, start to finish. You'd love it.

Ugh, the Russians routine was so clunky and I was cringing during their short program. Exactly.

Good! If I get some more interest in it, it'll happen--soon!

[identity profile] that-september.livejournal.com 2010-02-24 06:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Ahhh, Inglorious Basterds! That really is a great movie--I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, because usually war movies aren't really my thing. I've been amazed at Brad Pitt's comedic talent (i.e., Burn After Reading and Basterds). He just always struck me as the pretty-boy-straight-man before, and while he can certainly fill that role, I think it shows something about his range that he can do just as well with these kinds of characters.

I'd definitely be interested in a Three Sentence Drabble-a-Thon. Sounds like fun! :D

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2010-02-24 06:27 pm (UTC)(link)
He really impressed me as well. I can't imagine how he made it through the shoot without cracking up every five seconds.

Oh, good! I imagine it would be mostly Buffyverse, because that's the nature of my flist, but I definitely want some other fandoms represented as well. Yay!

BON-JAR-NO

[identity profile] madcap-shiny.livejournal.com 2010-02-24 07:36 pm (UTC)(link)
I agree with nearly every point up there re: Basterds. Man oh man.

Also, I highly recommend Grindhouse as well. That is quite possibly my favorite move EVER. *flail*

THAT'S A BINGO!

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2010-02-24 08:06 pm (UTC)(link)
It is so damn good. I want to watch it every day always!

Well, if you love it that much, I must check it out! And report back to you, you of fantastic taste!

Fightin' in a basement offers a lot of difficulties. Number one being you're FIGHTIN' IN A BASEMENT.

[identity profile] madcap-shiny.livejournal.com 2010-02-24 09:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Did you read May's spy AU yet? It's a thing of beauty. Also, I am truly embarrassed by the level of filthy Shosanna/Hellstrom hatesex I feel compelled to read. (So many 'ships work SO WELL in this movie. It's spooky and awesome.)

It is SO GREAT IN ALL WAYS. Technically my favorite out of the two films is Planet Terror, which is Robert Rodriguez's movie, and Death Proof left me kind of cold on first viewing, but I grew to appreciate it more later on. God bless Quentin Tarantino and his gift at worming his way into my fannish tendencies.

Re: Fightin' in a basement offers a lot of difficulties. Number one being you're FIGHTIN' IN A BASEM

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2010-02-25 09:51 pm (UTC)(link)
I haven't, but I am SO EXCITED to do so! Spies! Yay!

Okay. This may be a stupid question, and I may just not have been paying attention. But. Did Shosanna and Hellstrom even ever meet? Because I keep seeing that pairing mentioned, and I'm confused. He's the dude from the pub scene, right?

I'm definitely going to watch it and enjoy and get back to you. Yay!

Re: Fightin' in a basement offers a lot of difficulties. Number one being you're FIGHTIN' IN A BASEM

[identity profile] madcap-shiny.livejournal.com 2010-02-26 02:32 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, Hellstrom was both the pub scene Nazi that Archie Hicox tried to fool and the "get your ass in that car" dude who bullied Shosanna into seeing Zoller at the restaurant place. I'm pretty sure he also got to hang out there with them and smoke a cigarette before Landa showed up for his scene with Shosanna where he continued to turn dairy products terrifying, you know, the way he does.

Many things about it are awesome, but especially how it is ALL EXCELLENT LADIES ALL THE TIME. \o/
Edited 2010-02-26 02:34 (UTC)
ext_41724: (basterds | paris is burning)

[identity profile] ineffort.livejournal.com 2010-02-24 10:34 pm (UTC)(link)


I'M JUST REALLY GLAD YOU MADE THIS POST TODAY AND NOT LIKE THE WEEKEND BECAUSE I WOULD'VE MISSED IT AND CRIED.

BUT UM, YOU SAW THIS MOVIE EEEEEEEEEEEEE. MY HEART IS SO HAPPY RN.

AND YES OMG DANIEL. LIKE THIS WAS MY INTRODUCTION TO HIM, BUT SERIOUSLY HOW IS HE EVEN REAL. IB FANDOM IS ALL FUCK YOU FREDRICK ZOLLER, BUT YAYAYAY LANDA YAYAYAY DIETER HELLSTROM, BUT WHATEVER MAN. HE PLAYED FREDRICK SO DAMN WELL IDEC.

Hell that one scene where he's watching his movie and can't even watch it? THAT SPOKE VOLUMES.

Also omg, I don't know if you've seen it or not, but you haaaaaaaaaaaaave to watch Love In Thoughts with him and August - so amazing I can't even.



But yes, Shosanna gifs! Let me get on that.













RANDOM CHRISTOPH - MELANIE BECAUSE THEY WERE TOTES THE STARS OF THIS MOVIE.



Also omg, how much do I want to flail about the entire cast with you? TOO MUCH. But um yeah, you need to watch this Cannes vid because yeah, it's 30 minutes long, but Quentin flails over Daniel and Daniel kisses him because Daniel is made of awesome.

I leave you with Melanie running around all adorable covered in fake blood (AND OMG I AGREE SO HARD WITH WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE FIRST BIT WITH THE FRENCH FARMER BEING A FILM IN AND OF ITSELF - he was amazing and so was Charlotte LaPadite/Lea Seydoux who didn't say anything, but damn her death glare to Landa, man.)

Edited 2010-02-24 22:47 (UTC)

[identity profile] madcap-shiny.livejournal.com 2010-02-25 04:51 pm (UTC)(link)
OMG IS THAT REALLY FAKE BLOOD? omg. I thought that Shosanna was just, IDK, covered in dirt from hiding in the (I assume reasonably filthy) space under the house. That first scene just became 1000x more horrifying (and this picspam, by equal turn, 1000x more hilarious).
ext_41724: (basterds | help i'm alive)

[identity profile] ineffort.livejournal.com 2010-02-25 09:45 pm (UTC)(link)
IT WAS TOTALLY BLOOD, YO. AND YES, DIRT FROM HIDING UNDER THERE. And I knooooow. It's like omg Shosanna you poor thing running for her life covered in the blood of her family and then HAHAHA MELANIE WHY ARE YOU SO LULZY OMG.

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2010-02-25 09:57 pm (UTC)(link)
I LOVE YOU!

DANIEL LOVE! WE HAVE IT!

Hell that one scene where he's watching his movie and can't even watch it? THAT SPOKE VOLUMES.
Agreed! I loved that detail!

I think people always like the more flamboyantly evil characters and kind of poo-poo the others. But THERE WAS NUANCE IN HIS CHARACTER. NUANCE TRUMPS EVIL.

And I cannot tell you how excited I am to read your RPF and your Spy!AU and spam your journal with deliriously happy comments. WATCH. OUT..

AND YOU ARE THE QUEEN OF .GIFS. When you get back, I'm going to have you and [livejournal.com profile] anythingbutgrey have a .gif-off. It's a toss-up who will win.

Also, I just found the most gorgeous post with Daniel/Melanie icons in it, and as soon as I get home, I'm totally snagging one. You have converted me.

Also omg, I don't know if you've seen it or not, but you haaaaaaaaaaaaave to watch Love In Thoughts with him and August - so amazing I can't even.
I haven't! And our library (seriously--shock) doesn't have it. I'll have to see if I can try to hunt it down?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR JOY. I WILL MISS YOU WHILE YOU'RE GONE.
snickfic: Buffy looking over her shoulder (Default)

[personal profile] snickfic 2010-02-25 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
- Work kinda sucks. I need a new job.

I'm sorry. How frustrating, after waiting so long to get this one. I totally sympathize, though. We had a meeting today with our new employee, whose sole purpose seems to be to make sure the place looks good - clean grounds, tidy cafeteria, correct uniforms. Which is okay, I s'pose, except I care more about the fact that they have trouble paying us on time.

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2010-02-25 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
The worst part is knowing that it isn't using any of my skills--that anyone could be doing this job--and that this isn't what I'm supposed to be doing. Also, I'm one of those people who needs to feel like what I'm doing has meaning. Like, I need that to be emotionally okay. And I don't feel like that here. At all.

Which is okay, I s'pose, except I care more about the fact that they have trouble paying us on time.
Ugh. Beauracracy. It sucks. I'm sorry.
snickfic: Buffy looking over her shoulder (Default)

[personal profile] snickfic 2010-02-25 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
So... Do you know what you are supposed to be doing? That's always been my trouble - I don't.

[identity profile] ohwaluvusbab.livejournal.com 2010-02-25 01:19 am (UTC)(link)
You've only seen it now? :o Well, you are right, Inglourious Basterds is LOVE.

3. *is also dead*

8. *worships Christoph Waltz* Is it wrong that Landa was my favourite character? "THAT'S A BINGO!!"

Everything else: Word.

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2010-02-25 10:00 pm (UTC)(link)
I know! But I had no money to either see it in the theater or rent it. So I had to wait to get it through the library. For free.

I like when we agree. ;)

[identity profile] angearia.livejournal.com 2010-02-25 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
Oh so which books did you get from the library?

Sorry work isn't going great--boo! Sometimes you just do it for the dollah dollah bills y'all.

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2010-02-25 10:01 pm (UTC)(link)
I got Cotillian by Georgette Heyer ([livejournal.com profile] snickfic said it was fun, and I needed fun right now) and Alias Grace. Pretty exciting stuff.

Sometimes you just do it for the dollah dollah bills y'all.
Hee! I am amused!

But yeah. I'm doing it for the chump change. *sigh*
snickfic: Buffy looking over her shoulder (Default)

[personal profile] snickfic 2010-02-25 10:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Hee! Would you believe Cotillion is what I just started reading to the housemate, now that we're done with Tam Lin? It is indeed very fun (although the first couple of chapters are a bit slow).
ext_407741: (Default)

[identity profile] redsilverchains.livejournal.com 2010-02-25 07:06 am (UTC)(link)
I would be so interested in a Three Sentence Fic-a-Thon, especially if it had more of our shared fandoms in it! ( And, I need more Tony/Michelle fic in my life nowww).

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2010-02-25 10:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Babe, I would so write you Tony/Michelle if we did this. I'm thinking it's going to happen this weekend, so be on the look-out!
ext_7259: (Default)

[identity profile] moscow-watcher.livejournal.com 2010-02-25 01:51 pm (UTC)(link)
gif queens of my flist! (You know who you are.) Do any of you have any Shosanna .gifs?

I did a couple of avis for you (actually it's the same one, with a different background

Photobucket

Photobucket

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2010-02-25 10:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Oooh! Those are so cool! Yes, I will be taking one! Thank you, once again!

[identity profile] unbridled-b.livejournal.com 2010-02-25 03:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Ooh, a three sentence drabble-a-thon sounds intriguing!

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2010-02-25 10:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, good! I'm kind of looking forward to it now; they're really fun when people have some enthusiasm. If you want to take a look at how they operate, there was one not long ago here.
snickfic: Buffy looking over her shoulder (Default)

[personal profile] snickfic 2010-02-25 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Ooh! Okay, I'm now much more excited about this idea, now that I've seen how it works. Woo. (Especially since this is one of the weekends when I don't have to be at the school on Saturday.)