Thursday, May 2, 2013
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Born And Raised In South Detroit....
You know that chanting at the beginning of High School Musical 2. Where all the kids are in the classroom, watching the clock tick down until their summer vacation? "Summer. Summer. Summer. Summer. Summer." No? Just me?
Anywho-- the point of that was to describe to you how I am feeling today, and have been feeling since Monday. Tigers' Baseball is back and for the first time, and hopefully not the last, I will be going downtown for Opening Day to see the game in person. And all I hear in my head, is a never ending loop of "Tomorrow. Tomorrow. Tomorrow." What a feeling.
I've always loved sports. I've been playing them since I was able to walk. I played in grade school, played a Varsity sport for three years. I've been watching any and all sports since before I can remember. The Detroit Tigers have always been there, a team that I just inherited because I lived in Michigan, along with the Lions, Pistons, and the Red Wings. I think I loved the Red Wings on my own first because of the Stanley Cups they won when I was younger.
The Tigers were always just there in the background. But my view of them changed when I was at Justin Verlander's first no-hitter... and didn't even know what was going on. It's funny now and kind of sad, but at the time I had no idea why everyone was so happy. Grown men were crying and I was mocking them. We won, and it was a boring game. I realize that I should be shot or banned from future games for even thinking that but what can you expect from a girl who just thought about the Tigers in passing.
After that, the Tigers went on to have an incredible season. I remember watching them make in to the playoffs in my dorm room and I had tears falling as I ran down my hallway yelling, "We're going to the World Series." I think that's when it changed; not because they were finally winning but that I watched history happen.
Since then I've payed more attention and completely fallen in love with "our boys". I have staunchly defended players on the grounds that no city or person should publicly boo their own team at a game. I have seen JV almost throw another no hitter last year. I know more about the game, not as much as some, but much more. I hate certain players from other teams for ruining our chances at winning, and that's not limited to just players. (I'm looking at you Jim Joyce. I'll never forget.)
Win or lose, I'm a fan now. I have multiple "Who's Your Tiger?" players, and I don't care that you're supposed to have just one. JV is my ultimate and I know that one day I'm going to be there and actually paying attention when he throws that perfect game. Why? Because baseball is in all of our blood. It affects us all a bit differently and at certain times. Some people pick hockey or football or basketball over baseball and that's fine. But for most, when you hear that first pitch hit the catcher's glove, you feel home.
I have this dream. My favorite sports movie moment of all time comes from a baseball comedy, Major League. It's "that game", the one that the whole plot of the movie hinges on. The once empty stadium is completely filled to the brim and the feeling of excitement sparks through the TV. Everyone knows what's going to happen and then the music starts playing. "Wild Thing! You make my heart sing. You make everything groovy." And Ricky Vaughn, played by Charlie Sheen in the only role I tolerate him, struts out of the bullpen and onto the field. The crowd... goes... nuts.
What I really want... what I secretly dream will happen... is that the Tigers make it to the World Series and that moment of pure thrilling energy is felt amongst every single person and that feeling is transported to the players. And in that moment, "Wild Thing" comes on and we all sing it.
I guess I could settle for "Don't Stop Believin' ".
Anywho-- the point of that was to describe to you how I am feeling today, and have been feeling since Monday. Tigers' Baseball is back and for the first time, and hopefully not the last, I will be going downtown for Opening Day to see the game in person. And all I hear in my head, is a never ending loop of "Tomorrow. Tomorrow. Tomorrow." What a feeling.
I've always loved sports. I've been playing them since I was able to walk. I played in grade school, played a Varsity sport for three years. I've been watching any and all sports since before I can remember. The Detroit Tigers have always been there, a team that I just inherited because I lived in Michigan, along with the Lions, Pistons, and the Red Wings. I think I loved the Red Wings on my own first because of the Stanley Cups they won when I was younger.
The Tigers were always just there in the background. But my view of them changed when I was at Justin Verlander's first no-hitter... and didn't even know what was going on. It's funny now and kind of sad, but at the time I had no idea why everyone was so happy. Grown men were crying and I was mocking them. We won, and it was a boring game. I realize that I should be shot or banned from future games for even thinking that but what can you expect from a girl who just thought about the Tigers in passing.
After that, the Tigers went on to have an incredible season. I remember watching them make in to the playoffs in my dorm room and I had tears falling as I ran down my hallway yelling, "We're going to the World Series." I think that's when it changed; not because they were finally winning but that I watched history happen.
Since then I've payed more attention and completely fallen in love with "our boys". I have staunchly defended players on the grounds that no city or person should publicly boo their own team at a game. I have seen JV almost throw another no hitter last year. I know more about the game, not as much as some, but much more. I hate certain players from other teams for ruining our chances at winning, and that's not limited to just players. (I'm looking at you Jim Joyce. I'll never forget.)
Win or lose, I'm a fan now. I have multiple "Who's Your Tiger?" players, and I don't care that you're supposed to have just one. JV is my ultimate and I know that one day I'm going to be there and actually paying attention when he throws that perfect game. Why? Because baseball is in all of our blood. It affects us all a bit differently and at certain times. Some people pick hockey or football or basketball over baseball and that's fine. But for most, when you hear that first pitch hit the catcher's glove, you feel home.
I have this dream. My favorite sports movie moment of all time comes from a baseball comedy, Major League. It's "that game", the one that the whole plot of the movie hinges on. The once empty stadium is completely filled to the brim and the feeling of excitement sparks through the TV. Everyone knows what's going to happen and then the music starts playing. "Wild Thing! You make my heart sing. You make everything groovy." And Ricky Vaughn, played by Charlie Sheen in the only role I tolerate him, struts out of the bullpen and onto the field. The crowd... goes... nuts.
What I really want... what I secretly dream will happen... is that the Tigers make it to the World Series and that moment of pure thrilling energy is felt amongst every single person and that feeling is transported to the players. And in that moment, "Wild Thing" comes on and we all sing it.
I guess I could settle for "Don't Stop Believin' ".
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
It's Gonna Be Legen- Wait For It....
I have been watching TV for a really long time. My whole life. One of my favorite stories that my parents tell me is how when I would wake up early as a young kid, my dad and I would go out into the living room. He would put The Wizard of Oz on and while he would fall asleep, I would sit and watch with my eyes glued to the television.
If I had to pin point moments of my life where TV had an impact, there are many but one of the stand out ones was watching TGIF and more importantly Boy Meets World. That show holds a special place in my heart and in most hearts of my generation. With the news of a sequel, Girl Meets World, excitement and rabid fan response has taken over the Internet, myself included.
Last night, after an extremely personal and emotional episode of How I Met Your Mother, I was thinking about the two shows and came to a realization: the cast of HIMYM is the grown up counter parts of BMW. I posed this theory at lunch and here is my very educated reasoning:
Barney and Robin are Shawn and Angela. They fight, they bicker, they do this little dance and then they divulge their true feelings. Marshall and Lily are Cory and Topanga. The couple that makes you want to believe in true love and makes you realize you will never have that kind of relationship. And Ted, poor lovelorn Ted. He represents Mr. Feeney and Eric. He can be ridiculous (The red cowboy boots that he is "pulling them off.") and full of wisdom ("Shouldn’t we hold out for that person who… not only tolerates our little quirks… but actually kinda likes them?".) Both shows deal with hilarious situations ( doppelgangers and the boys dressed up like girls) and with tragic life moments (Marshall's dad's death and Mr. Turner's motorcycle accident.) I'm not saying it's a perfect comparison but I could easily see the BMW crew turning into the HIMYM gang.
Again the reason for this comparison was last night's episode of HIMYM, "The Time Travelers". I came into episode excited, mostly because it was a new episode that was going to feature Future Ted and Future Barney in some hilarious way according to the previews. What happened was what will now be known as my favorite episode of the series. Without spoiling the episode, the episode was a love letter to the fans.
The show is heavily based in it's own mythology and that has frustrated many of it's fans. Lots of people would like to know who the titular "mother" is but I for one am more than happy to wait until the show deems it necessary for me to have that information. But like Ted, I too have grown jaded and have less reason to hope that my true love is out there. Every relationship seems like it could be the "one" until it ultimately ends in failure and sadness on one side or another. I am the single in a group of doubles and while they all welcome me with openness, Ted and I both are just in a holding pattern and we are close to despair.
But this is where the show gives us despairing souls, including Ted, some bittersweet hope. In true romance fashion, Ted imagines running to his soon-to-be wife's apartment and gives one of the most heartbreaking, hopefully bittersweet speeches in the history of television. I'm going to have to share it with you so SPOILER ALERT:
“Hi. I’m Ted Mosby,” Narrator Ted imagined himself saying, “and exactly 45 days from now, you and I are going to meet, and we’re going to fall in love and we’re going to get married and we’re going to have two kids. We’re going to love them and each other so much. All that is 45 days away. But I’m here now, I guess, because I want those extra 45 days with you. I want each one of them. If I can’t have them, I’ll take the 45 seconds before your boyfriend shows up and punches me in the face. Because I love you. I’m always going to love you. To the end of my days and beyond.”
I realize that this is television and someone wrote this for a fictional character. I understand that life is not a TV show and that you don't get to have moments where you tell your future self it'll be OK. But... wouldn't it be amazing if you could? Wouldn't it be worth every moment of heartbreak?
As tears fell down from my face during this moment I could help but think, "It's gonna be legend- wait for it...."
If I had to pin point moments of my life where TV had an impact, there are many but one of the stand out ones was watching TGIF and more importantly Boy Meets World. That show holds a special place in my heart and in most hearts of my generation. With the news of a sequel, Girl Meets World, excitement and rabid fan response has taken over the Internet, myself included.
Last night, after an extremely personal and emotional episode of How I Met Your Mother, I was thinking about the two shows and came to a realization: the cast of HIMYM is the grown up counter parts of BMW. I posed this theory at lunch and here is my very educated reasoning:
Barney and Robin are Shawn and Angela. They fight, they bicker, they do this little dance and then they divulge their true feelings. Marshall and Lily are Cory and Topanga. The couple that makes you want to believe in true love and makes you realize you will never have that kind of relationship. And Ted, poor lovelorn Ted. He represents Mr. Feeney and Eric. He can be ridiculous (The red cowboy boots that he is "pulling them off.") and full of wisdom ("Shouldn’t we hold out for that person who… not only tolerates our little quirks… but actually kinda likes them?".) Both shows deal with hilarious situations ( doppelgangers and the boys dressed up like girls) and with tragic life moments (Marshall's dad's death and Mr. Turner's motorcycle accident.) I'm not saying it's a perfect comparison but I could easily see the BMW crew turning into the HIMYM gang.
Again the reason for this comparison was last night's episode of HIMYM, "The Time Travelers". I came into episode excited, mostly because it was a new episode that was going to feature Future Ted and Future Barney in some hilarious way according to the previews. What happened was what will now be known as my favorite episode of the series. Without spoiling the episode, the episode was a love letter to the fans.
The show is heavily based in it's own mythology and that has frustrated many of it's fans. Lots of people would like to know who the titular "mother" is but I for one am more than happy to wait until the show deems it necessary for me to have that information. But like Ted, I too have grown jaded and have less reason to hope that my true love is out there. Every relationship seems like it could be the "one" until it ultimately ends in failure and sadness on one side or another. I am the single in a group of doubles and while they all welcome me with openness, Ted and I both are just in a holding pattern and we are close to despair.
But this is where the show gives us despairing souls, including Ted, some bittersweet hope. In true romance fashion, Ted imagines running to his soon-to-be wife's apartment and gives one of the most heartbreaking, hopefully bittersweet speeches in the history of television. I'm going to have to share it with you so SPOILER ALERT:
“Hi. I’m Ted Mosby,” Narrator Ted imagined himself saying, “and exactly 45 days from now, you and I are going to meet, and we’re going to fall in love and we’re going to get married and we’re going to have two kids. We’re going to love them and each other so much. All that is 45 days away. But I’m here now, I guess, because I want those extra 45 days with you. I want each one of them. If I can’t have them, I’ll take the 45 seconds before your boyfriend shows up and punches me in the face. Because I love you. I’m always going to love you. To the end of my days and beyond.”
I realize that this is television and someone wrote this for a fictional character. I understand that life is not a TV show and that you don't get to have moments where you tell your future self it'll be OK. But... wouldn't it be amazing if you could? Wouldn't it be worth every moment of heartbreak?
As tears fell down from my face during this moment I could help but think, "It's gonna be legend- wait for it...."
Monday, February 25, 2013
The One Where Hugh Jackman Steals My Heart: 2013 Oscars Recap
Argo.
Argo.
Argo.
If you haven't seen this movie yet, shame on you. The masterpiece of Ben Affleck's career (up until this point at least) got the biggest compliment last night at the Academy Awards. Oh by the way, it's not called that anymore. Officially it is just "The Oscars". I disagree with this choice but oh well. I'll live.
I'm going to back and do this show in order:
Opening Monologue- I knew Seth Macfarlane would do a solid job. He's a charming if not self-deprecating person who can sing and dance. I have no problem with his humor (except for Family Guy, I just don't like it.) and I would bring him back on one condition: cut the sketch by about 10 minutes. Just do the song and dance and end with some jokes. We don't need 3 sketches that could easily have been web exclusive content to get people excited about him hosting.
Best Supporting Actor: Don't get me wrong, Christoph Waltz is a genius. I loved his in Inglorious Basterds and he was one of the only things I enjoyed about Django Unchained besides Leonardo DiCaprio, who in my and many other industry vets opinion, was robbed the nomination. I just believe that Tommy Lee Jones of Lincoln and Robert DeNiro of Silver Linings Playbook, showed more range and more emotion than is normal to their roles. DeNiro was my pick for his emotional turn as a helpless father.
The Musical Numbers: I am biased and I freely admit it but the celebration of musicals at the Oscars was phenomenal. Catherine Zeta-Jones nailed every line and every dance move with flawless execution and agility of a woman much younger. You go CTJ. Up next was Jennifer Hudson who showed you why she won her Best Supporting Actress a couple of years ago. Again, why people don't enjoy musicals astounds me. And then came the performance of the night and was anyone surprised that it brought the house down? (Sorry Adele and Babs.) The main cast of Les Miserables stunned and blew the other performances out of our memories and made me wish I could watch these people sing live forever. (I can! Thanks Entertainment Weekly! http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/02/25/oscars-2013-performances/5/ #5) Nothing made my heart swell more than when Aaron Tveit triumphantly strode onstage only to be followed my new favorite Russell Crowe. Say what you will about his singing voice, but this is the moment I fell in love with and the crowd clearly agreed as a single cheer rose up for him alone. I could gush more but you will probably hate me.
Best Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway is finally the Princess she once played in a Disney movie. Looking very much the demure young woman she is, Anne was the one sure thing about this evening that everybody agreed on.
Best Actor: Ok, Daniel Day Lewis is a genius. I'm not disagreeing with his abilities but I just don't think he was the best compared to the other actors in the category. Personally my choice would have been Hugh Jackman or Bradley Cooper.
Best Actress: This was one of the hardest races in my recent history. Naomi Watts from The Impossible made me feel so many emotions in the span of two hours than most actresses do on a yearly basis. Jessica Chastain was truly gut-wrenching in Zero Dark Thirty but no one compared to Jennifer Lawrence's complete transformation and tour-de-force performance in Silver Linings Playbook.
Best Picture: My past two Saturday's have been spent watching the nine movies nominated for the coveted award. Most of them received a 7 or 8 out of 10. Only two got 10 out of 10's in my book: Silver Linings Playbook and Argo. But Argo delivered on every front: action, comedy, suspense, and I'm gonna get sappy but the American in all of us. (My official rankings of all the movies are as follows: Amour: 4/10 Les Miserables: 8/10 Argo: 10/10 Django Unchained: 6/10Beasts of the Southern Wild: 7/10 Life of Pi: 6/10 Lincoln: 8/10 Silver Linings Playbook: 10/10 Zero Dark Thirty: 7/10)
Most are worthy of the nomination but there are two movies that were not nominated and I believe it was an oversight on the Academy's behalf. The Impossible and Perks of Being A Wallflower deserved to be among those up for the award.
Overall, I picked correctly who I thought was going to win over who I wanted to win. It was a good show, that some people will say was too long, but guess what: this isn't new. Make actual changes next year and maybe start earlier.
All I can really say is that I can't wait until I am up there. I can only hope if I fall on my way to the stage, Hugh Jackman rushes to my aide.
Argo.
Argo.
If you haven't seen this movie yet, shame on you. The masterpiece of Ben Affleck's career (up until this point at least) got the biggest compliment last night at the Academy Awards. Oh by the way, it's not called that anymore. Officially it is just "The Oscars". I disagree with this choice but oh well. I'll live.
I'm going to back and do this show in order:
Opening Monologue- I knew Seth Macfarlane would do a solid job. He's a charming if not self-deprecating person who can sing and dance. I have no problem with his humor (except for Family Guy, I just don't like it.) and I would bring him back on one condition: cut the sketch by about 10 minutes. Just do the song and dance and end with some jokes. We don't need 3 sketches that could easily have been web exclusive content to get people excited about him hosting.
Best Supporting Actor: Don't get me wrong, Christoph Waltz is a genius. I loved his in Inglorious Basterds and he was one of the only things I enjoyed about Django Unchained besides Leonardo DiCaprio, who in my and many other industry vets opinion, was robbed the nomination. I just believe that Tommy Lee Jones of Lincoln and Robert DeNiro of Silver Linings Playbook, showed more range and more emotion than is normal to their roles. DeNiro was my pick for his emotional turn as a helpless father.
The Musical Numbers: I am biased and I freely admit it but the celebration of musicals at the Oscars was phenomenal. Catherine Zeta-Jones nailed every line and every dance move with flawless execution and agility of a woman much younger. You go CTJ. Up next was Jennifer Hudson who showed you why she won her Best Supporting Actress a couple of years ago. Again, why people don't enjoy musicals astounds me. And then came the performance of the night and was anyone surprised that it brought the house down? (Sorry Adele and Babs.) The main cast of Les Miserables stunned and blew the other performances out of our memories and made me wish I could watch these people sing live forever. (I can! Thanks Entertainment Weekly! http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/02/25/oscars-2013-performances/5/ #5) Nothing made my heart swell more than when Aaron Tveit triumphantly strode onstage only to be followed my new favorite Russell Crowe. Say what you will about his singing voice, but this is the moment I fell in love with and the crowd clearly agreed as a single cheer rose up for him alone. I could gush more but you will probably hate me.
Best Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway is finally the Princess she once played in a Disney movie. Looking very much the demure young woman she is, Anne was the one sure thing about this evening that everybody agreed on.
Best Actor: Ok, Daniel Day Lewis is a genius. I'm not disagreeing with his abilities but I just don't think he was the best compared to the other actors in the category. Personally my choice would have been Hugh Jackman or Bradley Cooper.
Best Actress: This was one of the hardest races in my recent history. Naomi Watts from The Impossible made me feel so many emotions in the span of two hours than most actresses do on a yearly basis. Jessica Chastain was truly gut-wrenching in Zero Dark Thirty but no one compared to Jennifer Lawrence's complete transformation and tour-de-force performance in Silver Linings Playbook.
Best Picture: My past two Saturday's have been spent watching the nine movies nominated for the coveted award. Most of them received a 7 or 8 out of 10. Only two got 10 out of 10's in my book: Silver Linings Playbook and Argo. But Argo delivered on every front: action, comedy, suspense, and I'm gonna get sappy but the American in all of us. (My official rankings of all the movies are as follows: Amour: 4/10 Les Miserables: 8/10 Argo: 10/10 Django Unchained: 6/10Beasts of the Southern Wild: 7/10 Life of Pi: 6/10 Lincoln: 8/10 Silver Linings Playbook: 10/10 Zero Dark Thirty: 7/10)
Most are worthy of the nomination but there are two movies that were not nominated and I believe it was an oversight on the Academy's behalf. The Impossible and Perks of Being A Wallflower deserved to be among those up for the award.
Overall, I picked correctly who I thought was going to win over who I wanted to win. It was a good show, that some people will say was too long, but guess what: this isn't new. Make actual changes next year and maybe start earlier.
All I can really say is that I can't wait until I am up there. I can only hope if I fall on my way to the stage, Hugh Jackman rushes to my aide.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Relationship Status: It's Complicated
I'M BACK!!!!!!
Sorry it took me so long but I just didn't have the motivation or the ideas for a good solid entry to entertain you with my witty analysis and commentary. You know you missed me.
Since today is the beginning of February and we have all been attacked by the commercialism that is the dreaded, I'm mean awesome, holiday that is Valentine's Day I thought I would do a two part series about two of the things I love most in this world. YAY! Just kidding. If you have read my blog before you know I have a great outlook on the day (see: Valentine Schmalentine). I love the idea of Valentine's Day... but not currently because I am single. I do not subscribe to the notion of 'Singles' Awareness Day'. No, you are alone. Accept it and be angry and self-indulge in desserts and wine like the rest of us. But I digress.
Today's blog is dedicated to the one solid relationship I've had for the past 7 year: Facebook.
Laugh and mock all you will but Facebook loves me. And I love it right back.
I didn't even get into FB until right before college. One of my best friends signed me up two days before I embarked on the great adventure that was college. Since then I have surpassed any and all who claim to be Facebooker's in my devotion and my ability to navigate it's site. I don't think a single person who knows me (via FB or real life, because yes, there is a difference) would deny that statement.
Why do I love FB so much? It has never let me down. Ok, there were a few bumps in the road: changing the format for the greater good, updating privacy codes, and other minor adjustments that like all relationships take some time to get used to. But for the most part, FB and I have had a harmonious time. I even tried to be clever and be in a relationship with Facebook. It didn't work out.
Facebook allows me to keep in touch with legions of friends that had I not been able to be "friends" with on the site, I would have lost contact with years ago. It allows me to develop deeper friendships with people who I may have been a passing acquaintance in person, but online I see strings and connections that bring us closer.
Another reason I love FB deals with the more evil side of my personality: stalking. I have been called the Queen of Facebook because of my ability to discover, snoop, and in general be privy to others lives and the ability to hunt and track down these tawdry tidbits of scoop and scandal make me an invaluable 'friend'.
I love taking pictures. My reputation precedes me and because of that I currently have just under 4000 pictures uploaded on the site. I am only tagged in 1828 of them but that doesn't mean I'm not in more. This avenue to share, comment, and like moments from my life is invaluable to me. I can share my favorite experiences with loved ones across the country or world in a matter of minutes.
You may have gleaned that I like TV and movies from my past blogs. If you haven't... you should probably get something checked out, ok? I'm worried about you. FB allows me to share all these quotes that need an escape from my brain. And while others post about what they are doing that day or their thoughts, my status' tend to have themes (a celeb's birthday, movie premiere, how I'm feeling that day, a certain TV show is ending, etc.) and I get as much pleasure out of thinking of the quotes as I hope people who read them do. My tendency to post every three/four hours is a bi-product of my OCD and while I try to monitor how much I post, that goes better some days than on others. I have often told people that if they wish to not be attacked by my posts, feel free to unsubscribe. If you are unsure of how to do that, I can help you.
All in all, I love Facebook. It is my addiction in every possible way. It has led to hilarious moments, shocking discoveries, heartfelt conversations, some romantic advances, and tons of gossip. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Stay tuned next week for the second blog in the Valentine's Day series!!
Sorry it took me so long but I just didn't have the motivation or the ideas for a good solid entry to entertain you with my witty analysis and commentary. You know you missed me.
Since today is the beginning of February and we have all been attacked by the commercialism that is the dreaded, I'm mean awesome, holiday that is Valentine's Day I thought I would do a two part series about two of the things I love most in this world. YAY! Just kidding. If you have read my blog before you know I have a great outlook on the day (see: Valentine Schmalentine). I love the idea of Valentine's Day... but not currently because I am single. I do not subscribe to the notion of 'Singles' Awareness Day'. No, you are alone. Accept it and be angry and self-indulge in desserts and wine like the rest of us. But I digress.
Today's blog is dedicated to the one solid relationship I've had for the past 7 year: Facebook.
Laugh and mock all you will but Facebook loves me. And I love it right back.
I didn't even get into FB until right before college. One of my best friends signed me up two days before I embarked on the great adventure that was college. Since then I have surpassed any and all who claim to be Facebooker's in my devotion and my ability to navigate it's site. I don't think a single person who knows me (via FB or real life, because yes, there is a difference) would deny that statement.
Why do I love FB so much? It has never let me down. Ok, there were a few bumps in the road: changing the format for the greater good, updating privacy codes, and other minor adjustments that like all relationships take some time to get used to. But for the most part, FB and I have had a harmonious time. I even tried to be clever and be in a relationship with Facebook. It didn't work out.
Facebook allows me to keep in touch with legions of friends that had I not been able to be "friends" with on the site, I would have lost contact with years ago. It allows me to develop deeper friendships with people who I may have been a passing acquaintance in person, but online I see strings and connections that bring us closer.
Another reason I love FB deals with the more evil side of my personality: stalking. I have been called the Queen of Facebook because of my ability to discover, snoop, and in general be privy to others lives and the ability to hunt and track down these tawdry tidbits of scoop and scandal make me an invaluable 'friend'.
I love taking pictures. My reputation precedes me and because of that I currently have just under 4000 pictures uploaded on the site. I am only tagged in 1828 of them but that doesn't mean I'm not in more. This avenue to share, comment, and like moments from my life is invaluable to me. I can share my favorite experiences with loved ones across the country or world in a matter of minutes.
You may have gleaned that I like TV and movies from my past blogs. If you haven't... you should probably get something checked out, ok? I'm worried about you. FB allows me to share all these quotes that need an escape from my brain. And while others post about what they are doing that day or their thoughts, my status' tend to have themes (a celeb's birthday, movie premiere, how I'm feeling that day, a certain TV show is ending, etc.) and I get as much pleasure out of thinking of the quotes as I hope people who read them do. My tendency to post every three/four hours is a bi-product of my OCD and while I try to monitor how much I post, that goes better some days than on others. I have often told people that if they wish to not be attacked by my posts, feel free to unsubscribe. If you are unsure of how to do that, I can help you.
All in all, I love Facebook. It is my addiction in every possible way. It has led to hilarious moments, shocking discoveries, heartfelt conversations, some romantic advances, and tons of gossip. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Stay tuned next week for the second blog in the Valentine's Day series!!
Friday, November 30, 2012
Advice From The Future
Reader, something strange happened. I received a letter (and that in and of itself if a weird happenstance these days, no?) in the mail earlier this week. The weird thing was that it was from me. From the future.
I know, right? Mind blown.
Allow me to share this time-bending letter to you now:
Dear Kate,
How are you ? Hopefully you are happy and healthy and living the dream!!! (Obviously not because you still aren't married to Zac Efron with a wonderful baby, 2 Emmy statues, or your gorgeous mansion.) I felt a disturbance in the force this week and I thought I might give you some advice to help ease your troubles. What are future-selves for,am I right?
Let's tackle some quick issues: you can go tanning if you want. You will always be illegally pale and if it makes you feel more confident do it. Just use moderation. Also, you can work out if you want, either way you look great. (Zac confirms.)
Now onto the real issues. There are some things that you are worried about right now and I while I am not sure about what revealing the future does to your current timeline, I will try to be as direct as I can.
Life is too short to be wasted on people and problems that can't or won't be fixed. Why waste valuable time on people that just don't want to be apart of your life. You have done a good job of eradicating some problem people and I can assure you that those will get what is coming to them. The other ones that haven't realized their mistake yet will and you will be too busy with your life and successes to even care about them.
Work is work. Always is and always will be. If you enjoy who you work for and with, that's all the really matters. (PS your idea about how you and Zac meet and fall in love? Spot. On.) We both know that we have a hard time letting things that are trivial not bother us. That still hasn't changed. Sorry.
Green is still our color. Work it. Your fashion keeps getting better. And Target continues to make bank off of us. Who's shocked.
I'm sure you want to know some spoilers regarding TV and movies. I would love to tell you them but... I'm actually going to pull a "Kate" and make you wait. You'll thank me. You still get to movies early though and believe me, that is a BIG thing. Don't ever stop.
Basically, you are still awesome. There are tough times coming, but aren't there always? Nothing comes easy and you and I (ha!) know that better than most. Don't give up on your dreams, ever. One of your greatest qualities (Zac says daily there are many. Isn't he the sweetest?!) is your ability to be idealistic as well as seeing the best in people and situations. Nothing should or can change that and that makes you you.
In the meantime, try not to stress out too much. Life is too short and you know that.
"To be nobody-but-yourself--in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else--means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting."
(I'll be seeing you--- Zac)
There it is. It's some solid, if generic, advice. I wanted to share it with you because people generally are facing the same struggles, they just don't know it.
AND DID YOU SEE THAT I'M MARRIED TO ZAC FRAKKING EFRON!!!!!!!!!!
I know, right? Mind blown.
Allow me to share this time-bending letter to you now:
Dear Kate,
How are you ? Hopefully you are happy and healthy and living the dream!!! (Obviously not because you still aren't married to Zac Efron with a wonderful baby, 2 Emmy statues, or your gorgeous mansion.) I felt a disturbance in the force this week and I thought I might give you some advice to help ease your troubles. What are future-selves for,am I right?
Let's tackle some quick issues: you can go tanning if you want. You will always be illegally pale and if it makes you feel more confident do it. Just use moderation. Also, you can work out if you want, either way you look great. (Zac confirms.)
Now onto the real issues. There are some things that you are worried about right now and I while I am not sure about what revealing the future does to your current timeline, I will try to be as direct as I can.
Life is too short to be wasted on people and problems that can't or won't be fixed. Why waste valuable time on people that just don't want to be apart of your life. You have done a good job of eradicating some problem people and I can assure you that those will get what is coming to them. The other ones that haven't realized their mistake yet will and you will be too busy with your life and successes to even care about them.
Work is work. Always is and always will be. If you enjoy who you work for and with, that's all the really matters. (PS your idea about how you and Zac meet and fall in love? Spot. On.) We both know that we have a hard time letting things that are trivial not bother us. That still hasn't changed. Sorry.
Green is still our color. Work it. Your fashion keeps getting better. And Target continues to make bank off of us. Who's shocked.
I'm sure you want to know some spoilers regarding TV and movies. I would love to tell you them but... I'm actually going to pull a "Kate" and make you wait. You'll thank me. You still get to movies early though and believe me, that is a BIG thing. Don't ever stop.
Basically, you are still awesome. There are tough times coming, but aren't there always? Nothing comes easy and you and I (ha!) know that better than most. Don't give up on your dreams, ever. One of your greatest qualities (Zac says daily there are many. Isn't he the sweetest?!) is your ability to be idealistic as well as seeing the best in people and situations. Nothing should or can change that and that makes you you.
In the meantime, try not to stress out too much. Life is too short and you know that.
"To be nobody-but-yourself--in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else--means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting."
(I'll be seeing you--- Zac)
There it is. It's some solid, if generic, advice. I wanted to share it with you because people generally are facing the same struggles, they just don't know it.
AND DID YOU SEE THAT I'M MARRIED TO ZAC FRAKKING EFRON!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
The End is Near... or Here?
Dear Readers,
I have reached a strange point in my movie going life, the end of a saga. Not even the of something I am dreading really. Tomorrow is the final installment of the (seemingly) popular franchise, Twilight, with the second part (of an unnecessary split) of the final book, Breaking Dawn. And readers, I think I'm actually going to miss it.
Before my friends and family take action and try to have me checked for mental illness, I think I have a valid reason for feeling this loss. It's more the loss of the experience of finding a saga or collective or series that you might not find again. Every publisher and studio head is constantly searching the next Harry Potter, and while some have been lucky with Twilight and The Hunger Games, there is no clear future for fans of series.
Now before the rest of you revolt and cry Hobbit, I don't care. It's a separate entity in and of itself. That is an established series and already has a rabid fan base. Asking if there will ever be another phenomenon like the above triad of book series is a very serious reality for a multitude of reasons. The first is I am no longer a teenager. These books are not as readily available or on my radar to embrace and criticize and demand justification at every turn. I will have to be vigilant and aware and utilize my younger audience. The second is while there are some adult book series that are being made into motion pictures, such as the Fifty Shades book series, it doesn't have that same level of innocence (well duh Kate) and the camaraderie that accompanies the movie going experiences. The third reason is can lightning strike again? There have been a litany of attempts to recreate the same enthusiasm and more importantly the monetary success of the previous series.
Obviously, it can and most likely will happen. But there is nothing on the horizon. Yes there are still three movies left in The Hunger Games series but even that has a finality to it. When Harry Potter ended, we had two movies left in the controversial Twilight series and the first movie of The Hunger Games hadn't even released a trailer yet, which can be more exciting than the movie at times. (I'm looking at you Twilight. You know you let me down. Deal with it.) As I sit here, I am wracking my brain to think of another prominent young adult series that could take the world by storm... and I'm coming up empty.
Recently there was a minor announcement about the Star Wars series finally getting its completed trilogy in the saga. I have mixed feelings about this and I'm sure I can elaborate once I have more details. It's still a difficult situation to wrap my head around. While I'm thrilled, I'm also terrified. Utterly, completely terrified. This is my childhood and legions of fans childhoods hopes and dreams for the series being put front and center and it could all be destroyed faster than the Millennium Falcon getting to lightspeed.
So what do I have to look forward to? Nothing comes to mind and that makes me almost treasure tomorrow night's swan song on the Twilight series. Never again will I get to mock and rip apart an acting job more thoroughly and with such good company. Never again will I be able to critique and simultaneously defend a ridiculously written book and movie series. Never again will I get to watch horrible CGI attempt to recreate sparkly vampires and chiseled werewolves. Never again will I watch an actress (cough cough Kristen Stewart) make me hide and shake my head.
I guess what I'm really saying is thanks Twilight. You have unintentionally filled my life with laughter and absurdity for the past 7 years. I think I'll miss you least of all, but I'll still miss you. From a now famous exchange for the first book, I think I am one of the more dumb ones but at least I am in good company.
"And so the lion fell in love with the lamb." "What a stupid lamb." "What a sick masochistic lion."
I have reached a strange point in my movie going life, the end of a saga. Not even the of something I am dreading really. Tomorrow is the final installment of the (seemingly) popular franchise, Twilight, with the second part (of an unnecessary split) of the final book, Breaking Dawn. And readers, I think I'm actually going to miss it.
Before my friends and family take action and try to have me checked for mental illness, I think I have a valid reason for feeling this loss. It's more the loss of the experience of finding a saga or collective or series that you might not find again. Every publisher and studio head is constantly searching the next Harry Potter, and while some have been lucky with Twilight and The Hunger Games, there is no clear future for fans of series.
Now before the rest of you revolt and cry Hobbit, I don't care. It's a separate entity in and of itself. That is an established series and already has a rabid fan base. Asking if there will ever be another phenomenon like the above triad of book series is a very serious reality for a multitude of reasons. The first is I am no longer a teenager. These books are not as readily available or on my radar to embrace and criticize and demand justification at every turn. I will have to be vigilant and aware and utilize my younger audience. The second is while there are some adult book series that are being made into motion pictures, such as the Fifty Shades book series, it doesn't have that same level of innocence (well duh Kate) and the camaraderie that accompanies the movie going experiences. The third reason is can lightning strike again? There have been a litany of attempts to recreate the same enthusiasm and more importantly the monetary success of the previous series.
Obviously, it can and most likely will happen. But there is nothing on the horizon. Yes there are still three movies left in The Hunger Games series but even that has a finality to it. When Harry Potter ended, we had two movies left in the controversial Twilight series and the first movie of The Hunger Games hadn't even released a trailer yet, which can be more exciting than the movie at times. (I'm looking at you Twilight. You know you let me down. Deal with it.) As I sit here, I am wracking my brain to think of another prominent young adult series that could take the world by storm... and I'm coming up empty.
Recently there was a minor announcement about the Star Wars series finally getting its completed trilogy in the saga. I have mixed feelings about this and I'm sure I can elaborate once I have more details. It's still a difficult situation to wrap my head around. While I'm thrilled, I'm also terrified. Utterly, completely terrified. This is my childhood and legions of fans childhoods hopes and dreams for the series being put front and center and it could all be destroyed faster than the Millennium Falcon getting to lightspeed.
So what do I have to look forward to? Nothing comes to mind and that makes me almost treasure tomorrow night's swan song on the Twilight series. Never again will I get to mock and rip apart an acting job more thoroughly and with such good company. Never again will I be able to critique and simultaneously defend a ridiculously written book and movie series. Never again will I get to watch horrible CGI attempt to recreate sparkly vampires and chiseled werewolves. Never again will I watch an actress (cough cough Kristen Stewart) make me hide and shake my head.
I guess what I'm really saying is thanks Twilight. You have unintentionally filled my life with laughter and absurdity for the past 7 years. I think I'll miss you least of all, but I'll still miss you. From a now famous exchange for the first book, I think I am one of the more dumb ones but at least I am in good company.
"And so the lion fell in love with the lamb." "What a stupid lamb." "What a sick masochistic lion."
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