Washington State Lottery Commercial

This is just my favorite commercial that is on right now. It always makes me smile because the birds are so cute. Now I want to fly with a penguin!

The Phantom of the Opera

On Sunday, the family and I went to go see "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Paramount. It was my second time seeing it, but it was just as good the second time around! And the Paramount is probably my favorite venue in Seattle. I'm not much into operas, but for some reason I think this one is so fantastic with the music and the costumes and the sets. Every part of it really. Plus I always enjoy a scary story and this opera definitely has that element. Richard Todd Adams plays the Phantom and he is incredible. His voice will most definitely give you goosebumps all over. If you haven't had a chance to see it yet, I recommend going as soon as you can. It only plays at the Paramount until Oct. 5th so hurry! Who knows when it will come back!

Eagle Eye

If you like action and intensity, this is definitely a movie you will want to see. There is non-stop action in this film as well as non-stop questions that will keep you in your seats until the end. "Eagle Eye" stars Shia LaBeouf (Transformers) and is about two people who have never met that somehow get caught up in a huge scandel and have to depend on each other to make it out alive. The plot is very well done and keeps you guessing even after parts are revealed. There are some funny moments and some gasping moments, but overall tensions stay high even until the very end. Now that fall has set in (at least in Seattle), it would be a great way to spend a rainy day.

Ice Cream Cone Day

Today is Ice Cream Cone Day celebrating the day the ice cream cone was patented in 1903. So go out and have yourself an ice cream cone today!!

Jimmy Kimmel's Big Night Of Stars

Last night was the evening of the 60th Annual Emmy Awards show. Many parts of the show were very funny and featured big comedic names like Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart, however Jimmy Kimmel's Big Night Of Stars that aired just prior to the awards took the cake. Kimmel featured Michael Phelps, Tracy Morgan and Salma Hayek on his show last evening. All guests were subject to possibly uncomfortable questions and some inappropriate segments, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Kimmel definitely knows how to create laughter from the awkward silence and can entertain an audience. Below is his segment with Michael Phelps and you can find others on YouTube.

Football Season

Fall is probably my favorite time of year for many reasons, but the number one reason would have to be FOOTBALL!! The football season brings so much hype and excitement it's hard not to enjoy it. Being a UW grad, the team I follow religiously is of course the Huskies. There is nothing better than waking up early on a Saturday to tailgate before a big game. It is often so fun that the result of the game doesn't matter as long as it's a good time. UW has been previously ranked one of the top tailgating schools because of our large numbers arriving by boat (we're one of two college stadiums in the country where that is possible) and our delicious pre-game feasts that are prepared (we're not talking hot dogs and hamburgers...try salmon). Even if you don't know anyone in the parking lot, it's almost guaranteed you'll be invited to a tailgate as long as you're wearing purple.

As well as the Huskies, the Seattle Seahawks are a favorite of mine. As four time defending NFC West Champions, you know they will be an awesome team to watch. As much as I love college ball, I find the NFL almost more exciting because all the teams are usually pretty evenly matched so it is a toss up as to who will win each game. (Rather than if you're watching, say, USC vs WSU...we all know who will win.) The Seahawks had a great pre-season game, but came on a bit rocky their first two regulation games. However, yesterday they had a great game and stomped all over the Rams. I have a feeling their season will be accelerating to greatness and the path to our second chance at a Super Bowl will be in sight.

If you're not from Seattle or are interested in other teams to watch this year, here are a few options:
College Football - Georgia Bulldogs, USC Trojans, Florida Gators
NFL - Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos

Bhy Kracke Park

A lot of people would say that Kerry Park in Seattle is the best to visit for the view of downtown, however I disagree. On a walk around Queen Anne Hill this morning, I remembered Bhy Kracke Park that I had visited once or twice before. As far as views go, not only does it provide a brilliant view of downtown Seattle, but it looks over the entirety of South Lake Union as well. And this is all one view, hardly interrupted by trees or anything of the sort. While the park looks like just a couple benches from the street, there is actually a few paths and a couple wooden staircases sneaking through bushes leading down into a few small grassy fields where you can sit and read or just enjoy the quiet. There is hardly anyone there ever. (Unless you happen to catch a kegger every now and then. We were all in high school once right?) If needed, it provides a privacy that Kerry Park cannot offer. It is a very peaceful place and great to relax and do some thinking while enjoying a perfect view of Seattle.

PostSecret

This website is so cool. If you've ever seen those postcards or books of postcards with the secrets that everyone is scared to reveal, this is the blog that features them. Most of them (especially the one above!) I have found quite shocking, but at the same time really interesting. I think it actually makes you feel better since we all have our secrets. This website lets you know that you are not the only one. Check out the secrets and watch your jaw drop. It is very commendable that people are able to reveal these, even if it is anonymous.

The Airborne Toxic Event

I am always looking for my next second-favorite band. I've recently been introduced to The Airborne Toxic Event by 107.7 The End and what I've heard so far I love. Their first single "Sometime Around Midnight" is on airwaves right now and it is a great song with a unique sound. I am always looking for trills and chords that can give me goosebumps matched with lyrics that tell a story and that I can relate to. This song hits the nail on the head. The lyrics have powerful emotions behind them and the music is deep. The rest of the album is equally impressive. A combination of upbeat and ballad-like songs. Check them out on their Myspace page or purchase their album at the iTunes store.

Two Can't-Miss Comedies

It's fall, which means season premiere time! Here are two can't-miss comedies that are premiering in the next three weeks. If you enjoy laughing hysterically (who doesn't?), then definitely check these two shows out.


It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
Season 4 premieres Sept. 18th @ 10 on FX

When we last left the gang, they were dancing their asses off trying to win their own bar in a dance contest. Before this they dealt with finding a dumpster baby, trying out for the Philadelphia Eagles and being held hostage by the incestual McPoyle family. This show is known for its unruly humor and it definitely pushes the envelope when it comes to the issues. This season, the website promises that nothing is off limits which mean even more raunchiness, politically incorrect topics and so many laughs. If you're just starting to watch, you don't really need to watch the episodes in order, it will still be funny. All you really need to know is Dee and Dennis are brother and sister, their (real?) dad is Frank. Mac and Charlie are their friends. The five of them own a bar. This group is so fantastically dysfunctional that it guarantees mayhem. Enjoy!



The Office
Season 5 premieres Sept. 25th @ 9 on NBC

When we last left Dunder-Mifflin, it had a new employee, Holly, that Michael Scott falls in love with very quickly. Just then he finds out his ex-girlfriend Jan is pregnant with another man's baby. Jim plans to propose to Pam, but is beat to the punch by Andy proposing to Angela. Angela says "okay", but we later find her getting intimate with her ex-boyfriend Dwight in the office. Heard enough yet? If this doesn't convince you that you're in for some laughs and should start (or continue) to watch this show then I don't know what will. If you've never watched before, you can join in now, but it will take a little bit of catching up to do. Just ask your friends who are avid watchers. (But never during the show!) You can also watch some of the older episodes online, but here is the quick summary. Michael Scott thinks he's the "World's Greatest Boss" but has interesting management tactics. Jim used to date Karen (who may or may not return) but always had a thing for Pam, his current girlfriend and the company receptionist. Pam was engaged to Roy, but kissed Jim and chose him instead. Dwight thinks he is the Assistant Regional Manager, but is really Assistant to the Regional Manager. He is constantly annoyed by Jim's practical jokes. Ryan used to work at the office, but was promoted to VP of Regional Sales. He was recently arrested. All the other characters are pretty easy to catch on to. Have fun watching!

Chris Jordan Photography

I recently came upon the photography of a brilliant artist, Chris Jordan. He does some significant work pertaining to the world's issues and it is all very moving. His most recent exhibit is titled "Running the Numbers" and it is very interesting. It features portraits of different scenes that look totally normal, however if you zoom in you can see they are all made up of something that the U.S. overuses. For example, the top photograph depicts one hundred million toothpicks, equal to the number of trees cut down in the U.S. yearly to make paper for junk mail. The second photo depicts 24,000 logos from the GMC Yukon Denali, equal to six weeks of sales of that model SUV in 2004 as you can see by the third photo. To check out the full exhibit and his others, go to Chris Jordan's website. He's done some amazing things.