Carpe Noctem: Seize the Night

“Are either of you Tiffany?”

That was a question my buddy asked two girls sitting together at a table in Nashville’s Corner Pub. The good news, they were cute. The bad news, neither of them were Tiffany. So we grabbed a table and a couple of small cups of soda, sipped, and waited. This was my friend’s first time meeting Tiffany face to face, their relationship up to this point was strictly over the phone.

He and I were hanging out earlier that evening when he got a text from the Tiffany that she and her roommate were going downtown, so he invited me to come along with him to meet them. And since most of my nights (all of them) consist of conversations with my two dogs and a replay of Monday night’s Bachelor episode, I jumped at the chance to get out in the real world.

catherine4

We drove to this certain area people go to in Nashville (they call it the Gulch), and made our way over to this place where a bunch of hip people were all together (Bar Louie in… the Gulch). I kept thinking, “So this is where people who aren’t like me go on Friday and Saturday nights…” There were no tables available so my buddy was ready to leave. I was insistent that we stop for a second and stare. All these people. They had trendy coats. They were smiling and laughing. One guy had a baseball cap on and it worked. Two girls were alone at a table and seemed content with that. Servers hustling. TV’s were bright with guys skating on ice (hockey). It was a sight to behold. My dogs would’ve loved this.

corner pubWe eventually ended up at the Corner Pub. Unfortunately, we didn’t know the best part of our night already happened. Remember when I said my buddy and I were hanging out earlier? We met up to watch “Life of Pi” in 3D (my review here). Maybe we should’ve called it a night after that because it was slightly downhill from there and that includes finally finding Tiffany, who was not in… the Gulch.

So we’re sitting at the table waiting to meet the elusive Tiff. Her location unbeknownst to those who wanted to beknownst. Minutes later a text comes in. My friend shovels off to find her. Seconds pass. Then minutes. Minutes turn into a quarter hour and I begin to wonder if this is some elaborate set up for fun at my expense? Was an ex-girlfriend going to appear with a camera crew in tow? Was a waiter going to tell me the table has been rising for the last hour and I never even noticed!? How embarrassing. Was the table rising?

My friend returned and so did my sanity. He had found Tiffany. He had found Tiffany to be underwhelming. He had found Tiffany to be underwhelming and sitting with a group of friends. None of which were her roommate. Some of which were guys. He hugged her hello, chatted, and said goodbye. Then he and I spent the next 45 minutes coming up with reasons we should talk to the two non-Tiffany girls from the beginning of this story.

Alas, at the end of the night, I was at home with my two favorite girls. Neither of which were Tiffany…

…fortunately.

Carpe Noctem!
-Out of the Wilderness
piper and asia OCT2012USE

Movie Review: Life of Pi

life-of-pi-tigerI remember sitting in a theater when I caught the trailer for “Life of Pi.” I knew it was a movie I had to see so I recently ventured out to make a night of it (the night turned into an adventure, for that story, click here). After reading reviews, it seemed catching it in 3D was the way to go, so that’s what I did. I feel very fortunate in that choice, because the 3D was outstanding. It felt as if they actors were up on stage acting out each scene right in front of me. The scenes at sea reminded me very realistically of fishing trips with my dad. The deep blue water, the endless sky. It was all extremely remarkable. That said, watching it in 2D must suck. But I suppose if you don’t know any better, 2D is fine. Before reading on, you should know that I give high ratings to movies that touch on more than one emotion. I like to laugh, cry, get nervous, scared, angry, and/or inspired all within the 2 hours they have my attention. This particular movie had a few laughs, my favorite being the mention of Columbus and where he was sailing. But for a reason I can’t quite name, I never felt connected. Not to the main character, nor the supporting cast (one of which was a Bengal tiger). However, there were moments my heart beat faster, mostly because some of the scenes in the ocean were relatable.

Due to the intensity of some of the scenes, a lot of reviewers were upset this movie was advertised as child-friendly. I don’t have any problem with the film being called child-friendly and I’d take my young nieces to see this movie without hesitation (and I’m an animal lover). You can see much worse on network TV any day of the week.

And if you’ve done any research yourself, you’ve probably come across the mention of a mistake. It’s when the bengal tiger is given a goat to feast on in order to teach Pi a lesson in safety. Worst scene in the movie, not because of the nature of the killing, but because of the obvious botch. I don’t know why the director/producer would let such a glaring mistake pass.

So I liked it. Didn’t love it. Loved the 3D. Didn’t care for the ending. Would I see it again?

In 2D… no.
In 3D… yes.
On DVD… no.
On a date with Kate Beckinsale… yes.

life-of-pi

A Dream Vacation

“Aruba, Jamaica, ooooo, I wanna take ya…
to Bermuda, Bahama, come on, pretty mama!
Key Largo, Montego, baby why don’t we go?”

I woke up singing the lyrics of “Kokomo” by the Beach Boys. It’s one of those disappointing mornings when you realize the dream you just awoke from is better than real life, know what I mean? This time I was part of an all-male quartet singing about a tropical paradise that may or may not actually exist. You should’ve heard my vibrato! The dream probably came from my subconscious desire to be a good singer. Or my very conscious desire to be somewhere beachy. Today, neither are true. But all through breakfast I sang like no one was listening! Much to the dismay of those who were listening.

me in Jamaica.
me in Jamaica.

The Bachelorette: Desiree

Desiree: You saw me, killin’ it?
Sean: Smashing people.
(from “The Bachelor” Episode 3 group date after playing volleyball)

Barring a meltdown, I predict Desiree to win the final rose and a proposal from Sean. The chemistry is better between those two than Sean and any other girl in the mansion. There are a few top contenders, of course, like the wedding dress girl Lindsay, and AshLee F. but the conversation Sean had with Desiree during the group date in episode 3 confirms she’s a top 3 finisher. If not, Sean is crazy. I mean, look at this face!
desiree1desiree2desiree3 

Gun Control

Gun control is all about freedom and more now than ever, it seems that the goverment created for the people, by the people, is passing laws that are limiting good people and their ability to defend themselves against the bad. It has many wondering how long it will be till we need the very thing we’re not allowed to have to defend ourselves against those who won’t allow us to have it.

gunWe’re alive in an interesting time in the U.S. because for the first time, one of the main arguments against stricter gun control is protection from an oppressive government. The implications are that one day, it may come down to who has bigger guns, the people or the people’s government. Is this country hurdling towards some kind of civil war… again? I’m shocked this scenario is even coming up in conversations, and yet, it is and it’s causing me concern. We dont need strict gun control laws. We need people to have strict control of their guns. The events at Sandy Hook Elementary have spooked citizens into supporting the government’s push for more gun control, but guess what? Laws will never make bad people good. I heard a pastor say that once and I firmly believe it. 

One afternoon, I spent entirely too much time searching “Sandy Hook conspiracy” and while I typically doubt crazy theories and unsupported claims, this one in particular seems quite possible. The information I came across combined with the U.S.’s history with the Illuminati is eye-opening to say the least. Was the massacre a conspiracy? I don’t know. But it’s interesting how much the press overlooked in the coverage, and how quickly the government is acting when we all know how slow they are at, say, the DMV.