Pixar, how do I love thee? (No Spoilers)

I don't have to count the ways — just visit imdb.com and look 'em up and count. I don't think they've ever gone wrong yet, and Finding Nemo was even better than their last two non-Toy Story films. I loved Monster's Inc., but this was even better (and not just 'cause fish are cool an' all). I wish Disney and Dreamworks would take a good, long look at Pixar's films and get it through their heads that what makes a good film is STRONG CHARACTER and STRONG PLOT. It /isn't/ stupid fart jokes or computer animation or "hip 'n' trendy" (to a 65-year-old executive) characters (see the painful Treasure Planet, which really could've been worthwhile, for evidence of this delusion at its worst). Nor is it cheesy, throwaway pop songs poured liberally over the plot like extra-sugary maple syrup, even if that does sell a few extra soundtrack albums. Actually, thinking back now, Nemo doesn't have any non-orchestral music. No pop soundtrack at all. Gasp! I love movie musicals, especially animated ones, but I do enjoy the novelty of an animated movie /not/ having songs tell the story every time.

Okay, enough proselytizing and parentheses. Since my last post, I had a wonderful trip down to Florida to visit with family and friends. Saturday Doug and I went with my folks, my sister, and her boyfriend out to Ybor City and an old WWII-era ship on Channelside, which was great, except for the incredible boiling heat. I was suffering from a cold with a bad sore throat, and the heat and humidity (especially below-decks on the ship) made me feel rather rotten. Sunday I went shopping with my mom for a bit, then Doug and I went out to dinner with lynxkitten, dcsmrgun, Scott, and Ceddy, some friends in the area ("area" meaning Brandon and Orlando). Had a really wonderful time, thanks guys! Man, I love the Bonefish Grill (feelin' kinda guilty about eating fish now, though...).

Monday Doug and I drove the 12 hours back home to Morrisville. Doug drove most of the way, actually, as I was still severely under-the-weather. The next day I was much improved, and I think the cold itself is gone, but since we've been back I've been suffering a weird, chronic sinus headache which only let up this afternoon. I'm hoping it's gone for good, because it kept me from doing much except walking around moaning.

In other news, Bush is apparently "not mad, (just) disappointed" at France over the whole Iraq thing. Good he's trying to patch things up — I hear makeup diplomacy is great.

Whew, long post! That's all for now.