Hi readers,

Well, I FINALLY got a job this past week- YAAAY!!!  I’m a technical writer w/ a subcontracting firm (focusing on IT) working w/ the federal government.  I’m going to find out the specifics on TUES.  I’m VERY relieved; I can become a contributing member of society again- LOL!  I’m STILL a little upset that I couldn’t do English teaching full-time.  Oh well…   

Thanks for reading,

EMMA.          

Recently watched movies:

Julie and Julia (now playing in theaters)

I saw this movie w/ my mom; she said “I expected more.”  The Julia sections are light and bubbly, but the Julie sections just fall flat.  Meryl Streep did a  nice job, as usual, especially in the few sensitive scenes.  The accent was spot on; I know b/c I’ve seen some eps of Cooking w/ Julia Child on PBS.  I REALLY enjoyed Stanley Tucci’s sweet/understated performance as Julia’s hubby, Paul.  Tucci is one of the finest American character actors working today!      

Julie’s hubby (played by Chris Messina) was more interesting than her!  He was such a regular (yet VERY cute) and supportive partner!  And it’s ALWAYS nice to see NYC in the movies, b/c I still miss it.   

Runaway Jury (2003)

Wendell Rohr (Dustin Hoffman) is a liberal New Orleans torts lawyer taking on the gun lobby.  Rankin Fitch (Gene Hackman) is the big/bad/out-of-town jury consultant for the defendant (a gun company), and between them the battle is for the hearts and minds of the jury (a motley crew of New Orleanians).  But there is someone on the inside.  Nicholas Easter (John Cusack) is a juror with a girlfriend, Marlee (Rachel Weisz), on the outside.  They have a past… and their own agenda!  -IMDB summary

The premise of this movie is VERY interesting.  I REALLY liked the confrontation scene btwn Hoffman and Hackman; it was written in after the crew learned that they’d never shared a scene before!  However, they’ve been friends for a LONG time.  Weisz did the tough/action scenes VERY convincingly.  John Cusack was understated and convincing, as his part needed.  (I haven’t seen many of his films, but I LOVE to watch anything w/ his big sis Joan.) 

The Guns of Navarone (1961)

It doesn’t make a difference as long as I’m a person in the world.

–Quinn said when asked about his ethnicity

Recent iTunes downloads:

Down the Road – Kenny Chesney (w/ Mac McAnally)

I just heard this song last week, and it stuck in my mind.  This is reminiscent of classic country: timeless, touching, and just 3 mins long.  Mac McAnally is a singer/songwriter w/ a very pure/clear voice. 

If I Know Me – George Strait 

A classic from a classic singer

The Walk – Sawyer Brown

Another timeless song about the stages in a man’s life