Toy Story 2

In the final analysis, a drawing simply is no longer a drawing, no matter how self-sufficient its execution may be. It is a symbol, and the more profoundly the imaginary lines of projection meet higher dimensions, the better.
-- Paul Klee

Friday, November 26, 1999
One year ago: Thanksgiving
Two years ago: Dine and Dance

Today was a much more relaxing day, and we needed it! Jack told me that the between-legs pillow did help his back during the night, and it stayed where he put it, which isn't the case with the larger "body pillow" he was using before. We lazed around most of the morning, then drove off to the Dalles to see a movie, with Jack's sister K---- and her two kids. We met up with them at their trailer, in Dallesport on the Washington side of the Columbia river.

We'd started so late that the movie was sold out when we got there. What to do for the next two hours? We made a few purchases at K-Mart, which was just around the corner (I needed socks), then snacked at Wendy's. Jack spread his concept of ordering a small chili and a sour cream and chive baked potato, then combining them ("It's just few cents more than a chili baked potato, and you get a lot more chili!") but I got my usual burger combo.

I picked up a badly-designed brochure/coupon for the Gorge Interpretive Center from the Wendy's counter. It was so badly designed that they'd had to add a gold foil sticker to let folks know that it was a coupon that would save them money! I'd be up for a visit to this place, but either everyone else had already been, or it didn't interest them. Oh, well, maybe Jack and I could go during our next trip to Klickitat.

Finally it was time to get in line for the movie (and we were the first in line). The only issue? Jack's daughter A---- didn't want to see Toy Story 2. I don't know if it was the idea of a family outing that displeased her, or the movie selection. There wasn't another movie at the same time that she could see. So she ended up hanging around the theater lobby, chatting with the staff.

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Toy Story 2 was grand fun! I was surprised to learn that it was originally intended for a direct-to-video release. They actually made a very funny movie that addressed a few of the issues that thoughtful viewers (like me!) might have had with the first one. All the stuff about a toy's best purpose being to be played with by a child in the first movie -- what happens when that kid grows up? (One reason why I'm not fond of Puff the Magic Dragon, or the Velveteen Rabbit -- too sad!)

In this second movie, Woody meets his TV family. I really like Jessie, the yodeling cowgirl. She has great spirit and energy. The toy Collector Al, voiced by Wayne Knight, reminded Jack of a friend of ours who is writing about toy colleting now, but I disagreed. Andy doesn't have the covetousness and greediness of the evil Crazy Al.

One thing we both wondered about: most of the toys seem to have their self-knowledge built in. Buzz Lightyear knew about his name and mission, Mr. Potatohead knows he's a potato, Barbie knows she is Barbie. Why didn't Woody recognize his cohorts? They knew about him! (Here's a cool Salon story on TS2.)