Mighty Wings

Began my morning with my second early work day in a row. It was a little busier during the noon rush hour, probably due to a 3-day seafood sale we're having in honor of Lent. I also spent a little bit more time outside this time. The head bagger always takes Wednesdays off, and another bagger didn't come in until noon. And today was as cold as everyone had said. Yes, the sun was warm, but it was harder to avoid the blasts of freezing cold wind.

Needless to say, I hurried straight home and didn't go anywhere else. Had a snack, then cleaned the kitchen. That needed to be cleaned pretty badly, too. I do a lot more baking and cooking in the winter, and I've been at home more.

Watched another episode of Wonder Woman while I worked. Computer data is being stolen by a strange man in a fake mustache. The IDC's computer is worried that it will be next. When "IRAC Is Missing" and the computer does, indeed, disappear, Diana needs the help of the tiny robot Rover to track him and the other missing computers down.

Started writing and doing research at 4. Vader reveals that not only is he Luke and Leia's father, but he also was the one who carried out Palpatine's orders to burn Han's family manor to the grounds and turn their lands over to Baron Du Hutt. When Palpatine tries to attack the younger people, Vader finally throws him out a window to his doom. Leia and Luke help what's left of Vader to his feet. But the surprises aren't over yet as Lando and Thomas arrive and say there's someone who wants to see them in the courtyard...

Didn't break for dinner until past 7. Since I did The Sound of Music last night, I watched the Rick Steves episode on Saltzburg while I finished off the leftover meatballs and pasta and defrosted green beans and almonds. While he does explore those famous hills, Rick mainly sticks to the real Saltzburg old town and to the lovely little villages along the near-by lakes. The area is still as beautiful as in the movie, including lots of romantic old buildings that look as lovely as they did when Julie Andrews and the kids romped around them.

Did Angry Birds Star Wars after dinner. I'm still trying to get three stars on as many rounds as I can. I'm really enjoying this. I'm going to have to look for the original Angry Birds Trilogy on Wii as well.

Finished the night with Top Gun. Maverick (Tom Cruise) and Goose (Anthony Edwards) are two of the best fighter pilots on a major aircraft carrier. They're recommended for Top Gun, a Navy flight school for advanced weaponry, despite Maverick's penchant for heroics and doing what he wants. He tries approaching a lady in a bar the night before his first class...and is a bit surprised to discover that she's his teacher, Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood (Kelly McGinnis). She's impressed with some of his fancier maneuvers, even when they annoy his head instructor Viper (Tom Skerrit) and make a rival out of the school's best student, Iceman (Val Kilmer). He and Iceman are neck-in-neck for the prestigious Top Gun Trophy, until a maneuver ends in tragedy. Now Maverick has to regain his confidence and prove to everyone that he has what it takes to become the greatest pilot the US has ever known.

Wow, this was a major blast of nostalgia. This was one of Dad-Bill's favorite movies in the mid-80's, and we saw it a lot. I think we had the soundtrack, too. I had all the songs memorized. Mom liked it for one of Meg Ryan's earliest roles as Goose's wife Carrie and because of all the men walking around shirtless, especially in the famous (and gratuitous) volleyball scene.

Honestly, as I kid, I had no idea what was going on, other than a lot of guys showing off in big planes to the sounds of great 80's and 60's pop. Even now, a lot of the military jargon goes over my head, and for all the fun scenes (you've never lived until you've seen Anthony Edwards and Tom Cruise belting "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" in a bar) and incredible flying work, it's collapses in a pile of cliched melodrama towards the end.

Your mileage may vary, depending on how fond you are of 80's action, director Tony Scott, and Cruise's early work. Me...I may end up buying this one, if only for the memories it brought back.