Paul Van Dyk at Warehouse Live

I braved yet another Wednesday night to the club gods to see Paul Van Dyk, who has been one of my favorite DJs for a long time. I was not sure what to expect, since I had been disappointed before with both Paul Oakenfold and DJ AM, but this show was fantastic! He took the stage at 8:00 pm, and was still going strong by the time we left (he was not scheduled to leave the stage until 2:00 am!) Even though the crowd was sparse in the early hours, he was connecting with the audience, and playing really lovely sets. The show took place at Warehouse Live, a large concert venue close to downtown. We had VIP tickets, which probably would have been really useful later when Van Dyk left the stage, because we got word that he would be in the VIP area afterward. Also, the drinks are cheaper and the bathrooms are cleaner and less crowded in the VIP area - both plus factors in my book. By midnight the place had filled up with an interesting mix of people, but everyone there was having a genuinely good time, the music was upbeat, and there was a really nice vibe going on. All club-light paraphernalia was being confiscated at the door and on the dance floor in case it was snuck in, and there were no nutty ravers to be seen. There was also no smoking allowed inside, which gave the room a much fresher feel than a normal club atmosphere. All this combined with some really great music and crowd interaction with the DJ, and it was truly my favorite club DJ experience to date. I would see him again in a heartbeat!

Eastern Promises

Didn't have a very busy weekend considering I'm in the midst of exams, but I was able to catch a flick this weekend. Eastern Promises is the new Viggo Mortensen drama in theaters, but it hasn't been getting much press, probably because of its graphic content. His other movie of similar style, A History of Violence, was treated in the same way by both the theaters and most audiences. However, it won't be too much for anyone who can sit through an episode of The Sopranos. Yes, there is violence. Yes, there are bones breaking. Yes, there are nude/sex scenes. Yes, it is disturbing at times. This is not a pretty film, but it is very good. I listened to several women in the bathroom after the film griping about how graphic it was. However, none of them said it was a bad movie, and none of them complained about seeing Viggo in all his naked glory (its about time we get some gratuitous male nudity after all the unnecessary boob shots in filmdom). People were walking out with a look of shock, but none could say the movie didn't stick with them in more ways than one.

DJ AM at Rich's

We went out on a school night to Rich's last night to see DJ AM, better known as Nicole Richie's ex-boyfriend. We got there early in club time - 10:30, and the place was pretty empty. The opening DJ was still spinning, and doing a pretty decent job, even though there weren't enough people out to justify venturing onto the dance floor.

DJ AM (Adam Goldstein) came on without being announced, but you could tell the music selection had changed. Rather than stick to electronica/trance/normal club remixes, he incorporates a lot of different music genres into his playlist. I'm not necessarily saying that is a good thing. While it is interesting to hear "Sweet Home Alabama" transform into generic 80's pop music, and then into Justin Timberlake, it makes it difficult to dance to. By midnight the place was filling up fast, and by the time we left, shortly before 1:00 am, there was no elbow room. Unfortunately, the music seemed to be getting better as the night went on, and had it been a weekend, I would have gladly stayed to find out. As it was, I was not very impressed by his Hollywood credentials, and even though he has partied with Paris Hilton, I preferred the guy who opened for him. Perhaps he uses these types of venues to try out new things on the crowd. However, I watched him for a while, and while he was very involved in what he was doing, he never raised his head to see the reaction of the crowd when they paused puzzlingly at the strange mix of music. You have to play to your audience, even if you are a Hollywood big shot. Definitely not worth the $20 per person cover charge.

Today's Headlines

Wow, some of the headlines from CNN are making me go, "huh?"... I mean, who is writing this stuff, and I hope they are getting a good laugh out of it.


Latest News
YouTubers, comedians mock O.J. Simpson .... um, did you expect them not to?
Student Tasered at Kerry event .... freedom of speech, anyone?
Ticker: Rapper 50 Cent weighs in on W.H. race .... can someone tell me why this is news?
Dragster disintegrates in flames at 310 mph .... who was driving, Wile E. Coyote?
WSB: Armless man quizzed in neighbor's death .... do I need to comment?
Man puts rattlesnake in mouth, gets bitten .... call Darwin Awards, we have a runner-up
WDSU: Expert: Sirens irritate killer bees .... great, now we can piss them off even more!
No testimony from ex-Spears bodyguard .... when will this mad circus end?
Prostitution plan zaps buyers, not sellers .... could we get a great big helping of DUH this morning?

Everybody's Talking: Britney's a Hot Mess

I don't make it a point to watch the VMAs every year, mostly because MTV doesn't actually show videos any more (and I LOVE the fact that Timberlake made a point to say that twice!), so I have no idea which ones are worth winning. But I heard the hype, and watched while putting together some new bedroom furniture, and it delivered on the entertainment factor. I knew it would be interesting when the first thing we see is a close-up of Britney Spears' very bad hair extensions. Poor thing... her performance was, in a word, laughable. It amazes me that these girls can surround themselves with yes-people and ignore the blatant fact that everyone has stopped being a fan (not that I ever was). After the lip-synching, jiggling, tripping, and being helped around onstage by her dancers, the performance was followed up by a scathing bunch of jokes at her expense. So now all the gossip is about the fight between Tommy Lee and Kid Rock, Kanye West's temper tantrum, Paris Hilton leaking the fact (that we already knew) that Christina Aguilera is pregnant, and the really good performances by Chris Brown, Alicia Keys, the Foo Fighters, and others. All the gossip blogs are a buzz...

Celebitchy

Pink is the New Blog

VH1 Blog

I Don't Like You In That Way

Pretty on the Outside

A Socialite's Life

Happy Birthday to Me!

After finally going to see The Bourne Ultimatum this week (pretty good flick, and nice way to round out the trilogy), we ultimately got to the long weekend, on which my birthday sometimes falls, as it did this year. I spent part of it in the great metropolis of Beaumont, and hung with family before going out on the town with some old friends on Saturday night. We started the night at Floyd's, an odd name for a seafood restaurant, but very tasty fare. The restaurant used to be Don's, but has since taken on a new name, a new feel, and better food. Floyd loves to walk around amongst his patrons and speak in his very unique Cajun-slash-street slang. He is quite a character, and the food is fabulous. Had we not stuffed ourselves on my own grandmother's amazing seafood gumbo, we probably would have eaten much more. Afterwards, we headed over to Comedy, Texas and saw three stand-up acts that were all very good. The group was not done yet, though. We headed over to the grand opening of Cadillac Slim's, a new pool hall/bar/club that before the end of the night was looking a lot like Coyote Ugly, complete with girls dancing on the bar. Although we lost some of our group after that, a few of us went over to Pacesetter to finish out the night. Apparently it is the after hours place to go, because it got more crowded after midnight and beyond. It was a late, late night, but a lot of fun. All in all, a good birthday, even if we missed the Goo Goo Dolls/Lifehouse concert because we were still hung over from the night before!

Stardust and Social

Went out on the big town last night and enjoyed the new movie Stardust with Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert DeNiro. It was an okay movie - not on the same level as Pan's Labyrinth or 300, but a decent fantasy flick filmed in some really gorgeous scenic locations. Claire Danes plays a rather bitchy fallen star at first, but she eventually gets a little easier to bear by the end of the movie. Not nearly her best work, though. The newcomer/main character played by Charlie Cox was done well, but the best part goes to DeNiro for his cross-dressing pirate captain.

Later in the evening, we met some friends at The Social, over on Washington between Yale and Heights Blvd. The DJ was good, although he played a lot of retro stuff, and there was new decor. Lots of pretty people packed the joint, and it was very good for people-watching. There is no dance floor any more, but plenty of patio space, two bars, and lots of wait staff. The valet guys were very nice, even though the $10 charge was steep, it pays to not have to park and walk for blocks - also, everyone got to see me get out of my new car!! We also got our picture snapped by some guys from the Houston Press, and here is the link to see it!

Don't Mess With Marcellus Wallace

Damn, dude...

Man mauled to death by dogs at Ving Rhames's home

Talented Friends

In the last week I've seen a few friends performing around town and I just wanted to give a shout out to them so maybe others can catch their performances as well. Although the show has finished its cycle, my friend Natalie played one of the leads in a musical called Sideshow, and the entire cast was really terrific. The show featured two ladies playing Siamese twins trying to break out of the sideshow and into vaudeville. The production company belongs to Natalie's husband, and I hope to see more from them soon.

On Saturday night we ventured out to Katy and caught a friend's band playing at FBI II. The band, Last Man, went on second to last, actually. They have a good metal sound, but it comes across as slightly Rage Against the Machine as well. They also used the Deftones as a comparison to their sound. Give these guys a listen, as they will be playing at Fitzgerald's next weekend.

Potter Mania 2007, Vol. 2

By some miracle, I managed to finish reading The Deathly Hallows before anyone could spoil it for me, and I was enthralled by this last volume more so than any of the others. Perhaps it was the hype, or the fact that all the puzzles would finally come together in this one, but I have to give it up to Rowling for putting out a very exciting last chapter to our favorite boy wizard. To anyone who hasn't read it yet, go do so before someone gives away the ending. You won't be disappointed! I hope the movie does it justice.

I'm in Trouble Now...

After months of agonizing over it, I finally broke down and bought an RX-8. It is little, red, SO cute, and rides like a dream. Someone finally bought my old car, and after I test-drove this one, the decision was made for me. Now I just have to keep from getting any speeding tickets so I can afford the note! Loving the speed...

Potter Mania 2007, Vol. 1

Yes, I was in the theater at midnight last night with all the other crazies to see the new Harry Potter movie, and yes, my book 7 is pre-ordered. This movie was good, to be sure, but as any fan of the book would be, I was irritated by the changes brought about through the translation onto screen. The Luna Lovegood and Delores Umbridge parts were well-cast, and both actresses did very well. All three of the main characters have come such a long way in their acting, and it shows on screen. Radcliffe most especially is coming into his own and will surely have a strong career after the last two movies are finished. The beginning of the movie worked well for showing his range, as did his struggle at the end (which was not in the book, but seemed to work fairly well for the movie). One annoying aspect for me was that Ron seemed to be mumbling through most of his lines. It may have been the loud theater, but most of what I could hear was quite funny, and I wish it would have been clearer. Oh well, that's why I always buy the movie and watch it at home as loud as I want. Now I get to fight sleep all day at work until I can crash blissfully as soon as I get home today.

Wet Weekend, Watching Movies

Saw some very cool movies this weekend. Two at the theater - the new Transformers movie, which is a Michael Bay action-fest, and 1408, the new John Cusack thriller. Transformers, despite the occasional cheesy line, was definitely worth seeing, especially on the big screen. It was packed with car chases, explosions, and the usual action flick fare, but the CGI was done very well, and it was done tastefully enough that many brought their children in to see it. I was also pleased to hear some of the old voices from the cartoon series. Lots of fun to watch, and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. As for 1408, I spent most of the movie jumping out of my seat. John Cusack plays a cynical writer who stays in a haunted room of a hotel, and from the moment he checks in to the end of the movie, I was jumping, closing my eyes, and even yelling out loud at one point. I haven't jumped like that in a movie since The Ring. Finally, I was able to snag a copy of The Fountain from my local Blockbuster, and it was such a beautiful film. It is visually stunning, with a lovely soundtrack and a very interesting take on the story of creation as to how it applies to many religions. I'll probably end up adding that one to my collection. Hope everyone had a drier weekend than mine.

Dramatic Chipmunk

I've already sent this to just about everyone I know, but I'm not tired of watching it. It's claiming to be the funniest 5 second video on the internet, and I'm bound to believe them. The music makes it even more hilarious, so make sure you have the sound on. The expression on this little guy's face is priceless!!!

Dramatic Chipmunk (really a prairie dog, but who cares - be sure to check out the remixes, too!)

What a Way to Go...

Naked couple falls to their deaths from roof of building in South Carolina. You gotta wonder what the heck their families are going to say in the eulogies. If this one doesn't end up in the Darwin Awards, I don't know what will.

Still Got It!!

I started the summer out the right way - attending a concert on the lawn at the Woodlands. The concert tickets were a Mother's Day gift to my mom, who attended with me and my boyfriend. It was a double-header of excellent veteran performers: Chris Issak and Stevie Nicks.

Chris was extremely charismatic as usual, garbed in wild-colored suits (one of which he ripped in the seat during his romp thru the audience), and trading barbs and jokes with his band.

Stevie as well put on a really good show, complete with flowy scarves and lots of twirling in place. She gets a little personal about the stories behind the writing of the songs, but it was a lovely show, and they are both still very good at holding an audience in the palms of their hands. It was a nice day and evening out with my mom, and she enjoyed it as well.

Life is really good... it's good to be in love.

Across the Globe

Just returned from my first visit to the Middle East. Just between Saudi Arabia and UAE is a tiny country called Qatar, which happens to be growing very quickly. I spent a week in the capital city of Doha visiting my friend, and was surprised to find it quite westernized. Driving from the airport I passed a Chili's, McDonalds, Burger King, Applebees, Dairy Queen, and a Hardees among others. The English-speaking television stations run episodes of Dr. Phil, Oprah, CSI, Medium, Entertainment Tonight, and numerous other shows and movies we are used to seeing here. All in all, it was an eye-opening trip, and I really enjoyed it.

Two Morons

I set my TV as an alarm, and I was rudely awakened this morning by two morons screaming at each other. After I realized I was not having a bad dream, I looked over and saw Bill O'Reilly and Geraldo Rivera (two of my least favorite people) going at it like a couple of pit bulls. I just have to ask - why are these two idiots on TV, and who values their opinions about anything?

Back from the West

Just returned from a wonderful California ski trip to Tahoe. If you can afford it, the area is great for skiing as well as having plenty of other entertainment. It's a short drive to Reno, and there are a few top ski resorts surrounding the lake. I was at Heavenly, probably the most popular in the area, and the runs are nicely laid out so all the green runs are in one area, and several black runs take up one side as well. Beginners shouldn't be intimidated by the number of blue runs - they are very user friendly and wide. Although the first few days of skiing were good, a winter storm came through the Sierras and dumped 2 feet of snow overnight, giving us a nice powder day before we left.

On the way to Tahoe we saw the Giant Sequoias, which are magnificent! The road up is full of twists and turns, but is certainly worth the drive. There is a considerable amount of conservation that has taken place in the area, since the area was heavily exploited beginning in the 1950s. The park is the home of the largest living thing on earth, (and probably one of the oldest) a mammoth tree named General Sherman.

Back to the Movies

I don't see the point in keeping a reviews blog since most of the movies I watch are on video (no one likes going to the theater alone). I may post on an exceptional one every now and again here, but that's it. I have seen two exceptional movies in the last week and a half, and I just wanted to comment on them both. Neither movie is for the faint of heart.

Pan's Labyrinth is enjoying a resurgence at the theater after winning a few Oscars, and it seems to be doing well in the American cinema despite the fact that most Americans can't abide subtitles. This is no, I repeat, NO child's fairy tale. It is dark, twisted, and shows a side of humanity we don't like to think exists. There are two plotlines in the movie, and both are equally compelling, even though one is more fanciful than the other. It is a grown-up version of Down the Rabbit Hole, and be prepared for it - they hold nothing back in this one.

The other movie I have been waiting on pins and needles to see opened today. 300 is the story of the legendary Spartan army of 300 men that took on thousands of Persians. The story is by the same graphic novelist Frank Miller, who is responsible for Sin City. This time, a younger director is at the helm, and the picture is both epic and lovely, reminding me much of Gladiator. The battles are beautiful to watch, more like a dance than fighting, if you can stand the spattering of blood. The movie is shot in a sienna tint, making the bloody scenes less gory somehow. The mythical characters are all hideous and distorted, not brilliant like the old stories of Greek mythology. For me it was all over too quickly, and I was left wanting more. This is definitely one for the library.

Until summer, I'll probably keep patronizing my local Blockbuster - the crowds and the cost are too much to see every worthy movie at the theater. I'm patiently awaiting the big ones, like the third Spiderman, and the next Harry Potter movie, but a few interesting gems seem to be popping up, like Angel A. Enjoy a good one this weekend.