5 times the Oscars made me cry.

After I finished my dissertation, I gave up the spare room I used as my writing cave to my husband, to use as his thesis-writing-cave/man-cave. This decision has made my Sunday nights a veritable feast of girliness as I enjoy all the Masterpiece Classic I can handle. This Sunday, I found myself in between Downton Abbey and Call the Midwife. Luckily for me, it was Oscars night. (Perfect timing on the part of the PBS folks). I should be clear here that Adam hates awards shows and I love them. I've never been so grateful for his video game-equipped man cave. Even if, as this year, I've seen very few of the nominated shows, I still enjoy the Oscars. Why? Because like Downton Abbey and Call the Midwife, The Academy Awards Show has the uncanny ability to make me cry. Here were a few of the most tear-inducing moments for me:

1. Jared Leto thanking his mom and brother. It's normal, of course, for actors to thank their families when they win something, but seeing the happy mom and brother grinning and crying as their son/brother accepted his award marked the first time I cried during yesterday's awards.  

2. Lupita Nyong'o's acceptance speech for best supporting actress. 

This one was a gimme. I haven't even seen 12 years a slave yet (It's on my list, for sure) -- but seeing the total joy on her face and in her voice as she accepted the award was all that was required for my eyes to well up.

3. The iPad commercial with the Dead Poets' Society Voiceover. 

It doesn't matter that I'm not an apple user. The combination of the classic Dead Poets' Society monologue and scenes of beauty and art undid me -- mostly because it was such a stunning display of "the beautiful extras" that I like to talk about on this site. Who doesn't get inspired by Robin Williams passionately declaring, "...we read and write poetry because we are members of the human race, and the human race is filled with passion..."? Who doesn't want to take up the noble challenge as he asks, "What will your verse be?" This commercial makes me want to do a lot of things: write, play music, draw things, cook good food, read literature, see the beauty of nature, go watch Dead Poets' Society. Interestingly, it does not make me want to buy an iPad air.

4. The slideshow of the deceased actors and filmmakers. Yes, I'll admit it, this part always makes me cry. Even the photo of the random guy who was someone's third gaffer makes me cry. However, the effect was ruined somewhat by the performance of "Wind Beneath my Wings" immediately following the slideshow. It's not that the performance was bad, exactly; Bette Midler seemed to be doing a good job. It was the painfully-nineties' pop sound of the music and the overall cheesiness of the moment that I couldn't stomach. I actually changed channels during that part. But maybe you like that sort of thing, so no judgment here. (I mean, I'm the one who's admitting that I like to watch the Oscars because it makes me cry, so if anyone deserves judgment, it's me.)

5. Sydney Poitier. He's still amazing, and I loved seeing him as one of the presenters. Last night's ceremony also marked the 50th anniversary of his Best Actor Oscar win -- the first ever for a black man.

All in, I think the Oscars were a success this year. Ellen was a lovely host; I thought Sandra Bullock (so classy), Lupita N'yong'o (gorgeous pastel blue), Cate Blanchett (ethereal and glamorous), and Idina Menzel (also ethereal and glamorous) looked especially beautiful; and, though I didn't see any of the Oscar-nominated Best Actress films, I still think Cate Blanchett should have won something a few years ago for her spot-on Dylan portrayal in I'm Not There, so as far as I'm concerned, she deserved the Oscar. Adam, safe within his man-cave, was happy, too.