http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com
Hi, all you animal lovers. This is pretty simple...
The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily to meet their quota of getting free food donated every day to abused and neglected animals.
It takes less than a minute (How about 20 seconds) to go to their site and click on the purple box "fund food for animals" for free. This doesn't cost you a thing.
Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
JetBlue | Free high-speed wireless from JetBlue
http://www.jetblue.com/about/whyyoulllike/about_betablue.html?source=tbs121307_main&sp_mid=916820
Taste the future of in-flight experience on JetBlue’s BetaBlue aircraft, an Airbus A320 with email and instant messaging services above 10,000 feet. These services are free to customers and provided exclusively by JetBlue and LiveTV™, Yahoo!®, and BlackBerry®.
Taste the future of in-flight experience on JetBlue’s BetaBlue aircraft, an Airbus A320 with email and instant messaging services above 10,000 feet. These services are free to customers and provided exclusively by JetBlue and LiveTV™, Yahoo!®, and BlackBerry®.
S. Koreans clone cats that glow in the dark
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071212/sc_afp/healthscienceskoreacloning
Headline says it all on this one...
Thursday, December 13, 2007
1 New Item on My Amazon Wish-list
(This blog entry was automatically generated by Multiply's Wish-list Cross-posting feature.)
Below are items recently added to my Amazon wish-list. If you are familiar with anything below and have any comments or alternate suggestions, please leave a reply.
Click here to see my full and current wish-list.
Below are items recently added to my Amazon wish-list. If you are familiar with anything below and have any comments or alternate suggestions, please leave a reply.
Click here to see my full and current wish-list.
 | Visual C# 2005 Demystified Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media Price: $8.07 Learn More |
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Interesting Pet Healthcare article
http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2007-12-10-pet-survey_N.htm
Article in USA TODAY today about how pet health care costs are high and people are willing to pay. I know from experience, when one of my pets was ill a few years back, there was no amount too large to help her get better.
Article in USA TODAY today about how pet health care costs are high and people are willing to pay. I know from experience, when one of my pets was ill a few years back, there was no amount too large to help her get better.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Vegas Multipliers: Sin City Brewing Co. Special
| Start: | Dec 10, '07 |
| Location: | Sin City Brewing Co, Miracle Mile Shops |
Sin City Brewing Co. will offer the $2 special on each of its four distinct beers - Sin City Amber, Sin City Light, Sin City Stout and Sin City Weisse.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
I am at the hair salon- right now
No, I am not emailing this blog in from my blackberry (although I hear Multiply offers that nifty feature). I am sitting at the color station (auburn if you are curious) and at the desks where you would normally find a mirror and hair supplies, there are computers. I have been surfing the web while my colorist applied color, and now I am blogging while the color sets... is that not totally cool? Here is where I am: http://www.moxiehairstudios.com/
just had to share that...
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Unplugging Appliances to Save Energy
I used to have a roommate many years ago who would unplug all of our appliances when they weren't in use. It actually bothered me because I would go to toast something and the toaster wouldn't work, until I finally started remembering to plug things in to use them. At the time, I believe she did this for safety, to prevent fires or electrical overloads, etc. Now that I have been living on my own, I have started to unplug appliances when not in use, but for a very different reason.
There are many resources out there on the net that explain this 'phantom load' issue, but here is some summarized info I have gathered.
The Bite
A "phantom load" is the energy that's sapped by appliances when they're plugged in, but not on. Use power strips or manually unplug DVD players, computers and cell phone chargers to save electricity from disappearing without a trace.
The Benefits
- Save big on your energy bills. In the average home, 40% of all electricity is used to power home appliances while they're turned off.
- Lower emissions. If all phantom loads in US homes were stopped, we could shut down 17 power plants.
- Power strips with surge protectors make it easy to "unplug" many appliances at once. Or buy a Smart Power Strip.
Overview
Believe it or not, many of the electronic devices in your home are quietly drawing electricity all the time, whether you are using them or not. It happens with stereos, televisions, microwaves, and many other appliances. As you can imagine, even small amounts of electricity multiplied by many millions of homes and appliances lead to staggering amounts of wasted energy when they are applied 24 hours a day. This energy use is known as standby power or vampire power (because it sucks your power in the middle of the night). Unlike mythological vampires, you don’t need garlic or wooden stakes to fend off this beast. You can simply unplug appliances that are not in use or buy a smart power strip that will do the work for you.
Tips & Tricks
Use a smart power strip. Because it’s not practical to unplug every appliance whenever you’re not using it, several companies have developed so-called smart power strips that do the job for you. They essentially monitor electricity use in each plug and shut off the ones that have been idle for a period of time. See below for details on where to get a smart power strip.
If you don’t have a smart power strip, unplug unused appliances. Even if you only unplug the ones with the highest standby power, this will still make a big difference. Use the references below to determine which of your electronic devices have the highest standby power (hint: TVs, VCRs, and stereos are among the worst culprits).
Smart power strips:
www.treehugger.com/files/2005/12/smart_power_str.php
www.treehugger.com/files/2006/12/cut_back_on_pha.php
So my toaster and coffee pot and even cell phone charger when not charging are all unplugged. I can't say I see a difference in my power bills, because month to month I run the air or heat differently so who knows... But I feel like I am saving energy/money so I keep unplugging...
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
FreeRice
http://freerice.com/index.php
For every vocabulary word you get right, they donate rice to help world hunger.
For every vocabulary word you get right, they donate rice to help world hunger.
Strike Chart: How Long Before Your Shows Go Dark?
http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Strike-Chart-Long/800026937?loc=interstitialskip
Good list on tvguide.com if you are curious how soon before you feel the effects of the writer's strike.
Good list on tvguide.com if you are curious how soon before you feel the effects of the writer's strike.
The Great Santa Run
| Start: | Dec 1, '07 08:00a |
| Location: | Downtown Las Vegas |
Vodka Latka V
| Start: | Dec 6, '07 8:00p |
| Location: | Tryst, Wynn Hotel |
The Comedy Festival - Ellen's Really Big Show
| Start: | Nov 15, '07 8:00p |
| Location: | Caesar's Palace |
Stretching out over four days, the Comedy Festival once again brings comedy's biggest stars and cutting-edge talent to Caesars Palace. HBO, AEG Live and title sponsor TBS will present multi-artist performances, tributes, stand-up, sketch comedy and live televised special events in a variety of venues within Caesars, including The Colosseum and the Roman Plaza amphitheater.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Zion National Park, 11/07-11/08
Most pictures are from the park. The buffalo pictures are from Mt. Carmel. The elk pictures are from Springdale.
Rock the Block on Fremont East
| Start: | Nov 17, '07 12:00p |
| End: | Nov 17, '07 5:00p |
| Location: | East Fremont, Downtown Las Vegas |
Famed rockers Flyleaf will headline the daylong music festival.
Rock the Block will feature additional performances by Smile Empty Soul, Franky Perez, Searchlight, Left Standing and Conflict of Interest. These bands will perform on the Jagermeister stage.
Food and drink will be available for purchase on site, as well as additional activities taking place within Beauty Bar and The Griffin throughout the day. Guests at Beauty Bar and The Griffin must be 21 years of age or older.
Fremont East is located at Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard in the world famous downtown area. Parking is available at any of the following parking garages: Neonopolis, Fremont Street Experience, Four Queens, Lady Luck or surrounding properties.
Fremont East from Las Vegas Boulevard to 8th Street will be closed to all vehicle traffic from 8 p.m. on November 16 through 5 a.m. Sunday, November 18 in order to accommodate this street celebration.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Neon Boneyard Museum
Took some vacation last week and finally made an appointment to tour the Neon Boneyard. This museum is run by a non-profit organization that collects (donations) of old Vegas Neon signs and restores them. See their website here: http://www.neonmuseum.org/boneyard.html.
It was very cool.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Vegoose Music Festival 2007
The 2007 Vegoose Music Festival was this past weekend (10/27-10/28). The lineup wasn't as great as last year, but we still had a good time. I do think I may be getting too old for 2 day music festivals :).
One bummer- they didn't allow professional cameras (i.e. cameras with removable lenses) unless you had credentials, so I couldn't bring my good camera and had to revert back to my 4mp Canon Powershot... but the photos are ok (just could've been better).
The lineup (*denotes bands we saw):
10/27
Gogol Bordello*
Lupe Fiasco*
Battles*
Blonde Redhead*
Mastodon
STS9
Atmosphere
Cypress Hill
Public Enemy*
The Shins*
M.I.A.
Queens of the Stone Age
Federico Aubele
Iggy and the Stooges*
Thievery Corporation*
Daft Punk*
10/28
Pharoahe Monch
ALO
Ghostface Killah
Robert Randolph and the Family Band
Ghostland Observatory*
Michael Franti and Spearhead
Infected Mushroom
Umphrey's McGee*
Muse*
Unkle*
Moe.
Rage Against the Machine*
I think my favorite was Muse, a band I wasn't even familiar with prior. The program compared them to Depeche Mode, but I heard DM, some Queen and maybe some Keane thrown in there. It was probably the best set beginning to end.
It was great to see Public Enemy live. The only bad thing was they were on at the same time as Cypress Hill (bad scheduling in my opinion) so we couldn't see both.
A lot of people were looking forward to Daft Punk. I was not that familiar with their music. It was good, but I still don't get the interest in seeing Electronic music live. They don't play instruments, they wear robot disguises and sit behind a booth and who knows what they are doing, possibly pushing the 'play' button on the CD player loaded with their album. Maybe if I was drunk I would have enjoyed the performance at the end of Day 1, but instead I was tired and wanted to go to sleep. The crowd enjoyed it though.
Rage sounded great. Photos from day two are limited because we sat further back and enjoyed the music more, rather than squishing up closer to the stages.
Albums purchased at the festival: 1 - Redhead Blonde. Never heard of them before, but the lead female singer had a really ethereal sound. I would say this music resembled Cocteau Twins a little bit.
All in all fun was had, but I need a week to recover.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Apple iPhone Contains 'Hazardous' Chemicals
http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/showArticle.jhtml;?articleID=202402995
Greenpeace claims that Apple's new iPhone contains "brominated flame retardants"
and other chemicals that can be harmful to the environment. "If Apple really
wants to reinvent the phone," says the environmental advocacy group, "it needs
to design out all hazardous substances."
Greenpeace claims that Apple's new iPhone contains "brominated flame retardants"
and other chemicals that can be harmful to the environment. "If Apple really
wants to reinvent the phone," says the environmental advocacy group, "it needs
to design out all hazardous substances."
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Urinetown The Musical
| Start: | Jul 22, '07 2:00p |
| Location: | Las Vegas Little Theater |
Bite of Las Vegas
| Start: | Oct 20, '07 12:00p |
| Location: | Desert Breeze Park |
Monday, September 24, 2007
North Las Vegas Hot Air Balloon Festival, 9/23/07
I went to the festival, then I left and drove around following the balloons... I felt like an ambulance chaser or pararazzi. I was turning down random streets and getting lost all around North Las Vegas, but got some good shots.
Frozen Fury X - Kings vs Avs 9/22/07
10th Annual NHL Frozen Fury, pre-season NHL game at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Like last year, it was rigged and LA Kings won in a shootout... :(
Friday, August 24, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Friday, July 20, 2007
Friday, July 6, 2007
Helping the Fight - Cancer Sucks
http://www.helpingthefight.com
My friend Gabrielle and her family have started this website to help their parents with the medical expenses they have incurred due to her mom's cancer. Check out the site and please help if you can.
=========================================================
from the site:
It all started when our mom, Shirley Lupe, was diagnosed with Stage III Breast Cancer. After numerous rounds of chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries our mom is still battling.
This past year and a half has been especially draining emotionally, physically and financially...so we decided to try to do something to help out.
We are taking donations to help with the medical expenses that our parents have incurred. With every $25 donation you get your choice of a women's babydoll tee, unisex t-shirt, a baseball cap or a lucky dog. The apparel is marked with our mantra, "cancer sucks".
We know our story is not unique, there are many moms, dads, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and friends out there "helping the fight" just as we are. For everyone involved,
Good Luck, and Thank You,
Debbie, Gabrielle, Kristin and Jordan
My friend Gabrielle and her family have started this website to help their parents with the medical expenses they have incurred due to her mom's cancer. Check out the site and please help if you can.
=========================================================
from the site:
It all started when our mom, Shirley Lupe, was diagnosed with Stage III Breast Cancer. After numerous rounds of chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries our mom is still battling.
This past year and a half has been especially draining emotionally, physically and financially...so we decided to try to do something to help out.
We are taking donations to help with the medical expenses that our parents have incurred. With every $25 donation you get your choice of a women's babydoll tee, unisex t-shirt, a baseball cap or a lucky dog. The apparel is marked with our mantra, "cancer sucks".
We know our story is not unique, there are many moms, dads, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and friends out there "helping the fight" just as we are. For everyone involved,
Good Luck, and Thank You,
Debbie, Gabrielle, Kristin and Jordan
Friday, June 29, 2007
Upper (west) Bristlecone Trail Hike
| Start: | Jun 30, '07 08:00a |
| Location: | Lee Canyon |
should be a good one... 6 miles. Yippy!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Frozen Fury 10: Avalanche vs Kings
| Start: | Sep 22, '07 |
| Location: | MGM Grand Garden Arena |
www.ticketmaster.com
YouTube - Hillary Clinton Sopranos Parody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BEPcJlz2wE
I am sure you all must have seen it already, but I didn't see it listed on Multiply yet, so here it is.
Monday, June 18, 2007
CineVegas 2007
Here are some miscellaneous photos from the 2007 CineVegas Film Festival. Check out the write up here.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
CineVegas 2007 Film Festival
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Movies |
| Genre: | Other |
Last year, my first experience with CineVegas, I attended a few movies, each by buying an individual ticket. A couple I was unable to see because they were sold out or waitlisted. This year, I decided to buy a pass. The local’s pass was an incredible deal. It included all the films, most of the evening parties (with to and from shuttle service), all panels and tributes, and the CineVegas lounge (which had free food and cocktails). Pass holders are granted access to the theaters before any ticket holders so I was able to see everything I wanted to without dealing with too many lines. I did miss some movies, but that was more because of my own conflicts (work and social).
Overall I would say the experience was amazing. I will definitely plan to do this every year (and maybe next year take some vacation time off work so I can enjoy the parties a little more). It isn’t just about seeing movies. Many of the screenings are followed by Q&A sessions with people involved in the film (including Directors, Actors, Writers and Producers). This behind the scenes look at the films is really exciting.
I attended the panel discussions for Charlize Theron and Sir Ben Kingsley (scheduling conflicts permitted me from attending the Anthony Hopkins and Mike Newell panels). When Charlize entered the room, I myself and the people sitting on both sides of me exclaimed ‘wow’. She was stunning, and seemed extremely intelligent too. They showed clips from a few of her upcoming movies (one in particular, Battle in Seattle, penned by her beau Stuart Townsend, looked terrific). Sir Ben Kingsley was absolutely entertaining. I didn’t know he could do so many impressions. He was extremely impressive and humorous in his story telling (and had Dennis Hopper chuckling quite a bit as well). I am a huge fan!
I attended the late night Q&A session with Dennis Hopper and David Lynch, prior to the screening of 1986’s Blue Velvet. I was thrilled to see the Bruce Campbell’s Q&A before and after his new film, My Name is Bruce.
There were parties and events every night, but I didn’t take any time off work, so attended only a couple, and only for a short amount of time. I did go to the Las Vegas Weekly hosted party at the top of the Stratosphere (I had never been up there before). Lots of food at this one… I also attended the party at the Beatle’s Revolution Lounge at the Mirage (mostly because I hadn’t been there before either).
The closing night party was a joint event between Vegas Magazine’s Anniversary and CineVegas’ closing. It was at the beach at Mandalay Bay. It was a huge and wildly ‘Vegas’ party. Katherine McPhee was the entertainment.
About the movies…
There were many I heard were great that I didn’t get to see for whatever reason. I picked and chose based on the brief synopsis, the schedule, maybe the cast, maybe the director/producer. I did my best to see as many as I could. I won’t say any were bad. I walked out on one, but I would guess it is someone’s taste, just not mine. Without further ado…
Look
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0810951/
CineVegas Synopsis:
There are approximately 30 million surveillance cameras in the United States capturing covert images of average Americans as much as 200 times a day. They’re watching in department stores, gas stations, changing rooms, public bathrooms—seemingly no one and nowhere is free from the dispassionate eye of the hidden camera. LOOK lets you do just that: several interweaving storylines are expanded over the course of a random week in a random city…with all action experienced from the point of view of the security cameras.
My Take: 5 stars. This was one of my favorites, and I was not alone. This film won the 2007 CineVegas Jury Award. It wasn’t even on my list to see, but a few people saw the first screening and told me it was a must. They were right. I thought it was going to be a documentary. It wasn’t. It’s a scripted film with actors. It is just all shown to us through the lens of surveillance cameras. And what those cameras catch, at times, is shocking.
Q&A Tidbit: The director said they actually tried to film it using real surveillance cameras, but the quality was too grainy. They filmed in high quality HD then added the noise to make it seem authentic.
Choose Connor
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0495026/
http://www.chooseconnor.com/
CineVegas Synopsis:
Fifteen-year-old Owen Norris (Alex Linz) wants to know how the world works…and he’s about to learn. Owen is at the top of his graduating middle-school class, has no friends and spends almost all of his time studying. But his boring suburban life changes when he meets Congressman Lawrence Connor (Steven Weber) and his young nephew Caleb.
Impressed by his intelligence and wit and seeing his budding friendship with Caleb, Connor offers Owen an entré into politics by acting as his “youth campaign spokesman” for the upcoming Senate primaries. What starts as a fun way to make some extra summer cash takes a turn as Owen learns some terrible truths about his erstwhile new profession.
My Take: 4 stars. My review of this film is slainted because I was so impressed with the writer director, Luke Eberl, who was all of 17 when he wrote this story. I added an extra star just for that. Also, Steven Weber (Wings, Studio 60) gives what I think is probably one of his finest performances as the candidate Connor.
Q&A Tidbit: The director and a bunch of the actors were present for the Q&A. The kids (ok, they were maybe 20) were so adorable and so talented. After the Q&A I ran into veteran actor Erick Avari and asked him what it was like filming with all these kids. He said, “Weren’t they incredible? Fuck em.” He was joking of course.
The Grand
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427998/
CineVegas Synopsis:
Following on his cult success of Incident At Loch Ness, director Zak Penn gives the mockumentary treatment to the overexposed world of professional poker in THE GRAND, the hilarious story of six poker players who make it to the final table of the world’s most famous high stakes tournament.
The stellar cast is led by Woody Harrelson, who is almost a parody of himself as a stoner prone to vices (75 marriages). He is about to inherit his dead grandfather’s casino, but only if he can win the tourney and get the casino away from real-estate developer and scene-stealer Michael McKean. Meanwhile, the king of cards might actually be a queen: Cheryl Hines steps into the spotlight and out of the shadow of her card shark husband Ray Romano and brother David Cross. Not enough fun for you? Then watch out for eternally cool tough guy Dennis Farina and über-director-turned-actor Werner Herzog, playing a man who must “kill a living thing every day.”
By the end, this simple-sounding poker comedy morphs into a portrait of the strains and bonds of family that turns out to be as intelligent as it is hilarious. The characters learn plenty, and not just about poker. You’ll definitely laugh, but the surprise is that you might even cry a bit.
My Take: 5 stars. This was my favorite of the festival. I am positive it will be coming to a theater near you. It has a huge cast of well known faces. I happen to watch poker on TV a lot and I think I enjoyed this even more because of that. It was a very ‘Christopher Guest’ type movie. If you know what I mean by that, then you should go see this film.
Q&A Tidbit: The final scene, the final table at the poker tournament, was played for real. The writer/director had multiple endings ready and no one knew which they would go with because it all depended on who actually (real life) won their fictitious poker game.
Eagle vs Shark
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0494222/
http://www.eaglevsshark.net/
CineVegas Synopsis:
Which is the more dangerous predator: an eagle or a shark? That's a trick question. Don't try to answer it. You'll have your own opinion by the end of Taika Waititi's deliciously tangy, deadpan feature debut about two colorful misfits thrown into each other's orbit.
Lily is one of those weird, sweet-natured girls with stringy hair who is quite lovely and charismatic under a surface of shy awkwardness. She cashiers at a fast-food joint and pines for Jarrod, the self-aggrandizing, clueless geek from the computer store across the way. Fiercely optimistic, Lily crashes Jarrod's animal/video-game extravaganza, impressing him enough with her shark suit and gaming prowess to score a hookup with Eagle Lord (Jarrod) himself. Soon Lily and her brother are driving Jarrod back to his hometown to confront his childhood nemesis. But here Jarrod's self-absorption blossoms so mightily that it may drive even the most adoring of girlfriends away.
My Take: 2.5 stars. It was cute, but it was a little quirky. And normally I like quirky but it was trying to be quirky and that isn’t good…
Broken English
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0772157/
CineVegas Synopsis:
Nora (Parker Posey) isn't broken; she just acts that way. She is actually sexy, funny, and creative, and her only fault is being cursed with that modern affliction of wanting more out of life than what others want for her. She must suffer quietly her best friend's "perfect marriage," a job she has outgrown, and a mother who constantly reminds her of it all. After yet another disastrous date, Nora meets Julian, a quirky Frenchman who won't take no for an answer, and they embark on a romance that could either be exactly what she needs…or send her over the edge for good. For Nora, the edge is not far away.
My Take: 4 stars. Add a star if you love Parker Posey (I do). I saw this one with a fellow single thirty something female friend of mine and unfortunately we both could relate :). This film is definitely a chick flick. My rating is directly tied to the fact that I empathize with the character. The plot is formulaic, but it works (because Posey pulls it off so well). I recommend it if you are a female 25+ and remember the difficulties of dating.
My Name Is Bruce
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0489235/
http://www.bruce-campbell.com/
CineVegas Synopsis:
Part BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, part INCIDENT AT LOCH NESS and part, yes, EVIL DEAD, MY NAME IS BRUCE is the story of the residents of Gold Lick, Oregon, who decide to kidnap EVIL DEAD star Bruce Campbell, who surely can help them defeat the evil monster (the Chinese God of War) that is terrorizing their small town.
Unfortunately, the belligerent, boozed up B-movie actor "Bruce Campbell" has no skills, so their shot at salvation seems to amount to nothing more than a monumentally bad idea. Yet, there may be hope for Campbell yet—if only he can find the faith in himself that the Gold Lickers have found.
My Take: I can’t rate it. I loved it, but I can’t rate it. First, it was a work-in-progress. The film wasn’t finished yet and parts still needed visual and sound effect work. Second, Bruce has a huge cult following (Army of Darkness, Evil Dead). These movies are ‘horror’, but funny horror- B movie horror. And this one is no different. The fact that Bruce Campbell plays the character of B Movie actor Bruce Campbell is awesome. He is self deprecating and egotistical and I loved it. But I would guess if you are not a follower of Bruce Campbell, you won’t get it. That’s ok. He has such a huge existing cult fan base; he isn’t trying to win you over.
Careless
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0834900/
CineVegas Synopsis:
Wiley Roth (Colin Hanks) finds a severed human finger in his kitchen one night. Understandably freaked out, Wiley and his best friend Mitch (Fran Kranz) set out across Los Angeles trying to solve the mystery of the finger. Along the way they come in contact with psychics, ineffectual police, crooked taxidermists, mysterious neighbors who might be drug dealers, and a nine-fingered woman named Cheryl (Rachel Blanchard) who might, improbably, be the girl of Wiley’s dreams.
My Take: 3 stars. This movie was ok. It wasn't great, but it wasn’t bad. It had me curious and it had some great casting (Tony Shaloub for one). Can I recommend it? I don’t know… ask me again in a couple months.
I Have Never Forgotten You: The Life & Legacy of Simon Wiesenthal
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0763852/
CineVegas Synopsis:
Only a few weeks after being released from the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria, Simon Weisenthal, originally trained as an architect, started on what would be his life’s work: finding and bringing to justice fugitive Nazis. He went after it with boundless enthusiasm and a passion to make sure we will never be allowed to forget.
This inspiring documentary comprehensively traces his life and career with a wealth of archival footage and revelatory interviews with his colleagues, family, and world leaders. Nicole Kidman narrates the story of his fascinating quest. Weisenthal helped bring to justice more than 1,100 Nazi war criminals and made plenty of enemies along the way, but it never deterred him. Oscar-winning director Richard Trank illuminates the core of Weisenthal’s being, what drove his search and kept him going. Combining the gripping mystery of a detective story with a haunting remembrance of the Holocaust, I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN YOU reveals Weisenthal’s courage, humility and jovial humor.
My Take: 5 stars. My only negative comment is that I forget to bring my Kleenex and I am sure my mascara was running down my face. It’s such a fascinating story and way they put together the footage was beautifully done. I knew of the story, but not this in depth, and I am so glad I know it now. If you get a chance, go see this documentary. It won the 2007 Audience Award for documentary.
In the Land of Merry Misfits
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457385/
http://www.zerogravityonline.com/misfits/
CineVegas Synopsis:
IN THE LAND OF MERRY MISFITS is a hilarious romp appropriately narrated by John Waters. Fearful of losing his gorgeous girlfriend—not to mention a cushy job with her wealthy father—Will Best hops in his old car and sets out to save his future. But when he opts for a shortcut through a mystical tunnel, his car breaks down and he becomes stranded in an alternate universe where a band of whimsical misfits believe he is “the chosen one,” sent to lead them in their quest to capture “the Grail of Popularity.”
My Take: Like I said in my intro, someone probably would like this movie, but not my taste. I tend to not like watching movies with characters that are, well, idiots. I didn’t watch Napoleon Dynamite, I don’t watch Jackass… you get the idea.
On the Road with Judas
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0484224/
CineVegas Synopsis:
On the Road with Judas is a film based on a real novel, written by a writer, played by an actor, about the real characters and the actors playing those characters in this story. It is also a delightful and fun romp about crime, love, and David Lee Roth.
Lask, the novelist, lives in two worlds, and both exist inside his mind. His characters are both "real" and "actors." His main character, Judas, is also a man living a double life as an entrepreneur and a petty criminal.
My Take: 5 stars. A couple I met while attending the festival told me they walked out on this film. I was shocked. I asked why. They said they came in 10 minutes late, were completely confused, thought it was horrible and then left. Well that actually made sense. This is not the easiest of films to sit in, especially on day 10 of a 10 day movie festival. But I am glad I made the effort. It is confusing. There are actors playing real people and actors playing the actors playing real people and a writer who wrote the story of the fictional real people and all of this while a TV entertainment show interviews them… all of them. So yes, it is confusing. But not beyond understanding and totally worth it in the end.
Q&A Tidbit: JJ Lask said he hates movies today. He says the stories are just handed to you on a plate- beginning, middle, end. And you as the viewer do not need to be involved in the story. Hearing him say this, after watching this confusing yet entertaining movie, made perfect sense. I told him I appreciated his work. I saw him again at the Vegas Magazine party. I would have bought him a drink, but, well, drinks were free :).
You Kill Me
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0796375/
CineVegas Synopsis:
Director John Dahl made his reputation with the hard-boiled, film-noir, one-two punch of RED ROCK WEST and THE LAST SEDUCTION. With YOU KILL ME, he takes characters that could have come from that genre but delightfully plunges them into a romantic comedy. The result is a quietly outrageous film that works on many levels.
Frank Falenczyk (Ben Kingsley) loves his job as the hit-man for his Polish mob family in Buffalo. But Frank's got a drinking problem and when he messes up a critical assignment, his uncle (Philip Baker Hall) sends him to San Francisco to clean up his act. Out on the Left Coast, Frank attends AA meetings and gets a job at a mortuary, where he falls for the tart-tongued Laurel (Téa Leoni), who is devoid of boundaries and clearly not mourning her stepdad's sudden passing. Meanwhile, things get worse in Buffalo, where an upstart Irish gang threatens the family business. When violence erupts, Frank is forced to return home, and Laurel follows him.
My Take: 4 stars. I want to give it 5 because I fell in love with Sir Ben Kingsley during the panel discussion, but that has really nothing to do with this film…so I will keep that star to myself. He was magnificent (like that is a surprise). His character, although a hitman, is extremely likeable and it is not surprising that Tea Leoni’s character falls for him. At times Kingsley’s character and this movie reminded me a little bit of that awesome 1994 movie ‘The Professional’ with Jean Reno and Natalie Portman. This is one reason I am not giving this movie 5 stars. These characters are likeable and the ending is happy and what more can you really ask for in a love story about a hitman…?
Q&A Tidbit: The director said this script has been floating around Hollywood for over 10 years. Ben Kingsley got his hands on it and decided to help produce it. Many people weren’t sure if a love story about an alcoholic hit man would fly with audiences. AND in addition, would a romance between Ben Kingsley and Tea Leoni be accepted. He asked if we liked it. We all clapped.
Throwing Stars
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0830681/
CineVegas Synopsis:
Four friends, one monkey and a dead guy. . . . A lot can change in a night.
What would you do for your best friends? Take a punch? Wreck your car? How about hide a body? Deftly mixing comedy and drama, Todd Breau’s THROWING STARS introduces us to Mark, Bobby, Laith, and Hutto, four buddies who do all of these things—and a lot more—over the course of one wild night.
Like so much trouble, it all starts with good intentions, as Mark’s friends band together to rouse him from a personal and professional funk. Unfortunately, their tools for therapy are their favorite childhood toys, the titular weapons better known as ninja accessories. So, as you might have already surmised, this leads to the inevitable and soooo clichéd feud with a crazed meth dealer/animal porn impresario. Then things start to get really weird.
My Take: 5 stars. I really enjoyed this movie. Apparently CineVegas audience members agreed because this movie won the Audience award for narrative film. It is the quintessential buddy movie. The chemistry between the 4 friends (and the monkey) was undeniable and you instantly felt that not only have they all been friends since childhood, but you have known them all along too. The comedy comes at you at unexpected moments and leaves you with a lasting smile on your face.
Q&A Tidbit: The director said he and the 4 actors hung out and partied together for a while before shooting began. He believes that is what helped with the realism of their friendship.
Blue State
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780486/
http://www.bluestatemovie.com
CineVegas synopsis:
While campaigning in Ohio for John Kerry in 2004, John Logue (Breckin Meyer) vows to move to Canada if George W. Bush wins the 2004 election. Bad idea. With the results tallied and Kerry’s concession speech in the can, John returns to San Francisco to find his job and girlfriend gone and his friends egging him on to keep his campaign promise. The liberal safe harbor group “Marry-A-Canadian” offers John their support, and before he knows it he’s on the road to Winnipeg, literally and figuratively.
My Take: 4 stars. This was very cute and I think I enjoyed it most because I could relate to the premise. I actually knew a few people that said they would move to Canada if Bush won the second term. Of course none of them did. That might be why this was so humorous, b/c the main character ends up following through with that promise and it is quite hilarious. In the end I liked this because it was about the ways you can take a stand or try to protest something and, not to spoil anything; I felt it was both inspiring and patriotic.
Penelope
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472160/
CineVegas Synopsis:
Penelope is a magical modern-day fairy tale about love and self-acceptance. It is the story of a young woman, Penelope Wilhern (Christina Ricci), born to wealthy socialites (Richard E. Grant and Catherine O’Hara). Penelope is afflicted by a secret family curse that has turned her face into that of a pig. But there is hope. According to family lore, the curse can be broken when she is loved by one of her own kind. Hidden away in the family’s majestic home, she is subjected to meeting a string of blue-bloods through her parent’s futile attempt to marry her off and break the curse. Each suitor is instantly enamored with Penelope (and her sizable dowry). . .until her face is revealed.
My Take: 5 stars. This was absolutely wonderful. I am certain this will be in general release soon. It was an adorable tale about love and self acceptance for all ages. The cast of characters were terrific. Reese Witherspoon stood out in a role uncharacteristic for her (she also produced the film). It was delightful and could be a good date movie or a great family movie.
Blue Velvet
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090756/
CineVegas synopsis:
When a college student returns to his hometown, he finds a severed ear and decides that finding the owner will take some sleuthing of Sherlock Holmes proportions. What he finds instead is a sensual woman and a group of evil misfits, and his world is changed forever.
My Take: 4 stars. This 20 year old movie is a cult classic and I feel strange even rating it. I hadn’t actually seen it before and was really glad to, not only see it on the big screen, but also enjoy a Q&A with David Lynch before the screening. This movie holds up after all these years and has David Lynch written all over…
I took some pictures. They are here.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Morrissey - Please Please Please
Morrissey, June 9th, Pearl Theater at the Palms, Las Vegas
Sooo glad he did this one.
Morrissey - How Soon Is Now 2
Morrissey, June 9th, Pearl Theater at the Palms, Las Vegas
I started thinking, did I listen to Morrissey/Smith's in college because I was depressed, or was I depressed because I listened to Morrissey/Smith's..?
"There's a club that you like to go...
You could meet somebody who really loves you...
But you go and you stand on your own
and you leave on your own
and you go home and you cry and you want to die..."
Morrissey Concert
June 9th, 2007
Pearl Theater at the Palms, Las Vegas
When I saw Morrissey in DC a couple years ago, I got a lot of feedback on my review. This time, no review. The concert was just as awesome as the last one (although he did less old stuff and more new stuff). This time I did bring a camera and this time I took pics and video for all you Moz fans that won't be able to make this tour.
I tell you, his voice is still sooo perfect.
There was a guy standing next to me and he leaned over and said it took him right back to college. He said he was class of '85. Morrissey takes me right back to college too. You can't help but lose yourself to the music and the moment (isn't that an Eminen lyric...).
Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the photos and videos.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Ocean's 13 Red Carpet - CineVegas Film Festival
Ok, so as you will see in these pictures, I was definitely not positioned for taking photos. I didn't even plan on staying- I happened to be at the Palm's picking up my CineVegas passes and the red carpet thing was about to start. I had my old camera with me so I went outside, among the 100's and 100's of people. I was definitely glad I stayed. Saw Clooney, Pitt, Damon, Cheadle, Garcia, Barkin... BUT picture taking was a different story. Lots of heads and arms in most of the pictures. Below are the best of the batch. I didn't stay for the premiere since it was a $2500 ticket benefiting Not on Our Watch - for Darfur. http://www.cinevegas.com/news/2007/050907-o13.html
Bruckheimer In Talks For NHL Team In Vegas
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/index.cfm?storyid=SBD2007060613&requesttimeout=500&fuseaction=sbd.main
I know from previous Multiply posts, most of you no longer care about hockey. I however still do (although it is hard when Anaheim wins the Cup over Ottawa)... but anyway- article again raising possibility of NHL expansion team coming to Vegas. Fingers crossed....
I know from previous Multiply posts, most of you no longer care about hockey. I however still do (although it is hard when Anaheim wins the Cup over Ottawa)... but anyway- article again raising possibility of NHL expansion team coming to Vegas. Fingers crossed....
Friday, June 1, 2007
Montelago Village Wine Walk and Jazz at the Lake
| Start: | Jun 23, '07 1:00p |
| Location: | Lake Las Vegas |
MTV 'Unplugged' reborn with Police, Bon Jovi
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/music/news/e3ic259d160e5a52774d5877e7063a54597
MTV's on-again, off-again "Unplugged" program will return in a big way this summer, with new episodes featuring the Police, Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney, Mary J. Blige and John Mayer. This time around, however, the show will be rolled out on a variety of related channels and platforms, including VH1, CMT and MTV.com.
MTV's on-again, off-again "Unplugged" program will return in a big way this summer, with new episodes featuring the Police, Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney, Mary J. Blige and John Mayer. This time around, however, the show will be rolled out on a variety of related channels and platforms, including VH1, CMT and MTV.com.
National Doughnut Day, 6/1
http://sev.prnewswire.com/food-beverages/20070529/NYTU00529052007-1.html
It's National Doughnut Day, and, in honor of the holiday, Krispy Kreme locations are giving customers a free doughnut of their choice.
It's National Doughnut Day, and, in honor of the holiday, Krispy Kreme locations are giving customers a free doughnut of their choice.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Badlands Wednesday Golf League Kick off
| Start: | Jun 13, '07 5:00p |
| Location: | Badlands Golf Club |
Monday, May 28, 2007
Bellagio - New Camera
I have been saving my money for a new SLR camera and I finally got it - YAY! I went all out. Canon Rebel Xti 10 MP, added on a telephoto zoom (75-300), added on an additional flash...
I went down to Bellagio yesterday morning just to play around with the new camera. I need to read the book- and boy do I have a lot to learn, but looking forward! Anway, here are a few of my first practice shots...
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Waitress
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Movies |
| Genre: | Romance |
I chose the genre Romance, but Comedy would have worked too. This movie is the story of small town waitress Jenna, played by Keri Russell of Felicity fame. She is stuck in a horrible marriage with a real loser of a husband (played by Six Feet Under's Jeremy Sisto). Her one true joy is baking pies, which she does regularly. The diner she works at it called Joe's Pie Diner. Throughout the movie she creates (or imagines creating) new pies with crazy names like "I-Hate-My-Husband Pie".
This is what I would call a chick flick- BUT the men in the audience laughed and enjoyed it as much as the women. Probably a perfect date movie.
Personally I would have enjoyed anything including 104 minutes of Nathan Fillion (male costar- known to me from Firefly [TV] and Serenity [Film]). His character, that of the new town doctor, is so charming and kind, the audience completely falls for him along with Jenna.
The co starring roles of the other two waitresses, Cheryl Hines and Adrienne Shelley (who wrote and directed the film) added so much flavor. And I especially liked Andy Griffith as the diner owner, Joe. This was a terrific role to see Griffith in, as an old grumpy wise curmudgeon who wins us over in the end, just like most of the characters do.
The main premise of this story however, and not really a spoiler, is when Jenna realizes she is pregnant. She doesn't want to be a mom, but not having the baby is never even considered as an option. The film in the end is really about what a woman goes through in those nine months, and the love story really becomes that of mom and child.
You will laugh and you will cry and you will enjoy this movie. I am sure of it...
On a sad note, the writer/director/co-star, Adrienne Shelley, was murdered in October 2006, and never got to see the success of her semi-autobiographical film.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Friday, May 4, 2007
Yahoo is shutting down Yahoo Photos
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20070504/flickr04.art.htm
Yahoo is shutting down Yahoo Photos- for years, the No. 1 or No. 2 most-visited photo site on the Web. Its users will be directed to move their pictures to Yahoo’s upstart, Flickr.
I think they should move them to Multiply!
Yahoo is shutting down Yahoo Photos- for years, the No. 1 or No. 2 most-visited photo site on the Web. Its users will be directed to move their pictures to Yahoo’s upstart, Flickr.
I think they should move them to Multiply!
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Folks Visit Vegas, 4/07
My parents came to visit me this past weekend, to extend my birthday festivities even more. We had a great time. Golfed at Paiute and visited Lake Las Vegas. The weather was unseasonably warm (mid to upper 90's). Fun was had by all.
Monday, April 16, 2007
April showers bring April rainbows
When I opened the shades in my home office this morning, around 6:30 am PST, I noticed some drizzle outside. Then I looked up to the mountains, grabbed my camera and went out onto my front porch to shoot these pictures. It was gone after about 15 minutes.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Political Brush
On my flight back from DC last night (3/23), I sat one row behind Dennis Kucinich. I recognized him immediately, but the tall leggy red head he was with was throwing me off. Didn't look the kind of lady a presidential hopeful would be hanging out with. Did however look like someone on the way to Vegas would hang out with. I later found out (i.e. had email from a friend when I landed) that this was his wife...
As we walked on the jet way, I reached out my hand to him. I wanted to ask him his view on Global Warming and the current state of environmental affairs. I wanted to ask him his thoughts on the Iraq situation and the 'War on Terror'. I wanted to ask him if he really thought announcing his plan to run for president (as a dem) again in '08 made sense.. but all I said was "Jodi Gersh, Pleasure to meet you Mr. Kucinich."
The ironic thing I guess was I was holding a bag with an Obama in '08 T-shirt in it...
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Lord Stanley's Cup
Finally, after missing it the last two times it came to our building, on a coincidental business trip to DC, I got to see/touch it. For anyone who might wonder, sometimes it comes to USA TODAY (where I work) to the Sports section... a crowd always gathers...
Probably most of you know I am a bit of a hockey fan. Well over the last few years, Lord Stanley's Cup has visited my DC office and each time I have, for some uncool reason, not been around.
Now I no longer work in the DC office and have moved to Las Vegas, and this week's DC business trip was definitely NOT fun- BUT it ended up turning around in a heart beat when I received the best email ever on my cell phone- it said only "The Stanley Cup is on the 2nd floor- Sports Section".
I was in DC for a week long conference and a huge migration (purposely coordinated to overlap to make my week a slight hell). I jumped out of my seat (in the middle of a sales presentation) and told the coordinator there was an emergency, and that I would be right back.
I was actually shaking, getting a little sweaty, giddy like a school girl. I jumped in the elevator, got out on the 2nd floor and there was the crowd.
I didn't have my camera with me, so next I called our Art Director and I said "Casey- I have an emergency. The Stanley Cup is here on 2, and I have no camera." He got a hold of the deputy photo editor and they raced over. They all know how important the Stanley Cup is to me. When I left the DC office last year, they made a spoof USA WEEKEND Cover for me, where I am on the cover with Sidney Crosby of the Penquins...
I didn't want to leave the cup. I knew I had to get back to the meeting, but I also knew I most likely would never touch or see the cup in person again....
Anyway I am sitting at the airport after a ridiculous week of running around and stressing... and I am finally getting some time to look at the pictures and relive that incredible moment.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Hiking at Red Rock, 2/07 and 3/07
First set of photos from February hike. We saw big horn sheep this time. very cool. Second set from March with Las Vegas Hiking Club.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Give a book!
http://www.seussville.com/CITH_50th/index.php?page=ecard
The folks at First Book have partnered with Random House and the widow of Dr. Seuss to give away books to needy kids in honor of the Cat in the Hat's 50th birthday.
All you have to do is go to their site, send an electronic birthday card to the Cat and, presto, a needy kid gets a free book. It takes two seconds.
The folks at First Book have partnered with Random House and the widow of Dr. Seuss to give away books to needy kids in honor of the Cat in the Hat's 50th birthday.
All you have to do is go to their site, send an electronic birthday card to the Cat and, presto, a needy kid gets a free book. It takes two seconds.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Starbucks Big Brother
I go to Starbucks. It's not an addiction. Not to caffeine anyway (most of the time I order decaf). I like the familiarity of it. Like any city, any country I am in, my decaf non-fat latte is gonna be there for me.
But that is not what this blog post (rambling) is about. Sometimes I get a little delusional. Not in a bad way (I think). It makes the day more fun when you let your mind wander and think silly thoughts.
Anyway, recently I was at a Starbucks early one morning. It wasn't my usual Starbucks, which might be what started the whole delusion. I was at the Starbucks on Paradise, at Harmon (across the street from the Hard Rock Hotel as a point of reference for you that do not live in LV). I was trying to remember if I had any money left on my favorite Starbucks card (I have 3 cards, but this one is special to me b/c it was a gift and it's registered at starbucks.com - I've been adding money to it for over a year now). I gave the card to the lady and after hearing the $0 balance, I added $40 to it. I then got my latte and my day went on.
Now here is where the delusion (or whatever you want to call it- rambling of my mind, whatever) begins. Later that day, on my way home from hiking at Red Rock, I stopped at the Starbucks drive-thru at Charleston. I was in the mood for sweets, so I got a grande no-whip java chip light frappacino. So yummy.
Later that evening, on my way to a hockey game at the Orleans, I was very sleepy. So we stopped at another Starbucks drive thru and I ordered an iced grande non-fat caramel macchiato.
Here's the delusion. At some point during the day, I decided that the people at Starbucks know me. I don't mean at the store. I mean at STARBUCKS. Like, when I added the $40 to my registered card, they (you know, Starbucks Big Brother) were like "oh- she already blew through that $50 from a couple weeks ago and she's adding more money again... and what the heck is she doing over at the Paradise Starbucks? She's never been to that one before."
Then, in the afternoon, "wow- a two visit day. and a frappacino too- must be off her diet."
Then in the evening, "Call the Starbucks patrol, we got a live one.. a three visit day, all different drinks...".
Is that weird?
Monday, February 26, 2007
InBusiness Magazine 40 under 40
| Start: | Mar 1, '07 6:00p |
| Location: | Silverton |
http://www.inbusinesslasvegas.com/specialpubs.html
http://www.inbusinesslasvegas.com/specialpubs/4040_2007.pdf
Friday, February 16, 2007
Mystery Killer Silencing Honeybees
http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/0207Honeybees07-ON.html
I heard about this on the local news and it sounded like a big deal to me, so I looked for some national news stories, but surprisingly couldn't find any. This is a link to a local paper in AZ. If you search yahoo or google news for 'honey bee death' you will find many local news stories about it.
I find it kind of a big deal. Honey bees are responsible for pollinating a ton of crops each year. It's estimated that 40 percent of commercial honey bee colonies are already lost... read on.
I heard about this on the local news and it sounded like a big deal to me, so I looked for some national news stories, but surprisingly couldn't find any. This is a link to a local paper in AZ. If you search yahoo or google news for 'honey bee death' you will find many local news stories about it.
I find it kind of a big deal. Honey bees are responsible for pollinating a ton of crops each year. It's estimated that 40 percent of commercial honey bee colonies are already lost... read on.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Age-O-Matic
http://www.careerbuilder.com/age%2Do%2Dmatic/
Upload a photo of yourself to Careerbuilder's Age-O-Matic, answer a couple questions, then it will show you what your job will make you look like when you get older. Not perfect, but still pretty funny.
Upload a photo of yourself to Careerbuilder's Age-O-Matic, answer a couple questions, then it will show you what your job will make you look like when you get older. Not perfect, but still pretty funny.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Friday, February 9, 2007
time to smell the coffee
I am not a blogger, although I used to be a 'journaler' (I made that word up), but here's a short entry for you all.
I have been very stressed and strained recently at work. I realized I am in that mode of reactive living, rather than proactive living. This goes against my annual assumed new year's resolution of living life purposefully. Therefore today, on this beautiful Friday afternoon (beautiful in Vegas anyway) I am rededicating myself to that goal.
Here are some quotes I always turn to. I am sure I have posted them sporadically through my site over the years, but I hope today they help you all to remember to take time to smell the coffee and to live a life of purpose.
|
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
UFC 67 at Mandalay Bay Feb 2007
I was offered a ticket to the Ultimate Fighting Championship at Mandalay Bay this past weekend and since my first boxing match last year was such a success, I figured it could be fun. It was fun, but I am definitely more a fan of boxing. There were 9 fights in all.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Friday, February 2, 2007
Hiking at Red Rock, 1/07
Went hiking with Gabrielle. I don't remember the name of the trail, but it was a few miles- it was good. and as always, beautiful!
Clocks' Early Spring Forward May Bring About a Few Falls
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/31/AR2007013102318.html
Good WaPo article about how the early change in Daylight Savings this year can have an affect on computer systems (think smaller level Y2K).
Good WaPo article about how the early change in Daylight Savings this year can have an affect on computer systems (think smaller level Y2K).
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Monday, January 8, 2007
Just your average weekend in Las Vegas
So I was reflecting on this past weekend and thought I would write a quick post. When I first decided to move to Las Vegas, there were plenty of jokes (like was I going to become a showgirl or blackjack dealer, do I take my laptop and work at the craps table, etc.). But this weekend is a good example of how people have a skewed view of Las Vegas.
Starting with Friday night, I went to a Las Vegas Wranglers Hockey game. They lost (3-2), but it was close and they almost tied late in the third. It's a small arena (Orleans Arena, behind the Orleans hotel) and they do a fairly good job selling the place - more than half full- better than the Washington Capitals used to do.. :). Most of the people are Wrangler's fans- wearing the jersey's of their favorites Wrangler's player. A lot of people, like myself, are just hockey fans looking for local action, wearing the Jersey's of their favorite NHL teams.
Sitting at the game, you would not even realize you were in 'Sin City' (not until you leave the building and see the lights of the strip outside the arena).
Saturday morning I went hiking with a friend at Red Rock. We choose, of the many trails, Pine Creek, which started on a dirt trail and ended up deep in the canyon, scrambling on rocks, near ice box canyon, where waterfalls flowed and trickling streams rolled by. We were out there for about 3 hours.
Saturday night, a friend of mine asked me if I would go see a band (she is friends with the keyboard player). She mentioned they were a country cover band. I am not a fan of country, but I like live music so I decided to go. The bar they were playing at, Gilley's, inside the Frontier, is a country western bar. No- really. There was a mechanical bull, which 2 of my girl friends decided to ride. The dance floor was full of cowboy hat wearing men and ruffly shirt wearing women doing the two step. The band was great, but you seriously felt like you walked through a portal into another world. I would say most of the people there were Vegas locals, but this bar apparently packs in the tourists when the rodeo and the bull riding competitions hit town.
I had a great weekend- didn't drop a coin in a slot or roll a die.. Vegas is so much more than the casinos (even more than the shows and events), obviously much more than the above as well- but just wanted to give a glimpse for y'all. Yee haw.
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
PSA- Car and Identity Theft
http://www.sheriff.org/videos/psa_cartheft.html
I thought this was a good PSA- especially about locking your car while pumping gas. I do this and people think I am paranoid... I would rather be paranoid than the victim of theft.
I thought this was a good PSA- especially about locking your car while pumping gas. I do this and people think I am paranoid... I would rather be paranoid than the victim of theft.
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