I had a much needed day off today and am taking full advantage of it.
First of all, I slept in til 10AM... I cant believe I did that! Played on my iPad a bit, went to the movie theater and saw RIPD.
RIPD
It was a great movie! I have been reading where this movie is getting a bad wrap when it comes to online reviews. But I went into the theater with an open mind. I liked it! Ryan Reynolds is his normal self, full of one liners and some action thrown in too! Jeff Bridges is hilarious in this movie, he steals the show! From seeing the previews I even had a surprise in the theater... Did you know that Kevin Bacon is one of the main characters? I had no idea! If you like Sci-fi and Action with a bit of comedy, you will enjoy this movie!
When I got back from the movies I stopped at the Rusty Taco and got a shrimp taco and fish taco with a Mexican Coca Cola. (Breakfast was a smoothie so I was pretty hungry)
When I got home I decided to make some Peach butter since I was out of jelly and I bought a bunch of fresh peaches at the farmers market the day before. I then took a nap which I normally dont do. Watched a few YouTube videos, drew and painted a Spider Man painting that I had been wanting to do. Ate some Mexican food. Now I am typing this and I have Paranorman playing on netflix and my xBox.
I love days off!
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Michael Atkins: Musician Interview
Please go read Micheal Atkins' musical bio at www.mikeatkinsmusic.com
TeeJay: Give us a quick bio.... Mom and dad, siblings, hometown, etc...:
Micheal: Born in Liberty, TX, mom played the piano and I quickly followed suit by starting at 6 months old. Dad played the guitar well enough to get me interested in the guitar. I grew up with an older brother and sister who were always listening to everything from Willie Nelson to The Police, and I subsequently raided their record collections when they left home. I started singing when I was a little boy, around 5 or 6, but I didn't really get introduced to serious singing until I joined the school choir in the 6th grade. At that point we lived in McAllen, Tx. My choir director was Mr Emby Tanner, and he pushed me to keep singing and convinced me to join high school choir when I got there. The whole time I was exploring songwriting, and synthesizers. This would've been around the time I was 13. It all culminated in me wanting to make a living playing music. Whatever that would entail. Since that time I've worked as a church music director, I've been music director for several bands, toured as a keyboard player for some major label acts, mostly Christian artists. Today I pay the bills playing piano and singing as an entertainer at Petes Piano Bar in Austin, Tx. That job certainly takes every skill I have to make it successful. My family and I currently reside in New Braunfels, Tx and couldn't be happier living here.
TJ: Tell us about some of the jobs you've done in the past that aren't music related that got you to where you are now.
MA: For a musician every job is to keep you afloat to play music. When I was young my dad owned a small fleet of vintage airplanes for a cargo business. I swept the floor in the maintenance hanger. At another time my wife and I were janitors in a church. But the weirdest job I ever had consisted of taking staples out of papers in old medical files.
TJ: Tell me everything about your first big show that you played.
MA: The first big show I ever played was at the High School auditorium at Memorial High in McAllen, Tx. Well over two thousand students. I had played other shows, but never for that many people. I did a one man band act playing eclectic music. Everything from The Stones and Howard Jones to Jean Michele-Jarre, who I thought was extremely cool at the time. It was crazy, I played intermission music for the other bands. There were at least ten bands that night.
TJ: What one artist do you look up to the most and why?
MA: I'd say the one artist that I keep returning to over and over throughout my life is Peter Gabriel. He seems to always be creating true musical and sonic art, and seems to consistently push boundaries. He inspires me, though I sound nothing like him.
TJ: If you had to choose one song that summed up your life and challenges,> what would it be?
MA: The Late Greats by Wilco.
TJ: In 3 words, describe your freshman album?
MA: Total musical disregard.
TJ: Tell us about any shows coming up.
MA: Pete's Pianos keeps me busy enough that I really can't tour, but I am able to keep writing and recording. At the moment I'm working on music with a great artist in San Antonio named Chris Taylor. I'm also working on a series of EP style records that will be mainly piano and vocals. One will be all original material, one will be covers of my favorite songs. And one will be a reworking of old hymns.
TJ: What is one thing that you want future fans to know about you?
MA: That I try to write songs that come from a place of honesty. If I haven't experienced it in my life it's hard to write about. Others are really good at writing made up stories in song. I'm not.
Rapid Fire: Favorite: (one word answers)
Animal : Tiger
Color : Blue
Food : I'm having a love affair with sushi
Sports team : The Roswell Grays
Song : The Long And Winding Road by The Beatles
Sport : Hiking
Artist : Ansel Adams
Magazine : Keyboard
Actor/Actress : Benedict Cumberbatch/Karen Gillam
Color : Blue, is this a trick question? (Just making sure you are paying attention! LOL!)
Number : 13
Astrological Sign : I'm a cancer. You can't get much better than that.
Movie : Star Wars (1977)
Book : Psalms
Drink : Skinny Vanilla with heavy cream
Interviewer : TeeJay of course
Single or Taken : Taken
TJ: Describe your perfect date.
MA: Gourmet lunch at the Huisache Grill in downtown New Braunfels followed by a walk through the town square, and coffee somewhere in there. I'm pretty simple these days.
TJ: Favorite music collab you've done?
MA: Working with producer Matt Erickson on my EP Box of Letters.
TJ: What is the last dream you remember?
MA: I don't remember the details, I just remember my cat kept showing up. Just sitting in the corner. Creepy!
TJ: What is one fact about you that no one else knows, not even your close friends and family?
MA: It may seem trivial, but I once tried to cross a low water crossing in my first car. Nearly got swept away but managed to get out. That cured me of ever doing that again. (Good PSA)
TJ: Where can we find your Album? What is your twitter handle, Facebook,> etc.....
MA: Box Of Letters is on iTunes, I'm also on Reverbnation at reverbnation.com/atkinsmusiconline, @funkdaddyone on twitter, My fan page on the book of faces is Mike Atkins
TJ: Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer my silly questions!
MA:Thanks for interviewing me!
TeeJay: Give us a quick bio.... Mom and dad, siblings, hometown, etc...:
Micheal: Born in Liberty, TX, mom played the piano and I quickly followed suit by starting at 6 months old. Dad played the guitar well enough to get me interested in the guitar. I grew up with an older brother and sister who were always listening to everything from Willie Nelson to The Police, and I subsequently raided their record collections when they left home. I started singing when I was a little boy, around 5 or 6, but I didn't really get introduced to serious singing until I joined the school choir in the 6th grade. At that point we lived in McAllen, Tx. My choir director was Mr Emby Tanner, and he pushed me to keep singing and convinced me to join high school choir when I got there. The whole time I was exploring songwriting, and synthesizers. This would've been around the time I was 13. It all culminated in me wanting to make a living playing music. Whatever that would entail. Since that time I've worked as a church music director, I've been music director for several bands, toured as a keyboard player for some major label acts, mostly Christian artists. Today I pay the bills playing piano and singing as an entertainer at Petes Piano Bar in Austin, Tx. That job certainly takes every skill I have to make it successful. My family and I currently reside in New Braunfels, Tx and couldn't be happier living here.
TJ: Tell us about some of the jobs you've done in the past that aren't music related that got you to where you are now.
MA: For a musician every job is to keep you afloat to play music. When I was young my dad owned a small fleet of vintage airplanes for a cargo business. I swept the floor in the maintenance hanger. At another time my wife and I were janitors in a church. But the weirdest job I ever had consisted of taking staples out of papers in old medical files.
TJ: Tell me everything about your first big show that you played.
MA: The first big show I ever played was at the High School auditorium at Memorial High in McAllen, Tx. Well over two thousand students. I had played other shows, but never for that many people. I did a one man band act playing eclectic music. Everything from The Stones and Howard Jones to Jean Michele-Jarre, who I thought was extremely cool at the time. It was crazy, I played intermission music for the other bands. There were at least ten bands that night.
TJ: What one artist do you look up to the most and why?
MA: I'd say the one artist that I keep returning to over and over throughout my life is Peter Gabriel. He seems to always be creating true musical and sonic art, and seems to consistently push boundaries. He inspires me, though I sound nothing like him.
TJ: If you had to choose one song that summed up your life and challenges,> what would it be?
MA: The Late Greats by Wilco.
TJ: In 3 words, describe your freshman album?
MA: Total musical disregard.
TJ: Tell us about any shows coming up.
MA: Pete's Pianos keeps me busy enough that I really can't tour, but I am able to keep writing and recording. At the moment I'm working on music with a great artist in San Antonio named Chris Taylor. I'm also working on a series of EP style records that will be mainly piano and vocals. One will be all original material, one will be covers of my favorite songs. And one will be a reworking of old hymns.
TJ: What is one thing that you want future fans to know about you?
MA: That I try to write songs that come from a place of honesty. If I haven't experienced it in my life it's hard to write about. Others are really good at writing made up stories in song. I'm not.
Rapid Fire: Favorite: (one word answers)
Animal : Tiger
Color : Blue
Food : I'm having a love affair with sushi
Sports team : The Roswell Grays
Song : The Long And Winding Road by The Beatles
Sport : Hiking
Artist : Ansel Adams
Magazine : Keyboard
Actor/Actress : Benedict Cumberbatch/Karen Gillam
Color : Blue, is this a trick question? (Just making sure you are paying attention! LOL!)
Number : 13
Astrological Sign : I'm a cancer. You can't get much better than that.
Movie : Star Wars (1977)
Book : Psalms
Drink : Skinny Vanilla with heavy cream
Interviewer : TeeJay of course
Single or Taken : Taken
TJ: Describe your perfect date.
MA: Gourmet lunch at the Huisache Grill in downtown New Braunfels followed by a walk through the town square, and coffee somewhere in there. I'm pretty simple these days.
TJ: Favorite music collab you've done?
MA: Working with producer Matt Erickson on my EP Box of Letters.
TJ: What is the last dream you remember?
MA: I don't remember the details, I just remember my cat kept showing up. Just sitting in the corner. Creepy!
TJ: What is one fact about you that no one else knows, not even your close friends and family?
MA: It may seem trivial, but I once tried to cross a low water crossing in my first car. Nearly got swept away but managed to get out. That cured me of ever doing that again. (Good PSA)
TJ: Where can we find your Album? What is your twitter handle, Facebook,> etc.....
MA: Box Of Letters is on iTunes, I'm also on Reverbnation at reverbnation.com/atkinsmusiconline, @funkdaddyone on twitter, My fan page on the book of faces is Mike Atkins
TJ: Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer my silly questions!
MA:Thanks for interviewing me!
Saturday, July 6, 2013
The Lone Ranger & FIREWORKS!
The 4th of July weekend is over and today is the last day of my vacation....
What I did:
Went to a new zoo,
Played glow in the dark puttputt
Went to a Giant Farmers Market
Went to an IMAX Dome theater
Went to a Science Museum
Saw The Lone Ranger
Watched Fireworks
*I was probably one of the youngest people in the theater, but I went for the 3P showing.
This DVD will become a part of my home collection. SPIOLER ALERT>>>The only thing is that I wish they would have made it a 3 hour long movie and shown more of how they cleaned up after the apocalypse and how they got the vaccine to the masses.
Later that night I went to a Fireworks Show in Downtown Longview TX. Here is THE WHOLE THING! I recorded it for you, and got a lot of ant and bug bites in the process! Enjoy!
What I did:
Went to a new zoo,
Played glow in the dark puttputt
Went to a Giant Farmers Market
Went to an IMAX Dome theater
Went to a Science Museum
Saw The Lone Ranger
Watched Fireworks
The Lone Ranger:
I love it... a lot of the reviews that I am seeing are kind of bad. People don't understand that my generation or the next don't know about the Lone Ranger...That is why it takes a 2:30 hour long movie to reintroduce him and Tonto to mainstream again. Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp did a wonderful job of bringing them back to life. Tonto has some of the funniest lines. My favorite parts are at the end of the movie when they start making references to the old series. You hear the theme song to the old series at the end of the movie during the "Big Scene" and the whole theater starting clapping along with the music! That was Awesome! I love when a theater of people really get into a movie together.*I was probably one of the youngest people in the theater, but I went for the 3P showing.
World War Z
Epic movie... I loved it... made me completely disinfect my home after watching and I will probably become a "prepper" now. Great story line, great actors, awesome special FX and makeup. Plus... I LOVE ZOMBIES.This DVD will become a part of my home collection. SPIOLER ALERT>>>The only thing is that I wish they would have made it a 3 hour long movie and shown more of how they cleaned up after the apocalypse and how they got the vaccine to the masses.
Later that night I went to a Fireworks Show in Downtown Longview TX. Here is THE WHOLE THING! I recorded it for you, and got a lot of ant and bug bites in the process! Enjoy!
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Suggested Reading
This is a post that I will keep adding to and updating as I read more books.
Here Is a list of all o the books that I have read lately and what I currently have on my agenda to read.
On the List to Read ASAP:
The Harry Potter Series ("Ive only watched the movies)
The Great Gatsby
World War Z
Jurassic Park
All of the books by James Franco (he fascinates me)
Books I have read and recommend:
I loved this series, and cant wait for the other movies to be released. Lots of action
I think I am one of the only guys that read this book, but it was pretty good! (I caught myself blushing during some of the parts though)
I watched the movie first. This book took FOREVER for me to finish, its not a long book, but just too many chapters, I'm bad about reading a chapter then stopping for the night, instead of reading like 10 pages or something. Good book!
This book now ranks right up there with the Hunger Games Series as one of my favorite books. I loved the movie too!
Here Is a list of all o the books that I have read lately and what I currently have on my agenda to read.
On the List to Read ASAP:
The Harry Potter Series ("Ive only watched the movies)
The Great Gatsby
World War Z
Jurassic Park
All of the books by James Franco (he fascinates me)
Books I have read and recommend:
The Hunger Games Trilogy
I loved this series, and cant wait for the other movies to be released. Lots of action
The Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy
I think I am one of the only guys that read this book, but it was pretty good! (I caught myself blushing during some of the parts though)
Life of Pi
I watched the movie first. This book took FOREVER for me to finish, its not a long book, but just too many chapters, I'm bad about reading a chapter then stopping for the night, instead of reading like 10 pages or something. Good book!
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
This book now ranks right up there with the Hunger Games Series as one of my favorite books. I loved the movie too!
Saturday, June 15, 2013
8 hours in a movie theater
Just like the title says, I spent 8 hours in a movie theater over the last 2 days watching movies so that I could get some reviews posted!
The much anticipated reboot of Superman from DC and Christopher Nolan. It does not disappoint. Henry Cavill (Superman) is one of my new favorite actors at the moment (I loved him in "Immortals") The ladies behind me whistled when they saw him without his shirt on.
The graphics are amazing! For a second at the beginning, I though I was watching 'Avatar'! I did see this movie in 3D but this is one of the RARE instances where I will not recommend it in 3D simply because there is only one time where the 3D is used correctly. This is a very much a guys movie.... lots of action and explosions through the entire movie.
I am glad that I saw this movie in 3D because there are 2 times in this movie that my eyes started to sweat (tear up) because Kevin Costner is the perfect father figure, that really tug at the heart strings. Amy Adams plays a perfect Lois Lane with plenty of great lines in the movie. Diane Lane, Lawrence Fishburne, Russell Crow, and many others make a well rounded and perfectly chosen cast. P.S. the bad guy is a REAL bad guy.
You know a movie is good when everyone in the theater claps when the movie was over, that is exactly what happened last night! And I got a pair of limited edition "Man of Steel" blue 3D glasses.
While waiting for my movie to start, (I had to buy my ticked many hours in advance) I decided to run next door to target to waste some time. I saw that "OZ" had just come out on video, (see my older posts for a review) I knew I had to have it, so I bought it!
In the theater I noticed that James Franco was in another movie that was playing and that his little brother Dave was also in a movie that was playing....so....
Franco vs Franco was born
What a hilarious movie. I am not a fan of Seth Rogan but I am a fan of James Franco. This movie is a "Who's Who" of relevant comedy for today. It also has a few cameos from big stars like Emma Watson (another one of my faves) and Rihanna. Lots of drug references, sex, etc... All of the comedians play larger than life portrayals of themselves. It is refreshing to see stars poke fun of themselves.
The guys that were sitting behind me were obviously high. They laughed at the previews which were boring. During the movie, the entire theater was is hysterics. My most favorite scene was when Danny McBride and James Franco are arguing over an adult magazine. Also seeing how Jonah Hill gets possessed if freaking to die for!
The second Franco movie that I watched co-stars the younger Dave Franco. They look a lot a like. This movie also stars: Woody Harrelson (The Hunger Games), Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network), Mark Ruffalo (The Avengers), Morgan Freeman and Micheal Caine, both with too many movies to list.
I am a fan of magicians and illusionists. I was really impressed the last time I went to Vegas and saw Chris Angel perform live. So I had high hopes for this movie. The illusions were OFF the CHAIN. The thing that got me was I am watching this as if I am watching a live magician. I am looking for how these are done, but since they are CGI, I never see any hints, but my mind does not make the connection and I more impressed with the illusions. The twists at the end completely throws me for a loop, I was thinking of a complete different ending! Go see it.... I hope that this leads to more and larger roles for Dave Franco.
Man of Steel!
The much anticipated reboot of Superman from DC and Christopher Nolan. It does not disappoint. Henry Cavill (Superman) is one of my new favorite actors at the moment (I loved him in "Immortals") The ladies behind me whistled when they saw him without his shirt on.
The graphics are amazing! For a second at the beginning, I though I was watching 'Avatar'! I did see this movie in 3D but this is one of the RARE instances where I will not recommend it in 3D simply because there is only one time where the 3D is used correctly. This is a very much a guys movie.... lots of action and explosions through the entire movie.
I am glad that I saw this movie in 3D because there are 2 times in this movie that my eyes started to sweat (tear up) because Kevin Costner is the perfect father figure, that really tug at the heart strings. Amy Adams plays a perfect Lois Lane with plenty of great lines in the movie. Diane Lane, Lawrence Fishburne, Russell Crow, and many others make a well rounded and perfectly chosen cast. P.S. the bad guy is a REAL bad guy.
You know a movie is good when everyone in the theater claps when the movie was over, that is exactly what happened last night! And I got a pair of limited edition "Man of Steel" blue 3D glasses.
While waiting for my movie to start, (I had to buy my ticked many hours in advance) I decided to run next door to target to waste some time. I saw that "OZ" had just come out on video, (see my older posts for a review) I knew I had to have it, so I bought it!
In the theater I noticed that James Franco was in another movie that was playing and that his little brother Dave was also in a movie that was playing....so....
Franco vs Franco was born
This is the End.
What a hilarious movie. I am not a fan of Seth Rogan but I am a fan of James Franco. This movie is a "Who's Who" of relevant comedy for today. It also has a few cameos from big stars like Emma Watson (another one of my faves) and Rihanna. Lots of drug references, sex, etc... All of the comedians play larger than life portrayals of themselves. It is refreshing to see stars poke fun of themselves.
The guys that were sitting behind me were obviously high. They laughed at the previews which were boring. During the movie, the entire theater was is hysterics. My most favorite scene was when Danny McBride and James Franco are arguing over an adult magazine. Also seeing how Jonah Hill gets possessed if freaking to die for!
Now You See Me
The second Franco movie that I watched co-stars the younger Dave Franco. They look a lot a like. This movie also stars: Woody Harrelson (The Hunger Games), Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network), Mark Ruffalo (The Avengers), Morgan Freeman and Micheal Caine, both with too many movies to list.
I am a fan of magicians and illusionists. I was really impressed the last time I went to Vegas and saw Chris Angel perform live. So I had high hopes for this movie. The illusions were OFF the CHAIN. The thing that got me was I am watching this as if I am watching a live magician. I am looking for how these are done, but since they are CGI, I never see any hints, but my mind does not make the connection and I more impressed with the illusions. The twists at the end completely throws me for a loop, I was thinking of a complete different ending! Go see it.... I hope that this leads to more and larger roles for Dave Franco.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Sam from Amsterdam Interview
Sam from Amsterdam Interview
A Little about Sam from her website
"I’m Sam from Amsterdam, But really my name is Samantha Stomphorst… I changed it because no one could pronounce it. When I lived in Snyder TX, I played at my FAVORITE venue, the Belle Opry House, every weekend. The owners, Robert and Suzi Q would introduce me on stage as Sam from Amsterdam. So since then, that’s my new name 
I grew up in the Netherlands, lived there until I was 17. I moved to Texas by myself, and my family still lives in Holland. I go around Texas and play music, that’s my favorite thing to do. I’m just an overall music fan. I listen to every style of music, and know lyrics to so many songs its ridiculous!"
TeeJay Today: Sam, you are from Holland, but relocated to West Texas. What was the biggest culture shock you had to get used to in Texas?
Sam from Amsterdam: To this day, I learn new things about this country every day. New expressions, new words.. Plus each state sort of has a different culture to it, so it never gets old. One of the biggest culture shocks though, was the portions of food. My mom has always taught me to finish whatever is on my plate, so I did.. Here that caused me to gain quite a few pounds haha! Also what surprised me is that y'all have a drive through for everything! I used to think it was so cool to go to the bank so I could send one of those bottles up the pipe. I still think that's pretty dang cool. Just little things like that are still awesome to me.
TJ: You said that you worked 3 jobs for about 80 hours per week to save up enoughmoney to get back to Texas, What where those jobs and do you have any stories you would like to share that happened while working on those jobs?
Sam: I did, it was tough to get myself back to this country. It’s pretty hard to get into this country if your home country doesn’t share a border. I've been trying hard to do this the legal way. The government has so much paperwork to go through it's ridiculous! I can't afford a lawyer, so I read and do all the paperwork myself. The easiest visa to get was a student visa, so that's the first one I got. On there it wants you to have a certain amount of money available in the bank.. This is why I had to save all that money. My parents made me a deal.. They said if I'd stay with them in Holland, they'd pay for my school, board, food, everything! But.. If I'd move away to the USA like I wanted to, I would have to do everything myself. They didn't think I'd be able to save up all this money by myself¦ it was pretty tough, being so young and never doing anything but work.. Literally! I would get up at 4:30 do my paper route, then run to get my scholarship, then go work at the restaurant all day.. And from Monday through Wednesday the restaurant was closed at nights, so I worked at McDonalds for a while and as a telemarketer. I never went out, or did anything that cost me money. On my only afternoon off on Sunday, I would watch tv all day, lay in bed and eat. I looooved my job working as a waitress.. That helped a lot, doing something I loved. I had the best co workers that even put out a jar with "Sam's USA Money" on it so our regulars could help me out.
TJ: Tell me everything about your first big band show that you recently played.
Sam: The first full band show I played was at Rockin' Rodeo in Midland, TX. Brian Milson lent me his band to open his show. It was so awesome! Best feeling ever! A bunch of people came out to watch, which meant a lot to me. It was to my surprise easier than playing acoustic, It wasn't all up to me. Me and the band got to share, and I loved that.
TJ: What one artist do you look up to the most and why?
Sam: I look up to Gretchen Wilson.. I read her book and she reminds me of me.. Just strong willed and do whatever she feels like kinda person. She chased her dreams and would not stop, and that's what I'm doing right now. I don't have a rich daddy filling my pockets with money either.. Like Gretchen I'll have to fight for what I want and pay my dues, and that's fine with me.
TJ: If you had to choose one song that summed up your life and challenges, what would it be?
Sam: Probably "Born to Fly" by Sarah Evans.. I had always known I was going to leave Holland, move to the USA and do something big with my life. I'm just not a person that would ever be happy working a 9-5 job the rest of my life and come home to a bunch of kids. I feel like I was born to fly. I've never really felt like I fit in anywhere.. But that has helped me a lot, because I don't ever get comfortable in situations.. Because I just don't fit in.. I keep moving forward.
TJ: In 3 words, describe your freshman album?
Sam: I would say it's Soulful, Unique and Truthful.. I wrote 4 songs on there and they all mean a lot to me. They all have their own meaning. Like Only 21, I wrote that when I was in a really low place. And Mexico helped me out of that. I wrote Mexico when I met my parents over there a few years ago and kinda got to get away and relax for the first time in a long time. All these songs have a meaning to me, and I feel like a lot of people can relate to them. I might not be raised in the country, but I sure as hell know how to work hard.
TJ: I saw that Rich o'Toole purchased your album from iTunes, how did that make you feel when you found out? (If you watched my TV show, you saw me interview this Awesome TX Musician!)
Sam: This was the coolest thing ever! I've admired Rich's music for a long time. When I moved here he was one of the first Texas acts I saw. I could watch his show every day and not get tired of it. I think he's a true entertainer and love learning from him as an artist. He's always been very supportive and always has time to give advice. I tweeted him that my album was out and he bought it right away and then advertised it on twitter and instagram for me.
TJ: What is one thing that you want future fans to know about you?
Sam: To keep their eyes out for me, I'm gonna fight till I get to the top. What I would want my future fans to know is that I'm the real deal. I'm not just someone who sings other people's songs and is told exactly how to sing something. I'm not someone who gets everything handed to them and will only eat of gold plates haha. I play every gig I can get, I love every person I see smiling when I play a show. Whenever I moved here and was all by myself, it always made me feel like I wasn't alone when I would listen to music. I want to make people happy with my music and help them through tough times and stand by them through good times. I feel like I'm born to do this
Rapid Fire: Favorite: (one word answers)
TJ: Animal
Sam: dog
Sam: dog
TJ: Color
Sam: Red
Sam: Red
TJ: Food
Sam: Ribs
Sam: Ribs
TJ: Sports Team
Sam: Crimson Tide
Sam: Crimson Tide
TJ: Song
Sam: Speechless
Sam: Speechless
TJ: Sport
Sam: Running
Sam: Running
TJ: Artist
Sam: Gretchen Wilson
Sam: Gretchen Wilson
TJ: Magazine
Sam: Runners
Sam: Runners
TJ: Actress
Sam: Jennifer Aniston
Sam: Jennifer Aniston
TJ: Number
Sam: 17
Sam: 17
TJ: Astrological Sign
Sam: Aquarius
Sam: Aquarius
TJ: Movie
Sam: Overboard
Sam: Overboard
TJ: Book
Sam: A lotus Growing in the Mud
Sam: A lotus Growing in the Mud
TJ: Drink
Sam: Diet Coke
Sam: Diet Coke
TJ: Single or Taken?
Sam: Taken!!
TJ: Describe your perfect date?
Sam: My perfect date would be going to see a band play, or going to see a movie and some dinner.. I'm a pretty simple person.. My favorite time of the day is just laying on the couch with my favorite person in the world and fall a sleep watching tv..
TJ: What is the last dream you remember?
Sam: Pff.. I have the weirdest dreams I swear! Last night I dreamed that I ran into Tom Hanks and that I got mad at him because we were on a plane together and he wouldn't shut up.. Who would get mad at Tom Hanks talking to them?? I don't know where this came from haha
TJ: Where can we find your Album? What is your twitter handle, Facebook, etc.....
Sam: You can find my album on iTunes and on my website www.samfromamsterdam.com my twitter is samfrmamsterdam and my face book is www.facebook.com/samfromamsterdam
Sunday, June 2, 2013
New movie Reviews, some Awesome, some are DUDS!
Okay... I had 2 days off in a row... so I visited Hastings Entertainment and loaded up on movies that I haven't seen yet... and I went to the movies!
First of all, I have to apologize but I have not read the book YET, but it is on my list for 2013. I'm going to make out my reading list later this month of books that I have read and the books I plan on reading!
The remake of the Great Gatsby was epic in my opinion. It really shows the grander of living during the roaring twenties and how many people throughout this time achieved (or missed out) on the American Dream. The soundtrack was impressive. One of my favorite things is how they made Gatsby Great. To start out the movie, you don't get to see Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby. You DO get to see the back of his head, his ring, etc... It really builds the tension and when you finally get to see him as the Gatsby, you are not disappointed. I also have to say that he looks much younger in this film then he looked in some of his other films. The villain in this movie is really hated. The women in this movie (especially the lady that they try to set up Toby with) is my new favorite leading lady. The visuals were amazing, none so more apparent then during the party scenes and where you see the Dr. Eyes where people are cleaning up the spent coal from a growing New York.
I guess I was in a dark mood when I was renting movies because I picked up a few horror movies. Mama takes place when a father drives his 2 daughters out of town, has a wreck, finds an abandoned house in the woods, attempts to kill the girls, then a random ghosts stops him and kills him. The daughters are then taken care of by the ghosts in the woods for 5 years when they are found. They are now WILD and act more like animals than children. The ghosts decides to follow the children to take care of them even though they are moved into the city. I liked this movie, it has a few spooky moments that warranted me to turn the lights on every time I heard a random noise. They only thing that got me was that I didn't like how it ended. I will not spoil it for you, but let me know what you think about the ending.
Okay, I am from West Texas, currently living in East TX. The urban legend that we grow up with is that this story is real (its not) so every time a new version of this movie comes out, my friends and I have to go see it. It helps propagate the urban legend. This one is by far the WORST one I have seen. The whole set up of the movie doesn't make any sense. It leaves too many questions open for any person that has made it past the 3rd grade. Don't waste your time with this one, go see the original! This version don't even have any parts that make you jump, absolutely no tension in this installment. I think Rob Zombie should helm a reboot of this franchise!
YES!!! Arnold is Back!!! Everyone likes to root for the small town sheriff that can get the job down over the entire police force of a huge town. The best part is when the big police force guy calls Arnold and tries to give him orders, Arnold says, I don't know you so I don't answer to you! YES! Growing up in a small town (pop 2500), I saw this mentality from our own police force. They did what they want when they want. For the most part we had a stress free town! Why you will like this video: Explosions, guns, cars destroyed, Johnny Knoxville, hot women, Arnold is back!
Of all the movies I rented, this one was my favorite. Anthony Hopkins is completely transformed to become Alfred Hitchcock. We follow Alfred behind the scenes of "Psycho" and of all the hoops that he and his wife had to jump through to finish this movie. Did you know that the Hitchcock's mortgaged their house to pay for this movie themselves, even though Hitchcock was a proven money maker? You learn how their marriage nearly falls apart and more private details of this Hollywood royal family. It is almost a documentary, but with Scarlet Johannson, Hopkins, and Helen Mirren. Buy this one!
I actually loved this movie... it had humor, great special effects, and it tied the legend into todays history by incorperating the crown jewels. Everyone knows the story, now you can see it larger than life. Ewan McGregor was great too! Look for the golden harp and golden eggs!
OMG! This movie had me laughing out loud! So many funny remarks, sight gags, and it has a sweet ending. If you need a laugh, this one with "throat chop" you right into a better mood. I like this one so mcuh, I all making my parents watch it when they come to town in the next few weeks! Funniest part to me was the snake part in the woods. Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy have real chemistry in this movie, and I am anticipating the new movie that Melissa is in with Sandra Bullock later this year!
GENIUS!
The Great Gatsby
First of all, I have to apologize but I have not read the book YET, but it is on my list for 2013. I'm going to make out my reading list later this month of books that I have read and the books I plan on reading!
The remake of the Great Gatsby was epic in my opinion. It really shows the grander of living during the roaring twenties and how many people throughout this time achieved (or missed out) on the American Dream. The soundtrack was impressive. One of my favorite things is how they made Gatsby Great. To start out the movie, you don't get to see Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby. You DO get to see the back of his head, his ring, etc... It really builds the tension and when you finally get to see him as the Gatsby, you are not disappointed. I also have to say that he looks much younger in this film then he looked in some of his other films. The villain in this movie is really hated. The women in this movie (especially the lady that they try to set up Toby with) is my new favorite leading lady. The visuals were amazing, none so more apparent then during the party scenes and where you see the Dr. Eyes where people are cleaning up the spent coal from a growing New York.
Mama
I guess I was in a dark mood when I was renting movies because I picked up a few horror movies. Mama takes place when a father drives his 2 daughters out of town, has a wreck, finds an abandoned house in the woods, attempts to kill the girls, then a random ghosts stops him and kills him. The daughters are then taken care of by the ghosts in the woods for 5 years when they are found. They are now WILD and act more like animals than children. The ghosts decides to follow the children to take care of them even though they are moved into the city. I liked this movie, it has a few spooky moments that warranted me to turn the lights on every time I heard a random noise. They only thing that got me was that I didn't like how it ended. I will not spoil it for you, but let me know what you think about the ending.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Okay, I am from West Texas, currently living in East TX. The urban legend that we grow up with is that this story is real (its not) so every time a new version of this movie comes out, my friends and I have to go see it. It helps propagate the urban legend. This one is by far the WORST one I have seen. The whole set up of the movie doesn't make any sense. It leaves too many questions open for any person that has made it past the 3rd grade. Don't waste your time with this one, go see the original! This version don't even have any parts that make you jump, absolutely no tension in this installment. I think Rob Zombie should helm a reboot of this franchise!
The Last Stand
YES!!! Arnold is Back!!! Everyone likes to root for the small town sheriff that can get the job down over the entire police force of a huge town. The best part is when the big police force guy calls Arnold and tries to give him orders, Arnold says, I don't know you so I don't answer to you! YES! Growing up in a small town (pop 2500), I saw this mentality from our own police force. They did what they want when they want. For the most part we had a stress free town! Why you will like this video: Explosions, guns, cars destroyed, Johnny Knoxville, hot women, Arnold is back!
Hitchcock
Of all the movies I rented, this one was my favorite. Anthony Hopkins is completely transformed to become Alfred Hitchcock. We follow Alfred behind the scenes of "Psycho" and of all the hoops that he and his wife had to jump through to finish this movie. Did you know that the Hitchcock's mortgaged their house to pay for this movie themselves, even though Hitchcock was a proven money maker? You learn how their marriage nearly falls apart and more private details of this Hollywood royal family. It is almost a documentary, but with Scarlet Johannson, Hopkins, and Helen Mirren. Buy this one!
Jack the Giant Slayer
I actually loved this movie... it had humor, great special effects, and it tied the legend into todays history by incorperating the crown jewels. Everyone knows the story, now you can see it larger than life. Ewan McGregor was great too! Look for the golden harp and golden eggs!
Identity Thief
OMG! This movie had me laughing out loud! So many funny remarks, sight gags, and it has a sweet ending. If you need a laugh, this one with "throat chop" you right into a better mood. I like this one so mcuh, I all making my parents watch it when they come to town in the next few weeks! Funniest part to me was the snake part in the woods. Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy have real chemistry in this movie, and I am anticipating the new movie that Melissa is in with Sandra Bullock later this year!
GENIUS!
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