Dancer in the Dark & Birthday in Ann Arbor

As I watched Dancer in the Dark last night, I was pretty grateful that I didn't know a whole lot about the movie before sitting down, because I never would have watched it. As I've gotten older, there are moments when I'm watching movies and think "why am I doing this to myself?" While it was a quite lovely movie in a visual sense, it definitely left me with a feeling of depression and distrust of human nature reminiscent of the post Requiem for a Dream daze. I kind of get people who watch entertainment to be entertained on a more uplifting sense, avoiding documentaries, dramas, etc. Why put yourself through the emotional agony of watching a two and a half hour movie that leaves you feeling slightly betrayed? It's a work of art though, quietly thrilling and beautiful, but not something you'd want to watch and watch over and again, for a good time.

Brandie's birthday was Tuesday and she gave me some pretty good birthday ideas to maximize on businesses that celebrate your day with you. I think I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do for my birthday, as it is a Sunday and I'll be able (hopefully) to maximize on good drinks and food.

1. Chop House/ Gratzi / Real Seafood Company: These three restaurants, all under the same management, offer 50% discount of a bill for two on your birthday (33% for three people, 25% for four). Does not include drinks, but they also give you a free dessert.
   
2. Grizzly Peaks: If you go on your birthday, you get a free dessert, a nice glass, and a $10 gift card for your next visit delivered by the manager (which I thought was a nice touch).
3. Stucchi's/ Ben & Jerry's: Free ice cream cones on your birthday. There was a common consensus that the State Street and South U locations probably don't communicate with each other, so you could potentially hit up each location.
   
4. Noodles & Co. / Cold Stone Creamery : If you register with their online club, you get a free meal or ice cream within a week span of your birthday. Noodles also will periodically send out buy one get one free coupons for Mothers' Day, Fathers' day, etc.
   
5. Or...just check out this link.
   

Other things that amused me so far today...

• This is madness!
• I bet he wish he had hit and run
• Maybe e-dating sites should include a photo of sleeping position too...