stick this!

Okay, don't judge me. [sigh] I seem to be saying that an awful lot lately. A sad, sordid state of affairs. Anyway, today I headed down to the 84th street Loews and took in "Stick It"...a movie about gymnastics done by the people who gave us "Bring It On". Need I say more? It was good fun for the whole family. Personally, I love gymnastics. I love the summer Olympics and do nothing but watch the gymnastics, cringing when someone falls off the beam, or takes that extra step on the vault landing. I really actually hope in my next life that I am a gymnast. I took a couple classes when I was younger...but when you are 5'10", it just seems that gymnastics aren't in the cards. Plus, my mother told me that during my dance school recital where I had taken my gymnastics class, that I ran around on stage moving people and giving them direction. Lordy, I must have been a monster! Oh, I digress....."Stick It" is everything that you want it to be....good, unadulterated fun. A girl (Haley) who has had brushes with the law rides her bike through a window and is arrested. To punish her, she is sent to a gymnastics school where she must study. (Back story: She was leading the US team to gold at the world championships when she walked out of the meet, disqualifying the team.) Will she go back to work? Will she find the joy of competition? The truth is, this movie is better than it should be. I had a great time, and recommend it to anyone trying to get in touch with their inner tweener.

Final thoughts: The perfect Saturday afternoon flick if you secretly (or openly) enjoy gymnastics, and like lippy teenage girls.

photo credit: www.movieweb.com

(rainbow) room with a view

undefined

education, new york city style

About a block from my office, there is a museum. I walk by it every once in a while, and each time, I think I should really educate myself and take advantage of the things the city have to offer. The other day, during a mad dash to Duane Reade for Excedrin Migraine (hooray for modern drugs!), I saw this sign in the window.

So, the question is....who do I go to this museum with? I think the parents are definitely out (there is only so much therapy available), and I don't think it is a me and the roommate kind of place. However, do I really want to go by myself? I think the Midwestern Methodist living inside of me might hold me back.

Any thoughts?

coming out! part deux...

I am not sure if I have talked about this before or not...but I love Keanu Reeves! People give him such grief because he was in the Bill and Ted movies...but he has done some other good stuff. The "Matrix" movies, "Something's Gotta Give" and actually I quite liked "Speed". The reason I bring it up is there was a preview for his new movie once again co-starring Sandra Bullock called "The Lake House" that showed before "American Dreamz". It comes out this summer, and I am quite excited. I urge all of you to give Keanu a chance.

what i did today in columbus

Ah, the joys of home. Deep down inside...I am not the ultimate NYC party girl that perhaps you all think I am. (Don't make snap judgments because I wear my running shoes all the time...) The truth is that I am a homebody. So, this weekend, here I am with my parents in my childhood home in Columbus, Ohio. So far, in the 36 hours that I have been here, I have gone shopping twice, grocery shopped once, seen a movie, eaten at a French-ish restaurant, and had Bexley Pizza Plus. Bexley Pizza Plus actually deserves a blog all it's own...it is the best pizza I have ever had in my entire life. It is pizza from God. When I am in Ohio for any length of time, I schedule it into the trip, no matter what. They have this one kind....it is called the ultimate. It is three kinds of pepperoni and three kinds of mushroom. Frankly, it is so good that it is ridiculous! It is worth coming to Columbus, Ohio for the pizza alone.

Perhaps I digress a bit though. When I am home, I force my parents to go out and do awful things like see movies or go out to dinner. I am the Slack family social director. So yesterday afternoon, both parents played hooky (he he) and we went and took in "American Dreamz". Let me start by saying that this movie is not for everyone. However, if you think President Bush is kinda dumb, and that people will do anything to get ahead in TV, it is a super-funny movie, and a great way to pass a rainy Friday afternoon. So, here's the scoop: there is a TV show called "American Dreamz"....let's just call it American Idol. There is a girl who wants to win (Mandy Moore), her small-town boyfriend (Chris Klein), the host/producer of the show (Hugh Grant), a President with a southern drawl who might be an idiot (Dennis Quiad), his creepy Southern wife (Marcia Gay Harden), and several other singing contestants. It is sarcastic commentary on everything, and me, the crazy Liberal that I am thought it was totally hilarious. My love for Hugh Grant is endless and ever-flowing...and he makes a great comeback to feature films after his brief hiatus. This movie is nasty, funny, a little too true for comfort, and involves a terrorist who loves show tunes. How can you not totally dig it?

Final thoughts: About 15 minutes in my father leaned over and said "Thank you for making me come and see this." I so know what I am getting him for Christmas 2006!

There are actually two reasons that I am home. Tonight I am off to my friend Becky's wedding. Then tomorrow, I am off to meet my nephew! Oh, and poor you, I totally got a digital camera which means you will now have to suffer through many pictures of Wyatt the boy wonder!

cat lady

Sadly, I am starting to turn into one of those people whose cat becomes their life. I apologize. However...how cute is my blogging helper??

Christ has died! take a long weekend....

The second reason that I will burn in hell forever is that sentence that I just wrote. I am sure my father is looking at this and wondering where he went wrong. To him, I say: YOU'LL NEVER KNOW! He! Anyway, I digress....Joy of joys! Last Friday my boss decided to close the office after a long couple of weeks of events. So, I got a second long weekend in a row which meant lots of fun. First, on Friday, Richard the roommate and I went and saw "Hairspray". Originally we were going to see my friend Lindsay who was going on for the role of Penny which she understudies, but sadly she was not in the show last night, so instead we saw Diana DeGarmo. (The girl who saved my UW event by stepping in four days before the event when my original talent backed out. That was when my blood pressure when up the first 20 points during that event.) So, bright and early Friday morning we went down and got our standing room tickets. Then, we parted ways, and I headed to the movies of course! Friday morning/early afternoon (11:50am?) I took in "Friends With Money". I loved this movie. It has four amazing actresses who are all wonderful. Frances McDormand is so amazing. She is compelling, annoying, hilarious, depressing, and crazy. Basically a woman through and through. All of the actresses were great, the script was crisp and funny, and the supporting men were great too. All in all, a great film and great cinematic experience.

Final thoughts: A great movie about women, friends, and how it all comes together.

After the movie, I headed home and met up with Richard. (I did some other stuff, but it's not very interesting.) We then headed down to the theatre. "Hairspray" is a great show. Fun music, great energy, and actually very funny and witty. Diana DeGarmo was great...as was the rest of the cast.

Final thoughts: A fun Broadway musical, and with $20 standing room tickets, you can't go wrong.

On Saturday, I went and did something that I am not particularly proud of. I mean, I am not totally ashamed...but please don't judge me. I went and saw "Scary Movie 4". It totally cracked me up! First of all, I adore Craig Bierko! He is an actor that I learned about when he played Harold Hill in the revival of "The Music Man" and I have been following his career ever since. He did last year have a big part in "Cinderella Man" but got most of his press because Russell Crowe hated him since they both dated Meg Ryan. (Lucky girl.) Anyway, it was low-brow, crude, dirty humor, and somehow that just fit the bill. It was a nice way to spend the afternoon.

Final thoughts: If you have doubts....don't go and see it. If you think the preview looks hilarious, you should go and check it out.

Final, final thoughts: Ah, another weekend in New York. Easter was nice...hope that everyone also had a lovely weekend, and are having as nice weather as we are having right now.

photo credit: http://www.dachshundpages.com

random days

I have to admit that sometimes my job is pretty interesting. I know I complain about the sometimes long hours and the fact that I am not singing....but today was one of those days when I loved my job. Today was the Ellis Island event. This is an event where Ellis Island honors people who have immigrated to the country or descendents of immigrants who have gone on to make an incredible contribution to the country and world. Several H+G staff people are assigned to an honoree, and today my honoree was Dr. Madeline Albright. The sweetest woman, she actually agreed to take a photo with me which I have here. Notice how red I am....that is me in the face of greatness. I tend to turn red and say silly things. [sigh] Anyway, after I whisked Dr. Albright down to her car directly after the event, I then became responsible for escorting Tommy Lasorda and his four brothers back to the boat to get him back to Manhattan. All in a day's work I guess.

geeky excited

Frankly, I am so beyond excited about summer movies that I don't know what to do with myself. Between "Superman Returns" and "X Men 3", I am a puddle of anticipation on the floor.

photo credit: www.movieweb.com

movies and movie stars

Last weekend, making up for lost time, I took in a movie on Friday and Saturday afternoon.

Having worked 11 days in a row, I took a much needed day off last Friday. That happens to be my roomie and partner in crime's day off...so off to the movies we went. We decided to take in "Lucky Number Slevin", and although it was good, I have to say I wasn't totally taken with it. I feel that this will be a huge break out for Josh Hartnett who does a great job. It's funny, I know him as an actor, but sitting here, I struggle to list the things that he's done. He did "Pearl Harbor"....but what else? This is the movie that will definitely break him out of semi-obscurity. He is great. So is Lucy Liu as his love interest. The film is all about mistaken identity. A guy (Hartnett) goes to New York to visit his friend after a disastrous couple of days. When he arrives, he is immediately mugged. He goes to his friend's apartment and two men burst into the apartment to take him to see a crime lord mistaking him for that friend. Chaos ensues with another crime lord...and it has been called "Pulp Fiction"-esque. (Okay....truth: I have never seen "Pulp Fiction" all of the way through. Both times I have watched it I have fallen asleep. I know...and I call myself a movie lover.) If you are into mind-bending, violent movies, then this is for you.

Final thoughts: If you are into that genre, you should totally check it out. If you aren't, don't bother.

On Saturday, it ended up being a little hard to get out of bed, and so I missed the showing of "Friends With Money" that I was going to see. Instead, I took in "Take the Lead". A feel-good movie about ghetto angry detention kids learning to ballroom dancing, I totally enjoyed this movie. Antonio Banderas is charming, and not ugly when he dances. (he he) It was the perfect movie for me: fun, mindless, and dancing. Sometimes, that is all you need.

Final thoughts: If you don't like feel-good, dancing movies...don't go. If you do, grab some popcorn and salsa away!

Bonus: Only in New York do you run into Alec Baldwin taking in a Friday afternoon movie.

photo credit: www.movieweb.com

moments of reflection in new york city

Although I am always annoyed by something in New York City, whether it be idiot tourists, stinky trash, or the MTA, the truth is, there is no place like it. I have had some incredible moments these last few days, and it could only happen in New York. As most of you know, I am an event planner. Last night, we had one of our biggest events which is the Yankees Homecoming Dinner. It is a fundraiser for the New York Yankees Foundation that takes place after the opening home game. So, last night, I went and did my job which included standing at an entrance and directing people, standing and directing at a different entrance, and then helping with seating issues. So glamorous sounding I know. Then, after I had dealt with the last seating issue (NEVER sit at a table that you are not assigned to....just don't) I went to stand by the entrance to the ballroom. In that room was the entire Yankees team. I recognized some of the players like Randy Johnson and Derek Jeter (he really is an attractive guy, but not as big as I thought he was going to be), but truthfully I didn't recognize very many players. I do know that Don Mattingly was there but I didn't see him. That was my brother's favorite player growing up, and I just wish I could have gotten an autograph or something for him. Anyway, I digress....I stood there in that room with the entire New York Yankees team standing next to me and just had to stop and breathe for a minute. Moments like that are once in a lifetime. I love New York. Go Yankees!

Photo credit: my cell phone...that is the team sitting on the stage.

circle of life

I honestly thought my next entry on my blog would be about how I managed to pull together my first event that I planned as the lead on an account. I had 800 guests at the Waldorf=Astoria, and raised over a million dollars for the United Way of New York City...but somehow my brother has again managed to steal my thunder. Today, life as I know it has changed. I have become an aunt. I am now that CRAZY aunt that lives in New York City. Wyatt Evan was born at 6:45pm, and weighed in at 6 pounds and 2 ounces, and is 20 inches long. He did not cry...but instead had his eyes open and was passed around to everyone in the family apparently looking around and trying to take it all in. My nephew is gorgeous. I am devastated not to be in Ohio with my family during this...well........miracle, and I am now counting down the hours until I go home and meet the newest Slack. The line is continuing. The Slacks are continuing. Today, my parents became grandparents, and my brother became a father. I am no longer going to be the center of attention. I am so depressed. I guess the lesson here is that my brother will never let me win.