My heart will go on..AKA...Princess Pet Peeve # 5...with a new humanitarian website thrown in to offset the 'Grinchiness' of having pet peeves.

I don’t mean to be a jerk or anything, but I have a problem with the latest ‘Twilight’ ad on TV. It states that ‘Twilight’ is the most epic love story since ‘Titanic’. Umm, excuse me? First of all, I am in no way advocating ‘Titanic’. I am not a huge fan of the movie to be quite honest; I am sure that this comes as no surprise to many of you. But come on? ‘Twilight’ does not equal ‘Titanic’. Let’s look up the definition of Epic shall we?

epic (from Dictionary.com)
A long narrative poem written in elevated style, in which heroes of great historical or legendary importance perform valorous deeds. The setting is vast in scope, covering great nations, the world, or the universe, and the action is important to the history of a nation or people. The Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Aeneid are some great epics from world literature, and two great epics in English are Beowulf and Paradise Lost.

‘Twilight’ is neither an epic romance, nor an epic movie for that matter. Think ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ or something like that for an epic movie and you are more on the mark.

And to compare a teen vampire love story to the love story which happens aboard a sinking ocean liner, in which 1517 people lose their lives, seems to trivialize the real life tragedy of the Titanic story. And by Titanic story I mean the history of the Titanic and not James Cameron’s self indulgent “King of the World” film.

Having said that, I will say that I did see ‘Twilight’ again this past Thanksgiving weekend, and I didn’t dislike it as much as I did the first time. I think I can give it a solid B- now and get it off the C+ cusp. I still hate the makeup, some of the special effects, editing, and other things; but it is innocuous enough of a movie to not deserve my wrath. Don’t get me started on ‘Titanic’ though…and by ‘Titanic’ I mean the movie.

And as promised here is a new Humanitarian website that I found (well my friend Rob found...well actually my friend Rob's wife Jenn found). Anyhoo, I think it's cool. Check it out.

Meaningful Gifts

Christmas Song - Far, Far Away on Judea's Plain

Christmas Scripture - Psalms 24

Christmas Story - A Christmas Prayer by Robert Louis Stephenson

Princess Pet Peeve # 4

I know, I know, it's not really a pet peeve. But I hate moving all the same.

Princess Pet Peeve # 3

On my way to work today I stopped by McDonalds's to get a breakfast sandwich, something I rarely do, but when I do I have exacting requirements on how my sandwich should be made.

Specifically, no pig meat!

I don't know why or when I became a 'porkatarian' but it's true I don't enjoy the flesh of a pig. It's not a religious thing obviously, I just don't like it.

Anyhoo, I go through my normal pains of ordering an "egg and cheese" sandwich, which usually includes some 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' like protestations of "What? No Meat?" before they actually place the order. And inevitably when I get to the window they hand me a Sausage biscuit. Eek! Now on a pork meat scale of yumminess sausage is an all time low for me. So I hand it back and say that's not what I ordered. They then proceed to slap some egg and cold cheese on the very biscuit that they just gave me and hand it back. You may wonder how I knew it was the same biscuit, well I will tell you, because they left bits of sausage residue and flavor behind. I am sorry, but ick.

Lessons learned - just eat breakfast at home or starve.

Disclaimer: I love McDonalds and Babe the Pig.

Princess Pet Peeve # 2

I am the kind of person that needs personal space. Most of you know this about me, so it’s no surprise I am sure to hear, that I was annoyed on my flight to Nashville today. Oh yah, and I am prone to irritability too, I think it’s ingrained in my DNA. Anyhoo, let me list some of the things that are surefire ways to bug the crap out of me.

1. Gum popping, cracking, and loud chewing in general.
2. Whistling
3. Loud laughter and talking
4. Heavy sighing
5. Perfect strangers touching me from stem to stern
6. Fidgety people

1 or 2 of these can be dealt with, but all of them from the same person in the same 2 ½ hour flight in a small airplane with no chance of escape is hardly to be born (And I have recently quit taking Xanax on planes, so I didn’t even have the sweet, sweet release that comes with drug induced euphoria to help me cope). To the Gentleman in 19 C, you best be saying your prayers of gratitude that the TSA confiscated my Swiss Army Knife, because you almost got it right in the thigh. Seriously dude, I paid over 500 dollars for my ticket and that entitles me to sit in my seat by myself. And I am sure that your David Baldacci novel was a nail biter, but for hells sake, sit still!

I just don’t understand why people are not more AWARE of how they affect the people in their orbit. Like the guy at the movie theater who talks on his cell phone, or the couple at the Jazz Concert who talk throughout the entire set, or the dingleberry at the airport who slaps you in the face with his coat as he flings it over his shoulder. I try not to do these things, so I just don’t get why other people aren’t as courteous. Is it because they are just that obtuse? Or is it selfishness?

Oh and to top it all off somehow my suitcase went to Cincinnati and I went to Nashville. I don’t know how they lose your suitcase when you are on a direct flight but I guess its just going to be one of those days for me. I NEED my pink panda pajamas to wear while I watch the Oscars.

Anyway thanks for letting me vent. I have some takeout chocolate cake and somehow I shall muddle through having to watch the Oscars in my jeans and tomorrow will be another day.

Princess Pet Peeve # 1

Ok, so maybe it's because I am short, but I hate that after I wash my hands in public restrooms I have to reach up to get the paper towel to dry my hands. This inevitably leads to water dripping down my arm in a most uncomfortable manner. Not to mention leaving an unattractive wet spot on one's sleeve. Can't they put a few dispensers a little lower for us vertically challenged folks?

And on a semi-related note (semi-related because I was at the Ballet when the aforementioned paper towel incident took place) I went to see the Nutcracker tonight and it was so festive. I felt full of Yuletide spirit and joy. I recommend the Mountain West Ballet's production of the Nutcracker if you are at all in need of a good Christmas kick in the pants.