I forgot to ruminate last night.

POLITICS
The “stimulus” bill is soon to be signed into law by President Obama. Everybody knows there’s very little in the way of stimulus in the stimulus bill, but who cares? The point is that the government needs to look like they’re doing something — anything — to help the economy. Interestingly enough, the House Republicans suddenly became aware of their collective spinal column and unanimously voted “no” on the stimulus package. Hmmmm… if only they would have done that the first time! Oh, wait — the last bailout package was the brain-child of the brainless former President. Weird. For the first bill, the House Republicans told us all how something had to be done and that we were hours away from a complete financial meltdown. Remember that? Now that there’s a new sheriff in the White House, they don’t see it as such an urgent matter. Don’t get me wrong — I am totally, completely, 100% against any more bailout money (unless, of course, I’m to be one of the recipients). I just wish the Republicans had had such conviction a couple of months ago.

BOOKS
Just… don’t ask.

MOVIES
Mamma Mia! (2008)
I had a blast watching this movie with its great music. Except for that one song they sing while the daughter is getting ready for her wedding, something about slipping through fingers? That one made me cry a little. I thought it was a lot of fun.

In the Bedroom (2001)
I think this is a really beautiful film. It wasn’t until close to the end that I realized I had already seen it a few years ago, but I enjoyed watching it again. That is, I enjoyed it as much as one can enjoy a film all about parents grieving after the death of their only child. It’s not really even as much of a tearjerker as you might think. It’s just more of a character study of these two parents who are just trying to figure out how to move on after their son’s death, which they believe to have been a murder, while the perpetrator claims it was an accident. The thing I liked so much about it was that there are long periods in which there is no dialogue, but the camera shots speak for the characters. Also, there is not much in the way of a soundtrack. Lots of silence and beautiful shots.

An Affair to Remember (1957)
Watched this one with Mini-Me, who was barely able to stay awake. I actually only watched it with one eye myself. That Cary Grant sure is hunky, isn’t he? It was good, but not great.

The Goonies (1985)
Another one watched with Mini-Me. Howcome when I think back on some of my favorite movies from when I was a kid, I conveniently forget the bad parts? I remember taking Mini-Me to see a live musical version of Grease a few years back, after not having watched it myself in many years. I was horrified! Turns out, that whole movie is just about everybody trying to get in everybody else’s pants! I certainly didn’t remember that from my youth. Well, the same goes for some of my favorite movies. I loved the Goonies and I still do, but I had forgotten about the sexual references and the horrible language.

COOKING
I don’t think I cooked even one dish last week. We ate out a LOT. This is bad. The more I expose myself to food I’m not supposed to eat, the more tempting it becomes. Must resolve to eat at home more. Remember: Nobody wants to hire a fat lawyer.

LAW SCHOOL
Are we there yet? How many minutes until I can start?