Entertainment. . . Now

Over the time that I failed to blog (that being the 50 day break that I took) I did not fail to be entertained by all things, well, entertainment. Movies. Music. Television. Lots of new types of viewing or listening pleasure have entered into my life and quite a few of them are top notch, ahead of the curve, overall amazing entries into my Entertainment Interests. So let's just get right to them, shall we? Away we go:

MOVIES

So far, I have seen 15 of the films released in 2008 (although there are many more on the to-be-viewed list) and it is increasing every week as those films that were released in the first quarter of the year are starting to come out on DVD. I'm also trying to make it out to the Cinema in order to take in those large-screen versions. Of the 15, only three have earned the much desired A grade (two of them A-'s), but you'll see that here. Here are the grades followed by a very brief review, in the same type of nature as the internet site, Four Word Film Reviews (but mine will actually tell you whether or not you should see it).

IRON MAN – (A)

Almost as perfect as Batman Begins

FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL – (A-)

Another raunchy/sweet Apatow-produced home run

KUNG FU PANDA – (A-)

Familiar Dreamworks formula. Pixar-level execution.

CLOVERFIELD – (B+)

Worthy of all the hype.

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL – (B)

Just good to see Indy again (don't mind the aliens!)

HAROLD AND KUMAR: ESCAPE FROM GUANTANOMO BAY – (B)

Dumb and hilariously over-the-top.

DEFINITELY, MAYBE – (B)

The rare pleasantly surprising rom-com.

BE KIND REWIND – (B-)

Original story; competent story-telling.

21 – (B-)

Read Bringing Down the House instead.

RUN FATBOY FUN – (C+)

Simon Pegg should go back to writing his own material.

THE RUINS – (C)

Decent addition to the college/teen horror genre.

SEMI PRO – (C-)

A ridiculous and unfunny "comedy."

THE GRAND – (C-)

I guess Poker can't be funny.

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS – (D+)

Just watch the trailer instead. Or go to Vegas!

THE HAPPENING – (D-)

M. Night Shyamalan needs his head examined.

I had planned on doing both music and television this morning too, but now I have to get ready for work - I will attempt to finish that up tonight or even tomorrow morning. But I'll get all the goods on the new Weezer, Coldplay, and My Morning Jacket CD's as well as my thoughts on the new season of The Mole! Until then, have a great Monday!

Until later,

Exceeding Expectations

I do realize that it has now been 50 days since my last REAL post here on my blog. I needed a break. I paused in the middle (well, almost middle) of my planned 21 TO 21 thing before my birthday for many reasons. School was closing down and I began to desire (more than usual) to do well in my classes. I had coasted to what I would figure to be two A's and two B's, which would be fine (an overall 3.4 GPA) but towards the end of the semester, I decided that that would not be good enough. I actually sought to complete an assignment on time and to the best extent possible. I had myself prepared for tests and my finals as well. And what occurred?

I got the best grades I have gotten since my freshman year in high school. I completed the semester with two A's and two A-'s, giving me a 3.85 GPA and pulling my overall college GPA to over 3.5, which is my goal over the FIVE years that I will spend in college. Yes, five. Through my advisement and my own planning, I have discovered that I will need to spend one more year in college to earn my Bachelor's Degree. This is caused by my change of major between my first semester at CSUN and the one I just completed as well as the transfer from AVC to CSUN that provided some classes the opportunity to not count towards my degree. In addition to that, I would much rather not take more than 12-14 units a semester and I refuse to take summer courses because I want to be a sane individual through my schooling. I just do better when I take less classes per semester (as evidenced by my full point increase from the previous semester to the one I just finished). And I enjoy my schooling more when I can devote more time to the classes I'm taking.

Beyond this, blogging was not high on the To-Do list.

But now, four weeks into my summer vacation, I'm just a working machine, spending 40 hours a week at the MW. And it is going well. Every one of my last three weeks there I have exceeded my "Weekly Goal" and the week that just ended had me selling over $6900, essentially tying my highest week ever. My sales are higher because (gasp!) I'm spending more time there! Shocking that I can actually sell - maybe that's why I'm there in the first place. I love that my total sales over this last month meet or exceed every one of my counterparts. I now feel completely adequate and ready to move into the "Slow Period" of the Summer knowing that I can sell up to or better than everyone else in that store. Just bring on the customers!

The only kicker is that I have not seen Heather in nearly two weeks. . .

And there's actually some news on that front as well, but that will have to come next time as I am heading to actually see that better half of mine. She just got home since she just finished her quarter and has one week off (her "Summer" so to speak). So tonight, that means we get to watch KUNG FU PANDA, which I think will be good. And if not, at least I get to see this in its real context:



O yes! SKADOOSH!!!

Anyway, I'm back. And I'm better than ever. Expect more frequent (well, I guess anything is more frequent than once ever 50 days!) posts and just bring on the comments (Seriously - I need them to keep up my desire to be on here!) and enjoy as always!

So here we go - - -

Until later,

Hiatus.

Wikipedia (the true all-knower of the internet; if you don't know what it is, just ask any college student or recent graduate) defines "hiatus" this way:

"A break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, action, etc."

But see, I have come to realize that a more specific definition should be added to the page. . .

"A 50-day break from a blog that has meant much to the writer."

What does this mean?

It means that I will see you again on Saturday, the 50th day in a row that I have not posted (well, except for this - but, well, whatever).

As always, until later. . .

P.S. What do you think of the new layout???