Sunday, January 2, 2011

(43-159) Oscar On My Mind

If it weren't for the Oscar pool that I started in 1998, "The Bumpy Ride" probably wouldn't exist.  I've written about my $10 Oscar pool in a number of posts, starting with my very first, entitled; "The Queen of EVERYTHING and The Bumpy Ride (or Vice Versa.)"  It was the newsletters that I wrote for the pool participants, that actually inspired me to attempt writing something on a more regular basis; and as The Golden Globes are rapidly approaching (January 16th;) I've got Oscar on my mind.

The thing that I like best about my Oscar pool, (other than the actual show;) is the fact that I don't know most of the people in the pool personally.  OK, no need to read that line again.  You saw it correctly.  I said I DON'T know most of the people.  How is that possible you ask?  Well of course I'll explain.  When I began the pool in 1998, it consisted only of me and a couple of friends.  Some of the friends were local, but moved away and others were longtime friends who lived elsewhere.  Over the course of time, the friends who lived elsewhere recruited their other friends and co-workers; and the pool grew and grew, to the point where each year I contact my "swimmers," even though we're virtual strangers.  I LOVE that!

Now, let me explain "briefly," YES, "briefly!"  We use the official Oscar ballot on Oscar.com and we vote on every category (even the crazy, hard ones that no one knows anything about.)  It costs $10 to participate in the pool and , the pot is divided between 1st and 2nd place as well as $10 being sent back to the person who gets the least amount correct. Don't ask me why; it's just the way I've always done it.   Now let me say this.  EVERY year I have to remind everyone that it doesn't matter if you haven't seen any of the movies.  In 1999 when I was pregnant with Nicky, I saw EVERY movie that was nominated, and that was the year that I did my worst in the pool; BUT, the following year when I saw NO movies; I tied for first place.  So with that being said, I can honestly tell you that in terms of the pool, you're better off looking up critics picks online and reading articles, than you are seeing the movies.  Of course if you enjoy seeing the movies, you should certainly do so.  I was merely trying to explain that not seeing any of the movies, shouldn't be a deterrent from joining the pool; if you thought it might be fun.

Whew; OK; now.  Over the past few years, the Academy awards date has moved up, so that it's no longer in April; but now in February.  February 27 this year, to be exact.  And I don't know about you, but I barely saw any movies last year; so other than hearing the buzz about Natalie Portman and "Black Swan," or Colin Firth and the cast of "The King's Speech;" I have no clue what will be nominated; and I'm hesitant to say this, but for the sake of honesty, I will... I'm not sure if I care.  (One eye closed and waiting for the room to cave in;) nope nothing happened, it's OK.  I can say that I'm not sure if I care about the Oscars and life will go on.  (BIG SIGH;)  Of relief; I'm not sure.  You see the thing is, the Oscar pool doesn't take up SO much of my time; BUT, it is another thing that I will have to commit time (that I really don't have) to; and being that I'm not even excited about the movies; it would be relatively easy for me to say that I'm not going to do it this year.  BUT, I will watch the show, because I'm a total Oscar fan, and I'm SO curious to see how James Franco and Anne Hathaway are going to do as hosts; AND I fear that while I'm watching, I'll be kicking myself and thinking "I should have done the pool."  Yup; I know me; and that's what I'll do.  So in order to prevent myself from any unnecessary bruising, and because; if it weren't for the Oscar pool that I started in 1998, "The Bumpy Ride" probably wouldn't exist; I think that I just got my answer.  I need to put my Oscar Mistress hat (yes, hat;) on and start amping up for The Oscars.  Anybody want to join me?
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

1 comment:

Joni Parker said...

I don't really care to watch movies... don't have time, don't care to make the time. I'd probably do really well in the pool, huh?