Not being annoyed (yep, two posts in one night)

Recently, it has been brought to my attention that I don't get annoyed easily and seem to have patience with people who would supposedly annoy anyone. I did mention on this blog that a woman yelled at me a few weeks ago, but it didn't bother me in the least. I thought it was rather funny, to be honest, and had to stifle myself from laughing when she did it.

Don't get me wrong; I certainly can have my feathers ruffled. But, I do have a good amount of patience and odd or irritating behavior generally just seems interesting to me. I'm taken aback, quite frankly, when other people are irritated.

I do think that most people are easily irritated these days by waiting for anything. This was true before the internet age, but it has undoubtedly gotten worse since. A few years ago, I bought a great little scanner that was considered "very slow" by reviewers because it took (and I remember this exactly) 40 seconds to perform a scan. Almost a minute! Oh my, how could anyone stand waiting almost a minute for something to scan?! It's an eternity.

An aside: Please, please, don't let me start sounding like Andy Rooney, okay?

But really, waiting is an opportunity. I mean it. When Dick and I watch some Netflix streaming video and it stalls because of whatever, it's an opportunity for us to have a short conversation. Usually the conversation consists of the following: "Oh, this is ridiculous!" "C'mon, it's only 30 more seconds. See?" "No, something is wrong." "Only ten seconds left!" "I should have rebooted." "Look. It's still ten seconds. Huh." Okay, it's not much of a conversation, but it could be.

I'll admit that I don't like waiting in line. This supposedly patient person who can sit for hours staring at a spot on the floor gets really antsy waiting in line. There's no reason for it. I could read a book. I could read any number of magazines. I could talk to another person in line (and I sometimes do, but often they get annoyed). But usually, I waste time trying to find the shortest line. And when I do, it seems that that line has a problem with it. Something won't scan and needs a manager to key it in. A credit card won't go through. Or, since I do use the self-check-outs if they're available, I wind up behind someone who hasn't a clue how to use them. C'mon lady, how many times are you going to swipe that card before you realize you're putting it in the wrong way?

And another thing, why is it that in 2009 the majority of people doing grocery shopping are still women and that most of the men are only buying large quantities of beer?

The last time I got stuck in line because of a problem was a guy who was buying a case of beer that was beat up. He wanted the cashier to find a bunch of stickers he could put in the bottom so the cans wouldn't fall out of the box. If the store still had paper bags, it wouldn't have been a problem.

Oh, I do sound an awful lot like Andy Rooney.

Stores used to have paper bags. People used to be in less of a rush. Waiting for a movie to start used to be fun.

You get the picture. Age brings on curmudgeonly qualities in most people. Twenty-year-olds are not liable to be curmudgeons, are they? Then again, people did whine about liking the old Facebook better. . .

But, the truth is, I'm not easily annoyed, waiting in lines aside. I see customers who demand attention as people who want some company and people who ask for directions to be explained over and over again as insecure or an interesting challenge. When I notice that I'm annoyed, I ask myself if I really am being put out by whatever is going on. The answer to that is usually "not really." I also go out of my way to not get involved in things and with people who I know will bother me. Setting boundaries way ahead of time has helped me avoid a lot of grief.

Some would say that this is plain ol' avoidance. Maybe if I was agoraphobic I'd agree, but I'm not.

So, next time you get annoyed, try sitting (or standing) back and just watching what's going on. Maybe you'll find it entertaining. Generally speaking, I do, and anyone who knows me can tell you that I'm not a bubbly cheerful person, so if I can have some equanimity, anyone can.

Painting note: Gustav Klimt, "Stiller Weiher im Schloßpark von Kammer" 1899. Yesterday, I read that Klimt liked to wear floor-length indigo-dyed smocks with nothing on underneath. "It feels natural", said he. I wanted to post a Klimt, but have been annoyed with seeing certain of his works way too much. I enjoyed looking at the Wikipedia Commons image entries, for I was reminded of just how good an artist he was. His drawings are particularly good, though (obviously) that is not what I posted here. Since I've been fascinated of late with images of water, I chose this painting for your viewing pleasure. Well, more correctly: my viewing pleasure, eh?

And the survey says. . .

I've always liked to ruminate about what other people like, think, and do. Perhaps it comes from being an only child. My sample group was small, obviously, with just me and my parents, and I also knew that my family wasn't exactly typical. Knowing that neither of my parents believed in God was a major impetus for my rumination, or more exactly, I wondered who this God was that others believed in, and why they believed so fervently.

But this post is not about religion, though I certainly could write about that for hours on end. It's about surveys, polls, and studies. Where once a philosopher might spend a lifetime thinking and writing about humanity, nowadays we have random sample groups to "prove" things. Nothing wrong with that, but I wonder if this keeps us from doing a lot of hard thinking. Have an idea? Just call 100 people and ask them what they think.

I can't help thinking about the ol' Family Feud show. I used to love watching that show, and actually wished I could get my family on it. Not being exactly normal wouldn't have been a hindrance in the least. Being a bunch of people who did a lot of ruminating about things would cinch our win. I was sure of it.

I have nothing against studies (and love reading their results), but sometimes I wonder how accurate their results are. A friend of mine once participated in a study about pain tolerance. He was hooked up to electrodes and zapped until he said "stop!" He told me that it was absurd, for he could say stop any time. Pain is so subjective; how could those conducting the study know if someone was calling it quits way before it got too awful to endure? Even accounting for estimates that any percent of people would, there was no sense to this. My friend actually did wait until the pain was too much until he said stop, but I'd guess that was atypical. On the other hand, I'd imagine that anyone signing up for this study, even with the good pay, was at least veering towards the masochistic.

Here's an example where I don't think anything about this study would be useful except the very concept of the study itself. The pain study makes me think. The results? Knowing that the average person can withstand 4 volts of electricity before they cry uncle means nothing. Wondering why anyone would come up with the study, who might sign up, how people might "cheat" or if some people would wait until they were really suffering, well, those things are way more interesting to me.

Earlier today I was having a discussion with someone about Northern New Englanders' propensity for minimizing their discomfort. Stoicism is considered a virtue up here. Perhaps that comes from living in a cold climate. This women was telling me how her husband had cut an artery in his leg with a chainsaw (by accident), put a tourniquet on it, and drove himself to the emergency room. Then, there was a four-hour long wait, during which he patiently sat there bleeding to death until someone realized that it really was an emergency.

I bet there is a study about regional differences in pain tolerance. I am not going to google it, no matter how much I feel the urge. I want to just think about it. I would bet that people who live in areas where the weather is generally nice do have less of a tolerance for being uncomfortable. It just makes sense. And no, there's nothing wrong with doing a study about it, though I would argue that it's rather a waste of somebody's money.

Well, I have a strong feeling I forgot what it was I intended to write about. I know I started veering off the topic early in this post. Never mind that. My longer entries were always rambling and off-topic, and I've been doing too much to reel myself in for a long time. Writing late, and when tired, is something that I used to do and feel perfectly fine about. Perhaps it's time to let myself ruminate and ramble again. But for now, I'll end this here. I really am tired, and I do wish I'd done this subject more justice. But this is a blog, so I can come back to it any time I want and no one is paying me to write well. That's a good thing, at least tonight.

Photo note: Richard Dawson, the original Family Feud host. He kissed all the women and they seemed to love it. He gave me the creeps but I still watched. And lastly, I think 1970's "fashion" is unbelievably ugly, especially the men's stuff. So, why I'm subjecting you to this image instead of some lovely piece of art is beyond me. But really, what would have been relevant? Survey says. . .you tell me.

HOLLYWOOD SPY WISHES YOU BLASTING HALLOWEEN PARTIES TONIGHT!

But don't come Trick or Treating at our door due to World Economic Crises ;)

"THE SECRET HISTORY OF TOM TRUEHEART" JUMPS ONTO THE BIG SCREEN

According to "The Hollywood Reporter" family adventure "The Secret History of Tom Trueheart", based on Ian Beck's young -adult novel, will be made into a film.
The book centers on Tom Trueheart, a timid boy, living in the shadow of his six brothers — all named Jack. These same six fabled, heroic Jacks who had carried out all of the toughest, scariest, and most romantic and exciting adventures which have happened so far in the Land of Stories. The 'Story Bureau' gives each of the same-named lads a 'beginning' and sends them off to complete the tales through their adventures. When the brothers fail to return home, the Bureau sends Tom a letter on the morning of his 12th birthday, summoning him to find his siblings. Through the third-person narrative that follows the various brothers, readers learn that the Jacks have been kidnapped by Julius Ormestone, the writer whose task is to create the Bureau's story openings and who is tired of the adventurers getting all the credit.
Ian Beck has incorporated humorous associations to many famous fairy tale characters like Snow White and the seven dwarfs, Cinderella, the frog-prince and Rapunzel and the whole story culminates in a final showdown at the giant's palace atop a beanstalk.

Miss Universe 2009 SWIMSUIT Photos

Miss Sweden Renate Cerljen

Miss USA Kristen Dalton

Miss South Africa Tatum Keshwar.

Miss Thailand Chutima Durongdej.

Miss Mexico Karla Carrillo

Miss Ecuador Sandra Vinces

Miss Germany Martina Lee

Miss Spain Estibaliz Pereira Rabade

Miss Australia Rachael Finch

Miss Russia Sofia Rudyeva

Miss Italy Laura Valenti.

Miss Philippines Bianca Manalo

Miss Czech Republic Iveta Lutovska

JERRY BRUCKHEIMER BRINGS "SHATTERED UNION" TO THE BIG SCREEN

It seems that Jerry Bruckheimer has hired J. Michael Straczynski to adapt "Shattered Union" into a Disney movie.
According to "Variety", in the computer game the states secede from the U.S.A. and form their own governments that wage a civil war against each other after Washington D.C. is wiped out in a nuclear blast and chaos ravages the nation. Players control one of the warring group of states ( the California Commonwealth, Republic of Texas and New England Alliance are some of them ) or a European peacekeeping unit sent to reunify America.
Sounds interesting enough to me. Instead of going around the world and breaking and destroying other countries, it would be nice to see U.S.A. experiencing the taste of its own medicine. On the big screen, of course :)

HUGH JACKMAN WON'T HOST 2010 OSCARS!

Although everybody loved him, and although he said he would do it again, Hugh Jackman will not host next year's Oscars.
According to "MovieWeb" "Jackman, who is currently starring in the Broadway play 'A Steady Rain' alongside Daniel Craig, had reportedly turned down the offer in the past few weeks. Jackman won't rule out ever hosting the awards gala again, but it was said that he didn't want to host the ceremony for two years in a row."
I guess now, the crazy race for the new host will start, but I'm not so optimistic. I personally didn't like De Generes, Stewart nor Steve Martin. But I did like Crystal and Goldberg.

No NaNoWriMo this year (for me)

I just removed my 2009 NaNoWriMo badge from the sidebar. This makes it official; I'm not committing to it this year. Participating is only going to be a set-up for failure for I haven't enough days in the upcoming month to write 50,000 words (unless I start taking speed or something).

Ah well. I remember how fun it was last year. It was almost ecstatic. I'd put up a sign saying "No talking to me. I'm writing" so Dick wouldn't unwittingly interrupt my furious stream-of-consciousness. I wrote two to four hours a day and finished those 50,000 words in 21 days. This month I don't even have 21 days to write. Now, if it was last year, I imagine I'd take it on anyway, for last year I was stoked.

I don't want to waste my time on empty promises to myself, so that's that. If there's a real novel in me, I don't need NaNoWriMo to make it happen. Sure, the virtual writer's community helped, but I presume I can find support in other ways if I deign to try again before November of 2010.

I wish NaNoWriMo was in a month other than November. It's a busy month, what with Thanksgiving and the other upcoming holidays. February would be a great month to hunker down to write a novel, especially for us folks up here in northern New England. NewEngFebNoWriMo might be something for me to look forward to. . .

Painting note: Gabriel Metsu - Man Writing a Letter 1662-65
As a thumbnail, I thought this was a woman. No matter. Look how different this reproduction is:

FIRST POSTER FOR "HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON"

The first poster for "How to Train Your Dragon", possibly one of the most adorable upcoming animated movies, is just out. Coming in spring 2010 with voices of Gerard Butler and America Ferrera it tells the story of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, heir of the Viking chiefdom, but a boy with one very big problem: a hero he is not. "How to Train Your Dragon' is the riotous story of Hiccup's quest to hunt down the fiercest dragon, bring it into submission, and-hopefully-pass his initiation. Instead, he ends up with the smallest, most ornery dragon-it's even toothless! Thus begins the hijinx of the world's most lovable, unlikely hero and a most reluctant "beast." Packed with energetic drawings and plenty of action, this boisterous tale is just right for fantasy fans or anyone with a spirit of adventure. The movie is based on the book by Cressida Cowell.

NEIL MARSHALL OR NEILL BLOMKAMP REPLACING PETER BERG AT THE HELM OF "DUNE"???

Bad, bad news people, real bad! It seems that an anticipated remake of Frank Herbert's fantasy saga "Dune" has undergone some helm changes again.Apparently director Peter Berg will not direct the remake.
Although the remake is still in the works, Josh Zetumer is writing the film now, and Paramount is searching for a new director. There are rumors that directors Neil Marshall and Neill Blomkamp are in consideration to take over. There were also some truly scary reports that Robert Pattinson was in talks to star in the film, but that was connected with Berg directing the movie, so it's unclear if he still might join the project or not.
I hate this news. Although I'm not a fan of Peter Berg I liked his idea of making a more adventurous and action packed "Dune" instead of the original mystic philosophical sf drama. I'm not sure if these new contenders for the directorial seat share his vision. And I can't even explain how scary it is imagining Pattinson in the lead role.

HOLLYWOOD SPY CELEBRATES ITS 10,000 READINGS!!!

HOLLYWOOD SPY has just had its 10,000th reader in the period of three months.
Being a small, independent, nonprofitable blog, we are very proud not only of this lovely achievement, but also of our beautiful, wise, gorgeous, intelligent, ultra charming and ever so ingenious readers and followers :))))
A big kiss to all of you reading this, the doors are always open for you ;)

"MAMMA MIA" HERE WE GO AGAIN?!? AMANDA SEYFRIED REVEALS THE SEQUEL IS ON THE WAY

According to "MovieWeb" one of the last year's biggest sleeper hits might get a sequel, if we can believe one of the film's stars. In one of her last interviews young Amanda Seyfried has revealed, in a mysterious way, that a sequel to the 2008 musical "Mamma Mia!" might get shot in near future.
Here's what she says: "I've been talking to some insiders and it's not something that they haven't been working on. I don't actually know anything other than that. I know it's still going to be Abba music, because what else would it be? Come on, I wouldn't do 'Mamma Mia 2' without Benny and Bjorn."
Although I had found the direction of the musical a bit hollow and shallow, I did enjoy the music and most of the actors, plus the sets created at the beautiful Greek seaside were absolutely stunning, so I wouldn't really mind a second part to this story, but hopefully with another director.

CHARLIZE, KATE AND MARIAH WIN OUR "BEST WHEN NOT LOOKING THEIR BEST" POLL TOGETHER

The surprise outcome of our first BEST WHEN NOT LOOKING THEIR BEST poll, honoring actresses who are brave enough to reduce their natural gorgeousness in order to create amazing roles, brings us three winners :) Charlize Theron, Kate Winslet and Mariah Carey all had 23% of votes.
Charlize Theron, one of the sexiest actresses in Hollywood, decided to shock everyone by portraying a masculine prostitute who becomes a serial killer in "Monster". It payed off, since she won an Oscar for the role.
Kate Winslet has always been a woman comfortable with her body and her looks. She even became a role model for all the women who refuse to look anorexic just for the sake of being trendy and stylish. In "Iris" she portrays physically unattractive novelist Iris Murdoch and creates a breathtaking role which brought her an Oscar nomination.
Mariah Carey has shocked everybody this year when after a series of horrible roles in insignificant movies, she decided to show her true talent by portraying an ordinary social worker in "Precious". The fact that she managed to strip off her divalicious attitude and star looks, might even bring her an Oscar nomination next year, since most critics agree that her role represents a true gem in this year's cinematic offer.
The second round of our BEST WHEN NOT LOOKING THEIR BEST poll starts today, with even stronger competition between five stunning actresses who proved that they can be most beautiful even when looking their worst.

JASON MOMOA JOINS "A GAME OF THRONES" AS KHAL DROGO

George R.R. Martin, the author of famous epic fantasy saga "A Game of Thrones" has just published in his blog that they've finally found an actor who will play the intrepid horselord, Khal Drogo of the Dothraki, in the upcoming HBO mini series. The search for the right Khal was exhaustive, and included auditions on four separate continents. As with several other parts, there were a lot of great readings, and the producers had several interesting choices. The final nod went to Jason Momoa, who is best known to television viewers for his roles on "Stargate Atlantis" and "Baywatch".
According to R.R. Martin Jason's auditions were terrific, displaying all the fierceness that Khal requires, but showing warmth and tenderness in the softer scenes as well.
"Khal Drogo was the last of the speaking roles to be filled, so the cast is now complete... until and unless the show gets picked up to series, when we'll start the process all over again to find Littlefinger, Varys, Ser Barristan, Renly, Loras, Hodor, Lord Tywin, and all the rest of our merry company", concludes Martin in his personal blog.

MAIN CHARACTERS OF MARCUS NISPEL'S "CONAN" REVEALED

"Moviehole" has just revealed first information about the main characters in Marcus Nispel's 2010 adaptation of "Conan".
Conan will be in his early 30's, being the last of his tribe and having to watch his father die a cruel death, he is determined to avenge his people's slaughter by killing all those who led the attack on them. But in the process of doing that he will also find a new reason to live.
Tamara is beautiful, studious, a novitiate of a Greek influenced monastery. A master of martial arts, she has been trained to be the Queen's servant, bodyguard and best friend. When Khalar Singh, a powerful warlord with ambitions to become the king of Acheron, storms the monastery and captures all of the novitiates, she is separated from Ilira, the one she must protect. With all of her strength and will, Tamara is determined to find and rescue her and that's why she will join Conan.
Khalar Singh is the bad guy driven in his quest to find the Queen of Acheron and has been building an empire to do so. His goal is to find the Queen whose blood will bring life to the demonic minions of Acheron while making himself king of this hellish power.
Ilira is beautiful and fun-loving. She has been hidden away in a monastery since birth since she is the designated queen of Acheron. When Khalar Singh captures her among all of the other novitiates and start the process of killing them to find out which is the real queen, Ilira maintains her courage under unbelievably cruel circumstances.
The shooting of the movie is planned for February at locations in Bulgaria.

EXCLUSIVE NEW POSTERS FOR "SHERLOCK HOLMES" AND "IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS"

Here is the fresh new poster for upcoming film "Sherlock Holmes" with Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr and special character posters for "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" with Jude Law again, Lily Cole, Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Christopher Plummer. The premiere of Arthur Conan Doyle's adaptation is set for Christmas Day with Terry Gilliam's movie hitting USA theaters the very same day :)

GERARD BUTLER IS COMING TO SERBIA!

Yep, Gerard Butler is coming to Serbia! He will star in "Coriolanus", which will start shooting next March in Belgrade. This modern day adaptation of Shakespeare's famous play will be directed by Ralph Fiennes, who will also take the lead male role. Beside Butler and Fiennes, other cast members include William Hurt and Vanessa Redgrave.
The original story follows a Roman General named Gaius Martius Coriolanus who is at battle with Tullus Aufidius, the leader of the Volscian army. In the strange twist of fate they end up working together after Martius is banished from Rome after a failed political career. That's when he teams up with the Volscians to get his revenge on Rome. Apparently Butler will play the contemporary version of the Volscian General Aufidius. He had already played in one of the theater adaptations of this play.
Fiennes has chosen to shoot his directorial debut in Serbia which offers various landscapes ideal for breathtaking sets, has modern film studios and much cheaper professional crew than in USA or other European countries.

SAM WORTHINGTON JOINING "MAD MAX IV: FURY ROAD"?

Here's another Mad Max update this week: according to "MovieWeb" it seems that Sam Worthington will be joining Charlize Theron in the project. "Pre- production is said to begin immediately, with 30 weeks of filming to be completed in Broken Hill starting June of 2010. The project is said to take two-and-a-half years to complete, and it will create thousands of jobs for Australian locals. As reported, Australian Premier Nathan Rees made it a priority to get the film to shoot in his country after losing 'Green Lantern', which was an unexpected blow to the local industry."
If this is true, then, beside being ultra talented and ultra charming, Sam Worthington really is an unbelievably lucky guy scoring lead roles in all the biggest possible projects these days: after "Terminator", "Avatar" and "Clash of the Titans", "Mad Max 4: Fury Road" will be a new starlicious treat for him (and us, off course).

Tse Men's Spring Clothes

Tse Men's Spring Clothes

TSE Fall 2009 Best Clothes

TSE Fall 2009 Best Clothes

Brainstorming and daydreaming

Now I've got some spare time again, lots of it, and I figured I'd be blogging at least once a day. Not so, so it seems. Writing feels odd. I'm thinking about all sorts of things, but none of them are bloggable (which the spellchecker is telling me is not a word, while blogging, apparently, is).

Here's the thing: I went to tech school, studied medical transcription, coding, billing, blah blah blah, and there are no jobs. And while I'm sending resumes out to the few jobs that arise, I'm discovering that I don't care that no one has called me for an interview. None of those sent resumes were for medical transcription. Not one job has opened up since I finished school way back in mid-July. So, as I was pondering how I'd easily get some part-time job, after all, I'd gotten all A's (whoo hoo look at me!). . .now the cold reality has set in that I can't even get an interview for a receptionist gig, and quite frankly, the idea of working as a receptionist makes me think of killing myself (just kidding).

So what does all of this add up to? Brainstorming. Lots of it. If I can't find a job, I must make one. And, I miss running my own business. I miss work. In fact, I miss hard work. I miss the trials and tribulations of creating something that might succeed (or not). I miss putting my all into something that isn't just personal.

Brainstorming and daydreaming takes up lots of mental energy. I didn't realize that. The Web has been most helpful in my search for "what's next." I've got some ideas, but until I feel that they are ready to be announced, birthed (if you will), I'm keeping mum.

So, there is the reason I've not been writing blog entries. It's hard to write when one is keeping a secret, and it's hard to write about other things when one's mind is filled with ideas. Hopefully, soon, I'll either have given up on the ideas that are filling up my mind (and time) or I'll decide it's time to make a commitment to what shall now be officially called What's Next. Stay tuned.

Somehow What's Next will involve some fragrance, even if it's totally irrelevant. Yeah, I'm crazy.

Painting Note: Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot. Interrupted Reading. c.1865-1870

EXCLUSIVE NEW POSTERS FOR THE SECOND SEASON OF "LEGEND OF THE SEEKER"

Here are the three new ultra cool posters (click on the image to view the bigger size) promoting the second season of the epic-fantasy TV show "Legend of the Seeker". Packed with action and sexy new characters, the show starts again on November 7th and 8th. Until then you can check out "Legend of the Seeker's" brilliant website.

SECOND FULL LENGTH TRAILER FOR "AVATAR"

"MovieWeb" has just published a full length second trailer for James Cameron's "Avatar". Apparently this is a bootlegged version which viewers will be able to see attached to most movies shown in cinemas this weekend.

Collection Of Lauren Conrad Pictures Gallery

Lauren Katherine Conrad is an American television personality, celebrity actress, author and fashion designer. Lauren Conrad is the eldest of three children of Jim and Kathy. Her younger siblings are Breanna and Brandon.

She is best known for being featured in the MTV reality series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County and for her spin-off show, The Hills.
Conrad has previously dated fellow Laguna Beach cast members Stephen Colletti and Jason Wahler. She also dated Brody Jenner and baseball player Doug Reinhardt. In 2008, Conrad began dating My Boys actor Kyle Howard.

Birth Name: Lauren Katherine Conrad
Birth Date: February 1, 1986
Birth Place: Laguna Beach, California, U.S.
Profession: Television personality, Fashion student, People's Revolution coordinator, author, fashion designer
Years active: 2004–present
Height: 5 ft 7 in

sexy Lauren Conrad in a trendy fashion dress


hot and happening Lauren Conrad


pic of Lauren Conrad kissing


Lauren Conrad coming out of water in a beach


Lauren Conrad with beautiful hair


sexy Lauren Conrad posing for the photos


hot Lauren Conrad in a yellow bikini


celebrity Lauren Conrad in a sexy outfit


the beautiful Lauren Conrad on maxim cover