Archive for category Entertainment

The Hunger Games Gift Ideas

With a little research and prodding it’s easy to come up with a few Hunger Games gift ideas for friends or family who are fans of the Suzanne Collins book / movie series. A couple of popular themes dominate the series and are available in a number of attractive merchandise options at a variety of good price points. Let’s take a look at some of the major film themes.

The Rugged / Outdoorsy Heroine Katniss Everdeen

An easy gift choice for any young girl fan of heroine Katniss are any of the wide assortment of great looking stuff worn in the movie. Lionsgate (licensor of the franchise) has really done a nice job of creating a wide variety of merchandise themed on their female star Jennifer Lawrence. Some of the items include:

  • T-shirts
  • Posters
  • Jackets
  • Pajamas
  • Thermal Activated Mugs

Although a number of the fashion items tend to be a little on the drab side (particularly the replica costume pieces worn by the tributes), Lionsgate has managed to add a splash of color here and there for more girly girl fans of Katniss. PS – the mugs are fun!

The Districts of Panem

Each district within the country of Panem is represented both by a number and a symbol based on the principle good or service that district supplies to the capital. Katniss and Peeta are District 12 tributes, and their home district supplies coal – and is basically impoverished (like most of the others). Lionsgate has developed a number of items based on identifying with the home of the heroes as a result. Gift ideas around this theme tend to be more practical – such as:

  • Backpacks
  • Charm Jewelry
  • Pajamas
  • T-Shirts
  • Keychains
  • Bag Clips
  • Magnets

These gifts are much more subtle in appearance than some of the star likeness items above. Fans can wear these items out identifying themselves with the movie without putting the likeness of someone else prominently on their body.

The Mockingjay Medallion /  Symbol

Arguably the most powerful symbol of the film series has been the Mockingjay pin. It is no coincidence that the emblem is featured on just about any item you can think of – either as a standalone, ringed in flames, or combined with one of the featured characters. Basically this symbol is just about everywhere – and the only place you aren’t likely to find it is on the above mentioned District themed items. Just to give an idea of some of the kinds of items you’ll find out there with the Mockinjay:

  • Necklaces
  • Pendants
  • Charm Bracelets
  • T-Shirts
  • Backpacks
  • Magnets
  • Belts

The real beauty of the work done by Lionsgate in merchandising this film is that so many of the items are found as gifts you can buy for under $25. While most of the items admittedly are designed to be gifts for girls there are also a number of items boys can appreciate as well – such as the replica jackets, backpacks, fleeces, and shirts. I am a big fan of the film series and I have to say I am also a big fan of the job Lionsgate has done in bringing the film to life in merchandise that is both attractive, functional and accessible to fans of all ages, sizes, and incomes.

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No Comments updated February 15, 2013

Can You Party Like What Happens in Vegas?

I was wondering the other day whether it was possible to party like “What Happens in Vegas” – a fun movie featuring Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher – I mean – is any of that wild stuff they did like the awesome luxury suite and VIP treatment possible for normal tourists visiting Las Vegas? I love going there and am looking forward to my next trip but I’m hoping to live the high life a little higher next time around. Here are some thoughts on the kinds of stuff they did in the movie and how average people might accomplish the same thing in the real world.

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Getting a Luxury Suite in Las Vegas

The first thing Cameron and Ashton do on their trip is check in to their luxury room – where they ultimately meet being double booked into the same suite. They parlay the hotel’s error into a luxury suite at no extra cost so they end up with an awesome luxury suite. Is that something normal people can do?

Well while we can’t guarantee that your hotel will screw up royally like they did for the movie stars we can find ways to book luxury party suites in Las Vegas without breaking the bank. Better still once you have secured your luxury suite you have some leverage to start squeezing resort staff for perks and other VIP treatment that the stars of the movie got.

Cruising Las Vegas Boulevard in a Limo

This has got to be the ultimate partier’s goal, right? I mean we’re talking getting down in a stretch limo, popping the moon-roof open and being seen whooping it up like a complete fool. Can it be done? Well here’s where your resort service really needs to kick in. What kind of schmoozing can you do with your concierge to get some VIP passes? Are you willing to do a little time in the games room? Can you get them to believe you just got married (we’ll cover that later) or are there on a special anniversary or other occasion? The better sales job you do the more likelihood you can swing a quick drive down the boulevard. I mean they have the limos (you know they do) around – no reason not to sweet talk them into a cruise downtown on their way to pick someone up or after dropping someone off. It can’t hurt to ask so what do you have to lose, right?

Table Slide in the Nightclub

Ok, this one is probably the easiest. Are you going to be able to find a nightclub where you can party like a wild animal and do a victory slide a la your favorite soccer player right off the end of the bar? Probably, if you look hard enough and promise not to sue the nightclub. Seriously though, doing bar-slides probably isn’t the best idea, even though it looks awfully fun and could be very tempting. You wouldn’t want the ladies rugby player to follow you off the end of the bar though, right? Stick to a little safer fun, party like a wild child on the dance floor. Skip the bar slide – seriously.

Getting Hitched in the Marraige Capital of the World

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Viewers familiar with the movie know that Ashton and Cameron wake up the next morning after their night of debauchery legally hitched. Now the rules are a little different in Las Vegas than depicted in the movie but if you’re determined to get married to someone, there are plenty of places in town to do it. Heck, you can even do it in a drive through! My advice would be to do at least a little planning and find a nice chapel (out of the many you have to choose from) that suits you and your beloved’s tastes. Do try to do it sober though, you don’t want to wake up next to someone you hardly know after the party like in “What Happens in Vegas”.

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No Comments updated January 26, 2013

Burlesque Night Live Presents a SantaMental Christmas

BNL Cast Members Nerrishia and Rick

A SantaMental Christmas December 8th at Pitman’s

Laconia NH-
Saturday December 8th at 7:30pm Pitman’s Freight Room is proud to present A SantaMental Christmas featuring the same crazy characters that brought you the hit 2012 series “Burlesque Night Live” at Pitman’s. Come enjoy a night of holiday festivities with the colorful personalities of the Burlesque Night Live cast as they sing, dance, and laugh you into submission as only they can.

What Could Possibly Go Wrong on Christmas?

The zany cast of Burlesque Night Live of Laconia NH asks the time-honored question, “It’s Christmas, so what could possibly go wrong?” As many of you know all too well, there are plenty of things that can go wrong at Christmas. We all know the drill of “getting into the holiday spirit,” don’t we? Well now is YOUR chance to watch the cast of Laconia’s beloved Burlesque Night Live crew as they stumble, bumble, plot, kick and scream their way into that special holiday cheer that makes Christmas so special.

While the boys of BNL will have you in stitches you can also expect to see a lot from the ladies of BNL as well. The show will also once again feature the passionate singing of favorite artists Saphaedra Renee and Steve Gonzalez. Come by Pitman’s Saturday December 8th at 7:30pm for fun hijinks in adult themed comedy atmosphere. Call (603) 494-3334 for ticket details.

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No Comments updated December 2, 2012

Gold Rush Season 3 Spoiler

Do the Hoffman’s find gold in season 3 of Gold Rush? The teasers indicate that someone strikes it rich in the Alaskan klondike but will it be one of the three featured mining groups? We make the case here that we can discern from what little we’ve seen so far that we can make a good guess as to who comes out on top in 2012. Otherwise, let the speculation begin! Comments welcome!

Is 2012 Finally the Year the Hoffman’s Strike Gold Meaningfully

You read it here first. I’m going out on a limb and proclaiming this is the year Todd Hoffman and his crew hit big paydirt. This year they are financed like a real mining operation, already have two claims to work (and have produced gold in week one of the mining season at Quartz Creek), and have far better equipment and a larger crew. Obviously they will run into some stumbling blocks along the way given some of the crew members are greenhorns, but with Dave Turin leading the second crew on the new claim and Quartz Creek already producing in week one I think Hoffman fans have a lot to look forward to this season.

Troubled Times for the Pressured Parker Schnabel at Big Nugget

We honestly don’t have much to go by after just one episode but early indications are that Parker Schnabel has put himself under a lot of pressure in 2012 and it is likely that being under that kind of pressure is going to lead to catastrophic mistakes for the young man. Teasers for the season after episode 1 indicate a serious roll-over accident on what looks to be equipment on the Big Nugget claim. An additional quote from grandpa John Schnabel indicates the possibility of serious injuries or possibly a very near miss for crew members. We have to be careful not to jump to conclusions however as the soundbite does not necessarily give adequate context nor a time-sequence of events.

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Dakota Fred Showing True Colors and One-Way Nature

As previously mentioned, we are still only one episode into the Gold Rush Alaska season 3 and we have already seen yet another example of the short-sightedness / one-way help of Dakota Fred. Before the season had even begun he asked young Parker for a favor to help him dig out the road to his gold mine claim at Porcupine Creek – which Parker was more than happy to do despite the cost of fuel – which is not cheap. That’s just being a good neighbor up in the Klondike.

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However when time comes for Fred to return a favor – offering up a spare electrical board worth a couple thousand dollars – he leaves Parker hanging in the breeze, telling him effectively to go buy his own. Apologizers will buy Fred’s argument about warrantee and all that but we all know what it means to help a neighbor, and quoting an absurd price to Parker was a pretty poor way to return a favor. Good luck in 2012 Fred, you’re sure going to need it because Lord knows no one else is going to help you out.

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26 Comments updated January 26, 2013

Top Ten Things to Do in Boston

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I am a native New Englander and I love the city of Boston. As far as I am concerned these are the top ten things to do in Boston. Please feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments section below as Boston is a great and diverse city full of fun things to enjoy.

Top Ten Things to do in Boston

  1. Visit the Museum of Fine Art
  2. Have Lunch at Faneuil Hall Marketplace
  3. Visit the New England Aquarium
  4. Go to a Boston Bruins Hockey Game (Seasonal)
  5. Go to a Boston Red Sox Baseball Game (or Tour Historic Fenway Park)
  6. Visit the Theatre District and See a Show
  7. Have Dinner on the North End
  8. Walk the Freedom Trail (May want to use a couple of days for this one!)
  9. Visit Old Ironsides – the US Constitution
  10. Go to a Boston Celtics Basketball Game

Many Great Things to Do and See in Historic Boston

Boston is an always has been a great city to visit. The harbor and waterfront offers daily cruises and the joys of the seashore. The marketplace offers all the hustle and bustle of great shopping and fun eating in a great open space to enjoy in and around Fanueil Hall. You can’t help but notice the historic feel of the city from the cobblestones, courtyards, and landmarks. The transportation system (subway and buses) allow you to avoid all of the hassle of getting from place to place quickly and safely without the traffic. Park at one of the outlying stations for cheap money and take the ‘T’ in to the city for a great day of fun!

Planning a Great Day in Boston

It would be obviously impossible to do everything on the list in one day but there is no reason not to pick a few things to do and visit the city during several different seasons to enjoy whichever parts are best seen at that time. Summertime is great for baseball and the Red Sox, cruises from Rowe’s Wharf, and whale watching tours or performances at the New England Aquarium. Winter brings Boston Bruins hockey (and don’t miss the Beanpot Tournament in February!). In the fall you might catch the Red Sox if they’re in the pennant race or spend the evening in the theatre district for a night of great entertainment after lunch and shopping at Fanueil Hall.

I hope you enjoy your visit to Boston and please share your favorite spots in the comments below!

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1 Comment updated April 15, 2014