July 26, 2004 + summer comes, summer goes...

This is a Monday morning update that's actually being written and prepared on Sunday. This Sunday has been one of the most beautiful Michigan days I've ever experienced. The weather is just perfect! It's sunny, not hot, breezy, cloudless, just perfect. I hope those of you living in Michigan got to enjoy the day. Took my dog on two walks today, went for a run/walk for an hour, my sister laid out all day. It's the kind of day that just makes one smile. Sort of wish I was playing golf though! On with the update!

Most everyone I've communicated with after the re-launch is diggin the new design. And now I can actually show you the inspiration. There is a new Gallery with photos of my new room. It's a tad less cluttery than it usually is. I'm a stacker...got some shit in this stack, cd's in that stack, etc, but I know where everything is. So feel free to indulge your inner voyeur and look around my room.


Apparently the writing bug has bitten me in the ass this month. While waiting for my flight home from DC a few weeks ago I made a few airport observations. Things we've all probably thought about that I've given a voice. An angry, cynical, sometimes screaming, voice. So check it out:

> Airport Observations: Washington Dulles International Airport



Yep, still losing weight. How's that for dedication, I gave this part of my life it's own icon! That's a lady with a grocery cart if you're having trouble, because of the amount of grocery shopping I do. As of this past Friday I've lost a total of 40.8 pounds. I know, I can't believe it either. It seems the people around me are more excited than I am. Which is fine, but I feel I have to stress that losing weight is just one aspect of my life I'm working on, and definitely NOT the most important. To be honest, I don't know my exact motivation, I haven't revealed that to myself yet. But I've shown no signs of quitting, which usually happens in month two or three of whatever it is I'm trying to commit to. I have a tendency to not finish things, to quit. But I'm still doing it going into my fifth month, so we'll see. I've posted a picture of me minus 40 pounds HERE.


A month ago I was listening to the entire Black Eyed Peas catalog a few times a day. I highly recommend all of their cd's to everyone, and by everyone I mean people who enjoy good music. I had planned to dedicate the entire music portion of this update to BEP, but I'm instead going to introduce you to three "off the radar" artists.

First, in the vein of the Black Eyed Peas, I present to you Talib Kweli. He's collab'd with Mos Def and Hi-Tek in '98 and '00 respectively. His solo album, Quality, came out in 2002, but I only recently discovered it. I keep thinking that for two years I didn't know about this guy, two years too long. Talib addresses politics, life, and a good time, all on the same album. There is a smoothness (only way I know to describe it) to his music, like BEP, that really appeals to me. It's more than just bob your head tracks, it's get up and dance shit. If you're looking to download a few tracks I recommend "Get By," "Waitin for the DJ," and "Put it in the Air." Other artists Talib is like are, obviously Mos Def and BEP, but also the Roots, Common, and a voice like Jay-Z.

Next are two ladies who seem familiar to me, maybe because I started listening to them at the same time. They both have that female rock thing going on, like Nikka Costa (although not a voice like Nikka Costa). First up is Rosey. She reminds me of Fiona Apple minus the weirdness, and Shea Seger. Her sound is bluesy/folk that's actually appealing. She has one album out, Dirty Child, which came out in 2002. And you've probably heard a few of her tracks in movies (Bridget Jones' Diary). A couple of great tracks I dig are "Love" and "Dirty Child."

The last artist I have to introduce you to is Toby Lightman. Her album was actually released this year, titled Little Things. So the buzz on her is just getting started, get aboard now or stick with Britney Martha Faucking Spears. Ok, that rant's over. Toby reminds me of a poppy Joss Stone. Her sound is r&b/soul meets pop/rock. And of course, it's appealing, meaning it's melodic and made for the everyperson. Songs to check out are "Devils & Angels" and "Front Row."


I got three movie reviews for ya this time. Don't feel obligated to read them all, it's not like I'd know anyway! I actually assume hardly anyone reads the whole update anyway. Read whichever movie review suits you.

Saved!
Any movie that pokes fun at religious fanaticism will catch my eye. Such is the case of Saved! (exclamation point included in title). The previews didn't really do the movie justice. It was funny, controversial, touching, and witty. At times I felt I was watching a teen movie (a la She's All That, American Pie), rather than an indie film.

I was surprised at Mandy Moore's performance. She was actually hysterical and played the villain really well. The main character is played by Jena Malone, who I know will one day be accepting an Oscar. My favorite duo was Macauley Culkin and Eva Amurri. Culkin plays Mandy Moore's wheelchair bound brother, and Eva is the "rebel without a cause" chick. She plays a Jewish kid attending a Christian school - hilarious.

This movie addresses teenage sex and homosexuality while poking fun at Christian fundamentalism. Me being the anti-religious person that I am you may be shocked to discover that I liked that while the movie satirically attacks Christianity it also didn't steer anyone away from believing what they choose to believe. If you don't see this in theaters it's definitely a renter.

Fahrenheit 911
Moving from religious controversy to political...
If you haven't seen this movie you really need to. Even if you are a diehard Bush loyalist. I went into this movie expecting half of it to be slanted and out of context. But the movie really does make connections between Bush and the bin Laden's that shouldn't be ignored. You all know my political affiliation - the person with the best chance of beating Bush gets my vote, so this movie was right for me. But if you're questioning who to vote for, or who not to vote for, I highly recommend seeing this movie.

Spiderman 2
Don't really have much to say. The movie was really good. I hate Tobey Maguire.