Forgotten Treasure and Some Time Off (Finally!)

So I actually had a weekend off since returning from the score of summer trips a few weeks prior. It started great with dinner Friday night at Iron Hill Brewery with Nick, his mother and a handful of her friends. It was one of the better social gatherings I can remember in a while that didn't have an event (like a wedding or birthday) as a catalyst. While we were sampling beer and enjoying fine dining, the weather was dramatically improving outside. It had been very hot and humid for the past couple weeks and at some point while we were inside Iron Hill it just lifted. The rest of the weekend was beautiful.

I was still riding atop the wave of storytelling the film "Stardust" put me on a couple weeks ago and while driving this last weekend, "Always Know Where You Are" (written by Johnny Reznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, performed by BBMak) came on my iPod. This was one of two promotional songs from the movie "Treasure Planet". I found myself singing along with my windows rolled down cruising down Kirkwood Highway. As soon as I got home, I popped in the DVD and relived the whole great adventure. Treasure Island was a great story in itself and the sci-fi Disney update was just that much better. It came out my sophomore year in college and has been one of my favorite movies since. I guess any young man with any kind of ambition relates to young Jim. After the movie was done, I went online to see who else was still talking about it and was a bit dismayed to not only find out most had totally forgotten about the film, but that even when it was released was one of Disney's biggest financial losses. It's sad to me because it was a great story and did what any great story should, sweep you away to another world, but leave you inspired for the one you live in. It's amazing that such a gem (no pun intended) has gone largely unnoticed or forgotten by the world. Oh well, at least I have it and the 8-year-old in me still wants to solar surf through the universe. If you haven't seen it, give it a chance and I'm sure you'll love it like I do.

Back to work,

-Rod

Once

So I still really really really want to see the movie "Once" but until I can get to Philly or NYC or it comes to a Delaware theatre, I got the soundtrack and am already in love. These songs are right up my alley: catchy, charming and a little heartbreaking. So far the lead single/opening track is my favorite, but the whole thing is wonderful.

Speaking of charming and a little heartbreaking, progress has been made again on my new album. I finally got a great vocal take of a heartbreaker down. Well, it seems like a heartbreaker, but as always, to me it seems hopeful. I went back and listened to previous tracks and was just as moved as the day I tracked them with th exception of a few touch ups. I can't wait for everyone to hear this. I don't expect everyone to like it, but at least I'll be proud of it.



Anyway, time for bed...

-Rod

A Fruity Tale, A Fairytale, An Adventure and "Good" Music

So this has been a movie filled week for me. 300 finally came out on DVD and I was an owner within hours of release. While I was out I stopped in to Regal 16 to see "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" which was funny, not the best comedy, but a few chuckles worth and a sweet story. The next day Nick and I had passes to an advanced screening of "Stardust" which was incredible and is heavily recommended. I'm a sucker for good fairytales and stories where the guy starts as a loser and through his unlikely adventure grows into a hero. If you're into fairytales or fantasy stories, go see it when it comes out to the public this Friday.

On Friday, I went to see "The Bourne Ultimatum" which was action packed as promised. It's not my favorite Bourne film, but a good one. I'm a bit confused by this last one, it seems like they are setting up for a TV series or something.

Today, I got on iTunes and downloaded Matthew Good's new album "Hospital Music" and am a huge fan now. These songs are some of the most beautiful songs I've heard in a while and they do what I love in music- they make you feel something. Fans of R.E.M.ish rock will love Matthew.

Alright, time for bed...

-Rod

Bonnie Hits 100,000 Miles!

Six Digits and Running! Woooooo!

Hot Fuzz

So the roomie got the movie "Hot Fuzz" today and started watching it. I'll have to admit I wouldn't have seen this one on my own, but I ended up really enjoying it. I love European culture and all, but sometimes the humor is hit or miss with me and I did think "Shaun of the Dead" (the same makers of Hot Fuzz) was a great movie, but did not strike me as hysterical in the kind of movies that make me crack up. This one got some chuckles from me (more than I expected), had a great buddy story with a lot of heart, some impressive action and a surprisingly clever mystery. I'm a Nick Frost fan, he's usually someone I can count on for humor in anything I see from that side of the ocean, and he didn't disappoint in this one. More than that though, the buddy story developing between him and the cool city cop was great, there was a great dynamic of the city cop having a passion and skills in that passion with Frost's character realizing the passion in his dream of being a kick-arse cop.

Anyway, it's time for bed, will write more later...

-Rod