Chuck Taylors and The Pillows

The Grudge

Last night I went to see Sarah Michelle Gellar in "The Grudge." (I'm not big on scary movies, but the trailers showed a shower scene) For a non-scary movie fan, there was a lot there for me to like. This movie takes place in Japan and is based on a book. Two things I enjoyed right there, I love Japanese culture and am very into books(and may consider buying the book this movie was based upon). Also, there are more people in this movie then Sarah Michelle Gellar, though looking at the trailers one would think otherwise. I don't understand why they didn't advertise their other stars, Bill Pullman is in this movie, did any of you who haven't seen the movie have any clue, I know I was surprised when I saw his name on the opening credits. This movie isn't even centered around Gellar's character, like one would think, it jumps around through about three different time periods and has three different sets of main characters. It works really well. By the way, Sam Ramai is a producer for this movie and you can really tell he had a big hand in the production. For fans of the Evil Dead series, you'll love this movie. So many of the camera angles look like they pulled them out of the original "Evil Dead." If you like "Evil Dead" you'll love the Grudge, its like "Evil Dead" with better actors. Overall, this movie has some really creepy parts and if you are a person who likes to be creeped out, you really should check this out. If you're not into scary movies, you still can have a good time at this movie. Its not for everyone, come to the theater with an open mind, there are some overly freaky parts. Come willing to be scared, but not too scared. Come looking for a masterpiece by Sam Ramai and find it. Anyone looking for the perfect Halloween movie, go see this one. Later Days.

100+ Post Report

For my few readers who have been reading since the birth of this blog, you could probably tell it has been going on for a while. This post is my 103rd. I started this blog last November, almost a year. I know what you fellow bloggers are thinking, only 103 posts in a years time, yeah, I didn't keep up very well in high school, but I'm doing pretty good now. For this occasion, I went back and looked at some of my earlier posts. I would like to address all the changes I went through, as a person and a blogger. As a person, I wasn't Hilary Duff obsessed when I first started this blog, that kinda came around at about the tenth post. I didn't even get into that much detail, I kinda outted myself on February 25th, back when I spelled her name "Hillary." I was so stupid back then, every good Hilary fan knows how she spells her name, but I digress. My dreams have altered, not changed, but I don't strongly aspire to be a singer-songwriter, it would be awesome and I would be happy, but I like journalism. If you told me when I first started this blog, back in the earlier part of my senior year, that I would major in broadcast journalism, I not only would of not believed you, but I also would of gave you a speech of how its not nice to crush people's dreams and you shouldn't tell me what I will or will not be. I don't know why I was that way, but I was really passionate about that. Also, I had so much trouble with work back then, I always had to get my schedule changed because pretty much everything came before work. Now that I'm on work-study, its not so important that I'm there like it was when I worked fast food, if I want to skip, I can, no one really cares. I'm more unemployed then employed really, I don't depend on my job for money, I depend on the Plasma Center for money. Who needs plasma anyway? As a blogger, I had really, really choppy sentences, I just jumped from one point to another with absolutely no transition. I guess my journalism classes are helping, I don't do that near as much anymore. I at least include some kind of transition. I still don't have any paragraph separation, but that has kinda become my style, I can't change it now. Like "Later Days," I just put that in my first post because I really liked "The Weekenders" and I kept putting it in every post. I now use it every single post I ever do. I don't love it anymore, but after this long it would feel sacrilegious to change it now. Sorry about that all you people who hate it. I don't hate it, but it does give my posts some consistency, I do like that. Although now, it kinda feels like I just tack it on the end with no lead in up to it just because I want that consistency. Oh well, I'm going to keep doing it anyway. That's about all the differences I can think of right now. If any of you long time readers can think of anything else, feel free to post it, I'd love to hear how you think I've changed. Or, if any of you newbies feel like reading a years worth of posts, go right ahead. Tell your perspective of how my blog has gotten better or worse. Later Days.

Fan or Stalker?

I posted this on someone's blog who seems to be friends with Kyle Cease:

Are you really friends with Kyle Cease. That is awesome, I'd really like to somehow be in touch with him. Why don't ya' email me at thepillowsfan@gmail.com . You'd be the coolest person in the world if you could let me e-mail him at a personal e-mail address or something. Thanks a bunch for even reading this, I'm like a huge fan of his. Thanks again.

Now that I read this after I've hit the post button, I really feel like I sound less like a fan and more like a little boy who wants to meet someone famous. Also, in this comment I like totally have the valley girl syndrome, "That is awesome," "I'm like a huge fan of his," I don't talk like that, I don't even blog like that, why did I comment on a blog like that. I just don't understand. I was really excited that I found someone who talked about Kyle Cease really casually, as if he was friends with him and I couldn't believe I may have a chance of being border-line friends with him. When I think about what I'm saying, things like, "I'd love to be friends with Kyle Cease," I think of Eminem's "Stan." I don't want him to think I'm a weird person, I guess as long as I don't say, "Hey Kyle, we should really be together." He would definitely think I'm either a stalker or a gay fan who thinks he's hott. Let me know what you think, am I a stalker or just a young comedian who would like another young comedian friend, what would you do in this situation? Later Days.

Blog Etiquette

As many of you are probably aware, since this is how you got here, about a week ago I signed up for Blog Explosion. Because of this I'm getting a lot more traffic and I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I'm used to doing whatever I want on here, but now I have a chance of creating regulars. Now, I think my concern should be more on my readers and not so much on me. So, I'd like your help, since most of you are also fellow bloggers. If I make a post I'm really proud of and would like a lot of people to read, do I keep it up for a week so everyone has a chance to read it, or do I go ahead and post something on top of it the next day just to keep the momentum going. I mean, I know that if I make a post that's pretty crapy, I'll hurry up and post enough posts to cover it up, without being obvious, but my good posts is what I'm really concerned about. Let me know what you think, e-mail me or just comment on here. I'd really appreciate it. Thanks for any advice, Later Days.

My First Stand-Up Comedian

I've seen many stand-up comedians in my time, but last night was the first one I saw first hand. Apparently, comedians come to colleges before they become famous, which is awesome for me. The comedian's name was Kyle Cease, you guys might know him as Bogey from "10 Things I Hate About You" and the slow clapper from "Not Another Teen Movie." He was a really great stand-up. I had no idea he would be so good, but he was. I don't think he has any clue what he means to me know. I've always wanted to do stand-up, but I kinda gave up on it after my Christmas performance last year, for you new readers just go to December and find that post, I think its the longest one in December. After I saw Kyle Cease, he really inspired me to pursue this again. I've started to think about my real life experience and I have a bunch of really funny stories. I can just skim through my blog and take all my funny stories and cut and paste them into my act. Now I think I really am going to try this thing, there are places that have open mic nights that I could try stuff out on. Hopefully, in a couple of weeks I can post "Terry, the Stand-Up." But now back to my point three sentences ago about how much he means to me now, I will now always remember him as the guy who really inspired me to hone my craft, then when I get rich, its all because of him. So, now that I really enjoy college life, with the free show of comedians, I'm happier then I have been for a while. I really think I'm settled in. Later Days.

A Little About Me

I wanted to address a comment someone posted on my lasted entry. I'm not responding because I'm bitter, I just understand how someone could get the wrong impression of me from the recent posts (what I like to call entertainment review paloza). This reader said that I seem to like what the record execs and movie makers tell me to like. I respond by saying I like what I like. That may sound like I'm trying to make a claim I can't back-up, but its true. A couple of years ago I went through a time when I realized that most popular stuff was fluff and I should scorn everything popular, thus filtering out the fluff and listening to quality music, watching quality movies, and having quality TV shows in my schedule. I went to punk rock concerts, read books from Forgotten Realms, and watched TechTV. I was almost oblivious to the world around me. If someone asked me if I heard the new Britney Spears song, I would have probably said no, because I considered Britney to be a hack and nothing she sang could possibly be quality. Little did I know that popular artists, such as Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, were actually getting some really good songs and establishing themselves as real artists who write their own song. The only loop hole to my anti-popular life was Disney. I always watched Disney shows in high school. I felt that since Disney has been putting out quality products for so many years, their shows must be popular, too. Then my world went upside-down when Hilary Duff released an album of her very own. She became very popular and I liked her too. I listened to Hilary Duff and enjoyed her music, I really thought she was a good artist. From that point on, I lifted my ban on popular. I decided that there are some good popular out there and if I like it, that's all that matters. I watch shows other then TechTV and Disney now too. I've really started to like Charmed and Smallville. I've started listening to music that all of you know I listen to. I go to see movies that are popular and even though I may disagree with most people and happen to agree with movie execs, I like them. Also, this reader said I needed to stop watching TV and start reading books. I do read, I've started to read some popular books, like Harry Potter, I read Star Wars books, and still enjoy Forgotten Realms books, mainly Elminster. So, I guess I'm sorry I do like some movies I'm not supposed to, but I do like them genuinely, not blindly. I'm sorry I like artists like Hilary Duff and Raven, but I do, I think their good, sorry. Also, I'm sorry if you took this post the wrong way, I just wanted explain myself, not bash you for calling me something I'm not, I don't feel that way. Anyway, Later Days.

Taxi

If someone was told they had to pick the most unlikely duo for a movie, the duo of Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon would be up there. However, despite their differences, they make a really good movie together. I won't spoil the plot, but Queen Latifah is a new taxi driver when her second day on the job she is approached by non-driving Jimmy Fallon. Insanity ensues from there and we have a movie full of laughs and plot twists. If you guys wanna good laugh, go see this movie. The two of them are great together and their moments are priceless to watch. If you don't think you'll get your money's worth, go to a matinee. Watching and listening to Jimmy Fallon singing "This Will Be" is at least worth $5, I paid $7 and felt I got more then I paid for, but everyone has their own opinion, its not like I have a machine that can brainwash the world to make everyone listen to Hilary Duff and go watch Taxi. . . . or do I? Lets just see how Taxi does in the box office and Hilary does on Bilboard. But seriously, go see Taxi, its a really great movie, you'll like it, I promise. Later Days.

Raven-Symone: This is Her Time

About a week ago I've had a new CD to be obsessed with, and its not Hilary this time. As many people knew, Disney has a large variety of stars who can sing that work at their network. There is Christy Romano, Anneliese van der Pol, Orlando Brown, Taj Mowry, and many more. If you would ask me who the best singer is that's employed at the station, I would tell you without question Raven. I know, you people are like, "What?!?! Isn't Hilary his girl?" And yes, she is. But when it comes to singing, even though Hilary does have some awesome songs and her voice is getting better, she doesn't hold a candle to 19 year old Raven. I've felt this way since I've heard Raven for the first time, about the time her show came out (since she sings the theme for it). So you all could imagine my joy when I heard Disney owned Hollywood Records was releasing a solo album for Raven. Which brings me to my main point, Raven's CD is awesome, you guys have to get it if you have any appreciation for modern music. She co-wrote five of the thirteen tracks on "This is My Time," including the title track which is also on "The Princess Dairies 2" soundtrack. "This is My Time" is so amazing because there is no genre used for the whole CD. When you listen to it, it sounds like she can't decide on a genre, she just picks one for the song at the time. While all of the songs work well for her voice, they are unquestionably different genres. She dives into R&B, Pop, Rock, Dance, and Singer Songwriter. I have to say I enjoy every track, but even if you didn't like some of them, there is definitely something for you on this CD. Raven is awesome and you shouldn't pass it up just because she is a young Disney star, you would think she's an established artist when you listen to this, don't look over it. Later Days.

Raise Your Voice

I know you people get sick of hearing about Hilary Duff, but this blog is about my like, and Hilary Duff is my life. Her new movie, "Raise Your Voice" is probably the best Hilary Duff movie I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot of Hilary Duff movies. I know that I go on and on about how awesome she is, but you really can see that in this movie. After Lizzie McGuire she was kinda type-cast as this girl who isn't popular, but is pretty and really driven. I know that describes about three-fourths of Disney's heroines, but Hilary was really stuck there. She isn't that person in this movie. Her character is coping with the death of someone really close to her, I would go deeper, but I don't want to ruin this movie for anyone who wants to see it. She really pulls this part off well. When you go to see a Hilary movie, you don't expect a really great movie with an awesome story line, but you get one with "Raise Your Voice." Did I mention the movie has a great soundtrack, which isn't in stores but it'd be really cool. Go out and see it people, you won't be disappointed. This is by far Hilary's best movie. Later Days.

If Our Lives Were a Musical

I love and hate catchy songs. It is really fun to listen to a catchy song with a good beat, but after you listen to the song, it is in your head for at least the rest of the day, maybe longer. A good song stuck in your head can even be worse then a bad catchy song. I know you people think I'm crazy now, you're all thinking things like, "I'd much rather have Maroon 5's 'This Love' stuck in my head then the Barney Song." But the thing is, when I have a good song in my head, its almost like I have to sing it or it will never leave me. That's why it would be awesome if our lives were a musical. If I had a really catchy song in my head, like Raven's "Backflip," I think it would all be solved if I could just stop my day and while I'm on the way to class I just have a little sing and dance number with the passerbys around me. The song would then be in the stratosphere and out of my head. We all could do this when we have songs stuck in our head, I just dread having to do the Barney dance for that poor soul who has that song stuck in his head. I do think, however, that there are many more good songs stuck in people's heads then bad, we would all have a blast if life was a musical. I guess I can keep dreaming for now, but maybe someday. Later Days.

Hilary Duff

As I'm sure all of you know, Hilary Duff's sophomore album came out last Tuesday. Even though I didn't tell you, I'm sure all of you also know I went out and bought it as soon as I could. Now, I'm going to review this CD from a non-Hilary Fan perspective. I realize that I will have some biased, but this CD is genuinely good without the Hilary love in me. Hilary wrote two of the seventeen tracks on this CD, as you know I usually criticize any artist who doesn't write their own songs, but I really think Hilary is taking baby steps towards songwriting. I really think she doesn't think she's ready yet to write all the her songs, and I understand. But it does have many completely awesome tracks on it. First off, the two tracks Hilary herself wrote are really rockin', more rockin' then she has ever been. That is kinda the theme of this CD, I think Hilary has a completely different sound. She has some ballads that she sound beautiful in, I've always thought of her voice as bubbly, but when I heard her sing "Hide Away" that all changed. She is almost a Kelly Clarkson when she wants to be. Then there are some popy song too, like we're all used to. I am really happy with this CD, Hilary is really growing. Any of you who are Hilary fans, be sure to check this out, any of you who aren't, check it out anyway, I think you'll really like it. Later Days.

Terry, Young Democrat

I know I promised you all that I would have more free time during college and that I'd be able to blog more. I've done it again, I've made myself so busy I can only blog a couple times a week max, sorry everybody. Anyway, getting back to the point of this entry, I've become not only a member of the young democrats, but also the dorm captain for the building I live in. "Why?" you ask, me too. I realize it will look good on resume to say I was a dorm captain for the young democrats, but heck, I'd like some time for me, college is stressful enough without things like being a radio reporter and a Kerry supporter(and yes, I do understand that to support Kerry I don't have to be a dorm captain). But I do think that if Kerry does win in November and I had something to do with, that will feel really fulfilling. Maybe that's why I joined them, or I just want a good job after college, either way. Later Days.