Movies; Books; Kittens

Monday morning, I still felt the effects of the sinus problem, so I did not go to work until noon. Monday evening, I felt worse.

Tuesday, I stayed home and slept. And that seemed to be very helpful. But that evening, it was after midnight before I could sleep. And that set the pattern for the rest of the week. For Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights, it was past 1 before I could doze.

However, staying awake did let me discover two gay-related movies I was not familiar with. Thursday night, I watched the last half of "The Lawless Heart." And last night, I looked at part of "His Secret Life." Both were exceptional.

One of the stars of "The Lawless Heart" was Tom Hollander who has become one of my favorite performers. I think I first saw him in "Bedrooms and Hallways." He popped up in "Some Mother's Son," "Gosford's Park," and then as Guy Burgess in "Cambridge Spies." Curious that he has played a gay character in three of these. By the way, he ranks very high on my cuddlebility scale.

In "Lawless Heart," gay restaurateur Stuart is killed in a boating accident. Starting at the wake, the movie follows his brother-in-law Dan, then doubles back to offer the same events from the point-of-view of his lover, Nick (Tom Hollander) and then from the perspective of his best friend, Tim.

Slate's David Edelstein in his review offers a splendid complement: "The characters were like family that I didn't want to lose. (I want to see all these actors again, but I'm not sure I can bear seeing them in different roles.)"

One scene of special poignancy shows Nick playing the greeting for his and Stuart's answering machine, so he can hear Stuart's voice. I found this very touching.

No doubt, the slump is because of summer. Would-be-buyers are out frolicking in the sun. What I need is a blizzard on the west coast that forces most folks to stay inside and shop. Wait! How about a severe smog alert.

At work, I made the mistake of mentioning what I was doing. Since, then I've had four of five people say they're now doing the same. COMPETITION!

Ever now and then, I can glance out the kitchen window, and I'll catching them leaping about on the grass. If not for this, I would never have known there were three of them.

PAX!