Or rather, movie-goers STAY home… at least if you were planning to see Turistas.  I had to go to a press screening tonight, despite the icy weather.  I did what any sane person would do… called a friend with a Jeep and had him drive.

I’m normally a fairly optimistic reviewer, I can find something positive to say about just about anything.  But I’m really struggling with this one.  If I wasn’t on the hook for a review I probably would have walked out.

It’s bad people… I mean really bad.  It’s not really even scary or psychological.  It’s pretty much predictable and formulaic. If you’re a fan of this type of movie you’ve seen it all done better somewhere else.  Just save your money, I’d even skip the DVD myself. Let this one die a peaceful death.

It was too cold and dark to deliver the snowman that Marianna requested… hey chickie, move out of Texas and maybe you can play in snow yourself!

To make amends, I dedicate this song update to her instead.  When I stumbled over this song on Smile Empty Soul’s new album I immediately thought of her.

The first snow of the winter season is falling in Seattle.  Of course, we don’t normally get much snow so this could be the last snow too! I don’t think we’ll get much at this rate. Whatever falls could stick around though as the forecast is mostly freezing temperatures this week.  Could be interesting.  Fortunately I work at home most days and can avoid the drive.

I’m home by the way, I was following the forecast and opted to take the late boat back to the mainland last night and come home early.  Good thing I did as regions north of Seattle experienced much more snow last night and today.  Lopez Island got a couple of inches from the photos I’ve seen.  I could have had issues getting home if I had I waited to leave!

Because I’m here… oh the hardship, oh the horror…

The trip to Lopez Island was a little rough weather-wise but all went well and we settled in for a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner today. My friends, the Wiseman’s, invited me up to stay a few days in the guest apartment over their garage and to join them for dinner. This is a big weekend on the island. Tomorrow is the lighting of the Christmas lights in the village. We’ll be there for that and I’ll try to get photos. The big bazaar is this weekend also. A lot of artists and artisans live on the island and this time of year they have a big sale at the school. You find amazing and beautiful things there. I normally buy a hand-blown glass Christmas ornament every year. Hopefully I can get one this year too!

I’m packing my bags and getting stuff ready to take off in the morning. I’m heading up to Lopez Island for the Thanksgiving weekend.

I’ll hop in the car and roll north to Anacortes, WA in the morning then catch a car ferry over to the island.  Hopefully the weather cooperates, high winds can impact sailings.

I’m taking the camera and plan to shoot photos while I’m there.  Might be gray and wet though! I’ll try to post a few while I’m there, I’ll have my laptop and Internet access where I’m staying.

Hope you have a great Thanksgiving, don’t eat too much!

I haven’t done a meme for a while and this one looked interesting… stole it from Leesa and SilverWillow!

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Wow, I just got around to watching this weekend’s episode of Dexter.  Wow… major revelations… I didn’t see that coming at all. If you have Showtime and you’re not watching this show you are really missing out.  Even if you don’t have Showtime you can stream the first two episodes on the website.

I think Dexter and Heroes are the stand out series for me this season… well and Jericho and Supernatural. Come to think of it the new season of Battlestar Galactica has been pretty good too.

Ok, I better just say that this has been a fantastic season in general for people like me that like their TV shows a little further out of the mainstream.

Now if Lost could just get their act together and actually resolve a few of their many plot lines I might feel better about watching it again.  *sigh*

I’ve had to drive into downtown Seattle the last two nights running. In the best of circumstances this is far from my favorite past time. Throw in darkness and rain and it’s a frustrating exercise.  I go there so seldom that I don’t know my way around without directions and Seattle is the *worst* when it comes to putting tiny letters on street signs that seem to be in the last place anyone would look for them.

Still, I survived. Both nights I was on assignment to attend press screenings.  Tuesday night was Deja Vu, the new movie starring Denzel Washington. I liked this one. It’s not art but I like Denzel and the movie was entertaining.  I’d rate it worth seeing.

Last night was Fast Food Nation, the *fictional* movie based on the non-fiction book of the same name. I can’t recommend this one.  Even if you care deeply about the issues surfaced in the movie, it just doesn’t work well *as* a movie in my opinion.  And the finale of the movie featuring actual footage of cows being slaughtered at a meat packing plant isn’t for those with weak stomachs.  Count yourself warned!

Now I just have to write the danged reviews… *sigh*

Here’s your chance to help mold my big motorcycle trip next summer.  The week of June 13, 2007 I’ll be riding almost 1200 miles from Seattle to Custer, SD to attend a national sport-touring motorcycle meet. In the interest of time I’ll probably take the direct route out with a few side excursions as time allows.

What I need from you folks that may know the areas I’ll be rolling through on the map above, is recommendations for things not to miss.  I’m especially interested in photo stops and great road food. Suggestions for alternative routes to the highway are always welcome too!