Category Archives: entertaiment

I’ve Got the Beach in Me

Posted on by Run DMT
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This past weekend, my family and I saw Toy Story 3.  What a great movie!  I laughed.  I cried, but my poor little sensitive soul Emmalynn wailed worse than she did we saw Where the Wild Things Are.  After the movie, Emmalynn said in a sad sniffle voice, “I love all my toys, Mommy.”  And when we returned home last night, both girls gave their favorite toys a little cuddle.

 

In the movie, Buzz Lightyear is reset to the factory default demo setting.  The toys try to restore Buzz back to his old self again, but accidentally set him to Spanish mode which leaves Buzz with some interesting new features and moves.

 

 

I’ve never been a Randy Newman fan, but I love the Gypsy Kings’s version of You Got a Friend in Me.  After hearing their version in the movie yesterday, I dusted off out my Gypsy Kings CD.

 

 

 

On another note, we’re heading to the beach this week.  I’ve had the sand and surf on my mind for weeks now and I can’t wait to soak it all up.  Of course, any Bob Marley or Jimmy Buffet song will put me in a beachy keen kind of mood.

 

 

But lately, Nick Drake’s From the Morning has been featured in an AT&T commercial which has been making me long for lazy days at the beach even more.

 

 

We can’t get to the beach soon enough.

 

Music Monday button

The Lost Boy

Posted on by Run DMT
11

Until the recent death of Corey Haim, I hadn’t given much thought to the two Coreys in nearly twenty years.  As the media uncovers more and more stories and photos of Corey Haim in the last days before his untimely death, it breaks my heart to see yet another Hollywood star burn out too soon. Somewhere deep inside a broken and destitute nearly 40 year old man, hid the young Corey Haim that so many girls from my teen days loved and although I never had a teen crush on either of the two Coreys (Corey Feldman and Corey Haim), I prefer to remember them as they were back in their heyday.

 

 

Most girls back in the 80s crushed over the two Coreys in License to Drive, but my favorite films featuring them were The Lost Boys and Dream Little Dream.  The Lost Boys, an iconic 80s film, had teen girls swooning over sexy vampires well before Edward, but Dream a Little Dream, haunted me for years far greater than The Lost Boys ever could.  Dream a Little Dream introduced me to a unique fantasy plot and a story line that I have since seen played over many times again in other films and novels, but since that first introduction, these twisted, body switching, time traveling tales attracted my attention into my adult years.

 

More than creating a love for fantasy genre, both films also reinforced my love for movie soundtracks.  (As I mentioned in earlier posts, I’ve always loved movie soundtracks, thanks to John Hughes and other directors making careful consideration when selecting music to match scenes.)  Echo and the Bunnymen’s version of People are Strange from The Lost Boys opened my music world to The Doors.

 

 

But I attribute Dream a Little Dream bringing me Into the Mystic and discovering the world of Van Morrison’s music.  Until Corey Haim passed away, I had completely forgotten about this movie, which is where I first heard Into the Mystic and the song how moved me way back when.

 

 

As the news agencies delve deeper into the reasons behind Corey Haim’s death, an uncanny irony unfolds as we learn how this poor soul became a true lost boy who got caught up in the crazy world of drug addiction. Although we may never know the root of Corey Haim’s addiction, Hollywood and its walking undead resembles the town of Santa Carla more and more.

 

 

Music Monday button

Musical Monday: That’s Entertainment

Posted on by Run DMT
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I *heart* my TiVO.  Now, it may seem a bit bizarre to proclaim my love for TiVO during a Musical Monday post, but just go with me on this.  When I say TiVO, I’m not using the generic blanketed term to label my DVR.  It’s the real McCoy.  See, a TiVO is this genius little contraption that learns what programs you like to watch and begins recording new programs called “suggestions” that match your television viewing tastes, which is how my TiVO knows me so well.  He just gets me.

 

If you recall a few weeks ago, I briefly mentioned Spectacle: Elvis Costello With during my Ray LaMontagne post.  Since I also watch Later with Jools Holland, my TiVO noticed that I enjoy music shows and suggested a new (but really not-so-new) program.

 

Since becoming pregnant, I have been waking up around 3:00 a.m. and I am unable to fall back to sleep.  (Old wives’ tales would tell that this will be the time I will feed the baby when he arrives.)  While wide awake in the wee hours of the morning, I’ll scroll through our “Now Playing List” to see what new shows have recorded.  Sometimes, I’ll even flip through the “Suggestions” folder to see what little programming presents my TiVO will leave me.  And that’s when I found an old flame from the past: 120 Minutes.

 

Apparently, VH1 airs old episodes of 120 Minutes at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings.

 

Finding 120 Minutes in my Suggestions list brought back memories of my high school days.  I remember setting our VCR every Sunday night to discover all the cutting edge alternative music (referred to as New Wave in those days) that would never hit the airwaves on our Tampa radio stations.  Then, I remembered how I would also record on Sunday nights The Young Ones and Andy Warhol’s 15 Minutes both which also featured cutting edge music, but I’m probably really dating myself by even mentioning these beloved shows.

 

 

 

 

So here it was, 120 Minutes, a blast from the past in my present modern day world and despite being awake in the wee hours of the morning, my TiVO made me happy.  As I fast forwarded through the music show, I stumbled upon a vintage video that summed up my love for my TiVO and its perfect programming present.

 

 

 

Music Monday button

This Post is More Than a Mouthful

Posted on by Run DMT
11

I’ve been enjoying a new reality series on CBS: Undercover Boss.  In the premise, presidents and CEOs of large corporations change their name and their identity without their employee’s knowledge to experience a firsthand look at the inner workings of their companies.

 

Two episodes have aired so far: Waste Management and Hooters.  In both episodes the CEOs witnessed some poor management styles as well as some fine,
good-hearted employees.

 

In the Hooters episode, CEO and President, Cody Brooks, failed to understand the stigma attached to the Hooters girl and brand.  I would have to agree.  Perhaps, back when the company first began in 1983 in Clearwater, FL the Hooters Girl appearance would have been considered risqué.  Now almost 30 years later, the stigma is no more than offensive than an old Benny Hill episode.

 

 

So some of the merchandise might be offensive, but who is visiting Hooters for the merchandise?  All right, so some people do visit Hooters for the merchandise, but to my eyes, a Hooters calendar is no more different than the Sports Illustrated calendar.

 

 

Sure, both sell beauty along with a false image of the perfect woman, but I’m not buying it and I’m not selling that idea to my daughters.

 

During the Hooters Undercover Episode, Cody wonders how Hooters can remove some of the stigma attached to the Hooters brand.  I’ve known girls from high school and college who worked as Hooters Girls to pay their way through school and I am sure their stories are similar to many other Hooter Girls around the world.  I would love to know where these women go after they leave Hooters.  Where are they now?

 

For myself, having grown up in Florida around the Hooters brand, I honestly don’t find it any more offensive than a high school cheerleader uniform.  I have always thought the Hooters outfit reminded me of a roller derby babe and simply needed a pair of skates to finish the look.  Sure the outfits are skimpy, but not slutty and like the slogan says, “Delightfully tacky, yet unrefined”.

 

But has my exposure to Hooters over the years desensitized me?

 

I have professed my love for Hooters chicken wings several times on this blog (here and here).  Our neighborhood Hooters is located on the water and offers some of the best sunsets this side of the Sunshine State.   When we visit the restaurant, we bring the whole family and even invite our friends and their children to join us.

 

As a mother of two girls, do I worry that I am sending the wrong message to my daughters?  No.  My husband doesn’t drool over the girls or make comments about the hefty pairings they bring to the table to accompany the wings and beer.  I also refrain from making observations about the girls, because I believe my daughters are far more influenced by our actions than what parades around in short shorts and tight t-shirts.

 

We’ve always respected our Hooters servers as such: servers who bring us the wings and cheap beer we love with a pretty smile.  And, we’ve never even noticed any other view besides the sunset.

 

Ray LaMontagne is the Best Thing

Posted on by Run DMT
17

When Allan mentioned that he wanted Ray LaMontagne’s album, I bought him all three albums for Valentine’s Day, but I suppose it’s a gift we can both enjoy.

 

 

A cross between Van Morrison and Nick Drake, his enchanting tunes remind me of something from another era. This outstanding artist toured through Tampa last spring and I was pretty bummed when we missed his concert at the Tampa Theatre.

 

 

Lately, Ray LaMontagne has been frequently featured on Spectacle.

 

 

However, Ray’s appearances on Spectacle have become somewhat of a running joke for Allan and me.  It’s as if Elvis stores Ray backstage and brings him out at the end of every show to perform and collaborate with some of the classics, like Richard Thompson.

 

 

If you haven’t seen Spectacle: Elvis Costello with…, you are really missing out on some of the most remarkable performances.

 

 

And if you haven’t heard of Ray LaMontagne, then you are truly missing out on the best thing.

 

 

Music Monday button

The Colts Need a Cuddle

Posted on by Run DMT
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Watching Peyton Manning during the Super Bowl reminded me of an old SNL digital short.  I believe that Peyton Manning appeared quite a few times on the field last Sunday.

 

 

As the Saints go marching in true Mardi Gras style, I can’t help but feel sorry for the Colts this week.  An angry Peyton Manning is probably pelting them in the back of the heads with some fast flying footballs.

 

But it’s nothing a few beignets and some king cake can’t fix.

 

 

Congratulations to the Saints and the city of New Orleans! Who dat creamed the Colts?! :-)

Gleeful

Posted on by Run DMT
16

One of my favorite shows, Glee, has been nominated four Golden Globes (Best Television Series – Comedy or Musical; Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical; Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical; Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television) and I predict the Hollywood Foreign Press Association will sing it praises next Sunday.

 

Glee combines the fun of High School Musical with the humor of Arrested Development.  When a Spanish teacher rediscovers his passion for high school glee club, he leads a talented group of misfits, cheerleaders and football players to a local competition all to the displeasure of his arch-rival, the cheerleading coach.  From the appealing plots to the funny one-liners to the amazing musical numbers, Glee moves me.

 

If you passed the playbill on Glee last fall, then you have really overlooked some outstanding performances, however, you can still catch the reruns on Fox or watch the full episodes on-line.

 

I can’t wait for the new episodes in April, but in the meantime, I’ll entertain myself by singing into my hairbrush along to my Glee CD’s or continue searching YouTube for Glee clips.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tampa Blogher Meetup

Posted on by Run DMT
10

Hoping to attend Blogher, the passes sold out before I could even save enough pennies for a trip to Chicago.  So, when I heard about a Tampa Blogher Meetup, I jumped on the chance to attend the event Saturday evening at Channelside.

 

Despite the numerous times I’ve arranged to meet cyber strangers through my moms group, this particular meeting made me a nervous wreck.  Perhaps I thought I would appear too new to this whole blogging thing or maybe I would come across too desperate or chatty.  Would they like the real life Run DMT or would they prefer the blogger better?  I decided to swallow my insecurities and set out to search for them in a sea of people at Channelside.

 

When I first arrived, I had difficulty finding the group.  Hooters was the selected meeting place and I anxiously scoured the restaurant looking for a group of bloggers.  But, without their laptops, how do you find a group of bloggers?  In my attempt to find the meetup, I randomly walked up to strangers asking them if they were with Blogher.  Of course, they had no idea what I was taking about.  I even confused the Hooter’s hostess.

 

Starting to feel sorry for myself and like a butt of a cruel joke, I stumbled upon a group sitting on a bench just outside Hooters.  Texting like fiends on their cell phones, I knew I had found the right group of people.

 

Thankfully, the evening offered exactly what I had hoped for: an opportunity to connect and network with other bloggers.  Over dinner and drinks at Stumps, we talked about Twitter and other happenings in the blogosphere.  Noreen of Don’t Put Lizards in Your Ear (@DontPutLizards) shared some great tips to help me on my road to become published. 

 

Christina of The Green Mom Review (@TheCaffeinatrix) mentioned how she has been searching for genuine and witty product reviews for her site.  Upon hearing this news, my ears perked up for I knew I could deliver such a piece!  I was all over it like green on Kermit!  

 

I enjoyed putting a face to the tweeps I have been following on Twitter, such as @missbritt and @MommyMelee.  I also met some great new tweets: @AnissaMayhew, @CheekySweetie and @karlerikson.

 

Mostly importantly, I learned that I was the only person at the table not attending Blogher in Chicago next month.  After meeting such knowledgeable and interesting people, it only made me long to be at Blogher even more.

 

Tampa Blogher

Two Spock Friday

Posted on by Run DMT
11

Last weekend, Hubby and I snuck away for a few hours to finally see the new Star Trek movie. 

 

As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been a Star Trek fan.  As a young child, I would be glued to the television after dinner to watch the Star Trek reruns every week night. 

 

In my late high school years, I became a fan of Star Trek: Next Generation, followed by Star Trek: Voyager in my college years and then of course, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.  Years later, I even watched Enterprise.

 

Never enamored by William Shatner as Kirk, I must confess my childhood crush on the Russian cutie, Chekov.

 

 

But when Khan dropped a mind-controlling earwig in Chekov’s ear in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan, that dissolved my crush away like his brains.  Brain-dead guys have never turned me on.  I like men with brains.

 

 

As I got older, I had the hots for Piccard.  His powerful presence, compassion, courage, intelligence and accent made me swoon.

 

 

BUT, I never thought Spock was sexy. 

 

 

Until, I saw the new Star Trek movie with its new and improved Spock.

 

 

Zachary Quinto (Sylar from Heroes) plays the perfect Spock.  In my opinion, he plays Spock better than Leonard Nimoy.

 

Although I am a huge fan of Hereos, I never found Sylar sexy.  With his creepy mannerisms and cold, calculated psychotic serial killer looks, I don’t think any woman with half a brain would.  (Sylar joke, get it?  Half a brain? Nevermind.)

 

 

 Going into the movie, I anticipated a Sylar-Spock.  I didn’t think Quinto could shake the spooky villain.  Surprisingly, I was wrong.  (It happens.)  Not only did he slip out of Sylar successfully, but he pulled off a better, more sexier Spock.  I now have a new Star Trek crush.

 

 

As for the movie, I loved it.  Sure, the new Star Trek changes the original storylines and timelines a bit.  But you know what?  Star Trek holds its place in this little genre called Science Fiction and as far as I’m concerned, storylines are always changing due to worm holes and time travel.  That’s the delightful dynamic of Science Fiction!

 

According to critics, it reeks of J.J. Abrams, but I wouldn’t know.  I have never watched a single episode of Lost or Alias.  However, I can proclaim that J.J. Abrams puts a contemporary spin on an old favorite.  The action-packed pace and edge-of-your-seat scenes will make you crave sequels or, in my case, more sexy Spock.

 

 

***Disclaimer: Two Spock Friday was cleverly coined by the talented writers of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.  After viewing Jimmy Fallon’s interview, I wanted replicate my own spin of the Spocks and pay homage to Jimmy Fallon.***