A GAL NAMED RANIA

Let's just get straight to the point here. AVATAR is by far one of the best if not THE BEST movies I have ever seen, not in just 2009 but in my entire 24 years and 13 days of life. This freakishly long movie which I could sit and watch over and over again for days is absolutely stimulating in a variety of ways (didn't mean to rhyme there: haha). This film has gorgeous visual effects - GEORGEOUS, stunning graphics, awesome action scenes, romance galore, a beautiful score, even better sound editing, hot and talented actors who pull you in with each line, and a captivating timeless story full of humor and heart! I smiled. I watched. I listened. I laughed. I cringed. I gasped. I laughed some more. I wondered. I wished. I stared on in awe of what was before me. I believed. I felt. I cried. I cheered. I hoped. I cried again. I sighed. I thought. I smiled again. And I cried some more even after the movie ended during the credits because I loved the film that much. Yes, during the credits! Some may call me pathetic. Some may call me overly emotional. Others may call me psycho. However, I just like to call it -- being very appreciative and incredibly touched by an amazing piece of art. That art being in the form of an incredible film. That film, of course, being AVATAR

If you know me at all, I love movies and have many favorites. I constantly tell people to see certain films all the time and profess, "It's soooo gooood! You have to see it! Best movie ever!" And I always do mean it. However, AVATAR is just different. It's not just an action film. It's not just a drama. It's not just a romance. It's not just a hyped up James Cameron spectacle that took 14 years, brand new technology, and 300 million dollars to make. It's so much more. It is everything you could want in a movie all wrapped up in one bright blue alien package! It's indescribable, unbelievable, and practically perfect. It's utopia for a film lover. Pandora in a whole other non-negative sense! So, please go see AVATAR and in IMAX 3D :) And now for a little note.

Dear James Cameron, 

Not since Titanic have I loved absolutely everything and more about a movie. Funny enough, you were the genius who brought us that epic film which I have seen hundreds of times and adore everything about. I am a newly turned 24 year old who graduated a year and a half ago in May of 2008. I have a Bachelors Degree in Screenwriting and minored in Theatre Arts. I was ranked cum laude and was an active member of my sorority, Delta Zeta. I worked on campus in the mail room for four years, was involved in a variety of on-campus organizations, and participated in a plethora of events. I loved loved loved college, but I was excited to graduate and make my mark on the world, confident that I could do anything and become successful. 

However, reality soon struck, the stock market crashed, our nation was in a recession, and I could not get a job. I still can't get a job! Finding work in the entertainment industry is harder than finding a needle in a haystack. It has been almost a year of me trying to find a decent full time paying "Hollywood" job, and I just can't do it despite my best efforts. I've applied to well over 150 jobs but nothing. I've been told, "You're lucky. At least you're getting interviews." But honestly, what good are the interviews if I can't land the job!? Is there something wrong with me? Am I just not qualified? Is it bad timing? Regardless, it has been extremely difficult. It has been frustrating. It has been stressful. I am on the border of being depressed and settling for a "normal job" at a restaurant. I don't know. Sometimes I catch myself thinking, "Oh, Rania, maybe you should have been a nurse like Mommy used to say. At least you'd have a full time well paying job right now," or "Damnit, I should have been a business major or gone to law school." But no, then I remember, "My passion is entertainment. I love television. I love the movies. I love radio. I love media. And I love the creative industry." But unfortunately, this deep passion of mine seems to be useless when it comes to getting legitimate work and starting a career in my field of choice. Plus, with this economy I have yet another hurdle to overcome. 

So James, as you can tell, I've been struggling just a little bit to say the least. I've tried my best to maintain a positive attitude and to not give up, but it has been awfully hard. But I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! After seeing Avatar on opening night, I realized that this is the industry I want to be a part of and will work my ass off to be able to entertain people the way you and so many others have entertained me. Your film reignited my passion and will take me into the New Year even more positive and more determined to land that job and succeed in this crazy industry we like to call Hollywood. 

Best, Rania

PS. Are you hiring or know anyone who is because I can send my resume over now and be at work tomorrow?!?!? Thanks! 


* i see you * 
A GAL NAMED RANIA

As many of you know I love food, I love Happy Hour, I love photography, and I love to write. Luckily, I was able to snag a freelance writing gig that involved all four of these things. I'm not finally making the big bucks or anything, but it pays a little something. And by little, I mean a whopping $7.77 for the last 40 days - literally! But hey, it keeps me writing! So if you could please subscribe it would be very much appreciated because it would bring more traffic (Honk Honk-Beep Beep-Wtf Guy) to my page! 

Website: EXAMINER.COM
Content: FUN & QUICK INFO ON NEARBY CHEAP EATS & DISCOUNTED DRINKS


A GAL NAMED RANIA
So I accomplished my first goal of having more than five participants in each of the last two games. However, I have yet to stump every player. Therefore, I decided to make the game a lot more challenging this week by adding three more photos to the mix. As you can see, this week I'm going with a BEACH edition. There are six different pictures of six different beaches: two per vacation spot! Good luck! If anyone gets it right, I will be extremely impressed!

OBJECTIVE: Match each of the 6 photos with either of these 3 places: Kauai, Trinidad, or Costa Rica. Post your answers as a comment below, and in one week from now, I will provide the answers. Simple, but very fun if you are easily amused. And if you don't wish to play, feel free to enjoy my fabulous photography :) 


A. 
B. 
C. 
D. 
E. 
F. 


A GAL NAMED RANIA

QUESTION: 

If a TREE hits the forest floor and nobody is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

ANSWER: 

YES? NO? MAYBE? I DON'T KNOW.


QUESTION: 

If WOODS hits a tree in Florida and nobody is around to hear it, does it make a sound? 

ANSWER

YOU BET YOUR ASS IT DOES!


If you have been living under a rock or in some random Canadian town called Lake Ness like my youngest aunt and/or have no exposure to any form of news/gossip and haven't heard all the melee surrounding golf superstar, Tiger Woods, let's quickly recap. 


At 2:20AM last Friday morning following what I assume to be quite an interesting Thanksgiving dinner, Tiger Woods drove his car recklessly outside of his Windermere home. He hit a fire hydrant and then drove into a nearby tree. His wife, Elin Nordegren, then apparently came to his rescue by smashing the back window of his high end SUV in order to extricate him from the vehicle. Alcohol was not involved, and from the looks of the evidence, Woods' injuries, and both his and Elin's statements and actions toward the police, things weren't adding up. It did not look like a random accident at all, but more like the result of some sort of domestic dispute. The paparazzi, tabloids, and every other media outlet went crazy once the story broke! Rumors of infidelity were the main topic on account of mysterious voicemails, confessions, and more. Tiger Woods was the center of all celebrity gossip, and the incessant chatter about him was and is still getting more annoying and more shocking every single day.


To top it off, earlier this week, Tiger Woods finally admitted to cheating on his wife 

confirming indeed that a domestic dispute was to blame for the car wreck 

You can read Woods' confession on his website.


Point being, Tiger Woods is no longer the top Tiger in town. The shame, disappointment, and  embarrassment he has brought to himself, his friends, his family, his fans, the golfing community, and more has led me to believe that each of the following Tigers now remain supreme over this fallen legend of the greens. 



 Number 11 

TIGER WOODS


Just in case you already forgot, he's that good golfer guy now man-whore, lying cheater. I guess his wife, child, and amazing career were just not good enough to keep him satisfied.  


Number 10

TIGER SLACKS

Didn't you hear that tiger stripe print is coming back ever since the Tiger Woods scandal broke? Watch out all you other more popular animal prints out there. Cow spots beware! Tiger print doesn't mess around and is dead set on being number one. 



Number 9 

TIGER FACTS


The tiger is truly an amazing creature. Did you know that a tiger's roar can be heard from over a mile away? The tiger can also eat 100 pounds of meat a night. Tigers are an endangered species, and the biggest cats in the world. Adult tigers like to live alone, and they have the brightest eyes of any other animal! 



Number 8

TIGER PRAWNS

Also known as the Penaeus Monodon, this large marine crustacean is one delicious shrimp if I say so myself. And now it leaves a much more better taste in everyone's mouth compared to Mr. Woods. 



Number 7

 TIGER BALM 

This magical heat rub from our Singapore friends does wonders for the human body. I'm sure our friend Tiger Woods is a fan of this muscle soother. Too bad it won't be able to soothe his ego and now bad reputation. 



Number 6 

TIGER BEAT

This fan magazine has always been a hit among teeny bopper crazed fans of young Hollywood, etc. And now its popularity is just going to continue to grow with Woods out of the top tiger spot.



Number 5 

TIGER HEAT

This is an awesome 18 and over gay club in West Hollywood that my friends and I went to once freshman year of college because it was Britney Spears Night :) We didn't know it was a gay club before attending, but once we noticed all the drag queens and lack of straight men we quickly figured it out. 

Regardless, this place is super fun and now way more fun than Tiger Woods


Number 4 

TIGER JAMS

And no I don't mean songs about tigers or songs that tigers groove to in the jungle. I mean Tiger themed onesie jammies. They're all the rage with kids between the ages of 1 month and 3 years. They're so popular, adult sizes will be available soon. 



Number 3

TIGER TUNES

Okay, this one is actually about tiger jams or music if you would prefer! "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor is a great song! There's no denying the catchy lyrics and equally catchy tune! "It's the eye of the tiger. It's the thrill of the fight. Rising up to the challenge of our rival. And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night. And he's watching us all with the eye...of the tiiiiger."



Number 2 

TIGER TOONS 

Who doesn't love Jasmine's loyal pet, Raja, in Aladdin?

Shere Khan, Mowgli's sworn enemy in The Jungle Book?

Winnie the Pooh's bestie, Tigger? And Frosted Flakes' Tony the Tiger?

Nobody. Everyone loves them cause "They're Great!"



And Number 1

THE TIGER ITSELF


  The lion has always been known as the king of the jungle. 

The cheetah is constantly being praised for being the fastest cat. 

The puma has a popular tennis shoe named after it. 

The jaguar has a fancy luxury automobile named after it. 

Even the cougar has become popular due to 

women like Demi Moore & Courteney Cox. 

But the tiger has always been left out. That is until now! 

Tigers, I salute you as amazing animals and the best cats of them all! 

CONGRATULATIONS ALL YOU ACTUAL TIGERS OUT THERE! 

YOU ARE NOW NUMBER ONE OVER TIGER WOODS! YAY :)