The Uninvited

I watched a free movie tonight. It was a special screening of "The Uninvited." I think I am supposed to promote the movie. I did see it for free, and like many good movies, it gave me a different perspective on things. Either the movie went on a little too long, or I just couldn't handle the suspense. Nonetheless, I was impressed, by everything, except a lot of the dialogue and the interaction between the actors in the early scenes. And I wasn't as scared as I thought I'd be, but I was whigging out a little on the BART ride hope. Like I had just experience a trauma.

I was especially taken back with Arielle Kebbel, the girl on the right. Her acting was amazing. Ok, I'm not one to be aware of bad or really good acting. I just noticed that she's hot and legal. She can even drink, and would've already graduated college if she hadn't become a movie star. She even had a 4.3 average in high school. I'm assuming she is really smart and it that wasn't because she was giving special favors to her teachers. although, I'm sure they would've accepted. Even Emily Browning on the right is legal, but she can't go with you to the bar. Sadly Arielle is a little too tall for me at 5'8". But then didn't George date his share of tall girls? I'm holding out hope.

Sorry, I'm not more specific on the movie, which on the whole wasn't that scary, but had enough suspense, was kinda disturbing, but while impressive was kinda unbelievable. However, I usually not diss movies because of that.... Arielle Kebbel is really, really hot.

Next Post: I promise to talk about the trip, I just came back from. and maybe I'll even blog about online dating or getting back together again, again, again, or not with my ex.

Please, por favor, make some kind of comment if you are read this. Otherwise, I'll think about just creating a journal.

adios amigos.

-GCNOF

Butcher and Singer

GCNOF was treated to another of Philly's fine restaurants last night. Butcher and Singer is a Stephen Starr Steakhouse, that had some strong points and some weak points. It ranks as a decent steakhouse in Philly, but didn't measure up to the best.

A couple of things of note: we ordered a porterhouse for two, which was decent, if undercooked. We ordered it medium rare, the middle part was definitely just "rare." The outsides of the cut, were perfectly salty and scrumptious, while the gentlemanly Bearnaise sauce made the middle and very raw parts delicious as well. The butcher salad was decent. I had a hard time deciding between that and the tomato and roquefort salad. Had I done it over again I would have chosen the latter. The best side dish we ordered was the mushrooms and onions. I never had room for the potato side dishes, but they looked good.

I was disappointed in the large seafood/shellfish dish we ordered. The cold prawns (or very large shrimp) disappointed. the shrimp salad was decent, as was the crab. I didn't particularly care for the one oyster. I think the appetizer was the worst part of the meal. Unfortunately it came first.

The dessert was without peer or at least without superiors. The cheesecake was just about as good as cheesecakes come and I might still be selling it short. The carrot cake, had (for me) the unfortunate timing of appearing near me after I had eaten half the cheesecake. So in fairness to the carrot cake. I will not rate it... but I'm sure it wasn't half-bad. I've heard the chocolate cake doesn't quite measure up.

Besides the disappointing appetizer, Butcher and Singer suffered from poor design, bad seating for a party of seven, and popularity. The poor design included not having enough space in the waiting area. Besides constantly being in people's way, while waiting for your seat, after we checked our coats, we assumed we would be immediately seated. Now on a pleasant day, this would be no problem. But with the temperature in the single digits, every time someone came in the door, a nice draft made us regret checking our coats at all. Of course I didn't realize that at our sofa chairs, there would be nowhere to put our coats anyway.

The loveseats/couches we sat on made me wish I was a little taller. I assume that would have made the dining position more comfortable. The table was really made for two groups of four, so our dinner of seven was really a dinner of four and three, which in a way was nice. But really it was like having two different dinner parties, seated very, very close to each other.

The other complaint was that the bathroom are not that clearly labeled. It wasn't as bad as Tao in Las Vegas, where you have to wait until someone walks out to know which restroom to use. I believe there was an M and a W, but I'm not sure. I went into the bathroom with a squirrel peeing standing up. I just like when it is really clear in one glance which restroom is for you.

Overall, according to the local Philly restaurant connoisseur, Butcher and Singer doesn't reach the elite echelon of Philadelphia Steakhouses. But had our group been smaller, eaten on a weeknight or Sunday, when it wouldn't be as crowded, and passed on the large seafood appetizer we would definitely have an experience worth paying for. We would have been able to enjoy the huge expanse that is Butcher and Singer with ceilings 40 feet tall. Also, next time I'm just going to order the New York Strip.

A joke ruined

I just saw Half-Nelson (it's a Free Movie, if you have On Demand by Comcast). Ryan Goslin stars as a drug addicted junior high History teacher.

My joke that is ruined is this... Someone says, you know I wish I were a rock star...

I said, I don't. If being a rock star made you happy, why do Rock Stars use so many drugs?

so maybe it's just a movie (Half Nelson) and it's really rare that high school teachers are addicted to crack/coke... I just don't know that many math teachers that use drugs... but then I never been a high school math teacher. Am I naive?

I know there are P.E. teachers and football coaches, that hook up with the high school girls. I've heard it on the media, and am pretty sure it happened at a rival high school. I know there are female teachers that elope with their junior high students. South Park's episode on this subject is classic. I just think, or should I say hope, that teachers are for the most part happy/content.

But it's possible, I have no idea what I am talking about. Maybe our teachers went after school to the backroom of a bar and got "high" and made comparisons on which student asked the stupidest question or came to class stoned, drunk or with a hickey, and then hooked up with each other. And really wish that they were Rock Stars and not teachers.

Maybe the math teachers that O.D. don't get that much media coverage and that's why I have this notion, that math teachers are generally happier than rock stars.

At this point, it should be obvious that I'm making the assumption that heavy drug use and true happiness don't go together (remember, my joke).

Thoughts?

statistics

I don't know if I'm going to make it... but my quest for a graduate degree begins (again). first, a class, then admission, and then who knows? I don't know if I'm smart enough and inspired enough in the formula/equations/proofs to finish the degree. but. I'm restarting my journey.
wish me luck. (I'll need it). which also means I'll be staying in the Bay Area. at least until, I find out, I won't be in the program.