Happy, Not Unhappy . . . Just Content!

Good Afternoon Folks,


Guess it is about time for another entry in the chronicles of Evan, although I do not think that there is much to say at this point. I have been back in Flagstaff for a little under a month and have stepped back into my old routine.

I did take a trip down to the insufferably hot balmy valley to visit my friends the Henry's and to see how he is getting on in his new teaching job. As is usually the case, we had our evening of "Margaritas." This time Cindy's concoction was made with watermelon juice. Have to say it was not bad. I had way too many and it was a good thing we were at their house nestled up against the Estrella Mountains. The only down side of the whole trip, besides the unbreathable heat and humidity, was the flat tire I got. We spent part of the next morning getting it fixed while we ate Breakfast at the Paradise Cafe Bakery. It was good to see my friends again and catch up.


My other close friends, the Hammond's were up this way last weekend as part of the culmination of their Sedona 39th Anniversary trip. We went to the used bookstore here and lunch. From there they were off to a seminar about RV generators at Camper World, how romantic.


Since coming home I have spent most of my time getting stuff done. The condo needed cleaning after being gone three months, the car serviced, medical appointments and such. I have gotten back into a more constant gym routine than my job in Gardiner afforded me. I have no new neighbors yet. The bothersome four college "boys" moved out while I was gone and I have had a quiet month, so far so good (hope I haven't jinxed myself).


 On another tact that was presented to be by one of my blog readers (one of the few), I wish to comment on this whole concept of "happiness." This person said that from my blogs I sounded depressed and that maybe I needed to get help. They even went so far as to say that "maybe" I should move out of Flagstaff. This irked me no end. My response is that I am not the eternal optimist, nor am I the "half full" kind of person. I do not think that one has to be "bubbly" and cheerful all the time. I am not unhappy, nor am I happy . . . however, I am pretty content with my life. I am glad for the people who are incessantly happy, I just do not want them around me. Besides folks who are constantly in that state of euphoria are annoying, and in many cases seem to be a bit on the edge of hysteria. Trying to convince yourself that you are always "happy" seems a bit neurotic to me. They seem to have a need to be loved by all those around them. That is not me. I am a curmudgeon; that is who I am. But, that doesn't mean that I am not a nice guy.

This will be my only words on the Presidential political race. You folks who support Romney are just ridiculous. First of all, his policies are those of the previous republican administrations. You know the ones that got us in this financial mess in the first place, not to mention the wars. Secondly, even though Obama was not my first choice he has brought us back from financial disasters and you rich folks are doing better than ever on the stock market. The housing market is getting better and he did get us out of Iraq. And finally, I believe it was under his administration that we finally got Osama Bin Laden. When he was running for president everyone wanted universal health care. He got a system passed (and very similar to Romney's in Mass.), now you don't want it. Romney and Ryan will be a disaster for this country, especially for older folks on fixed incomes and Medicare. Stay the course!


Well, after all of that it is time for the movie report, such as they were . . .
The first film I viewed after my return was the remake of Total Recall. It was mildly entertaining but I do not see the the need to remake movies that were not all that interesting the first time around. Hollywood seems to be without much creativity these days (but maybe that is how it has been for several years now).

Hope Springs was a nice little relationship film with Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones who are married couple who go off to get marital counseling. Of course the husband is resistant while the wife wants it. It is done pretty well even if a bit predictable.


The Bourne Legacy was a film that I had awaited anxiously having enjoyed the previous triology from which it carries on. Many  critics did not like it but I did. I think Jeremy Renner is a credible character of Aran Cross to follow the Jason Bourne of Matt Damon. It ties together many loose ends from the previous films and promises more for the future. Rachel Weitz was very good  in her role as well. 


The first Expendables was good but sequel is not. I went to see Celeste and Jessie Forever with Bob and Cindy and found it to be a self indulgent film for Rachida Jones who starred in it, co-wrote the script, and co- produced it. i did not like it at all.

The last two films I saw last week were Hit and Run, a very forgettable offering, and Premium Rush.
The latter film harkens back to Quicksilver, an 80s Kevin Bacon vehicle. Both are about bike cycle messengers in New York City. It was an entertaining film and Joseph Gordon-Levit does a great job in it.

That's about it from warm Flagstaff. I will be making a trip to southern Cal next month to see my family members so will report on that next time.


Adios!