9/2/09: It Might Get Loud

I finally saw It Might Get Loud.  I really really enjoyed it.  I thought it was well made, and I learned a lot about not only the guitarists, but about music in general.  I knew a lot about the Edge, but just to watch him play guitar and talk about the time in which their music was created was pretty awesome.  It was just an amazing thing to see three guitarists come together and just talk about music and explain what inspired them.  Some of the best scenes were the scenes where they were just playing.  It's very inspiring to see these musical artists clearly loving their craft, and appreciating other fellow guitarists.  They respect the music, and they respect the art of making music.   Each person approaches music in a different way, from their style of playing guitar to the types of guitars they use.  

This movie struck home to me in many ways.  I've always loved music, and it is a HUGE part of my life.  It affects my daily life, and it was great to see a movie that captures that love on film.  One of my favorite parts of the movie were the scenes where each guitarist was listening to music.  The way Jimmy Page listened to The Rumble by Link Wray was great because the love of the song and the way it was played just shone through Jimmy Page's eyes.  The same with Jack White and the song Grinnin' In Your Face by Son House.  It was almost beautiful in a way to see how much a song affects someone.  Everyone has their own reasons for loving a certain song, and it was nice to see someone relive that moment when they first heard a song.  

Anyone who loves either one of the guitarists Jimmy Page, The Edge, or Jack White should see this movie.  I also think any guitarist should watch this movie.  It deals a lot with how songs are played and how those sounds came about.  

9/1/09: Inglourious Basterds

I absolutely loved this movie!  If you haven't seen it yet, go out and see it now!  Also, don't read the rest of this blog if you haven't seen it.

Tarantino is great at creating suspense and tension even when it's just two or more people sitting in a room talking.  The opening scene made me feel so uneasy, and I couldn't wait to see how the scene was going to end.  

The cast was amazing. I totally have a girl crush on Melanie Laurent.  She is gorgeous and her character is great.  Everyone does a great job.  Christoph Waltz was an AWESOME villain.  He is one of those villains that you just love to hate.  Brad Pitt was funny, and BJ Novak was funny too, although he wasn't in the movie too much.

There was a good amount of blood, but I honestly thought there would have been more.  However, I think all the scalping scenes made up for it.  I have a lot to say about this movie, but I can't seem to put it into words right now.  Perhaps I will visit this topic later when I have processed it better in my mind.

8/31/09: Oh True Blood

I finally have HBO!!  At last, I can watch all those shows people talk about.  It's too bad I'm just getting it now, and not during the time of The Sopranos.  It least I get to see True Blood.  I can't believe how much the second season has strayed from the books, however, it's interesting to see what changes they made.  Plus, I can't wait for more Eric!  He is one of the best parts about the show.  OK OK.  Part of it is because he's really easy on the eyes, but I just think he's a great character in general (in both the books and in True Blood).

My point here is that I'm so glad I get to watch True Blood now.  I'm also a fan of Hung.  I'm not a huge fan, but it's amusing.  I'm also very very happy about watching Entourage.  I feel like I've missed so much that I really have to catch up.

I am going to start watching Mad Men.  I keep hearing great things about it, so I've decided to give it a chance.  I borrowed the first season from a coworker of mine, so I'm all set.  

If I'm missing any other great shows, please tell me. 

8/22/09: Tom and Bob

Tom Waits and Bob Dylan.  They are my ever growing obsession.  With every listen, I hear something new and I get a different meaning out of it.  

I have just begun to listen to all of their music since they both have a large discography, but I can safely say that I am a big fan.  I'm one step away from buying some bios on them, but sometimes I like to appreciate the music for what it is rather than possibly spoiling it from learning where they were in their life when they wrote it.  But then again, it could be even more pleasurable to know these things.  Who knows.  All I know is that they are two amazing artists that just ring true to my ears these days.

On another note, I hope you have all seen the trailer for The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus.  It's the new Terry Gilliam movie.  It looks crazy, and I love it even more because Tom Waits is in it.  

If you haven't go here.  Hopefully this link still works:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXv9Kgb59xM

8/21/09: When life gives you anxiety, write a blog

I have tried to improve many things in my life this year.  One of them is enjoying the simple things in life.  In the past I think I've done a good job of it, but I am really trying my best this year to remain focused and always remember that even though there may be failure, it's ok. 

I took a vacation recently and it helped give me time to think and just enjoy life.  Here are some simple things I enjoy that bring me joy.

5 Things That Cheer Me Up As Soon As I See Them:

1.  My siblings:  I love them so much that just seeing them makes me happy.  No matter what happens, they will always be there for me. 

2.  Dogs: especially puppies.  Admit it.  They're adorable!!!  How can you not smile at a puppy?  If you are able to do so, then you have no heart.

3.  A fresh bag of Haribo gummy bears:  I would be much happier if I could sit back once a week, and just share a bag of Haribo gummy bears with my friends and family.  They are one of my all time favorite candies and just seeing that gold bear on the cover of the package just tells me that I'm about to eat something simple yet awesome.

4.  A new pair of socks:  I love socks!  I especially love knee high socks.  I can even wear them in the summertime.  My latest pair, I bought in San Francisco.  They're light blue with little robots on them.  

5.  Random text messages from friends and family:  I love getting those random text messages from friends and family that just tell you that they're thinking about you.  It's quick, simple, and sometimes gives you just what you need to brighten your day.

5 Songs or Musical Artists That Brighten Any Gloomy Day:

1.  I Will Follow by U2:  Somewhere between the pounding drums and the Edge's guitar riffs, I seem to forget about what was bothering me and start singing with Bono and just wishing I could dance as oddly as he does in the music video.  It's early U2 at its' best and it is one of my favorite songs to hear live.  This group in general can bring me out of any funk, but for some reason this song comes to mind.

2.  Dancing in the Dark by Bruce Springsteen:  I would love to dance in the dark with the Boss.  I love everything about this song.  From Springsteen's voice to the awesome music video (it doesn't hurt that Springsteen looks mighty fine in that white shirt and perfectly fitted jeans).  I love to dance around the house to this song as well as blast this on the radio and sing my heart out.  

3.  Rain by The Beatles:  One of my all time favorite Beatles songs.  It is perfect.  I have had this song on repeat many times in my life.  

4.  Sure Shot by The Beastie Boys:  This song makes this list for many reasons, most of it has to do with my brother.  He used to be a radio dj, and those nights when he knew I was listening he would usually play this song.  When he'd play it, I knew he put it on for me.  I also love this song because it reminds me of Ad Rock dancing...well almost every Beastie Boys song does that for me.  I love it when he dances.

5.  Don't Look Back in Anger by Oasis:  It's one of my favorite Oasis songs.  It just calls out for you to sing with them.  It is the perfect concert song.  When I saw them live, I even heard my brother singing to it.

4/1/09: Happy April Fools Day

So, it's April Fools Day.  yea.. I don't even know if it counts as an official holiday or anything, but it's a pretty lame day.  Today was especially lame because my car decided to poop out on me.  It made it to work, and then it wouldn't start again.  I waited a few hours after calling my mom to help me, and it started fine.  My mom said that we should have it checked out so it doesn't happen again, so that leaves me without a car now.  I took it to the mechanic, and who knows how long it will be till I get it back.  Ugh.  I never realized how dependent I was on that car until I have to go without it.  Today officially sucks. Blah.  I'm left home alone and nothing to do except maybe clean the apartment.  I'm so bored, I think I just might do that tonight and tomorrow and the next day and the day after that and the day after that until my car comes back to me.  

3/30/09: Customer of the Day

Customer of the Day:

The customer walks up to me at the counter. He's in his late 60's with white hair and a baseball cap.

Customer: Hey there Smiley!  What's up?! 

Me:  Oh nothing much! How are you?

Customer: Good. Good.  Hmm. She vows never to remarry.

He's looking at some of our magazines, one of which has Jennifer Aniston on the cover.

Customer: See, it says Jennifer Aniston vows never to remarry.  What's wrong with her?  Can't she find a good man to marry?

Me: I guess not.

He then walks away.  About fifteen seconds later, he comes back up to me.

Customer: You know what?  I don't blame her.  I'm still trying to find a good woman to marry.  (He then gives me a big thumbs up and smiles and walks away.)