Across the Universe

Am I the only one who is excited for "Across the Universe?" I honestly don't even really know what it is about, but the Beatles covers I've heard so far are fantastic and the visuals are incredible. Even if the story sucks or doesn't even exist, I think it will still be great.

I'm obsessed (this may actually be an understatement) with the song from the AMC FirstLook (you know those wannabe trailers before the trailers at the theater): "I've Just Seen a Face." The lead actor in the movie performs the song. I think his name is Jim Sturgess. Anyway, this version doesn't seem to exist anywhere other than at the theater in these pre-trailers. There are one or two bootleg versions on YouTube, but nothing I can transfer to my iPod or have for practical listening purposes. I guess I'll have to be patient until they release the soundtrack - whenever that will be.

I'm making John learn how to play the song on his guitar as I type this. Like I said, I'm obsessed.

Harry Potter reactions

So we're talking about reactions to the new movie, not the new book. Speaking of the book, I'm planning to put off reading it as long as I can stand it (and I'm not a patient person so this is likely not going to be too long) because I know I'm going to be so sad when I have no more of these books to look forward to.

Aaanyway, the movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it while I was watching it. It was well-paced, suspenseful, and sufficiently dark. It advanced the story without trying to cram in too much detail. I was pleased. Maybe I was just tired, but I didn't really notice the crappy dialog, etc. that everyone has been complaining about. I also didn't, at the time, notice too many incorrect or missing details. Maybe that is because it's been so long since I've read the book that I've forgotten many of the details. Who knows.

Well afterwards, details started to come back to me and what I thought was a fantastic movie, slowly started to fall to pieces - errors, missing details - it all started to pollute my original enjoyment. I still wouldn't say it is my least favorite of the movies, which I tend to love, but it certainly was not the best. And, as the book was my favorite so far, I personally think there was a lot of potential. Perhaps the biggest disappointment is that the dark and twisted aspects that were left out were perhaps the aspects that would have translated best to the screen.

I guess in the end, I did enjoy the movie. I think it was really well done, but fell short of its great potential. Maybe they'll do better next time around.

Not happy

I have a cavity. Probably not such a big deal to most people, but to me it is. It's the first cavity I've ever had. Yes, ever! I'm getting a filling on Monday and am positively terrified. I'm still in denial...

Does anyone remember...?

Does anyone remember those trading cards (or were they stickers?) that were big in, oh, say middle or elementary school that were gross/weird versions of products or ads for products? The only one I can remember was "Donkey Nose Pizza" for Dominos.

Yeah, random. No real reason I need this info either - it's just one of those things that popped in my head just now and it's bothering me that I can't remember more about them.

That's right, I'm back!

Well not in quite the same way as the original speaker of that line, but it still works. I think.

Anyway, so my boss is gone for 2 whole glorious weeks on a much needed vacation (for both of us). So far, there has been little to no communication from him. I've been assured by my co-workers that this won't last, but damn if I'm going to let this fantastic free time get by me.

Here is my list of things to accomplish while he is gone:

1. Update blog on a regular basis
2. Attempt to do some Yelping (that's right L and F, get ready! :-) )
3. Find gifts for the weddings we will be going to in Sept.
4. Send emails to the 10 billion people I have neglected to keep in touch with recently - this actually should be much higher on this list. Eh, too lazy to re-type so mentally move it up. Thanks.
5. Clean out inboxes - work and Gmail because both are getting out of hand.
   

Yeah so check back often as I'll be updating as much as possible in the next two weeks.

I never have to go to the gym again!!!

Okay, not quite as exciting as it sounds, but for me it's close. I may have mentioned that I hate the gym. The whole idea of having to go somewhere to work out and deal with rude people who bring stereos to blast through the whole room - not really for me. That's all changed now that I discovered Demand Fitness. I've only been using it for a few days, and I think for weights I'm still going to have to use the gym, but if it means no more treadmill, I'm sold!

Basically it's an online collection of recorded classes you can access, mix-and-match, and track what you've done in terms of time spent on cardio, strength, etc. The best part is, you can choose from a bunch of different payment options. You can do a day pass ($.99) up to a yearly membership ($99.99 - or around $8/month for those of you fellow COM grads who don't want to whip out your calculator). You can download classes to keep on your computer and also hook your computer up to a TV if you are opposed to keeping up on such a small screen.

They have tons of variety in classes and varying levels if intensity. Everything from a series of 5 minute workouts (same idea as 8 minute abs, etc) to belly-dancing to intense boot camp classes. The video quality isn't amazing, but it's doable. Some instructors are better in front of the camera than others. The building blocks are all there to do whatever kind of workout or class you are in the mood for, which is great for me because I get bored too easily with only the stair machine and treadmill for cardio options.

It's shocking there aren't more websites like this, but it's such a great idea, I'm sure there will be more soon....

Alyssa Milano Designs Red Sox Apparel?

Ok to be accurate, not JUST Red Sox apparel, but rather MLB apparel in general meaning any of her designs can be customized to your preferred team.

Anyway, when I first heard about this I was having trouble drawing what we shall call the line of relevancy between Alyssa Milano and baseball when curiosity overcame my confusion and I was forced to do some browsing.

Other than the fact that I don't quite understand why Alyssa has to model her designs for the MLB shop, I have to say I don't hate them. In fact, some might even almost be worthy of a purchase, such as the jeans above.

Unfortunately due to the sheer lack of opportunities to flaunt my Red Sox fan-ness, at $65, I can't really justify buying these right now. I also have seen pictured elsewhere Alyssa's "kimono" style shirts (shockingly, photographed while ON Alyssa), which I'm kind of loving, but can't seem to locate in the MLB shop.

I guess in the meantime I'll have to settle for spreading the word and adding this to the (growing daily) list of reasons to move back to Boston pronto.

If you are lucky enough to live in Boston and smart enough to be a Sox fan, I suggest you grab a pair now before they become the next pink logo hat...

FOURDAYSYAY!

Yes, this is me being obnoxiously excited about the upcoming weekend. Really, though you can't blame me. Go ahead. Try.

A#1: I get to see Lindsay and Felecia
B#2: Did I mention I get to see Lindsay and Felecia? Did I? Damn, I'm just really excited about that...

There is also the fact that I have never been to Seattle, we are staying in a hotel that I don't really understand and am intrigued to see if it is really unique or just a dump, and I am going to see a childhood/family friend that I haven't seen or talked to in years.

And don't forget the food and alcohol. They have Thai food in Seattle, right?

This is all, of course, assuming I make it through the rest of the week, which at this point is not entirely a given.

My New Obsession

I don't like the taste of water. I always need to add a squirt of lemon juice or some similar flavoring to be able to drink it. I tend to drink Gatorade or the like, but since the alternatives usually have a lot of sugar or calories or both, I'm trying to drink more water. Last weekend at the grocery store, I came upon these small, simple, refreshing looking bottles of Hint Essence Water. I learned from visiting the website that there are at least a dozen different flavors, but the only ones my store carried were pomegranate-tangerine, raspberry-lime and peppermint, which are all amazing by the way.

The tagline is simple: "drink water, not sugar" and idea is not necessarily anything revolutionary: water "accented with a hint of natural flavor." There are no sweeteners, preservatives, or (quite possibly best of all) no calories.

I'm sure I would not do it justice if I tried to describe why I love it so much so maybe you should just go try some. It's not terribly cheap - at my store it sells for $1.50 per 15 oz. bottle, I believe - but to me it is well worth it if it gets to me to drink more water...

Florida

I can't tell you how many times I'm telling people where I am from (Ohio, Pensacola, Boston...) and I hear: "Why'd you leave Florida?" I never have a good answer, but I think this pretty much sums it up.