Music & Monsters...

Of Monster & Men-Little Talks

L.A I'll Miss You!!!

Typically I find myself in L.A at least once or twice a month. It's an all day drive, and I really have only ever seen it at night, BUT I absolutely love it each and every time I go. I don't shop or do anything in particular, I just drive through the streets and look on in awe.



I'm sure there are several people out there who would say "What's so special about it?" or "You go and do nothing all the time, why do you like it so much?". Well the answer is simple, I just do! I love it. I find it beautiful and feel like I'm on a completely different planet where just for a little while, just for a couple of hours, everything is okay. Everything and everyone, they all make it seem like such a wonderland to me. My dream is to one day live in N.Y.C, I love tall buildings with bright lights and tons of people crowding on each street enjoying themselves but since I live in California right now, L.A is as close to the great tall buildings and the bright lights as I can get. Unfortunately for the next three months, maybe even longer I will not be able to get down there at all. Which is really going to suck. My little piece of perfect temporarily gone...

I'm gonna miss driving down Hollywood Blvd. and walking down the streets looking at the stars in the Hollywood Walk-Of-Fame over and over again...

I'm gonna miss driving up and down Sunset Blvd. trying to figure out which building is where TMZ is shot at and looking at all the big posters...

I'm gonna miss driving through beautiful Beverly Hills and looking at all the big mansions trying to guess what big stars lived where...

And last but definitely not least, The Grove! I never bought anything there because damn was it expensive, BUT I'll miss the celeb sighting's I've seen. Tori & Dean with their kids, Ally & AJ, Bonnie Hunt, the Dancing With The Stars judges, and others. I'll miss the constant trips into Barnes & Nobles to look at all the books and to purchase the only thing I could ever really afford, a mocha frappuccino from the upstairs Starbucks.

I'm just really gonna miss L.A!!!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these pictures, everything was gotten off of Google.

Bow Down To The Queen!

After a throat surgery that could have broken her career for good, Adele is back! Making her return to live performing at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, where she cleaned up with 6 wins including; 'Record Of The Year' for Rolling In The Deep, 'Album Of The Year' for 21, 'Song Of The Year' for Rolling In The Deep, 'Best Pop Solo Performance' for Someone Like You, 'Best Pop Vocal Album' for 21, and  'Best Short Form Music Video' for Rolling In The Deep. And it must be said she was incredible, stunning, magical, and just completely flawless!

Adele- Rolling In The Deep (Live at the Grammy's)

The applause and standing ovation speak for itself. Simple is so much better, take notes Nicki Minaj! That crazy and dramatic c**p is only necessary when you don't have the talent to back it up. Let the voice speak for itself!

YouTube Sensations!

It's amazing what talent you can really find on the internet if you look hard enough. We've all seen the tons of "talent" that's being found on YouTube, like the two little ballerina's singing Super Bass, the mini-warbler doing Teenage Dream, Rebecca Black singing Friday, and BeenerKeeKee19952's with his many facial expressions but it's very rare that I'll ever hear of a YouTube star with actual talent being put into the spotlight. I'm not saying that it never happens, I know Greyson Chance and other people who I just can't seem to remember at the moment are getting a slice of fame. I also know that I too, like probably millions of others, reluctantly loved "Friday, Friday, got get down on Friday" and swooned over the adorableness of the mini-warbler but every once in a while I want to see someone really good and with actual talent get their 15 minutes of fame. For instance has anyone ever heard of the cover band Walk Off The Earth...

Walk Off The Earth-Somebody That I Used To Know (Original by Gotye Ft. Kimbra)

or maybe Karmin...

Karmin Ft. Questlove & Owen of The Roots-Super Bass (Original by Nicki Minaj)

These two cover bands are talented and mostly unheard of, but they truly deserve a whole lot more attention then their receiving. The music industry may pay not realize it yet, but considering those voices, these artists have the potential to be big. And in a time when "good music" seems to be coming less and less, we need something fresh and new to listen to.

You Gotta Hear This!

No matter how long it may take, when you finally find that special person, they will always find their way right back to you.

Crystal Fighters-At Home

Remember how I said that comes one day baby
How I said I come around to see you one day
I said I tried to find the way to run away I get away some day
When it comes one day baby
I gonna fly around the world to you and said
I gonna fly around the world to try to find you again and said

I never thought I'll see you again
I never thought I get to be with my best friend
I never thought I've got to tell you again
I never thought I've got to tell you I lost my mind again

I left alone
I left the world I was running 
to be by your side
I was dying along by your side
I was flying
I came alone
I come alone with, to get here
To lifts up foot off my feet
At home they mean nothing to me

lalalala... yeah yeah

Remember everywhere that you think it's in this place
Take a place if you find a place to take
Take away the way you want to walk away
Make a way with my mind, my mind it's away
Wake me up for a moment from the paradise
Lift me off the ground and take me to the garden of paradise

Remember everywhere that you think it's in this place
Take a place if you find a place to take
And if you don't have anything nice to say
You can tell it while it takes it to your brain
Wake me up for a moment from the paradise
Lift me off the ground and take me to the garden of paradise

Our Newest Disney Princess!

Okay, so I know I'm seriously late in the game, but I finally saw Tangled...

It may have just been one of the cutest movies I've ever seen. I honestly thought Rapunzel, would in no way be able to compete with the classic Disney princesses like Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel, and Jasmine, but she definitely fits in with all those girls. I was a little skeptical when I heard that Mandy Moore would be voicing the character, since we all know that Mandy Moore has done her share of flops, but her voice fit in so well. It honestly made the character more innocent, and she really did put allot of emotion into her voice. I honestly think my favorite part of the whole movie though was right after Rapunzel leaves the tower and she has all the conflicting emotions about how she was a terrible daughter and how she never wanted to go back. I cracked up, that was honesty just so perfect. The leading man wasn't some prefect Prince Charming either, he was arrogant, and a little off putting at first, with a good heart. All in all, I really loved pretty much everything about this film, and Rapunzel is very much one of my favorite Disney princesses now.

Keeping Up With The Kardashians

Keeping Up With The Kardashians, has been a constant in my home since the show first started airing in 2007. At first I kind of thought the girls were just more heiress party girls, like Paris Hilton or Nichole Richie but after watching five seasons and now moving into their sixth, I honestly think these girls are some of the best role models for younger girls. Sure one of the only reasons they became famous was because Kim had a sex tape released but what she does in her private love life is no one else's concern, she didn't release it, but she did take advantage and made her self something off of it. What else could she do, the damage had been done?! The media found out what they could during her initial 15 minutes of fame, found out about their father being the lawyer on the O.J Simpson trial, found out their stepfather was an Olympic gold medalist, and found out she had two crazy sisters and the E! network, turned them into something huge. They are some of the most recognizable media figures today. I even think they've matured some through the show, in the beginning they did kind of just seem like dumb party girls, but I wouldn't call turning themselves into a brand, dumb. It was smart, and now their on everything. Their making the most of their time at the top, by coming out with  as many products as possible, and airing all their personal drama for the world to see on t.v every Sunday on the E! network. There are two things I dislike about the show, and one would be mama Kris Jenner...

Am I the only person who watches this, and just wonders how not only is she still married but why don't Khloe and Kourtney hate her?! I mean she obviously favors Kim above her other children, she even got a face lift just for Kim's wedding, why not for Khloe's? It may not even be that she favors Kim, she just prefers the kid who brings in the most cash. Also she is horrible to her husband, she treats him like an assistant, and after watchign that last episode where she said she wanted to change her last name back to Kardashian, I mean WOW, that was the most insensitive thing anyone could have done. I mean she divorced her first husband and remarried, she has no claim to the Kardashian name anymore. And to find out Bruce wasn't even in the family hall of pictures and he had no pictures in her office like her first husband does, how messed up is that?! This is one of the few reasons that, despite her brash and sometimes crude behavior, I really like Khloe. She pointed all that out to her mother, and voices what most people would never say to their mother. She called her a groupie, which is what Kris seems to be. I can be fair and say that the girls probably wouldn't have their empire without her though. The second thing I dislike, Robert Kardashian...

That boy is just plain lazy, all he does is live off of his sisters. I honestly can't even believe Khloe gives him an allowance. But I guess, why does he need to be driven at all, when he can just live off his family name. Jeez! Someone needs to smack some sense into that boy!

Despite a lazy brother and sometimes unfair mother, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, has and still is one of my favorite reality shows. I can always tune into whenever I need a good laugh since these girls always seem like they are up to something nuts. You gotta love them!

Winnie The Pooh!

Winnie The Pooh, may honestly be the most adorable cartoon character ever created! I've always been a big fan of his, and I really do think that no matter how old I get, I will always be a big fan. He's just too darn cute to resist. :-) I was really surprised when I heard they were bringing Pooh, and his friends back for a big screen movie. It feels like it's been forever since we've seen them, and I'm really excited! 

 I always loved his and his friends tiny catch phrases, like; 'there's a rumbly in my tumbly", "oh, d-d-dear", "t-t-f-n, ta ta for now", "oh bother", I think they may just have the best catch phrases in history. I miss the whole gang, and  know I'm a little too old for them, but hey these characters get in your heart and never leave and I know I'm not the only person who cannot resist their charm. Christopher Robin, was the luckiest kid in the world, in my opinion. Getting to play with Piglet, Tigger, Owl, Kanga, Roo, Rabit, and Eeyore. Aww Eeyore,  it always made me a little sad to see his house get broken. Piglet was always just so endearing, all stutters and insecure. Pooh always getting his head stuck in that honey jar. Owl, was always so wise. Tigger and his adventures, I loved how he would spell his name, "t-i-double g- er, Tigger". Rabbit had kind of always been my least favorite because I thought he was just too snooty, but it wouldn't be right without him. Now if only there was a way I could see the film, without being thought of as weird...

I know most other's would say the movie may look lame, and too much like a little kid movie, but I think that's what makes it so great. Their movies are young and innocent, like for just a little while you can go into the Hundred Acre Wood, and be a kid again. Just for a little while. I fully plan on converting all of nieces and nephews, who have been horribly deprived of this adorable and fun adventure into Winnie The Pooh fans. 

T-T-F-N!

A Forever Family Favorite!

A show that I can watch over and over again no matter how outdated it may seem to my generation, is definitely Roseanne! A show about a working class, blue collar family, that uses humor to get by. I can honestly say this may be the only show in history to ever acuritely portrayed real families. The mom was not a size 2, beauty, the husband didn't always bring home the bacon, and the kids were in no way perfect or just constantly cute, everyone looked real and had real problems. From financial troubles, spousal abuse, child abuse, teen sex, teen marriage, live in boyfriends, and crazy grandmas.

Roseanne Barr and John Goodman, play heads of household, Roseanne and Dan Conner. Neither are the perfect, have every answer, parents we see on television now, these two were sometimes just as clueless as the kids themselves. Becky Conner, the eldest Conner kid, was smart and considered the golden child by her parents until she married her slacker boyfriend at the age of 17 and moved away from the family. She was portrayed by two actresses, Alicia Goranson originated the role, but was replaced by Sarah Chalke during the shows last four years.Sara Gilbert played dark and sarcastic Darlene Conner, is every parents worst nightmare. She started off as tom boy, progressed to a depressed and witty teen, later became the first Conner to leave for school, and ended being married and a mother. D.J was the typical only boy child, living in a household completely dominated by women, he was weird and kind of freaked everyone including his own family out.

My Favorite Character...

Portrayed brilliantly by Laurie Metcalf, quirky and loyal Aunt Jackie is the sister/aunt you can always depend on. She's the first one the kids would go to when they have some big news, and they need help taking to their mother  She has had numerous careers, boyfriends, random hookups, and the best one liners. This is definitely one of my favorite scenes...

(Not Mine!)

The show aired from 1988 to 1997, lasted nine seasons, and 221episodes. It still airs on TV Land, The Oxygen Network, and Nick at Nite. It was a favorite of my mothers, is a favorite of mine, and even every one of my siblings can watch this show and still laugh about all day. They really may just be the most realistic tv family ever, and I love watching them. 

A Movie I Can Watch Over & Over Again!

The Birdcage (1996), an absolutely hysterical, well written, and slightly unconventional film, about a gay couple reluctantly toning down their flamboyant lifestyle for one night, when meeting their soon-to-be in-laws. Quite possibly the only film I can watch repeatedly, and never tire of it. It's crazy and quirky cast of characters have seriously never failed to make me smile, and being set in South Beach, Florida makes it all the more amusing.

The Funny Men of The Birdcage

   

Robin Williams & Nathan Lane portray the Goldmans. He owns the drag club downstairs, while "she" stars in the the clubs big show as Starina.

   

Hank Azaria, plays the Goldman's faithful houseman Agador and Gene Hackman takes the lead as head of The Keeley clan, a family "right-winged moralists", and coming off a scandal of their own, journey to meet Armand "Coleman", his "house wife" and "butler".

I was introduced to this film when I was still a kid by my mother, who like me, loves the film for all that it is and even now when I find the rare occurrence of it airing on cable, I just have to watch. Whether it's on AMC or TV Land's ever amusing, edited version. I never knew that a network would go so far as to actually paint bikini bottoms on a person, I was watching one day and wondered "Hey, where did all the asses go?!". I honestly think this a movie everyone should see, all of the actors are amazing and there is not one boring part. You'll laugh, till it's over, and still after. 

The End of An Era is Upon Us!

 I've always loved all things supernatural and I've been a fan of these films since they first came out, it's the only series apart from The Twilight Saga, that I always make sure to see in theaters  to get the full experience. But now that this series final film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, is being released soon, I feel like I'm loosing my best friend. Even after seeing each of the films most likely over a hundred times each, I can always watch them over and over again, and never get sick of it. The magic and adventure each film always has, can make everyone feel like a kid again, it's one of the few movies I can watch and become completely immersed in. ABC Family frequently airs Harry Potter 3 Day Weekends Movie Marathons, and I immediately tune in. I love this series and everything they stand from the loyalty, to the friendship, and facing your worst fears to protect those you love, the ending will truly be a bittersweet affair.  Just look at how much they changed throughout the series, they really did grow up in front of the entire world...

Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets

Harry Potter & The Prisoner Of Azkaban 

Harry Potter & The Goblet Of Fire

Harry Potter & The Order Of The Phoenix

Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows:Part 2

So now that the series is over, I'm assuming that most future generations are going to be able to love and see the series as an actual whole. But I'm always going to wonder if this will really be the last we see of Harry, Ron, and Hermione? J.K Rowling has always said she'd be up to write more, but the cast, I think may be done. You never know though, just maybe if the script was good enough, maybe they would make a return to the series that started it all for them. One can only hope. 

It's Comming! Breaking Dawn: Part 1 Yay!

It's here! The movie I have been waiting for since I first became a fan of the series in  2008, when Twilight hit the big screen. Breaking Dawn, has just about everything the first three books offered individaully all rolled into one. Twilight focused on Bella and Edward, New Moon was all about Jacob, Bella, and the wolf pack, and Eclipse was all about the Cullens, and Bella's choice between two loves. Well Breaking Dawn, the biggest and best book of them all is offering it all, it's gonna be so epic that they need two movies to tell the story. Here's the very first trailer for the upcomming film Breaking Dawn: Part 1...

My Favorite Things About The Twilight Saga!

~The Cullens! Best vampire coven ever!

Fav Cullens...

Alice

Rosalie

Jasper

Esme

Emmette

Carslile

Esme

~The Books!

Fav Books...

Breaking Dawn (Mostly after Renessme)

Eclipse

Twilight

New Moon (Never really cared for the wolf pack)

~The Music! Florence and The Machines, Muse, Linkin' Park, Lykke Li, and Paramore.

~The Actors! Love Nikki Reed and Robert Pattinson, may just be the hottest guy ever. 

~Team Edward! While he may seem slightly controlling, I prefer him over Jake anyday.

~The Volturi! Best villians ever!

~The setting! Forks seems so pretty and Italy was gorgeous in the movie.

I loved lots of other things to but those were some of my favorite parts about the saga. I cannot wait until Breaking Dawn hit's theaters! It's gonna be good!

My Favorite Top Chef, Chef

Top Chef has always been a huge addiction for me. I don't know why but for some reason while loafing around on the couch, with a measly cup of chicken noodle soup, Top Chef can be our days biggest highlight. From the memorable contestants, to the sometimes snooty critics, to the likable hosts. We just love it all. Every season there is just one character that sticks out the most and makes quite the impression on fans. That chef is awarded fan favorite and receives $10,000. But my favorite chef seems to never change, even when she wasn't competing,  I compare everyone to her. My favorite chef is Chef Carla!

 

Chef Carla, was introduced to us in season 5, along with a couple of other memorable characters. But none can compete for our favorite, like she can. I absolutely love her! From her vibrant and quirky personalty, to her wild and crazy hair, Carla is just too cute for words. She should have won!

I'm Feeling A Little Optimistic Today!

The Temper Trap-Sweet Disposition 

Sweet disposition

Never too soon

Oh, reckless abandon

Like no one's watching you

A moment, a love

A dream aloud

A kiss, a cry

Our rights, our wrongs

A moment, a love

A dream aloud 

A moment, a love

A dream aloud

So stay there

Because I'll be coming over

And while our blood's still young

It's so young

It runs

And we won't stop until it's over

Won't stop to surrender

Songs of desperation

I played them for you

A moment, a love 

A dream aloud

A kiss, a cry 

Our rights, our wrongs

A moment, a love 

A dream, aloud

A moment, a love

A dream aloud

This song gives me hope. It's optimistic and inspiring without sounding like bubble gum pop. And not only does it have great lyrics but great music too. I first heard it on a Diet Coke commercial, but I know it's also quite famous for being on 500 Days Of Summer. It makes me want to see that movie even more now.   

Scream 4

I hate horror movies! Absolutely hate them! I also hate suspense, slasher, and "gory" type movies too. BUT I have always had such a soft spot for this series. I know it is considered the film that brought slasher films back in the 90's but that's not why I like it so much. I remember when I saw Scream for the first time, it was in the company of my mom, dad, older and younger sisters. My dad told us we were going to see a movie called Scream, and he said it was a comedy, me being a child, believed him. There was nothing funny about that movie when you are only 4 years old. I hated it while I was still young, and when they bought the VHS tape, I remember them watching it all the time. I think I threw it away at one point, a couple of years later, not even in the house trash, I took it straight out to the dumpster. A couple more years later, I saw it on tv, and with me being older, I decided to watch it. I fell in love with it! I thought it was awesome, I was still afraid of the Drew Barrymore scene and to this day, still am but it was just too good. I have seen Scream, Scream 2, and Scream 3 hundreds of times each since then. My favorite is the third, and I kind of think Parker Posey stole the show in it, her character was hilarious. Now I am as excited as ever for this next installment! I swear as soon as possible I will be at that theater watching. I cannot wait to see it!

Pointless Post

There really is no really behind this post, I just really miss these little guys. What ever happened to all the Nickelodian  cartoons from the 90's, they were Fabulous!

Look at his little face!

It never mattered how old you were, Tommy Pickles, could make everyone smile. He was devoted and loyal to all his friends, he always had a screw driver stored in is diaper for when you needed it, and her knew everything there was to know about Reptar.  

I miss you, you bunch of Rugrats!

Dorothy Of Oz

An animated sequel to a beloved classic, is arriving! Here is a first look at the  artwork for the animated film Dorothy of Oz, to be released in 2012. 

The film is meant to be a sequel of sorts to the 1939 beloved film The Wizard Of Oz! The movie will reintroduce you to the characters we all know and love as well as a few new ones. The all star cast includes... 

Lea Michele as Dorothy

Dan Aykroyd as Scarecrow

James Belushi as The Cowardly Lion

Kelsey Grammer as The Tin Man

Other cast members include Martin Short, Oliver Platt, Hugh Dancy, and many more! 

Why I love Netflix...let me count the ways.

This month I signed up for a free trial of Netflix and I love it! I am on the third week right now and have begun to debate whether I am going to be keeping the service, and I think I am.

For $10 per month we get to have one movie out at a time and we can watch unlimited shows and movies from 3 computers. This has been by far the very best feature for me, since I am always on here I miss a lot of tv but now thanks to Netflix I have been catching up on a few of my favorite shows.

My favorite show which went off the air last year is Monk. I actually had caught on to this show in about the 4th season and had missed many episodes. Now I have caught up all the way to season 5 and only have 3 more to go. Being able to watch these episodes when I take my breaks from working has been so nice.

That's why I will be keeping our membership. I think it's a really great deal for only $10 per month!

I miss it so..........

I come from a beach town where I used to go to the beach all the time. Sometimes I would go just to walk and get some exercise or to hang out with friends, other times I used to go to take my kids to play in the water. On weekends we used to grab the car and drive along the ocean starting in one town all the way almost to the border. All along the way we would stop for coffee and drinks for the kids, we used to marvel at the beauty of the water and all the amazing homes that were nestled all along that long stretch of road. We enjoyed it so much and it was such a part of our lives, it was ingrained in us and in our souls and I think we all thought it would always be there and maybe sometimes we even took it for granted.


Now we only get to the beach a few times a year and it's usually at the end of the day when we've gone out there for an appointment or to visit someone. I can't even remember when the last time the kids actually got to go in the water was. We haven't done our weekend drive in years and I find that my heart missed that beautiful area, that it longs for that stretch of road where we have so many memories. 

Another Glee Scandal !

 Another day, another scandal for Glee star Lea Michele. Today's though isn't being seen on the covers of GQ or Cosmo, no it was being viewed by millions during last nights Superbowl. Like every year one of the biggest draws besides the game itself, to watching the Superbowl is the hilarious and entertaining ads that air during. And yesterdays best commercial (in my opinion) featured the stars of the Golden Globe Winner for Best Comedy, Glee! The cast put a Gleefull spin into the new Chevrolet ads, with a catchy tune and an old fashioned twist. So what's got all the viewers freaking out? During a scene about 32 seconds into the commercial itself, Ms. Michele's behind is apparently in full view, for a full half second. See for yourself, and you tell us is it really as big of a deal as their making it? In the behind the scenes feature we also posted it happens once again, only allot closer. What do you think?