Missed your Face

Woah, it's like been a long while...3 years almost to be exact. I missed blogging so, guess I'm back. I have had many other ventures since I've been out of the blogverse. 

The main summary:

1. I've graduated with an English degree, May 2012.
2. I moved home, for a year.
3. Then moved back to my college town.
4. Became a "seamstress" by day, "writer" by night.
5. But still don't have a job using my degree.
6. I am also in love. <3 br="">

Let bygones-be-bygones. Recently, I have been contemplating how useless getting an undergraduate degree truly is. I mean you need one to progress in certain fields and let's face it, I want a doctor or dentist to have all the credentials. It's just been a long struggle of "who you know." Maybe it's our young generation, our high expectations, and idea of entitlement for nothing. I am at a loss.

In the meantime, I enjoy using my creative/sewing/business skills to manage a local Alterations' shop. I know all there is to ever want to know about getting clothes tailored. In fact, I could be considered a pro. Maybe I should just become a fashion designer. I mean I have all the trimmings now; I even fixed a sewing machine the other day. If that's not super mechanical and a techie seamstressism I don't know what is.

I even got one of my friends hired to assist me. I am learning more about small business practices than I ever wanted to learn and I am never bored...that's assured. I also am able to support myself...mostly. Rent, bills, gas, and I even bought an old '95 Camry, that I named Rosie. Not too shabby. Considering, I was carless for 4 months after my car accident. Where Odette, my Honda Civic, died and the only injuries I got were two sunglasses scars on my eyebrows. The term unscathed never has been so meaningful.

Anyways, I am looking forward to spring/summer. I hope it can live up to this past summer, where I had the best/worst and most definitely most eventful time ever. More recollecting later.

My playlist @ the moment (in no particular order):

1. "Sex" by 1975
2. "Throwing Bricks" by Florence + the Machine
3. "Something Good Can Work" by Two Door Cinema
4. "Digital Witness" by St. Vincent
5. "Ways to Go" by Grouplove
6. ANYTHING on the Frozen Soundtrack

Who Missed the Crimson Apple?

As spring break is unraveling, time to bust open those books again. I wonder how many people went to the movies at least once over break. I went 3 times. I saw Beastly, Red Riding Hood, and Sucker Punch. I think the common thread of all three of the movies I saw was the idea of fairy tales. So, vampires are out and aliens are now in, but one should never underestimate the fairy tale.

Beastly was contrite. There were so many possibilities in that movie and it was just an epic nightmare. The remake of Beauty and the Beast starred Vanessa Hudgens. She was stereotypical awkward average high school girl. As if High School Musical wasn’t bad enough. And then there was the guy from I am Number Four as the Beast character. He was basically a stalker, like he was trying to be Edward Cullen. It was disappointing. Then I hate to ruin the ending, but they live happily ever after. I did however like that they were making a big deal about vanity and how obsessed our culture and media is with the idea of being pretty and perfect. Mary Kate Olsen was good wicked witch and my favorite part of the whole movie was Neil Patrick Harris. He was the adorable blind tutor with Elton John-esq rose colored glasses. He was only used as comic relief, but I really liked him! And the dad, from Six Feet Under and Parenthood TV shows, was the dad in this movie too and he’s wonderful as always. Rating: */***** Rent it if you’re feeling sappy or please just skip it.

Red Riding Hood is a classical story, but it’s originally a short story. The story in this movie is not about a little girl, but a woman. This movie was directed by Catherine Hardwicke who made the first Twilight movie (sad sigh). She made it very psychological and played on the original moral: don’t trust strangers. The Perrault and Grimm stories bore some resemblance to this version, which I appreciated, but the love triangles were a clever addition to make this short tale into 2 hour movie. This movie had a good texture and what I mean by this is that it played with colors, gave a wonderful woody rustic setting, and mixed up effects and shots. The idea of the wolf was not too overplayed; the focus was on the story and guessing about the mystery surrounding the wolf. Amanda Seyfried was the lead and she was very good as always. I also really liked that Gary Oldman was in this movie! He also had a rad elephant statue and an entourage of buff black men. Speaking of men, there is lots of eye candy in this film for ladies. And since fairy tale movies are geared towards women this really worked! Now the problems with this movie were: it’s very sexed up, reminded me of Twilight too many times (the dad is in Twilight too, the werewolf, Hardwicke, love triangles), overacting, trite dialogue, and there are so many characters you get lost. But overall, it entertained, which is the point. Rating: ***/***** Liked.

Sucker Punch actually means a blow made without warning. And so fitting is the tagline for this film: “You will be Unprepared” is accurate. The director Snyder (Watchmen, 300, Dawn of the Dead) wanted to make “an Alice and Wonderland with machine guns.” It’s funny because Emily Browning, the main character, was only cast after Amanda Seyfried from Red Riding Hood stepped down. Firstly, I must say I want this soundtrack the songs are awesome! Some of which Emily Browning and the other actors actually sang themselves. Plus Queen! Loved it! Secondly, Nazi zombies, steam powered machines, dragons, and Jon Hamm. Third, I liked the settings! It was really pretty to watch. It has an echo of many other films and stories: like Kill Bill, Inception, Annie, Pan’s Labyrinth, and Alice and Wonderland. The only bad thing I would say that this movie lacked character development and there is a mixed focus of who the story is really about. The plot sacrificed for the awesome kick ass action sequences and the dialogue was plain. But let’s face it; this movie was not about that...it was about a group of women who are breaking free of their reality into highly stylized fantastical environments by going on a scavenger hunt to tromp their oppressors. I loved the skanky outfits, the samurai inspired fighting, mechanical weapons world, the awesome names (Baby Doll, Blondie, Blue, Rocket...), and the steam punk settings. I wouldn’t listen to the bad reviews. Rating: ****/***** Go see it!

So basically, in summary, this spring break I watched a lot of Vanessa Hudgens, somehow Twilight (and I cringe when I make those connections, but it’s sad and true...) echoed, and all the movies had blonde protagonists with big blue eyes. Some made me want to puke while others seriously had me consider dying my hair blonde... Oh and of course the common theme is fairy tales - which I love!

More fairy tale movies to be on the lookout for the future:

Sleeping Beauty, starring Sucker Punch’s Emily Browning

Snow White, with Julia Roberts as the Evil Queen

Snow White and the Huntsman, with Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen

Snow White and the Seven, a kung fu fighting movie with monk dwarves

Jack the Giant Killer (Jack and the Beanstalk), with Nicholas Hoult, Bill Nighy, and Stanley Tucci

Hansel and Gretel movie called, Witch Hunters, with Gemma Arteton and Jermy Renner

...Get Excited!!

The freckles in our eyes are mirror images

In the spirit of Olde St. Valentine...here's a list of the Things I Love:

When a bird perches outside your window
Discovering a new word
Listening to beach waves
The stars, moon, and clouds
Making snow angels
Rolling in clothes from the dryer
Helping someone without them knowing
Finishing a good dream

Waking up a second before my alarm
Getting a hair cut
Putting on Chap Stick
Scarf and shoe shopping
Feelings a good movie leaves with you
Really bad movies
When my favorite song is on the radio
Dancing around my room to show tunes
Seeing a funny commercial
Staying in my PJs all day
Playing video games (questing)

Finishing the Sudoku
My backpack of nine years
Smelling books
Sparknotes
Having a fully charged phone
Prinking a long research paper
Vending machines
Remembering someone's name

"Camping" (my Mother's way)
Discovering your parents are people, motorcycle, helicopter flying people
Borrowing clothes from my sister
Making a baby smile
Collecting seashells
Tie-dyeing
Getting a postcard or snail mail letter
Bonfires
Saying Jinx
Hearing from an old friend

The first bite of a good meal
Smelling baked goods
Eating said baked goods
Cotton candy or fruit loop flavored ice cream
Milton's french toast
Going to IHOP late at night
Eating yard length licorice
Drinking Butterbeer
Red Velvet Cake

Fuzzy socks
When kids match
Disposable cameras
Glitter
Playing dress up
Reading notes from Patton Jr. Junior High
Gel Pens
Coloring
Fake eyelashes
New glasses
Looking at old photo albums
Blowing out candles

Starting an epic series
Harry Potter
Sealing letters with wax
Disney Princesses
Ancient castles
Being inpired to write
Weapons
Reading under the Christmas tree
Labyrinths and mad tea parties
Mermaids in Peter Pan
Finishing epic series

Sunscreen
Screaming for fun
Rollercoasters
Hitting a golf ball
Flying down on a snowboard
Free falling from 10,000 feet
Watching other people wipe out
Star Wars and Hello Kitty band aids

Shortcuts and secret hiding places
Walking home in the fog
Running in my neighborhood
Making it through airport security
Catching the bus
Getting a car wash
Making all the green lights
A full tank of gas
Finding something lost
Not getting lost
Coming home

So, don't keep me in the dark cause I'll find the light

It’s everywhere. I just saw The Mechanic and it was about a man who “fixes” things. He kills people. It made me want to be an assassin. I love Jason Statman, especially Ben Foster, and the movie was awesome! But I was so amused by not only the movie but, also the people who were watching it. There was a little old lady across the way and she was horrified at all the gore and guts. I vaguely remember her throwing her arms in front of her face to shield her from the horror from all the blood splashing, bone grinding, guns firing, cars exploding and the illusion of a teenager’s arm in a garbage disposal (sorry for the spoilers). Some lady behind me actually brought along her tweeny bopper son. She was definitely trying to save his virgin eyes from the animalistic sex, flash of ass, and boob shots. Another movie-goer-manly-man, gasped when Statman blasted a victim to a kersplat on the pavement below.

All the best TV shows have violence: Dexter, True Blood, The Walking Dead, hell even Looney Tunes has its casualties. The Disney movie, Up, has blood in it, too. Children shows all have undertones of death, cruelty, or at least monsters. I don’t know about you, but it would be really great if people accepted the fact that anything you watch will be at least a little bit gruesome.

And then there’s video games. Those were made to kill. There is the obvious: Street Fighter, Grand Thief Auto, Call of Duty. Even the kid friendly games, like Super Mario Brothers are full of killing. Mario and Luigi are supposed to be plumbers, but they are more exterminators than anything. Those mushroom things and the Koopas never stood a chance. And all for what, their loves Peach and Daisy (horrible names btw…)?

It’s all in the name of love. Without love there is no war. It’s always an uphill battle. I just keep on bleeding love because I love the way you lie. Cause Earl had to die; goodbye Earl. You mourn the death of your bloody valentine. When I see you cry, it makes me smile. I pity the fool who falls in love with you. A kiss with a fist is better than none. You wear designer shades just to hide your face. Face down in the dirt she said this doesn’t hurt. Love, I don’t get enough of it…everybody knows I’m a mother fucking monster. Who wrote the book of love?

I’ll tell you who…war. (and those are just a few random song lyrics.)

Somewhere the lines are blurring. Monsters have now become the heroes. So, when did monsters have to be so complex? Beowulf would be very upset. Now-a-days, we worship the Oz’s Wicked Witch of the West. She is no longer a pointy nose cackling witch, but Elphaba, the misunderstood villainess, who is not really the villain at all. We strive as a society to know more about the bad guys and the killers. That’s why everyone loves Dexter, the serial killer who we find ourselves leaning toward the sympathetic side for. Or what about (as much as I hate to use this example) Edward Cullen. So, when did protagonists fall in love with blood sucking vampires? Anyways, can’t a monster just be evil because it is.

I think it’s silly to restrain the violence. There will be blood, if people are mad about it, they should reflect upon themselves. The entertainment industry only reflects society and how we behave. Has anyone watched the news lately? It’s all about robberies, car accidents, abuse, and murder. Just goes to show that guts and gore is not only everywhere, but it’s unfortunately real.

How much can you fit under your skin?

So, I want to discuss music. I'm usually really bad at remembering things, especially titles of songs and artists names. When people are like, "Have you heard of the song, "Blah, blah, blah." I always say no, but truly if they sing the song or I hear it on the radio or whatever I know it. When people ask me what kind of music I like, I usually say Euro Pop. I'm not sure if that is really even a genera, but I really like Pop-ish music, mostly bands from the UK.

Robyn. I don't know why she is not popular in America. She is by far the best pop star out there right now. I think that it's so weird that people in Europe know of her, but ask people here and they are like who is she? She is a Scandinavian singer who had a one-hit-wonder in the 90s in the US, but has since made it back. I watched her perform at Pitchfork in Chicago this summer and it was amazing. She is one of my favorites not just because her music is so damn catchy, but also because she doesn't truly care how popular she is, she does her thing and it happens to be awesome!

Lykke Li. People are like, "Who?" I always have to say it twice. She is from Sweden and makes some sick songs! I really like her new single, Get Some. It's so scandalous and the video reminds me of something I would watch in experimental film. She is also just a great singer and all her music just sounds real, but fun to listen to and dance.

Alphabeat. They are simply amazing. Somehow every time I listen to them I am in a better mood. Their videos are like you've suddenly been sucked into a rainbow or a digital vortex! All their clothes are super cutesy. They have 1 female, 2 lead singers, 3 guys named Anders, 4 who play the instruments, 5 males, and a song called Fantastic 6!

Florence and the Machine. I know that she is really popular now, mostly because of Eat Pray Love, but I started listening to her like a while ago. And I truly do not go a day without listening to her entire album at least once a day (I'm not kidding). It's kind of addictive and I never get tired of it. (I know I will eventually, but it's been about a year). My favorite songs are Rabbit Heart, Howl, and Between Two Lungs. But they are all really great. And Florence Welch is so pretty!

Miniature Tigers. They are getting more popular now and that's awesome! I first heard one of their songs maybe three years ago when I was out shopping. I remember putting some of the song lyrics into my phone because I liked it so much. It was called Cannibal Queen. This bad is so geek-chic and they have good music too.

Tilly and the Wall. I know they are not really "Euro Pop," but I still like them. The tap dancing instead of drums is just so unique sounding and makes them really fun to watch live. Every music video they have feels like a party. And they've even been on Sesame Street. How much better can you get? I like all 3 of their albums and have been a big fan since I was in high school!

I have soooo many more bands and artists that I like! That's why I put song lyrics as my titles. I do hate when people think they know what kind of music I would like and then I start to list my favorites and they are usually not the expected. It's fun! Don't get me wrong, I love me some Lady Gaga and The Killers, but these are my faves!

You're the curses through my teeth, You're the laughter, You're the obscene

It's been forever!
Lot's to catch up on...(let's see:) I did Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month, 50,ooo words in the only November), I finished my classes with a grand slam packed finals week, my bestest oldest friend got married (I was her maid of honor and will be her first child's godmother), I threw up all Christmas in a Ft. Lauderdale hotel, then I worked my buttocks off at the commissarry bagging groceries (or I like to say, "Selling my soul for small talk..."), and now I'm back to school! It's a sick crazy mad world and I'm loving every second of it.

Lot's of changes this semester: both my roommates are studying abroad in Japan and Australia and left little-olde-me here all aloney on my owney. But seriously, as much as I miss my two besties, I have two new roommates now, who are great! I am taking a break from my service sorority and I only have class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so lots of ME time. I need to think about my future! I wish that it involved owning the world's first hover car, but no. So, English major and Film minors are not all that specific...oh no!

This semester's goals:
1. I will finish editing my novel: Six. (Thanks to my cousin, Lindsay, who's editing it!)
2. There will be a resume made of all my, so far, acomplishments...
3. I need to reinvent myself, this should be brainstormed more. Ideas? (Maybe sewing or dye my hair?)
4. I want to take my new classes seriously. They are Independent film, British authors before the 1800s, Fiction writing 2, and Science, Technology, and Society Literature. Maybe one more, but idk...
5. Last, but not least I need to make sure to take care of myself. Work out more, eat right, shower more, sleep schedule would be nice too, but let's be realistic...

I can't belive the month of hearts, pink, love, red, kisses, xoxo, and St. Valentine is almost here!

I do his everyday, Hocus Pocus is my Steelo

Busy like a bee. I have found time to do fun things, like play midnight 4 square, watch Dexter (I'm addicted!), and play dress up photo time with my friends, but acidemics are taking over.

School is like this parasite that latches on for dear life. I have been extremely busy with my six classes this semester. I'm taking: Shakespeare, Victorian Literature, Once and Future Heroes, Western Civilization, Experimental Film, and Screenwriting. SO, all in all. Loads of reading and writing. I cannot truly complain because I like to read and write, but it makes blogging harder.

Today in my Shakespeare class we were just finishing up discussion on a Midsummer Night's Dream and I'm going to write a paper on the play in comparisson to the 1999 movie. I like how today's media is mostly revolved around reruns, redos, and recycles. This past weekend I also went to go see the movie Easy A. Which, like a Midsummer Night's Dream has Stanley Tucchi in it :), is loosely based on a Scarlet Letter, but not really.
Being in a screenwriting class has made me realize that the idea of things being original, new, or fresh is not only hard work, but also very rare. If things are standing alone, they are always somehow influenced by something or a reminant of something else. I don't mean to get all philosophical, but we were just reading Socrates' Apology in Western Civ. so it's on my mind. I wonder how things can ever truly be untouched, untainted, or uninfluenced by the world we live in.