Oscar for "Once" song "Falling Slowly"

In case you were popping popcorn or just not watching last night, I wanted to show you my favorite win and speech of the Oscar evening. "Once" was my favorite movie of the year, and though the film was not nominated, the song "Falling Slowly" from the film was.

Marketa Irglova's acceptance speech, made possible by Jon Stewart's surprising invitation to come back on after being shoo'd away by the obnoxious "time's up" music, was the best of the evening. You'll have to watch to the end of the video to see it after they walk off the first time.

The Germeridian's new Apple upgrade ...

I can enjoy my iTunes music library from just about anywhere. Along with the collection of various iPods, I have an iPod dock in my car, on my clock radio, on each of my computers, and of course, the AppleTV in the living room. However, there has always been one place that my music couldn't follow me due to the awkwardness of earbud cords and the distance from speakers. But that has been solved with the installation of this ...

Happy Valentines Day!

Ok, I win. I have the cutest niece on the planet. Look at what I got in the mail:

Yes, the paper cup flowers popped up when I opened the box containing heart-shaped pecan sandies cookies, Starburst, and Laffy Taffy. The outside of the box was covered with samples from her sticker collection. She's four and is learning to read so I'm sure she didn't notice that one of the stickers had a wreath on it that said, "Funeral Memorial: In Loving Memory".

If my car was not in the shop, I may have just jumped in and driven the six hours to see her in North Carolina.

But as a pretty great alternative, I got this picture of her hugging the flowers I sent her for Valentines Day.

I almost wrote a diatribe post this morning about how much I hate Valentines Day, but I'm glad I didn't. It's been pretty great.

Go back to work!

Well it's about time that those crybaby writers got back to work. I've been without new Office episodes for months. I better get a full season, even if it means extending into the summer.

Germeridian February Mix

This month the Apple TV has been pumping out an interesting mix of N'awlins jazz and indie hits, with a few randoms like Kelly Rowland's new, upbeat "Daylight" to keep me awake at 2am while washing the billion dishes after the crawdad cajun gumbo dinner party. The Weepies continue to be omnipresent on the house mix, the iPod, and in the car.

Enjoy your February!

My favorite Superbowl ad this year ...

Gem off Logan Circle: The Studio Theater

I often hear people say that DC's cultural landscape is barren compared to other cities like New York, Chicago, or even Cleveland. I think that this is partly just not true: we have a pretty broad selection of non-movie options, ranging from musical theater to some of the best art exhibits in the world (for free, no less).

But to the extent that it IS true that DC is behind other cities in terms of the arts, I think we only have ourselves to blame. We simply don't take maximum advantage of what is here, which would thereby drive up the demand. If DCists were more avid consumers of the arts, it would make more experimental, cutting edge ventures economically viable.

One of the most under-utilized resources in the city is the Studio Theater on 14th and P Northwest. Through a respectable level of ticket sales and the support of donors, the theater has not only survived, but has expanded and upgraded it facilities in the past five years. Nevertheless, I have very few friends who have seen a play at the Studio, and those who have probably have only gone once or twice.

I'm just as guilty. I've only seen a few plays at the Studio, the best of which was Black Milk, a play by Vassily Sigarev that started slow but turned out to be a real stunner. I remember leaving that night committed to seeing a play there at least twice a year. Sadly, that hasn't happened, but as I perused the posters in the window last weekend, I decided to buy a season pass.

And the season looks good. The Studio is offering something we've all heard of, History Boys, along with a solid dose of experimental, up-and-coming productions that look promising, like The Internationalist.

So take a look at the schedule and reserve some tickets at the Studio Theater. Sure it's more expensive than renting a movie, but it's cheaper than dinner and drinks, so eat a sandwich at home and head out to support the arts in DC.

I'll see you there.

Kinoki Foot Pads. Proactiv Solution.

"Getting to know you quiz".

These are the phrases from previous posts that have driven a ridiculous number of hits to my blog from Google. I guess just mentioning KINOKI FOOT PADS PROACTIV SOLUTION GETTING TO KNOW YOU QUIZ a few times makes me very popular.

Not that the surfers stay very long. The majority of my "hits" stay an average of 9 seconds. Probably because I'm making fun of people who use these products.

Let's see how many hits THIS post gets.

Recommended: U23D

I have to admit, part of the thrill of U23D was that it was my first 3D movie. The technology itself was pretty thrilling, especially combined with IMAX. But the rest of the thrill was from being onstage with U2, walking in between the band members, soaring over the beautiful Venezualean audience, hanging above Adam Clayton's drum set and having Bono reach out and almost touch you sitting in the audience.

From the opening riffs of "Vertigo" through the end of the several encores, the crowd in the theater sang and cheered as if we were all at the show in Venezuala, in full surround sound. I think I prefer this method of enjoying a stadium concernt better than the real thing - better sound, better view, just as much audience energy. Of course we are all wearing ridiculous eyewear, but I can get over that in order to avoid the crowds.

The set list was a great mix of the U2 greatest hits spanning the decades, and Bono was in his top melodramatic, jazz hands form. My only complaint was that the up-close perspective let us in on some of the U2 secrets ... like Bono wears platform shoes so he won't look so short, and The Edge needs sheet music at the piano.

But all in all, this is the best concert film ever - now showing in DC and LA, opening in wide release this spring.

DC peeps, see "U23D" during it's limited release at the Museum of Natural History IMAX theater. Showings on Saturdays in February ... click here for information.

Here comes the Teet!

We all had begun to think that the Harris Teeter on Kalorama east of Adams Morgan was nothing but a legend fabricated by real estate agents and wishful shoppers. But lo and behold, the sign went up last weekend and word is that the grand opening is only about a month away.

Located just a few short blocks from my house, the new HT will not only kick up the property values, but should make food shopping during the week much more enjoyable.

The Germeridian just keeps gettin' better.

View Larger Map

This is what I feel like most days ...

In honor of one of my favorite Superbowl ads of all times ...