Sometimes you just really need to get away, and when my friend Andy proposed a weekend getaway to Los Angeles, I took him up on the offer. Between the fierce Hamburger Mary's Drag Brunch in WeHo, to 'Pawnee' City Hall visit, and of course the top pre-Halloween gear party of the year; I really had the best time in sizzling hot SoCal. So much so, thanks to a broke down shuttle bus and LA's nightmare rush-hour traffic, I got to stay another night(!) Still California dreamin'.
The week I got back from California, I figured one October getaway just wasn't enough for me- and a road trip to Idaho was in the cards. With friends Greg, Jeff and Adam, we headed to Lava Hot Springs; location of most of my childhood family vacations. We had a great time at our adorable cabin, taking a dip in the toasty pools and soaking up the crazy rural nightlife.
Black Mirror is kind of a dark modern Twilight Zone series, and most episodes paint a bleak picture of the not to distant future. However, the Emmy award winning episode from their third season titled San Junipero is one of the very best things I've watched (and re-watched) this entire year. And yes, based on my experience, have some Kleenex handy! (Bonus: The amazing 80's inspired soundtrack!)
Why ya'll acting brand new!? She didn't come to Salt Lake to play.. she came to slay. And that's just what she did when the season 9 finalist took the stage at the Metro Music Hall a few weeks ago. Yas Queen!
If you love Amy Sedaris like I love Amy Sedaris, well then you will LOVE her new wacky and wonderful TruTV series At Home with Amy Sedaris. She cordially invites you into her home for all the crafting, cooking and hospitality tips you could ever want, need and never dream of.
Contender for my favorite New Album of the Year, St. Vincent dropped her fifth album Masseduction. There was a lot of new music to enjoy this month (as you'll see below) but I think St. Vincent got the most love (and plays.) Favorite Tracks Include: Sugar Boy, Pills, Los Ageless, Young Lover and New York.
Blade Runner 2049 takes place thirty years after the events of the first film, where a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K, unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what's left of society into chaos. K's discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard, a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for three decades.
My girl Pink (Can we just officially drop the ! now?) gave us the gift of new music this month. Her seventh album Beautiful Trauma dropped a few weeks ago. I just love her so much. #GirlCrush for sure! Favorite Tracks Include: Secrets, Beautiful Trauma, What About Us and Better Life.
In the hilarious dirty animated Netflix original series Big Mouth, teenage friends find their lives upended by the wonders and horrors of puberty. Bubbble baah-ths loving Mya Rudolph as the Hormone Monstress is my absolute favorite! Laugh, blush and learn something at the same time.
While in Los Angeles my friend Andy introduced me to electronic music duo ODESZA. It kind of provided the soundtrack for my California getaway. Favorite Tracks Include: A Moment Apart, Higher Ground, Late Night and Line of Sight.
Beck also dropped a new album this month! In fact, his thirteenth studio album(!) After listening to the first song, I was sold. Favorite Tracks Include: Colors, I'm So Free, Dear Life and Seventh Heaven.
In the stylish and thrilling Baby Driver, a talented, young getaway driver relies on the beat of his personal soundtrack to be the best in the game. But after being coerced into working for a crime boss (Kevin Spacey), he must face the music when a doomed heist threatens his life, love and freedom.
Some of my favorite sitcoms were back with new seasons this month. Last Man On Earth, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Black-ish and Schitts Creek all brought the laughs for my Must See Fall TV!
My friend Josh introduced me to electronic band Night Club while on our way to go see Shea. (Shout out to #4!) From the first sampling, I knew I was a fan. Favorite Tracks Include: Freak Like Me, Psychosuperlover, Dangerous Heart and Pray.
It's October, and on Food Network that can only mean one thing. Teams of talented decorators, pumpkin carvers, and candy makers go to war in the original trick-or-treat yearly series Halloween Wars!
Season Four, and three and two and one... After waiting far too long, my beloved Broads Abbi and Ilana are finally back and I could not be more excited!
Dolly, Annie, Hedwig, Hello! Dolly, Jason Cosmo and more! Damn this city is alive and well with performance art that will leave you highly entertained with a huge grin on your face. Great job Jeremiah on your DIVAS debut performance. I'll be back more. Have the mimosas on the ready!
Second time camping this year... with these awesome fellas? Sign me up! Great time with great friends out in the middle of nowhere.
So Forkin' Happy to head back to The Good Place, er The Bad Place for Season 2.
'In the Netflix original Gaga: Five Foot Two, Mother Monster offers a vulnerable look of her life during one of the most pivotal periods in her career yet. The documentary gives viewers unfiltered, behind-the-scenes access as she spends time with close friends and family members, records and releases her 2016 album Joanne and deals with personal struggles, including coping with intense emotional and physical pain. It's a compelling portrait captures Lady Gaga's triumphs- and how, in just a few years, the 5-foot-2 performer has become such a relatable and beloved figure worldwide.' -RT
Who would have ever thought that Will, Grace, Karen and Just Jack would be back with new original content some 11 years later. And I could not be more excited. Plus feeling old-school retro nostalgic? Hulu has all of the OG episode available for streaming too, which I have been enjoying as well!
I've lived a few blocks from this restaurant for years and finally got an opportunity to check it out, and I was not disappointed. If you're in SLC be sure to check Sapa out!
Based on the real-life courtship, the funny, heart-felt and intelligent The Big Sick tells the story of Pakistan-born aspiring comedian Kumail, who connects with grad student Emily after one of his standup sets. What they thought would be just a one-night stand blossoms into the real thing; complicated by his traditional Muslim parents. When she is beset with a mystery illness, it forces Kumail to navigate the medical crisis with her parents. -RT One of my favorite movies of the year.
Hot topics. Hotter wings. Whoever turned me on to this spicy entertaining web series, Thank You! Now pass the glass of cool refreshing milk! Watch them HERE.
Weird holes... Meh. Bees... Next. Creepy Clowns... Sigh. Trump..... This might be the scariest season of American Horror Story yet!
It's official. I'm a fan of the artist formerly known as Hannah Montana and daughter of Billy Ray. Favorite Tracks Include: Love Someone, Malibu, Rainbowland and Younger Now.
Damn you Hulu. Whether the International, Renovation or Original House Hunters, this new batch of binge worthy HGTV episodes made for the perfect batch of background time filler this month.
It was Alex's third annual Autumn visit to Sal Tlay Ka Siti and it couldn't have been more fun exploring old and new places, hot tubbin' and good friend'n. Can't wait for next year's Utah pilgrimage!
Hey, hey, hey you wanna meet the triple A's What does triple A stand for anyway? A is for Alaska Can't you talk any faster? The next A is for Act Representing Aussie and that's a fact Willam is an A with no extra i Wanna see what's going on between these thighs? Three of Ru's biggest stars were heavy in rotation this month with their recent album The AAA Girls. Werq! Favorite Tracks Include: Meet & Greet, AAA, Pride or Die, and Tuck Tape.
It's probably the most controversial movie in ages... with the general public giving it an F. The movie, I will say, stays with you. And I couldn't stop thinking about it. mother! is all about symbolism and metaphors, and the more I racked my brain the more I enjoyed it. There are no ifs ands or buts you either loathe or love this Jennifer Lawrence art piece, and at the end of the day I think I land on the later.
