Saturday at the Movies: The Lone Ranger

Call me old fashioned. Many people have. I saw the new “The Lone Ranger” movie today, and was somewhat entertained. Just somewhat. There was some pretty good camera work and special effects, a few corny lines, but I don’t think anything can compare to the old original black-and-white version. They were simple honest episodes with a moral message. This latest remake consists of a lot of flash and action. I’m still trying to retrieve the moral. But, I’m glad I went to see it. There isn’t much worth seeing at the movies lately.

Spoiler alert! If you haven’t seen the movie yet, or even if you have, something to arm yourself for the very end. The Lone Ranger asks his Indian companion, “Do you know what Tonto means in Spanish?” My husband didn’t get it, and I think I was only one of a handful in the audience that did. Look it up.

It would be great to have some of these old classics back on television for the younger generation. Our kids are watching some weird and whacky programs nowadays. I vote we bring back “The Lone Ranger”, “Zorro”, “The Andy Griffith Show”, and all those fun episodes on the regular stations. Yeah, right. That’s not happening. This old fashioned gal can only dream.

Theme Song Thursday: I love Jeopardy!

Question: What does Toni do all day instead of writing, artwork, cleaning, and cooking?

Answer: Watch Jeopardy, Alex.

My afternoon ritual consists of a cup of tea and watch recorded episodes of Jeopardy. I was so proud of myself because I was 3 for 3 in guessing the final Jeopardy question correctly. Granted, I usually miss 75% of the regular questions, but man… I’m good at the final. See how you do.

Category: Civil War… I just guessed on this one, but a good guess. Hum the theme song to yourself now.

Category: Art world. I’ll admit, I took an educated guess with my limited Spanish vocab. Hum……

Category: American women. Now, I bet all of you get this one, so wager all your money. I didn’t even guess. More humming…

Now that you have made your wagers, I will tell you the correct answers. Lets see if you were 3 for 3 also. I’m sure you were.
First: Tennessee- I just tried to think of a long wide state.
Second: Bull Fighting- I thought maybe a toro was in there somehow.
Third: Rosa Parks- She wasn’t going to move to the back of the bus. You go, girl!

Don’t I live an exciting life? That was rhetorical. You know I do.

Theme Song Thursday: Happy Days

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.
– Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

That Oscar was a very “Wilde” and wacky guy, wasn’t he? But, he was very wise. I want to be one of those people who cause happiness wherever I go. How do you do that, you might wonder? Just be yourself and be happy.

These Happy Days are your’s and mine, Happy Days.

Happy Days theme (short version)
Sunday, Monday, Happy Days.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Happy Days.
Thursday, Friday, Happy Days.
Saturday, What a day,
Groovin’ all week with you.

These days are all,
Happy and Free. (Those Happy Days)
These days are all,
Share them with me. (oh baby)
Goodbye grey sky, hello blue.
There’s nothing can hold me when I hold you.
Feels so right, it can’t be wrong.
Rockin’ and rollin’ all week long.

These days are all,
Share them with me. (Those Happy Days)
These days are all, Happy and Free.
These Happy Days are your’s and mine, Happy Days.

Sunday Cinema: I Watch Way Too Much TV

Sundays are my lazy day. I sit with my Sunday newspaper, a cup of hot tea, and the remote control, what more could I ask for? I become mesmerized and a trance-like state overtakes my subconscious, rendering me immobile for endless hours.

Today, I got hooked on Turner Classic Movie Channel. They always have great old classics and black and white movies. “The Young Philadelphians” from 1959, with Paul Newman and Barbara Rush was on. I’d never seen it. 136 minutes later… where did the day go?

“Mad Men” Season 6 premiere took up another 2 hour chunk of my evening. Did you see it? What did you think? I wasn’t too impressed. Maybe 6 years is a stretch.

Like everything else I write about, I consulted my good friend Mr. Google to research what has been written about watching too much TV. NOT a good idea. TMI once again. Studies say… Well, I can’t even scratch the surface of all the harmful effects of excessive television viewing.

I’m really paranoid now. I will be watching for the warning signs of depression, diabetes, violent outbursts, insomnia, obesity, cancer, heart attack, vision loss, and so much more. To counteract the debilitating erosion to the other parts of my body, I’m strengthening my brain by watching several recorded episodes of Jeopardy while writing this post. Hope it works. I’m beyond giving up watching endless hours of TV. Is there a support group for me?

Frivolous Friday

“Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.”
― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

What better way to spend a gloomy grey Friday morning than snuggled in a warm blanket with a cup of tea and an old movie. I’m a sucker for the romantic classics. This morning, while checking my emails and flipping through the channels on TV, I ran across “Pride and Prejudice”. Oh no! Not that one! It’s like an addiction. I couldn’t look away!

If I’ve seen it once, I’ve seen it fifty times, maybe more. It doesn’t matter, I was hooked. Do you have a movie that you just have to watch every time it’s on? Unfortunately, I have too many.

The second I saw the delightful Elizabeth Bennett tormenting the handsome Mr. Darcy, the rest of my morning was consumed. Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen exquisitely portrayed the main characters of Jane Austen’s two hundred year old romantic tale that takes place in the class-conscious English society of the 1800’s. (Sounds like a book report, doesn’t it?)

To summarize: Girl meets boy, she thinks he’s a rich, arrogant snob and he thinks she is a crude, willful girl with irresistible charm. They argue in the rain, realize their mistake, then fall in love and live happily ever after. What’s not to like?

Every now and then, we need to indulge ourselves with a frivolous Friday.

Theme Song Thursday: McKinney, Where Everybody Knows Your Name

You know what I love about living in McKinney, Texas? Well, just about everything. I’m not extremely fond of the summer heat that can get into triple digits, but that’s what air conditioning is for. Right? That’s it. I love all the rest. The people are great, the economy is thriving, and there are so many things to do and places to go. There are great restaurants, wonderful shops, and fun activities. From the day we moved here in ’04, McKinney has been a Shangri-La. I’ve made hundreds of friends here, and when I take a stroll on the Square, I bump into dozens of people who say, “Hi, Toni! How’s it going?” It’s kinda like CHEERS. “Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, And they’re always glad you came…”

Recently, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Stuart Pearlman of Town Square Buzz about why I love my town and all the things I’m involved in. We didn’t even get into my tennis teams, neighborhood activities, and art groups. We would have needed a 5 hour mini-series. I like to call it my 5 minutes of fame.
http://townsquarebuzz.com/ams/51039/stuart-j-s-lens-discovering-art-toni-andrukaitis/17153/ams/51039

Cheers – Themesong lyrics

Making your way in the world today
Takes everything you’ve got;
Taking a break from all your worries
Sure would help a lot.
Wouldn’t you like to get away?

All those night when you’ve got no lights,
The check is in the mail;
And your little angel
Hung the cat up by it’s tail;
And your third fiance didn’t show;

Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
And they’re always glad you came;
You want to be where you can see,
Our troubles are all the same;
You want to be where everybody knows your name.

Roll out of bed, Mr. Coffee’s dead;
The morning’s looking bright;
And your shrink ran off to Europe,
And didn’t even write;
And your husband wants to be a girl;

Be glad there’s one place in the world
Where everybody knows your name,
And they’re always glad you came;
You want to go where people know,
People are all the same;
You want to go where everybody knows your name.

Where everybody knows your name,
And they’re always glad you came;
Where everybody knows your name,
And they’re always glad you came.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwrel&v=Da7RhdJmglQ

Monday Memories: Farewell J.R.

Monday is usually a slow television day, but today was the episode of “Dallas” where old J.R. Ewing was laid to rest. The original show aired from 1978-1991. Our young family had a tradition of gathering around the TV on Friday nights to watch “Dallas.” The best part was when the signature theme song would come on, because we would all stand up and march around the room until the song ended. Even though we lived in Chicago, the exploits of the Ewing family captivated us for many years. It’s kind of ironic now, because we live just north of Dallas, and the new episodes bring back old memories of pizza, laughing and marching around the family room.

J.R. was the ultimate TV villain, but I couldn’t help but shed a few tears when the television family/cast had to say their good-byes on camera. That had to be tough. I have a lot of fond memories of “Dallas,” Friday nights, and silly marching. We’ll miss you J.R.

Sit Back and Relax Sunday: Watching The Oscars

While most of the country is sitting back and watching the Oscars, I’m taking a few moments (only during commercials, of course) to share my favorite Black Russian cocktail recipe with you. Well, never mind. Not waiting for commercials anymore. Half an hour into the Oscars, the jokes, musical number about boobs, and making out with the flying nun, I’m already pretty disappointed.

Anyway, my favorite alcoholic beverage is a Black Russian. But, the way I make it, it’s more like a dessert. Also, if you enjoy it, just ask your favorite bartender to make one up special for you. Remember folks…Drink responsibly. My hand up to God, I NEVER drink and drive.

Because I don’t measure, use recipes, or follow directions, I use my own measurements and terms.
Note: Glug- a Glug is the sound that the liquor bottle makes when you are pouring. Take a listen, it does go Glug, Glug, Glug.

Toni’s Blockbuster Black Russian

1 cocktail glass of your choice (the bigger, the better)
2 scoops of your favorite chocolate ice cream (I like rocky road, the almonds are rich in vitamin E and loaded with fiber, adding the nutritional benefits.)
3 glugs of Kahlúa
3 glugs of Vodka
Add a a little stirrer straw to mix, sip, and enjoy.

Another Frivolous Friday: I Watch Too Much TV

I confess, I watch way too much TV. How about you? It’s not always that I’m watching TV, sometimes it’s just background noise while I do other things. Like right now, I’m watching, or should I say, listening to recorded episodes of “Jeopardy” while thinking of what to write for today’s blog. I’m not sure how much I actually hear, but I did guess the correct answers to a bunch of questions. “What is MoMa, Museum of Modern Art, Alex?” I knew that one! I guess a lot and shout out my answer, but then, I’m not wagering real money, so it doesn’t much matter.

The nice thing about a DVR is, it records countless, mindless TV episodes that I can watch later at my leisure. When I got up in this morning, I watched four episodes of Dr. Oz in less than an hour by fast forwarding past commercials and zipping through the dumb visuals of plastic poop and simulated green slime mucus. Then, I saw two recordings of Ultra Eye featuring the New York art scene and the other, the beauty that is Rome. Again, less than an hour.

I called Mom around 9 am, while sliding by several HGTV shows. Then a cup of tea saw me through the recordings of “Suits,” and “Person of Interest.” The day continued like that, emptying the dishwasher and making pasta salad while listening to Fox 4 News at 12. Maybe that’s why my head is so full of useless trivia and insignificant information. I probably can pack fifty hours of vital television viewing into an eight hour day of zombie watching. Yep, I watch way too much TV. Thank goodness I’m done writing this blog because “Blue Bloods” is on in ten minutes and I haven’t even had dinner yet.

Theme Song Thursday

My theme for this Thursday is friends. Today, we celebrated the birthday of our dear friend, Carolyn. She says she’s 29, but we all know better. I’m pretty sure she’s over 30, seeing as she’s a grandma. But, we are all young girls when it comes to friendship and birthdays.

We met at our favorite coffee/sandwich shop in McKinney, SNUG on the Square for her birthday celebration. It was a glorious, sun-shining day. Good friends, good food, and lots of presents. Doesn’t get better than that. The FRIENDS television show theme song came to mind…

Theme song from FRIENDS…

So no one told you life was gonna be this way
(clap clap clap clap)
Your job’s a joke, you’re broke, your love life’s D.O.A.
It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear
When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year
But
I’ll be there for you (when the rain starts to pour)
I’ll be there for you (like I’ve been there before)
I’ll be there for you (because you’re there for me too)
*********************

Friends may come and friends may go
This fact is sad, but true
The ones that stay are best to know
I’m glad this friend is you.

Toni Andrukaitis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi1k8x__LaU&sns=em