Thursday, July 31, 2008

Bed

After three days off I'm back to work on a tough schedule. It will be 50-hour weeks for a while, and I start with three "interesting" shifts: Friday NIGHT (rare for me indeed) 6:30pm-4:30am, Saturday NIGHT 1:30pm-11:30PM AND Sunday DAY 8:30am-6:30pm. So much for enjoying the sun after my usual daytime shifts. But I fully understand that around PNE time, this is going to happen. In the horizon I still see a fabulous holiday in October. There is also Russell Peters on September 11, and Madonna on October 30 to look forward to.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

007

This one is for all the 007 fans out there. They've just announced that the theme song for the new James Bond movie out in November, Quantum of Solace, will be sung by.... a duet! The strange bedfellows will be Alicia Keys and Jack White of the White Stripes. The song will be called "Another Way to Die". This should be interesting. Here is one of the news articles.

Way Back When

Via Facebook, I was sent an email from one of my classmates in Elementary School. After using my amazing math skills, I realized that I hadn't seen him in over 30 years. That is scary. But it was nice to hear from him. Hopefully I'll be able to catch up with some other people from McBride, even the one that I had a big crush on (and who shall remain nameless for the time being).

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Work....Sleep....Repeat...

One more day of work and then I have three days off. Normally that would be a weekly occurrence but it will be my last four-day work week for a while. But it also means down the road I'll have a long-deserved holiday which will probably be spent at that city in Nevada that never sleeps.

It was a long day at work and I can't wait for this last day tomorrow to finish. Then maybe I'll go see Mamma Mia again.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Mamma Mia! 2, The Dark Knight 1

I wonder what the final score will be for seeing two really awesome movies. I suspect Mamma Mia! will be the winner because it's such a "happy" movie. As amazing and awesome as Heath Ledger's performance was, the movie was very dark and ominous. Nevertheless, I'm sure I'll see it again. Right now it's hard enough trying to get tickets.

Monday, July 21, 2008

The Winner Takes it All

I'd never been a huge Meryl Streep fan over the years. Granted, she is one of the greatest actresses of all time, but I'd admit I had many other favorite actresses. But two nights ago, when she sang one of the most touching and bittersweet songs I know, I became a Meryl Streep fan. Just when I thought there was nothing more she could do in the acting world, she proved that she could sing. And sing very well. I could listen to this song over and over again. Enjoy.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Mamma Mia! at last

All is well in the world, because at long last July 18 has come and gone and I've gone to see the movie I have been waiting an eternity to see. Meryl Streep has once again astounded me with her abilities. Who knew she could sing so well? Her rendition of The Winner Take It All was chilling. In a strange way, I could say that it was as chilling as Heath Ledger's role as the Joker. Both were so good it was astounding. One wonders if there is anything Meryl Streep can't do in the acting world.

For all the tough times I'm having in my personal life and work life, tonight everything was perfect, even if for a short time.

Friday, July 18, 2008

The Dark Knight (SPOILER ALERT)

I just came back from watching one of the greatest performances of all time. While some may argue that Heath Ledger's untimely death made his role that much better, I disagree. He was chilling, plain and simple. The test of a great acting performance is being so immersed in the role that you become somebody else. At times I could not believe that I was watching Heath Ledger. He was truly scary as the demonic Joker (as opposed to Jack Nicholson's comedic Joker). Kudos also go to Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two Face. His makeup was astounding.

For all intents and purposes, the Best Actor race for the Oscars is over. Maybe another performance will come along in the next 5 months, but it's going to take something short of miraculous to surpass Heath Ledger's performance.

And now I must sleep, as I must work in 5 hours. Tomorrow I will once again immerse myself in the movies. Anybody who knows me knows which movie I will be watching.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Grissom

I was saddened to learn that William Petersen will be ending his run as one Gil Grissom on probably my favorite TV show of all time, CSI. It's hard to imagine that it has been 8 years since the show started its run. I hope it continues on, but it's going to be tough without Grissom. I bet many people still believe he actually DOES work in Las Vegas.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Greedy Athletes

Brett Favre: You are nothing but a greedy pig. It's quite obvious your retirement last year was a ruse so you could make lots of money this year. Do you expect people to actually believe that you were "pressured" into retirement? I hope none of the other NFL teams are stupid enough to sign you. For all Green Bay has done to you for your career, you sure know how to return the favor. And to think you were once my hero. Now you've gone the way of Patrick Roy and become nothing more than a has-been.

Hold the Sun



I found this picture via my friend Johnny's blog. It's a beautiful picture, isn't it?

Another Holiday?

For the next two months or so, I'll be putting in extra time at work due to staff shortages. The reward is that I'll get some extra time off afterwards, perhaps enough for another trip to Vegas (or New York, or both). I just have to remember to take time off for September 11 (Russell Peters) and that Madonna lady on October 30.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Air Hockey

Do you think you are the greatest air hockey player in the world? Do you think there is nobody that can beat you? Or are you at home with nobody to play air hockey with? Feast and enjoy...

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

The Soundtrack

In my time of reflection I went out to buy the soundtrack for a movie that is coming out next Friday. It's not the soundtrack to The Dark Knight so I'm sure everybody knows which one I'm talking about. July 18 can't come soon enough, as hopefully watching the movie will get me out of the doldrums.

Peace of Mind

It's been a rough few days for me but now I have my three regular days off to relax and reflect on things.

In other news, they recently released a bunch of Madonna tickets for October 30, so for those that missed out the first time, don't miss out again.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Wanted

I must have slept 15 hours today, as I think I've come down with a bit of the flu. Nevertheless, I was so bored I decided to go see the ravishing Angelina Jolie in Wanted. I was attracted by the rumors of "a shower scene", which turned out to be nothing to get excited over. The movie, while full of really well-done effects, had a confusing story that kept going back and forth. I've seen better from Ms. Jolie.

Get Smart

Instead of moping at home, I decided to check out this updated version of the popular 70's series that I was a fan of. I did not expect much because I really enjoyed the TV version with Don Adams and Barbara Feldon, but the film adaptation was pretty good. Anne Hathaway is turning out to be a very beautiful and gifted actress. I was also impressed because the soundtrack contained songs by BOTH ABBA and Madonna. How can you go wrong?

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

July 18

No matter how depressed I become, no matter how sad I feel, no matter how down I am, there is one thing that makes it all feel better. My friends, as well as my coworkers, know who my favorite group is, and which song makes me feel better than anything else in the world. And on July 18, the one movie that I've been anticipating for oh so long will premiere. I may have seen Mamma Mia! the musical three times, and I'm sure the story will be the same, but the world will stand still at the premiere of Mamma Mia! the movie. It may be silly to be so obsessed with a singing group, or with one particular song, or with one movie, but I could care less. I love ABBA and everything to do with ABBA, so be it.