1. Sporcle.com How no one came up with this before, I have no idea. As the tagline explains, "Mentally Stimulating Diversions". Think you know all fifty states? Chances are you'll probably forget at least one if you weren't taught the state song back in elementary school. Do you know all the presidents? I do not but I did back in the 11th grade. Along with their party and years in office. So that should count for something right? How many of Shakespeare's plays can you name? It's all on this website. One weekend my family broke into teams and competed to see who knew the most or could get all the answers in the fastest time. It was awesome. I highly recommend this website to anyone who loves a little bit of trivia. Or just if you want to be able to brag that you know all of the movies starring Ben Stiller/Julia Roberts/ Matt Damon.
2. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I really enjoyed this book. Being a fan of LOST and the fact that time travel has become a huge component of the show, I read that a lot of people who were fans of time travel on the show were also fans of this book. It helped in putting a lot of things in a new perspective with the whole "whatever happened, happened" aspect. I thought the first person perspectives from both the time traveler, Henry, as well as his wife, Clare, was brilliant and it really makes you feel for both of the characters because they have very different struggles when it comes to Henry's "condition". But at the heart of it all, this very much in love couple hates being apart and dreads the fact that the separation may be permanent one day if Henry fails to find his way back to the present. I really loved the character of Clare because she was strong even though the character could easily have been viewed as weak since she sat around waiting on a guy for most of her life. The book had some surprising twists (considering it pretty much lays it out there in the title that Clare does in fact become Henry's wife) and it was one of those "I'm exhausted but I have to know what happens next so I'll read one more chapter before I go to bed" books. The only downside for me was when Niffenegger talked about the paper making process in relation to Clare's profession. I didn't understand, it was hard to imagine, and I didn't see how it added that much to the story. Well the paper creations in general did, yes, but not the actual processes. Overall, a great book and I highly recommend. P.S. They are also coming out with a movie starring Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams later this year. Loooove her so I am excited to see it even if it does take on more of a sappy tone than it contains in the book.
3. Parachute's Losing Sleep (Bonus Track Version). I found out about this band because their song "Under Control" was one of the free singles of the week on iTunes (another of my favorite things!) a couple months ago. I loved the song (even if I did lose a little respect when I heard it in a Nivea commercial a few weeks ago but, hey, you gotta make money somehow these days) and sampled a few others on iTunes. Once I saw that the album, the bonus track album, was only $6.99, I was sold. They definitely have a Ben Folds/ The Fray/ Maroon 5 feel to them but I happen to enjoy those bands so that's a plus in my book. "She (For Liz)" and "She is Love" are the standouts thus far in my few listens, along with the one that started it all, "Under Control". Plus you are getting 12 songs for the price of seven. Holy sweet steal Batman.
4. Extras the t.v. show. It came from the minds who created The Office so of course it is bloody brilliant. Ricky Gervais is absolute perfection in his role. I also found it amazing he was able to create an even more socially unaware character than his alter ago, David Brent, but he succeeds with Maggie. She is my slight hang-up about the show. No one is that stupid. I understand a lot of the time it is a device to further the plot, but come on! And they gave her a slight chance at redeeming herself at the end of the first season but then any sign of that seemed to go away by the beginning of the second. But seriously, great show. Absolutely hysterical. The guest stars are amazing because you know they are having a blast playing the complete antithesis of themselves, or at least the antithesis of their public image. Chris Martin and Orlando Bloom are my favorites and not just because they are fun to look at but because they play the extreme of what they potentially could be in their profession but you highly doubt they actually are (or at least not to that extent). Chris Martin hypes up his rockstar image and the whole "caring about third world countries" deal is just an act to get more publicity. Orlando is obsessed with being better than Johnny Depp and making sure that women find him more attractive than his Pirates of the Caribbean counterpart. Brilliant. Hysterical. The guest stars must have had an absolute blast being a part of this show. It is British so it is a bit more "cutting edge" but, man, is it funny. Love it.
5. Twitter. I know, I know. I was one of those people who just didn't understand the appeal of Twitter. Why would anyone care what I was doing/thinking (You could say the same thing about this blog actually)? But seriously, people do! Well at least I do. You mean I can know what John Mayer thinks about Guitar Hero? I can see pictures that Lauren Conrad posts from her book tour that she takes herself? Kevin Spacey can squash rumors that Jeff Goldblum died in an accident so I can sleep in peace? YES to all of the above! I can also stay in touch with my siblings in Seattle or know what my friends are up to at their summer jobs. You know, the people I actually know. But I already admitted to a slight celebrity, um obsession, so this is heaven to me. It's constantly updating, you can do it from your phone-- it is just awesome. Not that I think anyone cares about me or what I have to say, but it is strange when I posts photos and see the view count in the double digits. Granted I am sure that is my family/friends but still there is a chance that somehow I come across Andy Roddick, Rainn Wilson, or Rachel McAdam's radar. Exciting!
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