mmmmKAY I'm back!

Cousin Ian frolicking in Portugal "yipee!"

First things first, I really hate posts without pictures, but my busy butt didn't have time to take any so today's totally irrelevant picture is there simply because it makes me happy. But while I'm on the subject, I'm going to make it a goal to start carrying around my camera and get "picture happy." I feel like I don't take photos anymore - SO not good - from here on out I'll be that annoying person who always wants to pause for group photos....



I just got the call asking if I would like the day off?.....yes please, yes paaleeeeeeeeeze! I could always use the extra money, but after working a few 12 hour days, the blisters on my feet and dark circles around my eyes won fair and square. What's with the 12 hour days you ask!??? Seems unlikely "Liza behavior" you say.....well, not this Summer - it's going to be bi-zay!

Things at the restaurant are good - I really like some of the people I work with, major plus! The managers are great, however, I am a bit frustrated about the way we do "service;" it could be so much more efficient - servers could be walking out with more money - guests would be happier and more satisfied with the overall experience, and I think everyone could potentially make more money, SERIOUSLY. I've worked in a lot of different restaurants and definitely have a feel for achieving ways to maximize the efficiency of "flow" and increase customer and employee satisfaction. I could say a lot more on this, but I know it's super boring to anyone but me, so there, I'm done.

This girl finally landed a marketing internship! It's at a really awesome IT company (Information Technology) that is all about helping organizations to increase and enhance their capacity to do good. We work primarily with non-profits, schools, and organizations striving for a "greener" approach. I really like the people I'm working with and think that it will give me some great experience to get involved and increase my knowledge / understanding of marketing. I've done a bit of freelance as well, hence the 12 hour days, but it's all good because I'm meeting great people and could use a bit of organized chaos in my life.

I've also been reconnecting with some old friends from Sonoma - I can't even express how happy this makes me. I met some seriously incredible people during those early college years. It does my heart so much good to reconnect.

Oh, I completely forgot to update you all on the CLEANSE. Well, I went for three days strong and it actually was easier than I thought it would be. On the third day however, I worked at the restaurant and felt totally sluggish and a little faint...to follow would be 6 more days of work, so I just couldn't do it without a little nutrition. But I really didn't get headaches surprisingly, and I think the fatigue would have gone away by day 6 or 7, and be replaced with an abundance of energy (apparently this is the effect....). I will definitely be trying this again when I don't have to be running around a restaurant, carrying heavy plates, and having cheery interactions with guests. I have also been sick on and off three times in the last month, so haven't been doing much running unfortunately...back at it tomorrow!

Last but not least, I saw The Hangover 2 last night and actually, I think I liked it better than the first one! The sequel focuses even more on Ed Helms (Andy from The Office), and he is super laugh-out-loud / make-everyone-stare FUNNY in this sequel. Loved it.

That's all for now, much more in the way of pictures and fun posts to come!

Movie Review: "Limitless"

One of my favorite things about Ventura is the $3.00 Regency, previously known as the Mann. It used to be a regular, downright expensive movie theatre, until someone had the bright idea to make it affordable. It was a great marketing decision as they couldn't quite compete with some of the nicer and newer theaters popping up in town. Now they are more popular than ever with great deals a'flowin. Wednesday is $10.00 "Date Night:" 2 admissions, 2 popcorns, and 2 sodas; good deal, no? And of course their all beef hotdogs are only a buck all day everyday. I myself do not partake in this hotdog deal; too good to be true? Eeeeyeaaahhh I would think so, but I'm a skeptic about such things - dollar hotdog screams "health hazard, eat at own risk!" to me - but many people think they're delish.

Anyway, on to my review....

Limitless, starring Bradley Cooper (*sigh*), love those blue eyes, Abbie Cornish, and Robert De Niro. I had never heard of this movie, probably because I don't get TV in San Francisco, which in and of itself is a good thing, so I was pleasantly surprised. Cooper, always the nice, fun, party guy, shows us a different side to his forte. De Niro is, well De Niro, and we love him for always being solid.

Cooper plays an aspiring writer who suffers from years of severe writer's block. Unable to produce a single word on paper, he wanders the streets looking like he belongs there with scraggly hair and dingy clothes, nothing to inspire him besides the comfort of a cool stiff drink. Dumped by his girlfriend who loves him but essentially tires of picking up the pieces of his crumbling life, we see a man who is really down on his luck.

That is until he bumps into his ex-brother in law who gives him the gift of an $800.00 a pop pill, ultimately unleashing the dragon within. The concept behind this magic pill, is that it gives one the ability to use every part of their brain. It is believed that humans use only about 10% of the brain. So you can imagine the serious advantage one might have if one could use their brain to the fullest capacity. He is suddenly "clear, " and quickly realizes that everything he's ever seen, known, or heard is perfectly organized into the file cabinet of his brain, and instantly retrievable. He learns the piano in three days, and half listening to a foreign language becomes fluent almost immediately. Suddenly the world is at his fingertips and there is nothing he can't do. He becomes, "limitless."

Nothing seems impossible, until of course, the consequences catch up with him and the fun begins....

On our way home from the theatre my family fought about what the "coolest" part of the movie was (haha). The cinematography is amazing and "motion" effects, unbelievable. My dad kept saying he felt like he was on a ride. In my opinion this is one of the more original films I've seen in a long time. It plays with an idea that hasn't really been toyed with before, not that I've seen at least. In one word it is "fun." I would see it again today! It's definitely a rental if you miss it in theaters, just be sure to watch it on the biggest screen you can find; buckle your seatbelt and enjoy the ride!