Not only is Ben Barnes incredibly cute, he's also funny. Here's a clip I dug up of him having a sit down with Jimmy Kimmel.
In the grand tradition of Jimmy Kimmel videos, I am planning on starting production any day on "I'm F**king Ben Barnes." Industry people and extras need not apply. ;-)
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Slimming is all the Rage
If you've noticed that there aren't many pictures of me on the blog (especially lately) it's because I have recently gotten to the point where I look fat in pictures. Whew, that was hard to admit. The straw that truly broke the camel's back was a photo I took of Joey B and myself on the way home after an event last week. This one:
Granted, I am holding the camera myself, and that is never flattering, but still, it was a reality check. I have begun running again and am going to be swimming at the gym twice a week. I am also watching what I eat (no more Burger King...sigh) in order to get back into shape and re-claim my former glory. But, just to be clear, I am not dieting, I am slimming.
I will be updating all of you on my progress every Saturday. I'm off to buy a scale. Wish me luck.
I will be updating all of you on my progress every Saturday. I'm off to buy a scale. Wish me luck.
Where There's Smoke, There's Rage
I recently learned that Yves St Laurent makes their own brand of cigarettes and it made me FURIOUS! Joey B couldn't understand why I was so upset so I tried to explain - here are my points:
In order to defend myself against charges of hypocrisy, yes - I have been known to have a cigarette after a cocktail or two. The truth is that I smoke about 15 - 20 cigarettes every 6 months (and that's a generous estimation). The point is that I make the decision to do it, as all adults do, and I understand the risk to my health.
I have always had strong opinions about smoking - in true rage-a-holic fashion I used to smoke socially but would instantly lose interest if a guy I thought was cute at a club turned out to be a smoker. I have always been very uncomfortable with addictions of all sorts - I myself have never been addicted to anything but I have studied addiction and understand that helping individuals to quit has become a huge industry in it's own right but still... The bottom line is that I truly believe (right or wrong) that people are stronger that any addiction and I have always thought of people who are unable to quit as being weak. It was when I learned that Obama was a heavy smoker that I began to have concerns about him. Is he going to be sneaking out behind the West Wing for a smoke while there's business to be taken care of? But I digress.
At the end of the day I respect everyone's right to make their own decisions and choose what to do to their own bodies but when a respected company chooses to legitimize (and make a profit) off of the addiction of millions... there's really never an excuse for that.
- By putting one's designer label on a poisonous, addictive product they are legitimizing it AND schilling to the brand whores in the world just as blatantly as Camel did to children.
- While it has become very trendy to slap a designer label on anything, this crosses a line. What's next, YSL arsenic?
- These products cause CANCER, how dare a house of fashion throw their hand into this ring? This is profiteering at it's absolute worse. It sickens me.
In order to defend myself against charges of hypocrisy, yes - I have been known to have a cigarette after a cocktail or two. The truth is that I smoke about 15 - 20 cigarettes every 6 months (and that's a generous estimation). The point is that I make the decision to do it, as all adults do, and I understand the risk to my health.
I have always had strong opinions about smoking - in true rage-a-holic fashion I used to smoke socially but would instantly lose interest if a guy I thought was cute at a club turned out to be a smoker. I have always been very uncomfortable with addictions of all sorts - I myself have never been addicted to anything but I have studied addiction and understand that helping individuals to quit has become a huge industry in it's own right but still... The bottom line is that I truly believe (right or wrong) that people are stronger that any addiction and I have always thought of people who are unable to quit as being weak. It was when I learned that Obama was a heavy smoker that I began to have concerns about him. Is he going to be sneaking out behind the West Wing for a smoke while there's business to be taken care of? But I digress.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Someday, my Prince will come
Joey B and I had a wonderful "date night" last night, consisting of a delicious meal followed by a short walk to the Davis Theater to see "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian." I saw the first installment with my friend Dave a couple of years ago, and enjoyed it, but wasn't bowled over. The advance reviews for Prince Caspian, however, convinced me to check it out on opening night. I am so glad I did.
First off, those who have read the series know that Prince Caspian is the least enjoyable of the series (at least in my humble opinion). There really isn't much that happens and what action there is isn't very descriptive. The film has mined the novel and produced absolute gold. They have not only expanded a 2 page confrontation in the book into an epic battle which serves as the climax of the film, they have managed to stay completely true to the spirit and intention of the original story.
The Screenwriter and Director did take some liberties, creating a siege on the castle of Caspian's usurper Uncle that manages to enrich the drama without falling into the LOTR trap where a battle is visually stunning but does nothing to advance the plot. Without giving away too much, the siege ends in a surprisingly moving fashion that left both Joey B and myself touched.
The ending was very satisfying and I can't remember the last time I left a film already wanting to see it again. As we walked home Joey B and I discussed the deliciousness of Prince Caspian and I pointed out that his teeth are slightly crooked, but in an incredibly sexy way. I believe I actually said, "His teeth are a little crooked, but in a really sexy way. He has SEXY teeth." This may have been my very first Seinfeld moment.
Run, don't walk, kids. You'll be glad you did.
First off, those who have read the series know that Prince Caspian is the least enjoyable of the series (at least in my humble opinion). There really isn't much that happens and what action there is isn't very descriptive. The film has mined the novel and produced absolute gold. They have not only expanded a 2 page confrontation in the book into an epic battle which serves as the climax of the film, they have managed to stay completely true to the spirit and intention of the original story.
The Screenwriter and Director did take some liberties, creating a siege on the castle of Caspian's usurper Uncle that manages to enrich the drama without falling into the LOTR trap where a battle is visually stunning but does nothing to advance the plot. Without giving away too much, the siege ends in a surprisingly moving fashion that left both Joey B and myself touched.
The ending was very satisfying and I can't remember the last time I left a film already wanting to see it again. As we walked home Joey B and I discussed the deliciousness of Prince Caspian and I pointed out that his teeth are slightly crooked, but in an incredibly sexy way. I believe I actually said, "His teeth are a little crooked, but in a really sexy way. He has SEXY teeth." This may have been my very first Seinfeld moment.
Run, don't walk, kids. You'll be glad you did.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
On the Town
Tonight I attended an after work cocktail party. thrown by WHERE magazine, at the Hard Rock Cafe Downtown. Joey B couldn't attend, due to a fashion show he was working on (more on that later) so Joe O agreed to accompany me. We were a little late getting to the party because a work snafu had delayed Joe and by the time we arrived and checked in... well, let's just say that we both really needed a drink.
The margaritas were delicious (they were also offering complimentary Corona's but we didn't partake) and after resisting for a good 20 - 30 minutes, we ended up sampling the delicious spread they had laid our for the party goers . The quesadillas were tasty, but while we were schmoozing an overzealous waiter cleared our plates so we didn't get to finish them.
From there we headed to Sura Thai Bistro for "Project Lake View East" (PLVE) a fashion show organized by the East Lakeview Chamber of Commerce. Sura was a great choice for the show because of the very hip decor but the execution could have used a little work. Joe O and I, arriving late, were not able to get to our seats so had to stand (along with some 30 other ticketholders) at the opening to the lounge area where the models were walking along the large rectangle that composes the back room. As a result, we saw absolutely nothing of the show itself. I did catch a glimpse of one model through the screen of large concentric circles hanging at the end of the bar, but that was it.
The restaurant was offering cucumber martinis (which I enjoyed well enough, but Joey B and I both agreed that it needed a little something to make it delicious - we recommend cranberry juice) and passed hors d'oeuvres furnished by Sura's kitchen - delicious.
The show was overseen by the talented Chance Woodward, who asked Joey B to help with styling the models and sending them out. He was the show's "Whitney" and if you don't get the Hills reference... well, I can't help you.
Joey B, Joe O and I all had to work early in the morning so we left at around 10 and headed home. All told, it was a fabulous night, but the real lesson is that being fashionably late sometimes means you don't get to see the fashion.
The margaritas were delicious (they were also offering complimentary Corona's but we didn't partake) and after resisting for a good 20 - 30 minutes, we ended up sampling the delicious spread they had laid our for the party goers . The quesadillas were tasty, but while we were schmoozing an overzealous waiter cleared our plates so we didn't get to finish them.
From there we headed to Sura Thai Bistro for "Project Lake View East" (PLVE) a fashion show organized by the East Lakeview Chamber of Commerce. Sura was a great choice for the show because of the very hip decor but the execution could have used a little work. Joe O and I, arriving late, were not able to get to our seats so had to stand (along with some 30 other ticketholders) at the opening to the lounge area where the models were walking along the large rectangle that composes the back room. As a result, we saw absolutely nothing of the show itself. I did catch a glimpse of one model through the screen of large concentric circles hanging at the end of the bar, but that was it.
The show was overseen by the talented Chance Woodward, who asked Joey B to help with styling the models and sending them out. He was the show's "Whitney" and if you don't get the Hills reference... well, I can't help you.
Joey B, Joe O and I all had to work early in the morning so we left at around 10 and headed home. All told, it was a fabulous night, but the real lesson is that being fashionably late sometimes means you don't get to see the fashion.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Happy Mother's Day
I am always conflicted as to whether or not to use an apostrophe when writing "Mother's Day." I know that it's written like that all the time, but doesn't it then mean a Mother's day as opposed to all Mothers? But I digress. Happy Mother's Day!!!
I was lucky enough to spend the weekend with my Mom (aka. Mumsy) and her sister, my fabulous Aunt Diane. They had flown in to see me run a 5K to raise money for research to combat breast cancer. Unfortunately the weather was awful so we all stayed warm and dry at home, and then went out for breakfast instead.
Thankfully, this morning's weather was crisp and lovely, so Mums, Aunt Di and myself headed downtown to check out some of the famous sites and sounds of Chicago before they flew home this afternoon. Here are a few pics:
I was lucky enough to spend the weekend with my Mom (aka. Mumsy) and her sister, my fabulous Aunt Diane. They had flown in to see me run a 5K to raise money for research to combat breast cancer. Unfortunately the weather was awful so we all stayed warm and dry at home, and then went out for breakfast instead.
Thankfully, this morning's weather was crisp and lovely, so Mums, Aunt Di and myself headed downtown to check out some of the famous sites and sounds of Chicago before they flew home this afternoon. Here are a few pics:
Monday, May 5, 2008
Soleil Vs. the Squirrel
My home is no stranger to wars of words. Joey B and I sometimes disagree about politics, who owns which books and whose turn it is to do the dishes. Soleil has found herself a sparring partner who drives her nuts. Literally.
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