I hrt the Larry Mullen Band! You Too?- Page 26

[mabel]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 11:13am

I felt like V had issues with pacing. It was pretty slow getting going and then again in the middle. I just kept thinking, let's just get to the big hurrah of the end. And there was this ridiculous fight with daggars and swords at the end that was way too much (for me at least). Yeah, there was violence throughout, but this was just like (hey, we've got to throw some big gorey fight sequence in to keep the interest of some of the macho men that this was going to be a comic/graphic novel mindless action flick). It was ridiculously long. After the first person or two that he wacked, I kind of closed my eyes or looked at my feet on the chair in front of me, and I'd just see (out of the corner of my eye) splashes of red flying across the screen. Blech!

What else? Natalie Portman (as much as I love her) had a really bad British accent, and it irked me *possible spoiler, I guess, but it's not going to ruin anything for you story-wise* that when she got taken in by V (really, don't we all already know that's going to happen) he whisks her away to his pad, there's miraculously an entire wardrobe of clothing (including a snappy little silk dress) fit for a 90 pound little waifish vixen!! OK, I know that's silly, but every time she popped up down there with a new ensemble, I was like WTF?!?!?

I don't know. I didn't think it was horrible by any stretch of the imagination (how could you not get behind a "rally the people to take back their liberty from the oppressive and corrupt government" stance?), but overall...I just don't see it going down as this film that will be remembered for all time as a great piece of cinema. Hell, I doubt it'll even be remembered for next year's awards season.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 9:31pm

I feel like V for Vendetta was overhyped, which is why people are somewhat disappointed by it. It was advertised as this revolutionary, totally original cinematic event and it doesn't seem to live up to that from what I've heard. So when I see it, I won't be expecting much, which will hopefully make me enjoy it!

I emailed the camp where I used to work and they said I could have a job there this summer. I'll probably end up doing that. I don't have to deal with filling out an application or doing an interview or anything like that, so it's so easy. And I'll be making more money than I would at an internship (even though all the internships I applied for are paid). I wanted to try something new, but at least I have something.

[mabel]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 9:49pm

I think you're right on the overhyped thing for V. I think it was a good movie (probably would have been good summer fare...more substantial than most summer box office juggernauts, which would have made it stand out more...though arguably, it should have the same heads-up now, since there's a whole lot of crap out there now). I just don't think it was the be all/end all that a lot of people are making it out to be. *shrug*

Well, it's good to know that you've at least got the camp option. Frankly, I'm tempted to take the West Poing gig again, just so I can put two HUGE tasks on the back burner for a little while. There doesn't seem to be a ton of stuff out there at the moment for me to apply for, and if I could buy myself a few more months for that and finding an apartment (while making a few thousand bucks)...why not?!?

Just going to vent about my ratty day for a few, before going back to my post-Idol reading. So, I get up this morning and am running late (as per usual when I've got a 9am class...plus we had to be there 10 minutes early because we were screening Rear Window...and frankly, at 9am, every minute counts!) So, I look out the window and it's kind of sunny-ish and I just grab my sandals, because they're the first shoes I see. I leave class two hours later and it's SNOWING! WTF?!?!? Good thing I live close, because that was one mighty cold walk back to my room. My poor toes.

Then, I got a B+ on a midterm (but it's really like two, because it's for my 6 credit 60s class). Grrr! That pretty much solidified my not graduating summa cum laude. I'd have to have gotten As across the board (maybe an A-)...not gonna happen. So, I'm less than thrilled, and walking to the bank to mail out my tax stuff (some stuff I had to sign and send back to NH) and some jackass on the street is like "Hey, you dropped something." I have a mini-heart attack, thinking I'd dropped my tax stuff, and it's ends up being some idiot trying to hawk comedy show tix and he's like "yeah, you dropped your sense of humor." Ha. Ha....Idiot. So, I flipped him off as I walked by. I am a pillar of maturity. Whatever, I was so not in the mood to deal with SH*T like that. It's bad enough seeing them in Times Square, and I really don't feel like plowing by these guys downtown too. I need a sign that says Stand Up Comedy BLOWS! Besides, I don't think insulting your potential customer is the best way to fill the house. Just a thought.

Anyway, gotta run.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 10:45pm

Aw, I'm sorry about your bad day. I can't believe it snowed there! That's crazy! And I'm sorry you're disappointed about that midterm grade. Are you sure it'll bring down your final grade in that class, though? Is it still possible for you to get an A or an A- overall if you do well on the final? Is that the class that your Dylan paper is for? How's that going? I can understand why you were pissed at that comedy guy; you were already having a rough day and he totally wasn't making it better.
Taking the West Point job sounds like a good idea for you because it'll give you time to find a job and a place to live while making some money.

ETA: My mood just increased exponentially! I'm watching the Braves/Dodgers game and the Braves were down 5-0 at the beginning of this inning, but they just scored 5 runs in the inning and now it's tied! Pat, are you here to celebrate with me?? Updated On: 4/5/06 at 10:45 PM

[mabel]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 11:07pm

Yeah, didn't leave to go read. Instead, I opted to watch the Red Sox on gameday. I'm so bad. Whatever, at least they won!

Ummm...I just busted out the calculator, and I think even if I end up with an A- in the 6 credit 60s course and get As in the other three (which is still feasible at this point), I might just squeak by with summa cum laude. I don't even know why I care (frankly, I think it's just one more thing on my ever growing list of "what can I think/worry/obsess about that doesn't involve my thesis"), but it would still be kind of nice. I'm not sure how high my GPA for the semester would have to be to bump me up that 1/100th of a point that I need. 1/100th!!! Grrr!!!

But yeah, I think the best I can hope for is an A- in the 60s class. The midterm is the first thing we've even been graded on (love getting my first grade in APRIL!!). And yeah, that's the course that I'm using as my...inspiration(?) for the Dylan paper. It's not like I'll be handing that in for the class or anything, I'm just using it as like a vehicle to get a more well-rounded feel for the 60s vibe (in philosophy/history/lit, etc). I don't know why I'm so pissed about that midterm (I love my whining...break out the violin!). It's not like I put a whole lot of effort into it. Though, it's also not like I put a whole lot of effort into much of anything (at least not recently).

And yeah, I really hate those comedy guys. As a general rule, I hate getting bugged on the street with flyers, etc (which made me feel icky having to do it myself at QE last week), but there's something about the comedy guys that...I just don't like them. And I really don't like stand-up! "So what's the deal with Jello?" Some stand-up is ok, but for the most part: a big thumbs down for me.

Updated On: 4/5/06 at 11:07 PM

[mabel]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 11:43am

Bump.

Nothing much new here. I saw Rabbit Hole last night, and thought it was really good. Sad, funny, the whole nine yards. Have any of you seen Pieces of April. The guy that played her brother (something Gallagher, Jr) was in it (along with Cynthia Nixon, Tyne Daly, et. al.). He was probably the weakest link. I could see where he was going (playing a kind of aloof/awkward teenager) but a lot of the time, he just came off as mildly retarded.

I'm going to see The Odd Couple tonight (SRO) and then Sarah, Plain and Tall for free tomorrow. Like I have time for this.

Guess that's about it...OH, and I finally made it over to Trader Joe's. Oh how I love that store. I got oodles of groceries (all organic and yummy) for $21!! Monday the wine store is opening, and I hear they have $2 bottles!!! EEEE!!!

Wine and Scrabble night on Tuesday. Shall be good times.

[Patronus]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 11:46am

Isn't Trader Joe's the best? When I heard they opened a store in Manhattan my heart smiled.

Wow, you're burning the candle at both ends Nic. Where do you buy your energy?

[mabel]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 12:12pm

We'd always go to the Trader Joe's in Tyngsboro, Mass to get odds and ends stuff when I was home (it was kind of a trek, so we didn't get all our groceries there) and I always wondered why they never made it to Manhattan. Organic food at great prices, how can you go wrong?!? Do the Trader Joe's near you have wine (the Tyngsboro one doesn't). I was curious about how the 2 Buck Chuck is (well, it's supposed to be $3 here). There was an article in the Post, and a pair of hoity-toity wine connoisseurs said it was fine for the money, but not that great. I don't have particularly high hopes (or standards for that matter) but I don't want uber cheapo wine that'll give me a wicked headache rather than a buzz.

Oh and "where do I buy my energy?" Ummm, I don't. I burn out in the middle of the afternoon and then don't get anything accomplished. It's very bad. What can I say, I'm a senior, and I've got a raging case of senioritis. They should seriously have people write their theses in their junior year. Putting it off until the last semester is madness. MADNESS I tell you!!

[Patronus]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 12:17pm

Yeah, the Trader Joes in CA (where I believe they got their start) is basically a mini-grocery store. Everything from alcohol, to meats to pet food.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 12:48pm

I've never been to Trader Joe's. They don't have one around me at home or at school.

I'm glad you enjoyed Rabbit Hole, Nic. You'll have to tell me what you think of Sarah, Plain and Tall.

I have approximately 25 pages worth of essays due this week. I'm so screwed.

[mabel]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 12:55pm

Ok, one last post before going to do some work (ha ha). Trader Joe's is great. Everything is so reasonably priced. When I heard that they opened in Manhattan, I figured that the prices would jump, but they didn't. Their yummy cereal bars are still $1.69/box, the big tubs of chocolate cat cookies are still $2.50, cereal is $2-3, etc, etc. Good deals!

Before the end of the year, I've got...oh, 25, 35, 40, 45+ pages of papers to write, plus my journals for QE that I havne't been keeping up on, and I'm sure something else for my 60s class (not to mention this ridiculous group project we have to do...ugh, hate group projects)! So yeah, I feel for ya, Elph! The end of the year SUCKS!

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 2:41pm

So this Trader Joe's is worth checking out? I thought it was only a Cali brand because YouWantItWhen???? (and I think Stephen) mentioned it a few times, but someone at work a couple of days ago mentioned the $2 wine and said they're in Seattle too! You totally sold me at $1.69 boxes of cereal bars!

Is it like Costco or what?

[mabel]

Posted: 4/8/06 at 3:13pm

Trader Joe's is totally worth a visit. I don't know if it's worth going to Seattle for, but they really are a truly glorious grocery store. I'd say they're closest to Whole Foods, though a lot cheaper (nothing like Costco). They don't really have any brand name products (well, other than like Kashi cereal, Vitamin Water, and a couple other little things, I guess). It's pretty much all their own Trader Joe's brand food.

The cereal bars are amazing, btw. 6/box for $1.69, and they've got strawberry, blueberry, apple, and fig. The strawberry bars are TO DIE FOR!!! I would have stocked up, but before the store opened here, I bought a bunch of other granola bars, so I don't really need more along the same lines.

At home we'd usually just pick up little things here and there (cereal bars, those cartons of organic soup, cereal, etc) I'd never really gone there to go "grocery shopping," but thus far, I'm very impressed. The wheat bread was just yummy, and I got some Pink Lady apples that were individually packaged in a box of 4 for the same price I'd pay for 4 tiny (and usually bruised) Granny Smith apples at the place down by me (their produce is horrific) or I'd end up paying an arm and a leg $1.99+/lb at the more quality market near me.

When the weather gets nicer, I'll definitely be looking forward to making a weekly trek up there (walk up/subway back...I can't bring myself to pay $4 just to go grocery shopping, and I haven't been running around enough for it to be worth getting an unlimited, especially since QE is within walking distance).

Aaaanyway, next time you're in Seattle (or NYC!) you should definitely check Trader Joe's out! I'll let you know how the cheapo wine is after Scrabble night (assuming they even still have any when I swing by on Tuesday...apparently when the main store opened last month the lines were down the block just to get in...can you imagine how many people will show up for $3 wine?!?!?)


ETA:



Trader Joe's website

Updated On: 4/8/06 at 03:13 PM

[mabel]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 9:23pm

Sunday Independent - Sunday, April 9th

IT'S OFFICIAL. Adam Clayton has found what he's looking for. The U2 bassist has just got engaged to long-term girlfriend Susi Smith.

The dapper musician and the Canadian beauty announced their engagement to friends at a private party recently. My Deep Throat at the soiree told me that everyone was sworn to secrecy on pain of immediate exile. Well, there you go . . .

Adam and Susi looked more in love than usual when I saw them in January at the launch of a new fragrance by the Missoni fashion label in the Italian ambassador's stately residence in Grosvenor Square, London. I now know why.

The Oxfordshire-born Clayton has been of course the most colourful member of the world's biggest band for years. I love the entertaining but entirely apocryphal story about how at the time of his arrest for possession of marijuana, the guards found him sitting serenely stoned in the boot of his car up in the mountains. Though rock n' roll fairytale, it does show that Clayton is widely regarded as the epitome of cool. Cooler still, Adam was engaged to supermodel Naomi Campbell in 1993.

Naturally, Adam is older and wiser and sober-er (he hasn't touched a drink since he missed a U2 show in Australia on November 26, 1993 - a consequence of his break-up with Naomi, some say.) Indeed Susi and Adam are the ultimate zen couple. They were on holiday in Malaysia when the tragic tsunami hit the countries off the coast of the Indian Ocean.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Congrats to Adam!! I always figured that this Susi person was made up, but I guess not. Good for Adam. I hope he's happy!

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 9:25pm

Aw, that's great! Congrats to them!

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 1:52pm

Did Adam grow a beard?

Mabel, I'm still waiting for a vote from you for BWW Idol!

ETA: I can't find a single photo of this woman! Is she another J.T. Leroy??

Updated On: 4/11/06 at 01:52 PM

[mabel]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 2:58pm

Fine, I'll shoot you a PM after I post this. Frankly, I can't decide and there's likely going to be some form of eenie meenie minie mo in the decision process!

Yeah, I'm still a little skeptical about the whole Adam business. First, where the hell is this Susi person? (Still sort of convinced Susi is really Steve) Even Larry who is uber-private brought Anne to the Oscars/RnR HoF. Then there's the whole "Mrs. Burns," "Adam arrived wearing a flowing green skirt,"-type of stuff. Still seems fishy, if you ask me...Though, come to think of it, I do think I saw one picture somewhere of him with some woman, and the caption had her listed as Susi. Wish I knew where I found it now.

Anyway, that's about it. Talk to you guys later. Back to reading.

[mabel]

Posted: 4/13/06 at 12:44am

Bump...

I forgot to post some mini-reviews of my show-going spree.

Rabbit Hole: Not that it matters since it's closed, but I thought this was really good. Definitely the best of the 4 shows I've seen in the last week. Wait, I think I did say something about this already, so that's enough (great show, great cast).

The Odd Couple: Eh. I wish I saw it earlier in the run. Brad Garett is gone, and his replacement was pretty terrible. Matthew was also phoning his performance in like I've never seen on stage before (that or he's just straight up TERRIBLE). There were several points where I said to myself "are you kidding me?!?!? He's pathetic!" Nathan was good. I still wish they'd swapped roles (either permanantly having Broderick as Oscar and Lane as Felix, or having them switch every other performance like PSH/John C. Reilly in True West). It was ok, though having seen it, it definitely wouldn't have broken my heard to have skipped it.

Sarah, Plain and Tall: Cute show. The cast was really good, and the music was pretty catchy (some borderline obnoxiously so...I don't really need bouncy, infectious songs stuck in my head, thank you very much!) Funny to think that John Lloyd Young played the young Caleb role earlier in the show's history. There was a rather amusing picture in the CD my friend picked up!

Awake and Sing!: Got a last minute free ticket. I liked it better than many others seemed to, but there were flaws there. Oh, first, before I give a recap of some performances, etc...The guy that I got the ticket from (and unfortunately had to sit next to) was R-A-N-K: RANK!! Painful. I had to take a shower as soon as I got home. I'm kind of worried that it'll be Seinfeld-esqe ("It's the beast!!"). Ummm, so: Mark Ruffalo...*swoon* I thought he was really good. I love him, so I'm definitely biased, but I still think he did a good job (other than having this bizarre, out of left field, Boston accent...they're supposed to be in the Bronx. It was an excellent Boston accent though). Lauren Ambrose was also wonderful (also a fan of hers from Six Feet Under). The big surprise for me was Pablo Schreiber (Liev's brother). He was wonderful (and ridiculously TAAAALLLLL). I could go into what I thought of Ben Gazarra's performance, but I'm tired. A lot of people were bitching that he was incomprehensible, but I'll just say that while it was kind of annoying and grating, ultimately, I think it worked.

[mabel]

Posted: 4/16/06 at 12:03pm

This is pathetic...3 posts from me in a row!!! I'm not posting again until someone else bumps 'er up.

Anyway, just a quickie to double check when you're going to Franz/Death Cab, Tiff? I went to a free FF concert on Friday afternoon, and they were pretty damn good. They only played about 10 songs, and a lot of them were songs that they don't often play, I guess. I remember:

Michael
Auf Acshe
Tell Her Tonight
Darts of Pleasure
Do You Want To
I'm Your Villain
Van Tango
L. Wells (a new song, that I LOVED! I hope they play it at your show, tiff!)

I was in the front row (pretty much right where we were for The Strokes, Claire...on the left side). The crowd was DEAD, but I suppose that was better than getting my ass kicked again. During Darts of Pleasure, they brought up 10-15 people from the crowd to sing the very end of the song with the band, and then they all ended up going backstage (from what I could see)! What else? I stole a poster from the door, but it got trashed. I used it to cover (it was raining here Fri) the "special" limited edition poster that they printed up for this "MySpace/Secret Shows" concert. I've got #386/500. Oooohhh!

That's probably about it, I guess. Tiff, you'll have to let me know what you think of the concert when you go (it's in a week or two, right?) I was kind of bummed that they didn't do all the hits (that I'm sure they're sick of playing) Take Me Out, Matinee, 40', This Fire, etc. Oh well. It was still a great little concert, and they all seemed to have really fun personalities.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 4/18/06 at 1:15pm

Sorry for making you maintain this thread on your own, Nic! I really have nothing to contribute; my life is pretty boring right now. No shows, concerts, etc. to write about. I could talk about the portrayal of black authorship in different novels but I doubt you'd all be interested!

Tiff, when's your FF/DCFC concert? Are you excited? Good seats? I want to hear all about Death Cab, I'd really love to see them live.

I hope everyone had a good weekend!

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 2:03am

Hey gals! Sorry I haven't been writing - I've been working on "Kyle XY" and "White Noise 2" and this is my first time online in a few days!

Anyway, I was going to go straight to bed, but I'm popping in because I staggered into my house all grumpy and exhausted from a long day of work, and what was waiting for me? Some big white envelope stuffed with junk mail from the University of Detroit Law School. I was all, "Kaplan is STILL spamming me???" And then I remembered - the University of Windsor's J.D./L.L.B. program is joint with University of Detroit. And that big package wasn't junk ads. It was forms for MY ACCEPTANCE!!!


And now I'm crying with happiness, and I don't REALLY care if I go or not - I'm just happy that I could if I wanted to!!!

Okay, now I've got to sleep but I promise to respond later. We must discuss FF! My concert is next Thursday! (Did you say FREE concert, Nic? God I hate you!)

Updated On: 4/19/06 at 02:03 AM

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 2:10am

Yeah Tiff, way to go!

Options and choices are wonderful things.

Congratulations!

[mabel]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 8:18am

Just a pre-class quickie to say: CONGRATS, TIFF!!! I'm so thrilled that you got in. As you said, it's nice to even have the option. Now it's down to decision making time. How long do you have before you have to let them know?

Anyway, gotta run, but HOOORRAAAAYYY!!! And hope PAing has been going well (not too many crazy early mornings).

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 11:13am

CONGRATS, TIFF!!!

That's awesome, I'm so proud of you!

By the way, I saw a commercial for "Kyle XY" yesterday and thought of you.

[mabel]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 11:35pm

Hey folks...nothing much new here.

I saw Lt. of Inishmore tonight. BRILLIANT!!! I know I've ranted on more than one occasion about my distaste for excessive blood and guts, but despite the uber-goriness of Inishmore, it was still GENIUS! Claire, if you're thinking about possibly seeing it at some point, make sure you don't read any reviews of it. I went in not knowing anything but the basic premise (that they have on telecharge) and I had A BLAST!!!...Michael Stuhlbarg was there tonight as well, and I don't care what you say, I still insist he looks like Joaquin Phoenix. I thought he was Joaquin for half a second when I first saw him down the aisle at intermission.

Guess that's about it...well, other than having commited "a very serious housing violation" when my parents came to visit last weekend. I didn't realize I couldn't have both of them spend the night (my roommate was gone all week for Easter), and since I didn't fill out a guest exception form, they're throwing a fit and nixing my "guest priviliges" for the rest of the year. It was my parents for for F*CK's sake! And it's not as if I've had numerous run-ins with housing before. Grrr.

That's about it. Have fun at Franz/Death Cab next week, Tiff. Yeah, I did indeed see those scrawny Scots for free! I even had a 15 minute bout on that evil spawn of satan MySpace to get the pass...Keep us posted after about how the concert is. I hope they play Lynsey Wells. I guess it's a new song, and I really, really liked it.