11/29/2006
Aussie Music Alread? Jeal
Oli has been so great at trying to prepare me for my Australian adventure. You have to check out Xavier Rudd. His latest CD is called Food In The Belly and is scheduled to release in the US in Jan. 07. I am excited to check out the live music scene once I get to Oz. My co-workers and friends tell me that the Melbourne lifestyle will really suit me. Everything is flip-flop style, health focused and totally all around relaxing. I mean I am hoping it will be the San Diego of the Asian Pacific Region. Just what I was looking for. Sweet. Oh and apparently Kangaroos are 12 feet tall and punch you in the face. Glad someone told me ahead of time.
:-)
11/28/2006
Wii
So the new Nintendo that came out is pretty cool... Oli and I went to Game Stop and played Excite Truck for a bit. You hold the remote while standing in front of the system and guide the truck by your hand movements as opposed to pushing buttons. It was pretty fascinating and I found myself leaning to turn left etc. The graphics aren't as good as some of the competitive systems but the technology is on the leading edge for sure. There was also a PS3 on hand but the first release had a lot of bugs that need to be worked out so I would hold off on getting that.
One of the games that is available on Wii is called Trauma Center where you can actually perform surgery with your hands and it is all motion sensitive. The doctors have assistants and give orders and you will find yourself giving stitches among other things. I am also curious to check out the new Zelda on Wii as well. I know your thinking I might be too old for this stuff but I would have to disagree. The only reason why I don't have anything now is because I don't think I would leave my apartment. But if I ever get a flat screen TV it might just be a "must have". You can use your hand as a gun, a sword, a tennis racket - what will they think of next!!!?? Plus, it will keep kids who play video games moving a bit more and that is always good.
11/24/2006
11/21/2006
Bite Me
If you live in NYC I am sure you have seen VITAL DENT popping up all over the city like
Starbucks. The highly advertised offer is a free teeth cleaning - which I really wanted to do before I left for school.
So I called and asked why it was free and they said it was in good faith since they are relatively new here
and it was to encourage repeat customers. I went in for my appointment about a month ago and they took X-Rays, had a look at my teeth and determined that I had 6 cavities that needed to be filled!! OK, I think I would have a toothache at the very least...
The cost was around $700 or something so I said I would wait on the fillings but would still like the free
cleaning. They said I had to come back and get at least one cavity filled to qualify for the free cleaning. HMMMMMM...
So my better judgment sent me to my old dentist (so much for trying to be cheap). I went
today and paid $145 for a cleaning but he said that I did not have one cavity. NOT ONE
I have contacted the NYTimes, 1010Wins, CNN, Dateline etc. with this information as I believe it to be fraud. Places like Vital Dent are taking advantage of the working poor and extremely large freelance base here in New York. Most small companies don't offer dental because it is very expensive and not required by law. That means a lot of New Yorkers are running around without dental insurance and that this would seem like a lucrative offer. As far as I am concerned they can bite me.
11/01/2006
Hotel Cafe Tour
You will notice I have been posting a lot of new or relatively unknown artists lately. I have always loved the sort of singer/songwriter thing and folkish type music. Recently there have been a lot of really good people coming out with albums and thanks to the internet (myspace etc.) we are able to listen to newer artists and help them to achieve their artistic goals by sharing music with one another. What a concept. See this hotel cafe tour link and it will continuously play for you - every single song is good and I listen to it for hours! While it does evoke some almost unbearable feelings its pretty f amazing.
Last night, after MUCH ANTICIPATION, we were finally able to see the tour live!!!!! This was hands down the best live performance I have ever seen. We went to the Living Room, which is a small venue on the Lower East Side, where they don't usually charge a cover and the show was free. The lineup was 100% perfect. Cary Brothers,
Joshua Radin, Kevin Devine, Kate Havnevik, Joe Purdy, Jim Bianco, Miho Hatori, and Meiko. Unbelievable. They all sang together at some points in the night and we had a table right in front of the stage and got some good pics. I also took a video of Cary Brothers - as soon as I figure out where it went I will try and post it. The duet by Joshua Radin and Schuyler Fisk was one of the highlights of the night and blew me away. The instruments ranged from the TRIANGLE (when was the last time you played one of those!!!), to the accordion, the dog, the clarinet and of course the tambourine. And because it was Halloween they were in costume!!!
10/30/2006
10/25/2006
Hello
This is what I am listening to today - Schuyler Fisk - you should ck her out if you have a chance.
10/16/2006
10/13/2006
Movie catch up
So I have seen a couple movies this week and will be seeing another one tonight. Must play catch up since my home computer has checked out for a bit (hard drive died!).
HALF NELSON
Great movie. I still can't get over Ryan Gosling. My god. This film takes you through the thoughts, feelings and actions of an addict traveling towards their "bottom". Some parts were kind of hard to watch if you have had any similar experiences.
I think he did an amazing job in the lead role and all the other actors were great as well. Keep your eye on Shareeka Epps (who we should definitely be seeing more of in the future). 4 out of 5 stars
Ryan Gosling in his underwear, rolled up dollar bills, crack pipes and basketball - whats not to love?
THE LAST KISS
For starters, you already know by now that any film staring Zach Braff is going to have a RAD soundtrack. And this film is no different. Similar to Garden State, there were quirky funny bits mixed in with a strong undertone of some serious issues. Cast was good, storyline was good, one liners were good. Halfway through the movie I actually thought about leaving b/c it was getting a little too depressing for even me. Just when I was at my breaking point they managed to redeem themselves and inject just a bit of hope... Left the theater feeling a little unsettled . I really need to see an uplifting film soon. Or something with cartoon animals. 3.5 out of 5 stars
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