January 2005

A Few Words From Maya Angelou..

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A bit random, but I thought someone might enjoy..

In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older. And, there on television, she said it was "exciting". Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts - they seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first. The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!

Maya Angelou said this:

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."

"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."

"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life."

"I've learned that 'making a living' is not the same thing as 'making a life.'"

"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands - you need to be able to throw some things back."

"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision."

"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."

"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."

"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. "

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

January 28th Film Releases

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I leave you alone for two measly weeks and you go off and make Are We There Yet? the #1 movie in America. What were you thinking? All I ask is that you make one wise choice per week with your movie going dollars and you do this. These sorts of things always result in grave consequences, like Are We There Yet? 2.
For those of you who haven't seen it, but are tempted - It doesn't really star Ice Cube. It's actually alter ego, Ice Slushy. Not hard, and syrupy sweet coming up after the unsuppressed urge to gag.

1) Aliens of the Deep
2) Check out something nominated for a Golden Globe or an Oscar, everything else sucks


This past Sunday I attended the Henry Fonda theatre in Hollywood for the ONLY Batmobile show in the US!! A full house, the three stories of vintage glitz & glamour provided an ideal venue for the all ages event - complete with backstage dressing rooms for all of the bands.. And for all of you short people, don't worry; you can see the stage from anywhere in the place. If you've never been there, GO!

Anyway, the show was great. It was awesome to see Batmobile (Holland) play for a huge crowd (the line was around the building!). The opening bands were great - especially Spped Crazy and The Rezurex. But hey, I'm a bit partial. *winkwink* Starting around 5pm, The Black Rose Phantoms from Long Beach kicked the show off with the Coffin Draggers, and Jack The Rippers (UK). The Rezurex, Calavera, and Speed Crazy (NJ) set the stage for Batmobile, going on a little after 1am. We left about 2am, because I go to this place called work at 7 in the morning, but I was sad to go.

The only complaint I have for the night was that the SOUND SUCKED! It all seemed to run together and I didn't think the bass was too distinct. With that out of the way...

Batmobile was a lot of fun. Jeroen was entertaining to watch and decided to do the rockstar thing and strip off his shirt for all of the ladies. I'd definately recommend catching them the next time they decide to come to the US. There were a lot of fun people there who actually TRAVELED to the show - a word foreign to the spoiled southern California crowd. There were bars on every floor and quite a few vendors with plenty to buy. I enjoyed the horror magnets I bought to dress my naked fridge. It reminded me of a mini indoor Hootenanny.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH AT THE EL CID IN HOLLYWOOD. THE ONE AND ONLY MARTI BROM - WITH SPECIAL GUEST, BIG SANDY!!! MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR MARTI'S ONE AND ONLY LIVE L.A. PERFORMANCE IN ALMOST FIVE YEARS, FEATURING NEWCOMER TO THE ROCKABILLY SCENE, DEREK DUPREE, SHOWCASING HIS CD,"HOT ROD AROUND THE WORLD".

Location: EL CID, 4212 Sunset Blvd. Silverlake, CA

Doors Open AT 9:00, Showtime IS 10:00 P.M. - Cover: $15

CBGB's

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When I was in New York, some friends and I decided to head on over to CBGB's for the night. It was a Friday night and I was hoping for some good bands. With bands like Television, the Ramones, and Blondie that used to play at the club, I thought CBGB's would be the highlight of my trip. I don't have much to say except that I fell asleep with my head passed out on a table, not because I was drunk but because I was bored out of my mind. I guess I expected way too much.

ALBUM COVER OF THE YEAR

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My Aunt VJ unloaded a truckload of records on me the other day. Among them was this gem.
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With such a brilliant cover, I expected to hear something like Barry White. No such luck. It wasn't even Barry Williams.
This is sub-muzak. Who can get funky to "Send In The Clowns"? I don't want to know.
I just have a couple of questions for Aunt VJ. Where did this thing come from? How did it get in the same batch of records as my cousin Wendy's Junior High School Choir album?

Chick Flicks by The Teacher

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When my male roommates go out of town, I make it a point to rent "chick flicks" that I would otherwise not watch. And I always learn that there is a reason I would not watch these movies otherwise. They're crap. Really. Here are some reviews of movies I watched this last weekend:

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Love Actually - This was the best of the bunch. It's sappy and sweet, and even though I took a "no Hugh Grant movies" vow after the debacle that was Four Weddings, we can overlook Hugh Grant's total lack of acting ability for the excellence of Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson and Colin Firth (yummy!). The music is also good - so good, that I would actually buy the soundtrack! This movie is set at Christmas time, and would be a good holiday rental, as it's all about the redeeming power of love, in its many forms. I laughed, I cried; I enjoyed it unapologetically. The teacher gives it an A.

Bridget Jones' Diary - This movie was an amusing little stinker. Renee Zellwiger looks like crap all the way through it, Colin Firth is yummy, and Hugh Grant makes a good bad guy. But the problem is that the character of Bridget is never really established, and as such, you don't give a hoot about what happens to her. Should have spent more time on her and her friends building the character. The teacher gives it a C for not enough development.

Lost in Translation - I know this movie was well-done, but I yawned all the way through it. What exactly is the point? Tokyo is a place I never want to spend any time at all! Good character development and fine acting from Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson save a tedious plot. Sofia Coppola is probably a bore at cocktail parties. The teacher gives it a B for good acting, C for no thesis whatsoever.

Old School - Can you believe I watched this? It's a pathetic remake of Animal House featuring guys who desperately want to grow up and be men, but can't. The women are no better, as they seek to emasculate the men they supposedly love. The whole thing is a nightmare with two funny bits, which would have been better as a SNL skit. Vince Vaughn is the only bright spot, playing the only intelligent male in the movie. You will like this if you are pre-teen or a male of any age. The teacher gives it a B- for being true to form.

I Always Miss the Cool Stuff!!

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Where was I? How come I was not alerted?! Why is it, when there is mass gathering of debauchery prone people dressed as Santas, I am left completely unaware?!!
This must stop! This must end! This time I will be prepared for SANTARCHY!!!!!!!!

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January 7th Film Releases

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Happy New Year! You get no new movies. At least none worth your hard earned $10.

What's being released:
1) White Noise
2) Solitude

What you should actually go see:
1) Kinsey
2) Hotel Rawanda
3) In Good Company (I'm a sucker for these kinds of stories)

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