Random Bullets of...

randomness:

• Today is POM's b-day.  We'll be celebrating all week, because that's just more fun.
• Lent is over, and I have proceeded to make up for all of the dietary restrictions in the span of a single day, I think.  Bleah, I feel gross.  Back to a healthier approach tomorrow! 
• Clash of the Titans (in 2D -- I had read too many disparagements about the 3D version) was ok.  Let's put it this way -- the first movie was completely campy and goofy, and so is the second movie -- and both films were a couple of hours of good entertainment.  No Oscars here, not even for the special effects.  Will I own it?  No.  Do I regret seeing it?  No. 
• The Class -- was not what I expected, especially not given the rave reviews and Palm D'or it garnered.  On the one hand, I enjoyed his interaction with the students, the realness of the conversations they had, the fact that he took conversational cues from the students, the interesting intelligences of the kids, and the fact that the film didn't tie up all of the story lines into a neat little closure bow because school almost never does that in real life.  On the other hand, I disliked the unrealness of some of the conversations, was appalled by the ridiculous and inept mistakes he made with several of his students, and kept finding myself shouting snide questions and advice at him.  If I had to rate this film, I'm firmly on the fence, which hurts after a while. 
• Coco before Chanel was completely delightful, artful, and beautiful. 
• I've started House Rules, by Jodi Picoult, and it's already made me cry once.  I "knew" a lot of facts and info about Asperger's/autism, but I'd never placed myself into the shoes of one who lives with it.  Not even reading Temple Grandin has brought this home to me like this.  Yes, Picoult always goes for the emotional punch (pathos), but it doesn't feel cheap in this book as it occasionally has in some of her other books.  Granted, I'm only partway through, but so far, I'm appreciative. 
• I get to go grade tomorrow.  I'm drowning, but I've enjoyed these two days of freedom.  I refuse to spend my entire spring break grading.  Next year, I want to go away again for our break.