Top Movies of the 2000's

Here is the list of my favorite movies of the past decade.

10. Memento (Told backwards, Christopher Nolan tells the story with such meticulous detail that the viewer is afraid to blink in case of missing a beat. Every scene is crucial in this revenge thriller. Perfect example of how powerful narration can be used as a tool for storytelling. Guy Pearce is painfully heartbreaking.)

9. Maria, Full of Grace (From the first moment, you are hooked on this rollercoaster. After holding your breath for two hours, this is a film that will stay with you long after it ends.)

8. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (How many times do we hope for something then years later, are thankful that what we wanted never came true? The script was original and the feeling is genuine. Everyone can identify with this film.)

7. Moulin Rouge (Recreated and led the charge in the resurgence of the movie musical.)

6. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy ('nuff said. Peter Jackson at his best.)

5. Pan's Labyrinth (Guillermo del Toro's masterpiece. The most beautiful nightmare in film. This inventive story is a great mix of historical drama and fantasy. Chillingly beautiful.)

4. The Hurt Locker (The first great film depicting the Iraq war. An explosive ride from beginning to end. It will stand along with Platoon and Saving Private Ryan as one of the great war films. Incredibly powerful.)

3. Amelie (This imaginative and quirky film about the lengths that she will go through to help others. Absolutely adorable.)

2. Love Actually (Easily my favorite romantic comedy of the decade. Can't even count how many times I have watched it. My guilty pleasure.)

1. City of God (The side of Rio de Janeiro that is rarely depicted in films. The journey of two friends and the extreme differences that life brings them. So authentic that you never doubt this was based on a true story. Led to a television series in Brazil and the sequel City of Men. Even more meaningful now with the World Cup and Olympics soon arriving to Rio.)

Honorable Mentions: Slumdog Millionaire, There Will Be Blood, District 9, Children of Men, Finding Nemo, The Lives of Others, Once and V for Vendetta.

The Swell Season Concert

Tonight I got to see the incredible group The Swell Season at a nearly sold out Paramount Theatre. The Swell Season is comprised of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. They were backed by Glen's original band The Frames. Most people know them from their runaway indy hit film Once. The film also earned them the Best Original Song at the 2009 Academy Awards for the song "Falling Slowly". Glen Hansard's voice was pure, full of power and emotion. You feel like he is singing with his heart wide open and Marketa was there to back him up, both vocally and emotionally. He even dealt with a long winded female heckler with grace and style. Can't wait to see them again!

This is the video for their latest song "Low Rising": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5KV1Lf2NkY

If you want to check out more information about The Swell Season, here is a link to their official website: http://www.theswellseason.com/

On the Road Again.

After nearly six months away from my lovely lil blog, I have decided to try and start with posting again. I would love to say that the writing will be consistent, but let's be honest, I know that it won't. Although I will try and get something up at least every week or so.

There are a lot of changes that I am facing in the next couple of months. This year has been such a whirlwind of change. I hope to become a better blogger. My goal is to bring along with me whoever is interested in the journey. If you aren't, well then, sucks for you. My life has never been short of drama or just a little bit of madness. I am sure that somehow you will be entertained. Its will almost always be one of those laugh at me, not with me situations.

So prepare yourself (all 5 of you). Here I go again.

David Sedaris

Its a weird experience getting the opportunity to meet your idol. You don't know what to expect. You have this idea of what they are going to be like and just assume that must be how they are in actuality. For years I have been reading the novels by my favorite author, David Sedaris. I have read his book Me Talk Pretty One Day three times. Over the years I have attempted to see his speak live but either couldn't afford the performance or was in production.

This morning I checked Ticketmaster and saw that there were a few tickets left. I grabbed his latest novel, When You Are Engulfed in Flames, and headed off to work. My co-worker saw the book on my desk this afternoon and asked me if I was going to go. I was planning on just running down to the venue when I got tonight's performance at work going and seeing if any last minute tickets were available. I had stopped checking Ticketmaster because I didn't want to be disappointed. This was the first real chance I had to hear one of my idols in person and I didn't want the evils of Ticketmaster to disappoint me.

Once the performance was underway, Patricia and I raced down to Benaroya Hall and walked straight up to the box office window. To our amazement, a pair of tickets front row center had opened up! There were sightline questions but I was all for it! I couldn't believe it. We were about to sit in the front row of Benaroya Hall and listen to my favorite author speak. It was almost too good to be true! These things (especially lately) don't happen to me.

The seats were amazing. More importantly, Mr. Sedaris' presentation was touching, creative, inspiring and absolutely hilarious! He made a note that made my co-worker turn and look straight at me. He has written that he has carried a small notepad in his shirt pocket for years to take notes. He actually pulled it out and wrote something down during the show. He said that he is constantly taking in new experiences and welcoming the meeting of new people because they provide the stories that he writes about. As I have said in the past, I am often told that I need to start writing a book because of all the crazy experiences that have happened to me in my short 30 years. Well, he basically said the same thing. It was incredibly inspiring.

After the performance, he stayed in the lobby for nearly two hours signing books. When it was finally my turn to speak with him, I nearly was speechless. I told him that I had scored front row tickets last minute and and absolutely loved the show. He then actually asked what I did for a living and was quite interested in the premise of Book-It. I guess that there is a theatre in San Francisco that is quite similar to Book-It, except it focuses on short stories and performs every single word of the story. I told him that I was going to be in SF in August and when asked why, i suddenly got nervous and told him that I was going to be working on a project regarding human trafficking. He stopped signing/doodling inside my book, looked at me and then asked my age. When I told him that I was thirty, he said "you just look so young".

Yes, my favorite author and one of my idols teased me for looking young. Just shows how much he is just like everyone else. I absolutely loved it! There is so much I wanted to talk about but didnt have the guts and/or time. At midnight, I left Benaroya Hall feeling amazed and inspired. David Sedaris was a genuine man that actually cared about his fans. He made each person feel like they mattered. You could tell that he was absorbing each story and waiting for the next gem of a story to be told. I can't wait to start writing again!

Here is the link to one of my favorite stories of his, The Stadium Pal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBdymtyXt8Y

I dare you not to laugh.

Want more info? Here is his website:
http://www.barclayagency.com/sedaris.html

My Unique Summer Vacation

As I have previously mentioned, I have been involved in a project researching modern day slavery. David Batstone, the author of the book Not For Sale has organized a two week intensive program to help fight human trafficking in our own backyard. It is this summer in San Francisco and I have applied for the final session. I can't wait! This is what I consider the perfect summer vacation. I will definitely be blogging and filming my experience. One of the most exciting parts is that my best buddy Becca lives in San Francisco so I can't wait to see her. She has always been there for me and had visited me during all of my major surgeries.

Here is the info about the two week intensive program:

Not For Sale is pleased to bring you the first ever

Investigator Certification Academy

And we're inviting you to join us Summer 2009.

Held in the heart of San Francisco, The Investigator Certification Academy is an in-depth two week training session for those desiring to become Abolitionist Investigators of modern slavery. Attendees will be educated on how to properly record, document, and map all of the various types of human trafficking through hands on education, training, and meetings with experts in the field. They will learn how to identify probable cases of human trafficking, how to properly record cases of human trafficking, and how to effectively confront slavery in supply chains. By certification, attendees will be equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to become investigators of modern slavery in their own backyards.

Upon Completing the Academy, Attendees Will:

• Understand the various forms of human trafficking inside the United States
• Have personal experience and knowledge of how to work with victims and those at risk for trafficking
• Know how to best document cases and map human trafficking in their area
• Have an understanding of how to effectively address forced labor in supply chains
• Be able to investigate forced labor in specific product and supply chains
• Be certified as an investigator who can document cases nationally and internationally for Not For Sale

Into the Field... Opportunities to Map Cases Abroad:

Are you ready to combat the global issue of human trafficking? Want to fight slavery on the ground in Peru, or even Nepal? Participants who complete the course and receive a certificate verifying their completion of the mapping program will be offered the opportunity to work with one of Not For Sale Campaign’s international projects, putting their investigation training into action.

Academy Dates:*

Session One: May 25th-June 5th (Arriving 24th; leaving 6th)

Session Two: June 22nd-July 3rd (Arriving June 21st; leaving July 4th)

Session Three: August 3rd-August 14th (Arriving Aug. 2nd; leaving August 15th)

*Housing space is limited for each session. Housing will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.

Sounders FC Inaugural Match

Admittedly, I mainly follow the English Premier League. I live for the World Cup. I quickly became a Major League Soccer (MLS) supporter once it was announced that Seattle would be getting its own team. After a city wide vote, Seattle was now the home of the Seattle Sounders FC. After 26 years, professional soccer was back in the Pacific Northwest! US soccer arguably may be not be up to the same level as the rest of the world. Popularity is growing and hopefully the world's most popular sport is here to stay!

Great Weekend!

Apologies in the delay of getting my latest posting out. Due to the lack of internet at home, the blogs have not been as regular.

The good news is that I have had a great weekend filled with family, friends and inspiring theatre!

On Friday, I attended the opening night performance of Seattle Shakespeare Company's The Merchant of Venice. I was captivated from the very beginning. This was the first time that I had seen Merchant and really knew little about the play. Under the direction of John Langs, the play is set in the stock market crash of '29. This thought provoking production leaves you wanting more. Just make sure to keep your schedule open after you see the show. This is a show that you will want to keep talking about!

Want more info about the show? Check out: http://www.seattleshakespeare.org/2008-2009/merchant/index.asp

I ended up spending Saturday evening with my mom and brother. I helped my mom with some computer work and then camped out on her couch with the cable tv. I am glad that I don't have it because I would never get anything done!

Today I went to the Irish Festival at the Seattle Center. Suprisingly Colleen Raney, someone I went to high school with, was singing songs from her new album onstage. Her voice was absolutely gorgeous! The St.Patty's Day Dash had ended earlier so it was pretty entertaining watching grown men walk around in green shiny leggings and knee high socks. I did find out that Seattle Mariners Irish Heritage Night is going to be on August 12th. You even get a free hat! Sign me up!

So that was my weekend. Pretty freakin awesome. Hope that everyone had a great weekend! Hope to get another blog up soon. Take care!