The Anniversary Party (2001)

Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try. A year ago I wrote my first entry to a blog I didn't think anyone would care to read. Since that post I've received some really good feedback and some great advice and it's become something I really care about. 

I really look forward to blogging, sometimes when I'm really stressed I put those feelings aside, write, and everything is better. If I can't find anything that interests me to blog about, I just wait until I do. It's become a journal for me. And at times, like during finals, it's a studyguide. 

Am I excited for school to start? I can't really tell. I'm excited to know what a normal week will look like in my planner. I'm anxious to see how I'm going to balance 2 jobs, being a full-time student, and meeting the crewing requirements. (36 hours in the Fall, 24 in the Spring) Directing students were assigned homework over the summer. Have I completed them? Ask me in about 2 days. :)

Do you remember my nervous blogging about a Safety Exam a year ago? Yeah, well that exam is this Saturday. Remember my poor luck where that exam was concerned? I really hope that doesn't happen again. I'm over prepared this time. 

Films I've recently seen: 

In my desperate attempt to find something to watch on Netflix the other night I came across Mary & Max (2009) an Australian clay-animated black comedy-drama film. This was exactly what I didn't know I was looking for. Refreshing and different, I was very much satisfied. So much so that I considered watching it again!

 

I feel a kindredness to Mary, simple things like eating Spam sandwhiches and wishing she could peel her birth mark off like a band aid. It doesn't make sense, I know.  

I went hiking up Hanging Rock recently to ease nerves. Hiking serves as a cheap and painful therapy. It's like living a metaphor. Once I got to the top and recovered from the chest pains, I was able to appreciate the breathtaking scenery of Danbury, North Carolina. 

I wish I made more time for physical activities like hiking and my other hobbies. Summer went by so fast and I filled my days with many random things, but I have to say, being outdoors wasn't one of them. 

This milestone means that summer is officially over for me. Tomorrow is the first meeting for school followed by registrations and advisement. Let's make the best of it! 

Second year, I'm ready for you! So bring it!!

The Anniversary Party (2001) Written, Directed by and starring Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh

PS! Check out my bffs new blog!! I promise things will escalate quickly!

http://uncsawriter.blogspot.com/

David Fincher

David Fincher

"As a director, film is about how you dole out the information so that the audience stays with you when they're supposed to stay with you, behind you when they're supposed to stay behind you, and ahead of you when they're supposed to stay ahead of you."

David Fincher is a name I could not escape during my first year of film school. Before school, I tended to identify films by their actors. But I've learned that a film by David Fincher is mainly that. A film by David Fincher. And everyone involved plays a part to his vision and style. 

Directed: 

Se7en (1995)- 

A thriller/horror/neo-noir film that is not appropriate for an 11 year old. (Which is when I saw it) In my parent's defense, I BEGGED to see it and hid any residual fear it caused.  About 20 years later this remains one of my favorite films of all time. I have a thing for structured and established numerical things like the 7 Deadly sins. (The 4 Noble Truths, The 10 Commandments)

Fight Club (1999)- 

A favorite film while in high school, this movie made me want to be a boy. This is one of those films most people wish they made themselves which proves it's a great idea. As I got older I was introduced to Chuck Palahniuk as a writer. I read a few books and was pleasantly disturbed. When in Barnes and Nobles I tend to skim the aisle and catch up on the sleeves of his new books. I've only been brave enough to read Haunted, Snuff and Pygmy.

Reading about Fight Club, it's hard to believe that it was poorly received when it was first released. Once the DVD was released and sales were high, then were the criticisms retracted. 

Zodiac (2007)-

Fincher's first digitally shot film and the most recent I've seen. Although I think it's a damn good film, it's my least favorite. I found myself missing a lot and having to rewind to catch what I missed in dialogue. It's always fun to catch the trademarks of certain filmmakers, the bird's eye of a moving car through traffic is probably my favorite. 

Zodiac was a star filled cast with really great performances, but the eery 'Fincher feel' was just missing for me. 

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)-

Based on the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, it's one of the most beautiful movies I've ever seen, (I think Cate Blanchett had a lot to do with that.) It's trip through decades reminds me a lot of Forest Gump (1994), with good reason: Same writer. Eric Roth. 

TCCOBB is the first Oscar trumping film with 13 nominations. 

The film rights were purchased in the mid 80s and it took a couple of decades to get together the proper crew and cast to make it work. They chose to take advantage of the filming incentives in Louisiana and filmed in New Orleans. 

The Social Network (2010)-

This semi-biographical film, in my opinion, depicts the youth of the ivy league scene in a very believable way. It was almost dark and eery with a little help from Trent Reznor. Another nomination frenzy.

Fun fact: Harvard has negated most filming on location after Love Story (1970) cause significant damage to the campus. 

The first scene in the film (Zuckerburg & girlfriend) took 99 takes to finish. I can't imagine 50 takes of the same scene!!

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2011)-

Based on the Swedish novel of the same name, it was one of my most anticipated films of 2011. I accidentally bumped into the Swedish trilogy a few years ago on netflix and loved all 3. Then I heard Fincher was remaking them and to be quite honest, I wasn't uber excited. I felt like it was still fresh and great and Noomi Rapace was such a pioneer it would be hard to top that performance. But I don't think Rooney Mara fell short. 

In my opinion, I couldn't imagine this film being any better, and then Fincher puts his twang on it and made it his own. I'm happy to report that he's signed on for the whole trilogy which started filming this January and will be released this Fall. 

An interview with David Fincher:

Get Him to the Greek (2010)

Leave it to me to find one of the best kept secrets of Winston Salem, O'so Eats. A Greek owned restaurant that serves everything from a Seafood Fradiavolo to Meatloaf. A Thank You to my friend, Milo, who referred me for a job, I am currently employed!! :) By the end of my first shift I found myself annoyed that I hadn't been in to eat before. The food looks FANTASTIC and the prices are definitely something to write home about. Take a look: 

http://www.osorestaurantgroup.com/

It was a huge mistake to work my first shift on an empty stomach. As the servers swooshed passed me delivering entrees I felt the hunger bury deeper inside until I finally convinced myself to order something. "Forgetaboutit" A citrus Alfredo pasta and chicken dish. 'Incroyable!'

Nana's Foster

I've made it a personal goal to try everything on the menu! Starting with a few employee favorites which have not disappointed yet. I've met some really awesome people already that I can't wait to work with more. Let's hope this year's schedule is allowing, because Mama needs to make some money. 

PEACEHAVEN Community Farm

I recently had the pleasure of being introduced to a very inspirational cause:
Peacehaven Community Farm. One of my very best friends, Austin's family founded this farm and he shared the story with me which has really touched me. 

From the website:
http://peacehavenfarm.org/index.html

Peacehaven Farm will be a place where adults with intellectual and physical disabilities can come and live permanently. The farm will have individual homes where the residents and assistants will live. Many different farming activities are being considered including having a community garden. We are also actively exploring the possibility of having a fiber farm. Wool from our sheep could be sold as part of a cottage-industry.

Inspiration came from their experiences. Peacehaven Farm is inspired by the family members of the farm's leaders: Tim and Susan Elliott, and Buck Cochran. All are parents of children with special needs. They have experienced the joys, the heartaches, the quest to "fix", and the awe and wonderment of having someone they love with intellectual disabilities become all they were meant to be.

The Elliott's twin son had a brain hemorrhage shortly after birth. They wanted to ensure that not only was their son cared for, but that he was also in a learning and loving environment. They began looking at different opportunities for their son. Then they met Buck Cochran, a former associate pastor at the Elliott's church. Buck had long had an interest in people with disabilities and in the ministry of L'Arche communities. The L'Arche model pairs residents with assistants and it is in that space, Cochran said, lives are transformed. The residents become our teachers and we all grow. In the fall of 2007, the three began transforming a place called Peacehaven from a dream to a reality.

In 2009 Susan lost her battle with cancer but her vision continues to inspire the board, staff, and many volunteers who brought the farm and its programs to life in 2010.

Home on the farm. Peacehaven Farm focuses on three areas: growing, healing, and community. A farm was conceived because it epitomized many of the values the Elliotts and Cochran believe:

Everyone is valued.

Everyone can contribute.

Everyone can become the person they were meant to be when in a nurturing, supportive environment.

"Growth in the personal, spiritual, vocational or even in the practical nature should never be underestimated. While living on a working farm, the residents and their assistants, volunteers, and staff will see growth all around them as they grow into the amazing people God wants them to become."

"Throughout their lives, people with disabilities and their families have faced physical obstacles, stares, good intentions, rejection, invisibility. Peacehaven farm was not created to accommodate people with intellectual and physical disabilities -- but to celebrate them. The founder of L'Arche, Jean Vanier, describes such places as "communities where people whatever their race, culture, abilities or disabilities, can find a place and reveal their gifts to the world".

How to help? The needs of Peacehaven Farm will change with time, the seasons, and with the members of the Peacehaven community. Your help now is needed to focus on the many details that lie ahead. Thier email newsletter is a great way to stay up-to-date on farm happenings and volunteer opportunities. Click here to be added to the news letter:

https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/phf/survey.jsp?surveyId=1

Located in Whitsett, NC. Very close to Greensboro and Winston Salem for anyone interested in volunteering, let me know and I will join you! :)

Summer School (1987)

Lately I've had the urge to set an alarm on my phone reminding me of important things. The kinds of things you find yourself remembering at the weirdest times, like "Reminder for Thursday: Life goes by really fast so take a moment to appreciate small things you're likely to forget."

"Reminder for Friday: Allow everyone you meet to make an impact on your life (good/bad) or Learn a lesson from those you meet."

July has been kind and cruel to me. Full of some really great days and some crabby days. Full of really good luck like getting a Queen Bed and Box Spring for free on Craigslist, but then really bad luck like losing the box spring on I-40. I'm not lying when I say I'm happy to see July go and August to be here, even though there is still a few days left.

I was looking forward to watching New Year's Eve (2011). I shouldn't have been so excited. It is a bit of a continuation of Valentine's Day (2010) with character and plot changes.  It was cute and entertaining but not my favorite film. It follows about 10 stories but is not a traditional anthology film. Some of my favorite faces graced the screen which is always a tasty delight, especially Michelle Pfeiffer. 

July began for me with a little bit of a relocation. It's better financially to live off campus, and better for my sanity. Although I have nothing terrible to say about my roommate freshman year, I can honestly say I like my space and privacy. Who doesn't, am-i-right? It's times like this it pays to be a non traditional student. I can't help but be a little excited to have a place to escape to when school becomes a little much. 

I've been splitting my time between Fayetteville, Winston Salem and Wilmington and some days touch down in all three. Driving must have become a little monotonous because the other day I got into an accident on I-40. My poor bumper! That just postpones little things I wanted to get, nothing necessary. 

If only it were this easy....

Lemoncello Cake from Luigis

While I visit Fayetteville I pick up shifts at my old restaurant and spend hours catching up with people I've known for almost 10 years. It feels like a family reunion. But after a double I get home looking like:

Especially because Brandon's Dad visited from Hawaii and Brandon has been off the whole month of July so it's late night hangouts with family & friends. 

Sake and Miso

There were some very great moments in July: My sister-in-law getting married. She made a beautiful bride. Her minister? None other than Brandon J. Hurley. Yup. Brandon became certified to marry his sister. (Not in a West Virginian way) (Sorry, Austin). 

Brandon, Van and I went to Busch Gardens recently and had a very good time!

My bff, Mia

Van & Mia, this pic describes them perfectly 

Brandon soaked

Van shooting hoops

France was perfectly clad in pink... 

trying to look cool on the Griffon

Beautiful owl

There's still 6 days left in July, but it's going to be spent running around like a decapitated chicken. Brandon deploys this week and I'm moving to Winston Salem and starting a new job. That's a lot, so wish me luck. 

I love people like this!!!!

Paris, je t'aime (2006)

"We'll always have Paris." 

- Casablanca

Like any typical girl who hasn't been to Paris, I often find myself fantasizing about the first time I'll get to see this city. I remember getting excited in high school and college classes when we were assigned a report on a country or city. I always found a way to choose Paris. My presentations even included a barret and the serenading of Louis Armstrong's La Vie en Rose. 

Most of what I've been watching lately has been referencing Paris so I've totally got macaroons on the mind. I was very close to having the best language software on my computer to learn French over the summer. Instead I've settled for any DVD available with French subtitles or just films that take place in France.

Sabrina (1954) is on my list of top Parisian favorites. Audrey Hepburn originated the role of Sabrina in 1954. A modern day fairytale, Chaeuffer's daughter lives above the garage and watcehes as the love of her life and his family live their life of luxury and fortune. Her father, who feels she needs to find herself away from her fantasy beaux, sends her to Paris. Nobody was ready for who returns. 

French Kiss(1995). Starring Meg Ryan and Kevin Klein. Kate rushes to Paris to win back the love of her life, along the way she encounters con-man, Luke Tessier. 

Something's Gotta Give (2003) although this film doesn't take place in Paris, Diane's character, Erica, has some kind of soul connection to Paris and the French culture. With soft frech music as the soundtrack and the occasional conversation in French, this film has a way of picking me up when I'm feeling blue. Even with a 10 minute long crying montage. 

One of my guilty pleasures is the TV show, Sex and the City. A show that MANY people try to make me ashamed of. I agree it is chalk full of the cheesiest puns ever. But I connected early on with these girls and have learned a lot of life lessons from the show. 

I think it was very appropriate to end the series in Paris. 

Who didn't love Moulin Rouge(2001)?

My girlfriend Jen took a trip to Paris, a brilliant writer, she documented her travels on a fashion heavy and charming blog:

http://www.fairytalefashionista.com/2010/03/paris-je-taime-part-deux.html

Paroozing etsy is bittersweet at times because you run the risk of coming across little gems such as:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71383418/winter-in-paris-ring-snow-globe-eiffel

Twice I've toyed with the idea of ordering this little slice of heaven and both times they've been completely sold out. You'd think I'd learn my lesson and just order it. That's where life steps in and a blown tire ruins the day...

I know I've mentioned my favorite type of film plenty of times, and here is another mention. Anthology films! One of the first I saw was, 

Paris, je t'aime (2006). I'm very excited to watch New Year's Eve (2011) tonight. 

When traveling I take advantage of food I don't get back home. My absolute favorite snacks are pastries, especially croissants. To have one homemade from it's motherland would be the icing on... a pastry! (that was a very Sex and the City pun)

http://www.nadege-patisserie.com/

http://www.laduree.fr/en/fabricant/produits/patisseries

If I haven't argued my case enough about Paris being one of the greatest cities in the world then let's chat about the history of film... again. France is easily considered the birth place of cinema. The Lumiere Brothers invented the cinematographe in 1895. Their silent documentary film, The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Station is considered the birth of cinematography. There were 4 firms in the early days of the industry: The Lumiere Bros, Georges Melies, Freres, and the Gaumont Co. Although is was the first to bow out, Georges Melies is my favorite of the early pioneers. In my earlier blogs, thanks to my editing class and American Cinema, I blogged tirelessly about Georges and the Lumiere Brothers and then again when I saw Hugo(2011). The French film industry suffered after World War 1. This allowed for the Us to step in. 

There are a million places to visit in Paris, I'm sure as in New York. But I have my own little list of places I have to see, starting with the most obvious.

1) The Eiffel Tower

2) The Louvre

3) Bohemian Paris

4) Notre Dame

5) The Sorbonne

6) Seine River (Sunset cruise)

7) The Catacombs

8) The Champo Theatre

9) The Luxembourg Garden

10)and probably a double decker bus tour of EVERYTHING!

This video couldn't have graced my inbox at a more perfect time thanks to Austin for sharing. 

For those not making the connection, Beauty and the Beast takes place in France. :)