Dear Readers,
I was watching You've Got Mail, one of my all-time favorite movies last night. I can't help but watch it whenever it comes on TV; no matter where it is in the film I will either sit down and watch it or tape the remainder despite owning it on DVD. I will probably have to buy it on Blu-Ray soon because I just feel that it needs to be watched in all its glory but I digress. It got me thinking about what movies or songs or CD's that I just can't live without. And so an idea was born! (I know, I don't have many but this one is good! I promise.) What if you made a time capsule filled with all of your Must Haves?
"Wow! Kate is just a genius." "I know! I can't believe I never thought of that." "She is so pretty..." Oh stop, guys, you're making me blush.
In all seriousness, have you ever thought about it? I know I've asked what your favorite movie is but have you ever considered what the essentials were? I decided to take a swing at it; we'll see if I can keep relatively small. (Oh, who am I kidding. I'm gonna need a trundle to house my essentials.)
1. Dirty Dancing- Duh. But which copy? The one my dad got me for my 16th birthday that started it all? The 20th Anniversary 2-Disc Copy that I got before I saw the movie in theaters? Or my Collectors Box Edition with a book and 3-Discs? Decisions, decisions.
2. The rest of my top 5 movies: Empire Strikes Back (or if I am being realistic my Blu-Ray of all six Star Wars movies), The Princess Bride, Shrek, and Transformers. Plus You've Got Mail. Pretty Woman, RENT, Star Trek, Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog, and the Harry Potter series.
3. My Live in Las Vegas: Celine Dion DVD and her Taking Chances CD/DVD combo. Why? Celine is amazing. Get used to it.
4. My Zune with the following CDs/Artists/Soundtracks/Playlists: Taylor Swift, Kate Voegele, The Fray, the Footloose soundtrack (I'm gonna go out on a limb and say it's the best soundtrack. Ever. Debate!) the One Tree Hill soundtracks, RENT/Moulin Rouge/Mamma Mia!/ Wicked soundtracks, all of the Glee songs, Maroon 5's Hands All Over, Journey's "Don't Stop Believin' ", and Brendan James.
Here is where it gets tough. ("Really? Because you were being so discretionary before." "Quiet you...") How to decide which TV gets brought? I own over 20 series (way over 20 but that's a nice number so we'll stick with that.) of television on DVD so I just dump them all in but I won't do that.
1. One Tree Hill series. And I already broke my rule. It's my all-time favorite show. I can tell you what my favorite episode is (Season 4, Disc 4, Some You Give Away) but I can't not have the series in its entirety.
2. The series finale of Dawson's Creek. I have the 2-Hour DVD of this great show and it manages to make me laugh and sob every time I watch it.
3. Glee- "Pilot", "Power of Madonna", and "Dream On". All from Season 1 and probably my top three episodes to this day.
4. Buffy- "When She Was Bad", "Becoming Part 2", "Something Blue", "The Body", "Once More with Feeling", and "Chosen". These six episodes are what Buffy was all about: teenage drama, forbidden love, enemies becoming allies, death (supernatural and natural), music, and a sense that you can be chosen but not alone.
5. Alias- The Rimbaldi Cube Series Collection. What? It comes in a cube (the Rimbaldi cube which is so frakking cool.) and so it automatically is travel size.
6. Friends- Really, I just would like to watch the bloopers. But any episode from any season still makes me laugh so I would just grab a random disc from each season and be content.
7. The Nanny- "Green Card" and "The Finale Part 1 and 2". I love The Nanny. Sue me. She cracks me up and I think all of life's most valuable lessons can be learned from the nasal-tastic Fran Drescher.
Books. Oh the books I've read. This is a much easier list for me to compile than the rest because I reread these ones so frequently.
1. My paperback set of the Harry Potter series.
2. Nora Roberts' Tribute, Divine Evil, and The Chesapeake Bay series. I own 95% of all her books now so I can say with some authority that these are some of her finest books.
2. Nicholas Sparks' A Walk to Remember. Lightweight, less than 250 pages, and still one of my favorite books.
3. Ellen Raskin's The Westing Game. I read this book back in 6th grade for a book club and still pulls me back in.
4. Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy. Recently devoured these books and they became an instant classic in my mind.
5. Julie Andrews' Mandy. A childhood favorite and just a lovely book.
6. James Patterson's Beach House. I really enjoy his Women's Murder Club series as well.
Well I think that should fill a time-capsule the size of a trunk. What can I say? I love a lot of things and I don't want to be without any of them. Can you create your own time-capsule? Did I miss something? Let me know!!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
The Edge of Glory... or Anticipation.
I was recently reading my Entertainment Weekly and came to an excerpt from Uncle Stevie or as you might know him Steven King. I haven't actually read any of his books but I really enjoyed his column in the magazine. He is only a guest columnist now but I miss his weekly rants. I also like the idea of his excerpts running in the magazine so I am going to copy him. After all imitation is the sincerest form of flattery right?
Chapter One:
He watched her. Hidden in the shadows, low to the ground and daring not to move an inch, he watched her.
Lily marched triumphantly down the street. She had gotten the lead in the play! Ha! Finally all her hard work had paid off. All those acting classes. How many head shots had she labored over, debating over which pose and hair style before selecting the top three. And the voice lessons, don't even go that direction. Eponine from Les Miserables was hers and no one, especially that tart Julia, could take that away from her.
As she walked home, she felt a tickle in her shoulder blade. Idly scratching it she continued on her merry way, whistling a cherry tune and waving to the people she passed. It was dusk and the sun was setting on the glorious day, at least in Lily's mind. What could possibly go wrong on this wonderful day! Pausing at the sidewalk, she bent over and retied her shoe lace. That nagging sensation washed over her again and this time she looked over her shoulder. Just a couple of bushes next to an old church. But... a small tremble. She peered closer and felt the wind blow through her hair. "Lily, get a grip. It's just the wind for Pete's sake." Straightening she continued her march home as she skipped across the street.
"She almost saw me," the shadow thought. "So close... maybe next time." His hatred for her was as pure as white snow and deep as a well. It had always been this way, he was raised to believe in certain things and hating the tall brunette was one of those things.
But... sometimes he felt that his hatred wasn't pure. Sometimes he worried he wasn't going to be able to fulfill his goal. In those times, he would sit and think hard on the subject. His entire life in question but what would he do if she wasn't there? His mother would banish him for sure and when he thought of that it was too much and banished all other thoughts.
Soon it would be dark and then he would plan. Planning was crucial to his plan. Everyone in the clan knew that he planned and thought he was crazy. "Why plan?" they would say. "Just act. Why do you wait? She will get away from you. There are more to taken. Hurry!" They didn't understand his need for the perfect moment. Then and only then, would he act.
Lily reached her sidewalk, her keys jingling in her hand. "Lily!!! Lily!!! Did you get it!" Lily turned her head and saw her next-door-neighbor Aaron rush out from underneath the hood of his rusty 1963 Mercury Comet, his pride and joy. Wiping the grease from his hands on his shirt, he moved across his yard to hers with surprising speed for a 6 foot tall man. Hands on his hips, he asked "So? Do I live next to a famous person yet?" She lowered her head and whispered something. "Oh Lils. I'm so sorry..." "Gotcha!!" "What! You got it!? I knew you would!" With a whoop and no care for her clothes, he lifted her off her feet and carried her over his shoulder doing a very Rockyesque imitation. Laughing, Lily held on for her life; it would be a long way down if she fell.
"Aaron!! Put me down! You're ruining my outfit." "Who cares about your outfit dollface! Let's celebrate." "Only if you shower and clean off first." Aaron looked down and grinned, not at all sheepishly. "If you say so. Order a pizza and I'll bring the wine. You can tell me all about it!" She laughed as he raced inside his house. "What a fool," she said with a smile on her face.
He watched the man lift his target and run like a baboon around the yard. "Idiot man." An unfamiliar sensation filled him and for the first time he seriously considered abandoning his plan. "Get a hold of yourself. Now is not the time to have second thoughts. It's almost time." Yes, yes it was almost time. The days light was growing dimmer by the minute and soon he would be cloaked in darkness, his favorite time of day. It was his own personal playground at night and only a few of his family attempted to go out during the day. It wasn't done.
He passed by her house. Yes, tonight was part of the plan. Her lights started flickering on and though he wished he could stay and watch, that was not on the agenda for the evening. No, tonight was the trial run and he couldn't afford any mistakes. All the kinks had to be ironed out before he went to her.
He prowled the street looking, just looking. "Ahh..." he thought as he spotted his mark. "This will be fun..."
So readers of my blog, are you intrigued? Are you on the edge of your seat with anticipation? Let me know if you want to know more about Lily, Aaron, and our mysterious italicized menace!
Chapter One:
He watched her. Hidden in the shadows, low to the ground and daring not to move an inch, he watched her.
Lily marched triumphantly down the street. She had gotten the lead in the play! Ha! Finally all her hard work had paid off. All those acting classes. How many head shots had she labored over, debating over which pose and hair style before selecting the top three. And the voice lessons, don't even go that direction. Eponine from Les Miserables was hers and no one, especially that tart Julia, could take that away from her.
As she walked home, she felt a tickle in her shoulder blade. Idly scratching it she continued on her merry way, whistling a cherry tune and waving to the people she passed. It was dusk and the sun was setting on the glorious day, at least in Lily's mind. What could possibly go wrong on this wonderful day! Pausing at the sidewalk, she bent over and retied her shoe lace. That nagging sensation washed over her again and this time she looked over her shoulder. Just a couple of bushes next to an old church. But... a small tremble. She peered closer and felt the wind blow through her hair. "Lily, get a grip. It's just the wind for Pete's sake." Straightening she continued her march home as she skipped across the street.
"She almost saw me," the shadow thought. "So close... maybe next time." His hatred for her was as pure as white snow and deep as a well. It had always been this way, he was raised to believe in certain things and hating the tall brunette was one of those things.
But... sometimes he felt that his hatred wasn't pure. Sometimes he worried he wasn't going to be able to fulfill his goal. In those times, he would sit and think hard on the subject. His entire life in question but what would he do if she wasn't there? His mother would banish him for sure and when he thought of that it was too much and banished all other thoughts.
Soon it would be dark and then he would plan. Planning was crucial to his plan. Everyone in the clan knew that he planned and thought he was crazy. "Why plan?" they would say. "Just act. Why do you wait? She will get away from you. There are more to taken. Hurry!" They didn't understand his need for the perfect moment. Then and only then, would he act.
Lily reached her sidewalk, her keys jingling in her hand. "Lily!!! Lily!!! Did you get it!" Lily turned her head and saw her next-door-neighbor Aaron rush out from underneath the hood of his rusty 1963 Mercury Comet, his pride and joy. Wiping the grease from his hands on his shirt, he moved across his yard to hers with surprising speed for a 6 foot tall man. Hands on his hips, he asked "So? Do I live next to a famous person yet?" She lowered her head and whispered something. "Oh Lils. I'm so sorry..." "Gotcha!!" "What! You got it!? I knew you would!" With a whoop and no care for her clothes, he lifted her off her feet and carried her over his shoulder doing a very Rockyesque imitation. Laughing, Lily held on for her life; it would be a long way down if she fell.
"Aaron!! Put me down! You're ruining my outfit." "Who cares about your outfit dollface! Let's celebrate." "Only if you shower and clean off first." Aaron looked down and grinned, not at all sheepishly. "If you say so. Order a pizza and I'll bring the wine. You can tell me all about it!" She laughed as he raced inside his house. "What a fool," she said with a smile on her face.
He watched the man lift his target and run like a baboon around the yard. "Idiot man." An unfamiliar sensation filled him and for the first time he seriously considered abandoning his plan. "Get a hold of yourself. Now is not the time to have second thoughts. It's almost time." Yes, yes it was almost time. The days light was growing dimmer by the minute and soon he would be cloaked in darkness, his favorite time of day. It was his own personal playground at night and only a few of his family attempted to go out during the day. It wasn't done.
He passed by her house. Yes, tonight was part of the plan. Her lights started flickering on and though he wished he could stay and watch, that was not on the agenda for the evening. No, tonight was the trial run and he couldn't afford any mistakes. All the kinks had to be ironed out before he went to her.
He prowled the street looking, just looking. "Ahh..." he thought as he spotted his mark. "This will be fun..."
So readers of my blog, are you intrigued? Are you on the edge of your seat with anticipation? Let me know if you want to know more about Lily, Aaron, and our mysterious italicized menace!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Dancing Through Life
::deep breathing:: So sorry guys. I know its been a while since I have graced your Internet but I have been extremely busy with a new job (WAHOO!) and enjoying my new found freedom of evenings and weekends. But have no fear, Kate is here! Well, back. And for good this time!
::still catching my breath:: You'll have to excuse me, I'm just catching my breath. From what you ask? Well, I didn't want to spoil anything for you, but I think I found the cure to... basically everything. Mildly intrigued? Come on, you're dying to hear what the cure to everything is, I just know it. Well, here it is...
DANCING!!!
::chirp, chirp:: Um. Let me try this again. Drum roll please! ::badabadabada:: DANCING!!
Still nothing? Wow, you are a hard crowd to please. Do you need some hard evidence to believe me? Ok. I got your evidence right here.
Dancing is a great way to exercise. Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't. Um... off track.
At my old job, I used to a wake up/get pumped for the day dance. I would put some hip-swinging, toe-tapping song on and just let go. Yes there were windows all around me and in a heavily trafficked area. So? I didn't care who saw me. If they did see me, I can guarantee that my dancing at the very least put a smile on their face. I would also dance down the aisle around lunchtime and definitely late at night. (There are two videos for proof.) I miss being able to just let go and de-stress by dancing. I do my best by dancing in my swivelly chair now. I'm a grown up. I have to act like one. Psych! ( I do act like an adult Mom and Dad! Just have to maintain my persona on here!)
Did you know that you can dance in your car. It's true! There are a couple of techniques I would like to share with you. The first one is the torso swivel. You just wriggle like a snake. Simple, no? The shoulder shimmy is another personal favorite. I am a big fan of the head bang but it does not help with headaches. I have a specific play list that I put on whenever I'm in the mood to do some hardcore rocking out in my car. Windows down, back seat... whoops! Just kidding. In all seriousness, nothing makes my day better than a good car jamming session where I amaze fellow drivers with my dancing and singing skills in my car.
If my personal testimonials aren't enough to convince you, just look at pop culture. All of the dance shows (Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance...) and the current release of Footloose. My rating: B+. Good acting, so-so music (Long live the original soundtrack, which coincidentally is one of the best car soundtracks EVER.), and the BEST dancing I have seen in a really long time.
Well, I think I have the best case I can make for dancing as the cure for everything. Try it. Can't hurt anything. (Unless you pull a muscle. That hurts.)
"Dancing through life/Mindless and careless/Make sure you wear less/Troubles and strife/Woes are fleeting/Blows are glancing/When you're dancing/Through life!"
::still catching my breath:: You'll have to excuse me, I'm just catching my breath. From what you ask? Well, I didn't want to spoil anything for you, but I think I found the cure to... basically everything. Mildly intrigued? Come on, you're dying to hear what the cure to everything is, I just know it. Well, here it is...
DANCING!!!
::chirp, chirp:: Um. Let me try this again. Drum roll please! ::badabadabada:: DANCING!!
Still nothing? Wow, you are a hard crowd to please. Do you need some hard evidence to believe me? Ok. I got your evidence right here.
Dancing is a great way to exercise. Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't. Um... off track.
At my old job, I used to a wake up/get pumped for the day dance. I would put some hip-swinging, toe-tapping song on and just let go. Yes there were windows all around me and in a heavily trafficked area. So? I didn't care who saw me. If they did see me, I can guarantee that my dancing at the very least put a smile on their face. I would also dance down the aisle around lunchtime and definitely late at night. (There are two videos for proof.) I miss being able to just let go and de-stress by dancing. I do my best by dancing in my swivelly chair now. I'm a grown up. I have to act like one. Psych! ( I do act like an adult Mom and Dad! Just have to maintain my persona on here!)
Did you know that you can dance in your car. It's true! There are a couple of techniques I would like to share with you. The first one is the torso swivel. You just wriggle like a snake. Simple, no? The shoulder shimmy is another personal favorite. I am a big fan of the head bang but it does not help with headaches. I have a specific play list that I put on whenever I'm in the mood to do some hardcore rocking out in my car. Windows down, back seat... whoops! Just kidding. In all seriousness, nothing makes my day better than a good car jamming session where I amaze fellow drivers with my dancing and singing skills in my car.
If my personal testimonials aren't enough to convince you, just look at pop culture. All of the dance shows (Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance...) and the current release of Footloose. My rating: B+. Good acting, so-so music (Long live the original soundtrack, which coincidentally is one of the best car soundtracks EVER.), and the BEST dancing I have seen in a really long time.
Well, I think I have the best case I can make for dancing as the cure for everything. Try it. Can't hurt anything. (Unless you pull a muscle. That hurts.)
"Dancing through life/Mindless and careless/Make sure you wear less/Troubles and strife/Woes are fleeting/Blows are glancing/When you're dancing/Through life!"
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