I just realized something while writing the Anchorman post. Will Ferrell is a good actor, but not a good comedian. There is something from the movie Stranger Than Fiction that I think of often, but in a way where it is almost a part of me, and I don't even know I'm thinking about it, and I don't think about its being from this movie.
Will Ferrell's character is trying to woo Maggie Gyllenhaal's character. She's a hippie baker, and he's an IRS auditor who has been assigned to audit her. So, he finds her closing up her bakery and brings her "flowers." Except, we quickly learn that he is holding a small pallet of gourmet flours. I really think it is one of the sweetest and most likable things I have seen any character in a movie do for another character. It is thoughtful to the core. It would be like someone giving me seed packets in February or wool yarn in October or a duck breast to cook in June. I shall not explain further. Some of you will get it and some won't. What makes gifts thoughtful is that someone knows you and just knows exactly the right thing to do.
I really liked this movie when it came out, but I only ever saw it the once. I am planning to watch it again.
Contest #2
I will award a prize for the most touching essay about the best gift you ever received.
This is why I absolutely detest X-mas. Christmas is joyous and about Jesus. X-mas is me trying to find the perfect gift card to give to my cousin because I can't think of anything about my cousin that would translate into a good gift. Conversely, and Christmasly, Sarah realized that I've been talking about a particular book on and off for a month or so. I hadn't mentioned the book to anyone but her (had I? I don't remember). I actually hadn't realized that I'd mentioned said book as many times that would constitute a connected idea. And then the book ends up under the tree. Perfect. Like that time when she had water when I was really really thirsty while waiting in line outside of the Georgia Aquarium. I didn't even realize she put water in her purse! Clever girl. That's a gift. That's Jesus. That's Christmas.
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