LAURIESHULS

I'm a Mac Parody - MMC Halloween Party

2008-10-30T17:37:00.001-05:00

Lexi and I went as an "I'm a Mac" ad for our office Halloween party. We won "most original," w00t!

Picture of the Day: Grainy McCainy

2008-10-16T21:18:00.001-05:00

Thanks, Andrew!

I'm going to be better, promise.

2008-08-18T13:30:00.001-05:00

I just noticed that my "W" trailer post posted four times and about a month late...

Of course it took me quite a while to notice this, so I PROMISE I'll be checking-in and updating more frequently as soon as I can!

W. Trailer

2008-08-15T21:04:00.003-05:00

It's been a long time since I've posted, but here's a treat for my readers. The trailer for the new Oliver Stone biopic, W.

Enough with the PR-Spam Lists

2008-05-19T18:44:00.004-05:00

Let me preface this post by reminding you all that I work with the media and that I have the utmost respect for journalists, bloggers and the like. In fact, I'm close friends with several journalists and bloggers in my personal life.

BUT I'm getting a little tired of hearing about how bloggers and journalists are sick of dealing with PR people. Granted these journalists are specifically complaining about PR professionals that "spam" useless pitches, but they need to understand that it's hurting the PR industry as a whole. Let's just say some new AAE at my agency emails a blogger (innocently) asking them to cover a product? I may have absolutely nothing to do with their pitch, but my agency would end up on a "spammer" list or Wiki.

Most recently, Gina Trapani of Lifehacker created a Wiki, encouraging others to add to her blacklist. A few months ago Chris Anderson of Wired created his own list, which was equally offensive (to the PR folk, maybe not to the journalists).

So in an attempt to make things right between PR people and the Media, please accept this apology on behalf of my fellow colleagues. I'm sorry that your inbox is flooded with emails that you don't care about. I know how annoying it is to get tons of emails from people you don't know and don't have time to respond to. It's a shame that people send emails to your personal email addresses - this is the equivalent of a telemarketing call and we ALL hate telemarketers.

Fortunately I've never been on any of your spammer lists, nor have any of my colleagues, but I worry that one day one of my pitches will be misconstrued. I spend hours each day thoroughly reading your publications/blogs/following you on twitter/etc. and I hope there is never a misunderstanding. Although, if at all possible, could you please be more considerate about posting people's names and companies on these spam lists? There are a lot of good PR people who are being put in a difficult situation because of ONE bad pitch. To be honest, one pitch shouldn't make or break someones career, nor should it keep you from ever reading another pitch from someone at their company.

And just to remind you, we need to all work together.

PR people need to be smart and think twice before sending a pitch to someone new. They should read your columns, blogs, etc. and then make a decision as to whether or not they should pitch you their new USB alarm clock, etc. At the same time, PR people work REALLY hard to make sure we're getting you all the appropriate news. We spend months planning press conferences, we take you to nice lunches (and mind you, this is the ONLY time we get to leave the office for lunch), we occasionally give you sample products (when appropriate) and then you add us to a blacklist? That just doesn't seem right. I think we all need to work a little harder so we can meet halfway here.

Thanks for listening,
LaurieShuls

PRSA-NY Blogger Social

2008-05-15T22:02:00.002-05:00

Some of you may know that I wear many hats, one of which includes "event planner."

Yesterday I hosted (along with my friends Sandra Fathi and Heather DiRubba) the first PRSA-NY Blogger Social at Art Bar in the West Village. I think the event turned out to be quite successful, with about 80 people in attendance. We're trying to re-invigorate PRSA and make it "not your Grandfather's networking group." I think we're well on our way to achieving our goal.

If you want to learn more about the event, check out Sandra's pictures. Mine will follow as soon as I have a chance to download the software for my new camera.

Thanks to everyone who attended - look forward to another blogger social (in a larger space) sometime later this summer!

50 Greatest Commercial Paradies

2008-05-05T21:01:00.004-05:00

Some of you may read AdFreak, so I apologize if you've seen this already. I had to share Nerve.com's list of the 50 greatest commercial parodies. Some of these sketches I haven't seen in forever and they seriously made my night! My favorites include Uncle Jemima's Old Malt Liquor and Jewess Jeans. Enjoy!

Happy (Belated) 2nd Birthday to LaurieShuls.blogspot.com!

2008-05-03T21:49:00.004-05:00

Simply awesome!

I started this blog for my personal entertainment back in April of 2006. Who would have thought that I would still be writing on this thing for more than two years? Certainly not me!

I can't remember the exact date, but I know it was sometime in late April 2006 when I created this blog. Since then I've written (and deleted) many random posts, including movie reviews, my list of top 10 karaoke songs and my least-favorite ad campaigns in NYC.

I've never been able to stick with a theme, but after two years I've noticed a trend - I write about whatever I want, whenever I want to. Sorry if that makes me seem indecisive, but this blog is for fun, not for me to feel stressed about making up new topics to write about or to feel like I'm on deadline.

Thanks to everyone who has been reading, I appreciate your interest. I hope you enjoy the image of the Wii cake I've chosen for this post. I figured if I was going to get a real cake to celebrate (which I'm not), it would be something equally geeky in comparison to the Wii cake. :)

xox,
LaurieShuls

"This is what it cost me" ads = preachy & annoying

2008-05-03T21:16:00.004-05:00

So if you watch TV or have rode in a NYC cab lately, you've probably been exposed to the gruesome TV spot featuring "Marie from the Bronx." The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has decided to enlighten us to the dangers of smoking by profiling a worst case scenario.

Obviously, smoking is bad. It can cause cancer, asthma and make your hair and breath smell nasty. Although I never realized that it could enable you to require (multiple) finger amputations. So in that respect, I guess I've been enlightened by this new campaign.

But honestly, it's a bit disgusting to have this ad pop up on television (or in a cab) when I'm eating. It just makes me lose my appetite. It's also horribly depressing. I can watch the 5 o'clock news to get my daily dose of reality, I don't need to be bombarded with this type of information all day long, ESPECIALLY because I've never smoked, nor do I think I ever will.

I have one thing to say to whoever came up with this campaign: If you want your ads to be effective, put them on a TV right outside of any NYC office building. Play this ad right in front of the men and women who take 5-8 cigarette breaks a day (on the books) and see if you get any results. This way you'd be reaching your target audience and not preaching to the choir. Who's with me!?

For those of you not in NYC, you can check out the ads here: Marie from the Bronx.

Tom Ford Ads Push the Envelope...

2008-04-28T20:41:00.003-05:00

I have one word for these Tom Ford ads: Tacky. This one isn't even that bad, I saw one with a close-up of a woman's "down there" covered up by a little bottle of perfume. I know sex sells, but too much is just tacky.

This ad has been banned in Italy due to its vulgarity, curious to see what will happen in the U.S.

My amazing trip to Atlanta

2008-04-28T18:58:00.004-05:00

So I try not to write about work, but I had one of the most amazing experiences last week.

My company, Marina Maher Communications (MMC) kicked off its year of giving to celebrate its 25th anniversary. I traveled with four of my colleagues to Atlanta, GA to make a large donation to a very deserving charity, Wilderness Works. Prior to handing over the 2' x 4' check with the TODAY Show's Al Roker (yes this was all captured on TV), we had a chance to get to know these special children.

Many of the boys and girls from Wilderness Works had never seen the ocean, walked on a beach or traveled beyond the perimeters of their community. The donation that my company made will help these kids experience New York City and get them to see a little more of the world. As you can see in the pictures, we played "Indian Chief," shared laughs, played basketball and had a really great day. I'm looking forward to their trip to NYC so we can show these kids a great time!

I hate to brag, but how often do you get to do something like this at work? So often our companies will make donations, but rarely do we get to see the fruits of our labor or meet the people we're helping. The coordinator of Wilderness Works said that our donation was truly, "soul to soul." I couldn't help leaving this trip feeling warm and fuzzy!

Chewbacca, the Original Wingman.

2008-04-10T21:10:00.005-05:00

Has anyone else noticed this Spike TV ad campaign? It's genius!

My subway stop (Steinway on the R line) features two posters for Star Wars, which aired on Spike beginning on April 4th. One is of Princess Leia and states, "Because Gold Bikinis Never Go Out of Style." The other is of Darth Vader and says something along the lines of "Because a guy can only be called Annie so many times." My favorite poster is of Chewbacca (pictured here) as the "original wingman." It's perfect because it's true!

I don't get Spike here in Astoria, so I haven't been watching the saga on TV, but I have the DVDs at home and have seen the original movies a million times. I'm wondering if the ads appealed to any new fans (as if there's anyone who HASN'T seen Star Wars). I think the marketers hit the nail on the head, targeting a young, hip, youth audience.

I wonder if there were ads featuring Yoda or a frozen Han Solo...anyone know?

South Park Offends TTC Subway Riders

2008-04-08T21:28:00.003-05:00

Does this advertisement offend you? Several mass transit riders in Toronto seems to think so. South Park's new ad campaign (which has apparently hit in Canada) features the lovable Butters, about to receive an anal probe.

I assume that if I didn't watch South Park or if I wasn't familiar with its humor I would be a bit thrown off by this ad. Its humor is a bit much to swallow in the morning before one has had their caffeine fix. The TTC may be pulling the ad since several complaints have been processed.

I don't know how I feel about this. It's a cartoon in a suggestive situation - if it were a real person I would feel very differently about the ad, but I just don't think it's offensive. I'm more offended by the current subway ads in New York City that feature before and after pictures of people's bunions and hammertoe surgeries

My favorite Passover Video - Seda Club

2008-04-08T21:17:00.002-05:00

This is an oldie, but goodie. I initially found this video four years ago when 50 cent was cool - the 10 plague rap is classic!

Matzoh... it's that time of the year again

2008-04-08T20:29:00.004-05:00

As we approach my second favorite Jewish holiday of the year, Pesach (or Passover for those of you not in the know), I like to reflect on Passovers of years past, the family and friends I've shared Seders with, finding the Afikomen, cooking my first brisket and my Uncle Hank who used to "find" quarters hidden behind my ear. I digress. :)

Aside from seeing my family, I love Passover because I get to eat as many chocolate covered marshmallow logs as I please, watch the Ten Commandments, and guiltlessly clean my apartment from top to bottom without seeming like an OCD neat freak. On the down side, my least favorite part of the holiday is eating Matzoh. Sure it's good the first night of Passover after not having eaten any for a year, but by day four it can be sickening.

I'm not even religious but I like to keep "kosher" for Passover as it makes me feel connected to something bigger. Over the years, I've come up with some interesting ways to enjoy the otherwise bland unleavened bread. I've tried eating matzoh with humus, peanut butter (although this always makes it crumble), butter, horseradish, etc. Although a couple of years ago, a family friend introduced me to matzoh lasagna, which rocked my world and will forever change how I consume matzoh.

It's pretty simple to make, as there's no step-by-step recipe. Just start with a casserole or lasagna dish and line the bottom with your favorite tomato sauce (I like to make mine from scratch). Then add a layer of matzoh, but moisten it before you add it to the pan (I wouldn't soak the matzoh, but just get it a little wet). Add a few dollops of ricotta cheese and spread it out, followed by a layer of mozzarella cheese. Add a layer of your tomato sauce, and then follow with a layer of matzoh. Continue these steps until you get to the top of your dish and then finish the lasagna with a nice layer of cheese. I also like to layer in vegetables, like peppers, onions, zucchini, etc. Add whatever tickles your fancy!

I usually bake this at 350 degrees for at least 2o-30 minutes. I'm not an expert at baking time but it usually depends on the size of the dish and how many layers you have in your lasagna. Just keep in mind that the matzoh takes less time to cook than regular lasagna noodles.

Do you have any special holiday recipes? Perhaps a new spin on an old classic? I'd love to know how to make chocolate covered matzoh (one of my favs)! Leave some love in the comments!

Sarah Marshalls are so Sensitive!

2008-04-02T20:38:00.003-05:00

So if you've been out of the house in the past month, you've probably seen the ad campaign surrounding the new flick, "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," starring the adorable Jason Segal and Kristen Bell. The ads are a variety of phrases including, "My Mom Always Hated You Sarah Marshall," "You DO Look Fat in those Jeans Sarah Marshall," and "You Suck Sarah Marshall." I personally thought that the concept was brilliant - the ads are simple and include a link to the movie's Web site. Although I've recently learned that the ads are causing quite a buzz, and for an interesting reason!

There are hundreds of Sarah Marshalls roaming around the city (and I assume other cities) feeling miserable thanks to these ads. I find it funny in one way, but on the other hand, I think I'd also be blue if there were ads all over taxis, subways, bus stands, etc. that said, "I hate you Laurie Shulman." This makes me wonder if the campaign has gone too far. I think it's pretty hilarious, but according to an article on Cinematical, several women have had their lives disrupted as a result of the campaign.

I think the ads have done a great job of building buzz surrounding the movie. I'm sure the countless Sarah Marshalls will forget about the ads as soon as the film leaves theaters and (I hope) they can go back to normal lives where they don't feel uncomfortable in public places. Either way, be sure to check out the film in theaters on April 18th.

When it comes to Vegetarians, Sex Sells

2008-04-02T20:00:00.005-05:00

So the New York Times, posted this interesting article today on Johnny Diablo, a man who is profiting off of his love of vegans and stripping. He claims that his "sole purpose in this universe is to save every possible creature from pain and suffering," although I find it odd that exploiting vulnerable young women is a way to keep the world from "suffering." He may be doing more harm than good.

We all know that sex sells, so perhaps this effort was not completely in vain. PETA has tried similar tactics with its "Ink not Mink" campaign, urging women not to wear fur, but to be proud of their own individualistic beauty.

Personally, I'm a borderline vegetarian who will eat fish and occasionally some meat here and there. I try to be conscious of the treatment of animals and I refuse to eat veal or other "baby" animals because it makes me uncomfortable.

I'm not bothered by other people eating meat, because I think we should all do what makes us happy. Although I DO feel that we need to spend more time focusing on how to treat animals better, as opposed to pushing vegetarianism or veganism on anyone. This guy Johny Diablo should take the money he used on his strip club and use it for protecting the animals he wishes to "keep from suffering."

Paul Thomas Anderson

2008-03-27T21:14:00.002-05:00

I saw this video on Cinematical and I fell in love. It's cut so expertly and the choice of music is perfect. Everyone's in this video, Tom Cruise, Adam Sandler, Gwyneth Paltrow, William H. Macy, Dirk Diggler, you name it!

Sure makes me want a milkshake. :)

Jewno, best parody I've seen in a while

2008-03-27T21:00:00.002-05:00

My favorite part is when she takes a bite out of her bagel phone. I originally saw this last week, but forgot to share it...

Apparently I'm a "techspert"

2008-03-27T20:27:00.003-05:00

This weekend I'll be speaking about social media, blogging, and all that jazz, at the PRSSA Boston "PR Advanced: PRSSA Goes 2.0" Career Fair. It's odd to be two years out of college and to be presenting something as a "techspert" to such influential young minds.

I'm going to speak to transparency in Web campaigns, how to develop and maintain relationships with bloggers and some "dos" and "don'ts." I'll have to share pictures at the end of the weekend...

Luck of the Irish (better late than never)

2008-03-19T20:57:00.001-05:00

I meant to write about this the other day, but things got a bit crazy.

Thanks to the folks over at Boing Boing for introducing me to the wonder that is a GUINNESS CUPCAKE! Guinness is my favorite beer (in case you didn't know) so I'm going to need to try making these. The "foam" is actually cream cheese icing and supposedly the Guinness makes these treats nice and moist. Yum!

My new reason to live = another Muppet Movie!

2008-03-14T21:53:00.004-05:00

So today I came across some exciting news, Jason Segal (Freaks and Geeks, How I Met Your Mother) will write and direct a new Muppet Movie! It's about time someone revamped those muppet's careers and I have convidence that Segal is a man who could handle it!

I grew up with the Muppets and I was worried that the kids of today were going to miss out on the wonder of Jim Hensen productions. Kermit and his friends taught me that it's OK to be different and that friends come in all different shapes, colors and sizes.

Now I'm left to wonder what the next Muppet movie will be! The suspense is killing me. Nothing will ever beat The Muppets Take Manhattan (or its Joan Rivers cameo), but I'm definitely ready for some new material!

Blind dating in the age of the Internet.

2008-03-13T20:31:00.004-05:00

Lately I've been thinking a lot about blind dating. In the age of the Internet, all of your personal information is available with the click of a button, so how could you ever go on a real "blind" date?

Now that I'm single, I'm contemplating multiple dating options. My friends and family keep recommending Speed Dating, J-Dating, Match.com and other sites, but I think I'll pass. I did sign up for CrazyBlindDate.com with my friend Jessica, more as a joke than anything else, and I was disappointed to find that the site could not find any matches for me. It's a really weird site, in fact you had to choose a neighborhood or area to "meet up" in - some of the options were the 4, 5, or 6 lines, (because meeting guys on the subway is a greaatttt idea)! It failed to set me up with someone "crazy" and being that New York is full of crazy people, I think that the site, "just wasn't that into me."

I digress. If you were to be set-up on a "blind" date, most likely your date will have already googled you, checked out your Facebook profile and looked at your resume on LinkedIn. So where's the mystery? Can you ever meet someone randomly and get to know them just from talking? I think that day is over and I'm not sure how I feel about it. Thoughts?

Twitterific.

2008-03-13T14:23:00.004-05:00

I finally broke down and joined twitter.

"Follow" me: https://twitter.com/LaurieShuls. I'll be documenting the random adventures of LaurieShuls, you may as well come along for the ride.

I should also mention that I'm using Alastair Cookie as my icon.

Golden Globe Awards, Minus the Celebs

2008-01-13T21:16:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I know it's been a while. But enough about me...

I'm watching the Golden Globe award winners being announced on Access Hollywood, and LOVING it. It's so refreshing to watch actors recognized for their work and not for the outfits they happen to wear to a award show.

I'm sure that most of the world has to differ, but I personally hope this becomes a tradition. Who cares what Nikki Blonsky is wearing, or who lent Katherine Heigl some over-the-top diamonds to wear for the "big night." These awards are about celebrating the talent that we have left in the entertainment industry...so long as we continue to do that, I'm OK.

What do you think?

Celebs evacuated as fires rage. Elvis memorabilia saved.

2007-10-23T18:38:00.000-05:00

As you probably know, wildfires rage on in Southern California. It's been a few days and thousands have been evacuated from the upscale area of Malibu. Last time I checked (a few hours ago), one person was dead and about 25 people (including firefighters) were injured. For some reason the person who has lost their life is not news, but what has been making news is the memorabilia that has been "rescued" from the lavious homes in SoCal.

Apparently, some multi-million dollar home that has been burnt to the ground was home to an "Elvis Room" filled with treasures including Elvis' army garb. Brave young souls rushed into the home and rescued the keepsakes before they were lost in the fire. I hear there were also several Princess Diana collectibles that were saved.

Why do people care more about collectibles than other human beings? These celebrities have more than enough money to bounce back and I'm sure than many of them have other homes. I wish they could use their money to help rebuild places that are in worse despair, say New Orleans.

Next up on Access Hollywood, "Jane's Home in Danger." Why, WHY!?!

A dollar for rent? That's good enough for me.

2007-10-03T10:08:00.000-05:00

New York is a funny place, you never know what kind of lunatics you're going to run into. Apparently, one of those lunatics is living in the West Village and looking for a roommate.

A Craigslist ad states that you can live in the West Village for just $1 a month! Is there a catch, yes...apparently you'll be living with a muppet (of sorts). "You must bake me cookies every day. I will tell you what kind of cookies the night before and you have until 6 pm the next day to have 50 of them baked and delicious for me." WTF!!

"Violation of this rule will result in immediate eviction and denunciation unto God. " Whoa, now this guy's got God involved - who knew cookies could be such a religious experience? I love this next line, "You may use vanilla extract but not the bean. Walnuts, almonds, and filberts are approved, whereas peanuts, macademias and cashews are not. Raisins are encouraged."

I would really love to see what this person looks like. At the moment, all I can visualize is the friendly blue monster from Sesame Street, but Cookie Monster was never this picky. "The cookies must be presented artfully upon a silvern tray. Permitted garnishes include mint, thyme, candied flowers, and jellied fruits. Sugared figs are under review, but don't get your hopes up."

Apparently the room is equipped with cable TV, permanently set to the Food Network, "you may ONLY watch shows about cookies." I didn't know the Food Network had shows specifically about cookies.

If anyone is interested in the apartment, "send your favorite recipe for cookies, a short poem about cookies, and a picture of nice-looking cookies." Or, you could just go get your head examined.

"Won't you be my neighbor?"

Speaking of Issues..

2007-10-02T17:05:00.001-05:00

Why lifting furniture can be dangerous.

2007-10-02T16:35:00.000-05:00

Let me preface this by saying that I've been very busy over the past few weeks. I've had a lot of stuff going on with my family and very little time to spend in my new apartment. That being said, I finally had some time this weekend to spend improving the apartment I so dearly adore and what happens to me, I make a gimp out of myself.

It all started with this stupid boxspring that was left in our hallway after the previous tenant moved out. It wasn't bothering anyone, but we had to move the heavy old thing so our landlord would get off our backs. He was "willing to help" although he could only come by at the most inconvenient times, and wanted to stop by after 11 PM (on a work night) to help us move it. My two equally female roommates and I thought, "well we're tough, we can just move it ourselves!"

It took us about 20 minutes, and much perspiration to get the queen-size boxspring down three flights (of very narrow) stairs. We all felt very accomplished for completing the task without the help of men. Little did I know that the real danger was only a few minutes away.

I had kicked-off my Haviana flip flops while moving the mattress, thinking that I may trip on them. When I was downstairs on the street, barefoot, our neighbor asked if we wanted to take their old coffee table. My roommates and I looked at each other and thought, "free coffee table, why not!" As we lifted the table and titled it on a 90 degree angle, the glass top became disconnected and fell on my right foot. I am lucky the whole thing didn't smash to a million pieces (my foot probably broke the fall).

I started to bruise immediately and knew that I HAD to go to the ER, although nobody in my apartment knew where the nearest ER was. I eventually called my parents in LI and had them come pick me up, take me to an ER in Long Island, and then take care of me at home. This morning I had new X-Rays taken at the orthopedist and found that, yes, of course my foot was broken.

So now I'm sitting in the kitchen, working from home. I'm getting a little stir crazy and my tush is numb from sitting in the same space with my foot elevated all day. I'm wearing a black boot that resembles something worn in "Robocop," and I'm doped up on plenty of prescription medication. I can't wait until this foot heals so I can get back to my day-to-day life of running around to catch subways and hail cabs!

I'm Not There Trailer

2007-09-19T22:13:00.001-05:00

So we'll pretend that I haven't been MIA for a while.

Check out the trailer for the anticipated biopic about one of my favorite musicians, Bob Dylan. Pure genius.

Holy iPod!

2007-09-05T21:21:00.000-05:00

Today I spent an hour on CrunchGear reading the liveblog from the Apple Press Conference.

As you probably already know, Apple is launching all new iPods, including Shuffles in pretty colors, new Nanos with bigger screens (AKA "Fat Nanos"), iPod Video capabilities in all iPod Classic models and the new iPod TOUCH!

The best part is that these new models will have WiFi...finally stepping into 2007.

I'm so excited that I'm getting paid on Friday. I need to have an iPod TOUCH so I can surf the Web while waiting for the Subway and to download music at Starbucks. As K.T. Turnstill put it, "Apple has made buying music more fun than stealing it!" Sweet deal.

How I Spent my Holiday Weekend: Food Network Megamix.

2007-09-03T22:07:00.001-05:00

I only have one thing to say: "I love, love, LOVE my deep fryer!"

Miss South Carolina Answers a Question

2007-08-29T19:59:00.001-05:00

Some people don't have maps....

Clearly, not having a map isn't the problem.

They is cooolege stoodentz.

2007-08-27T18:49:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was in Union Square waiting for my friend to meet up with me, when I noticed a ridiculous amount of naive young people with their parents moving into their new dorms. The Freshman are among us!

I sometimes like to remember my first week at college. It was quite the week of adjustment. Yesterday I was just getting annoyed by all the minivans with New Jersey license plates flooding the already-packed Union Square. It's funny because Gawker was obviously thinking the same thing. They even called out the masses taking up the entire street to discuss Facebook and dialectical materialism... they hit the nail right on the head.

I can't wait to run into a bunch of them in the east village, either typing away on their MacBooks at Starbucks, or vomiting on St. Marks St.

Coney Island has become depressing.

2007-08-26T16:23:00.000-05:00

Today I went to Coney Island for the first time in MANY many years. I remember it being one of the best places on earth. Where people of all ages came to have fun, eat some delicious greasy good and ride overpriced roller coasters. This afternoon I learned that it's just a really depressing place where women don't wear bras and men will hit on anything with female parts.

I met up with my friend Kate who was about to embark on a semester abroad all around the world. She and a few of her friends from her program -- none of which had ever been to Brooklyn -- seemed amused by the colorful cast of characters. We only spent about 45 minutes there, about 30 of which were spent eating our Nathans hot dogs. We rode on the infamous ferris wheel, which felt as though it would break in a moment's notice. We ran into several wack-jobs with a variety of personality flaws, and so on. Usually these things don't bother me, after all it's New York, but I feel sentimental for the Coney Island of my childhood. It finally makes sense that they're tearing the joint down.

Now where will all the pseudo-scary New Yorkers go for a good time in the summer? The options are dwindling away. Maybe they'll all flock to the Bronx Zoo? That would be an interesting thought...

More Karaoke Songs!

2007-08-24T16:30:00.000-05:00

A very long time ago, I wrote about my favorite karaoke songs. And believe me, I know karaoke.

This is why BestWeekEver.tv sparked my interest with its "Top 10 Karaoke Songs to Avoid at All Costs," list. Many of the songs they stress to avoid were on my list of favorites. I guess different strokes for different folks.

In case you were curious, see below for what they feel is the worst:

10) Sir Mix A Lot, Baby Got Back
-I love to dance to this song when I'm drunk. Who doesn't?

9) Frank Sinatra, New York, New York

-This song is for anyone in love with their internal New York elitist.

8) INXS, I Need You Tonight

7) Meat Loaf, Paradise by the Dashboard Light

-A touching song about a boy losing his V-card. Why not shout it out!

6) Journey, Don't Stop Believing

-Best song ever.

5) Anything from the Grease soundtrack

4) Prince, Purple Rain

3) U2, One

2) Guns n' Roses, Paradise City

-A frat boy classic.

1) Vanilla Ice, Ice Ice Baby

With Karaoke, how can you go wrong. What are your favorites?

Seth Rogen is not only hot, but brilliant!

2007-08-23T21:07:00.000-05:00

Photo Credit: Best Week Ever

So you already know that I love Seth Rogen and that I secretly want him to be my boyfriend... that's been established.

Today, I fell in love with him all over again when I saw the above picture on BestWeekEver.tv. This was his high school yearbook entry. All I have to say is: BRILLIANT!

This message shows that Seth can figure out percentages and would know how to survive (by burning his yearbook) in an emergency situation. I absolutely love him and wish he could be my friend for a day, just so I could laugh at all his witty commentary.

My high school quote was from Kermit the Frog, and although it was meaningful, I kind of wish I could go back in time and write something like this. Just a little smack in the face to all those people who think that small-town life is SO important. (We all know that they wind up working at Petland Discounts anyway). :)

LaurieShuls is headed to Shanghai.

2007-08-23T20:37:00.000-05:00

Today I received some semi-good news, my cousin, who is also one of my closest friends and confidants, accepted an offer to move/work in Shanghai. In case you weren't aware, Shaghai is in Asia and on the other side of the world. If you didn't know that you shouldn't be reading this blog.

I'm very proud of Alyssa, but I'm also upset to see her go so far away. I'm already planning to make a trip in early 2008 and I can't wait to see her! If you know anyone living in China that's normal, please let me know.

Techies can be cool.

2007-08-21T20:59:00.000-05:00

Some of you thought I was joking when I said that techies are cool. For those of you that are ill-informed, I spend a good deal of my life working with consumer electronics companies, therefore working with tech writers, bloggers and the like. I've always liked geeks, so this was an easy transition.

Last night my favorite tech blog, CrunchGear, hosted its first birthday celebration at Red Skye. I was a bit surprised at how well it went...considering the fact that it all came together pretty last minute. I got the chance to hang out with some of my techie friends, and also meet some of the guys that I rarely see face-to-face (because they're always hiding behind their computers). :)

The party was so chic that it got a write up in CNET's "The Social" section, in which I have to agree that the party was "refreshingly devoid of high-energy pitches and nametags." I intentionally didn't hand out any business cards, but still scored in the networking department. I just had a really good time with some very cool people.

If you're at all curious, check out pictures on Facebook or right on the good 'ol Crunch. I hope to hang out with these guys again soon.

Superbad.

2007-08-18T19:08:00.000-05:00

You all MUST see Superbad, if you know what's good for you. It made me love Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen even more than I already did. My new secret crush = Michael Cera. I LOVE that kid!

The movie started out weird -- I was actually carded on my way in (but that's a different story). I fell in love with the movie from the very beginning when the silhouettes of Cera and Hill appeared on the screen, dancing to what sounded like Earth, Wind and Fire. The two had great chemistry and totally reminded me of the guys I used to hang out with in high school, which says a lot. They couldn't get chicks either...
:)

Although the film was hilarious, it was also heartwarming in that "I'm not trying to be heartwarming" sort of way. You can see that the two main characters are very close and have not done well socially without each other. As they embark on their last days of high school, they realize just how special their bond is, seeming anxious at the thought of finding "replacement friends."

I think we've all gone through this at some point in our lives...leaving somewhere familiar with good friends to move on to the unknown. The entire cast did a great job of making this a humorous film, with just enough sentimentality. It's a bit vulgar, but that's just life.

Again, I love this movie!

Possible Best Raunchy Comedies of All Time

2007-08-16T21:18:00.000-05:00

I saw this on Cinematical the other day, but thought some of you may be interested...

Moviefone has rated, what they find to be, the best R-rated comedies of all time. And they are as follows:

25) Police Academy
24) Blues Brothers
23) Superbad
22) Clerks
21) Bad Santa
20) Slapshot
19) Kentucky Fried Movie
18) Coming to America
17) Knocked Up
16) Team America: World Police
15) Blazing Saddles
14) Fast Times at Ridgemont High
13) American Pie
12) Bachelor Party
11) South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut
10) This is Spinal Tap
9) Wedding Crashers
8) There's Something About Mary
7) National Lampoons Vacation
6) Old School
5) The 40-Year Old Virgin
4) Caddyshack
3) Stripes
2) Borat
1) Animal House

Now I don't know about you, but I feel like this list was edited by someone living in a fraternity house, currently. Although I enjoyed Borat, I don't think it should have been rated so high. I also think that Wedding Crashers was highly overrated...I'm very excited that Anchorman didn't make it to the top, because I hate that movie and I'm sick of hearing people quote it.

I think Revenge of the Nerds should have been at the top, that's one of the funniest movies ever. Thoughts?

Happy 100 Posts, LaurieShuls!

2007-08-16T21:06:00.000-05:00

So, here's a shameless plug for myself...

LaurieShuls is 100 posts strong! Thanks readers (and I know you're out there) for reading my witty commentary on life, New York, finding an apartment, tech and other things. Keep reading!

xox,
LaurieShuls

Nerdy NYC

2007-08-16T20:29:00.000-05:00

I heart Gridskipper for posting a Nerdy New York map, highlighting the hottest spots for a Nerd to get their grove on.

This list seems to have something for everyone, whether you're a comic book-nerd, a tech-nerd, a nature-nerd, or a combination. I personally can't wait to hit up Pete's Candy Store. :)

Seth Rogen = Super Hot.

2007-08-12T15:34:00.000-05:00

Kim Voynar, a super cool chick over at Cinematical wrote a great post the other day about why Seth Rogen and Judd Apatow are super-hot. I have to agree with Kim 100%. I tend to go for the adorkable, geeky guy...and I'm happy to finally see these guys appreciated.

I remember when Freaks and Geeks first came out. I think I was in 9th or 10th grade and I totally related to the show. Most girls were attracted to James Franco, but I always went for the geekier guys. I was a geek in high school (and I still am) and I found myself utterly attracted to this loveable group of misfits.

Today Rogen has appeared in several huge films, including The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up. There's just something about him...you can tell he doesn't have his act together 100%, but he's on his way. LOVE HIM!!

Jonah Hil Flipping Out.

2007-08-12T15:09:00.000-05:00

You just have to check out this video of Jonah Hill from Superbad, flipping out on an entertainment reporter (OK, I know it's staged, but it's funny).

I love that he blames the entertainment industry for putting him on the Atkins diet. Won't people just leave him alone when it comes to his weight!?

How I almost died at the Silk Road.

2007-08-11T14:49:00.000-05:00

So last night a bunch of the coolest girls from work and I got together for an outing. We wound-up at a magical place called Silk Road on 80th and Amsterdam. Silk Road is a Chinese Restaurant where everyone knows your name. The food is cheap and greasy and the wine is FREE. This place keeps refilling your glass until you walk out the door...crazy.

That is why I almost died last night. If you're looking for a cheap night out on the upper west side, you must go to Silk Road. If you don't like being extremely sick or hung over (which I still am about 22 hours later), then you better stay home.

Nine is the new thirty?

2007-08-09T21:04:00.001-05:00

So I found this interesting post on BellaSugar about the two-hour beauty routine of a precocious nine year old named Bethany. Each day she washes, spritzes, sprays and straightens her hair with a $240 ceramic straightening iron. She tones, moisturizes, waxes, spray tans and manicures herself with a $140 weekly budget.

I don't even spend a quarter of that time or money on my beauty routine. Why is any of this necessary? If this girl is spending this much time and effort at age nine, what will she be doing in college? I wonder if it's society's emphasis on perfection, or just a sick mother to blame...possibly a combination of both. Either way you have to check out the post to believe it.

Facebook used for evil....no way!

2007-08-09T20:43:00.000-05:00

As much as I love Facebook (and I really do love Facebook), I have to say that this is a bit pathetic. The site that was once used to connect college students, has been opened to include anyone from anywhere...and this is where the problem lies.

According to USA Today, parents who have Facebook accounts, use their accounts to "check-in" on their children. OK, that's not too surprising, but what's really disturbing, is that they also use their access to the site to check on their children's friends and roommates.

Back in the day I used my AOL profile search to scope out other Boston University students matriculating in '02. I got a phone call from my roommate a few weeks before move-in, but that was that. Now students (and apparently, their parents), can learn roommate's life-history and view images of their drunken debauchery. This is quite disturbing. Universities are now expecting parents to call the school and complain about their children's future roommates, prior to meeting them. What ever happened to giving people a chance?

True, I Facebook and Google just about everyone prior to meeting them, but here we're talking about children and people do change A LOT during their freshman year of college. It's hard to figure out who's wrong in this situation: Was Facebook wrong to open its doors to older, closer-minded individuals, or do youngsters just share way too much information on the Internet for all the world to see. Thoughts?

More on Natalie Portman

2007-08-09T20:25:00.000-05:00

Natalie in Audrey Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffany's dress.

So a few months ago I wrote about Natalie Portman and her upcoming lifecast. Lifecasting isn't really a new idea, plenty of people broadcast their lives for the world to see...it's just that many of them are super boring. Valleywag posted its top reasons why Nat will be excellent to watch and I have to agree. She's an awesome, intelligent, beautiful girl. She's a role model to all young women and I wish I'd see more of her in the news and less of Paris and Nicole.

Pics of the Pad.

2007-08-06T19:15:00.001-05:00

Super classy!

I heart Queens.

Greetings from my new pad.

2007-08-01T20:46:00.001-05:00

I've successfully moved into my new apartment in Astoria! This is my first post from my new bed...how exciting. The neighborhood is great and I'm settling in quite nicely. It's sweltering, but I'm just going to have to get an air conditioner.

Pictures coming soon.

What Does a Yellow Light Mean?

2007-07-25T21:11:00.001-05:00

I was channel surfing when I heard this snippet on TV Land. I immediately searched for it on YouTube.

For those of you who are unfamiliar, this is a hilarious vintage clip of Christopher Lloyd on Taxi, featuring one of my Dad's favorite quotes, "What does a yellow light mean?" In the clip, a mentally-disturbed Lloyd attempts to take his driving test. Check it out and be sure to watch until the end.

Countdown to Potter-Palooza.

2007-07-20T14:29:00.000-05:00

Ahh, tomorrow the world will know the fate of Harry James Potter. The suspense is killing me! I hope no idiots spoil it for me, as I won't be picking up my copy until tomorrow afternoon and reading on my way back to NY (I'll be in Boston this weekend :)).

I didn't get into Potter until my freshman year of college. Boy was I missing out! Since then I've read all the books and seen all the movies and fallen in love with those child wizards and witches. In fact, I think if I was a student at Hogwarts I'd be best friends with Harry, Ron and Hermoine. They're just so cool.

Speaking of Hermoine, Emma Watson was named Geek of the Week on GeekSugar last week (I'm a bit behind on my bloglines). I love her, she's so cool...if I were a 19-year old playing a 15-year old, I wish I could be just like her!

New Wes Anderson Flick, "The Darjeeling Limited"

2007-07-20T11:16:00.000-05:00

Cinematical revealed the latest Wes Anderson movie poster this morning for "The Darjeeling Limited," which at first glance I thought was an advertisement for tea leaves.

I'm excited for this film as it stars Jason Schwartzman, whom I've had a crush on since Anderson's Rushmore (one of my favorites). I've been loving Schwartzman for years, as he's also the son of Talia Shire, (Francis Ford Coppola's sister, AKA Connie Corleone), and I'm a little obsessed with the Coppola family.

I love Anderson's wry humor and I've been a fan of all of his films. I'm especially looking forward to his latest, which will also star Owen Wilson (big surprise) and Natalie Portman. Some of you may think that Natalie and I look alike, I disagree on this but take it as a HUGE compliment. :)

I can't wait to see the movie, coming out late Fall 2007.

Barbie ruins a childhood favorite.

2007-07-20T11:08:00.000-05:00

Today I noticed that Barbie created an Alice in Wonderland line of dolls, henceforth ruining one of my favorite childhood stories.

True, Alice and pals were meant to be a bit creepy and Disney already ruined the story making everything cute and cuddly, but Barbie went a bit over the top. Look at the Queen of Hearts, she's not supposed to look refined and Alice certainly wasn't wearing a frilly cocktail dress while chasing bunnies through imaginary doors.

What really takes the cake is the Mad Hatter that reminds me of Tom Petty, in a sick, twisted way.

Mattel, please quit while you're ahead.

May the Force be with you always.

2007-07-19T21:24:00.000-05:00

This intrigued the geeky seventh grader that resides in my heart. If only I had this Darth Vader backpack when I was in school! As if I needed another reason to be a social disaster...

Either way, I'm giving it props for sheer amusement.

Odd and Intriguing....

2007-07-19T21:14:00.000-05:00

Want to see the creepiest - yet most intriguing - Muppet skit ever?

Best Week Ever posted an odd video created by Rob Zombie called, House of 1,000 Muppets, made from scenes from The Muppet Movie (a LaurieShuls classic).

Check it out if you have lots of free time on your hands.

Speakers = Cute.

2007-07-19T20:55:00.000-05:00

I found these adorable cupcake speakers on Crave that I must have - because clearly, I need another set of speakers like I need a hole in my head. The speakers are shaped like plush cupcakes (not like the ones in the picture, but pink and cute. I just like cookie monster).

Then, I spotted equally cute animal speakers on GeekSugar, that I also must have. I'm sure that they're not the most acoustically pleasing, but they would make great conversation pieces. And they're monkeys and penguins. Too cute. The animals are available from RedEnvelope.

Hint: If you haven't bought me something for my birthday yet, this is your chance.

Frugality and such.

2007-07-19T20:32:00.001-05:00

A few days ago (or maybe weeks, I can't tell anymore, things have been so crazy), I saw this post on Lifehacker about frugal habits passed down from generation to generation. As you probably know, I've been saving money for months trying to move out and on August 1st I'll finally be liberated to the Queens borough. Now that I'll be paying rent, I can use the extra money. Let's see if I can remember some of my mother's old habits.

Mom always tells me to dilute my shampoo and conditioner with water to make them "stretch." She also takes extra napkins from restaurants and calls it "recycling," although this has nothing to do with saving the environment. I remember making Christmas ornaments out of old Happy Meal toys as a child, which was always exciting.

Well, none of this stuff will actually help me now...can someone please share some tips that are actually useful, thanks!

LaurieShuls is Moving to Astoria!

2007-07-19T20:23:00.000-05:00

I'M MOVING OUT!!!!!

OK, so I'm just a little excited. :) On August 1st, I will be a resident of Astoria, Queens. I'm looking forward to plenty of Greek food, trips to the Beer Garden and the Queens Borough Mall.

If you're in Queens, give me a challah!

Facebook, don't leave me now!

2007-07-19T11:00:00.000-05:00

Dear Facebook,

I'm hearing rumors that you may be shut down next week thanks to a little lawsuit from some jealous frienemies. I hope you win your case so I don't need to update my MySpace page. As you know, I really hate MySpace.

You've been such a good friend these past four years. Remember when we first met? I was a sophomore at BU and you were exclusive to college students in Boston, MA. Those were some good times. Over the years you've helped me connect with old friends, meet new ones, search for apartments and plan parties. We've been through so much together!

So, before you just go shut down, PLEASE do your best to fight a good fight and keep things together for the kids.

Much Love,
LaurieShuls

Thanks to all for the b-day love!

2007-07-18T16:48:00.000-05:00

I just walked into a surprise party - in my honor - at work. Thanks to everyone involved! I had delicious chocolate cake from Buttercup, I got some fun gifts and a ride on a tricycle. My kind of birthday!

Canned Heat.

2007-07-07T21:49:00.001-05:00

Valleywag did a recent round-up of the best geeky dance videos - my favorite type of round-up!

I agreed with their entries, although my very favorite is "The Evolution of Dance," made popular on YouTube about a year ago. Be sure to check it out, it's chocked full of Bar Mitzvah classics, including Cotton Eyed Joe, Bye Bye Bye and Thriller.

LaurieShuls needs an apartment.

2007-07-07T21:10:00.000-05:00

I consider myself a true-blue New Yorker, despite the fact that I'm currently living in Long Island. I can't help it if real estate prices are soaring and you need a grand just to rent a glorified walk in closet!

I've been commuting to work for more than a year and I'm ready to move. Whenever people ask me where I'm looking, I'm usually a bit embarrassed to admit, "anywhere cheap," but that's the truth. I'll live anywhere, so send along any apartment listings!

Prior to moving to New York, I was in Boston for four years and I had my share of wacky roommates. Since I've been looking to move - and I know the only way I can afford it to would be if I had a roommate or two - I've been reminiscing on horror stories of the past. I've lived with a handful of compulsive liars, frat boys, anorexics and the like - why am I subjecting myself to this again? Having a roommate is always a crapshoot, you never really know someone until you live with them.

I've had at least 20 roommates and believe me, I could write a book about the many wacky experiences I've had. Please, if you know someone normal looking for a roommate let me know. I don't need a lot of space, anything bigger than a shoe box will do!

Mazel Tov CrunchGear!

2007-07-06T21:39:00.000-05:00

A big Mazel Tov, or "congrats," to my friends over at CrunchGear, who have recently made the Technorati Top 100 (a listing of blogs).

CrunchGear is a great tech blog, especially if you're into gadgets of all shapes and sizes. The writing is easy to read and I look forward to their daily slice of frat boy humor. Keep up the good work!

My internet is back up!

2007-07-06T21:34:00.000-05:00

Yay, I'm psyched to be back! My Internet has been down for a little over a week, so I've had some trouble updating my blog. My most recent post was written while in Boston over the weekend...

I had a nice five-day vacation from work and now I'm back in action! I'll be sure to keep you posted on any exciting news.

How Facebook "Ended" This Guy's Marriage

2007-07-01T16:00:00.000-05:00

The other day I read this post on Boing Boing about tech journalist Thomas Crampton, who in an effort to keep his personal life more private, canceled his relationship status on Facebook a few weeks before his wedding, and was met with an influx of condolence calls from people who thought the marriage was over in real-life.

This made me think about how much information I get from Facebook, and other Web sites, as opposed to actual people. I found out that two of my friends from high school were engaged thanks to my Facebook newsfeed. I also learned that my ex-boyfriend had moved to another country. If it weren't for the Web, I would actually have to call these people and have awkward conversations.

What do you think of all of this? How depersonalized have our lives become? Will it get worse before it gets better, or is this the wave of the future. With people attending weddings and funerals via Webcam, I think we're headed to a bad place. No longer will people get on the phone to keep in touch with old friends. We'll learn of things through our screen-names, blogs and social networks. Good-bye small talk, and hello socially awkward peoples of the future.

Does your social network of choice reflect your socioeconomic background?

2007-06-26T20:45:00.000-05:00

I don't know whether or not to buy into this new study regarding the status of social networking sites.

In case you aren't in the loop, some people believe that rich, successful people join Facebook, while Myspace is the site of choice for those less affluent.

I'm registered on both sites, but prefer to use Facebook, for a few key reasons. One, I've had a Facebook account since March 2004, when Mark Zuckerberg first branched-out to all Boston college-area students. I think he's a terrific guy and he's done a great job building the site to what it is today. Secondly, I'm not a fan of Rupert Murdoch and prefer to give my support to a fellow 22-year old.

Whenever I log-in to my MySpace account, I'm bombarded with messages from wacky-pornographic sites, in disguise as "friend requests." It's difficult to search for my legitimate friends and usually directs me to some third-party advertising just for the heck of it. As a PR girl, I'm a bit smart to this and have VERY little patience.

Although Facebook has become a bit more complicated in recent months, it's still an enjoyable experience. I have many friends on the site and I've added a few new applications, including "extended info," "friends map," and "iLike." I like the clean layout and easy-to-use format, as well as the new Marketplace section that allows users to search for apartments and so-on, similar to Craigslist. One thing I could do without are the superpokes.

Although I'm college educated (from BU's College of Communication), I wouldn't necessarily say that I'm privileged. I know several BU alums that adore MySpace.

I'm not doubting the notion that there's some correlation between socioeconomic status and social networking preferences, I just personally think it comes down to how individuals like to organize information. Facebook appeals to me for its clean design and categorized info and I'm sure there are people who hate it for the same reason.

I'd love to know what other people think about this. Drop a comment and start sharing!

Crazy Man Needs iPhone

2007-06-26T20:33:00.000-05:00

Check out the number one iPhone fan in an exclusive interview on Gizmodo.com.

Feel free to drop off donations of food, money and metrocards at the Apple store across from the Plaza. This guy, will greatly appreciate it!

Jews are good writers? Who knew?

2007-06-22T21:21:00.000-05:00

Some of you may or may not care about books, or the people who write them, but as a geek with a an wacky imagination (and who reads a good deal), I personally do. Gawker recently wrote about an organization called The Jewish Book Council, which not surprisingly, helps young Jewish authors kick-off their careers.

As a Jew (technically, half-Jew), I'm proud to see more established Jews helping the less-fortunate, as social responsibility is a huge tenant of the religion. Jews make terrific writers because we all have such a great sense of humor. Without humor we would never have made it this far...

After reading this article, I realized just how many of my favorite writers are fellow Chosen people. To name a few, J.D. Salinger (another half-Jew), Jonathan Safran Foer, Woody Allen, Elie Wiesel (who was also one of my professors in college), Jerzy Kosinski, Shel Silverstein, etc. So tell me, who are some of your favorites?

And now for some more tech news...

2007-06-22T20:43:00.000-05:00

Obviously, I like gadgets, technology and the like, so it's no surprise that I was fascinated by this article on the Wired Blog about the "Greatest Gadgets of All Time."

It seems that we all get so excited for the new MacBooks, iPhones, etc. but forget that technological innovation started many years ago with useful items as simple as soap or the refrigerator...could you imagine life without these items? You could forget about leftovers...

Check out the post and add your top pick...my vote personally goes to the Tampon...a product that I doubt I could live without. :)

What we have to look forward to...

2007-06-22T20:21:00.000-05:00

The other day I saw this article on Valleywag about the most annoying things we have to look forward to in the future. Just think about how much progress we've made in the past ten years...in another ten years there will only be more obnoxious cell phones, people walking around with iPods and well, you get the picture.

This made me think about the movie Back to the Future II. I believe this movie took place in the year 2015. The movie predicted that people would be riding hover boards and have clothing that dried with the push of a button. I wonder if these innovations will be available in the next ten years...

I've always wanted a hover board.

AFI's New Top 100

2007-06-20T21:06:00.000-05:00

Tonight AFI will unveil its latest "Top 100" list, and I'm quite excited! I love movies and although I'm partial to mob movies and geeky cinema, it's good to see what other people are watching. The one thing that disappoints me is that several stupid movies are in the running, including Austin Powers, Pirates of the Caribbean and Spider-Man 2. Eh.

Cinematical asked its readers what their picks would be, completely based on their favorites. See below for my mine:

10) Taxi Driver
9) Schindler's List
8) Annie Hall
7) Once Upon a Time in America
6) The Royal Tennenbaums
5) Vertigo
4) The Godfather: Part II
3) Citizen Kane
2) Goodfellas
1) The Godfather

Of course, this list sometimes varies and I love many many other movies (umm Star Wars, The Muppets Take Manhattan, etc.) but this is a list of more serious pictures.

Tell me, what are your faves?

YouTube is NOT the same thing as "UTube"

2007-06-20T15:35:00.001-05:00

I just sat through a Webinar at work about Social Media and Word of Mouth campaigns. Nothing too new came from the hour and a half session, although I did see YouTube referenced in a slide as "UTube" by an influential tech PR practitioner, which made me want to jump from my seat. How can you be so oblivious?

My group and I checked out UTube.com, which had absolutely nothing to do with video sharing, rather, it's a site that specializes in universal tube & rollform equipment (what!?!). When older people speak as "experts" on "new media" maybe they should have their interns proof-read their decks first.

Pimp My Cube

2007-06-19T17:39:00.000-05:00

Maybe you've noticed that I've been popping out posts like a pro this afternoon. I'm waiting for my friend to get her butt out of her cube so we can leave...

Switched, a cool tech blog I'm into, featured a round-up of its favorite gadgets for your cubicle. I practically LIVE in my cube and I'm always on the look-out for fun do-dads to make it more entertaining (God only knows how much time I spend sitting in my teeny-tiny slice of space on the Upper East Side).

From portable air conditioners, to a deFIBulator Lie Detector, there's something in here for everyone. I personally would have added a wireless mouse and/or keyboard to the mix, something my cube is severely lacking but would certainly benefit from.

Wear a Chair?

2007-06-19T17:33:00.000-05:00

I was monitoring for my client after hours when I saw this on SciFi.com.

Thankfully, I don't have to get anything else done tonight because I've been laughing for the past ten minutes.

I feel bad for whoever gets this as a present...although it would make a good Halloween costume...

Watch TV Online, For Free

2007-06-19T17:20:00.000-05:00

Some of you may have jobs that involve sitting in front of a computer all day, bored out of your mind. If so, check out Mashable!, which profiles the top 33 ways to watch TV for free.

Some lesser-known sites for TV watching include Zattoo and BlinkX. CrunchGear's Nicholas Deleon recommends Peekvid, where you can watch the first episode of ALF. I love it!

I wish I had more free time to watch television...for me this will have to be a weekend activity... :(

Star Wars Plush Toys, What Fun!

2007-06-19T17:08:00.000-05:00

As if you didn't already know...I'm a Star Wars fan. I have several favorite characters, including Yoda and Chewbacca, and I've been known to dress up as Princess Leia on Halloween.

I was overjoyed to see this post on Gizmodo, about a new line of Star Wars plush toys. Gizmodo isn't too wild about them, mainly because their heads are oversized and they're not "lifelike."

Isn't that the point of a stuffed toy? Imagine...Star Wars fans can now buy their children Stuffed Chewies instead of Teddy Bears, how cute?

I think I need a stuffed Yoda and Chewie for my cubicle at work...as if my co-workers didn't think I was enough of a weirdo. :)

Check out the full line, here.

Manly Movie Musical Performances...

2007-06-18T20:55:00.000-05:00

Last week I spotted this great post on BestWeekEver.tv about the best manly movie musical performances, ever.

Growing up I was a bit of a theater geek. I did a little bit of everything, from tap dancing to playing the french horn and tuba in the school band and I thoroughly enjoyed dancing around to my favorite broadway musical movies while in my room with the door shut...

That being said, I was thrilled to see VH1's tribute to the men that made musicals a bit more steamy, without being completely lame.

Their picks were:

12) Ewan McGregor, Moulin Rouge!

If you haven't seen the movie, it's worth checking on via Netflix. This movie has a lot of wackiness going on and it's pure entertainment.

11) Richard Gere, Chicago

Who doesn't love Chicago? Or Richard Gere for that matter?? He's all that jazz and then some...

10) Jamie Foxx, Dreamgirls

I refuse to see this movie, but I love Jamie Foxx. We all know he can act, sing and do so while pretending to be blind, so he clearly deserves to be in the top 10.

9) Gene Kelly, An American in Paris

In love with his ability to bust a move.

8) Justin Guarinin, From Justin to Kelly *Clearly a joke

7) Satan, South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut

This musical made Satan seem very loveable and cute. A good movie to boot, so long as you're not Canadian.

6) Gerald Butler, Phantom of the Opera

I'm personally not a fan...

5) Steve Martin, Little Shop of Horrors

Martin played the wackadoodle dentist that you'd love to hate. After watching this movie I thought all dentists were out to inflict pain on their victims, err patients. Say AH!

4) Frank Sinatra, On the Town

SINATRA! I have nothing more to say.

3) Sacha Baron Cohen, Sweeney Todd *Yet to be released

I'm looking forward to seeing this one...partially because I think Baron Cohen is the most talented comedian of our time.

2) Christopher Plummer, The Sound of Music

This is an oldie, but goodie. Back in the day I'm sure this widdower was pretty popular with the ladies.

1) Marlon Brando, Guys and Dolls

Brando is simply the best! Although personally, I'm more of a fan of his other work...

I know the post was about "manly men" in musicals, but if you had to make a list of best male performances in general, I would have to add:

Max Casella, Newsies
John Travolta, Grease
Kevin Bacon, Footloose
Anthony Rapp, RENT
The Cast of Fame
Larry David, The Producers (OK, I know this was just on his show, but it counts for me)

Check out the full article, here.

Where did you go?

2007-06-18T20:46:00.000-05:00

Sorry for not alerting my "fans" earlier, but I've been away (or at least, away from my computer) for the past few days. In case you were wondering, I was in the city entertaining some out-of-towners, taking them around to all the typical tourist traps like Times Square, Top of the Rock, the Brooklyn Bridge, etc. I was uptown, downtown, underground and above the city, which was fun but tiring.

Stay tuned for amusing posts to follow...

American Inventor

2007-06-13T20:15:00.000-05:00

ABC's new show, "American Inventor," is yet another reality show to add to its line-up. I'm watching it for the first time tonight and there's a reason why this is the first time.

I've had "great ideas" in the past, ideas that have made me think, "if I only had the time this could make me a lot of money." I never have the time or money to invest in these things so they usually get forgotten about, but enough about me.

This show encourages people to spend their time and (a lot) of their money to create prototypes of inventions that they think are "revolutionary." While quite a few of these inventions seem pretty useful, like a collapsible wheelchair, the rest seem ridiculous.

I felt really bad for this one Asian couple that created three devices, each used for "beautifying," but none of which were safe. The couple could barely speak English and the judges were mocking them and their accents. Obviously, they didn't think out their inventions enough before coming on the show, but why make fools of them on national television. One of the products was an object that looked like syringe, but was used to "suck" up pimples. Ha!

Another contestant was this 80-year old man who had a battery tester he invented over 40 years ago. The one British judge was acting like a jerk, making fun of his idea. He probably spent his life savings on this idea, only to come on a show about American inventors to be made fun of by a British guy. What's wrong with this picture?

Anyway, I'm not a huge fan of reality television, but if you like American Idol, you may like American Inventor. Check it out on ABC, Wednesdays at 9 PM EST.

"Leave the gun, take the canolis."

2007-06-11T20:09:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite scenes from The Godfather.

The woman yelling at her husband to bring home canolis reminds me of my mother. I love the neurotic Italian New Yorkers...

I believe in America...

2007-06-11T20:04:00.001-05:00

Watch the first scene of The Godfather, it will suck you in (just like the mob).

Googling Laurie Shulman, not to be confused with the other Laurie Shulman...

2007-06-11T19:05:00.000-05:00

Having a name like Laurie Shulman is not exactly exciting, or original. Chances are, if your parents named you "Laurie Shulman," you're bound to have handfuls of distant relatives with similar variations of that same name, maybe with different spellings. I've never been a fan of my name, not for any particular reason, just that it gets misspelled frequently (people spell Laurie 'Lori' and add a 'C' to Shulman). Now that we've reached the Google generation, I have a whole new reason to hate my name.

I'm one of those people that likes to Google EVERYONE. I do not pick up the phone to call someone new without Googling them first. I use Google to conduct background checks on potential roommates, new employees and ALL my doctors...just to make sure everyone is up-to-snuff. The killer is when I Google myself. I get excited to type in "Laurie Shulman" and see what comes up...unfortunately it's other Laurie Shulmans! And the worst part, they're more exciting!

I'm not the only person with this problem. Trust me, I've Googled my boyfriend, who has a very common Jewish name, and he doesn't show up for pages. I fortunately come up on the first page of Laurie Shulmans, but in the least flattering picture, taken at my college's award reception. It was raining and I'm posing with a professor, looking like a complete suck-up. Not the way I wish to be portrayed in the least.

Who's the other Laurie Shulman, you may ask? The other Laurie Shulman is a member of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, who has written several books and made appearances all over the globe. I'm sandwiched in between this other, more established Laurie Shulman, with a picture taken on Boston University's College of Communication lawn, looking like an idiot.

I'm now determined to move up the Google ranks and get mentioned on the first page, at least three times. It's a goal I plan to keep. So look out world! This Laurie Shulman is going to make it to the top of your next Google search...hopefully within the next few years.

Seth Green, "I'm a Geek."

2007-06-11T10:45:00.000-05:00

I'm home today (with a fever) and decided to watch The View and see how they're holding up without Rosie.

I was excited to see that one of their guests was Seth Green, who discussed his show, Robot Chicken. I found it to be an odd audience for the comedian, most famously known for his role as Scott Evil in the Austin Powers movies and Kenny in Can't Hardy Wait.

I felt pretty bad for him, because the audience wasn't laughing at his jokes (most likely because the jokes were over their heads).

At the end of the interview, Seth proclaimed that he's a geek. When the women on the couch asked him why, he said, "I know a lot about Star Wars and comic books." He seems like an interesting character.

Apparently, a 30-minute tribute to Star Wars will air on Sunday. Check out his site, here.

After more than three decades, Bill Gates graduates from Harvard

2007-06-09T11:56:00.000-05:00

Since you probably know the back story behind the rise of Bill Gates, I'll spare you the details. To make a long story short, Gates dropped out of Harvard University in 1975 and went on to become the world's richest man, revolutionizing the technology marketplace.

On June 7th, Gates was FINALLY awarded a Harvard Honorary Degree. Now he really does have it all. Check out some of the video footage, here.

Godfather Part II

2007-06-08T18:54:00.001-05:00

I've been spending a lot of time at work lately, so I decided to stay in tonight, put on some sweat pants, eat some garlic knots and crash on the couch. To my surprise, Bravo is playing The Godfather Part II, my second favorite movie of all time (second, of course, to the first Godfather movie). I obviously have these movies on DVD, but it's always exciting to find them broadcast on cable when you're channel surfing. Sometimes I catch new scenes that were cut from the DVDs, which is always exciting!

Even if you're not a fan of mob movies, I recommend watching the Godfather trilogy (well maybe not the third, which is a whole other subject). The trilogy chronicles three decades of life in the mafia, in great detail. The films focus on the rise and fall of the family, how they became involved in the mob, and what drew them in to the point of no return. All three movies open at family celebrations; a daughter's wedding, a son's communion, and a father's gala, respectively. Each character is multi-faceted, showing their vulnerabilities, whether it be women, violence or power. The films truly make you feel connected to the characters watching them grow, either to become more independent or more wrapped-up in lives of crime.

The second film goes back and forth between the 1950s, in which Al Pacino plays Michael, the head of the Corleone family, and the 1910s in which Robert DeNiro plays his father, Vito. It explains how Vito Corleone gains respect in the Italian-American community in New York, and how he started his "family." The film shows all four of the Corleone children as babies, and how Vito and his "family" became involved to protect their children and those less fortunate from the oppression of other mob bosses at the time. Unfortunately, Don Vito's children grew spoiled and jaded and the family eventually collapses.

This is such a great movie! Robert DeNiro is at his best, having learned to speak fluent Italian (in a southern dialect) specifically for the film. Go add it to your Netflix queue today, if you haven't already!

Paris may go back to prision? Can't we make up our minds already?

2007-06-07T20:40:00.000-05:00

According to TMZ.com, a judge has required Paris Hilton to attend a hearing tomorrow morning, and may be sent back to prison. Why can't this judge make up their mind already?

I'm pretty excited about this, because sentencing Paris to house arrest is like sentencing the elementary school bully to Disney World. Why should she be exempt from her prison sentence based on something her therapist said? Of course Paris is going to be distressed in prison, anyone would be...it's prison.

Baruch Atah-What?

2007-06-07T20:26:00.000-05:00

Challah!

The Say-A-Blessing is a gadget for Jews who have bad memories (if there is such a thing).

A key chain with digital voice recordings of all the blessings for different foods along with the english translations is the perfect gift for the chosen person in your life. Check it out, here.

Office Jargon

2007-06-05T21:08:00.000-05:00

So I saw this great post on LifeHacker today about "office jargon" -- what it is and how to decode what it means. If you work for a corporation, you've surely heard these lines at some point or another...

Below I've captured some of my favorite lines and added my own personal interpretation, based on personal experiences.

"Let's think out of the box."

Really means, "Can you creatively anemic people please come up with something?" The person who says, "Let's think out the box" is usually desperate for a new idea and surrounded by people who are not known for generating ideas. So the phrase is actually an announcement that says, "I'm in trouble."
LaurieShuls' Take: "Let's try to recycle some old ideas and hope no one notices! I'm screwed."

"Let's hit a home run."

"I'm desperate to look good. Even though the odds of a home run are slim, I'm banking on one because it's the only thing that will save me." Something for all your sports fans to remember: If you have a bunch of solid hitters you don't need a bunch of home runs.
LaurieShuls' Take: "I love a cliche and I hope this one motivates you to be productive."

"You and I are not on the same page."

"Get on my page. Your page is misguided." No one ever says, "We're not on the same page, so let me work really hard to understand your point of view. If you want to understand someone else, you say, "Can you tell me more about how you're thinking."
LaurieShuls' Take: "You're wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong. I've stopped listening to you 10 minutes ago."

"Keep this on your radar"

"This will come back to bite you. Or me."
LaurieShuls' Take: "Don't be a moron, send yourself an outlook reminder or we're all screwed."

Here are a few I hear every once in a while...

"This is a wonderful opportunity..."

LaurieShuls' Take: Can mean one of two things, either it really is a great opportunity, or the person who suggests it would rather poke their eyes out than do it themselves.

"I need this done by COB."

LaurieShuls' Take: "I needed this done 15 minutes ago. I may have forgotten to ask you"

"I'm interested in learning more about your new products."

LaurieShuls' Take: Usually means, "Can you hook me up with some free samples?"

For more career advice, check out Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk.

Facebook Marketplace

2007-06-05T20:54:00.000-05:00

I was pleasantly surprised this evening when I decided to peruse Facebook Marketplace, a new-ish feature added to Facebook.com.

Marketplace is similar to CraigsList, in that it facilitates the exchange of goods, services, apartments, etc. through people in the same geographic location. The unique feature is that you can easily look up the Facebook profile of the person who has posted the item or apartment and Facebook automatically alerts you of friends you have in common. This is especially useful if you're looking for an apartment and you need references!

I was searching for apartments in Manhattan on the cheap and found one posted by a fellow BU alum. I replied to her posting, which was sent directly to her inbox, to let her know of our connection. I'm hoping things work out because I really need to move ASAP. On that note, please share any information you may have on available housing!

Celebrities I'm sick of hearing about

2007-06-04T21:11:00.000-05:00

If the following celebrities disappeared from the face of the planet, I'd be a pretty happy camper:

-Paris Hilton
-Lindsay Lohan
-The Cast of Laguna Beach/The Hills
-Britney Spears
-Nicole Ritchie
-Hilary Duff
-Beyonce

Remember when you used to need talent to make it in Hollywood? Well apparently that ship has sailed. Today I realized that I spend more time hearing about these aforementioned "stars" than I do serious actors. Media, please focus your attention on someone with substance. Thanks, LaurieShuls.

Original Star Wars Trailer - I'd be confused too.

2007-06-04T21:00:00.001-05:00

If I had seen this prior to watching the original trilogy, I'd be super confused.

"Who's that huge muppet anyway?" In reference in Chewy at the beginning of the trailer.

As you know, last week marked the 30th anniversary of Star Wars. I'll continue to celebrate the film for the rest of the month in honor of Princess Leia. Thanks.

Sarah Silverman Insults Paris Hilton

2007-06-04T20:17:00.001-05:00

In case you missed it, Sarah Silverman nearly made Paris cry at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards in reference to her upcoming trip to "the can."

You expecting something else, frog?

2007-06-03T15:02:00.001-05:00

Kermit the Frog interviews Cookie Monster as Little Red Riding Hood for Sesame Street News.

I know, I have too much time on my hands.

Mahnahmuhnah!

2007-06-03T14:53:00.001-05:00

For those of you who love the Muppets as much as I do. This skit is from the very first episode of The Muppet Show.

Knocked Up - My Kind of Comedy.

2007-06-01T23:52:00.000-05:00

I just got back watching Knocked Up...what a great movie!

You may be asking, but why was it such a great movie? There was just so much to love! It was raunchy, smart, uncomfortable to watch and heartwarming, all wrapped into one. There were also plenty of Jewish jokes, which I just can't get enough of. My favorite line in the movie is when Katherine Heigl's character, Allison, is 'seducing' Seth Rogen's character, Ben, at the bar. In a drunken stupor, she starts to play with his hair and asks, "Your hair is so curly, do you use any product?" to which he replied, "No, it's called Jew."

There were plenty of awkward moments sprinkled throughout the film. Silences that lasted a few moments too long, bitchy Hollywood execs that speak their mind's a bit too freely, a graphic shot of childbirth and Ryan Seacrest making fun of himself are a few examples. I'd hate to start quoting multiple lines because I wouldn't want to spoil the movie watching experience for all my readers, (I know, I'm being presumptuous thinking I have multiple readers).

I'd also like to admit that I think Seth Rogen is one of the cutest dorks ever. I'm so happy that he was cast in this movie...I think he'll finally start to get some due credit for being a hilariously cute geeky actor, (I mean this in a good way). After watching this movie I have a little crush.

This movie will leave you feeling good about a lot of uncomfortable subjects. A must see if you have a good sense of humor.

What's up VT?!?

2007-06-01T23:35:00.001-05:00

Three teens from Montpelier, VT created a video that lives on YouTube and is now starting quite the buzz. Featured in The New York Times, the boys discussed their reasoning for creating a rap about their home state, most commonly known for dairy, foliage and hippies.

They're currently preparing for their SATs, which prompted them to stretch their vocabulary for the video. "I don't think a big SAT vocabulary is what a lot of rappers are looking for, but if it enhances your writing, that's good," said 'C-Money.'

Check these guys out, they may just be the next Beastie Boys.

Facebook vs. MySpace

2007-06-01T10:37:00.000-05:00

I just watched a great video comparing Facebook to MySpace, in the form of a Mac vs. PC ad. There's even a cameo from Veronica Belmont, who plays "the poker."

Check out this hilarious Get a Mac parody from Crave.

The Galway Hooker

2007-05-31T21:52:00.000-05:00

I just got back from drinks at the Galway Hooker, which was surprisingly nicer than I expected. I guess the name "Hooker" led me to believe that this would be a real dive, but it was quite spacious with an excellent projector screen television and Guinness, which is always a plus.

I met up with CrunchGear editor Peter Ha, an awesome guy I'm looking forward to working with. His roommates were very chill, as was the ambiance of the evening.

I'm looking forward to our upcoming dodge ball team, an idea Peter brought up over drinks. I'm just the girl he's looking for to complete the team...completely non-athletic and asthmatic. Should be a good time. :)