Indian Food and Going to the Movies Alone

1. Did you watch The Oscars? How many of the Best Picture nominees have you seen? (American Sniper, Birdman, Boyhood, Selma, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Imitation Game, The Theory of Everything, and Whiplash)

Do you think actors should use their acceptance speeches as an opportunity to promote their political and/or social agenda? Does that sort of speech make you more or less inclined to change the channel?

Tom and I did go to see the Grand Budapest Hotel when we were on vacation last year, which might have had an good plot line if you could get past the first 15 minutes. Avoid this movie if you aren't interested in watching people have sex from the minute the film begins. It was scene after scene after scene, and I remember turning to Tom and saying that I wanted my money back. He agreed and was happy I made the move since he didn't think we could even ask. The manager was kind and offered us a refund, and told us that we shouldn't trust the previews as any indication about how clean a movie is. He said that while explicit sexual acts were only a short part of this film, it was all too graphic to even elude to in previews.

I don't think that the Oscars are the correct place to proselytize your beliefs. Sure, if I were ever win an Oscar I would love to just give the gospel as my acceptance speech, but we are told to be wise. And while it is much trendier to support those movements verses, say, God- the messages probably weren't as well received as the speaker would have wished.

2. Speaking of the movies... are you comfortable going to a movie alone? How about dinner in a restaurant (not fast food, but an actual restaurant)? The second half of this question was posed by Carrie who blogs over at It's Not Easy Being Queen. Thanks Carrie!

I would love to go to a movie alone- but never have. I think it's a bit unnatural, since I rarely find time to see movies in theaters at all. Maybe some a guilty pleasure movie that Tom wouldn't want to see. However, I would not want to eat a meal alone. I like being able to talk with someone over a good meal, and feel the food is secondary to the atmosphere (and that usually requires good company).

3. What's the last home repair or home improvement project you had to pay someone to complete? In hindsight was this a project you could have done yourself?

Nothing. We don't own our apartment and have only done minimal work. Although, I would love to hire someone to take care of the kitchen renovation that is happening this summer. Can I have hindsight in advance?

4. Have you ever had Indian food? Like it or no? If you're a fan, what's your favorite dish? Have you ever prepared this yourself at home? Is there an Indian restaurant in your current hometown?

Oh, I love Indian food. My favorite order is saag (spinach or greens) paneer (cheese) with extra naan (bread).

The entire idea of making my own cheese not only intimidates me but grosses me out. Where I grew up In rural Pennsylvania, there were zero options when it came to international cuisine. Oddly enough, this was the first Indian dish I ever ate, on a daytrip to NYC with college friends.

5. A song that reminds you of your parents?

No specific songs remind me of my parents, but I have a strong love of 90s country music because of them. I have several memories of riding between them in the pickup truck, singing along to the radio.

6. The 26th of February is National Tell A Fairy Tale Day. What's your favorite, or one of your favorite, fairy tales? Do you have any childhood memories associated with a particular fairy tale?

Uh.... I read a lot of books as a child. Just not fairy tales I guess. I remember that for my kindergarten class every student was required to donate a book to the library. I donated "The Country Mouse and the City Mouse", where the city mouse seemed like a total jerk and the country mouse was the protagonist. Funny how this country mouse ended up marrying a (non-jerk) city mouse.

7. What's a problem you solved yesterday?

Solved? Hm. I figured out how to assemble a table display, but solved? Well now I feel completely unproductive in my day-to-day.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I've decided on my April "Blogging A-Z" theme this year! Last year I just improvised, and this year I'm following all the advice of veteran bloggers by sticking to a theme and writing ahead of time. It was a 6am rush every day last April, I hope that it's a smoother experience than last year.

So tell me...
Have you ever had saag paneer?
Have you ever walked out of a movie, or asked for a refund?
Are you participating in the April A-Z challenge? If so, do you have a theme, and do you write beforehand?

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