I Love 'I Am Legend', I Hate 'I Am Legend'

I very recently read I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. It's a great book. I was genuinely stressed while reading it, which is how I know. In Nicole's world, everything is measurable by emotions.

Last night, we sat down to watch the latest movie adaptation because Evan finished up reading the book. I knew it was going to be nothing like the book - both because everyone and their mother hinted at it and because of seeing the trailers for myself. Some changes don't bother me as long as they make sense when translating a novel to film. Of course, modernizing a story from the 1950's is a must. The typical movie-watching minds can't handle anything "old-fashioned". I don't begrudge Hollywood that. Gotta make money. But, while I understood certain changes (ie, adding the dog from the beginning just to give him someone to talk to and develop character), I am sad that they put such a respectable title on that pathetic excuse for a movie. It was loooooosely based on the novel, at best.

Am I biased? Of course I am! One of my favorite Vincent Price movies is the original movie based on Matheson's book. They called it The Last Man on Earth. While it was dissimilar from the novel in many ways, it was still far more worthy of the I Am Legend title than this Will Smith nightmare.

A note about CGI. I hate it anymore. I hated the boring, screamy, annoying creatures in this movie. There was nothing interesting about them at all. I'll take those hammy looking zombie things from The Last Man on Earth anyday! Makeup and acting, please! No more shitty CGI creeps. And exactly where did the inspiration for them come from (if there was any)? Certainly not from the book.

And let's not forget about The Omega Man from the 70's. I love that movie, too. It was also loosely based on the novel, but they had the decency not to put the same name on it.

I think my bitterness against brainless entertainment is the reason I read what I read. I read classic horror and sci-fi because it is philosophical. It makes you think. On top of that, it scares you and stresses you out. Bonus. And I get irritated that many movies are so vapid. Especially when they drag respectable entertainment down with them.

I Am Legend was about mankind moving on. It was about one man's emotional roller-coaster and survival - not about monsters. They're just the dramatic and exciting backdrop that the real story is played against. It ultimately ends with Robert Neville's realization that he's the freak now, the last of his kind, the legend. Remember that Twilight Zone episode called "Eye of the Beholder?" Kinda like that. I see none of this in the movie I watched last night.

Why so pissy, Nicole? What does it matter? It doesn't. But it's what I think. Haha.

I Love My Life

Why?

Because it is epic. I know I am a wretched bitch who does nothing but complain during certain hormonal peaks and valleys, but you need to realize I am actually quite content. I just have my moments of spazzation. What broad doesn't?

There is absolutely no reason for anyone close to me in my life to still roll with me after the things I have done. But somehow, some way, I managed to at least exercise good judgment when it came to choosing my closest friends along the way. *whew* I never cease to be amazed at the love in my life. Starting at the inner circle with Evan (who is and always has been and always will be the best and most priceless friend that a woman could ask for) and trickling all the way down to the ladies and [few] gents who I work with and only see from time to time - I feel massive amounts of love. I don't know what I have done to deserve it and I am painfully aware of the things I have done to disqualify me from it. It's actually a pleasant mystery I ponder often. All I can tell you is that I am thankful for it.

In addition to the super folks in my life, I am quite fond of what I do with myself. Even while my tea business is on hiatus, I am able to do work that makes me proud and that I honestly enjoy. Rarely is there a day that I don't want to go to work. And when I don't feel like it - which is very rare - it's DSW that I shun. Never the Masquerade.

8 months ago I walked into a Halloween store and walked out with the best imaginable part-time job for me. My work at the Masquerade has resulted in so many awesome things. I have made one of the best friends that I have in my life right now. I heart The Chuck. I have met some fun and creative guys and girls that I feel enriched for knowing. And I have gotten paid to do something that I love more than anything - play dress up! They just paid me to spend 3 days at the Steel City Con dressed like a pirate and (on the 3rd day) Wonder Woman. It was truly a notable experience that led me to discover a couple of amazing people who are doing wonderful things for the world. Check out the Lake Erie Pirates (they have pics of me on there) and the 501st Legion. Good stuff.

But I won't let DSW go without a mention here. I do enjoy it there. I've met lots of nice people. And I have to say they are a company that rewards hard work and responsibility. They actually asked me if I'd be interested in a full-time management position while they were looking to fill it. I was flattered but obviously couldn't let them invest time in training me when I knew I wouldn't be there for much longer. Just yesterday, one manager made me feel awesome when he wouldn't let me just quit altogether at the end of the month like I intended to. Haha. I was surprised and again flattered to know that I had "proven myself worthy" of a little perk where I can work one little shift a week (of my chosing), thereby keeping my discount! Woohoo! Plus I don't yet have to say goodbye to them.

Things are also looking up for my jewelry. I did the Oddmall last week and it was a great marketing and networking experience. I didn't make enough to justify travelling so far for a show, but I gained valuable experience, info, and - I think - fans. I have sold a number of pricy items in the last couple of months. Helps to make the ends meet, ya know? Also helps to support my crafting addiction. I'm looking forward to having the tearoom back so that I will have a permanent showplace for my work.

OK, it's time for bed. It's like 1AM and there are at least 5 hours before Evan returns from Vegas. Can't wait.

And my daughter is the best kid ever. I just felt I needed to add that to this because it is such a happy post. She brings the happy like it's her job. Haha.

I Hate Sleep

I am eating a bowl of chicken rice soup that looks a lot like the stuff they eat in the Matrix. You know, the nastiness that comes out of the spout in the ship's kitchen, igniting a conversation about what tasty wheat tastes like? Looks aside - this is delicious! I think my mom made it. It just appeared in my fridge one day. I'm serious. Really.

On to what I really want to talk about. I have concluded that I could very easily fill all 24 hours of the day with activity. I would like to rise above the need for sleep. I sleep fine, so this is not a bitch about my quality of sleep. I just wish I didn't HAVE to do it. Unfortunately, all possible solutions to this problem are problems themselves:

I could become something unholy, like a zombie or a vampire. But I think even they need to sleep...during the day...and then their nights are pretty much shot by the need to feed and all the time it consumes. Hehe, I said consumes. No pun intended.

Doing drugs is out of the question. Caffeine is about all the stimulant I can handle and it really DOES help. Nevermind the headaches in the AM! It's only a little bit of withdrawal and I have no room to complain about that as far as real addicts are concerned. Yeah, I watch Celebrity Rehab from time to time. It teaches me things. Things like Dr. Drew is not aging. What's his secret, I wonder. Hmmm...

Anyways, there is the robot option. If there were a way to still be me (mind, self, imagination, etc.) but to be somehow superhuman, I would do it in a second. I'm telling you this right now. Consider it a living will. Robocop was still the same guy once he remembered things thanks to his feisty partner who's name escapes me. Data's brother, Lore, had emotions. He was also a major dick, but he had ambition dammit! I could be like that but more on the positive side. Now can someone tell me where to find a real-life Dr. Noonien Soong? Don't worry, nerds, I know that Data and Lore are all robot and nothing like Robocop.

I like the robot option best, but I am sure it is frought with it's own issues. Like the first time I try to pet an animal and crush it by accident. Bah.

Some reasons for my hating the need for sleep lately are:

~I work 2 jobs. This isn't really bad except that I have no semblance of a schedule. No routines for me! And they occupy much of my time. Duh, we all have jobs. I'm not complaining here because I love both jobs. I'm just outlining my reality.

~I have approximately 29,484,638,426,354,826,358,211,325 ideas for jewelry and jewelry-related projects. With the show coming up in May, I have ideas upon ideas upon ideas for things to sell, ways to display, ways to promote it..::::::STROKE:::::::::...it's ok. I'm ok. Shakin' it off. I have them all the time.

~I have a 2-year-old. She is the most amazing human being on the planet and I don't want to miss a second of her little life. I need more time for that. Especially since people steal her from me all the time. Haha. The little bugger has a more active social life than I do!

~I have a social life. 'Nuff said.

~"Tick-Tock-Tick-Tock" says the tearoom countdown clock! When AntiquiTea opens again, I might really have to look into that robot thing! No joke.

So, um, anyone else have that problem? Need more time? Little more time for what you enjoy? Little less work, little more play? Hmmm? I'm sure you do. We all feel this way. I just wonder if I let it get to me more than some. Oh well, I love my life one way or the other. I'm just being all deep and philiosophical right now.

Blah blah blah and a yakkity scmakkity.