Friday, February 18, 2011

Blogging the Grammy performances

Finally got to my recording of the Grammy's. I was so bothered that it wasn't live here that I just read all the winners and didn't even bother watching it when it aired. I gotta say, it's actually nice to just fast forward to (and through) the performances. Here are my thoughts...what did you think? 

Aretha Tribute - Too many people, and I was bored from the beginning...and I LOVE Aretha, but that did not do her justice.

Lady Gaga - Really good; not sure what was up with her shoulders, but she can flat out sing.

Miranda Lambert - Fast forwarded...and not just because she's country but because she sounded awful; okay, mostly because she's country.

MUSE - I'm still bitter about selling our tickets for this last year due to it interfering with Sharks playoffs; they rocked the Grammy stage! So glad they won some trophies too.

Bruno Mars/B.o.B/Janelle Monae - I love Bruno, and he sounded good. What was up with B.o.B's monocle? That was whack...and he looked super nervous, but he sounded okay, not great, but okay. I LOVED the old school Bruna part too. Very cool and sooo much better than what's on the radio. I'm just not a fan of Janelle. She can sing, but I just don't like it. Maybe I'm distracted by her hair. She got fast forwarded.

Justin Bieber/Usher - Really? We know how you met. You don't need to cheese-ify it. I like Bieber's music. I like pop, but I'm a little tired of the media and industry telling us how great he is. It's all a little too pre-packaged for me. The part where he sang with the guitar was good. The other part was...well...just whatever. Fast forwarded.

Jaden Smith/Justin Bieber - I have no words. Why was this necessary? Fast forwarded through this too.

Usher - Wow. You are better than that. Too much production. Just sing next time okay? Yuck. Fast forward.

Mumford & Sons/The Avett Brothers/Bob Dylan - M&S are good musicians, just not a huge fan. Feel the same way about Avetts too. I didn't even listen to Bob Dylan because my ears just can't handle that.

Lady Antebellum - Nope. Fast forwarded.

Cee Lo/Gwyneth Paltrow - Ummm...really? Cee Lo can sing, but o.m.g. what wearing? I just find it hilarious that this song is everywhere wth it's "forget you" lyric when everyone knows the real lyric and that's all they actually hear in their head. I like Gwyneth, and she can actually sing, but meh. Not interested. The whole thing was weird.

Katy Perry - Okay, not sure what that outfit was about either, and why can't she sing live? It seems like she used to be able to. Bored. Fast forwarded.

Norah Jones/John Mayer/Keith Urban - Oh John. You couldn't memorize those words? You had look at the monitor? I actually liked their sound, and I always liked that song. John and Keith can play some guitar too. John is looking a bit sleezier than usual though...what's that about? 

Rhianna/Adam Levine/Eminem - Actually kinda loved her dress. And she sounded pretty good. His background vocals weren't bad either. Soooo happy Eminem joined her. He's just so good!

Skylar Grey/Eminem/Dr. Dre - I like that Skylar's voice...don't know where she came from, but I freaking love Eminem! Seriously. So much talent. Kind of entertained by how much he tested the CBS censors too. Heh. And it doesn't really get much better than Dr. Dre. So much awesomeness in this performance.

Mick Jagger - I'm not a Rolling Stones fan. At all. But I gotta say, he looked pretty good, whatever that means for him. And he sounded good too. I was highly entertained.

Barbra Streisand - I've never been a fan and yep, still not. I tried to listen, but I just couldn't do it. Fast forwarded. She did look pretty good though. I guess.

Rhianna/Drake - Not a fan of the song. Fast forwarded. She shoulda stuck with Eminem.

Arcade Fire - Really couldn't tell you a single song of theirs. And really not a fan of their performance. Fast forwarded. Ummm...and what's with the post-win extra performance? Is that new? I still don't like it.

Overall, my favorite performance was absolutely Eminem. Mick Jagger was second and MUSE was third. So, the awards themselves? They gave out only 14 of the 100+ awards on TV, which I think is just ridiculous. I know they can't put them all on, but really? 14? Stupid. I agreed with some, disagreed with some and didn't care about others.

So there you have it. Grammys 2011 done. Next up? Oscars.



Saturday, February 12, 2011

Movies, phones and naps don't mix

My friend and I went to see No Strings Attached today...you know, the Ashton Kutcher/Natalie Portman flick about being friends with benefits. And let me just start this blog off by saying that we really liked the movie. It was sweet and funny and Ashton isn't terrible to look at. 

We debated which seats to choose when we got into the theatre as both of us are typically back row movie watchers...and believe me, today's adventure made it very clear why. Well, we didn't pick the back row because the seats in the back row were adjacent to an area for wheelchairs and we decided to sit in the row in front of them. Stupid, stupid us.

When we sat down there was a couple a few seats away from us and another couple of people at the other end of the row. There were two people in the row behind us on the other end. And then, of course, two people sat in the seats we decided not to sit in. Right behind us. 

The movie hadn't started, so most people were talking, but these two behind us were LOUD. I believe we actually heard the man say the word masturbate at one point and we both nearly fell out of our seats. We debated moving but then convinced ourselves that they were grown ups and would quiet down once the movie started. Seriously. We were stupid.

Meanwhile, while my friend and I were chatting, again, before the movie or even the previews started, I got shushed by the woman in the couple a few seats down from us. Yeah. She shushed me. Awesome.

The lights went down and the folks behind us did get quiet, but as the movie got started we heard some quiet chatter and it was definitely annoying. But not as annoying as her phone ringing. And ringing. And ringing. And her rummaging through her purse saying loudly that she turned it off and couldn't figure out what happened. Again, awesome. Five or ten minutes later it rang again and the man in the couple in our row told her a thing or two about it. It was special.

The movie went on and my friend and I were laughing at the movie and at the phone ringing and at the man yelling at the woman when suddenly, there was snoring. Oh yes. Snoring. And not just a little bit of snoring, but a lot of loud snoring. I was almost crying I was laughing so hard, trying to keep quiet, and my friend was the same. It would stop and then startle us when it started again, and seriously, it went through the rest of the movie. Unbelievable. 

When the credits started to roll and the lights came up the couple next to us were suddenly our friends and we lamented about the two behind us. Apparently it was the phone lady that was snoring. Such a treat.

I can guarantee that I will never not sit in the back row again after today. Like I said, we still enjoyed the movie. We just didn't realize our ticket price also included an extra dose of entertainment and a shot of annoyance. They should really advertise that so you know what you're really paying for.

Thanks for the fun Camera 7. You never cease to entertain me.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Birthday Friday: Yeah, it was yay.

I turned 43 today. I'm not afraid of it. It doesn't bother me. I'm 43. See? I said it again. FORTY-THREE! And it was an excellent day! I did have to work this morning, but it wasn't too bad and leaving at noon meant traffic was a breeze. 


My first stop was Pluto's and I had a yummy salad while enjoying the 70 degree weather. Yeah. SEVENTY DEGREES! In February!! This is why I love California. 










Next I walked further into Santana Row and spent some time at Burke Williams having a divine facial. I left there completely relaxed and wishing I could visit every day. Pure joy.










From there I journeyed across Winchester to the old Century dome theatres (now the Winchester something or other) and saw The Fighter. Wow. GREAT movie. I can't believe I waited this long to see it. It's deserving of everything it's nominated for and everything it wins. Also, the popcorn was yay.








When that was over I wandered back to Santana Row and met my friend Marcie and her daughter Ashley at The Counter for dinner. The burgers are always good, but let's be honest, I really only go there for the sweet potato fries. Tonight however, I got an extra bonus because Ashley made me a cake. And not just any cake, but a divinely decorated Happy Bacon Birthday cake - YES! Seriously, could this be any cuter? No. It could not. 









We roamed about the Row after dinner, then I came home and opened presents and cards from my family and I can honestly say this has been an excellent birthday! I'm so thankful to the 100+ people who posted Happy Birthday wishes on my Facebook wall, and to the numerous others who tweeted, called or sent me a text (text'd?). I am truly blessed.


Finally, I decided to continue a tradition I started two years ago by re-doing the whole iPod/iTunes shuffle and seeing how things have changed. I selected this year's songs from the Recently Played section of iTunes, so this is what I've been listening to obsessively for weeks, months, maybe even since last year. In case you don't remember last year's version, you can check it out here. Or the year before, here. It's a little cheesy, but then again, so am I.


ENJOY!

Opening Credits:
Where Are You Tonight - Todd Carey

Waking Up:
Your Love Is A Song - Switchfoot

First Day at School:
Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day

What Your Friends Think of You:
My Only One - Plain White T's

What You Think of Your Friends:
Drawn Out - Dishwalla

What You Think of Your Best Friend:
Hurricane - Thirty Seconds to Mars

What You Like in a Boy:
Always - Switchfoot

Falling in Love:
Start A Fire - Ryan Star

Fight Song:
The King Of Cliche - Todd Carey

Breaking Up:
Photograph - Todd Carey

Prom:
Today, Tonight - Dishwalla

What You Wanted to Be When You Grew Up:
Enough To Let Me Go - Switchfoot

Life:
Party Up - Brandon Mychal Smith

How You Describe Yourself:
Cry Out To Jesus - Third Day

How You Feel Today - Your Birthday!:
Friends, Lovers or Nothing - John Mayer

Mental Breakdown:
Sing It Out - Switchfoot

Your Life's Purpose:
Revelation - Third Day

Your Motto:
Feel - Matchbox Twenty

What You Think About Often:
Suspended - Matt Nathanson

Your Hobby/Interest:
Give Me The Meltdown - Rob Thomas

Your Biggest Fear:
Last Train Home - Ryan Star

Your Biggest Secret:
Holiday - Green Day

Driving:
Gotta Be Next To You - Todd Carey

Flashback:
Masterpiece - Todd Carey

Getting Back Together:
Don't Waste The Pretty - Allison Iraheta f/Orianthi

Wedding Scene:
Hallelujah - Todd Carey

Your Wedding Dance:
New Morning - Alpha Rev

What You Think of When You See the Love of Your Life:
The First Day - Todd Carey

Birth of Child:
Assassin - John Mayer

Life Story:
The One - Brandon Heath

Final Battle:
Count On Me - Bruno Mars

Death Scene:
A Beautiful Lie - Thirty Seconds to Mars

Funeral Song:
Losing Your Memory - Ryan Star

End Credits:
American Idiot - Green Day