Almost Famous

3rd time - waiting for the charm

2011-12-01T19:57:00.000-08:00

So like many American's, I am currently on the job market. Although I do have a job. At least until the end of January.
Our company was sold to our #1 competitor back in mid-October. Nice huh? It was a shock to everyone. It wasn't like we were struggling; if anything, things were turning around. Granted, cash was tight. So they sold us for 3 times what they paid but about half of what we were really worth.
I remember the day well. Actually, I woke up around 3am that morning just freaked out about something. I had no idea what but it took me a while to calm down. Then I got to work and the company attorney, the CFO, the Controller and an HR manager were already there. They NEVER beat me in. I knew something was wrong...I figured layoffs were coming. I was almost right.
One bad thing about it was I was in the process of buying a new car. I had to call the dealership and break the bad news. (Did I mention the whole sale process felt dream-like and unreal?)
For now I have to report to work until mid-month, then I get paid through the end of January. After that, my unused vacation pay and my 4-week severance....I'll be officially unemployed. Crazy.
I've been through this before, sort of. The first time I got laid off. No notice at all. I think I received about 3 or 4 weeks pay then. I found a job within 2. The second time I was working as a contractor and after a big contract was put on hold, my position was ended. I found a job then as well. Question is, will I be as lucky this time?
I have done some job browsing and I have applied to a few places but I haven't really "pounded the pavement" as of yet. It's a few weeks before Christmas and I figure, why not relax over the holidays and then go after it after the new year.
The real question is; will this be a transitional job...or a career?
Stay tuned....

If there's one thing I can do, it's bitch!

2011-09-03T06:28:00.000-07:00

So I started a new part-time job at a local restaurant that JUST opened. I'm not going to say the name. But there's no REAL use in being secretive either.
Training for this job was....LONG. 8+ days of menu training, right-attitude adjustment and dance training. Yes, dance. The reason I LOVE this job is the dancing. First time I've had a job where I've actually been encouraged to be my crazy, dancing, singing self.
Along the way I nightly broke a sweat, failed a few menu tests (not sure of the outcome of that), voiced my concern about the late hours (they serve until 1am on weeknights?) and developed a COLASSAL crush on one of the trainers. (which I still can't shake) To the point where I'm not sure I'm gunna even enjoy this job after he leaves. I feel like I've fallen into a time machine and woken up in my 20s. Yeah - that kind of crush. I wish I was in my 20s. Back when I was skinny, not a double-digit jean size! Speaking of jeans, that's what the uniform is; the t-shirt they supply us and jeans. Another reason why I wanted to work there.
I'm sure along the way I will use this blog as a means to get out my gripes in regards to this gig. That's a given. We'll see how the customer-stupidity stacks up! My complaints about it so far: the post-shift cleaning, the un-friendly trainers and the co-workers who have gone through the same training as me but feel somewhat better at their jobs so they must tell me how to do mine. Ummm...I don't think so Junior! lol. Oh, and did I mention that employees can't sit at the bar? Ever?! even when we come in for dinner? Seriously. I found this out last night when me and my friend Julie went. I had no idea. I don't remember being told that but, whatever. I can understand before or after a shift but if I come in for dinner to spend MY money....I should be treated the same as ANY customer...or better!
So there you go. Those are my beefs.
More to come!

No - I'm not the crazy bird lady!

2011-05-15T09:57:00.000-07:00

Ever since I can remember, I've liked birds. Well, I always liked animals but I've almost always had a bird. We had an Chinese Nightengale named Admiral when I was a kid. Couldn't tell you what he even looked like but I remember his cage and that we fed him crushed dog food and meal worms. I've also had canaries; many canaries. Presently I have one canary who I bought for my cousin; who lost interest in it and gave it to her mother who traded it with me for my obnoxious, biting yet charming parakeet named Louise, who I adopted from my friends Jimmy and Elaine. I also have a pair of parakeet brothers now who I've named Jimmy and Stewart. (pictured) They reek havoc on my ears some times but are also adorable and entertaining.
One thing I can't quite remember is how or where my fascination with wild birds began. I know alot of the breeds and I can sit and watch them feed for hours without getting bored; unless it's a flock of sparrows. Where did this come from?
My sister is into it; so is my Mother and my Aunt. My sister actually has a set-up from the store Wild Bird's Unlimited which I call the bird feeder Taj Mahal. Last year I even hung feeders in a tree outside a window at work until the bitches I work with complained so I had to either move them to a tree I wouldn't be able to see from a window, or take them down. I chose the later. (however I did recently hang a hummingbird feeder; who could complain about that?)
Now I'm a little pre-occupied with hanging feeders outside my apartment. The problem is, I'm on the 2nd floor of a house. Solution? Hang them from whatever hardware I can find on my sun porch. I now have a Squirrel Buster Min, which the squirrels have gotten so aggravated with they did something to it which made it pop off the hardware and plummet down from the 2nd level into the front yard. The bastards! I rescued all but one important piece which is probably caught up in the multi-layer roof or a gutter somewhere.
Then yesterday I purchased a really nice window feeder and, sure enough, this morning a chickadee and a couple house finches found it. (see picture of the chickadee visiting)
Future plans; get out the power drill and attach some more hardware so I can hang another Squirrel Buster Mini, get a window hook to hang a hummingbird feeder and some more hardware to hang an Oriole Feeder. I did spot an Oriole outside my house in a bush last year. Who knew; Orioles in the hood?

Grammy's and complaints

2011-02-13T18:43:00.000-08:00

Wow, can't believe it's been almost a year since I blogged. What have I been doing? Tweeting too much; facebook'ing like a crack addict.
I haven't moved yet because...well, I don't know. I'm lazy. That's a fact. I get home from work and I don't want to do shit. I could've had my apartment packed up months ago. More about that later...
So tonight is Sunday and the Grammy's are on. So many artists that I'm like "Who is that" and "Why is that crap nominated?" I must be old.
Oh great, Jamie Foxx is introducing someone. Is he gunna plug his new movie? A new CD? The only reason I can tolerate him is because I know my boy Robert Downey Jr is a friend of his.
Cee-Lo is on now doing "Forget you" instead of the "Fuck you" we all wanted to hear. And he looks like a cross between George Clinton, Elton John and NBC Peacock. With Muppet back-up
singers.
Okay, back to my life. Can I just say it, 2011 has sucked with a capital UCKED! Bad stuff went down at the house, then my car starting acting up, then my canary died and then the ONE thing I took joy in at work, some bird feeders I had hanging up outside the office window, they made me either move or take down. The back-stabbing, two-faced bitches I work with. I know who complained. So now not only do I want to move, but I want a new job too. I'm SICK of busting my ass at that place while others do nothing and just freaking coast. And get paid more than I do FOR their coasting. I'm surrounded by fucking slackers. And the managers don't do anything about it because they don't care. They're bringing home their money. It's beyond frustrating. What I really want to do...is move back home. I want to be with my family. There's nothing for me in Rochester. My phone doesn't ring with people asking me to do stuff. My friends have their own lives now. There's nothing here for me. If my Mom lived alone right now, I'd be gone. I'd pack up my shit and just go. Put it into storage and just hang out with my Mom.
Okay, Katy Perry is on. I know who she is. lol. Is she gunna do that fireworks-out-her-ass routine again? I like Glee's version of Teenage Dreams better than hers, sorry! Darren Criss killed that shit.
What's up with John Mayer trying to look like Johnny Depp?
Nice, Lady Antebellum won Song of the Year. Nice. Great song. And it's cute that they're choked up about it.
You're probably wondering why I posted the pic of Michael Waltrip on this post. The stink face was appropriate. It's how I've felt so far about this year. Two months in and it's basically been....a big turd.

The Great Apartment Hunt begins

2010-04-25T11:54:00.000-07:00

For 10 years I have lived in a peaceful apartment on the 2nd floor of a beautiful home in Rochester, NY. (and no, that is not a picture of the house) There were/are occasional inconveniences like the guy who lived down the hall whose girlfriend screamed during sex, (although that was more amusing than inconvenient) the ceiling fan downstairs that makes obnoxious noises in my bedroom, the girl who lived down the hall at one point whose boyfriend was verbally abusive to her and even the police came looking for him once. But even those issues didn't make me REALLY want to move out.
All that changed in October 2009.
My landlord decided that the best person to offer a studio apartment right next to a 45 year old, two job working woman is a 19 year street kid who has NEVER lived on his own and whose mother lives only a block away. Hmmm...doesn't it make you wonder WHY she would be kicking him out basically? Not my landlord. He never even did a background check or considered the outcome of this, he let the kid move in 1 day later.
Ever since, the 2nd of floor of this beautiful home has turned into the party, pot-smoking spot for bunches of local city idiots who drop f-bombs at least 5 times in one sentence. Nice, right?
So every night, I smell pot. Every weekend, I hear loud "music" (if you can call it that) until all hours in the morning. I hear people basically YELLING (talking?) to each other across an apartment that can't be more than 9 feet wide.
This is my life now.
Yes, I've complained. MANY times. From Day 1 because the partying began on Day 1. Allegedly, my landlord had a talk with him but nothing changed. I complained again. Nothing changed. And again, AND again, AND again. Until I got sick of complaining.
Why haven't I called the police? Well, being a single woman living on my own who has to walk by the party apartment every morning and every night....there's a little bit of a security issue there. I don't know these people, I don't know what they'd do if I did something. And I don't want to know. And the thing is, i shouldn't have to. My dumb-ass landlord should've known better and should've taken care of it 7 fucking months ago. (there's my one F-bomb)
Recently I had hoped there was a solution on the horizon. A "friend" of mines boyfriend owns a house who a friend and bandmate of his was living in by himself. They offered to let me move in there as a temporary or permanent solution. So not only would I be out of the current place but I'd have a WHOLE HOUSE to live in. Suddenly that option was taken from me. The rug pulled out from under me. I can no longer sit in my apartment, hear the shit going on the other side of the wall and think "It's only temporary, it's only temporary". I'm stuck again.
So now "The Great Apartment Hunt" begins. It started yesterday when I had appointments to see two places; both in really nice villages, in the center of said villages to be exact.
The first was on a 2nd floor above some businesses in the village of Webster. Looked nice on craigslist. I arrived before the agent did to find the landlord arguing with someone. And I heard what sounded like a VERY protective dog. The stairway up to the 2nd floor looked pretty old and somewhat neglected. The railing at the top even had nails coming out of it and moved if you leaned on it.
The hallway was painted green and everything, let's face it, looked cheap. The dog continued to bark and growl the whole time. Two other dudes, who I found out were from Ontario, showed up. (Ontario is basically the red-neck neighbor of the Rochester area) This place seemed more their style. The tenant was out and his brother, who lived down the hall, was the one the landlord was talking to. I guess he wanted him to hold the dog so he could show the place and the guy didn't want to be bothered. After trying numerous keys the landlord discovered that the tenant had changed the deadbolt. (which I THINK is illegal when you're renting). The funniest part was when they tried and describe the place. I also realized, it had no bath tub. BZZZZT! Thanks for playing. So I finally left.
The 2nd apartment was in the middle of the village of Penfield in an old mansion (pictured above) that I passed about a million times when I lived in Penfield with my Mom. I was very excited to see the place. The owner was waiting for me, leaning on his black Escalade. He started telling me about the property and this little house next to it, some guy who's going to cell ice cream on the corner all summer and then we finally went inside. I bet the entrance was nice back in the day. First he knocked on the wrong door and a college-age girl answered, as we tried to keep from stepping on the 20 pairs of shoes laying all over the landing. (red flag) He opened the other apartment and I couldn't believe what I saw. The living room was about as big as my kitchen, the bedroom was about the same (and didn't even have a closet) and the kitchen...was about the size of my pantry. As was the bathroom. I told him right away that I loved the house and the area but I have too much stuff for such a cracker jack box. Not to mention $680+gas and electric? for THAT?!?! Freakin crazy.
Needless to say, Day 1 of TGAH was a bust.

Is it July yet??

2009-02-08T19:23:00.000-08:00

If the cold weather, the piles of snow and the crappy drivers aren't enough to make me want summer to be here quicker, this doesn't help either:

Another reality TV couple bites the dust..

2008-11-03T16:46:00.001-08:00

I've gotta admit, I didn't see THIS one coming.
That bitch Deanna dumped my favorite dude from her Bachelorette show; Jessie.
Granted, this show has had one or maybe two successes from all the seasons they've had.
I said once that if the dates were more reality-based, maybe they'd have a shot but when
one minute you're strutting the beaches of a tropical Island and the next you're ordering from
the window at the local Dairy Queen....that can be difficult to handle.
I feel for Jessie though; I've heard that line before myself.

Chin up sweetheart, some snow bunny will be MORE than happy to take her place!

"Lollipops, Ice cream...and all free today"

2008-10-22T09:55:00.001-07:00

One of my all-time favorite villians!

Get Well Soon Gale!

2008-10-15T20:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, what was my man doing on a motorcycle anyway?

And people wonder why I'm not a fan of those stupid things...

Now my favorite actor is in Intensive Care at the USC Medical Center

after wrecking one.

Oye...just when the gig on Desperate Housewives was going so well.

Get well soon sweet thing, Sunday nights'll suck without seeing you!

Don't Mess with the Bull Pt. 2

2008-10-13T10:43:00.001-07:00

You're my bitches now Cowboy fans!

See what you get for cheering for a team in your own conference??

And against MY team no less.

You do NOT know who you're dealing with!

I just wish I had been at the bar to enjoy it.

The Cardinals have just become my favorite NFC team.

They block a kick in OT and score a TD on it.

Freakin FABULOUS!!

And now Romo is out with a busted digit.

Now you know Cow'fans...don't fuck with the phenom....you only hurt yourselves!

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

If you don't have something nice to say...

2008-10-05T19:43:00.001-07:00

So I'm going to be a total hypocrite for a second to my blog post Title and talk about Cowboys fans.

Today, I was surrounded by them and they were ALL assholes.

If you have a team you love I totally understand.

I have mine, cheer for them every season whether they win or they lose. (today was the latter)

For some reason the Cowboy fans at the bar today decided that they were all anti-Bills.

Which is funny because they weren't even playing the Bills.

It was like they were more interested in being obnoxious and rude than to cheer for their own team. What's the point?

OH, because you're assholes there doesn't HAVE to be a point. Silly me.

Anyone who knows me knows that I don't keep my feelings regarding peoples stupidity to myself and this occasion was no different. But hey, you can't have a battle of the wits with un-armed people who think T.O is a wonderful human being.

So I had to sit there and take it; watch my team get beaten like a bunch of red-headed step children while the freakin "Cows" pulled out a win.

Yeah, it was freakin brutal.

And I was sitting by myself.

(Although there were plenty of Bills fans in the place, by the end of the game the fight in us had been sucked out I guess...but maybe that's a GOOD thing! lol)

All I can hope is Senior Karma comes back and bites those jerks in the ass!

Maybe it's time to pull out the old Italian maloque!

They don't know who they're dealing with!!

Tina Fey & Amy Poehler nail it!

2008-09-15T20:10:00.000-07:00

Scary good stuff from SNL's season opener:

I Officially LOVE Jon Stewart!!

2008-09-06T09:25:00.000-07:00

Even if you're not a fan, you HAVE to watch this and pay SPECIAL attention to the McCain-Bush speech comparison.

I gave in...to the electronics

2008-08-09T19:29:00.000-07:00

Back in October of 2005 I wrote a blog post about how hip I wasn't.

Don't mis-interpret what this blog post is about...I'm still not trendy.

Not in my clothes, not in my shoes. I dress for comfort...and hope to be somewhat stylish.

Electronically, things have changed for me.

I'm on my 2nd cell phone...and have been considering updating to a third.

I don't have dial-up service for my computer, I have broadband.

Not the quickest connection, basically Road Runner Lite. But still, quite significantly quicker than dial-up.

I don't have a laptop yet, just a desktop. But it was free, thank you Mrs. Ryder!

Today, I stepped up even further in the electronics catagory.

I bought an iPod Nano. A little early birthday present for myself.

And I LOVE it.

So much that I named it;Newman.

I'm listening to him as we speak.

Yes, it's love.

It's pathetic but I'm obsessed with him.

I've already downloaded a ton of songs and even a video.

Damn...modern technology is kick ass.

How else can you listen to Hall & Oates one second and Rihanna the next?

What station plays that?

None, not even those stations that claim they play all formats.

Not possible.

I just hope to leave my apartment sometime this weekend...if not, I'm sure you'll see me through my windows either infront of my PC looking at iTunes with my ear-buds in.

If I'm not at work Monday morning...notify the Geek Squad!

Back to Newman.....

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

2008-07-29T18:40:00.000-07:00

Just watched the trailer today and, once again...I got goosebumps when I saw that BIG "WB" on the screen!
Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!!

Indy needed a bigger whip

2008-06-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

A bit late posting this but I did get around to seeing Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull a couple weeks ago.

I did enjoy it. Granted, even a not-so-great movie is still entertaining when you're seeing it for free. (the biggest and only perk of working at a movie theatre)

It was exciting, funny, the usual bug-digusting scene and the adventure itself.

But there was something that was missing. A few things actually.

First Cate Blanchett being the villian; it was more cartoonish than intimidating. She couldn't have shined the Nazi from the Raiders shoes. Now HE was nasty..and believable. In my opinion, she was neither.

I was excited to hear that Karen Allen would be re-prising her role but she was a disappointment as well. Actually, she was practically unnecessary in my opinion. They could've worked out the link between Indy and Mutt without her on screen.

and then there's Indy himself. He was missing his swagger, his smart-assness and acted more LIKE a college professor than the Indiana Jones I remember.

I can't say I was a fan of the conclusion of the "adventure" either. Although I did like the final scene in the movie itself.

What saved the movie for me were two things; first..John Hurt.

He was HILARIOUS! For someone who didn't say much during the movie, he had the greatest lines. "Help?"

The biggest star of the movie in my eyes was Shia LaBeouf.

His character was everything Indy wasn't; funny, cocky, adventurous, tough and you never knew what he was going to do next.

They could easily use him to continue the series I suppose but would others agree with me that a movie with him as the star would be worth going to see without Harrison making an appearance?

I'm sure Speilberg and Lucas could find a weakness in him, since it isn't snakes!

All in all, the movie was good but I don't know if I would've been happy paying almost $10 to see it.

The girls and the Iron Man..

2008-06-01T19:22:00.000-07:00

I just got back from seeing the Sex and the City movie..and if you were a fan of the show you will love this movie.
I cried; numerous times.
I was just so glad to see the girls again.
It was like a reunion of old friends.
And it was great to read that the movie had such a sucessful weekend.
Obviously the "powers that be" in hollywood just don't think that a chick flick would beat out the 60+ year old dude with the hat and the whip.
Way to go ladies!
Although I would like to see another one in a year or so I can't imagine what they would with it that wouldn't ruin it.
It ended just as it should have.
So enough about Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, Charlotte, Big (I mean John..and can I just say that everyone had the same reaction that I did when Carrie actually CALLED him that), Steve, Harry, and Smith....
I also have to sing the praises of the movie Iron Man.
I've always been a big fan of Robert Downey Jr, and this role was perfect for him.
Silly, arogant, intelligent....plus with the drinking and the womanizing I'm sure it wasn't a big stretch! (he might have just had to think back to a few years ago)
So far the spring/summer movie season is 2 for 2 for me.
Next up; Narnia: Prince Caspain and Indy.
Although I'm not sure how either of them are going to live up to what I've seen already.
Granted, the girls had a headstart!
Thank you SJP, thank you HBO.
You have my "LOVE"

Indy is coming!!

2008-04-16T09:29:00.001-07:00

And I thought LAST years blockbusters were exciting!

The Countdown begins!

2008-03-11T10:04:00.001-07:00

Numero Uno!

2008-02-13T09:27:00.000-08:00

Last night was the closing of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog show.

Being a dog lover, I do watch it every year.

I just love looking at those gorgeous and expensive pure breds. (breeds, whatever)

During night one I saw and heard about the really amazing Beagle that had a "shot at the title" but when two poodles made it into the final I thought I'd be hurling something hard at the TV by the nights end.

No such luck.

But before I get to that, let me tell you about some other things that I saw during the 2-day event.

Those dogs stay in a hotel I probably couldn't afford for more than one night.

The lady who judged the working group looked like she was either going to fall over, drop dead or go to sleep at any point during their judging. Then they said she was going to retire after this event. No shit. She could barely walk. But she had enough spunk to boss the handlers around.

I still giggle any time any of the judges say the word bitch.

Can't they just say female?

It just doesn't seem fair. And it's not like they can call the males bastards because they have papers.

Three of the four new breeds who came to the show this year were hideous looking.

The one exception; the Tabetin Mastiff. (pictured above)

What a great looking dog!

I added him to the list of dogs I love; Burnese Mountain Dog, Great Pyrenees, English Setter, Labs, Retrievers and the Pomeranian. (the only little yip-yip ankle biter I'd ever own)

Poor James, the Best in Show from last year, did a Paw-tograph signing at the NBC store.

http://video.westminsterkennelclub.org/player/?id=216643#videoid=215763

Seriously, that poor freakin dog. Does he really need to do crap like that? Takes time away from him being at hospitals with people who deserve that love that only a dog can give.

Look at his face...even he seems to be saying "are you freakin kidding me? you're SO lucky I'm such a sweet pooch"

At least they gave him some Ben & Jerry's.

He's such a beautiful boy.

Okay, last night's winner...wow. Uno the 15" standard beagle won it.

He reminded me of Josh the Newfie when he was being judged in the final.

Barking and acting up and basically saying "Give me the ribbon already and bring on the bitches!"

But to anyone who thinks these dogs don't work for it...check out this picture of Uno doing his time on the treadmill!

Congratulations sweet boy, you made Snoopy proud!

I Speak Up for Wildlife!

2008-02-09T08:10:00.000-08:00

Click on the pic and help out!!

Boo-hoo Brady!!!

2008-02-03T19:30:00.000-08:00

With apologies to my Patsy-lovin' friend Christine....I have to blog about tonights Super Bowl.

Hell to the freakin YEAH!!

I haven't been this excited about a Super Bowl win since....Ummm...well, ever. It was almost as good as I would feel if the Bills won. But not quite! lol

Here's the thing, there are only two people I hate in the NFL. One is Tom "Marcia" Brady and the other is Randy Moss. So to see them make a REAL classy exit to their locker room before the game even ENDED was just SUCH a great feeling!

Why do I hate Brady. It's not why you think.

I don't hate winners, okay? If I did, I wouldn't love my Yankees.

I hate WHINERS. Classless freakin WHINERS.

And Brady wears the crown in the category.

How? Well,...I remember being at a bar watching my Bills win a game and on the big screen next to their game were the Pats. Their game was in the 4th quarter and they were winning by 30-something points. And there was Brady, on the sidelines bitching to a ref about a call on his last drive. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?! You're winning by 30 you asshole.

And Randy Moss....I don't think hating him needs definition.

He's right up there with T.O.

So here's to the Giants:

To Eli,..who for one season is not in the shadow of his brother.

To Michael Strahan, to that AMAZING catch by David Tyree...OMG, that was inSANE!

To the incredible work by the Giants defense.

And to any player wearing a white jersey who had a hand on taking Boo-hoo-Brady's ass to the turf.....HERE'S TO YOU BOYS!

Another question I can't answer....

2008-01-30T09:35:00.000-08:00

Time to post another stupid question asked repeatedly by movie theatre customers.

A couple weeks ago we had an electrical fire in one of our theatre rooms. They were able to contain it to just that one room but it fried the heating unit. Come to find out, it probably won't be fixed for at least two weeks.

So the management put the lowest selling movie in that room and instructed us to inform any customers buying a ticket for that show that there was no heat.

So we did and we got the greatest questions.

"Why?"

"Do I get a disount?" but my favorite was: "How cold is it?"

Here....let me check my personal thermostat. I DON'T KNOW.

The thing about it is, this movie is big with teenagers. Especially more of the urban variety or the kids who like to dance. (It's called "How She Move"....catchy, I know...)

And teenagers like nothing more than going out in cold weather with short sleeve shirts or just a hoodie on.

I sat in that theatre for a movie the night after the fire and I had on a wind-breaker, a jacket over it and my gloves and I was still a little cold.

Needless to say, we got some static about it but hey,...I can't be blamed because people dress like idiots in New York State in the middle of January.

Next time bring your parka and snow boots!

Dane Cook - Date at the movies Part 1

2008-01-28T14:13:00.001-08:00

Watch this until 2:13 and then go to Part 2 because who ever posted this seemed to have the need to edit some good stuff out!
This guy kills me...and it doesn't hurt that he's HOT!

Dane Cook - Date at the movies Part 2

2008-01-28T14:11:00.001-08:00

The timing is a bit off between audio and video but...I want THIS to be the previews at our theatre.

Your shorts are like especially gold today

2008-01-25T11:23:00.000-08:00

Juno MacGuff: [voice over as track team runs by] When I see them all running like that, with their things bouncing around in their shorts, I always picture them naked, even if I don't want to. All I see is pork swords.

So I went to see the movie Juno last night.
My rating; 4 freakin stars.
I loved it!
It wasn’t the typical modern-day comedy that I hate.
(you know, where “hero” acts like an ass, without one shred of human decency and everyone acts like it’s normal but the “hero” still feels misunderstood)
Juno is a total smart ass, which I LOVE and can relate to, and the story itself is really good.
It doesn’t go where the usual happy-ending movie about teenage pregnancy normally goes.

It’s funny though, it seems like every time I go see a movie SOMEthing ends up happening to make it interesting.
And yes, I’m talking about my follow movie-goers.
What is it about you people?
Is there something in the vestibule that sucks all the brains cells out of your melon until you leave?
No, not ALL of you but I run into at least a couple of you idiots at every screening!!

Here’s what happened last night:
At one point I was the ONLY one in the theatre; then these 3 girls come in, they had the WHOLE theatre to choose from and where do they sit? Right behind me
Then 3 more girls come in, they have a choice of the 200+ other seats to pick from. Where do they sit? Right infront of me, which was okay, but weird.
Then this older couple sat at the other side of my row
Then the middle of the movie, I hear snoring. EXCUSE ME? The dude down my row is asleep…and freakin snoring!!
And his wife/girlfriend/whatever is just sitting there watching the movie like this is normal.
HELLO?!?!?!
I can't have it!!
So I turn to the lady and said "WILL YOU WAKE HIM UP PLEASE!" which started a sea of giggles around me
But seriously...why pay $9.25 to sleep at the movies when you can do that $hit at home for free and annoy no one??

It’s always somethin’!

Some day he'll find his Becky Thatcher...

2008-01-24T12:23:00.000-08:00

A very belated welcome-to-the-world to my cousin Tracy’s little boy Jacob Thomas Sawyer.

Jacob was born on 12/27/07 at 11:50PM. He weighed 8lbs 1oz and 20 1/2 inches. As of two weeks ago he weighed 8lbs 13oz and was 21 3/4 inches.

They even have a website where they updated pictures of him almost daily.

http://www.tapergeek.com/jake/jakepix.htm

(the one I posted here is a personal favorite!)

Those first borns...they get all the attention!

Congrats Tracy and Claude!

see ya soon little guy!

What the?............

2008-01-21T09:59:00.000-08:00

I think I'm rubbing off on my box office co-workers.

One of them gave out a Class 1 verbal Pimp Slap over the weekend.

Saturday night I work with this other woman who, like me, is a 2-job person.

She's always so nice, doesn't have many bad things to say about anyone. She's just there to work and get paid.

So some college puke was at her window, asked her if we had a college discount..she said no.

He asked her if we will ever have a college discount...she said she didn't know but probably not.

Then he said something else that I didn't hear (probably just complaining in general) and she said "Welcome to the real world!"
I LOST IT!

Poor, sweet woman...I've corrupted her! (ain't it great?!?!)

"I'll take stupid questions for $500, Alex"

2008-01-09T09:55:00.001-08:00

There are some questions that are so stupid it’s almost impossible to think of an answer stupid enough to use as a response.

This past weekend we were REALLY busy at the movie theatre; which was surprising. Of what the managers told me it usually dies after the holidays and remains slow until the spring/summer blockbusters come out.
One night we did a little over 1300 people in about an hour and a half. That averages out to over 14 tickets a minute. Is that insane or what?

So what was the question I was barraged with all night?
“Why are there so many people here?”
WHAT???

How do you even answer that question?
Why would someone even ask it? What kind of answer are they expecting?

So I decided that instead of getting frustrated by it, I’d make a game of it.
My first response was “Well, if you hadn’t invited all your friends we would’ve have a quiet night, thanks.”
Then I got a LITTLE more creative:
“We’re giving away free turkeys at the concession stand”
“Johnny Depp is here to make out with anyone coming in to see Sweeney Todd”
“It’s buy 10 tickets, get 10 free night”

I'm sure I'll hear this question again in the near future so feel free to post your snappy come-backs in the comments section...as long as you don't mind me using them.

Even the biggest smart ass in Monroe County can run out of ideas!

Why women have a hard time being friends..

2008-01-03T14:20:00.000-08:00

I have a very tight inner-circle as friends and I've found that as I get older...that circle becomes tighter and tighter.

I let people in on occasion but I'm very skeptical of why they want to be friends, what their intentions are and I'm especially careful of two-faced, back-stabbing BS.

Today I got another example of why I keep my circle as tight as I do:

There's a girl I used to work with, her sister who works at the same job as I do and another girl who I worked with years ago who works here as well.

The sisters are tight, the other girl is tight with one of the sisters and I consider all three of them friends. (they know alot about me, I know alot about them..blah, blah, blah.

So today one of them sends me an inter-company instant message telling me that the three of them are talking about going to see a movie. Not at the theatre where I work; a different, smaller one that shows more of the independant movie-types. So she asks me if I want to go too.

I told her I didn't know if I was working that night, that I'd find out tonight and let her know.

Then I tell her that the same movie is playing where I work the same night and suggest that we go there because I can get all four of us in for free.

Her response was "well, I'll see what the others say and let you know" or something to that point. (which I thought was a VERY strange response)

So I told her that if they were going to go to the other theatre than I wasn't going to go because it doesn't make sense for me to pay for a movie I can see for free.

A couple hours later, she e-mails me and says that the general consensus is that they want to go to the other theatre but thanks for the offer and they'll take me up on it another time.

WHAT???

Then I find out that when she sent the initial e-mail asking the other two about the movie..she asked them if she should invite me.

RED FLAG ON THE PLAY!!

Doesn't that seem like a strange question to ask about someone whose "a friend"?

Why didn't she just include me in the original e-mail?

Needless to say, I didn't respond to her e-mail and I'll be fucking damned if I ever invite their asses to another free movie. (oh yeah, i didn't mention that I've already taken them to 3 or 4)

What makes this even funnier is one of the sisters never has anything good to say about the other girl we all know...but somehow that girl got invited and I got the shaft.

But, I did get the best joke I've heard in weeks a few minutes ago which completely cheered me up from all this estrogen-induced BS:

I was all depressed last night so I called LifeLine

Got connected to a Call Center in Pakistan

I told them I was suicidal

They got all excited and asked if I could drive a truck!

Flashback Video: Mr. Big - Wind Me Up

2007-12-30T20:07:00.001-08:00

So I stumbled upon this video while searching through VH1 Classic's video catalog. WOAH did it bring back memories!
When the CD with this song came out, we got a promotional copy at the record store where I worked. I took it home because i fell in love with it and all my co-workers weren't big rock fans.
So after listening to it a million times and memorizing the songs I was convinced that they would MAKE it Big at SOME point.
Then some time later they came to town for a show.
First they did the obligitory appearance at a local music store where some friends of mine worked.
Jumping the line I found my working buddies and asked if they could get the guys in the group to sign a magazine for me.
So he took it up to the table and pointed me out to the guys so they knew who it was for.
Once the mag got into the hands of the lead singer, Eric Martin, he stopped and thought. For a pretty long time too.
Then he seemed to write a novel and hand it back to my friend who brought it to me. (Needless to say, I was curious!)
What Eric wrote was "Love Kills, stop me before I kill again!"
Of course, I took this as a bit of a compliment.
That night after the show the band hung around and mingled with us commoners because the basz player is from Buffalo but for some reason there wasn't a stop in his hometown on their tour. His whole family was there.
Anyways...I was standing talking to a friend of mine when Mr. Martin walked by. (who am I kidding...I didn't take my eyes off him for one minute when they were done, I had to say something!)
So as he got near me I said "Love kills!"..which stopped him in his tracks. He turned to me a bit confused and I said "Love kills, stop me before I kill again? That sounds like a good song title to me!"
He laughed, remembering suddenly where that came from.
I don't remember how long he stood talking to me and my buddy, all I remember was loving every minute of the attention and paying him TONS of compliments on his singing.
Well, there wasn't a song called Love Kills on their next CD but there was a song called "Be With You" that became a HUGE hit and brought the stripped-down ballad into style in the early 90's.
What can I say, I know talent when I see it!
Ahhhh...MEMORIES!

TASTEY

2007-12-12T09:58:00.000-08:00

This is a true story straight from an incident that occured last night at the movie theatre where I work:

We had a sneak preview of the movie "I Am Legend" and while the ushers were cleaning the theatre after the show, they found someone's partial on the floor
(if you don't know what a partial is, it's basically fake teeth on a bridge)

One of the ushers was pretty sickened by it being there and pushed it with her broom over to the other usher because she just couldn't bring herself to pick it up
Eventually it ended up in a courtesy cup in the lost and found

About an hour or so later a customer came up to the service desk and asked if we had found a partial in the theatre
I told her we had and she was ecstatic, so I handed her the cup and turned away to take care of another customer
Fortunately I didn't see what happened next, but my manager did.

The lady took the partial out of the cup and, without hesitation, PUT IT IN HER MOUTH!!

BLAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Sex and the City Movie Trailer!

2007-12-06T21:21:00.000-08:00

There's nothing I hate more than falling asleep early in the night only to wake up around midnight and know that you're going to be awake for the next....3 hours. (ugh)

but I'm so giddy right now....I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning.

A short trailer has been released for the Sex and the City movie that's going to be released this spring.

I don't know about you, but not seeing those 4 women once a week really has been difficult. What can I say, they became people I loved. although I do love the SNL take-off of their conversations and then PUNS!

Anyway, to any other SATC fan....watch and enjoy and share the giddiness!!

http://movies.aol.com/movie/sex-and-the-city-2008/30247/main

Things I've learned this past weekend....

2007-11-25T18:29:00.000-08:00

I love the holidays and they always teach me something new...

Here's what I've learned this weekend:

Some parents are complete idiots and I'm afraid to run into their kids in 10 years.

(they'll probably be working jobs which require their names on their shirts)

The closer to the holidays it gets, the crankier people get.

(including myself. No...it's not that, I just get less patient with people who are idiots)

Holiday music playing earlier in the year doesn't bother me like it used to.

Christmas decorations being out in the stores earlier in the season doesn't bother me either!

There's something going on on the New York State Thruway. They must need more gas-tax money because I've NEVER dealt with rubber-necker delays like I did on the drive home today.

And no, they weren't delays for accidents. I didn't see ONE emergency vehicle other than a couple police cars.

I could watch holiday movies over and over again.

I'm presently watching Elf for the 3rd time in two days.

Starbucks has finally created a drink I'd stand in line for. (I'm not a coffee drinker)

Caramel Spiced Apple Cider.

Some people don't understand why the bank is busy the day before Thanksgiving and no matter what you tell them....they STILL don't get it.

Anyone who would camp overnight to get in to Best Buy or ANY retail store at 4am should see a shrink iMMEDIATELY! and if they drag their kids out for this stupidity they should be put in a rubber room.

Just when I thought I would NEVER play a video game my nieces and nephew officially have me addicted to Guitar Hero. Now I want a PS2 and a game of my own!

okay, that's all I can think of for now. I've gotta go watch Buddy the Elf and the fake Santa trash Gimble's "North Pole".

Two of my favorite people!

2007-10-05T09:42:00.001-07:00

Grover and Madeline Kahn
Classic Sesame Street that NEVER goes out of style.
She's so cute...and missed.

You know you're being a bitch at the movie theatre when..

2007-07-30T20:22:00.001-07:00

First of all, happy 2nd birthday to my blog.

My best buddy calls it eclectic. I think it's just nuts and all over the place, but that's just me!

I had a to work at the movie theatre all weekend. Considering it was one of the busiest weekends of the year, thank you Simpsons movie, it was a given that eventually I would have to deal with some assholes. The percentages were just too high.

Not to disappoint, there were 3 of them that stand out most in my mind. Shockingly, they were ALL women.

Asshole #1: Friday night a small women came to my window and said "You have my credit card" and I said "Excuse me?" Since I don't remember how the rest of the conversation went, probably mentally blocking it so that the hot-blooded Italian in me doesn't start to bubble again, all I can say...WHAT the FUCK?? Basically, she didn't believe me. She said she used her credit to pay for the tickets and didn't have it anymore which means I had it. Oh...okay. So I told the bitch, MORE than once, that I didn't have ANY credit cards. I give them back. Now here's where I screwed up. Instead of sending her to the service desk to talk to a manager, I asked her to wait and I'd check and see if one had been turned in. Sure enough, one had so I asked her for her ID so I could make sure it was hers. And it was. The thing is, because of how I handled it, she took that as me lying to her. Yeah, that's me. I'm a fucking credit card stealer. I'm all about identity theft. I was gunna take her card and buy everyone in the theatre a round of popcorn. That's what I get for being helpful and honest and that's the last time I try and take care of it on my own. You have a beef or need to find something, go talk to a manager because I don't paid enough to put up with caustic bullshit.

Asshole #2: Sunday afternoon. A women and her son come to the window. She buys two tickets to The Simpsons Movie. So I tell her, $14. She looks at me like I had three heads. She said "FOURTEEN DOLLARS? For me and him??" and I said "yes." and she says "Fuck! Isn't this a matinee?" And I said "Yes" and she says "How much are the tickets??" Okay....the referree just threw the idiot flag. Fourteen dollars and the bitch can't divide that by TWO??? So I reply "$7" and she says "Fuck" and slides the money through the window with all the attitude she can muster. So I slide her change back w/the SAME attitude and say "Can I help who's next?" Which is the nice way of saying "Get the hell away from my window before I verbally pound you into the lobby bricks". I don't make the prices.

and finally..the highlight of weekend (although it's kind of tie between this and #1)

Asshole #3: Sunday afternoon. Two young girls approach my window and ask for tickets to the movie I Know Who Killed Me. May I first say, thank you SO much Lindsay "why don't you buy a permanent residence in rehab because you're gunna need it" Lohan for making an R-rated movie. So I ask them "I need to see ID" and I get the three-headed monster look again. One girl says "It's in my car..." and I say "you're going to have to get it" so they go off. A few minutes later, here they come. One girl hands me ID...and I look at it and she's just turned 17 a few months ago. Fine, no problem. I look at her friend. She doesn't have any. So I tell her, I'm sorry but I can't sell you a ticket. And her friend asks me "Can I buy hers for her?" and I tell her the policy. "No, you have to be at least 21 in order to buy a ticket for someone who's not 17 or someone who doesn't have ID". So on her cellphone she hops. So a question pops in my head and I radio the manager and tell her what's going on. I said "I think she's on the phone with a parent right now. If they come in, can they just buy tickets for them or do they have to get one too and go into the movie with them." And sure enough, they have to go in with them. I figured, but I wanted to make sure. So I tell the girl "If you're on the phone with your parents, let them know that they can't just buy you a ticket. They have to get one and go into the movie with you too" So I hear her relaying the message and they walk out the door. So, I figure it's over. WRONG. About 10 minutes later...here come the two girls again with a mother-looking woman who comes STRAIGHT for my window. She says "Can you explain what's going on because we've never had this problem before" So I tell her our companies policy. And she says, again "I don't see what the problem is, we've never had to do this before" so I said "I can't speak for how other employees do their job. All I know is how I was trained and what our company policy is and that is that if someone doesn't have ID to prove they're 17, they have to be accompanied by a parent or someone who is over 21. A 17 year old cannot buy them a ticket. The funny part was during her ranting the girl in the box office with me heard her say, and I was too PO'd and blind angry to hear it, that the other girl was a minor. Which most likely means, she wasn't 17. Hence not having ID. So eventually the mother just gave me the wave off and left.

Okay, so maybe I was being a theatre nazi but here's the deal. A, I think the rule is right. B, that movie is a pile of crap so I saved them $14. and C, if the mother really cared that her daughter saw this movie why didn't she just go in and watch it with them. Oh, I know....it's SO much easier to drop your kid off somewhere so you don't have to deal with them.

No wonder our society is so fucked. Look what great examples we're setting for the kids. Treat people who are just doing their jobs like shit.

Harry and Butt Dog

2007-07-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

So JK Rowling has done it.

Her writing talents made me stand in line for over and hour, read until my eyes were blurry but she left me a happy woman. Thanks JK. I'll leave it at that so not to spoil it for anyone who hasn't completed The Deathly Hallows as of yet.

Although I do admit that my hours of reading were interrupted by a long and hilarious trip to the southern tier. Myself and two friends headed to Keuka Lake to visit some of their wineries. The highlight of the trip was our visit to Bully Hill vineyard. If you're not much of a wine fan...I still highly recommend the place. It's a rock and roll winery, at least that's what I made of it. It's got all the fancy trimings but the wine tasting time itself is a different experience. Instead of you and your friends having to listen to an elderly man or woman drabble on about how their wines were taken from vines that were originally stolen from Italy or how they won this Gold medal or THAT Gold medal, it's a group event. You and about 25 or more of your fellow tourists stand around a huge tasting area while your host asks you to lift the glass with a beer-can death grip or to hold the stem with your pinky out or, my favorite part, have you repeat "Napa is auto-parts".

Our wine tasting host was a trip. He came over to me and my friends to ask us if we were ready to taste some wine and for some reason decided to pick on me because of the some-what over confident look on my face. He didn't know who he was dealing with but was up to task. Especially when I asked him to explain why the back of his shirt said "butt dog". (turns out, it was bull dog but remember, this was two wineries into our trip!) I love a good sarcasm-laced but flirty verbal joust!

I just have to wonder, will the cashier at the local liquor store give me a strange look when I make the sound "rahr" when I buy my next bottle of Aurore?

Harry Potters fans grow up with him

2007-07-12T10:01:00.001-07:00

The kids now...

POTTER' CASTS RECORD BOX-OFFICE SPELL
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The boy wizard still has a magic touch at the box office."Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" took in $44.8 million in its first day, the best single-day gross ever for a movie on a Wednesday.

That included $12 million from screenings that started at midnight Tuesday.The sequel from Time Warner Inc. unit Warner Bros. topped the previous Wednesday record of $40.4 million for 2004's "Spider-Man 2," according to box-office tracker Media By Numbers."In terms of box office, the law of diminishing returns does not apply to `Harry Potter.' It seems to be getting better with age," said Paul Dergarabedian, Media By Numbers president, who noted that the July 21 publication of the seventh and final "Harry Potter" novel likely helped drive interest in the latest film."

It has the effect of creating even more excitement for both properties," Dergarabedian said. "It's a synergistic match made in heaven to have the book and movie come out within a couple weeks of each other."

"Order of the Phoenix," the fifth installment of the movie franchise based on J.K. Rowling's fantasy best-sellers, has teen wizard Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) teaching classmates magic spells to defend themselves against the coming battle with the forces of dark Lord Voldemort.

And the kids then...wow, how they've grown!

Barbaro's little brother and Rags to Riches!

2007-06-14T09:47:00.000-07:00

Knowing his he has family somehow makes his death a little less painful. (yeah...I know, silly but the people who know me know what an animal lover I am!
And look at how adorable he is too!!

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/01/sports/othersports/01barbaro.html?ex=1327986000&en=bcddf7586a92371f&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

LEXINGTON, Ky., Jan. 31 — Just 75 miles from where Barbaro first captured the nation’s attention with a remarkable run in the Kentucky Derby, a young colt, a baby in many ways, spends much of his day frolicking in a large paddock at Mill Ridge Farm. He is just one among thousands of yearlings living on thoroughbred farms throughout Kentucky, and all of them are still months away from their first chance at showing what they might amount to on a racetrack.

Still, there will always be something special about this brown colt. As yet unnamed, he is a son of the sire Dynaformer and the dam La Ville Rouge. That makes him Barbaro’s full brother, the only full brother that he had.

It is an association that will follow this yearling as he grows up, making for high expectations, potential disappointment and a permanent soft spot in the hearts of the many who became drawn to Barbaro’s story.
“There was a time when we thought about selling him,” Gretchen Jackson said of the yearling, which she owns with her husband, Roy, just as they owned Barbaro. “We could never do that now. There are going to be a lot of emotions tied up in him.”
Barbaro, the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, was euthanized Monday after losing a long and dramatic battle for survival that began when he fractured his right hind leg during the Preakness Stakes last May. He was the type of thoroughbred that comes along once in a great while, with a rare combination of speed, stamina, talent and desire. Now comes his kid brother, an unproven and untested 10½-month-old, and with him, the inevitable question: Can he possibly be as good?

When a horse is as young as Barbaro’s brother is, there is little to go on. But the early indications are all positive, said his handlers at Mill Ridge Farm, where he was born and will remain until September, when he will be sent to Florida to begin more serious preparations for a racing career.
Conformation, a horse’s physical alignment, is an early indicator. For instance, a horse born with a crooked knee is unlikely to be successful on the racetrack. Barbaro’s brother has no such problems. He also has the type of attitude that could translate into success on the racetrack.

“He’s easy to handle and has a good personality,” said Donnie Snellings, the manager of yearlings and stallions at Mill Ridge. “He’s tough enough with the other horses in the field, which shows you that he has a competitive drive.”

For two horses to be considered full siblings, they must share the same father and mother, or sire and dam. Horses with the same dam but different sires are considered half-brothers or half-sisters. Horses by the same sire only — and there are many of them — are not even considered to be related.

Meanwhile, La Ville Rouge and Dynaformer have produced another full brother to Barbaro who is set to be born in mid-April. After delivering that foal, La Ville Rouge, who is 11, will again be bred to Dynaformer, who is 22 and does not have too many years left as a stallion.

What this all will ultimately mean for the sport of horse racing is anyone’s guess. Breeding is an inexact science and the results of even the most carefully planned matings can be wildly unpredictable. There are very few examples of sets of full siblings becoming major stars on the racetrack. Seabiscuit had two full brothers, one named Naval Reserve, the other named Sea Base. They combined to earn a meager $10,470 during their racing careers.

“The record books show that lightning can strike twice in the same place, but perhaps not nearly as often as you might expect,” said Andrew Caulfield, a breeding consultant to Juddmonte Farms. “Think of it in human terms: How many brothers or sisters are carbon copies of each other? The odds of hitting the genetic jackpot more than once are certainly loaded against the breeder. Of course, that doesn’t rule out a very bright future for Barbaro’s brother, but will he have inherited the full range of qualities, including the courage and will to win, which made Barbaro so special?”

That is a question that will not be answered until he makes his first start, as a 2-year-old, perhaps in the summer or fall of 2008.
“The expectations are going to be high for him,” said Bayne Welker, Mill Ridge’s director of sales. “Barbaro has set a very high bar.”

Because Barbaro was born and raised at Springmint Farm in Nicholasville, Ky., Welker has no way to compare him and his brother as yearlings. But maybe John Stevens will be able to do so, because Barbaro’s brother will be sent to his farm in Ocala, Fla., this summer or early fall. There the colt will be taught to be ridden with a saddle on.
Stevens was Barbaro’s instructor, too, so he should be able to make some comparisons. By early 2008, Barbaro’s brother will be sent to a trainer. No decision has been made yet as to who that will be, but Gretchen Jackson said it would likely be Michael Matz, the trainer of Barbaro.
By then, the brother will have a name.
Barbaro’s name came from a painting the Jacksons own. In it, six foxhounds are pictured and each one is named, including one named Barbaro. Gretchen Jackson said the brother will most likely be named after one of the other five foxhounds. Those wishing for a derivative of Barbaro’s name will apparently be disappointed.

And those hoping the brother will win the Kentucky Derby should be realistic. The Jockey Club estimates that 34,200 thoroughbreds were born in the United States in 2006, making the odds astronomical that Barbaro’s brother will be the one among that vast group who captures the Derby on the first Saturday in May 2009. Then again, you never know.

“It’s a miracle that we had one horse as good as Barbaro, and he gave us memories that we’re going to hold on to for a lifetime,” Gretchen Jackson said. “It’s hard to believe that it could ever happen again. As far as this foal is concerned, I can only hope that he has a great racing career, too. I just hope he gets his chance and does what he was born to do.”

IN OTHER HORSE NEWS:

Rags to Riches broke a 105 year old drought of a filly winning at the Belmont Stakes.

Some people say she had an advantage being that she had 5 less pounds on her but what about the fact that the male horses she raced against where taller AND longer? Funny how they didn't even MENTION that! (that's her on the outside...YOU GO GIRL!)

"A Pirates life for me..."

2007-05-22T09:32:00.001-07:00

Welcome back movie fans,

So I finally went and saw Spider-Man 3 a couple weeks ago and all I can say is I'm glad I didn't have to pay to see it. I wasn't impressed. It was so CORNY! The best part of the whole thing was when the character of Sand Man first stands up. That was some amazing computer-animation work. And seeing James Franco come out of a chamber wearing nothing but black trunks. He is one fine human being.

I can't imagine taking your kid to this. The whole love-triangle thing got lame fast, not to mention it took up a majority of the movie.

The only thing you can do to enjoy this flop is go with a bunch of obnoxious or sarcastic friends and mock it out. That's what we did.

Shrek was also a disappointment at our theatre. It made things busier but not what I'd call a blockbuster by any means. At least where I work anyway. Where are all these big numbers happening? And from what I heard the movie itself wasn't very good.

This weekend Pirates of the Caribbean opens and all I can hope for is plenty of scenes with Cap'N Jack on the screen. And rain. LOTS of rain. If it rains, they will come.

I can't end this blog post without my usual bitching. Last weekend our theatre started a fund-raising drive. So EVERY customer who comes to the window we have to ask them if they want to donate a dollar. Yea, EVERY one. Let me apologize now to you all because I don't like doing this shit anymore than you do, but we're both going to have to tolerate it for the next 7 weeks.

"Yo ho, yo ho...a pirates life for me!"

Don't bother trying

2007-05-10T09:36:00.000-07:00

I'll have to think of an award to give out to the genuises I have to deal with at the theatre.

Maybe even have a show at the end of the summer....because as the number of customers increases, so does the likely-hood of encountering another example of extreme idiocy.

Here's one of the front-runner so far:

People who come in and say that their friend bought them a ticket but they're already in the movie.

Trust me folks, no theatre manager, employee or security guard with a BRAIN in their head is gunna fall for that one. We may be kind and customer friendly but we know that fine line of being taken advantage of. A couple folks tried to pull that crap last weekend until our security guard whose also a police officer came walking up armed w/his gun and sporting a pair of handcuffs and a bottle of pepper spray all on his belt. Suddenly the guy seemed just fine with buying a ticket.

Now, let's talk about Spider-Man 3.
I understand it made BIG money this past weekend. I'm curious as to where. We had 7 of our 18 theatre rooms running it and none of them were even CLOSE to being at full capacity. Infact, originally we, the employees, were told that we couldn't see it for free until the 13th but that was moved up to the 7th. Yeah, 3 days after it opened.

Shrek the Third opens a week from Friday so maybe THAT will be our big draw.
Personally, I wasn't a fan of Shrek 2. It took me three times watching it to get through the whole thing without falling asleep. Hopefully this one will be more to par with the first one. (which was hilARIOUS)
That remains to be seen....

GO SABRES!!!

Stupid is as stupid does...and Spidey 3

2007-04-30T09:42:00.000-07:00

So I've been promoted, of sorts, at my movie theatre job.
Instead of slinging popcorn and serving sodas I'm taking loads of money and printing tickets at the box office.
I love it. Much more of an adult role if you ask me. Although you're cooped up in an area that has so many windows you feel like you're in a fishbowl and, god forbid, you don't like who you're working with. There's not much room to hide or do anything else. And let me tell ya, I'm suRROUNDED by know-it-alls. I can't get a word out sometimes without them correcting me. Hello...I'm HOW old?

Along with the bevy of employee hijinks come other issues that I've had to deal with in this new position. I can sum it up in two words:
CUSTOMER STUPIDITY

Examples:
A woman came to my window Saturday night and asked for a refund because she didn't like the movie she just saw. This after sitting through the whole thing.
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZTTTTTTTT! No chance lady. We don't make the movies, we just show them.

People getting pissed because I have to proof for R-rated movies. Consider it a complement that I think you look young, okay?

Bitching about the prices. I don't make 'em folks. I couldn't give you a discount if I wanted to.

People who come to the theatre and get pissed because a movie is open caption. I explain to them; there's sound and words across the bottom for the hearing impaired. Then they ask me "Why is it like that?" Someone here at my dayjob told me to tell them "I did it just because I knew you were coming and wanted to get you all in an uproar"
Okay, maybe people who aren't from Rochester don't know that one of the best colleges for deaf students is about a mile away from the theatre. Yet people still ask this??? Deal folks. Either you want to see it that way, or you don't. Don't get aggravated at me because it's that way, I have no control over it.

So theirs my complaints about customers so far. I'm sure there's more to come.
Spider-Man 3 is opening this weekend so I can only IMAGINE what I'm going to have to deal with. At least I don't have to work the 3am show. That's right...3am. Our theatre is showing Spidey for 24 hours. Midnight on Thursday until 10:15pm Friday night. Isn't that insane?
Although I'd love to see the kind of "people" who show up for that 3am show!
I bet they come dressed in their Spider Man underoos!

Marvin Gaye sings American National Anthem

2007-04-13T09:53:00.001-07:00

No one, not even Whitney "crack-head" Houston has EVER sung an anthem as smooth and amazing.
Yeah...some might consider it un-patriotic but they're just narrow-minded fools. Putting your own style and spin on it is fine as long as you don't ruin it. Mr. Gaye was the best. What a waste of an amazing talent to die so young!

I'm not married but....

2007-03-28T10:02:00.000-07:00

This seems to make sense Bill:

How to be a Smart Ass 101

2007-03-27T09:51:00.001-07:00

Enjoy your first professors!

AYE' MATIES!

2007-03-20T09:14:00.000-07:00

This is one of the movies coming out this summer that I am COMPLETELY excited about.
Harry Potter is going to be amazing but there's just something special about Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp.

Hurray for Hollywood...

2007-03-06T09:33:00.000-08:00

As most people who are close to me know, I just got a part time job at a local movie theatre.

Pretty exciting.

The pay isn't bad, but the perks.....sa-WEET!

Free movies. How can you not love a free movie?

Especially with the summer blockbusters coming up! Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Spiderman 3, Shrek 3, The Simpsons Movie, Ocean's Thirteen.

It's gunna be a good one.

My friend Leah suggested that I start a blog with movie reviews.

Great idea, problem is...I already have a few blogs I author/co-author now and adding one more would be exTREMELY difficult.

So instead I'll be writing my reviews here.

I also want to post a disclaimer right away that my reviews are made by me or given TO me by customer exiting the theatre, (who are always happy to fill you in on their experience) I will not be held responsible for anyone's opinions other than my own and theirs and I will under NO circumstances reiumburse your movie money! Or your popcorn cash, or what you spent on that big box of Goobers.

**REMEMBER: NOT EVERY MOVIE IS FOR EVERYBODY!**

Wild Hogs: I plan on seeing this some time this week, however, I've heard nothing but raves from customers leaving the shows. They've been laughing all the way to the exits. The general consensus is that the trailers do NOT give away the funniest scenes.

Zodiac: I have been told that this movie is long, moves very slowly at times and is exTREMELY graphic. If you can't stomach seeing a knife cut through and around someone's skin with a close up camera angle...don't see this flick.

Bridge to Taribethia: It seems as if this movie has been aimed at the wrong audience. It's not for little kids. I've heard it's VERY good but the ending is heart breaking. Bring some Kleenex.

23: So-so. Might be decent as a rental or pay-cable movie

Black Snake Moan: Long, slow and Christina Ricci doesn't get nekkid until well into this movie. I've also heard that although Justin Timberlake's role is small; he's very good.

Norbit: REALLY bad reviews from customers. They say it should be a stronger rating than PG-13. Don't waste the $$

Stay tuned!!

These Police can arrest me ANYtime!

2007-02-18T16:55:00.000-08:00

After being completely disgusted by the finish to the Daytona 500 I started to channel surf.
Fortunately I got to VH1 Classic and saw a press conference with The Police announcing their tour and answering the stupid questions the media was throwing at them.
Then I remembered....I forgot to blog about how I felt when I heard that the band was reuniting.
To be quite honest, I was shocked!
You're talking about guys who haven't played together since the early 80's.
They were smart. They made their big hits, their great videos, played amazing live shows and called it quits leaving people still wanting more.
Well, that wasn't the ONLY reason they broke up.
Sting was ready to go solo. He was the star, no doubt.
The thing I always loved about The Police was you couldn't quite define their music. You couldn't put it in a box. It was pop, but it was rock but it was also kind of new wave. But not. Because it was melodic and the lyrics were pretty amazing. Okay, so they had "Da Doo-doo-doo, da da-da-da". Admit it though, that was a great little song. Even though I'm sure they somehow hated it.
My favorite dude in the band back then; Stewart Copeland, hands down. There was something slightly off center about him. He didn't have Sting's regalness. He didn't have Andy's calm but funny demeanor. Stewie seemed a bit....whacky. Granted, you probably have to be to be a drummer. And anyone who knows ANYTHING about music will tell you...he's one of the best. He plays on a standard, small drum kit and makes sounds out of it that would blow your mind. And quickness? There's one roll he does "Every little thing she does is magic" that's just so fast you can't believe it's humanly possible to play. But he does it, and it's incredible. Any true musician can see his talent. Maybe that's why the guy from Foo Fighters showed up at the press conference and was instructed not to ask questions about drums.
I remember when I was allowed to buy the LP Ghost in the Machine. I played that sucker OUT. Such an amazing collection of songs. They were all so different. It made you wonder who their influeces were. Two blonde Brit's and an American. How did THAT happen?

One thing I also saw during their press conference is Stewart still gets on Stings nerves. Those two are VERY different people. Andy is the mediator, Stewart is the goof genuis and Sting is.....well; Sting is Sting. Any guy who can take his name after a verb....has to be pretty special. And he is. There's no other voice like him.
And seeing how Stewart is still in amazing shape, there's no way they can slow down. He'll keep that engine rollin
I just hope that Sting can tolerate Stewart long enough to complete all the dates on the tour.
Thanks for coming back guys!

Thank you Gilda Radner

2007-02-10T15:42:00.000-08:00

Being a somewhat last minute person, I ventured into a Hallmark store today to pick up some Valentines Day cards.
I normally don't get sucked in to this holiday because personally...I think it's bullshit. If you love someone you should show them all year round, not just once a year.

Last year on V-Day I was working my part-time job as a cashier at a local grocery store called Wegmans. I had my favorite Express Lane and all night all I was ringing up were flowers, cards, candy and the occasional beer and condoms. And EVERY person in my line was male. (stupid suckers)
Anyway, while I was about to leave the store I noticed the new cards they have that play a song when you open them. BUT SUDDENLY...I spotted Roseanne Roseannadanna! EXCUSE ME?? She never sang! It was a card marked "How are You?"
Upon opening it the words from a classic RR Weekend Update sketched came out "I'm depressed, I gained weight, my face broke out, I'm nauseous, I'm constipated, my feet swelled, my gums are bleedin', my sinuses are clogged, I got heartburn, I'm cranky and I have gas!"
Needless to say, I bought it. It's perfect for my cubicle at work.
Thank you Hallmark!!

Barbaro's gone...

2007-01-29T09:44:00.000-08:00

Sad news today.
Barbaro; that beautiful horse who took the Kentucky Derby by storm but broke down at the Preakness has been euthanized.
Being an animal lover myself but with some veterinary experience I'm VERY sad but I also understand that it had to be done.
I've been checking the UPenn Vet hospitals website every day since it happened to read the updates on his condition or to look at new pictures of him.
I never had any knowledge of what laminitis was and didn't realize what an important thing it is for a horse to have his weight equally distributed to every hoof.
It's just really disappointing because for a long time it seemed like he was going to make it.
The doctor's did all they could do and when they realized he wouldn't be pain-free ever again, they had to let him go.

Run free sweet boy!

I knew the warm weather wouldn't last...

2007-01-19T20:10:00.000-08:00

All the skiers and snowboarders are rejoicing here in Western, NY. The snow has come. (and yes, that picture is my car a couple years ago after a pretty decent snow fall)
I can't complain to much, I choose to live here.

I choose to live in a place that has warm weather normally 3 months out of 12. (although in 2006 it was more like 8)
I choose to live in a state with high taxes and low tax returns.
I choose to live in a state that's elects a woman who has never even LIVED in the state and was probably only elected because her husband is an ex-president (one who will only be known for getting a knob-job by an intern)
I choose to live in state where if you walk by a stranger on the sidewalk you don't dare look them in the eye. You keep your eyes straight down at your shoes until they walk by.
I choose to live in a state where the drive home on week days is like being part of the Indy 500 except you're not surrounded by talented/experienced drivers.
I choose to live in a state that charges you for use of it's largest interstate

But...there are some great things about New York:
I choose to live in an area where all public places, other than the outdoors, are SMOKE FREE!
I choose to live in a state where, no matter which city you live in, you can always find one place that has the most AMAZING pizza.
I choose to live in a state that has all four seasons.(although sometimes you think there's only two; winter and road construction)
I choose to live in a state that's only a few hours drive away from Ontario, Canada. (let's face it, unless you're somewhere near Vancouver, being close by is useless except if you're going on a beer run)
I choose to live in a state that has three NFL teams, 3 NHL teams, and one really amazing MLB team,...and the Mets.
I choose to live in a city that has tons of minor league sports teams and they all have new stadiums to play in.
I choose to live in a city that's a short drive away from a NASCAR race track.

and finally; I choose to live in a state whose motto is...I LOVE MYSELF! lol

Random Friday stuff

2007-01-05T09:37:00.000-08:00

Okay, so the Yanks let my beloved Barry Zito get away.
Dang it!
We've got a hot infield and we could've gotten even HOTTER on the pitchers mound. But no!
Well, at least they're trying to ship The Big Uniq's stupid ass back to Arizona.
What a waste of money he was.
And they signed my Mikey Mussina, so I can't be TOO upset.
I was just hoping to see lovely Mr. Zito on TV 3-4 days a week.
When I think about it though, it does make sense that he stays in cali where he can continue his quirky zen-like lifestyle. I'll be interested to see how he and the bad-Barry get along.

What else,....OH! The whole deal with the FDA slapping some fines on the diet pills for being total bullshit.
All I can say is...DUH!!!
It's scary that people are stupid enough to think that just taking some pill will make them skinny. Oh yea, they have ones to make your boobs bigger too!
Come on folks, does the government really need to save us from our lack of commen sense?
I admit, I've gained weight. Right now I weigh more than I ever have in my life.
And I know why.....I got lazy. When I got the bloodclot over the summer I just had other priorities and they didn't include eating right or doing crunches.
So now I'm paying for it. But I'm not one to think there's a miracle pill sold by info-mericial that can make me drop 30lbs in a month. It took me some time to get this way so it's going to take some time to get skinny again.

Can I also tell you that this global warming thing is really paying off up here in Western, NY right now. Wow, the weather has basically been spring-like. People are even GOLFING up here. Crazy isn't it? Although I have this underlying suspicion that when Old Man Winter finally shows up we're going to get our asses buried in snow. It's inevitable.
Well, it'll give me reason to wear that new winter coat I got for Christmas!

Is it Daytona Speed Weeks yet???

"You nauseate me, Mr. Grinch..."

2006-12-16T05:32:00.000-08:00

I was born around the hey-day of Christmas Specials; Rudolph, Frosty and one of my favorites...How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Although I admit that the live-action version with Jim Carrey is one of my favorites, the original animation holds a special place in my heart as well. There's something about showing someone whose anti-Christmas that makes this time of year even warmer and fuzzier!
While searching for a song on one of my favorite Christmas sites (Santasearch.org) I noticed that they had the full audio version of the cartoon downloaded.
So I thought I'd share it with you and hope that it makes doing your homework or 9-5 work more tolerable.
And just so you know, it's not the TV version but a version where Boris Karloff does ALL the voices; but it does include all the music!
http://santasearch.org/music.asp?PID=2&AudioID=1928

A little visual gift for Emily

2006-12-15T09:25:00.000-08:00

And all the other red-blooded women who read this blog....

Unfortunately I can't wrap this up in a bow and put it under the tree for my niece!
and just in case you don't know who he is:
http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/quinn_brady00.html

Nothing like a little Brayden for the holidays!

Don't be a Scrooge!

2006-12-13T09:45:00.000-08:00

I know as well as anyone that holidays can be a stressful time of year.
No money, no time....just crazy, keep-you-awake-at-night stress.

This article that I read in the New York Daily News today makes some great points:
(I hope my sister reads this, she has the holiday-crazy bug worse than ANYone!)

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/479767p-403596c.html

Ho, No Holiday Stress
Coping with the demands of the Season

by Jean Chatzky

Time is money, the middle of the holiday season, it can seem as though you don't have enough of either. Not only do you have to scrape together money to buy presents, you also have to find windows in your busy days to hit the stores, go to holiday parties, entertain out-of-town guests and, if you're really ambitious, decorate your house.

To make things worse, this season just naturally seems to lend itself to clutter. Gifts need to be stored or even hidden, wrapping paper is ev erywhere and visitors leave things behind. As if that's not enough of a mess, you have to find a place in your home for all of the new stuff coming in.

"Everybody's eyes are bigger than their schedules," said Julie Morgenstern, time management expert, author of "Never Check E-mail in the Morning" and creator of her own line of organizers. "There are just so many things that you need to do during this time of year."

So, how do you take care of it all and clear the decks before New Year's Day with a peaceful mind? You don't. Morgen stern said the key is trimming the fat and finding a balance that you're happy with.

Jean Chatzky is the author of the bestselling book "Pay It Down!"
Additional reporting by Arielle McGowen

Anti-stress to do list

Map it out. Forming your plan of attack in advance is always the best thing to do when approaching a high-stress situation. Get out a piece of paper and a pen (leave the computer out of this — it's way more satisfying to cross things off a list) and write down everything you need to get done between now and the holiday.

Don't worry about prioritizing just yet; instead, throw it all down there, no matter how small the task. Then, said time management expert Julie Morgenstern, put a realistic time estimate on the paper to reflect how long each item will take. After you've done that, it's time to add it all up. Literally. Get out a calculator, and start punching in the numbers until you have the total number of hours remaining until you can crumple up that list and recycle it.

Decide what is most important. Clearly, you're not going to be able to accomplish your entire list if it adds up to 200 hours. (Mine did. Bah, humbug.) So, Morgenstern suggested ironing out your priorities. What are three things that make the holiday season really special for you? Maybe you like to bake, decorate your house and spend time with your family, but you aren't so keen on shopping for gifts. Make those three things a priority, and cut down on shopping time by going online.

Delegate or delay. If your list includes things that aren't urgent, then by all means focus on them another time — like next year.

Even things that seem of-the-moment can occasionally be put off. Example: Holiday cards. Send New Year's cards, or Valentine's Day cards, or even random I-didn't-have-time-during-Christmas-but-still-wanted-to-send-my-love cards. If this doesn't appeal to you, or you cannot fathom the idea of no holiday cards, you might want to consider delegating the duty. There are companies that will send out hand-written cards for you to your specifications, or you could try swapping with a friend or neighbor: You'll bake an extra batch of cookies that she can give to her friends, if she'll write up holiday cards that you can give to yours.

Treat your house to a big cleanup. It may seem like just another thing to add to your already overflowing list, but giving your house a fresh polish can actually make you feel less stressed.
Morgenstern suggested cleaning room by room, starting with those that are going to be the most used — the living room, dining room, foyer, kitchen and bathroom — if you have family and friends coming to visit. That way, when someone calls from their car and asks if it's okay to pop by, you won't spiral into a panic at the mere thought.

Make a donation. "I think the holidays are a great excuse to do a big purge through your house," Morgenstern advised.
Neglected stuff in your closet and your children's closets are a great way to help others during a season that is supposed to be based on giving. Go through each closet, and get together a couple of boxes to give to a clothing drive or local shelter. Explain to your children that they have to get rid of a few toys they don't play with anymore to make room for the new ones they are going to get.

Know that it's okay to turn down an invitation. You can't go to every party, dinner and work event. So don't. Pick and choose the ones that mean the most to you and attend those. Don't feel bad about saying you aren't going to be able to make it to the others — go ahead and pull a reason off your list.

Bitch doesn't win the Battle of the Blondes

2006-12-06T18:09:00.000-08:00

For once on a reality show the nice girl finished first!
I've admitted before that I watch reality shows and I've been hooked on America's Next Top Model since Cycle 2.
So tonight I suffered through another hour (personally, the cat fights got old in Cycle 2), I like watching the whole process of the photos and what exactly they WANT from the contestants. All the other crap is just Jerry Springer BS to me.

During the finale I thought for sure my favorite's goose was cooked. Her Covergirl photo was gorgeous but when the race is tight, they've always picked the girl who won the runway.
I gave in. When Tyra said "Americas Next Top Model Is....." I finished the sentence with "Melrose" and WAIT!
There was Caridee's picture on the screen!
You would've thought the Bills had won the Super Bowl! (well, I guess I wasn't THAT loud) But I did cheer, and clap and say "OH MY GOD!!" at least 10 times.
I still can't believe it!
Yea, Caridee did bitch alot about Melrose. She was a drama queen like the rest but something about her I still liked. Somewhat of a Vendela quality I guess. That sweetness with a bit of crazy underneath.
To me Melrose was just an annoying perfectionist car salesman.
Hell, she'll get modeling gigs anyway but at least I won't have to see her pathetic mug during the theme song next season or hear her say "This is my life as a Cover Girl"

WAY TO GO CARIDEE!!!

"Oh no. I'M SPEAKING IN RHYME!"

2006-12-04T17:56:00.000-08:00

It is that time of year to be holly and jolly but sometimes it's easier to be a Grinch. Or a Scrooge.
Nahhhh!

So last year I listed my favorite Christmas songs, so this year I decided to be a LITTLE harder on myself and list my favorite Christmas movies/specials.

And yes, I’m SAYING Christmas. Not holidays, or any of that other PC crap. CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS!
If you don’t like it….sue me. Oh wait, you can’t…it’s a blog! BAHAHAHAHA!

So here they are:

13 - Santa Claus is Coming to Town: Burgermeister Meisterburger made this special funny. And the Winter Warlock. "Put one foot infront of the other...."

12 - Frosty the Snowman “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” Another special where the villain in it makes it funny. That and the rabbit. “Busy, busy, busy!”

11 - Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas: An amazing muppet story told by Jim Henson and his band of incredibly talented puppeteers. That I know of it was only aired on HBO but has recently been released to DVD. A great story of the true meaning of Christmas; family, friends and music! and of course, the Christmas branch!

10 - The Snow Queen: Not as well known as the others but the original version from the 60’s is pretty amazing. Of what I read one of the animators eventually went to Disney. (look at the Queen herself and you’ll see the familiar work) I remember the intro by Art Linkletter very well. “1 snowflake, 2…”

9 - The Santa Clause: One of the best of the more recent Christmas films. Yeah, it’s got the Disney corniness but you can’t beat the weight gain and the hair growth!

8 - A Year Without a Santa Claus: Heat Miser and Snow Miser make this more memorable "I'm Mr. Green Christmas, I'm Mr. Sun.."

7 - How the Grinch stole Christmas (animated): I remember drawing The Grinch in kindergarten and getting a star for it. You can’t beat Boris Karloff’s voice. And Max, poor sweet Max.

6 - White Christmas: I hadn’t seen this movie until a few years back but it made me love Danny Kaye even more and see what a dork Bing Crosby was. (okay, so he was playing a character..but still!) Some of the best corny music too, especially “Snow” and “Sisters”. I will admit that when the General makes his entrance in the final scene I always cry like a baby!

5 – Scrooge: A Christmas Eve tradition at my sisters house. The lesser known musical version of the Dickens story.

4 - Charlie Brown Christmas: TV Land named this the #1 Christmas special of all time. Because they're all so hard to rank I still had to put it in my top 5. You have to love Linus receiting (and in this PC day and age I am SO glad that they haven't cut that part out), Snoopy decorating his house and Charlie Brown's choice in trees! Not to mention Vince Giraldi's soundtrack, just amazing.

3 - It’s a Wonderful Life: People who don’t like this movie concern me. They don’t need heart transplants, they need heart installations! Granted, Jimmy Stewart is totally adorable in my eyes. If you’re a fan of this movie, make sure you rent SNL’s Christmas Special and watch their version of the “lost ending”.

2 - How the Grinch stole Christmas (the live action version): Next to Liar, Liar, this is my favorite Jim Carey movie. It has some of the greatest lines, I still recite every holiday season. "Blast this Christmas music. It's joyful and triumphant." "The nerve of those Whos. Inviting me down there - and on such short notice. Even if I wanted to go my schedule wouldn't allow it. Four o'clock, wallow in self pity; 4:30, stare into the abyss; 5:00, solve world hunger, tell no one. 5:30, jazzercize. 6:30, dinner with me. I can't cancel that again. 7:00, wrestle with my self-loathing; I'm booked. Of course, if I bump the loathing to 9 I could still be done in time to lay in bed, stare at the ceiling and slip slowly into madness. But what would I wear?"

1 - Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: This must have been one of the first Christmas specials I watched when I was young, actually it was released the year I was born. Rudolph holds a special place in my heart along with Hermey, King Moonracer, Sam the Snowman and Yukon Cornelius. “Didn’t I ever tell you about Bumbles? Bumbles Bounce!”

I'll get you my pretty!!

2006-11-16T09:58:00.000-08:00

After sitting up until almost midnight the other night, I realized that there was a VERY important topic that I have yet to discuss on my blog.
This subject is something that has affected and amused me my WHOLE life.
The Wizard of Oz.

I admit, if there’s a movie I like I’ll watch it over and over again.
It amazes me that many people don’t understand that concept. They watch a movie once, love it and move on.
(shaking head)
They just don’t it.
Every time you watch a movie, you notice something new.
Even now when I watch Oz, I’ll see something that I haven’t seen before. I’ll focus in on a different character and just watch how they move through a scene. Their corny expressions, their body language or, in the case of last night, I was trying to figure out what was pinned to Ms. Gulch’s dress on the right side of her chest. Or what shoes was she wearing, how was her hair done? Do that next time it comes on, it’ll keep you intrigued.

My cousin Sharon had an album of the movie and I remember playing THAT over and over again. This was before they started showing it more than once a year on TV.
I remember her brother David had written ‘I Love you” in crayon next to Dorothy’s picture. Obviously, she was his first crush.
From that album I learned to recite the whole movie. A dubious distinction I know. It will get me no where but it’s a fact and I’d be willing to prove it to anyone, anywhere, anyhow.

There are so many things about that movie that I love. I’m almost envious of Dorothy sometimes. I want to dance with the Scarecrow, hang out with the Munchkins and have a work day like the people in Oz did. (“We get up at noon and go to work at 1. Take an hour for lunch and then at 2 we’re done..jolly good fun!”)
I have some questions as well; I wonder why The Wizard used the same colored smoke as The Witch did when she exited a scene on her broom? Why does the Scarecrow knock on the door to see if that was the room Dorothy was locked in? Where were all the flying monkeys during the chase scene in the castle? Were the Winkies wearing masks or were they related to the witch what with those pointed noises and green skin? If the witch was allergic to water, why was there ANY laying around the castle? Did Glinda and the Munchkins think Dorothy was ugly? (‘cause Glinda said that only bad witches are ugly and she actually ASKED Dorothy if she was a good witch or a bad witch)

I have Oz “stuff” all over my apartment. A beautiful pencil sketch that my niece bought me for Christmas last year. (She was an Oz freak too….when she was little) A few of the Shelia’s figurines (basically Oz characters or scenes painted on carved pieces of wood), a wicked witch of the east door blocker complete with ruby slippers and striped socks to keep out drafts, a Making of Oz book, a Oz Cookbook, Oz Monopoly, Oz trivia game, a Wicked Witch bobble head and this beautiful half Oz/half Kansas music statue by the San Fransico Music Box Company that my Mom gave me for Christmas a couple years ago. One side is black and white and the other is color complete with Dorothy and Toto on both sides.

The cutest Oz reference I have is how my niece Nikki wanted to name her baby sister Emily because she wanted her kids to have an Aunt Em. This coming from the mouth a 3 year old!

So every time this movie comes on all I can think is "Oh joy...rapture!!"
Now if they'd only re-release it to the theatres; wouldn't that be somethin?

Get real...

2006-10-16T18:45:00.000-07:00

As I've stated in earlier posts, I am a reality TV fan. I've watched all of them at some point; Survivor, Big Brother, America's Next Top Model...you name it.

The one that amuses me the most is definitely The Bachelor. It's the reality TV train wreck that you can't help but watch.
There's always the virgin, the drama queen, the girl who you don't even notice or remember her name who makes it to the final 3 and you think...what's her name again? The chick who has to be the center of attention, the girl who seems semi-normal at first who then turns into a complete nut-job, the girl who falls in love with the guy the VERY first night who doesn't get a rose the very first night and cries.

The thing about this show is,..okay; it's a reality show but it's not REALITY. If it were a TRUE reality show the dates wouldn't be in exotic locales. They wouldn't be on yachts in the middle of the mediterranian. It would be something like this; he's an hour late because his car broke down and he couldn't get a signal on his cell phone.
You go to the movies and a bunch of drunks keep kicking your seat or making smooching noises when he puts his arm around you.
You get a sick stomach during dinner and have to suck it up so you don't ruin the whole evening; you just pray to GOD he doesn't want to come inside when he brings you home.
You go to a hockey game and some fat ass sitting near you decidies to verbally accost the players the whole time.

And instead of a Rose, you get either his cell phone number, his e-mail address, his business card or, if he doesn't like you, he just says "give me your number and I'll call you tomorrow".

Now THAT'S reality dating! He could even pretend his a prince...kind of like the guy on the show now! An Italian prince whose never been to his homeland and can barely speak a word of the language??? I'm more Italian than that ugly bastard! (ask me how I REALLY feel)
I'm surprised that any woman would want to be on this show now anyway. Other than to get their 15 minutes of fame seeing as how of all the "relationships" haven't made it past week 2. I think they're 2 for 10.
Let's call the show what it really is. Dudes on Fantasy Island...pick a ho'.

Dreams are a wish your heart makes...

2006-10-14T17:56:00.000-07:00

Is it true dreams actually mean something?
My dreams are usually just weird little things or semi-nightmares about me trying to escape from somewhere or someone.

I never had dreams about my boyfriends or even when they became ex-boyfriends. I dream about family, my dreams include my friends.

So what is up with me dreaming about Gale Harold alot lately?
Is he in trouble?
Is he sending telepathic signals out into space and for SOME reason they're making it down to MY brain?

If these dreams mean anything, someone please let me know.
Then maybe you can also explain what my dream of having hermit crabs attached to my toes meant as well!

Gale, Gale, Gale. WHY are you in my subconcious? Last night my dream was about me buying a house. I was somehow "in" it already but the people who owned it were still living there as well. With cats, I remember lots of cats. Then someone came by to inspect or access the house and, you guessed it. It was Gale. LOL.
Here the guy is rehearsing his part in the revival of Suddenly, Last Summer off Broadway and somehow he turns into a man who does house inspections.
Hey, maybe that's it! He's in the same state as me at this very moment. My brain is feeling his energy.
Well, at least he's off that shitty excuse for a FOX TV show!
Okay Gale...as Lori in Oklahoma sang "Out of my dreams and into your arms I long to fly!"

R.I.P Cory Lidle

2006-10-11T18:59:00.000-07:00

I have to be honest; yesterday I was going to post a blog about the end of the Yankees season.
How disappointing it was to finish the season so well, only to tank in the first round.

Then todays tragedy...puts it all in perspective doesn't it?
Shit, it's only a game.
Granted, I wasn't devestated by the loss. Actually, I wasn't even surprised.
But what's important?

The thing we forget is that these guys are people. Not superhumans
Not robots
They're dads, husbands, sons and brothers.

So screw the fact that ARod had a bad series
That Mussina didn't have his usual blue-collar effort
Fuck the whole "Fire Joe Torre" thing

It's a game folks
and it lost one of it's boys today...

Girlfriend

2006-09-25T08:13:00.000-07:00

As those who are close to me know, I haven't taken a dive into the dating pool in quite a while.
I have my reasons and they are many and easy to explain. At least for me.
Most females probably think I'm nuts. Which is fine, because I am. Nuts and sane all in the same half-second.
To me, life is complicated enough. You add a man into the mix and things only get crazier.
It's just too much work and I've never been known to be much of a hard worker!
Not to mention after watching what my friends have been through lately.....that would make ANYone steer clear of getting involved with someone.
Unless that someone is Gale Harold. For him I could deal with a TON of BS. (but that's another story...see http://auntsnoozy.blogspot.com/2006/04/i-need-me-some-gale-harold.html)

Recently a very close friend of mine had a relationship come to an end. It was sad but considering everything she's stressed about and tolerated the last five months or so....it was time to throw the bottom feeder back into the pond. Wow she put up with alot,..and put herself THROUGH alot.
Then yesterday I was channel surfing when a song I used to LOVE in the 80's came on and I just felt like it summed up everything I was thinking when it came to her and what she's going through...

You can watch part of the video here: (dig those funky 80's outfits and hairdo's)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3mG6Mc91nI

To believe or not to believe
that is the question
It just takes a street degree.
You've lied your last lie and I've cried my last cry
I'm out the door babe
there's other fish in the sea!

Girl, make a list
go out and find yourself a new plaything
Girl, you needn't trip
'cause he's not worth the misery and pain.

Just remember how he would tell you lies
And then pretend that ev'rything is so sweet.
Why should you sacrifice if you're not satisfied
He's just a canine running 'round in heat!

Girlfriend, how could you let him treat you so bad?
Girlfriend, you know you were the best he ever had!
Girlfriend, how could you let him treat you so bad?
Girlfriend, you know you were the best he ever had!

Girl, you must resist
don't let him squirm his way into your heart
no
Girl, I must insist
you've got to stop the fool before he starts.

Just remember how he was so untrue
and all the tacky things he did to you
No need to signify, 'cause he's not worth your time
You need to find someone that's true to you!

Girlfriend, how could you let him treat you so bad?
Girlfriend, you know you were the best he ever had!
Girlfriend, how could you let him treat you so bad?
Girlfriend, you know you were the best he ever had!

To believe or not to believe
that is the question. . .
just takes a street degree
You've lied your last lie, and I've cried my last cry
I'm out the door babe, there's other fish in the sea!

HeyDele! Sing!

To believe or not to believe
that is the question, it just takes a street degree

You’ve lied
I’ve cried
I’m out the door babe, there’s other fish in the sea!. . .

Girlfriend, how could you let him treat you so bad?
Girlfriend, you know you were the best he ever had!
Girlfriend, how could you let him treat you so bad?
Girlfriend, you know you were the best he ever had!

RockStar SuperSkunk

2006-09-13T18:07:00.000-07:00

We interrupt our regularly scheduled blog entry to bring you this update.....

WTF?!?!?
CURSE YOU ROCKSTAR SCUM!

That's two years in a row that this show has ended with them picking a jackass to front the band. Must be a pre-req.
"Hi, okay...we're looking for a posing, preening, egotistical growling idiot to "sing" for us."
"No...not you attractive man from over seas. No, not you talented woman with the amazing vocal quality. We want that over-made-up dude so we can get Maybelline to sponsor our tour."

How could you DO this to me Jason?!?!
INXS I understand. No one will EVER replace Michael Hutchence so go with the sob-story and pick the ex-homeless dude who still had the cash to legally change his last name. So them I could ignore.
Personally...I don't think Tommy Lee wanted to compete for the chicks and he wouldn't stand a CHANCE next to Toby Rand. Unless they were having a longest shlong contest.

So I gave it a chance and listened to Skunkboy perform two of SuperNova songs.(or whatever they're going to call themselves now that the lawsuit has been settled and they can't legally use that name) I gave Skunky a chance to win me over. I put down the remote and listened...and watched. I couldn't understand a fucking word he said. His voice is shit.
I'm sorry Jason...I can't listen to that. I can't watch that. He's pathetic. He's freakin terrible! You picked him just because he was voted in by the largest country in north america?? Nice logic.

I hope you bail on that gig Jason and go back to the Chophouse and Voivod or EchoBrain or whatever other project you have. Your musical reputation hangs in the balance...RUN!!!

Where have I been??

2006-09-06T09:51:00.000-07:00

I don't think I've gone a whole month without updating this blog but....I did. Sorry.
What can I say, August was a crazy month.
I went to a NASCAR race weekend and had a great time...only to get home and find out I had a blood clot in my left leg below my knee.
Spent less than 24 hours in the hospital which was 24 hours TOO much.
Seriously, this was my first time in the hospital since I was a kid. I didn't like it then and I didn't like it now.
For one thing, the people who "check you in" at the Emergency Room..not nice. Hello. You're hurt or ill or whatever and you're upset and they can't even have the decency to be sociable to you?
Then I got wheeled to a bed and sat in said bed in the hallway of the ER. Not the trauma unit thank goodness. There were enough sick people there to tolerate I really didn't need to see any real nasty stuff. The worst was when some guy went walking looking for a bathroom and peed all over the floor right by me. And my friend Janet got a great view of it. Then his girlfriend/wife/whatever made some comment like we were giving him dirty looks. Seriously, bitch wanted to start a fight in the ER?!?!? What a jackass. Excuse me if I don't smile when someone walks by pissing on the floor.
I had great folks who came by to "work on me" while I was in the ER. Anthony, the resident vampire and another guy whose name escapes me who had to put his finger where no one should have to put their finger. My comment to him was "You had to go through years of medical school to do that???"
So I laid there, AND laid there, AND laid there. Wait, wait, wait. Rumor had it that they were going to send me in for a CAT scan. Which didn't sound like fun 'cause all I heard about was some glass of crap you have to drink before you go in there.
Next thing I know they were wheeling me and my bed up to the observation unit for the night. Room 73..or was it 72. I had a phone, a TV which was blocked when I pulled my screen across and they even brought it some yummy hospital food.
Fortunately my friends didn't leave me alone until almost 11pm that night. Which was great. I didn't want to be by myself. I was little-kid scared in that place.
The fun part was when the nurse came by to tell me not only was I going to be given a blood thinner pill but a shot because it takes the pill 4-5 days to take affect.
I had my choice of where I wanted the shot; my arm, the top of my thigh or my stomach. I chose the latter...just seemed to be where it would hurt the least. It wasn't bad at all.
I think I slept maybe 15 minutes that night. Some dude across the hall from me snored louder than any human I have ever heard. And, of course, they were coming by almost every hour to take my blood pressure, my temperature and my pulse. Is it me or does the blood pressure machine in the hospital get so tight in almost crunches your bones? Geez! Like sick people aren't in enough pain already, thanks!
In the middle of the night they woke up Senior Snore and I heard the nurse say that he probably has Sleep Apnea. No shit Sherlock. I'm not even a medical student and I could've told you that!
Then there was the cleanup people there. Those fuckers do not know how to whisper. They walk through there practically yelling at the person standing next to them. Ummm..HELLO. People trying to sleep here. And if you give me a dirty look because I have my Grover plush in bed with me I'll get right outta this bed and kick you in the ass! LOL
Yeah, I had my Grover plush. I told you, I was kid-scared in that place.
(TO BE CONTINUED)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLOG!!

2006-07-28T10:13:00.000-07:00

This blog is officially 1 year old as of yesterday.

(sniff) It's getting so BIG! lol

Welcome to the world Meghan Claire Paul!

2006-07-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

With two other sisters at home, Meghan's daddy will be living like Jeff Foxworthy once stated:

"I live in the estrogen ocean, in the middle of nekkid Barbie Woodstock..."

Welcome to the family little one!

I miei complimenti Italia!

2006-07-10T07:49:00.000-07:00

I wanna Rock!

2006-07-05T06:51:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the premier of Rockstar:Supernova, the Tommy Lee Project on CBS.
It should be called The Jason Newsted show as far as I'm concerned. Although I'd probably watch it no matter what band was involved, but seeing Jason twice a week all summer is going to be HEAVEN!!
I became a Jason fan when I became a Metallica fan. There was something about the dude. That under-dog quality given the fact that he had to replace the original bass player and just the way they showed how he interacted with the fans. (not to mention the hair flinging, head banging, bass playing and back-up singing)

After Jason left my interest in Metallica was dead. Let's face it, he was treated like shit by those guys from Day 1. He was the new kid who was never quite accepted and I know what that feels like. It sucks. He said he was leaving for health reasons...yeah, MENTAL health.

I did, however, watch the movie Some Kind of Monster. That was pretty enlightening. It wasn't a happy time in the Metallica camp after "Jasonic" left. Lars freaked out, James went to rehab and poor Kurt was probably confused as hell as to what the fuck was going on.
The best part of the movie was when Lars went to see Jason and his new band Echobrain at a live gig. Afterwards he muttered the immortal words "Jason is the future, Metallica is the past"
That's the smartest thing he's ever said!

Dr. Edward Crane

2006-06-27T09:34:00.000-07:00

A sad day in the canine community as Moose, the beloved pooch who played the incredibly popular Eddie on the show Frasier, has passed away.

As a tribute, here is one of many favorite moments starring this talented dog:

Eddie stares at Frasier

Frasier: What? Do you want to know what's bothering me too? Well, here's a start, I'm talking to a dog, that bothers me. I'm another year older today, I suppose that bothers me, but not as much as people seem to think. I'm still single, that's a big one. Not having a woman to share my life with. The only women in my life are friends; Roz and Daphne. Daphne's not even here anymore, she'll be married soon. That's going to be tough on Dad. Who am I kidding? It's going to be tough on me. It's been nice having her here. Even when my love life hasn't been going so well, I can always come home to a warm and considerate woman. You know, that's probably why I've been so brusque with her lately. I know that once she's gone, I'll probably be twice as lonely... Well, it's quite a realization isn't it?

Eddie buries his head under the pillow

Frasier: You know, there are subtler ways to let the patient know his hour is up.

RIP sweet boy!

Just call me Trixie...

2006-06-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

'cause we both were constantly yelled at by my Grandmother!

You Are a Beagle Puppy

Cheerful, energetic, and happy go lucky.
And you're sense of smell is absolutely amazing!

What Breed of Puppy Are You?

I'LL MARRY YOU KEANU!!

2006-06-07T06:03:00.000-07:00

I just read on MRN.com that Keanu Reeves is desperate to get married.
http://www.movies.msn.com/celebs/article.aspx?news=224827

My question is this; how is it possible that he is having a problem finding someone to take him up on it?
He's tall, good looking, seems quirky but intelligent, (although he's been known to call himself dumb) he's a musician, he's an ex-athlete and he's financially stable. So what's the problem?

I've always been one to like the quirky-yet-charming actors such as Johnny Depp, Robert Downey, Mel Gibson, Nic Cage, Orlando Bloom; guys like that. The handsome yet not totally main-stream, take-any-role-they-throw-at-you kind. Keanu is definitely part of that group for me. You never know what to expect from him. What I've found with all the above mentioned men is that even if the movie they're in isn't great, their performances will stand out.

So what do I have in common with Keanu? Age, experience, hockey, music and..who knows what else. Maybe I could even get him into NASCAR!

So pre-nup or otherwise, call me Keanu..let's talk!!

Need a little laugh today....

2006-06-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

You Are Ernie

Playful and childlike, you are everyone's favorite friend - even if your goofy antics get annoying at times.

You are usually feeling: Amused - you are very easily entertained

You are famous for: Always making people smile. From your silly songs to your wild pranks, you keep things fun.

How you life your life: With ease. Life is only difficult when your friends won't play with you!

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

LET'S GO BUF-FA-LO!!

2006-06-01T12:36:00.000-07:00

My love of sports began with baseball. Yankees baseball to be exact. I even have the phrase "#1 Yankees fan" embossed on my highschool yearbook.
Then there was hockey,..which is a love that continues to this very day. It's not in my blood like NASCAR is, it doesn't have the american tradition in the heart that football does but there's something that NASCAR and the NHL share. That down-home, glad-to-meet you, parents-brought-'em-up-right, thank god the fans are here kind of love. They appreciate us and we appreciate them even MORE for appreciating us. There's not the bling-bling-attitude like there is in football, there's not the "if I wasn't playing hoops, I'd be in prison" mentality of the NBA. It's, and you'll have to excuse me if this comes off as prejudice because that's not my intent, a sport for middle sized white boys, born and bred in the outskirts of the big city who have a respect for what they do and know that they're privledged for getting chance to do it.
So tonight my beloved Buffalo Sabres will be battling it out in Game 7 with the Carolina Hurricanes. If nothing else, haven't we had enough of freaking hurricane talk as it is??

I love my Sabres. Yes, they are mine. Although I share them with many, I still consider them my babies. I've been with them for years; cheered them on through the bad years, the No Goal-we-got-screwed-out-of-another-one thank you dumb-ass Bettman year (I still LOATHE Brett Hull), and the years when it wasn't even for sure that they'd STAY in Buffalo. So now with all but four of their regular defensemen on the injured list I have to pray that their toughness in the face of adversity attitudes will survive another day. Another battle in the corner, another cross check infront of the net, another press deep in their zone when they can't clear the puck...

Bob DiCesare wrote a great column in the Buffalo News today that sums up how we Western New Yorkers feel about our boys in black:

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060601/1056389.asp

Sabres, WNY happily share a common fate

For an instant it looked as though Brian Campbell might lose it. For the briefest moment it appeared a tear might roll from the corner of his eye.
He'd just been told there's a perceptible difference in how Buffalo hockey fans have come to feel about their Sabres. No longer is this a community craving a championship merely for its own satisfaction, its own glory. It now goes much deeper than that. This is a town yearning for its players to win a title for their own personal fulfillment. The overriding feeling is that, with all this team's been through, it deserves nothing less than a chance to play for the Stanley Cup.
"That's a nice thing for them to feel," Campbell said. "It shows a lot of respect from our fans if that's the case. We've gone through a lot of adversity this year. I think they've seen how hard we've worked. We haven't given up at any time and they've been so happy for us and cheered us on."
Buffalo sports fans get it, always have, always will. They cheered when the announcement of the scratches revealed Teppo Numminen would be back in the lineup Tuesday night, however brief that turned out to be. They cheered when Carolina's Rod Brind'Amour was tossed from the faceoff circle, knowing draws are more easily won when he's not around. They're totally in tune, fully realize what the Sabres have achieved to this point is unique, special and worthy of their admiration.
That's why today is going to seem longer than the darkest, coldest day in February. That's why 7:30 won't arrive until what feels like midnight. This is it, Game Seven of the Eastern Conference finals, the culmination of a tense, taut and tantalizing series that has brought hostilities between the Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes to a rolling boil. Six games of drum roll and now the cymbal crash, either the sweetest music or the harshest noise.
It's delicious stuff, the ultimate in hockey drama. Lose the seventh game of the Stanley Cup finals and at least you had your shot. Lose the seventh game of the conference finals and it's a matter of so close and yet so far, a sick and hollow feeling.
"We're going to give it our all," said Daniel Briere, as if there were any doubt on that front.
Have they really made it this far? With no Tim Connolly and no Dmitri Kalinin? With no Henrik Tallinder and now no Numminen, again? And yet it's the Hurricanes, said to have iced champagne in the visitors' dressing room Tuesday night, who are scrambling, desperate, forced to win to save face, offering up excuse after excuse for why it is they've yet to finish off this depleted bunch. Who knew Raleigh was such bountiful whine country? Meanwhile, the Sabres march on, focused, resolute.
"I think we have the look of this city," Briere said. "We're a team that's resilient. We're a team that's relentless, a team that has to work for everything we get. We've been through tough times, the city's been through tough times. People work hard around here."
The town can see it. Everybody can see it. Even those Sabres clubs of the late '90s, billed as the hardest working teams in hockey, can't measure up to this collection of indefatigable spirits that keeps cashing bets on the long shot, the long shot being themselves.
Thing is, the Sabres want this for Buffalo as much as Buffalo wants this for them. They want to be the team that takes the city off the schneid. They want to see the looks on all of your faces if they get this one and four more to follow. They're determined to keep this magical postseason run alive.
"Yes, we want to win it for us," Briere said. "But it would be so neat, so cool, to bring a championship to this city. We know they've been through some hard times with their sports teams, 20-25 years. There's nothing that would make me more happy right now than to be able to bring a championship to the fans here."

NOW, LET'S GO BOYS!!

When did we lose our freedom of speech?

2006-05-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

What can I say, I'm sick of closed-minded MF'ers. I'm opinionated as anyone (got that skill from my father) but even if I don't agree with someone, I'm glad that we both have the right to voice our opinions. That's what our country is all about, right? So why would someone get so beat down for disagreeing with what others think? I don't get that. If you don't follow the norm, you should be afraid for your life or the life of your family??? Excuse me, what country do I live in again?
I don't like to get all political. First of all, it doesn't interest me in the least. There isn't a politician out there who's a saint. If they were, they wouldn't be elected officials because you can't be one without lying, cheating, stealing or killing somebody.
Secondly, I don't belong to a party. I'm a party of one. Like Chris Rock said "don't be a right winger, don't be a conservative or a liberal. Just listen. Listen, think and then make up your OWN mind" Maybe people are too afraid of speaking their minds. Maybe they have no minds to speak of.
So today the Dixie Chicks new CD is being released and I won't go home without having it in my hot little hand. Above and beyond everything that's happened to them, I love their music. That's why I listened to them in the first place, that's why I went to see them from the front row in Buffalo, NY a few years back. Natalie can sing her little ASS off. Martie and Emily are not only amazing musicians but combine to make incredible three-part harmonies.
I could care less what Natalie said about the president. If that's what she thought, she had every right to say it. Just as much as you and I have a right to speak our peace.
So here's mine; we've been in this war WAY too long. Sons, daughters, fathers, wives, brothers, sisters, grandsons, grand daughters, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins are DYING. EVERY day. I have a nephew there right now. I'm scared for his life.
Some say that the media is painting the war as such a negative. That the people are HAPPY that we're there. Explain to me then...when was war EVER a positive...for ANYone??

Is it better to burn out than fade away?

2006-05-12T07:17:00.000-07:00

I had a friend in highschool named Wendy Hastings who LOVED Def Leppard. That's all I'd hear about when we talked; Joe Elliott, Def Leppard and Pyromania. At the time, I was a HUGE Loveryboy fan. I must've played the LP Get Lucky a bazillion times in our basement. (gotta love the red leather pants)
So after alot of nagging by Wendy I finally watched a Lep video on MTV one night and became totally intrigued. Not by Joe Elliott, although I admit I was completely envious of his hair, but of their music and the fact that they weren't your average rock band. They were cute, running all over the stage with youthful energy and they're songs were really solid. I was sold!
22 years later I still love the Leps. Maybe even more now than I did then. At the same time like any past love there is some pain involved. Why? Because my favorite member of the group died back in 1991. As much as I have enjoyed VH1 Classic's Metal Month, it's still quite painful to watch when the videos for Photograph, Rock of Ages and especially Foolin' come on the screen. Steve Clark looked so young then. You couldn't see the demons lurking in his head. All you saw was his blonde hair, his pale skin under whatever opened shirt he happened to be wearing at that time and his guitar down around his knees. What was hidden was his poor, tortured soul and his badly abused liver. He was as talented as he was depressed.
I had a friend in college named Dave who spent hours in a hallway trying to perfect the opening guitar sequence from the song Foolin. A few years later he crashed a motorcycle he was taking for a test drive, hit a tree head on and died from the injuries.
Then the video for the song comes on and there's Steve playing that opening part on the acoustic guitar. It leaves me somewhat speechless and sad.
That song always reminds me of Dave and Steve....it probably always will

Here's what Joe Elliott wrote about Steve five years ago:
http://www.defleppard.com/diaries/index.html

So here we are, January 8th, 2001 and I’m in Japan with the Cybernauts. Tonight I’ll be singing a song called “Rock and Roll suicide”…How ironic, don’t’ you think? It’s 10 years to the day since Steve passed away and I shall be dedicating that particular song to his memory.
Steve lived it like he wanted to, and if the truth be known, probably went the same way. Always one notch too low with the strap, always one step ahead with the ideas, he could be the most inspiring and depressive person you ever met. But I wouldn’t change a thing. Yes, of course, I wish he was still alive but I doubt he’d be in the band anymore….But you never know do you??

I’ve seen women fighting over him, I’ve seen him fighting with his own demons and I saw him lose the ultimate battle, the one for his own life. At the end Steve wasn’t happy but he always meant well, even if he knew in his heart of hearts that he was letting us down. I think he enjoyed the success , but ultimately wanted to be Johnny Thunders more than he wanted to be Steve Clark. We all found out the hard way he couldn’t be both.

I miss him, I miss his humor, I miss his spark, but I don’t miss the heartache of seeing him slowly killing himself. Life moves on and so did we, and to borrow from one of his favorite bands, he’s ten years gone.

It’s almost nine years since Viv joined and we’re still here doing our thing. In many ways we’re a stronger unit now than we were before, but we wouldn’t be in this position if it hadn’t been for the contribution of one Stephen Maynard Clark. I love you, man, I always will, and I know that if you are up there (I doubt it!), you’re watching what we do, and you’re rooting for us. My guess is you’re DOWN there, whooping it up w/his un-holiness, beating him at cards and telling him why the Pistols were the world’s second greatest band. You always did love the danger of it all….

Sugar Me!

2006-05-04T13:43:00.000-07:00

Your Stripper Song Is

Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard

"Love is like a bomb, baby, c'mon get it on
Livin' like a lover with a radar phone
Lookin' like a tramp, like a video vamp
Demolition woman, can I be your man?"

Break out the baby oil, you rock it old school.

What Song Should You Strip To?

I need me some Gale Harold

2006-04-24T12:22:00.000-07:00

What is it about spring?
Most times of the year I feel semi-normal (at least as normal as I'll EVER feel) but spring makes me feel different.
I woke up Sunday morning realizing that I just had a dream about a celebrity, which for me is REALLY odd. I'm not a teenage girl. I don't have posters of the latest teen heart throb on my walls or magazines of celebrity's in my house.
I don't go to movies needing a drool bucket, I don't watch MTV hoping for a glimpse of the latest video by Teddy whats-his-name. It doesn't interest me.
There are a few athletes who I will say are VERY easy on the eyes but I don't dream about them either.
So what was I doing have a dream about slow dancing with Gale Harold?
He has a dorky name, doesn't he? What were his parents thinking?
"So what name can we give our son so he gets his ass beat every day at school? I know, let's call him Gale Morgan!” YUH! I'm sure they're nice people, but if they had a clue as to the stature to which their son was going to grow into, they could’ve come up with something better than THAT! He deserves the name Brad Pitt even more than Brad himself. (in my opinion anyway and if you don't agree...too bad, it's my blog! and I even appreciate Brad Pitt, but he is no Gale Harold)
If you're a heterosexual person and have never owned the channel Showtime on your cable network you probably don't know who Gale is. And that's okay. I think he's much happier being a semi-celeb than a BIG time celeb. I can't see his talent and looks keeping him under the radar much longer though.
So why wouldn't most common heteros know Gale? He had a lead part in one of the most controversial night time shows since Sex and the City. It was called Queer As Folk. You got it, it was SATC for gay men. Except somehow it also appealed to straight women, especially THIS straight woman. Gale played a unapologetic sex god in the city of Pittsburgh who fucked who he wanted, when he wanted and as often as we wanted and every woman watching cheered his fine ass on. Why? Because we wanted to see him nekkid. It's that simple. Which is funny because if he was a straight man doing the same thing, I doubt we would love him as much. Men wronging other men must be more okay with women!
But as much of a bastard as he was, he was still appealing. REALLY appealing. Tall, thin but by no means skinny, dark hair and the most entrancing hazel eyes I’ve ever seen.
In the very first episode he poured a water bottle over his head, stripped completely nekkid (with a great camera shot from behind) and asked his latest conquest “Are you coming or going? Or coming and then going? Or coming and staying?” It was classic. He was the ultimate sexual predator who was such a bastard that you just couldn’t help but want him as well.

But that’s not Gale, that was Brian Kinney.
Gale is said to be extremely intelligent, media-shy but un-apologetic about the role that made him (in)famous. So now we’ll see where his career takes him. He has a lead role in the upcoming CBS show Vanished, will play Wyatt Earp in a few episodes of the HBO series Deadwood and has a movie coming out called East Broadway.
Personally I don’t care what he does as long as I can turn on the TV and see him. (even if he is wearing clothes!)

2006-04-20T10:38:00.000-07:00

Here's a topic I have yet to really talk; religion.

I was raised Catholic. Baptised, had my first communion and was confirmed with the name Veronica. (I liked the name, what she stood for AND the fact that she was also an Archie's character)
I don't however go to church weekly. I go on major holidays just because it makes my mother happy. The service for me just got...empty. Stand up, sing this, say this, sit down, stand up again, kneel, shake hands with your neighbor, sing, take the host, kneel some more and then run for the car. I just wasn't getting anything out of it so when I was old enough to decide whether or not I wanted to go, I decided the latter. Not.
To be quite honest I probably would've stopped going years before that except for two reasons. One, my father MADE me go and two; youth group. As in choir. I was probably in one of the most amazing ones I've ever heard next to those kids in Sister Act 2.
I remember the day I was at Saturday 5:30 mass with my mother and heard the church youth group sing for the first time. Wow. There were a bunch of them too; all ages and sizes and three guitar players leading them. I had to join. So I did. Then dropped out, then joined up again about a year later when they had named themselves Morningstar.
For me it wasn't about the whole religion or singing infront of people in church, it was about being a voice in the middle of that sound. The harmonies were amazing. I had prided myself on being a pretty strong singer and have been known to drown out people by complete accident...but not in this group. There were strong singers everywhere.
That's when I was also introduced to the musical Godspell. Never heard of if but we sang practically every song off the soundtrack. Especially when the whole group went on a retreat. That album (this was pre-casette tape days) would get played to death. And we would act it out too. Recently one of the songs popped into my head and I haven't been able to get it out.
So what's my take on religion? Well....I don't believe that God is like Santa Claus and something that was made up like George Carlin says. I do believe that he exists, in his son and that there's a heaven and hell.
How else would you explain the power of music? Because when I think hard enough...I can still hear all those voices singing around me, it's SO comforting.

All Good Gifts
We plow the fields and scatter
the good seed on the land..
But it is fed and watered
by God's almighty hand..

He sends us snow in winter,
the warmth to swell the grain...
The breezes and the sunshine,
and soft refreshing rain...

All good gifts around us
Are sent from Heaven above
Then thank the Lord, thank the Lord for all his love...

We thank thee then, O Father,
for all things bright and good,
The seedtime and the harvest,
our life our health our food,

No gifts have we to offer
for all thy love imparts
But that which thou desirest,
our humble thankful hearts!

All good gifts around us
Are sent from Heaven above..
Then thank the Lord, thank the Lord for all his love..

I really wanna thank you Lord!
All good gifts around us Are sent from Heaven above..
Then thank the Lord, oh thank the Lord for all his love..

GET WELL SOON!

2006-04-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

Just a Get Well wish to the other half of the brain down in Chattanooga, TN.
Look, even Jonathan's worried about her!

"I just hope nothing happens to her bangin' hair..."

That's it?

2006-04-17T13:52:00.000-07:00

Your Quirk Factor: 63%

You're so quirky, it's hard for you to tell the difference between quirky and normal.
No doubt about it, there's little about you that's "normal" or "average."

How Quirky Are You?

I thought it would be a MUCH higher percentage than THAT!

I really need a life!

2006-04-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

When news like this gets me all excited, I think it's safe to say that I need a life!

It's official: Warner Bros. has announced that the Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix movie will hit theaters on July 13, 2007!

Granted, I'm kind of angry as well that I have to wait a year, 3 months and 6 days to see it. (Not that I'm counting or anything!)

Bring it on Yankee-haters!

2006-04-05T08:58:00.000-07:00

I love the Spankees. Call them what you want, say they're bought, say they're old and washed up or over-rated every year. I don't care. Most Yankee fans don't. Would you care if someone said the same about your favorite team? Probably not. After a while all the bashing gets humorous, not hurtful. So save your breath!

I love April baseball. The season is fresh, the players are tanned and ready to go. Something about opening day just makes you happy; maybe it's because it means spring (unless of course you live in the Northeast) and that summer isn't far away. Fall being right around the corner from there. (my favorite season)
Maybe it's because it reminds you of sitting in the stands for a lazy, lovely Sunday double-header where you can smell the hots and hear the crack of the bat and the pop of the glove. Like Ray Liotta's Shoeless Joe said about baseball in the movie Field of Dreams "It's the sounds, the smells".
I love going to the ballpark; I just wish I did it more often.
But then there's always YES Network to fill my empty heart with Yankee joy. Yeah, the Yankees have their own freakin network. THAT'S gotta piss the haters off! Does any other team have one of their own? Doubt it, but I could be wrong.

I have my favorite Yankees. Currently it's Mike Mussina. Gotta love Michael Cole. (although I have to apologize the best pic I can find of him was in his 'Birds-wear, see upper-left) What's to hate? He keeps his yapper shut and just goes about his business. Not to mention he's a brain with a degree from Stanford.
I got to see Mike pitch here in Rochester for Triple-A before he went on to the Orioles for a few years. He was always an interesting pitcher to watch. Infact, I got an up-close and personal view of a work-out of his one time. The teams pitching coach was catching for him, I'm not sure what they working on, but the ball was just whizzing within feet of the fence that seperated me from the field. Saying that it was impressive was an understatement. I remember the coach looking over at me and saying "How did that look?" and I said "wow....very nice!" and they both laughed. I really didn't know what to say, I was just enjoying the moment. You know the kind,..when you know it'll never happen again. People say Mike isn't as good a pitcher as he used to be,..who is. All I know is I'd rather have him on my team than hit against him.

My all-time favorite Yankee is Don Mattingly, but at the same time I have to wonder about the Mattingly curse. Is it any coincedence that we never won a championship when he was a player and we're having the same issues ever since he became the hitting coach? If you're a sports fan you know, we're all VERY superstitious! As much as I love Donnie...it will take another ring to make me think otherwise.
But I still have the utmost respect for Don. To me he was a true Yankee; came up through the farm system, busted his ass and kept the press at bay the best he could. Him and Jeter are alot alike in that way,..respected by people with brains in their heads. Even rival Sox fans like him although they refuse to ever speak it as so.

So here's to best team money can buy. Without the haters it wouldn't be as much fun to win, so thanks!

and GO YANKS!!

10 people every woman needs

2006-04-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

Read this on MSN.com today and thought it was SO true! I added who I think those people are to for me so, enjoy:

1. An Ethel Mertz. (I have a FEW of these) This lifelong friend will be there for all your impetuous "Lucy" moments, whether you're embarking on a crazy scheme (spying on your ex, dying your hair pink) or nipping at the Vitameatavegamin.

2. A boy friend. (Mike) As in platonic male pal. While he'll never replace your girlfriends for late-night Ben & Jerry's gossip sessions, having a Ben or Jerry in your life can be just as beneficial. With him, you're free to sport your dowdiest duds, have a heated political discussion (without fear that it will carry into the bedroom) and even belch out loud. He'll be your plus-one at parties and the third wheel when you need a buffer. And his insight is especially helpful for all those "Y" questions, such as, "Why are men so...?" "Why did he...?" and "Why won't he...?"

3. A born-to-shop pal. (my sister) This sartorial sidekick will not only help you find flattering outfits amid the chaos of your closet, she'll also score a heavenly pair of black pumps for you (on sale!)-even when she's shopping for herself.

4. A money manager. (Janet) A financial advisor can help you get fiscally fit, from reducing your debt to funding your kids' education.

5. A fitness buddy. (Christine and Sharon) Pairing up can help you slim down. In one University of Pittsburgh study, participants who worked out with pals lost 33 percent more weight than those who exercised solo. "In addition to providing increased motivation and better results, exercising with a partner is just a lot more fun," says Charles Stuart Platkin, author of Breaking the Pattern (Red Mill Press, 2002).

6. A gynecologist. Despite the skimpy paper gown and awkward position, this relationship can save your life.

7. A Bea Arthur. (I think I'M that person in my circle-o-friends) They don't call her a "Golden Girl" for nothing. Having an empowered, feisty female role model lends wonderful perspective.

8. A trusted hairstylist. (Kelly and Bridget) Trusted being the key word. This is someone who comprehends the meaning of "just a trim" and can teach you how to achieve salon results at home. How to find your mane man or woman? Ask someone with locks you love for the name of her stylist. (Of course, once you settle down with the shear genius, you'll need to keep the news to yourself.)

9. A dream lover. (oye, do I dare list them??) You're in a committed relationship (no I'm not!), but every so often, you picture yourself getting jiggy with Ashton Kutcher/Tyrese/the UPS guy. Sick and twisted? Nah. Imagining yourself in an intimate situation with someone other than your partner is normal-and then some. "Sexual fantasies increase interest and arousal and decrease anxiety," says Wendy Maltz, coauthor of Private Thoughts (New World Library, 2001). Hey, as long as it takes you both to rapturous heights, he never has to be the wiser.

10. A child. (my nieces and my nephew) Watching a kid (yours or someone else's) at play reminds you how simple and joyful life can be.

Public Service Announcement

2006-03-31T07:12:00.000-08:00

And now, a message from Pathological Liars Anonymous.

"Hello, my name is Tommy Flanagan, and I'm a member of Pathological Liars Anonymous. In fact.. I'm the president of the organization!
I didn't always lie. No, when I was a kid, I told the truth. But then one day, I got caught stealing money out of my mother's purse. I lied. I told her it was homework -that my teacher told me to do it. And she got fired! Yeah, that's what happened!
After that, lying was easy for me.I lied about my age and joined the army. I was thirteen at the time. Yeah.. I went to Vietnam, and I was injured catching a mortar shell in my teeth. And they made me a three-star general!
And then I got a job in journalism, writing for the National Enquire.. er, Geographic! Yeah.. I was making twenty thousand a ye.. month! In fact, I won the Pulitzer Prize that year! Yeah, that's the ticket.And then my cousin died - Joe Louis - and I took it hard. Maybe too hard - I tried to kill myself. Yeahh.. I did kill myself! Sure! I was medically dead for a week and a half! It was a woman that brought me out of it - Indira Gandhi! Yeah, right.. And she told me about Pathological Liars Anonymous.
Oh, you'd be surprised how many famous people belong. In fact.. at one of the meetings I met my wife - Morgan Fairchild! Yes, I'm a changed man now, and all because of Pathological Liars Anonymous. Why, I - I even have my picture on the cover of Newsweek magazine. Yeah. Every day! Yeah.. that's the ticket! Yeah, you betcha!

Detroit leaning....

2006-03-30T12:42:00.000-08:00

You Should Drive a Ford Shelby Mustang Cobra

You have an extreme need for speed, even when you're not in a hurry.
And while your flying by, you don't want to look like every other car on the road!

What 2007 Car Should You Drive?

I had to laugh while taking this quiz...as to what my driving attitude is like. It's ALWAYS "GET THE HELL OUT OF MY LANE!!"
But then again, if I'm in the left lane doing 10 miles over the speedlimit, what the fuck are these goofballs doing tailgating me? The way I look it at is if you have to get there that quickly, LEAVE EARLIER!

They ain't no Annie or Molly

2006-03-28T13:03:00.000-08:00

There are times to bitch, complain, vent until you're red in the face..and then there are times to just sit back and enjoy simple stuff. Something that just makes you say "awwww".
I had that kind of moment this morning when my buddy Christine sent me this picture of her two dogs; Dottie and Shorty.
What makes this picture even sweeter is the fact that both of these dogs were pound rescues; orphans basically, who are now enjoying the rough life of walks, toy hedgehogs and dog beds in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Yeah, it's the hard-knock life for them..can't you tell?

From the home office in Wahoo, Nebraska

2006-03-24T09:16:00.000-08:00

Did you ever read something online while at work that made you laugh so hard that three people came into your office to see what they were missing?
And to those in my family who are reading this...you know why!

Top Ten Signs You've Been Living With Your Parents Too Long
10. They withold Social Security from your allowance
9. You notice that "old person smell" but it's coming from your room
8. You have to explain to your children that you can't take them to the zoo today because you're grounded
7. The annual "growth chart" marks on the hallway door indicate you are getting shorter
6. The blue of your Smurf sheets match your vericose veins
5. You were grounded for drinking the last can of Ensure
4. You excitedly beg your mom to buy that new cereal, the one with the high fiber
3. Stopped stealing their liquor; started stealing their Lipitor
2. Last night you were grounded because you stayed out too late with your wife
1. You can't go to Vegas until you eat all your vegetables

A Night at the "thea-tah"

2006-03-16T05:20:00.000-08:00

Last night I went to see The Lion King at the local Auditorium "Thea-tah". (I have to write it how the snobs say it)
I haven't been to see a live musical in a couple years but I was definitely looking forward to it because nothing beats a live experience not to mention the magic of Disney and my love of the original animated movie.
I will get to my review of it in a bit but first I have to talk about the whole experience of going to see a musical locally.
Rochester isn't known for much. Okay, we had George Eastman which was something to be proud of until Eastman Kodak laid off half of the town. (granted, it wasn't HIS fault) We had the riots, which I heard SO much about when people found out I was moving here and we have serial killers. What some people don't know about Rochester is it's VERY artsy. People really enjoy and love to experience the arts in it's many forms here so musicals tend to create a big buzz. Especially one as loved and renowned as The Lion King.
If you drove by the building where these events are held, you wouldn't give it a second glance. Infact, the armory across the street would probably get your attention instead. (most people are fascinated by anything that looks like a castle; I know I am!) Once inside however the building takes on the aura and charm of a classic thea-tah house. The carpeting, the wooden railings and the whole pre-show excitement. Not to mention it's a prime people-watching place. Make that people staring. There was alot of staring going on. It's a place to see and be seen I guess.
One thing I notice that people at the thea-tar love to do is tell total strangers how they've seen that nights production in other cities. You don't even have to ask; the person sitting next to you will offer up this information and never even introduce themselves. Then they will give you a list of all the musicals or plays that they've seen in the last two years. Granted, I wish most total strangers were this friendly but it seems that it's more of a speech of domination. They've got season seats, they've seen every production at the venue the last five years so what gives you the right to sit next to them? You better have some ammunition or they may never speak to you again.
Now on to my review.
Unfortunately I can't give as glowing a write-up as I had hoped. It could be for many reasons but here are mine.
Most of the cast were not strong singers or actors; they didn't command the stage or demand your attention. I sat there many times hoping for a puppeteer to come on stage again and break up the bore. Mufasa seemed to be trying to do a cheap James Earl Jones impression, it wasn't even that sad when he died. Scar was good but not exactly scary, he was more weird than intimidating...and shouldn't a villainous lion be at least a LITTLE scary? Simba young and old were average; not great actors and so-so singers. I couldn't help but wonder what Wayne Brady could do as older Simba. The hyennas comic timing was lousy and most of the time, they just weren't funny. How come they cracked me up in the movie and I didn't even giggle at them last night? It's all in the delivery folks.
The worst parts of the show had to be some of the dance routines. And that's saying alot considering they were choreographed by the renowned Garth Fagan. A man who has local ties which SHOULD bring an additional air of excitement. I found alot of it boring, out-of-synch and, most of the time, badly placed. What was the point of dancers suspended in mid-air, half naked and clinging to each other during "Can you feel the love tonight"? The song itself is enough, the production slowed it to a halt and de-tensified the love-connection.
But there were highlights. The opening scene is AMAZING. I had goosebumps. I get them again just thinking about it. So was the opening scene in Act 2. The puppets and puppeteers were first rate; exactly what you'd expect from a Disney production. Timon and Pumbaa were fantastic and funny. Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella are not easy shoes to fill but these guys last night made a hilarious stamp of their own although them doing a charleston instead of a hula to distract the hyennas didn't quite get the laugh they had hoped but Timon's headware was great! The music was outstanding, perfectly loud yet soft and emotion-filled when it had to be.
The biggest star in the production was without a doubt Rafiki played by an amazing South African woman named Phindile Mkhize. I would've been just as happy last night listening to her sing any song w/the puppeteers dancing wildly about her and from what I heard from others as I walked out of the thea-tah, I wasn't alone. She received the loudest cheer of any during the bows, and deservedly so. One reviewer put it best when speaking of her voice "As the wise baboon Rafiki, Phindile Mkhize (new to this cast) sets the vocal tone in the opening number, "Nants Ingonyama,'' when she calls the animals to the introduction of Simba. Her voice pours through the theater, sending a chill down the spine and vibrating through every molecule of air"
If she was a lion, she would be King!

Does March come in like a lion?

2006-03-10T11:40:00.000-08:00

Then being a LEO, no wonder I like it. (at least so far)
It's closer to spring, it has St.Patrick's Day in it and makes us meat-eating Christian's take a cow-break every Friday for the next 6 or 7 weeks. Bring on the fish fry!

Here are some other reasons why I like March right now: (have you noticed I've been doing alot of lists on my blog? it's just as confusing to me, believe me!)

It has five Friday pay days in it
It's not February (Valentine's Day..blahhhhhhhhhh)
It's not November or Christmas-time where you have to blow a bunch of money on anyone
The NASCAR season will finally be in full swing which will give me something to do with my Sunday's now that football season is over
BlowOut Season 3 starts on the 21st: You thought The Bachelor or Flavour of Love had Drama Queens in it, wait until you see Jonathan Antin. The guy cries at the drop of a hat. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about men showing their emotions but this dude is a raging, sobbing freak with a beard of a wife and a kid now. What's next?!
America's Next Top Model:Cycle 6 is upon us so it'll be another season full of cat fights where one girl thinks she's more black than the others and someone who's the most irritating of ALL the broads will make it to the Final Three much to the dismay of every viewer
Every day is one day closer to the May 23rd release of the long-awaited Dixie Chicks new CD "Taking the Long Way". Say what you will about their lack of apologies for saying what most American's think by now...these women are amazing musicians and Natalie's voice; hands down the best I've ever heard. Not to mention she gets to bang Adrian Pasdar. To those haters, get a life! I say bring on The Chicks!
Every day is one day closer to Brokeback Mountain being released on DVD. Sorry but I'm just dying to see Heath and Jake makeout!
And lastly, every day is one more day closer to the NASCAR race at Watkins Glen!!

You're never too old for Harry Potter

2006-03-09T06:44:00.000-08:00

As previously admitted, I'm a Harry Potter fan. Freak, no. Fan, yes. I have all the books, all the movies and two leather HP wristbands. (I ordered one and they sent me one that was different than the one I ordered so I asked them why so they sent me what I ordered and told me to keep the one I got for free, NICE!)
Last night I had to run out and buy the new DVD which shows once again that I'm not a FREAK of HP but a fan considering it was released on Tuesday. (Over 5 million sold the very first day)
I did, however, go home and cue it up right away. I did see it on it's release weekend back in 2005 but there are always things you miss at the movie theatre, no matter how quiet everyone is. You could be reaching for your popcorn or your soda and BAM, you miss some dialougue or an important facial expression.
It was amazing; I enjoyed the movie all over again. It made me laugh, cry and it was the scariest of all four so far. At least in MY opinion.

Here are something things that I love about the HP series and the movies:
The friendships: who wouldn't want friends like Harry, Ron and Hermione? Harry's famous and talented, Ron's a kick and Hermione's amazingly smart ALMOST to the point of annoyance but her loyalty and cuteness make up for it.
Fred and George: totally geeky and hilarious, I can't WAIT to see their escapades in movie 5. Hopefully that whole storyline won't be cut.
Hogwarts: who in their right mind wouldn't LOVED to have gone to a school that just LOOKED like that? To get away from your muggle parents for a year, have a "house" of rooms to be part of and eat in the great hall with spooks and spectors everywhere. Although I can't say I'd be thrilled w/those moving staircases.
Snape: that's right, I just love Severus. Even though he seems to be a downright rat at the end of Book 6.....I don't think he's as bad a guy as we're lead to believe. There has to be a reason Dumbledore trusts him. Plus a foe who never bends to the charm of HP makes the movie even better. And he's down-right hilarious beating Ron with a book in movie 4.
The Dark Arts teacher: each year whoever teaches this class endures some bad mojo. Mad Eye Moody was the best and most entertaining of them but wait until you see the freak down-front for movie 5. She makes Snape seem like an ANGEL!
The villians: The death eaters, Barty Crouch Jr, the dementors from Azkaban prison and Valdemort himself. The movies wouldn't be as interesting or scary without them. Granted, the maze in movie 4 was scary without anything else but itself, it's high walls and sounds. Turn up the sound, turn on the surround and turn off the lights. yikes!!

Want to know which HP character you're most like? Clink the link below my results and take the quiz. Believe it or not, I'm Severus Snape, how appropriate!

Harry Potter Personality Quiz by Pirate Monkeys Inc.

You've got to pick a pocket or two...

2006-03-03T04:57:00.000-08:00

Sad news today as one of my favorite 70's screen hero's died; Jack Wild.
Any child of the 70's knows that Jack played on one of the oddest morning kiddie shows; H.R.Pufnstuf. You could tell that people did ALOT of drugs back then because the show was full of talking trees and mushrooms and the houses talked and sneezed. Did I even mention the gold talking flute?
I admit, I had a crush on Jack on that show. Could've been the accent, the Beatles-esque bowl haircut or that wicked yellow shirt and those groovey brown bell-bottom pants. (a yellow shirt and brown pants..who was the stylist?!?!) Any guy who could outsmart a dim-witted witch and her cast of idiots and make friends with a dragon with a southern accent who wore cowboy boots had to be a cool dude. But even better yet; he could sing, dance and be cute all at the same time and somehow not come off looking too light in his loafers.
Jack was also in a great movie called Oliver! It's basically a musical adaptation of the Dicken's story with a great cast of characters, especially his Artful Dodger. He was a perfect pick-pocketing tramp. And talk again about style; high-waters and a top hat...Jack was the MAN!
Unfortunately as all 70's icons seemed to do, Jack had a battle with the bottle throughout his life and smoked like a chimney stack. He even lost part of his tongue and his vocal cords to cancer. Can you imagine? Being a singer and not being able to even TALK?! And from what I can tell by recent pictures I saw of him, although he was only 53 he looked about 20 years older. It's not the years folks, it's the miles.
Somewhere he's singing now; RIP Jack.

It's my weird way of showing I care

2006-03-01T09:33:00.000-08:00

It's true, I'm a smart ass. Those who know me best know it, those who have met me briefly know it. The question is, do all people appreciate it? Probably not.
I can name many co-workers who didn't. Social aquaitances who didn't. Do I care? FUCK NO!
I was trained at an early age to be like this. In my family it's pick on someone or get picked on. Sometimes simutaneously. It's harmless fun, it's a deranged way of showing you care or saying that I love you. And there's nothing I like more than making a sarcastic comment that leaves people laughing to the point of tears.
Not only did my family give me the roots of my sipid tongue, but so did TV. In the 70's you couldn't turn the dial without seeing some brilliant smart ass on the screen. (Ah, the golden age of TV) Archie Bunker was one although he was on the less intelligent scale of it. Florence on The Jefferson's was a perfect SA. So was Louie on Taxi. A top SA has to blend both snap and wit. That's why a dumbass is something COMPLETELY different!
One of my all-TIME favorite SA's is Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce from M*A*S*H. To me, he is the king to which all SA wanna-be's look to. I myself have been known to steal a line or two,..or three from him. And I use them to this day. Infact even yesterday I used the "It's the least I can do,..and never let it be said that I didn't do the least I could do" line.

Some great lines here from one of the best episodes:

Col. Potter: Where's your gun?
Hawkeye: Sulking under my cot. We're not at speaking terms.
Col. Potter: Go kiss it and make up. You're taking it with you.
Hawkeye: Colonel, if I touch that gun, I'll trigger another argument.
Col. Potter: Pierce, You're taking your sidearm.
Hawkeye: [Holding up each arm in turn] Correct, I'm taking along my right side arm and my left side arm.
Hawkeye: How 'bout a little kiss for the road?
Margaret: Oh, don't be ridiculous.
Hawkeye: Then how 'bout one for me?

[both drunk, under fire, in a foxhole]
Col. Potter: I said fire that weapon.
Hawkeye: All right.
[to the gun] Hawkeye: You're fired.
[to Potter] Hawkeye: I did it as gently as I could.
Col. Potter: That was an order, Pierce.
Hawkeye: [Snapping his fingers] Oh waiter, would you take this man's order, please?

Recently they even did a countdown on The Comedy Channel of the Top 10 smart asses. I can't believe I didn't make the cut. Ah well, I never figured I'd get paid for this gift anyway! Instead I'll keep using it with my family and friends...it's the gift that just keeps ON giving, and giving, and giving....

Let the nail biting begin

2006-02-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

Okay, I admit it...I'm nervous. What about? Over tonights ladies long program at the Olympics. Presently my girl Sasha Cohen is in 1st place after the short program and as wonderful as it is, I'm not comfortable in the LEAST for her.
Sasha is my favorite. She has been ever since I first saw her skate and was blown away by her elegance, artistry, ballerina-like body and her amazing physicality. Even if you're not into skating, you can't watch her and not say to yourself "How the hell does she do that?!?!"
Skating itself is hard enough. Balancing on small blades and just going across the ice surface, it's not as easy as it looks folks.
You think you can do it? Fine, go for it. That was good. Okay, now do it backwards. Pick your speed up a little. Oooo... okay, get up...brush yourself off. Now do a spin...but keep your spin foot in one place. Are you okay? Yeah, you can't spot like you do on the floor. I'll give you a second to clear your head. Ready? Okay, now do it again but this time take your left leg and pull it up over your head. That's right...I said OVER your head. Ouch, those boards don't give much do they? Now do it again but bend over your back and look behind you. Woah, watch out! You okay?
Alright, let's try a jump. Yeah, but get some air on it this time. There ya go. Okay, now this time get a spin in it. Well, that was KIND of a spin. Try it again,...just one revolution. Ohhhhh....okay, I've got my cell phone. "Hello....911?"

Baby you can drive my car....

2006-02-20T11:22:00.000-08:00

Many times throughout my blogs I've mentioned my love of sports. Football, hockey, Yankees baseball but my present favorite is NASCAR.
I admit, I wasn't a fan at first. I used to call it Neck-car and make other jokes about it but it wasn't until I started watching it that I learned to appreciate the hard work and talent that it takes to be involved in it. Then I went to my first race, and I was HOOKED.

Now also being a woman I do have to tell you that there is definitely some eye candy in the pits and on top of the pitboxes but today I'm going to concentrate on the "talent" behind the wheel.

So here they are, in no particular order:

HERMIE SADLER:
He's what Van Halen sings about in their song Poundcake; home grown and down-home. He's not as well known or as successful on the race track as his younger brother but personally I think he's MUCH better looking and has loads more personality. And he 'rassles in the United Wrestling Federation so you know there's some muscle under that firesuit!

JAMIE MCMURRAY:
A couple of years ago in an episode of NASCAR 360; young Mr. McMurray was shopping for clothes to wear to a country awards show that he was scheduled to appear at. Off came his shirt and down went my chin. You have to understand, Jamie is a tiny guy...who knew he was a such a stacked little package with pecs and tight abs to boot! Notice Anna Porni-kova even appreciates him!

KASEY KAHNE:
Kasey came onto the scene not too long ago and was immediately thrust into the spotlight by being named one of the countries hottest bachelors. Since then young girls every where have been following this sport even though they're not old enough to drive. You have to wonder though: are his eyebrows really that thin or does he have them waxed?

JIMMIE JOHNSON:
Such a great NASCAR name; he's my sisters favorite driver just for that reason. Gotta love the wooley bears and he cleans up nice too. Jimmie set himself up to be hated by most NASCAR fans because he's good looking, isn't from the south, he annunciates but mostly because he's Jeff Gordon's team mate and protege.

JEFF GORDON:
Okay, bring it on all you haters! What's the latest? He's spoiled, he's a whiner, he's over-rated, he's gay? Please. I was even told by a friend of mine who works in NASCAR that the moment he and his wife split Jeff was basically living like Hugh Hefner. I was fortunate enough to meet him a few seasons ago and considering what a big star he is I would've understood if he was the biggest dick on the planet. As it turns out, he was anything but.

TONY STEWART:
Okay, Tony is FAR from being what's considered classically handsome but his looks are not why we like Smoke. He's an A #1 smart ass which gives him far more points than his mug. I did look back a few years and found a picture of him that doesn't include a double chin; not bad!

RYAN NEWMAN:
Yeah, he doesn't have a neck but he's got a degree in engineering, a lead foot and he loves dogs. Not to mention he's far better looking in person than any picture I've ever seen of him.

SCOTT RIGGS:
As one writer mentioned, you have to love those Steve McQueen sideburns and his "aww shucks" demeanor. Riggsy is definitely one of the good guys; approachable, personable and down-right adorable. The Daytona 500 wasn't the same without him.

PAUL MENARD:
His cool presence, his huge brown eyes and hip facial hair. I consider Paul the most overlooked driver in the Busch series. That's what happens when you're the low man on the totem pole at DEI. I'm sure he doesn't mind flying under the radar, but I noticed him!

CASEY MEARS:
Don't let his good guy looks and attitude fool you! I'm sure there's some bad-boy in this charming prince of a racer and that's what makes him irresistible!

and last but not least, CARL EDWARDS:
There are some drivers who can keep their shirts on (Dale Jr) but Carl,....help me out here ladies; I'm a bit speechless. I'm sure Amanda Beard dates him for his personality!

If it walks sideways...

2006-02-17T11:12:00.000-08:00

It took me quite a long time to develop a taste for seafood. I was never a big fish fan, which is surprising considering how many my brother and uncles probably had to clean after I caught them off the dock at ours or my grandmothers cottage. Sun fish, those poor devils; they were no match to the eyes and determination of a 7 year old.

When I was younger we used to go to Florida every February and Myrtle Beach, SC every April. We drove most of the time and stopped at the best seafood places on the east coast. Me, I ordered steak.

My first introduction to real seafood was at the hotel we stayed at in Myrtle Beach a few years called The Patricia. This was a REAL southern place; the cooking, the class of it and right down to only black women and men serving the food and cleaning the rooms. You didn't get a choice of what to order at dinner really; what they cooked is what you ate. One of the choices was what you wanted as an appetizer. I didn't like shrimp at the time so I passed on that but somehow became hooked on crabmeat cocktails. I still don't know what was in them but if I think hard enough I can almost taste it.
Then when I was on the road working as a sales manager for a sports telemarketing company I was sent on an assignment in Sarasota, Florida. My apartment was 3 blocks from the beach and about 10 from a really nice island. My Dad and his wife came to visit me while I was there and although they did take me out for a traditional birthday steak dinner we also had smoked fish at some roadside stand and oysters on the half shell. RAW ones. And I tried them. Goopy but good.

I also discovered crab legs when I was traveling; that's alot of work to get at the meat but wow,..you go to the right place to eat that stuff and there's nothing better. When I was running and account in Massachusetts my Mom and my Aunt came to visit me on my birthday. We went out to dinner to this really nice place and when I ordered lobster tail I thought my Mom was going to fall out of her chair.
I've also introduced people to their first full lobsters and have had in-restaurant tutoring sessions with other people (total strangers even) on the art of cracking crab legs.
So as I said to a waiter at Red Lobster one night "If it has claws and walks sideways...BRING IT!"

And the ugly dog wins..AGAIN

2006-02-16T05:44:00.000-08:00

I now know as much as I love animals and have a pretty good idea as to what a breed is supposed to look like I can never be a judge at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog show. Why? Because I would never give the Best in Show to an ugly dog.
Afghan hounds wouldn't have a chance with me, neither would a Kuvacz or a Portugese Water Dog. They're so homely they can't stand the sight of themselves in the mirror.
The other night the Best in Show final featured a GORGEOUS Golden Retriever (who just beat out one of my favorites; the Irish Setter), a sturdy and handsome Dalmation, a kick ass Rottweiler, a classic Old English Sheepdog, an adorable pug, a Scottish Deerhound and Spuds MacKenzie. (anyone from the 80's will remember that dog as the face of Bud Light...at least I THINK it was Bud Light)
And who won? I think from my early ranting and raving you can tell that the butt-ugly Bull Terrier beat out all those beautiful dogs. He's so ugly I will not shame this page by posting his picture. (the pic of Mick Jagger below is bad enough) I'm glad I recorded the finale of the show Tuesday night and didn't watch it live. I wouldn't have a working TV right now, it would have my boot in the middle of it. I did watch the recording of all the group finals but didn't even bother watching BIS because it would just have aggravated me.
I've been watching the show for about...10 years now and I can probably count on one hand how many times a physically beautiful dog has won the big prize. I remember the German Shepard who won it back in 1987, the Pomeranian (the only toy dog I could tolerate owning) in 1988 and one of my ALL time favorites; Josh the Newfoundland who won it in 2004. He was awesome and you can tell he made an impression on me because I still remember his name. Josh was gorgeous; big, (155lbs which is the biggest dog to ever win) black, and hairy. He had to be the first BIS I can remember who barked during his judging. You just couldn't stifle his personality. I can't remember who the other finalists were but I do remember there were many ugly dogs in it and I was cringing to think they'd win out over the clunky yet somehow graceful Josh. I actually cheered out loud when he won. Look at him!! Isn't he the best?!?!?!
Yeah, beauty may be in the eye of the beholder but I'm starting to think Westminster judges are pretty blind!

Sasha probably won't miss your ass either Michelle

2006-02-13T07:57:00.000-08:00

Okay, is it me or are they making WAY too much out of Michelle Kwan leaving the Olympic games? Give me a break folks. NBC calling her the most important athlete of the games; and then having the gall to say "Michelle Kwan means more to the United States Olympic Committee than maybe any athlete that's ever performed for the U.S. Olympic team". What a slap in the face to all the other athletes who have ever participated in the games. Talk about an over-blown pile of dog crap. She definitely doesn't mean more than the 1980 US Gold Medal winning hockey team did and she never will. I doubt Disney will ever make a movie about her ass; who would pay to see a movie about a total prima-donna. Not me thanks. Mary Lou Retton had more class and charisma.
Don't get me wrong, I think Michelle's a great skater but I'm not going to miss seeing her pout on the podium when there's no gold around her neck. (see years 2002 and 1998) Get over it, get over yourself, you are NOT the best skater in the world. At least not on the Olympic stage Michelle.
I admit, I used to like Michelle back when she was an un-assuming little sprite who floated over the ice with the grace and musicality of a crusty veteran. Somewhere down the line however her success went to her fat head.
Let's face it, skaters are pampered pooches. Walking around in their fur coats, expensive jewelry and skating in their designer dresses. Sometimes you tend to forget they're athletes. That must've been why people screamed when Sasha Cohen almost collided with Michelle during warm ups for the Nationals last year. Excuse me, Michelle looks like she's on steriods and about 10 feet tall compared to little Sasha. Do you really think she was going out there looking to hurt Michelle, let alone herself? Have you ever seen how many girls are on the ice for pre-skate practice and have you noticed how much room they need to set up a jump? How they don't go flying off the surface or into the boards more often is beyond me. So Michelle felt a bit of a breeze,...I'm sure she got over it.
Then there was the previously mentioned Olympics that Michelle was SO positive that she'd win the gold medal that she had a gold outfit and a song that mentioned gold in her Exhibition skate. If that's not putting the cart before the horse I don't know WHAT is. Okay, so Sarah Hughes' win WAS very suprising but that Russian skater, Slutskaya, is no slouch either. Did Michelle really think that just showing up would win her a medal?
And finally, why the hell did she even TRY to make the team this year? Once again that enormous ego of hers I'm sure. I doubt her doctors were telling her that it was a good idea. I also think that the US Olympic commitee has egg on their face now given the fact that they let her on the team knowing full well she wasn't healthy. This was not an extroridinary situation like Nancy Homewrecker Kerrigan getting her knee whacked. Injuries are common in athletics. If you're not healthy, you shouldn't go. You shouldn't get some special try-out behind closed doors that some stuffed shirts decide on. You skate in the Nationals and make the top three, you go. You don't, you can't.
Sorry, not gunna miss you Michelle. But I hear the Ice Capades are hiring.

Watts: "Get your skag and let's go"

2006-02-10T07:04:00.000-08:00

Forget Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club (sorry Nikki), or Sixteen Candles (sorry Dong). My all-time favorite John Hughe's movie is Some Kind of Wonderful.
I relived my love for this movie when it ran on Oh! Network the other night. Oh! is another cable channel geared toward women that is having a revolting love-movie-fest from now until that nauseating holiday (is it really considered a HOLiday?) known as Valentine's Day. You know the one; where people go out on dates that they should just do any time of the year and men are expected to shell out big bucks on flowers, candy and jewelry?
I have had two memorable Valentine's Days in my life. One was delivering singing Valentine's telegrams in highschool with my fellow Jazz Choir members and the other was a date I won with a local hockey player. I had lost a bet and had to go on this Dating Game styled show that they held on center ice inbetween periods of a game. It was embarrassing as hell but at least I won and the guy turned out to be a great date. (Of course it's always fun when the organization is picking up the tab and you're told by the waiter that you can use that money to buy drinks!) Don't get me wrong, my loathing of V-Day has nothing to do with bitterness;I just always thought it was a trumped-up, ridiculous holiday that only helped increase sales for Hallmark, FTD and Tiffany's.
Anyways, getting back to the movie...I'm not sure what it is about this movie that I love so much. First of all, I'm not into red-headed men; just the thought of red pubic hair is frightening to me but Eric Stoltz is absolutely adorable in this flick. I can't imagine in reality that looking like that would make ANY guy an outsider no matter what he did or who his best friend was.
Secondly, I can definitely relate to Watts. I always had crushes on guy friends; not only in highschool but even into adulthood. Although mine didn't have the lovely movie-ending that hers did. I also know how it feels to be in a lockeroom with other girls and feel completely inferior. I don't think anyone ever accused me of being a lesbian but I was definitely a tomboy. Still am.
I'll bet alot of the popular girls I didn't like in highschool were very Lea Thompson-esque. Basically very pretty but completely misunderstood. It's hard to take pity on "pretty people with problems" but I'm sure they had some as well. Too bad they had to be a bunch of snooty assholes, I probably would've liked them.

So enjoy however you decide to celebrate the upcoming V-day but you'll have to excuse me if the whole holiday makes me gag.

Boo, hoo MOOriah

2006-02-09T07:37:00.000-08:00

U2 is still cool, relevant and the class of the rock world. Don't try to argue with me, you won't convince me otherwise.
I LOVED the fact that they dominated the Grammy Awards last night but still had the class to acknowledge their fellow nominees. That's the kind of guys they are.
I remember seeing them when they first hit the music scene; wearing their puffy shirts, sporting some really bad semi-hip haircuts and trying to find their signature sound.
I was in a band that did nothing but Zepplin tunes. Somehow I convinced them to play Pride and Two Hearts Beat as One. Funny thing was when we played out, those songs were are most popular. I remember fooling around with an ex-boyfriend while the Joshua Tree album player over and over and over again. I stood first row for one of their shows and even had Bono singing "I still haven't found what I'm looking for" while standing right above me. Some pretty good memories there. One thing there's no denying about this band is the power and star-quality of their frontman.
I love Bono, always have. Even when he had a mullet, wore clothes that looked like Prince rejects and sported that sloppy poneytail during the Joshua Tree days. There's something in his voice. A sigh, a yearning. Almost a beg. I love his fly-eye glasses, his cool demeanor and the fact that he rolls around the floor with some lucky woman pulled from the audience during their concerts.
Alot of people have criticized him; saying that he walks around thinking he's some sort of prophet. It's nothing but jealousy. He can sing, he can command a stage, hold a crowd in the palm of his hand and then turn around and try to solve the worlds problems. He's not trying to be a martyr folks, he just wants to do good with his fame. Use it to help others who haven't been blessed with the things he has. I could go on and on about him but this writer summed my feelings up even better than I could:
http://www.statepress.com/issues/2006/01/25/arts/695316

Yeah, they can't exactly count correctly in Spanish but you'll never convince me that the wrong band won the big awards last night, so don't even bother trying.

You make a grown girl sick

2006-02-07T09:52:00.000-08:00

Why I didn't watch the Super Bowl:
Okay, it is true; I worked almost all night on Sunday but even if I wasn't working I wouldn't have even BOTHERED to tune in to ABC for it's 20+ hours of SuperBowl coverage.
Why might you ask? Why would I miss the most popular sporting event of the year? Well, I have many reasons.
The pre-game show. No, I don't mean the ONfield stuff, I mean the in-studio garbage with whatever retired NFL players they can dig up who find the need to break the game down before it even happens and debate who's going to win and why. Seriously, does anyone REALLY give a fuck what these guys think? Most of them have taken so many hits to the head that they're lucky if they can tie their shoes.
The pre-pre-game crap. All that overly orchestrated, choreographed onfield Up With People bullshit. What ever happened to the good old marching band? Or maybe some mascots getting out there and beating the piss out of each other. I'd like to meet the people who organize this crap and ask them exactly what group of humans they are trying to appeal to because personally...I haven't met anyone who likes it.
The anthem. As much as I loathe Whitney Houston (see my blog from Sept.16) no one has done any kind of decent anthem since. At least on a football field. Marvin Gaye did one back in the late 70's/early 80's at an NBA event that brought the house down. God love Aretha Franklin but she has gotten so full of her big black ass that I can't tolerate looking at her anymore. What exactly was Aaron Neville doing there? He's from Nah'leans. When they finally get their crap together, he's got the gig but in Motown? Come on.
The half-time show. Okay, this is where I REALLY get aggitated. Once again, the game is in Detroit; the ex-music capital of the freakin world and what do they do? Do they call Barry Gordy? Wrong! They bring in a british band whose average age is DEAD! I'm so glad I didn't have to witness any close-ups of Mick Jaggers wrinkley, old ass or watch Keith Richards hack hair balls onto the stage. Don't get me wrong, I know they're rock legends but rock is all about anger and rebellion, not about botox and viagara. That's why this line in the movie I named my blog after always cracks me up:
Dennis Hope: If you think that Mick Jagger will still be doing the whole rock star thing at age fifty, well, then, you are sorely, sorely mistaken.