Kroe - Congratz Fed and Marty

It's weird: I've had a very eventful weekend, been through lots of emotions (this turn reminds me soooooooo much of Justine Henin- she's always using this phrase - somehow, I feel it, too), and yet, I haven't written a thing in days. Not here, at least. What's even weirder, is that I don't really feel like writing about the stuff I've been thinking about.

Instead, let me write a little bit about the nonsense I've been occupying myself with, while doing my daily procrastinating routines. First of all, there's been lots of exciting things to read up on in the wonderful world of tennis. Lots of tournaments going on, some young players making a name for themselves, supposed tennis superstars falling short, and, most importantly, the number one player (some Swiss guy with what some people believe to be a tricky name) claiming yet another mind-blowing record by entering his 162nd consecutive week at the very top, ... As a result, I've been reading lots and lots of well-written, insightful articles on these topics, helping me rejoice at the successes of utter strangers, whilst prolonging my own lack of success.

In addition, we've had the oscars yesterday and, while I haven't really followed the lead-up to the oscars (remember: it's all relative), I was most certainly excited, once that party of decadence (two words: red carpet)started drawing closer. I even did some reading up on that Jennifer Hudson, so as to heighten my level of interest (if only I could muster the same level of curiosity/involvement for things that actually matter in my own life). Then, when I woke up early(I had to, D. was to go to work earlier than normal), I got really excited, waiting for the results of best actress/actor, best director and best picture. Having read enough at this point in time, I knew Helen MirreNNNNN (not Mirrer) and Forest Whitaker were the heavy favorites in their respective categories, but it's still exciting, seeing their names emerge on the screen (there wasn't any TV-coverage, here in Gent) eventually. However, I only got really excited once I knew the best director was up next... Try to imagine me reading the various imdb-message-boards, getting invested in those discussions, all the while renewing the other windows, hoping to see the winner's name already!!!!! Of course, this is when D. decides to get up and have me move over, so he can check his email. So I turn on the tv, go over every channel 5 times or so as to see whether they'll decide to show the climax of the oscars live for some odd reason. And then, finally, I stumble on BBC World. The main story is of course on Iraq's bombing of the day or something (honestly, no disrespect intended), but what do I read on the bottom of the screen??? "Martin Scorsese named best director".




(The empty lines are supposed to represent my muted happiness)



How great! How exciting! I haven't seen The Departed yet, but it must be well-deserved! Besides... Who cares if The Departed isn't any good (I sincerely believe it is, though), it's adorable Marty, for crying out loud!!! Just a few minutes later, the BBC Worldservice actually SHOWS images of The Departed being crowned best piture too. Again, I haven't seen any of the nominated films, I'm just very supportive of my darlings, 's all! Granted, I loved Mystic River by Eastwood, but he's had ENOUGH oscar recognition already. As for Inarritu's Babel, many critics' favorite (and considering I loved 21 grams more than Mystic River or just about any film ever made, I'm really interested to see this picture as well), well, you know... he's young for a director and I'm sure he'll have his day of oscar glory sooner rather than later (unless he becomes the new Scorsese, most accomplished director to be overlooked over and over again). Anyways, I declare here and now, that I'll root for him next time round.

For now, I'll be basking some more in the successes of two of my favorite utter strangers, whilst trying to get some work done at home.

Kroe xxx

Kissy: Just cause I like kroe so much

A tomato soup, don't we all just love it. Especailly if it is filled with meatballs, vermicelli, vegatables and lots of other little things floating around.

No seriously. Great that you took your own advise. Great that everything seems to have turned out in the end.

AND long live going on and on to good friends to beable to clear your head and heart of certain things.

Kissy Re: Re: Movies

Eddie Murphy
He was great, absolutely wonderful, and apparently it was all his own voice as well. Since I don't much care for him as a comedian, apart from the voice of donkey off course, this was a welcome change.

J. Hudson
Great voice but I think I already mentioned that.

Hollywood movies
I don't remember complaining about movies not being made in Hollywood. But I'm sure who could point out some occasions to me.
Now about me complaining about movies being too Hollywood. I'm not complaining about Hollywood itself. It brings us great not and so great, big and small budget movies, just like any other institution. But it also gives us the majority of pro-american movies. I'm not saying that Americans are bad, they have good and bad traits just like every nationality. But they are know to like themselves a lot and in some, unfortunately mostly Hollywood movies you get hit with a lot of, not really wanted, Amercia- is- so -very -great propaganda. In this instance with "Blood Daimond" I am not talking about any of that thought. I am talking about the typical plot line of a blockbuster movie, meaning happy ends, mush or the hero dying everybody crying, bla bla bla. I know you get this in great plays as well. Hubris is not allowed, the person must come to there senses but will get his dues for his behaviour. These plot lines are very common in main stream movies and since lots of main stream movies seem to come from America, Hollywood. I say that the movie was very good for its mainstream Hollywood ending plot line. I will continue to describe, whine about movies like this and offcourse everybody is free to whine at or attack me for it.

Kroe - silly procrastinating me

So I went and did it, i.e. check my mailbox, and I feel like drowning my head in a lovely bowl of tomato soup! You know, the awfully lumpy kind...

If I had cared to check my email the very day I decided to stay home, I would have noticed that crazy conspiracy theories did NOT take over the minds of those I have to answer to.

Haven't mailed back just yet, because my brother is expecting me, but I just want to let you guys know that it seems that everything is going to be fine.

Thanks for putting up with the drama. I'll try to steer clear of it, next time around, and leave the theatricals where they belong (e.g. on the stage, when and only when certain aspiring thespians are performing).

Peace & kroe xxx

Kroe - friends

Despite the bantering post, yesterday, I haven't been feeling that great, lately. I guess it's the nearing-graduation-time-blues that was getting to me. (I don't think I need share the dirty details of my wandering mind here and now)

So I went through most of the day feeling blue and sorry for myself for oh so many ridiculously shallow reasons. But then... friends started reaching me.

First, I found Maria's email in my mailbox (for those who don't know: Maria is my terribly talented, tender-hearted 'first cousin once removed' - in Greece we consider ourselves aunt and niece, but she's really just 5 months younger than me; we've been keeping in touch, lately, to my great delight); then, I wrote a long email to Leasle to vent my frustrations and felt the better for having confided in her; next, I got a wonderfully long and encouraging email back from Leasle; later that afternoon, a heartwarming chat with my Liesbeth (as opposed to Kiwi Diogo Liesbeth); a surprise call from Sarah the aspiring thespian; and a lovely carefree evening with David, to boot.

So.... with my heart & my mind (mostly) unwittingly taken care of by this lot, I feel that my recent identity crisis of sorts is receding. Yay!!!

As a result, I've been preparing myself mentally for the content of my old mailbox. I know I've said it before, but, this time, at least I'm not rushing things when I say that tomorrow morning, as soon as D. leaves for work, I will face up to the consequences of my actions (or lack thereof). As soon as I've dealt with things, I will let you, my lovely lurkers on this blog, know how things unfold.

There's this wonderful friend of mine, who's been going through some really heavy emotional stuff, and I keep telling her that problems, when confronted, aren't nearly as bad as they had seemed before. Another dear friend has only today urged me to take my own advice. So, I know what needs to be done.
Well, I've done some of that already, and I'll pick up where I stopped, tomorrow.

In the mean time, everybody mentioned in this post should know, that when I go to bed in about five mintues, and take the time to count my blessings before I drop off, rest assured that all of you will be featured emphatically.

I love each and every one of you

Axxx

Kroe - re: movies

Kissy, no need to apologise for your flawed tastes in musical matters... well, not when I'm in a good mood, anyway :-) Naaaaaaaaaaaah, I must say, having heard that B. song quite a few times now, I actually kind of like it - it's just that ... I hate that. So, the official party line remains that it's just a stupid song.
As for the films... well, I was sort of intrigued by Blood Diamond (but then, I've never hated Leo - I guess it helps that I never thought of him as Man-hunk/eye-candy Leo; to me, he's always been Shiny Full Moon (baby) face Leo, who tends to go for interesting roles/interesting films, cf. Romeo & Juliet, What's eating Gilbert Grape, This boy's life, and obviously Aviator & Catch me if you can + I really really really WANT to see The Departed) - haven't seen it, though. Nor have I seen Dreamgirls, but I do want to see that one, as well. Leasle: how was Eddie Murphy in that one - he's supposed to be extraordinary in comparison to the usual action/comedy flick that features him. As you say, I suspect the music to be just great. Haven't heard J. Hudson, as yet, but sounds extremely promising.
On another note: will you people stop whining about things being too American/too Hollywood? In my view, things are either good/enjoyable, or they aren't. Why does it always have to be qualified 'well, for an H. movie, ...'. I understand your position - and I'm well aware that I have a comparable stance on pop music, but - seeing as I insist on indulging my double standards - it's starting to really annoy me that simply every film seems to bear that qualification with you. Even when it's not an American film, you'll be going: 'Oh, it wasn't as good as I'd expected, seeing that it wasn't a Hollywood production and all'.
By all means, keep it up, if you want - but do expect me to do some whining of my own, if and when that happens ;-)

I'll be posting again, soon, with news of my own.

Kroe kroe x

Kissy: the movies

We went to the movies in Germany. They show 1 original, not dubbed movie a week. So with nothing better to do and because Michael, Pauls brother, said it was an okay movie even if it did have Leo in it, we went to see Blood diamond. Def. an okay movie, with good acting not commenting on the south-african, rhodesian accent or language though. Well for being a very obvious Hollywood production ending. Film good, but half way through movie it turned into the dubbed German version. Just as we contemplated walking out it was back in english, woehoe. When we left the cinema we got free tickets and our money back. So other movie for us, double woehoe. Unfortunately for Paul the only OV version showing before we left Germany was Dreamgirls. So if anybody dares to comment it was not his choice I dragged him along, yadiyadiyadi, ... I on the other hand I liked it. Well story line was okay, I mean it was just there to justify the music, but man the music. Man that Jennifer Hudson can sing. And Beyonce too offcourse, eventhough I'm not a big fan, but I do love the song with the line "I'm more then the voice you gave to me" and her new single Irreplaceable (sorry Anna)

Kissy

Kroe hope you guys had a great Valentines. And yes I gave Paul your little booklet.

Great work on the diet, on finishing and handing in your paper.
About skipping 5 classes, well there is a flu epidemic going around, so ...

Pauls finished his proposal so, no more playing assistant for me for a while. Good news 3 more days and we are out of Germany. Woehoe

Kroe - finished the paper, happy Valenversay

So, I finished the paper, and I suppose that's reason enough to be really happy about myself. And yet, I'm anything but. First of all, I finished that paper yesterday evening, so it no longer feels like a fresh accomplishment (besides: the paer s*cks, but I don't really care). Secondly, there's this other thing on my to do-list and it's really starting to affect my mood.

Here goes: I played hooky last Friday, when I was supposed to teach 5 classes. Now, there are quite a few circumstances which make my decision quite understandable, but the trouble is, I've been feeling so guilty about everything, that I've made things worse by not checking on my regular email. (Sighs) (Well, I did notify everyone in advance about my absence, but I just haven't got round to checking their replies...)

So, on my to do-list for today: hand in stupid paper AND communicate with teachers, after checking my regular email!!!!!

Anyway, Kissy, please don't feel obliged to respond to this piece of info anytime soon - you're supposed to be nothing short of happy, happy, happy today

So, to P&L, and everybody else (but still, especially P&L.): HAPPY VALENTINE's DAY, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY DAYS, HAPPY VALENVERSARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kroe xxx

P.S. Special mention goes to my special guy, whom I haven't forgotten - rest assured -: but who is to receive his gifts this weekend - D., Barry White was on to something when he put it like this: you're my first, my last, my everything xxx

Kroe - re + procrastinating

Ok, time for me to go along with your suggestion, reacting to your post in a new one rather than a reply.

Good luck with the research assistant gig. I know you like that kind of job and in Paul, you've actually found someone worthy enough to provide that kind of service for. Who knows, maybe you get to redeem your own academic efforts through him. I say, do it! No need to wait for kids to press your unfulfilled ambitions upon. (That would make a loooooooooooooooong wait).

So, what am I doing these days? Surpirisingly enough, I'm going through my procrastinating routine! The apartment's littered until it's almost time for D to come home, the very urgent emails in my mailbox remain unread and unanswered, and I haven't been working all that much on that research paper I'm supposed to hand in tomorrow at 16.00. The good news regarding that last bit is that 3/4 of it is completed already. But still, wouldn't it have been nice if I had finished a paper early, for once? Well, the day IS still young, so who knows?

As far as I can see, the only thing I'm doing right these days is my control over my eating habits. Some of you may know that I've been diagnosed with pco. It's not a dangerous condition at all, but it affects my fertility and it may enhance a host of real medical problems in the long run. So ever since I found out about it (say, a month ago), I've deleted cheese, cream, chocolate, sweets, etc. from my diet, and have cut my intake of salt, fried food, ... . Cheese and chocolate are the hardest, but it's ok, really. I'm losing weight. Getting healthier. Two things I need to tackle in order to be completely satisfied on this front: 1. must cut coffee-intake (which is hard, because it's such an energy boost in the morning and in the early afternoon); 2. must pick up daily exercise.

On another note: it's about time I started focusing on my research paper, so I'm off to finish it a day early. After I get my afternoon cup of coffee, that is...

kroe kroe xxx

Kissy- re

Great idea to have name already in title Kroe.
I look forward to comunicating like this, with friends and loved ones. Just to let everybody in on the public secret that you will probably be reading longer posts from Kroe and smaller shorter stacatto posts from Kissy, but Kissy will try her best.

By the by I hope you don't mind that I, Kissy, will reply to Kroes posts with a new blog and leave to comments pages open for people who do not co-own this blogspot.

Got to leave you guys now, have been put to work als Paul research assistant for info for his thesis proposal.

Kroe - tagging suggestions and on living the dream

@Leasle

First off: how do you stand on tagging every entry with either kroe (standing for Anna/David) or kissy (standing for Annelies/Paul)? In the title, that is. Or maybe in the label.
That way people know right away who's writing. It might get confusing otherwise, and the goal here is to unite people (ok, the people we love, care about, with access to the internet) rather than confuse them. Well, that's one of the goals, anyway.

Another obvious raison d' être for this blog, is, of course, that Leasle and I get to vent/brag/whine/... about "the days of our lives" (Friends reference) on the same (blog)spot. I think that's appropriate for the bestest friends (sorry, Paul, if my lingo is too American for your liking) that we still are. More importantly, I feel it's necessary (to share things in the present) if we are to remain the bestest of friends (and we both seem uncharacteristally determined in that respect).

The way I see it, when Leasle and I were young and stupid (I can actually see people grinning, thinking naughty remarks on this one, but whatever!) - with hardly any life experience to speak of - we used to dream about having these very passionate long-distance relationships with our (at that stage) future significant others (S.O.). Reality may have caught up with us now that we've actually met said S.Os (and realise we're not nearly tough enough to stay away from them for extended amounts of time).

Yet through our friendship and the active continuation of our friendship, we get to do the romantic long-distance thing, after all. I'll admit, it's not the kind of passion we dreamed of as silly 17-year-olds, but then again, it's real!!!

Seriously, the very thought of being able to host this blog together - having a project together - for our collective loved ones is just very, very exciting to me.

More importantly, it doesn't feel like one of my oh, so many projects which are brilliant in theory but never carried out in practice. It feels real.

I may be stupid and young on many levels, still, but I'm proud to say that I'm gradually, steadily falling in love with reality. Adulthood, D, Leasle &P., it's all part of it.

Wow, mental health seems dangerously within reach!

Kroe kroe x

I made it

After a bit of searching I made it onto the new blog. Now just notify all others and we can happily start blogging away.

I present to you... the KissyKroe Crew

Well, we may not get to see each other that much over the next few years, but at least we get to share this virtual spot, no matter how far apart we are!

Hail to the KissyKroe Crew, 'coz they're an awesome bunch!

A.