The Prisoners Movie

I haven't been out on the town to see a movie in two months and last night I went with my man to see The Prisoners at The Grandin after dinner.  A traditional date night after a longgggg work week!  Yay!  I expected the movie to be dramatic considering it's about the abduction of two little girls but the movie was creepy and scary to boot which I wasn't anticipating.  The movie makes you feel like your home isn't safe.  I hate that feeling...

I hate spoilers so I'm not going to even elude to what happens in the movie because if I had read some of the reviews beforehand I think it would have taken away some of the suspense.  The trailer was just fine as a marketing tool without giving too much away.

I read several different reviewers' takes on the movie and their readers' comments on-line after I saw the movie.  I'm surprised by how varied the opinions on this movie are!  Some people really thought it was well done and well acted with lots of suspense and twists and turns (I agree) and others hated it and wished they hadn't gone to see it.  I don't know of anyone in my circle of friends that has seen it yet so I don't really have anything else to go on besides my own opinion and what I see on-line.

The Grandin Theatre has four screening rooms and The Prisoners was upstairs in a smallish theatre.  Don Jon was showing in the largest/main room which surprised me.  Anyway, there were only about a dozen people at the 7PM Friday showing which left the room 3/4 of the way empty.  I'm not sure what the other moviegoers thought about the film but my husband and I really liked it.  The movie wasn't predictable at all, was very suspenseful, creepy, and violent.  I could have done with less creepiness and violence.  I think my nerves are just shot and want a break.  I'd suggest this movie to most adults since it was some really good storytelling and acting but I wouldn't recommend it to my parents due to some of the graphic scenes ~ it was a bit much there in spots...

Why New York Politics is Much More Fun (than politics in VA)

This man is running for New York City mayor and will not win.  However, he's a hell of a lot of fun to watch during a debate and will help take your mind off the endless mind-numbing campaign stories and ads on TV this time of year.  Check out his campaign anthem above...  A few years ago, he ran for the New York State governor's office on the Rent is Too Damn High party ticket and lost to Cuomo.  He gained a lot of attention for his outfits, facial hair, slogan, and charisma.  Also, we can all agree with him that rent in New York is too damn high so he speaks truth.  People like that, right?

The reason we know Jimmy McMillan at all is because the New York State political scene and news bureaus give time and attention to third party candidates for various reasons.  I think the main reason is that a good drama can use some comedic relief to give the viewer a break from the tension and stress.  That's why when Howard Stern ran in the New York State governor's race years ago he garnered a lot of attention in the press.  It was nice to forget about the chumps that would probably win and have a chance to listen to someone who could make you laugh.  The entire political process seems like a joke today anyway.  Why not make the circus entertaining?

When I lived in New York, the local news outlets would televise a debate and invite the main two party candidates to the stage along with several lessor known candidates as well.  It was refreshing.  It could also be entertaining if the third party candidates gave the Republican and Democratic candidates a hard time.  Everybody loves a spoiler.  It was a show and was also informational.

Virginia politics is SO BORING in comparison.  We have a governor's race going on with two main party candidates who are totally lame and uninspiring.  I dislike both of them and don't want to vote for either man.  God forbid a woman should even run ~ that will never happen...  I have no idea if there is another choice on the ballot besides these two chumps because the news media doesn't let us know.  We "have to pick" from one of two choices.  Not only does this seem very un-democratic to me but it's also boring as hell.  Depressing.

Several Virginians made comments to me a few months back like "I can't believe that New Yorkers would vote for Spitzer or Weiner" and "New Yorkers are going to get who they deserve" and a sort of superior attitude resonated outwards.  I could tell that they were thinking New Yorkers were spastic to even give the time of day to either womanizing loser.  I said "They won't actually win" and I was thinking to myself "It's part of the entertainment phase of the race" but I don't think they believed me.  I suppose to understand you have to have lived in New York and experienced the show.  In which case, you'd realize how boring politics in Virginia can be.  *sigh*

On a happy note, rent is NOT too damn high in Southwestern Virginia.  It is in NoVA which is why I don't live there.  :-)

My List of Stuff I Want To Do This October

There is really no explanation for why I chose a rainbow picture for this post.  I was just playing with Picmonkey again and tried cropping a photo to be round.  It was fun.

Anyway, October is almost here and I have a bunch of things I want to accomplish before the month is over.  I cannot believe that September flew by as fast as it did.  Agh!  I don't want October to give in to cold and cloudy November without getting these items checked off my list:

1. Try out a local corn maze.  My good friend from high school just went to one in upstate New York and I think that is a fantastic fall idea to try!   I hope I don't get massive anxiety if/when I get totally lost in there.  Come to think of it, I didn't ask her if she had a good time or not...
2. Decorate the outside of our house with Halloween and fall themed decorations before the trick or treators arrive.  We already have some corn stalks and a bale of hay waiting to be used.  Just need to find a scarecrow, pumpkins, and make some jack o' lanterns...  There were some really neat white pumpkins at Fresh Market but they cost too much and now I can't find any.  I'm on the search!
3. Get our broken living room window fixed.  :-(    Somehow, a rock shattered it.  WTH?!  More money, more money....
4. Plant my perennial flower bulbs when they arrive.  I ordered a bunch and have the flowerbed all prepped and ready to go!  I tried to buy bulbs that would bloom into flowers of different heights and colors that would attract butterflies and hummingbirds.  Wish me luck.
5. Get back into an exercise plan to help me lose 10 pounds that I gained this year.  I suppose it would help if I don't eat all the Halloween candy I just bought from CVS wayyyyyyy too early.  I hid it.  I hope I forget that I have it in the house.
6. Enjoy my time in NY (yay!) and try not to spend too much money on clothing.  I find all the best clothes for the upcoming season when I go to NY in the spring and autumn.  I need to budget this time around and use more self-control which I am confident I can do.
7. Continue to post on this blog regularly like I did in September.
8. Try to find out if 20 Feet From Stardom, the documentary, is playing anywhere nearby.  It was playing at our local indie theatre and we missed it.  Thank goodness for Netflix and the like.  :-)
9. Try a new restaurant (I need to STOP eating so much) with the man.  Thinking perhaps Millstone in Bedford because someone at work told me it was amazing.  Their menu looks yummy!  Good Southern food like shrimp and grits and fried chicken.  I bet their desserts are good.
10. Try a few new healthy dinner recipes.  I made a really yummy French cod fish dinner two nights ago.  We should eat more fish and veggies...
11. Walk more in my neighborhood.  I found an adjacent neighborhood that seems really nice for walking with some gentle hills.  Need to go back.
12. Continue going to church on Sundays.  It makes me feel better.

Why a Tribute Band Can Be as Awesome as the Real Thing

Friday night, Jeff and I spent our evening rocking out with CrossRoads, a Bon Jovi tribute band from the Baltimore area.  They were performing in Roanoke as part of a Friday night concert series put on by our local rock station WROV.  The concert was $6 per person and was supposed to be outside but the weather wasn't cooperating so it was held in a basement area of the Civic Center.  Not the best location for a rock concert but the band kicked ass!  What a great way to spend a Friday night!

I've seen Bon Jovi perform live and CrossRoads sounds JUST like the real thing and they had great energy.  I was super impressed and had an amazing time.  The video above from their website doesn't do them justice because the sound on the video isn't as clear as it could be due to area acoustic issues.  There is another video of them on You Tube that sounds better and the videographer was closer to the stage too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB-trKAJCjU

I loved how the lead singer would interact with the audience and the band is super talented.  They all seemed like nice guys and I couldn't get over the voice!  They were their own opening act and played various non-Jovi songs, took a short break, and came back in different clothing to play the Bon Jovi set list.  I can't remember every song they played but some of them were "Bad Medicine", "Bed of Roses", "Lay Your Hands On Me", "I'll Be There For You", "Runaway", "Blaze of Glory", "Have a Nice Day", "Keep the Faith", "It's My Life", "Blood On Blood", "Always", and "Livin' on a Prayer".  My two favorites were "Always" and "Runaway" because they sounded so damn good!

Band pic from their Facebook page and website

There's a really great U2 tribute band that I posted about months ago.  Obviously, I'm a big fan of tribute bands if I've posted about them twice because these bands sound fantastic, love what they do so give their all at a show, and give you that big concert experience in an intimate club environment.  I love the real Bon Jovi and U2 but I don't love the excessive ticket prices, anxiety-inducing crowds, and extreme distance between the stage and the seats.

I'd say there were about 100 people at last night's show but I'm not the best at estimating crowds.  I wish more people would take the time to get out and support these musicians who are super-talented and fans themselves!  It's a great way to enjoy live music, stimulate the economy, and pay tribute you a band you love with a group of fun people.  Although, I must say, there were a few bizarre-o people there last night as well.  Music brings people together, I guess. 

According to the lead singer, CrossRoads performs all up and down the Mid-Atlantic coast from Key West to Baltimore.  Definitely go see them if you have a chance or book them for your own event.  They are amazing.  :-)

Relax

 

Happy hump day!  Hope you are enjoying your week so far.  Instead of going to work, I'd much rather be going back to visit this pier on the Outer Banks.  I took this photo with my phone camera back in July and it was such a relaxing place to visit.  We were strolling along the bay side and this pier and surrounding park area were a really nice find.  The water and sunlight were beautiful that day and I would have loved to have spent more time there just hanging out.

Today would be the perfect day to relax in a hammock or lounge chair inside that cupola thing because I have no desire to go back to the grind today.  How nice would it be to open a good book or magazine, sip a nice warm cup of coffee, listen to the seagulls and watch the water sway back and forth.  *sigh*

New York, New York

Pretty places in NY I've walked prior to moving to VA

The countdown begins!  I'm going back to New York this October and since it's going to be a quickie I am trying to figure out what I can fit in and do.  Do I have time to visit Bagel Boss for a giant bialy smothered in cream cheese?  Yes, I think I will do that since Bagel Boss is open 24 hours a day.  Do I have time for a B'way play?  Probably not this time.  Boo!  I'd love to see Robert Moses beach but I doubt I'll have time for that either.  My friend, Nancy, has informed me that we have to go to The Cheesecake Factory for old time sake.  Hey, it's next to a giant Anne Taylor Loft.  Check.

Before and After

 

I read about this free photo editing software on-line yesterday called Picmonkey and I had never heard of it before so I thought I'd give it a try.  It was super easy!  I uploaded a photo I took several years ago of some trees at a park on Long Island's North Shore, rotated it, added some exposure and color filters, added a banner and some words, a frame border, and then all done.  Fun and easy!

Summer Into Autumn

My first attempt using Picmonkey (not bad!)

 



My favorite season is summer even though the heat can be oppressive and the bugs can be annoying.  I just love all the daylight hours and how you feel like you have an entire day to do fun things after you get off of work.  Now that summer's transitioning into autumn, after I cook and eat dinner I feel like the day is over and I need to go and put my pajamas on since the sun is setting.  Not quite as fun.

Soooooo, my man and I have been trying to find fun stuff to do in the coming weeks so we have something to look forward to even on a weeknight.  We have tickets to see a play put on by Roanoke's Mill Mountain Theatre in October and tickets to see Straight No Chaser perform at the Performing Arts Center in November.  The Greek Festival is next weekend and that is always worth standing in a long line for.  Ohhhhh the food is sooooo good!  Maybe we'll find time to try a trail ride (via horse) again sometime on a weekend.  It would be nice to gaze up at the trees when they are all orangey and red and yellow while sitting on a horse.

Today, we got two banh mi sandwiches to go from a new restaurant called Viet Sub and ate them at the local park and then took a walk around since it was a gorgeous day.  I actually got a little chilly sitting in the shade during the sandwich eating part of the afternoon and thought "here we go....summer's almost over".  The sandwiches were yummy, by the way!

A good buddy of mine is going to a hot air balloon festival next weekend and will be trying out a corn maze.  Sounds like a perfect way to welcome autumn to me!

Want an Alligator Lawn Ornament?

Hi.  One more Farmville story.  In between buildings there is a courtyard filled with various bronze (?) lawn ornaments for purchase.  The usual boys holding lanterns and giant birds and deer and stuff were there.  What I wasn't expecting to see was several ferocious looking alligators.  Go figure....

My older sister has a fear of alligators.  I used to put a plastic alligator toy that smelled like grapes and I don't know why under her bed's covers to freak her out wayyyyyy back in the day.  Of course, I texted her this photo right after I took it.  :-)

Update on Farmville

Our fantastic sofa

Do you remember how a couple of months ago I posted about how I wanted to go to Farmville with my soon-to-be husband to check out Green Front Furniture?  Well, we went in July to look for a sofa and we found the perfect one.  The picture above is our American-made sofa that just got delivered last Friday.  I cannot express how much we love having a super longgggggggggggggg (over 90 inches) sofa with one cushion.  It's like having a bed in your living room. to watch television on.  It's heaven.  Please ignore the blank wall, lack of end tables, and bare window.  Still in early decorating stage...

So, in case you ever want to go to Farmville (it's adorable, btw) you should know that there are over a dozen different buildings all up and down the same street so it's easy to maneuver around.  We got lucky and found a great parking spot on the street in front of building # 15, walked in, and one of the first sofas we saw was "the one".  We walked around to check out the other buildings and it was a bit tiring and overwhelming so I hope if you go that you have as much luck as we did.

Spot at Sea

Hi all!  A thunderstorm is rolling into Roanoke.  Lots of thunder but no rain so far.  I'm sure that will change in a little while.

You know how I mentioned that my man and I went to Asheville for half of our honeymoon week?  We went to the Outer Banks for the first half which was our favorite part.  We couldn't rent a cottage for less than a week so we stayed at the Hampton Inn in Corolla and it was fantastic.  Aside from the yummy free breakfasts and the nice cool room, we didn't have to clean up or cook.  Perfect, restful vacation...  The best part was the hotel is on the Atlantic Ocean so it was a quick walk to the beach and we had great views from our room.  As you can see from this photo, my man surf fished.  He's holding a Spot here but he also caught some Croakers (a.k.a. Sea Robins).  He threw all his catches back, of course.  :-)

**The thunder is really loud and the sun is out ~ bizarre**

Well, off to cook dinner.  It's chicken tacos tonight.

May the Force be with Sock Monkey!

Okay, how cute is this?  I was walking with my man down Wall Street in Asheville, NC when I spotted a knitting store with this awesome window display.  They had three sock monkeys dressed up as Star Wars characters.  These two are dueling with knitting needles and in the adjacent window there was a Luke Skywalker sitting and knitting with a bubble above his head with his thoughts about how he had to finish his row of knitting.  It was totally adorable.

I have a soft spot for any sock monkey doll because in nursery school there was a classroom sock monkey that no one could hold or play with unless you got hurt.  So, I think everyone in my class associated sock monkey as a special toy that soothed you when you got hit by another kid on a swing (that happened to me) or if you fell off a slide or tripped and fell.   Besides, a sock monkey has personality and seems totally awesome.  It makes me happy that Cracker Barrel sells them.

I didn't go into the knitting store because it was closed but this window display totally got my interest.  My sister taught me how to knit in the summer between 7th and 8th grade but I don't remember how to do it now.  I've considered taking a basic knitting class on several occasions but I just haven't found the time yet.  I have several friends who knit and I hear it's relaxing.  Crocheting looks good too because you can make cute little Halloween critters and other fun things that have nothing to do with scarves and hats.  Not sure which I should try...