Salt Lick

What better way to relax after a crazy week of school and work than to go out for barbecue with your friends? What's makes it even better is when it's Salt Lick barbecue. Yes, it is really far south, but many would say it's worth it. The atmosphere is awesome; it's pretty outdoorsy and laid back, with wood furniture and country decorations. The staff is fun and friendly.

This picture ought to give you an idea of the rustic feel and fun atmosphere. For more information go to http://www.saltlickbbq.com/

The meat is great especially drowning in what is some of my favorite sauce. The sides are not my favorite. The potato salad would be better warm and the dressing for the coleslaw lacks a lot of flavor. The prices are not that great, unless you can really pack it away and get the family meal deal like a few of my friends. For like $20 you get all you can eat, and they always end up taking quite a bit home as well. The whole experience is very Texas and worth the drive and the price for a special fun night for no reason.

Seeqpod

So I was sitting at work and was super bored and wanted to listen to my ipod but had left it at home. My friend Jacob tells me about this website I can go to that has a lot of good music, searchable, to listen to for free. It's seeqpod.com. I went there. It was super easy to use; exactly what Jacob had advertised.
The music selection wasn't the greatest. Some of the files didn't work and it didn't really have entire albums, but I got to listen to the songs I was craving. Jacob has a lot of fun compiling song lists of completely random things he finds, and if you register you can save playlists and share them with friends. It's kind of cool. Check it out.

UT A&M Football Game

I was so sure the Longhorns would win against the Aggies...

Sadly, I was very wrong. They surprisingly prepared more of a passing offense, and we weren't prepared. Colt let me down. I dozed off during the second quarter thinking it'd be fine; we'd come back in the second half. We've done it several times this season. While we had several opportunities, we let it slip through a slow offense and weak defense. I had been hopeful when we returned a kick-off. There were several strategic time-outs that were just silly and sadly Bailey missed an extra point. The last quarter I'm pretty sure I yelled, "Are you kidding me?!?" at least a dozen times.

Here's what's extra fun about this...
My brother went to A&M for a year before he left on a mission to New Jersey for our church, where he is now. Last year, when I thought we would win, I bet him that whoever lost would get shot with a paintball gun. I'd played before, I figured I could take it if I had to and I was so sure it wouldn't come to that. So last year, I took a shot to the leg, that bruised worse than any other shot I've taken and was rainbow colored. This year, in the absence of my brother, my dad took up the bet. (I think it's going to become a tradition.) I love my team. I was shot a few inches below my belly button, probably somehow injuring my uterus. JK. But seriously, not that I can't take getting hit with a paintball gun; I just want my team to step up to their potential!

Dreamgirls

When I arrived home for the break, my mom (who rarely gets excited about movies) immediately sat me down and had me watch what is now one of her favorite movies: Dreamgirls. Bill Condon directed this 2006 musical about some 60s singers. Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, and Beyonce gave great performances not only on camera but in the recording studio, as did newcomer Jennifer Hudson (American Idol). I listened to the soundtrack on the way back after the break. I liked I liked the random appearance of Jaleel White (Urkel) at the beginning. The plot was emotional; the music fantastic.

The costumes and casting were good, though it was weird seeing Beyonce go from plain to flashy and back again. I liked that she wasn't the lead role, but still did an amazing job. My mom complained that maybe Hudson's voice was a little harsh when she really belted things out, but I thought it was appropriate for what she was singing. Overall, I thought the movie was entertaining and empowering, with great music and good acting, though I have no idea why my mom got so obsessed.

The Office

I love The Office. It took me a little while to get into it, but now I'm addicted. You can't find its dry humor and unique awkwardness anywhere else. Just a quick note, it was really sad when they went from hour long episodes to half hour. I have I heart Jim post it notes and quotes from my favorite episodes litter my daily conversation and Facebook wall. With Pam and Jim finally together, I wonder how long before something goes wrong. I like the jokes they've used so far, but I think they're making Jim look like a goof a little more than in the past when he was the composed prankster. Pam's hair is down and so is the number of cute quirks she exhibits. In the last few episodes, it seems like she just keeps some of the others in check. Michael is getting characteristically dumber. Dwight and Angela's separation is upsetting, but I'm sure only temporary. Andy's attempts are wildly entertaining, as is Dwight's mourning.

This season has introduced some changes, but overall I think they're pulling it off. The question is whether or not they will continue to do so. While I feel for the writers strike, I love my shows and hope that this gets resolved quickly. I've heard it could be a while though and fear that some of my favorite shows will fail to meet their potential and be ruined.

Ask Cliff

While sitting in West Mall, helping sell books for Sigma Tau Delta, my attention was grabbed by a crowd and a loud speaker, not to mention cameras. "Ask Cliff..." has been going on for a while and will continue a while longer, but is basically a religious preacher talking to students about current secular and spiritual issues. He had a couple of specific groups there to talk and a crowd gathered to listen. I liked that he was not afraid to talk about controversial issues. He started with not taking the Lord's name in vain and discussed dinosaurs, the bible's legitimacy, specific parables/stories, sincere faith, sin, and how to find Christ.

I wish he'd been a little more kind in response to the more cynical questions he was asked, but I also admire that kind of self-confident courage. He seemed to really believe what he was talking about and discussed it in an open forum, conducive to exchange. I like that this sort of thing happens on campus and was glad I caught it, because whether or not it was what was intended, I did get something out of it.

Prison Break Fall Finale

A couple years ago I stumbled across a brilliant, good-looking character trying to break his brother out of prison. I was hooked on every plot twist and turn ever since. Fox's Prison Break isn't too highly talked about, but is in my opinion both unique and entertaining. In its third season, Michael Schofield, played by Wentworth Miller has broken his brother out of prison in the states, uncovered a government conspiracy, escaped to Panama, and landed himself back in prison. The season is taking a break now, just as he's failed to break out of Sona.

This third season has returned to the shows roots of surprises around every turn for the clever protagonist. I pride myself on being pretty good at predicting shows and characters, but this one always keeps me guessing. It won't be on again until January 14th, but left off with a cliffhanger. The show has an incredibly talented cast, whom you worry might not make it to the next episode. The introduction of James Whistler and his part has sparked my curiosity and will ensure I faithfully continue watching when Prison Break comes back on.

Paul Krugman

Paul Krugman, columnist for the New York Times and author, came to speak at UT. The room was packed in the UTC and people sat in the aisle and against the walls. I had never heard of him before, but he has a new book out called Conscience of a Liberal (pictured below). He was a very upbeat speaker, who joked cleverly about current and past events and politics. He addressed health care, foreign affairs, and economics. Obviously he's liberal, but I didn't appreciate how he talked like everyone knew what he was talking about and/or agreed.

He discussed his hopes for the next presidential election, nostalgia for past democrat leaders, as well as criticism for current republican ones. He didn't persuade me to his way of thinking, but I liked hearing his views. In his questions and answers at the end one student asked, "So you're saying the Democrats will save us?" To which he responded, "I think the Democrats might save us." His biased optimism for the future was enlightening, though not necessarily beneficial. Though moderate/apathetic myself, my skepticism kept me from jumping in with both feet.

Eternal Sunshine/Royal Tenenbaums

Being the good little Mormon girl that I am, I don't watch rated R movies. This often presents a problem in my limited options, but also in missing some pretty cool, unique concepts. My friend Geoff Yano recently acquired a few movies edited by Clean Flix, who went out of business. I watched a couple of them and wanted to include them here.

So first off, I don't know what was cut, but things generally made sense, so I guess it wasn't necessary to plot. I really liked some of the stylistic things in Royal Tenenbaums. Directed by Wes Anderson; this movie came out in 2001. The story is about a family that kind of gets brought together by the atoning father. I loved the quirky characters and their histories. The brother/sister love thing weirded me out a bit, but I liked how all of the stories intertwined. This movie was packed with big names, but not in such a Hollywood way, which I appreciated. It's one of those movies I'm glad I saw, but isn't necessarily on my favorites list.

I thought Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was surprisingly a great role for Jim Carrey. I loved the different plot lines and how they came together. Basically two lovers break up and try to erase one another from their memories, changing their minds, and trying to find one another again. I loved the scene changes and visual clues. Even though watching this movie was kind of weird emotionally, I really liked it. I felt like looking at my life afterward, appreciating the people I care about and the memories we share.

Eisley/Mutemath

A favorite indie band of mine, Eisley, came to Austin and played at La Zona Rosa with Mutemath. They're promoting their new cd Combinations. I love their harmony, different sound, family connection, etc. and was not disappointed. They played a few of their songs from Room Noises, but because of some stylistic changes to the songs I wasn't a fan. For example, in 'Marvelous Things', one of my favorite songs, they hold out the lyric 'dark night, hold tight' way too long. I really like the new songs though; it seems like they're going for a more rock feel.

To the right is a picture of the drummer, who was sporting a bow tie. I went to meet them and have them sign my ticket. Sporting my self-made Eisley shirt, I only got a second to chat with the always friendly, though often scattered band. So last time Eisley played at La Zona Rosa, which is not my favorite venue, they were headlining and the place was packed while they played. There were still a lot of people there, but more to see Mutemath. There was a definite difference in the type of person attending, though I won't go into too much detail on that. I was skeptical about this band I'd never heard before, but was quickly won over. Their attractive and charismatic lead singer busted out a keytar; their drummer climbed as high as he could while progressively getting more energetic in his playing; and there were some acrobatics and fantastic lights. Overall, I loved the show and hope to catch both bands, when/if they visit Austin again.

This is a short video I took of Eisley playing their song Invasion.

Goodnight and Goodluck

For my History of Journalism class, we're doing coverage research papers. My topic is Murrow/McCarthy. I figured a fun resource to start with would be the movie: Goodnight and Goodluck.


This movie basically follows Edward Murrow as he reports on Joseph McCarthy's anti-communist pursuits on See It Now. The title comes from his sign out phrase. George Clooney is in it and directed it. Relased in 2005, in black and white, with many recognizable faces, this movie doesn't exaggerate to create a more dynamic plot. It's actually pretty slow, with jazz/blues music to match. It not only portrays that period of history politically, but shows some of the social aspects and even the journalistic atmosphere, with side plots involving a married couple and management interference. While Goodnight and Goodluck isn't the most entertaining, exciting film, it salutes Murrow and his colleagues' courage and gives a glimpse of a world most people are unfamiliar with.

In a quote I really liked, we, especially as journalists, are reminded to continue to try to show an apathetic public what is important and affects their lives, "To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. Good night, and good luck."

Darkness Falls

In the spirit of Halloween, the gang decided we wanted to watch a scary movie. This is difficult for Mormon kids because we don't watch rated R movies, which limits us substantially. After that, the options are either cheesy, old, or already watched. So walking around Blockbuster, we were getting very discouraged, when finally our craving changed from scary to mocking. I present our selection to you: Darkness Falls. (Just wanted to point out, on the cover, it says: 'An eye for an eye. Your life for a tooth.')


Ok, so the premise of the movie: The toothfairy kills you if you see her, but she can't go into the light. One kid escapes the city after his mother is murdered and comes back as an adult to help his childhood love's little brother and to face his demon. I loved this movie. It was terrible, but I loved it. It had completely quotable terrible dialogue, set itself up periodically for hilarious comments, had some odd effects, and pretty good for such a terrible script acting. The whole toothfairy thing is not that important to the plot, but the fact that she can't go into the light is. I'll admit there were a couple parts where I jumped, but I'm pretty bad when it comes to that sort of thing. The movie was not at all scary, not at all believable, can't take it seriously pure fun. It was released in 2003 and directed by Jonathan Liebesman. Additionally, we looked it up after and discovered that it was based on a short, which is equally entertaining and begs the question, 'Who on earth thought it would be a good idea to make this into a full-length movie?'



As an amazingly entertaining side note: This movie caught my eye at Blockbuster and I could not stop laughing, just from the cover. Though I couldn't find a picture of the same cover online, you're in luck, because I took a picture. Yes, that is the kid from Harry Potter. I didn't rent it, but just use your imagination. The possibilities are ridiculous.

Introduction, The 'Burbs

Welcome to Tina's blog- "Butterfly Reviews"

So this blog is just going to be reviews and commentary on all of the music, movies, lectures, shows, etc. I encounter in my life at UT and in Austin. It's kind of random, but I like it.

Let's start with an oldie, but a goodie: The 'Burbs


So some friends and I were bored and wanted to watch a movie. My friend Geoff Yano loves The 'Burbs, but the rest of us hadn't seen it before. It's from 1989 starring Tom Hanks, directed by Joe Dante. I now know what a classic it is. The basic story is that while taking a few days vacation, Hanks and a couple of his quirky neighbors suspect that there's something strange about the new people on the block. The weather changes, weird noises come from science experiments in the house, people disappear...

After their skeptical wives meet the odd but seemingly harmless newcomers, Hanks sneaks into the house, causing a chain of events leading to the realization that though nearly fooled, he was right all along. Sorry about the spoiler, but it's an old, old movie, you can't complain. Hanks looks really young, but is his lovable self. Carrie Fisher from Star Wars plays his wife. The clothes, hair, and jargon are all amusing. A funny side gimmick: Corey Feldman is a typical rebellious neighborhood teen (complete with pizza scarfing, mulletish, crazy hair, leather jacket, and valley girl girlfriend) who invites his friends and watches the antics of the neighborhood. I wouldn't say it was my favorite movie in the world, but it was definitely a good time; a movie everyone should see for its period and lifestyle reflection, cheesy dialogue and effects, and of course Tom Hanks.