"I See You" too

So last night I finally broke down and saw Avatar - gotta keep up with pop culture right? So I was not into seeing it for a long time - the trailers did nothing for me. After having seen it though it was not so painful to sit through (although 3 hrs is a long movie) and better than I expected. The Blue people didn't bug me as much as I thought (you get used to it) and even though there were parts that were cheesy or that didn't make sense I didn't hate it. A lot of thought and imagination went into it which I appreciated. There were points when I was scared or tense and sad. Also, why did all the animal/creatures look like fish/dragons? Those monkey things I named Finkeys. I finally understand the tail hooking reference from the Laser Cats skit on SNL. Jim you know how to make movies that make LOTS of money.  

Rating: 4 out of 5

100% Truth is Weird

Last night we rented the Invention of Lying staring Ricky Gervais and Jennifer Garner. This movie was weird. I hadn't read reviews or anything really for it, but after seeing Ricky Gervais host the Golden Globes I decided to give it a chance. So it was weird kinda of like how Stranger Than Fiction was weird. Not bad but different. Like not only could the characters only tell the truth (they had no word for "lying" and couldn't conceive the idea) they had to say whatever was on their mind. Like if they walked by an ugly person they couldn't just walk by, they had to say "I think you are unattractive". It's basically about a guy who is a "loser" who figures out how to lie and that it can get you whatever you want and make you not a loser - that's not the lesson that you're exactly left with but close enough. I was surprised at how many well known actors were in it though, like Tina Fey, Rob Lowe and Jonah Hill. I didn't like some aspects of it, but it was okay. I found myself wanting it to end though, so I guess that's not a good sign.

Rating: 2.5/5

Top 5 Songs of January

Life Magazine - Cold Cave

I've read about this band in a lot of music mags lately, I think they're going to be a bid deal. I really hope they tour soon because I'd love to see them (oh sorry they are touring North America, just not Canada). I love the repetitive like kids keyboard sound. It's definitely a toe thumper. The girl voice echoing so that you can't understand her is perfection.

U + Me - Dan Black

It was a toss up but I went with this track from France (love that). This track has a Tiga or Mika feel. It's like indie tance techno music. Similar to Esser. Enough comparisons? More props to this guy cus his US tour is 6 dates, which are NYC, Montreal, Toronto and LA. Hells yeah.

Donde Esta La Playa - The Walkmen

The Walkmen are by no means new, but this song off their last CD You & Me released in 2008 gets me. I recently discovered it though and I couldn't help but fall in love with Hamilton Leithauser's voice all over again. Gotta love those NYC bands.

One Life Stand - Hot Chip

Love, love, love this song. I can't wait to see them in concert this April. I know they will put on a wicked light show and it will be really loud. I love blasting this in the car on the way to work...

Blue Light (Engineers Anti Gravity Mix)- Bloc Party

OMG just listen to this song. I heard it on YouTube, someone had used it in a Chuck and Blair video. Like I listened to it on repeat for 3 days. I get immediate ideas in my head for videos. Totally should be on GG btw.

My Finger Wants This: Coach Miranda Signature Ring

So hopefully I will come home with this tomorrow, that is if they have my size this time. I tend to look better in chunky rings, maybe chunky is the wrong word. How about substantial. Little skinny bands are not my thing.

A little lounging, sushi and tequila

So the last little while I've tried three new restaurants in the KW area.

The first place was Tyrone in Uptown Waterloo in the "pub district". This place is definitely not a pub. It's a lounge restaurant. I know it just opened but I was not impressed - except for their DJ. But they don't have dancing so what good is that? I'm really not sure who they want their clientele to be. I went with a party of 6 people on a wednesday night around 10pm. The place was nearly empty. The decor was a fusion of Asian and Modern which just didn't look high end. They had these annoying lights that went from red to green to blue, etc and they were like blinding. They have some couches near the DJ booth and a combination of tables and booths and then seating at the bar. Our waitress was new but it took her 30 minutes to get us water and she had to ask what my drink order was 3 times before finally taking the menu to the bar. She was nice though. The drinks were TINY and way overpriced. I ordered a dessert that was good but again TINY. There are nicer places to go it you just want to have a classy drink. I wasn't very impressed as you can tell-oh and the name is horrible.

The second was Sushi Star on King in Kitchener. It's an "all you can eat" Sushi restaurant. The way it works is you pay $20 and can order as much as you want, but if you order food you don't eat you have to pay for it. So you just order a little at a time. It's comparable to Ye's Sushi in Waterloo. I always leave so FULL from these places. My one friend did not enjoy the sushi part but there was teriyaki and tempura on the menu that she could eat. I thought the sushi was good though. For dessert we had the red bean ice cream which was actually good, had a a chalky chocolate taste. The atmosphere wasn't anything to get excited about though, and I didn't check out the bathroom.

The third place was on King as well in Uptown Waterloo, Margarita's. KW doesn't really have any good Tex Mex places so I was excited to try this one which opened about 4 months ago. We went on a SUnday night and it wasn't overly busy but we weren't the only ones there either. The menu was small but I appreciated that because I get overwhelmed by choice. I ordered a Mango Margarita - it was very good, not too sweet. Then I had chicken tacos (the soft ones) that were good and there was lots of meat. Everyone enjoyed their meals (the enchiladas were apparently very good). We even tried cactus in like a vinaigrette salad - let me tell you it's an acquired taste for sure. For dessert we had Churros served with Dulce de Leche - they were AMAZING. The decor was very random and reminded me of other Mexican restaurants in New York and Toronto. Our waiter was great. I would go again...maybe with a sombrero?

So Long Mr. Camera

So I don't actually call my camera Mr. Camera...but this weekend I discovered that the flash was no longer working on my Canon Power Shot A720 IS. I HATE being without a camera. I've owned 3 Canon cameras in the last 10 years and they have all malfunctioned, so maybe next time I won't be buying Canon. I'm glad I bought the 4 year extended warranty at Future Shop though. The girl was really nice and I had no problems. They have to send it away for repairs though, anywhere from 4-6 weeks. Knowing how things usually work though it will be longer. So I will have to borrow a camera or make my friends take pictures...how will I survive? haha

Casimir Pulaski Day

I want to listen to this song (by Sufjan Stevens) driving down an open road in an old convertible. That's just the image I get. This song will get you.

An Education

So, along with two friends, I went to Guleph monday night to see An Education at the Bookstore. (As a side note we went to the Red Brick Cafe beforehand and it was really cool. We did the wine sampling for $8 - such a deal. I would definitely go back). The movie takes place in a suburb of London during the early 1960's. The main character is this really smart girl whose goal (as determined by her parents) is to go to Oxford to study English. She meets an older man one rainy day and an emotional affair begins. Very deep and twisty (not in a weirdo way though). I don't want to spoil the movie so I won't say more. The male lead Peter Saarsgaard is not British but you'd never know it (my friend actually found that the cast was all English except for him). I was pleasantly surprised to see Dominic Cooper as well. The blond is from Pride and Prejudice (the Keira Knightly version). The costuming is awesome and it makes you want to go live in that time, even if just for a bit.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Product Review: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer

I love this product. I was skeptical since any other product that claimed to keep eyeshadow from shifting failed. I have one friend who can wear her eye makeup all day and night, then sleep and wake up and it will still look nearly perfect. Me, no so much. Usually a few hours later it's all collected in my eyelid crease. So I decided to try this product after reading many glowing reviews. And guess what? IT WORKS. I'll get home from work and my eyeshadow is still where I put it in the morning. Also, the colour is more intense so you have to use less eyeshadow to begin with.

Rating: 5 out of 5

The Concerts of 2009

So below (in chronological order) are the concerts I attended in 2009.

-The Killers (M83) at the ACC

-The Virgins (Anya Marina) at El Mocambo

-Bloc Party (Holy F**k) at the Kool Haus

-Lady Gaga (The White Tie Affair, Chester French, Cinema Bizzare) at Elements

-White Lies (Friendly Fires, The Soft Pack) at Lee’s Palace

-Death Cab For Cutie (The Cold War Kids, Ra Ra Riot) at Sound Academy

-Metric (Holy F**k) at the Mod Club

-Peter Bjorn and John (Chairlift) at the Phoenix

-Kings of Leon (The Walkman) at the ACC

-Franz Ferdinand (The Born Ruffians) at the Kool Haus

-Keane (Matt Kearney, The Helio Project) at Sound Academy

-Phoenix (Amazing Baby) at the Phoenix

-No Doubt (Paramore, Bedouin Soundclash) at the ACC

-Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Amanda Blank) at the Kool Haus

-Friendly Fires (Madrid) at Lee’s Palace

-Our Lady Peace (Will Currie & The Country French) at Elements

-In Living Colour @ Jimmy Fallon

-White Lies (Violens) at Webster Hall

-White Lies (Heaven) at the Phoenix

-Airborne Toxic Effect (The Henry Clay People) at the Phoenix

-Temper Trap (We Are The Take) at Horseshoe Tavern

-The Blue Man Group at the Kitchener Auditorium

-Peter Bjorn and John (El Perro Del Mar) at the Phoenix

-Edward Sharpe & The Magnificent Zeros (Local Natives, Fools Gold) at El Mocambo

-The Pretty Faces (Born to Busk, Mained Long Lions) at Rancho Relaxo

-The Big Pink (Crystal Antlers, Revolvers) at Lee’s Palace

-Friendly Fires (The XX) at the Phoenix

ON A SIDE NOTE: Does anyone else find it weird writing 2010? I miss the double zeros for some reason, it's harder to type, write and look at. Maybe I'm just special.