So I married an Oscar encyclopedia

About two months into my relationship with Scott, I realized just how big of a movie buff I was dating — a man who, as a child, kept a binder full of Oscar knowledge; who can name Best Actor for 1953, Best Picture for 1982, and Best Adapted Screen Play for 1976, among others; and who, on a Sunday night, would rather go back to his dorm to watch the Academy Awards than hang out with his lovely, sweet, extremely cute new girlfriend.

I've forgiven him for his past transgression for one reason only — he made it a competition. For several years now, Scott and I have printed Academy Awards ballots and seen who can get the most right in the evening. The promise of bragging rights for the year is enough to get this little lady amped up for anything.

When we were students without electric bills or car payments, we went and saw every movie that was nominated in the "big four:" best picture, director, actor and actress. I remember going to see "The Queen" at 2 p.m. followed by "Letters from Iwo Jima" at 5:30 one day. We were very committed the cause.

That same year, we held our first Oscar party with the stipulation that all foods must be related to a nominated movie. I won with my "Lettuce (wraps) from Iwo Jima." However, the "Departed cheesecake" with strawberry blood oozing off it was a close second. (The year after that, we just bought a gallon of milk for "Milk.")

This year, we've gone high-tech with our Oscar predictions with the Oscar app. And while it doesn't answer my annual question of "What is cinematography?" it does have all the trailers and Oscar history of the nominees, which I feel will give me an edge on Scott this year.

We haven't decided whether we'll make "True Grits" or "The King's Peach Cobbler" for Sunday night. Maybe a "127 Hour" pot roast? But for now, I've got to research the short film, both animated and live action, nominees as well as look up what the difference between sound editing and sound mixing is — again. I never can remember.

So, who's your "best picture" pick?

Day 25: A song that makes me laugh

And the risk of sounding cheesy, the songs that make me laugh most are the ones Scott makes up. If they're not straight originals, like the classic "Algae in Unspeakable Places," then it's whatever song happens to be on the radio reworded to his liking, like last night when Katy Perry's "Firework" became a commentary on a guy in a sweater vest. You just never know with that boy. Every day is a different concert. 

If I had to pick a "real" song, though, it would be...

"The Distance" by Cake

One reason: the lyric "bowel-shaking earthquakes of doubt and remorse." I have the humor of a 6-year-old boy, and "bowel" just makes me laugh.

Day 24: A song that I want to play at my funeral

Prior to this, I'd never given this idea much thought. Not unlike Bachelor Brad Womack, I don't like to dwell on death too much. However, I've never dated a mortician and had to lay on the embalming table. So Brad has me beat there. (But now Shawntel gets to run the family business like her dad wants. If I've completely lost you, I'm sorry. I'm embarrassed to watch that show — but not enough to stop.)

Let's get back to the matter at hand, though. Funeral song. I like to think that I've touched enough lives and inspired enough people that, when I pass, you'll have no choice but to play...

"Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler

Day 23: A song no one would expect you to love

I woke up kind of grumpy Monday morning. Why? Well, for one, it was Monday, and they're always terrible. Two, I'd decided to give up caffeine, so no coffee for me. (And green tea just doesn't cut it.) And three, because Scott was going to get to snooze for as long as his little heart wanted because it was Presidents Day. Sometimes I envy bankers and their holidays. But then I remember I get out for snow and during Christmas, so I try not to complain — too much. Or at least where he'll hear it.

It's for that very reason that you would be surprised that I actually like a song about Presidents Day — Washington's birthday to be specific.

"Can't Tell a Lie" from "Holiday Inn"

I realize it's a stretch, but I don't know what you do and don't expect me to love. Plus, I really wanted to include this song somewhere. I'm three days off caffeine; cut me a little slack. 

Day 22: A song that I workout to

The ups and downs of my relationship with running — the grand promises and the bleak reality — have been excellent blogging fodder. And while I resolved to at least run a 5K this year, I learned something amid my running induced whimpers — I really hate running. I mean, I hate it. I don't feel that feeling of accomplishment when I've finished whatever day of Couch to 5K I've just marked off my list; I feel like kicking the treadmill for a few hours and calling it names.

So, if I loathe it so deeply, why have I placed this goal in front of me? It's like saying I hate peanut butter, so I'm going to try to beat the world record for most peanut butter eaten in one sitting. (Side note: I do like peanut butter.) Why drag myself out of bed to do something I can't stand? There's really no point. Yes, I should exercise or do something remotely physical (sorry, couch), but it doesn't have to be running.

But this was supposed to be a song I workout to and not a tangent making me feel better about not running. This is the one song that I really enjoyed running to. It made me feel like a real athlete not some silly girl whining on a treadmill. I may or may not have put my hands up when the song indicated. 

Days 18-21: Catching up again

Between a DVR full of our favorite shows from the week, making sure the couch stays in place by laying on it most of the day, and four wheeling, marshmallow roasting and spades playing, I failed to keep up with the past couple of days. I'm here to remedy that now because I know it's been killing you.

#18: A song I wish I heard on the radio

This is one of those "be careful what you wish for" wishes. The second I make it, whatever song I name will be played on constant rotation and reach over-played status. That being said, I've become rather fond of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" and would like to hear more from her. 

#19: A song from my favorite album

Favorite album? The Beatles' "Revolver." Song from that album? "Good Day Sunshine." 

#20: A song I listen to when I'm angry

I think the last time I listened to a song because I was angry was when I was about 15 or 16 and was probably something cliched like Avril Lavigne or Alanis Morissette, but I'm going to avoid bringing up more embarrassing stories from my youth. Instead, I'll give you a song that, while not overly angry, seems born out of anger and pain and is beautiful regardless.

"Liar" by Mumford and Sons

#21: A song I listen to while driving

Scott and I have a playlist we cleverly call "the playlist" that we break out on long car trips. It's a collection of songs that meet all the qualifications of good driving music: easy to sing along to, upbeat, danceable, etc. This is one of those.

"Invisible Touch" by Genesis

Day 17: A song you hear often on the radio

I hear a lot of the same songs on the radio — it's one of the hazards of listening to Top 40. They tend to play the same stuff a lot. To keep this from being a 40-song post, though, I decided to pick the song that I hear often and sing along to every single time. Because that adds interest — or something like that.

"Grenade" by Bruno Mars

It is physically impossible for me not to sing along to this song. I do, though, sing "you" instead of "ya" (as in "Darling I'd still catch a grenade for ya") because the "ya" bothers me. It sounds a little funny at first, but isn't it more fun to say it the right way? I thought so.