#appreview - Yahoo! Weather (iPhone)

Today, I'd like to talk about this app I recently found called "Yahoo! Weather". It's probably the coolest and best weather app I've ever seen.

I will be posting a lot of pictures of this app, only because I love it, and I think you'll love it, too.

#moviereview - The Company You Keep

I bought the book right before I saw the movie.   ★★★☆☆

The other day, I mentioned how I liked being in a movie theatre with only a few other people. I'm not sure how I felt last night being the only one in the theatre to see "The Company You Keep".

I don't watch too much TV these days, and when I do, it's to catch up on whatever I've decided to record on my DVR. I've seen a few commercials for this movie here and there, and I've seen people comment on other sites about a lack of commercials for this film, so I know the general population probably won't know this film exists. Then again, it's only playing in about 700 theatres in it's widest release, and I doubt the film will have an even wider release.

Now, onto the review...

#moviereview - The Place Beyond The Pines

                                                             ★★★★★

I'm start by saying this: I loved this movie.

Nashville is starting to get more and more limited release films, but we didn't get this film until it has it's nationwide release, so that was two weeks after it's initial release date. Yes, I could wait two weeks, but I was becoming more and more antsy as the days went by.

"Only two more weeks!"

"Only one more week!"

"Is it Friday yet?!"

Well, this past weekend was hectic, so I didn't get to see it until yesterday morning. (I'm glad I went to the matinee. I'm a happy girl only paying $8.50 for a movie!) It's been a long time since I've been to a movie with an almost empty theatre. I like watching movies with crowds because... well, I'm an observer, and I love hearing and seeing lots of people's reactions to movies. It was nice being in a theatre with five other people.

Anyways, onto what you all really want to know...

[minor spoilers ahead]

#recipe - mapo tofu

In 2012, I visited Japan for the third time. For a few days, I decided to stay in Yokohama, and of course I visited Chinatown. At this one restaurant, I tried this unique dish with beef and tofu and a spicy red sauce. There was no English menu, and I just pointed at one of the few pictures within the Japanese text. 

Despite my initially shocked reaction, this dish was so good! 

 Last week, while searching various Asian dishes, I came upon one, "Mapo Tofu", that described exactly what I had eaten in Chinatown. For a year, I kept thinking about this dish that reminded me of beefaroni (sub the noodles for tofu and make the sauce spicy). 

Tonight, I have decided to make this dish!

big time rush - 24/seven + summer break tour

They're back! 

...well, they're back with new material. Goodness knows they spent a ton of time last year touring around the world. 

My friend and I were very excited about hearing them going on tour once more! Unfortunately, even though many people starting to visit Nashville again...they're not. (Along with the Jonas Brothers, and we're also seeing them this summer.) We're traveling to Uncasville, CT to see BTR in concert! 

Why are we traveling all the way from Nashville to Uncasville? Well, they're touring with Victoria Justice, but they're performing at five different locations without her. This was one of them. Also, because I haven't been to Boston in years, I figured with them and the JoBros performing so close to each other in Uncasville (within three days!), that'd be a good excuse to head back home for a few days. My friend doesn't mind traveling, either. We love traveling! 

#prayforboston

Today, tragedy hit Boston. During the Boston Marathon, two hours after the first runners crossed the finish line, there were two explosions near the finish line. As of this post, two people are dead, and over 130 people are injured, many critically.

Today's tragedies hit close to my heart. I spent my childhood in Salem (right outside of Boston), and even though I've lived elsewhere for 14 years, I still consider that area my home. Despite not being born there, I still call it my hometown. I always get sad when bombings and shooting and other tragic events happen anywhere, but this really hit close to my heart. Today is Patriots Day, and with that and the marathon happening, people were joyous and celebratory today. They were supposed to be, anyway.

I like to watch CNN at work, and I've been glued to it for the past 4+ hours. My Mom still keeps in contact with a lot of people up there, and I imagine she would have told me if anyone she knows was injured. I'm glad everyone I know up there is doing fine, and for everyone reading, I hope your friends and family are doing okay as well.

j-pop empress ayumi hamasaki's 15th anniversary!

Two days ago (I know, two days ago, I apologize for being super late on here) was my favorite singer's 15th anniversary in the music business!

On the 8th, she released her "15th anniversary song", entitled "Tell All". Check it out!

Click here to listen!

It's a great song, with slow and quiet verses and big, rockin' choruses. Some people haven't been too fond of the transition. I think the transitions are fine, and honestly, this isn't the first time she's done that. ("Free&Easy" is another song that has quiet choruses and a louder and faster chorus.) But hey, to each their own!

Here is the post for her upcoming tour, "A BEST LIVE":

And this is another picture promoting that tour (featuring her dance troupe):

I love both of those pictures! She's already released two albums this year (well, one compilation album and one studio album) and two concert DVD's this year... Even though she has yet to release a physical single, it's only April, so we still have eight months left in the year. I can't wait to hear more about the tour, which starts this weekend!

#appreview - "HAPPINESScam"

In honor of Tokyo Disneyland's 30th Anniversary ("The Happiness Year", as they're calling it), TDL has released a new camera app, "HAPPINESScam"!

I don't remember how I stumbled upon it, but I'm glad I did. You can add Disney-themed backgrounds to your pictures! Whether or not you're actually at any of the Disney parks, your pictures will transform into creative pictures based on areas at the happiest places on Earth.

Because this is a Japanese app, it is entirely in Japanese. I can read some characters in Japanese, but honestly, I can speak it better than I can read it. (Note: I'm better at random words than I am at actual sentences.) After fiddling around with the app, I am here to show you how to work this app!

"The Happiness Year"