South Coloradan

The Dirty Little Collum

Dear DLC:  I wrote you last year about my roommate’s boyfriend who visits every week on his days off and stays over, I learned to deal with that. Recently his friend from college who also lives in a different city has been coming into town to hang out with him when he comes to stay. The friend doesn’t want to drive the hour home so he ends up spending the night as well. I hate this but I’m not sure how to approach it.

DGL:  Seriously?!  Didn’t we tell you last year to get rid of this guy? Y’all need to listen better to our advice because we’re always right.
You’re continuing to let these people walk all over you and, once again, my advice is to grow a spine.  Tell your roommate that that you’re not happy, that her boyfriend (and now his friend) either needs to put up some cash or get the heck out.
You know, you strike me as one of those people (like Jim Carrey’s character in the movie Me, Myself & Irene) who gets abused his whole life because he doesn’t ever stand up for himself, then one day snaps and goes on a killing spree.  Please don’t let this happen to you!  Speak up for yourself now before its too late!

DTL:  Wow, your apartment has apparently become the Holiday Inn.  I’m curious how you dealt with the first situation since you just said you ‘learned to live with it.’  Does that mean you actually said something to her or you just let it go?  Because if you just let it go then I hate to tell you this – you’re screwed.  You obviously didn’t care when the boyfriend started to stay over, why should you care if the boyfriend’s bff stays as well?  The way I see it you have a choice, you can keep it inside and eventually implode or have a little talk with your roommate and let her know how you feel.  Yeah, I know, the ‘feelings’ talk stinks, suck it up and deal with it if you want something done about the situation.  After all we should all be able to be comfortable in our own home.

Dear DLC:  My boyfriend is really close to his ex.  They talk to each other all time
and go out and do things together, basically they’re ‘best buds.’  I don’t
really suspect them of doing anything but it makes me uncomfortable that
they’re so close.  What should I do?

DGL: In the second year of writing this column, I’m beginning to realize how some problems are common and this, though certainly specific and important, is one of those.  Basically, what your problem comes down to is the question of trust: do you trust your boyfriend?  Because if you do, you’ve got nothing to worry about.  
But the thing is, trust is not easy – its hard to earn, easy to lose and even harder to get back once you’ve lost it.  Further, sometimes it’s not easy to tell if you trust someone.  Sounds like you need some soul-searching.  Try to figure out your level of trust and comfort. Talk to your boyfriend.  Even if he’s lying, he’ll probably give you a few clues.

DTL:  Well, it looks like I’m going to repeat myself tonight, suck it up and deal with it.  As someone who is close friends with almost every single one of my exes it drives me crazy when current girlfriends get jealous.  There’s obviously a reason why they are not together anymore and there’s obviously a reason why the two of you are  - so get over it.  You need to ask yourself why it makes you uncomfortable.  Do you think they’re having fun without you?  That they have a connection you and your guy don’t have? I’ve got news for you; the answer is most likely yes, to both.  Think of it this way, he may be close to her, but he’s still coming back to you.

District 9 Will Not Disappoint Science Fiction Buffs

Nancy Blevins

District 9, is one sci-fi flick that many have long waited for. It is set in the 20th century as an alien ship stops directly above Johannesburg, South Africa.  The ship just hovers there until the MNU (government) flies in to break into it, only to find a large group of malnourished and leaderless arthropod-like aliens. The government gathers them all up and place them in a camp called District 9, which turns, into a slum.

Now these aliens are really freaky looking, yet have some human qualities about them. The people of Johannesburg begin complaining and rioting about these aliens, so the government decides to relocate them. Wikus van de Merwe (Sharlto Copley) is an MNU field operative assigned to manage the relocation operation, which goes array and, of course, what happens to him is the best part of the movie. 

Keep in mind this movie slips in and out of a documentary and video clips, which really give you that sense of realism, like you would see in a reality show. I am just thankful they did it all in South Africa-- far away from America.

I will leave it to you to decide how to rate this movie, but I know the Science Fiction buffs are ranting about it.

The Time Traveler’s Wife

Nancy Blevins

The Time Travelers Wife is a romantic drama, which takes you on an emotional thrill ride, if you can hang on.
It is about a Chicago librarian, Henry (Eric Bana), with a gene that causes him to involuntarily time travel. This creates problems and complications in his marriage. Yes, Clare (Rachel McAdams) actually marries the guy.
You would think Clare would have more sense than to Marry a pop-in, let alone the invisible man.  Look, if you are talking to your lover and he vanishes right in front of you leaving his clothes, you know he just appeared somewhere in time  running around naked trying to find clothes, wouldn’t you think that’s sort of weird?
Aaah, she probably doesn’t have to do much laundry and he probably could care less if they are clean or not, he will just leave them on the floor anyway.
Yet the characters are madly in love with one another, and this story provides you with proof and reasons why their love is strong, including how they met and how Clare really knew Henry her whole life.
At times it is hard to follow….wait he is over here…no he is back…hum, what time line.  However, it is worth seeing, simply for the sake of seeing how the depth of love between two people can overcome all obstacles.  The Time Traveler’s Wife is a really good love story.