Lara Eakins

die-hard | adjective | strongly or fanatically determined or devoted

Die Hard | noun | a Christmas movie

Oh no.... but that might explain why my eyes have been so pissed off the past couple of days. 😣

3 Screenshots from the movie "Casablanca" (1943): First, a close-up of a check labeled "Rick's Café Américain" being signed with the amount of 1,000 francs, dated "2 Décembre '41." Second, two men seated at a table, one playing chess while the other looks at papers, with ornate hanging lamps in the background. Third, a man in a white suit stands beside a woman in a white dress holding papers, as another man leans in to speak to them in a softly lit, elegant setting with intricate décor.

Dec 2nd 1941 - Ugarte asks Rick Blaine to look after his "letters of transit" before being arrested. Rick's former lover, Ilsa, enters the club with her husband, Victor Laszlo.

📽️📅 Casablanca (1943)

Screenshot of SNL's George Washington sketch from 10/28/23 with Nate Bargatze

"We will call the 12th month of the year 'December'... which means 'tenth month.'"

3 Screenshots from the movie "The Incredibles" (2004): First, a close-up of the character Edna Mode holding a sketchpad, confidently stating, "No capes!" Second, Edna, standing with assertive posture in a modern, glass-walled room, speaks to Mr. Incredible, emphasizing her point as she recalls, "November 15th of '58." Third, a flashback scene by the ocean where a superhero with a cape is seen caught on a missile fin, with an onlooker nearby, as the text describes his cape’s mishap: "when his cape snagged on a missile fin."

Nov 15th - Superhero Thunderhead (Tall, storm powers, nice man, good with kids) saved the day, but then his cape caught on a missile fin #NoCapes

📽️📅 The Incredibles (2004)

2 Screenshots from the movie "Sneakers" (1992): First, a man with a receding hairline, dressed in a suit and tie, smiles while seated in a warmly lit setting with blurred flowers and soft green and red background elements. Second, a computer screen displaying a detailed "Motor Vehicle Report" for "Werner Brandes," listing personal details such as height, weight, eye color, license status, and restrictions.

Nov 10th - Dr. Werner Brandes (Stephen Tobolowsky) was born. His voice is his passport.

📽️📅 Sneakers (1992)

Welcome! Great ready to experience some authentic Texas Fall weather whiplash. (Although this one won't be as extreme as some we've had.)

😢

The Mayor is here at hand.

Yep, literally had this conversation two nights ago while running a telescope open house night at my university

'Astronomers' is an anagram for 'moon starers.'

I have a very bad feeling about this...

OH MY GOD
#HookEm🤘

Austin, Texas showed up in mass for democracy and against monarchy!
#NoKings #Austin #Texas

Even better view! #NoKings

Still shot from KXAN’s Austonian camera in downtown Austin of the crowd for the “No Kings” protest on Oct. 18, 2025.

Way to go Austin! Wish I could have been there with y'all.
#NoKings

Only you can resist fascist liars. It’s Smokey the Bear.

[Exit pursued by a bear.]

MSNBC Grandmas in Skechers seamlessly reclaiming the frog from 4chan Nazis in about six weeks has gotta be the political upset of the century.

[Exit King.]

For God’s sake let us sit upon the ground
And tell sad stories of the death of kings

YouTube video by tennesseejed93 SchoolHouse Rock - No More Kings

"No More Kings"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvOZ...

👩‍🍳😚

Yeah... if Texas still had a faculty senate 🤬

Star Wars Lando GIF ALT: Star Wars Lando GIF

all I can think is this (UT in a few months...):

3 Screenshots from the movie "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" (1971): First, a boy excitedly announces, "I've got it! The fifth Golden Ticket is mine!" while standing in a modest, cozy room with family members looking on. Second, a close-up of the shiny, golden ticket held in two hands, displaying intricate details and text welcoming the finder to the factory. Third, a group of people, including children and adults, stand outside a large, ornate door, looking astonished and expectant, with Willy Wonka in his iconic purple coat among them.

Oct 1st - After they all found golden tickets in a Wonka Bar, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, Mike Teavee, Augustus Gloop and Charlie Bucket all entered Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

📽️📅 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

I only ever visited in the late summer (which was FANTASTIC compared to being in Texas), and I'm sure I'd die in the first winter I spent there, but I'd be willing to risk it (especially for easy access to Nervous Nellie's Jams and Jellies 😍)

I've been on that bridge a number of times too! Not in over 15 years though... 🙁 need to get back up there one of these days.

Ha! It's a mystery I've been trying to crack in several decades as a primary public interface for a large university astronomy program. I have an involuntary shudder when I pick up the phone and the person starts with "I'm a retired engineer who has developed an interest in astrophysics..." 🤣🤣

Seriously, what is it with the retired engineers??