Vegas Photography Christmas Day 2006

Escalator Series i (Vegas 12/25/06)

First of my escalator series.

5 things you may not know about me

Following suit- here are mine

5 things

 

1- I studied Opera in college.

 

2-  I had arthroscopic surgery on my jaw in 1992 (thus ending my Opera career- well, that and the fact that I wasn't good).

 

3- I don't want kids (and up until recently didn't really like them either).
Every one has told me, from the time I was young myself, that I would change my mind when I got older.  Nope.  I was never a baby sitter and I have always been uncomfortable around children (exact opposite of my kid-magnet brother).  Now that I am an aunt, I do like babies more than I used to, but I still don't want any of my own.

 

4- I have always dreamed of singing the National Anthem at a major league sporting event

 

5- I have randomly been on TV numerous times.
I was on some Dr. Ruth special with my high school class council, something about teens and sex.  I was on the news several times, for school things a couple times and once when my work was profiled for local business segment.  I was sitting front row at a Jimmy Kimmel talk show taping and the band came and sang to me and my friend.  Most recently I was on the security line at the Denver airport and they were filming something about a change in security, and of course they filmed my entire check in process (I never saw it, but friends across the country told me they did)... it's kinda weird.

Rocky Balboa

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Drama

Last evening Sylvester Stallone and Planet Hollywood (Aladdin Hotel) hosted a huge affair for the Vegas Premiere of Rocky Balboa (portions of the picture were filmed in Vegas).

I am giving this film 5 out of 5 stars. First off, because I enjoyed it much more than I had expected. Second, because I can’t think of anything that would have made it better.

This film had a lot of potential to be bad. What I mean by that is a successful franchise like Rocky, which hasn’t seen a picture since 1985, comes out with a modern tale of an aging boxer that gets a second chance. C’mon. Yet it was extremely realistic. Rocky’s simple character is still so full of heart. There are many flashes to the earlier films (not flashbacks, rather flashes) and it is so well done, you feel all the history. You get invested in this character so quickly because of that history. You immediately relate, rather than having to spend too much time on character development.

Could this film be successful as a stand alone film, if you have never seen any Rocky movies? Well, it is hard for me to say, because I am biased from seeing the other films. It probably wouldn’t get 5 out of 5. A lot of what makes this picture so good is the play on the previous films.

Obviously without giving anything away, when Rocky decides to train, and first suits up for his run, the extremely familiar Rocky theme blasting out of the movie speakers, most of the audience began to clap. I think everyone shifted a little in their seats to, like they were preparing for the next phase of his life.

I would recommend renting 1976’s original Rocky first, before going to check out Rocky Balboa. I think it will add to the overall enjoyment of this new film.

After the screening, Sly and Planet Hollywood hosted an after party that was a who’s who of the boxing world. But, since I have no idea who is who in the boxing world, it was wasted on me (Aaron Pryor, Vito Antuofermo, Ron Lyle, Lonnie Smith, Tim Witherspoon, Gerry Cooney, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Ken Norton, Emile Griffith, Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, Iran Barkley and Hedgemon Lewis among others). I did see David Hasselhoff and Carrot Top, so it was all good :).

I think Rocky Balboa is the perfect movie for this time of year. A ton of heart, a good story and likeable characters… what more could you ask for.

San Diego and Legoland

I got to visit with my brother, sister-in-law and nephew for the past few days in San Diego. My friend Shari drove from LA to join us at Legoland. Although Charlie was too young for some of the attractions, I think he had a good time. I know I did!!

A Newspaper Chain Sees Its Future, And It's Online and Hyper-Local

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/03/AR2006120301037.html
Interesting article in the Washington Post about an experiment Gannett is trying, focusing on web first, before print, for it's many newspapers and publications.

Miscellaneous Photography

If you ever bought same day discount show tickets in NYC, you know this fence.

Misc pictures from the past couple years

Light to Unite : Dec 1st, World AIDS Day

https://www.lighttounite.org/
Dec 1st is World AIDS day. Bristol-Myers is donating a dollar to AIDS research every time someone goes to their website and moves the match to the candle and lights it. Please forward this to your friends. Do a good deed and light this candle for more funds to be donated for research to stop this horrid disease.