Updates
Updates!
So, I really haven't been using my LJ as of late, as you may have noticed. Don't get me wrong, I have been checking out my f-list from time to time, but in most cases, I've been using my twitter and facebook accounts more often. But it's not like there's much to really update you all with today.
New Years Resolutions:
Films:
I really haven't been keeping up with my older films, but I have made it a tradition to watch older, classical movies on Sundays when I can. The most recent one was Rio Bravo which I absolutely adored. I'm not sure if I liked it more than High Noon (Rio Bravo was the director's attempt at making High Noon), but I certainly liked it just as much. And honestly, the best performance is Dean Martin. Oh. My. God. I had no idea Dean Martin could act as well as he did in this film. I loved his drunkard deputy character. And John Wayne was just fantastic in Rio Bravo too, but he's really a given.
Books:
I read Ian Rankin's Complaints. And I loved it. I have to get into the Rebus novels now, because goddamned if I didn't love his new character. I just love Rankin's style. I mean, if this is the state of contemporary Scottish literature, I am frankly amazed. In most cases, however, I've been largely focused on reading non-fiction like Giorgio Vassari's Lives of the Artists, in preparation for my trip to Italy in August/September 2010.
Travel:
San Diego:
Before I talk about Italy, let's just say how excited I am for Comic-Con again this year. Especially since there's a Glee panel. Last year I didn't go see the True Blood panel because I had yet to watch it. Now that I've seen every episode (included the 'twisted' episode this past weekend, loved it!), I totally want to see the True Blood panel this year. And White Collar. I'm so happy that Bomer has a series he can really show his ability on. Not to mention one that has more longevity than Traveler. I wish Breaking Bad would have a panel there because, hello, it's also about science, and who loves science more than geeks at Geek Prom?!
Italy:
I'm going to be gone between August 27 to September 18. The wedding is on Sept. 11. I'm going to Rome for 6 nights, Venice for 6 nights, Eppan/Bolzano (where the wedding is) for 3 nights, and then Florence for 5 nights. I plan on seeing Pompeii and Orvieto as day trips from Rome; Padua as a day trip from Venice; and, finally, Montereggioni, Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Lucca as day trips from Florence (most of those are hit during a 13 hour tour of Tuscany I'm going on). Of all the museums I plan on seeing, I can't wait to see the Uffizi, Bargello, Accademia, Museo Nazionale and the Vatican Museums the most. My accommodations in Rome are great, found from a Rick Steves book, located close to the Roma Termini station. My accommodations in Venice is this fantastic B&B in the Canareggio sestiere. And finally, I'm staying at this gorgeous pensione within a few 100 yards from the Duomo in Florence.
Health:
My health is pretty good. No real aches or pains. I'm getting older, so I get all the stuff that happens in your 30s, but other than that, I'm pretty darn pleased.
Work:
Loving my job more than anything. Really. I love working for the federal government.