Absentee
3/02/2005
I've been a little slow to post lately, but it's a good thing. Because I've been getting away from the computer!
First, my nieces were down all last week, and it was wonderful. They are truly amazing kids (12 and 13), and their minds are sharp too. We had a good time spending all of my money and just hanging out, and they just love their aunt too!
Okmulgee has the nicest little Chinese Buffet close to the town square. For $5, you get all you can eat PLUS a drink. So we all ate for about 17 dollars with tax, then walked over to the movie theater (it's a small town) to see what was playing. Two choices: some stupid-ass sequel to The Mask, or an independent family film based on a best-selling children's book: Because of Winn-Dixie.
Well, I had two nieces with me, so it's probably no surprise that we went to see Because of Winn-Dixie. And I'm so glad we did, because it was a brilliant little film. I love 'family' movies that don't talk down to kids and make them feel ignorant or 'special.' Just a good movie that speaks to the heart without getting too sappy. Highly recommended.
What surprised me the most was the interior of Okmulgee's movie theater. It was a beautiful theatre house once upon a time, with box seats and lush decor. And they're restoring it, slowly but surely, to its original brilliance. Apparently, Okmulgee has a wealthy town once upon a time, but must have fallen on some bad times after the oil boom died down. It's the story of most Oklahoma towns, really.
I've also taken to reading poetry at a local coffee bar on Tuesday nights. I'm still a bit on the nervous side, having been away from it for nearly 8 years and never really doing it ALONE (always with a friend, Mark, or surrounded by people I knew). In this new establishment, I know absolutly nobody. And it's an odd scene, because it's brimming with teenagers. Not the most ideal location, but it's really all we have in Tulsa if you want to say the word FUCK a few times.
Speaking of poetry, I'm working on a little chapbook. I'll be selling it for $5, and will post an order form once I'm done. In the meantime, I'll try to post more often!
posted by novachild @ Wednesday, March 02, 2005,
