Tomorrowland

from imdb.com

On this, the last day of the weekend, we went to see Tomorrowland.

WARNING:  There will be spoilers

It wasn't the best movie that we've ever seen.  It wasn't the worst.

But it resonated with me.  It hit me in a place that is very close to home.

If you've known me for any time, you know that I quickly lose interest in movies, books and shows that are about un-winable situations.  I stopped reading the Maze Runner books becuase it seemed that they were going to be marching towards their doom for a few books now.  I stopped watching Star Gate: Universe because the plot seemed to revolved around a crew that is completely screwed.  This crew was doomed and each week was about how completely doomed they were.  Heck, most Japanese Anime don't have happy endings either.

That seems to be a central theme in the movie.  Humanity is screwed.  They haven't heeded any of the millions of warnings, and the dreamers of the world can't save them.  Until one of them does and we get a happy ending.

Honestly, the movie is a struggle between good old pessimism and denial (they don't so much as call out the Republican Climate-deniers... but they could have) and the Disney optimism of the 1960's.



the movie ended with dreamers of all genders, nationalities and ages getting recruited to change the world.

I cried.

from sciencefction.com

That's the world that I want to live in.  That's why I love the fantasy and sci-fi that I do.  Star Trek, and even the Avengers give us hope.  Hope that we cna defeat the big evil that is out there.  The evils of greed, corruption and ignorance.

I cried because a place like this isn't real, and I desperately wish that it was.

The Chick Fil A 5K/10K and a long weekend!

I ran a race yesterday.  The Chick Fil A 5K/10K

Honestly, it was the first that I've done in a while.  And I was HORRIBLY under-trained.  But I did it!

The course was scenic, and not overly hilly.  And LONG!  I'd forgotten how long a 10K is!

I do like this race.  Especially the family fun day after (there was a petting zoo, y'all.  I petted a llama!!).  Sadly, I can't run it next year.  I'll be in Syracuse marching in a parade.

What I wanted to saw about the race isn't about what I did.  It was about how Flat Out runs their events.

My co-worker did the race with me.  She's a woman that has had such bad health-luck of late.  She also refuses to let it stop her.  Instead of packing up the finish line, they were there until the last runners come in.  This race, it happened to be my co-worker and another woman.  They rounded the corner and the Rocky theme started to play:


Her son, who was helping at the finish line, ran out to cross the finish with her.  He then handed her the medal.

Seriously, I was crying.  Other random people with me were crying...  I need to volunteer at the finish someday!  It's inspiring!

I finished the race and got my free Chick Fil A sandwich.  Now, I haven't had any of their products in YEARS, but since it was free.... That was the best tasting food ever.  (Maybe it only tasted good because it was A: free and B: I just ran 6 miles..)

We petted animals at the petting zoo, and I could feel my throat closing like it did during the Hampton Bay Day 8K, so we decided that it was time to leave and get me some Gatorade.

I even had my Fandom of the Month box waiting for me when I got home!  (the gold was rubbing off of the bracelet and the inside of the door, but I love it!!

Thankfully my post race recovery wasn't too bad yesterday.  I was mostly tired, thirsty and HUNGRY.

And I had a ridiculous headache....

 Today, someone went to the Vet.  She's now all vaccinated and set with both flea and tick prevention.

And if you'll excuse me...  It's time to clean!

Today's task:  clean the living room.  Tomorrow it's the kitchen!

Another year for the books

Commencement was this past weekend.  With that, the chapter of Academic year 2014-2015 comes to a close.

Commencement was Sunday.  I've been doing commencement for a few years now, and was really comfortable with the routine.  This year we had a new time, a new location, a new program, and NO parking.

Let me describe the sprint that is commencement!

The day started early for me.  I was dressed (in a fancy dress, no less.... AND heels) and in my office by 7:30 am to pull the list of Latin honors and grab the diplomas.

We then drove over to the ceremony location to park in my paid for parking spot.

That wasn't there.  Of course the church across the street had taken up every other parking spot in the place.

Heels in my hands and diplomas under my arms, I spring out the car and into the building.  (The Spousal Equivalent said he's find somewhere to park).  I run into the building to set the stage, put the diplomas in order, and have a general panic attack.

Why?

Because that's about when the Secret Service walked in.  Why?  Because Justice Scalia grandkid was graduating.

Somehow we got everyone in, the ceremony was done and dusted in under an hour.  And we even had someone else cater the event.

And now campus is deserted.

Of course there's no water and the network is glitchy today.....

But it's summer.  Time for projects and cleaning out of closets.

Happy Summer.

Endings and Beginnings

We all know the song... for everything there is a season.... turn, turn, turn....

Well, 'tis the season for graduation.  It's a season of high emotions.  School years end, summers begin.  We send our graduates out into the world....

'Tis also the season for stress.

I honestly have no idea why commencement stresses me out so.

Yes, there is a lot of prep-work.  I have lists and RSVPs, catering, diplomas, awards, families (both where they should be and in the wrong place), pomp and circumstance!

My day always starts super early.  I get up around 6am on Commencement morning.  I remote in to my work computer and pull the list of Latin Honors.  I print out the list of graduates and then try to make myself presentable.  (This year I'm reversing those steps.  I'm going to get to campus early and use work's printer.  but I have a feeling that getting up stupidly early will still happen)

Once at the venue with diplomas, programs, decorations, place cards, reserved signs and what not in tow.  My co-worker and I run around like mad women setting up the ceremony space before prepping the reception.  (Thankfully, we went with Catering this year.  Thank goodness!)

A short 3 hours later and we're cleaning up and heading home.

Writing it out doesn't make it sound so bad.  Then why am I so darn stressed out?  Your guess is as good as mine!  I've spent the last week ready to burst into tears for no good reason.

What I do know is that by 3pm on Sunday afternoon this all will be over.

And I get to sleep in on Monday.