Trina's page of Blogginess

My gaydar has been broken for years - and now I have to worry about "Sneaky Gays?" I'm in big trouble. ;) I ♥ Glee!

Labels: ...and the woman who loves them, funny ha-ha, pop culture

Labels: pop culture

the perfect way to top off my Green Day year.... :)



I just discovered that iTunes just released (okay, on December 22nd, so I'm a little late) The Green Day Collection!

What does that mean?

Well, it means that you can now buy every single song, album, bonus track, video, etc., in Green Day's long history.

Why would you want it?

Well, if you're like me, you won't necessarily want to buy the whole thing (and for $99.99, it's not cheap, but frankly, for all that it includes, it's pretty inexpensive), but you may need to pick up a few songs here and there. I own most of the albums - I think I'm missing their very first, and perhaps one more in the middle, but I'm pretty well covered. However, this did give me the chance to buy some bonus tracks that I don't think were available before.

Hearing Green Day cover The Clash's "I Fought the Law" is pretty awesome. :)

They also do a cover of "Like a Rolling Stone". Fun stuff!

I need to start a new blog label devoted to Green Day. I seem to devote a lot of posts on this blog to them. ;)

Labels: green day, pop culture

oh, yeah, baby! Just call me Billie Joe!

'Green Day: Rock Band' Coming In 2010
Version of the popular game will feature songs from the band's entire career.

I admit it: If I didn't already own Rock Band, I would buy it just for this. :)

Labels: green day, pop culture

adding another minute or so to my so-called 15-minutes of fame...

Check it out! Andrew and I are quoted and photographed in this news article about the Fantastic Mr. Fox exhibit at the Cartoon Art Museum!

Fantastic Mr. Fox Trots Through the City

Just another example of being in the right place at the right time. :)

Labels: just trina, pop culture

Here's a recording of the cast of “American Idiot” singing “21 Guns” with Green Day!

I really liked this version during the show, but I have to admit, as I listened to this version, my heart skipped a beat when Billie Joe's voice rang in. *sigh* :)

Oh, and here's an article about it on Rolling Stone.

Labels: green day, pop culture

Two great things that go great together...

Oh, how I love the Muppets!
They always make me smile. :)

Labels: funny ha-ha, pop culture

Opening night for "American Idiot" was Wednesday.

Here's what some local critics had to say:

SF Chronicle

San Jose Mercury News

Labels: green day, pop culture, theater

Last night, I went with my sister, her boyfriend, Graham, and Dick to see American Idiot at Berkeley Rep. (Great venue, by the way.)

If you're a regular reader of my blog (and it's okay if you're not) then you already know that I'm a huge Green Day fan.

The production of American Idiot that we saw last night is a stage musical adaptation of the album by the same name. It was directed by Michael Mayer, who was the director of the Tony-Award Winning Spring Awakening (which I loved).

Here's a great article about the show that was recently in the San Francisco Bay Guardian.

..and another one from the SF Chronicle.



So, yes, it's the World Premiere of the show, and actually, it's still in Preview mode. The show actually opens next week, and is playing through the end of October. My sister and I have tickets to see it again at the end of the month - because we are just that geeky. :) As a bonus, that show will also have a "Post-show discussion" with cast/crew. I'm feeling like a bonafide groupie now.

So, my review:

Let's start by stating the obvious: I knew going in that I was going to love the music. Not only was I going to love it, but I already *knew* the music, which I think is also a plus when seeing a new show. I also had a semblance of an idea of the storyline - a very broad idea, but the over-all story, which also helps.

Really, the most important factor to me was that they played/sang/performed the music well, and they did. The cast was really spectacular - loads and loads of talent. Especially noteworthy to me were the leads of Johnny (the actor had won a Tony award for Spring Awakening) and St. Jimmy (loved him!).

The set was fantastic - minimal, and affective. I also liked the way they incorporated the band into the set (like the violinist who was perched way up high on the scaffolding).

The story - like I said, I had an idea of the very broad plot, which granted, isn't very deep. (and I'm okay with that). One thing that I appreciated was that they separated the main character in the album to be three main characters in the play, which I thought worked quite well. Gave the story more dimension.

The others that I went with felt the story was lacking, but more importantly, that they didn't feel a connection with the characters. I don't disagree with them, but it didn't bother me nearly as much. Whereas Hair was targeted at the Hippie Generation (and I'll admit I haven't seen it), Rent was targeted at Gen X (hello! Raises hand!), this story is centered around Gen Y. I'm not sure if it's that we, of an older generation, can't relate to them, or if it's just too hard to care for these characters.

As I said earlier, they're still in Previews, and may still be ironing out some kinks. I'll be curious to see how and if the show evolves much when I see it again at the end of the month.

My general feeling after seeing the whole production is that it was a cool mix of Rent and Spring Awakening, both of which I loved. Plus, it's Green Day music! What's not to love? If you liked either (or both) of those shows, I'd recommend this one. Or, if you're a Green Day fan... Or, BOTH!

Here's a short video of Green Day talking about American Idiot
on Access Hollywood.




This image was projected on the side of the wall outside the theater


The Idiot Cocktail sign cracked me up

Labels: green day, pop culture, theater

Best. Free. Concert. Ever!

If I didn't love them enough already, I love them even more, now....

The concert was simply fantastic!

After seeing them at the Fox Theater in April, I was a little hesitant about going to another Green Day Concert this year. I mean, that concert was epic. How would it compare?

It was a completely different experience, and very different kind of show. That was great for me, because there was no need to compare this concert from the last.

The set list for the two shows were entirely different. When I last saw Green Day in April, it was a month before the new album was released. They played their entire new album from top to bottom, then played a bunch of old stuff afterward.

This time around, they opened with about 3 songs off the new album, but mixed it up after that with stuff from American Idiot, Dookie and other albums.

I found this set list from another show earlier this week from the Idiot Club site. It's roughly the same as what they played for our night's show.

Song of the Century
21st Century Breakdown
Know Your Enemy
East Jesus Nowhere
Holiday
The Static Age
Before the Lobotomy
Are We the Waiting/St. Jimmy
Boulevard of Broken Dreams
JAR
Hitching a Ride
Welcome to Paradise
2,000 Light Years Away
Iron Man/Crazy Train/Sweet Child O'Mine/You Really Got Me (brief medley)
Brain Stew
Jaded
Longview
Basket Case
She
King for a Day
Shout/Goin' to Kansas City/Break on Through to the Other Side/Earth Angel/Free Fallin'
21 Guns
American Eulogy

Encore
American Idiot
Minority
Jesus of Suburbia
Last Night on Earth
Time of Your Life

The biggest difference between this show and the one in April was the interaction that the band, and mainly lead singer, Billie Joe Armstrong, did with the audience. That was fantastic! The show started with the lights off, then Song of the Century started to play. A spotlight shined down on the floor (where the general admission/crazy crowd was) and showed the band entering the floor, making their way through the audience, up to the stage. It was awesome! How many bands would start off their show by going through the audience! Billie Joe also went into the crowd several times throughout the evening, and pulled up several audience members (including kids) up to the stage. He had a few of them sing along, and even had a young man play the guitar part of "Jesus of Suburbia". Super cool!


Billie Joe out and about in the audience

The venue was much larger than the last - it was at the Arco Arena in Sacramento. Our seats were way up high, but honestly, we were plenty happy up there - still could see everything, and the sound quality was quite good.

The thing is: these guys are amazing performers. Not only do they write great music (in my opinion, anyhow), they perform it well live, AND they can entertain a crown for 3 hours straight! Yes, 3 hours. I can't imagine how wiped-out they must be at the end of each show.

And, I must admit, I'm no-so-secretly enamored with Billie Joe. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the man's got charisma. Lots and lots of charisma. He can energize a crowd for hours, and in the end, he still hits every note perfectly. I &heart; Billie Joe. :)

Okay, I admit it, I was a bad girl, and snuck in my camera. (who didn't!)
I couldn't help myself!

I took a few photos, and a couple of short videos.

here are my favorites:


"American Idiot"


"21 Guns"


"Last Night on Earth"
This is quickly becoming one of my favorite new songs. Billie Joe played it on his acoustic guitar. He may not have realized it at the time, but I'm quite sure that he was actually singing it especially for the woman sitting in section 222, row Q, seat 17. :)

*swoon*

Labels: green day, just trina, pop culture

Labels: green day, pop culture

Here we are in our nose-bleed seats! Hey- free tickets! We're thrilled!!

Labels: green day, pop culture

Oops! Meant to post these photos with the last entry!!

Labels: green day, pop culture

We're waiting in line to get into the Arco Arena! The drive from SF
was faster than expected. We made it in under two hours. We had a
nice, leisurely, early dinner at a nearby Mel's Diner, then came to
the arena to pick up our tickets from will call. Doors open at 6:30,
so we should be getting in soon!

Labels: green day, pop culture

I think I may be an official groupie now...

You may remember that I joined the "Green Day Idiot Club" back in April, hoping to score tickets to see them play live at a local SF venue.

I was rewarded the following week when I was able to see Green Day perform at the amazing Fox Theater in Oakland! It was a concert experience of epic proportions!

They are on tour now, and were just in San Jose last week at the HP Pavilion. I had the opportunity to get seats before the general public, but decided that I couldn't top the show that I had just seen in April. I have to admit, though, that I regretted my decision Tuesday night when I realized they were in town, and I wasn't there. :)

Last night, I got an email from the Idiot Club, directing me to the Idiot Club site:


Woot!!

FREE tickets to see them Monday night at the Arco Arena in Sacramento!!

Um, OKAY!!

It's a 2-hour+ drive, plus it'll be a late evening, so I wanted to make sure I could find someone to go with me before I committed to the tickets.

Unfortunately, my Sister is still in Vegas, and ironically, comes home Tuesday evening! She's as big of a Green Day fan as I am, so we're both terribly bummed that she won't be able to go with me - again! (she missed out in April, too!)

Dick won't be able to go, because of work. (boo.)

Happily, I'll be taking my Gay Boyfriend along with me. This will only be his fourth live concert experience, so he's pretty excited!

I'm super excited - the big difference for me between this concert and the one in April is that the new album was released in May, so now I'll be familiar with the new songs. Can't wait!!!

Labels: green day, pop culture

I'm the first to admit that I'm a big geek when it comes to seeing any archived Disney production art. Most of my knowledge of it comes from when I used to work at the vintage animation gallery, and also from when I was an animation student. My fascination of it goes much further though - I've loved looking at it since I was a young kid. Always thought it was some of the most beautiful and "alive" art I'd ever seen. I also love seeing any old photos of footage of the early days of Disney - whether it be the man, the park, or old films.

I remembering hearing about this sometime ago, but I had no idea how far along it had gotten, or when it was planning on opening.

Opening date is October 1st!

The Walt Disney Family Museum

The website is up, but doesn't have much information yet. I'm curious to see what the permanent exhibit it, what's on the calendar, etc.,

It looks like it's going to be a really great museum. I'm looking forward to visiting!

Labels: art, pop culture, san francisco

This is pretty fun.

Dick and I both enjoy the TV series, "Mad Men". Come to think of it, we really should finish Season 2 before Season 3 starts!

I found this site today:
Mad Men Yourself

It's part of AMC's promotion for the new "Mad Men" season.

If you watch the show, and know the characters, then you would know that two people in this scene are not actually regulars. ;)


Trina and Dick visit the offices of Sterling Cooper

Labels: funny ha-ha, pop culture

Seriously, can't wait.
I love Alice in Wonderland.

Tim Burton + Alice in Wonderland = Perfect Match
Great cast, too!

Should be absolutely fabulous!

Labels: pop culture

This is super cool.

If you are an Xbox Live Gold Member, you can play Rock Band 2 with Green Day tomorrow (July 24th)!!

PLAY ROCK BAND 2 WITH GREEN DAY

I think this is just such a hoot.

My Rock Band skills are very rusty - I've been laying off because it seems to make my tendinitis flare up.

But, I might just have to do this!

...and speaking of Green Day...

Just came across this video of Billie Joe singing "Take me out to the Ballgame" at a Cub's game a couple of weeks ago.

Labels: pop culture, xbox

Okay, so I'm a little late to the game. That's not unusual for me, especially where music is concerned...

It's no secret that I'm a Green Day fan.

Green Day's latest album, "21st Century Breakdown" was released in mid-May. My sister bought me a copy of the album for my birthday, along with "Stop Drop and Roll" by the Foxboro Hot Tubs.

She asked me if I knew anything about the Foxboro Hot Tubs.

I didn't. I am that lame.

(from wikipedia)
The group made its debut in December 2007 with three songs on their website. Soon after, the Foxboro Hot Tubs were discovered and subsequently made headlines, being heralded as the next secret side project of Green Day, which was later confirmed by the band themselves. Billie Joe Armstrong told NME magazine: "The only similarity between Green Day and Foxboro Hot Tubs is that we are the same band". His reasons for starting the band, also told to NME magazine, were that they "love to play music and be spontaneous, and after a few late-night jams and a few too many bottles of wine, we were inspired to record some rockin' eight-track recordings".

So, let me get this straight: this band has had their music out since December, 2007, and Green Day made the announcement in April, 2008 that the guys behind Green Day are the same guys behind Foxboro Hot Tubs, and I'm only now discovering them?

I'm such a lame fan.

I love the music, though!

In case you're wondering, The Foxboro Hot Tubs's music is like a mix between Green Day and say, The Monkeys. :) They call the style "1960s Garage Rock".

I dig it.

Check it out.

Labels: green day, pop culture

Can't wait!

Labels: pop culture

...i am such a geek...

So, yes, I play Xbox 360, I like first person shoot-em-up games like Ghost Recon, Halo and Gears of War.

But I have to admit, that I think my favorite game over the past 8 or so years of playing Xbox, may have to be LEGO: Star Wars.

I know... it's a kid's game, but it amuses me so. It's clever, funny, and a pretty fun game to play.

So, I'm pretty exited to see that the folks at Lego are releasing a Lego Harry Potter game next year! It's going to cover years 1-4.

I like this idea a lot. I'm playing the Lego Batman game right now, and although I haven't gotten too far yet, it's just okay. There's no specific story line, like in Star Wars, Indiana Jones, or now, Harry Potter, so I don't think it's quite as intriguing.

Labels: harry potter, pop culture

Wow.

If you've ever seen "A Chorus Line", if you've ever heard the music and loved it, if you've ever danced, if you've ever auditioned for anything... you should see this film. (How's that for a rave review?)

After reading a review, and especially after talking with my friend, Philip, I knew that Dick and I had to see this film.

"A Chorus Line" is Dick's favorite musical, and it's up there on my list, too (since I finally saw a performance of it last year). If you know Dick, you should ask him about his first experience seeing "A Chorus Line" in London's West End when he was about 14 or 15. It'll explain why he knows the lyrics to every single song.

Seeing this film made me even more bummed than I already was that we missed the Pre-Broadway Production of "A Chorus Line" when it came through San Francisco 3 years ago. Seriously bummed. We had tickets and everything, but unfortunately, I was sick that day, with what turned out to be the precursor to my appendicitis.

We did manage to see the touring production of it when it came through San Francisco last July. It was fantastic, but I really wish we had been able to see the original Broadway (revival) cast.

This documentary was so well done - I can't say enough about it. I'm so glad they made it. If it's showing in your area, (my poor sister - it's not showing in Vegas!) I highly recommend going out to see it.

Labels: pop culture

...because I have become a Green Day Groupie

Labels: green day, pop culture

Here's an article about that show from SFGate.com:

Music review: A seriously ambitious Green Day

Labels: green day, pop culture

Best. Concert. EVER!

Wow.

That was, without a question, the Best Concert Experience I have EVER had!!

The whole thing - just over-the-top amazing!

If you've been following my blog, you'll know that I joined Green Day's Idiot Club late last week after hearing that they had done two surprise shows in San Francisco during the week, and the only way to know about the shows, and get in, was through their "Idiot Club".

Best $20 I've spent in a long, long time.

They posted the announcement for last night's show late Saturday night, which I saw Sunday morning. The first 100 club members to send an email with their club member name and info would have 2 tickets reserved for them at Will Call. Well, I don't think I made the final cut, as they posted a list early, and I wasn't on it, but then it turns out that they opened up more tickets for the fan club, and I got in then!

The show was a the newly restored and recently reopened Fox Theater in Oakland. According to this article, the theater was originally opened in 1928, closed since 1970, and reopened on April 5th of this year, after a $75 million restoration project. The theater itself was simply gorgeous.


The Fox Theater

but i digress...

I invited my friend, Miguel, to come to the concert with me. (Unfortunately, it was too late on a school night for Dick to be able to go.) I was told that the doors for the general public would open at 7:00, but that Will Call for "Idiot Club Members" would open at 6:00, and that club members would be let into the theater immediately upon getting their tickets.

Miguel and I met after work at the Embarcadero BART station at 6:30. We took BART to Oakland, walked 2 blocks, and arrived at the theater around 6:45. There was a HUGE line formed around the building. When I went towards the will call tables that were set up in front, I was told to go to the line. When I asked about "Idiot Club Members", the guard smiled, and said, "Oh, that's different. You can go around the building the other way to your own special Will Call".

So, we walked around the corner, found the will call ticket booths, walked up to the "A-C" window (no line), gave my name, bought out tickets, and walked immediately into the auditorium. Apparently, the other club members had been waiting in here for the past 45 minutes. We were only in the auditorium for less than 2 minutes, when the doors opened!

The Fox Theater has standing-room-only floor space, closest to the stage, and arranged in three levels. We got a spot in the very front of the second level - about 40 feet from the stage, slightly raised (by about 2-3 feet) from the bottom level, and with a railing separating us from the people in front of us. I couldn't have been more perfect. (we could have gone to the lower level, closer to the stage (within 10 feet, easily) but I didn't want to get caught up in the mosh pit!) :)

We ended up standing by a couple of guys, who happened to be from Noe Valley (about a mile from my house). We talked to them and their SO's for the next two hours while we waited - talking about favorite concert experiences, and holding each other's places while the others went to get drinks. Pretty Fabulous.

We were given concert programs, which included the set list, as well as the lyrics to all the songs from the new album. We also knew that this evening's performance was being filmed for an upcoming DVD! :)


The Program, and my ticket (I am such a geek)

It was a full house. Totally sold out. I had heard that it sold out on Ticketmaster within 10 minutes. We wondered what the capacity of the Fox Theater was. I found out (on the web today) that it can hold 1,500 - 2,800 people, depending upon how the main floor area was being used. (ie: standing room only versus chairs, versus cabaret tables.)

The show started just after 9:00.

The band played for 2.5 hours straight.

AMAZING!

They said that they were going to play their entire new album (which they did). That was the first hour or so.


Opening song: "21st Century Breakdown"

After that, they played a second set which included songs off of American Idiot and Dookie. I was in Green Day Heaven.



The band was simply incredible. SO much energy, such great performers, and such great musicians. I had seen Green Day perform live at concerts 4 times since 1994. This was Miguel's first. He/we were simply blown away by this performance.

Billie Joe Armstrong is just an amazing performer. I've never seen a more charismatic front man. He totally draws you in, keeps you entertained, and his voice was just perfect all night. And really, the whole band was fantastic. You could tell that they were all really into it, and really excited to be playing to this crowd.

Here's an article I found on MSNBC.com that has a review of their show at the DNA Lounge from last Thursday. It looks like they played the same sets, so you can get an idea of the play list.

They finished the night by playing "Homecoming" off of American Idiot, which was of course so fitting since they are from Berkeley/East Bay, and they were playing to their home crowd. They made many references to that all night.



The concert finished around 11:30. They gave away posters as we left. I may have to hang one in my cabana. ;)

The new CD, 21st Century Breakdown comes out on May 15th. I can't wait!

...and yes. I know... I'm a total Green Day Groupie.:)

update:

Here's a good review on the show.

and another one from Rolling Stone

Labels: green day, just trina, pop culture

Whoo Hoo!!!

Guess who's going to see Green Day at the Fox Theater tonight?!

Labels: green day, pop culture

Green Day Surprises Everyone Again.

Does anyone know how to find out about these last-minute gigs when they're announced?

Maybe I should just start going club-hopping...

Update

Okay - I'm an official fanboy now. (fangirl?)

I've joined the Green Day Idiot Club! (now I really *am* an Idiot!)

Yep - for $20/year, I'll be in-the-know!
They have a new album coming out next month, and are said to be planning to playing more surprise local shows to test out the new material! I'm determined to make it to one!

Labels: green day, just trina, pop culture

Green Day Plays Surprise SF Show

Labels: pop culture

My sister just sent me this:

Michael Mayer and Green Day Create American Idiot Musical, to Bow in California

So, yeah - I love Green Day.

I can't explain it. I saw them in concert 3(!) times way back in 1995 when Dookie came out, then again in Sept '05 for their American Idiot Tour.

It turns out that the director of Spring Awakening (which I saw last year, and really loved) is going to direct a new musical adapted from the Green Day Album, "American Idiot"!

This isn't exactly shocking news, in that I think it makes perfect sense. American Idiot is a Rock Opera, much like "Tommy" by The Who. But still, very cool news, and very exciting.

Even more exciting: it's going to premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theater in the fall.

Oh, yeah. I am so there. :)

update
article in today's sfgate.com.

Labels: pop culture

Maybe Ernie and Bert will be moving to the Castro now...

Not even Sesame Street is safe from recession.

Labels: pop culture

One of my favorite authors is working on a new novel for the Tales of the City series!

Here's a nice article on sfgate.com about Armistead Maupin. He's writing the eighth novel in the Tales of the City series, titled Mary Ann in Autumn!

I LOVED reading Michael Tolliver Lives a couple of years ago. It was the first new installment in the Tales of the City series in several years. (a couple of decades?) Michael Mouse was always my favorite character in the series (imagine that!), and before Michael Tolliver Lives, we had last left him in the mid-80s, having been recently diagnosed with HIV. What a joy it was to learn that he was still alive and well in San Francisco 20 years later!

Mary Ann Singleton, (played by the fabulous Laura Linney in the mini-series) was another favorite character of mine in the earlier books. By the sixth book of the series, however, I found her more and more unlikeable, and in the end, she left her husband and child, and moved away from San Francisco to pursue her career on the East Coast.

According to this article, Mary Ann is now 57 (it's been 20 years!) and she's experiencing a life crisis that takes her back to San Francisco. I can't wait to see what she has to say for herself!

Not sure when the new book will be out, but you can be sure that there will be a lot of excitement in SF when it is!

oh, and by the way, the Tales of the City Broadway Musical is going to be Fab-u-lous!!!

is it me, or did the flamboyant gay man in me just make a splashy appearance?

for those of you who may be interested, here's a link to an old blog post from when I first met Armistead Maupin at a book signing in July, 2006, and another from the day when Michael Tolliver Lives was released in June, 2007.

Labels: pop culture, san francisco

Indy at The Castro!

We're seeing Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is showing at The Castro Theater!!

I'm so excited! I haven't seen a movie in this theater in a long time. It's such an amazing theater. It's an historic landmark. They even have an organist playing "San Francisco" before the show begins. So fantastic.


Showtime!

This is the first time that I can remember them showing a first-run film. Plus, it's been 19 years since the last Indiana Jones movie!

Color Guard Trivia:
Which WGI finalist did an Indiana Jones show in 1986?
Bonus: Who instructed their rifle line?

Labels: life in the castro, pop culture

I saw this commercial the other day, and it made me laugh.
It's been a long time since we've seen Mrs. Butterworth. Wonder what's she's been up to. The best part is that this is not an ad for Mrs. Butterworth syrup - She's just the D-List celebrity spokesperson!)

Labels: pop culture

Battlestar Galactica returns tonight for it's fourth and final season!

This is such a great show.

I can't believe it's been more than a year since that last episode aired. I need a refresher synopsis in a major way.

Here's a good article about the series from sfgate.com.

Labels: geeks, pop culture

I'm a day late, and Mike and Jeff already beat me to it.

Nonetheless, this is still post-worthy for any of my blog readers who haven't seen it yet!



It looks great! Can't wait!

Labels: pop culture

Disneyland's “House of the Future,” opened in 1957, is shown in this undated photo. Now, Disneyland is planning to build a new “House of the Future” that could feature such things as desks that act like giant touch-pad computer screens, futuristic cell phones and gaming units.

Full article on MSNBC.com.

This is cool. I remember seeing the original "House of the Future" only in books and photographs. It was torn down before my time. It'll be interesting to see how this one turns out.

At first, I thought they were reviving the "Carousel of the Progress" show/ride, which was always one of my favorites. It has such a great nostalgia thing going for it.

Actually, now that I'm reading this article I guess the ride/attraction that I'm thinking of originated at Disneyland, but later moved to Disney World, which is where I must have seen it. All I know is that when we went to Disneyland last May, I was so disappointed that they had replaced the innards of the cool circular theater with the two-story, static exhibit, Innoventions (I thought it was really boring.)

Labels: pop culture

robots in disguise

Last night, Dick and I watched the movie Transformers

I had heard it was a pretty good movie, but we were both surprised how much we both really loved it! Okay, not the best movie ever made, but some good entertainment!

I remember hearing about the movie before it came out thinking, "Seriously? A movie about a toy line from the '80s?".

Actually, what really cracked me up was realizing that I although I never had the toys, and never watched the cartoon, I learned enough from watching TV ads for the toys in the 80s to remember that Megatron was the leader of the Decepticons. That's some pretty serious toy commercial brainwashing!

Anyhow, GREAT special effects, a fun action-fill story, a decent cast, and some surprisingly funny dialog. What a fun film!

Labels: pop culture

..'cause now I'm on a YouTube muppet kick...

I've heard the song before, but never saw the video.

I've always loved R.E.M. but they just got even cooler!

Labels: pop culture

"Say Cheese!"

In honor of The Simpsons Movie, which opens in theaters today, I present to you: The Chow Family and Friends visit Springfield.

Each of these characters were created at simpsonsmovie.com's "Create your own Avatar" section (thanks for pointing me to the site Andrew!). Each of these people (with the exception of Blane, whose character magically created itself in front of my very eyes) created their own Simpson doppelganger.

I think they all turned out well!

I thought it would be fun to take a group shot of all of us from our trip to Springfield! Right after we took this picture, we all headed down to Mo's Tavern for a Duff Beer and Donuts. Looks like we had a lot of fun, doesn't it?

Labels: funny ha-ha, pop culture

This is it: Tonight/tomorrow morning at midnight will be the release of the 7th and final installment of the Harry Potter series.

I'm such a dork, but I am VERY excited. It's been such a neat experience to be a part of this whole craze and phenomenon. I think it'll be a very long time before another book/series has this much of an impact on so many people of all ages.

My sister and I are planning to attend a book release party late tonight before the midnight countdown. My parents will be attending one in Milpitas. My sister-in-law, Meg, in Chapel Hill (who is a HUGE fan herself) is taking her two kids (Peter & Grace), and (coincidentally) my niece, Evelyn, who just happens to be in North Carolina on vacation. I looking forward to getting the report on everyone's evenings.

I'll most likely start reading the book tonight. (Meg will probably be finished with it by the morning)

I don't have any plans for the weekend - I intend to spend it reading. :)

You've gotta love the excitement and anticipation of reading a great book for the first time.

Labels: harry potter, just trina, pop culture

Mmmmmmmmmm....Squishee....

Yesterday, late afternoon, I drove to the fair town of Springfield and stopped at the local Kwik-E-Mart. There, I met some of the town's famous citizens: Abu, Homer, Marge, and even Comic Book Guy. We ate pink doughnuts, drank blue Squishees, played with my iPhone, and discussed local politics.


Me and my new buddy, Homer

Okay, not really.

Here's how it really went:

Yesterday, late afternoon, I drove to Mountain View to deliver a framed poster to my hubby at work. I had read stories and seen news reports of the 11 7-11 stores around the country that had been converted into Kwik-E-Marts for the month of July - a brilliant marketing campaign for the upcoming Simpsons movie. The only store in Northern California to receive the Springfield face lift is in Mountain View. It also happens to be a few blocks away from Dick's office. On the first of day of the Kwik-E-Mart campaign, Dick and a few of his co-workers went to the store and picked up doughnuts and Jolt Cola for the group.

He didn't have his camera with him.

I left some time for myself to make a quick stop into the Kwik-E-Mart. Not surprisingly, they were virtually sold-out of all Simpson-related products. All that was left were cookies, and pink doughnuts. I grabbed a Squishee for myself (I have a long-term love affairs with Slurpees already) and took a few photos.


Kwik E Mart - Mountain View, CA

The store was pretty busy when I was there around 5:00pm. I estimate there were at least a couple dozen people buying donuts and snapping photos. When I paid for my purchases, the young lady at the register said this was actually pretty quiet.

It's going to be quite a month for the 7-11 franchise. I can only imagine how many more donuts they're selling this month, compared to all others.


Mmmmm....Donuts.

My childhood friend, Terri, lives in Burbank, and took her kids to their local Kwik-E-Mart. You can see her blog and photos here.

Labels: A day in the life, pop culture

...this is what we might look like


Dick and Trina Simpson

Make your own Simpsons character here:

http://www.simpsonsmovie.com/main.html

Labels: dick, just trina, pop culture

My sister-in-law just sent me this story:

Potter buffs may soon be able to visit Hogwarts

How exciting!

Here's another article:


Harry Potter theme park set to open
Wizarding World of Harry Potter will open in Orlando in 2009

Labels: harry potter, pop culture