Enchanted, I'm Sure

Went to see this tonight en famille. From the trailers it could be heaven or hell, but the girls were very enthused and so, off we went.

It's a hoot. Not as deep as a thimble, but in the first five minutes Disney parodies most of its greatest hits; the talking animals helping with the housekeeping, the singing, the instant "my prince will come" romanticism. Then it turns it all on its head. Amy Adams is wonderfully wide eyed and un-ironic as the plucky Disney heroine, and Susan Sarandon is a swell combination of Maleficent and the Evil Queen from Snow White. And there are at least two hysterical songs--one involves cleaning up a New York apartment, the other is a big number in Central Park.

It's not so deep as a thimble, but it's fun.

Thanks Giving

The ever-useful Jon Carroll has an excellent column today about gratitude as the floor that stands between you and the Abyss. But my favorite line isn't exactly about gratitude, it's just a useful reminder for all of us for whom preparation takes over and makes us cranky:

What I'm going to try to do this year is slow down. What I'm going to try to do this year is pay attention. Usually I run around. Lots of people make me frantic - we always have lots of people at our Thanksgivings - and there are always a thousand tasks. The point of the holiday is not the tasks, even though it seems that way sometimes.

I'm gonna try. I hope as much for you all. Fragrant, peaceful, joyful, thankful holiday, all.

ETA: Today's pleasantly surreal moment. Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, seeing the Cherokee National Youth Choir sing "Jingle Bells" in Cherokee, followed by the Mr. Potato Head balloon and the mention that next year is International Year of the Potato.

Is there a board or commission or something that declares these things?