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.