Earlier this summer we [Tom & I] went and saw John Mayer in concert. I just came across the photos I took and wanted to post this one because it came out surpsingly well!
8.24.2007
John Mayer!
Earlier this summer we [Tom & I] went and saw John Mayer in concert. I just came across the photos I took and wanted to post this one because it came out surpsingly well!
8.20.2007
I 'heart' Kentucky
This past weekend I was back in KY for Terra & Nick's engagement/pre-reception party. I always have such a blast going back to KY, I really do miss it there sometimes. I know so many people from my hometown thought I was crazy to go to college in the south, but I am SO glad that I made the choice that I did. I met so many great people while there (and continue to do so every trip back). There are times, usually right after a trip, that I really wonder if I could ever move back. Unfortunately I don't think this will ever be much of an option, given that there isn't much job opportunity for me in online media in KY. Plus I'm not sure that Tom would like KY too much. :)
I guess I'm just being a little sentinmental (sp?) as I miss all the people. And I really miss the slower pace. I know it sounds cliche but things in Chicago are always so go go go... I can't imagine living in NY, it has to be 100x worse! Who knows, maybe one day i'll wind up living in KY (ha, maybe even when I retire!).
To all my friends down there, I miss ya'll (see i still got it!)!
I guess I'm just being a little sentinmental (sp?) as I miss all the people. And I really miss the slower pace. I know it sounds cliche but things in Chicago are always so go go go... I can't imagine living in NY, it has to be 100x worse! Who knows, maybe one day i'll wind up living in KY (ha, maybe even when I retire!).
To all my friends down there, I miss ya'll (see i still got it!)!
6.27.2007
Lil' Bush + My Boys
Normally summer time TV is pretty lacking.. but this summer is different for two reasons
1) Lil' Bush
2) My Boys
My whole intention for this post was to talk about Lil' Bush, which I'll get to in a minute. But if you didn't catch any of last season's My Boys on TBS you really need to catch it when it comes back on July 30th. It's a great comedy that with each episode just gets better and better. The cast has a great dynamic.
Back to Lil' Bush. If you haven't seen any of this show yet you're missing out! This show started as a web exclusive but was then picked up to run on Comedy Central. Obviously it might appeal more to the non-Bush fans, but I think that the humor is not reflective enough of him exclusively for Republicans to enjoy.
You can see snippets of the show on Comedy Central's website:
http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/lil_bush/index.jhtml
1) Lil' Bush
2) My Boys
My whole intention for this post was to talk about Lil' Bush, which I'll get to in a minute. But if you didn't catch any of last season's My Boys on TBS you really need to catch it when it comes back on July 30th. It's a great comedy that with each episode just gets better and better. The cast has a great dynamic.
Back to Lil' Bush. If you haven't seen any of this show yet you're missing out! This show started as a web exclusive but was then picked up to run on Comedy Central. Obviously it might appeal more to the non-Bush fans, but I think that the humor is not reflective enough of him exclusively for Republicans to enjoy.
You can see snippets of the show on Comedy Central's website:
http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/lil_bush/index.jhtml
6.20.2007
Stem Cell Research
I still am yet to understand why anyone would be against stem cell research. This latest news that Bush has, for the 2nd time, vetoed a bill allowing for any funding to go to stem cell research.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/06/20/bush.stem.cell.ap/index.html
I'm not sure how in this day and age any person can be so short sighted. You would think that researchers are asking to kill fetus' in order to conduct research. There is so much potential in this research how can so many people find it unethical?
I am happy to see some republicans are finally coming around to this though.
Republican presidential hopefuls are split on the scope of federal involvement in embryonic stem cell research. Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani have broken with Bush -- and the GOP's social conservatives -- in backing the expansion of federal funding for such research. At the Republican debate May 3, Giuliani said he supports such an expansion with limits, "as long as we're not creating life in order to destroy it, as long as we're not having human cloning."
The president is "deferring the hopes of millions of Americans who do not have the time to keep waiting for the cure that may save or extend lives," Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama said.
Sen. Hillary Clinton, R-New York, said if she is elected president, she will lift restrictions on stem cell research. "This is just one example of how the president puts ideology before science, politics before the needs of our families," she said.
"With his veto, he made the wrong choice," he said in a statement. [John Edwards]
That line from Giuliani sums it all up. I still prefer several democrats, but I think I could handle Giulani. But I prefer Obama & Hilary.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/06/20/bush.stem.cell.ap/index.html
I'm not sure how in this day and age any person can be so short sighted. You would think that researchers are asking to kill fetus' in order to conduct research. There is so much potential in this research how can so many people find it unethical?
I am happy to see some republicans are finally coming around to this though.
Republican presidential hopefuls are split on the scope of federal involvement in embryonic stem cell research. Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani have broken with Bush -- and the GOP's social conservatives -- in backing the expansion of federal funding for such research. At the Republican debate May 3, Giuliani said he supports such an expansion with limits, "as long as we're not creating life in order to destroy it, as long as we're not having human cloning."
The president is "deferring the hopes of millions of Americans who do not have the time to keep waiting for the cure that may save or extend lives," Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama said.
Sen. Hillary Clinton, R-New York, said if she is elected president, she will lift restrictions on stem cell research. "This is just one example of how the president puts ideology before science, politics before the needs of our families," she said.
"With his veto, he made the wrong choice," he said in a statement. [John Edwards]
That line from Giuliani sums it all up. I still prefer several democrats, but I think I could handle Giulani. But I prefer Obama & Hilary.
6.05.2007
Bordum has set in
1. So, what did you do all day?: went to work, got a pedicure, worked some more. Now i'm just waiting on Tom to show up so we can go to the Sox vs. Yankees game.
2. What is the most expensive thing you’ve bought recently? Vacation to Europe [though we don't get to go until June 29th, which seems forever away]
3. Last concert (or show) you attended:Ummm.... I have 5 concerts lined up for this summer, but haven't been to one in quite a while.
4. Coolest thing you’ve gotten in the mail lately: Our vacation package/tickets for Europe
5. Describe your favorite artical of clothing: lately, just jeans and a tshirt
6. Last video game played: Guitar Hero II
7. How many CDs do you have by any ONE artist or group?:I have like 15 or so Mariah Carey CD's
8. What’s for dinner?: Probably hot dogs since we're going to a baseball game
9. Do you have any collections?: books, cds and dvds are about it. and maybe cats too :)
10. What was the last board game you played?: Sequence
11. Who won?: i think i did, but then tom womped me in Phase 10
12. Do you subscribe to any magazines?: Domino, otherwise i get all my magazines from work
13. Last movie you saw at a theater: Shrek the Third
14. Last movie you watched at home: Stranger than Fiction with Tom, Kristin & Dan
15. Do you have any special traditions only you or your family does? Christmas eve with my mom's family, we used to always do pizza on Halloween (i miss that one).
16. What was the last thing you created: i've been meaning to make curtains for the kitchen, but haven't gotten around to it.
17. Are you reading any books right now?: Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. Plus a lot of Vienna & Prague travel books
18. Do you remember your favorite book from childhood?: There was one about a cat named Nicky that i loved (she was a tabby cat, i've always been obsessed)
19. What do you do when you can’t fall asleep?: watch TV or browse the internet, or just bother Tom :)
20. Have you ever randomly bumped into a actor/actress/or other generally famous person? Danny Glover and Molly Erdman (she is the red headed chick from the Sonic commercials and she also performs at Second City in Chicago).
21. Are you more likely to read a book you’ve never read before if it’s been made into a movie?: I usually won't read books that are movies i've already seen (but i will see movies of books i've read, but we all know it's never as good).
22. Have you discovered what podcasts are yet? Do you have a favorite?: ha yes i know what they are, the Onion News one is always a good laugh
23.What is your favorite kind of food that you only get to have once a year: Pumpkin Pie! 24. What’s that noise?: cats meowing/running
25. Last dvd box set you bought?: does a season of Gilmore Girls count?
26. Are there any musical artists that you used to like but don’t anymore because their style of music changed too much?:umm, maybe but can't think of any right now
27. Are there any covers you think are better than the original? Come Together by Aerosmith is much better than the original Beatle's original
28. What food(s) do you go to the store for ASAP when you run out?: milk, bread, the basics really
29. Isn’t there another appropriate response for “I love you” besides “I love you, too.”?: no, because DIDO doesn't go over so well :)
30. Last new artist that you listened to and really liked: Daughtry is new i guess
31. Last new one you hated: there is a lot of crap out there (all that emo-junk)
32. In which country do you wish you’d been born? i'm pretty content with the USA, but Australia wouldn't have been so bad
33. When was the last time you were scared ****less?: Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando
34. Do you like it when old ladies refer to you as “Dear”, or “Hon”, or “Sugar”?:i think it’s cute.
35. What is your favorite physical flaw: that question sounds like an oxymoron...
36. Share random fact about yourself: please don't touch my ears.
37. What’s the best field trip you ever went on?: Washington DC in the 8th grade
38. Have you ever dressed up for Halloween at work?: we could at some places but i never opted to
39. Do you have any clothes that you pilfered or inherited from your parents?: an orange oswego park district basketball tshirt i stole from my dad
40. How old is “old” to you?: 50 (i know i know...)
41. What was the last free thing you’ve gotten?: water bottle and a small football from some random sales rep, oh and a pedicure from another
42. What’s your favorite black and white movie?: Clerks
43. What color would you like to bleed?: ew! i don’t like this question.
44. Do you know any Furries?: i don’t know what this is.
45. If you have a wall calender, what kind is it?: Far Side Comics (though we've yet to hang it on the wall)
46. Have you ever been to a convention?: not that i can remember
47. If you were to dress up as a musician, which one would you be?: Stevie Nicks (that will probably be my halloween costume this year so don't steal it!)
48. Do you have a thing about ruining new stuff by personalizing?: no
49. Ever have those moments when you realize that you somehow just cheated death?: I think anyone whose ever been in a car accident kind of feels that momentarily
50. Does it boggle your mind?: umm, the fact that i just answered 50 random questions? yes it's crazy.
2. What is the most expensive thing you’ve bought recently? Vacation to Europe [though we don't get to go until June 29th, which seems forever away]
3. Last concert (or show) you attended:Ummm.... I have 5 concerts lined up for this summer, but haven't been to one in quite a while.
4. Coolest thing you’ve gotten in the mail lately: Our vacation package/tickets for Europe
5. Describe your favorite artical of clothing: lately, just jeans and a tshirt
6. Last video game played: Guitar Hero II
7. How many CDs do you have by any ONE artist or group?:I have like 15 or so Mariah Carey CD's
8. What’s for dinner?: Probably hot dogs since we're going to a baseball game
9. Do you have any collections?: books, cds and dvds are about it. and maybe cats too :)
10. What was the last board game you played?: Sequence
11. Who won?: i think i did, but then tom womped me in Phase 10
12. Do you subscribe to any magazines?: Domino, otherwise i get all my magazines from work
13. Last movie you saw at a theater: Shrek the Third
14. Last movie you watched at home: Stranger than Fiction with Tom, Kristin & Dan
15. Do you have any special traditions only you or your family does? Christmas eve with my mom's family, we used to always do pizza on Halloween (i miss that one).
16. What was the last thing you created: i've been meaning to make curtains for the kitchen, but haven't gotten around to it.
17. Are you reading any books right now?: Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. Plus a lot of Vienna & Prague travel books
18. Do you remember your favorite book from childhood?: There was one about a cat named Nicky that i loved (she was a tabby cat, i've always been obsessed)
19. What do you do when you can’t fall asleep?: watch TV or browse the internet, or just bother Tom :)
20. Have you ever randomly bumped into a actor/actress/or other generally famous person? Danny Glover and Molly Erdman (she is the red headed chick from the Sonic commercials and she also performs at Second City in Chicago).
21. Are you more likely to read a book you’ve never read before if it’s been made into a movie?: I usually won't read books that are movies i've already seen (but i will see movies of books i've read, but we all know it's never as good).
22. Have you discovered what podcasts are yet? Do you have a favorite?: ha yes i know what they are, the Onion News one is always a good laugh
23.What is your favorite kind of food that you only get to have once a year: Pumpkin Pie! 24. What’s that noise?: cats meowing/running
25. Last dvd box set you bought?: does a season of Gilmore Girls count?
26. Are there any musical artists that you used to like but don’t anymore because their style of music changed too much?:umm, maybe but can't think of any right now
27. Are there any covers you think are better than the original? Come Together by Aerosmith is much better than the original Beatle's original
28. What food(s) do you go to the store for ASAP when you run out?: milk, bread, the basics really
29. Isn’t there another appropriate response for “I love you” besides “I love you, too.”?: no, because DIDO doesn't go over so well :)
30. Last new artist that you listened to and really liked: Daughtry is new i guess
31. Last new one you hated: there is a lot of crap out there (all that emo-junk)
32. In which country do you wish you’d been born? i'm pretty content with the USA, but Australia wouldn't have been so bad
33. When was the last time you were scared ****less?: Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando
34. Do you like it when old ladies refer to you as “Dear”, or “Hon”, or “Sugar”?:i think it’s cute.
35. What is your favorite physical flaw: that question sounds like an oxymoron...
36. Share random fact about yourself: please don't touch my ears.
37. What’s the best field trip you ever went on?: Washington DC in the 8th grade
38. Have you ever dressed up for Halloween at work?: we could at some places but i never opted to
39. Do you have any clothes that you pilfered or inherited from your parents?: an orange oswego park district basketball tshirt i stole from my dad
40. How old is “old” to you?: 50 (i know i know...)
41. What was the last free thing you’ve gotten?: water bottle and a small football from some random sales rep, oh and a pedicure from another
42. What’s your favorite black and white movie?: Clerks
43. What color would you like to bleed?: ew! i don’t like this question.
44. Do you know any Furries?: i don’t know what this is.
45. If you have a wall calender, what kind is it?: Far Side Comics (though we've yet to hang it on the wall)
46. Have you ever been to a convention?: not that i can remember
47. If you were to dress up as a musician, which one would you be?: Stevie Nicks (that will probably be my halloween costume this year so don't steal it!)
48. Do you have a thing about ruining new stuff by personalizing?: no
49. Ever have those moments when you realize that you somehow just cheated death?: I think anyone whose ever been in a car accident kind of feels that momentarily
50. Does it boggle your mind?: umm, the fact that i just answered 50 random questions? yes it's crazy.
2.12.2007
Grammy Winners!
**Updated to show winners (in RED), my picks were in bold. I really wish I would have been in a Grammy pool or something, I did pretty well in terms of picking the winners!! :) Go me!
The Grammy's are probably my favorite award show (well next to the MTV Video Music Awards). This year should be really good because there were quite a few great records, in my opinion, that came out in '06. I'm listing who I want to win below (if I choose more than one it's because I don't care who wins, as long as it's one of my favs). But did you realize there are 108 categories to the Grammy's? How crazy, they probably only air a quarter of them and that alone takes 2-3 hours! And without further adu...
Record Of The Year
Be Without You - Mary J. Blige
You're Beautiful - James Blunt
Not Ready To Make Nice - Dixie Chicks
Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
Put Your Records On - Corinne Bailey Rae
Album Of The Year
Taking The Long Way - Dixie Chicks
St. Elsewhere - Gnarls Barkley
Continuum - John Mayer
Stadium Arcadium - Red Hot Chili Peppers
FutureSex/LoveSounds - Justin Timberlake
Song Of The Year
Be Without You - Johnta Austin, Mary J. Blige, Bryan-Michael Cox & Jason Perry, songwriters (MaryJ. Blige)
Jesus, Take The Wheel - Brett James, Hillary Lindsey & Gordie Sampson, songwriters (Carrie Underwood)
Not Ready To Make Nice - Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines, Emily Robison & Dan Wilson, songwriters (DixieChicks)
Put Your Records On - John Beck, Steve Chrisanthou & Corinne Bailey Rae, songwriters (Corinne BaileyRae)
You're Beautiful - James Blunt, Amanda Ghost & Sacha Skarbek, songwriters (James Blunt)
Best New Artist
James Blunt
Chris Brown
Imogen Heap
Corinne Bailey Rae
Carrie Underwood
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
Ain't No Other Man - Christina Aguilera
Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield
You Can Close Your Eyes - Sheryl Crow
Stupid Girls - Pink
Black Horse And The Cherry Tree - KT Tunstall
Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
You're Beautiful - James Blunt
Save Room - John Legend
Waiting On The World To Change - John Mayer
Jenny Wren - Paul McCartney
Bad Day - Daniel Powter
Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
My Humps - The Black Eyed Peas
I Will Follow You Into The Dark - Death Cab For Cutie
Over My Head (Cable Car) - The Fray
Is It Any Wonder? - Keane
Stickwitu - The Pussycat Dolls
Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals
For Once In My Life - Tony Bennett & Stevie Wonder
One - Mary J. Blige & U2
Always On Your Side - Sheryl Crow & Sting
Promiscuous - Nelly Furtado & Timbaland
Hips Don't Lie - Shakira & Wyclef Jean
Best Pop Vocal Album
Back To Basics - Christina Aguilera
Back To Bedlam - James Blunt
The River In Reverse - Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint
Continuum - John Mayer
FutureSex/LoveSounds - Justin Timberlake
Best Dance Recording
Suffer Well - Depeche Mode
Ooh La La – Goldfrapp
Get Together - Madonna
I'm With Stupid - Pet Shop Boys
Sexy Back - Justin Timberlake & Timbaland
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Duets: An American Classic - Tony Bennett
Caught In The Act - Michael Buble
Wintersong - Sarah McLachlan
Bette Midler Sings The Peggy Lee Songbook - Bette Midler
Timeless Love - Smokey Robinson
Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance
Nausea - Beck
Someday Baby - Bob Dylan
Route 66 - John Mayer [Track from: Cars - Soundtrack (Various Artists)]
Saving Grace - Tom Petty
Lookin' For A Leader - Neil Young
Best Rock Album
Try! - John Mayer Trio
Highway Companion - Tom Petty
Broken Boy Soldiers - The Raconteurs
Stadium Arcadium - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Living With War - Neil Young
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
Ring The Alarm - Beyonce
Be Without You - Mary J. Blige
Don't Forget About Us - Mariah Carey
Day Dreaming - Natalie Cole
I Am Not My Hair - India.Arie
Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
Heaven - John Legend
So Sick - Ne-Yo
Black Sweat - Prince
I Call It Love - Lionel Richie
Got You Home - Luther Vandross
Best R&B Song
Be Without You - Johnta Austin, Mary J. Blige, Bryan-Michael Cox & Jason Perry, songwriters (MaryJ. Blige)
Black Sweat - Prince, songwriter (Prince)
Déjà vu - Shawn Carter, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Beyonce Knowles, Makeba, Keli Nicole Price & Delisha Thomas, songwriters (Beyonce Featuring Jay-Z)
Don't Forget About Us - Johnta Austin, Mariah Carey, Bryan-Michael Cox & Jermaine Dupri, songwriters (Mariah Carey)
I Am Not My Hair - Drew Ramsey, Shannon Sanders & India Arie Simpson, songwriters (India.Arie)
Best Female Country Vocal Performance
Kerosene - Miranda Lambert
I Still Miss Someone - Martina McBride
Something's Gotta Give - LeAnn Rimes
Jesus, Take The Wheel - Carrie Underwood
I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today - Gretchen Wilson
Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
Not Ready To Make Nice - Dixie Chicks
Heaven's My Home - The Duhks
Boondocks - Little Big Town
What Hurts The Most - Rascal Flatts
Leave The Pieces - The Wreckers
Best Country Collaboration With Vocals
Who Says You Can't Go Home - Bon Jovi & Jennifer Nettles
Tomorrow Is Forever - Solomon Burke & Dolly Parton
Calling Me - Kenny Rogers & Don Henley
Midnight Angel - Rhonda Vincent & Bobby Osborne
Love Will Always Win - Trisha Yearwood & Garth Brooks
Best Country Song
Every Mile A Memory - Brett Beavers, Dierks Bentley & Steve Bogard, songwriters (Dierks Bentley)
I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today - Matraca Berg & Jim Collins, songwriters (Gretchen Wilson)
Jesus, Take The Wheel - Brett James, Hillary Lindsey & Gordie Sampson, songwriters (Carrie Underwood)
Like Red On A Rose - Melanie Castleman & Robert Lee Castleman, songwriters (Alan Jackson)
What Hurts The Most - Steve Robson & Jeffrey Steele, songwriters (Rascal Flatts)
Best Country Album
Taking The Long Way - Dixie Chicks
Like Red On A Rose – Alan Jackson
The Road To Here - Litle Big Town
You Don't Know Me: The Songs Of Cindy Walker - Willie Nelson
Your Man - Josh Turner
Best Comedy Album
Blue Collar Comedy Tour - One For The Road - Bill Engvall, Ron White, Jeff Foxworthy & Larry The Cable Guy
The Carnegie Hall Performance - Lewis Black
Life Is Worth Losing - George Carlin
Straight Outta Lynwood - "Weird Al" Yankovic
You Can't Fix Stupid - Ron White
Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media
Brokeback Mountain - Various Artists
Cars - Various Artists
Grey's Anatomy - Volume 2 - Various Artists
Little Miss Sunshine - Various Artists
Walk The Line - Joaquin Phoenix & Various Artists
Best Score Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media
The Chronicles Of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe - Harry Gregson-Williams, composer
The Da Vinci Code - Hans Zimmer, composer
Memoirs Of A Geisha -John Williams, composer
Munich - John Williams, composer
Pirates Of The Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest - Hans Zimmer, composer
2.09.2007
When did we get so adult-like
There are days when I just sit around the house and think "wow, this my house." And for some reason it truly amazes me. I feel like the years between high school and now flew by so quickly. But then again it did, I can barely remember being a freshman at Murray, it seems like a lifetime ago. Since then, too, so much has changed. So much has especially changed this past year.
My three best friends in the entire world (Kate, Terra & Amy) are all engaged and getting married between June & October of this year. Severl of my high school friends have gotten or are also getting married. Tom and I bought a condo. Some of my college friends have or going to have kids, too. Everyone is getting older and moving on so quickly!!
I'm not sure I'm ready for all this to happen at the same time. It's a lot to handle. I'm so happy for everyone, as everyone seems so happy with their lives (and I am too). It's just so much change in such a short span of time!
Just this morning I was sitting on the CTA and there were two little boys behind me. They were so absolutely amazed with the big buildings. And I just thought to myself, what would it be like to always see things through the eyes of child. But can any of us even remember being younger than high school any more? Maybe those with kids can remember more because they're around that innosense every day, but not me. I'm so amazed and baffled by it all at once.
This post is sort of random, but things keep changing and it just catches me by surprise all the time!
My three best friends in the entire world (Kate, Terra & Amy) are all engaged and getting married between June & October of this year. Severl of my high school friends have gotten or are also getting married. Tom and I bought a condo. Some of my college friends have or going to have kids, too. Everyone is getting older and moving on so quickly!!
I'm not sure I'm ready for all this to happen at the same time. It's a lot to handle. I'm so happy for everyone, as everyone seems so happy with their lives (and I am too). It's just so much change in such a short span of time!
Just this morning I was sitting on the CTA and there were two little boys behind me. They were so absolutely amazed with the big buildings. And I just thought to myself, what would it be like to always see things through the eyes of child. But can any of us even remember being younger than high school any more? Maybe those with kids can remember more because they're around that innosense every day, but not me. I'm so amazed and baffled by it all at once.
This post is sort of random, but things keep changing and it just catches me by surprise all the time!
1.24.2007
I'm an abandoner + Oscar Picks!
So I have 99% abandoned this blog, not intentionally though, its just that everything exciting (sadly, i know) revolves around the condo. So I'm going to try and post on here more on all things non-condo. :)
First off I can't belive it's January 24... 2006 is completely over. My brother turned 21. And Tom turns 25 in two days... what a crazy world we live in.
I've been watching a ton of tv lately, which i'm not saying is bad because heck I LOVE TV. I'm an addict, but I justify myself because I work in advertising so I have to keep up with pop-culture. Or maybe I went into advertising because i like pop-culture, irregardless! But Tom and I actually went to the movies this past weekend, which is rare because we'd rather be in our pajamas on the couch then in a only slightly comfortable theatre. We went and saw Children of Men, which if you don't know is set in the future (like 2027 or something) and all women have become infertile, the world has gone to crap and suddenly there is a young women who gets pregnant. It's a great story, great acting, great filming, everything... but overall i have to say it wasn't that good because the ending (SPOILER) sucked!
But going to the movies made me really want to go see a lot more... Night at the Museum, Pursuit of Happyness, The Queen and that's all I can think of right now. And being in movie mode I'm really excited to watch the Oscars. I'm going to list my choices, though I'm pretty biased as I haven't seen a lot of what was nominated. I am kind of upset Marie Antoinette didn't get more nominations! Overall I want Little Miss Sunshine to win everything, I absolutely love that movie. It's definetly in my top 5 of all time! The categories where I didn't highlight anything was because I hadn't seen any of the nominated films... i think that means i need to see a lot more in '07.
1. Best Picture: "Babel," "The Departed," "Letters From Iwo Jima," "Little Miss Sunshine," "The Queen."
2. Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio, "Blood Diamond"; Ryan Gosling, "Half Nelson"; Peter O'Toole, "Venus"; Will Smith, "The Pursuit of Happyness"; Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland."
3. Actress: Penelope Cruz, "Volver"; Judi Dench, "Notes on a Scandal"; Helen Mirren, "The Queen"; Meryl Streep, "The Devil Wears Prada"; Kate Winslet, "Little Children."
4. Supporting Actor: Alan Arkin, "Little Miss Sunshine"; Jackie Earle Haley, "Little Children"; Djimon Hounsou, "Blood Diamond"; Eddie Murphy, "Dreamgirls"; Mark Wahlberg, "The Departed."
5. Supporting Actress: Adriana Barraza, "Babel"; Cate Blanchett, "Notes on a Scandal"; Abigail Breslin, "Little Miss Sunshine"; Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"; Rinko Kikuchi, "Babel."
6. Directing: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, "Babel"; Martin Scorsese, "The Departed"; Clint Eastwood, "Letters From Iwo Jima"; Stephen Frears, "The Queen"; Paul Greengrass, "United 93."
7. Foreign Language Film: "After the Wedding," Denmark; "Days of Glory (Indigenes)," Algeria; "The Lives of Others," Germany; "Pan's Labyrinth," Mexico; "Water," Canada.
8. Adapted Screenplay: Sacha Baron Cohen and Anthony Hines and Peter Baynham and Dan Mazer and Todd Phillips, "Borat Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan"; Alfonso Cuaron and Timothy J. Sexton and David Arata and Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby, "Children of Men"; William Monahan, "The Departed"; Todd Field and Tom Perrotta, "Little Children"; Patrick Marber, "Notes on a Scandal."
9. Original Screenplay: Guillermo Arriaga, "Babel"; Iris Yamashita and Paul Haggis, "Letters From Iwo Jima"; Michael Arndt, "Little Miss Sunshine"; Guillermo del Toro, "Pan's Labyrinth"; Peter Morgan, "The Queen."
10. Animated Feature Film: "Cars," "Happy Feet," "Monster House."
11. Art Direction: "Dreamgirls," "The Good Shepherd," "Pan's Labyrinth," "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," "The Prestige."
12. Cinematography: "The Black Dahlia," "Children of Men," "The Illusionist," "Pan's Labyrinth," "The Prestige."
13. Sound Mixing: "Apocalypto," "Blood Diamond," "Dreamgirls," "Flags of Our Fathers," "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."
14. Sound Editing: "Apocalypto," "Blood Diamond," "Flags of Our Fathers," "Letters From Iwo Jima," "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."
15. Original Score: "Babel," Gustavo Santaolalla; "The Good German," Thomas Newman; "Notes on a Scandal," Philip Glass; "Pan's Labyrinth," Javier Navarrete; "The Queen," Alexandre Desplat.
16. Original Song: "I Need to Wake Up" from "An Inconvenient Truth," Melissa Etheridge; "Listen" from "Dreamgirls," Henry Krieger, Scott Cutler and Anne Preven; "Love You I Do" from "Dreamgirls," Henry Krieger and Siedah Garrett; "Our Town" from "Cars," Randy Newman; "Patience" from "Dreamgirls," Henry Krieger and Willie Reale.
17. Costume: "Curse of the Golden Flower," "The Devil Wears Prada," "Dreamgirls," "Marie Antoinette," "The Queen."
18. Documentary Feature: "Deliver Us From Evil," "An Inconvenient Truth," " Iraq in Fragments," "Jesus Camp," "My Country, My Country."
19. Documentary (short subject): "The Blood of Yingzhou District," "Recycled Life," "Rehearsing a Dream," "Two Hands."
20. Film Editing: "Babel," "Blood Diamond," "Children of Men," "The Departed," "United 93."
21. Makeup: "Apocalypto," "Click," "Pan's Labyrinth."
22. Animated Short Film: "The Danish Poet," "Lifted," "The Little Matchgirl," "Maestro," "No Time for Nuts."
23. Live Action Short Film: "Binta and the Great Idea (Binta Y La Gran Idea)," "Eramos Pocos (One Too Many)," "Helmer & Son," "The Saviour," " West Bank Story."
24. Visual Effects: "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," "Poseidon," "Superman Returns."
First off I can't belive it's January 24... 2006 is completely over. My brother turned 21. And Tom turns 25 in two days... what a crazy world we live in.
I've been watching a ton of tv lately, which i'm not saying is bad because heck I LOVE TV. I'm an addict, but I justify myself because I work in advertising so I have to keep up with pop-culture. Or maybe I went into advertising because i like pop-culture, irregardless! But Tom and I actually went to the movies this past weekend, which is rare because we'd rather be in our pajamas on the couch then in a only slightly comfortable theatre. We went and saw Children of Men, which if you don't know is set in the future (like 2027 or something) and all women have become infertile, the world has gone to crap and suddenly there is a young women who gets pregnant. It's a great story, great acting, great filming, everything... but overall i have to say it wasn't that good because the ending (SPOILER) sucked!
But going to the movies made me really want to go see a lot more... Night at the Museum, Pursuit of Happyness, The Queen and that's all I can think of right now. And being in movie mode I'm really excited to watch the Oscars. I'm going to list my choices, though I'm pretty biased as I haven't seen a lot of what was nominated. I am kind of upset Marie Antoinette didn't get more nominations! Overall I want Little Miss Sunshine to win everything, I absolutely love that movie. It's definetly in my top 5 of all time! The categories where I didn't highlight anything was because I hadn't seen any of the nominated films... i think that means i need to see a lot more in '07.
1. Best Picture: "Babel," "The Departed," "Letters From Iwo Jima," "Little Miss Sunshine," "The Queen."
2. Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio, "Blood Diamond"; Ryan Gosling, "Half Nelson"; Peter O'Toole, "Venus"; Will Smith, "The Pursuit of Happyness"; Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland."
3. Actress: Penelope Cruz, "Volver"; Judi Dench, "Notes on a Scandal"; Helen Mirren, "The Queen"; Meryl Streep, "The Devil Wears Prada"; Kate Winslet, "Little Children."
4. Supporting Actor: Alan Arkin, "Little Miss Sunshine"; Jackie Earle Haley, "Little Children"; Djimon Hounsou, "Blood Diamond"; Eddie Murphy, "Dreamgirls"; Mark Wahlberg, "The Departed."
5. Supporting Actress: Adriana Barraza, "Babel"; Cate Blanchett, "Notes on a Scandal"; Abigail Breslin, "Little Miss Sunshine"; Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"; Rinko Kikuchi, "Babel."
6. Directing: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, "Babel"; Martin Scorsese, "The Departed"; Clint Eastwood, "Letters From Iwo Jima"; Stephen Frears, "The Queen"; Paul Greengrass, "United 93."
7. Foreign Language Film: "After the Wedding," Denmark; "Days of Glory (Indigenes)," Algeria; "The Lives of Others," Germany; "Pan's Labyrinth," Mexico; "Water," Canada.
8. Adapted Screenplay: Sacha Baron Cohen and Anthony Hines and Peter Baynham and Dan Mazer and Todd Phillips, "Borat Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan"; Alfonso Cuaron and Timothy J. Sexton and David Arata and Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby, "Children of Men"; William Monahan, "The Departed"; Todd Field and Tom Perrotta, "Little Children"; Patrick Marber, "Notes on a Scandal."
9. Original Screenplay: Guillermo Arriaga, "Babel"; Iris Yamashita and Paul Haggis, "Letters From Iwo Jima"; Michael Arndt, "Little Miss Sunshine"; Guillermo del Toro, "Pan's Labyrinth"; Peter Morgan, "The Queen."
10. Animated Feature Film: "Cars," "Happy Feet," "Monster House."
11. Art Direction: "Dreamgirls," "The Good Shepherd," "Pan's Labyrinth," "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," "The Prestige."
12. Cinematography: "The Black Dahlia," "Children of Men," "The Illusionist," "Pan's Labyrinth," "The Prestige."
13. Sound Mixing: "Apocalypto," "Blood Diamond," "Dreamgirls," "Flags of Our Fathers," "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."
14. Sound Editing: "Apocalypto," "Blood Diamond," "Flags of Our Fathers," "Letters From Iwo Jima," "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."
15. Original Score: "Babel," Gustavo Santaolalla; "The Good German," Thomas Newman; "Notes on a Scandal," Philip Glass; "Pan's Labyrinth," Javier Navarrete; "The Queen," Alexandre Desplat.
16. Original Song: "I Need to Wake Up" from "An Inconvenient Truth," Melissa Etheridge; "Listen" from "Dreamgirls," Henry Krieger, Scott Cutler and Anne Preven; "Love You I Do" from "Dreamgirls," Henry Krieger and Siedah Garrett; "Our Town" from "Cars," Randy Newman; "Patience" from "Dreamgirls," Henry Krieger and Willie Reale.
17. Costume: "Curse of the Golden Flower," "The Devil Wears Prada," "Dreamgirls," "Marie Antoinette," "The Queen."
18. Documentary Feature: "Deliver Us From Evil," "An Inconvenient Truth," " Iraq in Fragments," "Jesus Camp," "My Country, My Country."
19. Documentary (short subject): "The Blood of Yingzhou District," "Recycled Life," "Rehearsing a Dream," "Two Hands."
20. Film Editing: "Babel," "Blood Diamond," "Children of Men," "The Departed," "United 93."
21. Makeup: "Apocalypto," "Click," "Pan's Labyrinth."
22. Animated Short Film: "The Danish Poet," "Lifted," "The Little Matchgirl," "Maestro," "No Time for Nuts."
23. Live Action Short Film: "Binta and the Great Idea (Binta Y La Gran Idea)," "Eramos Pocos (One Too Many)," "Helmer & Son," "The Saviour," " West Bank Story."
24. Visual Effects: "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," "Poseidon," "Superman Returns."
12.02.2006
I have not abandoned this blog..
... not entirely anyway. It's just that everything around my life is consumed or relates to the condo. But i did come across a good quote today i wanted to share (even if only for my own amusement!). John Mayer has a blog he keeps up with, pretty reguarly, on his site http://www.johnmayer.com/blog.
"What is Exacllbur without his sword? What is Carrot Top without his box of props? Such is the same with a photoless blog - that's just boring. That would be like - a book or something. Blech."
This is a quote i enjoyed and agreed very much with, which may explain why i tent to post on Kellerowski more because there are just more photos to post.
So to follow John's words here is a random photo of our three cats by the christmas tree. We really wanted them to all be sitting side by side and looking at the camera... but that was a pipedream really. Instead we have them all facing different ways and looking at the floor (or eating treats which we tried to use as bait). :)
Happy Holidays!
10.29.2006
Halloween 2006
I can't believe Halloween is here! It's so ridiculous that summer flew by and then we had like 2 days of decent fall weather. For Halloween this year Tom & I decided to go as a Judge and a Convict (I the judge, him the convict). Our costumes are pretty good (and by good I mean simple and easy to put together). Last night we went to an annual halloween party held by one of my old co-worker's in Chicago at Nick's Uptown in Wrigleyville. It was a good time (as always). Some of the best costumes included: Mario & Princess Peach, a Dolphin caught in a Tuna net, a snowcone, the Hamburgler, the catepillar from Alice in Wonderland, the guy from Say Anything, the Devil wears Prada... that's all I can remember right now.
Here are photos of our costumes:
Here are photos of our costumes:
10.13.2006
SNOW and stuff.
Today is totally one of those days that looks so nice out... it's all sunny and blue skies. But in reality it's freaking cold. Yesterday it snowed. Yes, SNOWED. On October 12 it snowed. Apparently that's the earliest day in Chicago that it has ever snowed (well since the records were started). That's ridiculous.
And apparently I never wrote to say that the WHO and Aerosmith concerts were awesome. The Who put on quite a show considering how old they are :) Maybe b/c it was a monday night or maybe it was just b/c but the show seemed incredibly long! Of course they played all the big hits, but i was kind of bummed they ended on a slow song, instead of a fast hit like Pinball Wizard or something. :) Aerosmith was good, it was outside and it was really freaking cold. Motley Crue sounded AWFUL. And Tom Hamiliton was out sick from Aerosmith, but it was a good show. They played a lot of older stuff that I hadn't heard them play before, but I'll be honest this wasn't my favorite concert by them. I think still Nine Lives was my favorite. :)
And apparently I never wrote to say that the WHO and Aerosmith concerts were awesome. The Who put on quite a show considering how old they are :) Maybe b/c it was a monday night or maybe it was just b/c but the show seemed incredibly long! Of course they played all the big hits, but i was kind of bummed they ended on a slow song, instead of a fast hit like Pinball Wizard or something. :) Aerosmith was good, it was outside and it was really freaking cold. Motley Crue sounded AWFUL. And Tom Hamiliton was out sick from Aerosmith, but it was a good show. They played a lot of older stuff that I hadn't heard them play before, but I'll be honest this wasn't my favorite concert by them. I think still Nine Lives was my favorite. :)
9.18.2006
Joke that women will appreciate. :)
A woman accompanied her husband to the doctor's office.
After his checkup, the doctor called the wife into his office alone. He said, "Your husband is suffering from a very severe stress disorder. If you don't do the following, your husband will surely die."
"Each morning, fix him a healthy breakfast. Be pleasant at all times. For lunch make him a nutritious meal. For dinner prepare an especially nice meal for him. Don't burden him with chores. Don't discuss your problems with him, it will only make his stress worse. No nagging. And most importantly, make love with your husband several times a week. If you can do this for the next 10 months to a year, I think your husband will regain his health completely."
On the way home, the husband asked his wife. "What did the doctor say?"
"He said you're going to die," she replied.
After his checkup, the doctor called the wife into his office alone. He said, "Your husband is suffering from a very severe stress disorder. If you don't do the following, your husband will surely die."
"Each morning, fix him a healthy breakfast. Be pleasant at all times. For lunch make him a nutritious meal. For dinner prepare an especially nice meal for him. Don't burden him with chores. Don't discuss your problems with him, it will only make his stress worse. No nagging. And most importantly, make love with your husband several times a week. If you can do this for the next 10 months to a year, I think your husband will regain his health completely."
On the way home, the husband asked his wife. "What did the doctor say?"
"He said you're going to die," she replied.
9.13.2006
Quote of the Day
"Why pay a dollar for a bookmark? Why not use the dollar for a bookmark?"
--Steven Spielberg, American film director, producer
--Steven Spielberg, American film director, producer
9.12.2006
Adventures of Mimi
Last night was the Mariah Carey concert! :)
Amy came and picked me up from work, we had dinner and then went to the show. Sean Paul opened, which I didn't mind, but didn't love. Mariah put on a stellar performance, I definetly think it was better than the last tour I saw (in 2000, for the Rainbow album).
Of course she had several costume changes, the photo above is the only outfit I can find a picture of -- though my favorite was this capri pant number. She also had a small stage in the center of the United Center (main stage was at one end). The best song/performance was Always be my Baby which she did on the center stage (in the capri pant outfit). There was also this giant disco ball sending shimmering light allover the United Center when she sang that song, it just looked really cool. :)
Our seats were pretty high up and far back, but they were good. We faced the stage directly not from a weird angle. There was definetly a wide variety of people there for sure. There was an older couple in front of us, probably 50-ish and the old man was so excited (you could tell his wife came for him, not the other way around!). Then there was this CRAZY lady who kept dancing in the entry way to our section -- she had on Superman pajama bottoms and a crazy bandana. I honestly think she might have been homeless and someone gave her a ticket. Everytime this one girl would walk by her she'd make her dance with her for like 20 minutes! It was very strange. :)
Then of course they did a tribute to 9/11; she sang Hero and One Sweet Day (with Trey Lorenz). She also sang I'll Be There with Trey Lorenz (who she originally sang it with on that MTV special years ago). DJ Clue was there and provided some pretty good entertainment during costume change breaks.
Amy came and picked me up from work, we had dinner and then went to the show. Sean Paul opened, which I didn't mind, but didn't love. Mariah put on a stellar performance, I definetly think it was better than the last tour I saw (in 2000, for the Rainbow album). Of course she had several costume changes, the photo above is the only outfit I can find a picture of -- though my favorite was this capri pant number. She also had a small stage in the center of the United Center (main stage was at one end). The best song/performance was Always be my Baby which she did on the center stage (in the capri pant outfit). There was also this giant disco ball sending shimmering light allover the United Center when she sang that song, it just looked really cool. :)
Our seats were pretty high up and far back, but they were good. We faced the stage directly not from a weird angle. There was definetly a wide variety of people there for sure. There was an older couple in front of us, probably 50-ish and the old man was so excited (you could tell his wife came for him, not the other way around!). Then there was this CRAZY lady who kept dancing in the entry way to our section -- she had on Superman pajama bottoms and a crazy bandana. I honestly think she might have been homeless and someone gave her a ticket. Everytime this one girl would walk by her she'd make her dance with her for like 20 minutes! It was very strange. :)
Then of course they did a tribute to 9/11; she sang Hero and One Sweet Day (with Trey Lorenz). She also sang I'll Be There with Trey Lorenz (who she originally sang it with on that MTV special years ago). DJ Clue was there and provided some pretty good entertainment during costume change breaks.
I was kind of bummed that for her encore she only sang 1 song, We Belong Together, I thought she'd do 3. Oh well, it was a great show nonetheless, and I don't care what anyone says because I'm sure it'll be another 6 years before she tours the states again.
9.09.2006
I've been MIA, I know...
Ok, So I've been really bad at updating this blog, probably because of the condo blog (which is just the most interesting thing in my life right now i guess). I've mainly just been working and reading and hanging out with Tom lately.
I've also been completely hooked on the show Project Runway and it's down to the final 4 designers... If anyone else watches it, i'm really rooting for Michael! He got screwed when Jeffrey won the jetsetter challenge and then Uli got screwed when Jeffrey won the Couture challenge too... I hate that guy. Ugh.
Anyway, Tom and I went with Laura & Eddy to see Little Miss Sunshine last weekend which was FANTASTIC. I highly recommend it. It's the movie with Steve Carell, Greg Kinnear and Toni Collette, where the little girl is going to be in the beauty pageant and it basically is about their crazy road trip to get her there.
And of course I've read a couple more books since the last post. :)
Good Grief by Lolly Winston. I picked this up because I had read a review somewhere and it sounded light and funny. It's about a very young widow who lost her husband of only a few years to cancer. The story is just about how she handles the grief. She goes from being a complete wreck and wearing her robe and bunny slippers to work to eventually moving out of Arizona to Washington to live with a friend. She then of course encounters some crazy characters along the way.
I loved this book because I honestly laughed out loud, but at the same time I still felt a strong compassion for Sophie. Each chapter is titled by her emotional stage (suppose to be along the lines of the actual stages of grief, but these are personalized based on her behavior) Denial, Oreos, Anger, Depression, Escrow, Ashes, Lust, Bargaining, Waitressing, Mentoring, Dating, Baking, Acceptance, Goodwill, and Thanksgiving.
http://www.lollywinston.com/aboutgg
From there I went back to old faithful, Jodi Picoult and Mercy. Of course this book was going to have a more serious topic, but I'm just now realizing that both books had to do with widows and cancer. Mercy takes place in a small new england town that is mainly of Scottish decent (so there are several Scottish stories/flashbacks throughout).
Cameron, the police chief, is thrown when a cousin he barely knows drives into town to admit to the murder of his wife. Turns out he killed her because she had asked him too as she was suffering from cancer and she knew her days were numbered.
It's a pretty intense book, but like most Picoult novels there are some great side stories (which were my favorite in this book particularly.) The main theme is What would you do for someone you love? Would you lie? Would you leave? Would you kill?
Like every Picoult novel I've read before, this one is extremely recommended! :) http://www.jodipicoult.com/mercy.html
Next I'm reading The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards, who is actually a professor at the University of Kentucky. This is one of those books that I'd seen at Border's forever, but finally picked up and was convinced to buy when on the back there was a good review by Jodi Picoult :)
I've also been completely hooked on the show Project Runway and it's down to the final 4 designers... If anyone else watches it, i'm really rooting for Michael! He got screwed when Jeffrey won the jetsetter challenge and then Uli got screwed when Jeffrey won the Couture challenge too... I hate that guy. Ugh.
Anyway, Tom and I went with Laura & Eddy to see Little Miss Sunshine last weekend which was FANTASTIC. I highly recommend it. It's the movie with Steve Carell, Greg Kinnear and Toni Collette, where the little girl is going to be in the beauty pageant and it basically is about their crazy road trip to get her there.
And of course I've read a couple more books since the last post. :)
Good Grief by Lolly Winston. I picked this up because I had read a review somewhere and it sounded light and funny. It's about a very young widow who lost her husband of only a few years to cancer. The story is just about how she handles the grief. She goes from being a complete wreck and wearing her robe and bunny slippers to work to eventually moving out of Arizona to Washington to live with a friend. She then of course encounters some crazy characters along the way. I loved this book because I honestly laughed out loud, but at the same time I still felt a strong compassion for Sophie. Each chapter is titled by her emotional stage (suppose to be along the lines of the actual stages of grief, but these are personalized based on her behavior) Denial, Oreos, Anger, Depression, Escrow, Ashes, Lust, Bargaining, Waitressing, Mentoring, Dating, Baking, Acceptance, Goodwill, and Thanksgiving.
http://www.lollywinston.com/aboutgg
From there I went back to old faithful, Jodi Picoult and Mercy. Of course this book was going to have a more serious topic, but I'm just now realizing that both books had to do with widows and cancer. Mercy takes place in a small new england town that is mainly of Scottish decent (so there are several Scottish stories/flashbacks throughout). Cameron, the police chief, is thrown when a cousin he barely knows drives into town to admit to the murder of his wife. Turns out he killed her because she had asked him too as she was suffering from cancer and she knew her days were numbered.
It's a pretty intense book, but like most Picoult novels there are some great side stories (which were my favorite in this book particularly.) The main theme is What would you do for someone you love? Would you lie? Would you leave? Would you kill?
Like every Picoult novel I've read before, this one is extremely recommended! :) http://www.jodipicoult.com/mercy.html
Next I'm reading The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards, who is actually a professor at the University of Kentucky. This is one of those books that I'd seen at Border's forever, but finally picked up and was convinced to buy when on the back there was a good review by Jodi Picoult :)
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