Dangerous Beauty

My boyfriend saw that I had rented Dangerous Beauty from Blockbuster and asked if I were some type of horn dog... or something along those lines! ;) Yes, Kate McCormack is stunning and there are two tasteful sex scenes, but I find the movie intriguing. I watched it years ago when I was in college and was instantly transported to Venis during the Renaissance period. The costumes are accurate, the dialogue appropriate, and it's clear that women have two choices: marry and be confined to needlepoint the rest of your life or become a courtesan and get an education in order to entertain the gentleman. Veronica Franco is the main character who falls in love with a man above her station, Marco Venier. When he tells her they cannot wed he states "Love does not an inheritance make." Veronica's mother seizes the opportunity of her broken heart to teach her the art of seducing men. However, it is not until she realizes that courtesans can visit the library that she actually embraces her fate. Veronica is an intelligent, quick witted, beautiful poet and because of this captures the hearts of all the men who pay her wages. She becomes a national asset after seducing a neighboring king, in return getting needed ships for war. The city turns toward the end of the story from alive and vibrant to sick with disease and plague. The religious zealots point the blame at the courtesans screaming witchcraft and somehow forget to condemn the men who kept them in employment. The story is captivating and full of human nature. Yes, the cover is sexual and most people would walk by it- but it is a classic story of romance set in a time where sex was something that was natural and not be done in the dark. People embraced themselves and the wishes of their body, but there remained a struggle to do what society expected of you. Marriage was a contract. Love was love.

"I thought we were cooler than that..." UPDATE

The man in question was fired yesterday. I had posted a blog concerning him last month. I was surprisingly sad that he was dismissed. I like him as a person, just not as a co-worker. Life goes on I suppose.

Belting it Out

Last night one of my favorite songs "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion started playing while I was sitting with my boyfriend on the sofa. I felt compelled to sing but for some reason- not in front of him. I have sung in front of an audience of about five hundred but couldn't muster the courage to sing in front of one man. By the start of the chorus, I had convinced Brent to go into the kitchen so I could stand up and sing at the top of my voice. My heart soared with the melody I am so familiar with. When the song ended I poked my head around the corner and said, "I'm done" with a sheepish look on my face. He didn't say anything, he just smiled. Over dinner he said I really belted it out. Maybe I will be able to sing in front of him now, I felt approval in his gaze.

"Smart"

I was just told by someone that I was "so smart." They admire me. Wow. How nice is that to hear?! Sometimes working in a call center as a knowledge base can be completely and totally draining, but when I hear compliments I am rejuvinated.
But what does smart mean? We all have the same avenues of research... is smart more your retention level or desire to learn? I have always been "smart." I got excellent grades in school and college, mainly because I am never satisfied unless I give 110%. But why doesn't everyone?
Does everyone have an equal chance at intelligence? For instance, if I marry a smart man, does that guarantee a smart child or will they have to work for it as I have? Not everything comes naturally to me. I am truly stumped at certain applications and have to work for it. When I was a kid I had a slight learning disability inverting numbers... to this day I still have to double check my work. I inverted numbers in my checkbook recently- thankfully it was just the cents!! But why did I strive to improve and enhance myself? Why am I driven when not everyone is? Is this because my parents urged me to suceed?
Is intelligence hereditary or behavorial? It's probably a combination of the two. Can you be smart and totally lacking ambition... yes. So does that mean you aren't smart? No.... just lazy or comfortable with your station of life.
Maybe I am just an ansy perfectionist.

Anticipating A Packed Apartment

Tonight I have invited many of my girlfriends over for a spaghetti dinner. There are going to be nine of us total. I think I may be in over my head... but I love to entertain. I love to cook for people and hear them enjoying the food I have prepared. I cleaned my bathroom last night, straightened the living room, and even made my bed this morning because I am sure someone will roam in there to enjoy the atmosphere. I have everything ready to start cooking when I get home after work and will have 30 minutes before people start arriving. I am very excited. These are a fun group of girls and I know we won't need television to stay amused. With that many people in a one bedroom apartment, there will be several small conversations. Hopefully everything will run smoothly and no one will notice the massive hickey on my neck. My Christian girlfriends will tease me mercilessly and I blush so easily.... I am so looking forward to tonight...

Eating Cake- Betty Crocker style

God I love store-bought cake.

I just ate a Hostess cake given to me by a co-worker. It was creamy in the center and the cake itself was moist. Yum. I know it's silly, but cake is one of my favorite desserts. I love it's simplicity. I love being able to go to the grocery store, pick up a box of Betty Crocker cake mix and frosting, go home and one hour later have a wonderful, delicious cake. I lean toward mixes with pudding and whipped frosting, it adds something extra to the finished product. I make it for friends, I enjoy it with coffee, I savor each bite.

Isn't cake just the best?