NKOTB? OMG!

Well, things are starting to come full circle. The first "boy band" (yes, there were The Beatles, The Monkeys but I still don't consider them the same as they played instruments, wrote their songs and seemed to have more integrity than those we called boy bands in the 90's) that I was into, New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) is supposed to be making a comeback. Will they have success? I dunno but I think I have a dormant crush on Jordan and secretly like Jon too. I always thought I had a better chance with him.

I wonder if they have "the right stuff" to make something happen as they hit 40-years old (yeah--Jon is gonna be 40). There is no way they'll be as much a disaster as the "Man Band" VH1 tried to make happen with guys were were popular after NKOTB was gone.

Anyway, this news entertained me and I thought some readers may find it interesting. If any of the guys have gone grey, I might be down to give them a listen or at least a look!

Idol's Back

I didn't see the entire first episodes but I was so grateful and entertained when I did see this audition.

Enjoy and by the end, try not to sing along!

The Bucket List

This was better than the critics say and I'd give it 5 stars but I know it is not the best film. I had to go more than 4 though because I did really, really love it. Nicholson has had more complex roles and so has Freeman. But, they gave a lot to this film and it was lovely. Nicholson and Freeman pulled off heartfelt, deep performances, not always seen in what would be considered a comedy as much as a drama and in such a mainstream film.

The men forged a friendship and found a way to live life, even when there was little left to live. So what if there was some cliche here and so what if there was some predictability. Going on the journey with these two men was cleansing and inspiring and made me remember some bad things but I was glad they were able to go where they did. The writer didn't rely on lengthy monologues to make important point but instead let the actions of the characters create poignancy.

I had to cry and really wanted to weep at the end of this film but didn't want to become a total wreck. It is a wonderful thing to feel that much every so often, even if it is the result of fiction.

I wholly recommend this film not because it will win awards but because everyone faces their own mortality and sooner the mortality of loved ones and the guys in The Bucket List is a wonderful way to face it.

Sean Hayes deserves mention too as his character and the way he played it added to every scene he was in and wasn't at all intimidated by those he was in the scenes with. It was fun to see him again.

The Skinny on Starbucks

I have ordered the same exact drink from Starbucks during 95% of my visits over the past several years. My relationship with the Venti Nonfat Sugar-free Vanilla Latte has endured all others. Now, when I need it the most, it has changed its name and apparently lost some weight in the past year.

I am now supposed to go to Starbucks and ask for a Venti "Skinny" Vanilla Latte. This "Skinny" name was supposed to simplify things though I don't really see that it has. It makes me refer to my drink as "Skinny" though I am not. I actually feel sort of ridiculous ordering it and wonder if people think "Skinny? Yeah, right. I wouldn't think she'd order that." I feel like I need to order a pastry or something so they know that I may drink skinny but I eat fat. Anyway, I know this is silly but there is some truth to it. I don't like the name because it reminds me that I'm really conscious about the caloric content of my Starbucks drink but I'm not as careful as I should be elsewhere. It makes me feel like one of those people who goes to McDonald's and says, "I'll super-size that and take a Diet Coke to drink." The Diet Coke is a lost cause in the context of the extra value meal.

The other thing I don't like is that I don't trust all of the baristas to know for sure what I'm ordering with this new naming convention. I order it, to follow the rules, but then immediate ask, "It's a sugar-free vanilla non-fat, right?" It is a waste of my time and I think annoys some of the order-takers.

Apparently there are some baristas out there who aren't down with the gimick either. Check out what one barista had to say to corporate. I didn't even consider all of the angles she did but it was good to know someone else was displeased with the "Skinny".

The Hardest Part

I've been really feeling musical lately and been really more into writing again than I had been. The happier I am, the less I tend to find words and the need to express myself. Prior to the new year I was traveling all over and too busy to wallow in anything but now I'm home and no less busy but somehow much more victim to insomniac tendencies, distraction and overall discontent.

The song I can't get out of my head today is by Coldplay. I wish I still had "Say" in my head because that day was a better day. Today has gotten better but frankly was dark for a while. Might be because I can't see out any windows so I have a smaller space to let my mind wander. I purged a lot of emails and contacts today and feel a bit more cleansed. I'm ready for the next hour, when I can breathe again.

The Hardest Part

And the hardest part
Was letting go not taking part
Was the hardest part
And the strangest thing
Was waiting for that bell to ring
It was the strangest start

I could feel it go down
Bittersweet I could taste in my mouth
Silver lining in the clouds
oh And I
I wish that I could work it out

And the hardest part
Was letting go not taking part
You really broke my heart
And I tried to sing
But I couldn't think of anything
And that was the hardest part

I could feel it go down
You left the sweetest taste in my mouth
You're a silver lining the clouds
Oh, and I
Oh, and I
I wonder what its all about [x2]

Everything I know is wrong
Everything I do it just comes undone
And everything is torn apart
Oh and thats the hardest part
Thats the hardest part
Yeah, thats the hardest part
Thats the hardest part

New Low

Britney Spears was just taken into custody according to Perez Hilton and Page Six.

Click either link for the article.

The new low is not Britney's arrest but the fact that I've been following the story online for the last 20 minutes. It was exciting to have the scoop for some reason and I can see why the Perez must love his job. I love his job.

Radiohead Vid Not to Miss

Check out Radiohead's "Scotch Mist" video. My belated Christmas gift to you.

Say

John Mayer's new hit, "Say" is one I can't stop playing and will probably over play by tomorrow morning but I love the lyric and also the tune. The song was written for the new Rob Reiner vehicle, The Bucket List, featuring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman (due out on January 11--not soon enough for me).

I've been thinking about my "bucket list" a lot lately and the Mayer song is pushing me even harder to get cracking. Here are the lyrics:

Take all of your wasted honor
Every little past frustration
Take all of your so-called problems,
Better put 'em in quotations

Say what you need to say [x8]

Walking like a one man army
Fighting with the shadows in your head
Living out the same old moment
Knowing you'd be better off instead,
If you could only ...

Say what you need to say [x8]

Have no fear for giving in
Have no fear for giving over
You'd better know that in the end
Its better to say too much
Then never to say what you need to say again

Even if your hands are shaking
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closing
Do it with a heart wide open

Say what you need to say [x24]

Mountain Dave

David Letterman is back and he says about the writers' strike, "bottom-line, the writers are sick of buying their own pencils."''

Dave got to bring his writers back after negotiating a special deal with the guild and it is wonderful to see him, strike beard and all. It is only a few minutes into the show but I'm already relieved to see something new on TV.

As we near May sweeps and awards season, I hope the writers are able to work things out soon. They deserve the money and the recognition for what they do and it is time they get their due. It's scary to think of what lame reality show or game show is going to come out next. Also, who doesn't miss the Daily Show?!? I'm back to watching the news now, in order to get the news. Outrageous!

I'm tired and have little else to say so I'll struggle to stay awake through Dave's opening and first guest (Robin Williams!) before I doze off.

Atonement and Charlie Wilson

I had a chance to see 2 of the many films worth seeing right now and now I must get to the theater as much as possible before awards' season is in full swing!

Atonement

The trailer for this film actually lives up to the film. The best parts are in the film and not necessarily spoiled by the trailer which is a feat greater than many films accomplish this day.

I thought this was brilliant and a must see. The youngest actress gave a performance worthy of the praise she has received and the nominations that will continue to come. The story was complex but did not cause the audience any suffering other than love's pain. I didn't read the book but imagine it is beautiful. McAvoy and Knightly had great chemistry and again McAvoy is one to keep watching.

Charlie Wilson's War

This film is highly political and very specific in the timespan it covers. I state those seemingly obvious facts because many films about politics don't actually take a political stance and don't cover only the event they are meant to discuss but this film most certainly does in the end.

I do love Aaron Sorkin and will keep this brief. Unlike the film above, some of the best moments (at least the most entertaining) are in the trailer but it is still a good film and worth seeing now, or on DVD.

The cast was great though Julia Roberts isn't in it as much as her billing suggests. This may disappoint anyone wanting to see a Roberts film. The movie went by quickly and by the end, I knew exactly why the story was being told now. Sorkin wants to say something about today's state of affairs.

It should be mentioned that Phillip Seymour Hoffman made the scenes he was in and I can't wait to catch "The Savages" next. Is there anything this guy can't do?

PS--I have a bit of a crush on Tom Hanks now.

Concerts in 2007

It was a busy year and I really don't think the list below covers it but here are at least most of the shows I saw in 2007 (*indicates interview with artist, follow link to piratepods.com):

January 8: Justin Timberlake at iPay One Center
January 20: Rock for Africa; Thieves and Liars, World Wide Spies, Regarding Jack, This Holiday Life at Epicentre*
March 1: Midlake at The Casbah*
March 2: Pussycat Dolls and Christina Aguilera at iPay One Center
March 10: Ozomatli at Belly Up Tavern*
March 24: Rod Stewart at Cox Arena
March 27: Slackstring at San Diego Sports Club*
April 21: Five for Fighting at The Wiltern*
May 6: Taylor Hicks at Pala Casino
May 18: Third Eye Blind and Ozomatli at UCSD's RIMAC Field*
May 20: Third Eye Blind at House of Blues San Diego*
June 10: Dustin Kensrue at House of Blues San Diego*
June 16: Jason McGinnis at Across the Street*
June 22: Hell Yeah*
June 23: The Police and Foo Fighters at Dodgers Stadium
July 7: Abbamania at Embarcadero
July 14: Vib Gyor, Get Back Loretta at The Casbah*
July 17: The Fray at Coors Amphitheatre
July 21: Jamie Cullum at Hollywood Bowl
August 2: Hell Yeah and The Spins at Dream Street*
August 4: Broadway Rocks at Embarcadero
August 25: John Corbett in West VA
August 26: Mountain Stage in WV; Les Youx Noirs, Ray Wylie Hubbard, King Wilkie, Johnny Staats and Robert Shaffer*
September 2: Grin's Edge at Cane's*
September 17: Justin Timberlake at Staples Center
September 25: Dropjoy at Brass Rail*
October 10: Rogue Wave at The Casbah
October 12: Genesis at Hollywood Bowl
October 15: Duncan Sheik at Belly Up Tavern*
October 21: Eagles and Dixie Chicks at Nokia Theater
November 17: Ryan Shaw at The Independent
November 29: Aimee Mann's Christmas Show at Belly Up Tavern