(O) IPod (Apple, Apple unveils event) Grade: A

Thoughts: OMG. OMG. OMG. OMG. :) I'm getting this no matter what. Hello it can play video. Oh yea!!!

(G) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah/The National @ Troubadour (Oct. 6) Grade: B+
Hype can be a dirty four-letter word. If you have been following the news on this tour, folks have been arriving for CYHSY and leaving before the National hit the stage. The same thing happened in L.A. Too bad for those who left early because The National put on a really solid set. You wouldn’t think listening to their albums, but those who cut out early should rethink missing them again. And at the very least, give each New York band a chance. CYHSY were good but a tad underwhelming.

(G) Idlewild @ El Rey (Oct. 7), @ Casbah (Oct. 8), @ Fingerprints (Oct. 10) Grade: A
Okay, I might seem a bit obsessed, but it would be far worse if I also flew up to SF to see them on Wednesday IMHO. Anyhow, Idlewild has the great ability to perform outstanding live sets plugged in and acoustic. El Rey was a wee sad since it was obviously less filled than their last performance there two years ago (I blame Capitol), but the band was ace nonetheless. Casbah was far better though because it is a much smaller venue (comparable to Silverlake Lounge) and more intimate. Plus, they added to the set list “A Film for the Future” from Hope is Important, back when Idlewild could be classified punk rock. Fingerprints was intimate as well and the newer tracks translate well in an acoustic setting. Inara George was the tour opener and she has a sweet and innocent voice, reminding me of a female Sondre Lerche in achieving that same dreamy pop folk.

(O) Rediscovering Great Music - Grade: A+
This year has not been anything exciting for me in music. The Doves album was par excellence for me but I haven't really been captured by anything else. Any band that has a song that catches my ear, with further investigation... it seems like just another one hit wonder to fade into the abyss. Maybe it's just that I'm not being exposed to much these days. So, I dug into my cd collection and fell in love with Kent and Pulp all over again. It's been wonderful!

Dorkus, are you going to the Idlewild instore tomorrow at Fingerprints? I am still debating since I have to drive from mid-city L.A. But if anyone is in the area, you should come out. The poor band has definitely lost a significant percentage of their audience. Most of their shows were half empty on this recent tour. )-:

(M) A History of Violence (2005, David Cronenberg). Grade: ?
Um, I just came back from watching this movie, and I'm unsure as to whether I liked it or not. Anyway, the storyline goes like this: Small town man Tom Stalls becomes a hero after he kills two men who try to rob the restaurant he owns. These mobsters see Tom's face all over national television, and recognize him as Joey Cusack, an old mobster whom they have unfinished business with. The mobsters pay Tom and his family a visit and repeatedly threaten them, even though Tom does not know who these mobsters are, or why they think he's Joey Cusack. Then more stuff happens, which I will not go into because I don't want to give anything away.

All in all, Maria Bello was great (why does she get naked in every movie?), and Viggo Mortenson was good too, except he's just way hotter as Aragon. Interesting storyline, but at only an hour and a half, it leaves a little to be desired.

If you watched this movie, I'd appreciate your thoughts.

(O)Trip to Oakland/San Francisco C-

This place i'm sure can be fun if you actually have an agenda or know people who can direct you to fun things to do. My trip however had neither outside of going to a baseball game. So basically I spent 2 days roaming around trying to think of things to do. I did get to eat a crab a fisherman's wharf and try the world famous marco polo gelato, so i guess it was not all bad right?

(M) Separate Lies. (2005, Julian Fellowes) Grade: C-

This movie could have easily been a 45-60 min special on lifetime or some other channel. The movie starts out good, you await something big to happen, it never does, and then the story turns to a part that really didn't need to be told. So yeah i sat there kinda mindboggled by it all. It could have been worse I guess, I mean I could have been stuck in a theater watching Just Like Heaven, so yet again, not all that bad.

okay i'm supposed to change colors when i ramble, so here you go. The baseball playoffs are currently going on (litterally i'm watching them right now!) but find myself rooting against everyone haha. I guess i'm somewhat rooting for the Astros, but i really just don't care. Its now football season, and thats way more important to me. After 4 trips to Las Vegas, one to the Grand Canyon, one to Hawaii, and one to SF/Oakland in 2 1/2 months I think i'm pretty much done traveling around for a while, its tiring and way to expensive. I think I have a few more hours of vacation just in case something comes up though.

(O) Chicago (September 2005). Grade: A
Okay if I have to be stuck for two and a half weeks in a city (for work), I'm glad it's in a city like Chicago, with it's gorgeous skylines and architecture and cultured neighborhoods. And the weather was perfect - sunny and breezy during the day, balmy at night.

(R) Sushi Wabi (E Randolph in Chicago, IL). Grade: A++
Good food all around, but who cares about the sushi when you have the best teriyaki glazed filet mignon ever?? It really doesn't get any better than this. Hip, minimalist and modern, it's definitely a bit on the pricier side, but well worth it. Went here a couple times with our clients, and co workers.

(O) Vintage (Wicker Park, IL). Grade: A
Very low key and hip wine bar. Great place to go with friends to enjoy some wine and good conversation.

(M) Art Institute of Chicago. Grade: A. The main exhibit featured paintings and posters from French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Other exhibits included photography of Abelardo Morrell (camera obscura photography) and a room containing miniature replica shadowboxes of living rooms and parlors all over the world from all different eras. Amazing. The museum also had a great kids section as well.

Okay now here comes the un-fun parts.

(O) Working 12+ hr days, travelling on Labor Day, and only getting two days off in almost 3 weeks in Chicago. Grade: F.
Not fun. Tired. Too much work to do. Feet hurt. Brain can't think. Try going on the 15th hour when you've barely ate and the client's trying to talk to you about something and you can't even concentrate. We were all literally hobbling by the end of the day. Multiply that by 2+ weeks.

(O). Still liking your job even after all the long days and stress, even though I occasionally felt like quitting but not really. Grade: A. Ask me in a couple months and my answer might be different. Who knows.

(TV) Arrested Development. (FOX, Monday @ 8 pm) Grade: A

Thoughts: Love this show but I think it is hard to get into if you have not watched the other seasons. I wonder if they will make it through third season.

(TV) How I Met Your Mother. (CBS, Monday @ 8:30 pm) Grade: B

Thoughts: I can't believe I'm watching a CBS show but I love Alyson Hannigan, Jason Segal who played Nick on Freaks and Geeks and of course the N.P.H - Neil Patrick Harris. It is an alright sitcom, nothing amazing.

(TV) Prison Break. (Fox, Monday @ 9pm) Grade: A-

Thoughts: One of the best shows this season. It is completely unbelievable but it grabs your attention and keeps you involved until the end. It is no 24 but good enough for me.

(TV) Gilmore Girls. (WB, Tuesday @ 8 pm) Grade: C+

Thoughts: I think this show should end soon. They are running out of things to do. The "new" Rory is super annoying and the only reason I continue to watch is for Luke and Lorelai.

(TV) My Name is Earl. (NBC, Tuesday @ 9 pm) Grade: C

Thoughts: I've only seen one ep so maybe I will rate it higher but I found it just alright. It is a bit too WT to be on NBC but whatevers.

(TV) The Office. (NBC, Tuesday @ 9:30 pm) Grade: B+

Thoughts: I forgot how funny this show is. I missed the season opener but the one ep I did watch was pretty good.

(TV) Veronica Mars. (UPN, Wednesday @ 9 pm) Grade: A

Thoughts: I love love this show. It is Nancy Drew but in a kick ass way. I wish more people would watch it but alas no. Oh well. I hope it doesn't get cancelled soon.

Shows I would like to watch but don't have time:
- Grey's Anatomy
- Commander In Chief
- Night Stalker

The preview for this movie is online if nobody has already viewed it or seen it in the theater. Looks VERY colorful. First, there was Tolkien with his fictional version of the Biblical story in Lord of The Rings and now C.S. Lewis' (Tolkien's friend) version of the Biblical story comes out in Chronicles of Narnia.

A toast to Apple for their savvy marketing. And for the Harry Potter fans.

(M) Separate Lies. (2005, Julian Fellowes) Grade: C+

Thoughts: I wanted to like this film because 1. Tom Wilkinson and 2. Emily Watson but towards the end I was still trying figure out if there was even a point. James (Tom Wilkinson) and Anne (Emily Watson) seem like a happy couple but after a chance accident, which leads to the death of their housekeeper's husband and the discovery of Anne's affair with William Bule (Rupert Everett), their worlds are turned upside down. Tom Wilkinson gives a strong performance as a devoted yet angry husband. One thing odd about the British is their sense of pride and dignity and the need to keep up their image, much like in Asian cultures, even when everything is miserable. As for Rupert Everett, I think the man has had one too many face lifts. He use to be so dashing but now I think his face is melting off.

(M) Strictly Ballroom. (1992, Baz Luhrmann) Grade: A

Thoughts: I love this film and I always will. I think this is my third or fourth time watching this movie and I can't get enough. It is silly, funny, heart-warming, sweet, and romantic all at the same time. Beginner level dancer Fran (Tara Morice) challenges Scott Hastings (Paul Mercurio), a professional ballroom dancer in need of a new dance partner, to teach her to dance and in the process become partners for the biggest ballroom dancing competition in Australia. Oh and of course they fall in love. I enjoy the style of directing Baz Luhrmann uses; it is very theatrical and over the top. Much like in Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge, there is plently of catchy tunes and dancing. Did I mention I love this movie?

(M) The Notebook. (2004, Nick Cassavetes) Grade: C+

Thoughts: I'm actually surprised I rated this same as Separate Lies. Why did I watch this you ask? Well mainly because I've heard from many friends that after watching this movie they cried for hours and it got me thinking - "Could a film be that sad and heart wrenching that you would actually cry hours after the film had ended?" Conclusion: No. However you will tear up because even I did that. Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) meets Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams). Boy and girl fall in love, boy loses girl because he is from the wrong side of the tracks, girl meets rich guy and becomes engaged, boy finds girl and rekindle old love, girl leaves rich guy and marries boy. No surprises there, pretty straight forward. The twist though lies in Duke aka Noah (James Garner) and Allie (Gena Rowlands), the old version, and how Allie needs to be reminded of their love because she has dementia. One of my favorite scenes, in a comical way, was when young Allie is screaming to young Noah that it was suppose to be over because it was 7 years now and they both had moved on but Noah screams it was never over and it still is not over and runs up to her and they start making out. I love that scene because he says it like he is going to punch her in the face out of rage but instead it is out of crazed love. Just some freaking funny stuff. Oh and did I mention it was pouring rain to make is even more dramatic. Man that is some funny stuff.

(M) Capote (2005, Bennett Miller) Grade: B+

Philip Seymor Hoffman is a great character actor. And he really loses himself in the role of writer Truman Capote. Set during the research and writing of In Cold Blood, the film is an interesting analysis of the journalistic dilemna between being a nonparticipant observer (or at least trying to be) and becoming involved in the research, letting it perhaps color your view. Capote does build an intense relationship with his subject but never abandons his main goal: his book. Capote should get some Oscar buzz.

(A) You Could Have It So Much Better (Oct. 3, Franz Ferdinand) Grade: A-

These Scots know how to make a debut. Their sophomore effort is equally satisfying, not disappointing the Franz faithful. But its sound is certainly less catchy and less heavy on hooks or dance beats. Kinks and Beatles come to mind on such tracks as “Eleanor Put Your Boots On.” Pleasing to hear something not exactly the same as the first album.

(O) X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse (on GameCube, 2005) grade: A

I'm addicted to this game. I just got it like 4 days ago, and I can't stop playing it. I like to see my team of X-men grow stronger and gain more powers. Right now I'm using Wolverine, Storm, Jean Grey, and Cyclops (the typical X-men). It's really fun to play and very engaging. I'm not much for fighting games cos I never learn the combos and just end up pushing random buttons, but i've managed to master the moves for this game. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys video games.

(TV) The War At Home (Fox Sunday Nights) Grade: A
Out of all the new shows this season, this one is my FAVORITE! (side note: it's the only new show I've seen this season). NONE THE LESS... I love this show, but I've only seen two episodes. It is on between The Simpsons and Family Guy which is PERFECT because the only other time I turn on TV is for The Office on Tuesday nights. I hope this show stays because it's great!

Side Question... Has ANYONE seen this movie:

(M) Herbie: Fully Loaded. (2005, Angela Robinson) Grade: F

Thoughts: I’m not sure why I decided to watch this movie on the way back from Hawaii. It could be because at one point in time I use to like Lindsay Lohan or maybe it was because Michael Keaton use to be Batman. Whatever the reason the movie was bad – very, very bad. The characters were not developed at all, instead they were one-dimensional cardboard figures. The whole film felt like an excuse to show off Lindsay Lohan and her assets.

(M) The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants. (2005, Ken Kwapis) Grade: B

Thoughts: I’ve wanted to see this movie for so long I think I hyped it up too much for myself. Four friends spend their first summer apart from each other and bond through a pair of jeans – hence the title of the movie. Tibby (Amber Tamblyn) stays at home and makes a movie and a young dying friend, Lena (Alexis Bledel) goes off to Greece and falls in love Romeo and Juliet style, Carmen (America Ferrera) visits her distance dad and his new family and Bridget (Blake Lively) goes off to soccer camp to find herself and a guy. I think the best storyline was Carmen because it felt the most real, dealing with accepting a new family and not getting replaced. Oh and I think Alexis Bledel is getting a bit type casted because she plays the same roles all the time – the prune. If I was sixteen I would love this movie but alas I'm not.

In Her Shoes. (2005, Curtis Hanson) Grade: B+

Thoughts: Based upon the novel by Jennifer Weiner, this chick lit turned film was pretty entertaining. I might be a bit biased though because I really enjoy Toni Collette's work and was delighted to find out she was in this film. Two sisters, Rose (Toni Collette) and Maggie (Cameron Diaz) Fuller, learn to deal with each other. Rose is the safe, smart, quiet lawyer and Maggie is the carefree, fun, party girl. Throw in Shirley MacLaine as their long lost grandmother and you got your movie. Surprisingly Cameron's acting did not annoy me, I actually found her charming during some parts. This is a great movie for women, especially sisters. Sidenote I hate the other ad they using to promote this movie.

Dekalog (The Decalogue)Ep. 1 to 3. (1989, Krzysztof Kieslowski) Grade: B+

Thoughts: It is hard to fully review this because there are 10 eps. I just watched the first three. The concept is 10 eps all based on the Ten Commandments in the bible , though each eps I think cover more than one commandment. I'll just say worth checking out.