Surprised by Sienna Miller,

confused by Guy Pearce, and disappointed in whoever cast Hayden Christensen as Bob Dylan.

I saw Factory Girl last night. I thought Sienna Miller would bug me, but she didn't. Why isn't Guy Pearce getting better roles? LA Confidential, Memento, and now Factory Girl. He could and should be doing better. I disliked almost every scene with Hayden Christensen.

I am trying post an mp3 of the Velvet Underground's After Hours with Edie singing vocals but internet isn't cooperating.

Today's Song: Who's Zoomin' Who, Aretha Franklin

A Tardy Mardi is Better than No Mardi

As previously posted, I went to the Utah Arts Festival's Tardy Mardi fundraiser on Saturday night. I didn't really know what to expect, but I wasn't disappointed when I arrived with B-Lo, Stella, and Georgeory. Stella's main worry was that there wouldn't be a coat check. There was. My main worry was that there wouldn't be a band or a DJ. There was a DJ. The crowd was pretty diverse. The food was served buffet style. While I was in the buffet line filling a plate, a woman passed by me wearing a mask. The mask had what appeared to be a prosthetic penis attached to it. Amazed by her boldness, I unwittingly dropped my plate. That was the first of many mistakes I would make the rest of the night.

After making a table out of a busser station, and procuring plenty of drinks, we dined and then made our way to the casino tables. Charity gambling is infinitely more fun than real gambling because (a) you don't play with real money, and (b) because you are not playing with real money, the dealers don't really care if you cheat. For example, you bet 10 chips and then you get your cards, and because you are unhappy with your hand, you take back nine chips and tell the dealer that she messed up. I could have played blackjack like that for hours. But then the DJ fired up.

I enjoyed the music and even did a little dancing. Well, a lot of dancing. I was dancing so well, in fact, that I decided I should dance on the stage. And because I didn't want to dance on the stage alone, I invited a few ladies to join me. We did the bump, we did the grind, we did the dancing that you generally see on Real World or MTV Spring Break. The real mistake I made here was not dancing, not dancing on the stage, and not dancing with strage women. But rather, not checking the ladies' left hands for wedding rings. Because late into the evening I came walking out of the mens room and was heading back to the party area when some man stopped me and said, "You better f@#%ing watch out - I don't ever want you dancing with my wife again!" To which I said, "Who is your wife?" He tried to refresh my memory with, "The one you were dancing with on the stage?" Because there wasn't just one, I was more than a little confused. However, B-lo saw this altercation happening and jumped in. Her opening line, "HOW COME THE WIFE NEVER GETS IN TROUBLE?!?!" The chivalrous husband replied, "Believe me! She is!" And then B-lo got her big punch line in, "WELL HE'S MY HUSBAND!" And then angry left.

The highlight of the evening for me happened on our way out. We passed by the silent auction, and B-Lo stopped for one final look at a painting she'd been eyeing all night. And she decided that she just had to have it. So she grabbed it and started walking out. With all the calm of Violet Newstead stealing a dead body from a hospital in Nine to Five. Although she was smooth and sly, I fortunately saw that one of the party employees saw her in action. So she returned the art, playing it off as a crazy, hilarious joke. She later assured me that it was in fact a crazy, hilarious joke and she was testing me to see if I would have gone along with the ruse. Thankfully, I passed the test. But truly, I think I stopped her because I had just given her 14 paintings earlier that week and she didn't need any more paintings.

I added the picture upon reader request (hi Deanna), but it isn't a very good picture. Best picture of the party goes to Stella photographed playing blackjack with Randall Carlisle.

Is it just me or were the Oscars a bit boring? I'm glad Eddie Murphy didn't win.

Today's Song: I Turn My Camera On, Rock Kills Kid

We need the moisture.

60 degrees yesterday and snow today. February is fickle. I hope March is in like a lamb and out like a lamb.

I read in PopCandy about this artist. So I went to his website and ordered a painting. You don't get to pick a particular painting, rather you pick a size and then the artist will send you a painting of that size that he worked on that day. I paid $16 for the painting and $7 for shipping. I planned to give the painting - be it good or not so good - to B-Lo as a housewarming present (she bought an Avenues condominium this month). I placed the order on the 9th and it arrived yesterday. I didn't receive one painting. No, I received 13! And they are all really cool. Check his site out.

The OC finale was interesting. I will miss the music from the show the most. After nearly every episode, I would download the featured songs from iTunes (when possible) or other not so legitimate sources. My iPod is the real victim of the OC's cancellation.

EDIT -- From USA Today:

"In these days of declining MTV exposure for videos and tightly formatted radio stations, getting a song on Grey's Anatomy is one of the priorities for record labels and artists. But before that, the show to be heard on was The OC. And if an act found a responsive ear at The OC, chances are it could do the same at Grey's— they have the same music supervisor, Alexandra Patsavas.

Patsavas saturated The OC with music, reflecting the moods and tastes of all the youthful characters, but mostly those of obsessive indie-pop fan Seth. So you heard hipster favorites such as Imogen Heap, Rogue Wave, Spoon, Jem, Nada Surf and Seth's favorites, Death Cab for Cutie, along with a few more generally popular artists, such as The Killers and Beck."

I did not know that. But it makes sense. I watch Grey's Anatomy largely for the music. I want Patsavas' job!

I met my family for dinner last night at a local country club. Getting ready, I remembered that at one time, denim was generally not allowed at nicer restaurants in general and country clubs in particular. But having read that such hard rules have become more relaxed - probably due to people paying hundreds of dollars for denim these days - I assumed the rule was antiquated and no longer enforced. So I wore jeans. When I got to dinner and met my dad in the parking lot, he looked at me and said that I was going to have a problem. Apparently, the rule is still in place and is still enforced. In fact, as you walk into the club, there is a very large sign - directly in front of the door - that says "Denim is Prohibited!" Prohibited is a strong word. Not "denim is discouraged" or "denim not allowed," but PROHIBITED. Like hard core drugs, felonies, and terrorism. I believe in a more case by case approach. I think some denim pants are far superior to other non-denim pants. And some non-collared shirts are superior to collared shirts. So rules prohibiting all denim and requiring collared shirts for men seem a little silly. But who was I to argue. Fortunately, I had brought a spare pair of non-denim pants just in case, and I changed into those. Crisis averted.

(Man, I am all about the deep stories and observations this week.)

I'm not much for human interest stories. For that reason, I prefer US magazine to People magazine. But, I do love before and after makeover/weight loss stories. The "Half My Size" stories in People magazine are my favourite. They are right up there with the "What People Earn" issues of Parade magazine. I thought about getting one of those Body For Life Challenge posters for my house. You know the posters that have the fat, flabby people pictured before they turned themselves into lean, mean, fit muscle machines. I admire their discipline and dedication. And it is inspiring to see that hard work really does payoff. I love such success stories. (I started typing this as a comment on Slcup's blog, but didn't want to take away from her post. Congratulations to her on her success.)

Today's Song: Swans, Unkle Bob

Titles Aren't My Strong Suit.

I want everyone to bookmark this blog. Trust me: do yourself that favor.

I am going to this event on Saturday. I hope it doesn't suck.

I am going to call Cingular right now to see if they can give me the settings I need for my phone so as to be able to send pictures to this blog.

My socks today are yellow argyle. So that's interesting.

Sorry, I am even boring myself here. Hope to have something substantial later.

I did want to say, that I do not think that shaving one's head signifies a complete mental/emotional/nervous breakdown. Sometimes a person just decides that for whatever reason, they don't deserve hair. I've made that decision at least half a dozen times. So maybe that's what Britney decided. Though, I suppose, that does sound a little bit like a form of self mutilation. Oh dear.

Today's Song: Because a song isn't immediately coming to mind, I will play the first song iTunes randomly chooses.

It is: Consequence, The Notwist (from Shopgirl soundtrack)

We Love You For Who You Are!

Last night at the gym, this was on the tv right in front of my treadmill. With closed captioning. Actually, there was a girl on a treadmill in front of me, and the tv with Daystar showing was directly in front of her. She had headphones in and didn't seem to be watching the tv, but I didn't want to bother her and ask if I could change the channel. So I watched for a bit. There was alot of singing. The lyrics were quite simple and went something like this:

We love you God
We praise you God
You are a good God
We love you for who you are

Over, and over, and over. I thought hymns were, I don't know, deeper than that. And that last line sounds almost condescending. When the girl in front of me left, I turned the tv off. I'll watch alot of things at the gym: Friends, America's Next Top Model, Mork and Mindy, Larry King, My Super Sweet Sixteen, Nancy Grace, Entertainment Tonight, etc. But I draw the line at Daystar.

You know that link over to the right for The Sartorialist? Does anybody click on that? I do maybe once a week. I generally like what I see and it depresses me a little because I rarely see anybody around here that would be posted on the site. So yesterday I saw that his current obsession is winter white pants, and today I tried to execute such a look. The results are questionable (laughable?). And I can't help but wonder, would Sartorialist take my picture? There you have it, I am as deep as Daystar lyrics.

Today's Song: Dress You Up, Madonna

Tuesday is the New Monday

I just discovered my zipper has been in the down position for at least an hour and a half. I hope I was the only one to discover that.

My most consistent reoccuring dream is that I failed to finish college and/or law school. This weekend I dreamt I failed to finish a couple college classes. I woke up incredibly anxious - still wondering whether I had, in fact, failed to complete college. I went back to sleep and then dreamt I failed to complete law school. Strange. Truthfully, I don't think it would be too bad to have to go and finish a couple classes.

Three movies this weekend: Hollywoodland (lame - how did Affleck get a Golden Globe nomination for it?); Venus (super good, made me want to be an old man - and I love it when old, cranky people cuss it's almost as endearing as when little kids do); Letters from Iwo Jima (hard, taxing, sad - but good).

Yesterday, in the Trolley Square Bath & Body Works customers were quizzing the employees about last week's incident. The audacity!

Today's Song: What About Love, Til Tuesday

No Pratiuclar Ttile Tdaoy.

I would freak out.

In November, I bought a new, fancy mobile phone on eBay. It's an unlocked Razr V3x. They aren't sold in the United States. Unfortunately, my phone doesn't allow me to send messages to e-mail addresses. And because my service provider, Cingular, doesn't support the phone, I can't get the right settings to fix the problem. Blogging isn't as much fun when you can't send pictures from your phone to your blog. I need to work on it. If anyone out there in cyberspace has encountered this problem and solved it, please advise.

Amaryllis is in full bloom again this week. And from Valentine's day I have a mess of red flowers in a vase on my desk. It's a little unnerving.

For a short month, February is almost unbearably long. But with two holidays, i.e. Valentine's Day and Presidents Day, it's got a couple things going for it.

I've learned that I don't mind waking up to the sound of applause. I put a Counting Crows live concert cd in my alarm player, and I wake up every morning to the crowd welcoming Counting Crows to the stage. It's soothing and not jarring.

My grandpa's eightieth birthday is tomorrow, and my family is having a party. I am in charge of the balloons. Is eighty too many?

The music on last night's OC and Grey's Anatomy was really, super good, I thought. I think I will be downloading some of them today.

Fnllay I raed taht it deos not mttaer waht oder the ltteres are in a wrod so lnog as the fsrit and lsat letetrs are in the poprer palce. A snetnece can nvetrheless be crroelcty raed wtih rleatvie esae.

Damn! That was hard to type.

Today's Song: Life Is A Song, Patrick Park (it will be the OC series finale song next week)

Happy Valentine's Day.

A Valentine for everyone!

Valentine's Day might possibly be my favourite holiday. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with a day off. I like the candy, I like the colors, I like the commercialization of it, and I like how this particular day drives most people crazy.

This morning, I visited several music blogs and as expected they had posted Valentine's Day mixes. Available for free downloading. So I have 40 new songs to listen to today. Some are hopeful, some are cynical, and some are angst ridden. Perfect.

Some of my personal Valentine's Day facts:

My favourite Valentine candy is sour hearts that were half-white and half-red sold by Mrs. Cavanaugh's. I haven't had them for years. Second place goes to Necco Conversation Hearts - the tart kind.

Most memorable Valentine gift is probably the Superman Underoos I got circa 1982. I loved them. And wish I still had them.

I love the heart shaped pizzas available at Papa Murphy's on Valentine's Day.

I like red champagne on Valentine's Day. B-Lo started me on that.

I have both sent and received flowers on Valentine's Day.

I send Valentine's every year. Primarily to my mum and grandmum. I generally buy cards at Tabula Rasa and Cabin Fever, but was unable to do so this year. So I sent e-Valentine greetings. I feel bad about that.

My first trip to Paris was on Valentine's Day in 2000.

I generally buy myself Valentine boxers to mark the holiday.*

I liked making Valentine boxes in elementary school, and also exchanging Valentine's. I loved using conversation hearts to communicate messages, and trying to find hidden meaning in the hearts I receved.

I don't like dining at fancy restaurants on Valentine's Day.

Today's Song (take your pick): The One I Love, Rosie Thomas feat. Sufjan Stevens; Feelin' Love; Paula Cole; Crazy For You; Madonna; Every Rose Has Its Thorn, Poison

*Yes, I blogged about my underwear. Shakes head in amazement and slight embarrassment.

Forgive me if you find this insensitive,

for it is not intended as such.

But note to random shooters:

Come on, the mall? Seriously. Not a sprawling mall like South Towne or Fashion Place, but a little boutique mall like Trolley Square? That's right up there with schools and libraries. Especially when your primary target area includes Bath and Body Works, Williams Sonoma, and Cabin Fever!

Why not Cabela's? Or REI? Or Gallensons on 200 South? Somewhere where the shoppers (a good number of whom have wilderness survival skills) have at least a fighting chance against your senseless random violence. You get more of a challenge, they get a chance. You obviously want to go down anyway. Sick-o.

___________________________________________________

So I re-read that post and I am leaving it up even though it is a little insensitive. I just want it known that I do not condone random shootings in any retail environment. Even Home Depot.

I read the eyewitnesses' stories and I am just so impressed by people. The people that automatically dial 911 without even hesitating. I would probably spend at least 30 seconds organizing what I was supposed to say to the operator. And the Basket Loft store worker that locked the doors, turned out the lights, and herded her shoppers into a back room. That is quick, heroic thinking. And that poor Bath & Body Works employee. She's helped me before and she's really nice (not like most of the overly aggressive and pushy workers there - but that's a subject for another post). It really is encouraging to see how people can react so quickly and with such intelligence in the face of such random, unexpected tragedy. One of my worst fears is that I would react completely wrong or worse, not react at all. Just stand there. Blinking.

Today's Song: I Don't Like Mondays, Tori Amos

London Calling

While running last night, I thought back to my time living in London. I thought about the five things I missed the most when living there, and they were:

1. Running above the Avenues.
2. Driving a car.
3. Country music.
4. Las Vegas.
5. Large grocery stores.

(I missed family and friends, too, of course, but am taking them as read.)

Coincidentally, the five things* I miss about life in London are:

1. Running in Hyde Park.
2. Public transport in general, and the tube in particular.
3. British radio stations.
4. Pubs.
5. Small inner-city grocery stores.

Smart car is coming to America. And I want to be first in line to buy one.

Today's Song: No Tomorrow, Orson

*Obviously, the list isn't exhaustive.

Woof.

For Stella. I'm convinced young master Beck needs a friend with whom to run around and rough house.

Lost and Found

Lost is back and I am going on record: I (heart) Kate. I rewound at least four times the scene where she knocked out the dude holding a gun to her head. And I totally believed she would have shot Mac's (from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) kneecap off if he didn't tell them where Karl was being held. She's awesome. And fierce.

Last week when I changed my calendar page from January to February, I thought of "calendar day" in the film If Lucy Fell (circa 1996 - Eric Shaeffer, SJP, Elle MacPhearson; remember it?). Then today I read this. I suspect he and SJP have not stayed close through the years.

This morning I was ironing pants and a shirt, when dMo announced on Thursday Breakfast Jam that today's high would be 56 degrees. My first thought, "Shorts?" Instead, I opted for a summer scent.

Today's Song: Penny On the Train Track, Ben Kweller

A Little of This with Some of That

Generally, I'm pretty formal around the workplace. But sometimes, my formality gives out and I get all too casual. To wit, today greeting a group of secretaries in the elevator with, "What up my bitches!"

I dipped into the office candy jar this afternoon, and a co-worker commented: "I didn't peg you as the candy type." I guess I am not an open book after all. And don't watch what I eat.

To my fellow Darts, take a look at this page and contemplate a Twenty Year Reunion.

Fitness tip: I generally get bored running on a treadmill. So to mix it up, I've been alternating two minutes at my regular pace with one minute at a 2mph higher pace. It makes the time go much faster. Perhaps this is interval training?

Macys downtown is still open. They are liquidating their inventory. Everything is 30 to 50 percent off the lowest marked price. However, they are essentially liquidating crap. ("Get your Giorgio of Beverly Hills fragrance, here!"*) Nevertheless, every time I walk through the store I feel compelled to buy the crap. Both because it is on clearance and because it is my last opportunity to buy at that store. Crap reasons for buying crap.

Today's Song: Year 3000, Busted (shamelessly covered (recently) by the Jonas Brothers - who are they?)

*I should note that I regularly wore Giorgio of Beverly Hills for Men when I was in sixth grade. And I am properly embarrassed by that now.

?

I went to Gateway at lunchtime. When I finished my shopping, I bought a sandwich from Subway (turkey, wheat, swiss cheese, all the vegetables, vinegar, salt and pepper - for those keeping score) and had them bag it to go. I finished eating it about 1/2 an hour ago. I swear there must have been some cigarette ash mixed in there because that is the taste in my mouth right now. And I cannot get it to go away. A Tootsie Roll, small box of Nerds, and two Icebreakers tropical sour candies haven't dissipated the nastiness at all. DO NOT SUPPORT SUBWAY AT THE GATEWAY!

That is all.

A Tale as Old as Time

Every year when the Oscar nominations are announced, I have a problem. Invariably, I will have to re-view one of the film's nominated for Best Picture. And it is always for the same reason: I don't remember much about the first viewing. This year, the picture is Little Miss Sunshine. I saw it in the summer. It was playing at the Regency Theater at Trolley Square. I went to The Pub on a friday afternoon, sat on the patio, had chips, salsa, and pitchers. And then I decided to see the movie. I remember the general plot. I remember the characters. And I remember some key scenes. But I do not remember why the film would be nominated for Best Picture. And I don't remember how the film made me feel - though admittedly, I was probably feeling a-okay under the circumstances. So, I guess I will be PPV'ing that film this month.

Has anyone seen Half Nelson? I really wanted to see it when it was in the theater, but didn't get around to it. It got a great review in the New Yorker.

The story of the crazy astronaut kills me. "Police said Nowak drove 900 miles, donned a disguise and was armed with a BB gun and pepper spray when she confronted a woman she believed was a competitor for the affections of Navy Cmdr. William Oefelein, an unmarried fellow astronaut." That's the kind of woman I like to date. She knows what she wants, and she goes for it.

There used to be a two-story Wendy's on Main Street in Salt Lake City. I believe it was where the Big City Soup is located now. I had forgotten about that Wendy's until the other day when I was trying to remember 1980's downtown in my head. I loved that Wendy's.

Question for Aunt/Kelly: Do you remember Watney's? It was on Third South - next to the Bel Air Tavern? It's just a parking lot now.

Today's Song: What You Won't Do For Love, Bobby Caldwell

Monday, Monday

insert Mama's and the Poppa's lyrics here.

Happy Birthday to Stella - it was February 3. B-Lo hosted a nice party on Saturday. There was lasagne, tiny votives, karaoke, and a "tequila hummingbird." Well done.

The only upside to sub-30 degree temperatures is that they make anything above 45 degrees feel downright balmy. Who doesn't have a mild case of Spring Fever today? Seriously, raise your hands. That's what I thought.

I am thrilled about Lost returning this Wednesday. And I don't get that excited about television.

I'm under the gun to get a Petition for Permission to File an Interlocutory Appeal filed so I have to go. (Yes, it really is as exciting as it sounds.) But I wanted to check-in and say hello to everyone out there in cyberspace.

Today's Song: Stolen Car, Beth Orton

Pretty Pitcher

This is the picture I talked about yesterday. This camera phone shot doesn't do it justice.

"Shut up Angela!" I have been waiting all season for a Meredith moment on the Office. Last night, she came through for me. Love her.

Question about GA: George and Callie impulsively run-off to Las Vegas and get married - presumably right after he asked her. Meanwhile, an 8 million dollar free clinic seemingly comes together overnight. The two storylines do not mesh and I call that irresponsible writing.

Today's Song: Stomp, Brothers Johnson

Dream Inn - Revised (PW Addition)

This year the art in the Filmmakers Lodge at Sundance was provided by a local artist. You can see her work here. She is a photographer and one of her chief subjects is vintage motel signs. I love vintage motel signs; there are quite alot in Utah. One of the prints hanging at Sundance this year was a photograph of the Dream Inn motel sign. The Dream Inn is located on North Temple, and I always notice it on my way to and from the airport. When Sundance was over, I left her a note asking if I could buy the print. She e-mailed me, we agreed on a price, and I picked up the print today. It's really awesome. I'll post a picture of the picture later. Her work is currently on display at the Salt Lake Arts Center.

Inspired by my recent viewing of Word Play, I decided to do more crossword puzzles. I started with puzzle in the back of OK magazine. And I only did that because I wanted to complete a crossword as fast as the Word Play champions complete a New York Times crossword. You have to start somewhere.

I am very glad it is February. January is a long, long month.

I really have nothing to post about today. In fact, this post bored me. So look at the artist's link I posted above. Pictures worth a thousand words and all.

EDIT: Interoffice E-mail received this morning from PW.

Subject: Super Bowl XL1 (sic)

"I'm sure you all know that Super Bowl XL1 is this coming Sunday. If you don't care, delete this email now :-)

As you can imagine I have double the excitement this year, both my Bears and Colts are in the Super Bowl! I am routing for Da Bears though since they have been my team since I was three, but I digress....

Since it is Friday tomorrow, here's an idea....what if we all dressed in some type of football top (if you are a football fan of course) and got into the mood???? Just an idea.

Ok, back to work now...lol"

Some type of football top.

Today's Song: Say My Name, Destiny's Child