December 25, 2004

Christmas and Steve Zissou

Christmas Day! Last night was a blast with old friends, who have been coming over on Christmas Eve since long before the turn of the century, since before children. It was roated tenderloin with a parmesan/blue cheese sauce, Potatoes Anna, broccoli with a hint-of-parmesan sauce, lobster fondue for an appetizer, and chocolate fondue for dessert.

We opened presents after midnight, and Santa and the family delivered an NEC Versa tablet PC to me to keep me technologically and organizationally advanced. Now, I have to learn how to use it.

And there was a return to tradition this year -- a family outing to the cinema. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. I loved the movie. I laughed when others were not -- they didn't get it. Of course, I am just this side of fucking crazy. Weird movie? Yes. Bill Murray was at his understated comedic best, just as he was in Rushmore. And one of my favorite actors, Willem Dafoe, was terrific, with a funky German accent. I have made no bones over the years that most pregnant women (as opposed to, say, pregnant men), despite what they think about themselves, are very attractive; and Cate Blanchett was no exception in this movie.

If you want glorious special effects, you won't get them here. Be prepared for funkiness, David Bowie tunes sung in Portuguese, and weird characters. By the way, the espresso machine that Bill Murray steals is the kind I have and does make a great espresso.

Or maybe everyone was just being nice to me last night because it was Christmas Eve.

Posted by Bill at December 25, 2004 11:59 PM
Comments

Do you just LOVE the tablet!?!?!?!? I squeeled when Stacey showed me a picture of it!

Posted by: KathyHowe at December 26, 2004 09:21 AM

I adore lobster fondue. Adore, adore, adore. It's right up there with key lime pie and risotto in my pantheon of favorite foods. ADORE. A hint of sherry, real cream, sweet, succulent chunks of lobster.... There's a place in Maryland, just across the Potomac from hizzoner, that has the best I've ever had- but I'm betting Stacey's is even better! That's a hint for your recipe to show up in The Kitchen, btw. In case you missed it. ;-p

Hmmm...I wonder if I have any lobster tails in my freezer...

Posted by: lucy at December 26, 2004 01:22 PM

The food sounds out of this world. Excuse me whilst I go off to raid the fridge .....

Posted by: Michelle at December 27, 2004 02:50 PM

I am so excited to see that movie. I saw previews for it months ago and thought it looked hilarious. Can't wait. Glad to hear you liked it.

Posted by: Keri at December 27, 2004 06:09 PM

I really love Wes Anderson, and I'm glad to hear you loved the movie because I really had no interest in seeing it before you said that. I just thought maybe they had gone TOO far with the weirdness.

Cate is awesome in any which way, isn't she?

Posted by: jen at January 2, 2005 08:06 PM