Sunday, February 26, 2012

Best Picture?

Most people who know me, know that I am a self-proclaimed awards show junkie.  Oscars, Grammys, Tonys, Emmys, MTV, Espys, you name it - I love me some award show action.  And no, I'm not that girl who drools over the dresses on the red carpet.  In fact, I rarely watch the red carpet stuff. I love the show!!  Grammys and MTV tend to be my favorites, because I love watching the performances.  Heaven knows I'm an audiophile and there is nothing more exciting than seeing two people you would NEVER expect to perform together, knock out an amazing show (e.g. Elton John and Eminem).

So what's the appeal for shows lacking performance element, like the Oscars?  Well, certainly the host can always make it great show. But again, that's not what it's about for me. I'm gonna say it, I love watching the speeches.  I loved watching that moment when Sandra Bullock, queen of rom-com's and fluff movies, heard her name announced for The Blind Side.  The look of shock and amazement and the utter gratitude that her peers would choose to honor her in that way. Maybe it's that little girl in me who always wanted to grow up and be a movie star.  Maybe it's just fun to see people so happy to be honored.  Whatever... I love it!!

Over the last couple years, Will and I have started a tradition of watching all of the Best Picture nominees before the big show. This generally helps us with votes for the other big categories as well, as there tends to be a lot of cross-over between Best Picture and Best Actor/Actress, Supporting, Director, etc. But what defines a Best Picture?

I did a little searching (really, like 2-3 minutes) in hopes of finding guidelines that should be used by voting members when selecting the Best Picture.  I was sadly unsuccessful.  It's never really occurred to me to look for voting guidelines in the past, because in the past I've had movies that I just said, "Yeah! That's a Best Picture!"  This year, sadly, is not that kind of year. I don't know if I've just become more scrutinizing, or if Hollywood just didn't deliver this year.  In fairness, I have tickets for an hour an half from now for  Hugo, perhaps it will blow me away. But really, how do you define a Best Picture?

Is it cinematography, actors, characters, plot, directing, music?  Is it taking all the other categories and deciding who did the best at all of those things?  Is the saddest, happiest, most dramatic?  I'm looking back over the list of previous winners (thanks Wikipedia!) and while I don't necessarily agree with all the winners... I remember them all.  They were all unforgettable films.  Frankly, if The Descendants win this year, I suspect I'll be looking back a few years from now asking myself what the movie was about.  If Tree of Life wins, I'll be looking back wishing I didn't remember that movie, and that I could somehow get those hours back.

Last year's winner, The Kings Speech, just seeing the name listed brings all these wonderful thoughts back.  Great story, endearing characters executed magnificently by the actors who played them (granted I've always had a huge crush on Colin Firth, but that's not the point!), music, costumes, it's all there.  I LOVED that film! The Hurt Locker, Slumdog Millionaire, Chicago, Crash, Million Dollar Baby.  Some heart-wrenching, some inspiring, some just down right fun. There's no formula.  Until this year, I've usually had a hard time deciding between some of the nominees, this year, I'm not convinced any of them deserve it.

What am I missing blogosphere? Do you have a clear cut winner?  Are you trying to decide between a couple nominees?  Did I just miss something in the films I've see this year? Help me out!  What's a Best Picture?

Friday, February 17, 2012

A Public Apology to Morning Swimmers

I've been a swimmer for years.  Never really competitive, but when I was very young my parents started me in swimming lessons which I continued until I was probably around 13 or so.  The next step was becoming a lifeguard, but I really had no interest in that.

I swam on the junior high swim team for one year, but 90% of the other girls on the team had been swimming competitively since they were about 4.  I (and 2 or 3 others) was relegated to lane 6 where the coach occasionally strolled over and told what drill to swim next, but never actually helped us with technique.  Most swim meets consisted of two schools with 3 girls from each school swimming each event.  I swam the 100 and 200 back, and also swam back on relays.  One fateful day, with no warning I was put on the 500 free which at the time I thought was the cruelest thing a coach could do.  I finished the season and as I recall our team did relatively well, but the other girls on my team were so much better, the best I could ever hope for was a 3rd place finish.  At the end of the season I decided that as much as I loved to be in the water, perhaps competitive swimming wasn't for me, and I refocused my energy on band and softball (yeah, I was that girl!).

Over the years I witnessed many friends who were afraid of the water.  In high school gym class we had a swimming element and I watched many of my friends struggle and be placed in the non-swimmers group where the goal for the of the semester was likely for them to not be terrified of the water by the end. Growing up in Indiana, I didn't have a lot of opportunity for water sports, but I always appreciated my ability to swim.  Starting as young as I did, I've never feared the water - pool, lake, ocean, nasty quarry used for SCUBA check out dives.  In fact, I feel rather a peace when I'm swimming.  My family always said I was like a fish, and I tend to agree.

A couple years ago I started training for triathlons, which put me back in the pool on a regular basis for the first time in many many years.  I eventually joined a U.S. Master's team and started swimming with them, which made swimming social for me, what more could I want?  Swimming with the Master's team was kind of like being back on the junior high swim team again though.  I was by far the slowest one there, and we basically just swam speed drills. Although, there I got the added benefit of cool people who were super encouraging and loved to talk about the next race or event someone was doing and of course, Thirsty Thursday practices.

Here in Costa Rica, I'm lucky enough to have a pool at my gym.  My TicaSis is a swimmer and since I've been here we swam in an ocean open water race, and relayed a 4 hour pool race together, both of which were great!  However, left to my own devices, swimming is the last thing I do.  I feel like my abilities, while not stellar, are far above average, even for other triathletes.  I also feel like, on my own, I can't really do much to really improve.  But the tides have changed...

I've recently discovered that my gym has coached, morning swim practices 3 days/week, and it's included in the fee I already pay.  Now, I am not, nor have I ever been a morning person, but I decided to go check it out.  Much to my surprise, I found a coach who, yes gives me drills, but actually watches how I'm swimming and tells me how to improve.  And the drills he gives me aren't just speed drills, they are technical drills to help me improve.  Perhaps this sounds silly to anyone who has had a coach before, but I've never been so excited to swim in my life.  Finally, after 25+ years in the pool, someone is challenging me to be better at something I love.

Of course, there's still the problem of the 6am thing.  I mean who wants to get up at 5:30am, throw on a swimsuit and jump into an outdoor, unheated pool.  I've spent most of my life mocking people who workout in the early mornings.  The sun isn't even up yet!!! Go back to bed!!! This is where I do something, in writing, that I really even do in conversation.  That's right folks.  I'm admitting it.... I was wrong!  All you morning swimmers, I sincerely apologize for my years of mocking.  You are all correct, morning swims are pretty freaking awesome. This morning I went to practice and yes, the water was cold, and I have a cold and can barely breathe which made the workout harder, and it was 6AM... but during the last 10 minutes, the sun finally crested over the tree line on the far side of pool and sparkled across the water adding just the slightest amount of warmth.  And after practice I relaxed in the steam room, showered, came home, had plenty of time to make breakfast and relax and blog before heading to work.  Pretty awesome way to start the day.

So again, morning swimmers, I am sorry.  I've seen the error of my ways.  Please forgive me of my previous mocking.  All you other morning workout people... runners, cyclists, weight lifters, etc... you guys are all still crazy!! Go back to bed!! or come join me at the pool!