Time of My Life

Undeniably, i'm sure that either you have heard the following converstaion or have had the following converstaion:

person a: What your favorite movie?
person b: "Dirty Dancing"
person a: OMG! I love that movie too!
person b: I know right!
person a & b: "I've had the time of my life..." or "Nobody puts Baby in the corner"

Now here's the thing, this conversation may have gone differently but the jist of it is the same and weather you hears or participated, probably depends on your sex. If your sex is female, then you most likely particpated in said conversation. Unless that said femail happend to be me.

Up until Friday I had never actually seen Dirty Dancing. Yes, I know, I feel like a shame of my entire sex glaring down on me. To make things worse, I have seen "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights." Yes... even more shame for me.

So when I found out that Friday night (last Friday night) there was going to be a showing of it out at the California Plaza, and that it was going to be a free event, I figured it's now or never. The Boyfriend graciously scored brownie points by indulging me and taking me. To which he questioned "How have YOU not seen this movie?" I really don't know, darling...I really don't know.  

We picked a spot to stand (as seats were taken) and the show got started. I call it a show because they even had dancers recreating the moves. It was actually a really great experience. There were cheers and hollers the moment that Patrick Swayze walked on screen. And more cheers at poignant moments in the movie...but the final most fiery cheers came during the "Nobody puts Baby in the corner." scene. Totally get it now.

I'm glad this is how I got to see this movie. On a big screen, surrounded by people that love it on a (rather chilly) summer night out. Had I seen it at home on a boring Sunday afternoon, alone it might not have been the same. And I would have been like, "What's the big deal?" I'm off to buy my Baby/corner t-shirt...Not really but at least I can finaly join in on the conversation above.

♥always,

Dino Myte!

Have you ever been to the Cabazon Dinosours? You have no idea what I'm talking about do you? Well, that's OK. You see when I was a kid I saw a movie called The Wizard, towards the end there is a scene with some dinosaur statues. I became obsessed with those dinosaurs and wanted to visit them. For a long time I thought they were probably a set, sometime later I found out they are a roadside attraction. But alas, I never went.  

This past weekend, the boyfriend and I had to go to Palm Springs for my bosses b-day. Here's the thing. The dinos are on the way. I made sure The Boyfriend was all in to visit the dinosaurs. I may or may not have have been extra giddy about this visit.

We only stuck around for like 20 minutes because it was freezing and super windy! But we had a lot of fun for two grown people visiting old dinosaurs that don't do anything.

 I'm not sure what The Boyfriend was trying to get me to do here but there are like five shots of me inside of thie guys mouth.

There was a gift shop were we picked up a  "talking" dinosaur head for The Nephew but I think secretly he bought it for himself...I called him Dino Myte!

See what I mean? And one more...

♥always,

Thanks A Lot, WHAM!

Everybody, and I mean everybody has heard some version of the song "Last Christmas." If you haven't, well, at the end of this post you will. I'm usually all "Christmas-y" and love me some Christmas jams. However, "Last Christmas" is making me cringe. 

Originally the song was written by Wham! Yeah, those guys. To be fair their version is not the problem. The problem is that since it's creation in 1984, this song has been covered roughly 485 times. I am not kidding or exaggerating the number, I thought there must have been over 100 versions but this site blew me away! There are only so many ways to make one song sound different. The worst version is, and probably no matter how many more times it's covered will always be, Taylor Swifts version. The only ones that I actually like are Wham!'s, also known as the original version, and Cascada only because it's catchy and dance-y and she has a pretty voice (Taylor Swift... not so much on any count. I'm sure she is a lovely person.)




Oh and how funny is this? I went on YouTube to find this video and guess what the top 3 search results were? Yup. Wham! Cascada and Taylor Swift. Oh and go ahead and add Ashley Tisdale to the "worst" list for this song, while you are at it.  Not sure what possessed me to click on it.

Please, music industry, STOP making covers of this song. Pretty Please?

♥alwasy,
Marisol

Here's My Card

The purpose of a business card is simple, to relay your professional contact information. Or so that's what I thought until I was offered 250 free business cards through this offer:

Not finding myself in a need for business cards I was about to leave the page with the offer when something caught my eye... Mommy Cards? Then Dating Cards?!? Hmmm, interesting. Let's take a moment to analyze this....or you take a moment to read my analasis of this.

Mommy Cards: My initial reaction was "Huh?" What exactly is a Mommy Card? in this example Chloe is letting us know that she is the mother to the listed children and her contact info. Scenarios where this could be used: PTA, Classmates Moms, Teachers, Babysitters, on your actual Kid in case he/she gets lost, Day Care, Coaches, to the parents hosting sleepovers or parties, your kids bff?  If you are a mom that is definately a job so I say go for it. It's not that "huh?" after all.

Dating Cards: Are you serious? If a guy handed me this card I would think "cocky player" or "how often are you handing out your info exactly?" or "seriously?" But there are those who I suppose would defend this, saves time on having to actually write down your number or having to awkwardly try to type in their info to your phone. Hey maybe your mom can get these to update her mommy card when she's trying to get you to settle down. Or your friends, the ones that issesantly belive they must hook you up because your single. I say, no way. Sorry Chad, even if you are a stand up guy.

So, does anybody need some business cards?

♥always,
Marisol

Visiting Tim Burton

What do you do on a lazy Sunday afternoon after brunch when all you want to do is take a nap? You visit a museum. Well, maybe not every Sunday, napping is important after all. But on a particular Sunday afternoon the boyfriend and I found our selves in this predicament and decided to check out the Tim Burton Exhibit at LACMA that he had been wanting to see. So...

They arrived at LACMA right around four

and walk toward the entrance door.

 paid the fee and noticed:

the stunning Urban Light display was full

of families, couples and of foreign tourists.

All taking photos, pretending to know

how their fancy cameras 

would make their photos glow!

Walking into the mouth of the exhibit 

their excitement was baited.

little did they know the experience that awaited,

from humorous to sinister all the way to the exit.

They saw and they read and they listened,

how one boy's creative mind

grew characters one day would spell-bind!

The drawing of Edward and others, 

just full-on amazing originality.

They especially liked the short of Vincent Malloy

and the poem of a  Robot Boy made of aluminum alloy.

A romantic at hear her favorite yet

was the quirky drawing of Romeo and Juliet.
 Cupid's True Colors is what he suggested.
His romantic gene is clearly twisted.

 This one couples sojourn
was to avoid a lazy concern
Tired but happy, they finished their visit
their new found fascination
on their face showed quite explicit!

To the museum they vowed to return 
and experience new exhibits
to expand and to learn!

Well I'm no poet or Tim Burton but writing that little poem was really fun! Oh and while I poke fun a the boyfriend's "romantic skills" he did buy me the poster of Romeo & Juliet so really he scored points galore that day and that Cupids True Colors drawing is hilarious! And he took some pretty pictures of me...

♥always,

Marisol

Book or Movie?

Usually when a movie is made from a book it's because the book is pretty darn good or really popular. I have a dilemma. Should I read the book then watch the movie? Or watch the movie then read the book? One thing I've learned is the book is ALWAYS better. There is more room for back story and character development. I've always loved reading. Since I was a child I had the ability to turn the characters, settings and plots into a movie in my head. I can see it as I read it. So for me it never gets boring because it's coming to life. It's like a 3D imagination.

I usually like reading the book before the movie comes out and get really excited when a book I've already read becomes a movie. However, when I do that, I'm always disappointed with the movie. Like seriously disappointed. I invest too much in my imagination and when the movie comes out it falls short and they cut so much from the book that I feel jipped. That's why I'm starting to think, I should watch the movie then read the book. Then there are those times where I watch the movie, thinks it's alright and then read the book and get totally hooked. That is how I became a Twilight fan. Damn proud too!

So here I am about to go see a movie about a book I just finished reading. I'm sure your seen/heard about it. It's called The Help. It takes place in the early sixties in Jacksonville, Mississippi. It tells the story of one young white girl trying to write a book about the black maids that work in whites homes and raise white children while dealing with the whole "separate but equal" BS that was around at that time.

I don't want to be disappointed. I want to love this movie like I loved the book.

I'm going in with high expectations but not expecting the grand movie, complete in depth the way I created in my head. I'm sure I'll love it. Anyone else going to see it? Anyone else read the book? What's your preference, book-movie or movie-book?

♥always,
Marisol

I'm Yours, Jason

That's right! I admit freely. I love Jason Mraz. I used to be a fan, but after attending his concert on Friday, I'm officially a FANATIC in love. "Jason will you be my baby Daddy?!?" Yes, I said that. Out loud. In public. Thank goodness only my friends heard me....And now all of you know....awkward.

It was quite the little journey getting to the Santa Barbara Bowl from Inglewood. It was a small road trip with Marissa and Tiffany. The plan was to meet at my house at noon so that we could be on our way have a nice drive without traffic. We also planned on spending the night down there so we wouldn't have to drive back so late. However, we ended up meeting at my house around 2 and actually leaving my house at about 3 PM! Yeah, I hadn't packed lol...

So we sat in traffic for about two and a half hours but we finally made it to hour hotel. It was your standard Best Western chain hotel. But it was really pretty since it looked like an old Spanish Mission. It was also not exactly in Santa Barbara but in Carpinteria. A smaller town near by.

Before we new it, it was time to head on over to the concert. Parking was full so we kept driving and about 6 blocks away we found a spot. The Santa Barbara Bowl is nestled in a residential area. A nice one too. So it was a pleasant walk. Glad I wore those flat boots though!

After we huffed and puffed our way up the hill we stuffed our faces with some cheesy pizza and soda...yum. Might explain why I huffed and puffed my way up that hill. While the stuffing continued the opening act played. I wish I had paid attention to who it was this time because I really really like Christina Perri. I didn't realize it was her until her final song, "Jar of Hearts."

And who do you think you are

Running 'round leaving scars

Collecting your jar of hearts

And tearing love apart

You're gonna catch a cold

From the ice inside your soul...

Sorry...this song just has some special meaning for me ;) Christina Perri - Jar of Hearts Official Video

Anywhoo...Back to JASON!!!! He was was just simply amazing! Such a beautiful voice. Better than the CD. The band was great, it was a lot more jazzier than I expected and I liked it! "Lucky" is one of my favorite song...that one also have a special meaning for me. Even cooler was the fact that Colbie Caillat showed up for the duet :)!!! Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat - Lucky (Video)

You go Jason! WooHoo!

About a third of the way into the concert...I thought I was going to go to jail that night.

No, not because I rushed the stage and tackle Jason....no no no. I would go to jail for assault and battery. Yeah, that's right assault and battery. You see there were these people sitting behind us, two guys and two girls, who would just not shut up!! Plus as the concert went on they kept going on beer runs and kept getting more and more drunk. WHO THE HELL GOES TO A CONCERT AND TALKS THE ENTIRE TIME!!!!!

Scenarios kept playing in my head...I could just turn around and punch girl in the face. She was quite chatty. I could stand on my seat and leap back and knock both of them with my elbows. I really, really actually started to visualize the fight and the hauling of to jail part. Marissa even said she "had my back" But, I decided it was not worth it. After a few dirty looks and some words were exchanged I just leaned forward and ignored them. We were not the only ones that were shushing them. By the end of the show they were so drunk things like "Your the F-ing man Jason!!" were being hollered. One of the guys you could tell was not as drunk and even apologized for his friends actions. He even offered to take this picture.

While all this was annoying it really did not ruin the show for me. It was too good of a show. He was just that great of a performer. We ended our night by getting some junk food at Carls Jr. and watching Say Yes To The Dress until like 2 in the morning. It was not as sad as that sounds.

The next day we headed down a main street in Carpinteria and enjoyed a varied, delicious breakfast at The Cajun Kitchen. Sooooo good. My mouth just watered thinking about it.....please forgive my drool. We had all kinds of things from you traditional french toast to your not so traditional smoked salmon...sorry more drool.

After breakfast we took a stroll down to the beach

where all sorts of laughs were had...

inappropriate photos were taken...

some serious posing took place...

followed by more & more laughs...

breathtaking views were enjoyed...

 

and miraculously I did not fall...

On our way home we stopped by the outlets. Hey, they were right there! Where I did not buy anything but a scarf. All in all one awesome trip!!!

Over the Weekend: Date With Dad

I'm a bit of a Daddy's girl. Hmmm...that's such a lie. I'm a big time Daddy's girl lol. Saturday, a good friend of his gave him some tickets to a play he would not be able to attend. He also had dinner reservations for a restaurant in Westwood where the play would be. So we gladly accepted it all. So Saturday night I went out with Papa Bear aka Dad aka Daddy when we need him to do something for us :)

Dinner was at a small Italian restaurant called Mio Babbo's.

Yeah, that's Papa Bear. And right in front is my yuummy Salmon!! This place was such a wonderful surprise. It has the feel of a home kitchen, right from the entrance. It gets a full house for dinner and is a good mix of a young and older crowd. We both had a fish dish so I'm not sure how their classic dishes are but I would like to go again and find out! I loved the black leather seating and checkered pattern design. It has a little of a Godfather feel to it.

Since the play didn't start for another hour we walked around a bit. We made our way to a Coffee Bean. Dad was needing his coffee fix...lol he's a true caffeine addict and admits that he does not want the "help" with his problem. He has limited himself to only spending $20 a week at Starbucks. That is major control for him!

The Play was called Ruined. It was showing at the Geffen Play House right near UCLA. It's a small theater but very nice.

Now, about the play, Ruined. It's a serious and heart aching play yet there is some humor to lighten up the dark. The story takes place in a bar/whore house in the Republic of Congo with the civil war raging in the background. The leading Lady in the play, Mama, runs a tight business where she doesn't take sides nor orders from any one but herself. Her girls are not whores, they are wives, chiefs daughters, students, women that were abused by the evil of the war they are living in. They were kidnapped and beaten and raped. Over and over. Some to the point where they have become "ruined" and are seen as bad luck, a disgrace and an embarrassment to their families and whole village. They live with mama as whores because its a guaranteed shelter, food, and protection from the horrors they would face outside, even if they are still being used. As the story progresses we see how Mama struggles to keep her business running but as much as she tries the war creeps closer and has devastating results in the lives of the women in this story. There were moments where I just could not hold back the tears in my eyes. Or the ache I felt in my heart. Mostly because these stories are real. They are not the imagination of a great writer but the experiences of strong, brave, resilient women that did not deserve it. In the end there is some hope as Mama gives in and accepts her own heart ache to find the strength to move on. Awesome Play!!!