3. Buy a condo or house
I will be moving at the end of January, but to another apartment. I don't want to have a mortgage payment plus maintenance fees on a condo, which are often hundreds of dollars a month.
4. Take Papermaking - DONE as of 12/13/06 - I got a B+
11. See some petroglyphs - It turns out that there are some very close to the town where my grandparents live. But, they are only open in the summer.
17. Take Writing 2 - not planned for Spring '07 anymore, maybe Summer
21. Set aside an arts and crfats area in home - this will be in the apartment
32. Learn to make a wine spritzer that I like - made 2, one on the sweet side. Fresca is actually my favorite thing to mix lately.
33. Attempt to improve my handwriting - I have written out a long poem twice now. I am purposely going slow and staying neat. I guess the speed comes with time.
35. Compile my own "pantry list" and have it complete in my kitchen at least once - I have made it, but not had it all in my kitchen
49. Learn to make homemade chai - made it twice, once from a mix and once from "scratch", it was okay but had to strained.
59. Take 3 additional classes (not writing or papermaking) - Chemistry will be this Spring
70. Set up scanner - I bought a new printer with scan capabilites
74. Tag most of my blog entries - most are, thanks to the new version of Blogger
82. See all 128 episodes of Dawson's Creek in order. (started on June 25th, 2006 and should be done by the end of the year on TBS) - I stopped watching a few episodes after Mitch dies. I might finish, but I certainly needed a break from the angst.
83. Rent a game console and games for a week - it turns out that Blockbuster and Hollywood don't rent the consoles anymore. I did start playing my PS1 and have a PS2 game (Katamari Damacy) that I can play at my sister's house.
88. Get one KOL character to 50 ascensions - I think soelo just finished number 14.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Did you know...
Pistachio nuts are highly flammable when stored in large quantities, and are prone to self heating and spontaneous combustion!?
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Did you know
that Central Park (843 acres) is almost twice as big as the whole country of Monaco (482 acres)?
And that's not the only one: Golden Gate Park in San Francisco is 1,017 acres, Balboa Park in San Diego is 1,200 acres, Griffith Park in Los Angeles is 4,210 acres and Mission Trails in San Diego is a whopping 5,800 acres. None of those are actually the biggest city park in the country though, that honor goes to South Mountain Park in Phoenix, which contains over 16,000 acres.
And that's not the only one: Golden Gate Park in San Francisco is 1,017 acres, Balboa Park in San Diego is 1,200 acres, Griffith Park in Los Angeles is 4,210 acres and Mission Trails in San Diego is a whopping 5,800 acres. None of those are actually the biggest city park in the country though, that honor goes to South Mountain Park in Phoenix, which contains over 16,000 acres.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Lord Licorice
I have a confession to make: I always thought Lord Licorice from Candyland was hot.
No, not this one:
or this one:
or this one:
No, the one I remember from the 80's that looked like this:
Now, I realize he was the villian of the whole game (thus the reason you got to play) but I guess I've always loved the bad boys. Even though the rest of the guys in that game were either made of goo, covered in hair or wider than they were tall, I consider Lord Licorice one of the most attractive cartoon characters ever. Of course, you have to overlook the large, pointy ears and the nose that would stab you whenever you kissed. But in exchange, you'd be living in a pretty sweet castle, surrounded by triangular boulders with eyes and sometimes mouths. And besides, you know that boy can dance.
No, not this one:
or this one:
or this one:
No, the one I remember from the 80's that looked like this:
Now, I realize he was the villian of the whole game (thus the reason you got to play) but I guess I've always loved the bad boys. Even though the rest of the guys in that game were either made of goo, covered in hair or wider than they were tall, I consider Lord Licorice one of the most attractive cartoon characters ever. Of course, you have to overlook the large, pointy ears and the nose that would stab you whenever you kissed. But in exchange, you'd be living in a pretty sweet castle, surrounded by triangular boulders with eyes and sometimes mouths. And besides, you know that boy can dance.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Dream a Little Dream
Last night I dreamt I was back in Marching Band. I was in the colorguard and we were forced to march separately from the band in the parade. We all realized we were screwed when they started telling us about the judges area and we knew we wouldn't be able to hear the band playing.
Monday, November 27, 2006
November
Whoa, I didn't mean to go more than two weeks without posting! November has gone by so fast and 2006 feels like it's on fast forward. I was on vacation from work last week, so I took my niece down to Cedar Rapids, Iowa for a day. We ate a newly open Greek restaurant called Konstantino's, where I had Greek Spaghetti. We also visted the Art Museum there and the Science Center, where we saw an Imax movie about the T-Rex. It gets dark so early now, it feels like midnight at 6pm when you are driving. But, the best way we found to pass the drive time was listening to Bill Cosby, Bill Engvall and Dane Cook's comedy routines on the radio (via my Ipod and an FM transmitter). My next car trip will involve at least a few new tracks.
I've also been doing homework for my Papermaking class. I made a small box that housed a person made out of beads for my last project and my current one is going to be a scrapbook/collaged thing that shows my distaste for partisan politics. It must be a commentary on a political, environmental or social issue.
I have to wait two more weeks before I can register for the chemistry class that I want to take. I still have to decide what my back-up class will be if I don't get into it.
I've also been doing homework for my Papermaking class. I made a small box that housed a person made out of beads for my last project and my current one is going to be a scrapbook/collaged thing that shows my distaste for partisan politics. It must be a commentary on a political, environmental or social issue.
I have to wait two more weeks before I can register for the chemistry class that I want to take. I still have to decide what my back-up class will be if I don't get into it.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Breast Cancer Anxiety
I had one of those dreams this morning that you think are 100% real, even a few seconds after you've woken up. In the dream, I was about to have a mastectomy and I was lying in the hospital bed. The only reason I was nervous was that I figured it would hurt, I didn't even care about the Cancer. My doctor told me that an intern would be operating on me. She whispers that since the intern is pregnant and can't sleep, she is at the hospital all the time. I don't know if I would call it a nightmare, but it did remind me of another dream I had that I was pregnant and going into labor. My thoughts in that dream were, "I am not ready for this. Maybe if I ignore it, it will go away."
I know for a fact that watching Grey's Anatomy seconds before going to sleep triggered this dream.
I know for a fact that watching Grey's Anatomy seconds before going to sleep triggered this dream.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Fall Tv - Studio 60 and HIMYM
Tv Squad reviews this week's episodes of Studio 60 and How I Met Your Mother, two of my can't-miss shows. I thought this week's Wrap Party episode of Studio 60 was the best one yet. This show has reminded me of how much I miss Sports Night and need to watch more West Wing. Aaron Sorkin's writing hits such a chord with me, sometimes it's scary.
But, this week was not such a good one for How I Met Your Mother. I think the Brunch and Ted's Parents episodes were much better. I've been watching LOST, Heroes and The Nine as well. The last two are following a LOST type of story with a large group of people, some evil, where each one of them has different pieces to the puzzle. In fact, the cop on Heroes was the Pilot on LOST and two main characters from The Nine have been in 24. But, the connection I missed most was Sarah Paulson and Amanda Peet both being on Studio 60, when they both starred in Jack & Jill. The third girl on that show, Jamie Pressly is now hilarious on My Name is Earl.
One last thing, that commercial where Alec Baldwin asks Tina Fey when he gets to "meet" Aaron Sorkin bothers me. They worked together on Malice, so I'm pretty sure they've met.
But, this week was not such a good one for How I Met Your Mother. I think the Brunch and Ted's Parents episodes were much better. I've been watching LOST, Heroes and The Nine as well. The last two are following a LOST type of story with a large group of people, some evil, where each one of them has different pieces to the puzzle. In fact, the cop on Heroes was the Pilot on LOST and two main characters from The Nine have been in 24. But, the connection I missed most was Sarah Paulson and Amanda Peet both being on Studio 60, when they both starred in Jack & Jill. The third girl on that show, Jamie Pressly is now hilarious on My Name is Earl.
One last thing, that commercial where Alec Baldwin asks Tina Fey when he gets to "meet" Aaron Sorkin bothers me. They worked together on Malice, so I'm pretty sure they've met.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
"Junk food may not only be making us sick, but mad and bad too."
So says this article in The Guardian. It talks about a study that gives aggressive alcoholics omega-3 supplements and has resulted in a measurable decrease in their anger. It also suggests that omega-3 deficiencies can cause or aggravate depression! Omega-6 fatty acids are taking the place of omega-3 fatty acids in many foods.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Three Years of Blogging Today
Monday, October 02, 2006
Pun Intended
On the second episode of Studio 60 I saw the following pun:
"Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana."
So here is a list of puns that I have either heard or been reminded of recently:
A termite walks into a bar, sits down and asks, "Is the bar tender here?
I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me. -from punoftheday.com
A string walks into a bar and the bartender tells him to leave, "We don't serve strings here!" The string leaves and goes home. He ties himself into a knot and combs out his hair. Then he returns to the bar. "Aren't you that string from earlier?" asks the bartender angrily. He replies, "No, I'm a frayed knot."
The Far Side where the cannibals are eating the clown and one says, "Does this taste funny to you?"
See the comments for the answers to these groaners:
"Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana."
So here is a list of puns that I have either heard or been reminded of recently:
A termite walks into a bar, sits down and asks, "Is the bar tender here?
I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me. -from punoftheday.com
A string walks into a bar and the bartender tells him to leave, "We don't serve strings here!" The string leaves and goes home. He ties himself into a knot and combs out his hair. Then he returns to the bar. "Aren't you that string from earlier?" asks the bartender angrily. He replies, "No, I'm a frayed knot."
The Far Side where the cannibals are eating the clown and one says, "Does this taste funny to you?"
See the comments for the answers to these groaners:
- Q: What is brown and sticky?
- Q: What is gold and makes you rich?
- Q: What is Mary Short for?
Friday, September 22, 2006
Del.icio.us Hints
Using a watch as a compass - align the hour hand with the sun, and get out your protractor
Getting free Whoppers - not to actually get them, but to witness the saddest comment-thread argument ever
The Best Time to Buy Everything - buy Champagne in December
18 tricks to teach your body
Get 100 of your flickr photos printed for $19.99 - business card sized prints
46 Things I Wish My Mom Taught Me About Money
Quickly resize your images
How to be a Geek and be popular - worth reading especially if you are not a Geek
Make beautiful things out of paper
Have a nice, cheap organizer in minutes
Getting free Whoppers - not to actually get them, but to witness the saddest comment-thread argument ever
The Best Time to Buy Everything - buy Champagne in December
18 tricks to teach your body
Get 100 of your flickr photos printed for $19.99 - business card sized prints
46 Things I Wish My Mom Taught Me About Money
Quickly resize your images
How to be a Geek and be popular - worth reading especially if you are not a Geek
Make beautiful things out of paper
Have a nice, cheap organizer in minutes
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
I'm not Lutheran, I'm not very social, and I don't provide any services
My home phone is one digit off of the number for Lutheran Social Services, and I get a ton of misdialed calls. I average ten calls a week that leave no message at all. Before I switched my outgoing message to advise people they have not reached LSS, people would leave messages with their personal information asking for a call back. The first was a woman who called to get her adopted son's family history, and recently I got a call letting me know that someone was now homeless and staying with the lady who was calling. The funniest one was last Friday, where a woman wants to let them know she has changed her address and she recites the address two times. It is the building next door to the first apartment my family lived in when we moved to St. Cloud. She even had the same apartment number.
PS: If it is a local number, I try to call to let them know they misdialed.
PS: If it is a local number, I try to call to let them know they misdialed.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Learning you Good
According to this, 10% of my words are 3 or more syllables and it takes only 5 years of school to be able to understand my blog.
Five Quotes
Go here and look through random quotes until you find five that you think reflect who you are or what you believe.
Mine:
Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.
Carol Burnett
The thing I hate about an argument is that it always interrupts a discussion.
G. K. Chesterton
Regret for wasted time is more wasted time.
Mason Cooley, O Magazine, April 2004
Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.
Sidney J. Harris
Whoever ceases to be a student has never been a student.
George Iles
via kottke
This one didn't come up for me, but was on someone else's page:
"It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere." Agnes Repplier
Mine:
Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.
Carol Burnett
The thing I hate about an argument is that it always interrupts a discussion.
G. K. Chesterton
Regret for wasted time is more wasted time.
Mason Cooley, O Magazine, April 2004
Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.
Sidney J. Harris
Whoever ceases to be a student has never been a student.
George Iles
via kottke
This one didn't come up for me, but was on someone else's page:
"It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere." Agnes Repplier
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Collect Them All - Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry Shortcake
Ahhhhh - these dolls smelled so good! They all smelled like the dessert they were named after and each came with a pet, also named after food (like Raspberry Tart with Rhubarb monkey). There are over 20 different characters and the new versions each have a Filly (horse) named after a flavor of ice cream. Villains are The Peculiar Purple Pieman of Porcupine Peak (with Captain Cackle the berry bird) and Sour Grapes (with snake Dregs).
I have caught a few half-hour episodes of a cartoon featuring the updated Strawberry Shortcake, but I can only find the DVDs on IMDb.
Ahhhhh - these dolls smelled so good! They all smelled like the dessert they were named after and each came with a pet, also named after food (like Raspberry Tart with Rhubarb monkey). There are over 20 different characters and the new versions each have a Filly (horse) named after a flavor of ice cream. Villains are The Peculiar Purple Pieman of Porcupine Peak (with Captain Cackle the berry bird) and Sour Grapes (with snake Dregs).
I have caught a few half-hour episodes of a cartoon featuring the updated Strawberry Shortcake, but I can only find the DVDs on IMDb.
Memory
I don't have that photographic, elephant-like memory that people like to brag about. But, judging by my job over the past week or so, I am lucky enough to remember a few odd, specific things that will later come in handy.
There were 27 kids in my kindergarten class (the one that took place 24 years ago) and I can remember 19 of their names:
Curt L
Joel B
Joel S
Jenny R
Heidi Z
Wes E
Doug G
Kristi G
Stuart ?
Tony P
Gary H
Gary H (yes, there were 2)
Taunia A
Emily S
Sarah C
Jessica T
Tiffany L
Jamie S
Katie R
So, there are seven missing (27-19-me=7). I know a boy named Shamus was in second grade with us, but not kindergarten. I would much rather attend a 25-year kindergarten reunion with these people than go to my ten year high school reunion. In fact, my ten-year was last September and I skipped it. Most of my friends either didn't graduate, were in another grade or attended another school.
There were 27 kids in my kindergarten class (the one that took place 24 years ago) and I can remember 19 of their names:
Curt L
Joel B
Joel S
Jenny R
Heidi Z
Wes E
Doug G
Kristi G
Stuart ?
Tony P
Gary H
Gary H (yes, there were 2)
Taunia A
Emily S
Sarah C
Jessica T
Tiffany L
Jamie S
Katie R
So, there are seven missing (27-19-me=7). I know a boy named Shamus was in second grade with us, but not kindergarten. I would much rather attend a 25-year kindergarten reunion with these people than go to my ten year high school reunion. In fact, my ten-year was last September and I skipped it. Most of my friends either didn't graduate, were in another grade or attended another school.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Eragonlive shut down even though it is just a fan site
I have been playing Eragonlive for several weeks now. Fox 2000 is producing the movie and think the site infringes on the copyright, and so they have asked the webmaster to shut down the site. You can sign a petition here to ask Fox to allow the site to stay open, as it is just a fansite. I am not privy to the exact wording of the request that they sent to Nighthawk, but I was working on the wiki and enjoying the game very much.
I am asking that you sign this petition if you think it was wrong of Fox to do this. I don't know how much influence it will ultimately have on the situation, but I want to get the word out.
Fox 2000 is part of 20th Century Fox, which is owned by News Corp, Rupert Murdoch's company.
I am asking that you sign this petition if you think it was wrong of Fox to do this. I don't know how much influence it will ultimately have on the situation, but I want to get the word out.
Fox 2000 is part of 20th Century Fox, which is owned by News Corp, Rupert Murdoch's company.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Quote of the Day to make you giggle
"Italian[s] I have known have found it completely appropriate to discuss how fat you've become and what you should do to fix it," via AskMeFi.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Want to see an awesome skullet?
One that has a braid in the back and big old mouth on the front?
Watch this Video (nsfw, swearing)
Watch this Video (nsfw, swearing)
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Warren Jeffs arrested in Nevada
Jeffs was on the FBI's Most Wanted list.
I first heard of Jeffs back in late May when Anderson Cooper was talking about him. They had a story about some towns on the Utah/Arizona border where many Mormon Fundamentalists lived, some of whom are followers of Jeffs. His compound in Texas was profiled, they drew comparisons to the Branch Davidian fiasco, and Jon Krakauer estimated that Jeffs could hide out there for over a year with his stockpiles, even if authorities blocked any new supplies from entering. I bought Krakauer's book about some other Fundamentalist Mormons who committed murder and then claimed that God told them to do it, but I haven't read it yet. According to the book's website, Mormonism is America's fastest growing religion. Clear distinctions should be made between these offshoot groups and the Mormon establishment, specifically that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not condone polygamy while most fundamentalists do practice it.
I first heard of Jeffs back in late May when Anderson Cooper was talking about him. They had a story about some towns on the Utah/Arizona border where many Mormon Fundamentalists lived, some of whom are followers of Jeffs. His compound in Texas was profiled, they drew comparisons to the Branch Davidian fiasco, and Jon Krakauer estimated that Jeffs could hide out there for over a year with his stockpiles, even if authorities blocked any new supplies from entering. I bought Krakauer's book about some other Fundamentalist Mormons who committed murder and then claimed that God told them to do it, but I haven't read it yet. According to the book's website, Mormonism is America's fastest growing religion. Clear distinctions should be made between these offshoot groups and the Mormon establishment, specifically that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not condone polygamy while most fundamentalists do practice it.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
I really think
we should consider naming one of the newer planets either Affleck or Baldwin. Actually, any acting family name will do. Barrymore, Cusack, Arquette, Douglas or even Estevez/Sheen. In 200 years, we could send out an Estevez Rover to explore the surface.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Did you know
that the US Mint currently makes about ten billion pennies each year? They estimate there are around 140 billion pennies in circulation right now.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Supertall
means "exceeding 1000 feet in height". While there are many new supertall buildings under construction or in the planning stages, the most interesting are the spiraling one in Chicago which plans to be the tallest building in the country and the serious contender to overtake the world record, the Burj Dubai.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Information Overload
My del.icio.us bookmarks have hit 2000 since they started allowing you to import bookmarks directly from an html file.
My Bloglines feeds are at 200 with the average number of unread articles at 4000 and the number of saved items at 3800. To be fair, I can knock about 1K off of the unread number in about 15 minutes.
My DVR hasten eleven unwatched episodes of Dawson's Creek, and at least ten more hours of other stuff.
293 +9228 +1593 +1418 +161 = 12, 693 The number emails I have, both read and unread in a variety of places. The 9K is at work and most of those are "for future reference".
My Bloglines feeds are at 200 with the average number of unread articles at 4000 and the number of saved items at 3800. To be fair, I can knock about 1K off of the unread number in about 15 minutes.
My DVR has
293 +9228 +1593 +1418 +161 = 12, 693 The number emails I have, both read and unread in a variety of places. The 9K is at work and most of those are "for future reference".
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Harry Potter RPG
Hogwartslive.com (that is my referral link) is also based on the Legend of the Green Dragon, so the gameplay is similar to Eragonlive.com (again with my referral link). This time you are trying to get Voldemort kills instead of Galbatorix kills. Speaking of which, I have been doing some work on the wiki for Eragonlive lately, but it seems I am the only one.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Dreaming
Tuesday night I had a dream I was in a competition like the Amazing Race and was having trouble with some public transit.
Last night, it was several people telling me that David Wenham had married Bonnie Franklin. Then it turned into me, at the beach with a friend. He was angry that I had let his things get washed into the water by the waves.
Last night, it was several people telling me that David Wenham had married Bonnie Franklin. Then it turned into me, at the beach with a friend. He was angry that I had let his things get washed into the water by the waves.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Eragon, Book 1 of the Inheritance Trilogy
I finished it on Sunday night. Now I await the game in November and movie on December 15th.
For now there is an RPG that is normally at eragonlive.com, but is currently only available at http://72.232.84.156
. I played it for a bit today.
For now there is an RPG that is normally at eragonlive.com, but is currently only available at http://72.232.84.156
. I played it for a bit today.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Fromage
I have recently become a cheese snob. My favorites include Drunken Goat, Myzithra, Colby Jack from Trader Joe's, fresh Mozzerella balls and Cantal. I had a moment of Duh when I was wondering aloud what the green stuff in Sage Derby was and my niece said, "Maybe it's Sage?"
Oh my goodness - Amazon has a Gourmet Cheese section.
I remember Pinky and the Brain singing about cheese.
Oh my goodness - Amazon has a Gourmet Cheese section.
I remember Pinky and the Brain singing about cheese.
Monday, July 17, 2006
I haven't slipped into another dimension
Ignore that last post (now removed) entitled 'misc blog entry material'. It's just a list I started a long time ago of things I should blog about. I usually save it as a draft, but I hit the publish button by mistake.
I have found two new online games to satiate my KOL thirst: Muffins and Cities.
Muffins is a direct KOL rip-off - which they freely admit - that I have been playing for about a week.
I just started playing Cities today, which I found due to a strange, twisted webtrail starting with the party stunt/game Snaps. Cities seems like a standard RPG so far where you have equipment, adventures and quests.
Have I mentioned here before that my niece and I got into some Trading Card games a few months ago? She had been collecting Lord of the Rings cards for a while, but we bought a starter kit for Harry Potter and then we flew down the slippery slope from there. We play two different Star Wars ones now as well. I have a few random cards from other games that I want to combine into one huge, geeky deck and figure out a way to play a game using it.
I have found two new online games to satiate my KOL thirst: Muffins and Cities.
Muffins is a direct KOL rip-off - which they freely admit - that I have been playing for about a week.
I just started playing Cities today, which I found due to a strange, twisted webtrail starting with the party stunt/game Snaps. Cities seems like a standard RPG so far where you have equipment, adventures and quests.
Have I mentioned here before that my niece and I got into some Trading Card games a few months ago? She had been collecting Lord of the Rings cards for a while, but we bought a starter kit for Harry Potter and then we flew down the slippery slope from there. We play two different Star Wars ones now as well. I have a few random cards from other games that I want to combine into one huge, geeky deck and figure out a way to play a game using it.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Theater Attendance
Seen in the theater lately:
The Lake House - A decent film overall, with some predictable parts. I saw this one in Hollywood.
The Devil Wears Prada - (seen with a free pass, so I didn't waste any $) The acting of the main characters was good, but the story couldn't have been more formulaic. It was even obvious to me where the first and second acts ended. I rarely notice that kind of thing, but it was glaring in this case. I just wonder if the book is the same way.
Superman Returns - I didn't like this one. This post does a good job of explaining why, and some of the comments do too. I can say that Bosworth is a horrible Lois Lane, but most of the action scenes were very well done. They almost distracted from the lame storyline.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - Before seeing it, I heard some mumblings and grumblings about how there was no story in this and it was all a set up for the third movie. I'm not sure what movie those people were watching, because this one was chock full of story, action and intrigue. It took me way too long to get the pun in the subtitle (Davey's heart, chest, sunken chest, har dee har har)
X-Men: The Last Stand - (second time) Even better than the first, since there is a high level of detail in this movie.
The Lake House - A decent film overall, with some predictable parts. I saw this one in Hollywood.
The Devil Wears Prada - (seen with a free pass, so I didn't waste any $) The acting of the main characters was good, but the story couldn't have been more formulaic. It was even obvious to me where the first and second acts ended. I rarely notice that kind of thing, but it was glaring in this case. I just wonder if the book is the same way.
Superman Returns - I didn't like this one. This post does a good job of explaining why, and some of the comments do too. I can say that Bosworth is a horrible Lois Lane, but most of the action scenes were very well done. They almost distracted from the lame storyline.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - Before seeing it, I heard some mumblings and grumblings about how there was no story in this and it was all a set up for the third movie. I'm not sure what movie those people were watching, because this one was chock full of story, action and intrigue. It took me way too long to get the pun in the subtitle (Davey's heart, chest, sunken chest, har dee har har)
X-Men: The Last Stand - (second time) Even better than the first, since there is a high level of detail in this movie.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Movies - now through December
Today, 07/07/06
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Strangers With Candy
07/21/06
Clerks II: Passion of the Clerks
07/28/06
Little Miss Sunshine
08/04/06
Barnyard
08/11/06
Zoom
09/01/2006
This Film Has Not Yet Been Rated
Idiocracy
09/15/2006
Employee of the Month
09/29/06
The Children of Men
Open Season
The Painted Veil - many conflicting release dates from September to December
10/13/06
The Fountain
Running With Scissors
10/20/2006
Marie-Antoinette
Fast Food Nation
The Nightmare Before Christmas - 3-D version
11/05/06
Leningrad
12/15/06
Eragon
12/22/06
Alatriste
12/29/06
Pan's Labyrinth
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Strangers With Candy
07/21/06
Clerks II: Passion of the Clerks
07/28/06
Little Miss Sunshine
08/04/06
Barnyard
08/11/06
Zoom
09/01/2006
This Film Has Not Yet Been Rated
Idiocracy
09/15/2006
Employee of the Month
09/29/06
The Children of Men
Open Season
The Painted Veil - many conflicting release dates from September to December
10/13/06
The Fountain
Running With Scissors
10/20/2006
Marie-Antoinette
Fast Food Nation
The Nightmare Before Christmas - 3-D version
11/05/06
Leningrad
12/15/06
Eragon
12/22/06
Alatriste
12/29/06
Pan's Labyrinth
NewsRadio
NewsRadio is coming to Nick at Nite, so you really should read the show's quotes page on IMDB. The first one, about the complaint box had me crying with laughter this morning.
Dave: I don't think I get this one, it says, "I try to be good hard-worker-man, but refrigemater so messy, so so messy."
Lisa: I think that one's probably from Milos, the janitor.
Dave: I don't think I get this one, it says, "I try to be good hard-worker-man, but refrigemater so messy, so so messy."
Lisa: I think that one's probably from Milos, the janitor.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
101 things in 1001 days
My list of 101 things to do in 1001 days
Which I stole from Triplux and many others.
My dates are 06/12/2006 to 03/8/2009
Which I stole from Triplux and many others.
My dates are 06/12/2006 to 03/8/2009
- Go to Europe (DONE May 07)
- Turn thirty (DONE 6/22/07)
- Buy a condo or house
- Take a Papermaking or other art class (DONE 12/13/06)
- Declare a major
- See Los Angeles (DONE 6/22/06)
- See Seattle
- Own all of my Top Ten movies of the year (In progress, lists made...)
- Either ride Ripchord or Bungee Jump or Skydive
- Compile a list of my 100 favorite songs
- See some petroglyphs
- Take an official tour of a city, even if it just Minneapolis (DONE - Berlin 3/25/08)
- Organize my CDs, both music and computer (DONE 7/20/06)
- Whiten my teeth (DONE June 07)
- Go to The Science Museum (DONE 6/25/08)
- Finish a short story - one that is started or a brand new one
- Take Writing 2 (DONE Dec 07)
- Make an informative opening page for soelo.com (DONE)
- Update all of my other websites
- Get on a schedule - more than just "work school sleep work tv sleep"
- Set aside an arts and crafts area in home
- Get a dishwasher and washing machine in apartment/condo (DONE 7/3/06)
- Read at least 33 books (one per month) (DONE Sept 2008)
- See a live play
- Host at least one Geekfest
- Go to a live KOL meeting
- Attend a convention or show at a convention center
- Put something on soelo.com in addition to my blog (DONE)
- See a Panda Bear (in captivity, most likely) (DONE 3/24/08)
- Keep a daily journal - about boring stuff that only I care about
- Buy more wine and learn which wineries I like (DONE)
- Learn to make a wine spritzer that I like (DONE Nov 06)
- Attempt to improve my handwriting (DONE, but just the attempt)
- Drive along the west coast (DONE June 18-21, 2006)
- Compile my own "pantry list" and have it complete in my kitchen at least once (list done)
- Go to a local festival that is not in Minneapolis or St. Cloud
- Take a trip somewhere using only public non-airplane transportation (i.e. bus, train, helicopter, taxi)
- Make and use a Christmas Card List (has to be08)
- Knit, crochet or sew something nice enough to wear in public - and wear it.
- Make one birthday or Christmas gift
- Go Snow Tubing somewhere official, with tube rental and lift
- Post to my blog on 87% of the days in a month. (27/31) (Done Dec 07)
- Have at least one book made from my photos
- Take multi-vitamins regularly (In Progress)
- Organize a real scavenger hunt
- Volunteer
- Fill the tank with gas - drive till it’s half gone, take pictures, and then come back (DONE 10/11/08)
- Make a scrapbook of all my travels (In Progress)
- Learn to make homemade chai (DONE Oct 06)
- Read a book on Arthurian Legend
- Memorize 'If' by Rudyard Kipling (DONE July 31, 2006)
- Journalize my time from age 18 to 28
- Finish my Interests inventory
- Learn something about everything
- Learn everything about something
- Make a nice long blogroll (DONE - via rss and gmail)
- Get my car's rear axle fixed (DONE June 12, 2006)
- Try ordering groceries online (DONE Jan 08)
- Take 3 additional classes (not writing or papermaking) (In progress - Politics)
- Update my immunizations (DONE 8/7/08)
- Go on a blind date (DONE Sept 07)
- Go on a real date (with someone I know or meet, not a fix-up) (DONE July 07)
- Get email archives down to below 100 (I don't think I will ever do this)
- Get rss archives down to below 100 (DONE)
- Set up bill-paying plan or auto-pay
- Have either the bio-hazard symbol or my name in Hebrew tattooed on my arm
- Attend a yoga class
- Draw one comic strip, and post it. (Dialogue and background done for 2)
- Move all stuff in storage into apartment. (In Progress, there are still about 25 boxes in my friend's basement)
- Set up scanner (DONE Nov 30, 06)
- Finish scanning pictures
- Organize those pictures
- Print out / archive my blog (archiving started June 06)
- Tag most of my blog entries (DONE Dec 27, 2006)
- Ponder a change of blog format/host
- Reduce paper clutter / handle paper monster
- Organize my books and list the ones I own but haven't read (DONE 07/02/07)
- Go to the Como Zoo (DONE May 07)
- Travel the Grand Rounds
- Buy and use a Tetsubin (DONE June 06)
- Check out and read 3 books from the Minneapolis Public Library
- See all 128 episodes of Dawson's Creek in order. (started on June 25th, 2006, stopped after Mitch died)
- Rent a game console and games for a week (Done sort of, got a PS2 and played Katamari)
- Hold the water taste test for my friends
- Finish the small painting and hang it somewhere (In Progress. It's abstract, so it is hung but not finished.)
- Get a passport (DONE May 16th, 2007)
- Make a significant contribution to a Wikipedia article (DONE on Eragon Live in summer 07)
- Get one KOL character to 50 ascensions (In Progress, soelo is at 27)
- Make cookies from scratch (DONE July 08)
- Make another dessert from scratch
- Make an entire meal (entree, two sides and a beverage) myself (DONE Feb 07)
- Purge the clothes I no longer wear
- Make an asian noodle dish in my wok (DONE May 08)
- Play board games with my friends (DONE)
- Build a Sandcastle
- Retake Calculus 2 (DONE Aug 08)
- Flirt with a stranger (DONE)
- Use craigslist for something (DONE Jan 07 - my apartment ... and again in Sept 07 where I found my boyfriend)
- Get some more videos for my ipod (DONE)
- Get contact lenses and wear them
- Purge my videotapes
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Playing to win
After reading this post that points out the stupidity of saying "I like to have fun," I was reminded of my own hatred of the soundbite that no reality show can pass up, "I am playing to win." Really? You mean, you are on a show that is giving away a big prize and you are actually going to try to be the winner? Wow, what a concept!
Monday, June 26, 2006
Futurama
is coming back! They announced it on my birthday, and the new episodes will begin airing in 2008.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
The Official ___s of my California Road Trip
Car: a silver Pontiac Grand Prix
Ripoff: Gas at $3.30/gallon
Snack food: Pumpkin Seeds from Trader Joe's
Radio Song: Girl Next Door by Saving Jane
Radio Artist: Gwen Stefani - Rich Girl and Hollaback Girl played all the time
Radio Station: KRUZ 97.5 in Santa Barbara
Drug Store: Walgreens (one on every corner)
Place to meet locals: Mass Transit
Attained Goal: actual wildlife sightings - sea lions and elephant seals
Commercial: the Ford one with the American Idol guy
Street Name: Mission - every city has a Mission Ave, St or Blvd
Politician: Schwarzenegger who seems to be up for reelection soon
Celebrity Death that I had nothing to do with: Aaron Spelling. I had been in Beverly Hills that day, but I was not thinking of him!
Ripoff: Gas at $3.30/gallon
Snack food: Pumpkin Seeds from Trader Joe's
Radio Song: Girl Next Door by Saving Jane
Radio Artist: Gwen Stefani - Rich Girl and Hollaback Girl played all the time
Radio Station: KRUZ 97.5 in Santa Barbara
Drug Store: Walgreens (one on every corner)
Place to meet locals: Mass Transit
Attained Goal: actual wildlife sightings - sea lions and elephant seals
Commercial: the Ford one with the American Idol guy
Street Name: Mission - every city has a Mission Ave, St or Blvd
Politician: Schwarzenegger who seems to be up for reelection soon
Celebrity Death that I had nothing to do with: Aaron Spelling. I had been in Beverly Hills that day, but I was not thinking of him!
Home
I've been home for a day or so, but most of that time was spent sleeping or shopping. Work tomorrow, yee haw.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
California
I am posting from cafe one block off of Hollywood Blvd. Southern California is so pretty, even the people are pretty. I wish they all could be California Boys. Got lots of pictures, of course, but have only seen one very minor celebrity, the red suit guy on Rodeo - and he stands there waiting for tourists! I'll be home in about 24 hours.
Friday, June 23, 2006
California Road Trip - Day 9
This was my last day in LA, so I spent it driving around. My niece has a thing for Elijah Wood and she once read that he frequents Lulu's Cafe. Since I was in town, I agreed to track down the place and get her a picture. After that, I headed northwest to Topanga Canyon for some views and then south to Santa Monica. I parked at the Pier and walked out to the end. I saw some fisherman catch a small ray and release it. During lunch at Mariasol, I watched some of the World Cup between France and Togo. I walked up to the Third Street Promenade and hit another toy store. I bought some pixel blocks there and then had a cool drink while browsing through Borders. The drive back to my hotel took almost two hours, but it was scenic enough that it didn't bother me. After another nap, I went back to Hollywood & Highland and spent two hours there. The next day was basically jusy waking up, filling the rental car with $3.30 gas and flying home.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
California Road Trip - Day 8
It's my 29th birthday today, and I have a tour booked with Starline.We go inside the Hollywood Bowl, they point out Merv Griffin's house, and take us shopping in Beverly Hills on Rodeo Drive. I pass lots of expensive stores and end up making my only purchase at a toy store, the card game Set. We hit the Farmer's Market where I buy a Tetsubin, and then the Chinese Theater before hitting Hollywood & Highland where I found Beard Papa's, a cream puff stand I'd read about but forgotten. I treat myself to two puffs, one for now and one for later.We go to the La Brea tarpits, head through Downtown and stop at Olvera Street before heading back to Hollywood & Vine.
After the tour, I see The Lake House at the Arclight and then take the subway back to my hotel. While waiting for the train, I meet a guy from New Zealand who is traveling around America. He doesn't have strict plans, so I tell him that I am from Minnesota and suggest he visit the Midwest, particularly Chicago. He was planning on riding without a ticket, but another guy and I convince him it's not worth the risk, so we watch his stuff while he runs upstairs and buys one.
Day 9
After the tour, I see The Lake House at the Arclight and then take the subway back to my hotel. While waiting for the train, I meet a guy from New Zealand who is traveling around America. He doesn't have strict plans, so I tell him that I am from Minnesota and suggest he visit the Midwest, particularly Chicago. He was planning on riding without a ticket, but another guy and I convince him it's not worth the risk, so we watch his stuff while he runs upstairs and buys one.
Day 9
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
California Road Trip - Day 7
I head south and east to Valencia so I can go to Six Flags Magic Mountain. Valencia is in the middle of nowhere, and it seems that the only traffic is going to Six Flags. Traffic is an understatement, it's a logjam. It costs $15 per car to park. Suddenly I understand the people who take buses up from LA.
While there, I ride the new coaster Tatsu as well as Viper, Deja Vu, Riddler, Superman, Batman, Colossus and Goliath. I am completely exhausted as I drive to my hotel in Hollywood. The traffic is just like Manhattan, heavy but not nearly as bad I expected.
While there, I ride the new coaster Tatsu as well as Viper, Deja Vu, Riddler, Superman, Batman, Colossus and Goliath. I am completely exhausted as I drive to my hotel in Hollywood. The traffic is just like Manhattan, heavy but not nearly as bad I expected.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
California Road Trip - Day 6
Today I went to the Santa Barbara Zoo. It seemed to be full of mothers and children. There is one of those vending machines where you can get goat feed for a quarter and one of the little kids says to another, "You have to pay to feed them. Do you have that kind of money?" I take a nap in my hotel room and then do laundry. On the way back from laundry, I take an aimless drive up a big hill and then up along the coast. One of the nice things about being by the ocean is that it makes it almost impossible to get lost. I have a late dinner at Taco Bell and pack up before sleeping.
Monday, June 19, 2006
California Road Trip - Day 5
In the morning I checked out of my hotel and hit traffic on the way to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium. Inside I went through lots of exhibits, but my favorite part was the boardwalk/patio part where you can go out and watch the ocean. After the museum, I took Highway 1 south toward Big Sur. This is quite the drive: tons of turnoffs, hills you won't believe, beautiful vistas and plunging cliffs. The road gets very crazy at the San Luis Obispo city line.
One of my goals in California was to have a unique wildlife sighting. As I am driving past what looks like a regular turnoff with parking lot, I decide to stop. To my surprise, this is an observation area for elephant seals. There is a beach with 50-70 seals that are sunning themselves and grunting occasionally to the delight of all the watching tourists! There are also lots of crows and squirrels who find the place very inviting, so inviting that one squirrel actually approaches me looking for food. I didn't have anything to give him, but I held out my camera to take a close up. He actually reached out and his little paw on my camera! So, I felt as if I had reached that particular goal.
I stopped for more groceries in Arroyo and then got to my hotel in Santa Barbara very late.
Day 6
One of my goals in California was to have a unique wildlife sighting. As I am driving past what looks like a regular turnoff with parking lot, I decide to stop. To my surprise, this is an observation area for elephant seals. There is a beach with 50-70 seals that are sunning themselves and grunting occasionally to the delight of all the watching tourists! There are also lots of crows and squirrels who find the place very inviting, so inviting that one squirrel actually approaches me looking for food. I didn't have anything to give him, but I held out my camera to take a close up. He actually reached out and his little paw on my camera! So, I felt as if I had reached that particular goal.
I stopped for more groceries in Arroyo and then got to my hotel in Santa Barbara very late.
Day 6
Sunday, June 18, 2006
California Road Trip - Day 4
A and G are flying back home today, but I am staying in Cali and driving down the coast. I rent the car and go pick them up at their hotel. We went out to spend our last minutes in San Francisco at the grounds around the Palace of the Legion of Honor. The Palace itself is an art museum, with a cast of Rodin's The Thinker outside. I went there in 1998 the first time I visited California and saw my first Picasso and Rembrandt. We did not go inside since our time was limited, but we saw the sculptures they have on the grounds and enjoyed more Pacific views.
I dropped them both off at SFO and drove south towards Monterrey. After climbing a steep incline for what seemed like an hour, the trees fell away and I got a breathtaking view of a marina. I reached my hotel in Seaside and watched Batman Begins on cable. Then I went to Kroger for some groceries and had a picnic on the beach.
Day 5
I dropped them both off at SFO and drove south towards Monterrey. After climbing a steep incline for what seemed like an hour, the trees fell away and I got a breathtaking view of a marina. I reached my hotel in Seaside and watched Batman Begins on cable. Then I went to Kroger for some groceries and had a picnic on the beach.
Day 5
Saturday, June 17, 2006
California Road Trip - Day 3
A is always the early riser when we are on vacation, while G tends to sleep in and I am somewhere in the middle. He was up and eating breakfast at Perry's before I left my hotel, but we did meet up there. We went over to Fisherman's Wharf again to see the sea lions that sun themselves at Pier 39. They are actually visible on Google Maps:
View Larger Map
After that we waited far too long for a bus to take us up to Coit Tower. Before we went inside, we called G and found she was in Little Italy, about to head up to the tower. After meeting up with her, we rode to the top and got the breathtaking views and took all the nice pictures. We took a break in the shade and then headed over to descend the Filbert Steps. A is a big fan of the Tales of the City books (I loved the first 3 as well, just haven't read the next 3), so he insisted on seeing them. It's a very long walk, but well worth it even if you don't get to see any of the wild parrots, which we didn't.
We walked through Levi's Plaza and then took the BART over to the Mission District. We ate at Taqueria Pancho Villa and then walked over to Mission Delores. I was tired so I decided to rest on the steps outside while A and G went in and took a tour. We then took a bus up to the Castro and hung out for a bit, just shopping, people-watching and eating gelato. We continued the eating theme in North Beach at Trattoria Pinnochio and then went for more cannoli.
Day 4
View Larger Map
After that we waited far too long for a bus to take us up to Coit Tower. Before we went inside, we called G and found she was in Little Italy, about to head up to the tower. After meeting up with her, we rode to the top and got the breathtaking views and took all the nice pictures. We took a break in the shade and then headed over to descend the Filbert Steps. A is a big fan of the Tales of the City books (I loved the first 3 as well, just haven't read the next 3), so he insisted on seeing them. It's a very long walk, but well worth it even if you don't get to see any of the wild parrots, which we didn't.
We walked through Levi's Plaza and then took the BART over to the Mission District. We ate at Taqueria Pancho Villa and then walked over to Mission Delores. I was tired so I decided to rest on the steps outside while A and G went in and took a tour. We then took a bus up to the Castro and hung out for a bit, just shopping, people-watching and eating gelato. We continued the eating theme in North Beach at Trattoria Pinnochio and then went for more cannoli.
Day 4
Friday, June 16, 2006
California Road Trip - Day 2
We had breakfast at Lori's, a 50's themed diner and then went to Macy's to find G some shoes and a hat for A. We then took the #30 out to the Palace of Fine Arts and wandered around taking pictures. We then took a #28 over to some bunkers on some coastal cliffs that overlook the Golden Gate Bridge. You could see a nude beach from up there! We bussed over to Haight-Ashbury and ate at Cha Cha Cha's. I had sangria and cajun fish. As we were wandering away from the restaurant, we passed a tattoo parlor and went inside. G and I spent some time trying to convince A that we should all get tattoos as a way to remember the trip. We almost had him convinced until we found out that it would take the rest the day to get us all done. A headed over to Alamo Square while G and I went to the San Francisco Mall. We didn't do much shopping, but I did get some cannoli at Segafredo's. Then we all took the cable car up to the bay and hung out on the beach.
Day 3
Day 3
Thursday, June 15, 2006
California Road Trip - Day 1
I met up with G at the SFO BART station and we rode the train to Powell station together where we met up with A and then headed to our hotels. They were both staying in a hotel a block south of Market St while mine was two blocks north of Market. We checked in and met back up at the cable car and took it down to Fisherman's Wharf. After hanging out on the wharf and eating at In N Out burger, we took a very crowded F train back to our hotels to change for dinner. We had reservations at the Cliff house, where I had some saki and a curry seafood dish. There are such nice views from both inside and outside the restaurant, and the sun was setting as we ate, so we got tons of great pictures. A and I went to a bar in the Castro and drank a bit before eating some turkey burgers and crawling into bed at 3 am.
Day 2
Day 2
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Deflated
I drove over a screw that stuck in my tire on Sunday, so I had to put my spare tire on last night. Last time I needed a tire change, Ombre De Chevalier was nice enough to do it and give me lessons. So, I loosened the nuts, jacked up the tire, removed it and put the spare on. Tip: to tell which side of the tire should face out, check for the inflation valve.
Anyway, I was a filthy mess, but I had to run to the corner store after that to get some cash so I could do two loads of laundry. As I am getting cash and buying a soda, I hear a rather strange conversation between one of the workers there and a customer. My friends and I started a blog called Overheard in Minneapolis, which is a blatant rip-off of Overheard in New York, so I posted it on that blog and you'll have to go there to read it. We certainly aren't the only ones who had that idea, and there is a list of other Overheard blogs on the sidebar, which are great mood elevators.
Anyway, I was a filthy mess, but I had to run to the corner store after that to get some cash so I could do two loads of laundry. As I am getting cash and buying a soda, I hear a rather strange conversation between one of the workers there and a customer. My friends and I started a blog called Overheard in Minneapolis, which is a blatant rip-off of Overheard in New York, so I posted it on that blog and you'll have to go there to read it. We certainly aren't the only ones who had that idea, and there is a list of other Overheard blogs on the sidebar, which are great mood elevators.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Let THEM eat cake, I'll be eating pie in the corner
I am not a fan of cake or it's stepbrother the brownie. Carrot cake is great, as is cheesecake, but the generic bread-with-some-extra-sugar that passes for cake these days is just not worth the fat and calories. Every time I am at a wedding, I am accosted by a pushy person holding a small plate with a slice of evil. If I politely refuse the abomination, I get a sneer or an eye-roll. I am chubby enough without adding to my thighs with something barely palatable. At the very least, there had better be some good frosting that I can nibble on to make the whole thing worthwhile. I know I will still get dirty looks because of the cake left on my plate, but the sweetness of the frosting will help me cope with the social rejection.
My disdain for cake started with the brownie. A brownie is often just a drier version of cake with less yeast and more chocolate frosting. Sometimes people try to improve brownies, making them "special" with the addition of a controversial ingredient. It adds a whole new dimension to an otherwise boring snack food, but it can upset and confuse people if they are not expecting it. So, be sure to warn people if you decide to take the leap and add nuts to your brownie recipe!
Pudding cakes are an attempt to alleviate some of the dryness inherent in cake, but it doesn't add moisture as much as another weird flavor layer. So, why attempt to improve on something that has outlived its usefulness? I say we push cake aside and let pie take its rightful place on the table at birthday parties, weddings and all other occasions that require dessert. Pie is so much more versatile than cake. You want fruit? How about two crusts? Can you handle three inch thick whipped cream? How about some weird chalky, but yummy egg whites made stiff and added to a citrus goo? Pie will give you all that and more. In fact, pudding belongs in pie, not wasted in a cake.
My disdain for cake started with the brownie. A brownie is often just a drier version of cake with less yeast and more chocolate frosting. Sometimes people try to improve brownies, making them "special" with the addition of a controversial ingredient. It adds a whole new dimension to an otherwise boring snack food, but it can upset and confuse people if they are not expecting it. So, be sure to warn people if you decide to take the leap and add nuts to your brownie recipe!
Pudding cakes are an attempt to alleviate some of the dryness inherent in cake, but it doesn't add moisture as much as another weird flavor layer. So, why attempt to improve on something that has outlived its usefulness? I say we push cake aside and let pie take its rightful place on the table at birthday parties, weddings and all other occasions that require dessert. Pie is so much more versatile than cake. You want fruit? How about two crusts? Can you handle three inch thick whipped cream? How about some weird chalky, but yummy egg whites made stiff and added to a citrus goo? Pie will give you all that and more. In fact, pudding belongs in pie, not wasted in a cake.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
I <3 maps
Kottke continues the work of Rankin and shows us that Manhattan is a small world after all. The best thing on Rankin's page is the overlay of the US and Europe. If my 2003 road trip had taken place over the pond, I would have visited Copenhagen, Warsaw, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kiev, Bucharest, Rome, Madrid, Porto, Paris and Berlin.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Did you know...
that the nearest black hole to our planet is 1600 light years from Earth in the direction of Sagittarius, orbiting V4641?
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Braiding now legal
Remember this post about the unfair licensing requirements for hair braiders in Minnesota? Well, the rules exempting braiders are now in effect, so the system worked.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Rollercoaster of...
In 2001, I visited Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio and rode Millenium Force, which was the tallest steel rollercoaster in the country at the time, rising to 310 feet. Steel Dragon 2000 in Japan is taller, but is not currently running due to an accident. The same is true of the current record holder, Kingda Ka, in New Jersey. I was surprised to learn that two of the 4 tallest steel rollercoasters in the world are not currently operating.
This year I am going to Magic Mountain in California, which just opened its seventeenth rollercoaster Tatsu, breaking the tie with Cedar Point for the park with the most rollercoasters. There is debate as to whether Superman The Escape is actually a rollercoaster or simply a ride, because it is does not travel a circuit like most coasters do. If it was counted as a coaster, Magic Mountain would actually have 18.
This year I am going to Magic Mountain in California, which just opened its seventeenth rollercoaster Tatsu, breaking the tie with Cedar Point for the park with the most rollercoasters. There is debate as to whether Superman The Escape is actually a rollercoaster or simply a ride, because it is does not travel a circuit like most coasters do. If it was counted as a coaster, Magic Mountain would actually have 18.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Books
So, I just read my first book since January, which is a little misleading. I did a lot of reading for school since then, and read several short stories in The Scribner Anthology in February and March, so I am not a total clod. I am starting out with two lighter books to get my momentum up again, Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts and Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner. I have seen the movie version of Heart and I loved Weiner's first two books. When I finish those two, I'll move on to something a little more challenging.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
TJ's is here
Trader Joe's in St Louis Park is open! It looks like they will open some other metro locations in the future.
Friday, May 12, 2006
If you think you might come to California...I think you should
I was contemplating where I would like to spend my birthday this year when A Long December came on the radio and solidified my decision: in June I am Goin' Back to Cali. I've been to California twice before, one week just in San Francisco and a Labor Day weekend in Berkeley and Yosemite. I have not yet been to LA, and some friends are going to San Francisco the weekend before my birthday, so I am doing both! I fly out to SF, spend four days by the bay with A&G, then I head down the coast in a rental car. Things I want to see are Monterey Bay Aquarium, Big Sur (parts of it), various coastal animals like sea lions and such, the Santa Ynez Mtns, and the Santa Barbara Zoo. Hearst Castle is a maybe. Then I am going to Magic Mountain and then into LA for 3 more days before flying home. I leave in 5 weeks... can't wait.
All my caliroadtrip tagged bookmarks
All my caliroadtrip tagged bookmarks
Friday, May 05, 2006
Thursday, May 04, 2006
I can't get this outta my head
The Night Chicago Died
Daddy was a cop on the east side of Chicago
Back in the U.S.A. back in the bad old days
In the heat of a summer night
In the land of the dollar bill
When the town of Chicago died
And they talk about it still
When a man named Al Capone
Tried to make that town his own
And he called his gang to war
With the forces of the law
I heard my mama cry
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother what a night it really was
Brother what a fight it really was
Glory be!
I heard my mama cry
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother what a night the people saw
Brother what a fight the people saw
Yes indeed!
And the sound of the battle rang
Through the streets of the old east side
'Til the last of the hoodlum gang
Had surrendered up or died
There was shouting in the street
And the sound of running feet
And I asked someone who said
"'Bout a hundred cops are dead!"
I heard my mama cry
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother what a night it really was
Brother what a fight it really was
Glory be!
I heard my mama cry
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother what a night the people saw
Brother what a fight the people saw
Yes indeed!
And ther was no sound at all
But the clock upon the wall ......
Then the door burst open wide
And my daddy stepped inside
And he kissed my mama's face
And he brushed her tears away
The night Chicago died
(Na-na na, na-na-na, na-na-na)
The night Chicago died
Brother what a night the people saw
Brother what a fight the people saw
Yes indeed!
The night Chicago died
(Na-na na, na-na-na, na-na-na)
The night Chicago died
Brother what a night it really was
Brother what a fight it really was
Glory be!
The night Chicago died
(Na-na na, na-na-na, na-na-na)
The night Chicago died
Brother what a night the people saw
Brother what a fight the people saw
Yes indeed!
Daddy was a cop on the east side of Chicago
Back in the U.S.A. back in the bad old days
In the heat of a summer night
In the land of the dollar bill
When the town of Chicago died
And they talk about it still
When a man named Al Capone
Tried to make that town his own
And he called his gang to war
With the forces of the law
I heard my mama cry
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother what a night it really was
Brother what a fight it really was
Glory be!
I heard my mama cry
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother what a night the people saw
Brother what a fight the people saw
Yes indeed!
And the sound of the battle rang
Through the streets of the old east side
'Til the last of the hoodlum gang
Had surrendered up or died
There was shouting in the street
And the sound of running feet
And I asked someone who said
"'Bout a hundred cops are dead!"
I heard my mama cry
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother what a night it really was
Brother what a fight it really was
Glory be!
I heard my mama cry
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother what a night the people saw
Brother what a fight the people saw
Yes indeed!
And ther was no sound at all
But the clock upon the wall ......
Then the door burst open wide
And my daddy stepped inside
And he kissed my mama's face
And he brushed her tears away
The night Chicago died
(Na-na na, na-na-na, na-na-na)
The night Chicago died
Brother what a night the people saw
Brother what a fight the people saw
Yes indeed!
The night Chicago died
(Na-na na, na-na-na, na-na-na)
The night Chicago died
Brother what a night it really was
Brother what a fight it really was
Glory be!
The night Chicago died
(Na-na na, na-na-na, na-na-na)
The night Chicago died
Brother what a night the people saw
Brother what a fight the people saw
Yes indeed!
Season Finales - (the ones that matter)
May 11th - My Name is Earl and The Office
May 14th - Survivor, L&O:CI, Grey's Anatomy (Part 1)
May 15th - How I Met Your Mother, Grey's Anatomy (Part 2)
May16th - Scrubs
May17th - The Amazing Race
May 18th - That 70's Show and Will & Grace both air their Series Finales
May19th - Numb3rs
May 21st - Simpsons, Family Guy
May 22nd - King of Queens, 24
May 24th - Lost
May 14th - Survivor, L&O:CI, Grey's Anatomy (Part 1)
May 15th - How I Met Your Mother, Grey's Anatomy (Part 2)
May16th - Scrubs
May17th - The Amazing Race
May 18th - That 70's Show and Will & Grace both air their Series Finales
May19th - Numb3rs
May 21st - Simpsons, Family Guy
May 22nd - King of Queens, 24
May 24th - Lost
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Webtracks
City Pages' annual Best of edition has pixel art by Eboy, which I dig.
I found this quote on a coaster at a bar, but I like it anyway:
"We do not remember days. we remember moments." -Cesare Pavese
I also like this one: "If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears."
Ever been mistaken for an employee while shopping? I have and it is hilarious.
Myspace is not just for 14-21 year olds - it's for me too.
Trader Joe's is "coming soon" to Minnesota, before the end of May hopefully. I was 100% wrong about the location. I forgot all about Excelsior Boulevard. Could they have built any closer to Whole Foods?
Also, the new library downtown opens May 20th, or for $250 (or more!!) you can attend the benefit on the night of the 19th. This includes a progressive dinner, and I really need to attend something like that.
I found this quote on a coaster at a bar, but I like it anyway:
"We do not remember days. we remember moments." -Cesare Pavese
I also like this one: "If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears."
Ever been mistaken for an employee while shopping? I have and it is hilarious.
Myspace is not just for 14-21 year olds - it's for me too.
Trader Joe's is "coming soon" to Minnesota, before the end of May hopefully. I was 100% wrong about the location. I forgot all about Excelsior Boulevard. Could they have built any closer to Whole Foods?
Also, the new library downtown opens May 20th, or for $250 (or more!!) you can attend the benefit on the night of the 19th. This includes a progressive dinner, and I really need to attend something like that.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
The Venerable Book Meme
"The search began for more substantial sources of energy, and before long the well-endowed water resources of the Merrimack River were tapped." (from my environmental history book)
The Venerable Book:
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open it to page 161.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence along with these instructions.
5. Don't search around and look for the coolest book you can find. Do what's actually next to you.
The Venerable Book:
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open it to page 161.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence along with these instructions.
5. Don't search around and look for the coolest book you can find. Do what's actually next to you.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Movie News Roundup: Part 1
First I wanna make sure you know about two of my favorite blogs about all things Hollywood, Cinematical and TV Squad, which are part of Weblogs, Inc.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Cannoli
One day they will lock me up and ask me what I want for my last meal. I will probably ask for an appetizer of fresh mozzarella balls, scallops in butter and garlic for the main dish and cannoli for dessert. Ever since I tried my first cannoli around the age of 15, I have realized the best dessert in existence does not even contain chocolate. I get my cannoli at Buca di Beppo (who's version is drowned in chocolate) or Lund's deli, which probably horrifies the City Pages food critic. She wrote a whole article in this week's issue about cannoli and didn't mention either one. You get a paragraph of its history, tips on where to get the best local versions and even how to order some on the web.
Monday, April 10, 2006
You're only a day away
Even now - post deadline, having shirked my responsibilites - my stupid ass still refuses to write the paper!! I can think of 87 other things to do, none of them is finishing the big, huge, giant, 30% of my grade Paper. I get -3 initiative, -2 focus and +5 sloth for the past 3 days.
Repeat adventure script for KOL - courtesy of SolarFlare
Originated by Ohayou and working in Firefox:
Here is the same type of thing for IE, but I have not tested it yet. It seems to be the work of many different people:
javascript: function A(w){ if(/hypnotist|baio|crazy
bastard/i.test(w.document.body.innerHTML)) return; var
i,j,r=[],f=w.document.forms[0]; function q(n,v) {
r.push(n+'='+escape(v)) } if(f) {
for(i=0;i<f.length;i++) { with(f.elements[i])
if(type.substring(0,6)=='select') { j=-1;
while(++j<length) if(options[j].selected)
q(name,options[j].value) } else
if(type=='checkbox'||type=='radio'?checked:type!='button'&&type!='reset')
q(name,value); }
i=f.getAttribute('action')+'?'+r.join('&'); } else {
i=w.document.getElementsByTagName('a')[0].getAttribute('href');
if(i.substring(0,9)!='adventure') {
i='campground.php'; n=1; } } if(--n)
with(mainpane.document) { open();
write('<script>charpane={location:
0}</script><frameset cols=*
onLoad=setTimeout("top.A(top.mainpane.x)",50)><frame
name=x src="'+i+'">'); close() } else
mainpane.location=i;
menupane.document.body.firstChild.nodeValue=n||'';
return void 0 } if(n=prompt('Number of clicks?','10')) A(mainpane)
Here is the same type of thing for IE, but I have not tested it yet. It seems to be the work of many different people:
javascript:if(typeof overNover=='function')overNover(); else{(D=document.createElement('script')).setAttribute('src', 'http://users.adelphia.net/~dramatix01/scripts/r.js');void top.document.body.appendChild(D)}
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
A List, A Trip and A Race
I have been trying to work on a big upcoming movie post, but I keep getting sidetracked.
This morning's dream was a doozy:
My boss sees me showing some of my coworkers an IRS webpage.
She prints out the page, which is now like 500 pages and tells us to call the people on the list.
Xander* calls to tell me that Reeree is going to San Francisco for work and when she comes home, Nate will meet her at his house to get her on the light rail.
Nate then tells me that this San Fran thing is long term - not just a few weeks.
Then I look outside to the harbor and see brown boats with black sails racing.
I see 4 guys on horses in the water (which is up to the top of the horses' legs) and realize they were the racing officials.
*names have been changed to protect the guilty
This morning's dream was a doozy:
My boss sees me showing some of my coworkers an IRS webpage.
She prints out the page, which is now like 500 pages and tells us to call the people on the list.
Xander* calls to tell me that Reeree is going to San Francisco for work and when she comes home, Nate will meet her at his house to get her on the light rail.
Nate then tells me that this San Fran thing is long term - not just a few weeks.
Then I look outside to the harbor and see brown boats with black sails racing.
I see 4 guys on horses in the water (which is up to the top of the horses' legs) and realize they were the racing officials.
*names have been changed to protect the guilty
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Friday, March 10, 2006
Collect them all: Care Bears
Care Bears
The official page lists 19 Care Bears, including an all-white True Heart Bear, but Wikipedia lists 38 bears, some of which are new since 2004. The Care Bears live in Care-a-lot, a town made up of clouds and they often had to teach kids lessons about how not to be a jerk in their cartoon series. They even had a movie in 1985, which I remember seeing in the theater, and 4 more after that. They also had 11 Care Bear Cousins, who lived in the Forest of Feelings. There were different villains in each movie, but the television series had both Professor Coldheart and Wizard No Heart.
"Friends" of the Care Bears include Strawberry Shortcake and Holly Hobbie (each with their own sites) and Twisted Whiskers and the Get Along Gang (who's sites are not yet available). Friendship, in this case, means they are all owned by American Greetings.
See which Care Bear you are here or here. There is a popular quiz about Dysfuctional Care Bears, but I can't find a version available to the public.
(Australian site)
The official page lists 19 Care Bears, including an all-white True Heart Bear, but Wikipedia lists 38 bears, some of which are new since 2004. The Care Bears live in Care-a-lot, a town made up of clouds and they often had to teach kids lessons about how not to be a jerk in their cartoon series. They even had a movie in 1985, which I remember seeing in the theater, and 4 more after that. They also had 11 Care Bear Cousins, who lived in the Forest of Feelings. There were different villains in each movie, but the television series had both Professor Coldheart and Wizard No Heart.
"Friends" of the Care Bears include Strawberry Shortcake and Holly Hobbie (each with their own sites) and Twisted Whiskers and the Get Along Gang (who's sites are not yet available). Friendship, in this case, means they are all owned by American Greetings.
See which Care Bear you are here or here. There is a popular quiz about Dysfuctional Care Bears, but I can't find a version available to the public.
(Australian site)
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
School's out for Spring
Yesterday was my last night of school until March 13th, since it's Spring break/Midterm time. In Environmental history, I have a B/B+ average going on my weekly papers and I figure the midterm essays we did last night will get me a B as well. My grade is a mix of weekly writing, class participation, midterm and final papers, so my grade estimation right now is a B, which I am okay with considering that he didn't give out a single A last semester, only some A minuses.
I haven't a clue how I am doing in Modernism. Last week we turned in our midterm papers, which were paragraph answers to 5 questions, but he hasn't returned them to us yet. As far as class participation goes, I again would give myself a B, since I don't always have a lot to say, but I do talk more than the back half of the class.
I still haven't picked a major to fall back on if I decide Math is not for me. I thought of English for a while, which is basically Literature at my school, but my current classes have more than enough lit interpretation for me. My recent inklings are Pharmacy and Library Science. My job wouldn't pay for either of those, but I might be able to swing it myself. Now I am going to take a look at the class schedule for Summer and Fall.
I haven't a clue how I am doing in Modernism. Last week we turned in our midterm papers, which were paragraph answers to 5 questions, but he hasn't returned them to us yet. As far as class participation goes, I again would give myself a B, since I don't always have a lot to say, but I do talk more than the back half of the class.
I still haven't picked a major to fall back on if I decide Math is not for me. I thought of English for a while, which is basically Literature at my school, but my current classes have more than enough lit interpretation for me. My recent inklings are Pharmacy and Library Science. My job wouldn't pay for either of those, but I might be able to swing it myself. Now I am going to take a look at the class schedule for Summer and Fall.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Dorrie and the Weather Box by Patricia Coombs
was one of my favorite books when I was young. We recently found our battered, written-on, cover-missing copy on my mother's bookshelf. The illustrations were probably the best part, with Gink the cat, the big witch, angry androgynous Cook, and the swirly orange sky. I realized it was part of a series, but I don't think I have seen any of the other books:
1 Dorrie's Magic
2 Dorrie and the Blue Witch
3 Dorrie's Play
4 Dorrie and the Weather Box
5 Dorrie and the Witch Doctor
6 Dorrie and the Wizard's Spell
7 Dorrie and the Haunted House
8 Dorrie and the Birthday Eggs
9 Dorrie and the Goblin
10 Dorrie and the Fortune Teller
11 Dorrie and the Amazing Magic Elixir
12 Dorrie and the Witch's Imp
13 Dorrie and the Halloween Plot
14 Dorrie and the Dreamyard Monsters
15 Dorrie and the Screebit Ghost
16 Dorris and the Witchville Fair
17 Dorrie and the Witch's Camp
18 Dorrie and the Museum Case
19 Dorrie and the Pin Witch
20 Dorrie and the Haunted Schoolhouse
1 Dorrie's Magic
2 Dorrie and the Blue Witch
3 Dorrie's Play
4 Dorrie and the Weather Box
5 Dorrie and the Witch Doctor
6 Dorrie and the Wizard's Spell
7 Dorrie and the Haunted House
8 Dorrie and the Birthday Eggs
9 Dorrie and the Goblin
10 Dorrie and the Fortune Teller
11 Dorrie and the Amazing Magic Elixir
12 Dorrie and the Witch's Imp
13 Dorrie and the Halloween Plot
14 Dorrie and the Dreamyard Monsters
15 Dorrie and the Screebit Ghost
16 Dorris and the Witchville Fair
17 Dorrie and the Witch's Camp
18 Dorrie and the Museum Case
19 Dorrie and the Pin Witch
20 Dorrie and the Haunted Schoolhouse
Cash or Credit?
In the past month or so I have purchased a video iPod (Samwise), got contacts (today) and bought new shoes (some comfy green New Balances). It's strikes me as odd since these are all little things I wear, one for entertainment, one for health and one for comfort.
Friday, February 17, 2006
The goverment changed my birthday
While trying to file my taxes online this year, I find out that Social Security has my birthday wrong, so I had to go the local office yesterday and show them my birth certificate to prove it to them. I had been to that same office two years ago to request a new card, so I knew what to expect. Or did I? My memories from last time included a metal detector and a room full of about 50 adults and 60 children. The first thing you do is stand in line to see a receptionist, who gives you a number and verifies you have everything you need. When it came time for me to get my number, both of the women working the windows got up and walked away. So, there I sat for a few minutes looking at 5 empty windows, until a woman returned to give me my number, look everything up and glance at my forms.
Then it was time to sit, wait and enjoy the people watching which consisted of:
A man who sat right next to my niece despite at least 15 other seats being open
An angry older couple with a man who nearly went into the woman's bathroom
A worker looking at her computer screen as if everything was suddenly written in Russian
A cute little girl who kept handing us brochures
In those brochures, there are such useful definitions as "Retirement - when you retire" and "Death - when you die"
More than one conflict over the line and usage of windows
A building worker replacing nearly every light bulb in the place
A man wearing a hat that was way too small for him
An hour later, my turn came and I explained the deal. They assured me no one would be able to apply for anything in my name, which doesn't really comfort me, since you hear about people getting welfare checks for dead people and collecting 5 SSI checks through fraud. But, they will be investigating what happened, and I may or may not find out why the date was changed. It's funny, since I have to go through all of this to correct it, but it probably just took a keystroke for it to be changed in the first place.
Then it was time to sit, wait and enjoy the people watching which consisted of:
A man who sat right next to my niece despite at least 15 other seats being open
An angry older couple with a man who nearly went into the woman's bathroom
A worker looking at her computer screen as if everything was suddenly written in Russian
A cute little girl who kept handing us brochures
In those brochures, there are such useful definitions as "Retirement - when you retire" and "Death - when you die"
More than one conflict over the line and usage of windows
A building worker replacing nearly every light bulb in the place
A man wearing a hat that was way too small for him
An hour later, my turn came and I explained the deal. They assured me no one would be able to apply for anything in my name, which doesn't really comfort me, since you hear about people getting welfare checks for dead people and collecting 5 SSI checks through fraud. But, they will be investigating what happened, and I may or may not find out why the date was changed. It's funny, since I have to go through all of this to correct it, but it probably just took a keystroke for it to be changed in the first place.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Be still my heart
Kevin Smith is coming to my hometown. I missed him once at the UofM and never really thought I'd see him in person. But my tickets have been purchased!
Friday, February 03, 2006
You are all right now!
Last night I finished watching She's Having a Baby and realized how much of my family's vocabulary was inspired by this movie. We always laugh at the parents with the mining gear at the foot of the bed, instructing the kids on how better to conceive, but there are so many other hilarious parts, like her dad griping about wanting a grandchild so he can have a picture of it on his desk at work, and her mother reliving the pain of labor which makes her husband say, "You are all right now!"
Other great parts of the movie:
The steak that fell in the grass, blood raw on one side and burnt to a crisp on the other
Alec Baldwin's lovely girlfriend
Jake stripping down to put on scrubs
the angry photographer, "I can't work like this!"
"He'd probably end up working on a loading dock and hating every minute of it."
the grouper, smelt and swordfish
"You burned the dog!"
"NetSu? We own that,"
the cross-eyed boy with the impetigo
Jake spraying dental floss and his underwear with breath spray
the random people at the end suggesting baby names
Other great parts of the movie:
The steak that fell in the grass, blood raw on one side and burnt to a crisp on the other
Alec Baldwin's lovely girlfriend
Jake stripping down to put on scrubs
the angry photographer, "I can't work like this!"
"He'd probably end up working on a loading dock and hating every minute of it."
the grouper, smelt and swordfish
"You burned the dog!"
"NetSu? We own that,"
the cross-eyed boy with the impetigo
Jake spraying dental floss and his underwear with breath spray
the random people at the end suggesting baby names
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Back on the Interweb
A few weeks ago my computer stopped letting me log on. It would get to the Welcome screen (which it should have bypassed) and when I select which acct I want to log in under, it would show the desktop for a few seconds and then immediately log out and go back to the welcome screen. I tried several things and was about to bring it in when I remembered that my cubicle neighbor suggested it might be a problem with my spyware/adware programs. I uninstalled them both and got back in last night!
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Truth in Blogging
About a year ago, I posted something false on my blog. I just found out about it now, and have posted the correction as a comment. I found out by browsing through Snopes.com, which bills itself as the Urban Legend Reference Pages. Often when I get an email or hear a rumor, I'll look it up on Snopes to get the real deal. Here is what I have learned over the past few years:
Companies are not going to give you free things for forwarding emails.
The day after Thanksgiving is not the busiest shopping day of the year.
Ligers and Tigons really do exist. Also real are a wholphin (whale-dolphin), cama (camel-llama), and Dzo (cow-yak), as well as many zebra-donkey-horse combinations which include mule, hinny, zorse and zeedonk.
The racist remarks attributed to Elvis, Tommy Hilfiger and Lauryn Hill are all false.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Top 11 Movies of 2005
Surprise, I had to go with eleven again this year. In alphabetical order:
The 40 Year Old Virgin 9/10 - Hilarious but still realistic. Judd Apatow and Steve Carrell deserve the nomination from the Writer's Guild.
Batman Begins 8/10 - Bale is great as Bruce Wayne, but I felt he was missing something as Batman. I still prefer Michael Keaton. Michael Caine and Liam Neeson were wonderful. It has been announced that there will be a sequel in 2008.
Brokeback Mountain 10/10 - Amazingly sweet story and beautiful landscapes. The acting, setting and script are all good as seperate pieces, so they integrate well. Even the sad, bleak parts of the movie are captivating. I nearly didn't see this one in the theater, but I'm very glad I did.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 10/10 - Others felt this was too long, but it was worth it for me. Its box-office success has assured there will be more Narnia movies.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 10/10 - Faithful enough to the original story, the movie kept the frenetic pace and sense of mystery that made the book impossible to put down. Order of the Phoenix starts filming in February for a June 2007 release, and Rowling is writing the seventh book this year.
The Interpreter 9/10 - An international thriller that could have easily been a snoozefest, but Sydney Pollack kept the suspense going.
Memoirs of a Geisha 9/10 - An adaptation I have been waiting years to see. While Ziyi Zhang did Sayuri justice, I think Ken Watanabe's Chairman was the most accurate portrayal.
Serenity 10/10 - The finale that the TV series deserved. Too bad Firefly wasn't made as a movie from the beginning, it would have made a great space trilogy.
Sin City 9/10 - Gritty, violent and even gruesome at times, I still enjoyed this one. The casting was dead on. The sequel is due out next summer.
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith 8/10 - An appropriate ending to the saga, I think I expected too much from this movie.
Zathura 9/10 - Funny, with a sense of adventure. There are only five human characters in the movie, yet it never gets tedious.
The 40 Year Old Virgin 9/10 - Hilarious but still realistic. Judd Apatow and Steve Carrell deserve the nomination from the Writer's Guild.
Batman Begins 8/10 - Bale is great as Bruce Wayne, but I felt he was missing something as Batman. I still prefer Michael Keaton. Michael Caine and Liam Neeson were wonderful. It has been announced that there will be a sequel in 2008.
Brokeback Mountain 10/10 - Amazingly sweet story and beautiful landscapes. The acting, setting and script are all good as seperate pieces, so they integrate well. Even the sad, bleak parts of the movie are captivating. I nearly didn't see this one in the theater, but I'm very glad I did.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 10/10 - Others felt this was too long, but it was worth it for me. Its box-office success has assured there will be more Narnia movies.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 10/10 - Faithful enough to the original story, the movie kept the frenetic pace and sense of mystery that made the book impossible to put down. Order of the Phoenix starts filming in February for a June 2007 release, and Rowling is writing the seventh book this year.
The Interpreter 9/10 - An international thriller that could have easily been a snoozefest, but Sydney Pollack kept the suspense going.
Memoirs of a Geisha 9/10 - An adaptation I have been waiting years to see. While Ziyi Zhang did Sayuri justice, I think Ken Watanabe's Chairman was the most accurate portrayal.
Serenity 10/10 - The finale that the TV series deserved. Too bad Firefly wasn't made as a movie from the beginning, it would have made a great space trilogy.
Sin City 9/10 - Gritty, violent and even gruesome at times, I still enjoyed this one. The casting was dead on. The sequel is due out next summer.
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith 8/10 - An appropriate ending to the saga, I think I expected too much from this movie.
Zathura 9/10 - Funny, with a sense of adventure. There are only five human characters in the movie, yet it never gets tedious.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Spring Quarter
School starts today, and I am taking two classes, Environmental History and Modernism. Modernism is the period of change and rebellion that took place in art, music and literature that started around the end of the 19th century and continued well into the 20th. The class fulfills two different generals and also takes care of one major requirement if I decide to be an English major (who would have ever thought?).
TV
24 starts next Sunday, January 15th and Monday, January 16th from 7-9pm Central time.
Since I got my DVR, I've been watching more of the following shows:
Daria
Grounded for Life
Home Movies
Futurama
MadTV/SNL
Grey's Anatomy
Arrested Development
How I Met your Mother
Entourage
Blow Out
Queer Eye
And AOL provides a midseason schedule for new and returning shows.
Since I got my DVR, I've been watching more of the following shows:
Daria
Grounded for Life
Home Movies
Futurama
MadTV/SNL
Grey's Anatomy
Arrested Development
How I Met your Mother
Entourage
Blow Out
Queer Eye
And AOL provides a midseason schedule for new and returning shows.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Happy New Year - Now You're Old
So, while looking in the mirror on New Year's Eve, I discovered my first grey hairs, and I'm only 28! Many people subscribe to the superstition that what you're doing on New Year's is what you'll be doing all year, but luckily I am not one of them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)