roast beef for dinner

i have been making a big effort to see movies lately. i used to really hate movies — i hated seeing them in the theatre, and i didnt really care to watch them at home. i found them to be a waste of time. they didnt seem to better my life in any way… they didnt seem to teach me anything through medium, just maybe through content. whereas i felt like reading was teaching me through medium and content. but i am trying to turn over a new leaf and pay attention to movies because i know many people in this world enjoy movies in an intellectual way and i (per tripp's chiding) feel i ought to tune into everyone else a little more, regardless of whether i really care about movies. but more than anything, it's been cold in connecticut, i havent wanted to drink every night, and then it was the holidays. which are all perfect times to watch movies.

so in connecticut, i saw _good night, and good luck_ in the theatre, along with _syriana_. both good. our theatre is great there. it is brand new, it's within walking distance, it serves wine and beer and specialty teas, and it plays really good movies. then, the other night, i rented _me and you and everyone we know_. which was pretty good. not really all that enriching, but certainly entertaining. and then on new year's eve, i rented _crash_, _the life aquatic_, _mad hot ballroom_, _bad education_, and _hotel rwanda_. i still have _bad education_ and _hotel rwanda_ to watch. but the others have been good. though i thought _mad hot ballroom_ wasnt all that great.

point being, im trying. im really trying to learn about directors and movies even though i dont care 100%. im trying to be a responsible artistic citizen, whatever that means.

tomorrow i have to take my laptop back to the apple store because my speakers seem to not be working properly. which means theyll have to ship it to me in connecticut. which is kind of a bitch. but also frees up some carry-on room which will be good for when i fly home. i have so much stuff to take home… it's a little unreal.

im pretty sad to be leaving. it's been lovely to be home and with my parents. and the cats. and in virginia, though i really feel like ive barely been out of the house. most every day has been spent with my family which has been nice, even though im sure ive driven them crazy. but i fly out on wednesday to spend a few days in the city and then start school again on next monday.

i dont feel quite ready for this next semester. i wish i had a few more days with my computer to finish up some things before the semester begins, but i guess i'll have some weekend time in january to be working on some outside projects. i dont want too much unfinished work hanging over my head. and i want to have plenty of energy for whatever is assigned this semester.

and now i should go. _bad education_ is awaiting me.