Tea Party

Heading to Boston for a few days. Totally last minute, going to hang with my Frister (Friend + Sister), Shannon, and see the sights. I'm leaving Thursday and returning Tuesday and I'll be sure to have lots to report and photos to share!

A Mighty Michael Brooks

A Mighty Heart - DVD. excellent movie. Angelina Jolie is impressive (doesn't feel like you're watching her, of Bragelina fame) and compelling. Also interesting since I wasn't aware of all the details of the Daniel Pearl tragedy. Though you know how it "ends", it's a compelling and even uplifting film.

Michael Clayton - Rich and I went to see the George Clooney movie in theaters. Good drama but we agreed that after the hype it received it seemed a tad disappointing. Not quite as much action as we had expected. Rich and I disagreed though on George's performance. Like with A Mighty Heart and Angie, I didn't feel I was watching George Clooney though Rich felt like it was a reprisal of his former roles.

Mr. Brooks - maybe the best surprise of the weekend. This Kevin Coster thriller had my attention, made me laugh (in a dark way of course) and also rapt with suspense (yes, I said "rapt"). Kevin Coster's and William Hurt's interactions with each other (hint: they are both Mr. Brooks) were, I thought, the best part. Demi Moore wasn't as bad as I had read in the reviews and Dane Cook was excellent as the creepy guy totally jonesing to kill someone (a la Mr. Brooks). Only negative, Kevin Costner's constant use of the character's glasses in every scene. On they go, off they come, on they go, off they come. I mean, I get it already- it's representative of a dual personality.

On a totally different note, Mom and I went to see Jon, Kelly and Quinn. A truly beautiful baby with beautiful parents!

Up, up and away...go the Galaxy.

"Tie keeps LA's unbeaten streak alive." This was one of the headlines on LA Galaxy's website this afternoon. Rich and I attended our last regular season match (photos from iPhone of David Beckam last night). Later the headline was changed but I couldn't help but crack up (oxymoron, anyone?) After all, the Galaxy marketing machine had told me (and all season ticket holders) via phone messages, email and postcards that last night's game meant LA was "...one win away from one win from the playoffs." So if they lost last night, they had no chance of playoffs but if they WON, they could play one more game (and if they won THAT one - Chicago this weekend), then they'd make the playoffs. Instead, they tied the New York Red Bulls (who do have wings...on their jerseys...product placement alert).

Ya know, the Galaxy are sponsored by Herbalife so maybe they should be the LA Laxatives or something. Anyhoooo, it was the first match that Rich and I actually saw Becks play after a string of injuries (yeah, right). And the crowd cheered anytime the ball came his way. It was exciting to see, even if it didn't result in any actual scores, despite 4 consecutive Corners. Despite an impressive and aggressive sales pitch, we are not renewing our season tickets. But we've had a good time this season nonetheless. Perhaps the NBA is next or if we could just get an NFL team...maybe NHL...Cricket...Dodgeball...I dunno....open to suggestions!

He's a beauty!

Fall Preview

Usually this time of year I can blog about all the NEW shows on TV. I'm sorry to disappoint. While I am recording all of them, they are largely unviewed so far. Why, you ask? Well I have been on a mission to watch The War. Last night I finally finished. I think 7 episodes, 2-2 1/2 hours each, that's a lot of history! I've even been able to retain some of the info (okay, I admit I didn't know why the Battle of the Bulge was titled as such) so I certainly recommend it. Thanks to mom, I was able to watch it on HD tv which made it even more powerful. So I only have the usual suspects:

The War gets "way thumbs up".
The only new thing I've checked out is Chuck. It's cute and I chuckled out loud but it's doubtful it'll be a keeper on my TIVO.
Heroes has yet to impress. I fast forward anything to do with Hiro - the cuteness wore off last season. I knew they wouldn't be able to keep it up after the 1st gripping season, a la Lost on ABC.
30 Rock - I've always thought this was a hilarious show but speaking of fast forward, I have to fast forward every scene with Tracy Morgan - never liked him on SNL and can't stand him now.
Survivor - love it, always do, no matter what!
The Daily Show - always a favorite but this past week not as funny.

Not to be overlooked, I am ALSO reading a lot more. I even updated my library card. But writing about those is way too cerebral for me. I will recommend Shogun, though!

DMB 2007

The last two nights I've gone to DMB concerts. And I looked back on my BLOG to find it was over a year ago that I had posted about Kelly and I going to see them. In that time a few things have changed (like Kelly's about to have a baby...as in any moment now).

The two shows this week were at The Hollywood Bowl. The first night I took my friend Ann and we parked at Rich's (who, unlike last year, now lives next door to the Bowl!) and strode over in a matter of minutes. Seats were average but the opening act, Steve Marley (plus the Flag Man...the guy whose only job is to wave the Jamaican flag and dance around while they played) were a great opening act. We danced and joked around, enjoying the characters around us.

Last night was the last show of the tour for DMB and therefore a special energy was at the Bowl. After several years of being a member of the Warehouse, I usually enjoy at least one show with good seats and last night was awesome! Rich and I had BOX SEATS. As in...4 individual chairs in a box, no benches, no people drifting into your space while you dance, being able to see the band without looking at the screens...very very cool.


Rich tracking down Pete and his girlfriend before show.

Rich's coworker and girlfriend also had tickets so they were squatters in the box seats...they moved around as people came in to claim their seats (since their own seats were crappy). They were even able to sit with us in our box for a time before being kicked out.

Here's the thing, I really enjoy the musicianship (is that a word) of the band, they love playing together and often are turned facing each other as they play. But last night was on a new level. (Eric - you would've hated last night...every song on their play list had a jam session at the beginning, middle or end...EVERY ONE.) And at times I wondered if us sitting there watching was encroaching on THEM since they were so into each other and the music. I wanted to say, "Hellooooo? We're over heeerrrrreeeee."


It was closer than this in a way; the photo seems to be too narrow because we could make out their features from our boxes.

The box seats were great but it seemed like every time a song started that I was excited about, distractions erupted around us..ushers showing latecomers to their seats, the chicks in the box with us yelling "SEEK UPPPPPPP" or "NUMBER 41!!!!!" hoping the band would head their song requests, or the one drunken lady who kept falling over and bumping her chair into my legs. There was relationship drama around us...just a lot of distractions. That's one nice thing about going to more than one show, it's okay if you don't get to be into every moment since you have many of them.

Last night was special because I'd never seen them with so many guests. They invited John Mayer on. My iPhone is cool but is crappy at pictures so the ones I snapped aren't very good. I had to resort to shooting the big screen in order to get any kind of picture at all. John Mayer played an amazing song with them. Later Steve Marley and his brother Ziggy (and yes, Flag Man) came on while they played Exodus. And some banjo-dude. He also played for a few songs. I had hoped/expected 2 encores but they only did one. Then Rich and I left and from our box seats to his sofa was a total of 10 minutes. I complain (bitterly sometimes) about crappy parking at Rich's house, but last night I LOVED everything about his place.


Only shot I could get of John Mayer was on the screen (to offer evidence of him being there!)

Not so much else happening except Rich's birthday is coming up on Friday and Kelly's due date is Sunday. So much to celebrate!!!