Dreaming of the sun she warms...

It snowed...I hate snow in my living space - not my apartment of course, but Bham in general. I mean, I don't mind traveling to frolics in the snow for a couple of hours, but I do find it horribly taxing on an everyday basis. Lets face it...I am a klutz and lord knows that snow or ice are not ideal conditions for someone who injures themselves as easily as I do.
A good friend of mine who lives across the pond sent me the link to a BBC article concerning the promiscuous lives of artists - click here for the link - which got me thinking...archivists don't really have any cool traits like that really. Well, it might not be that cool, but I just mean it is nifty that there is some common denominator for behavior. I wish there was something out there that could explain my obsessiveness with things that really don't matter in the real world...or simply my laziness when it comes to laundry or housekeeping. Something that could explain me...I think I would like that!

Wow look at you now, flowers in the window

My recent multiple viewings of P & P has had me watching the various films I have that star the same people, especially Jena Malone. The more of I see of her, with the exception of Cold Mountain in which her character didn't even have a name, the more I like her. The funny thing is, though, that half the time I don't remember she is in movies...something I absolutely love...means that they are a good actor. I mean, anyone that can star in both Donnie Darko, Saved! and P & P and do all three extremely well deserves my lifelong admiration...at least until she sells out and does a movie with either Tom Cruise or Kevin Costner.
Up to 5 viewings of P & P, so I might very well beat my record. I still get a free ticket from Marathon since she is quasi-dating the assistant manager at the local theatre. Then you have to consider that both ChickLit and my mom will want to see the film at least once each over Christmas break...that means that I am only 6 viewings away from the record...that is completely doable!!!
I finally got up the courage to start George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones, the first book in the Song of Ice and Fire series. I have been quite apprehensive starting this series since it is ongoing - he is only on book 4, which just came out in paperback - and I have been so utterly burned by Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. But in the end, a girl needs a fantasy series to read...

You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for...

So to my absolute horror, the local PBS station has begun showing Kevin Costner's Dances with Wolves...a film I despise. I don't think I will ever get over the fact that this long-drawn-out-piece-of-crap won best picture in 1990. Sure there wasn't much out that year, but man there has to be something....anything! What makes this film such a tragedy is that fact that I love all of the supporting people, I just can't get past the horror of Kevin Costner...who I only enjoy in the 1985 classic Silverado. I will admit that one, but he has ruined so much...Robin Hood, Waterworld, The Postman, and Message in a Bottle. I did like The Upside of Anger, although it was despite of him...not because he was in it.
This is just a small frightening development. Miramax died...indie films are no longer indie...Jewel made a pop album...the list goes on and on. I am not sure what is happening, but is ain't good...well at least not until I have been properly brainwashed!.
In completely different news, F now has a groovy nickname...Marathon. Now all I have to do is come up with 2 more and all is well...as long as I don't meet any new people. BTW, P & P count up to 4...

This is the dawning of the rest of our lives...

There has been some rumblings concerning the turkey I cooked on Thanksgiving... rumblings doubting that the event took place. So here you go...you can see my horrid kitchen mat, the hox that my huge P & P poster came in and part of my leg including socks. Anyway...any further concerns shall be directed to my witness...who has video footage I might add.
So...I am tired of using people's initials on my blog so I have come up with amusing code nicknames for almost everyone (H & K still have no alternative, but heopefully that will be adjusted soon!) From now on C will be ChickLit, B will be Lois Lane, and S will be Ms. Jane Bennet. Nothing will beat my nickname of Mad Madam M over on ChickLit's blog, but at least these will be amusing and better than a single letter.
Well I must really go to bed. Saw P & P again tonight down in Burlington. I am thinking about making a run at my LOTR: FOTR record of 13 times. I have no doubt that I could accomplish the deed, I am just not sure I could afford it...money and time. If only movie tickets grew on trees and I had nothing better to accomplish!

Lovin', is what I got, I said remember that...

So this will surprise no one, but I spent a glorious day at the movies. Oh yes...I am not sure if there is anything better...well there is but I can't afford it. Well, not that I can really afford the movie theatre, but I digress. It has been a good week. Since last Saturday I have been to the theatre 6 times and only paid 4 of the times. Free movies...the door to my heart! Anyway, today S and I enjoyed a double feature of Rent and P & P, the exact same double feature of Wednesday in opposite order and with just the 2 of us. If all days could be like this and people wouldn't bring children under 10 to either film! What is wrong with Americans today?!?!?
So, some of you might be wondering how much I love the new P & P since I was so excited and that usually leads to disaster. If I get my expectations up...bad things happen - Het anyone? I wrote a bit earlier in the week, but I thought I would gush a bit more. I LOVE this film. Not just like or enjoy, but full "get your freak on" - whatever that means - passionately love this film. I never thought anyone could compare to Colin Firth's Darcy and the legendary pond scene...but this new film has a couple of great rain-drenched scenes that have me reminiscing about English rain - something I spent a good portion of time complaining about.
Sitting and watching the film today got me pondering Austen's connection to the crap romance novels of today...excuse me the correct term is now ChickLit - not the gum, but literature directed completely at the female gender...and C's grandfather - don't worry I will not try and explain that one! Anyway, Austen's work stands as the foundation for all Regency romance writers from Heyer to Balogh and beyond. I wonder what she would have thought of that!

They're singing deck the halls, but it's not like Christmas at all

Well with Thanksgiving out of the way, there is nothing to keep Christmas from coming in full force. I was at the mall yesterday and the shops had already begin with the christmas music. Seems like it is earlier and earlier each year. I saw a political cartoon that craftily had combined all the of the holidays after Halloween into one large word...much like Seth Cohen's Chrismukkah - although he seems to do it for all the perks that come with each holiday instead of trying to market gifts. Anyway this got me thinking...perhaps next year the Christmas music will not only begin to play before Thanksgiving, but before Halloween as well. At least my mom - unofficial queen of Christmas music - would not only be happy, but in fashion.
In other news, my turkey turned out fanastic, although I am not sure I am cut out for this type of cooking. I just can't handle stripping things off the bone and reaching up the back of a turkey to retrieve the next. Bit too exreme for me. And I won't even begin on the amount of leftovers...Perhaps you really can have too much pie and turkey!

See if anything comes of it instead of my old shit...

Today will rank as one of my best days of recent date. The only recent day that tops it is...you guessed it...April 25, 2005 - the date of the U2 concert last spring. I got to sit through 2 awesome movies today with people that I love. It seems fitting that I saw Rent with people that have gone from being just friends to a sort of grad school family...one that I can count on to understand my freak flag. Since Rent deals with creating a family out of the people around you...it was nice to be surrounded by some of my family up here in Bellingham.

I am also playing a hostess at the moment to my good friend K...who I bribed up here for the holiday. I didn't realize how much I missed having someone around who was willing to go along with any of the hair-brained schemes without blinking...we all need one of those friend.
An what can I say about P & P...I figure I will love any version of this book, but I didn't think I would enjoy this version as much as I did. I have some qualms, but nothing of real consequence. Oh Mr. Darcy...and you gotta love the sugary ending that they added just for the Americans...sometimes it is useful to live in a country full of hopeless romantics that require over-the-top hapyy endings.

Perhaps I may become a highwayman again...

Since seeing Walk the Line, I have been listening to quite a bit of Johnny Cash. One song has recently caught my attention - "Highwayman". Here is the verse that has got me thinking...well kinda!
"I was a dam builder across the river deep and wide/Where steel and water did collide/A place called Boulder on the wild Colorado/I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below/They buried me in that great tomb that knows no sound/But I am still around..I'll always be around… " So creepy really, although I wonder...how many people are buried in our nation's dams? I mean really...we all have seen the movie or tv show in which a person is buried in the foundations of a building in order for the evildoers to cover up a murder. Anyway, I have no clue how dams are built, but I am guessing it ain't pretty and that many men lost their lives. Rivers really don't like to be damed...just ask beavers! Something to think about the next time you drive - which I don't think you can do anywhere anymore because of terrorist precaustions - but you get the idea.
I have also invented the coolest new thing to do if you are bored and have fruit flies and a vacuum. Try vacuuming the flies mid-air with the vacuum extension. Entertainment for hours...believe me!!

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!

So I got to thinking at work today, pirates are popular. I mean, just look at the cult following of Jack Sparrow - Captain Jack Sparrow...It isn't all the mega-hotness that radiates off Johnny Depp...I think some of it is actually that people like pirates. I mean, who doesn't love The Goonies? Anyway, this train of though also got me thinking about two of my programs and the mascots of the fictional high schools. It turns out that both Harbor Prep (The O.C.) and Neptune High (Veronica Mars) have a pirate as the mascot. How cool is that?!?! Not really that cool now that I think about it, but go with me here people.
I have yet another reason to love Veronica Mars. In a recent interview, Kristen Bell - the chick that IS Veronica - when asked about taking on Lost replied, "I've never seen it, actually. I hear it's wonderful and I know people who love it. But for the most part, we're not going to get their audience. We have our cult fans, who we love, and we're hoping to [attract]the whole Buffy world. We're not as mainstream." Oh how I love to be courted...makes my day really, except when it involves actual people and after so many years in grad school I can no longer decifer what are actual thoughts and feelings and what are the over-analytical droppings of my brain. Go figure. Anyway, like I said..nice to be courted.
Saw the new Harry Potter again tonight. I went with a friend and much to our surprise a couple of people we knew were in line behind us. We ended up with a group of 6, which was nice. After going to so many movies alone, it is always an interesting experience going with a group. I honestly don't know which I like better...both have their ups and downs, but hey that is not what matters. I got to see Harry Potter again!!

We've been on the run, driving in the sun...

The latest episode of this show, has rekindled my love of the program. I mean, I always watch it come hell or high water, but at different times it has been out of habit or some other reason, not out of pure joy. Alas, that has finally returned with this season. I will freely admit that I didn't care for the season opener - even I seem to know more about forensic crime investigation than the writer of this show - but it has gotten progressively better. Ryan finally has pretty good hair and you gotta love him in a leather jacket. Seth and Summer are the uber-twin stable couple that we all dreamed of. Even the entrance of Taylor Townsend - the female answer to Oliver - can't bring it down.
However, I do have a problem with a lack of continuity. I mean...what happened to Zach or the comic book for that matter. I mean did they simply fall off the face of the planet. The comic book was on the rise, so what is the deal? Did it die sometime during the summer? I just want to know...well and I want assurance that neither Oliver, Trey, or Tereasa ever return and that Taylor will never reach their horrid levels. It is a pipe dream I know...but a pipe dream none the less.

For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide...

So...late tonight I decided I wanted to go see Walk the Line. I had planned to see it sometime this weekend, but I just got it in my head that I had to see it tonight. I bring this up, only because I ended up driving down to Burlington - only 25 miles away, but it was really foggy - to catch the last showing. None of my friends answered their phones, so I ended up going alone...something that I really didn't mind.
Anyway...you can already probably guess my final verdict on the film...I loved it. I think that Joaquin Phoenix was channeling Johnny Cash. It was more than an impersonation...I know that really makes no sense, but that is the only way I can explain it. I recommend it whole heartedly. The film is not a sweet tale...it is all about addiction, painful relationships, and all that comes with actually having a dream come true.
Some of you might have noticed that there was no post for Friday. I can explain. Well kinda...I went to happy hour at 5 and ended up getting home around midnight after watching a good portion of my grad school friends get drunk and sing karaoke at the local mexican eatery. A great night, but by the time I got home, I simply climbed into bed. Gotta love Friday night partying...even if you don't drink.

So believe, that magic works...

Ok...this won't be long. Just look at the time - which really isn't late for me until you realize I have work in the morning - I am in desperate need of sleep. But...OH MY GOSH!!!!!! Brilliant, BLOODY BRILLANT!!! That is all I have to say. Well maybe Abso-Fuckin-Fabulous!!! Ok...now I really must sleep!! More should follow later, but really at this point creating whole thoughts, let alone sentences, is proving beyond difficult!
Oh...did find one other fun thing. If you type 'failure' in google and then click the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button, you get a fun surprise. Apparently, if you type in 'moron' something happens as well, but I have no brain power to try it out!!

On a steady diet of soda pop and Ritalin...

Well, I am in the best mood...and most of you know that hasn't happened for quite a while. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus...and he is bringing awesome movies. Tomorrow I go to the new HARRY POTTER MOVIE!!! I am only slightly excited as you can tell. I am even planning on taking a nap so that I can enjoy the midnight showing to the fullest...oh happy days!
Yesterday, I receieved The Portable Dorothy Parker in the mail. I had not ordered it, but I figured that a friend had sent me the book. I stayed up late last night reading it. Parker is probably most famous for writing screenplays including the original A Star is Born, but her poetry, short stories, and theatre reviews are also fascinating to read. She wrote the famous quote, "Men rarely make passes at girls who where glasses" and left most of her estate to Martin Luther King. I shall leave you with one of her most famous poems, "Indian Summer". Enjoy.

In youth, it was a way I had

To do my best to please,
And change, with every passing lad,
To suit his theories.

But now I know the things I know
And do the things I do;
And if you do not like me so,
To hell, my love, with you!

Sorrow is their master...cackling with laughter

So...unbeknownst to even my closet friends, I have been catching WB's new show Supernatural for a good month now. I admit that I first started watching the show - Sunday night on Easyview I might add - simply for the pretty boys. Both have starred on other shows that I watch and so I thought...what the heck! However, the show is surprisingly interesting and although the program definitely gets creepy, it is a Buffy type creepy that I can handle. Originally, I thought it was just yet another WB pretty boy show - I recently read an article that pondered the fact that the WB seems to have some hot guy farm somewhere that they harvest the next hunk stars...made me laugh since I have for years wondered the same thing - but the show does have a bit more going for it...not much, but a wee bit more. This week I even found myself flipping back from House to watch Supernatural even though I tapped the ep. Why oh why do all my shows air at the same time...I don't have that many anymore.
I also have thought of another job I might be qualified for when I move back to Sactown in January...substitute teacher. I'm not quite sure if that is a fate worse than death...but it has to be close. In the end, however, a job is a job and a reason for me to get out of the house and escape for a couple hours...even if I am a glorified babysitter.

no one i know is more depressing then me...

Ok...so you are probably wondering why the picture of the day consists of me wearing shoe pjs and a huge Gryffindor scarf. I know it is not nearly as interesting or as sexy as my normal pics, but I am oh so proud of my accomplishments...at least in knitting. Well, my dear readers, I have finally completed my Harry Potter scarf...well almost. I still have to attach the fringe, but that is going to have to wait until after Thursday. Since the weather up here has turned cold, there is no way that I could launder the scarf and allow it enough time to dry before the midnight showing of the new film on Thursday. But since the scarf is so large you can't even tell. The thing is taller than I am. Perhaps I will take a picture of that for tomorrow's entry. Who knows?!?!?
I spent a good portion of today in the WWU library sorting through some books that were donated to the library, but are unwanted. I didn't mind the sorting, but the library workers kept giving me strange looks, like they had never seen an outsider dare enter their lair of biblio-loving-anti-social-ness. Anyway, I did my work and got out of there as soon as I could partly because the sun was shining today - a highly unusual event that might not happen again for several months - and partly because I feared that the anti-social nature of the environment might contaminate me. I have enough problems and alienating obsessions...I don't need any help!

Driven to distraction...It’s all part of the plan

I have been listening to an amazing amount of Coldplaty recently. I quite like their new album...I guess it isn't new anymore, but the most recent and so it is still considered new to me. As much as I do like them, I am beginning to wonder if I have finally completely sold out to the ever expanding 20s market of cool. I mean, I love Garden State, I discuss politics with friends over coffee, and wonder what the world is going to now that corporate America has completely taken over. I do still have many things holding me back from this new status...I love U2 - clearly not a choice made by most twentysomething individuals - as well as musicals. I may have some of the current classics of my generation, but I also own Fawlty Towers and more Hallmark movies than I am willing to admit on the internet. But, I do feel like I have become more drawn to those new things - whether music or films - that has been deemed as a definitive representation of my generation.
Perhaps as with most things...grad school as screwed up my mind and distorted how I analyze the world around me. Or possibly, I am overlooking the most obvious...I love pop culture and simply like listening to 4 guys of England talk about love, loss, and scientists. Maybe, as a student of history I am simply interested in the current trends and understand the "normal American psyche" - if that does in fact exist. I am not really sure, I am just concerned that I am selling out to something...I am just not sure what that something is.

Are you hanging on the edge of your seat?

I doubt that anyone can make it out, but at the bottom of the image "she whispers words of wisdom...let it be". Yes, this is just one of the images from a webpage devoted to LOTR music videos...and not the only one of these pages either. I wrote about this disturbing trend earlier, but I now feel I must devote an entire blog to these windows media files. See for yourself...click here if you dare! Anway, some of these videos are disturbingly well done. The editing is fanastic and the music strangely appropriate, although, I too enjoy the fact that there are people out there more obsessive than I. I mean, some of the song choices are just sad...pretty much anything by Brian Adam, but you have to applaud watching hot guys with swords and arrows take out the evil guy to "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen.
LOTR is not the only recent film saga to get the music video treatment. On this same website, there is a link for Harry Potter videos as well. I have not gotten brave enough to look at any of those, but knowing me it is only a matter of time...and by that I mean tomorrow. I'll let you know.

The Yanks are coming...

My friend S and I decided to celebrate the end of World War I...you know "The Great War"..."The War to End All Wars"...today by driving to Canada and drinking tea while eating donuts for the eleventh hour. Yes...88 years after the Versaille peace treaty, my friend and I enjoyed pastries at Tim Hortons surrounded by poppy pins. Some of you might not be familar with the poppy pins since it is not a tradition in the US, but I like it. Before living in England, where they actually celebrate holidays such as Victory in Europe day (May 8) and commemorate the "glorious dead" for the entire month of November and where poppy pins, I hadn't really thought about what Veterans Day actually stood for and the historical ramafications of the day. It was a day off of school and what more could you ask for.
Before you start worrying about the serious subject matter nature of this blog, have no fear. While on a sugar high, we returned to my apartment to watch the unrated version of Underworld. I think it is a fitting remembrance, but what do I know. I couldn't even find a poppy pin, but I did listen to this song a couple of time..

"Over there, over there,
Send the word, send the word over there -
That the Yanks are coming,
The Yanks are coming,
The drums rum-tumming
Ev'rywhere.
So prepare, say a pray'r,
Send the word, send the word to beware.
We'll be over, we're coming over,
And we won't come back till it's over
Over there."

-- George M. Cohan

I should get on, forget you, but why would I want to...

So, for a while now I have been tracking a very disturbing trend...what I term the Cult of Haldir. I didn't really notice until after Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers how much momentuum this group had gained. It isn't just a few fangirls either. My favourite website (by fav I mean most amusing), Haldir's Whores (you gotta give them credit for the name), has 2224 members and they aren't all lonely girls. And that is not the only site...Haldir Heaven, Forgotten Hero...the list goes on and on. But when you stop to think about it, the guy has about 15 minutes of air time in the whole trilogy. I mean really, other than trying to stop the fellowship from entering the forest ("The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark." Yes I know I have seen these films way to long) and showing up at Helms Deep to die ("I bring word from Lord Elrond of Rivendell. An Alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago we fought and died together. We come to honor that allegiance.") they guy has no real role. Don't get me wrong, I was deeply touched by hus death, but really people. You are sadder than I am and that is saying something. Later I will examine the disturbing trend of LOTR music videos...pop songs with LOTR images. Anything ranging from Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" to the lovely hits of Bryan Adams. Be afraid...very afraid!
Paycheck came today...not quite sure how I am going to get it all to work, but where there is a will there is a way. I just keep telling myself that one day the whole masters degree will pay off in hard cash not just nifty friends and new levels of bitterness and cynicism. At least that is the dream!!!

All the little chicks with their chrimson lips go "Cleveland rocks!"

Well, tonight's Veronica Mars feaured an amusing sight...Joss Whedon as a car rental clerk. Although this was not the first time he has acted, this is the first time he was recognizable doing so. And hey, this time he didn't have to do the "Dance of Joy" or "Dance of Shame" as he did playing Numfar on Angel. Overall, the ep held quite a few other surprises, but I still miss Wallace. Hopefully he will be back next week...doesn't look good though.
Last weekend, C posted a "What American City Are You" survey on her site. Now she ended up being New York...I on the other hand was Cleveland...what is up with that? I am Cleveland?!?! I mean other than the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and The Drew Carey Show, what does Cleveland have to offer. Hey wait...Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...that doesn't sound too bad...

It's at the point of breaking down...

So, despite myself, I have been pondering Underworld a bit too much. Yes...I know I should follow my own advice, but what can I say; this is what I do! And before you start to wonder to yourself...yes this pic looks remarkably like the photo 2 days back, but it ain't...good ol' Scott Speedman doesn't have a jacket on in this one (let us all take a moment to thank the makers of black t-shirts) and his hair is sexily wet!! Anyway, I was stuck in university bureaucratic purgatory for a good portion of the afternoon and my mind began to wonder...well it does that no matter what, but at least this time I wasn't supposed to be doing something else. Okay, I have been thinking about it and for the life of me I can't figure out what city this movie is set in...I really don't think they tell us. From the license plates and nifty older architecture, I know it isn't any American city, but where is this town. Personally, I am voting for a Slavic town since that would give the film the correct vibe, but hey I am not really picky...well at least about this.
The other problem in figuring out the location is the multitude of accents. You got Wentworth Miller (the reason I actually rented the film...sorry Scott) and Scott Speedman working as docs with American accents, while most of the of the vampires or lycans seem to have English accents except for the guy playing Kraven, who does his darndest to not use his Northern Irish accent. However, it is pretty obvious at several points in the film. This is what infuriates me about accents in cinema...if you are going to do a bad accents...just stick with your own. A bad accent is far more distracting then just using the actor's natural born accent. Well...except if it is Shakespeare...then there is no excuse.

So set ’em up Joe...I got a little story I think you should know

So this evening I finally made it to Good Night, and Good Luck, the new Clooney film on Edward R. Murrow and McCarthy. This will probably come as a surprise to most of you, but I am speechless...the movie surpassed everything I had hoped for. It is the only movie I would call a must see since Batman Begins (and secretly Doom - for very different reasons - but don't tell anyone). What I enjoyed most, was the fact that the film was shot in black and white and used archival footage. Man...everyone should be forced to see this movie...perhaps it would make for a better America. Who knows?!?!
I met up with a grad school friend today and she came up with one of the most fantastic ideas I have heard recently. Whe should come up with a M & M movie review page that also features our thoughts on some of out favorite people, such as Brad Dourif - I know you have seen him in something and he is always brillant! Or even discussions on topics, such as my current rant on the use of accents in films...or lack there of. Since as M - the friend not me - put it...I have mad skills and this would give me something to keep those skills somewhat honed. I'll keep you all updated!

A vampire or a victim...It depends on who's around

After seeing the preview for the new Underworld sequel, I felt inspired enoug to rent the original and watch it. Well, I did have a free Blockbuster rental that needed to be used and this was the only title I could think of...hey a free rental is a free rental! To my surprise, I found the film in the horror section...perhaps my years of Buffy and Angel have desensitized me to the bloody world of vampires. However, I somewhat doubt this, but whatever, the film amused me greatly…just don’t think about it too much. The plot holes really become obvious – but not nearly as bad as the whole shoe thing in Elizabethtown. Besides, Scott Speedman ain;t bad to look at...

So I went to the Library for a couple hours. Now, I know this may not seem like a good beginning to one of my storie, but it will all make sense in a second. Now, I am one of the most available people in the world...well at least by cell phone. Anyway, I just turned my phone off for 2 hours and when I turned it back on I had 5 messages. I just don't understand. Lord knows I have no life or anything...why not call some other time and give me a bit more excitement in life. Is that too much to ask? I really don't think so!

There was a boy, a very strange enchanted boy...

So, I have recently discovered that good ol' David "Daisy" Wenham - also known as Faramir - had a small role in Baz Luhrman's Moulin Rouge! I know that many of you might be disillusioned by this news. Not because he was in both films, but because this is news to me. I mean really, what kind of obsessive fan am I...I missed the whole Karl Urban on Xena as well. My vetting is not what it used to be at all.
However, I do get a bit of credit knowing that the guy who plays Lucien in Underworld was once the longtime boyfriend of Kate Beckinsale - also in the movie - and that they have a daughter together. However, what makes it all interesting is that fact that she is now married to the director of that film. All seems a bit high school, but still quite fun. The important thing, however, is that I knew all this before even seeing the film (I just rented it tonight, so I am sure that I will have more to share tomorrow on that subject...my plan of watching it earlier this evening got preempted by a trip to the ballet)!!
All in all, I think I am going to create a positive spin on all this and make the claim that perhaps I have grown up a bit and realized there are more important things out there...like poverty in Africa and such. I simply have better things to do with my life, I am not loosing my touch. Well...at least that is what I choose to believe for the time being!!

Don't Worry, Be Happy...

I have seen Jarhead, although I am not quite sure what I think about it. For those who know me, this really might come as a shock. I am usually quite opionated about my films, although I don't always have a solid reason why. Hey...I'm an American; I don't have to see something to know it is stupid. Well, anyway back to Jarhead, all I can really say is that it is a war film with no real war. Even so, I find myself still thinking about the film...and not only the fact that all of the archival footage of Desert Shield and Desert Storm came from the BBC. That and I feel exremely emotional. I'm not sure if I want to cry or beat something up - hypothetically of course since I doubt that I could beat anything up.
But in the end, I think I will go and see it again. Can't hurt, since if nothing else, the movie is directed and acted well. Jake Gyllenhaal is fanatastic...he may be pretty folks, but he can act. And Peter Starsgaard...what can I say. I have never seen him in a bad movie...although I didn't see Flightplan. I'll let you know the final verdict as soon as I know...

California...here we come!

OH MY...The O.C. is back my friends!! And back in full force. Tonight's episode made the 4 week wait worth it. And I think that Marissa has been taking acting lessons or something because she seems better than past seasons. It is episodes like tonight that remind me why I watch this show! And what about Sandy playing the dean...abso-fuckin-fabulous!!!
I also learned tonight that my hair can achieve an afro if you use a crimper. I went over to my friend B's house to watch the episode. It had been a kind of strange day. Poor B had been mistaken for a child twice - and the scary part is that I was the mother figure - at two different stores. I felt bad for her since she is 21, but the fact that I was her "mama" I think is even more frightening. Anyway...we decided to crimp our hair...like I stated earlier folks...the 80s are back!! Well, since my hair is so short, the crimping doesn't really show and my hair just looks wild. At least I didn't need to go to the store this evening. Just my luck I would have run into everyone I had ever met or TAed in Bellingham!!

That's life, that's what all the people say...

I am extremely concerned that 80s fashion is making a comeback. On an recent expedition to WWU's library - and believe me it was arduous - I ran into a girl not only wearing Madonna gloves, but also leg warmers and one of those t-shirts that is worn off the shoulders. Anyway, I didn't really think about it, until today, when on a trip to Freddie's for milk I ran into another girl in 80s wear. I knew that the 70s had begun to comeback. I mean I hate peasant wear and neither brown or pea green are not good colors for me...but at least the fashion didn't involve scrunchies and bangs that reach for the sky. I have never been able to work a curling iron well.
My thesis is in some sort of grad school purgatory. My advisor has not emailed me back in days. I am hoping that he is sick...which I know sounds bad, but at least that way I am not being ignored...I can't get turn in the paperwork to get approval for my listserv entry until he gets back to me. Even then I have to collect a bunch of signatures. All in all, I am in some horrid holding pattern that really has become frustrating.
P.S. I think I own those slippers...how funky is that? And man...I love her boots!

Sleight of hand and twist of fate...

Well, it is the first of the month and I give you my ELFI Mix for November 2005. Unlike some months, this mix proved more difficult than others simply because I have been listening to way too much music. In actuality, I don't think that this mix completely captures my current state of existence, but once next month's tracklist comes out...hopefully it will all make sense! As with last month's mix, I have included track names and artists along with some sort of explanation of why that song made the cut.

1. Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera) - Doris Day
(My mom used to sing this song to me...)
2. Ashes - Embrace
(I have my own idea what is meant by the phrase' "I sink like a stone, I lost my control")
3. Get Your Way - Jamie Cullum
(Cool beat...Love Jamie ever since "Twentysomething"...and you have to support any artist that fits Shakespearean quotes into his jazz lyrics)
4. The District Sleeps Alone Tonight - The Postal Service
(Fell madly in love with this group and this song...I mean how could you not like a band that actually sings "You seem so out of context in this gaudy apartment complex." Bloody brillant!)
5. The Maker - Daniel Lanois
(Only ever heard remakes of this song...the virgin edition is by far the best.)
6. Wreck of the Day - Anna Nalick
("And it's finally quiet in my head...")
7. Wonderwall - Ryan Adams
(Remake of the Oasis song, although this version seems to have a bit more soul even if the artist is somewhat of an ass-clown.)
8. If I Had it All - Dave Matthews Band
(Lord knows that if I had it all...I would screw it up too!)
9. Come Pick Me Up - Ryan Adams
(Brillant song...found it before Elizabethtown, but that film made it even more swell!)
10. On Your Porch - The Format
(Love this song...I may not be a struggling musician, but I understand the idea and since failure seems to be a theme this month...kinda just made sense!)
11. Sleeping In - The Postal Service
(" Where concerns about the world getting warmer/The people thought they were just being rewarded..." well that and the fact that I do love sleeping in!)
12. My Father's Gun - Elton John
(Every Cameron Crowe film seems to have an old school Elton John song...)
13. Snails - The Format
(Gotta love any song about Snails...and this one is actually quite thoughtful.)
14. Forever Young - Youth Group
(Ok...I owned the original Rod Stewart cassette single of this song...this is much better. Besides it is Ryan and Marissa's song!)
15. Momentary Thing - Something Happens
(There have been a couple of other tracks on this list that were once used on Veronica Mars - don't worry I won't tell you which ones - but this one is the most significant of them all. At least those of us rooting for LoVe!)
16. Clark Gable - The Postal Service
(Not sure when my brain got tapped, but I am telling you someone has been listening to my thoughts and writing catchy songs about them.)
17. Dakota - Stereophonics
(Love the energy of the song...well that and we all have to walk down memory lane sometime!)
18. Whorehoppin' (S**t, Goddam) - Eagles of Death Metal
(Truth...this is not one of my finds. Actually this is a drunken anthem of one of my best friends. So go out and have a Capt. Morgan and Mountain Dew and forget everything...or clean!)
In other news, I have finished reading Rats Saw God. Fascinating book, but I think I may have missed quite a bit of the meaning. Normally this would be fine, but this is a young adult book. If I can't get those, what is left to me...Dr. Seuss books. To be truthful I never got those either...so apparently I am doomed. No biggie! I will get over it I'm sure.