Go See This Movie

Jeffrey James and I went to see it last night for date night and it was one of the best movies I've seen this month. That may not sound like a serious statement but it was the 9th movie I saw this month. But you know what, I can even say it was one of the best movies I've seen all year.

Here is the synopsis from Moviefone:

'Exit Through The Gift Shop' is the critically acclaimed first feature film by the renowned British graffiti artist Banksy. The film, which made its world debut at the Sundance Film Festival on the 24th January 2010, and played at the Berlin Film Festival, will open theatrically in the US on April 16, 2010.

Banksy, described by the UK press as a "British National Treasure" is a graffiti artist with a global reputation, whose work can be seen on walls from post-hurricane New Orleans to the Palestinian segregation wall in the West Bank. Fiercely guarding his anonymity to avoid prosecution Banksy has so far resisted all attempts to be captured on film. 'Exit Through the Gift Shop' is the story of how an eccentric Los Angeles based French shop keeper turned documentary maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy whilst in the US, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner with spectacular results. The film contains rare and exclusive footage of Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Invader and many of the world's most infamous graffiti artists at work, on walls and in interview. It provides an incredible insight into Banksy's world as he plans and executes one of his most audacious stunts at Disneyland. 'Exit Through The Gift Shop' also goes behind the scenes of his hugely popular LA show - Barely Legal.

"It's basically the story of how one man set out to film the un-filmable. And failed." - Banksy

It's playing at Village Square this week and since it's "indie" - I can't guarantee it will be around for long but I can guarantee you will enjoy it with a box of popcorn. And maybe some Peanut M&M'S.

A Handful of Happy

At work, we are currently in the depths of a special project that M&M'S World hired us for. The short of it is, they are launching the My M&M'S Experience, where you can make personalized M&M'S right there on site. For example, if you wanted to make me a bagful of M&M'S that read I Love HSCOOC, you could do so there. This is the first machine of its kind, as prior to this week, you could only get these M&M'S online. Soooo we've decided to make a gigantic Welcome to Las Vegas sign made out entirely out of M&M'S. And by we, I mean my friend Gabe that we ended up hiring for the project.

We are aiming to break a Guinness World Record here, people. We are talking 50,000 M&M'S, 100 lbs, and 5 x 7 feet of delicious glory. We are unveiling it Wednesday morning on the Strip at 10 a.m. in case you want to roll your happy butt down there to see this masterpiece in person.

Otherwise, I will be sure to post photos of the sign on here.

The whole point of this is, for the past 30 days or so, I've been talking M&M'S all day, every day and the temptation has just been bubbling inside of me. On Thursday, we went down for a walk-through for the unveil and I got a trip to the wonder that is the M&M'S Wall. Peanut, Pretzel (my new personal favorite), Peanut Butter, Classic. Basically, I've had a tummy ache ever since and a smile on my face.

Girlfriends.

Weekend before last, our darling Lisa G. came to town for a visit. She was actually here for almost a whole week working PROJECT with Shelly - and to get to see her three times in the same week felt like the good 'ol days as in when we were 15.

Saturday when she arrived, Lisa and I ran over the Meadows Mall (talk about talking it back old school!) to find a dress for the Travel + Leisure event we were attending that evening. We ate Auntie Anne pretzels in the food court and then got lost in Forever 21 for two hours. Then afternoon was fun of catching up, shopping, getting ready and maybe a margarita or two. Some things never change :)

That evening we hit the Travel + Leisure's World's Best Event put on by Whispering Giants at the Gold Lounge inside Aria. There Lauren, Lisa and I (Dave, too!) sipped on the 'Longitudes' cocktails before heading to Don't Tell Mama for an evening of singalongs and catching up with old friends.

The evening took a sharp turn for the homestead at the Griffin after a few unfortunate last minute shots of Whiskey. Saturday night shenanigans at their best.

Time with the besties is always needed. Even better news? The Wicklers will be in town next weekend along with Lisa and Clayton. Get ready for round two as summer commences over Labor Day weekend.

HSCOOC: Breaking News

Yup, you read it right, kids. Facebook was all-a-buzz this weekend with 41 likes and comments for the updated status of Katie Knoch now being listed as "in a relationship".

You know who else likes it? Me.

Friday Hot Track

You all know my love for Jay-Z and Kanye West. And let me just tell you that they just took it to a whole new level with this remix of Kanye's "Power." Every once in awhile, a song comes along that makes me want to reunite with Club Monster Katie. This is one of those tracks. Especially around 3:26.

#36: Survive a Class of Bikram Yoga

My goal with 100 Things was to come back and post about each one that I accomplished to share it with you and ultimately, to check back on to make sure I am going to complete at least 80% of that list (guest starring on Gossip Girl might be a little more difficult to achieve than let's say....camping at Valley of Fire).

The other night I was out with Jeffrey James and we had pulled up the list to see what we could get crossed off within the next, let's say, year or so.

As I am going down the list, I stopped at #36 and was like WAIT WAIT I DID THAT ONE!

You guys, I survived (multiple) classes of Bikram Yoga.

A few months back, Groupon (best site ever, btw) featured a daily special of 92% of Bikram Yoga. We got 30 classes for like $25 and we had two months to use up those visits. Easy as pie, right?

Or not. The first class we went to was on a Saturday afternoon. I had my new yoga mat, my new yoga clothes, a bottle of frozen water and my motivation. All of those things melted away within the first 5 minutes of class.

First, let's discuss the smell. The smell was so raunchy I thought I was going to toss my cookies right there on the carpet. Yes CARPET. WHY OH WHY would they put carpet in a room where people are just constantly dripping pounds of sweat onto the floor? Carpet soaks up smell. Trust me, I've raised a puppy in an apartment, I know.

The rest of the class was a struggle. I had not been to the gym in, oh, I don't know, six months or so? It was June so it was just starting to heat up real nice outside but let me tell you, walking out of that room to the outdoors, felt like Vegas was a cool 60 degrees. I felt limber during class, there is no doubt about that there. And the feeling that I had after that first 90 minute class was pure bliss. Look, I even mentioned it in this post.

As I was reading over that post, I noticed that I said we were going to go three times a week over the following two months. HA HA HA. I must have still been high from that first class.

I went back, I did. Once. Twice. Three times. Even a fourth. And then I retired this body back to the LVAC. The good news is, it did get me back in the routine of wanting to take care of my body, which is important when you eat as much cheese as I do.

In conclusion - Bikram yoga - an experience that I would recommend trying - just bring nose plugs and try to hold on to those first moments after your first class for as long as possible 'cause you'll be chasing that high through 120 degrees of heat.

HSCOOC Recommeded Reading: One Day

My ideal summer day is to layout by the pool - preferably not in 108 degrees - with a girlfriend next to me, a frozen cocktail or three and a good read that allows me to escape from everyday life for an hour or two.

One Day is my favorite book of the summer. If you subscribe to my bible, Entertainment Weekly, then you know that the editors over there went nuts for this novel by David Nicholls. I drink their kool-aid so I immediately ran out to Barnes and Noble after recommendations in a two back-to-back issues.

The story follows Dex and Em from their night of debauchery on their night of graduation from university through the next two decades. Each chapter picks up on the same day of that night, July 15, 1988 - for the next 20 years. Following these star-crossed lovers through their 20s, 30s and beyond.

It is a book that passionately connects you to the characters. It made me laugh aloud, it made me not get enough sleep and it made me cry - once on a plane and twice on a bicycle at the gym.

Bottom line...pick it up and take the journey with Dex and Em. And then send me a book report on it - kidding! But do please let me know if you enjoyed it as much as I.

And then we can catch the movie together next summer.

Sunday Morning Skate

This morning as I was lying in bed, trying to find a reason not to go to the gym, I decided to check the weather.

78? 78? I checked to make sure I was on the right city as I also have weather for Denver, New Freedom, PA and Costa Mesa in my phone. But I was reading it right, current temp in Las Vegas, NV : 78 degrees.

Gordon, we're going for a skate.

I laced up the 'ol fourwheelers and we hit the pavement. This is our kind way to start a Sunday.

Beach(Kick)Ball

Wednesday night marked the mid-season of the summer league for Waka Kickball.

We celebrated beach party style - complete with floaties, goggles, snorkles and a kiddie pool - oh and a Goldendoodle, too.

I am proud to announce that Kickin' It Old School is undefeated this season. We are after the Championship Title for the second season in a row.

No fights broke out this night (the prior Wednesday, there was a slight altercation on the field that led to me feeling like I really was back on the playground, only everyone was about 3 feet taller) so we can consider this a WIN on all fronts. A 20-6 win.

At Shucks after the game, I started telling the other teammates that we are all taking steroids. I am sure my teammates appreciate that but I think it might the blow a little lighter for the rest of the league. Plus, a little game of telephone can be fun every once in awhile.

Sienna Miller does LION

As you know, Sienna recently turned 5 - and apparently, she thought this would be a good time to let herself go.

I was loving on her a few weeks ago and noticed that my silky, gorgeous Sienna was now a matted cat. "Sienna! How could you let this happen??" I grabbed my kindergarten scissors that I use to cut mats out of her brother and chopped away.

Only problem was, they were too close to the skin. How long had these mats been here? I had been neglecting Sienna - I hadn't even noticed!!

So we made an appointment to get her shaved. OH YES. I KNOW. I have to trick her just to get her into the cat crate - much less to the vet to be bathed and shaved! When we arrive, they ask me to sign a consent form in case they need to sedate her and I am thinking to myself "Oh, that's definitely going to have to happen...." and sign away.

Requested cut? LION!

I picked her up yesterday evening and let me just tell you, she is looking so adorable. I was text messaging her picture all over Vegas last night. And guess what! They didn't even have to sedate her - said that she was just sooo good. Probably has to do with the fact that the vet techs kept telling her how gorgeous she is - you know how she loves when people recognize her stunning beauty.

She is not happy with the cut- looking rather uncomfortable in her new skin (ha!) but I think she will be in a few days - without all that fur, she is bound to be cooler and lighter (so she can escape quicker from Gordon).

Only problem? I was always able to rely on the whole "She's fluffy, not fat" when she would get weighed at the vet (10.9 lbs) but come to find out....she's fat when not fluffy.

Time to diet, Sienna! And don't worry about the cut, sweet kitten, I heard the Lion cut is all the rage this season.

Before

After