I watched Spider-Man 3 a la Netflix Watch Instantly (video streaming) on my PC tonight.  I was thinking back to 2006 and 2007, when I was blogging about how this movie looked so good.

Yeah, not so much.

Sometimes when I don’t quite think a movie is all that, I’ll describe it as “Eh.”  “Average” “Okay.”  “Simple popcorn flick.”  I thought Spider-Man 3 was “cheesy.”  What was that?  Hammy acting, stupid I-couldn’t-care-less story line, and a total hash of the established history.  Furthermore, I didn’t think the special effects were all that, and the character motivations (and mood swings) felt contrived.

Seriously, what was up with having an Emo version of Peter Parker?  And that dance number in the jazz club?  This movie was dumb.

Spider-Man 3 (2007)

<confusion but resignation>

The dealership has declared they have no idea what happened to my license plates.  Is that weird or what?  Instead, they are going to get new plates and vehicle registration for me, no charge, and have them ready by 5pm Friday.  I’ll stop by after work tomorrow, and wrap up this little fiasco with James Toyota.

</confusion but resignation>

<consternation>

I don’t get it.  Last night after work, I made my way to the dealership, topped off the gas tank in the loaner, and pulled in next to my car.  I immediately noted that the license plates weren’t on the car yet.  What gives?  I find out that while the remote start installation and window etching have been completed, no one knows where my plates are.  They’re supposed to call me today when they locate them.  What I don’t understand is a) why they called me to tell me it was all done, and b) how do you lose license plates?

I assume they’ll find my license plates eventually, but I was hoping to avoid another trip to the dealership out in Flemington NJ, as it’s way out of the way for me. Grumble grumble.

</consternation>

I am dropping off my car today to complete all the loose ends from our original car purchase and contract. 

1. The motor vehicle registration paperwork has been processed, and I’m getting my original license plates installed on the new car.
2. It was raining on the day of purchase, so I’m getting the window etching (security feature) completed.
3. They are installing a Toyota-authorized remote starter in the vehicle, which requires new key fobs for everyone.

I still want running boards, but considering the economic climate, we didn’t feel entirely comfortable spending an additional $800 for parts and labor to get them installed.  If I hit the lottery, sure we’ll do it.  In the meantime, we’ll just have to get a sturdy rope for the short people trying to get into my car.

It was a busy November weekend.  On Saturday morning, we all drove to Kevin and Manju’s engagement.  There were 450 people at this event, held at the Royal Albert Palace in Fords, NJ.  I couldn’t get a decent picture of the engaged (and by Indian standards, “sanctioned”), so I took a picture of a box of mints-as-parting-gift with their visage on it.  It’s really the same thing, no?

It was a bit long, and hot, but definitely full of more activities than our engagement back in 2003.  Our was 1. eat the appetizers.  2. listen and pray.  3. eat lunch.  Actually, Saturday’s engagement was the same, just bigger.  I digress.

We were a little pressed for time when noon rolled around.  We had tickets for Playhouse Disney Live! at the Izod Center over at the Meadowlands for 3:30pm, and were waiting for Num’s parents to come meet us and take Lily off our hands. We ate quickly, her parents showed up, and we did the hand off.  The remaining three of us said our goodbyes, and we bolted to the Meadowlands.  We had enough time to find parking, change in the backseat from suits and salwars to jeans and sneakers, and get our seats.

Josh liked the show a lot, but I think he loved it after we got him a big ol’ box of popcorn.  Excuse me, but the cost of refreshments is outrageous.  In my mind, I can kinda/sorta/maybe rationalize a $4 hot dog, but a single bottle of soda costs $4.50?  That is price gouging.  We ended up sharing his popcorn and apple juice, but he only shared begrudgingly.  Okay, Josh, don’t share your popcorn, but I’ll remember this when college admissions season starts.  When you’re enrolling in your community college classes, and you realize you can’t meet a nice Indian doctor with wheatish complexion since you didn’t attend Cornell University, think about how much that popcorn was worth to you. Think about it.

What was I talking about? Oh yeah, Saturday.  After the show, we hit some outlets briefly in Secaucus for children’s clothes, then picked up Lily.

On Sunday, we skipped church so the family could get some rest, and we did some stuff around the house.  Yes, we skipped church — it happens.  Some bishop somewhere is very upset. In the afternoon, we drove up to visit my parents.

That was the weekend.

I published a veritable smorgasbord of photos from the months of October 2008 and November 2008, and moblog photos too.  Thanks to Picasa, it took me 10 minutes to get all caught up.  I love automation.

Over the weekend, we watched one of my wife’s favorite movies, One Fine Day (recently purchased on DVD) starring Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney.  My wife was actually afraid that I’d watch the movie complaining and mocking her movie, but I behaved myself.  Seriously though, am I like that?

The movie was actually pretty decent.  It showed off some comedic flair and timing by Clooney and Pfeiffer, made me wince during specific “kids make you go argh” moments, and it entertained.  I’ll rate it a decent movie to sit on the couch with your girlfriend/wife munching on popcorn.  We actually didn’t have any popcorn this time, but it was still good.

One Fine Day (1996)

We found out today that Josh is the Preschool Student of the Month for November.  I know his day school started this program/initiative last month, and I don’t know the qualifications, but hey, sounds good to me.  They take a picture of the student, and note some of their favorites.  Reading his poster, I learned, among other things:

• His cat’s name is Nina.  (When did we get a cat?)
• His favorite food is noodles.  (I saw that one coming.)
• His favorite place to go is the beach. (Big surprise.)
• His favorite show is “Diego.”  (I think he means, “Go, Diego, Go!”)
• He is a basketball star. (I’m okay with that, but when did that happen?)
• His favorite color is red.  (Really?)

All in all, good for him.  He got a certificate, a toy, balloons, everyone clapped for him, etc. He was pretty proud.

I survived another week. It’s a miracle.

It’s been a busy 2 weeks — sending out audit findings, meetings (NYC today), completing year-end self-appraisals, researching & selecting health insurance coverage for 2009, watching the U.S. Presidential election, working late in the office, and the usual pick ups and drop offs.

The weekend is packed, as usual.  We have an engagement Saturday, a trip to see Disney on Ice on Saturday as well, and visiting my parents on Sunday. Throw in some laundry and other household chores, and it’ll be Monday again.

Phooey.

I have no idea what I’m doing this weeekend.  We’re not visiting anybody.  We have household, run-around-town tasks to do, some house chores to do.  I have to work on audit findings tomorrow afternoon.  I suppose that should keep us occupied, but I have this weird feeling we have nothing to do, and everything to do.

I should cut down on sniffing glue in the mornings.