I'm so happy, feeling snappy

Whatever happened to Hocus Pick? And are they still feeling comfy cozy?

The sun is out. It's warm. And in light of everything going on in the world, I live a pretty awesome life. So I'm trying to pay attention to the great things around me, and not get bogged down by the emails my boss keeps sending out, begging people to start working 6- and 7-day work weeks. So I work my 40 hours, breathe a little deeper, and make like Sheryl Crow and "soak up the sun."

Nadine's Pursuit of Happiness (Notice how I spell "happiness" correctly, Will Smith):

1. On Thursday night, I saw my cousin perform in her school’s production of Guys and Dolls. It was the first high school play I’ve seen since high school. I felt like a proud parent. And a little jealous. And if I was an agent, I would have signed the girl who played Adelaide in a heartbeat.
2. I had an hour-and-a-half lunch on Friday. I sat on the patio at Tortilla Flats, splurging on a wrap (made with a pita, so it wasn't really a wrap) and fries (I never eat fries), soaking up the sun and deciding that I would be quite happy never going back to work.
3. Fracture is one of those fun, guilty-pleasure movies that isn’t super deep or as twisted as it promises to be, but has such fantastic performances that it doesn’t even matter. And for a psychological thriller, I laughed out loud more than I ended up sitting on the edge of my seat, and I loved it all the more for that (it was intentionally funny, not so bad that it was funny). It was also refreshing to see a movie that promoted some kind of integrity/morality in the face of rather significant temptation to act otherwise. Two thumbs up (my fun thumbs, not my Oscar-picks thumbs).
4. Semi-related to Fracture, this video makes me happy. The sound gets better after the first few seconds. And Justin Timberlake is in the background, I think. If only Gosling was in Newsies….
5. The weather is gorgeous.
6. I have a passport. I went for a two-hour walk on Saturday and picked it up at a tiny convenient store (with a post office at the back) a few blocks east of where I live. And then I explored the neighborhood. And found another library. Yes, I have more to read now. I also found a bookstore that only stocks cinema-related materials (along with movies and posters). Now I know where to get my Gene Kelly and Jimmy Stewart fixes (and screenwriting manuals).
   
7. I have a new debit card. My debit card was having problems at a few places, so I went into the bank and they looked at my card like I handed them a fossil. I got the card in the seventh grade, and the signature had rubbed off, and the edges of the card were sharp and rough (and potentially damaging if I chose to slash someone with it). I also applied for an Air Miles Card. I thought that it would go nicely with the new passport.
8. Matthew McConaughey is reading The Case for Christ. We now have something in common. I didn’t wear a wetsuit when I read my copy, but to each his own.
   
9. Church showed a clip from Shaun of the Dead. Yeah, it was Week 2 of zombie goodness.
   
10. Apparently, the church I’m going to has gone from 100 people to 600 in about a year and a half. Crazy. A good crazy.
11. There was an elderly couple with their arms wrapped around each other during worship this morning. It made me smile.
12. I went to a free catered lunch after church. And someone asked the pastor, “If I go to one of your home churches, does it make me Mennonite?” He responded with, “Yes. We’ll get you a hat and a pitchfork.”
13. Someone told me today that I have a dream job. Huh. I guess it can’t be that bad.
14. I walked around downtown for two hours today. When the sun’s out, I walk. I also had a semi-successful shopping experience, although my purchases sound rather scandalous: bras, perfume, makeup, whipped cream (this was part of a grocery order - for those who need clarification). At least I steered clear of feathered boas and stilettos. I’m way too Mary Tyler Moore for such things. Or maybe Donna Reed.
15. The Katherine Hepburn book keeps getting better. I love that she knew herself so well. She had no illusions of her own grandeur.
16. I bought a pre-made salad today to bring to work tomorrow. It makes me feel like I'm bringing a lunch from home (which I am), and yet no effort is involved. I could live off lettuce. Lettuce drenched in dressing, accessorized with cheese.
    

I'm distracted by an Ellen rerun. Ryan's on. He's stalking me. I should go.

Enjoy the weather while we've got it. The chart isn't too pretty on TheWeatherNetwork.com. At least my umbrella and I will be celebrating our 4-month anniversary this week...