Caught on the Web

As the final project for my Design for Journalists class (remember my posts featuring my magazine cover and newspaper layout?), we had to design a web site. Since I wanted to use my own content, I decided to make a film review site so that I could use my clips from The Temple News.

The entire thing was designed in Photoshop. I had so much fun on this one. I didn't like the assignment nearly as much as the other two, but I'm pretty pleased with it. I think this one required more skills, and I used a lot more tricks and effects to design the site.

CLICK HERE to check it out.

The Gem on 19th and Sansom Streets

James, Chris, and I finally have a home. Senior year, we will be living on the corner of Rittenhouse Square in Center City, on 19th and Sansom Streets.

This area has everything we could ever want. Excellent restaurants (including one of Stephen Starr's most popular, The Continental, right around the corner), shops, and scenic atmosphere at every angle. We are college students living among Philadelphia's upper crust - how out of place we'll be.

Click the image to enlarge. This is a 180-degree view of 19th Street. The red arrow indicates the building we're living in.

Virginia Tech

Since The Temple News is making a mistake and not making mention of the horrible events that happened at Virginia Tech today, I'm writing about it here.

As a college student, I'm horrified by these murders. It could happen at any campus; it could happen at mine. This was so senseless. All I can think of is that those students were just being students - just going to class like they should.

This is the image that got me today, and I don't think any other image could be more haunting than this. This is the homepage of Virginia Tech. In just plain, simple lettering, the message is given. Today on Temple's homepage was an update on the massive amounts of rain we had last night. There's just such a difference. Imagine going to your college's homepage and seeing this.

This should all just be a reminder for us to be grateful for what we have.

Take a look at this HOTNESS!!

This is the first production shot from the set of next summer's Get Smart, starring Steve Carell and, my future wife, Anne Hathaway. It's a film version of the 1960s TV comedy series about spies. It's so good to see Anne locking down bigger roles. This one is huge for her, because the Steve Carell billing is going to bring in the big box office money. But Anne's extremely funny as well, and that's going to be established with this movie.

Something to look forward to next June.

Welcome to the Grindhouse

Although Grindhouse had really nothing to offer me (I don't like gratuitous violence), I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was also really amusing, because I was sitting with Chris and Michelle, who were undoubtedly the loudest people in the movie theater. It was really cool to see a double feature. But Robert Rodriguez and Quinten Tarantino have very screwed-up minds.

Best thing though: seeing Rose McGowan with a peg-leg machine gun.

"So much for endings. Beginnings are always more fun. True connoiseurs, however, are known to favor the stretch in between, since it's the hardest to do anything with." -Margaret Atwood

Dedicated Reader of the Month

And the Dedicated Reader of the Month Award goes to... Kym Formisano. Kym is the only person who reads this blog everyday. In fact, she's the only person that reads this blog at all. That's why I've decided to honor her with her very own post.

Kym is one of my best friends, and has been for the past four years, back when we both were a few pounds heavier and had a lot more acne. We're much more attractive these days.

Kym enjoys getting hit by cars, riding horses, and telling people that her coat is too big for their closet. She also has a beautiful singing voice, even though she doesn't want you to know about it.

But she hates naked babies. Absolutely hates them.

This thick-haired equestrian also wears $40 bras and is deeply involved with an elusive promoter for Z100 radio station - the most listened-to radio station in North America. She also does some quite interesting things while she's drunk. She even gave me a black eye once and nearly broke my nose.

In Kym's honor, here's the opening to one of her favorite songs from one of her favorite singers: Christina Aguilera.

It's not so easy loving me
It gets so complicated
All the things you gotta be
Everything's changing
But you're the truth
I'm amazed by all your patience
Everything I put you through

And when I'm about to fall
Somehow you're always waiting
Your open arms to catch me
You're gonna save me from myself
From myself, yes
You're gonna save me from myself

Getting to know Halle Berry

A few weeks ago, I got to sit down with the lovely, Oscar-winning Halle Berry in an interview for The Temple News. She came to Philadelphia to do press for her new movie "Perfect Stranger."

It was probably the best celebrity interview I've done yet. Kate Winslet was my favorite, but in terms of the interview, this was the best. It was more like a conversation, which was amazing. I mean, having a conversation with Halle Berry! She was really interesting and gave great answers. She was so grounded and didn't act like she was better than anybody in the room. I almost forgot that she was THE Halle Berry, and it was just like I was talking to a woman who was just in a movie. That's pretty cool. I'm glad not all celebrities are how the tabloids portray them.

Here is the layout for the article as it appeared in The Temple News today. Click HERE to read my profile piece on Halle, and click HERE to read my review of "Perfect Stranger."

So who's going to send me one of these?

Not that I want to be prissy and make a flower post, but this is just too cute. If anyone knows Lola and Lottie, they'll understand.

Never enough money...

So who wants to see this play? I want to see this play. It would be really cool to see Kevin Spacey on stage. He's currently in A Moon for the Misbegotten on Broadway.