Virginia has a hard time containing my little brother it seems, as it hasn’t been two months since he returned form Iraq, and he’s already leaving town. His girlfriend, Courtney has landed a leading role in a television pilot for HBO, and she and Stefan will be heading to their new apartment in L.A. on Tuesday. I’m really excited for them despite the fact that they will be on the other side of the country. If the show gets picked up then it’s exactly what Courtney needs for her career to get going, and it’s not like there is any shortage of fires to fight in California, so Stefan’s career will be heading in the right direction too.
Sarah and I went out for Thai with them last night so we could spend some time with them before they loaded up the U-Haul and hit the road. We went to a place in Reston Town Center that was really nice. My ‘Kapow Chicken’ definitely earned the 3 chili-pepper rating on the menu for its hotness. Ended up having to drink a glass of half-and-half (they didn’t have any milk) to take out the spice afterward. It was fun to spend some time with Stef and Court, we’ll miss having them around for sure. But when they know all the movie stars and have a kick-ass social network setup over in Hollywood, then they will be the perfect people to go visit! I keep joking that I need to get my screenplay to Courtney so she can put in a good word… Now I just need to write it….
Hopefully their four-day road trip will go by quickly for them. I know they plan on stopping and seeing friends along the way so that will be nice, but lugging one of those trailers has to be a pain. Especially with the 55mph speed limitation on the tow-hitch. Best of luck to you both, send a postcard (or 10).
Stefan and Courtney recently recommended that we watch a little movie called ‘The Chupacabra Terror’. The film is about a blood sucking beast (the Chupacabra) which is pretty much the south American version of Big Foot but with a less tell-tale name. Actually that’s not true, Chupacabra translates to ‘goat-sucker’ apparently. Anyway, so this illusive beast is caught by a scientist guy who takes it on a cruise ship (um…why not) and the thing escapes and pretty much eats everyone on board. It’s up to John Rhys-Davis and a guy called Lance to stop the thing. Pretty much it’s absolutely terrible- but in a hilariously good way. Due to the awfully-bad slash amazingly spectacular nature of the film I have decided to take an alternative route than the usual movie review post. Without further ado here is the top 10 reasons (in no particular order) why you should definitely / definitely not see the Chupacabra Terror:
- The fact that this movie came out in 2005 and has the production value of a Xena Warrior Princess episode.
- It stars Jonathan Rhys Davis (the dwarf from Lord of the Rings) who apparently ran out of hobbit gold.
- The Navy Seal uniforms consist of skate helmets and Ranger Surplus vests.
- The Chubacabra's wallhumping/evil scampering (done in super high tech fast-forward)
- "So I am guessing you aren't really an insurance salesman. " "Right now, I'm the best insurance you got!" [cocks gun]
- The “To Us!” toast given by two a-hole honeymooners before they get Chubacabra-ed
- How drunk the dishwasher-guy gets off of one swig of stolen wine (right before he gets thrown off a balcony by the monster).
- The enthusiastic “Tango Bango! Get some!” comment by the Navy Seal’s when they get the call to go help the distressed cruise liner.
- The fact that the illusive creature can be caught in the woods off of a highway with a goat as bait and a fishing net.
- Any and all lines delivered by Chelan Simmons. “Ugh, it’s the Chupacabra!” being the number one pick which I unfortunately cannot find a YouTube link for.
Stefan touched down in the US earlier this week and today he is back in Virginia after making the trip up from South Carolina. I’m sure he’s glad to be back. Tonight we have a Christmas Eve/Welcome Back dinner together as a family at the Russia House which we have all been looking forward to for a while. Knowing that Stefan will actually be able to make it is really making everyone’s Christmas. He’s off at his own apartment after getting back into town to drop off his stuff, re-acclimate for a little bit before we all meet up in Herndon for dinner. While the timing of his return is very ‘Christmas-Magic’y for all of us, I imagine he’s pretty stressed running around getting back into town one day before the holiday. That’s doesn’t mean he can get out of getting me a present. Far from it. I just feel bad that he has to. I am really looking forward to seeing him later tonight.
The local paper did an article on both Stefan and his friend Greg who where deployed and returned on the same day. You can check out the newspaper here: Vienna Connection December 2008
“You stay classy Iraq. I’m out!” is the Facebook status on Stefan’s profile at the moment, which he posted just before leaving his post and starting the trek back home. We are all hoping his return trip doesn’t have too many layovers and that the Army do a good job of getting him back for Christmas. That’s the plan, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it will pan out that way. Having him back would really make Christmas. I’m sure he’s far from the only guy over there hoping to make it back on time for the holiday, and I know many wont. I really feel for those guys, especially at times where family ties really mean everything. Being away from the country you love and the family you are protecting during the holidays must be awful. I can’t imagine what it really must feel like, and selfishly hope I never will. I know I’m not the only one looking forward to Stefan’s return, and I’m sure he will be somewhat of a local celebrity with all the visits he’ll be making and people who will want to spend time with him. I really can’t wait though. Having my little brother back home, and the family all together will be terrific.
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