Notes from a Genius

Film 206 "Shooter" starring: Mark Wahlberg, Kate Mara, Danny Glover directed by: Antoine Fuqua Mark Wahlberg is definitely a man's man, sort of in the same vein as John Wayne (except Wahlberg has ventured into different film genres, like comedies). And in case you forgot that (or you still have fond or not so fond memories of his past re: Marky Mark days) here's a testosterone-fueled film of his that will remind you that he could kick anyone's ass. His character treats his own wounds with makeshift devices that he must have learned in the military that he has gone rogue from. He's on the run from the law, from the government which has set him up to take the fall for an attempted assassination on the President of the United States- which inside-government officials actually orchestrated themselves. They were just looking for a fall guy; and Wahlberg's character stands out as an excellent, if not the best, sharpshooter (re: sniper) who has decided to li...

What another unbelievable week of my summer. I spent Monday-Thursday house-sitting and dog-sitting for another teacher at her family's home in Scarborough. I spent each day lounging around, mainly at their in-ground pool (something I'd always wanted, growing up, but settled for the above-ground pool my parents decided to put in our backyard, instead- we didn't use it nearly enough, and perhaps took advantage of the fact that we had the pool). Nothing much else to report on for those days. My Friday night was incredible. I went to see Taylor Swift at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. I had purchased my tickets all the way back in December and finally, 7 months later, the day had arrived. I saw her play the same venue two summers back and it was a great show, then, so I knew this time around it would be another great experience. She puts on quite a show. Where Britney Spears seemed to drop the torch of her show-woman-ship (as far as her concerts went, yes, I've seen B...

Another busy week, which found me unable to do much writing, so here I am on a quiet, humid Sunday night catching up in my apartment while watching a few episodes of "Louie" on Netflix. I've been able to keep up with my film viewing and I've had some fun. Oh, and my school's Summer Reading Program started this week, for which I am in charge and the lead/only teacher for sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. It's always great being in school and I get to work with some fun kids for these sessions. I've spent time at the beach, swam in a decent 70 degree ocean water last Monday. I went swimming in a pool. Really, I've done anything I could to counter-attack this heat-wave we are finally getting to experience as a full-blown Maine summer. I love it, but it's also exhausting, and troublesome when trying to get some sleep. It's too muggy to sleep some nights. Thankfully this week, I will be house- and dog-sitting for another teacher and she ...

Wednesday night I went to see She and Him (the amazing, beautiful and awesomely hipster Zooey Deschanel and musical partner M. Ward) play at the Bank of America Pavilion in Boston, which is an outdoor venue on the waterfront outside of the financial district in the big city. I saw these two perform about 2 maybe 3 years ago at the House of Blues in the same city and it was a wonderful performance back then. This time around, they put on a heck of a show as well. The band Camera Obscura opened for them and put on a subdued performance of many of their songs from their catalogue. Here's the amazing setlist for She and Him. Lots of great renditions of old songs. Zooey has an amazing smoky, blues-jazz voice that I could listen to for hours. In fact, I'd love to date her and I would want her to sing to me every night! Intro ( Reprise (I Could've Been Your Girl) ) I Was Made for You   I've Got Your Number, Son   Together   Baby   Ov...