it's not life that matters but the journey...

the sky finally seems to be clearing up after two days of rain and clouds. I don't mind the rain, because it actually keeps people out of the pool in our apartment complex - usually on weekends, it's so noisy because of all the families partying out there. Why did I move into an apartment building with an outdoor pool? someone please tell me why I was so stupid!

but of course the rain in summer means humidity. it's been so sticky outside that it's like an instant perm for my hair - though mine is less curls and more frizz - yuck! time for another haircut!

last night I watched a great movie that I actually had wanted to see when it came out. and when I was reading through posts on thedailymovie community recently, I read so many positive reviews, that I just had to rent it: The Mist based on the Stephen King novella and directed by screenwriter/director Frank Darabont (who also wrote the screenplay for The Green Mile and The Shawshank Redemption .

( my review below )

If anyone has watched this movie, I'd love to know your thoughts. especially if you had read the book. And this just makes me realize that I have got to read more Stephen King. I think I'd better go and find a used bookstore!

in other news, I might be going to see The Dark Knight tomorrow morning with my friend Sandra. I can't wait!!

I just got my Senseo coffeemaker today in the mail (for super cheap thanks to iilii. and it's awesome!

But really, the reason I'm here is to give you some recommendations.

I just watched a movie - and I really really loved it. so I have to recommend it to everyone! It's the first movie I've watched in like, a couple months. I used to be such a crazy movie buff years ago, but recently I've stopped watching movies because I'm disappointed almost 75% of the time. But this one just appealed to me when I saw the trailer, so I rented it. It's called Wristcutters: A Love Story and it stars Patrick Fugit (who was made famous in Almost Famous ) and Shannon Sossymon (sp?). Don't let the title fool you - it's not depressing - but it's definitely a love story. It's a romantic comedy - but not like in the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan sort of way. More like in the slightly bizarre, definitely quirky, darkly comical kind of way. And though it starts out a bit dark, it definitely will leave you with a smile, and maybe even a couple tears (because it's happy, not because it's sad). It's fantastic! The plot in a nutshell? Only a small nutshell because it would be ruined by too much analysis: after killing himself, Zia (the main character played by Patrick Fugit) ends up in a weird and kind of depressing afterlife full of others who have committed suicide. there he meets up with a Russian rock star (who killed himself by his guitar) and goes on a road trip to find his girlfriend, who he finds out also offed herself. He meets a host of interesting characters along the way, and realizes what life is about. It's not that simple, though, so watch it and see why I loved it.

Another recommendation - this time for music. I've been listening to The Weepies and I am in love with their music. Thanks to dove95 who gave me a subscription to Paste Magazine, so that I could hear the Weepies and then get their CD "Hideaway" which is so listenable and so awesome. I highly recommend them - unless you're into metal or something, then you might not like them. But like the movie I just told you about, don't let the name fool you - the Weepies will make you smile.

and finally, before I go to bed, I have to say that I'm highly disappointed with Coldplay's new CD. I think it's definitely not their best. I'm going to delete it from my computer, so if anyone wants it, let me know - I can upload it in a zip file. Then it's gone!

good night! maybe I'll have a real update about life soon.

oh my goodness this has been an interesting week. some good, some bad, and some just weird.

( With school, there has been a bit of all three )

let's see what else is happening...

The weather has been incredibly hot and a bit on the humid side. it's been gorgeous and clear, though, so I can't complain. and I do have air conditioning and fans.

( now on to work )

good thing though, it's Friday and I can relax! And today was a better day altogether than yesterday was. And we had a company picnic this afternoon, which was both good and weird (or bad depending on your perspective). That's because our picnic area also doubles as a mating ground for the 17-year cicadas! for those of you who aren't living in or near the mid-west and don't know what this is all about, here's a video you can watch - I actually can't figure out how to link to it, but go to this link http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070615/ap_on_sc/gypsy_moths_3, and click on the picture that says "Swarms of Cicadas" = that will take you to a video about them.
you can also see this ABC video: http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=1114747392&fr=yfp-t-501

( more details about the Cicada Picnic )

oh, and finally my movie review. I watched a British movie called "Keeping Mum" with Maggie Smith, Rowan Atkinson (also known as Mr. Bean), Kristin Scott Thomas and Patrick Swayze (who is looking very old). It's a dark comedy about a woman who comes to be a housekeeper for a vicar and his family in a tiny British village. The vicar is too busy to have sex with his wife; bored and lonely, she starts having an affair with her American golf instructor (Patrick Swayze. Their gorgeous 17-year-old daughter isa nymphomaniac, and their young son is being bullied in school. But along comes this wonderful housekeeper who has some dark secrets and ways, but who manages to solve all of their problems in just a few weeks' time! This is absolutely one of the best movies I've seen all year! It was brilliantly written and acted, and laugh out loud funny, especially if you like morbidly dark British humour. It was just what I needed last night to relax after a stressful day. Maggie Smith is one of the best women to ever grace the silver screen and Rowan Atkinson is enjoyable in a surprisingly low-key role that is so different from his usual silly roles like Mr. Bean. He is incredibly talented, as is Kristin Scott thomas who I also adore. The movie was also full of incredibly witty sexual innuendoes, which the British do so brilliantly! Watch this movie!!!!!

and on that note, I'm off to have another glass of wine. have a great weekend!!