Under a Red Roof ·

Dog Day Afternoon

January 9, 2009 in Spotlighting, Watching by Colleen | 2 comments

Do you ever have those moments when you believe you are far greater than you really are? Well, imagine that on one of those days you actually decide to take action, and say, rob a bank. The 1975 film, Dog Day Afternoon, starring Al Pacino is the nerve wracking, hilarious, and sad version of actual events that occurred in 1972.

I had heard great things about the film, but once we started watching it, I got a little worried. The bank robbery is going awry about five minutes in, and the film’s got another two hours to go. Thankfully, I was quickly put at ease, for there were so many twists and surprises that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I’ll reveal a couple and then leave it there. First, and in my opinion, most odd. Sonny, the main character, is married and has two kids, but the whole purpose of the hold-up is to pay for a sex change operation for the man he has most recently married. A man who just attempted suicide to get away from Sonny. The reason I found this odd is the love that he shows for each of his “wives.” He doesn’t seem the least bit conflicted about it – he’s just going through life.

Second – the robbers, Sonny and Sal (John Cazale from the Godfather), are pretty nice guys. So nice, that the hostages they take end up having a great time. It’s like a surreal party with pizza, guns, and ammo! This is one of my favorite quotations from the film: “I had to tell him Wyoming isn’t a country. I’m with a guy who don’t know where Wyoming is, and you think you’ve got problems!”

So, if you’ve got a hankering for something vintage, and of course, a little off beat, give it a try. You’ll be chanting “Attica!” for the rest of the week.

Tags: Movies

Sweet Sensation

January 8, 2009 in Admiring, Eating by Colleen | 1 comment

I knew, just knew I should bring my camera with me today, but I didn’t, and you know this because I wouldn’t start the post this way otherwise. Anyway, I met my ever-so-handsome hubby for a little lunch at Bridgeport Village today. He works nearby (oh how I wish he were closer – hey Amber, is your hubby’s place of employment hiring? – that would be a stellar commute) and I occasionally visit for the California Pizza Kitchen salads and a little stop into J. Crew. BIG SALE! I bought wool pants, two wool cardigans (one in Bronco Orange!) and a super cute tee for $80. That’s what I call a bargain.

Gosh, I’m turning into Virginia Woolf – should I buy the flowers? No, the pants!

Finally, getting to my point, because, seriously, there is one; we also ate at our favorite sweet spot, Pudding on the Rice. Alas, as I was saying in the beginning, I have no photo, so the bridge that is zooming by like my random thoughts is going to have to suffice.

The very modern and polished interior is run by a wonderfully kind and enthusiastic husband and wife team – though we’ve only met the wife and seen her talk to the hubby on the phone. They’ve both quit their jobs and put everything they’ve got into this place, trading shifts so one of them will always be at home with the kids, which I think is grand. Also, even more family oriented, the recipe for the heavenly pudding is her Swedish grandmother’s, and holy smokes is it good. It is the best I have ever had – creamy, not too sweet, with a perfect texture and great flavor. We’ve tried the chocolate, cinnamon, peanut butter, mint chocolate chip, cherry, and pistachio (mixed together makes Spumoni – Colleen’s favorite ice cream ever – just in case you wanted to know!). If you can’t decide on one flavor, like me, she’s happy to put two in a cup. By the way, the little cup looks rather wee, but it is plenty, unless you plan on skipping dinner.

If you are a local or plan on visiting the area, please give them a try. And, if you are like my friend Sarah, and do not care for rice pudding – no worries mate! They also have crepes and frozen yogurt. We haven’t tried either, but can attest to the heavenly aroma and the smiles on the faces of those eating a crepe.

Hopefully Optimistic

January 6, 2009 in Quoting by Colleen | 1 comment

No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.

Helen Keller

Beyond Description

January 2, 2009 in Reading, Spotlighting by Colleen | 1 comment

Sometimes I am not terribly good at expressing myself, like right now. I really want you to know about this fabulous book I put on my holiday wish list and got (!) from my brother, Chris, yet I can’t think of a description that does it justice, but I will try.

The Art of Looking Sideways is a collection of information about the world, ideas, people, our perceptions, creations, history, and much, much more. What makes it special is the immensity and the sheer joy with which I am certain the creator, Alan Fletcher, experienced while putting it together.

There are seventy-two chapters with titles like “Noise,” “Problems,” “Dreaming,” “Handedness,” and “Pictograms.” Rather than describe each in an academic fashion, Mr. Fletcher cleverly writes about the subjects, infusing humor and involving the reader in the process of learning by using a variety of fonts, excerpts from scholarly and not so scholarly texts, hand written excerpts, photographs, pictures, and quotations. There is, too, as the title suggests, that sideways view, causing this reader to crane her neck or turn the book.

It is a magical and oftentimes funny look at our universe. One that embraces it, shakes it silly, and then takes a photograph of it lying on the floor. If, like me, you love experiencing other people’s genius, interesting facts, art, whimsy, and challenging your mind to appreciate a different view, pick this book up, but maybe use both hands because it is kind of heavy.