Speaking of brothers, my brother got the notice that he's been accepted to run in this year's NYC Marathon! Yay, Dom! (Though that there's a whole application process for this is beyond me.)
Fun fact: Barry and I share a birthday and my mom, who loves both of us.
Since I mentioned everyone but my sister, I think I should. The wonderful book that she's in is being published in a couple of weeks: My First Gymnastics Class! Go buy a copy now!
So last July I started writing down some movie reviews because it's just easier for me to pull up a blog about what I thought than trying to remember it.
I came up with a rating system based on emoticons, since they're the most succinct form of a written expression:
:) -- Ooh! -- I wouldn't be too embarrassed about recommending this.
:/ -- Err. -- Maybe if you've got nothing else to watch at all.
:( -- What?! --As in What is this garbage?!
Then I summarized why I gave that face, what I felt the overall movie was about, and what I thought was kind of surprising. Below are a few that I've recently written. (The list will expand as I repost the bunch of reviews that were in this post originally, and when I review new movies too).
So I hope you check out these reviews, maybe reconsider what you're downloading, streaming, or renting from Netflix or Amazon, and share your thoughts with me:
This concert was one of the best ones I've been to. Phenomenal music, seats up front, and food and drinks. Why can't all concerts be as civilized and casual?
I was a bit concerned, having never been to Le Poisson Rogue before and the Yelp reviews had scared me. But there wasn't anything to really worry about. The food, service, and all of the event space was nice. What's more is that the acoustics of the room were really great compared to some other venues we've been to (looking at you, Radio City).
The most terrifying part of the whole event was hoping that Chilly Gonzales didn't toss his head so that his hair sweat would fall into my food. Luckily we were close enough to see his sweat drip and spray, but we weren't in the splash zone. Not that I blame him for sweating. Being on a stage and performing with that much energy--even if you're not wearing an American Apparel leotard and bouncing up and down (ahem, CSS) can be arduous.
Overall CG's set was everything and more than I thought it'd be. (I had read an article about his show in San Francisco, which sort of spoiled a bit of his act.) This show was slightly different though, CG performed with a string quartet called the Fuck Luck Orchestra. They were wonderful--if I ever need to hire string musicians, they'd be my go-to group.
And though I also read about how he uses audience participation for his shows, one of the most surprising things happened when the guy who recorded the video above had volunteered when CG wanted someone onstage for a little piano demonstration. This guy played one of CG's songs--and CG improvised on top of that. It was really cool because this Tommy kid didn't suck or mess up the song, and CG acted like a really nice guy about it.
I'd definitely go to another CG concert if given the opportunity.
For an idea of what my view looked like and some more details on the concert, check out TheMusic.FM's article on this concert. (The photographer crouched right in front of me, so I know this was the exact view I had.)
We're headed back to Le Poisson Rogue in a few weeks to for the 2012 Undead Music Festival Marathon and Tonic Reunion Show: Sex Mob, Vinicius Cantuaria, Yuka C. Honda, Elysian Fields, White Out, Stabbing Eastward with Ryan Sawyer and Tunde Adebimpe, Chicago Underground Duo, Tony Malaby, Gerald Cleaver, Jamie Saft's New Zion Trio, Joe Sander, and more. I've heard of some of these bands, seen maybe one and a half of them, but it should be interesting.
Butter up a piece of aluminum foil.
Cut out the bread hole with a cookie cutter.
Drop in one egg.
Use the toaster setting on your toaster oven
to obtain desired doneness.
Add truffle salt or bacon salt or sea salt
and some fresh cracked pepper.
What to do with that holed-out white part?
Put some cheese on it.
Melt it a little in the toaster oven.
Pair it all with some apples or other crispy fruit or vegetables.
Searching for the MoMA app on my phone, I found Yo Moma jokes instead. (I thought they'd be like: Your MoMA's so dumb, she thought a Warhol was a Duchamp! Your MoMA's such a slut, she's doesn't charge on Friday nights. Your MoMA's so fat she has a, like, three restaurants in her. But they weren't. They're just so dumb they don't know how to spell "momma.")
40 ways to tie a scarf! Considering fashion that kills, it might be a good idea to learn some of these.
Full disclosure, I rush proofread the movie novel and worked on the 3-D movie guide, but like most books based on animated movies, the movie was a lot more fun than the books. (The 3-D in the 3-D movie guide though is really cool.) If you like cats, don't find Dreamworks movies terrible, and want to laugh, then you should check it out.
Overall: Puss and Humpty Dumpty and other characters that include Kitty Softpaws and Jack and Jill are after the Golden Goose. You learn that there's no clear cut line between good and bad; about friendship and trust; and that declawing your cat might inhibit her skills to pick a lock if necessary. Guillermo del Toro was an executive producer, and it's a good looking movie.
Surprise: "Ooooooh!" to quote the most random cat in the movie. Love that cat.
