Franki Goes To Bloggywood

Well, it's been a little while since my last blog. I have to get on here more often! Since last I blogged, I've decided to start working out & eating healthier, blah blah blah. You know, the boring way to lose weight. No grape fruit diets for this girl. I'm certain a diet of that nature would make me a very hard person to be around. For everyone. No joke.

Anyhow, I've noticed certain things since I've started my little fitness adventure, as I like to call it. There are definitely certain people that get stereotyped as "Gym Rats". And that is no lie. No matter what gym you go to, there's usually going to be some dude who is lifting weights and making funny noises while doing so. I feel sort of bad, but I can't help but giggle to myself a little bit. Because, he is probably so into the weight lifting that he has no clue the kind of noises he's making. Ahhh, I shall deem this occurence "Gym Comedy".

There's also the girl that's really intimidating. As you are going at a somewhat decent pace on the machine next to her, she seems to be going a bajillion miles an hour. And then my machine is making some horrid noise & I'm wondering is it just me? How come super woman's machine isn't making that noise? And then, I remember I don't really care & I keep working out. Nonetheless, there is always at least one of these girls/women present at a gym.

I've also discovered another kind of person at the gym. The person who is huffing & puffing & breathing so heavily that you are creeped out and worried for them at the same time. Now, don't get me wrong, I do my fair share of labored breathing at the gym. But this was almost borderline wheezing. I wonder to myself as I'm working out next to them; What would I do if they passed out on me? They are rather sweaty too, so that wouldn't be pleasant, but really...these noises don't sound healthy. And just as I'm pondering this, the heavy breather gets off of the machine and walks away. I'm just glad to see they are still alive. This is good.

Well, that's about it for my Adventures in Fitness...for now. I don't plan on quitting anytime soon. Intimidation or no, I'm enjoying the feeling of accomplishment after each workout. And yes, I enjoy giggling to myself about the little intricacies of the gym environment. I guess I always have to find the humor in things.

 Brandon Boyd of Incubus is releasing a solo album entitled The Wild Trapeze :) Excited to get mine in the mail! Comes with a letter from him too. I didn't really need the t-shirt though (t-shirt is optional). I am really looking forward to hearing this album, being a long time Incubus fan.

Check out the video for Brandon's first release from  that album, 'Runaway Train' (NOT a cover of the Soul Asylum song...)

NOW I just need for Incubus to frickin' come back to Wisconsin for a show (as it has been OVER 5 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!). They come to Chicago once in a while, or perhaps Minnesota & haven't done a WI show in YEARS. I guess Incubus will be back in the studio in 2011. How the hell does one get them to come back to WI???!!! Shall I just call up thier label & ask? Perhaps that will be a project. And when I find out, I'll let you all know!

So, if you're anything like me you've read all of the books in the Harry Potter series and are now eagerly awaiting the first of two installments of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Well, then you might also adore the actress Emma Watson (who plays Hermoine in the series) just as much as I do. Turns out, Emma is dating the lead singer of a band called One Night Only who recently released a video for thier song 'Say You Don't Want It'. Emma is in the video looking adorable as ever.

The band is kind of New-Wave, Pop, Alternative...nothing too mind blowing (to be perfectly honest), but Emma Watson looks adorable as usual! I figured my fellow Harry Potter fans would appreciate a viewing of it. The video itself doesn't seem to have any real concept or story, and the band actually reminds me a bit of 80's New-Wavers Duran-Duran.

AND...Even if you're not into Harry Potter you can probably still appreciate how adorable Emma is, though. So...ENJOY! Or don't, that's up to you, I guess.

And here is the official trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!!!!

So, about a year ago one of my good friends introduced me to the show True Blood. From the opening credits, I was hooked. The series is just so fresh and original. Yeah, I know the vampire thing is being a bit overdone these days, but this show is just grittier and goes places Twilight wouldn't dare to go. (And the teeny-bopper crowd that is a large portion of the viewership for movies like Twilight, probably shouldn't be watching True Blood.)

Well, let's just say after seeing that first episode of True Blood Season 1 on DVD I just couldn't get enough. I pretty much devoured the first season and managed to get my boyfriend into the show as well. (Hah! He may not watch The Hills with me, but I got him with this one!) So, after devouring the first season I had to wait until the second season came out on DVD.

Fast forward to recent days; True Blood Season 2 is finally on DVD!!!! Be still my beating heart! My hand reached for the discs at the movie rental place so fast you'd think there was a magnet involved somehow! I am currently on disc 4 out of 5 in Season 2 and it just seems like each episode somehow gets crazier and more awesome. There are lots of steamy scenes involved, which never hurts, but that's not the ONLY reason why I like this show (although my boyfriend would disagree, as he swears that's the only reason I do like the show...).

I really do think the cast as a whole is excellent. Anna Paquin as one of the main characters Sookie, is so loveable and interesting to watch. Her character is a telepath; she can read the thoughts of others. She's dating a vampire named Bill Compton played by Stephen Moyer. Of course, he's sultry and has a southern accent. Never hurts. Those two actors also happen to be engaged in real life, which makes the love scenes seem that much more realistic. There are many other awesome actors/characters in the show, but you'll have to find out for yourself!

I'm telling you, this show has me hooked! Now I just can't wait until I finally get some form of cable television again, so I can watch Season 3! It just started up this past Sunday night on HBO. But, first I have to finish Season 2, and I can hardly get through the work day...the anticipation is killing me! That is how GREAT this show is. Seriously. If you have never seen the series, you may want to give it a try. Who knows, you could be hooked from the opening credits, just like myself!

So...I FINALLY decided to rent Avatar.

I don't know exactly why I was so resistant to the idea of watching this movie. But, for the longest time I would just keep passing it up at the video rental place. It almost became a tradition for a little while now. For some reason, I just had a feeling I'd hate this movie. Maybe I'm resistant to things that are super popular right away...that could be it. It did take me about 3 years after Titanic came out, to finally cave and watch it. And now, every time I'm on a boat my boyfriend has to put up with me saying "Never let go, Jack!" as I lean over the edge. I should have known I'd probably end up liking Avatar as well. Oh well, live and learn.

Anyhow, when there was absolutely NOTHING else that looked decent, that's when I finally caved and rented Avatar. James Cameron, I'm sorry it took me so long. I was under the impression it was just the blue people throughout the whole movie. I didn't even realize good 'ole Sigourney Weaver was amongst the cast. That was a definite plus, in my book. Not to mention, those darn blue people actually stole my heart! Now, I'm not saying this is the best movie I've EVER seen. Some people will say that...I can't get behind that statement. However, I will say it surpassed my expectations and was a very good film.

Thank you Avatar, for not sucking like I thought you would.

Avatar