New things in the new year

As the old year draws to a close and a new year begins, I can't help but get excited. New year means new opportunities and adventures. Here's a few things I would like to see in the new year:
-Movies. Lots of good movies. Harry Potter, Hot Tub Time Machine, Toy Story 3, Ramona and Beezus and The Runaways are just a few.
-More James McAvoy. He should be in every movie. Seriously. Every movie he is in is awesome. And Sean Astin. He is in some awesome movies too. If they teamed up, it would be mind blowing.
-More songs from Kurt, Artie and Puck on Glee. Not that I don't love Finn, but please give someone else a chance. Ditto to Quinn and Tina.
-New stuff from J.K. Rowling. What has she been doing since Harry Potter? I know she probably helps out with the movies and all, and it is probably unrealistic to ask her to create another outstanding book. But when have I been realistic?
-Regina Spektor. I don't know how many times I listened to Begin to Hope on repeat (I'm sure I drove some people crazy). I hear she's so amazing live. I think I might stalk her around the country, like a Dead Head, but with better hygiene.
-A new story from Harper Lee. What has she been doing since 1961? Hiding out in Alabama and probably working on some awesome stories, like Sean Connery in Finding Forrester. I think 2010 is the perfect time to debut these masterpieces.
-Revival of The Muppet Show. In these trying times, the world needs a little more Kermit, Gonzo, Beeker, Fozie and (my personal favorite) Animal.
-Time travel. People have been discussing it for hundreds of years. 2010 is the year to make it finally happen.

Oh, and world peace would be nice too! I have high hopes for you, 2010. Don't let me down.

Movie Monday...er, Wednesday

So, this weekend I went to my grandmother's house for a movie marathon. Monday, we concluded our event by watching a movie I have always wanted to see: A Streetcar Named Desire.
While I enjoyed this movie, I don't think I could watch it more than once every couple years or so. I thought I might have a heart attack during it. You know from the moment she walks in Miss Fancy-Pants Blanche (Viven Leigh) is no good, but really neither are any of the other characters. Especially Marlon Brando's character, Stanley. Stanley brutally abuses his wife, although it is hard not to feel a little sorry for him. Especially when he screams "STEEEEELLLLLAAA!!" It appears that he doesn't know how to function without her. I guess Stella has some redeeming qualities, but the fact that she chooses to overlook Blanche and Stanley's bad behavior is definitely a character flaw. Blanche lives in her delusional fantasy world, and the whole time I just wanted to scream, "Wake up! That is not how the world is! You are fooling yourself!" The end is kind of a relief. Like most Tennessee Williams' plays, it's not that you don't want characters to have some sort of happy ending, but even more so, you want someone to put these poor people out of their misery. Or maybe that's just me.

Sing we now of Christmas

Without further ado...my top 20 favorite Christmas songs.

20. Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)--The Ramones. The Ramones just want some peace on Christmas. While it's hard to imagine a group of punks doling out peace and good tidings on Christmas, somehow the Ramones make it work. And it's an awesome song to dance to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCaaRQ149-I
19. Put the Lights On the Tree--Sufjan Stevens. Sufjan is one of my favorite artists for many reasons, one being that he has one of the best modern Christmas albums. Put the Lights On the Tree is a Sufjan original about why you should call your grandma. Just another reason I love him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gKzXlqsOeE
18. I'll Be Home for Christmas--Elvis. True confession: I used to hate this song, but as it becomes more and more apparent that I may miss a few Christmases with my family, I grow to love this song more and more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdwahHnfa3w
17. Welcome Christmas--the Whos down in Whoville. It's not Christmas until the Whos welcome me.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKagQWqr87Q&feature=PlayList&p=22D807033CE7E750&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=17
16. Wonderful Christmastime--Paul McCartney. How could your spirits not be brightened after Sir Paul describes the wonderful parts of Christmas?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWuKimtUEas
15. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas--Judy Garland. I have a strong desire to visit the great city of St. Louis. Why? 1. It is the 1st city in the western hemisphere to host the Olympic games. 2. To re-enact key scenes from Meet Me in St. Louis, starring Judy Garland. My favorite part of the movie is when Judy tries to comfort her little sister by singing. How delightful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g4lY8Y3eoo
14. What Christmas Means to Me--Stevie Wonder. I cannot hear this song without having the urge to run through the mall a la Will Ferrell in Elf.
http://www.last.fm/music/Stevie+Wonder/_/What+Christmas+Means+To+Me
13. Do They Know It's Christmas?--Band-aid. I like things that make a difference. Apparently, so does Bob Geldolf, which is why in the 80s he decided to use his fame to help starving children.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jEnTSQStGE  
12. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day--Harry Belafonte. I really feel like Longfellow and I would have been friends, had I lived in his century. He manages to put into words all the things that I feel. Add a little Harry Belafonte, and you have Christmas perfection.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-O-ENqlJiI&feature=related
11. Silent Night. Who could have known that a little song written at the last minute for a Christmas Eve service in Germany would be one of the most celebrated Christmas songs of all time? I love so many versions of this song, but my favorites are acapella.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNIFYgGTDHM
10. Happy Holiday (Beef Wellington Remix)--Bing Crosby. Love the original, but love the remix a little more. I like to put this on, pretend like I am Ginger Rogers and dance around my room, but maybe that's just me.
Remix: http://www.last.fm/music/Bing+Crosby/_/Happy+Holidays+(Beef+Wellington+Remix)
Original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k_q_UMI3tQ
9. A Great Big Sled--The Killers. It's hard to capture the nostalgia of Christmas in 3 minutes, but somehow the Killers manage to pull it off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzMeZI7fNJg
8. White Christmas--Bing Crosby. Yet another Bing song. I think I could make a list just of his songs. White Christmas stands head and shoulders above the rest though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Mjb4yLMeK8
7. Sleigh Ride. For a song written on a hot day in July, Sleigh Ride conjures the feeling of winter like no other song can. While it technically never mentions Christmas specifically, the images that it uses are usually associated with the holiday season, making it, in my mind at least, a Christmas song. There are so many awesome versions of this song, but my faves include Ella Fitzgerald, Boston Pops and Relient K.
http://vimeo.com/2208095
6. Blue Christmas--Elvis. This was number 1 on my melancholy list, but I just can't help loving this song. Christmas just isn't the same without your loved ones!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUyuGFoiWJ0
5. Happy Xmas (War is Over)--John Lennon. Christmas is a time to reflect on the year that has been and the year that is to come. Who better to reflect with than John Lennon?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRBcwufAuQw
4. Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming. A traditional German carol, I think the English edited version of the song is far more beautiful and compelling. While the literal translation "A rose has sprung up, from a tender root," makes the same point, "Lo, how a rose e'er blooming, From tender stem hath sprung" has a much nicer ring to me. I love many, many versions of this song, but Sufjan Stevens does one of my favorite.
http://www.last.fm/music/Sufjan+Stevens/_/Lo!+How+A+Rose+E'er+Blooming
3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. We all knew Dasher and Dancer and all those other guys, but Robert L. May introduced the world to Rudolph the lovable reindeer who saved Christmas, despite being a little more than different. Although not my favorite version, I am a huge fan of Regis and love this video of him singing Rudolph.
http://www.spike.com/video/regis-philbin-sings/2798021
2. Auld Lang Syne--Straight No Chaser. I love acapella so much, so when I discovered Straight No Chaser, I was ecstatic! Their version of Auld Lang Syne is so awesome. Like really, really awesome. And I love Robert Burns sentiment; it's a new year, let's forget about the past and get ready for the future.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUTeICtsQJA
1. The Christmas Song--Nat King Cole. There are certain songs that I could listen to on repeat. And this is one of them. I don't really know why I like it so much, except that it is so honest with its message. There are thousands of ways to say Merry Christmas, but the sentiment is always the same.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_W7p35SzuI

Movie Monday: The Princess and the Frog

This weekend, I went to see The Princess and the Frog, a movie I have been desperate to see since I first heard about it. But, I won't lie: I had my doubts about this movie. The last Disney 2-D cartoon I saw was Lilo & Stitch, which was sub-par when compared to other Disney offerings. And also, I heard from a source that shall remain nameless that the movie was horribly racist and relied entirely on stereotypes. Needless to say, I was equal parts excited and skeptical.

I am happy to say, this movie was awesome. I thought the message of the whole movie was different from most Disney princess movies. It actually reminded me a lot of Mulan. Tiana is a strong woman, working towards fulfilling her dream of owning a restaurant. Tiana is portrayed as smart, funny and has a good moral compass. While I would not say it compares to Beauty and the Beast or The Lion King visually, it was so nice to see a traditional cartoon on the big screen. The cartoons are definitely an under-rated medium, but their beauty is awesome, especially on the big screen. I would recommend this movie to all young girls, because of Tiana's positive influence. I also recommend it to anyone who loves fairytales and the bayou. And this movie was legitimately funny, including adult humor with the goofy kiddie stuff. 5 stars and 2 thumbs up from me!

P.S. I am going to make "Movie Monday" a weekly-ish part of my blog. I hope you like it.

TV specials rock my socks.

It's Christmastime and that means TV shows try to get into the spirit with holiday-themed episodes, and Christmas specials make their annual appearance. I have some personal favorites.

5. Chanukah--Rugrats. If Rugrats taught me anything, it's that babies are more cunning than you think, and the story of Chanukah.

4. The Office. Every time the crew from Dunder-Mifflin gets together to celebrate Christmas, you can expect hilarity. This year's double Santa was awesome. http://www.nbc.com/The_Office/video/clips/the-office-secret-santa-sneak-peek-4/1182795/

3. Winne-the-Pooh and Christmas Too! Pooh thinks Santa won't come to the Hundred Acre Wood because everyone's letters get lost, so he takes matters into his own hands. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIyzeLokbmA&feature=related

2. The Best Christmukkah Ever--The O.C. The episode that first introduced me to the concept of combining holidays. It blew my mind. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H9MQtPPtD0&feature=related

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas. Charlie Brown has the Christmastime blues, but thanks to his friends, he learns the true meaning of Christmas. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKk9rv2hUfA

Melancholy Christmas

Apparently, Christmas can be a bummer time for some people. I don't really get that, but I will admit that some people's sadness makes for a great song. So, here are my top 5 melancholy Christmas songs:

5. Christmas Lights--Paul Baribeau. It's the end of a rough year. Paul Baribeau is trying to get over his loneliness by spending his Christmas at home. But still everything looks blue, except for the Christmas lights shining on the snow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNjr6Vh6oNg
4. Christmas, Why Can't I Find You?--Taylor Momsen. Cindy Lou Who can't remember the meaning of Christmas, and in a Charlie Brown-like moment of frustration, asks (in song) what Christmas means. While the Faith Hill version is awesome (albeit slightly over-produced), the movie version with a pre-Gossip Girl Taylor Momsen bravely belting out her off-key version could melt the heart of even the meanest Grinch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc7XixGmQt8
3. That Was the Worst Christmas Ever!--Sufjan Stevens. Remember that time your parents threw all your toys into the fire? No? Well, Sufjan does, and he's pretty bummed out about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGVZwi4VbvY&feature=related
2. Last Christmas--Wham! What's worse than having your heart broken on Christmas? Apparently not much. This song has been covered by hundreds of people and has even spawned a blog dedicated to track anything and everything to do with "Last Christmas" or its original singers, Wham!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3354flS1KJs
1. Blue Christmas--Elvis Presley. Another broken-hearted Christmas song, but unlike Wham! who vow to give their heart "to someone special," Elvis just can't seem to get over his lost love. So, he sends her out a love letter about how he can't celebrate Christmas without her. Bummer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUyuGFoiWJ0

Honorable mention: We Need A Little Christmas--Cast of Mame. Sometimes life is rough and everyone just "needs a little Christmas."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8eCAhAo12o

10 Christmas movies

So, for the next couple of weeks leading up to Christmas, I thought I would make my entries Christmas themed. Mainly because I love Christmas. Like a crazy wear-a-sweater-to-Publix-in-70-degree-weather-and-look-like-an-old-lady love. I thought I would start with my favorite Christmas movies.

10. Fred Claus. I first saw this magical little movie as a wee freshman with my lovely roommate. I'm not sure why it hasn't become more popular. Starring the always hilarious Vince Vaughan, Fred Claus tells the story of Santa's older brother and complete opposite, Fred, when he spends a Christmas at Santa's workshop trying to earn $50,000 to build a casino. Jail, gambling, Chirp-Chirp and a trip to Siblings Anonymous? Yes, please.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4LCqnxIsmI&feature=related
9. Miracle on 34th Street (both versions). Natalie Wood and Marla Thomas both play the little girl, Susan, who is too smart to get duped into believing Santa Claus is real. When a man shows up claiming to be the real Santa, it forces Susan and her equally cynical mother to re-evaluate what they believe in. Slightly corny, but always delightful, Miracle on 34th Street raises the question: what do you believe?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IZr_SvCcXc
8. It's a Wonderful Life. I cannot believe I did not see this movie until I was 12. George Bailey, played by my all-time favorite actor Jimmy Stewart, is a down-and-out businessman contemplating suicide. The angel Clarence is assigned to save George's life. As Clarence shows George what the world would be like if he had never existed, George is forced to ask himself: should I really throw it all away? I'm pretty sure I cry every time I see this movie. I can't help asking myself, what would I do if I was in George Bailey's shoes? (for the 5 people in America who haven't seen this movie: spoiler alert)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErrzjGCi3gY
7. Holiday Inn. Say what you will about White Christmas being the best Christmas movie of all-time: I disagree. Holiday Inn exceeds it in everyway. 1. It has a much better plot. 2. It has Fred Astaire dancing. Bing Crosby is a performer looking to retire in the country with his sweetheart singing partner. When his lady leaves him for long-time friend Fred Astaire, Crosby goes to the country and discovers...he hates it. So, he decides to open up an inn, that's only open on holidays.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k_q_UMI3tQ
6. The Nativity Story. Directed by Catherine Hardwicke of Twilight fame (weird), The Nativity Story is an angsty look at the birth of Christ. It's probably pretty accurate too, when you remember that Mary was probably only 16 when she gave birth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G78OdmY32IM
5. A Christmas Story. Deck the hall with brough o horly fa rah rah rah rah, rah rah rah rah. This is one of my favorite movies to quote. I was trying to think of a favorite scene, but they are all so, so good that I just couldn't pick one. Plus, I totally relate to Ralphie's desire to get a Red Rider BB Gun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mjruvE310Y
4. A Christmas Carol. The story that supposedly made Christmas the largest holiday in the world. There are so many good versions of Ebenezer's midnight visits, but my personal favorite is the Mickey version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLQWq26G2q8
3. Elf. Buddy is a human raised by elves in search of his real father. Do you need any more?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvtmsqyOkhc
2. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, but Rudolph is by far my favorirte reindeer because he taught me what it meant to be myself, even though I may be a misfit. A very good lesson, indeed. Rudolph pairs up with fellow misfit Hermie the elf on a self-imposed exile in the tundra. But then the storm of the century comes, and Santa needs a shiny nose to save the day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xqACmJvqaU
1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (cartoon). This is probably my favorite movie of all time. I can quote it from beginning to end (songs and music included). All the Whos down in Whoville like Christmas a lot, so the Grinch decides to steal it and ruin their fun. Will he be successful or will he have a change of heart?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYRnwWmteac

I like change.

I thought I needed a new look.

Do you yoo-hoo?

About a month ago, I rediscovered the amazing chocolatey drink Yoo-hoo. I couldn't help but wonder, why do I like Yoo-hoo so much more than other chocolate milks? At first I thought it was because it comes in a yellow wrapper (I'm a sucker for good packaging). The more I think about it, the more I realize that the reason I like Yoo-hoo so much is it reminds me of my childhood. Everyday in elementary school, at recess I would go to the drink machine and purchase a Yoo-hoo. After a rough day of sitting still through all of my classes, Yoo-hoo represented freedom and joy to my 10-year-old self. I think it gives me the same feeling now. Because there's nothing better in the world than coming home, sticking a straw into a cold box of Yoo-hoo and relaxing. Granted, as soon as I finish my drink, I have homework, resumes and other "adult" things to worry about, but for five blissful minutes, I am a carefree 10-year-old, enjoying a Yoo-hoo.

P.S. Another thing that reminds me of my childhood: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI4JLa0hbUw

25 thanks

I'm a pretty sentimental person. My closet is stuffed full of school projects, notebooks and magazines. I have a trunk of old clothes, shoes and other random items, including every single newspaper from my senior year of high school. Speaking of newspapers, I have boxes full of random newspaper clippings of stories I liked or pictures I thought were cool. So in the vein of sentimentality, I want to make a list of things I am thankful for this year.



25. JK Wedding Dance. How can so much joy be found in one youtube video? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0

24. My snuggie. How did I live without a blanket with sleeves? http://www.getsnuggiie.com/flare/next/

23. Cheez-Its. The only food that gets me through the day. http://www.kelloggs.com/cheez_it/

22. Three Wolf Moon. So, so much joy this has brought into my life. http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=three+wolf+moon&tag=yahhyd-20&index=aps&hvadid=42616140011&ref=pd_sl_70511wxp57_e

21. Dove chocolate. The only thing that keeps me sane. http://www.dovechocolate.com/

20. Running water. It's true.

19. Twitter. I think my leads have gotten better because now I think, "Would this fit in a twitter status?" http://twitter.com/

18. Plaid. I'm finally cool! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaid

17. School. As much as I am burnt out and like to complain, I am very glad to have the opportunity to learn. http://www.uga.edu/

16. My netti pot. No sinus infections! A true blessing.

15. Cereal. Probably the best food ever.

14. Walking to class. Because I hate driving.

13. Books. Where would I be without you?! http://www.bn.com/

12. Harry Potter. I'm going to Hogwarts!! http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/harrypotterandthehalf-bloodprince/

11. IKEA commercials. Another thing that keeps me sane. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkSsOPC4ATk

10. The remastered Beatles. I have been waiting for these since I was 12. http://www.thebeatles.com/

9. Community newspapers. It's just nice to know I will always have a job. http://www.timescourier.com/content.aspx?IsHome=1&MemberID=1252&ID=1756&Module=Quickpage

8. Cartoons. Because I like to relive my childhood every chance I get. http://www.jaroo.com/

7. Bandaids. I get hurt. A lot. http://www.band-aid.com/

6. Scarves. I hate getting cold. I'm pretty much going to die in England.

5. JOUR 5410. What do we do in class? I'm not really sure. How much have I learned? So, so much. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/27/weekinreview/27wines.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=to%20fill%20notebooks,%20and%20a%20few%20bellies&st=cse

4. Going to Oxford. I can finally pursue my dream of pretending that I am a wizarding student at Hogwarts.

3. Glee. The best new show of the year. By far. http://www.fox.com/fod/play.php?sh=glee

2. My dog and cat. They teach me about unconditional love.

1. My family. Because they are the best.

The cassette tape, my favorite medium

A few weeks ago, I lost a friend very dear to my heart. After several days of trying to fixing her, my beloved Cyndi Lauper tape was declared dead. I was distraught. No matter how much I love iTunes and my iPod, cassette tapes will always be my favorite. Why? Since I got my iPod four years ago, I have only bought five albums, because given the option to buy a song at a time; I only buy the songs I like. I've found that on the five albums I've purchased, I only really listen to four or five songs and skip over the rest. But of all the tapes I have (and I have a lot of tapes), I never skip a song. Mostly because it's a pain in the butt if you do. It's hard to fast forward exactly to the right spot, so I listen to the whole album. Even though I have to flip the tape after the side is complete, there is something about listening to a complete album that is a magical experience. The way the songs flow together, the overall impression the entire work, not just a single song, gives. No offense to iPods and musicians producing albums today, but often it seems like they are making a series of singles, songs that stand alone and have no connection to each other. While Rihanna is awesome, "Good Girl Gone Bad" is still no "She's So Unusual," and Owl City may have some catchy tunes, but their debut is no "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust." So this is my ode to the tape, a magical media form that demanded amazing albums. I miss you.

Hello again

I've been out of the blogosphere for almost a month but not by choice. As my semester comes to a very welcomed end, I can't help but wonder why it is so easy to get bogged down in the little everyday things. How did homework and tests and readings develop an all-consuming power over my life? How did I ever manage to fit writing for fun in?
After thinking it over, it's not my homework's fault that I haven't written anything lately. Well, not completely (although it did play a major role in it). Lack of time-management? Maybe a little. Firm belief that I am Wonder Woman and can do everything? Definitely. In the end, it is the choices I made this semester that zapped me of my time and energy. While I would like to go back and change some of them (playing games on Facebook has been my greatest regret), I feel like if I did, I wouldn't have the experiences this semester has given me. If I hadn't worked for HandsOn, I would never have the opportunity to plan and host my own workshop on how to use social media. If I had dropped my dance appreciation or Hitchcock classes, I would never learned about the history of either subject. If I had dropped my journalism ethics class (God forbid!), I never would have heard the awesome stories Fink and all our guest speakers had to share. And I would have a really terrible resume. Yes, I have missed my blog. But I would have regretted not getting to have these experiences more. Ultimately, I am happy with the way my choices, and although it was hard, I wouldn't change a single experience.

Choose your words

Words matter. That old elementary school saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?" Yeah, that's not true. Words matter more than we like to think they do. As a hopeful journalist/writer, I think about words a lot. Most people probably don't. It's why we blunder our way into misunderstandings, hurting our loved ones. With all the thousands of words, it seems we often use the ones that cause the most damage and pain.
While our words cause much pain and hurt, they also can bring joy. How often do the words to a song make your face light up? I don't think I last a day without that happening. For all the damage that can come from our tongues, so much happiness can also be brought, when you take the time to think about what you are saying. No matter how much trouble words cause, they also provide the means to fix our broken promises, hateful calls and sarcastic comments. I believe there is no hurt that a sincere "I love you" cannot remedy. Words always matter. Whether it is a simple take-out order or a serious statement, choosing words wisely makes a difference.

Get it together

So, we've all heard that college is for finding yourself and figuring out what you want to do, but the minute you step into classes, everyone wants to know your life plan. They expect you to have it all together and know where you're going--even though you've never had a real job and no real life experiences. Instead of having four years to figure out your life, you have the five seconds it takes to comprehend what your professor is asking. On tonight's Gossip Girl, Serena tells Lily she is post-poning college to "discover" herself. Lily tells her to look around: no one really knows themselves. So, why does everyone assume that because you are in college and have a major, you have it all together. I don't. I know quite a few people who don't. Anyone who says they have everything together are liars. No matter how many plans you make, nothing ever turns out the way you expect it to. Robert Burns understood that. Why can't professors?

The judge

Last week, TV personality Ellen Degeneres announced she would be replacing Paula Abdul on American Idol, causing many people to say: "What? How can Ellen judge American Idol? She doesn't even sing! Who is she to judge?"
Who are we to judge?
For the most part, people sit in there homes, watching shows like American Idol, judging people. We call them unfashionable, off-key and all-around bad performers. We act as though we have a right to tear others apart, like they deserve to be ridiculed because they put themselves in the public spotlight.
Ok, but what about the 50-year-old man with the ponytail that works at Walmart and accidentally gives us the wrong change? We call him an old hippie who has made bad life choices, and the best he can do is work at a minimum wage job, where he is still incompetent. What a loser. Does this man deserve judgement?
If there is anyone in the world who has never made a mistake, I would like to meet him or her. We all make mistakes. Yet, we continue to judge our fellow human beings, as if we were somehow perfect, mistake-free and worthy to judge all around us.
It's not that I believe it is possible to never judge others. If it was, we wouldn't have shows like American Idol on TV. I think we should take the mean, vindictive, "it's my right" nature out of judging. No one wants to be on the receiving end of that judgement. I hope that when Ellen starts her new gig on American Idol, she remembers this and judges with grace and kindness. I'm sure she will do her best.

9/9/09

When I was a little girl, I fell in love with four men from Liverpool, England, collectively known as The Beatles. I have been counting down the days until The Beatles Rockband debuts ever since I heard about it, and based on my perusing of Vh1 Classic, I am not the only one. In honor of this glorious day and the original Fab 4, I have compiled a list of what I believe to be their 15 greatest songs.
15. Hey Bulldog. Initially released on the Yellow Submarine soundtrack, "Hey Bulldog" only appeared in European versions of the movie, but was included on the 1999 re-release of the movie. It is one of the only Beatles' songs to be based on a piano riff. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_fSLuWwS2c
14. While My Guitar Gently Weeps. The best song George Harrison wrote. Probably the best guitar solo Harrison ever performed, as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l20Z5ZRkaV0 13. Help! John Lennon was frustrated and stressed by the Beatles' sudden catapult to fame. How did he cope? By writing what he called one of his most personal and genuine songs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU7JjJJZi1Q
12. Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds. Despite popular belief, this song is not about LSD. It is based on a drawing by Julian Lennon, of his friend Lucy. When John Lennon heard the name of the drawing, he knew it would fit in perfectly with the new album the Fab 4 was recording, Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7F2X3rSSCU
11. Nowhere Man. This is the first Beatles song not about love. Again, it is about Lennon's frustration with life in general. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvLj72apGLI
10. I've Just Seen a Face. One of Paul McCartney's favorite songs that he has written, as seen by his numerous re-recordings in the post-Beatles era. It is also featured in the best scene from the movie Across the Universe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0rRK1GIF-w&feature=related
9. Paperback Writer. Supposedly a stab at John Lennon's childhood dream, it is actually McCartney's response to critics that he could not write a song that didn't have to do with love. It is also the first Beatles song to feature a prominent bass. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwap79uy1G8
8. Ticket to Ride. While the meaning of the song is highly disputed (is it about prostitutes, the town Ryde, or Lennon's mother?), this song marks the turning point in the Fab 4's career, from teen pop stars to serious songwriters. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn_kNeorDSk
7. Rain. The Beatles first dip into the psychedelic music scene and the music video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2N2tymDcFo
6. I Saw Her Standing There. The first song on the Beatles first album. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZThkK7KjIo
5. Eleanor Rigby. The only Beatles' song not to feature any of the Fab 4 on instruments. The bleak lyrics shocked the pop world in the 1960s; it still remains one of the most heartbreaking songs of all time.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Dsz4dB6DuM
4. I'm Looking Through You. Based on Paul McCartney's break-up with girlfriend Jane Asher, "I'm Looking Through You" is probably McCartney's most cynical song ever. It is also one of his best. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0_PiVNLiuc&feature=PlayList&p=30AE25A08A99D753&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=36
3. Revolution. The first political song recorded by the Fab 4, "Revolution" (and its sister "Revolution 1") shows the growing influence of Yoko Ono on Lennon's song writing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsxBSXWqH4c
2. A Day in the Life. A masterpiece in music. "A Day in the Life" is actually the meshing of two songs (one by Lennon, the other my McCartney) into a single piece. The brilliance of the Beatles' studio work culminates with this song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nY0SRsAeaw
1. Yesterday. The most covered song in history. Why? McCartney's simple melody and heart-felt lyrics are more stinging and sincere than most songs before or since. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONXp-vpE9eU

These are some of my favorites, but you could make an argument for pretty much every Beatles' song. Honorable mentions: Hey Jude, Lady Madonna, I Want to Hold Your Hand, Something and She Loves You.

Plumbing problems at Pope Street

ATHENS, Ga.-On Friday, August 28, Rachel Bunn, 20, awoke to a dripping noise. Noting past experiences with this situation, she immediately decided to take action and discover the source of the "drip."
She may have gotten more than she bargained for.
Bunn discovered that her toilet, which was recently replaced, was leaking.
"Yeah, I was annoyed, but I figured I could fix it on my own," Bunn said.
Drawing on her limited knowledge of plumbing, Bunn discovered the tank and seat were not connected.
"I thought if I could tighten the screws, it would be ok."
Because of her inability to distinguish her right from her left, Bunn soon ended up with a puddle of water on the floor.
Undaunted by the disaster, Bunn finally fixed the toilet and pumped her fist in the air in triumph.
When asked about her future in plumbing, Bunn said it was not her first career choice, but she "wouldn't rule it out."

The inspiration: http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/-113807113/grand-haven-edges-out-east-grand-rapids/

Speaking about the trees

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.-Joyce Kilmer

Sometimes words are not enough. How often do we say, "You have to see it for yourself?" Words are important, don't get me wrong. I'm a journalist. I love words. I practically worship them. But as Mr. Kilmer (yes, MISTER as in MAN) points out: words are not always enough. Is it a human failing? Maybe we don't know enough words. Maybe we can't comprehend what we are seeing. Or maybe there is something about seeing the world for yourself, without the influence of the subjective descriptions of others. In the end, you can't rely on someone else's words to see the world. You have to see it for yourself.

Be prepared

Today, I got up at 7:30 and turned on my TV in order to watch the weather report: hot with a chance of afternoon showers. So, naturally I packed my raincoat. And while I feel kind of dorky, since right now the sun is vibrantly shining, I know that the feeling of happiness I will get when I remain dry (should it rain) will outstrip all feelings of dorkiness I feel carrying my coat.

It's kind of like how I feel about my second major, history. I feel kind of ridiculous when I tell people that I am a double major in magazines (it's an actual major, I swear) and history. They always say, "And what do plan to do? Work for a historical journal?" While that job would probably be pretty cool, it is not something I think I would particularly like to do long term. I chose history because I like people. I like spending time with them. I like hearing their stories. History is just that; learning about people through their stories. I know that studying people, where they come from, why they are the way that they are, through their stories will help me be a better reporter and a better interviewer one day. Even though I feel really dorky right at this moment, when that day comes, I will be completely happy that I decided to study history.

Take me out to the ballgame

I love baseball. It is slowly moving up my favorites ladder and is fixing to knock UGA football out of the number 2 spot (number 1 belonging to swimming, of course). It doesn't matter who is playing; it doesn't even matter if I like the team. If baseball is on TV, I will watch it and I will enjoy myself. Why? I think part of it has to do with, despite my lack of athletic talent, I can actually swing a bat and, every once in a while, hit a ball. Not that I have ever had any desire to be in the Major League or anything, but I understand how it feels to stand at the plate and look down a pitcher. For people who have ever played any type of baseball, softball or woffleball, you understand. That feeling you get when you first walk up to the plate: am I going to strike out? What if the bases are loaded? What if there are two outs already? What if I let the team down? It's probably the scariest part about baseball, because, let's face it; compared to football, injuries are mostly minor. So whenever the batter approaches the plate, I feel like I can relate to him because, I too have felt the stress of being up to bat. I think that makes me want to cheer even harder whenever they actually get a hit because I feel like I understand how exciting it is to actually hit the ball. I wonder if someone like Chipper Jones or Albert Pujols, who have thousands of hits over their careers, see getting a hit as just another ho-hum part of the job. I sincerely hope that every time they hear the crack of the bat, no matter how many times they have heard it before, they feel the same excitement they did as a little kid. I know I would.

Hey! Move it!

I think I might be in the minority, but I enjoy moving. Having lived in the same room of the same house in the same town for 18 years, I like having the chance to be somewhere new and different. I like the fresh start. I also enjoy sorting through the massive amounts of stuff I have managed to collect over the past year. Throwing out a majority of the things you manage to collect in the course of a year is a very cleansing process. This cleansing prices really makes you decide what is important amongst all of your belongings. It kind of makes you think of what is important in your life. Most of the time, I like to drag around things (particularly papers, such as biological science notes from 7th grade) around for years before I eventually throw them out. Similarly, I like to carry hard and heavy feelings around with me before I eventually let them go. I think most people are like this. I think when we have a fear that we will have to face the world head on; we can no longer sit in the corner feeling sorry for ourselves. So we hold on to our pain as long as we can, hoping we can continue to lick our wounds until we are confident again. And so we carry our stuff around with us, even though we will never again use our various old t-shirts, high school notebooks or free magnets. Whenever I clean, I feel like I am not only throwing out my 2007 soccer schedule magnet, but also any hard feelings I have been carrying in my heart. So, I like moving because I like having the opportunity to clean out my life, both literally and figuratively.

Spread your wings and fly away

When I was a little girl, one of my favorite things to do when I visited my grandmother was to look at all her butterfly mementos. I would rearrange the magnets on her refrigerator, stare at the pillows and towels all around the house, and gaze at the beauty of the butterfly necklace she always wore. When my grandmother died, she left me her necklace; a necklace that she had worn everyday for many, many years. There are many questions I wished I had asked my grandmother, but one stands out: why butterflies?
All butterflies begin as larvae, also known as caterpillars. Caterpillars in themselves are remarkable. They very in size from about 1 mm to about 8 cm and contain about 4000 muscles in their tiny, tiny bodies. Most people think of caterpillars as pests, because they like to eat (just like many humans). Caterpillars eat so much that they grow and shed their skin four or five times before they spin themselves into their silk cocoons. Many caterpillars receive help from other insects, particularly ants, as they feed and grow. Despite this help, few caterpillars actually get the chance to mature into butterflies. Many are eaten by animals, killed by weather and gardeners, and some insects even implant their eggs into caterpillars, who become both a home and a food source for these parasites.
When caterpillars have grown, they spin themselves into a cocoon, where their bodies are broken down and then reassembled into butterflies. Butterflies then break open their cocoons, strengthening their wings. As soon as they are released, their wings become hard, and butterflies are free to fly away. After all they go through, escaping dangers as a caterpillar, having their bodies broken down and rearranged, and finally struggling to break out of their cocoons, butterflies only live about two weeks on average. They spend most of their lives in struggle, only getting the chance to fly and achieve their destiny for a brief second of time.
I don't know how much my grandmother knew about butterflies. Maybe she only thought they were pretty. I think she felt something deeper, some sort of connection to butterflies. On the sofa, she had a pillow that I think sums up her thoughts on butterflies: "Just when the caterpillar thought that life was over, God made him into a butterfly." I think this accurately describes life; just when you think all hope is lost, life becomes wonderful again, and you get your chance to fly away.

Stranger danger

Today, I was sitting at the bus stop when two girls came up to me with some flyers. Usually I try to avoid people with flyers. For one, flyers are very harmful to the environment; think of how many trees are killed a year! And they are extremely annoying. I knew that I was going to have to take this flyer, though. I had broken my own cardinal rules of flyer dodging: never stand some place where you can be easily cornered, and never sit down. I had done both today, and was an easy target. I listened to their little speech, and wondered why they just couldn't hand me the flyer and leave me alone. As they finally walked away, I began to wonder: what happened to society that has made us so distrustful and closed off to strangers?
It amazes me how often people go out of their way to avoid each other. At one point, all friends were once strangers. When did it become socially acceptable to avoid the gazes of fellow human beings and pass-by with out at least a nod or a smile? Many historians argue that the growth of exclusivity among people to just be amiable to friends and family came in the 1950s. In the book Homeward Bound, Elaine Tyler May says the dying of the traditional American town came with the rise of the suburbs and the onslaught of the Cold War. The policy of "containment" was permeating not only American foreign relations, but also American familial and communal relations. Families were "contained" to themselves. Many also argue the large-spread rise of crime led many people to distrust each other. You never know who may be a serial killer. Ask Ted Bundy's friends.
Yet, people are not completely withdrawn from one another. On the Internet, millions of people interact with one another, strangers and friends alike. People find no qualms I'm-ing a person who lives thousands of miles away, but are uncomfortable when the person standing next to them in line strikes up a conversation. Meeting people takes courage, and may be its just me, but the human race seems to be lacking in bravery.

Listing off

I'm not going to lie; despite my young age, I have already developed several theories on life. One that has particularly struck me is this: people like lists.
One of the first things you learn in writing a press release is to use lists and bullet points. People's eyes are supposedly drawn there because they are usually offset and numbered; I think it's because people just really love lists. Why do people like lists? People like order. It's why we created government and study history and many other subjects. It's also why we like lists. People also like feeling accomplished. It's why we like getting good grades, a pat-on-the-back or an award; we like to see our work appreciated and rewarded by another. Lists provide a perfect combination of order and sense of accomplishment. You can see your goals, tasks, etc. perfectly outlined; then, cross them off with vigor when completed. Lists provide people with order, stability and control that can be lacking in many areas of life.
Maybe you didn't make one today; maybe you haven't made one in years. At one point in life, every person will make a list. And they will like it, whether or not they admit it.

The greatest show on earth

After recently viewing Woodstock and Gimme Shelter (the story of Altamont), and with the impending Lollapalooza, I've been thinking: who would grace the stage if I could throw the perfect music festival? While Bonnaroo 2008 and this year's Lollapalooza lineups are so so close to perfection, I have created my own list of people I would like to see. While this magnificent performance could never take place (unless time-travel becomes a viable option), it is my dream to see all of these acts.
1. The Beatles, circa 1964. They were still young and had yet to discover LSD and India.
Will perform: I Saw Her Standing There, Twist and Shout, A Hard Day's Night, All My Loving and I Should Have Known Better.
2. The Jackson 5, circa 1970. It may seem cliche with MJ's recent death, but after days of watching archival footage of their performances, who couldn't help but want to see them live? Will perform: I'll Be There, ABC, and I Want You Back.
3. Ben Folds. Ben Folds has an amazing ability to make you feel like he's singing and talking only to you.
Will perform: whatever he feels like. He could stand on-stage smacking his gum into the microphone and I would be happy.
4. Buddy Holly, circa 1957. Holly and the Crickets were the original rock band.
Will perform: Peggy Sue, That'll Be the Day, Dearest and Everyday.
5. Bob Dylan. He's just really, really cool.
Will perform: his entire song catalogue. This might take a few months.
6. The Who, circa before Keith Moon died. Probably wrote some of the best songs of the past 50 years.
Will perform: Tommy, Who's Next, My Generation, Love Reign O'er Me.
7. R.E.M. and the B-52s. I would love to see them perform together, and since this is my dream show, they will.
Will perform: Nightswimming, Shiny Happy People, Orange Crush, Radio Free Europe, Superman, Love Shack, Roam, Rock Lobster, Private Idaho and whatever else they want to.
8. Janis Joplin, circa 1969. Must be sober enough to last the entire performance.
Will perform: Cry Baby, Summertime, Piece of My Heart, and Bobby McGhee.
9. John Mayer. He is so much better live than on his records. And that's says a lot.
Will perform: anything that pops into his head.
10. Bon Jovi. The greatest band to come out of the "hair band" craze. They are still making great music almost 20 years later.
Will perform: Livin On a Prayer, You Give Love a Bad Name.
11. Alicia Keys. Master of the piano.
Will perform: anything that she has ever written.
12. Otis Redding and Jimi Hendrix. Once again, these two never performed together, but it would have been spectacular if they had.
Will perform: Sittin On the Dock of the Bay, Hey Joe, Fire.
13. Adele. The girl has sooouuuul.
Will perform: Chasing Pavements.
14. The Killers. They've got soul, but they're not soldiers.
Will perform: Sam's Town in its entirety.
15. U2. Overrated? Yes. Still pretty cool? Yes.
Will perform: Vertigo, Where the Streets Have No Name, Beautiful Day, Sunday Bloody Sunday.
16. David Bowie, circa Ziggy Stardust. The king of the rock show.
Will perform: Ziggy Stardust.
17. T.I. and assorted friends. ATL's very own.
Will perform: Live Your Life, Rubberband Man, Whatever You Like.

Honorable mentions: Nirvana, The Doors, Joni Mitchell, Queen, Dave Matthews Band and Rihanna.

Dear life, please find me.

Wanted: one life
Must be: fun, action-packed, adventure-filled and laughter-laden. Dancing and singing required. Career, marriage and children preferred. Happiness an absolute.
Money does not equate success.
No time limit.
Anything involving science, math or business need not apply.

An ode to living life

"Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life." Eleanor Roosevelt

Henry David Thoreau moved to Walden Pond to get the most out of his life. For most of us, getting the most out of life is much harder than moving 12 miles down the road. I have therefore decided to make a "bucket list" in order to be sure I will get all that I can out of life.
1. Go on a cross-country road trip. Georgia to California, summer 2010.
2. Camp in the Australian outback. Lie on back and see trillions of stars. Remind self to be humble.
3. Work at the Olympics. Meet the best athletes in the world.
4. Plant a garden. Enjoy the sweet scent of roses.
5. Run a marathon. Prove to self that I can do anything.
6. Travel by train. Just like Ron and Harry!
7. Go to church at Westminster Abbey. Sit by Poet's Corner. Try to soak up awesomeness.
8. Hike the Appalachian Trail. But not at one time.
9. Stand at the foot of Mt. Everest. Be amazed by the wonders of nature.
10. Be in a movie. My life is practically a movie anyway.

To an athlete, dying never

Their names are more recognizable to most Americans than the names of the presidents. Their posters still grace walls, even though the freshness of their feats have passed. They've been called heroes, they've been called winners, but really they all thought of themselves as one thing: athletes.
So, just what makes an athlete great? When do they cross-over that ambiguous line between "good" and "great"? Or between "great" and "greatest"? For Babe Ruth, it was revolutionizing the entire sport of baseball. For Jim Thorpe and Babe Didrikson, it was the ability to perform many sports at an exceptional level. Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Nadia Comaneci took the sports basketball, golf, and gymnastics into public notoriety. Ty Cobb and Martina Navratilova hold records that still stand today. Lance Armstrong and Wilma Rudolph overcame career threatening diseases and disabilities. Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens showed strength and courage in the face of hideous discrimination. The 1980 US Hockey team shocked the world.
Greatness cannot be measured by a formula. How will the athletes of today measure up? Will Michael Phelps be remembered for his glorious record-breaking eight gold medals, or will the scandal of his marijuana partying overshadow his feats, a la "Shoeless" Joe Jackson or O.J. Simpson? Will popular stars Peyton and Eli Manning be remembered? Will the US soccer team's snap of Spain's 34-game winning streak be talked of generations from now? Only time will tell if these athletes have crossed the indeterminable line that separates the good from the great. But at least for now, we will cheer their names as if they were.

The future freaks me out

So, after months of casually sitting back and letting my future take a back seat, I decided to actually do something about it (specifically starting this blog). As I start my third year in college (whoa!), I am beginning to think it may be necessary for me to figure out what I want to do for the rest of my life. Whenever anyone asks me what I am planning on doing with my majors (magazines and history), I give one of the following answers: a) go to grad school, b) work with an international news source, or c) I'm not sure. Lately, my answer has been some form of c) with my newest being "Wherever the wind blows me." Truthfully, I don't really like to think about the future. That's not to say that I don't make lists or plan (I plotted out my entire academic career when I was a freshman), but I've recently had trouble picturing the future. If someone had asked me five years ago where I pictured myself, it would not have been sitting in Athens, writing a blog. It probably would have been designing buildings or something like that. My goal for ten years of my life was to become an architect. I used to draw houses and floor plans; I loved watching home improvement shows. At the end of my junior year of high school, I decided that architecture wasn't the path for me, and ever since then, I stopped looking so much into the future. As Robert Burns said "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley" (or "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry", in case you don't speak Scottish). Maybe one day, I'll know what the future holds for me. I'm just going to go wherever the wind may blow me until I find out.

Peaceful, easy cleaning

At the beginning of every semester, I like to clean my room. Not just dust and vacuum (which I do) but I also like to pull everything out of every drawer, cabinet, and box. I find it a very liberating process. I get rid of all the stuff I don't need (Disney 3-D glasses, anyone?), pack up stuff that I won't use during the semester (notebooks, weather-inappropriate clothing), and discover things I forgot I had (staple-remover, how many times have I needed you throughout last semester? How many times did I wish that I had you? And to think you were hidden under my thousands of post-it notes this whole time!) It's always a nice feeling to look around your room and see everything perfectly lined up and in its place. I like knowing that when I open my drawer my shirts are perfectly color coordinated, my cassettes are in alphabetical order (yes, I still listen to cassettes; the sound of rewinding soothes me), and my staple-remover is sitting beside my neatly stacked post-its. Granted, by tomorrow, when I can't find an envelope or my Career Center shirt, my drawers will be in their typical disastrous state. For tonight, however, my drawers are nice and neat, and my life is perfect.

Absence makes the heart more appreciative

For most of my middle school/high school life, I did not like living in Ellijay. The closer I got to college, the more I disliked it, and the more anxious I was to leave it. I was so excited to finally get out and be someplace else, but the more I am away from Ellijay, the more I realize how much I actually love it.
When I was little, Ellijay was very, very tiny. Before all the stores popped up along 515, the first glimpses of Ellijay you could see were the Ingles grocery store sign and the KFC bucket. It was the best feeling in the world when, after a long journey away, those two signs came into view. I knew I was home.
Now, when I travel down 52, I get the same feelings of elation when the "Keep Gilmer Beautiful" and apple houses slowly appear along the roadside. All the stress from school melts away, and I know that I am home where I can forget to be responsible, lay on the couch, hang out around town, and have my mom fix dinner for me.
Sometimes, I miss my hometown. Probably because there I get to shirk all my responsibilities for however long I stay there, my parents are there to take care of me, and my pets are there to entertain me. Truth be told, the more I travel and spend time away from Ellijay, the more appreciative I am of the experiences of my life there. I love Ellijay and am so glad I can call it my hometown no matter how small and boring it may seem to the outside observer. It will always feel like home to me.

My first blog

So, I'm finally becoming blogger. I've been hearing about how important blogs are for journalists, and since so far I have done nothing to further my dreams, I decided maybe it was time to become proactive with this whole "future" thing. Which leads me to ask, why blog? To keep people informed of your life? To ponder the infinite questions of life and the universe? To give opinions on world events? While all of these things are true about why other people blog, it was necessary for me to ask myself why I, in fact, was taking the plunge into blogging. Mostly to get a job (*shameless plug: please hire me!). But really I feel like any of these reasons could pertain to my reason for blogging. Because honestly, I have no idea what I am doing. But isn't that a part of life? Trying new things, succeeding, failing, trying other things when you fail...so here I go. 3...2...1...jump (or in my case, POST!)