Words & Banter

Barbie’s Not The Only One Taking A Road Trip

BARBIE 2023 Warner Bros. Pictures film with Margot Robbie


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I have a serious dilemma. And since summer movies are not exactly your “thing”, I doubt you’ll be any help.


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Funny you say that, as there are three summer releases that I plan to see.


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Three?! You?! Really?! I’m guessing one of them is “Oppenheimer.” But have no clue what the other two can be, especially as I can’t imagine you want to see "Barbie.”


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Yes, to “Oppenheimer,” and to “Barbie.” I am fascinated by all the Barbie marketing and co-branding … and how Mattel is not only trying to change how we look at Barbie, but also rebranding itself.

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With all due respect, I want to enjoy movies, not understand the business behind them!

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All I was going to say is that most people think of Mattel as a toy company, and what is happening with “Barbie” is they are becoming more Disney-like in that they are an intellectual property (IP) company managing franchises. That also happens to sell stuff. Lots of stuff.

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I guess that explains why it’s a full-blown Hollywood movie with big-name movie stars. And directed by Greta Gerwig, a “serious” and well-respected director. But that doesn’t explain why you would see it. Growing up, I don’t ever remember seeing you play with Barbie dolls. I know I didn’t.

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I guess hanging out with the boys next door and tying firecrackers to Barbie dolls does not count. But, I do have one Barbie doll pristine in her original box.

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Now you’re just messing with me. Or are going to say it was an investment purchase.

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Neither. When I was racing the Ferrari Challenge, my crew gave it to me as a gift. And, she stands proudly amongst my various racing awards and paraphernalia.

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Did they mean it as a compliment or was it a gag gift?

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Hard to say, as I was the only woman racing the series. But, I did not ask. What was important was how I saw it, not how they did. And, that is why I want to see the movie. I have been reading how Gerwig was determined it would not be some “fluff” piece, but a work of art and a commentary on society and women. It is an impressive objective, and before I can comment further, I need to see it for myself.

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Well, Sawyer caught a sneak preview showing the night before it officially opened, and she wants me to see it so we can discuss it.

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I can’t imagine that is your dilemma as you usually do not need an excuse to escape to the movies and eat popcorn. Although you have discovered that movie popcorn you make at home.


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No, I was already planning to see it in the movie theater, but there’s no rush, as I expect it to be out for a while. But I’m concerned the latest Mission Impossible movie, “Dead Reckoning Part One,” which needs to be experienced on the big screen, may be gone from theaters if I wait too long.


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Using that logic, I may need to see “Gran Turismo” when it opens.


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The one based on the video game? I know it’s about cars, but you don’t play video games. Is this another “research” project? Can’t you just go to the movie to escape vs. think?


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That is my plan. I know it will have great race scenes, but it is “inspired” by the true story of a teenage Gran Turismo player who wants to be a race car driver. Think of it as a modern-day “My Fair Lady” – except instead of trying to turn someone into a lady, they are trying to turn them into a world-class racer.


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That analogy got my attention, although I doubt it’s how they’re marketing it. But it does sound like something that needs to be seen on a big screen.


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The movie that was made to be seen on the big screen is “Oppenheimer.” And, I mean literally, as it was specifically filmed for viewing not only in a movie theater, but on a 70mm IMAX screen, of which there are only 30 worldwide. And, if you are wondering, two are in Texas – Dallas and San Antonio.


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Oh, I know! I already checked because the movie was done by the acclaimed writer-director Christopher Nolan, who also did “Inception,” one of Natasha’s and my favorite movies.


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So, is your dilemma which to see first?


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No, it’s that I want to go to San Antonio to see “Oppenheimer” on the 70mm screen, but they’re saying it’s only going to be showing for three weeks, and all the weekend tickets are already sold out. And the weekday ones are going fast, so I have to figure out how to get your permission to take a day off.


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Well, that does not sound like a dilemma – it sounds like a road trip. Have fun.
Photo by michaelmjc on iStock

No matter the reason for a garage sale – whether to get rid of things you’re not using anymore, an attempt to declutter, or estate sale “leftovers” – they can be about so much more than just “stuff”. And is why we’re rerunning one of Red’s favorite posts. Plus, Saturday’s National Garage Sale Day. (Yes, that’s a real thing.)



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Thanks for the accounting of your garage sale. But, given how many hours you spent preparing for it, and then the actual sale itself, did you calculate how much you“earned” on a $/hour basis?


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No, all I know is that it seemed to take forever to go through everything in Mom’s house and decide what to keep, what to sell, what to donate. And what to trash. As far as the garage sale, I’ll give you your half the next time I see you.


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Keep my half. You did all the work. I did not even offer to help.


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And that was a big help. Thank you.
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"Too Darn Hot" - Kiss Me Kate | Ann Miller (HD Print)

Regardless of why summers are getting hotter and hotter … they are. Which is miserable for everyone. But, don’t sweat it, we’re rerunning this post as a reminder of what you can do to make the heat just a little more bearable – for you and others. Plus, Red loves the movie clip …


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I know everyone’s talking about the record-setting temperatures because everyone’s experiencing them, but I’m so tired of it being so damn hot out. Or, should I say “too darn hot,” in honor of one of my favorite all-time musicals, “Kiss Me, Kate”?


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You said it was worse when you lived in Hong Kong and Shanghai because there was little difference between day and evening temperatures and humidity. At least here, it cools off a little once the sun goes down.


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But not enough. I know I’m getting older, so that doesn’t help, but the heat seems more oppressive, and I’m not only lethargic but cranky.
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Photo by Iam Anupong on iStock
This is a story Red loves to tell, so we’re rerunning it because it’s the start of summer and in honor of May being Skin Cancer Awareness Month – one of the most common, but preventable, types of cancer. But what does Red’s ”white pantyhose” have to do with the importance of protecting yourself from the sun (it’s as easy as applying sunscreen) and early detection?

I'll never forget the day. It was an "almost" ordinary day out on the golf course with my mom and dad during the heat of a Long Island summer. Now, if "Long Island" conjures up images of stately manors on the North Shore (think "Great Gatsby") or beachfront mansions in the Hamptons (think Robin Leach and his popular show "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous"), you can put those out of your head. I'm not talking about some fancy country club golf course, just a regular public course.

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