Why iTunes Needs Longer Previews

I love iTunes! But after downloading this I've come to realize they definitely need MUCH LONGER PREVIEWS! Seriously folks, I want my money back!

Marathon Motivation!

A fun little treat arrived in the mail the other day! A marathon motivation kit from Thea and Anne back in WI. They are THE BEST! I'm training for the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco in October and have been struggling a bit with my daily runs. It's hard to get out there by yourself!

This box of goodies was a real treat! Thanks ladies!

Fast and Furious: Back to the Beginning

We conclude our film fest with a seafood feast to celebrate our one year anniversary and the final installment in our film fest: Fast and Furious. This one brings back the original cast but much to my surprise and delight we also get a bit of my favorite character, Han, from Tokyo Drift.

To start the evening, a few blurry shots of our seafood feast preparation. Clive working on the shrimp and mussels and me, steaming crab legs.



And then the delicious result!



The movie was pretty good! It started with a flash back to show us what everyone has been up to since we last got together and then we got a good dose of revenge, fast driving, and a cliff hanger ending. Can you say Fast and Furious 5?

In all, a great film fest!

Part 3: And possibly THE BEST?

Reasons why this is the best installment?
1. 105 minutes of Sung Kang playing Han Lue
2. Great scenes of Tokyo, especially at night
3. More awesome street racers
4. A cameo by Vin Diesel bringing back Dominic Toretto
5. A fun soundtrack including Tokyo Drift by the Teriyaki Boyz

Reasons why watching this may be painful?
1. 105 minutes of Lucas Black and his dumb-ass accent
2. No real story and not as much cool fast driving
3. Drifting is cool for about 5 minutes and then it's just sleepy
4. Did I mention that Lucas Black's accent is annoying?

Part 2: Not quite as good

You know how the sequel is just never quite as good as the first? Well, the addition of Ludacris and Eva Mendes defintely helps but the script gets a little goofy.

Still, it makes me pine for my own street racer and a heated discussion followed the wrap of the movie. Is 41 too old for my white glitter flake Evo or Skyline? I would forgo the Nos!

The Fast and The Furious Film Festival Part 1

The film festival is a time-honored tradition in the Proud House. The topic varies from Bond to Bourne to Submarines (a great one with lots to choose from)!

We are currently launching a four-day Fast and Furious film fest to celebrate the DVD release of the fourth installation in the series. Zoomey go fast! And to honor sister Jai's Mitsubishi Evo, of course bought in complete innocence and then the quick recipient of a speeding ticket. Go Jai!

Last night was the one that began it all: The Fast and the Furious



Clive settled in with his asian steak salad and Kirstin with her bag of chips and guacamole for a night filled with fast cars, witty dialog, action and adventure. Yes, all is well on Sand Dollar Drive.

Overheard at the Next Table

Girlfriend 1: Blah, blah, blah, loser boyfriend, broken down car, etc...

Girlfriend 2: Blah, blah, blah, loser boyfriend, broken down car, etc...

Kirstin and Clive: Happily eating breakfast and admiring the ocean view

Girlfriend 1: Deep breath and dramatic pause so we know BIG NEWS is coming...

Girlfriend 1: So I've decided to sue my attorney!

Girlfriend 2: Really?

Kirstin and Clive: Hysterical laughter which drowns out overhearing why anyone would choose to sue their own legal counsel.

Never a dull moment here in the South!

Going to the Beach

It's official! We've become Floridians! How can you tell? We've purchased the all important BEACH BUGGY!

Apparently this rig is key to lugging all your crap back and forth to the beach every day. I see this because my desk faces the window and I get to watch everyone heading to the beach while I am working. One of the unanticipated negatives of living among the retired.



Here is the buggy in all it's glory! Big wheels for navigating deep sand. A mesh pocket for all the wet stuff. A big hook in the front to hang your beach chairs, which we haven't invested in yet, but will soon!



And here's the perfect setup in order to stretch out and watch Clive and my Dad go for a swim! Straw mat, towel, water, trashy Nora Roberts under the umbrella. Life is good!



Hi Guys! No where near hot enough for me to come join you!