Merry Christmas!!!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Rob's Top ten movies of the decade

#10: 40 Year Old Virgin - Often top ten lists like this forget about true comedies. There is no doubt from the title this is a comedy and only a comedy. This is one on the few comedy's that has a balance of heart and raunch and doesn't kill you comedy buzz in the third act with some lame emotional subplot (I'm looking at you knocked up). I actually saw this movie in the theater with my mom. Me and my mom both loved it which is a testament to both how good this movie is and how cool my mom is. Fun Fact: More than 15 minutes of material had to be cut from the film in order to avoid an NC-17 rating from the MPAA.


#9: Road to Perdition - Sam Mendes is a great director and there could be no better movie that Paul Newman could end his career on. This movie looks like an Edward Hooper painting and the acting is top notch with great turns from Tom Hanks, Newman, Jude Law and even a pre-James Bond Daniel Craig. This is an art house gangster movie that explores the relationship between family. Fun Fact: The movie is loosely based on actual events and a real enforcer for mobster John Looney, who was betrayed by him.


#8: Mystic River - In my eyes Clint Eastwood can do no wrong. He is a complete American badass whether in front of the camera or behind it. This movie brought together a fabulous book, a director at his peak and beyond powerful performances from the actors. It also started a string of great films from director Eastwood. The plot of this movie, in the wrong hands could have ended up as a bad made for TV murder mystery but in Eastwood's hands in turned into a layered story of friendship, childhood trauma and redemption. Eastwood even created the musical score for the movie himself.


#7: The Brothers Bloom - I have a feeling this will be one of the movies on the list that has been seen by the fewest people, which is a shame. This story of two con men brothers is quirky, intelligent and hilarious all at once. Be prepared to re-watch this movie because the dialogue is fast and very much of the cleverness may be missed upon a first viewing. This movie is full or underrated actors being directed by an underrated director, Rian Johnson, with a razor sharp dialogue and clever story. I leave you with a quote from the movie to ponder "A picture is a secret about a secret. The more it tells, the less you know."


#6: The Departed - At #7 we had a up and coming director and at #6 we have the maestro of American cinema with Mr. Martin Scorsese. Although this movie is almost a shot for shot remake of a foreign film Infernal Affairs it is still great. In this movie you have career best performances from Mark Walberg, Alec Baldwin, Jack Nicholson and Leo DeCaprio and a top notch director at his prime. Scorsese traded New York for Boston and with the change of scenery comes a great film. Fun Fact: Keep an eye out for the letter "X" in the film. Whenever any of the main characters is about to die there is an "X" somewhere on screen as a homage to original Scarface from 1932.


#5: In Bruges - This movie has racist midgets, Belgians, Colin Farrell and Assassins what more could you ask for. "In Bruges" will have you laughing at things you shouldn't laugh at. This movie is a truly dark comedy that has a spectacular little plot and a standout performance from Ralph Fiennes. Fun Fact: Writer Director Martin McDonagh is Two time Tony Award winner who is currently showcasing a play on Broadway starring Christopher Walken.


#4: The Proposition - This little seen and even less appreciated western is as beautiful as it is brutal. This western layers similar western themes of revenge, redemption and blood in a foreign environment, Australia Outback. In his first major movie release director John Hilcoat hits a homerun. Guy Pearce gives a particularly good performance as a torn brother in this film and the musical score by Nick Cave only adds to the ambience.


#3: City of God - The first foreign film on our list is a film about the worst ghetto in the world in Rio de Janeiro. This movie is unflinching in its depiction of this ghetto but offers some semblance of hope in the end. City of God is guerrilla filmmaking at its best and the cinematography really makes one feel like you are living in the slums and faced with the desperate decisions these young men are forced to make daily. City of God makes "Boys in the Hood" look like boys in the burbs. This movie has no Hollywood stars, it is in subtitles and is over two hours long yet it grabs the viewers attention from the start and never lets go. Fun Fact: The director was once quoted as saying that if he knew the dangers of filming the movie on location in a Rio favela, he wouldn't have done the movie.


#2: Memento - Some may see this movie's framing technique as a gimmick, I see it as genius. This is a mindbender of a film that I have probably watched over twenty times. The lead actor, Guy Pearce, has the distinguished honor of appearing on our list twice. Memento was made on a shoestring budget and introduced Hollywood to its' newest golden boy Christopher Nolan. The first scene will grab you hard and the last scene of this movie will have you pressing replay. Bottom-line this movie has the best third act in recent years. I leave you with one question. Who is John G?


#1: There Will Be Blood - Paul Thomas Anderson epic about greed and the American society isn't for everyone but to me, it is a masterpiece and the best film of the last decade. Jonny Greenwood's (Radiohead) haunting musical score, Daniel Day Lewis's unreal portrayal of greed personified, PT Anderson's exquisite direction and the cinematography of Robert Elswit combine for a flawless film. To me a true measure of a good film is how long it stays with you (i.e. how long are you talking about it after you have seen it). I can say that whether or not you like this film you will be talking about it for weeks following your viewing. So with that, my list is complete and in the words of Daniel Day Lewis's character Daniel Plainview from "There Will be Blood" "I'm Finished!"

Just Missed the List:
Snatch - Casting the biggest American actor on the planet, Brad Pitt in a role where not one of his words is distinguishable is genius. The Soundtrack is Awesome too.

Fight Club - Would have been #1 but it was released in 1999. Best. Ending. Ever.

The Dark Knight - With so many great directors out there I limited myself to one film per director for this list. Therefore I went with my favorite of two Christopher Nolan films (the other Memento) in the top #10. Regardless, the Dark Knight is hands down the best superhero movie ever.

Pan's Labyrinth - An adult fairytale that makes old folks realize that make believe never dies. You'll forget it is in Spanish subtitles quickly, it is that good.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford - Very, very long and not for everyone but it is beautifully shot, has a great narrator and an unreal musical score by Nick Cave.

Let the Right one in - "Twilight" has taken the bite out of vampire movies making us not scared but smitten with the creatures of the night. Where "Twilight" fails to humanize vampires while keeping the fear present "Let the right one in" succeeds. To compare the two movies isn't fair though as this Swedish movie far exceeds "Twilight." "Let the right one in" is stunning both visually and with its story. In the end it turns the vampire genre on its' ear and gives us a memorable story with a climax that leaves you breathless.

Man on Wire - Documentary of a crazy Frenchman who walked across a wire between the twin towers in New York. The concept sounds simple but is an amazingly complex movie and character study of real people and the lengths they will go to follow a dream.

My Top Ten Albums of the Last Decade

If I had to make a list of the five things I like the most it would go something like this.

#5: Food
#4: The act of making lists itself
#3: Movies
#2: Music
#1: Lauren of course

So I figured it would be fun to combine some of my favorite things and make a top ten list for the last decade. In all the magazines in the coming weeks you will read numerous articles detailing the so-called experts best of the decade lists. While I am no music or movie critic, I am pretty educated in both media, so I thought it would be a fun little exercise to create my top ten albums from 2000-2009. Best case scenario I'll open up your ears to something new and exciting you never new existed and worst case scenario you think my music taste sucks and you get a good laugh. Either way I am cool with it so enjoy or not, it's up to you? Music is the beat of my life and like Mr. Bob Marley stated "One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain." So without further ado, the definitive best albums of the last decade.

#10: Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine
So I will probably get a lot of crap from my guy friends on this one but there is no doubt that this girl is talented and this album is awesome from start to finish. She has a voice that sounds like it would fit better in the era of Billie Holiday and she is off the wall crazy on top of it all (see her live she plays like she is possessed by demons). After a six year break from music and a well publicized dispute with her record label she released this album in 2005. It was received well critically but by no means a commercial success. Regardless her talent is undeniable and this album makes for a good rainy Sunday listen. Standout tracks include "O Sailor" and "Not about Love" included below.

Fiona Apple - Not about love
Uploaded by samithemenace. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

#9: Passafire - Submersible
People may claim hometown bias on this one but I stand by my belief that I would dig this album regardless of the roots the band may have. Passafire crafts a distinct roots, rock, reggae sound all there own. I debated which of their two most recent albums to include, they are both that good, but in the end it always came back to "Submersible". The opening track definitely announces this is a band to be watched and the closing track ends the album with a thunder and signals this band is here to stay. Sprinkled in the middle are standout tracks suck as a slow burner titled "Unfamiliar" and a song that I feel should be on everyone's IPOD "Submersible" included below.



#8: (Tied) 311 - From Chaos
Being that is my list you had to know I had to include some 311. I am a die hard fan of 311 but I will be the first to recognize they have had some stinker albums. Not this one. This album is the quintessential summer album. In the summer of 2002, I lived at the beach and listened to this album daily and it never got old. With heavy rocking songs like "Livin and Rockin" to slow reggae tunes like "Champagne" this album had it all. Enjoy the title track below and remember "From chaos, comes clarity."



#8: (Tied) Arctic Monkeys - Whatever people say I am, That's what I'm not
So I couldn't narrow it down to just ten so we have a tie at the eight spot. This album became the UK's fastest selling debut album ever, selling over 360,000 copies in its first week, and remains the fastest selling debut album by a band in the UK. It has since gone quadruple platinum in the UK, and won the 2006 Mercury Prize (an annual music prize awarded for the best album from the United Kingdom or Ireland). The Arctic Monkeys from the beginning have done things their own way and this attitude can be heard in their music. This band plays with passion and could me the most talented bar band in the world. Below is the song that started it all for them.



#7: TV on the Radio - Dear Science
The indie art rock band from Brooklyn has got to be the most eclectic on the list. The are extremely well revered in the music biz with David Bowie and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails being two of their biggest fans. This album is all over the place great and was seen by the music industry as being a huge snub in the Grammy race of 2008. Enjoy Golden Age below. The video is pretty out there just like their music.

TV On The Radio - Golden Age
Uploaded by jar0. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

#6: The String Quartet Tribute - Radiohead
So I feel like if you don't have a Radiohead album on your list you automatically and blackballed from the music community (Every top ten list known to man has a Radiohead album in the top ten, most of the time #1). Well my favorite Radiohead album isn't even played by Radiohead it is preformed by a string quartet. Radiohead music is inherently classical and translates extremely well to a string quartet. All the songs are awesome on this album but try and not be moved by the song "exit music for a film".



#5: Warren Zevon - The Wind
Warren Zevon recorded this album not knowing if he would be able to finish it. Before recording this album Zevon was diagnosed with mesothelioma (a form of cancer associated with exposure to asbestos). Zevon refused treatment instead opting to begin recording his final album, which would act as his final goodbye to his friends and family. The album includes guest appearances by close friends including Bruce Springsteen, Don Henley, Jackson Browne, Timothy B. Schmit, Joe Walsh, David Lindley, Billy Bob Thornton, Emmylou Harris, Tom Petty, Dwight Yoakam, and others.
While the duets are great it is a solo song by Zevon that really crowns this album. Enjoy the song "keep me in your heart for a while".



#4: Jay-Z / The Beatles - The Grey Album
This album was made illegally sampling the rapper Jay-Z's Black album and the Beatles White album. The result is good as it is bizarre. Surprisingly the jigga man and the fab foursomes tunes go together surprisingly well. DJ dangermouse started his career with this album by blatantly disregarding copyright laws. Who says crime doesn't pay



#3: Brian Wilson - Smile
This album was famously shelved and went unreleased by the Beach Boys. Brian Wilson famously went into sever depression for years and only emerged recently. Although it took 30 so years this album is worth the wait and gives us a glimpse into what the beach boys had planned next. The harmonies are vintage Beach Boys while Brain Wilson shows his musical genius with his wild experimentation. The album as a result is odd but beautiful.



#2: Jonny Greenwood - There Will Be Blood Motion Picture Soundtrack
The movie in my opinion is flawless and the soundtrack to go with it is as well. This soundtrack takes on a journey and makes us feel like we are right there drilling for oil with the movies lead character Daniel Plainview. Jonny Greenwood is better known as the lead guitarist for the band Radiohead but if this soundtrack is any indication he has quite a career in scoring movies ahead of him. Due to a silly Oscar rule this soundtrack was not eligible for an academy award nomination but it surely would have won if nominated. The movie may not be for everyone but the soundtrack is sure to please most music fans.



#1: Muse - The Resistance
Last on my list is the most recent album from Muse. Never has so much sound come from three guys and never has a band been so ambitious as Muse was on the album the resistance. The album begins with a defiant stomper and ends with a three piece symphony. In between these bookends are songs that are bound to rock arenas, songs that soulful and even a song sung in French with an Oboe solo. Many have accused Muse of copying other bands' style but in the end Muse weaves different styles of music together better then most and the result is a melting pot of music that is wholly original. If you get a chance check these guys our live. They are easily one of the best live bands around.




Honorable Mention:
"Queens of the Stone - Songs for the Deaf"
"Jurassic Five - Power by Numbers"
"Interpol - Antics"
"Kings of Leon - Ah-ha Shake Heartbreak"
"Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand"
"Rage Against the Machine - The Battle of Los Angeles

Stay tuned for both mine and Lauren's list of our top ten movie of the decade.

Hypothermia for Charity

Hello all,
I know its the holidays and times are tight but if you are feeling charitable and have some funds to spare please sponsor me for the 2010 Polar Bear Plunge. The polar bear plunge is a charity event ran by the Maryland State Police designed to raised funds for the Maryland Special Olympics. Basically, you sponsor me, I jump into the freezing Chesapeake bay on January 30th and the Special Olympics get the money. For those in the area that weekend feel free to come and watch, it is quite a spectacle and party. Please click on the link below to donate.

DONATE!

Champagne Toast

"To Rob & Lauren; whose paths have crossed so many times before becoming intertwined, the pair of you, to paraphrase a Feist song, “Have so much past inside your present.” Here’s to this most recent junction where past and present become tied to future. Congratulations."

Rob and I are so fortunate to be surrounded by loving families and wonderful friends. Since our engagement, we have been enjoying each and every moment rather than jumping immediately into wedding planning mode. While we can't give you the details on when/where it will be, we are more than happy to share in our excitement and celebrate what it means to be engaged...I took a quick time out to look up the official dictionary definition of the word and these were my favorites:
(a) Greatly interested; of awakened zeal; earnest.
(b)Pledged; promised; especially, having the affections pledged; promised in marriage; affianced; betrothed.

The toast of celebration that begins this blog post was written by my sister. It was originally delivered to us by phone and as Pink Champagne was sipped in spirit just a few days after we announced our news. At our Thanksgiving holiday, the toast was given again, only this time among our closest family friends and relatives as part of the grace and blessing prior to our traditional dinner.

Aunt J. honored Rob and me by pouring our champagne into the very same glasses that she used on her wedding day, and that had originally been used by her mother on their special day as well. It was such a special moment to be included in this tradition. The delicate flutes gleamed with tiny bubbles- rising from the very base of the stem and popping at the surface of the silver-lined rim of the glass. What a special, heartfelt memory.

One for the Books!

For a while now, Rob and his family have been getting everything in order for his Grandparents, The Macs, to move from Silver Spring to Salisbury, MD. After much planning, Moving Day was scheduled to start Wednesday, November 11th, and expected to last through the weekend. Under this cover story, Rob schemed away on his master plan and successfully misled me to pull off the ultimate in romantic surprises - a perfect engagement story.

The story begins when Rob asked me a few weeks ago if I could take off the Thursday after Veterans Day to help move The Macs to Salisbury. I thought it was odd to be moving mid-week, but initially did not ask questions and got the permission to take the time off.

As a planner and creature of habit, I like to know what's in store for me. So naturally as the dates got closer, my inquisitive (and somewhat detective like) side came out with the questions. Usually, Rob is only happy to provide me with the details and share the plan, plus plan B and C too. However, this time, our plans were vague/non-existent and in some cases didn't make the most sense to me at the time- but am I an expert mover?...I think not. At times, my brain would become restless with stirring thoughts that just didn't seem to add up- but in the end, I was completed blindsided by Rob's master scheming. Here are just a few:

1. LY: "Why are we going to Salisbury first? Shouldn't we start off in Silver Spring?"

2. LY:"But you will see him next week..." While in Salisbury over Halloween weekend, Rob got an early birthday present from his mom because "the next time they saw each other it would be after his bday passed." I chimed in- "Oh, but we'll see you again in less than two weeks." I just thought that no one heard me- but now that I think about it, maybe they were just ignoring my comment!!!

3. LY:"Why can't we go yet?" By 10:30 AM yesterday morning, I was ready to get on the road to Salisbury. But Rob insisted that we couldn't leave until 1:30 PM. So here I was trying to think of things to be productive- I had already worked out, folded laundry, cleaned, dropped off dry cleaning...what else was I supposed to do for 3 hours...I wouldn't find out later, but it was all because Rob was basing this off the hotel check-in time.

4. RB:"Bring a nice outfit for dinner." Rob mentioned that his mom and Doug were taking us out to dinner at Ruth Chris Wednesday night as a way of thanking us for our help. So let's look at this a little closer: We aren't leaving Alexandria until 1:30-which puts us in Salisbury around 4 PM which means it's nearly sunset now and we really only have a few hours to pack and move things until we go to dinner...this seemed a little fishy to me, but at the same time, not unrealistic.

5. RB: "Really Lauren, I don't mind if you take a nap for the rest of the way." I am notorious for falling asleep in anything moving- cars, boats, planes - and I know this could be on the top of the list of Rob's pet peeves too- so imagine my surprise when I heard this!



Of course, I took Rob up on his approval of my napping and the next thing I know we are driving down a brick-bordered driveway lined with a full canopy of arching trees that leads to an elegant white plantation style building.

"Where are we?" I was completely disoriented and confused! Rob's response..."You were just saying how it would be nice to plan a little weekend getaway together...well here it is! that's happening this weekend." I was shocked and at this point knew that this was beyond a special getaway.

We had arrived at The Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels, MD. Since my words won't do it justice, please check out the link above. It is gorgeous, sitting right on the Miles River. You walk in an are immediately welcomed into an atmosphere of comfort and elegance. For those of you who have watched the movie Wedding Crashers, the Inn is where the first wedding scene was filmed. It is absolutely gorgeous.

Our suite was beautiful- Again- fully elegant with a working fireplace, enormous bathroom- with a large soaking tub (and bubbles to go with it!), bottle of Cabernet waiting to be open and the most important element- a private patio overlooking the water.

Of course, enjoyment of our suite and the Inn had to be put on hold for a bit. This was due to some major absentmindedness on my part. It appeared that none of my hangers holding my evening attire had made it to the car. Don't ask me how I forgot all of this. I felt pretty stupid and also sad because I felt like I may have royally messed up all of things that Rob had planned. So we dropped off our things, took a quick look around and headed out to find a nice outfit for the evening. After browsing some stores and only finding nice ladies formal ware more suitable for a women of 65 I was a bit worried. But just as I had given up hope I found a nice little dress and my mini-crisis was averted.

After returning to the Inn, Rob and I opened the bottle of wine and decided to sit out on our patio to watch the storm, celebrate us and relax. Rob started taking pictures with his new camera and I proceeded to point out a great scene over in the distance that could be a good shot for him. When I turned around, Rob was down on one knee with a tiny black box cupped in his hands and proposing to me. His words were perfect, personal and filled with so much love and I will remember this as one of the happiest, heart-felt moments in my life.

Of course I said YES. I wanted to say yes the minute I turned around and found Rob on one knee. But I didn't interrupt and instead let my smile and waving hand gestures display my excitement. At approximately 4:36 p.m. I was officially the future Mrs. Rob Benedict. You can see the ring below- it is breathtaking. What makes it even more special- the ring was created using an heirloom that once belonged to Rob's great grandmother. I feel truly honored.

Since the aftermath of Hurricane IDA had put a damper on the weather situation, we stayed inside lounging in our comfy robes while sipping wine by the fire before going off to Masons for dinner. Dinner was amazing. We were greeted at our table with flowers, a box of chocolates and a bottle of wine as a celebratory gift from Mom, Doug, Jamie, Dave and Lil' Lilly. Dinner was great and everyone in the restaurant was so delightful and happy for us. The night could not have been more perfect.

The mid-week surprise getaway ended with a riverside breakfast and a wonderful massage at the Inn's Spa. It is always nice to be pampered. Perfectly romantic and unforgettable in every way.

My new toy

So i got a new camera and have been taking pictures of everything. Not sure how Lauren is putting up with me but take a look at some of my pictures.

My Little Rocker

So those who know me are aware I am a huge fan of music. While I appreciate all genres of music from classical to Rock, if I was forced to take only one Cd with me to a deserted island for eternity it would probably be something from the band 311's music catalogue. Well, it looks like uncle Rob has rubbed off on his niece. Enjoy the video below of my niece rocking out to some 311 tunes. It made my weekend.

Urban Jungle

So this past labor day weekend Lauren and I decided to have a mini-adventure and we went to Teddy Roosevelt Island. The island is a hidden gem of the Washington D.C. metro area. It is a natural reserve nestled in between Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. Hidden in-between miles of trails, snapping turtles, caterpillars and butterflies is a statue of our outdoors-men president.

Oddly enough the statue of our great 26th present shares a striking resemblance to the statue of Saddam Huessien that was so famously toppled during the fall of the Iraqi regime but I digress.

Overall the island is a great time, an excellent way to waste a couple hours and the monument to Roosevelt is very impressive. I am sure Teddy would be proud. So although Teddy may never when the president's race at a Washington Nationals game he can raise his head high knowing none of the other founding fathers have their own island.

Suck on that Jefferson!

So you may be asking yourself how these pictures below and to your right have anything to do with a day spent hiking trails on a natural reserve?

Well Lauren and I stumbled upon a secret trail that happened to lead us under the route 50 bridge overpass. Needless to say we enjoyed the graffiti art and decided have an impromtu photo shoot. Lauren and I would have made one hell of a 80's rap duo. I am thinking "Fire & Ice" would be a great stage name. Well, enjoy the rest of the pictures below and I. They'll give you a better idea of what Roosevelt Island is all about.

I leave you with some of Mr. Teddy's words to ponder

"Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground."

Art in the Making

The artist's world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep. ~Paul Strand

It's hard to believe it has almost been 8 months since we moved into 208 E Howell. We've done quite a lot to the place...including a massive cleaning, a complete bathroom makeover, hanging decorative wall art and much more.

Unfortunately, we've neglected the bedroom a bit - to the point that it became an eye sore. Think 12 foot high ceilings, blank walls, mismatched furniture- ughhh. I think the room itself was starting to send signals when all of a sudden all the lights stopped working.

Not everyone thinks that house projects are fun...but I am one of those people that falls into the HGTV loving category and as a bonus, I am a girl who actually know how to use tools.

So with limited time, budget and hands, my first attempt to improve Rob's and my bedroom was completed a few days ago. There was a 50% off sale on all art/paint supplies at Michael's craft store. I'm no artist, but decided that this was a quick and easy way to add some color to our depressed off-cream walls. The results, judge for yourself below...but they have been given the most important seal of approval (Rob's) and are now displayed proudly above the fireplace mantle. Hmmm what to do next???

Painting is easy when you don't know how, but very difficult when you do. ~Edgar Degas

Legend in my own Mind

So as many of you know I am a huge baseball fan and have played the sport since I was about five years old. Well as the years pass by so do my chances of playing in the bigs. Like Kenny Powers, I am patiently waiting a call from a major league scout to join the big show. In the meantime, in order to hone my skills I participate in one of the most prestigious amateur league around, Booz Allen Hamilton's corporate softball league. As starting center fielder I patrolled the outfields of Virginia and Maryland like a rabid junkyard dog. I won't bore you with my statistics but lets just say they are Babe Ruthian. This season, like many, has had its' up and downs however the Crystal City Bombers managed to bring home a championship after a drought longer the Chicago Cubs. So as the season comes to an end I am still waiting for a September call from the orioles. Nevertheless I will always be a legend in my own mind and I have the trophy to prove it.

Watch: Mad Men Edition

So the purpose of this blog is not only to keep those concerned with the comings and goings of Lauren and I's daily life up to date, but also to recommend and suggest things Lauren and I find interesting. Specifically we thought we would focus on three areas we broke down into "watch, listen and learn". Basically movies and tv shows you should "watch", music you should "listen" to and books you can "learn" from. This entry is about a tv show that has mesmerized both Lauren and I from the very first episode. You should "watch" Mad men. It is a perfect time to fill up your netflix queue and catch up on the series. The new season starts on AMC on August 16th so there is still time to catch up on the first two seasons. Often you will hear people debate about what is the best show on television. You will hear names like The Wire, The Sopranos, and L O S T thrown around but while those are all great shows I disagree and can honestly put Mad men at the top of my current television list. The show was created by one of the former head writers of the Sopranos. HBO and Showtime originally passed on the show and it looked like Mad Men would never see the light of day. Out of the blue the AMC network decided to take a chance and decided to make Mad Men its' premiere television show. AMC is now reaping the rewards as Mad men was recently nominated for 16 Emmy's. Like the Sopranos the lead character is a complex man who is constantly dealing with what his identify is. Mad men runs the gambit of plots and emotions and constantly keeps you guessing what will happen next. The show unfolds before your eyes and you can't help but be enthralled by the layered story, the superb supporting cast, the beautiful direction, and the immaculate work of the production crew (you honestly feel like this is a home video of the 1960's). Do yourself a favor a give this show a chance you will not regret it. Watch the embedded clip below. This scene was one of the few times a T.V. show gave me chills click here and tell me your aren't moved Mad Men.

Shredding the Gnar!!!

So a couple of weeks back Lauren and I decided to cross something off of our bucket list...Surfing. With the help of our friendly make-shift surf instructor's, Will and Brian, Lauren and I were able to surf and even catch some waves. Hanging ten was not without its' casualties however. Our buddy Keith shredded a bit too hard and had a serious wipe-out on one of Ocean City's notorious ten foot swells resulting in a dislocated shoulder. Fortunately we strategically located our surf spot next to the local urgent care and Keith was cured quickly. To celebrate catching our first tube as well as to drown the pain of a dislocated shoulder we hit up the equally strategically located pool bar and recounted surf stories while tossing back some $1.50 Pabst Blue Ribbons (The official beer of surfers who crush ten foot waves). All in all a great first surfing experience and by no means our last. Till next time hang loose, shred the gnar, cowabunga and whatever other surfer slang I missed.

Watch, Listen, Learn

Welcome to the first edition of Watch, Listen, Learn. Periodicaly Lauren and I will be posting recommedations of things we think our worth your time. Specifically, we will highlight Movies or TV shows we like to "Watch", CDs and Bands we like to "Listen" to and books that help us "Learn." So here we go.

WATCH

Rob's pick: Forst/Nixon. This movie caught me by surprise. It was entertaining and enlightening and I think that regardless of political affiliation this movie will grab your interest.



Lauren's Pick: True Blood. This HBO series really sunk its' teeth into Lauren and I (forgive the bad pun). We watched the entire first season in one weekend.



Listen:

Rob's Pick: 311 / Uplifter: The new album from 311 has the right blend to win over new fans and satisfy old fans.



Passafire / Casting of Cares: My buddy Ted and his band, Passafire have opened for Van Halen and 311 and are currently on their first national headlining tour. I honestly think these guys are extrodinary musicians and on their way to big things. Below is an acoustic version of one of their new songs on their forthcoming album to be released in September. Enjoy below.



Learn:
Rob's Pick: American Scoundrel: The Life of the Notorious Civil War General Dan Sickles by Thomas Keneally: From the writer of Schnider's List this is the story of one of the most notirous, interesting and overlooked american politacal figures of our nation's history. Read and let your jaw drop when you see what this guy got away with.



Lauren's Pick: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova: Lauren seems to be on a big vampire kick lately (should I be worried). This book has it all vampires, Vlad the implaer, scares, love and adventure. Lauren assures it won't disappoint and unlike the twilight book series there is no Vampire baseball (Vampire baseball? Seriously twilight?)

Extreme Home Makeover: Alexandria Edition

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Welcome new and repeat blog visitors. So after a long lapse in between blog posts L & R's blog is back and better then ever with nifty slide shows, new tunes and new pictures. Sorry for the delay. I am sure you all have been waiting with baited breath. Lauren and I have been very busy. Both of us are in the midst of our busiest times at work. I recently finished up class for the year and am only three classes away from getting a Master of Science in Karate and Frienship (I am actually getting my M.S. in engineering management but i digress). So much has happened since we last posted. Most recently our pad has undergone significant changes. Under the direction of Mom and Doug we were able to transform our place. Much like the catapiller becomes a beautiful butterfly, the seed becomes the tree or the horse becomes the unicorn, our house became a home with our recent renovations. Although most rooms underwent some sort of change the bathroom and kitchen underwent the most dramtic changes. The bathroom was transformed from a irredescent aqua and urine yellow color scheme to a soothing soft blue and brown. I can now safely take showers without thinking I was transported back to 1972. In addition to the bathroom transformation we hung nmuerous pieces of artwork, a wine rack and built a bench / picnic table (A timely QVC purchase by L-dog). This past weekend we had the pleasure of hositng my pops and Anne. We managed to check out a nationals game and give my dad a taste of the city with an interesting cab ride. It was great seeing both my mom and doug and dad and Anne. We can't wait to show Lauren's familty the new look on their next vist. Enjoy a brief slide show that chronicles the changes to our place and some recent happenigs.

The Perfect Storm

Saturday evening, Rob and I headed up to Quarterdeck to enjoy an All-You-Can-Eat Crab Feast in celebration of our friend's birthday. It started out as a perfect sunny afternoon, but as the day turned to night, the ominous thunder clouds rolled in.
Luckliy, we managed to get a table under the covered pavilion outside, so the abrupt downpour and lightning storm only added to the entertainment instead of ruining our dining experience- which can't be said for some of the other patrons. A few tables over, four men braved the elements- ignoring the fact that they were now drenched and their beer was now more like water- what devotion.

Four hours later, we were still there, finally managing to turn down another round of succulent crustaceans, frothy beer and very addictive french fries. The tabletop resembled a battlefield and was littered with empty pitchers, crab carcuses and empty baskets of fries. After we all decided we where suffiecently covered in old bay and that our belly's were full we called it a night and went our seperate ways.


After getting back home, we learned of Beatrice Arthur's untimely death. Bea was a TV legend. I will always remember her as the straight talking septagenarian Dorothy Zbornak on the Golden Girls. She dispensed life lessons in tiny nuggets of knowledge. Rob was particularly taken aback by Bea's death however, Rob and I would not let Bea's passing taint our glorious night and we chose to celebrate here life with a golden girls marathon on tv land and a glass of vino. All in all a great night. .

Man vs. Grill

So this has been a very eventful week. I started class again, hired some new employees at work and I was lucky enough to recieve an award for my leadership at the Hazardous Materials Information center. So it was great to get recognized and they gave me some giftcards. I decided to use the gift cards and a housewarming gift my sister and brother-in-law gave me to buy a grill. Little did I know that included in the purchase of the grill was the worst instruction booklet i have ever seen. Sothe grill and I had an epic showdown the likes of which have not been seen since David battled Golitah. In the end only the finer warrior remained standing and I emerged bloody, parched and famished yet victorious. To celebrate my victory I hunted some cattle and prepared it along with various garnishments for Dame Lauren. In the end Dame Lauren and Sir Robert of Alexandria enjoyed a goblet of meade, some fine proteins and the beautiful day.

I bid you good morrow,
Sir Rob

EASTER WEEKEND

Our easter weekend in a super rapid summary. Work. Lobsters. Golf. Friends. Baby. candy. Ruth Cris.

I shook hands with a shark and alligator hunter

So I never am lucky enough to see celebrities however my luck changed last Friday. While getting ready to fly to Florida for a friend's wedding, Lauren went into the magazine shop while I waited outside at Reagan National Airport. All of the sudden emerging from a crowd of business suits was Manny Puig outfitted in head to toe in a sea of camouflage with his trademark shark tooth necklace. Who is Manny you may ask? Well if you have ever watched the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet or Wild Boys he is the guy who plays with sharks, alligators snapping turtles and hangs out with the guys from MTV's Jackass. While TMZ doesn’t follow him around he is a celebrity in my book. Before I could restrain myself I shouted out "MANNY!'. Manny proceeded to walk over to me and we chatted for about two minutes about his adventures and why he was in D.C. He told me he was at a conference promoting his new show "Savage Wild" we shook hands, he gave me his card and like that we was gone. Seconds later Lauren came out of the store just missing Manny and if I didn't have his business card I don't think she would have believed me. Being a Biomajor I am a big fan of this guy and I was giddy as a schoolgirl for the next couple hours. Check out his new show below.