Hangin' Tough..... Are You Tough Enough?

Yea, that is right... You did see that the title was the lyric to one of the BEST... no wait THE best boy band of all time. :) I mean, I am sure you all know what is coming right? NKOTB baby! I am not even joking (seriously people, I've got a straight face here), I saw them in concert last night. You might be wondering how I was able to travel back in time to see the New Kids in action but seriously (again with the serious straight face), they are touring, and I saw them... Ahhhhhhhh!

Not only were they back, they were the same ol' Boston Boys I loved SO much when I was 9 years old. Talk about flash from my past... they WERE my past. I was so in love with Donnie (I am such a sucker for the bad boy) and I wanted to be his Cover Giiirrrlll (oh oh oh... oh oh oh). You know this unhealthy obsession teens and tweens seem to have with the Jonas Brothers... ok yea, times that by 10, throw in that NKOTB could kick the crap outta those Jonas wanna bes, and smother it in a little early 90's ridiculousness... and you have my love for the New Kids on the Block. To say the least I was excited.

They sang some of their new songs, which I was surprised to find that I liked... But honestly... It was all about the old jams. Who remembers songs from 15 years ago... um their fans do. Ha ha. I think every one of those girls in the arena were singing along to Right Stuff and Please Don't Go Girl (which Joe did do in the highest falsetto I have ever heard in my life)! It was great. And they seemed genuinely pleased to sing them. They were into it... even though they are all nearing 40 (Jon is actually turning 40 on Saturday.... whhhaaatttt?!?!?!) . I screamed like I was 9 again and sang without shame while they danced like they had just stepped out on stage in 1992. Oh oh weoh oh.. the right stuff.

I have to stop for a moment... and just touch on something... that really was.... the defining moment of the show. Anyone who knows me knows that I get uncomfortable during embarrassing situations. I mean, sit me down in front of 'The Office' and watch me avert my eyes from the TV.... I cant TAKE it! So... ok... imagine mid way through the show... we are in the dark waiting for another hit to be performed and up comes Jordan Knight... on a platform... in a white shirt... with a wind machine. Ok ok... So I am already not believing the cheese factor of this... but then... what does he do? Um he throws his shirt open and sings.... I'll Be Lovin You... Foooreeevvverrrr.... I could not... It's just... I mean... yea... Its a mental image that will be with me.... forever.

Oh, and yes, they did do Hangin' Tough... and we did all wave our hands in the air... but you would have too. I am telling you, best boy band ever. I think I will swallow my pride and actually listen to their CD, just because I love them (and Donnie) so much. But don't be surprised if I slip in their old CD to bring me back. Oh, and I will leave you with a scream for the road... Ahhhhhhh!

Lionel Richie isn't the only one who gets me 'Dancing' on the ceiling...

What? What's that? You missed me? Don't worry... I have been around. I have been in the field... gathering news and info to further entice you readers into taking time to actually care about what I think. Thanks... I missed you too.

So... understandably this week has been crazy busy but there was a highlight that was too wonderful not to mention. I went to the Elisa concert I have been waiting for and I was definitely not disappointed. I am sure there are a lot of you... actually probably all of you (except Em... my concert pal) who are wondering "Who is this so called Elisa? Why does she only have one name? How can she be so wonderful if I have never heard of her? Isn't an ELISA an Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay? (Wiki is my friend)?" Calm down, clam down... lets keep this civil everyone... I am here to answer your questions.

Elisa is nothing less than amazing! She is a pretty famous Italian singer (she sang for the Pope! What more could you want people!) who is crossing over into America and is on her first tour here. I actually first heard her music on the 3rd seasons of So You Think You Can Dance (I can't believe I am mentioning that show again... that is the second time... hmmmm... you would think I like it or something...). Lacey and Kameron did a Mia Michaels contemporary routine to her AMAZING song 'Dancing' that was just... well... I will let you see for yourself...




I will give you a moment to gather yourselves......

because it was amazing right?!? So I pretty much fell in love with the song but didn't hear anything more from her for a year. Then this season on SYTYCD, Courtney did a solo to her song 'Rock Your Soul' and I knew I had to get the CD. It definitely rocked and I was hooked. I sprinkled her name to some close friends and got a few on the train but I don't like to overplay the artist so I kept it low key.

Then one fateful day I was checking the SD concert calendar (my usual Friday night pastime, I LOVE concerts) and I saw that she was coming here. And not only here but to the Belly Up! My FAVORITE venue in the city. Um yea, it is ok for you to freak out a little bit here in the story because I sure was.... geeeeeeeeekkkkkk'd! So I bought tickets and FF to Monday night when I got to see the show.....

She was great. And her opening artist was great. I mean, the sound the sites the drinks (wait... that cosmo... yea, not so much... choked that down for $8, hah!) And man, the Italians were definitely out to support and it was crazy to hear them singing and chanting at her in the language. I felt a part of the family... an interesting... and amazing family. Oh, but let me tell you my very favorite part. The base player. Ok, not only did he look exactly like Chris Farley... but he was exactly like his character in Tommy Boy! Oh man! It was hard to watch but you couldn't pull your eyes away! He was definitely rocking out!

So yea... she played all of my favorite songs and more. She did a cover of Janis Joplin's 'Mercedes Benz' over a recording of her voice in like 4 part harmony and another of Gary Jules 'Mad World' (for all you geeks out there its from 'Donnie Darko' and more recently the trailer for the video game 'Gears of War'). So FANTASTICO! bellissimo! and all that!

I would say 100% check her out, it will be worth your while, or weight in gold, or two birds in the hand.... oh.... nevermind. Just listen!


Concert Withdrawl
noun. After a great concert that you've been looking forward to, you might experience concert withdrawl. It can come as soon as a couple hours after the concert, and can last for days or weeks.

D experienced concert withdrawl after the Elisa concert Monday.

What is history but a 'Fable' agreed upon?

Once upon a time, in a land far far away.... there was this awesome game that a girl played for hours and hours at a time. As hard as she tried she couldn't pull herself away. It is said that people can still hear her force pushing and releasing her inferno on all the hollowmen in the land... The end.

Ok, so not really the end but still... Fable II is SO STINKING SWEET! I have been waiting for this game to come out for what seems like an eternity and I don't want it to be over. Every interaction, every access through a demon door is another little victory that I will cherish. I am one of those scary-thorough game players that has to find every last buried pouch and finish every last quest. Who can rush through a game like this? Who wants to live in the real world when you can live in Bowerstone and eat crunchy chicks... ok, maybe not me because I chose the 'good' path and crunchy chicks are morally evil (I've gotta protect my halo). Overall it is a good time! Anyone who wants to waste a few hours... hey, a few days... Fable it up! I promise you will not be disappointed. (*If you are going to play... you get to the Bowerstone Cemetery through Old Town... I seriously spent FOREVER trying to find it... aghhhh!)

Well Folks, we have reached our cruising altitude now so I am going to switch the seat belt sign off. Feel free to move about as you wish but please stay inside the plane until we land... its a bit cold outside, and if you walk on the wings... it affects the flight pattern. - D

Who says a Blizzard has to be cold?

So for those who don't know, I have been officially inducted into the uber nerd family. My coronation was held at Blizzcon 2008 in Anaheim, CA. I have to say, life as a geek isn't quite as hard as I thought. Just mention a little Star Wars here...lag time there... pepper the conversation with a bit of robot vs. ninja theory... you're in! When did it become awesome to be a nerd? Or wait, is that just me thinking it is awesome because I am now one of them? Have nerds through time always thought it was great? Hmmm... food for thought... food for thought....

October 9th I made this pilgrimage to nerd mecca, the 2008 Blizzard convention. For those who have been living in a cave (although I would still be surprised if they didn't know), Blizzard is the company who creates Warcraft, Starcraft and Diablo games. Anyone who doubts their awesomeness can watch the video below...



um yea... boo-ya! How ya like me now!

Back to Blizzcon. Michael and I were lucky enough to get tickets and get a nice hotel in walking distance from the convention center. We were naive enough to think that we would be able to wake up and saunter on in at 10 when the doors opened. Oh no. That was NOT the case. We walked down the block into a large parking lot which was a snaking line of 10,000 people waiting to get in. Talk about dedication... I mean, it was sunny out... 1/2 these kids probably got burned standing in that sun for the hour waiting to get in. Never seen a paler crowd in my life! And yes... there were people dressed up... and no... I was not one of them.

Once we got into the building I really got into it. The set up was insane with tons of HD video monitors, concept art posters the size of a large buses, and (ooooohhhh yeeessssss) areas for each of the new games that are currently in production by the company: Wrath of the Lich King (World of Warcraft expansion), Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3. I mean, actual demos to play for each game. What more could you want! I was actually excited to be there. Now, as much as I would like to say that everything was great and wonderful and fantastic in all its geekdom... there were some major flaws. I waited in a line for 5 hours. Oh yes, I did not stutter... 5 hours! And for what you might ask... because it better be something good to wait so long... it was (dun dun dun)... a book! Half of my first day at the show was taken up by standing in line waiting to buy the cinematic art book for the trailer posted above. Lemme spell that people... D..E..D..I..C..A..T..I..O..N.. The people next to me were practically my family by the time we got out of line. Thank goodness for the movie game or I never would have made it through (linking actors through their movies... it is a good time... thanks Darius!).

I got to play Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2 which were everything I could have ever hoped them to be. Oh, and I obtained a beta key for Starcraft as well for attending which was like the icing on the cake! I got to meet Wrath's cinematic team and watch a costume contest that went WAY over the top. :) Patton Oswalt closed the show along with Video Games Live which is a full symphony that plays video game music. Yea, it definitely was that cool.

People... next year when this event comes around... don't miss it! It is so worth every minute and I will be back.. maybe in costume... you never know (no... I lied. I know I will never. I don't have the cheekbones to pull off the elf ears).

Get a Life? Cool! Where can I download one of those?

Help, Strangers!.... I Need An Adult....

Why, oh WHY(!), do we subject ourselves to this kind of torture. I am of course talking about horror films. And no... I am not some weak minded wuss who is afraid to say BloodyMary 5 times into a mirror (although... I will admit to doing it and running from the bathroom in elementary school, not bothering to stop and see if she would actually show up. I am NO fool.). Some movies are just made... well... too true to life and give me the creeps!

I watched one tonight (for the second time I might add) and I am honestly afraid to have my window open tonight. 'Strangers' is a film that just catches you completely off guard and leaves you with such a feeling of unease through to the end. It can NOT be good for your heart. About 15 minutes into the DVD (which was Blu-Ray of course, adding to the realism) Michael looked like he had had about enough and was practically sitting on me... like I would be able to save him or something. Ha! In hind site watching the movie at night with no lights on was probably not the best idea but it was good ambiance and who can turn that down. I tell ya, I will never look at a "summer house" the same way... no thank YOU.

To be fair... even though the movie left me too scared to take my dog out to "water the grass" I would still say it was a good time. I mean, how many things are there in life that really bring out a reaction or make you feel something. I would rather not feel like I was going to have a heart attack, but at least it was something. Two thumbs up for Tyler's screaming abilities... she has got some pipes (Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree).

If you are looking for something to bring that certain... oh, how would you say... deathly scared feeling to your Halloween then be my guest. No really, be my guest because I will NEVER watch that movie alone... ever!

scare junkie
noun: Those addicted to the adrenaline boost of being scared. This can be shown by having an abnormal love of horror films, seeing a scary film an abnormal amount of times or going to a place / doing something you know will scare you... abnormally.
Pete: Yo, that Texas Chain Saw Massacre was pimpin
Smithy: Cool
Pete: Damn straight COOL, I seen it 8 times
Smithy: YOU'RE SUCH A FREAKING SCARE JUNKIE!

Being Called 'Fringe' is Nothing to be Ashamed of

Ok, so.... I would like to know what anti-aging thing Pacey's got going on because on the new show Fringe, seriously, ... every time Joshua Jackson comes on the screen I am like "I don't wanna wait... for our liiiives to be overrrr....." Who doesn't think he looks exactly the same? What is up with that (if you couldn't hear what that sounded like in my head... I was doing a Seinfeld impersonation... I am that cool). I guess I am glad that he and Mathew Fox made it out of Teen Drama syndication no-man's land and into the very cool J.J. Abrams creations that are Lost and Fringe.

I will save my Lost discussion for another time and another place (did anyone catch that subtle hint... ok, maybe only the true lost fans) because I would like to touch on my new fixation with the show Fringe. Lets go back 3 months to when I had been seeing commercial promos for the pilot... oh... i dunno... every 5 minutes on FOX while watching So You Think You Can Dance (Yes, I do watch and love that show... what now?). Yea, they were really pumping the show. And honestly... all I could think was... 'Hey, Isn't that the guy that went to visit Hurley in the mental hospital?'


Yea... I know... It's a conspiracy man.... I will let you ponder about that a little more in silence....








Back to my observations on the show... So, I was thinking that, ok... J.J. Abrams has made me pretty happy with Lost... and even though I could have done without the mind jarring motion sickness I got in Cloverfield (I highly suggest some strong Dramamine before taking that one on), he makes some interesting stuff... and I was all in. The Pilot premiered on a night that I was at Disneyland (my second home for those who don't know) and it sat on my DVR for days before I got SO bored with my re-runs of John & Kate Plus 8 and Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, that I fatefully pressed my play button. Ka-Chow, It created feeling in me that I myself didn't understand. Alright... a bit dramatic... but it was good. Kinda reminded me of a Lost/X-Files Hybrid. Murder, Mystery, and Melodramatics. The recipe for a good prime time show.

And you wanna know what my favorite part is? The fact that they tell you how long the commercials are going to be! I want to shake that man's hand... because now when it tells me 'Fringe will be back in 90 seconds', it's just 3 swift clicks of my 30 second jump on the remote and I am all back into the show. No more hovering over the play button and missing 1-3 seconds at the beginning of each break. The pressures of being responsible for the remote have now dropped by at least 44.9% (give or take a few points).

If you feel like kicking back and taking in a few conspiracy theories then Fringe is where it's at. I will see you there Tuesday nights at 9 (or maybe not because honestly, who watches live TV anymore..).

Do what you want, dig what you do, 'cause that's what life is all about. D Out.

Caution/Cuidado: Twilight at Your Own Risk

So, I have discovered over the last week that reading is a dangerous pastime! I think even more dangerous than gamma/micro waves being blasted out of your TV to fry your brain (my mom used to tell me I would have three headed babies if I sat too close... I have never been the same) or the violence that video games can breed (who doesn't want to go out and jack a car after playing GTA?). When you get involved in a book... It can turn bad really quick. I am talking 'Never Ending Story' status where you lock yourself in a school supply room during a storm just to finish the next chapter. I have learned that some people (Lau...cough...ren) even think they can drive while reading! I mean, I will lose sleep, risk car sickness, even eat alone just to have my nose in a good book. But.. when it is worth it, it is definitely worth it.

I finished the last of the Twilight Saga last night (Breaking Dawn) and I am sad to see it end. I started the series with little knowledge and no real expectations of grandeur but to my surprise... It was really very good! Ok ok, so yea.. It was a little girly.... and there was a lotta mush... but hey, I am a girl and I like mush so... they will go on my favorites list. I am actually quite impressed with my reading speed on these. I started the first book less than 3 weeks ago and was able to plow through all of them like I had absolutely no life. Four books and thousands of pages later it is over, and probably for the best since I started to have dreams about the characters the other night... prrrobably not a good sign. The first step in overcoming a fiction-fixation is to admit you have a problem right? Hello...My name is Deanna and I am a bookaholic. Classic.

I did my civic duty and passed along the love of the series to another person who now must endure the pain as I did... carry by burden... pass it along to the next victim. Very Ring-esque if I do say. Pick it up if you haven't and at least give it a try... I give it a fantastical rating, 6 thumbs up, and 8 stars plus a popcorn bucket (because who knows what the heck all those rating meters actually mean anyway).

Roger Roger... Over and Out.