November 6th, 2009
Location, location, location. These might be the three most important factors when buying real estate, but when choosing an outdoor venue for your wedding, location is just one factor to consider. Lucky for Garden State brides, New Jersey has more than its share of scenic sites to choose from — whether waterfront, mountain top or anywhere else in between. But with these gorgeous grounds comes some caveats that every couple has to consider before saying “I do”…to the venue.
1. Weather. As any bride knows, you can plan almost every detail of your wedding, but there’s no telling what Mother Nature will bring to your reception. Outdoor brides must take even more precautions, whether it is renting tents and flooring or space heaters and air conditioners. But brides beware: These extras can add up…which brings me to my next point…
2. Cost. Renting all of these precautions can get pricey, so don’t forget to allow for such expenses when creating your budget! And lastly…
3. Guests’ requests. Expecting your guests to use port-a-potties while dressed in their black-tie best might be asking a lot. And don’t forget to consider the physical needs of elderly or disabled guests — standing during the ceremony, walking to and from the parking lot, etc.
But remember — before making any arrangements, make sure your plans abide by state and local zoning laws and are venue-approved.
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March 31st, 2009
Paul Rudd and Jason Segel hit it big with their latest comedy, I Love You, Man. I honestly wasn’t sure if Paul Rudd could pull off a lead role, as he is more commonly known for playing the second banana or some other lesser part — the husband in Knocked Up, the coworker in 40-Year-Old Virgin, the step-brother/love interest in Clueless — but Rudd’s performance was stellar, and perfectly complimented by the performance of his co-star, Segel. Rudd’s character is the epitome of awkwardness and Segel’s is just plain hysterical. And if that’s not enough…Lou Ferrigno is in it!
But the one thing I did not love, man, about this movie was all that damned product placement. I don’t know if I’m more sensitive to it now, or if TV- and movie-makers are craftier (more crafty? hmm..) than ever before (perhaps in effort to battle the DVRs and TiVos that tout the luxury of television without commercials), but I have never seen a movie with more product placement than this one. From Peter Klaven’s (Rudd) iPhone, his playlist on iTunes which he plays on his Dell notebook, to the blatant mentions of P.F. Changs, T.G.I. Friday’s, HBO and
Facebook, it’s everywhere you turn.
Signs for Barnes and Nobles, Bank of America and Starbucks can be seen as Peter drives around California. Klaven and his buddy Sydney Fife (Segal) drink Heinken beer, Peter loves to watch Chocolat and the Devil Wears Prada, and Sidney borrows Peter’s Lost (season 2) DVD set.
I even noticed an extra with
this Coach bag walk across the screen. Accident? I think not.
So much for subliminal messages, because these product nods are right in your face. Is this the new wave of advertising, and can we expect more bombardment from advertisers each time we shell out the cash to enjoy a movie? With ticket prices starting at $10, haven’t we paid enough?

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