I’m off to New York and Boston for two weeks.

I’ll update and post pictures when I can!

I’m not a huge political activist or anything, but I heard this song while watching an episode of “The L Word” yesterday. One of the characters is getting sent off to Iraq, so I guess it was appropriate to have this song playing in the background.

I’ve already shared this link with a few people, but I thought others might enjoy it as well. The song is “Dear Mr. President” by Pink. I’ve never been a huge fan of her attitude or music, but she certainly surprised a lot of people with this song…at least I think so. I was surprised. A friend of mine was as well, stating that songs like these aren’t too common these days.

I like the fact that she has clips of him and what his war is doing to us in the background. It makes it much more powerful I think.

I still haven’t figured out how to post a YouTube video on this thing. It should be easy right? But here is the link to the video.

Enjoy.

Here are my favorites from this week’s posting.

To see the rest, visit PostSecret

Short. Sweet. Simple.

In other news, Borders may close four Chicago stores

Why?!?!

Also, Radio Flyer (the place I work) was featured as one of the coolest offices in Chicago.

Take a looksie where I work. It doesn’t have the entire building or the massive wagon out front…but it shows some pretty nifty stuff.

Today a friend of mine included Amy Winehouse in a post he made about some new music he’s into. I decided to check her out since I’ve read so much about her on Perez Hilton these past few weeks. Coincidentally I found an article in the paper about her today as well.

I listened to her song Rehab
and while I like the sound, I didn’t know if the voice was actually hers. But after listening to a few more songs, I’m convinced. She has a wonderful voice and a really cool style. She’s extremely talented and that’s why what I read about her today bothers me so much.

It seems that most young artists these days think that celebrity fights, drinking til they puke in their limos, dabbling with drugs and flashing their vajayjays is a right of passage or something. Apparently Winehouse freely acknowledges that she likes to smoke marijuana and drink “as her occasionally ragged live performances attest - and has admitted she is a ‘terrible drunk.’” (Daily Herald)

So somewhere in between her feuding with Lily Allen getting high and drunk…she has time to create some really nice tunes. I encourage her creativity…but please stop with the bs. I’m sick of hearing about these incredibly talented young women acting like floozies and flashin their junk all over town. You’re 23…how about we start acting like an adult and not some angst-ridden teenager who’s parents wouldn’t let them stay out past midnight.
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My mom has been sending pretty much anything “300″ related my way. Among all the reviews I’ve been reading, I keep coming across people saying things such as “There’s no room for character development…or plot twists” “is hardly a political statement” “it’s not an accurate history lesson,” etc.

Critics were worried about the historical inaccuracies and all those scenes of Greeks slaughtering dark-skinned Persians. Why? I’m sure “300″ was not made to have some undertone of our current war situation. It’s not pro-Bush propaganda. If you’re going to argue that, please consider the fact that King Leonidas was defending his country and Xerxes was the warlord trying to conquer the world. I think there’s a difference between a warrior-king who’s on the front line as he tries to save his country from a mass invasion and a non-warrior-president who watches the battles from the rocks above.

It might have some political overtones, but overall, this is a movie with great battle scenes and nudity. Stop taking it so damn seriously.
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Today the Airbus A380 made its grand entrance this afternoon at O’Hare Airport.

As one of the world’s largest passenger planes, the Airbus boasts holding 491 passengers, two stairwells, a window in the bathroom, a bar, individual tvs with movies and video games for passengers as well as extra leg room. The plane wingspan was rumored to fill a football field and is 80 feet tall. O’Hare employees were worried that people driving by the airport this afternoon would try to stop to view the plane’s landing causing traffic issues or maybe even accidents. Chicago police were warning drivers that they will be ticketed if they attempt o park on roads near O’Hare when the eight-story-tall jet touches down.

It was rumored that O’Hare actually had to slow down other arrivals so this monster-plane was able to land this afternoon. I hope it was a press thing and not something that will regularly happen with all arrivals.

I’m sorry, I just don’t see the appeal. It’s a huge plane that will probably cost more than my life is worth for a ticket. The plane leaves Chicago tonight at 8 p.m and heads to N.Y. before making it’s trip back to Germany. Sorry to see it go!
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Apparently postal rates are going up again. If it’s not gas it’s something else eh?

The cost of mailing a letter will go up on May 14, but have no fear…you’ll be able to lock in that price by purchasing the new forever stamp.

I find it amusing how Chicago’s RedEye said the stamp was accepted and will cost 41 cents, but a majority of the websites I’ve found said this stamp will cost 42 cents by next year. Now correct me if I’m wrong..but doesn’t locking in a price mean it won’t change? It’s locked? So we pay three cents more for this “forever” stamp…but next year it goes up?

Huh?

Today a few of my classmates and I decided to head over to Millennium Park for our lunch since it was such a nice day. It was really nice to get outside. Sometimes I get a bit stir crazy just hanging out inside all day…especially when it’s so nice outside. I’ve never been to Millennium Park…I haven’t done a lot of the touristy things in Chicago…so I was very excited. Probably a bit too excited.

Anyway…since I’m a “walking tourist” and all, I decided to take some pictures of our lunch-time adventure. Enjoy!

That’s just a bus outside of my school…nothing fancy…eff the CTA!

I believe those are the tracks for the Red Line…the line that isn’t obnoxiously delayed.

There’s a bronze cow over there!!

That’s Millennium Park in the distance. We’re crossing Michigan Avenue

The bean!!!

That’s one of my favorite buildings in Chicago

That’s a picture from underneath the bean.

That’s Jen, Kevin & I in the bean!

Once again, as every Sunday, I searched through the secrets over at PostSecret for my favorite.

Only one today folks:

After taking a look at some houses last night with my dad, I dragged my friend Jen out to see 300 with me.

The movie definitely did not have a slow start, unlike most of the movie I’ve seen recently (anyone recall “23″?)

“300″ brought in an estimated $70 million at the box offices opening weekend and I’m very curious to see how it does this weekend. A lot of people at school and work have been talking about seeing this movie….even the ones who have absolute no interest in violence, Spartans or Frank Miller.

Months ago, MySpace felt it necessary to give users 300 pictures to promote this movie. The hype quickly grew and soon backgrounds were full of “300″ images. (Honestly, who could use 300 userpics?) Anyway…as with most movies with a lot of hype, you can’t help but wonder if it will live up to it. After seeing it last night, I say yes. Don’t get me wrong…I do have a few disappointments with it.

Firstly, I don’t understand how all the Spartan men were de-haired, clean-shaven and had sparkling white teeth. Aside from the blood and some dirt, the loin cloth and the shields/spears, these men were pretty modern-looking.

Secondly, what’s with the Triceratops-looking rhinoceros? The elephants looked like elephants. The horses looked like horses. So why did this animal look like some creature from the stone age? I don’t recall any dinosaurs being around in Greece. But, I could be wrong. Or maybe this was some kind of real animal that I’ve just never heard of.

Thirdly, why was Xerxes this 8-9-foot man? And why did he strike me as a RuPaul-look-alike? More importantly (spoiler alert) why didn’t he die?!

Aside from my few tiffs, the movie was beautiful (is that an okay way to describe an epic battle?) The movie, which was shot on mostly green screen in Montreal, Canada, was beautifully delivered. The scenery was almost more overwhelming than the battle scenes, which completely dominated the movie - and I’m very okay with that.There was blood and a lot of it (Now I hear Jigsaw’s voice from “Saw” in my head saying “Oh yes, there will be blood.”)

This movie definitely embraces its violence. There are eyes being stabbed, limbs cut off, heads chopped off (and I must admit, those scenes pretty much rocked) What I definitely enjoyed about this movie was the incredibly toned bodies of these Spartans (pfft! What girl wouldn’t right?) But not for reasons you may think (well, not only those). I think my anatomy courses and my appreciation for the human body are finally starting to take over. As I watched King Leonidas jump through the air and fight, I couldn’t help but notice each muscle. I turned to my friend and said “Look at that trapezius! Isn’t that the most beautiful gastrocnemius you’ve ever seen?” I know…sad. But I’m cooler than you for knowing their real names so there.

The slow-motion scenes of slaughter were probably my favorite. The music definitely helped too. I wish I could have been up there stabbing people too! I won’t though.

Gerard, who was also in “Tomorrow Never Dies,” “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider….” did an excellent job. He came across, to me anyway, as a very powerful person (not in a king-sense…but emotionally-charged I suppose) I also enjoyed the fact that he brought a bit of humor, snarkiness if you will, to the film.

Another face I recognized was that of the Captain, played by Vincent Regan. He was Eudorus in Troy

This is an image from “Troy” not “300″

I was pleased with this movie. I definitely don’t regret spending the $9 (plus $14 on foodz) to get to see it. Honestly, if I knew someone else who’d like to see it I’d go again. If you haven’t seen it, go. Run.

For another review, take a looksy here

The new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle moving comes out on the big screen on March 23.

I am definitely looking forward to seeing this….assuming I can find somebody to join me. It’s getting harder and harder to find a movie buddy these days.

There are some pretty well known actors providing voices for this movie. They include: Kevin Smith, Lawrence Fishburne, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ziyi Zhang.

Here’s a link to one of the many teaser trailers

So folks, go see300 this weekend and check out TMNT next weekend!

I’ve lived in Chicago for 18-19 years of my 22 years of life. I have not once seen the Chicago River around St. Patrick’s Day. Chicagoans all gather along the Chicago River to watch it be dyed green. I have a hard time enjoying this festivity only because the river is already green! But, to be exact, the river is dyed a much brighter, jollier, worthy-of-celebrating, green.

If any of you are in the area, this Saturday at 10:45 a.m. the river will be dyed green. You can view this from any of the upper level bridges on Michigan Avenue or Columbus Drive. Don’t leave after the color addition, Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at noon. It starts at Balbo and Columbus and will proceed north along Columbus. The viewing stand will be located at Buckingham Fountain.

So enjoy. Get drunk and kiss some Irish cuties, even if you’re not Irish.