Jan 10
2007
Tony| Category: General, Music and Movies, Entertainment Tonight |
Lucky you, Internet! You get two real posts in one week. Maybe there will even be more! Today, instead of edumacating lives, I’m living in that special kind of purgatory known as jury duty. I’ve never served, mostly because I haven’t lived in one county long enough for the federales to find me. But now that I live in Dupage, they sense the instant a less-than-conservative potential juror settles in. Call it the Rooney Rule of the conservative bastion of the Chicagoland area. And yet again, I digress. This is not about jury duty. That post will come later. This particular post, friends, is about movies.
We all know that TLEMK and I love the movies. Mostly I love the popcorn and the ability to not worry about other things for two hours. TLEMK likes the dark, because it reminds her of sleep. Over the winter break, we managed to see three movies that were very different and yet had some common themes in them. My suspicion is it’s Oscar season and the people that make the talkies want us to be an emotional wreck at this time so we don’t pay attention to things like plot or writing, or you know, dialogue. Without further review, I give you three movies that yes, you should go see, but no, you don’t need to go to the theatres for two of them.
Chronologically in the order that we saw them, We are Marshall was the first movie to jerk the tears and tug at the heartstrings. I’m going to assume you know the premise of the movie, and if you don’t– 1970 plane crash kills all but 4 members of the Marshall football team, leaving the university and the town of Huntington, WV, to deal with the aftermath. I won’t give too much of it away here, but I confess I had some NCAA ignorance on the fact that they didn’t used to let freshmen play sports. Three performances stood out: Ian McShane, he of Deadwood fame had a supporting role that was fantastic. I wish the US had discovered him sooner, because I get the feeling that he won’t be acting for much longer (IMDB puts him at 64… so who knows.) Kate Mara sparkled on the screen. Her acting wasn’t top notch, but she nailed the small-town cheerleader role. The camera loved her- she’s much cuter than her grandfather Wellington (bringing the NFL-owner references to two now, for those of you keeping track at home). Finally, David Strathairn gave an understated and underrated performance… how would you deal with all the pressure from different sides? The movie was enjoyable, and not from the football aspect, although that was fun too. I thought that it dealt well with the raw emotion of the families and student body, and with those that had to pick up the pieces after a tragedy. Again, I won’t give away the ending, but I’m glad they didn’t Disnefy it too much. Rent it.
Rating: 3 fat bellies (out of four)
Next up was The Pursuit of Happiness Happyness.Will Smith, blah, blah, blah. Older, looking mature, and giving great acting chops. The movie is supposed to make you upset. It’s supposd to make you cry. It’s supposed to make you remember how much you hate people who can do the Rubik’s Cube. Wait, Will Smith finishes the ‘cube. Now I don’t know what to think. I enjoyed this movie as well. I was surprised, however that the film didn’t play up the homeless angle more. I think they could have tastefully referenced it a little more—homelessness is a huge problem, but wasn’t really touched on too much as cause. Rather, it was one man’s struggle. Smith’s son did well in the Kid who Says Cute Things Role, and Thandie Newton needed more lines. Also, I would like to see her in a happy movie, after her turns in Crash, and on ER are starting to make her typecast as the girl-of-which-bad-things-occur. Pajiba gives a spot-on review of the movie. Again, I would go rent it, because you don’t need the cinematic experience to fully enjoy it.
Rating: 3 fat bellies and a spicy hot wing.
Finally we come to the movie that I’ve been telling anyone that would listen to go see. After seeing it I still think you should go see it. You also need to go see it in the theatre, because visually, it was a fascinating movie. Children of Men is an apocalyptic-type film that asks you to believe that in 2009, women stop having babies. Fast forward to 2027. It’s been 18 years, and there are no children anymore. The youngest person on the planet is nearly 19 years old. Understandably, things are not looking good for the human race. Our protagonist finds himself asked to do a favor that may change the fate of this doomsday scenario. What follows is a tense, raw, and honest dealing of the way humans may go when civilization decides to crumble. The sights and sounds of this movie make it worth it to see on the big screen. This is good because the dialogue tends to be missing from good portions of the movie. I thought Michael Caine had a nice supporting role, and that Clive Owen could have used some more words. This movie resonated with me the most because it dealt with the darkest sides of humanity, despite the context. Fun is not the right word for this flick, but terrific definitely describes it. Please go see this movie. (Special props to TLEMK, who braved the movie, despite the tension throughout. I have the bruise marks on my arm to prove it.)
Rating: 4 fat bellies and a delicious spicy garlic drumette.
There you go, folks. Lame movie reviews to spice up your Wednesday afternoon. Only four more hours of jury-duty-waiting!
Sep 05
2006
Tony| Category: General, Techie, not Geekie, Music and Movies |
IGN: Guitar Hero 2 Rocks and Rolls Out New Tracks
O.
M.
G.
I am so psyched, I have no idea what to say… is it November yet?
This time, I mean it. Regular posting resumes SOON. I need to write a lot about school, grad school, the giant elephant in the room (our new house), the new stress of homeownership (it’s a different layer!) Until then, drool at the thought of Sweet Child o’ Mine and Crazy on You
Later! (I hope.)
Jul 15
2006
Tony| Category: General, Music and Movies, Entertainment Tonight |
Good day to you, fine peoples.
Currently in my area, 90, degrees, under HOT skies. Sloth-like conditions will continue well into the late afternoon. Don’t move, or you’ll have to reapply the deodorant.
Had a great time with the O’s last night at the World’s Largest Block Party, also known as The Home of the Two for One Beverage Ticket Charade, in Which you Give the Ticket Collector One Ticket and Give the Bartender Two Cups to Fill. Worked like a charm everytime. Only TLEMK stopped drinking beverages early, and I was consistently “stuck” with two cups. The result is a blurry picture, blurry calls to friends, (Hello TW, Zigzag, and Frank the Tank), a blurry train ride home where
the iPod was the saving grace, and a blurry attempt to drink water. This morning I took V to the train station, and came back in an attempt to sleep a little more. However, sales people, and the cat’s hairballing caterwaul made that a tricky endeavour. I turned on the TV, and settled on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. (What? I need to keep in touch with my students’ interests.) What finally got me out of bed was the stupid Build-a-Bear commercials; three of them in one half-hour show. For some reason, they drove me crazy and got me out of bed to share with you.
Let the healing begin.
Jul 07
2006
Tony| Category: General, Music and Movies, Entertainment Tonight |
Just got back from Superman Returns.
A) I heard Brandon Routh was hired because he looks like Christopher Reeve. I don’t think he was hired because of his acting abilities. He said, and I’m sure you can find this on the interWeb, about 200 words for the whole movie, including a speech that was recited at the beginning of the movie.
B)Kate Bosworth= Lois Lane, if she were still in high school. The Smallville incarnation of Lois has a much bigger pair of cojones. Yes, I watch Smallville. I also watch So You Think You Can Dance? We’re not hear to talk about that. We’re here to talk about how….
C) Kevin Spacey did not get enough lines in the movie. Interestingly enough, he seemed to get more screen time than anyone, and still didn’t manage to develop his character. I would guess this is because we are supposed to ‘know’ the characters, and how they react. In fact, the movie really seemed to lack dialogue and developed characters throughout, which surprised me for a Bryan Singer film. (X-Men, X2 had at least some dialogue, and he’s a producer on House, which is very, VERY wordy. And good. It even got nominated for an Emmy)
Overall, I will continue to go see these kinds of movies, because even if they’re not cinematic masterpieces, they are fun summer movies. And if you haven’t seen Batman Begins, you really need to.
TLEMK liked it, I felt very ambivalent towards it. Next up, Pirates of the Carribbean 2.
**********
Still to come: My thoughts on the state of the DMB nation, and OhMyGodSteak.
Apr 02
2006
Tony| Category: General, Music and Movies, Entertainment Tonight |
For the first time in about two months, TLEMK and I went to the movies on Saturday. This may not sound like a long time to you, but she and I are used to going to a movie almost every week, because the theatre near us is cheap (5.50 for a matinee) and gives free refills on all sizes. When you appeal to my fat and cheap side, you win. With the dearth of quality movies coming out druing the post-Oscar slump and pre-summer blockbuster time, there hasn’t been anything that we *had* to see on the big screen. We’d also reached an impasse of Failure to Launch vs. V for Vendetta so we needed something we could both agree on.
Thank You for Smoking is the movie we agreed on, with me being a little more reserved about it than TLEMK. This is unusual because I’m the one that wants to take the chances on the quirky movies. Thank You focuses on the life of a pro-tobacco lobbyist, with the intention of showing how morals can be flexible and that everyone is entitled to a defense, no matter how bad a corporation may be. Or that’s what Nick Naylor, our pseudo-hero, would have you think. Really, it’s a funny movie about how spin is spun, and how people live with themselves by doing things they’re not necessarily proud of, but feel they must in order to survive. You know, like going to Wal-Mart. The movie focused on Naylor, with no other characters (besides his son, who did an outstanding job) being really developed. Good cameos that were really that. Longtime fans of one of my top five movies, High Fidelity, will recognize Todd Louiso, our buddy Dick, as an aide to William H. Macy. The movie continues to make you feel horrible about the tobacco industry, but it sheds light onto the machinations of how things supposedly work. Good satire, funny lines, and even funnier sublte points in the movie make it a winner. You don’t have to go see it on the big screen, but I would definitely recommend you take a flyer on it. It was worth it.
Back to writing one of my grad school papers. Have a terrific Sunday, and go Pale Hose!
Jan 22
2006
Tony| Category: General, Music and Movies |
1. Glasses= still gone. Setting an appointment tomorri to go get new eyes. Whee.
2. I picked up my trombone tonight for the first time in about a year. TLEMK and I played some duets together, and she was very nice to me in not saying that I sucked (to my face). We start at the COD band tomorrow night. They say they take everyone, but we still have to audition for chairs. I’m wondering if they will change their minds, because the only thing rustier than my horn playing is my running skills. And we know those don’t exist. So, wish me and TLEMK luck as we attempt to not suck at playing.
3. We spent a good part of the weekend in Chicago, going to a murder mystery party, and hanging out with D and C. Turns out I was the murderer. So that happened.
4. School and Grad School are on full-on high tension craziness. Hence the lack of ebjournalling. Some day I’ll get to talk about them more. Things are going to get better… I just need to stay the course.
More to come soon… right. 
Goodnight.
Dec 29
2005
Tony| Category: General, Music and Movies |
So it’s break, and being a self-respecting teacher, I took this time to catch up on movies I hadn’t had a chance to see. Here is my quick, (ha!), shortwinded (HA!), and funny (HA! HA!) movie review:
Movies I Saw During Winter Break 2005 (currently in progress)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
True, I saw this movie before break came, but what you may NOT know, gentle readers, is that I went and saw it again, with my sibs, whilst my mom was off cavorting ( cavort, cavort! Anyone?) in Africa. It was still good. You can read more about it here.
Grade: A- because it’s geared more for kids, and I’d seen it once. But dang if Lucy Pevensie ain’t the cutest thing I done ever seen.
The Family Stone:
Okay, this movie is not what the commercials advertise. You’re supposed to believe that it’s a light-hearted romantic comedy about meeting the family at Christmas time. Guess what? It’s not. It certainly has its light moments, but it’s a lot more of a drama about a family and sounding crazy cliche-like, finding yourself. It was good, especially the performances by Diane Keaton, whichever Wilson brother was in there, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Rachel McAdams, (just for being hot). I recommend you rent it.
Grade: B+ for false adverstising, but saving itself by being good. (And Rachel McAdams)
Serenity: If you’re familiar with the Joss Whedon/Buffyverse, you’ll know that this movie would be witty, fast-paced, and skip and blend genres like nobody’s business. Having never seen Firefly, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to follow the plot or be as invested as those who are die-hard Whedonites.
Friends, this was an entertaining space western. Good points for sci-fi/western blend, using good and evil forces, and leaving it wide open for a sequel. It’s rapidly becoming a cult-classic for those who follow Whedon’s work, but it was really pretty good for all. Even the Zigzag’s enjoyed it.
Grade: B+ (It would be better, I think, if I had watched the show. Kind of like the Harry Potter books, or the Star Trek movies… much better if you are vested in the characters.
Murderball:
Oooh! A documentary! And it won the audience award at the Sundance Film Festival! It must be good. And it was.
Good. But only that. It was produced by MTV, who, though the brought us Napoleon Dynamite, and the MOJO! of Friday Night Lights, they tried a little too hard to be edgy. Murderball follows the story of the US Paralympic Rugby team, all wheelchair parapalegics of various degrees. It was a terrific story that gave great backgrounds of the athletes, and the scenes with one of the athletes talking with kids on what it is like to be paralyzed, and the ending montage were terrific. People rave about this movie, and it was very good. My opinion: I think it would have been better if they didn’t do so much with rock song transitions, and kept the focus on the players involved.
Grade: B+ for being a good documentary that tried a little too hard to be MTV.
And finally (for now…)
The Producers:
The Mel Brooks Musical comes to life! (or fades to screen?) starring the Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. It was a little surreal to watch this movie, because you have to go into it thinking it’s a musical, and enjoy it as a musical, but remember not to clap at the end of every number. Very tricksy, watching the musical in the theater. Though the theater wasn’t crowded, people laughed pretty much throughout the entire thing, myself and TLEMK included. It was funny, and you really had to pay attention to make sure you didn’t miss anything. Let me try this again. It was funny because it was a musical where you could actually see the attention paid to detail, instead of my usual musical seats, 2nd balconey, stage right. Just go see it. Will Ferrell, funny. Lane and Broderick, funny. Cameos, funny. Here is my only spoiler: if you don’t stay ALL THE WAY to the very, very, VERY end (after the credits) you will miss more funny stuff. And you know you hate missing stuff. I’m back to giggling about Will Ferrell. (at Borders! and Barnes and Noble!, and Amazon.com!)
Grade: A. It would get an A+, but you might think me stranger than usual, unless of course, you’ve seen it, and then you would completely understand. Oh, and Uma/Oola! She did a great job too— it’s hard to sing while using a fake Svedish accent.
You’d think I’d be done, and I am. (FOR NOW!!! HAHAHAHA!!!)
But I’ll have more before break is over.
Now, if I could only get SOMEone to go watch King Kong with me. Any takers?
Dec 24
2005
Tony| Category: General, Music and Movies |
Many blessings to all, safe travel during the holidays… I’ll be back to discuss the arrival of my new sister, Tsigereda! She’s adorable and she knows it. I *might* even have a picture, too. Ho Ho Ho! For now, just think about the song below and Remember Two Things*
1) Dave Matthews used to be a MUCH better song writer
2) Christmas loses it’s focus way too easily.
Love you all!
~T~
Christmas Song
She was his girl, he was her boyfriend
She’d be his wife, and make him her husband.
A surprise on the way any day any day
One healthy little giggling, dribbling baby boy
The wisemen came, three made their way
To shower him with love while he lay in the hay
Shower him with love, love, love
Love,love,love
Love,love was all around.
Not very much of his childhood was known
Kept his mother mary worried always out on his own
He met another mary, who for a reasonable fee,
Less than reputable was known to be
His heart was full of love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love was all around.
When Jesus Christ was nailed to his tree
Said oh daddy-o, I can see how it all soon will be
I came to shed a little light on this darkening sea
Instead I fear I’ve spilled the blood of my children all around
The blood of my children all around
The blood of my children’s all around.
So I’m told, so the story goes
The people he knew were less than golden-hearted
Gamblers and robbers,
Drinkers and jokers, all soul searchers
Like you and me, like you and me
Rumors insisted that he soon would be
For his deveations taken into custody
By the authorities, less informed than he
Drinkers and jokers, all soul searchers
Searching for love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love was all around.
Preparations were made for a celebration day
He said eat this bread but think of it as me
Drink this wine and dream it will be the blood of our children all around
The blood of our children all around
The blood of our children all around
Father up above
Why in all this hatred do you fill me up with love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love is all around
Father up above
Why in all this hatred do you fill me up with love, fill me love, love, yeah
Love, love, love
Love, love, and the blood of our children all around.
Copyright, DMB, 1992ish.
Dec 21
2005
Tony| Category: General, Music and Movies, Entertainment Tonight |
CustomChannels.net ::: Holiday Channel Launch Page
Looking for some good holiday music? I know Soma FM has a good streaming page, as well as a few others you can find on Winamp’s or iTunes lists. But, WXRT is also offering a streaming basket of good cheer. Some songs you’ll know, some you wont’, some you like, and some you’ll hate. Currently there’s a song from “A New Wave Christmas” on. I’ve also heard Jack Johnson, Death Cab for Cutie, the Blind Boys of Alabama, and David Bowie, so it can’t all be bad, right?
It also destroys Mariah, and many of the other poppy, smooth jazzy krunk that WLIT slips in between the classics.
Check it out, or don’t. I just like to post.
Dec 20
2005
Tony| Category: General, Music and Movies, Entertainment Tonight |
Local radio station Q101 (WKQX) is doing a thing to honor the 13 years that they’ve been an “alternative” radio station. Each day, starting last Monday, they play the top 101 alternative songs from that year. It goes all the way to 2005 on New Year’s Eve. What have I discovered?
That I really know a lot of songs from the early-mid ’90s. Stupid high school. Anyway, if you’re a lokel yokel, consider this free advertising for Q101, and feel free to listen to your past. Don’t say you don’t love hearing Counting Crows’, Round Here, ‘cuz you know you do.
As a side note, I’ve heard two Toad the Wet Sprocket songs in the last two days. Rock.
Dec 19
2005
Tony| Category: General, Music and Movies, Site-Based Management, Chomping on Books |
So, um, I made a wishlist.
I like books and music, and stuff. People keep asking me what I want for special occasions. I don’t really want anything. But, I figured I might as well build this so that I can remember stuff for down the road. Besides, Amazon makes it so easy. I’ll try to keep it updated. It’s in the links over on the side too. Happy perusing!
My Amazon wishlist (beginning of it, anyway)
I’m feeling icky and happy at the same time. Stupid coroporate world making my life so easy, yet making me feel like a greedy little pig. (ooh, is the song in your head?)
Dec 09
2005
Tony| Category: General, Music and Movies, Chomping on Books |
Believe what you want.
Know this.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion Witch, and the Wardrobe was an 85 page book written nearly three score years ago. PBS did a version of the first three in the late ’80’s. And now, the first serious attempt has been made to recreate a story that enchanted me since the late ’80’s.
The attempt worked. TLMEK has been VERY excited to see this movie since the first trailers started making their way out at the end of summer. She has read the books 6.02214 x 10 ^23 times, and I warned her:
“Please don’t be disappointed if the movie doesn’t live up to your gianormous expectations.”
Boy, do I feel silly. This movie was excellent. Maybe it’s the nostalgia, but the story was told well. True, Clive can be a little dry at times, and the movie took awhile to take off, but as soon as we got all four children through the wardrobe, I was enchanted. Here’s why…
1) The actress playing Lucy was adorable. I wanted to take her home in a very baby-fever sort of way. Of course, TLMEK and I would have to move to the UK, so our little Maggie ( 
) would grow up British.
2) The CG was MUCH better than I thought it would be. Talking animals are talking animals, but it didn’t feel as clunky as I was expecting. They were not over the top; nor did they did not take away from the movie. I hope this means that we’re turning the corner of just-having-special-effects-for-special-effect’s-sake and learning how to integrate them more.
3) The story stayed close to the oringinal, and resident archivist TLEMK said the changes were neglible enough that she didn’t feel slighted. (ARE YOU LISTENING HARRY POTTER FRANCHISE? Stop, I know 85 pages versuses 700 pages is a lot different.)
4) Have a I mentioned how cute Lucy was? It hurt my heart. It may have grown three times its regular size.
Walden Media has optioned all seven movies, and most reviews expect the movies to get better as Narnia establishes itself, just as the ‘Arry Pottery Barn movies have.
So, go out and watch this movie.
Believe a little.
Have some faith in myth, and suspend reality for a bit.
We could all use a little of that every now again.
Nov 21
2005
Tony| Category: General, Music and Movies, Chomping on Books |
Well, that happened.
I saw the most recent installment of the Harry Potter movie series this weekend. Fun times abound as we got there an hour early, allowing we and the Zigzags to be 136th-139th in line. (We know this thanks to TLEMK’s genius detective work of counting all the people in front of us.)
Never fear, we got terrific seats. I love opening night at an over-hyped movie. People cheered at the WB logo. It was very Star Wars-esque
My review: Read everyone else’s review about it, and you’ll get the idea. They cut a lot out, and there wasn’t enough dialogue for me. I thought it captured the adolescence/coming-of-age/raging hormones part fairly well. I thought the end was probably the best part of the movie.
(Stream-of-conciousness time-out– Target is doing their celebrity wakeup call thing again this year to get a start onthe shopping. Kermit can call you. Did you hear me people? KERMIT THE FROG CAN WAKE YOU UP!)
I could rant and rave about the inconsistencies between the book and movie, but those are naturally going to happen. So much happens inside the head of Harry in the book that one pan and scan shot of Harry looking at Cho (who is adorable in this movie) is not nearly enough to convey all the emotions that any of the characters are going through in the story. I went back reread book V and VI after I finished IV, and now I just want the next book and movie to come out.
You may not be suprised to learn that I stick by my description of myself as a very fat Hermione, and here’s the proof:
Which HP Kid Are You?
Well, who are you?
Nov 11
2005
Tony| Category: General, Music and Movies, Entertainment Tonight |
I REALLY need to catch up on these posts… now I’m two weeks behind.
One song encore.
Am I hating on them? No, but I feel like they played me.
Guster, Saturday, October 29th. It feels like it took longer to type that than it took for the show…
Maybe I’m being harsh… let’s rewind
(Wayne and Garth doddodo, doo doododoo)
We roll into the North Side to The Riv, pay $20 for parking (worth every mother truckin’ cent, tell you whut.), and head for the line. Except, I detour for some greasy spoon while V gets our spot in line. Two hot dogs, a 1/2 lb. cheeseburger later, and two pipin’ hot orders of french fries later, we were sated, and ready for the show.
Lucky us, we were within the first 100 people in line, with about 90 of the people in front of us definitely gunning for the stage. Being general admission show with no seats, and being old (me, not TLEMK) we decided to aim for the balconey. When they started to let people in, they split the lines for boys and girls. Owing to the fact that Guster is enjoyed MUCH MUCH more by the ladies (and me), I was in the Riv in about 2 minutes flat.
I dashed up the stairs, and exulted as I reached the front row of the balconey, in the middle. V came in a little later, and we did a happy little Guster dance, because we had front row balconey seats. Then we looked around.
Obviously, we landed in the Chaperone section, for we were the youngest people in our row, unless of course you count the ten-year-old, who was with her parents. Below us, the teenager/college kids crammed up to the stage, and the Old Man in me whispered, “Thank God you’re not down there. Now sit down before your knees give out.”
We happened to run into the parents of one of the opening band’s players. We got the inside scoop on Matt Pond, PA, which apparently has had songs included on The OC soundtrack. We chatted with the family for awhile, and then felt obligated to clap during their son’s mediocre set. Just like The Fringe (The Fray…) at the Ben Folds concert, they didn’t do much for me. They also had an uncessary awkward cello player. It would have been much better if the cello player contributed to the songs, and didn’t have such a bright sound to clash with the
depressing songs of Matt Pond.
Once they were done, and talked again with the parents of the Pond guitar player (”Wow, they rock! Stick around for Guster!”) we got ready for a rocking good time with Guster.
They rock. They have a new album coming out early next spring, and they played 3 or 4 songs from the album. I was expecting high energy, and for the most part, they delivered. It was their first sold-out show, so I was really expecting A LOT MORE energy.
I got to hear my fave songs, including Aiport Song, and Careful.
And then they were done.
Then they came out and did ONE song for their encore. It was cool because they unplugged everything and came and sang four-part harmony on the front of the stage. And then they left. And didn’t come back.
To sum up: Good band, good seats, but short set. I want to see them again, and then I want them to play for two hours, not an hour and change. (Secretly, the Old Man was happy, because it wasn’t too late, and I could drive home early.)
Love you Guster. Hate your short set, Guster.
Nov 08
2005
Tony| Category: General, Music and Movies, Entertainment Tonight |
“Okay, where are you now?”
“I’m on the corner of Monroe and Clark, but I don’t see the Bank One Tower, or anything that looks like Nick’s.”
“Walk around a little and see if you can find it.”
“Okay, I call you back.”
(I continue to crawl along the Kennedy, trying to get downtown for my rendevous with TLEMK)
“Hello?”
“Okay, I found it. But it’s way too corporate for me. There are lots of people with $1000 suits in there… I think I’m gonna go hang out at the McDonald’s until you get here.”
“Is it crowded? Did you see the banners?”
“Oh, they’re there… but I don’t think you we could squeeze in to get a drink…”
“Alright, I’m about ten minutes out… I’ll call you when I’m ready to pick you up…”
And thus began our night of Ben F to the Olds. Originally, in my perfect world, I was going to pick TLEMK up at the train station, and we were going to go to an Ambassador party for a certain beverage I enjoy that’s made in a certain county of Kentucky. We would grab some grub, and head on over to the Chicago Theatre, conveniently located less than a half a mile away.
It wasn’t to be. V’s train got in early/late (she caught a train that was running late, but before her original train was supposed to leave blah blah blah blah…)
Where was I? Oh yeah. Driving to the city stinks. It took well over an hour to get there, hence me being late and unable to pick TLEMK.
Eventually, we “hooked up” and we ate at some Italian place off of Wabash. I had some sausage pasta thing. It was very tasty…on to the concert!
The Chicago Theatre is very cool. Like the Fabulous Fox in St. Louis, it’s an olde-tyme, well-decorated palace that has delicious acoustics.
I couldn’t tell you the name of the first opening act, unless it was Mopey Folk Keyboard Singer with Forgettable Backup Band.
The next opening band was called The Fringe, and supposedly, they have a hit song. I got nothing, not for being old or anything; I just had never heard of them. And I’m old.
Then Mr. Folds came on. He has a new band. I don’t know their names, except they’re Australian.
The good news: Ben having a band back gives him a LOT more energy. For those of you that went to Ravinia, not only did we actually hear more energy, we even got to SEE more energy. The last few times, we saw him on his own, and while it was good, it was REALLY good to see some of the older songs played. His band took a break in the middle of the set, and he played on his own, including “The Last Polka,” my personal favorite on the first Five album. He also played “Summer, Where Ya Been?”, which I hadn’t heard yet live, so that was terrfic. He played for about an hour and 45 minutes, and suprisingly, our setlist did not include “Not the Same.” It’s probably because our crowd was unable to sing two parts during “Army.”
All in all, a terrific concert in a splendid venue.
Nov 03
2005
Tony| Category: General, School Daze, Unfortunately Serious, Music and Movies, Random |
People, people, people. I hear your clamouring. (Insert cricket sounds here.) I know that you’ve missed me, and my wonderful rantings. I would like to make it official:
I’m back.
Not in a Michael-Jordan-post-baseball-now-back-to-winning-championships-back, but back in the sense that ebjournalling may finally resume maintenance status, instead of dormancy. The last few weeks, while not completely hellacious, have been extremely busy.
To date (and eventually to be expounded upon):
I’ve been to two concerts, one Halloween party, and one memorial service, and this in the last 7 days. Did I mention I wrote my mock proposal for my thesis? Though only 9 pages, it was a different style of writing. I’m not pleased at all with how it sounds, so it will take a lot of work. If you’re really interested, you can read about it on the faux-portfolio page. Thankfully, I have a few weeks off from literacy/theory classes— the next class is technology. And then it’s Happy Harry Potter Thanksgiving! My favorite Eating Holiday (EH) However, now I have progress reports (AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!) and p-t conferences coming. Conferences are very challenging in the elementary setting because, I’M RESPONSIBLE FOR ALMOST EVERY SINGLE THING THEY LEARN ABOUT. We call that pressure, people. The kids may be seven, but they’re parents aren’t. So, that’s coming.
So, a lot is going on. Some tidbits until I can write coherently, and remember to use less formal speech:
Ben Folds is back. You may remember that he disappeared for a little while, but with his new band, he can play a wider variety of his repetoire. TLEMK and I enjoyed it a lot, and I would even consider staying out again ’til 1:00 a.m. on a mother-truckin'’ school night.
Guster: Short, but oh so good.
Picture me in curlers, Spongebob slippers, and TLEMK’s robe, carrying a teddy bear and a blanket. Oh yes, I wore that. And yes, there are pictures.
I went to a beautiful memorial service on Tuesday. It reaffirmed my faith in the human spirit.
So much to write about, but so tired. Going to OSU this weekend to watch the Illini get pounded, but then on to Uncle Len and Aunt Julie’s for some needed R & R.
More to come. I miss you, Internet. Until we meet again!
Sep 25
2005
Tony| Category: General, Music and Movies, Entertainment Tonight, Site-Based Management |
I’ve added another friend to the eb-roll. Her name is Dev. She rocks. Literally. As a drummer for an up-and-coming band, Dev is more talented and friendly than other soon-to-be rock stars. She comes from California, and calls this place I live in “the stupid I-state.” Secretly, I think she loves it. So secretly, she doesn’t even know it. Anyway, go read hers! Because she rocks. (LITERALLY.)
Aug 26
2005
Tony| Category: General, Music and Movies, Entertainment Tonight |
As if the other two blogs weren’t enough for you to devour, here’s one more.
Tonight I, along with the Lovely and Engaging Mrs. K. went on Date Night. Tonight, we went to Chili’s, and to see The 40 Year-Old Virgin.
Now, I like to laugh. Sometimes I suprise myself by laughing with a short HA! in the middle of the movie, especially when it’s a quick, thrown-in joke. Usually I’m the only one. Tonight, everyone was laughing. Because this is a FUNNY movie. Funny? Hilarious? Knee-slapping guffaws of jovial chortles? All of the above, my humor-minded readers. Please go see this movie. Steve Carrell and his sidekicks are great in this. The only reservation I had about the movie was that all the loose ends were tied up way too neatly. And after watching Broken Flowers last week, where nothing was really tied up, I’d like to see something in the middle. Some parts solved, some left open, especially not such minor subplots that they are not integral to the story’s denoument.
This beat Wedding Crashers by far, and the last five minutes had me giggling for so long, I eventually became weepy. It’s pretty close to Napolean Dynamite , and that’s saying a lot.
Now that I’ve said all that, you will probably be disappointed because I’ve hyped it up so much. So unread this, and then be pleasantly suprised, and the go back a reread this entry and be like, “Yo, T hit it on the head!”
Or just go read TLEMK’s story. It’s much better anyway.
Aug 19
2005
Tony| Category: General, Music and Movies, Entertainment Tonight |
Good evening, gentle readers, and welcome back to A Night on the Town. Tonight, we visit the loverly northwest suburb of Schaumburg.
Schaumburg is home to approximately 4.3 billion restaurants, and 7 parking spots. Get there early for good parking!
The Lovely and Engaging Mrs. K. and I had a date tonight. Yes, we’re keeping Date Night alive so long after our wedding. (“2 years is NOT that long.” –TLEMK) Tonight we began our date at Shaw’s Crab House. Take note, loyal subscribers, that Shaw’s Crab House is good. Very good. TLEMK, who is allergic to crab (and only crab, not other exo-sketal creatures that live under the sea) had two pieces of Califoria maki tonight with Alaskan King Crab. Usually, after eating crab (by accident) she bolts for the bathroom and spends the next three hours worshipping the porcelain gods in a way usually only reserved for mixing tequila, beer, and white zinfindel. However, tonight, she only got mildly nauseous. We’ll keep working on developing the resistence. After consulting the Shedd Aquarium’s handy-dandy pocket brochure* on what fish is safe to order without harming the world’s population (Thanks, Christie!), TLEMK decided on the seared tuna, while I got wild Alaskan salmon. Both were delicious, and combined with my Knob Creek Manhattan, we both achieved a high level of satiety.
Moving right along, after dinner we walked around The Streets of Woodfield. (motto: “But we’re REALLY close to Woodfield, and we don’t have good parking either!.) Then we went to see the new Bill Murray flick Broken Flowers I could go into a long-winded review of the movie, and Lord knows I like wind, but I will keep it brief. Without giving anything away, Murray’s character is on a search for his son, who may or may not exist. If you’ve seen Lost in Translation, it is a similar character for the faux Illini fan (THAT’S a rant for another day), and he continues to show some really good acting chops. It’s a movie you should see, but not necessarily go to the theatre to see.
And that concluded Date Night. It was great. Tune in next week on A Night on the Town, when it’s my turn to pick.
*You can find a simliar brochure here. Please print it out and keep it with you. I will now go back to hugging trees. (So barky…)
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Good luck to all you teachers out there this weekend!
Aug 14
2005
Tony| Category: General, Music and Movies, Entertainment Tonight |
Doesn’t school start soon? Yes, yes it does. So, what better way to finish off a pretty terrrific summer than by going to two concerts in one week? If you’ve been reading this (Hello, Arl Heights, whoever you are) you know that I recently attended the Ben Lee/Rufus Wainwright/Ben Folds Songwriterfest at Ravinia. Well, on Saturday, the Lovely and Engaging Mrs. K. and I went to see Coldplay at Alpine Vally Music Theatre, located in the heart of nowhere, Wisconsin. Instead of our usually tailgating before the concert, TLEMK and I decided that we would head to the Olson’s for a LOTR (Lord of the Rings, for those of you unfamiliar) Marathon. We made it through the first movie and a half before we left at 4:00.
Mapquest ™ said that it only should have taken us 90 minutes to get to Alpine from Chez Olson.
Mapquest Lies.
I knew that it was going to take longer than 90 minutes, but I figured two hours. We left at 4:00, and parked at 7:30.
Yes, three and a half (insert adjective here) hours to go 65 miles. Two main factors contributed to this length.
1) Rand Road (US RT 12) is torn up in the fancy-pants region of Deer Park/Lake Zurich. It took us about 30 minutes to get less than two miles.
2) Because of the snafu in Shopping Land, we ran into the dreaded parking traffic about a mile from our exit to the theatre. But oh no, it wasn’t just regular parking traffic; someone managed to get their car to break down, in the lane everyone needed to be in. (OF COURSE THAT JUST HAPPENED!). So, we waited for over an hour to get a mile down the road. Once the car was towed away, traffic started moving at it’s normal course. We parked very far away (bonus for later!) and headed to the lawn.
I had never been on the lawn at Alpine Valley. It was a fun experience. Thanks to insider information from Kenny, I knew where all the least-used bathrooms and concessions were, but alack! the spots where he said to sit were taken. So we sat the very top of the west hill, where we could gaze upon the masses, and still breathe easy.
Once we got settled in, the concert was great. Coldplay started at about 9. They sounded terrific, and played a good mix of their music. I’ve never been to an intimate band’s outdoor ampitheatre concert, so it was a little weird to try to feel groovy alt rock with 35,000 of my closest friends. The band did a nice job with their lights and themes, but I definitely felt a disconnect from what I was looking for. The night was beautiful, and beyond the too-earnest college kids trying to have deep meaningful conversations on the environement behind us, or the stumbling inebriated 19 year-olds, the crowd was great. However, covering Johnnie Cash’s Ring of Fire was a very nice touch.
Now, faithful readers, I’m about to tell you something. I really hope you don’t think any less of me, but since I like to be honest, I’m telling you this. And if you’re a good friend, you probably will chastise me thoroughly.
Because of the less-than-wonderful experience we decided to leave early. Yes, as the last song finished blaring, we left. No, not when the encore was done, when the last song of the set was done. We bolted for the parking lot, and along with other like-minded people, cruised out of Alpine without any sort of traffic worth mentioning. We made all the way back to Casa Del K in less than two hours, which is good time.
So, Saturday was a good day. Today is Laundry Day, and tomorrow officially starts full back-to-school mode, replete with organinzing books, and Tech Academies. Let the madness begin.
