NOISE blog

Giving blood

In an attempt to go outside my comfort zone, i.e., not doing anything but the same old, same old, I decided to give blood the other day. I was mainly motivated by the fact that the Red Cross has been making major pleas recently for blood donations as the supply for the area is dangerously low, meaning it would only last about two days. I had been wanting to do this for a while, but would always push it off for whatever reason - too busy, unsure of the process, scared.

Sorry for the slow down

You may have noticed that there is little to no activity happening on our blog this past week.

I promise it's for good reason. We are all SUPER busy working on our annual City Guide which hits newsstands Aug. 20!!

Although it's a lot of work, it's also a lot of fun for us because we get to rediscover places we may have forgotten in the past year and we get to discover a whole bunch of new places to point our readers to.

So while we apologize for the lack of blog movement lately we assure you it's worth it.
In the meantime what are some of your favorite places in the Lansing area?

Tide pen still a winner

Since I am wearing white pants today I of course dumped coffee all over them this morning while getting into my car from the bakery/ coffee place.

After dropping some f-bombs I headed right to the drug store and picked up a Tide to go pen. I hadn't used one in a really long time but figured I'd give it a try.
Honestly, it did a pretty good job. As soon as I got to work I dabbed cold water on top of where I'd used the pen and now there is only a faint sign of the coffee.
So yeah, I'm annoyed but just thought I'd point out that the Tide pen is definitely still worth keeping on your purse!

Models needed!

NOISE is working to put together our Fall Fashion issue and we need three models. Two girls and one guy, between the ages of 20 and 35. We'll be doing the shoot on either Aug. 6 or 7 around the Lansing area.

We need people who are willing to have fun and work it for the camera!

The shoot will likely take most of the day so be sure you have time available before responding. Send a photo, your age and phone number to emily@lansingnoise.com.

Thanks so much!!

Yay for "Mamma Mia!"

So I know the big buzz for movies this weekend was all about "Batman" but I'm telling you, you have to see "Mamma Mia"

It is for sure my new favorite movie in the whole world. I could watch it over and over. Kind of the same way I feel about the play.

I know there were a few bad reviews out about the singing and the lighting but in general this movie was so much fun. I mean Meryl Streep is amazing!!!

Did anyone else see this movie last weekend?!? What did you think?

'Wicked' is wonderful

OK, I'll begin with the caveat that I'm no theater reviewer and my head is all foggy with cold medicine.

I took my musical-phobic husband to see "Wicked" last night at the Wharton Center and much to my surprise we both loved it. Judging by the packed-house standing ovation, we weren't alone.

Even if you're not too keen on musicals, there is so much to appreciate about this show. The costume design, lighting, set design and choreography were amazing. I especially enjoyed the flying monkeys and the gorgeous dresses. (I think I finally understand the princess dress phenomenon with young girls.)

Add to this a terrific story, songs and captivating performances by Carmen Cusack (Elphaba) and Katie Clark (Glinda).

Dine and dash

I doubt there are many people in the world who can say that not once but twice in their life they have left a restaurant without paying. But I am one of those people.

I mean, it's not like I'm trying to steal food. I know I'm a bigger girl but stealing food is just, well, it's below me. And it's not even like I was drinking either time this happened.

I am just simply an air head who gets so into her conversation with her dining partner that we both just walk out and leave.

The first time it happened I had already made it back to the office before I realized I didn't pay. I went back the next day and paid. And they remembered.

Today, however, Tif and I finished eating, went to the bathroom and headed for a short walk around East Lansing. It was in the beginning of said walk that the very kind host began chasing us down Abbot Road calling after us "hey you, you laidies forgot to pay your bill."

OMG how embarrassing. No matter how you swing it, it just looks like you were trying to leave without paying. Our poor waitress thought she did something wrong. But actually all she did was neglect to leave the bill on the table. So I guess we just forgot....

Oh well. And just for the record we paid in full today and I left a nice tip for the trouble.
Has anyone out there done this??

WW '08 Money

So I may have blogged about this before but there is a story on the front page of the LSJ website right now that has me thinking about money and weddings.

Obviously weddings are a huge industry in this day and age and people spend a ton. While Matt and I have yet to get a grand total (and honestly I have no plans to do so) of everything including my dress, his suit, the site, the reception, the actual wedding, etc. it seems like we are actually going to fall below average for the East Lansing area. Visit this site for more info on that.

Four movies: one weekend

For the first time in I don't know how long Matt and I had a free weekend. And since it'll be our last for a long, long time we wanted to lay low. Along with working out, a game of putt-putt golf, eating, drinking, grocery shopping and laying out we watched four movies.
This is amazing to me because I'm not that good at watching movies (especially if they have potential to be sad, scary or too manish). Anyway I did it. And here's what I came up with.

"Vantage Point" was the first one we watched and by far my favorite. It's full of suspense and interesting. If you're a fan of "Law and Order" (which I am) you'll love this movie. It had a quick pace and kept you guessing, something I love in a movie. Matt agreed, making this a great couple movie.

WW '08 Wedding music

103 days to go!!!
Wow I can't believe we are so close to double digits when it comes to wedding bells. It's crazy!!
(We are even closer to our reception date which is Aug. 30, yes I know we are doing it backwards but who cares).

Anyway, this past weekend I talked to my cousin Phil who is singing and playing guitar at our wedding on Mackinac Island. Since I apparently don't pay attention to weddings I attend I am totally clueless about what music I'd like to have played at my ceremony.

Here's the thing. I know I want none of that "here comes the bride" crap and I know we have our last song picked out (I can't share it yet but it's gonna get the crowd ready for a good time) but beyond that I've got nothing.