Hairspray [2007] July 31, 2007

I can say one thing about Hairspray, it’s a ton better than Dreamgirls. Figuratively and literally.

I grew up watching Ricki Lake [1988] in the role of Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky), the plump dancer who just wants her chance to twist and mash potato on the Corny Collins Show. Unfortunately Velma Von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer), former Miss Baltimore, believes her daughter, and other slim, white, proper people are the only ones who should shine every afternoon at 4 p.m. But Corny (James Marsden) and lead crooner Link Larkin (Zac Efron) disagree. They think Tracy has style.

She lands a plumb place on the show but her love of dancing knows no color. She wants “Negro Day,” the one show a month where blacks are allowed in the studio to broadcast, to be everyday and soon she and Motormouth Maybelle (Queen Latifah) are marching for integration.

Unknown Nikki Blonsky is cute, fun, bubbly and everything Tracy should be. She steals the show with her naivete. She’s not slick like Efron or Marsden or overly tan like Amanda Bynes (Penny). I believe she really is Tracy, who’s big dream is to be on the screen.

John Travolta in a fat suit as Edna was entertaining and almost sweet. I forgot it was John Travolta until I saw the man hands, then its just draggy, but paired with Christopher Walken how can you go wrong.

Hairspray is a fun, bubble gum movie with a beat and a message. It’s delivered with a large dollop of cheese. If you’re sick of sequels, tired of cartoons, and want some fluffy fun, go see Hairspray.

Too old for London July 26, 2007

On one of my recent flights of fancy I decided to indulge my lifelong desire of moving to London.

I don’t know why I want to move to London, no real logical reason, I just do.

So I joined a yahoo group appropriately called, Moving to London. Helpful posts from others trying to move made mention of the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) visa, which allows you to move to London to look for worth without obtaining employment sponsorship. This is a much easier route, if you qualify on the 75 point system. Points are awarded based on: age, current salary, educational background, previous UK living experience, etc.

At the end of the very short questionnaire I learned that I only generated 65 points, what killed me? My age. That’s right, over 30 and you get no points at all. If I want to qualify I either need to start earning more money here or go get an MBA from one of the selected schools.

The thought of going back to grad school to get an MBA makes me tired. So it’s back to the drawing board on how I can move to London.

Summer TV Faves July 25, 2007

Alright, I must give a big shout out to the VPs who are launching new summer programming instead of just airing repeats.

This summer I have indulged in:

1. Starter Wife (USA) - starring Debra Messing. This was akin to a delicious, cheesy beach read. Light on plot heavy on drama and ridiculousness.
2. 2007 World Series of Pop Culture (VH1) - all those hours of tv and movie watching finally paying off to the tune of $250,000. Some seriously tough categories. I was toast on all the music categories.
3. Rescue Me (FX) - Denis Leary is at his finest. This is a guy show but still good.
4. Scott Baio is 45 and Single (VH1) - I remember when Erika was working on this show. I’d get some tidbits that were enough to set tivo for it. SO glad I did. This show is psychobabble at its best. I mean how can you not watch Chachi confront Joanie?

What are you watching?

Unpacking part 4 July 23, 2007

Ok, after seven months I figured it was time to tackle the remaining five boxes and two totes still sitting on the floor of my bedroom. I mean I only have six months left on my lease I should feel like I live there at some point.

So I devoted an entire Saturday to the job.

I managed to unpack three of the boxes. Ok, so I consolidated two boxes into one. I unpacked two boxes, still no pictures on the wall. But I have decided on a color scheme - chocolate brown, blue and silver. I also moved all of the red, brown and gold accessories to my office.

What did I do all day, I opted instead to rearrange my furniture about four times. And all I ended up doing was flip flopping the bed and the couch. Yep, that’s it.

But hey, it’s some progress, and I’ll take it.

LA LA Land July 22, 2007

One of my favorite things to do is take day trips.

Since I use photography as a major stress reliever nearly every weekend I’m dragging some friend somewhere with me to see, experience, or taste something new in Southern California.

Rather than post all of those photos and adventures here I have decided to move the Life in Southern California category to a blog site of its own - LA LA Land. It’s a blog spin off

It is still a work in progress but come visit and see where I’ve been, what I’ve discovered, what I recommend and what I don’t.

Dream of Travel - Yet Again July 21, 2007

Last night I had yet another travel dream. I’m so sick of this dream I wish my unconscious or subconscious could come up with something else.

I was at the airport rushing to make my connecting flight to get to my parents house (at least I’m actually mid-journey this time instead of being unable start at all). I get to the gate and my flight has been cancelled. I ask the gate agent if there are any other flights and she says not until tomorrow. So I ask about surrounding airports. She says she has to go check and for some reason must leave the podium. Well she writes down the wrong aiports. She writes PGE instead of CLE. So I run out to the monitors to see if I can find a flight myself.

Only when I get to the monitors they’re scrolling through the information and I keep missing the C’s. I try on several monitors but can’t seem to catch the information. Finally I see that some flight to Cleveland is leaving from gate 2, which is the one right near me but I can’t tell what time and for some dream-reason why I can’t figure out if the flight has already left and I missed it or if its leaving in the future.

So I see the gate agent again and go over to get her help but now she’s moved on to someone else. Then I about fall off the bed and wake up.

Maybe this dream is just all about frustration and irritation about where I am in life. I want to move onto the next thing, the next phase but am stuck. If that’s the case then I’ll probably have this dream for the rest of my freaking life.

Gym Etiquette July 20, 2007

NOTE: I’ve added a new annoyance discovered last week. See #5

In my ongoing, never-ending quest to try and be more healthy I have actually been consistent in dragging myself to the gym. Getting there really is half the battle. Once I’m there I do manage to muddle through and feel somewhat accomplished when I leave.

But I have noticed several things whilst there that drive me crazy.

July 20

1. People who talk on their cell phone. This also applies to those who talk on the cell phone in the bathroom. I don’t see the point. There should be sacred, no phone time. The gym qualifies. I can’t imagine you’re getting that great of a workout while talking because you’re distracted so take the freaking phone back to your locker. It is really annoying.

2. Brazenly naked women. Now I understand the need to shower before you leave, but the gym is the place for a QUICK shower. It is not the place to conduct the same pre and post shower routine you use at home. I don’t need to see you inspect your body for moles. I don’t want to catch you lotioning everywhere. And for heaven sakes do not clip your toenails. Leave those things for later.

3. Those who do not wipe down the machine when done. I do not feel the need to sit in your butt sweat. I just don’t and I really don’t want your funky sweat on my towel. It just makes me cringe.

4. Grunters and screamers - now I realize the last couple of reps can be tough but don’t make weird noises. It just makes people laugh at you.

August 11

5. If you work for the gym don’t try to sell me anything in the middle of my work out. I was on the treadmill, head phones on, about 30 minutes into my workout when one of the trainers actually taps me on the shoulder to hand me a coupon for a free training session. If I’ve got headphones on and I’m staring off into space while sweating don’t talk to me if you don’t know me. I am not in the mood to chat about how my workout is going. I will not be the most receptive to your offer so leave me alone.

Now here are a couple of things I just don’t get:

1. Why do women workout in full makeup? I would imagine you just sweat it off. It’s going to run or cake on your clothes. It cannot be pleasant.

2. Isn’t that thong work out gear uncomfortable. I realize those women in full make up and the thong or short-short work out clothes may not be there to actually workout.

Let’s all work together to make the gym a happier place.

Back to Insomnia July 19, 2007

Once again, I can’t sleep.

I seem to have semi-annual bouts of insomnia. Recently I have been getting up at 3:30 a.m. staying awake until about 5 a.m. and then fitfully sleeping til 8 a.m. It has happened every night this week. I even exercised yesterday hoping that would knock me out all night, it didn’t.

I didn’t think I was stressed about that much, but apparently something is working in my subconscious. Although I’m not dreaming. I have no idea. It is however a royal pain.

Trailer Living July 18, 2007

I live in a van down by the river.
Ok, so it’s actually a trailer in a former gravel pit. We recently changed offices again at work. We were removed from the main building into a manufactured homesque structure next to the facilities “bungalow.”

It’s quite comfortable although I can hear every word of every conversation of those in the offices next to me, reminiscent of being in a tin can.

Oh well, at least now I don’t have to share an office I have one of my very own.

Same Sex Roommates a Prep for Marriage July 11, 2007

I heard today that living with roommate(s) of the same sex is excellent training for marriage.

Apparently how we conducted ourselves and live in relationship with members of the same gender will help us get ready for living with a spouse. Now that seems counter intuitive to popular wisdom. Normally couples think they should live together to test-drive the relationship. However, that is just playing house?

Why does same-sex relationships more approximate marriage than cohabitation?

It seems that when living with a same-sex (non-sexual) roommate you are forced to learn to communicate, adjust, and be respectful without adding a sexual component. By eliminating the male/female dynamic of flirtation and traditional gender roles you are forced to define a clearer view of self as you interact with others. So your roommates don’t care if you look cute in your little black dress you still have to wash your own dishes. If your roommates tell you to clean up your stuff it isn’t a nagging girlfriend, you are instead learning to be responsible.

Roommates also approximate families yet force us to grow beyond simply what has always been done. We learn to identify patterns of behavior and traditions learned from our chilhoods and how that plays well with others or not. For me it also pointed out that I’m a lot more like my mom than I thought. As I interacted with others I learned new patterns of interaction that helped me grow and stretch.

So how we conduct ourselves with our same sex roommates will determine, in part, how we operate with our spouses. Do we have clear boundaries? Are we able to communicate needs and expectations? How accountable and responsible are we?

For me one of the steepest learning curves has been conflict. I do not deal well with it and try to avoid it at all costs. I had one roommate situation where we prided ourselves on the fact that we never fought. However, I have since realized that we weren’t really interacting in an authentic fashion.

When we can successfully navigate through conflict to resolution we are building intimacy with another person. When confrontation is done and a successful reconciliation is achieved there is a sense of accomplishment. It helps prove those both parties that the relationship is strong and able to withstand circumstance. If the relationship is never tested it will remain immature.

What better place to learn this than with peers of the same gender. Very interesting food for thought.