ad hoc.

Back on June 1.

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Everclear are still truckin’, and just released a new album, but their days are over and will always truly remain a band of the 90s.

Homophobic remarks on late night talkshows really piss me off. Why just those? There are homophobic remarks made all the time on tv. Ugh. I think it is because David Letterman and Jay Leno are so desperate for laughs they’ll do anything despite who it offends. And they’re so fucking ignorant and out of touch. And they don’t even write their own shit! Dave prefers calling people “androgynous freak shows” and Jay asks guests to give their best gay face. At least Ryan P. took the high road and wouldn’t so it.

SBC Cohen is out and about filming the Bruno movie and I for one am extemely excited. One, I find Bruno to be the funniest among his three main characters. Two, anything to see SBC in tight pants.

Is anyone else totally over the Getting Over Sarah Marshall ad campaign? This movie seems way overrated and pretty sad. And also obnoxious. Behold, in the BART station:

I love Berkeley! Someone (not me) wrote this:

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When Poison ruled the world…and my pants. It’s painful to watch Rock of Love now, knowing what once was.

I wanted to give a synops of my trip to Vegas, even though though was a while ago. I was a little cautious about going, I thought my head would explode when I got there. You know what? I loved it. Although I had to throw away every principle and moral that I had.

On the plane, I was a little nervous. The plane was empty and most of us were traveling alone. Of course, I had an excuse, but I wondered what the other people were up to. The guy next to me on the plane was already drunk and was trying to enlist me in his conspiracy for him to keep his luggage on the seat next to him, which I wanted no part of.

I was nervous about my hotel, which I had booked online because it was cheap so I had no idea what that would mean. However, The Flamingo was pretty rad. Although, they did have a courtyard with wild birds and flamingos roaming free. What the fuck? I am sure the animals had a very fulfilling life being their for the sole purpose of midwestern tourists and gazing out on the beautiful buffet. Whatevs.

I did some hardcore hotel hopping after that. Actually, it was kind of a goal of mine to relive the movie Showgirls, but I didn’t realize until I got there that the Stardust Hotel was torn down! Oh, the horror! Oh well. I did get to the Forum Shops at Ceasar’s Palace, where “Ver-sayce” was located, as well as the restaurant that Nomi first flirted with Crystal. By the way, that place was insane with all the statues and over the top shit. There was even an animatronic show in the fountain in the center of the mall. I do appreciate the historical accurate by calling it “The Forum” because in ancient Rome that was the marketplace. Again, did anyone there actually appreciate it? Probably not. Speaking of historical accuracy, in Caesar’s palace, they had supposed statues of Julius Caesar, but I am pretty sure they were of Augustus (thank you, Art History 101). I wasn’t about to alert the manager. I also think they should add hot men walking around dressed in gladiator costumes. I filled out a comment card, don’t worry.

The other hotels are ridiculous. The theory of Vegas is “how much money can we possibly spend on something that is completely useless?” I think the entire facade of the New York New York Hotel would feed the inhabitants of a small country for about 50 years. By the way, I was expecting that hotel to be a total stereotype and just serve pizza and bagels, but their recreation of a New York Street was pretty cool- including the Asian landromat (?). Oh, there was also a Coyote Ugly bar in there. Probably the saddest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. You could by a thong/t-shirt set that says “I danced on the bar at Coyote Ugly.” If you need a t-shirt to remember that, you know your life is in shambles.

The fountains at the Bellagio were ridiculous and actually gave me the chills! Okay, that is what enchanted me about Vegas. That and the absence of children, and maybe the hooker catalogs. The Venetian- crazy! I wasn’t able to take a romantic gondola ride underneath the highway overpass. You all know how I feel about themes- I love them! I spent a while thinking of themes for new hotels. I had already mused about a Sweet Valley High themed hotel, but someone mentioned a Moulin Rouge themed hotel, which would blow my mind.

Oh, back to my quest to relive showgirls. I don’t the Cheetah strip club is a real place, but I wasn’t about to go searching for a seedy place like it (I refused to leave The Strip). So, I wanted to see a show similar to the fictional Goddess, so why not Fantasy at the Luxor? I figured it had to be the closest thing, and it would be high class because it was at The Luxor, right? First off, the big pull that they were advertising was that it is choreographed by Chris Judd, aka. the former Mr. Jennifer Lopez. Well, first off, I had to point out the impracticalities. There was a cowboy scenario- how comfy is it to ride a horse without a bra? Also, that ski outfit is useless if you’re going to wear it topless. Really now. Of course, there was a male comedian that did homophobic, unfunny vignettes during the “costume changes” but the women were never allowed to talk. I think watching it revoked my women’s study degree.

Oh yea, I also attended a pesky conference that got in the way of my fun. For those nights I stayed at the Imperial Palace, and I have PTSD from staying there. I don’t know if it was the ten-count sheets, the horribe Asian stereotypes (the “Geisha Bar” and the “Sake Bar”) or the fact that my room overlooked a courtyeard where a Jimmy Buffet cover band played until 3am, but it gave me the fucking creeps. The only good thing were the “Dealertainers” who did celeb impressions and dealt blackjack! My favorites were Ricky Martin and Bette Midler. Shakira was kind of a bitch.

The last night I wanted to see something “typically Vegas” so I went to see Jubilee at Bally’s. I figured that it had all the ridiculous sets, over the top numbers, and ridiculous costumes. It had all that, and more boobs too. I didn’t realize it was topless. So I accidentally saw two topless shows in Vegas. Oh well.

I miss Vegas. Nothing really seems the same. I cursed and chain smoked the whole time I was there and I kind of miss that too. Oh, I also won $150 at the Penny Pagoda slots at the Imperial Palace.

The conference I attended was total crap. Someone referenced Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus as a source for their material. ‘Nuff said.

Um, don’t think so. My phone has a video camera so expect about a hundred more videos of her.

I do feel for people whose favorite show gets cancelled (I still hold memorials for both Roswell and Living Dolls), but please, just let it die. Even if they do make another season, the production will be crap because no one will throw support around it. Also, there are starving people somewhere. Look into it.

Hubba-hubba.

Help in finding the teen novel that is right for you.

Wtf. Another semi-decent book turned into a mediocre movie.

I changed the template again because some of you were having trouble viewing the youtube videos. And some other formatting stuff.

I think I might be dead inside because I was in a full theater for a showing of Juno and there was sniffles and tears near the end. Uh, what? It was not a movie that at all touched me. In fact, I thought everything about it was trying too hard. I think it was trying to be a female version of Napolean Dynamite, with it taking place in a small midwestern town with a quirky teenage lead who utters one liners that the promoters are trying waaaayyyy to hard to make catchphrases. The writing was totally bad, with things happening for no reason. Michael Cera was supposed to be a lead? His characer was barely in it, and really didn’t add much to the story (but was adorable, of course). Boom, Juno was suddenly in love with him for no reason why. The whole Vanessa/Mark thing resolved waaaaay to easy, like suddenly they have a fight and then suddenly she’s having a nice glass of wine and he’s all “so, divorce, that’s all settled.” For a short time I thought she was going to suddenly decide to keep the baby after all, and if that happened I may have stormed out. At least she still gave it up. I think this was still a subversive anti-abortion message veiled in a hipster indie film, much like Knocked Up.

Speaking of Judd Apatow, someone needs to tell him he is not god’s gift and to stop greenlighting his movies- my next stop on my holiday movie marathon was Walk Hard, and oh my god this movie was a piece of shit.  It maybe got two chuckles from me, the rest was painful. The whole punchline was maybe worth a three minute SNL sketch, if that. What a mess. The only thing going for it was the stunt casting, and seeing Jack White as a puffy Elvis was worth the $7.50 I guess. I can’t believe I am saying this, but even the Jewish jokes went a bit far- and I am always the first to make fun of the Jews.

Over the next few days I am planning on seeing Atonement, Sweeney Todd, and I’m Not There. I will probably be let down.

Acquire and read the Heroes graphic novel.

Watch Sicko (just rented it).

Start reading The Gum Thief (just bought it).

See Robbers on High Street at Bottom of the Hill.

Finally get my California driver’s license.

Overall, not too shabby.

At least I get Bret.

I’m up right now because I just experiences my FIRST EARTHQUAKE. Clearly, nothing crazy, just a 4.2, but it definately woke me up and it was the strangest feeling. Funny, people are screaming and carrying on and rioting all night outside my window, but it was dead quiet after it happened. I guess because’s it’s something to get used to. Yay, I’m a true Californian now.

I’m halfway through the first season of Rescue Me. I have so many issues with the show, but I guess I am sucked in and will continue watching. There are elements of it that make it my favorite kind of show and others that make me loathe it.

So far, the awesome parts:

• I think Denis Leary is fantastic. I’ve always appreciated his comedy and he is a decfent actor as well. His character blurs the line between protagonist/antagonist, and I like when shows do not have a binary good v. evil storyline. He does some heinous things, but is still likeable. As we know, I secretly love the manipulative, cocky characters (i.e., Gauis Baltar)
• The show deals with the aftereffects of 9/11 without being preachy or saccharine, but more realistic.
• Denis Leary’s character speaks with the dead, but in a good way that illustrates inner demons. It adds some great depth
• The theme song is the Von Bondie’s “Cmon Cmon”. How can you beat that?
  
• Tommy Gavin’s son Connor is played by Trevor Heins….you may recognize him as the Beat Kids reporter. Seriously, he needs more screen time.
• The special effects are pretty well done.

Here’s what doesn’t sit right with me.

• Some of the plotlines are very Melrose Place- one character finds out he has an illegitimate daughter, the father provides “comic relief” by always being in his boxer shorts on various party drugs.
• The talk and comraderie in the house is part of the Entourage myth. Always super-macho, homophobic, etc. I also realize this is probably very realistic, but it still doesn’t sit right with me. The firemen are constantly getting laid, and approached by women all the time to have threesomes. Realistic? I am not sure. It kid of exists as the ultimate-male-ideal, kind of like how Grey’s Anatomy is for females.
• Speaking of homophobia, it is RAMPANT. There are blatant instances of the characters gagging over mention of gay speak and one character was “tricked” into being physucally with a transgender person. I am not sure if showing incredibly homophobic characters shows the reality of what working in a ladder co. is like, or if it is to expose the rampant homophobia, or to market off audience members who are homophobic. I am not sure, but many parts make me physically cringe.
• The women on the show are usually nymphomaniacal, unbalanced, promiscuous, clueless and easily manipulated. Yikes. There was a plotline where Denis Leary’s character was dating a women for over a month and didn’t know her name. Uh…funny?
• There was a part in the recent episode where one of the (male) characters was tricked into having a threesome with a man and his girlfriend. The girlfriend first tied him up and then the man came in despite the characters protests. I think it was played as a comedic scene, but the bottom line is the guy was RAPED. He was physically screaming “NO!” and the part made me ill to watch. I thought they had redeemed themselves by then having that chaaracter come to his team and say he felt violated. I was all good…here’s a chance to explore it, but they told him to get over it and “stop being a pussy”. Wow, great.

Sooooooo, despite those issues, I do want to stick with the show because MAYBE down the road it will get better. I also like how nothing is clear cut. The characters make mistakes, can manipulate people, but they are still realistic and intriguing. The “good v. evil” storylines always bore me.

Sorry, I am out sick today. I got hit with the gay bomb.

So most of you have heard by email by now.

I GOT A NEW JOB!

I’M MOVING TO CALIFORNIA (Berkeley to be exact).

It hasn’t really hit me yet. My blogging will be decreased, due to my time spent packing and breathing into a o paper bag.

Ok, one thing I am seriously embarassed about is my lack of travel. I’ve been off the East Coast maybe once or twice, and I think it was a family vacation to St. Louis which happened eons ago (Branson, MO wooooot!). I can’t believe I will be in the Bay Area next week. I feel like I will be in a different country. I am scared shitless for the plane ride of course. I won’t be there too long, and I am scared I am not going to be able to do everything and see everything I want to see. Because I go to bed at 8pm. So, that’s where I will be for this upcoming week, expect little to no posts, but when I do get back I do have some surprises.

Oh, and I can’t wait to deal with this mess on I-580.

Sorry, no more Multiply account. I think they were catching on to my copyright violations. I could have practiced some civil disobedience because you all know my feelings about music copyright restrictions, but to avoid a headache I just canceled my account.

I’m glad I could help you out by providing the result to a google search for “underage hot Daniel Radcliffe pics”. This site got 500 more hits than usual yesterday because of that search. I would make my mother proud.

Here’s to hoping today’s lists is not as controversial as Tuesday’s.

• Down With Love
• Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen
• Uptown Girls
• The Girl Next Door
• Don’t Tell Mom the Baby-sitter’s Dead
• Lords of Dogtown
• Keeping The Faith
• Karate Kid Part II

more LISTS

I’m back on track at the gym, thanks to this mix. “Fuck the Pain Away is great for the eliptical. I’ll give $20 to the person who as actually seen the movie Cool as Ice.

Hi all, google chat is way better than AIM, so get on that. All you need is a gmail account, which is free. After you get one, add me to your chat list: thegetaway1448@gmail.com. I’m on call so I’ll be around most of the weekend. My weekend plans are:

1. Watch Rescue Me Seasons 1 and 2

2. Watch 8th and Ocean on dvd

3. send out more resumes

4. have 13 nervous breakdowns about what I want to do with my life.

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Damn, I talk about them enough, I probably should post it. This is the ultimate in “scene” bands. They have it all, the pretty lead singer, the tight girls’s jeans, the Warped Tour headlines, the crazy fangirls. But, out of all these types of bands, they do it the best. “Skeptics and True Believers” and “The Phrase that Pays” is so damn catchy it’s almost a science. Judge me as you will.

[THE ACADEMY IS; Almost Here][mediafire][multiply]

more guilty pleasures

Trendy band alert!

[SILVERSUN PICKUPS; CARNAVAS]

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The Soviettes are not a “chick” band, they are a fantastic punk band that happen to have a majority of female members. I can’t even remember how I discovered them, but their stuff is probabably some of the most upbeat stuff that I’ve listed to. Think Sleater-Kinney meets The Gossip. Or something like that.

Their songs are pretty short and catchy. If having everything is overwhelming, I’d reccomend the album LP II first.

The Soviettes discography

The Soviettes on Wikipedia/ Allmusic

I know I’ve gone crazy lately with changing the background and theme, but I can’t really find one that I like. For a while I had the plain text one because I couldn’t decide, but then I get bored with it. Just bear with me.