Category Archives: Entertainment

Nerds’ Night Out

So the other day, as Jonathan and I were driving to the movie theatre to partake in the headache-inducing 3D awesomeness* that is Star Wars Episode I, he starts belting out one of the tunes from the movie. Granted, there are no words** that I can understand, but he managed to replicate it fairly well. What I mean by “replicate fairly well” is this:

Ah, a voice like a nightingale. Or something like that.

I had mentioned to Jeff earlier that day that we were going to see it, and he tried to convince me otherwise. In his recent quest to “nerd” his wife, he was ecstatic to hear she would finally watch*** Star Wars Episode IV with him…but he told me he was adamant that she would NOT watch Episodes I-III, because they were horrible.

For the most part, I agree. Episode I has that annoying little kid, and JAR JAR FREAKING-DIE-ALREADY BINKS.**** However, you only get to watch Star Wars on the big screen once or twice, and I’ve never seen anything in 3D.  Oh, and it has that pretty sweet pod race and Natalie Portman wears some gorgeous costumes. So basically it half sucks and half doesn’t…or maybe it’s closer to a 70/30 split. Your call. In any case, it was my Valentine’s treat for Jonathan, since he was really excited about it being re-released.

This was my first experience with a 3D movie. It wasn’t bad – just weird. If I took the glasses off, some parts of the screen were blurry and some parts looked normal. With the glasses on, it definitely had a more natural looking depth-of-field…but I could tell my poor oculi were having a rough time of it. I don’t think the addition of the third dimension really added anything to the movie; in fact, I would have much preferred they digitally edited Jar Jar out and put a tennis ball on a stick in his place.

It couldn’t have been any worse, right?

Note: We will probably end up going to see the other films as they are released, even though I am loathe to give George Lucas MORE money after he crapped all over the original trilogy with the unnecessarily added digital junk.*****

*Awesomeness is subjective, of course.
**In English, at least.
***How she managed to never see it before now is beyond my comprehension. It’s like never eating a potato chip or stubbing your toe – how?!
****Can you tell I’m not fond of that character?
*****Sigh…Nerd world problems! 

Come with us on a magical journey!

road trip

Hey all! I’m gonna try something fun, and live blog our trip down to San Francisco. I can’t guarantee it will be interesting, and I can’t guarantee it will be real time because of stinking autocorrect. I swear, typing on the iPhone is near impossible.

road trip

Our trip so far has been likened (by my husband) to that of Harold and Kumar. Well, minus the weed and White Castle. Instead it’s homemade lemoncello and Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Side note: their new dark chocolate filled ones are un-freaking-believable. And deadly. Stay away!!

Basically, we got all the way down to Roseville to fulfil his burning need for doughnuts, and as we’re pulling out of the drive through, I realise something.

WE FORGOT THE W00TSTOCK TICKETS.

This is literally a scene out of my bad dreams. What’s even worse is that I mentally reminded myself to GRAB THE TICKETS…and I still forgot. I can’t remember what triggered my realisation there in the drive through, but I’m sure it was Anne Wheaton and her mystical influence over the universe.

I swear, she must have the same crazy “Mom Powers” my mom does. You know, the ones that enable her to know wherever her kids (or husband) are at any given time. Also typically used for mind-reading, laser stare, and the uncanny ability to know when the child is being less than truthful. I dunno about Anne, but with my mom, surprises and excuses about why we broke curfew were always figured out.

BACK TO THE TRIP!

Ok, we made it BACK home and retrieved the tickets. I also grabbed some cheese and salami, because holy crap I can already feel the sugar coursing though my veins and I will have an epic sugar crash in a couple hours. Ow.

Jonathan is stuffing another doughnut in his mouth. I think this is number four. I can tell he’s already riding the white dragon (Sugar, not crack…though they seem to produce similar effects), because he’s totally rocking out to Journey’s “Separate Ways,” fist pumping and all. He made quite the interesting mix for our trip: Europe’s “The Final Countdown”, Katy Perry’s “Firework”, various theme songs from John Williams (“John Williams is a god! I love that guy!”), and now Journey. I’m sure Lady Gaga will make an appearance soon.

Sorry, I was wrong. Now it’s “The Power of Love.” Jonathan clearly has a thing for 80s music, girly singers, and epic movie theme songs.

More later! (cue Pirates of the Caribbean theme song…)

[9:07 pm, somewhere just past Davis]
Hello again! I have a wonderful photo to share with you. This totally made my night. I present to you “A Children’s Guide to Splattered Bugs”
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That is just beautiful.

[9:52 pm, Vallejo]
We’re passing the Six Flags theme park now. It must be closed for the season, which seems strange. I thought it was open year round, but there are no lights on. Only the dim glow from the moon and the surrounding community has lit up the hulking steel coasters. It’s kind of a creepy sight.

I’m starting to feel the decline of the sugar rush, and it’s making me drowsy. I remember why I don’t eat that kind of crap anymore.

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We’re crossing a cool bridge now; I can’t see in the darkness surrounding us, but I’m pretty sure it’s the one with the decommissioned ships in the bay…in Hercules, I think? All I know is this is the stinking bridge I always forget the toll for. Tip: when you go the the Bay Area, bring LOTS of money for the tolls.

[10:07 pm, Bay Bridge toll area]
We’re stuck in traffic, waiting to cross the bridge. There are crazy people whizzing past us, and constant honking. We haven’t moved in several minutes, and there is a ridiculous lifted Chevy Impala next to us. I’d take a picture of it for you of I wasn’t so afraid of being shot.

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Welcome to San Francisco, now give us your money.

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[10:52 pm, Ocean Avenue]
Well, we made it! Granted, right now we’re sitting in the car, trying to figure out what we want to do for the next few hours. I’m slightly paranoid about leaving my car out on the street (clearly I’m used to a more suburban area), and I’m starting to get tired. I’m ready for bed, but that won’t happen unless we can figure out a way into T’s house. But for now, our journey is ended. Thanks for traveling with us, and remember to take your towel with you!

Over and out!