I often had to remind myself that this book was not written by a teenage girl, but instead by an older man. The story of a family who's lives are turned upside down when an accident on Sept. 11th, 2001 is captivating. The accident is slowly revealed as the main character attempts to deal with her emotions, her guilt and her family that is falling apart. A great story and a quick read. I am looking forward to more from this author. -$

$ Rating: $$$$

In case you are going "Under the Knife"

Fascinating book! It pried open my eyes and freaked me out all too often.

We all assume surgeons are absolutely qualified to cut you open and have that kind of skill and confidence required to put your life in their hands. Guess again. We are often lab rats.

I work at Cottage Hospital in SB and I'll look at our surgical residents differently now: with a mixture of awe and some pity thrown in.

Like the Kitchen Confidential of what it is to be a young surgeon. And, by the way, superb writing by the author/surgeon himself.

That's all I'll say, just check it out and read it.

G$

Eagle VS Shark

I heard about this movie from a blog that I read. Since I think the chick who writes the blog is cool, I decided to check it out. And thanks to Netflix I had it within a few days. I watched it the other night and loved it. It was kind of like a New Zealand's answer to Napoleon Dynomite, but more artsy. A great love story about 2 very akward young adults and how they fall in love. It takes a trip back to Jarrod's home town to seek revenge on a high school bully. It was a wonderful and very sweet independent film.

$ Movie Rating: $$$$

The Candidates

I watched the last (Republican) debates from South Carolina. I thought all the candidates spoke very well. None seemed caught off -guard nor did anyone sound awkward. It has made me think just how hard it is going to be to pick one. I found this great website from Elissa's alma mater UCSB. I am reading it all the time.
These are important times in our history. We will be picking a new leader. We have to do our homework lest we get stuck with another mess like the last eight yrs.

(anyone want to tell me even one good thing Bush has done?)

G$

Steve Martin bio

My sister bought me this book for my birthday. I have always been a Steve Martin fan. He's an Orange County boy like us (Social D is from OC too).
I love this book. What a life this guy had. So many times when things couldn't look more hopeless he picks himself up and keeps trying. The people he knew, the material he tried and experimented with are so fascinating. When he finally hit the big time I guess it was not all he dreamed of. So he stopped.
I love the facts in the book: an old picture of pre-fame Linda Ronstadt (also the pre-famous Eagles as her backup band), clubs he performed in in Tustin, Huntington Beach, towns I lived in and grew up in.
What a cool guy. I recommend it highly.

Ten monies $$$$$$$$$$

Wow, these women look GREAT

I wish all women looked this good (sans the tattoos). Trash those ugly jeans and ugly shoes. My girlfriend Annie is buying some of their dresses: the Annie and the Betty Ford. And I love the skirts too. I said I'll buy her some stylish All-Stars to match.
Can't wait!


http://www.dickiesgirl.com/

Eleven outta ten monies $$$$$$$$$$$

G$

Into The Wild

I finally saw this movie. It was good. I felt it was a good visual representation of Jon Krakauer's book. I liked the free spirit the young man was portrayed as being. I pictured in my head this guy when I read the book. There he was now on the big screen. I certainly don't think enough investigation was made as to why the boy did what he did. Why he gave up his high education and money to hit the road to live (and die) like a hobo. The book did a better job. And I dang sure did not like the way the start of the movie glossed over the bad dream the mother had one night of her son crying out for her. This event was based on fact and, as best the then coroner could give her, about the precise time her son in fact died. Far too spiritual to make light of. I think that scene should have been at the end of the film. If done properly, it would have had HUGE impact. I also think the film should have been dedicated to the mother. If you can imagine her sitting at the screening watching her baby immortalized on film. Her baby she never saw again and could never ask him "why?".
I liked the people he met along the way and the brief connections he made with them. One actress in the film I have seen before from an old Seinfeld episode (called The Letter). She got better looking with age. FAR better looking. Wow, what a nice surprise.
The photography was good, sometimes great. It should have had more scenes of grandeur conveying just how small man is compared to the wilderness. We don't stand a chance against its vastness and extremes.
I did not like the female narration (the sister doing the talking). What the heck for? I think narration would have worked in first person only. What insight did the sister have? None. It's not like she went with him.

My favorite line in the movie: "Every man, in his heart, wants a Mexican mistress". So true.
I'll leave you to see the movie and get that line yourself.

This movie gets seven monies out of ten: $$$$$$$

G$