The Mungle on Movies... and more

I don't procrastinate...

2010-10-26T14:18:00.002-05:00

I just take time weighing my options!

Ok, the morning of October 26th arrived and I still had not decided on a Halloween costume. Granted I have been looking. It isn't like I just decided yesterday I needed one. I just had a hard time finding anything I liked. There are lots of cool costumes for girls but if you are a guy you have two options; scary or perverted. Oh sure I could be a gynecologist and wear scrubs that with "Dr. Felltersnatch" embroidered. Or a 100 different versions of Freddie Kruger. But that isn't me. So after making one last effort at the local stores I decided to head online. I figured I would splurge for fast shipping but might have better luck finding something.

SCORE!

I actually stumbled on a costume I had ORIGINALLY had in mind several weeks back but could never locate. Plus it was on sale, PLUS the shipping was like decent for express delivery. The complete order was cheaper than what I had been looking at in stores.

So seriously if you are looking for something last minute I suggest checking these guys out. Just click the image below.

Halloween Costumes

See? Plenty of time. Procrastination pays off in the end.

On another note, the Project Runway season finale Sunday night was a blast. You can head over to Sparrow Space's blog site to check out the cool pictures!

Oh, Danny boy!!

2010-10-21T16:24:00.008-05:00

That old slumdog himself Danny Boyle was back in Dallas to talk about his new film, 127 Hours. Last time I talked to him he was promoting a project called Slumdog Millionare. He went on to win lots of Oscars for that but at the time.. who knew?

This is the third time I have interviewed him, the first being for the film Millions. I like Danny and he is always good for conversation. We had a small reception at The Angelica with him last night. Spent an hour or so sipping beer and talking movies. Then today was the actual interview.

Tonight I am off to see Maroon 5 with Sparrow Space. It is great to be going to a show just for fun. Normally I have to follow up with a review, photo spread etc. So I am looking forward to a relaxing time of musical enjoyment.

pics later I am sure.

Cough it out, dude

2010-10-20T09:30:00.002-05:00

This week has already been so extremely busy! And it is only half way finished. I had someone say to me yesterday, "then just stop being busy". But truth be known, I love the busy stuff, just wish I could spread it out more. It is like feast or famine.

So Monday was quite interesting. The film makers for the new movie CONVICTION were in town and the studio threw a small luncheon/reception after the interviews. These are always a blast and it is good to casually amble around and eat dainty, unrecognizable foods while talking "off the record". So a few of us local media peeps (Paul, Alice and myself to be exact) were talking to Juliette Lewis about silly films and our favorite movies. Paul said something funny (now I can't even remember what) and I sucked a huge mouth full of my drink down the wrong pipe. Well I think we all know that feeling. So I am trying to be real nonchalant about it and cough under my breath, all the while unable to breath at all. I figure no one will notice and I take a step back from the group. Juliette is like, "dude, just cough it out." And she starts patting my back and raising up my arm. This makes me crack up more even more which seems to help. And so we return to our normal conversation.

The film is about Betty Anne Waters and the real Betty Anne was there as well. She is such an incredible woman and her story is amazing. You can't meet people like that and then ever tell yourself, "I can't do that", or "it is impossible".

Tuesday night was fun too. Saks Fifth Ave had a fashion/runway show to benefit a local charity. The served sushi (which I did not eat) and had an open bar (which I did visit). Great place to people watch. My Project Runway partner Kimmy "Klum" joined me and luckily didn't have to save me from choking.

The fashion show was a good mix of men's and women's fashion and some of the Dallas Soccer team members helped out with the modeling. Some seemed a little awkward but they all did a great job. Made me want to buy some new threads. It was put on by MODERN LUXURY DALLAS and was a pretty cool event.

the joy of nothing

2010-10-15T15:57:00.002-05:00

Happy Friday. I am so ready for the weekend. This is the first weekend in months that I have not had anything on the calendar. It feels good to be able to just pick random things to do, or not do anything at all. Some things on my "might do" list include:

1. Wander around half price books
2. Go to the library
3. OD on chex mix and sleep through some football games.
4. Find an arts and craft store and explore new hobbies.
5. Work on my Halloween Costume

Other than that I think a little surprise dinner adventure is all that will happen this weekend.

Here is to relaxing and recharging for the very busy week that is heading my way.

Lend a hand.. or an arm

2010-10-14T13:53:00.004-05:00

I saw the new film 127 Hours yesterday and it made me stop and wonder about my own will to survive. The movie is about Aron Ralston the mountain climber who was trapped and had to cut off his own arm to escape. He cut off his own arm. That is crazy. That is stuff you see in movies. Which is ironic because it is now in a movie. But for it to happen in real life? I am not sure I could have done that. For one I would have passed out or died long before that option came up. I am not very outdoorsy. So to be hiking and climbing anyway would be odd. But to then be trapped in the middle of no where. And to try and survive for days hanging from a rock. That is crazy.

Then I saw another movie based on the real life story of Betty Anne Waters who put herself through law school just so she could try and free her brother from prison. This lady wasn't hanging from a cliff but she was hanging on to hope. To spend 18 years struggling through school simply because your gut says a family member was wrongly accused. That is crazy too.

I know God never gives us more than we can bare but I have to wonder how I would react in these situations. I like to think I am an upstanding guy with the inner strength to do all that is necessary. It is one thing to cut your arm off to save yourself. But to sacrifice your life to save another. That is a different ballgame.

On a lighter note I was able to grab a bite to eat between films with Paul Salfen and Mark Walters. It was good to break bread with them and chat instead of getting a quick word in before or after a screening starts. We all see each other a lot but rarely have time for casual convos. So we gobbled down some Chick-fil-a.

Well tonight is Project Runway so I will be heading over to watch it with the Kimmy Klum and Cady Gunn. hmmmmm need some snacks

Next time I will order the salad

2009-07-31T09:44:00.002-05:00

You ever have one of those moments when you stop and realize that you care more about what people think of you than what is mentally healthy? Maybe it doesn't happen all the time but every now and then you get sucked right into the black hole of concern. Allow me to offer up my latest indecent as an example.

I am having lunch at Subway like I do at least three times a week every week. On this particular day I decided to order something that I never have before. There are 3 sandwiches that I stick with and I seldom stray. But I was feeling a little crazy so I thought, why not?

So I ask the guy to give me a "6 inch XXX on wheat, toasted, no cheese". He turns to get the bread but does a quick double take and says, "you say wheat??" And I nod and stammer, yes. Keep in mind that it is busy and there are people talking and the guy next to him has a headset on taking a drive through order. So logic says that he just didn't hear me and wanted to verify the type of bread I wanted. But sleeping paranoia raised its ugly head and it was all over.

My mind started swirling thoughts like, "maybe that particular sandwich is never ordered on wheat", "he is probably trying not to laugh himself silly that you ordered that on WHEAT!" "Who even eats wheat anymore?!" "I just ordered the stupidest sandwich ever!" ... you get the point.

As this has taken place in my head we are already in the vegetable section and I am so nervous now that I am scared to ask for anything else. I am second guessing every decision. I love cucumbers but what if they are even more idiotic on this particular sandwich than wheat was? So I stammer through my list of normal veggies, half expecting him at any moment to announce hysterically to the entire place that I just asked for olives on my stupid wheat sandwich. But he was kind enough not to. Instead he casually wrapped up my sandwich and politely asked if I wanted a cookie. After all I had just been through I think I do.. "Give me three" I said, then paid and left with I hope my dignity in tact.

"Is it that hard to make us look cool!" - Jeff "Almost Famous"

"See that man who thinks he's so smart? You can expect far more from a fool than from him." Prov 26:12

I even remembered my password

2009-07-29T18:56:00.003-05:00

I have not blogged in almost a year. Well a month shy actually. I missed it but had lost site of why I did it in the first place. A chance meeting and a new film reminded me of how much I liked stamping part of my brain and thoughts into this little html box each day.

I had a chat with blogger/author Julie Powell about the new film based on her book, Julie and Julia. Hearing her talk about blogging was like hearing a story of an old friend. Someone you lost contact with long ago and that you really want to go visit.

So here I am back again. And for those of you still hanging around, hi. Oh and don't take off for spelling.