Saturday, June 27, 2009

People always told me, "Be careful what you do!"

Yesterday was such a weird day: Farrah Fawcett lost her battle with cancer and then all of a sudden Michael Jackson is rushed to the hospital and dies of cardiac arrest. I'm saddened by his passing, even though his greatness has been in the past for some time now. I don't see him as a current hit-making musician because all my favorites of his were from a long time ago. But I have memories of jammin' to MJ while drinking with my buddies in Texas. We'd usually end up playing his videos on YouTube while we drank, or I had a bunch of his songs on my New Year's Eve playlist on my iPod that we listened to before we toasted the New Year. It's sad what he became in the end. But on the up side, I think Geico has stopped playing those stupid commercials with the pile of money with eyes in respect for his song that's in the commercial. "I always feel like somebody's watchin' me..."

My mom has decided that she wants to put my dinning room set in her eat-in kitchen because it's a little smaller than the one they have in there. It will make the room feel bigger, I think. But it was a very blonde color, so we've been sanding it down and refinishing it with a darker stain. It's taking a while because we bought this new stain that's supposed to be quicker... but of course it's not. We'll need at least three coats to get the color we want. We still haven't sanded down three of the four chairs! It's going to keep us busy, that's for sure. I'll be sure to post pictures when we're done, I think it's starting to look great. The stain gives it character.

I finished "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" and started "Revolutionary Road." "Memory" was a great novel, but it was kind of annoying that the husband kept such a serious secret all of his life. Why couldn't he just TELL her?? Men... "Revolutionary Road" is intriguing so far, but I'm only 50 pages in. Yesterday, Imagine That! Productions received its first new play submission, so I spent last night reading that. I LOVE reading new plays, and I think this one is a great work of art. I hope we can put it on the stage because I could have a Dramaturgical Field Day with this one!

I'm very glad that John let me be apart of his production company, even though I'm out here in Arizona. I feel like I'm doing a job, but I'm not getting paid for it (yet!). I love the work, and I feel it's the only thing keeping me sane right now, and keeping me motivated to chase my dreams in the fickle life of a theatre artist.

I've also been working out on the Wii Active, and I think I'm getting addicted! I still do lunges and squats, which I HATE, but I enjoy having that "trainer" there, and I love the boxing, tennis, and volleyball. I've only done a few workouts, but I plan to do the 30-day Challenge once I get my body used to regular exercise. (I also have dreams of completing a triathalon, but that's a lofty goal right now!)

On another sad note, I didn't get the lecturer position that I applied for at SFA in Nacogdoches, Texas. I knew if someone more qualified applied, then I wasn't going to be considered, but I figured it was worth a shot. So... there's that. I need to look out for GRE prep courses soon so I can retake that (and hopefully get a higher score) so I have a better chance of getting into a doctorate program. I've also requested information from a few different online schools about getting my teaching certification. At least I'll have something! (My Masters degree STILL hasn't come in the mail...)

So, the job search continues... along with the reading, researching, and working out!

And remember: "It don't matter if you're black or white!"

Monday, June 22, 2009

The Proposal

The movie. Not an actual proposal. (It's going to be a LOOOOONG time before that ever happens to me...)

The movie was a typical chick-flick: two people that hate each other need to spend a long amount of time together and they fall in love because of it. Typical. But it was funny, and Ryan Reynolds is a cutie. I liked how Sandra Bullocks' costumes became more relaxed as her character learned more about Reynolds' character, and when she left him they were very formal again. Good design choice. Other than that, I really have nothing else to say about the film. I might watch it again when it comes out, my mom liked it.

Today was Father's Day, so we went to church and had some family friends over. Jessica was in the youth group with me at church and graduated high school a year behind me. Our parents are really good friends, and Jessica and her husband Sam are stationed at the Air Force Base here. We get to see them and their new baby pretty often, and her parents came into town this week. I think it was really good for my parents to see their friends from Texas and catch up on what's been going on in The Woodlands. We ate smoked brisket and played the Wii, and played with the baby until she fell asleep. After they left, we went for a short dip in the pool before it got chilly.

Jessica wants to play golf sometime, so I need to get some golf shoes and clothes, and practice! I'm really good at Wii golf, but not so good in real life. Last time I went to the driving range I was doing pretty well. I'm just now learning to use my hips as the source of power in my swing and keep my feet planted.

I'm still reading "The Memory Keeper's Daughter." I saw the Lifetime movie a while ago, so I keep comparing scenes I remember to the film, but it's a well-written novel so far. I'm about halfway through. After I finish that, I think I'm going to start "Revolutionary Road." My dad just bought the movie and I want to read the book before I see the film.

As a side note, I was playing with the zoom and focus of my camera last month and took some pictures of the desert flowers in my parents' backyard. Here are a few:



Now I'm going to get in bed, cuddle with Sassy, and read my book. Good night!

Friday, June 19, 2009

Never Say Never

Sorry it's been a while, for the two people that read this. I'm watching Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and the Fray is on. I wouldn't mind seeing them in concert.

Speaking of concerts... I need to start drinking some Bud Light so I can go on the Paradise Cruise and see Dave Matthews Band. That would be BAD ASS.

I cut my bangs... too short. Usually I cut them when they're dry, but I cut them right out the shower this time and they ended up too short. I look like a 5 year old. It's terrible. I hope they grow fast!

I had one of those days where you try to complete your errands in a timely manner and nothing goes right. I ended up spending too much money printing out a script because the library lady only let me do 30 pages. The library here is really ridiculous. I took Texas State's library for granted, that's for sure.

I finished "Water For Elephants" a few days ago and LOVED it. I spent all of Sunday afternoon reading while golf was on TV. I only stopped to bowl on the Wii with my parents. We're all Pros now, according to our skill level. We've bowled a lot of games... Anyway, the book was great-- I love books that completely transport you to another world that completely absorbs you. The love story wasn't cheesy, either, so that was nice. It makes me want to go to the circus that will be here at the end of the month.

A few nights ago (maybe even over the weekend) I had one of those dreams about my ex. I thought they were over. If I could erase my memory like on "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", I think I would. I'm sure he doesn't think about me anymore, so I need to just stop. I wish it was that easy.

Oh, something random: last week I went to Walmart to get my oil changed and tires rotated and when I got home I only had three hubcaps. So, mom and I retraced my route from Walmart to home and couldn't find it. I called them back and asked if they had it in the shop and just forgot to put it on, and he said they didn't have it. I went online and complained to corporate and they replaced it for me. All I had to do was buy the new one and give them the receipt and they paid me back in cash. No more ghetto car.

My mom and I are going to the movies tomorrow night to see "The Proposal", with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. I'll let you know how it is, although I'm not going with high expectations.

Friday, June 12, 2009

The Reader

Usually I read the book before I see the movie. And usually I enjoy the book more than the film. In this case, however, I saw the film and just loved it, and read the book just now. I feel the film is stronger than the book, for reasons I'm not sure of. Maybe it's the way the book was written in a journalistic form. The narrator seemed bland, like he was leaving out necessary details for the reader to get involved sensually in the story. Maybe because I was comparing scenes in the book to scenes from the film. I'm not sure, but I know now that I'll stick to my former method of reading the book first and watching the film second.

I'm now moving on to a book I borrowed from the tiny library in town: Water for Elephants.


I didn't fall asleep until almost 5am. My mind just wouldn't shut off. But I think I know what I need to do. I need to stay here, I need to meet people, I need to find a job. I need to put down roots for a while, at least. And I also need to find out the status of my application to the ELCA Global Mission.

Austin?

Maybe I should have stayed in the Austin area. Last night my dad's boss told him that they were going to keep him on night shift. He's now looking for work elsewhere and told my mom if she wants to move back to Houston and get her old job back (it's still available and her boss wants her back) she should do it. So... I guess I'm looking for a job in the Austin area now and possibly moving back. (I hate moving, but I miss Texas!)

If anyone knows of someone who needs a roommate, let me know...

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Australia and Albee

I finished "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" in one sitting-- I just couldn't put it down! It's 257 pages, but it reads in 2 1/2 hours, really quick. I just loved it, and now I can see what all the fuss is about over this play. The way the characters just tear each other down until there's nothing left is just so... amazing. They don't even use physical force, except at one point, which I was very surprised when it happened. The verbal wit in the play is amazing and the dark humor made me laugh at parts. I want to see a full production of it live, now.

My mom and I watched "Australia" last night, and I must say that even though it was long, I really enjoyed it. I felt that it could have ended an hour earlier than it did, and when it kept going I was a little annoyed for a while. It was a good love story and a different view on World War II. The Northern Territory in Australia looks a lot like Arizona or west Texas. Kinda weird how that can be when they're thousands of miles away. Hugh Jackman was very cute in this movie, of course! I don't usually like Nicole Kidman, but I did like her performance in this film. Her character was very annoying at the start of the film, but she changed throughout the film, which was nice.

I got my thesis in the mail yesterday! It feels good to have a bound copy of my hard work. I'm really anxious to get my degree in the mail, if you haven't noticed. I think it's stupid that they don't give it to you when you walk across the stage. Isn't that why you have to apply for graduation in February? They don't even keep a list of names, we had to hand the guy a card with our name on it so he could read it. I don't understand why applying for graduation is necessary. I also understand that a lot of students graduate from Texas State, but you should be prepared for that. That's all I'm saying. GIVE ME MY DEGREE!!!

The sun is out-- it's been cloudy the last few days-- so I might hit the pool and swim. BUT it's been a little chilly at night so the water might be cooler than I want it. We'll see.

Monday, June 8, 2009

And when they're old enough we'll teach the kids to fly

North Korea is turning into a scary place. They need to brush up on their history and realize that people who tried crazy ways to take over the world were not successful.

I finally finished the book I've been reading for months: "Mrs. Dalloway" by Virginia Woolf. I should have read it in one sitting but the writing was all over the place that I couldn't focus on it. I appreciate that she used the unity of time in a novel (it takes place within one day) and time was a huge motif throughout. But... I don't know, I didn't really feel attached to it.

My next read: "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", a play by Edward Albee. I didn't realize it was almost 200 pages... normally you are supposed to read a play within one sitting, with an intermission, as if you are in the theatre watching it. But I'm sure I won't be able to do that with this one.

I bought a new controller for the Wii so the three of us can play MarioKart together, and I found a new game that came with a controller. So we got a game for just 10 extra bucks with the controller. It's pretty sweet! I was skeet shooting earlier, and fishing.

I just went through YellowPages.com and did a search for all listed theatres in the area and looked at their websites for job openings, and found nothing. :( I'm getting pretty tired of this.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Drum beats louder

So... Dave Matthews is a genius. Take a long look at the album art for the new CD, "Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King". Here it is, from http://www.antsmarching.org:


I just realized that this is a giant puzzle of lyrics from the new songs. I've only found a few because I haven't the patience to sit and look, but I've found a few: Alligator Pie, "snake in the woodpile", "boy chase the bird, so close but everytime, he never catch her, but he can't stop trying", "someone's house is burning down", and "cut the wings off a butterfly." I found out about this by watching episode four of the Fuse documentary, "Dave Matthews Band: the Road to Big Whiskey." Dave talks about Alligator Pie and "snake in the woodpile" on the show and I went "WHAT?!" So I ran to my room afterwards to have a look for myself and damn, it's a puzzle! And so now whenever I'm bored, you can find me in my room listening to Big Whiskey and staring at the album cover for more puzzles.

My parents really like the Wii! My mom and I have been playing every night and today was Dad's first time to play on ours. We all bowled for like 2 hours this afternoon and it was a blast. I bowled a 213!! If only I could do that in real life... not to mention the two chip-ins I had when I played Dad at golf!

I've been reading "Mrs. Dalloway" by Virginia Woolf for a long time and I just can't seem to get through it. I really want to because I have a stack of books that I want to read badly, and I'm not a quitter so I need to finish this one. Hopefully I can knock out a bunch of pages tonight, and this afternoon if it's too windy to swim after church.

We watched "Seven Pounds" tonight. My mom commented that it was a slow movie, and I partly agree. They're used to thrillers and action movies, but I enjoyed it. It had a very sentimental ending. The music was a bit off, but it fit the film. I was also confused about what he was doing in the beginning and what his actual job was, but it all came together by the end. I like that kind of movie.

Friday, June 5, 2009

WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!

I got my parents a Nintendo Wii for Mother's and Father's Day! It came today and I was surprised because the email said it wouldn't arrive until next week. But, I'm excited because it's super fun! I was going to wait for Dad to wake up before I opened it, but Mom and I were so bored so I opened it at 1:30 and we played until Dad woke up! We played more MarioKart after dinner, and mom is getting pretty good at it. Now we just need to get a Wii Fit and that new Active game so we can get in shape in this hot desert!

Seriously, it's been so hot lately, like 105! But it's going to cool off by tomorrow to the lower 90s so maybe I can get out and exercise OUTSIDE for a change.

The new Dave Matthews Band album came out on Tuesday and I received my copy in the mail on Wednesday, along with a t-shirt (that I'm wearing to bed tonight!) and a free 3-disc LiveTrax Volume 15 from Alpine Valley, Wisconsin! Also, they've been on TV a lot this week. We recorded a live concert from the Beacon Theatre in NYC broadcasted on Fuse, and they've also been doing a four part, 30 minute long documentary and part four airs tomorrow. DMB will also be on the Today show in the morning, but I'll be sleeping so it's set to record. :) They were on Jimmy Fallon last night and played two songs instead of one. They played Funny the Way It Is and Why I Am. Dave also came on during a skit called "Dave Matthews GPS" that was so hilarious! Here's the link: http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/blogs/2009/06/introducing-the-latest-in-navigation-the-dave-matthews-gps/

My mom is probably sick of them, but I'm loving it. I think my favorites from the album so far are Lying in the Hands of God, Baby Blue, and Alligator Pie. After seeing Alligator Pie on the Beacon concert I really want to see it live, I could really get down to that song at a show!

I was going to Wisconsin for my aunt's wedding, but it's next week and the tickets are too expensive now. Time slipped away while I was finishing my thesis, taking finals, graduating, and moving and now I can't afford to go. Oh well... I want to go up some time this summer. I also want to visit my friend Martha in NYC this summer, and my friend Beckie at her granny's in Lake Havasu, Arizona. I think I've got the travelling bug...

I need a job!! I'm so desperate that I'm considering Wal-mart. Damn this economy...

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Viva Las Vegas!

My mom and I took a quick trip up to Las Vegas to visit some family and see the strip since we've never been there. We were there for two days and that was enough for us, I think! Vegas is nice, but you need money, and when you don't have it, it kinda sucks. I do have future plans to go back with a bunch of friends and just raise hell, though!

Here are some highlights:

The Hoover Dam was on the way, so we stopped to take pictures on the ride back. Here are my favorites:

And then we made it to Las Vegas! Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of my family on my camera, my mom has them on hers. But we spent all of Monday afternoon walking along the strip and didn't even make it halfway! My favorite was the Bellagio Hotel. The art museum was pretty neat; I saw some of Andy Warhol's work. The artwork in the hotel itself was amazing, like this ceiling in the lobby. It's made of glass flowers!


I'm having trouble putting photos where I want them, so you're just going to have to look at them on Facebook. ;) It was pretty fun; we went back down the strip that night to see all the lights and hopefully the fountains at the Bellagio, but that didn't happen. We went to Freemont Street, which is off the beaten path and it was pretty dead on a Monday night. We did have fun walking around, though. Then we hit the road the next day and stopped at the Hoover Dam to take more pictures and walk around some more. We didn't take the tour because it was eight dollars and we didn't want to stick around that long. We got home at 8pm as it was.

When we got home we ate dinner and watched Dave Matthews Band: Live at the Beacon Theatre on Fuse that I recorded before we left. It was a good show, but the DVR cut off the last thirty minutes so I had to watch the end on Hulu.com. By the way, Hulu.com is my FAVORITE WEBSITE EVER. It even beats out Facebook. No longer do you need a DVR (unless you want to watch something on a bigger screen). No longer do I get upset when I miss something on TV due to having a life. I love it!

Still waiting for my degree and thesis to come in the mail... along with my DMB t-shirt, LiveTrax2008, and Big Whiskey CDs. And my parents' present for Mother's and Father's Day! I'm excited about that one! I'll fill you in once it arrives and I've given it to them (which will be the day it arrives since I'm so excited about it!)

Good night!