Barb by Proxy

Day 100

2008-09-03T12:09:00.004-05:00

Background Noise:Gavin Rossdale
Random Thought:This lady hasn't got anything on me.
Mood:Back to the Airport...

Many a day ago, a coworker inquired exactly how many pairs of shoes I had. My guess was 100-ish, I'd been there at one point but have purged as I've moved. So I began an experiment to see how many days I could go to work and wear a different pair of shoes. It turns out that the number may be closer to 150...

Which happened today, and hree are the very special Carlos Santana shoes that made the cut for Day 100:

And the preceeding 99 days:

Fanfares: Better live. Sorry NBC

2008-08-22T11:33:00.003-05:00

Background Noise:The St. Louis office hard at work
Random Thought:Could a day spent at the Michigan v. Michigan State football game and then the Red Wings v. Blackhawks be the best day ever?
Mood: Ready to go home

Greetings from St. Louis, my home away from home. Or so it feels like. It's sad when the sales people at the Shoe Stop have just now realized that you don't live in St. Louis, you just visit enough to be a frequent shopper.

Anyway, prior to jetting to STL yesterday morning (sans tornado-induced blackouts, as was the case 2 weeks ago), I managed to drag my tired self to the CSO Wednesday night. Happily, John Williams and Yo-Yo Ma made it all worthwile, as the former conducted all of his own works and YYM accompanied him for the second half as they ran through 6 pieces from Memiors of a Geisha.

The evening also included pieces from Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind (awesomely set against a giant screen showing clips from the movie), Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and ET (joyously amazing without the film to muck it up). The other highlight was the performance of the JW-composed Olympic Fanfare, which NBC butchers by talking over during all of their broadcasts. It's amazing how much better it sounds when performed live by an 80-piece symphony orchestra than when pushed to background by Bob Costas' inane blather. And the olympic images projected on giant screen were equally impressive. Olympic swimmers at 100 feet? Awesome.

Is the NHL on the DL?

2008-07-23T15:26:00.002-05:00

Background Noise:Pictures of You
Random Thought:Flying to St. Louis and back in a day is tiring.
Mood:Happy that Nook is doing much better.

So I watched the ESPYs on Sunday, and was highly entertained. JT did a grand job of emceeing, Will Ferrell accepting for Tiger Woods was all things hilarious, and the winner of Best Moment, Great Sportsmanship, brought tears to my eyes.

However. There was a glaring hole where some hockey noms should have been. I get that the fans vote, and that makes it nifty, if also a little bit dependant on the fans proclivity to vote. Now, I have lots of love for a lot of the winners, and wouldn’t necessarily have voted hockey across the board, but it would have been nice if ESPN had raised the visibility of the sport a little by at least including them in the nominations. Three nominations? Out of 18 categories (Ignoring of course the Best of the NHL/MLB/NBA, etc categories)? Hockey didn’t even get a spoof during Justin’s animated “I love sports” song. By my calculations, this was the nomination breakdown:

Basketball—22
Football—13
Baseball—10
Tennis—5
Car Racing--5
Golf—4
Soccer—4
HOCKEY—3
Swimming—2
Track & Field—2
Wrestling—1
Horse Racing—1
Skiing—1
Field Hockey—1

Honestly? You couldn’t find a single hockey player to nominate in any of the following:

Best Male Athlete--How about Alexander Ovechkin, who in his 3rd season led the NHL with 65 goals and 112 points to capture the Maurice "Rocket" Richard and Art Ross Trophies, the Lester B. Pearson Award as the top player voted by the NHLPA and the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's MVP. The first player to win all 4 in a year, ever.

Best Moment--Really? Nothing to be nominated against Danica Patrick actually winning? Maybe the Winter Classic, or Richard Zednik’s recovery.

Best Coach--Gee, Mike Babcock, anyone? They managed to nominate the head coach of the Championship team from the NBA, MLB and NFL.

Best Game--I nominate the 5th longest playoff game in playoff history that sent the Stanley cup finals into a game 6.

Best Breakthrough Athlete Would it be a stretch to nominate the Calder winner for best rookie of the year? Patrick Kane helped the Hawks get thisclose to the playoffs.

Best Male College Athlet--No BC Player? Eleven of their starters for next year were drafted by the NHL. Ben Smith scored 50 points in 50 games enroute to BC’s repeat championship.

Best Male International Athlete--Dude—half the sport is international, you couldn't pick one? What about Nicklas Lidstrom, the first European to captain a Stanley Cup team?

These are just my suggestions, and even if you thought they wouldn't win, couldn't you at least put some nominations up there?

Greetings from Gotham

2008-07-18T16:07:00.006-05:00

Background Noise:
Random Thought:All those times I was re-routed around something or couldn't go somewhere and was kept awake by lights and bangs was totally worth it.
Mood:In love

It should come as a suprise to no one that I was one of those crazies in line 2 hours early to get a good seat to a midnight IMAX showing of The Dark Knight.
And it was so incredibly worth it. If you can, get yourself to a huge screen and see it. The Dark Knight is big and shiny, and meant to be see in IMAX. Give Chris Nolan some credit for taking the whole thing so seriously and go, because not only was it visually fantastic, but the story was so rich that had you never heard of Batman you probably wouldn't think "Gee, a comic book movie."

Also, Heath Ledger was phenomenal. He makes Jack's Joker look like a birthday party clown.

And, incase you have zero interest in a fantastic storyline, awesome stunts and effects (actually performed on the streets of Chicago) or the fact that Maggie Gyllenhaal makes you forget that there was ever a woody, line-lumbering Katie Holmes, you can go for this:

Except in the movie it manages to be even hotter, as it is ridden by Christian Bale in sexy-ass jeans and a motorcycle jacket. Which I looked for a picture of, but couldn't find. You'll just need to see for yourself.

Nook Update

2008-07-18T16:05:00.000-05:00

Background Noise:
Random Thought:Going home. Also, in love with Christian Bale as John Conner in the new Terminator movie.
Mood:See above.

Just a photo update on the needy child:

I Love a Boat Parade

2008-07-18T16:01:00.002-05:00

Background Noise:Mamma Mia
Random Thought:Actually, I love all parades
Mood:Tired

Here's a quick summary of my 4th of July, in case you missed it:

Yes, my weekend consisted mostly of patriotically decorated pontoon boats making a slow processional around Higgins Lake and drinking. Also, a fairly uninteresting family reunion and a fantastically entertaining marathon game of Scene It for Xbox (which rules--although it would rule harder if made by Wii) and super good times with my cousins.

Cool

2008-07-17T08:11:00.003-05:00

Background Noise:
Random Thought:I haven't been to an outdoor hockey game in a very long time...
Mood:Yeay!

There have been many things I've been meaning to post over the past few days, and have actually been trying to remember to do so. But most of them are me ranting or randomness. So here's some really great news:

The Red Wings and the Blackhawks, New Years Day, at Wrigley.
Outdoor Classic 2009.

Picture that, but in the friendly confines of Wrigley Stadium. With a possiblity of snow. I can't wait.

The End Is Near

2008-07-11T09:14:00.003-05:00

Background Noise:New Slang
Random Thought:Thanks reddit
Mood:Worried about Nook

I stumbled upon Wonkette this morning by way to a link to a link to a link. Following the story of yet another closeted raging homophobic politician, I couldn't help but me amused byAnyway, her commentary is pretty spot on, if a little harsh. Then again, it's sometimes what my brain thinks before I remember that I'm working on my tact.

I esecially like the Top Ten signs of the apocolypse,

thanks to this attention-grabbing headline: Foreclosed Country of Violent Dope-Addict Fatsos Also On Fire (Or Under Water).

Waterfalls

2008-07-10T11:43:00.003-05:00

Background Noise:
Random Thought:
Mood:Worried like an anxious pet parent

Now these are just cool.

Nooks and Tigers

2008-07-10T07:42:00.004-05:00

Background Noise:
Random Thought:Wow, cat's get really yellow
Mood:Sad

In fairly sad news, I took my cat to the vet yesterday because he's been acting lethargic for the past two days.

It turns out that Nook has liver disease, and he has to stay at the vet's for 5 days. It was a heartbreaking to leave him there, looking so sad and small, but my vet team is very nice and said that he should recover after a few days of B vitamins, kitty-peptid and lots of fluids. But they are keeping him so that they can run tests and rule out any other problems that he might have that are eithe causing the liver disease or being masked by it. Floyd seems very confused as to where his buddy went, and I'm a little taken aback by how much a vet stay costs ($1600), but I just cuold look at poor Nook with his yellow skin (when the liver stops functionining correctly it doesn't process all of the amino acids in his body and causes jaundice) and say no.

In other sad news, the old Tiger Stadium is being demolished. Not that it was one of the classiest of stadiums, or that it was in a great area to go and hang out, but Tiger Stadium was a mainstay of the Detroit area and one of the last old ballparks. Here's a fond farewell to you, Tiger Stadium.

May is Bustin' Out All Over

2008-07-09T16:07:00.002-05:00

Background Noise:Banging from the construction in the office next to me.
Random Thought:June, May, it's all the same, right?
Mood:Elated

Could the long-awaited warm weather UK get-away actually be right around the corner? Assuming that by right around the corner, you mean 10 months away, the answer is yes! Thanks to the fabulous talent of Al Silber, A and I have a bona fide reason to pack up the ol' suitcases and head across the pond.

Carousel is coming!

So, by way of knowing someone who knows someone who does such amazing things, there is a real necessity to hop on a plane, frequent the St. Paul Club Quarters, and head out to the midlands for a few days. A little bit of Bath, a gorge or two, some Chatsworth, and some actual leisure time when it is warm out. I like this plan.

Stand Up, Sit Down?

2008-07-02T08:48:00.007-05:00

Background Noise: Pat Benatar, True Love
Random Thought: Does this diminish the Fight, if you can't preface it by standing up and sitting down?
Mood:Almost on vacay!

Let's talk football. The joys of football are many, from the arc of a perfect spiral to a bone-crushing flying tackle. It can be poetry in motion, or the ugliest, knock-down, drag-out you've ever seen. But is quinessentially American, played only sporadically around the rest of the world, and never with the zeal we exhibit here. And it's a sport just to our liking--we can have a beer in one hand, a foam finger in the other, and we can scream at the top of our lungs while we stand and cheer with the other thousands of fans.

Unless you happen to be in Kansas City, where standing is now against the rules. As are 12 other actions that will get you ejected.

• Foul, obscene, offensive or abusive language or actions
• Standing and/or obstructing the view of other fans
• Intoxication or other signs of impairment
• Smoking except in designated areas
• Fighting and unruly or inconsiderate behavior
• Obscene or indecent clothing or signs
• Conduct that endangers spectators or participants
• Harassment of visiting team fans
• Interfering with the progress of the game, going onto the field or throwing any object onto the field
• Failing to follow instructions of stadium personnel
• Selling items or tickets in the stadium or on sports complex grounds
• Attempting to sit in a location other than the guest’s ticketed seat
• Destroying property

Now, I'm all about not destroying property, throwing shit on the field, and generally creating a dangerous environment for players and other fans. But no harrassing the other teams fans? No foul language? No standing? No Intoxication? WTF?

Your team actually scored? Tough, you're ejected for standing!

That call against the Bears was wacked? Take it up in the parking lot, you're ejected for foul language!

It's freezing at Lambeau, and you're shirtless? Sorry, you're ejected for intoxication!

Honstly. If you want pleasant, quite, docile entertainment, perhaps you should find a different pasttime. Because I'm surely not spending my scant weeks before preseason to practice my golf clap.

Policy & Proceedure

2008-06-26T14:48:00.002-05:00

Background Noise: Blessed silence, after annoying conference calls
Random Thought: If person A leaves San Francisco 3 days before person B leaves Chicago, and they happen to be in the same state, what color is the train?
Mood: It's Summer! I'm going Up North to be on the boat this weekend!

Let me just say that meetings make me tired. Especially conference call ones that include 3 people sitting in one office, staring at each other (even if one isn't half bad to stare at), talking to the conference phone that looks like a Star Trek refugee, listening to another 4 people in another office talk about something completely off topic. This scenario is only exciting if you get to preface it with the statement "I need to wait for the call from Zurich."

I just spent 2 separate occasions, for 2 hours each doing that today. Only to talk in circles about something, dismiss it, come back to it, finally realizing that the answer is 42. Except in our case, it's Resident Link. And promoting Village Green on Facebook. because I really want every prospect that trolls villagegreen.com to link through the interwebs to me. I like people that much.

Side note, I wordled my Company Handbook, Travel Policy and HUD Guide.

It was so fun, I made colorful ones that match my walls to put up in the frames in my corner that currently have pictures of properties we don't even manage anymore in them.

Hail, Indeed

2008-06-24T13:57:00.002-05:00

Background Noise:Our Alma Mater
Random Thought:I wish you could select a custom palate from Wordle
Mood:In love with Wordle

Perhaps this is a sign that I have too much time on my hands. But, what fun!

A combination of The Victors and The Yellow and Blue.

2008-06-24T10:04:00.003-05:00

Background Noise:
Random Thought: I can't believe George Carlin died
Mood: Entertained

I heart Wordle. Thanks A, for linking to it. Now I'm vaguely obsessed with using it as a decorating tool. I'm thinking large 2x3, framed Wordles of great books for a library...

Or cocktail recipes in sleek silver frames over my bar...

As a side note, I'm also loving Project Gutenburg, which helped me make pretty Wordles.

Nope, Just Naturally this Perky.

2008-06-24T09:58:00.004-05:00

Background Noise: Sirens going down Division
Random Thought: It's June? WTF?
Mood: Bored. So bored, I'm blogging.

I've quickly become a Thrillist enthusiast. Mostly because it directs you to things that are way cooler than Daily Candy. Additionally, it give you cool links, like this one wherein you can see how caffeinated you are.

Created by OnePlusYou

Unfortuantely, this was 7:30 Friday Morning, sans any sort of caffeine. I'd hate to see my status after a few mochas.

TF?

2008-01-24T11:04:00.000-06:00

Background Noise:humming of server machines
Random Thought:Wait, it's almost February?
Mood:Tired

Okay, there is a whole list of things that I have been meaning to post about--London, the excellence of Tom Brady, the Canadian border crossing turning people back for DUIs, oversights at the Oscars, how much I like people who hate people, how sad I am about Heath Ledger.

But, this is my more pressing concern. This is what my job is devolving into:

select "column1"
[,"column2",etc]
from "tablename"
[where "condition"];
[] = optional

Call me crazy, but isn't this what I decided I didn't want to do? I feel like I distinctly remember this thought about 8 years ago that I don't have the patience for this. Of course, this was when I liked people. Now I like my job because I don't have to deal with people. Hmm...Where's Dane Cook? I feel a vicious circle coming on.

Nothing less than the Sun

2007-12-17T22:46:00.000-06:00

Background Noise:Bears v. Vikings
Random Thought:Going to London in 7 days!
Mood:

It took the sun, or more precisely it's twin to get me back on here. The Sun's Solar Twin got a name today. Two, actually. You can read the whole article here, but I very much like the name Zilia, and the myth that a 9-year-old Brooklynite invented.

When Helios the sun was born, a twin brother was born ten minutes after him. This brother’s name was Halios. Later Eos, the dawn, and Selene, the moon, were born. But the suns were twins and looked exactly alike. Helios, though, being the older twin, was given the job of driving the chariot of the sun across the sky. Halios, the younger, was free to roam the galaxy.

One of the places Halios explored was the northern sky, where the serpent Draco had been thrown by Athena. Draco was so knotted and twisted that he could not move, but he could still talk. And he was angry at the gods. He wanted revenge, and he thought Halios could help him get it.

Draco said to Halios, “Why do you let your brother Helios have all the glory? You look exactly like him. You can do all the same things he can. Why is he allowed to drive the chariot while you are left with nothing?”

The more Halios thought about it, the more sensible Draco’s words seemed.
“He’s right!” Halios thought. “Why does Helios get to drive the chariot across the sky? Why can’t I do that? It isn’t fair!”

As Halios grew older he visited Draco more often, and he grew angrier and angrier. He decided that he wanted to overthrow Helios and take his place as the sun god. So he whispered in the ears of his sisters Eos and Selene and tried to get them to join with him. But Eos, who always loved Helios best, told Helios what Halios was planning.

Helios had tried and tried to get along with his younger brother. But now he realized that this could never be. So he went to Halios, picked him up, and threw him as far as he could. Halios soared across the galaxy and, unfortunately, landed in the lair of Draco the serpent, who whispered in his ears and twisted his mind even more. He grew so twisted that he became known as Zilia, or Jealousy, because that is all that he is now.

Once Zeus heard about this, he put powerful spells over Helios so that Zilia could never come anywhere near him. And that is the story of Halios the twin sun, who we now call Zilia.

End of an Era

2007-07-19T13:02:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: The conference call I can hear leaking out of offices
Random Thought: Tomorrow at this time, Anne will be landing here!
Mood: All atwitter with anticipation

So, I'm counting down the moments until Anne gets here and Harry Potter goes on sale, and we see Light in the Piazza, and all that good stuff. But rising above all that is a sadness that this will be the last Harry Potter book. The last time A and I endeavor to be in the same place at the same time, the last time to not know what is going to happen. And I don't know what is going to happen, because I've fastidiously avoided spoilers, leaks and entire copies of the book posted on line. I've never really had a problem with waiting--I never checked the boards before episodes to see what was going to happen, I don't read the end of books first, and I really truly enjoy savoring each part of a story as it unfolds.

But I will miss the anticipation and the wondering. There will be an end of the speculation about who is really dead and who isn't, what various names and tid-bits are trickles of truth and which are simply McGuffans. And I certainly miss the days when places like Mugglenet and The Leaky Cauldron supported better on-line debates. You used to be able to pop on one of those sites and encounter a lengthy discussion about an aspect of the book that really fostered debate and intellectual controversy. Posts reagrded historical significance of names or places, and interesting theories developed out of steady back-and-forth commenting. They have since dwindled to posts mainly linking to other reviews and photo spreads. Perhaps they've gotten too popular to do much more than scour the net for tidbits regarding leaks and movie clips. Maybe fans have figured enough of it out and are no longer interested in debating the similarities between Harry and Tom (give the DADA position to Harry in the end, thereby ending the cycle of not being able to keep the post filled and giving him what Tom always wanted and never got), or if Snape is a friend or foe (deiliciously mis-understood friend, who prevented Draco from making a life-altering mistake from which he would never recover, whilst catapaulting himself into ever-increasing danger), or if reading the books meant you were a worshiper of Satan (only if you were a lover of the firey red guy to begin with). But whatever the reason, I miss the early days of Potter-mainia, when each word was disected for meaning, and there were suprises around every corner.

I will savor book 7, and look forward to reading them all in one fell swoop. And while I'm sad to see them go, I will not miss what Potter-mania has become in most cases--a huge outlet for materialism and wimpy imitators.

I've been to...

2007-07-17T08:32:00.001-05:00

Background Noise: More blessed silence--soon to be showtunes
Random Thought: I can't wait for Friday!
Mood: Content

As I write this, I feel very much like the family in the Comfort Suites commercial—you know, the one where they are listing all the places they’ve been, and the background music swells with “I’ve been everywhere, man, I’ve been everywhere.”

Because I realize that I’ve been very lax in commenting on both the world around me, and what I’ve been up to that has made taking the time to post a tad cumbersome. So, here’s the first half of the year in a nutshell:

I’ve been to:

San Francisco to support Blonde Power,

Saugatuck for a baby shower,

Universal and Disney World,

Hutchinson Island, where winds swirled

St. Paul—I saw a show, there was snow!

Derby Days—I bet and won!

Seminar, well that was…fun?

Erik graduated, so we celebrated,

Higgins Lake from the sky,

New York--that Bobby, what a guy!

And lets see,

Went to Looptopia—had some fun, the world welcomed Addison,

I saw Kathleen Turner going mad, Michael York being had.

Romeo & Juliet—Opera and Ballet!

Had a Boat Parade,

Diavalo—what a Sight, Light Rain—tricks with light.

Well, that was all the fun. Plus there were long weeks of work, and my parents coming to visit, and being sick, and going to the bar with people I work with (more on those dynamics later), and seeing movies (more on those, too). So, yeah. That’s where I’ve been. I’ll get into some more details in future posts, and try to remember all the things that I’ve though and said and had A tell me “you need to blog about this” and me reply “yeah, I will” and then me promptly not.

But I'd Have to Buy a Car...

2007-07-13T09:15:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: Wonderful Silence
Random Thought: T-minus 1 week until Anne is here!
Mood: Great--see silence above. No one else is here on my end of the office.

For those who aren't aware, I'm looking for a condo to buy here in Chicago. Even though I'm not looking to buy until next year, I'm already sussing places out and getting a feel for what I can afford where, and what each neighborhood has to offer. And I am comforted to know that when I buy a 2bd/2ba condo with a balcony here in Chicago, I'll be paying what I would for a parking spot in NYC. $225,000 for an underground space just off of Union Square. And I'll get windows with my purchase.

Our Little Ann Arbor is Growing Up

2007-07-02T10:52:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: Rocket Man
Random Thought: Transformers--they're more than meets the eye.
Mood: TGI-a holiday week

So, there is a lot going on in Ann Arbor. Google’s moving in, skyboxes are right around the corner, and good ‘ol Steve and Barry’s is making national news by launching Sarah Jessica Parker’s clothing line. I can only hope she stipulated the fabric content and quality control, because let me tell you—there is a reason the shirts are $7, and it’s not just because our favorite university sportswear moguls are concerned about your bank account.

And while I haven’t been to A2 in a year, I’ve been keeping my eye on her, and boy is she getting some new additions—there’s that lovely* revamp of the stadium, an addition going onto the Museum, a theatre springing up between Pierpont and the ugly North Campus bell tower

And, making me jealous that these weren’t there when I attended, Village Green is starting construction on Ann Arbor City Apartments, located near Kerrytown, and having a footprint similar to the Grand Street Elevation of the Eitel Building.

And, as all new VG City Apartments do, it will house a coffee shop and restaurant on the ground floor, with the latter providing room service to residents. Man, I wish those had been there when I was there.

*Please read "lovely" as a blashpemous stain on the A2 landscape, trading in a classic stadium for a monstrosity of brick and luxury boxes that will not only cast shadow over the stadium, but slowly muscle out the true fans.

Once Upon a Time

2007-06-28T16:27:00.001-05:00

Background Noise: Falling Slowly
Random Thought: Take this sinking boat and point it home, we've still got time
Mood:Dude--Glen's got a band!

Please go see Once. Do it soon, and do it often. Very few movies move me the way this one did (and I see a lot—so take my word for it), and those are usually either foreign films or ones that you can never watch again. Once defies definition—sure, it’s a musical in the sense that the cast performs entire songs, and yes, it’s a love story in the fact that the leads have an obvious and engaging attraction for one another, and yes, it’s ones of those films focusing on down on their luck artists because they are obviously both down on their luck and artists.

But it is so much more than a defined genre, and the story is so much more powerful than I can aptly describe. To adequately feel the story, you need to first rush right out and see it, and then to rush right over and buy the soundtrack. In fact, if you can’t get to a theatre right this second, go give $10 to Itunes and listen to the music first. It is haunting and beautiful, and poetic and real. And once you see the film, you will listen to the songs in a whole new light.

So go see it. Support independent film that reminds us that we are feeling human beings, and the creative teams that struggle to bring these beautiful stories to the screen. And fall in love—with Glen and Marketa, with the music, with the idea of that once in a lifetime meeting with someone who stirs your soul.

Now, go!

Raul Rules, Robby was Robbed

2007-06-28T16:26:00.002-05:00

Background Noise: All the Way Down
Random Thought: I am so glad we saw this.
Mood: This closing in 2 days makes me want to cry.

So, for the umpteenth year in a row, the Tony’s have disappointed me in the musical category. I’ve been a fan of their dramatic picks—last year I also lauded the History Boys (and if you missed it, check out the DVD, it is also fab), and I can totally get behind Coast of Utopia’s strong run this year. I’ll even hazard to say that in the past they’ve done a good job of recognizing inspiring musical performances—though this is largely due to the fact that when they won, The Producers and Wicked were also phenoms of critical and audience praise. And I can say that Spring Awakening most likely deserved it’s nods this year.

But to celebrate David Hyde Pierce in Curtains, when Raul Esperaza gives the best male performance I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen Colm! Multiple times! In roles that were written for him!)? It’s utterly absurd. Now, I haven’t seen Curtains, as performed with this cast in this endeavor, but I can tell you that the story itself isn’t all that inspiring. It’s fun, there are instances where you’ll laugh. And I’m sure that DHP makes the most of his meek-but-neurotic-detective-who-really-wants-to-be-a-star role. And there lies the rub. Because he is always who you cast to be neurotic with a splash of the theatrical, in an over the top way. And Curtains is one of those shows like Rumors, or Grease—even done badly it can still be entertaining. There is a reason High Schools put them on.

Now, compare that to Raul’s utterly gut-wrenching performance of Robert in Company. Not only is he putting out there a character who is so real it hurts, he’s doing it in the confines of a show that for years people have deemed un-presentable because they couldn’t fathom reviving a Sondheim show that was so of its time that it’s essence was the company that all the characters worked for, and how would you ever relate the trials and tribulations of a top-down company to a generation that works from home and via web-conference? The amazingly simple answer? First, realize that Bobby is the essence of the show, not the co-mingling of the cast, and then cut out the company structure all together. Because without the work-place infrastructure, you can still have a fantastic show. Without a show-stopping Bobby, all you have is co-workers running amuck and some vague sexual tension. You just can't help staring at his charisma.

Raul not only ups that to full-blown sexuality (even when he is just leaning. Especially when he is just leaning), but he makes Bobby both wistful and jaded, bringing true humanism to a part that would be easy to render flat—playing the cad-about-town is so easy, playing the cad-who-is-really-desperate-for-love-but-is-also-wary-of-being-hurt-but-is-only-realizing-this-today is far more difficult. And if you didn’t watch him evolve Bobby in the 2-year span that we spend with him and think, damn, and get chills up your spine when he is belting out Being Alive, well, then you are either a robot or completely inept. And you've never seen the man lean.

That Has Got To Be The Best Pirate I've Ever Seen

2007-05-24T11:43:00.000-05:00

Background Noise:
Random Thought:Score one for it being the end of May already
Mood:But why's the rum gone?

Here's my excitement for the day--T-9 hours until I get to see Johnny Depp swashbuckle his way across the big screen in all his digital glory. Arrrr!

Tiara's for Everyone

2007-05-24T11:32:00.000-05:00

Background Noise:Hazy Shade of Winter
Random Thought:
Mood:Better than yesterday

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy 2nd Annual International Tiara day, and set minds to rest that yes, indeed I am wearing a tiara today. I got some funny looks in my elevator and on my walk to work, but I really don't care. Because no good Leo would let this chance pass her by.

It's Parody, People

2007-04-11T18:12:00.000-05:00

Background Noise:Live and Let Die
Random Thought:People are morons
Mood:Dude, there are 2 inches of snow on the ground and Don Imus is giving me brain freeze

I would love to make a comment on the now-famous Imus comment about the Rutgers women's basketball team, but thinking too much about the sheer-narrow minded, chauvanistic, racist (etc., ad nauseum, as he is a prime example of most derogatory -ist terms out there) makes me so mad that I literally shake with rage, which in turn makes it hard for me to type. What I would like to address, however, is the stupidity of people too dumb to understand when someone is pulling one over on them.

I speak of Steven Colbert. And I condem Slate, whom I usally think of as being pretty with it, for perpetuating the false idea that his sole purpose is to humiliate teh guests on his show. First, Hill Democrats were advised not to go on his show because he would make fun of them, and now Slate lumps his show together with Imus in the Morning and the comedy of Sasha "Ali G" Baron Cohen, which are in fact mediums in which Imus and Cohen seek to place their victims in the most humiliating and degrading situations possible.

The Colbert Report, to differenciate, is the spawn of the Daily Show, and unless youve been living under a rock since their "Indicision 2000" coverage won an Emmy, you know that it is a paragon of fake news--allowing the guests and clips that they air to tell their story--any humor or humiliation comes directly from what those people say. Colbert goes one step further and makes a paradoy of another bow-tie wearing talk-host. His character is so far right he's a charichiture of those that populate politics and media these days and spew only what they think should be right, regardless of fact or science, or any sort of back-up. His overly conservative host is there to pose the kind of ridiculous points and questins that other talking heads get away with. His actions are there to highlight the hipocrisy and poke fun at mainstream media. Seriously people, get a sense of irony.

This Is Why People Don't Respect New Jersey

2007-04-04T21:01:00.000-05:00

Background Noise:Bones
Random Thought:I don't even know her, and I don't like Liz from NJ
Mood:

Yeah, I Love Trenton in the Springtime
Chick #1: I can't wait to hang out next semester!
Chick #2: Oh, I won't be here.
Chick #1: Where are you going?
Chick #2: Dude, I'll be in Paris for spring semester.
Chick #1: What? Who from Jersey goes to Paris?
Chick #2: Hello, Liz from Jersey.
Chick #1: Dude, you're gonna miss Jersey so much!
Chick #2: I know.
Chick #1: Yeah, Paris is so lame. You so shouldn't go.

--Columbia University

If I Had $1,000,000 And Then Some

2007-04-04T19:05:00.000-05:00

Background Noise:Tequila Sunrise
Random Thought:If I were a socialite, I'd be much more socially conscious.
Mood:Vaguely disgusted

I'd never heard of Olivia Palermo until today. I'm distantly aware of the socialite culture of NYC, whereby overtly rich young women flaunt around their wealth in over-priced clothing and purses, spending their days attending premiers and events and other things hosted by other rich, aimless people. I recognize innoculous famous names like Lauder and Trump and Hilton. But there are apparently enough rich, aimless people out there to warrant not 1, but 2 websites devored to their activities. Socialite Rank and Park Avenue Peerage. Not even celebutant, gossip rags, but the kind of sites that these people surf to keep tabs on their social kin. It's like Debrett's Peerage for the new millenium.

A Tale of Two Charts

2007-04-04T18:41:00.000-05:00

Background Noise:Hey Jealousy
Random Thought:7767 songs isn't that many, right?
Mood:

Just to clarify, yes, both of the charts that I posted yesterday describe me. I answered all the questions on the personality test and it spit out INTJ, but wouldn't load to put on my blog. So I refreshed the site, and answered the questionaire again. This time I was an INFP. I can't imagine that I answered that many questions differently, so I can only assume that it came down to those 3 or 4 questions that I really thought about and wavered on. Obviously I wavered one way and then the other. It makes sense, both of those descriptions do fit me. But I think something else may fit me better, especially since I'm pretty sure I've taken a test that better describes me. So I hunted down a test that allows you to rank the statements from Very Inaccurate to Very Accurate, at Similar Minds and came up with what I think might be the true me--The ENFP, the Visionary.

Jung Type Descriptions

ENFP

outgoing, social, disorganized, easily talked into doing silly things, spontaneous, wild and crazy, acts without thinking, good at getting people to have fun, pleasure seeking, irresponsible, physically affectionate, risk taker, thrill seeker, likely to have or want a tattoo, adventurous, unprepared, attention seeking, hyperactive, irrational, loves crowds, rule breaker, prone to losing things, seductive, easily distracted, open, revealing, comfortable in unfamiliar situations, attracted to strange things, non punctual, likes to stand out, likes to try new things, fun seeker, unconventional, energetic, impulsive, empathetic, dangerous, loving, attachment prone, prone to fantasy

favored careers:
performer, actor, entertainer, songwriter, musician, filmmaker, comedian, radio broadcaster/dj, some job related to theater/drama, poet, music journalist, work in fashion industry, singer, movie producer, playwright, bartender, comic book author, work in television, dancer, artist, record store owner, model, freelance artist, teacher (art, drama, music), writer, painter, massage therapist, costume designer, choreographer, make up artist

Me, In a Bar-Chart.

2007-04-02T20:34:00.000-05:00

Background Noise:Florida vs. OSU
Random Thought:Hmm, I should be some sort of writer/filmmaker/artist/librarian? You don't say
Mood:

Percy

2007-03-21T09:12:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: Wisemen
Random Thought: How is it that Cingular/AT&T will be supplying us with the iPhone, but doesn't offer an internet option for macbook users?
Mood: I heart Percy

Everyone, I would like to introduce my new friend, Percy.

He is smart, and fast, and red. I am officially in love. Now if only I could locate an adapter so that I could use a Cingular laptop card with him, I'd be delirously happy.

What's In A Name?

2007-03-07T13:30:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Say Goodbye to Hollywood
Random Thought: Can I go home now?
Mood: Grr--an 8th Season of GG? What are they thinking?

In addition to being the anniversary of the Suez Canal Opening and the Monopoloy Game, it is also Learn What Your Name Means Day. I'm not kidding, Holidays on the Net told me so. So in honor of that, I give you me, ala my name.

Name: Barbara
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Exotic, Mysterious, Stranger
: Also French, Italian, Hungarian, German, Portuguese and Polish

Name: Barb
Origin: Latin
Meaning : Exotic, Mysterious, Stranger

BARBARA
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English, Italian, French, German, Polish, Hungarian, Slovene
Pronounced: BAHR-bahr-a (English), BAHR-bra (English), bahr-BAH-rah (Polish) [key]
Derived from Greek βαρβαρος (barbaros) meaning "foreign". According to legend Saint Barbara was a young woman killed by her father Dioscorus, who was then killed by a bolt of lightning. She is the patron of architects, geologists, stonemasons and artillerymen.

Picture Postcards from NYC

2007-02-15T12:48:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Goodnight Saigon
Random Thought: I love my new cute shoes, I wish they were here now!
Mood: Ancient VG Proverb: Cute boys in the office makes the day better

In a twist of fate that could only occur on Valentines Day, I stumbled upon this postcard yesterday at work while sorting through old contracts:

Rumor has is that Nathaniel, who sat in my cubicle 2 people prior to me, was an artsy-hipster kind of guy whom was going through a divorce (to someone who wasn't Lisa) in the summer of 2005. He was moving for some sort of mysterious reason, and there was something to do with the police. No one is really sure who Lisa is, but this postcard is proof-positive of her undying, mildly creepy (who uses the phrase 'my beautiful boy' other than mothers and delusional stalkers?) love for him. It was never postmarked, so it must have been either hand-delivered or included with something else. I'm thinking either

(A) She met him here in Chicago where the postcard was purchased and lives in NYC when not standing across the street from his apartment calling his phone and hanging up and threatening to tell his wife about the affair and precipitating his move--the police were involved to enforce a restraining order against Lisa;

(B) They fell in love here in Chicago, much to the dismay of their parents, who would have begrudgingly let them marry except that Nathaniel's ex-girlfriend told him that she was pregnant precipitating a hasty marriage between those two and private boarding school in NYC for Lisa. Their love was not to die, however, and Nathaniel divorced the non-pregnant wife (leading to the police's intervention with a restraining order against her), and flew to New York to be with Lisa where they are very much in love. You decide.

Wild Like Non-Domesticated, or Wild like Batshit-Crazy?

2007-02-14T16:07:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Curbside Prophet
Random Thought: Friday, are you here yet?
Mood: See above

My favorite used-book store sends out handy monthly guides to the best of the written word gracing their shelves, both used and overstocked. This may be partially why I like them so much. Also, because they profile books like this:

4. WILD DUCKS FLYING BACKWARD by Tom Robbins
(Bantam, trade paperback, $12)
One of my favorite phrases (among many favorites) from a Tom Robbins novel goes like this: ?Religion is not just the opiate of the masses, it is the cyanide.? Always sarcastic, funny, and fascinating - reading a Robbins novel is like taking a romp through the dictionary. This collection of essays, articles, and tributes lives up to the fiction. I especially enjoyed his ode to the Genius Waitress.

Amazon has this to say about the book, which might make me think, gee, what a great title, but wouldn't send me sprinting to the store shelves. Thank you AfterWords, for bringing this to my attention. It sounds like just the thing to thumb through whilst waiting for my plane.

All I Want Is Warmth

2007-02-05T10:56:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Piano Man
Random Thought: The temp when I got up was 9 below. Not the windchill, that was -22.
Mood:Cccccold

How is my morning, you may ask? Let's see...The Bears lost last night in an unspectacular exhibition of mediocrity from both Chicago and Indianapolis. I didn't win either football pool I was in. It's Monday, so it'll be a long day full of shit work. Our UK trip might be cut short. I'm still sick, thanks to the blizzard conditions that blanketed the west side of Michigan where I was over the weekend. And now I'm typing this with my gloves on because we don't have any heat here at work. That's right. It is 1 degree outside with a windchill of 20 below and we don't have any heat. And heaven forbid they send us home thanks to these inhospitable working conditions. Let's just say that our office is making scarves and hats with suits a new fashion statement. The only plus for the day is that I got my plane ticket to see my parents in Florida over St. Patty's day weekend. But that's kinda far away, and I'm shivering. I hope veryone else is having better mornings.

B-Ball Friday

2007-02-02T08:49:00.000-06:00

Background Noise:
Random Thought:
Mood:Feeling better, glad it's Friday

In honor of it being a winter Friday, let's show some love to High School Basketball.

Exhibit A: Tyler Newsom, he of extended Gilchrist/Newsom clan of Higgins Lake, whom I can say I knew when he was short (that was when he was 2, I think he was taller than me when he was 10).

Yeah, I know the pic is really
an ad for the Photographer,
but I really like it. (Tyler's #31)

Anyway, he's tearing up the court at Rochester Adams this year, and though I know some quality Grovites, I'm going to have to swing my cheering the way of the Highlanders tonight when they face off on the Adams homecourt. Check out the Observer to see the write-up on their latest victory where T netted 20 points, and MaxPreps, where you can watch those numbers grow (He leads in Rebounds, is 2nd in Scoring and Blocks, and 3rd for 3s). Forgive me, I don't have a real little brother to be proud of, so I'm doing what Higgins Lakers have done for years--stealing other peoples relatives and using them as their own.

Exhibit B: Belleville is 2nd in the Mega Red Conference, trailing Ypsilanti even though we've won one more game because we have one more loss than them. Go Tigers!

Stairway to Heaven

2007-02-01T12:56:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Stairway to Heaven
Random Thought:
Mood:

Over the weekend my beloved little Zeppelin departed this world, leaving behind fond memories and much love. And since I'm a self-affirmed crazy cat lady, you will all now be subjected to the Zeppi retrospective, spanning his short time with me.

In Memory of Zeppelin, May 1 2005-January 27 2007

Chasing 200

2007-02-01T10:37:00.000-06:00

Background Noise:
Random Thought:
Mood:

And getting there! Yes, it is true—I saw 200 movies in the year 2006 (up from 143 in 2005), and probably more than is healthy. But I derive immense pleasure from it, and there were only a handful that I absolutely detested. Plus, I try to be as varied as possible--I saw dramas, comedies, foreign films, documentaries, kids films, religious movies, action flicks and musicals. Plus a few unquantifiable films. And I enjoy the dubious honor of seeing 200 films in 365 days. So here they are—the best of the year, the most disappointing, and all things in between.

My Movies 2006

Top 10
Casino Royale
The Queen
The Departed
The Good Shepherd
Children of Men
The Prestige
Little Miss Sunshine
Brick
Munich
Inside Man

Best Documentary
An Inconvienent Truth

Best Musical
Prarie Home Companion

Best Foreign
Pan's Labryinth

Best Animated
Cars

Sheer Entertainment Value
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
The Holiday

Best Comedy
Accepted
Talladega Nights
Thank You For Smoking

Most Visually Stunning
Marie Antoinette
The Fountain

You Wish You Were Here Awards
Night at the Museum
Unaccompanied Minors

Freedom of Speech Awards
Shut Up and Sing
The US vs. John Lennon
This Film is Not Yet Rated

The Underbelly of America Awards
Little Children--Best Look at the façade of family since American Beauty.
The Matador--Best depiction of mid-life crisis.

Best Newcomers
Dreamgirls--Best Female Star Turn--Jennifer Hudson
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints--Best Male Star turn--Tatum Channing

Adaptation Awards
History Boys--Best adaptation of a stage show in years.
The Devil Wears Prada--Best movie better than the book.
DaVinci Code--Worst adaptation from a book.

Most Frightening
Jesus Camp

Random Awards
Babel--Best example of why we don't get along--we don't listen to each other.
V for Vendetta--Best film set in the future.
Last King of Scotland--Best Film showing about Africa
Imagine Me & You--Best Gay/Lesbian film.
CSA: Confederate States of America--Best history lesson.
The Good German--Best interpretation of a studio pic.
The Lake House--Best Movie with a nonsensical plot
Aurore--Best shameless use of ballet in film.
Trust The Man--Best trailer song (Wisemen by James Blunt).
Match Point--Best Woody Allen.
Half Nelson--Most honest film.
The Illusionist--Most Romantic film.
Transamerica--Proving that love is not always pretty, but always beautiful.

Most Disappointing
Scoop
Miami Vice
Running with Scissors
Man of the Year
Superman Returns
X-Men III:The Last Stand

What’s Another Word for Inept?

2007-02-01T09:53:00.000-06:00

Background Noise:
Random Thought:
Mood:

In the past six months I’ve been called things that I don’t think describe me. Not things that I just take exception to because I don’t like admitting it (I’m stubborn, tactless, and a bit harsh in my judgments—all true, and not all that appealing), but things that I think are both fundamentally untrue and misspoken. I think that the people who uttered these depictions didn’t have an understanding of what the word meant. And that ignorance annoys me more than being called names. In case you were wondering, I was described as narcissistic, vain, and unfeminine.

This is what those words truly mean:

Narcissistic: egotistic, egotistical, self-centered, self-loving, stuck-up, vainglorious

narcissistic
adjective
characteristic of those having an inflated idea of their own importance [syn: egotistic]

Vain: arrogant, big-headed, boastful, cocky, conceited, egocentric, haughty, high-and-mighty, inflated, ostentatious, overweening, proud, puffed up, self-important, swaggering, swollen-headed
vain
–adjective
1. excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc.; conceited: a vain dandy.
2. proceeding from or showing personal vanity: vain remarks.
3. ineffectual or unsuccessful; futile: a vain effort.
4. without real significance, value, or importance; baseless or worthless: vain pageantry; vain display.
5. Archaic. senseless or foolish.
—Idiom
6. in vain, a. without effect or avail; to no purpose: to apologize in vain.
b. in an improper or irreverent manner: to take God's name in vain.

Unfeminine: (Okay, so I couldn’t find a true definition for Unfeminine, but this is the definition of feminine, or apparently what I’m not): changeable, delicate, effeminate, effete, fair, feminine, gentle, girlish, girly, graceful, ladylike, maidenly, modest, pure, refined, reproductive, sensitive, she-stuff, shy, soft, tender, twisty, vixenish, womanish, womanlike

unfeminine
adjective
not suitable for a woman;

fem·i·nine
–adjective
1. pertaining to a woman or girl: feminine beauty; feminine dress.
2. having qualities traditionally ascribed to women, as sensitivity or gentleness.
3. effeminate; womanish: a man with a feminine walk.
4. belonging to the female sex; female: feminine staff members.
5. Grammar. noting or pertaining to that one of the three genders of Latin, Greek, German, etc., or one of the two genders of French, Spanish, Hebrew, etc., having among its members most nouns referring to females, as well as other nouns, as Latin stella “star,” or German Zeit “time.”
–noun Grammar.
6. the feminine gender.
7. a noun or other element in or marking that gender.

Now, maybe I just have an inflated view of myself, but I don't think that I am any of these things. Maybe I am and I just don't know it, in which case we can add oblivious to my general make-up.

BYOB Always Makes The Holidays Brighter

2007-02-01T09:12:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Open All Night
Random Thought: Is it Friday yet?
Mood:

Especially when you can bring your own booze to see the Nutcracker on Horseback! How exciting is that? You bring your own cocktails to the Nobel Horse Theatre, where they serve you a simple but tasty meal (chicken or vegetarian pasta) while you enjoy a 90-minute production of the Nutcracker. And while Clara doesn’t dance per se in this version, which usually spells disaster for the performance, you can forgive her because she is galavanting around the ring and “dancing” with the horses. Plus, instead of dancers showcasing the dances of their countries in dreamland, equestrian riders showcase feats of daring do and delight—none more so than the Cossak riders who bound around the horses without fear of hoof or gravity. Plus, the performers are pretty tounge-in-cheek, so the whole thing is highly entertaining. Even my dad liked it, and he had long ago foresworn to avoid the Nutcracker like the plague. You'll see better photos on the webpage, because the lighting in the theatre didn't lend itself well to photography. But you'll get the idea.

The Nutcracker and Sugar Plum Fairy in the
Thanksgiving Day Parade

Clara being wowed by Uncle Drosselmeyer
and his horse

The Nutcracker and Clara dancing

Death of the Nutcracker

Even more exciting is that the Nobel Horse Theatre presents various shows throughout the year—a Quadrille in the spring, the story of Camelot in the summer, and the Legend of Sleepy Hollow in the fall. I can hardly wait to see what they’ve got cooked up for those. Plus, at only $46, you get a night of entertainment and good food. Really, what is better than that?

Staying Put

2007-02-01T08:30:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Goodbye My Lover
Random Thought: I need to cough, but doing so will make it feel as though I'm slowly sloughing off the lining of my esophagus
Mood: Still sick and sad

I’m still getting used to being in the same apartment again this year. I’ve moved pretty steadily ever since I vacated Willowtree in 2002—I’ve moved six times since then, and have lived in a constant state of partial unpacking during that time. It’s nice to not be packing, and in fact be able to purchase things on the assumption that I know I’ll have somewhere to put it. Plus, it means my apartment seems really homey to me. I’m sure other people think it’s a little cluttered, maybe too full for the space, but I like stuff, especially my stuff, and it is nice to know that I have shelves to put it on, and bookcases to fill up, and cupboards and closets to conceal it in during the off season. Plus, it meant I was able to really decorate for Christmas, because not only did I have the room for 2 trees, but I had room to store the ornaments and lights and tree-skirts to go with them. So belatedly, Christmas pics:

Where Did You Go, 2006?

2007-01-30T15:15:00.000-06:00

Background Noise:
Random Thought:
Mood:

Not only is 2006 done and gone, it seems that it slid out of our conciousness with nary a fanfare.

As I march valiantly into a new year, I like to look back at the year that was. I like to review the top stories, the best in entertainment, and the pictures that will forever cement a moment in time. Usually, I have multiple accomplices in this endeavor—magazines track the people, places, and scandals of the year. Music channels countdown the top songs and videos, ESPN shows me the best plays. And I’m feeling a little high and dry this year. TIME copped out with ‘you’ being the person of the year, only People and EW came forth to announce any sort of quality the Best of 2006 lists, and between the 8 or so versions of MTV and VH1, I saw not a single countdown of 2006.

Is it that they are trying to move past the year and look into the future? Is it not as interesting? Perhaps they also feel that the year zipped by so fast that it can’t possibly be a new one already. Whatever the case, I’m sad to see 2006 go without the fanfare of years past. I distinctly remember being in Florida for Christmastime and picking up 5 or 6 Year End magazine issues, and seeing the Top 100 songs of the Year start airing at noon. And this year I had to hunt for two measly magazines and watch the top 100 songs of the 80s (luckily #1 was Bon Jovi, so I’m slightly appeased).

In the spirit of the New Year, here’s hoping that 2007 brings us enough excitement, entertainment, and exultation to warrant a better send off in 12 months.

On Fire

2007-01-30T15:10:00.000-06:00

Background Noise:
Random Thought:
Mood:

So I realize that Anne came out here a good month ago. But I was boycotting posting until I got a new layout, which apparently requires that I fly across the country. But the dining experience we had was so fab that it doesn't matter. You know it’s a good night when you breeze through two bottles of wine, a martini, and a Bailey’s nightcap. Especially when most of it comes with fantastic food at Wildfire, the new hotspot (forgive the pun) in Chicago.

It has the ambiance of a arts and crafts lodge mixed with 40s Hollywood glamour. A martini bar and cheeky black and white photographs greet you as you enter the restraunt. With dark woods, an open fireplace, and soaring ceiling, Wildfire is the right mix of cozy and airy. And the menu manages to upstage it all. A whole host of martinis, flights of wine, and a signature Goose Island wheat ale tempt your alcoholic side, and the appetizers streaming by will whet your appetite. We ran through the spinach and artichoke fondue, the baked goat cheese, bacon-wrapped scallops and huge mugs of sweet, cheesy French onion soup. Sadly, we couldn’t fit dessert in, and maple-pecan pie didn’t fit in our pockets. That’s why there’s next time!

The Cheating Game

2007-01-30T15:09:00.001-06:00

Background Noise:
Random Thought:
Mood:

You’ve heard me rant about this before, but I’ll do so again because I have such strong opinions on it, and frankly this is my space. If you don’t like it, don’t read it. But to my story. A coworker of mine recently found out that her boyfriend of 4 years has been cheating on her with a 35-year-old (he is 26) woman in Iron Mountain, MI. The woman also has a 9-year-old daughter. This is confounding for a few reasons, but I’ll stick to the morality of the issue, because he is free to be attracted to a person that I can’t see the attraction of.

So here’s the thing—not only has he been cheating for 4 months, but also this behavior has been encouraged by his cousin (who also lives in Iron Mtn., and is the conduit through which they met), and known to the woman. This raises two big red flags in my mind—namely what kind of person knowingly continues to date someone when they know that that person is in a serious relationship, and what kind of person encourages another to cheat? That kind of behavior is something that I can’t condone—it can in fact be a friendship breaker. If you find yourself attracted to someone else while in a relationship, then you need to stop and I=figure out why. Then you either need to fix it, or end it. If you want to be with someone else, then have the decency to end the relationship that you are in first. And if you find yourself with someone who is in a relationship, then have the self-respect to demand that they end it with the other person. Because you deserve better than someone with such weak character as a cheater.

I Heart HUD

2007-01-30T15:07:00.001-06:00

Background Noise:
Random Thought:
Mood: Depressed and sick

My apartment is governed by HUD. It isn’t subsidized in the way that public housing is (vouchers, tax credits), but is set up so that for each style of apartment you have to be at a certain income level, and you pay rent based on what you make. Basically, it means that I have to fill out twice the amount of paperwork to renew my lease and give multiple forms of proof that I’m not an unemployed bum. The bonus is, that since the building and its finances are accountable to HUD, the government enforces a lot of laws that most apartment buildings do not. Like giving me the interest that my security deposit made. When you leave a security deposit with your landlord, they are supposed to put in the bank until it is needed, or until they refund it to you because you were a good tenant and didn’t punch holes in the walls. You are also entitled to any interest that your deposit makes in that time. Most people don’t know this, and either the landlord pockets the money or keeps the security interest to him or herself. Luckily, I have HUD on my side making sure that I have to pay $16.78 less than my actually rent this month, thanks to interest. I heart HUD.

The Best Marketing Souls Can Buy

2006-11-14T11:44:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Work piling up--it's loud
Random Thought: When did it become mid-November?
Mood: Going slowly crazy (See above, and above)

We all know that the world's oldest profession is one of loose legs and palms crossed with silver. But the oldest, least publicised marketing effort has taken center stage this year. Religion is nothing without followers, and the church is making a concerted effort to get you through the door. In times past, the threat of eternal damnation, plagues, and being ostricized from your town was enough to get people to hand over their cash and step into the light. But in a time of cynics and those pesky people who think that the idea of separation of Church and State actually means something more than words on paper, Jesus has to think big--and his marketing team is the best there is. They're getting 'em young--go see Jesus Camp for some of the most brainwashed kids I've seen since Children of the Corn, and they're keeping them through a marktet-savvy mix of razzle-dazzle and fuzzy logic. Is your teen ambivilent about going with God? Send them though the Haunted House, Jesus-style, where in scene one you see two men getting married, and in scene two you see them in the hospital dying of AIDS. Nice. I can only imagine what they act out for abortion. Then, when the whole family is with it, take them to the best amusement park around, The Holy Land Experience--see the Lord nailed to a cross every half hour while you much on funnel cake. Does it get any more fun that that?

Let It Snow

2006-10-12T11:44:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: Let Love In
Random Thought: It's only October people!
Mood:

It snowed here today. Snowed. On October 12, at 9 in the morning. I have a wind chill of 26 right now. Snow, people. So now my internal clock is all awack. When I see big fluffy flakes coming down, I want to be bundled up at home, listening to holiday music and baking cookies, looking at pretty twinkle lights and snowmen decorations. Not still contemplating what to dress up as for Halloween. Brrr. And now it’s snowing again.

Sound Imagery

2006-10-07T21:10:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: Shameless
Random Thought: Is sound to sight what smell is to taste? And does that make touch more or less important?
Mood: Memory Lane...

The bygone era of the mix-tape has me thinking. I read this article detailing some of the most memorable songs from movie-imagery. Most, I agree with whole-heartedly. Especially the Office Space reference. And the also-referenced 3rd Date Test is equally halarious. But I have to say that nowday's it is the music in trailers that really make me remember a film--I can't listen to The Blowers Daughter without picturing Closer (how many people had actually heard of Damien Rice prior to that?), and James Blunt's Wisemen makes me think inescapably of Billy Crudup and the trailer for Trust the Man. Of course, certain songs remind me of scenes from TV shows, scenes from movies, and commercials.

Now, I know that our sense of taste is actually influenced by our sense of smell, because we can only taste 5 different tastes, but we can smell millions. Is it the same way with sound? Have marketers figured this out and cashed in on our ability to relate a popular strain of music with a film and rush out to the theatre to buy a ticket? Is it simply a new excellent way for small bands to get noticed by landing on the soundtrack to a quirky flick (again, how many had really heard of the Shins before they got themselves on the Garden State soundtrack?). And I'm loving rediscovering Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd thanks to The Departed. Maybe it's just that the same people making films and episoded that I like are making music choices that I like. Whatever the case, I'm realising that I'm going to need to kncok over Fort Knox to cover all of the i-tunes albums I want to buy.

Stranger than Fiction

2006-10-07T20:49:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: Push
Random Thought: How good of a day is it to be a sports fan in the state of Michigan?
Mood: Happy Birthday Anne!

Greeting all, from the middle of entertainment central. First off, huge congrats to the Michigan Football team, who continued the Spartan's downward spiral in spectacular fashion, with Mike Hart rushing for more yards than MSU combined.

and the Detroit Tigers, who ousted those pesky pin-stippers and emobodied the joy of the game when they came back onto the field to spray the fans, and even cop with champagne.

Additionally, I saw The Departed, which was amazing. Tight performances across the board, and not only do I love Matt Damon more than I did (a pretty tough feat), but I adored Leonardo DiCaprio. This comes as a bit of a suprise to me, because I'm of that small group that hated Titanic, and thought that The Aviator was a pile of shiny crap. But let me just say, not only did I root for him to kick Matt's ass, but that he was sexy as hell in all of his tourtured-but-maybe-doing-the-right-thing-but-maybe-throwing-his-life-away glory. And we all know I can't pass up a bad-boy with issues!

And, for those of you interested in celebs, there were some to be had at the gala premier of Stranger than Fiction, which opened the Chicago International Film Fest this past Thursday. Will Ferrell was hilarious, and Dustin Hoffman seemed genuinely moved by the fans of cinema as he accepted the lifetime acheivement award prior to the screening.

Keep your eye's peeled for updates on the rest of the fest, and the best of the rest.

There's no people like show people.

2006-09-10T17:51:00.000-05:00

Background Noise:Bears beating Green Bay
Random Thought:Where have all the great musicals gone?
Mood:I think I need a dose of Baz

In checking out reviews of this weekends abysmal movie offerings, I stumbled across this gem of a Musical review. Perhaps love song to Moulin Rouge would be most appropriate a title. It isn't finished yet, despite clicking through 6 pages of retrospection, but this is a fantasic ode to musicals as they could be is worth the long read and the wait for the next installments. I've included some of my favorite clips, but click on the title to read the whole thing.

An Object of My Obsession: Moulin Rouge!

So I think all movies should open like Moulin Rouge! does, with those red glittery curtains parting, give or take the dancing conductor. Certainly more movies should begin with the title card "A Bazmark Production." To date there have been only three and that ain't enough. Baz Luhrmann needs to quit all activities unrelated to movie making. No more Broadway experiments, no more vacations, no talking to friends on the phone. No eating or sleeping until I get another one! I'm dying here. The only other filmmaker who gets as big of a kick from dancing nutjobs and red curtains is David Lynch. And he doesn't make enough movies either.

"There was a boy..." The boy in question is Ewan McGregor as Christian. Right away I love him because he's a) Ewan b) in Paris c) a writer and d) crying --and I love the sensitive artist types.

Drop everything people, Nicole Kidman is about to become legendary. You won't want to miss this.

This "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend / Material Girl" medley that Nicole Kidman performs here risks a lot. Baz Luhrmann is shoving two colossal icons of 20th century pop culture (Marilyn Monroe and Madonna) into your consciousness and then asking you to dismiss them: Fall madly in love with this woman, this squealing redhead instead.

Zidler and Satine's habitual and desperate refusal to acknowledge real emotions is about to be challenged. Christian's wide-open heart and emotional clarity will soon drive a permanent wedge between them.

The Moulin Rouge place is apparently too bawdy for 12 year-olds. This film probably would've hit the PG-13 even without Kidman's nipple slips or the dick jokes. It is a musical after all and therefore kinda... well, you know, gay. And we all know how the MPAA feels about that.

If you weren't feeling the sudden kindled love from these two expressive actors, you would probably find this scene to be the silliest of all romantic movie moments. OK, OK. You still do because it is. But here's the magic of the film: instead of dismissing it you decide that silly is the best adjective that was ever made up to illustrate the giddiest feeling you could ever feel.

Kill me now. Give me cinemascope or give me death. Rectangles trump squares every time.

I marvel and gawk and giggle at Jim Broadbent's performance in this movie every time. Like Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow in the original Pirates of the Caribbean this is a fearlessly creative comic triumph. One thing that connects the two in my mind is that both performances are entirely committed to their own lunacy.

The Moulin Rouge! sets were destroyed rather than preserved to make immediate room for a George Lucas Star Wars travesty that was about to start shooting and needed the same lot. I don't remember which film but it's mighty depressing. This Oscar-winning set means more to the cinema. It should have been preserved in some way. It would have made an amazing touring exhibit or perhaps it could have been given a permanent home in Australia. In my fantasy it would become a mecca for movie musical nuts like myself. Children of the revolution who believe in truth, beauty, freedom, and love (love above all things!) could travel to see it from all around the world. They'd sing their own love medley upon their arrival...

I hate George Lucas.

Open Letter to Readers

2006-09-05T15:05:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: Where Do We Go From Here? (Once More With Feeling)
Random Thought: Where do we go from here? Where do we go from here? The battle's done, and we kind of won, so we sound our victory cheer. Where do we go from here? Why is the path unclear? When we know home is near. Understand we'll go hand in hand, but we'll walk alone in fear.
Mood: Disenchanted

Open Letter to Readers

It has come to my attention that more people than I thought have stumbled across my corner of cyberspace. I’m not sure how I got so popular that I’m reachable by googling, but some things just boggle the mind. If you’ve ended up here, I can only guess as to how, since I only gave the site name to two people. Perhaps it is serendipity, maybe it’s blind luck. In the case of some people, I think it’s a little bit of snooping.

Anyway, however you got here, I hope you view my musings as I do—a journal-like exercise that has always been meant as more of a venting station for me than a public discourse for the masses. Not that I’ve gone out of my way to discourage the nature of public domain, because I’ve never written anything to be unfit for public consumption. It has been pointed out to me, unfortunately, that if you sit down to read a year and a half of posts all at once that you might get the impression that I like no one, and ride an arrogant high horse about. Truly, that was never meant to be the case. Proxy has always been a place that I can let my thoughts flow, no matter how impassioned or fanciful. A place that I can transverse, looking to see how I’ve changed in the passing of time, and do a self-evaluation of that.

Certainly, there are links to follow and opinions to be had, but it is my blog, so I feel entitled to my own opinions. If they’ve come across as mean-spirited in the past, please believe that they were never meant that way. Think of all the times you rant about something bothering you and imagine if you could hear those vocalizations back all at the same time—it would be pretty jarring, would it not? The same is true of this site. I also think that much of impression is in the perspective, because when I read this blog in it’s entirety, I see a portrait of someone struggling with her own demons and trying to learn and grow into a better person. Some of that progress isn’t pretty, and much of it is depressing and solemn.

But I digress, this is supposed to be answering the outside reader, who may or may not be offended by the characterizations contained within. In the end, I’m not sure what to say. I don’t apologize for what has been written, because if I wrote it, obviously that is what I felt at the time. Simply know that whatever slighted you may feel at the depiction of yourself, it was not intended to be an attack or harsh. It was meant to give me somewhere to vent so that my own annoyances would not affect our friendships. I cannot guarantee that I will never offend anyone again. But it will not, nor has ever been, intentionally.

I hope this gives you pause before you judge what I’ve written. Maybe it will give you peace of mind. Maybe it will give you neither. And in the end, that isn’t my goal. My goal is to have a place to put forth my thoughts, hopes, trials and tribulations. In that regard, I believe that I have succeeded.

Seasons of Change

2006-09-05T14:59:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: Shoving Monday into Tuesday and still coming up Tuesday
Random Thought: We need more long weekends
Mood: Tired

I’ve found something new that I love about Chicago—the city breathes with the changing of the seasons. All summer long I had this odd sense that when I was walking downtown that I was in a summer resort town. Then I realized that I was. The streets were bustling with the boat people and beach-goers, and all those that can spend a lazy summer day trolling the city. Sure, there were tourists, but even they reminded me of resorters in that many of them were just as interested in seeing the water as the Sears tower. Plus, anytime there are trolleys, I think beach town.

Then, over the weekend the entire feeling of the city changed. All of a sudden, it’s full of college culture. I saw roommates picking up things at TJ Maxx, and Crate & Barrel. There were more people armed with highlighters and think books at ‘Bucks, and there was that feeling in the air of new friends being made at open-air bars and bookstores. And all I could think of was—this reminds me of Ann Arbor. There was football on TV, and a chill in the air, and a general feeling of excitement all around.

This, more so than anything else about the city, excites me. I’m looking forward to the city changing with the seasons (which I’m also really excited to have). I love the laid back nature of summer, but I think I’m really going to enjoy the fall. Not only is it permissible to wear jeans and a hooded sweatshirt around, they expect you to show your colors. The bars are offering deals on football Saturday, and the bookstores are overflowing with people excited to learn. Coffee shops brim with people struggling to make sense of a particularly difficult assignment. Even the street markets seem to embrace the change—rich red peppers vie for table space with warm autumn flowers and apple cider.

I love that the city encompasses all the places that I love—Ann Arbor, Higgins Lake, New York City—and wraps them up in vibrancy and comfort all at the same time. Maybe it seems like a contradiction, and maybe it is. But it works for Chicago. And Chicago works for me.

Illusions of Granduer

2006-09-01T22:31:00.000-05:00

Background Noise:Wisemen, James Blunt
Random Thought:Perhaps neither entertaiment nor enlightment is nobeler--could the most successful blend them into one?
Mood: Fire Up! It's Saturday (in an hour and a half, but still)

I've now seen The Illusionist twice, and believe I will see it many more, before I buy it. In my quest, I implore you to see it. It is one of my top ten of the year so far, meaning it is better than 90 others (yes, I've seen 100 films in theatres this year). I wish that I could do the story justice, but it is somehow utterly believable and just barely tangible--like a cloud on a mountain top that you admire continually as you get closer until you suddenly realize that you can't see it anymore because you are in it. Anyway, instead I've decided to refer you to Daniel Carlson's review, which I agreed with 99.9% (I don't think that there needed to be timecards--the story is timeless, like a fable or a epic set to lyre).

First, the most succint feeling of the film:

The heart of the film isn’t the love story, or it isn’t just that. It’s about the gray area between the willful suspension of disbelief and the reluctant acceptance of something that defies the laws of nature.

Read the review here.

In-Vince-able

2006-09-01T22:17:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: Sweet, sweet sound of a three-day weekend
Random Thought: Football season is love
Mood: Glad that the week that would not end has ended

So I totally blame Vince Young and his damn Rose Bowl-winning, BSC Champion ass for shuttling us down to #2. I like to think that this show's a good indication of levels of pride in your team that you would fork over large amounts of cash for licensed goods. Ergo, the BCS win skewed the polls toward Texas. Anyway, looks like no one is proud to be a Buckeye.

For Immediate Release

Contact Derek Hughes
The Collegiate Licensing Company
(770) 799-3245 or dhughes@clc.com

The Collegiate Licensing Company Names Top Selling Universities and Manufacturers
The University of Texas at Austin, Nike USA Inc., EA Sports and J & W Interests Lead Year-End Rankings

ATLANTA, Ga., (August 24, 2006) - The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) is pleased to announce its top-selling institutions and manufacturers for fiscal year-end 2005-2006. These rankings represent royalties reported July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006 on all collegiate merchandise sold.

Notes of interest:
·The University of Texas at Austin made collegiate licensing history in 2006 by generating the most royalties ever by a college or university. Last year, UT was ranked third in the final year-end tally.
·This marks the first year the University of Texas at Austin has been ranked #1 in the colleges and universities category – a spot previously held by the University of North Carolina. UNC held the #1 ranking for five consecutive years, prior to UT notching its place as the top selling Consortium institution.
·New Consortium member, Oregon State University, debuted in the top-75 ranked 44th. While Consortium veteran, Boise State University cracked the top-50 for the first time at 49th.
·Nike USA Inc. has occupied the top spot amongst collegiate apparel licensees since 1999.
·EA Sports has maintained its #1 status in non-apparel products since 2003.

Top-75 Universities
(1.) The University of Texas at Austin (2.) The University of Michigan (3.) University of Notre Dame (4.) University of Georgia (5.) University of North Carolina (6.) The University of Florida (7.) University of Oklahoma (8.) University of Tennessee at Knoxville (9.) The University of Alabama (10.) The Pennsylvania State University (11.) Florida State University (12.) Louisiana State University (13.) Auburn University (14.) University of Kentucky (15.) University of Wisconsin (16.) University of Miami (17.) University of Illinois (18.) University of Nebraska (19.) University of Arkansas Fayetteville (20.) University of South Carolina (21.) Oklahoma State University (22.) University of Kansas (23.) Duke University (24.) Clemson University (25.) University of Maryland (26.) The University of Arizona (27.) Purdue University (28.) Texas Tech University (29.) The University of Virginia (30.) Kansas State University (31.) University of Missouri (32.) University of Louisville (33.) Syracuse University (34.) University of Washington (35.) Georgia Institute of Technology (36.) University of Connecticut (37.) University of Pittsburgh (38.) Washington State University (39.) University of Mississippi (40.) University of Colorado (41.) Stanford University (42.) University of Cincinnati (43.) U.S. Military Academy (44.) Oregon State University (45.) University of Utah (46.) The University of Montana (47.) Brigham Young University (48.) Marshall University (49.) Boise State University (50.) Gonzaga University (51.) United States Air Force Academy (52.) Colorado State University (53.) Northwestern University (54.) Georgetown University (55.) Fresno State University (56.) Boston College (57.) University of New Mexico (58.) Villanova University (59.) Baylor University (60.) The University of Wyoming (61.) University of Texas El Paso (62.) East Carolina University (63.) University of Houston (64.) University of Memphis (65.) University of South Florida (66.) University of Delaware (67.) Texas State University - San Marcos (68.) University of Central Florida (69.) Marquette University (70.) Texas Christian University (71.) Southern Illinois University (72.) Tulane University (73.) George Mason University (74.) James Madison University (75.) University of Nevada

Top-25 Non-Apparel Licensees
(1.) EA Sports (2.) Wilson Sporting Goods (3.) Commemorative Brands, Inc. (4.) Take 2 Interactive (5.) Danbury Mint (6.) Logo, Inc. (7.) Herff Jones Inc. (8.) The Northwest Company (9.) Jostens Inc. (10.) 989 Sports (11.) Fossil (12.) Wincraft Inc. (13.) Renaissance Imports (14.) Fabrique Innovations Inc. (15.) North Pole LLC (16.) Jenkins Enterprises (17.) K2 Licensing & Promotions Inc. (18.) Framing Success (19.) Rico Industries/Tag Express (20.) Baden Sports Inc. (21.) Hunter Mfg. Group (22.) John H. Harland Co. (23.) Triple T Trading (24.) Datrek Miller International (25.) Sports Coverage Inc.

Top-25 Apparel Licensees
(1.) Nike USA, Inc. (2.) Knights Apparel Inc. (3.) 4004 Incorporated (4.) Top of the World (5.) Champion Custom Products (6.) Zephyr Graf-X (7.) Team Edition Apparel, Inc. (8.) Russell Corporation (9.) JanSport Inc. (10.) Twins Enterprise Inc. (11.) VF Imagewear Inc. (12.) Mighty-Mac (13.) Gear For Sports (14.) Outerstuff LTD (15.) Colosseum Athletics Corp. (16.) J America (17.) Next, Inc. dba NCC Apparel (18.) adidas Team (19.) Outdoor Cap Company Inc. (20.) T-Shirt International Inc. (21.) The Cotton Exchange (22.) College Concepts LLC (23.) MJ Soffe (24.) Antigua Group Inc. (25.) The Game

Top-25 Local Licensees
(1.) J & W Interests Inc. (2.) Hands on Originals (3.) Dixie Pride dba Bama Fever & Tiger Pride (4.) Outhouse Designs (5.) Garnet & Gold Inc. (6.) Collegiate Pride/ PA (7.) Houndstooth Clothing Co. (8.) U-Name It (9.) Austin Screen Printing (10.) Landmark Graphics (11.) Goldden Corp. (12.) P.A.M.P./P.A. McCool Print (13.) Tiger Rags (14.) Gold Country Inc. (15.) Nittany Embroidery & Digitizing Inc. (16.) Husky Wear LLC (17.) Reno Tahoe Specialty Inc. (18.) Great Plains Coca Cola Bottling Co. (19.) University Co-Operative Society (20.) A-Game Apparel (21.) Bayou Apparel (22.) Lloyd Sales Co. (23.) Moyer Jewelers Inc. (24.) Wild West Shirt Co. (25.) Ink Sport Inc./MS

About The Collegiate Licensing Company:
The Collegiate Licensing Company is the oldest and largest collegiate licensing agency in the nation. CLC currently represents more than 200 colleges, universities, bowl games, athletic conferences, The Heisman Trophy, and the NCAA (including the Men's and Women's Final Four, the College World Series, and all NCAA Championships). Headquartered in Atlanta, CLC is a full-service licensing representative, which employs a staff of more than 80 licensing professionals who provide full-service capabilities in brand protection, brand management, and brand development.

Football is here again

2006-09-01T15:53:00.000-05:00

Background Noise:
Random Thought:
Mood:

So I'm loving that it is football season, and that the Red Eye Chicago has fantastic commentary on the state of the sport. Plus, it's an offshoot of the Chicago Tribune, and it's free.

Check out the football-themed Five on Five for hilarity over random things, like what to get Baby Leinart and why we should sell the Eastern Seaborad back to England.

And as their Football rivalries article, from the Atlanta Journal article, states:

——————————
MIDWEST: MICHIGAN-OHIO STATE

Legend has it that the late Woody Hayes — on his way back from a recruiting trip in Michigan and running low on gas as he approached the Ohio state line — ordered his driver not to stop to fuel up on the Michigan side. He didn't want to give a Wolverine a stinkin' cent of his money.
That's how much these two adore one another.

Picture the Yankees and Red Sox playing once a year in a park three times a big as Fenway with a title on the line, and you have the granddaddy of all Big Ten rivalries.
"It's hands down the biggest rivalry in sports," said All-Pro NFL guard and ex-Wolverine Steve Hutchinson.

The Buckeyes have gotten the best of the border war in recent years, going 4-1 vs. Michigan under Jim Tressel, including a 25-21 win last fall that clinched Ohio State a share of the Big Ten title.

— Jeff D'Alessio

Take that, Michigan
Michael Adams, president, University of Georgia:
"When any school chooses corn [maize] for a color, that just about says it all. Contrast that with the royalty of scarlet and gray, which almost matches red and black with its beautiful contrasts, and you have the picture: class versus corn."

Mike Bettes, host, The Weather Channel:
"I would never live in Michigan. It's the only state where you can put more miles on your snowblower than your car."

Take that, Ohio State
Rich Eisen, host, NFL Network:
"The thing I hate about Ohio State the most is how every single one of their players refers to the school as the Ohio State University. Puh-leeze. As if we're going to get it confused with another Ohio State University. No doubt, with their level of education far below that of Michigan's, half the Buckeyes spell the word the way they're pronouncing it: T-H-E-E."

Billy Jaffe, radio voice of Thrashers:
"I have absolutely no problem with Ohio State. It has a beautiful campus, and for a junior college it really has great academics."

Nightfalls in Tears

2006-08-03T21:21:00.000-05:00

Background Noise:You Know You're Right
Random Thought: I love 70 degree weather
Mood: Tired, I think

I just read a story that made me weep. It is heartwrenching and beautiful and truthful. It is a story that relates nothing at all to my life and at the same time speaks such honest emotion that I relate to it entirely. And it's fanfiction.

Yup, you read that right. Nightfall is a work of fanfiction. But honestly, the only fanfic-y ness of it is that the characters are not original and there are some throw away backstory lines that connect it to fandom. Honestly, they could change every name and idetifying characteristic and would still cry. So get over the bias and read something touchingly romantic.

View From The Top

2006-07-25T08:06:00.000-05:00

Background Noise:The Ching-Ching of 15 hours of OT
Random Thought: Tuesday? It's only fucking Tuesday?
Mood:See above

In my cranky-ass mood, I've decided to imporve my outlook by posting a few pics of what my apartment outlook is--here's the view from my balcony last Saturday. Not only does it make me smile, it makes others weep with jealousy, ergo improving my mood. Two birds, see one stone.

:: Warning, Warning, Guest Author Beginning::

So, Barb wants her pretty pictures? Then i guess she better get 'em:

Click to see the full resolution glory.

Since the Guest Author now has to get back to her work hell (how the *#$! is it Tuesday and not, oh, Thursday?!), i'm signing off now.

:: End Guest Author::

Do the Fates Align for Thee?

2006-07-14T10:25:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: Back In Black
Random Thought: If our London trip smiled upon by the PTBs?
Mood:Barely reigned in excitement

Perhaps you are aware that Anne and I are planning an excursion to the other side of the pond next year. We've been hoping to do this for years, but things never worked out. There were work conflicts, miserly savings, unexpected expenses, and that elusive idea of time.

However, we got serious a few weeks ago about pre-planning this trip (hey, I planned our 2002 trip in advance and it worked out fairly well) and said we should go in 2007. Then we heard rumor that the final Harry Potter book would be hitting the shelves in summer of '07 and gasped with excitement that we could read HP7 whilst riding the train north towards Scotland. English Countyside, London Theatre, and Harry. What more could we ask for?

Book 7. 07/07/07

I can see it now: the biggest marketing campaign in the history of publishing, with one very short, very simple, very effective message: Book 7. 07/07/07. Woe betide the marketing departments at Bloomsbury and Scholastic if they don't clinch what's obviously the most perfect storm of circumstance, desire, product and marketing the world may ever know.

But wait, there is rumor that Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix film will be released on 7/13/06. That date is pretty set in stone, so either way we'll enjoy Harry in the UK. But nothing would please us more than to be able to step off a plane on the 6th of July and head toward a bookshop before trekking north on Saturday with those books hot in our hands, only to return to London on the 10th to enjoy some art and culture before attending a showing of HP at the local cinema. We could enjoy England in warm weather, with a real hotel (do real hotels supply hot Austrians?) and more pin money. If we left on the 15th, we'd be back in Chicago by 6 pm on that Sunday.

Please, Bloomsbury, see the stars align for a 07/07/07 release date.

I see Magical People

2006-07-14T10:03:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: One Way Street
Random Thought: Could it be?
Mood:HP-happy

Is the world ready for M. Night Shyamalan to lead us down the dark and misty path of the supernatural...Oh, wait. That actually makes a bit of sense.

Shyamalan Further Explains Directing a Potter Film

Last week, M. Night Shyamalan told ComingSoon.net that he has put some thought into directing either of the final two Potter films. Today, our friend Melissa from Leaky has informed us that she's conducted an interview with Shyamalan which will be released this Sunday on their Potter podcast, PotterCast.In a preview posted on their site, the director states he would offer the "greatest protection" on the author's work. From the report:"The themes that run through it...the empowering of children, a positive outlook...you name it, it falls in line with my beliefs," he said. "I enjoy the humor in it. When I read the first Harry Potter and was thinking about making it, I had a whole different vibe in my head of it. [There would be] a lot at stake emotionally. The teaching of magic would be desperately needed, there would be a lot riding on it."

Posted by Andrew on Jul 13th 130 Comments Submit News Categories: Movies

All Work and No Play? No Way!

2006-07-14T07:35:00.000-05:00

Background Noise:Who Do You Love
Random Thought: I'm so glad that it's Friday, and not next Tuesday
Mood:Impatient

For those of you who have misses my rapier wit and rambling tirades on the decline of entertainment, insights into the people I know, and all-out ranting, I fear that I must sidestep the expected posts about vacation and what happened in the world while I was lounging on a boat.

Because Anne is coming to Chicago!

Horrah!

Okay, so it's only for 3 days, but that's something when you haven't seen your BFF in 9 months. Plus, it's step one in my Plan for world domination. (This Plan basically reveolves around me getting Anne to Chicago and attaching a very large rubber band to her ankle so she can't leave, lest she risk damage to her finicky appendages).

Anyway, back to this weekend, that sparkles with the glint of opportunity and shines with the option to do nothing. That's right. In truth we could grab tickets to Wicked and Putnam County, sashay up to all my favorite stores, tour the Sears Tower, the JH Building, or the Museums. We could take a boat cruise. We could do a lot of things that we aren't going to do. For one thing, we'd be tired and poor at the end of that adventure. Plus, we have plenty of time for that when my Plan comes to fruition. For another, there is nobody I'd rather not do things with--we set ourselves on the same speed, and that's nice.

So we'll people watch at a fabulous outdoor table for dinner, see some Soundheim in Grant Park whilst sipping coffee and devouring the NYT. We'll sip cocktails on my balcony and get $1 beers at my favorite bar. We will basically hold our marathon phone conversations in person and back to back for 3 days.

And it will be wonderful.

Good thing it's almost August

2006-06-29T18:32:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: We Used to Be Friends
Random Thought: Happy Birthday to Me
Mood: TGI...Fuck, it's only Thursday

So, I was pretty despondent when I found out I had to wait until August for the second season of V Mars to hit DVD. Then I realized that I've been complaining about how quickly the year is passing and realizd that it will be August 22nd before I know it. Nice.

Death Becomes Her

2006-06-26T20:49:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: Nothing Left To Lose
Random Thought: Gee, I'm so worried that Al Jazeera in English would make it too difficult to verify that newsnetworks were reporting actual news instead of fake, re-edited news intended to spurn people into mis-guided political frenzies. 'Cuz I couldn't have just watched FOX News for that.
Mood: London '07

So, JK Rowling has announced that 2 characters will perish in the 7th and final Harry Potter Book. Guess what, I don't care. What I would have really relished reading about is the release date.

Because I'm looking forward to a trip to jolly ol' England with Anne to purchase and devour Book 7. Because if it is a year away, we can save up and do it right--nice hotel, with comfy beds to better stay up all night reading HP in, a side trip to the lakes district, 3 or 4 theatre shows, and fabulous culture. Becuase a year is just the right amount of time to plan and save, while still being in the realm of soon, so that actual planning can take place instead of just swishy pipe-dreams.

Dates, dammit! I need dates!

Making Good

2006-06-25T20:38:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: Love I Can't Defend (Elvira Nikolaisen)
Random Thought: Intoxication Tends to Be Unkind...How true
Mood: T minus 4 days until vacay

Let me welcome myself back to blogging by saying that entertainment has gone to shit lately. Now, I understand that big-budget summer movies cater to the same audience that is currently watching futbal 24/7 (in every country but here, where we are a bit behind). But I have to say that I've been difinitively disappointed with entertainment as of late.

First, I've seen a lot of movies that make better other things: DaVinci Code made a better book, Lost City made a better soundtrack, The Sisters was superior as a stageplay, X3 was pretty but can't hold a candle to The Last Stand (This gives me hope for Superman, which was penned by the same scriptwriters and is also directed by Brian Singer).

Second, I've been on a Rent kick recently, meaning that insteas of smiling as one of it's songs staggered across my i-pod, I've been listening to it in its entirety. It makes me so sad to think of the film version, which I am planning on buying. Because it falls into the category that I will place DaVinci and X3 in--pretty. I can pop it in and do something else. I'm not engrossed.

That brings me to what I think is the overarching problem in entertainment as of late--I don't care about the outcome because I don't care about the characters. Rent--OBC is an example of a story that weaves layered stories of interesting, conflicted, human characters into the fabric of a plot-line with a rollercoaster of emotion. The movie is a flat painting of those people that ignores much of what made them matter--there is no suicide, no bulimia, no beggars, no rioting, no disapproving parents, hardly any snark and a complete lack of depth.

And this is prevalent in other mediums as well--I'm on a hunt for quality reading material and find nothing but cookie-cutter chick-lit and knock-off DaVinci Codes, tomes about supernatural beings and precocious dead people. Remember when Bridget Jones and Angels & Demons were fresh and new? They got buzz because they were intriguing and something different--now I can hardly raise a care about historians stumbling into conspiracies involving shadowy history or plucky singletons.

Media's problem--laziness. They find a rut that sells once and repeat it until they're in a hole so deep they can't see the sun. They flatten down films so that they will be easier to screen in foreign markets. They make sequels and remakes without worrying about if the current installment is any good on its own. And the whole idea that there are no new ideas is crap. People who say there are only a certain number of story lines (romance, western, buddy-flick, etc) are grasping at straws. There is one--love. The love of another person, the love of family, the love of a friend, love of the game, etc. You wouldn't have revenge if you didn't love what/who you lost, and you'd have a pretty crappy war film without the characters love for something. If characters don't love (even if they only love themselves), then there is no reason to care what happens to them. And this is what is becoming so prevalent in media today. Comic hijinks are linked by boring intreludes and book characters tread the same old boring quest for ramance while being simultaneously enviable/identifiable/idealistic/jaded/hunting for a relationship/yearning to be an idividual/and part of the requsite quirky family. Good storytelling just isn't that hard. Find a character and what they love, and it will tell itself. And people will want to take the journey with them.

Find the Love people, and you'll be making good.

Time Flies...

2006-06-25T20:21:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: You Okay, Honey?
Random Thought: I think I'd rather have friends like those in Rent rather than the ones from Friends, and not just because they'd be able to sing...
Mood: Where did the weekend go? Where did June go?

Okay, so in actuality I know where June went, and why my blogging has slacked. Most of it is work. Some of it is play. A lot of it is irrational anger. Anyway. Let's get you caught up.

I did in fact meet Jim Craig, who was nice enough to sign my mat so that I could frame a picture of him. Not only is he extremely nice and amusing, he is actually a really wonderful moticational speaker. More later.

Unfortunately, seeing Jim Craig came anongst 3 of the longest days. While Seminar is supposed to be a time in which to connect with all of the Village Green employees and get face time with them, I spent most of it working. Jason, our office's entry to the Seminar Committee did little to no work and took all kinds of credit. Susan and I slaved away at the registration table on Wednesday from 6-8, which meant we missed the "tailgate" party and subsequently the food (no loss anyway, none of it was vegetarian), then decorated the ballroom from 9:30-12:30, only to be back at the registration table on Thursday from 7-9, and basically ran the regional teambuilding excersise that afternoon, and cleaned up on Friday morning. All of that with also planning the bus trip, refreshments, etc. He had the gaul to respond on Friday morning when asked how he liked Seminar with "It was awesome! Like Spring Break!" Spring Break my ass.

Then I had a crummy week in which I became irrationally mad at people that aren't even my friends anymore, so I shouldn't be wasting time on them, but I did.

Luckily, my parents came to see me for the weekend of Father's Day, over which my Mom's birthday fell. We ate great food, museum-hopped and enjoyed ourselves.

That brings me to this past week, where I spent 72 hours at work. Partially finishing Owner's reports and business summaries, but also helping plan and execute two property re-introductions (they frown upon the term "grand opening" for some reason). More on those later also.

Luckily, after I go to work this week I'm headed off to Higgins Lake, a palce of extreme relaxation and cocktails. Ahhh. I can't wait.

Summer in the City

2006-05-29T15:11:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: The hiss of my newly fixed AC
Random Thought: Is it 2008 yet?
Mood: Sat by the pool, it can't be that bad

Here's to convincing Anne that July is the perfect time to visit Chicago (not that I think she needs a lot of arm-twisting):

July 14-16, Sondheim throughout the Park

Through September 4, DaVinci at the Museum of Science and Industry

July 18-August 29, Chicago Outdoor Film Fest

July 29, Venetian Night

Viva La Liberation!

2006-05-28T19:21:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: Dont' You
Random Thought: Wow, Candlebox takes me back
Mood: Dying of laughter

Normally I think it is weird to read fanfiction that deals with the real people who play characters on TV. But anything that linked to something entitled The Liberation of Katie Holmes on a Veronica Mars board intrigues me. Okay, just that intrigues me, since I'm pretty sure they're not cribbing that title from anywhere. Anyway, it is halarious. Not just for the idea, which is a tangent of this Go Fug Yourself post:

FUG

But because there is the basic story:
The Liberation of Katie Holmes

And a version with commentary that is utterly halarious:
The Liberation DVD Commentary

And a Soundtrack complete with cover art, good music and a listing to let you know where in the storyline the song goes:
The Liberation Soundtrack

Plus, it's a trilogy, so there is this to look forward to:
Part Two of the Revolution Trilogy: Tom Cruise Must Die

All in all, they went all out. Kudos, Revolution Fucking Trilogy

Fangirl Alert

2006-05-21T17:24:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: Technicolor Black & White
Random Thought: Tom Fornario, still hot
Mood: Hmm, maybe Virgin was good for something

On the topic of good bands eminating from the Mega, here's The Great Jones, with lead singer Tommy London also known as Tom Fornario, the former marketing manager of Union Square.

I'm still waiting for my chance to play lust-struck fan for them--Tom promised I could run across the stage screaming and having to have security escort me off. It's a dream of mine. And if I have to lunge at a leather-clad lead singer to do it, so be it. Anyway, check out the Bittersweet Bootleg on their myspace site. I highly recommed Seven Days From Saturday also.

Yeah, Rock

2006-05-21T17:04:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: Into the Sun (Locksley)
Random Thought: Aww, I remember Kai's first day at work, what a cutie!
Mood: Sunshine, blue skies

I just wanted to give a congrats to Kai, Jesse, Aaron and Sam of Locksley, who are currently kicking off the European leg of their tour!

And to think, I remember seeing them play in the cafe of Virgin. I remember lugging amp equiptment around, and checking the lighting in random clubs for photo sessions. Congrats to you, Locksley. Yeah, Rock indeed.

Maybe I'll Try the Senior Prom Again In 30 Years

2006-05-21T15:14:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: Sway
Random Thought: Here's to hoping for good summer re-runs and a quick turnaround on season 2 of V Mars, Lost and Greys.
Mood: hmmm

How cute is it that my parents went to Senior Prom on Friday? They got all gussied up and headed out with some of their friends from the association and to the local Knights of Columbus Hall to enjoy an evening of fun. It was bring your own alcohol, but they provided the mixers and the band, who could appearantly belt out decent renditions of everything from Sinatra to Seger and Moody Blues to Blues Traveler. Being the party animals that Sunrise Heights is, they took up 3 tables with their revelry. Plus, the money goes to a good cause. I'm looking forward to my second senior prom. Maybe when I'm a senior in the AARP sense I won't be persona non grata to half the attendees. Avoiding your malicious ex and a delegation of people firmly on his side of the break-up isn't a lot of fun. Nor is knowing that your two best friends had just spent the last 4 months lying to you. But hey, I did get voted Most Muli-Talented Female. I'd like to think that those voters were the intelligent half of the congregation.

Tomorrow We'll See

2006-05-17T16:55:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: Nothing Left to Lose
Random Thought: Damn weather
Mood: It goes

So imagine that Chris Martin of Coldplay (during the Parachutes era) and Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 lent their vocal DNA to someone who looked like Michael Vartan, you would have Mat Kearney.

And his website and myspace page have great songs on them.

I'll Bet He Still Doesn't Have Any Limes

2006-05-15T23:35:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: Black & White People
Random Thought: Who remembers the sign up list on his door in West Quad?
Mood: Hee, that's just funny

Who would have thought such a high profile athlete would need to advertise on myspace? Man, lurking is fun.

I Lurk For This

2006-05-15T22:58:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: I Alone (Live)
Random Thought: I don't think my friend standards are that outrageous
Mood: in a funk

So, in my lurking through myspace (the only reason I'm ever on, since my profile is zilch), I came across some people I went to high school with. Most didn't suprise me, though a shocking number still live in a 50 mile radius of Belleville. Anyway, I found some fabulous pics of Bryan, a guy who I deemed quite dreamy in high school, and still think he is just too pretty for his own good. Honestly, a pink airbrushed suit? But those eyes. Sigh.

click

Dearborn Is So Worth It

2006-05-10T13:50:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: Tango Maureen
Random Thought: Oh, the joy of Farmington Hills
Mood: Is my day over yet?

For a month or so I've been railing against attending our yearly seminar in June. First of all, they rent a charter bus to take us from Chicago to Farmington Hills, so we spend 5 or 6 hours on a bus on Wednesday (being completely unproductive) in order to attend a presentation at 4, then listen to more speakers on Thursday, only to get back on the bus on Friday. Unluckily for us, CAMCO budgeted the yearly meeting before we became part of Village Green, so we don't have the budget to fly 50 people to Detroit. Second, I'm from Belleville, the idea of traveling to Farmington Hills doesn't really excite me. I was more than happy to stay here and hold down the fort, until I was told in no uncertain erms that I was going. Yippee. At least the Hyatt Regency is nice, even if it is in Dearborn. (Side note, I love that most of the people in my office refer to our FH office as the Detroit office, and don't believe me that I think the people who work there would take offense to Farmington Hills being grouped together with Detroit)

Even more exciting is that our seminar is themed. Oh, fun. I had wondered why the dress code stated team shirt for the Thursday evening dinner and dancing (like I'm really going to party down with my office mates? Sure.) Out theme is Go For the Goal! Then I found out who our keynote speaker is.

Jim Craig. 1980 Olympic goalie that stunned the UUSR in order to lead the USA to the final round against Sweden and win gold. The run deemed Miracle on Ice. Al Micheals screaming "Do you believe in Miracles? Yes!" The movie that I sob through the last 30 minutes of despite knowing how it ends and having seen the damnt hing 20 some odd times.

I take back all the bad things I said about Dearborn. Sign me up. Granted, he doesn't look quiet as hot as he did swathed in the American flag in 1980, but I'm meeting a legend. Good thing our company is headquartered near Hockeytown, because no one in my office gets the appeal. No wonder--they grew up with the Blackhawks.

There and Back Again

2006-05-10T13:38:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: Seasons of Love (On Simon)
Random Thought: I love my new friend ipod
Mood: Loving this working thing

Hello, Stranger.

Yes, I realize that I have been sadly neglectful of late. I've allowed over a month to pass without imparting my wit and wisdom upon you all. I vow to do better in the future.

First of all, let me say that I love Simon. Simon is my new best friend ipod, who comes to me courtesy of that whole working thing equalling a paycheck and my other best friend Anne who kindly got me get a deal on my new pal. His namesake is Simon Templar (Val Kilmer in the Saint), and comes by this name thanks to the Saint of Sanity engraving on him and a serendipitous chain of events that perfect names tend to filter through.

Speaking of Anne, thank her for kicking me in the ass to update, especially since she finally did. I think it works better if we both post since we cross post and comment on each other so often. Here's to us. But I beg to point out that I have kept my movie list up to date. So at least that's something.

That Other Michigan School

2006-04-05T16:17:00.000-05:00

Background Noise: High (the song from Everwood I was looking for)
Random Thought: I love my new office
Mood: Almost going home

Because I like to root for MSU too, just not when they are playing Michigan. Plus, it's neat to think that if they are college seniors now, I might have judged them in high school!

News Release Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Michigan State team wins national debate championship
Contact: Ron Fisher, Honors College: (517) 355-2326, fisherr1@msu.edu; Deb Hammacher, University Relations: (517) 353-1772, hammacher@msu.edu 3/28/2006

EAST LANSING, Mich. – For the second time in three years, a team from Michigan State University has been crowned national debate champions.

MSU’s top two-person debate team of Ryan Burke and Casey Harrigan won the 60th annual National Debate Tournament. The event was hosted this year by Northwestern University, and the final 6-1 decision over Wake Forest came in around 1:30 a.m. Central time Tuesday.

Both students are senior international relations majors in MSU’s James Madison College. Burke is from Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and Harrigan is from Holland, Mich.

“The quality of schools in the quarterfinals was really high, including Emory, Harvard, Northwestern, UC-Berkeley, Dartmouth and Wake Forest,” said coach Will Repko. “Ryan and Casey finished the season-ending rankings third behind Berkeley, so it was really difficult to face them in the quarters.”

The topic all teams debated was whether the United States should apply economic pressure on China over political and human rights issues. Burke and Harrigan were undefeated through the preliminaries, so advanced as the number 1 seed. The MSU team had previously defeated a team from Berkeley in the quarterfinals and one from Wayne State in the semifinals.
Two additional, younger teams from MSU also qualified for the tournament, but did not advance out of the preliminaries. Having three teams entered was a rarity in itself since only 78 teams from across the country can compete.

“First place at the NDT is the ultimate prize of intercollegiate debate, so to have two champions in three years is quite a remarkable record for our program,” said Ron Fisher, dean of the Honors College where the debate program is housed.

“Very few public universities have won the national championship. The financial and recruiting resources at the private universities tend to be greater, plus there is a history there,” said Repko. “Debate started at the Ivy League institutions, so they have a long track record, but we’re building our own tradition of success at MSU.”

The MSU Debate Program is led by director Mike Eber and head coach Will Repko. Additional coaches are Joshua Gonzalez and MSU’s 2004 national champion David Strauss.

And This Book Isn't Just A Marketing Ploy?

2006-03-31T14:08:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Hey Mr. President (Pink featuring Indigo Girls)
Random Thought: I think I just found a website that makes me want to vomit
Mood: Yup, I did

So, I was looking for info on the movie Rape of the Soul because I want to see a movie tonight and neither ATL or Basic Instinct 2 is doing it for me. And I wasn't familiar with the title. IMDB and allmovie.com have little or no info on it, but google directed me to worldnetdaily.com. Okay, so I found the synopsis. And wondered about the ad on the left for David Kupelian's "The Marketing of Evil" because that's a cool title. And I was appalled at the content of this book,
subtitled "How Radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised as Freedom.":

According to "The Marketing of Evil," Americans have come to tolerate, embrace and even champion many things that would have horrified their parents' generation – from easy divorce and unrestricted abortion-on-demand to extreme body piercing and teaching homosexuality to grade-schoolers.

Likewise, most of us mistakenly believe the "abortion rights" and "gay rights" movements were spontaneous, grassroots uprisings of neglected or persecuted minorities wanting to breathe free. Few people realize America was actually "sold" on abortion thanks to an audacious public relations campaign that relied on fantastic lies and fabrications. Or that the "gay rights" movement – which transformed America's former view of homosexuals as self-destructive human beings into their current status as victims and cultural heroes – faithfully followed an in-depth, phased plan laid out by professional Harvard-trained marketers.

I literally too mad to type straight. Not only are they suggesting things that make me want to gouge my eyes out with dull teaspoons, but are they really selling this book to people dense enough to believe that we've been marketed gay rights and the right to abortion but not see that this book is just marketing that idea to them? I think that is the kind of logic that makes wormholes impolde, but I'm too angry to think about it right now.

P.S. Pink's new album I'm not Dead, out Tuesday is stellar. Especially Dear Mr. President. Listen to it, because it perfectly fits my post.

Gotta Get This Framed

2006-03-30T14:27:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Fair
Random Thought: I hope Anne's presentation was stellar
Mood:Only one more day to get up this week

I open up my Chicago Tribune Travel Unravelled this week, and what do I find but the exact thing I need to post in my apartment, with a sheet for potential guests to sign their agreement.

It's That One Song...

2006-03-30T14:13:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: In The Waiting Line
Random Thought: It's 64 degrees out. I'm in love.
Mood:It's 64 degrees out. I don't want to be at work.

People need to get on the ball with the music from TV shows. Sorry, folks, but in the age of shows ending with the "songs featured in tonights episode" I expect to be able to go the show website and see a list of what I heard. I hear more new music from my television than I do my radio, so one would think that they'd want to tell me so I could buy it. kudos to the Grey's Anatomy portion of TV.com for telling me that "The City Lights" by the Umbrellas and "Today Has Been Okay" by Emiliana Torrini played in the last episode. Boo hiss to Everwood, for not telling me what song was playing while Andy was typing his letter to Julia in Monday night's "Ghosts." If anyone finds out, let me know. Stupid websites.

Nothing But The Truth

2006-03-28T13:36:00.000-06:00

Background Noise:
Random Thought:The cheese stands alone
Mood:umpgh

So, obviously I didn't actually have my locks changed, resulting in the deaths of Autumn and Betsy. I thought about it, just as I thought about kicking them to a hotel, and a lot of other dastardly plans. If I thought it would have helped, I might have. But it never would have gotten through. In truth, after spending Saturday morning being petulant about what they wanted to do (shop at Plato's Closet, eat omelettes, get souveniers, eat Giordanos, see the lake) and what we could do (not eat at both places, or go to all shopping since they are in opposite directions) we finally set off. Only to not want to wait for the diner, complain about the bagels at Einsteins, whine about the cold, and wait 40 minutes for pizza (side note: Giordano's wait for a table was 1 hour. They let you place your pizza order for table service, so we could have waited an hour and sat down to piping hot pizza. But no. We had to get it to go, because that 20 minutes would be too long, and Betsy wanted to eat it at my apartment. And they whined when I complained about standing outside for 40 minutes to wait for the pizza in the cold), and then go back to my apartment to wait for Natalie to drive them to the airport. Their flight was at 4, so they were going to leave at 2:30. Me, I'd have left at 1:30, but that's just me. At 3:20, Natalie showed up to pick them up. I know that they didn't make their flight thanks to my nosy snooping on myspace, but I don't know the whole story because they haven't called me. And I'm not holding my breath. Or picking up the phone to call them, for that matter. I'm just glad they aren't my guests anymore. Because to top off the week, when I stripped the sofa bed to wash the sheets I found puke. Nice. Good think I was already going to the drycleaner for my coat, I got to take the mattress pad too. Makes it easier that way.

He Drove the Snakes From Ireland, Does He Do Ex-Friends?

2006-03-28T13:21:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: nothing
Random Thought: If true love comes looking for me, I'll be at the espresso machine
Mood: phoghsd

CHICAGO, IL AP: In the wrap up of the trial of Ms. Peters, Billy Flynn took the jury through the night of March 17th. Jurors are still deliberating, but we have Ms. Peters account of the timeframe direct from her Diane Sawyer interview:

Diane: Take me through March 17th.

Barb: Well, after work I went to see V for Vendetta, one of the few things I'd really wanted to do during the week.

Diane: By yourself?

Barb: Of course. My guests had shown that they'd rather hang out with anyone other than me, I just showed that I'd rather see a movie than hang out with them. After the movie got out, I got on the subway and headed up to where they were hanging out with Autumn's friend Natalie at a bar. When I got off the train, I called her to get directions. Four times she said that I had to walk north--so I did. Two miles uptown, I got to the point where I was tired of looking for McGees and tired of trying to hear Autumn while she was in the bar. I called back, told her to go outside and give me the cross streets or I was going home. Turns out, the bar was two blocks south. Cranky, I got into a cab and when down there, only to have to stand in line for 20 minutes to get in.

Diane: Why were you at that particular bar?

Barb: Oh, Natalie said that on Fridays it is $15 for all you can drink 7-11 pm. Apparently, no on stopped to think that an Irish bar wouldn't be offering that deal on St. Patricks day. Luckily, Jeremy the bartender was both hot and quick with the strong drinks. In apology for sending me the wrong way, Betsy bought me a drink and a shot. Of course, as the night went on and we alternated buying rounds, I don't think I came out getting a free drink from her. I did get one from the bartender though, and some nifty shamrock attire. It almost made up for the fact that my coat kept getting knocked on the floor courtesy of Autmn's flailing arms, and subsequently had to be drycleaned.

Diane: How long did you stay?

Barb: I got there about 9, and we left about 11:30. I went home, but Betsy and Autumn went out again. I'm not sure when they got home. It wasn't until I heard all the sirens that I even knew they weren't in the apartment.

Check It

2006-03-24T09:08:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Blower's Daughter
Random Thought: TGIF
Mood:I repeat, TGIF

CHICAGO, IL AP: As the trial of the century winds down, Defense Counsel Flynn walked the jury through the day of March 16, 2005. Here's a timeline, culled from the testimony:

10:00 am: Betsy calls to ask how to fix the TV--she's broken it.

10:15 am: Autumn calls to see if Barb wants to see V for Vendetta at midnight on IMAX (Natalie said it would be really cool, and that way they wouldn't have to interrupt St. Patty's Day drinking to see the movie). Barb declines, as she has to work the next
day and can't be out until 3 am.

12:00 pm: Autumn calls to say they fell asleep and can't meet Barb at work at noon.

1:00 pm: Barb arrives home to find guest still getting ready, and now needing to go to Navy Pier to pick up tickets.

2:00 pm: Barb and guests leave apartment, in the snow.

2:30 pm: Guest are shocked that it is really damn cold in Chicago, in March, when it is snowing, at Navy Pier, which jutts into Lake Michigan.

2:45 pm: Autumn and Betsy have gotten tickets, and now must wait for Natalie, who says that there are really great places to eat around Navy Pier.

3:15 pm: Seeing as how there really aren't places to eat around Navy Pier, the four eat at Navy Pier where they are over charged because its a fricking tourist destination. Fudge from Reba's mollifies Barb only slightly.

4:30 pm: In a cab headed to the Art Institute of Chicago, Barb realizes she wasted her comp time in leaving at lunch, since they're ending up at the museum when she would have gotten there after a full day of work anyway.

4:45 pm: Autumn, Betsy and Natalie are impatient while Barb signs up to become a member, despite the fact that it will enable Betsy to get in for free and save everyone 10% in the gift shop.
4:50 pm: Autumn and Natalie raise their hackles at checking their coats, because it's too expensive ($1).

5:00 pm: Barb enjoys the musem's Girodet exhibit, as well as some of the regular collection because the group has gotten separated and museums are for quite time.

7:00 pm: Antsy and bored, the guests decide it is time to leave, graciously [insert saracasm here] telling Barb they can go get fondue now, just like she wanted to do on Tuesday (and which they vetoed because it would be too expensive).

8:00 pm: Guests are talked out of the $46/per person selection because Barb knows it will be too much food, and into the cheese and dessert courses. Autumn, Betsy, and Natalie also select a salad. Barb selects a bottle of wine, and despite the complaints that no one likes wine, it all ends up gone from their glasses.

8:45 pm: Barb is embarassed that her companions errupt into giggling fits over their waiter's lisp. Loud ones. For about 20 minutes.

9:30 pm: Companions try to split the bill 4 ways, despite the fact that not everyone ordered a salad or got a mojito to go along with their wine. Barb delineates what people owe, wondering about people who try to get their bill cheaper and complain about paying a dollar to check a coat.
10:00 pm: Despite the fact that the guest have decided that they need to be at Navy Pier at 10:30, they all head back to Barb's apartment, where they proceed to lay about for half an hour and then catch a cab.

10:31 pm: With guests gone, Barb goes to bed, so that when they come home at 3:00, she'll have had about 4 hours of solid sleep before having to fall back asleep again to get up at 6:30 am.

You Can't Take Them Anywhere

2006-03-20T13:36:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Don't Panic
Random Thought: Quality over quantity, always
Mood:Monday--you get the picture

CHICAGO, IL AP: Testimony resumed today in the murder trial of Barbara Peters, charged with the deaths of Betsy Marmol and Autumn Hurst. An eye-witness account was provided by Julie, a waitress at Carmines, who served the three on March 14th at 7 pm. In a sworn statement she described how the women were chatting about The Libertine, a movie they had just seen. She spoke in depth about eavedropping on their conversation, since they were seated near the host station. Appearantly, Ms. Peters had to spend the greater part of the appetizer course explaining the movie and the time period--including that it was in fact accurate to have lots of dogs around, since they are indeed called King Charles spaniels. She also overheard the victims complaining about what they hadn't gotten to do because they had to get back to River North by 4:30 to meet Ms. Peters. Julie stated that she observed the trio for the better part of 2 hours and was keen to point out that Ms. Hurst and Ms. Marmol consistently put their elbows on the table, used their fingers to eat, and in fact resorted to quoting the Sopranos during dessert. In her words, Ms. Peters "seemed the classier of the bunch" due to such intangibles as wine selection, manners, and etiquette. Julie ended her statement with the fact that it was at Ms. Peters insistence that she recieved a decent tip, and that she heard from the bathroom attendent that the victims "acted like high-schoolers in the restroom."

Mr. Flynn used the remainder of the court time to examine the night of Wednesday the 15th. In questioning, Ms. Peters explained that that night had previously been set aside to go out for fondue, something she'd been looking forward to doing and that she could not do alone. It had been her impression that her guests were also excited by this prospect, until she returned home that evening aroung 5. [excerpt taken from testimony]

"...When I arrived home no one was there, so I enjoyed a good 10 minutes of Jeopardy without them. When they got home, they asked me where I'd been and proceeded to tell me about their adventures to Wrigly Field and that Natalie said that she didn't want to go to fondue because it was too expensive. Ms. Hurst's suggestion was that they go eat Mexican down by where Natalie lives [35th-Sox, 30-45 minutes from Ms. Peters' home] because she'd heard that there was really good Mexican food there. When Natalie said that that wasn't true, they then decided to eat at an Italian restaurant by Natalie's school and that Natalie would pick them up from the subway stop and drive them to it. I took the opportunity to point out that if they were travelling all that way, I wouldn't be able to go becuase I's be out later than I would like since I had to go to work the next day. I knew they'd be running late--they didn't even leave my place until nearly 7 pm, and got back around midnight. I enjoyed my evening at home--I had Carmines leftover mushroom risotto and tiaramisu and watched Veronica Mars and Bones. It was great..."

***In related news, "Natalie says" has been voted the most annoying phrase of 2006***

Blame Zeppi

2006-03-15T16:32:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Only The Good
Random Thought: Three Days More...
Mood: Good thing I stock cheese for their whine

CHICAGO,IL: AP Defense counsel continued it's presentation on this third day in the trial of Cook County vs. Barbara Peters. Flynn led off this mornings arguements by recounting for us the day of March 13, a Monday. The jury was presented with a large exhibit--the remains of what was once the defendant's three-panel photo screen. Today it sat on the exhibition table as nothing more than splinters of wood and pieces of plexi-glass. In recordings taken from Ms. Peters' cell-phone, the jurors listened to Ms. Hurst blame the littlest of the two cats, Zeppelin. In overlapping voices from the deceased, we hear Ms. Marmol state vehemently that she was asleep and heard nothing, and Ms. Hurst explain that she heard a crash, but didn't get up to investigate. When Ms. Marmol attempted to enter the defendant's balcony (which she does so as to be able to use the door wall as a mirror, apparantly unhappy with the mirrors in the apartment) she saw the mess. It was at this time that both victims announce that it must have been the kitten. A charge Ms. Peters refutes in testitmony from today [excerpt from testimony]:

"...Zeppi has a 'guilty' face, and if he would have knocked something over he would have been looking guilty. But he wasn't. Plus, why would the cats knock over something that they've been walking around for the entire time I've had them? Just because there was the convienence of blaming my guests? I think it's the other way around..."

Ms. Peters' testimony was also taken in the afternoon session where Flynn and Harrison examined the evening of the 15th, when the three went to Finn McCools to partake of $1 drafts and appetizer specials. The defendent elaborated on waiting for 40 minutes for Ms. Hurst and Ms. Marmol to arrive, despite calling them 20 minutes before she left work to meet them and they were at home. She also explains how around 8pm, when they had finished eating and had some cocktails and she was ready to head home, a strange man from the next table butted into their conversation and rudely interrupted what had been a pretty nice conversation. Despite his obvious drunken state and his tendancy to lie (like telling them he was a surgeon and then knowing nothing about medicine), when Ms. Peters got the check and they began to divy up the bill, the guy "my name is John but I go by Jack" suggested that they get another round and go elsewhere. Ms. Peters attempted to play the martyr and say they all had to go home since he had already commented on the fact that she had stopped drinking, but she had apparently read the signals from her friends wrong. They didn't seem the least bit annoyed with the creep, but instead stated that they could "just ditch Barb--we have a key" and proceeded to do just that. Ms. Peters stated that at that point she went home and enjoyed her evening alone and that her guest came home around 1:30. Her last moving statements of the day were this [excerpt from testimony]:

"...Silly me, I thought that they had come to Chicago to see me, their friend that they ahdn't seen in 6 months. I assumed that they would actually want to hang out with me and not some nut-job they met at the bar--something they could do in New York. I guess I should have learned my lesson when they wanted to spend time with everyone else they knew from New York who was here over the weekend and not just me. But I was hoping that I was wrong. I guess I wasn't..."

Tomorrow's testimony is scheduled to include more from the defendant and also from Julie, an eye-witness on the night of March 14.

Feel The Pain

2006-03-14T09:22:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: I Remember
Random Thought: Is it time for bed yet?
Mood: umph

CHICAGO, IL: AP In the second day of evidence presented by the defense for Barb Peters, counsel attempted to recreate for the jury the day of Sunday March 12. They were awoken at 6, reminded that they found shit on the kitchen floor, and made to walk across wet carpet to simulate the fact that Ms. Hurst had broken an ice-cube tray the night before and left the ice on the rug to melt. After giving them a glimmer of hope that they could enjoy the Sunday paper and coffee, they were instead talked at for an hour by Flynn, just as Ms. Peters was on that Sunday by Ms. Hurst, who laughed at the melted-ice misfortune. Flynn also explained that Ms. Peters avoided asking about the feces because no one would have owned up to it, and would have instead tried to blame one of the innocent cats. After two more hours, defense promised the jury the best omelets ever, only to deny them, just as Ms. Peters was denied on the 12th because neither of her companions could get their asses in gear in time to wait for a table and still make the parade on time, despite the fact that everyone had been up for those two hours. Flynn then subjected the courtroom to 45 minutes of waiting to stand in for the subway ride to 95/Dan Ryan, then 30 more to wait for Ms. Hurst’s sister, then 20 more for the bus ride to the parade. Ms. Peters took the hour allotted for the parade portion that they did see to further explain the circumstances. [excerpt from court transcripts]

“…It was just really frustrating to spend nearly 3 hours in transit
for a parade that we only saw half of. Especially when their lack of
preparedness the day before resulted in my missing the big parade in
downtown Chicago—only 5 minutes away. Sure, we saw the green
river, but afterwards we ended up meeting up with friends of theirs
from New York. Then on Sunday they spent the majority of the time
en route to and from the parade and at the parade trying to get in
contact with another New York friend [Lindsay] so that we could meet
up with her. Call me crazy, but I thought they had come to Chicago to
visit me, not hang out with people they work with in NYC. After coming
back from the South Side parade around 5 we ate and I had hoped to let
them meet up with Lindsay so that I could go home and enjoy watching
Grey’s Anatomy in peace. Unfortunately they nixed that idea and came
home with me only to want to watch The Sopranos and Big Love. I
decided that it would probably be better to just watch my shows from
the week after they left, so that I could relax and enjoy them…”

After Ms. Peters testimony, Flynn again made the courtroom wait for the duration of the bus and train ride before allowing them to eat and go home, as the real-time description of the day of March 12, 2006 took 12 hours. The Judge allowed such an irregularity after Flynn explained that there was no other way for him to convey the suffering his client had endured and promised that no further day-long enterprises would be necessary because Ms. Peters had to go to work each of the rest of the days that the victims were in town, and therefore was unable to spend most of the day with them. Defense counsel had already hinted that tomorrow’s testimony with be another shocker, and will explain what led up to Ms. Peters inquiry to the process of changing her locks.

Startling Evidence Sends Court Into Recess

2006-03-14T08:03:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Delicate
Random Thought: Is it Saturday yet?
Mood: I love being at work

CHICAGO, IL: AP The proscecution's strong opening witness, their only witness, stated that the defendant had indeed called him earlier last week to check into prices for changing her lock. This testimony is vital to ADA Harrison's grounds that Barb Peters, on trial for double homicide, had indeed premeditated the murders of Betsy Marmol and Autumn Hurst. Prosceutors will rely heavily on this evidence to convict Ms. Peters and do not at this time have any plans to call other witnessess. Taking the floor after the stunning allegations by the locksmith, Billy Flynn for the defense countered with an even more shocking piece of evidenct--feces recoverred from the trash chute at the defendan't s building. Flynn admits that it was a stroke of luck that the trash bins at Atrium Village are emptied on Saturday mornings, mere hours after the bodies were found, allowing the shit into eveidence. Ms. Peters states that she found the offensive material on her kitchen floor Sunday, March 12, at 6 am. The previous night the defendant and the victims had been at the bar, Ms. Peters explaining that they were hanging out with friends of Ms. Marmol and Ms. Hurst from NYC who were in town for a performance of their band. After several hours of tedious conversing with the more rock-headed among the band, Ms. Peters had to end the night prematurely. Ms. Swenson phoned Ms. Peters with bad news, which in turn fueled Ms. Peterss desire to go home. The victims changed their minds about going to the concert and instead accompanied Ms. Peters to her home around 10 pm. Flynn points out that upon arriving Ms. Hurst puked twice and Ms. Marmol passed out after an ill-fated attempt to work the DVD player (to ironically see Just Like Heaven, a film about a dead girl). In cross-examination, Harrison tried to point out that by seeing Ms. Peters home the victims were simply being good friends and not acting in their own self-interest. Proscecution also alledges that the feces could have come from one of Ms. Peter's cats. Expert Excrement witness Gil Grissom stated that "It would have had to be a rather large cat to have left that. A tiger perhaps." After the gruesome exhibits of the morning, the Judge issued a recess until tomorrow morning, most likely realizing that after such evidence the jury would be unable to eat lunch and be expected to return for an afternoon session. It is unknown at this time if Ms. Swenson will be called to testify for her role in abrupt end of the night, as ADA Harrison demanded in a post-court press conference.

Free Barb

2006-03-14T07:29:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: The sound of my sanity flying away
Random Thought: There should be shirts, if Winona got 'em, I want one
Mood: Hmpfh

CHICAGO, IL: AP Opening statements were heard in what is being called the trial of the century here in Cook County. Upstanding citizen and reported Saint (though these allegation have yet to be proven) Barb Peters is on trial for double homicide after reportedly plotting the murder of Autumn Hurst and Betsy Marmol, who were at the time of their death staying with their alledged killer. The Prosecution layed out the groundwork for their case, highlighting the premeditative nature of the crime--that Ms. Peters had been getting angrier and angrier at her houseguests as their week-long stay wore on and that she intentionally left the two at the bar knowing full well that they would come home drunk anc confused. Assistant District Attourney Harrison alledges that she called a locksmith to change her locks while she was home alone and then went to sleep, knowing full well the danders that awaited Ms. Hurst and Ms. Marmol when they attempted to enter the apartment building. For the Defense, Billy Flynn stated that he intendes to lay out how the antics of Ms. Hurst and Ms. Marmol throughout the week promted his client to change her locks out of frustration. Flynn claims that the only intention Ms. Peters had was to make them call her for their things and get a hotel near the airport so they could leave the next day. While he admits that any death is a tragedy, Flynn declared that after the evidence is given you will think that plotting the deaths of the two vicitims will seem reasonable. Not that his client did that, of course. Ms. Peters has been released on bail and is currently staying at the W Chicago while her apartment is disinfected. Mr. Flynn promises the particulars of that move once evidence begins tomorrow.

We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Program

2006-03-14T07:06:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: I Shot the Sheriff (But I did not Shoot the Deputy)
Random Thought: Anyone know a good defense lawyer?
Mood: Grr Arg

CHICAGO, IL: AP In a bizarre turn of events this St. Patrick's Day, two women were found dead in an empty pool in River North's Atrium Village Apartment Complex. It is unknown at this time how Autumn Hurst and Betsy Marmol, who were at the time of their death visiting Barb Peters in her Chicago home, ended up at the bottom of the cement enclosure. Chicago ME pronounced both dead of blunt force trauma, most likely resulting from hitting their heads on the bottom of the pool. Tox Screens indicate that both were heavily inebriated, which may have lead to their not noticing the large cement hole in the ground. In even more suprising news, Ms. Peters was arrested this morning on murder charges. Prosecutors alledge that while Ms. Hurst and Ms. Marmol were out at a bar on St. Patricks day--an outing that Ms. Peters departed after the three had seen V for Vendetta and consumed just one drink--the accused went home and had her locks changed, resulting in the two victims wandering around drunk and falling into the empty pool. Opening statements begin Monday.

You Never Bought Me A Dictionary

2006-03-08T14:15:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Where Have You Gone
Random Thought: Does it sound that dumb in her head?
Mood: Idiots!

Occasionally the Sun-Times finds 'em really stupid--

Claudette Marie Muhammad's reaction to the deaprture of five members of the anti-discrimination comission was this: "For those who try to condemn me because of the honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan's remarks on Saviours' Day, which were perceived by some as anti-Semitic, it's ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous,'' she told WVON-AM.

Good job of supporting your boss--too bad the remarks that were so ridiculous included: an assertion that "Hollywood Jews'' promote homosexuality and other "filth.''

Gee, I can't imagine why some might percieve that as anti-Semitic. Oh, wait, I know why. because the dictionary has this to say:

anti-semitic
adj 1: relating to or characterized by anti-Semitism; hating Jews 2: discriminatory especially on the basis of race or religion [syn: racist, antiblack, anti-Semitic, anti-Semite(a)]

We Listen With Our Eyes

2006-03-08T13:30:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Collide (Howie Day)
Random Thought: What to do with guests for a week?
Mood: Still Wednesday?

I'm not a music person. I love music, and I own a lot of it, but I don't read up on indie rockers or listen to underground stations or head out to hear new bands. But I do like soundtracks--stage or screen, they capture a moment with music that hearing the song alone can't do for me. Can you hear Tiny Dancer without picturing the bus sing-a-long from Almost Famous or Don't You Forget About Me without thinking Breakfast Club? Plus, soundtracks are generally cohesive, so the Garden State album gives me a nice intro to bands that are somewhat similar, giving me exposure to someone like the Shins, who I might not have picked up otherwise.

But it is two songs from trailers that have my attention at the moment, songs that I associate so clearly with the images from the movies that I couldn't believe they weren't on the soundtracks. Luckily for Howie Day and Kanye West I liked them so much that I hunted down the source and plan on buying the album. Kayne's Jesus Walks is so perfect for the Jarhead clip that I'm glad the DVD commercials are running it. I knew in the back of my mind that I would probably get his album, but the fact is, without the Jarhead trailer, I might have let it slip my mind. Seriously though, listen to Jesus Walks and try to get the image of Jake Gyllenhal out of your head and avoid hearing Jamie Foxx's Hoo-Rah at the end. I dare you. And if I hadn't loved the music that played during the AMC promo for Focus Features' Pride & Prejudice Win Your Way To Hollywood Sweepstakes, I might have gone through life without coveting a Howie Day album. And that would just be sad. Once again, try to not see Keira Knightly and Matthew McFadden in the windswept coutryside or at the ball when listening to Collide. Impossible.

What Does Your Fridge Say About You?

2006-03-08T13:20:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: I Think It's Funny
Random Thought: Why is Chipotle so good?
Mood: I thought it was Tuesday, I'm pleasantly suprised to find that it's actually Wednesday

I have a modified chick firdge, I've discovered. When I delved into it last night for dinner, I was somewhat amazed to see that I apparently only believe in 3 food groups--dairy, starch, and liquor. My fridge has fajita shells, rice, sour cream, yougurt, cheddar, feta, goat cheese, brie, cream cheese, butter, Busch Light, Diet Coke and 7 bottles of wine. Well-balanced, wouldn't you say? To be fair, I have garlic, onions, tomatos and potatos on the counter, a freezer full of frozen veggies and wafles, and a pantry of pasta and beans. But my fridge is pretty funny.

Hosting 101

2006-03-07T14:27:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: The Stranger
Random Thought: Can one say that Jon Stewart is a Golden God too many times?
Mood: Only Tuesday?

In case you're illiterate and drop by for the pictures, or this is your first stop to my blog, my name is Barb, and I love Jon Stewart. He's the host with the most and he capped off what I thought was a pretty enjoyable Oscars. All the players were present:

1. A kick-ass opening segment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-A986cc1Ps&eurl=
2. Humor without introducing Uma to Oprah or digging into Jude.
3. Ben Stiller in a green body stocking. How much more do you need?
4. An Altmanesque tirbute to Robert, and a shiny speech by the dialogist himself.
5. Great performances for best song, and I think three-six mafia is still celebrating.
6. Dolly looking great, Jack in sunglasses, Weta proving that they are visual titans.
7. And a suprise Crash upset, to go with acting oscars that all went to first-time nominees.

I only disagree with a few winners, and I can see where the Academy went with those votes and why, so what are you going to do.

Is Mac Getting A Beetle For This?

2006-03-06T13:43:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Movin' Out
Random Thought: Gee, quizzes are fun
Mood: just cheery

Your Kissing Purity Score: 34% Pure

You're not one to kiss and tell...
But word is, you kiss pretty well.

Kissing Purity Test

Now I Have To Go To Grad School, Blogthings says

2006-03-06T13:37:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Lily Dreams On (V Mars Soundtrack)
Random Thought: It's like this think knows me...or has obvious questions
Mood: There are no boat tours in March

You Should Get a PhD in Liberal Arts (like political science, literature, or philosophy)

You're a great thinker and a true philosopher.
You'd make a talented professor or writer.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

Theoretically...Or Not

2006-03-06T13:32:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: On Your Porch (V Mars soundtrack)
Random Thought: I think it is the median/mode thing
Mood: bored

You Passed 8th Grade Math

Congratulations, you got 9/10 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Math?

Mos-Definitely

2006-03-06T08:45:00.000-06:00

Background Noise:Lua
Random Thought: Snow? Are you kidding me?
Mood:It's Monday. Enough said.

I am continually impressed by the performances that Mos Def gives. In Dave Chappelle's Block Party he is both a talented rapper and a humorous straight-man to Dave's antics, something that all the big-named stars manage to do in what probably is the coolest rap concert to date. And as a prisoner caught up in more than he imagined he holds his own against Bruce Willis in the strongly done 16 Blocks. The movie is almost a what-could-have-happened version of Bruce's Die Hard character--what if he wasn't such a good guy underneath it all, what if he had gone the other way after the break-up, etc. And the entire cast plays well under sparse dialogue and slowly meted-out facts. Does anyone really know all of what is going on? It's better to not, especially if you are the audience. If you've never seen Gauntlet, which is pretty much the same thing, you might be suprised. If you have, you should be impressed that this is actually a reinterpretation, richly drawn out, and not just a pale remake. Add Mos Def's performances to that of Ludacris, who dazzled both in Crash and as classy and articulate at the Academy Awards, and people might get a better impression of rappers who act.

Get Your Papers Here!

2006-03-03T13:35:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: The laughter produced from reading Overheard in New York
Random Thought: Ooh, Cate Blanchet in Hedda Gabbler sounds fab.
Mood: TGIF

More proof that smoking pot makes you dumb:

"It's to make stripes, you storetard."

Guy: Yo, you got rolling papers?
Store lady: I don't know. What is that?
Guy: You know, Zig-Zag.
Store lady: I don't know, what is that for?

--CVS, 32nd & 5th

Overheard by: Abbey Leroux

(I like that this guy thinks CVS is a good choice of locales to buy rolling papers. Yeah, that's probable.)

We End with Revelation

Chick #1: So I need to get me a Bible.
Chick #2: Why? Aren't you atheist?
Chick #1: They say Bible paper makes good rolling paper for your joints.
Chick #2: Really?
Old lady: You two are disgusting.

--Grand Central

Overheard by: Glynnis O

(That's classy with a capital K, ladies.)

Roationale on Irrationality

2006-02-27T16:37:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Summer in the Sandbox (Domestic Problems)
Random Thought: How much does it cost to dye the Chicago river green for St. Patty's Day?
Mood: Can I go home yet?

Here's my question: What makes a fear irrational? Does it depend on how ridiculous it is to be scared of something? Because I think clowns are really frightening, and realize that it's irrational--they aren't frightening by nature and I have no past trauma to back it up. But what about things that care you but are utterly unlikely to happen? I have deep seeded fear of drowning--so much so that snorkeling makes me hyperventilate. But I can swim, and don't spend much time near any kind of water with a tide. Much like I fear being buried alive--not that I think it will happen, but it still scares me shitless. Are those irrational fears because the likelihood of occurance is so slim that I shouldn't worry about it? Or does the general terrifying nature or either act negate the probability factor and therefore make it a rational fear?

Your Movie Review Guide

2006-02-27T12:48:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Ernie's Tragic Love Song (Domestic Problems)
Random Thought: What makes a fear irrational--the likelihood of it happening, or the fact that it scares you?
Mood:I hate people

I realize that I've been remiss in giving you all my movie opinions, so I've boiled down the movies of 2006 that I've seen for your reviewing pleasure. The good, the bland, and the overarching theme that we don't fall in love with men or women or black or white, we simply fall in love with people.

Medea's Family Reunion--A paler version of Diary of a Mad Black Woman, with just as many laughs but not as much heart.
Nanny McPhee--Suprisingly adorable, and not just because the cast is largely that of Love Actually.
Running Scared--What could have been an interesting neo-noir gets bogged down by twists that become predictable and characters that aren't interesting enough to jolt you into following the convoluted storyline, but I'd pretty much watch Paul Walker read the phone book, so there you go.
Three Burials of Meliquiades Estrada--A slowly unfolding western with promise, though it falls short of the bleak grandure that was The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
Cache--The olny thing hidden in this French thriller is the point--and it wasn't stylistic enough to not matter.
Firewall--Overused plotlines, and Harrison Ford seems too old for both his family and his position as head of cyber-security at the bank.
Why We Fight--What Micheal Moore could be if he did less arm flailing and more finger pointing.
Tristam Shandy--The height of hilarity, with spot-on characters and the most unadaptable novel ever written--one that was post-modern before there was modern to be post.
Curious George--Delightfully cute in a a pure childlike way, with real heart and a fantastic soundtrack by Jack Johnson.
A Good Woman--Tom Wilkinson and his cronies shine as they spew the wit of Wilde, and Helen Hunt is tragically fragile, speaking with such care it's as if she knows that by giving voice to her thoughts she is opening herself up to vulnerability. Unfortunately, the rest of the cast seems to have lost their way en route to a high school production.
The Pink Panther--Where Peter Sellers was bumbling, Steve Martin is simply incompetant--and the toilet humor ruins what was a classy spoof. But Clive Owen as 006 is enough to get me into a movie seat.
London--Better than I would have thought, and wow, do I know these people! Save it to watch at home with the vice of your choice.
Imagine Me and You--Congrats to Matthew Goode on becoming the go-to Brit, and this movie for making love so plausible and so sweet while examining the idea of what happens when love isn't who you expected.
Hoodwinked--A crafty take on Little Red Riding Hoodd, with a humourous noir take on the whole bit.
Eight Below--I reiterate that Paul Walker could read the phone book (in a language I don't undestand), but this really was a good movie--kinda Iron Will (remember when Sean Astin was simply Mackenzie Astin's brother?) meets Vertical Limit.
Fastest Indian in the World--A good flick about reaching your dream, and who you meet as you get there--namely yourself.
Something New--Another riff on falling in love as opposed to dating the "right" person--kinda predictable but well-acted.
Underworld: Evolution--Not as tightly wound as the original, there are too many plotbunnies to follow the story exactly, but it looks great and was entertaining.
The Matador--Highly entertaining--wit as dry as a vodka martini and Pierce Brosnan as fr from James Bond as he could get.
The New World--Beatutiful and contemplative--if you like Terrence Malik (The Thin Red Line) then you'll love this version of the Pocohontas story. If not, you'll be bored to tears and ready to gouge your eyes out with a spoon.
Annapolis--Top Gun on a ship it's not, but James Franco proves again why he's likened to James Dean.
Glory Road--Not quite the caliber of past Disney and Bruckheimer collaberations, but I like sports movies with underdog themes, so I say yay.
Munich--Proving that truth is hardly ever simple or easy, this is a phenomenal look into the motivations and consequences of a conflict most of us have a hard time grasping. Eric Bana shines as a man on a mission, and Daniel Craig channels Steve McQueen's irreverence in this story of why no one is right and most everything is wrong.
Transamerica--More examinations of the truth in this heartbreakinglu lovely story, with steller performances by Felicity Huffman and Kevin Zegers. The truth isn't always pretty, but it is always beautiful.
Match Point--Thanks to Woody Allen for returing to the whip-smart elitists and giving us a good case for why it is Luck, not faith or cynicism, that is the path of least resisitance. Though Scarlet Johanssen falls flat as Nola, the rest of the cast gleams.
Last Holiday--A light-hearted romp, though it seems as if it got a pushed-back release date since it's set between Christmas and New Years.
Mrs. Henderson Presents--Bob Hoskins and Judi Dench turn in crisply believable performances, and Judi's fan dance broke my heart.
Tristan & Isolde--Wager's Ring Cycle is grand, but this film does a good job of making a Celtic folk tale into a tragic love story (as all good ones are).
Breakfast on Pluto--Cillian Murphy as chameleon--is there anything he can't do? He's utterly charming as a misfit caught up in a turbulant Ireland.

They Had Me At All-Male

2006-02-26T15:34:00.000-06:00

Background Noise: Swan Lake
Random Thought: Get over the lack of tutus
Mood: How is it almost March?

Last night I saw Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, which while technically isn't all-male, the ballet corps (the swans) are. And there is nary a toe shoe or tutu in sight. It is irreverent, and human, and gorgeous (not just the dancers).

Jose Tirado at the Stranger (Odile)

Jose Tirado at The Stranger (Odile)

Jose Tirado as The Swan (Odette)

Neil Penlington (The Prince)

The Prince and The Stranger meeting at the ball

By getting rid of the "Oh, it's Swan Lake, it's pretty girls in pretty white tulle" and replacing it with modern ballet--they are all barefoot or in character shoes--and paparazzi, Bourne has stripped the show down to what it's really about--love. Love vs. duty, love vs. attraction, love vs. acceptance. When else do you get to see a pas de duex between two men and a ball where the costumes more closely resembles Madonna's Erotica video than princessy ballerina ensembles. And who doesn't love a man in leather pants with a whip? Seriously, though, this was amazing--there is an honest story there, something that critcs who claim it is too muddled, or that replaces love with sex, are missing. They are reading way too much into a story that is about someone finding their soul mate, and damn anyone who tells them they can't. And it isn't afraid to show that true love isn't always a pretty piroette, that sometimes it is rough and painful--but that's the truth of the matter.