If you voted for me change is on the way, know it!

So, on The Office last night, Michael Scott commented that when he discovered YouTube he didn't work for FIVE days and just watched Cookie Monster sing Chocolate Rain all day.

I am having a similar problem - I CANNOT stop watching this. It's hysterical!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PqI12R8YNU

A Healthier 2009 - Step 1

Switch from this (chemicals are bad, mmmkay):


To this (made from a leaf):

Jenny's Film Pick: Slumdog Millionaire

I finally saw Slumdog Millionaire after solid recommendations from two people who I trust completely with having good taste in film - Wes Johnson (who is an incredible visual artist in both photography and film), and Anita Hildreth (who I work with). It is a film that about 30 minutes in, I wasn't sure I would like in the end. It was raw and harsh, but when it ended, I loved it, and the more I think about it, and talk to Bryan about it, the better it becomes.

One thing that I loved about this film is that I went into it knowing little to nothing about the story - and I highly recommend doing so if you haven't looked into it already. Why am I happy about this? It is so rare anymore that one can go to a film without having seen dozens of trailers for said film, and thus knowing a good bit about what the plot is going to be, and what impression one will get upon viewing. So, any chance I can get to go into a film in this manner, I will take it and run with it. 

So, what can I tell you? I can say that you should see it if you can take films that aren't all sunshine and rainbows. I can say that this film is intense, and beautifully filmed. I can say the editing of the story is brilliant, and incredibly enjoyable (as well as the acting and cinematography). I can say that the film can provide you with intense post-viewing discussions of poverty, gangs, money, and love. I can also say that one of the most brilliant things about this film is that it could take place anywhere - the themes are universal - but it happens to take place in India. Finally, I can say that you should stick with the film through the hardships to its main character, as the destination is worth the trip.

If you have seen this film and enjoyed it as I did, I would like to recommend that you view Monsoon Wedding. It is much lighter, but a wonderful film and I guarantee that you will love it as much as I do. 

Until next time, happy viewing!

Friends, Food, and Futurama

Tonight I had my maid of honor, and best friend, Amy over for a day of noshing and Futurama watching. It's just another day where I feel lucky to have the life I do.

Menu:

• Mini roasted pepper and goat cheese pizzas
• Homemade salsa, french onion dip, and chips
• Chive cream cheese croissants
• Strawberries and bananas with chocolate ganache
• Lemon cupcakes with whipped frosting

I am ending the night with a few extra cupcakes, a Diet Coke, and Season 4 of The Office. 

The Toy Box: Sweeney Todd?

Those of you that know me know that I love me some toys. In 3-5 business days I will be the proud owner of the Sweeney Todd Bearbrick set above (how could I NOT get a Sweeney Todd toy?). My favorite place for toys? Red Hot Robot - it is owned by a former McMurry-ite, and it is the coolest store. It is located at 7th Ave. & Camelback here in Phoenix. Support local businesses and either head on down there, or visit the Web site at www.redhotrobot.net.

The Recipe Box: Easy Salsa

This recipe is courtesy of Jenn (the QUEEN of salsas):

Ingredients:

• 1/2 onion
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can Rotel (you can pick the spicy level you prefer)
• 1/2 can diced jalapenos (or one diced fresh jalapeno)
• 1/2 can diced green chiles
• 1 tbs minced garlic (or if you're me, 3 heaping tbs)
• Salt & Pepper
• Lime juice (which I often forget and its still good)
• Cilantro (you can leave this out if you don't care for it, or load up if you do)

Directions:

Put all ingredients in a food processor and blend until thorougly mixed. Enjoy!

For Lyndsay - Penny Lane Babich

By popular request (aka Lyndsay Johnson of the excellent blog Lyndsay and the Johnsons), here are some pictures of Penny, our newest family member (as of Halloween):

Mr. & Mrs. Randy & Mary Luster - January 3, 2009

My dad and my stepmom got married last Saturday, January 3, 2009. They have been together for SEVEN years. I couldn't ask for a better stepmom. She is amazing and has been a real rock during some of our family's rougher times. She brings with her my stepsister, Aarika, and my stepbrother, Zack who are also awesome. Aarika has the amazing ability of getting anyone to do whatever she wants. She is my hero because of this. :)

We also got an amazing extended family because of this. Mary, my stepmom, has an amazing set of sisters and brothers in Wisconsin, who have come to visit on many occasions. Her mom is the best of all. I have NEVER seen her get mad, and upon arriving in Vegas, she hugged me and directed me to "call her grandma from now on." I couldn't be luckier.

So, last week, we all descended on Vegas for a celebration of the nuptuals of Mary and my dad. It was the most fun trip I have ever taken to Vegas. But it didn't start out that way. 

We spent our first day here: (in the lobby of Paris)

Why did we spend a whole day in the lobby? Well, to be helpful, Mary's sister arranged for all of our rooms to be on the same floor when she arrived. At 4pm, our rooms were still not ready, and after asking 4 times, we were not offered any solutions, and were treated with short sticatto pissy responses everytime we asked. DO NOT ever stay at Paris. Every interaction with their staff (with the exception of the girls in the lounge and the wedding staff) was frustrating to the point of ridiculousness. They are the model of BAD customer service. The shocking thing is that I have stayed there before, as has Mary, and this service was completely opposite of what we had received before.

On the other hand, the Planet Hollywood Casino was fabulous. It isn't too "themed" and just looks like a hip place to hang out. Next time I go to Vegas, I am staying there. 

Here is Bryan after winning $160 (we subsequently lost it in the same machine the next day - c'est Vegas).

The day of the wedding, we started with a breakfast buffet at Planet Hollywood (where Aarika was dared to eat about a whole scoop of soft-serve ice cream, and failed).

We then spent the afternoon gaming at Gameworks with Zack, and eating sushi.

And ended the day with the wedding (me & Bryan, the happy couple, me & my dad, and the couple heading out of Paris) Oh, if you like my awesome coral necklace, you can find more work from the designer Laura Marlowe (who I work with) here:

We then went to The Palm at Ceasar's Palace for dinner and it was so wonderful. I had a filet Oscar style (with asparagus, bernaise sauce and crab meat), Aarika and I demanded three cheese potatoes at our end of the table, and we had a delicious desert of white wedding cake with bavarian cream filling. The meal was perfect.

Congratulations to my dad and Mary!