stick shift
Not a whole lot to update you on today, since Shobhit had a work shift last night and I took myself to see 1917, which was kind of breathtaking. In all probability it would have been on my top 10 for 2019 if I'd just had the opportunity to see it before the end of the year, but they did not open it for wide release until January 10 (or more accurately, after 7pm on January 9). Those assholes did this same thing to me with Phantom Thread, a 2017 movie not released locally until January. As a result, I listed that movie as my #11 for 2018, since it absolutely would have been on my top 10 for 2017 had I been able to see it early enough.
Way back in the day, I used to have good-natured arguments with Craig (a friend from the Seattle Gay Standard) about this: he felt I should wait until well into January before I wrote up my annual Top 10 Movies, for this very reason—later local releases into the new year. To me, that is sacrilege, the annoying regional opening dates notwithstanding. If I did that, I would be missing the timing of when all the critics are sharing their annual top 10 lists. Also, this is part of several year-end retrospective posts I always do at the end of December. It's just something we'll have to deal with, and I might very well just tack 1917 on as #11 when I eventually make up my top ten for 2020 roughly a year from now.
In any case, you can click the link in the first paragraph above to read my review. I wasn't able to write it until this morning. I mean, I was home right around 9:30 last night so I could have written it then, but I didn't want to have to stay up more than another hour to do it. I was pretty quick and efficient with the writing of it this morning, though, and I also feel like the writing I did there somewhat mitigates how brief this post will have to be.
I usually like to see movies around 5:00 downtown if I can, which gives me the time I need to write the review at home afterward that same evening. There were no showings before 7:00 last night, though, so I had to go home for about an hour first. I took a couple of broccoli crust pizza samples from work that I made for dinner, and I have to say, especially given that I hate broccoli, I was shocked by how tasty they were. Had I not seen the boxes I literally would have had no idea the crust was not regular bread, let alone even made of broccoli. I was stunned and look forward to telling Scott, who told me I had to offer feedback if I took any of the vegetarian samples in the Merchandising freezer, when he finally gets into the office today later this afternoon.
I had a bit of a spontaneous opportunity this morning, as Noah needed to take a quick trip to the new Central District store location to take a few measurements. He asked if I wanted to come and see it. Sure!
When we got there, several others were just leaving, and only Lori was still left behind. The guy who had apparently opened the space up for us was there and Lori said Noah could take another ten minutes as that was all Noah said he needed. I did little more than meander around, and I took a couple photos that should make for nice "before and after" fodder later this spring.
The space was larger than I expected—although it will certainly look smaller once all the shelving is in and stocked with product. Lori asked if this was going to be my new "home store." Yep! It's not even three quarters of a mile away—0.7 miles. I'm pretty excited about it, from a shopper perspective.
I learned today that Noah prefers a stick shift, and he sure loves his stick shift. "You're sure zipping around all over the place," I said. "Shobhit would love the way you drive." Apparently there is an expectation that within another five years or so, no one will even be manufacturing manual transmission vehicles anymore. He told me he took fewer amenities on this car just so he could have the stick shift. The next car he buys won't even have it as an option, though. Lucky for me, I've never bought or owned a car of my own, so I never even have to think about it. (Also, when Danielle owned a Jeep, literally 20 years ago now, she tried to teach me how to drive it, and she gave up because she was afraid I was going to fuck up her transmission after I could not quite get it right.)
One last, brief thing: I had been expecting my pay raise to be reflected on today's paycheck. Nope! Apparently this year the new rates began on January 5, which Darrell informed me after I emailed to inquire about this. That's the beginning of the first full pay period of the year, so I guess that makes sense. It just means my new paycheck amounts won't start until my next paycheck, on January 24. As usual, I have pestered Marianne to ask her to send me what the amounts will be. I don't want to have to wait another whole month before I can retool my budget for the year. I already overestimated what I was going to be getting today.
[posted 12:19 pm]