I Love Movie Posters

What's cooler than a smartly-designed movie poster? Nothing, that's what. Check out the poster for the new Wes Anderson movie, The Darjeeling Limited (which appears to be about men with jacked-up noses, but I guess there's probably more to it than that). I'm really excited to see it, but that's probably pretty obvious since The Royal Tenenbaums has been the subject of a very unhealthy obsession in my life for a time now. What can I say? Who doesn't love anything that makes dysfunctional family life seem hip?

Voracious Jumbo Squid Invade California

Somehow, this article failed to cash the check the headline wrote... what a letdown...

Odd Jobs

Do you ever meet people who really catch you off guard when they tell you what they do for a living? You innocently ask, "So, what do you do?", and they reply with something like this: "Yeah, I'm a chemist and I'm trying to design a more accurate artificial banana flavor" (true story, by the way). On the other hand, do you ever stumble across something on TV and think to yourself, "Who in the world watches this?!?!". WELL... in a strange combination of both those scenarios, Blake started a new job today! So, he's working as an editor for an animation company here in the city, and the show that he's cutting is (I'm totally serious) a live-action show about thumb wrestling starring real thumbs with luchador masks on. They shoot the show in a tiny little wrestling ring in his office, and they're fully stocked with assorted thumb costumes.

Intrigued? The show is called TWF: Thumb Wrestling Federation, if you want to check it out. What's that you say? You need more info (specifically, the convoluted backstory, a tale of treachery, revenge, and woe)? Well, I think that you'll find a simple search on Wikipedia will clear up any questions you might have. ;)

Git Along, Little Doggie

This is the puppy that I really, REALLY want to buy. I fell in love with him a few weeks ago when I was checking out the website for the breeder my coworker got her three dachshunds from. Imagine my surprise when I saw him today in a cowboy suit!! We're DEFINITELY a match made in heaven... Why, oh why, can't I get a dog?

Knocked Up

Just to be clear, folks-- I'm not making any big announcements here! I just want to talk a bit about the movie I saw last weekend, Knocked Up. For anyone who doesn't know, it's a comedy about an unlikely couple who try to forge a relationship after their drunken one-night stand results in an unplanned pregnancy. It's jam-packed with lots of folks you'll be happy to see again if you're a Freaks and Geeks fan (or if you just think guys with big beards are dead sexy).

The movie got me thinking about the ways that I deal (or don't deal) with unexpected change in my life. I've never been in a situation anywhere near as difficult as that scenario, but, absurdly, I still tend to dread any change in the status quo (regardless of how minor the change may be!). It's really pretty stupid to try to avoid impending change-- the baby is going to come whether or not you read the books or buy the crib, but things will probably go a lot smoother if you take the opportunity to prepare for the event! It's just as ridiculous to drag your feet when God is prompting you to make some changes. Sure, change can be seem like an inevitable pain in the neck, but it's almost always a huge source of joy and beauty in my life when I take a step back and adjust my attitude. In the movie, even though the road to the delivery room was scary, awkward, embarassing, and painful, the happiness the new parents experienced when they held their baby daughter far outweighed everything else. That's the way God works! It's like He says in the Book: "For I know the plans I have for you, [...] plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

So I'll try to relax, let go, "read the baby books", and get ready to roll with the punches knowing that God has great things in store for me if I can trust Him and follow Him down an unknown path!

The Great American Sport

Yesterday I witnessed history in the making. In the titan clash of man vs. hot dog, Joey Chestnut rose above all others to set a new world record: 66 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. The humble lad from San Jose, California restored America's pride and joy by defeating the six-time champion Takeru Kobayashi in a dramatic upset. Even now as I pen this tale, salty tears of joy fill my eyes and the sweet smell of American victory caresses my nostrils.

Long story short, it was a great day. I got to see about 300 hot dogs get eaten in 12 minutes, there were people wearing straw boater hats, and I got to scream, "USA! USA! USA" until I was hoarse. Heck, I even got to eat a funnel cake for lunch!

I will say this, though-- Coney Island attracts a strange crowd...

The Very First Post

It seems that such a momentous occasion as the first post from a freshman blogger should commence with a brief introduction from the author. However, my vocabulary is limited at best and my imagination is virtually nonexistent (thanks to my constant diet of trashy TV). So I guess I'll spare us all a lengthy treatise on the art of writing and I'll dive right in.

Consider yourself warned-- my loftiest goals are to publicly air my gripes about people who think it's cool to wear purple and to keep my readers supplied with fresh photos of dogs dressed like people. But if that's the kind of thing that tickles you pink, well, have I got a show for you!!

So saddle up, cowboys-- it's time to ride!