Right now, for just a few short glorious weeks I have a longer than usual day without kids or puppy and all the responsibility that goes with that, so I’m using that day as “me time.”  I drop the puppy off at daycare (yes, he goes to daycare; don’t judge me), come home to exercise and then I have a whole 6 hours to myself.  Sometimes I get my hair done or a pedicure or go shopping.   I even have enough time to see an early movie and yesterday that’s just what I did.

Monday – Thursday Fork & Screen AMC has $6 movies.  If you have never been to this theater in Atlanta, you must try it.  Or I’m sure that there are similar theaters where you live as well.  The seats are very comfortable, the theater is small and best of all, you can eat a meal while you watch the movie.  I had a very good chicken quesadilla, but passed on the alcoholic drink.  I was surprised to see that there were at least 14 other people in the movie with me (and they were drinking too).  Who goes to the movies on a Tuesday at noon and orders a Cosmopolitan?  Apparently many people.

I saw Death At A Funeral.

I was excited to see this movie because of the cast: Loretta Devine, Chris Rock, and Danny Glover among other talented and funny actors.  I purposely did not watch any trailers or interviews on morning talk shows because I didn’t want to be tainted.   I wish now that I had known what I was getting into because I wouldn’t have gone to see the movie.   I did not know that it was a remake of the 2007 British movie of the same time.   I saw that movie and liked it.   But I did not need to see THE EXACT SAME MOVIE three years later.

The new Death At A Funeral is EXACTLY the same as the original.  EXACTLY.  Except for the African American cast and references to American culture.  And they changed the funeral food to potato salad and macaroni and cheese.  Other than that, EXACTLY the same.  One of the actors, Peter Dinklage, even has the same role in both movies.

I suppose if you hadn’t seen the original movie a mere three years prior than you might think that this movie was hilarious.  Except for Chris Rock; he was wooden and emotionless.  I know that he was playing the straight man, but dude, did you have Botox before the shoot?  Can you move your face to express some emotion?    Martin Lawrence was Martin Lawrence–not that funny, but not horrible, just played; I’ve seen him act like that so many times.  Luke Wilson’s character was totally off and if I hadn’t seen the original movie then I would have been confused to why he was even there.  James Marsden played the part of the drugged boyfriend perfectly; I enjoyed him.  And while I am not a big fan of Tracy Morgan, surprisingly he was my favorite in this movie.  He was funny, spot on and didn’t overact.   The scene in the bathroom–which almost made me throw up, even though I knew what was coming–was the funniest scene in the movie.  I really can’t tell y0u much more than that without spoiling the movie.  The hilarity of the movie is in the surprises and exposure of family secrets.

If you haven’t seen the original movie, then perhaps you will like Death At A Funeral.  It’s a family comedy (meaning, that it’s about a family–not that you can take your family to see it because the language is about as bad as it can get) and mostly funny.  Also, some people, like my husband, don’t “get” british humor and would better appreciate the American version.

But, if you have seen the original movie and liked it, then don’t bother seeing this one.  It is almost EXACTLY the same script.  And really, who needs to see that bathroom scene again?

My friend Renee likes to play this game, “tripping or not tripping;” she tells me what happened and asks if the offending party was out of line (tripping) or not.

So let’s play: Tripping or Not Tripping?

Picture this: I am at a school function chatting with my husband and two male parents/friends–let’s call them Tweedle Dee  and Tweedle Dum.

I say to my husband, “Can you give me a ride?  It’s too hot to walk back home.”

And Tweedle Dum says, “Oh don’t be a _____.”

(Think: a vulgar word that juvenile guys use for “wimp” that is also a name for a cat.)

Get it?

Now, I didn’t hear this.  But my husband (foolishly, in my opinion) said, “Did you hear what he called you?”  And repeated it.

Say what?

Tweedle Dum must have been loopy from the heat or something because

I. Don’t. Play. That.

But I was very close to other parents and children.  I couldn’t do what I wanted to do…..which was to read him up and down, inside and out.

And when I get going, there is no off button.  It would have been UGLY, right there in front of the whole school.

So, against my nature, I did nothing.

And I’m still mad.

My verdict: HE WAS TRIPPING.

So tell me what you think: Tripping or Not Tripping?  What would have you done in that situation?  Cuss him out or let it ride?

*Today I am participating in Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop by answering and combining two prompts:  2.) Create and share a Whrrl story  and 3.) Write a Haiku that describes what you love about an ordinary day.

A PANINI HAIKU

Noon.  My stomach growls.

Piping hot panini press,

make me a sandwich.

More check-ins at My Kitchen
Powered by Whrrl

My daughter got into the spirit of making a Haiku as well:

Lillies bloom in spring

Snow falls in winter brr brr

I bloom in summer.

Making a Haiku is strangely satisfying.  Try it!

Like you, l am devastated by the destruction in Haiti.  But aren’t you amazed at the response for help?   It’s been incredible.   Of course there is more help needed.   This comprehensive list was sent to me by Mocha Moms.  If you want to help Haiti, please try any of the links below.

Two great links on how to help:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/01/13/haiti.earthquake.how.to.help/?hpt=Sbin

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/13/haiti-disaster-relief-how-to-contri bute/

In addition:

• Action Against Hunger – International agency has hundreds of staffers in Haiti. Already working to distribute food and safe drinking water, build latrines and provide hygiene kits. Click or call (877) 777-1420.

• American Red Cross – Has already pledged $1 million toward relief effort. Donors can send a $10 donation by texting “Haiti” to 90999.

• American Jewish World Service – Has launched a relief fund to support a networ k of charities. Log on to donate as little as $36. Click or call (212) 792-2900.

• AmeriCares – Has pledged $5 million worth of aid to Haiti, and is working with partners on the island to deliver food and medical supplies. Click or call  (800) 486-4357.

• Beyond Borders – Has established an Earthquake Emergency Response Fund to take donations earmarked for the most urgent needs, including food and medicine. Click or call (866) 424-8403

• CARE – Has deployed emergency teams to Po rt-au-Prince and will soon start distributing high protein biscuits from its warehouses in Haiti. Click or call (800) 521-2273

• Catholic Relief Services – Has committed $5 million of its funds for emergency supplies. Already has food and relief supplies on the island, and is distributing plastic sheeting, mosquito netting, and water purification tablets. Click or call (800) 736-3467

• Childcare Worldwide – Has staff in place to distribute food, clothing, blankets and medical supplies. Click or call (800) 553-2328.

• Direct Relief International – Has shipped two containers of medical supplies and plans a $2 million aid package. Plans to airlift via FedEx this week. Click or call (805) 964-4767.

• Doctors Without Borders – Has already treated more than 1,000 victims in four tent facilities. Is working to treat severely injured people in need of surgery. Click or call (888) 392-0392.

• Feed My Starving Children – Plans to distribute high-protein meal packs to children and adults. Click or call (763) 504-2919.

• Habitat for Humanity – Working to provide temporary shelter for poor families affected by quake. Click or call (800) 422-4828.

• Haitian Health Foundation – Anticipating total depletion of their resources and taking donations and money and hoping to address anticipated flood of refugees leaving Port-au-Prince. Click or call (860) 886-4357.

• Hope for Haiti – Stands ready to send doctors, nurses, medical supplies and equipment. Click or call (239) 434-7183.

• International Medical Corps – Has representatives at Port-au-Prince’s main hospital, providing medical care. Click or call (800) 481-4462.

• Medical Teams International – Initial response includes sending a six-person team with enough medicine and orthopedic supplies to help 12,000 people for a week. Click or call (800) 959-4325.

• Operation USA – L.A.-based organization sending medical supplies and appealing for pledges and corporate donations of health care supplies, water purification tablets and food supplements. Click or call (800) 678-7255.

• < p style=”margin-bottom: 4px”> Oxfam – Has 200 staff members in Haiti, including a 15-member emergency response team. Click or call (800)776-9326.

• UNICEF – Venerable agency focuses on the youngest victims, pledging that every dollar will go to aid. Click or call (800) 367-5437.

• World Concern – Soliciting cash as it helps in the rescue effort and provides drinking water, food and blankets. Click or call (800)755-5022.

• Yele Haiti – Wyclef Jean’s grassroots org.  Text Yele to 501 501 to donate $5 via your cell phone.

You can also find more ways to help through the Center for International Disaster Information, or through USAID’s interactive website, which has a list of NGOs and instructions on how to help.

The U.S. State Department Operations Center said Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti should call 1-888-407-4 747. Due to heavy volume, some callers may receive a recording.