Star Wars: Retold by someone who hasnt seen it..

This is funny..


Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn't seen it) from Joe Nicolosi on Vimeo.

.. you know, this, its exactly the kind of style I would explain 'Sex and the City'.. very the same.. almost the same.. " Like theres these 3 girls or maybe 4... they live in Manhattan, and they dont like it anywhere else, and they like hang out all the time because they cant keep boyfriends. and they like shop all the time too, and talk about how men are idiots, so instead they use them for sex... and stuff... "

If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow, where would it be??

Its a hard question. Only because sometimes we have many wants and have minds that change. Makes it hard to narrow down to one answer. At least thats the way I am.


Fifty People, One Question: Brooklyn from Crush + Lovely on Vimeo.

But my bed at home is usually not the answer... for me, far away hills are always green.

Vampire, its the new Black

Its seems like you cant get away from Vampires these days. Even from Ireland, a bit outside and a bit behind the North American pop culture grapevine, I could still tell. The sense of it started this Christmas with the Stemcell girls, when I saw Jill clutching her Twilight part 3 book. Eclipse? I think thats what it was called. Jill and Crystal were raving about the series, even though I paid no mind, Im not the target audience. Girls are. Particularly preteen / teen ones. After noticing how the movie completely dominated the November / December box office, I was picking up on the trend.

Then there was my first day back to work. I was talking to my old Boss, shooting the shh..., catching up and trading Christmas break stories, and he complained to me how his household, particularly his 10 year old daughter has gone Twilight mad. Shes reading the books, obsessed with the cult of Twilight, and pestered her father to take her to the Theatre to watch the movie, and also persistently asking for a torrented version on the computer. Its getting pretty crazy, like High School Musical crazy. Ive even hinted towards this in other forums; Stephanie Meyers is quickly evolving into the new JK Rowlings, but with a odd teen romancy bent.

So there are four books. And a fresh movie. All essentially about Vampire romances. (The movie is shit though. I was curious and tried to watch it. I turned it off 30 after minutes, although my mind started wandering after only 10) Back in October, strangely enough, I started working my way through the new HBO True Blood series. And whats that about? Vampire romance in Louisiana (with loads of nudity this time). Unlike the unstoppable train of Twilight, this I actually followed, and enjoyed to some extent. It was completely different, good on the most part, not the best, but enjoyable enough, mostly because of its racy tone. And there is a supporting character dude, with a money Cajun accent. Cajun accents will make any show 10 x better, by formula. But still, it was even more of the same: Vampires (even though for me, chronologically the trend actually started with this show).

Funny enough, this all leads to the best part of the current Vampire rage, even though its the least publicized. It just happens to be the case that one of the best movies of 2008 is a romancy pre teen Vampire Swedish foreign film. I just finished watching it and Im beaming; seriously, it immediately motivated me to write this post. I was completely sucked in because of the story, the sympathic characters, the haunting yet innocent acting and most especially the breathtaking style. (eg. Successfully nailing the impossible task of combining blood and children without being disturbing) Its a masterpiece, the best movie Ive seen this winter. Awfully hyperbolic, considering I've watched the Wrestler, Gran Torino and Slumdog Millionaire all within the last couple weeks (no interest whatsoever in the story of Benjamin Bratt, Titanic Road or the Reader, apart from maybe Kate Winslet being naked loads, apparently).

The movie is 'Låt den rätte komma in' or Let the Right One In. Engrossing, its also impossible to describe because it has footprints in so many genres. Its a horror thriller, but at the same time a child's tale, and a preteen romance and yet a fantasy, but also a dark drama. The greatest importance is it lingers and makes you wonder about it after the movie is over. And thats exactly when I love movies.

Lastly, I dont believe it could of possibly come out at a better time, juxtaposition. Its the Anti-Twilight.

La Isla Bonita

This is a quick one. Need to pad the stats, starting early this year. It might be cheap but Ive learned my lesson well. Got to get my reps, and pad the stats.

More European music introductions. I am definitely taking credit for Bringing Leona Lewis to North America, I posted her video here on this blog in Oct 2007. And then she went on to blow it up in 2008. So thats got to be because of me.

So I want to introduce you to French star Alizee, the Britney Spears of France minus the crazy, but plus the exotic and the sexy.

Shes been around and been a star for a while now, about as long as Brit. And there's no chance she will ever break through in North America because shes french. So when she sings in English, its with a ever so slight accent. But she is cute as button, but like in heaven. A button in heaven. Cuz those are the cutest buttons.

Holiday Train-riding

One day, I got my cast finally removed. The next day, I was traveling and relying on a physically deteriorated hoof, feebly equipped and ill prepared for the rigors I was about to put it through; on my feet almost non stop on a 7 day holiday break to Prague, Berlin and a day in London. I thought that was quite sensible going into it, you know, constantly dependent on an ankle with no muscle surrounding it, swollen, with loads of fresh internal scar tissue. I was using this to carry my weight, on my feet the whole day, day after day; makes total sense. Now, I would of much preferred a Segway.

Also admittedly it was a little strange, this was only the third time in my 24 years (jajajajaja) I would not be with family for Christmas. Good thing though that Jill Nina and Crystal were great companions and substitutes. Jill did a good job of picking work friends to spend Christmas with. Like they werent nutjobs which was very cool. Cuz you never really know how these things turn out. Not that I was worried, Im very easy going and I can get along with almost anyone and still have a good time, but I was completely ecstatic I ended up in a position where I didn't have to try. LOL Not having to try to be friendly because the people you are with are already fun and delightful, that always the ideal formula for a merry and jolly christmas group hop around. Its easy. Apart from the walking portions of course. I wouldn't of minded a voluntary calf massage or three, either. Didnt get any of them.

Sadly there was no snow. I really wanted that to happen, and all that I really asked Santa for. It came really close, I swear I saw the threat of a few flakes. Prague is gorgeous old school europe already, and snow would of blew it away. Instead, its snowing today, when we are already long gone.

It turned out though that all the walking was good for me, as I had initially hoped. Yesterday I went to my first physiotherapy appointment, 2 weeks after removal. And apparently, I have about 75% of my range of motion back, and the strength, although still weak, is probably ahead of schedule. It still hurts though to walk properly, so I remain skeptical. I already have bad feet. I dont want to add bad ankle.

Here are some memoriable quotes and moments from Christmas:

-There was no drinking on this trip. Jill was sick, and allergic, apparently. Crystal only wanted Tequila, but instead only got fried apple pies from Macdonalds. And Nina, apparently has a rep for drinking loads, but after 5 days, I didnt see it, so I don't believe it anymore.

- Hanging out with 3 girls who work for the same company for a few days, I quickly learn almost all the ins and outs of coworkers, all by 2nd hand absorption, especially details about men at the company; funny how that happens, and I didnt even want it to. Lets see: theres Dave and Steve and Scott whose a Kiwi, and Corey and there is Chris who is apparently is the best looking one, and doesnt even work there. I just puked in my mouth.

- We're in the apartment we rented. Resting chilling out. "Oh you know what would be perfect? If we had the Sex and the City DVD! You know that song, the one that was playing when Carrie was trying on all those dresses. I love that song. Such a good scene..." ummm, there IS a boy in the room.

- Jill: "YES!! These jeans still fit! They are 10% elastic. I dont know if thats a good thing or a bad thing"

- Crystal: "Bapity Boppy? Bapity Boppy?" {hand gestures, hand gestures} You had to be there.

- Nina at Macdonalds for Breakfast: "Too bad they dont have Sausage McGriddles in Prague. I love them.. Its meat and sweet! First time I had it, it was by mistake and I was like 'these exist? why didnt anyone tell me earlier?' "

- Again hanging out with three girls that know each other fairly well, things get randomly blurted out like " It would be awesome if we could watch Breakfast at Tiffanys right now! Audrey... I love her in that movie, you know, because she lives in a fantasy world to keep herself happy..." The other two girls give the look of consensus agreement. I attempted to poke my eyes out.

- On city trips to Prague and Berlin, we always seemed to end up eating out at an Italian restaurant. But we are in Germany. In the Czech Republic. Still going to Italian restaurants, and the girls unapologetic. On the last day in Berlin, we were tired after a full day of exploring and were looking for a food. It was completely dark and Baltic outside, everyone was tired and desperate and we wanted to just find a place to eat but more importantly rest and thaw out from the Hoth weather (minus snow). The next place around the corner, again, and heres Jill : "Oh, look its Italian... hmmm... Funny, how that exactly worked out in my favor..." and then grinning like a baby after making a pooppie. I was wincing in pain from my ankle, but still had enough energy to roll my eyes.

- Here is a typical picture of the trip. My "mates", way up front leaving me in the dust, as I struggle, hobbling along, trying in vain to keep up in the rear view mirror, while my "mates", walk like its the speed walking event at the olympics. This picture is zoomed fully in by the way, and doesnt nearly do its justice... objects are a much further than they appear. LOL