Not over the hill yet....

So far, my birthday has been alright. Didn't get much sleep last night (had wicked dreams about a book I'm reading), but my eyes are still open (so far, so good).

Sushi is on the agenda for lunch - nom nom!

Heading to the FBC Prom tonight to take some pics and ride to various outposts for reveling. I'm very open to it being a late, late night. A couple friends will be joining me, and we will be starting out the evening tailgating with some Hoegaarden and a nice bottle of vino by Turtle Park.

Tomorrow is our department picnic, after which I'll be meeting up with someone for a glass of sangria (or two - we'll see where the night takes us). Saturday is the real celebration - SITC with my gal pals, followed by my birthday party (yes, I'm 8) at Happy Joe's with my good friends and family, concluding with a long evening of imbibing somewhere outdoors (Hacienda, BB Hill, Sashas....the options are endless).

Sunday is recovery...nothing but that. Monday? Two very interesting invitations were just sent my way, not sure which one to choose....choices are very good to have! ;-)

All in all, a very good weekend is on the horizon. Thanks to everyone who has sent their birthday wishes - made my day!!

New Music

Music man KM sent me a CD from this band, Nouvelle Vague, which does punk, post-punk and New Wave covers with a bossa-nova flair. It's fantastic.

Here is a taste - they cover Love Will Tear us Apart:

Bully for him

I'm not a fan of bull fighting.

And I don't feel any pity for what happened to the matador in this video. In my opinion, he got the better of the deal because he gets to live.

Skids

I have enjoyed many a striptease in my life - fortunately nothing like this:

Lost Finale

I wasn't hoping for answers to all of the questions.

I wasn't looking for certain characters to appear, miraculously alive.

I wasn't expecting a neat, little wrap-up of an entire 6 years.

What I got was just fine with me.

I liked the way they reunited couples. It was sweet, sentimental, and mystical. I appreciated how Hurley was portrayed - I always was hoping they'd let him come through at the end.

It was about friendship, love, choices, regret, sadness, and finding your way back, to which most people can relate.

It was satisfying.

I didn't think I'd cry, and held out until the very end when Vincent the dog lies next to Jack as he's dying. I completely lost it at that point - I'm a sucker for sweet dogs. So here I sit, at work, with red & teary eyes. Worth it.

So, to sum it up, this is close to how I feel about Lost:

Sausage Fest

If you're a single guy looking for better odds at a local bar, there is a new app that will help you avoid a sausage fest in exchange for a muffin bar.

It's by FourSquare, and it's called Assisted Serendipity. It gives you a ratio of guys-to-gals, so that your trip to the tap isn't wasted.

So, if you're that much into trolling for tang and don't have the cajones to compete with other kielbasas, grab this app and go for it.

Lofty goals

I started training for the Lewis & Clark on May 1st. Half-marathon. I will never do a full marathon - it's just not something I want to do. But a half - that's doable. I know my limits.

So I'm up to 3 miles per run. It's not a fast run, but it gets me there. I'm not hating it like I used to, so that's an unexpected joy. I haven't been running very much lately due to end-of-semester tasks and finals, but after this week I can ramp it up a bit.

I have 4 1/2 more months to train. Looking forward to those long, hot runs in FP this summer. No, really.

I'd like to do a tri this summer, but the only one close and open is in New Town in July - a little too soon for my taste. I haven't been swimming near enough to get that under my belt.

My other goal is to reward myself, post run, with a little trip. Well, a long trip. Destinations are being toyed with. Reservations will be made in the next couple months.

Okay, back to studying. Woo.

Hell Week (and I'm not even in a Sorority)

This week is going to be a doozy. And I still haven't gotten my sushi. Dammit.

A final Tuesday night, and one more assignement to finish before then. Studying and homework for this will take place tonight.

A retreat at work from 4-7 on Wednesday, at which I'm presenting. I'm looking forward to this, but wish it were scheduled for any other week but this one.

Another final on Thursday night, the tough one. I will be studying for this on Tuesday night after my first final, and Wednesday after work and before I pick up my family at the airport at 11 pm.

Friday I am shopping for a baby shower gift for my cousin Mandy with my mom. That might take all night, depending on what we can find and how tired we are.

Saturday is my cousin Allison's graduation from college (WTH...where does time go?), and then a ParTay at her sister Mandy's house.

Sunday is Mandy's baby shower, and then directly after that is Allison's big graduation party.

I might have to take Monday off, just to recuperate. We'll see.

So dear readers, if you're still with me after many missed days of posts, I will try to pop in sometime this week - but don't count on it.

Wish me well, and if you have my address, please feel free to send me caffeinated tea, sugarless gum or a sexy picture of Colin Ferrell to help see me through the next 7 days.

Upcoming Shows

Wednesday May 5th - 7 Shot Screamers @ Off Broadway, final show ever.

Friday May 7th - Frightened Rabbit @ Old Rock House

May 16th - The Knitters @ Old Rock House

June 10th - Black Keys @ The Pageant

June 11th - Brian Jonestown Massacre @ Off Broadway

June 15th - Mumform & Sons @ Off Broadway

June 28th - New Pornographers @ The Pageant

July 1 - Henry Rollins @ The Pageant

What I'm Listening To

Just a sample....

Movie Review

Greenberg

Hmph.

I was expecting another "The Squid And The Whale". What I got was a pissy, loser Ben Stiller and a decent supportive cast.

I strongly feel that the lead was miscast. It was difficult for me to watch someone who I love to laugh at be such a dick, and not even a watchable dick. I understand that his character was a dick. But I would have enjoyed watching anyone else besides Stiller. In some reviews, his character is described as a hero and a villian. Nothing heroic about this character - what little kindness he shows is lost on a confused and self-destructive girl.

Some actors that come to mind who might have done a better job...going way back here....Eric Stoltz. Lief Schreiber. Really, anyone.

Greta Gerwig, who was in the great flick "Baghead" (rent it now) and "House of the Devil" (small part) was very sweet and sad and confused and perfect. Rys Ifans plays a supportive role as Stiller's buddy, and he's earnest and steady and not a sidekick at all - holds his own.

And a very, very nice surprise - Mark Duplass, who I am TOTALLY IN LOVE WITH, had a very small but noticable role. He wrote, directed and acted in the fantastic film "The Puffy Chair" and "Baghead" and the overlooked "Scrapple".

Mark, much like Paul Schneider (who I also want to marry) from the most awesome "All The Real Girls", is that kind of actor who reminds you of a guy in high school that, were you to go back in time, you WOULD give the time of day to, might even date, and crush on hard. These actors are the real deal - I don't know if they're really acting. What I feel when I watch them is this - I think that they bring alot of their own qualities, characteristics, and mannerisms to their characters and play them by heart.

So, don't see "Greenberg" if you want to see a witty, quirky movie. Rent "The Puffy Chair" or "All The Real Girls".

Movie Review

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Was in the middle of reading this book when the movie came out. Since I can't seem to get through more than three pages without nodding off to sleep, I thought I'd skip ahead and check out the movie.

All in all, it was pretty good. Long - 2.5 hours. And as I continue to read the book, they had to leave a LOT out to get it down to a watchable time. However, they also took creative license, especially with the two rape scenes. The two rape scenes I hadn't yet read. Jeebus. Pretty graphic. Violent enough to make two middle-aged women get up and leave (they eventually came back, I think they stood outside the door and waited to hear when it was over).

The relationship between the Mikael and Erika was barely acknowledged, nor were the feelings Lisbeth had for Mikael towards the end. But again, it would have made it too long.

If you can put up with subtitles, it's a decent flick.

I'm behind...update

I keep meaning to set aside time to post on my blog, but end up doing homework or cleaning or staying out too late. SO, time to catch up now...