Toy Story 3

Okay, so if you haven’t seen Toy Story 3 yet, you need to work that out. It’s worth the 60 15 dollars. I think, dare I say it, that it is the best one of the series. Don’t get me wrong, I do think the first one was incredible, but it is very possible that the third installment is either as good, or even better than its predecessors! Poppycock, you may be thinking, but I assure you it is quite the stellar film.

In this third Pixar adventure, Andy is going off to college and obviously no longer plays with his toys. Woody, Buzz, and the gang, are forced to deal with having to go into preservation mode and presumably wait in the attic until the day they are called upon to bring joy to Andy’s children. His mother has tasked him with packing what he wants to take to school, putting in the attic what he’d like to keep, and either donating or throwing away what he doesn’t want. Of course, there’s a mix up, and Andy’s toys end up on the curb, under the impression that Andy no longer cares for them and was throwing them away.

The toys end up at a day care center that isn’t exactly what it appears, a toy’s paradise of infinite adoration and endless playtime. The toys have to try and figure out how to get back to Andy’s before he goes off to college. They have a battle of will and wit with an unlikely villain, and face their most perilous mission yet. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack all reprise their roles as the three main characters, and one of my personal favorites, Michael Keaton, joins the cast as Ken (Keaton’s one of my favorites, not the Ken doll).

This movie is exceptionally well thought out. The Pixar group stays with the formula that made the first one such a success. The plot is a suspenseful and entertaining rocket ride, sparked by unbelievable imagination that makes this movie soar. You will definitely laugh, maybe even cry, but you will undoubtedly enjoy Toy Story 3. "To infinity......and beyond!"

Sudden Impact

You know how in the movies when different law enforcement agencies fight over jurisdiction and the overseeing of a particular crime scene? Well, I’ve finally discovered why this happens.

I was on my way home from work the other day when I witnessed a particularly hair rising incident. I was driving by a elderly cyclist, when she suddenly started wobbling and losing control. I continued to watch her in my rear view mirror, and sure enough, she toppled over, falling on her right side as she made contact with the unrelenting cement. Her body awkwardly absorbed the impact as she collapsed. Her unprotected head, obediently complying with the laws of inertia, collided with the sidewalk with a bone-crushing thud.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I pulled over, flicked on my hazards, and double-timed it to the woman to make sure that she was okay. When I reached her, she was sitting up with her hand lightly palpating the area of her head from which blood was gushing forth. Not necessarily, a Grey’s Anatomy geyser of spewing death, but more like a UFC knee to the forehead gash that would undoubtedly require a few stitches.  I asked her a few questions like whether she needed me to call an ambulance, and if she was okay, as I contemplated running back to the car for my first aid kit. By then, another motorist had approached and handed me a towel, which I was going to put on the wound and apply pressure. Before I could use the towel and ask the other Samaritan, who was holding his cell phone to call 911, an off duty, hot shot, fire-house paramedic couple came barreling in. The guy told us to step back as he snatched the towel, applied it to the lady’s head, while the girl knelt in front of the slightly disoriented woman and began to hurl a barrage of questions at her.

Now, I’m by no means a doctor, nurse, paramedic, or even a flight attendant , but applying first aid and CPR is not outside my scope of practice. In fact, I have to certify in both in order to keep my National Certification and local licensing current, as well as to remain eligible to work for my employer. I’m not inept at applying basic first aid. Thank you fucking power ranger paramedics, because God only knows how I may have let this lady bleed out had you not swooped in and held a towel to her head as you verbally assaulted her with questions in such rapid succession that she barely had time to respond. Questions are supposed to help you assess the degree of head trauma, not induce unconsciousness.

Eventually, the woman’s husband, who was a couple hundred meters in the rear, showed up and answered the paramedic’s questions concerning his wife’s medical history and how she fell. They also asked the owner of the towel to describe what had happened. I, however, the one who was essentially right next to her when she fell, and who saw everything unfold, was completely ignored. Of course, ignore the brown man.

After realizing that I was not needed, I jogged back to my car and joined the highway’s drove of homebound commuters. 

It was not until I began reflecting on the event, going over all of my action’s and thought processes did I realize how upset I was about how the paramedics handled the situation. I understand the importance of immediate medical response, but of equal and sometimes even more significance, is the necessity to gather vital information prior to jumping into action. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad they showed up, but they should have immediately identified who they were and assessed the scene prior to playing hero. Unless you’re Derek Shepherd, or Captain James T. Kirk, you need to slow your roll.

Mona Lisa's Smile

Why is it that every time I go to buy a new toothbrush, there seems to be a mass shortage? Literally, empty rows of preventative dental care instruments. I want to stave off gingivitis as much as the next person, but I don’t feel the need to by a 5 pack in order to do so? Are people not brushing anymore, is there not a sufficient demand for dental hygiene products that warrants keeping the shelves full? Or is it the exact opposite? Is it possible that people are going on toothbrush buying rampages in order to combat cavities that seem to be more prominent due to the consumption of our exorbitantly sugar-laden food? Are people trashing their toothbrushes every couple of weeks? No comprendo.

It’s not just the same store either. I've tried Wal-mart, Target, Rite-Aid, CVS…..nada. I mean, they have some, but  the pickins are pretty slim. Is there some crisis that I’m unaware of? Even if there were, would stocking up on toothbrushes be necessary? I don’t know what the logic there would be, but if I were going to weather a nuclear holocaust, the furthest thought from my mind would be dreading the idea of having to use the same toothbrush for more than 90 days.

Look, I’m a reasonable guy, and a laid back consumer. I don’t ask for much besides new and innovative, self sustaining, or recyclable products that have practical uses and make my life easier, but it’s not like I need a toothbrush that hovers over my sink and tells me that I’m late for work, or that I’ve missed a spot. I just want a plain old freaking toothbrush in a non- feminine color, without some radical maze of protruding rubber bristles diligently waiting to massage my gums. Simple and easy.  Geesh.

The Tipping Point

If you are interested in a quick, but fascinating read, The Tipping Point, by Malcom Gladwell, is the book for you. The author has a fluid and compelling style of writing that is easy to understand as he presents groundbreaking analysis of scientific research on how trends either spark and spread like wildfire, or fizzle out and die. The book is about how small details, or subtle change can have an enormous impact on making ideas, trends, or even communicable diseases reach their "tipping point".

Ever wonder why some ideas/trends catch on and others do not? What makes ideas "sticky"? What kinds of people are involved in making things "tip"? Gladwell ingeniously illustrates the factors at play in all kinds of epidemics with gripping in-depth research that covers multiple fields of study. Combining an uncanny story telling ability with a talent for using analogies, Gladwell takes findings from a plethora of studies and serves them up in deliciously tantalizing morsels. Read it already. You'll be glad you did.

After reading the Tipping Point, I was so impressed with Gladwell's work, that I decided to read another book of his titled Blink. Blink is a book about rapid cognition, the kind of thinking that happens in the "blink" of an eye.

When are snap judgments good and when are they not? What kinds of things can we do to make our powers of rapid cognition better? Is this a skill that can be honed or mastered? Why are some people brilliant decision makers, while others are incompetent?

Gladwell draws on the most recent research in psychology and neuroscience to make you think about the way you see the world through your own eyes. Again, he masterfully retells compelling stories as he breaks down what happens in the two seconds when we make instant choices, follow our instincts, or make snap judgments. Gladwell also brilliantly describes how our intuition works and the subtleties that influence our decision making process. If you made any snap judgments about this book after having looked at his picture, then you most certainly need to read it! Another brilliant masterpiece!

Requiem for a Dream

So, I had another interesting dream last night. This would be the second bizarre dream in a row. Not an astonishing feat by any means, but my brain certainly has my full attention. I generally have three types of dreams, the key word, of course, being generally. The first, is the normal, run-of-the-mill type of dream where I'm in a hot tub with swimsuit models in the French Alps, and you know.....we have deep, long, penetrating, invigorating, and mind-blowing conversation about life and what it means. After waking up from these dreams, I'm usually hungry, but have a big smile on my face and feel as though I have reached a higher level of consciousness. People generally comment on my "glow", or ask if I've purchased a new moisturizer. 

The second type of dream is always a high-octane, action packed, Jackie Chan, Bourne Identity-like dream with lots of ass-kicking kung fu. I'm usually chasing someone or handing a beat down to a group of thugs. In these dreams, there is always some purpose I must fulfill in order to restore balance. As with the first kind of dream, my abilities and skills very accurately mirror my abilities in real life. 

The third type of dream I usually have, is some nonsensical, Salvador Dali, Alice in Wonderland type of dream where the setting, characters, plot, and time are all incongruent. These dreams are highly symbolic and rich in hidden meaning, but are difficult to interpret due to their strange composition. For instance, I have this one where I am steering a boat with a long stick, through the Amazon River, and the water is filled with manatees, thousands upon thousands of manatees. One of my sisters is also on the boat that I am carefully maneuvering through the manatee-filled waters in order to avoid hurting them. We are guided only by a lantern. To top it all off, we are part of a painting. I haven't had this one in a while, so I can't remember all that happens. I do, however, remember that it is quite strange. 

The dream I had a couple of nights ago fits under this second description. I jumped in the back of a cab in some New York like city back drop, and when I looked up, I noticed that Robert DeNiro was the driver. Sitting next to him, in the passenger seat, was Master Yoda. Governor Schwarzenegger was to my left, and next to him, believe it or not, was Al Pacino from Scent of a Woman. Everyone was arguing with each other and although the car was moving, DeNiro was driving without looking. Yoda and I spoke to each other telepathically. I remember asking him if I was the last Jedi. He mumbled something about my training being complete and that he was tired of driving the cab.  

What kind of dreams are you having?

Sixteen Candles

I have a rather vivid imagination, it helps to pass the time during a massage when I'm having difficulty staying in the present. Generally, these lapses of focus are occupied mostly by thoughts of food. However, when I'm not thinking about my next meal, I'm often playing the Panty Game. The Panty Game is where I  imagine what people are like and what they do by the brand, style, and material of their panties. I often wonder if they're married, single, of angelic origin, or inclined to promiscuity. Are they tidy, wealthy, high maintenance, or on that time of the month? Do they own dogs or cats, do they sky-dive, like to cook, or strip for money. Are they runners, writers, circus performers, police officers, or tax collectors? Do they like movies, are they foreign, and would they like my guacamole?

I've seen them all. Big ones, little ones, g-strings, thongs, boy shorts, halfsies, the Hipster, the Highcut, the Low-cut, the Bikini,  and the ever cornea-blinding, gag-inducing classic, the Granny. They come in lace, cotton, silk, nylon, satin, mesh, lycra, and polyester. I've been doing body work long enough that I can tell, at a glance, what they're made of, whether or not you bought the right size, and how much of a hassle they are going to be. I can make estimations about people all day, and their panties can sometimes garner an extra clue as to my deductions, but honestly, you can never know for sure. What I do know, with absolute certainty, is that they are the bane of my professional existence.

The worst offender is definitely the g-string, particularly, the double waistband. When I start working on the back, the sheet (sometimes accompanied by a blanket) is folded back just before the gluteal cleft (also referred to as plumber's crack). Unfortunately, if a client decides that she wants to play the Panty Game, I have to pull the waistband down as well, as to avoid getting oil on them and to remove obstruction of my awesome hand glides. More often than not, the g-string waistband is some taught strip of elastic heinousness that almost always refuses to stay in place. Thus begins the underwear fiasco. How many times do I try to put the band back where I want it before my client thinks that I'm playing with her panties, or trying to take them off? I can't really go over them because that can't be comfortable, but if I don't try and keep it out of the way, every time I do a full back stroke, my fingers/hands get caught underneath and the waistband snaps back into place on the return. Before I concede, I usually make it a point to get a couple of good snaps in to convey the message that your panties are a pain in my ass.

The only advantage to a client wearing either a thong or g-string is that you can still get to their glutes, but that's little comfort considering all the maneuvering you have to do in order to avoid snapping the spandex in the first place. It would make more sense, if you're going to wear that little material anyway, to go commando and enjoy a seamless and blissful massage. Leave the lingerie for your boyfriend, unless of course.........you like guacamole.

Iron Man 2

Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as the witty, volatile, and insanely rich Tony Stark. Along side him are Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, and Samuel L. Jackson. Gwyeneth Paltrow returns as the perpetually worried Pepper Potts and continuing his career revitalization campaign, is the often underrated Mickey Rourke, as Ivan Vanko, the film's antagonist.

I won't go into plot details, because the synopsis can be found on-line, and I don't want to spoil the movie for you. I will say, however, that the plot, one of revenge, was overshadowed and driven by the purpose of introducing characters for the upcoming Avenger films. For those of you who are not comic book nerds, the Avengers are a group of Marvel comic book superheroes brought together to fight evil forces. Among them, is Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Captain America, The Scarlett Witch, and Thor (a mythical Norse God), just to name a few. In later issues of the comic, Spider Man and Wolverine join the group.

Generally, I don't have a problem with a film setting up a sequel, however, Iron Man 2 is so targeted with the introduction of its future films, that it, pardon the pun, takes on a "comic book" feel. Although, entertaining, I feel that Iron Man 2 didn't follow the successful formula of the first film (one of my biggest pet peeves and the number one reason for unsuccessful sequels) and even though it had great performances by Rourke and Downey, it wasn't enough to ignore the cheesy and contrived implantation of random characters. Setting up the Avenger films was such a concern, that the final battle scene was slightly anti-climactic, and short-lived.

Scarlett Johansson's character was virtually emotionless, save for a few flirtatious one-liner exchanges with Downey. Jon Favreau, who also directed the first Iron Man, did manage to successfully introduce some comical elements, but he also managed to lose my attention at times with the outlandishly, overplayed, annoying character of Justin Hammer, who is a weapons manufacturer, and Tony Starks' competition. I did like the clever "Captain America" reference in the movie, but you unfortunately have to sit through the painstakingly, long credits to catch a short clip of Thor's landing on Earth.

All in all, the film was visually stimulating and entertaining, but I ultimately feel that it could have been better. My overall assessment for this movie is three and a half stars out of 5, worth the price of admission, but not good enough to make it to my movie collection. Younger children will enjoy the action, but will definitely be lulled to sleep by the middle of the movie until the real activity starts. Enjoy the film and I look forward to your thoughts.