Ann Hornaday Rocks My World

If you haven't seen "Adventureland" or "Australia," please do now. I've been known to not have any taste when it comes to movies, music, media in general, but I have a real, true critic that shares my views of these two movies and says that you should see them. Well. She doesn't really say that you should see "Australia" but she respects it and what Baz Luhrmann was trying to do and I think that's as good a reason as any to see a movie. Now read this and this.  Then go see the movies. 

love,

m

I'm Having a Ball!

Just one song for today: "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen.

The amazing-ness that is/was Freddie Mercury is unbelievable. No joke. Always a great song to get pumped up too!

So. It's only noon but two bad things and two good things have occurred already. (Not good in my book. There should be more good and no bad. But that's just me.) Two bad: jury summons people being profoundly stupid and profs thinking that it's okay to take attendance TWICE in a 220 person class. Good things: it's absolutely gorgeous outside and it's Barnard's Spirit Day! 

More later. 

love,

m

Busy Beavers

As my sophomore year of college comes to a close, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, but then again, I still feel a little more calm than usual. I'm actually doing my work and even though I'm having trouble finding articles and books on my subjects, I still believe it will all come together in the end. 

Anyway. I promised an account of Pittsburgh so that is what I shall give you! It seems like it was sooooo long ago even though it was only last weekend.... anyway. I've decided I'm not a fan of flying. Especially when it's in teeny-tiny planes like the planes I flew in last weekend. Seriously. I had to duck to get inside the plane. 

Once I landed in Pittsburgh, I was greeted by my friends and sped off to U of Pittsburgh. I should mention here that every single bridge in Pittsburgh (save, like, 4) are YELLOW. For further proof of this fact, please go see the movie "Adventureland." (Not only does it show many yellow bridges, but it is also a great movie and everyone should go see it.)

Friday night was fun, there was Chinese food to be had, drinks to be spilled (all my fault, I'm a total klutz), and Apples to Apples to be played. And, of course, one of my friends snored while my other friend and I stayed up talking until like 4/5 in the morning. 'Cause that's how we roll. I miss them :-(

Saturday was mucho fun too. It all started with the Hannah Montana movie. Which was excellent. Lunner was had at the Cheesecake Factory (Linda's Fudge Cake=YUM). Then we saw "Rent" and OH MY GOD. This was the 4th time I had seen it and it was by far the best production I had ever seen. And not necessarily because of Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal. When we got back to the dorm, 2/3 of us tried to learn the Throwdown Hoedown. It was rather difficult. 

End Pittsburgh. Unfortunately. Did I mention that it was absolutely gorgeous the entire weekend? Now I'm back in NYC and currently, it feels like a sauna. Bah humbug.

Mk. I think that shall be all for now. Must go do more researching.

love,

m

You Can Sit Beside Me When the World Comes Down

Eek! It's Monday again!

For today, I just have one music suggestion: 

"When the World Comes Down" by All-American Rejects

Listen to the ENTIRE CD. I've listened to most of it (I'm listening to it right now, actually!). It's fantastic. Personal favorites include "Gives You Hell" and "Mona Lisa." 

I'll update later on how much I miss Pittsburgh.

love,

m

There are Other Fishies in the Sea!!

YIPPEE!

So I am going to Pittsburgh tomorrow! I'm insanely nervous about flying. I haven't flown anywhere for about three years and I haven't flown anywhere alone since I was seven. And then they did everything for me. Despite my nervousness about whether I'll be able to find my way around (I haven't been to LaGuardia.... ever, and I haven't been to JFK since I was, well, seven...I think) or whether they'll let me carry on my carry on or if I die in a plane crash or what-not, I'm SO EXCITED. 

My excitement mainly stems from being able to see friends from home who are just awesome and a little bit from being able to see "Rent" on stage with Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal. However, what I'm looking forward to more than seeing "Rent" is seeing the Hannah Montana movie! OMG Send! Okay. So. That's a lie. I would really like to see the Hannah Montana movie (because I am just THAT COOL), but it's not at the top of my list. 

Another cool thing about this trip is that I actually have at least a little bit of money for it! Yay! I've been severely lacking in the funds the past couple of months (my own fault, but it still sucks!). 

And oh my god. I'm listening to the "Rent" soundtrack with the original cast and am having, like, heart palpitations listening to Adam Pascal. Who the hell knows what's going to happen when I see him LIVE ON STAGE?!

Okay. Going now to fan myself.

love,

m

One More Day in Paradise

So. I have a music recommendation for you. There might be more tonight when I'm trying to procrastinate reading books written in the 12th century and researching Andy Warhol. At the same time. Obviously. 

On to the recommendation! A throwback to the early 2000s, the recommendation for today is Vanessa Carlton's album, "Be Not Nobody." Most of it is very soothing and just hauntingly beautiful. Personal favorites of mine are "Ordinary Day," "Pretty Baby," and "Twilight." (And no, I don't like the song "Twilight" just because of the book of the same name, I liked before I had even heard of the book. So there. It's just really pretty.)

Okay. Maybe more later.

love,

m

Happy Easter!

I loved Easter when I was a little kid. In fact, I still do. There was just something about dressing up in new, pretty, spring-like dresses, wearing outrageous hats, waking up to see that the Easter Bunny had come, and then going on Easter Egg Hunts. I just decided right now that Colleen must have a metal detector embedded somewhere on her person. That is the only way she was able to find all of the money-filled eggs. Every single time. No joke. 

These past two Easters have been kind of sad only because I haven't been home. I haven't been able to wake up and find candy on my bed, then walk out to the living room and find my three baskets worth of candy and goodies, or had any of my mother's Easter ham. Not that the ham was anything special. I'm also not really complaining. Last Easter, my mother and I had an early Easter so I could come back to school before the holiday rush. This Easter, I spent the day with friends. And seeing "Guys and Dolls" on Broadway. See? I really have no reason to complain. 

Back to "Guys and Dolls" though. While it had its short-comings (the dancing was a little to hyper and intense, Lauren Graham's Adelaide had a very deep voice for some strange reason--that girl could sing, Kate Jennings Grant had a weird voice, I could go on), it was good overall. I had a huge smile on my face the entire time, I was bouncing with excitement at random intervals from about 12 pm to about...well, now actually. I got to meet Oliver Platt (and tell him that I thought he was really good in "The West Wing"), Chris Bierko, and got a wave from Lauren Graham! 

So. All in all, the magic of Easters past might not be lost after all. It was a good day.

love,

m