10 Days of You Challenge - Ten Secrets

So I spotted this on my friend's blog: (http://www.beingagrownupblows.com/) and I thought this might be fun. I am random and sporadic on this whole blogging thing...so this may be an incentive. The topic says "10 Days"...it doesn't say anything about 'consecutive days'. :)

Ten secrets, in no particular order:

1.) I have never had sex with a girl. I am from the generation where a person didn't have to prove they were straight by having sex with girls. I told people I had sex with girls, but the big secret is, though I have made out with many a girl, I have only ever touched 1 she-nipple. Just one...for my 19th birthday...in New Orleans. So not sure if that even counts. But this leads to...

2.) I flunked out of my first college. I went to an above-average high-school. It was a stellar arts school and a 'womp-womp' academic school. So I went to college in New Orleans for my first semester. I didn't know what the hell I was doing but I worked my ass off the first half of the semester and still managed to fail half my mid-terms. So I decided I would spend the second half socializing and trying to make a name for myself and try again the next semester...who knew that getting F's in all your classes meant you'd be kicked out...

3.) I am kind of ashamed of being gay. I know it's not really a big of deal anymore, but being gay is pretty tough. I am not a typical gay guy, but I do have some things that make me fit the stereotype. But I still would rather that I have the choice to tell people then having it be announced to world. Would I want to be straight? HELL NO! Being gay is actually a LOT of fun!.

4.) I talk to myself. Sometime you just need to talk outloud to get your thoughts in order. I'll sometimes walk around and pretend I am on the phone so I can talk to myself and not look crazy.

5.) I don't see clutter. I somehow have blinders on that unless I am looking directly at a mess, I don't see the mess. I need a maid.

6.) I hate doing laundry! It is the worst chore to do in the world. I am currently on doing laundry once a month...if I am lucky. I hate having to wait around for it to switch it over to dry it. I need a maid for this also.

7.) I still know EVERYTHING about Sailor Moon. I was obsessed with this show when I was 12-27. I am 27 now. I read the comics, watch the cartoons, listen to the soundtracks, hang out the wikipedia pages, look for stuff on ebay...it's still a great show!

8.) I have secretly grabbed a sorta-celebrity's butt a few times. A certain local sports figure has done events around the area and every time I have been at one he's been at I have managed to discreetly grab his ass.

9.) I dated someone on Survivor He's now married and has kids so I can't say anything. But I was dating him when he was on the show so it was kind of awkward but wicked hot at the same time.

10.) I love pulling pranks. Ever notice when something wasn't where you left it? Or a picture is crooked? Or when the bottles in the bathroom are reorganized in a random location? That's usually me.

Best Performance in a Motion Picture - Drama Actress

Not a strong category, but some actress surprised us and some were new. I didn't see Blue Valentine and only a really, bad copy of Frankie and Alice

Best Performance in Motion Picture - Drama Actress Nominees

• Halle Berry - Frankie and Alice as Frankie/Alice
• Nicole Kidman - Rabbit Hole as Becca Corbett
• Jennifer Lawrence - Winter's Bone as Ree Dolly
• Natalie Portman - Black Swan as Nina Sayers
• Michelle Williams - Blue Valentine as Cindy

Who Will Win: Natalie Portman. This was the role of her career! I never thought she was anything special, but she was down right creepy and sexy at the same time in this role. Hopefully people are ignoring her new movie with Aston Kutcher, otherwise she may have an Eddie Murphy/Dreamgirls fiasco on her hands. (Runner Up: Jennifer Lawrence)

Who I Think Should Win: Nicole Kidman. I have never been a fan of hers either, but as the coping mother in Rabbit Hole, she was amazing. Not too many people saw it, and that's disappointing, but she gave an amazing performance. (Runner Up: Halle Berry)

Who Should Be Here: Hailee Steinfeld from True Grit. What an amazing job for a 16 year in her movie debut. She plays a tough ass girl looking for revenge for he father's murder. Very similar to Jennifer Lawrence, which may be why she was overlooked for the role, but I would have LOVED to have seen these two young actresses go head to head.

Who Shouldn't Be Here: Michelle Williams. Not enough people saw this film (like me) and it went through a lot of controversy, but the other actresses have given such strong performances that they should be recognized.

Longshot: Halle Berry. No one has seen this movie and it should be seen. Halle is a schizophrenic go-go dancer who has a southern white woman as her alter-ego. It's pretty messed up and if anyone sees this, they'll forget all the horrible stuff she has made.

Best Performance in a Motion Picture - Drama Actor

Tough category, but there are definitely some leaders (and not-so leaders) on this list.

Best Performance in a Motion Picture - Drama Actor nominees

• Jesse Eisenberg - The Social Network as Mark Zuckerberg

• Colin Firth - The King’s Speech as King George VI

• James Franco - 127 Hours as Aron Ralston

• Ryan Gosling - Blue Valentine as Dean

• Mark Wahlberg - The Fighter as Micky Ward

Who Will Win: Colin Firth. He was incredible as King George and I never once pictured him from other roles. It's damn hard to speak with a speech impediment without sounding offensive. He deserves this award! (Runner Up: James Franco).

Who I Think Should Win: James Franco. Yes, Colin Firth was amazing, but Franco made me cringe and cower when he was cutting off his own arm. (Runner Up: Colin Firth)

Who Should Be Here: Aaron Eckhart in Rabbit Hole. This was one of the SADDEST movies I have ever seen, and he definitely should have been nominated for his timing and chemistry with Nicole Kidman. (Runner Up: John Hawkes in Winter's Bone)

Who Shouldn't Be Here: Jessie Eisenberg. Yes, he played the dorky, naive kind of ass-hole, but he plays that in every film I have ever seen him in. He's like serious a Michael Cera.

Longshot: Mark Whalberg. He's probably the one guy from MA who can do a decent Boston accent. Plus he can take a punch and is apparently TOO SEXY that he needed a body double for this film. The supporting roles definitely outshone his lead, but he was still wicked good.

Best Motion Picture: Musical or Comedy

First off, this category sucks. Not that there weren't a lot of nominees, but the choices here are very limited, as you will read. I didn't see The Tourist, but then again, who did? (If you did you did, I heard it was AWFUL!)

Best Motion Picture: Musical or Comedy Nominees

Alice in Wonderland

Burlesque

The Kids are All Right

Red

The Tourist

Who Will Win: The Kids are All Right. This movie was spot on for everything. At times it did feel a bit drawn out, but the way they portrayed the relationship between Annette Benning and Julianne Moore and their kids was at times overwhelming and also a little happy. I liked how it viewed a new-age modern family. (Runner Up: Nothing!)

Who I Think Should Win: The Kids are All Right. It was a just a great movie compared to the others on this list. (Runner Up: Burlesque)

Who Should Be Here: Toy Story 3. Both Toy Story and Toy Story 2 were nominated in this category, and Toy Story 2 even won! It was one of THE best movies of the year. The movie had everything and was def geared more towards those who had watched the first two when they came out then for those newer viewers.

Who Shouldn't Be Here: The Tourist. The only reason this movie is here is because of the stars. Oh wait...Johnny Depp was all ready nominated. So....yeah no idea. Plus the movie is an action/romance/drama...so still no idea why it is here. Unless it's one of those so bad, it's no so bad films.

Longshot: Burlesque. People seemed to really not like this movie, but I thought it was really good. The dancing was on spot. And plus the acting scenes between Cher and Stanley Tucci were both catty and sad at the same time. I also keep forgetting that Kristen Bell is an awesome actress. And for an acting debut, Xtina was LEAGUES ahead of anyone else who tried their hand at acting from being a singer. (Runner Up: Alice In Wonderland)

My Golden Globe Predictions - Best Picture Drama

So I am the kinda dork who tried to watch all the nominated movies. I used to get tired of people saying "blah blah blah" should have won and "blah blah blah" sucks. So I have seen about 80% of the films in the major categories. I will list who will (probably) win, who I want to win, who was snubbed, who was lucky to be nominated and the long shot.

Best Motion Picture: Drama Nominees

Black Swan

The Fighter

Inception

The King's Speech

Social Network

Who Will Win: The Social Network. Everyone has been raving about this movie. I admit it was really good and I liked that I knew everything that was going on in the movie. But honestly, I think this film is riding on "The Hurt Locker"'s coattails, where American cinema is recognizing current generation films. (Runner Up: King's Speech)

Who I Think Should Win: The King's Speech. I am not a big fan of period pieces, and I guess this could be considered modern-period, but this movie was spectacular. There were happy moments where I had to smile along with the movie. Funny, actual laugh out loud moments. There was sad moments that almost made me cry. And there were heroic moments where when a person overcame their obstacle, I felt like applauding. Definitely worth checking out. (Runner Up: Black Swan)

Who Should Be Here: True Grit. The Coen brothers did an AMAZING job with this movie. Westerns are always great movies. I have no idea why this was not nominated. (Runner Up: The Town)

Who Shouldn't Be Here: Inception. Yeah, it was one of the coolest movies I have EVER seen (I love movies with a twist ending), but the acting in the movie was only halfway decent. In a year where there weren't two many awesome action/adventure/mystery movies, this was a great film. But this is definitely the year for non-blockbusters. That's for 2012.

Longshot: Black Swan. A lot of people saw this movie and a lot of people loved it. The story was dark and twisted and the acting was superb...except for Mila Kunis. Yes she can act, but she sounds like Jackie from That 70's Show in everything she does...she's kind of like the Fran Drescher of the 00's. (LOL) (Runner Up: The Fighter).

Fuck being charitable...

Stephen Murphy

So I just (about 45 min ago) joined a group on Squidoo.com for the sake of voting for my favorite anime/manga on a page...and instead of trying to make a profit I decided to send my total visitor count to a charity for "Camp Hope: for Students with Disabilities" which for every visitor I get, ten cents gets donated to this charity.

4 minutes ago · · · Comment

• • 

    Stephen Murphy I just got an email that said, (and I quote) "The organization you are donating your 'visitar count' [sic] has been deemed unestablished and/or non-charitable and all future transactions are now invalid." FML

    4 minutes ago ·
  • 

    Stephen Murphy AND FINALLY MY ACCOUNT WAS DELETED FOR "HONORING A DISHONORABLE CHARITY!!!" Well....then why the FUCK did you let me chose that as an option?????

    about a minute ago ·

Things That Piss Me Off (Pasta-related)

I am getting sick and tired of people who want to go out for "Italian" food. Unless your going for something "exotic" (basically veal) or something that's a pain in the ass to cook (anything parmigiana), what is the point of going out for it? No where can you find a pasta dish for under ten dollars...for ten dollars you could go to a store and buy enough pasta to feed 30 people.

And when you ask people why they go to a particular Italian restaurant? They like the sauce...well I am sure they will sell you a jar of sauce or two for a couple of bucks and you can still feed 25 people on ten bucks.

I'm just saying...

And It's a Happy Anniversary...

My boyfriend and I just had out 2 year anniversary (for dating). It's pretty incredible...for two reasons.

1.) I have never been in a relationship this long...like ever. Besides 'a long distance, seen you 3 times since we were sixteen internet' relationship', it is my longest relationship.

2.) The simple fact that someone can put up with ME for 2 years.. Trust me, that is a remarkable thing. No guy has ever lasted through one showing of "Steve: The Movie". Not only has he seen the original more than once, he has also seen the sequels, the made-for-dvd movie, and the out-takes (featuring the kind of shit that that if Lindsey-fuckin-Lohan tried to pull she'd be worse-off than in jail now).

Yes, it's like that.

Back from a Break

I got "let go" from my job...so it's understandable why I haven't posted. I forgot how work kept things interesting (and with nothing else to do, time-for-blogging came more natural). Also had a summer grad school class. But now that's over. So I have just been relaxing.

Not too much is going on besides it being 100+ degrees yesterday. And for Boston, that's hot!

Flashbacks to High School (Bridget and the Squares!)

While hanging out at the crib yesterday playing on facebook, a girl I went to high school with (Keri-Ann!) had stated on her page something along the lines of "forget the celtics...yay Tony awards!" To which I replied, "you are the gayest person on my facebook."

Somehow this lead to her inviting me to a mutual high school friend of our's CD release party in Allston. Laura Regean's group "Bridget and the Squares." I decided I would go and check it out. It was a Sunday night, I am only interested in basketball in the 4th quarter and because of the game I had no work!



Mind you, I hadn't seen Keri in 8 years (aside from a random encounter at South Station) and I hadn't seen Laura in 9 years! At first I had my doubts about going...I got this random invite from a high school friend who didn't tell me the name of the band, the venue, the time...only thing I knew was that it was in Allston. But after doing a few random google searches, I managed to locate the bar: Great Scott! Show started at 9...it was 9:02!



So I hustle my butt to Allston and after parking a good half mile away on a dark side street that had no visible parking signs, walk to the bar. Upon entering, I see a few familiar Boston Latin people (Jack Ferris anyone?) but I decided to hide in the corner and grab a beer...and a few moments later Keri shows up with the whole happily surprised "What the fuck!"



Laura wasn't going on until like 1130 because of the opening acts (seriously!!!! There were OPENING ACTS!) so Keri and I talked, laughed, gossiped...basically the same ole song and dance from high school. It's nice to know that I am not the only person who hasn't changed much since then (except now we can all drink legally!)

Bad pic...but can't get on the pages at work lol

Laura was AMAZING! She played the piano and sang... mostly original songs! She had a perfect combination of pop, jazz, alternative and a hint of classical. I must admit though, I thought her two solo encore songs were the best! She put on a great show with a style on her own! I wish for nothing but the best for this star on the rise! (and must admit my jealousy ;))

If you wanna check out more, here are some of the bands links!
www.myspace.com/bridgetandthesquares
www.facebook.com/pages/Bridget-and-the-Squares

P.S. Thanks Keri!!!!!! It was a-may-zing seeing her!!!!

Way too deep...(R.I.P. Rue McClanahan)

As 2/3 of the world known...Rue McClanahan passed away yesterday a.m. I don't miss the character of Blanche so much...yeah she still makes me laugh as I flashback on how similar our stories are...but the truth of the matter is...

She was only 76...

I remember when they said Estelle Getty died. She died first, but she was the second youngest actress in real life. Yet she still played the matriarch. I didn't follow the Golden Girls at that point. I attempted to get into the GG's in 2004, but after a crazy trip to Tennessee...I never got into them.

Then Bea Arthur passed. At this point of 2009, I was just getting into them for the second attempt ( Thanks Bear!), so I wasn't affected too much. I did recognize her as the old babysitter on Malcolm in the Middle, which was one of my favorite episodes!

But Rue McClanahan played the youngest on the show, and was the youngest in real life. What gets me the most is that she is only 50 years older than me...Where will I be in 50 years?

I realize that I will probably never achieve that kind of stardom, but in 50 years where will I be? I know what I want to do, and I what I wish I could do, and what I will probably be doing...and it makes me feel small...

In 1960, the Vietnam War had just begun. Man hadn't been on the moon yet. There were no cable, no cell phones, no home computers...and I get to thinking...what will happen 50 years from now?

I grew up in a generation where we always had TV, telephones, cars, music players...only the laptop computer and the internet can I say were truly unimaginable in the early 80's.

What will the world be like in 50 years from now?

...

Rose is, and always will be, my favorite.

Yesterday, my mom asked me to pick up something for her from CVS. I had a little time before work so I figured I could grab it then. Unable to locate it, I went to ask an employee but stopped to pick up a copy of Maxim.

It's their Hot 100 edition, featuring the lovely Katy Perry et alia. I buy it every year (and mind you, I like guys! lol)

So bringing the copy of the magazine to the check-out, ask the lady behind the counter for what my mom asked me to pick up:

"Can you tell me where the Vaseline is?"

The girl looks at me, looks at the magazine and calmly says "In the back by the Pharmacy."

I felt myself turn bright red...Great...CVS thinks I'm a perv!

Tramatized by Nature

I get a lot of my worldly information from the Yahoo homepage. I was attracted to an article about a 13 year-old boy who is attempting to climb Mount Everest. After reading this article, and feeling somewhat inspired, I watched a special/documentary on Everest. Now, I know that is the tallest mountain above sea level and people die trying to scale it every year but I was intrigued because there is very little I know about the mountain!

This documentary, which will I will not name because I am going to be criticizing it and I feel it's wrong to criticize something which I will never attempt, came on at 1 in the morning. From the information, I am providing it is possible for readers to find out the name if they want. I figured a nature show will help me sleep. Boy, was I wrong.

I knew I should have turned the TV off as soon as they started talking about how most of the people who die on Mount Everest never have their bodies recovered...they are left there as frozen monuments of failure.

Actual

dead bodies
on Everest!

(There are other, more disturbing pics but you can find those yourself! These are NOT scenes from the documentary!)

Now, on the ascent to the top, a team of climbers came across a gentleman named "James Blunt" (an alias I will be using). Mr. Blunt attempted a solo climb, no radio and no bottled oxygen so it was his own fault that when trouble hit he was unprepared. The team filming the documentary, during their ascent, said that they had seen Mr. Blunt contacting them for help, but made no effort to try to help him as it would have been "useless". Over 40 people passed by without making any effort to save him and continued on their way. The video shows and describes Mr. Blunt's demise, including using the description of "watching his legs and feet curl from frostbite." Most of the documentary team and others doing that trek made it to the summit. During a decent, a group that failed to make it to the top attempted to help Mr. Blunt but it was too late and he was left to perish.

I didn't fall asleep until about 4 am because I was that affected by witnessing this.

But then I woke up a few hours later to get ready for work, and after shaking out the images still stuck in my head, I began to get a little upset by the whole fact.

Even though some reasons for not attempting to help Mr. Blunt were due to it weather and the difficulties of a nighttime rescue, I began to question where has the human compassion gone? I know the incredible challenge that awaits those brave enough to attempt this feat, but are we becoming so selfish that we forget about other human life and not even attempting to try to help! What disturbs me the most is that the climbers felt that since it was a feeble attempt they might as well continue their assent and see if they can reach the top.

To those out there who are into this kind of stuff, more power to you! But do people truly believe that making it to the the top is more important than the value of another human life? I hope I'll never have to be in a position like that (and from the safety of my room, I don't think I will ever have to!)

Now I get you, Garfield...

Some people really hate Mondays...I don't normally. I work Sunday nights at a place that pays me cash, so even if I spend money all weekend, I end up with a cool $100 to start the week...

This Monday...not so much a fan...

I somehow managed to get a flat tire on Saturday, while in bed feeling ill. I didn't need my car, as it was pouring rain on Sat and Sunday was Mother's Day (my dad said I could use his car for work) so I decided to get up bright and early Monday before work. So at 8, I wake up, call AAA to put the donut on my car. The lady on the phone was wicked nice and said someone would be there within the hour.

At 8:47, I get a phone call from the AAA Lady apologizing for the driver being late...he broke down on the highway. They were sending another truck out.

9:13, another phone call saying the NEW tow truck drive would be there in about ten minutes. At 9:42, the triple a lady call again...the NEW tow got a flat tire...They would be sending out a third one.

FINALLY! At 9:56, the 3rd driver pulls up, changes my tire in about 3 minutes, I tip him and he leaves.

So...I get to work about ten minutes late.

Turns out my work computer has a worm and is trying to steal credit card information...

Et tu, Garfield...

Always a bachelorette partier....

I know it sounds odd, but I have been to two bachelorette parties in the past year and half or so. Not only did I attend both of them, I was also on the planning committees. The first was my friend Lisa's that took place last September (2009). The pregame began at my house in the kitchen with a few of the girls. This is where we gave Lisa he sash, beads, and other fun stuff. It was dinner at Kiku Yama in Dedham and than an evening of Karaoke and drinks on the lower level. It was crazy but we had a blast! (for some strange reason I can't find any pics of me in them...but I here are some other pics! Lisa is the one in the sash (dur!)

And the outcome?

One of the most beautiful brides

in the world!

Here's the Groom's Party! Greg, the happy husband on the right and John Holbrook, the best man on the left. I was actually a replacement for the other groomsman at the last minute but it was awesome cuz I got to be involved in my first wedding of my friends!!!

Will post on the second one shortly...

It's funny b'cuz it's true...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2E69k7BYd8

Steve: The Album

To much of the annoyance of everyone, and if you know me it happend A LOT, I have this awesome habit of replacing the word 'me' in certain songs and replace it with my name "Steve". I decided, hey, why not make an album! Here is a begining song list:

"It's Gonna Be Steve" (N'SYNC cover)
"You Belong With Steve" (Taylor Swift cover)
"Steve Against The Music (Britney cover)
"Follow Steve" (Uncle Kracker cover)
"Without Steve" (Eminem cover)

Bonus Track:

"Imma Steve" (Black Eyed Peas cover)

Any others you wanna see done? Let me know! :)

Having a "I got outta bed for this!" day

To start things off, I was sick as a dog yesterday. For those who know me, I never get sick and when I do I just want to be left alone. On top of being sick, I called out of class (which I NEVER do) and trivia (which I NEVER EVER do) and used the day to get myself back into normal health as today I had 4 different opportunities lined up for Student Teaching for Fall 2010, which is a requirement for my Master's.

So today, I get up bright and early to the sun (yeah sun was there for a bit today...) and try to shake the last few remnants of sick away. They were still there but had to put them in check because it was a very important day! I check my email to find out that the I didn't need to go to my first student teaching interview at (random school in Cambridge) as they had enough people show up yesterday that they didn't need me. Ok, that's fine. Three more to go.

Around lunch I went to (Boston High School) for a job interview. I got a tour of the school and chatted with the administrator giving me a tour. Seems like a good lead but at the moment they are looking for teachers and not sure if the position will accommodate my student teaching....but still it's some kind of lead.

Checking my phone again to see what time the next appointment was, I got a rather nice email from the person I was supposed to meet for the fourth appointment saying he had to reschedule...so not a big deal.

Now my third interview I had been looking forward to for months. The school is right near my house and I actually know people who have gone to that school before (my brother included) so I was anticipating it. Not only was it excellent for student teaching, the also offer a stipend! I know they say not to put all your eggs in one basket, I had a really good feeling about this!!!!

The email I received said this:

Hi everyone,

SOME PERSON just shared a great news with me. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in BOSTON is offering paid internships for the next school year. You can go to the BPS website and get the school info. I am not sure how much they plan to pay the interns next year, but the interns this year receive $7,500. If you are interested, please attend the Open House at the SCHOOL on Wed, April 28, 3:00-4:00pm. Bring your resume. You will have the opportunity to meet with the principal and teachers. Interviews would be scheduled afterward.

I arrive at the school...Open House was yesterday...