Bears, Bowling, and Bullets to the Brain

This is gonna be quick. I promise.

Last night was Monday night so it meant bowling!!! Before that, however, I had to endure three quarters of my Super Bowl Bears getting the crapped kicked out of them by the lowly Arizona Cardinals. I got myself ready for bowling and head out. We changed our location because the one on Sierra Highway can go ahead and kiss my left. . . arm and I figured that we should try the one way out in East Palmdale. I listened to the game on the radio on the way there and lo and behold, what do I hear? The Bears have erased a 23-3 deficit and have just run back a punt for a TD that puts them up 24-23. It's incredible! I then listen as Cardinals kicker Neal Rackers misses a gimme (for him, an All-Pro kicker) 40-yard field goal and the Bears win. 6-0. Wow. The best part of it was the tirade that Dennis Green, the Cardinals head coach, went on after the game. (Beware - he uses profanity) Here it is, in all of its YOUTUBE goodness. . . Just click on the arrow to play it right here!



On to bowling. Chris and I bowled eight games in the FANTASTIC lanes out on Palmdale Boulevard. This place is incredible. It's evey adjective the opposite of the crappy one in Lancaster. We've found a new home on Monday nights! Anyway, I bowled pretty good. My average was 148 and my high game was 191, although I could have done better on that one. I left only two open frames but they were both (9 -) and I should have spared both of them. My game would have then been 210, I think, which would have been my new high. Dangit. What could have been. . .

I had class today and then headed to the 1350 showing of THE DEPARTED. I had to do a movie review for THE EXAMINER and of course, as you may remember, this was my most anticipated movie of the rest o' the year! I have not seen a movie since JACKASS, which was two weeks ago. I've been busy, give me a break. I went by my lonesome (not as bad as people make it out to be) and sat down to enjoy the Scorsese goodness. . . Instead of posting my weird grading scale (which, in my opinion now, can be thrown out - it was lame), I'm gonna give you my review that I wrote for the paper. This is an exclusive!!! Let me know what you think! You see, I'm a whore for accolades. I need them cuz after my editor has his way with it, I'll be sullen and downtrodden. . . But I'm getting used to it and preparing for it, so I'm a winner either way! So, without further ado, allow me to present my review of THE DEPARTED:

ALL-STAR CAST CARRIES ‘DEPARTED’

BY JUSTIN GOTT – STAFF WRITER

“I don't want to be a product of my environment. I want my environment to be a product of me.”

Speaking in a dialogue filled with aphorisms like that, Frank Costello, the leader of the Irish Mafia in not-so-long-ago Boston, controls everything. An eccentric, aging man, Costello is played by Jack Nicholson, who is also kooky and getting up there in years. One could think that a movie featuring “the man, the myth, the legend” simply known as Jack, essentially playing a violent version of himself, would be dominated by an over-the-top performance that could ultimately distract from the film’s flow. That almost happens in Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed,” but brilliant performances by both Matt Damon and Leonardo Dicaprio save Scorsese’s return to the Mob genre.

‘The Departed,’ based on a 2002 Hong Kong thriller called ‘Infernal Affairs,’ is being heralded as Scorsese’s best film since his masterpiece ‘Goodfellas.’ I can see critics getting attached to a film like ‘The Departed’ since it features such a strong cast and it showcases Marty in the genre that everyone knows he does so well. But from someone who thought both of his last films (‘Gangs of New York’ and ‘The Aviator’) were fantastic, I think that ‘The Departed’ is a small step down for Scorsese.

That is not to say that the film is not good. ‘The Departed’ is taut and intense. Let’s just say that my fingernails took a toll while I watched the action unfold! There are several scenes that leave your heart racing and your stomach tight. This film is anything but boring. Even at a running time of over 150 minutes, ‘The Departed’ is never tedious.

The film monitors closely the lives of two young men who have joined the Massachusetts State Police. These “Staties” are both trying to make names for themselves and, unbeknownst to each other, are dealing with the same issue.

Billy Costigan (Dicaprio) is the sole good guy from a bad family and is trying to prove it by having a respectable profession. Instead, it is his street credentials and family name that lead his superiors (brilliantly portrayed by Martin Sheen and Mark Wahlberg) to ask him to go undercover into Costello’s regime.

Colin Sullivan (Damon) grew up with the assistance of father-like figure Costello. We see Costello buying young Colin groceries and supplying him with fatherly advice, that is if you consider “We can become cops or criminals. But when you’re facing a loaded gun, what’s the difference?” fatherly advice. When Sullivan graduates from the academy and begins to work his way up the ladder of the unit that is specifically tracking down Costello, good old dad is right there waiting for son to tip him off to what the police is doing next.

Matt Damon is fantastic as the “double-crossing cop”. I would go so far as to say that this is his best performance yet. Damon is a reliable actor who always gives us likeable, yet constricted characters. However, it is the dislike we feel towards his character that makes his performance so great. Clean-shaven, baby-faced Sullivan is so conscience-less that I found myself rooting for him to fail and groaning aloud when he succeeded. His quiet confidence turns into unabridged arrogance and Damon pulls it off brilliantly.

Dicaprio is Scorsese’s new Robert De Niro, as this is Leo’s third straight performance under his direction. I have no issues with their continued pairing, because I feel they bring the best out of each other. Dicaprio gives a painful performance in the heroic role. Scorsese recently told “Entertainment Weekly” that Dicaprio has a “face (that) is a battlefield of moral conflicts” and that countenance is on full display throughout ‘The Departed.’

And what about Jack? Nicholson is everything you would expect and nothing more. His presence gives more credibility to the other actors’ performances because of the rumored improvisation that Nicholson frequently resorted to. Sometimes too over-the-top, Jack does just enough to hang with the young guns opposite him.

Scorsese’s return to the gangster genre is bloody (a Scorsese trademark), fast-moving (the first hour is cut back and forth between the two main characters’ lives), and realistically heart-breaking.

Although it is a remake, I do not find the need to compare it to the original film. This is Scorsese and screenwriter William Monahan’s vision. The Boston setting is perfect and all of the accents are, for the most part, on key.

In ‘The Departed,’ liars run amok, violence is widespread, and priests should not be trusted with adolescent boys. That sounds curiously similar to the real world and it is that cynically-driven realism, plus several powerhouse performances that makes this film an overall success. (Grade: B)

So what did you think???

Thanks in advance everybody!!!

- - - "If you want her to make the meal, you gotta let her buy the groceries."
- - - From last nights's STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP (great episode by the way!)

JUSTIN

The Weekend Grab-Bag: The Backlot Version

Welcome to my backlot, ladies and gentlemen. And for the first time, you will be able to view it up close; like never before. Is this idea being used because I went to UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD on Friday for their Halloween Horror Nights and I got to venture onto their backlot, which was something no guest had done ever, and I saw a neato comparison/parallel between my fave theme park and my own self???

Maybe. . .

So I've got a lot to get through, and not a whole lot of time. . . (and because I'm so envious of Cy and his ideas, here we go. . in an as always non-chronological fashion!)

[0040]

- If you don't really like sports, skip down until you get to the picture. . .

- I bought tickets for me and George (he needs to pay me back - ha ha) to go to the first NBA game of the season at Staples Center on October 31! The game is between my Phoenix Suns (natch) - o, by the by, "natch" is an abbreviated form of the word "naturally"; it does not rhyme with "watch", it rhymes with "catch" - and George's Los Angeles Lakers (boo that!). We are sitting in Section 301 (dead center court) Row 2 (actually just one row back from where we sat for Game 3 of their playoff series last year). We are both stoked and cannot wait!!!!! (The Suns are gonna win by the way!!!)

- Speaking of basketball, George talked me into joining a FREE (emphasis on the price) fantasy league. I have always heard of the wonders of fantasty leagues, but have never actually joined one. But today I had my first live draft, and I am a fantasy sports virgin no more! My team, you ask? Well, alright then:

THE RISING SUNS

(Guards)
- Chauncey Billups (Pistons)
- Jason Terry (Mavs)
- Leandro Barbosa (Suns)
- Ben Gordon (Bulls)
- Raja Bell (Suns)
- Sarunas Jasikevicius (Pacers)
- Bobby Jackson (Hornets)
- Marcus Banks (Suns)
- Steve Blake (Bucks)
- Rajon Rondo (Celtics)
- Francisco Garcia (Kings)

(Forwards/Centers)
- Dirk Nowitzki (Mavs)
- Boris Diaw (Suns)
- Tayshaun Prince (Pistons)
- Bruce Bowen (Spurs)
- Kurt Thomas (Suns)
- Channing Frye (Knicks)
- Wally Szczerbiak (Celtics)
- James Jones (Suns)
- Rodney Carney (76ers)

So I think I have a good team, but I'm not sure. We'll see. I think I picked too many SUNS (I couldn't help myself) so I'm trying to trade Marcus Banks to another guy in my league for Luke Walton. . . We'll see how that goes. I'm excited to see how this goes. I go head-to-head against George in weeks 2 and 14 I think, so expect bloodshed! And also expect occasional fantasy updates (but only if I'm doing well. . .)

- And continuing on the Sports trend, I have a quick note about the MLB Playoffs. Um, I was wrong! I picked the Twins to win the World Series, so of course they exited in the first round thanks to a sweep by the Oakland A's who immediately got swept by my bandwagon team, the Detroit Tigers (I'm rooting for them to win!). The Tigers are gonna win. That is for sure. I actually thought this thought before posting those previous predictions: "If the Tigers somehow beat the Yanks in the first round, they're going all the way." But I didn't post it, so you won't believe me. O well. . . Go Tigers!

- And on one final Sports note, I went 8-4 today in my pool with an assured victory tomorrow night (my Super Bowl Bears are gonna kill Matt Leinart and the Cardinals) putting me at 9-4 for the week. Meh. I can do better. However, six of the eight morning games were decided by 3 points or less. It was that close. Dangit!!!
















- Friday night was one of the most fun nights I've had. That's a picture of me and Heather (supposedly scared. . . I'm not that good of an actor) at the entrance into UNIVERSAL STUDIOS' Halloween Horror Nights. The picutred man behind us is Pavel Pranevsky, a fictional film director that is "running the event". It was really a lot of fun. Let me just say that Knott's Scary Farm (or Halloween Haunt) is better. HOWEVER, the first (and only, in my opinion) attraction we hit up was the "Terror Tram". The fun was that this was the first time that guests were going to be allowed off of the famous tram ride to tour the backlot. And because of fortunate circumstances, Cy, Heather, Chelsea, Joe, Melissa (the latter two are friends of Chels' who are really cool) and myself were on the first tram to depart! We were first!!! Essentially, they set it all up with a video giving us backstory (always a plus in my book) and then let us off at the Whoville Set from Ron Howard's How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Instead of cute Whos, though, there were clowns running amok. Scary clows (which is very redundant!). Then it was on to the Bates Motel from the original Psycho where there was a "sorority party that had gone bad". Then we walked up the hill to the Psycho house (yes, the house!!!) and ran into the director, actually (crazy dude running around with a knife - always scary). We then finished the tour by walking through the new War of the Worlds plane crash set. The addition here were countless zombies limping around looking for food. . . us!!! I was so in awe of where I was ("Tom Cruise was here";" Hitchcock was there") that I wasn't scared at all - it was just cool. We did some more things, but I'll let you read Cy's account of it all here (and if you keep scrolling down you can see a bunch of, albeit blurry, pictures from the night!).

- I had a meeting on Thursday with Mr. Thomas about the basketball season and whatnot. It was really exciting! Essentially, I am going to be an Assistant Coach for the Girls Varsity team and a helper for the Boys Varsity team. I basically get to play with the Boys team at practice, and have all sorts of responsibility with the Girls. T (from now on, Coach Thomas will be referred to as T) said that the Girls Guards will basically be mine. No pressure!!! I'm excited, nervous, scared, and giddy about the season beginning on November 11 (tryouts).

- INSIGHTFUL INSIGHTS:
(This has been awhile - -) Um, so a few quick things. . .

1) Very sad story with Corey Lidle, the former Yankees pitcher, flying that plane into the apartment building in New York last week. Very sad. I can't help but wonder if it was intentional. . I would hope not, but you just never know.

2) Roger Ebert is getting better. See, he's kinda back. . . I'm glad that he is healthy. He will probably go down in history as the greatest film critic of all-time, and he appears to be a genuine man that just loves film. I love his work even more because I appeared on his website and I even received an e-mail from him once (no lie!!). Can't wait for you to be full strength Roger!

3) Youtube is amazible! (Yeah, I just created that word. . .) Cy has been putting up some random videos from our Senior year and other things tonight and I've been laughing at some old things. It's fun. We're gonna try to film the film (so to speak) of our performance in THE TOKNIGHT SHOW from senior year to get some of that on the internet. That'd be cool

4) I think teachers who think that their subject is the be-all and end-all of existence need to have a reality check. Sir, Psychology is not the most important thing in the world. Don't pretend like it is. It's just not right.

5) Thoughts on church today: Today was the first time I've been to church since August. I haven't missed it (terrible thing to say, but it's true). I feel so awkward and uncomfortable sitting there - what an indication of what I think of myself!!! I'm perfectly respectful to everyone who wants to listen, but it's difficult for me to get all rowdy about everything that goes on. I certainly believe everything I always have (and have been taught forever), it's just that I'm going through a spiritual dry spell right now. It's just the truth. I'm not gonna be fake and pretend like everything is hunky-dory like I believe so many people to be doing. Hey, sir, I've seen you at Johnny Carino's bitching about your meal being a little late or your plate having something on the underside of it. Don't say "God bless you" to me unless I sneeze. Ya got it? I just don't like fakers. I am who I am, and you don't get anything else. I have a couple good friends, many acquaintances, and more enemies than anything else. I'm cynical. (Quick note about this type of person: Pastor David said the following verbatim: "I'm not being cynical here. I'm being realistic." - I believe that cynicism and realism go hand-in-hand. Cynics have little faith in the people of this world to do the right thing (see: babies left in dumpsters, pedophiling congressmen, massive genocide across the globe) and realists see all that happening and believe that it won't stop because man is so arrogant. See? Very similar.) I'm loving (just ask my family - or Heather). I'm gracious (I could be working at UMEC and making some bank, but instead I'm gonna coach some girls about basketball). I'm a jerk (just ask Cy - he'll tell you). I don't know - - I just feel like I'm just a little too "bleh" for God's taste. I know I'm not (I know the verses, thanks) but it's how I feel right now. Give me time. I'll get over it. . .

- Wow, that was a long thought; it'll probably get me in trouble too. . .

- I finished the fourth season of Scrubs. Good stuff. I love that show!!!

- Thanks to all of you who have given me kudos on my articles from the first issue of THE EXAMINER. Second issue is supposed to hit the campus early in November. I'm working on something like four articles right now, so we'll see how that looks in a couple of weeks.

- O, yeah. I came to this conclusion on Friday night: Cy is my best guy friend (Heather's number one - come now!). Whether or not he feels the same way about me, I don't care. I realized that it's not about what you express to each other or what you know about each other (dark secrets and whatnot) but it's how you feel when you are around them. I had such a blast driving down to UNIVERSAL in Cy's Saturn Vue listening to late 90's pop ballads. We laughed like idiots and reminisced about HS and the like. It was great times all around. I love you bro!

Well if you read all that, then you are a star. Have a sticker. . .

[0140]

I'm spent for the night. That was one hour straight of typing. I'm tired. Goodnight now - - -

- - - "Do you know what (people) are mostly? Bastards. Bastard-coated bastards with bastard fillings. But I don't find them half as annoying as I find naive bubble-headed optimists who walk around vomiting sunshine."
- - - Dr. Perry Cox (John C. McGinley) on SCRUBS

Justin

An Irregular Ménage à Trois

Yep, that's not only misleading but it's also kinda redundant (cuz those silly ideas for spicing up love lives are extremely odd in my opinion). No that kind of thing isn't on the ol' noggin or anything. It's just that tonight, in a way, I experienced a night that included three things and that was my first idea for a title. And plus you came looking or kept reading, so what does that say about you???

Sorry.

So the three participants in my evening were Zours, SCRUBS, and pouting, lonely me. Yep. A pretty boring love life no? Not even Zach Braff could really spice up my night (although he does make me laugh. . .).

I worked Tuesday night and I actually had a really good night. That is, until 2145, a mere 15 minutes before our doors locked. You see, we were dead at 2100. I had every table clean (yes, every table) and was beginning my sidework with the assistance of the bored closing servers. I was gonna get outta there at 2015 at the absolute latest. Then, six people ruined my night. A party of four walked through our doors at 2145 and five minutes later, two older ladies came in for appetizers and soup. The party of four did not leave until almost 2300 (yes, an hour after we close!) and I didn't leave until 2315 (after being off the clock for 15 minutes!). How can people do this, you might ask. It's a complete lack of respect for the hard-working individuals who serve you your food (or seat you or cook your meal or clean up after you leave). I have never, and will never, go into a restaurant that close to closing. It's wrong. It's messed up. It's evil (it's gotta be in the Bible somewhere - I'm pretty sure Jesus never went to a restaurant right before closing!). Don't do it. Please.

I slept in this morning and then went to Biology. I don't like this class, but at least my teacher's antics keep me awake. . . I hurried home and finished my English essay (a Formalist approach to the short story The Lottery by Shirley Jackson focusing on the third person objective point of view that she uses - - exciting huh?) before class began at 1545. I made it to class (a few minutes late, though) and we then proceeded to watch HAMLET, but not the one you're thinking about (which my guess was either Kenneth Branagh's version or the one with Mel Gibson). It was the 2000 version starring Ethan Hawke. This is a modern re-telling of the famous Shakesperean play (much like Baz Luhrmann's ROMEO + JULIET). It was supposed to put us in the mood for the reading of Hamlet. Well, it was a weird movie (very hard to follow - I wanted them to start talking normal dangit!) but I could see what they were looking to do. Meh. I like Shakespeare and all, but I just don't get all that giddy about reading it. We have to perform a couple of scenes over the next couple of weeks. However, my group (myself and two somewhat quiet girls) is kinda meh. O well. I'm being optimistic!!!

I came home and was very mopey. The biggest reason, I believe, was because I came home to an empty house. Everyone was out and about and I was left by myself. Now usually I would like this, but I have not seen a whole lot of my family recently with all of our busy schedules, so I was wishing that they would be there. They weren't.

So I resorted to watching my recently purchased fourth season of SCRUBS, my favorite comedy. . . ever!!! I'm already done with the first two discs (there's only three. . .). I love this show! I understand it's an acquired sense of humor (it's pretty goofy and out there, but once you get into the frame of mind, it's just plain hilarious!), but I love it. O, I also bought the new Amos Lee CD (I found out about this guy on the soundtrack for THE LAST KISS, ironically - or not - composed by SCRUBS star Zach Braff) this week. Very good. I love his single ("Shout Out Loud") and the CD can be described as easy-listening. Good stuff.

Furthermore, I love Zours. They are incredible. If you want to brighten my day, give me a pack (or a box - go to Wal-Mart for these :D ). I enjoyed one of these small boxes while watching my SCRUBS. They make me smile. Or maybe that's my jaw screaming because it's too much sugar. . . I guess I'll never know.

So now that it is 0030, I'm gonna go to bed. Busy day tomorrow. I have some exciting news (actually, it's a few things) but you'll have to wait for all of that). Ha! I have power!!!

I apologize for that. . . I kinda lost it for a second. . .

Goodnight all!

- - - "To be or not to be. . ."
- - - Hamlet in Shakespeare's HAMLET

JUSTIN

The Week Grab-Bag: The Optimism Through Misfortune Version

(Note to Heather) There you go, baby. I can be positive. Even through adversity. . . (ha ha!)

Anywho, how are ya? I don't apologize for not posting in a week because I've been pretty doggone busy. But I figured that I would throw something your way before I got caught up in another week. Because you know that it would be next Monday again before I knew it and I would have much to relay to all of you. So, without further ado, allow me to get into the post that you've been waiting a week for. Enjoy the (AS ALWAYS!) non-chronological goodness. . .

- All is pretty good on the bowling front. I still go every Monday night and Chris has decided to make it a weekly thing too. And that's cool. I really like the guy (he's a cool dude), and he is almost as competitive as I am, so it's a rip-roaring good time when we get warmed up. Last week I had an average of 150 and this week it was around the same thing. That means my average is up a good 30 points from when I used to bowl a lot. So, needless to say, I'm stoked. I'm happy that I've found another hobby (besides movie-watching, poker, and blogging. . .) and that I have friends to participate with me. However, last night was the worst night of bowling, but not because of my performance. Not only have they reduced the times (it used to be 2100-midnight and now it's an hour shorter) but the lane was being stupid tonight and the jerk guy who works there was working tonight. Chris and I were pissed at how the night went but we wanted to bowl so we did our thing and left. O well. There's always next week. . .

- I had a poker tournament (which you can also read about on Cy's and George's blog) on Sunday night. There were 10 participants, and I felt like I was one of the top 3 players in the room. I started slow (a bad indicator) but made it to the final table of 5 (I was the short stack at this time, though). I really did not get good hands all night. I had probably three good hands all night. Anyway, I went out in fifth. George won (good job, buddy). I was pissed. I probably looked like such a tool on Sunday night, but I don't care. Anyone who knows me, knows how competitive I am. Plus, there was $20 at stake! So of course I was upset when I got knocked out. I was steaming the rest of the time that they were playing. O well. I guess I can't win them all. . . But Why???

- I worked on both Thursday (by myself) and Saturday (with Chris) nights. And you know what I finally did? I finally put my ego aside and was friendly to my GM Charlie. I even made him laugh a couple of times throughout the night! I felt like this was a huge step! It may not be, and he may just be humoring me to later screw me over (yet again) but for right now, I'm hopeful. You see, this week's TT schedule looks like this: Chris (4 days); Gerardo (5 days); Alfredo (5 days); Justin (2 days). Isn't that crappy!?!?! Charlie took over the schedules from the guy who gave me four days and I immediately went to 2 days. A bit fishy, no??? So we'll see how my new approach to working (sucking up!) affects my schedule. . .

- So Friday night was mine and Heather's big date. And it was, in a word, FANTASTIC! We first went to dinner at a place called Parker's Lighthouse. We had reservations for 1800. But here's where I get romantic points. . . I had checked the weather online and the sun was gonna set around 1830. So I asked when making the reservations if we could be by one of the windows looking towards the West. It was perfect. The sun started to go down right before our dinner came and we watched it set while watching boats come into the harbor (the restaurant sits at the end of a pier on the LB harbor. We left there and headed to the Long Beach Terrace Theater just down the street. As you may remember, I bought tickets for us to go see CHICAGO on stage in the LB. It's a touring version of the play, giving other people a chance to see it without having to go to Broadway or London (Thanks!). We were 13 rows from the stage, but kinda close to the right aisle. I wish we had been more centered, but it was still great. The play caused me to laugh, cringe (just one part), laugh, be awed (the lady who played Mama Morton - Queen Latifah in the film - had a jaw-dropping voice), laugh, wish I was musically talented, and laugh (did I mention that already?)! The girl who played Roxie was incredible and was very crowd-friendly. Our Velma, according to Heather, was a little too dramatic, but she is insanely talented when it comes to singing and dancing. I loved the Amos (Roxie's husband) in this as well. However, the thing that was the greatest of all was the bantering, wise, and quick-witted Billy Flynn. Gregory Harrison (who apparently is in AIR BUD 2!) was great in the role made famous by Richard Gere in the film. I loved how different of an adaptation it was (Although there were many similarities as well). From simple ways of saying a line to dance steps to the long Roxie monologue (one of the highlights of the night), it was a wonderful experience!

- The first issue of the AVC EXAMINER has now been released to the school! For a few of you relatives (I'm talking specifically to you GP and Mom-Mom), I was able to get a copy for you, but until I see you to give it to you, you can go here to see what it looks like (although you are gonna need Adobe Reader to access it. . .). I have three articles in (pages 3 and 9) the issue and I'm really excited! I took a copy to Mrs. Horning, my high school English teacher, and she was so happy it made me even more happy! I know it is not that big of a deal (Well, maybe it is) but I'm really stoked about the whole thing! Stay tuned with this one!

- I have only seen one movie in the last couple of weeks, but it was a great one. JACKASS: NUMBER TWO is exactly what you would expect it to be. It's dumb! It's painful (to watch)! It's naked men! And you know what? It's hilarious! I mean, when you look at this picture, the first word that comes to mind just happens to be jackass!


I mean, more power to 'em! They made quite a bit of money, too! I'm actually glad that they made some money too. It might just mean that there is a JACKASS 3 coming up for us! . . . (GRADE: B+)

- So I went 11-3 this past weekend in the pool. Ya know, that is good, but I'm so upset! You see, I started 11-0! I lost the last three games of the week and really, it all comes down to one thing: "I hate DREW BLEDSOE!" (Cy and George know why. .)

- STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP is now the best show on television. Period. No other opinions will be considered. Thank you, come again.

- Well I gotta work tonight, so I need to get myself ready and all. Hope you enjoyed it all!

Have a good night all,

JUSTIN

The Week Grab-Bag: The Novella Version

Hello friends.

I deeply apologize for my lack of posting in the last week. Sure, I posted my (in some of your opinions) good review of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE on Wednesday, but I actually have not posted a real blog since last Monday. And now it's Monday again. Wow. Time sure does fly!

Well now it is October (yeah, I can't believe it either) and there are, get this, 84 shopping days left til Christmas. Wow again. That actually has nothing to do with anything, except that it's already October and the holiday season is right around the corner. I'm gonna try to recap an entire week, but I'm not sure what I'll be able to recall at this time. Here we go!

And, as always (and it has been always - Cy and I checked out my archives on my initial GRAB-BAG) my readers, the following is entirely the opposite of chronological. Enjoy!

- I worked on Thursday night and Saturday night and made significant bank both nights. I actually walked outta there with $100 cash both nights! I worked my ass off, but I also made some good money. My GM (good ol' Charlie - not!) has decided to screw me again, dear readers. Apparently, the manager who is doing the TT schedules submitted a schedule with yours truly carrying four days a week, much like the other TTs (no one would have less than 3). However, Charlie has taken a little power trip and reduced my schedule to two days! The three other TTs have either 3 or 4 days! If it wasn't for Jennifer (my great manager) and Chris (my fellow TT who has really become a good buddy of mine), then I would be stuck with that awful schedule. Because Chris has 4 days, we have agreed that we will alternate Tuesday nights. That way I can have 3 days a week at least every other week. That will help a bit. Thanks bud!

- Last night was a marathon of a night for myself, Cy, Justin, Emily, and Manny. We were all over at Justin's house and began a poker game a little after 2200. Why so late, you might ask. . . Well, Emily was watching stupid DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and did not want us to start without her. We're nice, so we didn't. We started and it was good fun. However, it turned into a crazy-long game that looked like it would have no end in sight. Instead of knock-outs, there were 3 double-ups in the latter part of the first two hours. Cy did get knocked out first around 2330 and became the dealer (you lose, you deal is the unwritten rule). When Cy began to deal, I began to come back to life. I had been low in chips, and I started to work my way back up the ladder. I got pretty high, but I came crashing down on one ridiculous hand. I was in the small blind and called Manny's big blind with a JACK/SIX of HEARTS (J/6 is unofficially my favorite hand). Emily was also in. The flop came down with three hearts, giving me a flush! I slow-played it, checking when it was my turn. After the turn (which put two QUEENS on the board) Manny bet (as usual - he is quite aggressive) and Emily called. I saw this as a great opportunity and I went ALL-IN (thus putting Manny ALL-IN and challenging the chip leader, Emily). Manny called and Emily folded. Manny turned over a QUEEN/TEN, giving him three QUEENS, but I had the leading hand. The only thing that could beat me was the fourth QUEEN or one of three remaining TENS. Manny had an 8% chance to win the hand. When Cy turned over the TEN of CLUBS on the river, I was absolutely stupified. I was pissed, actually. I was left with what we began with at the beginning, and I would have to begin working on improving my chip stack. The only problem was that I was on TILT. I folded two straight hands (once when I could have checked - I didn't care) and had to step outside for a minute. When I came back in, I preceded to fold the next ten hands or so. I was not only still upset, but I was on a cold streak with cards. Either way, I worked my way back up (and watched Justin finally go out around 0030) and was the chip leader again. Emily and Manny took me down a little bit, but when I took down Manny (revenge was o so sweet - I got QUAD ACES!) Emily and I were almost even. By the time I actually flopped anything (I had been playing well HEADS-UP, my favorite time to play!) I was really low in chips. I eventually went ALL-IN, got called, and Emily beat me with her gigantic stack. This was the first week I haven't won in a long time, so I'm ok with my second place finish, although I always want to win! Good game Em. I'll win next time :D

O, and I didn't get home until 0200. Yeah.

- My LB day was great like every other. Heather and I ate lunch at Mimi's Cafe, a really cool, laid back restaurant in the LB and then soon headed to San Clemente to see her dad and his wife Claudia. We got down there earlier than when they were done with work, so we parked down by the beach (their house is less than a mile from the shore) and walked near the waves for almost an hour. We watched these birds called Sand Pipers, which were probably the second cutest things I had seen all day (the first being my wonderful counterpart. . .). When our walk was done we headed to their house and sat in their kitchen (at the counter, or whatever) and chatted with her dad while he cooked dinner. You see, whenever we go down there they either take us out to a nice restaurant (one example is a French restaurant that's pretty dang good) or they make us dinner (the usual decision). Now, this is not a microwaved dinner or anything like that. O no. Dinner usually requires a three-hour long process that results in something very very tasty. Friday night was no different. We ended up enjoying Tri-Tip, twice-baked potatoes, and asparagus (that is not my favorite - in fact, I really don't like asparagus, but like a trooper, I ate most of it). It was really good, my friends. Very good indeed.

- Saturday morning meant the tux fitting for Manny and Jenn's wedding. As I may have mentioned here before (It's hard to recall what I write all the time) I am a Groomsmen in their wedding on November 4th. AND, my little brother Caleb is going to be the Ring Bearer! So we were both there to get our measurements done for our snazzy tuxedos. It was quick and kinda fun. The wedding should be really nice, and I'm excited to be a part of it all!

- So while I was watching the last episode of HOUSE (currently my favorite television show but being chased down by the new show STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP), I came to some startling (to me) conclusions. I suddenly realized why I enjoy television shows, movies, and the like. The reason why I continually seek refuge in the entertainment medium finally occurred to me. And what reason is that? Good point. . . Here it is (and beware - it's not all that happy): Dear reader, I'm not happy with what I have right now and so often wish to have what the characters I'm watching have. Do I have an incredible family? Yes. Do I have the best (not to mention prettiest) girlfriend in the world? You bet. Am I currently a college student with only good things being lined up for him with a only a future in front of him. Of course. HOWEVER, I do not want to be in this place anymore. I want to jump ahead about three years. And sure, I know what you're thinking: "When you get passed this time period and look back you're gonna wish you were back there." And you know what? You're probably right! But I really do not care. I wanna be done with this no say, no influence, no money (well not entirely, but basically), no time thing. I want to be working for a living. No mas escuela por favor! I want to be married and share a bed every night with my wonderful Heather. I want a dog (preferably one that will run with Heather so she'll be happy). I want my own entertainment center with only my television shows on the TIVO. I want to invite people over for dinner to my house. I want people to be upset with me for not accepting their work because I know better. I want to know better. I want to make all the right decisions. I don't want to fail. I want to be able to go on a vacation with Heather. Just the two of us. I want to BBQ with my guys and just shoot the breeze over a cold one. I want to be able to go a casino and play live poker. I want to have sex (can't blame me for being honest). I want to know a famous person (someone the public would be jealous of me for knowing). I want to be a famous person (thus taking care of the last one). I want "the good life". And you know what else? All those things could happen. But guess what? Being the natural cynic I am, I truly believe that either they won't happen or if they do, I'm just gonna end up having to wait and wait and wait (and did I mention wait) for all the things that I want. I'm sure that I sound like a complete ______ (fill in the blank with whatever adjective you feel necessary) but it's how I feel.

That's what I was feeling the other day. Kinda depressing actually.

- On Sunday I went into school for two hours to take a look at how the paper was coming along. My articles look pretty good. For those of you who were keeping tabs on it, the Editor-In-Chief and our teacher decided to go with the original reviews I wrote (and edited by them) and left my most recent review out completely. So it's the original INDIE MOVIE MARATHON (with editing), but now it's titled CINEMA DOUBLE FEATURE, I think. Meh. I am starting to get more accustomed to this whole "You have no say and you will like what we do to your stuff" angle. It sucks, but I'm getting over it. The paper comes out a week from today. Pick up a copy if you can (all 3 of my articles are in there!) and if you can't (out of state relatives, non-AVC people) then I'll get you one. Just e-mail me or comment here if you want one!

- Since I'm already in the midst of a novel here, I might as well throw a little sports at ya! I went 8-5 this weekend with the Monday night game going on right now. If Philly holds on (as they should) then I'll be 9-5 which is ok I guess. If you combine that with the 11-3 last week then I'm still averaging my ten wins a week. I'm confident that I'll finish in fourth place again; just out of reach of the money. Again, that's the cynicism talking. Either way, I have to admit I'm impressed with my Super Bowl picks. The Chicago Bears, after their complete destruction of the formerly undefeated Seattle Seahawks, are becoming trendy picks to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. But, dear friends, you heard it here first! My Bengals lost this week, but they'll get it back and come back from their BYE WEEK strong. The MLB playoffs begin tomorrow night, and I have some predictions there for you too!

NLDS:
Cardinals over Padres (3-1)
Mets over Dodgers (3-2)

ALDS:
Yankees over Tigers (3-1)
Twins over A's (3-0)

NLCS:
Mets over Cardinals (4-2)

ALCS:
Twins over Yankees (4-3)

WORLD SERIES:
Twins over Mets (4-2)

There you have it! Give the MVP trophy to young Joe Mauer and the World Series trophy to the Minnesota Twins! You heard it here first!

Furthermore, the NBA season is only 28 days away and I can't wait! Expect a complete NBA preview before the season begins (you non-sports fans will want to stay away from that one!). I'm excited baby! This year could very well be my SUNS' year!!!

- Friday is mine and Heather's big date! "Give 'em the ol' razzle dazzle. . ."

Well it's just about bowling time! I'm ready tonight! I had kind of a rough day (lost my BIOLOGY LAB BOOK, found out that my "better" BIO test was really another C) so I'm ready to take out my anger on some pins! Wish me luck!!!

Take it easy folks! I'll talk at ya tomorrow!

- - - "But as the philosopher Jagger once said,
'You can't always get what you want'."
- - - Dr. House (Hugh Laurie) on HOUSE

JUSTIN

Let the Sunshine In

Well folks, I do apologize for my lack of blogging the last couple of nights, but schoolwork has taken it's toll on me. I am behind in a few of my classes and I needed to at least attempt to catch up. I thought that was the right thing to do.

One of the things I had to do was revise my movie review of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. My editor-in-chief had (in my opinion) pretty well destroyed my original review to the point that I did not even want my name to be printed before it. So, we came to a (cordial) agreement that I would just redo it and we would go for it again tomorrow. So, instead of posting tonight about my boring life (you have to admit, I'm not all that interesting!) I'm just gonna post my newly revised version of my first article in the first issue of THE EXAMINER (I hope to have a total of 3 in the first issue, but we'll see). I hope you enjoy this one as much as you did the last one (I appreciated your comments then, and I appreciate them in advance now). It is much different, so I hope that it works (only on a different level, I suppose). Thanks, and I'll try to post again soon!

LET THE ‘SUNSHINE’ IN
By Justin Gott – Entertainment Editor

Little Miss Sunshine, directed by music video directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris from a script by first-time screenwriter Michael Arndt, is a typical look at the dysfunctional family, but it is done in such a recognizable and practical way that it becomes profoundly effective.

The story follows the Hoovers, a middle-class family from Albuquerque, New Mexico. There are six members to this particular family and each has their own imperfections and quirks about them.

The first person we meet is Olive (Abigail Breslin), an average-looking seven-year-old girl with a dream of becoming Miss America. She already knows how to cry for the camera at that winning moment and how to do the Miss America wave.

Olive is trained by her grandpa (Alan Arkin) who is living with the Hoovers because he got kicked out of a retirement facility. He was not stealing, causing havoc, or having loud friends over, though. He was caught doing cocaine (“At my age, I’d be crazy not to do it.” he says) and now maintains his habit in the family bathroom.

Richard (Greg Kinnear), the man of the household, is an unfortunately unsuccessful motivational speaker. He teaches an attitude of winning and philosophizes about the importance of winning at all times, even though he has become a perfect loser. His wife Sheryl (Toni Collette) is the hard-working mom who does everything she can at every moment to keep their family together.

Uncle Frank (Steve Carell) is a former professor who claims to be the Number One Proust scholar in the world. He is also a homosexual who lost his job because a grad student of his did not return his love, and Frank ended up attempting suicide. Failing at that as well, he ends up moving in with the Hoovers to recuperate.

Then there is Dwayne, the misunderstood teenager who is in the midst of a nine-month-long vow of silence that was inspired by his readings of German philosopher Frederick Nietzsche. He “hates everybody,” or at least that is what he writes on his little notebook that he uses when he must communicate.

A daring scene (mostly because of its length) towards the beginning of the film shows the Hoovers sitting down to a casual family dinner. At least that is what Sheryl had in mind when she went through the Drive-Thru. You see, this dinner is made up of fast-food fried chicken, homemade salad, and Sprite from a two-liter. Oh yeah, and everyone has a different-looking plastic cup.

Sound familiar? It should. That dinner has been experienced by almost every American at one point or another. It is that familiarity that makes Sunshine such a great film.

These six people grow together in ways that they never would have seen coming, and it is the way that the characters change that inspires us to want to change as well. The brilliantly constructed and wickedly funny script calls for many different emotions from all of the actors, and it is the performances that make this film memorable.

Steve Carell (The 40-Year-Old Virgin), one of Hollywood’s up-and-coming stars, gives an incredibly powerful performance as Frank. His transformation from the moment we meet him (pathetically staring out a hospital window after having his life “saved”) is not only refreshing, but it is believable because of Carell’s restrained performance. His performance is not one of over-the-top hilarity that audiences have come to expect from him. His subtle humor and quiet sadness make for his most memorable performance yet.

Also remarkable is Paul Dano as Dwayne. Dano plays the tortured high-schooler to perfection and has impeccable comedic timing (even in silence). Dwayne is inspired and brilliant in his own right. His big moment comes when he learns something about himself that drastically alters his future plans. The way he explodes is exactly how we feel for him because of the sincerity he radiates.

There are social criticisms (specifically in how the pageant is portrayed), life lessons, and insightful truths into how people live their day-to-day lives, but the thing that makes Sunshine so good is its perfect cast. There is not a film out there right now with a better ensemble, because there is not a single chink in the chain – every actor is top-notch.

While Sunshine will not garner side-splitting laughs or cause tears to be shed, it does make for an outstanding two hours of entertainment. It is a poignant, noteworthy, and powerful piece of cinema that works as a great character piece and should be remembered come Oscar season. Easily the best film to come out this year, Little Miss Sunshine shines brightly amongst the weeds of all the routine and heartless summer blockbusters.

(Grade: A)

So what did you think??????????????

Thanks again,

JUSTIN

Time For A Wardrobe Change

It's almost 0100. I'm gonna rush thru this, but there's some updates I wanna hit ya up with. Important stuff. Interesting stuff. Brief stuff. Prepare thyself. . .

Ok, so, um, I guess I'll do this in bullet form. Yeah. That works.

- Went bowling again tonight (it's now a Monday night ritual). Nothing special (no records were broken) happened. I finished one game with 4 strikes in a row though. That was cool. I won 3 games, Chels won 4, and my buddy Chris (fellow TT) took the last game with the high game of 196. Congrats man! I beat Chels that game though, so we called it a draw of a night. You're going down next week sis. . . Now, you see, I wore the same thing tonight as I had the previous two Mondays cuz I'm kinda superstitious when it comes to athletics. Next week, there will be a new wardrobe worn by yours truly. I already have the shirt picked out. Cy, you know what it is. . .

- We dissected earthworms in our LAB today. That was interesting. Took Cy and me back to both 7th grade and Freshman Biology. Fun times.

- I let my other mama (Mrs. Serrano) know today at work that I will only be doing it for two more weeks. You see, I have been getting behind in my schoolwork, and I need to focus on both school and one other thing that is coming up: Basketball. I saw Mr. Thomas on Friday and he said that he would be calling me in the next two weeks to start up preparations for the upcoming season. As I may have mentioned, I'm going to be an Assistant Coach for the Girls Varsity basketball team this year, and I couldn't be more excited! So that's coming up too. No more time for pain management charts, referral letters, and GREAT WALL runs for food. Madre said I could come back when I'm available, so maybe in December when I'm done with school. We'll see.

- I wanna sell my car. Yep. I presently owe (on the loan that I got for the car) exactly what the Kelly Blue Book says my car is worth in a private setting. So, I would break even now, and if I waited about six months, I could make some money, thus giving me a down payment for whatever I get next. I'm like my dad. I get bored quickly with cars. I'm just bored with my Jetta. It's nothing against the car, cuz it's been pretty good to me. I just want something new. Something different. So, if you, or someone you know is interested in a good-conditioned 2000 Volkswagen Jetta (white, 4-door, manual transmission, brand new cd player, 100,000 miles) then ring me up. I can now say that I am accepting offers (but I need around $7000 - so bring the dough! . .)

- Ate at Chili's tonight with my two best friends Cy and Justin. Fun times. I drank five cherry cokes. I was thirsty. We had a high school friend (Ryan Little, for those who know him) as our waiter (he was in training) and we gave him a 25% tip. That's good :D Anyway, we had fun. Good times. I love those guys.

So I gotta hit the hay. It's now 0117. That was fast.

- - - "Dissection is greatly aided by light"

Night now,

JUSTIN

The Weekend Grab-Bag: The Congested Justin Version

Howdy do readers! It's been since Wednesday (I've been busy as usual) but I'm here, so I guess that's what's important. I'll be bringing you up to date from Thursday through tonight as quickly as is possible for me. It's interesting how much writing that I have to do. I have this evil thing (I like blogging, I swear!), the school paper (which is being put out on October 10th, FYI), and then there is the script that George and I are working on (which, from now on will be referred to as it's tentative title: LIFE 101). That's a lot of stuff. O and then there's regular school, both jobs, bowling (Monday nights only though) and then that little thing I like to call my wonderful Heather. I'm busy. Yep - I'm a college student!

On to the GRAB-BAG goodness! Enjoy the non-chronological wonderment:

- Heather came home this weekend. This was a very cool thing for several reasons. One was that I did not have to drive to the LB, thus saving myself some money (always a cool thing). Another was that I got a little bit more time with her since she was only six miles away. I can tell you plainly that there is no greater feeling than waking up and seeing the person you love near you. It's unexplainable. Well on Friday night we went to dinner with her mom and her new friend Frank. We ate at The Torito and it was quite yummy (and Frank bought, so again, I saved some money!). Then Heather and I went to the MALL to browse for both shoes and jewelry (only the shoes applied to both of us!).

I just realized that I never divulged what our big date was going to be. So, I will now let you know. You see, when she was gone in Australia, I got an e-mail from Ticketmaster saying that THE PRODUCERS (not the big names, but a traveling version) was gonna be in Long Beach. I was interested (having seen and enjoyed both the original movie and the new one) and I went searching. Well that show didn't actually start until March or so of 2007, so I looked around at some other things. And then I saw it: CHICAGO! I have been wanting to take Heather to see CHICAGO since I took her to our first play together (GREASE, which was way back in November of 2004). It has not been anywhere near here (only playing on Broadway and in London with fancy shmancy casts) so I kinda gave up. Well this traveling version is gonna be in the LB for a couple of weeks, and I have two tickets (13 rows from the stage, near center)! Heather's excited, to say the least :D

So back to shopping. We found her some high heels that went well with her dress and then some earrings that she liked. We also went by Finish Line, which is a sports/athleticwear store. Manny works there, and he gets a 30% employee discount on stuff, so he has been spending quite a few dolares over there himself. I figured I would get in on the fun, and I tried on some shoes that I thought were nice. These shoes are the JORDAN CLASSICS, a casual shoe with the Michael Jordan logo and all on them. They retail for $110 but I'm getting them for around $80. Plus, my mom is going halvsies on 'em with me, so I am getting Jordan's for under $50. Can't beat that!!! We came back to my house, watched THE COOLER, and then fell asleep after watching the Dane Cook comedy thing that I TIVO'd. She had yet to see it (how could she have!) and I wanted her to be able to see it too. So we went to sleep and then woke up kinda late on Saturday morning. We went to lunch (Casita!) with our friend Chary (short for Charmayne) from 1300-1500. We talked for quite awhile, actually. When we left there, I told Heather how much I appreciated her. This is not a derogatory remark towards Chary, mind you!!! I'm just saying that Heather is my perfect partner, my puzzle piece that fits just right, my other half, if you will. I have not found any other person that makes me feel the same way as she does (and I don't anticpate doing so), make me laugh like she does, frustrate me like she does (so well, actually!!), and make me want to do absolutely anything for her! Heather, you are my everything. I love you!

- Ok, so either you have already thrown up or are in mid-gag from the above love proclamation. This I'm sure of. . .

- On Thursday morning, I woke up and I did not feel good. I was congested, coughing, and had crap just coming out of my nose like none other! This was not a good thing. I skipped Journalism and went to History just so I wouldn't miss any notes. From there, I went and ate some lunch and then went to UMEC for a few hours. I felt worse by the minute and I knew I could not last at JC for an entire shift, so I tried to call Chris to cover my shift. I later (last night) learned that he had left his phone at his friend's house and had no way of getting it that night. I also learned that he would have been completely able to take on my shift. . . He did not, though, because he had no idea. So I went to work and felt like crap the entire night. It was rough. I made some decent cash, but I didn't think it was worth it at the time. I felt marginally better on Friday and Saturday and I feel around 75% right now. Hopefully my busy week doesn't bring me back down. . .

- Speaking of work, I worked Thursday night (like I said), Saturday night (kinda crazy at times, but not that bad), and Sunday morning (the longest shift ever - 1100-1700 seems so much longer than 1730-2330!). I made some good money over those days, so I am glad that I kept all those days. I am only working two days this week, so I'm even happier that I got in those four days when I could. This week is gonna be better! I know it!

- I'm sitting pretty at 11-2 in my picks this week (o yes!) and I think I have a chance to win the week. Of course I won't really know til tomorrow, but either way, I'm rooting for Atlanta tomorrow night, so you should do the same!

- Well folks, I do believe that brings us up to the same page. I will probably post again early on in the week like I usually do. I'm nearing 200 posts (yes, it's true) so I am motivated to get there (this is #180). Fingers crossed. . .

Have a great week everyone! See ya when I see ya!

- - - "Hey, you look in the mirror, you don't like what you see, don't believe it. Look in my eyes. I am the only mirror you're ever gonna need."
- - - Bernie (William H. Macy) to a badly beaten Natalie (Maria Bello) in THE COOLER

Until a later moment in time,

Justin

God Bless Aaron Sorkin

Well it was a good Wednesday. Kinda.

I woke up this morning to my phone's alarm at 0800. I fell asleep somewhere around 0300, so needless to say, I was not pleased. I also did not feel well. My throat was scratchy, I could not swallow, and I could barely breathe, because I was so stuffed up. Well in that split second, I decided I was not going into work in the morning (I was supposed to go between 0900 and 1130 or so). I called and said sorry. I got the green light (it usually is - we are just helpers, really) and I went right back to sleep. I woke back up at 1045, but I got scared because I thought my clock said 1245 (and that would mean I was late for Biology). I got up slowly, showered, and then browsed the internet to catch up on some news and whatnot. Then I read two of the stories for English and then I had to go to class. It was time for Biology (boo!).

After Bor-ology (See what I did there!), I rushed home so that I could eat some lunch and do my English homework. I did both of those things and I was only ten minutes late to English, which I apologized (unnecessarily) for. Class was fine and we went the entire three hours (as usual). Long class. Good class. I have no issues with it.

I came home and had little motivation to do anything but watch the ol' television. I was behind on my TIVO'd shows, so I figured, since I had the living room to myself for a little bit, that I would catch up. I watched back-to-back episodes of HOUSE (last week's and this week's) and they were both quite good. This, my friends, is the best medical drama on television (Screw that GREY'S ANATOMY crap! HOUSE rules all! - And yes, I'm ready for all of your letters about that one. Bring it!). I was going to retire to my room, but my mom and sister got home, and I asked them if they would like to watch the series premiere of a certain very-anticipated NBC show we had TIVO'd. You see, I felt bad watching it on my own since they both wanted to watch it too. (Note: the pilot episode is the only time where that will be true - they are both on their own from here on out!) Either way, we clicked Play and got right into Aaron Sorkin's STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP.

Ok. So this show is. . . INCREDIBLE! I love it! In the entire episode, I had only one gripe (my problem is that Matthew Perry's character is named Matt - it's not a huge issue). Everything else was damn near perfect. Sorkin's writing is incredibly fast, witty, and hard-hitting. It's real. It's tough to swallow. It's exactly what TV needs. Matthew Perry is not Chandler; he's a really good character actually. Amanda Peet is surpisingly bearable and Bradley Whitford is very good as well. I really like the supporting cast. All in all, this is already one of my favorite shows, and it's only been on for one week! I really really hope that it finds a bigger audience because I would hate to see it axed. You! Watch this show! It's on Monday nights at 2200 on NBC. Watch!!!!! (and if you missed the pilot, you can either watch a two-minute replay on the website - link both right there and above - or the whole doggone thing!)

So with that blatant advertising, I'm gonna retire from blogging for the night. I probably won't blog til. . . I don't know when. I'm gonna be busy the next couple days. I'll do what I can!

Night now,

JUSTIN

Seriously Serious

Wow!

What a two-day period I just had! I had a roller coaster of a time over these past 48 hours (or so). Sleep has escaped me, sanity is slipping, and my body is wearing down. But I'm a college student. Now's the time to do all of this...

Right?

So yesterday I worked in the morning and then went to Biology. I got my test back from last week. 76 percent. That's better than I had thought (I actually got a 66 percent, but because of the curve my teacher uses, we were all given five extra points) so I'm content. I'm aiming for a B in that class. I can still succeed with a C in it. I'm not worried. But I am stressed.

I finished my Pre-Lab in the half-hour I had between class and my Lab. Let me tell you a bit about my Lab. My teacher, Nikki Riley, is one of the better Lab teachers out there (or at least is the best of the three that I've had experiences with) and she makes the Lab quick and easy. She knows we have lives and don't wanna be there for three hours. Thanks. My Lab group rocks. It's probably the best group in the class (of course I would biasedly argue that point). Cy and I are both in said group, and there are also two girls (Jessica and Jennifer) that join us every week at our square table. They're pretty cool and they also don't wanna be there the entire time. We get our stuff done! I don't terribly mind this class anymore. If Cy was not in this class, I would not be surviving it though. A thought worth mentioning.

I left class and headed home. I was hungry so I heated up some leftovers and watched some more episodes of THE OFFICE from the second season that I bought last week. What a show! If you have yet to experience the hilarity that is THE OFFICE, then I strongly recommend you do so this second. Seriously. This moment right now. I'll even forgive you if you don't read this entire post, just as long as you're renting/buying/watching THE OFFICE. Got it?

I was extremely unproductive for those few hours after Lab. Then, it was off for my weekly bowling game! I met Chels, Kimmy, and her friend Travis at the Brunswick Lanes on Sierra Highway. Cy was able to come this week too, which was really awesome. We started bowling at 2130 and we bowled all the way til midnight. I was actually the last person to finish in the entire place! All that doesn't matter. I was struggling (and struggling for me is bowling around 120) for the most part. I had one good game (a 160 when Cy got 158 - a great game!) but then Cy ran off a 162 that made him the high guy for the night. He left at 2300 and as he left, I told him that I would beat him before the night was over. He told me he hoped so. Well I did.

But before I get to that, let me remind you of my success last week. I bowled a 180 last Monday and that became my new personal record. Well in one of my last games last night, I got in a zone. I was so "seriously serious" as Kimmy put it that I told Chels not to talk to me. I was focused. I spared to start the game but then I got a 9/0 in the second frame (I missed the last pin by a hair!). From then on was when my zone materialized. I got a strike in the third, fourth, and fifth frames (that's a turkey for you bowlers out there!) and then got spares in the sixth and seventh. I got two more strikes in a row (eighth and ninth frames) and then finished with another spare and another five pins on my last ball. My final score: 209! That's right! So, take my excitement from my last week's success and multiply it be about two-and-a-quarter and you'll get how excited I was last night. I'm superstitious, so I wore the same clothes last night as I did the week before. Take a guess at what I'll be wearing next Monday. . .

Today I had school from 0930-1215 (two classes, Journalism and History) and then I headed home to eat some delicious food (and watch another OFFICE episode). I headed to work (UMEC) and got there at 1345. I was trying the entire time I was there to get my JC shift covered for tonight, but that was to no avail. Thus, I had to leave UMEC at 1645 to head home. I was at JC a little before 1730, my sheduled time. I then worked for six straight hours and had a pretty long night. Not ten minutes after I started, a server knocked over an oil bottle. Now, you must know that this is not just a normal clean-up process. This is a PROCESS! It's actually about a twenty-minute process. The way you clean it up (or at least the way they make us clean it up) is you have to sprinkle flour (I think it's the calamari breading) onto the spill and let it sit for a little bit. Once it soaks up the oil, you sweep up the clumpy material. It sounds much easier than it is. In reality, you have to avoid glass as well as learn how to sweep up this oddly-textured material. It's terrible. Thanks Stephanie :D

I still have English homework to do before class Wednesday afternoon and Aimee left me some Math to look over too. O yeah, and it's almost 0200 in the morning. Dangit.

Thanks for reading. Happy OFFICE-watching. . . I hope.

- - - "This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outa here."
- - - Michael Scott (Steve Carell) in THE OFFICE; one of countless quotable lines from the spectacular show!

Night,

JUSTIN

The Weekend Grab-Bag:The Up, Up, and Away Version

Greetings my faithful readers. Sorry for being a little behind on my blogging. I'm trying. I really am. But, you see, it's very hard to hop on the computer and type about your day when you just finished it, especially when it's a busy one. That's why I like these GRAB-BAGS. They're this perfect combination of my days, thoughts, and interests all wrapped up into one post. I don't cheat and post little posts over several days (Cy. . .). I'm ready to go tonight, though. So, here we go!!! (and as always, dear viewers, this is all non-chronological):

- So life is pretty crazy. One of the reasons is because of lame ol' Johnny Carino's. Seriously though, if that job was not so damn profitable to me, then I would have left a long time ago. Everytime I work, even though we are slow, I make around $100 (if you add up my tips and hourly wage). So when I was down to two days, I still made pretty good money (if you again add up everything I make in a month). WELL, one of my fellow TTs quit this past week (luckily it was the one who pissed me off the most and not Chris) and now his days are up for grabs. This week, I got them both so I am now working four days at JC (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday nights and Sunday during the day). Should be good money for yours truly. . . Despite the money, I really don't like it there. Sure, I love the people I work with (well, most of 'em) but my GM really pushes my buttons like no other. It's ridiculous. I can't wait to leave that awful place. But for now, I'll just work my ass off and get some much-needed dolares. Sounds good to me.

- George came into town late last night (Saturday) and hung around in the Lancaster area until tonight. We were able to hang out for about three hours (a little less, actually) which was really cool. I haven't seen him since the first week of August and won't get to see him again until Halloween night (the Lakers/SUNS game) so it was nice to have even a little bit of time. We got talking about our script (well, to be exact, it's my script, but I've asked him to assist me and he was very willing to do so) and we both seem inspired to begin work on it again. I hope it works out. It's a really great idea! So we ate at Casita and then he headed back to Murrieta. See ya in a month or so bud! . . That gets me thinking.

Hmmm. . .

- INSIGHTFUL INSIGHT: Friends are an interesting thing. I don't talk to George that often (or at least I don't see him that often) and whenever we hang out, it's awesome. It's funny how relationships you have in high school change over time. I had some pretty good friends in high school, but I would vote that I only communicate frequently with three of them (Heather, Cy, and Justin). Others, I only knew a little bit and am now getting to know them better because of common interests and college (Alex, David). Still others I've known for what seems like ages (I'm looking at you Tomas!) and we can always pick up right where we left off whenever we hang out or talk. Then there's people who I am so comfortable with that it doesn't matter how long I've known them, I feel like an open book with them (George, Manny). Then there are my sisters (Chelsea, Mallory) that are always there for either bowling or Coldstone (respectively ha ha) when I need it. And who would I be if I didn't mention my own sister, the too-old, too-good-looking Aimee. The best thing that came out of Heather's trip to Australia was my relationship with mi hermana. We grew closer while Heather was gone because, well, I was home a lot more. Not only do we not fight as much (if at all), we really can make each other laugh. She's a lot like me in that she's witty and even moreso because so often she says something that should not be said (Aimee: you must learn the art of the FILTER!) out loud. I love her to death (what does that even mean?) and would do anything for her (including look over every Geometry lesson she does - which I do). Friends are just that interesting. I have only a few that I would consider my "friends", you know, the ones who will be standing in tuxes when I say "I DO" someday. But I am ever-grateful for the relationships that I have with the countless close-acquaintances that permeate my everyday life. Thanks to all of you!

- Friday (known as THE LB DAY) was awesome as usual. Because of some errands I had to do in town, I didn't arrive into my lady's arms until 1330 or so. We left soon after I got there to shop. Score! It actually was a lot of fun (no one makes me laugh like Heather - no one) and we were very productive. We found her a beautiful black dress at Windsor (she didn't wanna try it on because it was a little pricey - under $100, but close. . .) but I got her to try it on. We both liked it (I mean, how could I not have!) but she was still skeptical about the price. I told her I would make a deal with her: I would buy the dress for her if she bought our movie tickets that night. She agreed (how could she not have!) and we both left the mall happy and content. And she left with a brand new dress :D - - From there, we rushed to the movie theater to go see a showing of THE LAST KISS, the number 5 film on my Movie Preview. I knew I would like it. The only question was how much. Well folks, I'm sticking with the grading scale for now, so here it goes again:
















THE LAST KISS:

Overall Quality - 8
Rewatchability - 7
Purpose-Fulfilling - 9
Acting - 9
Discuss-Worthiness - 10
TOTAL - 43

That's a solid B, ladies and gentleme (an 86%). That sounds about right. I really enjoyed it and it was one of those poignant, purpose-driven films. Zach Braff, my boy, did a fine job as a shmuck, actually, and the supporting cast was quite strong. I especially liked Blythe Danner (of MEET THE PARENTS fame). I thought she did quite an amazing job. The story (written by CRASH-writer and director Paul Haggis) was intriguing and thought-provoking. It also brings up many possible conversation topics and inspires couples like Heather and me to discuss them. It's funny in parts, but it certainly is not a comedy. I am planning on writing a review for this one for the paper (my job as ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR - I have an official title now - includes writing as many movie reviews as possible) so I'll post that when I get something on paper. All you need to know is that THE LAST KISS is a good film and that's it. It's nothing special, but it's a whole lot better than a lot of the other options out there (I'm looking at you THE COVENANT!).

- I got a text while I was at work on Saturday (an eight-hour work day for me) from Heather that said she was coming home! My excitement ended quickly when I discovered why. The hot-air balloon guy had called her mom and asked if we could go on Sunday morning (this morning). She agreed and so we were all set up. Crap. I was really nervous about going up into the air in a little death basket. Either way, after only about four hours of sleep, we arrived at JETHAWKS Stadium at 0630 this morning. We hopped in our wicker casket and set up off the ground. Led by Don (of DON'S EARLY LIGHT - Get it?), a veteran hot air balloonist(?) of over twenty years, we ventured up as high as a half mile (maybe higher, but he didn't tell us). It was actually quite cool, and not nearly as scary as I had thought. It was still nerve-racking at first, and that's what I'm sticking to. It was fun, but dangit I was scared! Go for it thrill-seekers. You'll get a kick out of the Antelope Valley when you're floating lightly above it. . . Here's a photographic memory of us in mid-air:


Cute huh? I think it's a good one, but Heather disagrees. She must think the stubble is no good :D

- I'm sitting at 11-4 right now for the week of picks (football again, sorry) which is great. Tough game tomorrow night, so we'll hope that goes well (Go Pittsburgh!). O, and my SUPER BOWL picks are both 2-0. Just thought it was worth noting. . .

Well my faithful readers, I'm going to bed now. I am beginning another week. Whoosh! And there it goes (or at least it will be like that!). Have a good week! I'll see ya when I see ya (no promises though. . .)!

- - - "You'll never fail if you don't stop trying."
- - - Stephen (Tom Wilkinson) to Michael (Zach Braff) in THE LAST KISS

Until, well, later -

JUSTIN

Insightful Insights

I am inspired. In English today, I was told by a student presenter that I gave an "insightful insight". Yes, that's redundant. And it's AWESOME!!! And it's also redundant. . .

I'm so excited that I now have a new stupid phrase that I can overuse. In fact, I'm thinking about using that title as a new post (much like the WEEKEND GRAB-BAG) to post some thoughts that I might have about different things. It will be unlike a regular post cuz it won't be focused on what I did that day. It will be more like an OPINION post than anything else. . .

So what am I gonna do for the first edition of INSIGHTFUL INSIGHTS? I couldn't tell ya even if I wanted to right now. I'm running on four hours of sleep and I'm quite preoccupied reliving the second season of THE OFFICE, one of the funniest television shows out there right now. . . I don't know what to write about!

Wait. I got it. Here we go. . .

Just kidding. It's late. I do have an idea though for my first one - - Look for it before the weekend. I'll try my bestest to get it out there.

Take it easy, like the Eagles.

Night,

JUSTIN