Getting Ready for Spring

Got a late start this morning, finishing Star Wars: Aftermath before going into breakfast. After I finished, I put up the St. Patrick's Day and general spring decorations. I put them off because it's been so cold, but I'm tired of looking at the winter stuff. Besides, it won't be winter forever. The sun is already warm. It's just that darn wind that's cold.

Had The First Easter Rabbit on while I worked. This is another Rankin-Bass Easter Bunny origin story, this time in 2D animation. It's basically Frosty the Snowman crossed with The Velveteen Rabbit. Stuffy was once the beloved toy of a little girl named Glinda. He's rescued from the scrap pile after she gets scarlet fever by a fairy who anoints him the Easter Bunny, guardian of springtime.

Ran an episode of Sailor Moon while I finished up with the St. Patrick's things. Spring is the season of cherry blossoms in Japan. Usagi and her friends and teacher join the local cherry blossom festival to celebrate their arrival. The fun ends abruptly when they're attacked by an especially strong monster. It's so strong, Usagi can't defeat it with her tiara! Her original mother Queen Serenity gives her a new broach with the Silver Crystal to create "A New Transformation! Usagi's Power-Up."

Went into another episode while getting my clothes and money together for the laundromat. Minako, aka Sailor Venus, makes a new friend when she defends a little girl against bullies in "The Targeted Kindergartners: Venus to the Rescue." Meanwhile, the Guardians learn that kindergarteners across the city have been targeted by a monster for their energy. Usagi (disguised as a teacher) joins Minako and the kids on the bus to make sure they stay safe.

It was well past 1 when I finally made it to the laundromat. It might have been the right time. They were almost totally dead when I got in. By the time it became a little busier, my laundry was almost out of the dryer. I worked on story notes and listened to The Chew.

Went home, put everything away, had a quick lunch, and went right back out. I wanted to get to the Acme and pick up some groceries. Ran into a lot of good sales today. Bought chicken, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes to turn into Irish Chicken Stew tomorrow. Restocked tomato paste, cereal, eggs, butter (real butter this time - Land O' Lakes is on a 4-day sale), yogurt, cocoa, bananas, grapefruit, mandarin orange cups, parchment paper, and skim milk.

Got my schedule while I was there. In good news - more hours. I'm less happy with the earlier hours on Sunday, another 8 and a 1/2 hour day on Wednesday, and having to wait until Saturday for my second day off.

When I got home, I put everything away and finished the Sailor Moon episode, then did some writing. I mostly re-wrote the scene between Han and Leia, adding a conversation between her and Obi-Wan. They both think there's something odd about Han. They were told he was a criminal, but the remains of his clothes are made from the kind of fabrics only afforded by nobility. His memory seems to have been totally wiped by some kind of dark magic. Leia's just fed up with being ordered around by him. She storms off into the woods to get berries for dessert.

Played a little more Lego Star Wars during dinner. Did a second run-through of "Secret Plans" and "Battle of Endor." Completed the latter; got all but one piece on the former.

Finished the night with My Cousin Rachel. Phillip (Sam Clafin) is certain that Rachel (Rachel Weisz) has murdered his guardian, whom she married in Italy. He has inherited the estate and his guardian's fortune. He returns to England, only to learn that Rachel has followed. She moves into the estate, where Phillip becomes infatuated with her, to the point of wanting to give her part of his fortune. She appreciates it...but not his insistence that they're engaged. She won't be bought, no matter how much she enjoys their lovemaking. When Phillip falls ill, he begins to suspect Rachel has an ulterior motive for not wanting to become his bride. Is she really a murderess in disguise, or is she innocent of anything besides extravagance and bad taste in men?

Weisz gets top honors in this moody Gothic romance as the mysterious title character. Clafin comes off far less well as the young man who may or may not have been driven to madness by the haunting Rachel. The sweeping cinematography and handsome production design and costumes are also excellent. If you're into the cast or period romances that are a little darker and sexier than Jane Austen, you might was to look up this one.