1st date, still so great!

Justin:  It's no secret that I am a huge movie fan and since being with me, Nicole has seen more movies in the past 3 years than she has EVER in her life.  I love her for embracing my love of cinema and wanting to share in the romance, action, and drama of it all.

Movies continue to play a big part in our relationship but they were most important in the beginning.  I've talked previously about how we started to have feelings for each other when we began watching films at my parents' house.  Heck, the first thing I ever gave her was a copy of The Dark Knight. (Yeah I'm cool like that.)

We eventually moved on from watching movies at the house to watching movies in the theater.  Just as friends of course.  It wasn't until I mentioned this thing that AMC Theaters was doing where they showed all the Best Picture nominees on one day, that we would have our first official date. It was called the Best Picture Showcase.  I think it was 2 years running so not a lot of people have heard about it.  I've always wanted to go and seeing as Nic had become more than just my "movie buddy", I thought I'd ask her to see this with me.

I'm fuzzy on the details but I'm pretty sure we both decided right away that an event like this would mark our first official date.

We packed a lunch grammar school style and had a day at the movies.  It was incredibly fun and we decided to make this one of our traditions, to celebrate our first date every year with a day at the movies.

This year, we get to celebrate not on one day but two days!  We are very excited.

As I sit back watching Slumdog Millionaire (one of our favorite movies and Best Picture winner in 2009), Nic is already sleeping getting the rest she needs for tomorrow.  We will be watching the first four of the nine films and the remaining five next Saturday.

I am not ashamed to say that movies (amongst other things) have defined important moments of our relationship.  The first time she gave me something for Valentine's Day (The Princess Bride).  The first time we said, "I love you" (I Love You, Man).  The first time we made out. (Superbad...for reals). Heck we even spent this past New Years in a theater (New Years Eve).   Movies have been a huge part of our relationship and they continue to be.  We watch a lot of films and we laugh, love, and cry through them...together. 

Any thoughts Nic?

Nicole: ZZZZzzzzzzz

Justin:  Well, she will share her thoughts on next week's post when we talk about the second weekend of our third first date.  Woah...wrap your head around that.

A Very Harold and Kumar blog post!

Justin:  Over the winter months a lot of fun stuff went on that we couldn't keep up with it on here.  This review is a few weeks (months?) late but since we are slowly coming off the holiday season I thought I would tack it here on the end.  Plus when was the last time we reviewed a movie on here?

A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas sees the return of our favorite White Castle craving, Guantonimo Bay escaping, stoner buddies.  However, years have passed since the incidents of number two and Harold and Kumar have grown apart. 

Harold has a great life and Kumar seems to be wasting away.  The movie uses the "magic" of Christmas to bring these two best friends together and retoke their once great friendship.

The film itself is wildly over the top and hilarious.  Giving these two characters their own Christmas movie kept the "stoner comedy" genre fresh and gave these characters something more to do.  The claymation sequence is just great! 

NPH is back and they really gave him free range to do whatever he wants.  My only problem with the movie is that they should have gave him some more screen time. 

This third adventure is the best of the sequels and very well may be the best of the series.  Harold & Kumar have established themselves as one of the great stoner comedy duos that audiences seem to love like Cheech & Chong or Jay & Silent Bob before them. 

Also I really dislike 3D films and I've only really ever applauded one: Dreamwork's How To Train Your Dragon.  This movie definitely makes the "like" list.  It makes fun of 3D yet uses really cool slow motion effects and screen cracks to make scenes outlandish and fun.  The car chase and beer pong tourney are scenes that really shine in the 3D effect.  

Nicole: Now, I'm sure i've said this before, but before we started dating, I never really watched movies.  Sure I'd heard of Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, but 1. I don't eat white castle 2. I knew it was about smoking up and didnt care for that, and 3. It just didnt look that good to me.

Having now been exposed to many films and respecting different movies and genres even if I dont necessarily agree with them, I thought I would give this movie a try.  And I just have to say, I don't know what I was waiting for!

So after seeing the first one and renting the second one I was totally in for seeing this last one.  It has awesomely dumb but funny jokes and made fun of the 3D aspect.  You get some heartfelt friendship feelings in there but not so much you wanna say blleeeghh! from too much sap.  And of course, it had NPH!  Who doesn't love him?!  Overall,I couldn't stop laughing out loud  and it was a great "Christmas" movie. 

Nicole: Now, I'm sure i've sid this before, but before we started dating, I never really watched movies.  Sure I'd heard of Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, but 1. I don't eat white castle 2. i knew it was about smoking up and didnt care for that, and 3.  it just didnt look that good to me.

Having now been exposed to many films and respecting different movies and genres even if i dont necessarily agree with them, I thought I would give this movie a try.  And I just have to say, i don't know what I was waiting for!

So after seeing the first one and renting the second one I was totally in for seeing this last one.  It has the awesomely dumb but funny jokes and made fun of the 3D aspect.  It was overall a great Christmas movie and I couldn't stop laughing out loud.

 

Justin:  Sorry for the lack of updates people (person who follows our blog) but it's the start of the year and we plan to get our blog on more frequently. 

Back from Winter Break!

Justin:  Hi all!  The holidays have come and gone and we took a major hiatus from our life here on the internet.  Here is a little highlight from our winter season where Nic talks about her work's holiday party.  Enjoy!

Nicole:  Year 2 at the Holiday Party!

I am very grateful for the amazing holiday party that my company has for us.  They are very generous with everything, even with the economy issues and I feel very blessed to be able to work there. 

The party takes place at the Palmer House every year and it is just absolutely beautiful!  They have a live band, different appetizer stations, and a wonderful decor.  The only thing that may be lacking slightly is the amount of tables for the guests.  Most of them are the tall boy style tables which is fine, but if you are not lucky enough to get a spot, trying to balance your drink, plate, and eat all at the same time can be a little difficult.

Justin:  Look at this giant shrimp and oyster boat!  I'm on a boat, we on a boat...

Nicole: ...

Justin: ...What?

Nicole: ANYWAYS. Last year, being my first year, I was quite nervous.  I had just started working for the company and did not know many people at all.  Luckily Justin came with me and eased my nerves by being by my side.  Everyone I did interact with was very kind and it was just a great atmosphere and I was glad I was able to spend and share it with Justin.

This year, I was able to introduce Justin to some of my favorite people.  I was a lot less nervous and really felt like I could enjoy myself.  As I said before, there weren't very many tables, but this nice couple invited us to share their table with them.  I had never met either of them previouly but they were both very friendly and we ended up chatting with them the whole night and taking turns leaving the table for more food and drinks so that we didn't lose our spot.  Justin and I didn't stay as late as we did the previous year because we wanted to catch the trailer for Dark Knight - Rises, but I definitely enjoyed the time we did spend there.  Can't wait for next year!

Justin: Her work's holiday party is always amazing and I stuff my face...I try not to but I mean did you see the giant shrimp boat made out of ice!  COME ON!

Anyhoo I did a little comic strip for Joe Loves Crappy movies talking about Nic and I's experience with TDKR...see what I did there.  Til next time!

Happy Holidays!

Justin:  Usually during the holidays I do a When I Was Little Christmas card.  This year I decided to change it up and include the lovely Nicole on the card.  Yay!  Our first holiday card together.  Woah Ross and Mona, right? Right?

Anyhoo since they are hitting the mailboxes this week, I figured I'd post it up.  Happy Holidays!

Can I blog this? Uhhh sure pt. 3

Justin: Hello and welcome to another edition of Can I Blog This? Uhhh Sure: TDKR Edition.  Tonight's episode unfolds at Navy Pier.  Earlier in the week Nicole one some tickets to see an advanced preview of The Dark Knight Rises Prologue set to play in front of MI: Ghost Protocol this week.  Let's set the stage shall we: 

INT. -  INSIDE NAVY PIER WAITING IN LINE FOR AN ADVANCED SCREENING OF THE DARK KNIGHT RISES PROLOGUE. IT IS CLOSE TO 9PM, A WHOLE HOUR BEFORE THE PREVIEW.

Nicole and Justin had just come from Nicole's work's Christmas party.  They have been in line for about 20 minutes and are feeling nervous about where the cut off point in the line is.  A wave of people just showed up and started piling up behind them.  Justin over hears people complaining about the line being so long for a 6 minute preview of a movie that is 7 months away.

JUSTIN:
(scoffs)
Seriously?  It's freaking' BATMAN why wouldn't the line be this long.
It's not like you are paying to see this AND it's BATMAN.  No, it's the
last of the Nolan Batmans.  There aren't any more after this.  He's done.

NICOLE: 
(Surprised)
I thought it was a trilogy?


JUSTIN: 
Uh, Batman Begins?

NICOLE:
Wait, what's that?

JUSTIN: 
It's the first one!  The first of the Nolan Batman movies…
BATMAN BEGINS!

NICOLE:
Did I see that?

JUSTIN: 
Wait you haven't seen Batman Begins? 

NICOLE:
…

JUSTIN: 
You know, the origin story. It shows how he became Batman?
Oh! And Katie Holmes is in it.

NICOLE:
Ohhhhhhh…yeah I didn't see that.

END SCENE.

Hallowen Suit Up and Give Some Thanks!

Nicole: Hi there, friends!

 

It's been waaaay too long since our last post.  I won't bore you with the details of what has been going on every last millisecond since our last post, but wanted to touch on the past two holidays that have passed us by since then.

 

The first holiday is Halloween.  This is one of my very favorite holidays of the year. I get so excited as it approaches and always want to make sure I have a good time and a great costume!  Justin isn't that into Halloween, but since we have started dating, I have to say, he has definitely gotten more into the spirit.

 

Last year we were out of town for Halloween, but this year we were able to be home and attended a party that was put on by the Medinah Shriners.  This party was a blast!  They had food, a live band, a drinks aplenty.  My parents attend this party every year, but this was the first time that some of my siblings and I attended as well.  We thought it would be a great idea to come up with a group costume for all of us.  While looking through our old costume box we found some good pieces and decided to go as SNL characters.

 

 

My parents went as the Spartan Cheerleaders:

 

 

My sisters went as Da Super Fans:

 

  Justin and I went as The Blues Brothers:

 

It was a great time and everyone knew who we were.  The band even played Sweet Home Chicago and we got up on stage and danced our socks off!  It was a great night with a fun family, and I'd have to say, I would do it again next year!

 

 

Justin:  I think Nicole has won me over with Halloween by letting me pick the costumes since we started dating.  Last year we went as another pair of bros, of the Mario kind.  I think next year I'll let her pick the costumes.  I'm sure she wants to dress up as a girl for once...but maybe I can convince her to be a Slutty Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle...or there's always the April O' Neal and Slutty Casey Jones.  I'll let you guys imagine which one I'm dressed up as.  Oh yeah.

Nicole:  Uh...Now, on to Thanksgiving.  This is one of the holidays that Justin and I don't really spend together.  My family has dinner early, but then we have friends come over for evening dessert, and his family has dinner in the evening, right about when my dessert party starts.  It's really hard to make a compromise on this day when there are so many other parties involved, but I know we will make it work sometime.

 

Justin came over in the late morning while my mom, sisters and I were gettting the food prepared.  After that was done we made pumpkin cake balls for him to take to his Thanksgiving dinner. 

 

 

Justin stayed to eat with us and watch our annual Thanksgiving movie, and then headed off to his house for round 2 meal.  I am thankful that I got to spend some time with him this Thanksgiving, even though it wasn't longer.

 

My friends came over in the evening for dessert and we had a great time like always, re-living the past and finding out what everyone has been up to.  Lots of desserts were consumed and laughter was had.  Overall, it was a good Thanksgiving and it makes me even more thankful for the Family and Friends I have in my life :o)

 

Justin:  Yeah Thanksgiving is usually a hard holiday for us as we don't really spend the whole day together.  But I'm sure some of you are like, "ugh it's ONE day, calm down."   Anyways, I think we are still getting used to  the way our families spend holidays together.  Nicole's Thanksgiving was a nice, quiet brunch with an afternoon movie and just a good ole family hang out.  Where as my family's Thanksgiving is like a Michael Bay movie minus the giant robots...wait.  And with the addition of my two nieces and nephew we get even more poop and crying.  Hang on.  All kidding aside I have a big family and we do our best to get everyone together and it's a great big time of eating, family togetherness, and did I mention eating already?  I wouldn't have it any other way.  We even watched some classic Friends Thanksgiving themed episodes while we ate dinner.  Could it BE anymore awesome?

That should keep ya up to speed...we hope to get into a more regular posting schedule but we've both been so busy these past two months it's hard to keep you all updated.  I mean you can call us once in a while...what the heck people! (jk, jk)  Seriously where did November go?

we had an a-MAZE-ing date

Justin:  During my work week, Nicole had asked me out on a date via the internets.  We slept in on Saturday which is a rarity for me and a luxury for her.  Saddled up and attempted to grab Lou Malnati's pizza.  We called two different places and it turns out they were both pick up only places.  What the WHAT? We said.

We ended up ordering and having a little picnic in the park-ing lot of the Orland Plaza which housed the Lou Malnati's we went too.  The idea of eating pizza in the back seat of Nic's car sounded silly for which we were totally game for.

Nicole: If you know me, and my car, and how messy I am, then you know this was no small feat!  I really organized it all and we managed to have enough space for everything and enjoy our little picnic :o)


Justin:  Afterwards, we headed up to the Odyssey Fun Farm.  This wasn't the original place she had wanted our date to take place at.

Nicole:  For the last few years I have been dying to go to a super awesome pumpkin patch with a corn maze.  I love puzzles and figuring out mazes and things so I wanted to make sure we went to a good one!  Well, the one I reeaaallly wanted to go to was 3 hours away.  I would still love to go there sometime, but this particular weekend was our first weekend of not having to travel anywhere and I didn't want to sit in the car too long for our one weekend of relaxing.  So I looked up some local places and this seemed like a pretty good one.  Still a large maze, and they had pumpkins of course!

Justin:  So back to the farm, they had this not so spectacular blow up maze called The Beast.  It was basically a tour of the inside...in the dark.  Not too awesome.  Nicole: You literally couldn't see anything and you exit out of its butt!  Justin: But what was awesome was the corn maze!  I've never done one before and this particular maze was set kind of like letterboxing.

Nicole:  This was so fun!  We had a booklet that had different spaces on it and we had to go through the mazes looking for all of the different hole punches for the book.  We were awesome.  We found most of them quite easily and didn't take too many wrong turns.  We really only had trouble finding the very last one (of course!) and once we did - we were beyond excited!

Justin:  After we finished the maze and scraped the mud from our shoes.  (BLASTED)  Nicole had one more surprise in store for me.  We went to The Great Pumpkin Party which was a free event that had pie eating contests, scarecrow making and a bonfire for marshmallows.  The weird thing about the bonfire was that NO ONE brought stuff to make smores.  I mean seriously, how could you not?

Nicole:  I really wanted to find a place that would let us bring our own supplies for smores to make at the bonfires that were available.  I don't mind having to buy the stuff from the patches that we were at, but I wanted these smores to be Awesome!  I was so excited when I found out the Pumpkin Party had marshmallows and we could bring our own stuff, I brought the goods - not just your average chocolate, but awesome variations like, caramel filled ghirardelli and peanut butter cups!  So good, and so messy.

Justin:  There wasn't much for us to do there as lines for things like the hay ride were really, really long.  We danced to the Jackson 5 at one point which I think was the highlight of the date for her.

Nicole:  One word -  ::SWOON::

Justin:  I was pretty tired and full after my third smore but Nic noticed a nice little walking area complete with docks and a gazebo.  We stayed and took pictures while the sunset.  It was a nice way to the end the day.  I seriously never know what to expect when Nic plans these things and I am always impressed with how much planning she does to basically spend time together in fun new ways.  Don't get me wrong we are all about not doing anything...well maybe I'm more down for that than she is but we've grown to adapt to each others social habits or in some cases my lack of social habits. That's the important lesson of relationships kids, to grow.  If you don't grow or you are not willing to then you're not ready for a super awesome relationship. 

Nicole:  ditto kliddo :o)