Monday, December 29, 2008

My Top Ten Movies of 2008

2008 was such a great year for movies. With the exception of the first movie the rest are in no particular order.

Best Movie Of The Year - Slumdog Millionare
The movie is directed by one of my all time favorite directors Danny Boyle. I saw this 3 times and each time I was left in awe.


Frozen River


The Dark Knight
Easily the biggest action movie of the year.


Gran Torino
It's Clint "Frackin" Eastwood, this movie is amazing


Milk
A movie about courage and hope. It reminds me of how far we have come and how far we have left to go.


The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button


The Fall
I have a weakness for great cinematography and Lee Pace is hott.


Vicki Cristina Barcelona


Mancora


Rachel Getting Married


Honorable Mentions
Speed Racer
Synecdoche, New York
Mister Foe
The Visitor
Let The Right One In
JCVD
The Wackness

Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Seattle Nation's Most Literate City

Well actually Seattle tied with Minneapolis but according to the Seattle Weekly Minneapolis cooked their numbers. (link)

You can view the report here

Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon

My Top Ten Albums of 2008

End of the year music lists are always hard for me, so much great music it is impossible to pick one over the other. Here are my top 10 albums from 2008, not listed in any particular order. These were picked solely based on which albums I enjoyed the most and got the most plays on my iPod/iTunes.

Vampire Weekend - Self Titled


Mates Of State - Re-Arrange Us


Glasvegas - Self Titled


Fleet Foxes - Self Titled


M83 - Saturdays = Youth


Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell


Stars - Sad Robots EP


Shout Out Louds - Our Ill Wills


Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line


Santogold - Self Titled


Other albums that I greatly enjoyed and almost made my top 10 list.
Foals - Antidotes
Does It Offend You - You Have No Idea What Your Getting Yourself Into
TV On The Radio - Dear Science
Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs


Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon

Monday, December 22, 2008

My First Day Out Christmas Shopping


With all the snow this year my holiday shopping was pushed back until today. Here is what I learned on my trip downtown

  • There really aren't that many sales going on right now. I keep hearing how bad the stores are doing but there but there don't seem to be any extra sales going on. Aside from what I have to buy now I'm pretty much waiting until Friday to see what after Christmas sales there will be
  • Though the snow was melting today many cars where still having trouble going up hill from downtown today.
  • The Nike store gave up all together and just closed at around 3:30pm today citing the weather.

Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon

Friday, December 19, 2008

More Snow On The Way!

Looks like more snow is on the way, if this keeps up I might not even be able to make it home for Christmas

Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon

My Advice For Getting Around Seattle In The Snow

picture from Jason
My advice is...don't, stay home. If you can't walk there forget it. Seriously...and chains and snow tires won't save you from everyone else on the road driving around on bald tires. Not to mention that a lot of roads have been shut down so finding alternate routes might not be worth the risk or the time. Do yourself a favor and stay home, shop local or go out and explore your neighborhood.


Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon

Photo of buses dangling over the freeway on Capitol Hill

Buses were full of teens from jobcore. Thanks to my friend Kellan for taking the picture.

Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Ladies Night At The Bottleneck Lounge



The BottleNeck Lounge is one of those places I have heard such great things about but have unfortunately been unable to check out yet. Reading my favorite gay blog I came across a post about ladies night this Tuesday at the BottleNeck.

Tuesday December 16th
7pm until Midnight

Check them out online at http://www.bottlenecklounge.com

Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon

How To Prepare Your Home & Yourself From The Cold

picture from jacdupree
Rain City Guide had some tips for your home:
"If you can, turn the main water supply to the house off and drain the system from the lowest point and flush the toilets. Leave the cabinet doors open on any sink that is on an exterior wall. Remove any attached hose pipes from exterior bibs, etc. Also, to put insulation around an exterior faucet you can improvise using a towel wrapped around and secured with a plastic bag and either tape or a heavy duty rubber band." (link)
Some advice from the City of Seattle:

Keep grills and emergency generators outdoors
Seattle City Light reminds people that barbecue grills and emergency generators should never be operated indoors. Doing so could cause fatal carbon monoxide poisoning. If you lose power, dress in layers to stay warm and seal up drafty windows and doors to slow the loss of heat in your home.

City Light ready to respond to outages
City Light has sufficient crews on standby and supplies stocked to respond to outages. Some utility trucks will be fitted with tire chains for the weekend so they will be better able to navigate snowy streets if necessary. Additionally, City Light has enough generating capacity to meet the rise in electricity demand as temperatures drop.

In the event of a large-scale outage, residents should be ready to fend for themselves for at least three days.

One of the best steps is to assemble an emergency kit with at least three days of food and water for each person in the family and any family pets. Other items to include are a hand-crank or battery-operated flashlight and radio, fresh batteries, a survival blanket, a first aid kit, pocket tissues and hand sanitizer wipes. For a complete list of what to include, please visit www.govlink.org/3days3ways.

Seattle Public Utilities will have extra drainage and drinking water crews on standby this weekend, to respond to customer calls. Please call 684-3000 to report problems related to power, drinking water, wastewater or drainage.

Protect your pipes from freezing temperatures
Before the cold hits, insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic. These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Remember, the more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.

Seal leaks that allow cold air inside, near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in. With severe cold, a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.

Disconnect garden hoses and, if practical, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.

When the mercury drops, a trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall. Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.


Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon (Seattle Hair Salon)

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Movies To Watch This Weekend

My Name Is Bruce
It's Bruce Campbell for frakin sakes, he is a God amongst geeks, a geeks geek. I can't wait to see this movie


The Day The Earth Stood Still
I am just hoping this isn't some huge disappointment


Frost/Nixon


Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon on Capitol Hill

Surviving Layoffs: How-To Guide

Brian Westbrook posted 3 simple things you can do to finding that next job (even if you're not subject to a layoff). (Read More)


Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon on First Hill

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Choke Shirt, newest t-shirt company in Seattle

Choke Shirt is run by Matt and Jeff out of Fremont. Currently you can order their shirts off their site http://www.chokeshirtco.com or meet the guys in person and buy the shirts at the Fremont Market Sundays 10am to 4pm.

now open

Gotta love the entrepreneurial spirit. They both work full time jobs and do the shirts on the side. So if you get the chance check them out. http://www.chokeshirtco.com

Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon(best hair salon in Seattle in my opinion)

Washington: Smarter & Richer


According to a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Washington State's population is smarter and wealthier than the national average.

"The report found that Washington has a higher percentage of college graduates (19.4 percent) than the national average (17.1 percent), while fewer residents have only high school diplomas (25.6 percent vs. 30 percent).

In Washington, 5.2 percent of commuters use mass transit, compared to 4.8 percent nationally."(King5)


Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon(haircuts)

Monday, December 08, 2008

Shop Local: Veridis Clothier Boutique

Veridis is a small clothing boutique that opened on November 28th with one mission in mind and that is to "to facilitate the aesthetic expression of our diverse clientelle" (from the website)

Check out some of the lines they carry (link)

Here is what Seattle Daily Candy had to say

"You’ll find gorgeous leather clutches by San Franciscan Helena de Natalio and Velvet Angels stilettos. Select a silky Madison Marcus frock to take out on New Year’s night. Or toughen up in an absitively buttery soft Doma bomber. Leather pants and wool knits from Canadian line Obakki make a cozy but cool winter wardrobe.

Guys can get dapper, too, in Hause of Howe, Trovata, and shoes by Pantofola d’Oro.

Making it easy for everyone to look put together." (Daily Candy)

Veridis is located at 1205 E. PIKE STREET | SEATTLE 98122

Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon(haircuts & color capitol hill)

Movie to Watch: "Let The Right One In"

If you like Vampires but not not really into Twilight I recommend you check out "Let The Right One In" now playing at the Varsity Theatre.

Trailer

Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon(quality haircuts in seattle)

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Unique Christmas Gift Ideas - Bumbershoot

Here is a gift idea for music lovers. 3 Day Passes are available for Bumberfan Club Members for the 2009 Bumbershoot Festival for only $60. You can become a bumberfan for free at http://bumbershoot.org/bumberfan/

Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon(seattle hair salon)

Free Haircuts & Color For A Year & $150 in Hair Products

Emerson Salon Donates to Strangercrombie

Emerson donated our services and some product to this year's StrangerCrombie. Strangercrombie is a holiday auction put on every year by The Stranger, "This year's good cause is Treehouse. Treehouse serves some of the most vulnerable people in Seattle—abused and neglected children. Founded in 1988 by a group of social workers frustrated by the lack of resources for kids in their care, Treehouse helps over 4,000 kids a year with clothing, school supplies, tutoring (only one-third of kids in foster care graduate from high school, and only 3 percent graduate from college), and other critical services."(TheStranger)

Emerson Salon donated a years worth of haircuts and color and $150 in Kevin Murphy or Alterna hair products. You can bid on this package here

Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Vote for OneSeason in the Mashable Open Web Awards


My client and friends over at OneSeason made the final round in the Mashable Open Web Awards. Please take a moment and vote for them in the sports category. You can vote once per day per email.

Vote Now

Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon

Prop 8 The Musical

Have I mentioned how much I love Jack Black

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die
(Via The Stranger)

Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Movie To Watch This Weekend In Seattle

This weekend at the Varsity Theatre
Repo The Genetic Opera


Coming Soon
The Wrestler Trailer. This movie looks amazing


Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon

NW Film Forum Free Holiday Party


The NW Film Forum annual Holiday Party is this Thursday at 7PM. The party is free and includes:
* DJs warming your chestnuts with festive, danceable tunes
* Vintage holiday TV shows
* Back alley dreidel games
* Your favorite film critic as Santa!

Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon

Condo Auctions - Bad sign for Seattle Real Estate

Housing market is not looking to good for Seattle. For the least few months it looked like Seattle might actually be the exception but no such luck. Auctions are popping up all over Seattle, condos once listed at half a million now going for auction at a starting bid of $185,000. Which is bad news for developers but great news for those hording a half a million dollars cash. But seriously who has a half a million just laying around.

Here are two auctions happening this weekend.

Press Condos located on Pine and Belmont
http://www.presscondos.com/auction.html

Parc Belltown
Contact The Parc Sales Team at 206.256.0181 or info@parcbelltown.com for more information.


Get Blog Updates By Email
Add Me On Facebook - Twitter - Myspace - Linkedin - Visit Emerson Salon