A Movie Everyone in America needs to see ...so it's kind of a rant...and the rest of the weekend's happenings.

This weekend started out pretty good. Momma and I went to see 21. This is the movie about the MIT students that take on Las Vegas by counting cards and winning thousands of dollars back in the early 90s. This was truly entertaining and I promise you will wanna book a flight to Vegas Baby! immediately! ...okay maybe you won't all be affected the same way...but I sure was...but then again, Vegas is my favorite city in the U.S. :)

The second movie I saw this weekend was Stop Loss. It tells the story a group of soldiers that return home from their tour of Iraq, with hopes of getting out soon, when they are Stop Loss-ed and are forced to stay in the army and head back to Iraq for another tour. The movie also shows how the war has affected these soldiers and everyone around them.
The movie completely ripped my heart out. Maybe I'm sensitive to this, being that my brother-in-law Mykey has already spent one year of his life serving or country in Iraq, and is now training and preparing to return to Iraq this coming July. I don't think that everyone here in America is understanding what this war is doing to these men and women. Our brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, sons daughters, and friends are coming home changed and not necessarily in a good way...I'm going to venture out and say that 99% of the time that this is a change in the worst possible way. If our friends and family are lucky enough to not be harmed physically, the stuff they go through and witness definitely harms them mentally. I have witnessed this first hand and I feel for everyone that has. I am proud to be an American but I am so sick of our young people being sent over there to fight in something I think we have no business being involved in. Maybe I'm completely wrong and ignorant, but being that it was recently reported that we've now lost over 4,000 American lives, how many more are we willing to lose? How many young veterans are going to break down out of the blue as they are forced to re-live over and over what they've witnessed or had to do or were ordered to do in their heads, day after day ? I just don't get it.
Obviously I was moved by this movie. It is extremely harsh...but somehow I think if everyone in America sees this movie...the "people in charge" might just think twice about the decisions they make. Maybe not. I HATE war with every part of my being...and as an American...I am thankful that I have the right to say this...alright, down off my soap box.

I was completely bummed after the movie. I needed something to lighten the mood. Headed over to the House of Blues and saw this guy named Daniel Tosh. He happens to be a fellow UCF alum and I think he is absolutely hilarious. He has definitely not for everyone and does not discriminate on who he offends. lol I couldn't help but laugh and smile after seeing his act. We need to laugh.

After the show, I headed out with my friend Tony in search of good times, good music, and interesting people...we eventually found it...and as we made it past last call...I headed home. FC Dallas this afternoon...opening day...ended in a tie...well at least we didn't loose. :)

Boo Taxes....but Yay Friday and to Livin' a Good Life!

So yesterday at lunch I went and had my taxes "done" with the help of the lovely people at H&R Block. Not that I was particularly psyched going in, but I was okay with it...but I felt pretty much defeated and beat down when I left...and questioning why in the world to I work so much...cuz at the end of the day, I'm just gonna owe that much more...Anyways, I did it. It's done and I won't have to worry about it (too much) until next year...after work I went and treated myself to an hour massage...somehow the taxes didn't seem so bad when it was over. :)

Last week was a marathon of games that I like to think started back on the 14th with the Mavs... (there were 5 mavs home games since then...which didn't end all that well) :(

Then this guy came to town...
...maybe you've heard of the hotness that is David Beckham!! He (and the LA Galaxy) were in town to play against FC Dallas. This was the "makeup" game for him not showing up the last time. What took place at Pizza Hut Park was truly mind boggling! So many flash bulbs...so much hoopla lol. Whatever your feelings maybe toward or against this man...he is a MEGASTAR of the highest form...just ask any football fan (outside of the U.S.). Oh and the score was nil-nil...but who cares...he took off his jersey and gave it to the luckiest girl in the stadium! (*note obvisously not I, being that i would have immediately posted that event.)

The following Monday was...
....St. Patrick's Day and the second Deperados of the season. (that's arena football for those that are unaware)At the moment...this is the only "winning" Dallas sports team. (grr)


Within this week, there were also 2 Stars games...read previous statement to findout the result of these games. (again...grr)

Friday I worked an always interesting event...
...The Tux & Tennies Gala that benefits the Dallas Maverick Foundation. This in an event that was held at the Ritz Carlton and a very select group of "friends" (read stinkin' rich) raise money to help certain organizations in the community that, for the most part, help kids. The crowd is always good people watching...all dressed up and "blinged-out." I'm not hating on these people at all (well at this minute anyways)...these people raised a TON of money (i.e. Jason Kidd letting go of $100K for one of the auction items) that will do alot of kids alot of good. Bravo.

Saturday night, I headed over to my sisters' & brother's house to have fajitas with my abuelita, tios, tia, cousins, sisters, brother, cousins, niece, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, their mom and their friends. (don't think I left anyone out). The food was AWESOME! (as always) After dinner was over and my grandmother and aunt and uncles left...out came...wait for it....ROCKBAND!! Ok, so I'm a little obsessed...and oh my goodness! How fun are the DRUMS!!!

It was just about midnight when I headed home. Sunday was Easter.

I did not make it to church this morning...as I had to be at the AAC for the NOON (brilliant planing) Mavs v. Spurs game. (ya know the game where Dirk got hurt?)...not good times.

After a nice and much needed nap. I headed to Minc to see two of my favorite people spin. Tony Canepa & Michael (DJ eXb) Cruz. Eric, Tom & Jen even showed up!! Was a good way to end the weekend at 2:30 in the morn...but no the most ideal way to start the next work week. :)

Slightly groggy but all well worth it.
'Twas a jammed-packed week (luckily, this one, not so much).

:)

I (heart) Matt Nathanson!

So this past weekend ended so much better than last weekend...Friday night Deperados (W), followed by Tribeca in Uptown for a couple of drinks (and then a ton of dancing) for an old friend's (Robert Bice) birthday...Saturday...Mavs (another W)...Sunday a trip to the movies with a bit of shopping in between...

The Other Boleyn Girl (typical period piece, but still pretty good ) and In Bruges...pretty dark but laugh of loud funny...and of course you can't go wrong with Colin Farrell's Dublin accent ;) ...Monday...Mavs (W ...hopefully we can keep the "streak" going tonight)...which brings me to last night. I took a walk through my "backyard" and headed over to the House of Blues to see one of my favorite performers of all time (I realize this is a HUGE statement due to the number of concerts/gigs I've gone to over the years..but totally true.) Matt Nathanson is a singer/songwriter that I got the pleasure of finding out about the first time back in 2002 at Deep Ellum Live, then again at Gypsy Tea Room, and most recently in the Cambridge Room at HOB (the HOB has replaced the first two places I've listed...I miss the GTR for sure these days, but being able to walk to a show DOES have it's perks). Anyways, I adore this guy. He always looks like he's having an amazing time playing on stage. (notice the expressions in the pics) lol As an added bonus to he talent, he's also super cool and friendly and signed stuff for, talk to, and took pictures with, anybody that wanted to meet him. (see the shirt I was wearing last night...yeah I was "that gal" that wears the old concert T to the concert...get over it...he dug it) A couple of clips from last night *shh ;)

Come On Get Higher



Detroit Waves (with a little Kids in America mixed in)

Well this time around, he opened for Lifehouse. Don't get me wrong, I dig Lifehouse, but these days I just think they are a little too mellow live and I prefer listening to them via memorex while doing other things ;) When I was living in Los Angeles, back in 2001, their first CD was one of my absolute favorites and I knew it word for word....so seeing them last night I think was more nostalgia than anything.
I decided to go say hey to Matt, therefore, I gave up my "2nd-ish row" spot and ended up sitting at the back watching Lifehouse from a monitor...the place was sold out for them, which I found typical being the "Dallas" crowd that was there. lol *ask me later what I mean by that if you'd like ;) ...which also kinda explains the TWELVE dollar Goose and sf red bull that I decided to, ever so slowly, enjoy.

Hangin' By a Moment...aka people are tall and obviously in my way ;)

After it was all said and done, I walked back home, ipod in ears...smiling.

Pura Vida :)

Vote...Because WE CAN as Americans!

I hope you all voted or plan to vote in November. We are truly blessed as Americans to have the right to vote. I'm not saying you should agree with me and my views but I do challenge you to discover what is important to you.

*Disclaimer* I am fully aware that you can make anyone look like a saint with a bit of editing and a good song .

The Weekend That Didn't Wanna End...

So this is how the weekend started...


This is how it ended...

Alright let's start for the beginning. The weekend began like any other. Friday night Mavs then off to Minc to meet up with Tony, Michael and Kaycee to see this guy...
The place was jammed packed and the weather was awesome! Slightly cold but definitely balanced the massive amount of body heat inside. Minc always has a great crowd, but this night especially, had great people watching potential. :) We closed down the place but weren't ready to stop so we headed to S4 and danced to some "old school" until they too kicked us out...off to Cafe Brazil (the service was kinda slow but what do you really expect at 4 in the AM? 'Twas a good night. :)

Saturday came, as did the Stars game. A pleasant surprise was that my friend Chris was in town for the weekend (Army reserves) so he and 2 friends got to come to the game. We headed to Hooters afterwards. They headed back and I headed to Michael's apt and I was introduced to the greatest game ever!! lol ...

I had so much fun! Singing is definitely my forte however, I am soo now not afraid of the bass...BRING IT ON!! ;P Quickly 4am came back around and our "set" was over...good times.

Sunday soon rolled around and about 3 I got on the road to Oklahoma City, OK. The plan was to go to the Alanis Morisette/ Matchbox Twenty concert. (yes I realize they were in Dallas two nights beofre, but ya see I had to work) The drive up there was super easy....the only hitch was that right as Dirk was hitting the 3 pointer that would send the Mavs/Lakers game into overtime... I lost the radio reception and ended up getting the (losing) play-by-play from mom back in Dallas. lol

So I finally arrive and find a lot directly across from the Ford Center and pay my $10 and head into the arena. My Seat ends up being 6th row, center, floor...SWEET!!!

Mutemath (new to me) came out first and I must say, they were pretty darn good. Alanis then followed. She was really amazing. My feelings towards her before this show were pretty much that of indifference. There was definitely a moment of clarity after her set... The woman can sing!! She is amazingly talented and I think she truly enjoys what she does. Then, (then whole reason for being there) Matchbox Twenty came out and put on an amazing show! Complete with fake pyro and all. (see huge screens in pics) I kinda went trigger happy with the camera...it's also a new camera and haven't quite figured out the best settings so please bare with me. :)

Yeah, I know there's not too many of us out there...but I've dug them for the last TEN years and this seeing them 10 years later still makes me just feel good inside (how many people have a band they can say that about these days?) So it's really not important to me if others make a face when I say the words Matcbox Twenty or Rob Thomas...i dig 'em...you don't have to :)


So the show ended and I was so pumped and full of energy. Then I go outside...the temp has dropped a bout 30 degrees and we are now under a tornado watch/warning. (great) NO worries though, I'll just get to the truck (running) and get on the road and get on my merry way back to Dallas.

I get back in my truck and start to feel an uncommon breeze. I look to my right and realize that my back window is missing and now in the form of crumbled glass in my back seat (refer to pics at top)...and that my backpack (with everything in it, credit cards, ipod, dvd, etc.) is GONE!!! Sooo not a good feeling. So I call 911 and try to figure out what I should do and they said since I did not see who did it, I should go ahead and drive back to Dallas...3 hours away...alone...in the freezing rain...with NO WINDOW! NOT good times! :(

I roll into my apartment about 3:30 in the morn and the phone calling to credit card companies, bank, okc police, begins. At about 4 pm I get my window temporarily replaced...just in time for it to begin hailing (or something like it) and SNOWING in Dallas.

Several things I am thankful for during this whole mess:
1) That I wasn't hurt
2) That the truck is basically fine
3) That the thieves were only able to get 2 bucks worth of gas on a maxed-out credit card (lol)
4) And...That they were "kind" enough to break the BACK window and not the front...(most likely would have been frozen out by the time I got home.) :)

Anyways, that was my crazy weekend...

All in all, Life is Good.