The Center Seat

where i am

Published on 2010-12-02 15:35:00

This is what work (you know, my day job) has been like for me this week:That's me with my pretty manicured nails clawing the air.See you next week when someone makes this cube into a seven-layer salad.

day zero update #3

Published on 2010-11-26 04:20:00

It's the day after Thanksgiving, and I'm SO NOT in line at the stores. I intend to spend this entire day in my pj's, feasting on leftovers. So there.Completed Tasks#44: Get all new gifts put away and house in order. With a LOT of help from Mr. Nayana.Tasks in Progress#15: Watch all AFI 100 movies. I saw Platoon! Now at 45/100.#16: Get 200 Facebook fans. No movement here.#17: Watch all Academy Award Best Picture winners. I saw Platoon! So now I've seen 43/82.#19: Watch all Coen brothers movies. I

buffy the vampire slayer: season one, episodes five-twelve

Published on 2010-11-25 04:20:00

Nayana's standard Buffy disclaimer/Reverse spoiler alert: This is my first time EVER watching this series. I am very interested in keeping my experience pure, so please take care in the comments to not give any spoilers, clues, or insights from future (to me) seasons or episodes.We've been powering through these episodes! They're so fun to watch, so it's really easy to keep clicking the "Next Episode" button when we're done with one. Eight episodes in a week... it's not going to be the standard,

day zero: my coen brothers movie list

Published on 2010-11-24 04:20:00

I heart the Coen brothers. They are easily my favorite local-boys-made-good (they're from Minnesota, just like me!) So I think it's tragic and a bit embarrassing that I have not yet seen the entirety of their oeuvre. Therefore, I added it to my Day Zero list at lucky #19*, and I can tell you this is one task I'm really looking forward to.Here's the list:Blood SimpleRaising ArizonaMiller's CrossingBarton FinkThe Hudsucker ProxyFargoThe Big LebowskiO Brother, Where Art Thou?The Man Who Wasn't Ther

127 hours: whaddaya think?

Published on 2010-11-23 15:06:00

All signs are pointing to Oscar nominations for Danny Boyle's new release 127 Hours, in theaters now. If you don't already know, this is the story of that guy who got stuck in a canyon a few years ago and escaped by sawing his own arm off. Compelling story, but... ew.I'm about as queasy as they come. I can't usually handle the gore. But this is supposed to be a fantastic movie, and it seems destined for the Oscars. So what do I do? Do I suck it up and go, watching the icky scene through my finge

platoon

Published on 2010-11-22 16:21:00

I am a pacifist. I'm going to level with you all and confess that I didn't quite know which direction to take with this review, as pacifism isn't exactly a philosophy that is appreciated and understood by most, especially in a time of war.Let me just say that while I love and appreciate the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and guardsmen who protect my freedom to believe in peace above all, I have a big problem with governments who choose to put those folks in harm's way when there may be othe

day zero update #2

Published on 2010-11-19 04:20:00

One more week has gone by, and I've made a teensy bit of progress.Completed TasksNone this week. I have a feeling there will be many weeks like this.Setbacks#83: Get to work on time and leave on time every day for a week. This is really, really hard. I've tried and failed twice already. Next attempt will be the week following Thanksgiving.Tasks in Progress#15: Watch all AFI 100 movies. Still at 44/100.#16: Get 200 Facebook fans. Still at 89. Active users are up, though, so maybe that's a good si

buffy the vampire slayer: season one, episodes one-four

Published on 2010-11-18 16:10:00

Nayana's standard Buffy disclaimer/Reverse spoiler alert: This is my first time EVER watching this series. I am very interested in keeping my experience pure, so please take care in the comments to not give any spoilers, clues, or insights from future (to me) seasons or episodes.Last night Mr. N and I sat down to watch the first several episodes of Buffy, and I actually had to give him the above disclaimer a few times. I really want to experience the storyline as Joss Whedon wanted it to unfold;

day zero: my academy award for best picture list

Published on 2010-11-17 16:09:00

Task #17 on my Day Zero list requires me to watch all movies that have won the Academy Award for Best Picture. This is one of those tasks that I want to be able to say I have done, but I'm not all that excited to actually get down and do it. I think that's mostly because some of the Academy's choices over the years have sometimes been, as we all know, a bit flawed.All that having been said, I'm determined to jump into this task along with all the others. So here's the list; movies I've already s

why I like sappy made-for-tv christmas movies

Published on 2010-11-16 15:10:00

Two or three years ago, I would have reacted to that title the way many of you probably did: with an eyeroll and a "did Nayana have a stroke?" But my dear mother has converted me.Thanksgiving weekend 2008: Mom and I were sitting in her TV room, and she was insisting on yet another Hallmark/Lifetime/ABC Family original movie. Because I love my mother, I kept watching. To be sure, I rolled my eyes and told her why the cheesy movies were making my teeth hurt. "Mom," I sighed, "This is not realistic